Chapter 184
The Empire was the land of knights.
The reason they could stand out among many nations was none other than the knights' exceptionally superior skill.
Of course, Yor, who had fought them directly, might think, “Are they really that good?”
However, it was an undeniable fact that their average skill level was high.
A good training system, numerous instructors who had already reached higher realms, and an abundance of nearby Monsters from which to gain Practical Experience...
Thanks to these factors, the Empire was also known as the Country of Knights.
And if there was a country famous for its knights, there was also one specialized in magic.
The place named the Magic Nation (Magic Nation) was precisely the Main Headquarters of Mages.
In the past, it was even said that most of the World's grimoires originated from there.
Most Otherworlders who chose the Mage path probably learned Magic primarily from the Magic Nation.
Honestly, the Empire wasn't a country famous for magic.
As such, the Magic Nation was an ancient country with vast knowledge.
For reference, Sephiroth is also from the Magic Nation.
However, its national power wasn't as strong as its history suggested... because its national power had rapidly declined several decades ago.
The reason was that a certain Person, known as a Sage at the time, had suddenly defected.
Kyle Venegert.
A man who, despite his small stature, rose to the highest echelons of a nation.
The Administrator of the Royal Grimoire Archive, where all the World's grimoires were said to gather, was a person.
His fame was considerable, befitting his significant position...
Unfortunately, his reputation wasn't very good. Not long after becoming a Sage, he suddenly started spouting strange things.
He claimed that he had found a book in the Archives that spoke of the end of the World, and that everyone should submit to the Demons.
He preached such words almost like a madman.
Of course, no one truly listened.
He was telling them to bow their heads immediately and submit, and no one would take kindly to that.
Even if there had been the book he mentioned, no one would have seen such a book, unfortunately.
Just in case, they checked the Archives' records, but there was no entry indicating such a book had ever arrived.
In the end, Kyle's voice was heard as nothing more than a madman's rant.
After several months of this... he eventually abandoned the country he lived in and vanished.
Along with the few people who followed him...
*
This was roughly the story I'd heard about him.
Even so, he was the final Boss of the enemy, so I needed to know some information.
And honestly... I didn't feel much about it.
It didn't really resonate with me, I guess.
For one, he was from another country, and when he was active in the world, I wasn't part of society.
Back then, the tattoo hadn't even appeared on my collarbone yet.
*Meanwhile, others besides me seemed to know him well, and some even attempted brief conversations.*
I never thought you'd actually show up. I thought you'd died somewhere far away...
You were spouting strange things decades ago, and now you've gone and formed a Group like this?
The Strange Sage, Kyle, didn't particularly try to engage in conversation.
He merely muttered with a conflicted expression.
I'm just as regretful that things turned out this way.
I felt a sense of bewilderment watching him.
As the Overall Person in Charge of a Cult Order, I expected him to be a swindler or an extreme fanatic.
However, the Chairman I met in person seemed only rational.
His eyes were clear, and his demeanor was very dignified.
If I had met him on the street without knowing anything, I might have thought he was a gentle village elder.
The only peculiar thing was... that his face seemed filled with worry.
It wasn't just the worry of an impending battle.
It looked like a natural aura born from long-standing anxiety.
But... what can be done? Things in the World rarely go as one wishes.
Regardless of what I thought, the battle had begun.
Soon, he drew mana from his body.
After a brief, unintelligible incantation, magic was cast.
vis amplificationis.
It enhanced the physical strength of his Allies.
spirant obice.
A fierce gust of wind blew, creating a thin barrier near the Altar.
augue.
In between, a massive fireball flew towards us, attacking.
Each one was powerful and spectacular.
I briefly admired the sight.
He's just throwing spells around, regardless of attributes.
Is this what it takes to be the top dog of a country?
Just one person had been added to the battle, but the pressure had completely changed.
Fortunately, the Extermination Squad didn't suffer significant damage.
This was because most of the Magic was aimed at blocking their path rather than directly attacking.
Tch, that damn old man!
I don't care if you kill him, just break through!
Attack! There's a huge bounty on that old man's head!
Soon, numerous Extermination Squad Members began to rush him, trying to break through.
However, most were blocked by the Followers before they could even get close.
Even though they weren't Priests, their Magic-Enhanced abilities seemed considerable.
A few skilled individuals almost reached Kyle... but even they were quickly stopped by Defensive Magic.
Damn it... he's annoyingly troublesome.
I can't get close because of the wind.
It was while I was observing the battle for a moment.
Thump-
*...!*
Suddenly, a massive surge of energy emanated from the front... from the Altar.
That Altar is structured like a three-tiered wedding cake.
I hastily turned my gaze in that direction.
For a moment, I thought a Demon had descended, but fortunately, that wasn't the case.
Instead, the lowest first tier simply lit up brightly.
As if it were fully charged, the Altar's patterns glowed with bright light.
It seemed that the massive energy wave from earlier had originated from there.
It's... it's done!
Everyone, get up here! Quickly, quickly!
As the first tier lit up, the Mages who had been infusing mana there hurriedly ascended to the upper tiers.
A much greater amount of mana began to gather towards the second tier.
I swallowed hard at the sight.
*That looks a bit dangerous...?*
Only one-third of the Altar was activated, yet it emitted such a powerful aura.
Therefore, I decided to join the battle quickly.
If that Seal were broken, things would spiral out of control, no matter what else happened.
So, the old man first.
I wrapped a suitable amount of Sword Aura around my spear and immediately charged towards him.
It was a Breakthrough, aiming for his flank, not his front.
My peripheral vision blurred as if sped up.
!
Indeed, even a powerful Mage didn't seem to have wide peripheral vision.
I saw him flinch in surprise as I instantly closed in.
I didn't bother speaking. Instead, I merely pulled my arm back, intending to put a hole through him.
Like a spring compressed to its limit, my spear was drawn all the way back.
I was about to thrust my spear forward.
No!
Suddenly, a tearing scream came from nearby.
I turned my head to see Livia looking at Kyle with an extremely urgent expression.
Don't Attack, please!
Her desperate plea made me hesitate for a moment.
Thanks to that, Kyle barely managed to escape, but I had no time to pay attention to him.
It was the first time I'd seen Livia act like that.
Could the 'Benefactor' Livia spoke of be that Mage, Kyle?
Did that Person save Livia and even teach her Magic?
It was just a guess, but Livia's reaction made it seem almost certain.
*So, if I kill that old man, will I become the enemy who killed Livia's Benefactor?*
Why is it so complicated?
No matter how I thought about it, I was reluctant. The fact that he helped Livia made me feel a strange sense of gratitude towards the old man.
But even so, I couldn't just leave the Altar alone.
Even if Lemegeton were defeated and it were captured, I absolutely couldn't allow that Demon to descend unharmed.
If they were captured, at least I could defend them.
Therefore, instead of directly attacking Kyle, I decided to break through past his side.
Wielding my spear, I began to conquer the Outskirts, a little distance from the Extermination Squad.
Having ample space is really good in situations like this.
If I set my mind to it, I can always create an opening.
Everyone was still fighting hard, so I hadn't seen anyone break through yet.
This time, I decided to be the first.
Ah! Why here of all places!
F-first, block him!
As soon as I approached, the Followers enthusiastically greeted me.
It didn't take long to subdue them. Honestly, my level had become too high for mere minions to stop me.
After I struck their arms and legs suitably with my spear shaft, the path forward opened up.
Ignoring those who tried to stop me, I headed straight for the Altar.
After we ran for a while, the massive three-tiered Altar came into view.
Ignoring the first tier, which was already lit, I headed straight for the second tier.
Huh!?
A man...?
No, you bastards! He's an intruder, stop him!
As soon as I climbed up, the Mages who were infusing mana into the Altar enthusiastically 'greeted' me.
Now it was time to cause some havoc.