Chapter 106. The fate of hatred

I slowly walk towards Jerga.

“...Ku...” (Jerga)

A sound leaks out from him. A dark, stagnant sound that eventually turns into laughter.

“....Kukuku.... Kukukukukuku...” (Jerga)

Jerga looks at me with a warped expression on his face.

“....This is good, I can destroy you with my own hands..... Actually, I would like to thank you for reviving...... Arnos Voldigod.” (Jerga)

Even though he’s become a being of magic even after 2000 years his hatred hasn’t changed.

“Regret your revival and die!!” (Jerga)

Jerga scatters particles of light from his body and attacks.

“Realise humanity’s anger demon king of tyranny!!” (Jerga)

Light gathers in the sky before pouring down on his hands and turns < Ask > into a sword.

“Ohhhhhhhhhhh!!” (Jerga)

“For such exaggerated words you’re still weak.” (Arnos)

Jerga thrusts the < Ask > sword straight at me but I parry it with < Beno Ieven > and pierce his chest with my right hand.

“< Bebuzud >.” (Arnos)

I squeeze his magical body with my Origin Killer coated hand. The light around my hand explodes and scatters causing Jerga to disappear without a trace.

Almost instantly the light overhead gathers and pours down creating another Jerga magic body.

“Fumu. It seems I can’t grasp his origin this way after all.” (Arnos)

“Seems like you understand. This body < Jerga > is magic. It’s the very order of the world itself. It cannot perish.” (Jerga)

That matches up with my hypothesis.

“This game is over. Listen to me people of Azeshion.” (Jerga)

Jerga speaks through the magic of < Ask > and anyone affected by it will hear him directly in their hearts.

“The deep darkness is swallowing Azeshion. The demon king of tyranny has revived again after 2000 years but don’t be afraid. Offer your hope-filled prayers to our legendary hero. He will return and the light of hope will clear away the darkness.” (Jerga)

Diego said the seeds had been scattered for 2000 years. Was he referring to the ever-growing population and the oral tradition being passed down?

More brilliant than the sun itself light gathers in the sky as the light of hope gathers from all over Azeshion.

“...Uuu....aaaah....!”

“....The darkness....Aaaaaaaaaah! It’s coming.....”

“Sto......Stooooooooooop!!”

The fallen soldiers of the subjugation force were writhing around on the floor in fear. The light of < Ask > was rising from their bodies even more.

I see.

“The magic < Jerga > was hiding in < Ask > and when < Ask > gathered so much magic for the first time it allowed the will of < Jerga > to materialise and form that body.” (Arnos)

Even as I was speaking Jerga’s body was absorbing the light from < Ask >and growing bigger.

“But to maximise the magic of < Ask > you need to combine everyone’s thoughts into one so the hero academy spread the rumour about the deep darkness. When the deep darkness brings despair the people of Azeshion will give their hope-filled prayers.” (Arnos)

More light fell on Jerga blurring the outline of his body.

“You bastard Jerga. You’re forcibly sucking the hope out of people.” (Arnos)

If all hope is absorbed then their hearts will turn to despair. This is the meaning behind the deep darkness. The people of Azeshion will give hope-filled prayers to the legendary hero. That prayer will be absorbed in an instant and they will drop into despair again.

They’ll continue to wander in darkness never finding the exit and by doing so all their thought will be forcibly united as well.

This is how < Jerga > is invoked.

“If they stay in that hopeless hell their minds will collapse. Do you want to destroy me that badly you’ll kill your own people king of the humans?” (Arnos)

“What are you complaining about? Have you finally realised it demon king of tyranny? The grudge of us humans. They are willing to sacrifice their own lives in order to destroy you. Their precious sacrifice won’t be in vain.” (Jerga)

I can only stare coldly at this guy preaching as if its the most noblest of things.

“Stupid.” (Arnos)

“You speak as if its someone else’s problem king of the mazoku. This is your sin you piece of shit. You are the one who made us humans hold such a grudge Arnos Voldigod!! This would never have happened if you’d never killed humans!! That sin, that stupidity, confess and regret it then rot away in misery!!” (Jerga)

Is he absorbing more hope? The agonised cries of falling humans sounded across the battlefield.

The light in the sky became even more brilliant lighting up the whole forest.

Jerga’s body began to collapse. It had already lost its original form while the divine light quickly spread across the forest.

A huge person wearing armour started to appear from the light. It appeared to be imitating the hero and in its hand was a long, thick and brightly shining holy sword.

“Escape with the injured my subordinates. This whole area is going to be blown away.” (Arnos)

The large holy sword is swung down so I stack < Beno Ieven > along with my < Demon Eyes of Ruin > and accept it.

The surrounding trees are blown away and the ground cracks from the aftermath of our power colliding.

“Know the power of justice.” (Jerga)

Jerga takes a step forward and swings his sword down again. He’s that big his step caused an earthquake binding the legs of the soldiers trying to flee.

“I’ll create a demon king castle underground.” (Sasha)

“Ice Castle.” (Misha)

The silver-haired girl casts < Ibis > and a robust ice castle is built deep underground a short distance away.

“I’ll help you. Even a demon king castle won’t last long against an opponent with that much magical power.” (Melheys)

Melheys comes over and draws a magic formation on the castle.

“Dimensional Prison < Azeishis >.” (Melheys)

The underground demon king castle is isolated with < Azeishis >.

What happens outside cannot make it inside but it does have a weakness in that the entrance needs to be open so the soldiers can evacuate inside.

With Jerga’s current strength he might be able to break through but with the demon king castle as well this two-tiered defence should be able to withstand him to some extent.

“I can’t let any of them escape.” (Jerga)

Jerga tried to see the location of the demon king castle with his demon eyes but at that moment it started to drizzle.

It spreads out blocking his view and obscuring the magical power of the mazoku as well as the demon king castle.

It’s Misa’s < Fuska >.

Jerga starts muttering.

“.....Is this .....the ability of the great spirit forests guardian....? Are the spirits siding with the mazoku.....?” (Jerga)

“Times have changed Jerga. They changed long ago. There are no enemies anymore.” (Arnos)

I concentrate my magic power and flick away the huge holy sword before firing a < Geo Greys > at that huge helmet.

It was briefly wrapped in black flames before quickly being extinguished by anti-magic.

Jerga turned his eyes to me as if nothing had happened.

“....I won’t be deceived demon king of tyranny. You! Using your strength to manipulate the spirits. How unjust!!” (Jerga)

Jerga raises his sword in the sky and a magic formation appears.

“Know this mazoku. Your bodies shall pay for the sins your ancestors committed!”

Countless < Teo Trias > pour down from the formation overhead.

< Fuska > can’t be aimed at by magic but this is just an indiscriminate bombardment. By sheer numbers, some of them will hit.

From the ground, four magic formations appear comprising of earth, wind, fire and water and block the < Teo Trias’ > bombardment.

“...Runaway quickly! Because they are holy magic I can block them to some extent but they won’t last long against that huge person....” (Eleonor)

Eleonor sets up < De Igeria > and protects the Midheys troops as they withdraw.

The commander demon emperor Elio stops and looks at her.

“...Brave human soldier....” (Elio)

He cuts straight to the point.

“.....Earlier as well. Why have you helped us mazoku?” (Elio)

She responds clearly.

“Our country declared war. I know that but this is different. We didn’t want to fight. I want to protect. Also, that huge man is trying to kill both mazoku and humans.” (Eleonor)

Eleonor glares at the huge shadow that can vaguely be seen in the mist.

On the other side of the Midheys unit, the subjugation forces were having their hope absorbed while lying on the ground.

“The Deiruheido forces started to withdraw and the demon king subjugation force also tried to withdraw. This war is over. I have no grudge against any of you.” (Eleonor)

The silver-haired fused Misha/Sasha girl was using < Gatom > to transfer the fallen Zeshia’s to the demon king castle but how long would that take with 10,000 people?

“Let’s gather them in one place using < Azeishis > and then you can transfer them in one go.” (Melheys)

Melheys casts < Azeishis > drawing all the Zeshia’s into one place and the silver-haired girl transfers them using < Gatom >.

“A demon king castle has been built underground over there so please evacuate to it.” (fan union)

The fan union girls are guiding the Deiruheido forces to the entrance of the castle.

“What’s wrong Jerga? Can you afford to look away?” (Arnos)

I cast < Fres > and flew into the sky before drawing a magic formation aimed at Jerga.

“How long do you intend to think you have the upper hand!?” (Jerga)

Jerga swings the great holy sword trying to destroy the formation I’d made.

I evade the sword but my magic formation was cut up.

“< Jerga > can’t be destroyed. The only way to stop me is to kill all the humans in Azeshion and even if you did that, < Jerga > would just stop working and wouldn’t disappear from the world! Despair Arnos Voldigod! As long as there’s magic in this world the mazoku are doomed to perish!” (Jerga)

“Fumu. Let me tell you Jerga. If you want me to despair then show me with power and not words.” (Arnos)

“Shut up you filthy arrogant mazoku!!” (Jerga)

Hundreds of chains of light shot out from Jerga’s body and the moment I avoided them a magical barrier activated.

historical

I guess the technique is activated by moving through the chains.

As soon as I broke the chains the large holy sword was swung down.

“Periiiish!!” (Jerga)

The holy sword slices through < Beno Ieven > and smashes me into the ground bleeding and with my origin damaged.

The large holy sword is stabbed into the ground chasing after the injured me.

A loud roar sounds out and the ground is split in half as well as causing a storm from the aftermath of the magic power.

The large holy sword created by < Jerga > can certainly destroy my origin.

“I see.” (Arnos)

In the blink of an eye, my origin was restored.

“Is that holy sword an origin killer?” (Arnos)

“...Wh....at...the....!?” (Jerga)

Jerga is astonished by the fact that I, who should have been destroyed, was very much standing there.

“You should have killed me with that. The same attack won’t work on me twice.” (Arnos)

Origin magic Origin Regeneration < Agronemut >.

After receiving an attack on my origin it returns it to its state before it was injured.

Normally, if your origin disappears so does your magic so just before an opponents attack you send < Agronemut > to the future using < Lebaido > where it regenerates your origin.

Because you have to know your opponent’s attack and you need to know they are targeting your origin it’s only usable from the second attack onwards.

Even if Evans Mana destroys my origin I could revive now because Evans Mana pierced my origin 2000 years ago to transfer magic to me.

“Prison Flame Chain Restraint Magic Square < Zora E Dipto >.” (Arnos)

In the moment Jerga thought he’d destroyed my origin I set up the magic formation.

Jet black flames turn into chains and bind Jergas huge body and at the same time Prison Flame Chain also forms a magic circle.

An origin magic put together to block the enemies movement and magic power as well as delivering the final blow. That is < Zora E Dipto >

“Be swallowed up in the flames of darkness.” (Arnos)

The prison flame chains burn black and swallow up Jergas magic body in one go and in his place was a pillar of fire reaching to the heavens.

“Fumu. Oh well, I guess this is to be expected.” (Arnos)

A divine light is leaking out of the black flame pillar.

The flame pillar swells from the inside and an intact huge armoured figure walks out.

“I’ve already said < Jerga > is immortal. Even if you had your sword you can’t keep erasing its concept forever. The destruction of the mazoku is fated!!” (Jerga)

“What? Now that would just spoil the fun.” (Arnos)

“Shut your mouth!!”

While still being connected to < Zora E Dipto > Jerga moved his body and swings his large holy sword.

“Your castle isn’t here! You don’t have Deruzogedo! Without it you can’t pull out that demon sword trump card of yours!!” (Jerga)

Oh?

“I’ve never shown you my principle destroying sword. Who told you about it?” (Arnos)

Those from the age of myths know that my demon king castle is a three-dimensional magic formation but everyone who knows of my swords existence should have died.

“You don’t have the room to worry about that!” (Jerga)

He swings the hold sword sideways dragging the chains with it.

“You can revive as many times as you want. I’ll judge you until you run out of magic power and fall into the abyss of despair!!” (Jerga)

The moment the large holy sword tried to crush me a gust of wind blew from the ground and the huge sword was cut in half and fell down.

“That was unexpected. It seems if I want to cut it I can cut it irrelevant of size.” (Ray)

Ray appeared in front of Jerga wielding Sigshesta.

“Fumu. Have you recovered enough?” (Arnos)

“Thanks to you buying time all seven of my origins are back.” (Ray)

Without all seven of his origins even Ray will struggle against this guy so I had to buy some time.

“....Stupid....stupid foolish man.....” (Jerga)

Hatred overflows.

Huge armoured eyes glowed darkly while a voice filled with hatred spilled out.

“...Hero... You who was once called a hero. How far... how far do you intend to fall until you’re satisfied Kanon!!!” (Jerga)

Jerga regenerates his holy sword while raising his voice in anger.

On his left hand, he draws a magic formation and 108 gun ports appear there gathering light in the barrels.

“To think that such a day would come.” (Arnos)

I fly in the sky and move over to Ray.

“I don’t know what would have happened if you weren’t here.” (Ray)

I gently clench my fist and hold it out to Ray. This dirty hand has the blood of many thousands of humans on it. No, it’s even more than that.

Ray also makes a fist and sticks it out.

He has killed countless mazoku with those hands.

Both of us had the same thing we wanted to do we just had different positions.

Both of us only wanted to protect.

There’s no grudge to be had in that.

“Let’s go friend. Let’s break these 2000-year-old chains of hatred.” (Arnos)

Ray nods.

“Peace for Azeshion and Deiruheido.” (Ray)

We both lightly bump fists.

The next moment using < Gatom > Ray appeared behind Jerga.

“Clever move!!” (Jerga)

Jerga tries to look back but I pour power into < Zora E Dipto > and hold him down.

“Did you think I’d let you do that?” (Arnos)

“Yoooooooou!!” (Jerga)

Jerga fires off numerous < Teo Trias > but I approach him while dodging them.

“Yooooooooou!!!” (Jerga)

The huge holy sword is swung with enough force to make the atmosphere howl but Ray cuts it off with Sigshesta.

“I won’t let you.” (Ray)

A ghost from 2000 years ago and hatred from 2000 years ago.

Two heroes from the great war take to the skies to put an end to a battle that should have been over long ago.