NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 38
Chapter 38
—–CROW—–
Dangerous. This was on a completely different level than before. The [Hades King] was no longer calculating gains and losses; he was trying to crush us with all his might.
『Foolish mortals who know not your place.』
The [Hades King] addressed each of us, his demeanor completely changed. He no longer underestimated us; he was wary of everyone.
『I commend your pathetic struggle and will graciously inform you of the victory condition.』
He sneered, but his wariness remained. The [Hades King] was trying to forcefully shift the flow of battle in his favor. There was no need to play into his hands. Although, there probably wasn’t any other choice…
『Is there anyone among you with the courage to step towards death?』
The condition the [Hades King] offered was impossible to refuse. The demonic energy that had been encroaching on the surroundings, clashing with Arieta’s domain, suddenly surged explosively. Demonic energy, which should have been the antithesis of divine power, was dyeing the world with the colors of the
“Ugh!”
Marie groaned. Even she, a native of the
『I know your kind well.』
“What…?”
『Will you stand by and watch? Or will you rush towards the flames like moths drawn to a fire?』
A simple but effective provocation. The [Hades King] had seen through our objective, or rather, Eleanor’s nature.
“Of course…!”
“Alexios, stop her.”
*Thud!*
“Ugh…”
Alexios knocked Eleanor unconscious before I could even finish my sentence. He was surprisingly obedient. It was unsettling because he hadn’t shown even a hint of doubt.
“What? Got a problem?”
Alexios, seemingly noticing my bewilderment, spoke provocatively.
“No, just surprised by how fast you acted.”
“She was already done for. She was just forcing herself to keep going.”
“I see…”
Judging by Alexios’s words, he had intended to knock Eleanor unconscious from the beginning. As a fellow warrior, he must have known something I didn’t.
“What are you going to do now? Is this also part of your plan?”
Even as we chatted, the [Hades King]’s key continued to distort the world.
“Does it look like it…?”
This plan had two objectives. The first was to prevent the [Hades King] from discovering Tia’s secret, and the other was to rescue Marie.
“It’s gone sideways.”
It was always like this whenever I made a plan. I could never achieve a perfect victory. Even when I subdued Gerard, his death ultimately directed suspicion towards me. When I defeated Alexios, I ended up depleting all the magic stacks I had painstakingly prepared. Nothing ever went right. Was it Oz’s luck, or were my plans simply flawed?
“So? Do we just go back and call the Headmaster? There’s no way we can stop this.”
“No…”
But one thing was certain.
“…We have to try.”
『So, you’ve chosen to be moths?』
“Shut up. Your improvised plan is full of holes.”
No matter the outcome, no matter how it ended, if I made the plan, I was responsible for it.
“Arieta.”
“Yes, Oz.”
“Can you do it?”
“…I’ll try.”
Arieta started singing again. The wings sprouting from her back trembled unsteadily, and her voice sounded strained. But she was the Saintess of Hope, so she wouldn’t sing of despair. She was in a position where she couldn’t give up, even when everyone else did. Arieta’s divine spell began to push back the demonic energy once more. But even that had its limits. A space of about 10 meters around Marie. The [Hades King]’s demonic energy still swirled within, unyielding. This was Arieta’s best.
“I’ll break the lock.”
So, all I could do was seize the opportunity she created. I had to break the lock connecting the [Hades King] and Marie. Only I, with [Observation], could perform the delicate task of destroying the key without harming Marie.
“Marie.”
I stepped into the space where the terrifying demonic energy swirled. The [Hades King] didn’t stop me. He simply sneered, as if he wanted to see what I would do. His arrogance was annoying, but I wasn’t foolish enough to throw away this opportunity.
“Marie Sistus.”
I called Marie’s name again, her head bowed as she endured the pain.
“Why…? Why you?”
“Disappointed it’s not Noah?”
“No!”
Marie shouted as if having a seizure. Tears welled up in her eyes, whether from pain or something else.
“You didn’t have to do this for me…”
“You said we were friends.”
“But we only exchanged greetings.”
It stung a little, but she wasn’t wrong. We were closer to acquaintances than friends.
“That’s enough.”
“No… No matter how I think about it, that’s not a reason to risk your life.”
Well, I had expected Marie to say something like this. It was a perfectly objective assessment. In the short time I knew her, Marie was someone who valued relationships. When Eleanor came running, she only expressed refusal, not questioning. The reason was obvious. Putting herself in Eleanor’s shoes, she would have made the same choice. That’s why, while trying to stop Noah, she didn’t deny her decision.
“Then just think of it as me being a good person.”
“Lies…”
“That bastard’s lying again.”
“…Just shut up, Alexios. Don’t ruin the mood.”
Did you really have to say that now?
“Alright, if you don’t like that, how about this?”
The time I spent interacting with Marie was indeed short. But even in a short time, there were things one could learn.
“I haven’t heard your reply to my greeting yet.”
She valued relationships more than anything. That’s why, instead of painstakingly building the title of “friend,” I decided to make a promise.
“Remember you promised to reply to my greeting?”
“…I remember.”
My promise to hear her reply. I hadn’t heard it yet. For now, that was enough.
“Then think about it now. I’ll tell you beforehand, I don’t intend to hear your answer until this is over, so keep that in mind.”
“Don’t…”
“I’ll ask you again after I drive this bastard away.”
“Don’t risk your life for something like that…”
Marie lowered her head and cowered. She was trembling, as if terrified.
“Something like that?”
Unfortunately, it seemed Marie still didn’t know me well. It was a shame, considering she must have been gathering information on my behalf under the [Hades King]’s orders.
“Sorry, but that’s not ‘something like that’ to me.”
Rumors about me had already spread throughout Scientia. If she had looked into me, the subject of those rumors, she would have known better than to say that. This was clearly Marie’s misjudgment.
“I have a nasty personality, and I can’t stand not getting what I’m owed.”
Yes, that was how I was perceived. Arrogant and aristocratic.
[Erosion Blade 40%]
Just like Oz in the game.
“So, just think about the answer you’ll give me.”
Marie stared at me with a dumbfounded expression. She seemed to want to say something, but I wasn’t interested in listening. Like Oz, I said my piece and stepped into the space swirling with demonic energy.
“Ugh…!”
The invading demonic energy felt like it was tearing every single blood vessel in my body. But I could endure it. By circulating mana through my body, I could push back the erosion to some extent. I still couldn’t properly use high-level magic, but there was no penalty on my mana manipulation abilities. Yes, I had the talent befitting the [Successor of the Mage King].
“You better have a good answer ready.”
Marie quietly looked up at me. Tears welled up in her eyes.
“Because that will be the only thing binding you to me after this is over.”
“Okay…”
Marie gave her answer, hesitant but firm. Well, who would want to die? She must have wanted to live. Now, only about 5 meters remained. I was already halfway there.
“Phew…”
And I was starting to reach my limit. Naturally, the closer I got to the lock, the stronger and denser the [Hades King]’s demonic energy became.
『Why don’t you retreat now? I won’t pursue you if you surrender and admit defeat.』
“Shut up.”
『Can you even approach? It must be hard to even endure, right? How long do you think you can last?』
The offer to escape sounded incredibly tempting. The further I went, the more despairing it became.
『Is it not enough?』
“Shut up…”
I spat out the words, but I couldn’t deny the [Hades King]’s words. It wasn’t enough. Even with Arieta’s divine power and my mana manipulation, it was difficult to go any further.
“Phew…”
Dangerous. I couldn’t stop, but my feet refused to move forward.
『Are you finally afraid of death?』
I didn’t even have the energy to reply. I simply broke out in a cold sweat, feeling the approaching presence of death. This was the first time I had felt death so vividly. Even when chased by assassins, I had been able to maintain my composure. When fighting Gerard, I knew he wouldn’t kill me because he was a professor. Even when facing Alexios’s rage head-on, I hadn’t worried about dying. But now it was different. Trying to focus only amplified my fear.
“Ugh…”
The more calmly I thought, the clearer the form of death became, making me want to vomit.
“Y-You should stop. Father was right. It’s not too late…”
Seeing me suffer, Marie’s expression twisted as she tried to persuade me again.
“Marie, don’t worry. Just remember two things.”
Don’t weaken my resolve too.
“Your reply to my greeting and what you want to do after this.”
“…”
“Just think about those two things for now.”
“Okay…”
I could feel my fingertips trembling. And with each tremor, I realized how much time I was losing.
『How long do you think the Saintess can hold on?』
“…”
The [Hades King]’s words were cunning. As if seeing through my thoughts, they twisted my mind.
『Your pain-stricken expression is quite amusing.』
Was I frowning? Then what kind of expressions were the others making as they watched me? I didn’t know what kind of expressions Arieta, Alexios, and Lucia were making. I didn’t even have time to check Marie’s expression, who was right in front of me.
“…Well, even when I frown, I’m still handsome.”
All I could do against the [Hades King] now was taunt him. I focused all my nerves.
『This is your last chance. You can save your life if you retreat now.』
Ignoring the [Hades King]’s words, I concentrated. I had to move forward.
“Ugh…?!”
My focused mind, holding even my breath, crumbled the moment I took a step forward. Just one step. It should have been just one step. Yet, it felt different from the space I had been standing in just a moment ago. No, it didn’t just *feel* different, it *was* clearly different.
『Didn’t I tell you? I use any means necessary.』
The [Hades King] hadn’t stopped me. But it wasn’t out of arrogance. He had used it to buy time. The [Hades King]’s avatar surrounding Marie was already an empty shell.
“Impossible…”
The avatar’s mouth opened like a marionette with its strings cut, and a completely different scene unfolded within. The gate connected to the
[KP Hades King]
Thanatos
“What are your impressions of seeing the Master of Death in person?”
The [Hades King] had invaded, bearing all the risks of stepping into the [Dragon Emperor]’s territory.
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