Free Web NovelChapter 36: Chapter 36: The last stand
For a moment, Grace, Miyuki, Alice, and Aurelia headed toward the place where Ryutaro and Shohei were fighting due to the sound of the explosion. The figure that had been hiding revealed itself in front of Alice’s father. However, Alice’s father was no longer surprised by the appearance of the figure, as he had already sensed its presence earlier.
"You’re Erevos, aren’t you? So, you’re the one who gave Shohei that power," Alice’s father said.
Erevos, the figure, chuckled because Alice’s father had already realized his presence.
"Heh, as usual, your instincts are sharp, Gilbert. You’re right, I gave him that power," Erevos replied.
Alice’s father immediately asked why he had given Shohei the power of the god Xerathos.
"So, what’s your reason for giving him the power of Xerathos?" Alice’s father asked.
"Of course, it’s to prepare an army that will serve Xerathos-sama well," Erevos explained.
Alice’s father sighed because every time he encountered Erevos, his words were always the same.
"(Sighs) You’re always talking nonsense, Erevos," Alice’s father said.
"Of course, Xerathos-sama is the strongest god to ever exist, and as his servant, I want to awaken the noble one by any means necessary," Erevos stated.
After hearing Erevos’ words, Alice’s father asked why Erevos had come to meet him.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever you want to say. By the way, why did you come here?" Erevos asked.
Erevos explained the reason for his visit to Alice’s father.
"Of course, just like I offered to you before, Xerathos-sama wants you to follow him, and this is his final offer. If you refuse again, you’ll die," Erevos said.
Alice’s father, upon hearing Erevos’ words, spat as a form of rejection.
"Tch, you think that with your threats, I’ll join your group? Erevos, have you forgotten I almost died because I was poisoned by someone, and now you want me to join you? Don’t count on it," Alice’s father rejected firmly.
"Heh, of course, I haven’t forgotten, Gilbert. After all, I was the one who poisoned you, hoping your family would ask me for help to cure you. But what I didn’t expect was that someone told your child that there was another person who could cure your poison besides me," Erevos said.
"Tch, I figured it was you who poisoned me, because I know your treacherous ways," Alice’s father retorted.
After that conversation, Erevos offered his proposal once again, hoping Alice’s father would join his sect, but Alice’s father remained steadfast in his refusal.
"Once again, I offer you to join us, and you will gain power far greater than what you possess now," Erevos said.
"And I’ll say it again, Erevos, even if I die, I will refuse your offer no matter what threats you make," Alice’s father firmly replied.
After being rejected by Alice’s father, Erevos seemed enraged.
"Fine, if you refuse, be prepared to die, Gilbert," Erevos said.
"You think you can defeat me with your power? Come on, Erevos, bring it on," Alice’s father challenged.
In an instant, both of them unleashed their respective techniques, and when their powers clashed, one of Erevos’ sect members also intervened to help Erevos defeat Alice’s father. Alice’s father was overwhelmed by their combined attacks.
After Alice’s father fell due to the attacks, he collapsed, weak and dying. Not long after, before he breathed his last, he murmured something in his heart.
"Alice, I’m sorry, Father can’t be with you any longer, and I won’t be able to see your wedding with Ryutaro. But I hope you’ll be happy with him," Alice’s father murmured before his final breath.
Erevos, seeing Alice’s father lifeless on the ground, seemed dissatisfied with the interference of another sect member because it had interrupted his battle with Alice’s father.
"Tch, I told you, Sena, not to interfere with our fight. This was a battle between old friends who once fought together," Erevos said.
Sena, another member of Erevos’ sect, coldly replied.
"Don’t be so dramatic, Erevos. Even with your power, enhanced by Xerathos-sama, you would still lose to him," Sena said.
"But I’ve already told you, at least give us a more exciting fight, because with you around, our battle feels very dull," Erevos replied.
"I don’t care about your excitement for the fight, but one thing’s for sure, if you interfere with the plans to awaken Xerathos-sama, I won’t hesitate to kill you with my own hands," Sena threatened.
Erevos shivered at the threat, knowing that Sena was someone he could not afford to cross.
"So, shall we go back now?" Erevos asked.
"Yes, because the sect leader has called us back," Sena replied.
Erevos and Sena left Alice’s father’s body lying there.
Meanwhile, on Alice’s side:
She had a bad premonition in her mind.
"Why do I have such a bad feeling? Is it about Ryutaro or my father, who’s waiting alone by the carriage?" Alice wondered in her heart.
Aurelia, who was nearby, asked her why she looked so uneasy.
"Hey, why do you look so troubled?" Aurelia asked.
"It’s... nothing, I’m just thinking about something," Alice replied.
"Really? If you’re worried about your father, we can go back, we haven’t gone too far," Aurelia suggested.
"It’s fine. I’m also worried about Ryutaro," Alice said.
"Alright, if that’s what you want, I won’t force you," Aurelia replied.
After their conversation, they continued walking toward the battle site of Ryutaro and Shohei.
Some time later, they arrived at the location of the fight between Ryutaro and Shohei.
"We’ve arrived at the location, be careful with your steps, don’t become a burden to Ryutaro," Grace cautioned.
They proceeded cautiously, making sure they didn’t get caught up in the battle.
Soon after, they saw Ryutaro and Shohei, both covered in wounds.
Meanwhile, on Ryutaro’s side:
He was panting heavily, as his fight with Shohei seemed never-ending.
"(Heavy breathing) So, this is the power of Xerathos that you’re so proud of, Shohei," Ryutaro said.
Shohei, also breathing heavily, answered Ryutaro’s question.
"(Heavy breathing) Of course, this is the power that should have been mine all along, and now it’s time for the final strike," Shohei said.
Shohei prepared to unleash his magic.
Abyssal Vein
Instantly, Shohei’s body was covered in black veins that spread all over him.
"So, you intend to die, Shohei?" Ryutaro asked.
"Of course, I’m willing to die to defeat you, Ryutaro," Shohei declared.
After those words, Ryutaro asked his father, who was in his mind, how to defeat the technique without killing Shohei.
"How can I defeat his technique without killing him?" Ryutaro asked.
Ryutaro’s father immediately provided the answer to his son’s question.
"It’s too late, son, he’s already fully controlled by Xerathos’ power. The only way to defeat him is with the Luminas Sanctus technique," Ryutaro’s father advised.
"Oh, so there’s no other way but to defeat him. Alright, Father, I’ll use that technique," Ryutaro said. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Ryutaro immediately unleashed the technique his father had told him about.
Luminas Sanctus
At that moment, Ryutaro’s hands were filled with holy light.
When the two techniques clashed, time itself seemed to freeze due to the immense power they both released.
Not long after, Shohei lost his power, causing the Abyssal Vein to stop. As a result, Ryutaro’s technique hit him, and he vanished without a trace.
"Finally, it’s over," Ryutaro said.
"Good job, son. Now, rest," Ryutaro’s father said.
Ryutaro sat down on the ground, staring at the aftermath of the battle with Shohei. Shortly after, Grace and the others quickly approached Ryutaro to check on his condition.
What happened to Ryutaro? How could his father be in his mind? And how will Alice react when she finds out that her father has been killed by the members of Xerathos’ sect? Find out in Chapter 37.
*If I made any minor mistakes that might be distracting, I sincerely apologize. I have done my best for this novel, and if you enjoy it, please consider giving it a like and sharing your feedback, suggestions, or criticism so I can learn and improve. Thank you for reading, and see you in the next Chapter!*
