Chapter 74
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Finally Became Alike
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I admit my mistake.
A tyrant who had reigned over his era like no other—how bruised must his pride be after I treated him like some weakling?
'Not sorry, though.'
I readjusted my grip on my sword.
I laid it flat at chest height, just like Roginin when he drew his blade.
Through the flat blade, I gazed at the Ogre King.
'Clear view. My mind's calming down, focus sharpening.'
There had been words etched into the Sanctuary's star inscription like that.
「Tromake Traher Etni Nitenga」
That's how it sounded when pronounced.
As the latest model Papygo translator, it came out as—
'Martial arts begin from nothingness.'
Something along those lines.
Perfect fit for my current state, with my reserves of power completely drained.
'Lie your body down amid the disorder.'
Silver Star wasn't around, so it wasn't exact, but it was probably from the early part of the stone wall inscription.
Early part meaning swordsmanship basics. Even without Silver Star, I'm a smart Holy Knight, so I get it.
Disorder probably meant a chaotic mind...
And body likely referred to the sword.
What if I held the sword upright?
'Upright your mind.'
A strange thrill bubbled up.
Controlling my state of mind with just basic sword forms—how magnificent a weapon is the sword.
'The sword is body and mind.'
Weak or strong, it moves by my will, upholding my justice as another me.
Slaaam—!
A hatchet bigger than me cleaved the air.
The all-metal haft and blade bent like a whip as it whipped in.
'Deflect it.'
A head-on clash was too risky.
Toolsep, always eyeing my body, could burst forth at any moment.
I focused to keep the drug's frenzy in check. I'd barely found this stability; I couldn't let it rampage again.
In slowed time, I pivoted on one foot.
Kwaang—!
The ground shook.
'Strong bastard.'
Once freed, time's constraint held steady.
I pivoted on the other foot next.
Puuuung—!
The earth exploded.
Chunks of grass-green skin laced with reddish-brown flesh sprayed wildly.
I alternated pivot feet, spinning repeatedly.
Kwaaang—!
The ground screamed.
Even with Blue Eye, who knew when it'd unleash some unpredictable strike.
I wove a curtain of sword strikes to cover any potential openings.
Creeeak—.
Just dodging, but the force from the curtain cracked my blade.
The previous clash had done real damage.
'Sorry. Been too rough on you.'
This duel had us both handicapped, but thrashing my body while suppressing Toolsep was suicidal.
So, quick resolution remained key.
Kuoooaarrr—!
The Ogre King roared, blood spurting from its eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
It paused to catch its breath.
Blue haze trailed from its eyes—the last dregs of mana gathered. Feeble amount, but its resolve was fierce. A warrior staking his life on one final blow.
'A true warrior, huh. Guess I should face you properly.'
I positioned my feet as if ready to charge. Power coiled into my bent right leg.
As I drew my sword arm close, the blade hid behind me.
Body weary, but mind clear.
Vision sharp.
With a serious expression, I told it,
"Come."
First time using the word, but it rolled off the tongue perfectly.
Whatever.
Now was the time to focus on that hatchet blocking my view.
I infused magma power into the sword. The heat would hold it together for now, keep it from shattering.
Temporary fix, but I just needed it to survive one clash.
'One's enough.'
Kwaaaang—!
The hatchet halted above my head.
I hadn't stepped back an inch.
Knees unbent, arm steady.
Body one with sword, will unyielding—it held the monster at bay.
The fire on my blade met the Ogre King's mana and scattered clean away.
My cloak billowed wide.
Its mana swept the ground like a wave.
"Kuh..."
As I knew, the end it had foreseen too.
The Ogre King lacked even breath. Blood welled up its throat, bursting past lips like a waterfall.
"Warrior of unknown name, by the name of Holy Knight Luke Seid, I acknowledge you."
The Ogre King showed no reaction.
Just spewing blood from its mouth.
Time to end it.
'Can't you just collapse on your own?'
I'm about to hurl myself.
But the Ogre King balanced steady—could die standing without surprise.
Any way around it?
Those on the walls held fire, worried for me. Doubt if they even had strength left to draw bows.
"Fuckiiiing diiiie—!"
Kuooaaarrr—!
Ah, right, you guys.
Beyond the Ogre King's head, a frenzied goddess came into view.
Her body bent bow-like, aiming to smash with one strike. She'd flung the hatchet haft—longer than her height—far back.
I squeezed out my last strength and yelled,
"Ibu! Not the head! The ankle!"
"Fuckin' thing! Trust only Ibu!"
Yeah, I trust you.
My chosen mad—, er, ally.
In that split second, Ibu's hatchet shifted from the King's head.
Before the Ogre King could turn.
Pwaaack—!
Ibu's hatchet smashed the Ogre King's instep.
'Trust you, my ass!'
Ankle, you blockhead.
I dodged the toppling Ogre King, glaring half-lidded at Ibu.
No strength left to speak.
"Ah, fuckin' thing!"
Ibu thrust out her chest defiantly.
She propped her hatchet upright, flapping her cloak wide with the other hand for dramatic flair.
"With a hatchet, you gotta stomp the instep—that's the best part!"
Uh... fair point.
Kuuung—!
The tree-trunk Ogre King crashed down, shaking the earth befitting its bulk.
I wanted to finish it off, but one step and my knees would buckle.
I rolled only my eyes to check the fallen beast.
Rusty, blunt hatchet had torn the instep, exposing bone.
Monster.
If Ibu was a brief disaster that appeared and vanished, the Ogre King was an ancient terror.
This lord of fear who dominated the land met its end hunted by humans it saw as bugs.
Kurrr...
Just bloody gurgles—no strength left for screams.
An ignoble end for a lord of fear.
'Living being. Entity with life.'
Shhh shhh—.
Its ragged breaths slowly evened.
The relief of a warrior who'd poured all into battle?
Its eyes were serene.
No trace of regret.
Ibu aimed her hatchet at its throat.
"Fuckin' thing. Sorry to meet like this, but off with your—"
"Leave it. Let it die in pain."
I wrung out my voice with milky strength to stop Ibu.
Though I said that...
'Do I really need to kill something that can't resist anymore?'
It clung to life by a thread-thin breath.
At least by my mood, snuffing it didn't sit right.
Not honor or mercy for a warrior.
Just felt better that way.
"Fuckin' thing. Good idea."
Regret on her face, but Ibu obediently lowered her hatchet.
She knew why I stopped her.
We hadn't defeated it.
We were just part of its journey to death.
But the hippo thought differently.
Kuuuung—!
Why's this bastard suddenly charging?
The rampaging hippo barreled straight at the Ogre King.
Dust hid it, but its goal was clear.
Dull teeth tore flesh, powerful jaws crushed bone.
As dust settled, my mind hazed.
Not from the gruesome rending sounds.
"That guy's..."
Exhaustion blurred my vision; I spotted it late.
Dust obscured it.
Ibu's flapping cloak blocked the view.
'Why's this hippo bastard all changed up?'
The hippo had turned black.
No—closer look, it wore pitch-black armor.
A normal hippo would've blended in the dust; their hides are blackish.
But mine was pale gray nearing white.
Only eyes, nose, mouth kept their color, uncovered by armor.
'Ah, absorbed the Armor Ogre's power, huh.'
Explains why it vanished without trace—the armor itself was the power.
Charles from the Sanctuary left his clothes behind when divine power broke him down too.
Ibu leaped lightly over the hippo, landing softly beside me.
Using her hatchet as a staff, she placed her other hand on my back.
She'd sensed my state and was supporting me.
Grateful, I almost patted her shoulder but held back.
Guy looked like he'd shatter if touched.
Hard to believe that slender frame held such power.
Ibu pouted her lips.
"Fuckin' thing. The one by the gate turned to smoke, and out pops this black blob—the beastie gobbled it right up. Thought about killin' it, but held back. Ibu's super noble and super generous, after all."
"Aha..."
Figured as much.
"Fuckin' thing. Looks super tough and solid. Ibu wants clothes like that. If Ibu wears 'em, even panties turn steel. You too, right? Then no need for bandages—"
You're not bandaged now.
"Ibu'll get somethin' next too. If good stuff drops, the boss here takes responsibility and gives it to Ibu."
Her nonstop ravings were too much in my right mind, so I cut in.
"Fuckin' thing. Yeah? Ibu gets steel clothes too?"
"Yeah. You'll get something even better."
"If not, gotta kill that beastie. Then Ibu gets the steel panties."
Does she have panty envy or something? Why obsess? Going commando's comfy and breezy!
"Ibu, let's not kill our own."
"Ibu'll try."
Aw, good girl.
Sure, she's a crybaby showoff, but Ibu's a good kid.
At least listens when told, tries to adjust.
Talent for learning, innate.
"Fuckin' thing. Hippo, Ogre tasty? Ibu try some?"
...Wish she'd only learn from humans.
I ignored the hippo's grotesque feast and surveyed the battlefield.
The writhing ogres were dying off one by one.
I silently witnessed their ends.
As if it were my duty.
Up close, each looked different. Like human faces. They had their own personalities.
Expressions similar, though.
Faces twisted in agony, trembling at death's fear.
Some convulsed like electrocuted, others heaved chests gasping clear air—each entered death uniquely.
Only in death did their bodies finally look alike.
'It's over.'
A bit more force and my body would crumble.
Regulating breath propped by Ibu, still not enough.
Couldn't take a step.
'Move and it's done for.'
This for that, counter-drug with drug.
With the scrap of Toolsep now mine, I suppressed the tidal wave of Toolsep trying to claim me.
If divine power remained, it'd help, but the starlight divine power that flooded in crisis earlier wouldn't rise now. Special trigger condition?
"Fuckin' thing. Stay put. Move and it's super dangerous. Dangerous means can't kill the black mage guy. No money then? Can't beat Drawn too. And Ibu needs steel panties..."
No strength left to shut this maniac up.