The Final Battle (Part 1)
“Enaxagous is in the Golden Palace.”
Flap, flap!
The voice came with the sound of wings. Dalen turned, stretching his stiff shoulders.
Emerging from the black and white feathers was a witch with raven hair.
She wore a luxurious black fur coat, embedded with defensive magic, matching boots, and custom-fitted leather armor that accentuated her curves.
Sienna met Dalen’s gaze and fluttered her long eyelashes—a sign of greeting.
“The one who captured the Golden Palace immediately began fortifying it. He summoned all the demons, except those guarding the city’s key points, like the Predators.”
“The Golden Palace… you say?”
[Indeed.]
Crack!
The space shattered with a flash of light.
Stepping through the cracks in the air, like broken glass, was a man with a sturdy build, dressed as a bartender.
[To be precise, he turned the Golden Palace, the twenty-six halls, and even the depths into his fortress.]
Kylebercus Arburn, the ancient dragon masquerading as a bartender, spoke as he turned his head.
His gaze was fixed on the blood-red vortex swirling in the city’s center.
According to the young man Parn’s testimony, it was a phenomenon that appeared when Enaxagous ascended to the sky.
Combining Bourbon’s words with that testimony, it was easy to trace Enaxagous’s path.
“It seems he’s taken control of the seventh district.”
[Correct.]
“Is he planning to exploit the grand barrier?”
[Exactly. It’s obvious why he came to this massive city.]
His vertically slit, greenish-brown eyes gleamed with meaning.
[What he desires is not just the city’s destruction. It’s a symbol, something far greater.]
Conquering Palcion wouldn’t mean the continent’s immediate downfall.
In most cycles, this city was often the last destination for the evil gods.
Their armies were typically composed of demons and monsters summoned from hell in exchange for sacrifices.
Usually, they would gradually conquer the continent’s outskirts, offering victims to expand their forces.
‘Even in the cycle where the dark sorcerer Dallum Jive was nurtured, they used that exact method.’
However, Enaxagous’s army, which unified the five great hells, was powerful enough to skip such processes.
Yet, the cunning god of deceit, known for his schemes and plots, wouldn’t choose such an inefficient method without reason.
‘But if he can turn the city itself into a symbol of the continent’s collapse, the story changes.’
The existing order that ruled the world has fallen. Accept the new order.
If such a message could be spread across the continent, the subsequent conquest would be as easy as pie.
Recalling the scenes witnessed on the way here, it wasn’t hard to guess what form that symbol might take.
“He plans to turn this entire city into hell.”
Not a city like hell, but hell itself.
A place where monsters rise from the ground, curses flow like rivers, and merely breathing taints the body and mind with evil.
In a world where possibilities become reality, there were many realms, but none as epitomizing negative potential as hell.
It was only natural. From what was known, hell itself was a place created by human malice.
“Enaxagous… that insane bastard.”
Ignoring Lucia’s muttering, Dalen moved his body.
His body, battered beyond recognition by countless resurrections, had recovered enough to move, thanks to the regenerative power of dragon blood.
Not in perfect condition, but there was no choice.
Dalen furrowed his brow slightly and spoke.
“We don’t have much time. Let’s move out immediately.”
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
The sound of brisk marching echoed between the buildings.
A force of just under three hundred soldiers was sprinting down the main road of the Platinum District.
A speed that surpassed the usual quick march of an army, almost akin to a full sprint.
But for the elite soldiers and paladins guarding the Platinum District, it was merely a light jog.
“Small demon-occupied area ahead! Eight large, twenty medium, over three hundred small!”
The leading paladin, who had enhanced his vision with holy tattoos, shouted. Squinting, he added.
“They’re setting up defensive positions! Seems they anticipated our arrival!”
[No matter! Increase speed!]
A voice boomed, echoing through the streets. A paladin surged to the front of the unit.
It was the knight commander. His entire body glowed with a holy radiance as he shouted.
[Charge! Annihilate the evil and reclaim the Golden Palace! For the glory of the war god!]
“For the glory of the war god!”
“For the glory of the war god!”
The paladins shouted in unison. The same white radiance enveloped them.
The unit, transformed into a mass of white light, collided with the demons’ defensive line. The scene of impact was swallowed by the light, obscuring it from view.
Boom! Crack!
Crash! Crunch!
The sounds of tearing and shattering flesh, clashing metal, and crumbling stone spoke to the intensity of the battle.
“Die, you filthy monsters!”
Screech! Roar!
The warriors’ shouts and the monsters’ screams echoed down the avenue.
Meanwhile, in a distant alley, nine figures moved silently.
“Nox. Obex.”
Crack!
An invisible shockwave crushed the heads of over a dozen monsters in an instant.
「White Flame Crescent」
Swoosh!
The stealthily extending holy power sliced a high-ranking monster, who turned in surprise, cleanly in half.
[You…!]
“Shut up.”
Crunch!
The demon leading the patrol lost its upper body with a single punch.
Dalen conjured a dark red flame in his hand, incinerating flesh and blood. Yet, his feet never stopped.
‘Time is of the essence.’
Though Enaxagous had fortified the Golden Palace and summoned most demons, the cunning god of deceit wouldn’t leave anything to chance.
Key points were still guarded by demon and monster armies. Many, like the patrols in the alleys, were still around.
Thus, Dalen split the group in two.
While Edgar and the paladins, along with the Platinum District’s defenders, drew the demons’ attention, he and the rest swiftly made their way to the Golden Palace.
Thanks to Edgar’s holy tattoos, which turned him into a virtual sun on the ground, they were now within a stone’s throw of the Golden Palace.
“Master.”
“What is it?”
“The seventh district Dalen mentioned earlier… what kind of place is it that Enaxagous has taken over?”
Tommy, the most exhausted of the group, whispered as he wiped his sweat. The answer came from elsewhere.
[You know what they call the labyrinth city Palcion, don’t you, young wizard?]
“Yes. The heart of the continent, or the living hall of legends…”
[Right. And the most straightforward of those names?]
”…The city surrounded by seven walls?”
[Correct.]
A city surrounded by seven walls.
The last bastion of humanity, divided into seven districts.
Yet, contrary to that name, only five walls were commonly known.
The first was the Bronze Wall, encircling the city’s outermost area and protecting the Bronze District. Then came the Silver, Gold, and Platinum, in that order.
‘The Golden Palace is practically a fortress itself. Its outer walls are said to withstand even the spells of great demons.’
Dalen mused, half-listening to the conversation between Bourbon and Tommy.
‘Though it’s impossible to withstand the assault of a god.’
In any case, few knew about the remaining two.
Compared to the twenty-six halls rumored to be deep within the Golden Palace, the existence of the seventh district was even more obscure.
[The final district is the core of the barrier.]
“The barrier, you say?”
[Yes. It’s the focal point that maintains the grand barrier of Palcion, the city’s oldest foundation.]
”…”
[If the core of the barrier falls into his hands, it means he could fold the city in half with a mere flick of his finger.]
The young wizard’s face turned pale. The ancient dragon chuckled and added.
[That’s why we’re rushing to stop him, so don’t worry. It seems he hasn’t fully taken control yet.]
The brief conversation ended there. The alley they were running through had also come to an end.
The buildings disappeared, revealing a wide-open view. Beyond the broad avenue, their eyes were drawn to the towering walls and gates.
“Wow, is that the wall of the Golden Palace…?”
“Heh… I’ve heard stories, but seeing it in person is something else.”
The gate was so massive that it could be compared to a small hill.
Its height rivaled that of modern skyscrapers, and its solid weight was palpable in its smooth, rectangular form.
Having lost its original strange, multicolored glow, the gate now pulsed with sinister magic, with a demon’s visage carved into its center.
Three figures awaited them in front of the gate. To be precise, two humans and one high orc.
“Dalen! My friend!”
“You’ve arrived, Dalen. The fulfiller of the long prophecy.”
The white-eyed seer Aliat, accompanied by the ever-changing face of Everon, and the somewhat unexpected high orc chieftain Tarum.
“Why on earth are you just getting here now? I almost ended up in the celestial sanctuary without even having a meal with my friend!”
The great chieftain Tarum shouted, tears welling up in his large eyes.
His massive frame shook with exaggerated emotion, prompting Dalen to approach with a bemused chuckle.
“Good to see you. Where are the other transcendents?”
“I’ve sent the members of the twenty-six families throughout the city. Falcion is a city built around a barrier, with people gathered at its core. We can’t let the enemy take the people now that the barrier is compromised.”
“That makes sense. After all, your people know this city best.”
Aliat nodded, a slight blush coloring his cheeks.
“Since you’ve given us another chance, Dalen, we must protect the citizens this time.”
The two remained to relay the situation. Given Dalen’s past actions, it was expected he’d rush here after reviving the fallen.
“My past actions?”
“Didn’t you always ignore obstacles and strike directly at the enemy’s leaders whenever a battle broke out?”
”…”
A rather flattering way to describe my reckless charges, Dalen thought, shrugging. It was simply the most efficient method in most situations.
The situation at the Golden Palace was as expected.
Enaxagus had already breached the gates and corrupted the Golden Palace and the twenty-six halls, turning them into his fortress.
Aliat succinctly summarized what the transcendents had witnessed before their deaths and then headed towards the Platinum District with Everon, likely to assist the remaining transcendents. With their abilities, they could save tens of thousands more.
“So! What should I do?”
”…”
“Just say the word! Our high orcs are nearby, hunting monsters while we wait!”
Tarum shouted, swinging his massive axe. Dalen patted his enthusiastic shoulder.
“Keep doing what you’re doing. Hunt the monsters. Every single one you see.”
“Got it! Battle!”
“Yes, now go…”
“And then we eat!”
“Yes, yes, now go.”
“Great! Let’s eat lots of meat! Meat!”
With the promise of a meal, the high orc bounded down the street. Dalen shook his head in disbelief.
He turned his gaze to the fortress gates as Tarum disappeared into the distance. Bourbon, stroking his chin, asked,
“The defenses of the Golden Palace are formidable. Now tainted by the power of the evil god, they’re even stronger. How do you plan to breach it? The gate? Or the walls?”
How indeed, Dalen thought, reaching for his waist.
His hand grasped a dragonbone axe, crafted by a master of mithril. It didn’t have the ability to multiply like a relic axe, but it was far sturdier than any he’d used before.
Its magical conductivity was unmatched by any existing weapon.
As he infused it with magic, the axe shimmered like a mirage, naturally lifting to rest on his shoulder.
Creeeeak—
The gates opened.
The sound was as heavy as the gates were massive.
Through the narrow opening, hellish energy spread like ink in water.
Amidst the waves of malevolent power, a voice resonated. It was accompanied by soft footsteps.
“Enter, fulfillers of prophecy, and the heroes of the continent who stand beside them.”
Emerging from the open gate was a tall shadow elf.
With a thin crown on his head, long violet hair cascading down, and pale skin, he surveyed the group with eyes gleaming with wicked light. He spoke with a twisted smile.
“I, the master of fate and defiance, conqueror of the labyrinth city, ruler of all demons, and king of the five great hells, personally welcome you. Don’t ruin the gate I worked so hard on, just come insi—urk!”
The shadow elf’s head snapped to the side.
A beat later, the split crown clattered to the ground.
Dalen waved his empty hand nonchalantly, his expression indifferent. He remarked,
“That’s a well-made axe.”