Book 1 Chapter 804

Rune, who was chanting a spell, opened his eyes wide.

Leo's appearance, emitting brilliant pure white mana, captured his gaze.

'Beautiful.'

Had he ever seen such pure mana in the world?

But the mana seemed to carry an inexplicable sense of hardship and sorrow.

Gazing at the light, Rune further amplified his magic power.

At that moment.

Erebos charged towards Leo.

In his hand, he now held not a greatsword but a massive battle axe.

The battle axe, condensed with terrifying destructive power, was swung as if to cleave Leo's light.

King-! Bang-!

Leo raised his sword.

A clash of strength against strength.

Kwagagagag-!

Leo was pushed back.

Hooook-!

The black flames Erebos emitted receded.

Seeing this, Erebos's eyes twitched.

'A surviving hero…!'

His hateful gaze turned towards Kyle.

Even after 5,000 years, the fact that the being blocking him was that hero, the most terrifying existence in his long life as a demon god, was enough to make Erebos curse fate.

Moreover, he had become even more threatening than 5,000 years ago.

The pure white mana Leo emitted was incomparably more threatening than gray mana.

'His power is incomparably weaker than in his previous life.'

This was a fight where he was purely outmatched in terms of strength.

However…

Erebos knew well that he could not defeat the great heroes by mere differences in strength.

Whack-!

Leo's sword dug into the battle axe.

Seeing this, Erebos threw the battle axe away as if discarding it and summoned another weapon.

Swords, spears, scimitars, daggers, bows.

He wielded all sorts of weapons according to the situation and used dark magic to mimic Kyle's spells.

And he summoned demonic beasts to imitate his nemesis's movements.

Attacks with the power to take Leo's life with just a single, tiny mistake continued.

However, he blocked everything without wavering.

Rather…

Swish-!

The tip of Leo's sword narrowly grazed Erebos's neck.

He counterattacked.

What if he had been his true self?

'I would have become a sacrifice to that pure white mana.'

Even if he had reduced his physical body, he would have been cut to pieces multiple times if he hadn't mimicked Kyle's movements.

He was the one overwhelming with power.

The situation was also favorable to him.

But the hero who saved the world was trying to perform another impossible miracle, regardless of the tilted scales.

Why he didn't fall.

He didn't even question how he could do such things.

Because…

'This guy is a surviving hero.'

At that moment.

Goooh-!

A colossal mana pulsed.

Erebos turned his gaze towards the origin of the mana wave.

There stood Rune, glaring at Erebos with venomous eyes.

Fwoosh-!

At that moment, Erebos erupted with black flames.

Leo hastily retreated.

"Ha! A perfect target! Prepare yourself…"

"Wait."

Leo reached out.

As he did, Erebos vanished in black flames.

"He escaped?!"

Rune showed a surprised expression.

'He was the one overwhelming the situation…?'

Of course, he didn't know what would happen if he was hit directly by Rune's magic.

But for Leo, it was fortunate that Erebos retreated.

This was a fight Leo couldn't guarantee victory in.

Of course… if time passed and the other great heroes joined, Erebos would eventually have no choice but to retreat.

Even if the great heroes hadn't regained their strength, five great heroes would have been too threatening for a fragment of Erebos to handle.

But…

'Even before then, he could have easily tried to eliminate me or Luna, or even one person, right?'

Despite that, Erebos retreated without hesitation.

'Time is not on Erebos's side in this situation.'

The great heroes would regain their strength the longer time passed.

'And yet, he retreated with a smile.'

Leo frowned, recalling Erebos's unpleasant smile just before disappearing.

'…What's his plan?'

At that moment.

Flash-!

A pillar of white light shot up from the direction of the Ploof territory.

Seeing this, Rune's eyes widened.

"Ah… It's Rhea."

***

Grrrroar-!

Kieeeek-!

Countless monsters advanced with deafening roars.

Their objective was singular.

To annihilate all life in front of them.

The monsters, strongly inheriting the will of their creator, the demon god, had eyes gleaming with dense malice.

Fwoosh-!

At that moment, a fiery red flame ignited in the air.

"Haaaaaab!"

Flash! Kwagagagang-!

With a battle cry, a colossal flaming sword strike was unleashed.

Flames ignited like a line drawn across the monster army.

Kyahahahaha-!

A foul smell of burning flesh filled the air.

A sentient being would have recoiled from this blow, hindering their advance.

But the monsters absolutely prioritized the orders of the demon god who created them.

Their advance speed did not decrease at all.

"Tch!"

Reina clicked her tongue and stepped with Aura Step.

Fwoosh-!

As Reina ran through the air, fiery footprints appeared and disappeared.

"Once more…!"

Fwooooooo-

As Reina attempted to unleash her aura again.

Kyahahahaha!

A flying demonic beast attacked Reina from behind.

As Reina was about to swing her sword.

Flash!

A silvery sword aura tore apart the monster targeting Reina.

"Lady Reina! Leave the skies to me!"

"Oh my! How lovely! You're so reliable! Thank you! Eiran!"

Reina, smiling brightly, focused on the ground monster army.

As expected of Reina, who, despite being a knight class, earned the epithet "Flame Witch," monsters were slaughtered and burned with every sword strike.

But even so, the number of monsters did not decrease.

'Our forces are too insufficient!'

Reina bit her lip tightly.

The reason Reina and Eiran were acting alone was to slow down the monster advance.

During the time they created, the Ploof territory residents had to be evacuated to the center of the territory, and a defense line had to be established to stop the monsters.

Ploof territory was a peaceful rural territory.

Therefore, while there were walls, they were not strong enough to withstand such a large-scale attack.

'There's a limit to what magic can do to build a defense line! What should I do? What on earth should I do…?'

In a desperate situation, Reina gnawed on her lip.

Meanwhile, the monsters were getting closer and closer to Ploof territory.

'This won't do! This won't do…!'

Reina's eyes, tinged with anxiety, trembled.

At that moment, Reina spotted Lunia standing where the monsters were advancing and her eyes widened.

"Why is she there?"

"Lady Lunia also came to stop the monster advance!"

"What? No! Lunia needs to conserve her mana!"

Among those present, Lunia was the one capable of the most powerful large-scale attacks.

It was necessary to conserve Lunia, who would need to operate her mana efficiently after the defense line was established.

"It's okay! I heard that Carl has a special mana potion!"

"Special mana potion?"

"Yes! It's very expensive, but it can recover an enormous amount of mana!"

Goooooooh-!

Flames began to ignite around Lunia's body, and the heat grew stronger.

Finally, vivid orange lines appeared on various parts of Lunia's skin, like burning charcoal.

Lunia spread her palm and raised it upwards.

Goooooh-!

Then, a sphere of flame formed above her palm.

The sphere of flame gradually grew larger, emitting a brilliant light as if it were a small sun.

"Here I go…"

Lunia gritted her teeth.

Disregarding the pain, as if her entire body were burning, she unleashed her magic at the vanguard of the advancing monster horde.

Fwoooooooosh! Kwagagagang-!

As the massive sphere of flame collided with the ground, it burst like a soap bubble.

Along with it, flames poured out like waves.

Seeing this, Lunia clenched her hand forward.

Goooooooh-!

The pouring flames soon soared into the sky like a waterspout, creating a whirlwind.

"My goodness… Lunia was that strong?"

Reina, watching the situation from afar, looked surprised.

She knew she was an excellent hero candidate.

But she never imagined that someone her age could use magic of such power.

'If Rune hadn't been here… the one called the reincarnation of the progenitor of the constellation might have been Lunia…'

As Reina had such thoughts.

Where Lunia's flames swept, not even a trace of the monsters remained.

"Kuk…"

Lunia staggered.

The physical pain was painful, but the mana depletion after exhausting all her magic was even more severe.

Lunia gritted her teeth and poured the mana potion Carl had given her into her mouth.

Along with it, vitality surged through her entire body.

'What? It's this effective?'

Lunia looked surprised.

"Lady Lunia!"

Eiran ran towards Lunia with a bright smile.

"Eiran…! The advance has been delayed with this, so we should retreat… Kuk?!"

"Yes!"

Eiran charged forward as if to attack and picked Lunia up by her shoulder.

Feeling a strong impact in her abdomen, Lunia trembled and then slumped.

"Lady Lunia! You were really cool this time… Lady Lunia?"

Eiran's eyes widened when she found Lunia slumped without a reply.

Then, with tears welling up in her moist eyes, she looked at Reina running beside her.

"Lady Reina! Carl's special potion seems to have been less effective than expected! She fainted from mana depletion shock!"

"Eiran, do you dislike Lunia?"

"Huh?"

"It seems like she fainted because of you."

"Because… of me?"

Seeing Eiran flustered, Reina let out a small sigh.

And then she looked towards the defense line being built far away.

"What? That's quite impressive?"

Reina exclaimed in admiration.

"It's thanks to Carl Thomas's alchemy tools. He had many useful items."

Reina let out a "Hoo?" of admiration at her subordinate's words.

Then, her eyes sparkled as she looked at Carl.

'He's a more outstanding talent than I imagined! This much should be a great help to the family!'

At that moment.

Grroooaaar-!

The roar of a monster was heard.

Seeing this, Reina clicked her tongue.

"Everyone, get ready."

Reina re-gripped her sword.

"Until reinforcements arrive… we'll hold on for as long as possible!"

As Reina shouted with determination, a flash-!

A pillar of light descended from the sky.

Kwagagagagag-!

The pillar of light began to sweep through the advancing monster horde.

A mage on one side smiled brightly.

"Dragon Speech Magic? Have the dragons come?!"

If dragons had come after realizing the abnormal situation, victory could be guaranteed.

At that moment…

Tatak-

Someone landed on the defense line.

"Huh? Rhea!"

Carl's eyes widened.

"Carl… it's been a while."

Rhea looked at Carl with a gentle smile.

"Oh my! Rhea!"

Reina also showed a pleased expression.

"Hello, Lady Reina. Could you explain the situation?"

As Rhea spoke with a calm face, Reina said.

"A fragment of Erebos is rampaging. This monster horde was created by that fragment."

Upon hearing this, Rhea's face stiffened.

'The power of creation.'

"Where is Rune?"

"He's stopping Erebos's fragment."

"Alone? That fool! Reckless…!"

"No, he's stopping it with his reliable boyfriend."

"What?"

Rhea momentarily looked blank.

"Boy… friend?"