21st Century Archmage

Chapter 196: The Price Owed to Her

Translator: Lei

Proofreader: Enigami

“Kukuku…”

Altakas burst out in the first truly delighted laugh hed had in a while. The Lord of Nermans outstanding skills did indeed live up to the rumors. His swordsmanship was capable of killing Death Knights in one swing, he had a wide variety of spells at his disposal, and his ability to adapt to new circumstances was once again surprising.

“No matter how much you hop around, you cant escape from here. Just like those guys.”

Everyone else had already fled, but five Gold Wyverns were still fighting to the very end in the sky. He had heard that there were Skyknights skilled in magic other than Kyre in Nerman. It had to be those guys.

Kuaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Even without a communicator, the Death Knights had a mental connection with Altakas. Of his subordinates, the Death Skyknights had Kyres men surrounded and were unleashing intense fire on them. A few spears had lodged their shafts in the black hybrid wyvern that was just as famous as Kyre. Any other wyvern would have crashed to the ground already, but the hybrid wyvern was still screaming in rage as it flew. Altakas thought with satisfaction that it would be a perfect mount for him once he turned it into a Death Wyvern.

“Kyre, I will also do you the honor of turning you into a Death Knight. A Death Knight so strong that no one other than me can stand up to you. Kuhahahahaha!”

Altakas stood on top of the highest palace steeple and oversaw everything. He watched Kyre, who was exchanging spells with the Tower Masters he had turned into liches.

And then, he flew towards Kyre, his mantle fluttering behind him.

* * *

“M-Mana Shield!”

Cla-claaaaaaaaaang. P-p-p-p-p-p-ping!

I couldnt catch a break. The moment I thought I got away from the Death Knights, the Tower Masters showed up and rained down attacks on me. I didnt know what kind of black magic had made them this way, but they were firing upper-circle spells at me like machines. Even now, they had me locked down with Lightning Rain, Flame Cannon, and the 7th Circle Ragna Blast.

I couldnt even run away. The Tower Masters were using mana in an extreme manner, so all the naturally-formed mana in the surrounding area was oscillating irregularly, preventing the use of Blink or any of the other warp-style spells.

And so, our spellcasting confrontation continued. I blocked several attacks in a row using only pure mana.

Guoooooooooo…

‘Bebeto…

They were truly vicious and underhanded bastards. The Death Skyknights were attacking the beastmen and Bebeto, who could not abandon me and leave, like they were cats toying with mice. My heart thumped like it was going to explode. Since the day I dragged Bebeto out of his hangar in Kirphone Covert, I never thought for a second that a day like this would come.

Bebetos cries were full of pain and rage. He was looking for me. He was telling me to hurry and get on his back and crush all these unpleasant nuisances.

“Hurry and run! Take Bebeto and run!”

I had given the command to Hasifor and the beastmen several times already.

“Master… we cannot.”

And yet, their response was the same. They couldnt leave me.

‘You idiots…

Their mana already depleted, the beastmen and their wyverns were taking one injury after another from the incoming spears. It was the first time in my life that I realized how powerless I was. The people of my paradise, people I needed to protect with my very life, were dying right now.

They were dying an absolutely meaningless, terrible death.

“Kukuku. Give up already. If you do so, I will give you and your subordinates a painless death.”

Altakas had appeared 50 meters ahead of me in the sky.

‘You son of a bitch!

My rage found a target in Altakas, the abomination who brought a storm of death upon this land, throwing aside the laws of destiny prescribed by the gods.

I raised my sword, pointing it at Altakas heart.

“Huhu, Altakas. If youve got the confidence, lets have a duel.”

“Confidence? Puhahahaha!”

He guffawed in delight at my provocation.

“Shut the fuck up. Why laugh like youre all that when your body isnt even yours, you inbred son of an orc.”

“Kukuku… Looks like you dont want an easy death.”

Murderous intent gushed out of Altakas, as if the 200 years he spent in the shadows had left a scar on him.

“If you call yourself a magic swordsman, come down and fight not with magic, but your sword.”

I had zero confidence in winning with magic. The gap between the 5th and 6th Circle was still barely surmountable. I was able to gain enlightenment to go to the 6th Circle to the 7th by resolving myself to die and fighting with everything I had. But the 7th and 8th Circle were completely different levels, like a fireflys glow vs. a seaside lighthouse. That was why I incited his desire for victory with the sword.

“An easy matter. Allow me to teach you why I am an 8th Circle black magic swordsman.”

As he spoke, Altakas extended his hand in the air. At that moment, a sword made of black materia appeared in his hand like a magic trick.

‘Pocket dimension…

Only a mage of the 7th Circle and up could make a pocket dimension. I could also make one, but I couldnt open it with such ease.

“This is a sword made of black dragon bone.”

The sword made of black dragon bone gave off the same oppressive force as the Staff of Despair said to be made by Tarkania. It was a little larger than a longsword and a little smaller than a greatsword. The moment Altakas hand gripped it, an enormous amount of mana whirled around it.