Episode 246 – Lyon Martrein
“....”
Dorneth wiped away the blood that was clouding his vision and looked at Natone.
Crushed armor, a torn shield, and a broken axe—he could see them all.
The Knight Commander of Beneta, who had thrown himself into the frontlines since the beginning of the battle.
Though his eyes still burned with fierce determination, the state of his wounds looked grave.
Even so, he couldn't be withdrawn from the field, because his absence would leave too great a void.
And Arthur wanted him.
“Commander Natone, go with him.”
“There are plenty of Dwarves here who can guide him.”
“But there are few who know not just the structure of the wall, but even the foundations beneath it.”
The void he would leave behind was great. But Dorneth didn’t hesitate for long. He already owed Hunt his life at the castle. And Arthur had been watching the situation from atop the ramparts all this ti.
If anyone knew the weight of Natone’s absence, it was Arthur—he wouldn't ask without a reason.
“This is an order from your lord.”
“...Understood.”
Natone bit his lip and stepped back.
In the anti, upon my signal, Hunt’s party began descending one by one to Dorneth’s side.
Rather than being obstructed by an unknown force, they judged it better to stay near Dorneth and fill in Natone’s place.
As ghosts, they could fulfill that role well enough.
Clang, clank—
Footsteps in the thick dust grew louder and closer.
The enemies began forming their ranks and moving forward.
After two massive explosions had temporarily stalled the battlefield, killing intent surged from the front lines as if it were about to ignite again.
Before leaving, I warned Dorneth.
“The enemy troops are not normal.”
“I heard from the Commander. He said they’re just like the cavalry unit we fought before. No fear.”
“It’s likely the power of shamanism.”
“You’re going to remove that power?”
“Who knows. We’ll have to see.”
Dorneth raised his shield toward the dust-filled front. The short break seed to have helped. Catching his breath slowly, he fixed his gaze and opened his mouth.
“The damage is too great. Where is Fenry?”
“She’s not in Beneta. She’s currently tracking Kal.”
“Kal…”
“We’re waiting for her signal. Before that, we plan to finish things here.”
“Finish? We’re barely holding on—how do you expect to defeat the enemy?”
“The Anti-Kal Alliance forces will arrive. Just hold out until then. We’ll return soon.”
Ten thousand reinforcents.
The burden that had weighed on Dorneth’s shoulders lightened, and he gave a firm nod.
I called for Natone.
When I asked the quickest route into the inner wall, he thought for a mont, then dashed toward the collapsed section of the wall.
“Lochter, Karl!”
At my call, Lochter and Karl fell in behind .
We didn’t know what kind of magic or enemies might be inside, so it made sense to take only the strongest.
As the two moved, Dorneth’s gaze turned to Lochter.
Specifically, to the twin swords at his waist—Belin and Reyna.
Weapons that had beco the final masterpieces of a great master craftsman.
Perhaps sensing the emotion in that gaze, Lochter bowed to Dorneth in gratitude before passing.
“I’ve already been paid more than enough, so your thanks is received.”
The cost of a life, and the blood price for slaying his kin.
That was enough.
Just their shared gaze was sufficient.
Dorneth and Lochter turned their backs at the sa ti, and then began to move apart.
Monts later—
KWAANG—!
Light burst from the front lines, and the Shield of Oath began to expand.
UAAAAHHH!
A thunderous war cry erupted behind us.
Ghosts gathered at Dorneth’s side, and as he raised his shield and shouted a war cry, the battle began anew.
A fierce, blood-soaked clash.
Screams and the sounds of weapons filled the space once again.
Glancing behind for a mont, Natone groaned and looked at .
“The sooner we move, the safer Beneta will be.”
“I believe you.”
At my words, he gritted his teeth and turned away.
Natone ran toward a gap in the collapsed stone wall.
Beneta’s troops were blocking the breach.
And there—we encountered a familiar silhouette.
A beautiful elf, bowstring drawn taut, her eyes locking with mine.
Sharbadin.
She stood at what appeared to be the final line of defense.
All of Beneta’s forces were densely packed into the breach.
It seed she was at the center of it all.
A last stand?
Dorneth’s resolve was palpable.
If she held here, Dorneth would lay down his life at the front.
As we approached, she smiled faintly and nodded.
At her gesture, the tight defensive formation parted around us.
“Please.”
At Sharbadin’s words, I nodded and ran through the ranks with the others.
Breaking past the formation, we entered the fractured gap, where shattered debris lay scattered.
“This way!”
Natone pointed to a spot and began pushing aside the rubble. Beneath it, a large hole ca into view.
Not outside the wall, but between the cracks—an entrance leading below it.
Natone threw himself in, and we followed him through the hole.
Darkness.
I rolled up my sleeve and raised my arm.
FLASH—
The Siren’s Hymn lit up, golden waves illuminating the space.
The interior of the wall had lost its function after the massive explosion.
Natone examined the cracked walls and floor lined with gold and asked:
“What’s our destination?”
“All I know is the direction.”
“Can you estimate the distance?”
I shook my head.
With Reto’s help, direction was all I could discern.
If I had known the distance, I would have brought soone else, not Natone.
Realizing this, Natone nodded and began examining the texture of the floor.
Understanding our location was first priority. He checked the stones and terrain, then nodded and said:
“We’re on the second floor of the underground passage connected to the surface. We’ll move in the direction you point. If the direction changes, let know imdiately.”
The direction I indicated was deeper than the second floor.
Natone gauged the route and began running along the corridor.
A maze-like passageway.
There were blocked paths and walls, but with a proper guide, there was no confusion or hesitation.
We moved swiftly, and after so distance, our direction suddenly reversed.
Natone paced back and forth, checking his bearings, before stopping in one area.
After tapping the stone floor and examining the surroundings, he discovered a tal cover and lifted it.
Creeeeak—
A rancid stench burst out with the sound of tal scraping. A floor with steps revealed itself.
Karl stepped back, pinching his nose.
“Shit, is this a goddamn sewer?”
“It’s the entrance to the underground waterway.”
“Waterway?”
I imagined a sewer beneath the city.
“Beneath the wall is a small waterway connected to the river. Judging by the direction so far, the destination seems to be the reservoir where the waterways intersect.”
“Is that space wide?”
“It’s the only area that’s open.”
The only open space. Perfect for whatever was intended.
I nodded and asked about the distance.
Natone looked down and answered:
“Once we descend and run, it won’t take long.”
“Let’s go.”
Without hesitation, I descended the stairs.
Lochter, Karl, and then finally Natone landed on the damp ground.
We were in a space with ankle-deep water. A place untouched for a long ti, filled with rot and stale humidity.
[That way.]
Reto now pointed not downward, but toward a long, straight corridor.
It seed we had co to the right place.
Sothing was there, beyond.
I summoned the Ring of Blood and started running forward.
Karl, following behind, felt sothing tightening and warned in a low voice.
“Careful. There’s sothing ahead.”
“You okay?”
“Aura will keep fine. The others may struggle, though.”
“Don’t fight up front if possible.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve never done close combat in my life.”
Splash, splash—
As we waded through the shallow water—
“What the...!?”
The corridor walls were covered in strange runes. A chilling red glow radiated ominously.
We raced through the glowing red path and reached the far end of the corridor.
“Soone’s there!”
A figure stood waiting at the end.
Wearing blue armor, wielding a chilling sword that emitted pale mist—
The face was all too familiar.
“Lyon!”
It was Lyon Martrein.
His sword moved like lightning. Even from a distance, it radiated a sinister chill.
Frostblade.
The mont his aura-infused Frostblade struck the ground, the water up to our knees froze instantly and surged toward us.
“Jump!”
Zzzk—!
With the sound of cracking, the floor froze blue.
Before the frost wave could sweep over us, we kicked off the ground, and Karl enveloped us with spectral energy midair.
We hovered montarily, eyes fixed forward.
I looked at Lyon and let out a low groan. It wasn’t the sa face I had seen before.
Lifeless.
As if he were already dead.
“Lyon, what the hell are you doing!?”
“I simply follow my master’s will.”
As Lochter shouted, Lyon’s blade flashed blue.
And then—
KWAANG—!
He charged through the corridor.
“Scatter!”
As I shouted, the ghost-form was dispelled, and we landed on the ground.
The terrain, now solid ice, cracked underfoot as Lochter crossed his twin blades and charged.
I aid the Ring of Blood, Karl his spectral dagger—both at Lyon.
KKAANG—!
Frostblade and twin swords clashed.
“Kuugh!”
Lochter’s stance collapsed instantly.
Brutal strikes.
Two, three, four blows—each clash ca down like thunder, heavy and full of force.
“...Khak!”
As Belin and Reyna glowed crimson, Lochter coughed blood.
The intense frost froze his body before the impact even landed.
White frost spread over his body.
He was freezing.
“Lochter Felice, were you always this weak?”
“......!”
As Lyon’s blue eyes flashed and the storm of frost was about to descend upon Lochter—Karl’s spectral dagger exploded from behind him.
The piercing arrows from the Ring of Blood followed suit, glowing blue and aiming for Lyon’s shoulders and legs.
Thup-thup-thup!
With a dull sound, the Frostblade and twin swords fell away.
Lyon staggered back a few steps, but Lochter was hurled back and skidded along the floor.
“...You monster bastard!”
Karl helped Lochter back and retreated, pale-faced.
I stepped forward, tense, activating Spectral Art and Quanru.
Did the attack not land?
I was sure the arrows had pierced Lyon, but the hit areas only turned white—no wounds.
Sa with the dagger that exploded from his back—no damage.
Instead, he casually pointed the Frostblade forward again.
Bzzzt!
Blue aura surged across the blade.
No—
[Dodge!]
“What the hell...!”
FLASH—
Blue waves surged, flooding the space like a tsunami.
Aura Wave.
A higher-level technique beyond the Aura Sword was unleashed.
The entire corridor turned blue and froze over.
I clenched my teeth and launched myself backward.
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