Chapter 051. The Master of the Underground City (4)

This is a powerful annihilation magic from Beatrice, a strong candidate for the next archmage. The Lich shouted, not even considering evading it.

[ How dare you! How dare you cast an attack spell on me! ]

The Lich was furious.

Having forsaken human life and bearing the disgrace of being a filthy necromancer, it was quite humiliating for the Lich, who had worked hard to cast death upon this land, to be challenged by a mere spell.

However, the problem was that the magical power contained in the three orbs conjured by Beatrice was extraordinary. The Lich could not comprehend the current situation at all.

[ What on earth! ]

Drawing upon all its magical power to counter the spell, the Lich shouted as if it were sickened.

It was incomprehensible. A mere young mage had unleashed magic with such formidable strength...

"It's the power of love."

Even while staggering, Beatrice managed to say that. However, even if the Circle that gnawed at her heart was broken, her voice seemed to crawl away. It was quite amusing to see her glancing at Veris.

───Boom!

Finally, the wave of mana unleashed by the Lich collided with the three orbs.

The resulting noise and backlash were astonishing. It was not strange for someone untrained in mana to be swept away by it.

[ How dare you! How dare you! This is disgraceful! ]

The Lich successfully countered Beatrice's magic. However, one problem remained: it had also sacrificed an overwhelming amount of mana.

"How dare you say that?"

[ What? ]

The Lich shot a fierce glare at Veris, who was smirking beside Beatrice.

In truth, the ones who had broken their seal were merely two humans, and the Lich was celebrating that fact. But the strength of the two young ones was stronger than expected. One thing was certain: to the Lich, that human man appeared quite weak.

Of course, it was surprising that he had swiftly cut down several Death Knights using some strange trick. But the Lich was a being of a different caliber than a Death Knight.

[ Become my dark minion. ]

Since the mana loss was greater than expected, the Lich decided to participate in the battle directly. With its short muttering, a wave of power began, causing Beatrice to stagger and fall on her backside.

"Oof."

"Good job. You've done everything you could."

"...Can you manage alone?"

At Veris's encouragement, she turned her gaze to look around.

More than five Death Knights were glaring with their blue eyes. Moreover, their master, the Lich, was slowly approaching them, radiating fierce mana...

From Beatrice's perspective, she could only wait for this man with extraordinary power to resolve the situation.

"Ugh."

"Eek!"

Veris lifted Beatrice in a princess carry and pushed her between the buildings.

Beatrice grumbled in dissatisfaction at being shoved in like an object, but Veris ignored her complaints and completely tucked her away.

"Watch closely from there."

"...What?"

"The true power."

Veris turned his gaze forward.

Death Knights, Lich. Even one of them could bring a storm if unleashed upon the world. Of course, the most malicious among them was the Lich, the root of the seal.

It was truly enraged, exuding a visible type of killing intent.

[ How ridiculous you all are! I offered you the chance to become my dark minions! ]

"Skeleton."

[ You madman. Do you think this is the time to provoke me? ]

"Have you ever been cut down at the speed of light?"

[ ...What? ]

Seeing Veris maintain his relaxed demeanor until the end, the Lich stuttered.

After all, it would be more strange not to sense an unusual energy while observing Veris in this state.

What about the past heretical inquisitor? He was so perceptive that he returned to the Holy Kingdom without even needing to clash swords, keeping his life and body intact.

But unfortunately, this Lich was utterly lacking in perception. No, to put it coldly, even if it had a lot of perception, Veris had no intention of letting it go.

──────Vroom... Crack!

[ What, what did you say? ]

As Veris began to draw up mana, a surge of agitation flowed into the empty black eyes of the Lich.

A misjudgment.

The Lich's sin was not recognizing Veris's power, believing only in its own strength and considering him a mere lackey.

Veris's sword was already filled with mana exceeding its capacity.

Moreover, the power gathering even at this moment was growing, and seeing that, the Lich could only let out a dazed tone.

[ How could this... How? How did you acquire such power? ]

Having lived for many long years and being a necromancer powerful enough to be called a calamity, the Lich was well aware of how bizarre the events unfolding before its eyes were.

"Only through effort."

[ You madman! Is that power something that can be achieved through effort? Join me, and I will gift you this world! ]

As if sucking in the surrounding air, Veris continued to add mana to his sword.

The Lich, witnessing this phenomenon firsthand, hastily proposed peace.

"Gifting the world... Is that true?"

The Lich quickly answered Veris's question, seemingly thinking that his proposal had taken effect.

[ Of course! I am strong. And you are undoubtedly a strong one as well. If we combine our powers, summoning the Demon King... No, we could even become the Demon King ourselves! ]

In a tearfully desperate voice, the Lich spoke, but Veris shook his head.

Click.

Then, he raised his arm, and his middle finger shot up.

"I don't need it."

It was the moment when the 'candy' he had once directly taught Arwen reappeared in the world.

"I don't listen to the words of someone weaker than me."

[ Think carefully! If you live peacefully with that overwhelming power, wouldn't that be a waste! ]

────Crack! Crack!

The aura that the bald head of the other world had once displayed came to mind. Inspired by his power, Veris decided to give this attack a special name.

"Veris-style Aura."

──Zing! Crack!

"True Normal Hit."

────Flash!

* * *

The aftereffects of drawing mana to its limit finally appeared.

With Beatrice slumped over his broad back, she buried her face in his shoulder and asked.

"Veris-nim."

"Why?"

"Why have you been so kind to me?"

"Have I been kind?"

"Yes."

After Beatrice's short reply, there was a pause in their conversation.

Beatrice simply wept quietly, her face buried in his shoulder.

Her tears were filled with countless emotions.

The relief of having safely returned after encountering Death Knights and a Lich in the sealed facility of the Age of Magic.

The regret of having her Circle, which she had trained in the Magic Tower for a lifetime, shattered.

The foolishness of having completely forgotten the existence she had longed for and even thinking that he disliked her.

Yet, the guilt for his kindness in not forgetting her and reaching out first.

Though her heart should have felt relieved, it was strangely aching in one corner. The girl who had devoted her life to magic still did not know what that feeling was.

Time passed quickly.

Having emerged from the dungeon, Beatrice recovered from her mana exhaustion under Gunther's protection during a short period of rest.

As she was the representative of the Magic Tower, it was none other than the dean who prevented any ominous rumors from spreading. He seemed to be in a good mood, perhaps unaware of Veris's intention to hand over the artifact to Beatrice.

Upon seeing Veris return, Arwen and Cecilia acted unusually clingy. Thanks to their sighs of relief, Veris felt good.

Maria seemed to have decided to stay in the mansion, as she had been there ever since Veris returned. Occasionally, her guardian, Lady Hedel, would come by and let out a faint sigh.

Having awakened from a long slumber, Beatrice moved without delay.

Receiving the Stone of Truth from Veris, she decided to return to the Magic Tower.

Thus... the current Veris was facing her at the northern gate of the academy. Just as the academy's journey had been conducted in secrecy, so too was her return.

Only Veris, Arwen, Cecilia, Maria, and Gunther were present at her farewell ceremony.

"...Thank you."

Thanks to the few days, Beatrice, who had fully recovered, bowed her head and greeted Veris.

Naturally, those present could only look on in astonishment. Beatrice, who had been extremely clumsy in expressing emotions and had a negative attitude in every word, was now showing such a different side after returning from the underground dungeon and recovering from mana exhaustion.

"Thank you, but I was able to make quicker and more accurate judgments because of you, Beatrice."

At Veris's playful remark, Beatrice smiled brightly.

On her white cheeks, contrasting with her black hair, a mysterious fever bloomed.

As she mulled over Veris's response, she soon looked down at the box she was holding.

The artifact, the Stone of Truth. A relic from the past, ordered by the royal family to be transported from the academy to the Magic Tower.

Clack.

As she opened the lid, a cute little stone caught Beatrice's eye. In fact, what she had desired most from this academy trip was only this Stone of Truth.

...However, she had gained something much larger and greater than that.

Unfortunately, it was too embarrassing for her to articulate what it was...

Thud.

Now, it was truly time to leave. Beatrice knew this better than anyone, so she grasped the stone in her hand.

It was a stone that felt completely devoid of sensation. But Beatrice, who knew that its power was real, lifted her gaze to meet Veris's.

"──Thank you. Really. I realized that you haven't forgotten me. So I'll say it. I like you. From the moment I first saw you as a child... until now. No, even in the future. I have always felt this way. I've finally been honest with myself."

At Beatrice's sudden confession, everyone stared at her in a daze.

Was she saying what she intended, or was it merely the power of the Stone of Truth she held?

It was uncertain.

Turning her body, Beatrice climbed into the carriage.

When she would see him again was unknown... but for some reason, Veris felt it wouldn't take long.

It was a day when the hot sun shone down.

Thus, summer began.