Episode 52
The second basilisk emerged from the darkness.
Like the first, it had the massive body of a serpent with the head of a rooster. And soon, another basilisk appeared.
Three in total.
“…It seems all the dark energy flowing through the forest has gathered here,”
Edric said, his chin trembling. He was a magic swordsman, recently discovered to be especially sensitive to dark energy.
This meant there were only three basilisks.
Antonio signaled from the other side.
Time to execute the plan—basilisks were close enough.
“Ready?”
I asked the chickens in a low voice.
The chickens nodded. The one with the red ribbon flapped its wings and took the lead. The pink-ribboned one, though small, looked up at me with a resolute gaze. That look of determination gave me strength I hadn’t realized I needed.
I took a deep breath and raised my hand in signal.
The chickens moved all at once.
“Coo-coooo!”
“Coo-cooooo!”
Their cries erupted like a battle horn on the field.
The red-ribboned chicken stood in front, crying loudly—not like a regular chicken, but like a trumpet calling warriors into battle.
The nearby hens joined in, clucking in rhythm.
“Cluck cluck cluck! Cluck-cluck-cluck!”
Their cries overlapped and harmonized, weaving together like a choir of battle hymns.
High and low tones intertwined, shaking the forest like a great war cry.
And then—
The basilisks faltered.
Their snake heads slowly turned toward the chickens. Their eyes glinted. But the chickens didn’t stop. Their cries grew louder.
“Cooooooo-COOOOOOOOO!”
They screamed with such force it felt their voices might shatter the air.
The basilisks froze as though rooted to the earth.
Their horrifying red eyes stared straight at the chickens. But the chickens didn’t waver.
Even watching through the chickens’ memories, I hadn’t quite believed this. Now, seeing it in real time, it finally felt real.
That chickens could be this powerful.
The basilisks stood still, trembling slightly. They seemed overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the cries.
“Everyone, don’t stop now!”
I shouted with all the strength from my gut.
“Coooooo-COOOOOOOO!”
“Cluck-cluck-cluck! COOOOOO!”
The chorus rose to a fever pitch.
It was like an orchestra conducted by divine hands—high notes pierced the sky, low notes trembled the earth. Wings flapped, ribbons fluttered, and the forest transformed into a battlefield of light and sound.
The three basilisks stood frozen, like statues gripped by invisible force.
Antonio raised his hand, signaling the attack.
He pulled off his eyepatch and drew his sword without hesitation. The blade shimmered under the moonlight.
“Units, prepare!”
His voice sliced through the forest.
The knights raised their shields, catching the reflection of the frozen basilisks.
Antonio swung his sword.
A flash of moonlight burst into the air as the first wave of sword energy cut through the night.
One basilisk was pierced clean through. Its scales shattered in an explosion of light.
“Keep going!”
Antonio shouted as he launched another strike.
The rest of the knights followed suit, unleashing their own sword energy.
Silver, blue, and white arcs danced across the sky like falling stars. The forest lit up in a frenzy of color and sound.
The sound of the chickens never ceased.
“COOOOOOOOOOO!”
Their cries wove into the crashing booms of sword energy.
Antonio swung again. This time, a massive arc of light flew straight toward the second basilisk’s head.
Swoosh—!
The blade struck, and the creature disintegrated into glittering dust.
Soon, the third basilisk followed.
The only sounds remaining were the chickens’ war cries echoing through the forest.
The damp, sticky air of the summer woods returned as the basilisk’s dark energy vanished.
“…No more monsters detected for now,”
Edric reported, and the knights lowered their swords in relief.
“Fighting while facing away using shields as mirrors? That’s seriously cool.”
“This one’s going into the legends when we get back to Saragot.”
Laughter spread among the group.
“You can stop now.”
I told the chickens.
Obediently, they fell silent.
The battle had ended.
No one had been harmed. Peace had returned. To everyone—except one.
Antonio was sweating profusely. He gripped my shoulder and tried to steady his breath, which was becoming irregular and ragged.
I touched his forehead.
It was burning up. Not just hot—scorching, almost inhuman.
“Antonio? Your forehead’s on fire!”
Josephine’s voice trembled. His skin radiated unnatural heat, as though flames were consuming him from within.
Antonio twisted his face in pain and spoke, his voice low and strained.
“We must return to the manor. Immediately.”
The warmth and force that normally filled his voice were gone. Only fatigue and pain remained.
At the manor, Count Valteor greeted them with a bright smile and open arms.
But Antonio didn’t even acknowledge the welcome.
“Postpone the banquet until tomorrow.”
He barely made it up the stairs to the guest room. The knights tried to help, but he shook his head.
“Well done. Get some rest.”
He turned back to give the order, and the knights obeyed despite their concern.
Only Josephine remained.
“You don’t look good. I’ll stay with you.”
Antonio didn’t protest. He needed her more than ever.
But he didn’t want to show weakness. His pride gripped him even in agony.
She supported his weight as they walked slowly. Though he leaned heavily on her, she didn’t waver.
He clenched his teeth, forcing himself not to collapse. Her touch was warm—but that warmth only intensified the pain.
She laid him on the bed.
He was still burning. His breathing was harsher now.
“This won’t do. I need to call Kallen.”
Antonio reached for her, but even that movement failed him.
Josephine rushed out, and soon returned with Kallen—the one who’d been treating those suffering from petrification.
Kallen examined Antonio, his face grim.
“He’s on the verge of a surge.”
“A surge?”
Josephine echoed, fear creeping into her voice.
“This is probably his first time drawing this much heat into his body. Holding back this much power without release is dangerous. It condenses like clots in the bloodstream. We have to release it. Now.”
Kallen turned to Josephine with desperate urgency.
“There’s no time, Josephine. You have to act.”
“Leave us, Kallen.”
Antonio said quietly.
He knew what was happening. Magic surging through his veins like molten metal—wild and uncontrollable.
Kallen nodded and left, closing the door behind him.
Thud.
The moment the door shut, Antonio approached her.
Sweat glistened on his face. His golden eyes burned with something wild.
“Antonio, are you sure we—?”
Before she could finish, he pressed his lips to hers.
The contact made Josephine shudder. His repressed magic surged into her like a violent current.
It wasn’t just heat. It was electric—scorching her from within.
Each kiss scraped her nerves raw, set them alight. There was no space to breathe.
His hands cupped her face and slid down her neck, sending sharp waves of sensation.
He overwhelmed her senses, dominated every inch of her awareness.
Sweat from his brow dripped onto her cheek.
It was blistering.
The more he touched her, the deeper the magic sank.
“Antonio… are you okay?”
She asked, but he answered with another hungry kiss.
She gently pushed against his shoulder, dazed.
He paused, breathing hard as he looked down at her. His eyes were heavy with pain and longing.
“Josephine.”
“Yes?”
“Show me everything.”
He whispered as he undid the buttons of her jacket.
