The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Wants to Break Off the Engagement-Chapter 72

Alter was still assessing his own potential.
To annihilate the calamity of the northern region in place of the Frost Witch.
If his mother's foresight was not wrong, then there was still some hope for him.
"Lord Alter, you'll have to step forward first. If I attack from long range, I'll have to put in more effort."
"Are you able to manifest sword energy?"
"I won't be able to use it often. It takes a considerable amount of magic power."
Of course, Brillie could also launch sword energy like a Sword Saint.
However, it placed significant strain on her body, and the consumption of magic power also increased.
Therefore, unless it was a truly dire situation, it would be better to avoid using it rashly.
"We won't be able to finish this quickly, so it's better to conserve your strength. Just help out when the enemy comes close."
"It won't be easy... but I'll try."
Brillie answered honestly and adjusted her grip on her sword.
If it was only about protecting Alter, she could somehow manage.
But as a single individual, she could not perfectly defend the Goranmoche Castle and all the soldiers.
So, though troubled, all she could do was give it her all.
'It looks like the golem will arrive first...'
Alter eyed the massive monster and honed the current of magic power.
The golem stood, raised by a thick wall of ice, and the top of its head was flashing red.
If he could destroy the core embedded in the center of its chest, it would be annihilated on the spot.
'Piercing through probably won't be easy.'
In fact, the golem's chest looked larger than any other part of its body.
Even if it was the same ice wall, the thickness and hardness would differ, and weak points would naturally be even more fortified.
Moreover, since there were more golems at the rear, he should not waste his strength needlessly.
'The easiest way would be to either drive it away as is, or prevent it from moving.'
Completely suppressing the battle or delaying the onset of combat—
In essence, this was a strategy to hold out until reinforcements arrived.
However, if he could not replace the Frost Witch, he would not even be able to accomplish that.
"The golem is coming!"
"Arrows are useless!"
"Aaah..."
"Don't break formation! Hold your positions!"
While the soldiers were shaken unconsciously, the commanders issued firm orders.
The outer wall was still intact, and there had been no massive losses yet.
So, until the retreat was certain, they had to steadfastly defend the outer defenses.
"Are we all going to die like this?"
"What are we supposed to do about that?"
"It's coming... It's really coming!"
The golem strode forward unimpeded, shaking the ground as it moved.
Things like humans and walls held no value for it.
All it did was detect the being's magic power and determine how to respond accordingly.
"... Target for differentiation identified. Immediate disposal requested."
Flashing red, the golem altered its direction.
He could not be certain yet, but the magic power that had suppressed the northern region was being sensed.
The power of frost should have disappeared—so why was it spreading, however faintly?
"Danger level rising. Determining elimination target."
The golem watched its elimination target and slowly raised its left hand.
If there was even a trace of frost power left, it had to be annihilated.
If the frost power returned to its source, it would oppress them once again.
"Determination complete. Proceeding with immediate elimination."
The golem brought its left hand down at once toward its elimination target.
Contained within was the power of frost—he had to erase any trace of life.
The lineage of frost had barely been severed; it could not be allowed to resume.
"... Immobile status determined. Unit operation has been confirmed suppressed."
The golem stopped immediately and met the elimination target's gaze.
The chill emanating from the target was interfering with its operation.
Moreover, as the frost's power was being amplified, it seemed necessary to re-examine the situation.
"Re-determining elimination target. Danger level... rapidly rising."
Even as it repeatedly re-assessed, the golem tried somehow to make the unit move.
But the elimination target only released an even denser chill, binding the unit.
Against such an opponent, it seemed one unit alone would not suffice.
"Emergency situation. Serial number FG-537-X40. From this time, requesting supp—impact detected."
The golem immediately tried to make a , but its left arm was already under attack.
It was a swift and sharp strike: its left arm was cleanly severed and fell.
At the same time, it recognized that an entity other than the elimination target had intervened.
"Additional elimination target identified. Danger leve... le... ve... ris..."
The golem recognized severe damage, but it could no longer respond.
With part of its core destroyed, the core command system was failing.
Even though it was but a split second, who could have imagined its exoskeleton would be pierced?
"Emerg... ency... situ... ation. Ser... ial num... FG-5... 37... req... ues..."
Leaving only its final declaration, the golem stopped working.
If the support request went through, other units would converge on the spot.
An alliance had been temporarily formed with the giant entity, but whether the cooperation would go smoothly was uncertain.
"Did you just stop it from moving?"
After confirming the golem had been defeated, Brillie cautiously asked.
As the golem targeted Alter and attacked, she first cut off its left arm.
Then she aimed for its core to end it quickly; it was close, but she barely managed to reach.
"I think so? I just tried checking for a moment."
Alter answered calmly, lost in thought.
Since the golem had targeted him, he hadn't bothered dodging.
At the same time, he tried to defend himself, but the golem had abruptly ceased its attack.
"It might just be my imagination, but... it seemed to be targeting you, Lord Alter."
"It seems to be because of the connection with the Frost Witch."
"The Frost Witch? She's already dead, isn't she?"
"The Frost Witch could suppress monsters. That's why it was peaceful until now."
"The monsters are attacking because the Frost Witch died? But... the Frost Witch laid a curse, didn't she?"
"That was something the Frost Witch did on her own. It's different from the fact that she existed."
"So simply having the Frost Witch alive kept the monsters from rampaging?"
"That's what I understand."
"...?"
Brillie, though puzzled, reluctantly accepted it.
If it was a matter related to magic, Alter would know better than her.
Yet, since the Frost Witch was the source of the curse, she wondered if the causal relationship wasn't tangled.
"... I think the yeti will arrive soon as well."
"Will you check this time too?"
"Yes. Please help as before."
Alter steadied his magic power as he watched the giant brute.
By simply radiating chill, he had already stopped the golem's movements.
If he could apply this method, maybe he could have a similar effect on other monsters.
'Are they mistaking me for the Frost Witch?'
Monsters wouldn't show themselves, unable to defy the Frost Witch.
Still, they tried to attack him—yet ultimately failed.
Perhaps, the Frost Witch had possessed a means to control the monsters after all.
'But I'm not the Frost Witch. The chill just looks similar.'
"Guwoooor!"
The yeti, approaching slowly, spotted Alter and let out a roar.
Its eyes wide, it began charging toward him.
"Oh..."
"I really think we should dodge this one..."
"E-everyone, hold your positions!"
Even the commander was flustered, but couldn't bring himself to give the order to retreat.
If they fell back at the threat to their lives, they would protect nothing.
For now, they had to resolutely hold on, praying that the wall would endure.
"Graaa... guh?"
The yeti froze in place right before crashing into the wall.
No one could understand the phenomenon, and for a brief moment, silence fell.
Alter simply spread his chill, staring the yeti down.
"Are you scared of me? Or is there another reason?"
"Oogh... oooa..."
Only then did the yeti see the faint image emerging from Alter.
The being that had long bound it was now standing right before its eyes.
At first, it instinctively sought to tear him apart, but now, it faced the opposite condition.
'It's certain it can't attack me. What would happen if I counterattacked now?'
Alter observed the yeti closely and concentrated the chill solely on it.
The monsters in the northern region had resistance to frost magic.
Of course, powerful frost magic would deal damage, but it was less effective than other attributes.
"Graaa... gurooo!"
The moment the yeti touched the chill, it uttered a horrible scream.
The frost-imbued chill was eroding the yeti's flesh itself.
The yeti was consumed by excruciating pain, slowly moving toward death.
"Agh... keh!"
Brillie, having watched the situation, swung her sword.
A brief trail flashed along her blade—then faded away.
A straight line appeared on the yeti's neck; as it split, the head and torso separated.
"It's not hard to cut when it's standing still."
"That's not something just anyone can do."
"Cutting through in one blow? I suppose that's true."
Brillie sheathed her sword and murmured vaguely.
Killing such a huge monster in a single strike was not easy.
Perhaps, she thought, she had demonstrated the strength worthy of the title Sword Saint.
"They'll probably continue to target me, so I think we just need to wait."
"If only all fights went like this, it wouldn't be such a struggle."
"It was just one at a time this time, but won't it get difficult if there are more?"
"Don't worry. I'll just cut them faster, right?"
"..."
Alter silently accepted this without thinking.
It was an established fact that Brillie's swordsmanship was outstanding.
He just hadn't properly considered what she might manage in any given situation.
'She really is strong. If Brillie hadn't been here, what would have happened...'
Feeling relieved, Alter looked at Brillie.
Unlike usual, her black hair was tied up, and her light orange eyes radiated a powerful will.
Moreover, her attractive appearance stood out, making it difficult not to look her way.
'This is the person I'm supposed to marry.'
Alter reflected on that fact anew.
At first, he had considered breaking off the engagement, but now he faced it with resolve.
Though their relationship hadn't started with love, they had built up enough trust in each other.
If so, perhaps they could continue their married life with at least simple affection.
'Even if I can't fall in love, as long as we can get along together...'
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
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