novelraw Chapter 216: Episode 5 (5)
Chapter 216: Episode 5 (5)
Translator: Dreamscribe
A light like an exploding sun stretched toward the Wedge.
The moment that light touched the Wedge, it erupted with even greater intensity, pushing the Wedge back. The staff, which had received a share of the Holy Sword's power, absorbed the cheering energy streaming from Earth and radiated an even fiercer light.
"Nngh...."
Having poured out every last ounce of her strength, Serazade collapsed onto the barrier.
Sprawled flat on her back atop the barrier, she watched the approaching Wedge. It was still falling, but its pointed tip had broken off.
Countless people had burrowed into the Wedge and were clinging to it, mining away. As a result, the Wedge's structural integrity was weakening.
[Switching to standby mode.]
"...Good work."
[I will pray for a 0.03% miracle. Master.]
Serazade didn't have the strength to lift a single finger, but she found herself laughing. It felt good, like they'd finally landed a solid hit.
Tiris and the Magic Developers poured every bit of their computational power into constructing the grand magic. The instant the Wedge reached directly above Tiris, she stretched her hand upward.
At last....
"Grand magic...."
The grand magic circle was complete.
The grand magic circle, blanketing the entire barrier, awaited her activation words.
"Magic Barrier."
Magic Barrier.
The grand magic that Tiris and the Magic Developers had cast was the Magic Barrier, so deeply familiar to them. The Magic Barrier materialized above the barrier, dyeing it in blue light.
Tiris and the Magic Developers slumped down onto the barrier. Tiris looked at Serazade lying there, then let herself fall backward, lying flat on the ground as well.
The Magic Developers also let out long breaths and lay on the ground, gazing up at the Wedge.
KRRRRUMBLE! KRAAASH!
The Wedge and the Magic Barrier collided.
With tremendous repulsive force, a shockwave burst outward, and cracks began spreading across the Wedge's surface. Those on the Wedge answered in kind, each detonating powerful explosives of their own.
But they could not stop the Wedge.
Even this had merely bought time, nothing more. Yet it was surely meaningful time. It would become the miraculous time needed to save Arsilan.
KRAAASH!
The Magic Barrier shattered, and the Wedge began descending again.
Tiris accepted the death that was coming.
Death.
She was not afraid of dying.
If Arsilan's future continued, she could pass through the Soul Gate and become part of Arsilan. She could become the beautiful land, the sea, the sky, and always be there.
But....
"...Master...."
Her master would grieve.
He would grieve deeply for a long time and blame himself, that much was certain. That was what weighed on her heart. The other Magic Developers sighed, thinking the exact same thing.
Serazade turned her head to look at Tiris.
"Unnie, what happens when we die?"
At her question, Tiris fell into thought for a moment before parting her lips.
"We will settle into the Soul Gate that Master created and become nourishment for Arsilan."
"So..., there's no such thing as reincarnation then."
"Your soul could dissolve into Arsilan and a part of it could be born anew. But you couldn't call that reincarnation."
Unfortunately, the souls of Arsilan's people were not strong enough to endure reincarnation. The same was true for the Demon Race. Unless one broke through the limits of the soul and became a Transcendent Being, it was impossible to withstand.
"That's a shame. I wanted to live happily in Arsilan..., ah! I won't be able to do the magical girl thing anymore either. It was so, so much fun, I wanted to do it forever."
Serazade rambled about whatever came to mind since it was the end.
It was a final act of defiance in the face of death. Tiris smiled faintly and closed her eyes.
If her soul were to break apart and settle into Arsilan once more, becoming a Magic Stone wouldn't be so bad. Someday, she would be woven into her master's grand magic and scattered across the Arsilan Saga.
Serazade squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the pain that would arrive any moment.
GOOOOO!
Just as the Wedge was about to crash down onto the Fifth Barrier,
"I am moved. Your love is truly vast and deep!"
A familiar voice rang out.
Tiris opened her eyes and looked toward the source of the voice. Belzerad had appeared beside her.
Serazade's eyes wavered.
"Gr, Grandfather?"
Belzerad looked as if he might collapse at any moment.
His aged body seemed ready to be torn apart by the Erosion energy the Wedge radiated. His soul was already crumbling, and his body had reached its limit. Yet before the Wedge, Belzerad did not waver.
If anything, his eyes sparkled as though blazing with fighting spirit.
Belzerad turned his head and looked down at Serazade. As always, his gaze was filled with love.
"This old man is the Demon King."
Belzerad's gaze gradually settled.
What had looked like a clear lake deepened in an instant, as if plunging into the abyss.
"Demon King is a title given to the strongest among the Demon Race."
Demon King.
The most powerful being in the Demon World.
He was, without doubt, a transcendent existence on par with Ella. Belzerad wanted to show the demons of Levannas the true form of a Demon King one last time.
"Young souls! Your love does not end here."
Belzerad raised his hand.
In it was the severed Demon King's Horn. The horn that the Archmage had returned to him when he first visited Levannas.
Just once.
And only for the briefest of moments.
If he used the Authority dwelling within this horn, he could return to the peak of his power. When Belzerad shattered the Demon King's Horn, an enormous surge of magic enveloped him.
KRAAASH!
The falling Wedge slowed, and the Fifth Barrier rippled violently.
A destructive violet current flowed outward. Lightning crackled through the violet stream, branching out in all directions.
The storm of magic subsided, and the true Demon King revealed himself.
Blood-red hair, long and flowing, whipped in the currents of magic, and from his back, three pairs of wings thick with dense magic unfurled. His mere existence warped space and summoned natural disasters.
The ruler of the Demon World.
Demon King Belzerad descended upon the Fifth Barrier.
A deep smile rose across his elegant face.
"Ah...."
Serazade was awestruck.
The demons watching from the First Barrier were the same.
Everyone in Arsilan could clearly see the Demon King's true form through the massive information windows floating before the Hero's Flowers.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Demon King Belzerad laughed grandly and spread both hands wide. Then he turned his gaze toward the Wedge. A massive surge of violet magic erupted, gathering in his hands.
He gathered all his strength and raised his hands toward the Wedge.
KRAAASH!
An overwhelming bolt of lightning, powerful enough to split mountain ranges and reduce continents to ash, struck the Wedge. The Wedge faltered and slowed, then began to be pushed upward, little by little. The lightning surged along the cracks carved into the Wedge, shearing away its surface.
The power was absurd.
Tiris's and the Magic Developers' eyes filled with shock. That level of force rivaled the layering of several grand magic spells.
"So this is the true form of Demon King Belzerad...."
Tiris spoke his name aloud.
He was the Demon King of love.
He had met his wife. He had built a family.
The Authority of one who had achieved perfect love was far more powerful than even his prime.
Serazade could not utter a single word.
Tears streamed from her eyes, but she forced the corners of her lips upward into a smile. To cry while beholding that magnificent figure would be an insult to the Demon King.
CRRRK!
The Wedge slowly began descending again, trying to crush the Fifth Barrier along with the Demon King.
A massive crack appeared on the barrier's surface. If the barrier broke, everyone would die. But Belzerad did not worry about that.
"Our friends are coming."
Just as he said, something came flying from above.
It was a missile fitted with a drill. Griffin clung to the missile with wings spread wide, while Leviathan adjusted his output by spraying water from his mouth. Behemoth bellowed war cries, sharing his energy with everyone.
LifeHunter was at the controls.
Having survived the Sixth Barrier and the Fifth Barrier, they had become a perfect team.
Before the drill missile struck the Fourth Barrier, Slime King expanded his body to serve as a cushion.
"Oh, Demon King Belzerad! Long time no see!"
"Behemoth! Good to see you, old friend."
"You look like you're struggling big time."
Belzerad smirked and pushed even harder.
"Ha ha! I'm burning my very soul! Griffin, Leviathan, Slime King..., such familiar faces, all of you."
Belzerad drew upon even his soul's power to hold on.
"I leave those young ones to you."
At his words, countless tentacles burst from Slime King's body, wrapping around Serazade, Tiris, and the Magic Developers. When Behemoth slapped the cockpit with his hand, LifeHunter pulled the lever.
FWOOSH!
The drill missile lurched and began distancing itself from the Wedge.
"Grandfather!"
Serazade called out to Belzerad.
"...I love you!"
"Ha ha ha ha! I love you too! Take care of yourself!"
Belzerad saluted her as if in farewell.
It was a light goodbye, as though they might meet again tomorrow.
"HRAAAGH!"
Fueled by Serazade's love, Belzerad could unleash even greater power. Pouring every last bit of his strength into one final effort, he drove his fist into the Wedge.
His fist became a storm of lightning and buried itself in the Wedge.
KRAKOOM!
A massive crack tore across the Wedge, and at the same time,
SHATTER!
The Fourth Barrier was destroyed.
The Wedge swallowed Belzerad and plunged downward. The drill missile LifeHunter was piloting barely cleared the barrier and soared upward.
Silence fell.
The Summons, as well as Tiris and the Magic Developers, could not say a word.
Serazade clenched her fists tight.
Her nails dug into her palms and blood flowed, but she forced herself to smile. She wanted to show her grandfather the most beautiful face she could.
LifeHunter watched Serazade for a moment, then quietly spoke.
"In my whole life, I've never seen an old man that cool."
Serazade turned her head to look at LifeHunter sitting in the cockpit.
"You've got a great grandfather. I want to be like that when I'm old."
LifeHunter offered his comfort in simple, understated words.
Serazade wiped her tears and nodded.
Tiris looked downward. Far below, her eyes met Jinwoo's.
She flinched!
She trembled and hid herself behind Behemoth.
It was because she had a feeling she was going to get an earful for the first time in a long while.
* * *
His body had been broken down without a trace.
His soul was fading away.
The instant the Wedge crushed him, all flesh vanished and all magic scattered.
He could hear nothing.
Only a sliver of sight remained.
Belzerad realized he had reached death.
In the distance, he could see the Archmage clenching his jaw. Ella, standing beside him, bit her lip as fierce anger erupted from her.
The great Archmage and the mighty goddess grieved for him. Even the Magic Dragon, born of the abyss, looked toward where he was and nodded. As if to say, well done.
The demons could not hold back their tears.
The great king who had led Levannas for a thousand years had sacrificed himself. He had shown them the form of a Demon King that belonged in myth.
Deepest love to our Demon King, who showed us such noble sacrifice!
Boundless respect to the mighty Demon King, who revealed his mythic grandeur!
The demons bowed their heads, brimming with profound love and respect.
'Our king.'
'Rest in peace.'
'We will avenge you.'
The demons had grown strong.
They would do well now, even without him.
They would flourish through love and overcome sorrow through love. His most precious Serazade would be able to do the same.
Belzerad felt the will and hearts of the demons as he drifted down toward Arsilan.
KRRRRUMBLE!
A massive crack split the Wedge.
When it struck the Third Barrier, enormous fragments broke away and were suffused with Arsilan's light. Its falling speed had visibly decreased, and its mass was greatly reduced, so it took considerable time for the barrier to break.
He had no regrets about his life.
With a joyful heart, he would become nourishment for this beautiful land, Arsilan, where the demons of Levannas would live on.
His memories, scattering and fading, would surely be remembered in their place by Arsilan's history.
If there was one lingering wish....
'Just one more time....'
How wonderful it would be to see her again.
It was just as Belzerad quietly drifted toward the Soul Gate floating above Arsilan. From a fragment that had separated from the Wedge, something flowed out.
It shot toward him like an arrow.
The many gathered at the First Barrier could not see it.
Only Belzerad could feel it.
When he realized what it was, his soul trembled violently. His soul swelled with elation and joy, and love.
Karienne, who had remained trapped within the Lord of Despair for a thousand years, had broken free from the Wedge's fragment and reclaimed her freedom. She had never lost her will, waiting all this time for the day they would meet again.
For a thousand years, she had held her breath, endured the pain, and persevered.
If that was not a miracle, what was?
She flew to him like an arrow and embraced Belzerad's crumbling soul tightly.
Karienne looked at Belzerad and smiled radiantly. Belzerad could not say a single word, only gazing at her endlessly.
Together, they looked at each other as they swayed like dancers toward the Soul Gate, drifting toward Arsilan.
'Love always comes with pain, doesn't it?'
'...It does.'
'But if you endure and hold on, in the end....'
You will find happiness.
Karienne gripped his back tightly. Belzerad wrapped his fading arms around her, holding her fully in his embrace.
The reunion they had waited a thousand years for was realized above the Soul Gate.
The two became one and gazed upon Arsilan, then descended onto the Soul Gate. It was the moment a great miracle and love settled into Arsilan.
* * *
Jinwoo suppressed his anger.
Belzerad had met a magnificent death.
The death of a friend always left him with emotions that were hard to bear. If the Demon King's Horn had been used to extend his lifespan, Belzerad could have lived another thousand years. But he had not used it for himself.
Heroes, good people, they always die first.
That reality pierced his heart.
The Wedge had already shattered the Third Barrier and reached the Second Barrier. But the overwhelming presence it once held had faded considerably.
Light erupted from the Wedge's surface.
Arsilan's light had now reached the very core of the Wedge. As the Second Barrier broke, the Wedge drew closer to the First Barrier, where everyone stood.
The Wedge, which had once looked ready to crush Arsilan's core, was now in a wretched state. It looked like a skeletal arm stripped to the bone. Arsilan's light poured out through the tunnels and holes bored into the Wedge.
"Hoo...."
Jinwoo exhaled deeply and gripped the Holy Sword firmly. Then he watched the Wedge as it slowly approached.
When he lowered the Holy Sword, the light that had been streaming from the massive Hero's Flower ceased.
All eyes turned to Jinwoo.
The countless Heroes, Arsilan natives, and demons on the Wedge had been cheering, but now they startled and scrambled into action. They instinctively knew what was about to happen.
"Everyone, evacuate!"
"Return to the First Barrier!"
"Switch the Magic Armors to self-destruct mode!"
Emergency evacuation!
Everyone hurried to escape through the Hero's Flowers.
Jinwoo wore a fierce smile as he glared at the Wedge.
He fixed his gaze on the Lord of Despair in the distance.
An immense power flowing from Arsilan began to accumulate in the Holy Sword. Earth's light rapidly restored his strength.
The Wedge had drawn right above him.
No one evacuated.
They all simply raised their heads and watched the Wedge.
Just before the Wedge came crashing down on everyone at the First Barrier, Jinwoo swung the Holy Sword with all his might.
KRAKAKOOM!
The light that erupted from the Holy Sword cleaved through the Wedge and passed beyond. That light reached all the way to the Lord of Despair on the other side.
CRACK!
Riddled with countless fractures and holes, the Wedge could not withstand the Holy Sword's light.
It froze as if pinned in space, and then,
KRAKAKAKOOM!
It split clean in two. The instant it split, light exploded outward, scattering fragments in every direction. The countless shards that had formed the Wedge rained down on Arsilan, but the First Barrier held them back.
The innumerable fragments, burning with light as they fell, looked like a beautiful fireworks display.
"W, WHOAAA!"
"We stopped it!"
"Damn! Look at it blow up!"
"It's beautiful."
A festival.
Fireworks to crown a festival.
The Lord of Despair, struck by the Holy Sword's light, had been split in two. It tried to merge back into one, but could not. The Holy Sword's light acted like a virus, thwarting every attempt. From one of the halved portions, something writhing came pouring out.
Erosion Insects.
It looked as though the Erosion Insects had devoured the Lord of Despair from within and were now spilling out. The Erosion Insects rained down toward Arsilan like a downpour.
From the other half, the Lord of Despair's true form took shape and revealed itself.
"So it's Phase 2 now?"
"Erosion Insects!"
"Ohhh!"
The sheer volume of Erosion Insects pouring down was staggering.
Enough to blot out every star in the sky.
The Lord of Despair, too, had fully revealed its horrific form for all to see. But perhaps because the great Authority that had been embedded in the Wedge was now gone, it did not feel threatening.
When Jinwoo raised the Holy Sword, Ella and Helby extended their hands in unison.
[The Will of Arsilan bestows the Great Blessing upon all.]
*All are revived immediately.
*Stats, Mana, and Sacred Power are doubled.
*Experience gained is doubled.
Countless Heroes, Arsilan natives, and demons were revived atop the First Barrier.
"Hell yeah!"
"That was insane!"
"Did you see the explosion?"
"It got totally obliterated."
"Wait, why do Magic Armors even have a self-destruct function?"
"Because that's what makes it epic."
Everyone who had been revived was buzzing with excitement.
That excitement quickly settled, and silence fell.
All held their tongues, waiting for Jinwoo's words. Jinwoo pointed the Holy Sword toward the Lord of Despair.
No more words were not needed.
Everyone already knew what had to be done.
"For Arsilan!"
For Arsilan.
That single cry was enough.