"Hah..."
Chamber bit her trembling lips as she gazed at Raon, whose hair and eyes had turned black.
'Is Raon really obtaining the demon of the Birth Stone?'
The beings residing in the Birth Stones of origin are like baby birds hatching from their eggs.
They follow the person who broke their stone until death, but Zircon, the demon of December, chose Raon instead of its original master, the Black Tower Master, and transferred its power to him.
'And such terrifying power at that.'
The aura Raon currently possessed was only slightly inferior to that of the Black Tower Master, who had absorbed Peridot, the angel of July.
It meant he had perfectly absorbed Zircon's demonic energy. Even if it was temporary, it was astonishing.
'The king of variables...'
It's a nickname she came up with, but there's no better way to describe Raon. She called him the king of variables because he always had the ability to turn crisis into opportunity. Seeing how he once again lit a beacon of hope in the darkness today, it seems she came up with quite a fitting nickname.
'At this rate...'
Chamber nodded as she watched Raon gathering the surging energy.
'It's worth fighting.'
If the Black Tower Master were a martial artist, Raon would never be able to win even if he had twice as much energy as he does now. But since he's a magician who uses magic and sorcery, if I assist, we should at least be able to avoid losing.
'Of course...'
Chamber bit her lip as she clutched her increasingly dizzy head.
'I'll have to endure, but...'
'The continuous use of decisive techniques has caused severe cracks in my upper dantian. Even though my mana has recovered a bit, the physical and mental pain is too severe to endure for long.'
'No, let's not show weakness.'
Chamber shook her head as she clenched her fist with trembling hands.
'I must fight, even if I die here.'
'Those who walk ahead must pave the way for those who follow. Just as I've reached my current position by treading the path stained with the blood of my seniors, I must fight even in death for Raon and the children.'
"Alright."
Chamber nodded to Raon, curling up her trembling lips.
"Let's fight together. I'll help you catch that demon."
She put on a bright smile, accepting the pain that crushed her bones and flesh.
* * *
"Lady Chamber..."
Raon swallowed hard as he looked at the smiling Chamber.
'Her condition is critical.'
After accepting Zircon's power, Chamber's condition became immediately apparent. Her upper dantian was so severely damaged that it wouldn't be surprising if it shattered at any moment. It was miraculous she had endured this long.
'To think she'd still fight in such a condition...'
Having experienced battles that damaged his own upper dantian, he understood. Chamber was now enduring pain so severe she might prefer death. His heart ached with gratitude and sympathy for her willingness to fight while bearing such agony.
-This king has underestimated that old woman.
Wrath furrowed his brow as he looked at Chamber.
-She is a formidable warrior.
He nodded solemnly, acknowledging Chamber's spirit.
-I understand your feelings, but do not disregard her spirit.
'I know.'
Raon bit his lip and nodded.
"...Let's do it."
Understanding Chamber's feelings, he couldn't bring himself to tell her to rest. Of course, he couldn't afford to let her rest either, as they couldn't defeat the Black Tower Master without her.
"Please recover, even if just a little."
Raon used the divinity born from darkness to heal Chamber's physical wounds. Although he had used most of it on Rensia and little remained, it seemed better than doing nothing.
'It's unfortunate that I can't erase her mental wounds and fatigue.'
[...I can do that with my energy.]
Zircon spoke in a deflated voice.
'What?'
[The power of Zircon's mineral is stability. I can't heal all of that human's wounds, but I can reduce her mental pain and injuries a bit.]
He nodded, indicating that he could ease Chamber's burden.
'Ah, so that's why.'
He too had suffered more mental than physical pain after using Sword Domain repeatedly and unleashing his wrath, but now he felt a refreshing coolness as if cold water had been poured over his mind. It seemed Zircon's ability of stability had reduced his mental fatigue and pain.
-Then you bastard! You should have said so sooner!
Wrath struck Zircon's head.
[You, you told me to keep my mouth shut...]
Zircon held the back of his head where Wrath had hit him and rolled his eyes slightly.
-Are you talking back to me now? Oh my! The world has changed a lot. There's even a demon daring to talk back to this king?
[That's, that's not what I...]
-Shall we have a gathering, with this king below and you above? Huh?
Wrath glared with his blue eyes and gritted his teeth.
[I'm sorry...]
Zircon sniffled and lowered his head. It was surprising to see him become so submissive, even though he possessed the power of a high-level Transcendent.
'Never mind that. Restore Lady Chamber's mental fatigue.'
[I just need to transfer my energy. Adjusting the amount.]
He shook his head, warning that giving too much might make it unbearable for her.
"Lady Chamber. Your hand, please."
"A confession at a time like this would be troublesome, you know?"
Chamber extended her hand with a weary smile.
"I see you still have the energy to joke around."
Raon took Chamber's hand and infused it with the energy he received from Zircon.
"Trust me and accept it."
"Hmm..."
Chamber was startled by the energy tinged with demonic power, but trusting Raon, she opened her mana circuit. As soon as she accepted Zircon's power, her eyes widened, as if her mental pain and fatigue had diminished.
"How did this..."
"I haven't erased the wound in your upper dantian itself. I've only reduced the pain and fatigue, so please don't overexert yourself."
Raon nodded after explaining the current situation to Chamber.
"...Thank you."
Chamber looked at Raon with a gentle smile. Her eyes held a look of pride, as if gazing at a well-grown grandchild.
"Then let's begin."
Raon stood in front of Chamber, raising the Heavenly Drive and Wooden Ring.
"I'll fight in the front, so please support me."
"Who are you asking to be support!"
Chamber shouted sharply, shaking her head.
"But today, we have no choice. Go forward. I'll support you from behind."
She told him to focus only on attacking as she raised her fingers to form a magical incantation.
"...I still can't believe it."
The Black Tower Master stared blankly at them before grinding his teeth audibly.
"To think that my greatest preparation would be ruined like this..."
He revealed anger, despair, envy, and greed in his black eyes.
"I'll kill you, chew your corpse down to the bones, and make Zircon mine again."
The Black Tower Master clasped his hands together, glaring only at Raon without even sparing a glance at Chamber.
"Try it."
Raon ignited golden flames on the Heavenly Drive and conjured silver frost on the Wooden Ring. He raised his chin, maximizing the aura he gained thanks to Zircon.
"Your head will fall before that happens."
"You insolent pup!"
As the Black Tower Master released the demonic energy he gained from killing Peridot, a massive wave surged across the dark sky, and the frozen Devildom Pathway began to open once again.
"I'll crush all the hope you've built up!"
He continually spread intense energy, as if trying not only to kill them but also to revive the Devildom Pathway.
"You talk too much. And it's all useless chatter."
Raon exploded his aura from his toes and dove towards the Black Tower Master's left side. Before his afterimage could catch up, he swung down the Heavenly Drive, blazing with flames.
"Demonic Spirit Barrier!"
Despite being a magician, the Black Tower Master matched Raon's speed with his eyes and deployed a Black Curtain. The sharp blade of the Heavenly Drive tore through the Black Curtain, but there was no sensation of cutting anything. It felt like stabbing water.
Not content with just blocking the Heavenly Drive, the Black Curtain transformed into rope-like forms, aiming for Raon's wrists and legs as if trying to capture him.
Raon sliced through the black ropes with the frost of his Wooden Ring and stepped back. However, as if the black ropes were merely bait, iron chains sprang from the cut sections and began to envelop his entire body.
As Raon tried to ignite the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation to burn the black chains, the space was cut away, erasing the chains. It was Chamber's support.
"It's an artifact called the Demonic Spirit Barrier! It's the original of the robe worn by the Black King Sigel, whom you killed!"
Chamber explained about the Demonic Spirit Barrier artifact while melting the black chains.
"It can't be pierced by ordinary attacks, and it becomes sharper than any sword when attacking, so be careful!"
She frowned, explaining that the Demonic Spirit Barrier was an artifact capable of both offense and defense.
"How do we break through it?"
Raon asked about ways to penetrate the Demonic Spirit Barrier while circling around the Black Tower Master.
"Either cut through the space the Demonic Spirit Barrier is defending, use magic or martial arts of a higher level than it, or simply overpower it with brute force."
Chamber raised her fingers, indicating these were the only three methods.
"All of which you are incapable of doing!"
The Black Tower Master sneered as he extended his pale hand. His grasp expanded enormously, growing large enough to cover the sky as it enveloped Raon.
'An illusion?'
No, this was real. The Black Tower Master's movements were magic and sorcery in themselves. That gigantic hand was not an illusion, but reality.
"I'll cut it! Go inside!"
"Yes!"
Without hesitation, Raon plunged into the Black Tower Master's grasp upon hearing Chamber's voice. As the giant hand was about to crush his head, the space split, revealing the Black Tower Master's face. Chamber had erased his magic, creating an opening to attack him.
Using the Supreme Harmony Step, Raon pierced through the pitch-black darkness. Frost Snap and Crimson Slash. He aimed for the Black Tower Master's neck and heart with these two sword techniques, the fastest in his arsenal. Just before the red and blue flashes could touch the Black Tower Master's neck and chest, a Black Curtain rose to block them. It was the Demonic Spirit Barrier.
'I'll cut through it.'
Anticipating this, Raon imbued Frost Snap and Crimson Slash with the principles of the Spatial Sword he learned from Alice. The two sword strikes pierced not the surface of the Demonic Spirit Barrier, but the space within, causing intense shockwaves.
'Hmm...'
Raon frowned, his hands trembling as they gripped the Heavenly Drive and Wooden Ring.
'There's no feeling of impact this time either.'
Though not like cutting through plain water as before, the sensation in his hands was faint, as if slicing through mud. He had torn through the inside of the Demonic Spirit Barrier, but it seemed he hadn't managed to harm the Black Tower Master.
"Your swordsmanship cannot penetrate the Demonic Spirit Barrier."
The Black Tower Master shouted that it was impossible as he generated a radiance made of black demonic energy. The demonic energy spread like sunlight, enveloping his entire body.
'I can't block it.'
Raon unleashed a wave of flames from the blade of the Heavenly Drive towards the oncoming light of demonic energy. As the Black Tower Master's demonic energy collided with the Flame and Ice Unification, dark red sparks filled the sky.
"Phew."
Raon exhaled briefly as he watched the sparks slowly settle.
'The raw power isn't that far behind. But...'
He couldn't penetrate the Demonic Spirit Barrier. If Chamber used her ultimate technique, she could erase that Demonic Spirit Barrier, but the Black Tower Master wouldn't face it head-on. Somehow, he had to tear through that barrier himself.
'Keep attacking...'
As Raon was about to launch another attack, black spikes emerged from the Demonic Spirit Barrier floating before his eyes, aiming for his eyes and throat. He swung the Wooden Ring to deflect the Demonic Spirit Barrier's offensive. Though it had a cloth-like texture, blocking it felt like striking a piece of metal surrounded by aura.
As soon as he blocked the Demonic Spirit Barrier's attack, a black downpour, like ink splattered from above, began to fall.
"Don't let it touch you! It'll melt your flesh and bones!"
Chamber warned that even a single drop could be life-threatening as she opened a dimension above her head to block the rain.
"Thank you."
Raon nodded to Chamber in gratitude before circling behind the Black Tower Master and thrusting both the Heavenly Drive and Wooden Ring simultaneously. Raon Zieghart Style Swordsmanship.
Seventh Form: Twin Void Slash.
With the Heavenly Drive and Wooden Ring generating white airflows, he shattered the wall of demonic energy erected by the Black Tower Master and split the core of the Demonic Spirit Barrier. While Gentle Breeze was currently his most unpredictable sword technique, Void Slash was the one that could definitely pierce through space. The twin Void Slashes penetrated the Demonic Spirit Barrier and bored into its depths.
"Hmm..."
Raon frowned as he observed the Demonic Spirit Barrier, now split in half and rippling.
'It feels like I've cut through something, but...'
Unlike before, when it felt like cutting through water or mud, this time it felt like slicing through a solid. However, it didn't feel like cutting human flesh. It seemed that even the Void Slash couldn't fully penetrate the Demonic Spirit Barrier.
'Let's keep trying.'
He imbued the Heavenly Drive with Void Slash and stirred up Gentle Breeze with the Wooden Ring, striking the Demonic Spirit Barrier repeatedly. With Chamber handling the defense, he focused solely on attacking, tearing the surface of the Demonic Spirit Barrier to shreds, but he couldn't touch the Black Tower Master inside at all.
"You inferior being!"
As the Black Tower Master snapped his fingers, black flames surged from all directions. A prison made of Black Flame. The tremendous heat felt like it was melting his skin.
'I have to repel it!'
Biting his lip, Raon swung the Azure Sky Drive towards the wall of black flames approaching from the left. Seizing the moment when the majestic sword technique split the flames, he used the Supreme Harmony Steps to escape outside.
"Damn it..."
He bit his lip as he watched the Demonic Spirit Barrier quickly regenerate. His attacks weren't effective at all, while each of his opponent's moves was dangerous. It was an incredibly difficult battle. Raon clicked his tongue as he looked at his shaking hands.
'It's going to be tough to break through the Black Tower Master's Demonic Spirit Barrier with my current level of skill.'
With the Transcendent-level artifact, the Demonic Spirit Barrier, combined with the Black Tower Master's magic, it was impossible to penetrate that defense with his current swordsmanship.
'Is that the only way left?'
It was a method he had been saving, unsure of how it might change him, but it seemed he had no choice but to use that power now.
"Raon."
Chamber stepped forward, her face pale.
"Let's switch roles. I'll attack."
She nodded, unable to wipe away the blood trickling from her lips.
"No."
Raon shook his head as he stepped forward.
"There's something I haven't tried yet."
He had to admit it now. Breaking through the Black Tower Master's magic with his current level of skill was too much. No, it had been impossible from the start. The gap between them was simply too vast. However, while it might not be possible through swordsmanship, there was still a way to break through using a different method.
Raon held the Heavenly Drive and Wooden Ring in both hands, and levitated the Blade of Requiem using the principle of Sword Control.
"You're a coward."
The Black Tower Master twisted his lips in disbelief.
"Your attitude of fearing sacrifice will kill all the humans here."
He stretched his hand above his head, as if already certain of victory. A massive, flaming meteor broke through the dark sky and began to fall. It was an absolute magic that endangered not only Raon and Chamber but also the people below.
"Can you stop it?"
Ignoring the Black Tower Master's words, Raon looked at Chamber.
"Yes."
Chamber nodded, as if telling him not to worry, even as she dripped with cold sweat.
"Then I'll try to break through."
As red lightning flashed in Raon's black eyes, the bracelets of demon kings wrapped around his wrist gleamed in their respective colors.
"Raon Zieghart!"
The Black Tower Master, seemingly enraged at being ignored, screamed and stretched out his hand. Countless demonic beasts of bizarre shapes poured out from his grasp and engulfed Raon. Each beast carried the power of Transcendent-level magic. It was hard to breathe. Holding his breath, Raon swung the swords in both hands towards the demonic beasts.
The blackened flames of the Heavenly Drive incinerated the demonic beasts, while the pale green frost blooming from the Wooden Ring froze the scattered beasts stark white. It was an overwhelming display of martial prowess, unlike anything he had shown before.
"What..."
The Black Tower Master widened his eyes in disbelief, unable to accept that his magic had been overwhelmed by Raon.
"You bastard!"
Unable to believe the death of the demonic beasts he had summoned, he raised a wave of demonic energy to crush Raon. As Raon swung the Wooden Ring, the surging black waves of demonic energy froze completely. Breaking through the frozen wave with his shoulder, Raon charged towards the Black Tower Master.
Naturally, the Demonic Spirit Barrier sprang forth to block his path. Raon imbued the Heavenly Drive with Heavy Sky Cannon and unleashed Flame Dragon Strike along the blade of the Wooden Ring.
The black-tinged Heavy Sky Cannon and the pale green Flame Dragon Strike exploded, tearing the core of the Demonic Spirit Barrier completely apart. It was the result of breaking through with pure power rather than swordsmanship skill.
"Huh...?"
Through the hole torn in the center of the Demonic Spirit Barrier, the Black Tower Master's shocked face was visible. He couldn't believe the situation, his eyes wide open to the point of tearing. Raon entered through the hole in the Demonic Spirit Barrier and swung down the Heavenly Drive and Blade of Requiem towards the Black Tower Master.
"What have you done!"
The Black Tower Master blocked the two slashes with a shield of demonic energy forming a Five-Pointed Star Formation. But Raon still had one more weapon left. The white-glowing Blade of Requiem pierced through the shield of demonic energy and plunged into the Black Tower Master's chest.
"Gah!"
The Black Tower Master bent over, clutching his chest where the Blade of Requiem was embedded.
"How, how did you break through the Demonic Spirit Barrier..."
He trembled, blood dripping from his chin, as if unable to comprehend the situation.
"This isn't a one-on-one fight."
Raon twisted his lips as he looked at the faintly glowing bracelets of the demon kings.
"I'll crush you with the power of numbers."