Chapter 70: Unexpected Taboo Strike
The Glen Rock Area was once a battlefield. It was the place where the fallen Portia Kingdom made its last stand against the Subarokia Grand Empire when it was conquered. The catastrophic state was brought about by the strategic magic spell "Great Meteor" invoked by the Empire's court mage.
As a result, the northern plains turned into the Glen Rock Area.
"Finally, this day has come," muttered the awakened magic-clad warrior, Lut Rayvan, under the cloudless sky.
Behind her stood not only two hundred imperial soldiers but also several S-ranked magic-clad warriors. Among them were Mysla of "Magic Eye," Sadina of "Sky," and Ike of "Flame Dragon." Additionally, Azka of "Beast King," Ryuk of "Thunder Emperor," and Veil of "Deep Sea" were present.
Each S-ranked magic-clad warrior possessed formidable individual strength and their own retinues.
These seven had gathered to eliminate the executive officer of the dark organization "Grim Reaper." They seemed excessively powerful, comparable to forces needed to defeat ruin-class monsters. In other words, their abilities surpassed the likes of catastrophic disaster-class magical creatures that required preparing for the destruction of major cities.
"Is the search for the 'Grim Reaper' proceeding smoothly?" Lut inquired of a nearby soldier.
She knew that the "Grim Reaper" would appear on this day. Of course, assuming the note was genuine. Nevertheless, she didn't intend to wait for the "Grim Reaper" to show up. Two hundred soldiers were employed to search the Glen Rock Area and locate Shuu, the "Grim Reaper."
The soldier addressed by Lut replied, "W-we have already searched eighty percent of the area! The surveillance network has been set up!"
"Good. Then continue the search."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Saluting, the soldier left.
In this location, apart from the soldiers, there were also many court mages. They were using magical perception to locate the "Grim Reaper." This detection network would likely find them unless the "Grim Reaper" was adept at skillfully concealing their magical power. Even if they were hiding, they couldn't evade visual searches. It was unlikely they could use advanced magic or magic-clad techniques to hide their presence while concealing their magical power. The possibility of using magical tools to remain hidden had also been considered, but that could be countered with the same. They wouldn't be able to remain hidden.
No, they would undoubtedly be found.
"Captain!"
"Ah, Sadina. How's the sky looking?"
"No signs yet. The 'Grim Reaper' might not have appeared."
"Confident, isn't the 'Grim Reaper'..."
The note specified the date and location, but not the time. When the "Grim Reaper" would appear was unknown. They might even launch a surprise attack as assassins.
However, with so many magic-clad warriors, mages, and soldiers, along with magical tools, they should be able to counter any threat.
That's what they thought.
However, one of the court mages who was measuring magical power using magical tools shouted out.
"Something terrible is happening! It's a major catastrophe!"
Without giving specifics, the mage continued shouting. Nearby, Azka, the "Beast King," approached them and grabbed the mage by their collar.
"Shut up! Spit it out, what's the big deal? Huh? What's going on?"
"U-uhhh!"
"Hurry up and talk!"
"Ah, I-I..."
Azka, an S-ranked magic-clad warrior, was young and extremely aggressive. Their imposing presence and magical power were immense, leaving the scholarly mage with no choice but to give a pitiful response. Since the situation wasn't progressing well, Sadina stepped in.
"Azka-san, please calm down. He's frightened."
"Huh? Oh, it's the 'Sky' girl."
"Calling me a girl is disrespectful. Besides, there's not much of an age difference between you and me, is there?"
"Yeah! A guy who can only run into the sky and shoot magic isn't much more than a girl."
"Oh my! How rude. They say you're built with muscle even in your brain!"
"What'd you say, you little..."
Sadina's intervention prevented the situation from escalating into a needless fight. Then, Ryuk, the "Thunder Emperor," known as Azka's external conscience, stepped in to stop Azka.
"It's not good to quarrel with women. Be a gentleman."
"You... Tch."
Azka had been paralyzed by Ryuk's electric shock multiple times before. Neural transmissions occur through electrical signals, so Ryuk, who could interfere with them, could physically disable an S-ranked magic-clad warrior. To avoid being paralyzed here, Azka backed down.
Lut also intervened and asked the male court mage, who was shouting about a major catastrophe, what was going on.
"So, what exactly is the problem?"
"Lut-sama! It's an immense magical power reaction. It's far beyond normal detection and happening in the sky!"
"In the sky? Let me verify that..."
"The magical power reaction is higher than the clouds! By chance, I shifted the detection range upwards using magical tools, and I found it!"
This revelation sent shockwaves through them.
Undoubtedly, it was an attack from the "Grim Reaper." No one could sense an attack from above the clouds that no one could predict.
The male court mage continued.
"This kind of magical power is a forbidden spell! If it hits directly, we'll be wiped out!"
The memory of the Elta Fortress being obliterated by the "Grim Reaper's" magical attack was fresh. If they were hit unexpectedly by a forbidden spell, the Imperial Army, along with Glen Rock Area, would be annihilated.
While they discussed this, the clear sky began to cloud over.
The wind grew stronger.
The air grew colder.
The dark expanse of sky roared.
(Could it be the "Land Crushing Wind Pressure Downburst"?)
The thirteenth-tier wind and forbidden spell, "Land Crushing Wind Pressure Downburst."
A grand magical technique said to have caused the destruction of the Elta Fortress.
Lut was responsible for imperial soldiers, mages, and magic-clad warriors on behalf of the emperor. It would be unthinkable for them to be annihilated by a surprise attack. She had a duty as an awakened magic-clad warrior.
"Magician there. Give orders for everyone not to move."
"B-but we need to escape quickly..."
"Considering the range of the forbidden spell, running now would be pointless. Give the orders quickly. It's an order."
"Yes, y-yes, ma'am!"
After giving an incoherent response, the male mage activated magical tools. Then, under the pretext of following Lut Rayvan's orders, he directed everyone to stay in place.
The grand magical power, so vast that even normal sensing could detect it, surged in the sky. Anyone who sensed it couldn't help but feel fear.
Even though it was Lut's command as an S-ranked magic-clad warrior, the soldiers and mages were bewildered.
Should they prioritize their own lives or follow orders?
However, the loyal Subarokia Grand Empire Army chose the latter. The impulse ingrained through rigorous training, to follow the orders of superior officers, triumphed over the instinct of fear.
"Are you alright, Captain?"
"Oh my, Sadina, always so concerned. Leave it to me."
Even as the Forbidden Curse was about to be invoked, Luto remained composed. The ancient arcane spell that once ravaged the Elda Fortress could easily annihilate even S-Rank Spellknights. By all rights, the Imperial Army should have been wiped out here.
However, Luto Lavein was an awakened Spellknight.
A being that transcended human limits, existing outside the laws of energy conservation. A peculiar Spellknight capable of endlessly replenishing magical power. Thus, she could deploy spells of extraordinary magnitude that were impossible for others.
"My magic distorts even light. It's child's play, like distorting the wind."
Luto was a practitioner of territorial magic, manipulating gravity. The area of her magic expanded around her, forming a hemispherical barrier. Light was twisted by gravity, plunging the interior into darkness. Panic gripped soldiers and sorcerers caught within, robbed of their sight and mobility.
A barrier of gravitational magic.
Colliding with the Forbidden Curse "Earth-Devouring Wind Pressure Downburst."
Even the sound of fierce wind was twisted by gravity. The power of an awakened Spellknight rivalled that of the Forbidden Curse. It was only natural since they were akin to the King's monsters.
The swirling winds threatened to destroy the Imperial Army and the land itself.
Yet, Luto's dome of darkness dispersed the wind.
After a few seconds of trembling ground, everything settled. Luto released the gravity.
"They're here. Get ready for combat!"
The Spellknights present in this location were already aware.
They sensed the immense magical power hovering in the sky, not bothering to hide. S-Rank Spellknights, of course, as well as Imperial soldiers and sorcerers, intensified their vigilance.
In the midst of it all, S-Rank Spellknight "Flame Dragon" Ike charged ahead.
"Grim Reaper! Aaaaaaaaah!"
"Hold on, Ike!"
Although Luto tried to stop him with words, it was too late. Ike, draped in the flames of a dragon, soared into the sky.
"Sadina, provide support!"
"Yes!"
Sadina, an extended-type Spellknight with wings sprouting from her back, also took flight. She maneuvered gracefully through the air, employing her adept magic to eliminate foes. Her role as a support was well-suited.
Luto issued further commands.
"Form into units and disperse. Clustering too much will make you vulnerable to magic! Those capable of flying with 'Sky Soar Fly,' follow me."
As she spoke, Luto took flight as well. Using gravity manipulation, she floated into the air, her territorial magic confined to the surface of her body. This advanced use of magic canceled out gravity—a testament to her immense control as an awakened Spellknight.
However, Ike and Sadina had the advantage in terms of speed.
Descending upon the "Grim Reaper," Ike launched an attack without uttering a word. There was no need to confirm that the opponent was the "Grim Reaper." Having experienced the power on the day his father was killed, there was no mistaking it.
"That's quite enough."
The fiery dragon's power aimed at tearing apart the "Grim Reaper," Shuu and Iris, dissipated. Shuu's death magic had siphoned away its energy. Furthermore, losing the fiery dragon meant losing the ability to fly, causing Ike to plummet.
He was just an unawakened Spellknight, after all.
He had no right to stand before Shuu, a creature akin to the King's monsters.
"Ike-san!"
Sadina hurriedly caught Ike as he fell.
Then, she moved away from the "Grim Reaper." Since her magic had been nullified by an unknown force, there was a possibility her powers could be negated as well. Essentially, falling from the sky and dying was a real possibility. The most prudent course of action was to distance themselves from the "Grim Reaper" for the time being.
"Let go, Sadina! I..."
"Please wait! Let's stay calm and work together to defeat it!"
"...You're annoying."
Ike shrugged off Sadina's grasp and activated his magic once again. Unable to approach due to the fiery dragon's heat, Sadina reluctantly permitted Ike's decision to act on his own.
All he could see now was the "Grim Reaper."
He channeled his hatred for his father's killer, his resentment for his fallen comrades, into his magic.
Once more, he enshrouded himself in the flames of the dragon, preparing to deliver a fatal blow to the "Grim Reaper."
A single strike that represented the epitome of the dragon's power.
A breath attack.
"Quite predictable."
"Indeed."
The scorching heat capable of melting rocks.
However, the energy remained thermal. Shuu simply extended his hand, activating his death magic that absorbed and converted all forms of energy into magical essence. The raging flames turned into cold air, energy vanishing.
"Allow me to return the favor."
For every unit of absorbed energy, he unleashed a spell.
The incantation involved vibrational magic. Through immense magical power, he caused the particles in the air to vibrate rapidly. By further compressing these particles, he formed a sphere of heat in his palm.
A glowing white sphere was released.
The intended target wasn't Ike; rather, it was Sadina standing behind him. The white-hot plasma sphere, accelerated by a movement spell, passed through Ike's side and struck Sadina.
Having accelerated with a movement spell, Ike was unable to react in time. Ike, who had anticipated a counterattack, was outwitted.
(No... Sadina!)
Caught in his throat, the voice finally emerged.
His thoughts caught up, but his body lagged behind. Even a shout summoned at this moment came too slowly. Ike, paralyzed by the sudden attack, could hardly move his limbs.
Once again, a comrade was about to die—or rather, be killed by the "Grim Reaper."
But that illusion was shattered.
The invisible force repelled the brilliantly shining plasma sphere.
"It wouldn't do to forget about me. Feeling a little chilly now, Ike?"
Standing there was none other than Luto, a top-tier Spellknight.