Chapter 299
Chapter 299
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 299
Chapter Title: Final Battle (7)
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"W-What in the world...!"
Marya cried out in shock. There was a crack where Zaifa had struck. It was faint, but inflicting any meaningful damage was an incredible feat. Her gaping mouth stammered out words.
"Z-Zaifa... aren't you the Sword Saint? How is your bare hand even stronger...?"
"All beastkin are born with ten swords in their hands. No matter how fine a weapon, it's nothing but scrap compared to these."
"I-I see. That's impressive."
"It's a new experience for me too. Until now, only that woman Naviroje had ever drawn them out. Though now I have two more promising candidates."
The quick-witted Marya realized he meant Ronan and Schlieffen. Zaifa clenched and unclenched his hand a few times before nodding at her.
"Step aside now. You're in the way."
"Ah, yes."
Marya backed away. Zaifa's body swelled once more. He roared like a beast and began hammering the Star's Blessing repeatedly.
"Raaargh-!!"
"Ugh...!"
The onlookers plugged their ears. Boom!Crash! Each time his claws raked the barrier, a chilling clash echoed. About five minutes passed. Suddenly, Zaifa halted his assault and spat a curse.
"Hoo... damn it."
"Z-Zaifa! Your hand...!"
Heat haze shimmered over Zaifa's inflamed body. Braum's eyes widened. The once-tough grip was now a tattered rag.
Blood dripped from the hairless fingers. It wasn't just Ronan's blood, that much was certain. Seeing a couple of claws dangling loose, Marya shrieked in horror.
"S-Stop it now!"
"Out of my way. We're not done."
Zaifa's swollen tail thumped the ground. The crack before him had grown, but the barrier showed no sign of shattering.
"Even like this... it won't break."
Zaifa growled in frustration. Beyond the damaged barrier, faint glimpses of the outside world were visible. Flashes erupted noisily, but with limited visibility and no sound, grasping the situation was impossible.
"I said move."
"Eek!"
Thwack! Zaifa whipped his tail, sending Marya and Braum flying. He was about to resume attacking when suddenly, a boy's face popped up on the other side of the barrier.
"You?"
Zaifa raised an eyebrow. The red-haired boy floated naked in the air. Not only familiar, but everyone there knew him. The boy's face paled as their eyes met.
"......!"
A blood-soaked, snarling were-tiger wasn't a heart-friendly sight. The boy, who had briefly plummeted, floated back up. Spotting him late, Marya leaped to her feet.
"A-Asel?!"
"My god, how did you get here?!"
Braum exclaimed in astonishment right after. It was unmistakably Asel. His injuries from blocking the giants' bombardment must have been treated somehow. Marya rushed over and slapped her hands against the Star's Blessing.
"Asel! What happened? Is everyone safe?!"
"...!"
His face brightened at the sight of her. Asel began gesturing wildly to explain. With sound and telepathy blocked, it was the best he could do.
"W-What is he saying? Do you understand?"
"No... I don't really."
The others tilted their heads, clueless. It just looked like dancing. Only Marya nodded repeatedly, pretending to understand.
"Ah, I see. Got it. Yeah, yeah."
"Hey. What exactly is that kid saying?"
"Just a moment. Don't interrupt. Ah... right."
Zaifa finally asked in annoyance, but Marya waved him off. Soon, the message was conveyed. Marya pulled her face from the barrier and turned to the group.
"Good news. He's here to get us out. He spotted the crack and came."
"What? Did Ronan come with him or something?"
"No. But it should work somehow. Thanks to your efforts, Zaifa."
Marya nodded vigorously. Absurdly tough as it was, following Asel's lead seemed promising.
But first, something else. She glanced around and approached the female commando who had followed Zaifa, handing over the soundly sleeping Iril.
"Hold her a sec. Carefully."
"Y-Yes?!"
"Sorry. There's someone who'd blow up if I left her with the guys."
Marya gave an apologetic smile. She looked up at the castle's top with worry. Schlieffen's storm still raged without end. Magic presumed to be the archbishops' techniques and explosions rang out one after another.
"Please be safe."
She murmured softly. Schlieffen's personality meant he wouldn't dispel the whirlwind even if she went to help now. It was time for the pincer with Asel. She raised her greatsword and stepped toward the barrier.
"Step back a bit, Zaifa."
"You think you'll do better than me?"
"I know. But right now, I need to sync with Asel. I guarantee I'm better at this part."
"Hmph."
Marya's voice brimmed with confidence. Zaifa stepped aside grudgingly. She strode forward and stopped before the barrier. Asel faced her with clear tension.
"Here I go."
Marya said. Asel read her lips and nodded. They had to shatter it in one go.
"Huuuuuh... ."
Marya closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. A blue glow crept up the greatsword. Mana circulating in her body poured entirely into it. Knowing her limits, she invested nearly all her remaining strength to empower her body and blade.
"...Not bad."
Zaifa, watching, raised an eyebrow. Her raw power alone rivaled or surpassed Ronan and Schlieffen.
Shiiiine...! The greatsword soon absorbed all her mana. It was less a sword now and more a long, wide beam of light. After a deep breath, she gripped the hilt with both hands. With all her might, she unleashed a slash.
"Haaaaah-!!"
Her resounding shout echoed. Simultaneously, Asel on the other side squeezed his eyes shut and thrust his fist. The invisible punch and the wide-arcing greatsword struck the same point. Krraaang-! Like shattering glass, the cracked section exploded.
"No way!"
"It-It broke!"
The onlookers gasped. Battlefield air rushed in, tousling their hair. Confirming the barrier's collapse, Asel stammered triumphantly.
"W-We did it...! Everyone, this way!"
"Whoa...!"
Voices were audible now. Soon, all the commandos floated into the air. At Asel's gesture, they were yanked like fish with hooks. Those escaping the castle marveled.
"I-I really survived... Thought we were done for...!"
"Accepted as Rorhon's disciple? Makes sense."
No one had been certain of survival. Asel deposited them swiftly at the allied rear. The wounded gathered for treatment.
"I-It worked. We're safe for now."
Asel sighed in relief after confirming all safe. Schlieffen hadn't emerged, and half had fallen in the castle, but it was still remarkable. Then Marya's voice came from right behind.
"Asel!"
"Marya? Mmph...!"
As he turned, Marya grabbed him, lifting his legs off the ground. Their lips met. Asel's eyes bulged wide in shock.
"......!"
His mind went blank. Her chapped, split lips tasted of blood. After three seconds, she set him down.
"M-M-M-Marya?"
The frozen Asel finally spoke. Warmth lingered on his lips. Marya, smiling with her eyes, pulled him into a hug.
"You were amazing! The best mage ever!"
"O-Our lips... touched... ."
"Without you, we'd all be dead inside. You really are...!"
Her voice was thick with tears. Asel could only groan wordlessly. Wiping tears on his shoulder, Marya looked up.
"Ugh, got too excited. We'll continue later."
"C-Continue?"
Her suggestive words froze him again. Marya stuck out her tongue playfully.
The brief cheer ended; time to get serious. She took Iril back from the commando. Her breathtaking beauty made Asel gasp.
"Y-You saved her. For real."
"Yeah. Schlieffen did. She's not waking, so she needs treatment. Any place to lay her?"
"T-The field tents are that way. But why does sis look like... ."
"Huh?"
Asel eyed Iril worriedly. Marya tilted her head and looked down. Iril, peacefully asleep since discovery, now groaned in pain.
"Ungh... uuuuh... ."
"W-What's wrong? Suddenly?"
Marya panicked. Her condition looked dire. Cold sweat streamed down her pale cheeks. Asel said,
"Q-Quick, let's go. This isn't good."
"Yeah."
Marya nodded rapidly. They dashed toward the field hospital, Zaifa and Braum flanking like guards. Marya's gaze caught the unseen battlefield.
"Oh my god, what is that...!"
"Looks like we missed the real fun outside."
Zaifa chuckled dryly. An indescribable scene unfolded. Massive craters dotted everywhere. Over half the giants that once crisscrossed the sky lay dead on the ground.
A mountain-sized boulder hovered in the air. A hemispherical Star's Blessing centered on it enveloped the entire allied camp. Far grander than the one around the main temple.
But most striking was the colossal magic circle in the sky. No combination of prior ones matched its size.
Beyond the thick cloud layer overhead, lightning-like glows flashed. Rumble! Boom! Each burst shook heaven and earth with shockwaves. Marya asked in a trembling voice.
"W-What happened...? Who put up that barrier? Why are the giants...?"
"I set the Star's Blessing. My son cleared those hulks."
"Kyaaah!"
She nearly dropped Iril. The sudden voice from ahead made Marya scream to a halt. Catching her breath, she looked up, eyebrow raised. A white-haired middle-aged man resembling Ronan stood with hands behind his back.
"W-Who are you? You look just like Ronan... ."
"Indeed. I'm Kain, Ronan's father."
"Whaaat?!"
The savior nodded. Those trapped in the castle, never seeing him, gasped. He said,
"Thank you for saving my daughter. Leave the rest to me and rest."
"S-Suddenly saying that, I can't just... Does that mean Ronan's here too?"
"Yes. Right there, fighting a battle for the world's fate."
The savior pointed skyward. Boom-! Light flashed again with a roar. Everyone's eyes widened following his gaze.
If not a mistake, beyond the flash loomed an enormous human silhouette. At least ten times larger than the giants... Panting heavily, Marya finally spoke.
"W-What was that just now...?"
"I'm not sure. But I can guess its identity."
"I-Identity?"
The savior fell silent briefly. Watching strained their bodies. Much time had passed, yet neither had appeared. Composing himself, he spoke.
"The King of the Giants."