Published at 10th of January 2021 10:12:04 PM
A dusty place, unused for centuries, laid deep beneath the Hebrion Academy’s basement . Though no one born today knew how the broken devices operated, Priscilla sat before them, with her eyes closed in a reverent manner .
Suddenly, a brilliant splendor rose up into the sky, forming a huge pillar . Priscilla, despite being in critical condition, put her full might into repairing the machinery before her .
The light gradually restored the broken devices that had been languishing in this underground location for what must have been a very long time . Numerous cables wriggled out in all directions, as if they were alive, and soon covered half of the vast floor space .
However, the device that hummed in resonance continued to grow in size without showing any signs of nearing full restoration .
Its identity? It was the culmination of high-technology from an ancient civilization whose prowess neared the realm of God . It was the A . R . T . E . M . I . S . system’s primary access point . Priscilla muttered to herself after finally opening her closed eyes .
“Isn’t it beautiful, Desir?”
*Spark*
As soon as she finished speaking, a triangle of lightning began to form over her head . It was a high-level, Sixth-Circle, parallel invocation spell, Trinity Lightning .
*Rumble*
A downpour in the form of electricity poured down on Priscilla like a waterfall . But just before it swept her away, it dissipated in an instant, as if it had only been an illusion . The thunderstorm and the immense heat it generated had disappeared without a trace .
“At this point, it’s better to just give up . ”
Priscilla’s voice was perfectly at peace .
As she rose up, a silver cable had connected to the stump of her left arm . The cable connected to the main system of Artemis: a huge device that had nearly been restored in this underground room .
“The restoration of the Artemis system is almost complete, and I’m already connected to it . The fight is over, Desir . ”
“Is it everything you hoped for? Was it worth the lives you so mercifully crushed?”
The phenomenon that just occurred was something that defied the natural order of the world . Instead of analyzing the magic and blocking it or offsetting it with the same force, it seemed that the existence of it itself had been literally erased .
“Why do you want that power so desperately?”
Desir had no intention of understanding whatever reason her actions had, but he could not stop himself from asking . Without figuring out the reason why Zod had to die, he could not control his anger .
“With this power, I can erase sin from this world . It can be reborn anew, and no one will have to suffer ever again . ”
*Kyiiing*
A massive gem was embedded within the center of the access point, and as the system continued to whirr to life, it began to glow a deep red . Both it, and a pocket dimension on the floor, reeked of concentrated mana . This must have been the power source that Pierrot Mask seized after betraying Skull Mask . If he had access to this much mana, the fact that he had lived for so long began to make sense . It was akin to how Zod used mana to retain his youth, but taken to an absurd degree .
“I knew it… what a joke . You’re just trying to rip off Skull Mask’s plan all over again!”
“Are you naive, Desir? He and I are very different . His plan was selfish . He wanted to repair the system to restore some dead empire; I’m going to save the people who are around now . ”
Desir’s anger flared up again at the fact that Priscilla’s delusions had cost the lives of many good people, including Zod . However, he kept his cool and managed to reign his emotions in while looking objectively at this situation .
‘Is she gradually assimilating with the Artemis system?’
The machine, which had dug into her left arm, has now begun devouring her healthy flesh . She was giving up her body to the Artemis system, forcibly enduring the pain of losing her flesh and bone .
Desir looked at her with a stiff look .
“So what, you want to become God?”
“Yes . I will enact God’s will, with this power that was granted to me . This is something only I can achieve; this is my destiny . ”
Priscilla’s eyes flashed dangerously, the heat of madness leaking from just below the surface .
“I will save all mankind . ”
*Fwip*
Wings of brilliant splendor rose from behind her back, and the light softly illuminated their surroundings . At the same time, her terrible appearance from the numerous burns she had suffered completely restored themselves . Her power, the power of restoration, now worked on her body . The wounds that she could not previously restore were healed within the blink of an eye .
Priscilla’s lips curved upward .
“Don’t you want to see Zod Exarion again?”
*Boom*
Without any forewarning, an explosion occurred in the front of Priscilla . Desir had invoked a spell without leaving her with a single moment to react .
“Lashing out? Is that your choice? So be it, Desir Arman . ”
Priscilla put her hands together silently in the rising dust .
[-Confirming the existence of an enemy . Reactivating self-defense functionality . ]
[-Error . Self-defense functionality damaged . Transferring a portion of system power to the first-degree executor who is assimilating with the system . Executor, please remove the hostile presence . ]
[-Current rate of assimilation is 62% . ]
“Then I’ll give you the suitable ending you desire . ”
At that moment her wings spread wide and glowed brighter . The light that gathered then took on the form of a huge sword .
[Dream of a Contradictory World]
Witnessing this change, Desir immediately invoked the strongest defense magic he knew . The moment he finished invoking the magic, the scenery around him distorted and twisted . Soon after, a huge sword of light was fired at Desir .
*Kriii*
And at that moment, Desir felt a chill . Every one of his senses, honed after countless battles of life and death, were screaming at him .
‘I have to avoid this at all costs . ’
But the Dream of a Contradictory World was a spell that could be called invincible; distorting space and blocking all unauthorized contact should be enough to block her attack . Desir calmed himself, confident in his defense’s capabilities . There was no reason for him to take action . As he reassured himself, he noticed something .
‘Light… ?’
A subtle light began to permeate his distorted space .
[Teleport]
Desir, who judged that this was not an attack he could defend against, hurried and moved out of its path . Soon after, a huge sword of light passed through the spatial distortion he had erected as if it had never been there .
‘I need to figure out what that power is . ’
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The spatial distortion had been ignored, so it could not be an ordinary light . Desir fled back towards the streets, with Priscilla desperately in pursuit . Hoping to stall or finish her, Desir invoked one spell after another .
[Disengaged Chaotic Beings]
[World’s Mistrust]
A moment later dozens of Desir mirror-images appeared .
They were not just clones, but clones that possessed their own mana . In addition, he had also invoked a spell to paralyze the five senses, so even a King-Class swordsman should be incapable of discerning the truth . It would take an army many hours to destroy every single one of these copies of Desir if they engaged them one at a time .
But Priscilla’s actions were simple . When she clasped her hands together, the sword of light was disassembled and burst into a flash of light . The now scattered light flooded all over the area in a flash, and he could not help but be astonished at the sight that followed .
“… … !”
As the speckles of light passed them, the clones that existed were easily destroyed .
Desir, who was positioned the furthest from Priscillia, felt sweat begin running down his back . He almost died before proper battle had begun .
Desir glanced towards the edge of the wave of light . Everything it touched disappeared without exception, leaving no trace, as if these things had never existed in the first place .
‘Is this attack twisting causality?’
Artemis functioned by manipulating causality to change history, which Skull Mask employed to create powerful homunculi . His final products were capable of near-infinite regeneration, and even had minor time-bending powers .
Desir guessed that the light must be another manifestation of such force .
‘I can’t believe that this is only part of its power… ’
The system was still being repaired, so this wasn’t even its full power . Priscilla would soon have even more strength .
It boasted an absolute attack power that erased everything it touched and this attack moved near the speed of light . It was incomplete, but the power she had already gained was beyond the range of force that humans could ever contend with .
‘If Artemis’s main system is fully restored… ’
It was impossible to predict what kind of power Priscilla would soon wield . He had to prevent this at all costs .
*Kii-ying*
As Desir lifted his cane, countless spell arrays developed .
[Supernova]
*Flutter*
A great amount of heat was gathered in the air, and a white flame appeared . The extreme heat swept through only the surrounding areas where Priscilla was located .
However, Priscilla remained silent, clasping her hands together again . A crowd of light sparks appeared and gathered in front of her, a new pillar of light rising above her in response . Desir felt the heat of his spell begin to rapidly subside, so he began invoking another spell .
[Stream of Stardust]
The heat, which had dispersed over the surrounding area, gathered and formed a bullet; a vast expanse of splendor that would cover the entire field of vision . The attack was reminiscent of a number of stars floating in the night sky .
‘You may be able to reverse causality, but you won’t be able to reverse this . ’
Each of Desir’s three attacks thus far had allowed him to narrow down what limits her power currently had . The clones revealed that she could not automatically distinguish her target . The supernova proved that she could not alter a large area, but could affect a large area by reversing one source . Once the next multi-projectile attack hit, Desir would be able to ascertain the range and scope of her defensive capabilities
*Boom*
The light around her began to shine even more brilliantly, and wiped out the pouring splendor as it approached her from all sides . Though she was defending without much effort, Desir had all the pieces he needed .
[Burn up, howl, yearn for, and… ]
*Sparkle*
A super high pressure current of mana began to swirl around around Desir, the magical substance roaring like a wild beast trapped inside a cage . The spell he was about to unleash held overwhelming power, and he was the only human being capable of using it . Desir did not hesitate to unleash the magic, which well deserved its mythical name .
[… bite off, Fenrir!]
Blue-colored thunder rippled out, swarming Priscilla . It absorbed the heavy manladen air, growing in size and intensity as it surged forward . Attacks of different timing, strength, and direction all focused in on her, creating one single attack that she would not be able to dispel .
[-Current rate of assimilation is 80% . ]
The wings behind her back suddenly grew a size larger, and speckles of light surged towards the originating cloud . Just before the first attack could land, the spell disappeared without a trace .
Desir clenched his fist tightly, his nails breaking the surface of his skin .
‘Damn it, if I had been a moment sooner… !’
However, he was not allowed even a moment to vent his grief . If he relented for even a moment, the light which erased everything was going to pour down on him too . He had no choice but to engage in a war of attrition until he found a suitable solution .
“Damn it… !”
Desir, sweating a lot, exhaled deeply . His face was pale . Due to the constant consumption of massive quantities of mana, he had to lean into his cane in order to stay upright .
‘At this rate, I’ll lose . No matter how effective the magic I create is, if it just gets dispelled, then… ’
Priscilla was growing stronger with time, while Desir continued to consume mana and stamina .
‘… … Wait a minute!’
A smile came to Desir’s lips, the inexorable despair that plagued it finding reason to leave .
Chapter brought to you by The Patrons .
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