Chapter 156

Chapter 156

The sudden intrusion of Nahun caused the Spirit Kings to look around, trying to understand the situation. Eia calmly observed, but she too was equally flustered.

‘That man…’

It was a face she felt she had seen somewhere before, a face that evoked a sense of familiarity. Other Spirit Kings also wore puzzled expressions, likely feeling the same.

In the end, unable to recall, Eia thought with regret.

‘If only Noah were here, he would have recognized him.’

The current Spirit Kings had undergone a generational shift. With the exception of Noah, the Earth Spirit King, all of them were newly ascended. If Noah, who had been on the throne for a long time, were present, he would have certainly known, but he just had to be absent.

The Fire Spirit King, Phoenix, spoke with a puzzled voice.

“Who the hell is that?”

“And what about those things that appeared behind him… they seem dangerous.”

“Isn’t that a Massu?”

Massu. The moment she heard that word, Eia’s eyes widened. Three Massu that looked far from ordinary. And the extraordinary magic that had instantly trapped not only the Spirit Kings but also that powerful Demon King.

“…No way.”

“What’s wrong?”

“That man….”

Before Eia could formulate her thoughts, Nahun spoke first.

“There’s no time. The magic will last less than thirty minutes.”

Nahun crushed the space beside him and drew out his magic sword.

“Let’s begin.”

Amon, observing the distortion of space, squinted his eyes.

“Manipulating space with magic? Who the hell are you?”

“I have no obligation to tell you, and…”

Nahun glared at Amon.

“There’s no point in telling the truth to someone who’s going to d*e anyway.”

“What an arrogant thing to say.”

Amon shot back at him.

“How dare you betray the Demon King and speak so proudly?”

“Betrayal?… Hmph.”

Amon narrowed his brows at that moment. Nahun had openly mocked his words. Just as Amon was about to ask what was funny, Nahun revealed the truth to the Demon King, who still seemed to be grasping the situation.

“Does the term betrayal suit me, or would ‘used’ be more accurate?”

“What did you say?”

With those words, Nahun moved towards the Spirit Kings. To everyone’s astonishment, large black wings spread from his back.

Amon couldn’t help but widen his eyes in shock.

“Wait, that’s…?”

While Amon was astonished, Nahun swiftly kicked off the ground, targeting the weakest Water Spirit King, Naiad.

“Naiad!”

“W-When did…!”

Eia, who was quite exceptional among the Spirit Kings, reacted and moved in advance, but there was someone—or something—blocking her support.

“Muuuhhhh!!!”

Behemoth slammed down its massive forefoot, blocking Eia’s path entirely, forcing her to halt and face Behemoth.

「Glacier Lance」

Eia summoned a huge spear that would typically be used by mid-tier warriors and swiftly and powerfully thrust it toward Behemoth’s leg.

However, Behemoth exhaled as if annoyed by such an attack, swinging its enormous tusks back in retaliation.

“…That’s sturdy.”

Eia glanced behind Behemoth.

“!”

Naiad’s chest was already pierced by a gigantic black sword. Nahun had finished her off in one strike and was withdrawing his sword, while Eia screamed in anger.

“I won’t forgive you!!!”

Putting aside her friendship with Naiad, the mere act of killing a fellow Spirit King was the problem. However, Nahun didn’t even spare a glance at Eia’s shouting and set his sights on the next Spirit King.

With Naiad ambushed, the remaining four Spirit Kings naturally chose to fight together rather than separately. The elemental attacks of the spirits would decrease in power if opposing attributes combined, but if combined wisely, their strength could increase.

Especially attributes that were beneficial to each other, like Lightning and Light. The Lightning Spirit King, Lione, unleashed a powerful lightning strike, while the Light Spirit King, Ignis, infused his power into that lightning. They utilized the synergy of light moving alongside lightning.

Ka-BOOM!!!

It was an extremely powerful attack since it combined the strengths of Lione and Ignis. However…

“If you thought you could do something with such power…”

Nahun effortlessly deflected the combined attack with his magic and, leveraging his superior physical abilities, approached them in an instant.

“You’re greatly mistaken.”

Swish───!

Nahun’s magic sword, swung wildly, sliced through Lione and Ignis. The large wounds on both spirits’ bodies bled profusely.

“Cough…!”

“How can you be… faster than me…?”

The two Spirit Kings collapsed weakly. Amon, witnessing Nahun dispatch three Spirit Kings in an instant, wore a shocked expression.

But for only a moment, Amon soon flashed a grin.

#

As the Spirit Kings began to fall helplessly, Eia ignored Behemoth and attempted to get past it. She tried to slip under its feet to escape the obstruction.

However, this time a gigantic whale appeared, mouth agape, right in front of Eia, forcing her to retreat once more and completely preventing her from approaching Nahun.

“…The End’s Massu!”

Having recalled the true nature of the Massus and Nahun, Eia clenched her teeth. If she didn’t help…

‘…Everyone will d*e.’

Eia revealed her full strength without holding back. If the powers used by demons and Demon Kings were called magic, and those used by angels and Valkyries were termed divine power, then the powers of spirits and fairies were referred to as ‘spiritual power.’

Eia was the Spirit King with the most formidable spiritual power in this generation. That power could even astonish Noah, who had previously been the strongest Spirit King.

“…Step aside.”

Despite her low warning, the two End Massus showed no signs of retreating. Eia then drew forth as much spiritual power as she could at once.

「Niflheim」

The powerful and vast spiritual power became a chilling cold that froze everything to its bones. Just like when she battled Jepar, the surroundings began to freeze.

The freezing air spread everywhere. Behemoth and Leviathan staggered back slightly, clearly taken aback by the powerful cold.

However, as two even larger Massus soared forward, the two Massus no longer retreated. The aerial Massus, Gize, bore flames of great intensity in its beak.

Whoosh!!!

The breath, containing powerful flames, halted Eia’s cold. It wasn’t just cold; since it was the power of spiritual energy, if the breath lacked magic power, it would naturally falter against its affinity.

However, Gize’s breath showed no signs of being overpowered at all. Rather, it began to invade the space that Eia had started to dominate with her cold, melting it in reverse.

Eia, seeing her spiritual power being obstructed, felt panic set in.

“Leviathan, Behemoth. Deal with those Spirit Kings over there.”

Nahun had returned, aiming to face Eia. Eia quickly turned her head and saw the already cold corpses of the Spirit Kings.

No matter how much weaker they were compared to Eia or Noah—or even Minerva, who was also absent—they were still regarded as crucial forces in the Heavens.

Yet these Spirit Kings had been taken down, not just one, but five, in the blink of an eye. Eia bit her lip and spoke.

“Just when… did the Great Demon join the fray…!”

“…You recognize me?”

Nahun let out a slight sigh. Unlike the Demon World, which had the Great Demon as an ally, it seemed that the Heavens, where they regarded the Great Demon as an enemy, had become more aware of him.

He had separated the space for the time being, and since he intended to k*ll them all anyway, Nahun had no thought of hiding himself. The reason for his sigh was that if the Spirit Kings recognized him, there would likely be many who would recognize him in the future as well.

“This is going to be troublesome.”

“It would be strange for you not to be recognized, being the symbol of violence.”

Nahun chuckled.

“Is that so? Then…”

Before long, the Massus returned, having devoured all the bodies of the Spirit Kings. They happily howled with full bellies filled with the once-powerful Spirit Kings. Nahun smiled as he listened to their cries.

“You’ll have to deal with anyone who recognizes me.”

However, how that joyous howl would sound to Eia was something that was easy to imagine without needing to think too much. The gaze of the Great Demon, intending to k*ll her, focused on her.

Faced with such a situation, Eia recalled a feeling she had long forgotten.

Fear.

The fear of something absolute and overwhelming.

“Ha… haha…”

Eia let out a hollow laugh. She was the strongest Spirit King and recognized as a force comparable to high-ranking Archangels in the Heavens. Because of her status…

“Am I really going to succumb to mere violence? Is this what fear looks like?”

She couldn’t accept it. She drew out all her spiritual power. Nahun, witnessing this, let out an appreciative exclamation.

“Impressive.”

“Don’t be so arrogant, Great Demon!!”

「Absolute Zero」

The most powerful ability and technique Eia possessed. True to its name, ‘Absolute Zero,’ this technique froze even the air around it, extinguishing the energy of any life force that touched its chill.

No matter how powerful the Massus or the Great Demon were, they could not escape this cold. Even the mightiest Archangels had warned Eia against using this technique.

So, if this technique activated properly, it could deal significant damage to Nahun and the Massus.

“Cough…!”

But unfortunately, that did not happen.

“…”

Nahun gazed behind Eia. She suddenly collapsed, coughing up bl**d without any apparent cause. A spearhead had protruded from her chest. Thus, Nahun was not looking at Eia from the start but at what was behind her.

“Oh, my apologies.”

The one who stabbed Eia from behind was none other than Amon, who had quietly observed the battle. He raised the spear in his hand and said.

“I couldn’t wait any longer.”

When Amon pulled the spear out, Eia fell helplessly forward, struggling to breathe, bleeding profusely without being able to utter a word. Her trembling eyes turned to look at Amon, who had stabbed her.

As if asking why he had stabbed her. After all, wasn’t he also someone who wished to k*ll her? It seemed to convey that sentiment. Amon noticed her gaze and grinned as he replied.

“Why look at me like that in confusion? I simply couldn’t wait my turn… so I cut in line. Is that so hard to understand?”

Amon mocked Eia.

“Is it really that hard to accept your impending d*ath?”

“…”

Eia’s inability to perceive Amon’s ambush wasn’t solely because her attention was on Nahun. Amon had simply executed his move with such precision.

With perfect stealth, he approached quietly. Eia, having relaxed her guard just a little, had failed to notice him.

‘…This is defeat.’

Eia slowly closed her eyes. It took no time for her eyes to shut once they had been pierced in a vital spot.

Nahun observed the lifeless Eia for a moment before turning to Amon. Amon wore a pleased smile and said to Nahun.

“Now, let us fight together, Great One.”

His manner of speaking had changed; the respect was evident since he now recognized Nahun as a Great Demon. However, Nahun paid no mind to Amon’s respectful tone and gazed at the deceased Eia with disappointment.

“I found it somewhat intriguing.”

“What do you mean?”

“You interrupted my enjoyable battle.”

Nahun looked at Amon with cold eyes.

“Thanks to you, my interest has waned.”

“…If that’s the problem, it’s simple.”

Amon aimed his large spear at Nahun.

“You just have to fight me for fun. Isn’t that right?”

“You interfered with my fight; why should I have any reason to engage in an enjoyable battle with you?”

“You’re refusing to fight me?”

“Didn’t I say from the beginning that you should d*e here?”

At Nahun’s words, Amon chuckled. Ultimately, it meant he was going to fight him. Amon smiled satisfyingly and said.

“Then let’s fight. What else can be done?”

“You’re a foolish one for misunderstanding my words.”

At that moment, Nahun’s gaze turned icy. A chill ran down Amon’s spine, causing him to lose his composure briefly. However, that bewilderment quickly transformed into fighting spirit, and Amon began to anticipate the battle with Nahun even more.

But just when that was about to happen, Nahun shocked Amon with his next words.

“Do you think there’s no way for me to k*ll you without directly fighting you?”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“Since you’ve spoiled my interest, I have to repay you in kind.”

Nahun’s golden eyes shone coldly.

“I’ll k*ll you in the most boring way possible.”

#

“Haah…”

Seere, who had started to loiter outside Heidelbear Castle, sighed as if she were bored. With the task of assaulting the castle with fewer than 500 dead soldiers, she had little choice but to wait for the humans to exhaust their supplies and come out on their own.

“I miss my teacher…”

If only Nahun were there, it would have at least made the time spent more enjoyable; she felt regret for that. While she idly watched, hoping the humans couldn’t hold out and would throw open the castle doors, her eyes widened.

“Huh? That’s….”

“What’s wrong, Your Majesty?”

“That white flag over there on the castle wall?”

“What?”

Lin, who had been nearby, turned to look at the wall with Seere. She too could see the white flag hanging on the castle wall.

A white flag universally represented ‘surrender.’ This had significance even in the Demon World, which was why both Seere and Lin were shocked.

“Uh… why are they surrendering already?”

They had recently finished capturing the supply base, so there should still be plenty of supplies left inside the castle. Therefore, there was no reason for them to surrender so soon.

“Something feels off.”

Despite being in a situation she had longed for, Seere calmly spoke without excitement, causing Ersha, who was standing guard in Nahun’s stead, to smile faintly.

“There are indeed several suspicious circumstances. While raising a white flag does indicate a willingness to surrender, there are those among the humans who ignore even that principle.”

“…Pretending to surrender while harboring other plans?”

“Yes.”

“Haah, those humans…”

Seere relayed her orders to Lin.

“Tell the entire army to remain on standby without any reaction.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

Lin departed to relay Seere’s orders. Seere returned to stare blankly at the castle wall with a bored expression.

“Your Majesty?”

“Huh?”

To alleviate the boredom of the young Demon King, Ersha decided to share a somewhat amusing topic.

“Do you love Nahun, Your Majesty?”

Seere’s eyes widened, and then she shot a wary look at Ersha.

“…Of course.”

“Oh dear, you don’t need to be so cautious. The reason the girl helps Nahun is because their interests align, not because she hopes for a romantic relationship or anything else.”

“Then why bring that up all of a sudden?”

Ersha smiled gently.

“I thought I might offer some advice.”

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