Chapter 605.1: Shocking Development (1)
Chapter 605.1: Shocking Development (1)
Chapter 605.1: Shocking Development (1)
Sia’s existence was naturally carved in the bones of all life forms.
She represented many things—the first mother, the faith of all beings, as well as the one and only supreme deity.
Banjol had been confident of his victory when he withstood the attack that breached the twelve mini-worlds he had created and launched his counterattack, not expecting that the one to receive his attack would not be the combination of the Kingmaker and the Giant Sovereign, but an existence that was imprinted into the deepest recesses of his memories, one that filled him with confusion and nostalgia.
It was Sia’s aura.
It was not an imitation, and neither was it an artifact blessed with Sia’s powers. It was Sia’s very own powers, and Banjol was absolutely certain of it from how all of the life forms and souls shuddered the moment the mana emerged.
Even the beast-headed giant born from the Egg of the Beast God instinctively retreated in fear.
Grandar’s crimson aura turned divine white, and his glowing fist delivered a decisive blow that would pave the way for a new future, just as Roel had said.
The two attacks collided, and the world turned white.
This was not just an exaggeration. Pulses of white light rushed out from the collision and enveloped the world alongside explosions and raging winds. The shockwave flattened the desert, and everyone on the battlefield had to lower their posture and desperately withstand the force.
Every living being on the battlefield vaguely heard the sounds of a gigantic being being torn into pieces. These were the death throes of an ancient being, signaling a new beginning.
Amidst the blinding light, Grandar’s fist utterly crushed the beast-headed giant’s massive body, from its arms to its torso. The massive beast whose reputation had shaken the ancient era was reduced to tens of thousands of pieces.
At the same time, Banjol’s Divine Domain abruptly shattered.
The Deviant Sovereign stared at the humongous silhouette obscured by the blinding light as the fear on his face receded. He closed his eyes as his body quietly scattered into the surroundings. Grandar shook a little as he watched the sight before silently landing back on the ground.
“…Finally, a conclusion to our rivalry,” Banjol’s voice echoed in Grandar’s ears.
Roel glanced at the fallen ancient god with an impassive expression, showing neither delight nor sorrow. Then, with a flash of white light, the black silhouette vanished from the face of the world.
…
Boom!
A loud explosion echoed from behind. The shockwave hastened Roel’s descent to the ground. While the world was still enveloped in white light, Roel landed on the ground before turning his attention back to the sky. Similarly, Grandar looked at the sky as well.
Banjol had been defeated—there was not a sliver of doubt about this.
The earlier attack had not only destroyed Banjol’s body but vaporized his soul as well. Even if he could recreate his destroyed body, there was no way to salvage his dissipated soul.
The curtains had been drawn on a legend, marking the end of an era. There was finally a conclusion for the rivalry between the Giant Sovereign and the Beastman Sovereign. Grandar’s long-time wish had also been accomplished.
Roel clenched his fists to endure the intense pain ravaging his body, as he turned to Grandar and asked, “Are you satisfied?”
“…Mm.” Grandar looked at the sky and nodded.
“I see.” Roel wistfully turned his gaze toward the sky to see off the last god of the ancient era.
Banjol was a traitor who had turned against his race for his faith, an accomplice behind the mutation of the Beastmen into the barbaric deviants. His selfishness deserved condemnation by many generations to come, but his abilities, which had been refined and polished over countless years, were the real deal.
Roel thought that the least he could do was to see off the latter as a warrior.
As for Grandar, he felt melancholic from the death of an old friend, as well as the departure of yet another ancient one. There was no other choice, but he found it a pity.
“At least in terms of strength, he lived up to his reputation.”
“He is a strong adversary… but you, who defeated him, are even stronger.”
“!”
Roel was taken aback by Grandar’s compliment. He looked at the Giant Sovereign in shock, as he found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
The two of them had often chatted with each other, and it was not just once or twice that Grandar had praised Roel. However, this was the first time the Giant Sovereign had affirmed his strength as an individual, and it was his highest compliment to date.
Roel could hardly conceal his smirk upon receiving those words.
“It’s rare to hear such words from you.”
“I’m stating a fact. You’re far stronger than when we first met. You have proven yourself as a powerful warrior, both in terms of strength and willpower, by triumphing over Banjol.” Grandar lowered his head and spoke with a solemn and respectful tone.
Roel, whose body and soul had been pushed to their limit, squeezed out a bitter smile and replied, “But I was forced to resort to my final means too.”
As he said those words, his silver hair reverted to black, and his voice sounded audibly frailer. At the same time, the divine white light cloaking Grandar receded as well.
Siafication was the ability Roel had obtained from the previous Witness State, from the fusion of his soul with the Six Calamities. It was the strongest means he had up his sleeves.
In truth, he had harbored doubts as to whether he could still utilize this means. It was one thing when his soul was fused with the Six Calamities, but it was another to undergo Siafication now that he was out of the Witness State.
However, his doubts were dispelled when he thought about the origin of his body and his soul.
It must have been Mother’s doing.
Roel’s body and soul had undergone another evolution in the hands of the Mother Goddess after he staked his everything in his fight against the Savior. His body had been enhanced by many mystical treasures, giving rise to the overpowered Indestructible Body. Given so, it was not unthinkable for his soul to have been tampered with as well…
…just that it had been beneficial tampering.
Even Roel had to concede that it would have been nigh impossible for him to retain the ability of Siafication. The Mother Goddess must have paid a heavy price to make the impossible happen, and that was probably the reason she chose not to mention it to him.
“…” Roel let out a sigh, only to regret it immediately.
This simple movement sent a jolt of excruciating pain through his entire body.
Great power came at a great price. Just a few minutes of Siafication was more than enough to leave Roel’s soul in tatters. Anyone else in his position would have to resign themself to their end after resorting to this ability, but fortunately, Roel had the Spiriteer Sovereign on his side.
“You won’t die, but that’s all I can say for you,” Edavia remarked after examining Roel’s soul.
Meanwhile, Artasia and Peytra worked together to sustain Roel’s body until aid arrived.
Three different colors flickered alternately around Roel’s body, and he felt a little better. This allowed him to turn his attention toward the distant battlefield.
While his fight with Banjol had already concluded, the resulting shockwaves had yet to subside. The united army and the deviants had temporarily halted their fighting and taken cover, but the war was not over yet.
Surrender was not an option for the deviants, and the humans had no intention of making peace. This battle would continue until one side was completely obliterated. By now, the army buffs for both armies had run out, putting them back at the starting point.
But with the demise of the Deviant Sovereign, the united army now had the decisive advantage. The battle would be concluded soon enough.
Will I finally be able to escape from here?
He strained himself to turn his body around so that he could look at the battlefield, but much to his shock, he spotted familiar black silhouettes amidst the sandstorm.
“How… How are they still there?!” Roel exclaimed in disbelief.
In the wake of the shockwave, Roel saw the mutated deviants created by the black sludge rising one after another from the desert. His eyes widened in disbelief, as an ominous feeling welled in his heart. A shocking possibility emerged in his mind.
At the same time, an unusual sound reached his ears.
Pah, pah pah…
That’s… a heartbeat?!
Roel’s face warped in shock. Grandar turned toward the source of the heartbeat, where a humongous being could be seen reabsorbing its remnants to reform its body. It was the miracle created by the Savior to destroy the Mother Goddess—the Egg of the Beast God.
…