Chapter 612

612.

Clang- Clang-

Atop the defensive barriers of Guardsron.

Kyle unsheathed his blade, gazing at the limitless legion of the deceased advancing from the horizon.

“Ky, Kyle. Shouldn’t we make our escape right now?”

Arion, cowering behind Kyle, questioned with a shuddering tone.

“Stop speaking foolishly, Arion.”

Dwenno, resting a massive war axe against his shoulder, let out a soft breath and took a position beside Kyle.

“Where on earth could we even flee to from this place?”

“Ugh…”

Arion whimpered at Dwenno’s point.

Guardsron stood as the final bastion of civilization.

Its fall would signify the end of existence itself.

Quite literally, no sanctuary remained.

Dwenno exhaled quietly, glancing at the trembling beastman, before directing his inquiry to Kyle.

“How do you foresee this conflict unfolding, Kyle?”

“Well.”

Kyle focused his gaze, observing the unending wave of the dead spanning across the distant plains.

“On this occasion, even Guardsron might face its limit.”

Kyle’s grip upon his hilt was vibrating slightly.

It wasn’t isolated to Kyle.

Dwenno experienced the same sensation.

Though they masked their reactions, both warriors harbored terror.

The forces of the Undead King, recognized as the mightiest battalion within Tartaros.

In this current epoch where the world rapidly approached its termination, the deceased far outnumbered the living.

Every single one of those remains formed the army of the Undead King.

“It has been quite some time since I last beheld those repulsive creatures. Truly, I would prefer if they vanished from my sight for eternity.”

Kyle cast a glance toward the rear.

Lysinath and Luna were approaching from behind.

“Why hasn’t the skeleton-hound vanguard made an appearance recently?”

Luna displayed a perplexed countenance, watching the most terrifying legion surface after a year’s absence.

“Because the world was bound for ruin regardless.”

Lysinath’s gaze intensified.

“This realm would collapse shortly even without his intervention. The Undead King likely took pleasure in the entertainment of observing an era drawing nigh to its conclusion.”

“Th-Then for what reason did such an Undead King launch a sudden offensive?”

When Arion inquired with a weeping expression, Lysinath folded her arms.

“It is highly probable that it stems from the demise of the Glutton King.”

The elimination of the Glutton King Jormungand.

An extraordinary event that should have been impossible in a fading world.

“So that occurrence provoked a sense of vigilance within the Undead King?”

Luna folded her arms, glaring fiercely at the approaching undead.

“Hmph! Let them advance as much as they please! I shall obliterate every last one of them!”

“R-Really? Can we place our reliance solely on Luna?”

“Naturally! Place your absolute faith in me, Arion!”

Luna asserted with immense fervor, striking her fist against her chest with a resounding thud-!

“You merely need to keep them at bay until I settle the entire matter!”

“So, when all is said and done, I am still required to participate in the combat.”

Arion wore a sorrowful expression.

“Prepare yourselves immediately. Their assault will commence at any…”

Dwenno’s gaze sharpened mid-sentence.

Not solely Dwenno.

Kyle also perceived the impending lethality and unleashed his inner energies.

Precisely at that instant.

Kwagagagagagak-!

A deluge of colossal remnants plummeted from the firmament.

It did not consist of mere skeletal remains.

It comprised malevolent sorcery fashioned from the remains of potent spellcasters.

It manifested as a downpour of annihilation that pulverized everything in its path.

“It is the sorcery of the Undead King!”

“Expeditiously, erect defensive barriers!”

The sorcerers stationed upon Guardsron’s ramparts released their energies to intercept the Undead King’s bombardment.

Luna likewise swiftly assembled her incantations.

‘Too tardy!’

A monumental incantation launched devoid of any prior indication.

Luna detected the threat later than Kyle, yet her spell reached completion more rapidly than his.

Even so, achieving a flawless defense was already out of reach.

‘Destruction to the ramparts cannot be avoided!’

The moment Luna clenched her teeth in frustration.

Paat-!

A brilliant golden radiance erupted.

Arion, leaping toward the heavens, brandished his blade.

The instant a tempest of golden resonance illuminated the skies.

Kwagagagagagagang-!

Accompanying the golden blade resonance, a monumental detonation reverberated through the land.

In the subsequent eras.

The Undead King’s sorcery was neutralized by a singular strike from a magnificent beastman, who would subsequently be hailed as a legendary figure.

Thud-!

The onlookers ceased breathing, observing Arion descend back to the stone floor.

A commanding resonance emanated from Arion’s form as he straightened himself.

“Kyle! I was terrified!”

Kyle exhaled, looking at Arion, who bounded toward him with weeping features, and offered comfort to his companion, who still retained his youthful innocence.

“How can someone so timid think to sprint into the fray ahead of everyone else?”

Luna remarked, as though deeply impressed.

Observing their interactions, Dwenno spoke aloud.

“Lysinath.”

“Yes.”

“Kyle mentioned that holding the line this time would be difficult. What is your assessment?”

“……”

Lysinath directed a brief look at Kyle, then scanned the environment.

Unnoticed by them, the champions safeguarding Guardsron had assembled around the group of five.

‘Difficult to contain, is it… For Kyle, that represents quite a hopeful perspective.’

Dwenno was fully conscious of that reality as well.

Yet, the motive behind his inquiry remained straightforward.

The utterances of Kyle and Lysinath possessed varying degrees of significance.

Lysinath, who had once been derided as unwise, fulfilled every single one of her assertions, step by step.

Ultimately, she transformed into a beacon of optimism within Guardsron.

Dwenno posed the question because he desired to receive Lysinath’s reassuring fabrication.

“We possess the capability to halt them.”

Lysinath declared.

‘What level of exertion must I expend to transform this fabrication into reality?’

She offered a sorrowful grin internally.

“The forces of the Undead King represent the nucleus of Tartaros.”

Lysinath stepped onto the precipice of the wall and elevated her palm.

Hwaruru-!

The Flame Emperor, capable of purging all corruption, manifested.

“Should we emerge victorious in this clash, the balance of power will shift in our direction.”

She spoke no falsehood.

If they wiped out that nearly limitless battalion of the deceased, they would deal a devastating blow to Tartaros.

The severely offset scales would undoubtedly shift marginally back toward them.

‘Even if the alteration is miniscule.’

However, Lysinath remained indifferent to the scale.

She was prepared to execute any action if this fabrication could instill optimism.

“This domain shall not face annihilation. Therefore, let everyone place their faith in me and march forward.”

“Waaah!”

“The Dragon of Wisdom stands among us!”

“Guardsron shall never shatter!”

“Annihilation to the perfidious Undead King!”

The champions’ fighting spirit escalated dramatically.

They harbored absolute conviction that this date did not mark their conclusion.

Gworeoeoeoeoeoeo-!

The legion of the deceased commenced their onslaught.

A conflict determining the destiny of existence was initiated.

Beastmen and Dwarf combatants positioned themselves at the vanguard.

Elf spellcasters intoned incantations from the rear lines.

The Dragons invoked the presence of the Great Spirits.

A total of five Great Spirits were materialized.

“Elsie.”

Elsie reacted to Kyle’s invocation.

“Provide us with your reinforcement.”

-…As you wish.

Kyle advanced toward the front lines to suppress the legion of the deceased.

The Shadow Spirit simply remained stationary in silence, observing the retreating figure of her master.

-This date marks the conclusion.

“Such an outcome will not transpire.”

-…

Only the Black Dragon and the Great Spirit of Darkness lingered upon the ramparts.

Elsie simply observed Lysinath, who directed a serene grin toward her, with a vacant countenance.

-We lack the capacity to overcome the Undead King.

“On the contrary, triumph is within our reach.”

Lysinath’s gaze gleamed.

Within that sight, Elsie discerned her former self.

There existed an era when her dark eyes gleamed in an identical fashion.

-By what method?

“Because you are present here.”

-Myself?

Upon hearing Lysinath’s statement, Elsie exhibited a rare display of perplexity.

“You represent a unique entity, Elsie. A shadow serves as an alternate version of oneself. Furthermore, there exists no entity within this domain that lacks a shadow.”

-What does that signify?

“You function as a Shadow Spirit, correct? Shadows comprise the domain under your governance.”

-…

“When I initially gained awareness of your being, I desired to forge a pact with you. However, I lacked the capability to remedy your suffering. Only Kyle could serve as your haven.”

The individual capable of amplifying Elsie’s capabilities to their peak was none other than Lysinath.

For Lysinath, being a Black Dragon, and Elsie, being a Spirit of Darkness, would have shared the ultimate affinity above all others.

Nonetheless, Lysinath, who oriented herself toward illumination, represented an uncomfortable entity for Elsie, who was thoroughly permeated by dark forces.

For that reason, Elsie found herself pulled toward Kyle, who contained a dark nature no less profound than her own.

“Therefore, assist Kyle utilizing that capability.”

Lysinath offered a gentle grin.

“You will undoubtedly witness your true capabilities radiating within the dark.”

“What actions are you performing, Alsia!”

Disregarding Istal’s shouting, Alsia remained completely still.

She simply observed Elsie with astonished eyes.

‘What precisely is transpiring?’

Alsia existed as a Fire Spirit and had functioned as a subordinate entity to Istal over an extensive duration.

Consequently, she could perceive the transformations overtaking her form.

-I am…

Alsia, disengaging her grip from Elsie, retreated with a conflicted expression.

Following this, the darkness emanating from Elsie’s form gradually ascended Alsia’s lower limbs.

Flustered-! Alsia, shuddering, attempted to distance herself from Elsie.

Yet, she remained ensnared by the darkness and was rendered incapable of motion.

-Ah…!

Alsia’s gaze became saturated with dread.

Elsie offered a mild grin.

“Banish your fear.”

Whoosh-!

The darkness engulfed Alsia entirely.

Witnessing this occurrence, Istal, alongside the remaining High-Grade Fire Spirits, recoiled.

“Commence the assault!”

Concurrent with Istal’s command, the High-Grade Fire Spirits launched an offensive against Elsie.

Elsie, remaining stationary, smiled and elevated her hand.

Whoosh-!

The darkness inundated the Fire Spirits akin to a massive tidal wave.

In a brief moment, the Fire Spirits were completely engulfed, leaving merely the two Great Spirits within the area.

Istal’s countenance turned rigid.

“What actions have you taken regarding my subordinates?”

“I have welcomed them within my shadow.”

“What is the meaning behind those words?”

“Expressing it through language is difficult. Demonstrating it to you directly would yield a swifter understanding, would it not?”

Elsie smiled and elevated her hand.

At that precise moment.

Hwaruru-!

The High-Grade Fire Spirits, including the previously vanished Alsia, emerged once more from Elsie’s darkness.

The instant Istal witnessed this, her eyes expanded in shock.

‘My authority?’

Her governance over the entities that had resided under her leadership mere moments prior had dissolved.

The High-Grade Fire Spirits likewise cast bewildered glances between Elsie and Istal.

They, too, recognized that their overseer had abruptly shifted.

“What deception have you employed?!”

“This represents my capability of absolute governance. I express regret for claiming your entities. However, you previously attempted to inflict injury upon me, so let us consider the matter settled.”

Elsie’s expression turned frosty.

“Ugh, heed my words! I represent the overseer of you Fire Spirits! I am Istal, the Spirit of Purification! For what reason do you grant obedience to the Great Spirit of Darkness?!”

Istal frantically endeavored to re-establish her authority.

Yet, she simply lacked the capability to shatter Elsie’s absolute governance.

The High-Grade Spirits, having comprehended the state of affairs, exchanged glances.

-I do not entirely grasp the circumstances.

Alsia blinked.

-However, our overseer has transitioned to this individual, correct?

-Such appears to be the case.

A solitary spirit nodded in agreement with Alsia’s deduction.

-Consequently, that signifies we are permitted to strike that self-absorbed spirit who considers only her own interests?

A malicious disposition manifested within the eyes of the volatile High-Grade Fire Spirits.

“Th-This constitutes an insurrection! How do you possess the audacity to strike your overseer?!”

-Obliterate that wretch!

-You are receiving your just deserts on this date!

-At this exact instant! Akin to sorcery! My lifelong aspiration has been realized on this date!

“Kkyaaaak!”

Kwagagagagang-! Hwaruru!

Istal, rendered powerless by Elsie, commenced being assaulted by the incinerating forces of the High-Grade Spirits.

Elsie, witnessing this development, expanded her eyes and placed her hands against her face, remarking with a conflicted tone.

“Oh dear. Everyone. Refrain from being overly severe.”

“Ughhh!”

The agonizing shrieks of Istal, the Spirit of Purification, resonated through the air.