#016
“Huu… Huu……”
A month since being confined to a private room.
I gritted my teeth at the cold sensation flowing from my right arm.
‘This is getting dangerous.’
My senses were gradually dulling, and my emotional fluctuations were becoming fainter.
The auditory hallucinations about being loyal to the Elcidore family were constantly muddling my thoughts, and occasionally, I felt the urge to let go of my consciousness.
Symptoms close to late-stage corruption.
I could feel the ‘Mark of Control’ engraved in the magic imprint gradually eating away at my body.
‘Of course, I’m probably the only one who can feel this physically.’
The other mbers probably wouldn’t even notice that the imprint was consuming them.
Originally, the ‘Mark of Control’ was a technique whose very existence was classified.
If one doesn’t know about the technique’s existence, they won’t even realize they’re being controlled by soone.
They’ll think that they naturally developed loyalty as they adapted to the organization and made comrades.
However, even in this situation, my mind hadn’t surrendered.
The pain and cold I’m feeling in my arm right now is proof of that.
My mind, which should have been infiltrated long ago, continued to resist, causing the magic imprint to react adversely.
“I hope it’s not too late…”
I muttered while activating my magic circuit.
I circulated unprocessed, raw magical power through my blood vessels, suppressing the cold emanating from the magic imprint.
Then, when the cold that had been enveloping my entire body sowhat subsided.
Sssss-
A small spider appeared through the window gap.
‘It’s here.’
A reddish tint different from ordinary spiders.
The faint magical power emanating from it.
It was certain.
The ‘internal collaborator’ that Maximilien had hinted at during our brief two-hour eting.
It was a contact sent by the Revolutionary Army.
Pit, pipit, pit.
Red spider web spurted from the spider’s rear.
Slowly and quietly, the ford web was conveying this ssage to :
[Execute. Today.]
I let out a short breath and checked the ti.
About 5 minutes until lunch would be brought.
Fortunately, it was perfect timing.
Thump- thump-
By the ti footsteps were heard from afar, the spider had already left the room.
Soon after, the door opened, and two familiar faces shrugged their shoulders while looking at .
“Food’s here, Eugene.”
Vale and Han.
They were Knifehead mbers assigned to watch
for the past month.
“Here, today’s al.”
Han handed
two pieces of bread and a cup of water.
There was no sign of wariness.
After all, I was in a fairly well-liked junior position, and my relationship with the mbers was relatively smooth.
“It’s been a month since you were confined, hasn’t it?”
“I don’t understand what the supervisor is thinking. If he’s going to kill him, kill him, if he’s going to let him live, let him live, what’s with this waste of ti?”
“Indeed.”
I pretended to be calm while agreeing and waited for my chance.
Ben’s reason for confining
was simple.
If left alone for a month, the Elcidore magic imprint would infiltrate my entire body, eliminating any possibility of betrayal.
In fact, I hadn’t caused any problems during this month, and proportionally, their vigilance towards
had loosened.
“Senior Karin was really worried about you. When you get out, at least say hello to her.”
“Did you know she particularly likes you? Always asking how Eugene is doing, if you’re hurt anywhere…”
Eventually, as the topic shifted to Senior Karin, the two seniors completely dropped their guard. This was my chance.
“Anyway, I hope things work out well, Eugene. Even Dwayne feels sorry deep down, so talk…”
Swoosh-
Just as the casual conversation was about to start, I initiated my action.
Two Ice Spears pierced through Han and Vale’s lungs.
After catching their falling bodies, I made them sit on the floor.
“Kuh, kuh…?”
“Eu, Eugene…?”
Looking at the two who were staring at
with wide eyes, I let out a sigh of relief.
“Good. I only pierced their lungs while they’re still alive.”
If either of them had died here, the magical power reaction from the magic imprint would be cut off.
If that happened, Ben in the garrison would notice sothing was wrong and imdiately track
down.
That’s why I froze their wounds with Ice Spear while piercing their lungs, stopping the bleeding.
‘About 30 minutes. Perhaps.’
They would live until the ice lts, and until then, my escape wouldn’t be noticed.
There was no ti.
“You, you…?”
“Really… be, trayed…?”
“Yes. I betrayed you.”
Looking at the two seniors with their eyes wide open, I smiled mournfully.
“Before I got betrayed myself.”
“…!”
I won’t live like a protagonist.
This was my first resolution after being possessed into this damn ga, and it was an absolute proposition that would never change.
I will not be used by anyone.
Whether it’s Elcidore or the Revolutionary Army, it doesn’t matter.
Rather than getting caught up in events, I’ll create them, and rather than being betrayed, I’ll voluntarily beco a traitor.
I won’t beco a hero.
I won’t beco a tool.
I won’t beco a slave.
I will rely beco a survivor.
***
Eeeeeeeee—!
The siren sound that rang out from the watchtower spread throughout the Belkers territory.
Several flares shot through the thick dark clouds, and soon the red light revealed the identity of the intruders hidden by the clouds.
Wooooo……
Dozens of airships floating in the airspace above Belkers territory.
Leading them was an airship that every imperial citizen would recognize.
The Liberty.
The flagship leading the Revolutionary Army’s air fleet and Maximilien’s, the Revolutionary Army Supre Leader’s ship.
Soldiers stationed throughout the territory hurriedly began evacuating citizens.
“Air raid warning! Air raid warning!”
“Everyone take shelter indoors! The Revolutionary Army is attacking the territory!”
“Hey there! Don’t go outside! You might get hit by stray shells!”
Though it was a surprise attack, the soldiers moved quickly.
Soldiers at the anti-aircraft gun positions pulled their levers to align their sights, and soon dozens of anti-aircraft guns began firing shells into the sky.
Thung-! Thung-! Thung-!
Shells fired at regular intervals.
However, instead of tearing through the airships’ gas cells, they were blocked at a certain point and exploded in mid-air.
Kuwakwakwang—!
Acrid smoke rose thickly, but none of the soldiers watching cheered.
Aerial assault using airships was the Revolutionary Army’s specialty.
There was no way they couldn’t break through such basic anti-aircraft defenses.
Tuhwak-!
As they expected, the Liberty leading the formation erged through the smoke.
A translucent red barrier enveloping the airships including Liberty.
Upon confirming this, the soldiers imdiately released their prepared ssenger birds.
“Confird mages aboard the enemy airship fleet. These airships are real.”
The communication officer assisting the family head received the ssenger bird sent by the soldier.
Hearing his report, Lupeon smiled and stepped forward.
“Just as he said.”
Where he stood was the top floor of the Elcidore mansion.
Standing at the top of the spire, Lupeon stretched his hand toward the airship fleet invading his territory.
“The knights?”
“All preparations are complete. Whenever the family head gives the order…”
“Good. Tell all knights stationed at the mansion.”
Looking at Knight Order Commander Burken with a resolute expression, Lupeon gathered magical power.
“Begin technique synchronization. Activate the strategic magic circle.”
Paaaat-!
Dazzling blue light erupted from the magic imprint engraved on his hand.
And taking that as a signal, blue lights began rising from all over the mansion.
One, two, ten, thirty.
The blue lights that had multiplied into dozens changed from points to lines, beginning to connect with each other like threads being woven together.
A circle encompassing the entire mansion. And Lupeon standing at its center.
Feeling the trendous magical power flowing toward him, Lupeon was overwheld by an indescribable sense of omnipotence.
“Seuuuu……”
When he exhaled, white breath leaked out.
The ground he stood on was already frozen, with icicles sprouting up.
Magical power that couldn’t be contained even by the family head’s imprint was now gathered in his hands.
“Entangle.”
Shupaat-!
When Lupeon stretched out his hand, a blue magic circle ford above the airship fleet.
A magic circle large enough to cover the entire fleet.
Soon, using that magic circle as an entrance, an ice structure slowly revealed its form.
Jjeojek- jjeojeojek–!
Ice thorns that spread out like growing tree branches began ensnaring the airships one by one.
The branches condensed with magical power rcilessly tore through the red barrier and began crushing and grabbing the airships within.
An upside-down ice tree pierced through each of the Revolutionary Army’s airships approaching the territory.
When the technique succeeded, a cold smile spread across Lupeon’s face.
Kkudeuk-!
The mont Lupeon clenched his fist, all the ice branches entangling the airship fleet twisted at once and.
“Victory.”
With those words, the airship fleet that had maintained regular intervals beca one mass.
Like crushing a handful of insects into a ball.
The Revolutionary Army’s airship fleet, entangled in Lupeon’s ice prison, was crushed and turned into a massive sphere of scrap tal and garbage.
His magic imprint was [Rider of the Ice Prison]
And that was his most powerful large-scale strategic magic, [Thorn Tree Castle].
Kung-!
The airship fleet turned to scrap tal fell to the ground.
It was deliberately done without injuries, allowing survivors to remain.
“Go.”
The Imperial mobile forces stationed at Elcidore charged toward where the fleet had fallen.
Seeing this, a cold smile played across Lupeon’s face.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had such good news.”
He had shot down the Revolutionary Army’s flagship, Liberty.
The group technique he had been developing for years had succeeded brilliantly, turning dozens of airships into scrap tal.
It was thanks to knowing their invasion plans a month ago and preparing the group technique in advance.
“Ben will have a lot of work to do.”
Now the Revolutionary Army mbers who would crawl out of those airship wreckages would bring a handful of information for Elcidore’s operations.
Elcidore would use that information to exterminate the revolutionary elents that had infiltrated the Empire.
And with such rit, Elcidore could take another leap forward.
First seat among the Empire’s magic noble families, surpassing Valkheim and Nachtval.
The right to mix blood with the imperial family.
“Just a little more. Just need to endure a little more…!”
The title of hero who subjugated the Revolutionary Army.
The right to infiltrate the imperial family through marriage with royalty.
Even possession magic that steals the body of the recipient by embedding one’s consciousness in the magic imprint.
Soon all conditions would be t.
He, born as a re frontier noble, would grasp the Kalhyram Empire in his hands!
If that happened… if that happened, finally…!
Kuwaaaang–!
“…?”
An unexpected explosion sound broke Lupeon’s reverie.
An explosion that occurred behind him, not from the Revolutionary Army’s airship fleet.
When he turned around, Lupeon couldn’t help but doubt his eyes.
Flutter-!
A red flag was planted in the center of the mansion.
The hateful enemy symbol with a pair of soaring wings embroidered on it.
And the one holding that flag was soone who shouldn’t be here.
“I enjoyed watching your performance with all your might, Count Elcidore. It was a splendid spectacle.”
The Revolutionary Army Supre Leader, Maximilien.
And hundreds of Revolutionary Army mages lined up behind him.
They were preparing for battle one by one as they looked up at him.
“H-how…?”
As if unable to understand, Lupeon’s expression twisted uncontrollably.
He couldn’t comprehend this situation right now.
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