CHAPTER 126

Elric had received most of the basic and secret techniques from the Tiger King Yul.

The problem, however, was that they were more like prototypes—incomplete forms. There were still many aspects that Elric had not fully grasped, preventing him from executing them perfectly.

Although he could imitate the forms to some extent, he couldn't fully embody the intent behind them.

For now, there was only one of the three advanced forms that he could properly execute.

That was Thousand Tiger Shred.

Still, Elric was confident.

Even with just this technique, he knew that if he could combine it with his magic, it would be powerful enough.

The technique was strong in the properties of chaos and disassembly (離), just as its name suggested, like.

Just as its name suggested, "being torn apart by a thousand tigers at once," this technique had very strong characteristics of "chaotic" and "dismantle."

And sure enough—

Sh-sh-sh-sh!

As Elric's strike detonated, an enormous explosion erupted, and countless wind blades born from it shredded the abomination.

Elric infused the attack with the essence of winter as well.

Would he realize?

That this was one of the two powers of winter that Gregory had desperately sought—Northern Wind.

The foxfire that had been trying to burn Elric was ripped apart and scattered into nothing.

Kroooar!

The abomination, already unable to recover from the deep wound Herman had inflicted, now had the wind blades tearing through to its core, making it impossible to regain its composure.

It couldn't even use its demonic energy to heal itself—the wounds were being frozen over, slowing the healing process.

Sh-sh-sh!

Kiaaaa!

Realizing that staying like this would be disastrous, the abomination began to retreat.

Its body was now completely covered in wounds, as if hundreds of tigers had simultaneously bitten into it. Dark red demonic energy spilled out like blood, constantly spraying into the air.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Elric wasn't about to let it escape.

He gritted his teeth and chased after the abomination relentlessly. Not only was the Seal of Winter activated, but he also invoked the Seal of Maleficence.

Ki-ki-kik! Need some help?

"You just want a tasty meal, don't you?"

Heh. You won't even ask for help? Your pride is strong. As expected of a Melvinger. Just as they say.

"Take it or leave it."

Of course, I'll take it. Why would I refuse such a feast?

The spiritual form of Demon King Yu chuckled as it spoke.

Isn't that right, master?

Master.

The word made Elric feel uneasy, as if it was something he shouldn't be hearing.

Of course, Yu's spiritual form wasn't actually pledging loyalty to him.

It was more like the spiritual form was obedient because, at this moment, it was being given a chance to exert its power.

Most demon kings were lofty beings, like Mephisto, but since Yu had originated as a preta, he didn't care much about such things.

The shadow slid across the ground. Moving far faster than Elric, it shot forward and enveloped the abomination.

Sensing danger, the abomination twisted its body violently in an attempt to shake off the shadow.

Hee-hee-hee-hee!

Yu's spiritual form, amused by the abomination's struggles, clung even more tightly.

The wounds, which were already difficult to heal due to the freezing, were now infested with shadowy tendrils, each like a jagged saw blade.

Click!

Click!

With every snap and release of the shadowy teeth, the abomination was torn apart, howling in agony.

Kuuuugh!

Its wails of pain echoed through the air.

The foxfire flared again and again, scorching the ground.

Screeech—

Elric, charging once more, invoked the full power of the Seal of Winter and unleashed Ice Shatter.

Crack!

Boom!

Another of the abomination's legs was completely torn off.

『You're really tearing it to pieces.』

Mephisto clicked his tongue at the brutal teamwork between Elric and Yu's spiritual form.

And then—

Rumble…!

Following the flow of gathered energy, Elric continued to destroy and tear apart the abomination, pushing deeper and deeper.

Though he, too, was scorched and wounded by the foxfire countless times, his eyes remained cold and determined.

There, in the center—

A dark red core filled with dense energy.

"[Crush]."

With all the strength he had left, Elric struck the core.

Crack—

There was the sound of something breaking.

And then—

Boom!

The abomination exploded.

***

"B-Blood Wolf King is exploding! Everyone, fall back!"

The beastmen, who had been watching the battle between Elric and the abomination in Fury, screamed in shock.

By now, they had cast aside their allegiances to Anthromorph or Fury and were united in cheering for Elric.

Even the beastmen of Fury weren't foolish—they knew that if Elric lost, their fate was clear.

It was obvious what would happen if the abomination won. Just as General Winter had blanketed the Black Snowfield in cold, the abomination would now turn it into a blazing summer.

Instead of snowfields, they would face drought, and instead of cold waves, they'd endure scorching winds. The land would become even more inhospitable.

'We must avoid that…!'

'I don't want to live in such harsh conditions anymore!'

Moreover, they had already heard from King Velence that Blood Wolf King had secretly hidden General Winter all this time.

The loyalty they once felt toward Blood Wolf King had quickly turned into betrayal. Now, they had sworn to follow King Velence and were cheering for Elric.

But then, the explosion was so massive that it seemed like the city was about to be completely destroyed, and they couldn't help but panic.

A black mushroom cloud rose high into the sky, and a scorching shockwave spread outward.

"Protect the king! All guards and fighters, defend His Majesty!"

Following Prime Minister Norus' orders, the royal guards, including Irina, and the fighters of Fury quickly formed ranks to protect King Velence and the regular soldiers.

Boom!

"Ugh!"

"What did that human eat to be able to fight in a place like that?"

They unleashed their auras with all their might to block the heat wave, but the force didn't weaken. Instead, it only seemed to grow stronger, wearing them down.

Some of the fighters, even those who had transformed using Beast Form, were burned by the flames, their fur singed and their bodies covered in burns. They screamed in pain.

"Th-that…!"

Even Prime Minister Norus tried to help, but he wasn't able to make much of a difference.

In a moment like this, magic would have been far more effective.

Norus found himself thinking that if they had magic, they could have endured this more easily instead of simply pouring strength into resisting the flames.

'Come to think of it, wasn't General Winter the same? If we had broadened our perspective, we wouldn't have suffered for so long.'

The downfall of the beastmen was due to their arrogance, rejecting progress and civilization.

'If only someone could help…!'

As he gritted his teeth, suddenly, a sigh echoed in his ears.

"Why is everyone so stubborn? Whether it's this one or that one, all you lot do is cling to your pride. Ugh, everything about this annoys me."

Norus snapped his head up.

Augustine stood there, his expression one of deep dissatisfaction, as he reached out his hand.

And… the heat wave that had been tormenting the royal guards and fighters didn't even touch Augustine's surroundings.

No, it wasn't just that.

A transparent barrier covered the entire beastman camp, including the leaders and soldiers, pushing back the heat wave.

Only the sound of the fierce winds could be heard.

Inside the barrier, it was so calm that it felt as if the heatwave had never existed.

The beastmen stared in shock at Augustine. Norus, too, was stunned. He hadn't heard any incantations, yet Augustine had summoned such a powerful barrier with just a gesture?

Even Norus, who wasn't familiar with magic, knew that only a few individuals in the Empire could wield such power.

Then, he remembered something Elric had said about Augustine.

He had mentioned that Usdun Melvinger couldn't even compare to Augustine's skill.

"Hey, beastman."

"W-what is it?"

Norus' thoughts were interrupted as he nervously responded.

If you called a person "human," it would usually come off as offensive, and the same went for beastmen. Yet, instead of feeling insulted, Norus was filled with tension.

It was like facing a towering mountain.

Not even Blood Wolf King had made him feel such pressure.

"Usdun came here 40 years ago, didn't he?"

"Th-that's right."

Why was he asking this?

"I see."

Augustine pondered something deeply for a moment, then let out a sigh through his lips.

"Then watch closely."

In that moment, Norus saw Augustine's eyes begin to glow a pale green before gradually turning completely white.

His black pupils disappeared, and his eyes became entirely white.

Norus, startled, instinctively stepped back.

He had spent his life dealing with demons and never flinched at a show of force, but this—

A cold chill ran down his spine.

Sh-sh-sh-sh—

Something dark began to rise around Augustine.

But it was different from the darkness General Winter had wielded.

While General Winter's darkness had merely blocked out the sunlight with blizzards, this one absorbed all the light in the world.

It was as if a white veil had wrapped around Augustine.

The problem was that the color of the veil was just as white as his eyes.

White Night.

The term came to Norus' mind.

"This is a power far greater than anything from the world of magic!"

Augustine boasted, claiming that his power surpassed even the Magus of the Star, as he lightly waved his hand.

But the result was anything but light.

The fierce heat wave and the foxfire that had been spreading wildly were crushed and torn apart by the White Night.

Kiiiaaa!

A horrible screech, like the wail of a ghost, filled the air. The roar of the flames and wind was drowned out by the sound.

Beastmen, sensitive to such things, covered their ears, some collapsing in place, others screaming in silent terror as their primal fears were triggered.

Sh-sh-sh-sh!

A massive whirlwind surged upward, and then—everything vanished into thin air.

The spell was over.

"…"

"…"

"…"

The flames and heat wave that had threatened to spread across the Black Snowfield from Fury disappeared as if they had never existed.

The White Night that had blanketed the world was also gone. The barriers surrounding the beastmen were lifted one by one.

But Norus and the other beastmen were left stunned, unable to comprehend what they had just witnessed.

Then, they began to tremble.

That someone could so effortlessly quell such a catastrophe didn't seem human at all.

Especially the beastmen of Fury, who had once been enemies of Elric's group, were pale-faced with fear. What would have happened if that power had been directed at them from the start? Just the thought sent chills down their spines.

As they trembled in fear—

Step, step.

Elric, having finished the battle, walked toward them.

He looked quite exhausted.

But as Augustine gazed at his disciple, a proud smile spread across his face.

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