Chapter 85

The Marquess Family's Magic Genius - Chapter 86 (85/324)

The Marquess Family's Magic Genius - Chapter 86

86

The blue mist generated by the game's internal mechanism was so cold that it would freeze anything it touched. The knights, who had been sneering at the spreading mist, summoned their auras to cover their entire bodies.

They had a basic understanding of magic.

The spell used by the Fourth Young Master was merely a 2nd Circle spell.

Moreover, Ice Fog, being a wide-area spell, was not particularly strong in its coldness.

They planned to easily break through it, then sweep away everyone except the Fourth Young Master.

'Probably thinking something like that.'

She smiled slightly at the approaching knights.

She could instantly grasp what they were thinking.

Whether things would go as they planned would be revealed in due time.

She immediately activated the Target-On spell and designated it at the approaching Intermediate Knight.

The mist gathered and clung to his body.

"Ugh! What is this!"

The Intermediate Knight let out an involuntary scream as the cold was so intense that his teeth chattered. The temperature was far beyond what he had imagined.

Sizzle!

The aura enveloping his body was melting away helplessly.

This was a sight that only a light attribute spell could produce.

However, Ice Fog was not a light attribute spell.

What kind of harmony is this?

The knight hastily summoned more aura.

If the aura covering his body melted away completely, he would have to endure the bone-chilling cold with his bare skin, which was impossible for a normal human.

The Intermediate Knight, who had stopped in his tracks, began to struggle against the cold clinging to his body.

'Just as I thought.'

As I had anticipated, Ersiel's buff was completely counter to their strength.

Even with the real activation method, the spell wouldn't have had such an effect.

The knight was also in a highly enhanced state.

But things were different now.

'He seems to be holding up pretty well, being an Intermediate Knight.'

How long can he hold on?

This was a spell imbued with the power of an ancient spirit.

If he didn't open up more power, he would eventually be swallowed by the mist.

She cast the Target-On spell again and directed it at the Junior Knight who was rushing in after the Intermediate Knight.

The remaining mist clung to him in the same way.

"Ah!"

Unlike the Intermediate Knight, who had not suffered major damage despite his skin burning, the Junior Knight began to scream as soon as he was enveloped by the blue mist.

He started rolling on the ground as well.

Being much weaker than the Intermediate Knight, he was being stripped of his strength.

"Kill him!"

Meanwhile, the three remaining knights, excluding the fallen Junior Knight and the Intermediate Knight who was struggling, closed the distance.

Although smoke was rising from their bodies due to the mist, they still seemed to be in good condition.

Now it was time for Seron and Duke to shine.

Their swords clashed.

Clang!

Clang!

The two were holding up better than expected.

This was because they were under the buffs from me and Ersiel, and the knights who had broken through the mist already had a light attribute debuff.

Seron, wielding a modified Storm Sword, swung his blade.

And Duke, silently handling his share of the fight.

Whenever a critical moment arose for the two, a Light Shield or defensive spell would appear to protect them.

They were stubbornly holding their ground, knowing that if they faltered, Ersiel and I would be in danger.

Meanwhile, a dark aura was surging from behind.

The Intermediate Knight, covered in frost, was emitting explosive power.

He seemed to have fully opened his power.

While the spell was concentrating the mist to restrict his movements, it wouldn't last long.

'He chose a path with no retreat.'

Each time he opened his power, his physical energy grew stronger, but there was a clear penalty.

He would gradually lose his sanity. While someone like Adolph or other Senior Knights might be fine, an Intermediate Knight using that much power would likely turn into a beast with a sword.

'It won't be hard to hit him with a spell.'

I reached into the magic pouch at my waist and pulled out the Staff of Valor, then cast a series of memorized spells.

Lightning Strike, Wind Cutter, and finally Fire Arrow.

Three attack spells stored in the staff flew towards him.

All three were attack spells with the hybrid activation method fully applied.

He would have been able to dodge them under normal circumstances.

However, his body was still covered in blue frost.

Restricted movements.

And his half-lost sanity led him to choose a frontal confrontation.

It was the worst choice.

As the lightning struck his sword and he shuddered,

the Wind Cutter tore into his body.

The frost covering his body was blocking his aura, making my spells easily cut through his flesh.

And finally,

Boom!

The Fire Arrow, infused with the true essence, exploded, setting his body ablaze.

"Ahhh!"

They say that burning pain is the most intense pain a human can feel.

It seemed to fit perfectly.

Even in his half-insane state, he started rolling on the ground.

By this point, he must have regained some of his senses.

Although it was a bit too late, given that his body was on fire.

The remaining Junior Knights couldn't hold out long with the continued support from Ersiel and me.

After dispatching the five knights,

I immediately looked in the direction where Viscount Lewis was.

Three knights were fiercely clashing swords there.

Viscount Lewis, emitting a steady stream of black aura, looked similar to a Black Knight.

'He does look quite impressive.'

Except for his eyes, which had turned completely blood-red, and his skin, which had become rough like a lizardman's, he seemed to be using a lot of power, just like the Intermediate Knight earlier.

Even among Senior Knights, Leonhardt was a top-tier expert, two levels above this guy. With Ermern's support and the buffs, it wasn't surprising that the Viscount was struggling.

"I'll kill you!"

The Viscount's voice had become extremely distorted.

It was a spine-chilling sound, like nails on a chalkboard.

The scene of the Viscount unleashing a whirlwind of attacks and the two knights countering each one was like something out of a movie.

Without the buffs, they would have been overwhelmed.

The Viscount's attacks were that fierce.

Looking around, I saw the old knights still fighting fiercely.

The three-on-one battle showed no signs of ending.

The last remaining Senior Knight among the eleven was already on the dais, engaging Abel.

I needed to take care of this troublesome Viscount first.

"Brother."

Duke looked at me.

"What?"

"Seron and I will find my subordinates. You don't need to stick with us anymore."

From now on, it would be a battlefield of true monsters.

Without the basic skills, talent wouldn't matter.

Especially for close-combat specialists like Duke and Seron.

Seeming to understand, the two nodded.

"Alright. Let's go."

"Master, please take care of yourself."

"Don't worry, go quickly. When you join the Sword Demon Corps, just pick off the weaker ones. Don't overexert yourself. The same goes for you, brother. If it gets dangerous, just run."

"..."

The two nodded heavily and started running towards the back.

They would take care of themselves.

Now, being by my side would be more dangerous, so it was better for those who wouldn't be much help to leave.

The only one left was Ersiel.

A spirit mage who handled spirits of darkness and light, capable of dealing significant damage even to Senior Knights.

"Stay close to me, no matter what."

"Yes, Master."

"Let's take care of that guy first."

I signaled to Leonhardt with a nod.

The signal was to grab the guy.

Understanding immediately, he charged at the Viscount with all his might.

Bang!

As the two swords clashed and the knights engaged in a power struggle, my spell crept towards the Viscount's back.

It was a 2nd Circle spell, Slow.

While it wouldn't fully affect an Expert-level Senior Knight, it wouldn't be completely ineffective either.

Ermern also grabbed the Viscount,

allowing my spell to hit him directly.

Sizzle!

As the Slow spell penetrated his body, the Viscount's movements gradually slowed, accompanied by a misty fog.

"What... what is this?"

The Viscount, surprised by the light attribute spell, turned his gaze towards me.

Without hesitation, he charged at me.

The attempt was easily thwarted.

Two Senior Knights blocked his path.

Indeed.

A tank was essential for hunting.

With all kinds of spells and Ersiel's support, Lewis gradually began to lose ground to the two knights.

"Ugh..."

The more he was pushed back, the more intense the aura emanating from his body became.

He must have been holding back his power to some extent until now.

He didn't want to lose his soul.

'But still...'

He must have judged that dying was worse, so he was now pushing the pedal to the metal.

Now, he had no brakes.

I cast buff spells on Leonhardt and Ermern again. Having killed far more difficult opponents hundreds of times, dealing with the Viscount wasn't hard.

Especially with a full party supporting me.

We methodically beat the increasingly insane monster, raid-style.

Finally,

"Ugh... ugh..."

Two swords pierced his chest, and his body began to wither.

The price of overusing his power.

The price was a body that was shrinking pitifully.

"Phew..."

"...Truly monstrous strength."

There was no time to rest.

Nine more Senior Knights remained, still fighting the old knights on the dais.

I picked up a High Mana Potion I had prepared in advance from my magic pouch.

It was expensive, but I didn't hesitate to drink it.

Glug.

As I drank the contents of the bottle, a refreshing sensation spread through my mouth.

The blue mana began to rotate in the circle, which had been empty.

It was worth three platinum coins.

With my mana fully recharged, it was time to move.

"Let's go."

My companions nodded.

We began to approach the three old knights.