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On the castle wall, Shione gathered her mana, feeling the gentle breeze brush against her.

Even the soldiers on guard, vigilant as ever, couldn’t take their eyes off the magical phenomena manifesting in her hands. Especially the wizards stationed there to protect the walls were completely captivated by her presence. Shione continued to focus, their deep interest fueling her concentration.

As her magic reached completion and enveloped the wall, an unusual event unfolded.

However, I was more focused on Shione, the one casting the spell, than the immediate changes happening around us.

“Princess Shione, mana potion.”

“Oh, thank you. I would have been in big trouble without this potion.”

Having used one earlier in the room and now another right away, Shione breathed heavily, utterly exhausted as she accepted the potion.

Without hesitation, she gulped it down. Her slightly flushed face indicated she must’ve been on the brink of running out of mana. If I hadn’t provided it, she might’ve stumbled and collapsed in front of so many people right after casting such magnificent magic.

Only then did I look around and find the soldiers who had just witnessed a miracle shouting with excitement. The annoying illusions had vanished, and they could now give Allen, who had been gnawing at the Marquis family, a well-deserved kick.

Moreover, Abel, who had been observing everything, spoke with a look of amazement in his eyes.

“…It’s incredible how the illusions on the wall vanished so ghost-like. Thanks to you, it’ll be much easier to protect the walls now.”

“I’m glad it worked. Still… there’s the duration of my magic to consider, and it seems the magic doesn’t reach that far end, so we mustn’t let our guard down.”

At the edge of the western wall, in the border area with the southern and northern walls, Shione’s magic had yet to touch, and the illusions swayed there.

Nevertheless, in the western wall’s central part, alongside her, the quiet fog hovering over the ground formed a broad circle, dispelling the illusions rising beneath. The burden on the defenders was clearly reduced, allowing Abel to smile at the change.

“Of course. Besides, thanks to Ray, we’ve grabbed hold of clues on how to tackle the illusions, so this isn’t a problem at all.”

“Ray, you say?”

“Yes, during our previous discussion, he achieved a new breakthrough. I’d like to repay him once this war is over.”

It seemed Abel had successfully managed to suppress the illusions alone. If that wasn’t the case, he wouldn’t wear such a carefree expression.

Suspending his satisfaction and the curiosity about what form of repayment might take shape, it was only a short while before…

“We need to reassess the troop placements on the wall. In fact, our scouts just returned with information.”

Abel soon returned to the demeanor of a cold commander.

“A group of dark sorcerers larger than a company has been spotted. Apparently, Allen has prepared quite a number of large monsters.”

“We’ll need to fortify the gate even more. They’ll surely try to break through regardless of the cost.”

“The expected attack seems to be around the time the moon begins to dip, so we need to finish our preparations even faster to hold out. Princess Shione, we’d appreciate it if you could reinforce the internal defenses as well.”

“Of course, young adult.”

The combat would commence at the moment the sun sank beyond the horizon, and the moon ascended.

With no time to waste, we mounted our horses and began moving towards the command center.

Gripping the reins tighter, Shione spoke in a voice that only I could hear, increasing her speed gradually.

“I need to send a letter to my sister. If necessary, I want to join the assault team to support.”

“Joining the assault team is dangerous.”

“I won’t take any unnecessary risks. I might need my magic when capturing Allen.”

Shione brushed her bangs back, frowning slightly.

“I’m getting tired of this horse ride.”

*

As the moon hung high in the sky, the enemy’s attacks resumed.

The sturdy walls, impervious to intruding illusions, proved too difficult for the enemies to breach soon enough. As the magic effects began to wear off, the few illusions that did appear were swiftly dispelled by the knights.

Swish─!

With a swift draw, Abel unleashed his blade at the illusions trying to rise as the magic weakened. Though not overly powerful, his precise and smooth strikes made quick work of the phantoms.

“Knights! Finish it!”

And quickly, in accordance with his command, the knights wielding mana-infused swords eradicated the illusions.

Abel was already skillfully directing the battle on the wall, having suppressed the illusions repeatedly.

At this rate, they might indeed fend off another wave of attacks.

Yet, the problem loomed; the assault team had not yet reported the enemy’s main forces.

“Everyone, hold your tension! The dark sorcerer hasn’t once shown their face.”

Thus, Allen felt an unease amidst the unraveling circumstances. He couldn’t grasp how sharply his most lethal sword would be.

Still, amidst ongoing combat, his weary body deteriorated rapidly.

“Something’s happening beyond the walls!”

At the soldier’s cry, I looked over the edge of the wall, and at last, the feared enemy materialized.

The nefarious dark sorcerers.

“Wizards and soldiers, prioritize attacking those dark sorcerers!”

With Abel’s rapid orders, intense firepower was unleashed onto the group of dark sorcerers.

A considerable impact. They undoubtedly sustained considerable losses, yet their magic was not canceled and continued to be cast.

The monstrous attacks ultimately reached the walls.

Boom─!!

“Ugh!”

With a thunderous bang, sound was drowned, and an excruciating ringing echoed in my head.

The explosion jarred the walls. As I threw caution to the wind, I witnessed the agonized faces of soldiers in my line of sight, overwhelmed by the enemy’s magic. At the same time, an inexplicable tingle crawled up my back, accompanied by a bright flash covering my vision.

‘What the…!’

I felt an overwhelming wave of vertigo. It was dangerous. Feeling such a disorienting sensation on the narrow walls could equate to a fatal fall.

Desperately, Abel tightened his grip on his sword and dragged its blade against the ground beneath him. As his ears rang with silence, the unpleasant scraping of the earth against metal filled his senses. Fortunately, he collided with the wall’s stone parapet.

“Cough…!”

In a moment of breathlessness, he was soon overwhelmed by fatigue, and a soldier rushed to his side for support.

“Abel, you need to get down from the wall immediately!”

Abel gathered his disoriented mind and chewed down hard on his lip. Tasting the metallic bitterness of blood and dirt allowed him to gradually regain his senses.

He looked back over the wall, taking in the situation.

“Ah.”

Colossal monsters charged ferociously towards the wall. The outer face of the walls seemed incapable of retaining the same defensive capability after being bombarded multiple times. If they couldn’t stop the multitude of monsters, the walls would face grave danger.

“Ballistae! Cannons, fire quickly! Right now! Pour oil below the walls, and ignite it immediately……!”

Abel shouted with a strained voice.

The soldiers on the wall, though fatigue-eaten, illuminated by the flames of their fighting spirit, were filled with the essence of victory, despite Abel’s tattered back and wounds.

“Abel.”

“I’m fine for now. Knight, assist the soldiers—”

“…All weapons on the wall have been destroyed.”

They had lost every means to fend off the enemies from the wall.

The morale uplifted had plunged like a rock into the freezing depths of the sea, and soon, Abel gritted his teeth as he concluded the bitter reality.

“We can’t abandon the western walls; the prestige of the Marquis family is at stake. Isn’t there any way to hold them off?”

“…The morale of the soldiers has dropped significantly. At this rate, they’ll just be prey for the enemies.”

“Are we doomed to see the walls fall then? In that case—”

Abel Kalia picked up a sword lying on the ground, abandoned without a master.

“No, even so, I can buy time for our defenses.”

He swung the sword to slice through the illusions trying to escape the magic.

With moonlight shimmering on the blade, it glimmered with purpose.

“We are the Marquis family protecting the Empire! Never have we allowed the Empire’s forces to breach these walls, and our enemies have never penetrated the walls until now!”

At his battle cry, the previously demoralized soldiers began to refocus their sights on him.

“If the walls are breached today, we will honor the vows of our ancestors who have protected the Marquis family and resist until the end! If this place falls, our families will be in danger!”

One by one, soldiers re-gripped their spears and swords.

“Even without a single drop of mana, I, Abel Kalia, vow to hold this ground until the walls crumble! Everyone raise your swords and buy us time!”

In the battle’s climax, the western walls eventually fell.

But the spirit of the Kalia Marquis family was reignited, rivaling that of the Count’s victory in the war.

*

After the fall of the walls, Abel swiftly moved to the first line of defense.

The area near the walls was already engaged in combat by the forces previously positioned by Shione, along with reserve defenders. He hurried to regroup the frontline and prepare for the next counter-response.

“Ugh…”

However, the searing pain radiating from his back was becoming unbearable. His stamina was at its limits, and the priest attending him had to administer treatments on the move, slowing him down often.

The priest was sweating profusely as he tended to Abel’s wounds. He answered mechanically, focusing intently.

“Abel, just hang on a bit longer.”

“Thank you. I’ll surely repay you once this is over.”

“No need for that. As one who serves the deity, it’s only natural to—”

Before he could finish, an arrow pierced him, and he fell lifelessly.

As Abel numbly gazed at the fallen priest, the knights drew their swords in unison.

“Stay alert! Enemies nearby!”

“Northwest! Enemy spotted!”

As the knights gathered their mana in preparation for combat, the enemy finally revealed themselves.

And it was a face both familiar and loathed.

There could be no doubt. The man bearing the striking resemblance to Abel, the one carrying the Kalia Marquis blood, was none other than Allen Kalia, the very one responsible for stirring all this chaos.

“Long time no see, brother. You look quite banged up. Seems my gift to you was well appreciated.”

Unlike Abel’s demeanor, he maintained a relaxed attitude while many demons and dark sorcerers began to appear at his side.

“How was it? It must’ve been quite fun taking care of the western region while chasing me away. If I quietly killed our mother, everything would’ve sorted itself out. But since you poked your nose in, you got some of the fallout too, didn’t you? Isn’t that right?”

“…Shut up. You intended to kill us all from the start.”

“Why would I kill you? Once I become the head, you’re going to be so invaluable to me.”

With a sly tilt of his head, Allen feigned innocence.

“A guy like you acting tough would be more than enough when paired with just a succubus. After all, an oddball like you is best suited for dancing around with your noble status and all. You’ll be begging for help before long.”

Abel surveyed the area.

There was no escape; they were thoroughly cornered by enemies and bound in a situation where combat was unavoidable, and the knights were overly fatigued, leaving them in the worst predicament imaginable.

“Allen, how did you infiltrate this far?”

“Why are you being so curt with me, brother? Don’t you think there’s any charm in your response?”

“Answer my question.”

“What if I don’t feel like it?”

“…”

“Well, it doesn’t matter since everyone will know soon enough. With all the blood spilled on the walls, how strong do you think my illusions have become? Slipping into an area where that nuisance magic doesn’t reach is child’s play.”

As Allen’s mocking remarks echoed, Abel leveled his sword at his brother.

The tense standoff between the two siblings began.

Allen sighed and shook his head in discontent.

“How is it that a man like you has absolutely no charm?”

With a sudden change in expression, he commanded, “Spare Allen alive. The rest of them, kill ’em. It’s more beneficial to keep him alive.”

The battle commenced.

The weaker demons fought against the knights, allowing themselves to be slain without regard for their own fates and exhausting the knights’ energy. Meanwhile, sorcerers ensnared the knights with various tricks.

With rapid, relentless attacks, the knights began to fall, drenched in the blood of dead demons spilling onto the dry ground. Each time a corpse rolled over, another knight met their end, leaving only Allen Kalia standing.

He was left battered and tattered, crawling on the ground.

‘…I can’t see ahead.’

He felt pushed to his limits both mentally and physically. Perhaps he had put in a good effort compared to his standing.

The demons were tireless. Even with the knights throwing themselves to protect him, he found it difficult to move his left arm and even harder to stand up straight.

Had Allen employed magic? Amongst the blotch-covered ground, the illusory forms of the slain demons appeared before his blurred vision.

‘That’s right, this much─’

Just when he resolved to surrender to the struggle, he spotted a nearby knight growing weaker, gasping for warmth. Despite his impending doom, the knight clung to his sword till the very end, the unwavering grip of his hand still echoing strength.

She was a knight.

‘Why did I want to become a knight?’

He admired those warriors.

Knights who wielded mana to uphold justice.

The knights seemed far more heroic than the beautiful prince from fairy tales, striking down enemies. Longing to become a knight as revered as his mother, driven by the gallantry that captivated even his late father, he had whiled away his days harboring that noble aspiration.

Yet he was a man incapable of wielding mana. Becoming a knight was out of the question, yet he never gave up on this desire.

Finally, he thought he had glimpsed a chance to truly become one.

‘Still, at least I wish to—’

If he could face his illusions till the very end and end his life just as Allen channeled his dark magic, it’d be a magnificent conclusion, much like the resting knight over there.

‘Get up.’

He summoned strength to his legs.

Engaging the muscles that had reached their limits, he pushed through the pang.

“Gah!”

Struggling, he used the sword as a staff and managed to assume a stance.

Sadly, gripping the blade tightly with his left hand seemed impossible.

‘Ray taught me.’

To vividly visualize cleaving through the illusions in my mind.

At the very least, he had to cut down one of them.

He painted the image in his head.

“Abel, just know when to stop. What’s that even gonna change?”

‘Falling is okay.’

As he fell, the blade would carve a crescent moon in the air, dispatching the illusions.

“See, just don’t struggle and let it happen—”

Slice─

As Abel tumbled, the illusion’s neck was cleanly severed.

“Don’t pull any silly stunts, Abel.”

‘You can do this.’

Abel got back up and swung again.

This time, he managed to cleave an illusion’s arm. This was something Allen, without making a deal with a demon, could never achieve.

Feeling the inferiority complex radiating off his brother, Allen scowled.

“What can you do by getting back up? Chase away the ghosts in front of you?”

As Allen approached, Abel continued slashing at the illusions.

The clean cuts solidified his strike, proving his substance.

“Doing something as if you’re someone important just because you weren’t chosen by the divine?”

Allen kicked Abel fiercely.

“Cough….”

Abel gasped, choking on his breath as he opened his eyes wide.

“Go on, say it.”

“You can’t say anything at all.”

“Couldn’t possibly grasp why you’re doing this.”

The one-sided beatdown continued, and finally, Allen turned, waving dismissively.

“Bind him. He’ll serve as a sacrifice to the deity. He may be filthy, but he carries the blood of the Marquis family, so he should be useful.”

At that moment of vulnerability, Abel stood back up.

He forced his unresponsive left arm to grip the sword’s hilt firmly. Given the massive actions of slicing were beyond his current strength, he prepared for a thrust despite the burden.

He visualized the precise jab, yet in his mind, he always failed to pierce his brother.

His battered form now unable to move in his imagined scenarios highlighted the undeniable end awaiting him.

But nonetheless, he steeled himself mentally.

‘Just once should be enough.’

A single thrust.

It felt sufficiently perfect the instant he surged ahead.

His body broke through its limits.

Ray’s urging had paved the way to his new reality.

“I did it─!”

“Ugh…!”

Despite the grimace, Abel gasped in exhilaration.

Ultimately, his strike was intercepted by a demon, but he managed to smile with relief.

Even thrown into the air, his emotions remained unshattered.

Just moments before, he had wielded the strength worthy of a knight.

“This won’t do. Just kill him.”

As Allen commanded, the approaching demon moved deliberately close.

Abel finally closed his eyes, sensing the grip of death snuffling at his throat.

And then, at that moment, he perceived something strange.

‘The ground is shaking?’

He lifted his eyelids slightly to the now keen sensations he was feeling.

The vibrations increased wildly as they rushed towards him, and soon he caught sight of the source approaching from far off.

A heavily armored knight with a steed of tremendous speed. The horse, empowered by magical blessings, could easily control its speed despite its weight.

Quickly, Abel recognized the identity of the armored knight from the emblem etched upon their metal.

‘The Count’s assault team!’

The gigantic lance wielded by the knight lowered, charging at the demons before her.

As her lance clashed against the monster’s armor, a fearsome roar erupted.

The knight assessing the situation quickly verified that both Allen and Abel lay critically injured.

“Confirming the survival of Abel Kalia!”

She then threw her damaged lance at the approaching enemy and shouted, “Identifying Allen Kalia!”

With that declaration, the assault team surged forward in unison.

“Kill him immediately!”

It was a perfect ambush by Siabel Shianella.

 

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