Ch.121121. Seal

Suddenly getting caught up in combat wasn’t something Elnore experienced often.

Being in just her nightgown when her room suddenly exploded was a first, and being attacked by someone wielding a sword in that situation was also a first.

An assassination attempt without any warning or reason. As a noble lady of the Tristan Dukedom, she had experienced many dangerous situations, but combat this sudden was yet another first.

Even considering that, the “disadvantage” she was currently experiencing was clearly abnormal.

Since becoming an adult.

Had she ever been pushed back this much in combat, even once?

“…You said you had someone to introduce me to, High Priestess Tatiana.”

She glared at the people before her while catching her ragged breath.

“They’re certainly not ordinary humans. Worthy of being presented to me with such confidence.”

Two figures stood back at a distance with their arms crossed.

One was Tatiana, and the other was a frivolous-looking man adorned with excessive jewelry.

And in front of them.

A “masked” woman was addressing her nonchalantly.

She was the one who had suddenly appeared after the massive explosion and pointed a sword at her.

“Why don’t you just give up? You can’t win, you know?”

Elnore frowned deeply at the casual voice.

It sounded mocking. Just hearing it made her irritation rise.

“…Well. I’m not one to run from a fight I didn’t start.”

The masked woman snickered.

“You never change, do you? Such a stubborn one. I’ve seen you so many times, but you’ve never once shown a different reaction.”

“…I don’t recall meeting someone as suspicious as you.”

That was the truth.

Someone this unpleasant would surely be etched in her memory after just one meeting, but she truly had no recollection of this person.

“No.”

However.

The masked woman refuted in a low voice.

“We’ve met many times. Sickeningly many.”

“…”

She couldn’t understand what the woman meant at all.

Elnore sighed and rose to her feet. She judged it better to focus on resolving the current situation rather than trying to make sense of incomprehensible words.

Her narrowed eyes remained fixed on her opponent.

“…”

Elnore’s face hardened as she watched the masked woman playfully swing her sword around.

Even by rough estimation, the difference in their abilities was tremendously large.

Without even reaching her own level of extreme training, this person’s body would barely meet average standards.

Normally, such a person should collapse helplessly from the attacks she was delivering now.

-!

Elnore dashed forward, kicking off the ground.

A lightning-fast strike, like always.

A body exuding superhuman physical power, combined with swordsmanship honed to the extreme. Normally, such a frail body that clearly hadn’t been properly trained should be overwhelmed and crushed.

But.

-!

She was repelled.

Elnore barely recovered her disturbed balance and slightly gritted her teeth. In that moment, her opponent’s sword grazed her shoulder.

Though shallow, another clear wound was carved into her body.

‘…A strange opponent.’

Yes. This was the problem.

Just now, once again.

This woman had “suddenly” become stronger.

The overwhelming difference in power between them had been filled in an instant.

As if she had some characteristic that made her suddenly stronger when her life was in danger.

The more fiercely Elnore pressed her attack, the stronger this characteristic seemed to become.

She had seen someone with a similar trait once before.

Someone with characteristics that could be considered not just similar, but almost identical.

“…You.”

Elnore spoke in a frost-like voice.

“Do you have some connection to Darwood?”

“…”

The masked woman merely shrugged.

“Even if I did, I wouldn’t want to tell you.”

“…”

“Rather than asking such things, I think it would be better if you just died here.”

Elnore sighed again.

“That’s not possible.”

“…You talk big for someone who hasn’t landed a single effective hit. On what basis—”

“I need to have a child.”

“…”

“I promised Darwood.”

The masked woman, who had been silent for a while after hearing Elnore speak with such a serious expression, let out a heavy sigh.

“…Well, whatever. Good luck with that. But you need to survive for that to happen, right?”

They faced each other with swords drawn once more.

This was a scene that had been repeating continuously.

The result would likely be similar.

As unbelievable as it was, Elnore was being pushed back in close combat against this woman.

‘…I have no choice but to use it.’

Elnore thought as she refined the “energy” stirring within her body.

Since hunting the ice tiger with Talion, she had been avoiding using this power herself.

It felt as if her very “essence” was completely changed because of it.

“…”

But.

Besides that.

Some inexplicable ominousness was blocking the use of that ability.

Elnore’s gaze lingered on the man standing back in the distance.

The frivolous man adorned with excessive jewelry.

Though his appearance made her wonder what kind of outfit that was.

She sensed an ominousness. To a terrifying degree.

As if she should never use this energy in front of that man.

“Are you holding back some power?”

Meanwhile, a seemingly sarcastic voice came from the masked woman.

“Why don’t you use it? At this rate, you’ll die.”

As if.

She knew that Elnore was hiding such power.

Rather, as if she was “waiting” for her to use it.

“…No.”

If so, she had no desire to play into her hands.

Elnore sighed and took up her sword stance again.

“My sword is enough for someone like you.”

“…Well, suit yourself.”

Again, their swords crossed.

Or rather.

They were about to.

A “formation” suddenly appeared before their eyes.

“…?”

“…?”

Everyone present looked bewildered at the sudden phenomenon.

It wasn’t something that any of them had interfered with.

And in the midst of that.

Something “fell” out of the formation with a thud.

●

Come to think of it, I feel like things have rarely gone according to my plans so far.

I always think I’m considering all variables when making plans, but ridiculous things keep happening.

“…”

But even I’m a bit dazed by this.

Though my pain receptors are blocked, the feeling that something has gone seriously wrong is conveyed quite intensely.

The sensation that below my chest, almost nothing remains, as if completely severed.

In other words, I’ve suffered a fatal wound from there down.

Something that flowed out from “inside” my body splashes with a wet sound as it hits the ground at my feet.

“…”

Don’t think about it.

I feel like if I think too carefully about what that is right now, I won’t be able to do anything.

< System Message >

[ HP below 0.5%! ]

[ You are on the verge of death! ]

[ Emergency treatment is recommended! ]

As if emergency treatment would help with this.

At the edge of my vision, I spot someone who might be able to do something similar.

The Holy Maiden, who had been sitting quietly in the nearby bushes, now rushes out with a face turned pale blue.

“…Stay still! Remain calm!”

Before I can explain anything, the Holy Maiden clings to me and begins pouring holy power into me.

All sorts of high-level miracles, incomparable to the basic blessings I use, rain down.

Amazing things that could immediately restore a dying person to health as long as they still had life in them.

But they don’t seem to have much effect.

< System Message >

[ The demonic energy of the ‘White Demon’ is preventing regeneration! ]

Thanks to being hit by Yuria who was under demonic influence, my entire body is covered in demonic energy.

The Holy Maiden’s face drains of all color as she sees that the wounds aren’t healing at all.

“W-wait, wait. I-I’ll save you no matter what I have to do…!”

As she says this, white light begins to leak from her body again.

I think I know what she’s trying to do.

She’s burning her own lifespan. Among miracles, it’s considered one of the most sinister, forbidden dark arts.

“…”

It’s touching that she would go that far to save me.

Delving into why someone with the title of ‘Holy Maiden’ knows such things would lead to an extremely deep story.

There are “watching eyes” here right now. I can’t let her bring out something like that.

“…Stop.”

Though it’s difficult to form sentences with all the blood pooled in my throat, I can barely convey that much.

“Don’t do it.”

I struggle to continue speaking.

“You’ll, get hurt. Stop.”

“…”

The Holy Maiden’s eyes widen.

All kinds of complex emotions fill those eyes, and then she bites her lip until it bleeds.

<System Message>

[ Target ‘Lucien’ has received a tremendous shock from your statement! ]

[ Guilt is engraved into her deep consciousness! ]

[ Negative influence is engraved! ]

[ Negative Engraving 3 stacks! ]

[ Major changes occur in personality. ]

[ Changes occur in behavior patterns! ]

[ Dominance over the target increases! ]

[ Rewards are available! ]

“…”

Even in this situation, skills are still being applied properly.

But now is not the time to worry about that.

“Is that the issue right now?! Why are you still…!”

I shake my head as I hear the Holy Maiden’s angry voice.

No, that’s not the issue.

If my thinking is correct.

Beyond the possibility that it would be ineffective and only cause harm, there’s simply “no need” for it.

“…”

My consciousness sinks deeply.

I thoroughly examine the “purpose” I originally intended.

With my barely maintained consciousness, I laboriously calculate what the best decision would be to survive in this situation.

Even with a body boosted by all sorts of cheat skills, I have at most a few dozen seconds. I can’t afford to waste time panicking.

“…Holy Maiden.”

After saying just that.

I then use gestures to convey as clearly as possible to the Holy Maiden.

I’m asking her to hand over the amulet she’s wearing.

“…”

The Holy Maiden hands me the Soul Linker with trembling hands, and I manage to put it on my wrist.

[You, damn it, keep your mind focused! One wrong move here and everything’s over!]

[Can you hear me! I’m going to form a formation right now, so stay still…!]

As soon as the Soul Linker connects, I hear Calivan and Valkarsus screaming simultaneously in my head.

“…”

So noisy. Please speak more quietly.

I’ve lost too much blood. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to maintain consciousness.

‘Valkarsus.’

The one I need to speak with is Valkarsus.

Right now, my lifeline depends entirely on whether this person can grant this request.

‘Is spatial movement magic possible?’

Spatial movement is considered high-level magic in any system of abilities. It’s unusual that Faynol could send Riru that far with just one magic stone.

But if this person can’t do it now, I’ll die without a chance.

[…The number of lines engraved on your body is still small, so I can’t send you far. The limit is about one-tenth of what you used on that Riru girl with the magic stone before.]

‘That’s enough.’

Fortunately, it seems there won’t be any issues.

As expected of the world’s greatest alchemist. He can fulfill even such an unreasonable request.

I pass the coordinates to Valkarsus. And then.

“Darwood, b-blood, blood, blood— Oh no, I, I did wrong— please, pleeeease—”

To this one who’s crying her eyes out, I leave just one message.

“It’s okay, Yuria.”

I squeeze out my last bit of strength to say that.

“It’s not your fault.”

No, really.

You’ve suffered a lot because of me, so I can take this much of a beating.

Besides.

I have no intention of dying yet.

‘…Calivan.’

I mutter those words into my fading consciousness.

‘Make me one promise.’

[…If it’s some cheesy last words, I won’t listen. Don’t think about dying.]

I smile slightly at the slightly choked voice.

It’s not like that, so don’t worry.

This guy, always so prickly but actually quite sentimental.

‘Later, when I make excuses, please listen. Don’t get angry.’

[…What?]

Calivan responded with bewilderment.

But I’m serious about this.

Because of what this person is about to witness, if he tries to “kill me” later, that would be troublesome.

Given that this person is a former Guardian or higher, that probability isn’t low.

Then, the alchemical light created by Valkarsus envelops my body.

In an instant, the scene before my eyes changes.

A student dormitory provided by the Crucible of Struggle. Specifically, where Elnore is.

It’s damaged, broken, collapsing in various places. Clear signs that a “battle” has taken place.

And at this point, surely…

“…Darwood?”

Elnore’s voice taps at my ears.

Yes. It seems I’ve found the right place.

And considering this person’s usual tendencies.

Her reaction to seeing me in this state is also predetermined.

< System Message >

[ The energy of ¾̸̧̥̬͈͇̹̘͕̠̮̩̙̎ð̸̞͖̋¾̶͕̻́̊̇î̸̙̪͎̥͎͍̲͔̔̈́̀̃͗́̚̚͠͠͝͠ ̷̨̨̣̭̭͓̱̼͚̮̼̭̟̱̾̄͑̈́̋͝¼̸̢̛̞̟͓̗̙͗͊̆̓̈͘͜͠ is sensed! ]

That’s right.

< System Message >

[ ‘Seal of Fallen Heaven’ is responding! ]

[ You have interacted with ‘demons’ a sufficient number of times! ]

[ Your attribute changes from ‘Human’ to ‘·̶̛͈̪͚̹̺͖͉̪̇̎̃̏̃̎̚͡ͅ ̷̥͉̞͎̯̥̫̳̻͆͊̉̀̾͘͞·̴̵̢̢̥̱̝̘̟͎̯̥̟͖̞͊͐͌̿̎̋̔̈́̃̕̚͘͜͟͝͞͞·̶̛͈̪͚̹̺͖͉̪̇̎̃̏̃̎̚͡ͅ ̷̥͉̞͎̯̥̫̳̻͆͊̉̀̾͘͞·̴̵̢̢̥̱̝̘̟͎̯̥̟͖̞͊͐͌̿̎̋̔̈́̃̕̚͘͜͟͝͞͞’! ]

And then.

With that window appearing before my eyes.

My consciousness went dark.

●