125 "The Shadow and the Shadow" (1/2)

A chill went down my spine, and I lost consciousness for a moment. The blow was like the judgment of God.

A huge beam of light shot out and passed right by me. What lay beyond was the floor. Or to be more precise, the direction in which the power of death had filled.

The concentrated light penetrated the sturdy cobblestone without a sound and disappeared.

It was undoubtedly one of the strongest blows Senri had ever seen.

The light made a deep crack in the floor. It probably penetrated all the way to the underground labyrinth. The cross-section was so smooth that it was hard to imagine how much blessing could be converted to create such destruction.

Not even a powerful attack magic could do this. I didn't even get a glimpse of it, but my body is slightly numb from the aftermath.

If it had been me when I had just become a lower-ranked vampire, the aftermath might have been enough to do me a great deal of damage. Even the current me, who has amassed enough strength to compete with the Demon Lord as an undead, would not be able to withstand it if I received it head-on.

The old castle vibrated especially loudly. A crack runs through the center of the destruction and spreads out in a flash. My lower half of my body was about to be pulled in, and I hurriedly controlled my strength.

The sensation of my flesh and bones shrinking is unique, no matter how many times I experience it. My vision flickers with pain, but I can't help it.

I manage to return to my original form. The world opens up to you. You reach out and evacuate your body from the collapse.

Ignore the pain. The fight isn't over yet.

First you must regain your ...... bearings.

The ceiling falls, the floor collapses, the thick walls are swallowed by the cracks in the earth. It is true that Senri's annihilation was very destructive, but this collapse with just one blow is unnatural.

Could it have destroyed the infrastructure?　Had it already reached its limits due to old age?　Or was it made that way in the first place?

But there was no time to think about it. Senri, supported by Lefley and the others near the entrance, managed to endure the tremors.

Senri, run!　I'll be fine!

I'm okay!” ”............ Okay.

The blood still has power. My head may be crushed, but I won't die. I don't care what happens to Lefley and the others, but Razzal and the others will be there.

And there's still an enemy here.

Abichord cowered in stunned silence. The body press must have hit him, but there was no itch in his face.

His consciousness was no longer focused on his surroundings. His eyes, which shone with a blood-like crimson glow, were quietly staring at the target of Senri's attack.

He catches the ”light eater” in flight. He had given it up in the basement, but apparently Senri had retrieved it for him.

Rich. That was a scary opponent. He would have been a good match, but he couldn't kill him. Difference in skill, experience.

But we kill him here. No harm done.

Your body has already reached its limit. Once you fall, you're not sure you can stand again.

I sharpen my focus, my will to kill. A huge pile of rubble falls between me and Rich.

I step into it as hard as I can and swing my Light Eater wide.

§ § § §

The ceiling and the walls collapse. The old castle, which had maintained its shape for so many years after the age of war, collapsed.

The scene that reminded me of the end of the world was over in a very short time.

What had made up the castle was swallowed up underground, and all that was left was a huge pile of rubble.

The ruins of a completely collapsed castle. A large pile of rubble stirs, and Avicord crawls out.

He checked his surroundings in a daze and staggered to his feet.

The crimson light in his eye sockets flickered as if he was upset.

The necromancy gives the dead an immortal body. As he hits the collapsing rubble, his armor is torn, he loses his staff, and - his right arm is gone.

The vampire attacked with abandon just before the collapse. The blow had penetrated Abyss Code's magical defenses and sent his right arm flying off his shoulder.

But that wasn't the reason for his agitation.

There is ......

It was a blow of light that could be compared to that of the Knights of the End that he had fought in the past.

The countermeasures were in place. The core of the ritual was protected by the many layers of protective wards that the Lord had once put up.

But the blow easily swallowed them all, obliterating them.

The ritual had already been activated. A few more minutes and the Lord would have been resurrected.

Kuro dust flew in the air. The king's castle is the site of the ritual. The collapse of the place means the purpose has been defeated.

”No way. Why would ...... a vampire take the side of a man?

I'm not sure what to say. I'm not sure what to make of it.

If it weren't for that vampire that nullified all of Abyss Code's magic...

”Undead, you've lost.

”......

Abicord now realizes that he is surrounded by the voices he heard.

Three Knights of the Light, the Knights of the End, surrounded Abichord, their holy silver weapons pointed at him.

One of them is powerful, and two of them are low-level knights. If the blow that was just struck was by these three, they must have improved their skills considerably with the changing times.

I've been so focused on hiding and resurrecting the king that I haven't done enough research.

”You, ......, Knight of the End .......

I could feel the emotions that had been diluted by being undead coming back.

This is anger.

In the past, when the Knights of the End invaded the castle, Abiquod was ordered to stand by and was not allowed to participate in the battle.

But if he had been allowed to fight alongside his comrades then, he would have felt the same seething anger that he feels now.

Abicord's mission was to complete the ritual. Now that it has been thwarted, there is nothing Abichord can do.

Three opponents. Hateful opponents, but their power is real. We know that the years of sleep have given the Knights of the End new power.

But as a servant of the Lord of the Shadow, I will not allow you to back down.

I will destroy them. Even if it means stabbing him in the back. Otherwise, I will not be able to face the king who believed in me and gave me this great mission.

I raise my hand! I'll explode the magic inside.

I've lost one of my arms and don't have a wand, but I've gained powerful magic by transcending death, and for Abichord, no matter what kind of Knight of the End, he's only a human.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

This power is--

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. But it's too late.

I've known the weaknesses of humans for a long time. I will turn a thousand miles in all directions into a land of death.

Can the Knights of the End of the Age prevent this?

”Photon Delight!

The female demise knight with the most powerful power shoots out a light.

But the blow was much weaker than the previous one. There is also a pause. I guess she can't fire that many blows in a row.

That is the limit of the human species.

The female knight's expression twisted. The female knight's expression distorts.

And just as she was about to release her power, Abichord heard a familiar voice in his ear.

I was having a terrible dream.