Chapter 296

296

Grrrrrrrrr!

Gias roared into the air.

As he did, a massive portal to the space opened, revealing knights and wizards clad in black armor and robes.

Airan flinched, her shoulders trembling.

“What, what is this? They don’t look like demons at all!”

“Betrayers.”

Berkiya glared and drew her sword.

“Those who have allied with Tartarus to survive.”

Airan and the party members all held their breath.

In the future, they would come to be known as ‘Hero Hunters.’

Under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t have to fight against those who conspired with Tartarus and betrayed the world, like Hero Hunters…

The party members were unaware of the pressure they felt having to slay their own kin who looked just like them.

“What should we do?”

Aron asked Dwenno while watching Gias eyeing Guardstron from a distance.

Dwenno fell into thought at Aron’s question.

“It would be best to take him down before he begins a proper invasion of Guardstron…”

Dwenno narrowed his eyes.

“If that happens, the defenses of Guardstron will become weak. As soon as either you or I leave Guardstron to take him down, his legion might strike here, which would cause trouble all around.”

The endless onslaught of the Legion Commander’s army was a symbol of despair.

Furthermore, unlike other Legion Commanders who had exhausted their forces by participating in numerous major wars, Gias’s legion had rarely engaged in warfare, boasting overwhelming strength.

“Gias is surprisingly cautious for his size. Moreover, he is cunning.”

Dwenno squinted.

“We can’t foresee what kind of traps he might have set.”

Anger simmered deep within Dwenno’s eyes.

Seeing this, Leo gripped his sword.

‘It’s inevitable.’

Soon after the Era of Catastrophe began, Gias was the one who annihilated Dwenno’s homeland.

Meanwhile, a multitude of monsters began to pour out from Gias’s portal.

Seeing this, Leo narrowed his eyes.

‘I see… He must have gathered useful minions in the surrounding area over the past ten days.’

If the legion does not exist, a Legion Commander’s power is fundamentally reduced.

To compensate for that weakness, it was clear he had created his own legion over the last few days.

Though they were mere rabble, even that ragtag army was a significant threat given Gias’s capabilities.

‘Are we going to bring Guardstron down for sure?’

“He won’t make a move until dawn.”

Leo looked at Dwenno and Aron.

“So, one of you should conserve your strength until dawn.”

“Conserve strength? Are you telling me not to fight?”

“Exactly.”

The true power of a great hero is best understood by the Legion Commanders who battle against them.

The ability to turn the impossible into possible.

It’s not simply because the great hero is strong.

‘Looking back, we have always carved our way through unfavorable battlefield conditions to seize victory.’

Thinking about how they had won so many battles feels almost miraculous.

Gias was more wary of that power than anyone else.

‘He probably intends to wear us down little by little, like hunting.’

Once this night passes and the past Gias and his legion reveal themselves, the already exhausted Dwenno and Aron would be unable to continue their resistance.

‘Is he planning to become bait?’

Leo clenched and unclenched his fist while watching the distant Gias.

Seeing Leo like this, Dwenno said, “I understand your words. However, if a behemoth like Gias moves… we have no choice but to intervene.”

At Dwenno’s serious words, Leo replied, “You are indeed the hope of the world.”

Leo looked at Dwenno and Aron.

“If you weren’t here, the world would have perished long ago. You’ve taken on too much responsibility.”

Leo smiled.

“But… sometimes, it’s okay to share the burden, isn’t it?”

With a tremendous shadow appearing above Guardstron, Leo gasped.

“Dragons…”

The sight of dozens of dragons filling the sky was truly spectacular.

It was a breathtaking sight that could never be seen in this age, and the party members all gasped in awe.

Starting with the dragons, various warriors, wizards, and summoners from multiple races emerged on the castle walls.

As Leo watched this, he muttered softly, “It sounded too heavy after hearing it once.”

Bang-!

The dragons flying in the air transformed and descended onto the castle walls.

Leading them was Depeser.

“Everyone, fall back.”

Depeser said, looking at Leo and his companions, including Berkiya.

“This battle is not a child’s play. Evacuate to safety.”

“I want to fight too. I have enough strength to battle as well.”

Berkiya said firmly.

Seeing Berkiya, Depeser adjusted his glasses.

“Lady Berkiya. I am well aware of your abilities. But you are one of the futures of this world. You lack the experience to engage in such battles yet.”

Berkiya flinched at Depeser’s rarely seen sharp gaze.

Depeser. He was like a father to all the children of Guardstron.

He ran an orphanage directly, and Berkiya had seen him since she was young.

While usually gentle, he was unyielding at such moments.

Depeser’s gaze shifted to the others.

“Now, hurry.”

Seeing Depeser, Leo said, “Battles are something you must experience one day. If you believe in Berkiya’s future, then why not believe in Berkiya now?”

At Leo’s words, Depeser’s cold eyes turned to him.

“Do you really believe you have the right to be here now?”

At that, Leo smiled.

“Absolutely.”

Leo looked at his party members.

“That’s what we’ve trained for.”

Kugugugugug-!

The sound of monsters reaching Guardstron was heard.

Seeing this, Leo raised his hand.

Woosh-!

A magic circle lit up in the sky.

As soon as Depeser saw the magic circle, his eyes widened.

He was not the only one.

Everyone wore expressions of astonishment.

“Lady Luna’s… magic?”

The magic circle decorated in the air responded to Leo’s magical power.

That was none other than the Magic of the Stars.

As Leo completed the incantation, orbs of light poured down toward the monsters.

Buruburubuck-!

Seeing the pouring light magic, Dwenno closed his eyes.

“Airan.”

“Uh, yes?”

“Save your strength just in case.”

Airan opened her eyes wide at Dwenno’s words.

She felt bewildered that Dwenno, who was currently the head of Guardstron, was following Leo’s suggestion.

“Depeser.”

“Yes!”

“Guard the castle walls.”

“Then what will you do, Lord Dwenno?”

“I will confront the Giant King.”

Thud-!

Seeing Dwenno tightening his grip on the Battle Axe, Depeser was alarmed.

“Ah, no! If you go to face the Giant King alone and fall into a trap…”

“When did I say I would go alone?”

Dwenno looked at Leo.

“This friend here will be watching my back.”

He looked at Dwenno, Berkiya, and the party members.

“Don’t push yourselves and defend the castle walls well.”

“Yes! Don’t worry and go! Those ugly monsters won’t be able to scale the walls of Guardstron!”

Dwenno burst into laughter at Berkiya’s shout.

“Impressive!”

With a hearty laugh, Dwenno jumped from the towering walls.

Leo followed without hesitation.

“L-Leo!”

Lunia called out to Leo with a puzzled expression as he fell from the walls.

Chuckling at Lunia, Leo smiled and said, “I’ll be back, so watch over things!”

Thud-!

Tap-!

Landing on the ground, the two of them simultaneously dashed toward the Giant King.

Grrrrrrr!

A massive monster known as an ogre charged at them.

As Dwenno prepared to swing the Battle Axe, Leo stepped forward.

“Stay back until you face Gias.”

“Oh? Do you think you can clear a path?”

In response, Leo raised his sword.

Flame-!

Flames of aura and magical energy enveloped the sword.

Woosh-!

A summoning circle appeared in the air revealing a small Phoenix.

Chip-!

“What? You’ve lost weight!”

Chip- Chip-!

Fiora fluttered in front of Leo, showing off her body.

“If you gain weight again, a game of catch will solve it.”

Watching how Katariu managed to get Fiora to lose weight, Leo mumbled, prompting Fiora to squawk and wildly shake her head.

Seeing Fiora like this, Leo grinned and summoned his energy.

Flame-!

Fiora’s body blazed fiercely at Leo’s energy and then infused into his sword.

Roar-!

The Phoenix’s flames surged.

Leo glared at the ogre blocking his path and the monsters behind it before swinging his sword.

Whoosh! Kabam-!

As the flames of the Phoenix surged, the vanguard of monsters was swept away.

Screeeech-!

“Impressive.”

As the path of fire formed straight ahead, Dwenno tightened his grip on the Battle Axe.

Leo charged ahead of Dwenno towards Gias.

He burned and cut down everything that obstructed him.

Arriving before Gias in an instant, Dwenno gripped the Battle Axe and knelt.

“It’s been a while.”

Boom-!

As Dwenno kicked off the ground, he flew toward Gias’s face like a cannonball.

“Giant King Gias.”

Killing intent flickered across Dwenno’s face.

Kabam-!

Golden flames flickered from Dwenno’s Battle Axe, transforming into the shape of a massive axe blade.

The swollen flame blade swung fiercely, aiming to decapitate Gias’s thick neck in one blow.

Whooosh!

“It’s certainly been a long time! Dwenno!”

Gias swung the corpse sword of Jormungand he held in his hand.

His eyes sparkled with ecstasy.

“I wanted to k*ll you!”

Kwahhhhh-!

The golden axe and Jormungand’s corpse sword collided.

Kugagagagag-!

A shockwave enveloped the surroundings.

The earth turned over, and everything around was sent flying.

Kagagagag-!

Leo pushed through the shockwave and charged at Gias.

“Ha! I expected you to come with Aron, but what’s this whiny little brat?”

Gias sneered, unleashing dark magical power.

Swoosh-!

A purplish black mass of dark magic surged from Gias’s body.

“Ugh!”

Dwenno raised his aura armor to withstand Gias’s attack.

It didn’t seem to inflict any damage, but Gias didn’t care.

The attack was intended not for Dwenno, but for Leo.

The release of the Legion Commander’s power alone caused terror.

Usually, it would be nearly impossible to survive even a direct hit from that unleashed magical power.

Flame-!

However, despite having been exposed to the eruption of magical power, Leo stood unwavering.

It wasn’t that common people wouldn’t notice; to Leo, the Legion Commander’s wrath had no effect.

Using Aura Steps, he quickly evaded the mass of released magical power.

Seeing Leo’s near-miraculous movement, Gias’s eyes twitched.

“Are you getting too complacent thinking you know the future?”

Upon hearing Leo’s sneer, Gias’s eyes widened.

“You…!”

“Of course, knowing the future doesn’t change the ending.”

Flame-!

Aura gathered on Leo’s sword.

“Leo Flove!”

Boom-!

Leo’s sword carved into Gias’s chest.

Gushhhaahh-!

bl**d gushed from Gias’s chest.

As a penalty for his overconfidence, Gias staggered slightly.

Flame-! Bam-!

Dwenno’s axe head found its opening into Gias’s neck.

The axe blade was about to cleave through, but Dwenno hastily withdrew it before fully severing.

Flame-!

Gias’s arm passed through the spot where Dwenno had been.

Had he pushed with force to decapitate, he would have been sent flying by that arm.

‘What a shame. I could have beheaded him.’

Dwenno licked his lips in disappointment.

Gias would not d*e even if his head was severed.

‘If a simple decapitation could k*ll him, we wouldn’t have to struggle this much.’

However, it would still inflict considerable damage.

From this moment, Dwenno could solidly secure the upper hand in the battle that was about to begin.

‘Just like back then.’

Dwenno’s gaze darkened.

When Gias attacked his hometown.

Dwenno had nearly beheaded Gias back then too.

Of course, even if he had managed to do it, it wouldn’t have defeated Gias.

Dwenno had been weaker then than he was now.

But perhaps the outcome would have been a little different.

‘I might have been able to save my people.’

It was at that moment when Dwenno smiled bitterly.

Thud!

“…?!”

“What are you daydreaming about!”

Out of nowhere, Leo, who had flown in from behind Dwenno, grabbed him by the nape.

“Quick! Behead him!”

Flame-!

With all his might, Leo hurled Dwenno toward the Battle Axe lodged in Gias’s neck.

Dwenno surrounded himself with aura.

Bam-!

“You brats!”

Gias’s eyes widened.

Seeing Gias like this, Dwenno smirked.

‘Yes, it’s different from back then.’

Thud-! Bam-!

The sound of the axe blade sinking into bone echoed.

‘Now… I have allies.’

Thwack-! Gushhhaahh-!

Gias’s head soared into the air.

Along with it, a fountain of black bl**d erupted.