Chapter 155
The Knight of True Flame quickly retreated and kept a close watch on his enemy. He was certainly superior in sheer force, but that ability was not something easy to counter. If he let his guard down even for a moment, his body would rot and crumble in an instant.
'As expected, this is troublesome. Is it only because I've reached this level that I can endure it at all?'
The Knight of True Flame once again felt a sense of alienation from his own power. It was an ability no human should ever possess. It was no wonder that, tangled up in humanity, it only conjured a feeble body.
'Corrosion is not easily defended against. And if I try to evade, that brings complications of its own.'
The Knight of True Flame was well aware of the dangers posed by the corrosion ability. However, with only limited information, it was difficult to apply proper countermeasures in battle. Above all, as a living being, he was inherently vulnerable to corrosion, so even bold actions were not permitted.
'Even the body is made through corrosion. If I attack, I'll be harmed as well.'
In truth, Lailnetia the Devouring had essentially abandoned any foundation as a living being. She had already shed her identity as a dragon, and now sustained her very form through corrosion. He was convinced that humans simply could not annihilate Lailnetia the Devouring.
'This is something only I can do. I must accomplish it, because I possess the power of a dragon.'
Even as the Knight of True Flame considered this battle his destiny, he couldn't be entirely sure of victory. Lailnetia the Devouring had used powers other than her corrosion ability when fighting Ru the Luminescent. Because of that, Ru the Luminescent had been utterly defeated, and the same could well happen to himself.
'She didn't kill Ru the Luminescent. She probably used that power to forcibly suppress him.'
That was why the Knight of True Flame always remained cautious, meticulously observing his enemy's every move. He could not allow himself to get caught up in Lailnetia the Devouring's pace, and he needed to find her weakness. Even though the situation was evenly matched now, it could be overturned at any moment.
'I want to end this swiftly, but...'
"You're not coming any closer? Did I frighten you?"
"Taunts like that won't work. Do you think I know nothing about you?"
"Haha! I did show my form to humans, didn't I? How much do you know about my corrosion?"
Lailnetia the Devouring let her body elongate, betraying a sense of supreme composure. His attacks did nothing to her, but she was perfectly blocking his corrosion ability. Moreover, she appeared to be constantly aware of the Abyss, never dropping her guard for even an instant. That only made this battle all the more intriguing, and he couldn't help but observe her a little more.
"Even if you know, that doesn't mean you can counter it. You simply have to negate it with mana."
"In that case, isn't that disadvantageous for you? I just need to stall for time. You'll exhaust your mana and die slowly. Did you choose to fight me knowing that?"
"If not me, then who else can stand against you?"
The Knight of True Flame firmed his grip on his sword, focusing his mana within. A betrayer of humanity and a cruel monster, he had fueled himself with the mana of dragons. To justify his own twisted existence, he had to exterminate them all.
"Why do you think there's no one else? You are only a variable, not the fundamental concept itself."
"That doesn't matter. I'll prove everything with results."
"You know as well, don't you? Didn't you face Radiance?"
"Radiance? Are you talking about the force that threatened me?"
"You made the right choice. If you hadn't backed down, you would have perished."
The Knight of True Flame instinctively recalled the mana Brillie had manifested. Though it shone in a pitiful violet hue, it contained a latent ultimate mortality. That was why he had to flee immediately without even attempting to fight.
"Radiance splits darkness. It needs no justification. Because you and I both harbor darkness, destruction will come from Radiance."
"Are you saying you could be destroyed by that power?"
"If it touches my darkness, perhaps. But that's impossible. How can one cut through the deepest-hidden darkness?"
Lailnetia the Devouring had long recognized the threat of Radiance. The Book of All Things had probably arranged that power to eliminate those who would disrupt the balance of the universe. But she had no intention of succumbing so easily, and had mastered the means to conceal her darkness.
"If you cooperate with me, I'll teach you how to hide your darkness. Would that change your mind?"
"I... harbor darkness within me?"
"It is clear as day to my eyes. From your darkness... a twisted desire flows out."
Lailnetia the Devouring gazed entirely into the darkness held by the Knight of True Flame. Because it stemmed from pure zeal, it had become intensely corrupted. With hesitation and self-reproach also latent within, that darkness was only growing deeper.
"Darkness without emotion is murky. Rather, only when emotion adds to it does it become pure darkness."
"...."
"Your darkness has been refined to purity. You could be consumed even more by it than you are now. Perhaps surpass even my own darkness."
"...."
"You must have realized it to some degree... and still, you wish to fight me?"
The Knight of True Flame seemed momentarily hesitant, then raised his blade. No matter what Lailnetia the Devouring said, he would not waver. From the beginning, his goal had been set.
"No one will take it from me. Hand over your power."
"Kukuku... A fine reply. Is that why your darkness is so pure?"
Lailnetia the Devouring was greatly satisfied and summoned the Abyss. That darkness was simply too precious to waste by killing him now. Perhaps it would be best to seal him in the Abyss for a while, and try to persuade him further.
'Hmph... How can I not covet it? That kind of darkness could well destroy the universe itself.'
* * *
Alter hurriedly packed his belongings and headed for the eastern territory. Lailnetia the Devouring was slowly advancing, corroding the entire border region as she moved. As a result, their forces couldn't even attempt a defense and simply had to retreat.
'Is she trying to sweep away everything, leaving nothing behind?'
Lailnetia the Devouring was advancing at a rather slow pace. The corrosion was devastating not only the castle of the Agnes Empire, but also nearby lands. Maybe Lailnetia the Devouring was set on destroying the Agnes Empire entirely.
'If Ru the Luminescent still hasn't appeared by now...'
Alter instinctively assumed the worst-case scenario. Ru the Luminescent had probably been ambushed by Lailnetia the Devouring. That must have led either to retreat or annihilation, keeping him from intervening in this incident.
'Was she waiting for this moment all along?'
Alter surmised that Lailnetia the Devouring had been acting according to a plan. Having eliminated Hazlodein's dragons in sequence, she could ultimately push aside even Ru the Luminescent. Then, left alone, she could bring about utter annihilation.
'If that's the case... She must know about me and Brillie too.'
If she had orchestrated all these events, she would surely have a grasp of the general flow. Perhaps, given the circumstances, she could even assassinate him and Brillie. Yet Lailnetia the Devouring made no move, only quietly looking on.
'Could it be... she can foresee the future?'
Delving deeper, Alter's expression grew subtle. If she could sense the future, it wouldn't make sense for her to merely wait until now. Surely, there had to be a reason to invade at precisely this moment.
'Either she has another objective, or she's attempting some deception...'
"So this... Is this the prophecy the fortune-teller spoke of?"
"Yes. Most likely."
"So our lives are at stake in this battle, then?"
"Our lives have always been at stake, haven't they? We came back alive each time. So this time, we just need to survive again."
"... I suppose you're right."
Brillie replied ambiguously, shrouded in doubt. She hadn't become any stronger than before, nor was she particularly better prepared. Still, could she survive by defying the law of nature itself?
"... Are you anxious?"
"It's not so much anxiety as a lack of trust in myself. I still don't understand Radiance—can I even hope to fight the enemy like this?"
"I'm the same. I haven't mastered advanced magic either. But we are not weak. Haven't we proven that all this time?"
"So far, yes. But... how could we know what lies ahead?"
Brillie did not put her faith blindly in prophecy, but she couldn't deny it outright either. On top of that, the Goddess Semerune had appeared in a statue and issued a warning. This only deepened her doubts about herself.
"Then... shall we run away together?"
"That is..."
Brillie couldn't bring herself to answer. If she fled the battle simply out of fear of death, the situation would only worsen. That would only invite severe criticism, and a far greater crisis for many.
"I don't want to think about responsibility or honor. The future for you and me, Brillie, is what matters most. So we must not run."
"......."
"I will protect you. Please—just trust me and stay by my side."
"... I won't leave you behind. I just wavered, that's all."
Brillie belatedly composed herself and tightened her grip on the reins. She had unconsciously shown her husband a moment of weakness. Even now, she had to rekindle her resolve and face what was ahead with determination.
"I shouldn't be hearing such words from you. I should be protecting you."
"Is it wrong for a husband to protect his wife? This is one thing I cannot yield."
"I know. But... I just don't want to lose you."
"......."
Alter turned his head slowly, enshrouded in silence. Brillie's gaze was sorrowful, but her resolve had not faded. If anything, her tawny-orange eyes glimmered with determination, banishing her fear.
"To destroy the darkness with Radiance... That's all we have to do, isn't it?"
"Yes. I'll help you."
"Helping is good, but please, don't let yourself get hurt. I know it's because of the curse, but you've always been frail since childhood."
"I can at least protect myself. After all, I'm the next great mage."
Alter spoke calmly, feeling the power of the dragons within him. If he used their power, he could stand against Lailnetia the Devouring. But if he couldn't cast advanced magic, even achieving victory would be difficult.
'It didn't feel like simply stopping time.'
Alter had a faint understanding of the principle behind the magic. Tiksa the Frostbane broke the law of nature regarding time by applying ice attributes. Then perhaps he should approach it in a similar way.
'... Do I need to freeze the very concept of time?'
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