Episode 147. The Fall of the Oswalds
Christine, who escaped the courtyard with Jennifer’s unit, sat on the stairs and received treatment.
He returned to his human form, but the wound on his neck was deeper than he had thought. Since it was a wound from the same clan, it took time to recover.
Even after stopping the bleeding, red blood spread through the bandages wrapped around his neck and shoulders.
“I think I should use healing magic.”
“...”
Instead of answering, Christine stared at the miserable scene with heavy, sunken eyes.
Horrible corpses were strewn across the lawn of the cathedral. Most of them were his own clan members who had died at his hands.
Damn it, Maurice...!
“It wasn’t your fault. Still, most of the citizens escaped safely.”
Jennifer’s words didn’t provide much comfort.
“I thought we could end it without anyone getting hurt. I was arrogant.”
“So let’s quickly heal the wound and catch him. Before there are more victims.”
“Yeah, that’s probably the best we can do for now. Kenny!”
As if responding to Christine’s call, sssssss...
Kenny, in black robes, and dozens of magicians appeared.
They bowed their heads respectfully to the Emperor.
“Report the situation.”
Kenny answered.
“We missed Maurice and the priests. However, we’ll be able to find them soon since we have the ‘tracking coin.’”
The tracking coin was a coin that Paul had put in Maurice’s pocket.
It was a kind of tracker that had a special scent on an ordinary-looking coin.
“What about the Duke of Crichton?”
Christine, who escaped the courtyard with Jennifer’s unit, sat on the stairs and received treatment.
He returned to his human form, but the wound on his neck was deeper than he had thought. Since it was a wound from the same clan, it took time to recover.
Even after stopping the bleeding, red blood spread through the bandages wrapped around his neck and shoulders.
“I think I should use healing magic.”
“...”
Instead of answering, Christine stared at the miserable scene with heavy, sunken eyes.
Horrible corpses were strewn across the lawn of the cathedral. Most of them were his own clan members who had died at his hands.
Damn it, Maurice...!
“It wasn’t your fault. Still, most of the citizens escaped safely.”
Jennifer’s words didn’t provide much comfort.
“I thought we could end it without anyone getting hurt. I was arrogant.”
“So let’s quickly heal the wound and catch him. Before there are more victims.”
“Yeah, that’s probably the best we can do for now. Kenny!”
As if responding to Christine’s call, sssssss...
Kenny, in black robes, and dozens of magicians appeared.
They bowed their heads respectfully to the Emperor.
“Report the situation.”
Kenny answered.
“We missed Maurice and the priests. However, we’ll be able to find them soon since we have the ‘tracking coin.’”
The tracking coin was a coin that Paul had put in Maurice’s pocket.
It was a kind of tracker that had a special scent on an ordinary-looking coin.
“What about the Duke of Crichton?”
“They’re attacking their main base.”
Maurice thought he had Zimmer trapped in a barrier, but in fact, there were magicians among Zimmer’s troops.
Thanks to that, the barrier was easily lifted, and the rebel priests were captured, and their main base was discovered.
“What happened to Paul?”
“As you were worried, he was under Maurice’s spell. Fortunately, I was able to release him, and thanks to that, we were able to save Countess Grills and Miss Leana.”
Thinking back on what had happened earlier, Kenny still felt dizzy.
He had been learning ancient magic from Leana. That was why he was able to remove the magic that had been cast on Maurice.
However, when Paul turned into a wolf, he thought his magic had failed.
When Adele aimed her pistol and faced Paul, who had become a wolf, he thought everything was over.
At that moment, a wolf attacked Adele, and Paul slapped it with his merciless forepaw.
Starting with that, Paul bit and attacked numerous wolves in one breath.
If Paul, the best warrior of the clan, had gone berserk as Maurice had wanted, the situation would have been different.
“Thank goodness. Are you both okay?”
“The Countess was a warrior on par with Paul. We were all surprised by her 100% accuracy.”
Although Paul had helped, it was Adele’s fault that the carriage had escaped safely. She had accurately hit and knocked down the wolves that were trying to board the carriage.
“Of course. Who taught her!”
Jennifer, who was listening from the side, shouted that he felt even more proud.
Christine also smiled faintly, as if he had let go of his worries.
“But... Leana?”
Kenny couldn’t answer right away this time.
“That... She’s resting in a safe place with the Countess. I don’t think she can use magic anymore.”
“I understand. You’ve worked hard.”
In fact, Christine had told him to keep a close eye on Leana for the past few days.
After disappearing for three days, she had changed somehow when she showed up.
She seemed afraid of using magic, and more than anything, Aaron’s words were on his mind.
“My sister cried while sleeping.”
“Crying while sleeping?”
“Yes, and she said something very small, ‘Maurice.’”
That’s why he had made Adele’s escort today, and had Kenny be deployed for all operations.
He gave Adele a pistol and explained the whole situation.
‘I wonder what happened with Maurice in those three days?’
Kenny carefully said to Christine, who was lost in thought.
“The wound is more serious. I’ll use healing magic.”
“Hmm.”
As Kenny chanted softly, a red light enveloped Christine.
Meanwhile, all the knights who had been injured were treated by the wizards.
Christine stood up and shouted to his gathered subordinates.
“We will now go hunt Maurice!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The thunderous shout seemed to pierce the sky.
This was once the mansion of the Marquis of Oswald. It was a prestigious noble family in Kalime, a place of overflowing wealth and power.
However, the path leading to the mansion was now occupied by unknown weeds and animals, and the large iron gate was covered with vines.
It was a creepy place where it would not be strange if something popped out at any time, anywhere.
It was a sinister ruin where people deliberately avoided it.
However, now it might have been a good thing.
It was the perfect place for Seira to hide with Maurice and the priests.
“Are you okay, Maurice?”
Seira came into the living room in search of something to eat.
“...”
Maurice, sitting on a faded lounge chair, nodded slightly and said nothing.
He appeared to be unhurt. However, he looked very tired.
It was only natural, since he had controlled hundreds of wolf clans with magic.
However, his fatigue seemed more mental than physical.
‘Maurice probably didn’t expect to be pushed back so absurdly.’
Everything they had planned for today went against their expectations.
Above all, the magic spells didn’t work on Paul, whom they thought would fight Christine.
And even without Leana, the Emperor’s magicians were stronger than they thought.
In particular, they didn’t know that there would be someone among them who could use ancient magic.
Because of that, Maurice lost many priests in the magic duel.
However, Seira comforted him.
“Public opinion about the Emperor will not be good for the time being. In particular, since the Emperor killed many wolf clansmen to save the citizens, there will be internal strife. We just have to manipulate public opinion and bide our time.”
Yes, it wasn’t over yet. No, it shouldn’t have been over.
Seira wanted to believe that there would be another chance to revive the Oswald family.
Then Maurice slowly got up.
His expression was so dreary that it matched the ruined living room.
He was staring at a butterfly flying in through a crack in the broken window.
It was a strange butterfly that emitted light from its wings, which were so thin they were almost transparent.
‘Was there a butterfly like this?’
While Seira was watching the butterflies fluttering their wings as if in a trance, the butterflies increased to dozens.
Maurice thought he had Zimmer trapped in a barrier, but in fact, there were magicians among Zimmer’s troops.
Thanks to that, the barrier was easily lifted, and the rebel priests were captured, and their main base was discovered.
“What happened to Paul?”
“As you were worried, he was under Maurice’s spell. Fortunately, I was able to release him, and thanks to that, we were able to save Countess Grills and Miss Leana.”
Thinking back on what had happened earlier, Kenny still felt dizzy.
He had been learning ancient magic from Leana. That was why he was able to remove the magic that had been cast on Maurice.
However, when Paul turned into a wolf, he thought his magic had failed.
When Adele aimed her pistol and faced Paul, who had become a wolf, he thought everything was over.
At that moment, a wolf attacked Adele, and Paul slapped it with his merciless forepaw.
Starting with that, Paul bit and attacked numerous wolves in one breath.
If Paul, the best warrior of the clan, had gone berserk as Maurice had wanted, the situation would have been different.
“Thank goodness. Are you both okay?”
“The Countess was a warrior on par with Paul. We were all surprised by her 100% accuracy.”
Although Paul had helped, it was Adele’s fault that the carriage had escaped safely. She had accurately hit and knocked down the wolves that were trying to board the carriage.
“Of course. Who taught her!”
Jennifer, who was listening from the side, shouted that he felt even more proud.
Christine also smiled faintly, as if he had let go of his worries.
“But... Leana?”
Kenny couldn’t answer right away this time.
“That... She’s resting in a safe place with the Countess. I don’t think she can use magic anymore.”
“I understand. You’ve worked hard.”
In fact, Christine had told him to keep a close eye on Leana for the past few days.
After disappearing for three days, she had changed somehow when she showed up.
She seemed afraid of using magic, and more than anything, Aaron’s words were on his mind.
“My sister cried while sleeping.”
“Crying while sleeping?”
“Yes, and she said something very small, ‘Maurice.’”
That’s why he had made Adele’s escort today, and had Kenny be deployed for all operations.
He gave Adele a pistol and explained the whole situation.
‘I wonder what happened with Maurice in those three days?’
Kenny carefully said to Christine, who was lost in thought.
“The wound is more serious. I’ll use healing magic.”
“Hmm.”
As Kenny chanted softly, a red light enveloped Christine.
Meanwhile, all the knights who had been injured were treated by the wizards.
Christine stood up and shouted to his gathered subordinates.
“We will now go hunt Maurice!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The thunderous shout seemed to pierce the sky.
***
This was once the mansion of the Marquis of Oswald. It was a prestigious noble family in Kalime, a place of overflowing wealth and power.
However, the path leading to the mansion was now occupied by unknown weeds and animals, and the large iron gate was covered with vines.
It was a creepy place where it would not be strange if something popped out at any time, anywhere.
It was a sinister ruin where people deliberately avoided it.
However, now it might have been a good thing.
It was the perfect place for Seira to hide with Maurice and the priests.
“Are you okay, Maurice?”
Seira came into the living room in search of something to eat.
“...”
Maurice, sitting on a faded lounge chair, nodded slightly and said nothing.
He appeared to be unhurt. However, he looked very tired.
It was only natural, since he had controlled hundreds of wolf clans with magic.
However, his fatigue seemed more mental than physical.
‘Maurice probably didn’t expect to be pushed back so absurdly.’
Everything they had planned for today went against their expectations.
Above all, the magic spells didn’t work on Paul, whom they thought would fight Christine.
And even without Leana, the Emperor’s magicians were stronger than they thought.
In particular, they didn’t know that there would be someone among them who could use ancient magic.
Because of that, Maurice lost many priests in the magic duel.
However, Seira comforted him.
“Public opinion about the Emperor will not be good for the time being. In particular, since the Emperor killed many wolf clansmen to save the citizens, there will be internal strife. We just have to manipulate public opinion and bide our time.”
Yes, it wasn’t over yet. No, it shouldn’t have been over.
Seira wanted to believe that there would be another chance to revive the Oswald family.
Then Maurice slowly got up.
His expression was so dreary that it matched the ruined living room.
He was staring at a butterfly flying in through a crack in the broken window.
It was a strange butterfly that emitted light from its wings, which were so thin they were almost transparent.
‘Was there a butterfly like this?’
While Seira was watching the butterflies fluttering their wings as if in a trance, the butterflies increased to dozens.
Then they all began to circle around Maurice. As if they had been searching for them.
Only then did Seira realize that the situation was not normal.
“What are these butterflies?”
“Fairy flies. They are butterflies created by wizards and fly to find the scent they want from dozens of miles away.”
“Did the Emperor’s wizards send them?”
Maurice took out a coin he had never seen before from his robe pocket.
“This is it.”
The coin must have been imbued with the scent that attracted the Fairy Flies.
As Maurice tossed the coin high into the air, the butterflies surrounded the coin, emitting white light.
Boom!
The moment he clenched and unclenched his fist, the butterflies and the coin were shattered into pieces and scattered.
“The Emperor will be coming soon. Well, maybe that’s for the best.”
A cold smile spread across Maurice’s empty and desolate face.
“If we fight now, it’s disadvantageous for us! Let’s evade for a while and then later...”
“No. There’s no later for us, Seira.”
“What do you mean?”
Seira’s face became sad. From Maurice’s grim expression and the priests who were urgently gathering around him, she might have already guessed that they were cornered.
“The main camp was completely burned down a little while ago.”
“The main camp?”
That meant that everything they had painstakingly prepared was gone.
Seira felt as if the ground beneath her feet was crumbling.
She had believed that she would soon be able to reclaim the Oswalds.
Bam!
At that moment, a tremendous explosion was heard.
The sturdy iron gate shattered, and the sound of countless horses’ hooves trampling the garden came like a wave.
The Oswalds, who had supported one axis of Kalame for hundreds of years, might now disappear forever.
Seira stared at Maurice desperately.
Only then did Seira realize that the situation was not normal.
“What are these butterflies?”
“Fairy flies. They are butterflies created by wizards and fly to find the scent they want from dozens of miles away.”
“Did the Emperor’s wizards send them?”
Maurice took out a coin he had never seen before from his robe pocket.
“This is it.”
The coin must have been imbued with the scent that attracted the Fairy Flies.
As Maurice tossed the coin high into the air, the butterflies surrounded the coin, emitting white light.
Boom!
The moment he clenched and unclenched his fist, the butterflies and the coin were shattered into pieces and scattered.
“The Emperor will be coming soon. Well, maybe that’s for the best.”
A cold smile spread across Maurice’s empty and desolate face.
“If we fight now, it’s disadvantageous for us! Let’s evade for a while and then later...”
“No. There’s no later for us, Seira.”
“What do you mean?”
Seira’s face became sad. From Maurice’s grim expression and the priests who were urgently gathering around him, she might have already guessed that they were cornered.
“The main camp was completely burned down a little while ago.”
“The main camp?”
That meant that everything they had painstakingly prepared was gone.
Seira felt as if the ground beneath her feet was crumbling.
She had believed that she would soon be able to reclaim the Oswalds.
Bam!
At that moment, a tremendous explosion was heard.
The sturdy iron gate shattered, and the sound of countless horses’ hooves trampling the garden came like a wave.
The Oswalds, who had supported one axis of Kalame for hundreds of years, might now disappear forever.
Seira stared at Maurice desperately.
“Let’s run away for now. There’s a secret passageway connecting to the outside if you go down to the charnel house.”
Maurice firmly refused.
Maurice firmly refused.
“I’ll go alone, Seira. I have to defeat the Emperor.”
“Do you think it’s possible?”
Seira shouted impatiently.
“I’ll try to trust Lady Isabelle.”
“That old fox betrayed us!”
That’s it. Isabelle had disappeared from the cathedral with her soldiers.
She must have been planning to step back and watch the fight between the Emperor and Maurice.
And she might have been waiting for the most advantageous opportunity for herself.
But Maurice was not angry. She had already expected it.
“I believed in her greed and made a deal. That greed might be helpful to me.”
Seira could not understand what he meant. It just sounded like a cry of refusal to admit defeat.
Meanwhile, the priests formed a magical formation around Maurice and raised their mana.
A blue light began to surround them.
Seira looked at Maurice like that with resentment.
All his attention was focused on the battle with the Emperor.
It seemed like he would never look back even if she left.
“Aren’t you going to hold on to me and ask me to stay with you?”
Seira was surprised at herself saying that.
Was that really what she wanted?
To tell her to stay by his side, to share the end, or to share victory.
“I don’t intend to interfere with your choice.”
Maurice’s answer was cold.
“It sounds like you’re saying that it doesn’t matter whether I’m here or not. What have I been all this time?”
Only then did Maurice turn his head and look at Seira.
However, his expression was filled with doubt.
“Did you want to become something to me?”
“A fatal weakness. A man named Maurice.”
His brow furrowed slightly.
It was an expression that could not be determined whether he was surprised or annoyed.
Seira hugged his neck and kissed him.
She could feel him flinch in embarrassment, but she clung to his neck with all her might and kissed him.
Hot and thick enough to melt the cold man’s breath... Because it was the last time.
However, after a while, he stepped back and smiled bitterly.
He had only confirmed that he was a man who did not get hot.
He did not allow her to have the same gaze he had for Leana.
“I pray for God’s protection, Maurice.”
With those words, Seira left the living room.
She did not look back.
Because she was sure she would get hurt.
Ssssss...
After a while, the Black Brother appeared in front of Maurice.
Soon, the form became clear and transformed into black-robed wizards.
Not only that, but dizzying sword sounds and shouts could be heard here and there, and then, Kwaang!
“Hello, Maurice Etermati!”
Christine burst through the door and entered.
His sword was bleeding like a living beast.
“Do you think it’s possible?”
Seira shouted impatiently.
“I’ll try to trust Lady Isabelle.”
“That old fox betrayed us!”
That’s it. Isabelle had disappeared from the cathedral with her soldiers.
She must have been planning to step back and watch the fight between the Emperor and Maurice.
And she might have been waiting for the most advantageous opportunity for herself.
But Maurice was not angry. She had already expected it.
“I believed in her greed and made a deal. That greed might be helpful to me.”
Seira could not understand what he meant. It just sounded like a cry of refusal to admit defeat.
Meanwhile, the priests formed a magical formation around Maurice and raised their mana.
A blue light began to surround them.
Seira looked at Maurice like that with resentment.
All his attention was focused on the battle with the Emperor.
It seemed like he would never look back even if she left.
“Aren’t you going to hold on to me and ask me to stay with you?”
Seira was surprised at herself saying that.
Was that really what she wanted?
To tell her to stay by his side, to share the end, or to share victory.
“I don’t intend to interfere with your choice.”
Maurice’s answer was cold.
“It sounds like you’re saying that it doesn’t matter whether I’m here or not. What have I been all this time?”
Only then did Maurice turn his head and look at Seira.
However, his expression was filled with doubt.
“Did you want to become something to me?”
“A fatal weakness. A man named Maurice.”
His brow furrowed slightly.
It was an expression that could not be determined whether he was surprised or annoyed.
Seira hugged his neck and kissed him.
She could feel him flinch in embarrassment, but she clung to his neck with all her might and kissed him.
Hot and thick enough to melt the cold man’s breath... Because it was the last time.
However, after a while, he stepped back and smiled bitterly.
He had only confirmed that he was a man who did not get hot.
He did not allow her to have the same gaze he had for Leana.
“I pray for God’s protection, Maurice.”
With those words, Seira left the living room.
She did not look back.
Because she was sure she would get hurt.
Ssssss...
After a while, the Black Brother appeared in front of Maurice.
Soon, the form became clear and transformed into black-robed wizards.
Not only that, but dizzying sword sounds and shouts could be heard here and there, and then, Kwaang!
“Hello, Maurice Etermati!”
Christine burst through the door and entered.
His sword was bleeding like a living beast.
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