Chapter 110 : Chapter 110

Chapter 110

“I feel more nauseous than usual.”

Killian muttered and scanned his surroundings.

The first things I saw were the corpses of monsters and mages.

‘The Benjamin Family is an important family to Cornelia.’

If the numerous mountain ranges connected to the frontier were not regularly subjugated, a wave of monsters would descend upon the villages.

If that happened, even Cornelia's main castle, which housed the Magic Tower, would be forced to take a hit.

Cornelia solved all those problems with a single move.

It was by extending the Magic Tower's mana throughout the territory, granting special privileges to those who were permitted.

A 1-star beginner-level mage could use intermediate-level magic, and a 5-star beginner-level mage could use intermediate-level magic.

Compared to the assimilation with the Magic Tower by the direct bloodline, it could be said to be relatively minor, but for mages, it had the same effect as having an outstanding teacher.

That was why talented mages flocked to the western frontier, a place teeming with monsters and inconvenient for receiving supplies from the continent.

“It seems I've come to the right place.”

Killian stepped down from the slowly disappearing warp stone and drew his sword.

The Benjamin Family was a renowned magic family that had produced numerous Superhumans.

The level of the family's direct magic corps was comparable to Cornelia's Three-Colored Magic Order, and they operated two such units.

Yet, a magic order from such a place had been annihilated, and its commander was bound by magic, unable to move a muscle.

“Hmph. Hmph.”

Hazard, who was beside me, answered with a snort.

The levels of the monsters scattered around ranged from 1-star to 6-star.

“At a glance, it wouldn't be an understatement to call it a small wave. Isn't that right?”

Killian asked the mage hiding somewhere nearby, but no answer returned.

When I turned my head, I saw the mage who had been caught in the enemy's binding magic.

“Sir Nox.”

The commander leading one of the Benjamin Family's magic orders and its successor.

‘This situation is somewhat similar to the one with Bastoni.’

The difference from Lorenzo Bastoni was that the opponent was an existence incomparable to a Grand Ogre.

The bastard had completely suppressed his mana amidst the monsters exuding evil energy, making detection difficult.

An ordinary mage or knight would not have been able to find him.

“What business does someone of an Arch Mage's caliber have all the way out here?”

The greatsword Killian raised was aimed precisely at the mage hiding among the corpses.

Flinch.

The mage's body flinched as if startled.

To think that a guy who had supposedly achieved a state of clear and tranquil mind couldn't even hide his emotions.

“Looking again, you're too clumsy to be called an Arch Mage.”

Shing.

Killian drew his greatsword.

And.

Crack.

He cut the chains that were restraining Nox Benjamin.

“Hazard, wait here.”

“Hmph. Hmph.”

Killian chased after the mage who had started to flee.

“Carpe.”

Spreading the range wide to disrupt the mana for forming a Shik.

Crack.

When I swung Aether, sheath and all, to shatter the shield magic, the mage fainted from the impact.

Thud.

Killian threw the mage he had dragged over in front of Nox.

“An Arch Mage, so easily…… Who in the world are you…….”

“The Black Dragon Mercenary Corps.”

“A mercenary corps…….?”

“I am the commander, Agnil.”

Killian continued, looking at the dumbfounded man.

“This is Hazard, who is with me.”

“Hmph. Hmph. Hmmph.”

Nox looked up at the man completely covered in black armor.

His sheer size alone was intimidating.

“But…… are there only two of you?”

“That's right. I also have a message from Princess Sharle, so let's return to the castle quickly. I must see the head of the family.”

“Ah, I understand.”

Nox moved his feet, casting a bitter glance at the annihilated magic order.

The two mercenaries followed behind him.

***

The head of the Benjamin Family, Lecton Benjamin.

The old mage in his 50s welcomed Killian and Hazard.

“The Black Dragon Mercenary Corps? I've never heard that name before.”

From the man before him who identified himself as Agnil, he could feel an aura befitting a 7-star, and from the large man who identified himself as Hazard, he could feel a 6-star level aura.

Considering that the average small to medium-sized mercenary commander was 4-star, this was a considerable level.

The problem was the number of affiliated mercenaries, but with this level of skill, it wasn't an understatement to call them a two-man mercenary corps.

“From now on, our fame will spread.”

Killian said in a modulated, gruff voice.

“Hmm……. Is that so.”

Lecton Benjamin scanned the two mercenaries for a moment.

“If Princess Sharle sent you personally, there must be a reason.”

He soon accepted the situation as if it were nothing.

“It seems I have been inhospitable to the distinguished guests sent directly by Princess Sharle with an invisible warp stone. Please understand. We are in a state of war right now.”

“Of course. I am only grateful for the hospitality that exceeds my expectations.”

As he said, it was natural not to let one's guard down in a wartime situation.

Rather, Killian was pleased with Lecton Benjamin's attitude of not prying into the circumstances even after realizing he was using Polymorph.

‘Just as Absinthe reported. He possesses the skill and insight worthy of a 7-star Arch Mage.’

The successor, Nox Benjamin, was at the beginning of 6-stars, the current head, Lecton, was at the beginning of 7-stars.

And I had heard that the former head, Mikhail Benjamin, who had now stepped down from the position to devote himself to research, was at the intermediate level of 7-stars.

They possessed a solid military force, enough to understand why Cornelia had entrusted them with the defense of the Flask Mountain Range.

“How is the captured mage?”

“He was identified as a mage brought by the Second Prince, Isaac.”

Although the Flask Mountain Range belonged to Cornelia's territory, it was impossible to prevent infiltration completely.

‘Even so, to infiltrate enemy territory alone. Is it because of the piece, after all.’

I had confirmed Absinthe's information several times, but I had never heard of a mage among Romero's Arch Mages who used magic to command monsters.

So, as Lecton said, the captured one was likely additional forces brought by Prince Isaac.

‘To that guy, even a Superhuman seems to be a consumable to be used as bait.’

The Benjamin Family was personally interrogating the mage, holding him responsible for causing the wave.

“Did you get anything out of him?”

“He's dead.”

“…….”

“He wouldn't talk easily. So, the moment I used magic to manipulate his mind……. he exploded.”

“It seems he had a magic imprinted on him.”

“Yes. Even using the power of the Magic Tower, I couldn't stop the explosion. It might have been 8-star magic.”

‘The Master of the Black Magic Tower. Is he involved?’

He didn't say it out loud, but it seemed Lecton was thinking the same thing.

“I am ashamed that the two of you went to such trouble. For now, since we've confirmed that an enemy has infiltrated the Flask Mountain Range, I plan to request additional troops from Her Highness.”

“There's no need for that. By now, His Highness Hegel should be aware of it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Didn't I tell you? Princess Sharle sent me.”

“Does that mean you are the only additional troops?”

“That's right. Unfortunately, Cornelia is struggling to handle the battles on the front lines.”

“This is grim.”

Lecton Benjamin continued.

“With this surprise attack, the Benjamin Family has lost one magic order. We have hired five mercenary corps, but they alone cannot stop Superhuman-class and high-ranking monsters. Even if I step in myself, at this rate, we will eventually be breached someday.”

The number of monsters in the mountain range reached tens of thousands, and even if they hired additional mercenary corps, subjugation was out of the question.

“That's why I came.”

“Of course, I know you two are outstanding, but with just two of you……”

“According to my information, there are five 7-star class monsters living in the Flask Mountain Range.”

Those monsters were forming factions, fighting over the position of ruler.

‘Orchid Owl told me.’

The information she gave me also showed a shortcut to approach the places where they stayed.

‘In any case, to search for the piece of the Grotesquery, I need to reduce the number of monsters.’

To do that, it would be faster to deal with the leader-class ones who had formed factions first.

“The 7-star monsters vying for the position of ruler of the mountain range. I will hunt them all for you.”

So that something like a Monster Wave could never happen.

As if responding to the commander's words.

“Hmph~ Hmph~”

Hazard, who had been sitting still all this time, cleared his throat.

“…….”

Lecton had a confused expression.

“The mountain range is vast.”

No matter how skilled a Sword Master was, if they didn't know the way, their stamina wouldn't last.

It should be so, but.

“Please assign one person to me.”

At the knight's attitude, which did not even consider failure.

Lecton Benjamin could only nod his head quietly.

The navy blue mana reacted, and the image of Sharle Cornelia appeared before Lecton's eyes.

It was a communication magic that Sharle had set up when she had visited the Benjamin Family before.

“It's been a while, Princess.”

“Have you been well, Sir Lecton.”

Sharle, unable to hide her tired expression, replied with a faint smile.

“I was surprised that you sent someone so suddenly.”

“Given the situation, I couldn't inform you in advance. I hope you understand.”

She added that the situation on the front lines was not good because Cornelia's attacks were being repeatedly blocked due to the addition of Prince Isaac's forces.

“It would have been even more grim if His Excellency had not reached 8-stars.”

“Yes. But if my father were to step in himself, it would, in turn, be a display of weakness.”

The moment Hegel appeared on the battlefield, the enemy would do whatever it takes to exhaust his vitality.

Hunting an 8-star mage.

It was worth attempting, even if it meant paying a huge sacrifice.

“Besides, if my father steps in, the Black Duke will join the battle on their side.”

The moment an existence of 8-stars intervened, that battlefield would enter a new phase.

Now was the time to engage in a war of attrition while hiding each other's swords.

“Come to think of it, Eurasia planned its strategy well.”

In the war with Brussels, Simon Eurasia had stepped in himself and annihilated the Imperial support troops before they arrived.

It was not a choice that the king of a country, and one who could be called its greatest military power, could make.

‘But he did it.’

That was the secret to how Eurasia, which did not possess a Magic Tower, could end the war quickly.

“Commander Agnil of the Black Dragon Mercenary Corps. Is he a trustworthy man?”

“Yes.”

Sharle answered without a moment's hesitation.

“He was also the one who told me that the Flask Mountain Range had to be defended.”

Even with the information from Hennessy or Absinthe, he had pointed out the weakness with too much accuracy.

Of course, even if it wasn't Killian, Cornelia would have sent a suitable person from the direct line, but they probably wouldn't have finished it as cleanly as him.

“I hope I can repay the Count's trust.”

“And about the man who came with him, Hazard.”

“Yes.”

“I felt a familiar mana from his armor.”

“…….”

Sharle thought, as expected of a Superhuman.

“It is as the Count sees.”

“I understand. Since the Princess vouches for them, I will support them as they wish.”

At his firm trust, which asked no further questions, Sharle smiled once more.

***

“Follow me.”

Nox Benjamin took the lead in the Black Dragon Mercenary Corps' subjugation.

Just like Lorenzo Bastoni, the successors of families were well-versed in the territories and mountain ranges they were in charge of.

Meanwhile, Agnil and Hazard had already dealt with numerous monsters on their way here.

“…….”

Nox felt complicated emotions towards the two mercenaries following him.

Mercenaries usually used low and base tricks, but the man who called himself Agnil was someone who had reached the level of a Sword Master.

Personally, he was also his lifesaver.

“Is it really okay for just the three of us to travel through the mountain range like this?”

“There aren't many mages in the family who can erase their mana presence like you, Sir Nox.”

“That may be true, but…… there will be quite a few monsters positioned around the 7-star class that has formed a faction.”

“The more people there are, the greater the risk of being detected. I'll leave the small fry to Hazard and you, Sir.”

“…….”

At his excessive confidence and trust, Nox quietly moved his feet.

Before long, they were able to reach their first destination.

“Hazard, show me what you've got.”

“Hmph. Hmph.”

The large warrior stepped forward and snorted.

As befitting a place where a 7-star resided, two ogres were guarding the entrance to a huge cave.

‘I should help. No matter how strong a 6-star warrior he is…….’

As I thought that and prepared to cast a spell.

Whoosh.

Hazard threw the battle-ax he was holding.

The tough ogre's skin was torn like paper, and its head flew off.

“……!!”

“Hmph! Hmph!”

Hazard snorted and showed signs of excitement.

“Th-this is…….”

Nox's mouth fell open at the unexpected brute strength.

“I didn't tell you.”

Listening to the howling of the surviving ogre.

“Hazard's specialty is throwing.”

Killian said with a stoic expression.

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