Chapter 114
Chapter 114
As soon as the battle began, Alter prioritized suppressing the burrowing beetles.
While the other monsters could be matched against the soldiers, the burrowing beetles launched surprise attacks from beneath the ground.
If those creatures broke through the defensive lines and formations, their side would be wiped out in an instant.
'At least there aren't too many of them. As long as I freeze them for a while...'
Alter froze a burrowing beetle's head, then immediately searched for another target.
The beetle, exposed to the cold, collapsed on the spot, showing not even the slightest movement.
At the same time, a blade flashed and severed the frozen creature.
'Brillie is making the perfect finishing moves.'
Their roles had already been decided since the war in the northern territory.
Alter would incapacitate the enemy with frost, and a swift sword strike would finish the task in an instant.
Magic and swordsmanship worked in tandem, creating the most efficient annihilation.
'It feels like the concentration of mana has thickened compared to before... but I can't be sure yet.'
Generally, as the concentration of mana increased, the power and range of magic would be enhanced; if the total capacity of mana expanded, the number of spells one could use would also increase.
Alter had never struggled with low mana capacity, so it had never truly restricted his casting.
Perhaps after the encounter with Tiksa the Frostbane, the density of his mana had suddenly changed.
'Brillie has changed in some way, too.'
Alter detected subtle differences in Brillie's swordwork.
If she had been relentless in her attacks before, now it seemed like she was wrapped in a much calmer aura.
This stability was likely what allowed her to move more securely and wield her swordsmanship with such clarity.
'... Did she end up like this because of the Knight of True Flame?'
Alter had occasionally heard Brillie share her thoughts in conversation.
She had been deeply disappointed in Lang Couster and could not understand the reason for the atrocities he had committed.
Because of that, as the former vice-captain of the Sentinos Order, she was consumed by a powerful sense of responsibility, yet she could not rashly challenge the Knight of True Flame.
Ultimately, he reasoned, it was only natural that she would unconsciously be bound by the duty to punish a villain who betrayed the Empire and endangered the people.
'He must have become even stronger after absorbing the dragon's mana. He wouldn't be an easy opponent.'
Of course, Benelrode the Incandescent had been weakened at that time, so his imbued mana would not have been at full capacity.
Yet even so, to a single human it was a vast source of energy.
If the Knight of True Flame could control that power perfectly, he would manifest as a formidable monster.
'If he goes on absorbing dragon mana... His body won't be able to withstand it.'
The body of a Sword Saint candidate could perhaps bear dragon mana for a while.
But it was a power far removed from that of a human—eventually, he would reach his limit.
Perhaps, even now, the Knight of True Flame was enduring severe side effects.
'Just look at the Frost Witch. Dragon mana mustn't be used lightly.'
The Frost Witch must surely have lived as a human until she gained dragon mana.
But that power shook her very identity as a human, and because she had not been deemed worthy, even her body was twisted and corrupted.
Thus, the Frost Witch was severed from the Frost lineage and met a hollow end.
'... Maybe it's best to deal with him now.'
It wasn't that Alter doubted the Knight of True Flame's statement that he would not attack humans.
Instead, he feared what would happen if he lost control of the dragon's mana.
If he possessed such power but lost his selfhood, disaster would inevitably follow.
'Will he give up if I persuade him? No... I'm not even sure if real communication is possible.'
From the first moment Alter faced the Knight of True Flame, he felt a distinct sense of disconnect.
There was not the slightest glimpse of emotion, nor any foundation for true empathy.
Having abandoned his humanity and steeled his resolve, he had become the Knight of True Flame—perhaps such was his only way to carry on.
'He won't stop until he dies. If an opening appears, he'll use dragon mana again this time, too...'
"Hey, you're fighting pretty well!"
Suddenly, a sword strike cut through the air, and a golem's form began to collapse.
It happened in a flash, yet the golem's core had been flawlessly split.
Only then did Alter understand who it was, meeting the man's gaze.
"Is it alright for you to be here, sir?"
"You're handling the toughest sector, aren't you? I had to come and see for myself. Now that I look, maybe I shouldn't have bothered."
Megarexor glanced around and spoke nonchalantly.
Burrowing beetles were rushing in one after another, but the two of them were holding them off perfectly alone.
Indeed, they were proving themselves worthy of the future great mage and the Sword Flower in title, exuding overwhelming might.
"If we're working together, naturally we should take the hardest task."
"Why fuss over things like that? We adjust to the situation. Still, you should keep your strength in reserve. We haven't even fought the dragon yet."
"Yes. We'll have to defeat the dragon to end this war."
"... That's actually why I'm here. May I ask you a favor?"
After cutting down another golem, Megarexor asked carefully.
He had already notified the Second Apostle, but wanted to prevent any unforeseen losses.
Moreover, since Brillie once led a knight order with the next Sword Saint, he was always conscious of her presence.
"What favor is it?"
"Would it be alright if I dealt with the Knight of True Flame? I know where you all stand, but for me, he's not something I can overlook."
"... I'll be honest. You should not underestimate the Knight of True Flame. He has absorbed dragon mana—facing him alone would be difficult."
"So, you're saying I might lose?"
"If you're truly resolved to fight, you should take us with you. At the very least, summon the Second Apostle."
Alter did not intend to diminish the pride of the Sword Saint.
He was merely deeply aware of the danger the Knight of True Flame presented.
If the Sword Saint were to fall, their allies' morale would be instantly shattered.
"Hey... youngest of the ducal house. That one—I chose him as my successor. He made a grave error; naturally, he must bear responsibility, no?"
"This isn't about responsibility. Right now, shouldn't we be prioritizing the survival and victory of our allies?"
"He'll come here, no doubt. Once we've fought hard, he'll resort to something despicable again. Should we leave him be, knowing that?"
"I'm not suggesting we leave him be. I'm merely asking what we must prioritize. Shouldn't we subdue the dragon before going after the Knight of True Flame?"
Even now, Alter didn't lose sight of his true objective.
He, Brillie, the Sword Saint, and the Second Apostle had all been dispatched to subjugate Grafden the Deep.
If they became fixated on just the Knight of True Flame, their forces would be sacrificed in vain.
"... You're right. Just my luck that you don't take after me this way."
Megarexor gave a short laugh as he cut down a snarling burrowing beetle.
If it had been Uriel, she would act more aggressively, rattling the tide of battle.
Yet her son was calculated and cautious, moving only when he was convinced.
"Are you referring to my mother, sir?"
"Yes. The face and hair are similar, but the personality is the complete opposite. Did that come from your father's side?"
"I believe so."
"I see. Thinking back, the northern duke always gave me that impression, too."
Only then did Megarexor shake off Uriel's shadow from Alter.
Though his appearance strongly resembled Uriel, his inner nature was wholly inherited from the ducal house.
Perhaps that was why he remained so coolheaded, even when facing a dragon.
"As you said, we should kill the dragon first. But I cannot forgive that one. The dragon was always an enemy, but he belonged to humanity. The one called future Sword Saint did something so disgraceful!"
"..."
Alter could not refute that point.
Before even considering reason, his pride as a Sword Saint had been trampled.
Thus, Megarexor seemed intent on shouldering the atrocities of Lang Couster himself.
"I will kill the dragon. But I won't yield the Knight of True Flame. I'll cut that bastard down myself."
With those resolute words, Megarexor charged headlong toward the monsters.
Alter could do nothing but watch the retreating figure, unable to stop him.
'Lang Couster... more and more people want your death. No matter how strong you become, is this how you wish to be cornered?'
* * *
While mighty warriors played their parts in various sectors of the defensive line, it was impossible to completely reinforce every zone.
As battle wore on, the cries of the soldiers grew louder, and the monsters marauded without restraint through every direction.
To a human, to a mere soldier, there was nothing to do against such massive monsters but be helplessly trampled.
"Uh..."
"Huff... huff..."
"What are you doing! Move, now!"
"H... how could we...?"
The soldiers, paralyzed by fear, could do nothing but look up blankly.
Those closest had already been crushed, leaving only blood and chunks of flesh behind.
Even if they tried to flee, they would be trampled in an instant.
"It's over..."
"We're going to die here."
"How are we supposed to kill something like that..."
"Grrrr..."
The towering beast looked down, an instinctive urge to consume the soldiers rising within.
Humans were difficult prey for many reasons—but in this situation, they would be easy.
Feeding the dragon with ley lines was the true objective, but surely a short meal wouldn't hurt.
"Ahhh..."
"Stay away!"
"I don't want to die here!"
The troll reached out its huge hand, sweeping through a group of soldiers.
It stuffed them straight into its mouth and chewed; filled with impurities, but still swallowable.
"Gwooo..."
"Th-that thing!"
"You bastard!"
Infuriated, the soldiers stabbed at it with their spears, but its thick gray skin only got scratched.
The troll, as if annoyed, swung its leg, scattering soldiers everywhere.
It kept grabbing more, stuffing them into its mouth to satisfy its hunger.
"Nothing works against it!"
"Hii... hiiii..."
"Screw desertion, I just want to live!"
The soldiers lost all will to fight, some commanders darting away in desperation.
When even their desperate resistance failed, all they could do was cling to their lives.
Staying alive became far more important than winning any war.
"Why is no one coming?"
"We're all going to die..."
"Gyaaa!"
The troll was suddenly engulfed in flames, stumbling back.
Flames surged across the field, hemming in monsters from all sides.
The soldiers reeled, but then quickly spotted something new.
"Is... is that a knight?"
"He's burning up..."
"A mage in armor?"
"Are those wings...?"
A knight wrapped in scarlet flame slowly landed on the battlefield.
The Knight of True Flame extinguished his flaming wings before finally drawing his sword.
He had given up being human, but could not ignore his fellow man.
He had no wish to be praised as a hero—but perhaps this atonement was all that was left to him.
'This is better than when I was the Sword Saint candidate. Is this the power I've always longed for...?'