Side Story - SS - Death God and the Siege of Shirone Kingdom!

*KNOCK KNOCK*

Tapping gently on the door two times, Julian took a step back, waiting for the person on the other side---Roxy, to come out. 

Resting his back against the wall, Julian waited patiently. 

However, it seemed like Roxy was sleeping. 

Julian left the support of the wall and knocked on the door, this time a bit vehement with his knocks. He gave it exactly three knocks, maintaining a respectful curtsy. 

However, this time, instead of the previous dead silence that was mildly accentuated by the subtle snoring, he discerned the faint rustling of sheets and the muffled thud of someone alighting from a bed. 

The floorboards beneath creaked softly as Julian heard her spooked steps approaching the door. 

The gap at the bottom of the door allowed a sliver of light to spill into the hallway, and it swayed gently as it was momentarily obstructed by her shadow.

Finally, the lock clicked open, and the doorknob turned with a faint sound of metallic grinding. The door swung inward, filling the corridor with the subtle echo of its movement.

Roxy stood there, half in and half out of the room, peering at me with her sleepy blue eyes. 

Her attire caught Julian's attention immediately. 

The fabric, as if surrendering to her small stature, allowed her shoulders to peek out from beneath, bathed in sunlight that streamed through the window. The gentle glow of her exposed shoulders accentuated the softness of her skin, casting her in a wispy, vaporous radiance.

Her beauty was not the kind that stunned with grandeur or elegance. Instead, it possessed a cute charm. Her petite features, framed by her disheveled hair, held a captivating innocence. 

She wasn't like Ariel, or Shizuka, who's beauty centered around the sharp features and such. 

Julian couldn't help but feel like she was more cute than beautiful. Not in a way that would undermine her sublimity. 

Feeling Julian's gaze over her that seemed to linger on her exposed shoulders and chest, she blushed and cornered inside a bit as he was acutely made aware of her awareness of his open-mouthed gawp.

She mustered her courage and broke the silence, her voice soft and oddly...inviting. "Julian, what brings you here so early?" Her question was innocent enough, but a hint of boldness beneath her words as she opened the door a bit more didn't go entirely unnoticed. 

Julian met her gaze directly, his eyes locked onto hers as he answered. "I thought since you don't have much to do, and my mother has recovered, it would be a perfect time for you to meet my family."

Roxy's face brightened with genuine interest at the idea. "I'd love to meet your family, especially Zenith. Wait, I told you about this a few days ago, didn't I?"

"Mhm, yeah." 

As he spoke, Julian noticed Roxy's fingers inching toward the edge of her shirt, as if she intended to slip it off her shoulder, revealing more of her delicate skin. It was a subtle gesture of seduction. Despite being naive and inexperienced, she knew how to play the game, and she played it well. 

Game's the game, after all. 

"So, uhhh...?" Sensing the awkward silence and stillness, Roxy decided to break the silence. 

"Hm? Oh, yeah. Get ready. You are about to leave." Julian muttered, standing in the frame of the door. 

"I am? You are not coming?" She asked, looking up at him. Her neck almost hurt from looking from all the way from down there. 

"I have some work in King Dragon Kingdom. I will be back in about a month." Julian's reply came out almost robotic.

"Julian...? Are you okay? You look really pale..." Roxy, noticing the changes in his manner of speech and his physical appearance, asked with worry etched on her features. 

"I am fine. Just seasonal changes in weather are making me sick." Julian replied, again in the same tone. 

Vexed, Roxy wanted to continue pushing for it. Part of the reason was because she didn't know Julian really that well, despite being his teacher for so long. However, even without that, she could guess that she wasn't going to get an answer out of him that easily. 

"You are lying, aren't you?" 

"I am." 

He looked down at her, his eyes flaring up. 

"...fine. But whatever it is that is worrying you, don't hesitate to ask me. I will try to help." 

"Sure. Now go change." 

With a wave, Julian turned around and closed the door behind himself. 

However, grabbing the knob of the handle and opening the door, Roxy gripped on to his sleeve. 

"Uh...can you help me pick a dress?" 

She asked, the left side of her body almost exposed while she averted her gaze, her ears bright red. 

A dry lump made its way down Julian's throat. 

And the door closed right after. 

(***)

After about 30 minutes, both Julian and Roxy were standing in front of a teleportation circle that was a few miles away from the old house in Begaritt Continent. 

The air was awkward. Julian, with a blank face activated the magic circle. 

It hummed and pulsed, sending a ripple of mana through the small diameter before turning around like a wheel. 

"Once you step foot on it, you will be outside the office. Show this piece of paper to the woman inside the house or if you see a weird silver haired man with golden eyes. They'll take you where mom is." 

Julian explained. 

Without saying a word, she took the piece of paper from Julian's hand and stepped on the circle. 

"Safe travels." Julian muttered from behind her. 

All of her being screamed at her to turn back, but Roxy, biting her lip remained steadfast and glued to her decision. She pulled the hat over her face, and continued to look away as the bright purple light from the teleportation circle swallowed her whole. 

The ripple in ambient mana dissipated as she disappeared. 

"Hm. Well, on to the next continent then, I guess..."

(***)

King Dragon Kingdom. 

The third ranked country in this world. It holds a wide territory in the southern area.

I had arrived at the city of Eastport in the Dragon King Realm—the biggest port city in the entire world.

People here spoke the same language as in the Holy Country of Millis, but the names and appearances of the shops were subtly different. 

Nonetheless, this marked the fourth port city I had encountered on my numerous journeys, rendering the locale devoid of novelty. 

Upon my arrival, having silently extricated myself from the clandestine confines of the teleportation circle base, I promptly immersed myself in the paramount task at hand.

Finding myself some breakfast. However, as I pulled some air with my nose, a certain smell---a tempting aroma wafted through the air. 

I had my eyes fixed on the restaurant that seemed to be the source of this interesting smell. 

Its outward appearance offered little reassurance. 

The brick walls bore the scars of neglect, riddled with conspicuous holes and structural decay, while the wooden sign perched above, once bearing some semblance of identity, had succumbed to the ravages of time and neglect, its inscription rendered illegible by layers of grime.

The front door itself appeared to be on the brink of detachment, hanging precariously from its hinges. Its dilapidated state gave the impression less of a refined dining establishment and more of an abandoned house left to decay in obscurity.

Nevertheless, the aroma wafting from within painted a contrasting narrative. It wasn't the type of opulent scent that would instantly set one's mouth to watering, but rather, there was a certain nostalgic quality to it. 

My stomach betrayed me with an audible rumble. 

With my weary body, I mustered the strength to push open the front door. It let out an indignant protest, as if such treatment was a rare and unwelcome occurrence, hinting at the infrequency of visitors to this place.

As expected, the interior of the restaurant also bore a certain shabbiness. Perhaps "grimy" wasn't the most accurate term to describe it; it appeared sufficiently clean to function as an eating establishment. Yet, above all else, it exuded an air of shabbiness that couldn't be ignored.

Half of the chairs appeared to be missing their legs, while most of the tables bore cracks, and the floor was marred by shallow depressions, further contributing to the overall worn and tatterdemalion ambiance.

As anticipated, the interior was bereft of other patrons.

"At least I can eat in isolation," I murmured to myself, quietly.

"Welcome, dear guest..." With my arrival at a table, a man of skeletal thinness approached, extending a menu toward me.

Looking at his face, it was a jump scare and a half. My fragile heart almost popped out of the ribcage. I never had any, but if I ever had the "honour" to have a nightmare, it would most certainly involve this man. 

It wasn't the facial structure or features that were eerily creepy...no, it was the way he creeped up to me, without making a single sound of steps or change in surroundings.

It was just like he was always standing behind me. It made a shiver run down my spine.

I wondered if he was the proprietor of this establishment, judging by his demeanor. His countenance was undeniably somber. 

While it was evident at first glance that the shop wasn't exactly thriving, it wouldn't hurt to at least muster a feigned smile for the sake of the customers.

Then again, who was I to pass judgment? 

If I possessed the ability to do so, I wouldn't have had to hire individuals who could effortlessly wear a smile at the counter of my own inaugural restaurant. A rueful sigh escaped me as I dismissed such thoughts.

Taking the menu from his hands, I looked down at it.

* Dragon Meat, Nanahoshi Style.

* Alba Fish Stew.

Hm. Am I hallucinating?

I pinched my cheek and looked down at the menu again.

* Dragon Meat, Nanahoshi Style. 

Hmmm. I think I am still dreaming. I should punch my face. 

Wait... She did say that she was wandering here and there in the time I was unconscious. Maybe she did it all in the time bracket. Well, let's see what she has been cooking.

The choice was either fish or meat. Needless to say, I was going to eat Nanahoshi styled meat. 

Taking my order, the skeletal man made his way back to the kitchen with a blank face. I picked up a glass and poured myself some water. There was wine on the table as well. 

Throughout both of my lifetimes, I had never indulged in alcohol. Curiously, the prospect had never managed to pique my interest, especially not in a setting like this. While the thought did occasionally flutter through my mind during those weekends when Shizuka would partake. 

However even she had eventually abstained from drinking altogether.

Naturally, her night with my mother had been an exception.

I lifted the jug of wine and cautiously brought it closer to my nose. Its fragrance was robust, imbued with the essence of fermented fruits. While it was a common method of production in this world, known for fermenting fruits, I couldn't help but recall that the Milbotts Region—Paul's hometown—that had a broader and more exquisite collection of wines.

I shook my head, setting the jug aside. The allure of getting intoxicated briefly flirted with my thoughts, but not within the confines of such a place. If the notion of experiencing inebriation for the first time held any significance, I preferred to reserve it for a more fitting occasion.

My reverie was abruptly shattered by a resounding crash. The entrance door had been forcefully flung open, revealing a portly and rather boorish individual—more of a boy in age but bearing a face that betrayed his youth. 

He marched into the restaurant with an utter disregard for decorum, not even bothering to remove his shoes. Not that anyone else observed such customs here, to be fair. 

It wasn't exactly the sort of establishment that upheld such formalities. I couldn't claim to be any different in that regard. My apologies. 

Upon hearing the intruder's voice, the emaciated man emerged from the kitchen, his eyes widening in recognition. "Ah... Pax! I have a customer today."

Pax... ah! The boy who wanted to touch Roxy's chest all the time. Come to think of it, Roxy's chest did grow a bit. 

A woman's chest is the first thing of allure towards a man. And Roxy did seem to have advanced one rank. Anyways, I heard the prince was given some punishment after he stole some artefact...

Well, it was me who did it but pinning it on Pax wasn't that hard. After that, he was punished with a short exile. Come to think of it, he was punished again with exile after some time. I wonder why. 

Since the seventh prince is here, this makes things easier. I initially came here to talk to Death God, but I had something to do with Pax as well. Two birds with one stone. 

Yay?

However, we aren't on the best of terms. And since the Death God has a soft place in his heart for Pax Shirone, I might get in trouble if a fight breaks out. I can't even keep up with him in my current state, let alone defeat him. He wasn't a normal human after all. 

He had immortal blood inside him. 

Other than that, even Orsted said that I might die in my current state if I fought him. It's best to avoid that outcome. Craning my neck down, I hid my face away from Pax.

"Oh? Good for you." He spoke lazily and sat beside the counter, sitting on the other side of the place where the chef was cooking.

His countenance resembled that of a skull, with skin drawn so tautly over his face that it accentuated his skeletal features. Oddly, despite his cadaverous appearance, he did not seem overtly unwell or sick in any way. 

It was conceivable that this peculiar appearance might be attributed to his mixed heritage, as there was no overt sign of illness present.

Ironically enough, it seemed like Death God - Randolph shared the same hobby as me - cooking. 

It took me a moment to grasp, but I eventually pieced it together. 

Despite his seemingly nonchalant demeanor, there was an underlying wariness directed toward me. 

I couldn't help but sense that if I were to take a single step closer to Pax, he might swiftly move in my direction, armed with whatever sharp object he happened to have on hand at that very moment.

A chill ran down my spine.

It wasn't just the threat of any sharp weapon. His battle aura was pointing at me already. He was closer to the realm where he could cut anything if he wanted to. Not because he merely had a weapon. 

A scary thought.

"How is young miss?" Randolph asked, leaning over the counter while flipping the piece of meat.

"She went back to her quarters. I told her a lot of stories. She even talked back!" Pax, surprisingly, happily started to narrate events of his supposed date with someone. The boy I had set-up all those years ago was growing into a confident man.

Brings a tear to my eyes. 

While they engaged in conversation, I noticed Pax's gaze flickering in my direction. 

I instinctively averted my eyes, attempting to divert my attention elsewhere. Yet, no matter how I shifted my head, I couldn't escape the sensation that Pax was tracking my every movement from the corner of his eye, a palpable curiosity driving him to catch a glimpse of my face.

I sighed inwardly, resigning myself to the possibility of my peaceful breakfast being disrupted. Thankfully, it appeared that Pax eventually abandoned his fruitless attempts at covert observation.

"But you know..." Pax continued, his voice toned down to just a touch above whisper, "...I still can't ask her hand from the King. I need to prove myself." 

"Don't worry at all, your majesty. You'll be able of that, in the near future." Randolph's voice was surprisingly soft and full of liberal sympathy and support. 

"You know it as well. A sleezeball like me would never be able to achieve anything. Just like how no one would be able to understand your cooking as well." He spoke and I watched him lay his head on the counter from my periphery. 

"You are too harsh on yourself, young prince. Have some confidence in yourself." Despite how self-deprecating his tone was, Randolph shrugged it every time, talking optimistic things with him. 

After a while, Randolph came to my table with the dish. Apparently, he was the waiter as well. Makes sense. 

As he placed the dish on my table, he went back to Pax. "You know, the Void God that is recently been talked about. He is also a good chef apparently. I have eaten his food, and I am so close to making it just like him. Just wait and see!" 

Seeing Randolph's determination, I remembered how once at one point in both lives, I strived to master everything. While it happened quite quickly in the previous life, there were so many things that remained unachieved in this world. 

Getting strong enough that no one could lay a finger on me, having a large family for once, dying in a peaceful place. Feel fear or death for once. Love maybe. Actual love. 

Maybe I felt it along the way. I can't tell. Maybe I did. Or is my memory hazy about it? 

Well, whatever. 

Looking down on my dish, I finally realised what it was. 

"Dragon Meat, Nanahoshi Style" was apparently a meal with three distinct parts.

The initial course consisted of a transparent vegetable soup, immediately recognizable by its simple and refreshing appearance. It appeared to be a conventional offering, nothing out of the ordinary. 

However, the subsequent two components promised a more intriguing experience.

To my left, a staple food in my restaurant: white rice, the venerable monarch of grains. 

Or so I initially thought. Upon closer inspection, the hue wasn't precisely white; it seemed as though other grains had been intermingled. So, it was more like a multigrain rice, I corrected myself. 

It makes sense since Shizuka wouldn't have any means of growing it or finding it all over the world at that time and mixed whatever she could find. 

Lastly, the third component of my meal presented itself—a plate adorned with golden-brown chunks of deep-fried delectables. In essence, it was unmistakably karaage. 

That revelation led me to the realization that despite the subtle nuances—such as the soup not being precisely miso and the rice not being entirely white—this was, undeniably, a traditional karaage meal.

I felt my very cells tremble. This exact meal was exactly the thing that led me into Horikita's trap. I feel as if eating it would make me land in deep trouble. I can already feel it. 

In my bones. 

Picking up my knife and fork, I cut through the supposed karaage. It was deep fried. It made a crunching sound as I stabbed my fork into it. It was crispy but extremely oily. A small pool of oil formed in the center of the plate. It seemed like "death row" meal. A meal you eat once and then you don't...obviously because you die. 

Sighing, I put the meat into my mouth. (insert random ahh gay jokes)

The karaage was damp on the exterior, while the interior exhibited an unexpected dryness and toughness, contrary to its typical texture. As I continued to chew, an increasingly pungent and unpleasant odor emanated from the morsel, making the dining experience less than enjoyable. 

"So, uh, sir, how was the meal?" Randolph came over to me and asked, rubbing his hands. 

"It...uh, can use some improvements. Overall, it was alright." I replied. It wasn't inedible. If I had fought all the world powers at the same time and all food from the world had disappeared, I would've definitely come back to eat this. In good spirits at that.

"Oh? You're seeing this? He didn't spit the food out!"

People do that...? That is an option?

"Will you guide me into the specifics as to what improvements it needs?"

Well, it won't harm me guiding him a little.

"Well, the meat is lacking flavour. You can make crisscross over the steak piece and season it later, so it reaches every crevice. For the deep-fried stuff, try making tears into the piece of meat by squishing it in your hands. It seems to be lacking a proper dry batter. Replace that with flour and add some spices into that as well. Marinating overnight in advance can help too."

Randolph was noting everything down at light-speed on a notepad that he had conjured out of thin air. 

Once he had noted everything down, he bowed down respectfully. 

"Thank you very much for your assistance. I would expect nothing less from the Void God." He spoke and raised his chin, a disgusting smirk lining his skeletal face. 

"I thought I had a pretty good cover. That suck." I spoke, raising my hands. 

"You purposefully let me know who you were. Besides, I can sense something weird going on with you..." He paused and looked at the string around my neck, "...not that it is my business to pry in."

"Hooh? Void God? I knew it. This is that stupid Julian Greyrat! I knew I saw that annoying stoic mug before. No one else in the world has a more bored look than him!"

Pax exclaimed as Randolph looked at him and then at me. "Ahahaha. So, you were the one responsible for his majesty's exile?"

"Nah. It was his brother. Rudeus Greyrat." Pax waved his hand off. 

"I am sorry for my brother's intervention." 

"You are equally responsible." He shot me a mean look. 

How scary. 

"Well, well, it is all in the past. I don't care what you both did." Pax shrugged his shoulders, "So? Why are you here? Here to taunt me about my past? Or did you finally landed your hands on Roxy and are here to brag about it?" 

"Uh, none of those. Although, I do have business with you." I spoke and picked up my chair, walking towards him. 

Randolph seemed to be alert. He was stronger than me. However, I had the advantage here. 

Placing it besides Pax, I sat down, "Don't you hate the current state of Shirone?" 

He looked at me with a blank face, but the widening of his eyes gave it away. 

"Do you want to be king? I can help you." 

"Sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?" Pax asked, leaning back into his old chair that was ready to break anytime due to his weight. 

"Him." I pointed at Randolph. "I need him for one day. For one day of his alliance, I will help you overthrow the Shirone Royal Family and their supporters."

"And then? You will come back at me?" 

"No. I promise that I won't attack or assassinate you. Not that I can in all honesty when you have him on your side." I admitted.

"Downplaying yourself quite a lot, aren't ya, Void God?" 

"Julian would be better." 

"Gotcha."

"What do you him to do?" Pax asked. 

"He will know when the time comes." 

After a while of deliberation which involved Pax and Randolph to go back and forth, it seemed like they weren't nearing a decision. 

"Prince Pax." I spoke up. 

"What?" 

"You want to marry the princess, yes?" 

"Yes. Why do you ask?" 

"Even if you conquer the throne with Death God, you will always be considered as someone in the lower stratum due to King Dragon Realm lending you their business asset. Randolph's feelings towards you don't matter." 

"Where are you getting with this conversation?" 

"What I mean is that, if you use me, you can indirectly have a name behind your back. Your own asset." 

"And you'll let me use you?" 

"Of course, no. But things are quite intimidating on paper. In theory, you'd be having two world powers behind your back. Isn't that good in case the King ever decides to take away your wife or your future kid?"

"That won't be happening as long as I am alive." Randolph butt in. 

"Can you defeat the whole of King Dragon Realm army?" 

"I can't. But I can fight until my last breath." 

"That isn't very reassuring." 

"Yeah... you're right." 

"So? Prince? Past differences aside, would you accept this?" 

He scratched his head, "I do, however..." he paused and looked up at me, "...just so you know, I never held anything against you or your brother. Or Roxy. Sure, you all hurt me, deeply. But I am a change man now." 

"That is good to hear." 

(***)

15 days later

3rd person

August 2, K423 

(23:10)

Shirone Royal Castle.

Audience Room.

It was bustling with people. People were partying.

Some drank whine while the others flirted, making reservations. Some were already leaving to the "special" rooms that were actually quarters just beside the main castle. 

Music was being played. However, the king that sat on the throne had one question on his mind. 

Why did everyone come today? Before he knew it, people were pouring in the castle with invitation in their hands. An invitation given by the King with his seal on it. All of his ministers and all family members were there.

Except Zanoba and Pax---the two exiled brothers. 

As if on cue to his worries, the door was kicked down as it broke down, halting the laughter and music in the room. However, it wasn't the appearance of someone that made the king gasp. It was the fact that two people drenched in blood arrived in the throne room, bypassing the strongest knights in the way. 

The first one was an old man with long green hair and green eyes. One of his eyes was covered with a patch --- Rank 5 --- Death God - Randolph Marianne. 

The other was a young boy with white hair and blue eyes --- Rank 6 --- Void God - Julian Greyrat. 

"Teacher, you first." With a respectful bow, Randolph directed him to move forward. Over the past few days, Julian helped him a lot in his cooking, even making a book of recipes and exact measurements for him which regained some patrons for Randolph. 

After that day, he has been blindly following Julian, worshipping him and calling him teacher or master. 

"No need for formalities when we are at work." Julian shrugged as Randolph snickered. 

"Heh, sure." 

"BASTARDS! IDENTIFY YOURSELF!" 

"No." Julian replied with a short reply that made everyone look at him with a deadpan look. "After all, dead men tell no tales." 

Sound of two swords leaving their scabbards echoed in the silent room. The dark room was suddenly drenched in red and green hues as both revealed their swords. And at that moment, the king immediately realised what was going on. 

However, he didn't have enough time to process it further. 

[Melded Sword Art: Sword of Bewitching + Sword of Luring]

Disorienting everyone, Randolph jumped in and in the one tenth of a second that he had dashed forward, around 30 people's heads were severed into half, leaving fountains of blood splattering everywhere. 

[King Ranked Wind Magic - Hell Wind]

Thousands of blades made of wind materliased everywhere and in the instant Julian flicked his finger, every human, with the exception of Julian, Randolph and the King were turned into equally diced pieces of human flesh. 

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-----" 

The king screamed in horror as he saw the people he knew...everyone turned into small clusters of flesh, his own body covered in blood of his friends and family. 

"Why'd you leave him alive?" 

Another sword of wind cleaved the king in half. 

"Nothing. Just wanted to see his reaction." 

"Master. Do you find fun in such things?" 

"Not really. Should I?" 

"Couldn't care less." 

"Fair enough." 

The little banter came to an end as Julian looked back at Randolph. "How many are left to kill?" 

"Pax said to kill everyone. Every last member of his family. That includes his siblings' kids..." 

"I will do it." Julian cut him off. 

There was no time to waste on empathy. It wasn't that he wouldn't show them such emotion. It was just that he lacked any such feeling for even many of his own, let alone strangers. 

As the night fell on the Shirone Castle, Julian Greyrat killed over 300 residents comprising of knights, butlers, maids, Pax's brothers, sisters, parents, escorts...his nieces and nephews---ranging from toddlers to adults---regrardless of gender. 

The whole castle was dyed in red. 

As the clock clicked (00:00) on 3 August, K423; not a single soul stayed alive to witness the sun rise again. 

3 days later, Prince Pax and Princess Benedict became King Pax and Queen Benedict. 

The King Dragon King Realm was infuriated, however, he stayed silent. Just Randolph alone was one thing. He would've made sure that he was captured or killed alone. But not with another world power joining him. 

The statement that Julian wanted to send him was already sent. He wouldn't dare to use his daughter as a bargaining chip. 

5 August, K423

Julian Greyrat sniffed out an imposter who was planning to pose as the late King of Shirone's son and claim the throne. He was killed, along with the other supporters. 

On that day, even 200 of Pax's supporters were also killed. 

Reason? 

'Just to be sure.'

The only reason given by the Void God. 

10 August, K423

Julian stood atop Fort Karon. Randolph was protecting Pax in his castle. Rebels were already dead. 

All that stayed in Julian's deal was to protect Shirone from the immediate invasions. 

"Isn't this too much work for a single day?" He thought to himself as he saw thousands of people march up to Fort Karon. They had already received the word that only one man was defending it. Although, they weren't aware who was doing it. 

"Hm, he will come crawling back to me anyways." Julian spoke out loud, "His obsession with cooking food is almost the same as me." 

Randolph was given a cookbook. He would improve, but soon he would hit a plateau. He will come back to Julian. Whenever he wants. 

*TUN TUN*

The sound of bells hinting at the invasion filled the air. 

The war had begun. The enemy was here.

Julian pressed hie neck, letting out a deep breath. His eyes had dark circles underneath them. 

"So tiresome." 

[Earth saint ranked magic - Sandstorm]

[Wind Saint magic - Violent Storm - Hurricane]

Water Saint magic, [Cumulonimbus]

Earth Saint magic, [Sand Storm]

"Woah, aren't they overdoing it?" Julian exclaimed, looking at 4 Saint Ranked Spells being launched at him. "Are they trying to kill me?"

He wanted to laugh at himself after saying "Duh!" in his mind but saved it for another day. 

"Hmm, this is quite troublesome." Julian thought. 

However, his thought process was interrupted as a random bolt of lightning made its way towards him. 

Mana hummed as it hit the barrier between him and the magic attack. Looking at the sparkling light from the lightning, he cocked his head to the side. 

"You people forgot something. I will return it back to you." His voice was being amplified with Wind Magic as he flicked his finger. 

All 4 saint spells that were just a few steps away from him, suddenly got sucked into a tear in the space and were redirected right above the enemy heads. The unsuspecting enemies couldn't even cry in protest as the spells landed right on them. 

"Redirecting takes a huge toll on my body." Julian muttered, wiping the trail of blood from his nose. "I won't be able to last a lot more if I keep taking damage like this... I have to end this in one blow." 

Julian muttered and took his sword out. "Here goes nothing." 

It was a technique he hadn't used before. 

[Void Blade - First Form]

As expected of him, he didn't name the first form. It was just called first form. However, it was the only form developed. The toll was too big for him to develop any more techniques. 

Julian's gaze narrowed, fixated on the sword that perpetually blazed with a disorienting, twisted blue flame.

In the subsequent instant, the blade descended with the swiftness of lightning, its blue aura engulfing the vacant expanse as it devoured everything in its path.

Remarkably, not even the faintest "swoosh" of the sword's descent or the typical screech of metal meeting stone resounded through the scene, as if the cataclysmic strike had unfolded in a realm of eerie silence, devoid of the usual auditory markers of such a momentous event.

Crack!

As the dust settled after the climactic conclusion of the battle, the initial sound that pierced the silence was a thunderous shockwave erupting from Julian's position. Stone debris scattered in all directions, and a colossal blade mark stretched for approximately fifty meters, a gaping rift that consumed everything in its path, mercilessly cleaving through all obstacles.

Julian fell back on his bum. 

He was breathing heavily.

"Reminds me of that song. Let's make the most of the night. Like we're gonna die young." Julian sang in his immature voice---half raspy and half squeaky as he looked at the blue sky above. "Brings back memories." 

Closing his eyes, he remembered the song that had randomly popped on his playlist while he was listening to songs during his final nights on earth. Despite him being half asleep, he remembered the whole song by heart. 

"I need some rest." He closed his eyes, ignoring the trail of blood from his nose and the crack in his pendent. 

An eerie glow permeated through it. 

However, his work was done. 

The three nations' army that was sent to invade Shirone was wiped off the face of the world. 

Julian's kill count had entered into the 5 figures now. However, as he slept on the cold floor with the rain falling over his fatigued body, he seemed like an angel straight from the heavens. 

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That was how the tale of Siege of Shirone went. Since I don't want to dedicate any chapter to this part of the story, I made this chapter. Also, I know this was rushed, but I didn't have much motivation to write about his siege anyways. Writing the whole chapter itself in the start was a drag. But I pulled through anyways. 

Anyways, cya all in Volume Endgame. Stay safe, stay strong and most importantly.... stay HARD!