24 CHAPTER XXIII: The Ghost (1/2)
That's impossible. Holos Kamen was destroyed by the Sentry.
It had done everything in its power, even created an evil dragon to resist, and then simply vanished into the light.
But the figure floating in the air was indeed Holos Kamen. The entire figure was pale, with a faintly glowing outline, but everything about it, from the staff that had been broken and burned by the holy power to the robe that had disappeared with the body, was the same Horos as before.
However, his presence was incredibly faint to those who knew him in life.
In the first place, he never floated in the air in life.
The Lord crossed his arms and said in a pompous manner. The voice was not a real sound, but I could hear it clearly.
”I didn't expect my body to die ......, but the piece of my soul that I had planted there came in handy .......
”............
I'm dying. He regained his composure and grabbed his machete tightly to check his current situation.
This is Lord's final preparation. When he was fighting Senri, Lord was definitely at his best.
I don't know if it's his soul or if he's come back as a spirit, but the current Lord is just a residue.
How cautious a necromancer can be. He's a fearsome magician who can fool even the most experienced Senri and the Knights of the End.
Can you win ......? The question is, do you have any privileges left against me? If there are, I'll--
No, you will win.
I make up my mind as I calmly watch the road.
Otherwise, why did you use the Order of the Fallen to destroy Lord?
You didn't do it yourself, but you managed to get around it. I suppose you want me to finish the job myself.
Fine, I'll do it.
I open my eyes and look up at the road. All I can think about is what Senri said earlier about the King of the Dead.
What Lord has said and done so far. He called me a vessel for the King of the Dead. Yes, a vessel!
Even a fool can see that. If Senri's right, then Lord's purpose is...
”Lord ......, are you safe?
”The end, my last soul, was planted in you. The ritual required it. You're lucky you survived.
You planted ...... in me. And you're still alive.
Lord's words didn't seem to indicate he doubted me. Apparently he hadn't heard the conversation between me and Senri.
Maybe he was sleeping until night, until his power grew. Then there's still a chance.
”Wait a minute ......, then why did you want to use me to fight the Knights of the End? You don't want me to die, do you?
”What? It seems you've got the wrong idea. I have no intention of using you, the vessel of the King of the Dead, in battle.
”............
That's ...... unexpected.
It is true that the Lord never gave me such an order, if you recall. The last instruction he gave me was to come back to the hall, and maybe he was going to give me some kind of order to hide me after that.
But no matter. Either way, it doesn't change my decision.
The Lord will die this time.
”The ritual shall be performed. The birth of the King of the Dead. ...... Hmmm. ...... Concerns remain, not the original plan, but unavoidable. ...... My life is now like a residue. Ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.
Lord, here we are, still smiling fearlessly. I caught my breath. I'll probably only get one chance.
Floating majestically in the night, the Lord arrogantly commands.
”End, your body is a masterpiece. My soul is the final key. ...... When my longing is fulfilled, you will be a king over all that glitters. End, do not resist. Stop moving.
By the Lord's command, I will stop moving.
Holos Kamen moves slowly. I've never seen a wraith before because he didn't use spirit-based undead, but if the books are right, it looks something like this.
Horos descends close to me, glowing with a pale light. I wonder what will happen to me the moment he touches me.
It's scary. But I wasn't frightened. My hands weren't shaking.
That moment-- it would never come.
Horus comes within a meter of me. Getting in range.
I put my hand on the machete. He's not paying attention to me. It'll be easy.
Then I put all my strength, all my experience, and my whole body into the machete and snapped its neck.
”?
There was no resistance. There was no resistance at all. He spun around and stepped on the machete with too much force.
The machete did indeed pierce Lord's neck. But Lord is still there. The neck I'm sure I severed is still connected, and Lord is rubbing it with a look of disapproval.
”Hmm. ...... power too weak. I'm sure you're not the only one who's had it.
My blow is powerful. The damage from the silver arrow has already healed.
The damage from the silver arrow has already healed. No hesitation.
He swings the machete at the unconcerned Lord in rapid succession without taking a breath. Lord doesn't even resist.
Kesa-kake, Gyakesa, Karatake split. Lethal blows from every direction. But all of them are without resistance.
It's as if he's attacking something that doesn't exist. The attack causes Lord's body to scatter for a moment, but it quickly returns to normal.
”Futile. It's useless, End. You're smart. You're ballsy, you're cautious, but you lack ...... knowledge. Attacking me now will not ...... work.
The Lord's voice did not stop as it splattered across his face. There was no itch on his face.
He's smart. He's got guts. He's cautious. Lacking in knowledge.
The Lord has hit the nail on the head. I step in hard and attack the Lord unhesitatingly. I don't need to breathe, I'm not fatigued, and my attacks are almost seamless.
I knew the attack would not work on the first hit. The reason I'm attacking in rapid succession is to buy a little time to think.
My knowledge of the undead is certainly limited, but I have seen the undead atlas.