CHAPTER 295: RECHARGING AND RESPITE

"Captain! I’m sorry to keep you waiting!"

A deep and booming voice echoed.

The red haired bear in armor had muscles straining against the metal.

This man who is now a father, he seemed even more reliable, though maybe not completely calmer.

"Louis, I’m no longer the captain. You’re the captain now," Dominic said.

"To me, you will always be the captain!"

Louis said with a playful grin and casually slicing through incoming tentacles.

Louis’s heavy sword glowing gold and sparks flying as it struck.

Its attacks crackled with the energy of lightning, dazzling against the chaos around them.

By embedding a magic circle into the hilt of his sword and fitting a magic stone, Dominic was able to imbue the blade with magical power.

The knights like Louis, who were not good at using magic, now relied on these enchanted swords. Thanks to them, hunting and defeating magical beasts became much more efficient.

When the magic stone’s power ran out, it could be recharged with the user’s own magic.

The creation of magic stones was a groundbreaking achievement that changed the industry and structure of this world.

Shiao Yi who had first created the magic stones was truly remarkable.

Dominic felt proud of him; it was a source of pride.

Beyond Louis, the knights of Rosaria were also fighting the Aeon.

There were maybe twenty of them.

The Rosarian knights whose experienced in battling magical beasts faced the massive enemy without hesitation striking it with skill and courage.

"When Mr. Vundo finishes setting up the teleportation magic circles, more knights will follow in waves. Captain, you should rest a little. You look pale. Shiao Yi, I’m counting on you," Louis said.

After having said his piece, Louis didn’t wait for a reply.

He charged directly toward the next threat still restless as ever.

Even as a father now, he remained the same unpredictable man.

"Dominic, let’s step back and rest a little," Shiao Yi said.

He guided Dominic by the arm while slicing incoming tentacles with the floating daggers he controlled.

Dominic felt a vibration in the air and before he knew it, they had moved inside the palace grounds.

Shiao Yi had teleported them to a location he had identified, probably the inner palace where Isolde’s private chambers had been.

"Whoa! This is bad. the Aeon really tore through everything here," Shiao Yi said while frowning as he scanned the wreckage.

The ruins were exposed in the morning light.

Only the faint traces of the foundation showed where the palace had once stood; the original structure was gone.

"No... this is..." Dominic started, unable to finish his sentence, feeling uneasy.

"That... well, it’s my doing," he admitted.

"Excuse me?" Shiao Yi asked while leaning in, perhaps because Dominic’s voice had grown too quiet.

"I’m the one responsible. I caused this."

"Wait... again?"

"’Again’? ...There’s no ’again,’" Dominic thought, though now that he considered it, he had caused quite a few problems before.

"I couldn’t stop the flow of magic power from the stone chamber. I judged that letting it continue would be dangerous. So, I tried to stop it by force... and..."

"You destroyed the stone chamber and turned the surrounding area into ruins?" Shiao Yi asked, incredulous.

"Yes. That’s exactly what happened," Dominic confirmed.

For some reason, Dominic felt that Shiao Yi’s eyes were slowly settling, becoming more serious.

"So, in the end... in the chaos, the last bit of magic was pulled into the gate and that’s what broke the barrier?" Shiao Yi asked.

"Uh... yes," Dominic admitted.

Shiao Yi’s cold and exasperated gaze was harsh and Dominic couldn’t meet it.

He let his eyes wander to the distance.

Shiao Yi raked his black hair back and forth feeling frustrated.

"Yeah... that’s just like you, Dominic. That’s the kind of guy you are," Shiao Yi muttered.

Seeing Dominic shrink uncomfortably, Shiao Yi’s expression softened.

He stepped forward and wrapping Dominic in a comforting hug.

"I love you, even as stubborn and immature as you are," Shiao Yi said.

Shiao Yi always knew how to comfort him, even when he felt weak and inadequate.

Truly, Shiao Yi was kind.

"You’re so cute... Dominic, you’re really cute," Shiao Yi murmured, though he sounded a little unfair.

Dominic ignored it.

"You just released so much magic power and you’ve been fighting with it nonstop, right? Aren’t you running low?" Shiao Yi asked, worry creasing his brow.

"Yeah... it’s almost depleted. It was dangerous earlier. Thanks, Shiao Yi," Dominic replied.

"Why didn’t you tell me sooner about something that important!" Shiao Yi exclaimed, flustered.

He fumbled into his pocket and pulled out a magic stone and handing it to Dominic.

"Quick, recharge it. What happened to the magic stone I gave you before?"

Dominic absorbed the magic from the stone as he answered Shiao Yi.

"I gave that one to Isolde and the others maintaining the barrier. It’s Isolde’s magic keeping the Aeon contained here. But she’s been holding it nonstop. She’s probably at her limit now."

"I’ll bring more magicians who can maintain the barrier. The more the better. We need a strong barrier and someone who can rotate shifts," Shiao Yi said.

"Good," Dominic replied.

"But first, you need to rest too. Right now, Aaron is mass producing the magic cannons to take down the Aeon. The magic stones to use as ammo are being produced nationwide, with everyone united in the effort. Even Dalmasca and Nabradia are cooperating fully, they know the threat the Aeon poses. Still, it’ll take some time to have enough. Until then, you and the knights have to hold it as best as you can."

So there was a way to fight back.

There was hope.

If that was true, then the knights, including Dominic, would fight with all their strength.

Shiao Yi pulled a paper wrapped package from his backpack.

It was a military ration.

He unwrapped it roughly and handed Dominic a round, flattened, baked disc, something like a hardened, crushed biscuit.