Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 323

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 323 – War Begins

The road was rugged, and it was easy to see why even Warren’s organized pursuers were struggling.

Trees grew on the steep, mountainous terrain, and they often had to cross entire mountains just to advance a few dozen meters.

A full day had passed since they left Klyphoth.

Gradually, the surrounding scenery began to resemble the region seen on the map.

“Dragon… man… we… resent…”

Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice echoed in Ain’s mind.

It was the same mysterious voice that had entered his mind the other day.

“Ah, something’s here.”

Ain said as they emerged into a small, basin-like area.

The area resembled a dried-up riverbed, but the others couldn’t see anything.

Chris scanned the surroundings intently, but Dill couldn’t help but ask what was going on.

“When you say ‘there is something,’ what exactly is there, and where?”

“Something strong, maybe? I sensed it beneath the ground.”

“Understood. It would be rude to ask how you know. I’ll hurry and alert everyone to be on guard.”

“Mm. Okay.”

The knights Ain brought were Ishtalika’s highest-ranking.

His personal knight order, the Black Knights, as well as numerous Royal Knights. Beside him stood Chris, the captain of the royal knights.

Though this was a full-strength formation, Ain had little intention of relying on them personally.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust them. It stemmed from his conviction that he must settle this himself.

Seeing his grim expression, Chris spoke.

“If that second wife is present, I will take her head—”

“Thanks. But I’ve already been spoiled enough. I’ll settle this myself.”

“…Are you sure you’ll be fine?”

“Um, fine about what?”

“No matter how much trouble she’s caused, she’s still a woman. If it pains your heart, Ain-sama, I’ll handle the dirty work.”

“I appreciate you saying that, but—”

He was about to say that such concern was unnecessary.

“I’m saying this above all for your sake, Ain-sama. But you understand, don’t you? This is also for Ishtalika’s sake. If Ain-sama were to suffer heartache…”

She was probably concerned that it might hinder future plans.

However, Ain flashed a bright smile.

“Then it’s the opposite. If I don’t settle this myself, I’ll regret it later.”

“…Understood. I’ll be right by your side, supporting you, Ain-sama.”

“Yeah. That makes me feel like I can do it.”

With a light chuckle in reply, Ain slowly drew his sword.

Simultaneously,

“Royal Knights! Prepare for an assault!”

Dill’s command echoed throughout the area.

Actually, Ain had said it before reaching this place that this would become a battlefield.

The basin was surrounded. It was obvious that it was a trap, a region designed to lure them in. Yet, Ain still decided to come here.

He was grateful for his brave comrades who followed him and was determined to end this once and for all.

Shortly after Dill’s command,

Attacks came from magic stone cannons fired from the high ground and behind the trees.

“The captured magical weapons…huh?”

“Yeah, I think so too. At this rate, the enemy won’t reduce their forces, so Camilla and the others probably won’t come out.”

Incidentally, all of these weapons belonged to the Ishtalika military.

They were captured from Klyphoth just a short while ago.

Ain showed no signs of flinching whatsoever in response to Chris’ voice. Soon, the orb-shaped magic tools hurled by the Royal Knights exploded in midair.

They countered the radial attack of the magic stone cannon by deploying a thin, membrane-like barrier.

These were defensive measures against magic stone cannons.

Initially developed as countermeasures, they were designed to anticipate coups or seizures like this one.

“With the Black Knight leading the charge, the assault force will eliminate the enemy—”

“Hold.”

“A-Ain-sama…!”

“I won’t let them fire a second time, so it’s fine.”

Dill, standing behind him, looked bewildered. In contrast, Chris stood beside him and calmly watched Ain.

While everyone froze, the enemy fired a second volley from the magic stone cannon.

“W-we’ll be hit!”

“I misspoke. I’ll let them fire, but I won’t let it reach us.”

The instant he finished speaking, the sunlight vanished from the surroundings.

To be precise, something blocked it, preventing the bright light from reaching the area.

That something was a black sun that appeared in the sky above the basin, overlooking everything. It was a massive, jet-black mass that was crimson-black and crackled like purple lightning.

“That is… the torrent of Ain-sama’s power…”

Dill, seeing it for the first time, was astonished.

Chris, having seen it before in the Demon Lord’s Castle, wasn’t as shocked.

Still, everyone, including the Black Knights, were on the verge of being knocked off their feet by its overwhelming presence.

The reason for preventing the magic stone cannon from reaching its target was revealed.

“No way… that’s impossible!”

“Amazing! This is incredible!” 

“Haha! It looks like the magic stone’s power is being absorbed!”

“It’s His Highness’s doing!”

The knights cheered, their gazes fixed on the magic stone cannons that had been reduced to mere pebbles, stripped of their light.

Magic stone cannons primarily utilize the magic power residing within the stones.

The faintly shimmering glow of magic power was drawn like a thread and sucked into the jet-black mass.

From numerous hiding spots, robed figures and Knights of Heim emerged, unable to contain their surprise.

“That power… I think it’s incredibly unfair.”

“Huh? Why do you think that, Chris?”

Ain chuckled softly.

“Because it can absorb magic just by being nearby. That means it could absorb mine, too, even while standing here. There’s no chance of winning at all…”

The dissatisfied girl had knightly pride.

It wasn’t wrong for the one she cared for to be strong; she just had the pride born from living as a knight all this time.

Then, Ain defiantly raised the corners of his mouth.

“If I’m going to absorb it, I’ll take Chris’ directly.”

Depending on how you heard it, it was a bold statement.

As he declared it, Ain’s expression was somehow wild, more masculine than usual.

Chris’ cheeks flushed bright red in an instant, but she sensed the reason behind his unusual words and aura.

“So this is Ain-sama, the Demon Lord Ain, right?”

He was raging; his mind was probably flooded with endorphins.

This slightly bolder version of Ain was actually refreshing and not bad at all.

Ain swept his bangs aside and exhaled.

“There are those unworthy to tread upon our land. They are our enemies who prey on the people and bring much calamity.”

He began walking, his voice commanding.

Like thunder, magical power descended from the pitch-black mass and enveloped Ain’s entire body in a dark haze. When the haze cleared, Ain’s attire was dyed black, and he wore jet-black gauntlets on both arms.

“I shall bring an end to the undead who dare defile the silver of Ishtalika! Those who can charge across the battlefield with me, raise your voices!”

Everyone roared in what sounded like cheers and advanced forward, following Crown Prince Ain.

Despite the enemy holding the better ground, the difference in morale was overwhelming. Had they been lured onto the battlefield themselves? Many of the enemy trembled.

Soon, the knights who overtook Ain triggered a charge forward, and this entire basin became a battlefield.

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