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Chapter 43
As they got closer to the gate, countless monsters appeared from somewhere, chasing them.
It felt like every monster in the area was gathering together.
When the pursuing beasts caught up and surrounded them, even Ponti had to stop.
[There are too many monsters. We can’t go any further.]
“I think I’ll have to stop them here.”
Theophanes leapt from Ponti’s back without hesitation.
“Theo”
“Madam, don’t cry just because you miss me.”
His teasing words made Daphne’s irritation flare up.
“Are you joking right now?”
Theophanes’ eyes widened slightly at her annoyed reply.
Daphne furrowed her brow and spoke again.
“I just used a lot of energy making that barrier a moment ago. It’s hard to use more.”
Theophanes gave a faint smile.
“You realize how foolish that sounds, right?”
“Your words are a little rough, madam.”
Daphne ignored him and quickly surveyed the area.
She could do this.
The monsters’ screeches pounded in her head, but she closed her eyes.
To feel the energy inside her body.
Not like a thin thread, but like opening a dam.
At that moment, it felt as if a huge gate inside her had swung wide open.
The energy leaving her body was stronger and more intense than any moment she had used power before.
[No… more…!]
‘I need more.’
Over her mumbling, another voice rose.
It sounded like a woman’s.
“An…!”
‘Just a little more.’
Her hand holding Ponti’s fur trembled.
‘I’ll help you.’
“Daphne! Stop!”
Theophanes’ clear voice made her eyes snap open.
Countless arrows were spread out in pure white.
The bright blue chains she had seen before shot out, wrapping around the monsters’ legs.
The beasts struggled, trying to fly, but the chains pulled them back repeatedly.
Daphne slowly raised her hand and quickly brought it down.
The arrows flew toward the monsters at incredible speed.
The monsters began falling like rain, and the chains slowly vanished with creaking sounds.
Daphne casually touched one arrow and said,
“Chase them.”
The white arrows instantly flew in all directions.
Watching it all, Theophanes lifted his gaze to her.
Daphne’s violet eyes glowed with a blue light.
He flinched at the sight.
Her expression was cool and calm, like a porcelain doll.
It was a strange sight, but he recognized a familiar shadow in it.
[You’d be in big trouble if you argued with your spouse.]
Ponti bumped Theophanes lightly with its head.
“Ah… so I have to be careful.”
Theophanes, still staring at her, answered and climbed back onto Ponti’s back.
Normally, he might have joked a little, but now he just focused silently ahead.
“Let’s go quickly. There’s no time.”
[Right.]
Ponti seemed to sense the cold determination and hurried forward.
Near the gate, the corruption was thick and spread across the ground.
Ponti leapt lightly onto the roof, where there was space to land.
[We can’t go any further.]
“This should be enough.”
As Theophanes reached to help Daphne down, she jumped naturally.
Her movement was so smooth that he froze in place.
Daphne walked without hesitation.
At the edge of the roof, she flexed and unclenched her hands, focusing.
“…This is the limit.”
She muttered softly, then reached toward the gate.
A large bow appeared in her hands.
It was different from the one she had made at the wedding, both in size and shape.
She pulled the string steadily, and arrows began forming.
From the ground, another chain rose, wrapping around the gate as it started to close.
The sound of chains clashing echoed in the air.
Her arms trembled as she drew the bow to the limit.
When she released, the arrow flew toward the gate at incredible speed.
It cut through the air and passed through the gate.
The arrow slowly disappeared, and the gate crashed down with a loud noise.
“Daphne.”
Theophanes finally got down from Ponti and approached her.
But she was still staring forward.
“Daphne?”
As he placed a hand on her shoulder, her head dropped.
“Ah…”
Soon after, she lifted her head, blinking and scanning her surroundings.
She frowned, then looked at her hands as if checking something.
“What’s wrong?”
Theophanes asked, and Daphne flinched, turning slightly.
“Ah, nothing.”
The gate crumbled into dust, then reformed into a key shape, lowering toward Daphne.
She caught the floating key and turned to Theophanes.
“Let’s go to Jaquette quickly.”
“Yes.”
Theophanes felt something was off, but didn’t ask.
He silently turned toward Ponti as if lost in thought.
Ponti didn’t move immediately, carrying Theophanes.
Daphne stood below, watching.
“Madam?”
“Oh… Theo…”
She hesitated, and Theophanes realized Daphne couldn’t climb up.
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.”
He went down again, lifted Daphne onto Ponti, and she said,
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Theophanes climbed behind her.
“Let’s go.”
[Right.]
Unlike the rush to the gate, they departed in silence.
[The connection with the divine beast isn’t broken yet, right?]
“Yes!”
Looking around, it seemed the remaining monsters had been cleared.
Inside the shield, it was calm.
Once the corruption was purified, the repair work would finish quickly.
Reaching the edge of Ponti’s protective barrier, Daphne could feel the energy more clearly.
She pointed in a direction.
“I sense it over there.”
“Northeast, Ponti.”
Even without seeing, Ponti ran swiftly toward the destination.
“Jaquette!”
As Daphne called out, she noticed something spinning through the air beside them.
It came fast, and Ponti’s speed made it hard to stop or dodge.
Daphne reached out quickly.
Instantly, thick, solid ice formed in midair.
It wasn’t enough to completely block it, but there was enough time to avoid the attack.
Thud!
As expected, the spinning force gradually weakened.
Ponti stopped briefly and turned toward the monsters.
[Theo!]
“Got it.”
Theophanes jumped from Ponti’s back.
“My strength has recovered a bit. Don’t worry too much. With Ponti here, it’s okay.”
He spoke before Daphne could say anything.
She could only nod.
Petals swirled around him as a sword formed in his hand.
The ice stopped breaking.
Suddenly, the flapping of wings announced a large bird-like monster rising onto the ice.
It looked different from the one that had come from the “gate” earlier.
Its body was similar to the previous new monster, but its head was shaped like a wolf’s.
Grurk—
[It smells like many monsters. Is it just one?]
Theophanes had never seen one like this. He moved his lips, then answered Ponti.
“No, it’s one damn beast.”
