Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Forbidden Curse Tome

The Thirteenth Tier of Wind - "Downburst of Earth-Extinguishing Wind Pressure."

A grand sorcery that manipulates the weather, unleashing fierce winds upon the land. This gale instantly razes buildings to the ground, and anyone caught in its direct path meets instant death. Even those who manage to survive the onslaught find themselves struggling to breathe due to the overwhelming wind, ultimately succumbing to suffocation.

Such is the nature of this magic.

It is said to be a calamity that can kill over ten thousand people with just one activation.

"Is... is this the forbidden curse magic book?"

"Yeah, I received it as a reward from Reinvard. Make sure to learn it."

"This is utterly reckless!"

The magic known as "forbidden curse" not only has a high level of difficulty in acquisition but also requires an immense amount of magical power to be cast. At her current level, Iris wouldn't be able to cast it alone. Trying to memorize it is simply impossible.

However, Shu said to learn it.

"It's not necessary to do it right away. But eventually, you should be able to use it on your own."

"Well, if it's eventually..."

"Well, I'll have you use it sooner than later."

"Yes..."

In other words, Shu and Iris will collaborate to cast the magic. With Iris as the focal point, Shu will deploy the magic circle to assist in the activation. Having analyzed the magic circle, Shu can deploy the necessary symbols and create the magic circle.

Having already read the magic book, Shu has concluded a fair amount of analysis regarding the structure of the "Downburst of Earth-Extinguishing Wind Pressure." If he isn't concerned about magical power consumption, Shu himself could use this forbidden curse.

Of course, Shu can also use a more powerful divine-level magic, the "Ravenous Black Crystal Belze Material," so the allure of the forbidden curse isn't significant to him.

"This magic book is the reward for the destruction of the Elda Fortress. Since we've got it, let's use magic in the fortress destruction. If the experiment fails, I'll handle it."

"...So it's decided that you'll handle it."

As someone who's worked many times as the "Grim Reaper," Shu has developed a certain pride. If he receives a reward, he wants to finish the job quickly. That's Shu's creed.

"We'll depart tonight."

"I'm going too, right?"

"We'll use the forbidden curse right away. It's a test run."

A magic that could even destroy the world.

A creature that plays with such a forbidden curse has been unleashed.

◆◆◆

The Elda Fortress.

This strategically vital stronghold repels all forms of invasion with its strong defenses. If it's attacked, reinforcements are sent immediately, and there are enough supplies to withstand a siege.

"Well... it's boring, isn't it? What do people do on vacation?"

"Just rest, I guess?"

Elina and Yuri of the Raven Squad were currently on vacation. The Raven Squad, a unit comprised only of S-ranked magical soldiers, always has missions, leaving no time for breaks.

So, the squad leader, Lut, decided to let each member take a break in turn.

In fact, it wasn't exactly a vacation. It was just that being stationed at the Elda Fortress was like a quasi-vacation, a sort of duty-free break, technically still on assignment.

After all, even the valiant Revolutionary Army Liberation wouldn't send troops to the Elda Fortress.

Everyone thought that way, and it was indeed the case.

Moreover, this place was a fortress that fell under the military secrets of the Subarokia Empire. Ordinary people would never get close, so infiltrating disguised as a merchant or anything else was impossible.

In other words, only allies would visit.

For S-ranked magical soldiers whose job is combat, there was nothing to do here.

"Yuri, how about keeping watch on the fortress rooftop?"

"Why would I do that?"

"Since you have the magic reflection magic attire, wouldn't it be better to participate in the defense?"

"Nah, too much of a hassle."

Magic knights are powerful, but in terms of versatility, magic spells are more useful. By casting multiple spells simultaneously, they can invoke magic that can alter the course of a battle, such as strategic-level spells. Yuri's magic attire, capable of reflecting all these spells, is fearsome.

Using magic to try to change the course of the battle can end up worsening it further.

Moreover, Yuri's magic attire can even reflect offensive attacks from released magic spells.

In the battle of defending the base, there are few magic knights as useful as Yuri.

"I wonder if the commanders have reached the east by now."

"I think the battle has probably started already. Ike is probably being reckless and causing a ruckus again."

"There's no one capable of attacking Ike, who's clad in the flames of a dragon."

"Well, that's true. Besides, with Captain Lute's magic attire, she's invincible."

"Indeed..."

"Ike of the 'Flame Dragon' has inherited the flame magic attire from his father, Schmidt Arior. Unlike his father, who incinerated vast areas with hellfire, Ike rampages while clad in flames. The flames, now in the form of a dragon, incinerate any attack, and the dragon's claws can even melt armor.

He has even taken down hundreds of Revolutionary Army Liberation soldiers by himself.

However, Captain Lute surpasses even that.

As an awakened magic knight, she creates black holes through supergravity, burying tens of thousands of Revolutionary Army Liberation soldiers at once. Now, Lute herself is the embodiment of terror among the Revolutionary Army Liberation.

In other words, there's no need to worry.

What they should be concerned about is how to fill the time they have now.

"It's really boring, isn't it..."

Elina muttered while looking out the window.

Little did she know that this boredom wouldn't last through the night.

◆ ◆ ◆

High above the location more than ten kilometers away from the Elder Fortress, Shu and Iris stood, deploying magic circles. Shu even used the farsight magic to observe the Elder Fortress.

Tonight, with no moon, they relied solely on the light of the stars.

"I've located the coordinates. Begin the incantation."

"Understood!"

Their objective this time was the destruction of the Elder Fortress using a forbidden spell.

Even a sturdy fortress could crumble under the force of a forbidden spell. The Elder Fortress was considered one of the largest among the fortresses held by the Subarokia Empire, capable of withstanding even strategic-level magic. To destroy it, a forbidden spell was the only option.

Iris chanted the Thirteenth Step of Wind, "Ground-Crush Wind Burst," which she had learned from her magic book.

Consequently, pale blue magic circles began to form in the sky.

(Now, to provide assistance as well.)

Shu extended his hand, sharing his magical energy while constructing the magic circle.

(Control of molecular movement, vibration magic to manipulate temperature, and then acceleration and deceleration magic. Along with that combination...)

In the starlit night, a colossal magic circle overlapped.

In synchronization with Iris's incantation and Shu's spell construction, it gradually expanded, growing more complex as countless circles and symbols combined. With a forbidden spell, the commands to the world become immense. Consequently, the magic circle became incredibly intricate and large.

The size of the magic circle was equivalent to the effect range of the Thirteenth Step, "Ground-Crush Wind Burst."

In other words, the magic circle covered an area of over ten kilometers in diameter.

"Ugh... This is quite difficult indeed. Fluid control is more complicated than I thought..."

Natural phenomena like downbursts occur when extremely rare weather conditions align. Intentionally inducing it requires complex and precise control, as expected.

Gradually, the conditions seemed to be aligning, and the clouds swirled overhead.

Numerous turbulent streams generated, intertwining intricately, and a strong wind blew where Shu and Iris stood.

(Adjusting the pressure is difficult... One mistake and it'll become a mere strong wind. Increase the pressure to the limit, make all the airflows descend to the ground at once!)

Shu is a demon, the Primeval Spirit Alpha Spirit. As a spirit-type demon, he's at the pinnacle, his thinking evolved to the utmost limit. His computational abilities and magic control are top-notch.

Iris is also a first-class Wind Magician, a spellcaster capable of successful tactical-level magic.

While the power of demonization has become obsolete with time, magical abilities have always been honed.

Even using a forbidden spell for the first time, Shu won't fail, for Shu's sake.

"The control is flawless! The coordinates are as planned... though within the range of the forbidden spell, it doesn't matter."

"I've completed the incantation!"

Iris spoke to the world through her incantation, constructing the framework of the spell formation.

Shu constructed the spell formation using his own magical power, with Iris reinforcing it.

The Eighth Tier of Wind, "Grand Discharge," and the Ninth Tier, "Heartless Void Concentrate," are spells activated by both Shu and Iris. They're already used to it.

Though the scale is unprecedented, there's no opening for Shu, who controls the divine spell-class magic "Gorging Black Crystal Belze Material."

"Release it!"

"Understood! 'Earth-Extinguishing Wind Pressure Downburst'!"

On this day, one of the forbidden spells was unleashed.

◆ ◆ ◆

The deployment of a massive magical formation was visible even from Elda Fortress. After all, Elda Fortress is the center of this super-sized magical formation. It's only natural that it's visible.

It's an unprecedented magical formation that no one has ever seen.

No one could look at the enormous magical formation covering the night sky without fear.

"H-How foolish!"

The commander of Elda Fortress was taken aback, a mix of astonishment and terror.

He was a capable man entrusted with Elda Fortress directly by the Emperor, possessing high command and adaptability despite his subtle mastery of armament and magic. Yet, he had no idea how to deal with this immense magical formation.

But he was lucky.

"...Yuri-sama should be in this fortress. We have no choice but to reflect this magic."

"Commander! I will contact her immediately!"

"I'm counting on you!"

The fortress was vast, requiring communication soldiers to deliver messages. He was one of them, and he ran towards the room where Yuri, the S-Rank Armored Mage 'Mirror,' was resting.

With each passing moment, the magical formation neared completion, and the commander felt fear as he watched it from the fortress's windows.

When would it finally be complete?

Not knowing even that, he was running at full tilt.

The messenger had no choices. He could only run with all his might, racing to Yuri's room.

Navigating familiar corridors, he reached the door of the room where Yuri rested. And he pounded on the door.

"Yuri-sama! It's urgent—"

"You mean reflecting the spell, right? I know!"

Interrupting the messenger's words, Yuri appeared from behind the door.

Sensing the tremendous magical power and seeing an enormous magical formation that she had never seen before through the window, Yuri immediately realized it was her turn.

"We need to get to the rooftop in a hurry! I'll guide—"

"If that's the case, leave it to me."

"Ah! Elina! Please!"

Poking her head out from outside the window was Elina, the same S-Rank Armored Mage 'Infinity.' Using her magic, she materialized chains and controlled them freely. With this ability, Elina was flying through the air on her chains.

As going up through the fortress would take time, she suggested using her chains to transport them to the rooftop.

Immediately, Yuri leaned out of the window, gripping Elina's chains. The chains wound around her to prevent Elina from falling.

"Let's go!"

Elina manipulated the chains, soaring upwards with great momentum. In the meantime, Yuri deployed her armament, generating a plethora of mirrors to reflect magical attacks.

In no time, they arrived at the rooftop of Elda Fortress, and Yuri disembarked.

Several Imperial soldiers were already making a commotion while looking up at the sky.

Seeing Yuri reflect magic and the enormous amount of mirrors covering Elda Fortress, they cheered.

"We're saved!"

"With Yuri-sama's armament..."

"Ah, what a relief."

"I've never seen a magical formation like this."

"I wonder what kind of magic it'll cast."

"Hahaha! Maybe we'll find out when it's reflected?"

Whether they had regained their composure or not, some were making jokes.

The magical formation was gradually approaching completion. Activation was imminent. Yuri prepared for it by manifesting a multitude of mirrors that covered Elda Fortress.

This was also the first time Yuri had deployed so many mirrors, and her magical power was rapidly depleting.

Nonetheless, she couldn't possibly intercept all of the colossal magical formation that covered the area around her with mirrors.

That was her concern.

"Don't worry, Yuri!"

"Elina..."

"Yuri's armament can repel any kind of magic. I don't know who's foolish enough to set up this kind of magic, but we'll show the might of the Ravean Corps!"

"Absolutely! Leave it to us!"

This magical formation's attack might be the enemy's most powerful. Once it's endured, they could trace the remnants of magic power, locate the caster, and defeat them.

Yuri no longer doubted herself.

Using up her magical power, she continued deploying mirrors.

"This is... my full strength!"

The number of mirrors totaled over a thousand.

They covered Elda Fortress and its surroundings. Because of that, enormous shadows cast on the ground, blocking the eerie blue and white light of the colossal magical formation. Everyone in the fortress believed in Yuri.

At the same time, it activated.

The Thirteenth Tier of Wind, 'Earth-Extinguishing Wind Pressure Downburst.'

An intense wind descended from the gigantic cumulonimbus generated by magic. Strengthened by magic, this forbidden spell, more powerful than a natural downburst, was activated.

The fierce wind struck Yuri's mirrors head-on.