The Road to the Temporary Outpost.
Francia moved alongside Cain, narrowing her eyes.
‘…I have to kill him here.’
If she let this man live, there was no telling what kind of variable he would become. Just like before her regression, he would undoubtedly develop an excessive obsession with her and interfere with her relationship with Yohan.
She had to take care of him before that happened.
‘Can I do it?’
Francia ran her fingers over the hilt of her sword, which emitted a faint magical energy. After using all her power during the Tenerife incident, her mana was insufficient.
Cain, on the other hand, possessed power beyond the highest tier. He was the greatest and strongest archbishop of the Holy Kingdom and a leading candidate for the next cardinal.
‘I don’t have enough mana right now…’
Should she wait for another opportunity? But there wouldn’t be a more perfect chance than this. This place was a den of chaos, where anything could happen without raising suspicion.
She would be suspected, of course, but Francia was known as a healing mage with almost no combat ability. And that was mostly true. There was little chance she would be identified as the culprit.
‘…I’ll watch for now.’
Even though his condition wasn’t great, the mana stored in her artifact wasn’t enough to kill the archbishop. Since she couldn’t be certain of finishing the job, the best course of action was to observe the situation.
“A Ferbache high-ranking mage? Are they injured?”
As the two arrived at the outpost, knights on duty approached them.
“Yes. This is Archbishop Cain. I’ve administered basic first aid, but his injuries are severe. He needs further treatment and rest.”
The knight glanced at Cain. He was undoubtedly in poor condition his face was pale, and one of his arms looked weak, as if it had only just begun to heal.
“Understood. We’ll escort you inside.”
She had grabbed him so hard that Francia’s brow furrowed.
“What do you think you’re doing right now?! Let go of me!”
“Please! Only you can save me!”
Black energy slowly rose from Cain’s shoulders it was the power of a curse. His grip on her wrist tightened even more, deepening the wrinkles in Francia’s delicate sleeve.
“Is there…..Is there anyone out there?!”
She cried out urgently, but no one responded. There should have been people nearby… How strange.
“N-no one outside will be able to hear us. I’ve blocked the sound…!”
A twisted smile formed on Cain’s lips as he lost himself to madness. He was utterly excited. After all, this was his chance to finally rid himself of the curse that had tormented him for so long!
“…Is that so?”
In an instant, Francia’s gaze turned razor-sharp.
Her crimson eyes, filled with a murderous glint, flickered ominously.
“Well, that’s even better. I can deal with you quietly.”
“…Huh? What are you talking—”
“I’ll just say a high-rank demonic beast killed you and ran away.”
Smack! Francia flung Cain’s hand away. Her wrist was reddened from his grasp.
“You disgusting man. I’m glad you haven’t changed. Now I don’t have to feel guilty.”
A small dagger emerged from Francia’s grasp. The blade gleamed faintly, resonating with her emotions. It was Gladius Luminis, the very weapon that had slain the crown prince and Duke Aegis.
“That’s…!”
The light surrounding the dagger was the light of judgment. It was a poor match for Cain’s curse. Instead of dispelling curses, it provoked them, forcing them to surface.
“Gaaahhh…!”
Cain clutched his entire body, convulsing in agony. His skin burned, his body throbbed as if it were being torn apart. It was unbearable he felt like he could foam at the mouth and collapse at any moment.
‘…What the hell?’
Even Francia hadn’t expected this reaction. She was just as startled as he was.
As soon as the dagger’s glow emerged, Cain had begun screaming.
Francia stared blankly at the weapon. It was shining even brighter than usual.
‘Well, whatever.’
Now wasn’t the time to dwell on it.
This was her chance to kill Cain Luhar completely.
“You lunatic, rot in hell!”
With a reverse grip, she drove the dagger downward at the struggling Cain.
The tip of the blade descended toward his chest.
Thud!
It sank in effortlessly.
“Ghhk…!”
Cain gasped, looking up at Francia in utter disbelief. She gazed down at him with eyes as cold as ice.
“What have you done…?!”
“I planned this from the very beginning.”
Crunch!
Francia twisted the dagger embedded in his chest.
“Kuugh…!”
Blood spurted from Cain’s mouth, trickling down his chin. His trembling fingers gripped her wrist, his pupils shaking violently.
“Graaaaaahhh!”
Cain let out a beastly roar.
The writhing black energy exploded outward, engulfing him completely.
“What…?”
Francia instinctively took a step back, her body stiff with tension. The ominous aura sent chills down her spine.
“You If only you had helped me…!”
The black energy surged violently as Cain’s skin cracked open. The whites of his eyes darkened, and his green pupils trembled in agony. His entire body contorted, losing its human form.
Francia, who had studied many forms of healing magic, recognized the symptoms immediately.
Demonization.
A curse so vile that it planted the seed of a demon within a human body, slowly eroding the host until it fully consumed them.
“GRAAAAAH!”
In the end, the black energy devoured Cain entirely.
Following the knight’s guidance, the two entered the outpost’s barracks. The space inside was empty a fortunate sign that there were no other wounded.
Francia led Cain to a vacant cot and began drawing upon the mana within her body.
“…I will heal you.”
At her fingertips, a pure white light blossomed.
Fwoosh—!
A gentle warmth spread over Cain.
The magic carried the power of purification.
“Ah…”
Cain finally felt peace return to him. His skin always throbbed with pain, but whenever her magic reached him, it was as if all his suffering vanished into nothingness.
“…High-ranking mage of Ferbache.”
“Yes?”
At his quiet call, Francia met his gaze. Her expression immediately darkened. Disgusting eyes. She wanted to gouge them out right then and there.
“Please… will you help me?”
Cain quickly continued.
“I can’t explain everything, but I need the power of purification. That power belongs only to you, the high-ranking mage of Ferbache. Please, won’t you help me?”
His desperate plea.
Francia decided to hear him out.
“…How am I supposed to help you?”
“Spend the night with me.”
“What the—”
Her face twisted in revulsion. She had expected something, but not this. It was an offensive, disgusting request.
“The stronger the physical contact, the more effectively purification takes hold,” Cain explained. “That is the only way to heal me…”
His shoulders sagged as he made his desperate appeal.
“Please…! My entire body aches. My skin feels like it’s burning. I’ve learned to hide it over time, but the pain only grows worse…”
It was an absurd request, but Cain was too far gone to realize it. Blinded by the hope that this dreadful curse could be lifted, his judgment had faltered.
Despite his desperation, Francia had no reason to listen further.
She shot him a sharp, contemptuous glare.
“You must have lost your mind. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“Please, Lady Francia of Ferbache!”
Grab.
As Francia stood up to leave, Cain seized her slender wrist.
* * *
The rift in the Demon’s Lair had been completely sealed.
Yohan, who had collapsed onto the ground, let out a deep sigh, his body drenched in sweat.
“Phew…”
The rift had been so massive that closing it had been a challenge, but after pouring all his mana into it, it hadn’t been impossible. His body now lacked the strength to move, but that was a minor issue.
“Are… are you all right?”
Eris handed him a handkerchief, her cheeks faintly flushed.
“Thank you, Highlander’s Special-Class Knight.”
“It’s nothing…”
Yohan accepted the handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“No Special-Class Demonic Beasts appeared, I assume?”
“They did appear, but… not too many.”
“So it was manageable with reinforcements. Good work.”
“Yes…”
Just as Yohan was rising to his feet….
Boom! Boom!
Signal flares erupted from the direction of the Forward Base.
Red flares. That meant a Special-Class Demonic Beast had appeared.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The signals didn’t stop.
Yohan immediately stood upright, his body tensed.
“There’s no time to rest. We’re heading there now.”
“Yes!”
The severity of the situation was clear. Without hesitation, Eris rushed to fetch the horses. Yohan raised his voice and called out.
“The rift has been sealed, but the forward base is under attack by Special-Class Demonic Beasts! Everyone, rearm quickly! We’re moving out!”
“Yes, sir!”
A chorus of determined voices rang out. Just moments ago, the battlefield had been surrounded by demonic beasts, but now, only their lifeless corpses remained.
“Let’s go!”
By then, Eris had returned with the horses.
Yohan swiftly mounted his steed.
“Move out.”
With a pull on the reins, his horse surged forward.
Some remaining demonic beasts attempted to attack, but the Exorcist Division’s mages swiftly eliminated themno hindrance at all.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The sound of galloping hooves echoed across the ground, kicking up clouds of dust. They had to hurry.
If multiple Special-Class Demonic Beasts had appeared, complete annihilation was a very real possibility.
As Yohan and his warriors rode relentlessly, they soon spotted thick smoke rising from the location of the forward base.
“Prepare for battle!”
Vwoom!
At Yohan’s command, the knights activated their mana blades, while the mages gathered their mana, ready to unleash their spells at a moment’s notice.
Boom!
Boom!
—Kraaagh!
—Kiiiiiiik!
“Damn it! Fall back!”
“The Special-Class Mage of Ferbache is still inside!”
“Reinforcements have arrived! Over here!”
The forward base was absolute chaos.
Flames raged, thick black smoke filled the sky, and demonic beasts continued to pour in relentlessly.
The knights’ defensive line was on the verge of collapse.
But…
‘Francia is inside?’
Yohan’s pupils trembled. Why was she here? The priests should have been the ones tending to the wounded.
‘Move first.’
He could think about the reason later. Right now, rescuing her was the priority.
“Where is the Ferbache Grand Mage?”
When Yohan asked, the knight quickly responded.
“They’re inside! They’re attempting a rescue, but the Grand Beasts are making it difficult!”
Yohan frowned.
‘Damn it.’
Five Grand Beasts. Normally, he would have taken them down in an instant, but his condition wasn’t great right now.
‘But I have to do this.’
Yohan summoned all his mana.
Kwaaah!
A massive surge of energy erupted, whipping up a fierce whirlwind around him.
“I’ll go in first.”
Just as he was about to pull the reins….
“Ahahaha! What a rare sight! So many Grand Beasts! But I, Arbella, who am blessed by Lady Freya, cannot back down!”
Arbella flashed a confident smile and clenched her fist.
“L-Lady Saint! It’s dangerous! You should regroup with the others—”
The knight who had followed her tried to stop her.
“Everyone, follow me! I will clear the way! The best healing magic is ensuring no one gets hurt! I, Arbella, will not let you be harmed!”
She wasn’t listening.
Kwaang!
She slammed her fists together.
A brilliant white divine energy enveloped her body like an aura, swirling in a spiral.
“With Lady Freya’s blessing, I shall lead you! I, Arbella, am coming through!”
With a bold grin, Arbella dashed forward.
Kuuung!
Cracks formed beneath her feet as she disappeared, leaping effortlessly to meet the Grand Beasts at eye level.
“Ahahaha!”
Kwaaaang—!
A small fist, infused with radiant divine energy, smashed into the Grand Beast’s face. A shockwave of white light spread in all directions, snapping the creature’s neck.
Yohan was momentarily speechless at the sight, then shook his head to regain focus.
She looked more like a madwoman than a saint, but that wasn’t important right now.
‘I’ll leave this to her. I have to save Francia.’
Yohan pulled the reins.