Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Erosion (3)
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A few hours earlier.
Ronan pounded roughly on an unusually ornate door. It swung open, revealing a familiar uniformed figure.
"Ronan? What are you..."
"Let's go inside first."
Schlieffen was already changed into his uniform. Bang! Ronan barged in and slammed the door shut without a word.
"...What the hell is this?"
"Hey, I need to ask something. There's a knight named Dolan among your father's escorts, right? How many years has he been in service?"
"I asked what you're doing."
"Kid, I'm in a hurry, so just answer the damn question. Don't you want to know how your sister's doing?"
"If you're talking about Sir Dolan Consesto, it's his fourth year. He quickly claimed the escort knight position with his skills and unique loyalty. About a year ago, we crossed swords, and his aura's properties and usage were impressive."
"Grancia's fucked. In more ways than one."
Ronan twisted his lips at the mention of four years. He could guess why the powerhouses hadn't appeared during the Descent incident. And why Schlieffen had inherited the ducal seat at such a young age.
"Then how strong is your father? Stronger than that Dolan guy?"
"Don't underestimate the master of Fail Lord. Even if all the escort knights attacked together, none could defeat my father."
"That's a relief. Then listen carefully from now on without freaking out."
Ronan pulled Schlieffen away from the door. He recited everything he knew and his plans one by one. As the story progressed, Schlieffen's expression gradually hardened.
"...So that Dolan or Nolan or whatever is coming to kill me. Probably tonight."
"You expect me to believe that?"
"Just check, man. Hide in my room, and when that bastard shows up, come out and we take him down together."
"Sir Dolan isn't that kind of man."
"Yeah. That's why he could steal Grancia's food for four years with you thinking that way. Anyway, I told you."
Ronan left those words and walked out. Even after he was gone, Schlieffen stood frozen in place before shaking his head.
"...No way."
****
Night once more.
Under the serene moonlight, a boy with dark blue hair appeared. The bluish tip of his sword pointed at the shadow.
"I'll ask one last time."
Schlieffen Sinivan de Grancia opened his mouth.
"Can you explain the situation, Dolan?"
"...Young master."
Dolan gripped his sword hilt in response. A white blade gleamed under the moonlight.
The meaning was clear. Schlieffen's face hardened. From under the black hood, Dolan's low murmur escaped.
"I won't explain."
Boom! Suddenly, Dolan stomped the floor with his right foot. A shockwave spread from that spot, blanketing the room. Ronan frowned as his body suddenly felt incredibly heavy.
"Fuck, what is this?"
At the same moment, Dolan twisted his body and swung at Ronan. A massive cross-shaped sword beam cleaved through the air toward him.
"Shit!"
Ronan swore and swung his now-heavy Ramancha. Kaboom! An explosion swallowed half the room, shattering all remaining windows.
Schlieffen's eyes widened. His limbs felt like they had sandbags attached. Judging by the aura's range, it was nearing awakening level, not just bloom.
"What the...!"
But there was no time to panic. Dolan, using the explosion as cover, closed in on Schlieffen in an instant.
Shing! A fast yet heavy slash flew at Schlieffen's neck. Schlieffen raised his mana-reinforced sword in haste. Clang! A sharp metallic ring echoed.
"...You've been hiding your strength."
Schlieffen muttered through gritted teeth. His wrist buzzed from blocking the strike. Both swordsmanship and aura power were leagues beyond what Schlieffen knew.
Dolan pressed on relentlessly. Clang! Clang! Clang! Sparks flew with each clash, forcing Schlieffen back a step each time. Finally cornering him against the wall, Dolan spoke.
"Why aren't you using your aura?"
"None of your business."
"Worried about hurting people even now? True, you still can't control your aura precisely over a wide area."
Schlieffen didn't reply. Dolan looked at him with pity.
"I'm sorry, young master. I wanted to keep a good relationship until the end, but some gutter rat ruined everything."
"...When did you betray us? What corrupted your loyalty?"
"You're mistaken, young master. I've never betrayed you."
"What?"
The exchange continued amid the fight. Schlieffen frowned. Dolan continued calmly, though regretting spilling words meant for later too soon.
"I was never a Grancia knight to begin with."
In that instant, Schlieffen's eyes changed. For a while, only the fierce clash of steel filled the half-destroyed room. Moments later, a faint sigh escaped the silent Schlieffen.
"...Confirmed. Do as you will."
"Pardon?"
Dolan tilted his head. Then a familiar voice came from behind.
"Ugh, you dense bastard. You're the only one who'd make this fuss just to hear that one line. You pull a dagger to scratch my head or what?"
"It was that serious. Grancia will face a bloodbath for a while."
"What...!"
Sensing something ominous, Dolan turned. Ronan, who should have been sliced by the sword beam, sat on the sofa yawning like he was watching a boring match.
"...How?"
"Should've done it backwards, idiot. Hit me with the beam after charging him."
Ronan said exasperatedly. Of course, unaware Ronan could cut mana, Dolan just stood dumbfounded.
"Well, it wouldn't have changed much anyway."
In truth, Dolan's luck ended the moment he entered for the notebook. He was strong, but not against Ronan and Schlieffen together.
Ronan casually sliced the beam and sat watching Schlieffen's little play until Dolan admitted his betrayal outright, per Schlieffen's demand.
'Seeing mana makes this easy.'
Honestly, the aura activation startled him—body suddenly heavy like dunked in water.
But focusing, he saw mana like tree roots spreading from Dolan, tiny tendrils with eerie glints clinging to the boys' limbs.
Slicing them off with Ramancha made the weight vanish like a lie. Ronan clicked his tongue watching Schlieffen swing with roots still attached.
"Freakish monster..."
He thought he was getting strong fast, but this guy seemed even faster.
"Anyway, time to end it."
The play was over. Ronan stood and charged, swinging Ramancha at Dolan.
"Kugh!"
Clang! Dolan twisted hastily to block. In that moment, Schlieffen's slash grazed Dolan's cheek. Ronan chained thrusts, laughing.
"Give up, asshole. You're done."
"Shut up...!"
"Shirilla's waiting. Eduon’s already dead."
"You dare!"
But fury-fueled swings changed nothing. Dolan's rocky face twisted more.
Block one, get wounded by the other. As the 2:1 dragged on, his robe shredded to rags.
"Uh...?"
Suddenly dizzy, Dolan staggered. His body chilled rapidly. Only then did he notice excessive blood from his wounds.
'What? Why...'
Even minor cuts pumped blood like drained by a pump. As Dolan looked around suspiciously—
"Eyes wandering?"
Slash. Ramancha exploited the gap, carving his side. Splurt! Blood fountained, soaking the floor.
"Hurk!"
Dolan grit his teeth. He stomped again; root-like aura blanketed anew, slowing the boys. Yet bleeding continued.
"W-what is this..."
Dolan retreated briefly and scanned. Eerily, his blood droplets rose to the ceiling.
"That’s...?"
Droplets gathered on a grotesque lifeform hanging from the chandelier. Sita, wings folded, absorbing blood, tilted its head at Dolan.
"Ppe?"
"Damn it, what the hell are you!"
Dolan fired a sword beam at Sita. Weakened, it was smaller. Sita leaped from the chandelier, dodging easily. Ronan, shaking off aura, roared angrily.
"You fucking mutt! Who the hell are you shooting at?!"
Ronan charged. He vaulted off the bed, slashing down. Nearby mana ripples guided his blade.
"Hup!"
Too late to dodge. Dolan gripped his hilt two-handed, raising it flat. The mana-charged downward strike pierced blade and right arm. Slash! Sword snapped; arm hit the floor.
"Kaaaaagh!"
Vision shook like an earthquake. Pain near fainting. Dolan bit his tongue to stay conscious.
No options left. He blasted a final beam at the boys and leaped out the window. Kaboom! Explosion erupted behind.
"Kuhk! Heuk...! Huuuk...!"
Dolan rolled and fled desperately. Most Navardoje dorm rooms lit up. Students emerged on balconies from the commotion.
"Look! Who's that?"
"Thief!"
"D-did you hear that explosion?"
Dolan didn't look back. Capture meant end. He heard guards' armor clanking afar.
'How... how did it come to this...!'
Legs still worked—thankful. Weaving buildings, he reached an empty lot. Phileon's walls loomed close.
Just over them. Hope flickered—then a voice from the side. Terribly familiar after four years.
"I asked why no aura."
"Schlieffen!!"
Schlieffen had exited the room and ran beside him. Seeing the pulsing core, Dolan's face paled. Schlieffen sighed faintly, drawing his sword.
"Your guess was right."
Schlieffen swung. Storm fragments shot at Dolan. The aura coiled around him, spawning a 10m-radius vortex.
-Krwooom!
But not wind—shards like slashing blades. Agonized screams echoed within.
"Kaaaaah!!"
Schlieffen's aura vortex rose to Phileon's walls. Screams soon swallowed by wind. Ronan arrived after the storm fully died.
Dolan lay as red mush. Ronan dry-heaved at the sight.
"Urk, fuck. Is this thing even alive?"
"Theoretically."
Schlieffen nodded. Breathing, so probably. He clicked his tongue at his blood-soaked uniform. Hated messes like this.
"Tch, filthy."
"Ppa~"
Sita on Ronan's shoulder absorbed blood from the boys and clothes. Schlieffen's eyes widened at the clean uniform. Staring at Sita, he murmured softly.
"...Thanks."
"Ppat!"
Sita flapped happily. They seemed to like each other. Soon, armored guards swarmed.
"W-what happened?!"
"Intruder? But that state... urp."
"H-h, Instructor Naviroje!"
Naviroje emerged through guards. In baggy pajamas unlike her usual image—rushed from bed.
"Never thought I'd say this so soon again..."
She couldn't grasp the scene: dorm exploded, weirdo in rags on ground. Naviroje eyed Ronan, Schlieffen, and Dolan alternately before speaking.
"First... bind this one."