Chapter 18 Part2 (1/2)
<chapter 18.=”” corps=”” destroyer=”” -=”” 2=””>
Around the time Kratia was able to somewhat use the Limited Order Bone Core, the core vibrated and the three Iron Golems came back. She obviously thought that Lee s.h.i.+n Woo and Jin would return with them, but that wasn't the case.
[Steelworker ordered us to return first and protect Kratia Melloi.]
[Henceforth, we will obey the core's orders. Our top priority is to protect Kratia Melloi.]
”s.h.i.+n Woo's not back and it's just you guys...?”
She wanted a more detailed explanation, but so long as the golems had their orders, they wouldn't say anything more. Still, if there was one thing she realized, it was that Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was worried about her safety and had sent the golems to protect her. In other words, something dangerous was coming towards this city.
'As long as I know that, it's fine.'
Then, she drew out her magic and focused on the Orb of Eternal Ice, the growing ice artifact she'd gotten from G.o.d. One second of her preparation would mean the death of 100 enemy soldiers.
When she was almost finished with her task, she sensed the huge force of undead on the move. Not only was it indeed a huge army, but she could easily tell that each and every one of the undead were elites.
”How did s.h.i.+n Woo know about this...? No, I shouldn't be surprised at this point.”
Kratia thought of that villainous skeleton and shook her head.
She thought that what he'd shown her thus far was certainly impressive, but she was well aware that there was a lot he still hadn't shown her. However, what was most impressive was his imagination and his mental condition, which allowed him to limitlessly expand the ways in which he could use magic.
'If he was a magician, he would've been a legend.'
It was so unfortunate. Kratia clicked her tongue and meticulously examined the undead force. The force was mostly comprised of level 3 undead, which she didn't need to worry about, but she had to be a bit on guard against the level 4 Skeleton Knights and Skeleton Magicians. Obviously more so when it came to the level 5 Elder Knights.
”Protect the front gates. Keeping that safe is the same as keeping me safe.”
[Judged as a rational command. Following order.]
[Following the core's command.]
Kratia realized that it would become tough for her if the undead got through the front gates and into the city, so she hurriedly commanded the Iron Golems.
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had already released all their limitations, so even if the Elder Knights attacked them all at once, they would last for several minutes.
”Mm.”
She dispatched the golems and stood atop the walls, but when she noticed the level 6 elite, her face stiffened. Its skin was extremely pale, like an emissary of death, but its body was filled with mana!
It was neither a zombie nor a skeleton; if it wasn't for the artificial sunlight, she might've thought it wasn't dead. It barely retained what could be considered a human form, and the power she sensed from the undead was considerable.
'A ghoul... That's a ghoul. Plus, it's eaten several corpses and regained its reasoning. When I consider that magic pattern... could it be a Ghoul Wizard!?'
The Ghoul Wizard was located furthest in the back and was guarded by level 5 Elder Knights, so that couldn't just be a coincidence. At that moment, Kratia realized how dangerous this corps was. They not only had a solid system of command, but also a clear goal; it wasn't an army that had turned undead, but rather, an army composed of undead!
Of course, the undead that inhabited this city, Kehebe, had relied on their memories to maintain an army, but the difference between this city's undead and them was like the difference between a sleepwalking patient and a normal person.
'If that's the case, I have to take out the leader first. If he gets closer to the walls, it'll become tough. But because those knights are guarding him like an impenetrable wall...'
There was no way to retreat; it would all be decided with a single spell between magicians. If she couldn't kill him with her spell, she would lose.
Currently, she'd discovered the enemy first, and had already gathered her magic, so Kratia looked like she was in the lead, but it was already prepared for an ambush, as the knights guarded it. No matter how she attacked, she would have to deal with the knights first.
If that's the case, did she even have a means of dealing with both the knights and the wizard in a single blow? It would be possible if she developed her Catalyst Magic some more, but she had just created the spell, so that was impossible right now.
'If s.h.i.+n Woo were level 6, he would've been able to do it.'
Kratia thought she wouldn't lose to anyone in terms of talent, but she naturally thought this. She was just amused with herself.
However, she also thought that if she didn't accept reality, she wouldn't be able to progress in the future. Because of that, rather than feeling inferior, she felt a greater desire to improve herself. When a magician accepts that something is not impossible, they are then able to make the impossible possible.
'He sent the golems already, so s.h.i.+n Woo should be coming. If that's the case, I just need to last until he comes. I can keep them from getting close to the walls by using my Catalyst Magic.'
She didn't even think about running away. Kratia was fundamentally a hero, and diligently performed her duty as one; plus, she wasn't the type to get scared when she didn't even know how the battle would turn out.
[Crush the golems!]
[The golems protecting the living are our enemies!]
[Executing the trespa.s.ser!]
Then, the undead vanguard clashed with the golems. Of course, level 3 undead couldn't beat the golems and were helplessly crushed, but the problem was that there were thousands of them attacking!
”Sseup, it can't be helped.”
Kratia grit her teeth and came forward. Her Eternal Ice floated in the air, and the mana in the entire area was influenced by her own. She would stop them, even if it meant freezing the entire wall! However, as she bravely resolved herself, she saw something.
”Golems...?”
Hundreds of level 4 golems were charging with considerable speed. Were they aiming for the wall? No way. Their destination was clear. They locked on to the level 4 and level 5 knights and were attacking them! There were way too many of them to just make a dent in their formation!
'Then that means...'
Kratia hurriedly turned her gaze. She had studied his magic for the past ten days, so she could sense a faint presence from beyond. He was... not fighting together with the golems! Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was charging straight for the leader!
'He really is bold. [1]'
Ah, there's bold, and then there's Lee s.h.i.+n Woo bold. She thought that if she were to tell Lee s.h.i.+n Woo that, she would get hit, and instantaneously modified her spell.
She knew now that both of their goals were the same, so she had no reason to hesitate. If they both struck the boss, one of them should succeed!
[Grand Ice Spear!]