Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: 54. The One Who Cannot Be Forgiven (2)
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"He fights really damn well..."
Jared muttered.
Just moments ago, Yuri had charged at him yelling, "You think you're hot shit in a fight?"
And right away, he'd taken a hit and been sent flying off into the distance again.
"That’s gotta hurt..."
Every time Gerth swung his sword, shockwaves capable of crumbling mountains swept through the area. A direct hit meant death, while barely dodging one sent you tumbling far away.
The difference in power was overwhelming.
But he was the third prince, after all.
In crude terms, he was getting absolutely demolished by Gerth, yet he kept staggering back to his feet like a tough weed, snarling and lunging again.
As if inspired by that unyielding spirit, Gines muttered blankly.
"On sheer malice alone..."
And then Gines let out a roar and charged in.
Taking his lead, everyone from Brioll except Cori surrounded Gerth and began their assault.
It was a fight of many against one.
It might not have looked pretty, but to those involved, it was a desperate struggle.
Gerth, looking annoyed, erupted with energy. Those surrounding him were all blasted back at once.
The only one who held his ground was Hose.
"As expected of one of the Ten Strong. Haha! Hahahahaha!"
If anything, he seemed even more fired up as he pressed the attack against Gerth.
Every clash of their blue and black auras boomed like thunder.
Rolant, steadying his stance, searched for Yuri.
"Your Highness, are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
Yuri caught his breath while watching the two knights duel.
"Leave it to Hose for now."
Then Yuri headed toward Pierre alongside Rolang.
Pierre tried to play it friendly.
"Oh, I thought you were just a knight. You're a prince?"
"Shut your mouth."
While Yuri's group was busy handling Gerth, they had been preparing to flee. Yuri had spotted it and come over.
Pierre scratched his cheek with an awkward smile.
"Well, yeah..."
Meanwhile, Hose was laughing uproariously even as he was getting knocked around.
There was no time to waste.
Yuri called out to him.
"Hey, black mage."
"Yes?"
"Short for black magician."
"Yes."
"I'm Yuri Brioll, third prince of Brioll."
"Wait, you mean...?"
His eyes went wide.
"From the Allied Forces?"
"That's right."
Yuri approached Pierre and placed a hand on his shoulder. He locked eyes with Ivan standing beside him as well.
"The moment you try to run, forget Gerth—I'll hunt you down and stick a sword in you first."
"Pardon?"
"I'll kill you. I hate black magicians. And there's one thing I hate even more: traitors. A black magician who betrays? I'd despise that even more. So I'd kill you first. Keep that in mind."
"Yes..."
"You're not thinking of running, are you?"
"Of course not. Now that Gerth has us in his sights..."
"Just a misunderstanding?"
"Yes, Your Highness. A total misunderstanding."
"Good. I knew I could trust you, Pierre. We're temporary allies, right?"
"Yes..."
"Act like it."
"Of course."
"And Ivan."
"Yes?"
"You're a mercenary, right?"
"Y-Yes, that's right."
"Doesn't seem like it. You registered with the mercenary guild?"
"I am."
"You know the mercenary code?"
"Yes..."
"I'll trust you."
Yuri slapped both their backs, shoving them toward Gerth.
The remaining four mercenaries jolted forward at Yuri's glance as well.
Thus, Brioll's seven and the black magicians' six formed a full united front against Death Knight Gerth.
Thirteen against one.
"Can't be helped."
No one pitied Gerth.
He was the sinner who had led his own nation to ruin.
Unlike the nameless ancestor Yuri had met in Erich's dungeon or himself, atoning through this second life, Gerth still wandered Adelvine, taking lives.
Someone had to stop him.
As Yuri prepared to fight, Cori cast a spell on him from behind. His body felt lighter.
Yuri gave Cori a thumbs-up before leaping into the chaotic battlefield.
Gerth was firing sword beams indiscriminately in all directions like artillery barrages.
Only a few could withstand them: Hose and Yuri at best, Rolang and Jared with some leeway, and Ivan barely managing.
The rest scrambled to dodge, and even a graze sent them rolling far away.
"Hose!"
"Yes!"
"Hold him!"
"Got it!"
While Hose kept Gerth pinned, Yuri circled behind.
"My turn now."
Gerth's plate armor deflected most attacks.
But Yuri had a technique to amplify his power.
A whirlwind began to stir around Guilty. It was Yuri's first technique: the Sword of the Spiraling Vortex.
Yuri twisted his mana targeting Gerth. The twisted mana twisted again, and that twist twisted once more.
The resulting vortex meshed like gears, shredding everything within range.
The surrounding air warped.
"Hose, get clear!"
"Yes!"
The moment Hose dodged, Yuri slammed the swirling vortex of sword energy from Guilty straight into Gerth's back.
Cracks in a spiral pattern began spiderwebbing across his plate armor.
Only then did Gerth turn from Hose to glare at Yuri.
"Too late!"
As he drove Guilty in, Yuri amplified the mana surging from his core.
Explosions chained together.
It felt like a solid hit.
Even the stingy Moyong Chanjoo would acknowledge this technique's power.
The whirlwind engulfed Gerth's body. Dust billowed massively, obscuring him. Sounds of crushing and shattering echoed.
Hose marveled.
"Your Highness, you've grown even stronger."
Yuri grinned. This should have hurt even Gerth. Maybe they could end it here.
But it didn't go that easily.
As the thick dust cleared, Gerth stood glaring at Yuri, clutching his half-shattered armor.
The sword clashes had left spiral gouges on his armor. Deeper cracks exposed the interior, black smoke billowing from every hole.
Gerth's killing intent intensified.
"As expected of one of the Ten Strong..."
"This is bad."
"Hose, you just gonna watch?"
"No, sir."
Hose swung at Gerth's head. But Gerth leaned back to dodge, then lunged straight at Yuri.
He seemed pissed from the previous hit.
Hose yelled.
"Gah, dodge!"
"Working on it!"
Yuri gritted his teeth.
His channels were already unstable, and using the Sword of the Spiraling Vortex had worsened it. He doubted he could evade in time.
That was when.
Simon and Gines jumped in front.
"Your Highness! Get back!"
"We'll hold him!"
"You guys..."
Trusting them, Yuri pulled back.
The two collided with Gerth.
They had grown a lot too, so they didn't drop immediately.
They desperately parried Gerth's sword to buy time. Cori kept supporting them with spells.
"Hold on just a bit longer!"
Yuri retreated briefly to regulate his internals.
Suddenly, black energy approached him. Turning, he saw Pierre casting black magic on him.
"What’s this?"
"Helping."
"I told you I hate black magic."
"Think about the situation. Magic or black magic, we need to take Gerth down first, right?"
"Damn it, fine."
He'd only ever fought black magic, never taken it in.
As Yuri relaxed his guard, the black energy was absorbed.
His heartbeat quickened, his mind sharpened. Like swallowing mandragora. He sensed the faint madness flowing through his channels.
But Heart-Soul Severing was stronger.
The black magic didn't corrupt him at all.
"Not bad."
Feeling the added power, Yuri smirked.
The sensation was unpleasant, but he was undeniably stronger. Most of his wounds had healed too.
"Good work, Pierre."
"Mm..."
Pierre's expression wasn't bright.
"What, got a problem?"
"No."
"Surprised I'm fine?"
"A little..."
"We'll talk later."
Just then, Simon and Gines were sent flying, with Rolang taking their place.
Yuri jumped right in.
"Rolang!"
"Yes!"
"Let's link up!"
"Understood!"
The two clashed with Gerth.
Yuri and Rolang's instincts were sharp enough to read each other's intent with a glance, and their sword mastery was top-tier.
Thus, they bridged the power gap through coordination.
Gerth kept swinging, but they dodged by razor-thin margins, striking his body. Damage accumulated. Flames of rage lit in Gerth's eyes.
Furious, Gerth swung wide.
But his blade sliced empty air.
Using the sword's path as a cue, the two split to either side and thrust into Gerth's abdomen.
Two swords skewered him like a spit.
Black smoke poured thickly from the gaps in his shattered plate armor.
No direct flesh-ripping damage, but the black energy composing his body was fading.
Yuri called out.
"Hose!"
"Yes!"
"Now!"
As Gerth faltered, Hose leaped sky-high.
Then his massive frame spun, plummeting down with gravity's full force.
Like a comet crashing.
"Hahahahahaha!"
Letting out a bizarre roar-laugh, Hose hurtled toward Gerth, pinned by Yuri and Rolang's swords.
Light burst from his body, illuminating the area.
Just before impact, Yuri and Rolang withdrew their swords and scattered.
Gerth and Hose collided.
An explosion erupted, beams of light shooting out. The ground cratered, dirt flying, forming a volcanic pit.
Yuri watched in awe.
"Sir Hose..."
He was searching for a third technique to follow Sword of the Spiraling Vortex and One-Point Thrust. This clash gave him a clue.
Yuri focused on the impact site.
Impressive, but a full-body collision like that had to hurt the user too. Yuri prayed Hose was okay.
"Uh..."
But.
Emerging from within wasn't Hose.
It was Gerth.
His armor mostly gone, only the left chest plate covering his heart remained. His bony frame fully exposed, he dragged his sword along the ground as he walked out.
Blood trailed along the sword's path.
Whatever happened, one thing was clear.
Gerth was unscathed.
Even without the plate armor, his inherent aura hadn't changed. If anything, it grew stronger.
Fierce winds blew, clearing the dust.
In the deep crater's center lay Hose, bloodied and motionless like the dead.
"Hose!"
His weak voice came.
"Sorry, Your Highness..."
Thankfully, not dead.
In his past life, Hose had taken Gerth down, but maybe it was too soon this time. Yuri gripped Guilty, glaring at Gerth.
"No need to apologize."
Gerth's steps turned toward Yuri.
Yuri didn't back down.
Rolant and Jared flanked him.
A bit farther, Simon and Gines positioned themselves.
Ivan and his mercenaries joined, swords raised at Gerth.
The two mages kept forming seals.
"Hoo..."
Yuri felt Cori's magic and Pierre's black magic flowing through his channels simultaneously. With Guilty over his shoulder, he attuned his senses.
The two clashing energies twisted into one under Heart-Soul Severing's mediation.
"Gerth."
Maybe the black magic's madness affected him a bit—Yuri impulsively spoke up.
"Aren't you ashamed? You ruined Adelvine, and instead of atoning, you keep killing people. You call yourself a knight after that?"
Pierre glanced at Yuri.
"Um, provoking him might make it—"
"Guys like this won't listen to nice words."
No choice now but all or nothing.
Yuri decided to vent fully for his own satisfaction.
"Trash who destroyed his own country. Murderer slaughtering innocents. That's you. If you have any conscience, defend yourself, skull-face."
"Your Highness..."
"I'm not done. You were a fine knight when alive? What happened? Got bewitched by black magic and lost your mind? Desperate to live longer? Not embarrassed?"
"He won't understand anyway..."
"Hey, you skeleton bastard. Who the hell are you to kill people? Is Adelvine your property?"
"Your Highness, stop."
"I haven't even started. Look, no comeback. Everything I said is true. You conscienceless skeleton trash."
"Ugh..."
"Hey, Gerth. Did your parents regret giving birth to you and—"
That was when.
Gerth's mouth opened.
[Your words... are too harsh.]