Chapter 248
Chapter 248
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: If You Meet God, Kill God (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A single ray of light cleaved everything Sidhurst had created.
Mana arrays, magic structures, blazing mana flames, and eye-beguiling illusions—all lumped together into one mass and sliced clean in half.
The world tilted from the rift, slipping downward.
Sidhurst's eyes widened.
"Ah......"
He couldn't comprehend what he had witnessed.
The magic had been severed from its very roots.
Was such a thing even possible?
Sidhurst stared blankly as the world shattered into pieces.
His domain slowly faded away.
Now he stood amid darkness.
"This is......"
The Prince of Brioll, facing him, stood at a slant with his sword trained on him.
"How about it, Sidhurst? Does your cowardice finally feel a spark?"
"You are......"
"Oh, perfect. You look more presentable now."
Sidhurst reflexively groped where Yuri's gaze fell.
The lush white beard he had so proudly cherished was gone. In place of hair, only a scrap of his robe clutched in his hand.
As promised, Yuri had lopped it off.
"Th-this......"
Rage flared in Sidhurst's eyes.
"My precious beard!"
He summoned mana once more. Purple-glowing magic circles formed at his feet, rising one by one and multiplying. Dozens of them aligned in a cylinder, spinning around Sidhurst.
Sidhurst thrust out both hands.
"I won't let you get away!"
But Yuri merely swung his sword with calm composure.
And that was enough.
The sword qi of Heart-Soul Severing brutally shattered Sidhurst's mana.
"My god......"
It resembled a dispel, but the principle was utterly different.
If a dispel interfered with mana arrays to scatter them, Yuri's sword qi simply slashed the mana itself.
Could this even be called swordsmanship?
Sidhurst felt an instinctive dread toward Yuri.
"You couldn't possibly be......"
He swallowed hard.
As master of the Magic Tower, Sidhurst had attained realms higher than any other. He was a grand wizard like Inariel or Hernando, overseeing the tower.
His signature spell was the Complete Liberation Formula.
A magic that forged one's own dimension, severed from the outside world.
When Sidhurst willed it, no one could locate him.
Thus, he was confident he could always safeguard himself, no matter the peril.
That was why black magic threatening the world stirred no fear in him.
But.
This sword was different.
Sidhurst unwittingly stepped back.
He could sense it instinctively. The sword wielded by Brioll's prince, Yuri Brioll, slashed everything. Even his Complete Liberation Formula could not withstand that sword qi.
"Yuri Brioll."
"Scared now?"
"You couldn't possibly be......"
Sidhurst asked with grave seriousness.
"Can you slash black magic?"
Yuri, with Guilty slung over his shoulder, flashed Sidhurst a grin.
Yuri's jet-black hair merged indistinguishably with the enveloping darkness, yet his eyes— the same black— gleamed vividly, as if infused with light.
Yuri replied.
"I slash it."
"Ah......"
Sidhurst realized.
Now he understood.
He was nothing more than a fleeting bubble adrift in the world's current.
Magic Tower lord, master of unique magic, his lofty magical attainments— all meaningless.
He had thought humanity punished.
But no, the opposite.
Not punishment, but opportunity granted.
Now he could grasp why prodigies like Hernando and Marirose followed this young man.
Trembling with exhilaration, Sidhurst spoke.
"You... what is the name of that sword which slashes even black magic?"
"Heart-Soul Severing."
"A sword that cuts mind and soul......"
Mind, and soul.
If a blade that rends flesh could cleave beyond...
Would that not equate to slaying a god?
Sidhurst closed his eyes.
Even in this moment, he felt them— beings lurking beyond the dimension, forever watching this world.
Disasters, they were. When storms rage, humans cower in caves, trembling until silence returns.
Yet one had arisen to defy them.
"I see."
Sidhurst opened his mouth.
"What you aim to do... it won't be easy."
"Doesn't matter."
"Countless foes will bar your path."
"I'll slash them."
"Your brothers?"
"I'll kill them."
"And if the gods themselves stand in your way?"
Yuri Brioll curled his lip, replying without a shred of hesitation.
"If I meet a god, I'll kill the god."
Sidhurst erupted in booming laughter. Yuri blinked in confusion.
"What's with the sudden cackling?"
Harsh words, yet Sidhurst laughed on, unperturbed.
"Yuri Brioll. Even you may not grasp the true meaning of the sword you wield, but......"
Sidhurst lowered his staff and approached Yuri.
With every step, his shoulders lightened.
The weight of his heart, borne for ages, finally ebbed away.
Perhaps rash.
But the sword of Brioll's prince carried such gravity. Even in failure, he would not regret this instant.
"Having encountered that sword, choice is forfeit. I'll cooperate fully from here on."
"Why the flip? Now I feel bad bantering casually. Yo."
"Freely as you like."
"N-no thanks. Age and all."
"Hahahahaha......"
"Allies now, so proper respect's due."
"Sly as they come."
Sidhurst said,
"A forewarning: the enemies you'll face dwarf your imaginings."
"I'm ready."
"Never lose that resolve. Only the stronger soul can sever those drowned in darkness."
Suddenly, their surroundings shifted.
Darkness receded, revealing a dilapidated log cabin where they stood.
"Where's this?"
"My dwelling."
Shabby for a grand wizard's lair. Devoid of possessions. Through the window, dense forest loomed.
Yuri glanced around.
"Why here? Allies now— let's head back."
"One moment, please."
Sidhurst positioned himself before a wall mirror.
"Know why I grew my hair and beard so long?"
"Too annoying to trim?"
"Opposite. Ever tried maintaining them? Truth is, I itched to cut daily."
"Then why?"
"To remember."
Sidhurst grasped a dagger from the table.
"To remember I'm a doddering old man. Shun idle fancies, let years drift by as elders do."
He shed his robe, then his shirt.
Yuri marveled.
"Oh......"
A physique defying age— sturdy, unyielding. Not bulky, but lean muscle densely packed.
Sidhurst grinned at his reflection.
"No need anymore."
The dagger danced.
Long white locks tumbled down. He cropped his hair soldier-short, shaved his beard to mere gray stubble.
One spared forelock draped over his face.
"S-Sidhurst. You......"
Yuri called his name, voice quavering.
At first, just a wrinkled, white-maned geezer.
Now, post-grooming, a fierce, macho mid-lifer straight from an imperial stage play stood there.
"Well? Different now?"
"Like a revolutionary defying the empire. Before, a corrupt mage chasing empire's glory."
"Hahahaha......"
Laughing heartily, Sidhurst swung his staff.
"Back we go."
They stood once more atop the cliff.
Hernando and Marirose, parked awkwardly, gawked.
Sidhurst ignored the piercing stares, pivoted. Gazed at the vast expanse beyond the precipice, arm outstretched to Yuri.
Tall for his years, shoulders aligned with Yuri's.
Sidhurst and Yuri, arms linked, surveyed the boundless plain ahead.
Behind them, Hernando and Marirose murmured.
"Wh-where'd the hair and beard go?"
"His Highness cut 'em, tidy-up job."
"Lost the fight?"
"Duh. Mage beating a Ten Strong swordsman?"
"Expected more from Sidhurst."
"Pfft. Anyway, sudden bromance arm-in-arm?"
"His Highness specialty. Bash 'em, play nice, flip to allies. Loyal dogs every time."
"Hernando too?"
"Nah! Spotted his spark young, stuck since."
"Sure."
After their buddy moment, Yuri and Sidhurst returned to the table.
No more rebukes or beard threats— now warm gazes exchanged.
"Sidhurst. Here's to working together."
"My honor to meet you."
Hernando and Marirose sat speechless, incredulous.
Yuri pressed on.
"Will you denounce the empire and black magic?"
"Indeed. But first, heed this."
Sidhurst absently stroked his absent beard, then dropped his hand.
"The empire's likely finished their ritual."
"Pardon?"
"I observed the black magic. That Cedric too."
Yuri's face hardened.
"Mastered it superbly. Miracles fueled by human lives and souls— not bound to our world alone. Others crave it."
"You mean......"
"He's summoned otherworldly entities. Horrors feasting on human souls and agony. To name it......"
Sidhurst cleared his throat, then continued.
"The empire has summoned a god from another realm."
Cory hauled Rolang to a village in the Small Nation Alliance and got him admitted.
Tiny temple, scant beds. The priest, spotting their faces, demanded extra coin.
Cory paid it all, no choice.
Most of their hard-saved funds.
Rolang lay swathed head to toe in bandages; Cory stayed bedside, tending nonstop.
The priest nagged each pass.
"You there. Squatting forever?"
"Blood's seeping......"
"Parked like that? Pay board too."
"Mercy, please. Gotta nurse him."
"Who're you to nurse?"
"Healer sir. Pretty please. Hehe......"
"Tch, filthy wretches......"
The priest turned, muttering venom.
Priests Cory knew at least played devout; this one was pure huckster.
But nowhere else to turn.
Cory gazed at comatose Rolang.
"Hoo......"
Meanwhile, the priest yammered afar with a villager guest.
"Admit? No way. Two freakish uglies already crammed in. How bad? Hideous— best avoid. Priest mercy took 'em. Tsk......"
Cory eyed the god's symbol on the wall.
A mercy-preaching priest scorning them for looks.
The priest's mutter drifted.
"Not one, two freaks. Rotten luck. Eh?"
The priest ranted on.
"Both freaks. Freaks......"
Cory peered at Rolang's face.
Hood off for care, his mangled visage fully bared. Handsome days gone. Uglier than Cory, even.
"Sir Rolang."
No reply to the call. Crushed nostrils wheezed faintly.
Cory recalled Rolang of old.
He shone.
Looks, heart, noble blood, raw talent— all radiant.
No more.
Now a greater eyesore, scorned by all.
Cory laid a hand on Rolang's cheek, lips quirking in a smile. He stifled laughter; muffled breaths echoed through the room awhile.
Cory whispered low.
"I won't betray you, Sir Rolang. Hehe......"