Chapter 453
Chapter Title: Unwavering Faith
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While Ar wore an anxious expression,
“Lady Melina. What should we do with this?”
Chelsea asked, bringing over the sword Ar-on had thrown aside.
Looking at it, Melina spoke.
“That’s Brave. The sword is practically a symbol of Sir Ar-on. You know of it too, right, Chelsea?”
“Yes, but it’s broken, isn’t it?”
As Chelsea spoke with a worried face, Melina nodded.
“It was already broken before he even left the World of Heroes.”
“Will a broken sword be a hindrance to Sir Ar-on?”
“It would be better for him to fight with Brave, even if it’s broken, than to fight barehanded. But… Sir Ar-on, in his current state, doesn’t have the luxury…”
*Craaaash—!*
Once again, a deafening roar echoed from the front of the castle walls.
Struck by Erebos’s attack, Ar-on had been sent flying and crashed into the ground before the wall.
The shockwave from the impact swept away the monsters charging toward the ramparts.
Ar-on staggered to his feet.
The power of his aura was intact.
But his body was a wreck.
Yet, his fighting spirit was not broken.
As if forcefully shaking off his fear,
he ignited his will to fight and glared at Erebos.
*Boom—!*
Erebos landed directly in front of Ar-on.
-What is it that makes you struggle so desperately? O, cowardly hero. Are you afraid of the deaths of those insignificant beings you believe to be your hope?
“Grrrrooooooowwwl!”
A howl erupted from Ar-on’s lips.
Wrapping his entire body in aura, Ar-on charged at Erebos once more.
Watching him, Erebos’s eyes glinted as he swung his arm.
*Craaaash—!*
Ar-on was sent flying again.
But undeterred, he burst through the ground, claws extended, and tore at Erebos’s arm.
Now that he couldn't see the future through his hyper-senses,
Ar-on continued his seemingly reckless battle.
An unprecedented, thrilling hand-to-hand combat between the Brave Hero and the Primordial Evil.
The aftermath of their battle was terrifying.
In the first place, if it hadn’t been Ar-on, stopping the Primordial Evil single-handedly would have been impossible for anyone.
‘Just a little more, if I can just hold on a little longer, Kyle’s spell will be complete!’
His role was to hold off Erebos until then and chip away at his strength.
Even an inextinguishable flame of calamity would weaken if struck endlessly.
It was true that Erebos was an immortal being, but that didn’t mean he couldn't be damaged.
‘I have to weaken him enough for Innocent to completely annihilate him!’
Horrific burns spread across his body.
His body screamed from the pain, a torment that felt like death.
It was a greater agony than any Ar-on had ever experienced before.
‘Endure!’
Ar-on’s eyes shot open.
‘Kyle must have been in so much more pain than this!’
“Graaaaaaah!”
Ar-on roared and tore at Erebos’s neck.
Meanwhile, the demonic beasts created by Erebos swarmed the castle walls.
Chelsea, who had been watching Ar-on’s desperate struggle, clenched her fists.
‘Is there any way I can help Sir Ar-on?’
She recalled how kind and gentle Ar-on had been to her.
The same Ar-on who had been genuinely delighted at the thought of a future where children could smile brightly was now fighting a desperate battle.
Pacing anxiously, wanting to help him somehow, Chelsea looked at Brave in her hands and shouted.
“I’ll take Brave to Sir Ar-on!”
Melina’s eyes widened.
“That’s too reckless.”
“But I’m the most suitable person for this role, aren’t I?”
Chelsea said seriously.
“I’m small and fast, so I can definitely dodge the monsters’ attacks and get back! This kind of thing is a wind mage’s specialty!”
“Then someone like Nana or Ulta…”
“Lady Melina and Senior Ulta have to stop the monsters!”
Melina and Ulta were currently the strongest forces defending the wall.
If they left their positions, the castle might fall immediately.
“…I’m a failure as a Dragon Lord. To think I have to send someone as young as you to the most dangerous place.”
“I’ll run away immediately if it seems dangerous!”
“Hey, Chelsea. You sure you’ll be okay?”
When Karl asked worriedly, Chelsea held up her index finger and shouted confidently.
“Of course!”
With those words, Chelsea slung Brave onto her back and leaped from the wall.
‘Gale.’
Chelsea used her unique magic.
A spell that allowed her to freely control the surrounding wind.
That magic granted Chelsea overwhelming mobility and evasiveness.
*Whoosh—!*
Chelsea flew at incredible speed toward the fierce battlefield of Ar-on and Erebos.
The monsters spotted Chelsea and charged at her with killing intent.
But Chelsea used her wind manipulation to evade all of their attacks.
‘My training with Leo was a big help! And Sir Ar-on’s hyper-senses too!’
She couldn't yet properly use the hyper-senses she had trained with Ar-on.
But as a result of the training, her senses had been sharpened immensely.
A few monsters relentlessly targeted Chelsea.
But magic flying from the walls provided cover for her.
It was support from those who specialized in sniping magic, like Rieniana and Juen.
Just as Chelsea finally reached the battleground of Ar-on and Erebos,
*Craash—!*
Something flew in front of her.
“Sir Ar-on!”
It was Ar-on, his body at its absolute limit.
His beast transformation undone, Ar-on was groaning as he tried to get up.
Just as Chelsea frantically tried to support him,
-Insignificant creature.
A voice filled with contempt reached her.
Chelsea’s face hardened.
-Abandon that cowardly hero and leave this place. If you do, I shall spare your worthless life.
Chelsea’s instincts screamed at the voice, laced with clear mockery and ridicule.
Run.
This was an unprecedented calamity she could never hope to handle.
Goosebumps covered her entire body, and she began to tremble.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
She wanted to run away.
But Chelsea did not let go of Ar-on.
“Chelsea… fall back.”
Ar-on staggered, forcing strength into his legs.
“We just need to hold on a little longer. So go somewhere safe.”
“You’re at your limit, Sir Ar-on! Let’s get out of here right now!”
Despite her fear, Chelsea tried to pull Ar-on away from the battlefield.
-The little human girl is far braver than you, O Hero. How commendable.
There was no lie in his offer to spare her.
To Erebos, Chelsea’s death held no value.
He had merely intended to mock Ar-on by ridiculing the pathetic sight of the "hope" he held so dear fleeing in terror.
But it didn’t go as he planned.
That fact was enough to displease Erebos.
-Die cursing your foolishness for this useless bravado, human girl.
*Whoooosh—!*
The moment Erebos spoke, flames erupted from all sides.
Seeing this, Ar-on tried to use his aura, but his body flickered.
There was only one thing that could mean.
‘The time given to me is over!’
His divine power had been exhausted at the worst possible moment.
Ar-on gritted his teeth, pulled Chelsea into his arms, and squeezed out the last of his aura.
‘At least Chelsea…!’
*Whoosh—!*
Black flames engulfed Ar-on and Chelsea.
***
*Fwoooosh—!*
“Ah…”
Everyone stared, dumbfounded.
The hero who had been holding back Erebos was gone.
The word ‘defeat’ naturally flashed through their minds.
Fear began to creep onto everyone’s faces.
*Fwoooooosh—!*
A crimson-black sky.
A world burning in black flames.
A single phrase came to the hero candidates’ minds.
‘The Second Coming of the Calamity.’
*Tap—!*
Just as everyone despaired, Leo descended from the sky and stood in the middle of the land burning with black flames.
He then looked up at Erebos.
-It is over.
Erebos taunted Leo.
-The hero is now gone, and with your power, you cannot stop me.
A voice filled with elation.
Erebos had no doubt that despair would soon color Leo’s face.
-The age of calamity will dawn once more!
As Erebos declared this, the black flames roared even more fiercely.
*Fwoosh! Crackle— Crackle—*
But despite all this, there was no great change in Leo’s expression.
He simply continued to accumulate power to launch Innocent.
With Leo’s current strength, even if he squeezed out everything he had, completing a spell with enough power to defeat Erebos was impossible.
No matter how much of a natural enemy Pure Mana was to the Primordial Evil, it was useless if the power difference was too great.
And yet…
-What is with that face?
Seeing Leo’s almost serene expression, Erebos’s face twisted violently.
-How can you show such unwavering faith?! He is gone! That coward has vanished from this world…
“Don’t be ridiculous, you damn bastard! Who are you calling a coward?!”
Interrupting Erebos, someone shouted in a furious voice.
Ar, who had run over at some point, stood beside Leo, glaring at Erebos.
“Sir Ar-on is not a coward! He’s the one with the strongest courage in the world!”
-Ignorance is frightening.
Erebos muttered as if dumbfounded.
-He is a coward who died 5,000 years ago, whose flimsy miracle from the gods has ended, and has vanished from this world. To think you would gain courage from such a coward and dare to oppose me. Utterly foolish…
“Nyaaaak! Don’t call Sir Ar-on a coward, you busted-face lump!”
Ar interrupted Erebos again, screaming hysterically.
“I know Sir Ar-on is timid! But he’s not a coward! He’s someone who overcomes his fear! The Brave Hero Ar-on saved the world! That’s why he’s the Great Hero! Does it make any sense for someone like that to be a coward? Did your brain rot from sleeping for 5,000 years?!”
Ar even pointed, veins popping on her neck as she threw a tantrum with all her might.
Her opponent was none other than the symbol of calamity.
The terrifying existence that made even the gods tremble in fear, the Primordial Evil, Erebos.
The sight left even Erebos stunned.
Erebos could clearly see the fear in Ar’s eyes.
Normally, a mere beastman…
should not be able to utter a single word in his presence.
A weak being who didn’t even deserve to stand on this battlefield.
A lowly creature who should be trembling, unable to even meet his gaze.
And yet.
“Sir Ar-on! He’ll get back up! He’ll get up and beat the crap out of you!”
Though terrified, she shouted without backing down.
She believed that Ar-on, who had already vanished and no longer existed, would return.
-Unless he steps into the realm of the gods, that is impossible.
“Sir Ar-on is a god!”
There was no getting through to her.
-What an absurd fool, the likes of which the world will never see again.
“Who are you calling a fool, you fool!”
“Khk… Pffhahahahaha!”
Leo, who had been watching from the side, burst into laughter without realizing it.
He was even in awe of Ar for accomplishing something that even the notoriously reckless Luna had never managed.
“But she’s right.”
Leo smiled faintly.
“Ar-on will be back.”
*Fwoooosh—!*
-Have you lost your mind?
“No, I’m perfectly sane.”
Ar-on had fallen, but Leo’s faith hadn’t wavered in the slightest.
“He’s not the type to ever give up.”
“Grrrrrr—”
Ar growled lowly beside him, then let out a howl toward the sky.
“Awooooooooooooooo!”
A golden aura rose from Ar’s body.
The moment Erebos’s eyes twitched at the howl,
*Flash—!*
A golden aura shot up, piercing through the flames that had engulfed Ar-on and Chelsea.
Seeing this, Erebos’s face was painted with shock.
-Impossible!
Ar’s expression brightened.
Leo watched her and sighed as if to say she couldn't be helped.
‘Who’s the burden now, you idiot.’
Leo looked down at his own hand.
As if reacting to Ar-on’s aura,
Dweno’s flame flared up.
Seeing it, Leo clenched his fist and said inwardly,
‘The reason I didn’t give up wasn’t because I was carrying a burden.’
Luna’s voice that had brought him comfort, Dweno’s equipment in which he could entrust his life,
Lisinas’s light that was dazzling even with his eyes closed,
and Ar-on’s back, more dependable than anyone else’s—it was because of them that Leo could endure.
He saw Ar-on emerge from the black flames, holding Chelsea in his arms.
‘You might think you gave up. But at the very last moment, you stood up again.’
He had reassured everyone, giving them courage by saying the world would be saved.
‘We… will win.’
He never doubted for a second that his friends would be victorious.
‘You always deny it. But the signal for a miracle has always been you, Ar-on.’