“Damn it. The outer barrier is blocked? What on earth are those mages doing?”
Even the previously composed No. 3 burst out in a loud voice.
“…There’s definitely a sage-level (7-circle) mage on the enemy side.”
The 5-circle mage in charge of the magic division spoke with a twisted expression under his hood, and No. 5 pressed on.
“So? How long will it take to break through the barrier again?”
“You’ll need to buy us at least 30 minutes. Even then, we won’t be able to keep the passage open for long.”
“Thirty minutes? I’m not asking you to break the entire barrier, just enough for a couple of people to pass through. Solve it as quickly as possible!”
“…We’ll hurry.”
Given the situation, they had no choice but to put aside concerns for their subordinates for now. They had to survive first if they were to plan for the future.
“What are those fierce bastards? The flow has been interrupted!”
No. 9, who had been the first to rush into the battlefield and whose side was drenched in blood, returned with a rotting expression. Judging by the scars on his armor, he had struggled quite a bit.
As No. 9, who had heard that their escape route was blocked, swept his gaze across the battlefield for a moment.
Thud. Splurt.
The large body of Toadlion, collapsing and disintegrating, drew their attention.
“Damn it. The information was completely wrong! Wasn’t that brat Raul supposed to be just of the higher rank?”
There were always mixed reports about Raul’s power level. After all, being an expert at sixteen already labeled him as a genius; how could information about him being high or top-level expert be easily believed?
Had there been accurate video footage or a direct agent on the field, it might have been different, but for some reason, agents sent near First Viscount territory vanished.
Information gathered from a distant observation or through other indirect means was often wildly inaccurate.
“But what about all those armor users and expert-rank knights? What the hell is happening in the First Viscountcy?”
The knights of the First Order, donned in white armor and blue cloaks, along with elite cavalry, stood out even on the battlefield.
There were over 200 armor users, more than 500 mana blade-wielding knights—including elite cavalry—and around 600 others wielding mana swords. How could one not be taken aback?
“…The tide has completely turned. Hold out for 30 minutes in this situation?”
Frankly, number 5 couldn’t believe the situation. They had 250 knights, three beast soldiers—the master weapons—comparable to grandmasters, and 600 advanced and intermediate mechanized soldiers.
Including the basic mechanized soldiers and other forces, their total numbered 1500. It was a force superior to what was used during last year’s palace raid.
Yet, the reality was starkly different. The basic mechanized soldiers were being cut down like children caught in an adult’s fight, unable to do anything.
Even nearly 900 imperial knights and advanced mechanized soldiers were outnumbered by the enemy’s knights. Most crucially, the disparity in the number of armor users was telling. Despite mobilizing 150 armor users….
“Damn it. How are there so many armor users?”
In this small battlefield, there were at least 500 armor users on the enemy side—200 from the First Order, 250 from the Count Ashton’s household, and 50 from the Marquis Greer.
The imperial agents and mechanized soldiers had already activated their first-stage marks (black tattoos), and some of the knights were using the second-stage marks (red tattoos).
Otherwise, the empire’s forces would have been swept away long ago.
“Is there no way? If it continues like this, we’ll all just become ashes together.”
At No. 3’s urgency, number 5 quickly turned his mind over.
“Tch. You two handle yourselves. I’ll take care of myself.”
No. 9, licking the blood from his side, charged back into the battlefield with bloodshot eyes. Neither No. 3 nor No. 5 tried to stop him.
‘At least he’ll buy some time.’
‘That idiot blood junkie….’
“Since it’s come to this, let’s go all the way.”
Clicking his tongue, number 5 cast a meaningful glance towards a particular spot on the battlefield—where their human mana bombs were gathered.
***
Clang! Thud!
“Do not fall back! Make sure the enemies can’t get through!”
What had been a relatively quiet area near the temporary barrier had suddenly become the fiercest battleground. The Empire’s reinforcements and elite troops were openly targeting this spot, and the First Order was rigorously defending the barrier.
Ken had donned her power armor and was fiercely dealing with the enemies. The recovered spear technique of the Marquis Greer’s household, 『Fury Wave』, was prominently shining amidst the chaotic melee.
The long-range attacks using the spear prevented enemies from approaching within a certain distance. And given that the spear technique included many powerful area attacks, enemies trying to avoid her often got caught in the crossfire.
‘Persistent bastards!’
The downside, however, was that even with a mana blade, it wasn’t easy to take down the enemies in one blow, except for the regular mechanized soldiers.
The mechanized soldiers with active marks would keep charging even if their limbs were cut off, as long as their heads weren’t smashed.
Moreover, imperial knights with active crests could withstand her attacks by utilizing their amplified physical abilities and mana, despite not being armor users.
If this were a one-on-one duel, it might be a different story, but since Ken had to hold her position to protect the barrier, she couldn’t chase down and finish off her opponents.
“Haa!”
Boom! Thud!
Of course, someone foolish enough to charge at her head-on had their head burst open by her fierce spinning thrust. But then, there was a commotion behind the Imperial forces.
Bang! Thud, thud!
A group of knights was cutting through the Imperial forces surrounding the barrier and closing in.
‘What?’
Spotting the blue armor among the enemies, Ken dashed towards the enemy front. The knights precariously cutting through the enemy were none other than those from her family, the Marquis Greer’s household.
“Phew, thanks. We made it safely thanks to you.”
The one expressing gratitude was Ken’s cousin, Fisher de Greer. He was accompanied by about ten knights, all of whom seemed to be intermediate-level or higher, judging by their lack of significant injuries.
“But why did you come here, cutting through the enemy lines?”
“The Marquis sent us because he deemed protecting the barrier crucial. Also, he wanted us to gather some intel from the tattooed knights inside the barrier.”
In the meantime, the knights who had followed Fisher dispersed and joined the ranks of the First Order, forming a defense line.
Ken felt slightly puzzled but nodded. Considering the battlefield had turned in their favor, it made sense to allocate surplus forces to protect the barrier. However, entering the barrier was a different matter.
After securing the knights and guests inside, the barrier had been completely sealed. Additional personnel required authorization, and Ken was the one holding that key.
“How urgent is this task? It seems like the battle won’t last much longer.”
“It appears the Marquis is worried about the knights outside the arena. While things are under control here, many tattooed knights are still outside.”
“Ah, right.”
Indeed, battles were ongoing not just here, but outside the arena as well. The issue of potential threats among them needed to be addressed too.
“Just a moment.”
Ken handed over the defensive line and slowly walked towards the barrier.
***
‘This bitch is so suspicious. I thought the plan had failed for sure.’
Though she was the cute cousin he once doted on, the current dire situation brought forth swears. Fisher smiled warmly, following Ken. The short walk was enough to briefly recollect the complex circumstances.
Five years ago, shortly after the heir of the marquis household, Sean, went missing in a dungeon. Amidst the chaos, they made contact.
Initially, he didn’t know their true identities. The offer had come not from an outsider but from someone within the family. After accepting the offer, invisible support and procedures allowed him to grow rapidly.
Eventually catching the marquis’s eye, Fisher became his disciple and is now a strong successor candidate. The problems began just a few months ago, probably after the Ashton Household’s internal conflict ended.
The actions of his benefactors changed. Originally, the plan was to gradually infiltrate the marquis household and take control once he became the successor.
But suddenly, the schedule was moved up. Although he opposed this change, after meeting Kaylee, he himself grew anxious, fearing she might take the successor’s position.
The plan seemed to be going well. Reinforcements would arrive, deal with the marquis and the main force, and the survivors—planning to secretly slip through the barrier—led by Fisher would take control of the marquis household.
‘…But, what the hell is this crap? What’s Raul doing here, and why has the Count Ashton’s household shown up?’
As a result, he became a sacrifice.
‘Damn bastards!’
Fisher was a master mage with the authority to detonate the tattooed knights of the Marquis Greer household. Using that authority, he had recruited or disposed of several and built a significant force.
However, he too was a ‘marked one’, having undergone the tattoo procedure. Naturally, there was a superior mage with authority over him, who had issued a threat-laden command moments ago.
Enter the enemy’s temporary barrier, detonate the marked ones, and take key figures hostage.
‘Damn it, that’s a death sentence.’
Even if he entered the barrier, how could he survive if the human mana bombs exploded all at once? And if he did survive, once his identity was exposed, both the marquis household and the entire Ruben Kingdom would pursue him.
But he had no choice. If he didn’t comply, they would explode him immediately.
‘Do you think I’ll just go down like that?’
Though he had arrived near the barrier as ordered, he had no intention of following through. If he could enter the barrier, he could escape the self-destruct command of the superior mage.
Since it would be difficult for them to survive the battle, hiding inside the barrier until it ended seemed like a viable plan. If he survived and they perished….
‘It might even work out better. I could sever ties with them and boldly take over the marquis household.’
Feeling strangely relaxed with this thought and hoping Kaylee would die in the battle, he followed Ken.
“The barrier entrance is open. Get inside quickly before the Imperials tamper with it.”
A semi-transparent, emerald light hole appeared in the air.
“Thank you. I’ll finish my task quickly and return to the battle.”
Fisher pushed his hand into the hole with a meaningful smile.
Sssss!
“Arghhhhhh!”
White flames started at his fingertips, crawling up his arm to his shoulder. Seeing this, Ken bit her lip and pointed her spear at him.
“I was suspicious, but to think you were the traitor!”
“Hot, hot, misunderstanding! I don’t know what this is, but do something about it!”
“It’s a special magic circle that reacts only to the Empire’s black magic. If you’re not a traitor, drop your weapon and remove your armor immediately.”
Of course, this magic circle was a collaborative work of Raul and Rabel. Raul, who had thoroughly experienced the Imperial Hound’s dirty methods, wouldn’t have left this crucial barrier unprotected.
“K-Kaylee, I’m not a traitor! And there’s no time for this! Get me inside the barrier before they notice!”
Fisher’s voice was extremely urgent. If the mission failed, they would surely use him as a bomb.
The reason they had sent him with ten knights was to shake the barrier from outside by detonating them if needed.
“Sorry, but you’re not getting inside that barrier.”
Ken had no intention of letting him in, and that was the end of it.
Click.
‘No, no!’
An invisible switch was triggered, and his heart began to race rapidly.
(To be continued)