Volume 5 Chapter 62 Cursed Illusion
After knocking down all members of the First Army, the ash subsides.
D*mn it, I was too focused on moving my body and ended up giving them plenty of time.
I mean, there was a new movement in the army.
But, finally, the main act appears. It was faster than expected.
White Sign - Vice Ornette
His ominous and dense magic gathers at the feet of the army. It is undoubtedly the same quality of magic felt from that white ash.
The army led by the Sign is essentially for them. The training, equipment, and even life they've built up exist to increase the magic of the Sign.
To prove it, Vice activates his magic.
"Roar, scream, don't fear. This is a symbol of death, proof of the end and salvation. Give your temporary life as kindling to my life."
His voice echoes calmly.
It seems my sense of foreboding was correct. I've seen the magic of the Sign and the Lord numerous times, but there are not many as selfish, ugly, and magician-like as this.
"Spiritual Penetration Art - Release."
White ash erupts at the center of the army. It engulfs everything and rises to the sky, becoming a huge pillar.
Yes, Vice swallows all his soldiers and himself, and something appears.
"'Shin Aggis (Ashen War Battle Maiden).'"
What descended was a giant that surpassed the surrounding walls.
To sum up its appearance in one word as a giant is too elegant. Yes, it had a beautiful face like a battle maiden and a feminine body. It wore a dragon-shaped helmet, carried a spear in its left hand and a sword in its right.
If it closed its eyes to its size, it would have looked like a work of art.
However, it is a cursed illusion.
"'You.'"
More than eight thousand soldiers were swallowed up in this Shin Aggis.
Red light pulses like blood vessels on its white skin.
Vice burned the magic of eight thousand people to create this Shin Aggis.
"'Are you planning to kill your subordinates with your own hands?'"
Even now, the soldiers are being drained of their magic by the ash. If left alone, they will undoubtedly be squeezed to death and die.
The reply was heard from the face of the battle maiden.
'I have no intention of killing them. But if they can die for victory, that is the true ambition of a soldier.'
"'You're wrong.'"
Certainly, a general must be prepared to use their subordinates' lives as a resource at times.
But this is different.
It is not the same to use the techniques honed as a soldier and exhaust oneself to death as it is to be crushed like food.
'A Hero should not be pained by this. Life on the battlefield is a resource, and the most efficient general is one who uses it effectively. There are no soldiers among us who are worried about it, or who are afraid.'
I see, I see.
Just now, our beliefs clashed.
I had already decided from the beginning that "no one will be killed in this battle."
But I don't say "no one will be killed arbitrarily."
"'I understand what you mean. You don't need to speak anymore.'"
I prepare my sword and circulate my magic.
Everyone, live with the will to die. I'll end this soon.
* * *
Strangely, it reminded me of the battle with Jillzack Luid.
Luid also manifested a monster called "Aspita Silguera (Crimson Incarnation)."
However, this is a different league.
Not only in terms of the quality of the army but also this 'Shin Aggis' surpasses the amount of magical power an individual can wield by far.
The magical power of eight thousand individuals is too massive for one person to handle. To control it, Vice must be utilizing a considerable number of soldiers' brains, using them as a substitute for magic circuits, processing vast amounts of magic power. In a sense, 'Shin Aggis' is both Vice Ornette's magic and a composite magic system.
I had observed that it enhances the soldiers, but this magic is specifically designed for military use.
'Here we go, Silver.'
As he spoke, swords and spears swung. Despite its size, it approached with a power equivalent to meteors.
While narrowly evading them, I thought.
In fact, I had actually tried to attack, but the blade only scraped the surface of the pale skin. It had a terrifying hardness. In a direct comparison of pure magic power output, I stood no chance.
'My True Name' can produce infinite magic power, but there is a limit to the amount of magic power I can use in a moment. On the other hand, there could be bodies that can store magic power indefinitely.
In a way, this magic can be considered the epitome of composite magic.
Still, I refuse to acknowledge it, to deny his approach and beliefs.
'Running away seems to be your strong suit.'
"'Would you stop blaming your lackluster swordsmanship?'"
'It seems like you still have the energy to talk.'
Immediately after, 'Shin Aggis' halted its attack, and something unfolded behind its. It was a pair of massive wings, covering the sky.
Is it planning to fly? My prediction was quickly denied. The hidden sky revealed the sun.
"'No way.'"
It was a three-dimensional magic circle deployed before the wings. Three enormous clusters of red-black magical power, resembling hearts, emerged on each wing. In total, there were six. It felt like a joke.
'Can you stop this next one?'
The skin of 'Shin Aggis' started showing prominent red veins, and magic power flowed incessantly. The magic circles, which had expanded due to consuming life, condensed, and transformed into flaming spears.
'Ego Iflelia (Destruction Fire Penetration)'
Six spears, each capable of turning the earth into a sea of flames, were launched simultaneously.
Even with Sharla's 'Meikai (Open Hell),' it would be impossible to freeze this scale. So what should I do? I leaped into the air.
'If you think being in the air will reduce the damage a little, you are naive.'
Vice' voice reached my ears. It's different. As a courtesy for his grand gesture, I thought I'd add one more.
"'Sharla! Release the upper Meikai!'"
It was an instruction that probably made no sense. However, Sharla acted without questioning the intent or worrying about the reasons. She did as instructed.
The ice, maintained by the cold of the hell, melted, and the previous 'Iflelia' that the Dragarts fired first regained its heat.
Six spears reached for their targets. Flames devoured flames, and everything turned red.
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