Volume 2 Chapter 26 Hidden Barrier
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Hermine’s disciple. Daughter of the Emperor of the Hundred Beasts—Elna.
She floated in the sky, hands on her hips and chest puffed out, as if daring, “What do you think of that?”
Why was she here? For a moment, Klock wondered. But it wasn’t strange for her to be here. Either she teleported herself, or Hermine had brought her back.
It was hard to believe such a young girl could teleport alone. Maybe a scroll was involved, but most likely, Hermine had fetched her.
If that was true, the situation was worse than it seemed. While Suzette had used a scroll’s stored magic and was completely drained after one use, Hermine had apparently used large-scale teleportation magic multiple times.
Did she really say… daughter of the Emperor of the Hundred Beasts?
No way. That had to be a joke.
The Emperor of the Hundred Beasts ruled the Beast Continent. The current emperor was an empress.
The Beast Empire Il Rasiella was an unprecedented superstate, uniting the entire continent into the largest territory in the world. The ruler at the top was the Emperor of the Hundred Beasts.
Klock didn’t know which generation the current emperor belonged to, but the stories of their heroism were well known. They had led an elite force into the Bastili Hundred Pits to eliminate the giant centipede that had long terrorized the Beastkin, wiping them out completely. Their fighting skills had been talked about in the kingdom for a long time.
So, she was the daughter of such a fearsome figure. No wonder.
How could he possibly face someone like her? Better to run back to the Beast Country!
He jumped from the roof to a tall wall, then down to the ground.
To escape a flying opponent, he needed cover. Staying on the rooftops would make him an easy target.
He had no intention of fighting, so he ran down the street.
”Wait, Klock Livorno! I’m your opponent, so face me properly! Running away is cowardly!” Elna shouted, but Klock didn’t answer, keeping his back turned.
She used words like “properly,” as if she’d forgotten her own surprise attack.
”Hey, Suzette. Are you alright?” Klock asked.
”Ugh… yes, I’m conscious. But I’m paralyzed. I can’t move,” Suzette replied weakly.
She was frozen in place. Even if her arms and legs were pierced, Klock hoped she could at least use magic to help, but that was too much to ask.
”You were so tough just now, but you went down instantly. If we get caught because of you, remember this,” Klock said sharply.
”If we get caught, we’ll both be executed. So it won’t matter if I remember or not,” Suzette said dryly.
That wasn’t the point!
Klock held her around the hips and the backs of her knees, with her upper body draped over his shoulder. The position was awkward, but there was no time to adjust. Somehow, they had to escape like this.
”Ugh?!”
A loud crackle came from behind.
It sounded like lightning. Elna was about to attack again with the same magic that had pierced Suzette.
”Be careful. It’s terrifyingly fast. If you only see it when it fires, you won’t dodge it,” Suzette warned.
Klock realized it must be a speed-focused lightning attack. That was trouble. The only way to survive was to dodge—but if it was that fast, that was tough.
”It’s coming,” Suzette said calmly.
She watched Elna’s movements from behind.
Klock took a moment to understand and then darted sideways.
”Whoa?!”
A thunderous lightning strike exploded at Klock’s feet in an instant.
There was no sign it was flying toward him until it hit.
”The second strike is coming,” Suzette announced.
”Seriously? Damn, this is bad. How do I escape?” Klock muttered to himself.
Another lightning bolt flew toward him. This time, unsure of the timing, he jumped randomly and barely dodged.
It struck the ground, sending scattered stones into him, causing pain—not just from the impact but from the lightning that seemed to pierce through.
The next shot came quickly.
If these fast attacks kept coming, eventually one would hit. If it did, like Suzette, Klock could be taken out in a single blow.
This was bad. Just running wouldn’t be enough.
”Leave me behind,” Suzette said suddenly.
”Huh?”
Suzette’s voice came from over Klock’s shoulder.
”That way, at least you can escape,” she explained.
Suddenly, she spoke with surprising resolve.
Knowing they were both doomed, she probably wanted to save the mission despite her condition.
”What are you saying? If you get caught, execution is almost certain,” Klock argued.
”At this point, I have no choice. Being caught off guard was my mistake. Let me go,” Suzette insisted.
Suzette, still trembling, tried to push Klock away, as if to leave him behind.
She really meant to stay. Was this too sudden?
”Hey, don’t do anything stupid, idiot. You’re ordered to get me out. Keep the mission going until the end,” Klock said firmly.
”But she’s clearly too strong. If this continues, we’ll both be caught or killed. Don’t be hopeful just because she looks young,” Suzette warned.
”I get it! But it’s not desperate enough to leave you behind, damn it!”
Klock had more experience escaping monsters than Suzette, even if he hadn’t actually gotten away before.
He dodged another lightning bolt by mere centimeters and slipped to the side again.
The attack was terrifyingly fast. The lightning carved the ground a few centimeters where it hit.
It might not seem powerful, but a hit to the back could be fatal.
”Hey! How long do you plan to keep running? Just give up already! Time for good kids to sleep!” Elna shouted from above.
”Then go home and sleep like a good kid yourself, brat!” Klock shouted back.
”No way! I’ll send your skull to Mother!” she threatened.
What a dangerous threat. Beastkin were scary. Was this how they usually talked? The Beast Continent’s culture was wild.
──Ah.
It hit Klock suddenly, like a flash of insight.
”Suzette, how much has your magic power recovered?” he asked.
”Huh? Magic power? It doesn’t recover much without sleep. Probably less than ten percent when fully restored. But my control is unstable, so for now──”
If Klock’s magic was fully depleted, maybe her sensing magic would fail too.
The idea came suddenly, but the timing was perfect.
”Alright, Suzette. Watch this. I’ll make a precise escape now. If it works, I’ll keep you safe until morning, so be ready,” Klock said firmly.
”What’s with this sudden talk? A hopeless farewell from you? Do I really have to stand on the executioner’s block with such foolish words? It’s disappointing…” Suzette replied with disbelief.
Suzette’s voice was full of disbelief and disappointment.
Given the situation, it was understandable not to expect much. But couldn’t she have hoped for just a little chance?
”Shut up. After all your complaining, you’re going to try surviving at the last minute? I’ll make you regret it—with tears and screams,” Klock said with a smirk.
”No, enough already. At least say something clever and manly at the end. You’re garbage to the last,” Suzette shot back.
Suzette called out the next attack.
Despite her frustration, she was still ready to help until the end. Honestly, Klock was grateful, so he accepted it gladly.
The spot he chose to hide was perfect.
He timed it again and turned toward a quiet residential street, away from the main road.
A shock hit his feet again. Ignoring it, he slipped into a yard that curved around to the back.
”Hey, don’t go somewhere strange! You’ll bother the people inside! Hey!!” Elna shouted, flying overhead.
It was over. With so little magic power left, she couldn’t sense him.
Gripping the barrier device he hadn’t used in a while, Klock activated it the moment he disappeared from her view. Now was the only time she wouldn’t notice.
”Let’s go,” he whispered to Suzette.
He quickly put some distance between them and switched the device off.
How many minutes had he used? Not much time was left. No, he had thought that before too.
He had to be careful. Ada had detected it immediately, but if it worked like this, it was worth keeping.
”Eh… was that a barrier?” Suzette asked quietly.
”How did you know?” Klock replied.
”Well, the sound completely disappeared. Nothing else could do that but a barrier,” she said confidently.
The concealment barrier blocked sight, sound, and even smell.
Because sound disappeared inside the barrier, anyone nearby would know something was off—but those with knowledge could tell it was a magic barrier.
It was frustrating. He had hoped to use it as a secret edge against Suzette if things got rough.
”So that’s why you asked about the magic power level,” Suzette said, rubbing his neck. “But your magic isn’t zero. Won’t someone sense you if they’re paying attention?”
”Yeah,” He replied calmly. “That’s why I used it inside the residential area. My magic is no different from an average person’s. If I disappear here, no one can track me by magic sensing.”
It was like hiding a single tree in a forest. If he stood out, he’d be spotted instantly. But blending with the magic signatures of the residents made him invisible to magical detection.
”Hey, we’re heading into the church,” he said quietly. “You’ll be the injured person who collapsed by the roadside. I’m the traveler who found you on my way back to the inn. Got it?”
They reached the church marked by a simple symbol.
They had planned to find an empty house, but this was an emergency. No time to search—tonight, they’d take shelter here.
”Are you okay? Pretend you’re unconscious for now,” he ordered.
Suzette nodded without hesitation, already catching on. She’d done things like this before—quick to understand and follow the plan. That helped, but also made him a little uneasy.
He cleared his throat and pushed the heavy wooden door open, stepping inside boldly. “Excuse me!” he called out, using his usual traveler persona, John. He scanned the chapel quickly as he moved forward.
The rows of pews looked untouched, but… something was wrong.
Dust coated everything like a thick layer—on the benches, the podium, the windows. The air itself felt stale and neglected.
”Is anyone here?” he asked again, louder this time, but no reply came.
He climbed the stairs on the chapel’s right side, heading toward the priest’s living quarters. Usually, someone would be there, but the room was empty—only a bare bed, gathering dust. The place looked abandoned for years.
”No one’s here,” he said quietly.
”An empty church?” Suzette whispered behind him.
They reached the second floor, but the emptiness stretched on. No sign of life, no supplies—just silence and dust. Something must have happened here.
Suzette spoke up, breaking the quiet. “Maybe the Empire fell out with the Theocracy and kicked out the church members. After that desert lord’s incident, you know.”
Right. The lord had switched allegiance to the Theocracy.
If the Empire used that to expel church officials, it would explain this emptiness. Maybe even worship itself was banned.
”Whatever the reason, it looks like we can hide here tonight,” he said. It wasn’t ideal, but at least it was safe.
No supplies, though. They’d relied on others so far and had nothing left. They couldn’t risk going outside and running into Elna again. They had to make do.
”Looks like we get to sleep in a bed,” he said with a tired smile.
Suzette sighed, “No bedding. And if there were any, it’d probably be moldy.”
They laid Suzette on the wooden platform. No blankets, but it was better than freezing on the ground. They couldn’t sleep well without warmth, but rest was better than nothing.
Sitting down, he pulled some food and water from his bag—dried fish, the last of their preserved supplies. Adelina had carried the blankets; he had the food. It was a shame she wasn’t here. If she were, they’d be wrapped up warm.
”Can you eat?” he asked.
Suzette took the piece of dried fish with shaky hands. “Is it alright?”
”We’ll stock up tomorrow before we leave,” he said. “For now, we just need to survive.”
She nodded weakly and ate.
”No bandages, though. How’s your body feeling?” he asked, eyeing her injured limbs stained with dried blood.
”I’ve recovered enough to move a little,” Suzette said, voice quiet. “It’s my first time feeling an electric shock like that. Didn’t expect it to linger so long. There was no bleeding at first, so I’m fine.”
He frowned at the wounds. Despite being pierced, the blood was minimal. The paralysis was worse.
”Your limbs were pierced, but there’s barely any blood?” he asked.
”The wounds smell burnt,” Suzette answered. “I think the electricity cauterized them. If I can’t use healing magic, I might never walk again.”
His heart dropped. The injury was worse than he thought. Combat was impossible now.
”Um…” he hesitated.
”What?” Suzette asked, suddenly looking apologetic. “It’s okay to leave me behind,” she said softly.
He blinked. Of course she’d say that. She’d tried before to make him abandon her when they were being chased.
”No,” he said firmly. “After everything, you can’t give up now. We finish this mission together.”
”I wish I could,” she said, voice trembling. “Look at my hands—they’re numb. Probably nerve damage. I tried healing, but I can’t control my magic. I can’t fight. I’m just a burden now. Leave me behind.”
She turned away, eyes glistening with tears.
What the hell? Why is she suddenly so weak?
She was so confident before. Now she’s giving up?
Instead of feeling sad, he was starting to get annoyed. This isn’t a moment to break down—it’s one to push through.
He sighed and looked away. Suzette turned toward him, confused by his reaction. Why did she look so puzzled? His feelings had been clear all along. Unlike her, who’d always said whatever was on her mind.
He stood up. Suzette’s eyes followed, widening.
He couldn’t help but grin.
Then, with a bold move, he pulled out his weapon from under his clothes.
”…Huh?”
Suzette’s face twisted with shock, confusion, and a desperate attempt to understand what was happening.
”Don’t look so surprised. I told you—if we get away, you’re mine until morning.”
Thinking about having her like that, he felt a rush of determination. His weapon stirred with life.
Seeing this, Suzette started to back away, her limbs weak and trembling.
”Wait, that’s a joke, right?”
”You called yourself a talking burden? No, you’re my talking companion,” he said firmly. “Don’t worry about being useless. I’ll take care of you properly and make sure you’re useful. So, come on.”
Suzette kept retreating, tears now clearly from fear. She understood she couldn’t resist.
She stumbled backward onto the bed, and he stepped forward, straddling her.
He pressed himself close and said in a firm voice,
”Open your mouth.”
Notes:
• Hermine – A companion and friend of Anna. She is pragmatic and encourages Anna to focus on her duties as a hero rather than her personal revenge.
• Elna – Female. A young apprentice mage. Her appearance is that of a child with white hair reaching her shoulders. She wears a black hooded mantle with strange patterns. Her relationship is as an apprentice to Hermine, the Great Mage. Her power involves advanced magic, including spatial teleportation. Her combat style is magical, and she is described as childish and easily provoked.
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
• Ada – Female. Ada the Wild Wind. An A-rank adventurer. Her appearance is striking, with black hair mixed with fiery red, multiple earrings, and an axe spear as tall as she is. She is incredibly strong and fast, with a Unique Skill called the ‘Blessing of the Wind’ that enhances her speed and agility. Ada is ruthless in combat but shows a surprising willingness to negotiate. She is highly respected in adventurer circles and feared by criminals. Her relationship with Klock is adversarial, as he stole from her and escaped using trickery.
• John – A pseudonym used by Klock.
• Adelina – The slave girl.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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