Book 2 Chapter 587

Book 2 Chapter 587

It was the Red Knight's black Pistol Sword. While this weapon, which integrated a firearm and blade into one, could be considered a versatile weapon capable of both close and mid-range attacks, the reality was somewhat different.

This was because its practicality was considerably lacking. It's surprisingly common to lose everything when trying to catch two rabbits at once.

The Pistol Sword, also known as the Gunblade, was that kind of weapon.

The most important aspects of a sword, cutting and stabbing, were significantly downgraded, and because it contained gunpowder and mechanical components, the weight inevitably increased. As the structure became more complex, its durability naturally decreased as well.

Then, did it at least fulfill its role as a firearm? That part was also ambiguous.

Extreme critics would mock the Pistol Sword, saying it was less practical than a bayonet. Even those who weren’t as critical often suggested that it would be far better to carry a sword and gun separately.

─But the Red Knight’s weapon was different.

It had the potential to overturn all of the above criticisms.

“Cough...!”

Residue exhaled hot breath along with dust.

‘This crazy bitch...!’

How had I judged that woman again?

She looks like a madwoman, but there's a rational side to her?

No! Not at all!

That woman was just a plain lunatic! Residue now swore to firmly establish that fact as an undeniable premise.

‘Was she really trying to kill me?’

The firepower from the Red Knight’s sword was at a level that Residue, whose entire body was bound by chains, couldn’t withstand. Even if Residue’s body had been in perfect condition, it would have still been dangerous.

The only reason he survived was because of one thing.

“Death Worm.”

“......”

One of the Twelve Void Lord, Death Worm.

That man had shielded Residue from the storm of flames that raged toward him.

To be exact, he had become a barrier.

It wasn’t clear where he had been until now, but Death Worm had hidden himself so well that not even Residue, nor the Four Knights, noticed his presence.

Residue was incredibly fortunate.

It wasn't that there was no way to counter it, but the method Residue had thought of just before the flames hit would have caused significant damage to himself as well. Because of the damned chains limiting his power, the risk would have been at least three times greater.

...Residue looked at Death Worm again.

Considering he had taken such massive firepower head-on, it was hard to believe that Death Worm, regardless of how much life force he had left, would have escaped without severe damage.

‘Did he bring in more worms?’

Death Worm was now almost half-charred. Frankly, it was a sight too horrifying to look at with both eyes.

His blackened flesh was not much different from that of a corpse left to rot for too long, and even the parts that hadn't been directly hit by the flames couldn't escape being burned, with yellow fluid oozing out.

But that ghastly appearance lasted only for a moment.

Soon, Death Worm's form began to naturally return to its original state.

“Are you alright?”

Unable to bring himself to say thank you, he asked that instead.

“...Impressive.”

“What?”

Only then did Residue realize that Death Worm hadn’t once looked at him since his arrival. His vacant eyes were fixated on Pale. It wasn’t a joke—he was truly and completely captivated by her.

Residue couldn’t understand what part of such a woman could possibly be attractive. Frankly, he didn’t even want to know.

No, if strength was considered a necessary quality in a partner, then perhaps it wasn’t completely incomprehensible, but still, wasn't there a limit to such thinking?

“Sigh...”

Residue cooled his somewhat agitated mind.

Now, he admitted it.

He truly had emotions, and they fluctuated as fiercely as any mortal's.

So he should learn. Learn how to control emotions.

He knows the fate of those weaklings who are swayed by their emotions. Every single one of them died a dog's death. For someone with Residue’s pride, it's an end he could never accept.

‘...Then what kind of death would I find acceptable?’

Before his unnecessary thoughts could continue any further, Residue shook his head and brought his focus back to the present.

First, the biggest question.

‘Wasn’t the Blue Knight completely infatuated with this virgin?’

Hadn't he seen her flirting as if she wanted to give him her heart and soul?

But then, what was that attack just now?

It almost swept away not only the two knights but also the bound Lukas.

Was it because she had stolen the weapon from the Red Knight and didn’t anticipate that much firepower being unleashed?

“Wow~ this is awesome!”

Hearing that airheaded voice, it didn’t seem like that was the case. Pale was gazing at the devastation she had caused with a pleased expression, as if she were admiring her own handiwork.

Witnessing that attitude, Residue’s worst suspicions naturally started heading towards the most dreadful conclusion.

‘Does Pale know my true identity?’

If she had considered me, who is chained up, as an ‘enemy’ from the start, then it all adds up.

Would nothing happen until then?

Residue turned his gaze back to the battlefield once more.

What was unfolding before him was more of a war than a mere battle, and it was reaching its climax. Was it the intense movement of their bodies that was causing the temperature to rise?

Clang!

At that moment, a helmet covered Pale's face.

For the first time since the fight began, she had become the 'Blue Knight'.

And then, the figures of the three knights instantly vanished.

‘They’ve entered the Minimal Time Zone.'

The moment Residue realized this fact.

After a brief pause...

───!

A tremendous roar, an explosion of sound.

It was a noise so massive that no adjective could do it justice, shaking the sky and earth. It was the kind of sound you might hear if countless compressed explosions had been held silent for an eternity and then released all at once in perfect harmony.

At the same time, light engulfed everything, and within it, the figures of the three knights emerged.

None of the three knights were in perfect condition. Armor, which wouldn’t normally show even a scratch under any ordinary impact, crumbled away like old ceramic.

The one most severely wounded was Pale. Her helmet was half-destroyed, and blood was visibly trickling from inside the cracked helmet.

“Hoooo...”

Pale exhaled deeply, then removed her helmet entirely. Her hair, matted with blood, flowed down like a waterfall.

The helmet wasn’t completely unusable.

For the Four Knights, their swords and armor were manifestations of their consciousness. If their bodies and minds recovered, their weapons and armor would also return to their unscathed forms.

“Handling two knights at once is tough after all. Hmm.”

She could afford to complain like that only because the two knights she was facing weren’t in perfect condition either.

The Red Knight without her weapon,

And the Black Knight, who had not yet fully adapted to the power of the Four Knights.

Of course, Pale might have chosen all-out battle because she was aware of this fact too.

“I’m getting kinda hungry...”

As Pale tapped her stomach, El spoke.

[Be careful from now on.]

[Careful?]

Lucid asked back, not fully understanding.

Pale was certainly strong.

And that strength was positioned at the exact opposite end of the spectrum from the kind of strength Lucid had pursued in the past.

There was no finesse in her swinging blades. Everything was spontaneous and impulsive. In other words, it was incredibly difficult to predict her moves. That was the strength of an unrefined sword.

The Blue Knight was different.

That sword wasn’t the result of training, nor did it carry any conviction, yet it was more overwhelming than any swordsmanship Lucid had ever encountered in the past.

But.

In the recent clash, the advantage was on his side.

Pale’s strength wasn’t enough to completely overpower the two knights.

However, El spoke in a much calmer voice than before.

[A hungry beast is more dangerous than a wounded one.]

[.......]

[From now on, things will start getting troublesome with the Blue Knight.]

Just locking eyes with her was enough to heighten the tension.

The heat gradually built up, increasing the pressure, and at the peak of that tension, the battle resumed once again.

And at that moment.

Clank!

“It’s over.”

Death Worm's work was finished, and Residue was freed.

“It wasn’t an easy task... but I did it.”

“Yes, truly impressive.”

“But it seems she isn’t looking at my magnificent form... What’s going on, Beginning Wizard?”

“...Ah. She’s fighting those two knights because she wants to come to you, isn’t she? She’s finally realized your true worth. She might even make the first move to court you.”

“Ah. I see.”

“Stand tall and greet her in style.”

“Thanks for the advice, my friend.”

Residue nodded and thought.

Now, what should I do next?

The answer came as soon as he thought of it.

'Escape.'