Chapter 35

In the vicinity of Alta, the capital of the Republic of Elise, the news that a nest of poison dragons had been found quickly spread among the citizens. However, surprisingly, there was little chaos. Poison dragons are mid-level among the celestial dragons, and their extermination requires a magic knight of D rank or higher.

If a powerful individual were to make a nest, it would normally cause widespread panic. However, the church announced the dispatch of the Holy Knights. With S-rank Holy Knight Selster Altrain already in Alta, there was excess combat power. Therefore, it was possible to dispatch the Holy Knights from the Alta Cathedral.

Upon learning this, the citizens felt reassured. The parade held at the time of departure was also a factor in their reassurance.

"Boss, the information seems to be correct."

"Is there no Sealed Holy Knight?"

"No, I can't confirm it."

"Good... then we'll continue with the plan."

"Understood, Boss."

The boss of the dark organization, Kusa, smiled quietly. His predecessor had been killed by the Holy Knights' purge, and their organization had long harbored a grudge against the church. This was a perfect opportunity for revenge.

At first, he was wary of S-rank Holy Knight Selster, but it was announced that he would remain in Alta to reassure the citizens. The church's statement was that the top combat power would stay behind.

"Fools. Combat power is only right when used. Unused money is just paper. Isn't that right?"

"Indeed, Boss."

The boss of Kusa laughed through his nose, seeking agreement from his subordinate. The subordinate, who seemed to share the same thoughts, nodded with a smirk.

Indeed, even with a mid-level individual, it is standard to send a large combat force to the front line. It would be fine to conserve strength if the enemy were human, but this time the enemy was a monster. There was no need to conserve strength. Rather, it was correct to crush them with the top combat power.

That's why the boss and his subordinate laughed through their noses.

"How is the setup?"

"It's already perfect. This is the revenge we wished for. Our subordinates are also pumped up."

"Kukuku, excellent."

"The number of Holy Knights who came out is thirty. Our combat power consists of fifty magic knights from C rank to A rank. Moreover, we will strike them when they are exhausted from the battle with the poison dragons, so we can definitely win."

The subordinate, with a relaxed expression, nodded in agreement with the boss. Unbeknownst to them, this was a trap set by the church, and the Red Claw was also planning to intervene. The two of them toasted with wine in a glass in a room on the top floor of a building facing the main street.

◆◆◆

A small forest some distance from Alta. There, the nest of the poison dragons was located. Thirty Holy Knights had already deployed their magic armor and were approaching the nest, concealing their presence.

Furthermore, a large group was observing them from a great distance.

"Keke... how is it?"

"Just as expected, they are heading towards the nest."

"Fools, keke."

The A-rank magic knight Goldy, who was in charge of the Kusa magic knights, had a character issue, so he usually had an assistant. The assistant, who could perceive from a distance, was observing the Holy Knights and waiting for them to become exhausted.

"It seems the battle is about to start."

"Is that so?"

"A magic array is being deployed. Probably a high-level magic."

At the moment the assistant said this, an explosion echoed from a distance. It was likely the seventh-tier fire attribute magic "Great Explosion." This magic causes a wide-area explosion, and there are surprisingly few Holy Knights who can cast it. Magic is generally considered a high-level skill, using mana to forcibly alter the world, with imagery being crucial. Precisely, human thoughts are projected into the world through mana, which are particles of will, and manifest as magic. The magic array deployed during the casting process is a human thought made understandable to the world. The larger the magic, the more incredible the thought and speed required. Incantations are used to compensate for this, and as they develop, the process becomes easier. However, at the current stage, being able to use high-level magic is equivalent to being a genius.

"Ke! The church guys have it good, don't they? They can use the latest magic."

"All magic researchers are required to submit their work. Though, it's limited to registered magic researchers."

Magic researchers are also scholars. They study magic to make it easier to cast, improve existing magic, and make it more manageable. In the Holy Grinia and its vassal states, magic researchers are required to submit their work. Therefore, it is significant for underground organizations to study magic. By doing so, they can acquire great power. The world of magic still has much to explore. Higher than high-level magic, there are extreme magic, tactical magic, and strategic magic, which are more powerful than mediocre magic knights. Magic research is essential for war. In this sense, the Holy Grinia, which consolidates magic research, is efficient.

"Oh, oh? There are only eight poison dragons left."

"Thanks to that high-level magic, I guess?"

"Seems so. But, did the poison dragons notice it?"

"Kekeke! The poison dragons are flying!"

In the distance, eight poison dragons were flying, spewing purple flames. These flame projectiles contained poison, which spread into the air upon explosion. Therefore, the ability to control wind is essential to defeat poison dragons. Alternatively, the ability to defeat them from a distance is necessary.

"Get ready. Set up the encirclement."

"Understood, Mr. Goldy."

"Kekekekeke. The feast begins! Hey, you guys!"

"Oooooo!"

A small cheer rose, and the Kusa magic knights deployed their magic armor. They were about to avenge their former boss. They had nothing else on their minds. They never suspected that they were being watched.

◆◆◆

In a place quite far away, Shu and Iris were observing everything. They were standing on a thick branch of a large tree. The Holy Knights battling the poison dragons, the dark organization Kusa forming an encirclement around them, the dark organization Red Claw observing from another location, and the dark organization Yorenka trying to observe from a high vantage point while masking their scent and mana reactions. The stage was set.

"Who would have thought 'Hawk Eye' would go this far."

"Amazing, isn't it?"

This chaotic situation was likely the reason the four forces continued to fight without fleeing. With so many magic knights present, some in the dark organizations must have noticed the various mana presences around them. However, the chaos was so intense that there was no room for doubt. They even mistook the mana of enemy dark organizations for their own units.

"If this is all due to the information provided by one person, it's terrifying. In a way, he's scarier than 'Death.'"

"Indeed."

Shu, who was also being lured by money, couldn't say much. 'Hawk Eye' was manipulating these organizations. In the worst case, Shu and his companions might also be deceived or have important information hidden from them. That's why they were observing from a distance where their mana perception couldn't reach.

"Still, it's mysterious. Why can you see far with a circular water lens?"

"The refractive index of air and water is different. By utilizing this, you can view distant scenes. Normally, this is done with glass, but using two lenses skillfully can achieve this. It's an application of water manipulation and movement magic."

"I don't understand at all."

"Probably not."

Precisely, the focus is adjusted using vibration magic to control light. However, Iris wouldn't understand, so Shu didn't bother explaining.

"Kusa has already completed the encirclement. Red Claw is to the southeast, Yorenka to the east, and we are to the north. There might be other organizations as well."

"Can't you sense them, Shu?"

"Well, there's a magic to deal with the worst-case scenario. It should be fine."

Shu's death magic has various applications. It's not just the power to kill living beings but to completely drain energy, including mana.

"Are you not going to use that black magic?"

"Are you talking about 'Gluttonous Black Crystal'? No way. We'll get caught in it too."

"True."

"If I use anything, it will be 'Void Slash Domain.' Thanks to my evolution into a primordial magic spirit, my control has improved, and the range has expanded, making it easier to use."

However, Shu had no intention of fighting. If he were to show his power, it would be after the Holy Knights' ace, Selster, appeared. The plan was to lure Kusa, Red Claw, and Yorenka and have Selster, the S-rank Holy Knight, eliminate them all. This was the most crucial part of the operation. Shu's target was only Selster. He had no interest in the other dark organizations. Therefore, he would leave the three-way battle between the Holy Knights and the three dark organizations to Iris.

"Use the eighth-tier wind magic 'Great Discharge.' You haven't used it in a real battle yet, right?"

"That one? Hmm... I might fail."

"That's fine. This is an experiment. Besides, I'll help to expand the scale. There won't be any failure."

The eighth-tier magic, known as extreme magic, is 'Great Discharge,' which generates high-power electricity over a wide area. Shu planned to assist Iris by manipulating electrons to expand the effect range.

"Is it time?"

Shu focused his gaze on the distance, adjusting the water lens. The focus was clear, and he could see the Kusa members attacking the Holy Knights. The poison dragons were already exhausted, with a large amount of blood flowing. Shifting his view to another location, he saw Red Claw looking for an opportunity, and Yorenka looking for a larger opportunity from a higher vantage point.

"The chaos is about to begin. Iris, start the incantation."

"Understood."

Iris, following Shu's instructions, began the incantation of 'Great Discharge,' which she had never used in a real battle. A blue-white magic array appeared above her head, gradually becoming more complex and forming a large pattern. However, extreme magic takes time to cast. During this period, Shu prepared the decomposition magic with his right hand, extracting electrons from molecular bonds to assist Iris. A blue-white magic array appeared from the tip of his right hand.

"Iris, stay calm. Electricity is generated by electrons. Lightning is not an incomprehensible phenomenon. Imagine electrons running rampant and ravaging space."

"..."

"The incantation has meaning. Feel it, imagine it, and carry it in your thoughts."

Mana is a conduit, a pipe for carrying thoughts. It is also a form of energy, so it must be shaped according to the magic. Iris was concentrating on this.

(Still...)

Shu, using the water magic for long-distance viewing, searched for a certain person amidst the chaos.

(Selster Altrain is nowhere to be seen. According to the plan, he must appear. Where is he hiding? Even if it's a perception barrier, it's too strong.)

Shu felt suspicious about the invisible S-rank Holy Knight.