Chapter 76: Magic Swords

“Ugh, it’s so cold.”

The one who uttered the complaint was Lucial.

The four of them were climbing up a rock overlooking the city in the light of the setting sun.

Although the slope was relatively gentle, they still had to bend forward and scramble up, grabbing onto the surrounding rocks.

“If we’re attacked by monsters here, it’ll be troublesome. Let’s hurry up and climb.”

Lucius called out to the three ahead of him as he led the way.

“We shouldn’t encounter any monsters around here. The spirits that use spells are hunted down by the Dragon Knights’ ghosts, so we’re safe.”

“That’s a relief… truly.”

They sighed with relief. Of course, Dion and Lucial, the heirs of the four noble families, were worried about being attacked by monsters. It was strange that they could only feel safe while climbing the rocky mountain. A gecko, perhaps?

“But we might run into dwarves, you know?”

Lucial, who was at the bottom, joked. If I remember correctly, Lord Strauss mentioned that there were dwarves in the Orleans family’s territory the other day.

For once, Dion interjected.

“They are traitors. The calamity of this city was brought about by the dwarves colluding with the Republic.”

The Republic, located south of the kingdom, was a major power on par with the empire. Despite its name, it was essentially a theocratic state.

There is a religion called “Noah’s Baptism,” which is the most widely practiced in the world. It’s so influential that even the kingdom’s knights sometimes have priests stationed. The Republic is the home of the headquarters of “Noah’s Baptism.”

Backed by an overwhelming number of believers, it is said to have a solid foundation as a major power.

“Dion, Your Highness. That’s just a rumor. Even the Orleans family doesn’t know why the dead are revived as undead monsters.”

Dion retorted disdainfully.

“It’s a fact that the dwarves had connections with the Republic, and it’s well-known that the Republic has the ability to turn people into monsters. It’s clear to anyone from the circumstantial evidence.”

Dion, who hadn’t spoken much along the way, suddenly became talkative. Is betrayal of the kingdom unforgivable? Or was there something else bothering him?

An uneasy atmosphere spread.

—This isn’t good.

Lucius interrupted the conversation.

“Let’s stop there. We’re already at the summit.”

“Agreed.”

As Lucius put his foot on the flattened summit, a small voice was heard from behind.

“You’re all just blaming everything on the dwarves and stopping thinking, huh?”

Turning around, they saw Crane, his face twisted in frustration.

Startled by Lucius’s gaze, Crane put on a forced smile.

“Haha, my apologies. Well then, shall we go?”

The four stood on top of the rocky mountain. From there, they could see the city of undead, Burgia.

It was a huge white city surrounded by sturdy walls in the middle of a plain. Behind the city, a vast green forest stretched out.

The sun seemed about to set, and the wind blowing from the city felt even colder. The sweat shed during the daytime dried up, and their body temperature gradually dropped.

Their breath turned white. Coupled with the overwhelming magic, it felt like their lungs were freezing from within.

“Should’ve brought a coat! Dion rushed us!”

Lucial clung to Lucius, who was nearby.

“Your Highness Lucial… Please let go.”

“What’s wrong? You’re actually happy, aren’t you?”

Lucial poked Lucius’s cheek with his finger.

—She must be doing it on purpose.

That’s how it felt. Even though she understood the current situation, if she could still make jokes, she must have quite a bit of courage.

“Anyway—”

As Lucius tried to push Lucial away, a sudden chill ran through him.

The temperature around them dropped suddenly.

The next moment, something landed in front of Lucius and the others.

—A Dragon Knight!?

It was a knight riding on a wyvern.

The wyvern’s flesh was scraped off in places, exposing its bones. The knight’s face was skeletal, with no flesh remaining.

It seemed to be observing Lucius and the others with its exposed bone face.

It was impossible to tell the knight’s condition since it was covered in armor. There was no overwhelming pressure or burning life force typical of strong monsters. Moreover, despite being right in front of them, it had no presence at all.

It was just a creepy mass of magic.

Quietly, Lucius reached for his precious sword.

But Crane stopped him.

“Magic sword spells won’t work.”

The Dragon Knight seemed to sense Lucius’s movement and turned around.

—A skull… Its face had no flesh left. It was just a skeleton.

A pale blue light flickered in the eye sockets.

It seemed to emanate cold.

—Is this the source of the cold?

It wasn’t just cold; it felt as if the warmth of life was being sucked away.

The undead knight and wyvern still seemed to be yearning for life, even now that they were dead.

After observing Lucius and the others, the spirit of the Dragon Knight flew up into the sky, joining the other Dragon Knights circling above the city, then dispersing in all directions.

“Scary! What was that!?”

Even Dion, who remained calm, showed a hint of relief.

“It’s definitely eerie… But it doesn’t seem to have as much magic power as I thought.”

Crane shook his head.

“That’s a shadow-like existence. Even if you blow it to pieces, it’ll come back right away. And the terrifying thing is that it’s not individuals but a group. The spirits are still surprisingly well-coordinated.”

“…It’s unpleasant.”

They glared at the spirits of the undead, flying arrogantly above the city.

“Time is of the essence… Where is the Magic Sword?”

“It’s over there.”

Crane pointed to one of the towers.

At the top of the tower, they could see two prominently large wyverns.

While the other Dragon Knights were flying around, only these two were sitting down.

—Are the other Dragon Knights flying around them?

They seemed to always be at the center of the Dragon Knight group.

“That’s right. Uh-huh, they’re holding swords.”

Lucius squinted.

As Lucial had said, the two knights on wyverns were holding swords.

The equipment of the other Dragon Knights was spears. It would be more convenient to attack opponents while riding on a wyvern with a spear than with a sword.

“So, those are the Magic Swords?”

—There are two of them?

One was a double-edged greatsword.

The blade had a reddish hue, almost as if it was rusting.

The other was a piercing sword.

It had a distinctive pale blue blade, straight and elongated.

“The shape of the swords matches the records of the Magic Swords held by the commander and vice-commander of the Dragon Knights. They emerged from the underground after a large-scale collapse two weeks ago. It seems the two were trapped underground for a long time.”

For a sword that had been trapped underground for so long, its condition was too good. Normally, it would be rusty and decayed.

No, maintaining weapons is basic for knights. Even now, after death, they might not neglect their upkeep as they did in life. It’s like their daily routine, repeating for over 400 years.

Shifting my focus from the magic sword to its owner…

“So, they are…”

“Yes, those are the spirits of the commander and vice-commander of the Dragon Knights, known as the strongest.”

The rank of knights is generally determined by strength. Although lineage, unique spell casting abilities, and strategic acumen are also considered, strength remains crucial, especially for leaders.

In other words, it’s necessary to take the magic sword from the two strongest individuals in the Dragon Knights.

“Crane-san, you mentioned a plan. What is it?”

“It’s simple. We’ll lure a few of them and then seize it.”

-Quite a crude plan…

But Crane is dead serious.

“How will you do that?”

“That’s why you were directly invited, Lucius-san. Also those who possess the Artillery magic and Chant Spirit formulas. I didn’t expect both Your Highnesses to be here.”

The artillery magic is a formula unique to the west, while the Chant Spirit is unique to the south. Lucius has corresponding magic core, but he hasn’t contracted with either.

It seems Crane has arranged for users of both the Artillery magic and Chant Spirit formulas in advance.

It’s obvious that Lucius’s role is to strike the lured spirits.

“What are the roles of the Artillery magician and Chant Spirit?”

Dion answers succinctly from the side.

“I will use the artillery magic to snipe two of them. And Lucial…”

“I’ll use the Chant Spirit to hold off the other grunts!”

Lucial says with a smile.

“That’s right. Anyway, the key to this operation is Lucius. Without the breakthrough power of the Evil Dragon and Chi You, no one can obtain the magic sword.”

Lucius nods.

“If the confirmation is over, let’s begin. We’re running out of time.”

The surroundings are gradually being dyed in twilight. It will soon be enveloped in darkness.

Certainly, that’s true, but there’s also a sense of unease.

– Are you concerned about time?

Come to think of it, Dion has seemed to be in a hurry all along.

I don’t know the reason, but I don’t want to fight undead in the pitch-dark.

Dion steps forward.

The tower where the two entities are is several kilometers away even in a straight line.

It would be difficult even for the Evil Dragon’s Breath to hit them.

“Your Highness Dion, should we get a bit closer?”

“No problem. The artillery magic specializes in long-distance spells.”

Dion charges his right hand with magic.

“Dion, if you’re doing it, I’ll do it too. It’s troublesome, though.”

“Your Highness Lucial too.”

“It’s fine. After all, we came for this. I don’t have as much magic power as Lucius-kun, so he fought on the way. If I just watch, no one will praise me.”

Lucial closes her mouth and seems to be gathering magic power.

Finally, when she looks at Crane, he waves his hands in a hurry.

“I- I can’t do it! I’m a Siren for appraisal!”

“No one is seeking military strength from Orleans. Hide in the background.”

Dion issues concise instructions and then raises his right hand casually.

“Appear. Forneus.”

Red water overflows from Dion’s right hand.

The spilled red liquid takes on a linear form.

-A sea snake?

It resembles a sea snake or an eel.

Forneus is made of red water and seems closer to spirits or monsters than living beings.

The huge sea snake that appeared from Dion’s right arm entwines from his arm to his shoulder.

“Pierce.”

With Dion’s voice, the sea snake made of red water rushes forward.

It heads towards the two Dragon Knights.

It seems like a single red line is running through space.

It hits the Dragon Knights’ spirits, including those flying around, and continues to penetrate.

– It’s quite powerful. As expected of a first-class formula.

After penetrating several Dragon Knight spirits, it reaches the commander in an instant.

At the moment when the red sea snake collides with the commander, the commander swings the red magic sword with all his might.

Then, the single red line is cut apart and turns into two lines, crashing into the surrounding towers.

A moment later, the castle towers collapse with a roar.

“…They’re coming.”

As Dion said, about 30 Dragon Knights are heading towards us.

Leading the way are two large dragons with riders on them.

They are the commander and vice-commander.

“Haah, Dion, that wasn’t effective at all. You’ve brought a lot with you. Can’t you narrow it down more?”

Dion doesn’t respond to Lucial’s words.

“No, it’s enough. It was an excellent snipe.”

Lucius steps forward, manifesting Chi You.

Indeed, hitting them with dragon flames from such a distance would be impossible.

“Oh, Lucius-kun. Don’t expect too much from me. I’m a third-class spirit chanter.”

“Understood. Your Highness Lucial too. Please refrain from overdoing it.”

“Yes, yes.”

Lucial hums a tune, and a grotesque egg-shaped entity appears beside her.

-A demon?

It’s a horned demon, embracing its body with numerous arms.

It appears next to the magic circle that has appeared behind Lucial.

“Preparations, complete!”

It’s the way Chant Spirits manifest.

Lucius has seen his mother’s spell activated in the same way many times.

Having confirmed it, Lucius charges his left hand’s magic core with magic power.

I feel the breath of the Evil Dragon inside the magic core.

Particles spew out from his left hand, forming a triple-headed black-silver dragon.

“They’re right in front of us.”

A tense voice, completely different from Lucial’s normal voice, echoed.

Suddenly, a wyvern and a knight landed.

Pure white coldness and snow descended.

They were likely sent as vanguard.

“Dragon Flame!”

Flames erupted from Lucius’s left hand, covered in black armor.

Without delay, the flames engulfed the spirits of the Dragon Knights.

And then, ashes scattered along with the powdered snow.

But it was short-lived.

—They’re coming back.

The ashes gathered, and a cold, bluish flame flickered.

When the flame disappeared, the Dragon Knights were standing once again.

“There isn’t a single scratch.”

The spirits of the approaching Dragon Knights are now close.

All of them moved in an impeccably coordinated manner.

—These are the Dragon Knights.

It’s beyond expectations.

Lucius leaped onto the evil dragon.

“Here I go.”

As the evil dragon leaped, six Dragon Knights simultaneously attacked.

It seemed to be a small squad.

“Lucius-kun! I’ll support you!”

With Lucial’s shout, countless white circular blades were released from the magic circle behind her.

Perhaps they were weapons called Chakras.

The mass of shining white blades flying around on their own filled the area.

With the widespread deployment of the blades, the spirits of the Dragon Knights were detained.

“I appreciate it.”

Ignoring the slowed movements of the other Dragon Knights, Lucius flew the evil dragon forward.

His destination: two Dragon Knights holding swords.

The commander and vice-commander holding Magic Swords.

—Volcano Wyvern and Lightning Wyvern, huh?

Both are first-class wyverns.

Their objective lies before them.

The other Dragon Knights, who had stayed away from the sea of blades, blocked their path.

“You’re in the way!”

As the evil dragon released three breaths, in an instant, about five Dragon Knights vanished.

The breath that swallowed the Dragon Knights also assaulted the commander and vice-commander, but the red and blue wyverns quickly evaded.

It was a mere momentary action.

It was enough to let Lucius gauge their strength.

—These guys are skilled.

The large wyverns danced like leaves.

Nevertheless, the riders on them didn’t waver at all, as if they were part of their bodies.

Does riding on a beast make it stronger—?

It does.

In close combat, maneuverability, meaning turning ability and rapid braking, is often more important than linear movement.

By shifting the center of gravity like a moving pendulum, a person can enable faster turns than the beast alone.

Furthermore, using the perceptions of both the rider and the beast speeds up detection and attack. They seamlessly coordinate through the magic core with almost no lag, sharing the information obtained.

Of course, both the beast and the rider use spells.

The formula of the beast, driven by a skilled rider, multiplies its power several times over.

But even so.

—-No problem.

“I have chiyou with me.”

Even when riding a beast, humans are still vulnerable. It’s like exposing their weaknesses. But for Lucius, clad in the highest-class white specter, such constraints were practically nonexistent.

In an instant, Lucius riding the evil dragon closed in on the two wyverns. The black armor of Chiyou turned white with the spirits’ frigid air.

As if slicing through that chill, a sticky column of fire rose from below. It was a breath of flames.

—Volcano Wyvern, huh?

However, the breath of a wyvern wouldn’t affect an evil dragon much. Annoyed, the evil dragon reached out with its forearm and crushed the fiery breath.

Then, it vanished. The two wyverns that were there just a moment ago were nowhere to be seen.

—Where are they!?

“Lucius-san, behind you!”

At Crane’s voice, I turned around and saw two figures wielding swords.

Twisting my waist, I manifested a shield in an instant. As they appeared, two swords and a shield clashed. The collision of magic powers scattered sparks.

When I attempted a counterattack, the tip of the commander’s sword bent.

—The Magic Sword, it broke!?

No, it was different. The massive sword bent like a whip, slipping past the shield and attacking Lucius. It was deflected by the Sword of Light.

“Snake Belly Sword.”

It was as if the sword itself were alive, flexing independently of the wielder’s arm.

However, the commander made a mistake.

“First, one strike.”

Immediately after the clash, he should have created distance without attempting a follow-up. Perhaps realizing his mistake, the red wyvern flapped its wings.

But it was too late.

The evil dragon’s neck bent, and from close range, it released a black breath.

The commander, along with the wyvern, was swallowed into the pitch-black void and disappeared. Simultaneously, the red greatsword fell to the ground along with the severed arm.

The fallen sword could be retrieved later.

Whether the spirits had emotions or not, in response to the pressure Lucius emitted, the Dragon Knights all retreated and reorganized their formation.

“Just one more.”

Lucius glared at the blue wyvern at the center of the formation with his four eyes.

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