Chapter 548: Omen (17)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 548: Omen (17)
It was no coincidence that Murakan had met Misha after escorting Quicantel. Nor was it a coincidence that Jin had failed to find Misha despite searching through her various hideouts until now.
—If you are that worried, I will issue an order to increase the personnel tracking Misha. Will that be enough to ease your anxiety?
—[...Fine, I understand. It would be much better to have Murakan’s sister in our hands.]
—It is a pity we missed her by a hair’s breadth not long ago. Regardless, I am more concerned about my son than the 12th Flagbearer or the Black Dragons.
Misha had been hiding to evade Zipple’s pursuit.
Sensing that the atmosphere within the Empire was unusual, she had been preparing to meet Jin. Even after the Sword Emperor Holy War began, she had been forced to be cautious about joining the fray. Should she suffer a major injury in this war, it could cause irreversible setbacks to all of Solderet’s affairs that she was managing by proxy.
However, Jin being killed or captured would be more than just a “setback.” Thus, she immediately joined Murakan and stood here now.
As Jin’s other guardian dragon, her primary duty was to protect him.
Misha transformed into her human form and took her place beside Jin. Murakan stood behind them like a massive black mountain, his amber eyes smoldering like flames.
“It has been a long time.”
Misha’s voice, firm yet clear, felt more reassuring than anything else.
With this, I might be able to take Pluto’s Sovereign Sword out of the equation entirely.
Pluto’s Sovereign Sword was, quite literally, a last resort. Even if he were to unleash that blade and defeat Octavia and the Wraith Squad, Jin would never be able to see the end of this war with his own eyes. He had only considered it because there seemed to be no other answer.
As far as Jin knew, Misha was undoubtedly the strongest dragon currently in existence. He could still vividly recall her casually beating Murakan even after he had regained forty percent of his power.
True to form, Murakan must have said something unnecessary to Misha on the way here; traces of spirit energy, looking like blood, stained the corners of his mouth. It wasn't a serious injury, but it was clear he had been struck for his usual impudence.
“I have missed you, Lady Misha.”
“I am sure you have. I, too, have much to discuss with you. But before that…”
A black spear formed in Misha’s hand.
That spear technique, personally named ‘Shadowless Spear’ by Temar, had also held back Octavia and the Wraith Squad two years ago on Veradin’s island.
“I must first clear away those who are interfering with our reunion. We’ve met before, haven’t we? Child of Zipple.”
Octavia’s eyebrows twitched.
“Black Dragon Misha… Two years ago and even now. I thought you only had a talent for running away, but it seems you also have a knack for making a nuisance of yourself. You must have been busy evading our pursuit; it’s impressive you managed to find your way here.”
Misha gave a faint smile.
“I felt this two years ago as well, but you really ought to learn some manners. Even Riol Zipple was extremely cautious when speaking to me, yet your constant insolence is starting to get on my nerves…”
Those who heard her voice felt a cold killing intent seep into their spines.
Murakan, in particular, hadn't seen Misha show genuine anger in a very long time. The sight made his scales stand on end as unpleasant old memories resurfaced.
I’ve never seen a mortal survive after provoking this hideous demon’s temper… That Octavia woman won't be having a peaceful passing, whether it's today or whenever.
Of course, Octavia did not seem intimidated in the least.
“Is that so? I wasn't aware. I’ll be sure to tell the family historians. If there are any records of the former Patriarch Riol using honorifics with a wench like you, I’ll tell them to erase them.”
“Hey, hey, hey. You should probably stop—”
Murakan, who had spoken up reflexively, cut himself off after reading Misha’s aura.
Naturally, Murakan wasn't trying to give Octavia advice out of concern for her. He was simply worried that the ferocious monster beside him would vent her lingering irritation and rage on him later.
Ah, damn it. I can only hope that old hag has matured enough not to do that anymore. Just wait until I get all my strength back…
Jin wasn't the only one who felt reassured by Misha’s unexpected appearance. The Barmul Alliance and the Sword Saints felt the same. They were shocked; despite standing with her back to them, she revealed not a single opening in her posture.
So that is Black Dragon Misha, the Lord’s second guardian dragon. Her presence is incredible.
Lord Murakan described her as a being too terrifying to even mention, and the rest of the family seemed quite afraid of her… Indeed, she is formidable.
Scary, really scary. I have to stay on her good side, thought Rata, Valkas, and Amela. Everyone else shared similar sentiments.
“You likely believe…”
Spirit energy spreading from the black spear formed black armor around Misha’s body. Fully armed, she looked like a grim reaper out of legend.
“…that you can erase history as you please forever. But it’s time you faced the truth. The world you dream of is already crumbling.”
KRA-BOOOM!
Coincidentally, the moment Misha finished speaking, the sky flashed with a light so bright it seemed to sear the eyes, followed by a deafening explosion. The Kozec’s main cannons, imbued with Kelliark’s mana, had clashed with Ron’s Imperial Sword secret technique.
Space—no, the entire sky—distorted and swirled from the impact. It was a force powerful enough to shatter the shields maintained by both Jin’s and Octavia’s groups.
The mages reflexively chose to redeploy their shields, while the warriors decided to charge. Jin didn't even need to give an order or a signal.
A high-speed melee. That was a warrior's best answer to top-tier mages.
Swish!
Her eyes flashed, and the black spear lunged first. Just like two years ago, Misha displayed monstrous strength, piercing through the center of Octavia’s and the Wraith Squad’s shields in a single strike.
As if expecting as much, Octavia immediately counterattacked with light magic while simultaneously trying to bind Misha’s feet with mana. The thirty members of the Wraith Squad reacted at nearly the same speed as Octavia, detonating their magic. All sorts of great magic were being chanted incessantly.
The swords of the Barmul Alliance and the Sword Saints also unleashed sharp waves of aura. Dozens of blades and staves clashed, and with every collision, the earth screamed and trembled.
At this rate, we can do this.
In truth, Octavia and the Wraith Squad were somewhat fatigued. As evidenced by Octavia’s ship, which had been completely destroyed upon reaching the ground, their path through the battle of giants had been much longer and more arduous than it had been for the Sword Emperor’s camp.
Even so, they would have been more than a match for the Barmul Alliance and the Sword Saints alone, but Misha’s intervention changed everything. It wasn't just that their chances of winning had increased. Misha was stronger than Jin had imagined, and above all, she had more experience fighting a magical unit like the Wraith Squad than anyone else in the world. For a full thousand years.
Furthermore, the old Wraith Squad she remembered was incomparable to the current one—much like the difference between the Runcandel Ten Great Knights and the Black Knights.
“You said earlier that I ran away while fighting you on that island. I wonder if that’s true?”
Misha’s black spear grazed Octavia’s cheek. Another spear thrust followed through the splattering droplets of blood, but Octavia struck the ground with her staff, creating a shockwave of light to block the attack.
A Light Speed Thrust followed through that opening. Had it not been for the Wraith Squad’s protection, even Octavia would not have escaped a fatal wound.
“On that island, the Palace Master and I were simply fighting while trying to kill as few of you as possible. Why? Because killing too many of you would have been a hassle later. You Zipples were never ones to concede defeat gracefully, after all.”
“You’re quite good at bluffing.”
As Octavia suggested, there was a bit of bluffing mixed in, but it wasn't entirely a lie. However, strangely enough, none of the magic from Octavia and the Wraith Squad was dealing any damage to Misha.
While it was partly thanks to Jin, the Barmul Alliance, and the Sword Saints holding the line, the core reason was that she completely understood the magic of the current generation’s Wraith Squad—thanks to their battle two years ago.
Furthermore, Misha possessed a very peculiar ability—one that had made Jin break into a cold sweat when he first saw it.
“You’re quite good at bluffing.”
Flinch!
Octavia couldn't help but turn her head at the sudden sound of her own voice, even though the enemy’s black spear was looming right before her eyes.
It was an irresistible impulse. What met her gaze in the next moment was another version of herself, standing there looking exactly like her.
Naturally, it was a fake formed from spirit energy by Misha. However, that fake was now saying this to Octavia:
“What is this…”
What is this? Octavia’s mind reeled. The expression on the clone’s face mirrored her own disbelief—the shock of seeing another ‘me’ that wasn’t ‘me.’ In that moment, Octavia instinctively realized this was all Misha’s doing and tried to react, but…
It was already too late. Showing an opening in a fight is always fatal. Especially when facing a being like Misha.
Thwack!
The black spear pierced Octavia’s shoulder.
“Ho, so you’re the Captain of the Wraiths for a reason. You actually managed to dodge that. I was hoping to remove that insolent mouth of yours.”
The Wraith Squad stepped forward, and Octavia retreated to put distance between herself and Misha. Unlike their frantic change in formation, Misha was smiling, seemingly having no intention of forcing a follow-up attack.
She then spoke.
“I, too, have tried defying providence once, just like you lot. Tell me, it doesn't feel very good, does it? That is exactly what you people are doing.”
The fake Octavia vanished, and in that moment, the dawn sky distorted once more.
The duel between Ron and Kelliark was growing more intense by the second. The tide of battle was turning toward Ron. His sword energy was gradually pushing back Kelliark’s magic.
“It seems your leader is also being pushed back by the Sword Emperor. And somewhere, Runcandel is likely waiting for an opportunity. Yet, the fact that you show no sign of retreating must mean you have something to rely on, doesn't it?”
Misha’s voice was low and menacing.
“Whatever it is, you will die without seeing the result.”
As Misha finished her sentence, Octavia could only grit her teeth.