Chapter 66

The forbidden spell *Earth Annihilation Wind Pressure* and the magic reflection armor collide.

Unlike a natural downburst, the forbidden spell *Earth Annihilation Wind Pressure* involves wind spiraling down from cumulonimbus clouds. It would be more accurate to describe it as a mass of swirling air falling rather than blowing down.

“Ugh...”

Yuri, who activated the magic reflection mirror, poured all her magic power into it.

A forbidden spell requires an enormous amount of magic power. Reflecting Iris's forbidden spell, which was empowered by Shu's catastrophic-level monster magic, was no easy task. Moreover, this forbidden spell could be considered a natural phenomenon induced by magic.

The magic circle adjusts the weather conditions to trigger a natural downburst.

Then, the downburst is further enhanced and altered by magic.

This is the primary function of the magic circle.

Yuri's mirror, which reflects magic, cannot reflect a natural phenomenon. In other words, a complete reflection is impossible.

“Yuri! Hang in there!”

“Please, Lady Yuri!”

“Go!”

“Show us the power of an S-rank Armored Mage!”

The imperial soldiers on the roof of Elda Fortress, including her colleague Elina, were all cheering for Yuri.

However, *Earth Annihilation Wind Pressure* is not the only forbidden spell that utilizes natural phenomena. It manipulates air currents and pressure to summon cumulonimbus clouds, creating the conditions for a downburst.

The swirling air bomb destroys Yuri's mirror.

The thousands of mirrors she had deployed gradually shatter.

“No...”

Yuri's magic armor unconditionally reflects magic.

Even if the magic was released from a massive magic circle that covered the sky, it should have been reflected. However, this was Yuri's first time seeing a forbidden spell and attempting to reflect it.

Yuri didn't know that a forbidden spell is a large-scale magic that utilizes natural phenomena.

After all, forbidden spells are state secrets, and even S-rank Armored Mages cannot access them.

Yuri had no way of knowing the secrets of forbidden spells.

Moreover, a catastrophic-level monster was assisting in the activation. It was impossible for a single S-rank Armored Mage to counter it.

*Crack...*

An unpleasant sound accompanied the shattering of all the mirrors.

“Everyone, take cover—”

Yuri gave up on maintaining her magic armor and shouted.

The mirrors shattered, and a powerful wind vortex pierced through Elda Fortress.

◆◆◆

The area where Elda Fortress once stood was radiantly destroyed, left in ruins.

Trees were flattened, and debris from somewhere had turned the roads into a miserable state.

“Wow, that’s impressive.”

“Forbidden spells are amazing, indeed.”

The forbidden spell, which can annihilate at least a few kilometers in radius, resulted from the swirling wind gouging the ground.

Shu and Iris, observing from a distance, casually commented.

“So, the fortress is destroyed. It was more powerful than I thought.”

A natural downburst wouldn't cause such extensive damage. The enhanced magic is what gave it this power. The deployment of a forbidden spell from the Thirteenth Tier hasn't been recorded since ancient times. It was recreated tonight.

This will likely become a historic event.

And the 'Reaper' will be rumored to control even forbidden spells in the underground world.

“The fortress and the roads leading to it are destroyed, as requested by the revolutionaries.”

“Yes, indeed.”

The mission to destroy Elda Fortress and its surroundings was completed.

Iris had used almost all her magic power and was exhausted. Magic power is directly linked to one's life force, and overuse can lead to death. The only way to recover is to eat well and rest.

Except for Awakened Armored Mages, magic power does not automatically regenerate.

“Now I have a better feel for forbidden spells. I've also confirmed the usefulness of utilizing natural phenomena.”

It's difficult to generate immense power with magic alone. Even a monster like Shu, with disaster-level magic power, would have to be prepared to vanish by using all its magic.

That's why natural phenomena are utilized.

For example, the Grand Magic *Gluttony Black Crystal* generates antimatter and extracts energy from mass through annihilation reactions. In other words, it triggers large-scale natural phenomena through magic.

“Let's go, Iris.”

“Yes, indeed.”

Leaving behind the gruesome scene, the two disappeared.

Naturally, there was not a single survivor.

◆◆◆

The magic circle deployed for the forbidden spell was visible from a distance.

The revolutionary army and the imperial army, engaged in fierce battles to the east of Elda Fortress, clearly recognized the massive magic circle. Due to the night, both forces were resting in their camps.

It was then that they saw the magic circle, which outshone the stars.

“What the—!”

Leaping out of the tent was Reiven Team's 'Flame Dragon' Ike.

He had been resting after a battle with the revolutionary army. However, the strong wind made the tent sway, and the sentries outside were in an uproar over the magic circle.

Woken up by this, Ike rushed out to see what was happening.

“Ike-sama! A magic circle that covers the sky is...”

“Elda Fortress!?”

Ike knew that Elina and Yuri, his comrades, were at that fortress. He grabbed the soldier who reported to him and asked in return.

“The fortress! Is Elina and Yuri safe!?”

“Huh? Who are they?”

“They are two members of the Reiven Team, S-rank Armored Mages!”

“Elina, Yuri... Could they be the 'Infinite' and 'Reflection' Armored Mages!?”

“Yes. Haven't you heard?”

However, it was unreasonable. The massive magic circle had just been activated.

“I'm sorry, but we haven't received any news yet...”

“Damn...”

Ike's hand tightened involuntarily.

The soldier, who had been grabbed by the collar, screamed.

At that moment, someone grabbed Ike's hand to stop him.

“Stop it, Ike. It's not his fault.”

“Captain... I'm sorry.”

Ike calmed down and released his grip.

Mithra 'Mystic Eye' and Sadina 'Sky' also appeared. Captain Ruto, looking worried, gazed westward with a stern expression.

“Let's hurry back.”

“Is that okay, Captain?”

“Ike. We are an independent unit. We can act freely if something happens. Of course, we need to inform the commander.”

In other words, Ruto was also worried about her comrades.

Moreover, the Reiven Team was originally formed to kill the 'Reaper.' Fighting on the battlefield was a deviation from their original mission.

“Can you inform the commander? We are heading to Elda Fortress to investigate that magic circle.”

“Yes, understood!”

Ike entrusted the soldier with the message, and Ruto started walking.

“I will use gravity to move quickly. Ike, use your magic armor to move. Sadina, carry Mithra and fly.”

Following the order, Ike enveloped himself in a flame dragon. Sadina spread her wings, and Mithra walked over to be held in Sadina's arms.

Ruto floated in the air by manipulating gravity.

“Let's go.”

“Yes.”

“With all our might!”

“Sadina, do your best!”

The four S-rank Armored Mages took off.

◆◆◆

In the middle of the night, a group was marching while burning torches. They were a revolutionary army unit tasked with securing the destroyed Elda Fortress.

“Captain, the extent of this destruction...”

“It must be that magic. You all saw the magic circle that covered the sky, right?”

“Yes. It was a good decision to observe from a distance for stealth. I never expected the 'Reaper' to use such a method.”

They were a unit dispatched to secure the destroyed Elda Fortress. They had been gathering information while maintaining stealth, using long-range magical tools, and found this opportunity.

They hadn't expected the fortress to be destroyed by a grand magic, but this was convenient.

If the fortress had been hit by that ultra-powerful magic, it would have been surely destroyed, and the imperial soldiers guarding it would have died. Securing the fortress would be much easier.

“Still, it's difficult to move... Is there any way to make it easier?”

“We are trying to clear the path with magic and magic armor as much as possible... but it would be a waste of time to do it in detail. Please bear with us.”

“No, I shouldn't complain. Let's keep moving.”

“Yes, sir.”

They were soldiers accustomed to harsh environments. Their morale was high, driven by the strong will of the revolution.

Securing Elda Fortress would turn the tide in the battle against the imperial army, which had been on the defensive recently.

Elda Fortress, a crucial logistics hub, was indispensable to the empire.

“Hmm...?”

The captain looked up, hoping to be soothed by the stars.

He then noticed something moving like a meteor.

(That is...)

It looked like some kind of creature, a dragon burning with red flames.

“!? Oh no!”

The 'Flame Dragon' Ike, a new S-rank Armored Mage who had been troubling the revolutionary army, seemed to have noticed the torches. He was launching a surprise attack.

The captain quickly gave orders.

“Prepare for battle! We are under attack!”

...

“Cough...”

“Are you finally ready to vomit?”

The revolutionary army unit tasked with securing Elda Fortress was annihilated by the returning Reiven Team. A few, including the captain, were kept alive for interrogation.

“Hey?”

“Gy... Gyyyyaaaahhhh!”

Ruto Reiven's pressure. Literal pressure, not psychological. The captain's arms were already crushed, and now his left leg was crushed.

“Next is the right leg... and then...”

Ruto pointed to the right leg and then moved her hand to the groin. The captain understood what she was about to do.

“I get it! Ahh... I'll talk! I'll talk, so please stop!”

Ruto's torture broke the captain. However, it was impossible to blame him. His limbs were crushed one by one, and the last part to be targeted was particularly painful.

His spirit was broken.

Moreover, the information about the 'Reaper' was not a secret of the revolutionary army. Revealing it wouldn't cause any pain or responsibility.

“I see. The 'Reaper'...”

Ike had launched a surprise attack with his flame dragon, then retreated to head to Elda Fortress. He was worried about Elina and Yuri, so Ike, Mithra, and Sadina went there first.

Ruto, on the other hand, annihilated the confused revolutionary army unit and tortured the captain to extract information.

“That's enough. I'll let you rest.”

The unnecessary source of information was crushed by gravity.

“I wonder what happened to the fortress...”

Ruto looked in the direction of the fortress, feeling uneasy.

Perhaps it was a premonition, but she was reminded of her comrades from the Absolute Boundary Legion, who had been killed by the nine-tailed fox.

◆◆◆

Elda Fortress, gouged and collapsed.

Pushing aside the debris, Ike found two blood-soaked bodies lying in an embrace.

“No way... Elina and Yuri, why...”

The fortress was covered by a supermassive magic circle.

Yuri's magic armor should have reflected the magic. However, the activated forbidden spell manipulated natural energy, making reflection ineffective.

To Ike, who didn't know this fact, it was incomprehensible and frustrating.

“Damn it!”

Sadina covered her mouth and cried, while Mithra stood in shock, her eyes wide open.

“Waaaaaahhhh!”

Ike's scream echoed futilely in the night sky.