Gently setting Adelle down on the grass, she wobbled as she stood on her feet, clearly struggling to keep her balance.
Seeing her instability, I offered her my shoulder for support, but she initially waved me off, saying, “Ah, I’m fine.”
“To me, you don’t seem fine at all,” I replied, frowning as I looked her way.
Adelle chuckled nervously, then quickly averted her gaze. “I guess I can’t hide anything from Abel, huh?”
“It’s rather the idea that you thought you could,” I responded, my tone dry.
It seems her habit of always saying she’s fine hasn’t changed much, just like in the original story where that tendency caused her quite a bit of trouble.
For my part, it’s far easier on my mind when she simply admits when she’s struggling.
Upon seeing my serious expression, Adelle closed her mouth, which had opened to protest.
“…You’re right. I’m feeling a little tired,” she admitted quietly, leaning into me slightly.
Supporting her by placing a hand on her shoulder, I glanced back up at the sky.
“Kuuooowww!”
The Forgotten Whale thrashed about in the clouds, seemingly in anguish. The mist it had been exuding was now growing faint, likely due to its exhaustion.
With a guttural rumbling sound, it began to thrash wildly, attempting to flee in the opposite direction.
Well, with the internal injuries it sustained, its attempt to escape isn’t surprising.
No creature can fully strengthen its internal organs.
That’s why it would be a mistake to let this opportunity to end it slip away.
I aimed my staff with my free hand.
‘Unleash the full force.’
Until now, I’ve been deliberately lowering the output of my magic because a person was inside.
Though it was burdensome to handle the beast with suppression as the primary focus of my magic…
‘There’s no need to hold back now.’
The gem embedded at the end of my staff began to vibrate.
An artifact capable of not only amplifying the power of the magic cast by its user but also increasing the total amount of mana.
It’s something I acquired during a royal auction, which is why I refrained from using it—doing so within the empire would instantly reveal my true identity.
But here, at the site of a purging operation, there’s no need to worry about others’ eyes.
‘Let’s go.’
Utilizing this power, taking down the current Forgotten Whale should be more than possible.
Kulurk!
Countless magic circles numbering in the dozens, even hundreds, were formed in the air.
The Forgotten Whale, sensing the presence of the arrays, stopped thrashing and glared at me. Of course, that wouldn’t make any difference.
Thwip.
As I flicked my finger, a chain burst forth and pierced its skin.
“Kuooow!”
The whale, trying to escape, hastily ascended higher into the sky. But the spatial chains were unbreakable.
“Kuhooo!”
The whale roared in anger, its ferocious cries shaking the air.
With a smirk, I flicked my finger again as an ominous sensation enveloped my body. “You think you can handle me with that?”
Monster Fear.
A skill primarily used by catastrophic-grade monsters that manipulates the primal emotion of fear to paralyze their victims.
Of course, this act of defiance was meaningless to me since I didn’t fear it.
Uwoooom…
As additional hundreds of magic circles expanded into the air, my mana supply was dwindling.
Had I been without my staff, there’s no way I could have continued to handle the beast. But now, with my staff, it’s a different story.
Hundred spears shot out from the magic circles and pierced the whale’s body.
Twisting and flailing, the Forgotten Whale tried to escape. But I had no intention of letting it go.
A massive magic circle appeared in the sky.
“Hmph…”
I was starting to feel somewhat drained myself, having used so much mana earlier to initially subdue the creature.
The sense of exhaustion hadn’t been this pronounced for a while, but I smiled faintly as I pushed forward to finalize the magic circle.
A colossal tremor reverberated across the battlefield as it spread from the magic circle.
With red eyes wide open, the whale struggled desperately in its bid to escape.
Unsurprisingly, it was futile, constrained as it was by the hundreds of chains embedded in its body.
“Time to end this.”
Amidst the clouds, a gigantic hammer emerged, its size easily dwarfing even the whale itself.
Startled, Adelle’s eyes widened.
As I clenched my hand, the hammer descended.
KWAANG!
With a thunderous roar that reverberated in my ears, the Forgotten Whale plummeted.
The tremors rippling from the landing sent the Holy Knights and knights on the plain reeling.
“Goooww!”
The beast’s roar turned into a low, labored breathing. Despite the heavy blow, it was somehow hanging on to life.
“Such tenacity.”
Watching quietly, one of the Holy Knights rushed forward, their eyes blazing with fury.
“I guess no need for a finishing strike.”
Many others followed their charge, hacking and slashing at the beast with their respective weapons.
Fueled by hatred and despair, I retracted my staff.
“Still impressive, Abel.”
Smirking, I answered the awestruck voice next to me, “Well, as an archmage, I must aim to achieve at least this much, no?”
“Ah, that was really… unlucky of me to say,” Adelle replied, leaning more into me.
My shoulder felt the weight of her silvery hair that wasn’t yet used to my proximity. I couldn’t help but smirk as she blinked her tired eyes repeatedly.
Who would’ve thought she’d venture so boldly into the belly of the Forgotten Whale and emerge victorious. In such a short time, she’s grown significantly.
Teaching her spirit magic was clearly the right choice.
Messing up her hair, she shook her head in protest, an action that struck me as oddly adorable. It seems I’ve grown fond of her.
“Excuse me, may I interject?”
“Ah, Your Holiness.”
“Enough with the titles, just call me as you usually do.”
The Pope, brushing off chills as if from an eerie sensation, received a sigh and a nod from me.
Even though I showed him respect first, he doesn’t value formalities.
Still, why has he approached us before others?
Adelle, who had been leaning on me, perked up slightly upon seeing the Pope, adjusting her posture.
Seeing her unease, the Pope waved her off.
“Be comfortable.”
The Pope smiled kindly. “I’m not cruel enough an old man to demand formality from someone already strained.”
“Ahh…”
Relieved by these words, Adelle leaned into me again. Then, she reached for a leather bag slung on her shoulder.
Untying the ropes, she revealed the wooden crosses within.
Facing the Pope, Adelle spoke. “These are relics of the fallen.”
She sighed. “If I’d had more time, I would’ve brought their remains too.”
“No, no, this is more than enough to be grateful for,” the Pope replied, taking the heavy bag with a somber expression.
Examining the crosses one by one, he stopped upon noticing a crimson one.
“This one…”
After examining it carefully, he placed it back inside the bag.
“Thank you. On behalf of everyone in the Castle State, I offer my gratitude.”
With those words, the Pope bowed his head, surprising not only Adelle, but myself as well.
It’s uncommon to see this politically astute man bow his head, especially claiming to represent the state.
“Er… thank you,” Adelle murmured, clearly drained and disoriented.
Her tired gaze met mine as she smiled faintly and fell asleep.
Carefully, I tidied up her tousled hair and picked her up.
Turning, I saw Arin smiling brightly.
It was clear from her expression what she was thinking, prompting a sigh from me.
Even though she knows about the arranged marriage contract between Abel and Adelle, and that she continues this behavior as if to follow Evan’s footsteps, it made little difference now.
“Any casualties?”
At my question, Arin turned serious, scanning the area.
Perhaps aided by the sight of Pee, her familiar, she promptly responded, “None.”
“A relief.”
“However… many seem to have fallen victim to the Forgetfulness Incense.”
“The memory loss won’t last long. Send the affected to the Dukedom, and let’s conclude the rest of the purge with those remaining.”
“Understood.”
With a nod, Arin took her leave.
It’s reassuring to have such a dependable ally, but for some reason, she tends to act differently whenever Adelle is involved.
“Ah, and are you taking Mother with you?”
To her question, I hesitated, thinking it would be pointless to argue.
“…Yes, it seems she’s quite tired. It’s best if she rests.”
“Hehe, understood,” she said, cheerfully taking Adelle from my arms.
Still deeply asleep, Adelle didn’t stir, which prompted a faint smile from me.
She certainly worked hard during this purge operation; it’s natural for her to be exhausted.
