Chapter 413
Chapter 413
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 413
Chapter Title: Task Force (5)
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“Go on and say it, Shirone. It’s just a theory, after all. We’ll listen and pass judgment.”
Emboldened by Julu's words, Shirone repeated the explanation he had given Gauld.
“First, it’s a magic based on Ataraxia.”
“Of course, it would be.”
If Shirone were to have even a one percent chance of destroying Heaven, starting with Ataraxia was his best bet.
“I’ll aim it at the sky. So, I’ll be casting the magic circle above our heads.”
“Oh? The sky, you say?”
It was certainly an unusual way to begin.
As everyone’s anticipation grew, Shirone continued.
“Ataraxia is a trigger-type magic, so it doesn't have a set range. I thought the most effective way to maximize that advantage would be to fire it into the sky.”
“Understood. In that case… what will you be firing?”
“A laser.”
“A laser?”
Everyone present knew what a laser was.
But the sky was far too empty a target for destruction.
“Yes. I’ll use Ataraxia to amplify the laser’s straight trajectory and shoot it as high as possible.”
Plu asked.
“How high is ‘high’?”
“Well, it’s a simple calculation, but roughly… 6,000 kilometers.”
“S-Six thousand?”
Shina spoke.
“It’s possible with a laser. It’s a single, linear wavelength. If you combine that with Ataraxia’s amplification and its trigger property, you could probably reach an even higher altitude. So, what then, Shirone?”
Shirone began his full explanation.
“At an altitude of 6,000 kilometers, I will cast a Dark Sphere through the laser's information transfer method. It's a spell that highly compresses God Particles. Using Ataraxia, I can create a mass of about 10 tons, relative to the planet.”
Vrrrrm!
Sein’s Iron Wheel Eye spun rapidly.
Just from hearing that much, he realized what Shirone was planning.
All sorts of complex, yet precise, equations began to compute in his head.
Shirone spread his arms wide.
“Perhaps in the shape of a spear? The form isn't really important, but based on Omnipotence, it seems likely. So, a spear sculpted from light with the weight of 10 tons would be born. And that spear…”
Having finished his calculations, Sein said,
“Will fall.”
“Yes. That’s all there is to it.”
That was all there was to it.
And everyone was left speechless.
The mechanism was far simpler than they had expected.
But surprisingly, it contained an idea more than capable of destroying Heaven.
“But, is it really possible?”
At Plu’s question, Gauld looked to Sein. From here on, it was a matter for his servant brain to judge.
“It is possible.”
Sein stated with conviction.
“Simply put, a 10-ton mass will fall from an altitude of 6,000 kilometers. Assuming Heaven’s gravity is similar to ours, it would take about 14 minutes to reach its target. The spear of mass will accelerate due to gravity, and upon reaching terminal velocity, it will exceed 14 kilometers per second.”
Plu’s eyes widened.
“14 kilometers? Per second?”
At a speed of 14 kilometers per second, it would be impossible to react once it entered the line of sight.
The result was a quantification of the power of a 10-ton spear striking at Mach 41.
“That's right. Converting just the kinetic energy it generates into explosive power gives you roughly 2.19 million kilobusters. A figure that surpasses Heaven’s durability. If it strikes Araboth at the center, all seven heavens will be annihilated.”
If Sein said it, there was no error in the calculation.
And yet, no one could truly accept the numbers they had just heard.
2.19 million kilobusters?
The very idea of a boy who was still a student wielding such power was beyond all common sense.
“Heh heh heh, what did I tell you? Didn’t I say it was some seriously insane magic?”
Gauld said.
“You know what I liked most when I first heard this? There are no half-baked assumptions. There's a clear line between what can and can't be done. I expected some graduating brat to spout nonsensical gibberish, but that wasn't it. It's not Shirone's magic that will destroy Heaven.”
Sein said,
“Universal gravitation. The planet’s own gravity will pull the spear down, causing Heaven to self-destruct.”
“Exactly. Those who revered God will ultimately be destroyed by God’s own hand. I call it ‘God’s Punishment’.”
Shirone looked back at Gauld.
“I was going to call it Shining Spear, though?”
“The name doesn’t matter. Anyway, the problem is the trajectory, impact point, and timing.”
Sein spoke.
“I can calculate that. I’ll create a chart as soon as we get to Heaven. It should take about three days to get a handle on the planet’s movements, so we can set the launch time then.”
Everyone began to hash out new strategies and tactics to fit this new variable.
God’s Punishment had such a massive impact that it forced a complete overhaul of the project's strategy.
While everyone was engaged in a heated discussion, Shina alone was watching Shirone with a pleased expression.
Gauld seemed to like that God’s Punishment utilized the properties of the natural world, but Shina’s thoughts were the exact opposite.
Everyone knows that dropping 10 tons from an altitude of 6,000 kilometers would have immense destructive power.
But the reason no one tries it is because lifting 10 tons requires potential energy equivalent to its kinetic energy.
Therefore, God’s Punishment was not the work of universal gravitation, but of Shirone’s magic.
He would amplify a laser with Ataraxia to transmit information to a high altitude, then activate the God Particle there to gather mass.
The result was a simple mechanism, but for Shirone, who had started from a blank slate, it was an application that would have been impossible without a perfect understanding and analysis of what he possessed.
‘He squeezed out every last drop.’
It was the ultimate creation, forged by compressing the ideas in his head into a flawless diamond.
For that reason, Shina could sincerely congratulate her student on his great leap forward.
“But there’s a condition.”
Shirone said, cutting through the escalating debate.
“I received Ataraxia from the archangel Ikael. Therefore, I must meet Ikael before I can cast this magic. And I believe that was our contract.”
No one on the team was foolish enough to break a contract.
But having obtained an incredibly efficient weapon like God’s Punishment, it was human nature to want to momentarily look the other way.
Even the cold-headed Sein was no exception.
For God’s Punishment to be activated, Shirone had to make contact with Ikael.
Depending on the situation, that could be very easy, or it could be impossible.
Regardless of the difficulty, Sein hated that uncertainty.
“A contract must be honored. And you are more than qualified to receive our help. But is that truly the only option? If you give up on Ikael, we could do something of equal value. For example, in a scenario where our entire team is wiped out, we could prioritize your survival above all else.”
If the uncertainty could be eliminated, that would be preferable.
That was how much weight Sein placed on God’s Punishment in the project.
“No. I won’t meet Ikael if it means putting everyone in danger. But if there’s no danger, then there’s no need for God’s Punishment either. If, however, a dangerous situation does arise, then there will be sufficient motivation to meet Ikael. Given these limited circumstances, please understand that there’s no need to bind Ikael and God’s Punishment with other constraints.”
“Hmm, so that’s what you meant.”
A situation that required destroying Heaven meant they were already cornered.
If they had to grasp at even the smallest probability, then the possibility of Shirone meeting Ikael was a consideration.
“Alright. I am satisfied that the team’s safety is independent of making contact with Ikael.”
It was the best compromise Sein and Shirone could reach.
***
The next morning.
The ten team members gathered before the Gate of Guffin.
Mahatu, the chieftain of the Kergo, and the priests surrounded them, while warriors formed a double column to see off the Heaven expedition team.
When Shirone opened the Immortal Function, the Gate of Guffin dissolved into particles and transformed into a massive space-time tunnel.
As everyone chanted “Anke Ra,” Gauld strode forward with an irritated expression.
Perhaps he was returning to the beginning of everything.
“I’ll smash your god to pieces.”
With a terrifying glare, Gauld pushed himself into the black sphere without a hint of hesitation.
Mikea Gauld - Red Line 1st Class Archmage
Signature Ability: Transcendental Fortitude
Position: Commander
Kangnan’s expression was impassive as he watched Gauld disappear, but his heart was in more turmoil than ever before.
‘The end of twenty years. Whatever happens, it has to end here. It must, it must end.’
Ahoya Kangnan - Last Scion of the Wolf Tribe
Signature Ability: Rammuai Striking Arts
Position: Tank
Standing before the Gate of Guffin, Sein recalled the Judgment Day of the twenty.
After Miro left, Gauld had become a wreck, but Sein envied him for being able to descend into pure madness.
His own days had been a relentless race, unable to even go mad for Miro’s sake alone.
‘All that matters is saving Miro. I don’t need to care about anything else. Even if the world ends…’
Sein’s body slipped into the black sphere.
‘I will be the one to save Miro.’
Castro Sein - Black Line’s Strongest Mental Mage
Signature Ability: Anti-Magic via Iron Wheel Eye
Position: Order
Julu held nothing back. No desire for life, no fear of death.
If today’s events were but a single point in the great cycle, then all he had to do was surrender his body and mind to the flow.
‘One must empty oneself without regret. For in death, there is life.’
Julu - Red Line 1st Class Summoner
Signature Ability: Lich Summoning
Position: Utility
At the Gate of Guffin, Armin glanced back at Shina.
Just seeing Kuan standing by her side made his heart ache.
‘You must have felt this way, too.’
He could now understand, if only a little, how she must have felt watching him live as a loving husband with Keira.
‘But it was for you. To prove that, I will protect you.’
Shaking off his distracting thoughts, Armin quickly turned and vanished into the Gate of Guffin.
Even if the end of the world lay beyond, there was no reason to hesitate.
‘Shina, wherever you go…’
Generade Armin - Former Ivory Tower Time Mage
Signature Ability: Stop
Position: Crowd Control
Only after Armin had disappeared did Shina’s eyes fill with sorrow.
She had wanted to become a mage with her brother. She had wanted to see the many beauties of the world.
The dream she had held since childhood had become a reality, yet why was she not happy?
‘No, don’t think about it. Getting sentimental before a mission is foolish. I just have to do what I can.’
Oliper Shina - Red Line Certified 5th Class Mage
Signature Ability: Absolute Zero
Position: Main Dealer
Kuan watched Shina’s retreating back.
As a swordsman, the lives of all nine of his comrades lay beyond his own death.
The probability of him returning alive was likely only marginally higher than the miraculous chance of all ten of them making it back.
And yet, he didn’t feel entirely awful, perhaps because for the first time, he wanted to protect someone.
‘Is that place my grave?’
A cold smile touched Kuan’s lips as he headed toward what was surely his death.
Parka Kuan - Certified 6th Class Swordsman, Kaizen Sword Academy Instructor
Signature Ability: Movement Control
Position: Hitman
‘Master, please give me strength.’
Etella closed her eyes and entered a brief meditation.
Since her defeat by Arcane, she had trained relentlessly, and her sense of mission burned brighter than ever.
The warm voice of Karsus Yung, telling her to become the light of the world, rushed into her mind like a thunderous roar, and her eyes snapped open.
‘Annihilate evil. That is my mission.’
Romi Etella - Certified 6th Class Mage, Exploration-type Zoner, Bishop of the Karsus Order
Signature Ability: Yin-Yang Wave Fist: Thousand-Hand Bodhisattva's Thunder Strike
Position: Sub-Dealer
“Huu. Huu.”
Plu fought with all her might to suppress the adrenaline.
Joining the world’s greatest team of mages as a professional was an honor she wouldn’t trade for anything.
‘Don’t show you’re a rookie. Trust what you’ve done so far. That’s right, I’m Lavid Plu. I can do this!’
No matter what hardships arise, she would see the mission through to success.
Having sworn this to herself countless times, she finally took her first step into the Gate of Guffin.
‘This is a position where even death is an honor. I will only do my best not to be a burden to everyone.’
Lavid Plu - Certified 8th Class Mage, Manipulation-type Zoner
Signature Ability: Phoenix Pavillion
Position: Supporter
Shirone watched until the very last team member had departed for Heaven. Then, as if looking back on the years gone by, he turned around.
His life up to this point flashed before his eyes like a panorama.
‘Goodbye, everyone.’
At the end of life, one meets the beginning of life.
That was what this journey meant to Shirone.
There could be no fear now.
Even if he were to lose everything, he was determined to pour his all into Heaven so that he would not regret today’s decision.
“Go with our blessings, Emissary of God.”
Receiving Mahatu’s farewell, Shirone walked past the path of warriors and arrived at the Gate of Guffin.
The jet-black spherical tunnel did not reveal what lay beyond. Like everyone’s future, only a vast uncertainty swirled within.
‘From now on, there’s not even a past to look back on!’
Shirone’s eyes widened as he leaped into the Gate of Guffin.
The space-time barrier, distorted by a powerful force, swallowed Shirone and hurled him into a world no human could ever reach.
Arian Shirone - Alpheas Magic Academy Graduating Class
Signature Ability: Amplification Magic using Ataraxia
Position: Terminator
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