Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Benefactor of the World Tree (2)
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The Blessing of Sword and Magic. It was the greatest stroke of fortune that allowed Richard to become the protagonist in the novel [Empire of the Dead], infamous for its slaughter of supporting characters. And now, Raymond was trying to steal that very fortune from Richard.
Silvia explained that the statue of the first magic swordsman, Dairian, who bestowed the blessing, lay dormant within the deep barrier surrounding the World Tree.
"Shall I guide you there right away?"
"No, first we need to gather some herbs to save."
It was preparatory work to minimize the side effects before receiving the blessing. Raymond recited the list of required herbs.
They weren't common types like 'Tears of the Crescent Moon' or 'Star of the Night' that could be found nearby, but fortunately, Silvia quickly procured them from stock.
There was no need to brew them into potions, so he simply popped them into his mouth and chewed. A bitter taste flooded in, but it wasn't unbearable.
"Let's go."
Having consumed them, the backlash from the blessing would be greatly reduced. Raymond followed Silvia. Soon, she opened the deep barrier, and they entered.
Passing the World Tree and venturing a bit deeper, they spotted a statue in the shape of a sword embedded in the ground.
Raymond instantly recognized that this statue, infused with an alien mana, was the source of the 'Blessing of Sword and Magic' mentioned in the author's setting notes.
"Gestain, and Desia."
"Awaiting your command, my lord."
"What are your orders?"
His two subordinates approached and bowed their heads.
"Until the blessing is complete, ensure no one approaches me."
This was the deep barrier where few other elves passed through. Still, it was wise to prepare for the unexpected.
"We shall obey your command."
"The shield will always remain by Your Highness the 5th Prince's side."
Satisfied with Gestain and Desia's responses, Raymond nodded and stepped toward the statue.
As he drew closer, his heart pounded. Here was the reason Richard was destined to be the protagonist.
The final blessing of the first magic swordsman, Dairian. This one is mine.
He stopped and extended his hand toward the statue.
Sorry, but this belongs to me.
The moment his hand touched it, the statue unleashed a torrent of intense energy. The waterfall-like surge poured straight into Raymond's body.
It's starting.
Raymond's eyes grew cold. The 'forced' remodeling of his mana circuits—enabled by the blessing to wield both mana sword and magic simultaneously—had begun.
It started mildly, like a stomachache with a dull ache in his gut. But soon the pain spread to his heart.
A stifling pressure, as if his veins were clogged, rose up, accompanied by the agony of hundreds of needles stabbing his heart.
"Kuh!"
As the pain spread through his body, Raymond staggered with a short groan. Far from a gentle blessing, the 'Blessing of Sword and Magic' was a reconstruction of mana circuits and flesh, inevitably excruciating.
"Your Highness the 5th Prince!"
"Captain of the Guard! You can't go now!"
Startled by Raymond's distress, Gestain lunged forward, only for Desia to block him. As a mage on the cusp of supreme realm, she sensed what was happening in Raymond's body.
Her eyes sparkled as she observed the 'transformation' unfolding.
This ancient method of bodily reconstruction offered her profound insights. Analyzing it further in her spare time might even shatter the wall to the supreme realm.
"Urgh!"
The pain intensified until standing was impossible, and Raymond collapsed helplessly.
Gestain desperately held back, aching to support him, but Desia had explained why interference was forbidden.
"Hah... hah!"
Writhing on the ground, he gasped roughly. His body twisted in extreme agony, organs ravaged, vomiting blood.
Even with prior knowledge of the settings, herbs to minimize backlash and suppress pain, it was this bad. How did Richard endure it bare-handed? The thought flashed by.
The protagonist title wasn't just the author's favoritism, it seemed.
"Lady Desia. How much longer must we wait?"
Gestain couldn't contain his frustration after three hours. Unlike the calm Desia and Silvia, he paced restlessly.
His usual stoicism cracked into hypersensitivity at Raymond's suffering.
"I don't know."
"Is there anything certain?"
"One thing. Approaching His Highness now would only hinder him?"
Gestain bit his lip in dissatisfaction. Desia thought it fortunate the Azure Tower Lord wasn't here.
If even the reserved Gestain was like this, the dramatic lord would be unbearable. Just imagining it drew a sigh.
"We can only wait."
All they could do was stand guard.
The first day was torment from dawn to dusk. The pain worsened over time, his body twisting relentlessly.
On the second day, reconstruction continued endlessly. He'd read the settings, but theory and practice were worlds apart—a brutal lesson.
By the third day, even screams failed. Only dying gasps echoed.
Gestain chewed his lips raw; Desia fidgeted, eyes darting.
Silvia brought food, but the loyal pair neither ate nor drank, standing vigil by Raymond.
Then, on the fourth morning after the blessing, as Silvia paled and rushed out of the deep barrier, returning after thirty minutes with dire news to Gestain and Desia.
"We must flee immediately."
Her face ashen, she urged escape. But neither stirred.
"The Guard does not flee."
"I'll stay by His Highness to the end."
Biting her lip at their devotion, Silvia realized persuasion was futile. She vanished again, and the knight and mage's watch continued. How much time passed?
"Hah!"
A scream-like cry as Raymond regained consciousness. After twisting countless times in agony, vomiting, he felt reborn—refreshed.
"My lord!"
"Your Highness!"
Sensing the reconstruction's end, Gestain and Desia rushed over, expecting exhaustion, ready to support. But no need.
Raymond waved them off and rose in one fluid motion.
Power surged through him. Four sleepless days of pain, yet he felt invigorated, as after deep sleep.
"My lord, we must swiftly exit the Blue Forest."
What now, just after the blessing? Raymond's questioning gaze prompted Desia.
"The village is under attack."
"Enemy affiliation and numbers?"
"Mercenaries, estimated over three hundred."
Three hundred ordinary mercenaries were manageable for the Platinum Grass Clan's elf patrols. But these breached the barrier. Weakened or not, it was the World Tree's barrier. Ordinary? Doubtful.
"First, out of the deep barrier."
Raymond spoke calmly. To leave the Platinum Grass village, they had to exit the World Tree's deep barrier.
"I'll lead."
"I leave it to you, Gestain."
Gestain drew his sword and took point. The sight beyond the barrier was hellish.
Village ablaze, elves captured by rough mercenaries, dragged away. Some suffered horribly. They hadn't noticed yet.
They could flee now, but Raymond read hesitation in Gestain's back. His sword trembled slightly in his right hand.
Torn between vows: never tolerate injustice, protect lord at all costs.
"My lord, I'll find a safe path..."
"Captain of the Guard, Gestain."
He'd decided, but Raymond chuckled and shook his head.
"Plant my banner here."
"My lord, the enemy numbers three hundred..."
Planting the banner meant engaging.
"But skirmishes with the Platinum Grass patrols have thinned their ranks."
"My lord, it's dangerous."
"They say a high imperial knight equals a hundred foes. Was that wrong?"
He couldn't lose Silvia like this. Raymond prodded Gestain lightly; resolve hardened.
"If it turns perilous, we'll retreat at once."
Raymond nodded.
"When that time comes, I'll heed the captain's word."
Gestain sighed shortly, planted the standard, and unfurled the banner.
Only then did mercenaries' eyes gather.
"That looks like an imperial banner?"
"What do we do?"
Even rowdy mercenaries feared royalty. Their vile acts paused briefly.
Sobs and moans aside, silence like time frozen.
"But where's the Imperial Army?"
"No army? We can kill 'em, right?"
"Boss, what now?"
No army visible, yet the captain hesitated, suspecting a trap.
As he pondered, others moved first.
From shadows, drawing sharp daggers—not mere mercenaries. Black shadows walking the path of darkness.
Assassins.
"Shield!"
Desia's sharp voice rang as she thrust her hand forward.
A blue-mana shield blocked the dagger barrage. Simultaneously, Raymond extended both hands, completing a magic circle.
"Ice Rain!"
Ice poured from the sky. Over ten mercenaries fell without resistance to the advanced spell's might.
"Who dares attack!"
The captain bellowed, unanswered.
Not his men—2nd Prince's direct subordinates striking.
But matters tangled; to survive, they must kill the 5th Prince.
"Kill him!"
Mercenaries' killing intent targeted Raymond. First movers: cavalry.
Twenty horsemen near the captain leveled lances at him.
"Where do you point those spears?"
Mana stirred behind. Desia chanting.
As cavalry accelerated, the spell dropped overhead. Ice shards toppled horses, unhorsing riders.
"High-realm mage!"
"At least two!"
Mercenaries scrambled, but Raymond wasn't idle.
"Platinum Grass Clan patrols, rally under this banner!"
He fanned resistance flames. Nearby resisting elf patrols gathered. Not many, but enough to challenge remaining foes.
"Their numbers are few! Scatter and charge!"
Cavalry annihilated, yet mercenaries plentiful. Archers among them, even a few low-to-mid mages.
"Loose!"
Arrows rained; mercenary mages' attacks pierced air.
Desia raised mana shield; rallied elves under banner loosed arrows unceasingly.
Mercenaries, thinned by prior clashes, dwindled fast under Raymond and Desia's magic.
But they weren't the end. As the mercenary band neared annihilation, a new group emerged.