Chapter 65

The Thirteenth Wind Staircase: Ground Annihilation Wind Pressure.

It is a great magic that manipulates the weather, sending fierce winds down to the earth. The strong wind can instantly destroy buildings, and those who are directly hit will die instantly. Even if they manage to survive, the wind is so strong that it causes breathing difficulties, eventually leading to suffocation.

Such is this magic.

It is said that a single activation can kill over ten thousand people, a magic like a disaster.

"Is this the forbidden spell book?"

"Yes, I received it as a reward from Reinvold. You should learn it."

"It's crazy!?"

The magic called a forbidden spell is not only difficult to master but also requires an enormous amount of magic power to activate. With Iris's current level, she cannot activate it alone. It's impossible for her to learn it.

However, Shu told her to learn it.

"It doesn't have to be right away. But you should be able to use it alone eventually."

"Hmm. If it's eventually..."

"Well, you'll use it soon."

"..."

In other words, Shu and Iris will use the magic together. With Iris as the main focus, Shu will deploy the magic array to assist in the activation. Shu, who has analyzed the magic array, can form the necessary magic symbols and create the magic array.

Shu, who has already read the magic book, has completed the analysis of the structure of the Thirteenth Wind Staircase: Ground Annihilation Wind Pressure. If he is not afraid of the consumption of magic power, Shu can also use this forbidden spell.

However, since he can use the even more powerful divine spell: Gluttonous Black Crystal, it is not particularly appealing to Shu.

"This magic book is the reward for the destruction of the Elda fortress. Since we have it, let's use magic to destroy the fortress. If the experiment fails, I'll do it myself."

"..."

Shu, as the 'Reaper,' has developed a certain pride from doing his job multiple times. If he receives a reward, he will finish the job as soon as possible. This is Shu's creed.

"We'll set out tonight."

"I'm going too?"

"We'll use the forbidden spell immediately. It's a test run."

It can destroy the world situation.

A monster that can use such a forbidden spell as if it were a game has been unleashed.

◆◆◆

Elda Fortress.

This important military stronghold is fortified to defend against all invasions. If attacked, reinforcements will be sent immediately, and it has enough supplies for a prolonged siege.

"Hmm... It's so boring. What do you do on vacation?"

"Can't you just rest?"

Elina and Yurii of the Reinvold team were currently on leave. The Reinvold team, consisting only of S-rank magic armors, always has missions and rarely gets a break.

So, the team leader, Ruto, decided to let the team members take turns on leave.

In other words, S-rank magic armors have the power to change the battle situation alone, so it's not necessary for all six members of the Reinvold team to go on a mission at once.

Today is a day off for 'Infinite' Elina and 'Anti-Mirror' Yurii.

"Still, it's a strange story. Being on duty while in the Elda fortress..."

"It's practically a vacation since battles rarely happen, right?"

"Well, we get paid, so there's no complaint. We get money just for resting."

In reality, it wasn't a true vacation. The deployment to the Elda fortress was practically a vacation, but it was still technically a mission.

Even the brave revolutionary army would not send troops to this Elda fortress.

Everyone thought so, and it was indeed the case.

After all, this place is a military secret of the Subarokia Empire. Civilians can never approach it, and it's impossible to infiltrate by disguising as merchants.

In other words, only allies can visit.

For S-rank magic armors whose job is combat, there was nothing to do.

"Why don't you go to the roof of the fortress and keep watch, Yurii?"

"Why should I?"

"You have a magic armor that can reflect magic, so why not participate in the defense?"

"No way. It's too troublesome."

The power of magic armors is great, but in terms of versatility, magic is more useful. Multiple people can activate magic simultaneously to change the battle situation. Strategic-level magic is an example.

Yurii's magic armor, which can reflect all magic, is terrifying.

Magic that is supposed to change the battle situation ends up making it worse.

Furthermore, Yurii's magic armor can reflect even projectile attacks.

In a battle to defend a stronghold, Yurii's magic armor is one of the most useful.

"By now... the team leader and the others must have reached the east, right?"

"I think the battle has already started. I bet Ike is going wild again."

"No one can attack Ike, who is wrapped in flames."

"True. And with Team Leader Ruto's magic armor, he's invincible."

"Indeed..."

'Ice Dragon' Ike, like his father 'Inferno' Schmidt Aliur, was granted a fire magic armor. Unlike his father, who burned everything in a wide area with hellfire, Ike rampages while wrapped in flames. The flames burn everything, and the dragon's claws can melt armor.

He has even defeated hundreds of revolutionary army soldiers alone.

However, Team Leader Ruto surpasses him by far.

As an awakened magic armor, she can create a black hole with supergravity, burying tens of thousands of revolutionary army soldiers at once. Now, Ruto's appearance is a symbol of fear in the revolutionary army.

In other words, worrying is a big mistake.

What should be worried about is how to spend this free time.

"It's really boring..."

Elina muttered while looking out the window.

She didn't realize that this boredom would disappear by tonight.

◆◆◆

More than ten kilometers above the Elda fortress, Shu and Iris stood, deploying a magic array. Shu was using a far-seeing magic to observe the Elda fortress.

It was a moonless night, and the only light came from the stars.

"Have you confirmed the coordinates? Start the incantation."

"Right!"

The goal this time is to destroy the Elda fortress with a forbidden spell.

Even a strong fortress can be destroyed with a single blow of a forbidden spell. The Elda fortress is one of the largest fortresses in the Subarokia Empire, said to withstand even strategic-level magic. To destroy it, a forbidden spell was necessary.

Iris began the incantation of the Thirteenth Wind Staircase: Ground Annihilation Wind Pressure, which she learned from the magic book.

As she chanted, a blue-white magic array began to form in the sky.

(Now, I'll assist.)

Shu extended his hand, dividing his magic power and constructing the magic array.

(Molecular control movement magic, temperature control vibration magic, and then acceleration and deceleration magic. The combination of these...)

In the starlit night, a giant magic array overlapped.

The magic array gradually grew larger, with countless circles and symbols combining to form a complex structure. As a forbidden spell, the command to the world is enormous, resulting in a very complex and large magic array.

The size of the magic array is equivalent to the effect range of the Thirteenth Wind Staircase: Ground Annihilation Wind Pressure.

In other words, a range of over ten kilometers in diameter is covered by the magic array.

"Damn... It's really difficult. Controlling the flow is so troublesome..."

A downburst, a natural phenomenon, occurs when extremely rare weather conditions align. To intentionally create one, very complex and precise control is required.

As the conditions gradually aligned, clouds began to swirl in the sky.

Turbulent air currents formed, intertwining in complex patterns, and strong winds blew even where Shu and Iris stood.

(Adjusting the pressure is difficult... One mistake and it will just be a strong wind. I need to increase the pressure to the limit and make all the air currents descend at once!)

Shu is a monster, an ancient magic spirit. As the pinnacle of spirit-type monsters, his thinking ability is highly evolved. His computational ability and magic power control are top-notch.

Iris is also a first-class wind magic user, capable of successfully activating tactical-level magic.

Her magic armor, which grants immortality, is not very useful these days, but she has always honed her magic skills.

Even though it's a forbidden spell she's using for the first time, she won't fail for Shu.

"The control is perfect! The coordinates are as expected... though, with the range of a forbidden spell, it doesn't matter."

"The incantation is complete!"

Iris spoke to the world through her incantation, creating the framework of the magic.

Shu constructed the magic with his own magic power, reinforcing Iris.

The Eighth Wind Staircase: Great Discharge and the Ninth Wind Staircase: Ruthless Void were also magic they activated together. They are already familiar with it.

Although the scale is much larger than before, Shu, who can control the divine spell: Gluttonous Black Crystal, has no room for error.

"Release it!"

"Right! Ground Annihilation Wind Pressure!"

On this day, one of the forbidden spells was unleashed.

◆◆◆

The deployment of the giant magic array could be observed from the Elda fortress. After all, the Elda fortress is the center of the super-giant magic array. It's natural that it could be seen.

No one had ever seen such a magic array.

No one could fail to be terrified by the giant magic array that covered the night sky.

"Impossible!"

The commander of the Elda fortress was in a state of shock and fear.

He was a capable man entrusted with the Elda fortress by the emperor, with mediocre magic armor and magic skills but excellent command and response abilities. Even so, he had no idea how to deal with this powerful magic array.

However, he was lucky.

"Right now, Lady Yurii should be in the fortress. We can only ask her to reflect the magic."

"Commander! I'll contact her immediately!"

"Thank you!"

The fortress is huge, and there are communication soldiers to relay orders. One of them ran to the room where the S-rank magic armor 'Anti-Mirror' Yurii was resting.

The magic array was gradually completing, and the soldier was terrified as he watched it from the window of the fortress.

When would it complete?

He didn't know, and now he ran with all his might.

The communication soldier had no choice but to run as fast as he could to Yurii's room.

He ran through familiar corridors and arrived at Yurii's room. He knocked on the door loudly.

"Lady Yurii! Hurry—"

"Reflect it! I understand!"

Yurii interrupted the communication soldier and appeared at the door.

She sensed the powerful magic and saw the giant magic array through the window, which covered the sky and was impossible to grasp in its entirety.

Yurii immediately realized it was her turn to act.

"I'll hurry to the roof! Guide me—"

"Leave it to me."

"—! Elina! Please!"

The one who appeared outside the window was the S-rank magic armor 'Infinite' Elina. She can materialize and control chains with her magic. Using this ability, Elina was flying through the air on a chain.

Running through the fortress to the roof would take too long, so Elina proposed to take Yurii to the roof using the chain.

Yurii immediately leaned out of the window and grabbed Elina's chain, which wrapped around to prevent her from falling.

"Let's go!"

Elina controlled the chain and shot up into the sky. During this time, Yurii deployed her magic armor and created a large number of mirrors to reflect magic attacks.

They quickly reached the roof of the Elda fortress, and Yurii descended.

Several imperial soldiers were already looking up at the sky, panicking.

They cheered when they saw Yurii, who could reflect magic.

"We're saved!"

"With Lady Yurii's magic armor..."

"Ah, that's a relief."

"I've never seen such a magic array."

"What kind of magic will be activated?"

"Haha! We'll know once it's reflected!"

Some were regaining their composure and making jokes.

The magic array was gradually completing, and activation was imminent. Yurii prepared by creating a massive number of mirrors to cover the entire Elda fortress.

This was the first time Yurii had deployed so many mirrors, and her magic power was rapidly depleting.

Still, she might not be able to reflect the entire super-giant magic array that covered the surrounding area.

She had such concerns.

"You're okay, Yurii!"

"Elina..."

"Yurii's magic armor can reflect any magic. I don't know who the fool is who cast this magic, but we'll show them the power of the Reinvold team!"

"Yes! I'll handle it!"

This attack from the magic array would be the enemy's maximum attack. If they could withstand it, they could trace the magic power to find and defeat the caster.

Yurii no longer doubted herself.

She used all her magic power to continue deploying mirrors.

"This is... my full power!"

The number of mirrors exceeded a thousand.

They covered the Elda fortress and its surroundings, casting a giant shadow on the ground and blocking the blue-white light of the magic array. Everyone in the fortress believed in Yurii.

And then, it activated.

The Thirteenth Wind Staircase: Ground Annihilation Wind Pressure.

Fierce winds blew down from the giant cumulonimbus clouds created by the magic. The forbidden spell, enhanced by the magic, was far more powerful than a natural downburst.

The fierce wind hit Yurii's mirrors directly.