Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Meeting the Villain (1)
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It began as a small spark. But soon it swelled into a red wave, engulfing the Black Orc tribe's village.
Crimson Tower Lord Berenus Kyle used his "Flame Shower" ability to spread the flames as widely as possible without letting them touch the commando unit.
"Kieeeek!"
The clustered Black Orcs screamed and scattered. Even these notoriously ferocious orcs among their kind were helpless against flames that cold steel couldn't pierce.
The shamans did their best to calm the inferno, but the blaze infused with high-level magic and the mana from a unique magic tool showed no signs of dying down.
"I'll clear the path."
Berenus spoke in a calm voice. Controlling flames over such a vast area consumed a massive amount of mana.
His face had gone pale.
"It's open."
The curtain of fire parted to either side. In the wake of the red storm, only devastation remained. They pressed forward, trampling the black ashes spewed by the flames.
They ran nonstop for about thirty minutes. Just as the armored knights' breathing grew ragged, the Azure Tower Lord detected traces of suspicious mana and alerted Raymond.
"It's a concealment magic circle. There's an alarm spell next to it, too."
At Risefield Dior's words, Raymond gathered his attendants and explained the plan.
While the forces under the Azure Tower Lord's command deliberately revealed themselves to lure out the Hashashin and ghost agents, Raymond would infiltrate deep into the hideout with a small team to rescue Marquis Crayer.
Once again, the plan placed a heavy burden of risk on Raymond, sparking fierce opposition led by Imperial Army commander Cassias. But Raymond pushed it through, citing the lack of time.
"Let's begin."
Azure Tower Lord Risefield Dior drew the Sea Heart. As immense mana gathered in the blue gem, the hidden ghost agents revealed themselves from all around.
"Now!"
With a sharp shout, Raymond led the remaining members straight into the barrier.
The alarm spell began to blare, but most of the ghost agents in the hideout had rushed outside to intercept the suddenly appearing high mage, leaving only a scant few to greet Raymond's group.
"Ugh!"
"Gah!"
The ghost agents struck down by Cassias and Kron leading the charge collapsed, spilling blood.
"Ice Spear!"
With a shrill cry, an ice lance shot straight from the magic circle at Desia's fingertips, piercing a ghost agent's chest.
"Kuh!"
As the ghost agent fell with a final agonized scream, Cassias and Kron pressed on without pause into the cave depths.
No proper lighting had been installed, making it feel like a Hashashin could spring from any shadow in the darkness. But fear held no place in their hearts now.
"Graaaah!"
A scream erupted ahead as they advanced relentlessly. An ambush from the shadows.
They turned toward the cry, but all that lay there was a fallen knight's corpse bleeding out—no sign of the attacker.
"Light!"
Raymond cast a spell to banish the darkness. Mana converged above his head, emitting a brilliant glow. Still, no assailant appeared.
"It's a Hashashin!"
Only a Hashashin could hide even in light with "Perfect Stealth." At Raymond's shout, Gestain stuck close to his side, Desia prepared a defensive spell, and the knights raised their swords, scanning the surroundings.
"They're nearby."
Gestain whispered softly. Even a high knight without magic could only sense that much about the concealed presence.
They could block an attack, but pinpointing Perfect Stealth required a top-tier mage or higher.
"Incoming."
Sensing an invisible force surging toward the 5th Prince, Gestain stepped forward to shield him. His mana-infused blade clashed with the Hashashin's dagger.
To counter the mana sword, the Hashashin channeled his own mana, automatically breaking his stealth—but other hidden presences lingered.
"Imperial Guard, stay alert! There's more than one Hashashin!"
"Imperial Army, protect His Highness the 5th Prince!"
Two Imperial Guard members and one Imperial Army knight rushed to his side. Cassias and Kron pressed their backs together, watching their flanks.
"Graaah!"
Gestain deeply slashed one Hashashin's throat. Before the limp body hit the ground, more burst from the shadows.
About five of them. The tunnel was wide for a cave, but not enough for over ten to fight freely, turning it into a chaotic melee.
Right beside them, the two Imperial Guard escorts and one Imperial Army knight failed to handle a single Hashashin and collapsed, gushing blood.
"My lord!"
Gestain tried to rush over, but three Hashashin blocked his path.
Even as a high knight, facing three Hashashin with his one-armed sword style still imperfect was no easy feat.
"It's over!"
The dagger flashing from the dark bore a mana sword.
Mana use broke Perfect Stealth for a surprise attack. Gestain was tied up with three, the two Tower Lords were outside, and the only one nearby was advanced mage Desia Heli.
"I declare: your blade shall not breach my barrier."
A massive blue-glowing magic circle unleashed mana that formed a shield.
"That puny shield!"
The Hashashin's dagger plunged into the mana shield but couldn't pierce it.
Shocked that his mana sword was blocked, he tried to release it and retreat—but blue-glowing mana chains erupted from the shield, binding his legs.
"Th-this...!"
"Well done, Desia! Keep him pinned!"
No help from escorts. Raymond had no choice but to step in. He drew his Soul Sword and summoned mana.
Before the "Blessing of Sword and Magic," it felt like mana backlash was twisting his channels, but he didn't stop.
"Mist!"
His level wasn't high enough for top-tier Blind, so he summoned fog to temporarily obscure the Hashashins' vision.
White mist clouded their sight. It would panic most, but the Hashashin calmly retrieved his shortsword and parried Raymond's strike.
Flowing smoothly, he aimed his other dagger at Raymond's throat.
A seasoned assassin's lethal move targeting vitals in one breath—but Raymond dodged it effortlessly.
"What... are you...?"
That sword strike was sharp, the evasion unnatural. The Hashashin eyed Raymond warily, dagger poised.
Not an easy mark.
He revised his assessment. Meanwhile, Gestain impaled a blocking Hashashin's heart, and Cassias charged in after shaking off his foe.
Dragging it out favored them. His eyes gleamed coldly through his mask's slit as he raised his dagger.
"A thousand knights stand with me at my back. It won't be easy."
Raymond uttered cryptic words and lunged. His vivid white mana sword cleaved the air, red blood spraying.
"Kuh!"
"Your Highness!"
The first groan came from the 5th Prince, Raymond. Losing balance, he tumbled to the ground, a dagger embedded in his thigh.
Cassias gaped and sprinted over; Gestain unleashed superhuman strength to fell another Hashashin.
As everyone reeled in shock and fury, only Raymond—in agonizing pain—curled his lips into a smile.
Ignoring Cassias rushing to support him, he silently pointed ahead with a finger. There stood the Hashashin.
"Your Highness! I'll protect you!"
Imperial Army commander Cassias boldly raised his sword, but the Hashashin didn't twitch.
The moment doubt flickered, Cassias's head lolled loosely to the ground, his body crumpling.
"A... Hashashin...?"
Cassias stared in horror. He'd heard from Gestain—now somewhat friendly—that the 5th Prince Raymond's swordsmanship talent was extraordinary, but not this much.
The "Hashashin" were elite assassins renowned even in the night-ruling Edriger Kingdom.
Even restrained, decapitating one was no small feat.
"Your Highness... how in the world...?"
"Stop the bleeding. No time."
Hashashin appearing meant they'd detected intruders. No intent to keep Marquis Crayer alive anyway—they could execute him their way anytime.
Time was short.
"Y-yes, sir."
Moved by Raymond pressing on for the Philius Empire despite his wound, Cassias deeply bandaged his thigh.
Desia cast a hemostasis spell from behind, and Gestain rejoined after mopping up the rest. The middle-aged one-armed knight's face was pale.
My failure.
A chill ran down his spine at the near-loss of his lord. If the Hashashin had been unscathed, that dagger might have hit his throat instead.
"My lord..."
"Sir Cassias. Take point."
"Yes, sir!"
Raymond cut off Gestain—predicting his words—by ordering Cassias.
"I'll clear the way!"
Imperial Army commander Cassias charged ahead. They ran tensely for a minute. Then a cold gust whooshed in!
They'd left the tunnel for a vast chamber.
"I see Marquis Crayer. Five ghost agents in stealth nearby... Looks like they're using him as bait."
"Then we strike from range."
Desia's report, her sight enhanced by mana. An obvious trap waiting for them to close in—but they didn't know about this side's advanced mage.
"Desia, you got this?"
"Of course. Leave it to me."
She extended her hand, unleashing an ice storm. It wiped out the ghost agents hiding near Marquis Crayer in an instant. She beamed at Raymond like a puppy awaiting praise.
He nodded vaguely, then limped over with Desia.
Kron, Cassias, and Gestain followed warily.
"Your Highness the 5th Prince?"
Marquis Crayer's voice trembled as he confirmed Raymond's face up close. He'd never dreamed the 5th Prince would come himself.
Gratitude mixed with self-loathing for daring to test him.
"Marquis Crayer, you look like hell."
"Can't be helped after torture."
Marquis Crayer chuckled dryly at Raymond's words.
The ghost unit had tried wringing info with their famed torture, but he'd stayed silent. They'd just called him stubborn and scheduled execution—perfect timing for Raymond's rescue.
"Take this."
Raymond took a spare sword from Cassias and handed it over.
Needed a weapon in this dangerous place. As a high knight-level swordsman, even battered by wounds and torture, Marquis Crayer could protect himself.
"Your Highness is my benefactor. I shall repay this debt."
Clutching the sword, Marquis Crayer spoke calmly.
The 5th Prince came first. Rumors of him as a wastrel no longer mattered—he was House Crayer's savior.
"Save the thanks for after we escape."
"Fair enough."
Raymond stepped forward—or tried to.
"Wh-what is this?"
Something bound his legs, halting him.
"Your Highness!"
"Binding spell! I'll dispel it now!"
Desia summoned mana. The spell lifted instantly. But her face paled under the light spell—considerable mana spent.
"How intriguing."
A feminine voice from the dark, accompanied by a brown-robed female mage stepping into view.
Raymond easily guessed her identity from the chain-shaped brooch on her robe's chest and the long purple hair peeking from her hood.
Her name was.
"Elpis."
"Oh? You know my name?"
She didn't deny it. Confirmation. Raymond bit his lip. He'd met the foe he'd hoped to avoid.
Already?
The villain from volume 1's latter half—earlier than expected.