Chapter 124
Chapter 124
Chapter 124
Southern Great Forest (7)
'I thought she was a genius, but...'
To think her talent really rivals that of Crux!
'The other people in the capital would be shocked senseless if they knew.'
Overwhelming growth that easily ignores existing training standards whenever there's an opportunity!
That is exactly what a genius is.
Surrounded by aura, Luciella knelt down and took a modest seated meditation posture.
"I'll meditate for a moment."
"I'll guard you."
"Thank you."
Whether she would definitively break through the wall or end up just barely touching it depended on the outcome of this meditation.
To be certain, Rudian even borrowed Adi's power to create the strongest possible defensive barrier around the area.
Soon after, Luciella's consciousness rapidly sank below the surface, and Rudian carefully guarded her side, being cautious even of small sounds.
"Huh? There's some tremendous storm of power..."
"Be quiet."
The magic-sensitive other races immediately recognized the importance of that meditation.
"Move slowly."
"We mustn't disturb our benefactors' ceremony."
Therefore, the cleanup was also carried out very quietly.
They restrained the unconscious Dormel's body and carefully knocked out his subordinates again before transporting them to the Elven Forest.
While everyone was moving quietly but busily, Eugene, the only third party in this place, slowly approached the barrier Rudian had created.
'Don't come closer.'
Rudian mouthed a warning to Eugene while moving his lips.
"I understand."
Eugene nodded slightly at that warning.
Eugene had no intention of interfering in the first place.
What Eugene was paying attention to wasn't Luciella, but the barrier itself that Rudian had created.
Eugene touched the transparent barrier blocking his path and was immersed in admiration.
"To think this is the power of a mere artifact—it's unbelievable."
Dimension Prison, a dimensional separation spell that boasts the highest difficulty among 9th class defensive spells.
Though they could perceive each other's existence, based on this barrier, the two people existed in completely separate dimensions.
'This is magic that even I can't easily deploy...'
Eugene had seen this before when he was chased away by Rudian at the Seoris Southwood branch, but every time he saw something like this, he couldn't fathom the depths of his opponent.
Eugene muttered quietly with deep eyes toward Rudian, who was standing guard for Luciella.
"Perhaps even the blue world might be unnecessary for you. I'm becoming more curious each day about what your true identity is, Rudian."
Naturally, Eugene's soliloquy didn't reach Rudian.
***
After half a day passed like that.
When night had grown dark, Luciella, who had been still as death, slowly rose from her position.
"How did it go?"
She answered Rudian's question with a bright smile.
"It's disappointing."
She hadn't been able to perfectly digest what she had gained from the fight with Dormel.
However, the brilliant aura formed in her hands was proof of a Sword Master.
Even if she fell far short compared to the Master-level knights Rudian had seen so far, she had definitely set foot on the threshold.
"Still, now that I've seen the path, I'll cross it someday. I plan to go slowly without being impatient."
"That's remarkable..."
A faint admiration appeared on Rudian's expression.
For someone with talent like hers, the biggest obstacle isn't laziness but impatience.
Take Crux's case as an example—didn't he have such a strong desire for advancement that he would suddenly apply for life-or-death duels?
But she was different.
"It's not that remarkable. I just think that if I calmly digest what I can do, I'll eventually reach my goal."
That wasn't simple modesty.
Unlike her usually fiery personality, she truly thought that way.
Therefore, it was truly something to look forward to.
"Yes, it will definitely happen that way."
That said, what she had gained now couldn't be belittled.
Even just setting foot on the threshold was definitely reaching the Master level.
Rudian comforted her with a warm expression.
"Rest well today. Hell-like training will probably start again from tomorrow."
Including the defeated Dormel, all members of the Golden Dawn Society had been captured and subdued.
But these weren't the end, so around tomorrow, other remnants would appear and the demons' response would also arrive.
When that time came, another round of real combat and training would begin.
"Someday..."
STARTLED!
Just as Rudian was about to turn around, her voice came from behind.
"Someday I'll be able to fight alongside you, won't I?"
There was no way he couldn't understand her meaning.
Right now, Rudian was merely leading them, not in a position to fight shoulder to shoulder with them.
The cause was more external factors than talent, but at least that was their current positions.
"Yes, it will definitely happen in the near future."
"Then when that time comes."
Uncharacteristically for her, she fidgeted with her lips slightly.
But as if she had made up her mind, she looked directly at Rudian and said.
"Please call me by my name."
"......"
Previously, she had asked him to drop the word ‘princess’ when calling her name.
Though it had been glossed over due to Elvin's interruption at the time, back then it had been a request made with a somewhat playful tone...
Somehow this time felt completely different from then.
Rudian felt that he shouldn't take this request lightly.
A redefinition of their relationship.
Though he didn't yet have a sense of what direction she wanted.
"Yes, let's do that."
At least now Rudian and Luciella were comrades, so that much was perfectly acceptable.
"Thank you."
She smiled warmly.
Though that smile lacked her usual artifice, perhaps because of that, he felt his heart beating strongly for some reason.
***
"Damn it, how did this happen...!"
Dormel Paon was helplessly bound and thrown among the other races.
Since he had taken elves hostage and actually caused harm, naturally the gazes of the other races looking at Dormel were anything but kind.
"Hey, hey. Don't turn those eyes away. Before I stab you with a knife."
Among them, the anger of a green-haired elf named Silperin was tremendous.
"I'd love to pay back the pain my sister suffered, but I'm holding back because you have to work like dogs for us from now on."
Of course, this was only possible because of the elder elf's strict command not to touch him under any circumstances.
If not for that, given her personality, she would have at least taken an eye or ear.
Then, another elf named Silpea, who was checking the condition of other prisoners, spoke to her.
"It's okay, Silperin. All the wounds have healed."
"Ah, sister, you're too kind for your own good! Aren't you angry even after being treated like that?"
"As you said, these humans will work for us from now on."
At Silpea's calm voice, Silperin naturally let out a sigh.
"Hah, you're really such a pushover... Just like our husband, really."
"Mohammed would be upset if he heard that."
"It's fine. That's why I married him. But..."
Her gaze turned to behind her sister's back.
"Why did you bring that human?"
"Ah..."
She had actually wanted to ask from the beginning.
Behind her beloved sister's back, some kid who wasn't even an adult by human standards was clinging to her!
"I... Wanted to repay a favor."
"A favor? Ah, that time?"
It was Gray who had saved her from Dormel's magic with Dispel when Silpea was suffering.
Naturally, the kind-hearted Silpea tried to repay Gray, and Gray also tried to brush it off as if it was nothing, but...
"What's with this kid? Why is your face red?"
"Wh-what do you mean?"
Gray uncharacteristically turned his head away, avoiding eye contact.
That behavior greatly fanned Silperin's suspicions.
"Just so you know, if you lay a hand on my sister, I'll kill you. Damn human brat."
"Silperin! You can't say such things to a guest!"
SMACK!
"Ow, that hurts!"
After receiving a back smack from her sister, she glared at Gray briefly before calling her husband's name and storming out.
"I'm sorry, Gray. My sister is quite the troublemaker..."
"Oh, no. It's fine. Really."
Gray nodded hurriedly in a flustered manner.
It was an attitude that would make his usual companions gape in surprise.
Watching the antics of these two people, Dormel let out a sneer and muttered.
"What a pathetic display..."
"What did you just say?"
FLINCH!
Dormel saw it in an instant.
Silpea's eyes, coldly sunken.
And in those eyes, he glimpsed a strong will that she would absolutely not let it slide if he said anything more.
It was no coincidence that the sister, who seemed like an excellent warrior, had run out crying in pain from just one back smack.
"N-nothing at all."
Dormel remained silent after that.
Precisely until Rudian opened the door and appeared.
"Gray, you were here?"
"Oh, brother."
Rudian, who had appeared to conclude negotiations with Dormel, felt puzzled when he suddenly saw Gray having a friendly chat with some elf.
But he didn't pay much attention to it.
Rudian was a gentleman who knew how to respect privacy.
Rudian cast his gaze toward Dormel, who was bound by elven secret arts.
"Dormel Paon."
"Where is Barto?"
"He's still unconscious. The promise was with you, not with him."
While the other races here could sufficiently handle the other Golden Dawn Society members, that Barto fellow was a skilled fighter who would cause damage if he ran wild.
"If you know that, why don't you untie this? It's terribly uncomfortable."
"Well, sure."
Rudian asked Silpea to untie Dormel's bonds.
Silpea showed a slightly anxious expression, but when Gray's guarantee was added, she readily untied those bonds.
"Damn... How did we end up like this."
Dormel rubbed his wrists and frowned.
"Only my subordinates and I will keep the promise. Not the other apostles. I don't have the position to give them orders in the first place."
"Ah, I don't expect that much."
Dormel alone was sufficient.
If other members of the Golden Dawn Society acted up, it could be simply resolved by putting the same yoke on them with the condition of releasing Dormel.
Unaware of Rudian's such dark intentions, Dormel still asked Rudian with a grimaced expression.
"What do you plan to use us for?"
"I told you, as forces to help the other races subjugate magical beasts. But before that..."
Rudian naturally sat in a chair while meeting Dormel's gaze.
"I'd like to know the information you possess."
"Are you telling me to sell out my organization?"
"No, no. What I want isn't information about the 'Golden Dawn Society' but about the 'Kingdom of Rohans.'"
Most of their executives were nobles of the Kingdom of Rohans.
Moreover, the leader guiding them was royalty.
Naturally, they would know the kingdom's top secrets quite naturally.
"As you know, war has broken out between the Kingdom of Rohans and our Morian Empire."
"......"
"And the Kingdom of Rohans is the aggressor. Naturally, if the Morian Empire falls, the opportunity for you to reclaim your kingdom will never come again."
"Hmph, the opposite case exists too. If you win and annex our homeland, wouldn't the outcome be the same!"
"It's different. The essence of this war is ultimately a confrontation between humans and demons. We're prepared to naturally return the kingdom's sovereignty to the legitimate rulers of the Kingdom of Rohans."
Of course, this statement was Rudian's empty promise.
But since Rudian's own position as well as the families of Luciella and Gray were so remarkable, Dormel's suspicion wasn't very great.
"R-really?"
"Of course, you'd have to endure some unequal treaties. But compared to losing the entire country, isn't that a very generous condition?"
The reason the Golden Dawn Society hadn't requested help from the Morian Empire until now was simple.
A matter of simple pride.
Since their history began with those who were driven out from the Morian Empire, their pride wouldn't allow them to request help first.
'But if this side extends a hand first, the story is different.'
The Golden Dawn Society, which couldn't afford to be picky about hot or cold meals in the first place, had no reason to refuse if the other side extended a hand first.
They would probably show an attitude of 'Hmph, if you put it that way, I suppose we can do you the favor of joining hands!' while reluctantly forming an alliance.
Then Dormel suddenly stood up as if he had realized something.
"Ah! You came all the way to the great forest to approach us for this reason!"
"......"
No, that's not it.