Tenacious Battle (3)
The Altar's magical ritual appeared to lack any particular system. The circuits, connected in a haphazard fashion, writhed like worms, and at a glance, they resembled something alive—thoroughly repulsive.
Even Al Ross, from the Ashes Heap and trained under Adrienne, was seeing it for the first time. It was only natural that no modern mage had ever observed such a ritual.
"I can study the whole thing deliberately. In a week, I will discern, comprehend, and dismantle every structure and ritual of the Altar's magic."
Even so, Deculein spoke with unwavering conviction.
"Why. Do you have another question?"
Al Ross, a proper mage himself, was curious but shook his head.
"No. Enough of your boasting—pay me now so I can take it and leave."
"……Hm."
He cleared his throat and pulled a bundle of cash from the drawer. Precisely three stacks of one million elne each.
"Then I shall take my leave."
As Al Ross took it and rose from his seat—
Knock knock—
Someone knocked on the office door.
—Lady Knight Dayia here. With Vice Director Phairden.
It was Julie's voice.
"Wait, since I have a guest."
At Deculein's words, Al Ross changed his appearance. Flowing golden hair and exquisite features. It was the true form of "Cynthia."
"If the guest is a child, it might be a bit much. But fascinating. How did you create such things?"
Al Ross was intrigued by the recorder and camera, made without magic stones.
"Hadekan hardware store, the docks at Rockan. Convey the concept, and Rockan invents it himself."
"Useful in the future as well."
Al Ross stood.
As she smoothed her hair to leave, she glanced back at Deculein. He was transcribing the recorded footage with a fountain pen.
"……Can you analyze that ritual?"
Deculein answered while focused on the footage. Blue mana had already gathered in his eyes.
"The ritual's framework and the formation's shape are arbitrary. But analysis, disassembly, study, dismantling—all possible."
Al Ross gave a small laugh.
Bluff or arrogance? What a peculiar man.
"Good luck."
Creeeak—
Al Ross opened the office door. Outside waited Knight Dayia—that is, Julie.
"……?"
Seeing Al Ross, she flinched, eyes widening in confusion.
Without explanation, Al Ross said,
"My business is done. You may enter."
"……Ah, yes."
Al Ross passed by, but Julie watched her go and asked,
"If it's all right… might I ask where the guest is from…?"
Al Ross stopped abruptly and turned to Julie. She could have brushed it off, but a mischievous impulse struck.
Placing a hand to her lips, she murmured in a sultry, alluring voice,
"Not all right, no. Shall we call it a secret for now…?"
"……."
"Then, farewell."
Julie’s expression hardened slightly.
"Yes."
Julie nodded and entered the office, but the next voice made Al Ross smile faintly.
—You had quite the beauty as a guest, Professor. She didn’t seem from the North.
A roundabout way of asking who and from where—too direct would be improper.
—Leave the documents and go. No time for chatter.
Such things never worked on Deculein.
—Yes, understood. No deeper meaning. She was simply striking enough to catch my eye—
—Out.
—……Yes.
Julie’s sullen face as she was ejected from the office. Al Ross watched only that far.
* * *
The next day. Early morning in Recor Dak.
Kuuung—!
Outside, the sporadic booms of battle continued, and Ifrin, on night watch all last evening, felt like she might die of exhaustion.
No joke—she was on the verge of passing out.
"Yaaawn……."
Knock knock—
Yawning, she knocked on Deculein's office door.
"Professor."
Knock knock—
With the second knock, she said,
"……Professor. The great tiger robe's done. They said the sunbathing or whatever's finished too, so I brought it. Take it, and lemme sleep."
No response again. Ifrin narrowed her eyes.
"Hellooo? You always said you'd only sleep in front of me. Why not come to the mansion? I'm dying of sleepiness here!"
Knock knock—
No reaction to the third knock.
"Ugh, what? Not even at the mansion."
Ifrin knocked a fourth time—knock knock—
Still silence inside.
"Aaaargh, what the heeell—! I'm so sleeeepy—!"
Her eyes grew wilder with darker circles, no different from a panda's.
Thud thud thud—!
"Kyaaak!"
Pounding ferociously like a bear, she flung the door open.
Of course, Deculein hated anyone opening his office door without permission more than anything, but right now she was dying of sleep…….
"……."
Ifrin lost her words for a moment.
She stared blankly at the office. More precisely, at the chair in the head seat.
"……Whoa."
Deculein was asleep. Sitting in the chair.
His uniform was impeccably neat, not leaning on the backrest, sleeping as if studying. Still, the fact was undeniable.
Deculein was asleep in the chair.
"The professor's deaaad—?!"
No, he wouldn't sleep like that—he must be dead.
Startled, Ifrin rushed to Deculein.
"……What."
But up close, she heard breathing. Pulse normal.
How? Does the sun rise in the east tomorrow?
"……It always rises in the east? Ugh, mixing up."
Too sleepy for sanity. Ifrin shook her head and looked at Deculein's desk. Documents neatly organized, as if he'd been researching till now.
"Ah…… well."
Over a week without eating—overwork was inevitable.
"Here's your robe."
Ifrin draped the great tiger robe over his shoulders. He didn't wake.
How exhausted must he have been?
"Hmmm……."
Ifrin stealthily observed the soundly sleeping Deculein.
First time seeing him like this. She always fell asleep first; he stayed vigilant, watching over her.
"……Asleep, he looks twenty. Minus the broad shoulders, could pass for my little brother."
She snickered and drew the curtains behind the office.
Kuuuung—!
"Eek, startled."
The vibrations and explosions she couldn't get used to. They kept waking her even in sleep.
"……Guess I'll sleep too then. Yaaawn—"
When she woke after a nap, Deculein would surely be up first. He'd probably be mortified at being caught sleeping.
But self-inflicted.
Ifrin spread a blanket and pillow on the office floor and lay down.
"Snooore…… snooore……."
Her tiny snores echoed softly in the vast office. The air settled peacefully, calmly.
Yet within thirty minutes, Deculein opened his eyes.
"……."
After three hours of deep sleep, he rose from the chair. Sarrrk— The robe slid off.
A treasure-grade item, black with gold embroidery.
Great Tiger Leather Robe
Tremendous performance, but no time for that.
"……."
Ifrin slept on the floor. Snoring. Utterly at ease.
In other words, before she arrived, he had been—
"This is insane."
He muttered sincerely. Swept back sweat-dampened hair.
"……Damn it all."
Since becoming Deculein.
Never had he felt such profound shame…….
* * *
Noon in Recor Dak.
I stand atop the barrier, gazing at the horizon. The Iron Man's eyes far surpass normal vision—a thousand-ri sight. Thus, I see the advancing "ten thousand demons" in the distance.
"……Professor. We're at our limit."
Then, Imperial Knight Delik approached. Haggard-faced, he pleaded.
"Even now, abandon Recor Dak and retreat……."
I shook my head.
Abandoning Recor Dak would spike the main quest difficulty later. This outpost for humanity's advance into Mieolji must be held at all costs.
"Not long now. This tenacious battle too."
No lie. The end is in sight.
Literally—I can see that "end."
The horde of beasts blanketing the wasteland, a quantity near infinite.
"……How do you know?"
"I see it. And feel it."
"Pardon?"
Close my eyes tightly.
Thud…….
Thud…….
Thud…….
The Iron Man's acute senses detect approaching vibrations.
The echoes of those marching from beyond reach even here.
"The final battle is near. It will be grueling, but endure this, and we survive."
"……."
Yet Delik and his Imperial Knights seemed unable to believe. No—unwilling.
I surveyed them.
"Quite fatigued, are you."
The knights' faces were pitiful. Sweat streaming, eyes hollow, blood crusted on many.
"You speak of that now?"
Delik finally bared his teeth. His muttering voice carried killing intent.
Killing intent.
I stared him down silently.
"Delik."
"Yes."
"Your family is in the capital. You wish to see them."
"……Of course."
Such insubordination.
In this extreme situation, entirely possible. I understand fully.
I asked again.
"The same for those behind you."
The knights nodded silently. Delik said,
"So please, let us withdraw now. Professor. We're at our limit."
"Delik."
Again.
I can understand such insubordination.
Only understand.
"I ask once more. Your family is in the capital."
"Yes. I long to see them—"
"You will not meet them. If you leave Recor Dak. If you show such insolence."
I drew a single paper from my breast pocket. Transmission paper linked to Yuseffin.
"……What do you mean?"
I glared at the questioning Delik.
"I understand your discontent. But I will not tolerate it. If you wish to leave Recor Dak, do so. If you dare show such vermin attitude without knowing your place, be my guest."
Grasping the meaning, Delik's eyes widened.
"……However."
If exhaustion weighs, battle sickens, every limit pushes—
Only wield a sharper blade.
"No one of your family in the capital will remain."
"……."
Delik gaped like a goldfish. The surrounding Imperial Knights wore similar expressions.
"Such threats are intolerable—"
"Who will not tolerate."
I surveyed them. No one answered. Over half of Delik's knights already averted their eyes.
"I tolerate. I, head of Yukline and His Majesty's personal guard captain."
Stating the truth, I approached Delik. Whispered in his ear.
—Delik. Know your place as a mere knight and do not climb. When treated well enough, work like an ox, devote like a dog. That is your path to survival; your life depends on your effort.
Gulp—
Delik swallowed.
The killing intent he'd spewed moments ago vanished like dust.
—Yukline remembers grace and grudge. Rewards loyalty, but slays owner-biting dogs without hesitation. Heed it.
Finishing, I placed a hand on Delik's shoulder. The slight weight crushed him. His body visibly tilted.
He bowed without resistance.
"……Yes. I will heed."
"Good."
Tap—tap—
Patting his shoulder a few more times, I turned to descend the barrier.
Whiiiiiing…….
An ominous wind blew. The sky darkened. Thick clouds pressed low, murderous gales whipping the barrier.
"……."
I looked down at Mieolji's wasteland. Not far from the barrier, black mist arose. Billowing thickly.
"Professor. That is……?"
Now meek Delik asked. I inhaled deeply and answered.
"Mages of the Altar."
The mist moved as if alive, spewing dozens of humans.
A legion of robed mages. And ranks of warriors protecting them.
"The Altar……."
Tat tat tat— Footsteps multiplied below the barrier.
I looked down.
Julie, Vice Director Premien, Ruina and Ihelm, even adventurer parties like Lia and Ganesha.
Especially that Lia girl, in a frenzy.
"Professor! Professor!"
Of course, she'd dragged the rest.
"Professor Deculein! Those guys over there—"
"Shut your yapping and be silent."
I dismissed her with one phrase. Lia pounded her chest in frustration.
"No, that's not—!"
Ku gu gu gu—!
Then the vibration. Emanating Demonic Energy. They prepared rituals below, but I cared not.
Rather, that Demonic Energy stoked my killing intent. Temporarily amplifying my true nature.
Lia shouted, pointing.
"Th-those bastards!"
"No need for clamor."
"Whaaat?!"
"Simple."
Kwaaaaa—!
The Altar's magic. Mad gales unleashed, massive Demonic Energy condensing—their momentum, yet in an instant.
Pop—
Snuffed like a cut thread. Faded like a match.
"……?"
Silence blanketed the area.
"……Pfft."
Then I smiled. Those fools, this whole situation—utterly ridiculous.
And so, an unintended chuckle burst forth.
Likely the Demonic Energy's influence.
"Hahahaha—."
The barrier knights watched my laughing self with strange expressions…….