Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan

Chapter 349

Theo frowned as he glared at the imperial palace, an uneasy feeling washing over him.

“Defensive magic, is it?”

The palace was surrounded by intricate magical formations, densely packed like a web of spells. Mana flowed through them, causing the palace to appear like a mirage, its image shimmering as if submerged in running water.

It wasn’t offensive magic but was clearly designed for defense, perhaps even more complicated than the Mage Tower’s absolute barriers. From a strategic perspective, it was a marvel.

“The capital truly is different from the northern backwaters,” Lodbrok remarked, her interest piqued as her eyes gleamed with fascination.

Theo could only imagine how this sight must appear through her gaze. He felt a twinge of regret at not being able to witness it in the same way.

“And yet, no resistance until now?”

This was unsettling. Their enemies, who treated human lives as worthless, had retreated from the forest too easily. Something about it didn’t sit right.

Given that Apostles had orchestrated this chaos, Theo doubted they would merely hole up in the palace. Especially the Second Apostle, who had suffered humiliation before—he would have been desperate to redeem himself.

“Something has happened.”

Theo couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant had occurred. However, it was strange that it didn’t seem to be against his favor. This paradoxical unease gnawed at him.

“The defensive magic isn’t fully activated,” Felix noted, stepping closer.

Theo’s eyes widened.

“Even unactivated, it’s this powerful?”

It was shocking. This level of defense was fitting for the imperial palace, a testament to its fortifications.

But Theo’s astonishment quickly turned to contemplation.

“Are the enemy forces in disarray?”

One thing was clear: their command structure was paralyzed. That left only one course of action.

“Sir Felix, increase our speed! We’ll descend rapidly!”
“Yes, understood.”

Felix, sensing the opportunity, replied with vigor. The airship surged toward the palace, descending steeply as if it would crash into the palace walls.

“Even if the defensive magic isn’t fully operational, basic defenses will still activate!” Felix warned.

Almost immediately, dozens of flashes of light erupted from the palace. Beams of energy shot toward the airship.

Boom!

The airship trembled violently as the blasts struck it.

“Those defenses aren’t weak.”

The airship’s triple-layered protective magic absorbed the attacks, shielding it from damage. The ship’s resilience and the pilot’s skill in maneuvering to minimize impact were impressive. But Theo knew they couldn’t withstand this for long.

As the attacks intensified, Theo remained calm, observing the situation as though waiting for something.

“Can you handle it?” Theo asked.

Lodbrok scoffed.

“Is that even a question? I’ve already analyzed their attack patterns.”

With a flick of her hand, Lodbrok unleashed a crimson wave of energy that shot downward.

Boom!

The wave collided with the palace’s defensive magic, causing the sky above to ripple like a vast ocean. Felix’s eyes widened in astonishment at the sight.

“How… How is that even possible?”
“It would be stranger if it wasn’t,” Lodbrok replied, her tone dismissive. She nodded toward Theo.

“I’ll disrupt the core of the defensive magic next. Once I’ve done that, strike with all your strength to break through.”
“Understood.”

She then turned to Felix.

“Adjust the ship’s position toward the palace roof. Use the engine’s output to counteract the recoil from my magic. Otherwise, the airship could crash.”
“Understood.”

Lodbrok extended her hand outward again, conjuring a massive hexagram in the air. Theo began circulating his mana, his sword radiating a golden light as energy coursed through it.

Although the defensive magic wasn’t fully operational, it was still the core defense of the imperial capital. The sheer power required was immense.

Theo’s entire being surged with energy, his sword glowing even brighter.

“Let’s go.”

Without hesitation, Theo leaped from the airship.

As he descended, beams of light erupted from the palace roof, hurtling toward him. At the same time, Lodbrok unleashed a massive wave of fire from the airship.

Boom!

The fiery torrent clashed with the defensive magic, creating a dazzling display of destruction. The air trembled with deafening vibrations as the forces collided.

“A little more.”

The combined onslaught created an opening, but it was faint—just enough for one person to slip through. Theo narrowed his focus, advancing rapidly toward the gap.

“Almost there.”

Ignoring the overwhelming pressure, Theo forced his way through the chaotic clash of energies. Sparks erupted, and the defensive magic rippled violently as Lodbrok’s fire pierced its depths.

Seeing his moment, Theo struck.

Golden energy surged from his sword, slicing precisely through the heart of the conflict.

BOOM!

The defensive magic shattered with a resounding explosion, leaving a narrow opening. Theo didn’t hesitate, diving through the breach.

The magic barrier immediately began repairing itself, but it was too late. Theo was already inside.

The defensive magic sealed completely behind him, but the damage had been done—he was now within the heart of the imperial palace.

***

Theo successfully passed through the magic barrier, and no further attacks came his way.
The palace grounds were lined with mages and archers, but they seemed preoccupied, staring at the anomalies in the sky with expressions of confusion.

“It seems something truly unexpected has occurred.”

He swung his sword, shattering a window, and leapt into the palace.

Crash!

The moment he entered the inner chambers, Theo froze in shock.

The scene before him was grotesque and horrifying: countless royal guards lay decapitated, their bodies strewn across the floor. Blood pooled everywhere, staining the walls and tiles in a gruesome red.

As he landed, Theo caught the sickly metallic scent of blood that filled the room—but there was something else. A foul, unnatural stench lingered amidst it.

“The Second Apostle.”

Traces of the Second Apostle’s presence were unmistakable.

However, the aura was faint, almost dissipated. Bodies littered not only the chamber but also the connecting corridors. All bore the distinct mark of the Apostle’s power—he had killed everyone here himself.

Standing amidst this massacre, Theo could feel one clear emotion left behind.

“Rage.”

It was evident the Apostle’s plans hadn’t gone as intended.

“But why?”

The airship’s theft and the death of the Pact Beast—both were likely scenarios the Second Apostle had accounted for.
Yet something had gone awry, leaving Theo to ponder the cause.

“…!”

A faint noise reached his ears: irregular, panicked breathing.
Theo had an idea of who it might be.

He moved toward the corner of the chamber, where a statue stood atop a table. Theo’s gaze dropped to the tablecloth hanging beneath it.

With a soft motion, he unsheathed his sword and lightly nicked the fabric.
The white cloth embroidered with golden thread fell away effortlessly, revealing the figure hiding beneath.

“Come out.”

The trembling figure curled into a ball beneath the table flinched at Theo’s command but didn’t respond.
Without hesitation, Theo reached down and grabbed the man by the collar, hauling him into the air.

“Ah… Aaahhh!!!”

The man dangled helplessly in Theo’s grasp, whimpering uncontrollably as urine trickled down his legs.

Suddenly, something fell from his robes.

“You must issue orders immediately!”

“We’ve completely lost control of the airship, and we cannot subdue the unidentified intruder within the palace!”

Lowering his gaze, Theo muttered coldly.

“Where is the Apostle?”

The man’s glassy eyes and vacant expression were enough to make Theo frown.

“His mind has been shattered.”

He could tell the man’s spirit had been overwhelmed—no amount of physical coercion would bring him back to his senses.

“Lodbrok will need to handle this.”

Just as that thought crossed his mind, a deafening explosion boomed overhead.

BOOM! CRASH!

Shortly after, Lodbrok flew through the shattered window Theo had created earlier.
She surveyed the scene, her expression twisting into a grimace.

“So that’s why the defensive magic was so ineffective,” she said, stepping up to Theo and glancing at the cowering noble.

“This one’s mind is completely gone.”

“Can you fix him?”

“It shouldn’t be too difficult. It’s not a complex spell. His weak will just couldn’t handle the strain and collapsed. But…”

Lodbrok reached out, placing her hand on the noble’s head before pulling it back with visible disgust.

“As expected, his body has been tainted by the Apostle’s aura. I’ll need about a day to purge it.”

“That’s fine, but we need him lucid now to declare an end to the battle.”

“Tsk. If I meddle with his mind now, it’ll cause complications later. But I suppose we have no choice.”

Lodbrok gestured toward a corner.

“Put him down over there. Not here—I’m not touching him any more than I have to, especially with that mess.”

Theo unceremoniously tossed the noble into a clean corner of the room, far from the puddle of urine, where he slumped against the wall.
Lodbrok kicked a communication crystal toward him, then placed her hand on his head again.

“…”

The noble, who had been mumbling incoherently moments earlier, fell silent. Then, as if on autopilot, he picked up the crystal and murmured:

“All units… Cease combat immediately. The charges against Ragnar have been cleared, and further hostilities are strictly prohibited.”

“What?!”

“Lord Chancellor!”

“I repeat: cease combat at once. Assist the Golden Lion Knights and Ragnar in securing the airship’s landing throughout the capital. Any refusal to comply will be treated as treason.”

With those words, the noble’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut, frothing at the mouth.

Lodbrok wiped her hands on her robe as though she had touched something filthy.

“I’ll continue searching the inner chambers,” Theo said, turning to leave.

“Let me know if you find any trace of the Second Apostle.”

“I’ll see what I can do. But don’t get your hopes up—the lingering aura is faint. He’s likely long gone.”

“I know. Just confirm whether he left the palace.”

“Understood.”

As Lodbrok set off on her search, Theo exhaled heavily, still unsettled by the lingering unease.