Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: El Karshum
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Space itself began to overlay.
As if forcibly prying open a cramped area to expand its existence, the existing world clashed endlessly with the platinum one.
Crackle—!
Rumble—!
At the boundary where space met space, blue lightning flashed alongside raging whirlwinds, and the bursting mana scattered in all directions. Even so, the platinum world finally revealed itself clearly in this place.
Whoosh—!
'It's going to collapse soon...'
Even without Arcana, any mage could tell. The platinum world that had manifested here was unstable, on the verge of crumbling at any moment. Indeed, blue cracks were already spreading from the edges.
In the center of that unstable world stood an elf gazing up at a massive lifeform, wrapped in a storm of blue mana.
That was the signal for the battle to begin. The moment the colossal being, which had existed since ancient times, opened its eyes, invisible intangible energies clashed fiercely.
Rumble—!
The earth shook, and the sky warped. Mana drained of power scattered blue through the world's fissures. Whenever the platinum sand surged, the elf's position shifted.
Darting between spaces, magic completed in an instant battered El Karshum's body. Sudden flames erupted but couldn't harm the elf. Though blazing fire touched his form, the robe he wore billowed wildly, repelling the inferno.
At that moment, thousands of magic circles floating in the air bound El Karshum's body. Platinum sand rushed in from all sides, engulfing him. Wherever it touched disintegrated. As if corroded after eons.
'Time...'
In that instant, a massive platinum hourglass flickered into view behind the elf and vanished. Cut off from the outside in this isolated space, he had controlled his own time, living through endless ages. Even after losing the dignity of life and becoming part of magic itself, the great realm he had achieved remained.
In the swiftly flowing time, El Karshum was not free. Mana constituting his enormous body drained away, his faded flesh melting. Even the massive bones and golden mane that held out until the end finally dissolved.
Saah—
Time poured into the flowing sand. The moment El Karshum's colossal form, robbed of time, collapsed onto the platinum world, the forcibly sustained realm began to crumble.
Groan—!
The gleaming platinum sand turned red. There, atop it, the elf turned to look at me. He said nothing. Calmly, along with the collapsing world, he dissolved into blue mana and melted into the sand.
A gentle breeze swept up the red sand and flew toward the vast desert.
Perhaps because the colossal being had vanished. The surviving Shamshir remnants offered no resistance. They surrendered meekly to the mages, and some even threw themselves to their deaths.
"Daddy!"
"I'm just glad you're safe..."
Renila's father, Ordan, and Bashek had survived too. Aside from a burn on Ordan's right arm, there were no other injuries. He explained it was because the moment El Karshum awakened, it had drawn all the canyon's sand to wrap its body.
"We could do that only because you came. If you hadn't, we'd have died pointlessly. That favor isn't light. When we return to headquarters... I'll give you any reward you want."
I hadn't helped expecting a reward. But I wasn't magnanimous enough to refuse when offered. I simply nodded, and Renila, nestled in Ordan's arms, rushed over and hugged me tightly.
"Thank you... Thank you, Lumia..."
It felt pretty embarrassing. I cleared my throat and gently pried her off. Of course, Renila wasn't one to let go easily. No matter how much I pushed, she giggled and clung to my arm.
'I wonder if headquarters is still there...'
I pushed Renila away and sank into thought alone. The base Hayar had used was the leader's manifested inner world. But that world had just vanished with the colossal being. Maybe nothing remained but empty sand.
'Durel must be confused...'
I need to get back soon.
After briefly wrapping up affairs in the canyon, Hayar's mages began returning, carrying the wounded and their comrades' bodies. There were no issues with transport. Large lizards they'd ridden and Shamshir's transport beasts remained near the massive canyon.
I boarded a large carriage with Renila and gazed at the swaying scenery. Physically, I wasn't tired. Magic use was fine too. Just mentally exhausted a bit.
Too much information had flooded in a short time. Now in a state of overload. Sorting the data my eyes had captured would take considerable time.
'Inner world manifestation...'
A spell requiring vast mana. Impossible right now, but if the heart's rings increase further.
'Then...'
We arrived at Hayar headquarters around midday, as the sun high in the sky began its slow descent. Everyone was covered in red dust. Exhausted mages, body and mind, didn't even think to brush off the dirt on themselves.
"We're here."
At Ordan's words from the lead, everyone dismounted. Getting off with Renila, I frowned. One of the triple barriers was gone, but the platinum world beyond still existed.
'What happened.'
I'd clearly watched it vanish before my eyes.
After Ordan dispelled the barrier, we entered together, and space churned. Just like the first time arriving at headquarters. I stood still without resisting the enveloping sand, and we arrived before a massive platinum palace.
"Everyone, good work."
From within came a familiar voice. One of Hayar's three pillars, the leader said to hold the Black Throne. An elf whose name even I didn't know stood there.
However, his appearance had changed. His entire left arm was gone, and he was very short. Not just smaller—his form had rewound from adult male to boy.
Recognizing the elf boy as Hayar's leader wasn't hard. Unlike our first meeting, the transparent veil hiding his body was gone. Mana flowing naturally from him connected seamlessly to the space itself.
"Black One... What happened to that form..."
Just as I'd recognized him instantly, Ordan and the other mages easily identified their leader too.
'His presence is gone...'
Unlike before, the elf no longer exuded overwhelming presence. Half, maybe more, had flown away. His inner world wasn't intact either. In places invisible to normal eyes, visible through Arcana, parts of the world were savagely torn.
"I sacrificed part of myself to save you all. Think of it as a trade. More importantly, why not wash up first."
No one dared refuse the elf's words. The mages nodded, carried the wounded and bodies, and some headed straight to the baths.
Left there were just me and the elf.
"Name your desired reward. Anything."
"You didn't die."
The elf boy chuckled lightly. He brushed back his hair with his remaining arm.
"Just name the reward. I didn't come out here to chat idly."
"What's the scope of the reward?"
"Anything you want. I could even hand over the Black Throne. Or myself."
"No need."
At my immediate reply, the elf boy furrowed his brow. He lightly swept his face, clearly confident in his looks. Madman.
"I need a way to protect my body."
"Didn't I give you silk robes infused with protection? Not enough?"
Of course not. I'd received robes with protective magic, but they couldn't withstand attacks from mana users. Silently, I eyed the clothes he wore.
"This...?"
"You said anything."
Over the black robe bloomed vibrant flowers embroidered in golden thread. No ordinary robe. It had repelled even El Karshum's scorching flames. After a moment's hesitation, the elf sighed deeply and removed his robe, handing it to me.
"A treasure I secretly took when leaving my homeland. It's called Grace of Nature, treasure it w—"
Before the elf finished explaining, I snatched the robe from his hand and draped it over myself. The moment I did, it moved like a living thing, softly wrapping my body. It morphed to fit the wearer's physique.
"Cool."
"Tch..."