Chapter 166
Chapter 166
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: Loose Ends
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*Keeeeeeeeeung!*
A piercing sound struck my ears as a streak of brilliant blue light shot forward.
The Six-Armed Knight moved its arms rapidly, attempting to parry the Nine-Ring Annihilation.
It couldn't move, but it could still wield its swords.
But there would be no more variables.
*Crack! Shatter!*
The six blades that had converged on a single point were twisted in odd directions.
Soon, its arms turned to dust, and the Six-Armed Knight's weapons were completely annihilated.
"This cannot be. Error! Error detected!"
The creature muttered to itself, its purple light flickering rapidly.
It seemed confused by the loss of all its offensive capabilities.
But the power of the Nine-Ring Annihilation didn't stop there.
Just as it was about to say more, more than half of the Six-Armed Knight's torso vanished.
*Psssssssh!*
"The end of the human world was finally at hand… G-gik, gigigik!"
The violet flames enveloping the armor subsided in an instant.
Simultaneously, its voice faded rapidly, stretching out into a bizarre, drawn-out sound.
“The end of the human world? For a hunk of metal, you sure run your mouth.”
I scoffed lightly and sheathed the Black Dragon Sword.
A moment later.
I staggered heavily, bracing myself against the wall.
*Damn, I'm dizzy.*
Just using Heaven-Severing Myriad Spirits had been exhausting enough to kill me.
To have then unleashed Riverune's ultimate sword art in that state, it was only natural that I'd suffer severe internal injuries.
I barely suppressed the urge to vomit as I collapsed to the floor.
But I wasn't afforded the luxury of a peaceful rest.
*CRASH! Screeeech!*
“Ugh?”
Suddenly, a massive impact from outside sent the floor tilting at a sharp angle.
I tried to force myself to a stop by driving the Black Dragon Sword into the floor.
But it wasn't so easy.
The interior of Padiac's Tower was made entirely of metal, and with my internal injuries, I couldn't even summon my aura.
The only saving grace was that the tip of my sword was slowly digging in.
*Scraaaape! Screeech!*
*You really do need a quality weapon.*
Just before I slid all the way and slammed into the opposite wall.
I managed to slow down.
How much time passed while I was in that awkward position?
There were no more shocks and horrors—no, no more chaos.
After thinking it over while I waited.
I was able to deduce roughly why this had happened.
*When the Six-Armed Knight was destroyed, Padiac's Tower stopped moving too. They were one and the same from the beginning.*
Otherwise, the tower wouldn't have just crashed into the ground.
How do I know that without even going outside?
Just looking at the complete mess inside gives me the answer.
“Ugh! Anyway, I feel like I'm going to die.”
To perform an ultimate secret art while protecting my body from demonic energy.
It was harder than willingly sending away a beautiful woman.
A strange metaphor, I know, but it gets the point across about the mental anguish.
Still, the Demonic Soul was beginning to heal my internal injuries in earnest, and I could feel my insides gradually settling down.
*I should probably head outside soon...*
The others should be approaching Padiac's Tower by now.
After it got wrecked like this, they wouldn't be able to resist coming to check it out.
I struggled to my feet and glanced around.
I was looking for an exit.
“Even if it's just a bunch of guys, I can't let them see me looking this worn out.”
Luckily, the entrance I'd used to sneak in was nearby, so I could get out easily.
But then, a question struck me.
*What did I come here for again…? Ah! Latio!*
I'd been fighting so frantically that I'd forgotten my original purpose.
I hurriedly turned to examine the remains of the Six-Armed Knight.
But just then.
*Wooooong!*
“Whoa! H-hold on.”
From inside the Black Dragon Divine Armor, something was trying to burst out with a powerful vibration.
Finally, that black sphere…
No, the orb that now held a gray, phantom-like thing within it began to go wild.
*Fwoooosh!*
Meanwhile, there was a reaction from the Six-Armed Knight's side as well.
*Hey! Not now. Hold it in. You hold it in.*
I quickly tried to back away, but the pull between the sphere and Latio was too strong.
If I just held on, I felt like I would be dragged along with it.
If I returned this time without finding Latio, their suspicions would only grow.
They hadn't found anything strange on my body, so they might try to take my belongings.
They'd try all sorts of other methods, too.
To clear my name and carry out my plan, I couldn't let that happen.
So, I had to do something about that approaching purple energy.
“Damn it all!”
*THWACK!*
Unable to find another way, I ended up slugging the Latio as it got close.
I'd just thrown a punch out of desperation, but the result was surprisingly good.
The Latio took a direct hit from the punch and was sent flying.
“Huh? That worked?”
But it only bought me a moment.
I couldn't keep knocking it away forever.
It was already trying to rush me again.
I needed to find a fundamental solution.
But just then.
*Thump.*
The rapidly approaching Latio stopped for a brief moment.
It was at that exact moment that the energy flowing from my Demonic Soul began to engulf my surroundings.
“Huh? It works like this, too?”
I quickly summoned my aura and tightly enveloped the black sphere.
To my surprise, the Latio, which had been darting toward me, fell gently to the floor.
Having lost its destination, it seemed to look around before returning to the remains of the Six-Armed Knight.
With no place to settle, it had gone back to its original spot.
Of course, the purple giant was already destroyed, so the Latio just hovered nearby.
*Phew! Done. Now I can leave.*
I let out a sigh of relief and headed out of the tower.
It would be a disaster if I got too close and the Latio was absorbed.
As of now, I had no way to extract the energy inside the black sphere.
For the plan to work and to hand over Latio to Everfilt, Reis Ganiol himself had to be the one to perform the extraction.
*That's the only way I'll have an alibi.*
* * *
Having completed the mission and returned to the Rivius Continent, Reis Ganiol wore an expression of deep sentiment.
“I truly never thought we would find this mysterious power. I was nearly in despair back on the Island of the Dead when I couldn't use my magic properly.”
“You just need to remember that I played a big part.”
“Indeed. This expedition would have been an absolute failure without you, Sir Ray.”
“Of course.”
“On behalf of Everfilt, I apologize for our complacent preparations.”
Reis bowed his head respectfully.
It's not easy for a mage, famous for being so stiff-necked, to act like this.
That energy called Latio must be incredibly important.
Regardless, I continued speaking in a tone of feigned indifference.
“Don't forget the bonus pay. I'm collecting that first, no matter what.”
“Of course. As it happens, there's a family branch office nearby. I'll have the payment processed there immediately.”
“Oh! Is that possible?”
“I'll use my authority to access the branch's funds. I can just have the main house reimburse them once I return.”
“Oh…”
I formed my lips into an 'o' and nodded.
To be honest, I hadn't thought much of Reis Ganiol until now.
The man had hardly done a thing.
Still, it seemed certain he was a big shot in Everfilt.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to talk about using a branch's funds as he pleased.
“Here we are. Closer than you thought, isn't it?”
“It's practically right next to the Forest of the Dead.”
“Like the Empire, we also send out exploration teams. Since last year, we've set up a building in the border region and have begun a full-scale investigation.”
“Because of the Forest of the Dead's expansion phenomenon, I presume.”
“Yes, but it seems there was no need for all this in the first place.”
Through this mission, Reis Ganiol and I learned many new things.
Though most of it was incomprehensible.
Who would believe a story about Black Sand Claude and the Felton family protecting the Rivius Continent?
Now, if you told me they were the ones plunging the world into chaos, that would be another story.
“When I return, I'll have to see if there's anything our family can do to help. Oh? Come to think of it, you said you didn't know about this situation either, Sir Ray.”
“That's right.”
“In that case, perhaps Everfilt is playing some other role as well.”
Honestly, it wasn't impossible.
There were plenty of ways.
In any case, it was time to wrap things up.
“Ten thousand Gelt, I assure you.”
“Hoh? Are these mana stones?”
“Yes, they're very easy to carry and exchange. What do you think?”
“Excellent.”
I smiled with satisfaction, looking down at the five dark blue gems in my palm.
They were unquestionably top-grade mana stones.
*Since they're made with Everfilt's secret techniques, I could probably use these just like currency.*
Compared to carrying around heavy, bulky gold coins, mana stones were a much better option.
And unlike gems, their value didn't fluctuate from region to region.
“Well then, I'll be on my way.”
“Travel safely. If another matter like this arises, I'll contact you again.”
“Ah, anytime.”
I grinned and gave the pouch of mana stones a little jingle.
Then, I bid farewell to the people at Everfilt's Forest of the Dead branch.
I made sure to leave a clear impression before I left.
*As I predicted, they're traveling overland...*
After putting some distance between us, I concealed myself and watched the branch office carefully.
Before long, a group of people hurriedly left the building.
They were riding hard to the north.
The man in the lead was, of course, Reis Ganiol, his face full of smiles.
*Just as I thought. Spatial travel would be too risky with the demonic energy in the Forest of the Dead.*
Sure enough, Vice-Commander Reis was heading back the same way he came.
I moved at a leisurely pace, waiting for them to reach their target destination.
There was no need to chase them frantically.
They were bound to stop eventually.
After about a day had passed.
Reis Ganiol's party was entering a quiet forest path.
*KABOOOOOM!*
“Aaaaaargh!”
A deafening roar was followed by agonizing screams.
*Hook, line, and sinker!*
I cheered inwardly and rushed to the scene.
A deep crater, horses blown to pieces, and mages sprawled on the ground.
The forest path had become a veritable feast of blood and gore.
“It triggered nicely. You stepped right on it, didn't you?”
Hearing the sudden, mocking voice, Reis Ganiol struggled to lift his head.
Even in his dazed state, he tried to identify his attacker.
But he wouldn't succeed.
I had appeared with my face thoroughly concealed by a mask.
“W-we are mages of Everfilt! Commit such an atrocity, and you will not escape eternal suffering! Do you wish for the Sentence of Withering Death?”
The Sentence of Withering Death was Everfilt's most notorious and highest form of punishment.
Also known as the infinite torture death penalty, it was so named because it inflicted endless pain.
But I wasn't one to feel fear just because some execution method was mentioned.
From this moment on, the one who should be afraid was Reis Ganiol.
I smiled thinly and pulled down my mask.
“Remember me?”
For a moment, the Vice-Commander looked bewildered.
Then, in an instant, his face turned deathly pale, as if he'd seen a ghost.
He had finally realized who I was.
“Y-you’re…!”