Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 157

Episode 157: March of the Dead (4)

The first underground level of the mausoleum is divided into several sections.

After passing through the linear corridor of Level 1-1, where a large number of corpses were placed, there was a passage leading to Level 1-2.

The floor of such a passage had steps on both sides and a slanted surface in the center. It was a structure designed to make it easy to move the coffin.

And the crevices in the walls were occupied by stone coffins.

A quiet, narrow passage.

Kalia's 1st squad moved stealthily.

The knight in charge of scouting glanced over the wall and then raised his sword.

It means there is an enemy.

Then he sent a signal.

Two warlocks.

Eight skeleton-type undead.

Of course, there are no captures.

Because the black magicians belonging to the Corpse's Glory can lose consciousness or self-destruct at will. That was confirmed in advance by Verden's testimony and Vespa when he subjugated their hideout.

The warlocks here may vary.

However, there was no room to rely on such uncertain odds. The purpose of this mission was to eliminate the basis of the Commander's Orb.

Thump.

Berden took the lead.

As soon as he revealed his body through the passage, he generated magical power.

The warlocks sensed the presence of magic and immediately turned their heads, but the magic had already been cast.

Double casting.

<Rock Fatal>

Crunch! Crunch!

“Ugh……”

“Whoa!”

My lungs were pierced by a piece of stone traveling faster than the speed of sound.

The two warlocks fell to their knees, gasping for breath. The undead they were serving approached them, brandishing rusted weapons, and a knight charged forward, shield raised in front.

Boom!

Skeletons that were weak to impact were shattered and scattered.

Immediately afterwards, the scout and Kalia, who had been following the knight, cut off the warlock's head almost simultaneously. It was a movement without any unnecessary fuss.

This is already the fifth time we've faced and dealt with the enemy like this. In the process, not a single person in the 1st platoon has been hurt.

The progress of the mission was very smooth.

'But it's still uncomfortable.'

Of course, it's not that Kalia's way is bad.

Since they move in groups, if they rush through without thinking, someone might get hurt or die. It was the commander's responsibility to move quietly and nimbly in the face of variables.

However, if Verden had been alone, he would have already reached the second floor.

Because I had the skills and confidence to overcome any danger or trap. As one of the party's magicians, I couldn't help but feel frustrated in many ways.

'And separately from that… … .'

Warlocks and undead standing guard.

The number was not small. If just one of the three passages was like this, then if you put all of them together, it would not be too much to call it their hideout.

One reason for this is that it is suspicious.

When you put together the information you've gotten so far, the Glory of the Corpse is by no means an ordinary group. You can tell just by looking at the Commander's Orb that even the bishops can't purify.

In that case, the number of troops guarding this place where the treasure is located was within the expected range, as expected.

in other words.

'It's too ordinary.'

To the point where it feels rather strange.

Kalia shook her sword and shook off the blood.

She looked at Verden's face and asked quietly.

“Asher, do you have anything to say?”

"no."

Verden shook his head.

As of now, there is no evidence or conclusion to support the claim.

'Perhaps their main force is stationed on the second floor.'

It was still too early to speak my mind since I hadn't even gotten past the first level yet.

“If a problem arises, don’t be afraid to tell me right away. If you leave it alone, it could get to a point where it’s unmanageable.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Kalia nodded and looked at the 1st squad.

“We’re about to enter the second level. There’s going to be a fierce battle, so don’t let your guard down.”

“Of course.”

“Okay, then let’s continue the search.”

* * *

The scenery on the second floor was almost the same as on the first floor.

If I had to point out a difference, it would be that the passageways are wider and there are more coffins stored there.

But it was strangely quiet.

It would be normal for there to be more warlocks and undead than in the relatively small 1st tier, but not even a single ordinary skeleton was visible.

“It’s strangely quiet. I can’t feel anything.”

“Me too.”

Verden looked around.

Even with my heightened senses from the Rune Ring, as a wizard I had no idea that there were magical traps or undead lurking around.

The other knights shook their heads as if it were the same.

One thing you should not let your guard down, of course.

Because silence meant there was a possibility that more subtle and dangerous traps were hidden than before.

Kalia had no choice but to slow down a bit and instead focus more on her guard.

The strange silence continued all the way to the center.

“……In the end, nothing happened?”

There was no one there, perhaps because the other squads hadn't arrived yet.

Only the stone carvings of the Luas Bridge, used in the cemetery, remained. We took a short break and waited for the 2nd and 3rd divisions.

Of course, boundaries remain in place.

Kalia felt a strange sense of unease, but didn't show it right away.

Because we haven't finished exploring yet, making hasty judgments will only lower your morale.

At that moment, a sound was felt from afar.

We prepared for battle and waited for the sound to get closer. Soon, a second squad with Vespas appeared from the left passage.

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

“Same thing, Vespa.”

After that, a third platoon appeared from the right passage.

There were signs of combat, but no notable casualties. A brief report was received, and nothing out of the ordinary was found.

Power is intact.

Even though they had come down quite deep underground, the knights were not that tired. Under Kalia's command, the wizards also had to undergo physical training.

'Now all that's left is the deepest room on the second floor.'

A room that can only be accessed from the center.

It is the innermost part of the mausoleum and boasts the largest scale.

Unless there's somewhere hidden.

It was clear that the essence of the Commander's Orb was stored deep within.

Kalia led Verden and the Knights of the White Knights through the final passage. There was still an eerie silence.

Soon after, an iron gate about 3 meters high appeared. It was firmly locked with no signs of being tampered with.

but.

“There’s someone there.”

I feel a presence inside.

The sound of breathing could be heard clearly, as if there was no intention of hiding it.

The number is one.

Kalia, who had gathered white energy, swung her sword.

The blade cut right through the gap in the middle of the door, splitting the lock in half. The cross-section was not rough, but rather smooth.

Creak.

The innermost part of the tomb is revealed as the door opens.

In the center stood a black magician.

He soon raised his head, looked at Kalia, smiled, and shrugged his shoulders.

“Oh ho ho ho. The guests have arrived.”

* * *

'……customer?'

Kalia raided the tomb to destroy the Commander's Orb. However, the warlock was not flustered and even welcomed her.

I couldn't tell if it was a bluff or sincerity, but it was natural to have doubts.

But Verden couldn't move on his own. The commander was Kalia, after all.

'Besides, there is nothing that appears to be the basis of the Commander's Jewel.'

The only thing here was a warlock with that monstrous laugh.

So the only target for information was that warlock. If we had hastily neutralized him and then detonated him, everything could have ended in failure.

As if Kalia had the same thoughts, she looked around and asked the warlock.

“Where is the basis of the Commander’s Orb?”

“Ohhoho. I see. You must be curious about that. That would be a more appropriate question to ask than suddenly using swords and magic.”

The warlock's voice was light.

As Callia's eyes turned cold, the bastard waved his hand.

“Don’t look at me like you’re going to kill me. I was going to tell you anyway. But there’s a problem.”

"……problem?"

“Yes. It is a very important matter. Unfortunately, I was not born with the special trait that allowed me to communicate with the commander, like Kunel, who was brutally murdered.”

So, that is.

“It means I can’t tell you who will die soon.

So it's a breakup.

At that moment, the floor of the tomb began to shake and a large number of undead appeared.

Without any sign of movement or magical response. The knights were confused, and the warlock chuckled.

“Ohhohoho! How desperate! You don’t even know the true nature of black magic, so you’re going to end up like that…….”

“Asher!”

At Kalia's signal, Verden released his magical power.

<Brain>

A blast of electricity was directed at the warlock's leg. The intention was to subdue him for now.

However, a blue-colored zombie suddenly rose from the ground and threw itself at the magic. Normally, it would have been pierced, but the undead was relatively unharmed despite being hit directly by the magic.

Then, zombies of various forms emerged, such as those engulfed in red flames, those with solid bodies, and those that exhaled cold air.

“Elemental Ghast. Undead with elemental immunity. No matter how good the elemental magician’s firepower is, he won’t be able to wipe them out. Hohoho.”

“You bastard…….”

“It would be best for you to find the essence of the Commander’s Orb that you so desire by becoming an undead. Then, goodbye.”

The warlock threw himself into the pit from which the undead emerged.

It seems to be connected to a passage somewhere. I tried to chase after them right away, but there were too many zombies.

If you cut them down one by one, you'll definitely lose the warlock.

“How can I… … .”

As Kalia was pondering, Verden stepped forward.

“I will catch it.”

"what?"

Magical power that bloomed from Verden's entire body.

He swung his staff and twisted the magic power. Of course, he adjusted the power so that the tomb would not collapse.

<Vortex>

A small gravitational vortex tore apart the undead in front of them. Even if they were immune to the elements, they weren't completely immune to physical forces.

Verden, who had made the path like that, used flight and disappeared into the pit in an instant.

At that sight, Kalia gripped her sword tightly.

“How reckless…! Vespa, you defend the formation and deal with the undead! I’ll follow Asher!”

“It’s dangerous, Lady Kalia!”

Vespa tried to dissuade her, but Kalia paid no attention.

She cut down the zombies in front of her and then threw herself into the pit.

* * *

“Ohhohohoho!”

The warlock flew through the dark corridors filled with skeletons, using his flying ability.

'It went just as the Lord planned!'

Although their arrival time was earlier than expected, the result was the same.

They would be buried in the undead horde. Even if they survived, it didn't matter. The moment they got out of this passage and reached the outside, that was the end of the plan.

No matter what happened, Kalia and the Knights of the White Knights could not survive.

'But that wizard… was it Asher?'

The wizard who helped Kalia and provided the starting point for the mess in the union. I didn't hear that he would come here either… … .

'There are no variables, right?'

I heard that he was famous as a lightning magician, but it was elemental magic anyway. No matter how much he struggled, he was destined to be attacked and eaten by three-digit number of elemental ghasts.

That was when.

There was a sound of something crashing behind me.

"……huh?"

The warlock turned his head.

Boom! Boom!

The ashen-haired wizard was approaching at incredible speed, slicing apart skeletons with his staff.

“What, what?!”

The warlock urgently raised his magical power.

But Verden's speed is even greater.

Berden, who had caught up with the warlock, swung his staff.

“Ugh!”

The warlock, struck in the back, fell to the ground.

Because of the speed of the flight, I rolled on the ground for a while. My body was torn and broken here and there by the small pieces of rock underneath, and blood flowed out.

“Ugh…… What, what the heck is this…….”

The warlock staggered to his feet.

But it's not over yet.

Verden, who changed direction with skillful maneuvering, aimed Oculus at the dark magic.

Triple casting.

<Multiple Freezing Arrows>

Fifteen arrows of frost struck the warlock.

He immediately deployed a magic barrier, but for Verden, it was a defense that was worse than a tofu.

“……!”

The barrier broke without fail, the magical circuits overloaded, and the arrows that followed pierced the warlock's limbs. The cold, enhanced by the Ring of Cold, froze his arms and legs.

The warlock lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Verden immediately approached and crushed the bastard's neck with his Oculus.

A suffocating feeling that is slowly closing off.

The warlock's eyes filled with astonishment.

“Ugh…… Ugh…… Huh…… Huh, how did it happen so quickly……!”

“Where is the basis?”

Gave strength.

The warlock's face turned red and filled with pain.

But still, the guy didn't reveal the information.

He had eyes that were shining with a longing for life, as if he were going to die if he spoke. But on the other hand, there was a sense of mockery.

'What the heck?'

There's something missing.

Information from the parish.

The foundation of the Commander's Orb.

Sacred equipment borrowed from the church.

And the number of warlocks and undead guarding the tomb. The warlock's attitude was as if he had known they would come.

Finally, the absence of a foundation for the Commander's Orb.

All kinds of information are intricately intertwined.

What on earth is hidden?

While Verden was lost in thought, subduing the warlock, Kalia appeared from the passage, cutting down a skeleton.

“Asher, you’re safe!”

At the same time, the warlock's gaze turned to Kalia. An instinctive movement.

The moment he saw it, Verden had a gut feeling.

<Crushing>

A shard of earth that penetrated the warlock's neck.

It soon exploded, obliterating the bastard's head without a trace.

Kalia's eyes widened.

“What are you doing now…….”

“Lady Kalia.”

Verden's voice was serious.

“This is a trap.”

At the same time, an unprecedented magical power swelled from the skeleton corpses that filled all around. Just as suddenly as when the elemental ghasts appeared from the innermost part of the tomb.

I don't know how they can execute black magic without warning, but I know what that magic is.

The moment Berden, who had immediately activated, wrapped around Kalia.

<Large-scale explosion of corpses>

Kwaaaaaaaang!

A cursed explosion engulfed the entire passageway.