Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 68 (Part 2)

Viscount Russell, who represented the knights in charge of the eastern front, crossed over to the west side of the village, where the higher-ups were stationed.

“So you’re saying a group managed to escape?”

“It seemed like two groups, not just one. The ones who passed by on horseback appeared to be mercenaries, while those who followed on foot seemed to be the reconnaissance unit that was pursuing us.”

The Imperial magic corps had descended to attack this village in the heart of the Riyaz Kingdom specifically to deal with the reconnaissance unit that had been trailing them.

Up until now, the Imperial magic corps had deliberately ignored their pursuers. Targeting the high-priority objectives handed down from above was more important than dealing with a reconnaissance unit that posed little threat.

But now they had time to spare. The higher-ups had given the magic corps a month’s rest, considering their exhaustion.

A whole month of leave after a grueling 19 months of non-stop action.

They could rest as much as they wanted, but the magic corps decided to take this opportunity to eliminate the tailing reconnaissance unit, leading to today’s attack.

“So you let even those pesky followers slip away?”

“Not all of them. Roughly ten managed to escape, and it seems their main force suffered heavy losses inside the village.”

It was only natural that the first-class recruits weren’t the only ones in the Riyaz Kingdom’s reconnaissance unit chasing the Imperial magic corps. The first-class recruits were a mere fraction of the force; the bulk of the troops had been drawn from the Northern Army.

The Northern Army had dispatched a force of 4,500 soldiers to pursue the magic corps. The 17 remaining first-class recruits were nothing in comparison.

“What about our casualties?”

“Fortunately, there were no fatalities.”

Count Conte, responsible for the knightly forces of the magic corps, breathed a sigh of relief. At least the worst had been avoided.

Count Conte, a 6th-level knight in his mid-forties, was a relatively young powerhouse and also an imperial relative by marriage.

“No deaths? So that means there are many wounded.”

“Yes. Thirty-four were injured, nine of them seriously.”

It was fortunate that no knights had died, but the nine serious injuries were a significant blow.

Serious injuries would impair their mobility. The magic corps would slow down until these men recovered, and they would have to allocate more mages to scouting to avoid the reconnaissance unit.

“You were bested by someone who seemed like a mercenary?”

“Yes. Although he wore a robe, it wasn’t the regular army uniform of the Riyaz Kingdom, nor did he seem to be associated with the reconnaissance unit that followed him.”

Rodin had intentionally distanced himself from the first-class recruits. He wanted the Imperial soldiers to see him as a separate entity from the first-class recruits.

Luckily, that strategy worked. The Imperial soldiers didn’t regard the first-class recruits and Bron’s group as a single unit.

“Did you confirm his face?”

“Apologies. We couldn’t.”

“Lorhime.”

“What is it?”

If Count Conte was responsible for the knights, Lorhime was the one responsible for the mages of the magic corps.

Lorhime had been friends with Count Conte since childhood, and their close bond had allowed them both to enter the magic corps.

“Viscount Russell, describe the magic you saw. Lorhime, can you confirm what kind of spells were used?”

“I can certainly listen, at least.”

Lorhime was on the verge of collapse. His voice was weak, and he leaned heavily against a tree.

Mage Lorhime had exhausted his mana casting powerful spells through concentrated mana, and his mental state was also at its limit from serving as the central axis of the operation.

“The first spell he used was lightning. A very small bolt of lightning…”

Viscount Russell’s explanation was detailed. Even Count Conte, who hadn’t been at the scene, could visualize what had happened.

Lorhime, a 6th-circle mage, easily identified the three spells used based on Viscount Russell’s explanation. The description was so precise that imagining the spells was not difficult.

“Chain Lightning, Wind Storm, and Fire Wall. Each is a 4th-circle, 5th-circle, and 4th-circle spell.”

“A 5th-circle spell… Lorhime, as far as I know, casting a 5th-circle spell with just a trigger word requires a 7th-circle mage, doesn’t it? I think I’ve heard that somewhere.”

“You’re right. Casting spells two circles lower without a full incantation is indeed possible. But this time, it’s different. It’s something called a delayed spell.”

Lorhime dismissed the possibility of a 7th-circle mage. The reason was simple: because he was a 7th-circle mage himself.

There were only three or four 7th-circle mages in the entire world. The odds of one just happening to be in the village they attacked? Almost zero.

Moreover, a 7th-circle mage wasn’t someone who could be killed even if swarmed by dozens of 4th or 3rd-level knights. Naturally, a 7th-circle Archmage had no reason to run away.

A 7th-circle Archmage was a being who could annihilate swarming knights in a matter of minutes.

“What’s a delayed spell?”

“It’s a technique where the spell is cast beforehand but set to activate after a certain period.”

In truth, while Lorhime had identified the spells, he couldn’t quite figure out who the mage was. So he ended up piecing things together to fit the outcome he observed.

“So, Wind Storm was actually the first spell cast?”

“Yes, exactly. Wind Storm was cast first, but the activation was delayed. Then Chain Lightning was cast, followed by the delayed Wind Storm, and finally, Fire Wall was used to block pursuit.”

Even though Lorhime had forced this conclusion, he was confident it was accurate. He believed any other mage in his position would reach the same conclusion.

“Really? I’ve never seen you cast spells in that manner.”

“Because I never have. I don’t know how. Delayed spells are a secret technique taught only in certain magic towers.”

“Then why would a mage like that be working as a mercenary?”

“Who knows? Maybe they came out to experience the world, or perhaps they were curious about the war. You’d have to ask them directly.”

Lorhime’s body grew even more languid. He was so exhausted that keeping his eyes open was becoming difficult.

“How large a pursuit team should we organize?”

“It’s better not to.”

“What are you talking about? The Empire never forgets a grudge. If we’ve been wronged, we must repay it.”

Even though there had been no deaths, there were many wounded. Count Conte’s pride wouldn’t allow him to let them go easily.

“The opponent is from a magic tower. Probably one of the Four Great Towers or a similarly large one. They’re too strong to engage out of anger.”

“Hmph. A magic tower. Do you think I’m afraid?”

“You might not be, but the Empire will be the one to suffer.”

“Damn it.”

Only after the Empire was mentioned did Count Conte manage to suppress his desire for revenge.

The Ingram Empire was still at war with the entire Thirteen Nations Alliance. Although the war was going in their favor, a prolonged conflict was never easy.

And to make enemies of the magic towers on top of that? It would be a disaster. The imperial family wouldn’t take kindly to such a situation if they were informed.

Hyung_Otaku2

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