Chapter 239 – Outside (2)
The civil war of the Kingdom stirred every noble.
Political battles exchanged only through words were pushed aside. What was needed was force. The victory of the prince each supported was the only hope.
Some devoted their wealth, soldiers, and loyalty full of greed, while others stepped onto the battlefield only wishing for the safety of themselves and their houses.
As the years passed, the Kingdom's fortune declined ever downward.
Worse still, this year it plummeted off a cliff because of the Undead incident and the civil war. Adventurers, merchants, citizens, and informants who had keen senses were leaving the Kingdom.
They were convinced that nothing good would come of staying here.
Yet neither the royal capital, nor the princes, nor the nobles cared.
They were people who prioritized only their own goals, never caring what happened to others.
Even in a country growing more desolate, they would not release their desire to become rulers wielding unrestrained power.
It was possible only because they believed, no matter how bad things became, that the nation would not collapse.
The only ones still paying attention to their surroundings were the neutral nobles.
A faction of nobles led by Marquis Esperanza.
They were not loyal to the royal family, but to the Kingdom of Estiria itself.
Checking and monitoring princes and nobles who placed greed above ability, and acting for the Kingdom's sake—these were the duties they claimed for themselves.
The Marquis led his faction toward a city near the battlefront.
The official reason was to watch the war situation, predict the victor, deliberate on how to restrain the new king, and how to rebuild the declining Kingdom.
"In such circumstances, for Vintert to target Asher… I cannot comprehend the intent."
At Calia's words, Perne nodded in agreement.
Of course they didn't know. They were unaware of Leonil's experiment.
Only a very few, other than those directly involved, knew the inner story.
"..."
Karans, arms folded, kept silent.
It was a promise with his brother not to reveal matters related to the experiment. The Blue hidden in Perne's bosom shimmered faintly.
Calia spoke.
"Well, whatever the case, we cannot merely sit by and watch Vintert run wild. Especially if they assault those under the protection of the Marquisate. It's fortunate I was able to get you aboard the airship safely."
"It's all thanks to you, Lady Calia."
This was the cabin of the Marquisate's airship.
It was Velos, brought by Calia to rescue Perne and Karans, the same airship once used to track the Glory of the Dead.
This time, it wasn't stolen.
It happened to be near Rines, and by declaring it an emergency, temporary use was permitted… though it seemed the official in charge hadn't given a proper answer.
Anyway.
"…Haa."
Vespa, the Knight Commander standing beside them.
He sighed, his voice tinged with concern.
"Lady Calia, I too am glad the rescue mission ended well, but the problem lies in what comes after."
"You mean the non-aggression pact with Vintert? I know. And they must know as well that Perne and Asher are acquainted with us. They were the first to break the pact."
"That's precisely the problem. The pact has been broken."
Until now, neither Vintert nor the Marquisate of Esperanza had ever invaded each other's domains. Since the signing of the non-aggression pact, a situation like this had never occurred.
'Does that mean Asher is that important to Vintert?'
What happened between the two?
Or perhaps their goal was to lure Asher into Vintert?
'If so, then it's not entirely incomprehensible… but even then, Asher wouldn't enter Vintert. Not the Asher I know.'
In the end, it was still a mystery.
Well, he would know once he met Asher later. That was how Calia concluded her thoughts.
"Indeed, Vintert breaking the pact is a grave threat. To make matters worse, neither Father, nor Grandpa Edmon, nor Sir Melzard are nearby. They have all gone to the neutral nobles' assembly. Still, if we use Rines as a shield, they won't be able to act rashly."
"It will take about two days to reach our destination. If they're determined… the question is whether we can repel them until then."
"That's true. Still, with Velos, it should be fine."
The protective magic circle installed here was defense against long-range attacks.
It could not stop living beings from physically entering, but that was an excessive worry.
To infiltrate Velos from the sky, they would have to either have a mage personally enter or dispatch another airship. The former was suicide, and the latter was unlikely.
"No matter how desperate Vintert is, they would not dispatch an airship just to pursue Perne…"
Kuuuuuuung!
Suddenly, the craft shook violently.
This was no piloting error. It was clearly the result of an external impact. Calia, experienced in handling airships, knew it for certain.
This was undoubtedly an abnormal situation.
"Perne, stay here. This is the safest place aboard Velos."
"Y-yes, Lady Calia."
"What about you?"
"I'll go out."
Karans drew a dagger.
His aura was anything but ordinary. Speaking casually, even to a noble, meant he was no ordinary man. Recognizing his strength, Calia nodded.
Calia, Vespa, Karans.
Meeting each other's gaze, they headed straight to the deck.
The White Crest Knights, and the Owls Calia had hired, moved in perfect order.
"What's happening?"
"We're being pursued."
The Owl pointed to the rear.
Calia turned her head that way, and her eyes widened.
Three small airships were approaching Velos at altitude.
On the one directly ahead, a man stood at the edge. His eerily white eyes locked onto her.
"…Clearly men of Vintert."
No ordinary small airship could reach such speed.
Did they force the power source into overdrive? That would cause severe damage. Whatever it was, the difference in performance made evasion through sharp turns impossible.
It was unfavorable, but unavoidable.
Srrng.
Calia drew her pure white sword.
"All hands, prepare for battle."
***
Kwaaang! Kwaang! Kwaaaaang!
Velos's protective shield trembled violently.
The White Crest Knights resisted with all their strength, but it wasn't enough.
Numerically inferior from the start, and with the enemy airships taking positions above Velos, they had the advantage of position as well.
Spells and arrows rained down almost vertically.
Meanwhile, one airship rapidly closed in.
Clicking her tongue, Calia shouted.
"Prepare for boarding combat!"
The knights all took formation.
Soon, numerous intruders dropped from the airship and landed on Velos's deck. At their head stood the ominous man she had seen before.
"Calia de Esperanza. So this is the first time we meet in person."
"And who are you?"
"Slay. The King's Sword that rules the underworld."
She had heard of him.
Slay, head of Vintert's assassin branch. Among the organization, he was one of the top three in power and strength.
'Never thought the head himself would come.'
A chilling voice.
Like a living blade, murderous intent spilled out. Her neck grew cold. Her instincts whispered—she must not let even a single movement slip.
"What business does that famed sword have here? Did you come to ask after Asher's whereabouts?"
"I have no obligation to answer."
Slay jerked his chin.
At that, Robat behind him unleashed Lightning Strike. Fortunately, no knight was struck directly, but the presence of a lightning mage was a grave threat.
That was the signal for the battle between assassins and knights to begin.
"Vespa, deal with the mage somehow! I'll take him!"
Calia rushed forward.
But she never reached Slay. A massive, muscular figure blocked her way.
"Where do you think you're going!"
Rocky, Robat's twin brother.
Empowered by imbuement magic, he swung his fist. Kwang! Gauntlet and sword clashed, a shockwave erupting. A force not to be underestimated.
Pushed back, Calia furrowed her brow.
"Brother! I stopped her!"
"Well done, Rocky. I'll kill the other knights, you take care of Calia. Don't kill her, though, we need to play with her later."
Calia and Vespa, along with the White Crest Knights under them, were all tied down. There were not enough men left to keep the most dangerous enemy, Slay, in check.
Slay, holding daggers in both hands, tilted his head.
"This will end easier than I thought."
His form blurred.
In an instant, he slipped into the battlefield and aimed for Vespa's neck from a blind spot. If the Knight Commander were killed, morale would shatter completely.
Chaaeng!
But it was blocked.
"Up close, your face is even uglier. Disgusting human."
"…?!"
Karans's kick sliced through the air.
Slay, forced to dodge, widened his eyes.
"An Elf?"
Karans released the Face of Deception.
He judged that, while hiding his power, he could not match Slay. Though he had promised not to reveal his identity, he could not let the one who was close to his brother die.
'My brother would hate it.'
Karans drew upon magic power.
The forest spirit, in response, revealed itself.
Cleanup could come later.
"Revolting, die quickly, filthy human."
Elf and human clashed.
Blows too fast to follow with the eye crossed in an instant. Slay's attention focused solely on Karans's sudden appearance.
On the deck, battle reached a stalemate.
Kagak, kagagak.
Blades locked, Slay revealed vicious killing intent.
"I didn't know the Marquisate of Esperanza would raise an Elf."
"Don't speak, human. You sicken me."
"As the rumors say, overflowing with hatred toward humans."
Slay stamped the deck.
With nimble movement, he widened the distance, crossing his daggers. From their edges, a chilling aura began to flow.
"Now that I think about it, I wonder. What does it feel like to sever an Elf's neck?"
Not even worth answering.
Still, Karans would not take him lightly. He prepared spirit magic in response.
The tension was taut.
The moment both moved—
Fwaaaaaash!
"What…?"
Light erupted from above.
Calia, Vintert's men, all turned their eyes skyward in unison at the unexpected phenomenon. Above Vintert's airship that had been bombarding Velos, a pillar of light had formed.
'This magic power…!'
He felt it unmistakably.
Familiar, and yet stronger than before.
"You have arrived, my brother."
"…Brother? You mean the Elf?"
"You need not know, but I'll tell you one thing specially."
Karans smiled.
"You are all already dead."
***
Verden headed straight for the region Gedson had predicted.
Wreathed in three halos, he reached the destination in just a single night. And he confirmed Calia's airship locked in battle.
< Pure Light >
As soon as he teleported, he grasped his surroundings.
Unfamiliar deck, unfamiliar faces.
Verden stood atop Vintert's airship.
He would have preferred to go directly to Velos, but a teleport might have disrupted the protective magic circle, so he had no choice.
"..."
Silence fell.
Ignoring the gazes fixed on him, Verden stepped to the bow of the airship and looked at Velos.
'Three enemy airships. Karans has revealed his true self, which means those on the deck must be Vintert's main force.'
He finished assessing the situation in a heartbeat.
From behind, he sensed both steel and magic. Turning his head slightly, he saw Vintert's assassins aiming their weapons at him.
Slay's confidant, Keria, sneered.
"Ash-gray hair… you must be Asher. To think you'd return on your own. To capture you along with Calia, Lord Slay will be delighted."
Her tone was much like the assassins he had faced before.
A baseless conviction, a blind belief that everything would go as they wished. Verden excelled at shattering such beliefs.
His eyes turned to the center of the airship.
"The power source is there, is it."
Flames gathered in the Orient.
Magic so suffocatingly dense it seized the breath. Along with it, the air's temperature began to boil.
'Not lightning, but fire?'
Whatever it was, it was abnormal.
Keria, unable to hide her alarm, shouted.
"Stop him, now!"
Spells and arrows flew.
Then the assassins charged. Their response was quick, but it was too late.
< Conflagration >
Tak.
The flames seeped into the deck where his staff touched.
In an instant, heat spread, splitting the airship apart. From within, fire surged up, consuming both the mana stones that powered it and the captain's cabin in a single blaze.
The assassin at the helm was killed instantly.
The steering device turned to ash, the airship lurched violently.
Jjeojeojeok.
In the engine room, magic power and heat tangled.
Air expanded uncontrollably, compressed in a single point. In the next moment, a spark burst forth, unleashing immense energy.
Seeing the swollen hull, Keria murmured.
"…No way."
Her ominous premonition struck true.
Kwoaaaaaaaang!
The airship exploded midair.
A circular wall of flame consumed everything inside. Clouds rolled back from the blast, nearby airships rocked from the shockwave.
Naturally, not a single crew member survived.
"..."
The airship, intact only moments ago, was gone.
Everyone who witnessed the scene nearby was struck with horror. Calia, Vespa, even Slay were no exception.
"…What on earth just happened?"
The answer came immediately.
Verden had descended and landed atop Velos.
His sudden arrival left all speechless. In the silence, his clear eyes fixed upon Slay.
"You're the one in charge."
Jjeoong!
The Oculus he swung struck Slay head-on.