Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: Knightly Reinforcements
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[Grrr...]
The traps Woojin had planted around the village sprang into action, and Bensina bared its fangs with a furious growl at him, clearly enraged by the unexpected assault.
"It had some effect, at least."
Here and there, the black dragon's pitch-black scales were scorched and peeling away, melted by the flames from the traps.
[...You bastard!!!]
-Master, what do we do now?
"We pray."
All the traps Peron had set were now spent.
They'd dealt some damage, sure, but the black dragon was still going strong. Even with partial recovery, fighting it head-on was impossible.
-Huh?
Woojin glanced at the clock displayed in the corner of his vision.
This clunky system window, so out of place in virtual reality, was one of the few side features patched into Evil Tail, like a messenger pop-up.
'Can't see outside because of the Dark Territory... so no way to check real time.'
Woojin was estimating in-game time based on real-world hours.
'Another full day has passed.'
By the clock, it had been four days since the Dark Territory engulfed Torunbach.
'The raid party's been wiped, and the black dragon still hasn't left Torunbach...'
It was a clear crisis for the continent.
'The kingdoms will definitely mobilize.'
"Are you there?!"
Sure enough, a voice pierced through the darkness.
Boom—! Boom—! Kwarang—!!
Golden thunderbolts rained from the sky with deafening crashes, as if wary of Bensina.
"Hoo...! We got lost for ages! Lucky we spotted the explosions."
Alteon rushed up behind the lightning, supporting Woojin as he shouted.
"Who are you...?"
"I'm Alteon from the Third Papal Court. Charlro Knight and I came to rescue you."
As Woojin lifted his head with Alteon's help, a knight in heavy plate armor appeared before him.
"Impressive. Still alive against that monster."
Charlro kept his massive greatsword trained on the dragon without taking his eyes off it.
"No need to worry now. Not just us—knight orders from every nation have arrived at the Dark Territory."
"Music to my ears."
[Eye of Concentration]
▶ Shares scanned info with contractor, same effect as Insight (Lv3).
'...Level 87? A real monster showed up.'
Shocking, but reassuring too.
"Alteon. You get this guy out of the Dark Territory with you. I'll tie down the beast."
"Understood."
"...You sure you'll be okay?"
Charlro's level was insane for an NPC, but Bensina's was 98 via Eye of Concentration.
Kwaaaang—!!!
The black dragon's tail clashed with the greatsword.
A massive boom kicked up clouds of dust.
"Hup—!!!"
Through the haze, Charlro appeared.
Golden aura softly emanated from his entire body.
"Don't worry. Charlro Knight brought the Stake of the Immortal."
...Stake of the Immortal?
Sounded familiar...
"One of the Papal Court's three great treasures. Lent specially for this battle."
The relic's power, maybe?
Charlro wasn't being pushed back easily against Bensina.
"Hold on."
Alteon spoke as he revealed the light enveloping him.
Shwaaa...
'As expected... top-ranked priest.'
Hearing the name Alteon, Woojin couldn't hide his surprise.
The supreme priest he'd only seen in community forums had come to Torunbach in person.
Warmth spread through him, healing all his wounds cleanly.
The pinnacle of recovery skills.
"We can regenerate your severed arm at the cathedral."
"This is more than enough."
His leaden body felt light again.
"My comrades are near the evacuation route. Can they get help too?"
"Of course. Let's head there."
-Follow me!!
Watching Setsuna fly off, Alteon looked at Woojin in astonishment.
He seemed full of questions about her identity, but the urgent situation won out—he followed her lead.
[...Where do you think you're going!!]
Bensina sucked in a breath, eyeing their escape.
Kwagagaga—!!!!
Flames erupted from its maw, engulfing the area.
"...Light of glory."
In that instant, light burst from Charlro's greatsword.
Tzzzz...
Even blocking the black dragon's breath with his whole body, Charlro bore no wounds.
[Do you truly intend... to stand against me? Apostle of Rahsin.]
"Don't make this bigger than it has to be. So many have already died. Why not end it here and return to your lair, Bensina."
[Make it bigger...? He seeks to lord over us. You expect me to stand idle?!]
"Even if so, destroying the village and killing people is wrong. As an apostle... I have my duties too."
Click—.
Charlro assumed his stance.
"Long journey. You must be tired."
"Not at all. But... things seem chaotic inside the Dark Territory."
Keldian nodded as he greeted the arriving Zion Müllenga.
"Charlro Knight and His Grace the Substitute went into the Dark Territory. Looks like... they ran into the black dragon."
"Right now? Mana shield cannon isn't recharged yet..."
"There's someone inside. You heard—the outsider fighting the black dragon."
"No way... he's still alive?"
"Surprising, right? I agree."
Keldian smirked, understanding Zion Müllenga's reaction.
"We'll start the operation once he's rescued. Holy King's knight order is moving to the Dark Territory's west flank... Tough ask, but can you handle the east?"
"Yes."
Zion Müllenga redonned his cloak and replied.
'Hmm, doesn't look like he can even hold a sword. The Blue Knights will have their hands full babysitting the young master on the battlefield too.'
Keldian eyed him thoughtfully.
"One question, if I may."
"Go ahead. What is it?"
"On the way here, I saw golden light encircling the Dark Territory. Our order's priest said it felt like powerful holy power..."
"Spot on. It's the Stake of the Immortal Charlro Knight brought."
At that moment, Zion Müllenga's eyes gleamed.
"They used the stake?"
"Yep. Without it, even Glory Knights couldn't enter the Dark Territory."
"I see. Thank you."
"Be careful, though. The east front's the weakest point from the Dark Territory."
Gulp.
Zion swallowed dryly without realizing.
"Close to the Dark Territory, you mean."
Like licking its lips.
"Hah... hah..."
Nisen collapsed, trembling with his arms turned pitch-black like charred logs.
Pazzzzt...!!
Poof...!
His barely-held shield shattered.
[Kyaaak—!!!]
The beastmen who'd been waiting pounced on Nisen.
"Not on my watch!!!"
Kwaang—!!!
Kwagagang—!!!!
The beastman's head aiming for Nisen's neck split in two on the spot.
Karlan stood before him, raising his sword with shaking arms.
"This way!!"
He hurriedly supported the fallen Nisen and dashed to Luen's side.
"These damn pests...!!!"
Setting Nisen down, Karlan roared in fury and swung his sword.
Poison from the Dark Territory had seeped in—his cheeks were blackened too.
'Poison climbed to his face...'
It had likely spread through his whole body.
Bwoong—!!!
Kwagang—!!
Just standing was a miracle.
[Grrk...!]
[Kak...!!]
The beastmen sensed his exhaustion, keeping distance and pressuring him.
Poof—!!
Then, a beastman sneaking from his blind spot's head exploded.
Sizzle...
Dark Territory mist devoured the flames on the arrow.
"Luen!"
Karlan shouted urgently.
"...Leave me."
With her side torn deep, Luen gripped her bow with quivering hands.
"What kind of talk is that!!!"
"I've been holding you back. No more. I'll cover you... please...!! Go!!"
She screamed, face pale.
"I absolutely can't! How could I face Khan like that! If I hadn't called you to the central continent...!!"
Too weak to even hold his sword, Karlan tossed it aside, spread his arms toward the beastmen, and bellowed.
"Come on...!! Come get some, you monsters!!!"
Karlan has overcome 'Despondency'.
Curse intensity weakens.
Suppressed stats recover.
+10 All Stats
Trait Awakened:Fighting Spirit
▶ Attack power +1.5x when HP ≤30%
▶ Attack power +2x when HP ≤10%
"Kraaaah—!!!"
Incredibly, weaponless Karlan smashed the charging beastmen with his fists alone.
"I'll... help you."
Nisen supported Luen with his trembling arms.
It was a desperate struggle.
In this unseen corner, they thrashed for survival.
"...Okay."
Luen stopped refusing.
Instead, she staunched her flowing blood and took a step forward, then another.
But she knew.
She wouldn't last long.
Her reddening vision warned of death.
That's why.
They'd never abandon her while she lived.
'I have to die...'
To give them even a sliver more chance to live.
'Master...'
Through blurring eyes, she pictured Woojin.
'Sorry. Looks like... I can't follow your last order.'
His words to survive.
Her greatest regret now.
"...You did well."
Then.
Warmth enveloped her shoulder.
"...!!!"
Luen's eyes widened.
In her hazy sight, one face stood crystal clear.
"...Master?"
Pure white light descended around them.
The attacking beastmen turned to ash in an instant.
"You held out great."
Like a dream.
Her face twisted.
A smile, or tears?
"M-Master... your arm..."
Forgetting her own wounds, she teared up at his severed arm.
But ironically, so did he.
"It's fine. This is nothing."
His voice shook a little.
He meant it.