Chapter 124

124.

The second-largest city in the northern region, Yelkin, is commonly referred to as the Gateway City.

This name wasn’t given solely due to its geographical position as a bridge connecting the frontline and Solorun.

The surrounding environment of Yelkin is assessed as the worst possible.

Not only are there treacherous mountains and forests teeming with beasts, but beyond that lies a frozen lake.

Even if one successfully crosses the lake, all that meets the eye are gloomy forests and snow-capped mountains. Due to the year-round snowfall, there aren’t even any nearby villages.

Wandering beasts with glowing red eyes hunt the area, and if by ill chance one encounters one of the mutated monsters that occasionally escape from the frontline, total annihilation is inevitable.

The safest way to reach the frontline is via Yelkin, and due to this characteristic, Yelkin focuses on serving as a checkpoint.

As with other regions of the empire, it is common for groups with ulterior motives to attempt infiltration into the north. However, to infiltrate deep into the north safely, one must pass through Yelkin.

Most such infiltrators are caught at the checkpoint, and due to this, most schemes against the north are thwarted at Yelkin.

Thus, Yelkin is called the Gateway City.

It is also the last resting point before embarking into treacherous terrain, and due to its importance, it is a city of fairly large size.

‘…Ssh.’

I stroked my chin as I looked at Yelkin’s castle wall through the snowstorm.

Setting aside the enormous size of the wall, comparable to a major city, something unsettling caught my eye.

“Snowstorm?”

The sky over Yelkin was dark.

Of course, it snows here, but thinking about Solorun makes this seem strange.

The sky over Solorun was bright. While it snowed in the northern city, it wasn’t stormy.

The snowstorm only rages outside the city, creating a stark contrast between the inside and outside. This discrepancy is even more pronounced when observed from afar.

However, Yelkin evidently seemed to be under the influence of the snowstorm.

“If I’m not mistaken, Yelkin seems to be covered by a snowstorm…”

Nia, who was examining Yelkin while wearing glasses, mumbled.

It seems I wasn’t mistaken.

“I see it too. Even though the sun hasn’t set, the city appears quite dark.”

“Not completely covered, though… It’s more like a snow squall rather than a storm. Hmm. Since this is Yelkin, there should be a church here.”

Cities of Yelkin’s size are equipped with relics to prevent damage from the black rain.

This was a national project conducted in collaboration with the church, and the north was no exception. So, if the relics are functioning properly, they should have been protected from the snowstorm’s influence.

“…Damaged, perhaps.”

Judging by the fact that the snowstorm hasn’t completely covered the city, the relics seem to still be functioning properly.

A thought occurred to me just then.

Whoosh—

A faint noise cutting through the chaotic wind. An acute intention was headed straight for Nia’s shoulder. I immediately extended my hand and caught it.

Tsk.

“Huh? What’s going on… Ugh!”

Unconsciously turning her head, Nia flinched.

An arrow fired from the castle wall was caught in my hand just before it could pierce Nia’s shoulder.

I snapped the arrow and threw it away, then tapped White Beast on the head.

“Halt!”

“Arf!”

At White Beast’s howl, the wolf pack came to an immediate stop.

A minor commotion arose due to the sudden stop.

As Erika and Myna were shouting something, another sharp intention shot towards us from the castle wall.

A sharp whistle through the snowstorm. This time, there were three arrows.

Arthur, who was leading the group, swung his sword.

“How dare you!”

Ji-aak!

In an instant, his three consecutive strikes knocked the arrows down. At the same time, hundreds of arrows shot up from the castle wall.

Arrows cascaded like rain cutting through the snowstorm.

Most were scattered randomly by the violent gusts, but a few were headed towards the wolves.

I immediately gathered mana and spread it thinly and widely.

In response to my will, the mana gathered in the air and formed a thin blade.

As soon as the formation was complete, I swung my arm and sent the blade flying.

Kwaang!

The mana blade collided with the arrows and triggered a small explosion. The arrows broke apart and scattered.

“…”

While preparing for the next strike, I surveyed the castle wall of Yelkin but there was no additional attack. They seemed startled by my recent attack.

Upon turning to give instructions to the group, I redirected my gaze to the wall upon sensing an unexpected presence.

Enhancing my perception, I scanned the wall and spotted bright lights. Multiple blue flames appeared on the wall. They were mana wielders.

Each one possessed significant aura.

Their strength had been honed through battles against monsters. Truly, this was the north.

“…”

Focusing mana in my eyes, the scene atop the wall became clearer. Several knights were aiming their bows at us.

I could feel the piercing intent. Resolving this peacefully seems impossible.

I quietly stepped onto White Beast’s back.

‘The sounds of drawing bows are three. And…’

Through heightened senses, even at this distance, I could perceive the subtle movements within Yelkin.

The bustling footsteps of mana wielders and soldiers rapidly gathering beyond the wall.

The city’s full force seemed converging towards this area.

Deflecting arrows is not an issue, but this alone wouldn’t resolve the situation. I could feel overt hostility from the wall.

‘This is understandable.’

A pack of wolves appeared amidst the snowstorm.

From the city’s perspective, this can only be seen as an attack. Solorun’s calmness was because they were dealing with the chaos created by the mutated monsters when we suddenly showed up.

By the way, if they’re mana wielders, they should have caught sight of us atop the wolf by now. And yet, they’re preparing the next attack without hesitation.

‘A problem… Ah.’

The conversation I had while joining Erika’s group came to mind.

The Dark Cultist’s meddling. It appears Yelkin has already suffered significant damage.

‘This is troublesome.’

Even after seeing Erika’s face, there was no special reaction. The nature of the Dark Cultist’s interference became somewhat clear.

‘There’s nothing we can do.’

I didn’t intend to cause unnecessary violence, but it doesn’t look like this situation can be resolved with words. Well, if they refuse to listen, then we need to make them.

I slightly bent my knees, said a single word, and jumped into the air.

“I’ll take care of the wall first. Take your time coming.”

“Huh? Waahhh!”

Leaving behind Nia, who was blown back by the air pressure, I surveyed Yelkin’s wall from the air.

From up here, the situation on the wall became clearer. The superhuman arms drawing the bow turned towards me as I soared into the sky.

“…Alright. Let’s give it a shot.”

As the founder of a new technique, the continuous improvement of skills is a must.

The core made my mana’s density strengthen to an absurd degree, allowing me to mold it into various forms at will.

An intangible blade that splits trees in half.

Even Arthur’s clumsy creation of a spike. In that case…

“Defense is possible as well.”

I gathered mana and unfolded a shield covering my entire body in the form of armor. Simultaneously, blue light shot out from the wall.

Five streams of light cut through the air, mocking the violent gusts of the snowstorm. The mana-laden arrows had no waver at all.

Perfectly synchronized strikes all at once.

Thus, the blue light struck my body.

Tang!

The arrows lost their power, swept away by the snowstorm and quietly disappeared.

“…It’s a bit stiff.”

Perhaps because the shield was unfolded thinly, the impact of the arrows was transmitted in full.

The defense is weaker than expected.

Is it because I invested too little mana?

Thinking about it, it was less than when I used the mana to cut firewood—roughly one-fifth of that amount. Then, increasing the mana investment would enhance the defense strength, wouldn’t it?

“Let’s check the defense later.”

The wall above was quite chaotic with the knights and soldiers shouting and moving around.

They were bound to be shocked as their attacks were thwarted. Considering these were arrows imbued with mana, they’d probably wonder what exactly happened.

“I miscalculated my strength.”

Perhaps because I pushed off lightly to accommodate White Beast’s endurance.

The jump distance was slightly short. I leaped with the intent of clearing the wall, but my body was falling quickly just in front of Yelkin.

I’ll likely fall in front of the wall at this rate.

“Then…”

Whoosh!

This time, I concentrated mana under my feet.

The white beast ran across the snowy fields creating a thin platform with mana under its feet to avoid falling.

If the white beast can do it, why can’t I?

I’ve already confirmed the physical effect by unfolding a shield to block the mana wielders’ arrows. If I apply the white beast’s skill, creating a platform mid-air to stop the fall should be possible.

Tuk.

The falling body halted mid-air.

A firm, intangible force created underfoot. To the people’s eyes, it would appear as if I’m floating in an empty sky. Screams erupted from various parts of the wall.

“Alright.”

The platform was successfully created as expected.

Since attempts continue to yield results, it’s quite fun.

“Next is…”

Identifying the knight who seemed to be a commander, I spread the intangible force thin and wide. The scale covered the entire wall.

The amount of mana escaping felt significant due to the wide area—not as much as chopping firewood, but the mana in the core felt like it decreased by half.

When the force had almost covered the entire wall except for the commander,

I slowly lifted my right foot.

It was easier to control the intangible force when combining it with physical movement, akin to when spreading it while chopping firewood. Perhaps it was due to forcefully directing my will through sheer determination?

By the sensation of pushing down on the force covering the wall, I lightly placed my lifted foot.

The slight resistance was felt in my right foot, and simultaneously,

Crash!

“Cough!”

“Keuuuuuuuuh!”

The wall shook and people collapsed where they stood.

As if being crushed by a heavy object, all those affected by the intangible force were pressing their bodies to the ground, groaning.

A few mana wielders tried to resist, twisting their bodies, but as I increased the pressure slightly, they face-planted on the ground.

“…Oof.”

It’s more powerful than expected.

Some knights started to dent their armor. If this continues, they’ll burst and die.

While reducing the power directed to my right foot, I redirected my gaze to the only person standing on the wall.

The bewildered expression of someone staring at a ridiculous calamity. The commander, who had been scanning the surroundings with wide eyes, looked up.

Filling my voice with mana, I opened my mouth silently.

“Bring the lord.”