episode_0012

There were many types of witchcraft that caused damage by interfering with the mind and senses rather than using physical force.

They say that because it is so difficult, the number of shamans is very small… I don’t know where on earth so many powerful shamans that can attack an entire knighthood come from. These bastards, were you planning on going to war with the Delheim territory?

“Ugh…ah…?”

“Big…!”

“Damn…!”

Bizarre hallucinations and auditory hallucinations constantly eat away at the mind, and the surrounding objects and scenery are mixed up by the five senses, causing confusion. The knights managed to hold on, but the servants, including me, naturally went into a state of frenzy and panic, babbling nonsense.

The shape of a shaman’s spell is not clear like magic and it is colorless and odorless, so it is difficult to detect when it is approaching, but since it is ejected with energy, it can be neutralized by cutting with an aura.

Of course, since it is rarely detected in the first place, it is usually only possible through word of mouth.

That’s why you have to prepare in advance with magic.

“Kill all the dogs of the empire!”

“You hypocrites!”

Of course, the cloud holder was not one to let that happen.

We had no choice but to be helplessly pushed back by their attack, which came again on Zabel.

“Damn…!”

Xenia, the only wizard who could block the spell, had already collapsed from exhaustion after blocking several spells, so we had no choice but to exchange weapons with them, nakedly exposed to the spell.

“Aww…ugh…!”

Even if I swirled my mana all over my body, I couldn’t push away the magic energy that was constantly digging into my head. I never thought magic would be this powerful. When playing the game, it was just a garbage skill that caused a status abnormality and that was the end. I thought it was because I wasn’t actively using it and it was bad, but maybe I was hiding a secret? Or were they looking down on us?

That is a behavior that is unbecoming of a barbarian people. According to the information I saw, they were a people who used whatever means were available. This is because their kingdom is small and has a small population, so they are extremely reluctant to suffer unnecessary damage.

There’s really something strange about this year’s cloud holder. Was there perhaps some internal strife among the tribes?

“Kaaak!”

“Ahhh!”

Whatever it was, it didn’t change that we were facing a huge crisis.

The screams of our allies were deafening, but the fact that we could not guess their direction made us feel abnormally fearful.

-Keeek!

“Ugh!?”

As something was running towards me, I reflexively swung my weapon.

A heavy weight collided with the sword and pushed the body away.

What is this? Someone’s weapon? Zabel’s teeth? No, was it really an attack in the first place? What am I swinging my sword at now? tree? rock? Maybe, land?

“Huh!?”

In an instant, all hallucinations and auditory hallucinations disappear and the senses return.

For a moment, I thought the spell had been lifted, but it turned out to be impossible.

“Ah, ah…”

The scenery melts away. It feels empty as if my limbs have disappeared, my sense of direction is stuck to my sense of perception and is jagged, and my sense of balance is dizzyingly tilted as if my center of gravity is shifting.

The pain felt throughout the entire body is so painful that it feels like a bonus.

“Wow…!”

I wanted to lie down and close my eyes right now, but my reason, consumed by all kinds of violent impulses and anger, was constantly looking for an enemy.

It was when the sun set and light darkness descended that I came back to my senses.

“Wow, wow…?”

Once my body and mind became clean, I was able to continue thinking with clear consciousness.

The place I was in was a tent, and the calm silence beneath the painful moans further aroused the ominous feeling.

I kept my mouth shut and went out of the tent.

“No way…”

The devastation revealed was horrendous.

There are rows of fallen, motionless knights lying all over the vacant lot.

“Master. Do you come to your senses now?”

“…Weber.”

He, who had become extremely exhausted over the past few hours, smiled faintly with a stiff face.

“I was worried about what I would do if the mental interference did not go away. As the enemies retreated, it seems the spell was lifted. Thank you.”

“What happened? What…”

“The master had not reached a sufficient level yet, so he could not push away the spell. During that time, a fierce battle took place.”

“…Seeing as I’m safe, it looks like I won.”

“That’s right. For now.”

“How many died?”

In response to my question, he sighed deeply and lowered his gaze as if he had no shame.

“More than half died. The servants died even more than him.”

“…more than half…hahaha!”

Irreversible damage was inflicted in just one battle.

I get goosebumps because I feel like the happy sigh of the god of death approaching me touches the back of my neck.

“…Erica! Tyra! Elver!”

It leapt forward with an urgency as if struck by lightning.

A simple large tent where injured servants were gathered.

I was able to find my maids in a place where the strong smell of blood and moans were mixed together.

“…Master.”

The first person to greet me was an elver with a haggard face.

She was carrying bandages and towels and cleaning and tying the wounds of the wounded.

“Elver! Are you safe!?”

“Yes. Fortunately, I…I don’t have any major injuries.”

“Ha…I’m glad.”

I hugged her tightly.

Amidst the warmth, I feel a slight tremor.

“Who else? Where are Erica and Tyra?”

“……”

Her mouth was tightly shut, but for a moment, I didn’t miss the direction her eyes were turning and jumped in that direction without even looking back.

“…Ah, master…”

“Master…”

They were lying down with bandages wrapped around them.

Tyra on her side, Erica…

“…Ah..”

It didn’t seem like my life was in danger, but I had no choice but to collapse on the spot.

Because Erica’s left arm was missing.

“Erika…Erika!”

Tears flowed.

I feel tears flowing down, heavier than I’ve ever shed in my life.

“Ahaha… Master… I’m glad you’re safe. ”

“Erica… Dammit! Damn it! Xenia! Where is Xenia…!”

“Xenia is more serious than me. They said that my body was damaged because I overexerted myself. So don’t do that.”

“Ah…ugh…!”

I couldn’t say anything due to guilt and regret.

The best I could do was just hold her free hand and stroke her face, contorting her face as much as possible so as not to lose my senses.

“Ahaha. young master. My face has become ugly.”

“I’m sorry…I’m sorry…!”

“You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Erica smiled faintly, looked at my face for a moment, pursed her lips, and slightly shook her shoulders.

“But…but, master. really sorry. I guess I wasn’t such a good person. So, can I blame you just a little…just a little…?”

“Keuheuk…I’m sorry…I’m sorry…”

My hands were shaking in pain as if my heart was being squeezed.

Tears were already hanging down in her eyes as she faced each other.

“Master…why…did you bring me here…why…why am I like this…!”

I couldn’t come to my senses because of the pain that felt like my heart was being cut with a sharp sword.

“Ah, ahhh…! Ahhh…!”

Cloud Holder’s spell is so painful that it cannot even be compared.

Why, why did it become like this?

Would it have been okay if I had been stronger? No, if I had just rejected my father’s offer… no! If only my father hadn’t suggested that in the first place! why! Why on earth is this happening to me…!

Barely suppressing my anger, I stroked her face and held back the tears that threatened to fall at any moment.

“…Erica. I guess I’m not a good person either.”

“Is that so…? Haha…You can curse at me too. As much as you want…”

“What are you talking about? Why are they insulting you? I…I. I blamed my father. I thought he was a bastard who will never be seen again. The reason I came here is all because of my father…”

At that time, her remaining arm holds my hand tightly.

“Master. You can’t say things like that…”

“…But…!”

“…I don’t think I can talk calmly right now. Could you please leave…?”

“…At least come to our tent and rest.”

“No…it’s okay. I don’t think you’ll be able to rest if I’m here.”

“That’s not true. Never…”

“Master. Please.”

I could only nod my head at her earnest expression.

“…I understand.”

After seeing Erica and Tyra’s injuries in his eyes, he staggered back to the tent and came to a halt. I don’t think I can rest comfortably even if I go back to my tent. So I turned and entered Weber’s commander’s tent.

“…Weber. What about support troops?”

“They say it’s on the way. They said they would hit their base camp in about 8 hours from now, early in the morning. They say they will distribute troops here as well, so I don’t think you need to worry too much.”

“Phew… It’s distribution of troops… How many are coming?”

“50 knights, 200 infantry, and 3 wizards.”

“…Not bad. But it’s 8 hours…haha. Weber. Will we be alive until then?”

“……”

Weber did not respond but just smiled bitterly.

Well, I guess so. If I were the enemy’s commander, even if my outpost was attacked, I would not go back and leave the enemy’s outpost behind.

Perhaps by the time our reinforcements arrive here, all they will see is a devastated outpost and annihilated troops.

“…How is Xenia’s condition? I heard it’s not very good.”

“The magic circuit was seriously damaged and even caused mana exhaustion. It is impossible to participate in battle.”

“Is that so…”

Since I had already expected this, I nodded without much emotion.

“The war situation is overwhelmingly unfavorable and defeat is expected. If things continue like this, everyone will die.”

“……”

“So, we decided to escape.”

“What?”

“As I said before, your life is more valuable than ours. It would be more honorable to die protecting the master.”

“Damn it Weber. 나보고 꼬리만 개새끼처럼 도망치라고?”

Even if I wanted to say something nice, I couldn’t get it out.

He looked at me growling with somber eyes and shook his head.

“Sorry. young master. For us, this is the best.”

“Not permitted. In that time, kill at least one more guy.”

“All command and control rights of the current unit belong to me.”

Weber’s momentum overwhelms me. It is blatantly revealed that he intends to use force to subdue me.

“Are you not thinking about my honor? Weber.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Weber!”

I strengthened my body by drawing up a small amount of my remaining mana, but I couldn’t even catch his movements. The large, strong hand so easily bent my arm back and crushed it.

“Let go of this. Weber…when you say something nice…!”

“…Please sleep.”

With one arm firmly pressing down on my bent arm, the raised blade of his hand is aimed at the back of my neck.

“You fucking bastard!! It can’t go on like this! I can’t run away like this…!”

Before being attacked, I let my mana run wild.

As the mana that began to circulate vigorously throughout the entire body’s circuits gnawed away at the circuit walls, the blood vessels and muscle fibers of the entire body expanded and appeared on the skin, soon turning red and emitting steam.

“Quaaa!”

“Do, you master!? Oh my!”

As if he didn’t know he would do something like that, he was so startled that he hurriedly ran away and opened the distance.

“Kuch, kah…! Weber…! Did my determination seem like a lie? Or is the honor you’re talking about not a thing at all?”

I pulled out my sword with my trembling arm and aimed it at him.

“Run away? Are you telling me to run away? Do you think you can escape like this? Weber! late! It’s too late! kill! You can’t go anywhere until I kill you! I’m already tied up!”

“…I understand that feeling.”

“A person who claims to understand would do something like that…!”

“But, master. Blind hatred is ineffective and irrational. Look at the situation coolly and calmly. The current situation is…”

“Then is it efficient to search for everything for me and get out of there? Is it reasonable?”

“…At least for us it is.”

“Fuck you!”

Blood from the bed shoes spattered from my mouth. I opened my eyes wide and glared at him with bright red vision.

“Throw the idea of doing it for yourself in the trash can! Even if we search, we search together, even if we live, we live together!”

“…Phew..”

Weber sighed, was silent for a moment, and then nodded as if he had no choice.

The expression on his face was mixed, but there was a sense of relief somewhere in it.

“Okay. young master. Then…let’s all think of a way to escape together.”

“Whew, keekkeek… It should have happened a long time ago… But are you running away in the end? ”

As he sheathed his sword and thought about it, he smiled slightly.

“Because you will have a higher chance of survival than if you fight head on. Even just one person.”

“…Okay. so? Do you have any good ideas?”

“Yes. I already thought of a way to run away with you. The plan for him was also completed a long time ago. All you have to do is change it a little bit.”

“That’s really trustworthy… I’m sure they’re not just going to say that and secretly knock him out and drag him away.”

“Haha. It can’t be. That thought has now been completely abandoned. So, let’s try our best to survive.”

“Phew…yeah.”

After that answer, my vision darkened.

Oh, shit. You shouldn’t pass out now.

“Weber…I’m going to get some sleep…so do it right…understand…?”

“Leave it to me.”

For now, I had no choice but to believe it.

When I opened my eyes again, I was on a war horse.

“Huh…?”

I felt a soft touch on my back and the back of my head, so I looked up and made eye contact with Tyra.

“Ah, master. Are you awake?”

“Okay…is the wound okay?”

“It’s worth holding on.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Don’t say that. Do you know how much I got scolded by Elber earlier? I felt really unfair. I didn’t say anything.”

“Ahaha…what about those two?”

“It’s over there.”

When I looked in the direction my finger was pointing, I saw Elver on a war horse holding the reins as he hugged Erica.

“……”

“……”

When their eyes met, Elver bowed his head and Erica turned her head.

My chest hurts, my teeth grit and my face frowns.

“Master. If you make an expression like that from that age, wrinkles will form between your eyebrows~?”

Squeeze.

Tyra pressed her breasts against the back of my head and massaged my forehead with her fingers.

“Erica said that. I regret saying those words to you.”

“……”

“I will definitely come to apologize later, so please accept it then.”

“…Yes.”

I answered weakly and smiled with difficulty.

“But what is the situation now?”

“Oh, they said they would break through the forest and retreat.”

“Just with a determination to be superior?”

“No.”

Tyra frowned and turned her head in one direction.

She told me not to make that face… but when I looked where her eyes were directed, I was able to see it.

The bright red flames burning the forest.

Fires were raging not in one place, but simultaneously starting from around the vacant lot.

No matter what they did, the fire swelled with tremendous force and grew in size in an instant.

“…Haha.”

Did you say it as if you had some grand plan and then set it on fire and exploded?

Well, there’s only so much you can do in this situation.

The bitter taste stuck heavily to the surface of my tongue and did not come off.

-fire! It’s fire!

-The damn bastards started the fire!

-Get back! Get back!

I can hear the screams of the damn things hiding in the forest.

“Listen! Shields of the Kyndry Empire!”

At that time, Weber raised his sword high and looked back at the knights.

“…See you again alive!”

Starting with that cry, the warhorse carrying us began to slowly accelerate.