章節 348: Chapter 507
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It was a development that no one had anticipated.
However, Jin had planned to use Joshua like this from the beginning of the escape.
It is a crisis that can only be overcome if someone makes a sacrifice. And of course, the only one in the group who didn't mind dying was Joshua, the clone.
Jin also wanted to save Jane with a desperate heart.
But Jane was already in a state where she couldn't be revived unless there was a legacy of Numerus, and realistically, she couldn't hold her ground against ten Spectres, along with additional reinforcements.
A brief silence passed.
"I was thinking of doing that even if you didn't say it."
Soon Joshua answered in a calm voice, and even Jane looked back at him in shock.
The person who was most shocked was Diphus.
"What? Joshua, are you serious?"
"2nd flagbearer, you won't survive if you join me."
"I'm glad I can risk my life now rather than fighting the tower keeper."
"Joshua, what are you thinking?"
"It's straightforward, Diphus. I'm making a choice for the clan. If you have a complaint, step up instead of me."
"I am not complaining. Instead, the thorn on my side is disappearing on its own. However, I know better than anyone else that you are not the type of person who would give up your life so easily."
It wasn't the time for a long conversation.
"See you later, 2nd flagbearer."
Swish!
Joshua threw the black sword, Kainer, which he had at his waist, to Jin. Even if the clone died, there was no need to lose the sword.
"I will return and get it."
"I was also thinking that the sword is precious, but what else can you fight with..."
The moment Jin spoke until there.
Suddenly, Joshua's pupils turned black, even the whites of his eyes.
-If it's still not enough, I should consider using that power…
The thought Joshua had when he fought with Hedo.
The power that he hesitated to use in the battle with Hedo was now coloring his eyes a dull black light and forming a new sword in his hand.
'Joshua, what is this?'
'What is this? It seems similar to the power the bushes use?'
'... Murky energy?'
What Joshua was enveloped in seemed similar to the murky energy used by Amela in the Gaifa Archipelago.
However, it felt much thicker and refined than that. Joshua's murky energy had a color almost identical to the shadow force.
'I anticipated to some extent that the Prophet is deeply related to chaos... Is it possible to use the murky energy to strengthen others in this way?'
The staffs of the Spectres fired pure white mana beams at the same time. It was an attack concentrated on Joshua, who had just started to move.
And the group was once again shocked by the sight of him easily blocking or deflecting all the mana rays with a protective shield.
'This can't be his skills. Is this also the ability of the Prophet?'
Diphus narrowed his eyes.
Joshua is definitely not at the level of being called a very strong martial artist or superman.
Moreover, he had suffered internal injuries from the fierce battle just now, so it was impossible for him to effortlessly deflect the attacks of ten Spectres.
[I cannot maintain this state for long. I'll try to hold them back as much as possible, so make sure to take the stolen items back to the clan.]
Jin and Murakan, who knew that he was a clone, were composed, but Diphus felt a strange sensation.
He had always wished for Joshua's death, but he had never thought that it would end like this.
Of course, he was a bit taken aback, but there was nothing sentimental about it, such as realizing that his feelings for Joshua were in fact love and hate, not hate.
"Well, I don't know what you're thinking, but we better leave before you change your mind. Elder brother, make sure to decorate your last moment gracefully. After all, you are in front of the enemies. There probably won't be a need for that, but if by any chance you come back alive, I'll personally kill you at that time."
Before leaving, Jin and Diphus gave a sword salute to Jane.
She was swinging her sword towards the newly emitted mana rays aimed at the group.
Swish!
She made an unbelievably fast and accurate vertical slash and it was hard to believe that she was on the brink of death a few moments ago.
Jane was burning the last of her will. Like a fire that reveals a greater light just before it goes out, her sword surpasses the level she reached throughout her life, even if only for a moment. She went one step further. With her value of duty on her back.
Then, a group of three Spectres approached to block her, and the rest of the group seemed to be trying to attack Jin and his group, who were already moving away.
[Aren't you underestimating the close combat against Runcandels too much?]
Crash!
Two of the staffs falling toward Jane were blocked by Joshua's sword. The remaining one, transformed into a spear, was repelled by Jane.
[Moreover, she's a Black Knight.]
Squeak!
One of the three people who rushed in did not hear Joshua's words.
Because Jane, who had lunged backward, cut his throat with a single slash. She got stabbed in the shoulder because she too had dug in too hard, but she couldn't let that dull her final resolve.
As the head of one Spectre fell, the Spectre corps showed a momentary pause.
No matter how formidable the sword of a black helmet was, they never expected that a nearly lifeless body could achieve such results with a simple sword.
The Spectre corps had expected that Jane would not be able to inflict any significant injuries, let alone decapitate those who attacked.
'What is this? Did she kill him with a single slash?'
'Seriously, just standing there is a miracle in itself!'
'These Runcandels are particularly unpleasant when this incomprehensible power occasionally manifests…'
Jane forcibly put her broken shoulder back in place while looking at the Spectres who were readjusting themselves.
"You cannot pass... Zipfels."
While her entire body was torn and shattered, only her eyes emitted a faint, piercing light.
The remaining nine Spectres felt a chill running down their spines as they met her gaze. Despite losing one person, they still held an overwhelming advantage, yet the indescribable eerie feeling made it difficult to express the discomfort.
Some stay, and some pursue the fleeing ones.
Given the difference in power, they could choose such options easily. However, the Spectres were engulfed by a strong intuition that leaving only four or five would result in irreparable damage.
'Not only the Black Knight, but also Joshua Runcandel's power has suddenly risen.'
'We can't afford to lose members so fruitlessly. The 4th, 5th, 6th squads and the main force will arrive soon, so let's decisively finish those two and resume tracking!'
'Sandra Zipfel probably still engrossed in her crazy love play. She will not provide any significant help without Hedo.'
The Spectres reorganized their formation. Those who were about to chase Jin and his group started opening up their mana and drawing magic circles.
"It seems you're determined for a proper fight, Spectres."
[It is an honor to join you in your final battle, Dame Jane.]
Joshua stood shoulder to shoulder with her.
"...Second Flagbearer. It seems the rumors were true."
Rather than expressing gratitude for his participation, Jane first brought up a different matter.
[Rumor?]
"That your body is not just one."
She said this in a dry tone, but within it, Joshua keenly felt deep disdain. It was the first time he saw the Black Knight so openly revealing emotions.
[...Is that wrong?]
Jane didn't answer.
[Regardless of how you view it, I am realizing the highest value of the clan in my own way.]
Although she harbored the desire to serve Jin, Jane wasn't dissatisfied when she followed Joshua under Rosa's orders. It was because she believed it was a way to show loyalty to the clan.
However, she was still human, so she could not help but feel disappointed right before her death.
"Struggle, is that what you're talking about?"
[Yes.]
The sky was turning red as the Spectres spread their mana.
What was unfolding in the sky was the Spectre corps' exclusive large-scale magic, 'Red Abyss,' which Jin had encountered the first time he faced them.
Hoo...
Jane took a long breath.
"It's so lamentable... You should be ashamed, Joshua Runcandel."
Like blood-red rain, red mana particles spread from the sky and turned into swords and chains and rained down on the two people.
Swoosh, clang!
Jane's first move in response to the red abyss was to block the red blade falling on Joshua's back.
Thud!
Witnessing the scene, Joshua felt something familiar and terrifying surge within his chest.
Self-loathing.
A monster that had taken root in the deepest part of his soul one day and had never retreated from there, not even once in a lifetime.
[What... How dare you speak so lightly without knowing anything, Dame!]
Joshua shouted, cutting through the chains falling towards Jane's head. His eyes, now stained black, were shaking.
"What's somewhat fortunate is..."
[Despite the harsh contempt shown by my father, sister, brothers, and sometimes even my mother, and the countless disappointments I faced—I never gave up even once in the face of such bitterness. I was more desperate than anyone else!]
"I dedicated my last glory for the real one, not the fake."
The two swords were relentlessly moving.
They were blocking the red blades and chains falling into each other's corner, and if one didn't look closely, they could almost mistake them for swinging their swords to cut each other down.
[Why won't no one acknowledge me...! No one, no one! No one...!]
Shouts that were almost like screams continued to scatter in the air with the deafening sound of the two swords and the mana of nine people colliding.
How much time had passed?
In the end, Jane's flame went out.
Thud!
The blade of the Red Abyss pierced through her back.
Until just a moment ago, she had swung her sword fiercely like a vengeful ghost, but suddenly, her movements stopped.
Now her body has reached a stage where it cannot be moved by will or anything transcendental that a human can possess on its own.
[Damn it, Jane!]
Joshua instinctively extended his sword, but protecting her was impossible, and even if he succeeded, it would be meaningless.
In the moment when her devastated body was finished off by the chains and blades.
Jane looked directly at Joshua one last time.
I hope my current state serves as a lesson to you.
And thus, Runcandel's Black Knight, Jane, met her end.
The remaining clone continued the battle alone, amidst her corpse being scattered within the Red Abyss.
章節 349: Chapter 508
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There were two red skies on the battlefield, and a red abyss was spreading on Zephyrin's side as well.
The Spectre corps that chased Zephyrin had exerted all their efforts to subdue her, but so far, they hadn't dealt any meaningful blows.
'A monster like this was a spy and working as a 3rd-class researcher not too long ago...!'
'The signal flare went off a while ago, but how is the situation unfolding?'
'The battle on that side is dragging on, and that black power seems to be shadow force... Is the 12th flagbearer directly engaging in combat?'
'We urgently need support from 4th, 5th, 6th squads and reinforcements from the main base. Something doesn't feel right.'
Zephyrin was trying to avoid revealing her true identity to Zipfels and the leader's physical condition was still not optimal, so she was not fully using her power.
Nevertheless, Zephyrin successfully kept the Spectre corps in check. She was so skilled that those who were not familiar with axe swordsmanship, which she used clumsily, like at the Black King Mountain Hideout, might mistake her for Luna.
However, just like the Spectre corps, Zephyrin was also confused.
'What's this? That's not shadow force; it's the power of chaos. Moreover, it's not the chaos of Yona Runcandel... What's going on with Sir Jin?'
The sword energy Joshua was firing from the end of the Romin Forest almost looked like shadow force. However, Zephyrin quickly recognized that it was not.
'I don't think the 4th flagbearer or the Black Knights are using the power of chaos. It's probably the 2nd flagbearer... It's unpleasant because it strangely resembles that woman's power.'
That wasn't the only thing that was unpleasant.
Zephyrin was aware that the situation in the rear, in the Sota Desert, was not looking favorable.
The thunderstorm created by the battleship Grenil was gradually contracting. Meanwhile, the dragons of Zipfel and Kozec seemed to be finding more stability.
'Even if we go this far, if I can't take items from Sir Jin, it feels unfair, and I won't be able to sleep. Come to think of it, it seems difficult for those idiots from the Kaligo family to steal those items from Sir Jin with their stupid brains. What should I do...'
Once again, Zephyrin's gaze turned towards Joshua.
And she was able to discover something strange about the situation. Other than the power of chaos released by Joshua, there was no sign of shadow force, aura, or the blue flame, etc.
What that meant was clear.
'Is the 2nd flagbearer fighting alone...?'
There are two reasons that immediately came to Zipfel's mind.
First, the 2nd flagbearer could confront the Spectre corps alone by using the power of chaos, and then retreat, rejoining the Runcandels who had escaped.
Second, sacrifice himself.
Whether it was the former or the latter, the crucial point was that Joshua was fighting alone.
'It might become a backup plan.'
She can rescue Joshua, and hold him as a hostage for future negotiations with the Runcandels for the items. Zephyrin soon reached such a conclusion.
Swish!
Zephyrin parried the blade of the red abyss approaching her back, and pulled out a signal flare from her pocket.
***
"Ugh, vice-leader! Help! Help! Is help too far away?"
The 2nd princess of the great Kaligo family, Ainas Kaligo, had been yelling like that since her grand raid from the battleship Grenil.
Sweat ran down Bishkel's forehead as he looked at Ainas.
It wasn't because of the appearance of Ainas, whom he recognized as the female demon version of Bubare. Even though she looked very out of shape, she was surprisingly doing well in the battle.
Although a considerable amount of time had passed since the battle began, the fact that she was still alive was proof enough of Ainas's ability.
Of course, Bishkel didn't highly evaluate Ainas's battle prowess or skills.
'...It's almost like the survival power of a cockroach. She even resembles that disgusting fatty in that aspect.'
Ainas yelling for help wasn't because she was engaged in a convincing exchange of blows with the enemies.
It was due to the transcendent regeneration unique to the highest level demons.
Even if her body exploded, her head was severed, or her limbs were dismembered, she instantly recovered, and was once again getting on the nerves of Bishkel and her enemies.
"I don't know if there's everything like that, Sir Hedo."
Octavia shrugged her shoulders. While Bishkel associated Ainas with Bubare, Octavia was seeing Sandra from her.
"...I also wonder how different they are from the demons I fought with earlier."
Octavia didn't doubt Hedo's lie at all. Hedo felt a little sorry for her.
"That demon may look amusing, but honestly... The battleship Grenil is quite shocking."
There was only one battleship that didn't seem to be in perfect condition, and one demon that only had good regenerative abilities.
Octavia was barely coming to terms with the fact that these things had been holding their own against the main force she had led so far.
"That battleship had already faced the Sword Emperor's sword. Seeing the majesty of their battleship, it seems like his sword hasn't dulled. Still, it looks like they're gradually being pushed back now."
"If the Sword Emperor hadn't damaged the armor and shield, it would have been tight even now. Even if it weren't for the demon who injured the Sword Emperor, we might have gained the upper hand sooner."
As she spoke, Grenil was in a much worse state than before. Various parts were destroyed, and about half of the spikes forming the thunderstorm had lost their functionality. The cannons, excluding the main cannon, were now at a level where they wouldn't pose a threat.
"Anyway, we need to make a decision soon. The situation near the Romin Forest doesn't look promising."
Octavia said, raising her mana. The dragons were also ready to fire their breaths, and the mages were preparing large-scale defensive spells again.
'It's almost the limit now. If we're exposed to attacks of this level a few more times, escape will be impossible.'
It wasn't a situation where the leader could restore Grenil, as he did during the Sword Emperor Castle terror attack.
'Ms. Zephyrin, hurry...!'
The moment Bishkel clenched his teeth, searching for her.
In the distance, a signal flare exploded in the sky above the Romin Forest. It was the signal flare set off by Zephyrin.
The Zipfels immediately recognized that it wasn't their signal.
'Alright!'
Ainas also saw the signal and raised her greatsword high.
"Oh, it's grand duke Zephyrin's signal! I don't know what's going on, but the grand duke! After all, he is our Grand Duke! Let's get out of here, vice-leader!"
Chiiiiig-!
The sharp metallic rotating sound emanated from Grenil's engine. It was the power they had been saving from being beaten up until now.
Those who had operated Kozec knew what the sound meant. It was the sound just before starting full-speed flight.
"Escape? After being beaten up like this, there's still such power left!"
Octavia narrowed her eyes and shouted.
Everyone knows that Grenil's goal was to buy time in the first place. However, Zipfels believed that they could completely defeat Grenil unless the leader appeared, as was the case during the Sword Emperor Castle terror attack.
"Hey, hey! vice-leader! I'm still here!"
Bishkel had no intention of rescuing Ainas Kaligo and leaving.
Not just because he disliked her, but it was dangerous to waste time boarding and revealing weaknesses.
'There is nothing we can do if you die. If you become a prisoner, we will rescue you through negotiation, Ainas Kaligo. But I hope you survive on your own. So that I don't have to waste negotiation cards needlessly.'
Ainas ran frantically towards Grenil, which had started turning its hull.
However, she was unable to get closer to Grenil as Kozec's cannon fires, Hedo's sword energy, the mages' offensive spells, and the dragons' breath were being bombarded and exploding in all directions.
"Vice leaderrrr! You forgot me, ugh! No, huh, kuck! Kuduk! Let's go together!"
Having turned back towards the Romin Forest, Grenil was concentrating all remaining power on the rear shield and acceleration. Kozec couldn't keep up, and the dragons barely followed, shooting breath, but none of it hit.
The colossal barrier erected by the mages collided with the front of Grenil and shattered.
At that moment, Hedo explosively threw himself towards Grenil.
"Whoa!"
Ainas, who stood in his path, was blown away by the shockwave created by Hedo's acceleration, and Octavia matched Hedo's leap by generating a gust of wind with her mana.
Sssaaak-!
The longsword, Bale, rose in the air, unleashing a storm of twenty sword energies.
If it weren't for injuries, as Octavia had mentioned, Hedo's sword wave would surely have shattered Grenil's rear shield, preventing it from advancing at full speed.
'A bit too shallow.'
The sword wave only scraped the rear shield, narrowly missing its target.
At the same time, the heat and shockwaves from Grenil's engine engulfed Hedo's body and the dragons that were following closely.
Even in the midst of this, Hedo scattered his sword waves in all directions to protect the dragons, allowing them to descend and avoid the shockwaves.
However, Ainas was once again thrown somewhere by Grenil's shockwave.
"Chase them!"
Octavia's eyes were burning with dark killing intent as she shouted and Kozec took the lead to catch up with Hedo.
***
Meanwhile, at the central border of the Lutero Magic Federation beyond the Romin Forest.
A woman in a white dress was wiping the blood off her greatsword. In front of her stood a man covered in wounds and scars, breathing heavily with his left arm lost.
It was Bianca Kaligo, the 1st princess of the Kaligo family, and the Black Knight, Mon.
'She suddenly stopped moving....'
Mon ran into her while escaping from the shipyard. He couldn't fend off her attacks throughout the battle, even though he fought tirelessly.
Well, calling it a battle might be an overstatement. Mon's stamina was low due to fighting all the time in the shipyard, but Mon was sure of one thing.
Bianca was an opponent he couldn't handle even if he fought in his best condition.
The only reason Mon was still alive was that Bianca suddenly stopped her attacks, as if she were possessed by something.
'The ones who went into the magic tower... Are they okay? I have to somehow escape from this monster and request support from the clan. Definitely. But why is she staring at that thing so intently?'
What Bianca was looking at was the signal flare fired by Zephyrin.
"Uh, uh, that... The signal from the Grand Duke. I have to go. What should I do...?"
A slurred yet slow voice. Bianca was conflicted.
Whether she should kill the human in front of her before leaving or just hurry up and go.
"The grand duke's... orders come first. If I don't follow, I'll be in trouble. You're lucky, human. And it was fun."
Saying so, Bianca ran off towards the Romin Forest.
She said it was an important signal flare, and even though she had such remarkable physical abilities that she could overpower Mon, it was impossible to know why she was casually jogging away.
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