~Chapter 98~
The enemy hid in the darkness, keeping their figure hidden. Calix glanced at the ground.
He couldn’t sense magic, but that didn’t mean he was ignorant of it. He knew that to control magic in this way, a barrier was required.
And barriers like this were usually created by inscribing formulas onto the land where magic lay dormant.
Whoosh!
Without warning, a spear flew at him. He twisted his body, dodging, just as a flash of light burst before his eyes.
Calix reflexively raised his sword. With his other hand, he aimed into the air.
Bang…!
The bullet cut through the air. The enemy understood—firing revealed his position.
One bullet left.
Since the barrier was drawn on the ground, the enemy wouldn’t dare use the earth for attacks—it would break their own spell. Calix pressed his foot down without fear and charged forward, closing the distance in an instant.
He raised his gun as if to fire.
There was a sharp sound of dodging. Calix slashed toward it.
Clang!
He struck—blocked, but for the first time, the enemy’s figure appeared.
A twisted-faced woman stopped his blade with her bare hand glowing blue with magic.
“You’re Prenia’s forces.”
“And you’re Duke Hertorio.”
She sneered. Just as she stepped back, something yanked Calix’s leg.
Not from above—but below.
He fell hard. Immediately, the woman formed a glowing blue spear and stabbed downward.
Crash! Ice shattered as he blocked at the last second, clenching his teeth. She loomed over him, gripping her icy spear.
“Didn’t Regiana warn you about me?”
“I only heard you were crushed by Rena.”
“Hah…!”
He shoved her away and kicked, but missed. He didn’t stop moving.
He had to give her no openings. Leaping up, he closed the gap again.
Steel clashed, magic flared. He waited for an opening to land a fatal strike.
Then—an arrow of light flew. He deflected, but left a gap.
The woman grinned and conjured red flames. Prenia lunged, reaching for his side.
At that instant, Calix dropped his sword.
Time slowed. With his free hand, he seized her arm and yanked her toward him. Her eyes widened—
Stab! Pain pierced his side.
Bang…!
The final bullet left the chamber.
“Argh!”
The shot did not miss. It pierced Prenia’s shoulder—the exact spot Calix had dragged to his gun.
He shoved the barrel into the wound, twisting.
“Aaaghhh!”
Her scream echoed in the forest. Blood poured, soaking the grass.
This is it. The last place.
Every spot he had stepped on before… had been where Prenia once stood. His eyes scanned the ground urgently.
“You bastard!”
Her hand glowed, but he grabbed her forearm—the one Rena had warned him about. It felt wrong, soft and rotten, unlike a real arm. She groaned in pain.
He kicked her shin, making her stumble.
“I want to repay you for everything you did to Rena.”
“Shut—”
“But she wouldn’t want that.”
Prenia sneered bitterly.
“Haven’t you thought you might never see Rena again?”
She looked confident, as if she held a secret. Calix, without a flicker of doubt, replied,
“Not once.”
Her face twisted.
Meanwhile, Randell followed the Duke’s orders and held his ground. He gathered the wounded, and finally the endless rain of attacks had stopped.
Did the Duke succeed?
But no one returned from the forest. Doubt crept in—maybe the Duke was dead.
Then Randell saw a man approaching.
“…?”
At first, it seemed impossible. But as the man drew closer, Randell recognized him.
“Your Highness…?”
It was Prince Adrian. The prince approached with a wide smile, flanked by unknown men.
Why was the prince, who should be in the palace, here of all places? Randell pinched himself, but Adrian was real.
Randell, relieved, lowered his guard and went to greet him—believing the prince would help.
But as he neared, Adrian spoke.
“…I’m sorry.”
Before Randell could grasp the meaning—
Stab!
A burning pain ripped through him as the blade sank deep.
“……!”
Randell’s eyes widened.
The last thing he saw was Prince Adrian’s cold, emotionless stare as he looked down at him.
‘When going down to the basement, Regiana Troxia must not be alive.’
Adrian remembered Renia’s repeated warning. Even with the barrier cutting off her magic, if she reached the dragon’s basement, she would gain the upper hand instantly.
So when Adrian found her collapsed, defenseless, he hesitated.
Should he kill her here?
It would be quick, easy. But…
He thought of Renia. Right now she was fighting Duke Hertorio. If he moved quickly, he could get to the dragon’s chamber before her.
He didn’t want to steal the dragon, but… lately Renia’s behavior troubled him. She acted boldly, without respect, as if she didn’t fear him anymore.
If she gains the dragon… how much worse will she become?
So, it would be best to seize the advantage first.
‘But I’ll deal with her first.’
Regiana Troxia still lay limp. Adrian crouched, reaching for her—
Her eyes shot open.
Slash!
She struck like lightning. Adrian screamed, staggering back. A dagger was buried in his shoulder.
Regiana Troxia rose to her feet, looking perfectly fine. Blue magic surged in her hand.
But the barrier…! How?!
Adrian panicked. Against her, with her power restored, he stood no chance.
She glanced at him coldly.
“We meet again.”
“……”
“Looks like Calix managed to break the barrier.”
She flexed her glowing hand, muttering.
Adrian trembled. She didn’t attack. She didn’t even seem to care about him.
Confused, he stammered,
“…You’re not going to attack me?”
“Not really.”
Regiana Troxia answered bluntly.
