Chapter 297
Chapter 297
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 297
Chapter Title: Schlieffen
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Miss Iril."
Schlieffen said. There was no reply. Iril was fast asleep, buried in the middle of a massive chair. Marya mumbled involuntarily upon seeing her.
"...She looks like a princess."
"Heh, this is truly... dazzling."
Braum, standing beside her, nodded as well. It was impossible to look away. Iril was beautiful even in sackcloth, but today she was on another level entirely.
A gown as splendid and elegant as one seen at an imperial ball draped over her body. The snow-white dress, pure as first snow, seemed made just for her.
"Is that a tiara? It's so pretty..."
A beautiful tiara rested atop her neatly combed hair. They said she had been brought to be canonized as a saint, and it seemed they had treated her accordingly.
Schlieffen's mind froze momentarily at her devastating beauty, but he quickly regained his composure and began examining Iril's condition. Soon, he let out a sigh of relief.
"...Good."
No wounds were visible even upon close inspection. Her breathing was steady, and she didn't seem afflicted by any dire illness.
However, she wouldn't wake no matter how many times they called her, which was concerning. It seemed she had been put to sleep with sleep magic or the like. They needed to get her to a military doctor quickly. At that moment, Marya tilted her head upon noticing Schlieffen standing there doing nothing.
"What's wrong all of a sudden? Aren't you going to carry her?"
"...Listen."
"Me? Wouldn't it be better if you did it yourself? I bet Sister Iril would prefer that too."
"I... No, just quietly carry her."
Schlieffen averted his gaze and shook his head. A flush colored his face for the first time—the same face that hadn't changed after cutting down triple-digit foes. Figuring out the reason wasn't hard. Marya chuckled.
"Heh heh. How cute, and so unlike you."
"...Shut up."
"Can't even carry her in your arms, yet you plan to propose? Anyway, move aside. Big sis will handle it."
"Carry her delicately. Like handling a glass bead."
Schlieffen barked. Marya complied with his request. To Marya, who wielded a greatsword larger than her body with one hand, Iril's body felt as light as a feather. Suddenly, the sleeping Iril broke into a broad smile.
"Hee hee hee..."
"Ah, Sister's smiling. Must be having a good dream."
Marya smiled along. It was a peaceful, baby-like smile that warmed the heart just to see.
But they couldn't relax yet. Rescue meant escaping the enemy lines with the hostage in tow. Moreover, they still had the mission to stop the giant descent ritual. Marya spoke.
"What now? The ritual?"
"If we haven't found it yet, it's probably happening up there. I'll take care of them, so you all escape with Miss Iril however you can."
Schlieffen pointed upward with his index finger. Marya's eyes widened round.
"You're going to face the archbishops alone?"
"They're defenseless during the ritual. And I've already taken down two archbishops. I think it's a reasonable judgment."
"Th-that's true, but..."
Schlieffen replied flatly. Indeed, he had witnessed the giant-summoning ritual in Adren. Being a mana-intensive act, it would be easy to find openings.
Moreover, the archbishops he had felled—Phantasiorn and Alon—were hailed as top-tier forces. If he approached stealthily and struck first, it might end more easily than expected. Braum nodded slowly.
"Certainly... that seems best."
"...Got it. Don't get hurt."
Marya sighed in turn. She hugged the soundly sleeping Iril a bit tighter.
With the plan set, it was time to act. As they took their first steps, Schlieffen sensed a chilling aura and shouted urgently.
"Everyone, danger!"
"What?"
The group halted. At that instant, a massive explosion rocked them as the ceiling right ahead collapsed. Kwaaaang! Dust filled the room.
"Eek!"
"Wh-what is it?!"
Marya and Braum cried out in confusion. Everyone reflexively shielded with mana barriers, avoiding injury. Amid it all, Iril slept soundly.
Suddenly, a chilling voice echoed. Five figures emerged from the dust. The three instinctively knew they were archbishops. With clicking heels, a woman stepped forward.
"You...!"
Marya gasped upon eye contact. Her ornate robe and striking beauty were memorable. A face she recognized.
Archbishop Lutansie said. The three had encountered her early in the war. She was the archbishop who sneered from the walls, sowing despair among the allied forces.
But the atmosphere was vastly different now. The aura emanating from her was incomparably stronger. Even her elegant gesture of brushing hair behind her ear felt threatening.
"Guh...!"
"Wh-what trick did they use?"
Braum hunched his shoulders. It felt like facing a giant, not a human. Utterly unlike the archbishops they'd faced during sweeps.
How had they gained such power? Baffled, another man stepped forward.
Verminion, another archbishop like the rest. Lutansie shook her head.
Verminion whined petulantly. Marya gritted her teeth. These bastards didn't even see them as worthy opponents. The other three archbishops were the same, merely silent. The hitherto quiet Schlieffen finally spoke.
"No need for the ritual—what does that mean?"
"Connection to the heavens...?"
Verminion nodded. He casually explained the situation. As Schlieffen suspected, the archbishops had been performing the giant-summoning ritual.
The smooth ritual halted abruptly. All magic circles collapsed and began merging into one, they said. The reason was unknown. However, the unleashed star power flowing between heaven and earth proved a tremendous boon to the archbishops.
Only then did Schlieffen realize why the archbishops had suddenly grown so strong. Like the dragon king in Adren, they had absorbed the overflowing starlight power. Verminion cackled.
Suddenly, Verminion raised his hand. The group's faces hardened. As he swung his arm, a crescent sword beam shot toward the three.
"E-everyone, danger!"
Braum hurriedly blocked the front, raising his greatshield. The beam was about to clash with the shield. Instinctively reaching out, Marya yanked Braum's nape.
"Idiot, dodge!"
"Gah!"
Kwang! As Braum fell back, an explosion rang out. The shield fell on his stomach a beat late.
"H-heuk...!"
Braum's face paled upon seeing the shield. The part directly hit by the beam was sliced clean as if by scissors. He had nearly been bisected. Verminion continued.
Gooo... A bizarrely colored curtain rippled up from his feet. The star's blessing, seen ad nauseam, appeared far denser than any they'd faced before. Lutansie, watching from behind, sighed.
Like a mother with a bratty child. The remaining three archbishops stepped forward. They seemed no weaker than Verminion—stronger, if anything.
"...This is it."
Marya let out a hollow laugh. No chance of victory in sight. Even if Zaifa, wandering somewhere in the castle, came to help, winning was doubtful. Suddenly, Schlieffen turned to her.
"Huh?"
Marya blinked. Schlieffen's voice suddenly echoed in her mind. With no reply, it came again.
Marya nodded. Quick on the uptake, she realized Schlieffen had a plan. Some trump card? Clutching a sliver of hope, she reached for the blood vial at her waist.
Snap! Schlieffen suddenly snatched the vial from her waist and poured it all onto his sword. Marya's eyes bulged.
Marya screamed inwardly. Anyone could see the archbishops before them were beyond their league. After a brief silence, Schlieffen continued.
With that, Schlieffen glanced at the wall. Realizing the intent, Marya bit her lower lip. The archbishops were closing in; she had to decide fast.
Is this right? Is this truly right?
Her head and heart argued. She knew the answer but struggled to commit. Soon, she bowed her head.
"...Got it. Don't die till we get back."
Marya said aloud. Schlieffen didn't reply. Braum, receiving the plan via her, raised his brows.
"Wait, what does that—"
"Shut up, let's go!"
Kwang! Marya grabbed Braum's nape and leaped, kicking off the ground—not toward the door, but the wall. Lutansie, catching on, urgently reached out.
Seven invisible spears shot toward them. But they didn't pierce Marya's back. Kakagak! With chain-like bursts, all seven spears were severed. Schlieffen's sword beam from afar.
"Thanks!"
Marya shouted. Simultaneously, she crashed into the wall amid a roar. Kwaaaang! Beyond the explosively shattered wall, the outside scenery unfolded. Hugging Iril tighter, Marya leaped out the hole.
Lutansie's face hardened. She hadn't anticipated this escape. As she tried to pursue, a whirlwind surged before her. Kwaaaa! The blade-wind vortex completely sealed the hole in the wall.
Lutansie glared at Schlieffen. Not just her—all archbishops focused on him. Overwhelming killing intent pressed down, enough to shatter a normal person's mind.
Schlieffen said nothing. Suddenly, he recalled the day he first met Iril. The moment they collided around the corner would be etched forever. Blocking the door, he murmured softly.
"...I thought I met an angel."
Verminion tilted his head at the sudden murmur. Schlieffen swung his sword gently. Sruk! Simultaneously, blood spurted from Verminion's neck at the front.
"Kuhk..."
Verminion knelt on one knee and collapsed. Blood gushed from the severed artery. Of course, such a wound would heal quickly, but Schlieffen's goal was to buy time.
Gripping his sword reverse, Schlieffen slammed the tip into the floor. Kwajik! A faint shattering sound accompanied a wind barrier enveloping the room. A storm barrier that wouldn't vanish until he died or dispelled it.
Various reactions followed. Some raged, some sneered. Yet none feared, despite being sealed. Schlieffen's act was that reckless.
Schlieffen remained silent. He knew it too. No chance of winning. Amid his fear-heightened mind, questions endlessly echoed.
Do you really think you can do it?
Do you think a wretch like you can protect the daughter of the stars?
Probably hallucinations. Otherwise, why would the voice sound like his own? The archbishops drew their weapons, ready to tear him apart. After long silence, he gripped the hilt.
"...Yes."
The trembling stopped. A storm swirled along the bluish blade. Aiming at the archbishops, Schlieffen continued.
"I can protect you."