Chapter 188

[Translator – Night][Proofreader – Gun]

Chapter 188: Key (4)

Meanwhile, Luna didn’t have the emotion of ‘anger,’ until seven years ago.

Anger is an emotion that arises when something beloved suffers harm.

But for her, who didn’t even harbor affection for herself, such an emotion seemed impossible.

Despite seven years passing, not much had changed.

She still remained indifferent to others’ affairs, paying attention only when necessary.

The only target of her anger was the Knights of Light.

The reason was simple.

They were a group who insulted and belittled the man she loved and cherished as the world’s only villain.

How could she not be angry when ignorant fools spread baseless rumors and insulted him?

Destroying the existence of vile mist?

Even jokes couldn’t soften her words.

For Luna, the Knights of Light were the only group that could disturb her composure, a group that should disappear completely from this world, even less than insects.

Near the capital of Garam Kingdom,

Amidst the unknown group of white elves, the conflict between the Garam Magic Society and the Knights of Light intensified.

-Slurp

The knights withdrew their swords and quickly changed their stance, realizing they couldn’t proceed with their original plan.

It was the best course of action they could take.

“Why the silence? Exercising your right to remain silent without reason only fuels my anger, doesn’t it? Do you really not understand that merely bowing your heads won’t resolve this situation?”

Most of the society members swallowed nervously at her unusually stern attitude.

They realized she was genuinely angry.

Even the elves, watching the situation with surprised eyes, couldn’t hide their confusion as they looked at her.

“W-who is that woman?”

“I can’t say for sure, but at least I’m confident she’s a woman who can put an end to this situation…”

Even Roel, who had considerable insight into magic to the extent of spatial transition, couldn’t help but be amazed.

Externally, she seemed like a young woman who might be barely twenty at most.

However, the aura emanating from her young body was so extraordinary that it could rival that of a great sage.

A knight stepped forward from the knights’ side.

“I’m Justin Briel, a mid-level knight of the Knights of Light. First, allow me to apologize for causing disturbance as a knight from another country entering your kingdom’s territory.”

He bowed deeply, representing the knights.

“We will formally apologize and compensate for this incident from our side in the future. So, for now…”

-Swish

Before Justin could finish his words,

Fierce flames erupted from around the knights.

Most of them didn’t even seem to notice the movement of magic; their pupils were trembling slightly.

“It seems you don’t understand my words. Do you think the situation can be brushed off with compensation? Do you really see this as a situation where you can negotiate with me, considering every aspect of the current situation? Do you really want to die?”

Luna raised her hand slightly, gathering even more magic power than before.

“Please don’t entertain the thought of leaving this country unscathed. I might tolerate it with others, but I don’t think I can afford to look at your kind with warm eyes…”

As if facing an unforgivable enemy,

Her eyes were filled not only with unbearable anger but also with a chilling resolve.

“…”

At this, the knights seemed to exchange glances as if deliberating something.

-Slurp

He drew his sword once again.

The society members perceived that they had chosen resistance over compliance.

Just as they were about to raise their guard to counter this,

-Swish

Suddenly, the knights reversed their swords, and,

“All of this is for Lumendel…!”

They recited a prayer for the gods and then slit their throats, committing suicide right there.

It wasn’t just a mere throat-slitting.

The moment they fell, white flames erupted from their mouths, engulfing their bodies without a trace.

“…!”

The situation unfolded in the blink of an eye.

Both the society members and the elves, as well as Luna herself, couldn’t hide their astonishment.

“A-Are you alright, Luna?”

With concern, Schurz approached her.

“I made a mistake. The moment I realized they were the Knights of Light, I couldn’t help but get excited.”

She bit her lip in self-blame.

But it didn’t last long.

Luna immediately issued the next order to the society members.

“Recover the bodies and thoroughly investigate for any remaining traces, no matter how small.”

“Yes, Luna!”

Bowing their heads, the society members immediately carried out her orders.

Eventually, Luna’s gaze turned to the white elves still present at the scene.

“It seems you’ve had an unpleasant experience, coming all the way here. I’m afraid even taking away only good memories would be insufficient.”

The society members, still uneasy, looked at her with anxious eyes.

“Please tell me everything that happened here without omitting a single detail. Delving into others’ minds isn’t exactly my hobby.”

With ambiguous words that could be interpreted as persuasion or coercion,

Luna stared at them with her usual dry gaze.

* * *

A splendid space almost glaringly so.

It’s not an entirely unfamiliar space to me.

It’s one of the places where I stumbled in my previous life’s quest to find the Holy Sword.

I entered through the open door.

There are four people immediately visible.

Presumably a knight of light, a burly white elf, Hastia staring at me with astonished rabbit eyes atop the altar, and…

[Someone said it was Lumendel’s trash?]

Imperial Saint Nephrodite Iris.

To me, she’s a woman I can’t possibly greet with a smile.

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I want to pretend to be glad to see her, but Hastia’s hesitating face seems to catch on to it.

She must know it’s not a situation where we can warmly shake hands after being apart for so long.

Rather,

-Swish!

Someone else greeted me first from the other side.

A sharp sword emitting a white glow pierced towards me.

Its owner wore a strange, enigmatic smile and asked,

“Do you have any intention of answering if I ask who you are?”

Despite the unfamiliar situation, he calmly threw out a casual question.

Whether it’s his posture holding the sword or the aura I feel, he’s no amateur.

Since I had absolutely no intention of answering, I just stayed silent.

“I’ll take that as a no.”

He nodded as if expecting it, and his gesture considerably touched my nerves.

“Well then, let me introduce myself. I am Mihan Hasellus, a senior knight of the Knights of Light. I am honored to serve the saint in her closest proximity.”

The name sparked some recollection in me.

A knight who always stood by her as her closest guard.

Well, I certainly didn’t hold fond memories of him.

“Since you’re not speaking, let me take a guess. With your black hair resembling the night sky, and being a wielder of rare daggers, not to mention the distinctly felt dark elemental magic. It’s not a boast, but there aren’t many who could so easily thwart my ambush, you know? Judging by your posture and movements… are you an assassin?”

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]

A repulsive glint gleamed in his eyes.

I responded with a slight raise of my lips.

“An assassin, but not just any assassin. It’s a baseless guess, but my long experience as a knight tells me something. You’re none other than a follower of the Black Mist, a member of the Mist…”

“…”

“If you’re not going to nod, then what’s the point? You seem to have a character without reason.”

Indeed, it’s a remark I’ve heard many times before.

But there aren’t any of those who said such things still alive.

“There’s a saying that silence implies consent. Well then, as a knight of light, I suppose I can’t help but judge you.”

I couldn’t understand the reason, but the smirk never left his lips.

“Hopefully, you didn’t try to gauge me and conserve your strength. I want to see you giving your all. Of course, I’m prepared to do the same.”

Although I’m generally not the type to refuse a fight that comes my way, it seems like I can’t avoid it this time.

Especially when there’s a warrior right in front of me who seems to crave a fight with you more than I do.

-Bang!

The ground sank as if a boulder had fallen.

Flaming eyes burning like fire within a snowstorm.

The sight was unbelievable, considering he was just bleeding on the ground moments ago.

The knight named Mihan swiftly dodged the elf’s attack.

It seemed he had been prepared for this before I even arrived,

There’s no need for me to interfere and waste unnecessary energy.

My gaze naturally shifted towards the altar.

But before I could even approach, she approached me first.

“It’s been almost 60 years. Meeting a follower of the Mist face to face…”

It’s been an unbelievably long time for a face that’s lived 60 years.

Although it might be different if we’re talking about another race other than humans.

“Looking at your face, I don’t think I need to introduce myself. You already know who I am, where we are, and why I am here.”

I looked at her with an expression devoid of affirmation or denial.

“But I don’t understand why you came here. Did you come here to block the ritual after an order from the organization?”

“…”

“You’re not going to speak until the end, are you? I was expecting a bit of wit to match your refined appearance, but it’s disappointing.”

The saint wrapped her face with a gentle gesture, then light emanated from the part she held tightly.

For about 5 seconds.

I thought it might be some great transformation, but when she let go, her face looked the same as before.

Except for one thing.

Except for the elongated ears growing on each side of her face.

“Consider it an honor. Showing my true form to a human is not a common occurrence.”

With a deeper smile, she gently raised her hand and recited a spell.

“Confess your sins and seek forgiveness from the gods…”

* * *

‘That magic?’

Hastia knew exactly what the incantation the woman just recited meant.

Confess your sins (The Confession).

It was a magic that converted light attribute magic into the power of the almighty god, mentally subjugating the target.

It wasn’t just something you could use because it was a high-level magic, even those with attribute values of over 50% could barely mimic it.

It didn’t just end with giving a shock like Mental Breakdown.

If one were to be swayed by its absolute power, they could even lose their original personality, making it an extremely dangerous magic.

It was said that there were only one or two beings on this earth who could master it perfectly,

‘Is this really happening?’

The woman in front of her, no, the elf was casting that magic with a surprisingly calm face.

The astonished Hastia, unable to close her mouth, and Cyan, with an indifferent expression as if he didn’t care, presented a stark contrast.

-Creak!

Before long, a massive entity with the form of an angel appeared from the air.

The figure, turning its head slowly, reached out its hand towards Cyan beneath the altar, as if bestowing a divine revelation, and showered him with light.

Without any resistance or response, Cyan silently accepted the pouring light.

‘Cyan is in danger!’

If this continues, Cyan’s personality itself could disappear.

Hastia did not want this, so she had to think of a way to stop it.

But there was no way she could handle such vast magic that even invoked the power of the gods.

Quickly thinking, Hastia closed her eyes and entered a state of mental focus.

‘Cyan! Cyan! Snap out of it!’

Through their only means of communication, mental resonance, she intended to awaken Cyan’s mind.

‘….’

But instead of a response, not even a breath was heard.

‘Wake up, Cyan! If you fall asleep in a situation like this, you won’t wake up!’

In a desperate attempt, she began to spew out any words that came to mind.

As long as she could awaken his mind like this, she thought, continuing to call out, but then,

‘Stop it.’

‘….?’

‘My head hurts.’

Cyan, who had lifted his head without her realizing, was now looking at her with an indifferent gaze.

-Swish!

Then, with a speed faster than light, he drew his sword and rushed towards the altar.

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]