Chapter 752
Chapter 752
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 752
Chapter Title: A Noble's Fame Shines
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A four-horse carriage came racing toward the city from the distant horizon. The flag of the Solit Republic fluttered proudly atop it.
As it drew closer, I could hardly believe my eyes. The horses pulling the carriage weren't ordinary steeds—their bodies were made entirely of water. And there wasn't even a coachman to control the four water horses.
"Monster?"
This was another world. It wouldn't be odd if there were types of monsters I didn't know about.
"No. From what I can see, it's magic. Ekaterina's a water mage, after all."
"Man, this world never ceases to amaze me."
The carriage came right up to us. Up close, it was even more impressive. The water horses were larger and fiercer-looking than real ones. And the carriage itself was extravagantly ornate—you could easily mistake it for something fit for royalty.
Clop-clop-clop.
The carriage halted at a safe distance. The horse shapes, having fulfilled their duty, collapsed into puddles of water. Then the carriage door swung open.
The first thing visible was a pair of feet in blue high heels. Black stockings clung to her legs.
She had a black cloak draped over her shoulders. Peeking from beneath it was a blue fabric dress that hugged her curves, flaunting her voluptuous figure without restraint.
As she stepped down from the carriage, her sky-blue hair swayed gently.
Ekaterina stood tall and scanned her surroundings with poise. Even in front of two thousand soldiers radiating hostility, she showed no sign of intimidation. If anything, her presence was gradually dominating the area.
She's even stronger than I thought.
I couldn't gauge her exact power level. But my instincts, honed from wandering the Playful World and facing all sorts of powerhouses, were screaming at me. Ekaterina was beyond anything I could handle.
I didn't think much of it when I heard she'd wiped out a whole city... but facing her in person is a different story. I underestimated her badly.
Veroprin City might fall today after all. Park Su-ho might be prepared to die here alongside the other citizens, but not me.
If things get too dicey, I'll grab these idiots and escape with a spatial transfer scroll.
Ekaterina smiled—a seductive, playful curve of her lips. Her sky-blue eyes locked directly onto Park Su-ho.
"Such a grand welcome. I like it."
I liked it too. If possible, I'd love to pin her down and make her submit to me completely.
Park Su-ho drew a quiet breath and spoke.
"Are you Ekaterina Vasilinova, the Magic Marshal?"
"Who else could dare impersonate that name but me?"
"...It's an honor to meet you, Ekaterina-nim. I'm Park Su-ho, mayor of Veroprin City."
"Just as I heard—an otherworlder. Intriguing. Go on."
Ekaterina crossed her arms. I narrowed my eyes, sizing up her chest. The low-cut dress made it easy to judge—E-cup, easy.
"...We reject the Solit Republic's proposal. We have no intention of following it. Veroprin City will remain a neutral city."
"That's hard to understand. Our demands aren't that burdensome. Follow the republic's laws, pay 60% in taxes, and you can live in peace. That averse to taxes?"
"Veroprin City will develop even further going forward. The Solit Republic's laws and culture are nothing but obstacles to our future."
"We see things differently. Join the Solit Republic, and you'll advance faster than ever. I promise it."
"......We—the citizens and I—can't trust the Solit Republic. Or you. We've been burned too many times."
"Looks like words won't sway you. Not that I expected them to, with all these armed soldiers ready."
Ekaterina's demeanor never wavered from start to finish. She was prepared for battle from the outset. The talk was mere formality.
"This is your final warning—and your sentence. Join the Solit Republic."
"I'm sorry, but our resolve won't break."
"Hmm. Let's see how long that resolve holds."
Ekaterina's cloak billowed. Mana surged around her.
A shield-bearing soldier stepped forward. Park Su-ho drew his sword, I lowered my stance and placed my hand on the hilt of my Flame Lotus Blade.
"First time seeing a real otherworlder up close—I've been looking forward to this. Don't disappoint me."
Mana gathered in Ekaterina's right hand. She swung her fingers. From the tips of her pressed-together index and middle fingers, a jet of water erupted, forming a massive whip over 300 meters long that lashed out at everything around us.
"Shield wall! Hold the line!"
The guard captain bellowed, veins bulging in his neck. But it was an impossible order. Most of the two thousand soldiers were ordinary folk who couldn't wield mana. Blocking Ekaterina's water whip was out of the question.
"Gaaahhh!"
"Help!"
"My legs! My legs are shattered!"
Cries of agony echoed from the shield bearers everywhere.
Park Su-ho and I easily leaped over the water whip. It wasn't as fast as I'd feared.
"Hyung! We have to step in! We need to hold Ekaterina back—at least draw her attention so the soldiers can stay safe! At this rate, it'll just be a massacre!"
"Might be tough, but... let's give it our all. You're taking the front. Got it?"
"Yes!"
"Charge!"
Park Su-ho bolted forward. I wasn't about to hang back.
I unleashed Thunderbolt.
A bolt of lightning tore across the clear blue sky. A water umbrella materialized, blocking it. Ekaterina casually flicked her fingers again as if nothing had happened. A second water whip came flying.
Park Su-ho and I dodged it without issue again, but the soldiers weren't so lucky. With the shield bearers down, the spear and sword troops took direct hits and were sent tumbling. Their armor saved most from fatal wounds—no deaths yet.
"The third whip's gonna hurt a lot more."
"Not on my waaatch!"
Park Su-ho roared. He blocked the water whip with his entire body. His charge didn't stop.
He's using his tattoo powers. Even so, that durability doesn't make sense... Is it from reinforcing the city walls?
Boom!
An explosion erupted between Park Su-ho and Ekaterina. He must have used his tattoo ability to cast magic—more precisely, channeling a spell from a city mage through his tattoos.
She won't go down that easily.
The smoke from the blast screened Ekaterina's view. Perfect opening. I concealed my presence, circled behind her, and struck.
Shadow Heaven Style: Thunder Light.
A red flash slashed across Ekaterina's back. Blood sprayed.
...Not blood. That's red water.
Ekaterina's body dissolved into water and vanished. Park Su-ho and I exchanged bewildered glances before scanning the area.
"Fun. One wields lightning without magic... the other some bizarre power entirely."
Ekaterina sat atop the carriage, legs casually crossed. I swallowed hard. A glimpse of purple panties peeked from beneath her skirt.
"Hyung! Dodge!"
"What?"
Too late to react. A water pillar erupted from a puddle at my feet, launching me skyward. In an instant, I was over 50 meters up—and still climbing. Ridiculous power from a mere water spout.
Damn, hit me dead-on. My whole body's aching.
My ascent peaked, and I began to fall. Hitting the ground like this wouldn't kill me, but I'd shatter an arm or leg for sure.
If I'm breaking a leg anyway, might as well attack.
I gathered mana in my feet and kicked off the air. It felt like a hammer to the legs. Biting back the pain, I thrust my blade tip forward and dove at Ekaterina.
Shadow Heaven Style: Falling Thunder.
Crackle! Red lightning enveloped me.
Ekaterina looked up. She smiled silently, twirling her fingers. Ten water rings materialized around me. They constricted, binding me tight.
"Damn it!"
I was mid-technique. No escaping the rings. The red lightning couldn't break them. Bound, I plummeted helplessly. I reinforced my body with mana as much as possible, but the bindings ruined my landing. Blackout.
"......"
I came to. The water rings were gone. Not much time had passed. I sprang up immediately.
The battle was over.
Soldiers lay scattered everywhere. The dwarf- and mage-reinforced walls were cracked and crumbling in places.
"Heh heh heh. That was fun. Haven't cut loose like this in ages."
Ekaterina laughed, prodding the fallen Park Su-ho with her high-heeled foot.
"Guh! Ack!"
His body a mass of wounds, Park Su-ho forced himself up and swung a sluggish fist at her. It didn't faze her. A kick to his calf dropped him to his knees.
"Veroprin's mayor... Park Su-ho, right? You're approved. I like the city, and I like you. Develop further, and you'll be useful to me."
"Veroprin... won't... be handed over..."
I crept toward her, concealing my presence, then froze. Dozens of water spears hovered in the air, aimed at me. One twitch, and I'd be skewered.
...Looking objectively, not many dead soldiers. I'm sore all over but alive... She has another goal. Better watch.
Ekaterina grabbed Park Su-ho's hair, propping his head up.
"You have three choices. One: accept the Solit Republic's proposal. Two: get massacred here."
"Veroprin...!"
"Listen."
"Guh!"
She stomped his thigh with her heel. Those spikes had to hurt like hell.
"Third: become my ally. Listen close—not the republic's ally, mine. Officially you'll be under the republic, but taxes drop to 10%. I'll shield you, so no interference from them."
"......What's your angle?"
Park Su-ho asked calmly. The offer benefited Veroprin immensely—too good to trust.
"Internal matters—I can't go into detail. But I have enemies too, and I need forces."
"......Can I trust you?"
"What if you can't?"
No counter for that. He was the weak one here.
"......We'll be your allies."
"Smart choice. Veroprin's got potential—give it two years, not three, and it'll be a huge asset. But you're a bit untrustworthy. Time for a test. Okay?"
"...Can I refuse?"
"Nope. Heh heh heh."
Ekaterina released his hair. He crumpled to the ground.
"Park Su-ho. I like you. Don't disappoint."
Knocked out, he couldn't reply.
Ekaterina's gaze shifted to me. Colder than with him—chilling.
"What about you?"
"I follow Mayor Park Su-ho's lead."
I dropped my weapon and raised my hands, signaling no fight. No point in a hopeless battle.
"You're pathetic."
She eyed me with contempt.
I seriously considered summoning Yuria.
???
Ekaterina decided to stay in Veroprin. Defeated, the city had no choice but to submit.
Park Su-ho woke the next day. Upon stirring, he faced Ekaterina's three trials. I stepped forward before her.
"Su-ho needs time to recover. I'll take one of the three trials in his place."
"You? Think you can handle it?"
She laughed soundlessly. Mocking.
"You seem intrigued by otherworlders. I'm from Earth, same as Su-ho."
"You too? Makes sense with that odd power. Fine. You take the first trial. But fail, and it's a painful death."