180. Auror (2)
#180
About thirty minutes have passed since Lycopos’ attack. The setting sun became more intense and set the sacred site on fire. The crater which was completely stained red was personally explaining why it is called a pool of light.
But unlike the beautiful scenery the situation was miserable. The red color that contributed to coloring the crater was not just the sunset. Crimson stains created by the blood sprinkled over the eyes remained throughout the shrine. Corpses were rolling among the densely grown sword spirits. Darman said.
“I will spare the lives of those who convert even now. “Disarm your shields and drop your weapons.”
“Shut up.”
“If you accept our recommendation we will not only spare your life but we will also promise you much better treatment than you are receiving now. It also gives you a place to be saved on the soon-to-be apocalypse day. You and Geomsung deserve wings.”
“You are better at using your tongue than your sword.”
Nabirose growled. Even though she was completely devastated her eyes were burning as she stared at Darman without any signs of retreating.
A translucent curtain was swaying between the two people. The hemispherical shield surrounded not only Nabirose but all remaining survivors. He was an auror of Alogin one of the elders. Three elders and fourteen participants were lined up along the inner rim of the hemisphere standing on guard.
“Can’t we just kill him? “That bitch made me like this.”
Ajie who was standing next to Darman muttered irritably. Her left elbow was cut cleanly off. It was Nabi Rose’s work that dug into the gap where Star’s Protection ends. Darman shook his head.
“Be patient. “Alibrihe made the arms and legs anyway.”
“Yes but…it makes me angry.”
Ajie threw her dagger. Kang! The blade that hit the shield bounced back helplessly. Darman cast his gaze behind Butterfly Rose and opened his mouth.
“It is a futile resistance. “You know that old man doesn’t have much time left.”
Instead of answering Butterfly Rose frowned. It was frustrating but it wasn’t wrong. Jaifa and Alogin were leaning side by side on a rock rising in the center of the hemisphere.
Jaipa was playing like someone having a nightmare. Blood was still flowing out of Alogin’s red stomach without stopping. It was a wound inflicted by Darman.
“…I’m fine Nabirose. “Please hold on just a little longer.”
“Please refrain from speaking. The wound opens up.”
“Hehe…I never thought that an auror that I never used in my life because I didn’t want to see it…cough would help in this way….”
Alogin clucked helplessly. It was a dangerous laugh that felt like my soul was going to escape with every breath I took.
His auror was to create a powerful shield using his own mana and that of those around him. For Alogin who had lived a life as rough as Nabirose or Jaifa in the past that ability was nothing more than a shame and a subject of ridicule.
How many times had he been told to put up a shield and hide like a little girl? But now that ability has become a lifeline that saves his life and the lives of innocent people so life was something he didn’t even know about.
“It’s okay in its own way… ugh.”
“Alogin….”
Nabirose gritted his teeth. Although he and other participants were providing mana the problem was that Alogin’s life was running low. It was obvious that the moment this defense shield collapsed most of the participants would be wiped out.
Moreover the entity on which to place hope was unclear. Alogin and other elders said that people who sensed that something had happened in the sacred place would come to help but she gave up when she saw thick smoke rising from the bottom of the mountain. She knew that there was a high possibility that tragedy had already occurred down below. But there was another issue that shook her heart the most.
‘Ronan.’
She twisted her lips as she remembered her student’s face. Ronan heard a loud noise that seemed to take her out of the world and then she disappeared from view. Part of her crater had collapsed so it seemed like she had fallen down there but there was no way she could go to rescue her. Schlieffen glanced back at her and sent her a message.
[I will come back.]
[Don’t talk nonsense. Schlieffen.]
[You can do it. I will return after ensuring Ronan’s safety.]
[Even if you have two lives I cannot allow it.]
Nabi Rose firmly expressed her refusal. She wasn’t just brave she was reckless. She might have tried if it were only Darman or Ajie who were here but unfortunately the situation was worse. Her man who was watching them from across her shield spoke with anger in his voice.
She said “Give me the small ball of Grancia. “She took advantage of this moment when she was off guard and did something like this….”
A featureless mask covered his face. A sharp deep stab wound ran from the man’s left collarbone to his right side. It was a wound inflicted by Schlieffen’s storm sword.
He was one of fifteen assailants who took advantage of the fierce fighting. Six men and women wearing identical masks were wandering around the shield.
The gangsters presumed to be Nebula Clazie were less skilled than Darman or Azie but they knew how to fight systematically and quite a few participants lost their lives to their swords. Darman said.
“How many people were killed by the Little Duke?”
“Six.”
“You suffered a lot. “He is a talent that must be brought along with the two swordsmen.”
Darman laughed. He was also watching Schlieffen who was wielding the Blade of Wind impressed. It was an ability that was hard to believe for someone of that age. It was no exaggeration to say that he was the best prospect on the continent along with his younger brother.
He’s smart. He raised his hand and tapped the shield as if to knock. Indeed it was incredibly strong perhaps because it was a barrier created with the Sword Master’s aura. Darman seeing the survivors’ eyes burning with fighting spirit whetted his appetite.
“then. Negotiations have collapsed.”
It was a change of plan. It seemed like we would have to kill them all and take only a very few. Darman stretched out his hand and aimed at the shield. Participants who sensed danger took a defensive stance. His mouth opened.
“Will there be a storm?”
At that moment a pair of translucent wings unfolded behind Darman’s back. Quaaaaa! A wind strong enough to sweep away a house hit the shield directly. Blood spurted out from Alogin’s mouth as he displayed his fighting spirit even while injured.
“Gagging!”
“Alogin!”
The shield was flickering like a dying candle. Next Darman sent a signal with his eyes. He Ajie and other assailants all drew their swords and began attacking the shield. A sound similar to that heard in a mine rang out at rapid intervals. Cracks like ivy were spreading across the entire hemisphere. Nabirose gritted his teeth.
“this…!”
“Kill everything that breaks. “Except for the three I just mentioned.”
Darman gave instructions harshly. The participants’ faces turned pale. It was not difficult to predict the carnage that would unfold in just a few seconds. At that time Ajie who was humming and twirling his dagger tilted his head.
“huh? “Who is that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Over there in the east. “Who came?”
Darman turned her gaze in the direction she was looking at. Indeed someone was standing there. A young man was slowly walking with his back to the wall of the crater he had destroyed. Darman seeing the familiar outline shrugged his eyebrows.
“Is it up already? “There’s still some left.”
“…Ronan?”
Nabirose’s eyes widened. Ronan approaching in the setting sun looked like a statue made of freshly melted gold. In his right hand he held a sword that looked similar to the one he usually used but gave a completely different impression. Nabirose took a deep breath and shouted loudly.
“You idiot…run away!!”
Of course what was important now wasn’t the sword. If I had saved my life I would have run away or hidden but I wondered why I had come all the way here. Even though the clothes were in tatters they didn’t look in good condition. Darman slightly raised the corner of his mouth and gave an order to those wearing masks.
“Good. “Bring my brother.”
“yes.”
Then half of the gunmen who were pounding on the shield turned towards Ronan. The sight of them running in perfect synchronization seemed like people sharing the same brain. In an instant the man who reached Ronan’s nose raised his sword and shouted.
“Resisting will only make you suffer!”
At the same time the women on both sides pulled out their ropes and swords at the same time. It was a systematic movement as if watching a group dance. Ronan who was watching them indifferently raised his sword. For a moment his arm disappeared from sight. White lines were drawn chaotically over the bodies of the assailants.
“…hmm?”
It was the moment when the man who felt an inexplicable sense of difference tilted his head towards her. Pow! White lines widened and their bodies disintegrated into dozens of pieces. Blood and internal organs sprayed out like a fan soaked the snow. Chunks of meat cut into uniform sizes like ingredients fell on the floor.
“what?”
Darman and Ajie’s eyes widened. The assailants who were attacking the shield stopped moving. For a moment silence fell over the sacred place. Tyr struggling within the shield opened her mouth.
“…What did that young man just do?”
Even though Nabirose heard he did not respond. It was only for a moment but he missed Ronan’s move.
He was slowly approaching trampling on the monsters who had turned into pieces of meat. Every time Ronan took a step the sound of his internal organs and flesh being crushed could be heard.
Even though he slaughtered three people his expression was extremely calm. Suddenly he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Is that the student I knew? Ajie who was staring at Ronan made an interesting noise.
“Hmm… I think the atmosphere has changed a lot. “I’m not the only one who feels that way right?”
“It seems like there was something there. “Did I get an opportunity like in a fairy tale?”
“It sounds fun. “I’ll be back.”
Ajie smiled. She started walking towards Ronan ignoring Darman’s warning. Ronan’s movements which he had seen a little while ago were definitely slower than his own. He was confident that he wouldn’t get hit by the sword so if something happened he could use the star’s protection or other powers to escape.
“hello baby. “I am your older sister.”
Ajie waved her hand playfully. Her pure white short hair was fluttering in the wind. Ronan tilted his head when he heard that she was his sister.
“…Sister?”
“huh. Darman is your older brother? “Then I am your older sister.”
Ajie smiled brightly. Of course it was only her appearance that was naughty. Between her crescent-shaped eyes she was closely examining Ronan’s vitals.
‘Honestly it doesn’t seem like anything special. If it’s a quick sword Darman will be one step ahead.’
When I actually faced him the mana flowing out of his body was actually less than that of others. She was about to leap when she caught her dagger in a spin. Paaaa…! For a moment the sword in Ronan’s hand emitted a bright light.
“Ugh?!”
A flash of scarlet washed over her. Because the light was so strong Ajie closed her eyes for a moment. She opened her eyes and froze wondering what she had done. Ronan who was obviously more than fifty steps away was right in front of her.
“…uh?”
Ajie’s eyes widened. There was only a half-step gap between Ronan and her. Even though her body vision was her greatest pride she never sensed Ronan leaping or running towards her. It seemed clear that she had done something but she couldn’t figure out what it was. Ronan who was looking down at Ajie as if he were looking at her bug blurted out.
“I’ve never had a sister like you.”
“what…!”
Of course this wasn’t what was important right now. Ajie hastily assumed her fighting stance and immediately grabbed her dagger. However Ronan’s sword was already flying towards her.
‘no.’
Ajie who had good eyesight was able to faintly see the path of Ronan’s swift sword unlike the two who died first. But it didn’t mean much because her body couldn’t keep up with the reaction speed. The blade slid gently into her diagonal line slicing through her right arm and right thigh at the same time. Then the black water that twisted her body rose like a swallow and even cut off her left thigh.
She didn’t even have time to activate the star’s protection. I could feel the sensation of her skin muscles and bones being cut. Ajie’s face suddenly distorted. A red line appeared where Ronan’s sword cut through her. Ajie was about to shout something.
“for a moment…!”
Sigh! Her limbs amputated along her lines rose into the air. She fell to the floor with only her torso and head remaining. Her belated pain bit Ajie. A tearing scream rang out.
“Kyaaaaaaa! “Keaaagh!”
It was a terrifying scream that made everyone in the shrine shrug their shoulders. Ronan wordlessly kicked her hard in the face. Sigh! A sound that should not come from a human face rang out and at the same time five or six of her pure white teeth popped out. Ajie who had fainted fell limp.
“Tsk.”
Ronan who had kicked her out of the way like she was trash took her step again. Darman muttered in a voice full of admiration.
“This is amazing. “What on earth happened at the bottom of the mountain?”
Ronan didn’t answer. I could even feel madness in his silent steps. Darman who shrugged his eyebrows was about to offer a witty provocation. For a moment his form became blurry and he disappeared from sight.
“hmm…!”
Darman reflexively raised his sword. At the same time a fierce metallic sound rang out right in front of his nose. Kaaaaang! Even with all his strength his body was pushed back.
“Keuuuuuuu!”
“You blocked it?”
Ronan said dryly. Her strength and speed were incomparable to before. He continued to swing his sword. In complete contrast to before Darman was unilaterally pushed out. Kagak! Kang! Sparks exploded one after another and a harsh metallic sound rang out. Darman twisted his lips.
‘This is a bit dangerous.’
Cold sweat ran down my temples. I don’t know what he did but Ronan had become a completely different person. He felt an overwhelming feeling similar to the one he felt when he received the sword from the cult leader during the initiation ceremony of Lyko Force.
I guess I’ll have to take a look at the situation first. Only Rin Dar chanted and activated his power. A pair of wings spread out over his back again. Quaaaaa! The violent wind that appeared like an explosion hit Ronan and at the same time Darman’s body flew backwards. He spat out in an exasperated voice.
“Ha is this going to hold up too?”
Ronan didn’t bounce. He was withstanding the strong wind with his sword stuck in the ground. But he didn’t really care. Because the goal of widening the distance has been achieved. At that time La Mancha’s sword body gave off a bright light again.
“hmm?!”
It was a scarlet flash reminiscent of a sunset. A cluster of light stretched out like a hand and wrapped around Darman. For a moment Darman felt as if something powerful was pulling him from behind. A voice came from his ear.
“Where are you running away? “The bastard called Hyung.”
“what…?”
Darman’s eyes grew so big that they almost popped out. Ronan was glaring at him right in front of him. Deep. Before he could say anything La Mancha flew in and pierced his chest.
