The massive body slammed into the ground, shattering rocks and the earth’s foundation. The artist struggled to regain control, golden magic swirling chaotically, but the executor seized the opportunity and grabbed the artist by the neck, hurling them into the sky.
Long ago, the volcano had lost its original form, transformed into a battleground for two Great Worms. Lava spewed from the wounds they inflicted on the earth, and where their magics clashed, new hills emerged where none had stood before.
Once again, the artist was slammed into the ground, creating yet another scar in the earth, though the artist remained unscathed. The executor judged that at this rate, there would be no end in sight.
The executor’s actions were swift. Regardless of what the artist might do next, he ignored it all and concentrated metal and magic near his heart.
Seeing no sign of the breath attack ceasing despite repeated assaults, the artist channeled magic through their horn, gathering all nearby earth and crystal to create five layers of shields.
But the shields offered little help. The executor unleashed a measured breath attack that pierced through every shield, magic barrier, and armor alike.
The local villagers had long since fled their homes to hide in caves deep in the mountains, so none witnessed the white beam cleaving the sky.
It took only one breath attack to end the prolonged battle. The executor mercilessly crushed the defeated artist’s head with his forelimb.
“If your purpose was to expand your nest, I wouldn’t have interfered. But displaying your work outdoors is not something Gaia would approve of. You could’ve at least spoken about it.”
Though the executor initiated the fight, he had valid reasons. He bore the responsibility of managing her subjects on behalf of his superior, who held no influence over the earthly realm.
“Decades ago, I already crushed you to bits, and here you are repeating the same mistake within such a short time.”
Kalpira wiped his face with a forelimb as he looked down at the artist, whose waist now bore a gaping hole. The artist transformed into human form, sneering.
“…You, stuck-up and rigid, couldn’t possibly understand the joy of betrayal. Or can you? Given that you hid your daughter from Gaia, I doubt you could’ve been unaware.”
Even as he gasped for air under the massive forelimb, the artist mocked Kalpira in human form. Though the artist’s behavior deeply irritated Kalpira, he lacked the authority to kill him, so he too shifted into human form.
Though the action changed from pressing with a forelimb to stepping on the wound with a foot, the result was essentially the same.
“I don’t have the authority to kill you, but Gaia has granted me the power to ‘correct’ you. Don’t make me use it, artist.”
“…Does it sting? It should. Come to think of it, it’s strange, isn’t it? An executor like you wouldn’t miss just some mongrel. When you went to kill that witch back then, there’s no way you didn’t know… You sent me because you didn’t want to crush your own daughter yourself…!”
The artist’s mockery ended when Kalpira shoved a boulder into his wound. Like roots penetrating the earth, the rock burrowed into the artist’s injury, an agony no dragon could endure.
“This might be a good time to find a successor to take your place. Someone more obedient than you. What do you think?”
“…Would you put your own daughter in my seat? Too bad, she calls me father. If you’d wanted to play father, it’s too late now… Haha…”
“Since the punishment is over… Let me ask you as a friend, artist. Where did Alterra go?”
The artist seemed to attempt speech, extending a middle finger instead. Kalpira understood instinctively that the artist had no intention of providing information.
Kicking off the offending hand and severing it, Kalpira sighed and turned away. Knowing full well that the artist, having made up his mind, would never speak even if it cost him his life.
Kalpira left. After all, the artist’s injuries, given a month’s rest, would heal quickly. What troubled Kalpira wasn’t the artist’s condition but where he should go next.
And how he should handle meeting his daughter. Although Kalpira hadn’t shown it, the artist’s assumption was correct—he had deliberately spared Alterra.
There was no grand reason for sparing her. She was his kin, and he felt pity, so he closed his eyes and pretended not to notice when he found her among the bushes after destroying the forbidden existence at the witch’s cottage.
The witch must have placed enchantments on the necklace to prepare for future events, but with Kalpira’s extensive detection methods beyond mere magic, it mattered little.
Ordinarily, any being disrupting Gaia’s rules should have been punished. That was why Kalpira sought Alterra.
However, if she showed willingness to follow Gaia’s rules…
Perhaps, then, he wouldn’t need to soil his hands with the blood of his kin. Despite her immaturity, she had inherited much from him, and with sufficient effort, he could train her into an executor nearly as capable as himself.
At least, that’s what Kalpira believed.
If only that accursed witch hadn’t interfered, this situation wouldn’t have arisen. Recalling the face of the witch he tore apart that day, Kalpira rode the waves of the earth and departed.
Until now, Kalpira had harbored faint hope for Alterra despite chasing her trail.
—
…Is someone talking about me? My ears itch, but I can’t scratch them because I’m wearing a helmet, so I absentmindedly scratched near my ear with a gauntlet. It doesn’t really help, but it feels like it does.
“…Are you nervous?”
Judging from his tone, Myungho seems to think I’m nervous. You’re the one who’s gripping your hands tightly and shaking your legs constantly.
“I only get nervous when entering water. Besides, we’ve prepared for that strange phenomenon already. Why would I be nervous?”
…Actually, if that magnet reappears, I’ll be nervous, but since it’s already broken and quite visible from afar, it’s not that scary.
I just run away as soon as I see it. I adjusted the engraved runes on my armor. Akashi carved them for me, and they’re definitely effective.
Something about temporarily overlaying another world… folding space or something. There was a lot of complicated talk, but I understood very little of it.
The duration is short, and since it drains mana from my armor, it will significantly reduce its durability.
“…The bow is ready. Alterra, feel free to charge out whenever you’re ready. I’ll cover your back, making sure nothing like last time happens.”
“Can we stop talking about that…?”
I don’t even want to remember it. Overgravity was terrifying enough.
“Nope. I enjoy seeing you tremble in fear.”
You brat. Though Yuna couldn’t see it behind my armor, I smirked. You’re going straight into Akashi’s room until we settle our score.
When we’re done, you’re not coming out.
After finishing those nasty thoughts and mentally preparing, I told Myungho I’d be back shortly. We’re heading to the front lines again, almost for the fifth day.
…About four days until the next laying. I can already feel a heavy presence in my belly. Whether I can finish this before then, I don’t know, but let’s try.
Before leaping out of the trench, I flowed mana into my cloak to activate invisibility and sprinted while it lasted.
I was spotted not long after due to the dust, but I’m satisfied knowing I reduced the enemy’s reaction time. As the concealment faded, a barrage of bullets greeted me.
“Black… Demon! Summon reinforcements! Damn it, they’ve been quiet until now, why now…!”
Perhaps because it’s thicker and stronger this time, walking through it feels like moving through a heavy rainstorm. I can feel impacts, but they don’t hurt.
Smirking, I gripped my holy sword with both hands and charged forward. All the mines, barbed wire, bullets, stakes—none of these obstacles mean anything to me.
In a flash, I reached the moat, and the oppressive sensation from before returned, weighing down my entire body. For a moment, I wavered and fell under the intense gravity that halted my blood flow.
Fortunately, it’s not an acidic swamp. Thank goodness it’s this guy.
“…Dimensional distortion.”
Without struggling to stand, I activated the spell inscribed on my armor. Magic was drained rapidly, like releasing a breath attack, but the oppressive weight vanished instantly.
Ah, so this is what it feels like. Rising to my feet, I saw shock on the faces of the demons and enemies watching me.
Their expressions asked, “How is he standing?” But they wouldn’t understand even if I explained, and with my helmet on, smiling would be pointless, so I focused on my task.
The duration is supposed to be 30 seconds, right? Too short.
Still, it was enough time to accomplish my goal. Retreating slightly to gain distance, I charged and leapt over the moat with all my strength.
“…Ah.”
Savoring the brief sensation of floating, I landed right in front of their trench.
