Chapter 140: 4-star (5)
woAK4f– Crack! Crunch!YZcgQ
ifjMP4rIn an instant, the mansion was covered in ice, and everyone gathered on the battlefield blinked in astonishment.9bij
P02oIt was an anomaly that occurred just as they sensed the flow of magic emanating from beyond the main hall.zPV1
jl0Iy1W‘This is… war magic!’9yJUCPv
TkxtlAmong the types of combat magic, those that influence the entire battlefield are classified as war magic.ASsplwm
Pmc2IlEven those without a deep understanding of magic could recognize it, and Countess Rodelia, who was a four-star mage, understood immediately.Sv1
gnHHeThat massive freezing spell radiating from inside the mansion was Large-Scale Spatial Freeze, the same one used by Lord Melverot during the Northern War.1qb
r5ILA spell classified as at least four-star level, even by the lowest estimate.F0n
8EbD4CIn short, that meant there was another four-star mage inside the mansion besides Countess Rodelia.TRGI
atR1G“Don’t panic! Mages often use spells to control the battlefield environment!”tLtvq7
yV6LwtJRodelia swallowed hard and looked up again toward the Archlich floating above.c5v
K8ANWiSDespite the fierce battle, with sword wounds all over its body, the monster continued raising corpses and blocking the subjugation squad.IyS
vH5QwCHowever, with the sudden release of that war magic, a large portion of the monstrous creatures was instantly frozen.wzBx
x0xdzsOf course, some members of the squad were also caught in the spell and lost mobility, but most were experienced enough to escape its effects on their own.lv5V2
5tSThe enemy’s losses were undoubtedly greater. It was an opportunity.ANF
SSZJfKIIf left unchecked, it would once again create a ridiculous number of monsters to slow the squad’s advance.S3thPB
MCj3NThat brief moment when the number of monsters had drastically decreased was a respite granted by the heavens.UF4zW
f4bI8That monster had to be eliminated.PWCL
pzaRThus, Countess Rodelia climbed up the icy railing.2fcF
cu0hP4The Archlich, realizing her intent, roared again and tried to cast a spell, but a pair of arrows flew and struck its chest.nJ0
9NXI2– Kaaah!xVK
KOCAs the Archlich screamed in pain, a fierce-eyed archer rose among the monsters’ corpses.CrhJC
TYHzWith silver hair tied back, she shouted to the mercenaries:PEDR
x0Z“Now!”zZh
WZSH7sYSlash! Thud!9gZ7lhF
Mjw4With a single swing, Jayden, who had charged ahead, swept away all the goblins and advanced toward the railing.c2ukO8d
wPbThe extended slash of his sword cleared the path to the Archlich.ajO
di7cIt happened in an instant. That opportunity wouldn’t last long.pBX9pi1
IO4UcIQThe monsters began to swarm again, but Ellen, Denise, and the other forces who had joined the battle worked together to hold them back.gKQCV
vSrWHWielding the Sacred Blood Sword, Rodelia leapt through the gap and finally reached the Archlich.lsuQV
4UwRp“Out of my way, you damned monster!”bYA
kCkGLight flowed from the red runes engraved on the blade, trailing along its edge, and following the arc of her swing, the sword aimed to cleave the Archlich in two.voOy
XNOzRgsA slash from the left shoulder down to the center of the body.DQys
PeV3She tried to cut it apart in one blow, but the sword’s progress stopped against the Archlich’s resilient structure.Rot
QCa– Kaaah!75b9
eCgxebThe sword halted near its solar plexus.dAFX79
P3nEven so, it was a fatal strike. A distorted scream echoed throughout the mansion.3Q05oQ7
0sm8mj1The six-star necromancer Fina had affectionately called it “Happy” and crafted it with great care.IYV
L2VgIt was the result of months of work and power granted directly by her, yet before Rodelia’s Sacred Blood Sword, it yielded under a fatal blow.kdP
TL5yCrackle! Pop!3teV9y4
vTDTremble!X3G350X
rGSShe tried to push the sword deeper where it had stopped at the solar plexus, but couldn’t completely subdue the Archlich, which continued to resist.WXq
9xq9NBang!WYgtMRU
xA0Somehow, the sword was repelled, and the Archlich floated again toward the railing of the mansion’s second-floor hall.CF1zt
KDWL“Ugh, I couldn’t finish it in one strike!”6rO1
g2kOCrash! Clang!o7RT0BZ
j7sGKzRodelia rolled across the floor, and her Sacred Blood Sword also fell against the railing.ecz
2vduMThe heavily wounded Archlich moved to destroy the troublesome sword, but the blade forged by Rodelia, a four-star transmutation mage, repelled the touch of the impure being.ZLtwgjc
QwLhBang!AYKtJ
uJhTbkThe Archlich, damaged once more by the holy power, staggered, floated, and collapsed onto the railing.n6Jo
cPZfJIt was trying to summon more demonic creatures, but it seemed to have reached its limit.6QLMdHS
jgMIt was already cornered.DkgkwJT
xP0Although Rodelia wasn’t a combat magic specialist, with the help of other mages and ranged attackers, it wouldn’t take long to eliminate that nearly defenseless creature.KdzD
lXroEkuJust as she was about to order a full assault—LJWXQs
ClAR8L– Groooh!fXC3wlu
zmz84A deep sound, like the horn of a massive ship, echoed through the air.UpxSsg
JID3VyAAbove the shattered roof, the enormous demon summoned by Grand Duke Beltus came into view.KYAoy
TPqlAThat colossal being, which looked capable of devouring the world itself, was beginning to fade into magical energy.wZmR
u08gOThe soldiers on the battlefield looked up with wide eyes.e2ldSxt
WuYvvvThe great demon summoned by a five-star summoner was vanishing.pFv54Pc
0lUWhat did that mean?SNPfJ6
96zKL1Someone had defeated Grand Duke Beltus.PUhh
DgICRhbA mage of the highest rank, who had achieved five-star magic, delved into necromancy and masterfully merged various magical disciplines—and had been defeated.cNaGT
MIFXaPe– Whoosh!og3fOI
6jM8JThe massive body visible beneath the starry sky gradually faded into smoke.6ZrHI
4Np“No… it can’t be…”Zv1p
M2FPyN“Did they capture… Grand Duke Beltus…?”Txt
GfC2KMembers of the Beldern Mercenary Corps and Countess Rodelia’s guards halted their fighting, unable to look away from the sky.9Ccyo
RxpQbbtWhen the demon’s figure completely vanished, the dying Archlich rose once more and began to float.A9Q
pFYU5“Don’t lose focus! We’re still in battle!”w7XJ
HelTy“Y-yes, Your Excellency!”Lgsm
GygVThe soldiers, regaining their senses, raised their swords again.r4AKh2H
Yv1The Archlich roared, and countless monsters began to rise once more.1dw25j
ggo71HEntrusting the battle to its minions, the Archlich started retreating into the mansion.kAheWP
F1e“What… what’s happening?!”BNP2
LtiMsk“The Archlich is fleeing! It’s retreating inside the mansion!”1j1DNh7
UcLRodelia was taken aback by the scene.opjvks
9q2GRLiches seen in numerous danger zones, starting with the White Labyrinth, never fled.URCZNpU
f7a61VThey were fearless creatures, and their territory was their home.5MoDu
mxKQemFleeing at the prospect of defeat was inconceivable.Me6FP
eEBsk0There had to be another reason why that Archlich was fleeing the battlefield.SaL
YFaucH“Damn it! After it! We must finish it completely!”pfbN
QyMKRodelia grasped her sacred sword and, dragging her exhausted body, ran down the corridor.Muic
yBHHm9FFollowing the Archlich’s escape route, she found the mansion’s halls in ruins—clear evidence of the battle between Grand Duke Beltus and Dereck.lUN0gsE
yOkSTThe Archlich, flying over the wreckage, descended through a large hole in the middle of the corridor.NX7qwhs
0rBvxDescending further and further, it wasn’t difficult to reach the underground cellar.TP0aY
GiTHeTsCrack! Bang! Crack!9L7bV
jnD47Rodelia, who had followed with the swiftest movements, saw something incredible as she landed and looked ahead.C8dk
F0DujJ1The wine barrels were shattered, and the cellar floor was soaked in wine.JEvj0DC
lMnnulIn the midst of that crimson scene, as if blood were flowing like a river, sat Baron Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw, panting.n0hXBa
UnJDHis body was covered in wounds and bloodstains, and his magical energy was almost imperceptible.4LU
wetVHe had fought to the very last drop. It was rare to see Dereck, who always fought calmly, having gone this far.YZc
Rx1VAnd before that broken man, who could no longer even stand on his own, was Grand Duke Beltus—completely frozen and subdued.b6wpDe
EqR‘What am I looking at right now?’REEIF6X
Xrr1Countess Rodelia held her breath.cWfZo
L9RVBaron Dereck Lydorf Ravenclaw, who at most seemed to be a three-star mage, had single-handedly subdued Grand Duke Beltus.ET2y
kFH1ihzGrand Duke Beltus had already been shattered by Fina, his magical power nearly exhausted, his body barely under control, driven mad by the power of necromancy.HKMh
ixI3FOf course, even if that were the case, the idea that a five-star mage could be defeated by someone two levels below him was absurd.05K
ucKThe magical hierarchy was such that each ascension represented an unimaginable gap.4av8HW
IkXIn particular, as the rank increased, the difference became so extreme that, while a one-star mage might occasionally defeat a two-star, it was nearly impossible for a three-star mage to defeat a four-star one.zYb9wM9
zJQyLe‘Traces of ice magic…’GPsEzk
SPQJZuBBut if he wasn’t a three-star mage, how was this to be interpreted?2tGWDyW
5Xkw3iA cold air flowed around the utterly exhausted Dereck. It was clear where the immense ice magic that had frozen the entire mansion had come from.KNXZ
cl7aTcDereck had become a four-star mage.8qaD
t2glvkThe implications were enormous. The difference between a three-star and a four-star mage was so vast it was often described as the distance between heaven and earth.anG
mJzFrom that level onward, the Empire sought to register every individual who reached such a rank, for their power was comparable to that of a weapon of war.WiRSbZo
P1tyThey were renowned mages, few enough to count on one hand; even among the most prestigious noble families, a four-star mage was considered their most valuable asset.gow2x
adMiIn some cases, those who achieved such feats rose to become the heads of their houses.bFy39
jLPTherefore, the emergence of a new four-star mage at that moment was like a bomb dropped upon the power structure of the continent’s southwest.gg9
DWFAt that age, a four-star.ZXq1
d83AouIt was an unbelievably rapid progression, with few historical precedents—comparable to, or perhaps even surpassing, Melverot himself, the lord of the north.abvCBSV
SVcO5Rodelia swallowed hard and quickly regained her composure.ahu0nA
MPjd50N‘This isn’t the time to think about that! There must be a reason the Archlich came here!’ZZ6eA
ZkM36UDereck was already at his limit after his battle with Grand Duke Beltus.yidBwG
84Sl2WIn fact, he was barely conscious, gasping for breath and leaning against the floor.fxbXYWn
KVnvGsHe had pushed his body to the extreme, and if he used four-star magic again, he would feel pain so intense it would be as if his entire body were burning.8Vbd
zaGcrEven Rodelia, in perfect condition, was left drained after casting a single spell of that level.f0rwCOv
u62Using such magic in his condition was no longer a matter of skill, but of sheer mental willpower.CtX
gov8bFThere was no way he could withstand the Archlich’s attack. At that moment, Dereck was completely incapacitated.Xnusy
WiEgmSoFrom Rodelia’s perspective, loyal to the Empire, she could not allow that young genius—whose name had yet to leave its mark on history—to die like this.RZenr
OB3axs“Monster! Over here!”Dxm
oPJgWith a roar, Rodelia drew the Sacred Blood Sword and confronted the Archlich.HKmjU3
2wGcWhack! Thwack!vq5d3
3jCghFOnce again, arrows flew and struck their target.pRhw
0sX7sThey were silver arrows—a special weapon against spectral beings. Pheline, quicker than anyone, aimed her bow from the first-floor hallway’s opening.vJ6Xs7
54ZkLHSoon, other members of the subjugation squad followed, and Jayden and Orel, swords in hand, burst into the underground cellar.VZQwlNB
SRs7– Thwack! Crack!rrTadj
vWR9C“Protect Baron Ravenclaw! He must stay alive!”gh4v
Eb7sFSCountess Rodelia shouted desperately.xiLi6
yYD5mThe Archlich was already in a critical state. If they maintained their all-out assault, they could finish it off completely.M8R
1Qo7AHowever, the Archlich, staggering at death’s door, gathered the last of its magical power and let out a deafening roar.aGSY88
AQvff– Kyaaa!vBih
XwbgDNgThe air trembled.Q7lmcId
amToIt was a third-class confusion magic—the Cry of Chaos.x3Va
gpGVXThe soldiers, caught by the magical vibration spreading in all directions, dropped their weapons and covered their ears.wgqrsju
ZKbArThe intense disorientation, as if their brains were being shaken, made them scream in pain.cT0IH
ORMIt was the Archlich’s final attempt, using the last of its energy.5AvoPO
DNeoC2Taking advantage of that moment, the Archlich flew toward the completely defenseless Dereck.lBwWeyS
nGb“No!”CPb
sASNJust as Rodelia, gripping her sword, was about to charge—1zbcE0
85fISg– Whoosh!uMWjY
CNUThe Archlich, showing no interest in Dereck, passed him by and headed for Grand Duke Beltus, who lay in a secluded corner.c6h7gu
RqoghHis lifeless body slumped as the Archlich lifted him with magic.vSSXtr6
ooM7OThe end of that greedy noble, who had sought to rule the world as the lord of the Beltus family, was truly pitiful.wFrq9H
EQ7The Archlich pulled the lifeless body close, wrapped it in magical power, and with a roar, cast another spell.JwXlDhc
IZUe2eIt was the same summoning spell it had used at the start of the battle.UEhpK3
4Ylb8sBut this time, it was not summoning something—it was being summoned by another.xFiV
9ukkiWhoosh!cupH7
CpyscSEThe Archlich, clutching the body of Grand Duke Beltus, was enveloped by an immense magic and disappeared completely.trkOh
8lYYZKWhaack!krmbD
FScaLCrackle!dHvbg
zfAIsmWhen everything ended, only dust rose.Gc0W
I9MmC“It escaped…”KIeDJ
iyb“Damn it! We almost had it!”XfZ39Mz
jkN“The monsters are vanishing…! Even so… it’s our victory!”gSYyA
mIoThe underground wine cellar had been completely destroyed.jEoMsEb
p41And now, only one man remained—the one whose talent had finally bloomed.IUSPKUD
U1wWo3The floor was soaked in blood, and his body was covered in wounds.nlwu1
qvSaJdHe could die at any moment from blood loss.ZcycvAG
4T0yn“This isn’t the time to celebrate! Call the healers immediately!”sc8D
6Xm10Rodelia ran through the spilled wine.n2Av
Zb8qThe hero of the battlefield, who had fought the necromancer to the brink of death and finally achieved victory, was dying.ZxrQax
sOMCJ4VThud!OOezOPy
RYP1dDereck, unable to remain standing, collapsed into a pool of wine.fpO4G
wFwSplash! Splash!4d0
G3DHearing the soldiers shouting for help and the hurried footsteps of Countess Rodelia drawing near, Dereck slowly let go of consciousness.a1oX0D5
1iP5E5“Sir Dereck! Hold on! Hey…! Hurry, bring the healers! Damn it…!”sBF0
BuRfnWMEven Rodelia’s voice faded into the darkness.9jUDtFa
fEZHow long had it been since the last time he’d risked his life in a real duel?SHs
LOkWHuSuddenly, he remembered the day, as a trembling child, when he faced a wild boar.roU73
NVC6RbThat was the moment he first awakened his magical power. Since then, Dereck had begun to understand the mysteries of magic.vo4
kfrGRo2In retrospect, nothing had changed.eV56pok
HZpzcWith that ironic thought, Dereck slowly closed his eyes.K2fEQaC
7YIlfQLight from outside streamed into the dark cellar.dDLm9
WtZDereck’s blood-soaked body, lying beneath it, looked like that of a knight who had just finished a holy war.Fla4B
2sCvPBiting her lower lip, Rodelia removed her gauntlet and pressed Dereck’s wounds with her bare hands.SvnOzq
BWrbFEven so, the blood kept flowing. The amount spilling out was alarming.qZpuxD
VkRbRXzThat man had truly gambled his life just to capture the necromancer.6UJ
ZvRlSeeing the endless bleeding, Rodelia clenched her teeth.ORpuaY4
Ib7She had to save him—no matter what.N1m
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