Chapter 103 : Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Green and near-violet mana scattered.

Killian watched the battle between Serena and Orchid Owl.

Orchid Owl, having reached the level of a Night Walker, displayed her skills without holding back, as if unafraid of a head-on confrontation with a knight.

Kaaang. Kaang.

Even against Serena’s Haki-infused sword, she was by no means pushed back.

Rather, she seemed to be gradually overwhelming her with attacks that were a half-beat faster.

“……”

It was the moment Serena was about to use Carpe Illusion.

“Stop.”

Killian’s mana-laden voice echoed.

“I can do it.”

Serena said softly, her gaze still fixed on Orchid Owl as she controlled her breathing.

“From now on, you’ll lose more than you gain.”

“……”

Saying that was enough, Killian ordered her to stand down.

‘Using Carpe Illusion alone is still too much for her.’

Originally, Haki and Carpe Illusion were the exclusive domain of 7-star knights.

The very fact that Serena could manifest both techniques was not normal.

Above all.

‘If Orchid Owl uses Memento, even Serena’s Carpe Illusion will be useless.’

The outcome of the fight was already decided.

Just facing a Night Walker would have been a great experience for her.

‘At this rate, it won’t be long before she breaks through the wall.’

Watching someone on the verge of the Sword Master realm was always a joyful thing.

“It looked like you were about to pull out something interesting.”

“That interesting thing, I was thinking I’d finish it for you.”

“You? So what Crimson Wolf said was true~?”

“What did Crimson say?”

“That Eurasia’s new Annihilation Squad Leader doesn’t hesitate to give a lesson.”

“I suppose I am that way. Did he add anything else?”

“He said it wouldn’t be easy to face you even if I used Memento at full power.”

“I’ll have to correct him.”

“……?”

“It’s not that it won’t be easy.”

Eurasia Style, Carpe Illusion.

“It’s impossible.”

Total Solar Eclipse.

Fwaaaah.

Four spheres floated up into the space dominated by blue mana.

The improved Total Solar Eclipse was a Carpe Illusion that used the mana-absorbing property of Aether as a medium.

The first sphere absorbed the mana of the area, the second sphere released the absorbed mana to maintain the space, and the third sphere used the condensed mana to generate an attractive force.

And the fourth sphere.

Kugugugung.

Repulsive force.

It began to scatter a pressure comparable to Haki.

“Lessons are always accompanied by pain.”

A space where four types of forces were at work.

Confirming the further evolved Carpe Illusion, Killian aimed his Aether.

“I don’t want to hurt someone who has many uses.”

“I can’t stand men who talk too much.”

Memento.

As Orchid Owl softly uttered the word, her eyes turned crimson.

Enduring the crushing pressure, she raised her own sword.

“I wonder what the blood of an Annihilation Squad Leader tastes like.”

“Find out for yourself.”

Eurasia Style, Wave.

In an instant, around the Walker who had severed dozens of mana lines.

Blue mana raged.

***

Near the border of Cornelia and the Romero Kingdom.

Kugugugu.

The presences emitted by Kiel Cornelia and Mainz Kimbel clashed, creating a tense deadlock.

Mainz Kimbel’s eyes, controlling the black mana, narrowed.

‘Even at this distance… can he draw this much power from the Magic Tower?’

While he had returned from death and mastered the 7-star level, Kiel Cornelia’s attainment was known to be mid-tier 7-star.

And yet, the pressure he felt was not inferior to that of the Imperial Commanders who had mastered the 7-star.

‘At this rate, I’ll be pushed back in terms of presence.’

Sleight.

When he turned his gaze to the prince seated on the chair, Isaac, understanding his meaning, gave a slight nod as if to say, ‘do as you please.’

‘The permission has been granted…’

Mainz Kimbel awakened the third heart formed within his body.

Saaaa.

As a handful of Evil Energy flowed into his mana, a change occurred that was imperceptible to the naked eye.

With just that, the violet mana that had been in a tense deadlock began to be pushed back little by little.

Kiel’s eyes narrowed.

‘Evil Energy…?’

Originally, Evil Energy was a power used by monsters.

‘The Black Duke must have pulled some strings.’

It was no longer a secret that the master of the Black Magic Tower was the Second Prince’s guardian.

But.

‘Mixing Evil Energy into the mana of a knight of the Sword Master level is a different matter. He must have had something to fall back on.’

Kiel clicked his tongue as he looked at the smiling prince.

They had conducted some kind of experiment, and it seemed to have been successful.

So much so that he could afford to be relaxed against Cornelia’s Arch Mage, who was synchronized with the Magic Tower.

‘In any case, the goal of this meeting has been achieved.’

To meet the Second Prince and sound out his character and plans.

Kiel sent a message to Sharle.

[This should be enough, right?]

[Yes. The confirmation is complete.]

Sharle replied, maintaining a poker face.

Kiel strengthened his mana synchronization with the Magic Tower.

Tzzzzzz.

The presence that had begun to be pushed back regained its balance.

“I believe we’ve had enough conversation.”

Sharle rose from her seat.

“I have not permitted you to leave.”

“This is Cornelia’s territory. We don’t need the Prince’s permission.”

Sharle smiled faintly and waved her hand.

Kiiiiing.

A warp magic circle was drawn beneath her and Kiel’s feet.

Motion Magic.

It was a demonstration that the mages of Cornelia, synchronized with the Magic Tower, could use magic without complex calculations.

‘Well, my pendant is only single-use, though.’

She thought of her own item that Killian Eurasia was holding, but what was important now was the success of the warp.

“You cannot move a single step without His Highness’s command.”

Kwaaaaa.

Mainz used his Carpe, enhanced with Evil Energy.

“You’re crossing the line. Have you forgotten that this is Cornelia’s territory?”

“There’s no need to consider a country that will soon collapse.”

“How arrogant.”

Sreuk. Sreureuk.

Five magic circles formed around Kiel.

Two were 7-star magic, and three were 6-star magic to assist him.

Grrrrr.

Kugugugu.

The two magic circles containing 7-star magic let out a roar.

Giga Lightning.

Earthquake.

Unless the Second Prince had ascended to a superhuman, Mainz would have to devote all his energy to protecting the prince amidst the two area-of-effect attacks.

‘I’ll be able to confirm if he’s truly ascended to a superhuman.’

Ignoring the roaring Mainz Kimbel, it was the moment Kiel was about to activate the two 7-star magics.

Kwaaaaaaa.

A gate, a little over 2 meters tall, was created behind the prince.

A magic that could only be used by those with the rank of 8-star.

‘Eternal Gate…? No way…’

The one who walked out of the gate was an old man wearing a black robe.

“Do you intend to wipe out the area?”

The old man, holding a staff made of obsidian, asked as he looked at Kiel.

Evil Eye.

It was the treasured weapon that symbolized the master of the Black Magic Tower.

“……Black Duke.”

“It’s been a long time, Kiel Cornelia.”

“How did you……”

“Your skills have improved a lot since I last saw you. Are Celot and Hegel doing well?”

Kiel’s face contorted at the old man’s words.

His attitude was as if he were dealing with a mage of a lower rank, but that was also the truth.

The Black Duke was one of the few 8-star mages on the continent.

Even if this was a place where the influence of the Violet Magic Tower was weakest, the very fact that he had broken through the barrier and entered spoke of his greatness.

In Cornelia, no one but perhaps Hegel could face him.

“You dared to speak rudely to His Highness the Prince.”

“If you were watching, you should know well. It was your side that was rude first.”

“Hmm……”

The Black Duke stroked his chin with his gaunt hand.

And then.

“What reason is there for an Imperial Prince not to be rude to the princess of a small country?”

“What……?”

He bared his yellowed teeth at the dumbfounded Kiel.

“Why don’t you understand that we have let you live until now because we value Cornelia’s worth?”

“That nasty disposition of yours hasn’t changed.”

“Klklkl. Watch your mouth in front of His Highness the Prince.”

The Black Duke approached Isaac and gave a light bow.

“Shall I punish them for their rudeness?”

“I want to hear the odds of winning.”

“Is there anything to discuss?”

The Black Duke continued, looking at the frozen Sharle and Kiel.

“Ninety percent.”

Even if they were synchronized with the Violet Magic Tower, a 5-star mage and one 7-star mage.

He declared that they were no match for him.

“It seems they secretly met to gauge Your Highness the Prince. What will you do?”

“If they have committed an act of rudeness, should they not be held responsible?”

“A very wise statement.”

“……”

Kiel quietly drew a new magic circle.

7-star magic, Wind Storm.

7-star magic, Blizzard.

‘I need to buy time and then use a secret magic.’

The four magic circles containing 7-star magic spewed out mana.

Just then.

“Diabolus.”

Sreuk.

Suddenly, the maw of something appeared in mid-air.

And then.

Hwaaaaaa.

The magic circles created by Kiel and Sharle began to be sucked in.

“……!!”

“It is the mouth of a demon that sucks in all magic below 8-star.”

Kiel used a few more magics, but.

Sreureuk. Sreuk.

They were all seen being sucked into the maw.

“……”

Sharle, who had been watching the situation with a poker face, opened her mouth.

“I never thought that someone of the stature of a Magic Tower Master would intervene in such a trivial meeting.”

“If it’s a call from His Highness the Prince, what does that matter?”

“It’s not a very pleasant sight for an adult to interfere in the affairs of a young man and woman.”

“Hmm… Come to think of it, if I reduce one of Cornelia’s superhumans here, His Highness’s war will become much easier.”

“You speak carelessly.”

“Don’t overdo it, Kiel. You should know that even if this were inside the Violet Magic Tower, someone of your level cannot face me.”

Saying so, the Black Duke raised his Evil Eye.

‘Sharle Cornelia and Kiel Cornelia. They are important figures in Cornelia.’

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to wear down their forces here and then wage war to bring them down. It was also the tactic that Eurasia had used against Brussels.

And the same was true for Cornelia.

‘Seeing as he hasn’t appeared, Hegel must not have stabilized his 8-star.’

If it were true that he had reached 8-star, he should have been able to use the Eternal Gate.

“Black Duke. Deal with the traitors.”

“I shall.”

It was the moment the Black Duke raised his staff.

Kwaaaaaaa.

A gate, a little over 2 meters tall, was created behind Kiel.

The one who walked out of the gate was a middle-aged man wearing a violet robe.

“Well now~ It’s been a while.”

The man, Hegel Cornelia, waved his hand as if pleased to see them.

“Isn’t it the Black Duke, who is said to be able to revive the dead?”

“Hegel.”

The Black Duke uttered the name of the man with a broad smile.

“It’s good to see you after a long time, but I don’t recall inviting you to Cornelia’s territory.”

“From the looks of it, it hasn’t been long since you reached 8-star. No need to overdo it.”

“Do I look like it?”

Flarururu.

Violet mana erupted from Hegel Cornelia’s body.

Flaruru. Flarurururu.

Just by releasing mana, flames shot up in the air.

Mainz wiped away sweat from the rising temperature, and Isaac frowned.

Only the Black Duke seemed unaffected by the temperature, maintaining his composure.

“Hahahaha. Is that an answer?”

“……”

Hegel burst into laughter as he looked at the Black Duke scanning him.

And so, 10 seconds passed.

Hegel, who had been laughing heartily, his expression turned cold.

“If you set foot in my kingdom one more time, I won’t even leave your ashes behind.”

Flarurururu.

Small energy balls formed around him.

8-star magic, Solaris.

A sun magic said to have been lost long ago.

He seemed to be already synchronized with the Magic Tower, and the heat was oppressive.

‘Did he stabilize 8-star magic so quickly? This is unexpected…’

The Black Duke released his presence.

From the moment Hegel Cornelia, synchronized with the Magic Tower, joined, the odds of winning dropped below forty percent. There was no need to take the risk.

“I’ll remember that.”

The Black Duke activated the Eternal Gate.

“Let’s go. It seems today is not our day.”

“……”

The Second Prince quietly rose from his seat.

Just before stepping into the gate, he looked back at Sharle.

“I will have you.”

A smirk appeared on Sharle’s lips.

“If you’re too greedy, you won’t live long.”

“Insolent thing.”

Isaac scoffed and stepped through the gate.

Confirming that the presences of the three had disappeared, Kiel looked at Hegel.

“How did you get here?”

“How else? I came by warp.”

“So, the stabilization of the 8-star magic is…”

“Already finished.”

Celot held out a hand.

An energy ball floated in his palm.

Its size was small, but the power it contained was like that of the sun.

“Eurasia’s declaration of war was also made by Simon himself.”

“Brother, surely…”

“I’m a king in name, after all. Shouldn’t I be the one to declare Cornelia’s war?”

Hegel, grinning, looked at Sharle.

“What about Orchid Owl?”

“She’s already on the move.”

“Alone?”

“Yes. She’s never been one to trust anyone. Perhaps…”

As Sharle trailed off, Hegel and Kiel waited for her next words.

“She might be in Eurasia.”

“……?”

To the bewildered Hegel and Kiel.

“It’s troublesome if you’re too curious about the affairs between a man and a woman.”

It was Sharle, smiling gently.

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