The Lion King 2

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Drumming his fingers idly against the armrest of his throne, the Lion King spoke up:

“However, those flames you manifested just now – what precisely were those?”

“…”

Doyun refrained from responding verbally.

Those flames representing the [Manifest Blade] he had unveiled could not be adequately conveyed through mere words within this setting alone.

Yet the Lion King’s subsequent remarks prompted Doyun to regard him with widened eyes anew:

“It felt as if your very mana was vehemently crying out ‘Incinerate!’ itself.”

He had accurately described the essence behind Doyun’s [Manifest Blade] manifestation.

‘…He could sense that much?’

Regardless of any proficiency over fire-attribute mana, comprehending such depths should prove utterly impossible.

Even paramount genii like Vuyskr and Hecreaux themselves had failed perceiving the [Manifest Blade] realm until Enoch first guided them towards that revelation himself.

‘Just how did he…?’

Puzzled, Doyun invoked his abilities to scrutinize the Lion King’s status window:

[Status Window]

Name: Adolf Ignis Fatuus

Race: Human

Affiliation: Muspelheim Kingdom

Talent: Genius

Stats:

Strength – Level 5

Agility – Level 3

Vitality – Level 4

Toughness – Level 3

Mana – Level 10

Innate Traits:

[Elemental Synthesis]

Acquired Traits:

[Warrior (Războinic)]

[Lion King]

[He Who Devoured the Sun]

[Extremist]

[Sovereign of the Alliance]

Skills:

[The Sun Lv.- Rate S]

[Fire Spirit Arts: Elemental Synthesis Lv.8 Rate A]

[Spirit Breath Lv.7 Rate A]

[Dance of Flames Lv.3 Rate B]

[Ignition Lv.7 Rate C]

…

…

Doyun barely managed maintaining his composure upon glimpsing that status window for the first time:

‘By all means…’

The Lion King had been renowned as the sole Apostle within the Alliance possessing Level 9 stats across any attribute.

Yet the mana level he currently beheld far surpassed even those lofty expectations:

‘Level 10!’

The higher those levels ascended, the more exponentially ludicrous each successive increment became.

Gaps between Level 1 and 2 could still be bridged through fortuitous circumstances or favorable conditions.

Yet at such elevated higher tiers, such discrepancies represented utterly insurmountable chasms in sheer capability.

When Heineken had briefly manifested his [Dragon-Tiger Grapple] to access Level 9 Agility momentarily, he had showcased power transcending mortal comprehension compared to other Paladins.

The very reason the Lion King had been heralded as the Alliance’s paramount peak stemmed from his possession over Level 9 Mana to begin with.

Yet to behold Level 10 in the material flesh – Doyun could only gape speechlessly at such an unfathomable existence.

‘Mana reserves utterly eclipsing even my prime during past regressions…’

For any mortal born into this physical realm to have attained such sublime godlike heights seemed simply inconceivable on its face.

Clearly his faerie elemental heritage alongside some other innate traits must have enabled actualizing such an impossibility in the first place.

Shifting his gaze towards another equally astounding aspect overshadowing even that Level 10 Mana revelation:

[He Who Devoured the Sun]

‘The Sun…!’

Doyun involuntarily blurted out loud:

“…You consumed the literal Sun itself?”

At those words, all eyes within that throne room turned towards Doyun sharply.

“What did you say?!”

“The Sun…?”

As the others reacted with stunned surprise, the Queen and Lion King’s expressions too reflected visible realizations dawning upon them.

“Hohoh, so you recognize its significance?”

Those formerly amiable, fatherly eyes had transformed into an alpha predator’s steely glare.

“Y-, Your Majesty! What did you mean by…?”

“The Sun itself?! Could His Majesty have genuinely…?!”

The surrounding vassals buzzed in disconcerted confusion, yet the Lion King’s gaze remained utterly transfixed upon Doyun alone.

From that visceral reaction, Doyun felt his instincts affirming that stunning revelation:

‘So it was true after all…’

The mythical elixir coveted even by the Dragon Road itself – that zenith panacea transcending even the legendary Dragon Heart…

The literal ‘Sun’ itself.

Now Doyun finally understood the Lion King’s prolonged disappearance during those recent months – he must have entered strict secluded cultivation to ingest and assimilate the Sun’s essence, catalyzing his mana ascension to Level 10 realms.

‘Conceiving the Sun’s very assimilation itself…’

Represented an absolutely ludicrous, all-or-nothing gamble defying the most outrageous long odds imaginable.

For any mere mortal born into the material planes to harbor such hubris of accepting the Sun’s quintessence within their fragile flesh – such preposterous self-aggrandizement practically beggared belief itself as a cosmic comedy.

Undoubtedly the former Lion King must have judged his peak insufficient for safeguarding the Alliance, seizing this fleeting window of peace to undertake that life-risking gambit instead.

‘So that was Winny’s implication back then…’

[Hah… you really are just like that damned Lion King himself, aren’t you?]

Those words she had uttered when Doyun retrieved her Hell Water supplement concocted from forbidden demonological rituals within her workshop.

She must have known about the Lion King’s planned Sun assimilation and found Doyun equally unrestrained in his unswerving audacity.

Given her own cavalier disposition, she had likely not even attempted dissuading the Lion King from such an enterprise either.

‘So his ability to perceive the [Manifest Blade] stemmed from the fulfillment achieved through ingesting that supreme elixir coupled with systemic assistance.’

If so, then that would explain everything.

The System’s blessings augmenting Apostle growth trajectories – thanks to that divine providence, the Sun’s consumption had catalyzed far more profound enlightenment beyond mere mana capacity alone, further bolstered by his innate elemental synthesis heritage.

Having witnessed innumerable genii throughout his life, Doyun could recognize the Lion King’s inherent talents still paled before peerless prodigies like Vuyskr and Hecreaux themselves.

Yet the crucible of warfare’s tribulations combined with Systemic enhancements alongside the Sun’s transcendent elixir and paramount responsibilities as the Alliance’s very pillars…

Had elevated this generation’s existences into historically unparalleled heroic echelons by the present day – potentially rivaling even Vuyskr and Hecreaux’s respective primes Enoch had witnessed during the 18th cycle’s climax before his demise.

To have imparted even infinitesimal inklings of the [Manifest Blade] enlightenment to one now rivaling those twin paragons – that remained an utterly staggering accomplishment beyond any conceivable doubts.

“You contributed greatly towards synthesizing the Sun elixir itself – I find myself indebted to you despite never meeting before.”

“Not at all, Your Majesty. I only feel honored assisting your endeavors in any small measure.”

Not mere courteous pleasantries, but a genuinely heartfelt sentiment welling forth.

Doyun felt profoundly moved witnessing this new heroic legend’s birth amidst their era’s dire tribulations.

Solemnly making up his mind, Doyun elaborated meaningfully:

“…You inquired about the nature of those flames.”

Yes, at his current level, the Lion King could potentially comprehend some minuscule sliver of the [Manifest Blade]’s enlightenment – just as Doyun had once illuminated those two friends long ago.

In the most articulate terms he could muster, Doyun elucidated that sublime epiphany through the medium of speech alone as explicitly as possible.

Transcendent realizations so exquisitely profound that none within that throne room – Paladins included – could even begin fathoming their true essences.

Yet they could still perceive intimations of that weight innately suffusing Doyun’s very exhortations reverberating throughout the stillness.

Everyone fell utterly silent as all attention singularly focused upon Doyun expostulating those rarefied celestial heights so far beyond their mortal ken.

Lei issued an involuntary reflexive shudder even while listening obliviously:

‘What is this…?’

Today her brother seemed utterly transformed into some entirely different existence altogether.

Those earlier exhaustive Vanguard General dossiers he had rattled off so intimately, and now these sublime lines of enlightenment flowing from his lips effortlessly…

Felt less like Apostle Han Doyun speaking as some other mantle superimposing itself through him unmistakably.

Not just Lei alone either – the majority assembled sensed similar bewilderments over Doyun’s true essence transcending their conventional understanding.

Meanwhile, the Lion King proved the sole attendee within that throne room comprehending even partial inklings behind Doyun’s dissertations.

In stark dichotomy to his previously affable demeanor, his visage now hardened into an utterly feline solemnity – eyes blazing with intense concentration while every countenance line radiated sheer gravitas and consecrated majesty, a transformation eliciting the Queen’s own surprise.

He listened raptly, utterly transfixed by Doyun’s elocutions as if submerging completely into their profundities.

After a protracted period, Doyun’s voice eventually tapered off into silence.

“…Hmm.”

The Lion King shut his eyes tightly in contemplation.

The surrounding space began distorting and shimmering erratically as overwhelming mana saturated that vicinity, the very thrones and dais visibly liquefying underfoot.

“Wh-, What is…?!”

“Shhh! His Majesty undergoes a pivotal epiphany! Everyone evacuate calmly at once!”

As the vassals scrambled to flee before potentially being overwhelmed yet again, the Queen merely intertwined her fingers atop her husband’s hand, closing her own eyes serenely.

The rampant miasma enveloping the Lion King began coalescing inwards into tamed currents under her direction.

“Oh?”

“Ohhh…!”

Doyun’s eyes narrowed subtly, realizing:

‘So the Queen too commanded considerable prowess herself…’

She was actively augmenting the Lion King’s enlightenment process, complementing his insights through her own expertise.

Another protracted interim elapsed before:

Fwhuuushhh-

The Lion King’s eyes snapped open, fringed by smoldering crimson lashes flickering with imperceptible sparks as his blazing irises radiated sheer willpower manifested into tangible existence.

The surrounding attendants instinctively quailed back, bodies trembling visibly.

They had witnessed their sovereign ascend into truly rarefied realms just hours prior.

Yet here he had undergone another profoundly transformative leap before their very eyes once more, catalyzed through Doyun’s elucidations.

Alongside their awestruck reverence over the Lion King’s latest progression loomed a reflexive visceral trepidation directed at Doyun himself instead.

By imparting such enlightenments facilitating this transcendental breakthrough, Doyun had effectively elevated the already paramount Lion King into realms utterly eclipsing his former supremacy in both name and truth alike.

An almost master-student dynamic invoking unsettling intimations over their respective standings.

‘Just who is this man…?’

The disquieting revelations Doyun had unveiled one after another today undermined their previous conceptions about his very identity and nature altogether.

“…Hmm!”

Reining in his exhalations with measured control, the Lion King regarded Doyun appraisingly from on high:

“My gratitude – I find myself indebted to you once again.”

“As I stated before, I only feel honored, Your Majesty.”

The Lion King nodded pensively in acknowledgment.

‘A most exceptional disciple indeed.’

Husband and wife both shared the same introspective realization simultaneously.

‘…Yet for a man to have already attained such unfathomable heights himself…’

Of course, the Lion King’s epiphany did not represent a full convergence with the [Manifest Blade]’s quintessence – merely grasping its faintest outlines akin to the Sword Lord and Martial King a century prior.

Yet even those infinitesimal glimpses alone revealed to the Lion King that Doyun currently stood upon realms transcending his own by incomprehensible margins.

‘Those dossiers contained only minuscule fragments after all.’

Some greater truth beckoned concealment behind this man – the king could sense its sublime undertones resonating clearly now.

“Once this war concludes, I would appreciate many insightful dialogues with you.”

“As would I greatly anticipate as well.”

“And our daughter’s company would prove most fortuitous in such discussions, I imagine.”

“…”

Doyun refrained from any further responses on that particular topic.

After exchanging fathomless gazes for a lingering interim, the vassals finally broached their earlier agenda interrupted by prostration:

“Your Majesty! With the enemy forces practically upon our doorsteps, we must convene council at once to devise viable countermeasures on utmost urgency!”

“Ah, no need for any councils on my part.”

“…Pardon?”

Having reverted to his former avuncular manner, the Lion King replied nonchalantly:

“I shall confront them alone.”

“…Excuse me?”

Silence gripped the throne room in that proclamation’s wake.