Chapter 300
Chapter Title: The Giant King's Assault
-----------------------------------------------------------------
300
Giant King Gias trembled at the familiar energy he felt from within Gardsrone.
‘How can the will of the Great One be felt from beyond those accursed walls!’
Giant King Gias was a legion commander who worshipped Erebos more devoutly than anyone else.
The commander-in-chief of Tartaros.
A servant of Erebos more loyal than even the Undead King, Hell Kaiser.
He was normally more cautious than anyone, but when it came to Erebos's commands, he transformed into someone more reckless than anyone.
This very expedition was the result of Erebos's order to destroy Gardsrone.
And so, Gias, who had led his entire legion to invade Gardsrone, was met with a great shock.
The moment he warped to the vicinity of Gardsrone, he sensed the presence of another legion commander possessing the same power as himself.
The fact that another version of him existed filled Gias with profound doubt.
‘Is attacking Gardsrone truly the right thing to do?’
An absolute command from his god.
But the impossible situation of another him existing was enough to plant a deep seed of suspicion in Gias.
Amidst his confusion, he felt Erebos from within Gardsrone.
To Gias, it was as good as a divine oracle.
“Legion! Our god calls for us!”
*Guwoooooooooooh—!*
At Gias’s euphoric cry, the legion began its furious charge toward Gardsrone.
Just as Gias himself was about to charge forward to shatter Gardsrone’s walls.
*Flash—!*
A golden flash of light shone.
With it, a single beastman appeared in Gias's line of sight.
“It’s that wretched Ar-on! Do not stand in my way!”
Hatred flared in Gias's eyes.
Lisinas, Kyle, Luna, Ar-on, and Dweno.
These five heroes were detestable beings who had defeated several legion commanders and defied the will of their god.
At first, he had considered them mere hindrances.
But with every battle, they grew stronger.
Now, they had grown into mighty beings who might just be able to turn the tide of a world on the brink of ruin.
Hope.
From the perspective of Gias, a legion commander of Tartaros, they were among those he most wanted to eradicate.
*Guwoooooooh!*
Gias raised his hand.
With the motion, a greatsword as massive as Gias’s own body materialized.
“Vanish!”
Gias roared and swung the sword.
*Swish—!*
A chilling sound echoed as it tore through space.
A Demon God Blade.
A masterpiece forged by Gias, who was also the greatest blacksmith in Tartaros.
A slash unleashed from a sword steeped in the hatred and despair of countless lives it had consumed.
Gias was certain that this strike, imbued with all his might, would erase the insignificant beastman before him from this world without a trace.
“He’s terrified!”
In that fleeting moment, what he saw in Ar-on’s eyes was endless fear.
Gias sneered at Ar-on.
*Grit—!*
Ar-on gritted his teeth and raised his sword.
Brave.
The sword named Courage, forged by Dweno and placed in Ar-on’s hands.
*Flash—!*
As Ar-on swung his sword, a golden aura erupted.
*Kugagagagagagahng—!*
Ar-on’s aura neutralized the Giant King’s dark magic.
*Clang—!*
Ar-on was sent flying back.
But he wasn't the only one who retreated.
The Giant King staggered backward.
“You worm!”
The Giant King’s eyes flashed as he glared at Ar-on, who was pushing himself back up.
Along with Gias’s roar, a powerful Fear effect ensnared Ar-on.
And not just Fear.
All manner of curses rained down on Ar-on in an instant.
Potent curses capable of killing even a mighty hero in a single moment.
But…
“Kuhuuuuuuuuh!”
Ar-on let out a roar.
The howl of a wolf echoed in all directions.
The legion, which had been about to assault the foolish beastman who had intruded upon the battlefield, flinched and retreated.
“What is this disgraceful display from the legion of I, the Giant King! Execute this pathetic coward!”
Gias let out an enraged shout.
Just as the legion was about to attack Ar-on in response.
“I will protect Gardsrone.”
Resolve filled Ar-on’s eyes.
“Because that place is the hope of many people.”
“Kuhahahahahahaha!”
At Ar-on's words, Gias burst into maniacal laughter.
“What can you possibly do alone? Lisinas, Kyle, Luna, Dweno. Who among them can help you now? What can a coward like you do by yourself?”
“Yes, you’re right. I can’t do anything alone.”
Ar-on answered, his voice trembling.
But as he tightened his grip on his sword, the trembling stopped.
“But when I received this sword, I made a vow. To find courage, even when I’m scared.”
*Gooooooooo—!*
An unusual aura began to shimmer from Ar-on’s body.
“To fight for everyone.”
A thick killing intent radiated from Ar-on’s body.
The legion was struck with fear.
The Ar-on of this moment was a predator, a slaughterer who would butcher everything in his sight.
“That pathetic sword… it’s the one Dweno made.”
Gias’s eyes glinted.
“If you find courage by holding that dull blade… then I shall shatter that dull blade for you.”
*Kugugugung—!*
Dark magic erupted from Gias’s body.
A menacing glint flashed in his eyes.
“You will not see the sun rise today.”
“That damn sun, wouldn’t it be better if we never saw it again?”
“Who’s there?”
A chilling killing intent filled Gias’s eyes.
*Thud—!*
Leo appeared at Ar-on’s side.
“Where did Dweno go, and why did someone like you show up?”
“Dweno is busy right now. So I’ll be the one to face you, alongside Ar-on.”
“What can you do with a coward like this?”
Gias scoffed.
Leo sneered back at Gias.
“Aren't you the one who’s afraid of that coward?”
“What?”
“Isn't that why you’re trying to attack this one man with a whole mob of your trashy underlings?”
“A cheap provocation.”
Gias smiled coldly.
“I will indulge your provocation. However, because of that cheap taunt, the insignificant lives in that city will meet their end sooner.”
Killing intent formed in Gias's eyes.
“Legion! Bring down Gardsrone!”
At the Giant King’s command, the legion began to move.
Simultaneously, Leo’s figure vanished.
*Whooosh—!*
Moving as fast as the wind, Leo instantly appeared before the legion’s vanguard.
Leo gripped the spear in his hand tightly.
“Ifta.”
*Fwoooosh—!*
At Leo’s call, crimson flames flickered to life.
*Kwagagagak!*
The flames engulfed a Gigantes at the head of the legion, reducing it to ashes.
The legion’s advance halted.
“…!”
The Giant King’s eyes widened as he stared at the figure floating in the air.
“What are you!”
He had thought that if anyone were to block his legion's advance, it would be Dweno.
He couldn't help but be shocked by this completely unexpected turn of events.
“Me?”
The corners of Leo’s mouth curled up.
“I’m the one who came to clean you lot up, along with that trash inside Gardsrone.”
“How dare you spew such nonsense!”
Enraged by Leo’s insult to Erebos, Gias raised his hand.
A subspace rift opened, and a spear of immense size was summoned.
*Thwack—!*
Gias hurled the spear at Leo.
The spear flew toward Leo at a speed invisible to the naked eye.
Leo raised a shield of water.
*Chwaaaaak—!*
A curtain of water formed in the air.
A beautiful, yet seemingly fragile, shield of water.
*Kaboom—!*
But its defensive power was beyond imagination.
The spear Gias had thrown was deflected with a tremendous noise.
Although he took no damage, a terrifying physical force slammed into Leo.
Leo plummeted to the ground at an incredible speed.
*Thud—!*
But the ground absorbed the impact as if it were a sponge.
He had manipulated the Spirit Armor, created from the Great Earth Spirit, to soften the ground.
“He’s a real monster.”
Leo clicked his tongue at the overwhelming physical power.
“You’re the bigger monster!”
“How can you handle us Great Spirits so perfectly!”
The Great Fire Spirit Ifta and the Great Water Spirit Erham cried out in astonishment.
It was shocking enough that Leo, the self-proclaimed partner of Lisinas, had summoned them and armed himself with Spirit Armor.
On top of that, Leo was wielding the immense power of the Great Spirits perfectly, without being overwhelmed in the slightest.
At the Great Spirits’ shouts, Leo spoke nonchalantly.
“I’m not as good as Lisinas.”
“Lisinas is our contractor who has overcome all sorts of hardships with us. But you are handling us, whom you’ve met for the first time today, this perfectly. Even Lisinas can’t do that.”
At Silesta’s words, Leo let out a small laugh.
“Sorry, but this isn’t the first time I’ve seen you guys.”
“What did you say?”
“Even this battle is just me imitating Lisinas.”
Leo pushed himself up.
He then stretched his hand out toward the approaching legion.
*Whoooooosh—!*
A massive whirlwind formed from Leo’s hand.
*Fwoooosh—!*
A great flame erupted within it.
It was a fusion of Silesta’s and Ifta’s powers.
*Zzzzzzzing—!*
Just then, a massive magic circle formed on the Giant King's legion’s side, piercing through the fiery vortex.
Sensing the immense dark magic reaction, Leo clenched his fist and slammed it into the ground.
*Kwaang—!*
*Kwagagagagagagak—!*
The earth surged upward, creating a massive barrier.
That wasn't the end of it.
*Chwaaak—! K-k-k-k-k-krak—!*
Water seeped into the earthen barrier and froze solid.
It was a use of spirits that could only be described as perfect.
Watching the scene, Erham let out a groan.
“At this rate… you really are Lisinas herself.”
A human boy who had suddenly appeared and taken control of Lisinas’s contract and spiritual power.
As if that wasn't enough, his skill with spirit arts was reminiscent of Lisinas herself.
“You, what really is your identity?”
*Kwaaaang—!*
The barrier Leo had erected was destroyed.
“My identity doesn’t matter right now.”
Leo, standing before the seemingly endless advance of the legion, said to the Great Spirits.
“What matters now is taking them down.”
*Kugugugugugugung—!*
The earth trembled.
A horde of Gigantes, like a great wall, was charging at the forefront.
A rough estimate put the number of Gigantes at over several thousand.
‘He’s left Gias entirely to Ar-on.’
Now it was his turn to stop the legion.
“Depesere!”
Leo shouted urgently.
“Prepare the magic bombardment!”
“Mages, prepare to fire!”
*Ziiing—!*
Magic circles materialized atop the walls of Gardsrone.
Leo watched the legion approach the walls.
“Should we fire?”
At Depesere’s question, Leo shook his head.
“No, wait a little longer.”
At Leo’s words, Depesere kept his eyes fixed on the legion.
A moment later…
*Guwooooooooooh!*
The Giant King’s legion lost all reason and began to charge madly.
It wasn't just the legion.
Gias, too, lost his senses and began to attack Ar-on with wild abandon.
Gias’s authority, the power of a Berserker, had enhanced his legion as well.
Seeing this, Leo shouted.
“Now!”
“Fire!”
At Depesere’s cry, the magic bombardment from Gardsrone’s walls began.
*Boom—! Kugugung—!*
In an instant, the Gigantes were reduced to piles of corpses.
But treading over those piles of bodies, a seemingly infinite advance began.
*Thud! Thud! Crunch! Thwack—!*
“Aaaargh!”
“Attack the ones flying over the walls first!”
Demons were using catapults to get onto the high walls.
“Defend the walls!”
Depesere shouted.
“Lord Ar-on and Lord Dweno are holding back the Giant King! For their sake, fight with courage!”
The shouts of heroes echoed from all around.
At that moment.
*Fwoooosh—!*
Far away, black flames flickered to life on the body of Gias, who was fighting Ar-on.
Leo’s eyes widened.
‘Could it be…?’
Leo urgently looked inside Gardsrone.
*Fwoosh—!*
A black flame shot high into the air.
‘Is Erebos’s will… strengthening Gias?’