Episode 1137: A Bold Move (5)
37 days have passed since the outbreak of the Battle of Poltein Plain.
Day 6 of the Siege.
[He has a different spirit.]
Compared to just a few hours ago, the fighting spirit of the Allied Forces had changed dramatically. The rhythm of the battlefield shifted.As the apocalypse of war, Necranon gained insight into the number of the Transcendents.
All-out offensive.
Their patience had reached its limit.It was earlier than expected.
Necranon extended his arm.
War: Frenzy
The power bestowed by the Six-Armed Sword tainted the undead with the madness of war.As morale amplified, some of the undead were reborn as superior, mutated entities, as if by a blessing.
[Aaaaaaaah───!]
The Fallen One of the Kingdom of Ronia, who had absorbed countless human souls and reflected them exactly, let out a monstrous scream while emitting a deep blue glow from his eyes.A resonance spread far and wide, sounding as if thousands were screaming at once.
All the enraged undead will soon perish within a few days, like the embers of war that burn for a moment and leave behind nothing but fleeting ashes.
Necranon gave an order to the transcendents leading the front line.
[Welcome.]
The Alliance and the Empire clashed at the center on a scale unlike anything seen before. Swords and spears intertwined. Life and death crossed paths. Their siege magic and siege weapons collided in the air or struck the camps of both sides.
Waaahh
The front line of the Xerion Empire collapsed in an instant.
The undead of war cannot stop the brutal charge of the transcendents.The 8th Commander is holding them back, but with the Pope single-handedly defending the alliance while the other three charge forward without looking back, there is no way his power can fully reach them.
thud!
Necranon jumped down from the castle wall.
Guerrilla warfare again.
Using the berserk undead as expendables, I will thoroughly block the three Transcendents. As the war is delayed, the strength of the extermination legion will decrease exponentially, so this must be the way to fulfill the secret orders of the Six Apostles.
Necranon charged across the hills, sending the weakest creatures to the front first. Cutting through tens of thousands of undead, he brought his massive sword down.
War: Split Formation
A heavy shockwave sent the nearby Allied Forces and Undead flying simultaneously.A small hill was crushed, leaving not even a trace of its form.
Kagak… … Kagagak… … !
Two blades trembling in the clash of power.
Necranon looked down at her arch-rival, Vendie, through this gap. Her eyes held a determination more resolute than ever.
You’ve braced yourself for something.
There is only one instance in war where such determination can be displayed:conviction in victory.
[Can I look forward to it?]
Do as you please.
Bendie bent his wrist to deflect Necranon’s great sword and leaned his upper body back to avoid the blow, while simultaneously throwing a fingernail-sized model of the Colosseum.
A joyful scene of bloodshed.
An arena emerged in response to the trigger word.
* * *
The sound of war vanished.It was endlessly silent.
[… … .]
Necranon looked around with his greatsword hanging low enough to touch the ground. Instead of the scenery of the Four Gates world, a vast battlefield came into view.It was an empty and desolate arena for battle, devoid of a single spectator.
“[Arena], an ancient artifact of unknown origin. It is a collectible I acquired around the time I founded the Temple after awakening as a Transcendent.”
Bendie deployed the arsenal.
No one can leave until they see the end.
A dark golden light shimmered throughout the Colosseum.
Prohibited: Regulations
Yurion’s transcendental power established a rule of taboo within the Colosseum itself.As it functions as a concept of rule, it cannot unilaterally disadvantage the enemy, but its coercive force is something even Bendie cannot resist.
There was only one stipulated condition.
Unless one of them dies, neither can escape the artifact’s space. Bendy used himself as bait to lure Necranon into the narrow cliff.
Whether both fall or only one remains—whatever happens, there is no turning back.
Before being named the Colosseum, battle arenas were typically used for slaves or prisoners of war.
Suddenly, Necranon started saying strange things.
[A venue of entertainment beloved by humanity in its Golden Age, for the enjoyment of the spectacle of them killing and being killed… I never imagined I would see that scene again now, created by a group of the Twelve Nobles of that time.]
“what…….”
[It is a story from a life long, long ago.]
Necranon acted as if he knew the origins of the ancient artifact [Arena].In life.Before becoming undead.Just like Vendie’s High Disciple who was resurrected as the 8th Commander, he too had a time when he was human. If so, from what era, exactly was he a figure?
[Since it is not ordained by God, it is somewhat far from absolute, but a taboo is a taboo. It is rare to find a luxurious battlefield composed of such.]
Necranon raised his great sword straight up with both hands like a high knight.
[I am ready, Vendir Kaenar.]
“…….”
The soul is the beginning of an eternal cycle.A procedure for a world where separation does not exist.War is the ritual of all things.
I replayed Necranon’s quotes in my mind, words that would easily lead one to mistake him for a religious believer at first listen. It was self-evident that the Xerion Empire was not a mere enemy, but there were still not enough clues to draw any definitive conclusions.
Undead with conviction.
Suppressing a strange sense of unease, Bendie soon cleared away thoughts unnecessary for the battle. He then thrust his hand deep into the armory, which had been fully deployed.
Swoosh.
She, widely known as a weapon collector in addition to being the Master of the Temple… …the weaponry she had never shown to anyone other than Yurion and the Grand Disciples.
A weapon that had never once been shown to the world throughout its lifetime, including when it faced the ancient king on the island of the Hiaremar Inland Sea.
Yurion’s trump card to ensure Bendie’s victory.
Extreme Sword───[Ithilzer]
Bendie’s unique sword, forged with conviction and spirit for decades but not yet complete, and therefore uncontrollable and unable to distinguish between friend and foe, manifested.
* * *
Bendie and Necranon suddenly vanished from the battlefield. Yurion’s Transcendence Energy overlaid them, rendering their presence no longer palpable.
That was the signal.
Pope Romanus unfolded the sanctuary [Omen Code] and prayed to the goddess. Soon, a shining rift appeared in the sky of the Four Gates world.A time that seemed long yet short passed, and a dazzling radiance flashed, overwhelming death.
O embodiment of victory and prosperity, descend upon this land overflowing with pain and passion.
Descent: Valiel
A pillar of light poured from the rift and struck the ground.
One of the three angels—different from Rumael—who answered the call when the glory of the corpse invaded the sanctuary, the angel of light and purification, opened her eyes.Four wings and shoulder-length white hair. She was wearing armor.
[The Pope, please ask me.]
The Pope can make three requests to the angel through a total of three prayers. As long as it does not contradict the doctrine of light, the supplication is bound to be granted.
Lead us to victory.
[The first prayer will be answered.]
Valiel’s Hymn echoed throughout the entire world of the Four Gates, embracing the extermination legion.Strength and determination filled their entire bodies.
Valiel, having summoned a sword of light made of divine power, rose low and accelerated, sweeping across the land stained with terrible evil.
Yurion marveled as he ran.
“Oh, that’s Luas’s angel… Ugh.”“Stay behind me, Your Majesty.”
Commander Roan, who leads the Knights of the Word Spirit, took a step ahead of Yurion.
He is still pushing himself too hard.
While subduing the 6th Commander, I used my special techniques multiple times and even manifested my transcendental abilities. On top of that, I have now even designated the forbidden medicine with the highest price.Through the Autonomous Pledge: Deferment, I postponed half of the cost, but even that half was a heavy burden.
“Right… please keep a close eye on him while he recovers for a bit. Of course, maintain this speed. Huh? More importantly, where did Gareth go?”“He’s over there—up ahead.”
As I cast my gaze in the direction Leona pointed, I saw the back of Gareth charging madly toward the ancient fortress all by himself.
“Wow, I didn’t know he was that passionate. I see him in a new light.”“I know, right.”“I guess he has at least a minimal sense of community.”
That tenacious fighting spirit was truly an exemplary model for the World Alliance.
In fact, Gareth was keeping as much distance as possible out of fear that the angel might discover the archdemon’s aura, but there was no way for anyone else to know that.
Then, ominous arrows hurled down.
Kwaaaaang!
The fraud exploded.
Gareth advanced, scattering the rising dust and the aura of death.He did not stop, no matter what stood in his way.He met the eyes of the 8th Commander, who had been a nuisance throughout the siege.
“I’m going to kill you. I’m going to kill you.”
How many arrows were hit from a distance where the enemy’s energy couldn’t even reach?
“I will explode with rage unless I break that damn bow and wrist and flip it in half.” Gareth radiated a murderous intent stronger than that of the undead.
The high-ranking undead were shattered by the fists swung wildly while changing direction several times.
Kkuguguk… … .
Commander Luerin of the 8th Division twisted his bowstring hard to apply force, then looked anew at the battlefield situation that had unilaterally changed after the Master and the 3rd Commander disappeared.He spotted Eon’s ‘Unia’ beyond the radiance of powerful elemental magic.
[… … .]
Luerin silently lowered his bowstring, turned around, and entered the ancient fortress.
Gareth’s eyes were bloodshot.
“Where do you think you’re running to, you dog—”
[Ughhhhh!]
Gareth was flung away by a projectile of flesh that struck from the right. He pinned the undead down with his body, rolled around on the ground a few times, and immediately regained his balance.
“What is this?”
[Maul, R… … .]
The corrupted one who ambushed Gareth had the appearance of, how should I put it, a corpse golem, with countless human faces floating above the red flesh.Among them, one fleshy human face muttered Gareth’s alias.
[No more… … Yes, no territory is needed… … !]
Gareth deduced who it was by looking at the face rather than the dirty voice.
“King of Ronia?”
It is undoubtedly the King of Ronia who was captured by Eon and killed by Saint Leonhardt.The Kingdom of Ronia was still under Gareth’s control.
This guy died after the Gate of Death was opened. Did the Fallen One absorb his soul along the way?
I don’t know the principle, but I understand the background.
He already knew that the Xerion Empire dealt with souls. Gareth didn’t care at all whether the dead returned or not.
Since I can just kill it again.
He doesn’t know his place even after death.
The air vibrated violently at the physical clash between Gareth and the mighty Corruptor. Pure power was intimidating and destructive in itself.
“─────!”
He let out a battle cry. His entire body’s muscles expanded. He plunged his right hand into the Fallen One’s abdomen and held onto his left leg with his left hand.
Kwaaaaang!
Gareth pushed forward with all his might, slamming the entire Fallen One into the massive fortress wall.
A part of the ancient fortress finally collapsed.
For the first time, the Allied Forces set foot in the territory where the source body of the Four Gates is located.
* * *
The Colosseum, which existed before the concept of fate was born, was covered in bloodstains and sword marks. There were still no spectators, but only then did the scent of an arena fill the air.
“Haa, haa…….”
Bendie let out a labored breath, his right eye etched with a knife scar.His entire body was drenched in blood from various stab wounds and lacerations, but aside from that, there were no visible injuries that would significantly impair his physical functions.
Zzz
The ultimate sword [Isilr] vibrated low right in front of Necranon’s eyes.
[… … This weapon technique.]
A skull was revealed beyond Necranon’s half-split helmet.
[As expected, he is the pinnacle of the current martial arts world.]
Bendie twisted the blade and thrust upward. A rupturing sound echoed from the forearm pierced by the ultimate blade. Even the gauntlet was torn apart.
Necranon’s left forearm was severed.
……thud.
Necranon stepped backward, lost his balance, and knelt on one knee.
Bendie tried to immediately continue the sword technique, but due to the significant physical strain, he missed the timing for a moment. It was the price for wielding an unfinished sword.
Limited space.
The Master single-handedly gained the upper hand against the Empire’s Third Commander and the Apostle’s third familiar. The evenly matched battle began to tilt in one direction.
* * *
Nuhara, the capital of Tuhar.
Hiante helped Verden, who had lost consciousness on an island in the Hiaremar Inland Sea, as he was transported to the Desert of Silence and realized his divinity in his inner world.
And as Verden woke up, even Hiante’s vessel moved to the Silent Desert.
Aisha, the fortune teller’s granddaughter.
She had been staying in the Desert of Silence ever since. It had been quite some time since she woke up, but she could not return to the continent. It was because of the war.
Because the fortune teller grandmother wanted Aisha to stay in a slightly safer place, Verden did not go out of his way to send her back to the ownerless land.
Fortunately, Aisha quickly adapted to the new environment.
Hehehe.
I never got tired of looking out at the desert and the city from atop the Giant Tree of Life. It was also fascinating to play with the small branches of the giant tree.I also liked the white-haired old man and Omega, who is said to be the brother of Alpha and Beta.
I was worried about my grandmother and the others, but I was relieved because Verden was there.
While the manager and Sheorn Kernoden were conversing, Aisha spent her time eating a cake made by a baker from Nuhara using a continental recipe.The past, present, and future tenses residing in her body—Hiante was the same.
Countless possibilities… … .
Hiante observed the present and the future within the unchanging flow of time.
Ever since Aisha woke up.Ever since watching Verden battle the Evil Dragon Nekhbael on the periphery of the third dimension.
Moving small fingers at the same time.
That was all Hiante, the concept of time, could do.
* * *
As the near-life-or-death battle continued for several days, the loud noises subsided.An eerie silence fell.
[… … .]
The dragon Nekbael rolled his eyes while in a polymorphed state.
Dried blood on wounded scales.The membrane of a damaged wing.One broken horn.… … .
Nekbael looked similar to how he had when he and Sarkandra killed each other during their lifetime. However, as you can see, there were no fatal injuries.The same was true for Verden.
Nekbael’s eyes flashed.
Kwagwagwagwagwang!
The breath unleashed in an instant pierced the ground and turned the earth upside down.The area where Verden’s presence was detected collapsed…
‘back?’
As soon as he sensed a presence, he turned his head.The gray blade grazed his cheek.When the surprise attack failed, Verden immediately grabbed the back of Nekbael’s head and slammed it into the ground.
While Nekbael was becoming more agile as he adapted to his opponent, Verden was doing even more so. He had never sustained a close battle with an enemy of his own for this long.
Whoosh!
Verden pressed down with divine power and briefly grasped [Interis]. Graydivine power surged forth. Nekbael, glaring at the light aimed at his head, twisted his body momentarily and swung his tail.
The staff’s direction changed.
────────────────!
Without distinguishing between the surface and the underground, the western direction was annihilated starting from the two points.
Verden kept his distance throughout, strictly guarding against fatal injuries. By not pushing himself too hard, he reduced gains and minimized losses.He crossed the line only when Nekbael showed a small weakness.
Verden’s vicious and cunning tactics reminded me of Sarkandra.
This guy… … his very existence is dangerous.
I couldn’t fathom what would happen in the future if I didn’t handle it here.If the realm were perfected while holding onto such thoughts…
However, change was inevitable.
The fierce battle between the gods and the ancient dragons left the periphery of the third dimension almost completely devastated. As most of the space was engulfed in destruction, there was no place left intact.
As a result─── the 3D rift that Deus Widen last mentioned, which Verden had been secretly exploring while engaging in battle, was clearly revealed.
“……?”
[… … ?]
Both of their gazes naturally drifted to one side.
Beneath the sunken ground, eroded by the gray rays, a crevice emitting a faint blue light was visible.An escape route leading back to the continent.
Found it.
Verden moved immediately. Nekbael pushed off the ground with its wings, rose to its feet, predicted the path of movement, and swung its claws. Ithad absolutely no intention of giving Verden a chance to escape.
[Krwaaaah───!]
Tsk!
Verden lowered his body to the extreme and rotated to close the distance in reverse. The sound of feet scraping the earth and cutting through the air brushed past the ears.
Nekbael opened his eyes wide.
Smack!
[Interis] flew straight at Nekbael and struck his face.
