Chapter 1300: Promises of Corruption (4)

The massive form of the Sun Ship, rising above the flower garden covered in Dead Flowers, ignited and began to transform its shape.

Its two wings, burning crimson, unfurled to hundreds of meters in length, extending at tremendous speed.

Rumble-rumble-rumble-rumble!!!!!

“The Sun Ship has begun to synchronize with your will and transform its shape.”

Yaksha spoke as Lennok watched the Sun Ship begin to change on its own, despite his lack of intent.

“As it was originally a living organism, from the moment it perceived the possibility of change, it began to constantly resonate and synchronize with the ship’s master.”

“I didn’t expect the Sun Ship to react just by recognizing the activation words.”

Lennok turned his gaze towards the Sun Ship, which had fully spread its wings.

“It looks more like a living creature than a new flagship… Can its functions be forcibly drawn out through specific keywords?”

“Megiddo is an ark of immortality, created by modifying a Level 9 Outer Sea Entity. That flagship is a colossal living creature itself, moving and possessing will.”

Kwoooosh!!!!

Yaksha said, gazing at the Sun Ship dyeing the sky crimson.

“Therefore, somewhere within the flagship, the instincts and will of a living creature are embedded, and there’s a trick to forcibly awaken and draw them out. It’s a kind of… knack, known to our kin who have sailed the Outer Sea for a long time.”

“……”

“It’s not a difficult word. Its meaning is extremely intuitive, as it must reach its instincts. But at this moment, it will be most effective.”

Yaksha smiled.

“You just need to say this… ■■■■■■.”

For a moment, Lennok didn’t understand what Yaksha was saying.

It was an extra-dimensional language used by one who had sailed the seas for a long time as an extraterrestrial being.

It was a word used in a world that had now completely perished, its causality severed.

Nevertheless, Lennok intuitively understood what word to use as the activation word.

A word to call upon the will of Megiddo, which was originally a colossal living creature.

Not the ship’s form, but a single word to draw out the primal instincts of the Outer Sea Entity that was its origin.

If it only needed to respond to Lennok’s will as the master of the Sun Ship, there was no need to call it in an extraterrestrial language.

“Megiddo.”

Lennok drew upon his mana.

“Awaken.”

KWOOOOOOOOSH!!!!!!

At that command, the Sun Ship, which had spread its wings of flame, began to transform like an enormous Great Peng.

The colossal bird of flame, growing to fill the entire sky beyond hundreds of meters, spread its wings and gazed down at the ground with burning eyes.

It bent its now immeasurably vast wings of flame, embracing the entire Dead Flower garden.

Soon, it began to burn the sky, reaching towards the Grand General’s Mausoleum visible in the distance.

Kwoooooosh!!!!!

The wings of flame, coiling around the sky above the Mausoleum, descended, covering the heavens like a majestic curtain of fire.

Each time, the black flowers that had been twitching their heads everywhere froze as if paralyzed, becoming perfectly silent.

“It’s awakening the embedded instincts of the Outer Sea Entity within the Sun Ship, forcibly drawing the surrounding spacetime into its ‘nest’.”

Yaksha looked up at the sight and said softly.

“Beyond simply replacing the role of a sun, it fixes the flagship’s coordinates and reconstructs the area into an environment akin to a star system. By making the entire vicinity part of the Sun Ship, it can ignore spacetime distortions and bring this vast flower garden within its range.”

“……”

The form was that of a phoenix, distinctly different from the Level 9 Outer Sea Entity, Megiddo, which Lennok had seen in the Sixfold Demonic Mirror of Return.

Did the bio-battleship Megiddo itself originally contain the forms and instincts of various beasts?

He couldn’t know. As Yaksha said, this divine object was originally a power that could not have been given to Lennok in this timeline.

It was the result of the Director, who had single-handedly conquered the Sixfold Demonic Mirror of Return, extracting only Megiddo’s core and partially handing it over to Lennok.

But precisely because of that, he needed to know why inevitability had passed this on to Lennok and offered advice.

Did he want Lennok to use this as a means? Did he know that the Sun Ship would be helpful in conquering the Demonic Realm?

Why had the Director indirectly helped Lennok’s journey to Ars Nova?

“Let’s go.”

Ignoring Yaksha’s words, Lennok gazed at the rapidly approaching landscape of the Mausoleum.

At this moment, standing once more before the Mausoleum amidst an alliance and cult agreement that could shatter at any time.

Various preparations were needed to deploy such a large-scale army into the Mausoleum simultaneously.

At least, while Lennok remained in the Demonic Realm, he wouldn’t be able to attempt an assault with such power at his back again.

Even if it was a position created by borrowing others’ power, it was a one-time opportunity. He had to finish everything here.

“There won’t be a third time. This time, we enter the Mausoleum.”

Swooosh!!!!

Beneath the burning sky, battleships and airships accelerated, cutting across the Dead Flower garden.

The disgustingly dense flowers writhed, but showed no movement under the blazing sunlight.

The grand armies of the Alliance and the Cult, both from the sky and the ground, trampled the garden and accelerated towards the distant Mausoleum.

Thud-thud-thud-thud!!!!!

The shape of a massive, corrupted temple stained black, surrounded by an outer fortress.

Among the superhumans who confirmed its appearance beneath the flame-wings that embraced the sky, intense whispers erupted.

“Is that truly the Mausoleum of the Grand General of Brilliance…!”

“It’s exactly as seen in the literature. A culmination of extremely precise architectural technology, with all infrastructure embedded.”

“Even in its corrupted state, it retained such a beautiful form?”

Among the spellcasters and priests, there were many knowledgeable about Imperial history, thus some were filled with unique emotions.

The Mausoleum, which they had invested months into exploring and assaulting without even seeing its shadow, was now before their eyes.

“All units, prepare for descent.”

Clank!!

At the Yeonri Spell Master’s cold command, spellcasters grasped their spell-armaments, completing preparations throughout the battleships.

The Cult’s Missionary Ship, almost simultaneously, sent Rectification Knights and priests ahead to scout in all directions.

“Kihit.”

The Seventh Apostle snickered, adjusting her greatsword and gesturing.

“Run. If you don’t want to die.”

“Let’s go!!!”

“Hoo…!!”

“Ooooh!!!!”

As dozens of airships entered the airspace above the Mausoleum’s center, dozens of superhumans simultaneously descended.

Immediately after, the airships that plunged into the Distortion Field surrounding the Mausoleum exploded in unison in the sky.

Kwoooosh-

Puh-buh-buh-buh-bang!!!!

Exploding in the mist-shrouded sky, scattered flames painted the air like fireworks.

Beneath the red-tinged sky, hundreds of superhumans, some having consumed Dead Flowers and some not, simultaneously entered the Mausoleum.

Monsters with Corpse Flowers blooming from them burst out from various parts of the outer fortress and the estate, confronting the intruders.

Grrrrk!!

Keeeeeek!!

“The Gods are watching!!”

“Begin the Holy War!!”

The Rectification Knights of the Cult, who were the first to enter the estate, charged forward in their pure white armor.

Armed with blessings and wielding divine protection on their swords, the knights clashed with the monsters bearing Corpse Flowers from all sides.

Kwoooosh!!!

“Edmond, I never thought…!!”

“All our comrades whose bodies couldn’t be found were here….”

Spellcasters, having finished their incantations, collapsed the outer fortress walls and provoked the superhumans bearing Corpse Flowers to rise.

Spellcasters who recognized familiar corpses or remains moved swiftly, even as they cried out in horrified voices.

A horrific scene unfolded as living and dead humans collided at immense speed, scattering flesh and being ground to pieces.

The misty lawns of the estate were instantly dyed crimson.

Kwagwagwagwang!!!!

“It has begun. We’ll move immediately too.”

Yaksha turned his gaze, looking down at the melee that had instantly erupted across the vast Mausoleum.

“There are two objectives. Collect all the Corpse Flowers around the Mausoleum to dismantle the Distortion Field, and manipulate the four General Tombs located at the cardinal points to open the Mausoleum entrance.”

“……”

“The Grand Spell Master will take the South. The Seventh Apostle, the North. Cheonbeon will take the East, and the Cardinal will manipulate the General Tomb in the West. I will dismantle the Distortion Field and open the Mausoleum entrance.”

Clank!!

Yaksha said, manipulating Iron Spirit Spellcraft to attach metal fragments to his arm.

“First, collect all the Corpse Flowers around the Mausoleum as planned. Until then, there’s no way to dismantle the Distortion Field, so refrain from acting independently.”

“I’m sorry, but the other Transcendent Beings started before you even spoke, you know?”

Whoosh…!!

Swaaaah!!!!

From the south, dense clouds gathered and descended diagonally, and from the north, a massive orb of blood rose, raining down destruction.

The Grand Spell Master, extracting Corpse Flowers from within the clouds of the corrupted, and the Seventh Apostle, laughing madly and spraying blood, charged at immense speed.

From both sides of the vast Mausoleum, they instantly shredded dozens of corpses, taking the lead.

Thud-thud-thud-thud!!!

Drrr-rrrk!!!

A wondrous martial feat, literally crushing and pulverizing monsters infested by Corpse Flowers. A speed incomparable to any other superhuman from the Alliance or the Cult.

They were undoubtedly the most significant allies here, yet conversely, the most untrustworthy and dangerous force at this very location.

“Extreme Art, Golden Lotus. Thousand Lotus Golden Mane, Tenth Form.”

Ignoring Aileen’s retort, Yaksha used Iron Spirit Spellcraft, and simultaneously, a metal battleship exploded.

It scattered into thousands of metal fragments, then reassembled into a colossal metal spear, falling to the ground.

“Form Transformation, commence.”

Kwoooosh!!!

Yaksha’s form descended into the center of the Mausoleum, trampling and beginning to extract the Corpse Flowers awakening everywhere.

As superhumans from the Alliance and the Cult began to fight in the chaotic melee, Lennok drew upon his mana.

“To collect the Corpse Flowers located in the eastern part of the Mausoleum, I’ll have to move diligently.”

[Fire Seal: Conjoined Wings]

Hwaruruk!!

Lennok, having unleashed wings of flame, spun his body and descended onto the estate at tremendous speed.

With a ground-shaking impact, he seized the face of a Corpse Flower that was awakening and stumbling everywhere.

Using the incantation of the Black God Demonic Art, he rotated his shoulder, gripping the face with powerful hands.

He struck two corpses that rushed him with drawn swords from his side, blowing apart their upper bodies.

[Heaven’s Collapse]

Ppeo-eong!!!!

Amidst the impact of three corpses exploding and scattering, he snatched three Corpse Flowers fluttering away.

Firmly grasping the writhing flowers convulsing in his hand, he formed a hand seal with his other hand and activated a spell.

Dazzling flames spread out in a fan shape, incinerating all the corpses bursting forth from outside the fortress.

[Explosive Flame Orb]

[Triple Incineration - Repulsion]

[Blood-Flame Line]

Kwoooooosh!!!!!

Alone within the tidal wave of exploding flames, he incinerated and trampled corpses at immense speed.

The decaying, rotting corpses, moving uncontrollably, were swept away by the surging waves of flame, unable to advance.

Flesh and muscle burned and evaporated, and the Corpse Flowers clinging to the bones shrieked as if convulsing.

Ddu-du-duk!!

Kieeeek!!

The majestic form of Megiddo, spreading burning wings in the sky. The surging waves of flame below on the ground.

Lennok’s form, unleashing an immense amount of firepower that dyed the Mausoleum’s surroundings crimson.

The superhumans of the Alliance and the Cult clicked their tongues, their expressions subtly stiffening at the sight.

“That monstrous bastard. Has he already finished warming up to that extent?”

“Can he produce such output while maintaining the Sun Ship’s summon?”

“He’ll definitely be a nuisance once we enter the Mausoleum…”

For now, they were cooperating to enter the Mausoleum, but their relationship could break apart at any time.

At that moment, that wizard would undoubtedly become a more dangerous rival than anyone else present.

While the formidable output of flames incinerating the Mausoleum’s corpses was reassuring, it was also true that they were wary of those flames turning on them again.

But Lennok ignored the sharp will-thoughts pouring from all sides of the Mausoleum and fumbled with the journal in his pocket.

‘The journal is reacting. It’s worse than last time.’

Chwarararak!!!

As he approached the Mausoleum, the journal’s pages flipped wildly, and all sorts of strange characters appeared within it.

[Exploration■■ ■■■■update failed. Error■■■■.]

[■■ ■■■■ ■■■. Record loss detected.]

[■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■-]

It was as if the records written in the journal were forcibly erased, with distorted characters appearing and disappearing.

Unlike last time, the journal itself wasn’t corrupted by Dead Thoughts and running wild, but something was different.

Perhaps this fact could be a meaningful aid in conquering the Mausoleum.

“Martinez. Over here.”

While Lennok was lost in thought, Aileen, who had quickly cleared the corpses near the east, gestured.

“I’ll create a passage around here that leads into the Mausoleum via the ritual space.”

Whiooooh!!!

Among the ruins where tombstones erected throughout the estate had exploded and been unearthed.

A small, door-like opening was revealed amidst an altar buried under a pile of earth.

“The Imperial National Mausoleum was built with a large main hall and blocked passages, then left small side paths for workers to enter and exit.”

Aileen put down her blade, dug through the earth, and pointed to the corpses of workers she had dealt with.

“That’s why this wall is the thinnest from outside the Mausoleum temple. Once the Distortion Field is lifted, we should be able to cross this wall using the ritual space as a passage.”

“……”

A method of bypassing the Mausoleum’s security and entering by becoming a fluidic state via the ritual space.

Was this the irregular route via the ritual space that Aileen had previously explained the Agency used?

Aileen, with her striking appearance, squatted down and diligently dug the ground—a peculiar sight.

“So remember this location. If anything happens, we’ll enter through here.”

“Do you think the Alliance and the Cult will betray us before even entering the Mausoleum?”

“Yaksha said to conclude things after everything is over, but no one truly believes that, do they?”

Aileen said, digging.

“They’ve joined hands for a minimal objective, so both sides will be ready to break the agreement at any time. It wouldn’t be strange for the agreement to shatter the moment entry into the Mausoleum becomes possible, would it?”

“The Cult or the Alliance might block or obstruct the entrance to the Mausoleum?”

“That’s the most likely possibility.”

Aileen’s eyes turned cold.

“We’ve approached the Mausoleum relying on the Sun Ship for now, but will that still be the case after they’ve secured the relics or authorities they want inside the Mausoleum?”

“……”

“They might even try to steal the Sun Ship, strengthened by the power gained from the Mausoleum. They might also try to escape with only their Mausoleum spoils, even if all their subordinate forces die.”

Aileen’s resolute assumption, as if she held no expectations whatsoever for the Alliance and the Cult.

That was probably because Aileen, too, had bitterly experienced what kind of organizations they were, having assaulted the Central Front for a long time.

Therefore, Lennok could understand Aileen’s assumption of the worst-case scenario from now on, but—

“I know what you’re worried about, but even if that happens, the plan won’t go awry this early.”

Lennok, who had stood up, replied.

“The Cult and the Alliance are wary of each other, and thus wary of me. To be precise, they’re guarding against the possibility of one side gaining an advantage while the two of them fight.”

“……”

“The Grand Spell Master and the Seventh Apostle, who have fought me directly, would know that well. That’s also why I didn’t exert my full power to forcibly kill them then.”

Lennok turned away.

“Once I’ve implanted a sense of danger in their minds, I can interfere with their actions to some extent.”

“……Martinez.”

“The area around the Mausoleum is quieting down. It seems the Grand Spell Master and the Seventh Apostle have already cleared the vicinity.”

Lennok’s eyes, as he looked up, turned cold.

“And Yaksha, too, appears to be just as… competent as those two.”

Thump…!!!!

The temple before Lennok’s eyes warped, repeatedly growing larger and smaller.

The Distortion Field spread around the Mausoleum twisted in real-time, distorting his vision.

It moved back and forth, too far and too close to gauge the distance, and his Magical Perception repeatedly expanded and contracted as if just about to reach it.

A delicate skill, as if slowly swaying an invisible curtain to open a tiny side path.

Yaksha was already slowly dismantling the Distortion Field alone, even without Lennok handing over the collected Corpse Flowers.

Perhaps, befitting an alien spirit that wandered the seas, his spatial comprehension had reached a transcendent level.

“Yaksha’s skill is much better than I expected.”

Lennok, standing before the colossal tombstone in the eastern part of the Mausoleum, drew upon his mana.

“I, too, should begin preparations to open the Mausoleum entrance.”

Kwooong!!!

He rolled up his sleeves and poured mana into the dark-colored tombstone.

As mana was injected into the tombstone, a complex spell circuit engraved within was felt.

The form of a magic circle that only a superhuman with knowledge of high-level Barrier Spellcraft could properly activate.

As the magic circle carved into the eastern General Tomb was activated, an intense light shot into the sky.

Almost simultaneously, the same radiance erupted from all four directions, rotating in a swastika shape.

Paaaat!!!

The Grand Spell Master in the south, the Seventh Apostle in the north, and the Cardinal in the west, all three, had almost simultaneously finished clearing their areas and began activating the Mausoleum facilities.

The entire vast Mausoleum temple shook violently, and the ground began to tremble as if an earthquake had struck.

Kugugugugugu!!!!

Shaking so violently that one could not stand, the entire temple surged, and the positions of pillars and walls shifted.

In the center of the Mausoleum, Yaksha, holding dozens of Corpse Flowers, directed the air with both hands as if kneading it, cautiously dismantling the Distortion Field.

Between the blackened, contaminated marble pillars, the entrance to the Mausoleum, filled with endless void, revealed itself at that moment.

Thud.

Maiya Lonsdale’s form, adorned with Corpse Flowers, lightly landed beside Yaksha.

“……!!!!”

The Enforcer’s form, effortlessly bypassing the Magical Perception of superhumans collecting Corpse Flowers from all sides of the Mausoleum.

Before Yaksha, who was dismantling the Distortion Field, could turn to Maiya, the surrounding superhumans moved first.

“Arthur!!”

“I know!!”

Kwoooosh!!!

A mercenary, who had been waiting solely to mark the Enforcer one-on-one, crossed the center of the estate at immense speed.

As shotguns spewed fire, Arthur’s form explosively accelerated. Beyond subsonic speed, he charged towards Maiya.

Gripping shotguns in both hands, tucked under his arm, he slid to Maiya’s side.

“……Huh?”

Arthur’s expression instantly turned blank as he saw the ‘axe’ in Maiya’s other hand.

A thick, colossal, dazzling golden axe, utterly unsuited for her slender frame.

The presence of a relic that seemed to be carved from a massive temple pillar, its mere existence overwhelmingly oppressing the surroundings.

Completely different from the two daggers Maiya had used in their first engagement—

“Sa-Satellite Shredder……!!!!”

In the accelerating time, one of the spellcasters shouted, his eyes bulging as if they would pop out.

A spellcaster highly knowledgeable about Imperial history and culture, who had been admiring the temple’s architectural skill.

Others, realizing that an anomaly had occurred, immediately turned their gaze and ran towards Maiya.

“Evacuate!!! Take Yaksha and retreat!!”

“Spell Master, what is that? Tell us quickly!!”

“It’s one of the Empire’s weapons of slaughter. One of the grave goods presumed to be in the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors, but according to literature, it was clearly…!!!”

The spellcaster stammered, as if disbelieving, and said with a pale face.

“It was the unique weapon of the Grand General buried in the Mausoleum—”

Paaaat!!!

As Maiya raised the colossal golden axe, silver-white wings unfurled around her, coiling around the entire Mausoleum.

Around the axe, mana and will-thought seemed to be sucked in, causing a strange phenomenon where vision seemed to warp.

Before everyone present could feel irreversible dread within that colossal illusion and react.

Maiya, wielding the Satellite Shredder, tore through the Distortion Field and the Mausoleum temple diagonally, along with Yaksha.