kscans

Chapter 224 - Sinking Hopes

The clash of their final trump cards.

Sun and god-slayer.

The blue-flamed katana, Kagutsuchi, held back the sun. It was split and divided, but its momentum didn't falter. It was like parting a waterfall. I was stationary in mid-air, but I wasn't being pushed back. The fiery propulsion from my feet held me steady, preventing any retreat.

Amon was perplexed by his opponent, who completely defied his expectations. No matter how strong one's power, this was the sky. A human without a foothold should have been unilaterally pushed back and slammed into the ground. But that logic didn't apply here at all. This human ignored all common sense. He was too dangerous, too much of an anomaly.

Letting someone like this run free was too risky. He had to be killed, no matter what.

Amon unleashed the last of his magic.

I felt the power of the sun intensify. I, too, poured my remaining magic into the attack. Not just Kagutsuchi, but the propulsion from my feet grew stronger as well. I felt like I was pushing forward, just a little. But I was immediately pushed back. I had no intention of dragging this out any longer. I poured everything I had into this one attack, determined to end it here.

At that moment, a massive explosion erupted at the center of their clash.

*

Meanwhile, the human army, led by the General, had fallen silent.

Adventurers and knights lay fallen on the battlefield. The only ones still standing were the General, a handful of knights, and a four-person adventurer party.

They had managed to defeat one Great Ogre, but four others remained standing, though wounded. Several Ogres and Flame Wolves were also still active. The other monsters brandished their weapons as if to show they could still fight.

From this situation, it was clear that the human army had been defeated, their fighting spirit lost.

*

The scene changes to the Republic.

The survivors of the knights and adventurers had gathered before the royal capital's gate, defending it.

The monsters, led by seven Muay Thai Kongs, had spread out in a fan shape, like a Crane Wing Formation.

From this situation, it was clear that the human army had been defeated.

Defeated on the battlefield by the monsters' power and numbers, they had retreated to the royal capital.

The Guild Master and Captain Bradamante lay unconscious in the guardhouse. Their bodies were covered in severe bruises and burns, and it was a miracle they were still alive.

They had managed to take down three of the ten Muay Thai Kongs in a suicide attack, but the remaining seven and the subsequent wave of monsters had overwhelmed them, leaving them helpless.

The soldiers lacked the energy to carry them to the medical bay for immediate treatment. For now, the doctors who had been on standby were treating the two of them and the other wounded who could be brought back.

And King Lustolfo, present at the scene, closed his eyes.

"Everyone, you have fought well. It is regrettable, but this is the end."

His words plunged those around him into despair.

Why was the king here? A knight who had come from the throne room reported, "I-I have a report. A S-Skeleton... says it has something to say."

Hearing the terrified report, the king had rushed to the scene.

When the Skeleton confirmed the king's presence, it said, "Your defeat is certain. You have only one choice: submit to us. We will give you time, but know that resistance is futile."

It was a demand for surrender.

*

The Church.

The battle here had also been decided. The human army was surrounded by monsters, unable to escape.

Altorine was seriously injured, and with her magic almost depleted, she couldn't even use her `Recovery` skill. She was immobilized.

The monsters, even when wounded, were healed by a Reverse Slime, and they pressed their attack with what seemed like an inexhaustible number.

Five Earth Bears were also still standing, looking down on the humans as if to mock them.

"Kuh... How vexing," Altorine gritted her teeth in frustration.

A Skeleton had appeared here as well, delivering a demand for surrender. Normally, she could have crushed it, but exhausted and facing overwhelming numbers, she could do nothing.

The Skeleton vanished with a mocking laugh.

*

The Kingdom.

'Wind Guard' and Captain Glad had faced the giant lizard, the Salamander. They had joined forces with 'The Owl', but the result was a crushing defeat.

It wasn't that their attacks didn't work. When they cut it, it bled. Arrows pierced it. But to the Salamander, it was nothing more than a scratch, its expression saying, what are you doing?

And the flames that overflowed from its entire body flew everywhere, burning everything to the ground.

It wreathed its tail in flames and swung it in a wide arc. The size was beyond what could be dodged. Leona and Bardos combined their strength to create a wind barrier, but their power was not enough, and they were blown away. Still, it was Bardos who held on until the very end.

He continued to use `Berserk` until the very end, swinging his great axe until his mind and body were in tatters. But his valiant efforts were in vain. He only managed to wound it, never coming close to taking its life, and he fell. Leona stood protectively over Bardos. Glad's mace had melted and become useless, and he was fighting with only his shield. The members of 'The Owl' were all unconscious.

During a lull in the battle, a Skeleton had appeared before the royal capital's gate with dozens of monsters, delivered a demand for surrender, and left.

In front of Queen Olivia herself, no less.

"I cannot afford to lose any more," Olivia thought, her heart heavy with grief. "But..."

Surrendering here would save those fighting on the front lines. But she didn't know if that was truly the right thing to do.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, she was unable to make a decision.

*

The Empire.

The Throne Room.

The Guild Master stood before Emperor Yorune.

"How long do you intend to be so stubborn? Don't you realize yet that this royal capital is safe thanks to me? The former Emperor was a wise man, but it seems his daughter is not."

His face was one of exasperation.

A knight, filled with rage, was about to draw his sword, but Yorune stopped him. Cutting down this scum wouldn't change the situation. She would wait for a report from the General. That was all.

And so, the battles in each country were decided, with humanity's defeat all but certain.

*

And on the border.

Shinsuke versus Amon.

A massive explosion occurred between them. The cause was likely the excessive amount of magic they had both poured into their attacks, and the fact that both were using super-powerful flames.

The aftershock of the explosion was tremendous. Tina, who was nearby, was freed from her feather restraints and sent flying. The human army and the monsters were also nearly blown away by the wind pressure.

When the explosion subsided, two shadows fell from the sky.

The first to land was Shinsuke.

The sudden explosion in front of me had left no time to defend. I took the full force of it and fell. I had been unconscious for a moment. When I saw the ground approaching, I instinctively broke my fall.

Thanks to my enhanced body, I managed to succeed.

However, my left arm was completely useless. I couldn't move it even if I tried. A dull pain shot through both my legs. It was difficult to walk, let alone run. My magic was also severely depleted, and I didn't know how much I had left.

Honestly, I was in no condition to fight. But Amon had also been caught in that massive explosion. Even a high-ranking monster couldn't have escaped unscathed.

As I thought that, I lifted my head, and at the same time, BOOOOM, something crashed to the ground.

I could guess what it was. The only other one in the sky was Amon, so it must have been him. A cloud of dust rose, and a faint shadow could be seen within it. It stood up. Which means...

As I was thinking this, the smoke cleared. Amon had scorch marks all over his body, and his right arm had not yet regenerated. The feathers on his wings were also burnt off, and he couldn't fly. He was also out of breath. He was also on his last legs.

However, I was on my knees, unable to stand up. He, on the other hand, was standing firmly on both feet.

In this situation, it was clear who had the upper hand.

"Hah... hah..." Amon panted. "To be pushed this far... It reminds me of my youth. You are incredible. An achievement beyond words. I will speak of you for the rest of my life."

It was a declaration of victory.

"Hah. Speak of me?" I scoffed. "What's that supposed to mean? I didn't come to this world to create some heroic legend."

I felt like clicking my tongue.

"This world?" Amon said. "I see, an Otherworlder. That would explain it. In that case, you can rest in peace."

A ball of fire appeared from his left hand.

To think he still had that much energy left. I couldn't even use magic, let alone move.

"Sorry," I said, "but I like to be refreshed before I go to sleep. At the very least, I have to cut that down."

I gripped my katana and pointed the tip at him.

"Is that so?" Amon said. "I don't know why, but I thought you would say that. Even though we haven't known each other for long. It's strange. In that case, you may cut down my flame and rest in peace."

He prepared to throw it.

Honestly, I didn't even have the strength to swing. But I absolutely refused to die without doing anything. With that thought, I raised my katana to a high stance.

As we glared at each other, I apologized in my heart.

Tina. Forgive me for going first. Sidoor. I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise to you.

The moment Amon was about to throw.

Countless bolts of lightning rained down from the sky, covering the entire area.

The explosive sound and light stopped everyone present in their tracks. Amon's fireball also disappeared, and he was trying to figure out what had just happened.

I suddenly looked up at the sky.

Something was moving within the clouds. A bird? No, it was too big for that. And it was writhing. A snake? A giant snake? But since it was in the sky, it had to be flying.

A flying snake-like creature. There was one creature that came to mind.

No way. But I had never seen such a monster in this world. Not even a subspecies of it. The Lizardmen used water, not fire, so it was a bit different, but still, I could say it wasn't them.

But it wasn't impossible for it to exist.

Because this was a world where anything could happen. My premonition was correct.

What emerged was a snake so massive its full length was unknown. Its scales were black, indicating a toughness that could withstand any attack. Here and there were legs with sharp claws, wreathed in blue flame. Its face was majestic, with sharp fangs visible from its slit mouth. Its eyes could kill with a single glance. Its horns were similar to a deer's, but on a completely different scale. And it had golden whiskers that flowed in the wind.

The most famous and strongest existence in this world.

A Dragon.