novelraw Chapter 130 : All-Out Effort (1)
Chapter 130 : All-Out Effort (1)
Chapter 130: All-Out Effort (1)
Whoosh!
KWA—BOOM!
A deafening roar—one that could never be mistaken for mere weapons colliding—continued to erupt between the two.
From behind, Magic Tower Master Gustav, who had taken on a support role, widened his eyes and focused on the astonishing scene unfolding before him.
If he lost focus for even a moment, he wouldn’t be able to keep up.
It was true that Eugene Carter was holding his ground well—but his opponent was Karen Rosefield.
If even a single clean hit landed, there was no telling what would happen.
‘…That aside.’
Another thought crossed his mind.
‘How is he even maintaining a stalemate?’
Both Eugene Carter and them fought using physical ability plus mana—that much was certain.
And yet, most of their magic didn’t work at all, while his swordsmanship and martial techniques, though not fatal, clearly had an effect.
He already knew those Fanatics possessed resistance to magic.
Then what difference was producing this outcome?
Spell structure? Technique? Mana control? Pure combat sense? Or all of them combined?
He didn’t know.
But one thing he was certain of—
‘We have to hold her here.’
No more reinforcements would come from outside. This battle had to be decided with the forces on site.
The longer the fight dragged on, the more advantageous it became for them in terms of public opinion.
They could tolerate some casualties—but not an all-out war staking lives.
‘So hold on, Carter…!’
If the allies’ reactions bordered on admiration, the enemies’ reactions bordered on shock.
Especially the First-Rank Believers from the advance force who had faced him from the beginning.
‘To think he can even hold his own against Executor Karen….’
But no matter how strong Eugene Carter was, he would have limits in a one-on-one fight.
Their forces still held an overwhelming numerical advantage, while the enemy was collapsing helplessly before the two Executors.
In reality, the right side battlefield maintained a rough stalemate due to the clash between the two—
But the left side was barely holding on by continuously reinforcing its numbers.
“Ugh!”
“Colonel!”
“…This is as far as I go.”
With allied support, Anthony had managed to endure for about ten minutes—but willpower alone had its limits.
After repeated clashes, his bones were shattered, and he collapsed, unable to even stand.
The Executor of Earth charged in to finish him—
And in that instant, a massive shadow cut in between.
Whoooosh—!
Frederick Lake slammed into her with a body blow, successfully pushing her back a distance.
He extended a hand toward Anthony.
“Are you alright?”
Anthony nodded.
Frederick helped him up and handed him off to allied forces, then quickly moved toward Michel and Meriel.
“I barely made it over thanks to Carter holding the right side. Have you found a way to deal with her?”
Both shook their heads.
However—
Michel offered one uncertain observation.
“…One strange thing is that she refuses to lift her feet off the ground.”
“You mean Betty Scarletwood?”
“Yes.”
Michel glanced at Colonel Anthony being carried away for treatment and continued.
“It was the same with Colonel Belfor, and in previous engagements. Jumping is one of the best ways to close distance, yet she avoids it.”
“…Perhaps she can’t use her full power unless her feet are on the ground.”
“It’s unlikely, but….”
“Well, nothing to lose. Let’s test it.”
Frederick wrapped his arms in deep blue aura and clenched his fists together.
“Let’s try an aerial fight. I’ll time it—launch her upward.”
---
Sshhk!
Pain followed by the sound of skin tearing.
“…….”
I looked at the wound on my wrist and let out a dry laugh.
“Not easy. Not at all.”
The cost of maintaining a stalemate for nearly forty minutes since the first clash was heavy.
In over a hundred exchanges, I hadn’t allowed a single clean hit.
And yet—
It still wasn’t enough.
Against her, even a graze was unacceptable.
Of course, there wasn’t a single person in the Empire who could manage that—which was exactly why she was the strongest.
Even knowing that, the frustration didn’t go away.
If this were training or a spar, I would have scored far higher.
I had struck more often, read her intentions more often, and evaded more attacks.
But reality was the opposite.
Even after freeing my Mana Heart from The Incurable Curse and regaining my peak strength, my physical ability was only slightly above average.
Eugene Carter had been hailed as a war hero not for his body—but for his tactics and sense.
Against ordinary opponents, that would have been enough to compensate.
But Karen Rosefield’s physical ability ranked among the top in not just the Ribenia Empire, but the entire world.
If I tried to compete with her in endurance or stamina, I wouldn’t even leave bones behind.
‘At least I can hold out thanks to my experience and instincts….’
But even that was reaching its limit.
My entire body creaked from continuous battle, and more than half of my mana had already been consumed.
And yet—
A smile never left my face.
Perhaps that was deeply insulting, as Karen’s expression twisted more than ever before.
“What gives you such confidence, Eugene Carter?”
“…Who knows.”
“Do you still believe you have a chance of winning?”
She drove me back further with a sweeping slash of her halberd, then slammed it into the ground and declared:
“You have been abandoned by God. That is why you are judged by me, and there is no way for you to escape this fate. Submission is the only way to lessen your suffering.”
“…….”
“Then why struggle? This order is truth and destiny. No matter what you do, you cannot defy it—”
“Because that’s what humans are.”
Using my sword as support, I pushed myself up and steadied my breathing.
“Even when it’s impossible, we struggle desperately. For our goals, our desires, our lives. That’s how humans have always moved forward.”
There was a girl who had lost everything and lived only for revenge.
A woman so timid she could never step onto a battlefield.
A reformer who survived under a family that wanted her dead.
A leader who bore unbearable burdens yet never abandoned hope.
A fragile believer who killed herself while serving something wrong.
…And there was an ending everyone said was impossible.
“And we’ll keep moving forward.”
“…It is meaningless. It only leads to despair.”
“If you don’t try, you gain nothing. If you can try, then the possibility isn’t zero.”
At my unwavering resolve, Karen gripped her halberd with both hands, releasing killing intent.
“I will shatter that delusion and make you accept reality. Then even a wretch like you may find repentance.”
My hands trembled as I gripped my sword tighter.
“Heh… try it if you can…!”
Karen dashed forward like an arrow, attacking from three directions using the spheres.
Creeeak!
I managed to block the thrusts with Mana Armor and Barrier Blade—but I couldn’t stop the follow-up body slam.
As I was blown back, barely managing to land safely, she kicked my elbow and sent Lukezax flying.
Then she pressed the blade of her halberd against my neck.
“So you’re all talk.”
I stared up at her with unwavering eyes.
In response, she raised her weapon.
“…May God have mercy on your soul.”
The heavy blade of the halberd descended to split me in two—
And at that moment—
A violent gust surged toward her.
Whoooosh!
If it had been an ordinary gust, she would have ignored it and finished me.
But this wind howled as if it would cut apart anything it touched.
Forced to retreat outside its range, Karen glared toward its source.
“Who is it?!”
And the one who appeared—
“…Illusion Swordsmanship Fourth Form, Revolving Heaven Sword.”
Holding a blade shining brilliantly in silver, she extended her hand toward me.
“Get up, Instructor.”
I took her hand as if I had been waiting for it, smiling at Francia Brida.
She nodded in return.
From here on—
The battle would enter a new phase.
Her arrival meant one thing.
We had finally obtained a way to deal with Karen.
Francia raised her sword in a familiar stance and spoke:
“I’ll take the first move. Give me your orders after that.”
---
Creeeak!
Tiiing!
For Karen Rosefield—
This was an emotion she had never experienced before.
Nothing had ever stopped her advance.
Whether human or Beast, she had cut them down without hesitation.
She had never once thought it unreasonable.
The world was unfair.
What was possible for some was impossible for others.
She had no intention of denying that she was strong.
After all, this power was granted by God.
If He wished, He would take it away.
If not, He would grant even greater blessings.
This power existed for Him—and for the world He desired.
Until now, she had only ever received blessings. There had been no exceptions.
In her ten years as an Executor, she had reached a single conclusion.
Every judgment she carried out was permitted by God.
That was why no one could stop her.
Thus, if someone appeared whom she could not judge, there were only two possibilities.
Either—
They were not evil and did not deserve judgment.
Or—
She was no longer worthy to act as a judge.
If it was the former, she could simply admit her misunderstanding and repent.
But if it was the latter—
Everything changed.
To lose her role as a judge was, to her, the same as a death sentence.
And so Karen refused to even consider that possibility.
Instead, she swung her weapon harder.
She didn’t want to think about it.
Because even thinking about it… was unbearable.
“Die!!”
KWA—BOOM!
“Huff… huff….”
After just five exchanges, Francia’s stamina had already been heavily drained.
‘To think the gap is this big…!’
She had swung her sword countless times—thousands, tens of thousands.
The sword was her weapon, her armor, and her life.
Not a single day had passed without her holding it.
Not one.
Which was why the gap felt even more overwhelming.
She already knew it.
Right now, she could never defeat that monster.
Even her future self… might not be able to.
But that was exactly why she held her sword tighter.
‘So what if she’s stronger than me?’
Were all her past enemies weak, then?
Not once had she ever fought from an advantage.
There was always someone stronger.
And her goal was far too great.
If she were the type to rationalize and accept things, she would have never dreamed of revenge.
And—
If she couldn’t win alone, then she would fight together.
Hadn’t she said that before?
Don’t be afraid. I have Instructor Carter behind me.
Even if the opponent was an unprecedented monster—
She would never lose.
“…I will never lose.”
She spoke aloud to steel her resolve.
At that moment, a familiar voice came from beside her.
“Well said, Francia Brida.”
Having regained his footing and returned to the front line, Eugene Carter glanced at his student while pointing his sword at the enemy.
“You’ve gauged the difference in strength, right?”
“…Yes.”
“Think our trump card will work?”
After a brief hesitation, she nodded.
Eugene spun his sword once and exhaled deeply.
“…We only get one chance.”
If we fail—
We all die.
“Any questions?”
“None.”
At her immediate reply, Eugene nodded in satisfaction.
“I’ll create the opening.”
From beyond the dust—
A massive presence of killing intent was approaching step by step.