LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 143
Hans fused the heart he had returned with the body, gently caressing the mane of the Phantom Horse, his pride and joy, when Volcanus, unable to contain his competitive spirit, spoke up first.
[It’s been a while since I’ve seen a worthy rival, my Lord. Who am I up against?]
“Handle that Blaze Beast.”
[Hmm, so it’s you, huh? Not that I want to, but I guess I have no choice.]
Whoosh!
Volcanus waved his fiery hand, hovering through the air as he moved forward.
As a demon who relished in battle, it seemed he wanted to clash with the formidable Gideon, but I suppose that Berkulachio was no walk in the park either.
‘In terms of urgency, it seems Volcanus holds the higher position, but we aren’t in perfect condition here.’
However, if we can weather the initial storm, it was certain that we could seize victory soon enough.
[Give me your heart…!]
Splat─!
Whoosh!
At that moment, Nox, like a hunter scenting prey, dove into the fray, seemingly captivated by the magical organ possessed by the enemy’s wyvern.
Another undead knight, Luspah of the Celestial Opening, faced off with Chae Hwa In and Khan along with other undead.
‘This roughly sets the stage…’
The only remaining players were the Colossus, Hans, Gideon, and myself.
Watching the various undead battle, Gideon took a moment before speaking.
“Your necromancy is quite unique. At least, it’s unlike anything I’ve seen before.”
“…….”
“Now, let me see it. I am truly excited.”
Beneath Gideon’s expressionless facade, I could sense a flicker of pure child-like exhilaration.
In response, I accelerated the battle with various forms of necromancy.
The tide of battle was somewhat even, but the most noticeable fight was undoubtedly that between Kubarna and Hans.
Whoosh!
Kaboom─!
“Wow, that size is the biggest I’ve ever seen.”
Utilizing sheer mass to relentlessly press Hans, Kubarna was formidable.
Simply swinging his hand infused with death energy could trigger earthquakes, and one wouldn’t even think to breach that iron-clad body.
However, Hans was observant, inspecting the giant’s movements and gradually creating distance as he maneuvered the Phantom Horse.
“If that’s the case, I’ll just keep smashing until it breaks.”
Heeheehee─!
Bam!
Clop clop!
The intense sound of hooves echoed as the ground rumbled beneath them, and the death energy coiling around Hans’ spear slowly expanded.
Whoosh!
Bang─!
The first clash was indeed forceful, yet it didn’t inflict significant damage on Kubarna.
However, using the Phantom Horse’s ability to phase through, Hans maintained speed as he turned and initiated another charge, summoning more death energy.
“Next, here I come.”
Moreover, the death energy accumulated from the first charge gravitated towards Hans’ spear like iron filings to a magnet, increasing its volume.
Heeheehee─!
Clop clop!
Kaboom!
The combined force of the second attack caused even the massive Kubarna to sway slightly and lose balance.
“…What is this?”
Gideon seemed to pale, sensing the imminent spectacle unfolding.
Just as he anticipated, Hans passed through Kubarna again, gathering the dispersed death energy while adding new energy and launching yet another charge.
It was akin to crashing waves.
With tremendous speed and ever-mounting power.
By the seventh repetition, the death energy amassed at the tip of Hans’ spear resembled a colossal tsunami.
Schwing!
Kaboom─!
In the face of the unprecedented power of the assault, Kubarna’s legs shattered, rendered useless.
Crack.
Crashing down helplessly, Kubarna lay defeated.
As the dust swirled around, Hans circled back, collecting death energy one last time before leaping into the air, ready to launch a javelin strike.
“Well, that was quite a satisfying experience.”
Swish!
Thunk!
Kaboom─!
The moment had finally arrived for the mythical Colossus, often spoken of in tales, to meet its end.
Watching the entire bout unfold, I felt a sense of oddity and turned to Gideon, curiosity laden in my voice.
“Why did you let it perish? If you created that undead, surely you had a method to retrieve it.”
With that strike, Kubarna was utterly obliterated. As a fellow necromancer, I could feel this fact distinctly.
In response, Gideon broke his stoic facade for the first time, addressing me.
“That creature was originally composed of the remnants of Philosiom Castle and the souls of its victims. Back then, it was filled with rage and blind to everything else, but should someone ever take it down, I promised to lay its spirit to rest here in its homeland.”
In other words, this was the rightful conclusion.
Simultaneously, Gideon paused a bit, gathering death energy as if to perform an act of reverence.
“I extend my respect. Your skills surpass any necromancer I have encountered since bidding farewell to my master.”
Slowly, I felt my power return to about 60% of my prime. In tandem, the strengths of the other undead increased, shifting the tide of battle in our favor.
“Therefore, I too shall reveal everything I have here.”
In an instant, Gideon’s aura altered.
It felt like a completely different entity stood before me, entirely unlike what I had observed moments prior.
Simultaneously, Gideon began to chant an incantation, using the concentrated death energy as a sacrificial offering to summon something forth.
It was an item I recognized all too well.
Whoosh.
Swoosh.
“It’s been so long since I pulled this out. Think of it as me acknowledging you.”
The Seal of the Underworld could only be wielded by those who have touched death deeply on the planet Thebes.
The symbol of the God of Death.
“Seal of the Underworld…”
“Already aware, then you must understand the implications of that fact as well.”
At least in this very moment, the seal recognized Gideon as its master, determining that his skill in necromancy surpassed mine.
‘…This is really troublesome.’
Honestly, I had somewhat anticipated this possibility.
After all, Gideon was worthy of the title of legend as a necromancer; there was a good chance he succeeded in summoning the seal.
Yet, in my era, I was the sole one capable of wielding the seal.
Seeing someone else use the seal was, like it or not, a first for me.
“A necromancer who summons the seal gains absolute power. You must have experienced it yourself.”
That statement held no exaggeration. The seal’s authority doesn’t only amplify the strength of the undead under one’s command considerably but also allows an individual to control a number of undead that surpass a mere army.
Furthermore, declaring an area of death with that power rendered divine forces and other opposing forces completely meaningless.
In essence, it implied that a necromancer with the Seal of the Underworld had virtually no weaknesses.
“I possess but two undead stronger than Kubarna. However, I suspect you are not much different.”
Raising his off hand, Gideon conjured two undead.
A beautiful girl with silver hair, her eyes covered by a cloth, and a young man radiating a mesmerizing yet inscrutable aura in crimson armor.
Among them, the distinct emblem etched on the young man’s armor was something I recognized from books.
“…Could it be, the Sun King?”
“Surprisingly, the future generations recognize him. That is indeed correct.”
“Crazy.”
Here stood someone far more malicious than I, who had caused fear across Thebes with various bizarre actions.
If the Sun King Ruin was the figure connected to the founding mythos of the Northern Empire, which continues to this day, then transforming him into an undead was undoubtedly a grievous offense that would infuriate the knights of Thebes.
In the same breath, Gideon harnessed the seal’s power, and explosive strength surged into the opposing undead, establishing his domain around us.
At this point, there was little I could do.
As I stood there, Gideon quietly declared the conclusion of this clash.
“Your necromancy was quite fascinating. From now on, I shall claim you as my own and learn from you.”
In other words.
“This battle is my victory, not yours.”
While my minions were increasingly caught at a disadvantage, Hans was exhaling, alone facing off against the newly summoned two undead.
And the Seal of the Underworld continuously accumulated power inexplicably.
I lowered my head in defeat, observing the unfolding scene.
“Is this it…?”
Then, I took a deep breath and exhaled a sigh of relief.
Just as Gideon was about to tilt his head in confusion at my strange behavior, I raised my head and began to smile.
“No, honestly, I was really just a bit terrified back there.”
“…What?”
“I was wondering what you would do next if you had foresight.”
It was truly a fleeting moment, but when he summoned the seal, I briefly entertained the thought that Gideon might be a superior necromancer.
It had been a long time since I felt this tense in front of someone.
Gideon was indeed a formidable opponent. But that was it.
“Have you ever thought about why that thing is called the Seal of the Underworld?”
“…….”
The answer was simple. That seal is a conduit and gateway connecting the living and dead realms.
“It seems you’ve reached your limit here.”
At last, my power returned to about 70% of its peak. And in the moment that my power increased by a single percentage point, I felt it distinctly.
Now, I had surpassed Gideon in total power.
“Since we’re at it, take a good look.”
Whoosh.
Thud thud thud!
As I raised my hand, the seal attached to Gideon began to pulsate.
And thus, the struggle for ownership commenced, with the victor, as expected, being me.
Revisiting the sensation of the seal for the first time in a while, I began to harness its true power.
“Area proclamation abilities? Well, you don’t actually use them like that.”
Death energy surged forth, and among it, an unprecedented, otherworldly essence began to emerge.
As that energy expanded, a thick, azure mist filled the surroundings.
Swoosh.
In the center of it all, a magnificent door of unfathomable mystery revealed itself.
“When you see this for the first time, it really makes you ponder how small the world you’ve known is.”
What people often refer to as the afterlife, the ultimate destination for all souls.
The Underworld was now descending upon this world.