Chapter 265
To the north of the Red Canopy, a massive river flowed as though it could embody the sea.
Despite several days without rain, the river, unyielding, carved through the soil fiercely.
In this largely forested and mountainous area, the leaves that colored the night’s darkness danced in a chilling harmony.
In this place, where human intrusion was virtually nonexistent, the army of those gathered by Yggdrasil awaited in formation.
Clang—.
“Do not lower your vigilance!”
“Pay attention to the slightest signal and keep your eyes wide open!”
The heroes preparing for battle each had their roles.
The defenders, armed with massive shields forged of steel and magical barriers, protected their allies from foes.
The ranged attack team, wielding bows and staves, controlled and eliminated enemies from afar.
The assault team, with sharp swords and fists strong enough to shatter rocks, pierced the heart of Altife.
The command center, directing these forces, would also manage mana supply and healing support.
The army had deployed its formations, ready to charge at any moment.
Clang—.
To the south, the main force led by Helion.
Of the 40,000 strong, 25,000 soldiers stood in formation.
Among them was a woman clad in armor that looked almost cumbersome, wielding a heavy black saber.
Alicia, with her normally loose white hair tied up neatly, was also there.
‘Young Master….’
She lifted her gaze to the skies above the Red Canopy.
There, a swarm appeared, reminiscent of a small mass of flies.
Each of those combat airships could carry anywhere from 100 to 10,000 people.
Vargan was there.
The one she had feelings for was there.
“……”
Alicia touched the hard armor covering her collarbone.
Beneath it lay the proof of the formal contract she had made with Vargan.
—Young Master. Is there a reason you suddenly strengthened the curse magic?
A few days prior.
With Vargan, Alicia had asked him this question.
He had revealed her shoulder and reinforced a curse he had placed.
The nature of the magic was unclear.
While she had completely understood her original curse as her mastery improved, the newly placed curse was so subtle and intricate that even Alicia could not discern it.
It was proof that Vargan had grown just as much as she had.
—Alicia. Your growth has naturally weakened the curse’s effect.
—That part is well understood. However…
Alicia felt puzzled.
‘Why won’t he tell me what it entails?’
He had disclosed all the details of her initial curse.
Yet, for some reason, he hadn’t explained the enhanced curse this time.
And, as though anticipating her confusion, Vargan added that it was to increase secrecy, making the spell’s structure difficult to detect.
—As your mana pool and mastery of curse magic rise, your resistance will grow. Thus, how could I foresee when you might break the curse and strike me?
As your level of mastery rises, your resistance naturally increases. So, is it not possible that at any moment you could lift the curse and stab me?
—…Young Master. I swear to you that I would never betray you, not even a little.
—Don’t be upset. It’s not that I can’t trust you; it’s just who I am. I’m cautious, and if I’m not prepared, I can’t sleep. You understand that now, don’t you?
—…
At that moment, Alicia stopped asking questions.
Not because she felt hurt or disappointed in Vargan.
But because she had read the expression of Vargan, who was hiding the truth.
He didn’t want to reveal what curse it was.
If the master desires, the servant quietly follows. That was the basic mindset she learned when she entered the Schugenhartz Family.
—Alicia. Never forget.
Vargan said to her.
Such a significant and ambiguous statement.
—As you have done until now, your future task is to properly utilize that insane talent of yours. You must elevate your mastery in both sword and magic to become a hero that even Altife fears.
After all, it was also the wish of young you, who lost your family and village to Altife.
To protect the precious things, power is needed.
And to reclaim what has been lost, power is also required.
—The Arbol Frutal, of which you are the president, will be your running mate to help you move forward. Grow alongside them. Use each other.
If you’ve been watching what I have done all this time.
You should know who has talent and how to manifest it.
Safely nurture the sprouting shoots until they become a tree and bear fruit.
The season of harvest will surely come.
—But, Young Master… I…
—You are far more talented in various aspects than you think. Not just in sword and magic, but you also have the qualities of a leader. …Ah, of course, you’re also excellent in servant duties.
Vargan continued with a small smile.
Alicia just quietly listened.
—For humanity… Right. If you wrap it up grandly, eliminate Altife for the sake of humanity.
Of course, ultimately it’s for ‘me’… but if I reveal that too openly, I won’t secure a good position.
—…
Vargan only said that much before changing the subject.
The following conversation was like any other, about magic or work-related topics.
Alicia’s mind grew deep in thought, and while she had many things to ask, she waited.
Believing he would reveal the reason he spoke so cryptically.
—Zwaaaang!
“……!!”
“A, astonishing pressure!”
“Is this the mana of someone who has transcended? It’s chilling even from this distance!”
Above the Red Canopy.
From the spell Erica had designated, a tremendous mana energy trembled in the air.
The source was Vargan’s mana.
It was an immense quantity of mana so deep and vast that ordinary talents dared not measure it.
—Tsuzuzuzug!
A tiny sphere.
It looked smaller than a grain of sand on the beach.
It had quickly grown by consuming Vargan’s mana.
It seemed to flow like purple lightning, yet the black sphere distorting space appeared to have a terrifyingly heavy mass.
“…It’s connecting.”
Helion, the captain of the male army, was quietly staring at the sphere and spoke.
—Tsuzu, zuzuzug!
The slightly distorted shape of the sphere soon became a perfect sphere that could be found anywhere.
Then, from its center, a subtle but different transcendent energy began to be detected.
“Oh, ohhh…!!”
“No doubt about it, it’s Gulemashia! It’s connected to Lord Gulemashia’s mana!”
“I’m connected now!”
“Admiring is all well and good, but get your head straight! It’s a fusion of two transcendent powers! If we don’t continuously activate the mana, we’ll collapse—!”
The squad leader, leading a small unit, shouted.
Just as he said, the mana from Vargan and Gulemashia connected, making our bodies feel as heavy as if gravity had multiplied several times.
As expected, the mana Gulemashia used was not his own but came from a gigantic mana stone. Yet, the output seemed to remain the same.
Helion, observing the scene, shouted loudly for a rare instance.
“All soldiers, release mana immediately!”
Helion’s voice erupted like a forest exploding.
At his command, all soldiers expelled the mana that had been bubbling inside them, protecting their bodies.
Then came—
—Zzkwaakakakang!!
A sphere filled with purple lightning burst, creating a massive wave.
Every creature in the forest, taken by surprise, screamed and fled in panic.
Unfortunately, some animals couldn’t withstand the pressure and were crushed by their own bodies.
Finally, as the tremors that shook the world subsided,
the soldiers, now on guard, withdrew their mana and looked with wide eyes.
What reflected in their round eyes was not the bright moon in the night sky, but a colossal airborne city.
The Academia, radiantly emitting light from the mana stone, shone in the sky.
With just three magicians, they managed to pull off a large-scale spell that only a few hundred seasoned magicians could achieve.
“Wowwwww!!”
“It’s a success—!!”
“The Academia has warped!”
“The combined warp spell has succeeded—!!”
However, the commanders shouted that it was too soon to celebrate.
“It’s just beginning! The sky will howl again from now on!”
Kwagagagagak—!!
A clash of two layers of mana.
Even the Cardinal was flustered and at a loss due to the despairing defensive barrier of the Academia.
The Red Canopy, which obstructed the heroes’ path, delayed the monumental battlefield.
Kagagagak—!
Sounds of crashing mana barriers echoed.
When only size was considered, the previously gigantic Academia now seemed trivial compared to the massive Red Canopy.
Yet, it didn’t fall short in terms of sturdiness and completeness.
As the two layers of mana intersected, showcasing their presence like a fireworks display, one side began to crack gradually over time.
—Chzzeok.
The target was the Red Canopy.
The invention of Cardinal Jephar, a layer of mana improved with the red aura.
—Chzeojeojeok.
The red barrier that secretly concealed the forest began to crack at its core, widening like a split ice sheet under pressure.
Eventually, it shattered.
Waaahhhhh!
Cheers erupted. The morale and excitement of the soldiers soared, igniting their fighting spirit.
Their muscles, gripping weapons, tightened with power.
The intensity of their eyes, capturing the historic scene, also surged.
“The Red Canopy has lifted!”
“All that’s left is to advance and win!”
“Look! The Academia’s barrier is intact!”
Despite colliding head-on with the Red Canopy and shattering it, Academia’s incredibly sturdy armor showed no signs of damage whatsoever.
The absolute defense that had protected the airborne city for thousands of years remained unbroken by the mere imitation of the red barrier.
—Kererelek!!
—Graaack!
As the protective Red Canopy disappeared, an ominous sound echoed from Altife, spreading darkness.
Yet, the heroes were unfazed and felt adrenaline rush at the thought of confronting them.
The familiars of the heroes, assigned to assist near Helion, simultaneously opened their beaks.
—Altife has appeared! Altife has appeared!
—Vargan, unique spell activation! Vargan, unique spell activation!
—Unique spell success! 20,000 soldiers have appeared in the center of the Black Altife Forest!
—Once again, an announcement. Vargan, unique spell success! 20,000 soldiers have appeared in the center of the Black Altife Forest! Engaging with Altife!
—Unique Spell successful! A warrior has appeared at the center of the 20,000 Black Altife Forest! Engaged in combat with Altife!
—All troops, charge immediately!
—All troops, charge immediately!
Heilion received the report.
The soldiers were waiting for the command from their supreme commander.
According to the report, Vargan’s Unique Spell had manifested, and combat had already begun at the center.
There was no reason to stop.
They had to charge.
Heilion shouted once more in a booming yet alert voice.
“All units, advance—!”
““Waaaaaaah!””
Kugugugugung—!
The moment the command was given, the soldiers charged en masse.
Troops from the west and east began to move, causing tremors as if the ground were shaking from the resonance of three locations.
Although their numbers were significantly less compared to Altife, each of these individuals was among the strongest of humanity.
Their powerful footsteps resonated.
Their feet reached even the area hidden by the Red Canopy, marking the first step towards a great Holy War…!
“……!”
Heilion, leading the soldiers.
In his eyes reflected an unforeseen phenomenon.
‘The barrier of Academia is dissipating.’
The Academia proudly floating in the sky.
The aerial city shed its sturdy armor of protection.
Gradually, mana particles gathered at the very bottom of the magical force.
Bright as if having emerged from the sun, it soon descended the magic of the great Magician upon the world.
—Zquaahh!!
With a tremendous explosive sound, light pierced through.
That sacred light reminiscent of one of Heilion’s Unique Spells swept away a wide range of enemies in one blow.
Its power and noise seemed to resemble God delivering punishment upon the mortal realm.
—Zquaahh!!
With a short casting time, Academia unleashed a new strike.
Undoubtedly an attack aimed at the enemies.
Incalculable damage.
However, the issue was that it was an unpremeditated act.
At that moment.
Unintelligible occurrences began crashing in like waves.
‘Kahahahahahaha—!’
A bizarre laughter rang out clearly.
Vargan, heavy mana exceeding even Gulemashia.
Moreover, the dread and ominousness embedded in that voice shattered the morale of the soldiers who had been confident of victory.
‘Just as he said—! Just as he said—!’
That evil monster soared higher and faster than one could fathom.
Suspended far from the ground, the Academia.
A monster charging singlehandedly at the aerial city.
Amidst the overwhelming speed and oppressive presence, the charging soldiers instinctively felt a deep-rooted fear.
Their primal instincts screamed.
‘If you want to live, run!’
Cardinal Gamigin.
The monster thought to be hiding beneath the Red Canopy.
It seemed to have been lying in wait to pounce.
Kwa-Kwang, Gagagagang—!
Gamigin plowed through the unprotected defenses of Academia, continuing that eerie laughter.
He was elated.
The battlefield and the fight themselves.
Quickly grasping the situation, Heilion enveloped them with a brave light, first boosting the morale of the initially intimidated soldiers.
As the beautifully starry spell of Heilion wrapped around tens of thousands of soldiers, they began to forget the fear instilled by the Cardinal.
Heilion shouted.
“Except for the emergency reserve units, everyone advance! Initiate the Holy War and cleanse Altife!”
The soldiers, following his command, bravely advanced once more.
Heilion, leading them, gazed deeply into Academia while reminiscing about the aging hero in his heart.
‘Are you willing to meet a noble death, great Magician?’
The war has already started.
No one could stop the current flow.
