Chapter 78

“The king of Pohelrnia looks more divine than when I saw him a few days ago.”

“Any coward who has kept his subordinates in front while avoiding the battlefield must have caused me considerable distress.”

Mutuk’s lips twitched as Priegoss calmly parried his sarcasm.

Ignoring Mutuk, Priegoss surveyed the troops lined up behind him and spoke.

Mutuk, discarding any semblance of politeness, growled.

“You’re bold to let it come to this, Priegoss. If you admit defeat, I will allow you to enjoy wealth, even if not as much as now, under me.”

“How could a lion bow down to a dog? You lack the grace to stand above anyone. Have you seen the soldiers who follow you? They are no different from wild dogs. Just like their leader. If you’re born a lion and live like a wild dog, you might as well die.”

“A dying man… so arrogant.”

“More than that, I have a question. No matter how I see it, it seems there’s no reason for those monsters to follow someone like you. Did you promise to feed their families as a price for their loyalty?”

“…You’re quick with your tongue even in this situation. If I cut off your head, I will carve out your tongue and mix it with my horse’s fodder. Thanks to that, my horse’s steps will become even quicker.”

“I guarantee those monsters won’t be able to handle it as is. It’s not too late now; I suggest you sever your ties.”

“How pitiful, Priegoss. Are you resorting to girl-like scheming because you think you will lose?”

“Well, knowing the true nature of that monster, even if it wins by relying on it, can you really become the master of this land?”

“Worry not. The one leading those monsters has no purpose in this land. Because each of us wants different things, we are able to stand together.”

“Purpose?”

“I heard Algul’s goal is not this land but some kind of stone that came from the east. I don’t understand why you’re fixated on such a thing, but for me, that’s very fortunate. Though it didn’t turn out well for you.”

Priegoss listened to those words nonchalantly.

He had expected it to some extent.

He had also heard the history of the Eastern Continent from Alia, and he knew that Algul teamed up with Gadiak to gain the power of Ul Kanadiel.

He might not know how Algul crossed the sea, but it wasn’t difficult to guess the purpose for which he did.

Fortunately, knowing that he had already become the core of the battle arena in Pohelrn, even if he were to die in this battle, Algul would never achieve that purpose.

If that were to happen, Mutuk might achieve his goal of expanding his territory to the north, but Algul would end up with nothing.

Would the relationship between the two be able to maintain itself under those circumstances?

A relationship where only one side benefits can’t last long.

It would be good if the two could find a cause for mutual destruction afterward.

Was it worth speculating on their relationship somewhat?

Organizing his thoughts, Priegoss slowly opened his mouth.

“You seemed quite uncooperative for a business partner, didn’t you? Moreover, it looks like neither Algul nor his henchmen are present.”

After not showing himself well since the first battle, he looked at the Orcuses scattered among the troops during this battle and spoke.

“…But now they are following me.”

“I lost my precious limbs while being slow to respond even after helping. In the end, I had no choice but to step up again.”

“…Didn’t I tell you not to step forward until the time comes? Wise Algul!”

“I have no reason to listen to someone like you, human. I have been patient enough up to this point, so don’t test my patience further.”

“…You bastard!”

“More than anything, it seems they are having similar thoughts over there.”

From the shadows, a gigantic puppet emerged.

A metal staff.

A robe with a hat that was unified into one.

And the face covered by the hat was obscured by shadows, making it difficult to discern its outline no matter which way you looked.

As that monster exhaled, the scent of blood and death filled the air.

“…Algul.”

“Indeed. The king of the northern humans. If Mutuk were as competent as you, I wouldn’t be going through this hardship.”

“Are you planning to switch sides even now?”

“I have sensed the immense hostility radiating from your soul. Someone like you is more likely to resist and rebel until death rather than live in compliance with absurdity.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“Did you take it as a compliment? There’s nothing more pitiable and foolish than a weak being who cannot accept their fate. Meaningless struggles merely serve to prolong their tormented lives.”

“But I’ve won until now. The fruits were simply too sweet at that time.”

“Then I shall be your final full stop today.”

“Algul!!!”

Mutuk, watching the two who were ignoring him and conversing, shouted angrily at Algul.

As Priegoss had predicted, the trust between the two was not particularly strong.

It was a fragile relationship that could easily crumble with just the right catalyst.

“Is there really a need to waste time on useless things? Do what I desire, and you can take what you wish!”

“How foolish to seek only the fruits without engaging in struggle.”

“What do you mean?”

“But it’s not wrong in this situation. Succubus girl. Show yourself.”

As soon as Algul’s words ended, Lamia revealed herself from Priegoss’ shadow, and Mutuk appeared startled.

Lamia displayed hostility beyond mere aggression towards Algul.

“It’s time to end the ill fate from the Eastern Continent. The succubi will be among the first remnants of the previous era to vanish because of me.”

“Shut up.”

Lamia put a hand on her sword, ready to unsheathe and deploy her techniques at any moment.

“Heh heh. It seems our discussion has come to an end. In any case, I leave the battle to you. Let it be announced that this war, which will be the last, has begun through your voice.”

Algul took a step back and spoke to Mutuk.

Though his expression seemed somewhat dissatisfied, Mutuk did not express any further complaints to Algul, who had passed command over to him.

Then, taking on the face of a raider, he raised one hand.

When that hand comes down, Mutuk’s command will be given, and the battle will commence.

‘…Assassination will be difficult.’

I had intended to get as close as possible and use Lamia’s hand to take Mutuk’s head and break his momentum, but it seemed the opponent had similar intentions, as Algul had hidden in Mutuk’s shadow, making assassination difficult.

And once the battle begins and the rear soldiers join in, the opportunity to cut off Mutuk’s head would decrease even further.

“All troops! To-”

“Soldiers of Pohelrn! Burn the last flame for those who will follow in our footsteps!”

Priegoss quickly interrupted Mutuk’s shout.

Calmly, while the quality may be low, the numerical disadvantage was too great. Even the soldiers of Batarl led by Mutuk were a considerable burden.

While at full strength, a power gap of five times was not an issue, but now we had reached our limit.

Yet if the Orcuses and witches led by Algul also joined, it would be impossible to retreat with the current forces.

We would soon be caught from behind and slaughtered.

Even if rescue arrived, the situation would still be desperate.

Thus, rather than hoping for futile escape and expecting even a few to survive, Priegoss wanted to take as many foes with him as possible before he faced death.

“Lamia.”

“What are you thinking? In this situation, we should be fleeing—”

“Even for a moment, could you hold back Algul?”

“It’s possible, but what do you intend to do?”

“Kill Mutuk here.”

“…Even if it’s a short distance, getting there first will make retreat difficult.”

“Even if I run away from here, unlike you, I am human. I have no wings and cannot travel through shadows. It’s not easy to escape from Algul.”

“…Are you contemplating death?”

“I am merely doing what one responsible should do.”

“…”

After a moment of silence, Lamia drew her sword and spoke.

“That pig bastard is a complete rogue and an unworthy son of a bitch, but frankly, I find it hard to hold out for long against him.”

“Thank you.”

“…Shut up.”

“If I manage to cut down Mutuk, you and your sisters should retreat to Pohelrn as swiftly as possible. You are indispensable assets.”

“…Even if you didn’t say that, I have no intention of dying for humans.”

“Right. Thank you.”

Lamia wore a complex expression, but Priegoss was no longer looking at Lamia’s face; he was only watching Mutuk.

Was it because his order to advance was interrupted, or did he see the resolve reflected in Priegoss’s eyes? Mutuk’s face was grim.

“I’m going.”

With those words, Priegoss addressed Mutuk.

He leapt toward the approaching soldiers of Batarl and Orcus.

As Priegoss charged forward, exuding an ominous aura, Mutuk drew his sword and shouted in panic.

“Algul!”

“…What an annoying brat.”

As Algul stepped forward to stop Priegoss, a white flash erupted from behind him, racing toward Algul.

“Where do you think you’re going, pig bastard!”

Lamia’s sword began to reach out toward Algul in an arc.

Just as Algul’s iron cage was about to clash with Lamia’s sword, the tip of the sword trembled, creating an unexpected change.

Twent-four Techniques of the Twin Deities: Dates Flower Swordsmanship

Harmonious Blooming

With every shake of the sword, fresh white flowers blossomed.

Like the date flower that praises life, overcoming the barren sandy land and harsh environment, blooming with all its might.

The sword technique that was born from magic and negates magic, shining brilliantly, pressured the raider from the east.

As the sword brushed past Algul’s face, the shadow covering Algul’s face momentarily wavered.

“The more I see, the more astonishing the miracle is. I have no idea what tricks your succubi have used to obtain such means.”

“You won’t need to know for your entire life. How about just dying instead?”

“But the user is still rather inexperienced. Though I’ll commend you for not giving up in this situation, ultimately, a powerless will is a vain affair. Aktik.”

With Algul’s whisper, an Orcus as massive as Algul emerged from his shadow.

One of Algul’s elite generals, known in the Eastern Continent. The ruthless Aktik.

Having lived for over a hundred years, even among Orcuses where Algul shared his status, Aktik stood above Lamia.

With a grim iron sword seemingly taken from a Pohelrn soldier, Aktik swung it toward Lamia with terrifying strength.

“Ugh!”

There was nothing particularly fancy.

But it was a straightforward, powerful strike, devoid of any superfluous movements.

The epithet of ‘ruthlessness’ was one earned from the countless beings torn apart by that simple, powerful strike.

The dazzling, serpentine swordsmanship was unable to properly guard against that intense strike.

In circumstance, water defeats fire, fire defeats earth, and earth defeats water.

The opposing side had an overwhelmingly favorable match-up.

“You shall witness the death of your last hope from there.”

“…What! Wait a minute!”

Algul’s body abruptly vanished, ignoring Lamia’s shout.

‘Shadow movement!’

In that instant, Algul moved into the shadow of Priegoss, charging at Mutuk from behind.

“Priegoss!”

With Lamia’s desperate shout, Priegoss felt the presence of the gigantic shadow that originated from behind him.

‘I’m going to die.’

His instincts, honed by rolling across battlefields and taking countless lives, trained by perhaps the world’s greatest master, warned him.

He was about to die.

His head would be smashed by the iron cage swung by the monster.

‘Then let it be.’

Priegoss didn’t stop despite the imminent arrival of death.

Death was something he had always anticipated.

How many lives had he claimed in his journey?

If he thought about that sin, he never desired a peaceful death.

But because of that, his own death, grown from consuming the lives of others, must not be meaningless.

Even a single strike would suffice.

Ignoring Algul, who was aiming for his life from behind, Priegoss focused his deadly intent on Mutuk.

Perhaps Algul judged that he could kill Priegoss if left as is, but that he was certain Mutuk would die?

Algul’s iron cage struck at Priegoss’s thrust.

Paradoxically, because he had given up his life, he extended it for just that moment.

Priegoss looked at the Algul who had descended before Mutuk and then turned back to face the challenge.

Lamia was struggling with the gigantic Orcus.

Blocking the shadow of Algul, who was now standing between him and Mutuk.

‘…Is this where it ends?’

Priegoss perceived his final moments.

Thus, he held his broken sword, which had been struck by the iron cage, in his trembling hand and aimed the sword tip at Algul.

“Come at me, monster.”

“…It’s truly a pity. For being a superior existence, surviving instead is a contradiction. The great choice of nature is still incomprehensible to me.”

Algul genuinely lamented, raising the iron cage.

Priegoss did not wait.

He refused to await a helpless death.

The sword of the human king, the most fragile intellect on the ground, was swung toward the monster that had even devoured his father.

Crash!

The sword shattered beyond breaking.

The fragments of the shattered sword tore at Priegoss’s skin.

“It is truly regrettable. However, like my father, that too is fate.”

Algul swung the iron cage.

Priegoss did not shy away from the death that approached his head.

『Your struggle. It was magnificent. Your spirit that does not avert its gaze until the end. My choice was not wrong.』

A thought echoed in his heart.

Seed.

『From now on, I shall take the reins of this. You face your rightful nemesis.』

The sound stopped.

The iron cage, which had been swung to crush his head, also ceased.

The world Priegoss was gazing at came to a halt.

In a world where everything was motionless, only the golden waves of the tempest remained solitary.

In that stilled world, it felt as though he met the eyes of the tempest.

Those eyes of the tempest gazed upon him with compassion and then disappeared.

“Oh.”

As the still world began to move again, when he regained his senses, Algul, who had been swinging the iron cage at him, was nowhere to be found, and only the soldiers charging in from both sides and the dazed Mutuk remained.

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