Chapter 303
Chapter 303
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 303
Chapter Title: Return
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#303
『Your blood reeks of the Former King.』
"What?"
Ronan furrowed his brow. He couldn't make sense of the sudden nonsense this bald bastard was spouting. The king continued.
『I wondered why a mortal wielded such impossible power. You must have stolen it from him.』
"So what bullshit is... Ah."
Ronan was about to spit out a curse when he raised an eyebrow. He wasn't sure if it was the Former King or some crap like that, but he had a pretty good idea what the king was talking about.
The giant buried deep in the Sea of Spirits. The eight-winged giant who had lifted Ronan's curse bore a striking resemblance to the king before him. Ronan said,
"You mean that eight-winged freak like you?"
『As I thought.』
The king's eyes widened. It was the first change in expression Ronan had seen. Raising his greatsword, he pointed it at Ronan.
『The Former King came to this planet tens of thousands of years ago and vanished. He was the mightiest warrior our race has ever known. Now speak. What cowardly scheme did you use to murder him?』
"I didn't do it."
『Lies. Then who dared commit such an act?』
Ronan narrowed his brows. There was no way he knew something even the Savior didn't. From the wounds on the corpse last time, it looked like something had killed him, but Ronan had no guesses.
'How the fuck should I know.'
But he could turn this to his advantage if he played it right. After a moment's thought, Ronan opened his mouth.
"Uh, well, I kinda remember..."
Ronan trailed off. Not to keep the conversation going—he had zero interest in this Former King bullshit to begin with.
『If you don't want to perish here, you'd best recall it quickly.』
"Uh... well..."
The king spoke in a menacing tone. The killing intent radiating from his massive frame prickled Ronan's skin. As Ronan slowly descended to around shin height, his body finally stopped.
This was the spot. Letting out an exaggerated groan, Ronan clapped his hands together with all his might. Clap! The crisp sound echoed through the sky.
"Ah, I remember now!!"
『...!』
The tip of the greatsword trembled slightly at the sudden move. Seizing the split-second opening, Ronan gripped his sword hilt.
'Now.'
Twisting his waist, he hurled the sword with everything he had. Lamancha shot toward the king's chin. Whoosh! A shockwave erupted behind the blade, outpacing sound itself. Having drunk its fill of blood, Lamancha was sharp enough to tear into the king's skin.
『Foolish.』
But the king was no pushover. Just as the blade neared his throat, eight wings unfurled in an instant.
Whoosh! A gale-force wind blew as the king's body shifted sideways. Lamancha, streaking straight ahead, vanished futilely into the night sky. Ronan groaned.
"Ah!"
『Throwing away a chance to live longer. A mortal's inferiority is beyond comprehension.』
Without his aura, Ronan began plummeting to the ground. Hearing the desperate scream, the king sighed. A pure white light rose from the greatsword's hilt.
『Enough, then. Begone.』
An annoying opponent, but it was over. Deciding to blast Ronan away with the place itself, the king swung his greatsword. Mid-fall, Ronan thrust his arm toward the sky.
"Reach!"
『Hm?』
It was a desperate gamble, his first try. Heat surged from his heart, dyeing his hand crimson. Fwaaah... A beam of light shot straight out, striking Lamancha far in the night sky.
"It, it worked!"
Feeling the sword grip him, Ronan cheered. Using his body as a conduit for his own aura was new, and he hadn't expected it to actually work.
But the real test started now. Lamancha whipped around, point aimed at Ronan. The king still hovered above.
"Haaah!!"
Roaring, Ronan yanked his arm back like reeling in a fish. Even to the end, the king never saw it coming. Splat! Lamancha pierced his throat like a comet.
『Gahk!』
Blue blood sprayed from his gaping mouth. Click! The hilt snapped back into Ronan's hand. Lin's voice muttered in his head that he was one crazy bastard. Spinning the sword, Ronan flipped him off.
"How's that taste, baldy?"
『Guh... What...』
The king's face twisted for the first time. He clearly hadn't seen this coming. Clutching his throat with his left hand, he coughed up bloody foam.
It was a fatal wound at a glance. But Ronan wanted to seal the deal. His reactivated aura now enveloped the king. Body hurtling forward with Lamancha in hand, he closed in.
『Kgh...!』
The king hastily assumed a guard. But Ronan was faster. Slipping into his unguarded stance, he swung wide. Shraaa! A long, deep gash carved across the white flesh. Blue blood gushed once more, staining the night sky.
『Heok!』
"Die already!"
Ronan shouted. He felt it this time for sure. His slash had torn flesh and shredded innards.
Yet the giant king didn't fall. As Ronan reared for the finishing blow, the king tossed his greatsword and swung a fist.
『You dare—!』
"Fuck...!"
Ronan gasped. No dodging or parrying at this range. He raised his sword in a hurry, but deflecting failed. The massive fist smashed Lamancha's flat.
"Gahk!"
Kaboom! Ronan's body slammed groundward like lightning. He crashed onto the Savior's Star's Blessing again. The impact with the barrier made him vomit blood. Bones crushed beneath him felt pulverized.
『Kugh, Kraaagh—!』
"This... fucking bullshit..."
A agonized scream echoed from above. No finishing strike yet—probably from the pain.
'Can't waste time.'
Otherwise, he'd hit the ground and Ronan together. As Ronan tried to rise, a dry groan came from below the barrier.
"Ro... nan."
"Huh?"
Ronan looked down urgently. The Savior staggered, arms outstretched skyward. Blood streamed from every facial orifice—his condition looked dire.
"What? Why'd you suddenly end up like this?!"
"Heok... heok... urk!"
The Savior retched blood trying to reply. Ronan's face hardened. He'd been fine moments ago—what happened?
"Huh?"
Glancing around, Ronan raised his brows. In the chaos, he hadn't noticed: everyone lay sprawled, muttering nonsense and giggling deliriously.
"Uahaha! I'm the strongest after all!"
"Hahaha... Mother. I missed you too."
"Heehee, piss launch!"
"What the fuck..."
Speechless, Ronan froze. Then a cracking sound came from the barrier where he lay. A fissure from the impact point spread rapidly.
"Whoa?!"
The barrier that had withstood the giant king's blow was inexplicably weakened. Before Ronan could act, crash! It shattered completely.
"Kek!"
The Savior spewed another clot and pitched forward. Ronan flipped midair to land and rushed to him. The back pain was long gone.
"Shit. What the hell happened, huh?!"
"I... Iril..."
Ronan supported him. The blood stench was dizzying. Hearing his sister's name, his eyes bulged.
"Iril? Why my sister? What happened?!"
"Must... stop... hurk."
"Wait. Hey!"
The Savior lost consciousness mid-sentence. Ronan shook his shoulder irritably, but no response.
"...What the fuck is going on?"
He wasn't dead. Gently laying him down, Ronan scanned around. No sign of his sister or lover. Spotting friends soon after, he yelled,
"Asel! Marya!"
"Ma... Marya... Can't do this here. As tower lord, I must maintain dignity..."
"Uhehe... Right. I'm Count Armallen."
But they were in the same state, giggling deliriously in a huddle like Braum too. They looked deep in pleasant dreams.
"Ahaha... Yeah. How's that taste, kitty... Who's the Sword Saint now?"
"Fuck."
Ronan cursed. Even iron-willed Naviroje clutched her odachi, sleep-talking. Clutching his head amid the madness, a furious roar erupted from behind the clouds.
『Kraaaaa—!!』
The king's voice. His wound must hurt like hell. The thunderous bellow could pass for a star's birth, yet no one stirred.
Ronan's face hardened. Dozens of light orbs tore through the cloud sea, raining down.
"Damn it, no!"
Ronan cried out. The king's attack he'd dreaded. Dispersed, so less power per orb, but each dwarfed normal giants' spears.
'At least the people nearby...!'
Quick decisions needed. With the barrier gone, shielding everyone was impossible. Grimacing as he picked targets, Asel—lying before him—bolted upright.
"Asel?!"
"......"
No answer to Ronan's call. Asel raised a hand. Shimmering mana swirled around him in vast quantities, warping space.
Just as the orbs neared impact. Fwaa! A Star's Blessing formed just in time, enveloping the allied forces. BOOM BOOM BOOM! Savage explosions rang without pause.
"You okay, man?!"
Even weakened, it'd strained the Savior. But Asel's expression showed no change. Just a thin nosebleed trickled below his nostrils.
"You...!"
His half-lidded eyes stared blankly. The usual purple irises were dulled gray. Ronan had seen this before. Suddenly, a familiar voice from behind:
"I warned you it was dangerous."
"What?"
Ronan whipped around. Adeshan had appeared, hands in coat pockets, gazing skyward. Her upturned collar fluttered in the wind.
"Adeshan?"
Ronan said. No reply. Her cold, sunken gaze radiated a wholly different aura. Overwhelming shadow mana overflowed her shoulders.
"...No way."
Ronan's eyes widened. He knew this presence better than anyone. But it was impossible, so he just mouthed it silently.
'Can't be.'
Then Adeshan lowered her head. Meeting her eyes, Ronan froze. He blurted the words he'd held back.
"...Grand General?"
"Long time no see. Corporal."