Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: The Battle of Memoria
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I had somewhat anticipated that Memoriam would pull something like this. In Idea's case, it's ultimately a magic that seals the opponent from a distance, not something that needs to be used up close.
And the same goes for Memoriam. To steal someone's memories or abilities, the main body needs to make contact with the target.
Only now did I realize why the bastard had been putting on an act.
"...You despicable piece of shit."
"I put quite a bit of thought into it, didn't I? I feigned losing my sense of self to make you let your guard down."
I was compressing Idea as much as possible, trying to erase the very existence of Memoriam from this world, but...
Glop glop.
Seeing Memoriam's body continuously overflow from the outside of Idea, I realized something was wrong.
It had cast a shrinking spell on itself, tricking my eyes to make its body appear smaller.
"Aha, haha, hahaha.... Sorry. It seems even you, hailed as the continent's strongest mage, didn't anticipate such a variable."
Slosh—.
Like water overflowing from a plate, Memoriam's body instantly swelled several times its size and was spilling onto the ground as Idea couldn't contain it all.
Should I flee now? Memoriam's tentacles were already closing in to devour my memories or abilities.
"I thought there would be a limit to absorbing the memories or abilities of so many people."
"How could that be? I'm a slime that can become anything from the start. Of course, adapting to a human body took some time...."
Memoriam soon surged upward, beginning to spread its body as wide as possible to swallow me whole.
"...If I can possess the memories or abilities of Astal Kaiseroth, then this much effort and hardship would be trivial!"
The numerous mouths created by Memoriam smiled as if tearing apart, confident in its victory.
One, two, three.
For exactly three seconds, countless thoughts flashed through my mind.
Originally, I thought the Demon King's subjugation would be my grave.
So, shouldn't I at least self-destruct to prevent it from stealing my memories or abilities?
If I cancel Idea and get out of here now, maybe I can at least save my life.
- Astal, please…, no…!!
But at that moment, a voice brushed past my ears. The inner thoughts of Saint Victoria, heard clearly even in this moment when time seemed to flow slowly.
I rolled my eyes towards the source of the voice, and only then did I see Victoria and my comrades standing behind me.
The comrades more precious than life itself, who have shared my resolve to kill the Demon King Ergosum until now.
I can't back down here either.
But I also couldn't let my memories or abilities be stolen, making Memoriam stronger.
"Is that so? Then eat to your heart's content."
I showed a confident smile and poured even more magical power into Idea.
It didn't matter if my mana core overloaded. Even as blood flowed from my eyes, nose, and mouth due to the recoil, I gritted my teeth and endured the pain.
From the start, I only had one choice.
"Have you completely given up now? Or perhaps you judged that I wouldn't be able to take your memories or abilities."
Memoriam continued to multiply to break through the armor created by Idea from a different personality.
"But what can you do about this! No matter how much you protect your body with magic or place restrictions on your memories or abilities, I can unravel them all!"
Perhaps thinking I would use magic to counter Memoriam's ability, it let out a gleeful laugh.
Crack, crackle crack.
Accompanied by the chilling sound of an insect clacking its jaws or wings, another set of armor created by Idea was shattering, but...
"...Ha."
Without stopping the casting of Idea, I shook my head slightly side to side.
Ultimately, to avoid dragging my comrades into this, I couldn't show an attitude of seeking rescue.
They must not fall into Memoriam's trap trying to save me. If that happened, forget about subjugating the Demon King, an irreversible monster could be created.
"Astal…! Get out of there now…!!"
"Lord Astal, Idea has already failed! Retreating now and waiting for another chance is the…."
Even in this desperate moment, seeing my actions signaling them not to come, my comrades sensed something was wrong and halted their steps.
Just as they were about to step over Memoriam's body and pull me out, the moment they hesitated.
"...I don't know if this will work, but I can at least shove it up your damn face."
My hair turned red, and a different Astal with a different personality jumped out, spewing curses.
"How dare you steal Victoria's memories?"
The red-haired Astal gritted his teeth hard and slammed attack magic as if he would kill Memoriam right then and there.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Just before stepping forward to subjugate Memoriam, Taryon and I couldn't help but formulate one hypothesis.
- Perhaps transformation is