Chapter 709: The Unavoidable Trap (8)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 709: The Unavoidable Trap (8)
While the mages gathered, Veradin assembled the researchers aboard the Kozec.
“Dante, you won't have anything to do while I dispel the ritual. Take the researchers and head outside.”
“There might be an ambush while you're dispelling it.”
“Perhaps. But would they really bother when they’ve already deployed illusion magic just to buy time? More importantly, we need to find clues regarding the mass teleportation. Since we’re stuck here anyway, it’s better to split our forces and get something done. We need to locate the other camps and secure those teleportation clues.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll give you a signal once the illusions are cleared, so rejoin us then. If we are ambushed and separated, we'll rendezvous at the destination.”
* * *
Meanwhile, at the western boundary of Ricalton.
An actual army blocked Kinzelo’s path.
“Archduke… the enemy… there are so many of them.”
“Where did they all spring from? I couldn’t see a thing until just a moment ago.”
Bianca and Lanke spoke in turn. In the dark, empty sky ahead, an army of chaos had suddenly appeared, swarming like a massive cloud of bees.
It was impossible to tell at a glance just how many ships and chaos dragons there were. They weren’t only massed in front of them, either; they occupied the flanks and the rear as well.
“It’s likely an ambush using mass teleportation or illusion magic. Probably the latter, since we didn't observe any dimensional gates opening.”
It was exactly as Zephyrin expected.
The army of chaos had been maintaining a perimeter ever since Kinzelo entered Ricalton. However, the encirclement was so vast—and their presence so well-hidden by illusions—that they hadn't noticed it until now.
The executives’ eyes turned to Zephyrin. Since Orgal had not yet returned to the fleet, the final decision rested with her.
“We will engage with the goal of total annihilation, not just breaking through to the target area. This is the Land of the Evil God; if we leave any remnants behind, we’ll only have to face them again later. All fleets, prepare for battle. Our rendezvous will be delayed, but I doubt any of our allies failed to anticipate a variable of this magnitude.”
“Understood, Lady Zephyrin.”
“Sir Oul.”
Zephyrin met Oul’s gaze.
“It would be best for Nameless and the Secret Palace to head to the ground. One group will search for the camps and secure information regarding the mass teleportation, while the other rescues Cold Jo. It’s highly probable they’ll bring Sir Jo out once the enemies surrounding us start getting pushed back.”
“I see your point.”
“From Kinzelo’s perspective, Sir Jo is someone we must rescue. Of course, if the worst comes to pass, we may have to abandon him, but I would appreciate it if you took care to ensure that doesn't happen. And Sir Verakt.”
“Speak, Archduke Zephyrin.”
“It would be best for you to join them in rescuing Sir Jo.”
Verakt wanted to shout, Are you telling me to save a wretch like that? but he managed to keep his mouth shut.
“……Understood.”
“I am well aware of your distaste for Sir Jo, but he remains a vital figure for our great cause. Do not let your emotions ruin the mission.”
Siris, who had been listening, spoke up. “A portion of the Secret Palace will split off to infiltrate the destination first. Sir Oul, I believe Nameless will need to provide some personnel as well.”
“I agree with the Acting Palace Master’s opinion,” Oul replied. “There is no better insurance than the Snow Toad should Jin fall into danger.”
Zephyrin nodded.
“Proceed then.”
* * *
The southern sea of Ricalton.
Cosmos’s fleet successfully passed through the Steel Gate and deployed into formation on the water.
“Good grief, all the world’s teleport gates get shut down, only for even crazier movement techniques to show up. The Black Prince said that once the spatial movement used for the Red Owl is mass-produced, he’d share the benefits with us. I hope they finish developing it soon!”
Cosmos spoke while watching the Steel Gate vanish.
[Quiet, you pirate. And the one Jin promised to share technology with is Mary Runcandel, not the likes of you.]
“Hahaha, our Ten Great Knight friend is grumpy again. Come now, let’s try to get along. We need to be in sync if we’re going to save people.”
Surprisingly, the Pirate King Cosmos was adept at handling Vail as if he were a petulant boy. Vail grumbled but didn't truly dislike Cosmos.
“Cosmos. I think Sir Vail is on edge because he’s felt a certain energy ever since we arrived,” Valkas spoke in a low voice, glancing at Vail.
He could feel the dark lightning energy unique to Padler Runcandel emanating from the distant land. Of course, Vail was sensing it even more clearly than Valkas.
[To think that bastard would be waiting for us the moment we arrive… Did Orgal betray us? It’s as if he knew exactly where we’d enter.]
“I doubt that,” Valkas replied. “The sea entry routes are limited anyway, so they likely stationed forces here in advance.”
Normally, Vail would have been excited at the prospect of finishing Padler off. But right now, there were too many people to protect. He couldn't rule out the possibility of other enemies besides Padler being present.
[Hmph, he couldn't do a damn thing on the sea when we first met. Now he thinks this is his territory, does he? That snake of a man… Fine, I’ll show him that we’re in entirely different leagues. Valkas, you stay here and protect these people while taking a detour. It’s better if I go alone first. Fire a signal flare immediately if there’s trouble.]
“Understood.”
“Good luck, Sir Ten Great Knight. And don't worry too much about us; we’ve got a history of escaping the Evil God’s army before. This is the immortal Cosmos Fleet we’re talking about!”
Vail’s golden wings began to cut through the murky sky. Those remaining in the fleet watched his retreating figure before turning their prows.
* * *
Meanwhile, Jin’s party, having emerged from the right Steel Gate, was faced with a sudden, suffocating darkness.
“What a strange darkness. I can clearly see the people right next to me, but nothing else. Is this really the heart of Ricalton?”
As Sandra spoke, grabbing Jin’s shoulder, Hedo reached out and pulled her hand away.
“It appears to be a subspace, My Lady. We don't know what might jump out at any moment, so you must not restrict your comrade’s movements.”
Just as Hedo said, the others had already put an appropriate distance between themselves the moment they perceived the darkness, staying alert in all directions.
“Orgal didn't mention anything about this. It seems a variable occurred while he was opening the dimensional gate.”
Jin spoke as he shrouded Bradamante in spirit energy.
As soon as he slashed through the darkness of the subspace, Jin realized two things: this place was not made of a single layer, and the space 'reacted' to attacks.
Shing—!
The moment he cut through one layer of darkness, spikes of chaos rained down from all directions. Given the high combat prowess of the group, it wasn't an immediate threat, but it would be a different story if this continued indefinitely.
He tested the subspace with a few more slashes, and each time, spikes shot out in retaliation.
It feels like they’ve added the properties of boundary magic to a subspace. If they went through the trouble of setting up this trick… their intention must be to buy time.
The spikes were only reacting to Jin’s Spirit Sword.
While it was possible to pierce through the layers with attacks other than the Spirit Sword, the difference in efficiency was staggering. Even when Hedo exerted himself to display the pinnacle of his swordsmanship, he couldn't produce a clean cut.
It wasn't a matter of raw power, but a fundamental difference stemming from the unique nature of spirit energy.
“Without the Spirit Sword, it would take an eternity just to break through.”
“Everyone, stand back. Please take extra care to protect non-combatants like Sir Quaul.”
“Understood, Master.”
“Yes, Young Master!”
At Jin’s command, the group widened their distance. When he swung his sword again, the spikes indeed fell only near Jin.
Is the situation so bad for Brother Dipus that he has to buy time like this? Especially since Rosa is unable to move…
Normally, Jin would have chosen to take his time, accounting for more variables as he moved forward. But now, he needed to break through quickly. Every moment wasted here meant fewer prisoners he could save, and it gave Dipus more time to recover.
Even if Dipus had already fully recovered and was simply using this subspace to confuse them, breaking through remained the only option.
“I will break through rapidly. The rest of you, follow me while maintaining enough distance to avoid the spikes, but make sure you don't lose sight of me.”
“Understood.”
“If they’re trying to buy time for recovery, they will surely try to split us up at some point. They likely formed this subspace because they find it burdensome to face us all at once. If you get separated from me, you must absolutely stick with your assigned partners.”
Even without this trap, the group had planned to split up once they reached the heart of Ricalton. Valeria and Quaul needed to find clues regarding the teleportation, while the others rescued the prisoners.
Only Jin and Hedo were slated to fight Dipus directly. However, Jin decided to send Hedo with Quaul.
“Sir Hedo, if we are inevitably separated, please protect Sir Quaul. Until reinforcements like Vail or Orgal arrive, I believe Sir Quaul will only be safe if you are with him.”
“I understand.”
Jin began to move forward, cutting through the subspace.
Countless spikes poured down, but not a single one so much as grazed his clothes.
By the time he had cut through roughly three hundred layers of the subspace, Jin felt he was nearing the end. The resistance transmitted from beyond the veil was weakening rapidly.
Finally, as he slashed through the last layer—
The bizarre darkness vanished instantly, revealing the sight of Ricalton Castle standing tall like a black volcano…
Surrounding it were pitch-black trees, rising as high as the castle itself. They were the very same trees Zipple and the Empire had identified at the northern boundary.
Furthermore, as soon as the party emerged from the subspace, the trees began to tremble violently, forcefully shedding the fruit containing the prisoners in every direction.
Even for Jin, it was impossible not to be momentarily shaken by such a horrific sight.
My comrades! I have to check on my comrades…!
Only because it was Jin did he manage to swallow his gasp and immediately look back at the companions following him. A curtain of chaos energy—the very fabric that formed the subspace—was separating him from them.
Of course, if the subspace trapped his comrades, he could simply cut them out with his Spirit Sword.
But Jin could not swing his sword in that direction. A single greatsword was falling toward his head like a bolt of lightning.
[Welcome, youngest.]
It was Dipus’s greatsword, Volgar.