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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 251: Life of a Man (2)

Chapter 251: Life of a Man (2)

The‍‍ knights were at‌‌ the center of‍‍‍ the formation charging⁠ into the waves​⁠ of undeads.

Knights‍​ were those who‌ could manipulate their‍ aura and use‍ it to cover‍ their swords, and​‍ aura was a natural counter to​ undeads and spirits.‍⁠

“The⁠‌⁠ knights are at​ the forefront! Follow⁠‌‍ them!”

“Wait‍ for the mages‍⁠ to fire! We’ll​‍​ break through the‍‍ hole!”

The‍ sheer force demonstrated⁠‌ by the living‌‍ weapons – that‍⁠‍ is knights and‍‍​ mages – was‍‌ remarkable. It gave‌‍ off the illusion‌‌‌ that they really‌‍ might be able‍‌⁠ to break through‍ the waves of⁠‍⁠ tens and hundreds‍ of thousands of⁠⁠⁠ undead souls.

At‍​‌ the front of⁠⁠ all that was⁠ Korin.

‘I‌​⁠ still can’t see‍ any of them.’‌

Even​ though the knights⁠ and soldiers at‍⁠⁠ the front were‌ yelling and roaring‍⁠⁠ as they beat‌‌ those undead souls‍‌⁠ back into the‍ underworld, Korin was​‍ simply running at‍‍ the lead without​ swinging his spear.⁠

The​‍​ reason for that‍​⁠ was simple.

〚I​​ do not perceive⁠‌‌ spirits.〛

His‍ second Precept made‌ it unable for⁠​​ both him and⁠ the spirits to‌ interact.

It​⁠ wasn’t like there⁠⁠ was no way‌​ around it though.‍​‍

If‍⁠‌ he used the⁠ Sun, it could‍‍ annihilate the undeads​‌ in less than‍‍​ a second due​​‌ to their innate‌⁠ nature. The wicked‌ creatures couldn’t resist‍ the strong cleansing​‍​ ray of light​‌‍ from the Sun,‍⁠ and it didn’t‍⁠ matter whether Korin⁠ could perceive them‌ or not.

However,​‍ that had to‍ be left behind⁠⁠ as a last‌‌‍ resort. Although his​‍ mana regeneration speed‌​ had increased significantly​ thanks to drinking⁠‍⁠ the water from‌‍⁠ the Well of⁠​ Mimisbrunnr, the mana‍⁠ consumption of the‍‌ Sun was still⁠‍​ far greater than‌‌ the regeneration speed.‍‍⁠

He‌⁠‌ had to save​ his strength until⁠ the ‘decisive moment’‍ that he had⁠‍​ in mind.

‘But​ the knights and‍‌‌ mages won’t be‌‍‍ able to last‍‍ forever.’

Knights‌‍⁠ and mages were⁠‌ like tanks and‍‍ jets in modern‌‌ Earth whose stamina‍ was incomparable to‍⁠​ normal soldiers.

However,‌ even the greatest‌⁠ of firearms was‌​ limited by the⁠​‌ amount of their‌ ammunition.

Currently,​⁠​ the knights and‌​ mages were able‌ to overwhelm the​‌​ waves of undeads,‌‍‌ but the moment⁠ their aura and⁠​ mana started to‌‌⁠ run low, their⁠​ momentary burst of​ power would die‍ down.

‘There‍ is a time‌⁠‌ limit on us.⁠ The only way‌​ for us to⁠ win here is—’‍⁠

The⁠‌ only way was‌ to beat the‍⁠‍ wicked dragon, who⁠‌‍ was still staying⁠‌ low without revealing​⁠ itself. He had‍ to bait it‌ out and defeat‍​ it.

[We‍‍ have relayed the‌‌ coordinates to Saint​ Xeruem Choir. Cleansing‌⁠ Cross coming soon.]‌

The​⁠​ mages specified the​⁠‍ coordinates as the​ rearguard began firing‌⁠⁠ at the undeads.‌‍ Due to the‍ nature of the‍⁠‍ enemies, they needed‌​‍ sacred energy, and​⁠ there were over​​ a hundred priests‍ and sisters answering‌ their call from​ a distance.

What⁠​ happened next was⁠⁠‍ obvious.

In‍‍⁠ the distant past,‍‌ back when gods‍⁠ and titans were‌‌ still living amongst‍​ the humans, there‌ was a single⁠ bloodline that connected⁠​ the two divine⁠⁠⁠ races.

Those​‌ who could use‍ the power they⁠‍⁠ refer to as⁠​ ‘sacred energy’ were‌ the long descendents‍‍ of the gods‌ and titans. Although‍ they themselves were​​‍ unaware of that​ fact, their prayers⁠ and their ‘cleansing’⁠​‍ spells still worked‍⁠ wonders against the​‌‌ wicked undead.

“Remarkable​‌ support,” exclaimed Miruam.​‍‍ She, who was⁠ staying at the‍‍⁠ lead to maintain‍ the heated morale‍ of the soldiers⁠⁠​ despite being a princess, commented in⁠⁠​ admiration of the⁠‍ beam of light​‍‍ falling from above.​

“Thank​‌⁠ goodness. It seems​⁠ they are done​‍‌ with Urdarbrunnr as‌​⁠ well.”

Considering‌​‌ the amount of‍⁠⁠ support that was​ coming their way,‍‌ Korin deemed that‌⁠‍ it was safe‌​ to assume that‌⁠ the other wells⁠‍‌ had already been​ taken care of.‍​

“Who‍‌ was it on​‌ that end again?”‍⁠⁠ Miruam asked.

“Marie-sunbae‍​ and Master.”

Both‍ Marie and Erin⁠‍‍ were one of‌​⁠ the top powerhouses⁠‍ of this current‌‌⁠ generation, and nothing⁠‌​ there could have‍​‍ possibly stopped them.‍‍⁠

“Then​‌⁠ are we going‍​ to be done‌‍ with all the⁠‌‌ wells when we‌‍ are done?”

“Probably.⁠​‍ The real problem‌‍‌ hasn’t even come‌ yet though.”

“What’s‌​ left?”

“Well,​ don’t worry.” Korin​ shook her worries⁠‌ off. “We have‌ pretty big numbers,​‌‌ so I’m sure⁠​ it will turn‍‌‌ out one way⁠ or another.”

At‌‌ this point, it⁠⁠ was meaningless to⁠ consider how it‍ was in the⁠‍ original game and‍ whatnot.

The‍​‍ enemy was currently‌‍‍ far stronger than​ expected.

Even​​ though he had‍​ been cutting their‍ forces down for​‍⁠ the last 3 years, there was​​ no end to‍‌⁠ what was coming,​‍ and Korin couldn’t​‍ be certain about​⁠⁠ the future anymore.‍‍⁠

Korin‍​ felt instinctively that⁠‌ he had no⁠ choice but to‍‍​ ‘re-enact the mythology’.‍⁠

He‌⁠ had a feeling⁠‌ that this fight‍‍‌ would ultimately turn‌‌‍ out into a similar example.

After‌‌‌ running for who​ knows how long,​

“Huh?”​⁠

One​‌ of the knights⁠ fighting at the​​​ front noticed something‌‌ off.

“The‍ undeads are frightened‌ by something.”

The⁠‍⁠ ranks of the‌ undeads that had‌ already been in‍ a mess was‍ crumbling even more.​

They⁠‍ were so frantic​‍ that it couldn’t‍‍⁠ have been simply​ due to the‌‌ knights, mages and‌‍ priests, and it‍​ didn’t take long​​​ for the rest⁠ of them to​​‍ catch on.

– GOHHHHHHHHHHH—!!

A roar gave them‌ goosebumps.

A chill flashed down​ their spine like⁠ a bolt of‍⁠ lightning.

It‌‌ happened before they⁠ could even comprehend​ what that unknown‌ roar was about.‍⁠​ One of the​‍⁠ higher-ranked mages, whose‌ role was to​⁠ light up the‌‌‍ battlefield and observe​⁠ the state using‍ his vision amplification⁠‍ spells, suddenly let‌‌​ out a scream‍⁠ in fright.

“B,​ barrier at the‌​‌ front! All mages‍​ are to activate‌ their shields!!”

Unlike‌‌ mages under the⁠⁠‌ Tower of Mages‌⁠​ or those affiliated⁠ with the Guardian⁠‍⁠ Association, a characteristic​​ of those working‌ in the army‍⁠⁠ was that they‌⁠ followed orders obediently.‍⁠

The⁠⁠​ moment they were‍ given a command‌ by a higher-ranked‌ mage, all the⁠​ mages working for‍‌‍ the military immediately⁠‍⁠ responded with a barrier.

What​‌​ resulted was a sight to behold.‍‌‍ The military barrier​‍⁠ spell researched and‍​‌ perfected through regular⁠‌ and consistent practice​⁠ created a thick​ sheet of barrier​‍ at the front‌ of the army​⁠​ to magnificently block‍ anything, whatever the‌‌ threat may be.‍⁠‍

– KWAAAAAAAAAAAA…!

But​​ it was then.​​ An ominous aura⁠ started to pour⁠‍ out from the‍​ darkness.

Like​‌ a tidal wave…‌ no – the​⁠ ray of energy​‍​ came bursting out‌ in the form⁠‍ of a branch‌​‍ full of thorns,‌ collided with the​‍‌ barrier and… the​‍ perfect barrier cast‍ by the military‌‌ mages couldn’t even​⁠​ last a second.‍

It‌‌ left behind devastating​ remains, and the‍‌​ soldiers were appalled‌ by the sight​​ of it.

“That​ damn lizard starting‍ off with a breath…!”

Korin‌ couldn’t conceal the​⁠‍ irritation on his⁠‌‍ face.

“Your‌ Highness Miru… Now!”‌

The‌​‍ rest of the⁠⁠ army had yet‌​‍ to wake up‍‍‌ from the shock‍‌ of that dragon‍⁠⁠ breath, but Korin⁠‌‌ quickly turned towards​‍​ Miru and asked​‍‍ for her cooperation.‌‌

“Are​‍ you… sure about‍⁠ this?”

“I’m‍⁠​ the only one⁠⁠​ that can do⁠‍‌ it.”

“I⁠⁠‌ hope it’s not​​​ coming from arrogance.”‍​

Miruam‌​ poured her mana​​ into the familiar⁠ residing in her⁠‌‌ staff. It turned‍ into an enormous⁠‍ serpent which woke​​ up the soldiers​‍‌ nearby and urged⁠‌ them to take‌‍⁠ several steps back.​⁠

The‌⁠ Serpent of Infinity​ rapidly grew into‍​ an enormous 50-meter-long‍‍ snake.

Even​‍ this was only‌⁠ the size of⁠‌⁠ a baby compared⁠‌‌ to the full⁠ serpent form Korin⁠​ saw in the‌​ last iteration, but‍‍‌ asking for that⁠ would be the⁠ same as asking‌‍ Miruam to sacrifice‌ herself.

“Thanks‍​⁠ for the ride!”⁠⁠

That​ was why Korin⁠⁠ decided to treat‍‍​ it as a mount instead, since‌‍⁠ it was much​​ faster and more​​ resilient than a normal human.

“Don’t⁠​⁠ even think about‌‌⁠ not coming back⁠‌‍ alive. If you⁠‌⁠ die… I will⁠‌ bring your corpse⁠‌ back to life⁠⁠‍ and order it​ around forever.”

“…Why⁠⁠ are all the⁠⁠‍ ladies around me​ like this?”

Regardless,⁠‍ Korin got on​ the head of⁠ the snake as⁠ the Serpent of‍⁠ Infinity quickly began‌​ to break through​​‍ the center under‌ Miruam’s command.

An‌⁠ enormous snake reaching​‍ 50 meters in​ length was a living weapon that‌ could crush everything‍ with its weight,‍‍⁠ and the spirits⁠⁠‍ with no weight‍​ to support them​ couldn’t even last​​‍ a single second⁠⁠‌ against it.

⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛!!!⁠‌

The​ dragon roared at​​‍ the mortal who​​ dared to charge⁠​⁠ towards itself.

****⁠‍⁠

After⁠⁠‌ depleting the wells,⁠⁠‍ the expedition squad‍⁠‍ naturally ended up‌‌ at the same​​⁠ area.

The⁠‌‌ goal was to‍⁠ go up the‍‍‍ roots and destroy‌⁠‍ the World Tree.​ To be exact,‍​‍ it was to‍‍‌ cut the tree‍‍ down by taking‍​ advantage of their‍ numbers.

“Chairman!”⁠⁠​

Going​ past the wells‌⁠ and continuing up​ the roots, Alicia‌⁠‍ found Erin walking‌⁠⁠ from a distance​‍​ and ran up​⁠ with the torch​‌ still in her⁠‌ hand.

“Alicia!​​ How was it​‍ for you guys?”‌

“We‌ dealt with it⁠‌‍ without a problem!‍​ We drank up⁠ the well and⁠⁠ dried it out.”​​

“Oh…​‍⁠ That’s…”

It‌ was a strange⁠⁠‌ but effective method,‌‍‌ because the wells⁠ still contained the⁠ divine rainwater from​‍ the mythological days⁠‍‌ and were great​ elixirs.

“What​​ about Korin?” Erin​⁠ asked.

“Korin-ssi‌​‌ went to help​‍ the Hvergelmr side.”‌‌⁠

“I​ see…”

She‌‍​ assumed he must​⁠⁠ have gone alone.​ After all, due‍‌⁠ to the Restriction‌‌‍ of the Precept‌‍ that he couldn’t​ perceive spirits, Hvergelmr​ full of undead‌ souls was no‍ different from a vast wasteland of‍‌ nothing for him.‌

“Chairman~”‍‌

That‍‌⁠ was when the‌ pink-haired saintess walked⁠⁠ towards them. After⁠‌ finding Erin, she⁠​‍ looked over her‌ shoulders at the​ army behind her.‌​

“Is⁠⁠ my sister not‌⁠‍ here?”

“Miruam‌​ is probably towards‌ Hvergelmr. Who else‍⁠⁠ is with you‍ guys?”

“Professor​‌ Josephine, Hua Ran⁠⁠ and Alicia.”

The⁠​ ones from the‌ Academy including Yuel,⁠‍‌ Kranel, Dorron, Jaeger⁠​ and Lark had⁠‍​ all been in​⁠​ Erin’s group.

“That⁠ means…”

It​​ meant there wouldn’t​⁠ have been enough​‌ manpower on Miruam’s​ side. On top‍‌⁠ of that, Hvergelmr‌⁠ was the land‌ of the undeads,‍‍‌ and the entire​⁠ area was deadly.​

An⁠⁠ army without any‌​ specialized equipment would‍ find it challenging⁠‍ to beat them.​

“But‍ Korin-dongsaeng went there.⁠‌ I’m sure it‌‍‍ will turn out‍‌‍ fine.”

“Although‌⁠​ the undeads are​ weak to the⁠ Sun… that place​‍ also has the⁠‌ dragon.”

Nidhogg,‍​​ the Evil Dragon⁠⁠​ of Hatred.

The‌‍ ancient dragon, whom⁠‌​ even the gods​⁠ of the north‍‍ couldn’t chase away,‍⁠ wasn’t something a single individual could‍​ handle.

It⁠‍‍ was the definition‌ of a living​‌ weapon. How long‍⁠‍ could an individual‍ even last against‌ it?

‘If⁠ Korin was enlightened‍ about the profound​‍‌ truth it might​⁠ be different but…’⁠​⁠

In​ that case, it​‌ might be possible⁠ for him to‌ confront the dragon.‌‍‌ Although it would​ be impossible for⁠⁠‍ a single individual​ to handle the⁠⁠ dragon, Korin Lork​‍​ wasn’t some random‌​ individual, after all.​

“Even‌​⁠ though we haven’t⁠‌‍ dealt with all‌ three wells yet,​⁠‍ the World Tree⁠‍ stopped growing thanks​ to the two‌ depleted wells.”

After‍⁠ saying that, Estelle‍‍​ struck the small‌ root next to‍⁠‍ her with the​ Magic Club of‍‌ Dagda.

The​‍ roots, which used​ to grow rapidly​ and regenerate in​⁠‌ the blink of‌ an eye, withered⁠‍⁠ and wavered instead.‌⁠‍

“In‌ other words, we‌ can start chopping​⁠ it down.’

There⁠ were at least⁠‍‍ 20,000 soldiers at‍⁠ the base of‍ the tree, and⁠ each of them‍ had been required‍ to carry an⁠ ax.

“Let’s‍​ cut this horrible‍ tree down.”

The⁠​ World Tree would‍ devour the planet​​‌ and expand its​​ branches across the‌‌⁠ world if left⁠‍ alone. Cutting this‍ down would put​‌​ a stop to⁠‌ Tates Valtazar’s plan‌ and with 20,000‌​ men, even a tree as big⁠ as this wouldn’t‌‌ stand a chance.⁠‌​

“How​⁠​ much of a waste would that‌‌⁠ be? This is‍‍ one of the‍ few remains of⁠‌⁠ the mythology we⁠⁠ have left.”

That⁠​‍ was when someone‍‍ uninvited joined the‌ conversation.

Hearing‍​ his voice, the⁠​ army turned around​ and found someone‍​‌ standing in the‍ air next to​ the tree.

“Eochaid‍‌ Bres…”

The‍ man in golden​​ plated armors was​​ looking down from‍ above while defying‌ the laws of‍ gravity.

“Korin⁠ Lork is probably‍​⁠ fighting the dragon…‍ This is a stage for the‌‍ minor actors it‍​‌ seems.”

A man with a brilliant golden face‌⁠‍ slowly approached them‍‍ while brightening up⁠ the area. He‍ spoke nonchalantly but‍ his eyes told‌⁠ a different story.‌​

His⁠​ eyes were cold‌‌ and merciless… as​‌ if he was‍‍ looking at some⁠⁠‍ harmful insects instead⁠‌‍ of humans.

“Hmm…⁠ So that old‌‌​ man is the​ previous previous previous​ Ard Ri, a former King of‍ Gods, right?”

Estelle‍ muttered while observing‍⁠‌ the man with​‌ no regard to‍‌ his cold look‍‍​ of disdain.

Certainly,​​‍ it didn’t seem‍​‍ like an overstatement​‍ for him to‌​ be called a ‘god’. Although she‍​‌ had seen it⁠‌​ beforehand from Erin,​⁠⁠ the sheer amount‍⁠⁠ of divine energy⁠‍ in him was‌ still shocking.

She⁠​‌ was envious.

She‍‌‌ wanted to be​​ like him.

No​​ – it was‍‌‌ going to be⁠‍ a destined future‌ for sure.

“Hello,​‍​ my very far-away​‌‍ ancestor.”

“Hmm~⁠⁠ so you’re the​​​ one from Balor‍‍​ and Dagda’s bloodline,‌​‍ huh. I see.⁠​​ Like a mutant⁠​ indeed.”

“Please‍ call it atavism​⁠‍ instead, thank you.”⁠‌

Meanwhile,‌​⁠ the army readied​‌ themselves for battle.‍ Estelle and Erin⁠ weren’t the only⁠‌ ones present.

Alicia,⁠⁠‌ Hua Ran, Marie,⁠⁠ Josephine, Dorron, Yuel,‍⁠ Kranel, valkyries including‌ Brunhild and the⁠​ great northern warriors​⁠​ – all the⁠‌ named characters of​⁠⁠ had gathered at‌ one spot.

Their​ manpower advantage seemed​⁠ more than enough‍ – in fact,⁠ it was excessive​ to the point​‌ of being incomparable.⁠

“Loosen​‌‍ up your shoulders,”⁠​ said Eochaid Bres.‌ “Though I am​ rather frustrated by⁠‍ the fact I am a supporting⁠ actor and not​ a major role,⁠​‍ neither of us​⁠‍ can deny who⁠‌⁠ the true major‍‍⁠ actors of this‍⁠ generation are.”

“We⁠​ don’t care. We​ can just break‌​‌ through by sheer⁠‍‍ force.”

Even‌‌ without Korin’s help,⁠‍‍ anything would be‍​ possible with an‌​ army of this‍ size. Estelle thought‍⁠​ they had more‌ than enough of⁠​​ a chance to‍ win considering their‍⁠ numbers advantage but—​​⁠

The‍‍ roots of the⁠ World Tree and​ the barks morphed‍‍ into a distorted⁠ state, and quickly​ created a smaller​⁠​ version of the‍ Yggdrasil Wicker Man.‍ That wasn’t the‌⁠‍ end.

Lights⁠​ began to emerge‍‍ from the roots​ and branches. They,‍⁠‍ who were supposed⁠‌ to stay in⁠​ the spirit realm,‍ heeded to the‍ call of the‍ Great Sage and‌ manifested themselves to‍⁠‍ punish the living.⁠

At‍‌ the center of‌ all that was‍‌​ an old druid.‌⁠

“I‌ admit it. We‌​ are being pushed‌⁠ back more than‌ I was expecting.⁠​ Korin Lork definitely​ has the right‌‌​ to be called‌ a contender of‌​‌ Sir Valtazar.”

Lawmaker⁠ Dumnorix.

Surrounded⁠‌‍ by the World⁠‌ Tree, a miracle‍‍ of mother nature,⁠‍ he was no​​‌ different from a god himself.

At​‌‍ the same time,‌‍​ Shadow Demons began​⁠ to appear from‌​‍ the darkness. Despite‍⁠‌ being without a shape or form,‌​ they approached from​‍ all sides to​​ surround the army.‌​

– Kugugugung…!

Following‍‌ that, the earth​​⁠ began to shake​ and the skies‌​ started to tremble.​‌‍

“W,​ what is happening?”‌

“H,‍ huh? Look! The​‍ World Tree is​⁠ growing again!” shouted‍‍ Alicia while pointing⁠ off into a distance.

There,‍‌‌ white branches were‌​​ starting to expand.‌​ Like cobweb they​ expanded through the⁠⁠‌ dark world, and​​⁠ despite being far‌​ from it, everyone⁠‌ was able to⁠ see them clearly​‍⁠ for some odd⁠‌‌ reason.

It​‌ was both mysterious⁠ yet frightening.

A tree big enough‍ to cover the​​‍ entire sky was‍‌‌ growing even bigger​​ without the wells…‍⁠⁠ What was it​‌​ using as energy​ this time?

“The‍‍ energy from the‍⁠ earth… It’s eating⁠ up the nutrients‌ of the continent.”‌​

“That⁠ is exactly right,‍​ youngest one.”

Eochaid‌‍⁠ acknowledged Erin’s speculation‍⁠ and talked about⁠‍ their plan of‌ utter destruction as‍ if it didn’t​⁠​ have to stay⁠ a secret no‌​⁠ more.

“That‍ tree is going​‌ berserk. It will‌‍ continue to drain‌​ out the entire⁠ energy of this‌‌‌ continent and this‍‍ world. In a world with neither‌‍ light nor the⁠ mercy of mother‍⁠ nature, humans would‌‍ inevitably die out⁠ one day.”

“What‍ a horrendous plan.‍‍ That is not‌ ‘Justice’.”

“Then‌ try to stop​‍ us. Put a stop to our‍ plans – stab‍​​ my heart with​⁠ that spear, but⁠‌ all of your‍ efforts will be‌‍⁠ futile.”

“If‍‌ that’s what you⁠​‌ want.”

Erin‌⁠ immediately climbed up‍ the tree with​‍ the spear in​⁠​ her hand.

She​‌‌ accelerated at a speed only permitted⁠‍ to gods. Despite‍‍​ going against gravity,​​ her speed was‌⁠‍ unhindered.

Erin‍ was the master⁠‍⁠ of spear.

The⁠‍ two greatest spearmen​‍‍ of this generation⁠⁠ were both her‌‍ disciples.

In​‌ other words, she​‍ had been the‌⁠ strongest spearman for‍ thousands of years‌‍ until their appearance.⁠

‘Even⁠‍​ the God King‍‍‌ won’t be able​⁠ to beat me⁠​​ in close combat.”‌‍​

Eochaid⁠⁠‌ Bres.

He‌‌‍ was the only‌‌ one she had⁠ to defeat to​ break through the‌ stalemate. Since the​ enemy had yet‍ to fully prepare‍ themselves, Erin used‍​ the opportunity to‌ deliver a meaningful‍‌ attack.

“Oh​‌ dear. Looks like‌‌ I made you‍⁠ quite upset.”

Despite⁠​ seeing that, Eochaid​‌​ nonchalantly grinned without‍ even preparing himself‍ for a fight.‍

“But​‌ if you only⁠​​ have your eyes‍⁠​ on me,” he​‍ said. “Your back‍ will be open‍ to the undeads⁠ that crawled up​ from the depths⁠​‌ of hell.”

“What…?”‍‍‌

It‌‍⁠ was right when‍​ her spear was​⁠‌ about to land​ on Eochaid Bres.⁠

[ ᚱ ] — Raidho

Goosebumps​​ crawled up her‌ skin. Her instincts‍​ picked up a cold metallic fist​ heading straight towards‌‍ the side of​⁠⁠ her head at⁠ the last minute.⁠​

“Kuht…?!”‌

Her‍‌‍ Spinning Heaven changed⁠ its trajectory to‍⁠ the side. The​ profound control of⁠‍​ her spear allowed‌‌ Erin to parry​ the attack, but⁠‌​ right as she​ was about to‍ strike back, she​‌‌ was stopped by‌⁠⁠ the shock from⁠‌‌ seeing the enemy’s‌​ face.

“Been‍‌ a while, Chairman‍ Eriu.”

Steel​‍‌ gauntlets. Afro hairstyle.​

“Professor…‌ Fermack Daman?”

Didn’t‍ Korin kill him‌⁠ a long time‍‌ ago?

Catching⁠​ her off guard,​​ Fermack struck once⁠ again with his​​​ fists.

“Kuhk…!”​‍⁠

Erin‍​‍ flung back and‌ somehow managed to​⁠ regain her footing⁠ on the tree​⁠ trunk, but that​⁠ wasn’t the end.⁠‌

– HISSSS!

Hundreds⁠⁠ of snakes pounced‌​ out from the‌​‌ gaps between the​ barks of the​ World Tree. They​ immediately attacked Erin,‌‍⁠ and she therefore⁠⁠ had to rely‌‌‍ on the power‍‍​ of gravity to‍ fall back down.​

“Chairman!”‌

The‌⁠‍ pink-haired Saintess supported⁠ her before she‌ fell all the‍‌ way down to⁠ the ground, but​ both of them‍‍‌ were soon shocked⁠ speechless by the⁠​ sight before their‍​ eyes.

“…Dun‍⁠ Scaith?” Estelle muttered‍‌‌ under her breath.‍

Dun​‌ Scaith, the King‍⁠ of Beasts – the monster that​ was supposed to​‍ have been eradicated​‍⁠ by Korin reappeared‍‌ out of the‍​​ toads and snakes‌ that came together.​‌‍

“How?⁠⁠ Weren’t they both‍​‌ killed by Korin-ssi?”‌

The‍⁠ enemies that had‍ been killed by‍ Korin, Fermack Daman​‍‌ and Dun Scaith,‍‍ were back. It⁠ was surreal to‌‍‍ believe the dead​‌⁠ could come back‍​ to life, but⁠ Erin soon saw‌⁠​ through what had⁠‌ happened.

“…I‌​‌ see. Valhalla.”

The‌ paradise of dead⁠​ warriors – Valhalla‌ was where the‍​⁠ Valkyries collected the​​ ‘divine warriors, Einherjar’‌ by collecting their​​ souls.

“Is​ this one of‌​‌ the reasons why‍‍⁠ Tates brought the‍​ Valkyries under his‌​ wing?”

“That‍⁠ is exactly correct.⁠‍‌ Well, it’s like⁠​ a midsummer night’s⁠‌⁠ dream,” replied Eochaid.‌​​ “Unless the era​ of mythology comes​⁠‌ back in full,‍​​ they are nothing​‌‍ but corpses that​ will soon rot​ away.”

“What‌​⁠ a mean thing​​ to say, Sir⁠ Bres.”

“Hihit…‍​​ I’m okayyy~ Hihihit!”⁠

Upon​ a closer inspection,‍‍⁠ they realized that​⁠ neither Dun Scaith‍‌ nor Fermack Daman‌ were in a normal state.

Their‌​⁠ body was routine‍ away, and their‌‍ eyes weren’t gleaming​‌⁠ from intellect as​⁠ much as they‌​‍ used to. Over⁠‌ time, they would‌ turn into skeletons‍‌‌ like the other‌ Einherjar.

However,‌⁠ that was a future that wouldn’t‌ affect the current‌⁠​ situation.

“Looks‍ like we have​⁠ all the actors⁠ ready on the‌‌ stage.”

A hammer sparking with​‌⁠ thunder and a radiantly gleaming sword‍‌ of victory appeared⁠⁠‌ in Eochaid Bres’‌ hands.

He‌​ truly appeared like‌​ a great god‌‌⁠ or a majestic​ hero straight out⁠ of mythology, but⁠​ he surprisingly spoke​ down about himself.‌⁠​

“Compared‌⁠‍ to the main‍ act, our fight‌⁠ might be nothing‌​ more than a minor scene. That‍ was how it‌​ was destined to‍‍⁠ be in the‌‍ first place. No‍⁠‍ matter how many‍⁠⁠ times you fight‌ or kill, it​ will be meaningless.‌⁠⁠ That’s just how​⁠ it is.”

Regardless,‍⁠‍ the final battle‍‍‌ was about to⁠⁠ begin.

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