Chapter 673

Chapter 673

Thud. Thud.

Dusk Bringar staggered out of the barracks and walked the streets.

She did not care that her long black hair was getting soiled by the falling snow or tousled by the hot wind blowing in from the east, she just kept walking forward until—

She paused when she saw a group approaching from the opposite direction.

"Ho..."

Dusk Bringar murmured in admiration.

"They all seem quite... fierce."

The ones advancing toward her were heroes affiliated with the Monster Frontline.

From Lucas with his Demon Sword, to the heroes wielding Dragon Slayers, to those adorned with Nightmare Slayers...

All of them looked as if they were draped in dragon's blood, with dark visages and eyes not hiding their boiling vengeance, and faces stained with dried blood-tears, not thinking of washing off as they walked together towards the east.

The heroes stopped briefly before Dusk Bringar. She gestured eastward with her chin.

"Why head east? Right now, that place is nothing but a sea of fire spewed by the Black Dragon."

"...That's why we're going."

Lucas replied with his eyes shimmering blue.

"There's no better place to forge our spirits."

"..."

"Our bodies seem to have recovered somewhat, so there... we'll make preparations to confront the Black Dragon."

The Demon Sword, Dragon Slayers, and Nightmare Slayers...

Not only these weapons, but darkness emanating from within the heroes themselves swirled behind them like heat haze.

A brake called Ash was once there, where it was impossible to enter beneath that darkness... All were deeply submerged.

Dusk Bringar laughed hollowly.

"You all are turning into fine demons, raksasas, and asuras."

"That's because only then can we achieve our lord's vengeance."

Lucas snapped dryly.

"It seems the Duchess still retains a human shape."

"Don't worry. My ugliness is no less than your resolve."

A dangerous red light scattered within Dusk Bringar's eyes. Sensing it, Lucas narrowed his bright blue eyes.

As they passed each other, Dusk Bringar whispered softly.

"Children. It's okay to dip your feet in this mire, but don't go in too deep."

"..."

"There's no need for you all to fall to the very end of hell."

Dusk Bringar's small figure headed across the street and soon disappeared into the blowing snowstorm.

"...Blabbering as if you know everything."

Lucas growled and resumed his walk. Behind him, the heroes followed with fiercely narrowed eyes.

And.

"..."

Evangeline watched the unsettlingly flickering image of the heroes crossing paths from atop a nearby tower.

Behind her stood other heroes with equally worried expressions, who had not given themselves over to the darkness.

Damien, his eyes still unseeing and bandaged, leaned against the tower wall in silence, his complexion wan.

'What's going to happen?'

Evangeline clenched the flagpole she held in her hand.

'How are we...'

The long black flag representing the World Guardian Front whipped violently in the gale.

Evangeline pressed her hot eyes with the back of her hand.

Everyone was becoming tainted by darkness in pursuit of the vengeance they held dear, and Evangeline could well understand their feelings.

She felt like she might go mad with rage and hatred herself.

But... was this really the path Ash wanted?

If Ash were here, what would he have wished for them to do...

'Senior...'

Evangeline looked down at her shield.

Her own frail, thin shield that seemed too small and weak to protect the entire world.

'What can I still protect?'

***

Temple. Infirmary.

"Ugh..."

Serenade's silver eyes snapped open as she lay twitching in bed.

Her entire body throbbed. Her head felt foggy. It was hot and her body felt heavy.

Barely able to keep her eyes open, Serenade surveyed her surroundings.

"Where is this?"

"My lady?!"

Elize, upon noticing Serenade regaining consciousness, rushed to the bedside urgently.

"My lady, it's Elize! Do you recognize me?!"

"Ah, Elize... Of course I recognize you... What's wrong? Something happened... ugh."

Serenade, attempting to rise, clenched her teeth due to the intense pain surging through her body. Elize held her and gently laid her back down.

"Huh... Why am I in the infirmary...?"

Serenade closed her eyes tightly, then opened them.

That's right.

Someday the world will end. Maybe in just a few hours, maybe minutes, or perhaps seconds.

But, yet,

It hasn't ended yet.

So...

"Live."

For now.

We must fight.

Serenade's trembling subsided.

Lilly smiled gently. Serenade looked back at Lilly and slowly nodded.

Even if that person never returns... there are things that must be done.

For the purpose he left behind.

We cannot just sit here and die.

Lilly hugged the calmed Serenade tightly. Serenade, unable to voice her thanks, pulled Lilly into an embrace in return.

After a brief hug, Serenade took a deep breath and looked towards Elize.

"Elize."

Facing her master, who had quickly regained her sharpness, Elize straightened up and awaited orders.

Serenade, considering what she could do, cautiously asked.

"Among the collapsed buildings, is 'that warehouse' safe?"

***

Lake Kingdom Dungeon.

Between Zone 9 and 10 - The Great Bridge.

Below, a thousand fathoms deep into the darkness.

The lowest place, hidden, the survivor’s residence, Bottom Town.

Boom! Rumble...

The vibrations that had been intermittent since the day before were now intensifying.

Did this dungeon beneath the lake know that the end of the world had come, as it violently shook?

"It’s chaos, utter chaos..."

A disheveled old man dressed like a beggar mumbled as he surveyed the shaking world.

He was the village head of Bottom Town, the Sword Demon. Next to him, his wife, the Spear Demon, leaned on her spear like a walking stick and clicked her tongue.

"Looks like this damned world is finally coming to an end, dear."

"That's right. Wife. Looks like our unbearable honeymoon is also about to end."

"You want to die that eagerly? Just say the word. I would have skewered you with this spear long ago."

"Oh, behave. Listen well, woman. The honeymoon is ending, isn’t it? Now the real married life begins."

"Heh, never knew honeymoon could be this long. They say marriage is the grave of life, and they’re not wrong."

"Haha, let's be buried together a bit longer under this grave, my dear."

The laughing couple suddenly closed their mouths and turned their gaze towards the center of the village.

"By the way, that young fellow, didn't bring the gold coins he promised..."

"What in the world is this mess now."

Center of Bottom Town.

There, a massive orb of black blood had formed, swirling around...

Ash was submerged within it.

His eyes tightly closed, his face deathly pale.

Deep in his chest, a severe sword wound was visible, and the dark blood around him flowed in and out of the wound.

"Hoo..."

Standing in front of this orb of black blood was King Poseidon.

Holding a trident, covered in burns, King Poseidon controlled the orb of black blood despite his severe injuries, his focus solely on Ash’s condition.

"..."

"..."

Sword Demon and Spear Demon quietly observed this bizarre scene,

Boom! Rumble...

The entire Lake Kingdom shook once more.

And then.

Thud. Thud.

Footsteps sounded from behind.

Turning around, Sword Demon and Spear Demon saw emerging from the darkness behind...

"So."

Slowly lowering the flute from his mouth, adjusting the white smiling mask, a man dressed as a jester—

The court jester of Lake Kingdom.

Crown.

With cold eyes gleaming from behind the mask, Crown asked.

"When does this insane 'surgery' end?"

--TL Notes--

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading