Chapter 479
Chapter 479
Chapter 479
Triple Spell.
It was the final stage of Soul Sword Technique and Nigel’s unique ability that made her a being beyond the heavens.
After learning proper Soul Sword Technique from Nigel, Zeke could use Double Spell after becoming a Black Knight, but hadn’t yet reached beyond that realm.
If he could use Triple Spell, he would be able to demonstrate power comparable to Nigel.
Zeke followed Nigel to the front yard of the tree house.
Outside, Titus and Ulina were trying to stop Raven, who was attempting to eat Anastasia who had turned into a cat, along with the triplets.
When Zeke and Nigel appeared with a serious atmosphere, the triplets got scared first and hid behind Nabu.
Nabu spread a defensive tale to protect the children and the forest just in case.
Zeke and Nigel stood facing each other.
“Draw your sword.”
At Nigel’s words, Zeke summoned Leviathan.
Nigel and Zeke with their swords drawn were already engaged in an intense invisible battle of aura.
The Astral Sword, which could cut anything with will alone, naturally emanated from them.
The realm of ‘Will Force’ created by Nigel and Zeke collided with each other.
Only after reaching the Grand Master realm could Zeke properly recognize just how powerful his master Nigel truly was.
‘The strength of Master that I knew was truly just a fraction.’
He could now understand why Nabu and Manna weren’t too worried when Nigel was captured by Anastasia.
Compared to Nigel’s true power, Anastasia was merely at the level of a scratching cat.
Nigel spoke to Zeke.
“Come.”
WOONG!
Zeke rushed toward Nigel at high speed.
KWAKWAKWAKWA!
Leviathan imbued with Will Force thrust toward Nigel.
Nigel held her sword diagonally and deflected Leviathan.
Zeke could feel Soul Sword Technique power in all of Nigel’s movements.
While deflecting the sword, Nigel said:
“Soul Sword Technique is not the secret technique you think it is. It should naturally dwell in the sword, like breathing.”
TSUTSUTSU!
Nigel’s sword flew toward Zeke.
KWACHING!
Though it seemed like a light sword strike, Zeke’s body was clearly pushed back as he blocked with his sword.
In that brief moment, Zeke grasped how the Soul Sword Technique imbued in her sword had instantly changed.
First it flew quickly with inner will, then moved erratically with outer will, and finally raised the sword’s weight with middle will.
‘So this is the true Soul Sword Technique.’
Zeke’s sword changed.
Like Nigel’s sword drawing, he tried using Soul Sword Technique mixed in a single breath.
WHIIIIK!
His sword flew toward Nigel, becoming fast, then diverse, then heavy, then fast again.
PACHING!
As if reflected in a mirror, Zeke and Nigel’s swords flew in similar trajectories, aiming for each other’s openings.
Seeing Zeke’s sword, Nigel showed a faint smile.
‘To think he could demonstrate Soul Sword Technique to this extent.’
She had thought this swordsmanship could not be demonstrated by anyone except herself, who had created Soul Sword Technique.
Therefore, watching Zeke perfectly demonstrate Soul Sword Technique gave Nigel a strange feeling.
Then Nigel’s expression changed.
‘But this level is not enough.’
The aura of Nigel swinging her sword changed.
WOOOONG!
A different power from before emanated from Nigel’s body that had been using only Solo Spell.
Zeke too could feel Nigel’s aura change.
‘It’s Double Spell.’
There was an enormous difference in power between Solo Spell and Double Spell.
Nigel, who had been pushing Zeke back, released the strength from her body and slowly stepped backward.
Zeke recalled how in his previous life, Nigel would push like this against strong magical beasts like Ancient Species or Superior Species, then seemingly release her strength to draw opponents into her realm before attacking.
And only then did he realize what the true essence of Double Spell was.
‘Double Spell demonstrates its true power when counterattacking.’
Until now, he had been forcefully infusing power while using Double Spell like a secret technique.
But Nigel instead released her strength and waited for the enemy to charge at her.
Nigel’s eyes shone like a hunter waiting for prey to approach while hiding her strength.
Watching such a Nigel, Zeke raised his sword.
WOOOOOONG!
The Will Force around his body stirred and shook the atmosphere.
He intended to launch an attack that couldn’t be countered even with Double Spell.
Zeke charged forward and took the stance of Infinite Sword Formula.
Infinite Sword form Secret Technique
First form
Sun and Moon Brutal Strike
KUGUGUGU!
The secret technique of the Dragon Sword Techniques was reinterpreted as Infinite Sword Technique and unleashed from Zeke's sword.
Nigel watched Zeke's sword calmly until the end.
Just as the sword strike was about to reach her, Nigel's body wavered and became semi-transparent.
Soul Sword technique
Double Spell
Will of Penetration
Amazingly, Zeke's Sun and Moon Brutal Strike passed through without colliding with Nigel's sword.
Having lost his striking point, Zeke's balance was disrupted.
Nigel seized that opening and thrust her sword toward Zeke.
Soul Sword technique
Double Spell
Will of Slash
KUGUGUGU!
Zeke immediately withdrew his Sun and Moon Brutal Strike and raised his sword again to block Nigel's attack.
Simultaneously, he activated Shadow Armor to protect himself.
When Nigel's slash collided with Zeke's sword, a sound like heaven and earth splitting rang out.
JJEOJEOJEOJEOJEONG!
Zeke almost lost his grip on his sword from the dizzying impact.
'Is this the true power of Double Spell.'
Zeke clenched his teeth as the force was strong enough to nearly blow away half of his Shadow Armor.
But the real problem came next.
KUGUGUGU!
An energy far stronger than before gathered around Nigel who had unleashed the slash.
Zeke instinctively realized she was preparing a Triple Spell.
He took out the holy sword Ascalon from his inventory and held one sword in each hand.
WOOOONG!
The energy of the dark sword Leviathan and holy sword Ascalon enveloped Zeke's body.
KWAKWAKWAKWAKWA!
The energy of the Dark Sword technique and Holy Spirit technique rose violently and poured toward Nigel.
Nigel likewise thrust her sword forward at the same time.
Soul Sword technique
Triple Spell
Will of Nullification
KUGUGUNG!
When Nigel's Triple Spell unfolded, all the energy Zeke had unleashed scattered.
His protective Shadow Armor, Ascalon, and Leviathan all vanished.
With everything erased, Zeke became completely defenseless.
If this was the previous Zeke, he wouldn't have been able to do anything more here, but now he had returned after enduring such a nullified state for 200 years in the Abyss Prison.
TSUTSUTSU!
The form of a sword appeared before Zeke.
A sword that didn't exist but clearly had existed as Zeke wielded it for 200 years.
The Mind Sword had revealed itself.
Feeling Zeke's created Mind Sword, Nigel too raised her sword filled with soul and will.
When Zeke's Mind Sword and Nigel's Soul Sword Technique collided, a shockwave spread in all directions along with a bright light.
KUGUGUGU!
A light powerful enough to blind spread throughout the entire Forest of the Forgotten.
Nabu stuck out his tongue while maintaining the barrier he created with words.
'Damn, they're both complete monsters.'
From his view, current Zeke was at a level where he wouldn't lose even fighting against the true forms of the High Tables.
It was natural for tremendous waves to surge when such a Zeke clashed with Nigel. After a moment, the dust cloud cleared and Nigel and Zeke were revealed.
Nigel holding her sword and Zeke holding nothing.
The two faced each other.
Nigel quietly looked at Zeke before sheathing her sword.
Then she said while looking at Zeke:
"The teaching is over. From here on, it's up to you."
Zeke nodded while looking at Nigel.
"I have properly received Master's teachings."
Nigel shook her head at Zeke's words.
Though she hadn't used all of her true form's power, she had used a genuine Triple Spell.
The Will of Nullification wasn't something easily escaped even if a constellation appeared in their true form.
Yet Zeke created a sword of the mind in that situation and even counterattacked her.
She never imagined a human could block even a Triple Spell.
'This one will become stronger. Far stronger than me.'
Nigel felt a strange emotion watching her disciple who held the possibility of becoming stronger than herself.
Considering the fate of salvation that Zeke shouldered, it was somewhat reassuring.
At that moment, Nabu approached Nigel.
"Whew, you should do things in moderation. The whole forest almost got blown away."
"You should have blocked it properly. If you can't even do that much, you're disqualified as a High Table."
"GRR, that old hag never knows what to say."
Zeke approached Nabu and Nigel who were bickering.
"Though I'd like to help with the cleanup, I think I need to head back now."
At those words, Nabu nodded as if saying not to worry.
"We'll take care of things here, so you can go now."
Zeke gave a slight grateful smile to Nabu and said to Nigel:
"Master, since I've absorbed the Black Star, there's no reason to guard the Forest of the Forgotten anymore. How about coming with me to Mycenae?"
Nigel shook her head at Zeke's words.
"Nonsense. This place isn't just about the Black Star. Countless ancient monsters and undiscovered aberrations are imprisoned here. With the Black Star gone, the force suppressing them is essentially gone too. They'll likely become more unruly."
Nabu nodded beside her.
"The reason Nigel and I strengthened the barriers here was to prevent monsters and magical beasts from escaping. If Nigel leaves, they'll pour out."
"I see."
Zeke nodded in understanding.
Looking at the triplets with Ulina, he asked:
"Will those children be alright?"
Nigel nodded.
"Though normally their lifespans would be short, I stabilized their bodies by substituting magical power with life force, so there shouldn't be any special problems."
Though Nigel spoke simply, Zeke, having examined related information through the Akashic Code, knew how difficult the process she'd performed was.
Zeke planned to take the recovered children to the Southern Islands Academy.
'It might be putting too much on Lady Arina, but it should be fine...'
Arina wished to spend her remaining years protecting and nurturing children as the academy's principal.
Zeke respected Arina's wishes and believed she would gladly accept the triplets.
After organizing future plans, he said to Nigel:
"Master, I'll be going now. I'll visit again."
In his past life, she had only been a fearsome master.
Only in this life did he finally realize how much Nigel had cared for him.
However, since the current Nigel had no memories of the past life, Zeke regretted that he could only recall his former master in his own memories.
Nigel maintained her usual stoic expression and waved her hand as if telling him to hurry up and leave.
After saying goodbye once more, Zeke took Titus, the Ulina siblings, and the triplets back to the central camp through a portal.
Watching Zeke disappear in an instant, Nabu said to Nigel:
"He's an amazing one, no matter how you look at it."
Nigel said nothing, and Nabu looked at her before speaking again:
"Are you alright, old lady Nigel? Don't you actually want to go with him?"
Nigel kicked Nabu's shin.
"GAAK!"
He cried out while rubbing his shin.
"If not, just say so with words! Violent old hag!"
Nigel clicked her tongue watching Nabu.
Looking at where Zeke had departed, Nigel recalled an old memory.
'My name is Zeke, Zeke Murray. I was a southern hitman for the Mekein Cartel.'
'Haa? Who does this bastard think he is? Want to die?'
Her first meeting with Zeke - not in this life, but the previous one.
When Zeke entered her deep world to awaken Nigel who had been sleeping under Anastasia's authority, surprisingly, memories of her past life awakened.
She remembered with what heart she had saved Zeke, opened his middle diantan, made him take the Highlander's Oath, and then withdrew that oath.
'I have no right to criticize my past self. In the end, I too gave everything to that guy.'
As Nabu said, if possible, Nigel too wanted to follow Zeke.
But she had her own duties.
Nigel turned her head and said to Nabu:
"Stop talking nonsense and follow me. We need to check the forest and find holes in the barrier. Know that you can't return to Mount Ouroboros until we finish all that."
"AAAARGH! Damn old hag! I want to go home! I want to go home!"
Nabu's screams echoed throughout the Forest of the Forgotten.