Chapter 268

Chapter 268

As Cadel called out to Kunra, his consciousness focused on Cadel. Kunra, who immediately figured out the identity of the magic circle, attempted to begin a full-scale investigation, but Cadel stopped him.

Well investigate later, but for now, lets take down the High Demon, we need your strength.

Kunra seemed dissatisfied, but he had no intention of being convenient.

Just as they were wrapping up their explorations, Yozen returned. He held out what he had in his hand to Cadel with a smile that seemed ever so slightly more cheery than usual.

It was an interesting plant.

It was the Heart of Vita. The yellow-brown lump in Yozens palm looked like an ordinary ore at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it was pulsating. The disgusting dark gray slime that coated its surface was a bonus.

Thank, thank you.

Cadel hesitantly picked it up, and the mere touch made him sick to his stomach.

Im supposed to eat this. Yôur favorite stories on n/o/(v)e/lbin(.)com

He couldnt eat it like this, so he tried rubbing it on the hem of his clothes to clean it, but the sticky slime wouldnt come off.

Cadel obsessively wiped the [Heart of Vita] all the way to the seal circle, where the Knight Order and Mendel were facing off, and shortly after arriving at the seal circle.

[You have consumed the Hidden Item, the [Heart of Vita].]

[You can feel an incredibly powerful flow of mana through your body!]

[Magic achievement increases by ???.]

[Congratulations! You have acquired the title [8-star magician]!]

Cadel was able to reach a higher level before the full-scale battle with the HighDemon Mendel Haliev.

[Main quest Flowers of Death accepted!]

[Complete the quest to progress through the story. Rewards will be given.]

[On failure, a random knight disappears.]

* * *

Although it was difficult to understand the cry It starts now, the members followed Cadels orders and immediately widened the distance between them and Mendel.

Mendels head, caught by [Fire Chains], suddenly fell. The neck, pierced by the dark energy, was hanging precariously as if it would plummet to the ground at any moment.

And the next moment.

From Mendels body, countless shards of bone began to fall in a waterfall-like cascade. The sheer volume was such that at first glance it seemed as if Mendels body was being reduced to bones. The aggressive momentum quickly buried him and the chains that bound him.

At the same time, the wind picked up. The black petals floating near the seal swept around Mendel, creating another vortex.

Garuel! Prepare your demonic energy!

Cadel called out Garuel, pushing back the members who were watching Mendels changes. He said calmly as he pulled Garuel, who was looking for an explanation.

From now on, you must create a field of demonic energy that encompasses the entire battlefield.

Ill eat you all.

In Mendels right hand was a whip he had never used before. The rose-pointed thorns of the whip sparked with dark demonic energy, and black petals rained down in a trace Mendel had drawn.

Lydon! Youll focus on providing cover with me until Garuels technique is perfected! The rest of you, look for an opening!

The whips movement far exceeded its normal speed. Dozens of afterimages that could not have been created by a single whip began to wash over the group in an instant.

Cadel hastily drew a barrier of wind to protect the Knight Order, and Lydon summoned a blizzard to drive back the oncoming petals, but it was too much to shake off all of them.

The barrier!

As Van approached Mendel, black petals fluttered into his vision, and as soon as they touched Cadels wind barrier, they began to distort it. As if absorbing energy, all of the barriers mana seemed to be sucked into the petals.

Van quickly twisted away from the petals, but even where he escaped, the petals were everywhere. The petals gaped greedily at the slightest touch and lunged for him. The remaining scale armor protected him even as the barrier vanished. As he watched the scales fall one by one as they touched the petals, Van realized.

This is armor made with the power of the Scarlet Dragon. If the petals absorb the energy of the armor, Mendels shield will become stronger than anything made of monsters.

The more he relied on his armor, the stronger Mendels shield became. Here, it was right to give up the armor, even if it hurt. With that thought, Van turned his head to look for Cadel, and their gazes met.

And in that brief eye contact, Van noticed that Cadel was already aware of that fact as well. However, he could not send his subordinates bare-handed to a battlefield without the field of demonic energy or even the slightest shield.

Sensing that the wind barrier was rapidly replenishing itself, Van adjusted his grip on the greatsword. Even if they surrendered to Mendel, Cadel would never lead them to their deaths. So the best a subordinate could do was to trust the commanders judgment and focus on the enemy.

Mendels whip never ceased, sword energy and dark energy swirling through the ever-growing petals. The closer they got to Mendel, the more petals it grew. Close combat was impossible. Van, Lumen, and Yozen fired energy as far as their barriers would allow.

This battle was especially tricky for Yozen, whose movements were forced to become passive when the battlefield was filled with things that shouldnt be touched. This was especially true if it was a situation where you had to attack head-on.

In order for Yozen to demonstrate his skills, he needs the strength of the rest of the team. Garuel is.

Regenerating the dissipating barrier every few seconds, Cadel watched Garuel unleash his demonic energy. It wasnt fast, to say the least, but Garuels demonic energy was steadily covering the swamp.

A black flame burned within his body, and the demonic energy covering the left half of his body gradually expanded in size, drawing strange curves.

Although Garuel had the appearance of a demon whose half body was burning with demonic energy, there was no trace of malice in his eyes as he looked back at Cadel.

Is this how it should be done? Knight Commander.

A ripple of demonic energy spreads across the battlefield. The range was sufficient. As if on cue, Cadel dismissed the scale armors and barrier, spreading dark mana around Garuel. He was conscious of Jeff, who would be watching them from somewhere.

Perfect. And Lydon, you can join the battle from now on.

Hah, finally? I almost died of boredom.

Dont get too carried away and disturb your comrades.

Ahaha! Its not that Im in the way, its just that everyone is annoying me!

Lydon, who had been following Cadels orders with a bored expression the entire time, entered the center of the battlefield. Cadel sat upright next to Garuel, who was controlling his demonic energy.

Umm? Tough to stand, Knight Commander? Youve been walking a long time, you deserve it.

Who do you think I am, a hundred-year-old man? Focus.

With Mendels list of skills in mind, there would come a time when his power would be needed. Cadel planned to prepare for that one shot, leaving all the fighting to his subordinates.