Chapter 73 : Huh…?

Under the bright full moon in the night sky, a young girl is using magic.

“Fire, heed my call…”

The girl chants a spell with utmost caution.

Her caution is simple to understand: any mistake could lead to a failed incantation, or a misstep in mana manipulation could result in the magic collapsing entirely.

Therefore, she continued her chant with great care.

As her chant progressed, a massive ball of fire began forming in front of her.

The enormous fireball began to drive away the darkness from the moonlit night.

“Burn everything!”

Soon, the girl’s chant came to an end.

Mage Olivia Violet pointed to the sky and shouted loudly.

“[Prominence]!”

8th Circle Fire Magic

[Prominence]

As her voice echoed across the plaza, the massive fireball soared into the sky.

The fireball ascended higher and higher, banishing the darkness.

It was as though a miniature sun was rising.

The small sun continued to climb, eventually nearing the moon.

After a moment, the two collided.

In an instant, a blinding light filled the sky.

Boom!

A deafening explosion reverberated, loud enough to make ears ring as though struck.

Those who heard the explosion turned their gaze skyward. 

They looked up at the slightly brighter night sky, hoping the miniature sun had replaced the moon.

However, as time passed, the dazzling light began to fade. 

Along with it, the brightened sky returned to its former darkness.

Yet, people did not lose hope. 

They believed the miniature sun might not have replaced the moon, but it must have caused some damage.

They waited to see the result. 

But when the light finally disappeared entirely, what greeted them was an unblemished full moon, as pristine as ever.

“It’s unchanged.”

A sigh escaped Bliss beside her.

“Damn it.”

From the moment they realized the moon was the weak point of the Grand Magic, they began attacking it with magic.

If the moon above were the real moon, normal magic wouldn’t even reach it. 

But the moon now was an intentionally created illusion, meaning their magic could touch it.

Yes, the magic did make contact. It struck, but…

The moon didn’t shatter. 

Despite hurling all sorts of magic at it, the fake moon stood its ground, maintaining its lofty position.

The power of their magic wasn’t lacking.

Olivia had used every offensive spell, starting from the 1st Circle to the 8th Circle spell just now.

I, too, had used all of my remaining mana, which was down to a third after the earlier battle.

And yet, it remained intact! That accursed moon!

“Let me try.”

Artorius stepped forward, spear in hand. 

He walked confidently, positioned himself, and raised his spear toward the moon.

Then he shouted,

“God, grant me strength!”

Brilliant light gathered around Artorius’ spear.

Once the light reached its peak, Artorius pulled his arm back and prepared to throw the spear with all his might.

Moments later, he launched it with immense force.

The glowing spear became a streak of light, cutting through the night sky and heading straight for the moon.

Boom!

Another massive explosion rang out with a burst of blinding light. 

We shielded our ears, waiting for the light to subside.

When it finally did, the moon reappeared. We quickly checked its condition, and…

“It didn’t budge.”

It was exactly the same.

“Surely we can break the Grand Magic, right?”

“You don’t need to worry,” Olivia replied while keeping her gaze fixed on the moon.

“The mana flow has been slightly disturbed by our attacks so far. If we keep targeting the moon, we’ll break it eventually.”

“But how long will it take?” Bliss asked nervously.

“I can’t say for certain. With enough time, we could probably dispel it ourselves. But if we do…”

“Lady Reina won’t make it, will she?”

Olivia nodded at Artorius, who returned holding his spear.

“Damn it!”

I raised my hand toward the moon, pouring all my remaining magical energy into it.

“Thunderbolt!”

As the mana drained from me, a massive arrow of electricity formed in front of my hand.

I fired it after exhausting every last drop of mana. 

The lightning arrow shot toward the moon.

It collided with a blinding explosion, and yet…

The moon appeared once more, unscathed.

I gathered mana again.

If it doesn’t work the first time, I’ll try a second. If it fails again, I’ll try a third—repeating until the moon shatters.

However, “Thunderbolt! …Ugh!”

My body refused to cast magic anymore.

My legs gave out, and I collapsed to the ground.

Blood trickled from my mouth as I coughed.

My head throbbed violently, feeling as if it would split apart.

Dizziness overwhelmed me, and I felt nauseous.

“Mana depletion…!”

I clutched my forehead and grit my teeth.

Mana depletion—a condition triggered when all mana within the body is used up.

Once it strikes, forcing mana out could lead to death. It’s the body’s warning, a signal saying you’ll truly die if you continue.

“Ruina!”

Bliss ran toward me, her face full of panic.

“Stop! Please stop already! Using magic in this state will destroy your body!”

“But Reina…”

I looked at Reina, who still lay collapsed.

Her breathing had grown more labored, and her faint groans were now filled with agony.

Seeing her like that brought memories rushing back.

Memories of that time… and the feelings from then.

Must I lose again?

So helplessly, without being able to do anything?

But unlike back then, I now have strength.

There’s a way to resolve this. And yet, is a lack of mana all it takes to stop me?

Tears streamed down my face, driven by despair and humiliation.

Is this what fate is? Is it meant to be this way no matter what?

Don’t be ridiculous! Damn it! This can’t be all there is! No! I refuse!

Why is it always me who has to lose everything? I’m stronger now! I’m different from before!

Grinding my teeth, I seethed at the situation.

If only I had magic energy… If only I had power…!

I clasped my hands together.

I have no strength left to change this. I cannot create something out of nothing.

The only one who can resolve this now…

is God—or some divine entity.

So please, I beg you! Anyone, help me. Mana, magic energy, even divine power—anything will do.

If a god exists, please, just this once, help me.

I knelt and clasped my hands tightly, bowing my head.

“Please, just this once. I beg of you. You’ve taken so much already. If you truly exist, if you are watching me, please help me.”

I wept with bitter sorrow.

“This is unfair. You brought me here without my will. Why are you doing this? What did I do wrong? Why is it only me… only me who has to suffer like this?”

I screamed in desperation.

“Please… I’ll beg like this if it means you’ll help me just once… just once!”

For the first time, I poured my heart into a prayer.

I bowed so low my forehead touched the ground, my clasped hands resting on my head, pleading incessantly.

In that moment, [Take up the sword.]

A voice whispers in my ear.

[Take up the sword, and you shall obtain what you desire.]

“A sword…?”

I lifted the dagger I had been using and stared at it.

Then, a peculiar sensation came over me.

It felt as if something was telling me, this is not it.

I looked around. If it’s not this sword, then…

My gaze landed on the sword resting beside Agnes, who was taking a break.

This isn’t it either.

Then, the only remaining sword was…

I turned my eyes toward where the last sword was located. 

There, the Hero lay with his eyes closed, and next to him was the final sword: the Holy Sword.

I stood up. 

My legs should have given out earlier, but strangely, I managed to rise.

Staggering, I began to approach the Holy Sword.

It felt as though I was possessed, as if my body wasn’t under my control but being moved by someone else.

As I stumbled forward to the Hero’s side, Olivia hesitantly blocked my path.

“Um… why are you…?”

“The Holy Sword… I need it.”

I answered as though in a trance.

It was bizarre. A Holy Sword I would never take even if offered—I was now yearning for it.

Normally, I would find this desire of mine strange, but not now.

Right now, I had to do whatever it took.

For Reina.

“Um… even for someone as noble as you, the Holy Sword…”

Olivia trailed off, looking troubled.

At that moment, Agnes stepped past her. He approached the Hero, picked up the Holy Sword, and handed it to me.

“Take it.”

“Agnes!”

“From the look on their face, they clearly have something in mind. It wouldn’t hurt to try.”

“But the Holy Sword…”

“What’s the problem, Olivia? It’s not as if the Holy Sword’s powers can be used by anyone other than Dane, right?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Do you think they don’t know that? If they’re asking for the Holy Sword despite knowing, it must mean there’s something they can do even without its powers.

“Besides, we don’t have the luxury of time. We need to try everything we can. So, take it already.”

Agnes urged me to take the sword.

“Thank you.”

Carefully, I accepted the sword. I gripped its hilt cautiously.

So this is the Holy Sword…

I unsheathed it slowly.

With a clear shiiing sound, the pristine white blade emerged from the scabbard.

Even though it had been used in battle earlier, it was unblemished—beautifully flawless.

Why this sword…

I stared at my reflection in the blade, lost in thought.

The voice seemed to confirm that this was the sword it had been referring to. The strange feeling from earlier was telling me this was the one.

But even after unsheathing and holding the Holy Sword aloft, nothing changed.

So, this isn’t it after all…?

They say great expectations lead to great disappointment. Just as I began to feel disheartened,

[The end begins to move…]

A voice filled with amusement echoed in my mind.

At the same time, the blade of the Holy Sword began to emit a dazzling light.

Startled, I squinted my eyes at the sudden brightness and quickly looked around.

What the hell is happening?!

I was utterly confused.

But it wasn’t just me—everyone around me seemed equally shocked, their faces reflecting a mix of emotions.

Bliss clasped her hands together, beaming with joy.

“As expected… you truly are!”

Agnes widened his eyes in genuine surprise, wearing an expression I had never seen before.

“Unbelievable!”

Olivia, surprisingly, appeared calm and composed.

“So, it’s true.”

And finally, Artorius—

“No way!!! This can’t be!!!”

His mouth was agape, utterly astonished.

As for me, There was only one thing I could do in this situation:

Staring blankly at the Holy Sword, I let out a dumbfounded remark.

“Huh…?”

What is even happening?!