The Rebirth Of The Hero’S Party’S Archmage [EN]: Chapter 243

243

“Huh? Isn’t this supposed to be ? How did this happen?”

The moment I first faced him.

Well, strictly speaking, it wasn’t the first time, but a strange realization struck Rain’s mind.

Maybe.

Maybe I.

Maybe I was resurrected to defeat this bastard.

A sorrow that cannot be expressed in human language, a grief that cannot be undone by anything, tears at my heart.

The impossible daydream, the future where I would celebrate the end of the journey with my companions, laughing and chatting, was destroyed by that guy.

Did Shurphing and Serwebon feel a similar tremor? The Holy Sword and the [Mystic Bow] cried out more fiercely than ever before.

“Drunken Master Style 17, Thread Piercer!”

“Space-Time Annihilation!”

“Annihilating Fire Blast Cannon!”

A feast of absolute powers that cut, pierced, and burned the sky, Zernix’s figure should have been completely covered in explosions.

Yes, it would have been nice if the long and bitter relationship had ended there.

But the three powers, capable of even devastating the area… failed to annihilate the target.

Without even causing an explosion, they simply disappeared as if sucked into another dimension.

‘That power is……?!’

Similar to Seresia, no, looking at the arrangement of the mathematical formulas, it’s exactly the same.

Rain’s lips twitched.

Come to think of it, Ryuken Ludwig said in his memories that Zernix was the one who gave him that Seresia.

“Hmm, hmm, hmm, yes, yes, yes! I immediately understood what’s going on with this genius brain of mine.”

Zernix’s face was full of [composure] as he looked down at the group after blasting the ultimate attacks into another dimension.

“I didn’t know you could handle space-time magic so well.”

That relaxed attitude allowed me to guess the realm of his power. Actually, there was no need to guess.

“No, that’s strange. Why does someone who knows how to use [Vel Querious – A powerful artifact] use it in such a way?”

The dimensional rift that had absorbed the power reopened, returning it this way as it had come.

“Actually, this caring [senior] was going to give you a gift for working so hard. A chance to make happy memories with that [little dragon] one last time.”

In the explosion that violently overturned the suspension bridge, Zernix smirked.

“Isn’t this a bit rude to such a kind [senior]? What if I was rolling around with a beautiful woman? What if I was taking a dump? How embarrassed would I be right now? I’m so disappointed.”

“Shut up.”

“This [punk], where did your respect for your [great senior] go──”

“──Shut your mouth! I’ll settle things here and now. Come down!”

“Heh, heh, heh heh heh, you want to fight me that badly? Fine, I won’t stop you. But the stage for the opening of my, Zernix’s, era can’t be this shabby.”

That was the moment.

Without any warning, without even having time to read and react with [Vel Querious], a huge dimensional rift opened. At the feet of the group standing on the suspension bridge.

Without any time to talk to my companions, the group was sucked into another dimension.

“Now, let’s play. On the stage I prepared for you.”

* * *

When the floating sensation that enveloped my whole body ended, my head spun.

My sensory organs couldn’t process the change in the surrounding environment.

My five senses changed in an instant.

The world visible to my eyes was no longer the land where the heat of the volcano mysteriously boiled.

Something even hotter than that, the strong geothermal heat of the land instantly filled my boots with sweat.

“Here is…….”

A city in the desert where sandstorms swept across the desolate ground.

Rain had been here 300 years ago. But even after 300 years, it’s still as desolate as it was back then…….

There was something different from those days.

First, the magnificent lighthouse that rose from the coast, and the statue of the [Rista] party erected in the middle of the square.

“[Father, it’s evil!]”

Setsunen’s warning was heard.

The others seemed to have been summoned to other places, but the fact that Setsunen was with me gave me considerable comfort.

The place where Setsunen’s warning was directed was a figure who was quite familiar, and as familiar as he was, he was embarrassing.

“Yes, it’s the [Yellow City] .”

A noble black hair and blood-red eyes that instinctively made me feel a sense of kinship as the same race.

A chilling aura is felt from the [demon sword] worn long at the waist. The name of that sword is definitely Manabein.

Isn’t this guy…… the Mage Slayer of the Slayers? I should have killed him?

“Aren’t you surprised? The fact that I moved dimensions over such a long distance makes you feel respect for this great [senior], right? Of course, I don’t give autographs or handshakes to dirty men.”

“Shut your mouth. What the hell is that body?”

“This kind [great mage] Zernix saved him from dying lonely in the sea. Because he’s useful.”

Did he judge that [Vel Sidius – A powerful artifact] was needed to deal with [Vel Querious]?

“I’m sick of it. Another puppet?”

“This [senior] is a more shy man than you think. I’m not ready to meet you yet.”

As the Mage Slayer slowly drew his [demon sword] from his waist, a grotesque energy swirled around the blade and howled.

“But don’t worry. You’ll meet him soon.”

In the Mage Slayer’s red eyes, a pure white flower bloomed with four petals.

In the deserted downtown area, a broken cactus rolled and crossed between the feet of the two [great mages].

Petals also bloomed in the eyes of Rain Ludwig, facing the Mage Slayer. Three more, seven in total.

The world reflected in the minds of the two [great mages] is a binary world composed of 0s and 1s.

“Let me give you one piece of advice: it’s best not to let your guard down. This body doesn’t just have [Vel Sidius].”

From the Mage Slayer’s blade, which was taking a [stance], the [demonic energy] swirled even more intensely.

“Because I now have the [soul] of the Dragon Slayer.”

In response, the [staff] in Rain’s hand spat out fierce flames.

“In other words, I can imitate the swordsmanship of that monster to some extent!”

And finally, the [demon sword] and the [staff] collided, creating a huge storm.

“Hiya!”

In a moment of collision, Manabein’s blade cut Rain’s limbs and left two scratches on his face.

“Actually, if this guy had the talent to awaken [Vel Querious], I wouldn’t have had anything to do with you!”

It wasn’t that his close combat skills were lacking. The compatibility with Manabein, who could pass through the [staff], was just too bad.

“But [Vel Querious] can’t be awakened through effort. It’s only possible if you’re born with that kind of body!”

It’s better to avoid close combat.

The skill of combining and using [Vel Sidius] and Manabein is several times better than the Mage Slayer’s…….

The Mage Slayer chuckled as he watched Rain move out of the sword’s range.

“This cute guy, don’t tell me you think you can win if it’s not close combat? Then go ahead and try. I’ll pay you back twice as much.”

The moment the magic circle of [Lightning Blood Explosion] was constructed on Rain’s palm, the same magic circle appeared on both of Zernix’s palms.

‘Double casting of 5-star magic……?’

The corners of my mouth twitched madly without realizing it. Even I need a considerable amount of time to use two 5-star spells at the same time.

‘And he’s copying my main technique right here on the spot.’

It was obvious that I would be at a disadvantage even in a firepower battle using simple 5-star magic.

Then…… instead of breaking the magic circle of [Lightning Blood Explosion], I kicked my body far back and threw the [staff].

The moment Manabein tried to deflect the [staff], I changed the mathematical formula of the [staff] entirely.

“Ooh!”

With a fierce explosion, the flames of [Karma] engulfed him, but as expected, the flames were sucked into another dimension as he freely manipulated space-time magic.

“It makes me so sad to see such excellent talent like yours.”

But it doesn’t matter.

It was just a trick in the first place.

“How pitiful are those who are born without talent? They’re insignificant. They’re the ones who are given low numbers from birth.”

The power of transcendence, which can only be used by sacrificing lifespan, the power to overlay one’s [inner image] on a corner of providence, is called [Image Alteration].

“Just as 1 can’t become 2 on its own no matter what it does, the [nobility] is determined from the moment humans are born.”

The moment Rain made the last move, [Fort], and the Mage Slayer ran forward with the tip of Manabein’s sword, was almost simultaneous.

Fire (火 : Flame).

Construction (築 : Building).

Vast (渺 : Immeasurable).

Bright (晟 : Luminous).

Mountain (山 : Mountain).

Heaven (天 : Heaven).

Earth (地 : Earth).

Jade (映 : Jade).

Mirror (鏡 : Mirror).

Exhibition (展 : Display).

Fort (壘 : Fortify).

The red mountain range, the [longed-for hometown] that the old [True Dragon] longed for in his heart, is superimposed on the desolate scenery of .

“!”

Just by making eye contact, the Mage Slayer’s body was engulfed in dazzling flames.

This place is a space of providence newly created by the caster, and everything in that space will be under the caster’s control.

[Vel Querious] can affect not only abilities but also entities.

‘No, what is this again?’

I couldn’t read it with [Vel Sidius].

Isn’t it constructed with mathematical formulas? It looks more like a kind of spell than magic. How did he change the [vision] itself?

The explosion of flames with a minimum of 5-star power endlessly chases after me.

‘Yeah, it wasn’t luck that I defeated that [sly woman] Elamas.’

For the first time, cold sweat formed on Zernix’s forehead.

What kind of calculation is he doing, or is he even doing it? There’s no time to suck it into another dimension.

First of all, the condition for activating the power seems to be eye contact, is it an enhanced version of [Vel Querious]? If so, I have a way too.

“……!”

As soon as Zernix took out a new move, the rampage of flames stopped like a lie.

It wasn’t a type of power that forcibly controlled or reflected the power of the flames.

Just countless people…….

They were soldiers holding spears, witches holding brooms, children, women, and men.

“You can see that they’re all still alive, right?”

Everyone floundered with unfocused eyes, blocking the space between Zernix and Rain. He controlled the gaze of [Vel Querious].

“What are you going to do? Are you going to burn them to death with your own hands?”

The Mage Slayer put Manabein on his shoulder and gave a leisurely smile.

“A true magician would naturally do that, right? Judging rationally. Don’t disappoint me, kid.”

* * *

“This way!”

When Miria was transferred to the [Yellow City], she was fortunate enough to be with Aki.

Miria crossed the desolate city, which was more desolate than eerie, following Aki’s guidance, and had no choice but to stop in the next moment.

It was a dark blue flame, a [barrier] of the abyss that did not allow unauthorized beings to enter.

“What is this flame?”

If it were an ordinary flame, Aki, as a red dragon with strong fire resistance, would have easily entered it…….

I was going to scatter it with [Space-Time Slash], but it was right to save the number of uses for the moment when it was really needed.

Even if I scattered it, it was a flame, so the road would only open for a very short time, and it was clear that it would close again before Miria could squeeze into it.

“Aki, are you sure Rain is in here?”

Aki nodded frantically, but looked at the [barrier] worriedly.

‘Rain is in here…….’

Alone with that monster?

I wonder how long he can last on his own, I need to help him quickly.

Just as I was about to carefully reach out my hand, I heard a voice of dissuasion.

“You mustn’t touch it carelessly. That’s the flame of the [True Dragon].”

The person who appeared behind Miria was a witch wearing [Friede’s robes].

“You are…….”

“I greeted you with a [clone] before. My name is Saselin, and [Friede] Master called me by the nickname Shirin.”

That outfit…….

Is she really [Friede’s] disciple?

But now I didn’t have the time or mental [capacity] to ask such things.

“But what do you mean by the flame of the [True Dragon]? How do you know?”

“Look at that lighthouse. That’s the [Pyras] lighthouse, the lighthouse that the red [True Dragon Pyras] asked to be built with his [remains].”

That memory remained vaguely somewhere in the memory passed down from [Rista].

In the recapture battle 300 years ago, the red [True Dragon Pyras] died after retaking the city…….

Certainly, when I raised my head, the dragon’s eyes floating above the lighthouse were looking down at the square. That soon became a [barrier].

“I remember. [Pyras]…… said that he would be wary of the abyss even after he died. So, weren’t those eyes supposed to burn the [demons] coming across the sea?”

“At times like this, hmm, it’s hard to believe, but it’s right to assume the worst-case scenario and make a judgment. I can only assume that [Pyras] has fallen into the abyss and is helping that man from earlier…….”

“That’s ridiculous.”

At that time, Pipi, who Aki was holding in both hands, wheezed painfully. The wound he received from [Pulladon] was deep.

“Give him to me. I’ll heal him.”

Aki hesitated for a moment, but handed Pipi over after seeing Miria’s nod.

When Shirin gently held Pipi and chanted a healing spell, Miria said.

“Then what should I do? Do I have to break that lighthouse to help Rain?”

“At this point, probably…….”

Even after hearing those words, Miria had no choice but to hesitate.

How was that lighthouse built? You’re going to tear it down?

Then, how vulnerable would not only but also the entire southern Adrion continent be to coastal attacks…….

“Calling.”

At that time, Aki suddenly stared at the lighthouse as if possessed. Clenching his fist in front of his chest.

“It’s calling Aki.”

“What? Aki? Aki!”

Miria hurriedly chased after Aki, who suddenly ran towards the lighthouse.

Only Shirin and Pipi remained in front of the [barrier] that surrounded the square.

To Pipi, whose breathing was gradually fading, Shirin lowered her voice as if telling a precious secret.

“The scar on your forehead hidden by your fur, you’re the real Pipi. [Friede] Master was so excited every time she talked about you…… I really wanted to meet you.”

“[Friede], [Friede], [Friede]…….”

“Don’t lose consciousness. Don’t give up on life. You’ll be able to meet again soon. You’ve been waiting for 200 years. Just wait a little longer. Just a little longer now.”