Chapter 289
Chapter 289
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 289
Chapter Title: All-Out Assault (3)
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"We're here."
Ronan came to a stop. Even after three years, the holy site of Dainhar—known as its heart—still boasted its majestic presence.
In the center of the space covered in white tiles, a massive mana stone larger than most farmhouses floated imposingly. Now that he looked at it, it resembled the building where Elsia lived, the seed vault or whatever it was called. The Savior, looking around, let out a sigh of admiration.
"Ah... Time has passed, but it's unchanged. Truly the relic left by those who came closest to the stars."
"What the hell is this place?"
"The greatest bridge and engine room of any ship in the world. It's still impressive even now."
"Ship?"
Ronan tilted his head. Instead of answering, the Savior pointed at the crystal with his finger. Come to think of it, they had arrived at the destination, but he showed no sign of getting off.
Ronan couldn't make heads or tails of it. For now, he followed the Savior's lead and moved forward. Traces of his past battle with Ternil remained here and there. Reaching the crystal, the Savior patted his shoulder.
"This is the engine. The essential power source to move this massive vessel. It was developed by the geniuses of that era pooling their knowledge."
"Engine... I don't know what that is, but it's like the heart, right?"
"Yes. The heart. Your native friends' metaphor was spot on."
The Savior nodded. Suddenly, thunderous voices echoed from behind.
"Huff... Pant! Finally caught up!"
"Ro-Ronan! We're coming with you!"
Turning his head, Ronan saw the native brothers gasping for breath up to their chins. It was impressive that they had caught up so quickly, even without properly handling mana. The Savior continued, gazing at the tattoos etched on their bodies.
"The tattoos on those fellows are a kind of identification code. In the past, not just anyone could pilot this ship. Only those who underwent genetic modification to heighten their sensitivity could become crew, and they passed down proof of that lineage by inscribing it on their bodies generation after generation."
"What... Fuck, I haven't understood a word since earlier. Where the hell is this ship anyway?"
"My mistake. Seeing is faster than hearing a hundred times. Wait a moment."
Suddenly, the Savior raised his hand into the air and muttered something. The tile right in front of them flipped, and a massive rectangular prism rose up. Dozens of mechanical devices were attached to its smooth surface. Ronan raised an eyebrow.
"This is..."
He definitely remembered it. It was the rectangular prism said to hold the ruin's secret. After Furious Gale manipulated it, Dainhar had become fully fortified.
It had originally been under some stairs, but the Savior had summoned it. Furious Gale, who had just caught up to Ronan, widened his eyes and shouted.
"Th-that's off-limits! You can only touch it on the Day of Promise!"
"Today is that day."
The Savior replied flatly. Without a moment's hesitation, he touched the device. Rumble...! Soon after pressing a few buttons, the ground began to shake like an earthquake.
"Fuck. What are you trying to... Huh?!"
Ronan was about to say something when a burning pain erupted deep in his body. Clutching his chest, he staggered as if about to collapse. Glancing at his son, the Savior chuckled.
"There we go. It's finally starting. Side effects were inevitable."
"Fuck, what is this..."
"I told you, didn't I? There would be side effects from the resolution. The curses breaking down inside you are being expelled from your body right now. It must hurt like hell."
Ronan gritted his teeth, unable to speak. The excruciating pain, like his organs boiling, was beyond enduring with mere grit. Startled, Gale and Thunder supported him.
"Ro-Ronan! Stay with us!"
"Don't die!"
The Savior closed his eyes. With each movement of his hands, the vibrations shaking the ruins grew fiercer. The black mana stone—engine or whatever—flashed wildly.
"The pain will subside soon, so don't worry. Think of it as the bird's struggle to hatch from the egg. Ronan, you were born with talent surpassing even mine from the start."
"Gah... Ack!"
"I downplayed it comparing you to Iril, but that's an incredibly fearsome power too. I'm grateful you grew into a good child who doesn't abuse it."
Ronan barely lifted his head to look at the Savior's back. Endless mana sparkled over his frail shoulders, vast like a small volcano rather than a man.
He was humming something to himself, but the surrounding noise drowned it out.
"...Fly again."
But he couldn't shake the feeling that it looked precarious somehow. Like watching an old volcano's final eruption. Once it spewed all its lava, it would cool completely.
"......!"
He wanted to say something, but no voice came. Another wave of agony swept over his senses. He could feel the curses squeezing his heart dying off. Glancing back at his son, the Savior finished his song.
"Let's fly just one more time."
****
"Th-this can't be..."
Bishop Terezia muttered. She stood atop the fortress walls, watching the cult's downfall unfold in real time. The Star's Blessing protecting the fortress—what she believed impenetrable—was on the verge of breaking.
"This is the last stand! Do not retreat!"
"Damn fanatic bastards, you'll pay for your sins!"
The alliance was assaulting the last two remaining fortresses simultaneously. The soldiers' cheers shook the white plains. Each time the catapults dipped, projectiles pickled in diluted solution arced through the air.
Boom! Boom! Every impact on the barrier roared thunderously. Seeing the alliance swarming like bees, the believers let out despairing sighs. Though their numbers had thinned from the artificial giants' efforts and siege warfare, there were still over a hundred thousand.
Their blood-drunk momentum soared as if to tear the sky. Flags of the alliance fluttered over the seven fallen fortresses. Artificial giant corpses strewn everywhere spilled purple blood.
"How did it come to this...!"
Terezia bit her lower lip. It had all happened in an instant. The alliance's forces were far stronger than the cult had anticipated. Centuries of sabotage efforts seemed futile.
The aces, the artificial giants, had shone only at first, now falling helplessly to the alliance's powerhouses. At this rate, they wouldn't just lose—they couldn't even hold out the time the Archbishops had ordered. Suddenly, a booming voice echoed from the sky.
【Forget these vermin and bring out the Cult Leader!】
A familiar voice. Terezia looked up, biting her lip harder. An unprecedented massacre raged in the skies. Agonized cries from artificial giants sporadically reached her.
【Gah!】
【Ignorant hatchling. How dare you... Graaah!】
Each time Orse vanished from sight, gripping his spiral spear, giants plummeted. He flew at high speed in human form with wings spread.
【Wait...】
Splat-! A massive hole burst in the fumbling giant's chest. Purple blood and guts splattered on Orse, but he ignored it. Before the giant realized its death, the head of the one behind exploded.
"Demon Dragon...!"
Crunch. Something snapped in Terezia's mouth. It wasn't exaggeration to say that one alone had killed half the artificial giants. Orse dominated the airspace, living up to his legendary Demon Dragon name. Then, a shout erupted near the walls.
"Come out!"
Terezia looked down again. A pitch-black were-tiger charged, wielding a glaive. Black mana roiled over the razor-sharp blade.
Zaifa, aura fully gathered, swung. Kaboom! A black line slashed across the Star's Blessing, cracking it massively. His aura, tearing space with raw force, had already claimed three-digit lives since the assault began.
"Wasn't he at Fortress 7?"
Terezia muttered. She thought he was attacking 7, but he'd come here. Seeing the barrier wobble perilously, a believer beside her whimpered.
"Bi-Bishop! At this rate, they'll break through. We must retreat!"
"Shut up!"
Slash! Terezia swung her sword. The advocate's head hit the ground. Nearby believers froze amid their agitation.
"We must hold! That's our only hope. If Navardoje breathes fire unprepared, even our headquarters will be obliterated!"
Terezia thrust her bloodied sword skyward, pointing at Navardoje flapping in the air. Still in dragon form, primordial flames condensed in her maw, shimmering.
Her light and heat made her seem another sun. The first shot to unleash when all nine fortresses fell, aimed at the main temple.
No matter how sturdy the Archbishops' blessings, blocking that unscathed seemed impossible. Recognizing no further retreat possible, believers nodded.
"Understood. We won't run!"
"We'll fight! For the cult!"
"That's it! I, Terezia, stand with you!"
Terezia raised her sword higher. At least morale was up. She knew it was a hopeless situation, but resistance was their only option.
'They'll handle it somehow. Somehow...'
The Cult Leader and vanished Archbishops were their sole hope. Steel her resolve, she refocused on defense. Crack! A small hole pierced the barrier's corner; darkness fell.
"Wh-what is this?"
"Gasp! I can't see!"
Absolute darkness blinded them. Panicked voices erupted everywhere. As Terezia prepared to unleash her Light Storm authority, a chilling whisper reached her ear.
"Where is the Cult Leader."
"Hic..."
Terezia froze. The voice chilled her blood to ice. Believer voices had vanished. Poof! The enveloping darkness lifted instantly.
"Wh-what...!"
Terezia's eyes bulged. Hell unfolded atop the walls. The hundred believers she'd just spoken with lay as withered mummies. Pale-faced men and women prowled the corpses, licking their lips.
"Children of the Night."
Identifying them was easy. Vampires. The strongest known, from the Warsaw bloodline. The Shadow Archduke behind her placed a hand on her head.
"I'll ask again. Where is the Cult Leader."
"I-I don't know! Let go..."
As she spoke, the Archduke clenched. Splat-! Her head burst with a crunch. Blood, brains, skull fragments scattered. Wiping his hand, he murmured low.
"...Balzac."
His eyes blazed with rage over his lost brother. She hadn't spoken, but it was obvious. The Cult Leader was surely in that pale castle.
"Time to open the gates."
Muttering, he headed for the gate. Kaboom! An explosion shattered it. Zaifa, having broken the barrier, entered. Spinning his glaive, he commanded.
"Leave none alive."
"Waaaaah!!"
Soldiers flooded in like a tide. Remaining believers mostly fled without resistance, but escape was impossible. The Star's Blessing shattered completely.
Thus, all but one fortress fell. Seven hours after the all-out assault began.