The Marquis’ Eldest Son’s Lascivious Story - Chapter 228
Jumping out of the garden, going down the hill, crossing the palace gate, and rushing into the castle town.
The magically strengthened horse continued to run with the momentum that could crush the cobbled alleys.
This road should lead to the capital’s main thoroughfare. I held the reins tight.
[Hold on tight!]
[Alright!]
I could hear Orshian’s reply from behind me. At the same time, I also realized that her arms circling around my waist were tightening. She was only a breath away from me.
I saw the officers running side by side. With their bodies strengthened by magic, their speed was as if they’re flying over the ground. It’s like watching ninjas from the movies.
We went through the alley. Soon enough, the scenery opened up.
The Royal Capital Levios.
A land that has supported the growth of the Kingdom and has achieved dramatic development due to the Kingdom. It is one of the most prosperous cities on the Eruo continent.
There is not a single person on the wide, long, straight main street. A deserted road we could proceed unhindered.
The footsteps of more than 100 military officers slammed into the quiet space.
[Eh!? Where does everyone go!?]
Orshian threw her head back and checked the surroundings.
[Naturally! They know danger is lurking!]
Although this was as expected, it’s a good situation. If the streets were full of citizens trying to escape from the monsters, in the worst case, they might not be able to move forward.
Powerless people are well aware of the terror of mature demon beasts. It also means that only the Lord-class or higher can counter that threat. That’s why weak people don’t use the main street to escape. If you panic and go out into the street, you will be beaten up by the same citizens. They know better than to interfere with the subjugation. Quordenze and Levios seem to have something in common, which is great.
They can only hide and pray for their guardian to take care of things.
When I looked at the scenery on my left and right as it flows at high speed, I could see many people staring at us from between the buildings facing the main street and the narrow alleys. Those eyes were questioning and pleading. “Did you come to help us?” and “Please help us”. They didn’t open their mouths. Because they’re afraid to say unnecessary things and incur the displeasure of the Nobles.
Asking for salvation to those whom you respect and fear, that’s just like humans to the Gods and Buddhas.
I made a firm fist in my right hand and raised my arm high.
[I am the eldest son of Quordenze, Wilk Quordenze! The one who will comply with the plight of righteousness of the Archduchess Orshian!! Now is the time to avenge the enemy who disturbs peace and harms the land!!!]
I repeat the same speech over and over while keeping a certain interval. This voice, made louder many times with amplification magic, will reach even the Levios soldiers guarding the city ahead of us.
I kept the horse galloping. I’m not going to stop.
Of course, my statement reached the citizens.
At first, the smoldering noise continued, but before long it heated up all at once, and cheers exploded all at once, as if the powder keg had been set on fire.
[Orshian-sama!!!]
[Orshian-sama! Quordenze-sama! Please save us!!]
As expected, not a single idiot jumped out into the street, but many heads and arms were jutting out from every window of the building and every corner of the street.
[Defeat the demon beast!!]
[Esteemed Nobles!! Please help us!!!]
[Please! Please!]
It seems that by declaring that we came to help, we changed classes from Gods and Buddhas to Heroes. …Somehow, just looking at the lettering makes me feel like I’ve been downgraded, but I feel better this way.
[Lucia-sama!! Don’t lose!!]
A clean road dyed with people’s expectations and hopes. I ran ahead of them. It seemed like a runway prepared for the leading role in a Hero action play.
The champion among men. The Highlord. It gave me a strong sense of the meaning of those words.
[Archduchess Orshian!! Long live!! Long live the Nobles of Quordenze!]
…..Orshian is really popular, huh?
Even the people of the Quordenze territory knew her name, so she might be much more popular than I thought. A strong and cute Princess who is kind to the commoners, and if you pick up only the good elements and package them, one can even hail her completely as saints.
In addition, she has a track record of defeating the Levios army. It’s a terrible single-celled way of thinking, but if you pick up only that, Orshian will be the stronger one. It’s no wonder that some citizens think that the Archduchess Orshian is more reliable than the Levios subjugation team.
Looking at the shadow of the second demon beast in the distance, I asked the girl who was closely attached to my back.
[Do you think there are still ambushers nearby?]
Then, I felt a tremendous amount of magic power fluctuate from behind. Orshian activated her detection magic.
[Nothing.]
It’s difficult to hold hands while riding, so I have no choice but to let Orshian touch my neck. It’s much more reassuring than when the magic power line through the skin isn’t connected, but thinking about having such a huge amount of magic power grabbed my vital points, I feel like I’m going to break into a cold sweat. I feel like a cat being grabbed by the neck.
[There’s a Noble-like person over there. They’re alone. But, I think this person is fighting the monster. There are a lot of knight-like people nearby.]
It would most definitely be the Levios subjugation force that was going ahead to stop the advancing beast. Orshian’s outstretched index finger was pointing in the direction of the monster.
[Okay, then we can subdue it without worry. Please continue to check the surroundings for a while.]
[Yes, yes.]
[Don’t be lazy, okay? I’ll know you stop detecting as soon as you do, you know?]
[…..ye–esss.]
Orshian’s magic continued to sway slightly. I understood well that she was constantly activating detection magic. Yes, I can’t just lower my vigilance.
[Young Master!]
The military officer who was running side by side, seemingly waiting for our conversation to end, approached me within arm’s reach. He was a high-ranking military officer in Quordenze, and had been entrusted to become this impromptu unit’s lieutenant.
When I turn my gaze, the adjutant raises his voice to match the cheers of the surrounding citizens.
[Avoid attacking from the front! Move to the sides!]
It seems that the lieutenant decided to go with the strategy of punching the side of the second demon beast that was fighting the Levios subjugation team as planned. I nodded at the decision to acknowledge it.
At the same time, I recalled the information I received from Levios’ military officer when I announced my intention to go to the front and my just cause.
[Has it been confirmed that it can use mana!?]
Both the first and second demonic beasts were said to be capable of harnessing mana. It is said that this is why the subjugation force led by Dunkel is having a hard time. Mature demon beast that possessed mana. It is an unknown fighting style that has never been heard before.
[No! Not yet!]
I’m half in doubt, but it will become clearer as we get closer. The lieutenant once again urged my attention with strong words.
[It’s dangerous to go too deep! Please don’t forget!]
As the lieutenant said, as long as I don’t get too deep, I won’t receive fatal damage. In the first place, I’m not a member of the Levios family, so if it didn’t look good, I was going to give up quickly.
Considering that, Prince Dunkel may be in danger. It would be nice if he didn’t fight recklessly against the first demon beast because he still had to protect his own territory. No, as expected, the surrounding military officers would reprimand him and push him back.
In order to avoid facing the demon beast head-on, I changed my direction and entered a side road. The inertia and centrifugal force of the sudden movement pulled my body outward, and Orshian’s arm dug hard into my stomach.
[Please think of the short-term decisive battle first! This unit is temporary!!]
[I know! I’ll leave the decision on when to withdraw to you!!]
[Yessir!]
What the lieutenant means by “to think about a short-term decisive battle” is basically that if the second demon beast is unexpectedly strong, retreat immediately. Those are my father’s words.
After the second demon beast became visible from the Royal Palace, the Levios family shared information that [the second demon beast is considered to be equivalent to the fourth-ranked threat class].
If it’s me, I might be able to defeat it with a single magic shot depending on where I hit. After all, I had a track record of defeating the second-ranked threat class, the demon beast Sibel Kroger, with only two attacks. I’m a little worried about the part where it is said to be possessing mana, but… well, if it comes down to it, I’ll say something nice and force it on Orshian. Because she’s the one who started talking about it.
After the lieutenant finished talking and took some distance, Orshian asked.
[…Hey, you’re not running away, are you?]
Did she suspect so from hearing the conversation?
[Hahaha, that’s my line!]
It’s probably better to just laugh it off rather than answer resolutely.
[I intend to fulfill my duties as a Noble, but what about you? The demon beast won’t forgive you if you cry like you did last time, you know?]
And divert the topic. When I mentioned the time where we had a battle of threat, she slapped me on the back and shouted.
[Don’t say that! You’re such a meanie!]
========
The scenery of the city flowed at high speed, and the number of large buildings diminished.
The cheers that made me want to cover my ears gradually receded, and there were more open spaces around. At the same time, the figure of the second demon beast that was visible in the distance grew larger.
Before I knew it, the demon beast’s skin was dyed a deep emerald green. It’s the first time I’ve seen a mature demon beast with a plant-like shape, but I have no idea which way it’s facing. When I looked at it like this, I even got the feeling that the other side was looking back at me.
I didn’t know when I saw it from the Royal Castle, but I could see that there were countless roots of various sizes growing from the base of the stone. No, it seems to be flexible, so it’s closer to a tentacle than a root. Does it feel like the base of the maitake mushroom is an anemone?
Even from this distance, I could see that the tentacles that supported its huge body were quite thick. I estimated the diameter was about the size of a highway tunnel. I wondered how they got to the Royal Capital, but they must have made full use of that tentacle-like appendages to move forward. It’s a lot of work.
[Young Master, around here.]
[Got it.]
The demon beast’ overall movement was easy to see, and there were few buildings around. It was a good place to start attacking. At this distance, it wouldn’t be difficult to block the demon beast’s magic attack.
The Levios subjugation force, which was leading the way, seemed to be engaging in close-quarters combat, and the sounds of fierce battles were constantly resounding. It seemed that the true identity of the deep bass that I heard when I was in the city was the impact sound when the tentacles were flipped back.
[Please be prepared.]
[Yes.]
While replying to my aide, I looked at one of the military officers Levios who was standing nearby. When I left the castle, several military officers Levios came with me as advisors, but I didn’t see his face at that time. Perhaps the military officer who provided logistical support for the Levios subjugation team had come to coordinate with us.
[What about Princess Orshian?]
[I’ll get off here and fight.]
As soon as she said it, she jumped to the ground without even a shred of grace.
A boy rushed over to Orshian, who was looking around, and handed her a weapon. She grabbed it and swung it left and right as if mowing grass.
The weapon, which was longer than Orshian’s height, was shaped like a halberd and magic staff. It might be more accurate to call it a witch’s great staff. The jewels scattered on the tip and the gold decoration that covered the whole weapon were conspicuous.
I’m empty-handed, but there’s no problem. It matters little if a Highlord has a weapon or not.
[I’ll give it a shot first. I’ll think about the next move after seeing that reaction, so don’t jump in all of a sudden.]
I warned the Princess, as she looked like she’s about to start charging head on. I thought she would complain, but she seemed to have guessed the situation and said, [let’s do it that way!]. So, I silently replied with a nod.
[Waiting for signal.]
The Levios subjugation team is currently engaged in a heated battle. I can’t suddenly launch a magic attack in such a place.
I’m in the position of reinforcement here. Causing a friendly fire would be an unfunny joke.
The Levios military officer who acted as a liaison, began transmitting light toward the subjugation force.
Suppressing the feeling of wondering what kind of interaction they are doing, I calmly breathe, intentionally remove my five senses from my consciousness, and sharpen my sixth sense, my sense of magic. Other people would be able to see that my whole body was building up mana.
[Young Master!]
I closed my eyelids before I knew it
Hearing my lieutenant’s voice, I looked straight ahead. ……It seemed that the Levios subjugation team had not retreated yet?
[The advance force will retreat as we fire! Attack now!!]
They intended to lock the beast’s attention until the very last minute. Levios’ willingness to protect the Royal Capital is admirable.
I trembled with my magic power.
[Taste the power of Quordenze!!!]
I swung my right arm from bottom to top.
The mana that was swaying within my body was now released into the outside world in the form of magic.
A ball of fire about the size of a basketball flew out from my fingertips. It flew much higher, faster, and farther than a home run trajectory. The way the tails of fire fluttered and fluttered in the air was a little like rocket fireworks.
The sensation of unleashing the stored mana has a different comfort than ejaculation.
I was looking at the trajectory of the flames with a sense of despair and a sense of accomplishment as the mana was drained from my body. But, that’s only for a short time.
In the next moment, a flash of light exploded and a gigantic explosion burst, enveloping the entire body of the second demon beast. Then, a little later than the image, a violent explosion shook the earth.
Long-range bombing magic. It is the most used offensive magic in demon beast warfare.
[….hit, confirmed. I’ll check the damage visually.]
The detached tone of the lieutenant gave off the sense of reliability.
The area around the second demon beast was surrounded by smoke and dust, so I couldn’t see the whole picture. But, I can rest assured and prepare for the next attack.
[What power and accuracy from this distance…]
That was the muttering of Levios’ military officer. The surprise was not only for him, but also for the military officers of this hastily formed unit.
Most of them are not from Quordenze. The only ones who weren’t shaken at all were the military officers I brought from home.
The result of visual observation came faster than expected.
This was because the Levios subjugation force charged again and fired wind magic to blow away the dust all at once.
[The preliminary information seems to be correct. We can’t confirm any corrosive reactions to magic attacks on the second demon beast.]
[So, what’s the result?]
[The damage is much lower than expected.]
I didn’t feel discouraged by those words, and I thought that self-judgment wouldn’t work.
Compared to when I cast magic into a turtle-like monster, the demonic beast Sibel Kroger, the difference in the effect was inconsistent. That turtle collapsed to such an extent that it was painful to look at the part that had been bombed. Like a saw blade that has been left outside for a long time, exposed to the rain and completely rusted.
However, it’s not like the damage was zero. The second demonic beast pulled back the tentacles it used to attack, trying to protect its main body. However, its movement was terribly slow. It seems that there is no doubt that a certain amount of damage has passed through.
[It’s not that it’s not working. We can keep attacking from this distance. Or maybe we can take advantage of this opportunity to get closer and give a stronger blow…]
It was directed at the lieutenant.
[Alright! This time I’ll do my best!!]
However, Orshian was the first to respond. I can see that the tension is rising because she saw the bombing, it’s a groove.
She pointed her large cane at the second demon beast and showed me a big smile. It was a bright expression that didn’t think about being refused at all.
[Let’s go! Wilk-kun!!]
…..this little… her face is just way, way too cute. There’s absolutely no room to refute if one were to say that she’s a beautiful girl.
Perhaps it’s a man’s nature to be fascinated by beautiful things. I wanted to live up to the expectations of this innocent beautiful girl.
[…don’t pull my leg, okay?]
[Didn’t I tell you? Look at me!]
Orshian’s presence suddenly became stronger. It’s a pure magic release that doesn’t contain murderous intent or anything. Perhaps she was trying to appeal with her motivation, but I felt a tremendous amount of pressure.
[Young Master.]
The lieutenant quietly tried to stop me, but I showed him a refusal by activating physical strengthening magic. This means, it will be a decision to attack without retreating.
[Let’s go!!]
It was Orshian who ran ahead of the unit. She looked like a celestial maiden when she splendidly jumped on the ground.
She runs at a much faster speed than when we passed through the Royal Capital. The mock up troops also ran to avoid being left behind. I wonder how much speed it’s getting, it’s the first time I’ve flown this far since Operation Serpent’s Fang.
In the blink of an eye, the distance was shortened.
At that time, I was almost within the distance where I could step on the shadow of the second demon beast.
[It has noticed us! Incoming attack!]
Almost at the same time as the military officer who was running in the lead group, dozens or even hundreds of tentacles came towards us. It looked like a forest that covered the sky due to the excessive number.
The charge will be stopped if they don’t burn it off with magic. But now, if I do that, the officers and Orshian in front will also take damage.
Orshian…argh, it’s annoying!
[Lucia! Sweep them away!!]
If I can’t do it, then just let her do it! Needless to say, she responds with action
Orshian held the large cane she was holding right beside her.
[Stay away!!]
A splash of light erupted from the tip of the large cane and spread out to the side.
That light was magic power. Mana melded in a way that it’s infinitely close to raw energy.
[Hiyaaa!!]
Along with the shout, Orshian waved her cane horizontally.
The droplets of light were shot forward like large waves, pushing back the approaching tentacles, tearing them apart, and mowing them down. The tentacles flew away more easily than a broom blowing off fallen leaves.
The forest-like tentacles were no longer an obstacle.
With only a few hundred meters left until the second demon beast, I looked up. The tentacles were almost completely gone. Then, its body was exposed.
[It’s my turn next! Lucia! Don’t get too far in the front!! Step back a little!! You’ll get hit too!]
I confirmed that Orshian and the military officers who were advancing in front had stepped back.
I didn’t manage to knead up as much mana as expected, but from this distance, my attack should be several times more powerful than before.
[Here comes the second shot!!]
I put both hands in front of me and casted normal bombing magic.
If the long-range bombing magic just now was a ball of fire, this time it’s an overflowing spark. It soared up like a spray of water and exploded all at once towards the demon beast.
[Goo!!]
The impact of the explosion shook the demon beast’ whole body, and all objects vibrated. Even though it was close range, the volume of the sound was tremendous. If there is a serf nearby, they might die of shock.
A roaring sound overwritten the hustle and bustle of the surroundings, and for a moment, a world without sound spread out.
[Serious injury!! But, it’s still alive!!]
I could hear the lieutenant’s voice well.
Powerful enough, it’s down! I was expecting that kind of report.
When the military officers used wind magic to blow away the sand smoke, the second demon beast was still standing there. However, the center of the torso has been greatly hollowed out by the bombing that I fired. It looks more like a distorted clay work than a maitake mushroom. It looked like it was somehow using its tentacles to support its own weight.
One more shot should do the job.
However, there was a backlash after all magic power was consumed in one fell swoop. I just need a little more time to get a third hit with satisfying power. I wasn’t sure if I could beat it with a half-baked attack.
As expected, the effect of attack magic seems to be lacking. It seems that the information about it possessing mana is correct.
It’s a bit annoying since I didn’t get to be the star of the show. But, it’s better than having it killed by the Levios subjugation team.
I raised my voice.
[Go!! Lucia!!]
No need to tell me twice. As if to say so, a brighter light than the sun shone from her great cane. It’s a much stronger light than when I mowed down the sea of tentacles earlier. The sizzling noise of the flying magical energy tearing through the air was extremely annoying.
…..is that her using her full power?
Orshian jumped high with her strengthened body. Using the attacking tentacles as a stepping stone to fly even higher. It was so elegant that it was hard to believe that this was a battlefield, and it was a sight to behold.
Beautiful…and even more terrifying. All the humans in this place were mesmerized by what seemed to be an angel flying in the sky.
As she reached the apex of her final jump, she pounced on the main body of the second demon beast.
A large amount of light droplets were overflowing from the magic extermination tool that was set up on the upper level.
[Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeiii!!!]
I couldn’t see her through all the rain of light. However, I somehow understood through my senses that the last attack hit the demon beast directly.
[It’s going to fall!!!]
The officer’s voice echoed around. The demon beast slowly fell backwards as if pushed by that voice. It didn’t seem to be alive anymore. The tentacles had completely lost their strength, not even enough energy for a twitch.
The building-sized giant fell to the ground with a heavy thud and dust cloud.
A little while later, Orshian returned with a smile on her face.
[We won!]
She raised her fist up in celebration. So, I replied in kind.
[Yeah. It’s our victory.]
Thus, the second demon beast ceased its activities forever.