Chapter 84

Chapter 85 - The Marquess Family's Magic Genius (85/324)

85

Rumton.

His eyes were filled with confusion.

This was because an unexpected scene unfolded before him.

After announcing the successor.

He had been quietly watching Adolph, who hadn't moved at all, wondering if he had been shocked.

Could it be that he was truly shocked, as Kyle had said?

The marquess's eyes were filled with worry as he looked at him.

However, what happened next completely surpassed his expectations.

Adolph.

The boy emitted a power that felt overwhelmingly evil and charged at him.

Bang!

A chill ran down the marquess's back as he blocked Adolph's sword.

'What is this?'

Adolph.

Compared to his publicly known Expert Advanced level, the movements of his second son now could be considered on par with a Sword Master.

The black aura flowing from his sword was on par with his own.

If he hadn't focused on the boy.

And if he hadn't flinched for a moment when the boy charged.

He would have certainly received a fatal blow this time.

It was such a stealthy, swift, and unexpected ambush.

The marquess's expression hardened as he blocked Adolph's sword.

While the marquess had been paying attention to him, he wasn't hostile or on guard.

He had calculated that if he launched an ambush the moment he released his power, he could deal a fatal blow, so he had lunged.

The first ambush.

He had been certain this attack would succeed!

But the ambush failed.

'Damn it!'

Just before he rushed at Rumton.

He was slightly off-balance due to a sudden force pressing down on the space. This resulted in the current situation where the two swords clashed.

'Who is this?'

He hadn't fully released his power yet.

But he was definitely much stronger than before.

Strong enough to challenge a Sword Master.

To restrain his body like this?

The magic that pressed down on him had at least 5th Circle power.

The caster was undoubtedly a High Mage.

The magic came at a perfect timing, creating an unexpected variable.

He didn't even have time to see where the magic came from.

Sword Master.

He had already drawn his sword against one of the three monsters in the continent.

Although he seemed flustered by the sudden attack and hadn't counterattacked yet, it would only be a matter of time.

So he needed to gain the upper hand now.

Before it was too late.

There was no hesitation.

Bang!

Adolph began swinging his sword without a word.

The marquess, who was momentarily flustered, slowly began to parry the attacks after regaining his composure.

"Father! I'll help you!"

Abel, who had been kneeling, rushed at Adolph.

Gritting his teeth, Adolph began to block the attacks from both of them. Even with his power released, it was difficult to withstand the combined assault of a Sword Master and a higher-level knight.

'Damn it.'

The evil power.

When he made the contract, he was told about the consequences of abusing this power.

The more he indulged in it, the more his mind would deteriorate.

Eventually, his soul would be taken.

But now, he had no other choice.

It wasn't the time to hold back.

Soon, a dark aura began to rise more intensely from his body.

On the dais.

The three knights began to exchange sword strikes.

* * * * *

The chaos wasn't limited to the dais.

As Adolph released his power, the knights who followed him began to emit a continuous stream of evil energy.

Scream!

Choke!

Eleven High Knights.

As they began to rampage, Abel's knights fell helplessly.

The inner castle was a battlefield.

Swish!

Leonhardt and Saron drew their swords and positioned themselves near me. Ersiel also began preparing for battle.

A white spirit was already perched on her shoulder.

"…Young Master, you must not leave my side."

"Understood."

Due to the sudden bloodshed, Duke's face was filled with confusion as he looked around.

"…What the hell is going on…?"

"Can't you see? It's a rebellion."

"…A rebellion?"

"He probably didn't want to give up the position of successor. Anyway, stay close to me. It's dangerous if you get separated."

Perhaps due to my calm tone, Duke seemed to regain his composure and nodded heavily.

"…Understood. I'll help too."

Duke and his bodyguard, Ermern, also drew their swords.

The support magic I cast began to affect the prepared party.

Haste.

Mental Cleansing.

Sharpness.

Stone Skin.

And the Enchant magic I had recently learned.

All of these were powerful spells that could be cast using a mixed activation method.

Ermern and Duke's eyes widened in surprise as they received the buff spells.

"Are you, by any chance, a 2nd Circle mage?"

Sharpness, Stone Skin, and Enchant were well-known 2nd Circle spells.

They seemed to have recognized them immediately.

"Yep."

Their faces showed surprise at my answer.

I would have preferred to keep it a secret, but in the current situation, holding back would be the most foolish choice.

If I hesitated, I might end up in a worse situation. Now was the time to unleash my magic and seize the upper hand.

The three spells I cast at Adolph.

And the various buffs I cast on the five people.

My head was spinning from the effort.

'Ugh…'

At that moment.

A white light enveloped my body.

My head felt much clearer.

It seems my spirit has grown to be useful on its own.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome, Young Master."

"Let's clear the castle first. Everyone, don't get separated."

"Understood!"

Roar!

"Rebels! Kill them all!"

"For Lord Adolph!"

"Roar!"

In all directions, the forces under Abel and Adolph clashed, blood splattering everywhere.

The knights on Adolph's side had a clear advantage in power.

They were continuously emitting evil energy.

However, variables began to appear gradually.

"You bastards! Blinded by power, you've gone mad! I, Craft, will deal with you!"

"Come at me, Malon!"

"Jacob is here too!"

The three Expert Supreme Knights, the only ones in the vast marquess family.

They shouted loudly as they cut down Adolph's minions.

No matter how much power they released, the mere lower and middle-level knights couldn't stand against them.

Just as the eleven High Knights under Adolph had easily cut down Abel's knights, these three old knights began to slaughter the knights as well.

They were shadow-like knights who only pledged loyalty to the marquess, not supporting either of the two successors.

But now, the enemy was clear.

So they had drawn their swords.

The three Supreme Knights were raging like mad.

"I'll kill you, you bastard!"

Nine of the eleven High Knights charged at the three.

Bang!

Three swords enveloped in dark aura.

Their swords clashed with the yellow-aura swords, swinging wildly.

'They're strong.'

Jacob, Malon, Craft.

These three knights were excellent old knights who had reached the Supreme level and were already seasoned.

Though they hadn't reached Sword Master, they were monsters who could easily handle about ten High Knights each.

Despite this, they couldn't easily shake off the three High Knights who had latched onto them.

To be precise,

'They're being pushed back.'

With such overwhelming power, they had drawn their swords.

The three old knights, who were supposed to be variables, were being held back by the nine High Knights, and the situation was gradually turning unfavorable.

There were still two High Knights left, who were rampaging freely.

It was difficult to expect help.

The regular knights, who had an overwhelming advantage, were handling three people each.

The High Knights on Abel's side were also being swarmed by the middle-level knights who had released their power.

The only ones with any leeway were me and my party.

To be precise, it was more of a comfortable situation.

I could see the knights under Adolph's command passing by, glancing at my face.

They seemed to have received separate orders.

'Thank you.'

Thanks to this, I could quietly approach the three old knights.

When I had closed the distance by about half,

Cough!

A knight who had easily cut down one of Abel's knights walked towards me. It was one of Adolph's loyal henchmen, Lord Lewis.

Perhaps because he was a High Knight, the dark aura emanating from his body was very strong.

I subtly touched his hand as Leonhardt was about to draw his sword.

It didn't seem like he was approaching to kill me.

He soon bowed his head slightly.

"Fourth Prince, please come with me."

I needed to play along a bit.

A look of confusion naturally appeared on my face.

"…Lord Lewis. What is going on…?"

"…I'll explain later. One thing is certain: Lord Adolph is not your enemy. He has specifically instructed me to protect you."

Ah, I see.

It seems they plan to take me out of this battlefield.

"…Is that so?"

"Yes. Everything is for a better marquess family."

"…I understand. Where will I be going?"

"Let's go to the annex first. Once everything is over, Lord Adolph will fulfill all the promises he made to you."

I nodded quietly.

"…I understand. But… I hope you keep your promises. I didn't expect my second brother to act so aggressively…"

"…You don't need to worry about that. Follow me."

"Understood."

As the lord turned his head towards the castle gate,

"Kill him."

I mouthed the words, and Leonhardt and Ermern simultaneously charged at him.

Bang!

Their swords clashed with his.

The lord, who had blocked their attacks, glared at me quietly.

"…Fourth Prince, are you going to betray Lord Adolph's trust?"

Of course, I intended to betray him.

If I followed him to the annex, I might be safe for now.

'But the future is the problem.'

If his rebellion succeeded?

From then on, it would be his world.

The saying that you're different when you enter and leave the bathroom isn't just a saying.

What would he do after that?

Even if he tried to forcibly inject power, I wouldn't be able to resist.

So the answer was to side with the marquess here.

I smiled and looked at Lord Lewis.

"Would I follow a traitor like you?"

"…I tried to do this nicely… Now you're making a mistake. Kill everyone except the Fourth Prince!"

At Lord Lewis's command, the knights around us began to approach.

'One middle-level knight. Four lower-level knights.'

Fortunately, some of Abel's knights were still around, so they didn't swarm us.

With the remaining party, we could handle this.

Leonhardt and Ermern were both High Knights.

With the buffs from me and Ersiel, they wouldn't fall helplessly to Lewis.

Especially Leonhardt.

It was time to block the approaching knights of Adolph.

"Brother."

"What?"

"Block the incoming ones well. I'll help. Saron, be careful too."

"…Understood."

The remaining members were Duke, Saron, and Ersiel.

But that didn't matter.

I had practiced countless spells for situations like this.

I was brimming with confidence.

"Kill them!"

Five knights charged at us with great force.

With a mixed activation method, I couldn't block the five knights who had released their power.

Perhaps if they were all lower-level, but with a middle-level knight among them, it was even more difficult.

It was time to use the game's activation method.

'I need to squeeze out all the remaining mana.'

The decision was swift.

The mana in the circle was rapidly drained, and a spell began to activate on my hand.

Ice Fog.

A spell that creates a fog filled with cold.

The frosty fog rose towards the approaching knights.