Volume 1 Chapter 107 Cursed People
"Ark, you were tricked by Ragius."
"Oh, did I fooled?"
"You don't know what will happen if you put all the keys in the altar, do you?"
"That's because...you said you could destroy the key."
When this journey began, Mel told me how to destroy the key that was written in an ancient document. She has come this far because she believes in her words.
"The truth is different. If you put the key in, the seal that covered this world will disappear, and 'the restrictions of level caps and skills will disappear.'"
Will Level Cap and skills disappear?
"Is that possible!?"
"It's no wonder you can't believe it. This seal was placed three thousand years ago. Very few people remember it now."
I suffered because I had a Level Cap of 1 and an unconventional skill called "Instant Death Magic."
It wasn't just me; countless lives were distorted.
I couldn't easily accept that the cause was an unknown mechanism created by someone.
Mel takes out an ancient document from her bag. It was something she always carried with her.
"This ancient document has been tampered with. Someone intentionally altered it to unlock a seal, I suppose."
The ancient document, casually thrown outside the square, silently fell and disappeared from sight.
"So, what we've done──"
"Anyway, your role is done now. But it wasn't all bad, right? You were able to shine as an adventurer, become stronger, and eliminate all the obstacles. I almost died too, but it was quite an exciting and enjoyable journey."
As Mel looked at the shining key in her hand, she chuckled to herself, reflecting on the events that led her to this moment.
"Father, it worked!"
"Well done, my daughter. Our wishes will now come true."
The king responded while gazing at the key in Mel's hand.
It was the king who had tasked adventurers with collecting the keys. In other words, I was merely being played in the palms of these two individuals.
In that case, what was Fatina's purpose in sacrificing herself?
"Why did you do that? Was unlocking the seal your goal?"
"No, it wasn't. It's clear that it would cause chaos worldwide if we were to do that. It seems Ragius wanted you to unlock the seal, but that's not what we desire."
"That serpent was manipulating you, aiming to bring chaos to the world once again. The princess prevented that from happening."
The old man standing next to Mel agreed.
"Our goal, my father's and mine, is to collect the keys. And with this power, we will reshape the world as we desire."
"The desired world? But didn't you say back then that your goal was to destroy the keys?"
"Back then, huh? My mind was manipulated by magic to become a good person, and I was actually acting accordingly."
"That's..."
She spoke as if she had done nothing wrong.
I had no words to argue back anymore.
"Now, this country is very unstable because of conflicts among the nobles. We will start by destroying those who don't obey us, and then invade the neighboring country. It won't be difficult now that we have the key."
"Are you joking!? Are you planning to start a war?"
"If His Majesty and the princess join forces, they will definitely lead this world to peace... Hehehe."
The old man grinned.
Some of his teeth were missing, giving off an eerie feeling.
"That's why we have been conserving our military strength until today. It was an unexpected result, but it seems that the goddess is on our side."
Was that the reason why the king had adventurers collect the keys?
Everything so far has proven to be just as this man planned.
"Hey, Ark, I really like you. So come with me. Together, we will change this rotten world."
──It's crazy.
Every country is already busy dealing with monsters, and now starting a fight there. If that happens, everywhere will turn into a battlefield.
I have to stop it.
For Fatina. For Leanne. I still have things to do.
"I'll tell you this, your childhood friend is probably already dead, so going back is pointless."
I felt dizzy.
"Why, why did Leanne..."
"There are other people besides us who would be troubled if the existence of the key was made public."
"Who is it?!"
"All you do is ask questions. I'm not your mother, so I'm not obliged to answer."
Certainly, Leanne once distanced herself from me and stood against Allen. But what she told me last was true, it was her true feelings.
She just wanted to become a Hero.
She was just used for those feelings and was swept away by the people around her. There was no big difference between me, who tried to gather the keys for myself, and her.
Why did I leave Leanne behind at Trasverum back then? I should have insisted on staying close to her, no matter what.
"There's nothing wrong with that. Because she's the woman who betrayed you..."
No, it's different.
I'm the one who decides what's right or wrong for myself, not anyone else.
"Mel, just answer me one thing before we go."
"What is it?"
"Do you not feel anything about Fatina's death?"
"..."
Mel looked at me for a while, then finally spoke.
"Some of the beastmen die every day somewhere. I can't afford to worry about it every time."
That was the worst response.
Mel──or rather, Princess Merletta, was not the person I thought she was.
Fatina's feelings for trying to help this woman were easily and carelessly trampled.
The days we fought desperately seemed to be all in vain and meaningless.
"Come, Ark. Pledge your loyalty to me."
──Ah.
Now that I've lost, I understand.
I was able to remain sane even with power because Fatina was by my side.
While everyone else acted for their own benefit, Fatina was always fighting for someone other than herself.
She was my closest conscience, a good person who watched over me.
But now, the person I cherished has disappeared.
The fact that Fatina was alive will eventually fade from people's memories and be forgotten.
Is such a thing really forgivable?
No, it's not. It must not be forgiven.
If no one else will do it, I will.
I will prove that your death was not in vain.
Fatina, you were definitely here.
"You shouldn't exist. Apologize to Fatina in hell."
Princess Merletta frowned.
"Did I hear wrong? I feel like I was told something very rude."
"Merletta, you will die here."
"It's impossible for you. Because you love me."
"But that's not you."
"...After being betrayed and deceived many times, it seems like you've finally gone mad."
"Princess, leave this to me."
An old man stepped forward in front of the princess.
"All right. But don't kill him. Just hurt him enough."
"Hehe, understood."
The old man's body floated in the air and slowly approached here. He landed in a position facing me, across the center of the square.
"I apologize for the late introduction. I am Darmud, the head magician of the Cretia Kingdom's royal court and the leader of the magician group."
The old man, who introduced himself as Darmud, said with a creepy smile.
"I have been amazed by your remarkable achievements for a while now. Let us join forces and change the world together──"
"(Death)"
I unleash (Death) without any hesitation.
I have had enough of empty words. Right now, it is crucial to prioritize killing Merletta and there is no time for idle talk.
The unleashed (Death) quickly reaches Darmud.
"Hmm..."
Darmud raises his hand. Suddenly, a translucent barrier appears in front of him, blocking (Death). It is a sight I have seen many times in battles against monsters.
"Magic defense?"
Darmud, who should be a human, is somehow using magic defense.
"Hyahaha!!"
Maybe my reaction was amusing to him, but he laughed gleefully.
I don't know why he can use magic defense. However, I have (Ruin) that have broken through magic defenses in many battles. His attitude might change if he experiences it firsthand.
"──Shall I teach you a bit about magic? Do you know a magic called (Cyclone)?"
Darmud suddenly asked such a question.
I have seen the magic called (Cyclone) before. Ryuin used it in the Emerald Green Dungeon.
A small tornado envelops the opponent and cuts them with blades of wind. But it was powerless against the golem protected by magic defense.
With my current status, there is nothing to fear. I just need to dodge or take the hit. Then, I will get close and use (Ruin).
To never fail again, I tightly grip my sword.
It seems that he took that as my answer, as he smirked in a vulgar manner once again.
"Well then, let me show you... the magic of (Cyclone)."
Saying that, he pointed the staf he was holding towards the sky.
A pattern similar to what Ragius had done appeared at the tip of the staff, and it started to glow.
I felt a clear sign that something was about to happen, so I prepared myself.
He said he would use a Cyclone. If I see magic, I'll try to get closer forcefully if I have to.
"Huh?"
Suddenly, a warm breeze blew and a distinct smell filled the air.
I know this smell. It's a sign that a storm is coming.
Thick clouds above started to move with a loud rumble, and raindrops started to wet the ground in the square.
"This is──"
In the blink of an eye, a heavy rain started pouring down, blocking my view.
The wind was getting stronger and it couldn't be ignored anymore.
It wasn't the attack I had imagined.
The weather in the area had suddenly changed. What's even stranger is that I'm the only one affected by it.
Darmud and the kings are standing calmly, not even getting wet from the rain.
"Huh!?"
Suddenly, there was a loud noise from above, and I instinctively jumped backward. Right after, a lightning bolt struck where I was standing.
The thunderous strike burned the square.
The seemingly sturdy white floor was charred and smoke rose from different places.
If I had stayed in that spot... I would have turned into ashes in an instant.
"(Cyclone) has good compatibility with various attributes. Creating your own territory and gaining an advantage in battle is also a basic of magic."
Handling multiple attributes at the same time, not even requiring an incantation. The magic I know is fundamentally different.
Now that the connection with Ragius has been cut, the supply of magic power has ceased. There is no means of recovery once depleted. Due to the impact of the raging storm and the defense against miasma, it was impossible to recklessly close the distance, as it was impossible to judge how much magic power would be depleted.
As I struggled to decide how to attack, something resembling a cyclone with multiple blades approached right before my eyes.
"Kuh!"
Just before my body was about to be cut to pieces, I somehow managed to evade by falling to the ground.
There were no signs of the attack. The cause was probably due to the magic of the (Cyclone) covering this area. However, even though I understood it in my head, there was no way to counteract it.
Too strong.
I can't imagine winning at all.
I only had one question: why did this guy appear now?
"Admit your defeat, Ark! If you do, I'll forgive your rudeness!"
But still, I don't want to lose.
If I die here, I'll feel sorry for Fatina.
Once again, I hear the sound of the wind cutting through the air, and this time, blades of wind fly towards my neck from both sides.
"Ouch!!"
I couldn't avoid it this time, but I used a barrier of miasma to defend myself.
My magic power was greatly depleted.
"If you're not paying attention, your head will fly off! Hyahaha── huh!?"
Suddenly, there was a big explosion in front of Darmud. The smoke quickly dispersed in the wind, and his confidence disappeared, replaced by a serious expression.
"Fatina?"
When I realized it, a woman was standing in the center of the plaza.
I hoped that some miracle had happened and Fatina had come back to life, but I quickly realized it was a case of mistaken identity.
An unfamiliar woman was wearing a white nun's outfit, and everything about her, including her hair and skin, was completely white. In addition, she had horns growing from both sides of her head.
"So I said. That girl should have been taken care of sooner."
"No way... Is it Ragius?"
That way of speaking was distinctive, and it sounded familiar."
"Hehehe, so Ragius has appeared after all. It seems you've been living shamelessly without learning your lesson..."
"I predicted that you would come. Today, let's settle this once and for all."
"You, a filthy snake, dare to speak so boldly to me. Huh? Ragius?"
"Silence! You betrayed Astal-sama and this world!"
"That's not true. There's no one who understands Astal-sama's will better than I do."
"I won't be swayed by your persuasion anymore. Ark is the last hope left for us. I won't let anyone interfere."
"It's pathetic to cling so desperately to a long-discarded plan. After all, you're just a monster. Was it all in vain to preach to you?"
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