A presence in heavy full plate armor spoke, glistening through the gaps in its helmet. The pronunciation was relatively clear, but its voice was alien for a human.
[You’re not leaving the prince behind?]
‘An undead knight from the First Army!’
As Simon deflected the opponent’s sword with the lich’s staff, he simultaneously kicked at the helmet. However, before his foot could reach it, the opponent vanished like a wisp and moved directly in front of the Crown Prince.
[Die.]
At the moment his sword was about to slash the Crown Prince.
Simon pushed himself back with a burst of ‘Coral Flash’ from the end of his staff, using the momentum to deliver a powerful kick.
Thud!
This time, he successfully kicked the helmet. The undead staggered back, and Simon lightly landed on the ground.
‘Did I just block that?’
Simon’s gaze sharpened.
The undead knight stood before him with one hand raised in front of its helmet, laughing eerily.
[I am the loyal servant of the emperor and the fifth sword of the empire.]
At his signal, a group of similarly armored undead surged from the darkness, taking up combat stances.
[I am Gilly, the commander of the Knight Brigade.]
‘……A classic knight brigade in the age of necromancers.’
Simon rolled his eyes with a tense expression, aiming the lich’s staff.
‘It seems that this Gilly has some awareness, is it an ancient undead?’
[Hehe! No way!]
A Clone of Pier attached to Simon’s collar spoke.
[Hail has planted a murky idea in the heads of the dead.]
‘What do you mean by murky?’
[Whatever method it is, it appears to have artificially granted them awareness. That’s the identity of the undead from the First Army, speaking in an emotional manner! Even the zombies I’ve seen recently can talk!]
Thud!
Crack!
The undead knights lowered their stances, preparing to charge. At the appearance of pursuers, the Crown Prince’s expression had already fallen into despair.
Simon opened the space again and deployed the pre-prepared magic circle.
He wanted to fight as a coral lich without being exposed to the continent, but there were too many opponents. If so, he needed to pull out a powerful card that left fewer traces.
“It’s your turn.”
Boom!
With a heavy rumble, a massive undead sprang out from the space.
[I understand sorrow.]
Wearing a disguise, he drew a magic sword from his back.
[Hmmm, what is this? Why does it feel so nostalgic?]
Gilly scratched his head but couldn’t remember who it was as he soon raised his head.
[That’s enough. Bring the prince and cut down anything that obstructs.]
Whoosh!
The Knight Brigade began to move. Encircled by darkness, the charging knights truly resembled the honorable knights of their era.
“Let’s begin.”
Thus, Manus, holding a proper stance, stepped forward and swung his magic sword.
<Imperial Swordsmanship – Juncheon (濬川)>
Manus’s magic sword glimmered, drawing countless lines in the air. The armor of the rushing knights was brutally torn apart.
[$@%!]
The knights, shocked to see Manus using Imperial swordsmanship, soon focused their attacks on him.
Clang! Clang!
Manus dodged the incoming swords with ease and counterattacked in succession. Each of his movements exuded confidence.
The undead knights rushed from all directions, trying to overpower him, but Manus absorbed the blows with a solid defensive stance and violently pushed back, sending them flying.
‘Good, he’s making the most of the Dullahan’s body!’
As Simon guarded the Crown Prince, one knight charged at him. Just as Simon aimed his staff to respond.
Swoosh!
A slash erupted from Manus and beheaded that knight. Simon chuckled awkwardly, resting the staff on his shoulder.
‘Is he trying to make me not have to deal with it at all?’
Manus leaped, breaking through the center of the knight brigade.
[Return to ashes.]
With the might of a lion charging into a pack, he dominated numerous knights with his overwhelming strength and superior swordsmanship.
Meanwhile, Gilly, who had been watching silently from the back, spoke quietly.
[Form a pass.]
Whoosh!
The formation of the knights shifted. It looked like they were preparing their mouths like prey before their meals, and an enraged Manus went charging straight ahead.
[In the face of strong opponents, conceal your honor for a moment. Combine assaults.]
Boom!
The knights began to surround and swing their swords with combined attacks. Flashing blades danced beautifully in the darkness, coming together and then scattering again in a stunning display.
With that exquisite combination attack, Manus began to get cut all around his body.
Boom!
Finally, as a blade pierced his leg, Manus went down on one knee.
Slash!
Swish!
He was slashed across his back and shoulders in succession.
‘This is dangerous! They’ve cut deep!’
Just when Simon was about to summon the coral liches to intervene.
Whooooooo!
The magic sword in Manus’s hand began to resonate loudly.
[I never thought I would acknowledge the dead as something other than a human!]
The magic sword that had been silent up until now spoke.
[Very well. I, the magic sword Meris, shall draw out your true worth!]
Boom!
A gloomy gray light surged from the magic sword.
As Manus swung the sword while drawing in this gray power toward the incoming knights, it ripped through even the defenses and armor of the knights in their defensive stances.
Gilly, who was watching, flinched, and Simon opened his eyes wide.
Swoosh—
Swoosh—
The situation transformed drastically.
Even the bodies of the knights directly cut by the magic sword began to shimmer with that gray light and began to resonate with the magic sword. Simon’s eyes widened.
‘Is this a new ability of the magic sword?’
Manus raised the magic sword. Before long, gray light rippled over his body, and his gaze began to change.
[I understand sorrow.]
The unsteady pitch of his voice changed.
It transformed into a smooth and gentle voice like that of a human.
[Therefore, I act.]
Kugugugugu!
Finally, after a long time, Manus fully awakened.
Looking at that scene with interest, Gilly said.
[Yes, yes! Now I remember! You’re that Swordmaster Manus, weren’t you part of our side!]
[I am not Manus.]
He slowly took a stance with the sword.
[The ‘awareness’ ⴆœⴃ newly born from Manus’s body.]
His mouth opened.
[I am Rakum (Dirge).]
At last, a completely new existence had opened its eyes from Manus’s remains.