Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: The Starting Point of the Waves
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I never underestimated the Glazers.
I had grasped their movements within the scope of my expectations and was preparing a counterattack based on the information coming from the scouts.
'But.'
What in the world was this situation?
Kwaaang, kwaaang, kwakwang!
A meteor shower poured down from the sky.
This magic, called Meteor Rain, was an advanced technique that required five mages of 7th circle or higher to chant simultaneously.
'No way.'
Had they read our movements?
'Moreover.'
The fact that they came straight to the castle meant they were fully committed to crushing us.
"Hey—long time no see, my two former slaves. And you, the knight who's about to become my slave."
I looked at Edward, who was grinning slyly amid the flames.
"Impressive. I didn't expect you to reach the castle this quickly."
"Come on, the head of the Strange Family should have seen this coming, right? How long has it been since we came down south?"
"I thought you were crawling here in fear. Scared that your left arm might get severed too."
Edward waved his steel arm in the air as he replied.
"This time, your head's coming off. What's an arm? I'll give you another one."
So composed.
From his reaction, I could tell how thoroughly prepared their plan was. It was clear this wasn't something rushed in haste.
Baduduk.
Kanggret ground his teeth behind me. Kanggraddra also drew her dagger and assumed a stance as if ready to charge at him.
"I'll handle Edward. You two, head outside the castle and take care of that guy called Dictri."
Kanggraddra nodded briefly and lightly tugged Kanggret's wrist.
"Kanggret, let's go."
"...Understood."
With that, Kanggraddra and Kanggret slipped outside the castle through the shadows.
I took a deep breath, gazing at the meteor shower raining from the sky, then addressed Edward, who clutched viscous mana in both hands.
"Can I assume you've come to see the end?"
Edward slowly ascended into the air as he replied to me.
"That's for you to judge, not me."
The sudden attack by the mages turned the inside and outside of Strange Castle upside down.
There was supposed to be an aura-based defensive formation in the vicinity, and the barrier created by the Strange Family's guardian spirit should have blocked enemy intrusions.
How had they approached this place without being detected by anyone?
Kwang, kwakwang!
A meteor struck the top of the castle, smashing into the great bell, the symbol of peace in the south.
Daaaaang!
The clear ring of the bell used for celebrations and funerals spread throughout the Strange territory.
"Everyone, stick together and don't scatter while chanting! Knights can't even attack if they can't get close anyway!"
Dictri raised his staff high and shouted. The mages under his command unleashed spells without even a moment's gap between chants.
The Strange knights infused their shields with aura to block the magic and counterattacked.
This clash between two families powerful enough to overturn the continent in a single night had already produced countless casualties in less than ten minutes.
"First, we need to stop that Meteor Rain."
Valentine summoned her guardian spirit. Angelic wings unfurled from her back, drawing all eyes to her.
Chuluk!
Her appearance not only gathered attention but also began blocking the pouring meteor shower with abilities beyond human limits.
-Kak, kak, kaaaak!
Hundreds, thousands of crows flew up from the forest, throwing themselves at the magic. They shattered the meteors in mid-air before they could fall.
Kwaang!
"Bess, I need to go block Fenrir. In the meantime, find the ones using group incantation magic and stop that Meteor Rain."
Bess raised his razor-sharp sword to chest height and replied.
"Yes, Lady Valentine."
The war intensified in an instant.
Screams and groans erupted everywhere.
Who were the righteous ones and who the wicked? The answer would go to whoever claimed victory today. Only the victors write history, no matter what they seek. That was war, and it was for this that so many staked their lives.
"Let's go, Kanggret."
"Yes, brother."
Kanggraddra gripped daggers in both hands and charged at Dictri.
At the same time, Kanggret rose into the air, exuding black smoke from both hands. The two looked like dark mages manipulating shadows.
As their auras spread across the battlefield, Dictri quickly scanned his surroundings.
"What?!"
They seemed to know each other, their expressions shifting subtly.
But there was no conversation. Blue mana and black mana clashed toward each other, and the battle began.
Kwaang!
I clashed fiercely with Edward.
The wounds he had suffered from me recently showed no signs of hindering him; his movements were unrestricted. His motions were even smoother and faster than before. Had he been hiding his true power during our battle in the canyon a few days ago?
'No.'
He wouldn't have in a real fight where a single mistake could sever his head. Whether then or now, in such an intense battle, it wouldn't be strange for one of us to die.
If one's skill surpassed the opponent's, one might hide strength to seize a decisive moment.
But he wasn't stronger than me, and if I hadn't shown mercy back then, Edward wouldn't be here now.
'Yet.'
How had he achieved such rapid growth right before my eyes?
Kaang!
Edward's steel arm, infused with mana, blocked my sword.
"Turn up the heat a bit, Berddin."
He looked at me with a sly smile.
I calmly pushed him back with my sword tip, adjusting the distance. I didn't know exactly what Edward wanted, but one thing was clear.
'He wants to close the distance with me.'
His winning strategy probably lay in that.
Until I figured out his intent, I refrained from using Lightning and fought solely with my sword.
"Strange."
"What's strange?"
"Mages usually try to keep maximum distance from enemies, yet you're doing everything to stick close to me."
"......"
"Intended or not, I'll fight only within my range anyway, so it doesn't matter. But that sacrificial fighting style of yours will surely lead to death soon enough. You know that too, yet you keep trying. That's why it's strange."
Edward shrugged.
"So?"
Unlike a few days ago, I gripped my two-handed sword with one hand.
"I don't know if you're bluffing me now or truly trying to get close."
I formed viscous mana in my other hand and continued.
"Whatever you try, know that you won't leave alive this time."
"...Nice, very nice. I came to settle things with you once and for all. Fighting until one of us dies? How perfect."
"You can't beat me."
"I thought so too. But you see? On the day I lost to you and despaired, something very interesting was found in the Glazer library."
"Something interesting?"
"Yes, one of the items left by our ancestors long ago. A spell mixing magic with magic to create new magic—very mysterious and powerful."
Brunhilt shuddered on my shoulder.
Her flustered expression suggested it wasn't her doing.
Hadn't she said she burned all related materials when we visited Glazer Castle last time?
Brunhilt whispered so only I could hear.
"That guy's not bluffing."
I could tell from the conversation flow alone.
I didn't reply to her, keeping my eyes fixed on Edward.
"Mixing magic with magic?"
"Exactly, like that purple energy you use. Just as you wield aura and mana together, I combine mana with another mana to create new power."
He clutched dense mana in both hands, shuddered as if thrilled, then looked at me with entranced eyes.
"First, revenge for the right arm you took from me."
Edward charged at me.
A murderous intent vast enough to touch the heavens spread everywhere. In that brief instant, it created an opening for me.
If anyone were watching our fight, they would surely say of this strike,
'Berddin's done for.'
Inevitably so—with just one blink, Edward's steel arm was already embedded in my jaw. The outcome was clear without words.
Peueok!
'Impressive.'
It was a perfect martial artist's punch, reminiscent of Veratir's strike.
To think my jaw would turn without even swinging my sword.
What spell had Edward used to enhance his body this rapidly?
I marveled at his astonishing growth.
If anyone knew my thoughts, they'd call me mad.
'Congratulations on finally landing a proper hit on me, Edward.'
As your congratulatory gift, I'll now grant you hell.
Peok!
My blade flew from his blind spot, piercing Edward's left chest.
The position targeted the heart precisely—no escaping fatal injury.
Thud.
I collapsed to the ground first.
"Kuhk."
Then Edward clutched the sword in his chest and knelt.
Thud.
Because my jaw took a direct hit? I tried to rise, but the world spun.
Still, it wasn't enough to immobilize me.
Thud.
In my wavering vision, I forced myself up and approached Edward.
He struggled to pull out the sword from his chest, but the deeply embedded blade brought greater agony each time he touched the hilt.
"Kuhuhuk!"
I looked down at him and formed an Aura Blade in my hand.
Shiiik—.
"It's over, Edward."
It was regrettable I couldn't use his power against a dragon, but with things as they were, I had no choice but to kill him.
I drew the Aura Blade back long behind me. No matter how many hearts he had, I'd sever his neck.
The fight's outcome was already decided.
'Hm?'
It was then.
Just as I moved to behead Edward.
Swishhhh!
A chillingly ominous energy erupted from Edward's body.
And...
"Keueueok!"
It enveloped him.