Chapter 270 : Chapter 270
Chapter 270
Cornelius was confident.
“Hmph.”
And reasonably so, since he had woven a defensive circle using a whopping nine four-star spells.
Considering he had whipped it up in a short time, it was completed so excellently that he was satisfied with it himself.
“Even if you bring a giant-form magi-soldier, you won’t be able to pierce it.”
“Ha!”
The 29th Legion’s Commander of a Thousand, Monia Meranie, shouted.
The giant-form magi-soldier is the most threatening item among the weapons owned by the Cordis Empire.
Cornelius’s words meant the same as saying bring even the Legion Commander if you want to pierce this defensive circle.
“Where do you dare discuss the giant-form magi-soldier!”
Thinking the Empire’s pride was insulted, Monia suddenly got angry.
She raised the double-edged sword in her hand threateningly, but Cornelius did not feel threatened.
Rather, he whistled while wearing the mask.
“There is a limit to looking down on Imperial magic! Our magi-soldiers are already analyzing your magic!”
Monia shouted triumphantly.
“In a moment, I will strip off your mask and make you kneel before me….”
“…Um, Commander of a Thousand.”
“What is it, Magi-Soldier AS? Is the analysis already finished?”
“…No, it is not that….”
The magi-soldier called AS stammered.
He knew Monia’s hasty temper well.
It wasn't easy to bring it up.
However, there are things that must be done.
“……This defensive circle cannot be pierced.”
“Huh?”
Monia tilted her head.
“Does it take that long?”
“…It is not a matter of time. That person… As that person said, even if a giant-form magi-soldier comes, it won’t be pierced.”
“…Why?”
“Very simply, the defensive circle is too sturdy.”
“I didn't want such an answer!”
Commander of a Thousand Monia raised her voice.
She changed the direction of her double-edged sword and pointed at Magi-Soldier AS.
Seeing the blue blade, AS gulped.
“Magi-Soldier AS! Is there such a thing as impossible! And you call yourself a soldier of His Majesty the Emperor!”
“…No, but… with our skills, it is beyond our ability!”
“There are fifteen magi-soldiers attached, what is the problem!”
“It is not something that works just because there are many numbers…! Just peeking at the core operating axis of the circle caused an overload and three magi-soldiers collapsed, Commander of a Thousand!”
“Funny talk!”
Commander of a Thousand Monia pushed her will stubbornly (it wouldn't be wrong to express it as ignorantly).
She was a woman like a born soldier.
Magi-Soldier AS expressed his opinion with an aggrieved face but it didn't work at all.
He was becoming tearful as if he would shed tears right away.
Monia Meranie raised her voice more as he did so.
“If manpower is lacking, I will support you. Quickly pierce this magic! Make that bastard who insulted His Majesty’s soldiers kneel!”
“Stop it, Monia.”
A drawling voice intervened.
Monia turned her head sharply with glaring eyes but soon bowed in surprise.
There was a man with a beard like a sea otter.
Cornelius screamed inwardly without realizing it.
‘Sudarius! Why are you here when you are a Legion Commander!?’
It was a face he knew well.
That beard is like a sea otter, clearly Sudarius Speros, Cordis 29th Legion Commander. Cornelius thought repeatedly that he did well to come wearing a mask.
Monia also shouted surprised by the Legion Commander’s appearance.
“…Legion Commander!”
“He says it’s impossible. If an expert says it’s impossible, what can be done.”
“…But…!”
“You need to temper your nature a bit. I understand feeling bad, but in the time spent struggling over one mansion like this, we could rob… no, requisition five more places.”
Legion Commander Sudarius waved his hand.
He was a man uninterested in anything except things that make money.
Magi-Soldier AS sighed in relief only then as if he lived.
Sudarius chuckled and spoke toward Cornelius inside the defensive circle.
“Masked mage friend. Seems you are an exclusive mage for some rich house, you got lucky.”
“…….”
“Not answering? Well, it doesn't matter. Try to keep your life well.”
Sudarius said so and moved his steps.
“Now, Commander of a Thousand Monia, finish what you were doing. Magi-Soldier AS came with me to the mansion next door.”
“Do, do you need me, Legion Commander?”
“Of course. There is a magic safe there. Must contain something awesome, right?”
“Just leave it to me!”
Magi-Soldier AS spoke excitedly.
“I will open any magic safe in no time!”
“Truly reliable. If someone like you has a hard time, that masked guy’s skill must be great indeed.”
“Don't even mention it, Legion Commander.”
AS grumbled.
“That fellow is at least a four-star mage. His skill in superposing magic is very excellent.”
“Four-star mage? Impressive ……No, wait, four-star mage you said?”
“Yes. A skilled person capable of superposing more than five four-star spells. Even the Deans of the Imperial Academy of Magic wouldn't be able to do that.”
“……Is that so?”
Sudarius stopped walking.
“Magi-Soldier AS. As I know, the West does not use magic superpositions.”
“Yes? Yes, that is correct. Since papers related to magic superposition are treated similarly to military secrets. Actually, unless one is from the Imperial Academy of Magic, one wouldn't even dare attempt… it….”
“Then how did the guy inside there achieve such excellent magic superposition?”
“……Could he be from the Imperial Academy of Magic?”
“Well.”
He muttered while stroking his beard like a sea otter.
He had a despicable corner and was faithful to greed.
However, the position of a Cordis Empire Legion Commander is not easily obtained.
He turned his head, making his eyes sharp.
“…Four-star mage, Dean-level of the Imperial Academy of Magic…. Green defensive circle….”
Sudarius’s sharp eyes scanned as if piercing through Cornelius’s mask.
“…That mage seems to have grown a mustache.”
“…….”
“I thought the voice sounded familiar somehow, and he shut his mouth as soon as I appeared.”
“…….”
“By any chance, are you someone I know?”
“………….”
Sudarius pulled up the corners of his mouth.
“Why don't you answer, Cornelius Merhes?”
“……Damn it.”
“As expected!”
At the familiar voice, Sudarius clapped his hands.
“I don't know about other guys, but a rat that betrayed His Majesty cannot just be passed over.”
He giggled and gestured toward Monia.
“Pierce this defensive circle using any means.”
***
Monia Meranie returned to the ship.
It was to prepare for bombardment.
It might be different with one warship, but if magic cannons pour down from dozens of ships, even Cornelius’s magic would sustain damage.
Sudarius sneered at Cornelius while waiting for Monia.
“Until when will you keep wearing that mask?”
“…Can’t you just let it slide?”
“Can’t do, can’t do.”
Sudarius chuckled.
“Seeing Dean Cornelius in a place like this, how can I just let it slide.”
“…We used to drink often, Legion Commander Sudarius.”
“You should speak correctly.”
Sudarius snorted.
He took out two harpoons from his back.
Unlike his appearance like a sea otter, his spirit was sharp.
“I was the one entertaining you.”
“……Ahem.”
“You accepted bribes quite a bit too, Dean!”
“……Ah, I did everything corresponding to what I ate! Your nephew is still working as a receptionist at the Imperial Academy of Magic, and I gave information that land prices near Beribelom would rise!”
Cornelius laid out complaints. He grumbled and confessed his corruption.
“Still, money is precious after all. And above all….”
Sudarius rather smiled despicably.
“…If I take your head, wouldn't it add justification for me being here.”
“As expected, looting Hanchamus Islands is your arbitrary decision.”
“Well? If you are really curious, why don't you go ask His Majesty?”
“…….”
Cornelius ground his teeth.
Thinking he could live peacefully after overcoming various dangers, he thought he would meet Sudarius here.
He felt resentful and aggrieved, but there was no way.
“…Damn it….”
He threw away the mask.
He groomed his mustache, ruined by being pressed under the mask, neatly again.
Then a blue-green light rose even more.
“…A guy like me is truly unlucky.”
The spirit is fierce.
Behind his head, a blue-green light resembling a round shield shimmers.
The pivot points are four. However, a faint light was flickering trying to add a pivot point.
Cornelius let out a deep sigh.
“Going through various hardships, I finally caught a clue to rise to five stars…. Seemed like just a little more would do….”
“What are you babbling about so much, fallen Dean?”
“It is former Dean.”
Cornelius smirked.
He was still greedy.
He wanted many things.
Had many things he wanted to do.
Earnestly wished to lead a peaceful life.
Is that such a difficult thing?
But complaining is futile.
Yet complaining because one cannot help but do it.
Shallow sigh, deep agony.
“Still, since I received money….”
There is no sense of duty.
No heroism.
Sacrificial spirit, not even a bit.
“…I should do as much as I can.”
However, there is a promised deal.
Promised while receiving money.
To protect Serena and Santia.
Actually, not just receiving money, but receiving very much money.
Then there is no option.
He squeezes out all the green light.
To protect.
“Sigh. My fate.”
Many complaints.
Much greed.
Lingering attachments, also many and many.
“…It will be hard to run away too…. Everyone please hide well. You hear me? Please remember this Cornelius…. Ah, I still hate to die though…. But I have to do it…!”
And yet, the Ars of the green soul take on a strangely clear color, ‘The exchanging tree’.
***
Cornelius’s Ars was entirely green.
Growing from Cornelius’s feet, it soon covered the inside of the defensive circle.
The green tree whispered to Cornelius.
[Cornelius, what will you give me?]
“What do you want?”
[Money.]
“I knew it.”
Cornelius took out a package from his bosom.
“It is everything I have.”
[Wow! Gold! Then what should I give you?]
“Power.”
[Good!]
Green light fills up.
The defensive circle thickens.
Sudarius poked the defensive circle as a test, but not even a scratch was made.
However, he just snorted and muttered.
“Fire, Monia.”
A roaring sound arose from afar.
Bang, then Ba-ang.
Shells flying from the anchored warships.
However, the defensive circle is unshaken.
Sudarius muttered again.
“Shoot endlessly!”
Shells fly in.
Dozens soon become hundreds.
The barrage is intense.
Flames and smoke scorched, swallowing even Imperial soldiers who couldn't dodge in time. Sudarius didn't care.
He just moved away a little, displeased by the heat.
“…Ugh…!”
Cornelius vomited a groan.
He had connected himself with those magics.
Enduring the 29th Legion’s bombardment, blood surged up from inside.
He wanted to run away immediately, but he couldn't.
“…If it was going to be like this, I shouldn't have received so much money!”
[Cornelius, Cornelius. Do you have something else to give me?]
“Money!”
[You already gave money.]
“No-!”
The Dean shouted.
“More money!”
He opened a subspace and poured out gold coins in a heap.
It was a crazy amount.
Seeing gold coins amounting to the volume of five adult men, the tree trembled in joy.
[Good! More money, good! Then what shall I give?]
“More power!”
[That won't do. Money is lacking.]
“…What do you want?”
[…Umm….]
The tree muttered.
[If you give your thigh bone, I think I will be happy.]
“…Damn bastard. Take it!”
[Wow! Thanks!]
Green light fills up more vividly.
Cornelius realized, albeit briefly, that he was rising to a higher place.
Light shimmers behind his head.
Proof of a mage, Halo.
Pivot points are five.
“…Damn it…!!”
Five-star magic, ‘Absolute Strict Prohibition’.