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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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Alexios, who had been bombarding the area nearby, started to pick a fight, as if annoyed.
“By the way, you bastard, what the hell were you fighting?”
I didn’t like his attitude, but he was being helpful, so I decided to answer honestly.
“Thanatos, the Death King.”
“I know that! I’m asking why that bastard is glaring at you like he wants to kill you.”
“Is that what you meant? You should have said so from the beginning.”
I was already breaking out in a cold sweat because of the approaching [Death King], and he was being difficult. I needed to keep it brief.
“I provoked him.”
“Figures…”
It was good that he understood immediately, but his words stung a little. Didn’t it sound like I was always so reckless? But come to think of it, that impression was accurate. I was acting as the arrogant and aristocratic Oz.
“Now that I think about it, I’ve been meaning to ask, what the hell was that strange and crude magic?”
“Magic necessary for the plan. Don’t worry about it.”
“The plan, huh…”
This was the most effective magic I could currently use. And there was a reason why this magic was necessary, even if it was a small one.
“Plan or not, we can’t stop him like this. You can see that bastard getting stronger in real time, can’t you?”
“…….”
The [Death King]’s body was evolving from its skeletal form as its barrier energy increased. Metallic armor was now starting to form over its bones. A weapon would probably appear soon.
“Hey.”
“Wait.”
Unlike me, Alexios had no penalties, so he must have realized how dangerous the opponent was. Of course, there weren’t many beings that were not dangerous to me.
“Do we need to buy time until Arietta arrives?”
“Yes… I need Arietta’s help to defeat him.”
The Dragon Emperor wouldn’t come near the [Death King] to fulfill my request. I needed not only Arietta but also Eleanor’s power to resolve this situation, but that much information would be enough for Alexios.
“That’s a pretty sloppy plan for you.”
“It’s because of you…”
The place where I had originally intended to use the guaranteed draw of [Mana Dominator] was different. In the end, my plan had been twisted because of Alexios. I was grateful for his help, but I wished he wouldn’t nitpick my plan.
“Are you saying the plan was twisted because of me? I like that.”
“What?”
“Then I’ll buy you some time.”
With those words, Alexios broke away from his [Flame Cloud Thunder Fist] range and charged towards the [Death King].
“He’s definitely strong.”
He was on a completely different level compared to when he fought me. The power of the [Fist King] without penalties was beyond imagination. Even though the [Death King] was now clad in armor, I wasn’t worried.
“Like you’d get hit by that kind of attack? Huh?”
『Insolent!』
Although Alexios had powerful ranged attacks, he was fundamentally a warrior character whose role was to disrupt enemy formations. Naturally, he was stronger in close combat.
“Hah…!”
Bang!
[Great Collapse], used at close range, disrupted the [Death King]’s balance and knocked him down. Alexios immediately began to unleash a barrage of attacks on the now vulnerable upper body of the [Death King].
However…
“Tsk! As expected, my attacks aren’t enough to break through the barrier.”
『Time’s up.』
Clang!
“Ugh?!”
A giant sword materialized in the [Death King]’s hand and slashed at Alexios’s ankle.
That was bad. Anywhere else would have been better, but his ankle, the foundation of his movements, had been cut. Alexios could no longer fight aggressively.
[Mana Dominator Lv. 2]
[2/100 until guaranteed SSR-rank magic]
To help Alexios, who was exposed to the [Underworld King]’s fierce attack, I used [Mana Dominator]. A large chunk of my rapidly depleting mana disappeared.
[Azure Flame Fan]
Fortunately, the advanced-level magic that appeared blocked the [Death King]’s follow-up attack. He retreated with speed unimaginable for his size.
『Hmm? Just a simple magic spell?』
“Aren’t you ashamed to call yourself the king of the Underworld when you’re so cowardly?”
A provocation automatically slipped out. This damn mouth of mine.
『I will send you to the most agonizing place in the Underworld.』
“Ha! That face is proof that my provocation worked!”
“Dodge if you have time to talk, Alexios.”
I was lucky. I was trying to maintain my composure, but that was the only way to describe it. Honestly, whatever magic had appeared wouldn’t have made much difference. This tactic worked because the [Death King] was wary of me. He had retreated because I had used magic in a different way than the persistent [Mage’s Gearwheel].
I glanced at Arietta and Eleanor. Eleanor was still panting, and Arietta was singing continuously.
It wouldn’t take long, but…
“It won’t take long for me either.”
Alexios was busy dodging the [Death King]’s attacks. He had gone to attack the ankle but ended up getting his own ankle injured, so he couldn’t be of much help anymore. Nevertheless, Alexios was doing his best to buy more time. Lucia had also stopped her ineffective shooting and was now moving in front of the [Death King], distracting him.
『By the coming of revelation—』
At that moment, a clear voice echoed across the battlefield. Arietta, having finished healing Eleanor, began to sing her divine arts with all her might.
『I declare this land a sanctuary in the name of God. Therefore, all that is wicked, face your sins, and—』
Arietta’s ultimate skill, an SSR-rank, and unlike Alexios and me, a priest character who was considered top-tier even before I possessed this body.
『Repent.』
As the incantation ended, angelic wings, the symbol of God’s agent, spread out behind Arietta.
[Recipe:Scientia]
Arietta’s power, with twelve pure white wings sprouting from her back, began to dye the surrounding area with her domain. As its influence spread, the [Death King]’s barrier energy, which had been encroaching on the area, noticeably diminished.
Of course, that wasn’t the problem.
『The Saintess?!』
The ultimate counter. At this rate, the gate connecting this world and the next would close. So, what would the [Death King] do?
His only options were to use more power to maintain the gate or to give up and retreat. But I didn’t want to see the [Death King] choose the latter.
“How foolish. You should have paid more attention to your surroundings.”
Attack and run unilaterally? Absolutely unforgivable.
The [Death King] hadn’t looked around because he was arrogant. Besides me, who had provoked him, and Eleanor, who was using an unknown power, everything else was insignificant to him.
Then he had to pay the price for his negligence. How could he think of escaping?
『Do you think I would fear a mere agent of God, who is not even the Pope?』
“Really? I can hear your eyes rolling from here. You’re thinking about it right now, aren’t you? Thinking that you should do something about Arietta first, before me?”
『Insolent fool. There’s no need for such provocations. My plan to kill you first remains unchanged.』
I provoked him. Knowing the [Death King]’s personality, even a slight scratch to his pride would keep his attention fixed on me.
“You talk big for someone who can’t even reach me.”
I provoked him. To conceal the other dagger I had hidden, I needed to keep the [Death King]’s attention on me.
“Come at me if you dare.”
I silently steeled my resolve.
I spun [Mage’s Gearwheel] faster, waiting for him. I stopped firing magic. I only rotated the largest, outermost gear, gathering mana.
The [Death King] began to charge towards me menacingly. Like a heavy tank, he charged, ignoring everything around him, his gaze fixed solely on me.
“…Lucia.”
“What are you thinking, Prince Oz?”
“Do you remember what I said earlier?”
Lucia froze for a moment at my words. Then, she spoke in a shocked voice.
“Don’t tell me you anticipated this far ahead? If that’s true, Prince Oz, you’re completely insane…”
With that bewildered mutter, Lucia, with her characteristic agility, headed towards Eleanor.
She didn’t shout. She was the smartest of the group. She knew how dangerous a weapon Eleanor could be, given that the [Death King] wasn’t paying much attention to her yet.
“Noah…”
“Lucia?”
Lucia, who had approached stealthily and swiftly, hesitated.
There was no time for explanations. There wasn’t enough time to explain the entire plan at this moment.
“Well…”
That’s why I had given her the exact words to say. It was meant as insurance, but now, there was no better way to communicate.
“Dye everything with your existence.”
“……!”
As Lucia relayed the message, Eleanor charged towards me.
『Are you ready to experience death?』
“I don’t think so, not yet.”
The [Death King], now before me, declared, raising his sword high.
This was the last chance.
“The stage is set. Show them you’re the protagonist, Noah.”
“Yes, Master. Thank you.”
『What…?!』
Eleanor, appearing behind me, thrust her sword into the center of [Mage’s Gearwheel].
The reason I’d maintained the inefficient [Mage’s Gearwheel] was simple. It consumed the most mana.
Eleanor’s strike, infused with Arietta’s divine power and most of my mana, surged, dyeing even the [Death King]’s barrier with her color.
“Marie, wait!”
Eleanor shouted.
Her greatsword, imbued with all the mana from my magic, shattered the [Death King]’s descending sword.
“I’ll break that creepy bastard and get you out!”
As if that wasn’t enough, Eleanor’s greatsword shattered the [Death King]’s armor and even the bones surrounding Marie.
The [Key of Understanding], absorbing the opponent’s strength and dyeing it with her color, growing stronger the stronger the opponent.
“Give her back!!!”
『Gaaaaaaaaah!』
The [Death King] screamed. He had expended too much of his soul resisting Arietta’s [Recipe:Scientia]. The effect must have reached his main body through his soul.
“Marie! Come out!”
“Noah…?”
Eleanor, stepping on the shattered remains of the [Death King], reached out to Marie, who was huddled inside. It looked like a scene of life or death struggle, but for these two, it held a different meaning.
“I’m sorry…”
But Marie rejected her hand.
Something was wrong. Marie should understand the situation better than anyone. She had been directly connected to the [Death King]. She should know that he had been critically injured and driven back. She should know that, as a result, the [Death King] would be exposed to numerous threats, and her family would be safe.
“No, wait… could it be…?”
What if the connection with the [Death King] hadn’t been severed yet?
The moment that thought crossed my mind, a dense barrier energy surged from the [Death King]’s avatar.
“Noah, get back!”
“Huh?”
『Do you know how I maintained my position as the Underworld’s King?』
The [Death King]’s avatar, which should have been shattered, swung its giant hand, sending Eleanor flying.
“Gah?!”
『Because I never accepted defeat. I kept this position by any means necessary.』
Eleanor’s attack power was absurd, but her durability wasn’t. She was only temporarily stronger; her defense was still at the level of an R-rank character.
『You ruined my plan.』
The plan had been a success.
『So, I will teach you the meaning of defeat with all my power.』
But it had been too successful. In the game, the [Death King] retreated after successfully uncovering the secret Tia was hiding. But this time, he hadn’t gained a single thing.
“This is crazy…”
The [Death King]’s pride was more dangerous than I had imagined. He would prioritize victory now, without considering the consequences.
『Open.』
The ability of the key held by Thanatos, the [Death King], was the [Key of the Immortal], which erased the boundary between life and death.
『The boundary of life and death.』
The Underworld began to encroach upon this world, dyeing it black.
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