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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Night]
[Proofreader – Gun]
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Chapter 199
Salvation is a technique that reflects Ted’s agony to fight powerful demons with a human body.
However, Ted didn’t develop it alone from start to finish.
If Ted is considered the father of Salvation, then Larzé was its mother.
As a founding member of the Dawn Knights, she had been with Ted since their student days and had the most influence on the development and advancement of Salvation.
As a result, aspects of her magical traits or research findings were embedded throughout Salvation.
“From the 3rd installment, there are some collaborative works.”
“We even made Flare together. I heard that it lacked destructive power to deal with large demons with exceptional regenerative abilities, so we researched that area a bit.”
She told me about various aspects of Salvation that I hadn’t known.
I had no choice but to listen to the story told by the original author.
“Do you know what 4th form, Stellar Rift, is?”
I nodded.
“I may not know exactly how it works, but I know what it does.”
When I trained with Ted in the Sanctuary, I even went into ‘that place’ myself to see why I couldn’t understand.
… How should I put it?
Among Salvation techniques, Stellar Rift was the most ‘magical.’
It was completely different from martial techniques like strengthening swordsmanship or increasing speed.
“To put it simply, it’s a technique that creates the user’s unique barrier. It shapes the individual’s mental world into a tangible form and erodes reality with it.”
“It doesn’t sound simple at all… and it sounds very abstract.”
“Well, there is clearly a basis for it.”
“A basis?”
“Think about the demonic realm.”
Larzé continued to explain, her eyes sparkling.
“The ‘door’ opened, and energy called demonic energy that didn’t exist in this world flowed into reality. Thus, mutations and erosion occurred, and the demonic realm, an unrealistic space, took root in this world. Stellar Rift was developed based on that concept.”
Of course, no matter how vast Ted’s magical power was, it was impossible for him to penetrate and maintain his own mental image against this world.
“Just as the body resists diseases, so does the world resist such infiltration.”
So they resorted to a small trick.
Creating a separate dimension like a pocket realm.
It was possible with the help of Larzé, who was proficient in spatial magic.
“It’s much easier than completely covering it up. It should be easy to understand if you have Valber’s Key.”
“A separate dimension…”
“It creates a separate space where the world’s resistance does not reach and dyes it with Ted’s color. In other words, Stellar Rift is…”
Larzé carefully chose her words.
“A technique that invites enemies to your own battlefield.”
Most techniques are developed out of necessity.
The 1st form, Halo, was a key technique that strengthened the swordsmanship to deal with various forms of demons while allowing freedom to change its properties and shapes.
Nova, the 2nd form, was created to gain an advantage in chaotic battles.
The 3rd form, Flare, was for dealing with large demons or demons with exceptional regenerative abilities, as Larzé mentioned.
So what was the need for the 4th form?
I could easily answer that.
The reason Ted created the Stellar Rift technique was for…
“Protection.”
After separating terrifying enemies from his allies.
He fought alone on his own battlefield.
It couldn’t be a more Ted-like technique.
“Come on, Cult Leader.”
I stood tall within the area created by Stellar Rift.
The endless expanse of the Arctic Ocean, the children and fishermen on the overturned ship, and even the ice and snow, all disappeared.
The space was filled only with white mist.
Whoo, whoo-
Beyond that, vague figures were quickly passing by, but it was difficult to identify them.
‘This is my Stellar Rift army.’
It was a different form from Ted’s mental image, which was full of numerous Heros like statues.
Of course, even though the composition was different, its utility was not lacking.
This was a space solely permeated by my mana.
While inside here, I received positive adjustments in all aspects of combat.
Mana regeneration and physical recovery became faster, and duplication became easier.
The opposite would be true for enemies.
Shwoo-
I aimed Black Hope at Kalende, who stood in the center of the space like a statue.
When she was first brought here, she stood still like a statue.
Although she seemed to have lost her hostility at first glance, there was no room for complacency.
“Let’s end this here.”
It was at that moment.
“Aha…”
A faint laughter pierced my ears.
‘… She’s laughing?’
In the midst of the unexpected reaction, while hesitating.
Kalende’s laughter grew louder and louder, resonating in the space until it echoed loudly.
“Ahahaha!”
She laughed, bending at the waist.
It was as if she found the current situation unbearably amusing.
Ahahaha-!
Her sharp and bright laughter, tinged with melancholy, continued without stopping.
Her strangely enlarged red pupils remained fixed on the Hero, never leaving.
* * *
Kalende met the Hero three times.
The first time they met was when the Demonic Church’s stronghold was being subjugated in the past.
The sight of him tearing them apart in the former Grand Master’s residence was still vivid in memory.
It was shortly after she was created.
Because Kalende, who followed her creator like an absolute being, was shocked even more.
It wasn’t sadness about loss.
‘…Was I created by such an imperfect and weak being?’
Even if humans don’t believe in gods, they unconsciously believe that some absolute existence or law intervenes in their fate.
That’s why they can confidently face life’s absurdity and irrationality.
But what about her?
‘Humans are endlessly imperfect and inadequate. So how shallow and limited must I be, created by such humans?’
The Hero was the catalyst.
She began to hate herself as a homunculus.
The next meeting was a few years later.
During the attack on the fair’s auction house, Kalende was once again shocked by the Hero.
It was because she caught a glimpse of something hidden within him thanks to the penetrating Insight.
Naturally, she began to suspect that the Hero might not be human.
‘Monster!’
Countless… beings that couldn’t be defined by words.
How could humans harbor such things inside them?
She was so scared and astonished that she couldn’t even retrieve the original purpose of the attack, the Wolf Statue, and fled.
… And finally, now.
She met the Hero again, this time without the penetrating Insight.
But for Kalende, it was rather fortunate.
Because she could see the Hero through her own… true perception.
She realized one thing.
‘This is a complete farce.’
A very funny and ironic truth.
Wiping away her tears, Kalende stood tall.
A mocking smile spread across her face.
“In the end, you’re just like me.”
“…What?”
“It couldn’t have been from the beginning. Did you switch in the middle? Whose creation is this?”
Spitting out such words, Kalende carefully observed the Hero’s reaction.
There was no sign of wavering in his honest, colored eyes.
She laughed bitterly.
“You still don’t know? How is that possible? Can’t you feel it? Don’t you feel anything when you look at me?”
“It would be a pity to leave nonsense as your last words.”
“…Ha, unfair. I wish I didn’t know.”
The Hero didn’t reply and closed the distance.
His expression slowly hardened.
I’m not sure exactly what she was trying to say… but it seemed clear that the church leader noticed something about him.
‘I have to kill him.’
Under the sharp momentum, Kalende stopped laughing.
Her fighting spirit, which had faded, was reviving again in her eyes.
‘…It’s worth a try.’
It was fortunate that she was dragged into a space where one-on-one combat was possible.
If she had received a joint attack from the outside, there would have been no chance at all.
‘Hero… well, yes. Let’s call you a “fake Hero.”‘
A sardonic smile spread across Kalende’s lips.
‘A fake Hero is much weaker than the real one.’
For the past few months, the ‘Hero’ had constantly clashed with the Demonic Church’s forces.
From the auction house to the factories near the Capital, and even to the Demonic Realm.
There were many moments of ambiguity in judgment, but one thing was certain: compared to the real ones who didn’t even think about rebellion, he was far from being in his right mind.
Moreover, given the situation, he seemed already worn out.
‘The odds are in my favor.’
Whoo, whoo-
Looking at the light of Halo, which began to gather at the end of Black Hope, Kalende murmured quietly.
“Do you know the good thing about scraps?”
The Hero didn’t answer.
Kwaaaaang-!
Halo, condensed into a spear shape, shot out with a roar.
Chijijijik-
At the same time, a blue lightning wrapped around the Hero’s body, and soon he followed after Halo.
It wasn’t over.
As the domain was activated, Kalende’s twisted body was pulled towards him.
Kalende didn’t bother to resist and whispered the words she wanted to say.
“It doesn’t matter what you insert.”
… Malekia knew that Kalende was a homunculus.
Based on the data of Depikio Lugo, a magical creature created by the Demonic Church.
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Night]
[Proofreader – Gun]
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Those materials and data were owned by Zero Requiem and were passed down to him as a direct disciple.
Therefore, Kalende was nothing more than created by Zero’s skill.
Her potential, the size of her vessel, was much greater than what the Demonic Church had thought.
It was almost disappointing to end up just as the leader of a false religion.
Recognizing this, Malekia willingly ‘added’ one more ability to her.
Although there were huge penalties… it could be called a hidden ace!
Kwaaaaaaa-
Kalende’s body was wrapped in a purple light, just before Halo reached her.
The Hero’s eyes widened.
He wasn’t someone who wouldn’t recognize that ominous aura.
‘Demonic energy?’
Of course, even beings other than demons could handle demonic energy.
As seen in Zero’s memory, at that time, the head of the Magic Tower also admired the demonic energy emitted from the ‘door’ as a powerful energy source that could be integrated into magic.
But the concentration and quantity of magic currently engulfing Kalende’s body were not at such a superficial level.
The momentum that far surpassed even the top-tier demons pressed him and this space down.
As if…
It’s like…
‘Commander level…?’
Kwaang-
Kalende’s hand, swinging at an overwhelming speed, easily crushed Halo.
Then the blade of severance swung by Kalende pierced through the Hero’s body that followed.
He used Nova to dodge, but Kalende’s keen eyes caught his movement instantly.
It was a powerful and fast blow that couldn’t be compared to what Leciel faced.
Pwoo-
As the blade of severance pierced the Hero’s abdomen, Kalende muttered with confidence in her victory.
“Yeah. Die knowing nothing.”
* * *
Meanwhile, the battle on the ship was slowly beginning.
The situation where the Hero cast Stellar Rift and left the battlefield with the church leader.
Cuculli and the demon Okultus, who had confronted each other, sent searching glances at each other, on guard.
Ban, who had faced Okultus before, warned her.
“Be careful, he’s a demon whose main ability is concealment. Even with my detection, it wasn’t easy to find him.”
[Concealment?]
Cuculli tensed and stared straight ahead.
If it were a different combat skill, it would be different.
For her, who couldn’t keep up with the rapidly increasing output of mana control and manipulation, he was a tough opponent.
Ssshh-
The cold between Cuculli’s teeth flowed again.
‘If it’s hard to find, strike all at once.’
When he hides.
She was planning to blast with all her might, freezing the entire deck.
‘…I have to suppress him all at once so he can’t hide.’
There were many people to protect.
There was Waldiff and Luke behind her, both injured, and the entrance to the hatch where non-combatants were hiding.
If they missed that demon, there would be casualties.
They couldn’t afford that.
Ssshh-
It was the moment she was about to open her mouth.
Thud-
Okultus rushed fiercely.
…From behind.
In other words, beyond the railing to the sea.
Perhaps he had regained some demonic energy during that time, as he succeeded in spreading the cloak of concealment.
Thanks to that, no one saw him falling into the sea.
Even the sound of the splash was muffled.
Not even a second passed, and he disappeared into the dark night sea.
No one expected him to flee, so everyone looked at his empty seat with puzzled expressions.
The few remaining demon officers of the Demon King were the same.
The children murmured.
“Wow…”
“Maybe demons are scared of dragons too.”
“Do we need to catch him?”
“How?”
[Huh…]
Breath lost its target.
But Cuculli’s mana control ability was too weak to swallow it back.
She hesitated, then aimed her breath at the demonic church executives standing firm on the ship.
Crackle-
The extreme cold danced on the deck, freezing everything in sight.
Cuculli shivered awkwardly on the deck, which had turned into a snow-covered wilderness after enduring three days and nights of snowstorm.
[Huh, um]
With this, Yussi’s personal ship lost all functions except floating.
She sat back in her wheelchair and muttered.
“…Next chieftain. Officially demand this matter from the Frost Dragon Tribe.”
[Huh…]
“Anyway, we’ll take care of this, so go now.”
The children’s expressions became strange at her words.
Where could they go when the battle was over?
But as much as Yussi, Cuculli understood her intentions.
‘The enemy is still out there.’
Her head turned in the direction of the Frost Dragon Tribe village.
There, the five hundred demon troops and reinforcements from the tribe would be fiercely fighting.
‘…The demon forces may have been replenished.’
The distance between the sanctuary and the Frost Dragon Tribe village was very close.
If the reinforcements were delayed, the village would be in danger.
It was a village surrounded by cliffs and the sea, with no suitable place to take refuge.
Some of the weak ones had already fled for refuge.
If they made a mistake, a massacre could happen.
Cuculli’s expression became serious.
The first goal of saving friends had been achieved.
Now it was time to save the troops and tribe members who had come to help them.
Flap-
Cuculli spread her wings wide.
There was no time to waste.
[You guys stay here with the principal and…]
But suddenly, she couldn’t help but stop speaking.
She had noticed her friends climbing onto her back, whimpering.
It seemed they had realized how the situation was unfolding.
‘Even though they’re exhausted…!’
Just as she was about to protest.
“Do you remember what I said a few days ago?”
Ban’s voice pierced her ears.
…Cuculli groped for her memory.
“We’re your friends… and at the same time, we’ve come to the north as the disciples of a Hero to do what we can.”
“You’re definitely the biggest reason we came to the north, but you don’t have the right to stop us.”
The boy chuckled as he firmly embraced Cuculli’s neck.
“Even the professor came, so we can’t act pitifully.”
Leciel, Evergreen, Karen, Gerald, even the injured Luke.
Even Lucas, avoiding the angry duke, was holding onto his tail tightly.
Gerald clenched her horns and shouted hoarsely.
What wonderful friends they were.
Cuculli couldn’t help but chuckle.
[They’re reliable.]
Flap-
As they rose vertically, the sailors waving their hands and the half-frozen ship quickly disappeared from view.
“Wow!”
“Let’s go!”
The children’s cheers echoed through the northern sky.
.
.
.
“By the way, it’s taking longer than I thought, huh?”
“I thought it would be over in a minute. I didn’t know he would be inside the barrier until we left.”
“Well, it seems like he’s taking his time to finish them off.”
“But I’ve never seen Stellar Rift spread out like that before. It was really cool.”
The children knew that Stellar Rift was being cast in a barrier format.
But there was no one worrying among them.
To them, the Hero was like an invincible deity.
Of course, the Demonic Church Leader showed a chillingly powerful side, but she was not going to surpass the Hero.
“Let’s not worry about it.”
As the children exchanged such conversations and relaxed their bodies.
…Only Cuculli, with subtly worried eyes, looked back.
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Night]
[Proofreader – Gun]
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