CH 14

Redias Argenta was Diello’s father figure and the last remaining connection to his family. His death naturally had a significant impact on him, both emotionally and physically, and it would happen in the upcoming battle.

As a member of the Argenta family, Redias held significant power and influence, making his loss a major blow to their forces.

“…How much reinforcement did he need?”

In response to my question, the knight replied.

“They said we need troops capable of swiftly securing the area since the battle seems to be lasting longer than expected.”

“I see.”

Vielle also seemed to calm her startled heart after hearing that. It appeared that the situation wasn’t as dire as it seemed.

“….”

I narrowed my eyes. Despite what I heard, I knew the truth.

The situation on the battlefield hadn’t reached an urgent point yet. The reason why experienced commander Redias perished even with Diello’s assistance was that he gathered all his strength to withstand the water magic used by the sea monster known as the ‘Tidebreaker.’

He sensed the imminent danger and even requested his assistance, but Diello couldn’t have known either. It was unheard of in Argenta’s history for a monster capable of using ‘water magic’ to appear.

I couldn’t let events unfold according to that course.

Even though it was a contractual marriage, I didn’t want to simply overlook the potential tragedy.

Of course, I wasn’t merely driven by the mindset of a typical hero. Redias Argenta, even after Diello ascended as the Duke, would continue to play a significant role with his immense power. It was also crucial for my own future.

Thud.

Having finished my thoughts, I abruptly stood up from my seat.

“I’ll send reinforcements as quickly as possible. The number of troops…”

Normally, Vielle and the knights would make such decisions. However, they were unaware of the existence of the sea monster, so it was also impossible to inform them of the monster’s existence.

Claiming to have read it in a book would be suspicious, and I would be treated as someone suspicious, so the best way was to naturally bring along as many troops as possible and find the most efficient method to block the water magic.

“It’s better for the knights to decide, right?”

Upon hearing my words, the reporting knight and Vielle exchanged glances. Seizing the moment, I played my trump card.

“Though please arrange some knights to accompany me as escorts.”

“Yes?”

Vielle raised her head in surprise. She was taken aback as well.

“I’m going there. I could control water, after all.”

I extended my hand.

Swoosh!

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The nearby ink and water in a vase responded to my touch as it moved. At that moment, the knight and Vielle widened their eyes and stared at it.

“Since there’s a need for reinforcement even after Diello came, my abilities will be helpful.”

…No, not just for Diello, but I was certain that my abilities would save many lives.

* * *

“I hate the sea.”

Diello murmured.

Hundreds of years ago, for some reason, the sea appeared and the monsters there relentlessly targeted the land.

To protect the land from the endless sea, the Argenta mansion was built to overlook the sea, shining under the sunlight from a distance. The sea was a sight to behold, but to him, it only looked like the entrance to hell.

Diello Argenta had known since childhood that most of the people he knew had been devoured by the endless sea.

“There are many who wish for your downfall, my lord. Become stronger”

“If you cannot, then at least become accustomed to sacrifice, my lord.”

“Look at Argenta as a whole, not just as individuals.”

These were the teachings of his mentor, his last remaining confidant. If it weren’t for his guidance, young Diello might have crumbled.

“To survive, you must become numb.”

The words of his mentor, Redias Argenta, echoed in his mind every time he set foot in the sea.

“….”

Today, what was in his thoughts was Redias Argenta’s presence on the battlefield as a commander.

* * *

Kraah!

When Diello first arrived at the shores of the fourth zone of the endless sea, half of the coastline was infested with monsters. As soon as he arrived on the battlefield, he drew his sword without hesitation.

Whoosh!

Powerful flames surged from the tip of his sword, engulfing the monsters in fire.

The monsters of the endless sea, who were unaffected by ordinary flames, reacted specifically to Argenta’s flames as if they were paper soaked in oil. Even the monsters, who were immune to the abilities of ordinary Argenta, couldn’t withstand the flames of the Argenta’s head.

Kiiiik!

The seawater flowing from the bodies of the monsters evaporated in an instant, causing the surroundings to heat up.

“The head has arrived!”

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Waaaah!

The morale of the Argenta knights, who had been pushed back, underwent a complete transformation. Even though they had thought that everything would be quickly resolved, that was what they thought half a day ago. The situation on the battlefield had completely changed now.

“If things continue like this, numerous Argenta will perish.”

Diello furrowed his brow.

A few hours ago….

The monsters kept increasing, and at one point, instead of monsters, a massive wave crashed onto the coast.

“W-What is that?”

Amidst the bewildered Argenta knights’ shouts, Diello tried to evaporate most of the rushing seawater though there were limits to his ability. The waves kept crashing repeatedly. Within those waves, a monster capable of controlling the waves that it could reverse the tides unexpectedly appeared.

“Recently, they said monsters capable of using fire have appeared even in the desert guarded by Cartiel…”

Diello narrowed his eyes. Cartiel was a noble family known for controlling the wind, and their ability was said to fan the flames of the enemy.

Nevertheless, Cartiel’s head had already found his Ferro and was considered the strongest head in history. It was said that there were no issues when the head personally intervened—the situation was brought under control without any problems.

“….”

But here, his real Ferro had yet to appear.

Diello narrowed his eyes. This was practically a natural disaster.

“We requested reinforcements at the mansion, but it seems unlikely that there will be any significant changes on the battlefield.”

He quickly assessed the situation.

Beside him, the field commander, Redias, bowed his head.

“I apologize for my oversight. For now, my lord, please take care of yourself.”

Redias had requested the head’s help, thinking that it would be better to ask for his help to minimize the damage to Argenta. However, the situation on the battlefield had turned into the mutant monster domain.

Argenta, who controlled fire, was helpless against the waves that rushed in like a catastrophe.

If Diello Argenta had been a head who already had his Ferro and inherited the ability properly, the situation on the battlefield would have been different.

Not only Diello Argenta himself but also the people who received his power would have been able to wield an incredibly powerful force incomparable to the current situation. Still, without Ferro, they could only block and defend.

No, the fact that those beneath the head who could use the power were able to block these monsters to this extent itself was a miracle.

So, to completely block them, sacrifices were necessary.

“I will go to stop them.”

It was a declaration that Roa of the third zone had made before, using all the power he had received as an Argenta to halt the monsters. Diello furrowed his brow. If it were the case, this would be another sacrifice following Roa’s sacrifice not long ago.

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However, Redias’ choice was a selfless one for the sake of Argenta.

It was impossible for Diello, who was a head who hadn’t properly inherited the ability, to reach the monsters in the middle of the water. If someone were to do that, especially Argenta’s own blood, going there could potentially kill the monster.

“….”

However, unlike Roa, Redias had fulfilled his duties as a field commander. Even so, in order to minimize the damage given by a large number of enemies, it was inevitable to sacrifice himself for the sake of Argenta. As a head, it was something that had to be approved, even if Diello Argenta was his disciple.

The one he had taught in this way was the Redias Argenta standing before him, his mentor and his last family member.

“My lord, I seek permission.”

Redias bowed his head.

On a battlefield, it was better to say less… and in this way, he would sacrifice himself.

“Tenacious Argenta….”

Diello muttered quietly. As Roa had done, burning Redias’ body to stop it was the right thing to do. That was the correct answer.

Argenta was a family that had been maintained in that way. When he had to make an unfair yet fair decision, the moment when he had to give orders, Diello kept finding himself biting his lips as he was about to speak.

Thud!

Thud!

At that moment, in the distance, the sound of hurried hoofbeats could be heard.

Diello paused.

At first glance, it wasn’t the sound of a small number of knights coming.

“…?”

Turning around casually, his eyes widened.

“That is…?”

Redias, who had been preparing to sacrifice himself with a resolute heart, stopped his movements. Ahead of them, there were even more troops approaching than expected.

“Huh?”

However, what caught Diello and Redias’ attention was the figure at the forefront of the knight order. With purple hair dampened by the rain and reddish eyes visible in between…

“…Krua Alors?”

The moment when he widened his eyes, he could see a blue aura emanating from Krua Alors’ hand at the front. It was the ability of Alors, who could control water.