Chapter 157 – Twilight

“That crazy bald bastard…” Serr muttered.

“Huh?”

“…Nothing.”

Serr, having witnessed Heinzel’s reckless rampage through her spirits, clutched her throbbing head. She summoned more spirits, directing them towards him.

It wasn’t easy. Heinzel, a Master who had transcended human limitations, had unleashed his Domain, empowered by Lilith’s divine power. Infiltrating it with her spirits, mere extensions of herself, was a monumental task. Even now, the effort felt like her skull would split open, yet she had to send more spirits to defend him. The thought was infuriating, but Serr’s spirits relentlessly pushed their way into the Domain.

Stupid bastard. Brainless bastard. This is why ground-pounding warriors are such a problem. Even with a chance to retreat, even facing certain death, they stubbornly charged forward, no different from chimpanzees. When I see him, I’ll personally smack that shiny head of his.

“Hoo…”

Finally, Serr finished deploying her spirits within Kalt’s Domain. She took a slow, steadying breath and turned her gaze towards her next objective.

The tree roots encasing the tent where Rubia slept.

Azure vines entwining the bleeding phantom beasts.

Thick fog crackling with lightning.

A vast curtain of electricity spread across the battlefield.

And within it, a red-haired woman danced with her spear.

“Is that the woman who turned you into a pincushion?” Serr asked.

“…It wasn’t a pincushion.” Hermilla corrected.

“A beehive, then?”

Hermilla narrowed her eyes and lightly smacked Serr’s back.

“Regardless, yes. That’s Master Lana, she of unerring aim.”

“Hm.”

Serr nodded, whispering, “Hold your breath for ten seconds. This genius, Serr, will avenge you.”

“What–”

“No time for arguments. Hold it yourself, or I’ll do it for you.”

“…Hoo… Haap.”

The moment Hermilla’s breath hitched, countless dark spirits converged, enveloping them in a sphere of pure blackness. Within, Serr’s violet eyes shone with an unnatural light.

Then—

Whoosh! A foul wind swept through as the sphere dissolved into mist, dissipating into the air.

“You can breathe now.”

“Hah… What did you… Wait… What?”

As the black mist cleared, the scene below stunned Hermilla into silence.

“What in the…”

“Heh. Finally grasping the magnificence of magic? Well, not strictly magic, but close enough.”

Lana, moments ago dominating Delia and Yuria, was now impaled by dozens of black spears.

“How… how did you do that?”

“I masked their presence. From her perspective, those spears simply sprouted from her body. So, what’s the verdict? Satisfying?”

Hermilla’s face twisted in a mixture of awe and disgust.

“…The Serr I knew wasn’t this powerful.”

Simultaneously, Serr’s face contorted.

[Hmm, how weak did you become while I slumbered? Hah, well, it happens. No need for shame.] The Spirit King’s voice echoed in her mind.

“I’ve always been powerful.” Serr insisted.

“When we first met, I never thought I could lose to you. But now…”

“One more word and I’ll drop you.”

“…Petty.”

“I’m simply utilizing my resources.”

“And shamelessly childish.”

Serr no longer heard Hermilla’s muttering.

[Hahaha! It warms my heart to see you getting along with a friend. Is this Hermilla girl your first friend?] The Spirit King’s laughter boomed in her mind.

Shut up. She’s not my first friend.

[Ah, right. Your first friend was that Noah girl.]

Serr gritted her teeth, her ears burning.

…If you have time to gossip, focus on that ritual.

[Hmm, preparing to summon Brunhilde, are they?]

Any way to stop it…?

[You know the answer. It’s unstoppable.]

A way to delay it, then?

[Only what you’re already doing. Unleashing the dark spirits to siphon human souls.]

Serr clicked her tongue, surveying the battlefield. Lana, pierced by karmic spears, lay vomiting black blood, unable to rise.

“The harlot is dealt with. We have a choice to make. Regroup and protect Rubia, or descend and disrupt their forces?”

Hermilla’s breathing was tight with urgency and frustration. Serr studied her, biting her lip.

“Can’t you see the future?”

“…No. It’s gone dark.”

[That girl’s foresight is gone. Or rather, she’ll only see one possible future.]

Meaning…

[The Priestess has eliminated all variables, solidifying the future.]

That idiotic decision… Stupid Rubia…

Serr schooled her expression, sighing dramatically. “Hmph… So without foresight, you’re incapable of making a decision? Fine. I, the magnificent Serr, shall choose for you.”

She grabbed Hermilla’s wrist and plunged downwards.

“Eek! What are you—!”

Just before they hit the ground, a gentle sensation, like landing on a soft blanket, cushioned their fall.

“Scaredy-cat.” Serr teased.

“Hermilla! Serr!”

“Hermilla-unnie!”

Yuria and Delia rushed towards them.

“Ah… Ahem. You’ve worked hard.” Hermilla composed herself quickly.

“Gasp… Unnie, your eyes… what happened?!”

“Heh, it just… happened.”

Hermilla, moments ago screaming, now wore her usual calm facade. Serr sent a private message, carried on the wind, to Hermilla alone.

Is this the dignity of a leader? Hermilla, I never knew you had such a cute side.

“What nonsense… I mean, ahem. You’ve both worked hard. Rest now.” Instead of her cold prosthetic, Hermilla used her warm, human hand to stroke Delia’s hair. She then glanced at Lana, sprawled on the ground.

“It was you… Kgh… Guh… Ptoo…”

Impaled by dark spears, bound by Yuria’s vines, Lana was a mangled mess, barely clinging to life. The only reason she still lived…

“I kept her alive. We can’t kill her. Absorbing a high-grade soul would drastically accelerate Brunhilde’s awakening.” Serr approached, confirming Hermilla’s suspicions.

Lana, seemingly aware of this, wore a disturbing grin.

“Phhft… Keh… So… what… can you… do… now…? Keh, ptoo. What can you even do?”

“Ugh, shut the hell up, you crazy bitch.” Delia’s cheerful expression vanished.

Crackle!

“Grrk… Kghh…” A sharp jolt of electricity from Delia’s fingertips knocked Lana unconscious.

“Delia. What did I tell you?” Hermilla chided gently.

“To use nice words… But that fucking– I mean, that bad– Ugh, that bad woman started it! Argh! Damn it!”

“…Yes, you did well.” Hermilla stroked Delia’s hair again, then turned to Serr.

“So we need to stop any Masters approaching?”

“Yes.”

Yuria and Delia, understanding dawning on their faces, looked nervously at the sky.

“Until Noah’s trial ends and Rubia awakens, we hold this position and subdue any Masters.”

“I understand.”

Their words were light, their meaning heavy. Without Serr and Hermilla, they struggled against even a single Master. And yet, they were tasked with subduing them all. A dark shadow fell over Yuria and Delia.

But they accepted it. They had always fought against the odds. They felt this long, grueling battle nearing its end. And so, they found hope. They would stand firm.

Seeing Delia’s expressive face, Hermilla smiled sadly and hugged her. Then, with somber eyes, she surveyed the battlefield. The Liberation Army’s mangled corpses. Rivers of blood. Scattered entrails. Fading souls. Waning magic. And the ever-growing presence of Brunhilde.

“Yuria, what about Alex and Mia?”

Yuria closed her eyes, channeling her mana.

A moment later, “They’re avoiding the Masters and heading this way.”

“They survived… Heh, that’s good.” Hermilla released Delia, turning her gaze towards where the ominous shadow had loomed.

It was gone. The Black Sun’s dark light had faded. The immense power had vanished. Meaning…

The battle Heinzel had been fighting…

“…It’s over.”

Hermilla braced herself. This wasn’t new. She would be fine. She had stepped over the corpses of countless comrades. She had to be fine.

“Let’s get ready.”

Just as Hermilla turned, a grim expression on her face—

Boom!

Something massive crashed down from the sky.