Chapter 97


    <em> Bam!</em>


    With a loud noise, the stone pir copsed.


    Ian, I didnt know you would hate me this much.


    Yerina was astonished.


    Even though she had provoked him first, Ian unleashed such a powerful attack!


    No. This is


    Of course, Ian was also taken aback.


    He had just swung his sword following the feeling of darkness, but such a monstrous attack was unleashed.


    Its difficult.


    If Yerina hadnt dodged, the oue would have been terrible.


    But lets not panic and stay calm. He hadnt intended to harm Yerina in the first ce, so its just a matter of lifting her up a bit.


    I believed in you, Lady Yerina.


    Really?


    Ian quickly nodded to Yerina, who squinted her eyes.


    Since it hade to this, he had no choice but to show some backbone.


    I thought Lady Yerina could easily block such an attack.


    To think of that monstrous strike as just such an attack?


    I thought Lady Yerina could handle it.


    Youre too modest. But it doesnt feel bad that you overestimate me.


    <em>Swoosh.</em>


    Yerina put her weapon into the leather belt around her thigh. The corners of her mouth slightly lifted.


    I survived.


    Ian let out a small sigh of relief.


    But that thing that came out from the tip of the sword just now.


    Was it Sword Aura?


    Ian nced at his hand cautiously.


    He used Sword Aura. Although he wasnt particrly skilled in swordsmanship, it was clearly a remarkable achievement.


    Among swordsmen, just being able to emit Aura was enough to be recognized as a master. In the academy, only knights of the highest rank, the Aether ss, could use it.


    Of course, Sharon Pierce, who used her sword with magic, was an exception.


    I didnt expect to seed from the beginning.


    Certainly, Ians performance was remarkable even in Asilias eyes.


    A child who had never held a proper sword suddenly emitted a sword aura. Of course, once someone became proficient in magic to a certain extent, they could emit a sword aura more skillfully than an ordinary person.


    But this speed was not ordinary.


    It seems like Ive got an excellent disciple.


    Asilias voice was filled with surprise and pride.


    It means your teaching is excellent.


    Ian.


    Yes.


    Youre my chosen disciple, but Im really d you speak so well.


    On the contrary, its my honor.


    Yerina watched the conversation between teacher and disciple with a somewhat absent-minded expression. Werent they embarrassed to constantly praise each other like that?


    Oh, right.


    It wasnt that. There was something she had to tell them, so she came.


    The recent duel was just to help Ian gain some insight.


    Ahem.


    Yerina cleared her throat.


    Confirming that both of them were paying attention, Yerina spoke.


    By the way. I have something to propose.


    A proposal?


    Recently, the vitality draining from our bodies has noticeably increased. Ian, you must have felt it too.


    Ian nodded quietly.


    He had felt an increase in the absorption rate of vitality and abilities by Richard.


    If this ce was a manifestation of his prison, then it meant that Richard, the host, was experiencing something or nning something sinister.


    Therefore, Yerinas subsequent words were quite understandable.


    I wanted to suggest that we execute the escape n as quickly as possible.


    The core of the escape was essentially in Ians hands.


    Could the things his master created be activated?


    I thought I would need more time.


    Yerina thought so.


    But the sword aura Ian just emitted clearly indicated that his talent had reached a certain level.


    Ultimately, what mattered was Asilias judgment.


    Did she believe Ian had earned the right qualifications?


    Ian and Yerinas gazes turned to Asilia.


    Asilia remained silent.


    To be honest, she wanted to say that her disciple wasnt ready yet.


    And that was the truth.


    Now was the time for him to open his eyes to the sword and simply repeat the most basic training methods.


    He wasnt prepared.


    But this childs talent bypassed all those obstacles.


    He exuded sophistication in personality and speech, and his judgment was quite quick.


    So thats what worries me


    She wanted to teach him more thoroughly. She wanted to impart everything she had to offer.


    Perhaps its all just my greed.


    Asilia sighed softly, reflecting on herself.


    At this point, the chances of sess seem fifty-fifty. Its a matter of luck and circumstances.


    Asilias candid response.


    Yerina nodded.


    50/50 was sufficient.


    Before unexpectedly falling into this world, she had made preparations.


    I, too, have prepared some devices to counter Richard.


    Devices?


    If this ce is his prison, theres a considerable chance of it going berserk.


    Yerina had been devising a n to confront Richard ever since she vaguely heard the truth about him from Ian.


    Outside, there may be assassins targeting the Grand Duke. With Richards paranoia escting, itll be difficult to maintain a normal psychological state.


    To directly hire assassins.


    Ian found Yerina even more frightening.


    In the end, all eyes converged on Asilias response once again.


    After a moment of silence, she nodded.


    Then thats even better. Itll be easier to escape safely.


    But wont this ce turn into a mess once everyone leaves?


    Ian asked his master with concern.


    If I can properly train my disciple and send him back to where he originally belonged, theres no greater aplishment for a master than that.


    With those words, Asilia smiled softly.


    The group immediately gathered their belongings.


    Once they decided to proceed with the n, there was no time to waste. Every hour spent here meant rapidly draining the lives of living beings.


    Everyone immediately exited the cave.


    Outside, the surroundings were excessively bright with countless snowkes covering the ground.


    This way.


    Asilia took the lead, followed immediately by Yerina and Ian. Lina was in the middle and Danya was in the rear.


    In the bright surroundings, the location of the cave was now clearly visible. It was arge mountain, or more precisely, a cave beneath the mountain.


    Wow, I didnt see it at first, but its really huge here. But why didnt we see it before?


    Asilia responded to Linas question.


    Its due to a structural arrangement that disrupts vision. Its not magic or any spell, just the arrangement itself causing this effect. You wont see it until youe here in person.


    Perhaps because of this, an eerie and gloomy atmosphere was felt.


    Their destination was the summit of this towering mountain.


    The mountain grew deeper.


    ckened trees and snow piled upon them endlessly.


    Although the direction was confusing, Asilia led without hesitation.


    Wait!


    At that moment, Danya halted the group.


    <em> Gurgle!</em>


    A strange howl echoed.


    There! Lina!


    Yeah!


    Danyas grass-attribute arrow flew behind a tree, followed by Linas fire magic.


    The corpse behind the tree reacted to it, springing out.


    At that moment, <em>Thud!</em>


    Danyas arrow split, leaving a greenish trace on the corpses body, like a kind of.


    <em>Sizzle!</em>


    Linas magic hit the spot, engulfing the corpse in mes. Utilizing the elemental reaction of covering grass attribute with fire attribute makes it burn even better.


    Woah.


    An exmation escaped Ians mouth at the rather impressivebination.


    Proudly, Lina and Danya put their hands on their hips.


    Ian, while you were learning swordsmanship, we practiced hard too, nyah!


    They continued to advance, disposing of the sporadically appearing corpses.


    That rock beyond is the summit.


    Asilia pointed at the massive rock.


    Indeed, beyond it, the dense ck forest of trees was no longer visible.


    Their destination was now close at hand.


    Strange.


    Theres something strange nearby, nyah.


    Yerina and Danya murmured simultaneously.


    Ive never felt this kind of energy before.


    Asilias expression wasnt any better.


    At that moment.


    Something emerged from the shadows.


    Its appearance was infinitely grotesque.


    <em> Guoooooh!</em>


    Should I describe it as a massive mound formed by corpses gathering and converging?


    The dismembered facial features of the corpses were densely packed together, rolling around like a giant ball.


    Lina and Danya expressed their brief thoughts.


    Eugh


    Whats that?


    Unlike the two girls, Ian thought the grotesque pile of corpses resembled something of unknown origin.


    What in the world is that?


    Ah. Just a moment ago, rolling snow + pile of corpses.


    As soon as that thought crossed his mind.


    <em> Ting</em>


    Hundreds of eyeballs were fixed on them simultaneously.


    Their appearance was unequivocally more grotesque than any other creatures.


    <em> Guaaaah!</em>


    <em> Graaaargh!</em>


    <em> Guaaard!</em>


    Hundreds of mouths opened simultaneously.


    An incredibly chilling cacophony erupted from its mouth.