Chapter 83: Demon Magic
The threat of the demon Cromlia became widely known in just seven days.
The Barom Republic was destroyed by the shadow magic "Black Wishful Paradise Dystopia," and its citizens were manipulated and turned into Cromlia's vanguard.
In other words, they became pawns of the Universal Truth Flarous and the Grim Reaper Black Blade Cromlia.
"Black Wishful Paradise Dystopia" spread a pleasure-inducing substance that directly stimulated the brain and manipulated the consciousness of those in its vicinity. Through the demon Cromlia, the Universal Truth Flarous activated "Black Wishful Paradise Dystopia," causing the cities under the influence of the Demon Cult to be annihilated. At the same time, all the residents were turned into soldiers.
A total of 260,000.
People of all ages and professions, all turned into soldiers.
Many of them were useless as combatants.
However, the pleasure-inducing substance removed the brain's limitations, giving them inhuman physical abilities and minds unaffected by fear. As foot soldiers, they were more than sufficient.
"Oh. Is that the army of demon worshipers?"
An elderly man exuding the aura of a master sighed.
His long white hair, tied behind him, swayed in the wind.
"Miss Floria, did you see the demon?"
"Confirmed."
Next to her was a golden-haired beauty with a drawn bow.
The bow shone brightly, revealing it to be a weapon manifested through magic.
"Master Lichtre, are we going to annihilate them?"
"If possible, we'd like to free the people being controlled. Let's start with Floria's sniping on the demon and see how it goes."
Currently, the two of them were standing on the walls of the royal capital of the Flor Kingdom.
The Flor Kingdom was in dire straits due to the army led by the demon. Several cities had already been destroyed, and all the people had joined the demon's army through "Black Wishful Paradise Dystopia."
It was an overwhelming number that seemed impossible to defeat.
Most cities cowered in fear of the large army, holed up, only to be caught in the net of "Black Wishful Paradise Dystopia."
However, the two awakened Magic Armored Knights dispatched from the Holy Grinia had no reason to fear. Lichtre, known as the "Penetrating Light," and Floria, known as the "Heavenly Eye," were instructed to defeat the demon at any cost, even if it meant sacrificing the 260,000 humans. Of course, if possible, it would be better to save them.
For now, they decided to start with Floria's sniping as a cautious approach.
"Alright, I'll take the shot."
Floria aimed her gleaming bow upwards.
As befitting her title as "Heavenly Eye," Floria could target her prey from an aerial viewpoint. She could observe the arrow's point of impact and ensure its accuracy. With enough magical power, the arrow's range could become infinite.
This ability to observe the point of impact could also be used for reconnaissance.
Earlier, she had used this power to locate the demon.
A female demon clad in full armor. Little did they know it was just a servant-type Magic Armored.
The radiant arrow drew a trajectory in the clear blue sky.
◆◆◆
The arrow, accelerated to five times the speed of sound, descended.
It aimed straight for Cromlia's heart without any deviation.
"A straightforward attack, huh?"
However, there was no way they wouldn't notice such a conspicuous attack. Cromlia created a blade of darkness and deflected the arrow of light. The arrow, originally made of magical light, dispersed into mist.
Then, as if in retaliation, she created a cube of darkness and fired it in sixty-four fragments.
A meteor shower of darkness rained down on the royal capital.
But they were shot down by the sixty-four arrows fired from the city walls. It was an unbelievably fast counterattack. Floria, who had become an awakened Magic Armored Knight through seventy years of training, found this level of battle a piece of cake.
"It seems they're quite skilled."
In this battle, Universal Truth Flarous and Grim Reaper Black Blade Cromlia sensed that their opponents were awakened Magic Armored Knights.
Such combat skills could only be acquired by becoming awakened and losing one's lifespan.
And if the opponent was an awakened Magic Armored Knight, the dark curse "Black Wishful Paradise Dystopia" couldn't be used. The moment they deployed the magic circle, their Magic Armor would destroy it.
They had to start by eliminating the awakened Magic Armored Knights first.
"A two-on-two battle... as a preliminary skirmish, it's rather interesting."
Cromlia muttered through her subordinate.
What appeared to be a battle between a legendary demon and a holy knight was, in fact, a battle between awakened Magic Armored Knights for the fate of the nation.
Universal Truth Flarous and Grim Reaper Black Blade Cromlia.
Lichtre and Floria.
Both pairs of awakened Magic Armored Knights clashed at the midpoint between the demon's army and the royal capital.
◆◆◆
Shu, Iris, and "Takame" were hiding in the outskirts of the imperial capital. It was a place where no one else ventured, so aside from the three of them, there was no one else.
"They've finally started fighting."
Using vibration magic to manipulate light, Shu observed distant locations. Through this magic, he had been observing the situation in the Flor Kingdom while being in the Subarokia Empire.
The purpose was to keep tabs on the awakened Magic Armored Knights belonging to the Subarokia Empire and the Holy Grinia.
Another purpose was to stay informed about the progress of the war.
This war was being completely controlled by Shu and "Takame." Ultimately, they would ensure victory for the Revolutionary Rebellion and allow the Demon Cult behind it to spread its teachings throughout the entire continent.
"At the Black Cat's executive meeting, we said it would be in ten days. I was getting impatient because they were moving slower than expected, but it seems to be going as planned at last."
"Yes. It appears that the holy knights still haven't realized that it's a servant-type Magic Armored. In that case, our full support for the Revolutionary Rebellion might have to wait a little longer... I might need to assist the Revolutionary Rebellion personally."
"According to the latest information, the Revolutionary Rebellion is about to control ninety percent of their vassal states. In terms of financial power, they're almost on par with the Empire. The mainland invasion of the Subarokia Empire is also imminent."
"In that case, 'Takame,' use your expertise in manipulating information to keep the Empire on edge. We want the Revolutionary Rebellion's suppression force to be organized as soon as possible."
"That's already been taken care of. It should be officially announced to the public as an imperial decree tomorrow."
"Excellent work."
While they conversed, the battle continued to intensify.
The demon Cromlia swung her dark blade, which Lichtre parried with his spear. Floria's arrows were countered by Cromlia's dark cube projectiles.
Iris watched the footage and marveled, "This is shadow magic! It's organized just like the four elemental magics, depending on the rank!"
She was skilled in solar magic, and her expertise extended somewhat to lunar magic, which shared the same dual elemental attributes. The underdeveloped lunar magic had found an efficient form of application. It was truly remarkable.
Traditional lunar magic typically caused status abnormalities through so-called curses. These curses affected the body or mind, resulting in vague debuffs. Due to their vagueness, these spells were challenging to grasp and acquire. However, once systematized, they became easier to learn, easier to cast, and more potent in their effects.
Even Iris found herself intrigued by the systematized lunar magic.
(According to the information from "Takame," it seems like someone named "Manjou Shinri Fularous" is developing lunar and solar magic... I should steal their research records later.)
Seeing Iris so engrossed, Shuu thought to himself.
Manjou Shinri Fularous was not only an awakened magic-wielder but also an exceptional magician. Over the course of one hundred and fifty years, they had developed fifteen different lunar and solar magics, spanning from the first tier to the fifteenth.
Of course, there were still unfinished aspects.
When it came to complex curses or god-tier magics, there was much room for improvement. Especially magics on the scale of god-tier lunar and solar spells were impossible to activate even with Manjou Shinri Fularous's magical and computational power. They needed further refinement; otherwise, they would remain theoretical magics.
"Speaking of which, 'Takame,'"
"What's up, 'Takame'?"
"It seems one of the awakened magic-wielders from the Holy Grinia has joined the Liberation Army. They were sent as reinforcements from the Demon Worshipers."
"Who is it?"
"It's Galan Ligard. He's known as the Holy Knight of 'Floating Castle.' He awakened about a hundred and fifty years ago, so there's very little information about his magic armor."
Awakened magic-wielders were top-secret individuals.
It was quite astonishing how easily "Takame" had obtained this information. But at this point, it was expected. After all, "Takame" had the power of information through their contract. It was reassuring to be able to confirm his abilities once again. Additionally, the news of an awakened magic-wielder joining the Liberation Army was something to be pleased about.
"If this can put even a little pressure on the Grand Empire, it's a stroke of luck."
The power of an awakened magic-wielder was immense.
It was evident in the battles projected in the sky through magic.
◆◆◆
Lichtreay swept with his spear.
But the demon Cromria manipulated the dark blade like rubber, catching it and trying to shoot Lichtreay with dark cube bullets.
Lichtreay created another spear, rotating it with his left hand to deflect the dark cube bullets. Arrows slipped through the gaps in Lichtreay's body. It was Floria's precise shooting.
Lichtreay and Floria had not practiced cooperation.
However, as masters, they could adapt to each other on the fly. Lichtreay admired their skill.
"Quite impressive, just like a master."
Lichtreay complimented.
Their combat techniques didn't seem like those of wild creatures. While the attack involving dark cube bullets was formidable, the ability to fluidly manipulate the flowing dark blade required combat sense. Additionally, the intermittent use of lunar magic was unpredictable.
"Likewise, you're quite skilled."
Floria replied.
They still had time for conversation.
The clash of dark blade and spear, the struggle for positioning, and the occasional exchange of fire continued.
"Right there!"
Floria released a shining arrow.
Cromria countered with dark cube bullets.
Then, he stepped back and created distance.
"It's getting troublesome."
Even against an awakened magic-wielder, the battle seemed inconclusive.
So Cromria commanded the followers under his control.
"Advance."
The two hundred sixty thousand people, deprived of their reason by the "Black Expectation Paradise Dystopia," were like puppets. They moved at Cromria's will. When ordered to attack, they gladly charged forward.
A massive invasion began, shaking the ground.
Lichtreay wore a grim expression as he watched.
Ideally, he had wanted to defeat Cromria in a one-on-one fight.
It was the most efficient way to minimize casualties. However, with the invasion underway, there was no other choice. Even though they were being manipulated, it was a fact that they were causing harm. Despite understanding the cruel necessity, as a Holy Knight, he had to carry out this slaughter.
"...There's no other way."
Lichtreay raised his spear.
His magic armor created a simple weapon, a spear of light. It was a straightforward weapon. With enough mastery, he could dual-wield two spears. However, his true power as an awakened magic-wielder lay in the ability to generate an infinite number of spears.
"Let me end you with my magic armor."
At first glance, the spear from his magic armor appeared ordinary. Even though it was called a spear of light, it contained very little light.
Lichtreay's spear encapsulated the concept of light and could travel at the speed of light when thrown. It could also follow up with additional attacks by controlling light. In simpler terms, he could manipulate light.
With further application, he could converge multiple beams of sunlight and fire them like countless lasers.
The rain of light poured down, and two hundred sixty thousand humans met their end one by one.
"Cruel, isn't it?"
"Don't lecture me about cruelty, demon."
Cromria's voice remained composed even after his followers were killed. Hidden behind his armor, his expression couldn't be seen, but he exuded an air of confidence.
Lichtreay and Floria found it somewhat suspicious.
However, they considered him nothing more than a merciless demon.
The solar light rained down, and every human was killed.
But this was going according to the plan of Manjou Shinri Fularous, who stood behind the demon Cromria.
"When a large number of humans die, a vast amount of magic power is released. By synthesizing that, I can create monsters. I call this soul magic."
Cromria's tone changed as Manjou Shinri Fularous's thoughts mixed in.
A magical array unfolded on the ground amid the corpses, shining brightly.
Manjou Shinri Fularous's magic eye, which saw the truth of the world, had finally brought about a new magic. It was a form of magic that created a soul from magic power and constructed a body from that same magic power. Specifically, it could be described as a magic that produced undead creatures of the immortal category.
Sacrificing two hundred sixty thousand humans to create undead, it was a kind of forbidden magic.
"Come forth, Death Paladin, the Holy Knight of Death!"
A black mist-like substance overflowed, covering all the corpses on the magical array.
Then, the mist converged at the center of the magic array, leaving no trace of the bodies behind.
In their place, a pure white knight exuding an aura of death appeared.
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