There were knights in the Order who appeared stronger than him, and others who had wielded the sword for much longer. So, she thought the title of "strongest knight" was just something the knights said out of politeness. This was understandable, as she had never once seen Callion fight in person, so she had no way of knowing his true skill.
And now that Erna had seen his skills with her own eyes, she had to admit it.
He is the strongest, though.
Even among the knights she had seen so far, Callion was overwhelming. So much so that she felt apologetic for classifying him as the same kind of knight. Then, Erna realized that she had arrived at the place she wanted.
"Over here. Stop."
At her words, Callion stopped walking and looked around. Erna gazed at the magic ceremony floating in the sky.
“From now on, I can’t move from here. I can’t help you, and I can’t protect myself. If I get attacked while I’m infusing magic, that spell... will be impossible to cast.”
Callion immediately realized what she wanted to say.
"I'll protect you, so don't worry and get started."
At those words, Erna stared at him intently. What Callion had said kept echoing in her ears.
"I'll protect you."
It was a phrase she had never heard in her life.
Her parents could not protect her either. In fact, hadn't one of them abandoned her entirely? Vanessa, the Chairwoman, also did not say she would protect her. She merely said she would serve her.
After she learned magic, there were even fewer people who would say such a thing. Who would dare say they would protect the strongest mage in Hessengard? Moreover, she was the Grand Duke of Hessengard.
She must protect the people of Hessengard, not someone who needs to be protected by someone else. That is why Erna had never once imagined that someone else would protect her. On the contrary, she would have been offended if someone had said such a thing. Who do you think you are? How dare you?
Protection is for the weak. Therefore, it was unnecessary for her. But why...
Erna pressed firmly on her strangely ticklish fingertips and said.
“You said it confidently, so keep your word! I’ll trust you and work on it. If I get even a single scratch, I won’t let you get away with it!”
Erna raised her head and looked up at the sky. From now on, everything depended on her.
The magic formula, which had been losing its light, shone again and began to rotate as massive magical power flowed in. As it rapidly regained its strength, the cries of monsters echoed throughout the entire forest.
Just moments ago, they had been intoxicated with a sense of victory, having defeated the humans attempting to take their lives. They had rejoiced that the threat was losing its power, but as it regained its strength, they seemed to begin feeling anxiety and fear. They turned their heads toward the source from which a strong magical energy was emanating.
"That is it. If you get rid of that."
Although they were not highly intelligent, their survival instinct led the monsters toward Erna. Feeling the forest air turn even more menacing, Callion bit his lip. Sure enough, a rustling sound was rapidly rushing toward the two of them.
'We must stop it.'
He glanced at Erna. She kept her gaze fixed solely on the sky, unwavering as if she could not hear such a sound. He knew without even testing. Even if he called out to her, she probably wouldn't be able to hear even that sound.
A terrifying level of concentration. It was said that when wizards cast spells, they concentrate so intensely that they forget every being in the world except themselves and the spell formula. He had taken it lightly, thinking it was merely a matter of concentrating a little more than usual, but seeing Erna now, Callion realized it.
The current Erna would not feel anything even if a monster scratched her back with its claws. For she would have entered a world where only she and the magic formula remained.
Oooooh-!
As Erna concentrated, the magic formula began to spin rapidly with a loud noise. At the same time, two monsters that burst out of the forest lunged at her, aiming for her head.
Crunch!
The sound of a sword piercing tough leather was heard. Two monsters squirmed as they were simultaneously impaled by his sword. Callion shielded Erna from behind with his own body. Spurting bodily fluids splashed onto his face and clothes. However, not a single drop splashed onto Erna.
The monster's bodily fluids smelled like rotten fish. It was clear that something like this would distract her concentration. So, he must make sure not to let it touch her even a little.
Callion made a promise to himself in his heart and moved his body again. The monsters, having noticed the presence of the two, continued to attack relentlessly.
Pow! Pow!
Pierced, slashed, and kicked. Even as they watched the lives of their own kind being severed with every movement of Callion, the monsters' attacks did not stop.
Meanwhile, the magic ceremony floating in the sky was slowly coming to a close. He knew it without even having to ask. That he really just needed to hold on a little longer. Moreover, he began to hear the sounds of people approaching from a distance.
"Lady Erna!"
"Lord Callion!"
It was the voices of wizards and knights. As their voices drew closer, the monsters' attacks grew fiercer. Callion tightened his grip on his sword. If they arrived, protecting Erna would be much easier. So, just a little more...
Kyaaaak!
“...!”
At that moment, several monsters burst out in front of Erna. The moment he saw them, he knew. If he tried to cut them all down, he wouldn't be able to stop them all. That no matter how he attacked, at least one would slip away to attack Erna.
At that moment, Callion threw down the sword he was holding. He then went in front of Erna and spread his arms. The monsters that had been rushing to attack Erna instinctively charged straight at the defenseless human who had appeared before them.
“Heh!”
His neck, shoulders, arms, and even his legs. Distracted by the prey before them, the monsters clawed and bit at Callion's body. In the midst of terrible pain, he turned around. He saw Erna looking at him with wide, surprised eyes.
The fact that she was looking at him, rather than through magic... meant that magic had been cast.
Ooooooh-!
The completed magic covered the ground where they were standing.
A light brighter than the sun appeared in the sky. Everyone nearby covered their faces with their hands and squinted at the intense light. It was a light so strong that one could not even see the person right next to them properly. Just as people were unable to fully open their eyes due to the light, a massive scream was heard from within the forest.
Kyaaaak! Kyaaaaak!
All the monsters that had entered the forest writhed in agony and screamed as if they had been thrown into fire. Some of them thrashed about but slumped limply, unable to withstand the pain. They had died merely from the touch of the light.
The survivors quickly turned around and ran toward the lake. Splash! Splash! The monsters that jumped into the lake thrashed about wildly and scurried deep into the water.
A large pillar of light appeared centered on where Erna was, and it grew larger as if swelling. Just as a dot on paper grows larger and soaks the surroundings when a pen is held against it, the light also slowly spreads in all directions, and the monsters continued to flee to avoid the light.
However, it was all in vain. Before they knew it, a wall of light had formed, encircling the entire area. The monsters frantically scratched at the wall of light with their claws, but it did not budge. Meanwhile, the light growing from within gradually approached the monsters.
Screeeeek.
The light, which had no effect on humans, burned the monsters' skin like a red-hot iron and began to press down on their bodies. Between the wall of light and the pillar of light, the monsters' bodies gradually became crushed. The humans didn't even need to look away. After all, the light was too strong to see anything anyway.
The world was filled with light, the screams of monsters, and the sound of their bodies being crushed. Zap.
The light vanished in an instant. And there was not a single monster left alive in the Haldis region.
Callion, who had been standing, slowly collapsed forward. Erna was startled and tried to catch him, but her strength was insufficient to support his massive body, which had lost consciousness. Both of their bodies fell to the floor together.
“Hey? Hey!”
Erna struck the shoulder of Callion, whose eyes were closed. However, Callion's eyes remained tightly shut. Erna looked at him in a terrible state. Not to mention his clothes, his face and body were covered in the monster's claws and teeth marks. It was the price for shielding the monster with his body.
Just because the monster is dead does not mean its venom disappears. Erna was startled to see his skin turning pitch black around the bite mark, so she drew a healing spell. However, because she had poured all her magical power into completing a massive spell just moments ago, there was almost no magic left within her.
At all times, now!
It is of the utmost importance to treat monster poison as quickly as possible. This is because if the time for treatment is missed, the aftereffects often linger for a long time.
Erna looked at Callion in confusion. When she finished the magic and came to her senses, he was blocking her path. To be precise, he was protecting her from monsters.
She knew he was trying to protect her. That was the only way to complete the magic and deal with the monsters all at once. However, she never imagined he would go so far as to throw himself in front of her to protect jer.
Erna got up and grabbed Callion's arm to pull him along. However, it was not easy to drag a burly man who had collapsed unconscious.
"Ugh..."
As Erna grabbed his body and shook him, a groan escaped his lips. It was proof that he was alive, but it only made Erna feel more anxious. It was because she could feel deep pain in the sound, even though it was a short groan.
And now that Erna had seen his skills with her own eyes, she had to admit it.
He is the strongest, though.
Even among the knights she had seen so far, Callion was overwhelming. So much so that she felt apologetic for classifying him as the same kind of knight. Then, Erna realized that she had arrived at the place she wanted.
"Over here. Stop."
At her words, Callion stopped walking and looked around. Erna gazed at the magic ceremony floating in the sky.
“From now on, I can’t move from here. I can’t help you, and I can’t protect myself. If I get attacked while I’m infusing magic, that spell... will be impossible to cast.”
Callion immediately realized what she wanted to say.
"I'll protect you, so don't worry and get started."
At those words, Erna stared at him intently. What Callion had said kept echoing in her ears.
"I'll protect you."
It was a phrase she had never heard in her life.
Her parents could not protect her either. In fact, hadn't one of them abandoned her entirely? Vanessa, the Chairwoman, also did not say she would protect her. She merely said she would serve her.
After she learned magic, there were even fewer people who would say such a thing. Who would dare say they would protect the strongest mage in Hessengard? Moreover, she was the Grand Duke of Hessengard.
She must protect the people of Hessengard, not someone who needs to be protected by someone else. That is why Erna had never once imagined that someone else would protect her. On the contrary, she would have been offended if someone had said such a thing. Who do you think you are? How dare you?
Protection is for the weak. Therefore, it was unnecessary for her. But why...
Erna pressed firmly on her strangely ticklish fingertips and said.
“You said it confidently, so keep your word! I’ll trust you and work on it. If I get even a single scratch, I won’t let you get away with it!”
Erna raised her head and looked up at the sky. From now on, everything depended on her.
The magic formula, which had been losing its light, shone again and began to rotate as massive magical power flowed in. As it rapidly regained its strength, the cries of monsters echoed throughout the entire forest.
Just moments ago, they had been intoxicated with a sense of victory, having defeated the humans attempting to take their lives. They had rejoiced that the threat was losing its power, but as it regained its strength, they seemed to begin feeling anxiety and fear. They turned their heads toward the source from which a strong magical energy was emanating.
"That is it. If you get rid of that."
Although they were not highly intelligent, their survival instinct led the monsters toward Erna. Feeling the forest air turn even more menacing, Callion bit his lip. Sure enough, a rustling sound was rapidly rushing toward the two of them.
'We must stop it.'
He glanced at Erna. She kept her gaze fixed solely on the sky, unwavering as if she could not hear such a sound. He knew without even testing. Even if he called out to her, she probably wouldn't be able to hear even that sound.
A terrifying level of concentration. It was said that when wizards cast spells, they concentrate so intensely that they forget every being in the world except themselves and the spell formula. He had taken it lightly, thinking it was merely a matter of concentrating a little more than usual, but seeing Erna now, Callion realized it.
The current Erna would not feel anything even if a monster scratched her back with its claws. For she would have entered a world where only she and the magic formula remained.
Oooooh-!
As Erna concentrated, the magic formula began to spin rapidly with a loud noise. At the same time, two monsters that burst out of the forest lunged at her, aiming for her head.
Crunch!
The sound of a sword piercing tough leather was heard. Two monsters squirmed as they were simultaneously impaled by his sword. Callion shielded Erna from behind with his own body. Spurting bodily fluids splashed onto his face and clothes. However, not a single drop splashed onto Erna.
The monster's bodily fluids smelled like rotten fish. It was clear that something like this would distract her concentration. So, he must make sure not to let it touch her even a little.
Callion made a promise to himself in his heart and moved his body again. The monsters, having noticed the presence of the two, continued to attack relentlessly.
Pow! Pow!
Pierced, slashed, and kicked. Even as they watched the lives of their own kind being severed with every movement of Callion, the monsters' attacks did not stop.
Meanwhile, the magic ceremony floating in the sky was slowly coming to a close. He knew it without even having to ask. That he really just needed to hold on a little longer. Moreover, he began to hear the sounds of people approaching from a distance.
"Lady Erna!"
"Lord Callion!"
It was the voices of wizards and knights. As their voices drew closer, the monsters' attacks grew fiercer. Callion tightened his grip on his sword. If they arrived, protecting Erna would be much easier. So, just a little more...
Kyaaaak!
“...!”
At that moment, several monsters burst out in front of Erna. The moment he saw them, he knew. If he tried to cut them all down, he wouldn't be able to stop them all. That no matter how he attacked, at least one would slip away to attack Erna.
At that moment, Callion threw down the sword he was holding. He then went in front of Erna and spread his arms. The monsters that had been rushing to attack Erna instinctively charged straight at the defenseless human who had appeared before them.
“Heh!”
His neck, shoulders, arms, and even his legs. Distracted by the prey before them, the monsters clawed and bit at Callion's body. In the midst of terrible pain, he turned around. He saw Erna looking at him with wide, surprised eyes.
The fact that she was looking at him, rather than through magic... meant that magic had been cast.
Ooooooh-!
The completed magic covered the ground where they were standing.
A light brighter than the sun appeared in the sky. Everyone nearby covered their faces with their hands and squinted at the intense light. It was a light so strong that one could not even see the person right next to them properly. Just as people were unable to fully open their eyes due to the light, a massive scream was heard from within the forest.
Kyaaaak! Kyaaaaak!
All the monsters that had entered the forest writhed in agony and screamed as if they had been thrown into fire. Some of them thrashed about but slumped limply, unable to withstand the pain. They had died merely from the touch of the light.
The survivors quickly turned around and ran toward the lake. Splash! Splash! The monsters that jumped into the lake thrashed about wildly and scurried deep into the water.
A large pillar of light appeared centered on where Erna was, and it grew larger as if swelling. Just as a dot on paper grows larger and soaks the surroundings when a pen is held against it, the light also slowly spreads in all directions, and the monsters continued to flee to avoid the light.
However, it was all in vain. Before they knew it, a wall of light had formed, encircling the entire area. The monsters frantically scratched at the wall of light with their claws, but it did not budge. Meanwhile, the light growing from within gradually approached the monsters.
Screeeeek.
The light, which had no effect on humans, burned the monsters' skin like a red-hot iron and began to press down on their bodies. Between the wall of light and the pillar of light, the monsters' bodies gradually became crushed. The humans didn't even need to look away. After all, the light was too strong to see anything anyway.
The world was filled with light, the screams of monsters, and the sound of their bodies being crushed. Zap.
The light vanished in an instant. And there was not a single monster left alive in the Haldis region.
Callion, who had been standing, slowly collapsed forward. Erna was startled and tried to catch him, but her strength was insufficient to support his massive body, which had lost consciousness. Both of their bodies fell to the floor together.
“Hey? Hey!”
Erna struck the shoulder of Callion, whose eyes were closed. However, Callion's eyes remained tightly shut. Erna looked at him in a terrible state. Not to mention his clothes, his face and body were covered in the monster's claws and teeth marks. It was the price for shielding the monster with his body.
Just because the monster is dead does not mean its venom disappears. Erna was startled to see his skin turning pitch black around the bite mark, so she drew a healing spell. However, because she had poured all her magical power into completing a massive spell just moments ago, there was almost no magic left within her.
At all times, now!
It is of the utmost importance to treat monster poison as quickly as possible. This is because if the time for treatment is missed, the aftereffects often linger for a long time.
Erna looked at Callion in confusion. When she finished the magic and came to her senses, he was blocking her path. To be precise, he was protecting her from monsters.
She knew he was trying to protect her. That was the only way to complete the magic and deal with the monsters all at once. However, she never imagined he would go so far as to throw himself in front of her to protect jer.
Erna got up and grabbed Callion's arm to pull him along. However, it was not easy to drag a burly man who had collapsed unconscious.
"Ugh..."
As Erna grabbed his body and shook him, a groan escaped his lips. It was proof that he was alive, but it only made Erna feel more anxious. It was because she could feel deep pain in the sound, even though it was a short groan.
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