The Book Eating Magician - Chapter 287

Chapter 287

Chapter 287 – Emperor Moves (2)

It was as he said .

All of the remaining Seven Swords, the pillars of Andras, had been mobilized and were moving with the symbol of the emperor in an insane operation . If this were a chessboard, it would be the same as placing the king into the midst of the enemies .

Of course, the emperor of Andras had to be a powerful sword master, but it couldn’t be enough to reverse the battlefield .

This was a suicide operation .

To sum it up briefly, it was true that a sword master was superior to great magicians at breakthroughs, but this breakthrough would only have value if it was followed up .  What would they do if they broke through? It was merely an ineffective demonstration of force without the military force to take over .

Furthermore, the operation was being carried out by the remaining Seven Swords and the emperor, who were all masters . Even the most skilled aura users wouldn’t be able to catch up with masters .

‘What is he thinking…?’ Theodore’s brows furrowed .

It was a plan that couldn’t be understood with common sense . The most likely option was that they would immediately attack the capital of Meltor, Mana-vil .  With at least four masters and dozens of expert aura users…

Certainly, it wasn’t guaranteed that any kingdom’s defenses could block that elite power . The high walls would be smashed apart and the king beheaded .  However, with Meltor, that strategy would run into a wall .

There was the defense of the four magic towers . Additionally, considering the presence of Veronica who was recovering her magic power, it was impossible for Mana-vil to fall to a small number of elites .

On the other hand, Meltor could choose to collapse the capital of Andras or gather troops to strike the elite force from the rear . At first glance, this situation was really too ridiculous .

‘…Wait . ’ At this moment, Theodore recalled something . ‘If it is the western border, then Master…!’

If the enemy forces penetrated through the western border zone as the messenger said, then Vince definitely belonged to the unit blocking them .  The four magic soldier units and 26 war mages had taken action to delay them .

There would be some casualties from the four sword masters’ breakthrough . What if his master was included among them? The war mages were already few in number . The casualties wouldn’t be low .

“Messenger!” Theodore urgently called the messenger over and asked him, “Do you have a list of survivors from the west? I want to know the status of the personnel involved in the delaying operation!”

“T-There were too many magic soldiers, so it hasn’t been organized yet . I only have a list of war mages . ”

“Show me . ”

The messenger pulled out a scroll, and Theodore took it with trembling fingers . The leaders belatedly realized why he was troubled .  Vince Haidel was a famous name among the war mages .  Orta, Blundell, and the other leaders who had taken action with him several times also looked worried .

Theodore read down the list of the deceased .

From the top, Beruch, Ilan, Zirmud, Haman…

There were 26 people . It wasn’t a large number, but it was natural for his fingers to hesitate . Vince’s name might be here . The fear stilled his fingers .  Finally, he reached the end and scanned it again several times .

“… . Phew…”

Fortunately, Vince’s name wasn’t present . Then he saw Vince’s name on the list of wounded .

[Vince Haidel: Amputated left leg, serious condition . ]

Vince had lost his left leg, but he had survived . Theodore felt both deeply sad and greatly relieved . It was enough if Vince survived . Even if he couldn’t continue as a war mage, Vince wasn’t one to give up just because he lost his left leg .

As Theodore made a relieved expression, Orta whispered to him, “I’m sorry but you don’t have time to go visit him . ”

“…I know,” Theodore said, handing the scroll back to the messenger . “It will be okay just to deliver medicine . ”

Theodore pretended to take the potions out of his pocket, pouring them from his inventory onto the table .  They were the highest quality potions he had obtained from Paracelsus’ laboratory .  His heart wanted to give Vince an elixir, but Theodore couldn’t give Vince special treatment . He could go and talk with Vince after the war was over .

The messenger disappeared with the potions, and the leaders started a meeting under Blundell’s command .

“Then it is time to determine the course of action . ” The magician, who had lived for over a century, grasped his beard and raised two fingers . “It can be divided into two categories . Do we fight that stupid group or ignore them and head straight to Belfort?”

“Tower Master, I think we should advance,” Benedict, now the former chief commander, declared with a certain voice .  “Without the Seven Swords and the emperor, the empire doesn’t have the power to stop us . Belfort’s fierce walls can be removed with the combined attacks of three or four masters . One week is enough . ”

“Then we should ignore those guys running around?”

“It is cruel, but yes . That’s correct . There is the Red Tower Master, and the Yellow Tower Master also promised to participate in the capital’s defense . They will be able to hold on until we obtain Belfort . ”

Unlike the decisive Benedict, Orta shook his head .  “I am the opposite . Such a predictable operation, even the emperor of Andras would’ve thought of it . Furthermore, there are a total of seven masters in our camp . It is a level where we can act to stop that elite group . ”

“That is White Tower Master’s position on this matter?”

“Yes . ”

Aside from Benedict, who advocated to advance, and Orta, who wanted to stop the unit of masters, there were now only two commanders remaining who could speak out .  They were the Chief Commander Blundell and Theodore Miller .  In a 2-against-2 situation, Blundell’s opinion would be more powerful .

However, he made an unexpected decision . “Hrmm, this old man will abstain . ”

Everyone stared at Blundell, and he explained, “I have only just joined the battlefield, so I don’t have a clear view . It might end up as a divided opinion . Therefore, I think it is right to let the last commander, Theodore, decide . ”

“That…” Theodore hesitated but sighed as the rest of the commanders agreed .

Then he closed his eyes and focused on his super-sensitivity . ‘…Damn, it still isn’t visible . ’

Theodore tried again, but darkness was the only thing reflected by his super-sensitivity . Just like when the bow master’s foresight interfered the other day, an unknown factor was blocking his super-sensitivity .

March to Belfort or go to Mana-vil…?

What should he do? The future couldn’t be seen, but Theodore felt like his choice would have catastrophic results either way .

“I…” He started hesitantly and then continued, “I think it is right to block the small unit . ”

Theodore judged that it was correct to interfere with the emperor’s intention, which would be linked to the truth of this Northern Continent .

Then Blundell clapped and shouted, “Okay, it has been decided . White Tower Master!”

“I’ll prepare it right away . ”

“How long will it take?”

“If I take action immediately… I can do it in three hours . ”

Returning to Mana-vil from the front lines in three hours, that was a feat impossible without Orta .  Due to the sudden decision, the leaders ran around reorganizing the army, while Theodore stared at the rain clouds in the distance .

In spite of the favorable situation, his mind didn’t stop shaking, just like how the surface of the sea would stir uneasily before a storm .

This was surely the climax of the unification war .

Theodore was confident of this and closed his eyes to control his boiling magic power .

*     *     *

Three hours later, a light appeared somewhere .

Flash!

There was a flash, and white dust rose like mist . It was the aftermath of dozens of magicians appearing through space magic in a room with no furniture .  They breathed in the dust reflexively, with even the masters coughing . Theodore was the only exception due to his wind divinity .

‘Eh? This place…’

He looked around before anyone else and noticed the familiar appearance of the room . Theodore had been to this place before .  Yes, a few years ago on the mission with Vince…

Theodore was able to realize it immediately . “The Bergen Barony?”

“You noticed . Have you used it before?” Orta stepped out . “After estimating the speed of the empire’s Seven Swords and the emperor, I thought that Bergen would be the best place to deal with them . ”

“Ah, that’s right . If they go straight through the mountain range…”

“It is the shortest distance to reach Mana-vil . The mountain terrain won’t slow down four sword masters, so it is certain that they will pass through Bergen . ”

Indeed, Theodore agreed and looked around . The core power of the army was gathered in this place .  They had to consider that there would be a minimum of four sword masters, and perhaps an unknown master like the bow master from the other day .

Thus, six masters had joined in this space transfer .

The two guardians of Elvenheim, Ellaim and Edwin .  White Tower Master Orta and Blue Tower Master Blundell .  Theodore Miller and Randolph Clovis .

There were also senior war mages and William and Sylvia . A master might be dominant, but the more firepower they had, the better .  This group could easily defeat the allied forces of the Central Continent . Benedict had been left behind to command the army, but this was still an enormous power .

‘Yes, if it is this much… It is enough to win the battle,’ Theodore thought as he left the narrow and dark room behind Orta .  They passed through the secret door into the back alley like the last time, and the crowded streets of Bergen soon filled their eyes .

In the front of the group, Blundell used invisibility magic and said in a playful tone, “Good . There is still a day or two according to the calculations of White Tower Master . ”

“Please be more cautious, Blue Tower Master . ”

“Huhuhu, can’t I joke around? A good night’s rest isn’t possible in this situation, so I should at least joke…”

Then it was at that moment…

— — — — — — —!!!

It wasn’t the sound of an explosion or a roar . The sound, which couldn’t be described by any modifier, tore through the sky .

The sound was a type of vibration, a type of shock wave .

If the strength was too much, it could tear apart a person’s eardrums as well as cause the destruction of inanimate objects . The scene of the clouds being torn apart was proof of how terrible this sound was .

“…!”

“……! ……!”

Despite the magicians spreading out a barrier of magic power, the eardrums of the ordinary people were affected . Fortunately, it got better when the sound passed . However, the people who suddenly lost their hearing were crying on the ground .

It was because of the overwhelming sound that burst out! The old buildings seemed to shake uneasily in the aftermath . If the sound rang out one more time, Bergen would collapse like an earthquake had occurred .

Therefore, Theodore commanded the wind faster than anyone else .

‘In the name of Aiolos! Be a wall to calm down the shaking on the outskirts of this city!’

The sound was vibration, and vibration wasn’t visible to the naked eye . Just as nothing could be heard in a vacuum, building a shield with wind could reduce the power of the noise .  Theodore’s will spread out, causing the mountain breezes to wrap around Bergen in a sphere . In order to recreate this phenomenon, an expert of Orta’s level was needed .

Orta and Blundell admired it and responded belatedly .

“Calm Mist!”

“Aerial Winder!”

The double barrier of fog and wind calmed the chaos .  The crowd of people gradually calmed down, and the wind barrier Theodore had made became as strong as a steel wall .  It would remain strong even if the sound occurred again three or four times in a row .

Then Theodore’s group looked in the direction where the sound had come from . What had created such a blast? Rather than an attack, it might be the aftermath of an explosion that someone had caused .

‘Eh? This power is perhaps…?’

Was it because he had calmed down? Theodore read the magic power and looked at the horizon with confusion .  It was heat magic .

Theodore had felt the flow of this scorching magic power many times . The density of the power of aura might be much higher, but only a magician could wield such massive mana in this way .

“This strength, surely it isn’t that tomboy!”

“This is ridiculous! They are supposed to be a few days away from Bergen…!”

Blundell, who had the same thought as Theodore, was confused, while Orta was embarrassed about his calculations being off .  Then the explosive sound burst out again .

―――――――!

――――――!

―――――――!

This time, it was multiple smaller versions . The earth shook and the clouds were torn apart every time flames shot up to the sky .  This power was equivalent to at least five consecutive 7th circle magics .  They didn’t know why, but Veronica was pushing a bombardment toward someone!

‘No, it isn’t just anyone!’

This situation had already been set up . Veronica alone couldn’t deal with Andras’ core power .  The emperor would be directly commanding the Seven Swords .

“It can’t be helped . Join in!”

The plan to stay in Bergen and build up defenses was abandoned . The group prepared to head toward the gigantic flames .  Starting with Blundell, 20 magicians rushed forward .  The glare, noise, heat, and shock waves reaching Bergen was proof of the power involved in the conflict .

The curtain raised on the final battle to end the unification war .