Chapter 90. Are you going to die? You're so weak.
The tranquil Great Forest of Hameln.
I was practicing my breathing technique among the withered giants, permeated by the evil aura of Destrue.
Is this really the Great Forest of Hameln?
'The efficiency of the mana accumulation array is remarkable.'
This area should have been thin in mana due to Destrue's evil aura, yet the amount of mana flowing into my breath was unparalleled.
It felt like plunging into water after being in a steamy place.
The mana in my core replenished as soon as it depleted.
'...It seems they've finally started in earnest.'
I sensed a large amount of mana being drained and guessed at Shain's condition.
The Golden Horseman must have started doing something.
At that moment, a voice reached my ears.
"Senior... Are you really okay?"
I opened my eyes slightly.
While focusing on my breathing technique, one must avoid distractions and even speaking, but that wasn't necessary now.
Just by breathing, a massive amount of mana flowed in and converted into magic power.
"The Death Knight. Even if he is a revenant, facing the Golden Horseman alone is... risky."
"Yes. Master said they are very cunning. We don't know what traps they might have set up..."
Obern was overlaying mana accumulation arrays around him, his expression serious.
It seemed he couldn't bear the worry for Shain who had gone ahead.
"Ah, of course, Senior must have a plan, but... it still seems dangerous."
My piercing gaze made him uncomfortable.
He hastily waved his hands, explaining further. He was worried that I might be upset by his words.
"You said you don't know what traps are set up?"
"I sent him to check, didn't I?"
Obern's eyes widened as he looked at me.
It was as if he doubted what he had heard. His eyes seemed to question his own ears.
"How... How could you use the Death Knight as bait? How could you do such a thing!"
Bait... Even if we use various euphemisms, it ultimately comes down to that.
I guess, from Obern's perspective, my actions are incomprehensible.
No matter how much a revenant is, they are a sentient being. Using such an entity as bait is unacceptable to Obern.
"So what? What would be better?"
"Should we all charge in together and fall into an unknown trap, dying together?"
"No, that's not what I meant..."
I knew what he was thinking.
Surely, he was saying that there must be other ways besides this method.
But, Obern was mistaken about something.
"I understand what you mean. But..."
I stared intently at Obern.
Unlike before, his eyes were deeply contemplative. I looked straight into them.
Obern's beliefs are respectable.
How many people use such noble causes to serve their own interests?
They incite others with their silver tongues, demand sacrifices, but step back when it matters.
They package their desires as 'justice,' but in reality, it's for their own benefit.
Yet, they feel righteous.
'Is it because they have thick skin? No.'
It's not just about inciting others; they also rationalize their own actions.
In that sense, Obern... no, the relationship between Obern and Senior Reheim is worthy of respect.
Before pushing others into the mud, they step into it themselves. Not just a toe, but a full shower.
'They immerse themselves completely.'
Before leaving, Senior Reheim's request. I nodded readily.
I accepted Obern, knowing he would be a burden, for this reason.
If he wavers and dies, it's his fate.
But, it would be uncomfortable to see it happen in front of me.
"Destrue, we need to stop them, right?"
"Believing in your principles is good. But, don't let the means overshadow the end. Nothing can be achieved without getting your hands dirty."
Obern tried to say something but then closed his mouth. After a while, he spoke again.
"...Are you suggesting I compromise?"
"Not exactly. You need to find the answer yourself."
It might seem irresponsible, but that's the only answer I could give.
I haven't lived with such principles like Obern.
That life, stretched out like a lazy cat, was what I lived.
The backbone of emptiness.
"To be honest, you are frustrating. Young and overly rigid, insisting on how things should be done. You make simple paths complicated with excuses."
"There's no need to apologize."
I looked away from the dejected Obern. In the direction of the ancient ruins where Shain was.
"You're frustrating, but not bad."
Just, I don't want to keep you around.
"So don't compromise. Hold onto your beliefs. Even if they wear down and erode, don't compromise."
It was just rambling. I didn't even know what I was saying.
But, did something resonate with him?
Obern let out a faint sigh.
I didn't look at his face.
If I saw his serious, enlightened expression, I might punch him.
Hitting him wouldn't be a problem, but if Senior Reheim found out, what would happen?
That's what I'm afraid of.
"The Death Knight will probably... be fine. I didn't send him without thought."
"The Golden Horseman's tricks are likely just curses, and revenants have stronger resistance to curses than the average."
Did I throw my precious slave 1 into danger without thought?
With the slave bracelet, slave 1 is a permanent slave. A cheap laborer... no, a tireless beast of burden as long as I keep feeding it mana.
- Could you have predicted this?
The voice that came when the trap was triggered. Honestly, I didn't understand what it meant, so I didn't respond.
- A barrier to block curses... Ha! What a mysterious guy. I didn't know such a thing existed.
I don't know what happened.
It seems a barrier blocked the curse, but I didn't care to know.
'The trap is resolved, and from the way his mana is replenishing... he's probably dealing with the undead now.'
Shain's voice echoed in my mind at that moment.
- Damn it. How long do I have to hold on?
His voice was urgent, lacking the confidence from before.
- Are you going to die? You're so weak.
- Weak? This damn thing...! These undead are nothing. If I could just...
What? I don't understand what he means. Is he talking about a horse?
- It was cleared long ago!
- Then, come this way. I'll meet you.
Indeed, a slave should be diligent to be beautiful. But, beauty is beauty.
I can't afford to lose a capable worker in such a place.
Obern, who was overlaying mana accumulation arrays, looked up.
"Contact the 4th Base Camp."
At my command, Obern immediately took out a communication crystal.
The Great Forest of Hameln has an abnormally high mana density, so communication isn't smooth.
"Striking Team. Camp, this is the Striking Team..."
[Crackling. I hear... you.]
The noisy voice from the crystal.
Obern glanced at me for a moment, then spoke to the crystal.
"Preparations are complete. You can start..."
The communication ended there.
A strange crackling sound came from somewhere.
Everyone's gaze turned to the source of the sound.
An invisible dome-shaped barrier. However, a color was spreading over it.
The spreading color expanded its range...
As Obern nodded in a trance, I left the mana accumulation array and walked towards the sleeping Raeli.
"Rumble... phewâ cough! Ke, kek!"
The guy gasped for breath when I kicked his side. I drew my sword from my waist right after.
"Sir Mage! Ambush! Ambush... cough!"
"...Huh? Was I sleeping?"
"Were you? Want to sleep forever?"
Raeli scratched his head awkwardly. I looked at him for a moment and smiled.
"Go now, whether you run out of the Great Forest or do whatever you want."
Raeli tilted his head in confusion. I patted his shoulder.
"Thanks for your hard work."
The final stage of the operation.
To be honest, I can't guarantee its success.
'The Golden Horseman is no big deal.'
No matter how strong the undead, they can't withstand a direct attack.
The resonating Fire Seal. Its momentum was ominous.
How should I put it? It felt like a harbinger of misfortune? No, more like the Fire Seal itself was the source of misfortune.
'I hope it's just a bad omen...'
The Fire Seal and Destrue.
They are likely connected.
After all, I chose to come to the Great Forest of Hameln because the Fire Seal reacted to Destrue.
Raeli's expression hardened, sensing my mood. He realized the situation was serious...
"Then, what about my wealth and glory?"
"Make me your right-hand man, and I'll have all the wealth and glory in the world, and enjoy luxury and pleasure... cough!"
The guy was overjoyed to be hit in the chest.
"If you want compensation so badly, wait in Greentown."
Raeli's gloomy expression brightened immediately.
"Of course, the monsters are all fleeing. I just need to follow them."
When he lifted his head, his eyes were different.
"I'll definitely see you again. Definitely."
"Because of the compensation?"
Though he said that, it wasn't just about the compensation. His eyes held a hint of emotion.
"What about you? If you want to leave now, go with Raeli."
Originally, I planned to keep him until Destrue's seal was destroyed and take him out if things went wrong, but...
The Fire Seal on my left chest. The feeling it gave was not good.
When this happens, something terrible usually follows. How can I go with him?
"Let's set one condition. You said it's dangerous to stack Overclock without a cooldown?"
"When I ask, do it immediately. Got it?"
Those who would move forward and those who would retreat.
"Sir Mage, come back alive."
Raeli pretended to be reluctant, looked back a few times, and then ran off.
Obern and I looked at the barrier.
Unlike before, the barrier was now completely blue.
Some ancient spirits followed Shain, but many still lingered at the edge of the barrier.
Light flashed across the barrier.
[My bodyâ! My bodyâ! My bodyâ!]
The wailing echoed in my ears.
[By the king's command. By the king's command. By the king's command.]
[Obstructionist. Obstructionist. Obstructionist. Obstructionist.]
[Eliminate. Eliminate. Eliminate. Eliminate.]
Is this a parade of a hundred ghosts? Ancient spirits flying like a galaxy above the forest.
Their numbers were countless.
No matter how well-prepared, if that many undead come, even I can't guarantee it. It might be better to break through and run.
Defend a base against that many undead?
I reassured Obern and looked ahead again.
I grabbed Obern's neck and moved towards the ancient ruins.
Or rather, we shot forward like an arrow.
Operation name... Slave Rescue Project.
- Damn it, who's a slave...! Ow, my arm!
It wasn't a pleasant exchange.
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