Chapter 197: The End of Winter. (1) (2/2)
I took my eyes off the book to look around Reccordak.
—Here, this is the firewood.
The residents were cutting firewood from the forest and putting it in a wagon. Wizards would make arrows from it by combining wood and steel.
—And, here are the snacks. You must have been so hungry, so eat while you work. Hehehe.
Wherever they got it from or whatever it was made of, they gave six pieces of it to the wizards. Since sweets were valuable, the wizards didn’t refuse.
—I’m sending an arrow up.
The finished arrows were sent above the wall, and supplies needed for the siege were sent up one by one, such as buckets of gasoline, explosives, and more.
“Professor, I think we need more gasoline. I experimented, and if you use fire magic on gasoline, its power increases by three times.”
“You always talk very assuredly.”
“…What?”
It was when Epherene was chattering-
Boooom—!
There was a huge vibration. Above the barrier and inside the barrier, everyone’s actions momentarily stopped.
Boooom—!
I stood and glanced at Delric. Nodding, he spoke to the people under the barrier.
“Everyone, except the knights and wizards, get back.”
The residents hurried back to their houses.
“…What is it, Professor?”
Epherene asked me as she approached. Dense fog surrounded the army over the horizon. Among them, an individual stood out.
“So, there’s a gunboat.”
“…What?”
Gunboat, literally a boat with guns. In actuality, it was a monster that resembled a giant turtle. There was a cannon on its shell, and someone was shooting dark energy from the inside. It was one of the chimeras that the Altar made.
Boom—!
Boom—!
The turtle, slowly approaching with an earthshaking rumble, turned its body when it reached its range and aimed at its target.
Gooooo…
“Get ready for battle.”
Get ready for battle—!
The knights rose in response and amplified the barrier.
Gwaaaaaaa—!
A shot of dark energy rushed in a moment later, aimed at the right side of the barrier. It was the most vulnerable point of their defensive line.
*****
Gwaaaaaaa—!
A direct hit from the cannon scratched the solid barrier.
“…Oh.”
Delric was startled to see cracks forming. Of course, it was still a small gap…
Boom—!
It had spread like a spider web following the second shot. Delric was afraid that the barrier would collapse.
Boom—!
The third shot followed. Delric and the knights wanted to run away, but the feeling quickly waned. For them right now, rather than seeing the barrier collapse or dying from the surge of monsters, they were twice as terrified of Deculein, who was watching them from above the wall. If they died fighting here, their family would survive, but if they ran away to survive, their family would die.
…No. If it were Deculein, he would certainly find and kill those who ran away.
“…What are you doing! Knight Delric!”
Julie, arriving on the scene, woke them up. Delric was startled to see that Deculein was also next to her. Delric and the knights forgot about the situation and bowed their heads.
“You’re here.”
“Relax.”
“No, because of this barrier-“
Deculein came closer and looked at the barrier with Ihelm at his side.
Boom—!
Fragments of metal clattered down, signaling the collapse to come.
Tsk—
Ihelm clicked his tongue.
“I don’t think we can salvage this one. Unless Roserio comes.”
Delric quickly cut in.
“…Yes, yes. It is collapsing, Professor. So, we have to create some countermeasures-“
“There are already countermeasures.”
Boom—!
The fifth shot. At this point, Ihelm grew serious.
“Where are they shooting this from?”
“I already sent Ganesha.”
There was no other Named that surpassed Ganesha in terms of maneuvering. Lia and Leo were with her so that the mission would be a success.
“I will also follow you.”
“You.”
I blocked Julie as she was about to step up.
“Don’t be cheeky. Someone injured like you will be no help at all. You’ll only be a burden if you get caught in the dark energy.”
“…”
The cannon was firing dark energy. So, if they cut through that turtle’s belly, a great amount of dark energy would explode out.
“Know your place and get lost.”
Delric and Ihelm were surprised by his harsh words. The dark energy spreading like a fog over the barrier was making Deculein more violent.
“…Yes.”
Julie moved up the wall, then Deculein placed his hands on the barrier. Ihelm questioned Deculein as he had closed his eyes.
“…What are you going to do?”
“…”
He didn’t respond.
Baaaaaaaaam—!
The sixth shot. The barrier was gradually collapsing, and the upper part had already busted open. Nevertheless, Deculein was, as always, calm and relaxed. He had his eyes closed as he seemed to be having a conversation with the barrier.
—!
The seventh shot. When a part of the barrier fell, Delric and the knights took a step backward. Deculein murmured.
“… demonstration.”
With that one word from Deculein, his wood steel connected with the barrier.
[Metal Enhancement].
He would strengthen and restore the barrier, even with an output of 99%, as his skill wasn’t complete yet.
Goooooooo…
The dirt around them was swept away by Deculein’s mana.
—!
In the midst of that, the eighth shot connected. The march of their foes began, their near-infinite ranks emerging beyond the barrier.
“…”
Then, Deculein opened his eyes. He warmed up his body while looking at the wood steel attached to the barrier. His mana was swirling like crazy, triggering a magical circuit that was engraved in his body. Light poured out in response.
The magic technique was completed by consuming all four thousand mana, but it was marked with a very simple message.
[Self-Mastery Achievement: 「Metal Enhancement 」 Completed]
◆Purifying the Quality of Mana
◆Attribute added
It was a very satisfying result from Deculein’s standpoint.
Schwaaaa…