0.01 Second Sword Master

187

0.01 Seconds Swordmaster Episode 187

The Kingdom of Halaz, which was gradually growing into a magical realm centered around Kelin.

It was a kingdom with great potential, and future developments were highly anticipated.

But now, that place was—

Whoosh—!

The entire castle was engulfed in flames, reduced to ashes.

“What in the world······.”

“Is this truly the Kingdom of Halaz?”

The knights wore expressions of utter disbelief.

I too was at a loss for words at the sight of the fallen Kingdom of Halaz.

“Your, Your Majesty. Look over there.”

And amidst the inferno, there hung the lifeless body of Kelin, impaled on a long spear.

“What happened here······?”

No one could provide an answer to that question.

Because they too had no idea why the Kingdom of Halaz had come to this state.

“If the Kingdom of Halaz was under such a devastating attack, they would have asked the Verak Empire for help long ago.”

“Yes. However, we received no requests for assistance from the Kingdom of Halaz.”

That means—

“Are you saying they were slaughtered before they could even ask for help?”

It was quite easy to request assistance, as portals were installed in each kingdom.

Yet, they failed to do so.

“Raphael.”

“Yes.”

Raphael sprinkled magical powder along with the magic battalion.

And then, it vividly revealed what had transpired here.

“Wait. Is that Lailakan?”

“No. W-why is Lailakan here?”

The missing Lailakan had appeared in the Kingdom of Halaz.

But he was not the Lailakan we knew.

With red eyes and black currents swirling around him, Lailakan.

In an instant, he killed the wizards within the castle and spread his power outward, turning the people here into charred remains.

In just a few minutes, Lailakan annihilated every living being in this kingdom. Then, with a devilish laugh, he brought the castle crashing down.

“Remegaton…”

“Remegaton? Are you talking about that Lailakan?”

“It seems Lailakan has ultimately lost his body to that being.”

Can the difficulty spike this much?

The combination of Lailakan, the strongest among humans, and Remegaton.

Unless Rahal personally showed up to fight, this was practically an impossible challenge to clear.

But,

Crack—

Even though I knew rationally that I couldn’t stop Terakana, my fists clenched tightly.

I exerted so much force that blood began to seep out.

“Your, Your Majesty.”

The courtiers swallowed hard at the sight of me.

I could not help but feel anger as I gazed upon the Halaz Kingdom, transformed into a scene of horrific slaughter.

‘Terukana.’

I know I am no match for you, but still, I made yet another vow here.

‘Even if I die without clearing this game—’

I will kill you with my own hands.

You b*stard.

I will make sure you pay for this terrible deed.

“Take care of Kelin’s body properly.”

“Yes!”

“And find the whereabouts of Laylakan, whose body has been taken by Terukana. Hurry!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

I let out a short sigh as I watched the soldiers carefully handle Kelin’s body.

Terukana, who even stole Laylakan’s body.

How on earth am I supposed to stop him…

It was at that moment of contemplation.

[A new quest has occurred.]

* * *

“Let us praise Rahal’s name once again today. And let us pray for those who have perished at the hands of the demons.”

The temple had been transformed into a sight quite different from before.

All the statues of Rahal had been replaced with those of Aslan, and even the portraits of Rahal had been changed to paintings of Aslan.

As a result, the temple had begun to become truly overcrowded.

This was because all the believers of the Aslan faith were gathering at the temple.

Moreover, with the death of Aaron, who was their core, even more people were flocking to the temple.

“Their sacrifices are not in vain. Though the terrible demon has killed them all, we know. That Rahal holds them close.”

As the pope spoke to give them hope.

“And we know the power of Rahal. He is the one who creates life and allows us to overcome death. The sacrificed shall rise again as light in the name of Rahal. His Majesty Aslan has said. Do not mourn for them. They will come back to life.”

“Ah, we believe.”

“O Rahal.”

“I believe in the words of His Majesty Aslan.”

After offering a solemn worship, the pope was now preparing to raise the final prayer.

It was just then.

[Do you really think Rahal can save you?]

Everyone looked up at the eerie voice echoing from above.

[Wrong. There is only one being who can save you. It is I, Terkanada.]

“Terkanada? You are the demon who stole Lord Lailakan’s body.”

Terkanada slowly descended from the sky.

The handsome and beautiful face of Lailakan was now grotesquely marred by dark veins crawling all over.

“How dare you misuse the body of that beautiful hero.”

“Ha ha. Isn’t it quite amusing? Even the body of this Lailakan, the strongest among humans, ultimately could not fully contain my power.”

“If you know well, then let Lord Lailakan go and disappear.”

“I intend to do just that. Before I make Aslan my own, that is.”

“······What?”

Terkanada spoke with a sly smile.

“Why are you so surprised? Aslan is bearing Rahal’s soul. If that’s the case, he should be able to bear my soul as well. Where else could you find such a perfect body?”

Rehena was angry, but knowing she could do nothing to Terkanada with her power, she suppressed her rage for the moment.

In the meantime, the priests would request help from the Verak Empire to summon Aslan here.

“Why have you come here, demon?”

Terkanada slowly raised a black flame with his hand.

“Thinking it over, I realized it would be better to eliminate your disgusting temple before destroying each kingdom one by one. And isn’t there a celestial dragon sleeping beneath here? I think awakening it would be quite entertaining.”

“What do you mean by that······!”

“Holy Father. Do you not wish to become a fallen dark priest instead of a priest of light?”

Terkanada reached out and pierced the Holy Father’s body.

“!?”

The magic spreading from Terkanada’s arm flowed through her body.

The once clear and pure eyes of the Holy Father began to darken, and her body too was now sprouting dark veins like Lailakan’s.

“Holy Father!!”

The paladins rushed in to try to stop Terkanada,

Swoosh—!!

The Holy Father, whose mind and body were consumed by magic, reached out toward them and unleashed dark magic.

“Ah. Even the Holy Father—”

—

“What are we supposed to do if even the Pope ends up like this!”

“You damned demon!!”

Terakana narrowed her eyes and unleashed her breath toward the holy knights rushing in from behind. In an instant, their armor melted away, and their bodies burned, leaving only bare skeletons in their place.

“Gah!”

“W-what the…!”

The followers, who had been hurling curses at Terakana moments before, fell silent in the face of her overwhelming power.

“Did you see? This is the power of the omnipotent darkness. With just a single finger, I could wipe out your lives, which are worth less than insects. What do you think? Would you rather serve me than worship that shiny facade of Aslan?”

“…”

When they offered no response, Terakana nodded.

“Good. Then let me show you something even more impressive.”

With her hand gathered in the power of darkness, Terakana touched the ground.

As she released the magic downward, a stirring was felt from deep within the underground.

“So you were still there, Celestial Dragon.”

The intense stirring began to spread, soon resonating throughout the temple.

Before long, a brilliant light accompanied the Celestial Dragon as it unfurled its wings and revealed itself.

“Celestial Dragon, Ritalion. Your brother, Rilexion, is dead. Serve me in his stead.”

Ritalion, awakened from slumber, glanced around before locking eyes with Terakana.

[Foolish one. To have consumed the soul of Remegaton out of hunger.]

“It was merely the power of darkness seeking a master.”

[The reason Rahal did not seize Remegaton’s power is that only Remegaton could wield it. Do you not understand that no matter how bright the light, it will ultimately vanish when darkness spreads?]

“Then that means Rahal is weak. Why does he cling to the light so stubbornly?”

Ritalion regarded Terakana.

[That vessel can no longer fully contain your power. It won’t be long before that body collapses.]

Terakana was already aware of that.

That was why she was gradually gnawing away at Aslan’s surroundings to gather strength.

“Thus, I tell you. Serve me in place of your brother!”

Using her strong magic, Terakana bound the Celestial Dragon in place.

“Truly pathetic, Ritalion. If I were to consume that heart of yours, I could easily endure with this body.”

[Ugh-!]

No matter how powerful the Celestial Dragon, it was bound to be weak in the face of the power of darkness.

—

—

And the celestial dragon was already in a state of utter weakness.

He struggled desperately, trying to escape the grip of Terakana by any means necessary.

Kwah-kwa-kwa-!!

But the more he thrashed, the tighter the bindings became, and to make matters worse, Rehena, consumed by Terakana, cast spells to torment the celestial dragon.

[Krwa-ra-ra-!!]

The celestial dragon roared loudly.

Yet nothing changed.

Only the darkness rapidly encroached, causing him to crumble.

“Ah, no······.”

“Even the celestial dragon has fallen to that demon······!”

The gods could do nothing.

The paladins who had fought against Terakana were all dead, and the priests had been rendered powerless by Rehena’s magic.

How could they possibly contend with the darkness that even the Pope’s divine power was helpless against?

“Rahali, oh.”

“Please, save us!”

They cried out desperately for Rahal’s name.

Then Terakana laughed heartily and said,

“Shout all you want. That Rahal you so fervently believe in wouldn’t even bat an eye······.”

Kwah-aaang-!!

Just then.

A pillar of light descended from the sky, severing the magic Terakana had been sending toward the celestial dragon.

And,

“There you are.”

From that pillar of light emerged Aslan, his red cloak billowing as he walked forth.

He glared at Terakana with a gaze filled with more fury than ever before.

“You filthy wretch.”