Chapter: 14
Redius Argenta was Diello’s uncle and the only remaining blood relative.
His death would naturally have a huge impact on Diello and affect the upcoming battle.
Being a blood relative of the Argenta main family, Redius Argenta was also a major military asset for the Argentas.
“…How much reinforcements did he say he’d provide?”
At my words, the knight replied.
“The battle seems to be dragging on longer than expected, so they said it should be enough troops to quickly stabilize the battlefield.”
“I see.”
Piele seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
Hearing it this way, it didn’t sound like a major problem.
“…….”
I narrowed my eyes.
But the truth I knew was different.
It was clear that the battlefield hadn’t yet escalated into a full-blown crisis.
The reason why the experienced commander Redius could not survive, even with Lord Diello’s support, was obvious.
He would gather all his strength into a raging ‘berserk’ and block the water magic used by the monsters of the sea.
He sensed that something was off and requested Diello to join the sortie, but even Diello couldn’t have anticipated…
That a monster using ‘water magic,’ something never before seen in Argenta history, would appear.
I could not just let events unfold according to that path.
No matter that it was a contract marriage, I could not stand by knowing a tragedy was about to happen.
It wasn’t some petty hero complex.
Even after the true Pero arrived at Argenta, Redius Argenta would remain a major asset.
This was also for my own future.
―Thump.
After finishing my thoughts, I sprang up from my seat.
“Send reinforcements as quickly as possible. The troop size should be…”
Normally, this would have been a decision for Piele or the other knights of the order.
But they did not know about the water-magic-wielding monster.
And I couldn’t tell them either.
I couldn’t just say I saw it in a book; they would instantly consider me suspicious.
I needed the largest force I could get, naturally, and the most… efficient way to block the water magic.
“Wouldn’t it be better if the knights decide?”
At my words, the knight reporting and Piele both bowed in acknowledgment.
Then I drew my trump card.
“However, organize personnel to escort me as well.”
“Eh?”
Piele raised her head sharply. She seemed surprised.
“It’s by the water, and I’m Alouge, after all.”
I spread my hand.
―Shhhk!
Even the nearby ink and the water in the vase reacted to my fingertips and moved.
The knight and Piele stared at the display, eyes wide.
“If reinforcements are needed even after Diello departs, my abilities will help.”
No, my abilities would save not just Redius but many others.
I was certain.
I hate the sea.
Diello murmured.
Hundreds of years ago, for some reason, the Infinite Sea appeared, and the monsters there constantly targeted the land.
The Argenta estate, sworn to protect the land from the Infinite Sea, was built in a location overlooking the sea.
As a result, what they always saw was this relentless sea.
From afar, it glittered beautifully in the sunlight, but to him, it was nothing but the entrance to hell.
Most people Diello had known since childhood had been devoured by that Infinite Sea.
“Many wish to see Lord Diello fall. You must grow strong.”
“If you cannot, you must at least get used to sacrifice, Lord.”
“Do not see this as Diello alone, but the Argenta as a whole.”
If it weren’t for the mentor who taught him this and his last blood relative guiding him, young Diello might have crumbled.
“To survive, you must harden yourself.”
The words of his mentor, Redius Argenta, were etched into Diello’s mind every time he faced the sea.
“…….”
It was probably today, having marched to the battlefield where Redius commanded, that brought those thoughts sharply to mind.
―Kraaa!
When Diello first arrived at the Fourth District coast of the Infinite Sea, half the shoreline was monsters.
Without hesitation, Diello drew his sword upon reaching the battlefield.
―Fwaaah!
The powerful flames flowing from the tip of his sword extended like a blade, incinerating the monsters.
Monsters of the Infinite Sea, normally unfazed by ordinary flames, reacted only to Argenta fire.
As if paper soaked in oil.
Even monsters burning under the power of a single Argenta could not withstand the Lord’s fire.
―Chiiik!
The seawater dripping from the monsters, and even nearby water, evaporated instantly, turning the surroundings hazy and heated.
“The Lord has arrived!”
“Waaah!”
The morale of the Argenta knights surged, completely reversing the faltering tide of battle.
Only half a day ago, it had seemed the situation would be quickly resolved.
The battlefield situation had reversed entirely.
‘At this rate, countless Argentas will die.’
Diello frowned.
A few hours ago…
The monsters had been pushing forward steadily, but then suddenly, a massive wave surged over the shore.
“What… what is that!”
The panicked Argenta knights shouted as Diello evaporated most of the incoming seawater, but even he had limits.
Repeated waves, and monsters emerging from them, turned the beach into a scene of chaos in an instant.
“…….”
Diello glared at the monster in the middle of the sea manipulating the water.
Even Argenta flames fired at it were blocked by the thick walls of seawater, making it difficult to stop.
He had requested reinforcements to the estate earlier, but they only sent enough troops to handle basic post-battle cleanup.
He hadn’t expected such sudden changes on the battlefield.
―Ssshaaah!
The Infinite Sea that the Argentas had to block…
Most of the monsters emerging from there were mere mutated marine life, lacking intelligence.
But among them appeared a monster that could control waves—a power strong enough to overturn the battle.
“Recently, monsters using fire magic appeared even in the desert protected by Cartiel…”
Diello narrowed his eyes.
Cartiel was a family that controlled wind, and their abilities had struggled against fire-spreading winds.
But Cartiel’s head had already met Pero and awakened, and was considered the strongest head in history, Siete Cartiel.
When the head intervened personally, the problem was subdued without issue.
“…….”
But here, the true Pero had yet to appear.
Diello narrowed his eyes.
This was, in effect, a natural disaster.
“I requested reinforcements at the estate, but I doubt it will bring any meaningful change to the battlefield.”
Diello quickly assessed the situation.
Redius, the field commander beside him, lowered his head.
“This is my fault. My Lord, please take cover.”
Redius had requested Diello’s help to reduce Argenta casualties in anticipation of more monsters.
But the situation changed with the emergence of mutant monsters.
The waves surged like a disaster, and the fire-wielding Argenta was helpless.
Had Diello been an awakened Lord with Pero, the battlefield would have been entirely different.
Not just Diello himself, but his vassals empowered by him could have used far greater strength than now.
But without Pero, all they could do was block.
In fact, it was miraculous that they managed to hold off these monsters at all under an unawakened Lord.
So, to stop them cleanly, sacrifices were necessary.
“I will go berserk to stop them.”
Like Loa in the Third District, he would unleash all of his Argenta-given power in a single explosion to halt the monsters.
Diello frowned.
Another sacrifice after Loa, just recently.
But Redius’ choice was the best for Argenta.
As long as Diello remained an unawakened Lord, reaching the monster in the middle of the sea with fire was impossible.
If someone went berserk—and if it were Redius, who shared Argenta blood—they could pierce the spray and kill the monster.
“…….”
But unlike Loa, Redius fulfilled his duty as a commander.
Even so, to minimize damage and for Argenta, he would go berserk.
No other choice could reduce further casualties.
As Lord, approval was natural.
Even if Redius was Diello’s mentor.
And the one who had taught him this was the very Redius Argenta before him—his uncle and last blood relative.
“My Lord, permission.”
Redius bowed.
On the battlefield, no further words were necessary.
As it was, this would become Redius Argenta’s final will.
“Ruthless Argenta.”
Diello murmured lowly.
It was time to make a cold but fair decision.
He had to give the order.
Just like Loa, burn himself to stop it.
It was the right choice.
The answer.
That was how the Argenta family endured.
Diello bit his lip unconsciously and was about to speak when—
―Tatatatak! Tadak!
Distant, chaotic hoofbeats echoed.
Diello paused.
Even at a glance, it was clear that few knights were approaching.
“?”
Diello instinctively turned, eyes wide.
“Th-Those are…?”
Redius, prepared to go berserk with resolve, also stopped moving.
Twice the expected number of knights were charging forward.
“Waaah!”
But even more striking than the number were the figures at the lead.
Their lead rode a horse at such speed that their purple hair whipped backward.
Through it, the violet eyes revealed something completely unexpected to Diello.
“……Crua Alouge?”
As Diello widened his eyes, blue energy spread from Crua Alouge’s hands at the front.
It was Alouge’s power—the mastery of water.
