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As they moved, multiple magic circles that had been hidden behind them came into view.

There was a central magic circle, surrounded by six additional circles drawn around it.

Without a word, Vanessa nodded and stepped onto the central magic circle.

Not just Vanessa but Alfoi and the other mages were also brought here.

On the wrists of every mage, there were bracelets embedded with Runestones inscribed with incantations.

“What kind of magic circle is this? When did you engrave these?”

Alfoi asked, his voice full of curiosity.

Ghislain answered with a nonchalant expression.

“Alfoi and your companions, step onto the circle.”

“No, we have to know what this is before we decide to step on it or not, don’t you think?”

At some point, Alfoi had started speaking informally, but Ghislain didn’t seem to care at all.

Right now, the tone of speech wasn’t the important issue.

Instead of trying to convince the hesitant mages, Ghislain decided to show them through action.

“Step on it.”

At his gesture, the mercenaries pressed weapons against the necks of Alfoi and the mages, forcing them onto the magic circle.

“What the hell… What exactly are you trying to do?”

Alfoi grumbled openly, but Ghislain ignored him and turned towards Vanessa.

“Vanessa, you can do it, right?”

She swallowed nervously as her trembling eyes met Ghislain’s.

Though she had made up her mind, now that the moment had come, her confidence quickly faded.

“C-can I really do this?”

“You can. You must succeed.”

At his firm response, Vanessa nodded.

Resolving herself to succeed, even if it cost her life, Vanessa closed her eyes and began to gather her mana.

Guuuuung!

As her body gradually lifted off the ground, mana started to converge towards her.

There was no way someone like her, who couldn’t even properly cast a 1st-circle spell, should be able to draw in this much mana.

“Mana… mana transfer!”

Alfoi shouted in shock. Suddenly, mana was pouring out of his body at an alarming rate.

As he looked around, the other mages were also panicking, flailing their arms in confusion.

Alfoi cried out in despair.

“You crazy bastard! Why did you let her take control of the transfer!”

Mana transfer is a spell that channels the mana of multiple people into a single individual, amplifying their power.

If the central person can’t control it properly, not only will all the mages lose their mana, but they could even have their life force drained, leading to death.

Without precise control, immense mental strength, and a perfect understanding of the spell formula, it was a dangerously risky magic.

“There’s no way a girl who can’t even cast a 1st-circle spell will succeed!”

“Don’t worry. Trust Vanessa.”

“Trust her? You’re insane, you lunatic!”

Alfoi and the mages screamed as they tried to escape, but it was too late. They had already been caught in the storm of mana.

The mages were completely immobilized, their mana being drained by the magic circle.

“Ugh… No… I can’t die like this…”

As much as Alfoi and the other mages were suffering, Vanessa also gritted her teeth in agony.

Blood began to trickle from her nose and ears, and the veins across her body rapidly darkened to a strange black color.

This was proof that her body could not withstand the mana that was surging into her.

Her violently trembling body clearly showed just how hard it was for her to endure.

“Ughhh…”

Eventually, a groan escaped from her lips. Unable to withstand the pressure of the mana, blood tears began to leak from her tightly closed eyes.

As time passed, the people nearby also began to feel the heavy presence of mana in the air.

It wasn’t chaotic, but it was something that kept building, pressing down on the space around them.

“Aarghhh…”

Vanessa could no longer hold on. Her consciousness was beginning to fade.

‘As expected, this was impossible. I can’t do it. How could I ever…’

Her life had been filled with nothing but failure.

She had only briefly tasted a miracle, and yet she had been deluded into thinking she had any ability.

Gooooooo!

Now, she has reached her limit. She could no longer endure. The pain was unbearable.

Was this what it would feel like to experience all the suffering of one’s life at once?

Even her firm resolve was melting away like snow in the face of this overwhelming pain.

She wanted to forget everything and just give up.

‘…That’s right, I…’

Vanessa, who had been floating in the air, let her head fall limply.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The sound of enemies approaching filled the air. As the great army marched in unison, the ground shook all the way inside the castle.

The soldiers of Ferdium began to prepare themselves for the end.

Some wept, while others prayed to the gods they believed in.

Some were filled with battle spirit, while others thought of their families.

In contrast, the mercenaries below the walls stood silently, waiting for Ghislain’s orders.

His low voice broke the silence.

“Vanessa.”

“…I… I…”

She mumbled to herself with her eyes closed as if she hadn’t heard Ghislain’s call.

— Will I be of help to the Young Lord?

— Of course, you’ll be a great help.

“Vanessa.”

— I want to be of help to the young lord.

Vanessa slowly, with great effort, lifted her head.

“I…”

All the mercenaries held their breath as they watched her.

“Vanessa.”

— You can do it, right?

Ghislain looked at Vanessa with a mix of sympathy and encouragement.

Her incessantly trembling body suddenly came to a halt.

The massive flow of mana, the blood that had been leaking from her, all of it stopped as if it had never happened.

At that moment, Ghislain clenched his teeth so hard that it seemed they might shatter as he turned his head.

“Open the gates. Skovan.”

“Y-young lord? What are you thinking right now…?”

“Open them.”

Skovan gulped.

He knew precisely what Ghislain was thinking.

At this rate, they were bound to lose. Their only hope was to charge forward with Ghislain and the mercenaries.

‘Yeah, if we’re going to die anyway… might as well go out fighting like last time.’

Dying in a futile defense on the walls seemed far worse.

Of course, the enemy wouldn’t fall for the same trick twice…

But if Ghislain could manage to break through the enemy’s formation, every soldier inside the castle might have a chance to charge out and escape.

Having made up his mind, Skovan, along with the soldiers, slowly began to open the castle gates.

Creaaaaak.

As the gate began to open, the people on the walls were thrown into a panic.

Zwalter and Randolph, in particular, quickly realized what Ghislain was up to.

How could they not? They had already experienced this once before.

“No! Ghislain! What are you doing?”

“Are you insane, Young Lord? Stop this right now!”

They had seen firsthand how capable Ghislain and his mercenaries were.

But that only worked when the enemy numbers were reasonable.

Zwalter shouted again.

“That won’t work twice! How many times have I told you to be cautious?”

There was no way the enemy wouldn’t have prepared for the same situation.

Looking at the enemy’s formation, it was clear. Shield-bearers were packed tightly at the front.

The intent was obvious—they were prepared for the mercenaries’ charge and were set to minimize damage.

“Close the gates! Close them now!”

“Run away instead! Save yourself, you idiot, if nothing else!”

Zwalter and Randolph shouted until their voices were hoarse, but Ghislain didn’t so much as acknowledge them.

Even Skovan, ignoring the lord’s orders, kept his head down and continued with the plan.

“You fool! Are you really going to throw your life away so easily?”

Zwalter, shaking with rage, started to descend toward the gate, but Randolph grabbed his arm and shook his head.

“It’s too late, brother.”

If the lord left his post at a time like this, it would all be over in an instant.

Zwalter glared at Ghislain in the distance, took a moment to calm his breath, and spoke.

“Fine. The gates are already open. We’ll fight as one.”

They had no arrows left and no supplies to maintain the defense. Staying on the walls would do nothing to hold back the approaching enemy.

If they were going to fight, perhaps it was better to face the enemy altogether.

Even if the enemy had prepared for Ghislain and the mercenaries’ charge, it wouldn’t be an easy fight for them.

“All troops! Abandon the walls and gather around the gates!”

Following the lord’s command, the soldiers of the Ferdium army began to gather one by one at the gate.

But the space was too tight, and they could do no more than stand behind the mercenaries.

While Zwalter, Randolph, and the knights were still moving the remaining forces off the walls, Ghislain spoke to his mercenaries.

“Get ready. We finish this before the others gather.”

The mercenaries, their blood pumping, gripped their weapons and prepared to charge out.

They were tense but not afraid.

They believed that as long as they followed their captain’s orders, they would win.

Kaor, meanwhile, easily let his mind rest.

‘If I die in battle, so be it. If I live, that’s fine too. Sure, there’s some stuff I’ll miss… but dying in a war like this wouldn’t be so bad. It’d feel satisfying, at least.’

As Ghislain prepared for battle, Belinda, who usually caused a commotion trying to stop him from fighting, was unusually silent this time.

The danger remained the same whether they fought with the gates open or closed.

‘I’m sorry, my lord. I’ll make sure to get the Young Lord out alive somehow. And, if possible, the lady too.’

Her plan was to knock Ghislain unconscious when he grew exhausted and then drag him off the battlefield, no matter the cost.

Gillian had a good idea of Belinda’s plan, but he said nothing and continued checking his weapon.

He had heard they’d prepared a trap with the mages. But seeing the look on Ghislain’s face, it seemed something had gone wrong.

Though he hadn’t known Ghislain long, Gillian understood one thing: his young lord would never run away.

Gillian had already decided to devote the rest of his life to him. He was ready to die here with Ghislain.

‘Rachel, if things go wrong, escape with Lady Elena.’

Meanwhile, Viktor grinned brightly when he saw the gates open.

“It’s finally time to end this.”

As expected, the enemy was preparing for a final charge.

It even looked like they were concentrating all their forces around the gate.

“Fools. If they all rush at us, it’ll only make things easier.”

As Viktor raised his hand, the cavalry positioned behind his central army advanced to the sides.

They were preparing to flank the Ferdium forces.

“Once the enemy retreats, pursue them and annihilate them.”

A cruel smile crept across Viktor’s face.

Finally, the time had come to repay what he’d suffered.

“Everyone, move slowly in tight formation!”

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The enemy’s formation became even tighter, more formidable.

Skovan and the soldiers, waiting, stared with fear on their faces as they felt the overwhelming pressure.

Standing beside Skovan, Ricardo suddenly noticed something odd.

‘Why isn’t the Young Lord on horseback? And neither are the mercenaries.’

There wasn’t a single horse in sight near Ghislain or his mercenaries.

‘A charge on foot?’

Sure, they could charge out just like before, but the situation now was different from last time.

The mercenaries’ horses had been left nearby, close enough that they had plenty of time to prepare.

Ricardo almost asked Ghislain why they weren’t preparing the horses but hesitated.

Even an idiot wouldn’t forget to mount up for a charge.

If he knew this, surely Ghislain did too, right?

Ricardo studied Ghislain carefully.

His expression wasn’t one of a man making a last, desperate stand—it was the look of someone who had been patiently waiting for the right opportunity.

Suddenly, a chill ran down Ricardo’s spine.

Ghislain had a way of defying common sense and producing incredible results in the most unexpected ways.

‘Yeah, I’ll trust him. He’s not someone who’d just give up.’

For the first time, someone from Ferdium began to believe in the Young Lord.

And Ricardo’s intuition wasn’t far off.

Ghislain narrowed his eyes, watching the enemy approach from beyond the gate. His face was filled with confidence, as though victory was already in his grasp.

‘You must have been holding back too.’

Any ordinary commander would have thrown their forces at them the moment their supply line was cut.

But Viktor had moved cautiously, exploiting their weaknesses thoroughly. He wasn’t an easy opponent by any means.

‘You weren’t the only one waiting for this moment.’

Ghislain had been clutching his chest, his heart ready to burst, waiting for the right time.

Every single day, he fought back the urge to rush out and crush the enemy’s heads.

He held back, waiting for the chance to slaughter them all, to leave none alive.

Grind.

Ghislain clenched his teeth without realizing it.

‘I’ve never once forgotten.’

On these very castle walls, his father and his vassals had their heads impaled on pikes, left to rot in disgrace.

That sight haunted Ghislain every day of his life. He was consumed by agony day in and day out.

Thump.

Just thinking of that scene sent blood rushing to his head, and the mana within him surged, ready to explode.

‘None of you are leaving here alive.’

Ghislain had prepared to the best of his ability.

It wasn’t perfect. Even a single mistake would lead to the destruction of the estate and the deaths of everyone.

Who could confidently guarantee victory against an overwhelming army like this?

And yet…

‘I won’t give up.’

Ghislain took a deep breath.

He had stopped the war once, right after returning home. The first battle sparked by Elena had been prevented.

That had bought them some time, but in the end, war came regardless.

And this time, it was far worse than before, on a much larger scale.

The more they resisted, the greater the danger grew.

It was as if the heavens themselves were determined to see the Ferdium estate fall.

‘Maybe this is an unavoidable fate, one that has ensnared this land.’

Ghislain shook off the pessimistic thoughts in his mind, letting out a fierce laugh.

‘Don’t make me laugh. There won’t be a second time.’

Clang!

Ghislain lowered the visor of his helmet, and every mercenary followed suit, adjusting their helmets in unison.

Huff, huff, huff.

The sound of the mercenaries’ tense breathing echoed through the air.

Skovan and the soldiers, who had been standing nearby, took a few steps back, overwhelmed by the intense atmosphere.

Only Ghislain and the mercenaries stood in front of the gate, their fighting spirits burning bright.

Ghislain slowly extended his arm to the side, signaling to the mercenaries.

“Wait.”

The tension reached its peak.

Hearts pounded as if they would explode, muscles tightened to the point of cramping, and blood rushed to their heads, leaving them dizzy. They were so focused that they barely realized they were still standing.

“Not yet.”

Time seemed to blur as the mercenaries concentrated with everything they had.

Then, Ghislain turned his head and shouted.

“Vanessa!”

Vanessa’s tightly shut eyes flew open.

In her pupils, golden magic circles were etched.

Her small lips began to move as she softly chanted something.

Her will and understanding pierced through the world, connecting with a single universal truth.

That truth defied limits, summoning power far beyond her circle.

Goooooo!

A massive surge of mana erupted in every direction. The mana materialized into symbols that circled around Vanessa.

The flaming magical runes transformed into red dots, scattering in all directions blending back into the world as they faded away.

Goooooo!

For a moment, everyone—both enemy and ally—froze.

In their eyes, the same scene unfolded.

Between the castle walls and the enemy army, a shimmering red barrier, like a burning sunset, rippled and surged endlessly.

Zwalter, in shock, dropped his sword. Randolph, forgetting all decorum, stood there with his mouth agape.

Goooooo!

The enemy could no longer approach the Ferdium castle. Even Viktor halted his horse in surprise.

In the midst of the frozen masses, only one person moved.

Like the rippling flames of the red barrier, his eyes glowed with the same crimson hue.

Rumble!

The ground began to shake violently.

“I’ve waited for this day.”

Ghislain’s voice rumbled like molten lava about to erupt.