The explosion was powerful enough to collapse the entire wall. The waterfall of flames that engulfed Prince Raul and his knights was pushed back by the shockwave, allowing the knights, who had survived by fully unleashing their aura, to escape with Prince Raul.
“Well, this is an amusing trick.”
“Kehehe. You’ve got some skill for a woman.”
Ludmilla recognized the presence of a mage who had intervened in her spell. The opponent, seemingly unbothered about concealing himself, revealed his presence not far from the building Ludmilla was standing on.
“That spell doesn’t look like the tedious techniques of the Mage Tower. Who taught you?”
“I don’t have a teacher.”
“Judging by your nonsense, it seems you need to be taught a lesson.”
The old mage had the typical appearance of someone who had been holed up in a study for a long time, with a sallow complexion and a gaunt figure, as if he could die at any moment.
But he could not be underestimated.
“I am the master of the Glonas School. I don’t know who taught you your spells, but it must have been an extraordinary individual for you to reach that level at your age. Such prowess requires a brilliant teacher, regardless of one’s innate talent.”
Not all mages outside the Mage Tower were amateurs. Some built their unique spell systems, becoming great masters. This old man, known as the Grand Master of the principality, was one such master with numerous disciples.
Naturally, he was a highly skilled mage, and in terms of combat, he excelled compared to a typical Mage Tower magus.
“Given your goal seems to be Prince Raul, I’m afraid I can’t just stand by. As long as the principality is the patron of my school.”
The Grand Master, holding a staff exuding a remarkable mana flow, let out a sinister laugh. It was a red staff he acquired from the black market in Bates.
“With no shame, I’ll join forces with Sir Ehram to subdue you.”
“…That mage is no ordinary opponent.”
“Well, we won’t know until we fight, will we? Sir Ehram.”
Despite his words, the Grand Master did not underestimate the opponent.
The resistance he felt when he intervened in the flaming waterfall was extraordinary. If the opponent hadn’t altered the spell midway, interfering would have been impossible.
‘Still, I can’t do it alone.’
That’s the mage’s limitation.
Without a reliable vanguard, it’s impossible to focus solely on spells. A vanguard like the one who couldn’t even parry Ehram’s single strike wasn’t even worth using as a meat shield.
“Then, shall we begin?”
The Grand Master of the Glonas School confidently raised his staff. This magical artifact amplified the effectiveness of fire spells significantly, having an excellent synergy with the fire-based destructive techniques of the Glonas School.
Moreover, combining forces with a peer like Ehram enhanced their chances in the magic battle. Unless their opponent was the Tower Master of the Mage Tower, the Grand Master would not lose.
“Please handle the vanguard, Sir Ehram.”
“Click. Although I’m reluctant….”
Given the situation, it couldn’t be helped.
Ehram glanced at the exhausted knights and resolved to end the battle quickly. For that, he put aside his personal grudge against the Grand Master.
“Beware of that mage’s staff!”
At that moment, Maya, who had been hurled away after taking Ehram’s strike, stood in front of Ludmilla, warning her. He realized that the mage and the Grand Master, who had overwhelmed the demon worshippers with his superior fire spells in the black market, were the same person.
Yet, Ludmilla showed no sign of concern.
“If it’s a staff, I have one too.”
“Haha…! Did you steal some treasure from a school? Even so, it wouldn’t compare to this artifact! This is a staff comparable to an artifact…!”
“Is that so? I’m curious about that.”
Ludmilla, holding a staff adorned with a gem flickering like flames on its tip, smiled meaningfully.
『Mortalia’s Flame Staff』 (Legendary)
“Which one of us has the superior artifact?”
***
Boom──!
Crack-a-cracka! The heart-pounding sound of collisions echoed several times.
The wall, which had long been ruined by the spells flying in every direction, was in shambles. However, the bodies of those causing such destruction didn’t even have a speck of dust on them.
‘Is this truly a fight between humans…?’
How could beings that wielded disasters with mere gestures and incantations be human? Eson, a man who himself possessed the brute strength to toss four or five ordinary men, felt utterly insignificant.
Was the disparity really so vast just because they were born with the ability to use mana and utilize it proficiently?
‘This is, this is just too…’
Unfair. Yes, that word fit the situation perfectly. Even Eson, who had used his innate strength to thrash the swordsmen of the principality, felt so. How could anyone not feel the same?
“Wow… just like a woman, truly incredible.”
“Aren’t you troubled by this?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I mean, watching that tremendous battle, doesn’t it bother you at all?”
“Why would it bother me? If our side fights well, that’s a good thing.”
Eson’s face twisted at Alejandoro’s indifferent response, as he nonchalantly picked his nose.
“I came all this way to fight, only to end up watching because I’m not capable enough. Doesn’t that feel humiliating to you?”
“What nonsense are you spouting? I’m just doing my job and waiting.”
His words sounded like he was saying, ‘It’s your problem if you’re not capable,’ making Eson’s face turn red.
Although unwilling to admit it, Alejandoro was right. He had fulfilled the mission assigned to him flawlessly. But Eson?
‘Ah. Now I get it.’
Only just now did he realize, in the process of organizing the teams, Khan had not assigned any specific role to Eson. From the start, he hadn’t considered him capable of any mission.
“Hey, buddy. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but just let it be. Think of our boss and that witch over there as not being human. It’s easier that way.”
Alejandoro genuinely believed that.
Comparing their boss, who had wiped out half a kingdom’s castle along with the golden dragon, and the Witch of Loren, whose name was taboo in the Argon Kingdom, was utter foolishness.
“So for us normal humans, we should just focus on our given roles properly…. Hmm? Hey, look over there. Doesn’t it seem like they’re trying to escape?”
While Alejandoro was lecturing Eson, who was wallowing in newbie concerns, he noticed something suspicious on the battlefield.
They had assumed all the knights had been exhausted by Ludmilla’s spell, but there seemed to be a knight, in good condition, trying to sneak Prince Raul out of the area.
“Damn it, if we lose the prince, everything is for nothing!”
True to his words.
But the only force capable of moving freely now included only the thief Alejandoro and the somewhat inexperienced Eson.
Maya and Welt were busy flying around to protect Ludmilla from Ehram, while Ludmilla was engaged in a magical duel with the newly appeared Archmage.
“To hell with it…! Buddy, stop complaining and let’s move!”
“What? Against a knight, what are we going to do…?”
“What do you mean? Knock him out, and that’s it! Just follow me!”
***
Ehram’s sword strikes were as devastating and heavy as his reputation suggested. Maya’s body was already in shambles, despite barely avoiding fatal injuries thanks to the artifact’s power.
“More──! Hit me more…!”
“You are an insane woman.”
Nevertheless, a smile never left Maya’s lips.
The name Ehram, renowned as a knight in the fringes, had been a figure of admiration for Maya Eldred, who grew up as the daughter of a knightly family. How could she not feel joy facing him in battle, even without being a knight herself?
“Next! From the upper right to the lower left!”
“Welt…! You damned traitor!”
Of course, the reason Maya could confront Ehram, albeit one-sidedly, was largely due to Welt’s assistance. It was as if Welt could predict every move, informing Maya of the next attack.
Ehram’s rage, which was highly unusual for him, indicated some complex history between the two. However, the details were not of particular importance to Maya.
‘So that’s why my lord said he would be of help!’
Maya, thinking once again how impressive Khan was, thrust her spear of Yurun. Using the speed boost from the Boots of Wind of Eleh, the spear tip branched out multiple times, enveloping Ehram.
“Futile──!”
Clang…!
Ehram’s superior reflexes deflected all the spear strikes. Not stopping there, he aimed a kick with the force of a battering ram to send Maya flying, but her body moved out of range like being pulled away by someone.
“You still rely heavily on your footwork, Ehram.”
“You bastard…!”
It was Welt. He had accurately predicted Ehram’s counterattack and pulled Maya out of the way. A stalemate ensued for a moment. Ehram’s intense glaring at Welt indicated serious intentions, while Welt received the gaze with a slightly troubled look.
“I haven’t paid much attention to your whereabouts until now because I respected your choices. But now you seek to harm the ruler of the principality? Is this the choice you made after abandoning the way of a knight? Answer me─!”
“…Raul is not the ruler of the principality. He is a plague upon it.”
“Ha! Then does that justify the so-called revolutionary army’s plundering of supplies from the citizens?”
“That’s exactly why I am here, Ehram.”
“What nonsense are you spouting…!”
Their conversation was abruptly cut off by the intensified sounds of the ongoing magical duel.
“Can we skip the long stories and focus on the matter at hand? Look, the target is escaping.”
“Ehram. I don’t claim my choice is right, but I don’t think it’s wrong either.”
“Betrayal is betrayal-.”
“Conversation is over. Step aside!”
“Dammit…!”
Despite Ehram’s frustration, Welt’s gaze was already fixed on Prince Raul, who was getting further away. Ultimately, this battle was about securing that tyrant.
Ludmilla also did not forget her role. The magical duel wasn’t simply about displaying pure magical prowess but involved intricate tactics. As the opponent’s limits began to show, she prepared to finish things decisively.
‘Not as impressive as I thought.’
With a slightly bored expression, she drew upon a portion of the vast reservoir of power within her small frame, her eyes shining.
“You should call yourself a master thief, clearly you’re adept at stealing.”
“Keh. What nonsense are you talking about…?”
“I mean that this fight is coming to an end.”
Just as the Grand Master of the Glonas School, looking puzzled, cast another spell, and Ehram fended off the aggressive attacks of Welt and Maya,
“Waaaaaah…! To hell with it all! You bastards!”
Eson appeared, swinging his glaive, emerging between the buildings to confront the knights. One of the knights, trying to clear the path for Prince Raul, momentarily faltered due to Eson’s unexpected strength.
“Ugh…!”
Alejandoro, who had a knack for stealth even Khan couldn’t read easily, pounced and struck the knight carrying Prince Raul from behind.
“Damn! Knights or not, a blow to the back of the head incapacitates anyone… Gah! This prince is ridiculously heavy…!”
It was the moment when the master thief Alejandoro succeeded in stealing the prince of a nation.