Chapter 305 – Battle Maiden and Faceless Knight
An army of evil beings had suddenly appeared before us.
The sight of them forced us to steel our resolve, but there is one thing that I was very concerned about.
(How did they come here?)
How could such a majestic army come here without anyone knowing it?
“It’s as if they concealed even their breath…”
(Hum…)
“But we were fighting with Demonic Beasts then, so it may be that we just didn’t notice their approach.”
Or maybe they had some unique skills to hide them from.
We tried to observe the Evil Being Army.
At the forefront stood Hobgoblins wielding spears, with their archers and mages directly behind them. Next came the High Oak warriors, shieldsmen, swordsmen, and snipers. Minotaur foot soldiers and lancers brought up the rear of the main forces.
Hobgoblins’ threat level is rank E. The Orcs and Minotaur are rank D. However, the monsters behind them were much more powerful; they could be considered the commander’s elite guard.
Although the threat of Minotaur Senior Mage, High Swordsman, and Senior Axe Warriors are technically rank D, they were not far from a C-rank in terms of destructive power.
After all, the Flame Magic used by the Senior Mage was a high tier magic technique, and the High Swordman was a master of Sword Arts.
Among those Minotaurs, there were four Minotaur Dark Paladins head and shoulders above the rest that were definitely ranked C. They possessed the ability to use Divine Axe Techniques, Divine Shield, and Dark Magic. Their massive figures standing in the crowd were truly imposing.
However, these guys were not the leaders. In the midst of Minotaurs, stood an imposing archer, the commander, with an adjunct at her side. As I appraised them, it felt as if a shiver ran down my blade.
The army of evil beings they led was already a formidable enemy, but the skills of these two far surpassed all the rest.
General Information
Race: Valkyrie?Carnage Archer
Evil Being: Heavenly Demon Lv66
HP: 1352
MP: 2387
STR: 682
VIT: 563
AGI: 1339
INT: 1002
MGC: 1298
DEX: 889
Skills
Coercion: Lv6
Hide: Lv3
Espionage: LvMax
Wind Magic: Lv7
Bow Techniques: LvMax
Divine Bow Techniques: Lv5
Bow Arts: LvMax
Divine Bow Arts: Lv5
Resistance to Fear: Lv7
Vigilance: Lv4
Presence Detection: Lv5
Presence Isolation: Lv7
Presence Concealment: Lv 6
Sword Techniques: Lv8
Swordplay: Lv8
Herculean Strength: Lv 6
Resistance to Madness: Lv7
Regeneration: Lv 8
Leadership: Lv8
Resistance to Abnormal Status Conditions: Lv6
Spear Techniques: LvMax
Divine Spear Techniques: Lv 4
Spear Arts: LvMax
Divine Spear Arts: Lv 4
Elemental Blade: Lv7
Dominating Aura: Lv 4
Light Magic: Lv4
Magic Perception: Lv 6
Magic Release: Lv 6
Night Vision, Vigour Mastery, Morale Boost, Dampened Sense of Pain, Iron Will, Floating, Troop Assistance, Magic Self-Recovery, Magic Manipulation
Innate Skills
Battle Maiden
Titles
Charging Battle Maiden
Equipment
Battle Maiden Spear, Battle Maiden Bow, Battle Maiden Set
General Information
Race: Headless Knight – Specter Lv 1
HP: 1588
MP: 693
STR: 781
VIT: 727
AGI: 587
INT: 200
MGC: 521
DEX: 714
Skills
Intimidation: Lv5
Stealth: Lv4
Flame Magic: Lv3
Presence Perception: Lv6
Fear: Lv9
Presence Isolation: Lv3
Sword Techniques: LvMax
Divine Sword Techniques: Lv2
Sword Arts: LvMAX
Divine Sword Arts: Lv2
Herculean Strength: Lv8
Instant Recovery: Lv3
Resistance to Abnormal Status Conditions: Lv9
Shield Arts: LvMax
Divine Shield Arts: Lv4
Shield Techniques: LvMax
Divine Shield Techniques: Lv4
Resistance to Mental Abnormalities: Lv9
Elemental Blade: Lv7
Flame Magic: LvMax
Resistance to Magic: Lv6
Magic Detection: Lv8
Magic Absorption: Lv7
Resistance to Thunder: Lv4
Night Vision, Vigour Manipulation, Dampened Sense of Pain, Magic Manipulation
Titles
Faceless Knight
Equipment
Evil Stone Imbued Broadsword, Anti-Magic Steel Armor, Anti-Magic Steel Shield, Barrier Ring
Races like Valkyrie and Headless Knight were known to be strong in fantasies, both being C-ranked threats or greater. This Valkyrie and the headless Knight were both ranked B, although he was slightly weaker, and their skill sets had no obvious drawbacks.
The Valkyrie was particularly strong. Her countenance was that of a beautiful girl with long blond hair, but her golden armor glinting in the sunlight gave her a dignified presence. She looked sacred; no one would know by looking that she was a monster. But even at this distance, the coercion that she released could be felt.
In contrast, the Headless Knight was a large, humanoid monster wearing sturdy armor. It didn’t carry its head under one arm, but instead placed it on its neck. I wondered if it would fall. Because its whole body was completely covered in armor, there was no way to see its face or know its gender.
Both wielded terrible powers. Valkyrie’s innate skill “Battle Maiden” was a powerful skill that had the effect of enhancing martial arts skills, reaction speed, and so on. Moreover, her title “Charging Battle Maiden” hid dreadful power.
Charging Battle Maiden: A title bestowed to a Battle Maiden that has met all the requirements.
Effect: When she leads a force of more than 100, the Battle Maiden’s stealth and mobility skills will be distributed throughout the army. For those not directly under her command, the effect will be greatly reduced.
This was why the Evil Being Army was able to avoid our perception. What is with this overpowered performance?!
Because it specifies that the effect is reduced on those not directly led by her, then all those recognized by her as a subordinate must receive some effect. Would this include the Monster Legion? Thank goodness the effect had dropped drastically, otherwise, we might not have found them in time. However, if the effect, perhaps we could have found them sooner.
The Dullahan’s title: Faceless Knight. The effects were increased regeneration and absorption system skills. Very basic, but it meant that this guy will be difficult to eliminate.
If Valkyrie was originally a rank B threat, then her ability to command the army boosted her to rank A, but it depended on her subordinates.
“Well. Good reaction speed. Although they are just some underlings, you have stopped so many monsters by yourself alone. You even dodged my arrow.”
Using wind magic, Valkyrie’s voice floated to us across the battlefield.
“Who are you?”
We also used wind magic to reply.
“Can you also employ wind magic? Well, nevermind. I am the servant of master Murellia, the Battle Maiden who leads her Army”
“Is Murellia the mastermind?”
“Yes, so?”
“Why are you doing this?”
“You seem to know nothing. However, whatever her reasons may be, this has nothing to do with you, since you are about to die here. If you sacrifice your head to Murellia, I will let you die peacefully.”
“That’s our line.”
“You would win even though you have already fought with monsters all night?”
“Of course, the victory to us”
“Ha ha ha, very good! This gives value to our outing! Prey should be fresh! Let us enjoy it!”
I had thought she was definitely a battle freak, but perhaps a hunter instead? It seemed she was the type that liked winning best.
“Archers! Loose arrows!”
Shit. I wanted to get more information from our conversation, but it really couldn’t be continued like this!
But it seems the boss of these guys is probably a Dungeon Master, and I learned that she was called Murellia.
Hearing the command of Valkyrie, the evil beings drew back their bowstrings fully and shot their arrows neatly at the same time. It was the beginning of this deadly fight.
“We need to guard the pass here first.”
I charged Fran with the duty of defending against the arrows and blocked the narrow pass using the Great Wall. It was impossible to resist the magic beasts’ invasion while also withstanding the evil being army. I thought I should prevent them from pressing ahead any farther when …
‘Great Arrow Inferno’
Suddenly, not far from where we were, an arrow released by Valkyrie pierced into the wall. At the same time, a sudden explosion blasted a huge hole in the wall.
“Chi!”
‘Fu hahaha! ‘Great Arrow Inferno.’
I tried to cast another Great Wall, but it was destroyed again by Valkyrie’s arrow. Oops, we were in for trouble now.
Now, the Magic beasts began to march towards the breach, and in the meantime, the evil beings also launched long-distance attacks. It became largely ineffective to defend against the evil beings while attacking the Magic beasts. Must I give up fighting with the Magic beasts…? NO, absolutely not. Fran wouldn’t want that.
Is there anything else I can do? How can I help?
I fully activated my Simultaneous Processing to search for the best option, but as long as Valkyrie was here, it was impossible to shut down the hole in the wall. My only option was to reduce the number of monsters as much as possible. Otherwise, I would have to fight both.
The only attacking skill I could use now was Ekato Keravnos, a wide-ranging skill, which could bring down 100 lightning strikes at the same time. If I scattered it in a wide range continuously, it was likely that a great number of beasts would fall. Each strike could smash one low ranking magic beast, and stun those surrounding it.
However, it was high tier magic after all. My magic would all be drained in an instant if I applied the skill continuously to eliminate the 3000-or more beasts. Then I would be at a disadvantage in the subsequent battles with the evil beings; in other words, I would be killed.
It would be best if I could absorb more magic stones to improve my magic stone points, … Was there a way to absorb the magic stone points while launching a wide-ranging attack …? Hum…
No, there is. Can I do it if I’m in this condition? I narrowed my focus and tried to activate the transformation. I wasn’t sure I could do it, but I finally was able to control the blade. It worked!
First, however, I should use up my MP. It would be completely restored when I rank up after all. Now I can use Ekato Keravnos one after another.
“Haaaa! Just enjoy it!”
I cast nearly 500 lightning bolts towards the rear of the Magic beasts. Although it isn’t precise, like this, I could destroy many of them. The beasts being hit directly by the bolts were smashed to pieces, and other beings within the attack range were charred by the strikes that nearly missed them.
Once more, I launched another attack against the evil beings. I meant to blind them more than doing any significant damage, but it would be better if I could diminish the number of assailants.
I attacked the beasts in the back on purpose, rather than those around me. I deliberately left the nearby beasts till last, so that they could be food for me later.
“Fran, Fran, endure the arrows for a while!”
‘En!’
Well, now I will give this my full effort!
“Haaaa! Magic stones, come to me!”
I activated the transformation with all my strength. This time, however, the transformed part was not the blade, per usual, but the braids hung on the hilt, since Fran would be in danger if her weapon was gone. Normally I manipulate only the blade in the transformation, but both the braid and the cord are also part of me. They would be repaired when I was restored after all, so, the braid should be something I can manipulate too.
Magic Control, Energy Control, Simultaneous Processing. As a result of making full use of them, my transformation reached a level not comparable to before.
In response to my will, the braid transformed into ten steel threads. Like branches of a tree, they extended up to the sky, and sideways further and further. Obviously, the Magic beasts’ stones in their path were all pierced through and eaten.
“Ku, I have reached my limit…?”
I am being held back more by my processing ability than magic capacity. I don’t have a head, but I could feel that my brain was burning. No, maybe it’s because I didn’t have a brain that I felt that way; anyway, it was terrible.
“But… It’s here!”
It’s the second rank up today! As a result of absorbing a large number of Magic beasts’ stones, enough magic stone points have been accumulated at once.
Author’s Notes:
Since there were many status notations, the Shishou’s post-evolution status will be displayed in the postscript.
Name: Shishou
Wielder: Fran (fixed)
Race: Intelligent Weapon
ATK: 882
Magic Capacity: 6250/6250
Endurance Points: 6050/6050
Magic Conductivity: S-
Skills
Appraisal: Lv Max, Appraisal Blocking, Transformation, High-speed Self Restoration, Self-evolution;
[Rank 15 – Magic Stone Value: 10569/12000 – Memory: 151 – Points: 75]
Self-modification [skill superiorization], Telekinesis, Telekinesis small increase, Telepathy, Attack small increase,
Space-time magic: Lv Max; Skill Sharing, Wielder’s Status Medium Increase, Wielder’s Recovery Small Increase, Heavenly Eye, Seal Negation, Magic Capacity Small Increase, Magic Beast Knowledge, Mage, Memory Medium Increase.
Unique Skill
The Principle of Falsehood: Lv 5;
Dimension Magic: Lv 4.
Superior Skill
Sword Technique: SP;
Skill Taker: SP;
Multiple Body Creation: SP
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