Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 171

Episode 171: The Aftermath (1)

Kalia continued to watch Verden.

I had no choice. Even if I wanted to help, I couldn't lift my sword because my injuries were too severe. That's why I was able to see everything without missing a single one.

The sight of the Grim Reaper disappearing.

The powerful undead that Kalia and Gloss, who had exerted their power, could not even raise a single finger.

Even if the entire Knights of the White Knights and the Holy Knights combined their forces, a single wizard was able to defeat a monster that would be impossible to handle. And he did so in an overwhelming manner.

'Is this really reality…?'

A magical power greater than that felt at the tomb.

A fiery hell created by the torrential flow of the Milky Way and fire magic that swallowed up the Grim Reaper in one breath.

I couldn't take my eyes off any of them.

And the wizard hired by Kalia triumphed as expected.

'I was mistaken.'

I knew he was an extraordinary wizard.

At least the magicians within the Knights of Baekjeol wouldn't dare to fight him. But even so, I never thought of it to this extent.

'This is crossing the line.'

The strength that Kalia experienced with her eyes.

That power surpasses that of the magician who protects the Marquis of Esperance. Perhaps… … it may really be comparable to the pinnacle of the kingdom.

Why is such a being taking on a commission from Gray?

No matter where you belong, if you can prove your magic, you can gain a life of abundance, great power, and even glory that will last even after death.

I have no idea what he's thinking.

And the unknown soon came with fear.

It was hard to even imagine what would happen if that power were to be directed towards the Marquis and the Kingdom of Estyria.

That's why Kalia had to ask.

Who are you?

'Well, that's a very fundamental question.'

Verden stroked his chin.

I thought about it for a while, but it was extremely difficult to define myself in words.

Unlike others, Verden has not lived a life that can be described in a few words. He has lived many lives, including as an avenger, a test subject, and a researcher.

'But if I had to summarize… … .'

Verden answered after thinking about it.

“I am a wizard.”

"wizard……?"

Kalia blinked at the simple answer.

A wizard.

I'm sure you know that's not what I was asking.

For a moment, Callia felt like she was being mocked.

Hana Verden's eyes were infinitely serious.

This is not a joke, this is serious. Kalia stared blankly into those eyes and then chuckled in vain. The tension that had been squeezing her body melted away.

“Yes, you were a wizard…… you know. Very special. I apologize for not being rude───”

“Please stop being polite.”

Kalia was delighted.

“Oh, is that okay? It was really awkward even when I saw it, but thank you. Then let’s do that.”

"Callia said, coughing slightly.

“Ahem, anyway, thank you for saving me, Asher. Really. This is already the second time my life has been saved after the mausoleum.”

“It’s part of the request.”

“Even so, I will make sure that you pay a fair amount of compensation as well as compensation in the future.”

"thank you."

“Yeah. You can look forward to it.”

Kalia smiled.

At that moment, a sound was felt from afar.

“Lady Kalia!”

“Chief Gloss!”

Vespa, the commander of the White Knights, and Kelcia, the holy knight.

The two who appeared from the passage came running towards me in a hurry.

They were pretty much a mess, with one arm hanging off the handle and a limp, but they seemed to have survived the death knights.

'That's fortunate.'

Kalia leaned her head against the wall and sighed in relief.

“Is it time to leave now?”

Kukukuku… … !

At that moment, pieces of stone and dust fell from the ceiling.

The faint trembling vibration was almost identical to the feeling of unease I had felt in the tomb.

“……I think I should leave sooner.”

“I agree.”

Verden nodded.

* * *

“Everyone, get on board quickly!”

The entire Corpse Glory Expeditionary Force boarded the airship Bellos.

After confirming that all the injured were loaded, Kalia started the airship. The magic stone that powered the power flickered and the airship floated.

So I managed to get out of the canyon.

───Kugugugugugugu!

The passengers looked back.

With a huge vibration, the canyon that had just been there began to crack. The expedition team muttered as they saw a huge rock detach from the cliff and fall.

“If it had hit there, the airship would have crashed.”

“I almost got buried with the undead.”

Soon, the valley where the ceremony site had been located completely collapsed.

The airship's altitude increased and it reached a stable level.

As they escaped the threat of being buried alive, the punitive force members began to faint one by one. Their physical and mental strength had reached their limits due to the arduous battle.

“Patient, this way!”

The knights prioritized the critically injured, even though their own bodies were not in good condition.

Inside the plane.

Kalia was given priority treatment as she was seriously injured.

He had received a miracle of healing, and had recovered some of his wounds. He had bandages wrapped all over his body using the emergency equipment on the airship. And because the tip of his right hip was cracked, he had to wear a crutch to move comfortably.

“It’s best to rest now…….”

“I’m fine, so please take care of the others.”

Despite the paladin's restraint, Kalia staggered to her feet.

She looked around.

The fallen members of the punitive force, including Gloss, Vespa, and Gelcia, were lying side by side.

Even if you rely on the power of the divine, these are injuries that require at least two weeks to a month of recovery.

Fortunately, however, there were no deaths.

Bishop Ronanderk.

As he had promised, he protected the expedition team from the undead group.

Of course, that's why the bishop wasn't all right either.

He was unconscious among the wounded due to excessive use of divine power. I heard that he would not wake up for a few days.

“I guess I’ll have to make a big donation to the Luas Church later.”

Kalia glanced at the wounded and walked away.

As I crossed the hallway and entered the cockpit of the plane, a man was standing there.

Verden.

He turned his head to Kalia.

“Can you move already?”

“Just in case, I gave you a brief explanation of how to make an emergency landing, but I’m the only one who can properly control the plane. If I sleep, I should sleep in the cockpit. But, do you not need separate treatment?”

“I have no problem.”

Verden suffered only minor scratches.

Since I had already healed everything with the Recovery Bracelet, there was no need to borrow any divine power.

'I doubt it will be miraculously cured though.'

Since we have confirmed that the bishop's miracle does not work, it is highly likely that the paladin's healing will not work either. It is an incomprehensible phenomenon, but it is something that can be investigated later.

Verden was also quite tired, so he didn't want to cause any unnecessary commotion right now.

“Ha, I’ve fought against such great enemies, and yet I don’t have a single scratch. How pitiful of me. Well, anyway. Asher, there’s something I want to ask you.”

Kalia sat on the bunk in the cockpit.

“I heard the story of you and that old warlock. The immortal world… From what I’ve heard, it seems like an organization that operates on a global scale, not just a national scale. The warlock who destroyed the parish, and the old warlock who made a contract with a powerful undead. Where do you think these two stand?”

“At best, I think he is an executive.”

Both of them were clearly strong.

But that's not enough to talk about an 'immortal world'. The powerful who rule the world are not that weak.

I guess so.

“Kalia nodded and said,

“Come to think of it, the old warlock said that. If you hadn’t interfered, we would have already left the kingdom. And besides, there were no other warlocks in sight besides the undead. That means…….”

“I guess that means you have already achieved some purpose in the kingdom.”

“That would be the correct answer. And that would mean that I have no more business in the kingdom.”

Thud. Callia lay down on the bed.

“A group of dark magicians who want to dye the world with death. It doesn’t seem like something a mere child of a marquis can handle… Was what we did really meaningful? In the end, they achieved their goal, didn’t they?”

“At least I was able to deal with the Black Mage and the Grim Reaper.”

“Even that would have been impossible without you. You wouldn’t have even come all the way here from the parish in the first place.”

“It was Lady Kalia who hired me.”

“……Thank you for saying that.”

Kalia's eyelids gradually grew heavier.

“I’m starting to feel sleepy. Well, it’s been almost 20 days since I started at the mausoleum and only faced the glory of the corpse, so that’s to be expected……. You and I, let’s get some rest for the time being…… Hey…….”

Kalia's consciousness suddenly fell.

Verden, who confirmed that she was asleep, lightly used his telekinesis. A nearby blanket fell down on Kalia.

'I think I'll get some sleep too.'

Verden caressed his eyes.

It's just that I'm not hurt, but I'm just as tired.

He left the cockpit with a languid body and settled into the empty room. Berden collapsed into bed and fell into a deep sleep for the first time in a long while.

* * *

Border of the Kingdom of Estiria.

The black magician Limanen stood on the cliff and looked out over the kingdom. But time had passed and nothing had changed.

Nosawa and Viola.

There was no news from either of them.

“Lord Limanen, it would be a good idea to check the ritual room right now…….”

“It’s pointless. You two are probably already dead.”

The cause of death is unknown.

But since he didn't come even when it was clear that the Grim Reaper ritual was over, he must have been pursued by the tracking party.

'I don't know who on earth could have killed those two, though.'

I don't intend to waste time looking for them.

Because Limanen had a mission.

“We are returning like this.”

Great corpse.

Now that I have finally obtained that first body, even if I die along the way, I must be resurrected as an undead and deliver that body to the 'first servant'.

For a long-cherished wish.

Limanen and the warlocks left the kingdom behind.

It's been 2-3 years since I've been here, and many warlocks, including Viola and Nosa, have died, but I have no regrets.

It was unclear whether the ritual hall was functioning properly, but since their most important purpose had been achieved, there was no need for them to return to the kingdom.

But on the day the 'Great Corpse' is resurrected.

When that time comes, I will set foot on this land again.

And I will present a new world here.

An immortal world where only death exists.

* * *

The next day, Verden woke up.

I looked out the window and saw that it was daylight, so it seemed like he had been sleeping all day. Verden, who had washed up in the bathroom attached to the room, was doing some light stretching.

The lethargy I felt yesterday had completely disappeared, and all I felt was a sense of refreshment.

'Magic power has also been restored considerably.'

The condition is quite good.

As I went out the door, I saw the White Knight with a splint on his arm. As I was about to pass by, the White Knight bowed his head to Verden.

“Are you awake, Asher?”

“Yes……? Oh, yes.”

I was greeted by chance.

‘What? Why are you suddenly greeting me… … .’

Verden tilted his head as he watched the knight walk away.

Soon I started walking again. Strangely, everyone I met greeted me in the morning. Even the knights.

As we continued on like that, we finally knocked on the cockpit door.

“Is that Asher? Come in.”

I asked permission and went inside.

In the cockpit there was not only Kalia, but also Vespa.

“Ahem, good morning.”

Vespa said.

This guy was also somewhat friendly.

"……good morning."

Verden answered awkwardly.

At that sight, Kalia let out a small laugh.

“Judging by your reaction, you must have received similar greetings from other knights. How do you feel about being treated with respect by semi-nobles?”

“Why are you suddenly doing that?”

“It might feel sudden to you, but there’s nothing particularly strange about it. It’s not just anyone else, it’s your lifesaver. Including me, Vespa, the entire White Knights, and the Holy Knights.”

… … Well, now that I think about it, that could be possible.

'It doesn't feel so bad to be recognized.'

But if I were to say it out loud, it would be like putting gold on my own face. Verden, who had been more or less convinced, changed the subject.

“Where are we going?”

“I’m planning on going to the parish for now. By now, word has spread that the parish has been attacked. The remaining clergy, paladins, and bishops in the kingdom will have returned, so it will be a good environment to take care of the wounded. Then I’ll stop by Territ’s territory and return the airship. Simple, right?”

… … I don’t think it will be simple.

The others did not know about the glory of the corpse, but they knew that Kalia had stolen the flying machine. As these thoughts came to mind, the knight's shout was suddenly heard from outside.

“Hey, Lady Kalia!”

It's on the deck.

The three people who had made eye contact with each other immediately went outside. Everyone was looking up at the sky. When I raised my head following them, Kalia opened her eyes wide.

“That’s……!”

A huge shadow covers the flying boat Velos.

A large flying boat dominating the sky, and two smaller flying boats escorting it on either side. Each of them had the emblem of the Marquis of Esperanza engraved on them.

The main force of the Marquis of Esperance.

At that moment, someone flew in from the central airfield.

An old man with wrinkles around his eyes, wearing a robe bearing the Marquis's symbol. A wizard carrying a green metal staff, landed on the deck of the Bellos.

“It’s been a while, Miss Kalia.”

Edmon Rodriner.

A magician who protects the Marquis of Esperenza, who has the nickname 'Backwind'.

“Grandpa Edmon……!”

“Yes, I will.”

Edmon smiled kindly.

“I knew Miss Kalia was a troublemaker since she was little… but I never thought she would steal a flying machine from His Excellency Count Territt. Even this old man was quite surprised when he heard the news. And….”

Edmon's eyes scanned the faces of the injured people.

“……Hehe, it looks like you’ve had a really big accident this time.”

“That, that kind of thing happened. But…….”

Kalia asked hesitantly.

“Was Father……very angry?”

“Heh heh heh heh heh!”

Edmon chuckled.

At some point, he suddenly stopped laughing and spoke with a serious face.

“It’s amazing.”