Chapter 306: That Light
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 306: That Light
"Everyone, jump!"
After a brief moment of shock lasting no more than a few breaths, Muen’s expression turned feral. He grabbed Liya and leaped from the carriage.
The two tumbled across the ground, rolling through thickets and trees before finally coming to a halt.
Though Muen’s protection had spared her from any physical injury, Liya’s mind was still reeling, her head spinning with confusion.
But in the next instant, she heard a dull thud.
It sounded like a slab of raw, bloody meat being slammed violently onto a butcher's block.
Accompanying it was the agonizing, high-pitched scream of the dragon-blood horse.
Liya looked up in horror, only to see a spray of blood erupt before her eyes. The dragon-blood horse, galloping at high speed, had no time to stop before it slammed headlong into an invisible wall without warning.
Powerful inertia crushed the horse's resilient body. Before it could even finish its death rattle, the reinforced carriage behind it—bolstered by special magic—slammed into its back with bone-shattering force.
Then came the second carriage, and the third.
In that moment, Liya was reminded of the grim scenes she’d heard about in the Lower District’s shoddy processing plants—the production of the cheapest steaks, where mystery meats were used as filler.
It was said that if you hammered and crushed the meat enough, no one could tell what animal it came from, let alone whether the meat was good or spoiled.
"Ugh..."
The pungent scent of blood filled the air. Liya clutched her mouth, her stomach churning.
"Are you alright?"
Muen stepped in front of Liya, shielding her from the gruesome sight. After a few words of comfort, he looked toward the others.
"Is everyone okay?"
"We're fine."
Senior Sister Fanny and the others crawled out of the bushes, rubbing their bruised backsides. When they saw the bloody wreckage, they shuddered at the thought of what would have happened had they stayed on the carriages.
"What happened?" Fanny gasped in terror.
"...It seems we won't be escaping that easily."
Muen’s expression was grim as he stared at the outline of a wall that would have been completely invisible if not for the reflection of the Holy Light.
Under the violent impact of the carriages, faint golden runes flickered across its surface, radiating a sense of indestructibility.
"We've been sealed in by magic."
It made sense.
If the enemy had a powerful mage of unknown strength on their side, why would they wait until now to use magic?
A mage’s true power lay in preparation; with enough time to set the stage, their threat level increased several times over.
The mysterious mage was likely constructing her spells openly now because, in her eyes, Muen and his companions were already prey caught in a trap. No matter how they struggled, it would be in vain.
"This is... barrier magic. To cover such a vast area, it must be at least Radiant-Tier or higher!"
Vicky, the magic expert of the group, regained her composure and began a rapid analysis of the barrier. As she worked, cold sweat began to bead on her forehead.
"Can you break it?" Fanny asked.
"...No. My level isn't high enough."
Despair washed over the group.
This was Radiant-Tier magic. Vicky, the most magically gifted among them, was only at the Secret Rite Tier—two ranks below. If she couldn't do it, no one else stood a chance.
"What do we do now?"
Everyone’s gaze fell on Muen again, as if he were their last remaining lifeline.
"..."
Muen lowered his head, lost in thought.
He had many tricks up his sleeve now, but he wasn't sure which would work in this situation. The biggest problem was the lack of time.
But... he had to try.
Subconsciously, Muen drew Elizabeth—the weapon he was most comfortable with—and slashed at the barrier before him, though he didn't hold much hope.
"Heh."
In that moment, Muen thought he heard a faint, mocking chuckle.
It came from that ethereal figure hidden within the mist.
She seemed to be laughing at his perceived arrogance.
But.
In the next heartbeat.
Squelch.
A smooth, effortless sound rang out.
To everyone’s disbelief, the pure white blade sank into the barrier, cutting through it... as easily as a knife through tofu.
"..."
Muen froze.
The others froze.
Even the figure in the mist stiffened, her long incantation faltering as if she had suddenly lost her breath.
Only Liya stared at the pure white blade, a hint of confusion appearing on her small face...
"Of course!"
Muen’s eyes lit up.
He had almost forgotten.
Lately, he had been using Elizabeth to hack through thugs, cultists, monsters, mummified corpses, and "greenhouse flowers," making the blades seem ordinary.
But these twin short blades, which shared a mental connection with him, were actually... genuine, top-tier Sacred Artifacts!
Furthermore, they had been modified by Teacher Mela herself, imbued with the attribute of "Absolute Sharpness" and engraved with a specialized Alchemy Domain!
How could a mere magical barrier hope to stop them?
"Sorry, Elizabeth. I've been neglecting you lately."
"Once we get to the Holy City, I'll definitely get you the most expensive maintenance package available."
"Now... open up!"
The pure white blade hummed with a life of its own. Light flashed, and a passage was instantly carved through the seemingly indestructible barrier.
"Go! Move!"
Muen urged the group forward. Fanny and the others snapped out of their daze and didn't hesitate, using their movement techniques to dash through the gap at top speed.
"Don't even think about it!"
A shrill shriek pierced the air. Following the ethereal chanting, a second, deeper incantation suddenly joined in.
Multiple Magic Chanting!
The earth suddenly split open. Rocks and trees shook violently as if an ancient beast were turning over beneath the soil. The ground in front of Muen surged upward, forming a natural chasm to block his path!
Simultaneously, the spatial magic descending from above accelerated violently, intending to trap Muen within.
"That's Transfer Magic! Don't let them succeed!"
"I know!"
Pink Bear, who had been pushed back once again by the Indra King, grew frantic. He shoved a paw into his black-hole-like mouth and pulled out a tattered, blood-stained crown, shoving it crookedly onto his head.
"Dammit! You think this bear is a pushover just because I haven't gotten serious?"
In an instant, a brilliant blood-red light erupted around Pink Bear. The roar of massive waves echoed as a phantom Sea of Blood manifested behind him.
He swung his mace with a thunderous roar.
The Indra King’s expression shifted. He didn't dare meet the attack head-on; coughing up blood, he retreated in a panic.
Adolf seized the opportunity. His Star-seeing Eyes finally bypassed the Indra King and locked onto the figure behind the mist.
Stars flickered, shining with brilliant radiance.
Splat.
Splat.
Splat.
Several blossoms of blood erupted, staining the mist red.
The descending spatial magic instantly cracked. Under the influence of the Star-seeing Eyes, it shattered like a sheet of glass struck by a hammer.
Taking advantage of the opening, Muen felt a searing heat on his back. Time Dilation activated. He slashed through the earthen barrier before him and stepped toward the edge of the enclosure.
"Muen! Hurry!"
In his vision, he saw the worried faces of his companions; in his ears, their urgent shouts echoed.
Just a few more steps.
Only a few steps.
"A pity. You're too late."
A cold light flashed in the Indra King’s eyes as he let out a sneer.
Ignoring Pink Bear, who had withered after his single massive strike, the King lunged forward again to intercept Adolf.
The pale red mist surged.
The chanting resumed.
It was weak, but laced with malice.
Though the spatial magic had shattered, it hadn't fully dissipated.
And to crush an ant, one didn't need the whole window.
A single shard was enough.
In the slowed world, Muen watched as a distorted fragment of space split off and spiraled toward him with unerring accuracy.
The exit was right there.
But there was nowhere to run.
He didn't feel the sensation of absolute death, meaning the strike wasn't fatal, but the intense tearing force was already making his skin sting.
It would likely cost him half his life.
I didn't expect to get caught even after being so cautious, Muen sighed inwardly.
Fortunately, it wasn't the end.
He didn't know why they wanted to teleport him, but as long as he was alive, the fight wasn't over.
And, in a stroke of luck amidst the misfortune, this elaborate trap meant for him hadn't ensnared anyone else.
He would just have to face these unknown enemies alone.
Just like always.
That... was fine.
"Hm?"
From the corner of his eye, a frantic, beautiful face flashed by.
Just as the violent tearing sensation began to bite into Muen’s flesh, amidst the pain he had long grown accustomed to ignoring, he suddenly felt a familiar warmth envelop him.
It was the same warmth he had held in his arms not long ago.
And... light.
A holy, sacred light.
"Holy Light... Protection!"