Karnak, Monarch of Death

The Death Knight Lord Varos and Lapicel, the Martial King of Cyphras, were almost on par. Strictly speaking, Varos was slightly inferior to Lapicel in their prime, but the difference was negligible.

And yet, in their current state, Varos had regressed with no trace of his aura, while Lapicel wielded a purple-tier aura of immense power. Where could she have acquired such overwhelming energy?

A child barely in her early teens couldn’t possibly have gained that power through her own training. Nor was it likely that her future self had brought it with her. Aaura wasn’t something bound to the soul. If it were, Varos would have retained the vast reserves of his dark aura upon his regression.

The answer was simple.

”It’s the power of the demonic sword.”

Thedemonic sword Mareda controlled its host, compelling them to slaughter humans and absorb their life essence. That stolen vitality was then converted into dark energy, which the sword fed back to the host, making them stronger and driving them to kill even more.

”In other words, it converts the blood essence into dark aura for its host,” Karnak explained.

And here was Lapicel’s genius. Instead of succumbing to the sword’s control, she broke free of its influence and transformed the dark energy into her own aura, even in her unstable mental state.

”Of course, since it’s not power she cultivated herself, she won’t be able to replenish it once it’s depleted. But for now, she can use it as if it were entirely her own, which is why her attacks are so devastating.”

Hearing this, Serati let out a deep sigh. She could already see where this was going. If Varos could use aura, then he could face Lapicel.

”You’re saying Lord Varos needs to use my body again, aren’t you?”

For once, her guess was wrong.

”It’s pointless,” Varos said, shaking his head.

Even if he took over Serati’s body, it wouldn’t change the outcome.

”The physical disparity is too great.”

Serati bristled at his response.

”Are you saying I’m that weak?”

It was a hard pill to swallow. Sure, the opponent might be a future Martial King, but at this moment, Lapicel was just an untrained teenager. Meanwhile, Serati was in her twenties, with years of disciplined training under her belt. How could the gap be so vast?

”That’s not it,” Varos explained. ”No matter how skilled I am at handling someone else’s body, it’ll never be as good as using my own.”

”Oh...”

That made sense. For warriors of similar skill, even the familiarity of their weapon could tip the scales. And when the weapon in question was their own body, the difference was monumental.

”Then what are we supposed to do?”

”The young master already told you. The answer is simple.”

Varos’s expression turned grim as he glanced toward the far side of the basin.

”He means I’m supposed to sneak over there and try using the demonic sword myself.”

***

Recalling his conversation with Serati, Varos stared at the massive dual-edged sword before him. Thedemonic sword Mareda emitted an ominous hum, bound tightly by enchanted chains.

Vmmmmm...

Varos’s expression hardened.

Can I endure this?

But he had no other options. The demonic sword was his only hope now. Or rather, it was the only way to resolve this situation without forsaking his humanity entirely. If he were willing to revert to his old ways, there were plenty of other methods he could employ.

”Alright. Let’s do this!”

Steeling himself, Varos extended his hand.His thick fingers gripped the hilt of the Demon Sword.

Whoosh!

Black flames erupted from the blade, consuming his vision in an instant. A malevolent aura, laced with unrelenting bloodlust and madness, surged through him, threatening to overwhelm his mind.

”Pitiful human.” A thunderous voice echoed in his ears, reverberating deep into his very soul. ”Accept the dominion of darkness!”

Then, a chilling scream tore through the air.

”Arghhhhhhhhhhh!”

***

Terrifying evil spirits, capable of draining life with a single touch, soared through the air. The shadows, which were imbued with destructive power capable of shattering boulders, surged across the ground.

”Kyahhhhh!”

”Kraaaah!”

Shrieking, the spirits relentlessly attacked. The entire basin boiled with malevolent energy. Yet even in the midst of this maelstrom, Lapicel remained untouched, not a single scratch marring her.

”Karnak...”

With a low murmur, she swung her sword. The violet aura extended into a massive blade that swept across the air. Dozens of powerful wraiths—each one strong enough to warrant a squad of holy warriors—were cut down in a single stroke.

”Karnak...”

Taking a step forward, Lapicel plunged into the mass of shadows. Waves of aura rippled outward, banishing darkness and shaking the earth with radiant shockwaves. After clearing a path, Lapicel leapt forward.

”...Karnak!”

Slashing through the wraiths, she aimed directly for the necromancer’s neck in one decisive strike. In a panic, Serati raised her sword to block.

”Hah!”

Aura-coated blades collided, and the impact reverberated through her entire body. Pain contorted Serati’s face.

Agh...

This time, however, she wasn’t sent flying pathetically. The hellish armor summoned from Gehenna deployed a shadowy shield in time to absorb the remaining shock. Even through the pain, Serati felt a flicker of awe.

Wow, I actually blocked it...

It hit her again just how powerful necromancy was. Unfortunately, this also underscored just how absurdly strong Lapicel was.

”Hell’s vassal!” Growling like a beast, Lapicel extended her left hand.

A burst of violet energy erupted from her palm, striking Serati square in the stomach.

”Cough!”

The force flipped her insides, and she collapsed, spitting blood.

”Ugh...”

Even as she groaned, Serati couldn’t help but admire her opponent.

I did hear that aura masters are capable of hurling energy as if it were a spell or an arrow.

Thanks to Serati’s efforts, however, the wraiths managed to regroup and block Lapicel’s path once more. Unable to reach Karnak, Lapicel let out a furious scream.

”Ahhhh!”

Her sword danced with an elegance befitting a goddess, slicing through wraiths with each graceful motion. Yet even amidst this relentless battle, her focus remained on Karnak.

”Monarch of Death!”

A brief gap opened in the wraiths’ formation, and Lapicel surged forward, her sword glowing with an ominous violet light.

”Ah!”

This time, Serati failed to intercept her. The lightning-swift blade slashed through the air, straight for Karnak’s neck. Serati’s eyes widened.

Sir Karnak?

Fortunately, Karnak’s head didn’t fall. There was no blood. No wound. It simply vanished—an illusion. All around the basin, multiple copies of Karnak began to appear one after another.

”Phew.”

”I barely made it.”

”Good thing I prepared...”

Lapicel, still not in her right mind, was easily ensnared by the illusions. And illusions, hallucinations, and deception were Karnak’s specialties. The multiple copies of Karnak spoke in unison.

”Now.”

”All we have to do.”

”Is wait for Varos!”

Lapicel’s blade glowed ominously as three of the illusions were immediately obliterated by her aura.

”Karnak...”

Unable to distinguish the real one, she reached a very simple conclusion.

”I’ll kill them all!”

A pulse of aura radiated outward.

”Here?”

Destructive energy surged across the ground, sweeping away everything in its path, including copies of Karnak.

”Here?”

The basin roared with successive explosions, each one shaking the earth.

”Here?”

The carnage continued, unrelenting. The fallen Knights of the King’s Order lay scattered across the battlefield, yet even amidst the chaos, Lapicel ensured their safety. If her aura threatened to stray in their direction, she adjusted her attacks mid-swing, refusing to let the unconscious soldiers be caught in the explosions.

Serati couldn’t help but feel admiration. To think she’s this considerate even in a deranged state.

Despite being their enemy, Lapicel was awe-inspiring. How righteous a hero must she have been to act this way?

In comparison, this man is...

She cast a disapproving glance at Karnak, crouched nearby. Her master’s soul currently resided in the safest place he could find. Where? Hiding behind the body of a fallen knight. He was using the enemy’s mercy to shield himself while turning his ally into a human barrier.

—What? Why? I need to survive too, don’t I?

The way Karnak’s face flushed made it known that he was embarrassed. Still, his illusion magic was working well against Lapicel. Her violet blade continuously sliced through phantom Karnaks, while the real one conjured new illusions just in time.

But it was only a temporary fix. Sooner or later, his mana would run dry, and when it did, the end was certain.

Karnak muttered anxiously as he worked his spells.

Varos, hurry up already, before I die here.

Serati groaned. —When is she going to run out of energy?

Karnak had explained earlier. Lapicel’s aura came from the blood-fed power of the demonic sword. Once depleted, it couldn’t replenish. Yet there wasn’t the slightest sign of her weakening.

It was hard to understand. The squads had already given their all to wear her out.

—Did we fail to wear her out properly?

Karnak let out a weak sigh. —No, this is her exhausted state.

They had worn her out. She was exhausted, and her aura was almost depleted. In truth, she was putting up a struggle on the brink of collapse.

—That’s exhausted?

—Yep.

—Damn.

The realization hit like a brick. Even in her so-called weakened state, Lapicel was fighting as if fueled by boundless energy. Her violet blade tore through shadows, explosions raged, and the chaos of dark spirits and illusions painted the basin in a maelstrom of destruction.

”Monarch of Death!”

Karnak wiped sweat from his brow. Despite his improved skills, his necromantic abilities still couldn’t compare to what they once were. His strength was waning.

—Is this the end of living decently? Am I going to have to live like I used to?

Serati raised an eyebrow, incredulous.

—Wait, you mean you’ve been fighting honorably up until now?

Considering the battlefield was overrun with vengeful spirits, seething dark energy, and infernal armor, it already looked like the depths of hell.

And he can get more evil than this?

Apparently, yes.

—Look, we’ve got the entire First and Seventh Squads lying around here.

Knights of justice and honor, some of whom had placed their deepest trust in Karnak.

—If I killed them all and harvested their souls, I’d have enough power to take her on...

—You know what? Forget I asked. You have been fighting honorably.

Even imagining such cruelty was beyond Serati. That Karnak could even consider it was chilling. Not that he had any intention of actually acting on it.

—I know, I know. I shouldn’t. But if this keeps up, we’re out of options...”

Just then, Lapicel’s movements stopped.

Expressionless, she turned her head as if sensing something. Without hesitation, she dashed away, her petite form gliding effortlessly through the darkness. And then, the rain came. However, it wasn’t made of water. Rather, it was a downpour of razor-sharp, blood-red swords.

Boom! Boom!

Amid the merciless bombardment, a towering knight emerged. He held a massive sword in one hand, his figure radiating a crimson aura as ominous as it was powerful.

”Is everyone still alive? I’m not too late, right?”

Serati’s face lit up with relief as she shouted, ”Sir Varos!”