Chapter 144

Chapter 144

<Magic Attributes Distribution>

Retained points: 10

——————

Fire: 20/100

Ice: 0/100

Lightning: 10/100

Wind: 20/100

Earth: 0/100

Light: 0/100

Darkness: 0/100

‘Up until now, I’ve been using fire and wind in equal proportions. It’s made it easier to control the path of my magic, but it’s not as destructive.’

Being able to use multi-attribute magic was an absolute advantage, but it was also true that the magic would be less powerful than if he spent all his points on a single attribute.

In all the battles he’d fought, there was only one time when Cadel realized the limits of his destructive power. It was when he faced the core of Ergo.

But the Sellev before him was a High Demon. She was a higher-ranked being than Ergo, and his life would likely be threatened by a single point if he were to distribute his attribute points loosely here.

‘So now I have to decide my path. Well, even if I don’t like it, that item is there.’

This meant that Cadel had to choose which attribute to prioritize the most. Currently, there were two properties worth 20 points: fire and wind. Looking back and forth between the two, Cadel chose Fire without hesitation. With a master who was a fire magician, there was no reason for him to choose any other element, and in his experience, it was the one that worked best for him.

His fingertips tingled briefly as the proportions of the magic attributes shifted. With a light curl of his fingertips, Cadel mixed the intensified flames with a bit of wind, creating a barrier of fire that enveloped the walls of the gateway and the air beyond.

A vast, blazing barrier. Its mere presence was intimidating, but there was no hesitation or reluctance in the Red Men’s movements.

Cut by sword energy, pierced by ice. Their eyes were fixed on the gate.

“Hmph, I don’t feel like catching them. I was going to play hard to commemorate the return of my powers, but it’s boring when they’re so unresponsive!”

Lydon, who was wildly throwing magic at random in the sky, grumbled. From the looks of it, they looked like they were going to flip over at the slightest breeze, but the Red Men didn’t respond at all, whether it was because they didn’t have a sense of pain or if they were just holding back.

“As we do not yet know the exact size and capabilities of the enemy, a hasty evacuation could lead to chaos. Therefore, the knights have been assigned will control the inhabitants of Perion and keep them out of the gate until further orders.”

A thunderous reply rang through the air. Without hesitation, Sorin turned his horse around and headed for the gate.

Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice penetrated the Knight Order’s minds.

― The Scarlet Scales Mercenary is subjugating the monsters attacking the gateway, so all the humans living nearby run far away. If you’re slow, you never know when you’ll die.

A playful tone of voice, like a joke.

Questions and confusion were evident on the faces of the knights as they listened.

* * *

“Did you get that across?”

“Of course.”

“You didn’t say anything weird, did you? Just that the Scarlet Scales Mercenary is guarding the gate, and they should get far away before they get hurt. Did you just say that?”

“It’s not attractive if you keep asking, Cadel. I’ve made it clear, so let’s get back to fighting.”

Cadel sighed softly as he watched Lydon take off, wings flapping excitedly behind him.

‘If delivered properly, word of mouth will surely burn.’

The criteria for success in the quest were clear, but they were not enough to prepare him for what lay ahead. This was Cadel Lytos’ home, and he was a wanted man. It wasn’t going to be like a game, where everything would be resolved once the conditions were met.

Cadel was now in the middle of a hostile zone that was more murderous than any other, and insurance was essential for survival. One of them was this. The ‘imprinting of the mercenary corps’ accomplishments by word of mouth’.

If an Imperial knight recognized Cadel’s identity during the battle, he could have been captured without being informed of the mercenary corps’ participation in the slaughter. To prevent that dire future, he utilized the relatively uncontrollable power of ‘word of mouth’.

‘The evacuated villagers will attribute their safe escape to the mercenary corps guarding the gate. The more widely the story spreads, the less likely I am to be in danger.’

It was natural to want to meet the lifesaver. So, it was only natural that the more the rumors spread, the more Cadel’s lifeline got tougher.

To do this, Cadel used Lydon’s [Phantasm Speech]. Lydon’s voice clearly imprinted Cadel’s wishes on the people near the gate.

‘As long as he didn’t mix in anything weird.’

It was a shame Cadel couldn’t see it for himself, but it was good enough. Now it was just a matter of holding out until reinforcements arrived.