Volume 3 Chapter 122-3 The Light And Shadow Of Ozeas I
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Sven and the other members of the ‘Storm Herd’ from the Branch Family will react as planned. As for Rean, once Vestacia is separated, they’ll likely tell him to close the gate.”
”Sven will persuade them. I’ve figured out how to handle it after these past two days.”
”Then I’ll take care of Rean. I already have a phrase to convince him. I hope it works…”
”First, we need to catch Barghest and hear what he has to say.”
Kian nodded and turned on his heel.
Sarah followed behind Kian, her expression slightly tense.
* * *
The teleportation magic circle in the ancient temple is located in the northwest corridor of the courtyard.
It’s about 5 meters wide—a narrow space for this massive temple—and sits about 20 meters ahead. The corridor ends at the pedestal where the magic circle is installed, meaning there are no hidden passages or secrets in the walls on either side or behind.
If Barghest teleports in and steps out of the circle, and they attack him while he’s outside, he’ll be completely trapped.
The warriors of the Wolfmen and Kian cling to the walls on both sides of the corridor, like salamanders waiting to strike.
Rean and Ninini are sealing the door that leads to the courtyard.
Sarah quietly hides behind the pedestal of the magic circle, her presence concealed.
The other members wait near the corridor leading to the temple exit or on the roof, ready to jump down into the courtyard.
As Kian waits, clinging to the wall, the teleportation circle activates with a red light.
Soon after, a man on a wagon drawn by a wolfman appears.
He pulls the wagon with a blank, dead-eyed stare and steps out of the magic circle. Then, twitching his tired dog ears, he abruptly looks up at the walls on both sides.
”────”
Sarah wasn’t signaling or giving any cue right now.
Instead, the magic circle erupts with a spectacular blast, and a strong wind blows the Wolfman—Barghest—who was pulling the wagon, off balance. By then, Kian is already flying down from above, pushing the unfortunate magician face-first to the ground.
Barghest lets out a groan as he’s wedged between the cart’s handle and Kian’s body.
”Don’t move.”
Kian whispers, grabbing Barghest by the nape of his neck.
The Wolfmen warriors quickly restrain his hands and feet, locking his arms behind his back and binding him with rope.
”W-what!? Who the hell are you guys──?”
Barghest’s head turns toward Kian, his light blue eyes widening in shock.
Before he can mutter, “This is ridiculous,” Kian knocks him unconscious.
He just wanted to confirm if someone was in disguise.
If it’s truly him, there’s no need to keep him awake.
”That was anticlimactic.”
Sven murmurs next to Kian.
”Self-destruction magic activation confirmed. Now, even if we repair the teleportation circle, moving the Spiritual Vein is impossible. He’s completely isolated.”
”Thank you, Okina.”
Kian lifts the limp middle-aged Wolfmen magician with one hand, then looks around at everyone and speaks.
”The operation was a success. Good work, everyone.”
”Not yet. We still need to extract the method for summoning the Black Onyx spirit from him.”
”──And also, we need a safe way to disconnect Vest’s body from the magic circle.”
”Rean.”
Kian turns to look at the blonde young man walking from the courtyard.
He points behind him with his thumb.
”Hurry up and transport him to the square. Ms. Sarah, prepare the truth serum.”
”I was going to do that anyway. But since the side effects are severe, let’s see if we can get him to talk voluntarily first.”
At Sarah’s feet, a creepy insect-like golem crawls around, making unsettling sounds.
It would be traumatic if it latched onto someone’s neck or face.
With cold, ruthless expressions on Sarah and Rean’s faces, someone murmurs that it’s hard to tell who the real villain is.
* * *
After Glen and the others transport Barghest to the petrified square, Kian and the others surround the area. Sarah pours cold water over Barghest.
At the same time, the insect-like golem crawls up to Barghest’s neck.
Barghest groans, cracks his eyelids open—then notices the golem clinging to him and lets out a silent scream.
”Barghest!”
”──Colinna”
Sarah snaps her fingers, causing the golems to retreat.
Colinna, kneeling on the stained stone floor, looks down at the soaking wet Barghest being tossed around and sadly opens her mouth.
”Why did you leave Serena behind? Why didn’t you tell me anything?”
”W-What is this…? ──! You, Owl!”
”Yes, I am Owl.”
”No, you are Kian of Izerland.”
”Yes, I am Kian of Izerland. Nice to meet you, Lord Barghest.”
”Kian of Izerland!? So, you were the hero of Izerland! After killing so many of my own people, you shamelessly…”
”I have no intention of opposing you today. Rather, don’t you have something to say to the lady over there and the young lady here?”
Kian turns half of his body and pushes Serena’s shoulder, who stands next to him.
Serena, with a complicated expression, steps forward next to Colinna and looks down at Barghest.
Barghest’s face twists in guilt, turning away from Colinna, who is kneeling.
Colinna calls out to “Barghest” once more.
”…I’m sorry, Colinna, Serena.”
”Barghest! Is that all you have to say!? I entrusted this child to you! You said you would take care of her! But you left her behind at the campsite…! Do you understand how Serena has been wandering aimlessly for these past few months!?”
”────. I’m sorry.”
”Mom, Barghest, I’m okay. But more importantly, tell us how to summon the Black Onyx spirit. I want to help Father and the others. If possible, the warriors of Silverwooloo who went to another dimension.”
”…I can’t.”
Barghest mutters, his face still lowered.
”The Black Onyx spirit is a demon. If summoned, everyone here will be destroyed without exception. It should not be summoned.”
”Whether we should summon it or not is for you to decide.”
Sarah places the bucket she had filled with cold water and speaks to Barghest.
”Just tell us everything you know about Tersea’s records. Otherwise, I’ll have the parasites gnaw at your organs.”
”――――.”
Barghest shakes his head, his face colored with fear.
”Mr. Barghest, you’re already finished. The Beastmen Alliance has been informed about the petrified leader and the kids from Silverwooloo who are stuck there. You conspired with the leader to maintain the gate for 3 months, from which the Bloodsucking Kind kept coming out. Because of that, there have been severe damages.”
”Hehehe. I also know that you disguised yourself as the leader and gave orders to ‘Storm Herd.’ You are permanently expelled from ‘Storm Herd’ for impersonating the leader. You might be killed by an assassin from the Beastmen Alliance along with the leader before that, though.”
”What…!? The Alliance… knows? Impossible. That’s a lie!”
”It’s true, Barghest. Those troublesome kids over there did something irreversible.”
”Hey, hey, Mrs. Colinna. We were just carrying out justice. Right?”
Sven’s theatrical line causes his subordinates to smile maliciously and agree with him.
”Hey, Barghest. What father and the others did can never be forgiven.”
Serena lowers her dog ears and speaks sadly.
”But at least, I want to save everyone’s lives! Please, lend me your strength!”
”――――.”
Barghest’s light blue eyes waver.
He opens his mouth in distress.
”I am bound by a magic scroll. I cannot speak in detail about Tersea’s records.”
”What?”
”It’s the promised scroll. I have been bound by 3 scrolls since 17 years ago.”
Blood spills from Barghest’s mouth.
”──It’s the effect of the scroll. It touched a grey area of prohibited matters, and the curse has begun to activate. This person is telling the truth.”
”What does that mean, Sarah?”
Kian yields to Barghest while looking up at Sarah and asking.
Before Sarah can answer, Barghest speaks again.
”I will tell you everything I can. ────All responsibility lies with me. ‘Storm Herd’ is unrelated to this matter. Therefore, please convey that to the Beastmen Alliance.”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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