Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Infinite Void
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[Infinite Void]
It originated from the inspiration that only the absence of eternity is eternal.
If the [First Form: Sphere of the Void], which constructed this into a perfect cycle, is an ultimate barrier and a microcosm of the world…
Then the [Second Form: Arc of the Void] is an ultimate technique that gathers the power that was meant to expand outward and unleashes it all at once.
It is a veil and a barrier, an umbrella and a wide-area arrow, and a launchpad for area-of-effect magic.
This time, I had only poured mana into launching the captured weapons, so its power was significantly reduced compared to when I annihilated Naberius.
Yet, those who witnessed it seemed utterly shocked.
Because this was Rhodes.
“…”
“…”
But neither the knights nor the Union members could voice any reaction.
Loan spoke.
“I know the knights were pursuing me. It must be related to Lady Philippa. I will go and explain myself directly. But how did you all get here, seniors…”
The divine technique Loan had displayed was so powerful that the knights remained silent, offering no response.
A man from the Union, wearing a Seeker-grade badge, answered the question.
“Tethys, Captain of the 1st Recon Team of the Practical Division. We’ve been following you since Ferrara, Loan.”
Loan placed a fist on his chest and asked again.
“Is that so? No information appeared on my messenger, so I just assumed I was continuing a solo mission.”
He then belatedly opened his notebook, and only then did the pages begin to fill with mana script.
It was as if a blocked dam had burst, and information came flooding out.
‘Did the message not get through because I was underground?’
It wasn't a situation where he could examine it closely, but even a quick glance revealed that quite a lot had happened.
In particular, the small- to medium-scale riots and battles occurring in Bersa and Ferrara.
The movements of the support unit, formed based on the messages Loan had sent, caught his eye.
The Practical Division’s Recon Team. They had crossed the sea and come all this way to help him.
“…”
Tethys remained vigilant, his guard still up against the knights.
If no one mediated, blood might be shed.
Loan first apologized politely to Tethys.
“It seems I was a bit reckless in carrying out the solo mission assigned by Vice-Commander Oscar. I’ve caused you all worry.”
“We were bound to clash while chasing you together, but don’t worry about it. All that matters is that we’ve confirmed your safety.”
The words were simple but incredibly comforting.
The hurt feelings he had harbored from his experience with Boris vanished in an instant.
It felt like he was finally meeting true Union seniors.
Loan asked Tethys for a moment and turned to face the knights.
Most of them flinched.
“In any case, since I was the target, why don’t we stop this unnecessary fight? Otherwise, there seems to be no reason for the Union to fight the Knights of Rhodes.”
A man stepped forward and answered Loan’s words.
“I am Vagelis of the Knights of Rhodes. How can we trust one who has swayed minds with wicked magic? I suspect what we just saw was also some form of illusion or bewitchment.”
“Hmm… Now that you mention it, perhaps there is a reason to fight. Then what would it take for you to believe me?”
“I do not believe you. Unless it is in the form of an arrest.”
He had crossed a line.
Even if there were suspicions, treating the Union this way was unacceptable.
It meant someone who lacked the standing was breaking the unwritten rule between the duchies.
Loan realized that his seniors hadn't acted for no reason.
Suddenly, Tethys lightly tapped Loan’s shoulder.
“Our only mission is your safe return. If your mission is still ongoing, do as you see fit. Don’t worry about anything else.”
His words seemed to read Loan’s mind.
Tethys’s thoughtful advice calmed his heart.
All his indecision on what to do vanished completely.
“Thank you. I do plan to meet with the Duke of Rhodes and Miss Philippa. I think that will put my mind at ease.”
“Good.”
Tethys nodded, a somewhat pleased smile on his face.
But his next words and actions were of a very different nature.
“We will escort Loan to Silas Castle. Eliminate any threats in advance.”
Simultaneously, ten members of the Practical Division repositioned themselves around Loan and Bella.
Each had a hand on their hip, and the pressure they exuded was sharp enough to cut skin.
Many among the Knights of Rhodes sensed it as well.
The throwing weapons from before had been a mere check; now, they were certain the Union would act in earnest.
There was a stark difference between those who had been posturing on a remote island without any major threats and those who fought life-and-death battles every day.
Despite this, Vagelis of the knights did not abandon his pride.
“All of you, watch them to ensure they don’t try any tricks, and escort them.”
Though he said that, he himself remained at a considerable distance.
He had ordered an escort, but no one made a move that resembled one.
They all just aimed their swords, watching cautiously, and when Loan and the Practical Division members moved, they simply followed, maintaining their distance.
And so, Loan led a rather large group of people toward Silas Castle.
The number of people was incomparable to when he had first arrived.
Within the group, various thoughts and emotions intertwined.
Loan wrapped himself in Convection to prevent Bella’s dark mana from affecting others as he reviewed the events of the past days.
Bella, wondering why her strength was draining again, had no choice but to follow Loan.
On the other hand…
The tension between the Union and the knights dissipated quickly over time.
The first reason was that the initial formation had naturally fallen apart due to the distance. The second was that a significant number of the Practical Division members were from Rhodes.
In the heat of the moment, they hadn't had time to think, but as they walked and stole glances at each other, someone finally mustered the courage to speak.
“Hey, you there. Aren’t you from Lalas? You look familiar.”
“Obiria? Oh, you’re the younger sister of my older sister’s friend’s older brother’s ex-wife?”
“That’s right, Sakis! You don’t remember me? We went to gather honey and got stung a ton.”
Before the years had separated them, they had been neighborhood friends, distant acquaintances, or the brother or sister of a friend. There were countless such connections.
A new formation naturally took shape.
The Union maintained their formation surrounding Loan and Bella, while the knights formed up around them, once again in an escorting posture.
And so they journeyed, lost in memories.
This continued into their camp that night.
After Tethys and Vagelis agreed to a truce that wasn't quite a truce, both sides set up camp together, cooked the animals they had hunted, and shared the meal.
The people of Rhodes were wary of outsiders, but their dispositions were generally friendly and open-hearted.
This was one of the reasons why many from Rhodes joined the Practical Division. Their personalities were well-suited for quickly settling into new regions.
Loan and Bella received a great deal of attention.
“About that technique from earlier. It was possible because it was based on magic, wasn’t it?”
Some asked politely, while others praised him for an unbelievable achievement at such a young age.
“There were rumors you were a demon, but you don’t look like one at all. What kind of demon is so weak and docile?”
Others whispered quietly as they watched Bella, who was drained of energy from sticking close to Loan.
However, even as the formal lines of escort and arrest blurred, it was strange to everyone that Loan and Bella remained so close.
Loan decided to be honest this time.
He judged there was no point in hiding it, as Bella must have already figured out why she was so drained.
“If I let her go, more people will lose their minds like Miss Philippa. The people here will also be affected on the way back to Silas Castle. I am using a suppression spell. It only works if I stay close to her.”
“What?”
The most surprised of all was Bella.
“Is that true? Not the other way around?”
“…”
Loan had thought Bella was quite clever, but it seemed her intelligence had regressed since becoming a new being.
Feeling a great sense of betrayal, she didn't speak to Loan after that.
Thanks to this, Loan felt considerably more comfortable and slightly regretted not telling her from the start.
Another day passed, and then another.
As they neared the city, those who had been chatting, joking, and relaxing straightened their posture.
It wasn't just because of watchful eyes around them.
The atmosphere was completely different from when they had left.
Signs of battle were easily visible everywhere.
People had shut their doors and were not coming outside.
The Knights of Rhodes immediately scattered to assess the situation.
Then they returned, as if reporting to the Union and Loan.
“They say there was an attack.”
“It’s because the knights were away for longer than necessary.”
“I heard Silas Castle has already fallen into their hands.”
Loan, who had been listening, asked out of curiosity.
“Who was it that attacked?”
Vagelis answered.
“The Grave. It seems a large number of the Nostra bastards crossed over from Ferrara.”
They were the ones who had been chasing Loan until he threw himself into the sea at Ferrara.
Could they have followed him here?
As Loan looked at Tethys with suspicion, Tethys gave a slight nod.
“It’s a valid suspicion. The reason we started looking for you in the first place was because of the traces you left after annihilating the Nostra. We later learned that not just us, but they too were pursuing you.”
“Even across the sea?”
“They’re the type. They consider each other family and value loyalty above all else, so revenge is their number one priority.”
“So that’s why they were so desperate.”
“It’s not unusual. The relationship between them and the Union was bound to be this way.”
Tethys lightly tapped Loan’s shoulder, then looked around at the knights before speaking to Vagelis.
“The Union cannot turn a blind eye to anything that threatens the existence of an autonomous duchy. We intend to annihilate the Nostra who have seized Silas Castle. We’ve maintained a truce until now, but since we now face a common enemy, how about we join hands for a while?”
“We would be grateful for your help.”
Vagelis accepted the offer with remarkable frankness.
He knew this was not the time for pride. He also knew that the individual skills of the Union members were superior to their own.
However, his attitude was incredibly humble compared to before.
The Knights of Rhodes, who had been about to rush to the castle, defeated the remaining Nostra members who revealed themselves in a flash.
They were trained in covert techniques to a level they could be proud of.
They were bold, swift, and strong.
With the addition of the Practical Division’s Recon Team, the battle was swift and decisive.
Rhodes had lost the castle in a surprise attack, but Nostra was now facing the same.
The Union and Knights alliance quickly took control of the castle's interior and exterior. Tethys, Vagelis, Loan, Bella, and other elites immediately stormed the banquet hall where Duke Silas was said to be held captive.
Perhaps because of the commotion outside, the enemy was already prepared.
A spacious hall.
At the far end were Duke Silas and Lady Philippa.
Nostra members held blades to each of their necks. Duke Silas’s face was red with rage and humiliation, a stark contrast to Philippa’s vacant expression.
Standing before them…
A middle-aged man in a sharp suit greeted Loan’s party with a smile.
To be precise, he greeted Loan.
“Did you think I’d give up if you ran off like that?”
It was the Nostra swordsman who had chased Loan to the port.