I half-expect… no, I’m now half-convinced.
This world is a world from a novel.
Of course, that doesn’t mean everyone is a fabrication – it just implies the framework of this world is designed based on a story, commonly known as fantasy.
If that’s the case…
Could a magic circle capable of teleportation actually exist?
Narrowing my eyes, I stared at the corner of the cave.
What caught my sight was a symbol that felt oddly familiar.
My memory isn’t the best, so I can’t tell if the intricate designs are exactly the same, but I’m certain I’ve seen something similar before.
And I don’t even need to try hard to remember, as the one who used it was so unique that they’re etched in my mind.
“Lili…”
“Yes? What did you say?”
I felt a moment of shame at Elia’s response to my mumbling.
“It’s dangerous, so step back a bit.”
Waving my hand lightly at the flying fragments of chains, I pulled Elia back, who was tilting her head in confusion.
“Thank you…”
“For what?”
I smirked briefly at Elia’s gratefulness and returned my focus to the symbol, furrowing my brow.
Anyway…
Whenever Lili appears or disappears, that kind of symbol always flashed like a beacon.
What if that symbol is some sort of magic circle that allows for teleportation?
And if the reason why Jackal, who is currently in battle, is showing oddly defensive behavior is because of that faintly glowing symbol…
I raised one corner of my mouth.
…Could I possibly hasten the activation time?
Of course, I’m not saying this without any thought.
Usually, the magic circles I’ve seen being used by Lili were swirling with a lot more light.
But look at that.
How faint is the light that everyone else, excluding me, hasn’t noticed it at all?
I think the reason is the ‘energy’ that hasn’t been filled yet.
If it’s magical transport, then surely a large price must be paid.
Besides, didn’t Jackal just fight Camilla’s Knights just a day ago? He would likely lack enough power to activate teleportation due to fatigue.
So, what if I fill the lacking ‘energy’ into that?
Without even needing to worry about future consequences, I could finish this job without incident.
“Hehe.”
I couldn’t believe I had thought of a plan so perfect that a grin surfaced on my face.
Interpreting my smile in whatever way she desired, Elia came closer, smiling lightly as she opened her mouth.
“I’m glad it seems like Lucius and Nameless are gaining the upper hand.”
Hmm, I wasn’t smiling because of that, but…
“Right, from what I see, that Jackal seems to be using some kind of spirit technique…”
Since Elia had misunderstood, I took the chance to add a brief explanation.
“Given that he’s at a numerical disadvantage, and considering that the arms of Nameless and Lucius are short, Jackal should maintain pressure so he can’t use any spirit techniques.”
“…”
“Nameless and Lucius are probably pushing him hard, just as expected.”
After finishing my statement, I glanced at Elia to check her reaction. She looked at me with wide eyes as if she were astonished.
“I’ve never seen Harang talk this much, except when fighting the Duke…”
No matter how I try, why does it have to be about that little brat I fought against? Left speechless, I just turned away from Elia.
Anyway…
Since my task was decided, I just need to find the right timing to act.
There was just one worrying point; Jackal’s technique differs from the internal energy I use.
Well, in the end, it’s all internal energy, right? The core is the same.
Afterward, I discreetly drew out my internal energy, thin enough for Elia not to notice, and began to pour it into the symbol.
May it all go as I wish!
…
Nameless’ sword moved gracefully, painting a beautiful picture.
-Clang!
But the result of that was ruthlessly brutal.
“Gah…!”
Wrapped in chains, Jackal coughed up blood from the violent tremor coming from outside.
At this rate,
he thought, ‘I might lose my life just from the hits on the chains.’
He cursed under his breath.
“Damn…”
He rolled his feet and conjured a magic circle he had saved for his last resort beneath him.
In the uneven cave’s rocky floor, chains sprang up alongside the floor debris.
-Boom!
They headed towards Nameless.
“Tsk.”
Nameless clicked his tongue, pulling his body back as if it were thrown back, as if they had talked about it beforehand.
Immediately, Lucius charged in, swinging his sword horizontally with a burst of golden energy.
-Screech!
An unpleasant sound, like metal clashing against metal, pierced my eardrums.
At the same time, Jackal’s chains, which had risen proudly, faded helplessly.
“Jackal!”
But, Lucius didn’t stop.
He halted his body, lifting the tip of his sword and plunged it through the gap in the chains.
-Slice!
The sound of flesh tearing reached my ears.
A sensation traveled through Lucius’ whole body from his hand.
“I got him.”
Lucius smiled.
-Slump…
Jackal’s knees met the ground.
Before long, the chains that had surrounded him also lay sprawled on the floor.
“Cough…”
Perhaps to stop the overflowing blood, Jackal placed a hand on his stomach, closing his eyes like a crescent moon, and opened his mouth.
“Hahaha…”
His laughter was unfitting for the circumstance.
Lucius frowned.
‘Why does he have such a relaxed expression?’
Just as I had that thought for a moment, Jackal opened his mouth, interrupting Lucius’ line of thinking.
“…It seems the Demon King cares for me.”
Thick blood flowed from the corners of his mouth.
His lips stretched into a wide grin.
“…The Demon King? That guy is still…”
‘Wait a minute.’
Lucius’ instincts rang an alarm.
‘No way.’
The contemplation was brief, and the action was swift.
To slash Jackal and make sure of a clean finish, Lucius immediately raised his sword, but…
For some strange reason, his body wouldn’t respond.
Slightly looking down, he spotted the chains coiling around his ankles.
“Damn!”
Jackal’s chains
absorb and seal the target’s magic.
Quickly grasping the situation, Lucius turned his head sharply.
“Nameless! Finish this!”
He called to Nameless, but by the time Nameless swung down his sword,
bright light began to explode from Jackal’s body, contrasting with the pitch-black glow.
Where Nameless’ sword had passed, Jackal’s voice echoed throughout the cave, saying,
“Next time… it won’t go like this…”
and only a faint black mist remained.
Silence settled in the cave.
…
-Lucius
Why did Jackal’s teleportation activate?
He had confirmed with his own eyes that Jackal’s magic was nearly nonexistent.
But suddenly, teleportation is activated?
…Could it be that he absorbed magic through the chains that bound his ankles?
Absolutely not.
This could be firmly stated.
From the moment his chains touched him, it was merely a fleeting instant, and even if it absorbed enough of his magic in that instant, what Jackal was using was not magic, but mana.
It couldn’t possibly be teleportation.
So then, why?
Lucius clenched his eyes shut, accelerating his thoughts.
Was there another demon nearby besides Jackal?
If that demon had given Jackal some magic, it might well be possible.
However…
When I asked the Saint whether she sensed any other demon’s energy while pursuing Jackal,
she hadn’t mentioned feeling anything else.
As far as I know, no one is better than the Saint in tracking mana, so this is reliable information.
If not…
Thinking back, Jackal had said something worth noting before he fled.
“It seems the Demon King cares for me.”
At the time, I thought he was merely spouting nonsensical words to jerk my nerves… but maybe…
Did he really awaken the Demon King? It shouldn’t even be time for that vessel to be found yet, correct?
Could it be that due to my actions, the Demon King’s side was also hastening the process?
-Slump!
I sat down in defeat.
Overwhelmed by powerlessness.
I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood.
What a pathetic fool. What a complacent fool.
I’ve faced opponents like him before, and yet, to fall for the same trick.
Covering my head, I slammed it hard against the ground.
-Thud!
I felt something thick flow down my forehead.
“Lucius!”
To comfort my pathetic self, I could hear the Saint’s voice approaching me.
I was far too embarrassed
to lift my head and meet the Saint’s gaze.
In the past. No, in the future?
I could only recall moments when I cried and said those words to the Saint.
Just repeating the same words.
“…I’m sorry.”
Moments when I cried and said those words to the Saint.
“Lucius…”
“I’m sorry.”
I kept banging my head against the ground.
