Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: The Immortal King's Stirring (1)
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As it had become an issue during the meeting just moments ago, providing pretext to Crown Prince Simon, the Church of the Main God had already allowed the Immortal King to infiltrate once before.
Naturally, they had tightened security even further afterward—a logical step.
Moreover, with this Continental Summit being more critical than any before, they had mobilized every possible resource.
But.
Having suffered a major setback once already, the Church couldn't afford to be unprepared for the worst.
'In truth, the place where the final Fragment of the Immortal King was sealed was already the best the Church could do.'
A seal that had rigorously controlled outsiders and even distorted space itself, repelling any intrusion for centuries.
Yet the Immortal King, even in his incomplete state, had breached it. Now fully revived, what defense could possibly stop him?
'Of course, that didn't mean the Church was sitting idle.'
They assumed his power to 'ignore all defenses and leap through space' was some kind of divine authority, impossible to block outright.
So the Church had focused on what came next.
Pzzzt—!
Woooong—
Like right now.
[...This is quite the shock. As expected of the Church of the Main God, my eternal nemesis.]
In an instant, golden scriptures densely inscribed themselves across the walls, layer upon layer of holy barriers activating simultaneously, bathing everything in radiant light.
The rampant black magic was suppressed, and the lethal aura of death inherent to his very existence weakened.
The holy energy overflowing around them fiercely clashed against the Immortal King's ominous presence, which seemed poised to corrupt the world itself.
In that clash of light and darkness...
"Hannibal Strauss. Today, you will pay the price for your arrogance."
Heinrich, standing at the forefront like a champion of light, pointed his holy sword—imbued with Blessing: Light Sword—at Hans and declared boldly.
He had pierced the disruption barrier somehow, but this space, brimming with hostile energy, was the worst possible place for any being aligned with demons.
And the one he faced wasn't just Hero Heinrich.
"This is our chance, with the Immortal King Hans here alone! Inflict as much damage as we can now!"
"I couldn't believe it even when I heard it—he actually showed up here. Hurry!"
Saintess Riesta, her halo glowing brighter as she retreated to the rear, and Bishop Pion, who had joined with three paladins.
Cardinal Cordelia had withdrawn toward the barrier protecting the delegation in case of emergency, but her absence didn't significantly impact their forces.
This place wasn't filled solely with the Church's powerhouses.
"Kahat! I thought this outing would end in boring talk, but the Immortal King himself shows up? This'll be fun!"
With his lion-like mane, bulging frame, and razor-sharp claws.
Lionel, the representative from Wild Land—who had sat silently with a bored expression throughout the summit—bared his beastly fangs and positioned himself beside Heinrich.
"Indeed, his aura is on another level from what I sensed in the fragment. Still, with the holy barrier's aid now..."
Rapori Granwood, representative of the Elven Kingdom, summoned spirits around him and took up position in the rear.
Of course, they weren't all.
"No matter how unique this Immortal King is, allowing infiltration twice? Isn't the Grand Temple's defense too lax?"
"Hmm, but I didn't sense any mana fluctuations either. He just appeared as if overlaid on that space. Honestly, even I can't grasp how to defend against it."
The imperial master-level knight who had guarded Crown Prince Simon, and the lord of the Mage Tower Alliance.
"Urk... No wonder the omens lately have been so dire..."
"Damn, I hate unpaid work. Can I bill the Church later?"
The grand shaman of the Kolkos Tribal Alliance, the current Mercenary King of the Mercenary Guild, and more...
Powerhouses capable of fighting immediately joined the Church's side voluntarily.
Having stepped forward despite sensing the Immortal King's horrific aura, they were all at least able to withstand his attacks briefly.
No one oblivious to their own limits would even be here.
Yet even facing the world's strongest—hero, saintess, and all—in this disadvantageous environment...
[Kuhuhu... The vermin have quite the presence.]
The Immortal King's demeanor remained unchanged.
[Ahh—I came expecting a summit convened to oppose me. Is this truly your best? Is this the pinnacle of this world?]
Gooo—
As his words ended, thick darkness that seemed to swallow even light billowed forth, encroaching on all sides.
Though surely suppressed by the Grand Temple's holy barrier, his overwhelming presence expanded endlessly, felt from afar.
"...No way, is this the Abyss's energy? He's wielding it directly?"
"Mm..."
"Kuh, this sends shivers down my spine!"
The primal pressure made everyone grimace and groan.
Lionel, the beastman rep with acutely sensitive senses, had his tail curled instinctively.
Step—step—
But they didn't retreat.
They couldn't.
To ease the burden on others, one advanced slowly, facing that horrific aura head-on...
"You're under several misconceptions, Immortal King."
How could anyone think otherwise, seeing that broad, sturdy back!
[Oh? And what might they be, Hero?]
As all eyes focused, the exchange continued between them.
The powerhouses behind Heinrich, and those watching from the safe barrier, held their breath.
"First, our full strength is far beyond this."
This was a summit, after all—most here were staff for discussions or authorized officials.
Strong ones abounded, but few were still active in the field.
"Second."
The blade of light on his holy sword swelled with Blessing: Amplification, an blazing aura erupting from his body.
"Even with just us here, we can more than handle a weakened you!"
Fwaaah—
In that instant, radiance burst from him.
It clashed violently with the Immortal King's expanding black aura.
In the storm of raging energies at the center, their gazes locked sharply.
And that stark contrast of light and dark, good and evil, etched itself vividly into the minds of all watching.
[...Kuhhuhu! Very well, then allow me to correct one of your misconceptions.]
Had he sensed Heinrich was no pushover in this battle of wills?
The Immortal King shifted his stance, slowly extending both arms outward.
The floor around him was already covered in sticky, viscous darkness...
[Who said I came alone?]
Clatter!
Shooo—
From that darkness, undead shrouded in black energy rose one by one.
Of course, even wrapping them in the Abyss to minimize the holy barrier's effect couldn't fully compensate for their reduced capabilities.
But.
They were top-tier undead, led by Death Knights.
[Your loyal servant, Karam. I have come at your call, my lord.]
[Glory to the Immortal King—! Eternal terror to the world—!]
[...Orders...]
And with several of his executives to support him, it was a force impossible to ignore.
[I devoured the Abyss's death, overcame it, dominated it, and transcended it. I am the Lord of Death—and.]
Even in the heart of the Grand Temple.
[—I am death itself.]
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Rumble—!
The thick beam of light from the saintess battered the Immortal King's barrier.
Empowered by the holy barrier, it exceeded expectations, shaking the structure of his black magic.
"Hah!"
The hero's holy sword didn't miss the opening, slashing through the black barrier in a flash of light.
Not stopping there, it spun once more, extending a long blade of light and swinging...
[Kuhhat! Not bad!]
A black hand from an instantly formed black magic circle took the hit instead, shoving Heinrich back.
The hand tore apart as payment, but losing the hard-won chance was inevitable.
Yet he showed no panic or regret, calmly firing a wave of light from his back to cancel his momentum and charge forward again.
His eerily calm swordsmanship—unswayed by any circumstance—swept toward the Immortal King, bearing the massive light sword.
Kwaaang—!
The light blade clashed with the regenerated barrier in that split second.
Sparks flew from the clash of opposing energies, sending intense shockwaves outward once more.
Thus began another impeccably coordinated exchange of offense and defense, as if rehearsed.
Ultra-high black magic, holy spells, and exquisite combat techniques bursting forth without respite.
It was flashy enough to draw one in unwittingly, mesmerizing enough to elicit awe.
And overwhelmingly despair-inducing...
"......"
"...Ha."
Those sidelined for lacking the skill simply stared blankly from within the protective barrier.
As the battle raged, shockwaves made the surroundings quake.
Fortunately, the pre-inscribed holy barriers and the temple's inherent divine protection kept structural damage minimal relative to the clashes' scale.
Without them, even their best efforts couldn't have prevented the area from being leveled by the aftermath.
'Even if the Main God tacitly allowed it, totally wrecking the temple would be too much. At this rate, a remodel should suffice... should be fine.'
Of course, that included unseen interventions from someone who had coordinated everything beforehand.
Multiple site surveys to select the optimal stage, scripting fight angles, countermeasures for fallout...
As security chief, it was no great feat for Heinrich.
From a prime spot in the summit hall's barrier corner, Harris watched the battlefield like a film director.
'Too crowded over there—adjust for balance. Hmm, that guy's too hyped; need to rein him in.'
Troops shifted toward where Lionel the lion beastman clashed with Ghoul Lord Fiona, rearranging formations for fiercer visuals.
The subtle adjustments ensured no unease among fighters, centering on the Immortal King versus hero duel.
Rumble!
Heinrich, bolstered again by the saintess and cardinal, collided with Hans, shockwaves rippling out.
Woooong—!
The delegation's barrier hummed continuously.
Built with sacred relics, it wouldn't shatter from aftershocks, but the sheer force let those inside feel the impact's momentum.
Merely faint seeping fragments, yet...
That bone-chilling aura alone explained why the Immortal King was called the 'Continent's Terror'.
"Shouldn't we evacuate far from here now?"
"With that mess outside? Where to? Without this barrier, we'd have been swept away already—no bodies left!"
From those terrified by the escalating fight, to those coolly assessing and watching outside.
"Ha! Allowing external intrusion twice. I misjudged the Church of the Main God. And at such a crucial moment!"
Even Crown Prince Simon, seizing the chance for politicking.
At least the impressive display seemed successful.
'Now for the finale... Should Harris sneak in a spoon while we're at it?'
Yeah, Harris wasn't lead actor yet.
But stealing a scene as a memorable cameo might work nicely.