No Human can dodge dozens of Arrows.

At that moment, one could at best swing their Weapons only once. Even a highly skilled master was limited to two or three times.

The opponent swung five times.

It was absurd. Perhaps he was so fast because he had no flesh on his body. With only bones left, his movements had to be quick. So, it made sense.

Rael watched the Skeleton Knight, whose entire body was freezing. As he tried to move by force, he shattered into pieces when the Golem brought its arm down.

Broken bones and Armor flew everywhere. The Skeletons around became ice sculptures in their places, turning into Statues. It was a magnificent sight.

As the flow of mana quickened, the Cold Energy also intensified.

The Mercenaries could not step forward.

The Ice Arrows also froze the ground. A chill emanated from afar, making everyone shiver. Even the dull-witted Mercenaries realized what would happen if they carelessly stepped on it.

It didn’t matter to the Protagonist.

He took a step, circulating the mana in his body a little more.

As his leather shoes were about to touch the ice, some gasped, but their expressions quickly turned blank. His legs, which should have frozen from the toes up immediately, were perfectly fine.

He crossed the ice floor just like that.

People watched the sight of him walking with the Golem leading the way, as if they were seeing something unbelievable. It was like parting the sea and crossing through it.

Mages were called that because they performed impossible feats.

Before long, Skeletons rushed forward again.

Rael froze all the newly appeared Skeletons. It was a Freeze.

Normally, he would freeze things at a close range, but now the range was very wide. He felt like he had instantly become a great Mage.

All the Protagonist had done was listen to a few words. Yet, a tremendous change had occurred. It was similar to when he received advice from Benedict, who used to be under the Count.

Even then, what was blocked was instantly cleared. All the Protagonist lacked was a small step. Perhaps he had already accumulated plenty but didn’t know it was in the Capital City.

When the Golem blocked a Skeleton Knight’s sword swing with its body, Ice Arrows created by spells poured down. He could do it at least five times.

Previously, he had recklessly cast dozens of spells to turn the tide of battle. But as is often the case with power beyond one’s limits, it came with a price.

Because of that, the Protagonist fainted and could only open his eyes several days later.

But now, it was different.

Although weaker in comparison, he was casting spells consecutively. He didn’t stop at just one. Each time dozens of Ice Arrows poured down, the surroundings grew quiet.

It was useless no matter how many corpses there were.

He couldn’t see the opponent’s face, but he thought it was probably a Gnoll. Perhaps he might have thought that such a thing couldn’t happen.

That’s how the skeletons were, faltering and trembling.

They showed emotions like intimidated soldiers. Since dead corpses couldn’t do that, it meant that the mage controlling them was agitated.

He turned his head and looked at the forest. It was quite far away, but his opponent was there. It was one of the most intense mana among those the protagonist had met.

Did he receive that gaze?

The remaining skeletons retreated, making way.

It meant the opponent had admitted defeat.

“Hahaha…”

Aliber let out a hollow laugh.

All those skeletons disappeared by just one person.

It was an incredible feat.

Even though they were humans who would die if stabbed by a sword, at this moment, it didn’t feel that way.

The group left the common cemetery with bewildered expressions.

Being careful on the icy ground.

“You, who taught you magic?”

Aliber asked.

He wondered who on earth had taught Rael magic. Even his initial skill was excessive for his age.

But this time, it was even more so.

None of the mages he knew could do such a thing. Not even the Court Elder, who was over a hundred years old, could do it, he thought.

“Why?”

“I’m curious to know who the great teacher was who raised such a powerful mage, capable of dealing with all those skeletons.”

“I’m just naturally talented, you know, in the Capital City.”

“In magic, the teacher who teaches is more important than the disciple who learns. No matter how talented a disciple is, if the teacher can’t teach well, they become useless.”

His tone was confident. He was about to retort but stopped. It was because people who spoke like that rarely understood reason.

“What do you think?”

Instead, he sought opinions from others. They were the female mercenaries next to him. Mary, who received the gaze, was startled and looked at the old man’s expression.

“I don’t really know.”

“You must have your own thoughts, right?”

“……Perhaps both were excellent? If the teacher is excellent but the disciple is not, it’s useless, isn’t it?”

“That’s true as well.”

As the old man nodded, Mary’s expression brightened. She was a lowly mercenary of no importance, so she had no choice but to be mindful of others. It was a sad fact.

The people were quiet on their way.

The Golem was walking, making the ground rumble, but most of them still had hazy expressions, as if they were dreaming.

The day was slowly dawning. What had happened in the common cemetery seemed like a lie.

“I’m glad we survived.”

“I thought I was going to die there.”

The Mage grumbled. He was a middle-aged man with a protruding belly.

“I wish we had only killed the evil Shaman.”

“He was too strong an opponent. Even though I’m old, I’ve never seen a Shaman like that. How many sacrifices did he offer to be that powerful?”

“Many people died in The North this time. That might be why the Capital City is like this. It’s truly regrettable that we let a guy like that get away.”

“Couldn’t we have chased the Shaman then?”

Aliber asked, turning his gaze.

The fear he had shown while talking about the Shaman’s power just a moment ago was gone. He must have been recalling how he had dealt with the Skeletons.

“We couldn’t help it.”

“Why?”

“It’s not like my mana increases. I cast a lot of spells, so it ran out quickly.”

“You did use a lot of magic.”

Aliber nodded his head.

Sweeping away an army of Skeletons alone was not something just anyone could do.

Because of that, he had forgotten for a moment.

When a Mage casts spells, their mana decreases. Once it runs out, they are no different from ordinary Humans. Still, what he did was remarkable.

He looked forward to the skill he would show when the Nobles took sides and fought this time.

Perhaps depending on who he chose, the tide of the Capital City could change.

It sounded absurd, but I thought it might be possible in the Capital City.

It was possible to die senselessly, but you never knew. It was a world where survivors became heroes. Moreover, the Golem Mage had skill, immense skill.

“Wait! Stop!”

As they were leaving the Slum, Soldiers blocked their way. Judging by their uniforms, they seemed to be from the Guard. The one who appeared to be the Senior Officer among them stepped forward.

He announced a search and had the Soldiers frisk everyone. The group stood still, as the situation seemed unusual.

“What in the world is going on?”

The Senior Officer replied as he continued the search.

“And you are?”

“I am a Mage who works for the Court.”

“You mean you’re from the Royal Palace? Why are you here, in Revelation?”

The Guard Soldier’s attitude softened. Working at the Royal Palace was a big deal.

“Haven’t you heard the news? A wicked Shaman appeared recently, and the Mages went to confront them. We’re on our way back from fighting them.”

The Senior Officer Guard Soldier was startled, like a Gnoll.

“You mean you encountered them?”

Aliber nodded and crossed his arms.

“It seems it’s your turn to satisfy my curiosity.”

“We’re also having a hard time with that. People are dying in droves in the Slum, and it’s chaos.”

“Are you saying Skeletons appeared?”

“Some people say they saw them, but we can’t be sure yet. Guard Soldiers have been summoned since early morning, and it’s chaotic, with many people dying everywhere. Anyway, if I were you, I’d go straight to the Inner Castle.”

“Why the Inner Castle?”

“Only proper Nobles can enter and exit there, right? Compared to the chaos in the Outer Castle, they say the Inner Castle is still safe, so I’m telling you this.”

“…Thank you.”

Aliber slipped a few Silver Coins to the other person. Being older, he understood well what the other person expected in return for such information.

Once the search was over, the Guard Soldier made way. The Mercenaries, though annoyed, got their Weapons back.

As they walked again, things they hadn’t noticed before came into view. Smoke was rising in the distance. Screams could also be heard, making them uneasy.

It seemed a major incident had occurred, just as the Guard Soldier had said. The City was not a safe place. It was no longer a City, but a Battlefield.

After much thought, the Mages decided to head for the Inner Castle. If the Guard Soldier’s words were true, staying in the Outer Castle would not bode well.

Before they left, they offered an invitation to the group, suggesting they act together.

“Won’t you come?”

“There are already three Mages on your side. Do you really need another Mage?”

“You can control Golems, can’t you? Magic that we can’t do.”

Aliber said in a pleading tone.

He seemed to have realized the value of a Golem.

A Knight was worth more than ten ordinary Mercenaries. Yet, Trolls could hold their own against such Knights. Golems were on par with Trolls.

It was like having a tamed Troll accompanying them.

A Golem had the value of a hundred ordinary Soldiers. And there were no separate maintenance costs.

If there were only Soldiers to Guard the Mage, it was like a walking army.

It was understandable why the other party was so desperate.

If I showed the Golem to the Nobles, they would be pleased. As fellow Mages, they would surely hold it in high regard.

“I’m fine.”

“Why is that?”

“There’s somewhere I need to go first.”

I had to go to the inn where the Protagonist was staying.

Bill was there. I had to meet him. He was the only one who might know about the current situation.

“It can’t be helped. Let’s travel together when we meet again later.”

The Mages clearly looked disappointed, but they didn’t hold me back. There were quite a few Mercenaries with me, and they were also skilled Mages. There was no need to act servile.

I parted ways with them and headed straight for the inn.

It wasn’t long before I saw the signboard.

As I entered, the interior scene unfolded.

It was desolate.

Tables were broken, as if there had been a fight.

The Innkeeper at the counter threatened me with a kitchen knife in hand. I sensed someone hiding in the kitchen. It seemed to be the Shop Owner’s daughter.

“Oh, don’t come any closer! I have a knife!”

There was blood on her face. From her appearance, it seemed she had been through a rough time. Since she was holding a knife, I decided to calm her down first.

“Calm down! I haven’t come to harm you.”

“What, then why did you come?”

“Don’t you know me? I stayed here.”

“Uh…”

The Innkeeper’s arm slowly lowered.

Few Mages carried staffs taller than the Protagonist. Only the Protagonist had Knights accompanying them.

“Wh-why are you here?”

“To get my luggage.”

“Oh, luggage. You mean luggage. I don’t know if it’s still here. People broke in and ransacked the place, it was chaos.”

“People?”

“It’s a mess. There are looters trying to steal things without a care, as if a riot broke out. Since this is an inn, there are many such scoundrels.”

“Do you happen to remember someone who stayed here? A man named Bill.”

“Bill? If you mean the suspiciously cloaked person who was with you, he left.”

“He left?”

“He left a message, but I don’t quite remember.”

“I’ll check the room first. That’s alright, isn’t it?”

“You need to leave quickly. I’m also leaving this place.”

The Innkeeper nodded. I went upstairs with Mordon. If Bill had disappeared, he would have left something behind.

For some reason, I felt it would be so.

I entered the room and examined the table. A Note was lying on it.

“Bill…”

Rael’s eyes widened as he saw the Note.

Bill.

He and the Protagonist had met before.