Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Friendly Bastards
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Boom! Boom!
Roooaaar.
A storm of deafening explosions that echoed all the way to the heavens.
After flying nonstop from Denfos for several hours.
Just as he felt Bebeto's wings starting to lose strength, they arrived at Siaris Fortress.
'You bastards!!!!!!!'
And then he saw it.
Under the dense starlight and the bright full moon, a massive bloodbath between humans and monsters unfolded before his eyes.
Grooooaaarrrrrr!!!!!!!!!
Bebeto let out a roar that shook the world, mirroring his own fury.
The fortress walls, which had been solidly repaired, lay in ruins, and the soldiers were clustered in one spot, desperately holding out.
Kaaaaaaa!
Kugegeggegge!
The monsters glared at the sky and howled in response to Bebeto's cry.
"Eat this, you filthy bastards!!!!!"
His eyes turned bloodshot.
"Fire Rain!!!!!!!!!"
He needed to draw the monsters' attention.
For that, he required the flashiest and most wide-ranging spell possible—the strongest area-of-effect magic he could cast right now, Fire Rain.
Ziiiiing!
Mana burst from his mana core and fused with the earth's mana, creating a piercing whine.
But it was only for a moment.
Pew-pew-pew-pew-pew-pew-pew-pew-pew.
Red fragments scattered across the sky like exploding fireworks.
Shwaaaaaaaa!
Fiery shards formed hundreds of meters above the ground rained down like meteors.
Boom! Boomboomboomboomboomboomboomboom!
Intense blasts rang in his ears.
Roooaaarrrrrr!
In an instant, a storm of flames erupted across the ground.
Kyeeeeeek!
Krarrararak!
Kiaaaaaaaaak!
The Fire Rain spell, unleashed in a burst of rage.
Thanks to mana nearing 7th Circle levels, the spell fused with atmospheric mana and exceeded all expectations.
Cast from the sky, its range spanned hundreds of meters.
Monsters screamed in agony as they burned in the lightning-like inferno.
Kaboooom!
Roooaaarrr.
Boomboomboom.
Beastkin spells followed in his wake, exploding like carpet bombings from all directions.
"The lord has arrived!!!!!!!"
"Waaaaaaaah! The lord is here! The lord!!!!!!!"
The soldiers spotted him and erupted in cheers.
Grooooaaar!
Bebeto flew low over their heads, roaring on his behalf.
Your lord is here.
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"Damn it!"
"Those killers!"
"All units, scramble! The lord and his comrades are in danger!"
Zenith and the Raider squadrons had just landed after patrol duty when urgent bells rang out from the fortress on the highway.
Hearing the fortress deputy commander's frantic briefing, their faces paled as they mounted their wyverns.
They wouldn't worry about regular monsters, but the sudden appearance of magical beasts that had been quiet until now filled them with dread.
Even for a powerful lord, hundreds of magical beasts were a serious threat.
Flapflapflapflap.
Over a dozen wyverns took off again without a moment's rest.
They weren't the only ones.
Sky Knights on patrol everywhere turned their mounts upon hearing the news.
Toward Siaris Fortress, where their lord was in peril.
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'Cunning bastards.'
After a few barrages of spells, most monsters near the fortress had pulled back.
The beastkin, with mana far superior to humans, had wiped out thousands clustered together with just a handful of 5th Circle attacks, allowing the rallied soldiers to drive the monsters beyond the walls.
Yet the magical beasts still hadn't shown themselves.
Hidden in the darkness, invisible but palpable.
Powerful presences radiating killing intent toward him.
'No more spells will work.'
Even for him, he'd already cast five 6th Circle spells.
Over half his mana core was depleted.
He couldn't spam magic like before.
With the magical beast leaders yet to appear, wasting mana would endanger him and the soldiers.
'Heh, I'll gladly play your bait.'
Even if the monsters retreated now, it was a problem.
The deep Rual Mountains teemed with them.
If the magical beasts returned leading more, it would turn into a war of attrition he'd lose.
Only one solution.
Strike them a blow they couldn't recover from quickly.
"Bebeto, descend."
As if the heavens weren't on his side, gathering storm clouds had hidden the moon and stars.
Fortunately, the fire spells had burned away the underbrush, providing faint visibility.
Swoooosh.
Bebeto, who knew his master's intent well, twisted and descended to the ground.
Click.
He unfastened the safety harness.
Pew!
From about ten meters up, he kicked off Bebeto's back.
Carrrr.
Kurukukuku.
The monsters had briefly retreated from the magic, but tens of thousands still remained.
Their foul stench assaulted his nose from all sides.
Along with growls of killing intent.
Thudthudthudthud.
A small noise from behind.
'Loyal to a fault.'
The beastkin who threw away their lives for him in battle.
They had all landed around him without a sound.
"Master, I smell danger."
Hachipot sniffed the air like a dog.
Even battle-hardened beastkin calling it dangerous meant the magical beasts' killing intent was intense.
"Hachipot, you like hunting?"
"Of course. Hunting is our beastkin way of life."
"Wanna make a bet?"
".....?"
Five pairs of eyes fixed on him at the word "bet."
"If you hunt more magical beasts than me, I'll teach you a 6th Circle formula I know. One per beast."
"Really, Master?"
"Lie, and you become master tomorrow."
"Kyarr!"
Hachipot purred happily, knowing it was no lie.
"Kyara!"
"Krring!"
The other four beastkin followed with cat-like meows.
"We believe you, Master."
"Shall we start? Now."
Shing.
A gleaming blue blade emerged from its sheath.
"Krarararang!"
Clunkclunk.
The beastkin shed their expensive air plates and mage robes.
Before his eyes, they shamelessly transformed.
'Mama mia!'
The most embarrassing were the two females, Karkiki and Parpoon.
As they shifted to combat form, their breasts ballooned to watermelon size before fur and muscle engulfed them.
"Haha, excuse me first."
Thud!
"Master, that's cheating!"
Tadadak.
'You dare trespass on my land? You're all dead today!'
The soldiers' blood soaking the walls.
He'd supplied plenty of holy water, so survivors could be saved, but casualties were heavy.
Kueeeek!
Slash.
A group of orcs blocked his path.
He sliced through them lightly and charged like a gale.
Bright yellow killing intent beckoned from ahead.
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"Hmm....."
'Vicious bastards!'
On a whole different level from the magical beasts he'd faced before.
Like a human army, they moved with organization, swarming him systematically.
Ogres hurled stones, trolls swung dead orcs or weapons clumsily.
Blood-eyed orcs charged endlessly.
He slashed.
Swinging his sword nonstop, he sought the magical beasts luring him with killing intent.
But as he closed in, they slyly hid among monsters.
Hide-and-seek, yet they made him "it."
'No wonder the Bazran Empire retreated.'
If these clever, brave magical beasts used their heads like this, human soldiers would collapse from exhaustion.
Humans and monsters' breeding rates weren't comparable.
That's how monsters survived massacres across the continent.
Kaboom.
Kueeeeeek!
"Kyoooooo!"
"Krarrrrr!"
Beastkin battle cries, leagues above the monsters, echoed everywhere.
Chasing magical beasts, he'd strayed far from the fortress.
Grooooaaar!
But Bebeto circled above, precisely tracking him and menacing monsters.
Occasionally diving to grab and smash ogres for fun.
'This guy's in his element.'
He envied Bebeto for the first time in ages.
Kueeeee!
Swooshswooshswoosh.
A horde of the dumbest low-tier monsters, orcs, charged.
Far off, the magical beast beckoned again.
He'd reached the Rual Mountains' foothills.
'You want to fight on your turf, huh? Heh, fine. Keep up the show.'
Flash!
Zzzzap.
Thudthudthud.
He inhaled deeply and slashed the blocking orc with his blade-heavy sword.
Mana, not strength, so it felt like cutting paper.
Thud.
He kicked off.
The deeper he fell for their lure, the more time soldiers had to regroup.
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"F-Father....."
"Sob sob, Father....."
Bazran Empire's imperial palace.
In the Glory Palace at the heart of the moonlit palace.
Princess Aegis and the little prince, summoned by the emperor, paid their respects.
Emperor Habitron, bedridden from worsening illness, had fully withdrawn from state affairs.
"Don't cry. Father is fine....."
Ruler of the great Bazran Empire.
Once called the Golden Lion for his golden locks in youth, Habitron was now gaunt as a withered tree.
Yet his mind was clearer than ever as he called his beloved children.
Had he known they'd be born, he wouldn't have wed Empress Ermiang.
Though emperors could have dozens of concubines, he truly loved Empress Nermis.
But with no heir, he took an empress on his mother's orders and nobles' advice.
'Poor things.'
Bedridden but aware of palace and empire affairs.
Hborn knew being imperial was blessing and curse.
Inheriting the throne was supreme fortune; remaining a prince or threatening it meant silent death—the fate of imperial heirs.
Four children from different mothers.
Like irreplaceable fingers, but he loved his true empress's children more.
"I missed you."
Youngest Razsion, still a child.
He rubbed his cheek against his father's hand.
Unable to call him "Father" freely, but forever warm in his heart.
Razsion smiled happily at the long-missed touch.
"Aegis."
"Yes, Father."
Aegis, silently watching her brother's tender act, replied softly.
"Harvest must be in full swing now."
"I saw from wyvernback yesterday—plains waving golden waves."
"Good."
The emperor gazed at his daughter with paternal love.
"How's your health? Healers say you've regained much strength lately."
Aegis lied.
Everyone in the palace knew his waking, speaking time dwindled daily.
"Haha, that worried?"
Habirtron laughed heartily for the first time in ages at his beloved daughter's concern.
Weak as he was, today his vigor surged.
"Please recover soon. I pray daily."
Every word polite and loving from Aegis.
The emperor regarded her warmly.
"Father, get up soon. Spring hunting on wyvernback. Razsion's big now."
Razsion lifted his head, pleading while clutching his father's hand.
"Yes, hunting with Razsion."
"Really? Promise!"
The emperor gently stroked the delighted Razsion's head.
"I called you for one request."
Bedridden, but with the Imperial Guard Knights' absolute loyalty, the emperor feared nothing.
One word decided nobles' fates.
At his sudden "request," the children looked at him.
He met their starry eyes one by one.
His gaze and gestures brimmed with affection, like a farewell rite.
"Listen well from now."
"Yes....."
"Please speak."
"If Father can't protect you... leave Bazran."
"....."
Aegis and Razsion fell silent, stunned.
Never imagined a world without Father; words failed.
"If Poltbiran becomes emperor, bad things may happen. Find refuge first."
"Father, waaaah! Don't say that. Razsion loves the palace with you and Mother!"
Childish Razsion wept like a chick.
"Aegis, go to him."
"Hic....."
Aegis shed tears at her father's last-will words.
"Met once, but Kaier seems reliable. Count Yaiks praises endlessly—he'll shelter you."
"K-Kaier... Count?"
Aegis startled mid-tears at "Kaier."
"Yes. Fortunate you share deep ties."
"Kaier brother's good. Sniff sniff."
Razsion sobbed but praised Kaier.
"I tasked some knights. When they come, leave without question."
'Forgive me, my beloved children.....'
Habirtron knew he'd leave them behind, bleeding tears inwardly.
He knew Crown Prince Poltbiran's tyrannical streak well.
Entrusting to young Razsion risked civil war.
He felt Duke Omer and supporters' influence skin-deep.
Thus, the emperor decided.
Couldn't leave tender children to cold-hearted Poltbiran, like his mother Empress Ermiang.
As father, not emperor, he couldn't abandon them.
"Y-Yes. But... I believe you'll rise again. Please recover."
Wise, noble-born Aegis grasped his meaning fully.
"Yes, thank you....."
He couldn't beg for the empress too.
Even a rogue prince wouldn't kill her.
No precedent in Bazran history for slaying a living empress.
"Cough cough."
"Father!"
"Waaah! Daddy, Daddy!!!!"
Smiling lovingly after thanks, the emperor suddenly coughed violently, spewing black blood.
Razsion cried "Daddy," not Father.
"No one outside? Call priests and healers! Hurry!"
Aegis shouted outward.
Thudthudthudthud.
Footsteps in chaos.
'Daddy.....'
The word stuck in her throat.
Tears streamed down Aegis's cheeks endlessly.
She knew days like this were numbered.
Aegis von Bazran.
She wasn't a fool.
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Stab!
Shwaaaaa!
His sword grazed the troll's thick neck, spraying blue blood like a fountain into the dark.
Thud!
The last troll collapsed.
Over twenty troll and ogre corpses littered around.
'These cheating bastards.'
A clearing in the mountains jutting from Rual Range.
Knowing he was bait, he'd followed the magical beasts deep into the peaks.
Dozens of minutes of bloody combat.
Over a thousand monsters sent to hell reaching this spot.
'Mana's scraping bottom. Tch.'
He'd restrained magic use, but Blade required mana.
His absurd mana core outstripped others, but... not a dragon; limits existed.
Flashflashflash.
'Alright, you think you're the stars? What a joke.'
Thinking magical beasts.
Filling the monsters' vacated spots.
Blue blood stench filled the clearing.
Yellow and red eyes blinked from trees, staring.
"Huu....."
He inhaled deeply into his lungs.
The showdown about to unfold.
Tension prickled his body hair.
Rustle, rustle, rustlerustle.
Like waiting all night for a dawn lunker.
Magical beasts' presences registered one by one.
'Eleven, twelve, thirteen... what the hell? Gang-up intimidation?'
Perfectly surrounded.
They marked him most dangerous too.
Shlick.
He lowered his sword.
Dispelled Blade, savoring their gleaming killing intent in the dark.
'Thrilling.'
Others would piss themselves, bury heads like pheasants.
Far beyond ogres or trolls.
'All here now.'
Over twenty presences.
The Taveliger he'd caught was small fry here.
Thud!
He stomped lightly.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Once, twice, thrice, repeatedly.
He longed to see their faces.
Kyarrng!
Tssstsss.
Some snarled irritably at his provocation.
Rustle rustle.
They emerged from darkness.
'Whoa! Eight legs! Ho, one hit from that claw's heaven-bound.'
Magical beasts revealed one by one.
Long-haired beast with black, sharp blade-like protrusions on hands.
Crimson eyes half its face, body rippling muscle, zero fat.
Another wrapped in layered thick hide.
Fists huge as large car tires, exaggerating a bit.
'Wingless wolf... Magical beasts from demon realms, as said.'
Unlike monsters.
Varieties unknown to the world.
These before him unmatched any tales.
'Plains stragglers were low-level trash.'
Like late-film bosses, monster extermination magical beasts were toe-lickers here.
"Hey, friends. I'm Kaier, Lord of Neruman. Pleased to meet ya."
He waved left hand, "warmly" greeting.
Karr!
Tssstsss.
They bared fangs or flicked serpentine tongues at his "greeting."
Five now in the clearing.
"You guys ever hear? Mad dogs need sticks. Ptoo!"
He spat before them.
Unlordly for Neruman's ruler, but no heroics before bloodthirsty brutes.
Ziiing.
Mana infused, blue Blade blazed bright.
"No crying to big bro, you rotten fucks."
He raised sword chest-high.
Kyarrng!
A winged hound bastard charged with a kyarrng.
'Shit! Fast!'
Blink-like leap to ten meters, then fangs like fingers aimed at his throat.
"Tat!"
He stomped ground lightly, flying into the maw.
Swoooosh.
But it twisted midair, changing posture effortlessly.
It grazed past; sword missed.
Tssstsss.
'Such friendly bastards.'
Before landing, the long-haired big-eyed orc-cousin swung blade-arm.
He whipped sword to block.
Kaaaaang!
'Whoa!'
Invincible aura Blade sparked mana on impact.
Proof that "friendly" arm was mithril-alloy tough.
Cold sweat chilled his back.
'Dying next year today?'
Horrifying thought.
Unfulfilled virgin instincts; no ghostly bachelorhood.
Shwaaaaa.
Not just that.
Bastards ganged up shamelessly, claws, fists, clubs from all sides.
'Fucking hell!!!'
Curse unspoken amid frenzy.
Shriiiing.
He spun sword like a windmill, blocking all.
Kakakakakang.
Mana sparks flew serially.
Mana already low drained like melting popsicle.
Pagang.
Shockingly, one fist breached, grazing air plate.
'Y-You bastards! Do you know the cost?!'
One touch crumpled blast spear-blocking air plate.
Momentary lapse, massive loss.
Ssssteam.
Steam vented from his head.
'You’re all fucked today!'
Rage-fueled ogre aura Blade surged.
Roooaaarrr.
Triple-stage master-only aura Blade ignited like a lightsaber.
"Die!!!!!!!"
He charged madly.
At the hide-armored beast that scratched his armor.