“Don’t you dare declare victory on your own,” Wahash said.
“I’ll commend you for still clenching your fists and having the fighting spirit in your eyes. I’d even be willing to go along with it until you’re satisfied, but—it’s time.”
Wahash spoke to Jared, who had managed to stand up once more despite being beaten to the ground, yet Jared couldn’t comprehend his words and inwardly pondered.
It had only been a few minutes since the fight began. He felt regret at being defeated in such a short time, but it didn’t matter now. If Wahash wished it, he could easily kill Annette. Jared didn’t understand why Wahash would be concerned about time.
“I see. You had erected a barrier that enveloped the mansion. Jared, dissolve the barrier. Then you’ll understand.”
“How can I do that?”
“I will not attack you any further. I’ll also dispel my clones.”
His body was reaching its limit, but in terms of magic power alone, he still had room to spare.
Wahash dispelled his clones as he said he would, but Jared, unsure of what would happen if he dissolved the barrier as Wahash suggested, hesitated to do so. If anything were to happen to Olivier, Jared would never forgive himself.
“Dissolve the barrier before it’s too late. It’s dangerous, but giving the opponent time will only make it more so.”
“Could it be—”
From Wahash’s words, Jared understood that an uninvited guest had come to the mansion. They were likely unable to enter because of the barrier covering the mansion. That was a relief. Considering Olivier and the others, he couldn’t obey.
“Listen carefully, Jared. If we continue like this—”
“Honestly, it’s no wonder. All you have is the power of a ducal family and became a court mage. You can’t even kill a single assassin, it’s pathetic,” Annette’s voice, the one he most didn’t want to hear right now, interrupted Wahash’s words.
“—Annette.”
“Don’t you dare call my name so carelessly, incompetent. Now, Rex.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Just as he learned he was an illegitimate child, Rex held a crystal condensed with high-density magic power.
“Stop it, Rex!”
Jared knew what it was. By shattering the crystal, the magic power within would go berserk and explode—a magic bomb. Before he could even question where she got such a thing, he deployed multiple barriers. Simultaneously, he reinforced the building’s barriers. Rex ignored Jared’s voice and mercilessly threw the magic bomb crystal.
The crystal, falling near Jared and Wahash, shattered, and a flash of light engulfed his vision. A scorching heat and shockwave attacked him, but he endured by layering more barriers. His right arm burned, but he ignored the pain and continued to endure. When his vision cleared—knights clad in armor were swarming into the Daum Barony’s grounds.
“Hah, hah… You bastards.”
Jared glared at Rex and the others, shielding his bleeding right arm, which was badly burned.
“Jared, you won’t say you’ll protect them again, will you?”
“No, I won’t. But I’m disappointed. Perhaps if you had even a shred of guilt—that’s what I thought. I was a complete fool!”
“No. You’re kind, but not a fool. There’s no shame in believing in the goodness of people. It’s just that Annette lacked that goodness.”
Wahash, who had been fighting, offered words of comfort to Jared, who was glaring at Annette with clenched lips. He had wanted to believe, even a little, that Annette and the others were not simply evil people. But he was wrong.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Wahash. I am the father of Liz Murphy, who threatened you, Karina Daum, and drove her to her death.”
“Oh? And?”
“I came to avenge my daughter.”
“Oh, but—you’re the one who will die,” Annette distorted her lips into a twisted grin. Rex and Claire didn’t seem shaken either. No, Claire’s complexion was poor. It seemed it hadn’t been long since she learned of her mother’s misdeeds.
Jared let out a small breath, confirming the mansion had been protected from the magic bomb. However, he had inadvertently invited intruders. His concentration on the mansion had made the other barriers neglected.
“What are these guests here for?”
“Jared, Mother asked Grandfather to kill all of you!”
“—Rex, you…”
Grandfather must be Viscount Paggio. Like his mother, his younger brother spoke flippantly about taking someone’s life for his own convenience, making Jared sad.
“So, it has come to this.”
“Father.”
“Oh, you’ve arrived too.”
“Yes. I’ve hidden Olivier and Karina. We cannot put them in danger.”
Annette flashed an ugly smile as Johan appeared, holding a long sword from the mansion. Jared knew for certain that she intended to kill everyone, regardless of who they were.
“As your husband, I’ll say this. Stop it. We can still avoid the worst possible outcome.”
“What husband! You’ve never acted like a husband, so don’t order me around! Now, kill everyone in this mansion! Olivier Alway has nothing to do with this, kill her no matter what!”
Following Annette’s spittle-flying command, the knights drew their swords.
“Can you move, Jared?”
“Yeah, I was roughed up by someone, but I’m still good.”
He said it with bravado. He couldn’t possibly say he couldn’t fight here. Annette had ordered the death of Olivier. Jared no longer felt any desire to protect Annette and the others. There was no justice. If they wanted to resolve this with violence, he would meet it with violence.
He drew his knife and took a stance. At a rough estimate, there were about fifty knights. It might be excessive force to kill three people and then three defenseless women and children. But that was a mistake.
The leader of Waalthe, knights, and mages who were skilled enough to be chosen as court mages were gathered. No matter how many private soldiers nobles gathered—they were no match.
“As your grandfather, I’ll offer you some advice. They’re going to kill you, not just you, but your precious fiancée too. You don’t owe them any kindness.”
“Of course. Anyone who lays a hand on Olivier… I’ll kill them.”
Wahash drew his dagger and took a stance next to Jared, who was radiating killing intent.
“Johan, you have your position. It’s fine if you do nothing.”
“No, I will fight. My wife and son are in the mansion, so I must protect them. More importantly—I cannot allow myself to do nothing when Jared, my son, is about to fight.”
“Then let’s fight—. Make them regret gathering only this many people to face us.”
Nodding at Wahash, Johan also drew his sword. They then walked past Annette and the others. Annette still wore an ugly smile, while Claire, looking at her father’s back, had a complex expression.
“I agree. Your mistake was not using the magic bomb effectively to kill us. Regret it.”
With Jared’s enraged roar, the three of them simultaneously charged at the knights.
