Dark Fantasy: Magical Eye Knight – Chapter 191

Chapter 191: Crossroads (13)

 

“Let us exit via there. If you continue straight, you will encounter a corridor and eventually an exit.”

 

Russell spoke first as Derban opened his mouth.

 

“There are no more ambushers. The exterior is clean and transparent. It would be wiser to return and bring your master to safety.”

 

Derban wanted to know how Russell came to that decision, even though it felt like refuting his own thoughts.

 

In fact, it had been like that from the beginning. Russell guided them confidently, as if he understood the building’s underlying structure and geography. Even when the surroundings were thrown into darkness and unexpected swords flew from all directions, he broke them and made his way without hesitation.

 

Countless questions flowed, but Derban’s question was unique.

 

“Who are you?”

 

“I still have someone to find. Go first.

 

The knight fixed his gaze on Russell. He didn’t know anything about the man wielding the enormous white axe.

 

He stood a little over 190 centimeters tall. He was right-handed, but he could use his left hand well. Derban noticed this when he watched Russell switch the axe to his left hand and quickly dispatch the three ambushers who had rushed at him.

 

Despite his considerable height, unlike the others who were thin and wobbly due to their prematurely tall stature. He possessed a large weight and a light pace that allowed him to keep up. The mix of heaviness and lightness resulted in devastating combat abilities.

 

His age was difficult to estimate. He was clCounty an adult, as seen by the lack of facial hair, yet his deep-set eyes and stare did not appear to be those of a typical young man. Overall, Knight Derban thought he was an unfathomable man. However, it was Russell who saved their lives and guided them until today.

 

“Who are you looking for?”

 

Russell considered it for a bit before responding.

 

“I’m Count Jayvir’s son. Roscell. I heard he was here.”

 

Derban spoke with a shocked expression and tone.

 

“Is that true? It’s natural for a Count’s son to visit here. But, as you’ve seen, the nobles all wear masks and arrive here in secret. The demi-humans are a bit tricky. . .If it weren’t for Definas, this kind of auction house wouldn’t have been built in the first place.”

 

“Definus? Who is that?”

 

If Brasilt’s slave auction house, Valkurtis, had just dealt with humans, it would not have been able to establish such a big site, building, and fortune. Behind their affluence lay the bonds that chained the demi-humans.

 

In most circumstances, elves and dwarves did not accept humans enslaving their relatives. Of course, this was true in the majority of cases. Elfs and demi-humans, like humans, were unique individuals with their own opinions and reasons for happiness.

 

Definus was one such elf. It would have been tough to include demi-humans in the slave sale if it hadn’t been for him, who harbored strong feelings against his own people.

 

Russell nodded as he gained knowledge through conversation.

 

“Thank you for letting me know. Now, go.”

 

The knight attempted to ask another question. Was he the one who stopped the monsters’ movement in Calisden, defeated the ancient devil in the lonely town in the northwest, and triumphed over the gory tumult in Errandis?

 

There would be an opportunity to inquire next time. Russell walked away, leaving no time for questioning. Only the fluttering hem of his coat and the axe, which emitted a faint light even in the darkness, provided evidence of his steps.

 

Derban, who had assumed the role of leading his master and the other group to the white light that indicated the exit, shook his head and moved his legs.

 

Russell’s eyes were not fooled by the blackness that was directly in front of them. However, the darkness persisted. Russell halted walking when he sensed the movement of magical power that was on the verge of causing havoc in that endeavor.

 

“I know you are there. Come out.

 

He appeared to be throwing an echo into the vast abyss. In an instant, the environment altered. Russell realized he had been transported entirely to another location.

 

Light blazed up. No, it was a military force of flames arranged in the void.

 

Russell stared as flames formed behind him, forming a wide circle.

 

The surroundings were no longer a corridor, with rooms lined up on either side. It was a spot with many stairs and a flat area where people could sit. The stairs formed a semicircular arc, with a big stage in the center. Russell recognized that this was a stage in which slaves were introduced and their prices were negotiated.

 

Onstage, there was a woman seated in a chair. She was a woman with gray-black hair, coppery skin, pointy ears, and red eyes. The woman had a long, thin chain in her hand, with the end leading into the darkness behind the stage. Russell was not surprised; he couldn’t see through the darkness.

 

“Do you know where you are?”

 

It was an unexpected question, but it was not difficult to respond. Russell spoke as he proceeded down the stairs.

 

“An auction house.”

 

“That’s correct. It is a location where people value life and buy and sell it. Isn’t that strange?”

 

“What is?”

 

“The very concept of it. I believe it’s strange. It is not unusual for the inferior to misunderstand or dislike the superior. It is natural for the fool to misunderstand the wise.”

 

Thump, thud. Russell’s footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs. The sound boomed and resonated throughout the big, open space. Against the echo, the woman murmured in a leisurely tone.

 

“That is why the stupid seek to bring the wise down to their level. This is the site where such ambitions are fulfilled. The most common attempt is to bring down others while elevating oneself.”

 

“Do you despise humans?”

 

“No. I called it odd. I was curious about how it could be feasible, so I decided to try it myself.”

 

“Do you know a witch named Giselle?”

 

“No.”

 

Two negatives. There was no lie. Russell understood that this ambush and that woman had nothing to do with one another. The darkness within the auction building was unusually thick. Giselle’s puppets, who had been mentally bound, controlled, and subdued by drugs and magic, did not require such darkness to murder all of the Prince’s and Princess’s faction nobles gathered at the auction house.

 

Russell was able to easily kill the ambushers who wandered around, unable to locate their way or targets in Valkurtis’ complicated construction and the artificial darkness that absorbed light.

 

Russell set the norm for what was considered simple here. If Derban or the other knights could read Russell’s mind, they would have been astounded. Avoiding the blades flying in the darkness needed strong senses, a great deal of magic power, and a high degree of operation.

 

The woman bent her head and inquired in a languid tone.

 

“It was noisy outside. There were also many men with swords coming in. Are they attempting to kill the nobles who came to this auction house?”

 

“You know politics well.”

 

“Of course. How long have I lived among you?”

 

“So why did you intervene with them? Don’t you hate humans?”

 

The woman rose up and patted her buttocks.

 

“I was just interested in what it’s like to be a slave. Where I lived, we didn’t have this. I attempted it myself, but it was beyond my capabilities. Do you think so?”

 

She asked someone else, not Russell. When the woman jerked the chain, something from behind the curtain was hauled out. Russell recognized the man. He was a slave trader from the south, with thick, dark features and big brows.

 

The slave trader, Borseo, begged with tears and snot running down his face.

 

“Please forgive me, great one. I truly didn’t know. . .

 

“If you had known, I would have learned magic in vain. You are not guilty of not knowing. Your sin is elsewhere.

 

As soon as the woman snapped her fingers, flames burst throughout the man’s body. The slave dealer shrieked and writhed. However, the handcuffs and chains around his neck severely limited his mobility.

 

The flames did not consume the slave dealer all at once. The process was slow. The skin melted, the muscles were crushed, and digging through them was slow.

 

The woman’s face remained expressionless until the slave trader, clothed in a flame-colored robe, sank to his knees, losing strength. Her attention returned to Russell.

 

“I wonder how you were able to find your way around in the darkness without getting lost and sending the others outside.”

 

“Anyone can do it if they have good eyes and senses.”

 

“I haven’t seen someone like you in 150 years. My name is Asharin. What is yours?”

 

“Russell.”

 

Russell, who had now finished descending the steps, was almost at the front of the stage. The stage was positioned a little further out from the steps and the chairs where the audience and buyers sat, so the distance between them was at least 6 or 7 meters.

 

Russell covered a short distance. The same was true for Asharin.

 

“I need to figure out how you managed to break through my magic and find my exact location. It’s a matter of my pride.”

 

“Where are the other nobles?”

 

“I’ll tell you if you beat me. You were once able to break away from my spell and free the others, but it won’t be simple this time.

 

Seeing Asharin showing a competitive spirit, Russell pretended to sigh heavily and unleashed Final Frost in a surprise attack. Seeing the axe flying like a ray of light, Asharin smiled.

 

“Impressive.”

 

Asharin drew a long spear of flame from her hand and pushed it into the ground, as if flinging it down.

 

Poof!

 

The flames, which spread like wildfire across the floor, formed a barrier, blocking Final Frost. Fire and ice collided.

 

Steam burst violently.

 

It seemed as if a hole had suddenly formed in the void, shooting out a massive cloud. A mountain of scorching steam erupted and engulfed the surrounding area.

 

The steam, which spread like fog, was tinted red and gleamed scarlet thanks to the circle of roaring flames that adorned the boundaries of the large auction building.

 

Crackle, crackle—!

 

A blue thunderbolt smashed through the red steam. The massive lightning bolt, which extended innumerable branches like an ancient tree, immediately disrupted the vapor and pounced on Asharin on the other side.

 

Kwaang!

 

The electric jolt disintegrated before Asharin, who was directly in front of her, scattering light like a broken mirror fragment. Asharin, who had been watching the blue electric jolt that writhed in the abyss before vanishing like an earthworm, opened her lips to Russell.

 

“You employ attributes. As I have heard. Where did you learn this?”

 

The previous fun tone was no longer evident. It was squirming at her feet, with a much more cautious demeanor and a chilly, frozen magical force ready to fire at any time.

 

She had just realized from their recent conversation that Russell was a great warrior and wizard.

 

Russell, who had summoned Final Frost and removed it from the ground with one hand, spoke quietly.

 

“I learned it from lizards like you.”

 

“That’s a very insulting expression.”

 

Asharin chuckled and waved her hand. The magic that had been concealing her appearance was then released, revealing her true form.

 

Her brown complexion became pale, and her elf-like pointed ears reverted to the shape of a fish fin. A shimmering blue lizard’s tail was affixed to where her spine extended downward.

 

Her appearance, with horns erupting from her head, resembled that of a half-human, half-dragon. Drakonian. She was a dragonkin with a far more humanlike appearance than reptiles.

 

“I’m not as susceptible to cold as other dragonkin. My homeland is closer to a snowy region, in fact.”

 

Asharin mumbled, and a spark shot out of the tip of her finger.

 

Fwoosh!

 

Soon, the spark, which had been imbued with an enormous amount of magical power, erupted and developed into a ferocious blaze, swelling its body and transforming into a massive orb of fire.

 

Asharin, who had raised the flame sphere the size of a house with one finger, inquired with a pallid smile.

 

“Are you going to surrender quietly?”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

Asharin nodded, and Russell chuckled and clutched Final Frost.

 

“Good. Let’s try to see whether my healing magic can bring back even a piece of charcoal. I wanted to try it once.”

 

And the massive orb of flame erupted with astonishing speed. Russell did not evade it, despite its incredible speed given its size and amount of magic power. There was nothing to avoid in the first place.

 

Kwaaang!

 

A massive pillar of fire rose up, piercing the night sky. The pillar of flames, which once again lit up the scorched sky, was so thick and bright that it could be seen from anywhere in the city.

 

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