The Skeleton Soldier Failed to Defend the Dungeon-Chapter 254: Without Any Cost (18)

Isaac's warning sounded urgent. With a wave of the hand, the two humans inside the tent were temporarily sent outside. Karin wore an expression as if she had a lot to say, but that look was quickly wiped clean. Since she had shown her ability, she no longer revealed any sort of displeasure in front of me.

"Then... I’ll wait. I truly hope you change your mind," Karin said calmly.

Tap.

She left the key to the legacy right on the table for me to see. That object bothered me. Before I could even tell her to take it back, Karin bowed deeply and exited the tent. Her guard had initially seemed discontent with her behavior, but now appeared to accept it. That shift in attitude was all thanks to Isaac’s accomplishments. Since he had called out urgently, it was worth listening closely.

"What’s the matter?" I asked him.

"You can’t go to the tower right now. You’re still too weak."

A childish stubbornness suddenly rose within me.

Fwoosh!

The air inside the tent was sucked into my sword. From the tip of the blade, jet-black energy formed, twining tightly with wind and fire spiraling around it. A high Wisdom stat greatly affected magic control. It felt as if the elements that made up the world had become softer and more malleable.

Ice snuffed out fire, and the power of bright yellow lightning crackled in the air surrounding the blade. Just one strike from this sword could take five lives at once, or at least it gave off that impression. Of course, I wasn’t trying to show off.

The tent was spacious, but not a single element spilled beyond my intended range. Casting ice all around or letting lightning bolt outward haphazardly would’ve been easy, and setting things on fire was even easier. However, to manifest all four elements in such complex patterns and control them precisely within my set range, that level of control showed mastery.

All of my stats were maxed at 100. With Malphas’ power amplifying everything and granting divine authority, I felt stronger than ever.

"No matter how strong they are, it’s not like I don’t have a chance."

That was true because I believed I had a chance.

Isaac shook his head, not impressed by my little show of force. "No."

"No... what?"

"In the imperial archives, you might find not just Lurium, but other artifacts. There could even be a single key that solves all your worries. If not now, then when will you check?"

"..."

"Think about it. Don’t you want to know the real reason why the mages ultimately submit to the imperial family? It’s a matter beyond comparison in importance. This might be your last chance to access the archives."

Something felt off for a moment. Isaac sounded like a merchant trying to make a sale. Regardless, I had no intention of changing my mind.

"The archives might just be a death trap."

"The vanguard is the allied forces, not us. If something’s wrong, it’s their tens of thousands who’ll take the hit first. And we’ll be here to study it. They walk into the trap, and we claim the treasure. Isn’t that ideal?"

I had expected a response like that from Isaac. Maybe I’d already grown too used to his logic. Sure, it was tempting, but it could wait until my next life. I didn’t get things like last chances. Isaac had chosen the wrong words.

"If we stall for time, the war could end, and the mages might retreat north. I’m going, no matter what."

If I survived the tower, I could look for Lurium later. Isaac glanced at me.

Flap!

Then, as if frustrated, he fluttered around the tent, giving me a strange look.

He slowly and calmly enunciated each word. "Accept. My. Words."

Suddenly, I felt a slight drowsiness.

A strange notification sound rang out.

Ding!

[You possess an extremely high Wisdom stat.]

[You have experience using the same skill at this level. You demonstrate high comprehension.]

[Status Effect: Hypnosis resisted.]

Same skill, same level...

He must’ve meant the hypnosis skill he used after possessing my skeleton before.

"What the hell do you think you’re doing?" I asked curtly.

I didn’t know his intention, but he clearly had tried to control me. That was a light hypnotic attempt. However, just like last time, he might ditch the crow doll and transfer his soul directly into me. Of course, a soul was like water. It lost power each time it transferred. Even Isaac had admitted that it was risky for him, too.

Who knows if it'll even work like last time?

Compared to when he last took over me, I had grown far stronger. If Wisdom were the key factor, then a score of 100 would be overwhelming. Despite his weakened state inside that tiny crow doll, the hypnosis of a legendary sorcerer couldn’t get through.

Isaac was silent under my gaze, but then he finally said, "Let me ask you this. You're moving for Rubia, right?"

"Of course."

That goes without saying. Why else would I bother heading to the tower up north?

Calm and composed, Isaac continued, "Then there’s no need to go. Rubia is already dead."

What... did I just hear?

Dead. Dead. Dead...

Those words echoed through my skull. I couldn’t quite process it. The sentence was extremely simple, but my mind instinctively rejected it.

"What kind of nonsense... That can’t be true. How would you even know that? Isaac, you’ve been with me this whole time."

Even jokes had their limits. That couldn’t be true.

Utterly unfazed, Isaac explained, "Like I said, it was before I met you. I killed her."

It wasn’t a powerful declaration, just a simple statement. There was no emotion in it. His choice of words was dry, and his tone indifferent.

"You... killed her?"

For the first time, I smelled blood on Isaac. I’d never sensed that scent before, even from someone who had commanded the deaths of tens of thousands. How ironic.

"Rescue was impossible. Considering what would’ve happened to her up there, she’s probably grateful to me."

I couldn’t move for a while.

It isn’t even that surprising, is it? Everything was for Rubia... and for you. Even though I deceived you to get you here... it turned out to be for your own good.

His voice echoed in my dazed mind. I couldn’t tell if the words were actually being spoken or if they were hallucinations. Thoughts festered in my head like swarming maggots.

Isaac killed Rubia. He had lied to me all this time. I wondered which was harder to accept. I stood paralyzed, weighing the two thoughts. Maybe the truth was clear, but my seemingly broken sense of judgment spun madly.

"She didn’t feel any pain. You know my abilities. I sent her off peacefully, like falling asleep."

Even now, he bragged about it, changing his tone, as if asking me to be reasonable.

"I might have gotten a little too obsessed with strategy... and since the enemy was weak, I reached the top faster than expected. Anyway, now you understand why we need to take the capital first, right? So let’s move..."

"I... saac!"

There was no Sword Energy or magic. It was not even a well-timed strike.

KAAANG!

Even a recently defeated imperial cavalry captain would’ve easily blocked such a sloppy swing. Someone like Isaac could’ve cut through my sword and launched a counterattack in a flash. However, without even a hint of surprise, Isaac moved one of his feathers and blocked the strike.

That in itself was impressive.

Of course, the crow isn’t made of ordinary material, but to stop a blade forged by a dwarf? Did it not just withstand it, but neutralize it cleanly?

It wasn’t just durability. Even from below, a crow that small had blocked a full-body upward strike. I could feel the strength behind it. I wasn’t the only one who had grown stronger during this war. In fact, by sacrificing others, the one who had truly grown into something monstrous was the high priest standing before me. That truth hit me hard and far too late.

KAAANG!

I slashed down again with another sword. My dual-wielding, despite being at Sword Energy Lv. 3, looked pitiful, more like the tantrum of a crying child than a battle technique. Again, it was blocked by another feather.

Is Isaac really this strong now?

I could barely hold myself back. "I... trusted you."

The crow doll's lifeless eyes locked onto me for a moment. "There’s nothing left up north. No Rubia. Just some worthless corpse tossed aside. Don’t expect any chimera nonsense."

"You... you..."

Rage boiled up. I couldn’t believe a single word Isaac said anymore.

Maybe she’s still alive. Or maybe she’s really dead.

The uncertainty was unbearable.

"Should I describe, in detail, what happens to girls taken by those old northern spiders?"

I didn’t want to know. If Rubia was truly dead and Isaac had been the one to kill her, then there had been no reason to massacre thousands on my way here. I had done it believing she was alive.

I slew and slew and slew... I slaughtered with no malice, just to save one person. It was a terrible exchange rate. Now, Isaac had nullified all of it and turned it into zero. Even trying to think about it felt hollow. I felt stuck, heavy... and yet somehow I also felt like I was floating, as if I were suspended in the air. At some point, I started resenting myself for ever trusting and following him.

"Get out."

I forced the words out, trying to push the shock away.

"You're really going to be mad about this? I thought you could understa..."

VWOOOM!

I struck with Sword Energy, cutting at the thing before me. Maybe I hesitated, afraid I might truly kill him, but the Sword Energy lost its edge. Regardless, even that fear was unnecessary.

KAAANG!

A far denser, darker aura of formless energy formed at Isaac’s beak.

"Just so you know, don’t use Malphas’ power against me. The Demon King's blessing is subordinate to higher-ranked contractors like me. It’s a pyramid, after all."

Even now, he was lecturing me. Maybe if I focused my Sword Energy properly, I could land a hit. He did seem slightly shaken by physical attacks. Or... maybe he hadn’t given up on manipulating me yet.

Still trying to use me as bait, perhaps.

"I should’ve just died back then. Starting over would’ve been better."

The words came out before I could stop them. If Rubia was already dead, I never would’ve offered all this blood to the Demon King. Whatever Isaac’s intentions were, whether he killed Rubia out of mercy or if this was part of some grand plan to bring the Demon King to power, none of it mattered anymore. There was only one conclusion. I couldn’t walk alongside him any longer.

Isaac froze. "Wait. What... what do you mean?"

For the first time, he was visibly shaken. His black eyes darted around rapidly.

"Start over? That’s... possible? You... You were—! Back then..."

"Get out."

"Hey, are you serious? Without me, how would you even—! Let’s talk more about this 'starting over' thing! Hey! Hey, listen!"

I didn’t want to hear another word. Looking back, I’d always been caught up in his schemes. I doubted everything now.

"If you disappear now, I won’t kill you..." I spat the words like poison. "...for what you’ve done until now."

I raised my sword again, imbued with intent. This time, if he didn’t retreat, I truly would cut him down.

"Fine..."

The sound of the crow's wings faded as he flew off.

Flap, flap...

I kept my blade raised, still frozen in place.

However, the finely forged sword, crafted by dwarves, now felt dull and heavy, as if it could no longer cut anything at all.