Chapter 57

Let's admit it, the light attribute barrier is on par with me or even better. I can't afford to hold back.

I had thrown my staff to Patrick, so I picked up the sword from the ground and readied myself.

I don't know anything about swordsmanship; I swung the sword like a baseball bat, forcefully slamming it into the barrier.

"Ow, my hand is numb."

A thunderous sound like a lightning strike echoed, but the barrier was unscathed. The sword was also fine.

In that case, should I use magic? It would be proper to give him a taste of the highest-level dark magic.

"Black Hole!"

I made sure not to engulf the Duke, so I made this Black Hole a bit smaller. The black sphere, about the size of a human head, absorbed part of the thin, glowing barrier. After the Black Hole disappeared... the barrier was gone! A circular hole had opened in the barrier.

I did it, I really am a magician. They might call me a muscle head, but I'm a brainy backliner.

The Duke stared at the hole in the barrier with wide eyes.

"Impossible, it's a legendary magic item! ? Huh?"

He seemed to notice something and grunted. I followed his gaze and saw the hole gradually closing.

It had a repair function. The speed at which the barrier repaired the damaged area increased rapidly, and it was about to close completely.

The hole that was big enough for my head to fit through was now only large enough for my arm.

"Ah! Wait, wait!"

I instinctively thrust my right hand into the closing hole. I'll use brute force to pry it open. Have faith in your muscles.

The light barrier closed, disregarding my arm.

An accident occurred. The part of my arm from the elbow down, which was left inside the barrier, fell to the ground.

"Ah, using a barrier to cut like this has a certain charm, don't you think, Duke? "

"Whoa! Hey, are you okay!? Your arm! Your arm!"

The cut surface of my arm was a clean, flat plane. I've had various injuries before, but I've never seen such a clean cut. Even when a monster with a scythe-like arm cut me, the wound was much messier.

"Would it stick if I pressed it together?"

"Hey! The blood! If you lose that much blood!"

The amount of blood is a bit less on the right side of the body, isn't it? Maybe because the heart is on the left, or maybe it's just my imagination.

In the narrow barrier, the Duke kept as much distance from my arm as possible, leaning against the opposite side of the barrier.

You don't have to be so scared... Well, if he was a pervert who got excited by women's hands and tried to take my arm, that would be a problem.

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect you to be this scared. Heal."

The blood scattered around was drawn to my arm. The part of my arm that had been severed by the barrier remained as it was. Instead of healing and reattaching it, I felt a significant drain of magic power as a new hand was generated.

But I'm used to this. After activating the healing magic for a few seconds, a beautiful right arm grew back to its original state.

The only damage was that one sleeve of my clothes became a three-quarter length, giving it a funky look.

"...Are you really human? What kind of person did I end up with?"

The Duke said, covering his mouth in disgust.

I'm not being treated as a human again. But since healers are rare, it's not surprising to be mistaken for an angel.

The monsters will be taken care of by Patrick and Ryu, so all that's left is to secure the suicidal Duke.

My barrier, which was revealed to be powerless against the highest-level dark magic, can regenerate after being destroyed, but the regeneration speed is visible.

"Let's end this, Black Hole!"

I created a dark sphere to cover about half of the glowing cube. Since the Duke was leaning against the barrier, it was easy to avoid engulfing him.

After the Black Hole disappeared, about half of the barrier was missing. I turned to the Duke, and his chest began to glow brilliantly.

He was wearing a well-made suit. The amount of light visible through the high-quality fabric was surprising.

I was about to jump into the barrier but stopped in my tracks.

That instinctive judgment saved me. The barrier regenerated at a speed incomparable to before, instantly returning to its original state.

If I hadn't stopped, my upper and lower body would have been separated. That would have been dangerous.

Even with healing magic, losing an arm or a leg is manageable, but losing half my body might be too much. I've never tried it, so I don't really know.

The Duke seemed to not understand what had happened, and he took out a glowing gem from his pocket, looking puzzled. Seeing it, he smiled and said,

"I thought it was over... So, it is indeed a legendary magic item."

"Is that...?"

"Yes, the main body of the barrier magic item. It was difficult to steal."

So that gem is the barrier's true form. The power source is unknown, but it must have a limit. If I keep destroying and regenerating the barrier until then...

I could destroy the entire barrier, but the Duke would also be eliminated. It seems I have to outlast him.

While thinking of a strategy, the barrier can only defend against dark magic and physical attacks. Other attribute magic should pass through.

Once the city calms down, I can have Patrick blow the Duke away with wind.

I can duel the barrier later. Now is the time to be patient.

"It seems we're in a waiting game."

"...Don't forget, my goal is not to have you fight the monsters."

Seemingly used to the severed arm on the ground, the Duke regained his composure and smiled wickedly. He continued,

"It's enough if I can leave you with a sense of regret before I die. It might be a bit weak, but it's fine."

He took out a dagger and placed it at his throat.

"Wait, hold on a second."

If he died like that, I'd definitely have nightmares.

My left hand moved instinctively. My right hand, which had just grown back, wasn't fully functional yet.

Just before touching the barrier, I saw my extended left hand. The ring on my ring finger glowed, the same color as Patrick's eyes.

I barely pulled my hand back in time.

"Phew, that was close."

That was too close. My engagement ring almost broke. Maybe I should keep it put away normally?

This is my treasure. Every time I see it, I remember Patrick, who infused it with wind magic... Wind?

"...Thank you, Patrick."

Hillrose Duke, about to slash his throat, I pointed my left hand at him.

"Please, take care of my daughter, Eleonora. Only her, just her, I beg of you."

"It's too early to make a will. Besides, your daughter is sleeping at my house right now."

"What!? She was supposed to go to Ronald's—"

"Wind!"

In response to my words, the ring he gave me glowed green.

Suddenly, a strong wind blew.

The Duke, hit directly by the wind, stumbled and fell backward.

"Damn, farewell."

He didn't let go of the dagger he was gripping. He was struggling to stab his own throat.

He must have prioritized the dagger. That's good, he let go of the other thing he was holding.

"What I'm after is the other one."

The wind, acting on my will, created a small tornado and lifted the gem on the ground.

Sorry, barrier. I have to destroy your main body. Even a strong barrier like you can be eliminated by a Black Hole. Without the Duke, I can destroy the entire barrier, including its main body, so I win, right? Right?

Riding the magical wind, the gem flew inside the barrier. It collided with the barrier, ironically.

It hit the light barrier it had generated, and the gem shattered.

"What!?"

The barrier instantly disappeared when the main body was destroyed.

The blade was already biting into the Duke's neck, his eyes wide with shock.

I kicked off the ground and jumped in front of him, knocking the dagger away.

"Too late... it seems..."

Blood spurted from the Duke's neck. He said this with a hollow look, his mouth twisting.

"No, I made it in time. Heal."

I can regrow limbs. Healing a cut throat is incredibly easy.

The Duke's wound completely closed, and he gradually regained the life in his eyes. He seemed to regain consciousness and looked at me in surprise. Haha, praise the angel who saved your life.

"...Damn, you devil."

"Isn't that a bit harsh?"

"Hmph, you wasted your effort. The plan is already exposed, and I have rebelled against the royal family, so execution is inevitable."

"Ah, about that. Your daughter didn't go to Ronald's place but came to my house..."

"What!? Is Eleonora really there?"

In the capital, the radical nobles must be wondering why the Duke isn't at their uprising meeting. The biggest flaw in his plan might have been entrusting important documents to Eleonora.

"So, I think we can resolve this discreetly now..."

"That's... impossible! It's the role of the Duke's family, our destiny."

"For the kingdom, right? I think you've done enough."

"No, it's not. There's nothing more to say. Please take care of my daughter. She looks strong but is actually lonely, so be kind to her. She sometimes starts something crazy but gets bored quickly, so just watch over her. And..."

He had sent his son to be raised elsewhere, foreseeing the downfall of the Duke's family. I was wondering why Eleonora was different, but it seems he simply couldn't bear to part with his beloved daughter.

"If Eleonora is so important to you, why don't you stay with her?"

"Can I trust you? Is it okay?"

Listen to what people are saying.

Well, I don't want to do the same as the Duke's family, but I could take care of Eleonora.

"Sure, I guess. You won't be a noble anymore, so it's better if you can fight to some extent."

"Are you going to make my daughter an adventurer!?"

"Don't worry, I'll help her level up properly. Oh! Can I have the large monster summoning flute? I want to use it for leveling up."

"What are you planning to do to Eleonora!? She can't die, I have to protect her!"

No, I was just being kind. I was thinking that if he trusted me with his daughter, it would be a problem.

I don't understand why he's so anxious, but I'll try to think positively.

"If you don't like that, live. And meet Eleonora again. She really loves her father."

The Duke grunted and relaxed his shoulders. Thus, the turmoil he caused came to a tentative end...

"What is this presence?"

The Duke shuddered and said. Now that he mentioned it, the atmosphere of the place had changed.

"It feels nostalgic."

"No, it's more terrifying... What is that?"

He looked around and was fixated on a certain point.

In that direction, there was a knight.

A large horse, impressive armor, and a black aura. Both the horse and the knight had no heads.

"A Dullahan... it really exists."

The monster said to scatter death is the final boss of the dark dungeon. The sound of the flute can even attract monsters inside the dungeon.

Dullahans and other monsters, all powerful enemies from the deeper levels of the dungeon, began to appear. In terms of total strength, they might be stronger than the Demon King.

The Duke, overwhelmed by the dense aura of death, was paralyzed.

"Leave me behind! I need to cooperate with Ashbaton's son, it's too tough otherwise."

"It's fine."

"What are you basing that on!"

"I'll just take out the leader. Duke, find a safe place after that."

I ran towards the headless knight, ignoring the Duke's protests.

I faced the strongest class monster alone.

I felt like the face in the knight's left hand met my eyes, but since it was hidden by the helmet, I couldn't be sure.

Maybe it was just my imagination. The next moment, the horse neighed, lifting its front hooves so high that the knight was thrown off.

"Huh?"

The headless horse, having thrown off its master, started running at full speed, quickly putting distance between us.

The Dullahan picked up the dropped head and turned to me. This time, I definitely met its eyes.

We're not strangers, so I decided to at least greet it.

"It's been a while. I've been helped by you many times in the past."

Ah, it's really nostalgic. I finished my endgame leveling in the dark dungeon. I must have defeated this Dullahan countless times to reach level 99. It's a relationship that makes counting tedious.

The headless knight, facing me, turned and ran at full speed.

"Huh?"

"...Is it running away?"

The Duke, who was trembling in fear of the Dullahan, muttered. No way, a monster said to scatter death wouldn't run away...

"Hey, wait a minute."

As I chased after the knight, it increased its speed. It was running desperately... Ah, it tripped. The head it had been holding rolled away.

In the past, the Dullahan had become more agile, making it difficult to land attacks. Maybe it was trying to run away desperately.

I felt a bit sorry for it, but I couldn't let a monster that even Patrick would struggle with loose.

I cast a spell at the Dullahan, who was frantically searching for its head.

"See, it was fine, right? Ah!"

As I finished the final blow and turned around, the Duke was being attacked by multiple monsters. I had forgotten, the monsters that appeared weren't just the Dullahan.

The words the Duke said earlier echoed in my mind. My abilities are completely unsuited for defense.

Chasing the Dullahan had put a significant distance between us. I could use long-range attacks, but I might hit the Duke. I couldn't reach him in time even if I ran now.

I could only watch as the swarm of monsters descended on the Duke.

That day, the instigator of the turmoil, the Duke of Hillrose, died.

(Addendum) The last sentence got more reaction than I expected. Next time, the epilogue will have a good ending, everything will be fine.