Episode 1155 The Predetermined Order (2)
Brother-in-law… …?
It is an unfamiliar word. Of course, it is a commonly used title in everyday life, but Verden has never been called that even once until now.
An appearance resembling Isabella.
Even though I was seeing this person for the first time, it wasn’t difficult to guess their identity. And even the reason why they had revealed themselves here, of all times, right now.
───[Now that the Q&A has concluded, a cooperative relationship has been established, and the contract is deemed fulfilled the moment the Demon Realm Suppression Corps closes the Gate and departs the Demon Realm. This cooperation shall be reborn as an alliance. Furthermore, to commemorate this… … .]
The Parasitic Archdemon encountered through Gareth in Delharun said this.
───[I will send a gift at the appropriate time.]
It was only then that I understood.
How he was able to break through the siege of the Bohemian Magic Tower and disappear despite being fatally wounded.Why not a single small clue could be found even with the Ark’s intelligence network mobilized.Why he called it a gift.
On the day the Deiros family, excluding Isabella, was massacred by Croden Olentias, a demon was watching the spot where the old mansion burned down.
Xenia, Deiros.
Ifeakarn rescued Isabella’s younger sibling, who was on the verge of death, from Croden. Divine senses detected the demonic power possessed by Xenia.Regardless of the presence or absence of power, she was essentially no different from Gareth.
Zenia is the contractor of the Great Demon.
You recognized me right away? Even though you heard from your sister, so much time has passed…
It has been over a decade since the family tragedy.
Just as Isabella had changed, Xenia’s appearance had also changed a lot. Her original features hadn’t disappeared, but the youthful face Isabella knew had long since matured.
‘I know you.’
I don’t know how long it has been since someone recognized me, or heard my name like this from someone other than Ife Akarn.
In exchange for the contract, I had been living as Ifeakarn’s henchman.In an extraordinary life, there was no daily routine.
Zenia felt a tingling sensation in her heart, as if she were finally reconnected to the world.
Thump, thud!
Heavy bleeding occurred from the various sword marks left by Germael. It was a severe injury, serious enough that it would not be surprising if a human had died several times over.
“First, the wound… Ugh!”
The dark lightning split and spread in the air, and Zenia’s forearm, which grazed it slightly, was scorched black.Zenia gritted her teeth in pain that felt as if not only her skin but her bones were being torn apart. Her resistance, reinforced by the power of the Great Demon, was easily pierced.
Kuoooo───
The dark red sky twisted violently.
Lightning struck irregularly.
A crater formed as residual lightning spread along with the shockwave.Just watching the battle from a great distance was enough to send chills down my spine, but entering the scene firsthand, I couldn’t stop the cold sweat.
Instant death if hit squarely.
But even so, I had absolutely no intention of leaving Verden alone. Ifeakarn’s orders? Instructions? I didn’t care about such things.
Because the fact that I was someone precious to my older sister was enough to make me stake my life on it.
I’ll move seats first, brother-in-law.
Xenia hurriedly picked up the elixir rolling on the ground and her eyes flashed.
Demonization
The dark green pupils turned into reverse eyes.
Boom!
Her physique had barely changed. As she, now transformed into a humanoid demon with clearly visible female curves, sprang from her seat, the surrounding scenery flashed by rapidly.The moment she sensed an ominous omen from above through her distinctive intuition, she abruptly changed direction.
Thunder strikes in succession.
Xenia traversed a world on the brink of apocalypse where not a single living thing could be found. Not a single insect could survive on the ground she stood upon.Only the forms of the trees in the forest remained. The mountain range was stained with a different kind of death.
It was enough to make one mistakenly believe that Zenia and Verden were the only survivors in the world.
What a lonely world this is.
Startled.
Zenia stood frozen, a sudden chill running down her spine.She saw no way out.Her demonic senses sounded an alarm, warning that any move would be dangerous. She hurriedly raised her head. An ominous glow glared menacingly at her.
I couldn’t get away even a little…?
From the very beginning, Zenia could not escape the space where magic reigned. Because Verden was the source. As long as she was with Verden, escape was impossible.
Interis Great Area: Mad Heaven
A unique magic spell was cast on its own, unleashing a torrential downpour of dark lightning across the entire area where Zenia was located. The radius of the spell stretched for several kilometers, and Zenia lacked the ability to cover that distance in an instant.Of course, neither did she have the means to defend herself.
“Bow down.”
[Et.]
Verden pressed down on her shoulder and raised his remaining arm toward the sky. As he bent his five fingers and twisted his wrist, the trajectory of the magic twisted.Kwa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wa!Countless bolts of lightning missed only Verden and Zenia.
“Unless I regain control of my magic, its influence will never disappear.”
If I were alone, I wouldn’t have cared.
If you cannot handle the abnormal level drawn out by the rampage of magic, you will simply die alone.
However, the younger sister and only family Isabella has been searching for so desperately is right beside her.I can say with certainty that Xenia will not die here.
“Transform… Interis.”
End of Order [Interis] responded to the trigger word and completely released the output limit of his magic circuit.
The magical power overflowing from Verden’s heart surged up and blocked the dark lightning. As blue and dark red collided, the world split in two.The confrontation between the Infinite Magic and the Magic of Destruction lasted only a moment before the balance of power shifted. The magical power imbued with will began to subdue the magic that had lost its reason and run wild.
Debris of the earth suspended in mid-air by the clash of forces.A rigid atmosphere.Rapid changes in weather.
────────────!
Soon, magical power flashed and engulfed the entire Martes territory in an instant. The dark red color diluted and scattered, and in a split second, an ash light enveloped everything, blinding me.
How much time has passed?
Xenia slowly opened her tightly closed eyes.
‘… … It cleared up.’
The blue sky was reflected inside the station. The sky gradually changed, and darkness began to naturally descend. Itwas the time when the evening twilight was fading on the continent.
thud.
The vitality drained from Verden’s body. He had missed [Interis]. Zenia opened her eyes wide at the pitiful sight of him hanging his head, pouring out blood and sweat.
[Brother-in-law!]
“It’s fine…… This much.”
Verden said this with a pale face, but the situation was not good. They had succeeded in eliminating the aftermath of the magic that had taken over the Martes territory, but the rampage of magic had only been suppressed and was still ongoing.
In a state of being virtually completely neutralized.
The elixir cannot be consumed unless the magic trapped within the body is calmed. It will take a long time to recover my strength on my own.I cannot afford that.I must receive help. The mages who can interfere with Verden’s magical power… … .
[Even for a transcendent being, this is impossible. I could heal him if I could receive a blood supply, but at this level, it would require enough blood for at least thousands of people.]
Who in this world would voluntarily give that much blood?An entire small city must be sacrificed.That is the best option. AlthoughZenia felt a strong sense of revulsion, she could not think of any way to restore Verden other than the path Ifeakarn had suggested as advice.
Complete strangers.The person Isabella chose.
It was already decided which of the two was more important.
[I will somehow get the blood──]
“Es, Tilia.”
Verden put strength into his voice again.
Estria, Lo.
Kingdom of Estria
fault!
Understanding the meaning of Verden’s words, Zenia immediately grabbed her staff and raced eastward. There was a way to cure Verden in the Kingdom of Estiria.As soon as she heard this, she withdrew her cruel decision to sacrifice a small city.
A distance that inevitably takes some time even when moving at full speed.
Almost no power could be felt from Verden, who had overwhelmed the commanders of the Xerion Empire.A faint heartbeat that seemed about to stop at any moment.
They say the Transcendent’s homeostasis is incredible, but can it really endure?
Zenia chattered away, hoping that Verden would hold onto his consciousness until the very end and regain even a little of his lost vitality.Just like those happy, innocent days before her younger brother and retainers died.
[It looks like you’ve developed good taste over time. Back in the day, you used to bring a guy like Croden home as a friend. To think you’d bring someone like my brother-in-law home now.]
“…….”
It’s been so long since I’ve seen her that I don’t know what to say when Isabella returns from Mahe. I really hate being awkward with family.
At that moment, Verden’s body tensed up.
“……Mahae?”
The news of Isabella’s survival, who had gone missing due to the appearance of the Red Dragon, provoked Verden.
* * *
Skills, magic, miracles.
The Dragon Sword surged violently toward the assault surging from all directions. Unable to withstand it, all forces that came into contact with it disintegrated and shattered.
Crush armor with one sword stroke.Shatter weapons with two sword strokes.Slice flesh with three sword strokes.Shatter city walls with four sword strokes.Slay the enemy commander with five sword strokes, and crush the army with six sword strokes.
Season: Sixth Formation – Qiontas
Ersetia faced the technique alone when her knees buckled in an instant.*Pfft*, blood gushed from beneath her helmet.
“……?!”“I acknowledge your level.”
The internal injuries were so deep that they could not be immediately restored with divine power. Even though he blocked it with a holy spear enveloped in divine power, the immense impact shattered his entire body. Eventhe Beast King Antias judged that he could not endure it barehanded and dodged Akhand’s technique.
“But you are even more arrogant than that.”
Two sword strikes remained.
Boom!
Just before slicing through Ersetia’s shoulder, the light sword and the holy sword crossed. They did not touch the dragon sword and blocked Arkand’s gauntlet from advancing.The sword pressure crushed his entire body.Even though there were two transcendents, he was overwhelmingly outmatched in strength, and his knees dug into the ground.
Vantoreon approached like a flash of light.
Brainstorming: Internal Explosion
A lightning strike exploded from the touch of the hand on Akand’s armor, burning his insides. The concentrated lightning exploded and engulfed the surrounding area.Meanwhile, Ersetia, having recovered from her internal injuries, hurled a holy spear and struck Akand’s upper body.
It was then that the violent halo of light began to subside.
Arkand’s new form faded.Even its presence.
“Where…!”“Saint, move out of the way!”
Ersetia stretched the tip of her spear high and unfolded a holy curtain.
Season: Second Form – Vinculos
As the afterimage vanished, the Dragon Sword struck from above everyone’s heads. The remaining fifth and sixth strikes successively slashed through the same space.
The earth split open and rose.
Thick clouds of rising dust obscured my vision. Even shockwaves that sent shivers down my entire body disrupted my transcendent senses.Amidst the intense chaos, I heightened my visual powers to the extreme to find the presence of the ancient king.
Ersetia saw her presence from the side.
“It’s ahead!”“Huh?!”
As soon as Adrian warned, his shadow rose from the empty front, and the dragon sword surged forward, blowing Ersetia away.
BANG!
The holy sword sliced through the figure beyond the dust.However, only the shadow was cut.A surge of fist pressure flew in from right beside him and burrowed into Leonhardt’s embrace.
Season: Second Form – Xriak
Blood splattered as the holy sword flew through the air with a tyrannical barrage that rendered resistance meaningless.
Adrian intervened midway and exchanged blows with a chaotic dance, but his nerves were worn out, and he failed to block a few attacks, allowing an opening.The two transcendents flew left and right before the sound could even reach them and crashed into the cliff.
Crackling sound!
Bantoleon, accompanied by waves of lightning, forcibly stimulated Madoro’s nerves—raising his reflexes beyond his physical limits—and deflected Akand’s fist and foot techniques at close range.It was a countermeasure possible because he understood the flow of the technique, having experienced it in the past.
The problem is its power.
“If you get hit, you won’t even be able to keep your bones intact. It seems this monster has more room to grow than I thought.”
The image of the guy who had single-handedly slaughtered the Transcendents in the First Transcendent War flickered before my eyes.
Vantoreon has risen one rank since then and become much stronger, and the Saintess of that era has reached a lofty realm that the newcomers of the past could not attain.
Saint Leonhardt was inexperienced but solid, and Adrian was a strong fighter who could be considered top-tier among transcendent beings in the martial arts world based on the era of the 8th century.
Akand is overwhelming these four successful candidates with his brutal techniques.He has clearly transcended the realm of the past.
All physical abilities, including resistance, have risen to a new level. Especially in player-versus-player combat, surpassing even the Evil Dragon Nekhbael… …!
I recoiled, unable to fully deflect the kick that flew in unexpectedly. Crunch. A shallow crack formed in my arm bone. Then, a chill brushed against the back of my neck.
Bantoreon instinctively bent down.
Whoosh!
The dragon sword, spinning and flying from behind, landed in Akand’s hand.
Season: First Formation – Glaros
A sword aura of death several meters thick manifested just three steps away.
Even if you lower your body to the absolute limit, your head will be blown off.Defense is impossible.If you fail to block, you will die.Your upper and lower body will be separated.Even a graze will break your balance, making it impossible to block the next blow. You will die.
“Even if I die, I will have a good death.”
A pleasant excitement pierced my brain.
But I haven’t fought Verden yet!
Whoosh!
Bantoleon retreated like a bolt of lightning. Sword energy pursued him. However, Bantoleon’s instantaneous speed surpassed that of the sword energy.After securing distance, he arched his back and succeeded in escaping the line of fire. The cliff terrain, facing Akand’s technique instead of Bantoleon, split horizontally.
“Hahaha, I thought you were going to die!”“Excellent, Vantoreon.”“There’s still more to come, so look forward to it!”
Bantoleon brought his hands together and let out a shout.
Thunder Dragon
A beam of lightning struck Akhand with a roar like a dragon’s roar. Not stopping there, he repeatedly extended his two hands alternately.
“Uryary
Countless intense lightning bolts fired in succession filled the gaps. A move prepared to break through Arkhand’s brute resistance.
Kwag
In the blink of an eye, thousands upon thousands of streaks of lightning exploded at a single point. Blue explosions spread in a chain reaction. His magical power and magic overwhelmed the canyon.
The residual lightning generated in this way condensed around the space where Arkhand was, temporarily forming the
Keraus Detonator
A small lightning spear concentrated with demonic power shot out like a magnet and pierced through the area.
One-point explosion.
A magnificent pillar of lightning, lethal to all living things, connected heaven and earth.
“Haa, haa…….”
While Bantoreon was calming his breathing, Arkhand walked out of the epicenter. Smoke billowed from his entire body. The sound of metal cracking could be heard.
Crack.
The old king’s helmet was broken.
“Eight centuries ago, I couldn’t even leave a scratch on myself. Wasn’t that quite thrilling this time?”“True to your nickname—”
Before Arkhand could even finish speaking, energy and divine power surged from three directions.
Judgment of the Goddess, Rift of the Realm, Heavenly Stigmata
The holy spear that mercilessly obliterates enemies of faith, the world-splitting slash, and the vast nature that cuts through vertical lines blocked all escape routes.The transcendental abilities and divine miracles manifested by the three reached a level that threatened Akhand.
This is truly a world with a central point.
Akand pulled back the Dragon Sword [Magras] without a single change in expression.The sword’s intent rising from below upward.
You are qualified.
He wondered if he would actually try to counter that combined attack, but his actions exceeded expectations. Adrian, who had been glaring at the Dragon Sword, opened his eyes wide.
“Transcendence……!!”“What? That can’t be.”
Akand had never used his Transcendence ability even in the previous war. The Alliance’s reasoning was that he had not realized it because he was different from ordinary Transcendents.
In fact, Akand could not use transcendental techniques 800 years ago.The reason was simple.He was not ready at that time.
However, Akand was finally completed as the Sixth Apostle by resurrecting through the glory of the corpse. The transcendental technique of the one referred to in the world as being born with transcendence was essentially different from the usual martial arts style.
The Power of Rest
The Dragon Sword wielded by Arkhand with all his might transcended the material world and twisted concepts. It was a sword energy of nothingness, achieved at the cost of his own sacrifice.As his presence diminished, the miracle bestowed upon him by ‘you’ manifested.
That makes no sense.
Ersetia muttered as she watched the turbulent waves of power rushing in like a tidal wave.
“Divine power……?”
Rest: Standingless
An unknown divine power destroyed transcendence.
The canyon was lost.
