Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 90
>Chapter Title: Gonna Die? You're Way Too Weak
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The serene Hamern Great Forest.
I was unfolding my breathing technique amid the withered ancient trees, parched by Destrow's malevolent energy.
So this was the Hamern Great Forest, huh.
*The efficiency of the Mana Accumulation Array is incredible.*
The mana around here should have been thinned out by Destrow's malevolent energy, but even so, the amount flowing in with every breath was unparalleled.
It was like being in a steamy room and then plunging into water.
My core's mana refilled the instant it dipped.
But.
*...Looks like they've finally gotten serious.*
I gauged Shain's situation while sensing the massive drain on my mana.
No doubt about it—the Gold Horse Sect bastards were finally pulling out some real moves.
That's when the voice came.
"Um, Senior... are you sure this is okay?"
"What?"
I cracked open my closed eyes.
While focusing on the breathing technique, I had to avoid stray thoughts and even speaking, but that wasn't necessary now.
Just breathing in pulled in a massive amount of mana, converting it straight to magical power.
"Death Knight, sir. Even if he's an undead, facing the Gold Horse Sect alone feels... "
"Dangerous?"
"Yes. Master said they're incredibly cunning. We don't even know what traps they might have set..."
Obern was saying this while layering more Mana Accumulation Arrays around us, his expression grave.
Like he couldn't bear the worry for Shain who'd gone ahead.
"Of course, I'm sure you had your reasons, Senior, but still, isn't it risky...?"
Maybe my blank stare made him uncomfortable.
He waved his hands hurriedly, adding more. Worried I'd taken offense at his words.
I smirked at him.
"You said we don't know what traps are set?"
"Uh, yes."
"That's why I sent him to check."
"...Pardon?"
Obern's eyes went wide as he stared at me.
As if doubting his own ears.
But that only lasted a moment.
"H-How could you..."
Shock filled his eyes, quickly turning to something like contempt.
"You're saying... you used Death Knight as bait? How could you do such a...!"
Bait... well, fancy words aside, that's exactly what it was.
Obern probably couldn't wrap his head around it.
Even if undead, it was a thinking, sentient being. Using one as bait was beyond his common sense.
But.
"So what? What should we do instead?"
"...Pardon?"
"Should we all charge in humanely and get wiped out in some unknown trap?"
"No, that's not what I—"
Obern stammered.
I knew what he meant.
There had to be another way, without this method. That's what he was getting at.
But Obern was missing something.
"I get what you're saying. I do..."
I fixed my gaze on him.
Unlike before, his eyes had sunk deep. I stared straight into them.
"Just one thing."
Obern's convictions were respectable.
For the greater good.
How many used such grand ideals to line their own pockets?
They stirred up others with their silver tongues, demanding sacrifice, then bailed when it mattered.
They wrapped their greed in the cloak of 'justice,' but it was just self-interest.
Yet they felt righteous.
Why?
*Thick skin? Nah.*
That silver tongue fooled not just others, but themselves too, rationalizing it all.
In that sense, Obern... no, Obern and his master Rihaym were worthy of respect.
They threw themselves into the mud before pushing others in. Not just dipping a toe.
*They take a full mud bath.*
That's why.
- Take care of Obern for me.
Rihaym's request before I left. I nodded readily.
Even knowing he'd be a burden, I took him along for this reason.
But.
*Not like this.*
It didn't matter to me.
If he dithered and died doing nothing, that was his fate.
But seeing it happen right in front of me? It'd leave a bad taste.
"We have to stop Destrow, right?"
"...Yes, we do."
"Holding to your beliefs is fine. But don't lose sight of priorities. Nothing gets done without getting your hands dirty."
"That's..."
Obern started to speak, then clamped his mouth shut. It opened again soon after.
"...Are you telling me to compromise?"
"Not exactly. You'll have to find that answer yourself."
It sounded irresponsible, but that's all I could offer.
I'd never lived with convictions like Obern's.
If anything...
"Snore... phew—"
It was a life just like that slob Rayleigh over there.
The so-called emptiness of conviction.
Anyway.
"Honestly, your rigidness is frustrating as hell. Kid's got principles up the wazoo—this must be this way, that must be that. Even easy paths, you detour with excuses."
"...I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize."
I glanced at the dejected Obern, then turned toward where Shain was—the ancient ruins.
That's all the advice I could give.
"You're frustrating as hell, but not bad."
Just didn't want him around.
"So don't compromise. Hold to your beliefs. Let them wear down or chip away, but don't compromise."
Pure nonsense. Rambling so much I barely knew what I was saying.
But maybe it hit home.
"...Ah."
A soft sigh from Obern.
"Understood, Senior."
"Good."
I deliberately avoided his face.
That enlightened seriousness might make me want to punch him.
Hitting him wasn't the issue. But if Rihaym found out? Scary.
And.
"Death Knight's probably... fine. Didn't send him without a plan."
"...?"
"Gold Horse Sect's tricks are probably just curses at best, and undead have stronger resistance to curses than most."
Did I look crazy enough to toss my precious slave No. 1 into danger thoughtlessly?
With the slave bracelet, No. 1 was eternally mine. Cheap labor... no, fill him with mana and work him endlessly like a beast of burden.
Of course...
- You predicted even this?
The voice when the trap triggered. Honestly, no clue what he meant. Ignored it.
-A barrier blocking curses... ha! You sly bastard. Didn't know you had this.
- Hm, yeah.
No idea what happened.
Some barrier blocked the curse, apparently. Didn't care to know.
As long as it worked for him.
- Fine, then rampage all you want.
Anyway.
*The trap's cleared, and judging by the mana drain... he's engaging the undead full-on.*
Shain's voice echoed in my mind right then.
- You damned fool! How long am I supposed to hold out?!
Desperate tone. Far from his earlier confidence, no room to breathe.
- Gonna die? You're way too weak.
- Too weak? You rotting—! These undead are nothing, a handful. If I could just speak...!
Speak? No idea. Maybe undead on horseback or something.
Whatever.
- Trap cleared okay?
- Cleared it ages ago!
- Hm, got it.
With that, I stood up.
- Then head this way. I'll come meet you.
No reply.
Pretty busy, it seemed.
*Looking good.*
Slaves shine when they're diligent. But diligent or not, couldn't lose a skilled worker here.
"Obern."
"Yes, Senior."
Obern looked up from layering Mana Accumulation Arrays.
"Contact Base Camp 4."
"So... "
"Time to start."
At my order, Obern pulled out the communication orb.
Hamern Great Forest's abnormal mana density messed with comms.
Hence.
"Strike Team here. Camp, this is Strike Team..."
[...Hear... static. We... hear you.]
Noisy response through the orb.
Obern glanced at me briefly, then spoke to the orb.
"Preparations complete. You can begin..."
[Understood...]
That ended the comms.
And.
Zzzzzz—
A bizarre rupture sound from somewhere.
"..."
Everyone's eyes snapped toward the source.
An invisible dome barrier. But color spread across it.
The unknown smear expanded with crackling sounds...
"Here we go."
"...Yes."
As Obern nodded entranced,
I stepped out of the Mana Accumulation Array, heading to where Rayleigh snoozed.
"Snore... whew— gack! K-Keh!"
Kicked his side; he gasped. Drew the sword from his belt right after.
"M-Mage! Ambush! Ambush— guh!"
"Ambush my ass. Get up."
"...Huh? Was I asleep?"
"Asleep? Want me to put you to sleep forever?"
"N-No! Heh heh."
Rayleigh scratched his head sheepishly. I eyed him a moment, then smirked.
"Your part's done."
"...Pardon?"
"Get out of Hamern Great Forest however. Up to you."
"What do you..."
Rayleigh tilted his head in bewilderment. I patted his shoulder.
"Good work."
Endgame of the plan.
Honestly, even I couldn't guarantee success.
*Gold Horse Sect's no big deal.*
No matter how sturdy the undead, how could they withstand a direct strike mage?
But.
Whiiiing— wiiing...!
Resonating Fire Mark. Its vibe was ominous.
What to call it? Foreboding ill fortune? No, the mark itself felt like the source of doom.
*Hope it's just nerves...*
Was it?
Fire Mark and Destrow.
Undoubtedly connected.
I'd chosen Hamern Great Forest because of the Fire Mark's reaction to Destrow.
Anyway.
"M-Mage...?"
Rayleigh caught my mood, face hardening. Realizing the gravity...
"...So, what about my riches and glory?"
...Nope.
"You made me your right hand, granting me all the world's wealth and fame, letting me bask in luxury and pleasure... kack!"
"Fuckin' idiot."
Punched his solar plexus; he keeled over happily.
"Want rewards that bad? Wait in Greentown."
Rayleigh's sullen face bloomed instantly.
"Huh? Yes sir! Got it!"
"You can make it out alive?"
"Yeah, monsters are fleeing anyway. Just tail 'em."
"Good. Go."
"Right..."
Rayleigh bowed slightly.
When he looked up, his eyes were different.
"I'll see you again. Definitely."
"For the rewards?"
"Of course!"
I burst out laughing.
Words said, but not just for rewards. A glint of real emotion in those eyes.
Anyway.
"What about you? Bail now, go with Rayleigh."
I asked Obern.
Originally, planned to keep him till Destrow's seal broke, then drag him out if needed, but somehow...
*Bad vibes.*
The Fire Mark on my left chest. The feeling wasn't good.
These hunches always led to shit. Couldn't drag him along.
But.
"...I'll go with you."
Resolute eyes.
"...Fine."
Didn't ask twice.
Just.
"One condition. Overclock—didn't you say stacking before cooldown's dangerous?"
"Yes, but..."
"When I say, cast it no hesitation. Got it?"
"...Yes, got it."
Decided.
Those advancing, those retreating.
"Mage, survive and come back."
"Yeah."
Rayleigh glanced back wistfully several times, then bolted.
Obern and I watched the barrier.
"Almost complete now."
"...Yes."
Unlike before, fully blue now.
Some ancient wraiths chased Shain, but many lingered at the barrier's edge.
Then, in one instant.
Flash—!
Light flared on the barrier.
[Aaah, aaah, aaah!]
[Why, why, why?]
[My body—! My body—! My body—!]
Eerie wails in our ears.
But only for a moment.
[The king's command. The king's command. The king's command.]
[Interlopers. Interlopers. Interlopers. Interlopers.]
[Exterminate. Exterminate. Exterminate. Exterminate.]
A night parade of a hundred ghosts? Ancient wraiths soared like a Milky Way over the forest sky.
Their number beyond counting.
*Base Camp 4...*
Could they hold?
*No clue.*
Even with solid defenses, that many undead? Even I couldn't say. Breaking through and fleeing, maybe.
Defend a base against that?
But.
"Master will..."
"He'll be fine."
"...Yes."
I reassured Obern emptily, eyes forward.
"Alright, let's go?"
"Yes, let— ack!"
I snatched Obern's nape and headed for the ancient ruins.
Not walking—more like shot out like an arrow.
Operation name... Slave Rescue Project.
- Slave, master's coming.
- You fucker, who're you calling slave...! Agh, my arm!
Some cheerful banter.
Meanwhile...
Whiiiiiinnnnnng—
The Fire Mark's resonance was anything but cheerful.