Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 12: Loyalty, Part 4
Marcus didn't hide the pain in his forehead. Crow has become stronger. Even from where he stood, the amount of mana that filled Crow's body was clearly felt by Marcus. It was like he was standing before an enraged First Saint. Marcus hated to admit it, but the cold sweat on his temple did not lie: he felt a little intimidated.
Shaking his head slowly, Marcus drove away the sense of intimidation that began to infiltrate him. It doesn't matter what Crow's strength has become. With [Translocation Magic], he could not be defeated. Of course Marcus is not being overconfident; he just believes in his ability.
“Please!” marcus exclaimed, chest puffed up and immediately then unleashed Wind Magic: Dragon Breath. However, in contrast to the previous effect, this time Crow simply extended his right palm forward. And, all of the energy Marcus spell generated was absorbed by that palm
“[Absorption Magic], huh.” Marcus pointed his palm towards his sword lying— made the sword instantly dart towards him. “It's a uniquely troublesome magic. But—” Marcus did not finish his speech. He immediately shot to attack the vampire once the handle of his great sword tightly grasped in the right hand—his body was wrapped in light armor.
Marcus' great sword swing hit Crow's left arm. If the previous Crow was dragged a few meters away, this time it was only a few steps away. Marcus doesn't care about that. He drew his sword and swung it back strongly. Crow blocked each swing perfectly. There was an opportunity where Crow could strike back, but he didn't.
Marcus grieves realizing that, flinging his knees trying to hurt the vampire's face.
However, Crow was able to block the knee with his other arm. And, this time the vampire did not waste the opportunity to strike back. His right leg was already floating trying to hit the saint's left shoulder. Marcus tried to block the kick with his left arm. But he immediately regretted it. Marcus' body bounced tens of meters, dragged again a few meters, and finally stopped after hitting a pile of corpses of his soldiers.
Translocation Magic: Translocation Damage, inner Marcus, and instantly his body returned to its prime condition. Translocation Damage worked similarly to [Healing Magic]. If [Healing Magic] used mana to heal, Translocation Damage sacrificed mana to replace the wounds his body received. Unlike the [Healing Magic] that needed a process to heal, the spell Translocation Damage was instant. As long as his mana is sufficient, he will not be killed in battle.
“Cih, the kick is so hard,” scolded Marcus while removing his adamantite armor, then unite both palms. “Light Magic: Ultra Armor.”
If previously his body was only covered in light, this time the light that was trailing his body formed such that it looked like real armor. Marcus' body was covered from the tip of his foot to the tip of his head. The young saint seemed to have incarnated into a light human.
“Crow, this time I won't give you mercy.” With that snort, Marcus shot out at his highest speed.
But—
“Ghuahhh!”
—Marcus came to a sudden halt, Crow's fist had already landed heavily on the Saint's stomach. The light armor broke into pieces. The only reason why Marcus had not bounced was the four dark black chains that had wrapped around both his hands and feet—and the other two chains that wrapped around the hard of his diaphragm and neck. The chains came out from the six small-sized black magic circles.
Marcus exerted all his consciousness to use [Translocation Magic], but he could not do so. Marcus can't muster his mana. Let alone that, he lost his sense of mana. It was like where in his body had stopped flowing, making him unable to use magic.
“My main magic is [Hellish Chain],” Crow said with her body shrouded in lightning sparks. “These chains are not only poisonous, they can also suppress mana flow. These chains are harder than the purest adamantite. And most importantly, I can combine my lightning with the chains wrapped around you. Well, Saint Marcus, do you have any last words?”
...———...
Neix now understood one thing: Crow had hidden his true strength from him. Putting aside the capacity of which Crow had reached one-tenth his mana capacity, his magic could not be underestimated. Even from where he sat, he could tell that the black chains were abnormal. And, how could he land a punch without Saint Marcus noticing?
What did Crow plan to do by hiding his true strength from him?
Neix chuckled, insisting that none of that would matter anymore now. Moreover, he could clearly see that the number of soldiers killed was already at the number of tens of thousands. His subordinates were very useful; they had offered sacrifices for him. Although now only one-fourth of them are left, Neix still appreciates their efforts.
“And now I can't wait,” said Neix, standing from the throne and walking forward with arrogance. “I'll finish it all, and Crow will make it my last show. Then the gates of hell will I open.”
...———...
Marcus couldn't believe his efforts would end like this. No, he should have had to be careful when he heard Crow claim to be Vermyna—'s strongest subordinate a damned creature that the other night had tried to annihilate Axellibra, as his lord had said. Had he grown arrogant, just like the Second Saint had said?
Marcus once again tried to fight back, as hard as he tried to control his mana. However, as Crow had said, the mana was too heavy to move. As he tried to grab it, it was like pulling a rope that had its end tied to a hill. Marcus growled, but his efforts ended in vain. His body was even getting weaker.
Marcus relaxes his body, stops trying to fight. He accepted that it was no longer useful. If it was already in this state, death was what would welcome it. Marcus doesn't have the delusion to think someone's gonna save him. He was not worried that someone would miss him. He has no family, no one.
If anyone would cry over his disappearance, it was likely that it was just some of his soldiers. Even now he doubted it when he realized the members of Eternity had slaughtered his soldiers. Instead of crying out for grief, perhaps his death would be accompanied by a curse of hatred by the families his soldiers had left behind. He led them to death.
Therefore, when he heard the question asked for him, it was clear what the answer was.
The only thing that was precious to him was his strength.
However, knowing how strong Fie Axellibra is, maybe there is no way he will have any effect. Marcus' existence did not make any difference to Emiliel Holy Kingdom. So, what does his existence mean?
Marcus shook his head slowly as the chains wrapped around his neck loosened. “I have no words to say,” the response. “In exchange, I want you to tell me how you landed that punch without me realizing.”
“Good.” Crow nodded in understanding. “I shorten the space between us. In your perception, the space in this world has not changed. However, the space in my perception changed. This is my second magic power: [Imaginary Space].”
Apparently so. Now Marcus understands why he didn't see Crow move. He understood why he did not feel Crow's presence as much as teleportation in general. The space in his perception and the vampire's perception had been different. With such magic, perhaps only high-level sensory magic users could realize what Crow was doing.
“Thank you for your answer. You're so strong, Crow Lucardia. Now do. Kill me.”
“...You are the first person to accept death from me without throwing a swearing at me. Your loyalty is clearly reflected in your body. The soul of the knight really lives within you. I'll remember you as a real knight, a knight who walked over the loyalty line, the loyalty line.”
Loyalty?
Marcus closed both his eyes. “Maybe you're right,” he said, taking one last breath so slowly.
If his existence has any meaning on the side of Fie Axellibra, ..perhaps loyalty is the only meaning.
“Goodbye, Saint Marcus Vehelmi Vandiesell.”
…Marcus' consciousness disappeared completely in the thundering blackish red lightning. Marcus did not feel any pain. Not even a little.
Heh, [Imaginary Space], what an interesting magic.
...———...
Crow did not have much time to pay respects to Saint Marcus' death. The sudden thunderbolt that filled the sky caught Crow's attention. The blue balls of whitish lightning then fell like uncontrollable rain. However, Crow did not dodge; none of the lightning balls targeted him. The targets of those lightning balls were the rest of the Knights Templar and members of Eternity.
“Neix,” muttered Crow spontaneously as soon as he sensed the presence of Neix several meters behind him. “...I feel killing intent from you.”
“Because I will indeed kill you.”
Crow spontaneously teleported away, thinly avoiding the lightning trident that fell from the sky.
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