Chapter 294, Please Endure, Older Brother (5)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

The forest was not large.

 

Therefore, the dark clouds covering the sky, the lightning, and even the distant thunderbolt striking down were all clearly visible.

 

*Rumble…*

 

However, because the circumstances where Rachel was located were also not greatly different from Euria’s side, it was difficult to concentrate and observe the situation for long.

 

At any rate, what was certain was that Euria had also encountered an unexpected opponent and begun fighting. And that the opponent appeared to be a Mage.

 

The ground moved, and there was a feeling of the earth beneath her feet writhing.

 

“It seems the guest over there is also a Mage who uses water.”

 

Those she had heard about from Euria and Allan.

 

Five of those said to use the power of a Sword Master had come. The fortunate thing was that not all of them were tremendous experts like the Warriors of the Great Dunes, and the unfortunate thing was that with their level of fighting strength, they would have no problem whatsoever in instantly annihilating soldiers.

 

Rachel looked around with a grave face. It was in hope that there might be survivors, but sadly, she could not feel the presence of the living. Though she had attempted to protect the soldiers through several exchanges, she had ultimately failed to protect even one, and Rachel had killed two swordsmen.

 

Three remained.

 

Rachel concentrated on the earth.

 

She continued to search for where those moving and treading upon the ground were.

 

*Rumble…*

 

The sound of thunder roaring in the distant sky gradually grew louder.

 

*Tap!*

 

And taking advantage of that interval, the footsteps of three people rushing towards Rachel from all directions were finally heard. Rachel swiftly released the Magic Power she had prepared.

 

*Crash!*

 

One Warrior and two swordsmen. The ground they would tread upon sank down with a *whoosh*. Together with that, the surrounding earth rose up to create several gigantic hands.

 

The Warrior, sensing the movement of the ground, leapt high into the air. In contrast, the two swordsmen who had momentarily lost their balance. A solid hand moulded from rock extended towards the swordsmen’s legs. One escaped and one did not.

 

*Crack!*

 

A hair-raising sound of bones shattering was heard. Rachel, having withdrawn her gaze from the one who could no longer fight, looked at the remaining two still rushing towards her.

 

*Squelch…*

 

The ground beneath her feet moved again. The Warrior who had leapt high to evade Rachel’s attack swiftly changed direction and moved his body elsewhere. The ankle of one person, who was not as quick-witted, was submerged into the ground. From the ankle to the shin, to the thigh, a suddenly created swamp began to swallow the swordsman.

 

*Crack!*

 

The swordsman extended his sword. And he drove his sword into the solid rock.

 

Then, the rock that had transformed like melted ice cream smoothly allowed the sword to pass through. The swordsman’s body, having lost support again, was slowly submerged into the ground up to the top of his head.

 

Rachel forcibly averted her eyes from the swordsman’s final scream and turned her head again.

 

Even melting the rock, even scraping and sending the rock flying, even lifting and sinking the earth and causing small earthquakes, he evaded everything. With swift movements, he evaded by leaping while stepping on a single small pebble, then charged again.

 

*Whoosh!*

 

The Warrior’s sword, having reached close range before she knew it, was swung towards Rachel. Rachel’s eyes were not faster than the Warrior’s. Therefore, she could not follow that movement accurately.

 

Instantaneously, the ground Rachel was standing on slid backwards with a *whoosh*. Rachel’s form, which had been right before his eyes, moved far away. Rachel, having evaded the Warrior’s sword while standing still, moved her Magic Power. All the rocks around the Warrior floated up and shot towards the Warrior, flying.

 

*Clang! Clang!*

 

The Warrior, having cut or blocked one or two rocks, twisted his body again. And stepping on one of the flying rocks, he thrust his sword towards Rachel. This time as well, without fail, Rachel’s body swiftly moved away, so the Warrior cut only empty air.

 

At other times, the ground the Warrior was standing on extended far away. Rachel’s body moved and withdrew with a whoosh, and the Warrior charged after Rachel, ceaselessly swinging his sword. Evading it, shooting forth sharply honed rocks, raising sand abundantly to block his view, the Warrior, not the slightest bit flustered or surprised, responded and aimed for Rachel.

 

*Haa…*

 

She did not have many Attack Spells. Also, because she had consumed considerable Magic Power coming from the Royal Palace to the forest, there was now not much Mana she could use left.

 

[Should I flee with my remaining Mana?]

 

Rachel, thinking thus, smiled wryly. She knew that if there was a difference in speed, it would be easier to flee instead. If she did so, she also knew well where the Warrior’s sword would be directed.

 

*Whoosh!*

 

The Warrior’s sword flew in again.

 

[I greeted Veronica before coming out. Did I speak to father before I left?]

 

At the very moment when Rachel, momentarily tracing her memory, gathered her strength once more and sent a wedge of rock towards the Warrior!

 

*Whoosh!*

 

Together with a sound that should absolutely not be heard from this place, a fireball flew towards the Warrior. The Warrior, having evaded Rachel’s rock wedge and about to swing his sword, twisted his body and evaded the sudden Fireball.

 

*Crash!*

 

The gigantic Fireball that smashed into the ground exploded with a roar.

 

Before she could even grasp what had happened, another Fireball flew towards the Warrior. Twice, thrice, it continuously and ceaselessly drove the Warrior.

 

Rachel pushed back the feet of the Warrior charging at swift speed. She had no leisure to see who had come. The Warrior first, for now.

 

*Crash! Boom!*

 

A whip of flame, a spear of flame, a mass of flame endlessly targeted the Warrior’s life. The hem of the Warrior’s clothing caught fire, and his eyes were enveloped in deep killing intent.

 

The Warrior’s body leapt high.

 

Rachel operated her Magic Power. She swiftly calculated where the Warrior would land. There, beneath the forest ground that appeared perfectly fine, she sent her Spell, squeezing out every last bit of her remaining strength.

 

*Step!*

 

The Warrior planted his foot.

 

The ground beneath, which showed no sign whatsoever on the surface, instantly became sand and disappeared, revealing its true form. Dozens, hundreds of sharp spears were jutting up from the floor. Another Mage who had come to help Rachel created a massive explosion above the Warrior’s head.

 

*Crash!*

 

The Warrior’s body, which had been about to step on the tips of the spears and leap up again, was caught up in the aftermath of the explosion. As if pushed by a great force, he was flung towards the ground. And on that ground…

 

*Crack!*

 

With a decidedly unpleasant sound, the life of the last remaining Warrior was severed. Rachel frowned, and the Mage in an ash-grey robe who had been hidden in darkness finally revealed her form.

 

“Lady Grace.”

 

A voice both familiar and unfamiliar.

 

Rachel, who had been staring at the robe for some time, finally smiled thinly with a face encountering something known.

 

“Enclave Head of Secritia.”

 

“His Highness, the Crown Prince, told me to go and have a look, but I did not expect such an incident was occurring.”

 

Meirin Rose, the Enclave Head of Secritia’s Arcane Enclave whom she had met once the previous morning, a Sixth-Circle Flame Mage, grinned.

 

“I’m fortunately not too late.”

 

Rachel, who had nodded, raised her gaze.

 

At that moment, violet lightning began to fall from the sky.

 

  *

 

Dark clouds settled in the clear sky, and thunderbolts struck down.

 

*Crash! Boom!*

 

Between the shields protecting the soldiers, in the moisture-filled forest, violet lightning very similar to Euria’s hair extended down in streaks and struck the earth. A spectacle that could not be created by the hands of an ordinary Fifth-Circle Master Mage connected sky and earth.

 

*Crackle, crack!*

 

*Crash!*

 

The hand extended towards the sky showed no intention of coming down, and dozens of lightning strikes fell endlessly upon the point Euria was looking at.

 

Having temporarily taken command of the remaining soldiers because the Secritia soldiers and the Knight leading them had died, the other Knights watched that sight with pale faces from beyond the shield.

 

*Crash! Boom! Crash!*

 

After the final thunderbolt fell, thick smoke rose belatedly.

 

The earth that had been full of water became jet-black ash, rocks were scorched and shattered, and towering trees were torn to pieces and scattered in all directions. Having confirmed this, Euria quietly lowered her arm.

 

Euria’s most powerful attack.

 

It was the power that had turned Zeon’s ordinary soldiers possessing healing power into ash in an instant. If there was one person, she need only kill them; if there were two, she need only kill them both. If there was a shield, she need only shatter it; if there was the power of healing, she need only burn the heart.

 

Therefore, there should be nothing too difficult…

 

“…Wow.”

 

Or so she had thought.

 

In one spot of the forest that had transformed into ash.

 

A delighted smile full of joy bloomed on Euria’s lips as she looked at the Mage standing in perfectly fine condition without a single scratch.

 

A red Shield similar to but distinctly different from the Fire Shield Allan created, full of a turbid feeling. She was certainly this was a Zeon Mage.

 

“…Gina.”

 

She was also an acquaintance.

 

A woman with crimson hair like blazing flames.

 

Gina, the Sixth-Circle Mage who had taught Euria Water Magic, and was like a second Master to her, glanced at Euria briefly, then turned her head. Together with that, a strong wave of Magic Power was felt. The Magic Power enveloping the atmosphere began to whirl about once more.

 

*Crackle, crack!*

 

There was no answer in return, but Euria, who had not particularly offered those words to exchange pleasantries, also generated a violet sphere at her fingertips.

 

*Pulse!*

 

Euria drew forth the power of water.

 

The water pooled on the ground moved as if alive. Water droplets scattered here and there gathered in one place, then rose into the air.

 

*Crackle!*

 

Euria’s electricity was contained in each and every one of the numerous water spheres. And they shot forth like arrows towards the Zeon Mage called Gina.

 

Gina swung her arm. A whirlwind of bitterly cold energy swept through once. All the water spheres Euria had sent forth froze in place and fell with plops.

 

Ice Spears created in mid-air shot towards Euria, who stood in a high place. Euria, having lightly escaped her position with Teleportation and evaded the attack, created Water Spears full of sparks and sent them back in the same manner.

 

Gina also used Teleportation against the attack that flew too swiftly to freeze and shatter.

 

*Crash!*

*Crackle!*

 

Targeting that moment, Euria drew up water from the ground once more and sent a strong current through the earth where Gina would step. As Gina’s Ice Spears aimed at Euria once more, Euria, having evaded them, extended a long bolt of lightning from her hand and struck down upon Gina’s Shield.

 

*Boom!*

 

With a thunderous sound, Gina’s body disappeared. Simultaneously, Gina’s body appeared before the Shield protecting the soldiers.

 

Gina touched the Shield once with her fingertip.

 

*Crackle! Crack!*

 

White frost enveloped the Shield and froze it. Euria, her face hardened, reinforced the Shield then attacked Gina, but Gina was already no longer there.

 

Gina, having used Teleportation once more to climb onto a nearby tree, looked at Euria and smiled slightly. Then she extended her arm towards Euria’s Shield visible beneath her feet.

 

*Crack! Crackle!*

 

An unwelcome sound arose.

 

*Crash!*

 

The water gathered beneath Gina’s feet exploded and burst forth in all directions. Though she had attempted to block the attack on the Shield, regrettably, it only struck the red Shield and did not block the attack.

 

*Whirl!*

 

A long whip full of thin ice was swung towards Euria. Euria, having unfolded a shield to block it, sent long lightning to the opposite side of the whip. The lightning attack that reached the opponent via the whip in a time like a flash struck Gina’s Shield powerfully. It was blocked.

 

At that moment, Gina’s Magic Power, having entered inside the Shield separately, moved the water. When the soldiers, feeling as if the ground were rising, looked down at their feet…

 

*Crash!*

*Shriek! Shriek! Shrieeek!*

 

Gina’s water, having burst through the ground unprotected by the Shield, froze sharply. Becoming individual daggers, they pierced individual soldiers.

 

An incident that occurred in an instant.

 

The screams of soldiers scattered to both sides were heard for a moment and stopped instantaneously. Ultimately, they all died. Not one survived.

 

A Sixth-Circle Mage. And Euria, of the Fifth Circle.

 

That difference of one Circle. The difference in accumulated Mana. The difference in possessed Magic Power. Because of merely that difference…

 

“Damn it.”

 

Euria clenched her fist tight.

 

“…You’re going to die.”

 

A violet spark at the tip of her fist emitted an intense light.

 

She postponed the regret for those she had not been greatly related to but had failed to save in any case. She had postponed from the beginning the confusion about the situation of fighting for life against someone with whom she had much familiarity.

 

Whether her Master or Sixth Circle or Zeon or whatever, that woman was simply the enemy.

 

*Crackle! Crack!*

 

Euria created a spear full of lightning and sent it towards Gina. A long afterimage remained in the bright light.

 

Gina unfolded a Shield and evaded Euria’s attack.

 

And as if it was bothersome to deal with Euria any longer, she drew up cold energy. Euria’s surroundings began to freeze.

 

Water Spears created ceaselessly left Euria’s hand and flew towards Gina. All of them were blocked by the red Shield and flowed down vainly. Gina ignored the useless water pooling beneath her feet. Even if electricity flowed through it, it would be blocked anyway.

 

The tree swaying in the wind stopped moving. It froze. The earth where the tree had taken root froze pure white. The fallen leaves rolling here and there also froze and stopped moving. As if standing in the very centre of the Great Dunes, everything around Euria froze. And that cold swiftly approached Euria.

 

“When I last bid you farewell, you were not yet a Dual Elemental. That pebble must be quite useful.”

 

“Very much so.”

 

At the same time as a short answer to Euria’s question was heard, the ground beneath Gina’s feet exploded.

 

“I’m aggrieved. I suffered quite a bit to do this. I didn’t know one could become Dual Elemental with a single pebble.”

 

*Crash!*

 

Euria’s attack aimed at Gina once more. It was blocked.

 

‘If you learn lightning, shouldn’t you be able to bring down lightning and such? Grandmother’s Magic is far too dull.’

 

‘Does lightning fall from the sky just because you create an lightning streak in your palm? If you like lightning so much, try making Seven-Circles.’

 

‘How long should I wait until then? I’ll die of old age.’

 

The eyes of the strong are slower than those of the weak.

 

Euria calculated precisely when the cold gathering from all directions would invade her. Gina did not perceive that the water upon which she stood was gradually growing warmer.

 

Euria Seiren.

 

‘…I’ll just make it myself.’

 

To be precise, a Fifth-Circle Master Mage of Dual Elements, of both Water and Lightning.

 

Therefore, what was possible.

 

When a spark collides with warm clouds full of moisture, it becomes lightning. If there was no Magic Power to summon warm clouds full of moisture, one need only create them directly, was that not so?

 

*Crackle! Crack!*

 

Euria’s robe no longer fluttered. It had begun to freeze.

 

Euria did not evade. Wherever she fled, that ice would follow Euria and freeze her without fail, so she protected her body with a Shield while continuing the water attack.

 

She sent water. Water flowed. Water heated. It boiled.

 

Warm things full of moisture pooled beneath the ground where Gina stood.

 

*Rumble…*

 

The ground beneath Gina’s feet began to roar.

 

Gina lowered her head. She attempted to Teleport. But thick, viscous water clung to Gina’s feet and held on.

 

‘Creating Magic is not an easy matter.’

 

‘Well, if it doesn’t work, so be it.’

 

She had not travelled all the way to Liberen and wasted precious time merely to wet things with water and make them conduct lightning better. She had not abandoned Wind Magic and Fire Magic, which had seemed so entertaining, and trained in Water Magic, which held no amusement, all the way to the Fifth Circle for nothing.

 

It seemed unlikely she would ever wear the label of Archmage in her life, so she had simply learned two comfortably. She had endured that suffering to try just that one thing.

 

*Crash! Boom! Crash!*

 

To strike lightning!

 

*Crash! Crash! Crash! Boom! Boom!*

 

The power of lightning created at ultra-close range exceeded imagination.

 

Dozens, hundreds of lightning strikes rising from beneath her feet mercilessly shattered the red Shield. The red Shield, made thicker than ever before, shattered into fragments and disappeared.

 

Lightning struck the Mage’s bare body.

 

*Crash!*

 

Because the eyes of the strong are in a place higher than those of the weak.

 

The Mage, who had not known that a mere Fifth-Circle Mage could use that powerful Magic again, had not known that lightning would strike upwards from beneath her feet towards her.

 

Her body was burned jet-black. Lightning entered towards her heart.

 

“With just a single pebble… how dare to pick up the courage a fight with the real thing?”

 

Her Six-Circles scattered. Burned. Between the roar extinguishing life, Euria’s voice was heard.

 

“You’re going to die.”

 

That was the last.

 

* * *

 

Familiar footsteps.

 

A familiar voice.

 

“Kalian.”

 

He had fallen asleep in a familiar-looking room and slept a deep sleep without dreams. Only after the footsteps had approached to a close distance, only when a low voice called his name, did he realise that someone had been in the room with him, how deeply had he slept.

 

Kalian, who had been sleeping without letting out a single loud breath, quietly opened his eyes. Instead of the pale violet eyes of the one who had once lain there, transparent eyes like red rubies briefly surveyed the surroundings.

 

“…Yes.”

 

Kalian, having briefly looked up at the person like an unripe lime wedge who stood one step away from the bed and had called him, answered shortly and raised his body. Then he briefly held his breath.

 

His back still ached. The sensation around his waist had fully returned, and pain as if it would sever him assailed him. The detoxification was complete and the bleeding had stopped, but the wound was large and deep for it to heal within a single night. The poison had been strong.

 

Kalian, having glanced briefly at the bananas piled beside him, smiled wryly. If Hina were here, it might be different, but for now, he thought he should not eat anything. Once the wound around his waist improved somewhat, he would partake then. Kalian looked up at Plants.

 

“Wait a moment.”

 

“Yes. Please speak.”

 

Plants, who had been watching Kalian for a moment, who still did not frown once, making it impossible to know just how much he had recovered, began his explanation of the situation for now.

 

Around the time Kalian, Plants, and Arsene had come to this villa, a battle had broken out in the forest, Euria and Rachel had been attacked, and all of the Secritia soldiers had died.

 

Before Debeullan arrested the two Mages on charges of murdering Secritia’s soldiers, Chase had mobilised the Arcane Enclave. Thus, the two Mages were now staying inside the Enclave’s building.

 

“…Ah.”

 

Kalian, having heard the entire story, made a short sound.

 

Despite being so careful, he had been caught in Debeullan’s trap.

 

He had finally learned the identity of the Knight who had sought Plants. Debeullan, clever and slightly more seasoned than Kalian, had gauged how Kalian would move and how Plants would move, and had sent the Knight. He had orchestrated it to appear that there was movement amongst the Nobles to expel Debeullan. He had predicted that Kalian’s great fighting strength would be directed towards the forest. Whether he had joined hands with Zeon or was using Zeon was unknown, but he had sent additional fighting strength to kill the two Mages.

 

He had orchestrated this affair while killing all his own soldiers with his own hands.

 

“So… Older brother Chase mobilised the Arcane Enclave and has outwardly shown his opposition to Debeullan.”

 

He had been attempting to contact Chase from earlier, but no response had come. Kalian sighed briefly.

 

“He must not be thinking of mobilising Taillan.”

 

If Debeullan properly utilised the current situation, he could fabricate Chase’s rebellion. Though he would not go so far as to kill his only son who would succeed him, he would attempt to use this affair as leverage to place Chase completely in the palm of his hand.

 

Chase could not be unaware of this. Knowing full well, he had mobilised the Arcane Enclave.

 

“What will you do?”

 

Plants asked quietly.

 

Kalian, having given a slight nod in greeting to Arianneu standing far away and looked at Arsene, grinned.

 

“I’m hurt… so moving is somewhat difficult.”

 

He was not speaking of the movements of walking and running.

 

Plants, watching Kalian’s bracelet glow, smiled wryly.

 

[Master…]

 

He was calling his other father.

 

That tremendously strong father.