The Undead King of the Palace of Darkness (WN)

That barrage was just like a black storm.

The physical strength of a vampire already surpassed the physical abilities of Death Knights that were strengthened with blessing. A long-reaching lance swung left and right, brandished by that giant body, was the most difficult for Death Knights to deal with. A sword could be parried, but the same couldn’t be done for the lance. There was no technique to his brandishing, but that itself made blocking it difficult. His poise was more of a beast than of a former mage, but it was backed by definite experience. Even if he was a mage, even if he hadn’t learned any techniques, his powerful physical abilities surpassed everything. Nevertheless, Senri made the blessing explode at her feet and fell back. After all, if someone was at a disadvantage in close combat, all they could do is attack from a distance. Lufry and Neville immediately gathered at Senri’s side and blocked the lance. The moment she concentrated her power in the sword, the Mirage King laughed.

“I know very well, let’s see what tricks you lot use…”

She stored the light of blessing for a second and released it. The moment the purifying light, albeit not as flashy as Photon Delete but still able to surely wound the undead, was about to hit the Mirage King, when a wall appeared in front of him.

The light hit the wall of soil and scattered easily.

As long as it’s not converted into the energy of destruction like Photon Delete, the light of the blessing doesn’t have a destructive ability. Out of the two that were guarding her sides, Lufry fired the light of purification to contain the enemy and Neville swung at him with his mace. In response to their simultaneous attacks, the Mirage King stepped back. 

Crystal grew from the ground with great force. The black polished crystal reflected the light and blocked Neville’s mace.

— He’s strong. And he’s used to fighting.

The power of the blessing extinguishes undead on touch and defends against miasma. However, it was not tangible.cMoreover, the enemy was casting magic with no lag while moving.  At that moment, the Mirage King suddenly looked down on his palm. The crystal shattered. 

“Muu… to think that the body of the blood demon would be ―― this weak. I lack ―― the power of death.” Those were unbelievable words.

However, this was the enemy which the Order of Death Knights once destroyed with all their might He also didn’t have subordinates, which the Mirage King would have been usually accompanied by, with him. He was undoubtedly not in perfect condition as well.

And, the Mirage King thrust his spear into the ground, smiling quietly.

“However, what an air of tension ―― I have long since forgotten this too. This thrilling feeling of hatred for the living.”

That voice was full of delight. A mysterious delight. It made Senri realize that a Demon King had resurrected whether she liked it or not.

This was a genuine vampire. Different from End. In addition, perhaps because of the influence from before he reincarnated, he had absolutely no presence.

Senri bit her lips.

A vampire who looked like a human and didn’t have the presence of death. If they let him go, he would surely cause enormous harm. He was undoubtedly — the enemy of all living beings.

The mana of a powerful undead is incomparable to that of a living human. The vampire in front of her was out of gas. Probably because the ritual was interrupted in the middle by End, he still wasn’t at his full strength. He was probably not even a vampire. If he was a vampire, there’s no way he wouldn’t use his powerful special abilities.

“Well, it is of no concern. I shall suck your blood dry, to sate this unbearable thirst.”

The Mirage King laughed. After he hit the ground with a spear, a huge stake grew from the ground, attacking her.

☠

His fierce attacks were truly like a storm. He was undoubtedly top class among the undead Senri had fought until now and in addition, he was the worst matchup for her.

Blessing is an extremely versatile energy, but it also has its strengths and weaknesses.

Blessing excels in purification and healing. And it lacks defense against destruction and attacks with mass.

The ground turned up like a tsunami and a large amount of rubble rained down like surging waves. It easily crushed the defense of the shield of light that Lufry had deployed widely, not letting Neville and Senri who tried to step in get close.

“… Shit!”

It was not a matter of skill. It was an overwhelming destruction allowed only to the strong.

The Mirage King attacked, hiding in the rubble that soared like a living being. Senri parried his attack with hersword. She avoided the rubble that came flying from above by retreating. No matter how strengthened her body was with blessing, it wouldn’t survive an attack with a large mass. “Weak, so weak! This is the true level of Death Knight when they do not flock together!”

If she hadn’t had her perception strengthened with blessing, Senri wouldn’t be able to properly deal with the continuous thrusts and surprise attacks. Countless crystal stakes were fired out of nowhere at Lufry, who had changed his standing position to be inconspicuous. The Mirage King laughed excitedly.

“HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA! If you cannot concentrate, you will be unable to shoot your big technique!!”

His eyes were overflowing with the glee of fighting. His attacks were rough, but they weren’t something you could deal with leisurely.

All of the earth was the ally of the vampire in front of them.

His attack range was too wide. The King wasn’t at full strength either, but it wasn’t like they could challenge undead in the contest of endurance and win. Three people weren’t enough to beat the powerful king in front of them head-on.

At this rate, the situation would get worse and worse. If Senri moved, he would follow after her without missing a beat. Determined, Senri stepped forward. His thrusts were faster than the sound. Pebbles assaulted her, along with the barrage of thunder-like strikes.

Senri sharpened her concentration, evading the thrusts with minimal movements. What she couldn’t evade, she’d parry with her sword. The pebbles hit Senri’s body, but she didn’t fall back.

Death Knights were also the experts of healing. What she needed was – a resolve. As long as she had a resolve, she could move forward. Blood-like eyes widened in surprise for the first time.

“O-o-ooh!” Senri did her best to repel the spear that was swung widely, with a sword. The attack that couldn’t be quite blocked by humans made strong numbness run through her bones. However, Senri laughed. Repelling would be impossible for Senri from a while ago. She was able to parry it now somehow thanks to her frequent mock-battles with End.

“Fuu, so you would laugh now! Death Knight!”

Then, Senri moved one step further.

The advantage of the spear is its long reach. But, at the same time, it’s also a disadvantage. 

Once you get close to the enemy’s chest, the spear is surpassed —- by the sword.

The Mirage King was right in front of her eyes. She poured the power of the blessing in the sword. The sword took on a strong light, and the Mirage King’s blood-colored eyes narrowed.

Senri swung up her sword and stepped in.

At the same time, a wall appeared on each side of the Mirage King.

“!?”

“HAHAHAHAHAHA! Did you think that I would not notice?!”

A bottle of holy water that Neville threw from a blind spot hit the wall of soil and shattered. Holy water is the weakness of the vampires. However, it’s useless if it doesn’t hit directly.

It was a perfect surprise attack. However, it was noticed. The Mirage King blocked Senri’s swing of the weapon with the spear’s handle. A hard sensation came back to her.  But, the surprise attack being evaded came as a bigger shock.

The Mirage King shouted.

“As if a bluff would work! Your sword lacks killing intent!” “Kh!!”

They failed. Pebbles grazed her cheeks, blood spattering around. Senri deceived the sharp pain with fighting spirit.

She had been naïve. It wasn’t like she was holding back. But, she certainly didn’t put her life on line for that attack.

It was because she had allies, and Death Knights were trained to definitely win.

Her slacking was seen through. Was it because it had been a while since they cooperated?

Regret ran through her brain for a second, but she didn’t have the leisure to dwell on it. A sword and a spear clashed, violent sparkles flying around. But the blade barely didn’t reach the King’s skin.

“HAHAHAHAHAHA! Good, this is a good tune! How long has it been since I had such a battle!”

The Mirage King was also undoubtedly exhausted. However, his crazy laugh showed no signs of dying down. Blood splattered. But Senri’s mind was calm.

“Fall back for now, Senri!”

She heard Lufry’s voice in the distance. However, Serni prepared for death. She focused. She threw the thoughts of survival out of her mind, only thinking about eradicating the enemy. She repelled the blade, the pebbles just with instincts. The expression of the Mirage King changed.

He wasn’t as strong as he looked. The difference between the two of them was miniscule. But the gap would widen the more time passed. She would move forward. This was the turning point. Light purified darkness. If she landed a hit, she would have a chance to win. Senri roared for the first time. “Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

“?!”

She stepped in recklessly. In response, the Mirage King – retreated.

His speed was almost as if he was flying. He retreated dozens of meters in a single step, his eyes wide open.

“Im, possible… I was—pressured?!”

“…”

Lufry and Neville, who moved forward, supported Senri who was about to collapse, by her side.

What she needed was an opening. She was still conscious. 

And — Senri flew.

It was a movement technique that made use of the blessing. ‘Light Wings’. Supported by Lufry and Neville, she stood several dozens of meters high in the sky in an instant.

Flying with the help of blessing was a high level technique. Humans aren’t made to fly in the sky.

It needed reserves and it couldn’t be used in a high-speed combat, but the ability to take aerial superiority is great. She could see the Mirage King, which looked like a speck of dust, far below. Even the power of the King of the Earth couldn’t be utilised in the sky.

“Do it. Senri.” “Kh…” She would end his life for sure this time. Lufry and Neville were also barely holding together. In addition, since they were devoting their powers to the flight, she couldn’t expect any help. The energy, that felt like it was inexhaustible, concentrated on the sword. She would turn herself into sword.

The power that Mirage King used to defend against Photon Delete. He didn’t use that mirror crystal even once during combat. The enemy was exhausted. It was most likely not a technique that could be used continuously. 

No – it was irrelevant whether it could be used continuously. If he could use it, all she could have to do would be to use ‘Photon Delete’ until she died. 

And, the moment she tried to release her power — the hill that the Mirage King was standing on collapsed and expanded.

“As if I would lose, little girl. You brat who hasn’t lived tenth of my life!”

“?!”

The ground rumbled. The rocks rearranged and created — a giant arm. The enormous amount of mana that could make one cower reached the sky in an instant. 

A huge palm made of crystal loomed over Senri. 

There was no doubt. This was the last blow. The next attack would be the last for both the enemy and herself.

A giant mass came down on her. However, she didn’t rush.

She took a deep breath and concentrated her power. She heard a voice – from the back of the hand. She gently pointed her sword up. She had no sensation in her hands anymore.  But her hands weren’t trembling. 

And, lastly, Senri apologized in her heart.

End, I’m sorry.

What could it have been an apology for?

And, the light was released.