Ch.15952. Who Would Use the Term Original Enemy? (2)

At first, just a translucent barrier.

Like a defensive wall created by magic appeared in my mind.

‘Lend it to me?’

What does that mean?

The Demon Lord called it Aegis.

Aegis?

Perhaps due to my lukewarm reaction,

the Demon Lord asked:

-Can’t you grasp what that is?

No.

Though I was a bit slow, it wasn’t something I couldn’t recall.

It was certainly…

!!!

An unknown thunderous sound explodes like a wail and a roar combined.

It felt like my ears would burst, but I realized even this was greatly dampened.

The barrier before my eyes was effectively deflecting even this explosive roar.

The problem was something else.

‘That thing.’

Is there actually something that could be called “that” in front of me?

A translucent hemispherical barrier.

The very embodiment of a defensive magic spell, the foundation and essence of magical protection.

And its effect is… beyond that.

It blocked even a giant’s strike and somehow deflected sounds that could rupture eardrums.

With no obstruction to vision, identifying targets remains easy.

“Aegis. I know it’s a shield in mythology. But…”

I don’t see anything specific.

Aegis isn’t exactly a unique name.

It’s also the armor and symbol of dignity of Zeus, the sky god, which he later lent to his favored eldest daughter, the goddess of wisdom, though even this story varies depending on the source.

Some say Zeus’s Aegis and her Aegis are completely separate divine objects.

The goddess of the unwearied Aegis.

She was also called Atrytone (Ατρυτωνη), making it another symbol representing her.

As a goddess of war, its symbolism differs from that of swords and axes, which represent destruction, violence, conflict, discord, and bloodshed.

As a spear and shield, it symbolizes peace and, in terms of war, strategy and tactics; though still a form of force, it represents self-defense and protection rather than one-sided and relative violence.

But.

“I don’t see anything specific here.”

-Oh my.

The Demon Lord gives me a pitying look at my words.

However, there was no time for further conversation.

Whether the barrier was deactivated or disappeared, I’m not sure.

But as soon as it was removed, I had to focus on evasion as the giant charged deliberately.

‘Rather than confronting this…’

Perhaps escape is the answer.

But somehow it noticed my intention.

Or perhaps it instinctively calculated it, immediately occupying the entrance area as I passed by.

Come to think of it, this is strange too.

When its hand burst through the door earlier, it occupied nearly half of that massive doorway.

Now it’s occupying the entire doorway with its whole body.

Is this the same principle?

Didn’t they say this space was compressed by some transcendent technology?

Perhaps this giant, already excessively massive, was originally several times larger than it appears now?

‘So that’s why it was so powerful.’

Mass itself is power.

Though an ant may carry the carcass of an insect several times its size, or even push stones—

Even if it’s a desperate effort for the ant.

A human can easily push them aside with just a finger.

Without exerting any strength at all.

The difference between that thing and myself lies here.

Also, it has its own firm worldview.

Belief becomes conviction, and eventually proves itself through action.

If belief is poor and will is weak, even implementation loses momentum.

This follows similar logic.

Like how mana, nature, sometimes responds to a creature’s desperate will to create miracles.

But that thing is inherently able to handle it as naturally as breathing.

The realm that I only managed to scratch the surface of after a hundred deaths.

And the realm I’m only now beginning to grasp as time passes.

-Isn’t this why you came here? To avoid being one-sidedly beaten by creatures like that?

The Demon Lord, who somehow kept up with me as I evaded, rambles on one-sidedly.

-Don’t forget your purpose. And are you planning to let what you borrowed go to waste?

‘What I borrowed?’

Is she talking about the Aegis?

But how can I use it if I don’t know where it is?

-This is why prejudice is so dangerous.

The Demon Lord lets out a dry laugh.

-Why do you think it must have a physical form?

Do you think even the swordsmanship you wield can take the form of spears, shields, or swords?

“…?”

Isn’t that… different from this?

More importantly, it’s hard to concentrate.

As expected, the giant continued to press forward relentlessly.

Its movements were becoming more cunning and sharper than before.

As if it was just now warming up.

The earth truly shakes and trembles as if about to break apart.

Just the footprints stamped into the ground create earthquakes beyond simple tremors, powerful seismic events.

If I were to place my foot on the ground or anywhere else at the wrong moment, I’d lose my balance or collapse.

This is clearly intentional.

Yet the building shows no signs of damage, which is also astonishing.

No, is it because it’s this sturdy that it could contain those magnificent beings?

-In the Church of Irenes, they treat the spear that pierced Irenes as a holy relic. But is it truly a holy relic?

“…”

Why bring that up now when I’m fighting for my life?

-Perhaps for Irenes it is. Weren’t there also myths about swords that pierced dragons, or how those bathed in dragon blood achieved immortality? Oh, and that sword you threw to save that youngster, didn’t it transcend the limits of a famous sword by cutting off my neck?

“Just get to the point…!”

What harm is there in speaking?

What’s getting twisted here?!

-How impudent.

She clicks her tongue as if she read my thoughts, though I didn’t speak aloud.

-You’re judging divine objects and treasures by the same standards. That’s why you’re making this mistake.

True divine objects are fundamentally different from ordinary treasures, transcendent in nature.

-Who do you think determines their form and limitations?

“…”

The giant’s assault grew fiercer in just seconds.

Normally I shouldn’t be able to notice such subtle differences.

At least my senses can detect these things with uncanny precision.

Not now, but in the past.

I was buried in countless fierce battles to the point of disgust.

Even if all of it was a dream, a false reality.

Nevertheless, everything I experienced was real.

The pain, the shortness of breath, the sensation of muscles tearing, the pulling tendons, the pain from cracked bones.

…The feeling of lungs constricting as breath reverses, the weakness spreading throughout the body as blood leaves it, the draining of strength.

The surreal memory of trying to move my body without realizing my neck had been cut—it’s still vividly clear, absurdly so.

If I choose to recall it, that is.

‘But.’

My senses are clearly transcendent by normal standards.

Especially my combat senses.

So I should be able to calmly face and counter an opponent’s desperate attacks despite the extreme gap between us.

But.

Is that really enough?

Maintaining composure in battle is certainly an advantage.

Having quick responses is definitely a blessing.

But is that truly enough?

‘I need to…’

Think.

Of course, I’ve been thinking all along, both then and now.

Thinking, judging, and responding during battle is essential.

And how many times has that responsiveness saved me from certain death?

‘Was even this a limitation?’

What is the Demon Lord frustrated about?

When I realized it, it wasn’t anything special.

The Demon Lord already believed I had obtained a weapon—

Or a key to counter that thing.

‘The difference between divine objects and treasures?’

Form. Shape.

For example, a weapon or armor.

Must it have form to be wielded?

That’s obvious.

Realistically.

Common-sensically.

But.

…If we judge by those standards, weren’t most of the things I’ve been wielding based on incorrect premises from the start?

Why should the world conform to me?

The world.

This world.

Bowing its head to me.

…Should adapt to me.

Isn’t that why I sought power?

“!!”

The giant’s kick comes rushing in.

As if the fortress itself were crashing down.

Compared to this, an angry bull charging with its head would seem like a tantrum or affection.

My composure drains away, and fear beyond tension threatens to escape my lips.

The momentum was cruel beyond ferocity.

But.

I don’t dodge.

I form a sword in my right hand, shrouding it in darkness.

Then.

Toward the incoming leg, I stretch out my hand—tiny compared to the giant’s limb—

And inwardly chant:

‘Whatever happens!’

If this too is surely a process I must overcome.

I will turn even this fear and bewilderment into nourishment.

It’s natural to be bewildered by the unknown.

I don’t deny that obvious truth.

I accept it, acknowledge it.

And make it the capital for taking my next step.

“-!!!”

BOOM—!

Space vibrates with an intense impact.

Beyond a simple reverberation, the vibration transforms into powerful force, spreading as sound, sublimating into shock.

And then.

!!!!!

It elicited a violent howl from the giant’s mouth.

-Acting like you’re illiterate when you’ve been using it just fine.

The giant, having collided with my left hand, was thrown backward by its own kick’s impact and fell flat on its back.

Like someone who proudly kicks a solid rock, tree, or iron pillar, only to be knocked down by the recoil.

If it had merely fallen, the giant would have quickly risen and counterattacked immediately.

But this time, it didn’t look so easy.

Strange cries and howls continued to echo.

Watching it clutch its right foot with both hands reminded me of a human writhing in pain.

-Divine objects wielded by gods have no inherent limitations.

It depends on what level the god occupies.

-What you just demonstrated, is that the best result at your current level?

Of course, it’s still borrowed power for now.

-Zeus’s Aegis, Athena’s Aegis, and the Aegis used by the hero who borrowed it in that era—they couldn’t possibly be of the same caliber, could they?

“…”

This wasn’t what I had thought of as a divine sword or holy sword.

Nor was it magical armor or a magical defensive item.

This was… if I had to describe it:

Divine authority.

“In mythology, I heard that even divine objects of the gods were manufactured, refined, and forged in their own way.”

Zeus himself is a case in point.

Born between the Earth Mother Goddess and the first Sky God, the first giant.

One of the three treasures they forged to confront the Sky God and self-proclaimed Time God of that era.

The Divine Spear. With it, he rightfully opened the heavens and earth, and rightfully claimed victory.

…According to mythology, that is.

-That’s also correct. But as I said, it might take form, but did it really need to have a form in the first place?

In fact.

In some myths that have been passed down, there were instances where gods lost or dropped their divine objects because they had physical forms, making them unusable and causing setbacks.

-They weren’t fools who just sat around doing nothing.

“…”

-Anyway, now use that to prevent that thing from charging at you.

“…”

-Still struggling with the prejudice of it being a shield? I just gave you the answer, didn’t I? You’ve already figured it out, so why are you hesitating?

“Could you please be quiet? It’s distracting. Can’t I organize my thoughts?”

-Is this something you need to think about? Just go for it!

“Haa.”

But being urged helped me vaguely understand.

Or rather… I just understood.

As if the ability or divine authority itself was hinting at its use, purpose, and application.

Standing still, I swung my left hand over the ground.

Then, as if something had been planted, massive lightning bolts erupted in the area.

From the outside, it might look strange, but within me, the shield’s form had suddenly changed into a winged spear.

…Though nothing was visible externally.

But the writhing lightning.

Eventually, the lightning split into dozens of branches like a tree, extending in all directions, creating a spectacular sight.

Even though its range was limited to the interior of this building, specifically the area near where I had planted the spear.

It created an apocalyptic atmosphere as if the end of the world had arrived.

-Since this is a place where the sky cannot open, drawing it in like that is a method in its own right.

If it had merely summoned lightning, it would have been like releasing a herd of restless cattle.

But the Demon Lord had told me to do something about that giant.

She didn’t say to kill it.

Both she and I know that fact.

However, subduing it should be possible.

Eventually, the lightning is drawn into the pitch-black sword in my right hand.

Perhaps sensing the threat now,

The giant struggles to its feet, writhing.

—!!!!!!

A massive roar tore through the area.

But no sound reaches me.

Because I immediately used the lightning gathered in my sword as another barrier.

I then reclaim it and compress it into one.

At least this much should lead to meaningful damage against that thing, I calculated.

“Indeed.”

I understand one thing now.

As I climb one step, my perspective on the world changes.

Though that doesn’t mean satisfaction or fulfillment.

“Astrape (αστραπή).”

What originates from my hand now, though far from the truth.

This was once…

…Used to castrate and neutralize the first Sky God.

The Sky God who succeeded the throne after usurpation.

Yet fearing the coming mortal time, he proclaimed himself the God of Time and sought to become so—this supreme ruler.

The ultimate divine object created to defeat and overthrow such an absolute being.

The most powerful force and violence that the sky can weave and create.

If one could intentionally wield it.

It would surely be the supreme weapon and lethal force.

Eventually, the sword in my right hand transformed into a single lightning bolt.

“…”

After catching my breath.

Toward the giant charging at me.

The power I had been suppressing in my grasp.

…I released it.

Mighty lightning shook the world in all directions.

Striking the giant directly.

It started as one but upon leaving my grasp became hundreds and thousands of ever-changing spears, becoming lightning that literally split the world.

Tore it to shreds.

The impact made the entire building sway as if about to collapse.

And for a long time afterward.

The aftershocks repeatedly heated the surroundings, burning them over and over.

“…Ha.”

An incredible sight.

Simultaneously.

I raised my right hand and paused.

My hand was charred black.

…If I were to touch it or blow on it lightly,

The burnt skin might crumble or be blown away.

-Don’t you know how to control it?

“…”

If I had hesitated a little longer, my arm might have been reduced to ashes rather than just my hand being burned.

This is not a double-edged sword.

If I had to compare it, it’s a double-edged sword without a handle.

And it’s so absurdly heavy and sharp that just the gesture of lifting it might cut off your hand—such a perilous object.

“There’s something I’d like to ask.”

-What is it?

Beyond doubt, I was already certain, but.

To confirm, I deliberately asked:

“…Is the power of the Great Demon Lord also similar to this?”