The magic circle created by Marquis Vincent Rutland is located in the mansion’s basement. It’s so vast that you wouldn’t believe it’s underground. It makes me worry about the foundation.
“Everything is ready.”
All members of the White Lily Corps have gathered, but only Rufina and I can enter the magic circle. The circle will not dissipate until one of us wins, or dies.
“Let me explain one more time.”
I listened to Marquis Rutland’s explanation while gently holding Rufina’s arm. Thanks to Sophia’s treatment, Rufina had recovered enough to be able to enter the magic circle, even if she couldn’t fight. Sophia said it was like doping, only temporarily healing her.
Even if it’s temporary, I hope it lasts until we eliminate the Undead Queen. The arm holding Rufina’s lightly crumbled, its skin melting. Can she not feel pain anymore?
“I’ve created several defensive magic circles within the main magic circle. If you stand inside them, you should be able to block some magic. Rufina, you will stay inside one of those until this is over.”
Creating magic circles within a magic circle is something only Marquis Rutland could do. He probably sacrificed his life to create this for his daughter.
“Captain, it’s not too late. No one will blame you if you stop here.”
Rufina said this. I looked at the faces of the White Lily Corps members. Their faces were a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Alana’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, while Pushirira looked anxious.
“At least be honest with yourself. I don’t want to have any regrets.”
“What a foolish Captain…”
I’m fine being called foolish. After all, I’m the Captain of the White Lily Corps.
“Shall we begin?”
As Rufina and I stepped into the magic circle, Marquis Rutland activated the defensive circles. Then, Rufina began chanting the magic to summon the Undead Queen. The magic circle was covered by a semi-circular transparent membrane, and a dark, suffocating aura rose from its center.
That dark aura started to spin, gradually taking on human form, the shape of the Undead Queen.
“You again? You still aren’t dead?”
Inside a tattered red dress, a pulsating heart was visible between skeletal gaps. A skeleton wearing a crown spoke to Rufina.
“Rufina, is this her, for sure?”
“Yes. She is a formidable foe. Be careful.”
So, it was her. She’s the one who hurt Rufina, the one who made her cry, that Bastard!
“What are you talking about? You scum who can’t even die…”
First strike!
With a Godspeed draw, I severed the Undead Queen’s head. As I spun around, I pierced her heart and cut upwards.
“Forgive my tardiness. I am Mikael Shin, Captain of the White Lily Corps. For reasons I cannot explain, I will kill the Undead Queen until she is truly dead. Please bear with me.”
The head that was flying through the air returned to its body, and the wound in her heart, her bones, even her clothes, all returned to normal.
“You insolent human!”
I split her from head to crotch. Second strike.
“Rufina, please stay inside the defensive barrier. It’s dangerous.”
Once again, the Undead Queen’s body reformed, and she began to chant.
“■■■■, breath of poison…”
I pierced her from her open mouth to her brain and cut it off.
“Don’t spew that filth.”
Third strike.
I’ll kill you however many times it takes. However many times!
I tried to remain calm. I knew I shouldn’t get carried away, to keep my swordplay steady. My Black Sword trembled with rage. Seeing Rufina like this, I couldn’t stay calm. If she died, we could all be happy together again, like before. I wouldn’t have to put the lives of my subordinates on the line.
I lost count of how many times I killed her. Now, the heat of emotion is gone. Like a machine, each time the Undead Queen revived, I decapitated her, pierced her heart, and tore her body apart.
“Just die already. You’re too weak.”
“You! You! Inferior human!”
I am faster and stronger. That’s due to my overwhelming speed, but it doesn’t mean I’m not physically tired. I can feel myself slowing down compared to when I first started.
“■■■■, rot.”
The Queen unleashed a wide-ranging dark green breath from her mouth. It wasn’t that my speed couldn’t keep up, but I was caught off guard and couldn’t swing my Black Sword. I could only use Godspeed to escape into the defensive barrier where Rufina was. I guess age is catching up to me.
“Captain, you were careless.”
“I made a slight mistake. The magic circle is filled with smoke, but can you do something about it?”
“I can still do something. ■■■■, purify.”
The dark green mist floating within the magic circle became transparent. Rufina was battered but seemed capable of fighting alongside me.
“It’s getting a bit tough. Can you provide pinpoint support?”
“Leave it to me.”
She’s not saying much. Is Rufina also finding it difficult? Once the magic circle was completely clear…
“Kya!”
“A little something for you. I’m going.”
Before leaving the defensive barrier, I got to squeeze Rufina’s chest. After all, I need something to get me motivated.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Queen. I’m thinking of ending this soon.”
“Indeed. You will die now. ■■■■, great sword of rot.”
Buster Sword-like greatswords floated around the Undead Queen, their blades tinged with a dark green hue. The gently swaying greatswords all flew towards me with a single swing of the Undead Queen’s hand.
Behind me is Rufina, inside the defensive barrier. I could dodge, but what if it hits the barrier and she can’t withstand it!? I’ll cut them all down!
I wasn’t losing in terms of speed. I could handle everything, but each blow was heavy. After taking about twenty, the grip strength in my right hand disappeared. I defended with my left hand’s shield, but it began to rot, and by the third strike, I discarded it.
The rest will be finished with sheer willpower! As the number of flying greatswords decreased, I closed the distance and thrust my inverted sword into the Undead Queen’s abdomen, slashing up to her heart, and blood spurted out.
There was a strange sensation from the moment I stabbed her.
…Her body is solid. Or rather, does she have flesh? I only decapitated her, so I didn’t notice, but blood just spurted out.
Her face is a skull, and the exposed neck and hands visible from her dress are only bone, but if you look closely, her body has flesh, and her tattered dress looks a little cleaner.
Is the skeletal Undead Queen becoming more human? Is that a sign of her weakening, or a trump card?
Marquis Rutland and the others outside the magic circle seemed to be talking about something, but I couldn’t hear anything. Not even Rufina’s voice could be heard from inside the barrier.
Is this a trap!? Does she have a trump card!? Aside from losing grip strength, I’m still faster. I can still cope, but the moment I saw Rufina collapsing inside the barrier, all my thoughts vanished.
Kill. I will kill the one who brought Rufina to this state! A trap? Bring it on! I’ll fall for it! And then I’ll kill you.
My legs move. My sword can be gripped. Godspeed at maximum!
I unleashed all my power, determined to end this fight as quickly as possible. I continued to kill the Undead Queen until her body was completely regenerated.
The Undead Queen. Her face and body had completely regenerated, with terrifying crimson eyes and black hair. A cold, regal demeanor emanated from her face. The swelling chest beneath her crimson dress, the same color as her eyes, was so beautiful that if it weren’t for Rufina, I would have spared her.
“Is that your true form?”
“Yes. I never thought I’d be pushed this far.”
“You’re quite beautiful. But I will kill you!”
“Try your best. ■■■■, rot.”
I hesitated for a moment. It wasn’t because I was distracted by her beauty or her large chest. Absolutely not! Or so I thought.
As she spat, I covered the Queen’s mouth with my left hand and pierced her brain with my Black Sword, along with my hand. It hurt terribly!
“I told you not to spew that filth!”
With my mouth covered and slashing upwards, her face split in two, spurting blood. The Undead Queen coughed up blood and said,
“With this, all your bones will rot. Don’t think it will end with just your hand.”
The fingertips of my left hand had already rotted away, and my wrist was beginning to turn black. But without hesitation, I cut off my left arm. …I did hesitate a little. It probably hurt. I wanted to at least keep my elbow, so I made the decision to detach it.
In this world, injuries and illnesses can be easily healed with magic if you have money. Lost limbs can also be replaced with prosthetic arms and legs made with Alchemy, which is commonplace. Prosthetic eyes also seem to grant actual sight, so medicine here might be even more advanced.
“Captain! Are you alright!?”
“Stay inside the barrier! I’ll end this soon!”
I really have to end this.
