Chapter 41
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Splendid Eloquence
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What does he mean, where is the senior demon?
A small stir went through the crowd at the man’s remark.
Devlian waved a hand, silencing his surroundings. Then, with a smirk, he asked.
“A senior demon, you say? I don’t know where you might have heard such a thing.”
“Ah, was I too hasty? In that case… hmm. I suppose you were all waiting for me because of the Grand Duke’s letter.”
As the man reached into his coat, the knights on either side of him drew their swords. *Clang*. The sharp sound rang out, but the man didn’t even flinch.
“It’s the Grand Duke’s letter. You people are far too on edge.”
The man clicked his tongue as he looked at the sword pointed at his neck.
He was right. They had been waiting for him to confirm the orders he had supposedly received from the Grand Duke.
“That’s right. We heard you received an order from the Grand Duke—”
“Ahem, it is ‘His Grace, the Grand Duke.’ How dare you refer to him so informally?”
Devlian’s eyes narrowed at the petty nitpicking. The deputy commander stared at Devlian, his eyes seeming to ask if he was just going to let this slide.
Devlian shook his head.
The banquet hall was filled with their people. Chosen knights and mages—their preparations were flawless.
There was no need to get angry at a dead man’s taunts. There was no reason to rush.
“Fine. His Grace, the Grand Duke.”
“Hmm, that’s better. I’ll let it go this once. Be more careful next time.”
Devlian bit his lip slightly. The man had a remarkable talent for getting on people’s nerves.
“Now, I shall deliver the command from His Grace, the Grand Duke! All of you, bow your heads. Hmm, you’re not bowing. Well, I’m not that strict myself.”
*Ahem*, the man cleared his throat.
“You were told to stop the demons, yet you went and sided with them, you damn beggars! Ah, there’s an emphasis on ‘damn beggars.’”
The man bent and straightened his index and middle fingers.
The atmosphere turned icy in an instant.
‘He’s truly insane.’
Devlian was genuinely impressed.
“If you wish to be forgiven, bite your tongues off and die.”
“You insolent—!”
“Why are you angry with me? I was merely reading.”
As the deputy commander shot to his feet, the man raised his hands in an exaggerated gesture. The deputy commander’s face was twisted in a grimace.
“Calm yourself. It’s just a childish provocation from a man who’s about to die. It’s a joyous day, is it not?”
At Devlian’s words, the deputy commander let out a hot breath and sat back down.
“I have a question.”
Devlian asked, looking at the man. The man twirled a finger as if to say, *ask away*.
“I heard a story that you caught a demonic beast with magic.”
Devlian asked what he had been curious about.
The other mages gasped. Catching a demonic beast with magic? What kind of insubordination was that?
“Hmm, which demonic beast are you referring to?”
Devlian’s eyes narrowed at the man’s response.
It meant he had caught more than one.
‘Tsk. Is he bluffing?’
“Demonic beasts aren’t that difficult. The problem is the Demon Race. Are you aware that the blood of a demon contains highly concentrated mana?”
It was a well-known fact even within the Black Magic Society. It wasn’t for nothing that they revered demons as blessed beings.
It was an interesting topic. Devlian nodded. The other mages also leaned forward slightly.
“Yes, because highly concentrated mana flows through their blood, most magic is ineffective. Mana flows from a lower concentration to a higher one, after all.”
The mages all nodded in unison. There was a strange power in the man’s voice that drew their focus.
“Therefore, to use magic against a demon, you must compress the mana to its maximum. Demons are certainly the natural enemies of mages.”
“Are you saying you really caught a demon?”
One of the mages asked in disbelief. The man nodded in response.
“Concentration is the key. You have to compress the mana.”
“Mana compression?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t even know about mana compression?”
A brief silence followed the man’s question.
“Oh, my goodness.”
A look of clear contempt appeared on the man’s face. In response, Devlian’s eyes narrowed as he replied.
“Why would we compress mana? We have manastone staves.”
At Devlian’s words, all the mages nodded. The man let out a deep sigh and shook his head.
“I suppose that’s why you’re in the North. I understand.”
The mages’ faces crumpled at the man’s sneer.
Devlian couldn’t hold back any longer and shot to his feet.
“We let you be, and now you’ve crossed the line!”
Devlian’s staff was aimed at the man. The other mages also gripped their staves. The knights drew their swords. The atmosphere instantly turned razor-sharp.
The man showed no signs of being intimidated. In fact, he clicked his tongue even louder.
“Strutting around calling yourselves mages without even knowing mana compression is what’s truly out of line.”
The man pointed a finger at the mages, rebuking them.
“Only an unchosen one like you would need something like mana compression.”
Just then, a mage standing close to the man rolled up his sleeve.
The proof of the chosen, the magic circle left by the First Magician, was clearly engraved on his arm.
The man grabbed the mage’s forearm, paying no mind to the sword aimed at his neck. If anything, the sword retreated slightly.
“So this is the magic circle left by the First Magician. It’s certainly interesting.”
*He knows about the First Magician.* Devlian narrowed his eyes. He realized the source of his déjà vu.
“You’ve won over the crow.”
“Something like that. Could you turn your arm a bit? It’s hard to see.”
“Enough! Something was strange from the moment you showed up at the conference hall alone. You were just a madman.”
“Hmm, I have one question.”
The man raised his hand amidst the menacing atmosphere.
Right to the very end—
‘No, I can’t get caught up in this.’
Getting angry in this situation would be playing right into the man’s hands.
Devlian suppressed his irritation and nodded.
“What is it?”
“Normally, when someone comes in alone and acts this cocky, wouldn’t you suspect they have something up their sleeve?”
Devlian chuckled at the man’s question.
Something up his sleeve?
Given his composure, he might have had some sort of scheme.
However—
“What can you possibly do?”
Devlian asked, looking around.
There were over ten chosen knights and eight mages with staves.
What could this man possibly do here?
“Well, with this splendid eloquence of mine—”
Splendid eloquence?
Devlian narrowed his eyes at the bizarre answer.
The feeling of déjà vu became clearer.
“I can keep you all tied up.”
The man snapped his fingers.
A noise that had been inaudible until now flooded in.
The clash of weapons, someone’s scream, the sound of battle cries—
Just then, someone burst through the door, violently shattering it.
“Knight—Gilberton!”
It was a knight, disheveled but with clear eyes. He swung his sword.
The knights who had their swords aimed at Galahad hastily backed away.
Through the broken doorway, a chaotic corridor came into view. Soldiers and knights were clashing, their swords crossing.
A boy holding his sword in a reverse grip cleaved a soldier from top to bottom. A scream erupted as red blood sprayed in a long arc. Another soldier lunged at the boy with his sword.
Just then—
“You sons of whores.”
A staff smashed the soldier’s head. An old man entered, spinning a red staff.
It was the captain of the 7th battalion, whom they had imprisoned in the Black Magic Society’s basement. How on earth…
‘That bastard crow—.’
“Devlian! Didn’t you say you took care of the captain!”
“This son of a whore… Took care of me?”
“Dammit! This isn’t what we agreed upon!”
The deputy commander shouted, avoiding the old man’s gaze.
In an instant, the room descended into chaos.
People stood behind the man.
A boy, a woman in a maid’s uniform, an old man with a staff, a knight in a foolish-looking helmet, a soldier with a shield, and another knight. It was such a diverse group it was a wonder how he had gathered them.
‘He came alone and talked just to buy time? Blocking out the noise by spreading mana? Is that even possible?’
Devlian was genuinely impressed.
His actions went beyond mere audacity.
Not even half a day had passed since the man’s arrival.
In that short time, he had rescued the captain of the 7th battalion, come here himself to stall for time, and ultimately created this situation.
It was so remarkable that one couldn’t help but wonder how he had done it.
“Enough—!”
Everyone froze at Devlian’s roar.
“Brilliant.”
“I’ve always been a bit brilliant.”
“Yes, it’s impressive. I admit it.”
However—
“Did you really think I would trust the crow?”
Devlian’s lips curled into a wide grin.
“Thank you for doing our work for us.”
He laughed, looking at the red bloodstains on their bodies. It wasn’t just Devlian; the others were laughing too.
The knights drew their swords. A gray hue began to spread. A sinister aura expanded its territory. There were more than ten chosen knights, stronger than ordinary ones.
Including Devlian, there were two executives and eight capable mages. All of them were among the chosen.
And then—
Suddenly, he felt a chill. The mark of the chosen engraved on his wrist reacted.
A translucent barrier appeared in front of Devlian. An ice shard, blocked by it, shattered. Cold fragments tickled his cheek.
“You cowardly—.”
Devlian shouted, his eyes narrowed.
“A shame.”
As the man licked his lips, Devlian struck the ground with his staff.
*KRA-KOOOOM!!*
The ceiling collapsed violently.
A massive tentacle that had smashed through the ceiling slammed down on them.
The old man deflected it with his aura-infused staff. The tentacle collided with the wall behind them, shattering it catastrophically. The tentacle didn't stop and struck again.
Just as the knight in the foolish helmet was about to step forward, the one named Gilberton moved first.
The spot where they had been standing was crushed by the tentacle.
The cool night air that flowed in through the collapsed opening brushed against Devlian’s face.
“Did you really think a mere senior demon would be enough for our inauguration?”
The place where the intruders had been was now a pile of rubble.
Devlian stood at the edge and looked down.
He anticipated the expression on that arrogant bastard’s face.
The man was being held by the knight in the foolish helmet—
Looking up—
‘…Is he smiling?’
He was smiling.
At that smile, Devlian felt a strange chill.
****
“They’ve prepared more than I thought.”
Galahad looked up and clicked his tongue.
Six massive tentacles were moving around the castle. The size and power of each one were terrifying.
Just then, the foolish helmet approached. Blue eyes were visible through the visor. They seemed to be checking if Galahad was all right.
“I’m fine. Can you put me down?”
*Nod.*
Adrianna gently set Galahad down.
“It’s similar to that time. It feels like they’ve forcibly enhanced a demonic beast that was already a senior-class.”
Gilberton said with a frown.
He seemed to be talking about the demonic creature they had seen with Palho. It certainly felt similar.
“Ah, wouldn’t it be dangerous for them too if they unleash something like that?”
Galahad narrowed his eyes at Gilberton’s mutter.
It certainly didn’t feel like it was under control. Yet, the tentacles were aimed at them, not at Devlian’s group. It was as if they couldn’t see them.
‘Ah, it must be that thing they call the chosen.’
It seemed to be related to the First Magician’s magic circle.
Just then, gray fireballs flew in from the distance. A quick glance showed more than ten, and their momentum was menacing.
This wasn’t the kind of magic a fake mage who relied on a staff could cast.
‘This is—.’
Galahad narrowed his eyes and flicked his hand. A spark shot out quickly.
The spark aimed precisely for the center of a fireball, but instead, the spark itself vanished.
‘High mana concentration?’
Galahad compressed his mana and flicked again.
Only then did the fireball disperse, but it did so slowly. He reverse-calculated the concentration from the speed of its dispersal.
‘The mana concentration is quite high. And the casting speed is short. Why?’
Galahad pondered, flicking his fingers in succession. Unlike before, he had to compress the mana, so he was short on time.
“Exploding Crater!”
Gwen’s fireball struck the last one directly. Her magic didn’t destroy the fireball, but it changed its trajectory. The gray fireball landed behind them.
Ash billowed out, and the ground shook.
‘This isn’t good.’
Galahad opened the lid of his canteen.
“These guys are coming down!”
The old man shouted just then. Knights tinged with gray were leaping down, their speed considerable.
“Knight—Gilberton—!”
Gilberton introduced himself and stepped forward. The old man followed him, swinging his staff. Damian moved.
‘This won’t be easy.’
A demonic creature that surpassed the senior class, demon knights, and mages armed with staves and the magic circle left by the First Magician.
Their combat power was substantial.
There was a reason they had been so confident.
The situation was not good.
But—
Adrianna tapped her helmet.
‘We have Adrianna on our side.’
Galahad raised his head.
The massive tentacles swayed ominously.
“Can you handle that?”
*Nod.*
“What if this place were a Miasmic Realm?”
Adrianna fell silent.
“Hmm, we’ll need reinforcements then.”
Galahad muttered, looking up at the sky thick with dark clouds.
Shouldn’t they have arrived by now?
The foolish helmet swayed.
“I have just the thing. Now, let’s go.”
****
‘Just what is he?’
Devlian’s eyes were completely narrowed.
His side was using staves embedded with high-grade manastones and the magic circle left by the First Magician.
He was confident he could defeat any mage.
Until he met this man.
The man was shattering their magic with a mere flick of his fingers.
It was a situation he wouldn’t have believed if he hadn’t seen it himself.
‘No wonder the Society Head was wary of him.’
But even so, it didn’t matter.
“Unfurl the Sanctuary.”
Devlian gestured behind him. The society members moved busily.
Beyond the broken wall, a massive magic circle was drawn. It was a magic circle they had poured their heart and soul into. On top of it, manastones were piled up like a mountain.
These were all the manastones the Black Magic Society had ever collected. How much was their value alone? It was impossible to put a price on them.
A massive staff was thrust into the magic circle. The circle emitted a strange sound and began to glow.
Just then—
“Ugh… Aaaargh! Please save me!”
A man standing next to the magic circle failed to get away and was sucked in.
‘Foolish bastard.’
Devlian muttered a curse and stepped back.
The manastones turned to ash. A foul, acrid smell filled the room before spreading violently.
It was a legacy left by the First Magician. The manastones, now turned to dust, scattered like ash.
The ash rapidly expanded its domain.
Devlian covered his mouth and nose.
The spreading ash drank blood and grew thicker.
Soon, the entire area was filled with ash.
It was the Sanctuary.
*ROOOOOOAAAAAR!*
The demonic beast roared violently. It was filled with ecstasy.
Devlian trembled at the power contained in its voice.
Even knowing it was on their side, its presence was so immense it was terrifying.
It was only natural. It was a supreme-class demonic beast. How would it feel entering the Sanctuary?
It was now a calamity that could not be stopped.
Devlian urgently checked his forearm. The magic circle engraved there was glowing red, as if on fire.
‘It’s working properly.’
The gray hue intensified. The chosen knights roared like the demonic beast.
The existence of their opponents was erased from Devlian’s mind.
With the Sanctuary activated, there was no chance of them winning.
Even if that Adrianna came—
“With this, a new era has begun.”
This was only the beginning.
Devlian looked around with feverish eyes. The other society members were staring at him with eyes full of emotion. Hot tears streamed down their faces.
Devlian looked at each of them and nodded.
Just then, he felt something was off.
The numbers were exactly right.
‘…Didn’t one of them get sucked in just now?’
Devlian checked again.
The number was indeed the same.
‘Was I mistaken?’
At the very end of the line—
“Well, looks like I’ve been found out.”
The man was smiling brightly.
As if something wonderful had just happened, he was truly beaming.
“You have that ‘how did you get here’ look in your eyes.”
The man smirked and rolled up his sleeve.
There—
“I got one for myself, too.”
The mark of the chosen was clearly imprinted.
‘…Got one for himself?’
Devlian’s thoughts came to a halt.
****
*ROOOOOOAAAAAR!!*
At the horrific scream, Tom collapsed to the ground.
The massive tentacles writhed violently as if expressing their ecstasy.
The thick fog made it hard to breathe. An uncontrollable fear rose from deep within him.
He didn’t even have the strength to move a finger.
But what use would it be?
That great despair was roaring before him.
The thick ash that had settled was swept up by the great despair and scattered.
The castle crumbled. The ground overturned. The earth shook violently.
It was not a being one could resist.
Just then—
A white light flashed.
There was someone cutting through the thick ash, advancing toward the great despair.
It was the hero of the North, Adrianna.
‘Ah—.’
How could she advance like that?
*Clank*. An unpleasant sound came from his side.
Something that had once been a knight, now a demonic beast, was approaching Tom.
It revealed a hostility thick with gray.
Tom stared at it blankly.
He couldn’t move a single finger.
The demonic beast opened its maw wide as it looked at Tom.
Through it, the knight’s face was visible, drooling profusely as it stared at him.
Just as it came right before him—
“The front yard, you say?”
A voice as deep as a beast’s roar was heard.
Just then, the approaching thing suddenly vanished.
*Crunch*. A small sound was all there was.
The demonic beast, having lost its strength, collapsed.
“Just as that bastard said, it’s a banquet.”
The Grand Duke advanced, chewing on a tentacle he had pulled off at some unknown point.