NOVEL NEXT Chapter 113
Chapter 113
"The Ophiucus's Hersion."
In the empire, fewer than a hundred knights received Hersion as a gift. Among them, the Hersion possessed by the knights of the Thirteen Constellations was special.
Three hundred years ago, the Holy Empire, which unified the central continent, had fragmented, and various regional lords and kingdoms began to assert their autonomy.
Among them, the Rom Empire claimed to be the true successor of the Holy Empire's traditions.
The Holy Empire was a religious state that worshipped the Sun God, centered around the Pope, but the Rom Empire worshipped both the Sun God and the Moon Goddess Theia along with the constellations of the Thirteen Constellations that protected her.
The Rom Empire bestowed Hersion, imbued with the power of the Thirteen Constellations, on their finest knights to fight against the Papal faction.
Because of this power, the Papal faction was pushed to the east of the continent, eventually establishing the Holy Kingdom, while the Rom Empire expanded its territory, dominating the southern part of the central continent and growing into an empire.
The knights of the Thirteen Constellations played a crucial role in the growth of the Rom Empire, and the Hersion given to them was a rare artifact with immense abilities.
Morgan Bupon approached Sieg with his body fully armored in such a Ophiuchus's Hersion.
"To make me activate Hersion... I admit you're no ordinary foe."
Woooong!
A crimson aura emanated from the Ophiucus's Hersion. At the same time, the sword Morgan was holding became enveloped in the same aura. An ominous, yet powerful energy was felt in the Aura Blade that surged forth.
Morgan, although being of a blue knight level, could exert strength comparable to a red knight when equipped with Hersion. Sieg was wary of the power emanating from Morgan's sword.
"The Aura Blade... it feels foreign."
It was neither a normal aura nor was it a contaminated energy like demonic energy.
Swinging his sword, Morgan shouted, "I'll capture you and make you confess who's behind you!"
With an aura exuding chilly energy like a snake, Morgan charged at Sieg.
Boom boom boom!
With the force of Hersion, Morgan demonstrated even greater leaping power. In mid-air, the Aura Blade imbued with the power of Ophiucus rained down upon Sieg.
Slashhhh!
Surprisingly, the Aura Blade emanating from Morgan's sword curved like a whip, flying straight at Sieg.
"What is this?"
Sieg managed to roll his body to evade the Aura Blade. However, the Aura Blade, akin to a living snake pursuing its prey, persistently chased Sieg.
Whack!
In an instant, the end of the Aura Blade split into four strands, piercing through the shield and wrapping around Sieg's limbs. The Aura Blade whip dug into the Meteoric Iron armor.
Crack!
The Meteoric Iron armor, which didn't usually dent from ordinary impacts, buckled under the whiplike Aura Blade.
"Is this the power of Ophiucus?"
The Hersion of the Thirteen Constellations, said to contain the power of the constellations, was even more terrifying artifact than rumors.
Sieg also possessed an ancient Hersion, but activating it in front of the imperial knights might reveal his actions in the south.
Sieg concentrated his mana to use Soul Resonance.
Rumble!
The heart of Bahamut within Sieg's body throbbed violently.
Harnessing the immense mana surging from Bahamut's heart, Sieg gathered it in his middle dantian and invoked the Will of Force(強) through Word Power.
Woooong!
The Will of Force enhanced the body to become 'Strengthened Divine Physique'. In the state of Strengthened Divine Physique, any technique executed had a much greater power.
Though it had significant side effects, as much as its powerful effects, in his previous life, he couldn't wield the Will of Force fully. However, with Word Magic removing the side effects, he now wielded it freely.
Sieg, having transformed his body into Strengthened Divine Physique, felt his body become much lighter. He tugged at Morgan's Aura Blade that was binding his limbs.
Morgan was drawn in by Sieg's strength.
"Ugh! What are you doing! Attack him immediately!"
Other knights, except those fighting the rampaging Gurav, rushed at Sieg.
Even with his limbs bound, Sieg swung his sword at the knights.
Clang!
Enhanced by the Strengthened Divine Physique, Sieg's sword was indistinguishable from a knight's sword infused with aura.
Using the rugged Northern style swordsmanship, Sieg deflected the knights' swords.
Crash!
Knights who collided with Sieg's sword were instead sent flying backward. Morgan attempted to inject more power into the Aura Blade to suppress Sieg's movements.
Yet, Sieg didn't stop and kept moving.
"Haaah!"
Sieg, with his body enhanced by the Strengthened Divine Physique, became a weapon in itself. He swung his sword against the charging knights, kicked them, and threw punches.
Boom!
A knight, struck by Sieg's punch, was sent sprawling backward. Witnessing this, the imperial knights were terrified.
"Damn it, he's a complete monster!"
Seeing Sieg take on dozens of the imperial knights even while bound by the power of Ophiucus, the imperial forces lost their will to fight entirely.
There was also the influence of Sieg's subdued dragon's dignity affecting them as Sieg, recognized with the title of Dragon Man, unknowingly exuded.
As the knights hesitated and withdrew, Morgan gnashed his teeth and came forward.
"Damn, you fools! Step aside!"
He untied the belt wrapped around his Hersion waist.
As Morgan infused aura into the belt, it stiffened and transformed into a long spear.
Morgan, holding the spear, tugged on the whip-like Aura Blade restraining Sieg.
Whack!
The Aura Blade wrapped around Sieg shrank rapidly. Simultaneously, with the weakening of Soul Resonance, Sieg was drawn toward Morgan.
Morgan aimed the spear at Sieg.
"To think I'd have to use this."
The spear, imbued with the power of Ophiucus, held the authority to pierce anything.
He hadn't used it to capture Sieg alive and ascertain the mastermind behind him, but as the situation became critical, he revealed his trump card.
Woooong!
Once more, the ominous energy rose from the spear held by Morgan. He thrust it towards the oncoming Sieg.
Authority of Ophiucus
Unerring Pierce
At that moment, Sieg deployed the Energy of Water.
Elemental Sword
Energy of Water
Reverse Wave Sword
Turning his body soft, Sieg allowed himself to flow, utilizing Morgan's power to unleash the Reverse Wave Sword.
Boom boom boom boom!
Sieg gracefully absorbed the spear's force. Simultaneously, a massive wave surged, engulfing Morgan.
"Ugh!"
The power of Ophiucus that had bound Sieg instead restrained Morgan.
Lifted into the air, he was swept away by the force of the Reverse Wave Sword.
Sieg's sword summoned an even greater tidal wave.
Woooong!
A wave imbued with tidal strength swept across the entire canyon. With Morgan's formidable power, the strength of the Reverse Wave Sword was immense.
Boom boom boom boom!
The knights caught in the energy were sent flying, their limbs twisted, losing consciousness upon slamming into the canyon walls.
There were also figures falling from above, indicating that snipers stationed above had been affected.
Morgan too, overwhelmed by the colossal wave's might, could not regain his senses. Having been lifted into the air and then driven into the ground by the wave's force, he struggled to get up.
"The Ophiucus's spear missed?"
The Authority of Ophiucus, unlike ordinary secrets, had a limited daily use. When employed, it was supposed to decisively pierce the foe.
Never before had the authority of the constellations failed. Recalling Sieg's Reverse Wave Sword, Morgan shuddered.
"A technique I've never seen before. Could it be an ancient magic embedded in an artifact?"
Had he not been wearing Hersion, Morgan thought he too might have been completely destroyed, possibly dead.
Sieg looked around slowly, then approached Morgan.
"In the relic site of the Avian Race, you conducted horrendous experiments."
At Sieg's words, Morgan's eyes wavered.
By Morgan's gaze, Sieg realized he too was involved in the inhumane experiments of injecting beast blood into humans.
"It's better to kill this one here."
In the past life, Morgan Bupon had killed numerous people during the 3rd Continental War. As a knight, Morgan had showcased more competence as a commander, ascending to the position of regent based on his achievements.
Killing Morgan here would deal a significant blow to the empire's force.
Sieg approached Bupon ever so slowly. He then raised his sword to strike Bupon's neck.
Crack!
Due to the constellation-imbued Hersion, Bupon's neck did not sever even from Sieg's sword slash.
Sieg employed the Magic Reflection skill.
Zszt zsst!
Although sparks erupted from Hersion, the armor did not release.
"Hersion, nice when worn, but truly annoying as an enemy."
Try as he might to insert his sword into the gaps of Hersion, it wouldn't reach the vitals.
"Hm."
If time dragged here, more garrison troops might arrive. Sieg hurriedly hefted one of the fallen horses and loaded Morgan upon it.
He'd kill Morgan once the Hersion detached. Sieg unfurled a chain from his left arm, binding Morgan with soul-sealing art.
"Gah!"
As soon as wrapped in the chain, Morgan couldn't move, clenching his teeth painfully.
"Hooh? Quite effective."
Not yet mastered for combat but utilizing it might render it a useful weapon.
Having loaded Morgan onto the horse, Sieg steadily exited the canyon.
Once the Hersion detached, Sieg planned on killing Morgan and returning to the Alencia Border Headquarters.
Sieg emerged from the canyon, entering the crimson sands desert. Then Morgan, who was tied behind him, shouted.
"Fool! To dare affront a legion commander of the empire! Aren't you afraid of the repercussions?"
Sieg turned around, hitting Morgan's helmet with his elbow.
"Gah!"
The reverberating impact silenced Morgan momentarily. Yet soon, he cried out loudly again.
"What a troublesome fellow."
Resolving anew to kill Morgan as soon as Hersion detached, he rode across the wasteland. Behind, a dust cloud rose.
Sieg used his Dragon Eyes to look back.
"They are...?"
Knights dressed in familiar attire. The Crimson Lion Knights of Abel.
Sieg spotted Abel and William among the knights.
"Damn it."
He hadn't expected Abel to show up personally. Likely he'd come to investigate the news of the complete collapse of the ruins, only to set chase directly after him.
Noticeable of the pursuers' arrival, Morgan shouted.
"Ha, the Lion Sword has come! Fool! Let go of me immediately and reveal your back-up! I'll grant you a painless death!"
Sieg tightened the chain binding Morgan more.
"Argghhh!"
Apparently, the soul-sealing technique managed to afflict pain past Hersion.
Meanwhile, the horse beneath Sieg gradually slowed, worn out.
"Healing."
Sieg gave the horse a healing buff. The distance with the knights widened again.
Then from behind, Abel charged out alone.
Dudududu!
Surging at terrifying speed, Abel closely tailed Sieg.
He drew the red sword he carried. As Abel infused aura into the sword, flames erupted.
"Whoosh!"
A massive flame flew towards Sieg.
Fwooosh!
A shield manifested from his armor. But Abel's flames pierced through.
Neigh!
The flames engulfed Sieg's steed entirely. In an instant, the horse turned to ashes.
Holding Morgan, Sieg landed on the ground. Abel gazed at Sieg from atop his horse.
"There he is. The one who spirited Carus away."
Having encountered each other at the Pansthas Terminal, Abel swiftly recognized Sieg. He dismounted and leveled his sword at Sieg.
"This time you won't escape. I'll uncover your back-up no matter what."
"Whoosh!"
The red sword in Abel's grip flared with fire.
Sieg clenched his teeth at the sight of Abel's flames.
"Red Dragon Sword. The unique artifact Abel received upon becoming a blue knight."
Forged from the fangs of a Red Dragon, the Red Dragon Sword, although difficult to handle, had strong power and had been stored in the family treasury for a long time.
Once ascending as a blue knight, Abel had demanded this Red Dragon Sword from Arthur Draker.
The demon sword Abel readily wielded was rumored to engulf the unworthy in flames the moment they grasped it, yet Abel claimed it proudly as his own.
Wielding the flame-spewing Red Dragon Sword, Abel demonstrated superior combat prowess among active Draker knights.
The fierce flames expelled by Abel flew towards Sieg.
Boom boom boom!
Sieg used Guard(防) intent to fend off Abel's attack.
Fwoosh!
Simultaneously, Sieg swung his sword towards Abel.
Abel concealed his body within the exploding flames.
"Damn it."
There were too many enemies, and without access to Bahamut, the constraints were substantial.
Sieg sought to devise an escape amidst creating opportunities.
Drawing out time unnecessarily might result in capture by Abel.
Steadying his breath, Sieg grasped his sword.
Abel, witnessing Sieg, grinned sneeringly.
"Abandon false hopes. You'll never escape this place."
As Abel prepared to whip the flames anew.
Dudududu!
Kiyo kiyo kiyo!
A peculiar loud cry echoed from afar, amidst a massive dust storm.