Chapter 592: Helpers
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 592: Helpers
"I told you, don't rush me."
The Silver Staff slammed into the ground. Professor Prang finally ceased a chant that was excessively long, even for a Truth-Tier Grand Magister.
As if gears had reached their maximum velocity, the intricate magic arrays unfolded in a terrifying display. Had Archbishop Canterbury’s Sacred Domain Projection not isolated the area, every soul in the city would have seen this magical construct nearly igniting half the sky.
"This is the World-Burning Fire."
"This is the Extinguishing Ice."
"This is the Sky-Tearing Wind."
"This is the Ending Earth."
Professor Prang spread his fingers, aiming them directly at the Indra King.
Vast mana transformed into the foundations of all things. Under those precise magic arrays, it rapidly evolved into a catastrophic, terrifying power.
The flow of mana surged forward along the lines in stages. Radiance of different hues flickered to life, piercing the darkness like the sequential charging of some advanced weapon. With every syllable of Professor Prang’s solemn declaration, the power brewing within climbed another tier.
The layers of magical constructs resembled the muzzles of cannons with staggering calibers. At this range, the barrels were practically shoved into the Indra King’s face.
There was nowhere to hide.
"And this is... your end."
Then came the declaration that finalized everything.
A magnificent rainbow of light finally descended from the heavens, enveloping the Indra King.
A blazing sea of fire blanketed the sky and earth, incinerating flesh.
An absolute, annihilating cold descended, freezing the very essence of life.
Then came the astral winds that tore through space, crushing everything in their path.
Massive boulders fell like plunging planets, and crimson lava coalesced into a dead zone where no life could exist.
Countless phantoms emerged, creating a scene that looked like the literal end of the world.
Within the area enveloped by the Holy Light, it was indeed no different from the apocalypse. Had the Sacred Domain Projection not forcibly maintained the boundary, half of Belland would have been leveled by this single move.
"Phew..."
Archbishop Canterbury let out a long breath. With a casual wave of his hand, the flickering Sacred Domain Projection finally dissipated, along with the horrific scenes of universal destruction.
The Indra King, having taken the hit head-on, finally appeared in the trio's sight.
He was still standing there.
However, his entire body had been completely charred black, resembling carbonized dead wood struck by heavenly lightning—devoid of all vitality.
"Is he dead?"
Adolf popped up from nowhere again, peering at the figure with curiosity. "What now? Do we need to finish him off?"
"Of course."
Professor Prang clenched his fist and coughed a few times. "A Crown Bearer has immense vitality. It would be a hassle if we let him recover."
"A pity."
Archbishop Canterbury shook his head with a sigh. "The Indra King committed no evil in his life, yet he was ultimately blinded by his obsession. Lamentable, truly lamentable."
"So, who's doing it?" Adolf asked.
He waited for a moment, but no answer came. He turned his head stiffly, only to find the other two pairs of eyes fixed squarely on him.
"Me?" Adolf pointed at himself, eyes wide. "You want me to do it?"
"Who else?" the two replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "The Stargazer who contributed the least, perhaps?"
"...Fine." Adolf shrugged helplessly.
In truth, he didn't want to be the villain here either. But since the grudge had already been formed, there was no reason to be kind enough to let the tiger return to the mountain.
"To think the world-renowned Indra King would die by my hand. I suppose this is the fickleness of fate."
Adolf pulled out an Ace of Spades. Reaching into it, he drew out a pitch-black spear that felt eerie and profound, as if it could swallow light itself.
"However, 'With the assistance of Archbishop Canterbury and Professor Prang of St. Maria Academy, the brilliant and mighty Stargazer, Mr. Adolf Lovis, executed the Indra King for attempting to incite trouble in Belland.' That seems like a perfect front-page headline for tomorrow."
Adolf smiled, then gripped the spear tight. Fighting spirit surged as he aimed for the Indra King’s vitals.
"Uuu..."
Suddenly, a ghostly, sobbing wail echoed through the silent districts of Belland.
The group instinctively tilted their heads to listen, frowning slightly.
In truth, with their heightened senses, they had noticed this crying drifting through the city on the night wind half an hour ago.
But at this moment, the crying suddenly became sharp and clear.
It sounded like... a little loli who was already crying piteously over a lost lollipop, only to be brutally beaten by some scummy bully. It was tragic, pathetic, and helpless, making one feel an instinctive surge of anger toward that despicable bully.
"Tsk tsk, that kid... he’s even that ruthless toward little girls."
Adolf shook his head and muttered a comment before putting it out of his mind, preparing to finish his task.
But...
In the second or two that his attention had been diverted, his peripheral vision caught something. The Indra King’s charred, carbonized finger... seemed to twitch.
"So fast?"
Professor Prang also sensed the anomaly immediately. His pupils constricted as he roared, "Adolf, hurry!"
Adolf had already struck before Prang even shouted.
The pitch-black spear, entwined with lightning, left a scorched black trail in space. A deafening roar like a thunder dragon’s howl erupted, threatening to swallow the Indra King in an instant...
It failed to swallow him.
Because less than twenty centimeters from the Indra King, the black thunder dragon’s movement came to a dead stop... seized firmly by a charred palm, unable to budge.
Adolf’s expression shifted. He tried to retreat rapidly, but a fist was already swinging toward him, wreathed in the very lightning that had come from Adolf, booming like a heavenly drum.
"Dammit, I only wanted to give you a little poke with my spear; was there really any need to get so worked up?"
Adolf cursed under his breath. At the critical moment, he pulled out a poker card and vanished from the spot.
Crack. Crack.
As the lightning dissipated, the Indra King’s charred surface began to crack, revealing new skin as fresh as a newborn baby's.
However, within a few breaths of contact with the air, the color of that skin deepened, taking on the majestic hue of cast iron.
The Indra King opened his eyes.
Black light surged upward, connecting into a Ninefold Black Ring that circled around his Brilliant Crown.
All traces of death vanished, replaced by an endless tide of vitality. He stood naked, his robust muscles looking as though they were bronze cast over bone—menacing and hunched.
The trio’s expressions turned solemn. Despite having just suffered a near-fatal wound, the Indra King’s current pressure was even more intense than before.
"A body bordering on indestructible... is this the pinnacle of the Ascetics?"
Archbishop Canterbury remarked with emotion, "To think you had already reached this realm. I underestimated you."
"Hey, hey, how are we supposed to play this? We fought for so long and this guy actually has a second stage?"
Adolf crawled out from some corner with a sour face, rubbing his chest. "I wonder if that kid reimburses medical expenses. I feel like I’m taking a huge loss this time."
"So what if he has a second stage? It’s still three against one. We’ll grind him down eventually."
Professor Prang re-entered his offensive stance, his expression grim. "If we lose like this, we might as well find a plot of land and bury ourselves."
"..."
The Indra King silently watched the three men before him.
If he were to fight any one of them individually, he was certain of victory—he could even kill them.
But there were three of them.
If the fight continued like this, it would only be a repeat of what had just happened.
And so, he looked up.
"You two, how much longer do you intend to just watch the show?"
"What?"
The trio looked up in shock.
It was only then that they realized... upon the deep canopy of the night sky, a blood-colored cloud had silently drifted into place, hovering soundlessly above.