Chapter 144 - Mutual Slaughter

[Heavenly Silken Nocturne] – Long-form incantation.

A Sound-type magic.

Through melody, it causes confusion in enemies, making them lose themselves.

At the same time, it boosts ally magic and strengthens their mana.

…

This rare Magic was different from Alfia's sound-based bombardment.

It was magic that weakened enemies and empowered allies.

"I won't reveal too many trump cards today."

"When they get close, we'll end it quickly."

When dealing with bugs like this—

Raven Eltharion changed his mind.

There was no need to reveal his Summoning Magic.

That was his one true trump card.

It didn't have to be used—but it could never be lost.

Especially with what was to come…

The "Chronicle of Madness", the Fallen Fairy Spirits, the Black Dragon of Dragon Valley, and the unknown territory beyond Floor 71 of the Dungeon—

All of them required top-tier power.

Those monsters sealed in Dragon Valley—

Even random dragonkin that slipped out had latent powers around Level 7.

And on Floor 70 of the Dungeon—

The Lv.7 Destroyer, the Juggernaut, was treated like just a mob.

So what about Floors 80 and 90?

Countless Level 8 and Level 9 dragon-type monsters still awaited conquest.

Honestly—

Ryuu alone could wipe the Apollo Familia.

Without even revealing her identity.

But since she was still a wanted criminal—

She avoided casting any Magic, to keep from being recognized.

After all, the bounty on the head of "Gale" was a whopping 80 million valis.

…

"That melody… something's definitely wrong."

"Everyone, charge! Use magic swords to annihilate the enemy in one blow!"

"Archers, prepare to fire!"

Just as Daphne issued the order—

Her comrades behind her suddenly froze.

And in the next moment—

"AAAHHHHHHH!"

Those caught in the confusion began to draw their weapons and attack each other.

They had fallen into madness—cutting down their own allies.

Those affected were mostly Level 1 adventurers—with abilities below even rank E.

The ones still sane were Level 2.

Perhaps they were out of range, or had some abnormal resistance.

So…

They weren't impacted much.

"What's going on!?"

"Is it… sound magic!?"

Lythos, the elven squad leader, widened his eyes in shock.

"Get away from me!"

He roared in anger, kicking away a comrade who had tried to punch him.

About two-thirds of the force had succumbed to the melody.

This was their first time facing such a bizarre situation.

They were completely at a loss.

"The melody…"

"A-Ahhh…"

Cassandra's face was pale, eyes filled with fear.

"Captain! Daphne, please, you have to escape!"

"Cassandra, shut up already."

"Please! Please just believe me this time…"

"Quit your delusions! Not now!"

"Damn it… I'll have to knock them all out in one go."

Ignoring Cassandra, who was nearly in tears, Yamato Thorne began chanting.

"—I am love, child of light. I dedicate this body to the sun."

"—I am sin, jealous of wind. Let the sacred wind descend upon me."

"Those unaffected—get back!"

Daphne shouted at the few still standing.

"—Release the blazing wheel!"

"—Come, western wind!"

Thorne lowered his stance, left arm hanging, and raised his right arm high.

He condensed powerful mana into his right hand and released it in one breath.

"[Ifas Zephelos]!"

He hurled his arm forward, launching a giant spinning solar disc.

The shining projectile emitted blinding brilliance like sunlight itself.

"[Crimson Radiance]!"

The magic responded to his incantation—and exploded.

BOOM!

The solar disc burst in dazzling light.

Over 120 people collapsed instantly under the overwhelming blast.

Cassandra, their healer, didn't restore anyone.

Because—

The melody was still playing.

And those who hadn't even reached Level 2 didn't have the Abnormal Resistance trait.

Even if their wounds healed, they'd fall again instantly.

And Cassandra herself…

Wasn't Airmid, the battlefield saint, and couldn't lift such status ailments.

Then—

The melody suddenly stopped.

A black-haired girl charged forward.

"—I call the supreme name, with utmost humility."

As she sprinted, she continued her chant.

If it were someone without stability, who couldn't maintain parallel casting, a mana surge would've detonated from their core.

Resulting in foolish self-destruction.

But Mikoto…

Had no such weakness.

"—We, the invincible war gods, guardians of the divine heavens."

"—Grant this humble vessel the strength of divinity."

"—Cleanse and conquer, holy light and blade of judgment."

Fierce magical energy swirled inside her.

Her heartbeat surged with power.

Sweat poured from Mikoto's jade-like skin.

"—Sweep the land, sword of conquest and peace."

"—By my name, descend upon this battlefield."

"—Fall from the heavens, and bring all under one."

Charging straight into enemy lines—

Under the gaze of countless eyes, she finished her chant.

"[Divine Martial Conquest]!"

A massive surge of mana erupted.

Within a 50-meter radius, she cast a devastating spell.

Above her—

A blade of divine light appeared in the air.

"[Futsunomitama]!"

A deep violet magic circle spread beneath her feet, forming concentric rings.

At its center—

A glowing deep violet sword plummeted from the heavens, plunging into the earth.

A colossal gravity-type spell activated.

"Ah…"

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!?"

The adventurers trapped inside the violet prison screamed in agony.

Crushed by gravity—

They collapsed to their knees, some forced to support themselves with their hands.

All of them—

Were helpless beneath the oppressive weight.

Even Cassandra was flattened to the ground.

Mikoto dug her feet in—enduring the power of her own spell.

She had sealed herself within the field along with her enemies.

This was—

A suicide attack.

"Y-You lunatic… what are you doing!?"

Next to her, Daphne looked on in horror.

The gravity prison pinned everyone to the ground.

The earth beneath began to crack and collapse.

It broke down with each passing second.

"This crazy woman…"

Lythos, farther away, wasn't caught in the spell's radius.

"Damn it…"

"Let's see how you like—"

Before he could finish—

A flash of steel sliced through the air.

Ryuu's twin kodachi, Soyokaze, shimmered once and struck.

In a single instant, she knocked him out cold.

"Come now…"

"There's only one left."

Raven Eltharion hoisted the Heavenly Feather Magic Sword over his shoulder, walking calmly toward Yamato Thorne.

He hadn't used an area-destruction spell—

Because Cassandra might've been killed instantly.

And if they lost the pessimist, then winning the War Game would feel meaningless.

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