Chapter 69 - Chapter 10: Breakthrough #7 (2/2)
In-gong raised his head and at that moment, a new collapse shook the central plaza.
Kwaaaaaang!
The zombie dragon’s breath weapon had broken the foundation twice and rubble now fell once again. However, the direction of the force was different. It came from the outside, not inside. After the third collapse, light poured into the central plaza that had been underground for hundreds of years.
Felicia, who had been sitting and relaxing on the floor, got up. The dungeon guardians stopped fighting momentarily while the shadow puppets were overcome with joy.
In-gong realized the reason for his ominous feeling.
A man emerged from the new hole. Instead of a purple aura, he wore blue armour and a helmet that resembled the head of a dragon. Holding a spear, he stood on a pile of rubble and looked at the shattered zombie dragon.
“I’m too late.”
He muttered in a low voice. The central plaza was silent, but his voice was coming from too far away.
However, In-gong could hear it clearly. He didn’t know why, but the man’s voice was clear as he took light steps forward.
”It was a mistake since the 2nd Prince didn’t come here.”
‘2nd Prince.'
‘Mistake.'
‘Didn’t come here.’
In-gong felt like he had been struck by lightning.
General Kashubal had failed the mission.
Everyone ha thought the mission would be given to Zephyr.
The purpose of these people wasn’t Ascalon or Partizan.
Their real purpose was to lure Zephyr here. They had killed General Kashubal to call Zephyr.
Although they had waited for Zephyr to arrive, In-gong and Felicia had been the ones who showed up instead.
So, the plan had been changed. The priority had been given to securing Partizan and Ascalon instead.
This story seemed correct. The cogs, that had stopped, started to rotate again in his head.
However, a question still remained:
Why Zephyr?
What purpose did they have for luring Zephyr here?
'Resist!’
A voice woke In-gong up. It wasn’t Green Wind. It was the voice of the golden-crowned white woman.
In-gong hurriedly produced the power of Conquest. The man’s gaze shifted from the zombie dragon to In-gong.
The purple aura...
Its source was the blue aura.
That man wasn’t the source of that power. It was just a small part of him. However, even that was overwhelming. The power of death struck In-gong’s soul.
The forces of conquest and death collided in the air. They canceled each other out and disappeared.
In-gong activated his white aura while the man frowned with confusion. Instead of continuing the invisible battle with In-gong, he raised the blue aura like flames. He swung his long spear and said lightly,
”I will clean up whatever is left.”
He took a step. At that moment, In-gong knew. That man was more powerful than the zombie dragon.
In-gong squeezed out every last bit of his aura. He hadn’t completely recovered in the aftermath of his fight with the zombie dragon, but he couldn’t give up.
”Prince, I’ve enjoyed knowing you so far.”
Carack said while lifting his axe like he was going to throw it. Karma also grabbed a weapon instead of throwing up in fear, while Felicia smiled bitterly and raised both arms.
”I don't know what he is but don’t give up.”
“Don’t give up.”
In-gong formed a fist. Earth Quaker gave the familiar growling response.
The man took a step forward. The dungeon guardians gathered by In-gong’s side and Green Wind soared up from White Eagle, declaring,
'Master was a good owner. I don’t regret following Master from Enger Plains.’
”Good, let’s stick our death flags in this place.”
In-gong made a joke that only he could understand and then focused on the man.
The man took his third step and a blue light emitted from the spear in his hand.
Then at that moment,
Just as a new battle was about to begin...
“Let’s do it.”
A new voice interrupted.
It wasn’t a simple voice that spread in the heavy silence.
Everyone’s gazes, that had been aimed at the man holding the spear, shifted to a different place. Even the man with the spear was forced to look.
“I went to see Prince at the Demon King’s Palace only to find that he had already left. Then once I arrived at the fortress, I heard Prince and Princess were in an emergency, so I wandered after you.”
The owner of the new voice stood in the opening where the man with the spear had appeared. His hair and beard was half grey and half white, while his clothes were snow-white. A dull sword hung at his waist.
It was the first time In-gong had seen him. However, In-gong knew who the man was the moment he saw him. Felicia, who had been determined about facing death, shouted with joy.
Sword Duke Ishgard.
The strongest swordsman of the previous era who had raised the demon king Mitra!
He didn’t say anything else and just pulled his sword out with a grin.