Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 459

Episode 459 Elimination (2)

mercenary.

This word, which is commonly used in the world, is usually used to refer to those who perform work on private commissions.

There are many mercenaries in the world.

This isn't just a story limited to members of the mercenary guild.

Even adventurers who publicly undertake commissions are classified as mercenaries the moment they privately receive a request to subdue alien species or human races.

If a young man from a rural village takes money and kills someone, he is considered an assassin and, in the grand scheme of things, a mercenary.

The mercenary profession is one that has ambiguous boundaries, unlike other professions, because anyone can become one and anyone can quit.

That is why, although there is a leader leading a mercenary group, there is no one at the top who dominates the industry itself.

Even if he is the king of a country, he is not the king of humans… … .

But in the land of the unclaimed, there is a middle-aged man called the Mercenary King.

Of course, since it was only a kind of nickname, the mercenaries did not treat him with loyalty as if he were a real king, but they were willing to call him that with enough respect.

This is especially true for those who know the story of the mercenary king.

A boy who rushed into battle with only leather armor and an iron sword looted from a corpse survived in several war zones for over twenty years.

Without any obstacles.

Moreover, he has been the ruler's closest confidant for over a dozen years, and is still active in the battlefield of the ownerless land… … He can be called the king of mercenaries, whether in the past or present.

Lester Lordhart, the leader of the large mercenary band the Fugitives, also respected the Mercenary King like everyone else.

The mercenary king walks alone.

As he approached the base of the wall and raised his head, Lester said:

“It’s been a long time, King of Mercenaries. It’s been almost 20 years since I’ve seen you with my own eyes. And yet, I’m still amazed to see that your limbs are still intact.”

“Thank you for your greeting. But Lester Lordhart… I’ve heard of your reputation as a brave fugitive, but have we ever known each other? I don’t recall ever being on the same battlefield.”

“You couldn’t possibly know. From a distance, I only saw it one-sidedly. At that time, I was just a mercenary who had lost my home.”

The mercenary king laughed.

“Was it just a fleeting relationship? But since we came back and met like this, I guess this too is a kind of fate.”

“Do you believe in fate?”

“No. Some say it exists, but I refuse to believe it. Even if it were true, wouldn’t the life I’ve lived be so miserable? It’s not that I lived because I wanted to survive, but because I was destined not to die… It’s not a mercenary’s virtue to lower my own worth.”

Lester nodded.

“I agree.”

“Well, I am very happy to meet a like-minded partner. Now that we have introduced ourselves, I would like to ask. Is the Northern representative in this fortress?”

After the East was defeated, the Mercenary King divided the Western forces into three and sent them each to advance to the three fortresses occupied by the North.

It was a very bold and strategic choice to disperse the few strong forces that the North had.

In addition, the mercenary king went so far as to hide himself thoroughly and strengthen the security of all units to the extreme, so that internal information would not leak out.

Even though it was a society with communication devices and memory golems, there was absolutely no way to clearly determine the whereabouts of the Mercenary King unless he could infiltrate using <Transparency>.

Swish.

Lester stepped aside.

Liam Arlane appeared, dressed up as a representative.

“How did you know I was here?”

“There are many reasons, but it’s a kind of feeling, a feeling. When you spend all day on a battlefield where blind arrows and magic fly, you naturally follow your feeling. Of course, there are times when you’re wrong, but you see.”

“…….”

“Your face looks more mature than when we met at the conference hall in Medillon. As expected, young people grow up quickly.”

The mercenary king continued speaking.

“Liam Arlane. The eastern territories taken by the North are of no use to us. So I speak as a representative of the West. If you surrender, not only will you not be taken hostage, but you will not be taken of the fort either.”

“I’ll make a suggestion. If you put down your sword now, I’ll treat you like a VIP.”

“Oh, not a prisoner, but a VIP. Is a national power going to treat me to a meal? That’s interesting, but… Surrendering would be like wasting all the effort of coming here.”

The mercenary king drew his sword, as if he had expected Liam to refuse.

Kwah. Ssrrrung.

The siege weapons that had been waiting in advance made a menacing noise. The metallic sound echoed from the western army consisting of several mercenary groups.

“I’ve been hearing a lot of news about the powerful beings that the Divine has kept hidden. You next to me, are you Cain? Since this is a ground war without any aircraft, the two of us will have a big role to play.”

The Mercenary King has two of his three medium-sized flying boats partially damaged by several Melconi raids.

Additionally, two of the seven small flying boats have sunk and one has its magic circle damaged, making it inoperable.

If those expensive flying machines are recklessly operated… … and they are sunk by the 6th-tier magicians of the North, the damage to the West will be severe, let alone the competition.

'… … That's the situation in the West.'

Cain took into account the damage the Mercenary King had inflicted on the East and assessed the strength of both sides.

The western forces and weapons in front of you are only one third of the total, and the airship fleet is absent.

However, they are superior to the northerners who gathered at the Derkadil fortress.

Because the flying ships sponsored by the Kingdom of Estyria were widely scattered, guarding the east, which had been eliminated in the competition.

'You can't predict anything.'

That's understandable, because didn't the warrior hired by the East kill Cheolph, who was taken hostage, without hesitation?

I don't know what their plan is, but if they make a mad dash in the East, disregarding the rules and all, the damage will be irreversible.

Laws and rules are not absolute and can be broken at any time.

The North's policy was to secure a complete victory, no matter what cowardly tricks the opposing forces might employ.

Yunia, who has not yet fully recovered from the burns she received from Melconi, is guarding the Deresque Fortress while recuperating.

Adrian and Isabella are also guarding different fortresses or boarding airships to keep an eye out for movements in the east.

So, the ending of the competition falls to Cain, who faces the Mercenary King.

Just like it was decided from the beginning.

“Then let’s see each other later.”

The mercenary king returns to his place.

Cain, who was looking at his back, said to Lester.

“I will subdue the Mercenary King according to the strategy we established before. In the meantime, I will leave the defense of Derkadil Fortress to you.”

“Don’t worry, I’m confident I can hold on. But… even if it’s the best I can do, can you really do it alone?”

The Mercenary King is a difficult enemy.

It is not only in terms of power, but also in terms of how to survive. It may be different in a one-on-one fight, but the dizzying battlefield that soon unfolds is the domain of the mercenary king.

Still, Cain was confident.

"it's possible."

Although Cain's name is becoming well-known, he is nothing compared to Junia, who single-handedly captured the Elder of the Tower.

A commensurate achievement is required.

As a new generation of society, taught directly by the three wise men.

If it is the reputation of the King of Mercenaries, then it is not lacking to make it a true debut.

Although Cain was more gentle than Junia, they were ultimately family.

“……I regret that I cannot personally help you in the war. It may be shameless, but I would like to ask you for help. Lord Cain and Captain Lester.”

Liam took a step back and raised his hand.

The wizards who received the signal quickly activated the strategic magic item, Defensia, installed in the center of the fortress.

A protective barrier that blocks magic coming from the outside and allows magic coming from the inside to escape was wrapped around the entire fortress in the shape of a giant dome.

The mercenary king immediately turned his sword towards him.

───Kwaaaaaaaang!

The siege of the North and West began.

* * *

Siege weapons brought from the West pound the defenses of Defensia, and arrows fired from both sides rain down like a shower.

Members of the Society located here and there on the walls were blocking the attack by creating gusts of wind, but it was not enough to stop the mercenaries' fierce advance.

“Don’t be greedy and hold out as long as you can! Don’t stick your head out of your cover and only stab those who come up with your spear!”

Lester simultaneously slashes away arrows heading towards his head and chest.

He ran busily along the wall, kicking and pushing away the ladders that were in his way here and there.

“AAAAAHHHH!”

Quasi-snap.

A mercenary who had just placed his hand on the wall fell from the top and died with his head crushed.

A thorough defensive posture was taken, and a certain amount of unity was achieved, but without a moment to catch their breath, siege towers came in, surrounded by a protective shield, to replace the unstable ladders.

Cain, who was searching for the mercenary king hiding somewhere, opened his eyes wide and grabbed the magic sword with both hands, performing his own unique ritual.

<Cheongyeong>

Blue flames made up entirely of magical power rose up and enveloped my entire body.

A unique magic created through the special trait of the expanded magic circuit and the magic <Maye>.

The resistance thus strengthened is close to that of a 7th-rank magic spell, and it is even possible to withstand Verden's 6th-rank magic head-on.

Phew.

Cain kicked the wall.

He charged at the siege tower, taking the flying magic and arrows with his bare body.

It stopped in its tracks, its upper part blown off by the reckless charge.

Then, Cain, who had disabled the siege tower right next to him, dived down and swung his sword at the man wearing a helmet.

Kwaaaaang!

A sunken earth.

The mercenary king quickly retreated to the side and chuckled, throwing away his helmet.

“You have a keen eye. But how long has it been since the siege began and you’re already here to take my head? Shouldn’t the attackers be rushing into the enemy lines like that? I know what you’re thinking, but there’s also a saying that the more urgent it is, the more you should turn back.”

Oh my!

Sparks flew as the Demon Sword, Cretima, and the Ink Sword clashed.

A clash of different swords.

In the meantime, the mercenary king, who felt a weight that exceeded his expectations, jumped backwards in one breath and landed with a shock.

“He handles magic as if it were energy… I’ve never seen such a magician before. And that sword seems to be an artifact, is it perhaps a type of magic sword?”

“Should I answer?”

“Of course, if you don’t like it, then don’t say anything.”

Two people cross the battlefield.

After exchanging a dozen or so sword strikes in a short time, it turned into a struggle.

Good change

He displayed his skills and brought about change.

The mercenary king, who had been pushed back a step, spun around half a turn on the heel of his hind foot and struck Cain in the stomach with the back of his fist, but… … .

Thump.

"hmm?"

Instead, the blow bounced off.

The artifact [Flawless Robe] that Rayshen had in his possession was transferred to Cain by Verden as a gift.

He takes no damage unless the shield is broken.

Kagagak.

Cain, who had seized the opportunity, instantly stabbed the mercenary king with his sword and pulled him out.

At the same time, he flew low in the air with his <Flight> and crossed his legs strongly.

Pfft! The mercenary king groaned as he barely managed to block it with his shoulder.

'Oh my, if I confront it head-on, my body won't be in good shape.'

A permanent protective shield and blue flames surrounding the body.

The latter is a magic derived from magic, and seems to have been used to strengthen resistance.

Even if you break the shield, I have a strong feeling that you won't be able to inflict much damage with your bare hands.

'In addition, his skills and movements are on a different level from those of the geniuses we sometimes see. Talent plus hard work. Are there at least five more monsters like this in the North?'

First, the nameless inspector with his face covered by a metal mask and the deity of the Eastern Continent.

Needless to say, these two are the ones who subdued the Bone Dragon.

And Junia and Cain.

One of them has captured the Elder of the Magic Tower without any tricks, and the other, a magician, is fighting the Mercenary King himself with a sword.

'The last one to assassinate Ceolf.'

Someone who broke through the escort of the great warrior with strong physical abilities and eliminated the East… …perhaps the beautiful female escort who grabbed Cheolph by the neck at the conference hall.

He displayed overwhelming strength that was hard to believe at first glance.

'If we assume that they are all national-level forces… … Haha, I can't help but get goosebumps from this.'

This is a power that even a major power would not be able to easily secure.

I can say this with certainty.

With the current Western power, they may have the upper hand collectively, but without outside help, they are bound to be defeated in an all-out war.

Even in the North, aren't there mostly magicians?

If you let them run wild, there's no answer, and even if you lock them up and deal with them… … even the ruler can only handle two people at most.

What is the ultimate purpose of the divine being settling in an ownerless land?

'Anyway, it was a good thing I didn't blindly become hostile and just tried it out.'

The order given by the ruler is to draw out as much of the hidden power of the North as possible through competitive battles.

That was the original purpose.

In that respect, the Mercenary King had already been able to obtain some information by appropriately combining rumors and experiences… … .

'It's a shame to give up like this.

As I get older, life comes to an end.

Instantaneous movement

He rushed in instantly, slashing at Cain's shield with the tip of his sword, and then aimed for his arms and legs with a spin and counter-spin.

“……!

The protective shield was shattered after only three brushes.

“Your body is really relaxed. Now, let’s relax.”

After a long time, the King of Mercenaries has revealed his full power.