CH 184

The knight's curse

Translated by SoundDestiny

Edited by SoundDestiny

“Your Highness Raidorl……there’s one more thing I have to report….Gohogoho!”

Gordo’s man coughed and opened his mouths again.

“We, the soldiers under Captain Gordo….. And many of the refugees who have been living here have developed a strange disease. And……unexplained hunger and dehydration.”

The soldier then stokes himself on the throat.

“……Apparently, a disease of unknown origin is spreading. I’m getting sicker by the day, I can’t stop coughing and some of my friends have vomited blood. And no matter how much food we eat, our bellies just won’t fill.”

“Aa, that’s what the knights of the apocalypse are capable of. I knew it, Plague and a Famine are coming.”

Neimilia looked over Raidorl’s shoulder and interrupted him.

“Their power is to place a curse not on a particular individual but on the land itself. The power of plague is to spread diseases. The ability of Famine is to bring unsatisfied hunger and thirst. Both can affect a very large area and a large number of people.”

“That’s… why the refugees we passed were also sick.”

Many of the refugees heading east were as thin and pale as the soldiers in front of them. Apparently, they too had been affected by the abilities of the Apocalypse Knight.

“Plague and famine…….Well, that’s a fearsome ability.”

Raidorl frowned.

The ability to plague and famine is the same power that the holy sword Dáinsleif has. However, in terms of the number of people it can affect at once, the knight’s ability is more powerful.

The curse of the  Dáinsleif can only be cast on enemies in front of him or the ones he cut with the miasma blade. In contrast, the knight’s ability can affect people at a distance, making it an extremely troublesome power.

“So we’re already in its sphere of influence. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of our soldiers developed a disease or hunger at this point.”

For those who lead armies and govern peoples, there is no more frightening ability.

Plague and Famine – both are monsters that must not be allowed to spread further into the kingdom.

“That’s right. Three hundred years ago, in the Great Calamity, the western part of the continent became hell. Fortunately, their powers are not instantaneous and take time to take effect.”

Neimilia nodded her head and added more information.

The curse placed on the land becomes more and more powerful as time goes on. It’s not an ability that works overnight, but if enough time passes, the effect of the curse will increase.

“In other words,we do a quick attack. We need to take out the two knights as soon as possible, every minute, every second counts.”

“That’s right. It seems that the curse has already spread throughout the land, but at this stage, I can control it with my power but I’ll have to concentrate on suppressing the curse, so I won’t be able to take part in the battle….”

“I don’t mind. The enemy army will face me and my soldiers.”

Raidorl’s greatest fear was that the soldiers he was leading would be incapacitated by sickness and hunger.

To lead a sick soldier into battle would be like offering a lamb to the wolves. They would be overrun in an instant.

The enemy army can invade without worrying about damage because they are undead, but we are flesh and blood. There is no substitute for them.

Victory is a major premise, and Raidorl must also consider minimising his armies’ death toll.

“Breaking the effects of the curse is a top priority. Even if it means you’ll be sitting this one out, we need to make it a priority.”

“I understand. Then, let me just…”

Neimilia hugged Raidorl around the waist and put her arms around him and embraced him.

Then – in a position with her lips pressed against her master’s back – she chants a spell.

“Fall, saint! Darkness is with you―Sanctuary of the Fallen: Lilith Sanctuary”

(Tl: Lilith is the first wife ‘Eve’ to Adam in   Mesopotamian and Judaic mythology) 

In an instant, a huge magic array appears in the centre of the Raidorl and the Neimilia.

Inside the circular geometric shapes dances an ancient language that is difficult to decipher, emitting a blue-white light that expands.

The light soon engulfed the whole of the encamped kingdom army and spread across the western part of the kingdom without abating.

“Phew, that’s better.”

Neimilia exhaled while hugging Raidorl. At the same time, the magic circle and the blue-white light disappeared.

There is no change in the surrounding landscape. Nothing has changed visibly.

But…..the heavy air that had hung over the area earlier had been dispelled, and the soldiers under Gordo, who were supposed to be sick and starving, were looking better.

“The curse that has been placed on the land has now ceased to have any effect. The effects of the knight should be contained for the time being.”

As soon as she finished her work, Neimilia had a refreshing expression, pressing her face against her master’s back and taking a sniff while at it. 

She was as relaxed as ever, but……her tremendous power was a marvel to Raidorl.

Neimilia had cast a spell over a wide area, up to a hundred kilometres. It was hard to imagine how much magical power was needed to cast a spell on such a large scale.

Neimilia had once been sealed in the ruins and lost her power, but she too had regained it through the “Resurrection of the Witch”.

“I would be saying thanks…..but what was the point of hugging me?”

“Of course I have to!　I need to replenish my master’s power to get the strength you need!”

She assures him and strengthens her arms around him.

Her self-serving arguments are like those of a child, and it is hard to believe that she is a witch who has just demonstrated her overwhelming power.

“…… What kind of logic is that?”

As Neimilia rubbed her body against his as if to assert her ownership, Raidorl sighed and dropped his shoulders.