Chapter 294
Chapter 294
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 294
Chapter Title: Chapter 6-4. Blue Spear Knight
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The fact that I called his name must have been that displeasing, as he was emanating an ominous aura. Strangely enough, unlike when facing Calicthes or Organ, my instincts were blaring alarms.
'Why?'
I hadn't felt this way against them. Was it because there was no time to fight him here? Even so, turning tail and running didn't seem like something he'd allow peacefully.
'Mana is sufficient...'
Having drained a considerable amount of blood from Altemia, the <Storage> had reached stage 4 out of its maximum 5 stages. I'd never reached this level before, so I didn't know the full extent of <Immortality>'s effects, but losing an arm seemed bearable. I activated the skill and checked the time.
'4 minutes? 5 minutes?'
This was the time remaining until Lime's spatial transfer magic was ready. Within that, I needed to either take down the basilisk holding Fragment Gaia or pull back and escape once time allowed. But retreating just like this felt regrettable.
Judah stared at him while checking his [Status Window].
──────────────────────
「Status Window」
[Name: Basilisk di Deanol]
[Title: Empire's Spear]
[True Name: Destroyer]
[Level: 87]
[Job: Spear of Judgment - Knight Captain (S)]
[Race: Human]
[Strength: 99(S) / Potential S ]
[Vitality: 89(A) / Potential A ]
[Agility: 79(B) / Potential B ]
[Mana: 89(A) / Potential A ]
[Mana Resistance: 89(A) / Potential A ]
[Charisma: 89(A) / Potential A ]
[Leadership: 85(A) / Potential A ]
[Will: 70(B) / Potential B ] ◀ Special
[Knowledge: 62(B) / Potential B ] ◀ Special
[Luck: 79(B) / Potential B ] ◀ Special
※ All stats except special stats reduced by 15% due to aging
[Affection: 10(Neutral)]
[Trust: 10(Neutral)]
「Traits 9/9」
[Destroyer] - Rank: S
[Spear of Judgment - Knight Captain] - Rank: A
[Kingdom Conqueror] - Rank: A
[Lord of the Battlefield] - Rank: A
[Fragment Gaia Owner] - Rank: A
[Blood Brother] - Rank: A(A)
[Flow of Time - Aging] - Rank: B
[One Who Receives the Emperor's Favor] - Rank: B
[One Who Summons Angels] - Rank: B
「Skills 7/8」
[Avatar of the Battlefield] - Rank: S
[Imperial Spear Arts - Spear of Judgment] - Rank: A
[Imperial Close Combat - Spear of Judgment] - Rank: A
[Crush] - Rank: A
[Battle Stance] - Rank: A
[Descent - Angel of War] - Rank: A
[Descent - Angel of Valor] - Rank: A
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A sigh escaped involuntarily at the staggering stats. All general stats except one had maxed out to their potential limits. He had reached a monstrous level, the pinnacle for a human.
'The Sword Saint Via wasn't quite at this level.'
Unfortunately, based solely on his stats, he was no opponent to rush in on. However, like Calicthes, aging had reduced his stats.
'15%...'
It seemed doable. Not at his prime, but now, victory was possible. Having killed Arhil and Lime, tormented Iris—the Empire didn't deserve to walk away unscathed. Snatching the Fragment from him would salve his pride.
"Planning to take the Fragment from me?"
As if reading Judah's greedy gaze, he thrust Gaia forward and spoke. While gazing at his defenseless form, Jeanne groaned from the side, rising unsteadily.
"Hm?"
Judah and Basilisk's eyes turned to Jeanne. Seeing a living person, Basilisk kicked off the ground, leaping high and swinging his spear down at Judah.
Judah used Shadow Step in sync with the spear's descent, shifting behind him.
Emerging from the shadows toward the one who cleaved empty air, he unleashed [Shadow Sword Arts 6th Form - Upper Slash]. Yakal's power mixed with Judah's mana, the greatsword slashing swiftly wreathed in crimson-black energy.
Clang!
He blocked the attack with the spear shaft's rear. Through the vertical slit in his helmet's visor, his eyes gleamed. The trembling spear shaft showed their strength was evenly matched. Aging's toll was greater than expected.
'He's manageable.'
But spotting Judah's glint, he promptly repelled the sword and swung his spear. Judah ducked low as the halberd's axe blade whistled from the right. Whoosh—the sharp blade grazed overhead. As Judah crouched close to the ground, Basilisk's left foot followed. The greave, like armored shell, threatened to tear him apart. Retreating from the menace, Judah hurled Altemia from his left hand.
A red line sprayed from the dagger's blade hurtling toward his brow. He tried swatting it with his gauntlet, but seeing the fallen Blue Spear Knight's armor sliced by the red line's tip, he blocked with his spear.
Clang!
Altemia bounced weakly despite its momentum, embedding in the nearby earth. As Judah closed in, light plummeted from the sky onto his head.
"!"
The intense flash stabbed like lightning, but with Demon Eyes open, blindness was averted. Within the light, two armored angels with four wings each appeared.
'Angel Descent...!'
Just as Judah used Shadow Heresy buffs, he had a skill summoning angels for power. Judah immediately extended a hand, casting Valentine's <Dispel> on him.
Two descended angels.
But <Dispel> erased only one. The other dissolved into light, merging into his body. Before dispelling the embedded one, his spear swing came faster. A fierce gale erupted as he wildly slashed the air, shoving Judah back.
'Erased the Angel of Valor?'
From memory, angel descent skills had harsh acquisition but potent effects. Essential for Blue Spear Knight Jeanne or Empire tanks in the game. High mana cost for a buff, but it boosted multiple stats (2-4 minimum, up to max) depending on the angel.
Judah moved first, closing in with a greatsword swing. He parried with the shaft, muttering indistinctly.
"...In this battlefield, I stand, and the Angel of War descends upon me."
Hearing the chant, Judah realized he'd activated [Avatar of the Battlefield] and [Battle Stance]. The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Clang-clang-clang!
Judah poured attacks, but he evaded or deflected with seasoned finesse, as if declaring his veteran prowess. He raised his right foot, slamming the ground. The earth couldn't withstand, cratering like a meteor strike.
Before sinking, airborne Judah met Basilisk's sharp glare.
"Hah!"
Roaring, he thrust—the spear bent snakelike. Thinking Altemia blocked it, overwhelming force shoved it back, the blade severing Judah's left shoulder clean.
"Kuh!"
The arm flew, blood spurting. Glancing at it mid-retreat, the severed limb vaporized into blood mist, regenerating instantly at the wound. Basilisk withdrew his spear, thrusting at Judah's solar plexus. Spotting the wind-whipped tip, Judah raised Yakal, blocking blade-to-flat. The clash launched him back; he summoned chains.
Toward Basilisk in thrusting pose, ripples surged from all sides, chains erupting. He reacted swiftly, but couldn't deflect all simultaneously.
Chains bound both ankles; weights on chains pierced thigh and left waist armor.
As feet hit ground for Shadow Step, Judah saw the helmet flying at him. He swatted it with left-held Altemia; it split on the blade, clattering down.
Missed Shadow Step timing.
'3 minutes left?'
Felt like ages, but only 1-2 minutes passed. showed Calicthes and Organ nearing. Judah summoned Lucien Ardahan, sending him their way. Down Basilisk, seize Fragment, escape via Lime's transfer. Used Valentine's recovery on depleted mana.
"Know what?"
About to charge for a quick end, he spoke.
"?"
"The Fragment wasn't made for humans, or to fight humans."
Suddenly producing an unknown pouch, he dumped its contents into his mouth. Beads poured in. Crunch, crunch—he chewed loudly, raising Fragment Gaia overhead.
"Made by the Sovereign! For the Sovereign! The weapon the Sovereign wielded!"
Woooong!
An unprecedented aura erupted from him, vast mana converging on the Fragment. Sensing the ominous roar, he slammed the blade into the ground. Mana seeped into the earth. As Judah sidestepped, the ground tore apart with colossal force.
Kwarrrrkwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa─────!
"...Ha?"
========== Author's Note ==========
1)
Got an exam tomorrow at 10:30, so uploading short today...
Failed. Aimed for 1 AM, it's 1:30. Damn.
Might not upload Tuesday night into Wednesday. Two exams Wednesday. That's it!
2) Finally, the half-ban penalty lifted.
Won't apply for 45 days ahead... Couldn't even edit...
3)
Q1. Wait, didn't subjugate the demon?
A. Demon only had Final Face. Asmodeus is already 7th Sovereign, under Artemisia—subjugation useless.
Q2. Not hiding and noting what Iris said?
A. No time to leisurely note and show; telling directly.
Q3. Didn't Arhil's subjugation lift?
A. Gabriel only broke hypnosis.