Chapter 145

Episode 145

Finding the source of the demonic energy wasn’t difficult. I had already gained experience in the Milo Plain.

Things out in the open are much easier to find than those hidden underground.

And above all, a bizarre scene unfolded before our eyes as we entered the depths of the mountain range.

『Growl…』

『Roar…』

『Screech!』

Monsters of all shapes and sizes were moving towards the depths of the mountain range, precisely towards the center of the demonic energy.

I gestured for Selendis to stop.

‘The monsters are all heading in one direction, as if summoned by someone.’

From small goblins to massive adult ogres, there was a wide variety.

Typically, monsters are wary of each other.

They might fight if they enter each other’s territory, or they might flee if they perceive a threat.

But the goblins and ogres were walking towards the same location, ignoring each other.

“This is a terrifying sight, my lord.”

“It seems they’re being controlled by demonic energy or magic.”

If Jericho were here, he could have figured out what kind of trick this was.

“Let’s approach. Prepare for battle.”

“Yes.”

But even as we got closer, the monsters didn’t smell us.

Smaller monsters like goblins and kobolds might not, but wild wolves and larger monsters primarily feed on human flesh.

In other words, they have an exceptional sense of smell for human flesh.

But these monsters only bared their sharp teeth after we got close and stabbed them with our swords. By then, it was too late.

At my signal, Selendis swung her frost sword.

*Slash!*

With a single strike, all the nearby monsters were cut down. A chilling cold spread out, freezing them solid.

*Crack!*

The frozen monsters shattered into pieces. Her strength had grown tremendously after becoming a high-ranking knight.

But even with such a commotion, the monsters outside the range of the cold didn’t even turn their heads towards us, continuing on their path.

“Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

“I think I do, but I can’t believe it. Could this also be a result of the magical experiment?”

“It’s highly likely. It seems Arthur is absorbing not only magical power but also demonic energy.”

The situation was heading towards the worst-case scenario.

On the other hand, it felt familiar, reminding me of the Baphomet-like demon I fought in the underground of the Milo Plain wasteland.

That demon also used a hybrid energy that combined magical power and demonic energy.

‘Could this be related to that incident?’

The Lady could have made such arrangements. She might have prepared a demon to counter future threats.

The Baphomet-like demon I fought back then was immune to physical attacks and could freely use magic.

If I had fought it multiple times, I would have known its patterns, but it was my first encounter, so there were some shortcomings.

But now it was different.

If Arthur tried to fuse magical power and demonic energy, I could defeat him using a similar method.

I took out the gloves from my bag. They were the gloves soaked in holy water that Jericho made for me.

“It’s clear that the monsters are becoming Arthur’s energy source. He might be healing the wounds he received from Princess Beatrice, or he might be planning a new attack. What’s certain is that we need to wipe them all out.”

“If we interfere, Arthur might appear before us.”

“That’s also part of the plan.”

Selendis activated her aura again.

This time, I didn’t stay idle. I made hand gestures and chanted the spell I had been practicing.

『Fireball.』

*Whoosh!*

A large fireball formed in my hand. Since the monsters were still on their way, I calmly aimed and threw the fireball.

*Boom!*

A massive explosion erupted, scattering dust and flames.

The effect was greater than I expected.

The flames hadn’t been this large during practice.

‘It seems the flames were suppressed by Enclave.’

Not only was the impact powerful, but the flames spread rapidly. An area with a radius of about 10 meters was engulfed in flames.

The monsters, with no resistance to fire, screamed and collapsed one by one.

The remaining monsters were killed by Selendis’s sword.

As promised, we eliminated all the nearby monsters.

Fortunately, Arthur was absorbing the power of monsters, not demons. The efficiency wouldn’t be very high.

『Growl!』

『Roar!』

Wild wolves and ogres, who had escaped the flames and cold, let out furious roars. Finally, the nearby monsters started to gather.

They seemed to be the leaders.

I intentionally let them roar louder, watching them. Every Korean loves a good monster hunt.

Soon, the wild wolves and massive ogres launched a combined attack.

*Boom!*

A large club made of rock swung down. But I had already dodged it gracefully.

“I’ll handle the ogres. I have some things to test. Please take care of the wild wolves.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Selendis dashed to the side, unleashing her aura. The wild wolves’ limbs were severed simultaneously.

I averted my gaze and focused on magic.

‘I’ve tried Fireball, so I should try another intermediate spell.’

Ogres are large and strong. But their agility is very low. I kept my distance, and they couldn’t close the gap easily.

I prepared an intermediate water spell.

『Ice Spear.』

*Crackle!*

Moisture gathered, transforming into a long, sharp spear. The cold it emitted was comparable to Selendis’s frost sword.

‘It looks much stronger than Ice Bolt.’

I extended my hand and launched it at the approaching ogre.

*Whoosh!*

*Sizzle!*

『Roar…』

『Groan…』

The ice spear pierced through the ogre’s heart without breaking or melting.

Five ogres collapsed, bleeding.

It takes a squad of lower-ranking knights to take down a single ogre.

It would have been a spectacle to behold.

The wounds were frozen solid, but it didn’t look good, even though the bleeding had stopped. It meant the surrounding organs were also frozen.

‘So this is a spell specialized in pinpoint attacks? Should I try a wind spell next?’

I chose the intermediate spell ‘Wind Blade’ from the various options recommended by ‘Automatic Combat.’

The flow of air changed.

The wind seemed to gather, and an invisible force surged towards the ogres.

*Whoosh!*

*Thud! Crack! Slash!*

‘Wind Blade’ was literally a sword made of wind. Cuts appeared all over the ogres’ bodies.

‘It deals area damage, but the power itself is weak.’

Next was the earth spell ‘Diamond Missile.’

As I cast the spell, five sparkling rocks emerged from the ground.

The rocks hovered in the air for a moment, then hurtled towards their targets.

*Thud!*

*Boom!*

The ogres, known for their sturdy frames, were crushed.

As the name suggests, it seemed to attack with diamond-like rocks. It had the effect of being struck by a giant blunt weapon.

If I could increase the speed, it could achieve a railgun effect.

‘The remaining intermediate spell is Energy Ball.’

I didn’t have high expectations for this non-attribute spell. It would probably just be a large sphere that dealt non-attribute damage.

*Buzz!*

*Boom!*

As expected. But it might be effective against demons and devils, so I shouldn’t neglect practicing it.

By the time I finished testing the intermediate spells, the surroundings were completely clear.

Selendis, having completed her task, quickly approached and stood protectively behind me, her sword at the ready.

“My lord.”

“Yes, I felt it too.”

Selendis sensed a powerful aura, and I sensed powerful mana and demonic energy.

The being possessing all three mysterious powers finally descended towards us.

After some time, a man in a shabby robe appeared before us. He appeared so naturally, as if he were just a passing adventurer.

“Should I thank you for saving me the trouble of finding you? Arthur la Bellatrix. If His Majesty knew what you were doing, you would lose your title as prince.”

“…”

He took a few steps closer.

Moonlight illuminated his face.

Prince Arthur’s pale face was devoid of any emotion, like a robot with AI.

And his hands were empty.

They were soaked in blood of various colors. There was human blood too, which meant there had been casualties. I hoped it was just animal blood.

“Stop! I’ll attack if you come any closer.”

“Hmph. Would a lowly being like you dare interfere in a conversation between nobles?”

*Thud!*

He merely waved his hand, and Selendis was sent flying, crashing into a tree.

It was an incredible display of power.

I couldn’t tell if it was magic or demonic energy. The two forces were harmonized.

“I didn’t expect you to come out yourself. I was planning to visit you soon. If my dear sister hadn’t interfered, I would have cracked open your skull and made a fine wine by now.”

I didn’t respond and poured a potion into Selendis’s mouth. She flinched and opened her eyes.

“Are you alright?”

“…I’m sorry. I was careless.”

“Rest. I can handle this fight alone.”

Only then did Arthur’s expression change slightly. He must have been offended by being completely ignored.

I let Selendis rest on the side and returned.

“How can someone who already lost to me crack open my skull? The fact that you received a mana circuit transplant and learned magic is like engraving defeat on your body. You can’t wield a sword anymore.”

I intentionally provoked him. But it wasn’t as effective as before.

“My condolences. I didn’t know you had become a magical experiment subject. I should have refused the duel.”

“Hmph. You’re still as pathetic as ever. Your words have no effect on me. I’ve obtained all the power in this world. It was a grand ritual.”

“Don’t exaggerate. It’s not all the power.”

I waved my gloved hands. Prince Arthur’s eyes twitched.

He must have sensed the power that countered his own.

“Wouldn’t the church be upset if you excluded divine power?”

If I used magic with these gloves made by Jericho, it would be a fatal blow to someone wielding demonic energy.

Arthur still didn’t know I was a magician.

He would likely mistake the mana I used to eliminate the monsters at the entrance of the mountain range for an artifact effect from the weapon.

So, learning from my experience defeating the Baphomet-like demon, I planned to cast a spell immediately and inflict a fatal wound.

‘In that case, the real villain isn’t Arthur but Muon.’

Securing Arthur was more important than winning the fight. His body itself was crucial evidence.

“You’re admirable, O’Brien. But you’ll never see the rising sun again—”

He couldn’t finish his sentence.

Because ten ‘Energy Bolts’ struck him at high speed.

*Boom!*