Chapter 258
✠The gravity of the battlefield pulled my body to the ground. Unable to use buoyancy, I exchanged blows with Inferinos with my feet planted on the earth.
Shhhhwish!
Inferinos’s hair, coiling like dozens of snakes, surged towards me. I tracked every movement with my kinetic vision, ceaselessly moving Librilly’s scythe blade.
The Demon King’s hair was no different from steel coated in lapis lazuli. Each time the blue-tipped blonde hair struck the scythe blade, deafening roars and powerful explosions erupted.
It was a clash so intense that the shockwaves accompanying the exchanges threatened to shatter my ribs. If it weren’t for the Divine Inviolability that enveloped my body like armor, a human heart would not have endured and would have stopped long ago.
Kwa-gwa-gwa-gwang!
A light of destruction once again erupted in my eyes, which had not blinked once since the battle began.
Ignoring the burning pain in my retina, I concentrated divine power in my left eye.
[
Based on the revelation, I executed optimal defensive and evasive maneuvers, instantly closing in on Inferinos. Librilly’s scythe traced a brilliant circle, sweeping across Inferinos’s neck.
However, my opponent was formidable. She arched her back to dodge the scythe blade sweeping inches from her face without blinking an eye.
“……”
“……”
In our locked gazes, admiration for each other was exchanged. Of course, I had no intention of losing my wits.
The queen’s monstrous strength imbued my two arms. Transcendent might allowed for trajectory changes that defied inertia. Pa-ba-ba-ba-bak!
A clump of Inferinos’s hair was sliced off by the surprising scythe attack. The blonde parts were relatively weaker compared to the blue parts.
“……!”
The moment Inferinos’s eyes widened, other strands of hair, writhing like lapis lazuli-crafted snakes, lashed out at me. With a powerful blow to the abdomen, I was sent flying far away. As I flew, Inferinos’s hair pursued me like a swarm of snakes, trying to bite and tear.
<Aillet!>
It’s okay, Agnes.
Because if there are snakes skilled in hunting, I have them too.
I rotated Librilly ninety degrees and gripped it firmly in my right hand, holding it so the vertical shaft, not the horizontal blade, became the primary weapon. Simultaneously, I received a revelation once more. As soon as my left eye read the fleeting future, I forcefully infused aura into Librilly.
Chwa-ra-ra-ra-rak!
Librilly’s longitudinal axis, transformed into a flexible scythe blade, writhed in the center of the battlefield, scattering Inferinos’s hair. The Demon King’s attack could not reach me.
Hwi-ri-ri-rik.
The flexible scythe blade, which had extended like a tail, retracted as I landed safely.
Then, my two feet kicked off the ground again. Deeming even the time to close the distance too precious, I raised my hand.
[
I activated my primary skill. But I had no intention of stopping there. I implanted one more skill.
[
Krrr-rung.
The enraged sky roared. Tearing through the darkness of night, lightning bolts poured down from a vast expanse of sky.
<Kuh?>
As if Inferinos’s very being was a lightning rod, her body received all the lightning bolts like a funnel. Kwa-gwa-gwa-gwa-gwang!
A powerful force capable of atomizing flesh struck directly. However.
<Hup!>
By a low gasp, the electric current scattered over her body. Only the surrounding ground, left untouched, was battered and torn by the lightning strikes.
I didn’t expect the attack to be effective anyway. Because a true hit had to be delivered by my own hands.
Kwa-ang!
Having successfully closed the distance, I swung the scythe blade. The lapis lazuli hair and Librilly clashed repeatedly. Each time light scattered across my vision, the air and earth wailed in destruction.
The fierce engagement continued for a long time. I, trying to penetrate to extreme close quarters, and Inferinos, trying to shake me off at mid-range. We fiercely contested for the advantageous range.
✠In the circular battlefield where the Holy Saint and the Demon King were engaged in fierce combat, hundreds of subjugation forces held their breath, watching the one-on-one duel that would decide the continent’s future. Of course, roars loud enough to shatter the tranquility created by the silent spectators ceaselessly echoed from the battlefield. The Holy Saint and the Demon King fought as if amidst a natural disaster. With each clash, the earth shook enough to churn one’s guts, and shockwaves scraped away the surface of the ground like a planing tool.
The aftermath of the battle alone caused a disaster on the scale of nature itself. If their battlefield hadn’t been a closed Coliseum of the Throne War, the Litniel Plain would have changed its topography long ago.
“Is that… human combat?”
To someone’s bewildered question, everyone shared the same answer.
No.
A being who had achieved the 9th Divine Power Tier and the realm of an Aura Master had received the blessing of a god and had divinity descended upon their body. Moreover, they had even absorbed the power inherited after sweeping away the legions of demons in the Pit of Solitude.
A Demon King could not be fought by a mere human. Because she was a Holy Saint who transcended humanity, she could stand at the vanguard of the End Times and endure.
She was truly an agent sent by a god to Earth for salvation.
“That is the Holy Saint……”
The dignity and divine power inherent in that title were re-emphasized anew. As humans, the reverence that welled up was unavoidable.
The same was true for the continent’s five renowned powerhouses. From where they gathered, Romina Lekandro murmured with admiration.
“I see why she was chosen by God.”
“……I didn’t realize she possessed such a level of prestige.”
Even Moriphis was serious at this moment. Following him, Fliegel Knight added,
“The Holy Saint from 500 years ago wasn’t even this strong. Indeed, she is worthy of being God’s chosen agent for this era.”
Duke Hispenril kept silent, but his proud gaze was clearly evident. Meanwhile, there was only one person who felt uncomfortable in this atmosphere.
“……”
Muriel Philise’s face hardened as she remained silent. Because Fliegel’s admiration just now had, in many ways, grated on her deep inside.
Kwa-gwa-gwa-gwang!
Around that time, another loud explosion erupted, diverting their attention. The fierce engagement between the Holy Saint and the Demon King continued.
To control the disaster that was the Demon King, the Holy Saint had to wear the mask of disaster herself. Scattering holy destructive power, she pressed Inferinos.
The battle was evenly matched. At this rate, perhaps, if things went well.
‘I might win!’
A light of hope filled the eyes of those watching the battlefield. Even those without faith called upon God, earnestly wishing for the Holy Saint’s victory.
However. The tide of battle flowed in a direction different from their expectations.
✠As the fierce battle continued, Inferinos’s torn pupils dilated with excitement. My eyes, too, must have been the same. It was at one point during this exchange of blows.
<Evil’s Bane Executor.>
Piercing through the roar, a chilling, inhuman voice resonated in my eardrums. <Of all the foes I have fought until now, you please me the most.>
“I agree.”
The next words came simultaneously.
“That you don’t chatter unnecessarily.”
<That you don’t chatter unnecessarily.>
Even at that moment, the brilliant light of destruction ceaselessly polluted my vision. Effective attacks and invalid afterimages intermingled, blurring the line between illusion and reality.
Inferinos opened her mouth again.
<Indeed, words are one of the vessels that contain authority. They must not be wasted carelessly.>
“……”
I tensed. This was a significant monologue. Because it was a story connected to her abilities.
The next moment, Inferinos’s red eyes gleamed sadistically.
<You, Evil’s Bane Executor.>
“……”
“……!”
She was the first demon to call my name. It was then, startled, that the blow I was about to land on Inferinos wavered.
<I pay my respects to your strength and courage, and from now on, I will face you with my true power.>
My entire body tensed at the declaration of war. Indeed, she was a great demon who discussed the power of language.
Even without any other precursors besides her words, my five senses rang alarm bells. It seemed to be the correct reaction.
<Aillet, fall back and cover your ears!> [‘Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World’ warns of danger!] [‘Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World’ warns of danger!] [‘Voice-Spirit that Constructs the World’ warns of danger!]
“Blessing of Protection!”
I needlessly shouted the activation phrase. Powerful divine energy settled into my ears. However, the clear voice of the inhuman being pierced through the noise, shattered the barrier, and directly hammered into my brain.
<It is a King’s Order.>
It was the moment she declared it.
[
“……!”
Thump.
A dull impact struck my heart. An immeasurably heavy majesty transformed into a coercive force, braking my legs.
“Ugh?!”
I barely managed to stand upright and maintain my balance, my body nearly sliding to the ground. But I couldn’t take another step beyond that. I looked up, flustered. Inferinos, facing me directly, watched me with a contemplative smile.
She shook my head once more.
<It is a King’s Order. Grovel before my feet.>
“……!”
The coercive force spread from my legs to my entire body.
“Ugh.”
The abundant divine power helped my resistance, but I could barely hold on, using Librilly as a staff. Again, an invisible force pressed down on my head and shoulders.
<Grovel.>
Finally, one knee buckled as if collapsing. Privilege for Possessors