The Great Mage Returns After 4000 Years

Book 2 Chapter 587

It was the Red Knight's black Pistol Sword. While this weapon, which integrated a firearm and blade into one, could be considered a versatile weapon capable of both close and mid-range attacks, the reality was somewhat different.

This was because its practicality was considerably lacking. It's surprisingly common to lose everything when trying to catch two rabbits at once.

The Pistol Sword, also known as the Gunblade, was that kind of weapon.

The most important aspects of a sword, cutting and stabbing, were significantly downgraded, and because it contained gunpowder and mechanical components, the weight inevitably increased. As the structure became more complex, its durability naturally decreased as well.

Then, did it at least fulfill its role as a firearm? That part was also ambiguous.

Extreme critics would mock the Pistol Sword, saying it was less practical than a bayonet. Even those who weren’t as critical often suggested that it would be far better to carry a sword and gun separately.

─But the Red Knight’s weapon was different.

It had the potential to overturn all of the above criticisms.

“Cough…!”

Residue exhaled hot breath along with dust.

‘This crazy bitch…!’

How had I judged that woman again?

She looks like a madwoman, but there's a rational side to her?

No! Not at all!

That woman was just a plain lunatic! Residue now swore to firmly establish that fact as an undeniable premise.

‘Was she really trying to kill me?’

The firepower from the Red Knight’s sword was at a level that Residue, whose entire body was bound by chains, couldn’t withstand. Even if Residue’s body had been in perfect condition, it would have still been dangerous.

The only reason he survived was because of one thing.

“Death Worm.”

“……”

One of the Twelve Void Lord, Death Worm.

That man had shielded Residue from the storm of flames that raged toward him.

To be exact, he had become a barrier.

It wasn’t clear where he had been until now, but Death Worm had hidden himself so well that not even Residue, nor the Four Knights, noticed his presence.

Residue was incredibly fortunate.

It wasn't that there was no way to counter it, but the method Residue had thought of just before the flames hit would have caused significant damage to himself as well. Because of the damned chains limiting his power, the risk would have been at least three times greater.

…Residue looked at Death Worm again.

Considering he had taken such massive firepower head-on, it was hard to believe that Death Worm, regardless of how much life force he had left, would have escaped without severe damage.

‘Did he bring in more worms?’

Death Worm was now almost half-charred. Frankly, it was a sight too horrifying to look at with both eyes.

His blackened flesh was not much different from that of a corpse left to rot for too long, and even the parts that hadn't been directly hit by the flames couldn't escape being burned, with yellow fluid oozing out.

But that ghastly appearance lasted only for a moment.

Soon, Death Worm's form began to naturally return to its original state.

“Are you alright?”

Unable to bring himself to say thank you, he asked that instead.

“…Impressive.”

“What?”

Only then did Residue realize that Death Worm hadn’t once looked at him since his arrival. His vacant eyes were fixated on Pale. It wasn’t a joke—he was truly and completely captivated by her.

Residue couldn’t understand what part of such a woman could possibly be attractive. Frankly, he didn’t even want to know.

No, if strength was considered a necessary quality in a partner, then perhaps it wasn’t completely incomprehensible, but still, wasn't there a limit to such thinking?

“Sigh…”

Residue cooled his somewhat agitated mind.

Now, he admitted it.

He truly had emotions, and they fluctuated as fiercely as any mortal's.

So he should learn. Learn how to control emotions.

He knows the fate of those weaklings who are swayed by their emotions. Every single one of them died a dog's death. For someone with Residue’s pride, it's an end he could never accept.

‘…Then what kind of death would I find acceptable?’

Before his unnecessary thoughts could continue any further, Residue shook his head and brought his focus back to the present.

First, the biggest question.

‘Wasn’t the Blue Knight completely infatuated with this virgin?’

Hadn't he seen her flirting as if she wanted to give him her heart and soul?

But then, what was that attack just now?

It almost swept away not only the two knights but also the bound Lukas.

Was it because she had stolen the weapon from the Red Knight and didn’t anticipate that much firepower being unleashed?

“Wow~ this is awesome!”

Hearing that airheaded voice, it didn’t seem like that was the case. Pale was gazing at the devastation she had caused with a pleased expression, as if she were admiring her own handiwork.

Witnessing that attitude, Residue’s worst suspicions naturally started heading towards the most dreadful conclusion.

‘Does Pale know my true identity?’

If she had considered me, who is chained up, as an ‘enemy’ from the start, then it all adds up.

Above all, wasn’t she the only one who knew about the lingering presence of the Lightning God inside Lukas?

‘But that’s overthinking it.’

Pale didn’t have enough evidence to deduce his true identity.

After showing up, she had only glanced at him from a distance and waved her hand vaguely, as if greeting him casually. How could she know Residue's identity when they hadn't even had a proper conversation?

Moreover, when their eyes met, didn't she properly call him 'Lukas'?

Bang!

At that moment, two knights emerged, pushing through the dust and lingering flames. Their bodies were cloaked in heat waves as they walked forward. Pale’s smile faded as she saw them.

She sheathed El’s sword back at her waist and drew her own blade.

And once again, the battle resumed.

Sword auras filled the surroundings.

Fragments of the broken ground and sparks flew everywhere.

Every time the swords clashed, the sound of thunder echoed, and the ground shook as if an earthquake had struck.

If this continues, he'll get caught up in this fight.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Residue spoke.

“Hey, can’t you cut these chains?”

“……”

“Hey, look at me. Look over here, you blockhead.”

At his words, Death Worm finally turned his gaze towards him.

"Males who space out aren't popular. Get your act together."

“Huh…?”

He still didn’t seem fully in his right mind, but Residue quickly spoke while he had Death Worm’s attention, even if only for a moment.

“Now’s your chance. This is the perfect opportunity to show her what a charming man you are.”

“How…?”

“It’s simple. Just show her how strong you are. Do you see these chains that are binding me?”

“…Yes. I see them.”

Death Worm replied with a voice that was now relatively calm, nodding his head.

“These chains withstood even the tremendous blow that sent the Blue Knight flying. It’s clear they were made from extraordinary materials with a special forging technique.”

Though they were almost broken, the important thing is that they withstood it.

“If you break them, she’ll start paying attention to you again.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Why would I lie about something like this?”

Residue spouted whatever came to mind that seemed convenient.

“Humans, by nature, are attracted to those who can accomplish what they themselves cannot. In other words, this situation is a golden opportunity, delivered to you on a silver platter. Come on, Death Worm, are you the kind of idiot who would kick away such a perfect chance that’s come knocking on your door?”

“No.”

Fire blazed in Death Worm’s eyes.

“I’m not an idiot!”

Death Worm strode over, clenched his fist tightly, and struck the chains.

Clang!

“……”

However, to his surprise, there was no effect at all.

This time, Death Worm grabbed the chains with both hands and struggled to break them. This, too, had no effect. The durability seemed to have weakened somewhat from the earlier attack, but for it to still be this strong? Residue couldn't help but click his tongue inwardly.

After a brief moment of thought, Death Worm spoke.

“It’ll take some time, but it can’t be helped.”

Creak-

As he said that, he placed his index finger against the chain, and immediately, a small hole appeared at the tip of his finger. From that hole, worms began wriggling out.

There were more than expected, and soon they swarmed over the chains, covering them in their color.

Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch-

And then they began gnawing away.

It was a revolting sight, but Residue’s expression remained unchanged. Because it was working. Slowly, but surely, the chains were being eaten away, bit by bit, disappearing.

“Hm…? Hmmm…! Hmm…”

“What is it?”

“No, these chains… They’re definitely something extraordinary. If I absorb and analyze them, I might be able to use them…”

“……”

And he becomes absorbed in his meal(?), occasionally making strange sounds to himself.

Residue looked at him with a pitiful gaze before turning his head away. He judged this wasn't the kind of look he should give to the only ally he could definitely trust in the current situation.

Regardless, Death Worm's method of attacking the chains was showing clear results.

Given enough time, he could definitely free Residue.

Yes, if only they had time.

“……”

Would nothing happen until then?

Residue turned his gaze back to the battlefield once more.

What was unfolding before him was more of a war than a mere battle, and it was reaching its climax. Was it the intense movement of their bodies that was causing the temperature to rise?

Clang!

At that moment, a helmet covered Pale's face.

For the first time since the fight began, she had become the 'Blue Knight'.

And then, the figures of the three knights instantly vanished.

‘They’ve entered the Minimal Time Zone.'

The moment Residue realized this fact.

After a brief pause…

───!

A tremendous roar, an explosion of sound.

It was a noise so massive that no adjective could do it justice, shaking the sky and earth. It was the kind of sound you might hear if countless compressed explosions had been held silent for an eternity and then released all at once in perfect harmony.

At the same time, light engulfed everything, and within it, the figures of the three knights emerged.

None of the three knights were in perfect condition. Armor, which wouldn’t normally show even a scratch under any ordinary impact, crumbled away like old ceramic.

The one most severely wounded was Pale. Her helmet was half-destroyed, and blood was visibly trickling from inside the cracked helmet.

“Hoooo…”

Pale exhaled deeply, then removed her helmet entirely. Her hair, matted with blood, flowed down like a waterfall.

The helmet wasn’t completely unusable.

For the Four Knights, their swords and armor were manifestations of their consciousness. If their bodies and minds recovered, their weapons and armor would also return to their unscathed forms.

“Handling two knights at once is tough after all. Hmm.”

She could afford to complain like that only because the two knights she was facing weren’t in perfect condition either.

The Red Knight without her weapon,

And the Black Knight, who had not yet fully adapted to the power of the Four Knights.

Of course, Pale might have chosen all-out battle because she was aware of this fact too.

“I’m getting kinda hungry…”

As Pale tapped her stomach, El spoke.

[Be careful from now on.]

[Careful?]

Lucid asked back, not fully understanding.

Pale was certainly strong.

And that strength was positioned at the exact opposite end of the spectrum from the kind of strength Lucid had pursued in the past.

There was no finesse in her swinging blades. Everything was spontaneous and impulsive. In other words, it was incredibly difficult to predict her moves. That was the strength of an unrefined sword.

The Blue Knight was different.

That sword wasn’t the result of training, nor did it carry any conviction, yet it was more overwhelming than any swordsmanship Lucid had ever encountered in the past.

But.

In the recent clash, the advantage was on his side.

Pale’s strength wasn’t enough to completely overpower the two knights.

However, El spoke in a much calmer voice than before.

[A hungry beast is more dangerous than a wounded one.]

[…….]

[From now on, things will start getting troublesome with the Blue Knight.]

Just locking eyes with her was enough to heighten the tension.

The heat gradually built up, increasing the pressure, and at the peak of that tension, the battle resumed once again.

And at that moment.

Clank!

“It’s over.”

Death Worm's work was finished, and Residue was freed.

“It wasn’t an easy task… but I did it.”

“Yes, truly impressive.”

“But it seems she isn’t looking at my magnificent form… What’s going on, Beginning Wizard?”

“…Ah. She’s fighting those two knights because she wants to come to you, isn’t she? She’s finally realized your true worth. She might even make the first move to court you.”

“Ah. I see.”

“Stand tall and greet her in style.”

“Thanks for the advice, my friend.”

Residue nodded and thought.

Now, what should I do next?

The answer came as soon as he thought of it.

'Escape.'