episode_0048

No one could stop the ogre’s hand, which he swung without much effort, as if he were trying to blow away the dust. Not only were mercenaries without proper equipment, but even knights wearing armor made of refined steel from head to toe were swept away like toys.

However, just because the Ogre swung roughly, it did not mean that their power was weak. They flew at a terrifying speed and became weapons, attacking the mercenaries and knights. The huge shells called knights crushed and tore the bones and flesh of those they hit. Blood flew out along with screams.

It was a hellish sight. Even those who survived the non-attack had lost limbs or other serious injuries, and it seemed likely that they would die soon.

The ogre had just started to rampage, but there were hardly any survivors. Looking at the hellish landscape filled with corpses, limbs whose owners were unknown, or chunks of meat whose parts were not clearly defined─I slowly walked towards the ogre.

Was there a reason for them to die like this? Well, some might say that it couldn’t be, but what about from Yugram’s perspective?

According to the voice I overheard, the captain’s last name was Granciel. I remember him as a mid-level noble. If I were mid-level, there’s almost no chance he’d know about me, but… could it be said that he doesn’t know at all?

A mysterious second-year academy student suddenly appeared and defeated an ogre who had been given the power of the Shinigami Cult. Can we really say that not a single person in this exciting story connects me, that is, Liliane, to this?

Personally, I think there would be no one. ─But what if it were Yugram? If it were Yugram… wouldn’t he choose to kill everyone who watched this suspicious group and silence them?

It’s not that I didn’t like the sight of it, so I left it to Ogre instead of Yugram. It’s just that… I didn’t bother to step forward until it pounced on me. That’s a ridiculous excuse.

I had the power and ability to save most people, but I watched them die for the convenience of Yugram and me. If the souls of those who died still remain, they will curse me if they know this.

I have no intention of apologizing. I don’t feel sorry or guilty. All I feel is excitement at being able to fight such a strong ogre, and joy at being able to throw ashes at the plans of the Shinigami Cult.

I am such an ugly person.

“Wow, wow─!”

Since the day I was afflicted with this damned curse, I have always been very careful with my magic.

The mask on my face suppresses the curse, but its power comes from my magic power and a certain amount of blood. The more magic power I use, the stronger the curse becomes.

Even if you use up all your magic power, you won’t die right away. Since blood is a power source that holds a lot of magic power, you’ll end up consuming more blood, and if you use up too much blood before your magic power recovers, you’ll die.

It’s not like that now. However, it’s true that the more I use my magic power, the more the curse activates. That means that the terrible pain that torments me becomes a little stronger.

If possible… I want to stab my face with a dagger, crush, cut and tear it out, to make the source of this pain disappear – a horribly vivid pain – that was the pain I felt that morning when I was cursed.

Yes. This was the ‘real thing’. It was patience that had grown after years of hard work, but it was also patience that had a weak pain-relieving effect as a result of instinctively using magic power to slightly suppress the curse.

Before I was born, the cult of the dead had filled the continent with fear and blood. The damage was so great that most countries had closed their doors and were focusing on internal affairs.

It was also the Sashin religion that ended my life as a royal. I knew they tried to kill my eldest brother, but… I was the one who got hurt. I haven’t forgotten that day even for a single day.

And now, what was in front of my eyes was also a cult.

What the hell is wrong with you guys?

If they worship the gods, they should take care of it among themselves.

Why do you keep bringing this up with me?

I’m not the main character in a novel. I have no intention of saving the world.

If you hadn’t caught my eye, if you hadn’t caused me direct harm, I wouldn’t have cared about you.

It’s your fault for messing with me.

I let loose all my magical powers, running wild like an unbridled calf.

Maybe it was because the mask was covered in blood, but my thoughts were not properly organized and I was confused.

But what had to be done was decided.

I raised my sword.

.

.

.

“That’s the princess’s power..”

Ayla stood next to him, her mouth open, muttering blankly. It was a very weak action, considering that there were still quite a few monsters around. But Mathias, who had to point it out, was the same.

Mathias had a rough idea of Leah’s magical power. It was stronger than the knights he had encountered when joining the expedition, and even stronger than the captain he had seen from afar. However, the aura Leah was giving off right now was ‘only’ not that strong.

For some reason, Mathias felt as if the temperature had suddenly dropped. It was autumn, and considering that they were in the mountains, it was natural for it to be somewhat chilly, but… the cold wind was coming from the princess.

‘Magic power… Did the temperature around the princess drop because of magic power?’

I had heard it briefly in my knight class. Those with a large amount of magical power… that is, those who are outstanding among the mid-level ones, or upper-level nobles, or royalty, can influence the world with just magical power itself, not magic. They can even swing a sword wrapped in flames, even though they are knights.

Also, I heard that if the owner experiences strong emotions, such as anger or sadness, and their magical power control wavers, it will unconsciously have a similar effect. Although it was a story that had nothing to do with him, Mathias remembered it because it was so interesting.

Are you saying that Leah possesses that much magical power?

Leaving Mathias’s bewilderment behind, Leah walked lightly toward the ogre. The ogre waved his hands around as he did when dealing with other knights and mercenaries. However, what happened next was different from before.

A shock wave radiated out along with a huge explosion. It was the sound of the sword that Leah had raised with one hand meeting the ogre’s hand. What on earth had happened? Neither the ogre that had attacked nor Mathias and Ayla who were watching from behind could figure it out.

Even though Leah had strengthened her body with a frightening amount of magical power, it would never be comparable to the strength of an ogre. Also, she couldn’t possibly be holding a sword that was so great that it could easily absorb the ogre’s enormous power. As far as Mathias knew, the sword he was holding and Leah’s sword were the same. He knew in his head that the power was somehow channeled… but how?

The bewildered ogre looked at his hand, and this time he clenched his fist. Anyone could tell that he was about to attack properly. His hand, clenched with a strong grip that could easily crush even a rock, struck down like lightning.

There was no loud noise as the ogre’s fist slammed into the ground. After a while, a sound of something falling was heard. It was the ogre’s wrist. Just as the ogre had struck the ground, only the wrist had disappeared somewhere. Blood gushed out like a waterfall belatedly. The hot blood soaked Leah’s entire body. Another mistake… Leah muttered. Her entire body was soaked in the ogre’s red blood… Only the half-mask that Leah always wore was shining a dazzling white.

The ogre, whose arm had been cut off, did not lose his fighting spirit. The ogre, extremely angry, immediately stretched his right leg back and swung it as if kicking Leah. It was a terrifying attack that had the power to blow Leah’s light body away, and even a heavily armed knight up into the sky. Nevertheless, Leah remained calm.

Leah was already gone where the ogre’s foot had swung. Leah moved toward her left foot, which had been her stepping stone, and lightly slashed her sword. The ogre’s huge body lost its balance and fell. The ogre’s foot, which was larger than an average person’s, was neatly cut off from the ankle and was lying quietly on the ground.

As the fallen ogre tried to get up, putting his hands on the ground, Leah’s sword swung again. This time, his left wrist left the ogre’s body. The sword moved dozens of times. Little by little, but fatally, the ogre’s body was being cut down. As he watched, Mathias felt something eerie.

Leah could have killed the ogre at any time, but she was just playing with it and venting her anger. There was no reason for Mathias to be afraid, since it was a powerful monster that was the enemy of humans… but for some reason, his body trembled.

The ogre’s limbs were cut off, and it had lost so much blood that it had lost all will to fight. Leah’s sword passed over its neck as it cried helplessly. The ogre’s neck was cut off helplessly.

Leah, who had suppressed the overflowing magical power and even used magic to remove the ogre blood that had stained her body and sword, slowly approached Mathias and Ayla.

“Once all the ogres are dead, monsters will rush in. Be prepared.”

The voice was so calm for someone who had just brutally chopped an ogre to death, and only then did Mathias realize, a little, why Yugram had said, “It’s dangerous to be around a young lady.”