Chapter 192: Confusion (9)
HUfdrkhBoom! Crack! Crack-crack-crack!dkt
YDdPNBRThe flames that rose took on a spherical shape and began to float in the air.UwLx7Up
FzAmPVIt was not just one, but dozens of enormous fireballs suspended in the void.4Ptj1
9K5ZQjCFor an average mage, manifesting even a single one of those spheres would be enough to leave them exhausted.mBuE
6IKc9However, Dereck was controlling several dozen at the same time.EgCX
mCVEach one advanced in a different direction, with different levels of power, demanding a completely irregular response.Fvx
PK14SAAnd as if that were not enough, Dereck advanced with sword in hand.hB8
YJN9If one were not extremely accustomed to individual combat, they would be exhausted in a matter of seconds.IZeKpT
NEoaCrash! Crack!jTLneL
bzGEvery time Dereck swung his sword, spears of ice emerged from the ground, attempting to pierce his opponent.25k2
fxDTEach one was so sharp that, if struck directly, it would pierce the body without difficulty.q5fFvf
8W9Fire and ice.bKnx
onQ9Two opposing magics that, in perfect harmony, pressured the enemy from all angles.brF
agQAs they collided with each other, they filled the battlefield with scalding vapor.nAj
WTzQSizzle!m30gp
km9BAmid that sound, Dereck’s attacks did not stop.aJ1fKKS
YNp0oAllowing even a single one through would result in a fatal blow.knzMBN
JP88yWhoosh! Slam! Boom!WSD
anjuU6JHowever, his opponent was a 6-star mage, someone who had reached the pinnacle of the magical world.kBA8EF
xucA master of confusion magic, capable of deceiving even the world itself and violating memories.5uy
G8lIFoNo matter how absurd Dereck’s magical capability was, the difference in hierarchy remained abysmal.QizcFk9
2JmEven so, the young woman bearing Aiselin’s appearance managed, staggering, to endure the attacks.vqYtcpz
elltEFrom her eyes, nose, and ears, from every orifice of her face, blood flowed without stopping.6WuTe
p1TThe curse engraved into her body, originating from the 5-star artifact, the Book of Longing, dug into her flesh, mercilessly evaporating her magic and trying to tear her life away.3i7H7
rVGclIt was a curse so absurd that even exceptional combatants would fall immediately.byAAJK
RthXUEven so, gritting her teeth, she continued to respond to Dereck’s attacks.xb7Z
bjA7YZ“Ha… huff… huff…”4mNyLx7
FTZCThe young woman made a large leap backward, increasing the distance between them.9uA
qZF3FzShe once again covered her body in dark red magic and attempted to manifest an advanced confusion spell, but failed.gGdhwu
JvEX“Huff… huff…!”BI2J
4EMEBlood burst forth again, and her consciousness began to fade.pdevBk
Rwz7XShe stabbed a dagger created with magic into her own shoulder.1qc
dQzHiGgThe pain brought her back to reality.OjG
DYh2t‘My magic is evaporating at an absurd speed… at this rate… I’ll be exhausted…’Kg5h
43qzKWhile taking refuge in the forest shrouded in darkness, she scattered illusions around herself.BzFcxZJ
55ZoIBut Dereck was a veteran mercenary who had spent his life hunting monsters in forests and plains.avO
PyeYMLAHe was not fooled by cheap illusions and advanced with steady steps, rapidly closing the distance.uIdoG6
sBVxN9‘Not everything is bad… at least, Kohella’s barrier has already collapsed… considering its scale, she won’t be able to manifest it again for some time…’WfLJt
LJ6ZqWith her legs trembling, the young woman ran among the trees, gritting her teeth.LDZ
hAJPBy reading Linus’s memories, she had also taken on the curse of the grimoire, but in exchange she fully understood the flow of that mad gambler’s plan.HUpLvdw
rgzAShe confirmed that Kohella’s barrier had completely collapsed.1Rh
awUO4LpAnd she also learned that Kohella was on her way.Tp16Cs
Skieud‘The curse of a 5-star book is terrifying, yes… but not to the point of killing me instantly… if I can adjust my magic, keep myself alive right now, and slowly erase the mark over three or four days… I can recover…’vpQ8Jo3
GEolFXDIt might take years to fully heal.RFclz5l
qOsw0But if she managed to escape, she could disappear.FXEZe
tnLHIt was a curse that even great mages rarely survived.SnBJUNv
BhvfeEven so, as a 6-star mage, she managed to hold on at the limit.Qxi
Xvy6t8cAs long as she had time.PKTR
6tx5KtnThat is, if she could shake off that veteran mercenary who was pursuing her right now.YcKTx
yCP9lEven in a place where people died, memories were violated, and death could arrive at any instant, that man maintained absolute calm.9CR
hPhSIf she could get rid of him.EQy
F6LkNDShe could escape.j3NsaNQ
FxV0wuAlmost all of her magic had evaporated because of the Book of Longing, but her original reserves were so immense that they did not vanish all at once.PqU
PMxxBefore her magic was completely exhausted, she had to defeat that 4-star mage pursuing her and leave the grounds of the Academy.dkV3L
469bThat was what she thought.phVp
If81CgCrash! Boom!NIXtlG
akXXThe young woman stumbled over a root and rolled across the ground.rBqKE
0OtQXhShe tried to push herself up from the blood-soaked mud, but her trembling arms did not respond.BpQ
PHhf6c“Huff… huff… the magic…”GmU
BeP8KNo matter how terrifying the curse of a 5-star book was, it could not evaporate all the magic of a 6-star mage in a single blow.hTvI
BtEFAnd yet, she had almost none left.qtWQn
4Ts5The cause was obvious.mA2xZcY
yQFThe image of Princess Roselin, seated on the railing of the Bellos Pavilion of the Academy, observing the world with a cold gaze, appeared in her mind.GBEXq8X
rOKSEven trapped in that helplessness, never giving up, the princess had fought to the very end.AZW1A9
yd8CThat constant effort, even if it seemed futile, had gradually devoured the young woman’s magic little by little.bZy6lS1
2zwa3S7Not stopping, continuing to move, trying to awaken everyone by any means possible.A6Z
mYD5xThat had exhausted even the last shred of magic she should have had left.fJKz
YXvBoom!1Ruf
uT2Gathering her strength with difficulty, the young woman fired a 1-star spell, “Mana Arrow,” at Dereck.Zqd
eZT9THe advanced through the bushes and dispersed it with a simple motion of his hand.inSu
O6cS034To subdue a full-fledged 4-star mage like Dereck, it was essential to use advanced magic.maa8
PKGIeNaNormally, she had many spells of that level at her disposal.fIPLxt
3aq4E0But now, with enormous amounts of magic evaporating second by second, all of that was useless.TIdU
o1SDaThe forest was filled with lush trees.WPhCk2
hn16wQThrough the leaves, the moonlight filtered faintly.A2my
BYRwGAnd under that glow, the hunter advanced step by step, determined to bring down the monster that had reached the pinnacle of confusion magic.pY1b
uhXBBeyond the forest, Dereck’s red eyes are revealed as he readjusts his grip on his sword, shakes his cloak, and advances, his leather boots dragging slightly.iKN
7CNThe information that can be drawn from that scene is neither complex nor difficult.AxoygM
QEYIf she is caught, she dies.ZNNZ
4QCThe instant that brief and decisive fact is engraved in her mind, strength surges back into the young woman’s arms.yWg
OB24YShe propels herself up and gets to her feet, crossing the forest as the hem of her dress drags along the ground.Vk1vDB
Q3RGAlthough she maintains Aiselin’s appearance, her hair is completely loose and her body is covered in wounds.HnkbdF
piY5kwSoaked in blood and in shambles, it gives the impression that, even with that form, she no longer resembles Aiselin at all.9ZgJ
QFxThud!g4dZI
tJmThus, the young woman collapses once more in the middle of the forest, limited to gasping with difficulty.6fH
5hp60Blood flows without stopping and begins to spread around her like a puddle.KPt8D
VibPbWhen Dereck reaches her from directly behind, she rests her body against the cut trunk of a tree, breathing roughly, as if she has given up.HVFDxe
Azuxc“Huff… huff… so it was the Book of Longing created by Kohella… without a doubt… it weighs heavily… huff…”puoTvH
pkX“…”ZeIL
rAhT“Ha… ha… I never would have imagined it… at least, the memories of everyone inside this barrier were completely in the palm of my hand…”8QuXpgP
UjBgxfFrom the wound in her shoulder, blood continues to gush out without stopping.2spm
3ckBThe young woman presses her shoulder tightly, but she cannot stop the bleeding.wmQ1
3xn“Now… now I understand everything… huff…”cZp88j
kThDereck used the fact that he would use the Book of Longing as bait to draw a 6-star confusion mage to himself.sHFMEz
E7nFrom her point of view, she could not afford to ignore that lure.jG4kbK
va5A1A5If Dereck truly created an unexpected variable by using the book, her plan would collapse.Qy9Z
GysBMAt the very moment when all of her attention was focused on Dereck, Linus obtained the brief window he needed to structure his plan.RCy9
dnvWhile she kept her gaze fixed on Dereck, Linus went to find Kohella, explained the entire plan to her in an instant, and pressured her to weaken the barrier.6OZX
SjUUp to this point, Dereck, Roselin, Kohella, and Linus did not share the plan nor express it out loud even once.ijm
QybBecause the moment they did so, in any form, the plan would reach the ears of the confusion mage.f4845
nQxKnThat was why each of them simply did what they could.ixpY
6odAdxjThe construction grounds of the Ravenclaw Academy, illuminated by a bright moon.VUGThpa
yjKYbelThe academic garden, where Kohella advances with firm steps, guiding the mages toward the forest.spCID
7OqThe Bellos Pavilion, where Roselin lifts her exhausted body and, staggering, raises her gaze toward the magic circle in the sky.1dkpA3V
mwJFBoThe imperial bedroom, where Linus, seated in an ornate chair, lowers his head as he bleeds out and lets out a dry laugh.9w4X
GlP4w6CThe forest beside the training field, where Dereck cuts through the undergrowth with a sharp gaze, pursuing the young woman.0YQ
x7HSzkjEach of them, from their own position, plays their best card.OXga
jKmThe sum of those independently chosen decisions manages to seize a 6-star confusion mage, who had been walking above all logic, by the neck and slam her to the ground.8b7X
l9gThe result is her herself, rolling on the earth while spitting blood.JSD
ik7v“Let’s negotiate…”3bAHr7
9hxmXThe young woman with Aiselin’s appearance spoke with difficulty, coughing up blood.FSQH0S
Fx8p2e3“I’ve read… part of your memories… you want to become a mage of an even higher level, don’t you?”Q0IkpIv
CFdgU“…”rbNdT
yR1vG“Huff… now that the barrier has collapsed, the escape route is completely open. With just a horse… you can flee. If you help me do so… I’ll transmit part of my confusion magic to you…”vXrz
r88IVThe positions had completely reversed.f7tX6
jC4xF3nNow, the one looking down at the other, with the moon as a backdrop, was Dereck.ILjS
DQJmoHe shook his sword once and, with his back to the moon, looked again at the dying young woman.AxBF
Cs0“When you escape Kohella’s control… I’ll teach you magic. You’re especially talented in confusion magic… more than Drest, Melverot, or Kalimford… you can reach a level far higher than theirs. Take my hand… take my hand…”Tp1ov
a5MdADereck’s cold gaze does not change.FPOAg
qqodyWThe masters who trained him were always individuals of great caliber.Ktzh
4JSgY3tThe young woman before him was no exception.CfJ2
C4PJKShe knew perfectly well that Dereck would not let an opportunity like this pass.H6VnwM6
HgrqDereck, like the deranged Kohella, was a man completely obsessed with magic.fTZ
7U0“It’s true, it’s a tempting proposal. It’s not common to receive direct instruction from a 6-star confusion mage.”aHX
UZTvY“Huff… cough…”Wx5VC3
cotv“If such an opportunity appears, it would be normal to take advantage of it.”X1QUTz
F5LX1iaThe young woman, bleeding, forced a smile.jTzduK
yf9As expected, this man was capable of anything in order to reach a greater level of magical mastery.lXKUv2
a1pPPgO“Normally, I would say yes.”pfY
fSA2“…What?”F7WG5L1
sBGlR“It’s a good opportunity, but how am I supposed to trust you? You are a master of confusion magic.”THeh
JdV0No matter how good an opportunity was, if it could not be secured, it made no sense.sab
ViUr3Dereck knew that well.sGdjK
L3tNow she was bleeding out and without magic, but once she recovered physically and mentally, there was no guarantee that she would keep her word.eqJ1C
wv0A mage capable of erasing memories and manipulating even perception—why would she bother honoring a promise?739Pt
s9O52Paradoxically, that power that surpassed all limits was precisely what made her impossible to trust.WJh4
7UZShe was someone no one could trust.QOToaK
xIirjBecause there was no reason to.LKrd
CdzThat was why Dereck tightened his grip on his sword.36XOPoK
LCy3The negotiation was over.GjS
hJjd6y3“You… you had a necromancy mage as your master…”CirSMYs
oYuNt“…”38VRb7l
DKYkaL“If you hand Kohella over to me… I’ll reveal that fact… and the existence of a 6-star necromancer will also come to light…”9njS1K
tqq5req“Do whatever you want.”givdq
FtixtIf persuasion did not work, then threats.hKi9PRn
aGdBut not even the last struggle of a young woman on the brink of death managed to break Dereck’s calm.8Mud
ytk“Even if Lady Kohella heard that, do you really think she would care?”8wLD65
opB“…”86jkN
d73CFnHWith anyone else, it might have worked, but Kohella was a lunatic obsessed with magic.Enk
TP62If a 6-star mage existed, she tried to recruit them; if there was high-level magic, she studied it tirelessly.avHp4
VdkShe was not bound even by the limits of morality or discipline.GjkG
clQViolating taboos without hesitation was the way that madwoman operated.p5sQ07Z
JyxzTo capture a 6-star confusion mage, she was capable of coldly using even the death of a subordinate who had served under her orders for more than a decade.gPSa84
2q1Qn88If she were to learn what had happened with Fina, not only would she not consider it a problem, she would probably sketch a smile filled with ecstasy.Shac
zyA3e“Besides, do you think she would even believe your story?”67iMQ
6Vwiq1Even if she suddenly accused Dereck of being a necromancy mage, it would make no sense.kuyxq
m8iHBehWith her mana exhausted and cornered, even if the emperor’s assassin pointed to Dereck as a heinous criminal in the last of last moments, what importance would it have?y5XI
sxBmpWith others, something might be attempted, but Princess Roselin would never trust her nor forgive her.3vP
4G9rENo confusion magic or logical reasoning worked on Roselin.QeNLQL
SEk0AiwShe bore an anti-magic engraving and was a daughter sunk in grief over the loss of her father.msVSRAv
RGZny“Huff… huff…”s681
Vo7wzU6There was no way to persuade Dereck.0fm
5qgKCc4There was also no way to threaten him.EF1
PAGO0yIt was a dead end.bad
aQY***aNji0NH
TkM9A night brightly illuminated by moonlight.gDEM93k
FLj5Aiselin, who was staying as a guest at Count Renuel’s house, was seated in a corner of the garden, gazing at the night sky.vGlJW7k
RVAKAlthough that place was quite far from the Duchy of Duplain, her heart still pointed in that direction.uLXG
bFBu7‘Now that I think about it, the inspection itinerary must already be coming to an end. I’m sure Sir Dereck has handled it well on his own, but even so, I can’t help but worry…’02u0mT
44VjAs time passed alone in that quiet and peaceful place, Aiselin raised her gaze toward the moon and, suddenly, carefully clasped her hands to pray.finn
YIQFuv5‘Please, let the Ravenclaw Academy be inaugurated without any accidents occurring.’SVT
mmrcn1cFor the past three days, inside Kohella’s barrier that had blocked all contact with the outside, no one knew what had happened.p6tZ4y
EFsAnd Aiselin, who was even outside Count Renuel’s territory, had no way of finding out.1ArWMD
OxGThe only thing she could do was pray that the efforts made so far would finally bear fruit, while the stars embedded in the sky like grains of salt reflected in her eyes.Jhz4
lkq92dDThere is no eternal night.0CNCIz
EuoSooner or later, it always comes to an end.o49cv
jlfIn the forest within the grounds of the Ravenclaw Academy.RkBmp1
UjpiZUaWhen Kohella arrived at the place, Dereck was shaking his sword in front of the blood-soaked young woman.7L8513
IyLzbWith his reddish eyes half-lidded, Dereck turned his gaze back.lDU
xyZFKUpon seeing that scene, Kohella silently closed her mouth.Q7W
aOJSPThe image of Dereck, holding the young woman under the moonlight, was engraved in the eyes of the imperial guards.ns6
osu1LmkAll those present at that place were witnesses.Tx7HW
PwoC4tKHe had run back and forth to save the nobles there, even willing to use the Book of Longing.OWVX5t
NtkUf4oAnd even when his own life was in danger, he had placed himself on the front line and personally captured the emperor’s assassin, a 6-star criminal.XGNb4l
qyAwAlong the way, he had also avenged Princess Roselin’s resentment.H1uht
kOKVxAnd Princess Roselin was one of the strongest candidates to become the next empress.nlYu
dBBf8aHowever, she did not have a single truly reliable noble under her command.x2nK
YoHThat was because she did not place much faith in the current bureaucratic nobility.Gr9Po1
IXx9q‘…’jbHW
YYOR1Kohella understood it by instinct.n5x
T4FY4gThe internal and external circumstances fit together perfectly.mDe7
eQqZAM‘It won’t be long before we meet again at the Gremport Palace.’QKdRH
EEnd9yThe moment what had happened here began to spread, the internal political situation would fall into chaos.80X
fpMMvhAnd in the midst of a scenario where the emperor had been assassinated, if someone emerged as a new figure within the central nobility—F1I
oMuyyW8That person was already decided.C6g
L6glEDereck sheathed his sword once more and, upon looking at Kohella, nodded silently.hos9D6a
ORJfIt was a signal for her to confirm the scene.sHx
ZrJiIf the merit of what had occurred were to be evaluated, it was an achievement worthy, at the very least, of a viscount’s title or even one equivalent to that of a count.8jEk4us
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