Chapter 101 – Evolution, Not Corruption (9)
“We have lost, and we cannot even endure.”
Dark’s eyes sank as he continued to unleash magic. It was in stark contrast to the hope shared by the mages gathered around.
The magical power gained at the cost of a thousand lives was not invincible. There were limits to the magic he was currently expending.
Yet, he could not kill any more than this. After all, his capacity was only that far.
On the other hand, the enemies that had cornered Menace to the brink of collapse were only a “handful” of what was known.
“We must first weather this crisis and unite to fight back!”
One of the Academy Presidents muttered, watching the dwindling enemies.
In reality, they had barely survived this crisis. The numerous flying types had now decreased to the point where they were beginning to turn and retreat.
Those witnessing it saw a glimmer of hope. That if they fought together like this, they could endure.
“No. That is a false hope. A false hope that will eat us alive.”
However, Dark, the key force, shook his head resolutely.
“Chairman?!”
“Let go of this! What is the meaning of this…!”
In an instant, most of the senior officials gathered at the scene were subdued in one fell swoop.
What revealed themselves were the units belonging to Dark.
Like Dark, they lived with their existing identities during normal times while thoroughly pledging loyalty to him and acting as units behind the scenes.
Those who were subdued were in disbelief as they were overpowered by their deputy, superior, and colleagues they believed in.
“My magic… my magic isn’t moving!”
“…Did the leader of the mages not prepare for this?”
Dark sighed bitterly upon seeing those who were bewildered that their magic was sealed. In truth, dealing with their kin had been a plan conceived long ago in anticipation of revealing their identities.
They just didn’t want to use it, especially not in a situation like this.
“Now, everyone follow my words. First, we will survive this crisis, and I will teach you a new magic that will elevate our magic to the next level. It is the blood magic.”
As Dark changed his tone to a commanding one, a ripple of commotion spread through the room at the mention of the new spell, blood magic.
However, that commotion was short-lived. Soon, someone was dragged out while letting out a desperate scream, and everyone’s eyes widened.
“What on earth is this, Chairman! Daring to hold the Academy’s President!”
“Shut up, Seidel. We will now proceed with a vote among the members. I will propose the only solution to this situation, and we will proceed with a show of hands.”
What Dark’s subordinate brought was none other than Marcus, the President of Ardos Academy.
The Academy’s mages erupted in fury, but he did not show the slightest concern.
“…Chairman.”
“Is your answer still the same? To open the gate to REDRIUM and set the two monstrous groups against each other.”
Smirking as he looked at Marcus, who was glaring at him, Dark now seemed somewhat detached.
“Absolutely not.”
Marcus shook his head firmly and confidently. This was an unquestionable rule and duty.
“What is the basis of this? Pitting monsters against monsters. It will merely double the monsters! The monsters that would devour mages!”
“Chairman. You can’t be serious!”
All the high-ranking mages captured at the scene gasped in shock at Marcus’s outburst.
Especially the elders reacted more violently, among them was Austin, who glared with wide eyes.
“This is madness, Chairman! Even more than what you are doing now! Those lizards are true calamities. Embodiments of fire, foes of magic, and crawling death!”
“I never thought you would say such a thing, Austin Schultz. Have you not learned anything from what has happened up to now? Those black monsters that ravaged this city were less wicked and horrifying than the lizards of REDRIUM?”
“That, that is!”
Austin, who had shouted, flinched at Dark’s cynical words.
Others had also personally experienced that horror, but Austin was someone who had faced those monsters from the very start.
At that moment, the image of a masked figure with eyes meeting his flashed through Austin’s mind. The eyes behind the golden-haired mask.
Of course, Reina was nowhere to be found in this city. Not even her corpse.
In the first place, no one had shown any interest, and even if they did, finding her would have been impossible.
“Think carefully. If there is a better way than the opinion I propose, I will gladly accept it. If there’s a way to win against that mad legion of abyss!”
Dark shouted as he glared at the crowd, but at the moment Austin kept his mouth shut, no one else dared to speak.
Satisfied with the sight, he soon began the voting.
“Consider it well and raise your hand. Your gestures will determine our glory and the lives of millions.”
“This is nonsense!”
Marcus erupted. Almost all the members began to slowly raise their hands.
The Academy mages, led by the academicians, were horrified by the council’s tyranny but couldn’t openly oppose it.
“Absolutely impossible! It is my duty to permanently sever the connection with that horrific place!”
A decision had been made, but Academy President Marcus’s resistance did not wane. Even when the reactions of others grew cold, his will remained steadfast.
“Then, other academies will have no choice but to cooperate.”
“Hah! Do you think that’s possible? All knowledge related to the coordinates of REDRIUM lies solely with the Academy President! If I do not cooperate, then it is absolutely impossible!”
Stepping forward with glinting eyes, trembling Marcus laughed wildly.
But Dark showed no change in his expression. The moment the other mages thought they were mistaken.
“What are you doing?!”
“I can do anything, and I have done so already. Marcus Levelton. Do you think you’re that great?”
“This crazy… Aaagh!”
Dark grabbed Marcus by the hair, and before he could even resist, he sank his fangs into Marcus’s nape.
“Ugh… ugh…”
Marcus’s essence began to be drained away.
It was such a shocking scene that everyone’s thoughts stopped dead in their tracks.
To them, the existence of a vampire was beyond their understanding, and the shock was unimaginable.
“I’ll give you the coordinates.”
Wiping the blood off, Dark carelessly tossed Marcus aside, who had become a dry corpse, his eyes shining with indifference.
“Open the gate right now.”
Dark’s heavy command seized the scene where everyone had lost their senses collectively.
*
“Are you not planning to respond separately?”
When the sun was at its highest in the clear sky, another large troop was approaching with Menace in sight.
An army coloring the vast plains black as they trampled and crushed everything in their path was not composed of mere scouts like before, but the true main force consisting of diverse forms and various troops tailored to those forms.
“Or do they have some kind of scheme?”
“Excluding the bizarre magic possessed by the enemy units, I believe they will have no means to utilize,” Reina answered Eve’s query.
Having recently returned from death, Reina was no longer in the nest. This time, she was following the main force from above, flying slowly with the magic-type upper species, the flying types.
“But they wouldn’t choose to die without a fight. As I see it, that person named Dark is definitely someone who would do that.”
Through the collective consciousness, Kang Do-yeon, who was now hundreds of kilometers away from the battlefield, shared her thoughts.
“I agree. Chairman Dark Yuta Crewger is someone who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.”
Reina echoed Kang Do-yeon’s sentiment. Eve’s thoughts were no different from theirs. It was her habit to always be on guard against variables, calculate contingencies, and devise responses to devise the most effective strategies.
“Anything extra would not be bad.”
Of course, even if the opponent had more hidden cards, it wouldn’t matter.
After all, only one of them would survive. In this thought process so different from humans, it was the natural law and truth of the world that Eve had lived by thus far.
No matter how strong the enemy might be, they were ultimately just targets to be defeated and devoured.
As long as the opponent was strong enough, she could grow stronger by fighting them.
“Indeed. No matter what has tainted this world, we can perfectly purify it. They will be granted the grace and glory of becoming one with the legion!”
“If I think in human terms, does that make my actions so?”
“…Not at all.”
When Reina tilted her head at the words, Kang Do-yeon immediately denied it.
“And look at that. It seems it’s not just simple trickery after all.”
Kang Do-yeon redirected her attention to the sky above the urban area surrounding Menace, where all the people had evacuated.
A massive force of energy could be seen coalescing blatantly.
“Could that be…”
In an instant, Eve’s eyes lit up. Slowly and violently, the seams of space began to tear apart.
What she had so long yearned for and desired. Only the central Ardos Academy could create a new gate.
Now, that gate was beginning to open anew.
[He is also watching this situation right now. The only oddity is why he chose to open the gate there at this moment.]
“Therefore, whatever comes out, we will never lose.”
Even with the sudden appearance of the gate, Eve remained unfazed.
Fight, and the victor possesses everything, while the loser dies. It was only natural.
