Chapter 178
The battle with Seiman was ongoing, but there seemed to be no sign of improvement.
Despite his colossal figure that easily surpassed 50 meters, his quick movements and reaction speed were troublesome, and his wings, boasting ironclad defense, were extremely obstructive.
Kwahgak-gak—!
A massive slash made of red aura flew but was also thwarted by the wings.
With a roar, Seiman unleashed a storm.
A powerful wind that seemed ready to swallow everything engulfed them.
Erica, attacking Seiman from the cliff, tried to block the wind by erecting an ice wall, but it was futile. The thick ice wall shattered under the wind pressure.
Vargan pulled Erica’s small body closer. At the same time, he explosively released mana to create a powerful counterwind.
The winds began to neutralize.
Protected, Erica also swirled her mana, preparing for her next move.
A giant ice spear that looked like it could pierce a giant.
Vargan was already aware that his Magic Cannon and Han’s sword strike were blocked by the wings. Her intention wasn’t destruction but to stop. She aimed to freeze them so the wings couldn’t interfere.
Initially resembling icicles, the chunk of ice began to take shape, dividing into intricate details and adorning itself.
The more complex and delicate the form, the stronger the magic becomes.
The completed spear spun swiftly.
Finally, it shot toward Seiman. Once again, Seiman spread his wings to defend it. The spear and wings clashed, producing a tremendous noise.
And the result was…
“Is this not gonna work…?!”
Erica glared at Seiman with an expression of frustration.
Her ice spear had clearly struck the wings, and the previously laid freezing magic detonated, but all that happened was a little frost forming on Seiman’s wings, which moved just fine.
Kwahgak-gwang——!
Next came Vargan’s multi-magic cannon blast. Targeting Seiman’s briefly exposed lower body, his wings swiftly spread again to defend.
Vargan laughed as if it was absurd.
“At this point, I’m curious what material those wings are made of.”
In the original story, Seiman’s wings were described as strong, but they certainly didn’t reach this level. This was beyond just sturdy, wasn’t it?
Sensitive to mana, Vargan examined Seiman’s wings.
‘To show that level of defense, it can’t be of ordinary structure. Just what… Oh, wait…’
Noticing something, he spoke to Erica.
“Erica, there may be a way.”
“I don’t know.”
*
Below the cliff. A voice reached Han, who was resisting at Seiman’s feet.
—Can you buy us some time?
It was Vargan’s voice.
They were positioned above the cliff, but the voice was transmitted through Warp Magic.
Han sensed they were preparing something.
“Understood.”
He didn’t ask how much time was needed. He conveyed his meaning with a concise reply.
Even if it meant death while facing Seiman, he advanced with a sword glowing with a deadly red aura.
A temporary alliance.
Without any one of the three, they couldn’t capture that monster. They couldn’t conquer the dungeon.
Everyone was aware of this fact, so the thought of drawing back didn’t even cross their minds.
“…….”
The giant sandstorm raised by Seiman obstructed Han’s path.
Although he moved at the speed of sound, he often veered off course. He couldn’t inflict serious wounds.
If he barely managed to get in close, he’d risk being burned by the vast magical power erupting from Seiman or being knocked away.
A troublesome opponent.
If only he didn’t have those wings, he could just unleash sword strikes from a certain distance….
Thud, thud, thud—!
The ground trembled as an enraged voice echoed.
Not Seiman’s, but that of Vargan’s familiar, the giant.
The hulking figure that had been rolling around soon sprang up and charged at Seiman. It was like two mountains colliding.
The noise was so loud it forcibly awakened all living beings nearby from their slumber. The giant seized Seiman’s arms and unleashed another powerful blow.
At a glance, they seemed similar, but the difference in strength was evident. The fist of Vargan’s familiar bulged as if it might shatter.
Creak—!
Han seized the opportunity and sliced off Seiman’s big toe.
Seiman let out a shriek mixed with rage. Seiman’s heat-infused magic burst forth, and Han quickly widened the distance.
However, the giant couldn’t avoid it.
Even shrouded in darkness, Taesan’s full body turned red. Taesan, burned but silent, trembled with quaking arms and pushed forward.
His muscles bulged as if they might burst, and serpentine veins writhed.
He was risking his life to obey his master’s command.
Dashing forward, Han swung his sword filled with the red aura, distracting Seiman. He managed to cut off a few more toes, but it took time.
Even after using the red aura, the big toe he had initially severed was already in decent condition again.
A decisive blow was absolutely necessary.
This was the only way to break the stagnant situation.
“……!”
Han looked up at the cliff.
He sensed the vast mana. It was Vargan’s mana, which couldn’t be seen as a color.
A chilling amount. A density that couldn’t possibly be human.
When Vargan first entered the dungeon and used Life Drain, Han was quite surprised.
The same went for when he faced Vargan directly with his own eyes.
Vargan’s mana appeared to be on a level incomparable to his own.
Among the bishops, Han, who stood as the strongest in physical power, was deficient only in his mastery of mana.
Not only did he not have a large amount of it by nature, but for him, it was merely a secondary means on his path to wielding a sword, so he hadn’t exerted much effort in training it.
He didn’t strive for training.
His sensitivity to mana was exceptional, but the total amount of mana he possessed was no different from an ordinary bishop.
Yet, for someone who aspired to become a pure swordsman, that was sufficient.
However, seeing a human who had transcended a certain realm, enough to shake the long-held beliefs, stirred indescribable emotions within him.
Indeed, Vargan was a man reeking of the scents of Archbishop Zagan and other bishops—a realization that the rumors he had heard were not false.
‘He is transferring mana.’
He was pouring that vast amount of mana into Erica, the woman beside him.
“Is that so….”
Han, with his exceptional mana sensitivity, understood their intentions.
Han’s crimson aura deepened. The vibrating black sword seemed almost alive.
Confirming the need to buy time, he dashed back toward Seiman.
*
Vargan had placed his hands on both shoulders of Erica. The tremendous mana he was directly transmitting to her.
Erica was also stretching out her arms, establishing a spell aimed at Seiman. She was converting that mana into her own to use as a material.
In theory, it was very simple; she had done similar things even during the election period.
But now, the quantity and quality were different.
“Ugh….”
A faint groan escaped Erica, who was gritting her teeth.
Her brows furrowed, and her eyelids trembled as she strained herself, involuntarily letting sounds escape.
This was mana she had never used in her entire life.
If the mana she had used until now was like a stream…
This was the ocean. Its abundance was indescribable, and its concentration was as thick as seawater.
Erica’s total mana amount hadn’t even reached comprehension, yet she found herself at the pinnacle of high rank.
The pathways of mana spreading throughout her full body were forcibly expanding, increasing the pressure. With each instance, intense pain coursed through Erica’s body.
It felt as if her outstretched arms would snap.
Her legs, barely holding her up, seemed ready to burst.
Her mind and mana circuit burned with heat, almost to the point of scorching.
…But even so, she couldn’t give up.
Knowing that she was the breakthrough in this situation, Erica ignited her willpower.
“Erica, hang in there a little longer. The form is almost complete. The rest are just detailed tasks.”
As her consciousness began to fade, Vargan awakened her.
Erica slowly parted her trembling lips to speak, a hint of anger laced in her words.
Compared to the full exertion she was pouring out, Vargan’s voice felt bizarrely calm, as if mocking her.
“…Schugenharz… you… said there would be no harm to me… urgh! …you liar! … I said I wouldn’t let this go!”
“What are you talking about, Erica? I am clearly benefitting you. Have you forgotten what I said before?”
“…What!”
“‘Even if you escape the dungeon, not a single wrinkle will be found on your clothes.’ I said that. Just wait until you get out and see…”
“—You… bad… bastard…!”
The spell nearing completion at Erica’s fingertips surged forward with renewed vigor.
In response to her emotions, the extreme warp magic began to manifest, ready to make its appearance in the world.
Magic is beginning to reveal itself in the world.
Currently, a large-scale Warp Magic far surpassing Erica’s limits.
Moreover, the opponent should be effective against a being transformed by the Dungeon, one that is an ancestor of Seiman, one of the Twelve Divine Beasts.
Vargan spoke hopeful words to Erica.
“That monster’s wings are incredibly tough, but there’s a weakness. Its massive size and speed, as well as its defense, have increased, but the mana transfer from its mana circuits is limited.”
In other words, it’s perfectly capable of handling external physicality, but it’s vulnerable to Warp Magic that shifts its interior or coordinates.
…Well, even if it’s vulnerable, the mana that reaches those wings is easily comparable to that of a bishop-level Altife.
With the current Erica, it would be impossible, and the scale was considerable, which is why Vargan was supporting her.
“I know…! That’s why I’m doing this…!”
Erica uttered a sound close to a groan.
Although she complained, she was the most desperate person in the current situation concerning Vargan.
Vargan, supplying mana, casually observed Erica’s complexion.
Oblivious to the fact he was watching, Erica was focused, trying to endure with a pained expression.
Vargan assessed the situation, gauging how long he would need to supply mana. He had spoken positively, but they still needed more time and stamina. It seemed Erica was slowly approaching her limit.
But then.
“Don’t… worry… unnecessarily… It’s something I have to do…? I won’t avoid… or run away.”
As if she sensed his thoughts, Erica managed to raise one corner of her mouth.
Was she trying intentionally to show confidence?
“In front of you, a Schugenhartz… I can’t show off… *cough*. But I’m also the second daughter of the prestigious Portlet family…”
She had this much resolve.
Erica conveyed her will like that.
The expression she wore bore a striking resemblance to the arrogance Vargan usually displayed.
Vargan chuckled softly as he watched this.
“Yeah. I know.”
What had he hesitated about?
The Erica he had seen in the original wasn’t weak enough to damage her mana circuits at this level. Knowing why she was called a Villainess.
Wasn’t her poison and talent what earned her that nickname?
There was no need for doubt. The current approach was correct.
“I’ll speed up a bit more.”
Seiman’s strike landed properly, causing Taesan to fall heavily. It was impossible to single-handedly block all of Seiman’s attacks for long. They needed to shorten the time.
As Vargan increased the amount of mana he supplied all at once,
Erica bit down so hard she felt her teeth hurting to keep herself from screaming.
Just a little more… just a little more…!
“Schugenhartz!”
As the ritual was nearing completion, Erica spoke, gathering her complicated emotions and holding onto just the truth toward Vargan.
‘I won’t avoid it. I won’t run away. So……’
“You too… don’t avoid this time.”
It was a single sentence encapsulating what she wanted to say to Vargan.
Her large-scale spell was complete.
—Kuaaaak!
Along with Seiman’s scream, that enormous wing fell away.
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