Chapter~39
“Y… you…!”
A chilling premonition crawled up my spine.
Just as something—someone’s hand, it seemed—was about to block my view, I swung my sword.
I felt something slice at the tip for a brief instant before vanishing with a swift whoosh.
“Ugh…!”
Before I could grind my teeth in frustration at the mist-like disappearance, a horrific sound erupted from where Damia’s necklace had been.
Crack—snap—
The shattered fragments seemed to split the space around them.
“Run! Everyone prepare for a dungeon outbreak! It’s a black mage!”
The princess dragged Damia back, shouting to the nearby knights. Chaos erupted instantly within the shelter.
“Black mages are here? In this sub-dungeon?”
“That’s impossible!”
“Get out! The shelter isn’t safe either!”
“Maintain order!”
Before the princess could shout again amidst the confusion, a translucent hand reached toward her.
“Your Highness!”
Crack!
The aura-infused magic pierced the phantom hand like a vision through reality.
Tsk. He clicked his tongue lightly and withdrew his hand.
“Such a shame. It would have been easy to take you down.”
“Te… te—”
“Shh.”
Smiling at Damia, who was pale and trying to speak, he said:
“This time, I made quite an effort. It’s a rare opportunity to sweep them all away at once.”
I remembered what the princess had said:
“There are two kinds of people they target. One, those in power. If they die or fall under their control, it could throw the world into chaos.”
Why he aimed for the princess, I didn’t know. Was it instead of the First Prince? Or did she interfere with their plans? Or simply because she was a nearby person of influence?
But I had a fair idea who they would truly target.
“Your Highness, watch over the Pope’s side. The relics and high-ranking temple personnel are at great risk.”
Glancing toward the Pope, I spoke, and the princess nodded.
“Understood. I’ll have my guards assist as well.”
“You’re rather clever, aren’t you?”
He snapped his fingers with apparent delight.
Then the space, cracked like a broken mirror, collapsed entirely. Through the shards, a black void appeared.
Plop, plop…
Slime-like black masses poured in. Gradually, they began taking humanoid forms.
“Allow me to introduce my companions.”
“I’ll wipe them all out.”
“What a pity… handle them.”
Amid the chaos, the black mages began chanting spells. Even among the panicked, I could see the Pope, cardinals, and other clergy channeling their divine power. The shelter offered no escape; better to defend and protect the people than run.
“[Gesture from afar]—!”
“[Call from the grave]!”
Clearly aiming at the Pope’s side, they unleashed spells toward the sacred protective barriers. Thankfully, the barriers weren’t shattered, though each impact shook them.
Time was short.
I left the remaining black mages to the knights behind me and charged the leader in front.
“Die!”
“Alas, I still have some lingering attachments.”
The spell he launched silently hit hard.
Kaang—!
I tried to dodge, but the shadowy blade left a wound.
“Ugh…”
“To clarify, if you fall, everyone behind you dies. Keep fighting, will you?”
Smiling, he fired spell after spell, threatening to massacre the people. His shadowy familiar moved with agility, almost like a high-tier monster.
“You’re quite skilled, I see. Well done. I’ll compliment you.”
“Your compliments mean nothing to me…”
It was a one-on-one fight. Whether he toyed with me or had other reasons, I knew he was holding back. No doubt, he was a Grand Mage. No swordmaster of minor rank could hope to match him.
Even worse, he was formidable in close combat. A complete superior version of myself.
“How about dying as a reward for your efforts?”
“I’ll pass.”
Crack!
His blade grazed my collar again, and simultaneously, a magic-infused projectile skimmed my side. The wound wasn’t deep, but it was there. Pain flared with every movement.
“Are… you okay?!”
“Stay strong! Knight!”
If he grew bored, I might die. My limbs felt numb from blood loss.
“You’re handling her roughly. After all, she was prepared for you by him.”
“What are you talking about…”
It hurt. I had no strength to listen.
“Hmm… in truth, that body didn’t originally exist in this world—oops.”
A portion of his hood was sliced off, and a vein on his cheek bled. I had finally dealt damage. But it wasn’t enough. I needed an effective strike so that, even if I fell, others could seize the opportunity.
“…Growing mid-battle… is this some kind of player buff?”
He muttered, contorting his hand into something monstrous.
“I should finish this quickly.”
That unknown beastly hand swung violently. It was harsher, but I smirked at the familiar presence of his hand.
“Shall we?”
I abandoned my defense.
Crack!
With a bone-chilling sound, his hand pierced me.
“What—!”
He froze briefly in shock at the unexpected result. Seizing the moment, I swung my sword with all my strength.
Thrust—!
“Ugh…!”
I felt the blade slice something. Before he could remove his hand from my body, I swung again.
“You foolish move…!”
“Foolish, you say?”
Kaang—!
Unfortunately, the second strike failed. But that was enough. That was the right move.
“Hah—!”
He clutched his side and groaned. Seeing him mirror my pain was satisfying. The smugness left his face as he glared at me.
“Do you want to die?!”
“I… I don’t want to die… that’s why…”
Because this was my only path to victory. I activated a healing spell. Its effect was diminished without incantation, but it sufficed for first aid. Thanks to the divine energy from afar, I could still endure. Time was bought.
I forced myself upright.
“What are you doing? Ugh, come at me!”
“Empty posturing—!”
Right. This was all pretense. Objectively, I couldn’t beat him now.
“Then I’ll posture anyway.”
A mere knight, not a swordmaster, couldn’t defeat the mage before me. But look—
“Sonnet—!”
The person I’d been waiting for had arrived. My superior, my lover.
Hearing that voice after such a short time, a laugh escaped me despite my pain.
“Everyone! The Marquis is here! Clear the way!”
Hah… ha…
Relief overwhelmed me; my ragged breathing went out of control. My mental energy was drained. Vision blurred, darkness encroached—but I had to say this:
“You’ve lost, black mage.”
Amid the thrill and relief, a small pang of regret lingered. I still wanted to land a punch on that face.
“Sonnet!”
He caught me as I collapsed and glared at the black mage.
“Ha… are all higher-tier beings like this?”
Whatever the black mage muttered was irrelevant. His path was clear. While coming, he had slain several of the mages, giving us breathing room.
“Marquis! Join the fight—!”
“No need! Take Sonnet and heal her!”
Those rushing to help were only in the way. He gritted his teeth and took me in. He had no means to heal me, but that didn’t matter.
“Did you just take down that thing while coming? I don’t know who’s the real monster here.”
“Quiet.”
Whatever he said didn’t matter. He would kill the rest anyway.
“Dare touch my fiancée, and you better be ready.”
Raising his sword to strike, it gleamed beautifully yet sharply, radiating deadly intent toward his target.
