The skill of Cartia that beheads dragons was not flamboyant.
Amidst the ancient magic of a different dimension above the sky, Cartia’s sword was understated.
However, it was far from weak.
Rather, it was swifter and more accurate than the noisy magic of the dragons, without a hint of error.
Every time the shimmering blue moonlight flashed, a dragon’s neck fell. Amidst the rain of dragon’s blood pouring like a downpour, Cartia’s old conquest was pristine.
In the unyielding assault where evasion seemed impossible, she showcased mysterious movements, dodging and countering every attack.
Surrounded by dragons, she created a breakthrough by utilizing their magic and attacks, mixing between their colossal bodies, forcing them to attack each other.
Even then, Cartia remained suspended in the sky. Without a thought of falling, she wandered gracefully among them.
Unbelievably perfect.
Her demeanor seemed to embody the essence of combat, making my mind stay fixated on Cartia without the slightest intent to waver.
_Clack-clack-_
At that moment, “Rubia” walked towards me.
“It’s a bit lonely just waiting, so shall we have a little chat?”
_[I’m not going to decline.]_
At the same time, Thud- the roots of Yggdrasil surrounding us shot up sharply towards “Rubia.” Yet, her stride did not falter. In fact, she smiled lightly, as if the thorns reaching out to her were cute.
In contrast, the dark silhouette standing beside her began to scatter a sluggish light while watching the roots extend towards “Rubia.”
“My, my… Even though you dislike me, wouldn’t it be more troublesome for you if you did that?”
Seeing this, “Rubia” let out a short sigh and placed her hand above the dark silhouette’s head.
Then, Crash- in the blink of an eye, the limbs of the dark silhouette were gruesomely twisted.
Letting out a scream like scraping metal, the dark silhouette crawled on the ground, desperately clutching Rubia’s ankle and looking up. Then, Squeeze- lines formed on what had previously been a featureless face, and something that resembled a mouth began to twitch.
But “Rubia” seemed displeased even by that.
Crumble-
With hundreds of divine power spears, she tore apart the dark silhouette’s entire body.
Consequently, the dark shadow that had been constraining Frey also vanished along with the dark silhouette.
With no longer having anything to support her, the silhouette almost fell to the ground, but the softly risen roots of Yggdrasil caught her.
“I believe a beast raised by its owner should be punished for baring its teeth. Don’t you think so? What are your thoughts on that?”
“Rubia,” who began to alternate her gaze between the freed Frey and the struggling Ser, finally smiled contentedly before continuing towards the sharp roots.
I immediately tried to rise from my spot.
_[Adversary, I will protect them in your name. You mustn’t move until all your wounds have healed.]_
But the voice of Laila that echoed in my head stopped my action.
_[Do not worry. I can sufficiently protect you now. And… while it’s unfortunate, it seems that even the Nameless One hasn’t fully awakened yet, as they currently show no intent to harm us.]_
Laila spoke with an unpleasant tone, as if she had swallowed something bitter, yet she did not retract the ominous roots directed at “Rubia.”
“That’s right. At this moment, Laila can sufficiently protect everyone except Cartia. Also, for now, I have no intention of harming you. However—”
Thud- The first root that touched her was wrapped in a dark hue. In an instant, it started to wilt and deteriorate, no longer resembling a plant root, and gently wrapped around “Rubia.”
On the other hand, the next roots continued, one after another.
The green vegetation touched by “Rubia” wilted instantly and entwined her body.
Eventually, “Rubia,” who reached us after removing all the roots, wore a gentle smile on her face.
“Noah, have you heard about why Cartia became like that, her past?”
I remained silent.
I could not respond.
Due to the hair-raisingly identical voice of Rubia. And the chillingly similar smile that made me grind my teeth.
“Oh right, you heard it from Brunhilde, didn’t you? Hehe, forgive me. I’ve been so overwhelmed by all that’s come to me that I momentarily forgot.”
The dry gaze directed at me from the expression mirroring “Rubia” tightened around my chest, entraping me tighter than the pain.
“So, why did Cartia put off the choice? There were so many people living in that era at the time. Not only that, but there were also heroes who transcended the fetters of regulation. Yet she deferred the choice to erase them from history. What on earth could the reason be?”
Though her tone could be interpreted as brimmed with anger, there was not even a hint of irritation within.
Only intrigue and interest remained.
And joy that was deeply interwoven.
“The existence of humans is so fascinating. Resilient despite their weakness, surviving until the end. They might seem foolish, yet they possess wisdom. They have a stubbornness that enables them to claw their way back up no matter what trials befall them.”
This gaze turned towards Frey, who was clinging to the roots of Yggdrasil, heading our way.
“Yet, in the face of love, they become endlessly foolish and weak. Perhaps it was for that feeling of love that Cartia postponed her choice? And this shell I created—”
Swish- The gentle stroke of “Rubia’s” arm caressed her face affectionately.
“I believe it was due to love that it was completed more perfectly and swiftly than planned.”
So.
“I don’t wish to kill those who achieved such a miracle. When the false paradise descends, I want to take every human with me. I want to see the light of those fighting to protect their loved ones. I want to witness the light of humans that even ‘Lilith’ found captivating seated in that noble seat. That is why I remain in this world and the reason I have repeated this world many times.”
With her voice soaked in ecstasy, “Rubia” finished her words.
“What do you think? Isn’t it simple enough?”
―――!
From the sky where Cartia was, a terrible roar erupted alongside a massive burst of light.
Even from a distance, my skin, sheltered by Yggdrasil, began to tingle from the heat that enveloped the world.
The information conveyed through my senses became a chaotic whirlwind of magical power.
But that was only temporary.
Beginning from a thinly formed black stain, the explosion started to subside.
Once more, the essence drawn from this chaotic feel revealed.
Black chunks of meat plummeting to the ground, and in-between, the figure of Cartia, having finally gained a place above a dragon’s head, maneuvering with agility.
She stood firm, smiling confidently.
“Isn’t it dazzling? A light that burns everything to illuminate the path ahead. Truly… so bright it takes my breath away.”
A heated breath escaped from “Rubia,” who stared blankly at the sky.
At the same time.
“But it’s insufficient.”
Boom—
Dark clouds that had spread across the region began drawing together.
“The light that exists in the bright places is meaningless.”
Boom—
A fierce bolt of lightning erupted from the gathering dark clouds.
“By nature, light can only fulfill its purpose amidst darkness.”
Boom—
The immense body of the primordial beast, Jiz, which had been bowing its head, began to stir.
Boom—
Jiz’s head stretched toward the sky.
As if in accordance, the lightning encircling Jiz gathered before his maw.
“I want to make the last light of the hero who led an era—”
The lightning, taking on the form of a small orb, began greedily consuming all the magical power around it before swelling larger and larger.
“More perfectly.”
Thwack- Jiz’s maw opened up towards the sky. The atmosphere quivered. A massive wave of energy rippled through the ground, erasing the colors of the surrounding area.
Immediately, Thwack- Laila’s body appeared in front of Jiz as she flicked her fingers to change her position. I, too, strained my body and rushed towards Jiz.
But.
Crack—
A bolt of lightning shot forth a step ahead of us, piercing through Cartia’s right arm, leaving a gruesome trail of light.
And that wasn’t the end.
The magic of the dragons engaged in combat with Cartia simultaneously activated.
Countless chains appeared in the air, binding Cartia’s body.
The breath coiling within their maws emerged into the world.
Under the overwhelming power, the information depicted by my senses began to twist and tangle.
Amidst the disordered spectacle, the last image drawn was.
The sight of Cartia’s arms severed.
“Oh, I’m so excited. Just how beautiful will the human soul shining brighter than now be?”
“Rubia” turned her head toward Jiz.
The divine power flowing from her fingertips burrowed into Jiz’s body.
“You can do it, right, Jiz? Please grant my wish.”
[GGGGRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAA―!!]
Hearing Rubia’s command, Jiz spread its enormous wings and released a roar like nails scraping metal.
Once again, the lightning began to gather.
It felt like the forces of nature encapsulated within—a power whose divine essence was far too murky to still be called Rubia’s.
Whoosh—!
The colossal wings that dwarfed those of the dragons flapped. Feathers sharper than any impure claws scattered around. A fierce storm surged forth.
Within that chaos, sluggish divine power rained down. The dark light of the black sun cast over the land. The roots of Yggdrasil wilted. The flowers, barely holding their shapes, rotted away without a trace.
Thud- The still intact roots of Yggdrasil gently wrapped around my ankles. The same went for Ser. The roots of various plants held tightly to prevent us from being swept away by the tempest.
Amidst the tempest that made it hard to even open my eyes, I lifted Frey. Fending off all the feathers that charged toward Ser, I widened my senses without ceasing, trying to depict Cartia’s figure.
But the tangled senses did not convey what I desired, only relaying a terrible pain within my head.
In that, blinding pain that felt like my head was on fire, the image drawn was.
The dragon breaths converging at one point, and Jiz soaring toward Cartia.
And then.
Drenched in blood, blocking the path before Jiz was.
“Keep it tight, you pathetic girl. You should know better than to be embarrassed.”
It was Frey.
