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chapter 55
In the midst of the urgent situation, Freya listened to Ades.
If they were truly targeting Princess Loria, then their actions would inevitably change. And it should be Freya, as a senior of the Tower rather than a family member, to stop their movements.
Even amid the fierce battle, Freya maintained her composure and carefully observed the situation.
And soon, she sensed something unusual. The number of undead charging at them had clearly decreased.
Freya’s instincts warned her:
“One squad, follow me!”
“Yes!”
Acting quickly, she pulled a force through the forest path. It was the direction the person who had claimed to know Lawrence had moved.
“We can’t let them escape!”
“I didn’t hear anything about an assassin being involved, what’s going on!”
“Perhaps our intel has been leaked.”
The obnoxious voices echoed through the forest. Freya immediately confirmed Ades’ speculation, as well as her and Loria’s instincts—they were right.
She immediately began incanting a spell while moving.
‘I’m still inexperienced, but the enemy hasn’t noticed us yet.’
Casting spells while on the move was an extremely difficult task for a wizard, who needed focus. Even among those above the 6th Circle, many didn’t use [Moving Casting].
“Almighty mana, grant me your power. Unyielding disaster upon my enemies, and for my allies…”
Shuffling slightly, Freya began chanting, her eyes half-lidded. The soldiers sensed the shimmering mana and synchronized their movement with her. Wizards were the top priority to protect.
However, as a 5th Circle mage, her mana was too thick and dense, and it was soon detected.
“There! Enemies!”
“Send the minions!”
[Kiieee—!]
The enemy immediately sent undead toward Freya. Any observer could tell they were black mages, and the so-called “minions” were shocking in reality.
“What is that!?”
“This… monstrous abomination…!”
[Kiieeeeek!]
The creatures were zombies and ghouls, wearing tattered clothing. Their “ingredients” were the nearby village residents and soldiers wearing armor emblazoned with the emblem of Algeras.
“We have no choice. Purge them all.”
“Yes!”
The squad immediately raised their spears and shields at the commander’s order. Any pity lasted only a moment. If they weren’t vigilant, they’d share the same fate.
“There’s also a mage!”
“Red Tower! I’ll take care of it!”
A black mage commander blocked their path, controlling the undead. The rest rushed toward where Ades had fled. Meanwhile, Freya’s incantation reached its climax.
“-Rain down fire upon my enemies! Fire Rain!”
Her specialty and one of the most effective spells in the forest.
Fwoooosh—!
A massive sphere of fire appeared at her outstretched hand. The surroundings lit up as fiery arrows rained down.
KWA-KWAA-KWANG—!
She targeted the pursuing black mages. The long-reaching columns of fire formed a fiery barrier.
“Clear a path!”
“Yes! Break through somehow!”
“Ahhh! It’s hot! So hot!”
The forest became a scene of absolute disaster. All from a single 5th Circle spell.
“Do you even know who you’re targeting?”
Freya’s eyes shimmered with mana. The crime of aiming at the noble Montemer princess was immense. She raised mana once more to warn them:
“Not a single one of you will survive, as long as I’m here.”
“Looks like the Red Tower will lose a great talent today.”
The black mage commander boldly countered. The mana of the two mages clashed violently in midair.
Meanwhile, Ades and Loria successfully evaded the black mages. They discovered a path leading through the forest and paused to catch their breath.
“I think they’re not following us anymore.”
“Let’s go!”
“Ugh!”
Smack—!
Loria hit Ades with a small fist, still disoriented from being bound by shadows. Freed at last, she brushed off her armor and asked:
“Are you really someone sent by Lawrence?”
“I told you, yes.”
“He was just a kid hiding in the annex. How could he know someone like you?”
It was natural to be suspicious. Seeing Loria tentatively stir mana, Ades raised his hands. There was no time to waste. Honesty was the best approach.
“I originally received a contract to put you and Lawrence in danger.”
“…What!?”
“Isn’t that a common occurrence in noble families? Was Montemer an exception?”
“Then we can’t leave you alive.”
“But! I was caught by Lawrence! Haha! So we made a sort of agreement. Now, shall we move quickly?”
Boom—.
The sounds of battle grew louder nearby.
‘If we get involved now, it’ll be even more dangerous. I can’t fully trust him yet…’
But her instincts told her he wasn’t lying. And if he were truly an assassin, he would have acted already. Loria decided to move along with him, cautiously.
“Fine. Let’s go. You said your brother is there?”
“Yes. I mapped the path while coming here, so we need to move quickly.”
Ades took out a compass, checked the direction, and led Loria onward. The black mages’ plan continued to go awry. Behind it all, Lawrence was clearly involved.
#2
While Loria took a side path, Lawrence reached a vantage point overlooking the village.
The troops stationed on the hill inspected their equipment while gazing at the village below. Lawrence, with nothing pressing, simply watched the village from a windy spot.
‘This is serious.’
A disgusting stench drifted on the wind. The air felt sticky, as if mixed with some foreign substance—like tar mixed into the atmosphere. No matter how you looked at it, this environment was hostile to ordinary humans.
“What are you staring at so blankly?”
“You are… Prince Bearix, right?”
“Currently, I’m just a cadet. Call me that, Lawrence.”
The man speaking wore a stoic expression. His tall, solid frame was impressive. Lawrence gave him a glance, trying to recall something: Algeras, and the subjugation mission…
‘I’ve only heard about it. I can hardly remember the incident.’
Bearix continued, giving a decisive hint:
“Do any of these villagers look normal to you?”
“….”
“The fact that the entire territory is infected suggests a purpose. Black mages usually hide in dark places to conduct their research.”
“True… you’re more insightful than I expected.”
“Sharp judgment and precise analysis are essential for a knight.”
Too many fail at that. Lawrence didn’t reply, recalling events from his past life—now distant memories.
<Why hasn’t the emperor acted yet? I don’t understand!>
<The western region was devastated, wasn’t it? They summoned high-level demonic monsters. Didn’t it take over a year to subdue them?>
After defeating the demon, the Iron Tower Master died. The timing was perfect; stepping back, everything fit neatly. The question remained—could Lawrence himself defeat such a huge monster?
‘Firepower-wise, it shouldn’t be a problem…’
Many Tower Masters participated, and 5th Circle or higher mages were not rare. For the sake of achievement, they would throw themselves in recklessly. The subjugation would be manageable if they understood the strategy. But first, stopping the summoning was crucial.
“We need to move quickly.”
“….”
Lawrence left Bearix behind and hurried away, as if pressed by urgent business. Bearix silently watched him, growing more interested in the young man. Despite his youth, Lawrence displayed no hesitation.
“What an interesting young master.”
Bearix spoke, then moved toward the frontlines. He sensed a gathering was imminent.
#3
“So it seems. Yes, they were clearly gathering many sacrifices…”
“What about the timing?”
Lawrence quickly reported to the Tower Master, instructors, and senior priests. The idea of sacrifices was plausible.
“And one more thing: though there’s still time, it’s best to hurry.”
In his previous life, the Holy Grail had been stolen. That meant they had an enormous portable storage space. How they manifested it, he didn’t know…
‘Wait, why didn’t I think of that earlier?’
A shiver ran through him as he recalled his artifact. There were details he had overlooked that now needed attention.
“Then, move the troops immediately. They’ve had sufficient rest, but food is limited.”
“Understood. Prepare the mages as well.”
“Yes.”
“Lawrence, you prepare for battle too.”
“Understood.”
Lawrence’s face remained hard. Some had likely already noticed: the artifact had disappeared. The Grail, material impossible for anyone else to craft, had been incorporated into his power.
But…
“So that means the enemy already has information about the Dragon’s Legacy? They—”
[That seems likely.]
“So they’ve probably been seeking the Grail as well. Is that why they’re targeting Loria? I’m not sure.”
[It’s presumed unrelated to Loria Montemer.]
‘Then…’
Lawrence stared at the enemy stronghold with a serious expression. The enemy was likely after the Dragon’s Legacy as well. His suspicion was now near certainty.
“Everyone, assemble! The operation begins!”
Naturally, all eyes turned toward the Iron Tower Master. Then, the death of the Iron Tower Master was also…
