episode_0336

Episode 336

There was news that Laurentia had been ambushed.

It is said that the scale of the attack was not that small. It seems that there was a sincere intention to take the castle. However, the number was far short of 7 corps.

Luna said that she defeated them without difficulty. The raid continued several more times. As if he was knocking on a solid barrier here and there, as if he was trying to check Lustier’s defenses.

Ultimately, their purpose was to explore whether the information received from Lisia was true.

I also spent most of my time underground. Since we don’t know when we will enter the Sanctuary, we must maintain connection with the Tree of Knowledge.

About ten days after reports of the battle in Laurentia subsided, a huge number of humans could be felt entering San Seine at dawn.

‘come…!’

I immediately connected myself deeper into the magic circle. Silver tree vines extend out and wrap around my limbs. Then, the events happening in Sesennes began to appear vividly, as if they were unfolding before my eyes.

No, the expression “visible” is not accurate. Because it is just an expression of human vision. Rather, I just knew and felt everything that happened there. Although it’s a bit blurry.

It’s a large army. Broadly speaking, it seemed like most of the main force had been deployed in this advance. Perhaps only enough troops were left to maintain the line throughout Laurentia.

Residents of Sessennes have already completed their evacuation. I waited until they set foot a little deeper, into the land of San Seine.

They marched cautiously, preparing for possible enemies. Eventually, the majority of the troops came under my influence.

I first spoke to the hearts of all of them.

– Good night, Empire. My name is Sarah Lustier. You are the princess of the kingdom you are walking on.

– What, what!

– Female, female voice?

– Ju, the surroundings are definitely quiet… but the sound of words…

– Rather than that, it’s Princess Lustier?

– Don’t panic! Be very alert to your surroundings!

The commander seems to be excellent. The unit’s leadership is good. The brief commotion quickly quieted down. I continued speaking immediately.

– I plan to annihilate you from now on. If you want to save your life, I advise you to run away.

– Nonsense… It’s an illusion! Don’t be fooled!

-There are no enemies! Just keep moving forward!

I have to take back the word excellent. Seeing that they are trying to push the soldiers in even in the face of this unknown phenomenon.

I have no intention of saying any more than this. I immediately cast the spell.

My mana flows into the connection with the Tree of Knowledge that covers my body. The vines of the Tree of Knowledge, which were almost transparent white, became colored the same color as the deep sea following my mana.

– Panomia.

A spell of fear. It is a spell that evokes irrational and intense feelings of fear in the mind of the person affected.

Originally, it was a close-range magic that required contact to produce the most powerful effect, and at best could barely be activated from a visible distance.

However, now, the magic activated through the remnants of the fallen god has transcended distance and restrictions and manifested itself on an overwhelming scale.

– Hwaaa!!!

– Kyaaa!

– Ah, ah, daddy!!!

The sight of countless soldiers shedding tears, screaming, wailing, and running around like crazy was truly a scene of despair. The officers who were supposed to control such troops also jumped off their horses and ran across the field with the terrified soldiers.

But the shocking sight quickly stopped. This was because the effect of the spell was limited to 3 minutes.

– How was it? How does it feel to face the fear that lies in each person’s heart? This is still just a warning. Go back. I don’t want to face death or anything worse than death.

The three minutes of terror seemed to have left quite a deep impression on them. Even though the effect of the spell had obviously disappeared, there were quite a few people shaking with their arms clenched.

But are they also warriors in their own way? Some people showed courage.

– Oh, she’s a witch…! It’s just a witch’s work!

– Well, at best it’s scary! Let’s move on!

– For witches, just burn them to death!

A witch, a witch.

It may be said to encourage oneself, but there is nothing wrong with it.

Nothing would be better suited to me than the word witch, as I seek to drive them out through fear using the power of magic and an even more transcendent being.

In that case, I will become that witch.

I immediately cast a second spell.

– Panomia.

A spell of fear like the first. However, the mana it contains is much larger. This time the intensity and duration of the fear were much stronger.

– Ugh, ugh?!

– Ugh!! Come on, don’t come closer!

– Mother, mother!!!

At first, there were many people running around in fear, but this time they couldn’t even do that. The scene of a huge number of people falling to the ground and shaking their bodies while making strange noises was truly grotesque. Some of the dogs were even seen to be incontinent.

The duration this time is 10 minutes. However, the intensity of the intensified fear was combined, so from the perspective of the victim, it seemed like an eternity.

Even when the spell’s effect was over, most of the people were lying on the floor and unable to get up. Like I was completely overcome with fear.

I again spoke quietly into their hearts. Be as gentle as possible, considering their mental state that is on the verge of breaking down.

– Ego.

– Aaaah! I hate it, I hate it now!!

Just the first stroke of luck was made and the great escape had begun. The second spell seemed to have completely melted the courage of even the bravest among them.

They began to run away in the direction they came from. The commander who was supposed to stop them was completely indistinguishable from them. It was truly chaos.

I finally spoke to their hearts.

– Remember, invaders of the Empire. This place in Lustier is a land protected by me, the witch Sarah Lustier.

* * *

“Phew…”

I feel like all the energy has drained out of my body. Even with a mana-awakened body, handling the extremities of the Tree of Knowledge was a tremendous drain on stamina.

Moreover, while fused, you cannot see or hear anything around you. Since it’s in the basement of the palace anyway, there’s no way there’s anything that could pose a threat to one’s safety.

The good news is that the Nullification Contract was not activated while defeating them. Actually, this is also a puzzling point. If I knew it was caused by my magic, I thought it would activate…

But in any case, the imperial invasion was repelled.

I did it.

The feeling of having accomplished it rises from my exhausted body. I looked around with joy.

But there was only quiet darkness and no one around.

“…Huh?”

weird. Clearly, there were many people watching around before it merged with the Tree of Knowledge.

In particular, I had been told to make sure that Aila remained here in case I was incapacitated. Still, there was no one around me.

This is strange. Something is… strange.

“Mother? Eila? Your Majesty…?”

I carefully climbed the stairs to the outside, calling the names of those around me. But at that very moment, the entire palace began to shake with a cooing sound.

What was that just now…? It’s like an explosion…

As I carefully climbed the stairs, I saw that the palace was in shambles.

Flames soar into the night sky from somewhere. Shouting and screaming are also heard. I had no idea what was what.

I grabbed the maid who was passing by with a fearful look and asked.

“Wait a minute! What is happening now…”

But before I could finish speaking, the maid just passed by me in a desperate manner. As if I couldn’t even be seen.

“Uh, what…?”

I know that maid. Since he was in charge of meals, we saw each other often. At least he wasn’t the kind of person who would just abandon the princess.

I have an ominous feeling.

I have a feeling that I may have overlooked something very important that I had never even thought about.

After that, everyone I met passed by as if they didn’t even see me.

There is only one thing that comes to mind about this transcendent phenomenon.

Contract of invalidation.

It wasn’t just that it prevented me from using my abilities or powers. What it did work on was my very existence.

A contract that negates everything I have built up until now in this world. Of course, I’ve never heard that explanation.

‘It’s a scam…!’

I feel that way, but I can’t help it. Because the situation is already at a stage where we can only understand it that way.

As I looked around with a helpless feeling, a man came up to me.

The armor worn on the large body is a style I have never seen before. The sword he was holding was covered in blood. With his very short silver hair, he looked like a typical warrior.

“found. It’s Princess Sera.”

And unlike other people, he was looking straight at me.