Karnak, Monarch of Death

Within the shattered hall of the fortress, where malice and demonic energy swirled, a clear voice rang out between the broken columns. ”Limitless rays of light, heed my call and dance as the stars!”

Elezar’s staff, the Platinum Queen, glowed brightly. Dozens of beams of light spread out like falling stars, converging on a single point.

Karnak chanted in response. ”Echoes of the world, resound. Archon Tempest!”

A torrent of pure mana spiraled, entwining with the storm of lightning as it shot forward. The two spells collided in midair and formed a swirling vortex.

Explosions echoed continuously as the meteoric lights and the storm of lightning devoured each other. Eventually, both spells disappeared completely from the air.

Elezar let out a breath of admiration. ”You managed to block even that?”

Then she clicked her tongue, unable to comprehend it. ”To have reached that level at your age...”

The Archon Tempest Karnak had just used was a ninth circle spell. According to all the information they had gathered, he was supposed to be only an eighth circle mage, yet he had somehow advanced to the ninth circle without anyone noticing.

Even Elezar, of all people, found herself taken aback. Just how much of a genius does one have to be to make that possible? I wasn’t anywhere near that level at his age.

And it wasn’t just her. Across the entirety of magic history, there had never been a single mage who had reached the ninth circle in their early twenties. Advancing quickly was one thing, but this was far beyond the bounds of reason.

”I’ve barely reached the ninth circle. You’re embarrassing me.” Karnak scratched his head awkwardly, and behind him, a skull shrouded in dark energy flew forward, its tattered robes fluttering.

It was Maloka, an archlich Elezar knew well. A skeletal finger traced a black magic circle in the air. ”Rising mist of water, flow forth bearing poison!”

A green malice of poison enveloped Elezar from all sides. She frowned and snapped her fingers. ”Scatter.”

Intangible magical power instantly dispersed the poisonous fog in every direction. As expected of an archmage, she blocked Maloka’s magic with ease. Yet Elezar’s expression remained grim. So, they’re going to play it this way?

The very moment she reacted to Maloka’s spell, the other archliches moved in unison.

”Moonlight that cleaves the darkness, become the spear that strikes my enemy!” Demphis’s magic, Spear of Darkness and Light, came flying toward Elezar in rapid succession.

”Come forth! Flames of death, with feathers of blood fluttering in your wake!” Kalaf’s magic followed immediately after.

Finally, Tirafar’s earth magic closed the assault. ”Rise, thou fallen and shattered, and collapse once more!”

Massive boulders danced in the air and cut off Elezar’s retreat. At the same time, the grand dance of darkness, light, and flame wrapped around the archmage.

Amidst the earthshattering roar, Elezar tilted her Platinum Queen staff to the side. ”I am the one who does not waver, steadfast as I wait!”

A massive line of light drew a circle around her. The circle birthed another, which in turn birthed yet another. In an instant, dozens of circles layered over one another, blocking all the magic aimed at her. Every spell that had been flying toward her was neutralized and transformed into light.

Moments later, Elezar reappeared, visibly exhausted. ”This is such a headache.”

Under normal circumstances, they would not have been difficult opponents for her. But right now, she had expended a considerable amount of mana in the draining battle against Diogres. But even considering her earlier mana expenditure, these archliches were fighting far too well.

It was especially clear when it came to Maloka. The Maloka Elezar knew was the quintessential scholar type. Maloka knew how to use all forms of magic with proficiency, but when it came to applying them in combat, she would always flounder endlessly. She had never possessed the talent to apply magic precisely, in perfect timing, to match the situation.

The same went for Demphis, Kalaf, and Tirafar. Compared to Maloka, they were certainly more adept in combat, but they were never capable of working together in such perfect unison. That was natural, really. These archliches were originally governors. They were bureaucrats, not fighters. Yet here they were, brought forth and made to fight at this level?

That bastard must be commanding them from behind. Elezar aimed her staff at Karnak.

In terms of magical power alone, the four archliches were stronger. But her true opponent was Karnak. In other words, she needed to focus on him. ”I call upon the beings of the Covenant!”

With Elezar’s incantation, the Platinum Queen summoned five magic circles in the air. From each circle, beams of light shot out.

”Curse of the storm, fury of the earth, grasp of water, desolate flames!” The four elemental forces combined with the light emerging from the final magic circle. ”By my command, annihilate all creation!”

The light swelled and spread to engulf the entire fortress.

Karnak’s face turned pale. Damn! Elezar’s going all out now!

This was a truly powerful spell. Karnak and the archliches hurriedly deployed their defensive magic. The incoming wave of light crashed against their barriers, and the clash of power sent shockwaves in all directions.

Sparks and waves of light exploded repeatedly. At the same time, the protective shields began to fracture, little by little.

Did it work this time? Just as Elezar’s expression began to ease, she was met with an unexpected interference.

”O Lady Latiel, let your blessing descend upon this land!” From the opposite side of the hall, a clear voice rang out, and the goddess’s light enveloped Karnak and the archliches.

A divine blessing wrapped around them, and at that moment, a massive explosion erupted. After a moment, the smoke cleared, and Karnak and the archliches reappeared.

Elezar let out a hollow laugh in disbelief. ”This is absurd...”

The divine blessing of a goddess had protected the archliches, beings of wickedness. Thanks to that, a bizarre sight of holy undead unfolded before her eyes.

Yet what left her speechless was not the harmony between holy radiance and undead. After all, that was practically a signature specialty of the Cult of the Dark God. What she could not understand was the identity of the one who had just invoked that divine miracle.

Confusion clouded her mind. The Angel of Radiant Wings? Where did that come from now?

She heard Karnak’s triumphant voice. ”All right, let’s go again!”

The same scenario repeated itself. The archliches unleashed their spells in perfect coordination. Karnak struck precisely within those openings, while the angel of radiant wings supported them from behind.

It was, in many ways, an annoyingly troublesome tactic. Whenever she targeted Karnak, he used the archliches and the Angel of Radiant Wings like extensions of his limbs to evade her thoroughly.

It was unwise to target the archliches. They were undead to begin with, so losing a few limbs was nothing to them. Worse, in those moments, Elezar herself became vulnerable.

And if she turned her attention to the Angel of Radiant Wings, she found it simply too sturdy. Wrapped head to toe in thick armor of light, with wings of radiance unfurled, and further protected by Latiel’s blessing, it was like facing layered, interlocked defenses that only cast healing magic without pause.

”O Latiel! Protect your servant!”

”You bastards...” Firing off spells frantically, Elezar’s expression twisted. ”They’re fighting in the most infuriating way possible.”

***

Karnak had not divided his forces evenly from the start. He had kept the four archliches, who could move as extensions of his will, and Millia, who could serve as a solid support force, on his side to face Elezar.

Meanwhile, he left Dreltein to hold out, barely, with only three: the exhausted Diogres, Varos, and Leven. In effect, he had split their forces at roughly a 6:4 ratio, allocating six to deal with Elezar and four to stall Dreltein. His plan was to take out Elezar first with certainty and then finish off Dreltein.

Of course, if he could have deployed Desteran, Lapicel, and Serati, their chances would have increased further. But that hadn’t been a choice. Someone had to hold back the Kretas knights and the imperial magic tower’s mages.

If Desteran, Serati, or Lapicel provided assistance, it would also allow the enemy’s silver knights and ninth circle mages to aid Elezar and Dreltein.

Varos, having narrowly dodged one of Dreltein’s strikes, sent a discreet message.

—Which means, there’s no one who can help us, Sir Leven.

Leven shook his head while struggling to steady his heavy breathing.

—Your hopeful words are much appreciated, Sir Varos.

He had lost count of how many times he had nearly died under Dreltein’s blade already. It felt like he was always on the verge of losing his head. If Diogres had been in fighting condition, their side would have had the advantage, but unfortunately, Diogres was barely holding on with sheer willpower. So they could not expect much from him.

The only thing we can rely on is Lord Karnak’s plan...?

Until then, all they could do was latch onto this opponent in front of them and hold him down. With a shout, Leven launched himself forward. Varos immediately followed. Blades of purple aura came flying toward Dreltein from the left and right. Simultaneously, a silver chain-sword arced over his head like a scorpion’s tail. The precise, three-directional assault was not something even Dreltein could ignore.

”This one’s not bad.” He muttered in admiration as he stepped back.

He swung his golden blade after creating some distance. Brilliant golden light flared, striking down all the attacks flying at him.

Kretas swordsmanship: the Beckoning Sun!

As expected of the ultimate technique of the martial king, its power was extraordinary. It was Varos and Leven who were shaken by the backlash of the deflected force.

Normally, this would have been the moment Dreltein followed up and took their heads. However, he instead focused on catching his breath. He had not collapsed from exhaustion like Diogres, but he was tired all the same. The drain on his aura and stamina was significant, and even his focus was slipping.

Perhaps I should have brought along at least one priest? he wondered.

Then again, it would not have helped much anyway. Divine magic of a priest could, at best, heal wounds and restore physical vigor. They could not replenish personal energies like mana or aura that had already been spent.

Narrowing his eyes, Dreltein surveyed his surroundings. Varos and Leven were once again taking up battle stances. Beyond them, he could see Diogres raising his wand.

It was clear that Diogres could probably manage one or two more spells at most, but conversely, that meant he still had one or two spells left to cast. And a archmage’s spells, even if there were only one or two, were never something to take lightly.

How irritating.

He did not even expect to be in peak condition. But if only he had a little more aura to spare, he could have handled this situation without much trouble. But he lacked precisely that, and he was stuck fighting in this wretched slugfest.

Dreltein’s face twisted with annoyance. Then suddenly, he realized that this situation might not be as disadvantageous as he had thought. Currently, Karnak was openly coordinating with the vile archliches to face off against Elezar.

The surroundings were covered in thick, murky energy, and whatever happened inside this castle, none of the subordinates out in the plaza would be able to notice.

And this meant, in turn... No one will see whatever I do either, will they?

In that instant, a powerful darkness began to pour out from Dreltein’s entire body. Diogres’ face turned rigid. ”Is... is that necromantic power?”