Volume 9 Chapter 20 The Adamantine Witch, Beria
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The western gate near McGaref’s labyrinth lay quiet most days, guarded by soldiers but never heavily fortified. Lately, though, that silence had grown tense. Patrols doubled. Watchfires burned longer. By Kanare’s command, the gate was under strict watch. The usual thousands of adventurers rushing through the five dungeons of McGaref had vanished; no one dared enter anymore.
Rumors had trickled back for days—fewer monsters, more missing men. The few survivors returned pale and broken, whispering of spectral soldiers no one had ever seen before.
”They’re without doubt flesh-bound revenants from the Underworld,” one muttered.
”Yes. They’re harvesting dungeon beasts and forging weapons with the stones. Their numbers keep growing.”
”It galls me, but nothing can be done. Forbid entry. They’ll complain, but they value their lives more than coin.”
So, by Weed and Kanare’s decree, the labyrinth was sealed. No one protested. Everyone knew the truth: it had become a graveyard. And yet the dread deepened with every silent hour.
* * *
”Kanare, the adventurer formations?” Weed asked.
”Those with military background have been folded into regiments,” Kanare replied. “The rest, grouped into squads. They’ll stand the walls as auxiliaries.”
”We’ll use them for defense, then. If only Dalcur’s knights or Clarice could reinforce us… Scaya, only you remain dependable.”
”Yes. With Shiori’s potions and Shion’s Transfer skill, I can sustain a barrier for twenty-four hours. But I must rest one hour between.”
”Then during that hour, we’ll muster every other mage. Or find the gap ourselves. Sleep when you can.”
* * *
That morning drizzle slicked the stones. The air hung heavy, wet. Something felt wrong. At first it sounded like wind, distant and low. Then the echoes sharpened—boots striking mud, the groan of metal, voices moaning through the damp. A chorus swelling in the hollow dark.
”Hey…”
”Yeah. That’s not right.”
A gatekeeper pressed his face to the peephole. Only gloom. Yet—yes—something flickered. A red gleam, like eyes glaring back. The soldier’s skin crawled cold.
”Signal Kanare! Light the flare!”
A crimson spark rose, answered by the wall’s lantern. Then the bell—shrill, unending—rang across the battlements as guards rushed to stations.
”Captain, shouldn’t we fall back?”
”Yes. Live to fight.”
They turned, fear breaking discipline. Then the gate shuddered beneath a massive blow. Screeching metal tore the air. The soldiers screamed, stumbling as the hinges cracked.
”No—no, they’re coming!?”
”I don’t want to die!”
”Move, damn you! Run!”
The fittings split. The great doors burst wide. From the void shuffled skeletal warriors clad in broken armor, eye sockets burning with dark fire. Dozens poured out at once, forming ranks in silence.
”Retreat! Everyone fall back!”
The commander’s cry was drowned by thunder as the door exploded outward, bodies of revenants shattering in the blast. Shards of wood spun like knives. For-Elda of the 3rd Division had fired the Magic Cannon.
”Ahh, the glory of the Cannon,” she laughed. “Reconnaissance is for cowards. Let’s fire till we’re satisfied!”
”But Lady Elda,” urged Naje Lesta, her lieutenant, “the First Emperor commanded restraint…”
Her words fell flat. Elda had already begun loading—slaying revenants for their stones, feeding the weapon’s hunger.
”Ten souls’ worth. Any more and the barrel cracks… now switch to long-range munitions. Aim high—at the wall.”
* * *
Beside her, the Adamantine Witch raised her hand. The forest shuddered, trees snapping aside, clearing a path.
”Thank you, Beria.”
”A pleasure, dear Elda.”
Beria’s golden curls gleamed, her smile cruel. In life she had been the daughter of Seron’s Marquis, a court witch. Her family had perished in war. She had fallen with them at Bakdu Fortress. Now, in undeath, she was unbound.
”At least I need not tend this hair anymore,” she sneered. “Now McGaref will pay for abandoning me. After that, Lesta—you’ll pay too.”
”…We understand,” Naje whispered.
Beria’s eyes blazed. “I’ll fight on the condition that your heads be mine. I’ll place them at my sister’s grave before my stone reforms. That is my revenge. Ah, how delightful.”
Naje had no defense. Seron’s nobility had been butchered by their own hands; she bore that guilt like iron chains.
”Still, while you serve under me, behave,” Elda snapped.
”Of course. Though tonight, I’ll play with them again.”
”Yes… we will endure,” Naje murmured.
Endure they did. Every night Beria forced Naje, Tymis, and Amira into her cruelty, binding them in shame and pain. They accepted it as penance.
* * *
Suddenly Beria lifted her gaze. “Oh? That’s quite a barrier. Not Clarice’s work… another witch, then.”
The intelligence from the Empire had been incomplete. Elda’s eyes narrowed. “Name?”
”I forgot. Unlike Clarice, she wasn’t important. But—ah, there she is.”
On the distant wall, a figure radiated power, small as a grain at that distance yet unmistakable.
”Hm… that witch…”
”Yes. It must be her,” Naje breathed.
”Oh? You know her?” Elda asked.
Before Naje could speak, a piercing cry split the air.
”Scaya-sisterrrrr! You live! You live! It is Beria, your devoted Beriaaa!”
Her shriek rang across the field. On the rampart, the dark elf witch turned, raised her hand in answer.
”Beria, what—” Elda began.
”There is no question!” Beria declared. “Now that I know my sister lives, I must go to her! Thank you, Elda-sister. We’ll meet again on the battlefield! Naje, next time I see you, it will be to kill you!”
Without waiting, Beria sprinted away, leaving Elda and Naje dumbstruck. The Adamantine Witch had defected—returning to McGaref’s side.
Notes:
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Kanare – The stern battalion commander, who once led Chinatsu, shares a solemn mission, his eyes reflecting battlefield memories.
• Weed – He is a retired knight and martial arts master, appeared as a sword seller, known for his bloodthirsty grin and elite ‘Sword Master’ skill.
• Clarice – The ‘Witch of Abundance’ from Lesta Kingdom.
• Dalcur – Mercenary leader; defects to the protagonist’s clan; physically imposing, known as ‘The Strong’.
• Scaya – The ‘Flame Witch,’ employed by the Dark Elves; captured after the battle where the Celon Dukedom army was defeated.
• Shion – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
• Naje – First princess of the Lesta Kingdom and deputy commander. The tragic princess of the Lesta Kingdom who was executed for her country.
• Bakdu Fortress – A key fortress of the Seron Dukedom; its unexpected fall prompts concern in McGaref.
• Amira – Captain of the guard who complies with surrender terms.
• Tymis – Deputy commander of the Lesta Kingdom.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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