Chapter 96
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: A Complete Mess (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
6.
Chains radiating an unholy aura ensnared Ifrits entire body.
Fwoosh!
White flames blazed fiercely, attempting to incinerate the chains, but they only tightened their grip on Ifrit.
The Spirit King, a transcendent being, couldnt even use his power properly.
The elf who had summoned Ifrit, Patrol Leader Orion, scowled deeply.
How could this have happened?
Ifrit. Burn the chains.
There was no way a mere warlocks chains could possibly restrain a Spirit King.
Spirit Kings were absolute beings.
Entities akin to gods, ruling over the pure forces of nature.
The situation is not good.
Ifrits calm voice echoed in his mind.
Weve fallen into a trap. These chains were not forged by humans.
If not by humans, then
I can feel a presence that stands at the pinnacle of demonic power.
A Demon King?
A name so profane it was a sin to utter.
This dreadful killing intent it feels like the aura of the Demon King of Massacre.
At Ifrits words, Orion bit his lip hard.
To think a Demon King was involved in this.
But Ifrits condition was visibly deteriorating.
Compared to when he was summoned in the Great Forest, his flames lacked their immense power.
The land is defiled. I cannot draw upon its power.
Is it impossible even for you?
The chains. We must deal with these damned chains first, Orion.
Grrrrrrr!
Groooaaan.
As if on cue, monsters that had been hiding throughout the fortress began to rise.
Orion let out a small sigh as he surveyed the creatures.
Perhaps I shouldn't have pushed forward.
He had known from the start that something was wrong with this land.
It was so polluted that not a trace of natural mana could be found.
The reason he had pressed on regardless was the variable named Ifrit.
He had judged that Ifrits power could turn the tide, but that had ultimately been a miscalculation.
He had never imagined that a mere warlock could bind a Spirit King.
Sshaaaaaaaa!
Just then, a bizarre sound echoed from the sky.
Orion looked up at the dark, cloud-covered heavens.
Your corpses will make for excellent offerings. Such pure mana! Far beyond what those insect-like creatures could ever provide.
A voice, thick as phlegm, boomed across the battlefield.
Rejoice. Your deaths will bring about the annihilation of the elves.
With those words, a purple eye emerged from between the dark clouds.
And with the eye as its center, the sky began to be consumed by a violet light.
A Chaos Gate.
Orion muttered under his breath, staring at the purple hue.
Once that light completely engulfed the sky, the accursed gate would open.
Orion. Dispel my summoning at once. My mana is being drained.
Ive been trying for some time, Ifrit.
He couldnt even cancel the summoning at will.
It was as if the chains had forcibly anchored Ifrits form to this place.
Orion let out a deep breath and nodded.
A fatal move.
They were ill-prepared compared to the enemy.
That much was now clear.
His fatal mistake was underestimating the enemys strength from the outset.
He should have brought more forces. He should have burned this corruption to its very roots, erased this place with all his might.
But it was too late for regrets.
Now was not the time for remorse, but for finding a solution.
Retreat.
Orion considered the most realistic option.
Halting the battle here and returning to the Great Forest to establish a defensive line might be the better choice.
Although the forest would suffer a massive blow, wouldn't the chances of victory be higher there?
As his thoughts tangled into a complicated knot, a voice rang out from behind him.
You look like you have a lot on your mind.
Orion turned to look at the speaker.
It was one of the humans who had suddenly intervened in the battlethe youngest-looking man among them.
The one who had been openly cursing.
A cynical smile played on his lips, as if he were mocking Orion.
To be honest, I didn't expect you to summon Ifrit. But it looks like things didn't go according to plan. Right?
You gain nothing from mocking me right now.
Karron stood before Orion. Then he spoke in a sly voice.
Im saying we should join hands. Theres a human saying, When youre planting rice, youll even borrow a cats paw.
He pointed at the chains binding Ifrit.
Even the Spirit King cant use his power properly. Weve got to do something, dont you think?
Orion quietly stared at Karrons face.
For some reason, he could feel an immense rage emanating from the humans face.
Humans were not to be trusted. But there was no doubting the fury pouring out of this young man.
Why?
What?
Their target is the Southern Great Forest anyway. It has nothing to do with you humans
Cut the bullshit.
Karron bared his teeth and continued.
Southern Great Forest or whatever, you think those bastards are going to pick and choose which race to kill? Unlike you, theyre very fair bastards. Theyll slaughter every last one of us, fair and square.
A thick killing intent flowed from Karrons body.
Grrrrr.
Sensing the opponent's dreadful hostility, the wolf let out a low growl.
You have exactly two choices right now. Become a sacrifice for that Chaos Gate, or tear that warlock to pieces with me.
It could have been dismissed as typical human bravado.
But Orion met Karrons gaze directly.
A faint scent of his own kind emanated from the human. And
The Mother has bestowed her grace upon you.
The mana of Mother World Tree.
He hadnt been able to confirm it properly in the heat of the moment, but he could definitely feel the Mothers mana.
Perhaps this human was a provision the Mother had prepared for them.
My name is Orion Windkeeper. I wish to know your name, young human.
At that, Karron smirked and replied.
Karron Leston.
The great clan of the North Sea, the nemesis of demons I see, so thats what this is.
You know my family?
How could I not?
Orion nodded, his expression softening considerably. Then he spoke in a low voice.
Very well, Karron Leston. I will fight with you.
He had finally made his choice.
Shouldve said that from the start.
With a casual swing of his sword, Karron pointed to the top of the impossibly high spire.
The warlock is up there.
He had already pinpointed the location through Guillotine.
The warlock was conducting the ritual at the very top of the spire.
They could try climbing it, but that was practically a suicide mission.
There was no way the warlock hadn't set up any traps inside the spire.
Can you get me up there?
At those words, Orions brow furrowed slightly.
I can, but as you can see, weve already lost air superiority.
The gargoyles summoned by the warlock had already seized control of the skies.
But Karron waved his hand as if it were no problem.
Ill take care of that You can do it, right?
I can.
Good. Thats all I need.
This wasnt a fight that would drag on anyway.
Having received confirmation, Karron immediately spoke to his companions.
Im going up alone. The three of you stay here and support the elves.
At his words, they all nodded silently.
They desperately wanted to go with him, but they knew they would likely be more of a burden if they did.
But then.
I will go up with you.
Orion said, dismounting from his wolf.
The fate of the forest hangs in the balance. I cannot entrust that burden to you alone.
If youre the Spirit Kings contractor, well thats good enough. Alright. But with the Spirit King tied up like that, can you even use your powers properly?
You should worry about yourself.
Spoken like a true old-timer. So prickly.
Orion waved his hand lightly, and a bird wreathed in blue flames descended from the sky.
Orion skillfully mounted the birds back. He then looked down at Karron and said.
Get on.
Karron immediately leaped up and sat right behind Orion. Then he gave his companions one last piece of advice.
Surviving is the number one priority. You all got that?
Well keep that in mind, Karron.
I never forget a friends request!
You worry about yourself, little bro.
Their farewells were each as unique as their personalities.
Is there anything you want to ask of my companions?
When Karron asked, Orion looked down at them and said.
Those black chains are binding Ifrit. If possible, I would like you to remove them. I have assigned spirits to you, so the other elves will follow your lead.
At his words, Karrons companions nodded with determined expressions.
They sensed that the mission they had been given was anything but light.
Once all the instructions were given, Karron slapped Orion on the back and said.
Lets go, old-timer!
Are you trying to kill me?
Ah, sorry. Its a habit of mine to slap any back I see.
An utterly unfathomable human.
Sighing, Orion immediately gave a command to his spirit.
To the top.
A moment later.
Fwoooosh!
The spirit ignited its flames and shot upwards like an arrow.
7.
At the top of the spire.
A man in a black robe quietly gazed at the purple eye floating in the sky.
The grand design has begun.
He slowly turned his gaze downward, looking over the inside of the fortress.
On the ground, elves were dying one by one, and the mana for the ritual was gathering ceaselessly.
Ifrit.
He smiled as he looked at the Spirit King of Fire, bound tightly in chains.
A being of immense power had been reduced to a mere sacrifice for a ritual.
Wooooong!
Thanks to that, the purple light in the sky began to spread rapidly.
Ten minutes.
In just ten minutes, the ritual would be complete, and the gate would open.
And once that gate opened.
My lifelong ambition will finally be realized.
The thing he had longed for for so long would undoubtedly come to pass.
His heart pounded uncontrollably.
He knew the fanatics were marching from afar, but by the time they arrived, it would already be too late.
This feels good.
Energy surged through his body, as if he had regained his youth.
He spread his arms wide, savoring the feeling of fulfillment.
The fate of this place was as good as sealed.
But just then.
Kieeeeeek!
Suddenly, the screams of gargoyles echoed out. The sound, like metal scraping, grated on his nerves.
Someone was clearly breaking through the gargoyles and ascending to the top.
A meaningless struggle.
He gripped his staff and looked behind him.
As is often the case with those facing death, it seemed someone was trying to defy fate.
Fwoosh.
A blue flame flew in from the edge of the spire. A moment later, two figures stepped onto the summit.
One was an elf.
The elf possessed mana so pure and powerful that he was clearly the Spirit Kings contractor.
But it wasnt the elf who captured his attention.
It was a knight clad in black armor.
The knight was looking this way with a thick, knowing smile.
The dark blue sword in the knights hand was glowing ominously.
I dont recall inviting you here.
At the mans words, the knight grinned and replied.
I told you you were next, didnt I? Im here to keep my promise.
This was no ordinary man.
Of course, that wouldnt change anything.
This place had been prepared for this very moment over a long time.
An uninvited guest could change nothing.
It would have been easier if you had met your end on the ground. Youve chosen a painful death for yourself.
At that, the knight spoke with an expression that said he was enjoying this immensely.
If you dont know, then memorize this. The only good warlock is a dead warlock.
Dark blue mana began to flow from the knights body.
Now, its time to be good, isnt it?
A wicked smile spread across Karrons lips.