Chapter 212

Evan D. Sherden, a decision to make. (6)

[There will be a crash soon. I'm sending the coordinates as it is urgent.]

Even an old eagle was better than a young crow. He wasn't a witch, but as he grew up in a witch's village, Default seemed to harbor some magical skills. The local coordinates were sent using the transmission function of consumables designed to send only short signals.

"Belois, can you interpret this?"

"......Yes, it's the witch's way."

After reading the coordinates that appeared on the device's screen, Belois thought about closing her eyes for a moment, then borrowing a map from Evan and pinpointing the location. It was a border area at the end of the western region.

"A little further from here, you will cross the border to Exilon. It is a country that is always fighting fierce battles with monsters. It is a small country that does not have national competitiveness, but it has always stood out as a country that produces excellent assistants in every series."

'Hmm, the border area at the western end.' Evan doubted his eyes.

"We are at the beginning of the West, but...... they've gone all this way?"

"Although it isn't as spectacular as the elves' method, the witches also have a special transportation method. It's sort of like the gate installed in Sherden."

"It would be dangerous to turn him into an enemy. He needs to be captured quickly. So...... We better hurry."

"But sir, no matter how fast you go, we won't be able to make it on time."

That's true. It's like there is a huge manor between here and there!

If there were only long-distance spatial movement artifacts that could be obtained in the second half of Yo-Ma Great War Series 3, it wouldn't have been a problem... Evan thought this bitterly.

"I can't help it... I must go first."

"Would it be possible!?"

"Well, maybe."

Evan first took off his boots and raised his status. He wondered whether he wanted to show a performance of jumping in place in commemoration of taking off his boots, but decided not to because he was worried about copyright.

"The unique skill I learned from Grandpa Leo helps me not only to catch people but also run fast."

The Battle Step Evan learned was based on Leo's unique skill, the Lion's Run. The Lion's Run was a skill that combined both walking and lightness.

'This is the direction of Heaven's Press. When I was fighting, I suppressed my surroundings heavily, but this time, on the contrary, I made myself feel light so I could run... Okay, let's try this with the feeling of controlling gravity.'

After changing into ordinary boots, Evan, who had improved his magic a few times on the spot, took a light step, recalling when he first used the Battle Step.

The next moment, he slid over the ground and stuck his head in a tree hundreds of meters away.

A huge centuries-old tree fell to the other side with a crackling sound. If a lumberjack had seen it, it was a blow that would have made him a disciple, saying that he was from the next generation.

"......That hurt."

"Ma..Master..."

Raihan, who ran eagerly, gave him healing magic. However, only the sound was loud, but Evan had no wounds, so the healing magic ended in misfire.

"You traveled hundreds of meters in a split second, but are you okay with your magic!?"

"I am overflowing with magic. Still, it would be very difficult to use this during battle. The adjustment is very tricky for me."

"It would have been more of a surprise if you told me that it's fast and easy to adjust!"

The other Dungeon Knights members who saw Evan perform tricks closer to teleportation rather than running were nodding their heads, saying they weren't very surprised to see that. Only one, Arisha, was noticeably depressed.

"Evan too, huh..."

"This is a mobility ability, Arisha. I can't move quickly and accurately like you, like when you secured the Grass of Innocence earlier."

"Evan, please stop. I hate myself for liking what I hear from you."

"Arisha always makes it hard for herself."

Evan decided to give Serena a flick for bothering Arisha needlessly.

"Then I will go first and try to stop them, so you guys follow me quickly. Belois, send a message to Shine to come right away to the changed coordinates."

"Okay."

Evan then busied himself with distributing communication artifacts for emergencies to key the Dungeon Knights members, including Belois and Shine. It was an absurd luxury, but it was very reassuring for them in this situation.

"Okay, is everything settled? Raihan Hyeong, climb onto my back."

"Huh......?"

After giving the instructions to the Knights, Evan bent over slightly for Raihan. Evan explained in a sharp tone to Raihan, who was strikingly confused.

"The other Knights can join later, but you have to go with me. Do you think I gave you the shield for nothing?"

"Uh...... Oh, alright."

The strong young man, Raihan, was placed on the back of the mature boy, Evan.

Serena clapped.

"This is pretty good. I want to keep watching this!"

"I'm really worried about Serena's future..."

Her personality alone was overwhelming enough, but if one were to add her unbearable taste, no one would be able to handle her.

However, if he took such words seriously, it was almost certain that she would cling onto him again, asking him to take responsibility for his words.

"Hyeong, hold on tight."

"Okay. That... Please."

"Don't react strangely, please."

Evan was determined and took a deep breath.

It was his first time using Battle Step in order to run quickly, or use it while carrying another person, but this was also a practice. Skills grew faster when one utilized them in a difficult environment!

"Let's go! Ouch!"

The moment he finally took his feet off the ground, the landscape in front of his eyes changed instantly, and he stuck his head in the tree again. In a situation there was no way he could quickly adapt.

"Master!?"

"I'm fine... How about you, Hyeong, are you okay?"

"I am already prepared. Don't mind me and run. If it becomes dangerous, I will treat you."

"That's very assuring.... Then let's head off again. Ouch! Ahhhh! Ouch!"

Evan ran like a bulldozer.

Large rocks and trees at intervals of several hundred meters were broken, collapsed, and smashed with a roaring sound. If there had been someone watching from above, Evan's trajectory would have been read in real-time.

"Will we be okay...?"

"Oh, uhh. I'm back! Wait? Where is Master Evan?!"

The people who were left behind were listening to them periodically and heard the roaring sounds gradually fade. Shine returned by a hair's length.

It was such timing to arrive before Belois could even send the message.

"Shine, you're here."

When she heard his voice and turned back, Belois was lost for words. It was nice that he brought Anastasia, but she was hugging onto Shine's neck and his arms.

A common way to express it was as a princess hug.

"...Princess."

"Oh, no! I just thought this would be the fastest way!"

Anastasia urgently came down from Shine's arms and hurriedly made excuses with reddened cheeks, but she couldn't hide the tail of her mouth that had risen pleasantly. Shine was tilting his head, not knowing what was wrong.

"...No, not at all. Thank you for providing good material."

"I should ask brother to hug me like that!"

"Shine, take the Princess and go to this coordinate. Master Evan left first."

Belois delivered Evan's message to Shine while calming Marie down, who was staring at Anastasia. Shine memorized the coordinates on the map and nodded before glancing at Belois.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm not okay, but I can't do anything about it.... I just want to become an adult quickly."

"Wow, you are honest today. Leave Master Evan to me."

"I'm not so satisfied yet, but I'll leave him to you."

As Shine stroked Belois' head roughly, Belois became annoyed and kicked Shine's shin. However, he was giggling while being beaten by her, and then he went over and carried Anastasia.

"I'll be heading now. See you all in a few. Anastasia, hold on tight."

"Yes!"

For Anastasia, today would most definitely feel like a birthday present. Shine left right away, with Anastasia clinging onto his back.

"Who is Shine to you, Belois? Someone, you have feelings for after Evan?" Serena suddenly asked Belois, who was quietly watching Shine's back. Belois rudely scoffed.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. But that's a ridiculous guess."

"Oh well. Then what is it? Is he like a brother to you?"

"I do not know...... Ah."

The moment she tried to answer Serena's words without thinking about it, the memory of when Evan took her in with Shine passed her head.

So what was it? She shrugged and replied.

"Probably a rival."

Ctheasil's mind was refreshed like never before. The conversation with Evan rather blew away her hesitation. Yes, there was no more time to waste. If there was anything she could do, she had to do it right now.

"Nuna, no!"

"It's for you, Default."

"No, this is..."

"Follow me. I will make you a witch. I will make sacrifices to those who have abandoned you and make you new once more."

It was Default who had returned to the village as soon as his conversation with Evan ended, but it was too late. Ctheasil was preparing for war by gathering all the villagers together.

"First, go to the experiment site. We'll pick up our power and rush to that very town. This would be a great opportunity to check the collision reaction between Devil Rune and the Rune."

"They are too dangerous!"

"Should we really take them out? Ctheasil, weapons beyond our control will pose a threat to us...!"

"It's okay because I only left the ones I can control! They can't go against me. Melonia, she will be the first to be teared up, that damn witch!"

Normally, no matter how angry she was, the rational side remained, but now Ctheasil did not have any of that. It was because of Evan's fatal blow to Ctheasil that held the last line of reason, despite her long-standing frustration.

There was no intention of that, but it could be said that Evan's advent had accelerated the conflict that would only have occurred years later.

However, thanks to that, her preparation here was poor, and the power was unstable. Default felt like he was going to vomit anytime soon. Anxiety became visible, blurring his vision.

"Nuna, please...!"

"We will start! Today will be the beginning of a new history for witches!"

The gate opened. From beyond that, ominous energy has been transmitted. Under the control of Ctheasil...... No, it was an experimental site with specimens that she believed were under her control.

"Bella, Ipa! Squeeze out all your magic. As soon as we arrive at the experiment site, we will open the gate to the village!"

"Oh, I see!"

"Leader, this is really dangerous......Ugh!"

All the witches who followed Ctheasil were of the young ones. Those who followed Ctheasil did so because they don't want to lose their loved ones during a stroke of the moment.

Therefore, if Ctheasil ordered them, they could not refuse.

The witches were hoping for the men to speak up...... But they were silent, even after knowing that the situation was wrong; it was because they all depended on Ctheasil.

"She is doing this for us."

"She is our leader. We can never leave her."

"......Let's go to whatever is waiting there."

They left their minds and bodies in her hands, without thinking of themselves. Those who had lived as servants were still only servants even until now.

"Damn it......"

As the witches passed over the gate one by one, Default urgently sent a message to Evan. After sending the message in a way he couldn't be detected, he looked up, and Ctheasil was staring at him.

"Default."

"Nuna..."

"Go."

Default, Ctheasil, and everyone else had passed the gate.

However, there was a completely unexpected visitor.

"Melonia?"

"It's been a long time."

The Devil Rune experimental ground was completely hidden by the barrier that Ctheasil built independently. Yet somehow, the witches, including Melonia, had arrived there.

All of the twelve witches were here.

"How is this...?"

"I knew the location way before this. I was just waiting for the right timing."

It wasn't just Ctheasil that took action by meeting Evan. Melonia was also taking action after she met him.

It was ridiculous that both sides moved in the opposite direction of Evan's wishes, resulting in a head-on collision.

"Did you break up with Evan already? I was hoping that he would hold onto you for a long time, but it must have been counterproductive."

She expressed disapproval of Melonia as she tsk-tsked her and lightly swung her wand to unleash her magic.

The attack magic created in an instant attack...... Without doing anything to Ctheasil, she struck the Devil Rune monsters' neck, trapped in the experiment cage.

[Guaahhh!]

[Kihuuuuut! Kihiiiiiiiik!]

"Ah, my experiment subjects......!"

The specimens, which couldn't even move an inch due to the special barriers installed in the test site, were collapsing at this moment by attacks from Melonia and her witches.

"Everyone back off! Don't leave any traces of these sinister things!"

"Tsk, the traces of devils, are persistent... Burn it!"

"Cut it, crush it, grind it!"

She couldn't stop them. Without using the Devil Rune Monster, Ctheasil's group of witches could not overpower the group of Melonia's in the first place.

"You......!"

"That's disrespectful to call me 'you'. I'm still your mother, you know."

"Shut up! Damn witch, I'll tear you to pieces!"

"Hah, you want to face me head-on? How dare you!"

Ctheasil swung her wand. Melonia quickly lifted her wand to respond to her, but Ctheasil's magic did not move to attack Melonia.

The ridiculous, strongly condensed magic permeated into the middle of the test site without being shot anywhere else.

Shortly after that, a big earthquake occurred, and the entire earth lit up. The huge light trail that emerged above the earth was clearly in the shape of a rune!

"You...?"

"Good. I wanted to experiment with you as well......"

Although it was an experiment, the change did not come to the witches. The change came to the Devil Rune monsters that were defeated by the witches' attack.

Originally, if it loses its life, the monster's body is reduced to mana and disappears. Still, the monsters in this experiment didn't disappear due to the magic Ctheasil inflicted on them. The corpses of monsters scattered around... And they started to bind together!

"Ctheasil!"

"The experiment did not fail."

Ctheasil again raised her wand and pointed it at Melonia. Her enchanted magical power inflated the momentum, driven by anger, and covered the entire experiment site.

At this moment, this was her workshop. Even a witch couldn't be safely treated in another witch's workshop!

[Guoohohohohohohohohoh!]

A terrible cry rang from the middle of the pile of corpses of the monsters who had died. It was the cry of a newborn baby who returned to life from death by an unauthorized magician.

A dark red trail ran over the mountain of the pile of corpses. Devil Runes, countless Devil Runes were combined to create the worst Devil Rune.

The rotten blood binds the rotten flesh to form a strange creature, and the broken bones stuck together randomly and raised themselves off the ground. Ctheasil laughed while looking at this.

"The experiment... starts now."

[Waahahahahaha!]

Melonia instinctively stepped back from that terrible sight unfolding right in front of her eyes.

She was belatedly reminded of the Devil Rune's characteristic to absorb and strengthen each other, but it was already too late.

The experiment had already begun.