The Day of the Operation.
Martial officials and reinforcements from the Holy Kingdom, gathered to seal the Magul, rode forward on horseback.
The clatter of armor and helmets rang fiercely, while various flags fluttered violently in the wind.
Their destination was the Count of Rehern’s estate a crucial military stronghold of the Rozino Empire.
“A Magul is always a disaster… but at least it’s Rehern.”
As they slowed their horses for control, Francia spoke up.
“Since it’s a military stronghold full of skilled fighters, it’s easier to defend and manage the Magul, right?”
Many territories were helpless against the Magul because recruiting soldiers was no easy task.
Although there were no restrictions on assembling troops for Magul control and land defense, maintaining an army always came with financial burdens.
For this reason, Magul management was typically entrusted to public officials. While it did increase taxes, it was still more cost-effective than maintaining a personal army.
However, the Rehern territory was different.
Not only was its lord a former knight, but as a strategic military point for keeping barbarians in check, it housed a large number of soldiers.
“That’s why it’s the first place we assist.”
“Huh? Why is that?”
Francia tilted her head in curiosity.
“To handle the demonic beasts spreading in the southwest, we need manpower. But we can’t just use martial officials or reinforcements, can we? So, we first help the Count of Rehern, and then, with their support, we take care of the remaining threats.”
The Count of Rehern’s territory lay in the southwest, and it housed more than one Magul. Meanwhile, the Purifiers’ forces, responsible for the sealing operation, were limited.
To reinforce their numbers, they prioritized dealing with Rehern’s Magul first.
“As expected of Yohan. You think ahead.”
“Haha, it’s nothing.”
As the two chatted, the unit had already arrived at the Magul.
“Halt! Prepare for battle!”
At Yohan’s raised hand and command, the unit came to an immediate stop.
“Check your weapons and your physical condition! From here on, we must act swiftly no stopping, no mercy!”
“Yes, sir!”
The knights inspected their gear, while the mages channeled their mana.
The reinforcements from the Holy Kingdom pressed their hands together and prayed toward the sky.
Five minutes passed before Yohan shouted,
“All troops, charge into the Magul!”
“Yes, sir!”
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
As they picked up speed, the pounding of hooves kicked up a storm of dust.
It almost felt as if the very ground was trembling.
The moment they stepped into the Magul, the atmosphere changed.
Pitch-black fog spread out, and the ground writhed as if it were alive.
-Kraaaagh!
Demonic beasts poured out like a torrential downpour.
Their sharp eyes glowed menacingly, claws emerging from the shadows.
Some ambushed from the trees, while others charged forward, fearless.
Some fired crossbows from blind spots each attacking in the way they were born to fight.
Slash!
-Kyaaaak!
-Kraaah…!
Boom!
“-Kyaaaaaah!”
“-Kiek…!”
Mana blades of various colors flashed across the battlefield, while spells exploded one after another.
Demonic beasts were torn apart, obliterated without a trace.
“A high-tier demonic beast ahead!”
At the warning from the detection mage, Yohan looked straight ahead.
A massive demonic beast was staring back at them.
Boom! Boom!
Its sharp, spiked tentacles lashed around, sweeping through everything in their path.
The creature bared its enormous jaws, radiating a menacing aura of bloodlust.
-Kwoooaaaarrr!!
The roar made the air tremble. The warriors instinctively flinched. It was an overwhelming killing intent something no human could face without fear.
Yohan hardened his expression and stretched out his hand.
Whooong!
The unleashed magic swirled violently. A pitch-black sphere formed and shot forward.
Kwa-gwa-gwa-gwang—!
The rupture point tore through the air, stirring up a violent magical storm before reaching the high-class beast.
Kwoooom—!
A tremendous explosion erupted. A storm of dust surged forth, and debris scattered into the sky. The power was incomparable to before it had reached a transcendent level, perfectly refined and devastatingly pure.
Saaaa—
As the dust storm settled and the airborne debris drifted down, the high-class beast’s upper body was completely gone.
“My god.”
“He took down a high-class beast in one strike?”
“So this is the power of a transcendent mage…?”
The warriors and reinforcements widened their eyes or parted their lips in shock, each expressing their amazement in their own way.
“From this point on, we follow the operation plan! Maintain your designated areas, and if another high-class beast appears, signal immediately!”
“Yes, sir!”
The core strategy of this mission was dispersion.
While sealing the demon lair, Yohan couldn’t move freely. If they were surrounded in such a situation, it would be disastrous. Spreading out the enemy forces would ease the burden on everyone.
Even so, high-class beasts remained a problem. The plan was to signal their appearance by launching magic into the sky so the main unit guarding Yohan could provide support.
Dudududu…!
Before long, they arrived at the fissure in the demon lair.
A tangled web of cracks of varying sizes stretched before them. The largest fissure pulsed with an eerie magical aura, making the surrounding air heavy.
“There’s more than one fissure?”
“What in the world…?”
“Maybe it’s because this lair is ancient.”
There were five fissures in total:
Four smaller ones where the beasts emerged.
One massive fissure at the center the core.
However, the massive central fissure remained strangely still. Yet, it was undoubtedly the heart of the rupture its overwhelming magical presence was enough to make one’s skin tingle.
-Kiiieeeaaak!
Beasts poured out from the smaller fissures, baring their fangs as they lunged.
Swish!
But the knights wielding mana-infused blades were unstoppable. With a single stroke, the monsters’ blood rained down, and they fell without so much as a final scream.
Yohan, having dismounted at some point, rolled his wrist, loosening his body.
“Eris, I’m counting on you.”
“Understood.”
In Yohan’s absence, command of the main unit fell to Eris. She was not only the most skilled among them but also had experience leading as a high-ranking inspector, making her the natural choice.
“Hoo.”
Yohan exhaled deeply and stepped toward the fissure. Placing his hand against it, he poured his magic inside.
“It’s starting.”
Yohan closed his eyes.
A vast force began to stir.
* Â Â * Â Â *
The main unit moved to the center while four squads formed a square around the fissures. As a result, the second and third squads were positioned right next to each other.
That was how Cain found the opportunity to approach Lady Ferbache. With the squads so close together, and given his severe injuries, it was only natural for him to seek her healing.
“Archbishop Cain…! Please hold on! I, Arbella, will save you no matter what!”
He was being carried on Arbella’s back as they rushed toward Francia. Normally, other Holy Knights would have taken on this task, but given his condition, it was faster for her to do it herself.
Kwa-gwa-gwang!
With a single kick from Arbella, the beasts in their path were sent flying. Despite holding the title of a Saintess, she possessed formidable combat prowess.
She wrapped her body in divine energy and used Crusader martial arts to destroy her enemies that was Arbella’s way of fighting.
“Ahh, Archbishop Cain! I’m so sorry! I lack the skill to heal such severe injuries…!”
Even though she was a Saintess, Arbella couldn’t use top-tier healing magic. She had the power, but she couldn’t fully comprehend the magic formula.
“D-Don’t worry, just hurry…”
“I, Arbella, will run at full speed for you, Archbishop!”
Kwaang!
Arbella kicked off the ground, divine energy surging through her entire body. The impact left a web-like crack beneath her feet as she shot forward, slicing through the air like an arrow.
She moved so fast that the beasts couldn’t even react, allowing her to reach the third squad without interference.
“Ahhh! Is the Ferbache high-class mage here?! We have a severely injured person!”
Her voice rang loud and clear, drawing the attention of the warriors guarding their respective zones.
“Ferbache high-class mage! We have a critical patient!”
“Yes! I’m coming right away!”
Arbella carefully laid Cain Luhar down from her back.
“Archbishop Cain…! Stay with me!”
“I’m still here…”
“Are you feeling cold? Sleepy? You must not close your eyes!”
“I’m fin—”
“Archbishop! You must not give in! Stay conscious!”
“…”
Her panic wasn’t an overreaction. Cain had lost an entire arm.
And yet, he remained composed. After all, regrowing a lost arm was nothing the Archbishop’s blessings could heal it. If he hadn’t deliberately taken damage, he wouldn’t have been injured by mere beasts in the first place.
“What happened?!”
Francia rushed over in a hurry.
“Archbishop Cain was injured while fighting a high-class beast! If we don’t treat him quickly, he’ll be in danger!”
At the mention of “Archbishop Cain” Francia froze. Her expression darkened, casting a shadow over her face.
“…I’ll check right away.”
She knelt beside Cain Luhar and channeled her magic into him. His severed arm began regenerating, new flesh and muscle growing back.
“This… purification magic!”
Cain’s eyes widened. His suspicion was confirmed Lady Ferbache’s magic affected even his curse. A faint smile formed on his lips.
“With this… I might truly be able to break my curse.”
Of course, undoing the curse would require more than just channeling magic it would demand a deeper connection. But for now, knowing it was possible was enough.
-Kieeek!
-Kraaaagh!
The moment Cain’s eyes narrowed, the scent of blood attracted a swarm of beasts.
“Beasts incoming!”
“Damn it!”
Whooom!
“Saintess, please step back—”
“No! I’ll handle this myself!”
Kwaang!
Arbella clashed her divine energy-coated fists together.
“The best defense is offense! The best healing is preventing injury in the first place! I, Arbella, will eliminate the source of these wounds!”
The next moment, her figure vanished, leaving behind only afterimages. Moving like the wind, she swung her small fists. A spiral shockwave erupted from her strike, crashing down onto the beasts.
Kwaaaang!
Every time she punched, explosions echoed, and the beasts’ bodies burst apart.
Thud, thud, thud!
Blood and flesh splattered in all directions, but none of it could stain Arbella, who was wrapped in divine energy.
“Ahaha! They’re bursting apart!”
She laughed as she shook off the blood.
A crazed smile and elegance coexisted on her face.
“…My god.”
The two knights who had followed to guard Francia were at a loss for words.
Was that truly a saint…?
“Ahahaha—! I, Arbella, am the one beloved by the goddess Freya! These beasts can’t even lay a finger on me!”
Boom! Boom!
Each time her fists swung, powerful shockwaves erupted, erasing the beasts without a trace.
Even as she was drenched in blood, she giggled with delight.
…Rather than a saint, she was closer to a lunatic.
“The emergency treatment is finished.”
Francia stopped pouring out her magic.
Cain swallowed his disappointment. It had been a long time since he had felt such peace and refreshment.
“But more treatment will be needed.”
“I will assist you.”
As the knights moved to support Cain, Francia shook her head.
“No. The archbishop and I will move together. We’re heading further inside anyway, so it will be safe. Besides, wouldn’t it be better to help the saint right now?”
Francia pointed with her fingertips.
At the end of her gaze, Arbella was surrounded by beasts, swinging her fists. Her strength was overwhelming, but there were simply too many beasts.
“Damn, we’ll catch up soon!”
As the knights rushed to assist the saint, Francia smiled faintly and helped Cain up.
“Archbishop, let us go for your treatment.”
“…Yes.”
The two of them moved toward the forest, where the forward base was located.
Francia’s gaze turned cold, and magic gathered at her fingertips.
The artifact of the celestial mage emitted a faint glow, amplifying her power.
Here, she would kill Cain Luhar.