It didn’t take long for the water to flood the conference hall like a tidal wave.
In an instant, I was submerged as the water surged up to my scalp, and I immediately held my breath. However, I soon realized something was off.
“Hmph, hmph…?”
I wasn’t suffocating.
“What the…?”
I could speak just fine too.
Did Erias cast some kind of magic on me beforehand?
Like a spell that lets you breathe underwater or something.
But there was no trace of any magic being used.
Nope.
I couldn’t sense anything at all.
It felt like natural mana flowing peacefully through nature.
Though I could feel the cool temperature, there was no sensation of dampness or moisture.
Is this really water?
With no clear explanation, my confusion lingered briefly.
“Let me tell you in advance.”
Erias’ voice echoed in my mind like a reverberation.
It seemed to be some form of telepathy magic.
“I won’t be able to use magic for a while after breaking the divine artifact. Even if I’m a forgotten deity, a god is still a god.”
Caught off guard by his unexpected statement, I had to make an effort to maintain my poker face.
I don’t know how long “a while” will be, but losing our biggest asset during that time…
Can I defeat both the High Priest and the Archmage on my own even if Earl handles the grunts?
It was a tough question with no immediate answer.
“Don’t worry too much. The High Priest won’t be in good shape either.”
For some reason, his confident tone made me nod.
Given the current situation, I had no choice but to trust Erias’ words.
“We don’t have much time. Leave the rest to me.”
“Yes.”
As I nodded in reply, a massive flow of mana began to surge.
An ominous power gathered in one place, sending chills down my spine.
The focal point was the water bottle.
“The power of the stars versus the power of the forgotten deity. Let’s see which is stronger.”
Erias smiled deeply as a small stream of water shot out from the bottle.
What started as a weak trickle like a slightly turned faucet soon grew into a roaring waterfall…
Gurgle-gurgle-
A disaster movie scene unfolded before my eyes like those from ancient cinema days.
A giant tsunami surged toward the heretics.
At this point, I no longer cared how such a tidal wave could form underwater.
Why bother when a single mage is recreating a natural disaster? Does it really matter?
“You damn slave of the constellations…!”
Before Libido’s distorted face appeared a dark, murky something.
[Transcendent Magic: Mirror Forged from Deep Darkness]
The Handmaiden-clad Archmage extended her hand.
Judging from the flow of mana mixed with demonic energy, it seemed to be her spell.
But even such a spell couldn’t stop a natural disaster.
Creak-crack-
A bone-crushing sound echoed as cracks began to form on the magic barrier.
Still, the Archmage lived up to her title – the tsunami’s speed slowed down.
However, even a child could tell that it would only last for a moment.
“Damn it.”
Facing the irresistible fury of nature, the High Priest had only one option:
To invoke the power of the gods.
Having realized the reality, Libido clenched her lips and raised the goblet glowing with an ominous light as she shouted.
“Oh Goblet of Nix! By the covenant, I demand your power!”
-Woooom…
The Goblet of Nix began to vibrate.
How can the same vibration feel so menacing?
-WOOM!!
As if reading my thoughts, Opheucus let out a loud roar.
It seemed displeased at being compared to such a thing.
“Can’t you do something like this tsunami? We’re both relics, aren’t we?”
-WOOF! WOOOOM! …
In response to my words, Opheucus made a racket as if objecting.
Clearly implying that it’s because I’m not good enough, not its fault – I quickly tuned it out and looked at Erias holding the water bottle.
What’s the difference between him and me?
If I could wield such incredible power…
A clicking sound reached my ears lost in thought.
“Tsk, must offer sacrifices like an old-fashioned deity to borrow power, huh.”
Confused by what he meant, I looked forward to see a disturbing sight.
The surrounding heretics melted into a puddle of blood, getting sucked into the Goblet of Nix.
Disgusted, Earl muttered.
“Ew, what the…”
“Means even a deity renowned in ancient times has fallen to a pitiful existence that can’t survive without human lives now.”
Turning my head at the gentle voice, Pope Alberto was smiling.
A smile much more weary than before.
Had he overexerted himself?
Seeming to notice my worried gaze, Alberto patted my shoulder and said.
“Don’t worry. I’m not dying yet. Thanks to the Infantry Palace, I could withdraw the sanctuary too.”
“Even if I revive you, all I can give is medicine.”
“Ho ho, that alone would be an honor.”
“Don’t talk. This is a crucial moment.”
Clang!
As the sound of breaking glass rang out, the tsunami engulfed the High Priest.
Wooow-
An ear-piercing, unsettling noise spread.
The blood from the melted heretics had filled the Goblet of Nix.
“Don’t underestimate the power of the gods.”
As Libido whispered with a triumphant smile, thick darkness exploded.
My inflicted wounds had disappeared somewhere along the way.
“Foolish power of the constellations is destined to be consumed by darkness.”
Lost in the intoxication of divine power, Libido released streams of demonic energy with a dazed look.
The mixture of darkness and demonic energy created an indescribable black light.
A light that evoked primal human fear.
The tsunami created by Erias was blocked by this light, unable to advance further.
Neither pushing back nor retreating, it was a deadlock of power.
“Do you think encountering you is the only mark of a god I’ve faced during my long life?”
However, when Erias sneered at Libido –
!!!
The balance of power began to waver.
“Eh, how…!”
As the intensified tsunami tried to engulf the pitch-black light, Libido’s smile faltered.
“Power ultimately differs depending on who wields it.”
Conversely, Erias’ smile deepened.
“Just because you obtained some outdated power doesn’t make you a god.”
As the darkness disappeared, the disaster struck.
“AAAGH-!”
Shattering screams echoed as the Goblet of Nix trembled unstably, its contents dripping out.
The drops of blood flowing down Libido’s delicate wrist fell to the floor.
Drip.
“Know your place, ignorant one.”
With those cold words, the tsunami split into three directions.
It resembled the trident of a sea god.
SQUEEAK!
The Goblet of Nix shattered upon colliding with the disaster.
In the sudden silence that followed, Pope Alberto’s gentle voice resonated.
“The darkness is retreating.”
Indeed, the darkness that had enclosed the conference room began to dissipate.
The ancient legacy left behind by the gods couldn’t withstand the calamity created by humans.
***
After a brief storm of blood,
Numerous corpses covered the meadow where those standing and kneeling remained.
Of course, those kneeling were the surrendered troops of the Arion Kingdom.
“Well, we should be thankful it’s less than expected…”
A composed-looking youth exhaled softly.
Dressed similarly to other Guardian Knights, at his feet stood men significantly taller than the boy, about three of them.
They were unfortunate ones who failed to complete the mission assigned by the boy after the Deputy Captain of the Arion Kingdom’s Wave Knight Brigade perished, leading the kingdom’s army to surrender.
“Sorry…!”
Supporting the green meadow with their heavy heads, the Guardian Knights pleaded for forgiveness with strained voices.
This posture was known as “head pressing” in Allen’s previous life for its cruel reputation.
“Are you tired?”
“No sir!”
Responding to their knight captain’s question like the sky, the Guardian Knights hastily cried out.
“Why are you apologizing then?”
“…”
Though understandably aggrieved, they dared not open their mouths.
After all, failing to follow orders was an undeniable fact.
“We’ll be busy when we return. With three of you, let’s have you kneel for about three hours.”
“Thank you…!”
The Guardian Knights couldn’t help but shout through their tears.
“To endure such a position for over ten minutes…!”
“Truly impressive. These are the Imperial Guardian Knights. Terrifying people indeed…”
Witnessing the overwhelming might of the Guardian Knights subdued by the small-statured man, soldiers from the allied nations gawked.
Thanks to this one person, the situation reversed just when immediate surrender seemed necessary…
Soldiers who fought alongside couldn’t believe this reality.
“That… Should we express gratitude since we survived thanks to him?”
“Because of that posture?”
“But isn’t it proper etiquette? We saved our lives and maintained our dignity thanks to him.”
“That’s true… Then, who?”
“…”
An awkward atmosphere flowed until –
“Ahem!”
The man who lost at rock-paper-scissors coughed and approached the boy.
A member of the Royal Guard from the Iron Nation, the Imper Kingdom.
“Hm? What is it?”
“It’s just that…”
Though the boy barely reached his chest, the man hesitated to speak.
Despite his diminutive voice, an enormous presence emanated from the boy.
Particularly after witnessing him slice through the Arion Kingdom’s Knight Brigade Captain right before their eyes.
“Thank you for saving us. We are grateful for the favor of the Guardian Knight Captain.”
Summoning his courage, the man bowed in gratitude as the boy waved his hand in response.
“Not at all. On the contrary, I apologize. If I had made the decision faster, perhaps more could have been saved.”
“Ahh, no sir. You had important tasks. It’s fortunate that some survived.”
Honestly, such thoughts weren’t entirely absent, but questioning a Master required courage the man lacked.
That would be recklessness, not courage.
“Your understanding is appreciated.”
The boy nodded calmly, sensing his thoughts.
More lenient than expected, the man cautiously asked.
“Then… What should we do now?”
“We must wait. You can’t abandon the king trapped inside, can you?”
“That’s true, but…”
Looking at the swirling darkness surrounding the conference room, the man wore a frightened expression.
The undulating darkness invoked terror merely by sight.
Thud!
“Hey!”
The boy, who struck the ground with his scabbard to steady the man’s wavering spirit, spoke.
“Don’t worry. It’ll end soon.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because there are people inside even scarier than me.”
“Y-yes…?”
Glug!
Unable to believe the statement, the man reflexively swallowed hard.
Could there really be someone more terrifying than him who displayed such overwhelming power?
Impossible to imagine.
Especially since he only knew Masters by hearsay – he was an ordinary man after all.
“Hmm…”
Struggling to find words to explain, the boy turned his head at a familiar presence.
Following his gaze, the man saw it.
The fluttering darkness resembling ashes left from burning flames.
“Didn’t I say?”
Watching the darkness enclosing the conference room disappear, the boy chuckled lightly and concluded.
“It’ll end soon.”
