Chapter 261: The Head of Noble Family |
Dust flew and a roar echoed.
The Highlord’s attack magic is powerful, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Even the Lord-class soldiers can interfere and distort the trajectory of the released magic.
The soldiers of Galfis’s army and Magnis’s army twisted the trajectory of the various attacks flying at them and avoid direct hits. The violence unleashed by the two Highlords mercilessly gouged out the earth and scattered it into the heavens.
The visibility on the front lines was almost zero. Both armies were now enveloped in so much dust that it was impossible to see even a few meters ahead with the naked eye.
Galfis moved forward.
The distance between the two Highlords was rapidly approaching, and there was no longer any room for attacking magic. Unable to distort the trajectory sufficiently, some of Magnis’ soldiers were engulfed by the flames, and the soldiers running behind Galfis’s squad were cut into pieces by invisible blades.
Galfis turning around.
Relying only on the magically enhanced five senses and the reactions of detection magic, he aimed for the head of the enemy Highlord. It was a bravery that he had long forgotten since he became a great hero. The brave spirit of his younger days was now vividly returning to Galfis.
Galfis laughed.
The battlefield is like the very home of the “Red Demon”. There is no doubt there.
Then, Galfis roared.
The grudges of Quordenze and Spierzeig have finally met.
[Begone!! VOIIISSSTRAAAAAAA!!!!!]
[You cur!!!]
==========
A fierce battle began and ended in front.
The melee seemed to be continuing, but the sky-shattering roar from earlier had disappeared. I think the battle between the Highlords has come to an end.
[Is my grandfather safe!?]
The dust was so bad that it was impossible to visually check the situation.
Detection magic has confirmed that the small force led by my grandfather and the last part of Magnis’ main force clashed. However, it is not possible to identify individuals.
[…..! Which one is it!?]
The activated detection magic noticed the reaction from the Highlords. The two were probably blown away by the impact when they met, and there was a distance of several tens of meters between the two. And neither showed any signs of moving.
[Young Master! Please calm down!]
The adjutant’s yell, amplified by magic, echoed strongly in my ears.
[We won’t be able to go and check both of them in time!!]
The subordinates were slowly gathering around each of the Highlords, who were not showing any signs of movement. Whether it’s Quordenze’s officers trying to protect my grandfather or Spierzeig’s officers trying to make a follow-up attack, the detection magic couldn’t tell.
Either way, it’s impossible to rush there from where I am. I’ll never make it in time.
[I have a plan! It’s something only Young Master can do!!]
[….got it! I’ll do what I need to do!!]
When I expressed my approval, the adjutant raised his voice to the soldiers.
[All forces charge!!! The enemy General has fallen!! Our victory is now unshakable!!! Overrun the enemy!!!]
[Oooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!]
Although we are losing in the number of soldiers, this is the Lord-class army. Now that Magnis is not moving, we can attack him one-sidedly. In order for Magnis’s army to stop our rapid advance, we need to send our soldiers to the front. That should help my grandfather in the rear…the adjutant quickly explained. That’s helpful.
[Forward!!]
We crashed into the front row of the enemy army. The enemy soldiers were blown away with such force that it was funny.
The soldier who received my reinforce magic will not lose to Magnis’ soldier whose body had only been strengthened to the level of a Lord-class soldier.
[Onward to victory!!!]
===========
Galfis, who had fallen from his horse, tried to stand up using his anti-Highlord weapon as a crutch.
[Yo… you….!!! Voi, Voistra…! F, uck, ers…! Nuu!?]
However, his body had no strength. Galfis just dropped to one knee on the ground.
[Protect the General!!]
Several Quordenze military officers from the Galfis squad ran up and deflected the attack magic fired from Spierzeig’s side.
[Kuh…!! D, dammit all…..!!]
It was the perfect opportunity to slaughter his enemy. Magnis had no experience in the muddy Highlord battles, which resemble melee duels, even if it was a well-behaved Highlord battle in which armies clashed in an orderly manner. If Galfis was in perfect condition, he should have been able to defeat Magnis as easily as they had in the previous clash.
However, even if he recovered from the magic malfunction, not everything will be recovered. The fatigue that had accumulated in his body, which had lost its magic power, and the negative effects of being continuously exposed to the waves of murderous intent, were greater than Galfis had imagined, and he was unable to move the way he wanted.
That turned out to be the worst miscalculation.
[Nuaa…..!? Gu, kukukuaah…!!!!]
Galfis let out a cry of agony and fell to his knees on the ground.
[General!?]
Several Quordenze military officers rushed over to apply healing magic. One of them noticed the existence of Galfis’s shield lying a little far away. The shield, made of a material that insulates magic, had completely rotted.
[Watch out!!]
Galfis’ body was also in terrible shape. The parts of the armor that couldn’t block the attack magic crumbled to pieces, as if they were corroded, and the exposed skin showed severe damage. It was obvious to everyone that the murderous intent of the Highlord was deeply etched into his body.
Even though the military officers healed his injuries with healing magic, Galfis was unable to stand up. Although his screams were suppressed, the sound of indescribable agony echoed from the depths of his throat, like the rumbling of the earth.
[How…]
One of the military officers held his breath as he realized that the effects of the magic residue had already become apparent, and another glared beyond the dust with angry eyes.
Magnis was standing beyond the veil of dust.
[Master!!]
He also fell off his horse due to the impact of the collision, and his feet touched the ground. He was also using his forbidden weapon like a crutch, trying to somehow stand up.
However, the next moment, Magnis felt intense pain throughout his entire body.
[…..!?]
Spierzeig’s officer hurriedly went to support their Master, who was about to fall.
Due to Galfis’ poor condition, he avoided instant death, but the damage Magnis sustained was also severe. In particular, his left arm, which had been thrust forward at the time of the collision, was in a burnt state from the elbow down.
[Please don’t move, let’s heal you first!!]
However, Magnis stretched out his right arm in the direction of Galfis, as if to shake off the voice.
[Let’s kill Galfis…!! Kill him right here…right now!!]
As the magic battle between the Lord-class soldiers had begun again, the rising dust showed no signs of slowing down. However, Magnis saw with his own eyes the momentary silence that came immediately after the collision. The figure of Galfis lying on the ground.
Considering the situation, Spierzeig’s side had the advantage. Magnis decided that it’s high time to pursue the attack.
At that moment, a roar and a scream were heard in front of Magnis’ army at the same time.
[Wilk’s army is attacking from the front!!!]
Although they couldn’t see it from Magnis’ position, everyone could tell that a fierce battle, or rather, an overrun, had begun.
[At a time like this…!!]
Between a soldier strengthened by a Highlord and a soldier strengthened by the Lord-class officer, the latter has no chance of winning. Even more so, considering Wilk’s extraordinary amount of magic power, it was easy to imagine that the difference in their abilities would be even wider.
[Strengthen the soldiers…!! Stop them…!!]
Determined to defeat Galfis here and now, no matter what, Magnis manipulates the magic power within his body to strengthen the soldiers on the front lines.
However, the body strengthening magic was never emitted.
[…ugh! …..kuaa…aaa…!!]
Magnis raised his voice due to the unexpected severe pain. It was an excruciating pain, as if the blood in his entire body had turned into a sharp knife and was cutting into his body, threatening to tear his entire consciousness to shreds.
It was the Spierzeig officer, who was supporting Magnis’ body, who realized that the injury was not a simple injury. Because he was in direct contact with his skin, he could directly feel the magic power mixed with abnormal noises.
[This is bad, the residual magic power is intense!!]
Galfis’ body may not be in a perfect condition, but in a sense, his spirit had reached its peak. That is his deep hatred.
Galfis was angrier than ever. To Kindlor, to Magnis, to Spierzeig’s army, and above all to himself who had lost his magic. The anger that continued to swirl around in his heart had degenerated into malevolent resentment.
Although the killing blow did not land, the extreme murderous intent eroded Magnis’ body with frightening force.
[Thi, this is… residual magic power…..!?]
Magnis naturally knew about residual magic. He had met people who continue to suffer from the physical disabilities caused by it, and he had also cared for people who have lost their minds in agony. However, it was his first time to actually experience it himself. His expression was distorted by an unknown pain that felt like his entire soul had been scraped away.
[…But… I…I can’t…fall down here…!!]
Supported by military officers, Magnis prepared for the pain and began to refine his magic. There was no time to use detection magic to confirm the location; it was a wide-area incineration spell aimed at the entire direction where Galfis was likely to be.
Although the activation was successful, the trajectory was far from what Magnis had envisioned, and it flew to the wrong place. A scream went up from some of Magnis’ soldiers.
[Master!! That’s unreasonable!!]
The military officer’s voice did not reach Magnis’ ears. It wasn’t that he was intentionally ignoring it, but that he was doing his best to endure the pain of magic activation.
His breathing became heavy, he could no longer even raise his arms on his own, and the force placed on the military officers supporting his body became even heavier. It is now difficult for him to even stand on his own. There was no room for a second shot.
The military officers diligently applied healing magic and waited for Magnis to calm down. Meanwhile, Magnis’ soldiers on the front lines were being scattered. They didn’t have time anymore.
[…Hah…ha… The sickles… will they, made it… in time…?]
Magnis asked with a glimmer of hope, but the military officer denied it.
[…..I see…]
Magnis slowly closed his eyes once.
As the Head of the Spierzeig family, he made a big decision.
===========
[Enemy forces have begun retreating!]
Magnis’ army began to move.
There was a magic reaction that seems to be coming from the Lord-class soldiers around grandfather and Magnis. It seemed like a formation that prioritized protecting the Highlord over skirmishing between their subordinates. Apparently, they prioritized retreat over settling things here.
[So, how do we move?]
[We should focus on pursuing the enemy, minimizing the obstacles to its retreat.]
This is a very negative proposal. Just a moment ago, the Highlord’s attack magic was fired in a strange place, but I wonder if he is wary of that. I didn’t know who released it, my grandfather or Magnis.
[The reason?]
[We have to protect the General.]
The adjutant said that since there is a high possibility that my grandfather has sustained severe injury, the first priority is to meet up with him and heal him. The effects of healing that a Lord-class and a Highlord can give are completely different.
Besides, the engineering soldiers and Nanbonan soldiers were also in a state where they seemed to be moving solely on willpower. I don’t know when that tension will break, so it seems dangerous to do anything more reckless. And if it is a follow-up attack, it will be in the form of punching the enemy in the back, so it is said that it is possible to cut down on the enemy relatively safely.
[Understood. We will proceed with that strategy.]
I’ve said a lot of things, but I think it’s a characteristic of military officers to want to prioritize protection over subjugation. I felt like it would be more confusing if I objected here.
While making several check attacks on Magnis’ army as they begin to retreat, we head for the place where there was a magical response similar to my grandfather’s.
[Young Master!!]
It seemed that my grandfather’s military officer was also thinking of joining me. They carried my grandfather like they were carrying sacks of rice on their shoulders.
[Grandfather!]
[The residual magic is serious! He needs healing immediately!! Young Master!]
There were no injuries. The military officers must have used healing magic to provide temporary treatment. However, the magic residue is an invisible wound. I activated my healing magic in full power and concentrated on healing my grandfather’s body.
[Grandfather, are you okay? Can you hear me?]
Healing magic is magic that returns an injured or sick body to its normal state. It seems that superficial magical residues can be purified at the same time if detected early, but no matter what, no matter what you do, you can’t fully remove the superficial residue of magic power. I don’t think it’s a problem of too much magic power, but rather a limitation of the healing magic mechanism itself.
Since there was no external injury, I don’t know how much attack magic my grandfather received. However, from the fact that his armor was broken in many places, I could only guess that it was a direct hit.
[Nn….. my, bad… Ah… the pain… has subsided…]
My grandfather noticed and tried to raise his arm, but he just lowered it. The fingertips were trembling slightly, perhaps due to the residual magic power. He said the pain has subsided, but I could only take it with a grain of salt.
When I tried to activate the healing magic again, my grandfather glared at me harshly.
[It’s unnecessary…! Stop it…! Save that power for… Vo… istra…!!]
My grandfather insists that there is nothing that can be done about something that cannot be cured, that activating healing magic is a waste of time, and would rather I use that time and magic power against the enemy. Although his voice seemed to fade away, the firmness of his intentions was strongly conveyed.
According to the military officers who followed my grandfather, Magnis also seems to have suffered considerable damage. Apparently the attack magic that was seen earlier was released by Magnis.
[Understood.]
From here on, I need to think carefully about what is best for the Quordenze family going forward, and how to secure my interests within it.
[…Grandfather, please retreat.]
So let’s get insurance.
[From here, I will take over.]
As expected, my grandfather nodded slightly, as he seemed to understand that he would only be a hindrance in his current state. After confirming that, I looked at the military officers.
[Take my grandfather back to Reisleaf Castle. The remaining military officers will join my unit. From now on, we will launch a pursuit.]
[Understood!]
A military officer on horseback carried my grandfather and left with several Lord-class military officers needed for protection. My grandfather must have been in such pain that he could only say [I leave it to you] as he bid farewell.
[Will it be really alright to let my grandfather retreat? After returning to Reisleaf Castle, if his condition worsened and stayed that way…]
During the reorganization of the unit, I asked my adjutant while looking at the backs of my grandfathers who were moving far away.
[It’s alright for now.]
I felt like asking him what happened next, but I just kept my mouth shut. It’s not a story that anyone wants to hear.
The topic of my grandfather’s condition was quickly brought to an end, and I asked him about the rules for follow-up battles.
[What we should aim for is the enemy soldiers.]
The adjutant declared.
In order to protect the injured Magnis, Spierzeig’s soldiers will be prepared to sacrifice themselves in a retreat. Otherwise, it will be difficult to prevent the attack of a Highlord.
[We will reap that. It is possible to weaken the Spierzeig family itself at once.]
It’s easy to forget that my grandfather is always on the front lines, but when it comes to wars on the Eruo continent, it’s usually the Lord-class officers who take the lead. In the meantime, they are also active in the management of the territory. The more I can reduce their number here, the easier it will be in many ways for the future.
[Pretending to target the enemy Commander while actually cutting down his subordinates? Very well, let’s proceed like that.]
Accepting my adjutant’s proposal, I led a makeshift instant force and followed after the enemy.
Pursue the rear of Magnis’ army as it retreats. I fired attack magic several times and tried to provoke the soldiers.
[…The enemy is surprisingly tough!]
However, the rear that we’re trying to bite was harder than I expected. The adjutant was also confused as this was unexpected.
[This is…..]
The last soldier had been given extremely strong body strengthening magic. Detection magic caught the hint of a Highlord. It seemed that Magnis himself was struggling at the rear of the unit.
If a Highlord activates the strengthening magic from close range, it will be possible to make the soldiers into quite strong ones. I sensed the strong intention to sacrifice a number of Lord-class soldiers.
[Can’t we use the soldiers we have left behind to conduct a pincer attack? Now that Magnis is focusing on the rear, the front shouldn’t be much strengthened.]
The Kindlor soldiers who lost their will to fight in the previous battle were retreating earlier. This is the perfect position to intercept the fleeing Magnis army. Some of the Quordenze military officers were also left behind for control purposes, so perhaps they could be used as a unit.
The adjutant quietly denied such an idea.
[No. Right now we are doing our best to regulate those defeated soldiers.]
He said that my military officers were working hard to prevent the Kindlor soldiers from accidentally joining Magnis’ army. It’s a little unrealistic to expect them to be able to maneuver accurately as a soldier.
[In addition…]
Just as the adjutant was about to say something, there was movement in Magnis’ army. The army was separated in the front and rear. Then, like a lizard cutting its tail, the troops in the front leave, leaving the rear troops stranded.
Thinking there must be some mistake, I shifted my focus from body strengthening magic to detection magic.
[No way.]
The adjutant’s words were also my thoughts.
Among the stranded troops, Magnis, who was supposed to be the enemy Commander, remained.
=========
Magnis’ army was divided into Magnis’ unit, which stayed back in the rear, and Spierzeig’s unit, which was trying to break away from the front. The former includes a small number of Lord-class soldiers, and the latter includes a large number of Lord-class soldiers.
[Master! We’ve had enough body strengthening!!! Please stop!!]
Spierzeig’s officer scream-like appeal echoed through Magnis’ squad.
The Master, who continued to activate body strengthening magic while enduring the severe pain of the residual magic power, did not respond to the voice. He didn’t have enough time to respond. While breathing hard on his shoulders, he simply continued to move his magic power.
[…..Ha…! …Ha…!]
Magnis’ unit arrived at a small defensive base. It was one of the small bases built by the Quordenze army as they continued their advance from Reisleaf Castle. This facility was abandoned when Galfis developed a magic malfunction and withdrew from the front lines. After the Reisleaf operation began, the Spierzeig army used it as a storage area for supplies.
[The enemy has changed their target to us…]
Wilk’s squad begins to deploy to surround the base. In preparation for the attack, Magnis’ unit also strengthened its defensive posture inside the base.
[…I…see…]
Wilk’s squad saw off the retreating Spierzeig army and identified Magnis’ squad, which had barricaded themselves at the base, as their target.
Magnis was relieved that things went as planned, but the expressions of the military officers all became stern.
[I’m turning off the strengthening… replace me.]
In line with Magnis’ words, the Spierzeig’s military officer deployed body strengthening magic. It’s a magic technique to alleviate the shock that comes with the discontinuation of magic.
[With this, I can buy some time… ugh!]
Seeing their Master’s stiff body and distorted face, the military officers looked sad.
[…..to save Spierzeig….]
I must fulfill my responsibility as head of the family, Magnis said gravely as he looked up to the sky. Before he knew it, clouds had become darker and denser, piling up there.
[Master, let me heal you.]
Magnis rejected the military officer’s offer with a slight movement of his head. He was so mentally exhausted that even moving his arms bothered him.
[Be prepared… for the enemy…]
[……….affirmative!!]
Magnis’ unit had barely any soldiers, so they don’t have the luxury of applying healing magic. There was an urgent need to strengthen the defense.
[…..Guuuuhhhh…!]
Because Magnis received healing magic before retreating, he is in somewhat better condition. However, things are getting better. Magnis was pessimistic and thought that this situation would not be eased in the future.
[…This is fine…this is…]
An army that is already on the run will be targeted. While suffering from the residual magic power, he couldn’t even consider how many soldiers he’ll lose trying to protect him. Magnis could have predicted that the Quordenze side would actively move to eliminate their Lord-class subordinates in order to gain an advantage in future battles. Considering that they lost many of their Lords in Nambonan at the beginning of the year, further losses must be avoided at all costs.
That’s why Magnis made the decision. In order to protect the Spierzeig family, he had to make a decision as the head of the family.
[Master…]
Their Master becomes a throwaway stone in order to let his subordinates escape. That was an answer that those who served the nobility could never choose. Even if he were to become unable to function in the future due to residual magic power, his subordinates would not be able to make decisions that would drive the head of a noble family to his death.
It was precisely because Magnis understood this that he forcefully pushed through his will. If there was any doubt, his subordinates would have done everything in their power to protect their Master.
However, he couldn’t afford to settle for that. In order to fulfill his responsibility as the head of the family, Magnis took it upon himself to issue the harshest orders for both those fleeing and those remaining.
There was not a single person who could oppose that will.
[It seems that the enemy soldiers are also exhausted. There is no sign of a strong attack.]
Upon hearing the military officer’s report, Magnis let out a breath of relief.
If you’re going to deal with the current Magnis army, which doesn’t have much fighting power, it’s safer and more certain to surround them, whittle down their troops, and finally crush them with a crushing formation. If Wilk had decent military officers around him, he would definitely be opposed to forcibly breaking through because he might be hit by the Highlord’s attack magic. The reason Magnis activated his body strengthening magic at the rear of his troops when he retreated was to serve as a check in anticipation of the siege, and to show that he still had the strength to activate the magic.
[Haa…..]
It was just as he had expected, but now it was confirmed that this place would be where he died. Magnis looks at those who have chosen to stay with him.
[Then… as I command… we shall die for Spierzeig… in this place…]
The Spierzeig military officers did not waver at all from that order.
[Yes!!]
========
[It’s impressive, despite them being enemies…]
The adjutant was quietly admiring. His gaze was directed towards the mini-base where Magnis had barricaded themselves.
No, it’s not just the adjutant. Most of the Quordenze military officers around him seemed to have similar feelings. Even though it was in the middle of a battle, there was a somewhat somber atmosphere.
According to the military officers, Magnis decided to die here.
In order for Magnis to return to Othelloria alive, he must sacrifice many of his soldiers. If it was being done poorly, the Spierzeig army’s soldiers could be wiped out. Then, even if Magnis survives, the future after that will be extremely bleak.
In order to protect the Spierzeig family, Magnis sacrificed himself and let most of his Lord-class soldiers escape in order to hold on to the area around Othelloria City, the land of his ancestors.
If Kindlor and Magnis were killed in battle, the end of the Spierzeig family was finally on the horizon. Then, some powerful noble families may become wary of the expansion of the Quordenze family and reach out to the Spierzeig family. Since Romilie is the only decent blood relative left, there will probably be people who think it’s not a good idea. And even if the Quordenze side wanted to take Othelloria City before there was any unnecessary interference, it would buy them a lot of time if there were enough soldiers left.
Magnis’ idea of using even his own death as a diplomatic card in order to protect his family may be the ideal of the head of a noble family.
[Don’t let your guard down. Since we already lost the knights and soldiers, we absolutely need to kill Magnis here.]
The retreating troops, full of their Lord-class soldiers, moved quickly. The adjutant advised Wilk that it would be more likely to achieve military results by targeting Magnis, who was left behind, rather than pursuing the fleeing soldiers, and as a result, the siege battle began. They can’t afford to fail.
[Understood!]
One of the military officers responded with a firm resolve, muttering with a solemn look on his face. They seemed to share this same feeling, and they working on their posts without letting their guard down.
[Replace the exhausted soldiers!]
[Don’t let your guard down for reinforcements! Contact Meiziode City as well!]
[Keep attacking! Never let them rest!]
[If we have to call in soldiers from overseas…messenger!]
Active instructions from military officers were flying around. Meanwhile, I was taking a short break.
Now is the time to surround the enemy forces with their mini-bases and weaken them. Since Magnis hasn’t come out since the start of siege, it’s not my turn yet. This army, which has an overwhelming number of the enemy unit, only engages in yokozuna sumo.
It didn’t take long for us to corner the besieged troops led by Magnis.
[Young Master, please be careful. The enemy soldiers are almost at their lowest limit. There is a possibility that they will attack you with a high-stakes gambling chance.]
If they don’t come out, we will further reduce the number of enemy soldiers and take advantage of the opportunity to deploy a crushing formation to defeat Magnis. The military officer said that if you were thinking about buying time, you could very well choose that option.
[Let’s prepare for enemy attack.]
After doing some light stretching, I get ready for battle.
It didn’t seem like the reinforcements from Spierzeig’s side would be coming anytime shortly, so we’d probably be able to push through and win.
When I suddenly looked up at the sky, it was completely covered with thick clouds.
As I was looking at the weather, feeling like it was about to change, something suddenly hit my face. Looks like it’s raining.
=========
The defense base was finally reaching its final peak.
In front of the few remaining military officers, Magnis sat silently.
[We will launch an all-out attack.]
Magnis silently nodded at the military officer’s voice.
The Magnis squad was now in a state of destruction. They determined the time to die, thinking that it would be better to attack and resist than to sit and wait for death.
[Let’s leave the rest to the Princess.]
After Verret’s death, Romillie was appointed as the next head of the family. If Magnis dies here, she will automatically become the head of the family.
[…..that child is smart… She’ll… do just fine…]
By participating in the Royal Capital’s society with Magnis, they have been able to reach out to the Kingdom to some extent. He thought that he could at least use the element of “the Spierzeig family, which lost its previous and current head and fell into a predicament”, to stir up the nobility of the Zinkaen Empire and the Levios Kingdom. She has enough education as the Princess of the Spierzeig family.
[At the very least… she’ll be able to fulfill her responsibilities as the head of the family…]
It will be almost impossible for Wilk’s squad to catch up with Spierzeig’s army who has already retreated. The soldiers who were able to withdraw will become a force to help Romilie in the future. Magnis fervently wished that they could at least protect Othelloria City.
Magnis said as he adjusted his breathing.
Even though there was some turmoil on the battlefield, his role as the Head of the Spierzeig family was over. In that case, the only person left inside him is Magnis Spierzeig.
[Quordenze.]
Magnis’ voice was chillingly cold. The military officers all felt a sense of awe.
[Ma, master…?]
With those words, the lid opened. This was the emotional lid that Magnis had kept closed in order to act as the Head of the Spierzeig family.
A whirlpool of resentment that had been condensed by suppressing the hatred towards Wilk Quordenze, who killed his beloved son Verret and respected father Kindlor, was revived within Magnis.
[Quordenze…..!!]
By reaching the point of death, he was allowed to act as a human being. He was allowed to hate his hated enemy with all his emotions.
Magnis raised his voice as if releasing all of his pent-up feelings.
[I’m going to kill you right here, kid…!]
Magic power so strong that it even erased the sensation of pain welled up inside Magnis’ entire body.
=========
[What happened!?]
All that was left to do was crush them with a crushing formation, and the situation suddenly changed.
Magnis appeared from the mini-base and ran rampant, regardless of his pretense.
[What magic power… I can’t believe it!]
Some of the soldiers who were in front were engulfed by the explosive flames released by Magnis and disappeared. Since most of them were Spierzeig’s territory militias, it didn’t cause much damage to us, but it wasn’t a situation where we could just stare at it for too long.
[Ready the anti-Highlord weapon!! Hurry to prevent its activation!!]
[There are still soldiers on the enemy side!! Kill them first!!]
The military officers were issuing new instructions one after another.
The troops with forbidden weapons were trying to prevent the activation of attack magic, but it doesn’t seem to be going well. The adjutant who saw the situation muttered.
[The scale of magic has risen to a new level. This…]
I was aware of this phenomenon as well.
[The stupid power similar to Rose Silknoon?]
Humans with magic powers could rarely release extremely strong output when their lives are in danger. It’s probably like the final spark of a dying flame.
Rose, who was captured during Operation Snake’s Fang, uses this stupid power mode to unleash a blow that surpasses her previous magic power. I believe that this happened accidentally due to a combination of strong grudge against the Quordenze family and a desperate situation.
If you think about it that way, it’s quite possible that Magnis was in a similar state of mind. I told my adjutant what I thought, and he nodded in agreement.
[Perhaps this time will be the same. If they can reach this state of transcendence on purpose, they would have done it from the beginning.]
Is that what it is? The adjutant continued as if to answer my question.
[There are only a few enemy soldiers left, and if there are few defenses, it is possible to crush them.]
It is not easy for a Highlord alone to overcome the obstruction of magic activation by an overwhelming number of Lord-class soldiers. The adjutant said that there is no point in doing that unless the soldiers under his command are in reckless mode while they have numbers on their side.
While we were talking like this, Magnis was firing extremely powerful attacks, but due to obstruction and interference, they were no longer able to hit the target.
[At this rate, we can push through like this. Let’s wait until he runs out of strength.]
However, close combat is extremely dangerous, so I need to be mentally prepared to retreat at any time. Magnis is clearly targeting me.
[Wilk Quordenze!! Are you scared!?]
That was Magnis’s angry voice. It seemed like he’s using all his magic power to use this loudspeaker magic, that the volume was so loud that it could wipe out even the rain clouds. It’s hard to imagine it coming from someone with the rational behavior that I saw in the Royal Capital.
[Young Master, don’t fall for that provocation.]
[I know. How can you deal with such a dangerous person?]
I don’t have any safety measures right now. The surprise attack personnel with Manaral crystals are kept on standby in case reinforcements come from Spierzeig’s side. In such a situation, I don’t have the heroism to face the enemy head-on.
As Magnis was approaching, I felt myself in danger, so I got on my horse and moved away. The ring of encirclement moves according to my movements.
Perhaps because of the rush of blood to his head, Magnis started firing attack magic at random, as if he was trying to hit the target.
[Are you scared?! You little worm!!]
Magnis, who continued to spew curse words, was limping with one leg. The physical disability caused by the residual magical power may have become apparent.
I ran around every time Magnis approached, just waiting for my military officers to reduce the number of enemy soldiers.
[Only three remaining Lord-class soldiers.]
The adjutant reported to me calmly. It seemed that the time had finally come for Spierzeig’s followers to run out.
As I watched, one person was killed, and then another. The last one was directly hit by the attack magic fired by the Quordenze’s military officer and fell.
[Haa…..! HAAAaaaa…..!! Quor…denze…!!]
The last one left was Magnis.
It looked like he’s moving solely on willpower. Although he had barely walked since a while ago, the attack magic filled with murderous intent never stopped.
Although Rose’s stupidity mode ended quickly, Magnis’ power-up mode lasted for a long time. If we don’t do anything, it’s unlikely to stop.
[Prepare your forbidden weapon!!]
Soldiers were deployed in a circle with a radius of about 100 meters, with Magnis at the center. A wide-area crushing formation was established, and at the same time, a powerful magic blockade was started.
[Attack force, release!!]
The Lord-class soldiers who were not participating in the crushing formation activated attack magic and aimed at Magnis.
Magnis, who is being blocked from using his power, seemed to have a hard time interfering with the Lord-class soldier’s magic, but managed to dodge it at the last possible distance.
I didn’t think he would be able to handle the amount of attacks coming from all directions. He looked like it was about to be hit by a bullet at any moment.
[We will continue the attack and try to neutralize him. Normally, I would have asked Young Master to kill him, but a Highlord in the transcendental state is too dangerous. Please forgive me.]
Magnis desperately tried to block the attack magic of my subordinates, which was released one after another. Before I knew it, the unbearable, abusive provocations from him had disappeared, and only Magnis’s powerful, rousing roar echoed across the battlefield.
Is it to buy time for the soldiers who escaped earlier, or is it the head of the family’s will? Even the Quordenze side is unable to destroy his unwavering spirit.
The ground was becoming muddy due to the rain that is getting heavier and heavier.
Even though he was limping, falling over and over again and staining his armor and cloak with mud, Magnis stood up with an indomitable spirit and persevered.
[…It’s too miserable.]
I couldn’t help but say it out loud. Those words were not intended to make fun of Magnis’s struggle in the face of death. It’s like a complaint against the Quordenze side.
[…It’s inevitable for victory. Please endure it.]
The adjutant’s words told me everything. I’m not saying anyone is miserable. The adjutant probably found this situation pitiful as well.
This tingling and painful lynching is the punishment for those who fight to the death in order to protect their homes. It’s too uncool.
A large number of Spierzeig territory militias were also watching this battle. Isn’t this kind of ending too subtle?
Perhaps the heat on the battlefield had been cooled by the rain, and the atmosphere looked like a wake.
I wonder if it’s okay to win like this.
Now that a complete crushing formation has been completed, Magnis will not be able to properly activate attack magic. Even if he’s in that stupidity mode, I should definitely be able to take the initiative.
Moreover, Magnis is currently standing on his own strength. In that case, I had only one idea. I don’t know if it will work though.
[Hand me my spear.]
After I gave the short instruction, the adjutant’s eyes widened.
[Young Master!?]
[I’ll finish him.]
========
The rain was only increasing in force.
Magnis, who was covered in mud and rain, had regained his composure a little.
He could no longer move his arms and legs satisfactorily. Magnis himself was the one who understood best that the amount of magic power that was being released was beyond its limit, but it was becoming increasingly unstable.
[…..finally coming out, huh…]
He had a hunch that the attack by Quordenze’s officers had stopped unnaturally.
A boy walked toward the center of the crushing formation. Strangely enough, even in the midst of the heavy rain, the sound of those footsteps reached Magnis’ ears well. The memories of their encounter in the Royal Capital are still fresh.
[Wilk… Quordenze…]
In the boy’s hand was an anti-Highlord spear.
[Magnis Spierzeig.]
It was a strange call that didn’t give any sense of bravery in the fight or arrogance of being sure of victory.
Wilk’s voice was never very loud, but it resonated well in the quiet room.
[There’s something I’d like to ask you.]
Magnis was intrigued by the words and responded silently. Wilk sensed that he was being urged to proceed.
[I heard that the assassination of my uncle, Gardacle Quordenze, was carried out by the Spierzeig family. Is that true?]
The only sound that could be heard was the rain hitting the ground.
[…..you… ask me, a Spierzeig…]
Magnis never expected that the eldest son of his enemy would ask such a question. He couldn’t help but let out an exasperated sound.
[There won’t be another opportunity like this. I wanted to talk to you at least once.]
That was Wilk’s true intention. Misery is not the only reason why he came forward.
There is no other chance than now to have a conversation with Magnis in a place where the people who serve Luxus, Galfis, and Quordenze are not around. If he thought about killing Magnis here, this would be the first and last chance.
[What would you do after hearing that…]
[I can’t help not being curious about it.]
Wilk declared that he was not suspicious of the Quordenze family, nor was he distrustful of his father and grandfather, but that he simply wanted to satisfy his intellectual curiosity.
[The Spierzeig family harmed the Quordenze family, and we retaliated against it… No matter what the truth is, the Spierzeig tells us, this premise remains the same.]
Wilk has no strong animosity towards the Spierzeig family. Magnis had this impression. He could feel in his words that he was not trying to establish a grudge, but simply wanted to know the truth.
However, at the same time, Magnis also understood that Wilk had no hesitation in destroying the Spierzeig family. He judges that easy appeasement will have the opposite effect.
Facing someone with a completely different temperament than Luxus and Galfis, Magnis regained his rationality as the head of the family.
[…..it wasn’t us…]
The Spierzeig family’s official position has not changed.
[…But, let me give you some advice…]
Magnis expected that Wilk would continue to attack Othelloria City. If so, what should he say as the Head of the Spierzeig family? How should he protect his home?
After thinking about it, Magnis decided to give him one truth.
[Arpeo…did.]
[Arpeo?]
By Arpeo, he must mean the Arpeo region. It is a territory under the direct control of the Zinkaen Empire.
However, it would be foolish to be so honest and ask, [Maybe the Emperor’s family is the real culprit?]. It’s like giving them an opening to take advantage of.
[Are you talking about the remnants of the Friaelles family?]
That’s why I decided to reply, interpreting it as referring to the Principality of Arpeo.
In fact, my father said that the perpetrator of my uncle’s murder was a nobleman from Arpeo. He also said that it was the Spierzeig family who sheltered and abetted those people.
The biggest obstacle to Emperor Zinkaen’s invasion of the Arpeo region was the existence of the Friaelles family.
During the era of turmoil, the Spierzeig family and the Friaelles family emerged as two major powers in the western continent after a prolonged conflict. The former conquered the Voistra Plains and founded the Kingdom of Voistra, while the latter declared the establishment of the Principality of Arpeo as the leader of the Arpeo region. In the end, Emperor Zinkaen defeated both of them and built the Zinkaen Empire.
The Spierzeig family remained, but the Friaelles family perished. That’s why Friaelles’ grudge was so deep.
The Salih Rebellion that occurred in the Imperial Capital was a large-scale revolt caused mainly by the remnants of the Arpeo nobility, but the members of the Friaelles family were at the center of it.
Of course, that grudge was also directed towards the Quordenze family. After all, it was my grandmother who scoured the Arpeo region in her youth. If she’s not good at it, it wouldn’t be surprising if she was more hated than Emperor Zinkaen.
If Magnis said that the Friaelles family planned and executed my uncle’s assassination, I thought it was a fairly believable story.
[It’s not as trivial as the Friaelles…]
He continued in a grave tone.
[…The old bloodline that possesses Arpeo… that’s what it is.]
Magnis then closed his mouth, as if he had nothing more to say.
If he gives me some kind of information, it will probably be for the benefit of the Spierzeig family. Regardless of the amount of magic power, as a nobleman, I don’t feel like I can defeat Magnis. It is dangerous to be swayed by these words.
[…that’ll the end of the story.]
I gripped the spear tightly and cast the maximum body strengthening magic on myself.
Magnis tried to manipulate magic to counter me, but it didn’t work. No movement of magic power could be felt from Magnis’s right arm. The reason for this is probably not only the effect of blocking the activation of the crushing formation.
Just as Rose gave in after having her spirit broken, Magnis’ tension suddenly snapped after talking with me. Maintaining extreme conditions is not easy. The strategy of small talk to distract him was a perfect success.
[Haaaaa!!!!]
Take one or two steps with strengthened leg strength. Start running as if bouncing.
I drew back my spear and thrust it forward with all my strength. The target is the heart.
Make the final push with all my might.
[Kuaahhh…!!!]
The spear pierces Magnis’ chest, right at the heart.
The spear pierced deep enough to stick out of his back, but I didn’t feel much of a response. Magnis’ body, which had boasted such a large amount of magical power, had become weak, as if it had withered away. I could only feel a slight fluctuation from the spear, a remnant from when he was in his stupid power mode.
[………..cough…]
He’s still breathing. Magnis, who had been looking down, slowly raised his head and looked at me. In order to avoid a counterattack, I sent an activation blocker through Magnis’ body through my spear.
Magnis only slowly moved his blood-stained lips and did not resist. He’s going to run out of energy like this.
[Uooooooooooo!!!!!!!]
[It’s Young Master’s victory!!!!]
I heard loud cheers. Combined with the increasing force of the rain, the surrounding area was filled with a roaring sound.
[…..lis…ten…]
Thanks to being close enough to connect with the spear, I could hear Magnis’ voice. I feel a certain intention in the eyes that stare at me.
[…..Romi…llie…knows…]
Maybe he was aiming to get close like this? Magnis, who was rapidly losing his blood, moved his mouth without waiting for my reaction.
[…..beast…no…ste…ta…]
His voice was low and I couldn’t hear some parts clearly due to the surrounding noises. I hurriedly strengthened my hearing with magic and tried to hear Magnis’ last words.
However, by the time I was ready, his lips had stopped moving.
[Young Master!!]
[Are you alright!?]
[Heal immediately!!]
By the time the military officers rushed over, Magnis was already truly dead.
His body was still standing as it was still pierced through the chest. There’s a lot of weight on the spear and it’s heavy. However, I didn’t really want to do something like throw a man to the ground who did everything in his power to keep his family alive until the very end.
[…It’s the corpse of the Head of the Spierzeig family. Handle it with respect.]
With the help of the military officer, I pulled out the spear from Magnis.
As the spear stained with Spierzeig’s blood was raised to the sky, the battle cries of the soldiers became even louder. I could feel the air trembling.
[Young Master! What a great victory!!]
There was no particular attack, but healing magic was applied. I pondered as I looked at the military officers who are overcome with emotion.
Magnis was thinking about the future. Do I have time to be excited about victory here?
The answer is no. There is no doubt that noble diplomacy will become a big factor in the future, not just simple military battles. As for the Quordenze family, we have to take Othelloria City before unnecessary interference occurs.
I still don’t have much experience in diplomacy, and I don’t have the ability to compete with Magnis’s schemes. The only thing I can do is move quickly on the battlefield. However, I may be able to exceed Magnis’ expectations on that one point.
The only thing I can do is move quickly, so I should move quickly.
And now, there was a final secret plan in my head.
I don’t think it will hurt too much if I fail. If it doesn’t seem to be working, I could just give up and stop.
[Gather the troops that can move. As soon as the army is reorganized, we will begin the march.]
[Young Master!?]
[The snake’s jaw remains open. Closing it will end all battles.]
I pointed the forbidden weapon, the spear wet with Magnis’ blood and rain, toward the south.
[Let’s devour Othelloria.]
