Chapter 705

A deep hum resonated.

Colorful magic flared up on the magic circle Merlin had drawn. It was multi-casting, handling hundreds of spells with a single incantation. It was her specialty—a magical bombardment.

Not only the four basic elements of fire, water, wind, and earth, but also hundreds of spells containing light and darkness poured down on the undead legion of the Specter.

A deep rumble shook the air.

Despite being severely injured, Merlin did not lose focus. She detonated all the spells in their intended locations without the slightest error.

Explosions erupted one after another!

The sky and river burst in sequence, creating cracks in the air as if slashed by a blade. Vaporized river water surged upward like a colossal wall.

“Haaaa….”

Merlin bit her lip as she watched the wall of steam soar into the sky.

I hit them, but the power is weak.

Because the magic circle fixed to her heart was severely damaged, the power of her magic had diminished to a pitiful extent. It seemed to be less than half her usual strength.

“Damn it!”

A burning pain surged through her body, but that wasn't the biggest issue. She could endure any physical pain.

The real problem is…

The mental anguish. The despair of whether Raon could escape safely gnawed at her.

I was foolish.

The Fallen had said he would not interfere with the duel to the death between Raon and the Axe King. Even on the day of the duel, he remained inactive, so she had let her guard down while continuing her surveillance—only to be ambushed.

The blow was so devastating she nearly lost her mind with a single strike, but thanks to the doppelganger she had prepared in advance, she barely managed to escape.

If not for Raon constantly urging her to prepare an escape route, she would have died or been captured on the spot.

Even though I escaped, it still ended like this…

The Specter knew better than anyone that she wouldn't let Raon die. Even knowing it was a trap, she had no choice but to show up.

A gust howled down from above.

The strong river wind cleared the dust and steam, revealing the Specter.

“Even a mosquito bite would hurt more than this.”

The Specter brushed off his unblemished robe and curled his lips. It seemed he had blocked the magical bombardment with the black magic Bone Wall, summoning a wall of solid bones.

Still, about half of the undead army he was controlling had melted away in the attack.

If she could just eliminate those, it would make Raon’s escape easier.

“No need to worry.”

The Specter laughed as he saw Merlin’s trembling eyes.

“I’m not going to chase after Raon Zieghart and leave you behind. Right now, I only want you.”

His eyes burned with madness and hatred as he waved his hand.

“I won’t kill you right away. I’ll make you feel the same pain as me. No—far worse!”

“What a shame. I can't feel pain like... cough.”

Merlin bent over and vomited dark blood.

I can't last long in this state…

A crushing sensation, like her ribs tightening inward, swept through her. Her body and mind had reached their limits. Death was near.

She could withstand pain, but she would lose consciousness soon—whether she wanted to or not.

But I can’t die like this.

Not because she feared death.

She couldn’t die like this because if she did, the Specter’s malice would be redirected at Raon. She had to kill the Specter with her last resort—no matter what.

“You can’t feel pain? Then I’ll capture and torture Raon Zieghart.”

The Specter twisted his lips and glanced toward where Raon had disappeared.

“If he suffers, you’ll feel it too.”

“Shut up!”

Merlin raised her hand despite her pale complexion. The magic circles blooming behind her shone brilliantly once more.

“You’re going to throw a fireball in that state?”

As the Specter sneered, the undead army began to move. Monsters swarmed from all directions, filling her vision.

The air shook with a deafening roar.

Bone gargoyles and wraiths poured down from the sky. Bone manta rays and sharks surged up from the river. Even a breath attack from a bone dragon forged of dark mana swept toward her. There was nowhere to escape.

But this perilous situation was exactly what she had planned for.

A divine vibration surged through the air.

Merlin, watching the approaching undead, folded the wings of the magic circle she had spread wide. Hundreds of magic circles layered into a complex geometric formation in her grasp.

From that intricate design bloomed a radiant white light—the divine spear capable of obliterating all darkness.

The great annihilation magic: Gungnir.

An absolute spell designed purely for destruction through the clash of yin and yang, it pierced through the undead horde and flew toward the Specter.

A massive explosion tore the sky apart!

As Gungnir detonated in front of the Specter, the darkness dissolved. The world brightened, as if daylight had returned. All the undead near the river were incinerated.

A surge of white-hot air swept outward.

The Specter wasn’t unscathed. The left half of his upper body had been sliced cleanly away—as if snipped with a giant pair of scissors.

“Gah…”

But, as a ghost with undead properties, he regenerated even while spitting blood.

“Huff…”

Merlin bit her lip and raised her hand again.

This has to end here.

It was already miraculous that her incomplete Gungnir had caused so much damage.

She had to finish him while he was gravely wounded.

“Die… Kuh!”

As she tried to summon more mana, she vomited pitch-black blood. It streamed from her mouth, nose, and eyes, her entire body trembling violently.

“You stupid bitch.”

The Specter curled his blood-smeared lips into a grin.

“You really think you’re still sane?”

He screamed and extended his right hand.

Thwack!

Merlin’s body reeled as the old woman’s mask she wore cracked and split apart.

Beneath the shattered mask was the face of a young woman—so pale her veins were visible. Her beauty was extraordinary, enough to be called divine. Most striking of all was the red cross gleaming in her half-lidded eyes.

“Sorry… Raon…”

She muttered his name as she collapsed into the river.

“You can’t escape—even in death! Cough!”

The Specter tried to lift her with telekinesis but furrowed his brow. He had no strength left.

“Bring her out right now!”

As he gestured instead of using his own power, a gargoyle swooped down, its claws aimed at Merlin.

A sharp gust split the air!

Just before the gargoyle’s claws struck, the river surged as if it were alive. A thick fog and a spray of translucent droplets erupted, blinding the area.

“What, what is this?!”

The Specter bit his lip and tried to summon wind, but the fog didn’t budge—as if anchored in place.

“Damn it!”

He descended the river himself, riding the bone dragon.

But all he saw was the gargoyle floating alone. Merlin was gone.

Did she escape?

No. She had clearly fainted.

Merlin loved Raon more than her own life. That crazy woman wouldn’t abandon him.

And this… this isn’t magic.

The fog and water droplets had the natural flow of water. It wasn’t Merlin’s doing. It was something else.

“Search!”

The Specter summoned the rest of his undead, grinding his teeth.

“Turn this entire river upside down and find her!”

His golden eyes burned with obsession.

“I will never! Never let her escape!”

* * *

Fwaaaaaang!

The speed of Dorian's boat, carried by Merlin's wind, drastically decreased as it hit the river.

However, there was no sign of the pursuing enemies. It seemed they had all gathered around Merlin.

“T-There seemed to be more than a thousand undead. Can she hold out?”

Krein trembled as he looked back.

“Ah! It’s not that I’m worried about Merlin…”

He hunched his shoulders, as if realizing he'd said something wrong.

“It’s a fact that Merlin saved us. There’s nothing wrong with worrying about her.”

Rimmer sighed and shook his head.

“I-I’m even more worried because she didn’t look well.”

Dorian swallowed dryly, anxiety clear on his face.

“She’s a mage. She can fight moderately and then escape.”

Burren ruffled his hair and bit his lip, but despite his words, unease clouded his expression.

“No.”

Martha clenched her fist tightly as she looked back.

“What?”

“Merlin won’t run away.”

“Yes…”

Runaan nodded in agreement with Martha's words.

“That masked woman will fight to the death.”

“……”

The two bit their lips, surprisingly in agreement for once.

“Sigh…”

Rimmer sighed again and massaged the back of his neck.

“Right now, all we can do is believe. Raon also said something.”

“Th-The division leader?”

“What did he say?”

Dorian and Krein opened their eyes wide and leaned in.

Other Light Wind swordsmen also leaned forward, curious.

“He said as long as we stay by the river, we won’t die easily. He mentioned there’s help from somewhere unseen.”

Rimmer pointed to the Rable River and narrowed his eyes.

“Help from somewhere unseen?”

“Yes.”

He shook his head, clearly uncertain himself.

“Let’s keep going. We’re almost at the rendezvous point.”

“Yes. But…”

Dorian sighed while stroking the control stick.

“The boat is a bit damaged, so we’ve slowed down. We’ve got the materials to repair it, but…”

“Just keep going.”

Rimmer shook his head, surveying the surroundings.

“Once we get past this canyon, the river widens again. We’re almost there.”

“Yes!”

Dorian nodded firmly and gripped the control stick.

The team captains and the Light Wind swordsmen remained on high alert around Raon, not letting their guard down for a second.

After about ten minutes, the canyon ended, and the Rable River spread open once more, wide as the sea.

“We’re close. Just a little more…”

Rimmer encouraged the exhausted Light Wind swordsmen.

Boom!

A massive warship burst from the river with a colossal splash that soared into the sky. It was the Azure Wolf—the first warship of the South-North Union, equipped with submersible capabilities.

Paaang!

Dorian’s boat collided with the Azure Wolf, shaking violently as if it would be torn apart.

“Ugh…”

Rimmer bit his lip as he used his aura to push Dorian’s boat back.

The Azure Wolf is here…

The impact sent ominous creaks through the boat. If not for Rimmer’s quick action, the vessel would’ve shattered and sent them all plunging into the river.

“Finally caught you!”

Helgurum, the vice union leader of the South-North Union, stood on the bow of the Azure Wolf, smiling broadly as if his lips would tear.

“H-How…?”

Dorian trembled as he gripped the control stick, disbelief in his eyes.

“We took a different route to avoid your monster.”

Helgurum lifted his chin arrogantly, implying they had gone around to avoid Glenn.

“Your destination was obvious.”

His thick killing intent poured out. He had no intention of letting them escape down the river.

“The fighting over there must be intense. Why chase us all the way here?”

Rimmer forced a smirk.

“That one is the priority.”

Helgurum pointed to Raon, who was being carried by Federick, and scowled.

“Raon Zieghart is the most dangerous one on this battlefield.”

He bit his lip, clearly intending to kill Raon at all costs.

“Wow. You’re popular with both women and men. You must be thrilled.”

Rimmer scowled as he grabbed Raon’s shoulder.

Damn it!

They were so close. Just past this waterway, reinforcements with fast ships were waiting. Being caught now was a critical setback.

We have no choice but to fight.

There was no other option. Their best hope was to hold out until backup arrived.

“Prepare for battle!”

At Rimmer’s command, the Light Wind swordsmen drew their swords. A cold, razor-sharp aura filled the air like a river wind frozen solid.

“Ram them straight on!”

Helgurum ordered a full-on collision, trying to maximize their advantage on the water.

Kugugugugu!

As the Azure Wolf charged like a leviathan toward Dorian’s boat, a shadow fell across the water.

Everyone’s eyes widened as they looked to the sky.

“Huh…?”

“W-What is that?!”

“A ship! It’s a ship!”

Mocking the Azure Wolf that had emerged from the river, a black flying warship plummeted from the sky.

The black vessel descended in front of Dorian’s boat, blocking the Azure Wolf’s path.

Kuuuuuuuuu!

As the Azure Wolf and the airborne warship collided, the bows of both ships splintered like dry wood.

“That ship is…”

Rimmer trembled when he saw the emblem of a starry sword engraved on the center of the black warship.

“Holy Sword Alliance!”

Helgurum’s eyes also widened at the familiar emblem.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing! You said you wouldn’t get involved!”

He waved his arm furiously, motioning for them to back off.

“Do you know what the name ‘Holy Sword Alliance’ means?”

A young man with a commanding presence stepped forward on the bow. It was Mustan, the new master of sword of the Holy Sword Alliance and disciple of the Sword Demon.

“What?”

“The holy sword we praise is neither a sharp blade nor an absolute technique.”

Mustan met Helgurum’s eyes and shook his head.

“The Holy Sword is a tribute—admiration for the true swordsman. If filthy pirates try to lay their dirty hands on the one who will become the Holy Sword, I’d rather pluck out my own eyes.”

His eyes no longer held arrogance or envy. Instead, they shimmered with a calm clarity, just like Raon’s.

“Ha…”

Helgurum gritted his teeth.

“So many annoying things today!”

He roared and hurled the spear in his hand like a harpoon. A storm-like astral sphere flared from its tip, tearing through the air toward Mustan.

Paaaang!

But the spear shattered against a single white blade and plunged harmlessly into the river.

Fwoooosh!

As water surged and fell, the figure of an old white-haired swordsman was revealed. It was Rector—the master of the bloody sword of the Holy Sword Alliance.

“Rector…”

Helgurum’s chin trembled.

“You too…?”

“You’re the one who touched my disciple first.”

A shimmering haze of killing intent ignited beneath Rector’s feet. It was so intense that even the title “Sword Demon” felt lacking.

“This is self-defense, you South-North Union scum.”

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – Irving]

[Proofreader – Mayank]