"Swish!"
The sharp military knife cut through the air like a white silver light, descending from the sky towards Rozen. Glendan silently appeared behind Rozen, mercilessly delivering a powerful slash, causing the cold arc on the weapon to shimmer.
This general, hailed as comparable to Edward Rutherford, had honed impeccable swordsmanship through commanding on battlefields. Now, in this completely anti-magic space, Glendan's exceptional sword skills came into play, launching a deadly strike against Rozen.
Despite Edmund extending an olive branch to Rozen, expressing interest in recruiting him, Glendan showed no mercy, decisively aiming a powerful blow at Rozen's head.
Thus, the icy brilliance on the blade reached Rozen first, making him feel the forceful wind from behind.
Facing this sudden attack in a situation where magic couldn't be used and magic power couldn't be unleashed, even exceptionally skilled magus would have to accept defeat, wouldn't they?
Although truly outstanding magus usually possess the ability of "Heaven's Eye," allowing them to grasp the situation from all directions, in this anti-magic space, where magic cannot be released outward, forming no magical waves to survey the surroundings, "Heaven's Eye" naturally becomes ineffective.
The same goes for other skills, whether it's "Telekinesis," "Magic Defense," or even "Magic Resilience." All of them require converting magic power into mental power and releasing it externally, which is impossible in this anti-magic space.
But...
"Do you think this kind of ambush can deceive the 'Mind's Eye'?" Rozen's voice slowly spread.
Unlike other magical skills, the ability named "Mind's Eye" doesn't require magic power. Moreover, it has transcended the realm of magic. Even if magic power cannot be used, it is always in effect.
Back in the world, Rozen stood at the pinnacle of players solely because of the "Mind's Eye," defeating Kirito and Heathcliff, who possessed unique skills.
Therefore, how could Glendan's attack possibly escape the perception of Rozen's "Mind's Eye"?
Moreover, even without the ability of the "Mind's Eye," Glendan's ambush was destined to fail.
"Clang!"
Amidst a crisp sound, Rozen's coat fluttered, suddenly whipping up and shielding Rozen's back, deflecting Glendan's powerful strike.
"Bang!"
Immediately following was a muffled thud.
The corner of the coat rose again, slamming heavily into Glendan's abdomen.
"Gu...!"
Glendan instantly grunted, sent flying and rolling on the nearby deck.
"....!"
A spurt of blood erupted from Glendan's mouth, staining the deck crimson.
This scene caused the smile on Edmund's face to slightly stiffen.
"What's this?" Rozen feigned surprise. "Could this be your final move?"
Rozen appeared surprised, but his tone was filled with mockery.
However, Edmund paid no attention, merely frowning and staring at the coat on Rozen.
"Is that an enchanted object?" Edmund murmured, "Why can that enchanted object unleash power?"
The so-called enchanted object is nothing more than a tool or weapon equipped with magic circuits.
Since it's a tool or weapon with magic circuits, it similarly requires magic power to activate the magic within.
And this is clearly something impossible in this anti-magic space.
This made Edmund's expression become unpredictable.
Where could such an Edmund know?
"My Kinu inherently possesses the ability to resist curses and magic. Even if it's an anti-magic barrier, it's still a form of spell. Being nullified is only natural."
Rozen spoke with a half-smile.
"Although I still can't release magic power externally, as long as it doesn't leave my body, it's fine."
This is the method to counteract the "Anti-Magic Barrier."
As long as it functions internally rather than externally, magic can be used as usual.
In light of this, among the eight tiers of magus, "Rigid Body" can be used in the "Anti-Magic Barrier." Similarly, familiars with skills for close combat or anti-magic abilities that rely on converting magic power into direct power are unaffected by the "Anti-Magic Barrier."
Kinu can also receive a supply of magic power through the absolute contract with Rozen, unleashing its abilities against curses and magic without being hindered.
Not to mention whether Rozen's "Anti-Magic Barrier" is effective against divine beings; that is also an unknown.
Rozen straightforwardly revealed the weakness of the "Anti-Magic Barrier" to the opponent.
No choice.
"You just used the wrong method, fool."
Rozen forcefully pulled off the coat from his body.
The pitch-black coat instantly transformed into a three-legged crow, with golden eyes adorned with three rotating jade orbs. It flew towards the sky, keeping a watchful eye on Edmund, its cold gaze sending shivers down his spine.
By the time Edmund reacted, Kinu had swiftly appeared before him.
"Splut!"
In a tearing sound, Kinu's claws cut through Edmund's chest, causing blood to burst forth.
"Gah...!"
Already heavily wounded, Edmund now suffered even more, emitting a low howl as he fell onto the deck, covered in blood.
"Your Majesty!"
Glendan's eyes widened, followed by another roar.
"Ohhhh...!"
Beneath Glendan's enraged roar, a tremendous magical power erupted from him.
Yes, Glendan could now use magic.
It wasn't that the "Anti-Magic Barrier" had failed on Glendan; rather, the barrier itself had reached the end of its duration.
After all, Rozen had also entered the "Anti-Magic Barrier," unable to release magic power and provide the energy to sustain the barrier.
As a result, with the depletion of the magical power stored in the surrounding talismans, the barrier naturally ceased to function.
Realizing this, Glendan's eyes lit up, and he shouted.
"Come! Sylphid!"
At Glendan's call, his automaton appeared before him as if teleporting in an instant.
Because he couldn't release magic power or control the automaton inside the "Anti-Magic Barrier," Glendan hadn't summoned Sylphid before.
But now, circumstances had changed.
Using Sylphid, Glendan, hailed as a general comparable to Edward Rutherford, who was the strongest magus of the 19th century, could truly demonstrate his prowess on the battlefield.
"Let me take your head and reclaim victory in this war."
Glendan infused all his magic power into Sylphid.
Sylphid immediately swayed like a mirage.
This was proof of its preparation to use that elusive teleportation ability.
Perhaps, those unaware might think Sylphid's magic was in the spatial category like Kamakiri or Daedalus, but in reality, Sylphid's magic circuits possessed the ability to freely manipulate density. It could loosen an individual's density, allowing their flesh to merge into the atmosphere, infiltrating any corner within range. Then, in an instant, it would condense the density, creating an effect similar to instantaneous movement.
The name of this magic circuit was————"Sileighty."
With it, people bestowed Glendan with the title of "Red Mirage."
However...
"Pound!"
A tremendous impact crossed space, blasting Glendan and Sylphid.
Glendan spat out blood as he fell.
Sylphid was instantly damaged.
The general, who was praised as comparable to the strongest magus of the 19th century, fell into silence.
Rozen maintained his clapping posture, smirking.
"I really don't understand what's so joyous about the barrier losing its effect and allowing me to use magic and jujutsu."
The masterminds of the rebellion were utterly defeated at this point.