Chapter 73. The Barrier of Elmon

Pretending to be tough and acting like they had no hangovers, the three heroes revealed their true selves as soon as Ionia caught them. They groaned, holding their heads with one hand, complained about their splitting headaches, and sat enduring their headaches as if their souls had left their bodies.

Tsk tsk. Pathetic creatures.

To think these guys saved the world…

I suddenly wondered if there really was no correlation between strength and a person’s maturity.

Anyway, as soon as Faye brought the potions, they rushed to gulp them down eagerly.

And once they felt better, we set off on our journey.

That’s right.

We were now outside the outer walls of Elmon.

“This is the boundary of the barrier…”

I muttered softly as I looked at the dry meadow with patches of snow.

According to Ionia’s explanation, the barrier surrounding Elmon was composed of three layers. The undead presence was detected in the outermost barrier, and it was said to be the presence of a low-level ghoul.

Having heard the detailed circumstances, I judged that the situation wasn’t too severe. Of course, this was in comparison to other undead appearances.

However, you never know when a small spark might turn into a wildfire. The detection of an evil presence, even in a minuscule amount after being dormant for over ten years, was a situation that required close monitoring.

“Making a fuss over ghouls.”

Claude snorted.

From his perspective, where high-level undead were teeming in his front yard, it must have seemed utterly ridiculous.

But that’s the North, and this is the heart of the Empire.

“You should compare like with like.”

Johann scoffed, raising one corner of his mouth mockingly.

I had somewhat adapted by now. Unless the three heroes were kept apart, they clashed over every conversation like this.

“From the outside, it’s hard to tell where the barrier is.”

Ignoring the growling Johann and Claude, I turned around. There stood Ionia and Jesuf.

The question wasn’t directed at anyone in particular. I was simply curious and hoped either of them would answer.

Jesuf, grasping the hilt of his sword, spoke up.

“Let me show you.”

He then walked past me, elegantly drawing his sword.

“Wow.”

What an impressive back view.

I couldn’t help but let out a gasp of admiration.

I had momentarily forgotten, but Jesuf was quite remarkable. In the original work, his impressive exploits were condensed because he was a supporting character, but he was undeniably the Emperor’s right-hand man.

With that level of skill, naturally…

“Binding of the Wind.”

It meant he was an enchanter.

Whoosh…!

A gentle light glimmered on Jesuf’s sword.

Centered around it, a tremendous wind swept up, tearing the dry grass and sucking it into the whirlwind. As the mana-laden wind reached somewhere, sparks began to crackle in midair.

You could truly feel how extraordinary supporting characters were in this world.

“Jesuf, you’re truly amazing…”

I wasn’t sure if my voice reached him. I just clasped my hands and offered genuine admiration.

The sight of sparks crackling in the empty air was truly spectacular. It was, well, like magic.

Then Jesuf sheathed his sword, withdrawing his power.

Clang.

Even the final motion was precise and very impressive. It was rather annoying when he was strict during training, but from a step back, it looked quite splendid.

No doubt, my eyes were probably sparkling with admiration right now.

“Ha.”

Then, somewhere, a small chuckle was heard.

I turned my head to see the face of the person laughing out of nowhere. It was Mihail.

“With the same eyes I look at Miss Sera, Miss Sera looks at another guy.”

“……?”

What are you talking about, you crazy guy?

I was so taken aback that I was at a loss for words. Hearing something like that out of the blue would leave anyone speechless, not just me.

“If you’re curious about the shape of the barrier, Marseus will show you all at once.”

Then Johann pushed Mihail aside and stepped forward. Mihail, who was pushed to the side, smiled with a very angry face.

Personally, that expression is scarier than I thought.

It’s the kind of expression that makes you think he’ll really explode if you push the wrong button…

“Instead of just blabbering, why don’t you show it right away?”

Then Claude drew his sword.

“Whisper of Calamity.”

“……!”

I flinched in surprise.

You crazy guy! How can you suddenly unleash an enchantment!

Whoosh!

Red spikes like drills erupted from the ground.

“Bastard of Light Speed.”

Swoosh!

And then Johann’s enchantment followed, creating a fierce wind that suppressed the red spike-like energy from rising further.

“Is this a challenge?”

“It might be good to erase the stigma of a draw this time.”

Johann sneered slyly.

Goodness…

Why are they suddenly doing this?

“You two, stop it immediately.”

Sensing the seriousness of the situation, Ionia intervened. But the two men, already fueled by competitiveness, seemed unable to hear anything else.

What started as simple curiosity about the barrier’s location was now threatening to destroy it.

“Uh, do something!”

I pleaded with Mihail, the strongest among the spectators.

He chuckled softly and extended his hand to me. It was a very elegant gesture, reminiscent of a dance invitation to a partner at a ball.

“…Sir Andantino, at this rate, the barrier will collapse.”

This is not the time for jokes.

This is not the time to be obsessing over hands leisurely!

“Don’t worry, Miss Sera. It’s not a barrier that can be broken by such weaklings.”

“……”

There was no point in trying to communicate.

With a sense of resignation, I took the hand he offered.

Then Mihail led me somewhere, outside the barrier that occasionally sparked.

“Where are we going?”

“Instead of wasting time with those idiots, I’m going to do something more useful.”

Mihail smiled brightly.

Then he stood facing me directly, holding both of my hands tightly. Looking straight into his deep lake-like turquoise eyes, I felt a strange sensation.

How should I put it?

It felt like a worm was wriggling inside my heart.

This is all Mihail’s fault.

Standing face to face like this, holding hands, it felt like we were making some kind of vow.

“It’s enchanting.”

A sweet voice flowed from his lips.

For some reason, I felt my breath getting hotter, so I turned my head away.

Boom! Boom!

“……”

And there, just outside the barrier, were Claude and Johann, whose heads were filled with nothing but pride.

“Let’s settle who’s stronger today.”

“Let’s bet on who can catch more undead.”

Why do they keep coming this way?

It’s dangerous.

I shrank back, my heart pounding like a bean. Unconsciously, I gripped Mihail’s hand tighter.

Mihail let out a small, breathy laugh.

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you, Miss Sera.”

“……?”

What’s gotten into you?

Weren’t you the one tossing her right into the durahan army?

I looked at him with distrustful eyes, but Mihail seemed unfazed.

He slowly lowered himself, still holding my hands. As a result, I ended up sitting down as well.

“Now, follow me.”

“……?”

“The blessing of the noble light.”

“……Is this a new spell?”

I asked, feeling seriously grounded.

The three heroes each put me through different training, but as a purifier, I took purification training most seriously.

Of course, the other two were helpful as well…

“The light of purification will spread widely and offset the energy of the undead.”

I nodded at Mihail’s explanation.

I closed my eyes and placed my hands on the frozen ground. Then I recited the spell Mihail had just taught me.

“The blessing of the noble…”

The surrounding noise faded away, and my mind focused on one point.

“Light.”

At that moment, pure energy flowed from my hands, spreading deep into the ground and across the wide plain’s grass.

Saaah…!

It felt as if the earth was being enveloped by the aura of heaven.

“Ah, Miss Sera…”

Beside me, Mihail murmured in an enraptured voice.

Before I knew it, Johann and Claude had stopped their wasteful contest and were staring at the astonishing scene in a trance. The same went for Ionia and Jesuf.

Their expressions, which briefly caught my eye, seemed almost reverent.

* * *

Inside a cave far from Elmon’s barrier.

“Huff, huff…”

Rough breathing echoed through the damp air. A man clad in tattered robes muttered, sweating coldly.

“That was close. Of all times, all three of them were gathered there.”

He needed to strike the heart of the continent, Elmon.

He had only tested it a little, but the response was like this. Just as he knew the importance of Elmon, they seemed to as well.

Even so, he never dreamed that all three heroes would come out in full force against ghouls.

“Elmon is too much, Elmon is still too much…”

He muttered, rocking his body back and forth as if chanting a spell.

“But what is that purifier? She’s a hindrance. More of a hindrance than the three heroes…”

The sound of grinding teeth echoed chillingly in the cave.

Soon, ominous eyes glimmered beneath the deeply pulled hood.

“I need to get rid of her first.”