Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 138: Magic 2

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

In Paul's astonished gaze, the gray-white stone hanging from his chest was slowly turning black.

This stone was insisted upon by the monastery's dean, Leonard, as a gift for him, claiming it could ward off evil wizards' attacks. Paul originally dismissed it, but out of respect for the dean's goodwill, he wore the stone as a talisman blessed by a master.

"The color will turn black when there are magical fluctuations nearby!" That's what the old dean had said.

In an instant, Paul's worldview began to crumble. Could it be that magic truly existed in this world!?

When he first regained memories from his past life, he had heard about magic from the old steward Philip. But as he gradually integrated into this world, there seemed to be no direct evidence proving the existence of such a thing. His superiority complex from a world enlightened by science and his disdain for this seemingly medieval world led him to gradually believe that magic was just a desperate explanation by ignorant people for things they didn't understand.

"No... It can't be! It's just a chemical reaction, right?"

Subconsciously, he still couldn't believe it.

...

The cloaked man blocking the road was Bennett. He had heard in Port Frand that the Jaden Pirate Crew had been wiped out by a local lord, which enraged him.

After arriving in the northwest of the Aldor Kingdom, everything had gone incredibly smoothly for him. He had subdued the Kent family on land, controlled Duke Fraule, and almost completed the consolidation of various pirate crews at sea.

His subsequent plan was to have the pirates launch large-scale assaults on various territories. With his assistance, those foolish lords wouldn't stand a chance. Then, under the guise of Maltz Kent "subduing" the pirate crews, he would gain tremendous prestige, giving the Duke a reason to pass the title to him.

Then Maltz Kent would act openly while he operated in the shadows, gradually eliminating the remaining loyal lords in the northwest, eventually rising up on both land and sea, coordinating with the Southern Giles Rebellion.

Jaden was a pirate force he had painstakingly nurtured, counting on them to lead other pirates, thus becoming a major asset on the sea. He had observed various pirate crews for a long time before finally choosing Jaden's crew for support, and the Arcane Order had sent countless enhanced drugs.

Now an important part of his plan had been disrupted. Due to his continued smooth sailing, he suddenly felt deeply frustrated.

It was all because of that damned Paul Grayman.

Bennett almost immediately made a decision: he must make this person who made him feel frustrated disappear from the world.

After operating in the northwest for such a long time, Bennett was almost familiar with every force in the area.

The Grayman family was just a minor lord who couldn't rise above the table. Although they bore the title of Earl, they were actually a family exiled by the royal family to this barren area. They ruled over the poorest barony in the northwest, without even a single vassal beneath them.

Recently, they had defeated a small group of pirates, and now the current head seemed to be clueless about his own weight.

If his opponent were powerful families like Fraule or Kent, who had large forces at their disposal, he would have to rack his brains and employ some covert methods.

But dealing with Grayman, a poor lord who didn't even have a knight under him, if he were to scheme further, it would be laughable to his Arcane Order colleagues.

Bennett decided to directly deal with Paul Grayman, not by openly attacking him in broad daylight; his identity needed to remain hidden for a while longer.

He planned to sneak into Alden Town quietly and carry out an assassination late at night, ensuring that this ignorant lord would die after experiencing great suffering.

Bennett deeply believed that with his methods, completing such a task would be effortless.

What he didn't expect was to encounter this lord on his way to Alden Town.

---

Heaven truly favors me. If this were a town with many people, causing too much commotion might attract trouble from the Church's zealots.

Of course, it would only be trouble. Now, in this remote wilderness with nowhere to hide, eliminating this lord will hardly be noticed, as long as I handle the body properly.

As for Paul Grayman's guards, hmph, if they were proper knights, I would need to prepare more. But Grayman's guards don't seem to have any wearing armor; they're all in plain clothes, armed only with swords and lacking even crossbows for ranged attacks.

Oh, the girl beside him does carry a bow, but what use is just a bow? It's a feeble short bow, coupled with a girl's strength; the power is obvious.

"Stone Skin" combined with "Giant Strength," I'm invincible against these people.

With my mastery of Stone Skin, my defense rivals dwarven plate armor; their weapons won't break through.

So, he walked confidently towards them.

Three soldiers came to arrest him. Empowered by Giant Strength, Bennett effortlessly killed two of them; he didn't even bother looking at the paralyzed remaining soldier, continuing on his way.

Watching a man dressed as an officer lead more soldiers towards him, he smirked contemptuously.

"Come! You mortals are very honored today to witness the power of arcane magic."

However, just as Bennett was about to begin the slaughter, a sense of danger suddenly arose. Almost instinctively, he reached out and grabbed something in the air.

An arrow appeared in his hand.

Cold sweat formed on his back. If he hadn't reacted in time, without a doubt, this arrow would have pierced his eye—Stone Skin's greatest weakness.

Fortunately, due to tactical caution, he had cast "Danger Sense" on himself beforehand.

"Tch!"

The first shot missed, and the female advisor, Laddie, quickly drew a second arrow. With "Intense Focus," she aimed again at the enemy's eye.

The second arrow shot out swiftly, but unfortunately, once again, it was caught by the enemy.

Bennett looked at the girl beside Paul and frowned, "Seems like there's an annoying little bug over there."

However, under the effect of "Danger Sense," even if the opponent's archery was accurate, his long-practiced reaction speed allowed him to catch the incoming arrows in time. Actually, all he had to do was slightly tilt his head to avoid getting hit in the eye, but having arrows plastered on his face wouldn't be comfortable.

At this point, Chief Guard Victor also led soldiers to Bennett's side. He hadn't expected the female advisor to have such superb archery skills. Taking advantage of her distraction with the bow and arrows, Victor lunged at her chest with his sword, mustering all of his strength.

However, something incredible happened. With a clang, it felt as though he was striking a tough steel plate.

He could sense that, aside from piercing his clothes, his sword hadn't touched his chest at all.

In the shocked gaze of Chief Guard Victor, Bennett grasped the sharp sword blade, turned his gaze toward him, and smiled.

"Why rush into death?"

(End of the Chapter)

---If you want to support me and read advanced chapters (currently up to 333 as of 12Sep24), visit my p atreon: Pa treon.com/CinderTLSupport me for as low as $1. Read this and other series on my Pa treon.Like it? Add to library!Don't forget to vote to support the book if you like it.