Chapter 161

(4)

7.

As soon as I stepped through the door, the world changed once more. The library-like scenery vanished without a trace, and in its place appeared a long corridor.

A direction extending only straight ahead.

Delia moved forward in silence.

“…….”

A dark path without a single point of light.

But there was no need to worry. The further she went, the brighter the light emitted from the walls chased away the darkness.

At first, she thought it was a magic light, but that wasn’t the case. After all, there was no sign of the flow of magic at all.

Instead, she felt a familiar power.

It was the power of the fairies. The moment she realized this, Delia understood the identity of the light that was dispelling the darkness.

‘Fairy Light.’

A mysterious ore said to be impossible to touch unless you are of the Fairy Race.

Its characteristics include being so light it hardly feels like a mineral, yet harder than steel.

Usually invisible, it is also famous for emitting a dazzling display of colors when someone with fairy blood appears.

‘As expected, this place is…….’

From the moment she entered, she suspected it might be created by fairies.

Just as she was thinking this, Delia came to a halt.

A gigantic door made of fairy light blocked her path. Inscribed on the door were these words:

『Wise one who has solved ninety-nine problems.』

『Or brave one who has conquered the maze.』

『You have finally reached the final trial.』

『If you are prepared, open the door.』

Having come this far, there was no room for hesitation.

To keep her promise with Ulan and escape from here, she reached out her hand.

Click! Crongggggg!

The door opened with a loud noise.

As the long-closed door swung open, the scenery beyond reflected in her golden eyes.

Soon, Delia tilted her head.

“A laboratory?”

She uttered the words without even realizing it.

The landscape before her indeed looked like a mage’s laboratory. Spellbooks scattered across the floor and mysterious potions lay around, evidence of this.

Although the lab was quite spacious for a lab.

As she wandered around, curiosity getting the better of her, her gaze suddenly fixed on a particular spot.

The farthest place from the entrance.

At the end of the laboratory sat an old chair.

The chair looked like it might crumble to dust at any moment, having endured the test of time. What caught her attention was the figure perched on that chair.

“That’s…….”

A skeleton draped in a vintage robe.

It was likely the owner of this laboratory, and at first glance, it appeared just ordinary.

But Delia’s thoughts were different.

To her, favored by mana, the sheer amount of magic power emanating from the skeleton was clearly visible.

‘……A monster.’

Her silver eyelashes trembled.

And it was understandable. The magic power held by the skeleton was overwhelming compared to any existence she had ever encountered.

Chills ran down her spine.

Delia quickly realized the true identity of the skeleton.

‘Arch Lich.’

When a mage reaches a level of at least a sorcerer in life and then transforms into a lich, that being is called an Arch Lich.

The critical difference between a normal lich and an Arch Lich is the possibility of communication.

While normal liches blindly hate the living, Arch Liches possess intelligence and a clear sense of purpose.

Of course, that’s not absolute.

Intelligence and purpose can decay over the years.

‘So then…….’

There might be a sudden attack.

To prepare for any eventuality, she cautiously gathered her magic power. At that moment, the skeleton’s two eyes suddenly flashed brightly.

“……!”

Its violet eye glow exuded a menacing aura.

Delia’s expression quickly solidified.

But what she feared did not happen.

The skeleton merely continued to regard her silently. After a while, a creaking sound broke the silence, followed by a distorted voice.

「……It has indeed been a long wait.」

A rough voice that sounded like nails on a chalkboard.

Even just hearing it made her feel uneasy, and the skeleton lamented as if it were sighing.

「Though it may be called a self-imposed burden, an eternal life is dreadfully tedious.」

With those words, it finally stood up.

The chair, barely holding together, crumbled into dust. The skeleton turned to look at Delia with a creaking noise.

「My lovely child.」

Its gaze softened significantly.

For reasons unknown, it appeared quite favorable toward Delia at that moment.

「I wish to have more conversation, but please forgive me for what I cannot do due to the oaths of my former life.」

Before approaching the final trial.

Noa told her that defeating the Arch Lich was the only way to escape this place.

‘But…….’

Looking at its friendly eyes and voice, it didn’t seem like they would fight. Would a battle even happen? Just as that thought crossed her mind, it uttered;

「—Then, successor.」

The atmosphere suddenly shifted.

The gentle voice was replaced by a voice as cold as ice, and the violet glow turned razor-sharp.

「With all your strength, strive to defeat me.」

The opponent closed in.

Overwhelmed by the ominous presence, Delia instinctively took a step back. But there was no place to retreat, and the skeleton’s words continued.

「And prove it.」

Just as the brief phrase ended.

Delia’s eyes widened.

“……!”

An enormous amount of magic power surged forth. The power rivaling, if not surpassing, that of her once mentor, Diplyn Cernio.

The pressure filled the room.

The Arch Lich thundered.

「You shall illuminate the Abyss as a star!」

Hundreds of magical formulas cascaded through the air.

Soon, the ultimate trial began.

8.

Meanwhile, at that moment.

Not long after Delia left.

Noa, seated next to Ulan by the campfire, suddenly widened her eyes.

“Ah!”

The reason for her surprise was simple.

Just a blink of her eyes, and the surrounding scenery had changed.

“So we’re outside now.”

“That, that means!”

It meant the Trial of the Hero had begun.

In other words, it implied that Delia was engaged in battle with the Arch Lich. As evidence, the entrance that led to the trial had completely vanished.

‘With this…….’

She had done everything she could.

She dealt with the Abyss Worshippers who had interrupted the trial and handed over all the talismans she had.

Now, the only thing left was to defeat the Arch Lich and earn the title of Hero. Just that alone, but Noa’s expression was not good.

‘But why do I feel so uneasy?’

For some reason, a strange discomfort lingered in her heart.

After pondering, she quickly guessed the reason. There had been too many variables during this trial.

‘A sudden attack from the Abyss Worshippers.’

Moreover, there was a possibility that one of the Lords of the Abyss had emerged into the world, and the risk that they might hold memories of their past life, like Ulan.

The numerous variables that had never occurred in the original story made Noa’s anxiety swell like a snowball.

‘Could it be that this time…….’

Things won’t go wrong again, right?

Such thoughts gnawed at her mind, and the unease in her heart only grew stronger.

At that moment, Ulan spoke up.

“It’s alright.”

“Y-yeah? What do you mean?”

“If it’s Delia, there’s no need to worry.”

He confidently stated.

Every hero has one common trait aside from passing the trial.

It’s the reason they fight against the Abyss, something precious they must protect.

For Ulan, it was the pride he held as a warrior.

Ivella was beliefs, Laurea was faith, Sven was freedom, Fertisha had her comrades, and Ian had the vow he made in childhood.

‘And for Delia…….’

It was her only recognized family.

Her half-sister, Rudina Arpen.

As long as she had something precious to protect, Delia wouldn’t give in to despair.

Indeed, those who have something to keep will face any despair without giving up.

That is why Ulan was certain.

“She will definitely overcome this trial.”

That Delia could achieve victory.

Just as Ulan finished his declaration.

Noa found herself staring blankly at him.

His eyes were fiercely shining.

They were filled with strong belief in Delia. Watching him, Noa felt her anxiety gradually dissipating.

‘……Ulan is right.’

Though various variables might have occurred before tackling the final trial, none were significant enough to hinder Delia.

In other words, this unease was just a baseless fear.

The moment she realized this.

Noa regained her composure instantly. The anxiety gnawing her heart was already completely gone.

She soon recalled the original story and predicted the events to come.

‘If Delia defeats the Arch Lich…….’

She would obtain the title of Hero.

And after inheriting part of the knowledge called the memories of the stars, she would appear where the entrance to the trial was, unconscious.

‘All heroes are found in a state of unconsciousness after the trial.’

Ulan was no exception.

He too had slept soundly for a full day after passing the trial and woke on the day of the festival.

Just after wrapping up her brief reminiscence.

Noa’s eyes sparkled.

‘There’s still work to do.’

After ensuring Delia was safely moved to a secure location while unconscious, her duty was to protect her until she recovered.

Just as she grasped this.

Suddenly, Ulan turned his back to her. Then he opened his lips.

“Above all, we have separate work to do.”

“Yes, I know.”

Noa nodded with a serious expression.

It must be exactly what she had just thought. As an enthusiastic answer came back, Ulan smiled contentedly.

“I’m glad you know.”

Once he finished his reply, he began to walk.

With his axe firmly gripped in both hands.

“Ulan?”

At that, Noa tilted her head.

Just as she was about to ask what he was doing now, Ulan took a deep breath.

And at that moment.

“……!”

Suddenly, memories of the past flooded back.

Right; the nightmare from the entrance ceremony. Widening her eyes, Noa immediately covered her ears.

A very wise decision.

“Come out from hiding like a rat!”

The ground shook, as if an earthquake occurred.

Soon, a roar powerful enough to shake the very foundations filled the valley.

“Now! Come out!”

An intangible shockwave swept across the area.

It was a maddening force. Even with her ears muffled, she experienced a momentary ringing in them.

After the storm passed.

A presence appeared in the once-calm valley.

Grrrg! Grurk!

A presence that lurked like a shadow.

Those that appeared one by one quickly gathered into a swarm surrounding the valley. Upon seeing them, Noa gasped in shock.

“D-Dangers of the Abyss?!”

“It’s been stinking up the place for a while now.”

Ulan replied nonchalantly.

In that moment, the reason for his furious roar became clear. Meanwhile, the appearance of the Abyssal Monsters sparked one more assumption within her.

“W-Wait, could it be that the Worshippers……!”

Was this an insurance measure taken in case they failed to eliminate Delia during the trial?

Thinking so made sense.

If she passed the trial, she would likely collapse unconscious, allowing them to achieve their goal easily.

‘And one more thing.’

The monsters surrounding them were likely comprised of those with strong resistance to magic, like Arbic, which she met during the trial.

This added weight to her assumption that this was a contingency plan to eliminate Delia.

‘What a truly dreadful bunch.’

Noa trembled.

The dreadful malice came from the obsessions to achieve their goal and their heinous desire to kill Delia.

【Grrrg!】

Meanwhile, the advancing monsters.

Despite their considerable numbers, Ulan stood unfazed at the front.

Kwakakak!

Suddenly, a line was drawn beneath his feet.

A line etched with his axe. He stepped forward, crossing the line.

“Come at me, monster.”

His step was one of forty-five.

Facing the howling monsters.

Ulan ignited his fighting spirit and shouted.

“I won’t let a single one pass beyond this point!”

With a roar that shook the battlefield.

The Abyssal Monsters thudded against the ground. As if they couldn’t even differentiate between prey and predator.

The cost of such a misunderstanding was dire.

Puf! Kwadadud!

The moment they stepped into his territory, hundreds of monsters met the same fate as Arbic.

“Wow.”

And with Noa’s brief admiration.

All the monsters turned to ashen remains and scattered.

Ulan’s victory.

9.

At the same time, in the Trial of the Hero.

Contrary to the outside world where the battle ended in an instant, Delia’s battle continued fiercely.

At first, she wondered how she could fight such a monster, but surprisingly, it was manageable. Thanks to her previous experiences fighting against the Abyss.

‘It’s certainly strong, but…….’

It couldn’t be compared to the Lords of the Abyss.

That said, it wasn’t an opponent to underestimate. Although their levels of magical prowess were similar, a crucial difference lay between them.

‘……The amount of magic power.’

The opponent’s magic power was absolutely insane.

At first sight, it felt like a highly compressed source of magic was walking around.

‘Which means, a protracted battle would be unfavorable.’

Even using up all the mana talismans given by Noa wouldn’t measure up to the Arch Lich.

Thus, the only way to succeed in this battle was to finish it as quickly as possible. Soon, Delia found a path that led to victory.

‘Counter every spell.’

In a tightly contested battle, to overwhelm the opponent, her only option was to counter all magic and seize a moment of opportunity to attack.

While she had looked for other methods several times, this was the one with the highest probability of success.

‘But to do that…….’

Superhuman focus is a must.

There might come a moment where she would have to burn through her own life force. However, Delia didn’t fear it. She had a reason to survive.

‘I can’t die in a place like this.’

Her half-sister, Rudina Arpen.

If Delia were to die, Rudina would be left entirely alone. She couldn’t allow that to happen.

‘And I haven’t repaid my debts either.’

Delia owed a great deal to her companions, who risked their lives to save her. She had to live to repay their kindness.

‘And…….’

Right before the final trial.

Ulan had suddenly embraced her and whispered that he’d wait for her. Remembering this, Delia’s eyes gleamed with resolution.

‘I must win without fail.’

To break the tense balance of the fight.

To create a moment of opportunity to surpass the trial, she poured her focus into it.

As the goal was to counter every spell in a single strike, the incantation for all counter spells began and ended in her mind.

“…….”

Overload was imminent.

It began with a throbbing headache, and blood started oozing from her nose, ears, and mouth.

But she paid it no mind.

Her breath quickened as chest pain and a twisting agony engulfed her.

Yet she ignored it.

She reached a state of flow without any distracting thoughts.

How long had it been?

Just when her blazing focus approached its limit, the light of victory took form.

In an instant, Delia grasped it tight.

And at that moment.

The world plunged into darkness.

Every spell of the Arch Lich was simultaneously countered. The momentary gap created by her superhuman concentration.

Without letting this singular chance slip, Delia poured all her magic power into the one spell that could outpace the incantation of her opponent.

『Starlight Flash』

A first-tier stellar magic.

It was the first spell she learned, as well as the foundational magic of all stellar spells. The moment starlight that illuminates the moment chased away darkness.

Kwaaaah!

The pure white flash struck the Arch Lich.

「────!」

No screams were heard.

Even if they had been, they would have been drowned out by the roar.

Soon after the flash subsided.

The skeleton that had been facing her vanished without a trace. The ominous glowing eyes and the overwhelming magic power completely disappeared.

The world darkened.

Only Delia shone brightly.

Chapter 38. The Witch of the Stars