Extra in a Romance Fantasy

27 – End of the Festival (4)

Suddenly, as the intense flames erupted, the man, Jern, had no choice but to quickly step back.

It was a reflexive reaction.

The moment Jern saw the flames, he realized it was not just an ordinary fire.

Or rather, the flames were gradually increasing in intensity.

“The Vision of Rainberg.”

Among numerous magical abilities, Rainberg’s Vision magic stood out with its remarkable destructive power.

Jerren suspected that the raging flames were a result of that Vision magic.

In fact, there were rumors that Estel von Rainberg possessed the greatest aptitude for Vision magic even among the nobility.

Considering it was her magic, it was not surprising that it exhibited such power.

However, there was something unsettling about it when viewed simply in that light.

It was Estel’s condition.

The eyes of the princess beyond the flickering flames lacked focus.

She did not react to the surrounding chaos and merely stared ahead, as if completely out of her mind.

“To use magic in such a state…?”

Magic was more complicated than one might think.

It required constructing formulas, at the very least.

And when it came to Rainberg’s Vision magic, the formulas were complex, and manipulating magical power was no simple task.

It was impossible to use it in such a state of mindlessness, that was for sure.

“…No. What’s important now is not that.”

Regardless of the circumstances, it seemed clear that the flames were somehow linked to the princess.

If that was the case, then all they had to do was eliminate the cause.

Jerren raised his magical power and stepped forward once more.

He poured the gathered magical power into his sword.

Whoom—

The sword emitted a resounding sound, and a bluish light began to flow from it.

The crystallization of magical power.

Proof of skill, something only those who had reached a certain level could use.

Such crystallized magical power protected the sword, augmented its strength, and made it sharper.

Moreover, depending on how it was used, it could even unleash magic.

“Ugh!”

Jerren swung his sword forcefully toward the flames that were about to engulf him.

Whoosh—

The fiercely swung sword effortlessly cut through the unrelenting flames.

And thus, seizing the opportunity that had arisen, Jern did not hesitate and delved into it.

Jern’s physical abilities, now reaching the level of an accomplished inspector, were close to superhuman, and in the next moment, he had already reached the side of the princess.

“It’s over!”

With this strike, he concluded the situation.

With such thoughts, Jern once again swung his sword.

He believed without a doubt that his sword would cut down both the princess and the fire in one fell swoop.

However, that was too hasty a belief.

Crash!

“Ugh…!”

Suddenly, flames erupted.

Even in that moment, Jern surrounded himself with magic to ward off the damage, but he couldn’t prevent being pushed back by the force of the explosion.

In the end, Jern had to retreat after facing a second failure.

“Good heavens… What are you all doing! Charge in!”

Feeling anxious after repeated failures, Jern shouted at his subordinates.

Following the commander’s orders, the mercenaries who had been quietly waiting rushed towards Estelle all at once.

Their momentum was uniformly fierce and swift.

As if they would slit Estelle’s throat in an instant.

However, they achieved nothing.

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Whoosh!

The flames, intensifying, blocked their approach.

At that moment, René, who had been silently observing the situation, leaped forward.

Her movements were more agile than the other mercenaries, and she skillfully exploited the gaps in the flames.

René’s eyes chilled.

Magic surged fiercely, and a sword imbued with ample magic charged towards her former master.

And then, her sword pierced through the flames.

“It’s done…!”

Watching the scene, Jern exclaimed in triumph.

With that level of skill, he could easily cut through the flames and even reach the princess beyond.

That was his judgment.

In reality, his judgment was accurate.

Rene’s black sword finally split the flames and reached the princess’s side.

However, the triumph was short-lived.

Clang!

Rene’s sword collided with something and bounced back.

“Artifact…!”

Jerun sighed.

Artifact.

The objects Estelle had prepared for emergencies.

Although Rene herself was in a state of despair, the artifact was still protecting its owner.

“……”

Rene was not greatly surprised.

She couldn’t possibly be unaware of the existence of the artifact.

However, no matter how amazing an artifact might be, it had its limits.

Limits in terms of strength or number of uses.

Rene planned to repeatedly use these actions to efficiently deplete the artifact.

Once, at least.

With a resolute plan in mind, Rene stepped back.

No, more accurately, she intended to do so.

Whoosh–

The flames did not let her go so easily.

“……!”

The flames that had been extinguished once by her sword quickly regained their power, moving as if they were alive, enveloping Rene.

Their speed exceeded Rene’s imagination.

Rene hastily swung her sword again, but the flames that could be suppressed by her attacks were only a fraction of them.

The remaining flames raced towards her like a wave of anger.

Dodging was impossible in this situation.

In that split second, Rene made a decision and protected herself with magic.

She had been watching Estelle by her side for a long time.

She had a clear understanding of the power of the flames Estelle used.

That’s why she judged that she could withstand it.

It didn’t take long for her to realize that the judgment was wrong.

*Crackle!*

“Ghhhhh…!!”

In silence, René, who scarcely uttered a word, let out a pained groan.

The moment the flames touched her body, she understood.

This wasn’t Estelle’s magic.

Not Reinberg’s vision magic either.

However, the regret was far too late.

“Ghh, ugh, ughh…!!”

Surpassing the power of Estelle’s magic, the flames consumed René’s body.

And she didn’t even consider fading away.

In the end, René had to writhe in agony, rolling on the ground.

‘That was a mistake.’

Looking at René, Zherne clicked his tongue.

It seemed difficult to use it to its full potential.

Zherne’s sentiments, as he observed the wretched state of René, were just about that.

There was no concern for René personally.

Although she was the daughter of the Yellow Emperor he served, even the Yellow Emperor did not hold her in high regard.

René was the illegitimate child of the Yellow Emperor.

An child born between the Yellow Emperor and a common woman when he ventured outside the palace; that was René.

The Yellow Emperor knew of the fact that the woman had a child, but he paid no attention.

He didn’t value her at all, forgetting her existence altogether.

Then, one day, a rumor circulated within the palace.

There was a knight who had taken a child from the slums as his disciple.

Intrigued by the rumor, the Yellow Emperor went to see the girl. And he recognized her at a glance.

Recognized that she was his daughter.

However, he didn’t reveal the truth.

It was just unexpected, and the girl remained a worthless existence to him.

The Yellow Emperor promptly erased the girl’s existence from his mind.

It wasn’t until a considerable amount of time had passed that he recalled the girl’s existence once again.

The time when the blood wind blew in the royal palace, and Estel began to grasp the flow.

At that time, Prince Ihwang, lacking both ability and influence, couldn’t properly intervene in the disputes and could only watch cautiously while holding his breath.

Despite avoiding Estel’s blade due to his lack of power, Ihwang was not satisfied with the situation.

He harbored ambitions to somehow turn the tables and ascend to the throne as the emperor, unlike his golden ambitions, there was little he could do.

Then it happened. The forgotten existence of his daughter brushed through his mind.

With the determination to grasp even a straw, Prince Ihwang approached his daughter.

And, pretending to be a father with a story, he pushed his daughter into Estel’s arms.

The mad princess, by Estel’s side.

However, he didn’t have high expectations.

Perhaps she won’t last long.

He thought so.

However, his unexpected illegitimate child overturned expectations and achieved success.

René, who gained Estel’s trust, became the closest knight guarding Estel.

Having achieved the goal, René contacted Prince Ihwang.

He had achieved the goal. What should he do now?

When Prince Ihwang heard the unexpected report that he didn’t even expect, he thought.

To reverse the situation and make plans to become the emperor.

To seize everything using his daughter.

And now, those plans were on the verge of success.

“If the plan succeeds, there’s no need to worry about that child. She has served her purpose.”

Recalling Prince Ihwang’s words, Zheren completely averted his gaze from René, who was screaming in pain.

What mattered now was the situation right in front of his eyes.

Hwaruk!

The flames that devoured René were growing even more in momentum and size.

If they continued like this, they might not only fail to kill the princess but also end up being overwhelmed themselves.

‘This fire…’

No matter how you looked at it, it was an unusual flame.

Despite his subordinates using various magical tools and spells, they couldn’t break through the flames.

How should I handle this?

“Should I wait until the flames weaken?”

Whatever the nature of that fire, whether it be magic or something else, there’s no way to maintain that state indefinitely.

So, should I keep my distance and wait until the fire weakens before dealing with the princess?

“…No, that won’t work.”

They didn’t have the luxury of time.

Although they had set up a barrier, the spatial characteristics of the Academy meant that the magical barrier wouldn’t last long. Especially in a place like this, close to the center of the Academy, and even more so in the forest.

Despite trying to solve it by pouring massive amounts of expensive magical stones, the barrier they created didn’t last long.

There was still some time left, but it was by no means a level of assurance.

Moreover, if time dragged on, they didn’t know what variables might emerge. So, they couldn’t afford to delay.

Retreat was, of course, impossible.

If they couldn’t kill the princess here, they would be the ones to die next time.

In the end, there were no choices from the beginning.

Jerran clenched his sword as if the handle was about to break.

“There’s no other way.”

He tried to minimize the risk as much as possible, but in this situation, it was inevitable.

Even if he had to pour everything out, he would kill the princess right now.

Before the damage became greater, before the situation became irreversible.

That was how Jerran made his decision.

Boom!

The flames erupted, gaining momentum once again.

“Screaaam!”

Several bandits were engulfed by the flames, losing their lives.

They tried to avoid the fire, to escape somehow, but the flames didn’t let them slip away.

“For heaven’s sake!”

There was no more time to hesitate.

Even if they had to endure losses, they would kill the princess.

Jerran drew in all his magical power.

And he rushed towards the princess, Estelle.

Gripping his sword.

He unleashed his magical power with full force.

Thinking of cutting through artifacts and even the princess in one breath.

The flames tried to engulf his body, but he ignored them.

Penetrating the flames with his body, he charged towards the princess.

Zeren raised his sword high into the sky and swung it down.

The colossal sword seemed as if it would finally cut down Estelle this time.

But in that moment,

Whoosh—

The wind blew.

And

A shadow slipped in front of Zeren.

“…!”

Zeren noticed the presence but swallowing his breath didn’t alter his actions.

The identity of the shadow was unclear, and there was no time to carefully examine and judge.

‘I don’t know who it is…!’

Regardless, now that it had come to this, he would strike all at once.

With that thought, Zeren put even more strength into his sword.

The fiercely swung sword seemed threatening enough to fulfill Zeren’s intentions.

Clang!

In the next moment, Zeren realized that his opponent was flying backward.

He corrected his posture and was landing steadily, but it was evident that he had been pushed back.

And all with just one move.

“Who are you.”

Zeren, tense, glared at the intruder.

A man in the Academy uniform, staring at him with a drawn sword.