Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Karuna had become more than just strong. His energy had changed immensely.

Magra froze after seeing it.

Fwip!

Me first!

Karen leaped into the sky and swung her blazing sword down at Magra.Rêạd new chapters at novelhall.com!

Krrrgh!

Karuna followed up by also pressing down on Magras sword.

Creaaaaaak!

Aaaaargh!

Magras feet dug into the ground before the floor broke, making him fall into the room below.

Crumble!

It was the beginning of the Fire Altars collapse.

* * *

Magra, with blurred vision, looked at what he thought to be Sulfur Skull Tribes soldiers.

Magra! Magra! What happened?! Please, wake up!

It was a familiar voice. A voice he had heard a lot recently.

Zan do

Magra, are you alright?! Where are they

Fwip.

Fwoosh.

THUD!

Karen and Karuna fell through the opening, followed by Jamad and Seol falling through the hole together.

Swarm

After Seols party fell through the floor, the freed captives came as there was no longer a need to go all the way to the roof.

Snowman!

Everyones okay! Were alive thanks to you!

Wh-what should we do now? Trolls are coming up from below!

Magra weakly raised himself up.

Fuuu

His breathing was heavy.

He had to put all of his effort into just trying to talk.

Cough Z-Zando

Magra! What happened?

...Theres a problem. A very serious problem.

What is it? The impact just now offset the central axis again. I can fight once I reset it again!

No, the central axis is not whats important right now. Compared to this, the central axis could break for all I care.

Seol patiently waited for Magra. After all, nothing would change regardless of how the conversation progressed.

Magra had a serious look on his face.

The Fire Altar is finished. Your plans have come to an end as well, so dont waste time here. Swiftly return to the tribe and inform the alliance.

What? What do you Is it because of those rats?

Magra shook his head.

It was an empty laugh filled with self-pity.

They werent rats. We underestimated them.

What?

I may be old, but my intuition is still sharp. Today I will die.

Magra, the reinforcements have arrived! Now, theyre

"Shut up and listen, Zando! Reinforcements won't be sufficient. They'd merely be headless punching bags! I may die today, but through my sacrifice, the Sulfur Skull Tribe will survive. Contact the alliance. Let them know that I even resorted to using the Forbidden Spells. Those crones will understand just by hearing that. We don't have time, go! Go, now!"

......

And if you are resentful about my death never forget the shadow, Zando.

Magra!

Stop! There is nothing more to talk about!

...Thank you.

Magra stepped forth, letting Zando run behind him.

This was a first for Seol, too. He never expected them to run away.

The more surprising thing was how Zando did nothing more than bite his lip in frustration, ordering his few remaining soldiers out.

W-We should catch them

We dont have the luxury to be doing that.

It was because, despite having a large number of people, their combat ability was entirely dependent on Seol.

Since the Twin Knights had to face Magra and Jamad had to protect Seol, their numbers were too scarce to even think about tackling more.

However, Seol could only think about this briefly as Magra conjured a massive fire, seemingly attempting to divert Seol's attention from Zandos retreating figure.

Flare!

And then, Magra resolutely spoke.

I, Magra, wont hesitate to use all my strength in my final moments. I hope that you can be a fine companion.

Grrsh.

Grrssssh.

Magras small figure started to grow and inflate.

His loose, wrinkled skin started to fill with muscle, making it taut.

[Magra, the Scorching, used Forbidden Shamanic Spell: Divine Transformation.]

[Magras physical and shamanic abilities are maximized.]

[The Forbidden Shamanic Spell uses the casters vitality as cost.]

Riiiiip!

Magra transformed into an appearance resembling Purga, a monkey shrouded in flames. His eyes rolled back, and he drooled, giving the impression that he lost consciousness.

SLAM!

His attack on Karen was much stronger than before, managing to even push her back.

That old troll!

Karen swiftly swung her sword back, deflecting his sword away. Karuna used that opening to stab Magra with Breath.

Clang!

It was a clear ringing sound.

Magra easily blocked Karunas attack once more then prepared his next attack.

Claaang!

Claang!

Clang!

Their swords clashed countless times in just a few seconds.

However, they were so closely matched that it was difficult to say who had the upper hand.

Then, the altar started shaking.

Rumble!

Boom!

As the battle between the Twin Knights and Magra continued, the altar shook violently. It was likely because Zando stopped supporting it.

Magra, now in a trance, was incredibly fast.

Crash!

Harder!

Crash!

Faster!

Ruuuuumble!

Clang! Clang!

It was a strange battle.

Burn! Burn! Hehehe! Fire!

Magra was as fast as lightning and his strength shook the entire altar.

Even though Karen and Karuna were at their strongest point, they couldnt injure him.

At this rate, she would forget Jin. And if she forgot him, her most important memories would disappear too

Turn

The summoner petting the bird turned around.

But it wasnt Seol.

It was Jin.

"So, have you returned to me, my ever-faithful knight?

Yeah, Jin.

Youre still hesitant, as always. Yeah, thats definitely you. You need to recognize that youre stubborn.

She knew it too.

She also knew that seeing Jin meant that this wasnt reality.

Booooooooom!

ren!

Creak

Creaaaaaak!

It was much more painful in real life.

It was hot.

And that was painful.

If she stopped for even a second, the flames would engulf everyone.

But that was more painful.

It hurts

What is a hero?

Were they a person who shouldered the pains of everyone else?

Though she was proud, the pain made her consciousness come and go.

And whenever she separated from reality, Jin came closer.

What answer do you want?

...Jin.

Karen?

...You said that emperors are made by the era, and the era is made by the people.

Karens imagination of Jin nodded.

Of course.

"So, when... when do you... when do you recognize that it is time for a new era, for a new emperor to be born?"

You want to know how?

Yeah.

Jin answered immediately.

Follow their eyes.

Their eyes?

Eyes are the windows to the soul. You just have to see where they look.

Where they look

Spiiiiiiiin!

Obviously, there was no way Karen could see where they were looking as she spun to restrict the fire. It was impossible.

But somehow she could.

I see it.

They were all looking at Seol.

No, are they looking at me?

She wasnt sure.

Was that a suitable answer?

Yeah, Jin.

...Karen.

Thank you for everything.

Karen.

FLAAAAARE!

Her ashen world began to fill with color.

Her world was ablaze, as if she were incinerating all the pictures depicting the memories of her past.

Creaaak

Flaaaaaare!

Creaaaaak!

Finally, she stopped spinning.

It began to clear up like a clear sky pushing away the clouds, and Magras flames gathered around Karens disappeared sword. It was as if she was controlling the space around her.

Haah Haaah

Karen!

Her hair is

Her hair had turned to red from the ashen color.

She was finally, finally back.

Hahaha! It looks like It looks like I can still burn!

She looked happy.

And it was followed by silence.

The altar had ceased collapsing, it appeared as though the massive impact had reset the central axis.

Karen smiled.

Oh, summoner!

Karen

I do not know. I do not know how to wield my strength or what I should vanquish with my sword.

......

Even so, I am aware that you do know. Therefore, I ask you.

Her smile vanished.

Could you teach me the path I should take?

Of course, answered Seol.

Karen then quietly murmured to herself.

"I, Karen, the 10th Guardian of the Montra Imperial Family, hereby relinquish my position as Guardian as of today. Thank you for everything thus far."

Fwooosh

A colossal fire birthed from Karens hands and pointed at Magra.

[Karen used Red Lotus Slash.]

[Its power cannot be controlled.]

[Red Lotus Slash is improved.]

Goodbye, Jin. Im leaving.

Even now, Karen saw a phantasm of Jin in her eyes.

But then, the fire spread to his phantasm.

The phantasm of him began to distort, as if he were a photograph from her past, consumed by flames.

He smiled.

- You can fly away if you want, Karen.

The phantasm finally disappeared.

Fsssssss

A warm energy filled the altar.

[Awakening! Karen awakens a new skill.]

[Karen awakens Exceptional Skill: Sunset Draw.]

[Exceptional Skill: Sunset Draw is born!]

Now, was the era of purification.

The insatiable evil and all that had fallen would be devoured by flames.

Kr Krrrrgh

Magra screamed in pain as he was engulfed by the fire.

The dawn of the new era had been welcomed with a beautiful sunset.