VqhGbcRd

1Chapter 1015: Soaring Through the Skies (Part I)
2Translator: TransN  Editor: TransN
3
4The coming of age for witches had always happened at the stroke of midnight.
5
6This can be considered one of the unsolved mysteries of the witches. Even though magic power exists everywhere, there was no way to explain why it was the most active at this time. Even witches like Anna with immense magic reserves could entirely exhaust thier magic power and still fully recover within an hour or two after midnight. On the contrary, if the witches' magic power only recovered at the pace during the day, then even a week's time would probably still not be enough for them to get back to full strength.
7
8Most of the witches did not care about this, and the Taquila survivors were no exception. When Roland asked them about it, the answers they gave were always along the lines of "isn't that just the start of a new day?" For most people, time was divided into days. Therefore, the magic power of each day should be spent on that same day. Just like the weather showing changes every day, there was nothing weird about this to them.
9
10But Roland knew that the days were nothing but a human construct created out of convenience. This lead to the creation of the leap year. To correct this error, people came up with the leap month and with the advancement of the time-measuring apparatus, leap seconds were also invented(i.e., 59 or 61 seconds in the last minute). Basically, people created whatever would make life easier for them.
11
12With that said, it was strange that the witches' magic power would only consolidate within a certain period of time.
13
14It was as if there exists a biological clock in every Awakened so that she could always remain in sync with the flow of time. Regardless of when she was born and whether she lived in the Southernmost Region or the Hermes Plateau, she would always be linked to this phenomenon.
15
16Unfortunately, due to the lack of more advanced observational devices such as the further research of magic power or the accurate measuring of time, both would be too difficult to accomplish at this time; so this theory would just remain a theory.
17
18"Your Majesty." Wendy's words pulled him back to reality from his thoughts. "In addition to the above-mentioned measures, would you like to add anything else?"
19
20The so-called measures were mainly designed to deal with the dangers of consolidating one's magic power. Since Lucia's Day of Adulthood, this factor had already been incorporated as part of the Witch Union's standard protocol.
21
22Even Taquila could not provide much more in terms of advice regarding this point.
23
24"Let's proceed according to your plan." Roland thought for a moment and said, "By the way, don't forget to inform Margaret and Sander Flyingbird. I think they would also like to know that Lightning has safely reached adulthood."
25
26Wendy was a little surprised. "Ms. Margaret would not a problem, but as for Mr. Flyingbird..."
27
28"He'll be fine," Roland said softly.
29
30"Yes, I understand." Upon seeing his expression, Wendy no longer asked any more questions and agreed without further ado.
31
32...
33
34Night had long since fallen, yet the top floor of the Witch Building was still bright as day.
35
36The top floor had already been transformed into a bedroom for the witches to use for adulthood. The room was the size two normal rooms so that it could accommodate more visitors, and the wall became a moveable door. If magic needed to be released, the two door panels could be opened directly, and the outer wall would no longer be blasted apart like last time.
37
38Lightning laid on a large, soft bed, and seemed to be extremely excited. This was the exact opposite of Lucia's nervous behavior when she was going through her coming of age. It seemed as if the young explorer had been waiting for this moment for a very long time.
39
40A wooden table was fixed next to the big bed, with Lightning's left hand tied onto it. She held the Sigil of God's Will in her hand. According to Lucia, the moment painful contractions could be felt in her body, would be the moment when she would need to pour all the magic power into the Sigil. One hand was tied to avoid the young witch from losing control due to the intense pain, and inadvertently pointing the Sigil at others. After this danger was eliminated, the absence of Countess Spear and her powers was no longer that big of a deal.
41
42Lightning was surrounded by her friends who had come to visit.
43
44"Will I awaken with some derivative skill? If it can solve the weight problem, then I would be able to bring along a lot more food and tools to fly over the Land of Dawn!" Conversations on similar topics like that continued throughout the night. Lightning's fluttering eyes seemed to shine as she listed out one possibility after another. She looked just like Roland back when he was a child and was trying to guess what kind of birthday presents his family had prepared for him.
45
46But of course, he would end up disappointed most of the time.
47
48For example, if he were hoping to receive a huge Transformer model, he would instead receive a prep-book with over 300 exercises.
49
50"There might not be any derivative skill," Mystery Moon muttered, "how can a derivative skill be that easy to obtain? Only a few people have this talent in the whole of Neverwinter."
51
52"Ahem..." After this sentence, Roland seemed to hear a nasally voice, full of pride in her rising tone.
53
54"Watch your words!" Lily stared at her.
55
56"Mystery Moon isn't completely wrong," Agatha said with a laugh. "The Union had some research statistics. A witch who can awaken a derivative skill when she becomes an adult is about one in a hundred, but compared to the raise in rank, this is nothing. The most important thing for witches is the ultimate ability to expand their main magic power, so you don't have to worry too much about it and just focus on consolidating your magic power."
57
58"By the way, weren't the Union witches trying to analyze the process of the witches' adulthood?" Scroll interjected and asked, "How were the results?"
59
60"What we found can only be used for reference. After all, there aren't enough examples to verify it," said Wendy, looking at the record book, "but Lightning's score is really high. 85.9 points."
61
62"Eh? What's that about?" Andrea asked curiously.
63
64"It's an assessment method we came up with," said Agatha. "It was also a revelation from Lucia—Because the surge of magic power during adulthood is very obvious, it'd theoretically be easier to consolidate. We took all the promotion of Senior Witches as samples. A preliminary assessment was made, and points were scored based on the four factors of total magical power, academic scores, control ability, and individual will. Of course, we're still at the guessing phase at the moment."
65
66"Academic scores... Do you mean test results?"
67
68"Yes. That's the largest part of the assessment."
69
70"I see... That means someone can never even hope to surpass the Transcendent in this life." Andrea glanced at Ashes with pity.
71
72The latter just shrugged.
73
74"This is... crazy." Roland suddenly heard Phyllis sigh.
75
76"What's wrong?" He turned towards Phyllis.
77
78"In the Taquila age, high-level evolution was an extremely sacred thing for every witch. Everyone was eager to win the favor of the deities but never dared to openly talk about it, because it just seemed like such a distant dream. If any witch dared to tell others that she was confident of evolving her powers, she would surely be scoffed at by other people. But now..." Phyllis murmured for a bit then recovered her senses. "Sorry, I'm not saying that it's not good, but the contrast between the two situations made me think..."
79
80"I know what you mean." Roland smiled lightly. "It's like a merchant who woke up one day and found that the gold royals that he'd saved with his blood and sweat were no longer valuable. This would certainly be difficult for people to come to terms with."
81
82"On this point, I really can't compare to Lady Agatha," Phyllis whispered. "She had only come here a year earlier than me, but now she's already in charge of the High Awakening research. She's undoubtedly the genius of the Union."
83
84"Actually, this isn't that difficult to understand. If we're not stronger than our predecessors, how can we improve?" He said frankly, "As long as we're still moving forward, this kind of scenario will continue to appear. Just look at them, doesn't this feel like what hope is?"
85
86Phyllis followed his glance and also looked at the girl on the bed.
87
88"But the more ability you have, the better it is, right?" Lightning said confidently. "I think that not only will I consolidate my magic power, but I'll also gain several derivative skills because the most outstanding explorer will surely get the most rewards!"
89
90"Yeah!" Maggie who was standing at the bedside also raised her arms, in support of the latter.
91
92"That's not how logic works!" Complained Mystery Moon.
93
94The room suddenly became boisterous.
95
96Roland looked at the lively scene, shook his head with a smile, and headed toward the door.
97
98"Are you not going to go in?"
99
100After closing the door, he spoke to a man who stood in the corridor against the wall.
101
102That person was Thunder.
103
104Chapter 1016: Soaring Through the Skies (Part II)
105Translator: TransN  Editor: TransN
106
107The explorer was still dressed like a wanderer. He was covered in feathers and wore an eye patch embroidered with rose petals on his right eye. No one would be able to recognize that he was Thunder from his appearance. Roland could not figure out why, but his image was a stark contrast from the way he was at the banquet.
108
109"When you're disguising to be another person, you need to devote your heart and soul to become that character, so that you can deceive even yourself. Only then would you be able to fool other people. This was the first thing that I learned when I was learning how to disguise myself." Thunder inhaled his cigarette, and the weak red light looked like a looming firefly in the dark walkway. "Your Majesty, I'm afraid I can't concentrate on disguising myself as Sander Flyingbird right now... She will certainly see through it."
110
111So that sense of strangeness was due to this. Roland realized that because there were certain dangers in a witch's adulthood, Thunder could no longer pretend to be an outsider and be pay no attention to his daughter.
112
113If he showed too much concern, then it would become obvious that he was not the real Sander Flyingbird.
114
115"Don't tell me that you want to keep hiding your identity?" Roland raised an eyebrow. "You should've heard what Lightning said just now. She's destined to become an explorer."
116
117This question made Thunder silent for a long time.
118
119Just as Roland thought that he would not reply, Thunder suddenly spoke up: "Your Majesty, do you believe in fate?"
120
121At that moment, Roland had some doubts about the identity of Thunder the Explorer.
122
123Isn't this a classic starting line when preaching? 
124
125Of course, similar questions were also common in the love letters of high school students.
126
127However, Thunder was certainly not seeking for an answer. "I've been told that geniuses will always die doing what they are best at, and God would make up for it by giving such people an unmatchable talent—This is fate. A road that's destined to be good will cause the one who walks on it to succumb to temptation because of one's extraordinary talent and eventually fall from grace. On the contrary, those ordinary people without much talent will tend to live longer."
128
129"Who said that?" Roland could not help but ask.
130
131"Sander, a person who introduced me to the path of an explorer." Thunder then breathed out a puff of smoke.
132
133"Wait, there is such an explorer in the Fjords? Aren't you afraid that Lightning might've heard of his name?"
134
135"He's been dead for a long time, and his identity remained obscure until and even after his death... By the standards of the Fjords, he couldn't even be considered a true explorer." With the smoke swirling around, Thunder almost merged with the shadows on the walls. "Before he died, he still hadn't found a brand new island or an unmarked route on the map. Sander didn't care about reputation. He said that adventure itself was fun and that the lack of talent didn't matter. At least he wouldn't have to worry about having a short life."
136
137Roland seemed to suddenly realize something. "How did he die?"
138
139"He died trying to save me," Thunder said slowly. "The ship encountered an attack from the Sea Ghosts. When Sander dragged me back to the cabin, he got clawed by the Sea Ghost. Although the wound wasn't big, the herbs were useless in treating it. His flesh quickly rotted and stopped breathing three days later. At that time he said to me that he died anyway doing what he was best at—He had no other outstanding qualities in life, other than his kindness."
140
141"..." Roland suddenly did not know what to say.
142
143"After Lightning was born, she had shown outstanding talents as an explorer. Whether it was identifying routes or drawing charts, she learned much faster than the average person." When Thunder said these words, his face revealed his complicated emotions. "When I learned that she'd awakened and become a witch, I became extremely worried. You should understand what this ability means to an explorer."
144
145Indeed, if courage, curiosity, and knowledge were the intrinsic natures of human beings, that meant anyone could acquire them, given time. But having magic power could be said to be a gift from the deities.
146
147"That's why I made this decision," said Thunder said as he raised his head, and the light in his eyes seemed to reflect the red light in the pipe. "If fate is hard to avoid, I might be able to cut it off in another way—if I can uncover the veils of those mysterious places before LIghtning sets out to be an explorer, the chances of her encountering danger would be greatly reduced. Leaving aside the land occupied by the demons, no one has yet set foot in the east of the Sealine, and the bold cliff seen from the Shadow Seacity ruins. Once you defeat the demons, I should be able to draw a map of these two places. Before that, however, it would be the best if I traveled alone."
148
149If there was no more need for expeditions, there would naturally be no risk. This logic made Roland dumbfounded for a moment.
150
151Although the world might be much larger than even what Thunder had imagined, it was still amazing for him to have such thoughts. This took more than just courage.
152
153Gravity firmly anchored everyone onto the ground, but it certainly could not limit the wild dreams of some people
154
155Thunder was obviously amongst the most capable of those who dared to dream.
156
157—Flying was not just a witch's privilege.
158
159"In that case, I shall leave her in your hands, Your Majesty," Thunder said, grabbing his chest.
160
161At this instant, a loud noise came from inside the room.
162
163Roland nodded at Thunder before returning to the bedroom.
164
165One side of the wall had already been pushed open, but he did not hear the Sigil of God's Will being triggered.
166
167"Your Majesty," said Wendy excitedly. "Lightning her... her magic has consolidated!"
168
169Here was another witch who was evolved on the Day of Adulthood. He saw a clear excitement in the eyes of Agatha and Wendy, as this meant that their research was indeed feasible.
170
171"Really?" Roland walked over to the bedside and looked at the eager-looking girl. "Was there any discomfort?"
172
173"Not at all," Lightning patted her chest and said, "I feel like I'm full of power! It's a pity that I couldn't release the Sigil. Lighting the fourth stone was already the limit."
174
175"That's good to hear," Roland let out a deep breath and said, "then you should take a rest today, and tomorrow you can—"
176
177"Your Majesty, I'd like to try it now. May I?!" Lightning jumped out of bed. "I feel like my something is calling me and I can't help but want to fly immediately!"
178
179"Is she talking about the magic power within her?" Roland couldn't help but laugh. She was certainly the most energetic member of the Witch Union. Since she had already said that, he had no reason to refuse. "Take Maggie with you, and don't fly too far away."
180
181"Yes!"
182
183"Coo!"
184
185One side of the wall was still half-open, and after Maggie became a pigeon, she landed on Lightning's head—Lightning then held the pigeon with both of her hands and swiftly flew out of the room and disappeared into the cold and windy night sky.
186
187"I don't know what her ability will be like after her consolidation..." Wendy murmured as she stared into the night sky. "We'll be busy tomorrow."
188
189"Please also let me observe with the Five-Colored Stone during the test," Phyllis said.
190
191"Anyways, let's stop here for today, and the rest can wait until tomorrow—"
192
193Just as Roland was in the middle of his sentence, a thunderous explosion sounded through the sky!
194
195The force of the sound was so strong that it was if all those present could actually feel it! The snow on the roof was shaken and became white fog. Ice was falling like raindrops. The glass windows of the castle cracked as if they had been smashed by an invisible giant hand.
196
197While the witches were looking at each other dumbfounded, the echoes caused by the thunder roared back and forth continuously in the Impassable Mountain Range and did not disappear after a long time.
198
199“Should we begin?”
200“Leave it to me.”
201“I’ll show you what a true spearmanship is.”
202
203Words that followed one another.
204Surprisingly, they were all words Roan had said.
205The color of his eyes dyed each time from brown to red, and red to black.
206
207‘Just what is happening……’
208
209Pierce was perplexed but did not unnecessarily ask.
210Because he had confirmed that the Roan before his eyes was the Roan he knew.
211Rather, the one who was wrapped in confusion was Katy Rinse.
212
213‘He says he’s not Count Lancephil, then Count Lancephil again?’
214
215She flustered at Pierce’s change in behavior.
216Roan’s behavior, being hard to understand was also the same.
217At that moment.
218
219“Keeh.”
220
221Simon extended his black tongue out long and kicked off the ground.
222Seemingly not liking Roan who stood and blocked off Katy.
223His image turned hazy.
224The lightning-like movement that even Pierce struggled against.
225But Roan’s expression was relaxed.
226
227“Quite fast, but……”
228
229The crimson eyes flashed and shone with light.
230
231“I’ve already experienced this much speed countless times!”
232
233His head seemingly shook slightly to the sides, then his appearance quickly disappeared.
234Roan too had kicked off the ground and shot out towards Simon.
235Speed versus speed.
236
237Kkaang!
238
239A fierce battle unfolded with a metallic din.
240A deathly fight with life on the line, one that might perhaps be the last, had begun.
241
242Chang! Chajang! Chang!
243
244Sparks flew every time the spearhead and the blade clashed. 1
245The black smoke that flowed along Simon’s body reached towards Roan.
246The horrifying evil mana that suffocated the air from merely a touch.
247But the black smoke couldn’t swallow Roan as it wished.
248For the blackish crimson light pouring out from Roan’s entire body pushed away the black smoke and violently soared.
249
250[Definitely because he had just begun the rampage, the movement of the evil mana is rough and inefficient.]
251
252Travias’s voice rang through his head.
253
254[But he’s shittily strong instead!]
255
256The owner of the voice that rang after was Flamdor.
257
258‘But you said we could expunge the evil mana if three of us combine our power, right?’
259
260Roan threw a question within his head.
261Travias and Flamdor’s voices simultaneously shot out.
262
263[When?]
264[Never said that.]
265
266Unexpected reactions.
267Roan flustered.
268
269‘Wha, what? What do you……’
270
271When his thought reached around that point, rascally voices overflowed in his head.
272
273[Not us three but two, this blacky and I, are combining our strength.]
274[It’s Flamdor and I combining strength. We don’t need your strength. It doesn’t help.]
275
276A harsh appraisal.
277Roan simply showed no reaction.
278
279[You mad?]
280
281Flamdor snorted out a laugh and asked.
282As expected, there was no response.
283
284[Watch closely even if you are mad. This is the true Flamdor Mana Technique.]
285
286Following behind, Travias’s voice was heard.
287
288[What you’ll see from now on is the real Travias Spearmanship.]
289
290The voices that echoed in his head disappeared.
291Simultaneously, the blackishly crimson light pouring out of Roan became much stronger.
292The left eye shone with a crimson light and the right eye with a black light.
293
294Sss.
295
296The spearhead that cut the air and parried Simon’s sword as if dancing disappeared.
297In contrast, the spear handle held in the hands was distinctly showing its shape.
298The invisible part was only the spearhead.
299
300“Keke! Keeh?”
301
302Simon bent his neck left and right and roared out a scream.
303A look seemingly bewildered at the unnatural spearmanship happening before its eyes.
304Even so, it calmly swung its longsword and blocked the invisible spearhead.
305It was a swordsmanship not the eyes and the head but the hand and the instinct produced.
306
307“Damn Pienville.”
308
309Roan, no, Flamdor spat out a curse.
310
311[Even so, it’s childish compared to the Queen of Water!]
312
313By Queen of Water, he spoke of Biate who mutually destructed with Reid.
314The woman powerful enough for Flamdor to rank even within his hundreds of years of experience.
315
316[Roan. Watch closely. The Flamdor Mana Technique does not use the heat.]
317
318Incomprehensible words echoed in his head.
319Flamdor shouted with an amazingly self-confident voice.
320
321“Flamdor is fire, the very thing itself!”
322
323A shout that shook the world.
324At the same time.
325
326Paaaaat!
327
328Incredible blaze roared along his arms and the Travias Spear.
329
330“Die! You devil bastard!”
331
332The blaze directly followed the spearhead and slashed out at Simon.
333
334“Khee!”
335
336Simon was still of an appearance of drawing its black tongue out long.
337It, without even a thought of dodging, tried to swing its sword and slash out the flame.
338But.
339
340Ssss.
341
342Simon’s sword melted into a handful of liquid iron the moment it touched the black flame.
343Truly a fierce heat.
344The power itself was different than the fire Roan wielded until now.
345
346Pch!
347
348The end of Simon’s sleeve burst into ash.
349
350Hizzzz.
351
352The back of its hand too burned up and soon hideously festered.
353
354“Keeh. Keeh. Keeh.”
355
356Simon quickly pulled out his hand and moved back.
357It let out a bizarre laugh.
358
359Even though it had a foul burn, it simply was not agonized nor pained.
360
361Lick. Lick.
362
363Simon licked its hand’s wound with its black tongue.
364It was not because it had some healing effect.
365Merely an instinctive action.
366The black smoke that flowed along his entire body gathered onto his hand’s burn.
367
368Hizzzz.
369
370With a horrible sound, the festered wound closed.
371Instead, its skin turned smoother than before.
372Only, its color had changed to a murky hue.
373
374“Khee!”
375
376Simon let out a shriek as if enraged.
377But it didn’t even have the time to properly rally itself.
378
379“It’s my turn this time!”
380
381With a shout, Roan stabbed the Travias Spear and pounced.
382
383[I’ll show you the true Travias Spearmanship.]
384
385Following Flamdor, the one actively moving the body was Travias.
386The spearhead once again turned faint and then disappeared.
387Simultaneously.
388
389Spat! Pbat! Pbabababat!
390
391The Travias Spear’s handle repeated extending, contracting, thickening, and thinning.
392Its changing speed was at the least more than twice faster than when Roan used it.
393It was enough for the eyes to spin.
394Even more, the way the spear moved was so smooth and wondrous that it almost looked from an angle as if the Travias Spear left Roan’s hands and was bending and thrusting and returning by itself.
395
396“Khiiaaa!”
397
398Simon raged.
399It widely moved in multiple directions and dodged all of Roan’s attacks.
400
401“Khiia! Khiia!”
402
403The shriek it howled out gradually turned louder.
404Each time, the black smoke running along his entire body also thickened.
405
406“Not good.”
407
408Roan, no, Travias shortly muttered as he kicked off the ground.
409They had to end it before Simon rally itself.
410The spear held in his hands increased to tens.
411No, the number seemed as if it increased.
412
413“Try dodging this too.”
414
415The tens of spears soon increased to hundreds of spears.
416An incredible number of afterimages.
417No, it was uncertain if it even was an afterimage.
418The invisible and sharp spearhead moved as if dancing.
419
420Ssweaaaak!
421
422The sky split with a sharp clap.
423Unbelievable, yet it truly happened.
424The blue sky ripped and a black line distinctly appeared.
425The black line, drawing a curve, soon fell down towards Simon.
426More than hundreds of black lines.
427Their ends glinted with sharp light.
428
429“Khee!?”
430
431Even Simon who easily dodged Roan’s attacked until now looked a little baffled.
432
433“Kkeeeee!”
434
435It instinctively kicked the ground and tried to move back.
436But.
437
438Boom! Kkwakakakakakang!
439
440One step ahead of it, the black lines fell down onto the space behind Simon.
441The crest of the earth flipped with a bang.
442Earth and stones jumped everywhere.
443That by itself was an incredible sight, but the thing even more incredulous was that the black lines that struck the ground didn’t disappear.
444The black lines, like a wall, directly blocked off Simon’s behind.
445
446Boom! Kkwakakakang!
447
448The black lines continuously stuck the ground.
449The wall slowly filled up even tighter and pressed in on Simon from every direction.
450
451“Kheeeh!”
452
453Simon shrieked out a scream.
454For the tens of black lines finally began to aim and pour down onto it.
455Already, every direction was blocked with the black walls that it wasn’t a situation where he could move.
456
457“Kkeeeeeeee!”
458
459A shriek that couldn’t be tell whether a shout filled with rage or a scream pierced the sky.
460At the same time, the black lines, the Travias Spearmanship’s quintessence rained down above.
461
462Kkwakakakakakakang!
463
464An incredible boom exploded out.
465An amazing dust cloud that one couldn’t distinguish a step ahead blossomed up.
466
467“Huu.”
468
469Roan exhaled a long sigh and stepped back.
470
471The mana within his body was almost showing its bottom.
472
473[Oi! You blacky! Why would you use up all the mana like that?]
474[Didn’t you pulled it up just to do that?]
475[I wanted to try Reid Art of Fighting too!]
476[Did you? Sorry. The Pienville Evil Mana seemed like it’ll rampage once more. I wanted to definitely end it before that.]
477[Tch! To think only you bastard had fun……]
478
479Flamdor and Travias noisily chatted.
480
481‘Stop fighting. Since having erased the evil mana is the important thing.’
482
483Roan stepped up to mediate.
484Effortfully calm voice.
485But he was greatly shocked inside.
486He was awed at the true strength of the Flamdor Mana Technique, the Travias Spear, and the Travias Spearmanship.
487Although he had assured himself that he had done intense training and research, he had deeply realized that his skill was desperately lacking even so.
488Meanwhile, the thickly blossomed dust slowly settled down.
489Between the dust cloud, Simon who was collapsed kneeling down was seen.
490A look of languidly drooping its head and arms.
491
492[Just in case, cut off his head.]
493[Even that much isn’t enough. Cut off the head and destroy the heart.]
494
495Flamdor and Travias did not relax.
496That was also the same for Roan.
497He didn’t wish to create a trouble from a slight carelessness.
498
499Chang!
500
501The Travias Spear extended longer than a forearm length.
502
503“Pierce.”
504
505Roan called out Pierce with a quiet voice.
506
507“Eh? Yes.”
508
509Pierce, who was dazed at the incredible battle that unfolded before his eyes, twitched in surprise and answered.
510Roan, without looking behind, added on.
511
512“Please take care of the princess.”
513
514Although he had done horrendous things with hideous look, Simon was Katy’s only one true family and brother.
515He didn’t wish to show her even the sight of his head being cut off and his chest being dug out.
516
517“Yes. Understood.”
518
519Pierce answered shortly and moved in front of Katy.
520Having been dazed at the incredible duel was also the same for Katy.
521She, after having come to herself a moment after, exhaled a long sigh with a complicated expression.
522
523‘Older brother……’
524
525If possible, she wanted to scream to let him live, to not kill him.
526But Simon was no longer the Simon she had known.
527
528‘Older brother is already dead.’
529
530The one before her eyes wasn’t the real Simon.
531A monster, a devil.
532An existence that couldn’t live.
533
534‘If it was real older brother, there is no way he would try to kill me.’
535
536Katy clenched her teeth.
537But the sadness that kept flooding up couldn’t be helped.
538Her large eyes were full of sorrowful light.
539Her eyes turned towards Pierce.
540
541“I want to ask you one thing.”
542
543Pierce didn’t thoughtlessly answer.
544Because he couldn’t answer her wish if it was possibly about saving Simon.
545Katy, with a sharply trembling voice, finished her words.
546
547“Please close my ears. Please close my eyes. Please, please……”
548
549Tears fell from her large eyes.
550
551“Enclose me……”
552
553A faint voice.
554Pierce’s heart ached.
555Words asking to enclose her.
556Although they weren’t long, he could easily understand them.
557Pierce extended his hand and brushed Katy’s tears dry.
558Then with both hands, he closed her ears.
559With eyes full of sorrow, Katy stared at Pierce.
560Pierce, just like that, pulled his arms and buried her face on his chest.
561He closed her ears, and he closed her eyes.
562And.
563
564“I’ll be at your side.”
565
566He enclosed her.
567Meanwhile, Roan was preparing the final strike.
568
569Fwoosh.
570
571Flame arose along the spearhead.
572
573“Simon……”
574
575His heart felt complicated.
576Everything that had happened since the first meeting with Simon to now unfolded in his eyes.
577No, to be specific, his relation with him had essentially began from the first life.
578In the last life, he was merely an enemy.
579And a powerful enemy at that that he, who was a mere rank and file spearman, couldn’t face, no, couldn’t even stand on the same plane.
580In the second life, in this life, he experienced various events over a long time and climbed onto an equal level.
581He wasn’t joyful of being at an equal plane with the Mad Monarch.
582Only, he was happy that he could stop him before he rampaged, before he turned the world into hell.
583Because of that, there was no hesitation nor mercy at the tip of his hands.
584
585Sss.
586
587The spearhead rose towards the sky.
588
589“Simon. If there is a next chance for you too……”
590
591Quietly flowing voice.
592Roan gave his farewell to Simon.
593
594“At that time, become not a mad monarch but a shining monarch.”
595
596The moment his words finished, the spearhead cut through the air and fell towards Simon’s neck.
597Finally the climax.
598The spearhead touched Simon’s neck.
599
600……
601
602That was all.
603The Travias Spear that fiercely drew down couldn’t move any further.
604The spearhead that even wore flames couldn’t make a single scratch on Simon’s neck.
605
606“Eh?”
607“Eh?”
608“Eh?”
609
610Same but each different word burst out one after another from Roan’s mouth.
611They were Roan, Flamdor, and Travias’s words.
612Roan’s face stiffly froze.
613The unnatural event that unfolded before his eyes was something he had already experienced once.
614
615‘It’s same as when Simon rampaged……’
616
617His thoughts became complicated and his heart rapidly raced.
618A sense of unease assaulted.
619At that very moment.
620
621Paaaaaaaat!
622
623An incredible pressure exploded from Simon’s languidly drooping body.
624Simultaneously, the black smoke that momentarily disappeared burst out like a thick fog.
625
626“Kuuk.”
627
628Roan clenched his teeth and moved back.
629
630‘It’s different!’
631
632Its feeling was completely different than the Pienville Evil Mana he faced until now.
633Although the original evil mana too was horrifyingly horrendous, it was enough for it to be a level of a child compared to the current evil mana.
634
635“Kuuk! Run!”
636
637Roan shouted towards Pierce.
638Pierce too felt that the turning situation wasn’t normal and moved back together with Katy.
639
640“Kheeaaaaaaaaa!”
641
642Simon exploded out a shriek while kneeling and bending his head back.
643
644“Kuuk.”
645
646It was a horrible sound that suffocated the breath and felt as if the hearts would burst from the moment one heard it.
647
648[It’s the second rampage!]
649[He’s slowly nearing completion!]
650
651Flamdor and Travias urgently shouted.
652
653“Damn it!”
654
655Roan spat out a curse and kicked off the ground.
656Blood flowed out between the clenched lips.
657To that degree, the evil mana Simon exuded was foul.
658
659“Die!”
660
661Roan pulled up all of remaining mana and swung the Travias Spear.
662The spearhead fell on top of Simon’s shoulder.
663No, it looked as if it would fall.
664
665Chk!
666
667Simon who was howling out a shriek extended his right hand and grabbed the Travias Spear.
668It had caught the spearhead with a bare hand.
669
670“Ridiculous!”
671
672Roan shouted and pulled the spear.
673However, the Travias Spear didn’t move a bit.
674
675“Ggii.”
676
677Simon hideously smiled and stood up.
678The thickly flowing black smoke absorbed into its body.
679Now, not only Simon’s eyes, lips, tongue, and nails, but his entire body was black.
680
681“Ggiie.”
682
683It widely smiled with an unintelligible sound, then lightly bounced away the spearhead it held.
684At that instant.
685
686“Kuuk!”
687
688Roan clenched his teeth at the incredible shock that rode the spear handle and passed onto his palm.
689At the same time, he couldn’t endure the foul strength and retreated back five steps.
690
691“Cough.”
692
693A clump of blood popped out with a cough.
694
695‘No way……’
696
697An unbelievably overwhelming and powerful strength.
698Roan wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and glared at Simon.
699
700‘Flamdor. Travias. Can we fight him again someh……’
701
702The moment he called Flamdor and Travias in his head.
703
704Taat!
705
706Simon lightly kicked off the ground.
707Its image turned hazy, then soon disappeared.
708
709“Eh?”
710
711The instant Roan was surprised.
712
713Paat!
714
715It appeared again right in front of his nose.
716Simultaneously, light flashed before his eyes.
717
718Puukk!
719
720Simon’s fist had planted onto his stomach, chest, and face in a row.
721
722“Kuuk.”
723
724Roan opened his mouth at the intense pain.
725A feeling like the joints were shattering into pieces.
726Crimson blood flowed along his mouth.
727
728“Ggiie! Ggiie!”
729
730Simon, seemingly greatly joyous, continued to throw punches with bizarre sounds.
731The fists were fast enough to be difficult to chase with his eyes.
732
733Pubuk! Pubububuk!
734
735Roan was helplessly struck.
736To a point that he couldn’t even fall down from the ceaselessly continuing fists.
737
738“Kuuk.”
739
740The view before his eyes turned faint.
741
742Boom!
743
744At Simon’s strike, he flew as if skipping and crashed into the ground.
745
746“Si, Sir Count!”
747
748Pierce desperately shouted and tried to run over.
749Roan, even while his breath was weak, shook his hand.
750The moment Pierce enter in, Simon would change his target.
751
752‘I will…… I will face him to the end.’
753
754Roan clenched his teeth.
755
756“Cough.”
757
758Clumps of blood kept bursting out with coughs.
759Just before, him having swung the spear to cut Simon’s neck felt like a dream.
760
761‘I thought it was the end, but……’
762
763It wasn’t the end.
764No, if it was this situation, though it was an end, its subject had changed.
765It wasn’t quite desirable situation.
766
767“Kheeeee.”
768
769Simon very slowly moved his steps with a shriek.
770It now planned to stop the playing and end everything.
771Roan could instinctively know that.
772
773‘Is there no way……’
774
775A despondent feeling.
776At that moment.
777
778[There is a way.]
779
780Flamdor’s voice echoed in his head.
781Soon following, Travias shouted.
782
783[Not that!]
784[Then are you telling him to just die!]
785
786Flamdor didn’t back down and shouted.
787Suddenly, Roan made a bitter smile.
788Because he knew what the way Flamdor and Travias was speaking of was.
789
790‘Could I kill that devil for certain if I use that method?’
791
792The instant his words ended, Flamdor answered.
793
794[Of course.]
795
796A voice full of certainty.
797The bitter smile hanging on Roan’s mouth turned even deeper.
798Already, Simon was about two steps in front of him.
799
800‘Alright. Then let’s use that method.’
801
802At Roan’s words, Travias shouted once again.
803
804[Are you mad? You’ll be completely erased if you use that method and it goes wrong!]
805
806Then Flamdor spoke in a brusque voice.
807
808[Who knows. You or I could be erased too.]
809‘Yeah. Flamdor is right about that.’
810
811Roan agreed.
812Laboriously smiling, he stood up.
813
814“Kuuk.”
815
816His entire body ached.
817Simon was now right before his nose.
818
819‘There’s no time. Let’s hurry and do it.’
820
821At Roan’s words, Travias asked.
822
823[You really be okay?]
824
825At the shortly asked words, Roan faintly smiled and answered.
826
827‘Yeah. I know this because I died once……’
828
829With Simon in front of him, he closed his eyes.
830
831‘But I don’t seem die as easily as I thought.’
832
833A paradox.
834But since he had revived and returned to the past, those words weren’t wrong.
835A short silence.
836The one who broke the pause was Travias.
837
838[Alright. Then let’s do it.]
839[Alright!]
840
841Flamdor cheered.
842
843‘Alright. Come together.’
844
845Roan’s last words.
846A long sigh twisted between his lips and flowed out.
847Simultaneously, crimson, black, and brown lights stormed within his head.
848
849“Ggiie!”
850
851Perhaps a play of fate, at that moment Simon too threw his fist towards Roan.
852Climax whose roles had changed.
853Simon’s fist touched Roan’s face.
854At that instant.
855
856Paat!
857
858Crimson light poured out from Roan’s body.
859It was a greatly horrifying and cold blood-colored light that wasn’t seen until now.
860Roan’s hair and eyebrows instantly dyed red.
861At the same time, the neat hair lengthened to his waist.
862
863“Ggiie?”
864
865Simon flustered.
866It wasn’t because of Roan’s appearance that suddenly changed.
867It was because the fist it swung with the intent to shatter his head didn’t move as it willed.
868The fist, touching Roan’s face, didn’t move a bit.
869Suddenly.
870
871Flash!
872
873Roan opened the eyes he closed.
874The eyes which were originally brown also were dyed with a blood-red hue.
875
876“Kukukuku.”
877
878Roan widely smiled with a bizarre sound.
879Somehow a chilling feeling.
880He quietly glared at Simon before his eyes.
881And he very slowly moved his right hand and tapped Simon’s chest.
882Instantly.
883
884Puuk!
885
886With a heavy sound, Simon was bounced out towards the back.
887
888Boom!
889
890It, without even properly taking balance, rolled on the ground.
891
892“Kuku.”
893
894Roan let out a monstrous laugh as he looked at that sight, then turned his body this way and that.
895
896“This is pretty good.”
897
898Incomprehensible words.
899He pointlessly clenched his fist once, then turned his head side to side.
900
901“Maybe because it’s young, the body’s overflowing with vigor.”
902
903Words spat out as if evaluating a good’s quality.
904Roan widely smiled and moved his steps towards Simon.
905
906“You were called Simon, yes?”
907
908The distance closed in an instant.
909A cold light flowed along Roan’s eyes.
910
911“You should die now.”
912
913An emotionless voice.
914He pulled out the Travias Spear from his waist.
915But for some reason, the spear showed change zero.
916
917“Oho. You won’t listen to my words? Alright. I’m comfortable with empty hands from the start anyway.”
918
919Roan let out incomprehensible words and placed the Travias Spear back on his waist.
920At the same time, he kicked off the ground and rushed towards Simon.
921
922“Kkiie!”
923
924Simon who was totteringly raising his body up glared at Roan and thrusted his fist.
925As expected, a fast and powerful attack difficult to chase with one’s eyes.
926But Roan much too easily dodged its attack.
927
928Paat!
929
930Roan’s image turned faint.
931Simultaneously, his right hand cut through the air and flew towards Simon’s neck.
932
933Gggdckk.
934
935A horrifying sound.
936It was shocking.
937Roan so easily grasped Simon’s neck.
938
939“Ggugguggugu.”
940
941Simon flailed and swung its fist.
942But that was no different than a child’s squirming.
943Roan slowly raised his right hand.
944Simon’s two legs rose up into the air.
945An appearance of loosely dangling in the air with the neck caught.
946Roan placed strength into his grasp.
947
948Gggdddck.
949
950His fingers dug into Simon’s neck.
951Roan looked at that sight and widely smiled.
952
953“I wanted to fight you when you bastard become complete, but……”
954
955He slightly lowered his head and looked at his body.
956
957“That doesn’t seem like something I should be doing to this body’s original owner, you see.”
958
959Roan looked again at Simon.
960
961“Now die.”
962
963Lightly spat out words.
964At the same time.
965
966Fwooooooosh!
967
968A flame spread along Roan’s hand.
969The blood-red flame soon swallowed Simon.
970
971“Ggiieeeeeh!”
972
973Simon screamed out a shriek and squirmed to escape.
974But overwhelmingly helpless.
975It, while still caught in Roan’s grasp, turned into a ball of flame.
976
977Fwoooosh!
978
979An incredible heat.
980
981Bang!
982
983Suddenly, the flame exploded out in every direction.
984Embers jumped and sparks blossomed.
985At the same time, unidentifiable and faint dust, no, ashes rode the wind and scattered.
986Roan was still holding up his right arm.
987But the appearance of Simon who should be caught at its end wasn’t seen.
988A very short silence flowed.
989
990“Huu.”
991
992Roan exhaled a long sigh and smiled again.
993It was still a somehow horrifying smile.
994
995“Now! Is it over with that?”
996
997A carefree expression and voice.
998
999Clap!
1000
1001He brightly smiled and clapped his hands.
1002
1003“Then what should I do now? How many years was it since I got a body…… 700 years? 800? Ah, who cares.”
1004
1005Roan lightheartedly shook his head and then formed a smile again.
1006
1007“Should I have a drink first? No, women first? No, no. I should get revenge first. That’s right. That’s the correct order.”
1008
1009He continued to pour out incomprehensible words.
1010
1011“Alright! Then should I first go to the Estia Empire?”
1012
1013Self-questioning words.
1014A pure joy floated up on his face.
1015But sadly, that joy did not go on for long.
1016
1017“Un?”
1018
1019Roan, who took a bold step towards the North, flinched and froze like a stone statue.
1020Soon, a bitter smile hanged on his mouth.
1021
1022“Look at this.”
1023
1024An amused expression.
1025But somehow, it was an expression with an annoyance buried within.
1026
1027“So he hasn’t perished.”
1028
1029Roan murmured enigmatic words and soon casually sat down on the ground.
1030
1031“Alright. It was too easy that it wasn’t fun for me either.”
1032
1033He, closing his eyes, deeply inhaled.
1034
1035“Then should I properly play a round?”
1036
1037Still incomprehensible words.
1038
1039Paat!
1040
1041Suddenly, crimson light flashed from Roan’s body.
1042Following behind, very faint brown light flowed along his entire body.
1043
1044< Amaranth (22) > End.