Ch.129Pelheim Senova (2)

Fellheim Senova (2)

Eirene trembled at the sight of the black knight charging toward her while slaughtering the fortress city’s soldiers.

The one fortunate thing was that the fallen soldiers were getting back up and trying with all their might to block the charge.

Seeing the soldiers sacrificing their lives for the hero party, unaware of Fellheim Senova’s betrayal, Eirene pressed her lips together and did everything she could.

She prevented people from dying.

She tried to protect them.

In this way, she did her best at what she “should do” while strengthening her defenses to protect herself.

“Oh, the Saintess is truly remarkable. Even in this situation, I hardly see any dead soldiers.”

“……”

Eirene shuddered as if chilled by the voice coming from behind her.

She had no time to look back.

Commander Nine was charging at her, intent on killing her.

In such a situation, she wasn’t composed enough to check behind her.

‘This is…’

After hearing Esmeralda’s words, Eirene had been thinking about how the current situation came to be.

Fellheim Senova.

The longtime hero of the fortress city.

What reason could she have for betraying humanity and joining the Demon King’s army? If the imperial troops that appeared now came to attack the traitorous Fellheim Senova, then when did this happen?

She knew. There were things only she could understand.

‘Lord Fellheim Senova’s family probably…’

That she cherished her family so much that she had bowed her head to Eirene, abandoning her own beliefs.

Someone who cares that much about family commits treason against the empire.

Even though her family isn’t nearby? Even though she didn’t bring them?

Just from that situation, Eirene could tell. Fellheim Senova’s family had likely been massacred by imperial troops.

Then wouldn’t Fellheim Senova think:

‘I once threatened Lord Fellheim Senova using her family as leverage,’

That she, the Saintess, was the root cause of all this trouble.

Even if that weren’t the case, it would be reason enough to deal with her first among the hero party.

The chilling violence charging at her from the front and the suffocating quiet terror approaching gracefully from behind.

Eirene took a deep breath.

‘I shouldn’t openly condemn Fellheim Senova here.’

The soldiers were still risking their lives to block the black knights for her sake.

In such a situation, if she shouted that Fellheim Senova was a traitor, it would not only cause confusion but could also backfire.

‘I absolutely must not respond first.’

Right now, Fellheim Senova wasn’t showing overt hostility toward her but was walking toward her as if surprised by Commander Nine charging from a distance.

To other soldiers, it would only look like she had come down from the fortress walls to stop the enemy.

‘Focus.’

Fellheim Senova isn’t that strong. With her aged body, she can’t exert the strength of her prime, so even Eirene could subdue her now.

Her power comes not from individual might but from her experience and command abilities.

So Eirene could handle this.

‘Without looking back, wait until the opponent clearly betrays…’

She felt like vomiting.

Would it have been easier if she hadn’t known? Eirene was sick of the fact that she had to bear this danger.

It was the continuity of such incidents that had shattered her mental state.

She is the core of this hero party. If Esmeralda is the symbol, then the actual operation and management of the hero party can only be handled by her.

Esmeralda, coming from the countryside, doesn’t know how to negotiate with people.

Tina, from the back alleys, can’t distinguish between what should and shouldn’t be said.

Millia simply lacks social skills.

Yes, only she.

‘I work so hard, yet the hero doesn’t even treat me well.’

Negotiations, deals, situation analysis.

And all the other minor problems are solved by her.

It’s so unfair she can hardly bear it.

Thud!

Eirene flinched at the sight of the black knight approaching quite close and gripped her morning star.

Step.

The sound of Fellheim Senova’s footsteps approaching slowly from behind sent shivers down her spine.

Fellheim Senova still hadn’t revealed her betrayal.

She was waiting for the most certain moment.

‘If she attacks together with Commander Nine, I probably…’

Can’t block it.

But if she makes a move different from what’s expected here, it won’t be just her who suffers.

“…I wonder if I can take the hits gently.”

Eirene steeled herself.

Here, she would block one side and take less painful hits from the other.

Wounds can be healed with holy magic. After Fellheim Senova reveals her betrayal, it will be much easier to convince the soldiers.

And if she sacrifices herself like this for the hero party and the fortress city, Lug’s view of her will change.

Yes, this is her usual routine.

Building an image to receive love and admiration from people.

Bleeding for that purpose.

Crack!

Eventually, the last barrier Eirene had deployed was torn by the black knight’s sword, and from behind, a rapier gently brushed the side of her neck.

Eirene’s thoughts multiplied.

Fellheim Senova hadn’t attacked her yet. But depending on the angle, it might look that way.

With the blade placed right next to her neck, motionless.

Should she respond? Or should she endure as much as possible for a more certain moment?

“You seem lost in thought, Saintess. It’s alright. Even if that black knight reaches us, this old body will somehow block it with all I have.”

“I… see.”

The sword drops.

Fellheim Senova, who had been standing behind her, now stands beside her.

But the sword remains poised where it could be swung at any moment.

In a position where it wouldn’t be strange if it were swung either toward the enemy or toward herself.

The performance of an experienced veteran.

“Here it comes.”

Boom!

The black knight charges.

Eirene, gripping her morning star, raises her hand.

Fellheim Senova, watching her from the corner of her eye, bends her arm as if to swing her sword, pulling the rapier toward herself.

Tears well up in Eirene’s eyes. Even though she was prepared, the situation was terrifying.

And in such situations, always.

Crash!

“Don’t touch my companion.”

The hero appears.

***

Death Knight.

If a lich is the strongest among magic-type undead, then a death knight is unquestionably the strongest among warrior-type undead.

So when Commander Nine was said to be a death knight, Esmeralda didn’t doubt it for a moment.

It wasn’t something to question but a given premise.

Then what about a living armor?

Could it be said to be as powerful an undead as a death knight?

‘Living armor doesn’t have anything that could be called reason.’

Frankly speaking, living armor is a notch below death knights.

If a death knight is a dead knight turned undead, living armor is just the vengeful spirit of a knight who died tragically, remaining as a residue in the armor.

In other words, living armor cannot progress beyond its living state.

‘Garnet said that Nine was an undead created by Six.’

A being created by external forces.

Moreover, an undead raised by a lich powerful enough to reach the position of the Demon King’s 6th Legion Commander.

The fact that such a raised undead became the 9th Legion Commander says it all.

Doesn’t it mean that in controlling undead, they possessed abilities as outstanding as their own power?

Then another question arises.

‘Why was it a “living armor”?’

If they wanted, they could have created a death knight.

No, even if they made it a living armor, it would have been simple to evolve it into a death knight.

Rather, it’s the opposite.

They’re leaving an undead with such power in the form of a living armor.

Then there must be a reason.

A reason why it had to be a living armor, not a death knight.

That’s because…

‘Living armor is completely empty inside the armor!’

Legion Commander Six is a powerful mage. Just look at the current situation.

With enhancement magic, they strengthened demon soldiers and undead, turning a defensive position into an offensive one in an instant.

One individual changing the tide of war. That alone shows how monstrous Legion Commander Six is.

But Esmeralda hadn’t confirmed the appearance of Legion Commander Six.

Because they’re a mage, it’s natural to hide? Well, that’s true. It’s only natural, so Legion Commander Six would have prepared such a place.

Yes, for example.

“Nice armor.”

Like inside a living armor with commander-level power.

Esmeralda stared into the helmet emanating a sinister aura, having blocked Nine who was about to pounce on Eirene.

The Emerald Tablet reveals that hidden inside the puppet called Commander Nine.

[Name: Despair Undertaker]

[Race: Lich] [Title: Legion Commander, Archmage, Vespillo]

[Trait List]

Common Magic Lv. 65

Elemental Magic Lv. 71

Black Magic Lv. 110

Necromancy Lv. 67

Life Vessel Lv. 2

Infinity Lv. 1

[Comprehensive Estimate Lv. 1248]

“Legion Commander Six.”

“Indeed, I didn’t expect you to see through this at once. Does this mean the hero is truly special?”