Chapter 214

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 8, 2025

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“As expected, it’s turned into a mess.”

At the moment Lutesia, the Demon King of the current age, transferred near the World Tree, Zora had already grandiosely reached the vicinity of the sanctuary and altar.

While idly fiddling with her silver flower-adorned, crimson butterfly-shaped hairpin near her eye,

“Still not here?”

An auburn-haired elf with a long scar around his right eye joined next.

“But it shouldn’t be long now, right?”

“… .”

Distracting with minor invasions to scatter attention was something they’d known about for quite some time.

The problem was that Ardisus, the entirety of the elven nation, was riddled with these incursions… making it hard to consolidate forces easily.

That’s why the guardians of each region were tied down at their posts.

Thus, the current state of the central area was far more precarious than before.

Unlike other nations, theirs didn’t have an elite military force stationed as palace guards like an empire would.

In this sense, the existence of the guardian represented both the queen and the central defense, but those who had reached the peak of guardianship were actually regional protectors.

Should anything happen in the central area, these guardians could take command within their respective regions.

“Wasn’t it Remira?”

“Yeah.”

As Zora extended her hand, dark tendrils resembling branches intertwined from her gloved grasp, forming a staff-like shape.

“This will probably be helpful. Carriel said to use it wisely since he lent it out.”

“That human?”

Remira blinked her fully open left eye while accepting it.

Normally, Remira herself should have joined the group dealing with the invaders immediately.

…But Carriel had given a warning.

If Remira leaves her post, the gaps would be exploited far easier than when she’s there to block them.

If it weren’t for that caution, she wouldn’t have been waiting around like this.

Anyway… Is this an unexpected late gift?

“You can freely manipulate its form, so make good use of it. For example…”

Zora continued explaining.

Demonstrating by splitting it in half, or even fracturing it into several directions like a tree branching wildly—she showcased various tricks with flair.

Remira found it peculiar enough to blink again.

Though handling trees is a specialty of wood elves like themselves…

This felt… off.

It didn’t feel like a weapon at all.

“So what exactly is this thing?”

“It’s a weapon tailored against our upcoming opponent. Just remember that.”

“Got it?”

It was a bizarre and strange weapon, but Remira let it slide.

Amidst the distant chaos, foreign energies and footsteps were steadily approaching.

“Are our kin alright?”

“…You shouldn’t be worrying about that right now.”

If they couldn’t hold them back, the outcome was obvious.

And if they fell, it wouldn’t spare those guarding here either.

No matter how everyone gave their best effort in their roles, predicting how the situation would unfold was difficult.

After all, a Demon King of the current era had emerged and invaded.

It was too late to inform foreign lands and seek reinforcements from allied nations.

…Not that our people are the type to rely on help so passively.

There are plenty who’d rather die or perish entirely than receive aid.

…In a way, it’s self-inflicted.

Still, it was also a justified pride.

For a long time, they’ve never allowed external invasions.

Even the Golden Beast boasted of abandoning invasion attempts due to their own kin.

“Even though we had ample defenses against magical transfers, this still happened?”

“Either magic we don’t know about, non-magic masquerading as magic, or something completely different. Let’s roughly accept that, shall we?”

“…Is that the perspective of a mage?”

“Considering something inexplicable and incomprehensible as impossible is the privilege of ignorance and naivety.”

They’re getting closer.

Piercing killing intent and rage.

Feelings of resentment and frustration.

Irritation and profound resignation, mingled together like a flood of emotions, eroding the very atmosphere as if consuming it.

Breathing alone feels like sinking into despair deeper than fear or terror.

“…This is hard to get used to.”

“It’s tough to face head-on while sane.”

Zora wore an expression that was either familiar or indifferent.

Perhaps because she intended to step back anyway, treating it as someone else’s business! Her attitude was clear on her face.

Besides, the elves had permitted the vampire’s intrusion but refused any interference.

Clang! Clang!

The sound of iron shoes striking dry ground.

Trampling over leaves, branches, and soil, finally breaking through an uphill path after passing the trees… a figure began to appear.

A shadowy silhouette.

That described the entire figure.

Between the darkness, pale skin and an ashen complexion stood out.

Alongside faint strands of red hair extending outward.

“To think I’d end up opposing the Demon King at this age.”

Remira’s sigh was met with Zora chiming in beside her.

“At least overcoming this will give you a story to brag about, right?”

“…I didn’t hone my strength for fame or glory.”

As Remira gripped the staff-like object with both hands,

It suddenly transformed into the shape of a sword.

“When planning something, lacking power leads to situations you can’t handle. That’s why I sought strength.”

Despite the considerable distance, the Demon King clad in black armor…

When Remira raised her sword in readiness, noticing it, the Demon King halted as if nailed to the spot.

“… .”

Then, following the Demon King, a small human girl appeared conspicuously clinging to the Demon King’s thigh, staring blankly at Remira and Zora.

====

Dozens, perhaps hundreds of chains forged from black flames enveloped and covered everything in an instant.

It took less than two seconds.

And the constriction squeezing the entire body was even more intense.

But.

“A black spear pierces the chest.”

Deflecting it with the sword in hand while dodging aside.

“I got it!”

Following up with another strike, and just as they responded, the chains moved like snakes and centipedes, rushing towards this side.

Quickly transferring to behind the kid, only to be anticipated outright.

‘Has he experienced all this before?’

Responding with swordsmanship and skillfully evading the chains.

Short-range transfers can be used multiple times without issue. Overusing it might wear away one’s consciousness or mind into the abyss, but it was far better than dying or sustaining severe injuries.

“Senses have exceeded limits. This level of crisis detection is practically an ability, isn’t it? Perfect for preparing against future threats. A talent tailor-made for cowards running away, aren’t you ashamed?”

“… .”

Why would he feel ashamed?

“Why? Because your attacks aren’t working, so you’re getting angry?”

“What an obvious statement. Wouldn’t you get irritated if someone destined to die struggles pitifully to survive?”

“Your standards are too high.”

Adjusting the sword with a single spin.

Grate, holding the sword casually on his left shoulder, widened his steps slightly this time.

The length and breadth of the sword were naturally expanded a little wider.

Then the kid sneered.

“Even though quick responses are needed, you’re making yourself slower?”

“That’s exactly what you want, isn’t it?”

He understood the power and abilities wielded by the kid fairly well.

Understanding that power meant comprehending the kid’s essence to a similar extent, right?

“You truly were a Military Deity.”

“What nonsense is this now? Anything surprising about it?”

“No. I mean it literally.”

Military Deity.

However, the deity standing before him now differs slightly from that concept.

Same name, but somewhat different.

“Is this the result after your great younger brother died?”

“Lacking imagination? Or did you just realize now?”

“… .”

Even if someone is called a Great Hero…

Even if he’s half-human, half-divine…

He’s still within the realm of humanity and creation.

But this lunatic wasn’t.

“Because the god is acting as a mortal… unable to fully unleash their power, hence losing control?”

“Bugs flailing around irritates me, doesn’t it? That’s exactly how I feel right now.”

What the kid wields is closer to divine authority than mere ability.

And that authority manifests through divine equipment and divine power.

And the source and origin of that must be…

“Ares (Άρης).”

Simultaneously, it’s also Mars (Mars).

“The Irene’s Order doesn’t acknowledge this status, I believe.”

“They put a devil’s collar on me, so giving me a devil’s crown seems fitting. Though the difference is that I wanted a helmet, not a crown.”

The kid snorted and shouted.

“That was a reasonable choice on my part! The deity would have liked it too, considering I became the strongest blade of heretical faith! And merging even that fits our order perfectly, doesn’t it?”

“…A demon then?”

“Angels and demons are just role-playing, aren’t they? I won’t be an angel, and I wouldn’t accept even if offered. Not stupid enough for that.”

Truly thick-skinned.

So confident and assertive… letting your guard down even slightly could get you overwhelmed by their momentum.

…Completely opposite from me.

“So what? Dragging this out benefits only you, right? Why keep wasting time talking?”

“Think from your position. If you foresaw such a situation, would you design it disadvantageously for yourself?”

“That’s a long-winded way of saying you prepared a countermeasure. You foolish guy.”

The kid made a spitting gesture.

“While that woman may be foolish, she’s no pushover, which both you and I know well, right?”

“…To be honest, during the previous attack, I couldn’t withstand her.”

“Great job?”

“…Then who sent her back to the Demon Realm?”

“… .”

At that point, the kid paused, standing straight with a brief silence.

“Based on what I’ve observed, there doesn’t seem to be anyone among your forces capable of doing that… Don’t tell me it was one of the random followers tagging along with you. I’ve accounted for everyone.”

“…Seems you don’t really know everything. Or maybe you’ve planned for it?”

“In the end, it boils down to whose judgment is correct, doesn’t it?”

“Not fully prepared means our condition isn’t optimal either.”

Pointing mockingly between the brows and forehead, he shot back a smirk.

The kid returned it identically.

“Then we’ll find out soon enough whose judgment was right.”

Saying so while pointing the sword,

“Killing you in the process would be even better.”

“Our notions of time hold different meanings.”

“You talk big. Do you actually have some miraculous strategy to reverse the situation just by stalling?”

“It does exist.”

Narrowing the stride and advancing toward the kid,

“If I understand the essence and origin of your power, responding to it should be simple.”

What the kid demonstrated.

The divine authority of Ares, Mars, or the divine power originating from them, the divine equipment.

They must recall the humiliation I faced when we last met and devised this new countermeasure.

However, the kid doesn’t know.

About the essence of what I wield.

Its nature and origin.

“Just one question. What is mana?”

“This madman? Asking random nonsense without context…”

“And what about divine power, divine equipment, and authority?”

Closing in on the kid, he comes charging forward in response.

Sword and spear.

Dozens of chains exhaling black flames.

Like massive waves in a storm, they surge towards me, small and insignificant, like an impending calamity.

“… .”

And all of it.

Vanishes, collapses, evaporates, and scatters into the wind in an instant.

“??”

Eleven.

Hendeka(hendeka).

Dominatur Pecata.

Excluded from perfection, the extra one beyond ten.

That is, unnecessary excess.

It is also the impurity in perfection.

Hence, it is sin and transgression.

Whoever dreamed of and envisioned this…

Defined it as the overflowing sin encompassing the entire world.

And that is… mana.

In some worlds, aura.

In others, chakra.

In yet others, qi.

In some, light.

There are countless terms.

Yet the types number in the dozens, hundreds, thousands.

Fire and water in the world are merely phenomena constituting it.

Rocks and pebbles, though varied, ultimately fall under categories and classifications of stones.

But those who look deeply, those who understand intricately, know early on that it’s not just one thing.

Mana is similar.

Some stones become gold, iron, bronze.

Others remain neither.

All may have their uses at some point or another.

Unless outdated by time, we simply haven’t discovered yet. Not yet.

But undoubtedly, there’s a firm meaning and value embedded within.

“Damn it―.”

Somewhere along the way, the enormous pitch-black longsword I held has completely dispersed.

All that remains is a small, slender sword held in one hand, glowing green.

This is a special blade made from verdigris iron, unique to Ardisus.

Light and elastic, it excels against lightly armored foes rather than heavily armored ones.

A specialized weapon forming the basis of elven close combat armament.

“Is this brat?!”

The double-edged sword pierced and lodged deep into the kid’s chest.

Puuk!

Did my lack of thought unnecessarily inflate the size of the sword?

Every action carries purpose and meaning.

Every process exists to fulfill a goal.

Isn’t this precisely the victory formula you always demonstrated personally in warfare, calling yourself a Military Deity?

Have arrogance blinded your vision?

Have the sounds of power deafened your ears?

Or…

Is this all part of your plan?

I do not relax my guard.

Therefore…

Twisting the embedded sword firmly.

The sensations of flesh, muscles, bones tearing, grinding, and being cut transmit minutely through both palms.

“Show-off―!”

The kid reaches out a hand towards my face.