CHAPTER 11.
I Entered a Class A Gate

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Nine Blue Knights, two Red Knights, twenty-eight White Knights, and nineteen support soldiers. A total of fifty-eight people passed through the ballroom and entered the cave.

The cave that appeared when chandeliers began to fall was the entrance to the actual defensive line. The colossal twin demons that had caused chaos at the ball were also monsters that appeared through this cave.

Over time, the cave walls would crumble, and the defense line would also become part of the cave.

By then, not only the unarmed nobles but also the knights with weapons would not be guaranteed survival. Before that, their goal was to eliminate the Quamad and completely seal this place.

“When will the other Blue Knights arrive?”

One of the support soldiers asked the White Knight next to him. It would have been better to ask a Blue Knight directly, but they were walking at the forefront, preparing for a confrontation.

Although it was impolite for the man to refer to them as ‘Blue Knights,’ it was the right question. Even the White Knight, who habitually narrowed his eyes, had no choice but to rely on the Blue Knights today.

“If we’re lucky, it will take about a week. If we’re unlucky, it could take a month.”

“D-Does it really take that long?”

“During a border attack, not even the Emperor’s order can bring the Blue Knights. For now, we can only hope that they will close other boundaries and return.”

Once inside the boundary, it was impossible to escape unless the boundary naturally disappeared or the source of magic, the Quamads, died. Occasionally, it was said that they could enter and leave by controlling magic through the magic stones, but that story was limited to minor boundaries. In other words, in most cases, there were significant restrictions on entering and exiting boundaries.

It was not much different for the Blue Knights, who awakened Hex power. So, the only option was to pray for the Blue Knights to conquer the boundary they were attacking and return for salvation.

Or wait for support from the Red Knights dispatched to the ‘unclosed boundary.’

“Still, it’s fortunate that we have Sir Emmett and Sir Raiden. Their abilities are among the best among witches’ descendants, aren’t they?”

A middle-aged man who had been quietly listening to their conversation spoke softly.

The majority of the Blue Knights were descendants of witches, but among them, Emmett and Raiden were special. Both were able to manipulate Hex and had strong immunity to black magic.

Emmett specialized in swordsmanship and Raiden in defensive tactics, but they both shared the ability to construct powerful Hex constructs.

So, when Emmett and Raiden were together in the First Division, there were no casualties for a while, earning it the title of the ‘Year of Miracles.’

“Doesn’t the Second Division have Sir Brody too? The one who can control the spirits of demons.”

The white knight nodded at the support soldier’s excited words.

Captain Brody Toerkhant, who commanded the Second Division, was a descendant of Olivia Toerkhant, who was accused of using dark magic to seduce married men and was executed.

Later, during the Witch Trial Investigation Committee, it was revealed that her ability was not controlling people but manipulating demons. The accusation of her being a witch was merely a mockery by a married man who simply wanted to hide a s*xual assault.

Brody awakened Olivia Toerkhant’s ability. He was able to control the spirits of demons with Hex.

Although it only lasted for as long as ten minutes and as short as a few seconds, within that time, he was able to launch attacks and displayed excellent results in lower-level fights.

“Sir Kevin is also here. I heard he recently joined but has the ability to resurrect corpses.”

The middle-aged noble whispered to the people in a very low voice. The other Blue Knights might not have heard it, but unfortunately, Kevin, with his sharp ears, heard it clearly.

“It’s not about resurrecting corpses. It’s about making them move for a while.”

When Kevin spoke with an irritated voice, another Blue Knight next to him tapped his shoulder, reminding him not to get annoyed with civilians.

As he had mentioned, Kevin’s ability was only to momentarily control the deceased, not to control dead monsters or humans.

For some reason, the stronger the black magic, the more effective the ability became. Based on his experience, Kevin could freely control a corpse for about 15 minutes in high-level fights.

It was an ability that made people cheer, but Kevin always hated his own ability. It was not about controlling dead monsters or people, but about manipulating the bodies of the dead.

What is this, if not black magic, which was condemned at the height of the witch trials?

Although boundaries emerged and people began praising the witches’s abilities, he felt uneasy as his abilities seemed to create ghosts.

‘A necromancer.’

Rosé, who was silently listening, opened her mouth in surprise. It was a common theme in fantasy novels and often appeared as a rare ability.

Although he hated it, if he became a little more skilled, he might show remarkable feats like other protagonists.

Emmett, who had almost defeated an A-Tier demon with just one sword, and Raiden, who showed incredible resilience. And now, in addition to those two, Brody, the mind manipulator, and the necromancer, Kevin.

‘Can I just stay still, then?’

The corners of Rosé’s mouth slightly lifted.

“Stop.”

At that moment, Emmett raised his hand, and the people following him came to a halt. Raiden turned around and showed the signal they agreed upon during the tactical meeting.

‘Enemy demon, 100 Nirono (meters) ahead.’

The people tensed up and tightened their grip on their swords. It happened when a small sweat drop rolled down from one of the support soldiers who was holding a small pole. The silence was broken, and a sound could be heard.

Sssss…

Sss… swoosh…

Sssssssssh…

The knights frowned at the unbelievable sight. The two fearsome two-headed beasts, which had turned the dance floor into chaos, were entangled with each other.

In the midst of it all, Manny wiped the corner of his mouth with his hand in embarrassment. To him, it was not an unfamiliar sight, as he had raised a pet snake back home.

“That… it seems like they’re mating.”

Everyone made a face of disbelief.

“Their bodies are blocking the passage, making it impossible to enter without a fight.”

The faces of the White Knights turned pale at the words of a young knight. Even just a dozen at the ball had been overwhelming, let alone dozens more.

At least fifty two-headed beasts stood before them, visible in the narrow cave. The moment they let their guard down, everyone’s lives would be in danger.

Emmett looked troubled. He estimated that the black magic at the ball was around Level 3.

He could handle them alone, but the problem was that they were in a narrow cave formed of stone and mud.

A careless swing of his sword could cause the cave to collapse and injure people. It required cautious movements.

“Brody, how long can you hold them?”

“I can only hold them for five minutes, there are too many.”

Emmett gestured to the people, indicating his plan. Raiden, who raised his head, stood in front of the support troops and raised his shield.

After a moment, Raiden’s shield was enveloped in red smoke. It was his unique hex. He had opened up the hex to protect the White Knights and reinforcements in the rear.

“Brody.”

At Emmett’s call, Brody swallowed his saliva and took a step forward. To control the monsters, he needed to be as close as possible to them. Taking five more steps, Brody drew a symbol in the air.

That’s when it happened. One of the two-headed beasts sensed the danger and roared with its mouth wide open. Beads of sweat trickled down Brody’s forehead.

“Damn it, just a bit more.”

Brody focused on drawing the symbol. To amplify the hex, he needed the formula taught by Ellinia. Meanwhile, the two-headed beasts charged toward Brody, screaming.

Hwaruruk!

At that moment, a yellow light emanated from the symbol. It was complete. If they’re lucky, it could last up to five minutes. If they’re unlucky, it wouldn’t last more than a minute. Before that happened, Emmett needed to assess the situation.

In response to Brody’s signal, Emmett tightened his grip on his sword. Then he leaped forward, heading towards the two-headed beasts.

He aimed for the smallest trajectory, delivering the quickest strike.

Emmett’s hex-empowered blade, now shining blue, struck the bodies of the two-headed beasts, which were as hard as a solid rock. Crack! Blood splattered against the cave wall like a whip cracking in the air.

Kiiiii!

But a variable arose. Brody’s formula was fading due to the massive amount of magic. One by one, out-of-control, two-headed beasts rushed at Emmett. There were twenty-one two-headed beasts left.

Drawing a blue trajectory, Emmett slit the two-headed beasts’ throats. Twenty, nineteen, eighteen…

Kraaaaa!

A two-headed beast swung its tail at him. It was a poisonous stinger. Emmett stepped on the two-headed beast’s torso, jumping up to avoid the stinger.

Damn it. Emmett cursed. The problem wasn’t the number of targets but the terrain. If he swung his hex too much, the walls would collapse. He needed a different approach.

“Brody, catch!”

With narrowed eyes, Brody caught the sword Emmett threw. No way, Commander…? Before he could stop him, Emmett punched a two-headed beast running towards them.

Pwooosh!

“Unbelievable.”

“I heard rumors, but this is real…”

“He’s a monster.”

The rumors that he could handle a low- to mid-level defense alone seemed to be more than just rumors.

The White Knights turned pale at the sight of two-headed beasts being blown away with a single punch. That wasn’t a joke, it really was a monster.

Rosé also lifted her magpie feet among the onlookers and saw Emmett. There used to be fifty heads alone, but now there are only five left.

But Emmett’s fist seemed to be covered in bloodstains, yet it looked intact. Now that she looked closely, he was not a gladiator but a fighter.

Pwooosh! Puck! Pwooosh!

Four, three, two. When only one was left, the two-headed beast climbed the wall and aimed at Emmett’s head. Emmett quickly rolled forward to avoid it, but as the heavy serpent’s head hit the wall, the entire cave vibrated.

The two-headed beast crawled on the floor again and charged towards Emmett. Emmett waited for it while controlling his breathing.

He couldn’t hit the cave wall anymore. When the approaching creature opened its mouth wide, he was ready to grab its tongue and immobilize it.

But then, at that moment.

“Ah!”

“Look over there!”

“A black cloak?”

When people’s voices rose like a three-part harmony, Emmett’s vision caught a glimpse of a black cloak dashing towards the serpent. And she wasn’t even holding any weapons in her hand.

Emmett’s eyebrows twitched. She couldn’t possibly be using those tiny hands…….

“Wow! I can’t believe it!”

“Did you just see that?”

“What just happened?”

The serpent, which had been opening its mouth wide towards Emmett, turned into dust. Rosé finished her movements and casually brushed off her hand.

Though she was wiping off the cum, in the eyes of the people, she only appeared as a hero who defeated the monster with a single finger.

Brody, who witnessed that miraculous sight up close, lost his words and blinked his eyes. He had only reached out and grabbed the tail. But then the serpent turned into dust in an instant.

Overwhelmed with shock, Brody sat down on the floor. Ever since Emmett crushed the snakes with his fists, he had already lost his mind.