Chapter 58: Boy King (4)

You can read 255 chapters for $20. p.atreon.com/casca02

"Are you planning to face me by yourself?"

Right before preparing to drown me in Forbidden Sorcery, Valkasus asked such a question.

He probably believed that the current power difference between us was like that between an elephant and an ant.

"Did you even hear yourself? Of course not."

Obviously, even I couldn't pull off such a stunt without the right tools and preparations.

So, I called over some people to come around this time.

They should be arriving soon…

"Aaaaaahhh—!"

"Kyaaaaaahh—!"

[Wooooaaahh—!]

"..."

What a colorful chorus of screams.

With a mixture of two people's voices and one person's letters, a cluster of bodies flew from below towards the balcony of the Clock Tower's top floor.

System Notification

[ 'Skill: Stigmata' activated. ]

I used the Ultima's built-in skill to cast a protective barrier that cushioned their fall.

Compared to the previous version, Guardian Shield, Stigmata had a much thicker divine power layered onto the barrier. It surrounded the trio, bouncing them off the walls and floor, but still keeping them safe.

"I will never, ever, do this again! I'm an expert so I have to lead? What kind of bullshit reason is that?! Who in the world is an expert at something like this?!"

As soon as Stigmata was released, Iliya rushed out first while barking in annoyance.

She certainly seemed to have outstanding stamina, thanks to her extremely physical-oriented class.

On the other hand, Lucia and Yuria looked pale and were practically crawling around.

"Why are you complaining so much when it wasn't even that bad for you…?"

[That's right, this much isn't too—]

Next to me, Yuria, who was about to agree with my words, couldn't even finish displaying her words in the air as she covered her mouth.

It seemed like she was holding back her nausea.

"..."

Well, yeah. It was certainly true that this method basically shredded the entire safety regulation book, if there even was one.

The device that launched them here was the 'catapult' that Iliya and I used to enter the Astral Realm together.

Hm, maybe I should give it a name later. I was kinda getting attached to it at this point.

"...Your exact instructions were to just set up a trajectory without any safety measures or equipment and launch us up to a place a few hundred meters from the ground within five minutes! And you have the audacity to call me on my complaints?! Huuuh?!"

"..."

Seeing her grit her teeth in anger, I honestly didn't have much to say.

It was true that all I told her was for the three of them to hug each other tightly and 'fly' up here as a group.

I should probably just be grateful that she followed that crazy command without questioning me.

"I had no other choice."

I chuckled and turned around.

"After all, if I didn't at least use such a method to quickly bring the three of you here, this would have been an opponent that I couldn't deal with."

If they had come even a few minutes late, it would've been Game Over.

We only had a mere ten minutes after all.

"..."

I briefly turned my head and checked the 'Starsteel Circlet' that Yuria was wearing.

It seemed that the Crafting School's Professor Vulcan had made quite the effort. Even when they flew while huddled up, there were no signs of danger.

While she 'wore' it and while it was 'activated', Yuria's Curse of Severance would be incredibly weakened. It was to the extent that the curse was temporarily lifted.

The effect was quite simple.

When she wore it, Yuria could only use the Curse of Severance on 'what she wanted to sever'.

It was similar to using the Curse of Severance as an attack buff.

"Lucia."

"...Valkasus."

While I was thinking about such thoughts, the Boy King chuckled as he recognized Lucia, who was standing up.

"Didn't you say you would cooperate with me back then? How saddening."

"..."

"Ah well, that was a joke. Still, it's a relief to see your younger sister healthy."

For a moment, Lucia closed her eyes and bowed her head.

It seemed like she was feeling guilty.

Perhaps, she, too, understood why Valkasus sought death.

It was a heavy burden for one to engrave Forbidden Sorcery made from the souls of people who willingly sacrificed their lives.

For Valkasus, he sought his own death to free the souls of his subjects from his body.

"...Your kingdom will be saved."

Suddenly, the Saintess made a bold statement.

"Because this man will make it so."

"..."

Valkasus slowly nodded his head.

"I see."

From his voice, though, he didn't sound convinced at all.

As the sun completely set beyond the horizon and darkness enveloped the scenery…

Valkasus' true body was revealed.

His appearance was eerie, as if his very essence was melting into a form without a distinct shape. Almost as if he was fully integrated into the darkness that covered the entire world.

From another perspective, it was almost as if he controlled it all as well.

"..."

Seeing this transformation, Iliya let out a faint groan while tightly gripping the hilt of her sword.

Her hand was slightly trembling. There was no way she didn't realize the fact that she was facing a monster of such a caliber.

"Can we even defeat…that?"

Iliya asked with concern, but…

"As long as you all listen to me without any questions."

I just gave a simple answer.

To be more precise…

"No one else can defeat that except me."

In the first place…

Out of the many Sera sweats. I was the first one to successfully break through the 'combat' route of Valkasus.

People called me crazy back then, but I succeeded.

'If you ask me why…'

'Well, I found him quite likable, even though he was a boss.'

I thought about how to efficiently 'use' him and this was the only way I found.

That was why I made a promise with him prior to this.

To use him as a 'subordinate'.

"...Even if this guy were to drown, I bet he would still blabber on."

Right as Iliya let out a chuckle while dissing me again…

"Well, I think we've talked enough."

A venomous aura emanated from Valkasus's breath.

Basically, it was a sign of attack.

System Message

[ A moment of danger has been detected.]

[ Determined the situation as life-threatening. ]

[ Skill: Desperation raised to EX Grade. ]

"Shall we begin?"

"Here I come!"

Accompanying Lucia's voice…

Forbidden Sorcery surged from all directions.

Over the eons that spanned millenia, Valkasus had traversed countless battlefields.

Perhaps, that was his desperate attempt to search for the most likely environment to fulfill his only wish, death.

However, the curse cast by the snake-tongued being, who had brought the 'Devil's Calamity' to his kingdom, was beyond malevolent.

He could only die through a 'one-on-one battle' where he had to 'give it his all.'

Under no other circumstances could he die, that was the curse that was casted on him.

-Since you're a king, shouldn't you die in a more special manner?

The abhorrent voice of the one who cursed his kingdom was utterly unforgettable. Valkasus let out a bitter laugh.

Regardless…

As a king, he had to think of his people first. Revenge could wait; right now, his only goal was to free his subjects bound to his body.

'But, it's an impossible endeavor.'

How was that even possible?

In the first place, fighting a being with millions of Forbidden Sorcery engraved to their body was suicidal.

Even the Ruined who had taken over the entire academy was barely half of his full strength.

As such, where in this vast world could he find someone that was able to face him one-on-one?

It was with this thought that he chose to cooperate with the Prophet, as she was the most likely candidate among the humankind.

The Leader of the Devil Worshippers. An enigmatic monster cloaked in endless danger.

Even her 'depth' was impossible to see.

However, now…

For the first time…

"...Heh."

He was looking for that small possibility in another person.

Someone who had the capability to kill him.

Moreover, that someone was just a kid who hadn't even lived half of a normal human lifespan.

-!

Valkasus closed his eyes and sequentially activated a few Formations.

Forbidden Sorcery was a type of Sorcery that already engraved Cursed Techniques onto his body, so he could activate them whenever he desired. Unlike other Special Powers, it did not require embodiment, formulas, or even a medium.

In an instant, he revealed several globes, each emitting a repugnant darkness that spread outwards in every direction.

Each and every one of them was an extraordinary display of high-ranking Sorcery.

Any ordinary Sorcerer attempting a similar feat would have had their brain fried from the sheer difficulty.

When considering the levels of his current opponents, it was like using a sword to kill a chicken. No, scratch that. It was like hurling an entire meteor to kill a single chicken.

The possibility of them confronting such a force was not even worth considering. This one strike would undoubtedly destroy them. It was a certainty close to truth from his many millennia of combat experience.

Yet…

The Forbidden Sorcery that was hurtled towards them clashed with a Grace from the Saintess, hindering their trajectory. The incredible amount of divine power generated by that woman caused a violent collision with the globes of darkness. Truly, a woman worthy of being hailed in the Holy Land as the one 'chosen by God'.

Of course, she was still not his opponent. He was a monster that chased death but fell short of his wish, simply because he was 'too powerful'. No matter how powerful, one human's strength was not enough.

Even so, with that single interference, the globes' 'speed' had definitely slowed. It provided them with an opportunity to prepare a countermeasure.

And in the brief moment that was created, a girl wearing a Starsteel Circlet stood in front of those globes and drew her sword.

'That sword…'

He recalled seeing it somewhere before.

It was because that sword had been around for just as long as him.

Severer. A sword infused with the oldest curse in human history.

It meant that she could undoubtedly 'cut' the globe he created.

His thoughts were reflected onto reality, as the girl swung her sword with a short yet focused motion, all the globes within range were split in two.

The ensuing counterattack was also as sharp as a razor.

"Heup!"

Outside of his field of vision, an orange-haired girl approached him with graceful movements. He had also heard of her; the Hero Candidate of this era. Originally, she was the one that the Prophet was most wary of.

Whenever a Sorcery was deactivated, there was always a gap in the Sorcerer's defense. This still held true even for Forbidden Sorcery that had already reduced such weaknesses to the extreme.

Even though he was vulnerable for only a fraction of a second, the girl's sword accurately pierced in such an exact moment.

-!

"Tsk!"

However, it was thwarted effortlessly by the Forbidden Sorcery's 'automatic protection' that was placed nearby.

Even so, the timing was frighteningly accurate; enough to make even Valkasus's spine tingle.

His opponents did not falter this time.

Not only that, they were also shaping a proper 'battle of attack and defense'.

'...It was all calculated.'

It was a perfect lineup.

The Saintess who weakened his attacks to create an opening. The cursed girl who showcased absolute defense against his Forbidden Sorcery due to her ability to cut anything within range. The Hero Candidate who used the most graceful movements to attack him.

The Prophet had ordered him to act a day earlier than planned to disrupt this man.

However, even in such a situation…

He had come up with the 'optimal' combination to confront Valkasus.

In that short of a time.

"Truly impressive!"

He exclaimed with admiration.

The battle had commenced. Moreover, it was properly established.

And this was all from humans who normally couldn't even stand straight without his permission!

'This is all…!'

And at the center of it all, there was one human who was masterfully controlling the entire situation.

His gaze fell on Dowd Campbell, standing in the very back.

At first glance, it could look like he was in a safe position while doing nothing, but…

Every order he issued from that very spot was affecting this entire battle.

Precision, swiftness, and even brilliant ingenuity. He didn't lack anything in any aspect.

'No, that's not it. This isn't a simple matter such as that.'

Valkasus chucked uncontrollably, admonishing himself for such thought.

The miracle he was composing could not be dirtied with such trivial qualifiers.

That man was the core of this battle.

Not the Saintess, or the girl afflicted with the worst curse in human history, or the Hero Candidate. Not even Valkasus himself.

None of them dominated this battle. None of them were the one with the most powerful influence in this battle.

That man, solely by himself…

Was bridging the 'gap' that existed between these fledglings and himself. A gap that spanned thousands of years and millions of Forbidden Sorceries.

"Try handling this as well!"

Once again, he sent his attacks.

These were much more powerful than the Forbidden Sorcery he previously launched. Unlike the attacks that merely flew in the shape of a globe, this one covered the entire space, as the Forbidden Sorcery decomposed everything it touched.

"This is crazy—!"

As the Hero Candidate screamed, green beams of light akin to condensed venom erupted in all directions.

-!

The ceiling above the Clock Tower collapsed, as intense light enveloped the surroundings.

Among the Forbidden Sorcery he possessed, this one had firepower close to a special-grade artifact. It condensed the Forbidden Sorcery, which could originally demolish even the toughest castle walls, and released it within this small space.

However…

This time as well…

"Really, Teach? Just know that I'm going to make sure you pay me back for all this hardship later-!"

The Hero Candidate shot up from the debris and hurled her sword at him.

A burning sensation grazed his cheek.

It was the first blow he had ever received during a battle.

"..."

Valkasus wiped his cheek with a stunned expression.

His hand was stained with blood.

He couldn't even remember the last time he saw this crimson liquid.

"...Hah."

A short exhale escaped from his lips.

It was because he had suddenly realized.

No matter how much he increased his speed.

No matter how much power he poured in.

"Haha…"

They were catching up. They were not giving up.

It became possible for them to face him properly.

No, rather…

He was the one starting to fall behind.

If it continued like this, then undoubtedly…

It could end in his defeat.

"Ha… HAHAHAHAHA!"

Valkasus bursted into laughter.

"Surely it won't end just with this. Surely you can show me more!"

Yes. Now, he knew with certainty.

The certainty that this man was not all talk! The certainty that he could back up his words!

"Come forth! Try to end my life!"

Though it did not quite fit the content of his words...

His voice was filled with such endless joy.

My lower eyelids were burning because my brain was working to its limits.

'...Are you fucking with me? This is insane…!'

It had been a while since I used my head this much.

'…I swear, at this rate, I'm going to die.'

I was maximizing my reflexes at every moment through intense concentration, squeezing out various countermeasures even when there were no gaps to exploit.

Calculating the movements of four people simultaneously, according to the boss battle's pattern, was laborious beyond expectation.

If I did not give the Starsteel Circlet to eliminate Yuria's 'restrictions' in advance, even a sweat like me would have failed from the very beginning.

"..."

While breathing heavily, I looked ahead. It was the same pattern. Several Formations threaded with Forbidden Sorcery emitted light once again.

I instantly calculated and deduced what kind of attack it was based on the shape and casting time.

An onslaught of darkness that sweeps the entire horizontal distance. At least three of them.

"Lucia. Rank 37 Prayer 112. Pull out four of them and scatter them in each direction. Yuria, follow the Prayer's trajectory and stand by. Iliya, duck for three seconds, then stand up and move forward three steps."

It was the formation that we continued to use.

Lucia weakened the attack, Yuria defended against it, and Iliya seized the opportunity to gradually accumulate damage.

The pattern would end at the fourth second.

As such, I prepared the next counterattack.

"...I get that it's good we're holding up!"

Iliya shouted with incredulity.

"But could we even kill that thing? I've slashed it so many times already!"

"He can't be killed."

"..."

I smirked at Iliya who was glaring at me.

"I'm saying we can't kill him by continuing what we're doing right now."

What I was doing right now was, in a way, akin to chipping away at a mountain with a pickaxe.

He definitely received some damage, but to actually kill would take an endlessly long time. Obviously, it was neither practical nor efficient.

Well, the current strategy was more like a build-up to the finale.

"What are you even saying?"

"People are easier to deceive than you think."

Especially if something continued repeatedly.

Even when it hadn't even been promised, people often ended up perceiving it as 'natural''.

So…

Even this 'simple' play of attack and defense was purposefully being continued according to my plans.

"..."

I glanced at the clock.

Without a chance to explain to a puzzled Iliya, I continued with the next command.

"It's coming!"

Two minutes left. At this rate, the moment I had been waiting for should be coming at any moment.

After all, the reason I had set the time limit to 'ten minutes' was because within that time frame, I could definitely see this pattern at least once.

Thorn of darkness generated tumultuously from all directions.

'Just as expected.'

It was the pattern I had been continuously waiting for.

This was the most crucial phase when raiding the boss battle.

Because unlike other patterns, this one also blocked the opponent's 'vision'.

"..."

So. I also prepared my countermeasure here.

After Lucia saw this sight, she immediately created another Prayer. Up to this point, it was the same.

However…

System Notification

[ 'Skill: Proof of Faith' activated. ]

[ All stat bonuses are converted to 'Endurance' and 'Divine Power'. ]

System Notification

[ 'Skill: Stigmata' activated. ]

This time, I was going to add a bit of a 'different element'.

After simultaneously activating two of Ultima' built-in skills, I injected much more power into defending the Forbidden Sorcery.

"Get up, you yangban1!"

[...Not even calling me by name now, huh?]

I woke up the sleeping Caliban and activated another skill.

System Notification

[ 'Skill: Image World' activated! ]

[ Sharing 'Skill: Proof of Faith' with targets within range. ]

Shortly after, the Forbidden Sorcery was blocked. And a counterattack immediately followed.

Valkasus was no fool, he already expected a counterattack and had prepared various defensive Sorceries.

This defense was just like the ones before, originally prepared to counter 'Iliya's attacks'.

However…

-!

-!!!

Unlike before, the attacker didn't retreat from such Forbidden Sorcery. On the contrary, she approached while 'cutting through' it all.

"...!"

The surprised Valkasus instinctively looked towards the side that was blocking the Forbidden Sorcery.

After all, it was a completely different situation from the combat formation that had been continuing until now.

However, on that side…

"...Wow…Teach. You. Better. Be prepared. To face. Me. Later…"

Iliya, who had been flooded with all the buffs casted, barely defended against the Forbidden Sorcery with a drained expression.

And, of course, the remaining members…

"Surprise."

Broke through the darkness.

Yuria, whom I had grabbed by the leash and thrown, appeared.

It was all for this one blow.

I had simplified the pattern to this extent to make this person 'get used to it.'

The landing point was just one step away from Valkasus.

And as I had mentioned before, within that distance…

There was a firepower that could one-shot 'every character' in the scenario.

The Starteel Circlet flashed. Unlike before, it meant that Yuria now recognized the target in front of her as 'something that needs to be cut'.

"Oh no…!"

At the same time Valkasus spat out those words of bewilderment…

Severer rushed out like lightning and pierced through Valkasus's heart.

You can read 255 chapters for $20. p.atreon.com/casca02