Chapter 129
I gazed intently at the lingering traces of Dark Magic emanating from various places, moving through the shadows to the spot where the traces felt strongest, and fell into thought.
*I already knew the Imperial Family was colluding with Dark Mages, but I didn't expect the lingering traces to be this blatant.*
At this point, it was as if the Imperial Family had completely fallen to the Dark Mages.
...I sighed, and thought of Pria.
*So, what should I do?*
There were two things I needed to consider.
First, how to bring down the Imperial Palace.
Second, what kind of relationship I should forge with Pria.
*The first one, well, I could probably solve it somehow by borrowing the power of Shadow Bombs and Daisy.*
The problem was Pria.
I decided to think about that more later, and continued moving quickly through the shadows, when I discovered a room filled with people wearing Black Robes.
*Dark Mages?*
These sinister individuals, who usually tried to conceal their identities.
*Why would they deliberately wear Black Robes in a place like the Imperial Palace?*
*Wouldn't that make them stand out even more?* Just as I was thinking this, the people in Black Robes began to move in unison towards somewhere.
As the robed figures headed off, I saw the Knights stationed everywhere uniformly open a path for them. Realizing my assumption was wrong, I let out a hollow laugh.
*Anywhere else, it might be for concealment, but in the Imperial Palace, wearing those robes is probably a way to *announce* they are Dark Mages.*
In other words, such a situation was excessively commonplace within the Imperial Family. Realizing it was even more corrupt than I had imagined, I clicked my tongue in disapproval.
*Anyway, if I follow those guys, something's bound to turn up.*
So, I decided to secretly tail them, and just as I was moving forward, a massive yet beautiful door appeared, one that “gorgeous” alone couldn't describe. Its appearance was far from ordinary to anyone who saw it, and I instinctively knew something was there, so I immediately conjured a Shadow Mace.
*Now, what's the best approach?*
*Should I charge in and smash their heads? Or, since I've already set up plenty of Shadow Bombs, should I just detonate them and make a run for it?* I pondered.
*Liana told me not to get caught, no matter what.*
It wasn't like me, but just this once, I decided not to smash heads directly and resolve it with bombs. The moment I reached this conclusion, I thought, *See, I can be patient like this too. Why do they keep calling me a terrorist?* I shook my head and sighed.
*Anyway, the important thing is that the Imperial Family has completely turned into an enemy.*
It seemed best to convey this fact to Pria. Just as I was about to turn around to return to Pria.
"...The rat keeps trying to cross the line."
To say that space-time was twisting would be the most accurate description. Its very essence warped, creating strange fissures all around, and an intense mana emanated from behind me.
Even I, who had reached the Highest-grade Expert level, couldn't tell if victory was even possible against such power, so I calmly turned my gaze backward. An old man with a face full of scars, gripping a sword, was walking out of the door.
I had read the original story countless times.
However, due to the nature of the novel, characters other than the Protagonist or those surrounding him weren't described in much detail.
So, I didn't have much information about other characters, and it would normally have been impossible to recognize that old man...
But the moment I saw him, I instantly knew who he was.
*A Sword Master.*
An absolute powerhouse capable of altering the very rules and essence of the world.
Having already encountered a Paladin, it wasn't my first time seeing someone who had reached the Master rank. But it was my first time facing a Master who genuinely intended to kill me, and my organs felt like they were twisting, my breath catching in my throat.
*...He's definitely on a different level.*
Even a Highest-grade Expert was considered an absurdly powerful individual. A Master, however, was literally *beyond the heavens*. Perhaps because it was a realm of transcendence beyond humanity, comparison was impossible.
Therefore, I concluded that it was impossible to defeat the Sword Master with any struggle I might put up. I decided it would be better to escape from here and plan for another day.
*Fortunately, I have Shadow Passage.*
I planned to use the Shadow Bombs I had placed to distract him, then immediately enter a Shadow Passage...
"Come out."
With that single, short command, the shadow I was hiding in shattered, dropping my body to the ground. I had no choice but to land on the floor and face the old man.
He stared at me silently, then, with a slightly surprised expression, spoke.
"Hah... To have reached such a level at such a young age. Someone even more formidable than Lorraine has appeared."
*He didn't seem to know who I was, but he apparently recognized the extent of my power.*
*That's a relief, at least. It seems he hasn't figured out my identity.*
That meant I just needed to find a way to escape from here. I spread shadows in all directions, preparing for Combat.
*What kind of attack would he attempt?*
Just as I inhaled, thinking I couldn't get a read on him, azure Ice Shards spread in all directions, simultaneously freezing everything around them.
At first, I thought they were simply frozen.
But seeing everything within them evaporate, I realized this technique was not mere ice.
*...Annihilation.*
Freezing and Annihilation.
There might be other abilities mixed in, but for now, these were the two I had identified.
*One thing is certain: the moment I'm trapped in ice, I'll die.*
*Not just vital areas, but if my arms, legs, or hands freeze, they'll be 'annihilated' instantly. Considering this, I need to enter Combat,* I thought, and created Shadow Soldiers using my shadows.
Shadows to take the attacks in my stead.
After all, even if the shadows were annihilated, I could just regenerate them. So, I would use them to block the onslaught of ice. While simultaneously obscuring the Sword Master's vision, I intended to escape by entering a shadow, but...
"You keep trying strange tricks."
The shadow I had created beneath me instantly froze and evaporated.
"...?"
*The Shadow Soldiers didn't freeze, so why did the shadow I made for movement instantly freeze? It doesn't make sense logically... Ah.*
I narrowed my eyes, realizing that a Master was a being who defied all logic. Then, remembering once again that logic shouldn't be applied when dealing with a Master, I looked at the old man who was staring at me.
His gaze was fixed on me, yet his eyes were hollow, as if everything within them was empty. I didn't know why he was looking at me with such a gaze. But one thing was certain: I couldn't escape this situation with simple methods.
As I pondered for a moment, unsure of what to do, the old man annihilated all the Shadow Soldiers rushing at him with a single strike, declaring my end.
"Let's stop playing games now."
Then, he extended his sword upwards, conjuring a massive Blizzard in all directions, and spoke to me.
"*Snow Island Jade Night*."
The Imperial Palace's ancient Corridor was instantly plunged into darkness. As silence fell in the darkness where nothing could be seen clearly, a massive Blizzard enveloped the surroundings, rapidly freezing my body.
"Mnyak!"
Of course, the moment I began to freeze, Daisy's Flame melted it, fending off the attack. However, Daisy had not yet reached the Highest-grade Spirit level. I could feel her gradually struggling to hold back the Blizzard. Seeing this, I stroked Daisy's head to reassure her and took a deep breath.
The Shadow Mace in my hand and the intense warmth circling my body.
Normally, this alone would have been enough to sweep away any enemy. But the Blizzard and vast darkness enveloping me made me feel utterly pathetic, like a candle about to flicker out.
I forced off the Ice Shards that were piercing my face and body, pushing through Daisy's flames. I tried to dash forward quickly and use Origin Explosion on the surroundings. But thousands of Ice Shards poured down from all sides, blocking my path, making it impossible to advance no matter how hard I tried.
*Damn, how is he this strong?*
To be honest, after capturing Mikhail Archbishop and Illeon, the High-ranking Executive, I had thought I might be able to contend with a Master. But the wall that was a Master, which I now faced... I bit my lip, realizing that was absolutely not the case.
*Well, no use dwelling on it.*
Whatever happened, giving up was not an option, so I took a deep breath and scattered Shadow Bombs everywhere. At the same time, borrowing Daisy's Flame, I unleashed shadows and fire in all directions, blocking the endlessly pouring ice, and swung my Shadow Mace with all my might.
*Origin Explosion.*
I unleashed Origin Explosion with all my strength, attacking the Sword Master. But the Sword Master lightly annihilated my Origin Explosion with his sword, then kicked me, sending me flying far away.
Normally, I would have been stopped midway by the Corridor wall. But everything was empty, as if swallowed by darkness and vanished.
I forcibly pushed my body with mana, bouncing off something and falling downwards, gasping for breath.
*What do I do?*
No matter how much I thought, there was no clear answer. Fighting back, escaping, or even just enduring seemed impossible in the current situation. Just as I wondered what to do, an interesting idea popped into my head.
*...No choice, then. Should I try a terrorist attack?*
*Fortunately, I'd scattered countless Shadow Bombs. If the Imperial Palace explodes, even that Sword Master won't be able to keep his composure.* Making that decision, I got to my feet and spoke.
"I'll show you something fun."
At the word "fun," he stared at me silently, then began to approach me with swift speed. It seemed he intended to finish me in one blow, so I detonated all the Shadow Bombs I had set up before he could reach me, beginning to blow up the entire Imperial Palace.
- *KABOOOM!*
If the sound of explosions could be heard even in this place swallowed by darkness... then the Imperial Palace must have suffered an unimaginable amount of damage. The moment I realized this, I scoffed at the Sword Master rushing towards me and spoke.
"The Imperial Palace was *awesome*."
At my words, his expression twisted, and he swung his sword at me. Seeing this, I thought I couldn't block it, but I raised my Shadow Mace anyway.
"No way!"
Thanks to Daisy's powerful surge of Flame, its force weakened for a moment, and I somehow managed to block it. However, it wasn't a perfect block. My ribs broke, and I coughed up a large mouthful of blood.
*...*
*Still, I managed to mess with him before I go, so I have no major regrets,* I thought, looking ahead. The Sword Master slowly walked across the snow-covered ground and spoke to me.
"What a waste of boundless talent. With such talent, reaching Master would have been easy, yet you were so intoxicated by your own abilities that you failed to face reality."
Thinking it was his last chance, he added a few short words and looked at me. In response, I raised my middle finger at him.
At my action, the Sword Master narrowed his eyes, stared at me, and then raised his sword high.
Seeing this, I tried to move my body to avoid it somehow. But Daisy had fainted, and the snow covering the ground was clinging to my entire body, making it impossible to move. I felt my skin being annihilated and blood flowing, sensing the end.
Whether I was truly on the verge of death or not, just as I thought I saw the sword slowly approaching me, the Jewel Pager Lorraine had given me long ago suddenly came to mind. To be honest, I didn't think it would be particularly effective if I used it... but just in case, I activated it with all my might.
*KABOOOM!*
With a massive explosion, Lorraine's sword blocked the Sword Master's sword. I stared blankly at Lorraine, who was pushing her sword through the pitch-black darkness. Lorraine looked at me and said briefly.
"Don't worry, I'm here."