< 297. Schlieffen >
#297
“Miss Iril.”
Schlieffen said. No answer came back. Iril was sleeping soundly buried in the middle of a huge chair. Marya looked at her and muttered without realizing it.
“…Like a princess.”
“Wow this is really… dazzling.”
Braum next to her also nodded. He couldn’t take his eyes off it. She was beautiful even in her robe but today she was of a different class.
She wore a gorgeous and elegant dress like something you would see at an imperial ball draped over her body. The dress as white as her first snow seemed like something made just for her.
“Is this a crown? pretty….”
A beautiful tiara sat on top of her well-combed hair. They said she had been brought here to be honored as a saint and it seemed like she had indeed been treated appropriately.
Indeed Schlieffen’s brain hardened for a moment at the sight of her fatal beauty but he soon regained his senses and began to examine her condition. Before long Schlieffen breathed a sigh of relief.
“…Thank goodness.”
Even after looking closely I couldn’t find any wounds. Her breathing was steady and she didn’t seem to be seriously ill.
However it bothered her that no matter how many times she called him he wouldn’t wake up. It seemed like he had been put to sleep using a sleep spell or something. I felt like I had to take him to the military doctor right away. Then Marya who found Schlieffen standing there doing nothing tilted her head.
“Why are you doing this all of a sudden? “Aren’t you going to move it?”
“…listen.”
“I? Wouldn’t it be better to lift it yourself? I think her older sister Iril would like it better too.”
“I…no just keep quiet and listen.”
Schlieffen avoiding eye contact shook his head. For the first time a blush appeared on his face which had not changed even after cutting down a triple-digit number of enemies. It wasn’t that difficult to figure out why. Marja whined.
“Hahang. “It’s incongruously cute.”
“…Shut up.”
“How are you going to propose marriage when you can’t even hold someone? Anyway get out of the way. “This sister will do it for you.”
“Hug it delicately. “Like handling glass beads.”
Schlieffen said: Marya did as he asked. To Marja who wielded a greatsword larger than her body with her hand Iril’s body was as light as her feather. Iril who had suddenly fallen asleep burst into laughter.
“Ehehe….”
“Oh you’re smiling. “I guess she’s having a nice dream.”
Marya smiled. She had a baby-like carefree smile that warmed her heart just by looking at her.
But she couldn’t relax yet. Rescue refers to the act of escaping from enemy territory with a hostage. Moreover they still had the task of preventing the ritual of the advent of giants. Marya said.
“What now? Consciousness?”
“If you haven’t found it by now it’s probably going on up here. “I will kill them so you can take Miss Iril and escape somehow.”
Schlieffen stretched out her index finger and pointed at her stomach. Marya’s eyes widened.
“Taking on the archbishops alone?”
“They become defenseless when they perform the ritual. And I’ve already caught two archbishops. “I think it’s a reasonable decision.”
“That’s true but….”
Schlieffen answered calmly. In fact he had observed a ritual to summon a giant in Adren. Since it was an act that consumed a lot of energy it would be easy to find a loophole.
Moreover the archbishops that Schlieffen captured were Pantasion and Allon who were said to be the strongest forces. I thought that if I approached cautiously and succeeded in the surprise attack it might be surprisingly easy to finish. Braum slowly remembered.
“Sure…I think that’s best.”
“…okay. “Don’t get hurt.”
Marja followed suit letting out a sigh of her own. She hugged Iril who was fast asleep a little stronger.
She had a plan now it was time to put it into action. They were just about to take a step. Schlieffen feeling a strange aura urgently shouted.
“Everyone is in danger!”
“what?”
The group stopped. At that moment the ceiling right in front collapsed with a strong explosion sound. Quaaaaang-! The dust that poured down covered the interior.
“Ugh!”
“What?!”
Marya and Braum expressed confusion. Thanks to everyone reflexively covering their bodies with mana shields they suffered no damage. Meanwhile Iril was sleeping soundly.
【Stop.】
Suddenly a creepy voice rang out. Five figures emerged from the dust. The three instinctively realized that they were the archbishop. A woman walked forward with the sound of her shoes clicking.
“you…!”
Marya gasped as her eyes met hers. The gorgeous robes and beautiful appearance were impressive. It was a face I remembered.
【Enough of that. All you rats.】
Archbishop Le Tancier said: The three of them had previously met her in the early days of her war. It was the archbishop who laughed from the castle walls and brought despair to the Allied forces.
However the atmosphere was quite different from then. The energy blooming from her body had become incomparably more powerful than before. Even her graceful gesture of brushing her hair behind her ear felt threatening.
“Ugh…!”
“What did you do?”
Braum shrugged his shoulders. It felt like I was encountering a giant not a human. He was completely different from the archbishops he met during the sweep operation.
I had no idea how I gained this strength. At that time another man walked forward.
【Put down the saint immediately. I will kill you without pain.】
Like the others he was Verminion holding the office of archbishop. Letancier shook her head.
【Please go with others Verminion. I will kill these mice. Originally it was my duty to take care of the saint.】
【Don’t do that just share some. There’s no need to be conscious anymore anyway.】
Verminion said angrily. Marya gritted her teeth. These bastards didn’t even see us as opponents in a fight. The other three archbishops were the same only they were not speaking. Schlieffen who had been silent spoke for the first time.
“What do you mean there’s no need to do the ritual?”
【Eavesdropping like a rat… well that’s literally what it sounds like. Suddenly the connection with the sky was lost.】
“A connection with the sky…?”
【okay. But it’s never a bad thing. Because the power of starlight has become stronger.】
Verminion nodded his head. He told me about the current situation as if it was no big deal. As Schlieffen had guessed the archbishops were carrying out a ritual to summon giants.
The ceremony which was proceeding smoothly came to a halt at some point. He said that suddenly all the magic circles began to collapse and merge into one. The reason was unknown. However the release of the power of the stars that traveled between heaven and earth served as a great fortune for the archbishops.
Only then did Schlieffen realize why the archbishops had suddenly become so powerful. Just like the Dragon King seen in Adren they must have also absorbed the power of the overflowing starlight. Verminion chuckled.
【We plan to find out more details from now on. Of course before that…】
Suddenly Verminion’s hand went up. The faces of his companions hardened. The moment he swung his arm a half-moon shaped sword energy was shot towards the three people.
“Everyone is in danger!”
Braum hurriedly blocked the way and raised his great shield. The sword was about to collide with the shield. Marja instinctively stretched out her arm and grabbed Braum’s back.
“Avoid you idiot!”
“Oops!”
bang! As Braum fell backwards an explosion sounded. The shield fell one step too late and landed on his stomach.
“Huh…!”
Braum’s face turned pale when he saw the shield. The part that had been hit directly by the sword had disappeared as if it had been cut with scissors. His body was almost cut in half. Verminion continued.
【I’ll have to kill you all.】
Gooooo… A curtain of bizarre colors rose up from his feet. The star’s protection which they had seen so many times seemed to be on a different level of strength than what the party had faced so far. Letancier who was watching the scene from behind sighed.
【Hehe…then let’s put it away quickly.】
She was like the mother of a mischievous child. The three remaining archbishops stepped forward. They also seemed stronger than Verminion but they did not seem weak.
“…Is this the end?”
Marja laughed. There seemed absolutely no chance of victory. It was doubtful whether they would be able to win even if Jaipa who was probably wandering around the castle came to help. Suddenly her Schlieffen turned to look at her.
[hey. Was there any blood left?]
“huh?”
Marja raised her eyes. Suddenly Schlieffen’s voice rang in her head. When there was no reply from her her voice flew out once more.
[She asked if Ronan’s blood was still there.]
[That’s it…there’s a little bit left.]
Marja nodded. She was quick to notice that Schlieffen was planning something. Is there some secret plan? Marja with some hope touched the vial of her blood hanging from her belt.
sudden! Suddenly Schlieffen reached out and grabbed the vial of blood hanging from her waist. She then poured it all onto her own sword. Marya’s eyes widened.
[What is this?!]
[You take the sheep and run away. I’ll do my best here.]
[You’re not the kind of person who will succeed even if you try hard!]
Marja let out her inner scream. She didn’t have to be an idiot to know. The archbishops in front of me right now were not opponents that could do anything on their own. Schlieffen who was silent for a moment continued her words.
[We came to help Ms. Iril escape.]
After saying that Schlieffen winked at the wall. Marja chewed her lower lip as she realized what he meant. The archbishops were approaching at this very moment so they had to make a quick decision.
Is this correct? Is this really true?
Her head and heart were arguing differently. Even though I already knew the answer it wasn’t easy to make a decision. Marja bowed her head as she came to a conclusion that was not long in coming.
“…okay. “Don’t die until I come back.”
Marja said with her upbringing. Schlieffen did not answer. Her Braum raised an eyebrow as her operation was relayed to her.
“Wait a minute what is that…”
“Shut up!”
bang! Suddenly Marja clutching Braum’s backside leapt and kicked her off the ground. She was facing the wall not the gate. Le Tancier noticed what she was trying to do and quickly stretched out her hand.
【Stop for a moment!】
Seven invisible spears were fired at the two people. However they did not pierce Marya’s back. Kagagak! With a series of bursting sounds all seven windows were cut out. It was Schlieffen’s sword shot from a distance.
“thank you!”
Marya shouted. At the same time she and her wall collided causing her to roar. Quaaaang! The outside scenery unfolded beyond the exploded wall. Marya hugged Iril even more tightly and jumped out of the hole.
【Alas!】
Le Tanxie’s face hardened. She never expected that she would miss this. The moment she hurriedly tried to throw her body away a whirlwind sprang up in front of her. Quaaaa-! The whirlwind of sharp winds completely blocked the hole in the wall.
【you…!】
Letansie glared at Schlieffen. Not only her but all of her archbishops’ eyes were focused on him. A tremendous force of life that would have broken a normal person’s spirit without being able to bear it began to weigh on his whole body.
【It would be better not to think about dying gracefully.】
【This is completely crazy. Are you not able to understand the topic?】
Schlieffen said nothing. Suddenly I remembered the day I first met Lee Lil. The moment I turned the corner and encountered her at the same time was probably something I would never forget. He stood in front of the front door and muttered quietly.
“…I thought I met an angel.”
【what?】
Verminion tilted her head at the sudden murmur. Schlieffen gently swung her sword. Suddenly! At the same time blood spurted out from the neck of Verminion who was standing at the front.
“Gagging….”
【Bur Verminion!】
Verminion fell to one knee. His blood was gushing from the severed artery. Of course a wound of that magnitude would recover quickly but Schlieffen’s goal was to buy time.
Schlieffen held the sword upside down and sunk the tip into the ground. Kwasik! A curtain of wind accompanied by a faint crashing sound enveloped the room. It was a storm barrier that would not disappear until he died or was lifted.
【How dare you!】
【Stupid. You lock yourself up.】
A variety of reactions came back. Some people were outraged and others laughed. However despite being imprisoned no one was afraid. What Schlieffen did was such a reckless act.
Schlieffen said nothing. He knew that too. He had no chance of winning. In my mind which was heated with fear certain questions were constantly being asked.
Do you really think you can do it?
Do you think someone like you can protect Star’s Daughter?
It was probably an auditory hallucination. If you don’t do that there’s no way your voice will be the same as yours. The archbishops each took out their weapons and were preparing to tear themselves to death. After being silent for a while he grabbed the hilt of the sword.
“…yes.”
The trembling stopped. A storm was swirling around the bluish sword body. Schlieffen who pointed his sword at the archbishops continued.
“I can protect you.”
