Dragon Maken War - Chapter 254

Chapter 254: 254

Suddenly, Kairen mumbled to himself .

“Will we be ok?”

“What do you mean?”

Kairen’s expression darkened as he replied to Azell’s question .

“I’m not sure if this really is the best course of action .  Even if it takes longer, wouldn’t it be better to attack with our full force?  If we do that, I believe we can take on Atein with no difficulties… . . ”

Instead of pushing through with the combined might of the suicide squad, Kairen had decided to split them apart .  It was the price for reaching the ritual room as soon as possible .  However, he suddenly had a feeling of doubt when their destination was close at hand .  

Azell let out a bitter laughter .

“This plan came out of your own mouth .  As a commander, you shouldn’t show doubt at this point in time . ”

“…you are right . ”

Kairen coughed .  He was embarrassed by the fact that he had shown a pathetic side of him .

However, no one could fault him for feeling that way .  Even if they had fought many battles, they were fighting for the fate of the world .  How could they not feel pressured by that fact?

Azell spoke .

“We all trust you, duke .  We’ve already carried out the plan .  Let’s trust your judgement until the end .  Let’s push forward with confidence . ”

“Alright . However, it means your burden will increase . . . ”

“I’ve been expecting it from the beginning .  It isn’t as if I’m the only one to put my life on the line . ”

Azell grinned .

The party had been moving forward without a hitch when they suddenly came to a stop .  There were the sounds of explosions ringing out from behind them, but there was also the sound of steps coming towards them from the front .  It was coming from the corridor connected to the ritual room .

Juh-buhk, juh-buhk… . .

Leticia’s expression hardened .

“Reshoo . ”

A Dragon Demon youth with messy metallic blue hair made his appearance .  He stopped when there was a distance of 50 meters between them .  

“In the end, you are here . ”

“As expected, you were here . ”

Azell’s expression also hardened .

He had expected it .  When Reygus attacked the seal of the god of Rest, Reshoo hadn’t been there .

After they ambushed the Dragon Demon castle, Reshoo hadn’t made his appearance either .  This was why Azell was holding out hope that Reshoo wasn’t here .  As expected, there was no way things would be that easy .

Reshoo spoke .

“It was an excellent ambush attack .  I never expected us to be bloodied so much .  If Atein hadn’t called me back, we would have been in a pretty bad spot . ”

“Reshoo, do you truly wish to fight us on behalf of Atein?”

“Do you really need to confirm that again?”

Reshoo let out a bitter laughter .

From early on, Azell and Leticia had been ready to fight Reshoo to death .  However, it was a bitter pill to swallow when it actually came time to fight Reshoo .

‘If someone cursed me out for being soft hearted, I wouldn’t be able to say anything… .  If I’m being honest with myself, I am thankful that Atein made that request . ’

Atein had made a request to Reshoo before he came out here .  Reshoo let out a small sigh as he thought about that request .  After Azell’s party had arrived here, he stepped forward to act as the chief gatekeeper .  He had done so, because of that request .

“Azell, you should go . ”

“What?”

“Didn't you guys already split apart your force to reach this place?  You probably knew someone would block your path here .  You also know that there isn’t much time left . ”

“Mmmm……!”

Kairen groaned .

Reshoo was right .  They had rushed forward at the expense of not keeping their forces together .  That was how desperate the situation was .

As soon as they entered the Dragon Demon castle, Kayalia was able to acquire some devastating information .

In the process of eliminating the god of Rest, Reygus’ party had killed a massive number of Dragon Demon King worshippers .  It had the side effect of strengthening the Great Darkness .  It was stronger than ever before, and it had hastened the timeline of the ritual .

Soon, Atein would pass the 3rd stage of his ritual .  The next step would complete the ritual .

Reshoo spoke .

“Atein wants to see you .  At this point, he just wants to settle his quarrel with you . ”

“Why should I go along with that proposal?”

“Will you fight me with the help of everyone here?  I assure you that it’ll be the worst decision you’ll make .  I can try to prove it to you . ”

Reshoo let out a confident smile as he spoke .  Azell glared at him when he heard Reshoo’s words .

There was Azell, Laura, Kayalia, Kairen, Leticia and Arietta here .  There were also the 50 remaining Guardian Shadows .  They might even be able to beat Atein with this force .

The problem right now was the fact that no one knew the true measure of Reshoo’s power .

While Kairen and Leticia learned the Dragon Soul from him, Reshoo had never showed his true power .  Reygus had fought Reshoo, but it was no guarantee that he had shown the full extent of his power in the fight .

‘It’ll put too much burden on our side . ’

If they fought Reshoo as is, the party had to defeat him as soon as possible in order to reach Atein in time .

On the other hand, Reshoo just had to buy some time .  If he focused only on his defense, will they really be able to defeat him in a short amount of time?

Azell was conflicted .  Someone tapped his shoulder .  It was Kairen . ,

“Azell . ”

“Duke?”

“Go . ”

“…… . ”

“Let us use our enemy’s arrogance against them .  Leave Reshoo to us . ”

Then Kairen used the Whispering technique to speak to him .

-It is turning out as planned, so why are you hesitating?  Our plan doesn’t change by this new development .

“…understood . ”

Azell nodded his head as he looked at each member of his party .  It was as if he wanted to etch their figures into his mind .  At last, he met Laura’s eyes .  She soundlessly moved her lips .

‘Leave it to me . ’

Azell unscisciously smiled when she read her lips .  In the end, Azell ran across the wall .  Reshoo didn’t even turn to look at Azell .

“Well, let’s… . ”

Oooooohng!

Before Reshoo could end his words, Laura had used the Vitan’s Chalice to create a Dimensional Distortion .  Reshoo furrowed his brows as he got ready to defend against her attack .  

Soon, Reshoo realized that Laura didn’t plan on attacking him .  The Path of Tears opened up on the floor .  Laura and Arrieta disappeared into it .

“…uh?”

Reshoo was taken aback .  His eyes widened .

If anyone tried to follow after Azell, he planned on stopping them .  He was confident that he could stop them .  However, he never expected them to use such a method to escape from this spot .

“Jeez .  Atein might get mad at me . ”

“That is none of your concern now . ”

Leticia stepped forward .  She let out a sharp killing intent as she spoke .

“I’ll keep my word . ”

When they parted ways, Leticia had made a declaration towards Reshoo .  If they met again as enemies, she would be the one to take his life .

She moved forward, so she could keep her word .

5

After he passed by Reshoo, Azell went straight towards the ritual room .  The sound of battle rang out behind, but no one got in his way .  

It almost made him feel uneasy .  He thought there would be more troops or traps hidden in front of him, but he went forward unhindered .  In the end, he arrived at the ritual room .

Geeeeeeng……!

Moreover, the door to the ritual room started to open when Azell came close .  It was as if it had been waiting for him .

Atein was waiting for him inside the room .

Atein didn’t look any different from the clone that Azell had met not too long ago .   He had long black hair, and two thick black horns .  Then there were his empty blue eyes, which looked unfocused as if he was seeing far into the distance… .

The only thing that was different was the darkness behind Atein .  It was undulating like a wave, and Azell felt chills when he saw it .

‘That is an incredible amount of magical energy . ’

There was a magic circle etched on the floor .  Instead of light, darkness was floating atop of it .  Azell was sure that it was part of the Great Darkness .

The problematic part was the amount of magical energy gathered there .  Azell had never experienced such vast power gathered in a single location .

‘It is a spell that is capable of scarring this world . ’

This magic was on a different level compared to a simple destructive spell .  Atein was carrying out a ritual that might be able to change the nature of this world .

Atein spoke .

“You are a bit late .  I’m almost at the final step of the ritual .  If you hadn’t come, I would have been able to finish it before dusk .

“You don’t need to spell it out for me .  I can see that it isn’t complete yet . ”

“You are right .  Still, this is unexpected, Azell Karzark . ”

“What do you mean?”

“Even if it was an urgent situation, I never expected you to come here by yourself .  At the very least, I thought you would be accompanied by Kayalia or Aunsaurus’ heir . . . ”

Atein tilted his head as if he could comprehend Azell’s decision .

It was true that Azell was strong .  Atein couldn’t guarantee victory if he fought against Azell .

He admitted this fact .  Still, it was quite reckless for Azell to come here by himself .

“You are fighting me in the Dragon Demon castle, yet you are confident you can win against me by yourself?  I know you aren’t that dumb… . ”

The battle capability of a high rank magician greatly varied depending on the resource available to the magician .  Environment also mattered when it came to efficacy of one’s specialized magic .  A magician’s spell increased in power by several folds depending on how much resources were prepared beforehand .

Moreover, this was Atein’s front yard .  It was the Dragon Demon castle .  This place was the heart of the Great Darkness .  Atein was standing above the abyss .  It was literally where Atein’s ability was maximized .

Azell was dismayed .

“You are worried for an enemy that is trying to take your life .  It almost brings tears to my eyes as to how arrogant you are . ”

During the Dragon Demon war, Azell had defeated Atein at a location called the Dragon’s Horn fortress .  A large number of his troops were gathered there, and it had been a stout fortress .  However, that location didn’t have any power to maximize Atein’ abilities .

“You didn’t even use your traps .  I was able to come here unharmed . ”

In order to fend off invaders, many traps had been placed within the Dragon Demon castle .  If Atein had wanted to do it, he just needed to use a small portion of his magic to slow down Azell .  

However, Atein hadn’t done that .  He had sent Reshoo out to stop Azell’s party member, but Atein had allowed Azell to reach him without any resistance .

“I insisted on that .  I’m about to make a choice that I cannot go back on .  I inevitably became sentimental . ”

Atein let out a bitter laughter .

Aunsaurus, Baldazark, Almarick and now Reygus… . .  Everyone that could occupy the same timeframe as him was dead .  Until someone new shows up, he would have to be alone .  He would be lonely in the eternal passage of time .

“There aren’t that many people left that can make me feel sentimental .  There is only a handful of people left .  Azell Karzark, I realized something when I met you again in this era . ”

“What was it?”

“I have to settle the business between the two of us .  You are the symbol that represents my regret, and it is tying me down . ”

Atein looked at Azell .  It was unlike his usual gaze .  His eyes were focused as he looked at the existence called Azell .

“You are my fated opponent chosen by this world .  When I defeat you, it’ll mean that I’ve ascertained the potential possessed by humanity . ” .

“As always, you always talk in grandiose terms .  Well, all right . ”

Azell started to walk slowly .  It was as if several Azells were overlapping each other .  Clones started to appear in ones and twos .

“We’ll continue the fight that we weren’t able to conclude in the past .  Let’s end this, Atein . ”

In the next moment, Azell and Atein moved almost at the same time .  

Azell’s clones split to both sides as Azell remained in the center .  He swung his sword .  The Sky Splitter turned into its light form as it lashed out towards Atein .

Atein didn’t back down as he countered the attack .  The Darkness Engraver let out a blade of darkness as it exploded against the blade of light .

Kwahhhhh!

The ritual room shook .

Finally, the fight with the fate of the world in its balance started .