Chapter 187: Departure
*
‘Blood Magic.’
Suddenly, I started to feel the blood in my right arm quite vividly.
If I was going to use this in battle, I couldn’t afford to hesitate even for a second.
I immediately swung my sword.
Swish.
That strike was much faster and stronger than when I merely relied on Wind’s Power.
‘Nice.’
Although I managed to cover the speed with Wind’s Power, my strength had been tricky since I lost the Relic Gravitas Replicant.
But now, that was somewhat resolved.
‘My injuries…’
It didn’t feel significant after just one swing.
Since Luel was accompanying me, she could cast healing magic in real-time, so I didn’t have to worry too much.
My lifespan wasn’t infinite just because I was a half-blood, but it seemed pretty long.
“I think this should be enough.”
Luel said with admiration towards me.
“To think you’d master Blood Magic in just two weeks, even just for your right arm.”
“I couldn’t have done it without a great teacher.”
“Well, that’s true, but it wouldn’t have been possible without your abnormal training.”
Is that so?
I had been training while barely sleeping for days, throwing up blood, but I never thought of it as abnormal.
After all, it suited the current situation, right?
“Definitely not normal. If you were an ordinary human, you’d be dead by now.”
She checked my physical condition as she spoke.
“Only about one-tenth of your lifespan gone. I guess that’s generous, but still, that’s all.”
She touched various parts of my body with curious eyes.
Then she said casually, “Could I dissect you later?”
“Dissect?”
“Yes, the risk is probably lower than this training.”
No, I really didn’t want to be dissected alive, no matter how you put it.
“Is that really necessary?”
“No, it’s not necessary, but it’s more out of curiosity.”
At least that was a relief.
“No way.”
“That’s a disappointment.”
She genuinely looked disappointed.
A bit scary, honestly.
“Then we should get on board.”
Sara and Lucy were already on the ship.
Lucy seemed to be fiddling with various devices, while Sara looked at us with piercing eyes.
It must be because Luel was touching me everywhere.
‘Not that I ever directly told her not to.’
But of course, Luel’s touches weren’t for any personal reasons.
Most of them were to check my physical condition.
“Is everyone onboard? Should we set off?”
After we all boarded, Lucy, who stood at the helm, asked.
I questioned everyone before replying.
“Is everyone prepared?”
It was probably not going to be an easy fight.
Just like it never had been.
It had been that way when I first defeated the Demon King.
It had been that way when I dueled with Libero.
And most recently, when I saved the Leim Kingdom.
There were always uncertainties in victory, but up to now, I had overcome them all.
And now, I faced another high hurdle.
I didn’t even know what awaited me after I overcame this.
But…
‘There’s no reason to give up beforehand.’
Sung Yoo-rang was watching.
Not to mention many people back on Earth.
And most importantly… I really didn’t want to give up.
‘Gwen.’
I had promised to meet her again.
I told her not to worry about the Rose Sword.
The image was still vivid in my mind.
That small yet reliable back of hers when I first started my journey.
Those eyes filled with sadness, having not fulfilled a small, ordinary wish.
That was when I remembered it.
“I’m ready.”
“Me too.”
“I’m ready too…”
Fortunately, everyone seemed prepared.
Of course, I was ready as well.
“Alright, let’s set off.”
”Are you not waiting for us?”
“Well, we’re all set, right?”
”That’s true…”
With a rattling sound, the ship began to move forward.
Into the foggy sea where even an inch ahead was invisible.
The ship went ahead for a while and finally broke through the fog.
What came into view was the genuine Central Sea System.
The Central Island straight ahead and the Prison Island a bit further away.
I thought to myself while looking at the Prison Island.
‘I’m coming to save you, Gwen.’
But for the operation, we needed to stop by the Central Island first.
“Lucy.”
Everyone was already briefed on the operation.
There was no reason to slow down the speed.
“As fast as we can.”
“Got it.”
She pulled the lever with all her might.
*
Prison Island.
That place was commonly known as the “Prison for Heroes,” where those who committed serious crimes were mainly incarcerated.
As such, it was thoroughly equipped with devices to hold strong Heroes and well defended against outside intrusions.
That’s why Prison Island was deemed an “island where escape is absolutely impossible.”
Within the prison, a voice resonated through the corridors.
“Hey, newbie. Are you paying attention?”
It was the voice of the senior guard handing over duties to the rookie guard.
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it? No one is responsible for your life here.”
No matter how much you bind their limbs and seal their magic, Heroes are dangerous.
Even a slight lapse in vigilance could lead to a major accident.
“I’ll stay alert.”
“Good, you should. This next area holds S-Class prisoners.”
Even that veteran felt a cold sweat when thinking of entering this area.
So before entering, it was essential to keep the newbie on their toes.
“Then quickly, put on your gas mask.”
Confirming that the rookie had on the gas mask, he also donned one.
And cautiously began to unlock the locking mechanism of the S-Class Prison Block.
Squeak…
A sound came from inside as gas leaked out.
This gas was a type of psychoactive agent designed to render the imprisoned Heroes helpless.
Of course, it wouldn’t subdue them entirely, but it was meant to neutralize any intent to escape.
“Keep a close eye and remember everything. Any sign of change in those guys, report immediately.”
“Understood.”
“Not just answering, take something out and note it down.”
Watching the rookie take out his notebook, the senior began his explanations.
“First, this guy. Kellan Rublin. He possesses monstrous water magic and…”
“Ah, the one from the S-Central Sea System Gate Collapse incident.”
“Well, you know him. That was probably before you were even born.”
The senior guard smiled inwardly at the rookie’s unexpectedly knowledgeable response.
‘This kid’s knowledge is surprisingly good.’
As long as he could fix his distractingly scattered attention, he should make a decent guard.
With that in mind, he continued his explanations of the prisoners.
Then suddenly.
“Hmm? Who’s this little kid?”
They stopped at the most recent inmate’s cell.
Inside was a red-haired girl curled up in a corner.
She looked far too young to be a serious criminal.
But the senior guard said, “A kid? That one’s a veteran Hero with ten years of experience. She ended up here because of a bad teammate.”
“A teammate?”
“Allen Pleuk. You know, the con artist who deceived the High Priest. Apparently, she was his companion. I don’t know if they really considered each other teammates since he’s gone off the grid.”
“But does that warrant S-Class imprisonment?”
“Well, standalone it wouldn’t, but…”
He pointed to a door further along in the S-Class section.
Passing through that door and unlocking several complex locks…
“EX-Class Prison Block. I wager Allen Pleuk will be held there after his trial in Hailen.”
“EX-Class Prison Blocks exist, huh.”
“Well, we don’t really need to know, but that’s a place where the director himself patrols.”
Even the S-Class Prison Block was a frightening place for someone with the combat ability of an ordinary Hero.
Yet he worked as a guard because it provided stable income and was less risky than directly capturing Chaos Beasts.
But the EX-Class contended to be different, with some saying even the air inside felt different.
Not merely that gas flowed like here, but it was said the very air felt different.
And the only person who could freely enter and exit that space was the director, who happened to be an active Saint-level Hero.
“Well, that’s enough patrolling S-Class.”
The senior guard concluded his circuit.
“Report that everything’s normal…”
But for some reason, the rookie looked a bit off.
“Rookie?”
He stood still, as if he was deep in thought.
Clearly, he was distracted by something again.
“I told you to keep alert!”
Just as he placed his hand on the rookie’s shoulder.
‘Huh?’
An odd sensation shot through his right arm.
At the same time, warm red liquid splashed into his line of vision.
“Damn… what are you?!”
He drew the sword from his waist with his left hand.
But his sword was knocked out of his hand by the rookie’s sword.
“Uggh!”
At that moment, the rookie said, “What else? I’m the Demon King.”
What in the world was happening?
I thought the guards here were meticulously vetted and trained under the Apostle Council.
During that process, it was natural to filter out any potential Demon Kings.
“What, it’s a thanks for the guided tour.”
No, were there ever any guarantees?
Well, considering the long-standing confrontations with the Demon Kings in the Central Sea System, countless variables could have arisen.
“But keep your wits about you.”
The rookie swung his sword one last time.
An unstoppable blow.
Clang!
That was heard amidst the clash of swords.
A voice, ringing hollow and distorted as if echoing inside a gas mask.
The figure was fanning a black cloak around itself.
And on that cloak was a star symbolizing a Saint-level Hero.
“Chief?”
Even as he tied off the sleeve of his right arm, gushing blood, he stepped back as per the chief’s instructions.
“Looks like we have no choice.”
Realizing the other party was a chief-level Saint, the Demon King began to alter its form.
But the chief wasn’t merely standing still either.
Whoosh!
Through the exhaust of his gas mask, a massive amount of steam erupted.
Simultaneously, his sword swung.
Slash!
With that mechanized blow, the solid form of the Demon King was sliced apart effortlessly.
Whoosh!
With each blast of steam from the exhaust, he seemed to move superhumanly as if he were some steam engine.
‘What the…’
In an instant, he rendered the Demon King to pieces.
Why was such a person holed up in a place like this?
Huff, huff.
All that filled the S-Class Prison Block was the sound of breath escaping the gas mask.
Then the chief murmured, “Damn it. What the hell is that con artist up to? I told him long-term is my style…”
That was undeniably a cursed statement regarding the head of the Church, utterly forbidden by the rules.
Yet the chief uttered it without any hesitation.
‘I didn’t hear that.’
Just as he thought so.
“Ah, so you were here too.”
The chief turned to look at him.
But since he was unseen behind the mask, his eyes couldn’t be read.
In that case, he could only pray.
“I’m sorry. Just let me live.”
“What did I say?”
“N-No, you didn’t say anything.”
“Exactly.”
Thank goodness.
It seemed like the vibe said he might let him go.
Click, click.
Meanwhile, the chief moved closer.
And lifted the severed arm.
“This must be your arm, right?”
Nodding, the chief placed the arm against the wound.
In the other hand, he held a potion he miraculously took out.
“This is going to be pretty brutal.”
At that moment.
The potion seeped into the severed end, and an overwhelming pain rushed in.
“Ugh!”
The chief effortlessly lifted him with one arm.
All the while, he began to lose consciousness from the pain.
Only the voice of a little girl murmuring reached his ears.
“Allen Pleuk…”
That voice, void of any semblance of consciousness, sounded like a pure girl’s sleep-talking.
“I promised we would meet again…”
*
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