Chapter 157, If It Were Now (2)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

The ones who attacked Kalian were Warriors of the Great Dunes.

 

The ones who came looking for Euria now were just people.

 

It does not matter whether they’re from Cyries or Secritia, or people from Tansyll or Liberen. As long as they were not Warriors of the Great Dunes, their individual combat power was nothing much to consider, and that was all that matters.

 

“Kid, just catch five of them.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“Don’t get too close to them. You’ll die too.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

With those words added, the hem of Euria’s robe fluttered. Though there was no wind, it was already being violently shaken by the concentrated Mana.

 

Arsene stepped a little away from Euria.

 

Soon Arsene’s fingertips moved slightly, and almost simultaneously, an Ice Spear fell over the head of a Knight who had been approaching Arsene. Rather than an attack, it was to gauge what level of defensive power the Shields they wore possessed.

 

*Clanging!*

 

An unpleasant sound like metal scraping against something hard was heard, and the tip of the Ice Spear was ground away. The enemy’s Shield wavered for a moment, then was quickly seen to recover.

 

*Whoosh!*

 

A massive Wind Spear flew toward Arsene, who had been moderately gauging the range of their power. It was not shot by the Knight in front, but by a pathetic Mage hiding far away.

 

[Of all things, Wind Magic.]

 

There was only one person in this world who suits Wind Magic.

 

Arsene, who chuckled at the sudden thought, waved his hand, and an Ice Barrier at least two hand-spans wide was instantly created, blocking Arsene’s front.

 

*Crash!*

 

He was thinking that probably only Allan could create a Wind Spear that could pierce through an Ice Barrier of this thickness.

 

As if mocking such thoughts, the Wind Spear penetrated about halfway through the Ice Barrier before stopping. Whether it was due to the roaring sound of ice and wind forces clashing, or because of the unexpectedly strong attack power, the corners of Arsene’s eyes rose fiercely.

 

Arsene, who had released the Ice Barrier, directed his Mana toward the Mage who had sent the Wind Spear. He ignored the approaching Knight for now.

 

*Whoosh! Swoosh!*

 

Two sharply honed Ice Spears both flew toward the Mage. Seeing the Ice Spears approaching at just the right speed to block, the front surface of the Mage’s Shield glowed intensely. The Shield’s power had been concentrated to one side.

 

At the same time, a slight smile appeared on Arsene’s lips. And,

 

*Swoosh!*

 

An Ice Spear that appeared from behind the Mage struck down. Naturally, this time it was not at a speed that the Mage could dodge by moving his body.

 

*Crack!*

 

The Mage’s heart was pierced through.

 

The sound of a corpse falling to the ground with a thud briefly broke the silence.

 

Along with that, another Ice Spear was created, stopping the Knight who had been charging at Arsene until just moments before.

 

*Clang!*

 

Same as before. The Ice Spear was blocked by the Shield with that grating sound. Seeing this, the Knight sneered and raised his sword. [A Mage who does not dodge even when a Knight approaches right to his nose. No matter if you might be Valkan’s Deputy Commander, you are being far too arrogant!]

 

*Crack!*

 

The Knight’s thoughts could not continue to the end.

 

With a sound of something crumbling, the Ice Spear embedded in the Shield instantly changed form.

 

Like ice melting in a furnace, Arsene’s ice changed form, spreading like a spider web pattern and completely surrounding the red Shield.

 

By the time the Knight realized something was wrong, the Shield’s outer surface was already covered in blue ice.

 

“Nice to meet you.”

 

At the calm voice of the Mage standing before the Knight’s sword, the Knight’s raised lips slowly returned to normal. He could not grasp exactly what had happened due to the white frost obstructing his vision.

 

“I am Arsene Hertz, Deputy Commander of Cyries’ Valkan Mage Order.”

 

The ice Mage who had frozen a Shield created without any special medium finished his self-introduction. However, since he had no intention of remembering the man, he did not bother to give him time to respond.

 

Cold Mana gathered once more at Arsene’s fingertips.

 

*Swoosh!*

*Crack!*

 

A frozen Shield was weaker than even quartz fragments.

 

The unprotected Knight’s bare body was even weaker than that.

 

*Thud!*

 

Thus, the corpse of the Knight, who had lost half his neck along with his Shield to the falling Ice Blade, swayed for a moment. Then it soon crashed to the ground.

 

Behind the fallen Knight’s corpse, a blue stream of water could be seen rushing and carving through the earth. It belonged to Euria, who had not been idle while Arsene fought.

 

Before long, Euria was standing quite far away from the Knights.

 

*Zziiii!*

 

The blue energy rippling under Euria’s feet shot out at the speed of light. It was as fast and sharp as a wingless Dragon stretching out while carving through the ground.

 

The water that started as one stream split into six branches like a river dividing. And it stretched out toward each of the six Knights who had been charging toward Euria.

 

In just the time it took to close and open her eyes once, the water had reached beneath the feet of the six men who had been standing far ahead.

 

*Rumble!*

 

The water streams that reached their destination became six water pillars that spiraled and surged upward without a moment’s delay. They struck the men directly.

 

The power of water rising in reverse rotation like a tornado made of water rather than wind was truly powerful. Though it was merely water, it seemed to contain blades within, tearing apart the red, solid Shields of those trapped in the center of the water pillars and barely managing to stand.

 

*Crack! Crack!*

 

Almost simultaneously, purple lightning fell from the sky above the men. The lightning that split into exactly six parts before reaching the earth struck down upon the Knights trapped within the water pillars.

 

Lightning that literally fell from a clear sky shook the earth.

 

*Crash!*

 

With a roaring sound that echoed thunderously through the forest, the water pillars wrapping around and swirling over the men fully absorbed the lightning’s power.

 

The water’s force that remained even after destroying the Shields wounded their entire bodies. The lightning’s power was fully transmitted through the deeply opened wounds. And before they could even heal themselves, it burned their skin and seeped into their bodies.

 

*Crack!*

 

Euria’s power was different from Arsene’s ice. Rather, it was similar to Allan’s fire.

 

Arsene’s Ice Spears instantly take away an opponent’s life. But Allan’s fire was different. It continuously awakens the brain so that pain is felt until the heart stops.

 

The power of electricity that Euria wielded was the same.

 

It rarely lets them lose consciousness.

 

The men who had barely escaped death from that terrible sensation that awakened every sensory cell in their bodies writhed on the ground, screaming horribly. But the lightning that had soaked into their water-drenched bodies would never dissipate.

 

*Crash! Crash! Crash!*

 

Once, twice, three times.

 

The tireless falling lightning attacks all struck the men’s bodies. Until their hearts were all burned away, until they could not heal themselves.

 

In an instant, six Knights became six corpses rolling on the ground.

 

“Twelve.”

 

The men did not flee. They continued to attack.

 

So Euria and Arsene did not stop either.

 

Arsene froze the ankle of a Knight charging toward Euria, and Euria struck down. The sword-red blade of a Knight being swung at Arsene, filled with Aura, shattered into pieces. An Ice Spear fell mercilessly upon it.

 

“Ten.”

 

At the same time as Arsene spoke, Euria’s hand shot up toward the sky.

 

She was tired and hungry.

 

She did not want to drag this out any longer.

 

*Crackle!*

 

The blue-purple sky where darkness was beginning to descend made an uneasy screaming sound. With a literal sound of the sky tearing, pure white sparks covered the sky.

 

She gathered more lightning.

 

The purring of a cat echoed in the sky. It soon changed to a sound like the growling of a cold tiger.

 

*Crackle, crack!*

 

As if the sky was splitting into two or three parts. The sound of tearing sky fragments with giant hands continued endlessly.

 

The sky’s cry, the thunder, was the source of all life’s fundamental fear. The feet of those who looked up at such a sky moved back one step without their knowing.

 

Seeing this, Arsene bound their feet with a light gesture.

 

*Rumble…!*

 

Flashing light embraced the sky.

 

And the calm before the storm arrived.

 

A silence so complete that even their own breath could not be heard took control over the earth. The surroundings were immersed in stillness.

 

“Everyone…”

 

One Knight who could not overcome that silence swallowed dry saliva and opened his mouth. And that became a signal.

 

*Crash! Bang! Crash!*

*Rumble! Crash!*

 

Was he telling everyone to attack?

 

Or was he telling everyone to flee?

 

It did not matter either way.

 

As if waiting for the sound that could not overcome fear to burst out, dark purple lightning struck down in streams.

 

Endlessly and ferociously.

 

Euria’s both arms still remained toward the sky. She continued to crave the sky’s anger like that.

 

At the same time, blue water that dug up and gushed from the earth in all directions soaked the men’s entire bodies and obstructed their vision.

 

*Crackle!*

 

Euria was right.

 

Shield or not, the distinction between Knights and Mages, all of these meant nothing.

 

The lightning that struck down upon the Knight who had opened his mouth traveled along the ground, along the water, continuing to transfer to the Mage standing next to him and to the Knight behind him. As if trapped in a prison made of purple sparks, the men were bound in place and took all those attacks.

 

*Rumble! Thud!*

 

The lightning summoned once did not show signs of stopping. Even though the men’s power to self-heal was already exhausted, even though their lives had all been extinguished, it endlessly struck and crashed the ground.

 

How much time passed like that?

 

Euria’s arms finally came down. The sparks held in her hands completely subsided. The water that had been gushing from the ground instantly dried up.

 

The earth that was dug up and crushed here and there, and forty corpses placed upon it…

 

Only, those corpses, burned black and hard to recognize in form, seemed to tell what had happened just moments before.

 

Arsene, who had been quietly watching that scene, turned his head and sent his gaze to Euria.

 

“Their sword was sloppy beyond belief, yet they use Aura. Those foolish Mages who only chase what’s in front of them have the power to break through my ice. They even had the power of healing, both Mages and Knights.”

 

His voice sank to the bottom.

 

“The ones who attacked Prince, were they these bastards?”

 

To Arsene’s question, Euria, who had become slightly pale from expending the most powerful attack she could muster, answered in a low voice.

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

[So that’s why. His Highness had requested increasing Valkan’s personnel.] Strength entered Arsene’s clenched fist.

 

Of course, the direct reason was different, but the fundamental reason Kalian had requested preparations was exactly that. It was to prepare for future events that could not be known to the current him.

 

“Kid. Stop overthinking and come here. Let’s eat chicken.”

 

At the voice that had become peaceful again, Arsene spoke as if fed up.

 

“There are forty corpses right next to us, Enclave Head.”

 

“So what? You want to share chicken with them?”

 

The Head of the Arcane Enclave, who said she was quite experienced from battles with Warriors due to her being deployed in her youth, replied like that. The Deputy Commander of Valkan, who had roamed the Great Dunes with her, shook his head from side to side and sat beside her.

 

In any case, both were familiar with it. With the death of enemies.

 

“Ah, it’s overcooked.”

 

[I told you to catch five but you caught three. You also leave me to eat the tougher section but I’m too tired to chew…]

 

* * *

 

The words asking to be saved.

 

Though it was not intended, they were words deeply etched in Rmain’s mind.

 

Hadn’t Allan said that ‘it should have been his father he sought for survival! Not a Mage he had never met before?’ So with what words could Rmain refuse that outstretched hand now? How could he possibly push it away?

 

In the end, Rmain had no choice but to nod his head. That he would give a special gift for the approaching birthday, just as Kalian wished.

 

“Please be careful.”

 

And he added this.

 

So, Kalian said he would be careful but asked if the King could please take away the two door locks that followed behind him everywhere. So, he received permission for that too.

 

After finishing the meeting with Rmain and coming outside, the sun was already setting.

 

“I can’t tell if it’s already setting, or if it’s only setting now.”

 

Not knowing that, Kalian briefly sighed. It was because the day had been both very short and very long.

 

The lights in Wilhelm Hall visible in the distance were out.

 

Except for a few Valkan members who had decided to guard Heisia Palace, everyone would have returned. Of course, no one could approach, but they still had to hide the existence of Arcus Tempus.

 

Hina and Ian would have already returned to Chermil.

 

So, Kalian moved his feet toward Wilhelm.

 

It was to look at his sword a bit without disturbing Kyrie, who would be in Chermil’s training ground. And he felt like being alone for a while.

 

But then.

 

*Clang!*

 

[How is there sound coming from the indoor training ground of Wilhelm Hall where no lights are even turned on?]

 

*Whoosh!*

 

At the sound of heavy metal cutting through the wind, Kalian, who roughly guessed what the sound was, entered the training ground quietly with a grinning face, gently opening the door.

 

In the training ground where fragmented moonlight shone through the window frame, a sword embracing darkness danced alone. The sword did not reflect any of the brightly shining moonlight, but there was no difficulty for Kalian to follow its movement.

 

The owner of the hand holding the sword seemed not to notice Kalian submerged in darkness. Therefore, Kalian began to quietly stand and watch what he was doing.

 

Because a sword when someone was watching and a sword when no one was watching were always different.

 

*Whoosh!*

 

Following the tip of the sword carving in circles, sharp energy flowed out abundantly. The sharp blade that thrust out like a bullet had already lost its trembling. The motions of swinging and striking down connected like flowing water.

 

[He has improved a lot.]

 

The one who had been standing still for a moment quietly regulated his breathing. Then he took a slightly different stance and moved his sword. Clearly different speed and clearly different lightness hung at the sword’s tip.

 

*Swish!*

 

The sword of Beurisen was, to put it nicely, moderate, and to put it badly, ambiguous.

 

It was moderately light and moderately heavy, but because of that, it was difficult to make quick attacks and it inflicted less damage from strikes. It could receive both Kalian’s and Dmirea’s swords, but has difficulty delivering fatal blows.

 

It was because he knew that he tried to create Kalian’s technique with that sword, to make slightly faster attacks. He also probably learned a thing or two from Dmirea too.

 

Because he was Plants.

 

Watching Plants’ sword extending as if the tip was splitting, Kalian quietly opened his mouth.

 

“You’ll damage your shoulder if you keep this up.”

 

He had confirmed all of Plants’ swordsmanship.

 

So after fully displaying his own, he stopped Plants from attempting to mimic his own light swordsmanship.

 

At the suddenly heard voice, Plants’ movement quietly stopped. Plants, who had let his sword hang down and was quietly staring at the training ground entrance, opened his mouth.

 

“…What.”

 

There was no shame about being caught trying Kalian’s technique. If he had been someone to be embarrassed about that, he would not have been able to calmly pet a slightly plump cat in front of Kalian.

 

It was displeasure about being watched while hiding it.

 

“It’s not a speed you can attempt right now. Even if it’s fine a few times, you can’t use it for long.”

 

The words continued as if it did not matter whether he was displeased or not.

 

Plants, who had been standing still for a moment, nodded his head. Because he was someone without useless shame but also without useless stubbornness.

 

Soon Plants sheathed his sword and walked out steadily. It seemed like he was going to return to Chermil just like that, so Kalian made a surprised face. He had thought Plants continue to try and learn a useful technique.

 

Therefore, Kalian spoke first.

 

“Would you like to have one sparring match?”

 

“No thanks.”

 

A flat refusal came back.

 

“You look like you need to sleep right away.”

 

Words still concerned about Kalian’s condition when he had returned after finishing his sparring with Allan the night before.

 

To Bern, and to the old Kalian.

 

Kalian, who had spent the day in many past appearances, spoke toward such a Plants.

 

“Then let’s have a meal. older brother.”

 

“Annoying.”

 

He would probably go pick grass again after saying that, like boiled peas.

 

“You won’t grow tall doing that.”

 

“Stop barking.”

 

Kalian grinned.

 

Because today too, he had completed his once-a-day barking quota.