Chapter 691
Chapter 691
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 691
Chapter Title: The Hero's Gambit
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691.
“I see. So the dispel formula is ineffective?”
Gias stroked his chin.
The magic Leo had just used was one Gias knew quite well.
Back in the Age of Calamity.
It was the magic that had hunted countless giant demons.
The unique magic of Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning.
The giant demons, with their immense bodies, possessed an equally overwhelming weight.
The heavier an object, the more it is affected by gravity.
Kyle had exploited this fact, using gravity magic to hunt the giants.
But it wasn't a simple spell that merely amplified gravity.
Tartaros was also aware of this weakness, so countermeasures existed. If a giant demon was subjected to gravity that its own body couldn't handle, the blessing of Erebos would activate.
The blessing bestowed upon the giant demons by the Flame of Calamity.
As such, gravity magic powerful enough to destroy their bodies shouldn't have worked.
And yet, the reason the giant demons were hunted by Kyle's magic was because the nature of his mana destroyed the blessing of Erebos.
Of course, the magic didn't work on every giant demon.
Some could withstand the gravity with their potent black magic.
Furthermore, giant demons skilled in black magic could counter the spell with a dispel.
But those without such countermeasures were utterly helpless against it.
That was why Gias had spent ages researching Kyle's magic.
However, Kyle had also been steadily developing his magic since his resurrection in the present era.
That was why Gias's dispel magic had failed.
Of course, that didn't mean Gias's research had been worthless.
The foundation of Leo's magic was what Gias knew.
In that case, all he had to do was fix the dispel formula to match the code.
‘Besides, it’s impossible to keep using such a wide-range spell.’
Perhaps the Progenitor of the Nebula could, but…
The Hero of the Beginning had his limits.
‘Especially if he hasn't yet regained his former power.’
A glint appeared in Gias's eyes.
He was still observing the battlefield from the rear.
Gias, the Giant King.
He was a cautious high-ranking demon.
His disposition was the complete opposite of the belligerent Demon Queen, Silatuna.
At a glance, he seemed similar to the Necro King, who enjoyed bringing down opponents with traps and schemes, but he was different.
Gias would not join a battle unless he was certain of victory.
He would simply watch the situation unfold.
On this battlefield, Gias was confident he could defeat the Hero of the Beginning and Dweno.
But that didn't mean he could act rashly.
His opponents were none other than the Great Heroes.
The ones who slew a god and thwarted the long-cherished wish of the demons.
The ones who had made the impossible possible countless times.
Even if it was just the two of them, he needed to be extremely cautious.
Besides.
‘Where is that bastard Dweno?’
Dweno, who could be called his most troublesome foe, was nowhere to be seen.
‘What are you scheming, Hero of the Beginning, God’s Blacksmith?’
They were clearly up to something.
It was highly likely a trap aimed at him.
He was surely hiding somewhere, waiting for him.
‘Did you think I would fall for such a shallow trick?’
His legion could be rebuilt as many times as needed, even if it was wiped out.
But if he, the legion commander, were to fall, it would be the end.
Wear down the prey.
And the moment victory is certain.
‘I will cut off your heads!’
Gias's eyes flashed.
***
“A-amazing! Black Rabbit!”
Ar threw her hands in the air and jumped up and down.
“Are you even human anymore?!”
“Is that a compliment or an insult?”
Leo glanced back and clicked his tongue.
But it was only for a moment.
He focused his gaze on the Giant King's legion.
He could feel a stir within their ranks.
They likely hadn't expected such a large number to be wiped out by a single large-scale area-of-effect spell.
Especially not the giant demons, renowned for their high defense.
But that reaction was only for an instant.
The legion's chaos would soon be brought under control.
The ones instantly killed by Leo's magic were just a small fraction of the army.
An unexpected number had fallen at once, but that was all.
‘Firing off a grand spell like that repeatedly is impossible for anyone but Luna.’
Let alone for him in his current state.
‘Well, it doesn't matter.’
After all, the one Leo had intended to strike fear into wasn't the entire legion.
“Ahhh…”
“Th-this magic!”
A few of the demons fell into a panic.
They were all high-ranking demons, the core of the Giant King's legion who had survived the Age of Calamity.
The fact that they were disoriented by fear was proof enough that the spell had been effective.
To create a momentary crack in the legion's fortitude.
That was Leo's goal.
“Leo!”
Just then, Enniha rushed over anxiously.
“Where’s Dweno? I can’t see Dweno!”
“Sir Dweno went to get his weapon!”
“His weapon?”
“Yes!”
Ar expressed her unwavering faith.
“He’ll be here soon.”
Leo answered calmly as well.
“Get ready before Dweno arrives. It'll take them some time to get their confusion under control.”
“What? That was certainly an incredible spell, but… there’s no way the legion would fall into chaos over just that…”
Now, it was time to exploit that crack.
“Because I'm about to stir things up.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Ar, follow me.”
“Huh? Okay!”
As Leo leaped off the fortress wall without hesitation, Ar followed right behind him.
“What?!”
Enniha stared in horror at the space below the wall where the two had jumped.
Plummeting down, Leo kicked off the fortress wall.
Using the rebound, he shot straight toward the legion.
Krrrrruuuuuuuuung!
A howl erupted from the mouth of Ar, who followed him.
Having transformed, Ar also kicked off the wall and charged.
“What in the world is wrong with them?!”
To charge a legion, no matter how confident they were in their skills!
There was a limit to being fearless.
“To save the world, do you really have to be that crazy…? No! But that cat isn't one of them! What is she?!”
An Ivaldi warrior approached Enniha, who wore a dumbfounded expression.
“Lady Enniha! We must provide support at once…!”
“…No.”
“Pardon?”
“He didn't ask for help. If they went as a pair, they must have a plan.”
“B-but!”
“Let's trust them.”
Enniha said, watching Leo and Ar.
“Just as we trust Dweno, let's trust him.”
Dweno trusted Leo as well.
Then they, too, had to trust him.
“Everyone, prepare for the defense.”
“Yes, ma'am!”
The Ivaldi warriors moved busily.
While directing the warriors, Enniha spotted a young dwarf operating a siege weapon and called out.
“Dit.”
“Yes! Lady Enniha!”
Dit hurried over.
“Keep a close eye on Leo.”
“Pardon? I am watching him closely…”
“That boy… he said he was able to survive on the battlefield time and again thanks to the weapon your father made.”
“What?”
Dit's eyes widened.
“You remember how your father said he wanted to contribute, even just a little, to saving this world, right?”
“…Yes.”
Watching Dit clench his fists, Enniha smiled and patted his head.
“I'll tell you, Dit. Your father… is the man who saved the life of the hero who will save the world.”
“What? Save the world?”
“Yes. That's why I'm telling you to watch.”
Enniha looked toward Leo.
“Because this is the fight of the man who will save this world.”
***
Fwoooosh—!
Leo sprinted at an incredible speed.
The Giant King's legion was clearly visible from atop the fortress walls.
But that was only because they were giant demons.
In reality, there was a considerable distance between the wall and the legion.
But Leo closed that distance in an instant, making it seem insignificant.
“Piora, Kiruan, Arti.”
Vwoom—!
The three phantom beasts responded to Leo's call.
It wasn't a summoning.
Their blessings enveloped Leo's body.
Fwoosh—
Crackle!
Vwoom!
“Ooooh!”
Ar’s expression was one of surprise.
The God’s Blacksmith.
Flames of the phoenix and lightning of the pegasus wreathed the gauntlets and greaves made by Dweno.
A barrier also enveloped Ar's body.
The same went for Leo.
The tip of his sword, his feet, and his body were all protected by the power of the phantom beasts.
That wasn't all.
Runic words flowed from Leo's lips.
The magic of the stars surged, invigorating them.
The blessing of the phantom beasts and the enhancement of star magic gave them strength.
“This is amazing!”
Ar’s eyes sparkled as she looked at her own fists.
“Activate your extrasensory perception! Cover me!”
“Leave it to me! Black Rabbit!”
With a grin, Ar stood behind Leo.
Fwoosh—
KRA-KA-KA-KA-BOOM!
The crimson flaming blade bisected the Gigantes at the front.
“Guwooooooooar!”
Leaving behind the Gigantes screaming in agony, Leo cut down another giant beast next to it.
“Graaaaaaack!”
He wasn't heading for the center of the legion.
As if peeling the skin of a fruit.
He cut down the outer ranks, halting the legion's advance.
Leo's extrasensory perception erased all blind spots.
Of course, even if he could detect all attacks threatening him with his perception, he couldn't block every attack focused on him.
But Leo was not alone.
He had a comrade watching his back.
“Uraaaaaah!”
CRASH—!
Ar kicked away a massive crossbow bolt aimed at Leo's back.
A grotesque, massive bolt, like one from a ballista.
As the deflected bolt spun, Ar kicked its fletching, sending it flying back toward the giant demon that had fired it.
Thwack—!
“Gurgk?!”
The giant demon, its forehead pierced, let out a final gasp and collapsed.
Ar saw another Gigantes approaching and bent her knees.
Fwoosh—! Crackle—!
Flames and lightning swirled at her fingertips and toes.
Ar's flaming claws mercilessly tore through the Gigantes unit, incinerating her foes.
Her feet brutally smashed and roasted the enemies’ heads.
Ar’s ears twitched ceaselessly.
Her movements, having entered the realm of extrasensory perception, grew even sharper.
‘The attacks are focused on Black Rabbit, so I can see the enemy's movements clearly!’
One step, two steps.
She drew closer to the realm of extrasensory perception.
The more she fought, the deeper she fell into a trance-like state.
‘This one.’
Leo's eyes widened at the feeling of Ar's movements behind him.
‘She's growing?’
It was as if her movements were beginning to resemble someone else's.
She was becoming like the one who had always given him courage.
Just as Leo tightened his grip on his sword.
Fwoosh—!
A massive sword suddenly appeared before his eyes.
‘It came from a blind spot?’
An attack that slipped past the realm of extrasensory perception.
Leo raised his head.
‘The Giant Knight Order.’
As Leo braced for impact.
“Where do you think you're going!”
BAM—!
“Ar?”
Ar had reached a domain that even Leo's extrasensory perception had failed to register.
Thud—!
“As long as I'm here, you won't lay a single finger on Black Rabbit!”
Excited, Ar snorted with a huff.
“Impressive.”
Just then, someone appeared in mid-air with a smile.
“Nareda.”
“It has been a while, Kyle, Hero of the Beginning. You're raising quite the fearsome pet cat.”
“Who are you calling a pet cat!”
Ar’s eyes blazed as she growled.
“I'll tear you to shreds!”
Clenching her fists with a murderous expression, Ar whipped her head around to look at Leo.
“Huh? Hero of the Beginning?”
Leo responded to Ar's shocked reaction.
“Your little tricks have improved over the last 5,000 years.”
“Hmph, thanks to them, I have managed to stay alive until now.”
Leo narrowed his eyes at Nareda, who bowed respectfully.
“It seems your master's cowardly nature hasn't changed.”
“Refrain from such rude remarks. He is merely being cautious. He sees right through your wicked trap.”
“A trap…”
Leo’s lips curled into a smirk.
“I'd appreciate it if you thought so.”
***
‘…Why. Why won't you show yourself, Dweno.’
The Giant King Gias's face contorted.
The Hero of the Beginning had charged.
If so, Dweno, known as the strongest shield, should have been at the forefront.
The role of the brat called the Brave Hero's successor was originally one for the Brave Hero or the Hero of the Beginning.
But Leo was playing Dweno's part.
And a fledgling who had just learned to walk was playing the Brave Hero's part.
‘A clumsy imitation of Dweno. It's a trap.’
When he first saw it, Gias had sneered.
They had clearly set a shallow trap.
But now, he felt something was off.
Gias's face twisted.
‘Could it be… Dweno is not on this battlefield? No! That's impossible!’
The Giant King Gias knew Dweno better than anyone.
Gias's eyes widened.
‘What in the world are you scheming! Kyle! Dweno!’