349 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 349: The Ancient Fortress with a Classical Charm As the group crossed the moat, the knights and soldiers stationed around offered precise and respectful salutes. After several rounds of inspections, the party finally arrived deep within the inner citadel. Standing in front of a giant stone door, the knight escorting them halted. "That is where Grand Duke Gael is currently engaging in seclusion training." A quiet laugh escaped from someone among the followers at that remark. Everyone present was aware that the ruler of this kingdom had decided to abandon this Gael character, yet it was amusing to see the knight continue to show respect for the forsaken leader. "Was the position of Grand Duke Gael so significant in Liberty?" When Janssen, who had accompanied them in the dual role of aide to Gerit from the 1st Corps, asked this, the Liberty knight's face turned red. "...Please mind your words. Grand Duke Gael is a hero of the realm. He is someone respected by everyone in this country." The knight's uneasy feelings were evident in his agitated expression. Do you realize you're guiding those who will bring an end to the hero who saved your country? Such a mischievous thought crossed Janssen's mind, but under Gerit's watchful gaze, he wisely chose to remain silent. "You're Gareth, aren't you?" As Gerit's eyes turned back, a man in a black robe stepped forward from the center of the group. "Indeed, Count." A raspy voice. When Gareth pulled back his hood, a middle-aged man with a gentle demeanor was revealed. Boldly interacting with the legion commander and Count, Gerit Eindzhein, Gareth's presence made many of the knights in the envoy, particularly those from the 1st Corps, uncomfortable. This was no different than their initial meeting at the Eastern King's Hall and throughout the journey to Liberty. The discomfort mainly stemmed from the continued mystery surrounding Gareth's true identity. "You must step forward first." "Against a superhuman? Surely you're aware we're mages?" "...There's no need to feign innocence. I know you're a magus." The knights exchanged startled glances at Gerit's words. However, Gareth merely offered a slight smile despite the brief flicker in his gaze. "The reputation of the Spear of Magic is not unfounded. I thought I'd concealed it well." "There's no need for unnecessary chatter. Even the East Ministry recognizes me as your guide, so follow my command." "While we will follow orders, surely efficiency is a concern?" "Efficiency?" "Given our opponents, we might need some meat shields." The provocative choice of words caused the knights, and even Gerit, to stiffen. Yet, Gareth continued nonchalantly. "If there's no such person, allowing us to support from the back might be the most efficient use of our forces." "A magus being wary of danger, are you?" "I've been cautious, which is how I've survived to become a magus." In response to the subtle rebuke, Gareth merely smiled. And Gerit couldn't easily dismiss his point. At the very least, two magi, and three others whose true capabilities were unknown—perhaps concealing their power. Even if just those three reached the level of 5th circle mages, they could match the rest of the envoy's strength, including himself. And if there's even one magus beyond his sensory perception... 'Though it seems unlikely.' Superhumans are rare in this world. Even while clinging to this belief, Gerit couldn't shake his uneasy feeling. With a resolute expression, having come to some determination, Gerit spoke. "Janssen, Favre, Enrique. You three will command. All other knights will take the vanguard." "What!?" "I will step in if necessary. No objections." He stifled dissent with authority. Though the mages from the Eastern Ministry were unsettling, they were allies for the time being. The elite of the 1st Corps quickly acquiesced to their commander's order. As twenty knights stepped forward in unison, a smile crept onto Gareth's lips. Now that everything was in place, it was time to clear the obstacles. "You may leave now. We'll handle it from here." "What do you intend to do to him!?" The fortress knight, witnessing the menacing atmosphere, shouted in alarm. "This is sanctioned by the king of this land. You must know this. Stand down, knight." "But...!" "Stand back..." As some knights attempted to resist, their comrades pulled them back. After a brief skirmish, the Liberty knights retreated with grim expressions. "Hmph. Know your place." Despite Janssen's sneer, a few knights flared up, but they all turned away with bowed heads. For them, this day would undoubtedly remain an unforgettable, bitter memory. 'But that's none of my concern.' With this thought, Gerit gestured to his subordinates up ahead. Then— "Open!" With a unified shout from Janssen and the top-ranked knights, the enormous stone door began to shift with a heavy sound. "...Wasn't I told not to disturb my training?" A deep voice resonated from inside the stone chamber. Holding a grand sword that shimmered with silver light. A rugged man with brown hair and eyes glared at the opening stone door. "Gael Slayer. You stand accused of murdering imperial soldiers and stealing artifacts. You shall be judged!" With Gerit's sharp voice echoing through the chamber, the man's demeanor visibly changed. "The Empire!?" His stunned voice filled the space as he pointed the large sword he was holding forward. "If you're hoping for leniency, return the stolen relics and kneel..." Before Gerit could finish his sentence, space seemed to compress as the man charged like a bolt of lightning. It was a swifter and more immediate response than Gerit had anticipated. 'How dare he!' Expecting some kind of justification, Gerit's expression hardened, but as if anticipating this, Gareth shouted. "Bind him!" Gareth demonstrated the true prowess of a magus. As if summoned by the magical force emanating from his body, a massive vine of black thornbush appeared, enveloping Gael as he charged forward. However, Gerit was still uneasy about something. 'And the others...' The only visible magic was Gareth's. The other presumed magi or those with uncertain abilities hadn't even moved. It seemed they were intent on concealing their strength. 'Perhaps I should have told them outright I’d figured it out.' Annoyed by the situation yet unable to address it amidst battle, Gerit redirected his attention to the front with irritation. At that moment. "Chaap!" A fierce battle cry echoed from within the black thornbush. Swoosh! In an instant, the vines that had even blocked the allies' sight were neatly sliced in half, as if the space itself had been cleaved. Splutter. "It's genuine!" Gareth exclaimed as he spat out a mouthful of blood. 'Genuine?' His fellow magi's eyes glinted with energy. From within them, magic surged, a force strong enough to make even Gerit flinch. The intimidating aura startled their allies more than their foes. 'They're all magi!?' As Gerit, about to advance on Gael, hesitated in confusion, the silver aura rushing forward was engulfed by a grey mist conjured by two magi. "Confuse!" "Mind Breaker!" "Argh!" As the dull grey mist enveloped Gael, he clutched his head in agony. Seeing this, the remaining three magi grinned menacingly. "Fight, warriors of His! Berserk!" "Target on Aura-User!" "Magic Extension!" With their incantations, ominous black mist arose. 'Impressive. Who exactly are these people?' Even amidst his discomfort, Gerit shivered at the force he sensed, only to realize that the black mist was heading towards his own men, not the enemy. 'Huh?' "What, what is this!" "What are you doing to our own...?" Voices of alarm echoed briefly. The eyes of the knights who had stood as a blockade suddenly flared with a strange crimson light. "Kyaaa!" With eyes turned red and black veins surfacing beside them, the knights cried out fiercely, launching themselves at Gael. Their power surged visibly stronger than usual from their hands. Janssen, a knight whom Gerit favored, exuded such energy that it resembled the aura of a blessed radiance. But this display was anything but normal. "What is this treachery!" Gerit’s once calm demeanor twisted into a vicious snarl as he shouted, but the magi remained unmoved, as if his criticisms were unheard. They had turned his cherished subordinates into mad monsters. Nonetheless, the magic was aimed at the enemy he was ordered to eliminate. What should be done? Despite countless battles honing the mindset of this spear-wielder, the unprecedented spectacle threw his senses into chaos. 'Damn...!' Caught between conflicting duties, Gerit hesitated. Right then— Slash! "Argh!" "Screech!" From the blade of the enemy engulfed in gray mist, a torrent of silver aura erupted, cutting down the approaching subordinates. The first five to madly charge were brutally cleaved in half. Among them was Janssen. "Damn it all!" A scream of anguish erupted as Gerit witnessed the death of his valued subordinate. "It's real!" "The sword of legend!" "His legacy!" Meanwhile, the magi shrieked in ecstatic madness. It was a moment where Gerit wished to silence them with violence. Gritting his teeth in rage, however, Gerit forcibly redirected his focus. 'Orders first.' Beyond being a superhuman, he was a knight and the commander of the imperial legion. Conflicted between whether the true enemies were the magi or the supposed foe, he prioritized the emperor's orders above all else. Those who exploited their allies must face justice. But defeating the adversary took precedence. "Damn it!" Despite his despairing cry, Gerit hefted his cherished sword, Infractio, charging towards the 'enemy.' Unaware that this entire scenario was part of the magi's elaborate scheme. 'Looks like Kastell Tower was thoroughly deceived.' Gael Slayer—no, Logan—effortlessly cut down the mad knights rushing from all directions. "Kyaaa!" Even if his aura had diminished due to its color change, he was still a high-level aura-user. The deranged knights, despite being swifter and stronger, were still several levels below. The disparity in skill made it easier to fend off their mindless rushes. Neither magic user nor knight could escape their visible limitations. 'Even these useless spells.' Logan mocked inwardly, shaking his head as the lingering gray mist seemed bothersome. Knowing full well that its only effect was obscuring vision, one could only wonder what the casting magi felt. Ironically, such spells made acting much easier; a slight stagger was enough to deceive them. "His resistance is formidable!" "Truly, his legacy...!" The more thoroughly they were duped, the more satisfied he felt. Yet, acting was not his forte. ‘Feigning defeat is trickier than expected. Damn, my eyes sting.’ Even as he manipulated energy into making his eyes bloodshot. "Raaaah!" He didn’t forget to scream occasionally. While maintaining the pretense, Logan kept a keen eye on the figure that seemed to be a superhuman from the Empire. 'Even after all this, he's still not closing in?' It was only after cutting down a few more knights that the superhuman finally charged at Logan. 'Yes!' His movements compressed space itself, the spearhead swirling with a burning red aura. The sight confirmed the identity of the person Logan had doubted. 'Devil Spear! Gerit Eindzhein!' Commander of the Empire's Eastern 1st Legion. A major catch. BANG! 'Ugh!' CRUNCH. Yet, this major catch hit hard, befitting its stature. The force was overwhelming, difficult to withstand, given Logan’s suppressed aura due to its lowered rank. The impact caused deep grooves to stretch for several meters beneath where Logan had been pushed back. But even this wasn't enough to satisfy Gerit. "You endured!?" A voice growling with frustration. The red aura, which had temporarily clashed with Logan’s greatsword, scattered like afterimages. Then, like an illusion, seven rotating spheres of red aura split apart, hurtling toward Logan's entire body as if to pierce him. 'Damn!' Half-hearted acting wasn't going to cut it. Realizing this, a flicker of red flashed across Gael's brown eyes.