Chapter 632

The underground cavern, which was so dark that it was hard to see even an inch ahead, became as bright as day—no, even brighter than daylight.

– Whoosh!

The oil ignited upon contact with the magical flames, creating a storm of fire. The bodies of the Ka`har, crumpled among the rocks, burned, emitting the smell of roasting flesh. The flames flowed like a river.

Oil was continuously supplied through metal pipes connected to the walls of the cavern, and air was constantly drawn in from higher pipes.

All the magicians of Landenburg were blowing external air through the metal pipes. Like stoking a forge to increase its heat, the oxygen from the wind magic fueled the flames even more fiercely.

It was as if a part of the scorching hell, Gehenna, where sinners fall and burn eternally, had been transplanted here.

“Ahahaha! Let’s see how long your so-called ‘Indestructible Body’ can last!”

As if intoxicated by the heat, they laughed maniacally, intensifying the flames until the entire underground cavern was ablaze.

The swirling flames engulfed both me and Or-han’s body. The blood covering us boiled, and our entire bodies steamed as they heated up.

I laughed, now a ball of fire.

The flames covering my body turned into magical energy, spewing even fiercer flames. The intense heat distorted the air. The rocks, glowing red from the extreme heat, slowly melted and flowed like lava.

“You’re insane…! Are you trying to burn us both to death?!”

Even Or-han, trapped in the heart of this fiery hell, couldn’t maintain his composure, his voice filled with confusion.

“Well, that won’t happen!”

Despite being engulfed in flames hot enough to melt rocks, neither Or-han nor I were reduced to ashes—we didn’t even have a single burn.

His Indestructible Body withstood the extreme heat, and thanks to my flame rune, I was unharmed by the fire. It was a bit hot, though.

“You’re not burning…?”

“Why are you surprised? You’re still fine too, aren’t you?”

At a glance, we might look similar—both human-shaped fireballs walking on lava.

However, there was a fundamental difference between us. A gap that would decide the outcome of this battle. The gap that Ludwig was confident would lead to victory.

Enduring versus being unharmed.

They might seem similar on the surface, but the gap between us was as vast as the difference between a god and a human, between the finite and the infinite.

The protection of the rune doesn’t fade. Unlike the Blessing of Invulnerability, it doesn’t consume my energy.

On the other hand, Or-han’s Indestructible Body…

“I wonder how long you can last!”

The power of the Heroic Tale is finite. Even the so-called invincible Indestructible Body couldn’t maintain its defense indefinitely.

“Indestructible Body. In our last fight, you could activate and deactivate it repeatedly when attacked, but that won’t work this time, will it? The moment you deactivate it, your entire body will burn to a crisp.”

I don’t know how deep his karma runs, but even if it’s more than double mine, it doesn’t matter.

In this inferno, fighting with the Indestructible Body active, he wouldn’t last even an hour!

A massive prison he can’t easily escape.

A scorching pit of fire where he can’t deactivate the Indestructible Body for even a moment.

Unlike him, an opponent of equal strength who isn’t harmed by the flames.

This was the method Ludwig and I devised to counter the Indestructible Body.

—

“…This is absurd. To be countered in such an unreasonable way.”

Or-han looked up at the ceiling and sighed softly. The flickering flames obscured his expression. Probably a twisted or grimacing face.

“In this situation… I’ll have to break through the ground and escape somehow.”

Breaking through the debris of the barrier and escaping before the Indestructible Body reaches its limit. It was the only solution. If possible.

“You don’t think I’ll just stand by and watch, do you?”

“…No. I suppose not.”

Or-han exhaled, glared at me, and clenched his fists.

The burning flames melted the scales of his armor, and the clothes underneath turned to ash.

In the midst of the flames, only his towering, naked body remained firm—

…Naked?

Ah.

A realization struck me. I reflexively looked down and… realized the one flaw in this plan. A flaw Ludwig wouldn’t have considered.

My body, engulfed in flames. The Holy Mark of Astraea on my chest was clear. And just below it, something pink.

“……”

No wonder I felt a bit lighter earlier.

I thought it was because my muscles were heated by the flames. What a huge mistake.

In this superheated furnace that melts rocks and steel, even regenerating leather couldn’t survive.

My top, bottom, gloves, shoes, and even my underwear—everything I was wearing had either burned away or was in the process of burning. Even Ryu-rik’s regenerating hide couldn’t keep up with the rate of burning.

Only the Black Iron Scales covering my shoulders and waist managed to endure, but once the fur leather holding them in place burned away, they would fall off at the slightest touch.

Unlike the Ice Blade, which emitted a chilling cold to resist the heat.

…I chose the wrong armor.

I should have worn full-body Black Iron armor instead of the Winter Armor. It’s too late to regret now.

At least the flames covering my body saved me from being completely exposed. Otherwise, I would have been fighting stark naked.

‘Hey, did you know about this?’

[ ……I forgot. I was too focused on the thought of finally getting my chance for revenge…. ]

Hersela’s voice trailed off in an apologetic tone. She too hadn’t considered the armor, her voice filled with embarrassment.

‘Sigh…’

I sighed, feeling the heat rush to my face.

I didn’t feel like blaming Hersela. If she forgot too, what’s the point of arguing now?

Besides, it’s not like I’m the one fighting. The shame is hers, not mine.

‘Well, there’s no choice. I’ll just have to fight like this.’

I drew Durandal from its burning scabbard and lowered my stance.

The leather wrapped around the hilt had long turned to ash, but the blade itself, glowing red from the heat, remained unscathed.

I twisted my body slightly to the side, resting Durandal’s blade on my shoulder, and spread my legs slightly. The upper stance. A basic stance of Empire Swordsmanship, ready to charge and strike.

“…You’re going to fight like that?”

Or-han, who had been crouching as if ready to pounce, averted his gaze slightly, seemingly embarrassed.

Well, with my body moving, even the shoulder and waist armor fell off, leaving me completely naked. And with my left chest pressed against my elbow, it was… quite the sight.

With my legs spread like this, honestly, it was beyond embarrassing.

“What can I do? You’re not much better off, are you?”

No, actually, you’re worse off. Even though it’s just silhouettes in the flames, the more… prominent parts are even more noticeable.

…Now I see why you have five kids.

“……”

Or-han, seemingly embarrassed himself, kept his mouth shut.

I maintained my stance, steadied my breathing, and awakened the Life Force Technique, filling my body with energy as I forced my consciousness to calm.

I was ready, both mentally and physically, but I wasn’t the one who would be cutting Or-han’s throat.

‘I kept my promise to you. I prepared this magnificent stage for your revenge. Now, it’s your turn.’

[ I never imagined my revenge would start with a naked sword fight…. ]

‘If you’re not happy, should I fight instead? I don’t mind.’

[ …You’re right. What does appearance matter? This is the perfect opportunity. Too tempting to pass up. ]

With that, Hersela pushed my consciousness aside and rose to the surface. I felt a binding sensation, unable to move even a finger, as I handed my body over to her.

======[ Hersela ]======

She closed her eyes. Took a deep, fiery breath.

Exhaled slowly. And opened her eyes again.

Her enemy stood in the distance.

Her first enemy. The man who left her mother to die in disgrace, who didn’t even attend her funeral.

As she regained her body, faced her enemy, and remembered her rage.

She forgot everything else.

The shame of being exposed. The awkwardness of facing a naked man. Even the lingering understanding that he, too, had no choice.

“Or-han.”

Hersela gripped her mother’s sword and bared her fangs.

The killing intent of the Heavenly Slaughter erupted like a tidal wave.