< Chapter 95 - Victory (Revised) >
Chapter 95 – Victory
The place where the Ancient Dragon, said to have god-like powers, fell.
Landius, who was leaning against the rubble of a collapsed building and looking at the corpse of an incredibly huge monster, slowly turned his head. It was because of those running towards him.
“Landius!”
Kamael was the first to shout loudly, and then Lena, who ran towards him as if flying, examined Landius’s body.
“Are you okay? Are you conscious? Is anything broken?”
Lena asked as she stroked Landius’s steely body here and there. Although he looked fine on the outside, the inside could be completely different.
“If you feel any pain, don’t try to lie and just tell me. Okay?”
Landius smiled warmly at Lena’s warning that wasn’t really a warning.
“It’s okay. I’m just really tired. Unlike when I was in the royal palace, this time I only used the Gaebyeokgeom. My dantian is completely empty and I feel like I’m going to faint at any moment… but other than that, I’m fine. I don’t even have a single scratch.”
As Landius raised both arms slightly as if showing off, Rena looked over Landius’s entire body with a suspicious look on her face, then let out a sigh of relief. As Landius had said, the external injuries were truly clean.
“Then you feel bad?”
“Because I used the Gaebyeokgeom. And I used all my strength.”
In fact, in some ways it was a reckless thing to do.
It was a truly earth-shattering sword of might, and it actually defeated Malekith’s breath weapon head-on, and even split his chest open, but it did not kill Malekith instantly.
If it had only been Malekith and Landius in this place, Landius, exhausted, would have met his end at Malekith’s hand.
Of course, it wasn’t like Landius had thoughtlessly poured all his energy into the Gaebyeok Sword.
There was also a story I had heard from Uther and Cordelia beforehand, and there were trustworthy companions here, Kamael, Lena, and Belkian.
“Ugh, anyway.”
Sighing again, Lena leaned towards Landius and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. Landius smiled again and asked Kamael and Lena.
“What about the disciple and the girl?”
“I gave it my all like Mr. Who, and then I fainted while sharing a passionate kiss after vomiting blood.”
“oh······.”
“Should we do it too?”
When Lena asked in a quiet voice, Landius made a slightly shy expression that did not match his large size.
It seemed like he was quite attracted to her.
But there weren’t just two people there.
“Ahem.”
When Kamael coughed, Landius smiled awkwardly, and Lena snorted and said.
“Don’t worry. I won’t do it in front of other people.”
Unlike anyone else, it was Lena who knew how to distinguish between time and place.
“Anyway… It’s been a while, Gaebyeokgeom.”
When Kamael spoke as if changing the subject, Landius quickly nodded and said.
“Is this the first time you’ve shown it since the fight with Bykazel?”
“This is my first time.”
After all, this was the first time since the defeat of Bykazel that I had encountered an opponent worthy of using the Gaebyeokgeom.
No, there was another usable opponent, but that opponent didn’t even give me a chance to use the Gaebyeokgeom.
‘Ambassador Manuela.’
The enemy who caused the destruction of the Paragon Kingdom.
Presumed to be the strongest among the devil’s followers.
Kamael narrowed his brows slightly as Landius’ expression became grim, just thinking about it made his teeth chatter.
It wasn’t to the extent of Uther and Cordelia, but it was because they were close enough that they could roughly tell each other’s true feelings just by meeting each other.
This time, we were together in the south chasing after the ambassador Manuela.
That’s why, instead of continuing Manuela’s story, Kamael continued the story about the Sword of Gaebyeok.
“The power has really grown stronger.”
“It’s been 10 years. I’ve been training hard in my own way.”
It was also the Sword of Gaebyeok that granted eternal rest to Demon Prince Bykazel, who caused the tragedy of the Paragon Kingdom 10 years ago.
Even then, it was certainly a great force, but simply looking at the visual effects that were visible to the eye – that is, the size of the Gaebyeokgeom created with the Solar Blade – it was incomparable to that of 10 years ago.
At that time, the blade of the Gaebyeokgeom was only about 20 meters long.
‘It’s a bit awkward since it’s only 20 meters.’
But it couldn’t be helped. The blade of the Gaebyeokgeom that Landius showed in this battle was at least 100 meters long.
When Kamael and Lena were once again amazed, Landius scratched the back of his head and said, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“As the power increases, so does the strength. So I really don’t have the will to stand up.”
It was a joke that could only be seen in front of Kamael and Lena.
“Still, I’m glad the results were good. It was worth it for everyone to give it their all from the beginning.”
As always, the faster the fight is over the better.
Especially when you have to face a monster like Malekith whose mere presence can destroy entire areas.
Kamael nodded as if he agreed with Lena’s words, then quickly turned around.
It was because I felt the presence of a fourth member who could naturally fit into this position.
“Lord Belkian.”
Lena called his name again, Kamael nodded slightly, and Landius smiled brightly before bowing his head.
“They’re all dying, but on the other hand, they’re all fine. That’s fortunate.”
When he spoke while looking down at everyone from atop the Phantom Steed, Landius and Lena laughed lightly. It was such a Belkian-like thing to say.
“Thanks to you, I survived. You really helped me a lot.”
Landius’s speech became much more rounded than usual. It was as if he, who was in his late 30s, had returned to his early to mid 20s.
“It was a great help.”
“It helped me a lot.”
Kamael and Lena also showed their respect one after another.
Kamael is a bit stiff, Lena is very friendly.
Belkian was not just an elder, he was a mentor to all three.
Belkian, a close friend of Bardo Einsberg, the royal wizard of Paragon, did not receive the green from the Paragon Kingdom directly, but often taught Lena, Bardo’s disciple, and also imparted various knowledge such as strategy, tactics, and herbalism to Kamael and Landius, who were members of the royal knights.
Just as the three people treated Belkian as their teacher, Belkian also treated the three people as his disciples.
“Anyway, I’m glad you’re safe. This fight has come to an end somehow.”
In fact, it was a very efficient fight considering that they had won against their arch-nemesis, Malekith, but Belkian did not say that the damage was minimal or that they had gained much.
Because the number of people who lost their lives in this fight would have been at least in the hundreds.
Hundreds among thousands.
In percentage terms, it’s probably less than 10 percent.
However, Belkian was a necromancer who dealt with life, and as such, he was even more sensitive to life.
Treating human lives as mere numbers was one of the things he hated most.
And it was the same for the three who were educated by Belkian.
“But, Belkian.”
“Speak, Lena.”
When Belkian pointed to Lena and allowed her to speak, she narrowed her brows and pouty lips.
“It’s not class time right now?”
“That hasn’t changed at all from before. It’s an unsightly posture, so fix it.”
Lena groaned at the teacher-like tone of voice and then got back to the main point.
“Anyway, Belkian, how did you come here?”
Although his appearance was of great help, it was literally an intrusion.
As Kamael nodded as if curious, Belkian stroked his chin and said.
“Thanks to the oath I made with Uder August Bayer and Cordelia August Chase. I gave them both the crystal ball that could summon me. I never imagined that the moment it was possible to summon them would come – and to a place like this.”
Belkian, smiling bitterly behind his beak mask, briefly explained what had happened in the royal capital.
“Wow, that was really good timing.”
Lena nodded repeatedly and clapped her hands as if she was newly impressed.
If Belchian had not appeared, the fight against the dragonflight would have been more damaging, and the fight against Malekith would not have been as smooth as it was.
“I guess you could say I was lucky.”
As a wizard, Belkian did not deny the existence of luck.
This fight was really lucky.
“But… it’s not just luck. If this situation hadn’t been set up in the first place, even if I had been lucky, the result wouldn’t have been like this.”
Belkian didn’t know the whole story because he had just barged in, but there were things he could figure out just by looking at the current situation.
The seven Southern Clans appear to have formed an alliance at first glance, and the Paragon heroes have gathered in one place.
Here comes the Dragon Sword Ascalon.
Moreover, Malekith was unable to properly end the dragon’s slumber, so it felt like the game was set for him to win.
“It was similar in the wild land. I thought it would be a hopeless fight… but they had prepared a way to win.”
He revives the Golden Dragon King by causing the dragon veins to go wild at once.
If it weren’t for the plan prepared by Uther and Cordelia to turn things around, not only Lena herself but all the warriors of the Wild Lands would have died that day.
“The fight in the royal capital would have been similar.”
Even Belkian, who had directly participated in the battle in the capital, did not know much about the rebellion of the Guardians themselves.
But I found myself nodding in agreement with Kamael’s words that it would have been similar back then.
Uther and Cordelia.
These kids have already achieved miraculous victories three times.
“It’s as if I can see the future in those children’s eyes.”
“Maybe so.”
Absolute prophecy may not exist, but it is possible to predict future events to some extent.
Of course, this wasn’t a serious conversation. If she really had the power of foresight, there’s no way Lena or Belkian wouldn’t have noticed.
“By the way, since we’re meeting, I’d like to ask. What happened to Ambassador Manuela?”
In fact, it was a question I asked with half the answer already known.
That’s why Landius also answered with a gloomy face instead of giving a detailed explanation.
“I missed it again this time.”
“Don’t be too discouraged, he’s a mysterious guy. Just the fact that you’re tracking him down will keep him from committing evil acts like he did in the Paragon Kingdom.”
“Well, that’s fortunate.”
Landius tried to smile as he answered, but he couldn’t help feeling frustrated.
Anyway, I’ve been tracking his movements for 10 years now, but I’ve always missed him every time I’ve met him.
‘perhaps······.’
Could it be that all of this is playing out in the palm of the hands of the Archbishop Manuela?
Rather than Landius himself chasing Manuela and interfering with her work, isn’t it possible that the bastard is exposing his own location every now and then in order to drag Landius here and there?
It was a possible story.
And if that’s really the case, it was truly heartbreaking.
When Landius became noticeably depressed, Rena bit her lip and changed the subject in a pretendedly cheerful voice.
“By the way, Belkian, is there any news about Fran?”
Druid Fran.
The youngest and last member of the five Paragon heroes.
He was still in his mid-teens when he fought the Demon Prince Bykazel, but he must now be a grown man in the prime of his life.
‘Where on earth is it?’
Unlike Belkian, who sent letters here and there to keep in touch, there had been no news from Fran for seven years.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know anything. I haven’t heard from you either.”
“Is that so······.”
It was a word that was said to bring back the consciousness of Landius who had become depressed, but this time, it was Rena herself who became depressed.
Belkian clicked his tongue at the sight of Lena and then pulled on Phantom Steed’s reins as he spoke.
“I’ll go back first. I came here with the concept of a summoned beast, so there’s a summoning duration.”
“Already?”
“The time itself wasn’t that long, but a lot of power was used. The summoner was also exhausted and passed out.”
“Well, then I guess there’s nothing I can do.”
“Yes, I plan to stay in the capital for the time being, so keep in touch.”
Having said that, Belkian created a large circular dimensional gate with his fingers and drove Phantom Steed inside. His exit was as quiet and sudden as his appearance.
“He’s gone.”
“He’s gone.”
“He’s gone.”
Lena, Kamael, and Landius in that order.
The three people looked at each other and smiled slightly, then quickly slumped their shoulders again.
After talking for a while, I realized that I was tired.
So Landius leaned a little further against the rubble and opened his mouth.
“Kamael, Lena. Sorry, but I need to rest first.”
“Okay, leave the cleaning up to me and rest.”
“Good night, Randy. I’ll wake you up later.”
Landius closed his eyes with a satisfied expression as Lena pressed her lips to his cheek.
And a few seconds.
As Landius fell into a deep sleep as if it were a lie, Kamael crossed his arms and smiled again.
“Huh.”
It was a smile that somehow gave off the composure of a winner.
That’s why Lena said with narrowed eyes.
“Hey, Kamael. You’re not satisfied that Randy called your name first, are you?”
“Hehehe.”
Instead of denying it, Kamael laughed again, and Lena puffed out her cheeks with a discontented expression before hugging Landius’s arm again.
And a place about 100 meters away from those two people.
Kaisa and Scarlett burst into laughter as they watched Uther and Cordelia being carried away on a stretcher.
“Hey, aren’t they amazing?”
When Caesar spoke first, Scarlett nodded in agreement and said,
“It was amazing. It was a mess because he was spitting up blood like that.”
When I think about it, they were really great guys.
It wasn’t just a little bit of blood, it was like he actually vomited it out into a bowl. If you kiss him like that, won’t the only thing that comes out is a bloody taste?
As Scarlett began to reflect on the bloody kiss, Kaisa’s face turned evil and he continued.
“No, that’s great too, but you know. First of all, aren’t they both younger than us? Those guys.”
It wasn’t that they were criticizing someone younger than them for openly showing affection in front of everyone.
The strength of two people.
They were only seventeen – no, you could say eighteen – but their strength was astonishing.
Even though they used the Dragonslayer Sword Ascalon, it was none other than two people who took the life of the mighty ancient dragon Malekith.
If you were to give Caesar the Dragonslayer Ascalon and ask him to do the same thing… would he be able to do it?
‘What a crowd.’
It was a question whose answer came without even having to think about it.
Because of that, Caesar became slightly gloomy, and Scarlett, who had been feeling the same way since the royal capital, clicked her tongue and said.
“Since the age difference is only a few years, why don’t we just treat them as same-age people?”
At Scarlett’s suggestion, Caesar blinked and quickly nodded.
“Yeah, we’re the same age. Thinking about it that way makes me feel better. Hey, I like you. Let’s be friends.”
“How old are you?”
“Huh? You’re nineteen?”
As Caesar blinked and answered innocently, Scarlett snorted and said.
“I’m twenty, right? So from now on, call me unnie. Okay?”
“You said we were the same age earlier.”
“That is that, and this is this.”
“What can I do with you?”
“Oh, I said you’re my sister?”
“Ugh, I just don’t want to be friends.”
“You should be even more polite if you’re not my friend. From now on, call me Unnie.”
Kaisa opened her mouth to say something in response to Scarlett’s words, but she couldn’t think of anything to say, so she ended up remaining silent. Scarlett turned her head, smiling at her long-awaited victory. She looked at Malekith’s corpse, which was enormous in comparison.
And at the same time.
The mainland across the sea.
On a hill overlooking Argonne Harbor.
There was one who looked at the world, the south, and the sea beyond Argonne Harbor through Maximilian’s eyes.
A voice from on high.
He could tell.
Malekith is dead.
The Ancient Black Dragon, an evil dragon that sought to avenge a grudge from three hundred years ago by laying waste to the South.
“What a blessing.”
The voices on high did not immediately agree with Maximilian’s words.
Instead of answering, I thought of other things.
A kidnapping case targeting children of the 12 northern families that ended in an attempted kidnapping.
A great war unfolds in the wild lands and a fight in the royal capital where the lives of the royal family are at stake.
And now, the death of Malekith, which occurred here in the south.
In all those places there were two people.
Two people drove the outcome of all those events.
“Voice from on high?”
When Maximilian looked up to the sky and asked, a voice from on high gave the answer.
First of all, he ordered him to return to the empire.
“I will follow your will.”
Maximilian, who had paid a respectful tribute, no longer had any lingering attachment to the south and turned his steps toward the north where the empire was located.
But it wasn’t a voice from on high.
He kept thinking about the two people.
Uder Bayer and Cordelia Chase.
I remembered the actions of the two people who changed the fate of the Kingdom of Seilun.
&
< Chapter 95 - Victory (Revised) > End
