Chapter 203

There was no other way. Even if she was Werner’s benefactor and Airi’s mother, it couldn’t be forgiven. The tragedies I had witnessed weren’t something that could be easily overlooked. Still, to make it painless, I chose the most suitable magic and prepared it.

[The Spear of Divine Slaughter, capable of killing even gods.]

The spear, manifested through the power of the Spirit King of Steel, was invincible. Well, not exactly invincible since its kill count was still zero, but it was undeniably a powerful spear. The problem was that all the opponents it had been used against were monsters.

I hesitated for a moment but soon threw the spear. To pierce Media’s heart, to take her life. I was curious about how she had come to harbor such thoughts, but what frightened me more was the murderous intent she was radiating. She truly intended to kill everyone present.

The spear I threw cut through the wind, flying straight toward her heart, but…

[Darkness, devour it.]

Of course, this damn magic had to mess things up. “Capable of killing gods,” my ass. Watching it get swallowed without a trace by the darkness Media summoned, it was clear this magic was a joke, better suited for making tteokbokki at a street stall than killing gods.

“Why would my sister use such magic… No, that mana is different from ordinary magic…”

“Correct~. This is magic granted by the Spirit King of Darkness, transferring authority and power.”

“Damn… It’s one hurdle after another.”

With Lancelot already fighting the Spirit King of Wood in the background, having another impossible opponent like this was beyond annoying.

“First, everyone just needs to be careful of that darkness magic…”

Before I could finish, Glacia and Camelian Peony, having already assessed the situation, charged in. Coming from both sides, guarding against one would leave the other wide open.

“I can’t accept what’s happening right now… But I’ll subdue you first, Lady Media.”

“Media… Why…”

The answer they received from Media was pure violence.

[Wind, blow away the impurities that exist here.]

The two were blown away by the sudden gale, crashing into trees and appearing to take significant damage.

Of course, Airi also charged at her, tears in her eyes.

[Horn of the Fire Dragon, pierce through.]

Even I wouldn’t be able to control my emotions if my parents turned out like this. Well, my mom’s trash too, but hers is worse.

[Shield of Earth, rise.]

The rock that rose blocked Airi’s magic. Both the wind attribute magic she used earlier and the earth attribute magic now were on par with the Spirit Kings’ power.

[Spirit King of Earth, drag down the worthless by their ankles.]

Suddenly, something from the ground grabbed Airi’s ankle, slamming her halfway into the ground. I tried to help, but she wouldn’t budge. This power… It was unmistakable.

“Did she capture three Spirit Kings? Damn it…”

“Mhm~ That’s only half the answer.”

“What?”

Confused by her words, Lorcha stepped in front of me. She hadn’t been idle either, gathering mana for a powerful strike.

[Followers of the Spirit King of Water, the water dragons, tear apart the evil as I command.]

The moisture in the forest transformed into dragon-shaped water pillars, all charging toward Media.

[Luminous Shield of Light, manifest and block the impurities.]

Of course, Lorcha’s attack was effortlessly blocked. Is she really a monster? Even our strongest techniques can’t leave a scratch… Yet she stood there, smiling as if it were nothing.

Then she chanted another spell.

[Fierce wrath of light, punish my enemy.]

A beam of light shot out faster than I could react, piercing Lorcha’s shoulder. She groaned and collapsed.

“You’ve grown weak, Werner, running around with women. Camelian’s skills have rotted too, and the rest… are just as pathetic. Especially my so-called daughter, she’s so disappointing it brings tears to my eyes.”

How is she blocking all our attacks…? No, I knew why. She was wielding the power of four Spirit Kings. We, at best, had two. With her own power added, it was no wonder we couldn’t win.

“How did you gain that power…?”

“Some gave it willingly, some I took after they died resisting. Isn’t it funny? If they had just handed over their power, they could’ve lived. Instead, they lost everything. Pathetic Spirit Kings.”

Even I wouldn’t hand over my power to someone like her. The aura she emitted… was nauseatingly vile, more corrupt and twisted than any human I’d ever met.

She hadn’t changed recently. She had always been like this. I could tell instinctively. She had just been hiding her true nature all along. She was pure evil.

“So, will you come quietly, Werner? Or will you resist like those foolish Spirit Kings? Well, they’re dead… but you’re useful, so I won’t kill you. Instead, I’ll kill the other women. Since you hate involving others… I trust you’ll make the wise choice.”

Damn it… There was no way out. Even if I cursed her out, others would just get caught in the crossfire. Nothing would change, so there was no point in taking such a risk.

I had no choice but to follow her.

“Fine… For the safety of the others…”

Just then, a massive red ice chunk flew in, interrupting the conversation. Media blocked it but looked quite startled.

“Even after taking significant damage from my wind barrier, you’re still moving. Truly the daughter of that stubborn Melchior.”

Glacia, coughing up blood, was still moving.

“I don’t know what’s going on… But she’s mine. If you want to take her, you’ll have to go through me.”

Media seemed at a loss for words, but then a blue slash came flying from afar. It was Camelian.

“Media… If you came for me out of personal grudge, we could’ve talked. But threatening Werner… I’ll kill you.”

“You weakling…”

At that moment, a fierce water jet shot from behind Media. She blocked it with an annoyed expression.

“Werner, you still owe me… So take a number and step back. Unless you want to die…”

Despite Lorcha’s threatening words, Media was about to attack her when a large rock came flying. Media blocked it easily, but Airi’s expression looked like she wanted to devour Media.

“Even if you’re my mother… I can’t forgive you for this…”

“Tears, really? Did you only practice bedroom skills instead of magic? I tried to pair you with that worthless half-vampire, but you went around with everyone.”

Honestly, I couldn’t argue with that. I have a conscience too.

“Alright then, I’ll just kill everyone and take Werner. As long as he’s alive, it’s fine. That’s our king’s order.”

So there’s another bastard leading them. But that’s a worry for later. First, we had to deal with Media.

“First… To shut you up, Werner…!”

She shot glowing spears at me. The holy magic she used in the original story. That wasn’t the problem. I could dodge it.

The problem was that both Lorcha and I were too injured to move. I planned to take a few hits and counter.

But as the spears reached us, a black shadow intercepted them, taking the hits for us.

“… Still alive, huh? That woman couldn’t even finish off a dying Black Sorcerer…!”

“Father, Mother… Are you okay…?”

It was Damian. His mask was gone, but his resemblance to Lorcha and his mana made it clear.

He turned back to glare at Media.

“… It’s not over yet.”

“Ha… Do you think this changes anything? If so, you’re truly foolish. Coming here with that dying body just to be a shield?”

Damian’s body… It was a miracle he was even moving.

“What can you do with that wrecked body? Both legs shattered, internal organs a mess, bones broken all over, and my holy spears piercing you, dying as you are.”

“It’s enough. To stake the most worthless life.”

Lorcha and I were speechless.

[Now, Enok, unfold the seal of the contract. It’s time to trade. Take all the souls I have left… and give me power. The power of the King of Phantoms, the power to create a path…]

An indescribably dangerous mana enveloped him. Before Lorcha could reach Damian, the mana transformed into armor, separating him from us.

[I stake the most worthless life to save the most valuable ones…]

—

The battle raged on, but the outcome was far from certain. With Media wielding the power of multiple Spirit Kings and our forces battered and broken, the only hope lay in the sacrifices yet to come.