Chapter 260
Chapter 260
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 260
>Chapter Title: Sick of Chess
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The vicious killing intent disrupted Zaifo's breathing.
"Huh, heh heh..."
A hollow laugh escaped through his lips.
It was a moment when nothing but a bitter chuckle would come out.
"I figured... at worst, the third or fourth sword would come at me. But damn, we've really stepped in it this time."
Zaifo nodded in agreement at Koksun's sigh.
"Yeah, tell me about it. This level feels like One Sword Hamelan, that old bastard."
"Not quite One Sword level, but still a real pain in the ass."
The fact that the Tower Lord was resisting Earth's Binding meant his realm had at least reached Transcendence.
Naturally, the leisure on their faces vanished in an instant.
"What now?"
At Koksun's question, Zaifo shrugged.
"What now? We talk it out. So... Tower Lord, what is it you want? You want us to let those young ones behind you go?"
"Do I have to say it twice?"
"Heh heh, no need. But really, if we let them go, you'll just sit pretty under Earth's Binding?"
That was when Exstr lunged forward like he was having a fit.
"...Tower Lord! No need for that. Even if we die, we'll die fighting. If we combine our strength, somehow...!"
"Bullshit."
The Tower Lord's icy voice cut Exstr off.
Exstr couldn't help but flinch under the sharp aura, and right then, Koksun chimed in.
"Heh heh, listen to the Tower Lord. Die fighting? You think you lot can even help? Looks like your gear isn't even intact. You really think you can withstand a spell or two from us old fogeys?"
"Shut...!"
"Hey, Captain. Don't be stubborn. He's offering to let you live, so why not? Let's not make this harder than it has to be. Sure, it'll be tough for us old timers... but you all? You'll all die."
"Don't spout nonsense. Lortel's knights..."
"Eh, tsk. So damn pigheaded. I wash my hands of it. Zaifo, you and the Tower Lord figure it out."
Frustrated by Exstr's refusal to listen, Koksun raised both hands and stepped back—a gesture that he was done meddling.
That was when Zaifo looked at the Tower Lord and posed the question.
"That's the situation. What'll you do? If he acts like that, we're out of options too."
The Tower Lord didn't respond.
Instead, he stood up and approached Exstr.
"Tower Lord, our resolve hasn't changed. Better to die honorably here than beg for our lives like cowards..."
Exstr declared his firm will.
Right then, the Tower Lord cast a sound barrier.
"No, fuck this shit."
"...?"
Exstr blinked at the sudden curse. Then, the Tower Lord's urgent whisper drilled into his ear.
"Captain, you don't get it? You think I'm sacrificing myself to save you? Am I crazy? Huh?"
"Then..."
The Tower Lord let out a deep sigh.
"Listen up. I've got a plan."
"...A plan?"
"What, you think I'm just winging it? Just hear me out."
Exstr eyed him suspiciously, but the Tower Lord beckoned him closer and whispered in his ear.
And when he finished.
"...Mm, you think that'll work?"
Exstr looked at the Tower Lord with worry. The Tower Lord snapped back irritably at his attitude.
"What, you wanna all die together? You think those two are the problem right now? If a fight breaks out, Decullan won't send reinforcements? Isn't this the only way we all survive?"
"But one..."
"But what one? Speak up. Got another way?"
"Mm."
The Tower Lord's plan was simple.
- Take this crystal orb. It's linked directly to the Three Swords. When you're far enough away, make contact.
In other words, call for backup.
There were a few dubious points, so the talk dragged on, but boiled down, that was it.
Of course, not all doubts were cleared.
"You're sure the Three Swords are on standby?"
"Argh, yes, I'm sure."
"But even so, can you hold out until the Three Swords arrive? Earth's Binding... I heard it's fatal to mages."
"Didn't you see earlier? And an hour's no problem. Even past that, I can manage. You think I'll just sit here forever? Once you're all clear, I'll flip the table."
"...For real?"
"For real. And... you know it. This has the highest chance of success."
"That's true, but..."
Exstr kept hemming and hawing.
That was when the Tower Lord glanced at Britra.
"Mercenary Captain, what do you think? Any other way?"
"...The Tower Lord's method seems the only one. Fighting together would just get us all killed."
"See? That's what he says."
At that, Exstr had no choice but to decide.
"Fine... we'll do it."
He had no other option.
Right then, the sound barrier shattered.
Crackle...!
"So, secret talk over? If it drags on too long, even we get annoyed."
"All done. By the way, could you pull back Decullan's search a bit?"
"Can't do that. What if Lortel sneaks in while reconnaissance is gone? Instead, I'll send word to open a path."
"Right now?"
"...Yeah, right now."
Zaifo pulled out his crystal orb on the spot and contacted the Decullan mages searching nearby.
"Done?"
"It's legit, right?"
"Heh heh, gotta trust us on that. And you handed one to the Captain too... he'll call if something's up."
"Yeah, fair enough."
"That'd just make things messy for both sides. Why would I screw around?"
"Alright, I'll trust you."
And so, everything was settled for now.
"...Tower Lord. We're off."
"Yeah, safe travels. Don't waste the lives I gave you."
"..."
Exstr bowed his head without a word. Mercenary Captain Britra also nodded to the Tower Lord.
"Thank you."
"No need. Just don't forget what I told you."
"...Yes, sir."
With that, the fifty-three stragglers left the cave they'd hidden in for nearly a week.
Once everyone was gone.
"Heh heh, now take a seat?"
"Yeah, let's."
The Tower Lord sat under Earth's Binding and leaned back. Koksun, who had been watching quietly, asked right then.
"But what's your angle? That stubborn mule didn't back off without a word."
"Curious?"
"Of course. Depending on your answer, things could get tiring for both of us."
No sooner had he spoken than Zaifo subtly raised the crystal orb in his hand.
A threat that he could alert the search team anytime.
The Tower Lord let out a smirk at the sight.
"You old geezers sure scare easy."
"Hope you'll reassure these scared old men?"
"Tch, reassure what? By the time reinforcements from Torres garrison arrive, it'll all be over."
"Heh heh, you never know. Maybe the Ten Swords are waiting."
"You know better than anyone that's not happening."
Why come alone if other Ten Swords were on standby?
And...
"What if they are?"
"What can I do? Contact them right..."
Thinking he had full control, Zaifo grinned and opened his mouth.
"Go ahead."
Zaifo couldn't finish at the Tower Lord's chilling tone.
The knight order was an excellent leash keeping the Tower Lord in Earth's Binding. And the moment that leash vanished...
Zaifo chuckled at the thought.
"Guess this old man's joke went too far."
"Let's not make this tiring for each other. Yeah?"
The Tower Lord said that, then propped his elbow on the armrest and beckoned with his fingers.
"Waiting around's boring. Wanna play chess?"
Zaifo was done.
"You're solidly insane."
The Tower Lord he'd seen was no longer sane.
* * *
Right after bursting out of the cave.
Captain Exstr led the knights along the mountain path without a moment to catch his breath.
Sure enough, Zaifo hadn't lied—Decullan's searchers didn't touch them.
How long had they run?
"..."
Exstr spread his senses around, then reached for the crystal orb in his bosom. Or tried to.
If not for the blow to his nape.
"...Guh!"
Exstr crumpled from the sudden ambush.
"...Captain!"
"Sir Britra, what the hell...!"
The knights were stunned by Mercenary Captain Britra's sudden move, but Britra ignored them, rummaged in Exstr's bosom, and pulled out the crystal orb.
Then, the voice from beyond the orb.
[Mercenary Captain?]
"Yes, Tower Lord."
[Good work. Head in.]
At the calm voice, Britra's eyes twitched faintly.
"Thank y..."
[Enough. Disconnect. Call if anything comes up.]
With that, the orb clicked off.
Britra stared at the now-dim orb, then turned to the knights.
They were milling about in confusion, not grasping the situation, but Britra said nothing, just hoisted Captain Exstr over his shoulder.
Then he gathered his thoughts.
'Now then...'
The Tower Lord's message spell orders were two.
First: If Exstr tries to contact via orb, knock him out and contact instead.
And the second...
Persuasion.
- The other knights are just as stubborn; they won't budge. You'll have to convince them, realistic Captain.
But what to say?
Britra himself had no talent for persuasion.
So, he chose the most familiar method.
"Sorry, knights, but I'm claiming the Captain's life."
With that, Britra bolted.
The mercenaries hesitated, glancing at the knights, then one by one followed him.
And.
"...Let's go."
Soon after, the knights followed too, one by one.
...They all saw through the obvious ploy.
Even if they didn't follow, Britra wouldn't kill the Captain.
But.
The knights had no choice but to move.
Going back like this, they'd only be baggage to the Tower Lord. No such thing as an honorable death. Just die like dogs, dragging him down.
And so, the mercenaries and knights crossed Torres' wild mountains.
...And when they were fully out of Decullan's search range.
"This should be long enough to sit, right?"
Zaifo looked at the Tower Lord, eyes twitching.
It made no sense.
"How... can you endure Earth's Binding that long?"
"Endure? Nah. See this? Look."
Mana sparks flickered in his grip.
The Tower Lord toyed with them and smiled.
"It's weaker than before, yeah?"
"..."
Zaifo had no reply.
Unbelievable, even seeing it.
He'd been bound for hours, yet he wielded magic so casually.
But no time for admiration.
He had no more means to keep the Tower Lord in place.
"I'm sick of chess now, so let's try something else."
The Tower Lord had a plan all along.