Chapter 63: Aerial Combat (2)
Suspended midair between towering cliffs, the Depicio assassins instinctively held their breath.
With senses far sharper than the average human, they knew by instinct—
‘I don’t know what that is… but going near it is dangerous!’
To them, the sphere felt like a bomb—one touch, and bang! it would explode.
So, with the battle momentarily paused, only the roar of a waterfall crashing down and the wild wind howling through the valley could be heard as ambient noise.
…Kiiuuuuung?
A high, thin cry echoed—odd and strange in its tone.
And then—FLASH!
Two bright yellow gems suddenly emerged from the sphere’s center, glinting with an eerie light. A long tongue flicked out near what seemed like a mouth.
Kiiuuuuuuu—?
No, those weren’t gems. They were eyes—reptilian, with narrow vertical pupils!
—A snake!
The sphere was a massive serpent, coiled into a tight spiral!
"There you are. Echidna, you’re finally awake. You must’ve been in deep slumber—sorry for the rude awakening."
Sercia stroked the scales of the snake that nuzzled against her hand. The serpent let out a pleased cry.
Kyuuuuuuu.
Its full name was Flammæus Echidna.
More precisely, it was an artificial magical lifeform, modeled after the legendary monster of old—the Fire Serpent.
A truly skilled mage usually had at least one magical beast or summoned companion that fed off their mana.
And the same was true for Sercia.
This flaming serpent had been her partner since long before she bore the name "Edelweiss."
"Lend me your strength."
She pressed her forehead against the serpent’s as she murmured.
And as if forming a link between them, a sigil of fire blazed on both their foreheads.
Kieeeeeek!
Echidna responded with a roar, lifting its coiled body—
No, it took flight.
Despite being a ground-crawling snake, it soared through the air freely.
Hyaaaaaaaa—!
With a roar like a lion’s, the serpent vanished in an instant.
"……!"
The Depicio assassins blinked in confusion—the giant snake had disappeared from view.
"Stay spread out! Don’t bunch together—it’s dangerous! Attack from long range!"
Kartke’s command had them moving again, calmly initiating the next step.
But Echidna moved even faster.
Kaiaaaak!
Spewing flames from its mouth, the snake threatened the scattered foes—then used that moment of hesitation to trap them.
Stretching its body long, Echidna unleashed intense flames from every inch of its form, forming a massive ring.
It was like a barrier made entirely of fire.
Fwoooooosh!
The assassins were like rats in a burning cage. There was no escape—front, back, left, or right.
If they didn’t flap their wings continuously—
Sssshhh!
Even the slightest brush against the molten heat below would result in searing pain, as if their flesh were roasting.
"Hmm. Hotter than regular fire."
"…We’re in trouble."
"Count survivors, not casualties. How many left standing?"
Despite being surrounded by such terrifying flames, the assassins’ reactions were unnaturally composed.
"Command authority: Kartke. Awaiting next orders."
—No. It wasn’t just composure. It was unnatural.
Even when their lives were clearly in danger, they acted no differently than usual.
As if chatting casually about breakfast stew, or mentioning a stroll around the neighborhood—they seemed completely unaffected.
Like tin-can scarecrows—utterly alien.
But this was the essence of a Depicio assassin.
"Emotional suppression."
Emotions were deemed useless to assassins—a hindrance to unity and operational efficiency.
If one could prioritize reason over emotion in all things and remain coldly rational—
—Then emotion was better discarded.
This belief formed the core of Depicio’s doctrine. They took in children of mixed races and ruthlessly trained them.
Through tormenting, almost torturous drills, they stripped away their humanity and emotions.
In truth, the Depicio assassins were victims—robbed of choice at a young age by old customs.
But over time, they had stained their hands with so much blood that they became perpetrators—villains beyond redemption.
"…Truly horrific. Disgusting. How can anyone do this?"
Sercia scowled deeply, shivering with revulsion as she muttered.
She’d already seen such things at Skya Royal Hospital—but seeing it again only made her more sickened.
"Even I… didn’t go through that. To think I’d find something praiseworthy in that man, with my own eyes. Ha!"
She laughed mockingly—though it was unclear whether she was mocking herself or her old enemy.
"It’s ridiculous."
And something that should never be allowed.
That man had to remain a villain in her eyes—forever.
Compared to other villains, his crimes or methods might’ve been gentler or more humane… some might say.
Compared to other victims, her suffering was perhaps less intense… others might argue.
But she refused to accept such flimsy excuses. Never!
If she did—what meaning would remain in the pain and tragedy of her childhood? In those bitter tears?
"Nothing."
Spitting the word like venom, Sercia glared at the Depicio assassins.
"You’ve gone and made me remember something I never wanted to recall."
It might have been unfair to blame them—but she didn’t care.
"You’ll pay for that—thoroughly."
Sercia reached toward the third magic circle.
Fwaaaah—!
A brilliant radiance flared. Her final prepared spell activated.
***
Meanwhile, the situation with Calix and Aajen had shifted dramatically.
"…They’re here."
"Wh-what do we do?"
The assassins, who had swarmed Sercia, had split into two groups—one of which was now headed their way.
Aajen, flustered, asked—but Calix answered coolly.
"It’s fine. This is going exactly as expected."
"Exactly? How?"
"Their goal is your death. Even with others around, as long as they kill you, their objective is fulfilled."
"But in that case… their forces get split, and it’ll be harder to deal with a strong mage like Sercia, right?"
Aajen wasn’t a battlefield tactician, but even he could tell Sercia currently held the upper hand.
However, he also understood that her victory wasn’t guaranteed—because Depicio had the numbers.
"Wouldn’t it be smarter for them to keep wearing her down until she’s exhausted? Fewer losses on their side that way too…"
"Ho. You’re sharper than I thought. You’re not wrong. But the situation’s changed."
Seeing Aajen’s confusion, Calix elaborated.
"I told you—if killing you is enough, then it doesn’t matter if allies die. Assassins are that kind of people."
"That’s…"
While Aajen fell into somber silence, Calix scanned the area with sharp, unbothered eyes.
"…Good. That spot will do."
Then, without even turning his head, he swung his sword wide.
Slash—!
The sudden sword slash nullified a volley of incoming arrows and daggers.
Using that brief moment, Calix grabbed Aajen’s arm and accelerated upward.
"Good timing—wind’s in our favor."
Calix grinned.
"Up!"
Flap—!
The two cloaks whipped violently in the upward gust.
"Ugh! Mr. Calix?!"
"Follow me."
But of course, Depicio wasn’t going to let them go quietly.
"The target’s fleeing!"
"After them—!"
The assassins gave fierce chase.
Sssssshhh!
Aajen gulped. The scream of the slicing wind pierced his ears like a thousand sharp needles.
‘What’s his plan…? Mr. Calix…’
Running here was a mistake. Even Aajen, who lacked combat ability, knew that.
‘No way… is he trying to rendezvous with Mr. Lewin or Mr. Gale?’
Unlike Calix, who had to fight up close, Gale was a marksman with perfect aim.
He’d be a huge asset in this aerial battle.
‘Those two don’t exactly get along…’
From what Aajen had seen on the airship, Gale and Calix had the best teamwork among the group—even if their personalities clashed.
And there was still the overwhelming powerhouse, Lewin Legisel.
‘I’ve never seen his full power… but when he spars, he crushes the others with ease. He’s way beyond my understanding—an absolute monster!’
So Aajen had no choice but to trust them. That Calix—and Lewin’s group—would protect him no matter what.
But unfortunately, in terms of speed, the Depicio assassins had the advantage over Calix and Aajen.
They were all beastkin—bald eagle, masked owl, goshawk, frigatebird…
“Kukuku! You think we’d let you go?”
Predators of the skies, raised with nothing but the wind and sky as companions.
Aerial pursuit was their specialty.
"Haha! Gotcha—!"
At that moment, one of the beastkin assassins got closest.
He reached for the back of Aajen’s neck, exclaiming in triumph—mission complete!
"Thanks for chasing us all the way here."
But in that instant, Calix pulled Aajen back and out of reach, grinning darkly.
Like everything was going exactly as planned.
"…Kuh!"
"Not so fast."
The assassin realized something was wrong and tried to retreat, but Calix moved faster.
"Form shift."
He murmured, and the sword in his hand glowed—lengthening into something longer.
But the assassin had no time to examine it.
Slice!
Calix gripped the weapon—now emanating a cold light—and thrust it upward in a flash.
It happened in an instant.
"…Huh?"
Crunch!
Cold. Like the frigid air of the northern winter pierced his insides.
But the next moment, the cold sensation vanished—replaced by the rush of hot liquid.
"B-blood…"
And that was the last thing the assassin ever said.
He died instantly, falling into the abyss.
"His sword turned into… a spear?"
The other assassins hesitated.
Despite their grueling training, they’d never seen a weapon that could freely change form.
"Why stop? If you won’t come…"
Calix smirked as he held the weapon—once a sword, now a spear.
He infused it with mana.
Fwaaash—!
A brilliant blue light surged, rippling with terrifying energy.
"Then I’ll come to you."
The roles of prey and hunter had just been reversed.