Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Chapter 49: The Ashen Mage (1)
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"He hasn't died yet."
"Yes, that's likely. The moment his position was revealed, he unleashed his mana. This is definitely on the level of a grand mage."
In response to Raymond's words, Berenus Kyle withdrew his flame shower while replying. Despite unleashing a barrage of high-tier fire magic, the enemy's mana remained overwhelmingly powerful.
"How's the old man doing?"
He hadn't been able to check on Risefield Dior, who had plummeted after taking a direct hit from a fireball while scouting the enemy's position.
He had confirmed that the other mages were tending to him, but that did little to ease his mind.
"I'm fine, Your Majesty."
The familiar voice came from his left. It belonged to the Azure Tower Lord, Risefield Dior.
When Raymond turned toward the voice, he saw Risefield's figure.
His blue robe was singed, and soot covered his face, but it didn't look like he had sustained serious injuries.
True to his status as one of the higher-ranking high mages, he had managed to complete a powerful shield in that brief moment.
"That was grand magic."
Risefield spoke amid the heavy atmosphere. Raymond nodded with a grim expression.
"All mages, unleash a magical barrage on the designated coordinates!"
Cassius's shout rang out from the rear. The Imperial Army's mages frantically fired attack spells at the specified coordinates.
They too had sensed the unsettling tremor of mana. An overwhelming enemy was approaching from beyond.
Boom!Kaboom!
The targeted area erupted in explosions, turning into a scorched wasteland. Collapsed buildings spewed dark red smoke.
"Did we get him?"
A nearby mage's voice carried over. Instead of answering, Raymond shook his head with a dark expression.
It had been a massive magical bombardment, but it lacked the firepower to take down a grand mage.
Sure enough, a single figure shot up into the sky through the dust and dark red smoke.
A gray shadow—from him emanated tremendous mana. Any mage of mid-tier or higher could gauge his level from it. The Imperial Army mages' faces drained of color.
"I-it's definitely a grand mage!"
Someone shouted, sparking a moment of unrest.
"Imperial Army, do not falter!"
Raymond raised the Soul Sword and bellowed. The unrest ceased. As a group second only to the Emperor's followers in fanaticism, they regained their composure upon hearing the Emperor's unwavering voice. But that alone wasn't enough.
"He's coming!"
Gestain, with his sharp aura detection, sensed the grand mage first and issued a warning.
The moment his warning echoed, the gray figure shot toward the Imperial Army with ferocious speed.
"Defend with shields!"
Someone shouted, and the Imperial Army mages layered their shields one atop another.
But the gray figure pierced through them all and landed at the center of the Imperial Army formation. As the gray-robed man swung his staff, winds laced with blades whipped out in all directions.
"Gaaah!"
"Arghhh!"
The Imperial Army mages didn't even have time to cast defensive spells. Amid screams of agony, knights and soldiers collapsed, spilling blood.
In the midst of the chaotic battlefield filled with screams, the gray-robed mage lifted his head and flashed a sly grin.
"The Ashen Mage, Marquis Ridicro, I presume."
Crimson Tower Lord Berenus Kyle whispered from the side. He had visited the Zeist Magic Kingdom before and thus recognized the face of the Ashen Mage, Marquis Ridicro.
"Damn it..."
A curse slipped out in frustration. He had desperately hoped it wasn't him, but the one who appeared was indeed Marquis Ridicro.
"Your Majesty. The enemy is a grand mage. Shouldn't we disperse the Imperial Army?"
"Look over there. The Black Legion is regrouping. If we disperse, we'll be picked off one by one."
Berenus suggested scattering the forces, but Raymond pointed to the Edriger Kingdom's Black Legion approaching at rapid speed and shook his head.
"Sir Cassius!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Cassius, who had been commanding the unit, rushed over at the Emperor's call.
"Lead the Imperial Army and crush the Black Legion."
"As you command!"
Cassius took the Imperial Army to engage the Black Legion.
Raymond led the remaining elite fighters to block the path of the Ashen Mage, Marquis Ridicro.
Bodies already littered the ground around him, and the floor was stained red with the blood of the Imperial Army.
"Ashen Mage, Marquis Ridicro."
"The Emperor of the Philius Empire knows my moniker. Should I consider this an honor?"
"No need. You're going to die here."
As Raymond raised his hand, Gestain stepped forward. Seeing this, Marquis Ridicro smirked and shook his head.
"Is that so?"
The moment Marquis Ridicro's calm voice faded into the air, a figure in pitch-black armor emerged from the shadows.
The sharp aura emanating from him indicated he was no low-rank fighter.
"A Sword Saint."
Gestain quietly reported. The Sword Saint of Edriger Kingdom had to be Livingsman, leader of the Royal Iron Knights.
Raymond's gaze quickly swept over Livingsman and Ridicro.
A Sword Saint and a grand mage. With two beings of such lofty realms radiating hostility right before him, it felt like the breath was catching in his throat.
Raymond poured more energy into the Soul Sword. The white blade shone even brighter.
"The Soul Sword of the 'Thousand Knights'... I've heard the rumors, but I never thought I'd see it in person. I'll call this an honor."
Marquis Ridicro's light provocation. But no one took the bait.
It's said that in clashes between those who have surpassed a certain realm, the outcome is decided in an instant.
Perhaps to avoid showing such an opening, both sides eyed each other warily in a standoff, neither making the first move.
Not far away, the Imperial Army and Black Legion were locked in fierce combat.
Marquis Ridicro's gaze briefly flicked toward the clash before returning.
He confirmed the Black Legion was being pushed back bit by bit and decided to make the first move.
"Blizzard."
With a quiet incantation, a high-tier spell completed. As Marquis Ridicro extended his hand, a brutal ice storm raged forth. The clear view turned thick white in an instant.
Silvia hurriedly summoned wind spirits to try to dispel the ice storm, but it was futile.
Though she was a high elf spiritist, she couldn't handle a grand mage's spell.
"I'll leave the Ashen Mage to you."
Raymond assigned Marquis Ridicro to Desia, the two Tower Lords, and headed with Gestain to block Livingsman.
"Your Majesty, the opponent is a Sword Saint."
"I know. That's why I can't let you fight alone."
"Your Majesty..."
Was he moved? Gestain's voice grew slightly emotional. Raymond gave a faint smile and aimed the Soul Sword at Livingsman.
By now, supporters glowing in various colors had formed around Raymond and were hovering.
"To swing my sword against the famous one-armed Sword Saint and the Emperor of the Philius Empire—what an honor."
Livingsman said. Gestain wasn't even in his sights; his gaze was fixed solely on Raymond.
"Does the Empire's Emperor look tastier than the one-armed Sword Saint?"
Raymond spat coldly. The one-armed Sword Saint, Gestain, narrowed his eyes sharply and blocked Livingsman's path.
He stared at Livingsman with icy eyes and opened his mouth.
"To reach His Majesty, you'll have to step over my corpse."
"If necessary, I'll gladly do so."
His voice brimmed with confidence. He smirked, drew his sword, and aura burst from the sun-glinting blade.
In response, Gestain forged a sharp aura blade, and Raymond infused even more energy into the Soul Sword.
Now at full readiness, they exchanged cold glares. In the deep tension, Gestain took the first step forward.
The instant he advanced one step, Livingsman flashed a faint smile and closed the distance to Gestain in a flash.
"Gestain!"
With a sharp warning, Raymond extended his hand. The waiting supporters shot toward Livingsman like arrows.
With acceleration buffs added, the magical orbs broke the sound barrier in an instant, targeting Livingsman's vitals from all sides.
It should have warranted alarm.
But in that fleeting moment, Raymond caught the leisurely smile on Livingsman's lips.
And the next instant, a blue flash erupted and scattered. When the blinding light faded, the menacing supporters had all vanished.
Livingsman then swung at Gestain.
"Ngh!"
The one-armed Sword Saint, Gestain, hurriedly raised his sword to block, but withstanding a blow backed by two arms' worth of power with just one arm wasn't easy.
He let out a rough grunt and staggered back greatly. Livingsman didn't miss the opening and swiftly swung again.
"Argh!"
Red blood sprayed. Livingsman's sword had deeply slashed Gestain's side.
As Livingsman prepared a finishing blow, Raymond wasn't about to just watch.
"Blink!"
With the completion of top-tier magic, the distance between Livingsman and Raymond shrank instantly.
Raymond swung the Soul Sword down at Livingsman's crown, radiating deadly intent.
Kaboom!
In that brief instant, a powerful strike enhanced by magic-boosted strength.
Livingsman blocked it.
The slash created a small crater at his feet, but Livingsman didn't even grunt—his defensive stance was as unyielding as a steel-clad mountain.
"Not bad."
His appraising tone made Raymond frown as he retreated.
Gestain steadied himself and soon swung his sword with gleaming eyes.
A dazzling flurry of continuous strikes forced Livingsman to step back a few paces.
"Hah! This much with one arm? What peculiar swordsmanship!"
Livingsman's lip twisted.
"Gestain! Don't give him time to yap!"
"As you command!"
The Emperor's order spurred the one-armed Sword Saint into action. The two Sword Saints exchanged blows.
A single hit could mean death.
Every strike targeted vitals. Amid tension like walking on thin ice, blades clashed back and forth.
Instead of immediately joining Gestain, Raymond gathered mana.
Livingsman, focused on trading blows with Gestain, belatedly sensed the ominous mana surge and paled.
"You bastard! What the hell are you trying to do?!"
"Sir Livingsman! Stop that Emperor right now!"
The Ashen Mage, Marquis Ridicro—who had been facing the two Tower Lords, Desia, and Silvia—sensed the eerie atmosphere and aimed his staff at Raymond.
But...
"Not on my watch! As long as I'm here, no one points that damned thing at His Majesty!"
Azure Tower Lord Risefield Dior stepped up. Squeezing out his remaining mana, he unleashed a high-tier spell at Marquis Ridicro.
It was insufficient to intercept him fully but enough to distract his attention briefly.
"You shall not pass!"
"Damn it!"
Gestain blocked Livingsman's path. Seizing the moment when both transcendents were stalled, Raymond completed the swordsman's mighty unique forbidden magic.
"Chains of Eternal Torment."
With the activation word, pitch-black chains tore through space and poured forth.
"Th-this is...!"
Livingsman recoiled in shock. The chains radiated an intensely ominous and immense mana.
He snapped to his senses and swung his sword while retreating, but the chains didn't yield an inch.
Even the Sword Saint's aura blade, which could slice steel like paper, couldn't scratch the Chains of Eternal Torment. Livingsman was left speechless.
"What in the world?!"
Instinctual fear of an unbeatable existence welled up.
He swung wildly to shake off the terror, but nothing could block Dayrian's unique forbidden art that had even sealed the depraved deity Astar.
Livingsman had reached the transcendent realm of Sword Saint, but he was still merely 'human.'
There was no escaping the completed Chains of Eternal Torment.
"D-damn it!"
His aura blade was useless. The more he swung, the deeper the fear grew, and the reaper with his scythe drew nearer.
"It's over, Sword Saint of Edriger Kingdom."
And so, the Emperor of the Philius Empire, Raymond, pronounced judgment on Livingsman.