Chapter 66

Chapter 66: Thirteen Stairs of Wind "Ground Destruction Wind Pressure"

The clash between the forbidden curse "Ground Destruction Wind Pressure Downburst" and the magic reflection enchantment unfolds.

Unlike the natural phenomenon downburst, the forbidden curse "Ground Destruction Wind Pressure Downburst" involves wind spiraling down from cumulonimbus clouds. Rather than describing it as blowing down, it's more accurate to say that a mass of swirling air descends.

"Ugh... ugh..."

Yuri, activating the mirror of magical reflection, pours all her magical power into it.

When it comes to forbidden curses, their magical power is immense. Reflecting the forbidden curse of Iris, who borrows the magical power of Shuu, a destructive rune-level magical beast, is not an easy task. Moreover, this forbidden curse can also be considered a natural phenomenon caused by magic.

Adjusting the meteorological conditions with a magic circle and triggering a downburst as a natural phenomenon.

Further enhancing and altering that downburst with magic.

That is the primary purpose of the magic circle.

Yuri's mirror of magical reflection cannot reflect natural phenomena. In other words, perfect reflection is impossible.

"Yuri! Do your best!"

"Please, Lady Yuri!"

"Go for it!"

"Show us the power of an S-rank magic-wielder!"

Yuri's fellow soldiers, including Elina, were all cheering her on from the rooftop of Elda Fortress.

However, not only the "Ground Destruction Wind Pressure Downburst," but forbidden curses in general often utilize natural phenomena. Manipulating airflow and pressure to summon cumulonimbus clouds and triggering a downburst after setting the conditions is what the "Ground Destruction Wind Pressure Downburst" entails.

The bomb of swirling air destroys Yuri's mirror.

The mirror, which had been spread out in over a thousand pieces, gradually starts to crack.

"Th... that..."

Yuri's magical outfit bounces back magic unconditionally.

Even though it was magic unleashed from massive magic circles that covered the sky, it shouldn't have been possible to bounce it back. However, Yuri had never seen a forbidden curse before, and this was her first attempt at reflecting it.

Yuri doesn't know that the forbidden curse is based on natural phenomena.

Moreover, forbidden curses are equivalent to state secrets, and even S-rank magic-wielders cannot access them.

She has no way of knowing the secret of the forbidden curse.

Above all, a destructive rune-class magical beast is aiding in its activation. With only the power of a single S-rank magic-wielder, there's no way to counteract it.

"Mishi..."

Along with an unpleasant sound, all the mirrors cracked.

"Everyone, get down—"

And then Yuri abandons maintaining her magical outfit and shouts.

The magical outfit's mirror shatters, and a swirling gust of wind pierces Elda Fortress.

◆◆◆

The location where Elda Fortress once stood had been destroyed in a radial pattern, becoming a desolate wasteland.

Trees were toppled, and the roads were in a wretched state due to debris that had flown in from somewhere.

"Wow, that was surprising."

"Forbidden curses are amazing."

A forbidden curse that obliterated at least a several-kilometer radius. The result of the swirling wind gouging the earth.

Watching from a distance, Shuu and Iris muttered casual comments.

"With this, the fortress is completely destroyed. Its power exceeded my expectations."

Natural phenomenon downbursts wouldn't cause this much damage. It's precisely because it's magically enhanced that it possesses such power. There are no records of the combat use of the Thirteenth Stairs Forbidden Curse in ancient documents unless they decipher them. That is what has been recreated tonight.

It will become a major event that goes down in history.

And the "Grim Reaper" will be rumored to control even forbidden curses in the underworld.

"We've destroyed Elda Fortress and the road leading to it, just as the Revolutionary Army Rebellion requested."

"Yes."

The mission to sabotage Elda Fortress and its surroundings has been accomplished.

Iris had used up almost all her magical power and was utterly exhausted. Since magical power is directly tied to life force, using too much magical power can lead to death. And to recover, one needs to eat well and sleep well.

Except for awakened magic-wielders, magical power doesn't naturally regenerate.

"With this, I've grasped the general feel of forbidden curses. I've also reaffirmed the usefulness of techniques that utilize natural phenomena."

Drawing out immense power with magic alone is difficult. Even creatures with power like Shuu's, akin to a calamity, would need to expend all their magical power, even if it means facing annihilation.

That's why utilizing natural phenomena is important.

For instance, the god-rune level grand magic, "Gluttonous Black Crystal Belze Material," generates antimatter and extracts energy from mass through annihilation reactions. In other words, it triggers massive natural phenomena through magic.

"Let's go back, Iris."

"Yes, Master."

Leaving behind a gruesome scar, the two vanished from the scene.

Naturally, there wasn't a single survivor.

◆◆◆

The magic array that had been activated with a forbidden spell spread across the night sky, visible even from a distance.

The revolutionary army "Rebellion" and the Imperial army, who had been fiercely battling to the east of Elda Fortress, had also clearly recognized the massive magic array. Since it was nighttime, both forces were taking a rest within their respective territories.

At that moment, a brilliantly shining magic array that even obscured the light of the stars came into view.

Amidst the commotion, the magic array was activated, and a violent storm swept over the battlefield.

"What is this!"

Emerging from his tent was Ike, known as the "Flame Dragon" of the Raven Squad.

Engaged in battle with the Rebellion and sleeping for rest, Ike was awakened. However, due to the strong winds, the tent shook, and many sentinels outside were making noise about the magic array.

Ike, now awake, rushed out, wondering what was happening.

"Ike-sama! Actually, there's a magic array covering the sky near Elda Fortress..."

"Elda Fortress too!?"

Ike grabbed the soldier who was reporting, with a sense of urgency, about the magic array that had just been activated not too long ago.

"The fortress! Are Elina and Yuri safe!?"

"Huh? Um? W-Who are they?"

"They are two members of the Raven Squad. They are S-Rank Magic-Wielders! Elina and Yuri!"

"Elina, Yuri... Are they the Magic-Wielders of 'Infinity' and 'Anti-Mirror'?"

"That's right. Haven't you heard?"

However, that's unreasonable. The massive magic array was just activated a moment ago.

"I'm sorry. Nothing has been communicated yet..."

"Ugh..."

Ike's grip tightened involuntarily.

The soldier who had been grabbed by the collar let out a scream.

At that moment, someone intervened, holding Ike's hand to stop him.

"Stop, Ike. He's not at fault."

"Captain... I apologize."

Ike also calmed down and released his grip.

Misla with the "Magic Eye" and Sadina of the "Sky" appeared there. Captain Lut, her expression stern, was looking towards the western side with concern.

"Let's hurry back."

"Is that alright, Captain?"

"Ike. We're an independent unit. So if something happens, you're free to act. Of course, you have to inform the commander."

In other words, even Lut is worried about their comrades.

Moreover, the Raven Squad was originally formed to defeat the "Grim Reaper." Fighting on the battlefield like this was deviating from their original mission.

"Hey, could you let the commander know? We're heading to Elda Fortress to investigate that magic array."

"Y-Yes. Understood!"

Ike entrusted the soldier he had grabbed with the message, and Lut started walking.

"I'll use gravity to move quickly. Ike, move using magic equipment. Sadina, carry Misla and fly."

Following that order, Ike enveloped himself in the flames of the fire dragon. Sadina spread her wings, and Misla walked with a trot, settling into Sadina's arms.

Lut manipulated gravity and floated in mid-air.

"Let's go."

"Yes."

"With all our might!"

"Sadina, do your best!"

The four S-Rank Magic-Wielders took off.

◆◆◆

Late at night, a group marched while lighting bonfires. They were a unit of the revolutionary army "Rebellion," responsible for the final stages of the mission to destroy Elda Fortress assigned by the "Grim Reaper."

"Captain, what caused this mess?"

"It's probably that magic array. You all saw it too. The magic array that covered the sky."

"Yes. It was right to observe from a considerable distance for secrecy. I never expected the 'Grim Reaper' to use such a method."

They were a unit sent to capture the destroyed Elda Fortress. Acting stealthily, they had gathered information using distant-view magical tools, and that's how they found this opportunity.

They hadn't expected to have the fortress destroyed by an immensely powerful magic array all at once, but this situation worked for them as well.

If they were hit by that super-powerful magic array, the once-sturdy Elda Fortress would surely have been destroyed, and the Imperial soldiers guarding it would undoubtedly be dead. It was certain that capturing it would be much easier.

"Still, it's difficult to make progress... Is there any way around it?"

"We've done all we can with magic and magic equipment, but... getting too detailed would waste time. Please understand."

"No, it's my bad for complaining. Let's keep moving."

"Yes..."

They are soldiers accustomed to fighting in harsh environments. And above all, driven by a strong revolutionary will, their morale is high.

If they can capture Elda Fortress, they can turn the tide of battle against the recently pressured Grand Empire Army.

Elda Fortress, an important logistical point, is an indispensable location for the Grand Empire.

"Hmm...?"

At least they thought they'd find solace in gazing at the starry sky, and the captain raised their gaze upwards.

Then, they spotted something moving like a shooting star.

(That is...)

It was as if it were some kind of creature. A dragon-like figure ablaze in crimson.

"?! Clumsy!"

The fiery dragon in question is Ike Alieul, a new S-rank magic knight that the revolutionary army Liberation finds troublesome. It seems they noticed the bonfire this unit had lit and are launching a surprise attack.

The captain hastily issued orders.

"Prepare for combat! Enemy attack!"

......

...

...

…

"Ugh..."

"I guess you're finally feeling nauseous?"

The squad of the revolutionary army Liberation, who were trying to capture Elda Fortress, were annihilated by the returning Rayvan unit. Only a few, including the captain, were spared for interrogation.

"Hey?"

"Guh... giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"

Lut Lavein's overwhelming pressure. Not just psychological pressure, but literal physical pressure. The captain's arms were already crushed, and now their left leg was too.

"Next is your right leg... and then..."

Lut, while torturing, pointed to the right leg, then smoothly moved to the base... no, between the legs. The captain understood what Lut was trying to convey.

"Fine, I get it! Eek... I'll talk! I'll talk, so stopppp!"

"Good. How obedient. So, who destroyed the fortress?"

"It was the 'Death God'... I asked him! I'm sure of it!"

Under Lut's torture, the captain broke. But blaming the captain wasn't feasible. Their limbs were being systematically crushed, and finally, the most sensitive areas were targeted.

Their spirit had been broken.

Moreover, the questions asked were not about classified information regarding the revolutionary army Liberation. Information about the external force known as the 'Death God' wouldn't make much of a difference whether it was revealed or not. There was no pain or responsibility associated with it.

"I see. The 'Death God'..."

First, Ike launched an assault as a Flame Dragon, then retreated and headed for Elda Fortress. Since Elina and Yuri were there and causing worry, Ike, Misla, and Sadina went there first.

And Lut, by attacking with the Flame Dragon and causing chaos among the revolutionary army Liberation, annihilated their forces. He tortured individuals on the level of a captain to extract information.

"Enough already. I'll make it easy for you."

"Gyah..."

The no-longer-needed sources of information were crushed by gravity.

"I wonder what happened to the fortress..."

Lut looked anxiously towards the direction of the fortress.

Perhaps the premonition of the comrades of the Abyssal Legion that were once exterminated by the Nine-Tailed Fox True Nine Tails of the Sen-Dao resurfaced.

◆◆◆

Elda Fortress, collapsed as if gouged out.

Pushing aside debris, Ike found two blood-soaked bodies lying together in an embrace.

"This can't be true... Elina and Yuri, why?"

The Elda Fortress was covered by an enormously massive magic formation.

And if it was magic, it should have been reflectable by Yuri's magic armor. However, the invoked forbidden spell was a type of ritual that manipulated natural energy. Thus, reflection wasn't effective.

For Ike, who didn't know these facts, it was bewildering and, above all, frustrating.

"Damniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!"

"Not just... Lady Elina, but Yuri-sama too."

"..."

Sadina covered her mouth, tears flowing, and Misla stared open-eyed, silent.

"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Ike's scream echoed emptily in the void of the night.