Chapter 242: King of the Dead Subjugation (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 242: King of the Dead Subjugation (6)
[Whooooooo!!]
The mangled Qilin, Molikarth, let out a deafening roar.
Once a ferocious beast resembling a black giraffe, it had been slain by the Sword Saint, Gerald Astrea. Now, it had been resurrected as a demon. Empowered by Calgart’s dark influence, its appearance was even more grotesque and vicious than when it was alive.
The Third Legion of Düpfendorf clashed with the demonic horde.
Ice mages traded spells with the demon army, while Ice Knights moved with lethal precision, cutting down enemies with weapons infused with frigid mana. Nearby, the four paladins unleashed torrents of elemental magic, carving through the enemy ranks with practiced grace.
The knights and wizards of the Carnedas family watched in awe, deeply impressed by the combat prowess of the Düpfendorf soldiers.
“What in the world is that?!” a knight shouted.
Suddenly, fissures split open along the Qilin’s towering neck, which seemed to pierce the very clouds. These gaps began to draw in the surroundings with terrifying force.
Whooooooo!!
The dark mana infused in its neck amplified the suction to a supernatural level. Like a localized typhoon, trees were uprooted and pulled toward the Qilin’s maw. Everyone—except for the dark army shielded by a shadowy veil—had to brace themselves, driving their weapons into the earth or relying on defensive magic to keep from being swept away.
At that moment, a woman flew toward the Qilin without a hint of hesitation. It was Isabel Silverwolf, Commander of the Third Legion of Düpfendorf.
“Hup!”
She channeled frigid mana into her massive silver axe, Farahorn. Harnessing the Qilin’s own suction to accelerate, she swung the weapon with monstrous strength.
Kwaaaaaaa!!!
Farahorn’s blade slammed into the Qilin’s neck. The frost spread like a contagion, instantly freezing the flesh upon impact. Though the creature's neck was tougher than tempered steel, preventing her from severing it in a single blow, she succeeded in inflicting a devastating wound.
[Wooooooo!!!]
The Qilin shrieked in agony. As it violently thrashed its neck in resistance, Isabel made a hasty retreat.
The sensation of weightlessness was fleeting. A white familiar soared in, and she landed firmly on its back. It was her white griffin—a creature with the head of an eagle, wings wreathed in cold air, and a powerful, four-legged body.
With half of the Qilin’s enormous neck frozen solid, many of the suction gaps were choked with ice. The forces of Düpfendorf and the Carnedas family regained their footing and resumed their fierce assault on the demon army.
“Now this is getting interesting!” Isabel chuckled, spurring her familiar to dive toward the Qilin once more.
The Qilin spewed a thick cloud of dark mana and swung its long neck like a massive, blunt flail. A heavy, bone-shaking crash reverberated through the air. A direct hit from that neck would shatter anyone instantly. Furthermore, the remaining gaps on its neck continued to pull at the air, threatening to turn anyone who lost their balance into the Qilin’s prey.
Yet, even in the face of such grave danger, Isabel laughed.
“For the Ice Sovereign!”
Isabel spurred her griffin, once again using the suction force to build momentum. The strategy to defeat the Qilin was simple: utilize its own power to gain the speed and force necessary to cleave through its hide.
She swung Farahorn with every ounce of her strength.
“For victory!”
Kwaaaaang!!!
The axe collided with the Qilin’s neck, releasing a localized shockwave of cold. The blade bit deep into the tough hide, and the remaining unscathed flesh began to freeze solid. The Qilin staggered precariously, screaming in torment.
The Carnedas soldiers were stunned. Isabel, fighting that black giraffe, was practically a monster herself. How had a woman of such caliber remained unknown to the world until now?
The Ice Kingdom, Düpfendorf, was a secluded land buried under eternal winters. Due to its geographic isolation, it was regarded as a quiet nation with limited diplomatic ties. However, rumors had always persisted that the country was a powder keg, possessing terrifying military power concentrated within its small borders.
The Carnedas soldiers realized the truth of those rumors at that moment. These people were monsters.
*
Meanwhile, at Märchen Academy.
The academy had declared a state of emergency. They had detected a horde of demons rapidly approaching through the heavy, dark clouds. The academy’s combat forces and the Imperial Knights were currently crossing the landing bridge to intercept them.
Once the main forces departed, a massive barrier was erected around the island. Maintaining such a sturdy barrier required immense resources and high-level wizards, but with the support of the Imperial Court and various investors, Märchen Academy managed it without issue.
“Who are they…?”
Magrio, Vice-Commander of the Fenrir Knights—the 4th Order—spotted two female students standing at the front of the landing bridge.
One had light purple hair and wore a witch’s hat; it was Dorothy Heartnova, perched casually on the bridge’s railing. The other had long rose-gold hair adorned with morpho butterfly hairpins; it was Luce Eltania, standing perfectly still as she watched the horizon.
Everyone knew who they were. Both were renowned geniuses and the most powerful figures within Märchen Academy.
“They’re almost here.”
Dorothy adjusted her hat and hopped off the railing to stand beside Luce.
“Hey, Stalker. Don’t get in my way, alright?”
“Shut it.”
Luce, who was already warming up her lightning mana, responded coldly without even glancing at Dorothy.
Shortly after the vacation had started, Isaac had asked them for a favor. He had to go hunt demons and requested that they protect the academy in case of an emergency.
Luce observed the approaching horde. A black dragon made of human corpses—the Evil Dragon Orchis—was leading a swarm of winged demons toward them. Even the lesser demons appeared to be constructed from the dead.
The sight had initially shocked her, but she had long since regained control of her emotions.
“What a persistent bastard…” Luce muttered, her voice laced with anger.
The sight of the resurrected Evil Dragon brought back memories of her life as Gretel. Her brother Hansel’s brutal death, the heart-wrenching end of the Candy House Witch, and the fierce rampage of the Thunderbird—all of it was because of that cursed dragon.
She saw dark mana leaking from the mouths of the corpses that formed the dragon’s body. It was a demon now. The dead dragon had been revived as a monstrosity.
Luce lowered her gaze, her rose-gold hair veiling her eyes. Perhaps this was for the best. This was her chance to completely end that cursed dragon with her own hands.
“…”
Dorothy sensed the weight of Luce’s emotions and offered a generous smile.
“Alright! Then I’ll sweep away these small fries like dust!” Dorothy shouted confidently, planting her hands on her hips.
“…What?” Luce looked at Dorothy, her expression icy.
“I don’t like that freaky corpse dragon anyway, so why don’t you take care of it?”
“…”
“Don’t want to?” Dorothy tilted her head, smiling mischievously.
Luce stared at her for a moment, then closed her eyes and shook her head. “I was planning on doing that anyway, whether you said so or not.”
“Nee-hee-hee! You little prude. Good luck!”
Dorothy laughed heartily. Cloaked in a mantle of colorful starlight mana, she took to the sky, flying straight toward the demon army. Soon, a dazzling explosion of starlight filled the distance.
Boooooom!!!
The blast swept through the demon ranks. The resulting gust of wind blew Luce’s hair wildly. Though she loathed to admit it, Dorothy possessed power befitting the second strongest student at Märchen Academy, surpassed only by Isaac.
The Evil Dragon attempted to counterattack, but Dorothy dodged effortlessly, focusing her attention on thinning out the other demons.
Now, Luce had only one task left: to destroy that damned dragon.
Luce extended her left arm, gathering lightning mana. The summoning circle on her wrist began to glow with a vibrant purple light.
“Galia.”
Kuuuuuuu!!
As she softly uttered the name, dark clouds swirled violently in the sky. The Imperial Knights felt the surge of mana and looked up in awe.
Kwagagang!!
A fierce screech echoed through the air as purple lightning flickered within the storm. Piercing through the clouds, a black Thunderbird wreathed in lightning revealed itself to the world. Thunderbird Galia spread its wings wide and roared above Luce.
[Kiyaaaaa!!!]
Galia sensed Luce’s cold, refined fury. The Thunderbird’s own emotions were no different.
[Guooooo!!]
The Evil Dragon Orchis noticed the Thunderbird’s lightning amidst its skirmish with Dorothy. Instinctively, the ancient grudge it held in life was reignited. The human corpses forming its body emitted dark mana, their mouths agape in silent cries of vengeance.
The dragon extended its long, rotting body and charged toward the Thunderbird.
Seven lightning magic circles expanded above Luce’s head. Her mana surged as she thrust her left arm forward. The gemstone embedded in the Ring of the Abyssal Queen on her finger glowed brilliantly, enhancing her water and lightning magic. Luce felt the concentration of mana in her circuits reach a fever pitch.
The clouds formed by the Evil Dragon’s dark mana clashed with the Thunderbird’s storm, plunging the world into darkness. Black and purple lightning tore at each other within the roiling clouds.
Kwagagagang!!!
This was the cliff connecting to the landing bridge. Behind her lay the bridge and the sea. The storm clouds scattered purple lightning across the water like torrential rain. Each strike sent waves of mana sweeping across the ground and sea alike.
The waves roared violently. Those still crossing the bridge had to stop and brace themselves against the gale.
“Damn, ugh…!”
Magrio was stunned. Is this truly the power of a mere student?
It would take several high-ranking Imperial Wizards to match the sheer output Luce was displaying. He realized once again how unreasonable geniuses were. Even in the shadow of the Ice Sovereign, Luce Eltania was a formidable monster.
“It’s been a while.”
The Evil Dragon had closed the distance. Its stench was overwhelming.
With a calm greeting, Luce waved her arm, and several magic circles discharged purple lightning.
Pajijijijik!!
Tsupapapapa!!!!
The lightning split into dozens of branches like glowing roots, tearing through the air. It took the form of chains as it pursued the Evil Dragon.
The five-star lightning spell, [Chain Lightning].
To counter, the dragon unleashed dark magic, its scream layered with countless human voices. Black lightning flashed. From the dragon’s body, dark bolts stretched out like dozens of chains toward Luce.
Kwaaaaang!!!
The black and purple lightning collided, erupting in a brilliant explosion. Luce sneered coldly.
“Weak.”
The dragon, though engulfed in dark mana, had lost the overwhelming strength it possessed in the past. It had lost its true power when it cursed the Thunderbird before its death.
Luce felt a mix of emotions. She was angry that she couldn't fight the dragon at its peak, and she found it pathetic that it had been resurrected in such a grotesque fashion.
Luce reached out toward the dragon once more. Purple mana surged around her, ruffling her rose-gold hair. [Chain Lightning] had merely been a warm-up. The next attack would be the real deal.
The remnants of lightning in the air paved the way. For a moment, everyone watching saw nothing but a blinding flash. Luce’s magic circle erupted with a tremendous roar, firing a colossal bolt of lightning.
Kwaaaaaang!!!!
The beam of lightning extended like a ray of judgment, engulfing the dragon. Amidst the ear-splitting noise, the dragon shrieked.
The seven-star lightning spell, [Thunderstorm Annihilation].
The beam’s momentum eventually faded, the light tapering into a thin line before vanishing. However, the Evil Dragon did not die. Writhing in pain, its long body smoked and twisted. The corpses making up its form, now charred and unrecognizable, began to fall away like chunks of burnt flesh. Yet, there were still plenty of corpses left to sustain it.
Suddenly, dark purple magic circles formed around each of the remaining corpses. Surrounded by these circles, the dragon charged at Luce and the Thunderbird. As Luce fired another [Thunderstorm Annihilation], the dragon’s numerous magic circles simultaneously unleashed hundreds of branches of black lightning.
The two spells collided.
Kwaaaaaang!!!!!
A massive explosion and a deafening roar followed. A powerful shockwave spread out, uprooting the surrounding trees. Luce shielded her face with her arms, but the force of the blast swept her slender body out toward the sea.
The Thunderbird swooped in. Using basic lightning magic, Luce utilized magnetic force to pull herself onto the Thunderbird’s back.
“Kugh…!”
Luce clutched her chest, coughing. Blood trickled down from her forehead. She realized then that the sharp, thin branches of lightning had pierced her body. Fortunately, thanks to her sturdy [Basic Protection Magic], she hadn’t been injured enough to lose consciousness. However, the sensation of her insides tearing and the black current coursing through her skin caused her body to convulse.
[Luce, are you alright?!]
“I’m fine…”
The pain was almost welcome.
As Luce flew over the sea on the Thunderbird, the Evil Dragon, once again surrounded by magic circles, charged. Despite being weakened, it was as tenacious as ever. The reason the Candy House Witch and the Thunderbird had struggled against Orchis in the past was its relentless persistence.
Kwagagagang!!!
The Thunderbird crossed the sea, the dragon in hot pursuit. They exchanged lightning attacks and defenses, engaging in a fierce aerial battle. Among the forces on the landing bridge, wizards with flying familiars crossed the water to launch support spells at the dragon.
The corpses making up the dragon’s body fell into the sea one by one. Though they were landing effective hits, the dragon seemed unfazed, focusing solely on the Thunderbird.
It was an instinctual obsession. In the Evil Dragon’s eyes, there was only the Thunderbird. It intended to make the creature pay for killing it.
“Show some more spirit. This is getting boring,” Luce provoked the dragon, her voice amplified by magic.
Even from a distance, the rotting stench was pungent. It reminded her of the day the Candy House Witch died. Recalling that pain, Luce unleashed a barrage of lightning.
The sea was struck by countless bolts. Each clash of black and purple lightning sent heavy mana shockwaves that pushed back the academy’s forces and the Imperial Knights.
While manifesting a vast array of purple magic circles, Luce sharpened her senses. Her blood-tinged aquamarine eyes were fixed on the dragon, brimming with intense bloodlust. Her heart pounded wildly. The mana circulating through her surged and twisted in a new, strange rhythm.
As she forced herself to unleash spell after spell, drawing up mana repeatedly, Luce’s mind raced, constructing a new formula at an incredible speed.
Memories of losing Hansel and crying while holding the dying Witch flashed through her mind. That regret clung to her, refusing to let go. But now, she looked toward the future. She thought of her daily life with those she loved.
Should I view regret as a terrible shackle?
No.
Luce decided to embrace her regret. She would cherish the memories of her loved ones while facing the future head-on.
“Thank you,” Luce said, stretching her left arm toward the sky. “For giving me the chance to kill you with my own hands.”
Lightning and water magic circles formed a grand, harmonious trajectory. Those called geniuses often achieved new heights through pure instinct. At this moment, Luce’s will constructed a new, high-level spell.
Pwaaaaaaa!!!
As if responding to the lightning in the sky, numerous waterspouts rose from the sea. Hundreds of branches of purple lightning merged with every waterspout that touched the Thunderbird’s storm clouds. The magic circles Luce had unleashed radiated a blinding light. Indescribable mana ravaged the sky and sea.
“Fall.”
Luce lowered her arm.
The storm clouds swirled, and a massive whirlwind wreathed in lightning descended.
Kwagagagang!!!!!
Paaaaaaaa!!!!!!
A flash of deep azure. A deafening peal of thunder.
The whirlwind of thunder and lightning engulfed the dragon, and hundreds of thick branches of purple lightning split the sea.
The 8-star fusion spell, [Leviathan]—a combination of water and lightning.
A heavy, crushing current shattered the dragon’s form, and the intense lightning pierced through its entire being. The Evil Dragon crashed into the depths, meeting its second demise in an instant.