Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight

200. Frozen Prison

Many people might ask,

Why is Apollo so dangerous?

If a mage has an excellent knight by their side, can’t they just block or cut down Apollo’s bombardment? After all, Apollo doesn’t have much effect on knights.

Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.

We can easily guess the fact that it’s labeled as an [Ancient Weapon], but Apollo possesses a unique and dangerous attribute even within Inner Lunatic.

It has the special ability to fire a projectile that will precisely hit its intended target. This means that even if a mage is right next to knights, they ultimately cannot rely on their help.

Therefore, when mages enter the bombardment range of this [Apollo] ancient weapon, they have no choice but to endure the attack with their entire body.

This is not a pleasant thing.

Dererek.

Seeing [Apollo] aiming at me, I couldn’t help but cheer.

The method I proposed from the beginning, so my masters, Astrid, and Noah can participate in this battlefield. The core of the ancient weapon capture plan was precisely this.

‘Making Apollo target me. To do this, a massive activation of magic was necessary.’

Apollo is not a manually fired device.

Auto-targeting.

It is a weapon imbued with auto-targeting magic, a product of the ancient Catalyu Kingdom’s technology. Once the conditions are met and sufficient energy is accumulated, it automatically fires.

The condition was the activation of a large-scale, high-level magic.

The simplest way to eliminate them without sacrificing my two masters was to rely on someone who had mastered both magic and swordsmanship to a high level.

In other words, the power of Nox von Reinhaver was needed.

By simultaneously activating a shockingly massive amount of mana, I planned to immediately switch to my sword and cut down Apollo’s bombardment the moment it targeted me.

Kwaaang——!

Following the large-scale freezing magic, a blue flame erupted toward me as I was casting a fire attribute magic, and [Apollo] fired something at an unbelievable speed.

It was what was called an anti-magic bullet in the game.

Watching the attack heading straight for me, I let out a light breath.

“Haa.”

[Ha! You had talent, but in the end, you couldn’t fully develop it and will die here!]

I ignore Amon’s voice.

The first Prince is also shouting something, but it’s meaningless.

Either way, it won’t go as they think.

I momentarily hold my breath.

Then, I recall a moment from the past. Sometime ago,

I once dodged an arrow flying towards the back of my head.

For example, during the Paimon battle when I first faced the Grand Duke, I told Marin,

Shoot the arrow.

I said I absolutely won’t die.

Although I didn’t perfectly dodge the arrow, I won that battle.

It was an achievement made during a time when I was just beginning to establish my position, far from being complete.

Of course, there was help from others, and I was still not strong enough to stand on my own.

But still, at this moment, I think.

How much stronger am I now compared to that time?

'It’s funny. Even in a moment like this.’

A smile leaks out.

In other words, it’s absurd.

The comparison is meaningless.

The me from back then and the current me now are completely different people.

Also, in this world, tools are ultimately just things that mages and knights use to reach higher levels.

No matter how important artifacts are and how much they occupy in this world, they are ultimately just tools to support one’s abilities. They are nothing more than supporters who cannot become the main character.

'In an instant, without delay. Precisely… cut it!’

I think.

If the speed of that bullet can’t catch up to Marin’s arrow,

Then I can dodge it even without any skills.

Whoosh!

Watching the anti-magic bullet closing the distance in an instant, I grit my teeth. Then, I place my hand on the hilt of the sword in its sheath and wait for just one moment. The best I can do here.

To find it.

“Die!”

Along with the first Prince’s voice, another voice is heard.

[The player enters a state of trance.]

Even at that moment, I don’t pay attention to such a phrase.

Only one thing, I must focus everything on the bombardment.

Otherwise, I will die.

Clank.

Strength flows into the hand gripping the hilt, and as I raise my head, I cross my feet and stomp the ground. This process is to load the sword with more perfect strength.

In an instant, even though I didn’t activate [Genius’s Time], I somehow felt a sensation similar to when I used the skill.

The stillness flowing around. The surroundings darken, and only the attack rushing towards me is clearly visible in my eyes. No one’s voice, no tragic and mournful scream can torment me anymore.

What I need most now is unwavering strength.

I straighten my bloodshot eyes towards the enemy and engrave it clearly in that mind. I will not die here. I will look forward again.

Kung——!

At the same time as I think, the bombardment aiming at me hits Nox von Reinhaver precisely. But it’s meaningless.

I quickly switch to the sword and recall the teacher who taught me this sword. The existence that helps me with our backs against each other. Luna. Her sword shows me the light.

The light that can break through this situation.

[Moon Split].

Although I can’t mimic the smooth and resolute voice that flows like a single orb, I have perfectly learned the technique to cut through this moment.

Crisp!

The process of cutting down the bullet was truly simple.

The sword touches the bombardment flying at an unbelievable speed. And not even a spark flies from it. The moonlight sword, reaching its limit, slices through the attack as smoothly as tofu.

After, I move half a step to the left to avoid the bombardment, I continue the swordsmanship. Is it to not miss this timing?

I start to see the face of one guy running towards me.

None other than Amon. The 72 demons are taking the opportunity to kill me.

It’s thrilling.

The fact I have become an existence that a demon of that level can’t guarantee victory without seizing the timing, I couldn’t help but feel a deep exhilaration and a pounding heart sensation.

It’s not awe for the enemy.

This is entirely my gratitude to myself for what I have achieved.

A tribute to not giving up.

“You escaped well from the frozen prison.”

[Did you think I would fall for such a cheap trick? This Amon?]

Amon said that and smirked, but I already knew he would come out like this. He is the typical demon with a fiery temper.

And that means.

'It means he’s not a big deal.’

Enemies swayed by emotions have always been portrayed as weak in Inner Lunatic. And rightly so. The things called emotions,

They make anyone weak. That’s why I always fight thinking there’s nothing behind me. Because I know that’s the most efficient way.

But he couldn’t do that.

That’s why he dies here.

I ignore the bullet that was cut down and fly, and I prepare to shoot the flame that bloomed at my fingertips at him.

Amon shouts with a sneering laugh.

[Ha! If I were caught in a freezing spell, I might not know, but your flames alone can’t take me down! Even if one of the so-called Four Sages came, it would be impossible!]

“Who do you think released you from the frozen prison?”

At that moment, for some reason, I burst out laughing but barely held it back.

Amon’s stopped feet. He examines his body and me in a shocked state. Hasn’t he melted all the ice yet?

He’s probably thinking that.

But does he know that he’s facing a bigger problem than that?

[You tricked me! Human! There’s no way the aftermath of the frozen prison still remains on me…]

“Look up.”

At that moment.

A huge, pure white chain. Even larger and more oppressive than now, it falls down with a sound and wraps around Amon’s body.

Amon screams in pain.

[What is this!?]

The flame I had ignited. It soon turns into a massive flame. The magic I learned from Astrid. [Fire Strike]. Its power is not as great as the frozen prison.

But now that the prison has fallen from above the enemy’s head and the chains are tightly wrapped around his entire body, I can do it.

Even an attack with such low firepower doesn’t matter. I can easily defeat him. If its the current me, I can do it. I can defeat Amon and reverse the current situation.

After that, I will ultimately save the once noble but now stained with her own line and lost her benevolence, the princess.

[Penelope von Arkheim].

Although I haven’t experienced much of her, I know.

In reality, and in the world I once believed was a game, her back was heavy. A character who always had to bear much under the name of princess. I came here to save her.

It’s also about myself.

And to protect my people.

But every story inevitably has a main storyline, and its protagonist is now the princess.

“But first, the guy in front of me.”

The flame blooms in an instant, and it soon wraps around my right fist. It stretches out and flies at an unbelievable speed.

I never thought I could swing a sword with such a weak physique, but I could.

Well, isn’t the requirement terminally-ill?

Every time my life burns, I become stronger, but I can’t help but feel proud of it.

The awareness of survival is clearer than ever. Unlike the me who sat helplessly in front of the keyboard in the past, there is a me who strives to death for this moment.

[This… damn it…!]

I skip the lines of a third-rate villain.

Then, with a kwaang sound, my fist hits Amon’s body, and his body soon collapses, leaving behind a huge mana stone.

I pull out the mana stone from the demon’s blood that had stuck to it and throw it to Leon behind me.

“Take it, Marvas. The magic stone I told you about.”

“…So this is how you were going to give it. No wonder.”

“Is there a problem? The people here… you must protect them even at the cost of your life.”

“Of course.”

A brief silence flows. A moment hard to believe we’re in the midst of a war.

At that moment, Leon finally asks.

“Are you going?”

“Yes.”

“You might die, you know?”

“It’s late for worrying about it now”

“…Still, Please survive.”

At the same time, Paracelsus, who was almost falling and couldn’t control his body due to the recoil, also shouted.

“I absolutely won’t see you die, Nox von Reinhaver! I will definitely surpass you someday! I won’t allow you to die until then!”

“Shut up and sleep, commoner. You should have beaten me before I die. I won’t give you a chance… I’m going.”

While spitting out harsh words, I hear the flustered voice of the first Prince Louis. He is shouting as he activates the siege weapon [Apollo] again.

“Activate [Apollo] immediately and kill him once more! That was luck! Move! Now!”

“But it would be dangerous.”

It was Rick’s words. A different tone than usual. He’s looking at me, not the first Prince.

Somehow, the smile revealed on his face. It seemed like he couldn’t contain his interest in me. At that moment, coincidentally, both of them were thinking the same thing.

We must kill that guy now, at this moment.

He will be a great threat in the future.

I open my mouth indifferently.

“Demonic human. Rick.”

“Haha. This is an honor. A great noble knowing my humble name.”

“You will die here. You’ve caused too much trouble.”

“Aren’t you the same? Do you think you can handle this situation?”

“Handle?”

Ha, I burst out laughing.

“For a great noble, that’s something as natural as breathing.”

Once again, pure white mana erupts like an explosion, spreading like vines to construct a frozen prison. Now, it begins.

As I’ve always said, war only ever enters new phases as it continues.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!