Chapter 291
Chapter 291
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 291
Chapter Title: Final Battle (1)
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Navardoje exhaled. The fireball lodged in her throat shot toward the Nebulacladge headquarters. In that instant, every movement in the allied forces halted.
"F-Fired... it fired!"
Someone shouted. The moment they had all been dreading had finally arrived. The fireball, bright and scorching enough to pass for the sun's sibling, sliced through the air.
"Everyone, close your eyes and duck your heads! Send a support request to the Mage Tower!"
"Respond calmly!"
This was the critical part. Commanders leading each unit began issuing rapid orders. Soldiers sought cover as rehearsed, bowing their heads low and turning away from the fireball.
Adeshan sent a telepathic message to the Mage Tower Lords. A sigh of admiration came back from Dawn Mage Tower Lord Aown Philla. He, responsible for long-range firepower support, had been observing the battlefield with his mages.
Woooong! Simultaneously, a massive barrier enveloped the nine fortresses held by the allied forces. It was a collaborative effort from not just Dawn Tower, but all Mage Towers. A shield to block the backlash of Navardoje's flames.
"Please..."
It took less than five seconds to reach this point. Adeshan clenched her fists with eyes shut. The continent's peace hung right before them. The shrinking fireball collided with the Star's Blessing covering the headquarters.
Kwaaaaaang-!! A deafening roar echoed. Indescribable flash and heat blanketed the white plains. Everything visible was swallowed by crimson flames.
"Kuh...!"
"H-Hold!"
Soldiers gritted their teeth. Even through five layers of barriers, the horrific heat was palpable. The shields, instantly reaching their limits, shook violently.
"Huaaaah!"
No living creature outside the barriers survived—not even an ant. Devout followers and artificial giants who barely escaped with their lives oxidized into ash before they could scream.
Grass, trees, and scattered corpses all vanished in the inferno. The atmosphere's wail shook heaven and earth. Primordial fire formed a massive vortex thousands of meters wide, surging skyward.
Even a god might not survive that. Soon, the vortex dispersed, flames subsiding. Asel's eyes widened.
"It... it worked...!"
He had evacuated to the distant skies instead of entering the barrier. The smoke cleared, revealing the headquarters bereft of the Star's Blessing. Orse, carrying Asel, let out a hollow chuckle.
At this point, it was absurd. The humiliation of being knocked out by a chest shot felt somewhat eased. Soldiers opening their eyes late gasped in shock.
"L-Look! Their barrier's vanishing!"
"My god, for real!"
Cheers erupted from the nine fortresses. The Star's Blessing, unable to withstand the heat, crumbled. The fortress interior, previously obscured, came into view.
"Th-There's barely any left? They all huddled inside?"
"We circled nine fortresses; makes sense. They're out of resources now."
Soldiers buzzed. Perhaps due to dispersing forces. The devotees atop the walls numbered no differently from those who resisted at each fortress.
One concern lingered: the mana rippling deep within the fortress. Vast mana formed an invisible pillar ascending to the heavens.
"What's that?"
"No idea. Something's up, though..."
Details were unclear. Nearly all looked up at Navardoje simultaneously. Having unleashed her flames, she hovered in place, catching her breath with wingbeats. Adeshan tilted her head.
"Lady Navardoje...?"
Despite the stunning results, her expression was grim. Her eyes still glared murderously at the pale fortress.
Unaware soldiers, convinced of victory, awaited charge orders. About a minute passed. Navardoje growled abruptly.
"Pardon?"
Eyes widened. Confused commanders moved to speak. Kwaaaang! Her maw gaped, unleashing flames once more.
"Wait, Navardoje!"
Schlieffen shouted urgently. With the barrier gone, if Iril was inside, she could be caught in it.
But the dice were cast. The flame torrent neared the pale fortress. As panicked soldiers shut eyes and turned—Kwaaaa! The flames split left and right before impact.
"Damn it, what the hell!?"
"Th-The flames split!"
Soldiers' eyes bulged. Unbelievable even seeing it. The parted flames veered aside, bypassing the fortress.
Something blocked her fire. Sensing danger instantly, Adeshan yelled.
"Danger!"
Navardoje furrowed her brow. From the split flames emerged a crescent moon. Flickering in eerie hues, it rivaled the allied fortresses in size.
"Sword aura...!"
Adeshan's eyes widened. Form and essence confirmed it. But its scale defied reality.
Navardoje poured more power irritably, yet the sword aura pressed on. As the crescent neared her—
Navardoje twisted away first. The sword aura grazed her wing joint. Slash! Blood sprayed from the gash.
"L-Lady Navardoje!"
Adeshan covered her mouth with both hands. Red scales unscathed by artificial giant spears were neatly severed. Silence fell over the stunned allied camp. Suddenly, a voice echoed from the fortress.
"Twice would be troublesome, miss."
Navardoje's eyes widened. Atop the pristine white walls, where flames had fully died, stood a man. His white hair matched his longsword and attire. Seeing his face, Adeshan gaped.
"...Ronan?"
The man's face resembled Ronan's strikingly. Older, different hair color aside, they could be the same person.
Suddenly, a description Ronan once gave flashed in her mind. Guessing his identity was simple. She murmured in horror.
"Cult Leader Abel...!"
"W-What?"
Marya nearby raised an eyebrow. The revelation spread through the army instantly. As they froze—Kwaaaang! Navardoje's wings exploded outward.
She knew little of Abel. But draconic senses and bristling scales warned he was the deadliest foe.
Her shrunken form swelled to original size. Fresh scales covered the wing wound.
Folding wings, she shot forward. Abel vanished from sight simultaneously. Kwaaaang! Collision boomed midway. Abel chuckled dryly.
"Quite the temper."
Navardoje spat contemptuously. Abel spun his sword instead of replying. His hand, matching hers, trembled as if to shatter.
"Strength's wasted on you, too."
Not for nothing called fire's mother. As he pondered how to handle her—Navardoje's horns flashed, enveloping them in a massive translucent sphere. Abel shrugged.
"What's this now?"
Navardoje growled. A barrier to contain battle shockwaves. As Abel opened his mouth, both vanished with it.
"Th-They disappeared."
"That was the cult leader? What's going on?"
An unforeseen twist. As confused soldiers murmured—Navardoje's voice boomed from the sky.
"Lady Navardoje...!"
Invisible but clear. She was battling the cult leader in that space. Suddenly, space warped where she stood, spitting out Rorhon.
"Well then, shall we go too?"
"Grand Mage?"
Soldiers' eyes widened. Back in elder form, his hands held an ongoing spell. Clap! After chanting, he clapped.
Tiny magic circles drew beneath every allied soldier's feet.
"This is...?"
"Can't walk that distance. Become the storm."
Rorhon smiled at their bewilderment. All circles glowed, warping space around each soldier.
"Gasp!"
Pa aaaah-! Reopening eyes, they gasped. The dispersed allies gathered as one, perfectly arrayed, surrounding the pale fortress.
"Heavens."
"T-Teleported a hundred thousand at once?"
Towering walls loomed close. The distant mana pillar now within reach. Devotees atop walls panicked.
"Damn, what the—!?"
"Gr-Grand Bishop!"
Magic befitting the title. Adaptation was swift. As commanders prepared charge via telepathy—
A clear voice rang from the walls.
"Welcome, everyone."
"Huh?"
Adeshan looked up. A woman in ornate robes gazed down. Youthful beauty aside, her aura was ominous.
"You've come far. Truly impressed by your prowess. Even fakes—I didn't expect you'd slay them all."
She continued. Stunned listeners hung on her words. As Adeshan first aimed her crossbow—Archbishop Rtanhier smiled sweetly.
"Well then, farewell."
A honeyed laugh. Then, the irksome mana pillar atop the fortress amplified dozens-fold.
Hwaaaak! Clouds blanketing the sky scattered instantly. Allied eyes bulged. Dozens of massive magic circles densely adorned the heavens.
"...No."
Someone murmured. An unforgettable sight at a glance. The writhing runes were familiar.
Proving it, pristine white giants tore through circles, descending slowly. Bearing four to six wings, no mere fakes.
Long in preparation, clearly. Only now did they realize the nine fortresses bought time, not just defended. Despair escaped Adeshan's lips.
"Hidden behind the clouds...!"
Utterly undetected. Wingbeats echoed over scorched earth. Gale uprooting trees neared.
No one moved. No one spoke. Schlieffen, the two Sword Saints, even Rorhon froze, staring at descending giants.
Overwhelmed by despair, they forgot to breathe. The first giant extended a hand. Four wings, yet vastly larger than Duaru or Basagia.
Gathered particles formed a light spear in his grasp. The giant targeting the ground spoke.