Chapter 19: Who Told You Not to Read Books Properly?

The cold and dark magic power emanating from Deliora was oppressive, sending shivers through the weaker extras. Many of them had joined Leon's plan because their families had been killed by Deliora. Now, as the monstrous force they had long feared loomed before them, a mixture of fear and desire for vengeance froze them in place.

Even Gray couldn't keep his composure. His hands and feet trembled uncontrollably as painful memories, buried deep within his mind, surfaced like a tidal wave.

The freezing cold of a snowy night, the towering figure of the demon, the cries of his family, the destruction of his village, the whistling wind, frost, blood, hunger, helplessness—all these memories intertwined into a nightmare that Gray had spent years suppressing.

Gray had thought the nightmare was gone, but now he realized it had only been sealed, much like Deliora itself. Uru's words echoed in his mind: "I will seal the darkness in your heart."

But now, the seal was breaking.

"Impossible! Uru sacrificed herself to stop it. How could we possibly defeat that monster?" Gray's voice quivered with fear.

Even Cana and Rocky, who had known Gray for years, were shocked to see him in such a vulnerable state.

"Gray! Calm down!"

Kira stepped forward, placing both hands firmly on Gray's shoulders and shouting to snap him out of his panic.

Compared to Gray's fear, Leon was brimming with excitement. "Finally... finally, it's happening... After ten years, I've finally succeeded in resurrecting Deliora!"

Leon's voice carried an almost manic glee. "Uru, watch closely! I will defeat it and achieve what you could not. I will prove that I am stronger than you!"

Though Leon was far from being in peak condition, he stepped forward toward Deliora with determination. He had spent the last ten years meticulously planning this moment, pouring all his energy and resources into it. There was no way he would back down now, even if the odds were against him.

But as Leon passed Kira, the latter stopped him.

Leon frowned, puzzled. "You...? Are you trying to stop me now?"

Kira didn't turn his head, his voice calm yet firm. "It's not that I want to stop you. I just want you to understand that your plan was doomed to fail from the very beginning."

Leon froze in place, his expression darkening. "What did you say?"

Even Gray looked up, startled by Kira's words.

Urrutia, who had been observing from the shadows, chose this moment to reenter the scene. Descending the stairs, she glanced at the partially unsealed Deliora and sneered, "So this is Deliora? Such immense power... No wonder even Uru could only seal it. It's far more terrifying than I expected."

Leon ignored her, focusing his attention entirely on Kira. "What do you mean by 'doomed to fail'? Do you think I'm not strong enough to defeat Deliora?"

"That's exactly what he means!" Gray interjected, his voice filled with urgency. "Even Uru couldn't defeat it. The only way to stop Deliora is to use Absolute Freeze again before it fully revives!"

Leon's face twisted with anger. "Shut up! I'm stronger than Uru! I will defeat it!"

Kira sighed, his expression unreadable. "Leon, how much do you actually know about Absolute Freeze?"

Leon narrowed his eyes. "What are you trying to say?"

Kira's gaze sharpened. "Gildarts once told me something he learned from Uru. Absolute Freeze doesn't just seal its target—it kills it. Over time, the sealed object loses all vitality. And ten years... ten years is more than enough time to kill Deliora completely."

The weight of Kira's words hit Leon like a hammer. "What... are you saying?"

Gray, stunned, whispered, "Deliora is... already dead?"

Kira nodded. "Yes, it died long ago. Uru succeeded in defeating it."

Rocky let out a low whistle. "Wow, that's incredible."

Kana smirked, though her expression turned suspicious. "Wait a minute... Did you really hear all this from Gildarts?"

Kira coughed awkwardly, deflecting the question.

Leon's world began to crumble. "No... no, I don't believe it! If Deliora is dead... then I'll never..."

The air was filled with an ominous cracking sound. Everyone turned to see Deliora's frozen body beginning to disintegrate. Large chunks of frost-covered flesh broke away, falling to the ground with a resounding thud.

Leon's knees gave out, and he collapsed to the ground. His fists clenched tightly, trembling with frustration. "It's all meaningless... I'll never surpass Uru now..."

Gray, watching the pieces of Deliora crumble, felt a surge of emotion. Tears welled up in his eyes as he whispered, "Uru..."

The words she had spoken to him all those years ago echoed once more in his mind: "I will seal the darkness in your heart."

For the first time, Gray truly understood what she meant. She hadn't just sealed Deliora—she had given him the strength to move forward.

"Uru... thank you!" Gray murmured through his tears, a sense of peace washing over him.

Kira, however, stood to the side, looking mildly uncomfortable. Two grown men crying over a demon's corpse... This feels so awkward in real life.

Deciding it was time to break the tension, Kira crossed his arms and quipped, "What a waste of ten years. All that effort, and for what? You should've read more books, Leon. You'd have known Absolute Freeze can't be undone."

Leon groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I'll never... surpass Uru..."

The emotional atmosphere was thick, but somehow, Kira's sarcastic commentary made it hard to take seriously.

Kana chuckled, taking another swig from her bottle. "You really know how to ruin a moment, Kira."

"Hey, I'm just pointing out the truth."

Gray glared at him, though the effect was lessened by the tears still streaming down his face. "You're impossible."

"Impossible? Maybe. But I'm also right." Kira smirked. "Who told him not to read books properly?"

Leon's muffled sobs grew louder. The tension in the air gave way to an odd mixture of relief and exasperation as the group prepared to move forward.

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