Chapter 158 : Chapter 158

Chapter 158

The Commander of the Knights and the Annihilation Squad Leader were two of the only four Superhumans in Eurasia.

For them to leave their posts at the same time, some simple measures were necessary.

Killian summoned Serena through Raven, and Escardo gave instructions to Fred Perry.

After that, it was a series of travels, just like the trip to Elvenheim.

From the capital, Brussels, to the Pantera Temple, and from the Pantera Temple to the Silvana Temple.

As a result of shortening the time as much as possible using the Warp Gates, half a day was enough to reach the entrance of the Oran Mountain Range.

“This is incredible.”

Escardo said in a pleasant voice.

He seemed satisfied with having moved from the east to the south in such a short time.

“To think you've formed a connection with the Chief Priest of the Silvana Temple, following the Pantera Temple. Thanks to you, the travel time to the Oran Mountain Range was greatly reduced.”

“It’s nothing incredible.”

“No, it’s something even His Majesty in his youth could not have done.”

A small Warp Gate, followed by a medium Warp Gate.

And he had even secured a secret promise from the Pope to install a large Warp Gate.

‘Well, that still seems to need some time.’

In any case, if Killian hadn't had a personal acquaintance with the Chief Priest, not only would there have been restrictions on using the gate so suddenly, but he also wouldn't have been able to make such a long-distance trip with this ease.

It was only natural for Escardo, who had always felt frustrated by Eurasia's geographical limitations, to react this way.

‘In a way, the current Eurasia has more interaction with high-ranking priests than during Edan’s time.’

Although they couldn't receive direct help in the war against the Empire, even indirect help like this greatly lessened the burden.

‘By the way, Sir Escardo seems like a person who can’t help but praise me whenever we are together.’

It was a starkly different attitude from when he dealt with the other princes.

Listening to continuous praise was becoming embarrassing, and he needed to change the subject.

“When will the guide arrive?”

“It seems he has just arrived.”

A cold wind blew from beyond the restricted entrance.

Soon after, a middle-aged man appeared, his black robe fluttering.

‘Warp magic?’

He was a man with calm, gray-blue hair and sharp eyes.

He looked to be in his mid-50s.

“Sir Benzen.”

“We meet again, Sir Escardo.”

It seemed the two were acquainted.

“Killian, greet him. This is Sir Benzen, the Chief Mage of Fiorellan.”

“I am Killian Eurasia, in charge of the Annihilation Squad.”

“It is an honor to meet the much-rumored Fourth Prince. I am Benzen Fiorellan.”

The current king's younger brother and, at present, Fiorellan's only remaining Superhuman.

‘He’s worthy enough to be called an Arch Mage who has mastered the 7-star.’

“I did not expect you to come in person, Sir Benzen.”

“Did you not suspect an Arch Lich as the ruler of the mountain range? If it is indeed an 8-star, I thought it only right to make suitable preparations.”

Three Superhumans who had mastered the 7-star.

It was a party confident enough to face even an 8-star monster.

With a firm gaze, he started walking toward the entrance of the mountain range.

“I will explain as we go.”

Killian sensed fatigue and tension in Benzen's tone.

As they walked, he spoke about the Knight Slayer's appearance and the losses Fiorellan had suffered in knights and mages, and also brought up various domestic and foreign affairs.

Among them, what piqued Killian's interest was the matter of the Empire's Superhumans.

“I remember vividly when the Kimbel brothers visited in the past.”

Mainz Kimbel and Voltz Kimbel.

Those two, who had been monitoring the eastern and western frontiers, seemed to have exerted their influence on Fiorellan during their lifetime.

“They demanded Fiorellan’s submission, but we, of course, refused. They likely intended to use it as a forward base to pressure Elvenheim.”

At Benzen's words, Killian's eyebrows twitched slightly.

‘That makes sense. No, it might have actually succeeded.’

Although there was a time lag, Yggdrasil in Elvenheim had been contaminated by a piece of Grotesquery, and a Knight Slayer had appeared in the mountain range adjacent to Fiorellan.

There were too many suspicious points to dismiss it as a coincidence.

“After that, the monster waves became more intense. It felt almost like retaliation for refusing their offer.”

“……”

The thought that the piece of Grotesquery that contaminated Yggdrasil and the monsters in Fiorellan might be related was hardening into certainty.

‘Did the energy of Grotesquery affect this place as well?’

“The Knight Slayer appeared about half a year ago.”

That was quite a while ago.

Benzen continued.

“We did everything we could… but in the end, we lost a pillar of our family.”

The one killed by the Knight Slayer was a Sword Master who had stabilized at the 7-star.

In a situation where the true ruler of the mountain range might be lurking in the background, they couldn't recklessly continue the subjugation.

“That is why we reluctantly asked for Eurasia’s help.”

Benzen, letting out a heavy sigh, continued.

“We commissioned the Walker Guild to create a map based on the traces of those who died before. That map should shorten the time it takes to reach the ruler of the mountain range.”

“Since our ally has made a difficult decision, Eurasia will bear the burden together.”

“Thank you.”

Benzen and Escardo exchanged a peculiar glance.

The three Superhumans ascended the mountain range quickly.

***

The air in the mountain range grew colder the higher they climbed.

On the second day, when they had reached about a third of the way up the mountain range.

The party encountered a creature presumed to be the Knight Slayer.

[ςςςςςς.]

An unknown language echoed through the mountain range.

It looked like the bodies of monsters inhabiting the Oran Mountain Range had been stitched together, but it was now so mangled that it was impossible to even guess which creatures had been fused.

Its massive body, reaching 3 meters, and its abnormally long, muscular arms and legs were conspicuous.

The killing intent it emanated was menacing enough to cut down even a 7-star Superhuman.

Although it was different from the one he had encountered in the Kurt Mountain Range, its essence was clearly that of a Chimera.

“It really is a Chimera…”

Escardo muttered under his breath as he drew his sword.

“There isn’t just one.”

Killian added.

And sure enough.

[μόμόμόμό.]

[ςςςςςς.]

[μόόόόόό.]

Three more emerged from the darkness.

Escardo turned his head towards Killian.

“I will take two.”

“Understood.”

Escardo lunged forward, and his sword energy latched onto two of the Slayers.

“Sir Benzen, be careful.”

“You mean this.”

Benzen, having finished his incantation, aimed his staff at a Slayer.

Kwarreung!

Lightning struck from the sky, piercing the Slayer as if it were a spear.

Crackle.

The two electrocuted Slayers showed slowed movements.

The moment one of them, which was in relatively better shape, tried to target Benzen.

Kwajik.

Killian's Aether was one step ahead, severing the creature's neck.

Before the creature even showed signs of regeneration.

Kwarreureung! Kwarreung!

Benzen poured out additional magic.

Consecutive lightning strikes seared the severed surface, preventing regeneration.

In that gap, Killian cut down another Slayer.

Before they could do anything, the limbs of two Slayers were severed and burned.

In less than five minutes, they had hunted two Slayers.

Meanwhile, Escardo was swiftly dealing with the two he had taken on.

“There's someone behind this.”

Sheathing his sword, he said quietly.

“To create a Chimera of this level, they must be at least 8-star.”

“If it's an Arch Lich, it would have made a lair nearby and be living there. There will be a barrier.”

Without a moment to celebrate their victory, the three Superhumans searched the area.

Three hours after they started running through the mountain range.

They discovered a faintly spread barrier, so subtle that one wouldn't notice it even upon direct contact.

Upon passing through the barrier, the inside of a cave immediately unfolded.

And at that moment.

“It's a trap.”

“It’s a trap.”

“It’s a trap.”

The three reacted without anyone being first.

Fwoooosh.

The magic engraved in the space activated.

“……”

Killian scanned the area that the magic had swept through.

“Teleportation magic.”

It was a flawless formula, activated before three Superhumans could even react.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

Soon, footsteps presumed to be the Slayer's were heard.

The creature's grotesque cry grew louder and louder.

“This could be called a dungeon.”

To get out of here, the only way was to disable the formula that comprised it.

Thwack!!

Killian stabbed Aether into the floor.

Tzzzzzzzz.

The blue mana quickly spread across the ground.

But this was a dungeon presumably created by an Arch Lich.

This level of effort wouldn't be enough to grasp it completely.

Srrrrr.

He released the violet mana from the pendant and spread it across the ground once more.

The two types of mana mixed, scanning the approaching Knight Slayers, passing over the barriers installed throughout the dungeon.

‘Found it.’

He detected a massive presence.

Now that he had found the target, there was no need to delay his actions.

Killian unleashed Ke and Shik as he ran through the dungeon.

His sword cut through the cold air.

He cut down several Chimeras presumed to be Knight Slayers and a number of barriers.

Reaching the barrier where the blue and violet mana had been cut off.

Slice.

He cut it down without hesitation.

The barrier was instantly sliced away, revealing the space hidden behind it.

The Arch Lich stared at Killian with a look of bewilderment.

[You… how did you get here….]

“Carpe.”

Instead of answering, he deployed his mana.

“Carpe Illusion.”

He manifested his domain before the creature could react.

Four spheres restricted the Arch Lich's movements.

Killian’s sword, now in front of the creature, was swung.

Swoosh.

Aether severed the Arch Lich's head.

The unique evil energy of a monster scattered, and a liquid, impossible to tell if it was blood or some chemical, flowed at Killian's feet.

Before Killian could deliver a second strike, the Arch Lich reacted.

[Did you think you could kill me with that?]

The mouth on the severed head mocked Killian.

“No.”

Arch Liches possess a Life Vessel where they can store their lives in another object.

No matter how many times you inflict near-fatal physical shocks, as long as the Life Vessel is not broken, they will revive.

‘I have to find the Life Vessel.’

Using Total Solar Eclipse was merely to delay the creature's attack, even for a moment.

Killian manifested a second Carpe Illusion.

“Violet Magic Tower.”

Rumble.

Infinite mana pushed back the evil energy in the area and searched for the Life Vessel.

The Arch Lich seemed flustered, not having expected such a quick response.

10 seconds.

That much time would have been enough to find it.

But suddenly, a pain shot through Killian's Mana Heart.

‘This is… why…’

His Mana Heart throbbed, and the pain spread to his heart.

“For Aether to be damaged to this extent, you must have tried to cut something that would have strained your Mana Heart.”

Suddenly, Pyrope's warning flashed through his mind.

“Kuh…”

Killian fell to his knees from the pain that constricted his heart.

The Arch Lich, which had already reattached its severed head to its body, approached.

[You too have been contaminated by that power.]

Not mockery, but curiosity.

It cackled as it looked down at Killian, who couldn't control his mana.

[For such useful material to walk in on its own feet. What a blessed research this is!]

Rumble.

The two Carpe Illusions began to be dispelled by the evil energy the Arch Lich stirred up.

[You cannot kill me.]

The space distorted.

Killian realized he was being trapped within an isolated domain.

[A being who has touched the power of Grotesquery cannot punish me.]

The Arch Lich's laughter echoed.