Those Coveting the Legacy #1
The day began to break. It would take a full day to reach the domain's capital, [City: Alambra], from the fortress. Lawrence and his companions hurried into a forced march.
The commander, Tower Master Iron Hanma, declared, "We must hurry, so we'll cast speed-boosting spells even if it strains us."
"Ugh, buff spells are my absolute worst."
"What kind of Iron Tower mage can't handle Haste?"
The mages grumbled, but orders were orders. Lawrence had plenty of spare Haste artifacts anyway, so he handed them out without hesitation.
In the end, they covered a full day's journey in half a day—a remarkable feat.
"Lady Loria!"
"Seriously... I never want to march again."
Loria arrived at the Phoenix Magic Corps' camp practically crawling. For the first time, her voice cracked as she approached Freya.
Lawrence had cast healing spells on her intermittently, but this grueling forced march was still too much for her.
"Sis, you okay?"
"Of course... not. That was brutal. But I'm carrying the Montemer name."
"......"
Her words brimmed with pride, leaving Lawrence momentarily speechless. He dreaded what would happen if she learned the harsh truth.
He prided himself on a long life—over twenty years on Earth, another thirty here. Yet he still didn't know how to properly comfort someone.
What should I do?
Still, talking it out was probably best. He'd reveal the truth after this crisis ended. If she found out beforehand... it might actually be better. Learning it firsthand would hurt less than hearing it from someone else.
"Sis, once this is over, come visit the Iron Tower."
"Huh? Sure, got it."
"Young master, you must be exhausted. How did you foresee all this...?"
Freya, the corps leader, cut in abruptly. Lawrence gave her a smile and heard the full story: the ambush, the battle, the breakthrough—and the casualties.
"Eckel... fell?"
"Yes. We held a simple funeral and cremated his body."
"Hmph. What a pity."
He meant it sincerely. Why? Because it meant losing a powerful card. Anyone could die in battle, but who would've thought a mage on the cusp of 5th Circle would fall?
"Glad you're safe, Captain."
"Escaping with Lady Loria was key. They focused more on chasing her than fighting me."
"I was so worried about you, Captain."
Loria had fretted endlessly over Freya's fate. Eckel's death was regrettable, but what could be done? The dead couldn't be revived.
"No sign of the Deferter Magic Corps, though."
"They're on the opposite side, planning a frontal assault on the capital."
"The attack might have already begun."
"......Is that true? That's too reckless—"
Reckless? No, if Lawrence's suspicions were right, they'd push the attack no matter what. Criminals always rushed to destroy evidence.
So they had to move fast.
How did it go last time?
Lawrence pondered, recalling the past. It was so long ago the memories were fuzzy, but piecing it together brought details to mind: massive beasts, demons, an entire region's people slaughtered... dark wizards, and... a tower master's death.
<Those Necromancer bastards—black magic's evolved now.>
<Hey now, don't compare them! They were always at the forefront of beast subjugations!>
If they were truly allies, they wouldn't have been so eager to devour each other. That's what they'd said back then—a trivial matter he'd brushed off in his thoughtless days. Honestly, retaining memories from age eleven was only because he was a reincarnator.
But looking back, things felt off. Ades's intel, and the smoking gun: the Deferter family's specialty, Tears of Ice—gems only they could craft.
Gems carved from ordinary stones using ice magic, exclusive to Deferter artisans. Their rarity fetched hundreds of gold per piece, renowned as artifact-level craftsmanship despite being mere jewelry.
Black wizards had those? And weaklings who barely put up a fight against me?
Weaklings who owned them would die in their sleep to a knife. Numbered and tracked meticulously, they'd only have them straight from Deferter—otherwise, death.
"I'll go see the Tower Master."
"Very well."
Lawrence headed off to press his case forcefully. At that moment—
KABOOM!
A thunderous explosion shook their chests, thick smoke billowing. Black, solidified mana swept the area.
It was so terrifying everyone froze mid-task, leaping to their feet.
"From inside Alambra!"
"Scouts! Where are the scouts?!"
"Report: Sherbet Magic Corps has entered the inner city!"
[KUOOOOOOH!]
A massive roar echoed simultaneously. Its meaning was clear.
"Beast..."
Someone muttered.
"Hiiiiaaah!"
"S-save me! Please, save me!"
"We're gonna die, gonna die, gonna die..."
Some dropped weapons and groveled. Others clutched friends' collars, snot and tears streaming as they begged. Still others giggled madly about death...
Weak-willed soldiers showed symptoms instantly. Lawrence sprang into action, restraining one about to slit his own throat. He cast Wave of Healing to scan their minds.
Mental Counter
Wave of Healing
The beast's mental assault bounced off. Healing waves swept the area, pure white light bursting everywhere to shield the soldiers.
Those out of their minds gradually came to, looking around.
"Already a skirmish, huh."
"All regular troops, fall back! Anyone who might stab us in the side goes to the rear!"
Shouts rang out as people scrambled. Regular soldiers were pulled to safety; only those who could withstand the beast's mental attacks would enter the capital.
The first true boss monster had appeared—right as words stirred Lawrence's crafting urge.
A creature from the demon realm that shatters the world's boundaries: Bahamut's Offspring has appeared.
An opportunity to obtain rare materials.
Subjugate Bahamut's Offspring and use its heart as nourishment for the Artifactor.
I have to go.
"Let's move."
"To fight the beast...?"
Loria asked, her voice pale. Lawrence nodded firmly, though worried for her.
"If it's too much, stay here. I'll come back alive, guaranteed."
"Don't be ridiculous. I'm a Montemer too. If we don't go, who will?"
"......Right. Then let's go."
Eleven and sixteen. On Earth, middle and elementary school ages. But this was a battlefield, another world. If Montemers fled, even kids would be laughingstocks.
That's how this world worked.
"Lawrence, Lady Loria—are you alright?"
"Tower Master, we're fine."
Iron Hanma had arrived, checking on them first.
"We breach immediately. Sir Jacob Logan's in command. Let's go."
"Yes."
"Lady Loria's joining too?"
"Of course."
The tower master nodded silently, then turned to Freya. "Lady Freya, protect her well."
"Understood, Tower Master."
Thank goodness for Freya. Loria would stick with the Phoenix Magic Corps.
Lawrence scanned for Ades.
He didn't go mad from the beast, did he?
He worried about sending him ahead. Then Ades appeared—one arm charred black.
"Urgh... barely made it out."
"Ades, you okay?"
"Thought I was dead. Those Deferter bastards... total lunatics!"
"What happened?"
Lawrence absorbed the negative energy, then healed Ades's arm good as new. Flexing the bare skin, Ades explained.
"That beast wasn't summoned by black wizards."
"Really? Tell me I got it wrong."
"You're right. That beast... Shayan Deferter summoned it. Sacrificed all the black wizards and remaining residents—!"
His voice boomed. Superhumans couldn't miss it. Commanders turned, radiating fury.
"What did you say?"
"Is it true? Deferter... summoned a beast?"
"I, Ades Benoman, firstborn of the Benoman family, swear on our name."
"......"
Shock rippled through them. Iron Hanma seized the moment, pulling out a Tear of Ice.
"Here's the proof. A Tear of Ice tainted with black magic residue. Check the serial—it's never been circulated."
"......"
Despair and betrayal surged, swiftly turning to rage.
"Unforgivable."
The 11th Holy Knight Order's captain, Aldmiri, stepped forward, followed by church figures. If Shayan Deferter was behind this, they wouldn't let it slide. A holy war might even erupt.
Unlike my past life, you're screwed this time.
Lawrence smirked twistedly. Unlike before, he was the wildcard. Maybe this was the right path—erasing the distortions was his fate.
BWOOOOOOH!
The battle horn blared.