novelraw Chapter 169 : Chapter 169
Chapter 169 : Chapter 169
Chapter 169
Killian, Rundel, Ashirian, and Hazard.
The three people and one dragon arrived at their destination.
“Yggdrasil.”
The center of Elvenheim and the source of its life.
The giant tree soared as if to pierce the sky, its presence still overwhelming to all who looked upon it.
“Are you truly certain you will be alright?”
Rundel asked cautiously.
“Of course, I am.”
Ashirian replied leisurely.
“I, who have synchronized with Yggdrasil, am also an 8-star, just like you.”
“…”
Rundel remained silent, his expression still worried.
“You went to the temple, I hear?”
“I did.”
“Did you wish to proceed with this after taking more rest?”
“…”
Rundel affirmed with his silence.
“I learned the sword directly from you. Does that concerned face mean you do not trust my skills, or do you not trust your own teachings?”
Ashirian wore the gentle smile characteristic of the Elves.
“I trust you. And I am generous enough to understand Killian Eurasia’s impatience.”
“May the blessing of the God Silvana be with you, Your Majesty.”
Rundel quietly nodded.
“Thank you.”
Listening to their conversation, Killian surmised the relationship between the two Elves.
‘She received direct instruction in the sword. It makes me realize anew just how long the lives of Elves are.’
A relationship where they acknowledged each other’s skills and growth, having spent a long time together.
‘Well, there is a strange feeling to it, seeing it as simply the relationship between a queen and her guardian.’
It wasn't a question that needed to be answered right away.
“This time, you are even bringing in a dragon… I believe we must prepare for the unexpected.”
Rundel’s gaze turned to Hazard.
He said that synchronization with Yggdrasil was not something just anyone could do.
For someone who neither possessed green mana nor had been chosen by the Divine Object to synchronize with Yggdrasil was an unprecedented event.
[Grrr~]
Hazard responded with a growl.
“A dragon polymorphed into a wolf…”
He had told Rundel about Hazard’s true identity.
“Live long enough and you see everything.”
He had been surprised at first, but he had accepted it surprisingly easily.
“Don’t worry. Hazard doesn’t bite its allies.”
“…”
Avoiding Rundel’s gaze, Killian looked up at Yggdrasil.
‘Even if Silvana’s will has left, it still feels like a living creature.’
The surrounding mana was constantly moving and radiating.
‘The moment I synchronize, there’s a high probability I’ll encounter Silvana.’
Her will had moved into his own being.
Perhaps because he was facing battle in an incomplete state, his heart seemed to beat a little faster.
“Seeing you so nervous, you are human after all.”
Ashirian, unaware of the relationship between the god she served and Killian, added with a benevolent face.
“Is this not a matter on which the fate of the Elves hangs? Even the God Silvana will understand your distrust.”
‘That Silvana, why is she so obsessed with me when she has such loyal Elves.’
He had faced many gods in the past, but since his reincarnation, there had been none as persistent as Silvana.
‘But this time, I’m not alone.’
Rundel and Ashirian were powerful individuals who had reached the 8-star level.
Hazard, though inexperienced, could now pull the weight of one superhuman.
‘It’s worth a try.’
“If you synchronize with the Divine Tree in your current state, the risk of falling into Oblivio also increases.”
Rundel said with a worried look.
“It will be for an hour at most. Any longer, and I will have no choice but to cut you down, for the Queen’s safety as well.”
“Alright.”
“Hazard. Protect your master well.”
She told it to support Killian well, even if he fell into a reflux.
Ashirian said as she stroked Hazard’s head.
[Grrr~]
Hazard answered with a loud growl.
“Let’s begin.”
Killian, holding Hazard, brought his hand to Yggdrasil.
Swoooosh.
The moment the green mana seeped into Killian’s skin.
The boundary of the area blurred.
The scenery before his eyes distorted, and an unfamiliar energy filled the air.
And what appeared was.
“Silvana.”
Killian muttered, staring at the being before him.
An Elf in the form of a mature woman.
Silvana, who appeared with a green light, was smiling brightly.
[I have been waiting, Adamas.]
Her soft and gentle voice was laced with a chill.
[To synchronize with Yggdrasil again in that body. It is beyond my expectations.]
She spread her arms and took a deep breath, as if sensing the immense mana around her.
[Before, there was a defiled power that interfered with me.]
She seemed to be talking about the Curse of Grotesquery.
[But now, I do not feel that filth.]
Silvana then looked at Killian with cold eyes.
[This time, I will finally be able to obtain that body.]
Greed was evident in her two eyes.
“I like that you’re consistent.”
Saying so, Killian drew Aether and looked around.
A desolate wasteland.
A few chipped and broken swords were scattered about.
It was clearly a different landscape than before.
‘It must have changed to match my weakened state.’
He recalled the battle that had taken place in the ‘Curse of the Abyss’.
A memory he wasn't sure was real or a dream.
Even so, it was clear that if it hadn't been for his two close friends, he would have been defeated without a doubt.
“I don’t know where that Grotesquery fellow went. Well, it’ll probably show up if I beat you up a bit.”
[Insolent thing.]
Swoosh.
Two swords materialized in Silvana’s hands.
[Synchronizing with Yggdrasil was a mistake. The will of a God is…]
“That’s enough sentiment from someone who’s left home.”
Ashirian had permitted the synchronization with the goal of re-infusing the will of the god into Yggdrasil.
“You’re wrong.”
Blue mana shimmered over Aether, and violet mana flickered from the pendant around his neck.
“You will die here today.”
He intended to prevent her from ever again residing in Yggdrasil or his own body.
‘Even if my body falls into Oblivio, Rundel and Ashirian are outside.’
The only one he had to face was Silvana.
‘Is that Grotesquery fellow still exploring?’
It didn't matter.
‘I have Hazard this time.’
A situation where his mana was futilely pushed back like before would not happen.
‘Hasn’t Hazard fully entered yet?’
The moment they synchronized, it had sunk its teeth into the Divine Tree; it seemed to be wandering somewhere.
‘What a handful. I’ll need to buy some time.’
[This time, I will surely…]
“You talk too much.”
Clang!
The sword he swung widely as he approached was blocked by Silvana’s sword.
The exchange began.
Claaang! Claaaaang!
The blue and violet mana emanating from Killian scattered.
The green mana emanating from Silvana dispersed.
To use the sword and mana that had once been defeated to bring Killian to his knees.
Silvana’s intention was so obvious that he had to laugh.
‘It would be strange to discuss arrogance with the gods.’
[Die.]
Her arrogance, having gained the medium of Yggdrasil, was so unsightly.
The smile did not leave Killian’s face as he parried her sword.
‘Her level, using mana, is a 7-star master. Is it matched to my level?’
He also had to consider a consecutive battle with the Grotesquery, so there was no need to exhaust his strength needlessly.
He just needed to deal with her moderately until Hazard arrived.
‘You’ll regret not bringing out your divine power right away.’
Krrrrrrrk.
How many minutes had they fought like that?
[Grrr~]
Hazard, with a cheerful face, appeared in the wasteland.
“You fool. What were you doing to be so late?”
[Keke-reu~ Grrr~]
At the sudden uninvited guest, Silvana’s face contorted.
[That thing, it’s hiding its true nature.]
“Even as a remnant, your eyes are still sharp. Hazard, return to your true form.”
[Grrr!!]
Simultaneously with its roar, Hazard’s body was engulfed in violet mana.
Where thick fur had been, dragon scales were revealed.
Scales of mixed black and green, and now even a red horn, a mixed dragon.
[Yooooooong!!]
The dragon, which had stored the mana of a superhuman in its Dragon Heart, emitted a Fear.
A subtle change occurred in Silvana’s face.
[Is this your trump card?]
“I told you. You will die here today.”
Swoosh. Swoosh.
Blue and violet intertwined as two Carpe Illusions unfolded.
“I look forward to seeing how many times I have to cut you for that tenacious life of yours to end.”
Silvana’s face slowly began to harden.
It seemed she was finally realizing the situation she was in.
[Cut me down? You?]
Pfft.
After scoffing for a long while, she tilted her head.
[Adamas. Why do you think you can cut me down?]
Instead of answering, Killian raised his sword.
As if responding to Aether, mana flickered from the scabbard.
He took a step forward, approaching Silvana.
Rumble rumble rumble.
He released his Haki in streams.
Whoooosh.
Krrrrrrr.
Four spheres and a violet magic tower began to pressure Silvana.
[You still know nothing.]
Divine Power and mana raged from her body.
“You should have done that from the beginning.”
Light exploded from around her body and spread out.
The surrounding space, touched by the mana fused with divine power, transformed into a forest.
Rumble rumble rumble.
A tree reminiscent of Yggdrasil shot up.
Rumble rumble rumble.
Its roots trembled as if responding to her divine power.
The earth accommodated her power and caused an earthquake.
[Gods do not die.]
Silvana’s voice was huge and intimidating.
[No one shall dare to challenge the authority of a God.]
With a gesture of her hand, the roots of the trees wrapped around Hazard.
As if alive, the earth and nature moved according to Silvana’s will.
Soon, the green mana combined with divine power formed six barriers.
[Mortals. Accept your fate.]
The barriers, which had taken the form of planes, closed in on Hazard as if compressing.
[Yong!]
Yo-yo-yong-yong.
Hazard cried out as if displeased and raised its short front paws.
And then.
Crack.
It slammed them right into the approaching barrier.
Crack. Crack. Craaaack.
Its short front paws moved as if tearing paper.
The torn pieces of the barrier scattered into the sky, and the dragon, freed from its bonds, flapped its wings and flew up.
Killian watched the flustered Silvana with satisfaction.
“Silvana.”
A dragon with a complete Mana Heart defies common sense.
And the dragon before her was a special existence even among them.
“Hazard tears even gods apart.”
Killian warned.
***
The massive roots of Yggdrasil wrapped around Killian, beginning to synchronize with him.
A blue light flickered, and the mana flowing through the earth passed through his body as if penetrating it.
In that moment.
Saaaaaaaaa.
Turbid mana erupted from Killian’s body, who was holding Hazard in his arms.
Evil Energy scattered, defiling the forest air.
“Is it Oblivio?”
Ashirian, who was watching from the side, muttered.
She drew the sword at her waist and watched Killian’s condition closely.
“It is a little different.”
Rundel savored the mana.
‘A turbid taste.’
The mana flowing from Killian’s body was heterogeneous.
Impurities were mixed in the mana that should have been synchronizing with the mana of nature, mana that should have been purer than any other.
His thought was not long.
“It is Oblivio, but it is not caused by mana.”
Rundel said heavily.
“Hoh. Has the curse that was said to be engraved on him manifested?”
Ashirian revealed an interested gaze as she looked at Killian.
She had heard the story of how he had come to bear both the Curse of Grotesquery and divine power in his body.
The body of Killian, who opened his dazed eyes, slowly began to rise.
Clatter.
His hand drew Aether from his waist.
“Killian Eurasia.”
Green mana erupted from the tip of Ashirian’s sword like an explosion.
The superhuman’s body instinctively dodged Ashirian’s mana.
“If you do not come out soon, I may just have to cut you down.”
Did the queen’s leisurely warning have an effect?
Focus slowly returned to Killian’s dazed eyes.
And then.
[An Elf?]
Over the body mixed with mana and Evil Energy.
Whoooooosh.
It emitted a Radiance.
[Two bodies worth taking.]
Taking in the two swords rushing towards him with its eyes.
[The exploration begins.]
The Grotesquery let out a bizarre laugh.