(EP-285.2) King #4

285 – Bandit King #4

“How terrifying.”

━Should a self-proclaimed mage struggle with a mere Rank 4 magic?

“That was a Rank 4 magic just now?”

When I asked in slight surprise, Tefer chuckled softly.

━It’s too early to be shocked. Let me teach you something, fairy mage. What it means to be an archmage who has surpassed the 5th Rank.

* * *

Battles between mages were a series of one-hit kills.

You could describe it as a contest of deadly blows, each one meant to decisively defeat the opponent.

Naturally, the mage with the stronger power and higher level would emerge victorious in such a battle.

─Heavenly Whirlwind Storm!

I chanted and unleashed a spell that could be considered one of my special moves. With that, a blade-like wind, which had torn through many monsters and enemies before, was hurtled toward the seemingly frail mage.

Whoooosh-!

Yet, Tefer remained calm.

━For a magic that has surpassed the 5th Rank, its power is low. Such a complex spell, yet the destructive potential is disappointingly weak… If it were me, I would do it like this.

Ttak-.

With a mere snap of her fingers, my whirlwind was engulfed by an even larger vortex, roaring violently in all directions.

Kwaaaaaa-!

The vortex quickly grew to a size that seemed capable of swallowing the entire dungeon, making it look like a natural disaster.

It was as if Tefer could read my thoughts.

━Yes, a Rank 5 great magic and beyond is a disaster. It’s an overwhelming force of nature that ordinary people can’t even muster the will to resist.

“That’s brutal…!”

I had to firmly plant my feet on the ground and chant a Mana Shield to avoid being swept away by the wind.

How many of my shields had been shattered so far?

What was certain was that if this exchange continued, I would soon run out of mana.

Meanwhile, Tefer continued to recklessly unleash great magic as if her reservoirs were endless, which felt rather unfair.

Or perhaps they weren’t endless after all? The magic orb she had initially created was noticeably smaller now, and its light had dimmed.

Huwaaah-. As the wind finally subsided, I saw Tefer on the other side, leisurely twisting her lips.

━I see. You deliberately weakened the power. Adding a complex formula only to reduce the mana and power. Why? Did you dare to pity me, Solomon?

Unfurling my crouched body, I responded confidently to her question.

“I’m adjusting the power because I need to take Tefer-yang back safely, idiot! You didn’t even realize that?”

━Idiot? It’s amusing how ignorance can be so entertaining. The ones making foolish efforts here are you lot. This woman will not be returning with you. Not a chance.

“What do you mean?”

Feigning interest in the conversation to buy time, I gathered my mana. However, the self-proclaimed Solomon seemed to have seen through my intent.

━So, you plan to gather mana while continuing the conversation?

Her perceptiveness was annoyingly sharp…

━But it doesn’t matter. Even if an ant cleans its antennae, could it possibly take on a falcon? Thus, I shall tell you. This woman, Tefer, has offered herself to me.

“What!?”

Those words rang quite loudly in my ears.

Tefer, the pride of the White Mage Tower, chose that strange crown of her own free will? She wasn’t being controlled by it?

━A so-called genius, but ultimately just a foolish girl. Caught between the attention of others and her perfectly sculpted image, she chose me to elevate her abilities. It was the wisest decision.

“So you’re saying that Tefer-yang came to the bandit’s den and willingly put on the crown?”

━Exactly. It was Tefer herself who took the crown from its confinement in the White Mage Tower. Yet, you intend to take her back to the world that felt like a prison to her?

This was something I hadn’t known.

Perhaps, as he said, Tefer—feeling the crushing weight of attention, responsibility, and expectations—resorted to taboo.

The minds of mages did tend to be quite delicate, after all…

Did Tower Master Dolches know about this?

No, that didn’t matter.

What was important right now was not the sequence of events, but how to deal with him.

I needed magic that can neutralize, not kill.

“…….”

None of the magic I currently possessed seemed to work against such an opponent.

Still, I felt a surge of confidence that I could craft a highly effective spell if I started creating it now.

“Lady Narmi, Stella-nim, could you perhaps buy me some time? Five minutes—no, three minutes will be enough…!”

It was true that Tefer, wearing the Crown of Dominion and claiming to be Solomon, managed to wield immense power.

But if Narmi and Stella joined forces, they should be able to hold him off for about five minutes.

Fortunately, both Narmi and Stella responded in kind.

“Okay! I was getting bored of just dealing with bandits anyway. I’ve been wanting to test the power of the Draco Necromancy of Vision—stirring terror.”

“Five minutes, correct!?”

However…

The one who reacted more intensely to the request was Tefer.

━I’ve been bothered by this since earlier, but now I see a woman using Draco family necromancy. Are you one of their disciples?

“Disciple? I am Narmi Von Draco! I am the very embodiment of the family’s vision!”

As Narmi declared confidently, Tefer stopped her movements and closed her mouth.

The chaotic dungeon then fell into a brief moment of silence….

As if it were an empty space.

But the world did not tolerate it.

Wherever there was such a void, it would invariably be filled with air, water, or even intense rage.

━You traitor—!!!!!

Edited by: faker