The Son-In-Law of the Magician Is a Transcendent Sword Master - Chapter 100

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 100

As Arania revealed her true nature, a thick shadow fell over the audience chamber.

“Be careful, Lord Reagan. Dark magic… cannot be approached with common sense about ordinary magic.”

Hearing Melchior’s warning, I nodded.

I too knew this painfully well from my past life experience.

How troublesome dark mages could be.

And the fact that the woman before me, Arania Sheydi, was stronger than any dark mage I had seen in my past life.

“Pathetic, Benheim’s son-in-law. If you wanted to question my crimes, you should have at least brought that boy Steren.”

Arania raised her hand.

And without any warning, the floor suddenly sank.

No, it was an optical illusion. The shadows on the floor split apart, and a dark serpent shape aimed for my legs.

It had similar qualities to the dark magic I had seen when training with Sheril in the past, but its density and malevolence were on a different level.

Clang!

Just as I was about to respond, the ground I was standing on rose up entirely, blocking the dark magic.

It was earth magic from the Ochre Tower.

“…Arania Sheydi! Have you truly abandoned even human decency!”

Melchior shouted in rage. In response, the tiles of the audience chamber scattered and formed blade edges. It was magic I had seen when facing the mages of the Ochre Tower, but Melchior’s as the tower lord was beyond standard.

“…Arania Sheydi, as a fellow female tower lord, I had a certain respect for you… but this is truly disappointing. Do you want to live so desperately that you’d sacrifice children? That’s senile greed.”

Rosalind also took out a bottle from her bosom and scattered the seeds inside onto the floor. The seeds sprouted as if time had accelerated, even though this was underground without a ray of sunlight.

Arania calmly waited through all these preparations. Despite having two lords of the Seven Great Towers present, Arania showed considerable confidence.

And in the battle that followed, Arania proved that confidence without reservation.

Crash!

With explosive sounds, rocks poured down and poison-glistening thorns rushed forward, but Arania neutralized all those attacks with a single gesture.

Not only that, but serpents emerged from shadows spread in all directions, aiming for blind spots. Melchior raised the ground for defense, but the serpent writhed as if alive, climbing up the ground to aim for his crown.

Clang!

I immediately deployed the runic character Algiz (ᛉ) to create a barrier. However, after the shadow serpent swept past once, even the 6th rank barrier was carved away like tofu.

“…Lady Rosalind!”

“I know.”

When I shouted, Rosalind stomped her foot. Simultaneously, the sprouts scattered on the floor all grew at once to block the attack.

Arania laughed as if amused.

“Not bad, you two. So this is what it means to be lords of the Seven Great Towers.”

“Tch.”

I clicked my tongue.

Just to block a single spell, two tower lords had to struggle desperately.

‘She’s a monster.’

Arania Sheydi was a 7th rank mage. Moreover, she was the real deal who had reached the 7th rank through dark magic, which was known to be difficult to advance in.

‘…She’s on a different level from Markel.’

The blood mage Markel I had faced in the Archmage Domain was also 7th rank, but that was only a half-baked realm achieved through black magic and Hrunir’s heart.

The Arania before me had built up her realm over those long years, transferring her soul through healthy bodies.

If Markel’s realm was a house built on sand, what Arania had built was a golden tower.

Even at the same rank, there was that much of a gap between them.

‘…Can we even win?’

When I fought Markel back then, I had Chronos as a trump card. But Chronos was confiscated by Iline. Moreover, Arania was a far superior opponent than Markel.

Crack!

The serpent created by dark magic flew at us again. Melchior raised the ground and Rosalind wrapped vines around it to further enhance its solidity.

Crash!

But even that could only block it once. From the recoil, Melchior’s feet slid back.

Another shadow serpent flew in afterward. It was too late to cast protective magic.

—Slash!

I drew Barasada and swung it. The blade of the Ether River that could cut through all magic scattered even the 7th rank dark mage’s shadow effortlessly.

Arania’s eyes widened. Not missing that moment of carelessness, Rosalind’s vines sprouted from the floor to target her.

But at that moment, Arania’s form became hazy and the vines cut through empty air.

‘Shadow Step.’

A technique to hide one’s body in shadows.

It was similar yet different from what Sheril had used in Trion before.

If Sheril’s dark magic was deception, then Arania’s magic was…

[Ahahaha!]

Arania burst into laughter. Before I knew it, her laughter was echoing from the pitch-black shadows that covered the entire audience chamber.

Thus, a 7th rank dark mage’s Shadow Step reached the realm of perfectly assimilating the body as if melting into the shadows themselves.

[My, you use quite a mysterious sword. The Ether River, you say. I’ve only seen it once in my childhood.]

The shadows rippled as Arania’s voice poured from all directions.

[Just now, you asked me to return Lashelle, didn’t you?]

“I did.”

[Fine. I’ll return her. Truth is, I don’t need that woman anymore.]

Shadow serpents continued to pour down like waves. I swung Barasada to continuously strike down the incoming dark magic.

As if my resistance was amusing, Arania continued with a mocking voice.

[Now that I’ve been exposed like this, there’s no reason to keep using orphans as hosts.]

“…”

[Above all, there’s a young and radiant body right before my eyes that can’t even be compared to that woman.]

“Are you talking about me?”

[Yes. Your mana core is truly unique. Reaching the 6th rank at such a young age must be thanks to that core. It’s about time I discarded this dark mage’s body too.]

At those words, I clicked my tongue and rested Barasada on my shoulder.

“Well. A courtship from a seventy-year-old hag is rather off-putting.”

[What did you say?]

Just as Arania showed displeasure, I carved runic characters on my legs and leaped.

Jumping into the air, I swung Barasada toward a point on the ceiling.

[…!]

The moment the sword tip was about to cut through empty air, Arania jumped out from the thick shadows in surprise.

“Kuk.”

The core of magic was clearly visible to my eyes. No matter how much she hid her form with 7th rank dark magic, she couldn’t conceal the center point of mana.

Bewilderment crossed Arania’s face for the first time.

“…You bastard, can you see me?”

“Yeah, I can see everything. So let’s stop this pointless hide-and-seek.”

At my teasing, Arania also laughed as if amused.

“Those eyes. I’ve seen them before.”

“…You’ve seen them before?”

“Yes. You have the same vision as that child.”

“…”

That child.

I couldn’t tell who she was referring to.

However, the body-stealing technique Arania was using was magic that had also been used in the Archmage King’s army.

If so, the ‘child’ Arania was referring to was likely the Archmage King.

‘Does the Archmage King also have the same constitution as me?’

The moment that thought occurred to me, Arania smiled greedily.

“I’ve come to really want those eyes.”

* * *

The entrance to the Shadow Tower.

When Steren got off the carriage, it was already well past midnight.

“Hmm…”

Steren frowned as he picked up the shattered wood and stone near the entrance.

“Traces of a broken barrier.”

Originally, these would be subtle barrier remnants that couldn’t be easily found. But to Steren’s eyes, a supreme 7th Rank Archmage, they appeared clearly.

There was only one person capable of seeing through this barrier.

“…It seems Reagan has already entered.”

Steren placed his hand on the ground. From deep beneath the magic tower, he could feel the waves of fierce battle as ominous mana clashed.

It meant combat was taking place inside the tower.

“There’s no time to delay. Let’s go in.”

“Yes.”

At Steren’s words, Captain Allet and Valen nodded.

They hadn’t mobilized the family’s military forces. The Elders would have strongly opposed it, and even if permission had been granted, Benheim’s formal intervention in the Shadow Tower would likely escalate into a major diplomatic issue.

“Renia, be careful. From here on, this is Shadow Tower territory.”

“I know.”

They crossed the black stone and entered the Shadow Tower.

Tension filled the interior of the tower.

Steren raised his head.

From behind the inner corridor, dozens of covert mages were watching the uninvited guests who had entered the tower with sharp gazes.

That wasn’t all. In front of the corridor stood young girls who appeared to be only around ten years old, each holding a weapon.

“These children, are they all ‘Shadow Daughters’?”

It had been written in the letter Reagan sent.

Arania wanted to switch to a young body every ten years, and for that purpose, she had adopted young girls from across the continent. And the girls would have been thoroughly brainwashed to follow Arania and the Shadow Tower.

That was the true nature of the ‘Shadow Daughters.’ The scene Steren was witnessing now.

“…Huu.”

Steren let out a deep sigh.

“…Since I have old ties with Lady Arania, I had hoped to resolve this through dialogue if possible… but that doesn’t seem likely.”

Steren slowly took one step forward.

Thump.

Just one step.

But the wave of mana shook the entire corridor. The covert mages all flinched in unison.

They couldn’t even dare to attack. Death would surely await them.

Only the young girls who hadn’t yet entered the path of mana stepped forward to point their weapons at Steren.

“Is that your way? Using young girls as shields? Is that what humans should do?”

Steren grimaced with displeasure and raised one hand.

“If you surrender now, you might be able to save your lives. Benheim is a merciful family. I don’t lie.”

“…”

“However, if you intend to fight… you have no life left.”

Despite Steren’s warning, the covert mages didn’t back down. Venom could be seen in their eyes.

‘…So they intend to fight.’

Well, the loyalty of covert mages was famously fierce.

‘I can’t kill them.’

Steren’s expression sank with complexity.

The covert mages were one thing.

Steren wasn’t cold-hearted enough to ruthlessly cut down children like those.

“…These children must not be killed. Subdue them while inflicting as little harm as possible.”

“Yes.”

Valen nodded.

Then Steren focused his senses underground. The collision of mana transmitted from the lower floors was extremely fierce.

He could sense four distinct auras.

All were mana of intense density above 6th Rank.

‘Rosalindr and… even Melchior are there. Then I can be somewhat relieved.’

A battle between three 6th Rank mages and a 7th Rank dark mage.

He couldn’t rashly predict who would win.

Probably Arania would have the advantage.

For now, he had no choice but to trust his son-in-law Reagan.

“Father.”

At that moment, Renia suddenly spoke up.

“Renia, it’s dangerous right now…”

“I’m going to rescue Sheril. Please clear the way.”

Renia cut off his words.

“…”

She wasn’t a daughter who would listen if he tried to stop her.

Even knowing that, his paternal concern raised its head.

“Renia, the lower floors will be dangerous. Even if you go…”

“Sheril will be in more danger. So will Reagan.”

“…”

Renia’s expression showed resolute determination.

Was she a child capable of making such an expression?

Following Arno, he was secretly pleased by Renia’s growth, but…

‘…There’s no helping it.’

After a moment of silence, Steren spoke with a bitter smile.

“Alright. But be careful, Renia.”

“Yes!”

Renia crossed straight through the inner corridor.

No one tried to stop her. The moment they stepped forward, magic from a 7th Rank Archmage would come flying.

As Renia headed to the lower floors, Steren turned to look at the lined-up covert mages.

“…Now then.”

Steren adjusted his gloves and said.

“As the head of Benheim, I shall teach you proper manners.”

* * *

Thump, thud.

Irregular vibrations rose from the floor.

The commotion from the audience chamber on the floor directly below had reached the prison.

Vera and Sierra hurriedly rushed out of the prison and exchanged glances.

“What’s all this sudden commotion?”

“Three guests came earlier…”

Vera recalled the guests who had visited during the day.

Two Archmages and Reagan von Benheim.

Vera deduced the situation.

“Probably… it’s that man’s doing.”

“That man?”

“Yes. That arrogant man we saw in the territory. He brought the Archmages to attack Mother.”

Sierra’s eyes widened.

“Huh? Then shouldn’t we hurry to help Mother?”

“But… Mother told us to guard the prison. If we disobey Mother’s words… we’ll have to receive ‘punishment,’ right?”

“…Is, is that so?”

Should they protect Mother, or should they obey Mother’s words?

They were holding their heads in this impossible situation for a moment.

Click, click.

Footsteps could be heard from the stairs.

Soon, Vera and Sierra made eye contact with a woman who came down from the darkness, her golden hair flowing.

“…You girls, you’re the ones I saw before, aren’t you?”

A direct bloodline of Benheim, Lyrnia Erahan von Benheim.

“Perfect timing. You two know where Sheril is, right? Guide me there immediately. Otherwise, you’ll be in for a world of hurt.”

Renia, who had come down the stairs, issued her threat.

“….”

Vera and Sierra looked at each other and snickered.

No matter how direct a bloodline of Benheim she was, this was the depths of the Shadow Tower. And there were two of them.

“Oh my, how delightful. What brings the young lady of Benheim all the way here?”

“But you know, we’re terribly busy and don’t have time to guide you. What should we do?”

The two answered smugly while blocking the path.

Renia’s eyes narrowed. Her gaze naturally moved to the vial hanging at Vera’s waist. Renia pointed at the bottle and spoke.

“That.”

“Yes?”

“Phantom’s Dew. Reagan gave that to Sheril.”

Renia’s expression turned ice cold.

“Why do you have it?”

“….”

“Don’t tell me you stole it? From Sheril?”

Vera, who was about to answer nonchalantly, felt her head go cold as if ice water had been poured over her the moment their eyes met.

Her opponent was merely a 5th-tier mage. Vera was also a 5th-tier Covert Mage. If she joined forces with Sierra, who was 4th-tier, they could easily subdue her.

But why was this happening?

‘Why… why can’t I breathe?’

The killing intent flowing from the woman before her was no less than her mother’s.

Cold sweat dripped down Vera’s back.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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