Chapter 308

Huff, huff.

Akshuller struggled to catch his breath. He could even taste the metallic tang of blood as he heaved for breath.

A bone-chilling cold swept around him, yet his massive frame was still drenched in sweat.

Even breathing had begun to feel like a chore.

Damn this Akshuller cursed, his words thickly laced with anger.VSit no(v)3lb/!n(.)cm for new ovl

He really wanted to rest, but he couldnt. That wasnt a choice he could make. If he decided to slow down right then, it would only be a matter of time before the sharp ice sword would pierce through his allys heart.

Are you all right?

...Keugh! Akshuller clenched his teeth in response. I Im good.

In comparison, his ally looked quite relaxed.

...He truly is the Ice Emperor. And I see that a Stars reputation is well-earned. He has two Superhumans attacking him simultaneously, but he is still standing

Kekeke.

Duke Eima started laughing so hard his whole body shook in mirth; perhaps he had heard what his opponent said about him.

Im the one who should be amazed. I thought you were just at the level of the old Mercenary King, Barbarian but I see that your level is closer to me, a Star Duke Eima trailed off as he looked at his opponents blade.

A huge, menacing form was materializing from the mans aura.

- Grrr!

It felt Duke Eimas gaze and growled like a living being. Duke Eimas body stiffened when the aura produced a noise.

The power of the mans materialization was frightening. It was oddly similar to Aura Application.

A thick black mane covered the lions head, a set of wings stuck out from the bodys muscular bulk, and a tail as sharp as a sword waved behind it. It was clearly a beast, but it stood on two legs as though it was human.

Manticore, Duke Eima muttered as he laughed like a maniac. The Manticore is a fabled phantom beast species; it is the embodiment of viciousness and brutality. And yet, here I am, looking at you, the one they call the pinnacle of justice, wondering, How can you materialize it? Can you see the irony?

Duke Eima looked toward the man with a smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes.

So tell me, Lion King. What made you take that step? You hadnt even when the war was at its hottest. Then, you sheltered in Thran with vagrants.

Vagrant or vagabond were derogatory terms for the Free Knights; it was to the point that everyone on the continent called Ryan Geiger the Vagrant King.

After staying silent for a long time, the Lion King finally began speaking. Arent there a lot of contradictions in this world? After all, thats how the people of Igrant call a traitor like you a Star.

Duke Eimas expression darkened.

I guess your mouth still works fine, then.

Everything else works fine as well. The Lion King brandished his longsword, which at first glance seemed quite ordinary. Should I show you?

Kekeke. Duke Eima laughed grimly. By all means. I am quite curious, but oh dear, it appears that the protagonist weve been anticipating has finally shown up.

The Lion Kings eyes widened. Askhuller followed the Lion Kings gaze and flinched as he saw what the Lion King was looking at.

BOOM!

An enormous explosion shattered the air. It was quickly followed by a trail of brilliant crimson descending from the sky.

Chills ran down their spines as an eerie chuckle echoed through the air as a man strolled lazily through the thick cloud of dust.

Seems like youre struggling quite a bit. The man licked his lips.

Thats why I asked you for your help, Your Majesty.

The Lion King is here, I see. What a surprise. The man cocked his head to the side.

The Lion King met the newcomers gaze. He understood the man better than anyone else.

The newcomers red hair and crimson clothing caused everyone seeing him to think of blood.

Grand Duke Lucifer! Akshuller groaned at the sight.

The Lion King let Akshullers cry of distress slip into one ear and out the other.

I will give you a sign, he told Akshuller.

...HUH?

Dont look back.

Wait a minute! What the heck are you?

As if to show that he had no intention of expanding further on his words, the Lion King stepped forward.

How can I just stand here and

Calm down and come to your senses.

...!

Who do you think will benefit if the two of us die like this?

Akshuller gritted his teeth at the Lion Kings voice.

If I increase my true mana, then I can slow down both of them for a bit.

Akshuller was startled by the Lion Kings statement because true mana was the source of life and was not something that could be restored.

It was unbelievable that someone with the capabilities of the Lion King was willing to use his true mana, even if that meant his life span would be reduced indefinitely, to buy them some time and be satisfied with just that.

There is only one chance, the Lion King told Akshuller.

Duke Eima noticed the odd atmosphere.

Do the two of you have a plan brewing?

Instead of receiving a response, Duke Eima felt an unprecedented cascade of power emanating from the Lion King like a waterfall.

- GRRRRRR!

The Lion Kings aura added its own roar to the torrent as a beam of mana headed toward Duke Eima.

Keugh! Duke Eima staggered backward as he was struck by the golden mana.

The Lion Kings eyes gleamed.

NOW! he shouted in a powerful voice.

Without a seconds hesitation, Akshuller spun without hesitation and struck the ground with all his might as he ran. The ground began to tremble and shake. He was fully aware that a head-on fight would only result in their death.

Kekekeke.

A sinister laugh entered Akshullers ears. Even if his eyes couldnt see it, his senses were telling him that something was going on. It was as if there was something asking, Do you think you can run away from me?

Despite that, he continued on. He knew that stopping for even a second would mean death for him.

If I have to, at least an arm!

Akshuller repeated this to himself as he dodge away, almost like he was prophesying his own future.

Shick!

He heard a blade cut through human flesh. He couldnt help but close his eyes, expecting the worst, even as his legs continued to carry him forward.

...?

Akshullers expression gave away his confusion. It had been a while since he heard that horrifying sound, but he didnt feel any pain.

He carefully opened his eyes; he turned pale.

A spherical object was floating in the air.

It cant be, Akshuller muttered, his voice laden with shock.

It was the head of a person who had become a Superhuman much earlier than Akshuller. It was the head of the Lion King.

The surprising thing was that the Lion King hadnt been able to last long against the Grand Duke Lucifer.

***

Its a small warp gate thats been pre-arranged. If you use this, you wont waste any time getting to the Great Plain of Aiyas.

....

The only thing they could see was a vast wasteland with occasional patches of weeds, but in the middle of it was a small warp gate.

Cain stared at it before asking, Wasnt this formerly the site of Reinhardts royal tomb?

To be more accurate, it used to be here.

....

Hubalt and Swallows first order of business after taking Reinhardt was to demolish this place, saying that people needed to stop talking about neutrality and peace.

Cain accepted Liliths explanation with a nod.

It was their plan all along, he mused.

Will all three of you be going? Lilith asked.

Of course.

Then, before you leave Lilith trailed off, looking specifically at someone. Icarus-nim.

...Yes?

You are already aware of this, yes?

Icarus looked puzzled. About what?

The fact that the impending disaster wont simply affect Swallow and Hubalt.

What are you saying? Icarus asked her expression hard.

Avalon.

...!

Cain flinched at Liliths unexpected response.

Even in the place where it is taking Hart Kingdom has a precedent, the winds of change are blowing.

Hmph, even so, its just a defeated nation. What do they think theyll do now

Its not a simple issue that we can just toss into a corner.

The usually cynical Cain hesitated at Liliths rebuke.

Something is odd between the First and Second Prince.

Theyve been fighting over the throne for three years now. Is there anything new about that?

Yes, there is.

...?

The long-lost Fourth Prince has suddenly shown up with a tremendous supporter.

...!

Cains eyes widened at that.

The Fourth Prince claims to consider himself the First Princes man. This information arrived just yesterday, so by now

For the time being, Icarus interrupted. Lets think about whats in front of us right now. After all, we finally found a trace of our frustratingly elusive master, right?

Icarus Lilith ducked her head sheepishly. Im sorry for adding something else to the plate.

...No, its not a problem.

Well then, Lilith straightened up. You can go ahead and step through the gate. The transfer will be complete in a blink of an eye.

***

In the center of an endless plain stood a soaring tower that was slightly tilted. One side of the tower was scorched by a huge fire.

Is this the Tower of Trials?

Is this your first time here, Icarus-nim? Christian asked.

Icarus nodded.

I was powerless at that time, and I think others regarded me as a burden.

Christian was tongue-tied when Icarus spoke self-deprecatingly.

...Shall we go in? Cain asked in an attempt to break the stuffy atmosphere. Lets not hesitate.

They walked for a while, but after a few steps, Cain stopped. Icarus looked at him in confusion.

Wha Why are you suddenly stopping like this? she questioned.

Are you getting scared? Christian prodded. Is it because were at the infamous Tower of Trials?

Silently, Cain discreetly gestured toward the Towers door in response.

What are you even pointing at

Icaruss gaze followed his hand and she went as still as a statue when she realized what he was pointing at.

Is that a person?

Christian quickly followed Icaruss gaze.

Shing.

Is that our pursuer? Christian pulled his sword out of his sheath without delay.

A lone man stood in front of the gate as though he were there to defend the Tower. The problem was the trio could not pick up any type of energy coming from the man.

Thats the problem. If hes a human, then I should be feeling vitality from him, even if its just the slightest bit.

The stress on Christian's face was palpable.

There were two different scenarios that this phenomenon could result from: first, the person has less energy than the average human; second, the person in front of them was stronger than any of them thus making the situation utterly hopeless.

And just by eyeballing it, it seemed that the latter was more probable.

In Christian's mind, he just couldn't go on.

Ma-Master?

Cains skeptical voice rang in Christians head like a bell. The paladins eyes bulged until they threatened to pop out of his head.

What?

Master! Cain shouted.

In front of them stood a man with hair darker than the abyss and eyes that seemed to penetrate infinitely into the depths of their souls.

Chapter end