Chapter 349: The One Who is Remembered
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 349: The One Who is Remembered
“Damned bastards.”
I couldn’t help but think that as I stared up at the sky. It was definitely a Bone Dragon. Focusing mana into my eyes, everything magnified as if I were looking through a telescope.
A great dragon made of bone, and upon it, countless undead soldiers. Not all of them were high-quality troops, but there were certainly some who stood out. The one riding the massive, blue-tinged dragon… it felt just like it did with the Sword Saint.
He was one who possessed the power of a Seat. If I was right, the power he held was either Wrath or Envy.
Rage against the living and jealousy of the living—when it came to emotions one could draw from the undead, that was the limit, no matter how I thought about it. The figure, clad in a greatsword and a black crown, looked quite imposing. I stared at him and muttered.
“The Fallen Prince?”
I wasn’t certain, but he closely resembled the description given by the half-minotaur, Wingrin. Long hair, pale skin, and eyes that glowed blue. It wasn’t just his appearance, either. He was strong. Stronger than us. I knew it without even having to clash. To think I could only confirm the enemy’s high command this long after the war had started… he certainly valued himself highly.
The moment I was studying his form, preparing for a potential fight, our eyes suddenly met. I didn’t know if he had good eyesight, but he had noticed me looking at him.
“Interesting.”
His eyes seemed to pierce right through me.
And it wasn't just him. One by one, other undead who could be called powerful began to reveal themselves. Among them was one with half his body blown away, and another missing an arm. It was hard to tell if these were wounds from the explosion or if they had always been that way. No, I couldn't even begin to guess where these bastards had come from.
Did we even manage to inflict any damage?
That was the thought that crossed my mind.
One thing was certain: they held animosity toward us. And it was far too intense to be simple hostility toward the living. They were directing their rage squarely at us.
The great dragons drew closer and closer, until they were near enough to be seen without having to use mana to identify them. Our troops must have been seeing them too. I knew that if all of them landed here, the fight would drag on.
I shifted my gaze to Black Spear. As if understanding my look, Black Spear’s arm drew back as far as it could go.
The black energy gathering in his arm began to converge on a single spear.
Take them down before they arrive.
It wasn’t just Black Spear. The mages chanting their spells, the javelin throwers—all our forces with ranged attacks were preparing a welcoming volley for the approaching enemy.
Screeeech—
The first to be launched was a black pillar—the Black Spear. It was a spear so fast that even my eyes struggled to follow it as it instantly tore through the sky. By the time the Bone Dragon realized the attack was coming for it, it was already too late.
“Kieeeeeeeeeeeek!”
In an instant, one of its wings vanished without a trace, and the creature plummeted from the sky. It must have been a creature made solely for flight, as its entire body crumbled into dust and scattered.
“Reduce their numbers as much as possible!”
“Arrows, nock!”
“Load!”
“Fire!”
Perhaps to minimize the damage from the fallen Magic Tower, they didn't seem to have many mages either. At most, there were only the liches created to maintain this front. The Bone Dragons were massive, but they weren't particularly durable, nor were they strong enough to pose a threat to us. Watching the transports carrying their troops continue to fall from the sky, I couldn't help but think that this operation was a gamble for them as well.
While the ranged units were preoccupied with the aerial battle, the undead on the ground charged with even greater ferocity. They knew their only chance of victory lay in landing as many troops as possible. The vanguard, which had been busy overwhelming the enemy, was now struggling just to protect our forces.
Warriors like Goff, Big Ogre, and Silver Fang were fighting valiantly, but there weren't many who could hold back the sheer volume of the oncoming tide. Since they had to defend a wide area at once, ghouls were beginning to slip through the gaps, one or two at a time.
Even amidst the chaos, I kept my eyes fixed on the one holding the greatsword.
“Seulgi.”
“Yeah?”
“The Queen of the North…”
“I’m on it.”
I had come to the conclusion that I couldn't do this alone. Even if I could, there was no reason to face him by myself. We had the clear numerical advantage when it came to those who could be called ‘Named.’
“Hoo…”
The black spear tore through the sky once more, but this time it missed. They knew our objective was to intercept them. The dragons, spreading out in all directions, were occasionally shot down, but the ones carrying undead that were still fully intact managed to avoid the magical attacks. They either dodged or blocked them. As they drew closer, I could feel the tension rising. It was the thrill of meeting a worthy opponent for the first time in a long while.
Just then, Han So-Hye came into view, walking over with her spear in one hand.
The Queen of the North, who had been staring blankly at the sky, looked at me and muttered.
“He is a strong one. As strong as you.”
“Mm…”
“Is this the first time we’ve fought together?”
“Probably. The first time fighting like this, at least.”
“I look forward to it. Let’s try to sync up, even if it’s our first time.”
“I’m counting on you.”
She slammed the butt of her spear into the ground and stared up at the sky. The dragon carrying their leader began to descend very slowly. The one who could be called the King of the Undead pointed his greatsword at me. I watched him and sneered.
“Nice to meet you, you corpse bastard.”
“So, it’s you.”
No more words were needed. He knew me. The one who held the power of a Seat, the one who brought down the Magic Tower, the one who drove back the enemy with the Flames of Ruin.
I wasn’t certain, but I knew him too.
The Master of the Northern Continent, the one who stood at the pinnacle of the undead, the one who brought the winds of death to the continent, the strongest being I had ever laid eyes on. And the one who had made me so furious.
I raised my greatsword, and Han So-Hye raised her spear, muttering.
“It hurts my pride… but it’s best to prevent any further damage.”
“Don’t think of it as a cheap shot.”
I smirked and charged forward.
[Weapon Integration]
[Target - Riddil - Dagger That Tore Out the Evil Dragon's Heart]
*
Choi Eunju, alongside Elia, began to slowly assess the situation. Unlike last time, her body wasn't suffering from massive aftereffects, but she was in no condition to join the battle. She knew better than anyone why he hadn't allowed her to participate.
Her mana was recovering, but not enough to fight.
She was still being worried over. It wasn't a bad feeling. In fact, being the object of his concern was a very happy thing. For a woman in love, receiving attention was a blessing, especially from him, a man with so many women. But she was still angry at her own powerlessness.
It was the same when she lost her first husband. She had been powerless, able to do nothing but watch. She thought she had grown stronger, but she was wrong. She was being protected just like before, worried over just like before.
I have to protect him.
The scene visible through Elia’s magic was enough to make her grit her teeth.
She had thought they were buying time and had expected reinforcements, but they were arriving much faster than anticipated.
The Bone Dragons themselves didn't radiate immense mana. The important thing was that they were continuously delivering troops. If she had been there, she probably could have shot down a few more from the sky. In truth, even if that number of troops landed, it wouldn't be enough to immediately turn the tide, but if they kept coming, victory could not be guaranteed.
It’s a gamble.
For the undead, this clash was also a gamble. A Magic Tower had fallen, after all. It would be strange if they hadn't suffered any damage. Probably more than half of the undead had been dealt a devastating blow. Instead of buying time, enduring our attacks, and planning for the future, the undead had chosen to clash with us immediately.
Considering their ability to create soldiers right on the battlefield, it couldn't be called a bad choice.
They had noticed that our mages’ strength had been drastically reduced by the tower's fall. Choi Eunju looked at the mages in the command center and muttered.
“What’s the status of the reinforcements?”
“We’ve received word that the Witch of the East has departed with her troops after completely securing her internal affairs. They were originally organized to buy time for the main army to rest, but…”
“The situation has changed.”
The mage nodded.
Can we win?
She believed in her current husband.
But she knew his body wasn't in perfect condition either. He acted as if nothing was wrong, but he had entered battle right after unleashing continent-level magic. If he hadn't integrated with Isaac, his body would have surely suffered a massive blow. No, in fact, he might be fighting right now while enduring a great strain on his body.
“…”
Choi Eunju bit her lip hard. She couldn't bear to lose him again. Her vision was filled with the one who appeared to be the lord of the undead. Even without being there, she could feel his strength on her skin. The other mages watching the situation were also swallowing nervously. It was because they were watching the Queen of the North, Han So-Hye, step forward with her spear.
It didn't look like he would be fighting alone.
But…
The one who appeared to be their king looked even more dangerous than that. The kind of danger only someone who has lost before can know was constantly sounding alarms in her head.
Darling…
She hated just watching like last time.
Choi Eunju slowly rose from her seat.
“Where is the Witch of the East now?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m going to greet her myself.”
“But…”
They were undoubtedly worried. Outwardly, she might look like she was near her limit. And she was, but it wasn't as if she had no strength left at all. One or two more times. She could do it one or two more times.
“You might die.”
“I won’t die. Just the Witch of the East alone won’t be difficult. The mana consumption won’t be that great, either. Not if you all give me a little help.”
A heavy silence fell. The atmosphere was negative. But Choi Eunju was certain they would eventually listen to her. They didn't want to lose either. Finally, the mages who had been observing the situation slowly opened their mouths.
“If… if you insist…”
“Thank you.”
At the same time, she felt mana flowing into her body.
I have to protect him.
Choi Eunju bit her lip hard and slowly began to chant. Her body trembled, but she could do it. Her breathing grew ragged.
“…………………….!”
And then, her vision shifted.