Chapter 120

“That sorcerer has done quite the annoying thing.”

It was the first time. What the hell is that monster? I’ve fought resurrected dragon lords and demon kings before. Dragon lords and demon kings are no pushovers, but the elf before me was on a whole different level. I knew that elves, living long lives, were skilled in swordsmanship and magic, but this was beyond that. It wasn’t just because he was an elf or a genius. His strength was something else entirely.

Even the current me, without the magic of the Spirit King, would find it a bit overwhelming to fight him.

“…But to set such inexperienced beings as guards, how foolish. I can see the glimmer of talent, and… it seems you’ve lost your strength or are unaccustomed to your current power.”

Glacia, with blood in her mouth, spoke.

“Who are you? Someone with such skill, why are you with the Black Round Table?”

The black-haired elf replied.

“I am the one who holds Lancelot’s seat in the Black Round Table. Our interests merely aligned; I’ve never shared their ideology.”

The elf, introducing himself as Lancelot, overwhelmed us with just his scabbard, not even drawing his sword. Whenever I tried to use high-level magic with an advanced spirit, he countered with magic that neutralized mine.

Both his swordsmanship and magic were top-tier.

“You never shared their ideology? Don’t talk nonsense, you stinking noble brat.”

I really hated guys like that.

“What does it matter if you didn’t intend it? I’ve heard enough about what you’ve done. People have died because of you… You think your ideology being different excuses that? You crazy bastard.”

Seeing guys like that reminded me of my past self, and it made me feel sick. It was like looking at myself when I had just lost my master and was crying like a baby.

I didn’t mean for it to happen, I never truly wished for my master’s death, I would have listened to my master’s words if I had known—I was in denial every day. But that didn’t change reality.

I was fooled by someone I thought was a friend, leading my master to his death. I even joked about wishing my master would die. Every day, I only caused my master stress and grief. That was the damn truth.

So, seeing those who claim their ideology is different, that they’re different, made me sick to my stomach. It was like looking in a mirror and wanting to vomit, a feeling close to self-loathing.

“Certainly, my actions have led to the deaths of many. But… does that change anything?”

“What?”

“The people who died because of me… soldiers, mercenaries, children from the slums, and parents who committed suicide after losing their children? Soldiers and mercenaries are those who earn money with their lives on the line. It’s strange to complain about losing their lives.”

“Don’t talk nonsense… What about the children and parents who died because of you!”

“Do you really think we killed those children? The nobles who handed over such facilities for a few coins? Those who remained silent even as kidnapped children screamed? Or the parents who willingly sold their children? The world is rotten, and I merely used it.”

“Shut up, you bastard. You’re the most rotten of them all.”

His voice, as if the world was wrong and he had done nothing wrong, made my blood boil. It reminded me of that woman who killed my master, and I felt like vomiting.

“…Hmm, well said. It seems you’ve been taught by a good master. In that case, I should take you seriously.”

Lancelot drew his sword from the scabbard. If he had overwhelmed us with just the scabbard, the outcome was obvious now that he was serious.

“Glacia… I really don’t like it, but it seems we’ll have to fight together this time. Damn ‘cooperation.'”

“I agree. To defeat a greater evil, we must overlook smaller evils.”

Did she just call me evil? She’s the real embodiment of evil.

“Fang of the Fire Dragon━━━”

I prepared the most powerful magic I could currently use.

“Magic sword… I offer you a sacrifice.”

Glacia, with her family’s ancestral magic sword, cut her hand and fed it blood. She always used her own blood in critical situations, strengthening the sword that grew stronger by absorbing the blood of enemies or its owner. Glacia was giving it her all too.

“Pierce and burn the evil ones.”

The blue Spears of Fire I created and the red slash Glacia unleashed flew towards Lancelot. Dodging was impossible. If he blocked the Spears of Fire, the slash made from a vampire’s blood would melt his body. If he blocked the slash, my blue Spears of Fire would turn him to ash.

Our all-out attack should at least take down one noble brat.

“…Sorry, but I can’t die yet.”

With those words came the sound of a sword cutting through the wind. Unlike the refreshing sound of Glacia’s or Camellia’s swords, this was a sound that made my chest tighten, filled with discomfort and frustration.

And with a single strike, that unpleasant sword slash blew away our attacks.

“━━━━Until I can ask the being that reigns above us what I want to know.”

“Then ask me instead. I can answer for you. And once you hear the answer, just drop dead. Oh, but don’t expect a proper response.”

The being reigning above us surely refers to that bratty god.

“I’m not in the mood to joke about that topic.”

He really could ask. Even now, he’s perched on a branch, watching our fight with interest. More accurately, he’s mocking Lancelot while laughing.

But even if he asked, that brat with a nasty personality wouldn’t give a proper answer.

“It seems that strike was your best. Hmm… I understand enough, so I’ll take my leave now.”

“Wait! Who said you could leave…!”

Damn, my magic was almost depleted. Glacia was also breathing heavily, having used a lot of blood.

“I didn’t come here today to kill you. So, there’s no need to spill unnecessary blood.”

He was saying he could kill us anytime but chose not to. Treating others like pigs in a slaughterhouse… If only I had my original power, I could have fought him evenly. If that damn brat hadn’t sealed my power, I wouldn’t have suffered such humiliation.

“Gallahad, let’s go.”

“Yes, Sir Lancelot.”

Then, from the corner, a woman with long black hair and a mask appeared, taking Lancelot’s hand.

“You…”

I could tell just by her demeanor. That disgusting woman who pretended to be pitiful, pretended to be a friend. The bitch who collaborated with demons to kill my master.

“Kirila…”

She then threw off that disgusting mask. Eyes and hair similar to Camellia’s, but with a different, succubus-like allure. It was Kirila, that bitch.

“You know my real name… That’s a bit interesting. But I’ll have to leave for today.”

“Wait, you bitch! Scared?”

“Such foul language, haha… It’s not you I’m afraid of… It’s the real scary sorcerers coming.”

Before I could grab her hair, she took Lancelot’s hand and disappeared into a dark space he cut open. Damn, I was determined to kill her with my own hands this time…

Then, hurried footsteps and a voice that calmed my excited heart reached me.

“Airi!!!!”

It was my master. And beside him was Lorcha. From their demeanor, it seemed both had contracted with the Spirit King. Well, Armadura is the straightforward type, so it’s no surprise he likes someone like my master. Valena had always protected the MacLynn family, so this was expected.

But for me, who had just been defeated without a contract with the Spirit King, their contracts only amplified my misery. Damn that brat.

“Airi, my disciple, why are you crying?”

I just felt so pathetic, having lost my contract with the Spirit King.

My master helped me up and began checking Glacia’s wounds.

“It seems there are no major injuries, that’s a relief. But may I ask how this happened?”

“Yes, I’m sorry for causing concern. We encountered a man named Lancelot here and engaged in battle, but… unfortunately, we allowed him to escape.”

Unfortunately, my ass. We didn’t even scratch him, got beaten up with just a scabbard, and let him escape. Guess she has some pride left, not mentioning that.

“By the way, Airi… Did you see a skinny blond man running this way? He went by the name Gawain.”