Chapter 8 Part 2
“It was a joke.”
“That’s a very dangerous joke.”
He softly rubbed Elia’s forehead, as if to warn her.
“Aren’t you nervous?”
Aksion was asking about the battle tomorrow. Saying she wasn’t nervous at all would be a lie. But still…
“A little. But if we don’t remove the Magic Stone, it will cause even greater harm.”
How the Magic Stone was created or where it appeared was unknown. The only certain fact was that it brought great disaster wherever it appeared.
“You are steadfast no matter where you are.”
“I just want to be that way.”
She truly meant it. Although she had been sacrificed in the past, she didn’t hate the whole world.
“If anything dangerous happens, you must call for me.”
“I will.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“I understand.”
When Elia answered obediently, he chuckled softly.
“Why are you laughing?”
“I’m worried, but I laugh because my wife responds so promptly.”
His words made Elia’s cheeks flush.
‘I’m getting used to it, but my heart still races.’
Wife. Or my lady.
These were magical words that both embarrassed and excited Elia.
She fervently hoped that nothing dangerous would happen.
Elia curled up, thinking to herself.
‘The forest is a bit cold.’
Was it because she had just woken up? Despite being under the blanket, she felt a chill seeping in.
With half-closed eyes, he came into the bed. He pulled Elia into his embrace, enclosing her slender body.
“I will warm you up.”
The cold quickly faded, leaving only warmth to envelop Elia.
‘I’m getting used to being in his arms.’
She found herself wanting to melt into this warmth more and more.
Elia leaned her head on his arm and soon fell asleep in Aksion’s embrace.
* * *
The next morning.
“Elia.”
A gentle hand stroked Elia’s cheek. She barely opened her eyes and saw him through her blurred vision.
“Hmm… Is it morning already?”
“Yes. I must head out first. Don’t cheat on me while I’m gone.”
His playful remark made her smile. After waking Elia, he left the tent.
Elia reached out for the bed. It still seemed to retain Aksion’s warmth beside her.
‘It feels like a secret love affair.’
Her chest tingled with excitement. Elia got up and began preparing to go out. Once she put on her robe, it all felt real.
‘I hope I’m not the last one to wake up?’
Elia quietly slipped out of the tent.
Though dawn had not yet broken, the knights seemed to have finished their preparations.
Kroaskes were nocturnal. They appeared slightly weaker during the day, so it was crucial to strike their base then.
Aksion was seen giving orders to the knights.
“Make sure everyone understands the plan.”
The knights would fend off the Kroaskes and clear the path to the Magic Stone. After Elia cast an illusion over the Magic Stone, they would purify and remove it.
‘The illusion has its limits because of the Magic Stone.’
The plan relied on the Magic Stone’s mana emission.
As they approached the Magic Stone, Shasha’s aura would weaken. It felt as if it was siphoning off the spirit’s energy.
Elia watched him while contemplating.
Rien, who had just emerged from his tent, wished her luck.
“Please come back alive so I can get paid.”
“Likewise.”
Rien’s greeting was typical of him.
Elia mounted her horse. Soon, the barrier stone was removed, and the two knight orders merged into formation.
Duke Tartan and Aksion stood shoulder to shoulder at the front, followed by Elia and Rien.
“I’m not sure how long the large-scale illusion will hold.”
“Let’s maintain it as long as we can. It would be better if it lasts until we get close to the tree.”
Elia nodded at Rien’s words.
A butterfly fluttered up, creating the illusion barrier. Elia focused on the purple curtain.
‘It’s definitely weaker than the day before yesterday.’
They hadn’t even moved far from the campsite, but the air was already stirring.
The influence of the Magic Stone was growing stronger, faster than expected.
Eventually, a marsh appeared beyond the bushes. The sunlight made the water glisten.
Kroaskes were slumbering around the tree roots. In the center, a Magic Stone parasitized a large tree.
“…It’s really a Magic Stone.”
Tartan frowned. Tension rose. Elia focused on the air. The Magic Stone’s influence caused the barrier to crack.
‘Three, two… one.’
Elia signaled.
“The illusion is breaking!”
“Everyone, get into formation!”
The knights drew their swords as the illusion shattered.
…Screech? Screech!
The Kroaskes on guard spotted the knights. The massive wolves attacked simultaneously.
“Protect the Spiritist and the Mage!”
“Yes!”
Aksion and the knights covered the two of them.
Tartan’s knights took the outer perimeter, while the Silver Knights held the center. Moving quickly was difficult in the swamp.
Elia jumped off her horse in front of the tree roots.
“From here, we have to run!”
“Ah, my poor life!”
Rien abandoned his horse, complaining loudly. Monsters continued to crawl out of the swamp.
Aksion led the way, cutting down the monsters. Meanwhile, Rien chanted a spell that froze the water near the tree roots.
“Let’s go!”
“Yes!”
The knights crossed the frozen swamp, while Elia and Rien climbed the tree roots towards the Magic Stone.
“Spiritist, run!”
At Jacob’s shout, Elia nodded.
At that moment, Aksion shoved aside a Kroaske that had suddenly appeared.
‘We made it.’
The pre-prepared spell circle clung to the large tree.
Rien cast a purification spell. A magic circle floated above the Magic Stone, shining brightly.
Buzz.
The Magic Stone’s vibration shook the swamp. Monsters hatched from their eggs and grew rapidly.
‘There are too many. At this rate…!’
Even as Elia hastily cast spells, the monsters kept coming.
The Magic Stone and the monsters seemed to resonate, with the Kroaskes leaping towards the tree.
“Duck!”
At Aksion’s command, Elia quickly lowered her body.
At that moment, Aksion swung his sword. A white aura burned the monsters. All eyes were on him.
“That is…”
“A sword aura, no, it’s holy power.”
The first qualification for becoming the head of the family.
The manifestation of holy power scorched the surrounding monsters.
Meanwhile, Elia’s spell and Rien’s purification magic caused the Magic Stone to shrink.
‘Just a little more.’
Elia planned to cast one more direct spell on the Magic Stone.
Her hand touched the Magic Stone. At that moment,
Thump. Thump.
Her heart expanded and tightened, a vivid sensation.
‘What is this?’
Her vision darkened. The surrounding sounds vanished.
When she blinked again, Elia was in a completely different place.
Below her, she saw herself.
Her body, three years older, lay on the ground.
‘The night I was sacrificed.’
An unforgettable memory played out before her eyes.
‘Why?’
Elia had already died.
The cheers of her remaining family and the prophet’s chant. And Aksion. These were scenes she remembered.
Then, time stopped. Elia’s body was enveloped in light.
Gradually, her body shrank. Slowly, as if aging in reverse.
It wasn’t just showing Elia’s death.
‘This is how I returned?’
This scene showed time rewinding. When Elia’s body was fully immersed in light,
A radiant sword flew into her arms.
‘The Sun Sword.’
She couldn’t mistake the blazing blade.
Elia gently opened her eyes and hugged the sword. The Sun Sword melted into her embrace.
The memory of her return ended here.
Now all that remained was the trace of another within the Magic Stone.
‘Why is Duke Tartan…?’
The Magic Stone under Elia’s hand reflected Duke Tartan’s face.
At that moment, a large crack appeared on the Magic Stone. Fully purified, it shattered into mere stone fragments.
