Ch.131Chapter 131: The Fierce Battle at Year’s End (6)

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Just after the heavy snowfall that had blanketed the fortress and the entire northern territory ceased.

The atmosphere in the fortress, which had been bustling with preparations for the massive demonic beast attack expected before the year’s end, changed in an instant.

BOOM-!!

One section of the sturdy fortress wall—built with the finest engineering the Empire could boast—collapsed with a thunderous sound, leaving no time for hesitation.

The troops originally assigned to the northern gate’s defense formed battle formations without a moment’s delay, moving in orderly fashion toward the collapsed wall.

“It’s a bit noisy, but! Think of this as our regular drill and maintain your formations calmly!”

At the command of Knight-Hart Parsifal, the most senior knight and highest authority in the fortress who would assume command in case of emergency.

Despite facing the unprecedented situation of a fortress wall breach, the soldiers maintained their composure, displaying more fighting spirit than fear.

No matter how difficult the situation might be.

If they faltered or retreated here.

They couldn’t allow the vast imperial territory behind them to be trampled by malice-filled demonic beasts—this weighty responsibility gave them fighting spirit rather than fear.

“Halt!”

At Lord Knight-Hart’s command, the orderly marching of the soldiers and knights in formation stopped with military precision.

Their halt was so perfectly synchronized.

THUD-!!

When the considerable number of troops stopped at once, there was only a single sound of feet touching the ground, with no scattered noises.

After visually confirming that the formation was properly maintained, Knight-Hart ordered:

“All troops, draw your weapons and stand by!”

He commanded them to wait with weapons drawn until the situation unfolded.

SHING

A clear metallic sound echoed throughout the fortress as the soldiers drew their various weapons in response to the order.

“Huff…”

After confirming that preparations appropriate to the situation were complete, a light sigh escaped Knight-Hart’s lips.

“All that’s left is for the Deputy Commander to deal with whatever remains after cleaning up…”

In his hand was a small note, though his muttered words were too quiet for the other soldiers and knights to hear.

“I’ll head to the collapse site first. Based on the presence I felt when the wall collapsed, it seems to be the work of one or two elite demons. Rather than clumsily deploying large forces, I believe I can handle it alone. Please take charge of troop control and leadership in my place.”

It was a note bearing his official seal, delivered by his personal adjutant immediately after detecting the wall collapse.

“This should be handled by an old man who can’t die yet…”

As he clicked his tongue in regret while staring at the still dust-filled breach site.

“Stay safe.”

He uttered a prayer for the safety of his much younger colleague and superior who had taken the initiative in fortress matters, but.

Not long after, upon receiving a report from a pale-faced soldier who had been stationed near the collapse site.

“…What kind of control allowed anyone other than the Deputy Commander to go there!”

The expression of the old knight, normally unperturbed by most situations, twisted slightly with worry.

The soldier’s report was brief but conveyed a serious situation:

Deputy Commander Iriana had entered the site at a speed that could only be described as ferocious.

Shortly after, they had failed to stop a student from the Cradle who had followed her, allowing them to enter the site as well.

“Lord Löwenhart.”

“You called, sir.”

“I’d like nothing more than to rush there myself, but as the senior officer, I cannot leave this post…”

“I will immediately retrieve the Cradle student who followed the Deputy Commander.”

“…I’m counting on you.”

As Löwenhart bowed respectfully and rushed to the scene, a deeper sigh escaped Knight-Hart’s lips.

As his gaze dropped to the ground while sighing, he noticed an unnaturally rippling shadow in his field of vision.

The moment Pale Sanguin, who had nearly been defeated by Lilianshiz’s holy sword, attempted to infiltrate the fortress in shadow form with Adorator’s assistance.

Knight-Hart’s sigh played a significant role in transforming that moment into one of failure and the ensuing fierce battle.

#

My sister’s actions after threatening me with that fierce voice were swift.

WOONG-!!

A bluish battle aura, unique to her, enveloped her entire right arm though she bore no weapons, creating a resonant sound that disturbed the air.

As time passed, both the resonance echoing through the silent space and the bluish energy surrounding my sister’s right arm grew more intense.

The atmosphere she exuded was overwhelming—even without any visible weapons on her person or at her waist.

“I’ll say it nicely one more time. Let go of him.”

Her voice was no longer the blunt tone she’d used when first seeing me in the dragon armor.

Instead, it was calm but somehow more deeply infused with fighting spirit—or perhaps hostility toward me.

Those unfamiliar with the situation might see the battle aura gathering around her right arm and think it was just a temporary measure to compensate for her unarmed state.

But this was far from such a trivial tactic.

Rather, it was a sacred ritual to manifest a weapon with power comparable to divine artifacts forged from holy ultra-metals or materials of similar caliber.

The Formless Sword.

A sword made of battle aura that could affect the physical world merely by visualizing one’s inner image.

A sword forged from the mind that could tear through the flesh of high-ranking demons that only holy swords could otherwise challenge.

For those who walk the path of martial arts and continue to grow.

This was the ultimate weapon that would allow one to perform techniques that could split the sky and overturn the earth without being constrained by physical weapons—the precursor to which was now forming on my sister’s right arm.

WOONG-!!

As the battle aura intensified, the resonant sound grew deeper and more profound.

SHAA-

The bluish aura concentrated on her right hand, finally taking the form of a sword.

Before my regression, my sister’s ultimate form of the Formless Sword could inflict physical harm with just a gesture or even the mere intention to harm.

However, it seemed that her current level was limited to creating a sword from battle aura.

Compared to the brilliant sword trajectories my sister had demonstrated in the time before my regression.

This Formless Sword was still rudimentary, but.

Considering that among swordsmen aiming for the pinnacle of swordsmanship.

The majority couldn’t even form a sword from battle aura in their entire lifetime of training.

The fact that she had completed even a basic form of the Formless Sword just after coming of age demonstrated the extraordinary genius of Iriana Ranos.

Moreover.

WOONG-!!

The deep resonance emanating from the completed Formless Sword and.

The dazzling bluish light it emitted suggested that, based on my memories of crossing swords with my sister during my time as the Demon God’s agent.

While the sword’s form might be incomplete, its power seemed to have already reached completion.

WHOOSH-!!

“H-hot! My…my body! Ahhh…”

…Regardless of whether the aura my sister emitted toward me was hostile or not.

It was more than enough to inflict fatal wounds on Adorator, the quasi-deity still struggling with crimson flames behind me.

“…You don’t seem to be listening.”

Despite completing the Formless Sword.

My sister’s voice grew even fiercer seeing that I still wouldn’t let go of Shiz.

While I was lost in nostalgia watching her prepare the Formless Sword by wrapping battle aura around her right arm.

My attempt to clear up the misunderstanding was delayed, but.

[Looks like you’ve earned yourself quite the misunderstanding. Should we test this armor’s durability while we’re at it?]

Ignoring Paphnir’s words, which showed he had no intention of clearing up the misunderstanding and instead seemed eager to enjoy the upcoming situation.

I needed to quickly reveal my identity to prevent my sister from wasting her strength using the Formless Sword.

With that thought, I tried to open my mouth, but.

Against my will to actively reveal my identity.

“…”

My mouth wouldn’t open.

…What’s going on?

As I looked at my sister, who was staring at me expressionlessly while preparing to use the Formless Sword, I began to wonder why I suddenly couldn’t open my mouth.

[Just stay still. It’s been a while since we’ve had a real battle, so we need to thoroughly test this first.]

This question was easily resolved by Paphnir’s words.

Just like when he briefly controlled my body after I lost consciousness during the fierce battle with Sanguin who was lurking in the fortress days ago.

My mouth wouldn’t open because Paphnir had taken control of that part of my body.

He occasionally took control of my body when necessary.

And I knew that most of these actions were taken for my safety.

He had also mentioned the valid reason of testing the armor’s durability, but.

In the current situation, with two of the Obsidian Palace’s strongest fighters—Adorator and Pale Sanguin—coming to destroy this fortress.

We couldn’t afford to waste our best card here, so.

‘Have you lost your mind?’

I immediately snapped at Paphnir, who had taken control of my mouth.

[Hehehe. Look how harsh your words get when you’re flustered. Don’t worry. You won’t die or get seriously injured.]

Despite his carefree and relaxed tone.

‘We can’t let my sister waste her strength when the situation could change at any moment. Let me speak again now.’

Barely suppressing my frustration, I calmly tried to persuade him, but.

[This Dragon Scale Armor won’t even be scratched by a Formless Sword.]

As Paphnir only expressed deep confidence in the armor’s durability rather than listening to my persuasion, I was about to be at a loss for words when.

Fortunately.

The fierce aura my sister had been emitting suddenly dissipated.

This happened despite my not making any gestures or desperate attempts to reveal my identity.

How was this possible? Because.

Right after she completed the Formless Sword and was about to unleash a brilliant sword technique.

“Mmm…”

A faint moan escaped Shiz’s lips as she regained consciousness in my arms.

Of course, even though Shiz had regained consciousness.

And even though I wasn’t harming her in any way.

It would be natural for my sister to maintain her hostility toward me when my identity was still unclear, but.

“…”

Shiz, who had opened her eyes in my arms, blinked twice and carefully examined me with my face completely hidden by the Dragon Scale Armor’s helmet, then.

“…Cal, you protected me. Thank you…”

She said with a bright smile, and simultaneously.

SQUEEZE-!!

She gently wrapped her arms around my neck, which was covered by armor, leaving my sister no choice but to reconsider.

Despite the intimidating Dragon Scale Armor I wore.

Even my sister couldn’t recognize me, yet how did Shiz identify me at a glance?

“Nice smell…”

Her soft voice, though weakened, warmed the heart of anyone who heard it and gave me the answer.

…Do I smell?

[Perhaps you should bathe more often? The fact that she identified you by smell suggests you’re already taken.]

‘Would you please be quiet?’

While I was distracted by Paphnir’s teasing.

WOONG-!!

My sister, who had been prepared to strike me with the Formless Sword, saw Shiz showing familiarity toward me and finally reduced the intensity of her completed Formless Sword.

“…”

Though she still looked somewhat suspicious.

She expanded her spiritual perception to examine me in the Dragon Scale Armor from head to toe.

Not long after.

“Ah…”

An inappropriately dumbfounded sound escaped my sister’s lips, accompanied by a matching expression.

TAP TAP TAP

With footsteps clearly audible, she closed the distance between us.

The distance was closed in the blink of an eye, and as I was about to admire her swift movement, my vision was filled with my sister’s slightly frowning face.

SWISH-!!

She swung her left arm, which wasn’t holding the Formless Sword, cleanly from top to bottom.

While I could clearly perceive her intention to swing her hand downward.

The trajectory of that descending hand was executed with such superhuman speed that it was impossible to track.

In other words, there was no way to dodge my sister’s hand strike.

[Oh…]

Even Paphnir let out a faint admiration as he witnessed this, as my sister’s cleanly executed left-hand strike touched the crown of my head covered by the Dragon Scale Armor’s helmet in an instant.

At that moment.

THWACK-!!

When bare hand made of flesh and blood collided with a helmet primarily composed of dragon scales, an unexpectedly crisp sound echoed through the silent space.

Despite being an attack delivered with a bare hand without any battle aura or energy enhancement.

It was a strike with both weight and sharpness that would surely have left a large bump had it hit an unprotected head.

Thanks to the Dragon Scale Armor’s helmet’s defensive capabilities, I didn’t feel much impact from this hand strike, but.

“I almost hurt an innocent person! You should have explained immediately to prevent misunderstandings!”

I couldn’t avoid my sister’s blunt voice, which carried a more formidable power than her hand strike in some ways.

Of course, while her voice clearly conveyed anger.

The concern and relief embedded within it were also evident, so I didn’t cover my ears and obediently listened to my sister’s scolding.

[…My ears are ringing.]

Unlike me, Paphnir, who had no obligation to listen to this, couldn’t hide his surprise at the sudden blunt voice.

As I continued to listen to my sister’s outpouring of scolding.

After I had given Adorator a baptism of fire.

One of the two presences I had sensed approaching this place revealed itself, following my sister who had arrived here first.

“Huff… Huff…”

Unlike my sister, who hadn’t even disturbed her breathing while rushing here.

The owner of this presence arrived with slightly—though not severely—disturbed breathing, and I could immediately identify who it was, unlike with my sister whom I had only recognized after hearing her footsteps.

I knew instantly upon sensing the presence because of the distinctive tingling sensation of lightning that stimulated all five senses—it would be more problematic not to recognize it.

“Lady Iriana… You’re truly fast. I almost collapsed trying to keep up with you.”

It was Excel, who immediately started flattering my sister with appropriate compliments upon arrival.

“Anyway, I’m truly sorry for being late… Wait, who is this? That fellow wearing the sinister-looking armor?”

Excel’s reaction upon seeing the Dragon Scale Armor I wore wasn’t much different from my sister’s.

Having trained with Paphnir wearing this armor in his mental world covered by the mist Paphnir created, I knew how overwhelming the atmosphere emanating from this armor was.

So I expected some wariness, but.

I hadn’t expected him to move so actively toward confrontation before even identifying friend from foe.

“Summon Lightning!!”

With Excel’s brief but powerful voice echoing throughout the area.

CRACKLE-!!

Just as when Shiz drew her holy sword.

A spear seemingly made of lightning revealed its majestic form as it cut through the air.

Keraunos.

One of the legendary weapons comparable to Lumen, the holy sword that led humanity to victory during the Great Holy War, was now in the hands of its summoner.

Excel gripped the spear with his right hand, then his left, assuming a thrusting stance ready to lunge at any moment.

“Hey, monster! Get your hands off my friend’s fiancée!”

His words were similar to those my sister had first uttered when showing hostility toward me, clearly revealing that he hadn’t grasped the situation despite seeing Shiz smiling and clinging to my neck.

[…Hmm.]

In my mind, I could hear Paphnir’s displeased hum upon seeing this.

[This armor was designed to be intimidating, but…]

The hum changed to a dejected voice, as if disappointed by the criticism of his completed armor.

[I’ll really punish that guy later.]

And soon after, it ended with a voice suggesting severe retribution against Excel.

Unlike with my sister’s Formless Sword, which he had planned to take without resistance to test the armor’s performance.

It was clear that Paphnir had no intention of being hit by Excel’s spear strikes, so I felt I needed to appease him.

Before my sister could say anything to Excel.

“Sorry for looking sinister.”

When I revealed through my voice that I was the one wearing that sinister armor.

“Oh, it’s you. Where did you get such a strange armor from?”

With a voice less tense than before, Excel expressed his opinion about the Dragon Scale Armor I was wearing.

CRUNCH

In my mind, I heard what sounded like Paphnir grinding his teeth.

[I don’t want to hear criticism about my armor design from a Burnstein descendant.]

He spoke with a voice revealing his displeasure at the design critique.

…He’s angry, really angry.

Despite the seemingly calm tone, Paphnir’s voice—which strongly implied “I’ll remember your face and deal with you later”—sounded unusually menacing to me today.