Do Your Own Revolution

#020

Boom–!

The flames that burst from the muzzle instantly incinerated the shards of ice rushing toward me.

Overwhelming firepower that effortlessly devoured magic worthy of a Knight Order Commander.

It was truly power deserving of the name ‘Flames that Burn the Empire.’

‘Here it comes!’

However, instead of being surprised by its power, I immediately pulled my body back to prepare for the next attack.

For the named monster I knew, Ben Herkes.

There was no way he would die from just one attack like this.

“Kugh?!”

Ben’s sword swept through the spot where I had been just moments ago.

The second strike rushed in without delay.

However, one dodge bought me enough time to respond.

After kicking away his sword, I struck away Ben’s hand that tried to grab my clothes.

Ben’s main combat style was grappling, utilizing his unique physique and strength.

The moment I get caught in those hands even once, he would crush my skull right there.

“You fed Karin to that monster.”

Ben said during our close combat.

“Did you know that one admired you? I heard she even had quite promising plans for the future.”

It was news to me, but I felt no particular emotion.

Her brain was already infiltrated by the Mark of Control.

I couldn’t save her, and she wasn’t valuable enough to be worth saving and utilizing.

It was a bit touching that she called my name when she died, but that’s no longer my concern…

“Eugene.”

In the middle of these thoughts, I realized.

“What are you doing getting distracted by psychological warfare?”

“…!”

To spend four sentences explaining the justification for killing.

I suppose I’m more emotional than I think I am.

Ben’s fist struck my abdomen with full force.

Fuck.

Why does it sound like being hit with a mace when he’s using his fist?

“Kuluk! Kek, uwek…! Kek…!”

After being thrown far and sprawled on the ground, I desperately held back the urge to vomit.

Ben’s fists – no matter how many times I get hit, I can’t get used to them.

However, Ben seemed quite surprised by my next action, as he took his stance with renewed interest.

“Getting up right away, your endurance has improved.”

“It has. Thanks to someone.”

I raised my gun toward Ben with a smirk.

However, the current situation wasn’t good.

‘This is… dangerous…!’

The wounds from Ben’s hits weren’t the problem.

Well, thinking about it, that’s a fucking big problem too, but anyway, that wasn’t what mattered.

‘I’m running low on magical power.’

Just using magic imprint once consumed 20% of my accumulated magical power.

In my current physical state, I couldn’t handle the magical power consumption of this ‘Wings of Crimson.’

‘Well, when you think about it, it makes sense.’

The body of a ten-year-old child.

Immature magic circuit and underdeveloped magical power circuit.

Such a fragile body equipped with one of the highest-tier magic imprints in this world.

It’s like putting a motorcycle engine in a supercar chassis and flooring it.

The engine couldn’t handle it, and the car couldn’t run properly.

‘If this were a game, it would be the worst build possible.’

That thought made me laugh involuntarily.

If I could have grown optimizing for maximum efficiency, I wouldn’t be struggling like this.

Thinking this, I gauged the amount of magical power I had left.

‘I can use magic about three more times… Any more than that and it’s straight to Magical Power Exhaustion.’

The status ailment I experienced two years ago fighting Saul’s gang, Magical Power Exhaustion.

But the situation now was different from then.

There was no hospital here to treat my collapsed body, no kind doctor.

The moment I collapse, I die.

‘Still, it’s not like I have no chance of winning.’

I recalled the exchange I just had with Ben.

One clash, and an ambush.

Ben’s magic couldn’t negate mine, and he had no choice but to settle it in close combat.

‘In speed, strength, and stamina, Ben has an overwhelming advantage. However…!’

The one element where I overwhelm him – firepower.

Then what I could do was already decided.

‘Short decisive battle using overwhelming firepower advantage.’

No choice but to pour everything into one exchange.

After making this decision, I drew out as much magical power as I could from within my body.

“?!”

When I stepped forward holding up my dagger, Ben seemed uncharacteristically surprised.

But that was only for a moment.

As if indicating he wouldn’t avoid the challenge, he received my attack with a faint smile.

Close combat continued without pause.

I desperately swung my dagger looking for Ben’s openings, and Ben skillfully blocked it using his arms and legs.

Don’t ask why blocking a knife with limbs makes metallic sounds.

Even I who’m fighting right now don’t understand it at all.

“You were hasty, Eugene. Close combat against a mage of Elcidore?”

At that moment.

Along with that brief comment, the magic imprint engraved on Ben’s right arm activated.

What I felt then was a coldness that seemed to tear at flesh.

Looking at the ground, the earth around Ben began to slowly freeze.

“This is…!”

“This is a technique used by the knights of Elcidore. Originally, I developed it.”

It wasn’t just the air and ground that were freezing.

The cold instantly penetrated my body, and my attack speed noticeably decreased.

That slight gap that was created.

Ben didn’t miss it.

“It’s over.”

The giant’s fist swung greatly aimed at my abdomen and.

Lifted my body up, about to crush my internal organs.

…No.

Should have crushed them.

“Got you.”

“?!”

When the dagger stabbed into Ben’s arm, a look of bewilderment crossed his face.

Despite taking his strike head-on, I was still alive.

How am I alive?

Surely all my internal organs should have been destroyed?

The content of his thoughts was crystal clear.

I gripped the gun in my empty right hand.

‘Heresy.’

Maximilien’s unique item, its effects when equipped were removal of ‘Wings of Crimson’ usage penalties and instantaneous regeneration ability.

Through Ben’s attack just now, I realized these effects were being applied to me.

And through close combat, I induced his attack and caught my opportunity.

The instantaneous regeneration ability that activated the moment Ben’s fist tore through my internal organs.

That turned the tide of this battle.

“I said my endurance improved, didn’t I? Supervisor?”

“…!”

Looking at Ben’s face still not recovered from shock, I quietly murmured.

“That was a lie.”

With those words, I pulled Heresy’s trigger.

I awakened magical power seven years earlier than in the original work.

I desperately increased my magical power capacity and optimized my magical power circuits using all the knowledge I had.

Those two years of enduring and bearing with it.

I poured all of that into this single moment.

***

“Wait… What exactly does that mean?”

Inside the armored train heading to Belkers territory.

Hearing the staff officer’s report after reading the code table, the middle-aged man in uniform dropped his cigarette.

“Count Elcidore’s magical power signal disappeared? Is this true?”

His name was Keiren Valkheim.

The fourth son of the Valkheim duchy, he was the division commander of the Empire’s 72nd Division stationed on the eastern front.

“It’s certain, Major General. The amount of magical power communications from the Knight Order has surged, and the atmosphere is unsettled.”

“Hm…”

Hearing the staff officer’s report, Major General Keiren cupped his chin in thought.

‘Something happened to that viper?’

Originally, the eastern wasteland expedition was a joint operation between Elcidore and Valkheim.

More precisely, it was a joint operation between Lupeon, who held supreme command of the Empire’s Magic Corps, and Keiren, the 72nd Division commander.

However, the relationship between the two who had to pioneer the eastern wasteland together was extremely awkward.

[The expedition’s top priority is eliminating the monsters settled in the wasteland, and the Magic Corps is central to monster warfare. The 72nd Division should follow our command.]

[It’s the 72nd Division’s infantry, not the Magic Corps, maintaining the eastern front, and the supply lines built in the wasteland were created with our soldiers’ blood. If you want to keep your footing on the front lines, the Magic Corps should refrain from independent action and support the 72nd Division’s operations.]

A simple difference of opinion during meetings.

However, as disagreements continued, this difference of opinion escalated into a pride battle between the Magic Corps and the 72nd Division.

[A non-awakened who can’t do anything against monsters wants to command us? Don’t be ridiculous.]

[Those who can’t do anything without protection from these non-awakened, what are you going on about?]

As more time passed, this dispute evolved into an emotional conflict between the awakened and non-awakened, and eventually the two groups on the eastern front became so antagonistic they had to monitor each other’s communications.

In the midst of this, the Elcidore Knight Order and Magic Corps suddenly executed a full withdrawal.

Keiren, the 72nd Division commander, was heading to Belkers territory to protest this decision.

“This is maddening. I thought it was just a ploy to gain control of the front lines, but to think something actually happened…”

“Ma-Major General, over there! Look over there!”

While lost in thought sitting in the VIP compartment, Staff Officer Rick called out to him.

“Those wreckage are from the Revolutionary Army…!”

“What did you say? Revolutionary Army?”

Looking where the staff officer’s finger pointed, Major General Keiren’s eyes widened.

Because he saw numerous airship wreckage crashed together in one mass.

And the black hull protruding from that pile of scrap metal.

The infamous Revolutionary Army’s airship fleet.

The Liberty, which served as the fleet’s artillery ship, lay face down on the ground like garbage.

“That bizarre appearance… It was shot down by magic.”

It was only momentary that he shuddered at the tremendous power that had handled the Revolutionary Army’s airship fleet like toys, which wouldn’t even be scratched by ordinary anti-air defenses.

Major General Keiren realized smoke was rising from within Belkers territory.

Judging by the location, the source of the smoke was the Elcidore mansion located in the center of the territory.

As his staff officer reported, something had clearly happened to Elcidore.

“Rick.”

“Yes, Major General!”

After finishing his thoughts, Keiren spoke to his staff officer.

“How many soldiers are on this armored train?”

“The 1st, 7th, and 12th battalions are aboard. About 1,000 men total.”

1,000 men.

Major General Keiren immediately organized the situation in his head.

The Revolutionary Army’s airship fleet on the ground.

The incident with Count Lupeon and the burning Elcidore castle.

The size of Elcidore’s forces excluding those deployed to the eastern front.

“Relay to each battalion commander. All forces prepare for combat. All train artillery batteries load high-explosive shells for urban suppression and move according to division commander’s orders.”

“Major General. Then…!”

“Yes.”

The deliberation was brief, and the decision was quick.

Major General Keiren immediately ordered his staff officer.

“Revolutionary Army surprise attack confirmed. The 72nd Division will enter the city and eliminate the Revolutionary Army inside.”

Along with the division commander’s order, dozens of field guns mounted on the armored train slowly began to move.

Seeing this, Keiren hardened his expression and took out a cigarette from his breast pocket.

An explosion was heard from the direction of the distant Elcidore mansion.

Judging by how the explosions and screams were dying down, it seemed there wasn’t much time left.