Chapter 98: Gokma
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 98: Gokma
“Tower Master Erica.”
“Regent Ferda.”
“Are your internal injuries severe?”
Ferda did not turn his gaze toward her. It was a gesture of respect, allowing her to maintain her dignity as a Tower Master even in her weakened state.
Erica sharpened her gaze and adjusted her posture. “Not enough to hold you back.”
“Understood.”
Ferda gave a brief nod of acknowledgment and assessed the enemy’s strength. He saw wyverns beating their wings in the sky, a hulking brute of a man, and a relatively small man standing at the center of it all.
The smaller man stared at Ferda and spoke. “So, you are Ferda Rosnova. A pleasure to meet you.”
Ferda corrected him coldly. “It is Valdrova.”
“Struggling to escape your roots despite being raised by House Rosnova? How unsightly,” the man sneered.
However, Ferda was no novice to be swayed by such cheap provocations.
“Wolf monsters swarming Hestia Village, and now wyverns here… Seeing how freely you command these creatures, I take it you are the culprit behind the incident in Halim as well?”
“Indeed. Are you grateful?”
“Why should I be grateful to you?”
“Did you not achieve great distinction in Halim? You even obtained a World Tree branch struck by Heaven-Defying Lightning.”
The man spoke nonchalantly of facts Ferda had shared with no one. Ferda remained unfazed, countering with a provocation of his own.
“The whimpering of a beaten dog.”
“Haha! Put that way, I suppose you’re right. It is true that I underestimated you and those around you. I fought with the intent to kill President Bernard, yet I failed even at that.”
“Do you intend to target him again?”
“Regrettably, there is no need. It seems what I wished to destroy has already passed into your hands. So, rest easy.”
“What makes you think I would believe a word you say?”
“Why? Because I am already standing above you. There is no need for me to lie. For instance…”
He swept his mana-infused finger across the ground in a wide arc. A sudden whirlwind erupted, sweeping away the fallen leaves and lifting them into a swirling vortex.
“…I could pretend not to notice even a shallow trick like this.”
As the ground was cleared, what lay beneath was revealed. A shadow extending from Ferda’s feet had been silently chanting a spell.
“Truly a pathetic talent.”
Snap!
The man flicked his fingers. Simultaneously, an explosion erupted exactly where the shadow hand had been manifest.
Boom!
The shadow hand was torn to shreds and dissipated into nothingness.
“Ugh!”
To an observer, the blast might not have seemed lethal, but the reality was different. Had it been a physical hand, the destructive force would have shredded mana protection and armor like wet paper.
“Ho-oh.”
The man showed a flicker of genuine interest.
“I heard that Barbatos’ Shadow Arts can be wielded like one’s own limbs, but because the sensations are mirrored, the pain is also identical… Yet, you reacted as if you merely pulled your hand back from a flame, rather than feeling your limb being severed.”
The man was analyzing Ferda. Ferda neither replied nor reacted to the comment. Instead, he attempted to decipher the man’s magic, just as the man had done to him.
What kind of magic did he just use?
Ferda recalled the sequence of events. The explosion that occurred with the snap of a finger—no, it wasn't a simple explosion. It looked like one at a glance, but the essence was different.
It was…
Ferda focused on the scene. He slowed down time in his mind, peeling back the layers frame by frame to vividly recall the movement of mana.
It wasn’t an explosion; it was magic that distorts a single point.
For a fleeting moment, space itself had warped, sucking everything toward a single point in the air before violently releasing it.
Magic that destroys objects by distorting a point in space.
Once the explanation became clear, Ferda could identify the culprit. There was only one person capable of wielding such magic—a name that had supposedly vanished into the annals of history.
“You are Gokma.”
At the mention of the name, the man looked impressed.
“Ho-oh. You saw through my identity with just that one exchange?”
Erica was equally shocked. She had known he was a Noblesse-class demon, but she hadn't grasped his true identity. It was only natural; Gokma was a being that shouldn't exist.
“If you are Gokma, you should be the Noblesse-class demon who was the very first to die at the hands of the Hero.”
The man admitted it readily. “Correct. Back then, the Demon Race had no sense of vigilance toward humans. Thus, I died a hollow death to the Hero.”
“Then how are you alive?”
“It’s simple. Back then, there was only a Hero overflowing with passion, without you or Erdes by his side.”
He meant the Hero lacked the caution and delicacy of a mage. It meant a margin for resurrection had been left behind.
“I never imagined… that the demons would be waiting and planning for the future like this.”
“Indeed. I didn't particularly want to reveal myself either. But I found I had no choice.”
Gokma’s eyes turned toward Ferda. “Because there was something… bothersome.”
To be called "bothersome" by such a creature should have been an insult. Yet, the corners of Gokma’s mouth twisted upward into a grin.
“Do emotions get distorted when one becomes a demon? You don't seem to know when to smile.”
“Demons feel joy as well. It is simply different from the emotions you humans cling to so pathetically.”
“Is returning everything to nothingness something great?”
At Erica’s question, he nodded as if it were obvious. “It is the Great Will of that person, and thus, my greatest joy.”
“Then hurry up and vanish so you can go greet the ones who went before you.”
Crackle!
A bolt of light flew toward Gokma. However, it failed to pierce his mana protection and was deflected harmlessly. It was a Lightning Bolt fired from Ferda’s hand.
“Do you intend to kill me with something like that?”
“No. I knew it wouldn't work the moment the Tower Master’s magic failed.”
Realizing something from those words, Erica turned her head toward Ferda.
“…Were you watching me?”
Her expression was tinged with resentment, wondering why he hadn't stepped in to help sooner. But Ferda had his reasons.
“When someone is about to blow up an entire area, how could I not observe the situation?”
“W-well, that’s true, but…”
“Were you out of your mind, thinking of obliterating a part of the Archduchess’s territory?”
When Ruri spoke up in a grumbling tone, Erica fell silent. In her current state of heavy injury, her emotions had been getting the better of her.
“It is good to see you so confident after assessing my strength. However…”
With a subtle smile, Gokma spoke. “I have no desire to fight you today. How about we part ways amicably?”
“This is the territory of the Archduchess. Do you think you can just run away after causing such a mess?”
“Hmm, in that case.”
He swept his finger through the air. “Try and stop this.”
Another Rift tore open in space, vomiting out its contents. It was a familiar sight to Ferda, but the scale was far beyond what had happened in Halim. Five Rifts opened simultaneously in various locations, spewing forth monsters.
Some headed toward Ferda and his party, but others turned toward Hestia Village. At the same time, Gokma and the large man prepared to throw themselves into a Rift.
In their current state, where even moving was difficult, there was no way to stop their escape. Or rather, it might have been possible if Ruri stepped in. She was the child of a Silver Dragon, boasting the greatest speed among them.
However, if Ruri gave chase, the swarm of monsters would descend upon Hestia Village. It was doubtful the people there could handle them all.
“Lord Ferda.”
Ruri looked up at Ferda. Her eyes, visible through her poorly fitted mask, were filled with uncertainty.
“Go. Protect what your master wishes to protect.”
“What about your safety, Lord Ferda?”
“Don't worry, I am here.”
Despite her severe internal injuries, the ring of water surrounding Erica’s body remained steady.
“Understood.”
Ruri gripped her axe and spread her wings.
Whoosh!
A fierce gale erupted as she tore through the air, intercepting the monsters heading for Hestia Village. A silver flash darted through the forest, leaving only brutally slaughtered corpses in its wake.
“How many do I need to handle?”
“I am more than enough on my own.”
“Then I will simply watch your back.”
The opponents were monsters driven by nothing but instinct. Every strike was threatening, but their attacks were simplistic. The simpler the attack, the easier it was to read, and Erica’s water droplets accurately identified and pierced their vitals.
Is this the magic of Iorga?
It appeared soft and fluid, but once it left her hand, it became harder and more lethal than any metal. It didn't just pierce; the rotational force behind it twisted and ruptured the targets' insides as it passed through. Even while facing a multitude, she wasted no effort, dispatching everything with a single blow.
To think Gokma could push someone like this to their limits…
Thinking coldly, it wasn't that they had lost Gokma; it was more like he had simply chosen to leave.
Soon, the last of the monsters was cleared. Erica sensed for any remaining life signs and confirmed the area was safe.
“Phew…”
She slumped down on the spot. Her composure was gone.
“Are you alright?”
“It’s not life-threatening, but I’ll need to focus on recovering my mana for a few days.”
“Can you stand?”
Ferda reached out a hand.
“Thank you.”
Erica took his hand. It was a hand calloused in a way unbefitting a mage. Erica had touched this man’s hand once before.
It happened then. Something began to flow into Erica’s hand. Erica knew exactly what it was. It was the very mana that had once made her feel so humiliated.
“Eek!”
Startled, Erica let go of Ferda’s hand and slumped back to the ground.
“…What is the matter?”
Her face was flushed bright red.
What do you mean, what’s the matter?! The moment you grabbed my hand, you tried to leak that mana into me again! You lecher! Trying to do something indecent to me again!!
She wanted to scream it out, but she didn't dare. Ferda had a look of genuine confusion on his face. If she spoke up, she would undoubtedly be the only one looking like a fool.
“A-ahem! It’s nothing. I think it’s better if I just practice my mana cultivation here. Please watch the surroundings.”
“Understood.”
Erica sat cross-legged and closed her eyes. Her internal circuits began to hum, accumulating mana in rhythm with her heartbeat. Behind her closed eyelids, the battle from just minutes ago replayed in her mind.
To think that man was Gokma, one of the Demon King’s Seven Calamities.
The Seven Calamities. They were the highest tier of the Noblesse-class, just below the Emperor-class Demon King, and served as Legion Commanders. Even after exchanging blows and sensing his mana, she hadn't suspected it. She only knew he was Noblesse-class.
She couldn't help it. She had been driven into a corner and had to focus entirely on the fight. She didn't have the luxury to see through his identity.
But even that excuse brought her no comfort. She was a mage once called the Wisdom of the 12 Heroes. She had fought six of the other Calamities before and had even found breakthroughs against them.
And yet, Regent Ferda realized it after just one exchange.
He had seen through the identity while blocking a single attack. This was a fact she couldn't deny.
I was even outmatched in mana.
Though she hadn't been fully prepared, it was hard to argue about the outcome. If Ferda and Ruri hadn't appeared, would she have won against that man?
Dammit.
She chewed on her frustration. Though she couldn't know for sure since they hadn't fought to the end, the sense of helplessness Erica felt was hard to ignore.
And…
I’m going to die of embarrassment.
The fact that she had made such a fuss and screamed was more painful than her twisted internal organs. She bit her lip and began pounding her thighs with her fists.
Ugh, you idiot. You moron! Why don't you just die!
Ferda watched her as she seemed to be swallowing her agony and thought, Her internal injuries must be very severe.
A short while later, someone flew back toward them. Ruri, who had left with her fearsome axe, had returned.
“I’ve dealt with all the ones heading for Hestia Village. They say things are wrapping up there without needing further help.”
“Good work.”
“It’s not over yet. We have to clear the monster corpses.”
“Burnell will be pleased.”
The forest was filled with the carcasses of monsters. The green blood and purple flesh felt alien and ominous against the natural backdrop.
“I will take care of cleaning up this area,” Erica said, still sitting cross-legged.
“There is no need for you to go that far.”
“There are so many of them, and if we don't clean them up thoroughly, the area will become contaminated. That requires magical assistance. Once I cultivate a bit more, I’ll have enough mana to handle the cleanup.”
“Understood. Then I will leave it to you, Lady Erica.”
It seemed the matter was finally settling, but it was not to be.
Thoom—!
A massive, echoing sound erupted. The source was none other than Hestia Village.