C709

While the Magicians were gathering, Beradin gathered the researchers in Kozec.

“Dante, while the spell is being dispelled, you’ll have nothing to do. So, take the researchers outside.”

“There might be an ambush when you dispel the spell.”

“That’s possible. But why would they prepare an illusion spell to buy time if they didn’t expect that? Besides, we need to find clues about large-scale teleportation no matter what. Since we’re stuck, it’s better to divide and conquer. We need to find not only teleportation clues but also other fortresses.”

“I understand.”

“When the dispelling is done, I’ll give a signal, and then you can join us. If, as you said, we’re separated due to an ambush, let’s meet at the destination.”

————-

Meanwhile, the western border of Rikalton.

What was blocking Kinzelo was a real military force.

“There are… so many enemies… Grand Duchess.”

“Where did they suddenly come from? They weren’t there a moment ago.”

Bianca and Ranke spoke.

The previously empty sky in front of them was suddenly filled with a swarm of Chaos Forces.

It was impossible to calculate the number of aircraft and Chaos Dragons.

Not only in the front but also on the sides and rear, it was the same.

“It must be large-scale teleportation or an ambush using illusion magic. Probably the latter, as we didn’t observe any dimensional portals opening.”

It was as Zephyrin had predicted.

The Chaos Forces had been continuously building a siege line since Kinzelo entered Rikalton.

However, the siege line was too extensive, and their vision was deceived by the illusion magic, so they didn’t realize it.

The executives turned their gaze to Zephyrin.

Since Orgal had not yet returned to the fleet, the decision rested with Zephyrin.

“Our goal is not to break through to the target area but to annihilate the entire enemy force. This land is already cursed, so if we leave any remnants, we’ll face them again. Prepare for a full fleet battle. Our meeting might be delayed, but I don’t think anyone among our allies is unprepared for unexpected circumstances.”

“Understood, Ms. Zephyrin.”

“Sir Owal.”

Zephyrin stared at Owal.

“It would be better for Nameless and Hidden Palace to go to the surface. One side should search for the fortress and gather information about large-scale teleportation, while the other should rescue Cold Joe.”

“I understand what you mean.”

“Cold Joe is someone we must rescue from Kinzelo’s point of view. Of course, in the worst case, we may have to give up, but I hope you pay attention to avoid such a situation. And Sir Berakt.”

“Speak, Ms. Zephyrin.”

“It would be better for you to participate in the rescue of Cold Joe with these people.”

Berakt wanted to shout, “Are you telling me to save that guy?” But he managed to keep his mouth shut.

“…Understood.”

“Sir Berakt, I’m aware that you despise Sir Joe, but he remains the most important figure for our great cause. I hope you won’t let your emotions interfere with your work.”

“Our Hidden Palace lacks some members, so we should infiltrate the destination first. Sir Owal, it seems we’ll need to extract personnel even from the nameless.”

Syris, who had been listening, spoke up.

“I agree with the opinion of the acting master of Hidden Palace. When Jin is in danger, there’s no better contingency plan than the Mort Frog.”

Zephyrin nodded.

“Very well, then.”

————–

Southern waters of Rikalton.

Cosmos’ fleet safely exited the steel gate and formed up at sea.

“Well, well, now that all the global transfer gates are closed, more advanced forms of transportation have emerged. If the spatial teleportation used by the Red Owl is mass-produced, the Dark Crown Prince said he would share its benefits with us. I hope it develops quickly,” said Cosmos as he watched the steel gate disappear.

[Loud pirates. And the fact that Jin is willing to share the technology must be thanks to Mary Runcandel, not you.]

“Ha, one of the Ten Great Knights is angry again. Let’s get along. If we want to save people, we have to work together.”

The Pirate King Cosmos skillfully dealt with Bale, who was difficult to handle.

Bale didn’t dislike Cosmos, though he found him annoying.

“Cosmos, I think Sir Bale has become sensitive because he can sense something since we arrived here.”

Valkas looked at Bale, speaking in a low voice.

He had been feeling the unique dark aura of Padler Runcandel from a distant land.

Of course, Bale was more aware of it than Valkas.

[That bastard is probably waiting for us as soon as we arrive… Orgal, that bastard betrayed us, didn’t he? It seems he knew in advance that we would enter through here.]

“That’s unlikely. Since the entry route by sea is limited, they probably deployed their forces in advance.”

Normally, Bale would be eager to quickly deal with Padler.

But now, there were too many targets to monitor. It wasn’t a situation where he could exclude the possibility of other enemies besides Padler.

[Hmph, when we first met, I couldn’t use much power at sea. Now it’s his territory. This guy is like a snake… But still, I’ll make sure he knows our class is different. Valkas, stay here and keep watch while I flank and enter. It’s better for me to go alone for now. If there’s any problem, shoot a signal flare immediately.]

“Understood.”

“Cheer up, one of the Ten Great Knights. And don’t worry too much about our side. We already escaped the army of the Evil God last time. We are the invincible Cosmos fleet.”

Bale’s golden wings began to soar through the dark sky. The remaining members of the fleet turned their heads to watch his back.

————-

Meanwhile, Jin and his companions who had exited through the right steel gate faced an unexpected darkness.

“It’s a strange darkness, isn’t it? You can only see the person next to you, and nothing else. Is this the center of Rikalton?”

Sandra clung to Jin’s shoulder and spoke, but Hedo grabbed her hand and moved it away.

“It seems to be a subspace, my lady. We shouldn’t restrict our companions’ movements, as we don’t know what might suddenly appear.”

As Hedo spoke, the others noticed the darkness and cautiously dispersed, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.

“I didn’t hear about this from Orgal. It seems there has been a change in the dimensional gate that opens.”

As he said this, Jin enveloped Bradamante with his Shadow Energy.

And as usual, while cutting through the spatial darkness, Jin immediately realized that the place wasn’t composed of a single layer and that the space was “reacting” to the attacks.

Shak-!

Every time Jin sliced through a layer of darkness, Chaos Spikes sprang from all directions.

Since the group’s strength was high, it wasn’t particularly threatening, but if it continued, the situation would change.

To check it, Jin cut through the subspace darkness a few more times, and each time, spikes shot out.

It seems as if the characteristics of boundary magic have been added to this subspace.

Why would they do such a trick?

It seems like a ploy to buy time.

The spikes only responded to Jin’s Shadow Blade.

Although they could penetrate each layer with attacks other than the Shadow Blade, there was a significant difference in effectiveness.

Even when Hedo sincerely displayed his sword skills, he couldn’t cut through them cleanly.

The difference stemmed from the unique properties of the Shadow Blade, not just the magnitude of power.

“If it weren’t for the Shadow Blade, it would take an eternity to cut through it.”

“Everyone, disperse. Pay special attention to protecting non-combatants like Dr. Qwaul.”

“Understood, my lord.”

“Understood, young master!”

At Jin’s words, the group spread out.

And when they wielded their weapons, it was clear that the spikes only moved away from Jin.

It seems the situation isn’t favorable enough to waste time, Elder Brother Dyfus. Besides, Rosa is unable to move…

Normally, Jin would opt to proceed cautiously, adjusting more variables as time passed.

But now they needed to break through quickly.

Every moment they delayed would reduce the number of potential prisoners they could rescue, and Dyfus could recover.

Even if Dyfus had already fully recovered and this subspace was just a means to confuse them, breaking through remained the only option.

“Let’s break through quickly. The others, stay at a distance where the spikes can’t reach you and follow me closely, making sure not to lose sight of me.”

“Understood, my lord.”

“If their intention is to buy time to recover, they will undoubtedly try to separate us at some point. They’ve created this subspace to face us alone, as it’s burdensome for them. When that happens, even if they separate me from you, the pre-established members must stay together at all costs.”

In any case, once the group entered the central part of Rikalton, their plan was to disperse at a certain point, even without those traps.

Valeria and Qwaul were to find teleportation clues, and the rest were to rescue the prisoners.

Only Jin and Hedo were scheduled to confront Dyfus directly.

However, Jin decided to send Hedo towards Qwaul.

“Sir Hedo, if you must separate from me, please protect Dr. Qwaul. Until someone like Bale or Orgal comes to support, I believe you should look after Dr. Qwaul for his safety.”

“Understood.”

Jin began advancing, cutting through the subspace.

Countless spikes sprang forth, but not a single one touched even the hem of Jin’s clothes.

After cutting through about three hundred layers of subspace, Jin began to feel he was approaching the end.

The counterforce transmitted from beyond the subspace was rapidly weakening.

Finally, when he cut through the last layer, the strange darkness disappeared, revealing the imposing form of Rikalton Castle…

And around it, as huge as Rikalton Castle, were the towering trees that Zipple and the Empire had confirmed on the northern border.

Moreover, the trees were violently shaking and scattering the fruits containing the captured prisoners in all directions as soon as the group exited the subspace.

Even Jin couldn’t help but be momentarily startled by the horrific spectacle.

‘My companions! I must confirm my companions…!’

Luckily, because it was Jin.

Of course, if the subspace trapped his companions, Jin could simply cut through it with the Shadow Blade.

However, Jin couldn’t wield the Shadow Blade in that direction.

It was because a great sword was falling like a lightning bolt towards Jin’s head.

[Welcome, younger.]

It was the great sword of Dyfus, Volgar.

/SHADOWK

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