(Incorrect) Wolf Fang Knights -> (Correct) Black Claw Knights
The Arkan Mountains were barren mountains.
They were cold places with only sand, rocks, and unmelted snow remaining, devoid of trees and wildlife. The only things found there were fossils of plants and animals that ruled the land before humans flourished.
“You are late, Lord Ionia.”
Between the rocks on the mountainside, a tent was pitched, hidden away. The tent blended naturally with the surroundings, making it nearly impossible to detect from even a kilometer away. It was a camp set up for concealment.
“Sorry, Dewey.”
Ionia called the name of the man standing by the tent.
A man in his fifties, with a crew cut streaked with white hair.
He had a solid build, not overly muscular, but covered with scars.
He was a man who had the aura of a seasoned warrior.
“…You look quite worn out. Did something happen?”
“I almost got caught by the hounds.”
“That is… you managed to escape well.”
By “hounds,” he did not mean dogs.
It referred to the specialized knight order of the Dailan Magic Kingdom, the Black Claw Knights, who hunted down insurgents. It also referred to the magic they specialized in, [Hound].
The magic [Hound] created dogs from magical power that tracked down targets by their scent and attacked. It was a terrifying magic. While using [Hound], the caster could not use any other magic, and fine control was difficult. However, its range was frighteningly long and relentless. It was perfect for killing insurgents. The rebels, with fear, hatred, and contempt, called them hounds instead of the Black Claw Knights.
“They almost tracked me by the scent of the meat I had. Fortunately, I came across a wild Karappa and managed to pass it off and escape.”
“You escaped with just that?”
“I recently learned that [Hounds] are not capable of complex decisions like real dogs. There are various ways to deceive them. I’ll explain in detail later.”
“You were observant… but the Karappa you used as a decoy was unfortunate.”
“It’s an intelligent creature. If we meet again, it might seek revenge.”
“Don’t die just yet.”
“Of course… So, is it about time?”
Saying this, Ionia took out a peculiar tube from his pocket.
“What is that?”
“It’s a telescope. Don’t use magic to look far. It might get noticed.”
“Even from this distance?”
“Bazarde relies heavily on firepower, but some of her disciples are adept at detection. It’s better to be cautious.”
“I understand.”
“It’s starting.”
Right after Ionia’s words, dust clouds rose in the distance.
It was the chariot unit.
Two horses pulled the chariot side by side.
There were two people riding in the chariot, just like the horses.
It was a strange chariot.
Typically, soldiers operating chariots would wield spears or bows.
However, what they held were large round shields.
“So, that is the main weapon this time?”
“Yes, it’s the anti-magic mirror. It is polished from the shell of the dragon’s breath shell.”
“It was a giant shell obtained from the dragon’s nest.”
Dewey nodded at Ionia’s murmur.
“Ordinary shells couldn’t survive in such places, but the dragon’s breath shell incorporates the dragon’s magic and the surrounding metals to create a special shell. It’s an impregnable shield that even dragon breath can’t penetrate.”
“We were fortunate to have so many of them.”
“They read the map from ancient documents and excavated places that were dragon nests in the past. When tested, it deflected all types of offensive magic.”
“But this is the first time it’s being used against [Scorching Light].”
“…Yes.”
“We should have conducted more experiments.”
Ionia’s voice was filled with bitterness.
“That is… inevitable. If even the slightest chance of counterattack is visible, they would want to act immediately. Many have lost their families.”
Dewey’s voice carried a different kind of bitterness from Ionia’s.
It was a mix of frustration and envy.
Ionia sensed it keenly.
“You wanted to go too, didn’t you?”
“The rebel army has split. But our ultimate goal is the same.”
The Dailan Magic Kingdom enjoyed peace and prosperity.
But beneath that facade lay countless resentments.
Descendants of destroyed nations.
Civilians whose homes were burned in the fires of war.
Or those exiled from Dailan.
Ionia, Dewey, and the ones riding the chariots in the distance were all comrades united in their defiance and desire for revenge against the Dailan Magic Kingdom.
“I still can’t afford to lose you. Besides, someone needs to witness this battle.”
“I understand that it’s my role.”
Many in the rebel army wanted to launch the attack as soon as possible, leading to this uprising.
However, a faction of moderates opposed it, believing it was premature.
The discussions among the rebel leaders were heated, resulting in a split. Despite the split, they did not fall out with each other. The moderates, led by Ionia, were entrusted with the responsibility of preparing for the possibility of defeat, while the main force proceeded with the decisive battle. Ionia also hoped that this uprising would succeed.
Dewey, in his heart, was part of the main force faction. He had been a close aide to the king of a nation destroyed by the Dailan Magic Kingdom. The king he served and his own family were killed. Due to his high skill as a messenger and spy, he was not integrated into the main force but deeply wished to strike back.
“Ah…!”
At that moment, a flash of light tore through the sky.
It was like lightning, but not lightning.
It did not descend from the heavens.
Nor did it branch out like a lightning bolt.
It was a straight beam of light, almost horizontal, shot from afar.
“It’s here, Bazarde…!”
The light fired from afar grazed the chariot unit.
A grating sound, like metal scraping against metal amplified hundreds of times, echoed.
“How can they shoot so accurately from such a distance… damn it.”
Through the telescope, Ionia glared at the source of the light.
There, the army of the Dailan Magic Kingdom stood.
However, despite being led by the country’s top, they were fewer in number than the rebel forces.
Only about two or three hundred.
“Look over there, they’re mostly infantry. They’re all there to protect Bazarde, and Bazarde is the only one attacking.”
“…They’re underestimating us. Even King Alan isn’t here.”
“They need to instill fear that no one can win against the witch. They need to show their confidence.”
“But that confidence might be their downfall.”
Dewey’s gaze turned to the rebel chariot unit.
The chariot unit was still alive.
“They managed to block one shot. But…”
Ionia glared at the battlefield.
“They blocked it once. Surely…”
Dewey muttered with hope.
But what followed was a single word: disaster.
The chariot unit blocked one, then two magical attacks.
Then, Bazarde stopped holding back.
She unleashed beams several times thicker than before.
Blinding, torrential light swept across the battlefield in all directions.
By the time she had fired dozens of shots, the grating sound of metal clashing had ceased.
The shields were completely destroyed.
At the same time, various things were incinerated.
People, horses, their armor and weapons—all were annihilated as if they had never existed.
“No, how… so quickly… Even with all that equipment, it was impossible…!”
Dewey trembled, clenching his fists.
He was so agitated that he seemed about to rush forward at any moment.
“Calm down, Dewey.”
“But!”
“We’ve seen a glimpse of Bazarde’s true power. For nearly ten years, we’ve watched the battlefield in hiding. She has never been so flustered to unleash her magic so recklessly. It means we were close to Bazarde’s throat. Look at the battlefield. The chariot unit almost reached the Dailan forces. It was a feat no one else could achieve.”
“But they didn’t reach them! Even with all that equipment and training, it wasn’t enough! Our tactics have been exposed, and they’ll prepare countermeasures!”
Dewey’s voice was tinged with despair.
Ionia, comforting him, placed a hand on his shoulder.
“…It’s our duty to close that remaining distance. What we saw was Bazarde’s full strength. They’ll come up with countermeasures against the anti-magic mirrors. But they must believe those were our last weapons. Now we know what needs to be done. It’s hard, but… don’t stop now.”
“Lord Ionia…”
Ionia pressed his forehead against Dewey’s, as if to headbutt him gently.
Beneath their brows, their eyes burned like flames.
Holding back the tears that threatened to spill, those eyes glared at the battlefield, determined to become fire themselves.
They were not the eyes of a relaxed and carefree painter.
“Dewey, listen well. We are going to defeat that monster.”
