Chapter 290
Chapter 290: Judgment of Light
The dimly lit hall was illuminated by the sparks of fierce sword clashes.
Neither of us backed down a step, clashing blades in a deadly dance: me and Emelgias. The splattered blue blood burst forth—Emelgias’s blood evaporated like smoke, melting away into magic. His body was no longer a solid existence.
“【GROOOAAAAAHHH!】”
Yet, even so, that power remained formidable and malevolent. Emelgias charged forth with a roar. I deflected his spear and slashed with Adamas as we passed, but he expertly blocked with the spear’s shaft.
Emelgias spread his wings and attempted to brake suddenly, but instead collided violently with the wall. The fort trembled with a resounding thud. The stonework, weakened by losing the Stone Manipulation Spell, crumbled, leaving a massive hole. It felt less like facing a demon and more like battling a monstrous beast.
“【GUU…H, GOGAAAAAHHH!】”
Shaking off the debris with annoyance, Emelgias opened his mouth.
A soft glow flared in his throat. …No way!? Is that a dragon’s breath!?
The spear’s shaft coiled around and converged to my left hand—transforming into a bone shield. I braced myself to withstand the incoming breath, but—
“【GOGA–GAH, GAH!】”
With a loud whoosh, Emelgias unleashed a brilliant smoke and choked.
“【Damn it! …Why is this not working…!!】”
Frustrated, he stomped on the ground, his bizarre movements resembling a skip as he closed the distance.
“【Damn it! Can’t get this to work either!】”
…Could it be that he’s not stamping his feet but trying to reproduce the Sword Saint’s acceleration…?
“Idiot! There’s no way the laws of the universe would favor you!”
In fact, you’re the type that would be more likely to be despised!
“【SHUT UP!】”
Still shouting in annoyance, Emelgias put his spear into action. The air around the spearhead twisted, a weighty blow. His spear handling was top-notch, indicating he had indeed undergone rigorous training.
–Training. Although he seemed to have stolen the dragon’s power from Leila and the magical energy from Barbara, Emelgias wasn’t utilizing them to their fullest.
Thinking about it, it’s obvious; even Leila, born with the power of breath, needed practice to unleash it reliably. Emelgias, who just acquired it moments ago, couldn’t be expected to master it effortlessly!
“【GUOOOOAAAAHHH!!】”
But! On the flip side, things that didn’t require mastery were troublesome. The wings crashing down upon me and the tail striking like a whip from my blind spot. The sophistication of his spear techniques added chaos, leaving no room for error. I had fought Platy’s multiple spear techniques countless times, so I was used to unconventional battles, but still!
“Ooohhh!”
As I blocked the wing strike with my shield, I channeled a protective spell and drove Adamas into Emelgias’s torso. The blade scraped against the snake leather of the Bon-Dage armor. It’s too tough for something made of leather! Good job, Kusemon! You’re in my way!
“【GOGAAAAAAAAHH! Give me that power!!】”
Curses began to entwine around me.
“‘【Theft is Forbidden!】’”
At this point, it was a magical warding chant I had to continuously recite.
I resisted almost entirely, but just a thin layer of magical energy was stripped away. This is never-ending…! Perhaps because he had become a being close to a demon, even a shallow cut barely inflicted any damage.
The injury from earlier, where I had torn his arm, was also trying to heal itself with magical energy. Thanks to the holy attribute, I managed to significantly hinder it, but—one more push is lacking.
“【DIEEEEEEE!】”
“You’re the one who’s gonna die!!!”
With a loud clang, Adamas and the spear collided. The sound of the sword clash was deafening.
My arm was starting to go numb—Teleportation Spell! No, it’s not working; he resisted it, or perhaps, almost demonic Emelgias cannot be the target of the spell as a ‘living’ entity? I have no idea!
My Bon-Dage armor’s damage compensation feature is still operational. Should I make a desperate attack to settle this?
“No, inflicting a major injury could cause me to lose even more magic!”
Crap, that’s for sure! He’s still sending curses my way at any chance!
“Here goes!”
I sliced through the striking snake tail, carving a silver wound. Emelgias hissed in pain and jumped back, glaring at me. It seemed like a stalemate; we must both feel the lacking decisive blows—
“【……..】”
But at this moment, while he swung his tail and wings for defense, Emelgias glanced behind him.
…No way.
This guy is a master of annoyance. The battle situation was stagnant, both sides searching for a way to create some change.
Thus, his awareness of the back—towards the outside of the fort—suggests he might be planning to escape or perhaps… target Leila, who had lost her dragon’s power and become human!?
Fortunately, I could not see Leila from my angle. She surely must have retreated to avoid being a nuisance. But I couldn’t imagine she had gone far, either. In nearly naked human form and without the ability to use magic, the surrounding environment would be far too dangerous.
With a flap, Emelgias spread his wings.
In any case, this is bad! Even if Leila were taken hostage, I have no intention of stopping, and Leila doesn’t want to hold me back either—but that doesn’t mean I can just overlook it!
Prohibition of Escape—no, if he unleashes a curse at that moment, it would be too late to re-establish Prohibition of Theft. Should I throw my spear!? But if Adamas is taken, I’ll be weaponless—maybe I can bind him with bones? That’s all I can do!
As I began to dismantle my left shield to swing it like a bone whip—
In that instant.
A powerful presence burst forth from behind me.
—A pleasant breeze.
“【Let there be Sacred Light】”
A blinding flash shot past me with a scorching aura.
Emelgias’s wings were pierced with a swoosh.
This is— a miracle of light. No way…!!
Soft footsteps approached.
Using the blade of Adamas as a mirror, I looked behind me.
—The ‘Saint’ was there.
With hair that seemed to condense sunlight and eyes as blue as the open sky. The tattered dress she wore was unmistakably the one ‘she’ had once donned.
But her expression was no longer the familiar silly dog-like smile; she had a determined and courageous look. With both legs firmly set on the floor, she drew back her hands to nock a bow of light. Her lost limbs had returned…!
“Liliana…!”
Our eyes met through the reflection, and she smiled—a blossoming smile.
“Finally awakened to self-awareness…!!”
Antedeixis spoke with amazement and confusion; I understood that feeling all too well.
Though I was relieved, if Liliana lost her powers here, we’d be in trouble!
“【Who the hell are you!?】”
As Emelgias yelled, re-displaying his wings of repose.
“【It’s dazzling… glorious… detestable! Give me that power!】”
A dark curse was unleashed.
—At this moment, I couldn’t afford to choose my means!
“【Great Blessing!】”
I unleashed my magical power. A silver glow enveloped both Liliana and me.
It was a protective blessing. However, at the same time, it burned my body! This layered method with the holy attribute and magical membrane is still incompatible with complex magic…!
“【Myth Reenactment—】”
Seeing my unusual behavior, Liliana reacted quickly. She tossed aside her light bow, humming a tune, and instantly wove mighty magical energy to unleash a powerful protective blessing.
“【—Divine Might Descend】”
Golden light enveloped Liliana, and subsequently, me as well. Amazing. My body felt light, and the holy attribute didn’t burn me anymore…!
“‘【Prohibition of Theft!】’”
Combined with my and Antedeixis’s curse prohibition, Emelgias’s unleashed curse was completely dispelled.
“【Mercy of the Earth】”
Moreover, a warm essence flowed into me from Liliana. The skin that had been scorched by the holy attribute healed, and the pain was perfectly wiped away. So grateful.
“【Wha…?!】”
Emelgias stared wide-eyed, bewildered. Was it because his magic was nullified or because the regained self-awareness of the Saint and I were battling together? Or perhaps both?
“【—Impossible?! Why is the High Elf working with him…?】”
Emelgias blurted out in surprise, and Liliana ignored him as she whistled, almost like she was just playing dumb, but that too was part of her magic.
The magical energy Liliana infused into her whistle crystallized in the air. Grasping it as it transformed into a translucent harp, she plucked its strings while singing, releasing divine magical energy.
“【Myth Reenactment: Divine Abundance】”
A wave of magical energy spread across the floor, causing the stone to crack. Blessed plants sprouted, flowers bloomed wildly, transforming the inside of the fort into a paradisiacal flower garden. Additionally, trees grew in the four corners of the great hall, quickly becoming lush—
A radiant, great tree appeared.
“【Myth Reenactment: Holy Tree Sprouting】”
A warm wave of light, like the sun, washed over us. Unlike ordinary Forest Elves who would need branches from the Holy Great Tree, Liliana, infused with divinity, could wield it with her very being. The highest level of magical barriers—
At this moment, the barrier acted more as a cage to confine Emelgias than to repel the malicious invader.
“【This…!】”
Realizing he was at a disadvantage, Emelgias snapped out of his daze and tried to leap at Liliana, but of course, I stepped in front.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
I’m the one you need to worry about. Protecting the mage is a hero’s duty!
“【Get out of the way——!!】”
Emelgias swung his spear, but his momentum was lacking compared to before. While I had been significantly empowered, the grass and flowers entwined around Emelgias’s limbs, impeding his movements.
“—♪”
A strong humming from behind brought valor to my heart, revealing a courageous melody—
“【Myth Reenactment: Hero’s Revenge】”
Adamas quivered, and the next instant, it exploded with light.
The mysterious light designed to defeat the enemy was far too violent to simply call it that.
“Hah…!”
I laughed. At this point, I had no choice but to laugh. To be able to unleash myth-level magic so rapidly was unbelievable!
Liliana’s magical power didn’t match that of the highest demon tribe, but the divinity residing within her and her exceptional miracles of light were her true essence.
‘Saint’ Liliana El Del Milfluer.
The embodiment of light that continually supported the allied forces on the front lines—!
“【I am Zilbagias. And,】”
I raised Adamas before me, feeling a surge of power.
“【I am Alexander. Alexander of Tanklet Village!】”
Emelgias twisted his face in confusion. Ah, right. You wouldn’t remember the name of the village I crushed in my first battle, would you…!
“【—I am the one who shall avenge my parents, my homeland!!】”
My magical energy exploded. Fueled by anger and every emotion I could muster—!
“【Wha… what are you?! What in the world are you—!?】”
With his spear ready, Emelgias shouted with a contorted expression.
There’s only one answer.
“I am—”
No matter what anyone says.
“—a hero!!!”
Here we go, Adamas.
Thanks to Liliana bestowing her protective magic upon me—
I could now allocate magic to reinforce my attack.
“【Come forth, sacred light upon my hand】”
The blade, shining like the sun, merged with a silvery sheen that could vanquish evil.
The bones of fallen soldiers coiled back to me, wrapping around Adamas to transform into a sword-spear.
I stepped forward. The soft grass and flowers supported my feet, pushing me onward.
“【UWAHAAAAHH!】”
Was Emelgias’s cry a roar or a wail? I sliced through the tail and wings that stood before him and defended him.
“【Damn it… don’t underestimate me!】”
Emelgias, too, rallied himself and thrust his spear.
Infused with dense magical energy at the spearhead, I aligned Adamas with it.
Then, at the moment of collision, I poured all the magic in my body into the blade.
A flash of light.
A shattering sound.
Emelgias’s spear shattered into pieces.
“【Wha—】”
Emelgias, in shock, now had no means to retaliate!
“Uuooooooo!!”
I raised it. Here comes— the blade of revenge.
“—DIEEEEEEEEEEE!!”
I drove Adamas deep into his skull.
Slicing through his long snake-like neck and torso lengthwise.
Rending and destroying him thoroughly.
“【A… gu… GAAAAAH…】”
Instead of blood, a dark magic oozed out as Emelgias wobbled backward.
“【Ah… ah… no… no, aghh!!】”
With grotesque sounds, his body twisted and contorted unnaturally.
“【I am… the strongest… Demon Lord, how could this happen…!!】”
—The fate of a demon who has suffered fatal injuries is singular.
I leaped back, maintaining my distance.
“【Aghh, guah, GYAAAAAAGH!!】”
Screaming, Emelgias collapsed.
“【———】”
After a brief pause, he erupted with a deafening roar, exploding with magic.
