Chapter 179: Crossroads (1)
“. . . . . .Those are extraordinary eyes. Not only is the color stunning, but what you can do with it is much more impressive.”
The elderly voice who had read Russell’s duel with Rictus in his head spoke.
It was already astonishing to be able to expand on the concept of ‘seeing’ in order to interpret the flow of mana and magical force that was unseen to the human eye. What was more crucial was his ability to artificially block that flow.
“Even if you can see the magic formula, precisely stabbing it is another story. If it had been an ability that did not match your theme, your body would have been unable to withstand it, melting away. However, because you are not yet like that, it appears that you have good control over it. The more I look at it, the more intrigued I am by your bloodline. Do you know anything about your parents?”
“Are you curious about that in the middle of all this?”
“Yes. Wizards are a species that is continuously seeking knowledge. Even what we already know must be examined on a regular basis in order to advance.
“Is that why you transplanted your soul into a tree?”
The old man expressed amazement.
“Can you see that too?”
Russell’s eyes beheld the seed firmly planted in the center of the Draconic Lizardman. He also noticed a mass of tree roots made of mana that was wrapped around the heart like a circular sphere.
Russell’s recent blow was powerful enough to instantly devastate even a dragonkin’s strong heart.
Rictus’ body was still alive, which appeared to be due to something done by the elderly voice who shared it.
“Basically, it unfolds around the seed, but it absorbs magic power through the roots and stems that extend in all directions and replenishes the lost flesh and blood through it.”
“But just now, a lot of it collapsed as you tried to sustain your attack. . . I knew the concept of seeing had increased, but to think you could see into my body. If I had eyes like yours when I was living, I wouldn’t have had to engage in such foolishness.”
Russell tilted his head.
“What about that lizard?”
“He has lost consciousness. The impact was too severe. Even if you shield the heart, there is no other option if the spine is broken. I’m not sure if he’ll ever regain consciousness.”
Russell’s gaze shifted to the spine as he spoke. It was broken, but the same magical power threads that had wrapped around the heart were also connected to the broken half.
It’s an impossible act if you don’t understand the structure of the body. The spirit of the wizard who possessed this dragonkin’s body appeared to be extremely knowledgeable about the spine, brain, internal organs such as the heart, and nervous system.
“What’s his name?”
“Are you asking now? You’re certainly asking quickly.”
“Just tell me.”
The elderly voice, who had momentarily taken possession of the unconscious Draconic Lizardman’s body, spoke.
“His name is Martinez. Do you recognize the name?
“No.”
Russell shook his head and spoke, displaying the forearm that was still under his elbow in his arms.
“Tell me about the name Gulla. How do you know this arm?”
“Do you want me to tell you?”
“You’ll have to. That way, you won’t have to endure a horrible death.”
“Kukukuk. . . . . . . . . .”
Martinez smiled, his scaly lips quivering.
“I only wanted eternal life and the pursuit of knowledge. A problem that cannot be solved immediately may be solved in the future. I couldn’t disregard the possibility. Whenever that concept creeped into my thoughts, I eventually chose it. But the outcome is this. To live out what little life I have left by parasitizing a withered, decrepit dragonkin. . . . . . and that too in front of a young whippersnapper.”
The dragonkin’s head turned up. His bright pupils mirrored the black night sky and glittering stars.
“What is after death. . .? Why haven’t I ever considered what happens after death? It is pointle. . .”
Martinez came to a halt when he spoke these words. He had died.
Russell chuckled. He had said a lot of rubbish, but in the end, he refused to tell him about Gulla, and he died as a result.
Of course, Rictus’ body was so shattered that he could have perished at any time.
He held up Gulla’s limp arm, which had suddenly begun to move.
It dangled down like a real corpse’s arm, but its skin was glowing, and the cross-section of the severed elbow was still clear enough to detect the tiny nerve stems caused by the muscles.
He threw the arm into his coat and took out a cigarette. The night ended as the sun rose above the distant eastern hill.
The mist from the plateau, which he had no idea had begun to blanket, met the sunshine. The mist, which had filled its milky white body with yellow and orange light, glowed.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
“Your Highness, the enemy is moving.”
“They’re finally moving.”
‘Are they attempting to form an attack force with a small number of troops and wait for the proper time, or are they planning a full-scale rotation?’
The most significant attribute for a monarch who leads a war is the ability to correctly read the military scenario.
The lords, knights, wizards, and officers gazed at the woman, who was staring at the enormous map on the circular table in the center of the large hall.
“Your Highness, here, we should move the cavalry and hit the enemy’s flank. . . . .”
“What are you talking about, Sir Hamir? When there is a melee, utilize the cavalry to chop apart the enemy army. Don’t you understand the hammer and anvil strategy?”
“What? This guy━”
“If it were me, I would use the battle wizards more freely than the cavalry. Wouldn’t the enemy’s morale plummet if they saw wizards flying in the sky? Anyway, we have more wizards than they do.
“You know one thing but not the other. If you fly in the skies and cast magic at the same time, won’t you waste twice as much magic power?”
“It’s better to lower the enemy’s morale than to save the amount of magic power!”
“We’re not fighting a battle; we’re fighting a war!”
The meeting hall suddenly got boisterous. Those who were contending that their comments were correct, even to the point of growing red in the neck, were all looking in the same direction in the meantime.
The top seat in the meeting hall was occupied by a woman with colorful guards behind her, who was sitting at the table with her hands on it.
Her long silver hair was braided in a single braid, and she raised her head slightly.
Her stunning face, which appeared to have been chiseled by a deity, was as icy as frostbite.
Her golden eyes sparkled as she opened her scarlet lips.
“Silence.”
The conference hall went quiet in an instant. It was made possible not just by her voice but also by some sort of magical force.
The woman, who had softly subdued the war commanders while seated, sprang up.
“Prepare the heavy cavalry and assemble in front of the city gate. Separate the wizards into three groups. One should keep an eye on the flying party, and the other two should prepare their attack magic in advance so that they can use it at any time.”
After giving the command, the woman exited the meeting hall. Guards, lords from all over, and wizards from the magic tower followed her.
“Your Highness, are you going to go to war?”
“So you want me to remain in that tower and accomplish nothing? Sir Hamir?”
“It’s not that, but I’m worried that your body might be hurt while suppressing the rebels. . . . .”
“Rebels. My father has not even died yet, so it is presumptuous.”
“Ah, I, I’m sorry.”
Julia, the princess who had cut short the knight’s words, climbed the city wall stairs and arrived at the top of the tower without hesitation.
A black wave appeared in front of her, approaching the city gates. All of the lords’ troops sought to enter under her brother’s protection.
“Delan, Hosfel, Gittson, Douches. . . . . . . is that all?”
“Yes. They are basically a motley crew, drunk on their past victories.”
Julia responded to the woman next to her. The wizard, clutching a crystal ball, smiled at Julia.
“They have all tasted triumph four times, so they must believe that this castle is our last stronghold. They have not noticed the force that Your Highness has assembled.”
“Too many people have died anyway.”
At the woman’s hushed words, one of the soldiers behind her moved forward.
“They’ll be proud to die for Her Majesty. They shall die in honor. You must win so that their deaths are not in vain.
“. . .I am not the Emperor yet. Call me properly.”
“My apologies. Your Highness.”
The knight lowered his head and stepped back. The princess looked down again. She said.
“Let’s go.”
The war had already started.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
Waaaaaaaah-!
Huge screams echoed over the battlefield. Each one was small, but as they joined forces, they formed an unstoppable scream that echoed throughout the battlefield.
The soldiers witnessed it. The reason they had to fight in this barbaric realm of blood and destruction.
Princess Julia did not wear a helmet, so she heard the concerns of innumerable wizards and urged them to use various protective charms to avoid snipers.
Julia, who ignored the objections and declared that she could catch any arrows that flew from a distance, exclaimed as she always did, exposing her brilliant face.
“My soldiers! Raise your swords. Here come those who will trample your land, insult your family, and steal your crops! Block them with your shields, and protect your family! Do not let them take anything away!”
Waaaaaaaah━!
Her scream was carried farther and higher by magical energy. All the soldiers who heard her clear voice responded with a loud voice.
The response quickly evolved into an advance, which then became a gallop.
The troops’ ancient leather shoes and boots left innumerable imprints and dust on the dry earth.
“To the side!”
Mercenaries who could manipulate magic were made captains of the hundred-man units, and the captains of the thousand-man units, who commanded those hundred-man units, gave orders.
As the infantrymen divided in two, the princess, knights, and wizards on horseback rushed between them.
The warriors could see the princess’s long silver hair shining brightly in the sunlight, as well as her face in the foreground.
‘That gorgeous woman is our master!’
The sky behind the few clouds sparkled with a clear blue light, and the Ferger Plains attempted to boast of their extensive grass and vegetation.
However, the green waves were obliterated by Prince Aldrick’s army, which approached, trampling on the grass and greenery, and in their place, a procession of black, brown, and red leather and armor appeared.
They were well-armed enough to be termed conscripts, but they were running in separate groups without proper formation.
They were mercenaries. The lords’ hired mercenaries were each looking for their own group or the mercenary group’s captain.
Some were on horseback, but many others were not.
Princess Julia announced the beginning of the war.
“Light, bestow upon me━”
She raised her right arm, holding a gorgeous longsword. The blade, adorned with gems and gold, manifested the blue magic force, transforming it into a white flash.
Your punishment is at hand!”
A beam of light that exploded from the blade split into dozens of beams at the end and shot into the air. The beams of light that had been launched reached a point where they abruptly went straight and changed course before plunging down towards the mercenaries.
Tudutudutudutu!
“Ack!”
“My arm!”
“Raise your shields! Raise your━gack.”
As the mercenary gang was thrown into turmoil by the unexpected arrival, the princess’ cavalry crashed into the center of the group.
Julia, who had precisely identified the location of the crack, turned the horse’s head and divided the group in two as they collided.
“Damn it! Get out of the way!”
“Aaah, aaah!”
“Mommyyyy!”
Those who attempted to flee from death shouted, called their mothers, and wet their pants. All of them were either beheaded with the knights’ swords or had their heads bashed in and laid on the ground.
After dividing the mercenary group in two and breaking it into wedge-shaped pieces, the infantrymen who had sprinted behind them swung their spears and swords to finish up the remainder.
As the mercenary ranks were split in two, the lords of Delan, Hosfel, Gittson, and Douches, who had come slowly with the mercenaries in front, froze.
“W, Wait, what’s going on here? Didn’t you say they’d defend?!”
“What are you talking about?! When did I ever say that?!”
“Are you going to debate that in this situation?! Send out the knights quickly!”
“Y, You send out yours first. I’m going to watch the situation a little longer. . . . . .”
“What are you talking about?”
The lords, who had been drunk on their four victories and had only thought about preserving their own forces, bickered among themselves. Meanwhile, the princess was already approaching their immediate vicinity.
The magical power of light, which represented her, flickered around her. People exclaimed in unison, and she appeared to be a god of light.
Woooooong-!
Julia swung her sword, generating the sound of millions of bees swarming.
The magical power of light that stretched along the sword formed a lengthy blade that murdered the troops.
Cries, screams, and roars permeated the air.
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