Chapter 279: Heaven Above Heaven (1)
S1aThe Empire and the Anti-Empire Alliance fought a decisive battle at an unexpected point along the road to Zveta.iRMNRl
ANlqThe Empire’s black army, true to its emotionless nature, held firm against the attacks, while the Anti-Empire Alliance, morale at its peak, advanced like mad.COz
bMDUpyzIn the midst of the kill-or-be-killed struggle, horrifying phenomena occurred—dead men rising again.VN56Av7
R0XBut the most shocking thing was happening now.2U8zn
QjjThe Imperial knights began releasing tentacles and merging into a single mass.zOs3RRE
Gu2z3The Alliance veterans had seen something similar in the past.NzUC
6VlIt was very much like Okua’s last desperate act.QFa61l
FnnRt0“Could it be…?”LLH5
eVpQ“The Empire using orcs?”HVs
4L0pb6N“Good heavens…”52AMB2
OjOAThose who had not yet known the Empire’s true nature were beginning to realize that even the orc uproar had been orchestrated by the Empire.MEK
M9bGMNow, a gigantic humanoid mass of flesh began to move.9Loe
pe4YTIt absorbed both knights and soldiers of the Empire indiscriminately. As it grew, a massive shadow was cast over the battlefield.Ov9R
R4M5The Anti-Empire Alliance’s momentum broke.t8a5
1A10iDFaced with this unknown apparition, everyone began to lose the will to fight.34Q
O7GaBut then, someone ran alone toward the monster.9GX
lT7jwZP“I’ve finally found you!”pkJ0T0
vdZIt was Yuri Briol.thYi
UmnPMHe pushed off the ground and leapt high, generating a sword of energy so massive that every combatant on the field could see it, slicing across the monster’s abdomen.6FKh2
or9The cold horizontal blade cut through the enemy, spilling blood.OYKe57
ly1OA thick, dark red liquid poured out.Bp3FID
r34JS4lThe monster wavered, retreating.3A1
xfONABut without showing much damage, countless tentacles sprouted from the wound and began repairing it. It was so grotesque that just seeing it made one shiver.JDE
3sq2CC3Suddenly, a knight watching murmured,ACXs
kubTLv“We must help His Highness.”Jur
ON1WBtEveryone on the battlefield understood the same thing.Ek9
ZJYIn the midst of this horrible situation in which humans turned into monsters, everyone instinctively knew whether they would be a help or just a hindrance in the fight.IuirS
gp5NThus, some stepped aside to clear the way, and others ran toward the monster.ArAb
gxNpYDTirbo, of the Order of Vengeance, was among the first.gy0
5hUAlthough he had once taken part in the Chronicles of the Tyrant King with some success, he knew that in a situation with monsters beyond human scale, he could not contribute anything useful.j2x9r8
CbySATFor the first time, in the chest of one who always smiled affably, anger toward himself welled up.1gHd
rRQ8BiaHe wanted to help, but he had neither the strength nor the right.kMjJip5
MCE3NTJ“Damn it…”WNfvG
bDvnOle“Tirbo?”M9x3fmK
lGXHis companion, surprised to hear him curse for the first time, widened his eyes.30T
dfbV“What’s wrong, Sir Tirbo?”IGZLbeG
uEogK4“I’m frustrated.”EqGhx
tJSxThe other smiled bitterly.CG1fWN
Z2dneF“There’s nothing to be done. But don’t forget that feeling. We still have a duty.”YF8q
APhuvHe pointed to the Imperial troops still resisting the Alliance.acrjBy
mu8PD“That monster isn’t our problem. Let’s fulfill the task we were given. That’s the way to help His Highness.”jD6jP
pENMQ“Yes… you’re right.”Alvz
ZhJH3OLTirbo raised his sword and shouted,cjIna7
W70jr7“Kill all the Imperial soldiers! For His Highness!”dstWTXv
VQ5The companions of the Order of Vengeance, who had never seen him so fired up, began to laugh.0RK
O5HMcV“For His Highness!”KWqy
XDR5X“For Yuri Briol!”VOZ
Pn98The Order’s spirit blazed like fire, and the Alliance front, which had faltered at the monster’s appearance, once again pushed hard against the Imperial army.lhjfhzB
T3B“Excellent.”cQw9
OLnAinzer, who had left his own front to join Yuri, spoke.UIhbw7
ZZ954“Seems Briol can manage well enough even without us.”te9EGe
A4B3zx“As it should be.”v2Ds4I
W2xTWhile Yuri caught his breath, looking at the monster, more allies arrived.G5Z2L
a7Qu“Long time, Yuri Briol.”qqd
VdzJVZ“Yes, and you’re looking well.”hc1qJ
P9jb“Really?”ti6ZZ
E4JrySKJoining was Francesco of the Holy Kingdom, who, having regained almost all of his former strength, was performing feats worthy of his Holy Knight title in this war.tcasDh
rbEr“All gathered! Hahaha!”JDZj8mH
s99TTX8“You’re late.”JQEe
2NJhxqAlso arriving was Jose of Brusen, now a veteran of the Ten Greats, always a reliable ally.AuDo2T
vcQBu“I think I’ll be able to use much more magic.”3dgR7B
eYtkpvd“I’d appreciate that.”FWw
3PzyDFUAppearing was Inariel, the Great Mage, whose magic could be even more powerful the more the enemy leaned toward black magic. A monster like this completely broke the balance of the world, giving Inariel the perfect opportunity to shine.IbJN
ETLFour of the Ten Greats were gathered, plus several strong knights like Laurent and Jared.jdrN2fp
HMiEnough to face the monster.Yn4pdC
PMsaRK“Is it just a matter of killing it?”1ukDsN
NWACCiM“It’s huge.”kai
sVzThe monster, noticing the group before it, began to move. It raised a massive foot, casting a shadow on the ground.rhW80fb
2ToGX6lBoom!ruMrX
v2mThe earth shook with its step. Then it began sweeping its legs all around, crushing both Imperials and Alliance members alike.RvWso
qkjYoD4Inariel attacked first.M2MA
LFAwPt“Yuri Briol, I’ll do what you’ve long wished for.”1VbTs
JhnRBq“Perfect!”WwR1tQf
rMAauHe formed seals, and in the sky appeared a gigantic fireball, as large as the monster’s body.d3iIa
0GlcZHe guided it toward it, and the monster, with its poor perception, simply threw a punch. Flames engulfed it completely.IKy
NfsmZdThe heat was so intense that everything around turned red. Cheers were heard, but Inariel’s face did not change.nFyT6
zpxrrNC“It’s intact.”ex1RuMD
MR31LJust as he said, the monster moved as if nothing had happened, and with the flames clinging to its body, it became even more dangerous.HXT0NO
JQpTUn“The flames don’t affect it.”stRY
EjX4u3b“Then put them out.”xRopn9G
O3VL“It’s not that simple.”pKXzV
VFkz“What do you mean?”MRsCI
nsMFM“Wait a bit longer.”BNS7Br
LttUJqPClicking his tongue, Yuri ran toward the monster. The fire died out, leaving only heat and steam.e8NU
gaLJAA5He leapt onto its body.cd5YKD8
kgZSz4“Hot…”D0CDdm
o9hm3NHe climbed up to its chest, dodging tentacles sprouting from cracks in its skin. He remembered Wayne was there—the core of this fusion.SGPps
JV93I“Wayne, where are you hiding!”DxrRT
Oct2fYHe plunged Guilty into the monster’s chest and unleashed a whirlwind of mana that shredded everything inside, preventing regeneration.yka2fT
X5jKGThe monster screamed with an inhuman roar.QXu1
zd4“Don’t just stand there!”NBLxxkx
k8QJose and Francesco each lunged toward an arm, preventing it from striking Yuri.7Xlk
fypT1Z“Inariel.”HiYaPJ
sMDPEM7“Understood.”KAkvi74
sZuvA new fire appeared in the sky, smaller but much more intense.Ev7o
p9z“Clear out!”xNg
cF2t1OInariel launched a fireball.XQ1APv
8tmIt was aimed directly at Yuri’s back.Ywj
OlqwL7Feeling the scorching heat rushing in from behind, Yuri glanced over his shoulder and leapt away before it could engulf him.fIk06
VsyJose and Francesco also moved aside.3nUMD9
ipVInariel’s magic struck squarely into the hole in the monster’s chest that Yuri had opened.25b5k
UBgGaiuThe fireball, upon entering the monster’s interior, released a brilliant flash and exploded instantly.8bH
oe6AThe explosion roared with a thunder that shook both heaven and earth.QB9
AP0The magic that burst from within the monster’s body charred it completely, and amid the flames a long scream of pain echoed.aa3p
D7XmdThe sight was so striking that even the soldiers, focused on their own fights, stopped for a moment to look.q7aQH
3qCOEA column of light rose into the sky and then faded.4Iy7a
268And from within emerged the monster’s battered form.Y48Pn
vOkrcwaInariel’s magic, which had exploded from the inside, had completely blackened it. Its tentacles, charred and limp, trembled and fell one after another.f7QnK6
Vf8qXW0“Did we get it?” Yuri muttered.id2JVm
HDLxZ4But, unfortunately, his expectation was not fulfilled.SVxSZj
0wpWR0The monster’s body shuddered and began to regain vitality.Hw5Mq
kIlmUb“Huh?”4YOnxs
yhx1TwLike a dry log soaking up water, the monster began regenerating rapidly.Qr9IEA
s05ZIts body, reduced to ashes, rejoined itself, and the withered tentacles reanimated with strength, restoring flesh.xV4Q
hH0LziMEven the hole Yuri had opened in its chest closed completely in an instant.h4eWhR
xQ9jamt“What the hell…?”STbu
3y5Yuri and his group backed away. The monster was now beginning to grow even larger.OKpGk
n8kS“We just need to keep attacking. It can’t regenerate forever. So—”l7e
Nrc4iAt that moment, the ground began to rumble with footsteps rapidly approaching.P3Fb6iu
lYpFj7Yuri had heard that sound before.z4kcS5d
gbt“Donchich?”7BtHhl
5c4ePIt was the ogre Donchich, running toward them.c8FO
cOFB1M4Though small compared to the monster, he was still far larger than a human. But his eyes were completely red.24Q
KrKEJsjHe had been corrupted by black magic.nUUGD
OrKGpUnable to speak coherent words as before, he let out a savage roar as he charged.icxw
LGf“Uwoooohhh!”LBw
6KJfDonchich’s arrival disrupted the balance of Yuri’s group.6E2f2a
PJU4Hd“I’ll handle him.”CudGw1
WrtufFrancesco stepped forward to block him. Donchich threw a punch, and Francesco caught it with his sword, but the brute force of the blow lifted him into the air.QCwXTr
0lwJE“Kuh!”ADoW8
gOwYtKnFrancesco landed nimbly, like a cat.jVNKms
f2TkWhile the two fought off to the side, a sword appeared out of nowhere, from the void itself, aimed at Yuri’s neck.7jwc
KgViBnYuri reflexively raised Guilty to block it.oycOt
o5K“You’ve grown.”wqEr2
yANPwK“And you are…?”Zb4HjY
Hxw07GThe one who appeared was Dan Socheon, the “Shadowless Sword.”LE2kh7
v0xl2“Long time.”e0Zy
T21W“Yes, good to see you, Heavenly Demon.”cQX5e
isil“I see you remember me.”DEVctX
hypqrouWith Dan Socheon’s arrival, the atmosphere changed completely.V0MnPt
b9FtmsOEveryone stared intently at one another.dRf
rQGVAs befitted a battle that would decide the fate of the continent, six of the Ten Greats were now assembled.Xbm
K0DrflThe entire battlefield murmured, and all soldiers watched the six titans gathered in one place.ZxCWq
E85Beside the monster stood two of the Empire’s Ten Greats.Oc0P
SiuG3LAnd in front of them, four of the Ten Greats from the opposing side.hulwsa
ddx“This will be a spectacle.”kXH4C6
eAdsJHA battle worthy of the name Heaven Above Heaven was about to begin.91teML
TBGf9***8Fj9Lsn
BtfHCedric paid little attention to what was happening outside Zveta.GWM9NRB
kRzEHis goal was in its final stage.aYrmp
ZqH“It’s almost complete.”hbhgU
EHhB3A mage with his face hidden beneath a hood spoke softly. Cedric nodded.M56OLjw
DpF3EXV“Yes. Thanks to you.”8GA5
zOuf“Thank you.”3pm
BvMXoCedric smiled at the statue made of orichalcum.dJSHOq
z5FNsxSThe black magic sorcerer who controlled it had brought it from the Holy Kingdom, greatly facilitating his work.A6Uec5
L6GHKlBefore long, the god from another world would descend to this land.DEUG8i
xtaQ“May I ask you a question?”HaF3
t4PS“Mm?”R0sGf
3teoD“Why did you summon the Anti-Empire Confederation to Zveta? The Imperial capital no longer had any importance, and you could have simply left it alone…”xrt7
ZUwec“True.”mZq6km
tvu69DCedric let out a laugh.ERNZG6F
36MFr3jEven he could not explain that decision logically. It had been a mere momentary whim.zUBZxh
XBq“If I have to give an explanation… maybe…”q7LRPp
fzwi9jCedric looked deeper into himself.zI8
KoaRIn the depths of his heart, there was a more personal reason for drawing Yuri to Zveta.9Qn
qrkZ“Maybe I wanted my brother to come stop me.”nyV
OH2C8z“Cedric…”jJdBk
NvX“Don’t worry. It’s all about to end. Outside, whether those people spill blood, fight to the death, or one of them manages some heroic feat at the end—it will all result in our victory. Our sky lies far above theirs.”augunB
dHAdxThe black magic mage bowed his head.zvnW
yTFMCedric looked up.d5eZ
pz06ZBeneath the balcony where he stood, countless living humans lay within a great pit.gnIYC7
xUazvZ“Well then, let’s begin the ritual.”5wMzSgo
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