NOVEL NEXT Chapter 551
Chapter 551. An Eye for an Eye
――The martial saint’s ultimate technique is terrifying.
Because there are no signs.
If this were magic, the greater the power, the easier it becomes to detect due to heightened magical energy. Especially for races sensitive to magical power.
Even if one used Concealment Magic to hide, casting a powerful spell would break the concealment, making this principle unshakeable.
That is why the surprise attack capability of the martial saint stands out.
A perfected martial saint leaves even sound behind. By the time you notice, you’ve either been mortally wounded or are already dead.
Among such martial saints, the one with the highest surprise attack capability is—the Bow Saint.
The Bow Saint, Athar, had his exceptional eyesight fixed firmly on the Forest Elf, who momentarily revealed himself against the wall. It seemed he was also being cautious of counterattacks, trying not to expose his body carelessly.
(But if he shows himself even for a moment again—)
That would be sufficient for the Bow Saint. Athar was skilled enough to shoot down three flying crows at the same time without missing a beat.
Most would think the origin of his title is that he “shot down three with one arrow,” but that’s not the case.
Athar pulls out three arrows from his quiver—he can unleash three fatal arrows simultaneously. The debate over whether it’s more difficult to shoot three crows in a straight line with one arrow versus shooting three separate arrows at three different crows remains.
In any case, Athar readied three arrows simultaneously and focused on the wall of the Barkletts Gorge Gate.
(I can tell that skilled user of techniques is a near-pure High Elf…)
An incredible miracle reminiscent of the return of the “Saint” Liliana—it gave me an uncomfortable feeling. Could it be that the “Saint” released by the Seventh Demon Lord has returned to the battlefield?
(But even Liliana wasn’t that terrifying…!)
The rain of those light arrows that incinerated my brethren. While “Saint” Liliana was quite formidable, she was not nearly as wicked. Intuitively, as I maximized my abilities as a martial saint to escape, that horrible magic relentlessly pursued me!
I fled in a reckless panic. I felt genuine terror. This seasoned Bow Saint twisted his face in fear like a child while fleeing! Though it was only a fleeting moment of escape, it felt like I experienced a lifetime of terror.
Thanks to that, I managed to survive—but I must exact my revenge.
(I will surely slay this threat that surpasses even Liliana…!)
However, with a High Elf known for their astonishing regeneration ability, even shooting an arrow into their forehead or heart might not guarantee a kill.
What if I can shoot all critical points simultaneously?
The forehead, heart, and to disrupt their chant, the throat. Hitting all these points at once should render even a High Elf incapable of sustaining life.
And Athar, the Bow Saint, was one who could shoot all three points at the same time.
(Next time you show yourself—)
That will be your end. Athar took up a unique stance, readying three arrows to fire at any moment.
He waited. For the best opportunity.
Focusing all his senses, he remained vigilant of the entire Barkletts Gorge Gate, prepared for the moment that High Elf to show themselves once more.
(――Here it comes)
He felt movement. It was a different position than before. But he sensed that it was the High Elf and was certain. They probably moved to avoid a counterattack.
(It’s futile! I will take you down!!)
With sharpened murderous intent in his heart, Athar pulled the string tight—
“――Oh! What an exquisite guidance of the wild!”
And that attack, the ultimate technique of a martial saint, which should have no signs, was easily detected by Odigos.
“This is—aiming for Liliana’s forehead, throat, and heart! How delightful!”
He was impressed, amazed, and moved. To think a mortal could achieve such precision of “guidance!”
“This is why this world is interesting. This is why mortals are irresistible!”
Having had a thrilling moment, Odigos quickly realized.
“――However, this is troubling.”
He couldn’t be just pleased. With such a level of “guidance,” he’d like to see it realized. But if he let this slip by, Liliana would surely die. After a long, long time, he had finally found his Contractor. He must avoid that at all costs.
Yet, it wouldn’t be right for him to jump ahead, give a warning, and spoil that “guidance,” just because Liliana hadn’t asked for it—
“That would be【against my belief…!】”
It was indeed self-binding. But no matter how much his body hurt, he couldn’t bend this belief. Otherwise, Odigos would cease to be Odigos.
“I suppose I have no choice but to ensure the guidance is achieved while keeping Liliana alive…”
For that, Odigos deduced the optimal solution in an instant.
“――Liliana! The Nightfall Demons are still alive!”
He snapped out of his contemplation and informed Liliana. He interpreted the previous wish of “Please tell me where the Nightfall Demons are” to still be valid.
“Eh?!”
Just as Liliana was about to shoot an arrow at the weak Demon kind below, she looked up in shock. Trusting in the absolute guidance, she hadn’t even considered there could be any leftover.
Led by the magical power of guidance, Liliana gazed to the horizon.
(――Impossible, did they notice me?!)
And just as Athar was about to fire his arrow, he also recognized that Liliana was looking his way.
One had separated vision.
The other was led by the power of guidance.
The gazes of the two archers intersect.
Their eyes met.
(――So what?!)
Even realizing it, it was already too late!
“I’ll shoot you down!”
“【May the sacred light be!】”
Athar and Liliana nearly released their arrows simultaneously. No, Athar’s was slightly faster.
And at that moment, the bow flew from Liliana’s hand.
“Eh?!”
“This was the only way!”
Right in front of the surprised Liliana, Odigos soared into the air, nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders.
“This predicament was brought upon by my selfishness and belief. Please do not worry about it. What matters most to me is you, my beloved Contractor. So—”
In but the blink of an eye, Odigos’s compressed thoughts smashed against her.
What does he mean? Liliana couldn’t process it.
――Then, three arrows that showed acceleration from another dimension appeared.
Their tails trailing steam, leaving even sound behind.
They reached.
Targeting Liliana’s forehead, throat, and heart.
In that line stood Odigos, the “wall”—blocking the way.
Right in front of Liliana.
Odigos was shattered.
“Odii—”
And before Liliana could scream.
The arrows, breaking through the wall of her staff, howled as they surged.
“I did it…!”
Athar cheered triumphantly. He had shattered the High Elf’s bow, perfectly hit, the three arrows stuck into their target—he could see it clearly. It looked as if the High Elf had been knocked down by the impact of the hits.
(Certainly, I hit the critical points…!)
It was undeniably Athar’s full-powered ultimate technique. Three arrows, all targeting vital areas. He couldn’t believe there would be any living creature remaining after taking that.
Wrapped in a sense of accomplishment and comfortable fatigue, Athar.
But then—a dazzling light drew near.
The arrow of the High Elf. A torrent of burning magic condensed like the sun’s light.
(…This is impossible)
Looking down at the pieces on the board, Athar coldly assessed his situation. He had just released his most powerful arrow as the Bow Saint. He needed to take a breath to unleash it again.
That brief breath would be when that arrow would strike. There was no escape.
But that was fine. The entire Night Elf tribe had other Bow Saints. However, that High Elf couldn’t be replaced. If he managed to take down that “Sun”—the mortal enemy of the Night Elves—
If he could shoot down that “Sun.”
(My life is worth nothing)
Squinting against the dazzling light, Athar curled the corners of his mouth upward.
“Hahahahaha…!”
The light arrow struck, and everything turned white.
“Hahaha… Hahahahahahaha――!!”
A violent pain surged through his body as if his blood were boiling. Even so, Athar laughed. He continued to laugh until his consciousness faded.
He was satisfied.
†††
“Lily! Lily――!!”
He could hear the frantic voice of Orderju.
Liliana had momentarily lost consciousness. It was due to the impact she received to her forehead.
“Ouch…!”
She screamed as the dull pain arrived late. Her voice struggled to come out, hoarse. For now, Liliana tugged out the arrow that had lodged into her forehead. It may have even pierced her brain slightly, but it seemed to have been halted by her skull.
Thanks to Liliana’s natural regeneration and Orderju’s healing miracle, her wounds closed quickly. Soon she realized another arrow had lodged in her throat. Pulling that out resulted in a quick burst of blood before it stopped. A thick arrow—it was surely painful.
Moreover, when she sat up, she saw an arrow jutting into her chest, and Liliana couldn’t help but smile wryly at the effort behind it. The arrow, perfectly stitched between her ribs, seemed to have grazed her heart.
“Lily!? Are you okay…?!”
“Yeah, I’m managing. That was dangerous.”
Having pulled out all the arrows, Liliana answered casually. In the blink of an eye, her wounds healed and disappeared without a trace.
However—if that arrow had been just a little bit deeper… Just thinking about it sent shivers down her spine. Brain, throat, heart. All critical areas. The Bow Saint’s shot, surviving felt like a miracle—
A miracle?
No, that isn’t right. It is destiny. Because—
She remembered something important she had forgotten. Her head, still spinning from the shock, regained clarity just like the fog lifting from her thoughts.
Liliana realized.
That on the stone floor lay Odigos, grotesquely broken into four pieces, rolling around like mere branches.
“……Odigos!!”
She screamed. Because she understood he had sacrificed himself to nullify the power of the arrows.
That was why she had survived, even while taking three shots from the Bow Saint.
“How could this happen!?!”
Frantically, with her face crumpled, Liliana reached out with trembling hands towards what had once been Odigos.
“This hurts so much!! Oh, this hurts! This really hurts! It’s ridiculously painful! This is way worse than when I fought Antendeixis and was broken in half!! Why is this always happening to me?! Couldn’t it have been worked around a bit?! But my beliefs! Oh—it hurts, it hurts!”
The moment her fingers made contact, Odigos’s inner voice flooded in.
“Odigos?!”
Now that she thinks about it, before being a staff, he’s a demon. When a demon dies, their magical power goes berserk and they should disappear without a trace…
“Oh, Liliana! I’m so glad you seem okay!! But I’m in quite a predicament here—it’s rather uncool! Sorry!! It hurts!!”
“Ah, you’re not—well, you’re not okay, but you’re alive!! That’s good! Goodness!!”
Tears welled up in Liliana’s eyes.
“Haha, I told you, right?”
Though Odigos trembled from the pain, he managed a small laugh.
“I’m tougher than I look.”
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Odigos: “Compared to the Strike of a Demon God, this is nothing (shaky voice)”
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