novelraw Chapter 275
Chapter 275
Chapter 275. As an Older Brother (1)
The ritual site for 'Land Contamination'.
Simultaneously, when the evidence of another 'Demon God's Horn' emerged on the 'system window', a sense of expectation arose.
"Aiden."
I recalled 'Aiden', whom I had dealt with in the underground canal previously.
He was the one who, through continuous research on the 'Demon God's Horn', raised the conspicuousness of the 'Dawn Society'.
Because of that, I, hiding my identity as a 'Black Knight', snuck into this place with Aileen to eliminate him.
'Bloody Tuesday.'
It was Aiden's research achievements and the troublesome event caused by his disciples.
After thwarting that, I thought I wouldn't have to return here again.
'Eulsis is causing trouble for many.'
Still, seeing the 'demon' stirring below, I felt fortunate to find them so easily.
'These guys are sacrifices for the ritual. They won't come outside.'
Phew.
Once more, I sighed and looked down.
'Should I break it?'
After a brief contemplation, I shook my head.
'No, let's leave it to Pintel.'
If this place is indeed the 'ritual site' as I anticipated, it's certain Eulsis has deployed defense forces.
There's even a probability that 'Kikubad' is stationed.
'According to Kaldrach, he said the guy is alive, right.'
I had a feeling this would be the case.
I want to avoid a confrontation with Kikubad as much as possible. Even if I have to, I want to avoid a one-on-one situation.
"Yulian, huff... huff, Yulian!"
Herand, who barely managed to follow the arduous path of the underground canal due to its disarray, was panting heavily, keeping up with difficulty, which evoked some sympathy.
'He managed to catch up?'
The structure of the 'underground canal', recklessly expanded simply to increase its scale and later abandoned due to mismanagement, was akin to a maze.
In that sense, I thought he would get lost following me and return in fear, but he managed to stick around.
"Please take on the role of family head! Only you can!"
Moreover, each time the distance closed, he uttered those words.
'Tsk.'
Both I and 'Yulian' considered Herand the most communicative within the Cryphart family.
Although there was Joshua, he was merely a 'card' that could be played well, while 'Herand' was the only one who felt like 'family'.
Even such Herand constantly urging me to take up the 'family head' position was starting to irritate me.
"How about stopping that, elder brother Herand?"
Being communicative implies being an 'understander' to some extent. And yet, asking me to step into the detestable 'Cryphart family' was something that couldn't help but annoy me.
"Bear in mind, elder brother Herand, that I only hold back because of you, and you know I dislike getting involved with the 'Cryphart family', don't you?"
"B-but Yulian... huh?"
I was about to leave the ritual site to Pintel and turn back from the exchange with Herand when it happened.
While speaking, Herand looked inside the aqueduct as if he saw something peculiar.
"Who, who are you?"
Herand shouted inward. I, too, turned around, curious about what was happening.
Then I saw a man and a woman staring at this place.
They were armed. Judging by the aura they emitted, they were not ordinary.
'... Damn.'
Seeing the duo, a chill ran down my spine.
It wasn't because the vigor released by the two before my eyes was terrifyingly overwhelming.
Rather, it was a level I could suppress with competitive spirit.
The problem was,
'Why wasn't I able to sense them?'
Yulian's trained body and sharpened mind, along with 'mana efficiency', are very sensitive to killing intent and hostility.
Perhaps this is the result of living a certain kind of life. Such innate 'detection' abilities failed to catch the aura from the two.
'Why?'
Was it because they were overwhelmingly stronger than me?
No.
This meant there was an issue with my condition.
"Nice to meet you, Sir Herand. I am Aihan Metronome from the Imperial Knights."
Among the two, a man with a sword sheathed at his waist spoke first. He politely greeted Herand and showed the 'Imperial Knights' emblem.
'... Not a friendly gaze.'
Aihan Metronome.
I knew the name because it was in the data book.
Such Aihan had unfriendly eyes toward me. If Herand weren't beside me, it wouldn't have been strange for him to charge at me.
'This guy.'
He also seemed to be guarding the 'Demon God's Horn'. It's better to assume Eulsis had assigned him here.
"So, is she also a member of the Imperial Knights?"
"No, she is my sister, Ariam Metronome."
"... Why are you two here?"
Cryphart family.
Living up to the reputation of the Empire's 'Four Great Families', Aihan didn't seem intent on launching an attack lightly.
However, seeing the intense killing intent, it seemed he didn't plan to let me go easily either.
Given that they had lost one of the 'Horns of the Demon God', such an approach was understandable.
"We are here on the order of His Highness Eulsis to guard this place."
"What lies ahead..."
"A secret facility managed by the imperial family."
"A secret?"
A hint of anger appeared in Herand's voice at Aihan's words.
"This place is managed by the Cryphart family! While the imperial family may have initiated the project, all authority rests with our Cryphart family!"
Herand's voice grew slightly louder.
'Is this place Cryphart family's?'
Ah, is that why Herand knew his way around this complex path?
"So, are you saying you didn't even get permission from our family!? No matter how highly esteemed His Highness Eulsis is, isn't this against the regulations?"
Raising his voice, Herand. I looked at him again.
Until now, though there were those who spoke ill of the 'imperial family', no one brought up 'regulations' to bind them.
It's natural, given that 'imperial family' sat above all Imperial laws.
'No matter how imperial they are, they must adhere to the established regulations.'
That's what Herand was declaring.
"Hmm.."
Rendering a sigh at Herand's reasonable stance, Aihan glanced backward.
From behind Aihan emerged his sister, drawing a bow as she aimed at me with narrowed eyes.
The bowstring pulled taut behind her ear; as I realized this, the sharp arrowhead cut through the air, speeding toward me.
Clang──!
Having prepared beforehand, I drew the Moonstone Sword and deflected the arrow.
Sparks splintered into the air, and simultaneously, the 'Imperial Knights' insignia came into view.
'Ugh...!'
Aihan, who was conversing with Herand, charged at me the moment the arrow flew.
Swish, clang──!
As his sword and mine clashed, a roar echoed within the aqueduct.
It seemed signal enough; Aihan began swinging his sword repeatedly.
Displaying his skills as he penetrated my guard, Aihan's objective was clear without even asking.
'Trying to push me back?'
Behind me was a drain leading to the deepest layer of the aqueduct. It was the height from which Aiden had fallen in the past.
"Do you think you can?"
Grasping his intention, I asked Aihan. He frowned slightly.
He was aware. Despite charging energetically, his sword skill didn't match my level.
The 'Sword Saint' taught swordplay that surpasses all. Because it had become second nature, most of Aihan's efforts to push me back proved futile.
"I'm capable, hence, I am here!"
With a shout carrying a presence, Aihan began to turn his sword red.
He had begun showcasing 'Aura', the apex of mana manipulation. To respond, I too started to infuse aura into the Moonstone Sword.
Srrrng.
Moonlight began to seep into the murky aqueduct.
"Ugh...!"
In the midst of it, immense pain began to surge within my chest. Simultaneously, the moonlight illuminating the aqueduct started fading.
Breathing became tough. At the same time, I felt the 'mana' coursing within me fluctuate irregularly.
'Ugh...'
Damn, I felt like hurling.
"That witch's words were true, huh!"
Just as I intended to back off, overwhelmed by the nausea within me, Aihan lunged at me again.
Trying to fend off an incoming attack, swinging the 'Moonstone Sword', wasn't as easy as it was before.
The presence, or absence, of aura.
That was beginning to manifest as a difference in power.
"W... Witch?"
Suppressing the nausea, I slowly lifted my gaze. Then, the younger sister, who had shot the arrow earlier, held something in her hand.
'Isaac's Mirror...!'
A jewel crafted into a mirror from the first offspring nominated by the Sun God Solarun, the heir offered to prove faith.
"Damn woman."
Upon seeing the mirror, a curse slipped out.
'Isaac's Mirror' is set to manifest the 'majesty of the Sun God' upon reflecting the 'impure existence'.
Here, the 'impure existence' refers to demon.
The 'majesty of the Sun God manifests as 'pain akin to scorching fire'.
The problem is, this mirror is one of the 'holy relics' managed by the 'Holy Kingdom'.
"Crazy, why is that here?"
"For you, the witch Abigail borrowed it."
Aihan chuckled, smirked.
"Seems the witch's words were true. Raising a demon within, are you not suffering?"
Sneering, Aihan emanated a mighty aura, pushing me to retreat.
As he said, it was miserable. From the moment my reflection appeared in that mirror, nausea along with the inability to use 'aura' ensued.
Probably, it's the fault of 'Angelica' dwelling within me. Nurturing her within the mana vein makes me susceptible to the influence of the holy relic, 'Isaac's Mirror'.
"You resort to such cowardly means; your Rose Knights' honor might cry."
The drainage behind me gradually grew nearer. Cold drafts swept past my back.
'I'm worried about Elder brother Herand.'
A situation worsened to nausea because of 'Isaac's Mirror'. Moreover, Imperial Knights were dying to kill me right upfront.
In such a situation, anxieties centered over Herand began looming.
'He'll be alright.'
Herand is a member of the Cryphart family.
Given the circumstances concerning 'Ornn Cryphart', and desiring noble support, 'Four Great Families' won't be unnecessarily antagonistic.
So, Eulsis won't harm 'Herand'.
"Regardless of the filth, fulfilling the imperial mandate faithfully. That's the reason Imperial Knights exist, Yulian."
"Is that so?"
Responding to Aihan's assertion, I strained to contain the urge to retch as I spoke.
"Then, I trust you would understand even if things get dirty."
"What is tha... Ugh!?"
Tossing the Moonstone Sword backward, I grabbed Aihan by the collar with one hand.
Sensing overwhelming force pulling him in, Aihan, in an attempt to counterattack, swung his sword, but I twisted his wrist aside with the other hand.
'No winning with Isaac's Mirror here.'
Considering thus, I embraced Aihan and leapt into the drainage.
An unfathomable height where falling would result in instant death for a regular person. As it unfolded itself in sight, inwardly a curse erupted.
'Damn.'
From Aiden's omniscient perspective.
I'd now experience it.