Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: What a Beautiful World!
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Even with its upper body and skull exposed, Trias kept moving until its waist suddenly bent backward.
-Grrrrrind! Craaaack!
Its back arched until it touched its calves, and then its belly split horizontally. From the brown upper torso, a woman with enormous eyes sprouted right out.
Half of the woman's face was rotted away, flesh sloughing off in putrid chunks, while the other half beamed with a serene, benevolent smile.
As the woman raised her arm, dozens of eyeballs glared at me with malicious intensity, blinking and weeping tears of blood.
Her mouth opened, unleashing a horrifying wail that echoed through the air.
-Kyaaaaah!
The moment I heard that banshee scream, my guts churned, and my head spun wildly.
I kept my back straight and turned my head just enough to vomit.
Bending over now felt like it would get my head lopped off for real.
-Urk! Ptui!
"You twisted bastards really do it all, huh? Two-phase fights are your baseline?"
In response to my question, the monster in the woman's form—still smiling serenely—just extended its hand toward the sky, and a bubbling black orb materialized.
I couldn't just stand there watching, so I fired off a spell with the mana I'd hastily gathered. But a whip-like tendril from the orb sliced through my magic like it was erasing it.
The real sense of crisis hit me, and the woman clasped her hands together as if in prayer.
My senses screamed in warning, so I threw myself aside, rolling away. A massive scar appeared where I'd been, as if the wall itself had been wiped away.
"Ah-ha! So that's what you used to wipe your god's ass! Explains why that bastard's butt split into four cheeks!"
Even my cheap taunt didn't faze her serene smile. Above the woman's head, the orb roiled like boiling tar.
-Bubbling...
-Sploooosh!
Mad torrents of energy poured out, forcing me to leap around pathetically—rolling left, right, dodging every which way. But my body was being shredded in real time.
That's when Lancelot and Veronica arrived, having finished off the dark mages.
"Apostle!"
I shouted urgently.
"Don't block it—dodge! You can't let it touch you!"
They caught on quick and started evading the incoming blasts.
"Damn! Liam, what the hell is that?!"
"Boss!"
I fired off spells whenever I caught even a sliver of an opening, but the eyeballs on its forearms rolled alertly, shooting down every one.
This wasn't working. I needed to deal with those eyes first. I squeezed my Mana Circle to its limit.
My head burned like it was on fire, but now I could vividly sense the form, texture, and mana of everything around me.
It was an insight spell I'd only practiced, since my enlightenment wasn't deep enough yet.
"Both of you, fall back!"
Seeing Veronica and Lancelot approach with her halberd split in half, I activated the spell.
Space warped like a twisted cube, the floor rippling softly.
This magic used light spells to deceive the eyes.
It scanned with mana sense or memorized objects, shaped them with telekinesis, then painted illusions over them.
Someone might ask what made it different from illusion magic. Illusion magic shocks the target's mind and induces hallucinations, but this one...
-Slam!
...made the walls close in like they were attacking, dealing physical damage through optical illusions.
Light spells ricocheted off the walls, streaking toward Trias. The fractured ceiling beams stabbed down like rebar at its head.
The eyeballs on its forearms rolled frantically, trying to parse the upside-down, dizzying world.
Attacks whizzed past me, chilling my spine, but stopping the spell now meant death. I wrung out every last drop of strength.
The eyeballs tracked my inverting position—up, down, left, right—missing their marks, striking wrong spots.
I couldn't even speak, blood streaming from my eyes and nose.
My heart pounded so hard breathing hurt. Even natural mana, which I'd grown used to, burned my Mana Circuits as I hurled and received it frantically.
I urgently beckoned Veronica and Lancelot behind me, gesturing for them to attack.
"Yes! Just hold on a bit longer!"
Somehow understanding, Veronica dropped to her knees and began praying. A radiant circle formed beneath Trias's feet.
Sensing danger, Trias tried to retreat, but its confused senses tangled its legs.
-Kieeeek!
The once-benevolent woman's form twisted grotesquely, her black orb swelling. Then brilliant light flashed from Veronica, and a pillar of holy power engulfed Trias from the circle below.
-Kyaaaaaaaah!
Trias writhed in agony within the soaring pillar of light, like a burning insect. It felt so damn satisfying.
I released my strength and collapsed right there.
Blood streaked my face in ugly smears, my body shredded and ragged.
Veronica, drained too, unclasped her hands and braced against the floor.
"Cough! I'm... gonna die..."
"You can't... die... Apostle."
"Liam!"
Lancelot rushed over, supporting my back. He pulled potions from his subspace pouch, shoving one in my mouth and pouring the rest over me.
"Hey... I can't... move..."
"No way! If you die, who'm I gonna hang with?!"
I'm not dying, you insolent punk... Seeing him teary-eyed like a true friend cracked me up.
Thankfully, only a charred black husk remained where the holy pillar had faded.
But just as relief washed over me, an impossible sound rang out.
-Crackle, crunch, snap, bubble bubble
"What... the... fuck...!"
Trias rose slowly from the spot, black ooze leaking from its burned skin, time reversing on its body.
Above its fire-scorched mouth, gums clung to its teeth. Somehow, it looked like it was mocking us with a grin.
Lancelot bolted forward, sword in hand.
"Die!"
Trias didn't even glance, just swung its arm. Lancelot flew into the wall.
-Boom!
"Guh!"
He slid down, leaving a hole in the wall, collapsing.
I strained my neck, mustering every ounce of strength, but my body wouldn't budge.
Veronica tried to stand too, but her legs shook uselessly.
Drained of mana, its charred hand reached for my throat.
"Fucking... creep..."
As despair set in...
"Good work."
Grandfather stood behind Trias, his magic circle faded, looking weary.
Trias whipped its head around too late—Grandfather had already fired a star-like mana bullet into its body.
The embedded shot devoured sound as it triggered spells, leaving nothing above Trias's shins.
Nice finishing blow.
I sighed inwardly, gave a mental thumbs-up, and blacked out.
A refreshing morning dawned! Waking up is pure joy. When the vibrant colors of a beautiful world fill my eyes, gratitude swells for simply being alive here.
Bright sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the fluffy white bed.
Seeing the pristine blanket made me feel the servants' hard work, an oddly itchy sensation.
As I tried to stretch, putting strength into my arms, I noticed Jenia fast asleep, gripping my hand tightly.
Her lovely pink hair cascaded over the white blanket like melting snow.
She looked so adorable that I squeezed her hand and combed her hair with my free fingers.
Jenia blinked sleepily awake, then her eyes widened.
"Your Highness! You're awake!"
Stunned, she stared at me—so pretty I gazed blankly. Tears welled in her eyes.
Ah, don't cry.
I smiled brightly, hoping she'd stop.
"Morning, Jenia? Seeing your pretty face first thing makes the world even brighter. Thanks, fiancée!"
"Y-Y-Y-Yes?!"
Her face flushed beet red at my words.
A strong impulse hit me. I tugged her clasped hand.
-Mwah!
Kissing her forehead turned her face an even deeper crimson.
Her damp eyes matched the red on her cheeks. I said,
"Sorry, couldn't help it. You're just too cute."
I pulled her stammering hand tighter.
"See, Jenia? You're strong, but you come so helplessly. Push me away if you don't like it."
"Y-Your... Highness..."
I pulled her into an embrace. She squirmed in my arms but couldn't bring herself to push away, mumbling shyly.
I wrapped my arm around her waist, locking eyes.
I wiped her teary eyes and gently stroked her cheek.
Feeling her heart race wildly against me, I said,
"Not pushing away? Make that cute face and stay still... you know what happens?"
She just flapped her lips helplessly.
My hand caressing her face trailed to her chin, then softly fondled her ear.
"Eep!"
She jolted in surprise, trying to pull away, but I hugged her waist tighter.
She twisted, attempting escape, but lacked the strength—just wriggled.
"I said it's okay to push, but I hope you don't, Jenia. Yeah? You'll grant my wish?"
"Y-Yes..."
Dazed, she twitched as I lightly stroked her earlobe.
Her flushed red ear peeking through pink hair was irresistible. I leaned in and nibbled it.
-Nom
"Kyaa!"
Her startled jump cracked me up. I burst out laughing and let her go.
"Puhahaha! Jenia, just kidding~ You're too cute; had to tease. No crying, okay?"
She whimpered in my arms.
I released her, wiped her damp eyes, and said,
"So don't cry, Jenia. I just want you smiling."
Confused, she yielded her face to my touch.
After a while, distant footsteps approached—three sets. Veronica, Lancelot, and Grandfather!
Somehow, I could predict them just from the sound afar.
They opened the door. Shocked, Veronica rushed first.
"Apostle! Are you okay?!"
Grateful for her worry despite our short time together, I pulled the oncoming Veronica into a hug.
"Hyah! Apostle?"
She let out a weird moan but nestled into my arms obediently.
I whispered in her flustered ear,
"Thanks, Veronica. You've done so much, yet you follow me like this. If you want, I'd love to be with you forever."
Where else would I find comrades who thought of me this way?
Touched, Veronica nodded vigorously.
"Yes! Yes yes! I love it! Forever... I'll follow you to hell itself, Apostle!"
She clung tight, burying her face in my chest, breathing deeply.
I stroked her purring head. Grandfather pondered with hand on chin; Lancelot stared like 'Is he nuts?'
Still petting Veronica, I told Lancelot,
"Insolent punk."
"...Huh?"
"Thanks for being my friend anyway, punk."
Lancelot rubbed his nose sheepishly.
"Crazy bastard. Heh."
I turned to Grandfather, deep in thought.
"Grandfather, thanks for always looking after a guy whose only talent is magic."
He grinned and placed a hand on my head.
"Haha! 'Only magic'? Don't be modest. Why would a grandpa need a reason to care for his grandson? Looks like it's time to seal it."
"Pardon?"
A magic circle spread around him. He placed his hand on my crown and channeled mana.
My head felt clogged. The world grayed out, like ice water dumped straight on my brain—my mind snapped clear.
Regaining senses, I recalled my thoughts and words. Embarrassment flooded in.
"Uh... Grandfather, this is...?"
He lifted his hand, smiling.
"The mana flow through the circuit in your head was abnormal. A normal mage taking natural mana like you would boil their brains to mush."
"Then why did I...?"
"You assimilated with the world, seeing it as beautiful. Elevated spirit, sense of omnipotence, right? Be careful reaching the 6th Circle. Mess up, and your spirit becomes ethereal, body discarded, soul severed and vanishes."
Chills ran down my spine. Basically, ascension where your soul doesn't reach heaven and just fades?
I asked urgently,
"A-Am I okay now?"
"Put a temporary veil on your head. It'll fade naturally with growth. Hahaha!"
He boomed heartily,
"How's it feel, tasting a fragment of the 6th Circle?"
How? Mortifying. And his realm felt insanely vast—sparking curiosity about the 8th.
I smiled awkwardly. He roared with laughter, ruffled my hair, and left to prepare breakfast.
Looking around: Lancelot muttering, nose-wiping, 'Manly friendship? Punk...'; Veronica grinning goofily in my arms; Jenia staring blankly, unblinking.
Veronica's mumbling echoed in the room.
"Ehehehe, slurp! Hehehe."