Chapter 69: Typemoon: Starting Out as the Lion King [68]
The green drakes that had once driven Alaric into bitter struggles were effortlessly vaporized under Mordred's casual Mana Burst.
Massive charred remains fell from the sky, ablaze as they plummeted into the dark valley below.
"Hmph—"
Mordred turned her head slightly, curious about Alaric's reaction, but was greeted by a piercing black aurora that tore through the heavens!
This black light, seemingly composed of countless shades of crimson compressed to their extremes, defied the laws of the world simply by existing. It far surpassed the scale of Mordred's Mana Burst. Under her watchful gaze, the black aurora shot straight through the green tide of drakes, disintegrating them like spring snow under a scorching sun.
The atmosphere was instantly vaporized, creating a temporary absolute vacuum. This void, like a devouring vortex, centered around the falling dragon corpses, pulling the surrounding air into a massive atmospheric whirlpool.
"You—what on earth is that—"
Mordred demanded, her gaze fixed on the sword in Alaric's hand. Its black blade was adorned with intertwined crimson patterns, forming a miniature design reminiscent of a holy lance.
"It's not even at full power; this is the best it can do…"
Alaric smiled. Despite the ominous and fearsome display of Mana Burst, the outcome was favorable.
By tapping into magical reserves akin to those of a lightning-struck Blasted tree, he annihilated dozens—if not hundreds—of green drakes in one sweep. The results were undoubtedly worthwhile.
"The sword Father gave you—you're already this proficient with it?" Mordred asked curiously, examining the blade.
"Can it be fully unleashed?"
"It can, of course. I've used it during sparring sessions with Sir Gawain. It's slightly inferior to Excalibur Galatine, but it holds its own," Alaric replied, still smiling, though he omitted the part about nearly exhausting himself during those sessions to barely keep up.
"For real? That muscle-bound gorilla didn't crush you?"
...
A few minutes later.
"So, that's where it is…"
Alaric stood at the edge of a cliff, gazing down at the inferno below.
In the valley, flames raged like an infernal ocean.
"What are we waiting for, then?"
Mordred, brimming with battle fervor, was already eager to leap into the fray.
"Wait, we should—"
Alaric raised a hand, intending to hold her back and explain the risks. But Mordred paid no heed to his words.
Without hesitation, she leaped from the cliff into the abyss below!
Mordred's descent was like a streak of lightning, her body sprinting down the treacherous cliffside at an incredible speed. In just moments, she had traversed hundreds of meters.
Seeing her decisive move, Alaric followed suit, leaping down as well.
If Mordred was a ferocious beast charging headlong, then Alaric, following behind, was crimson lightning descending from the heavens.
Duels against Gawain and Mordred had made Alaric painfully aware of his shortcomings. He lacked their agility and adaptability, relying on short bursts of overwhelming magical energy for impact.
But after honing his techniques through the Ruyi Jingu Bang, his ability to harness and amplify magical resources in bursts had reached new heights.
"What?!"
Alaric, moving faster than Mordred had anticipated, caught up to her in mid-descent. Before she could react, he wrapped an arm around her waist!
In that instant, the compressed atmosphere around them erupted in a deafening shockwave. The impact sent white rings of compressed air rippling outward, leaving deep cracks in the cliffside.
Startled, Mordred pushed Alaric's face away, trying to speak, but her words were drowned out by the deafening wind.
Before she knew it, the scenery had shifted from towering clouds and mountains to the dark, fiery depths of the valley.
As they plunged closer, searing heat waves surged upward, assaulting them. The temperature rose to deadly levels, a hellish inferno in every direction.
In the flames below, countless chimeras roared and fought, their grotesque forms writhing amidst the sea of fire. Though some fell, new ones emerged from the flames.
"This is it—"
Boom!
The crimson lightning crashed into the ground, sending shockwaves rippling through the fiery landscape. The impact caused the earth to ripple like waves, with large cracks spreading outward.
The resulting explosion of air formed a fiery wall that spread outward, sending chimeras flying and temporarily cooling the suffocating heat.
"Ugh, gross!"
Mordred complained, shoving Alaric away after breaking free from his grasp.
"You didn't have to hold me like that. Still, you're fast."
"Look, it was necessary—"
Before they could argue further, the displaced air roared back, bringing with it a faintly toxic quality. Though diluted, Alaric realized the air must have been heavily poisoned before the descent.
Meanwhile, the chimeras, now aware of the intruders, turned their attention toward the pair, growling and snarling in unison.
"Sir Lancelot doesn't seem to be here. Where could he have gone?"
Alaric asked, drawing his sword and surveying the fiery battlefield.
"Who cares? Let's just kill everything in sight!"
Mordred laughed, unsheathing her blade.
"That's one way to put it, but something feels off…"
Alaric muttered, gripping his weapon tightly as the chimeras advanced.