Chapter 292
Chapter 292
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 292
Chapter Title: Decisive Battle (2)
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A low, thick voice echoed throughout the area. At the same time, the spear left his hand and plunged into the ground. Kwaaaaaang-!! A massive explosion that could topple even Adren's sky tower swept through the surroundings.
But it did not erupt in the allied forces' formation, which Ahayute had originally targeted. Instead, it detonated far away in an empty clearing on the white plains. In the skies near where the spear should have fallen, a small dimensional gate had opened. Rorhon, who had twisted space to deflect the attack, vomited blood.
"...Cough."
"Gr-Grand Mage! Are you alright?!"
"Yes... cough, I'm fine."
Rorhon repeated heavy coughs. It was because he had used powerful spatial magic repeatedly in quick succession. The soldiers, belatedly coming to their senses, cried out in shock. Rorhon wiped the blood from his mouth with his sleeve and looked down at them.
"Sorry about this. I didn't expect it to turn out like this."
"Th-that's not the Grand Mage's fault..."
"This isn't the time to quibble over that, is it? Hurry up and retreat."
Rorhon's stiffened face showed no trace of his usual composure. Only then did the commanders realize what they needed to do and begin acting on it. The supreme commander shouted.
"All forces, retreat-!"
The other commanders repeated the retreat order via telepathy. There was no chance of victory, no matter how they looked at it. The number of giants tearing through the sky and descending seemed to exceed at least thirty.
They had anticipated fighting giants, but not in such numbers. The soldiers in the rear were just turning to flee when suddenly several spears of light shot out in a somewhat incongruous direction.
Not toward the allied forces, but far off into empty space. Adeshan, the first to grasp the intent, let out a scream.
"N-no!"
But it was already too late. Three spears of light struck directly near the dimensional gate through which the allied forces had advanced. Kwaaaang! Along with the explosion, a plume of dirt shot up, blotting out the sky. The delicately maintained magic distorted, and the dimensional gate vanished.
"Ahh...!"
"This can't be."
Despair settled on the soldiers' faces. Their sole retreat route—the last glimmer of hope—had disappeared.
With Kratir exhausted, there was no one to restore the dimensional gate. People began collapsing in place or bursting into tears. Suddenly, laughter rang out from atop the walls.
"Ahahaha! Look at those faces. Hey, did you really think you could win?"
The soldiers looked up. A woman they hadn't seen before appeared beside Lutancie, clutching her stomach and cackling. Her gleaming eyes suggested she was no ordinary madwoman.
"That outfit...!"
People gasped upon seeing she wore the same clothes as the other archbishops. Lutancie asked.
"Tieria. Maintain some dignity. Is the ritual complete?"
"Still going on. But I don't think they need me, so I came here."
"You really... no. You're right, that might be the case."
"It's basically over anyway, so let's not be so stiff. We don't even need the saintess or whatever anymore, right?"
Archbishop Tieria giggled. She had sneaked out of the descent ritual led by the archbishops because this side seemed more fun.
Seeing the despair on everyone's faces convinced her that her judgment had been spot on. Her frozen adjutant finally managed to speak.
"Commander. Wh-what should we do?"
"I-I..."
The supreme commander stammered. Nothing came to mind. He had once served as the empire's Grand General and weathered countless battles, but this was unprecedented.
The giants, now fully out of the magic circle, were preparing to throw their spears. Particles of light gathered in their hands, filling the sky. Unable to bear the frustration, the adjutant grabbed the supreme commander's shoulder and shook it hard.
"Commander! Pull yourself together!"
"R-right... We need to disperse the damage, so everyone scatter and retreat in that directio—"
The commander was midway through speaking when every giant hurled their spears of light. Dozens of lightning-like beams poured down precisely toward the allied forces.
"Kuh...!"
They couldn't block or deflect them all. Even so, Rorhon didn't give up and began chanting a spell. Dimensional gates opened one after another in the air, swallowing the spears of light. Those he couldn't catch were intercepted by the two Sword Saints, Schlieffen, and other elites.
"Damn it, what the hell is this all of a sudden."
"Everyone, run! What are you doing?!"
Naviroje frowned and shouted after slicing four spears. Zaifa and she had each neutralized four, Schlieffen five, but spears still remained.
In the end, two spears broke through the anti-air net and struck the heart of the allied formation. Kwang-! Kwaaaaaang-!!! Amid the earth-shaking roar, pillars of light erupted. When the flash subsided, the soldiers who saw the site turned pale.
"Ah, aah...!"
"This... this can't be real."
Nothing remained inside the massive, deep crater. It was hard to believe that just seconds ago, hundreds had been alive there. At least five hundred had evaporated.
"Aaaah! Hwaaaah!"
"S-save me! My legs!"
The true horror unfolded at the crater's edge. Those unlucky enough not to die instantly screamed. Limbs or lower bodies lost, they crawled like worms.
Even if they survived and returned by some miracle, they would live as cripples for life. But the misfortune didn't end there. An officer looking around shouted in panic.
"The supreme commander has fallen!"
"The other commanders were there too...!"
It was a desperate situation. Checking headcounts, they realized the high-ranking commanders meant to lead the allied forces had vaporized in the blast. But they couldn't afford to stand dazed. Reorganizing the chain of command in his head, he turned to Adeshan.
"4th Field Commander, give the orders!"
"Wh-what?"
"You're the highest authority now. Higher-ups are either injured or in panic and can't communicate!"
"But...!"
"I've watched you command the sweep operation for months. Everyone acknowledges your skill. Give the orders now!"
The officer shouted. The giants were preparing another spear throw. As they flapped their wings, shining feathers drifted down like snow. The seeds of summoned beasts that would turn into man-shredding monsters upon touching ground.
"I-I..."
Adeshan trailed off. She knew time was short, but this sudden turn left her speechless. Her head was heating up rapidly. What should she do? What can I do right now?
"Th-they're throwing again!"
A soldier pointed at the sky and yelled. Adeshan hurriedly looked up. Spears of light in perfect form were leaving the giants' hands. As she was about to shout something.
Shiiiiiik! Dozens of lightning bolts poured down toward the ground once more.
"...Ah."
Marya sighed. Beside her, Braum gripped his shield's handle. Everyone, including them, instinctively sensed their impending doom.
Navardoje was still nowhere to be seen. Only irregular explosions, presumed from her and Abel's battle, echoed from afar. No one was coming to save them now.
"Cough! Cough!"
Even so, they couldn't just wait. Rorhon, spitting blood again, was about to chant when a shrill voice rang out from high above.
"Everyone, snap out of it!"
"Huh...?"
It was a familiar voice. Thud! Before people could turn, the voice's owner landed in the middle of the allied formation. Adeshan's eyes widened.
"Asel...?"
"Snap out of it! It's not over yet!"
Asel was right there. Orse, with him, was performing acrobatic flight to draw the attention of a few giants—at Asel's request to reduce the spear count even slightly.
The spears of light were now right overhead. In this desperate moment, Asel took a deep breath and thrust his arm high into the sky.
"Haaaaap!"
At the same time, sparkling mana swirled and gathered. Stars were visible in the cloudless sky. Wuuung! A mana storm from starlight surged into the air, forming a vast barrier.
It was the giants' signature, Star's Blessing. Kwagwagwang! The arriving spears of light hammered the shield like a downpour.
"Kahak!"
Asel retched as if kicked in the gut—from excessive mana consumption. The heavens and earth shook, but Star's Blessing held. Barely lifting his head, he turned to Adeshan.
"Huuu... Don't give up."
"Asel."
"Everyone believes in you... Senior, you can find the answer. You can save them."
Bearing the allied forces' lives, he didn't stammer. His beautiful eyes burned with the same resolve as when he saved the dragon city. Seeing the barrier intact, RorHon's face brightened.
"This might work... All mages, lend your power to Mage Asel!"
The Grand Mage's cry echoed. Asel's Star's Blessing was their only hope now.
"R-right... We can't die like this."
"Take my mana, young friend!"
Mages, regaining their wits, began channeling mana to Asel. Various manas swirled around him. Asel, staggering as if about to fall, steadied himself.
"Huuu... Thank you, everyone."
"What a bizarre thing to do."
Archbishop Tieria frowned. Daring to wield the giants' power irked her, but the renewed hope on their faces irked her more. Asel, catching his breath, spoke again.
"Senior. Hurry."
"...Right."
Adeshan clenched her fist. Her head was finally cooling. No retreat, no chance of victory—but a commander's role was to find an answer regardless.
Right. I decided to become the Grand General.
"Haaaa..."
Closing her eyes, Adeshan focused. Black energy spread like mist from her feet—shadow mana that dominated living minds. The shadows rapidly spread, seeping into nearby allied soldiers.
"Wh-what?"
"Huh, something just..."
Affected soldiers looked perplexed. They didn't know why, but they no longer feared fighting. Baseless confidence welled up in their hearts.
"Kuh... uuu..."
Adeshan gritted her teeth. Blood trickled from below her high nose bridge. Suppressing fear alone was simpler than full domination, but the numbers were too great.
Of course, she couldn't stop midway, so she overlaid shadow mana on the entire force. The giants were now forming ranks to throw spears. Adeshan's voice echoed in every allied soldier's mind.
"What...!"
Rorhon's eyes widened. It was the exact opposite of what he had thought. Ignoring him, Adeshan continued.
"Waaaaah-!!"
A thunderous roar erupted. With morale forcibly boosted, no one raised objections. Hearing the order, Zaifa smirked.
"Now that's more like it."
"Lady Iril."
Schlieffen gripped his sword hilt. They had never intended to retreat anyway. As the giants' bombardment hammered the barrier once more, the final charge began.