The figures in black combat uniforms, with their faces concealed, were likely Dolf’s assassins. As they attacked without a sound, members of Waalthe, also clad in black, appeared from behind Jared.
“It seems things have progressed faster than I imagined.”
“But that is more convenient for us. It is good that the time to kill Dolf Ein, who betrayed my father, has come sooner.”
Pfeil, who led Waalthe, and Rosa appeared beside Jared. They were also clad in combat uniforms and armed, their intent to fight clearly evident.
“The problem is, we are three against their five executives.”
“What, are you worried, Jared Murphy?”
“Shut up, Rosa. I only want to rescue Luzer from his brainwashing and capture him. I don’t care whether the others live or die.”
Rosa, who had initially shown a flicker of surprise at Jared’s dismissive attitude towards everyone but Luzer, said nothing and drew her sword, ready to fight.
“I never thought we’d be fighting together like this, but let’s not die, okay?”
“You too.”
Jared smiled at Rosa, and she nodded.
“Jared—Hanne-sama said she’ll make snacks if this is all settled. I want to keep them all to myself, but I’ll share with you.”
“Wha-what are you saying, you idiot! Your husband is right here, keep your voice down!”
Jared felt a chill, wondering if they had been overheard, but the Duke was busy cutting down approaching enemies with his sword.
“Let’s stop joking around—here they come.”
“Right.”
While individually defeating the attacking assassins, the three of them, Jared, Pfeil, and Rosa, advanced towards Dolf. Dolf’s subordinates formed a wall to protect him, but they were no match for Jared’s group. Jared swung his knife, Pfeil loosed arrows, and Rosa swept her sword, systematically silencing each enemy.
Even as his subordinates fell, Dolf’s smile did not waver, nor did he attempt to flee. More importantly, Jared couldn’t help but wonder why Dolf’s five most formidable fighters had yet to appear without his being surprised.
“You’re good, just as expected, Jared Murphy. You managed to defeat Pfeil, the person I wanted most.”
“Flattery from an enemy doesn’t make me happy. So, are you ready?”
“Not yet—Second wave, go!”
At Dolf’s command, Jared tensed, and his eyes widened in disbelief. From behind him, private soldiers from the Norland Count Family appeared.
“Impossible! I told them not to engage in hostile acts!” Linus Norland shouted from the rear.
“Of course, they all clearly refused to help me. You have good retainers, Count Norland. If only your younger sister were a bit more sensible, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“You—!”
“I have controlled all your retainers. They are all my puppets.”
As if to prove his point, the faces of the Norland Count Family soldiers lacked any vitality. They drooled, their gazes unfocused. They had truly become Dolf’s words—lifeless puppets.
“Can you kill these unfortunate victims for me?”
“You cowardly scoundrel!”
Dolf’s smile deepened at Linus’s shout. However,
“You think those kinds of threats will work against us of Waalthe, Dolf Ein? I’m disappointed in you.”
Rosa swung her sword without hesitation at the manipulated knights. The knights, cut down in a diagonal slash, collapsed powerlessly to the ground, and Linus cried out.
“Stop, Rosa! Don’t kill innocent people!”
“I haven’t killed them. But if they obstruct me, I will cut them down, even if it is against their will. These knights too, against their own will, would not want to rebel against their lord. Especially knights.”
There was no room for rebuttal. Knights fight for their lord. Many knights would believe it’s better to die than to raise their sword against their lord. This was a concept that Jared, a magician, couldn’t fully grasp: chivalry. As Rosa said, even if it was against their will, they were acting against their lord’s command and might even harm him. No knight would accept such a situation.
“I told you before, cast aside your softness.”
“—Understood.”
“Jared! Please don’t kill my retainers!”
“Yes, I won’t. I’ll stop them my way.”
Jared nodded to Linus, who clearly displayed relief. Rosa, on the other hand, clicked her tongue. Jared began to augment his magic power, interfering with the earth spirits to borrow their strength. His goal was to stop the movements of the manipulated knights. He couldn’t petrify them. Jared didn’t know how to reverse petrification if it occurred even once. Therefore, he decided to petrify only their armor, immobilizing them. Or rather, it was a more fundamental approach. He would manipulate the earth itself to capture them. The spirits, understanding Jared’s intent, began to burrow into the ground, ready to lend their power. No incantation or anything else was needed. He just had to give the signal. With that alone, many of the mindless knights should become incapacitated.
“You won’t get away with that, Jared.”
However, before Jared’s magic could be fully offered to the spirits, a greatsword flew through the air. Dodging with a jump, he saw Luzer Fischer floating at the same height, a smile on his face. Even knowing he was brainwashed, Jared felt a sense of nostalgia. It was because Luzer had resisted during the brainwashing.
“Luzer!”
“Hey, brother. Finally, finally, I get to kill you here.”
“Jared! I’m coming now. Don’t fight seriously yet!”
Upon seeing Luzer appear, Pfeil shouted towards Jared, intending to come to his aid, but before he could move, crimson flames erupted.
“—!”
“Hey, you arrow-slinger. I’m your opponent. Today, I’ll kill you and prove I’m superior.”
“Flames!”
A red-haired youth, wreathed in flames, attacked Pfeil. Pfeil, his combat uniform scorched, meticulously dodged each blow.
“Betraying Waalthe, have you forgotten Wahash’s teachings too? We warriors don’t rely on magic—that’s what we were taught.”
“Stupid. What if I die because of that? Besides, you have no right to say that. You lost to Jared Murphy without magic, lost to him even with magic, and you still have the gall to talk big.”
Flames surged from Flames, engulfing Pfeil.
“Hahahah! This makes me the strongest among the successors!”
“—Pathetic, Flames.”
“…You’re still alive? You’re persistent.”
Pfeil, though burned, emerged from the flames unfazed, enveloped in a barrier as he advanced. He glanced once at Jared, who responded, “Don’t worry about me, deal with your own situation,” so Pfeil followed his words.
“Indeed, I was defeated by Jared. That is a fact, I admit it. However, that does not mean—that I have become weaker than you.”
“You’ve got a lot to say.”
“Let’s change locations. Let’s settle this where we can both go all out without interference.”
“I never expected an invitation like that from you, who always did whatever Wahash said. Alright, alright, deal. And after I turn you to ash, next is Rosa.”
Flames leapt, and Pfeil pursued him. Jared glanced at their retreating backs and turned his attention back to Luzer, who was watching him with a smile, not attacking.
“Well then, let’s go, brother.”
“You waited for me?”
“Of course. If I were worried about my comrades and held back, I wouldn’t be satisfied. Mia.”
“Yes.”
Mi, a girl in white, appeared from behind Luzer. She held a greatsword in her arms. Luzer took the greatsword from Mia and pointed its tip at Jared.
“This is brotherly kindness—Beg for forgiveness.”
Saying that with the same kind smile that Jared knew, felt like a stab to the heart. Even knowing he was brainwashed, it was painful to be hated so much. Even if these were false memories and emotions, being the target of such hatred was unbearable. Behind him, Mia, her face on the verge of tears, watched Luzer’s back.
“I have no intention of begging for forgiveness. I am just glad Luzer is alive. And just as you once saved me, now it is my turn to save Luzer.”
“Then, enough. Let’s go, Jared!”
Maneuvering his greatsword, Luzer was wreathed in lightning. Jared unleashed the magic power he had raised to its limit.
