Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 077
Chapter Title: Their Limits
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"Can you move?"
"The wind mages, get the wounded..."
"Escort the elders first! Hurry!"
Amid the bustling mages, Kyle channeled holy flame into the holy sword.
As the flickering sacred flames died down, Rebecca Kemston approached.
"Mr. Clark. Are you ready?"
"Yes."
The holy sword of Ludicium glowed faintly once charged.
Gazing at it, she let out a soft exclamation.
"...I thought so from the start, but this is truly an incredible relic."
"You think so?"
"Yes. It's rare for an object to emanate such holy energy without being a holy relic itself."
And rightly so—this was a treasure from the Montena Holy Knight Order, which had perished centuries ago.
Its value was immeasurable.
But what truly drew her eye was the holy flame emanating from Kyle's hand.
'What remarkable mana.'
It felt utterly different from ordinary fire mana.
The sanctity and warmth emanating from it seemed to wash away even the lingering curse within her.
'Even the black-and-white hues are extraordinary, and now blended with holiness.'
She lightly touched the edge of the flame and pondered.
'Is this mana possible only because he's a descendant of the Origin Mage?'
Of course, Montena's holy flame wasn't fire mana at all, nor related to the Origin Mage, but Rebecca, seeing it for the first time, had no way of knowing.
With the holy sword charged, Kyle stood up.
"Now, the question is who to entrust the archangel's holy relic to."
He had been acknowledged as its owner, but to maintain the barrier, they couldn't take Raphael's relic with them.
'Is there anyone suitable?'
On a hunch, Kyle activated [Soul Eye] toward the mages.
A variety of souls materialized before him.
Among them, one man stood out in Kyle's eyes—a bespectacled figure with the quintessential scholar's look.
'That guy's definitely...'
Kyle searched his memory.
'The heir of the Bowen Family, right?'
Pierre Bowen, if he recalled correctly.
Not one of the Origin Five Families, yet his soul shone brighter and purer than the other mages'.
Focusing his intent on him, emotions flooded Kyle's mind like data.
'Calm, composed, a touch of worry, compassion...'
But that was just the start.
'Quiet but strong leadership and sense of responsibility, plus exceptional situational judgment?'
Kyle blinked.
'Now I can see this stuff too?'
He couldn't say if it was because [Soul Eye] was a growth-type skill.
But clearly, it was beginning to capture more than just emotions.
'Ah, I see.'
The soul was the source of mana and a database recording the essence of one's existence.
Thus, before the eye that beheld souls, no lies or disguises could hold.
In other words, it allowed glimpses of a person's hidden essence, talents, tendencies.
Satisfied with his realization, Kyle spoke up.
"Let's entrust this holy relic to the direct heir of the Bowen Family."
"Pardon?"
Rebecca's surprised expression made Kyle blink.
"Is there a problem?"
"Oh, no! It's just..."
She continued, looking flustered.
"I was actually going to recommend Bowen myself if you hadn't picked anyone yet."
He didn't know the mages of the Magic Tower well, yet he'd zeroed in on Bowen exactly—how could she not be surprised?
'Most people distrust him because of his scholarly vibe.'
His quiet nature didn't help; even among Magic Tower folk, those not close to him often dismissed him as just a meek researcher.
'And he saw through that at a glance.'
It was nothing short of astonishing insight.
Thinking that, she quickly added,
"Anyway, an excellent choice. He might not look it, but he's incredibly responsible with great judgment."
"Perfect. Could you call him over for me?"
"Of course."
Rebecca fetched Bowen, who was helping others, and he widened his eyes in surprise.
"You're entrusting the holy relic to me?"
"Yes. You seem the most suitable to me."
Bowen glanced at Rebecca as if to ask if she'd said something.
She shook her head vigorously, forming an X with her fingers to say she hadn't.
Bowen eyed Kyle curiously.
"Are you opposed?"
"No, not at all. It's an honor."
Taking the relic reverently in both hands, he continued.
"It's just... unexpected. I'm rarely entrusted with such important tasks."
Kyle smiled.
"I believe you'll handle it better than anyone here, Mr. Bowen."
"...!"
Bowen's eyes blinked, then he nodded with resolute expression.
"Understood. I'll ensure this relic is transported safely."
"Good. I trust you completely."
Exchanging nods with Rebecca, Bowen returned to the others. Kyle turned to Satein and Tomerson.
"Then let's get going ourselves."
Satein nodded.
"Yes, the ritual is ready just in time."
A glowing blue mana light shone from the breached roof.
Rebecca's face paled as if she'd known it was coming.
Tomerson smirked.
"Scared, Kemston?"
"...I'm fine."
Kyle stepped onto the ritual circle.
"As I said, I'll go first. When I shoot light into the sky, follow after."
The three, including Rebecca, nodded.
'...We could go by land, but...'
Who knew what interference awaited on the way to the Kemston estate?
The ground was likely fortified.
'Better to fly.'
It was faster than running and perfect for catching them off guard.
Kyle tilted his head slightly.
'Lately, it feels like I'm flying or falling from the sky a lot.'
"Ready?"
Satein asked, and Kyle gave a thumbs-up.
Exchanging glances with Tomerson, he declared,
"Departing!"
Tomerson snapped his fingers, activating the ritual.
As Kyle shifted his center of gravity downward amid the brilliant mana light—
Boom!! A massive ice pillar erupted beneath him at tremendous speed.
"Hup!"
Launched like a bullet from the recoil, Kyle soared.
As his momentum began to wane, Satein's wind magic activated from his combat boots, propelling him toward the southeast district.
Whoosh!!
"Block every possible route they could take!"
"Move, now!!"
The core forces of Levebruck, who had arrived at the Kemston estate ahead of time leading their minions, were busy with defenses.
Among them, Hans Levebruck—Otto's younger brother—issued orders to the mages.
"Install trap magic along every path, not just minions."
"Yes!"
"Status on the Kemston estate's barrier?"
"Dismantling it now."
"Hurry. We can't let them turn it against us."
The Origin Five Families had protective barriers around their estates for emergencies.
Sapientia's survivors had held out thanks to the holy relic's barrier and Fleetwood's estate defenses.
"Scatter 'eyes' at every chokepoint and load the barrage rituals. The Butcher will come here soon."
Hans narrowed his eyes.
'Brother said to stall and retreat...'
He had no such intention.
'The Butcher dies here, by my hand.'
It was partly to avenge his cherished nephew Franz, but not only that.
A surge of intoxicating power filled Hans's body.
His demon-corrupted flesh granted an unprecedented omnipotence.
'Yes.'
Hans's lips curled.
'With the power from Lord Malphas...!'
Lost in the vortex of immense mana he'd never felt before, he laughed.
'With this mana...!'
He could do anything.
Even realms of magic he'd despaired of due to lack of talent—this power could reach them.
Killing the Butcher? With this power!
He wondered,
'Why did I ever hesitate just because it was a demon?'
Who knew contracting would feel this good...!
Unaware his soul was rotting, Hans—eyes slitted like a snake—spoke.
"Remember: when the 'eye' catches the Butcher, unleash the loaded barrage rituals on those coordinates."
The Levebruck battle mages bowed.
"Yes!!"
"Don't spare mana. Lord Malphas will provide more."
He slammed his staff down.
"The Butcher! Dies by our hands today!"
"Ha!!"
"Blood revenge on Levebruck's enemy!"
"Revenge!"
Then it happened.
A jolt of mana swept through some mages' minds.
Someone shouted,
"...! Lord Hans! The 'eye' activated!"
"!!"
'He's here!'
Hans grinned crookedly.
"All units! Load rituals!!"
"Load rituals!!"
Mana lights fired from all directions as he bellowed,
"Where?! Coordinates...!"
"It's..."
The mage reading them widened his eyes.
"...Insane!"
He yelled urgently,
"The sky...!!"
"What?!"
Mages looked up at Sapientia's sky in unison.
And there it was—a tiny dot streaking across the heavens at insane speed.
Someone zoomed in with magic and screamed,
"I-it's the Butcher...!! The Butcher!!"
Shocked, Hans shouted,
"Redirect intercept rituals now!!"
"Sky! Aim for the sky...!!!"
Levebruck mages hastily targeted the heavens.
Hans roared,
"What are you doing, damn it!! Fire already!!"
"Fire!!"
Immense magic barrages rocketed skyward.
Kaboom kaboom kaboom!!
Blinding explosions tore at eyes and ears.
BOOM!!
The sheer force shook even Malphas's sturdy barrier.
But as the glare faded, a mage shielding his eyes muttered,
"...Got him?"
"What kind of mad bastard..."
A thunder spear pierced the dust cloud, striking their midst.
BOOM!!
"Aaaagh!!"
"Uwaaaah!!"
Caught utterly off guard, the mages screamed.
"What?!"
Hans's eyes bulged.
"He survived that point-blank?!"
Even if their response was slow, it was a full-powered barrage.
Grazed, not a bone would remain...!
"Butcher...! Incoming!!"
Propelled by "Ancient Winds," Kyle hurtled toward them at high speed.
"Damn it!"
Hans yelled,
"Don't get cocky, Butcher!"
Stepping forward, he unleashed his black mana explosively.
"You won't set foot in the Kemston estate!"
A massive shadow swallowed Kyle instantly.
A powerful dark magic warping space to trap foes—Hans laughed maniacally.
"Kahahahaha! Struggle all you want!"
His eyes twisted viciously.
"Now I'll crush that space entirely!"
Impossible without demonic power.
Drunk on it, as Hans prepared the next ritual—
"...!?"
Gurgle! Blood sprayed from his mouth.
"Wh-what... is..."
His trembling gaze struggled to his chest.
There, inexplicably, a strange blade protruded like a thorn.
His pupils dilated in shock.
"H-how..."
Drip, drip—blood fell.
A foreign voice whispered in his ear.
"I'd love to play longer."
As the magic collapsed, Kyle emerged, sword thrust into the [Subspace].
"But I'm short on time."
Withdrawing the holy sword from [Subspace], the blade piercing Hans's back burst through his chest.
"Guh?!"
Crimson blood fountained forth.
Black-and-white holy flames ignited from the wound.
"U, uwaaaah! Aaaaah!!"
Hans Levebruck was engulfed and purified in a blink.
But briefly.
"Urk... guh..."
He crumpled to his knees.
The Levebruck mages cried out in horror.
"L-Lord Hans!"
"So anticlimactically...!!"
"Impossible!"
And more.
"W-was that just subspace?"
"How did that man use subspace?!"
"No way! This can't be!"
Retreating in fear, among them Johanna Levebruck—a collateral related to Otto—shouted,
"Everyone! Don't panic, cast attack magic...!!"
"You should've done that ages ago."
"?!"
Kyle, now among them, made Johanna's eyes bulge.
He clicked his tongue briefly.
"...I've noticed this for a while."
Flicking a light-attribute magic artifact from [Subspace] with his finger, he said,
"You lot lack real combat experience. Way too much."
An ominous glow poured forth.
Someone stared blankly upward and muttered,
"Oh, shit..."
Then, a colossal light bombardment crashed down on their heads.
Ku-kaboom!!