Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Penny
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Coastal Repulse
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"Damn it!"
The other squad members spotted Arthur too, realizing he was about to attack.
"Split left and right!"
The Devil Squad hurriedly scattered in two directions, and the pursuing Del Knight Order followed suit.
Like Moses's miracle, they parted in an instant, leaving only the chasing enemies in front of Arthur.
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
The K1 Rifle's aura rounds poured into them.
Caught off guard by the sudden assault, they dropped without resistance.
A few fired arrows in response, but Arthur sneered.
"Pathetic."
He unleashed a merciless barrage, charging straight into their formation.
At the same time, he summoned the Benelli M1.
Boom!
The shotgun's power was tremendous.
Over ten aura pellets exploded outward.
They swept away everyone nearby.
"Argh!"
"Aaagh!"
The enemies collapsed without landing a single proper blow.
Meanwhile, the fleeing Devil Squad and Kandara Count Family's knights turned back to join the attack.
Skevin soon arrived, leading his knights.
Arthur shouted to him.
"To the coast!"
"Understood!"
Skevin spurred his knights toward the eastern coast.
Drakan and the Lannister Knight Order followed close behind.
Nearly five hundred knights riding monsters made the ground quake.
The Britannicas charged straight through ordinary trees, smashing them to pieces.
They swept everything away like a tidal wave.
Arthur quickly scanned the surroundings and yelled.
"Kill anyone who resists!"
At his command, the Devil Squad showed no mercy.
"Aaagh!"
"Aaaah!"
Piercing screams echoed endlessly.
Moments later.
The fifty enemies lay dead, with only five surrendering.
"Escort them to the castle!"
As Arthur issued the order and prepared to head to the coast, Millerph rode up.
"What happened?"
"They'll explain."
Arthur glanced at the Kandara Count Family's Del Knight Order.
One stepped forward and removed their helmet.
Long black hair whipped in the wind, revealing the face hidden beneath.
'A woman?'
Arthur was inwardly surprised.
She knelt on one knee before him and bowed her head.
"Greetings to Count Julius. I am Adran Kandara, eldest daughter of the Kandara Count Family."
"You're Adran?"
Millerph's eyes widened.
He had only memories of her as a toddling child, so her appearance as an adult was shocking and bewildering.
Arthur addressed her.
"I'll accept your greeting for now. We'll hear the details later."
"Yes."
Arthur turned to Dark.
"I'm heading with Millerph to block them. You return with these men."
"Understood."
"Stay on high alert just in case. If Millerph fires a signal flare, shut the castle gates without hesitation."
"Yes."
Dark nodded gravely.
Arthur rode off with Millerph toward the eastern coast.
As Arthur departed, Adran rose and asked Dark.
"Shut the gates? There are no reinforcements?"
Dark turned his mount's head and replied.
"I follow orders."
"What if something happens to the count...?"
"That won't happen."
Dark answered firmly, then addressed the Devil Squad.
"Return."
He added to the Del Knight Order.
"Follow closely."
Dark and the Devil Squad rode their Britannicas vigorously.
Adran watched them go, her face filled with questions.
'The Julius Family...'
***
"Captain, they're boarding the ships again!"
"Hmm."
Skevin's face hardened.
Upon reaching the coast, three hundred knights were preparing to depart.
They attacked immediately upon spotting Skevin's group.
Mages among them suggested a tough fight.
But expectations were wrong.
They retreated swiftly and reboarded.
Letting them escape would expose their forces to the world.
They would return fully prepared next time, so they couldn't be allowed to leave.
They had to be stopped, but there was no way.
"Damn it!"
As Skevin's face stiffened, Helot approached.
"Young master and Millerph are here."
"Good."
Skevin brightened and turned.
Kan charged forward energetically, followed by Millerph on his white horse.
Seeing Millerph sparked an idea to block them.
"Keep the pressure on!"
"Understood!"
Helot rushed to the knights and shouted.
"Push them!"
Arthur approached Skevin, eyeing the front.
"What's the situation?"
"Seems like a retreat order."
"We can't let them escape like this."
As Arthur's face hardened, Millerph dismounted upon arrival.
He stepped forward and said.
"I'll block them."
Skevin jumped in as if waiting.
"Just destroy the sails, and I'll handle the rest."
"Got it."
Millerph planted his staff in the ground and murmured ancient runes softly.
"Power of glory~!"
Flames bloomed in his outstretched hands.
They grew larger and fiercer.
While Millerph prepared, Arthur charged the enemies.
He summoned the K1 Rifle and unleashed on those not yet aboard.
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
"Aaagh!"
"Aaaah!"
They fell helplessly.
Those thrown from mounts either died or were swept ashore by the waves.
The waiting Phoenix Knight Order finished them with their swords.
A man in a blue robe watched from the ship, his face twisting in horror.
"What the hell are those monsters!"
The other two in blue robes muttered.
"Kalloph's intel was wrong."
"If they're here, Yarve Count must have fallen to them too."
The knights cried out in alarm.
"They have a mage!"
"Brace for magic attacks!"
"What?!"
The blue-robed men glared wide-eyed.
They scanned around hurriedly.
"There!"
A massive fireball hovered over a middle-aged man in white robes.
"W-What..."
"That's... 6th Class..."
Their faces paled as the fireball vanished from above the man's head.
Flames rained from the sky like hail.
"Fire Rain!"
"Damn it!"
"Everyone, evade!"
Boom!
Kablooey!
The flames engulfed the sails and ships.
Knights leaped into the sea.
Waves carried them ashore.
The blue-robed men dove in too, saving their lives.
They evaded the Phoenix Knight Order and climbed up.
"Clear!"
"Run!"
As they tried to flee.
Grrrrowl.
A Giant Wolf bared its fangs ahead.
"Scram!"
One cast 'Fire Lance'.
But the Giant Wolf dodged nimbly.
"He dodged it?"
The man looked flustered.
Grrrrowl.
Growl.
Giant Wolves appeared one by one, soon surrounding them by dozens.
Behind them emerged a man in leather armor, wielding a black spear.
Drakan.
He had waited in reserve to catch any escaping knights.
As Drakan approached, one hurled a fireball.
"Foolish."
Drakan smirked coldly and swung his spear.
Boom!
"Gah!"
He batted the spell aside and pierced the man's heart.
The man crumpled.
Drakan yanked his spear free, eyeing the remaining two coldly.
"Try it again. I'll pierce your hearts."
***
30 minutes later.
The three ships blazed, sinking into the sea.
Most enemies were dead; a few captured.
Millerph approached Arthur, who had silently watched the battlefield.
"Good work. That spell today—the one you used against the ogre at the cliff before?"
"Yes."
"Stronger than then."
Previously like rain, now like hail.
The magic book from Rumakas's plaza must have helped greatly.
Millerph smiled deeply.
"Thanks to the magic book from my lord, the blocked paths are opening bit by bit."
"You'll get stronger."
Arthur grinned and turned.
Drakan approached, dragging two bound blue-robed men.
"Mages, huh."
At Millerph's words, Arthur asked.
"Any idea of their skill?"
"From their mana, about 4th Class. Mid Sword Expert level for knights."
"Nothing special."
Drakan brought them before Arthur, forcing them to kneel.
"There were three originally. One ambushed me and died."
Arthur questioned them.
"State your identity."
They bowed silently.
Millerph extended his hands toward them.
"Mind Control."
"...!"
They jerked up in shock, but their eyes glazed over blankly.
"State your identity."
Millerph commanded, and they obeyed.
"We are warriors of the Magic Tower."
"Damn."
Millerph frowned; Arthur asked.
"Why?"
"Empire intel gatherers who relay to the Magic Tower."
"So?"
"They can't act alone. Their presence here means..."
"The Magic Tower's made some deal with the emperor."
"Very likely."
Millerph's face hardened.
The Magic Tower was founded solely for magic research and advancement.
Over time, its purpose faded, tainted by power.
Now the strongest entity besides the emperor.
A noble place of reflection and growth had become a monster chasing honor and authority.
He felt guilty for his part in it.
'Master...'
Millerph closed his eyes, recalling his master, Mardoro.
Seeing Arthur's concern, Arthur asked no more.
He turned back to them.
"Why here?"
"To capture Adran."
"What of the Kandara Count Family?"
"Helm Del is holding, but will fall to Kalloph."
"Hmm."
Arthur's face hardened.
From the Hexa Family to the Kandara Family.
All families framed as demon followers had fallen, save Julius.
They repelled this attack, but the next wouldn't be easy.
Better hurry.
Arthur summoned his Sig Sauer and aimed.
Before pulling the trigger, curiosity struck.
"Why are we demon followers?"
"Grand Archmage Altros said a black-haired race would ally with demons, cause catastrophe, and destroy the empire."
"And?"
"To avert it, exterminate them."
"Bullshit."
Arthur fired without mercy.
Bang! Bang!
He eyed their exploded heads coldly.
"The empire's emperor dances to a subordinate's tune."
As Arthur looked incredulous, Millerph spoke.
"Entirely possible."
"...?"
Arthur glanced at him.
Millerph met his eyes gravely.
"For him, manipulating the emperor's mind is child's play."
"You know this Altros?"
Millerph's eyes blazed with rage, fists clenched.
"The thief who stole my master's relics... and my senior apprentice."