Book Eater

Chapter 294: Reproduction of Myths (2)

Silver and red rippled through the sky.

―――――Kakiing.

The godking broke through the wall of sound multiple times with his silver wings. Laws of inertia were nothing more than meaningless words to a divine being. He freely accelerated and changed directions on nothing more than a whim. He was pulling off S turns and Z turns at speeds that even dragons couldn’t handle without a concussion.

[Hrmm, you’re surprisingly good at running away, given your human flesh.]

In fact, it was strange that Invidia could keep up.

[Suspension, Acceleration, Release, Refraction... and three more? You have quite a few tricks.]

Nuada didn’t hesitate to evaluate the acceleration that resulted from the combination of seven Aura Abilities. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to find, let alone escape from, the god that was unshackled from the laws of physics.

“Ugh, you! How long are you going to follow me?!” Invidia shot into the stratosphere in less than a minute and finally started to swing his sword as he gave up on running away.

He had drawn on his Aura Ability that let him see the future. Nuada wouldn’t be able to avoid his blow. An incredible amount of aura twisted the space around him and ripped the clouds apart. Kesein’s Breaking the Sky Sword was respected and feared by all his peers in his time.

Sky Slash, the symbol of the founding king of Andras, Kesein Fernado, had finally seen the light of day after centuries of hiding. The transcendent attack tore apart the sky as it reached for Nuada. According to Invidia, who had seen grandmasters, Nuada wouldn’t be able to survive it.

[This is a good one.]

It was like the sky was being drenched in blood as the crimson aura blade approached Nuada. There was no room to avoid or block it, the ultimate sword of one who saw beyond the peak and gazed on the end.

It hadn’t reached transcendence, but Invidia’s immense strength had bridged the gap. If this had fallen on the ground, it would have sliced through the mantle and outer core of the planet. So, Nuada chose to use some of his strength.

Claimhb Solais started to shine as it collected the mana, light, and heat from the air. This sword was a true treasure, the lamp in the dark that brought victory. It was the symbol of the godking, who had upheld the name of the gods and led the Elin to victory.

The moment that Nuada struck with the brilliant sword in his hand, a golden blast, like the roar of the sun, bathed the world.

Kuooooooh―――――!

The golden wave looked sacred and beautiful as it met the ominously blood aura blade. It shattered the crimson aura on contact, overwhelming it completely. It wasn’t just a difference in strength. As a warrior himself, Nuada’s technique was a step above Kesein’s ultimate technique.

[Hrmm?]

But breaking through Sky Slash had dimmed the golden wave’s luster, reducing it to a shockwave. The wall of gold grazed Invidia as it desperately threw itself to the side, sending the grimoire slamming into the mountains like a pebble struck by a hammer. The body of the host was indispensable for a parasitic grimoire. It took a few seconds for Invidia to recover from the damage received and to reach the surface.

[Let’s finish it here.]

Nuada called out in the name of the god of light, and the light responded.

Ku kwa kwa kwang!

Light crashed down on the crater formed by Invidia. It was a simple snap of his fingers, but Nuada had just unleashed a level of destructive power rivaling that of a 7th Circle great spell. A mountain peak was completely demolished as a new lake of lava formed around the crater.

Even the famed red dragon, who was almost completely immune to heat and fire, couldn’t endure it. A massive mushroom cloud rose into the air, and the shockwave of its aftermath sent Theo, who was several dozen kilometers away, staggering.

Suddenly, Nuada’s eyes widened. He had thought his opponent was dead.

[... Hoh.]

A translucent shield shone dimly in the middle of the crater. Astonishingly, it didn’t even look cracked even after enduring a blow from Claimhb Solais. This was far beyond Invidia’s abilities. For a moment, a woman with snakes for hair glared up at the sky, but she vanished as the shield dimmed.

Nuada recognized it right away.

[Aegis, Pallas Athena’s shield.]

This was the god-weapon that took the power of a gorgon, a legendary monster. It was a shield that petrified all its opponents and reflected most attacks. But this was an unusual situation.

[Invader, only its legitimate owner can use it more than once. Are you planning on using a divine artifact as a disposable item?]

“... Godking Nuada… I now understand why you were called that,” Invidia walked out from behind the shield as he ignored Nuada. “The sword that the brat, Fermut, took was Claimhb Solais. Your summoner stole it and used it to call you.”

[What?]

“How funny. If I wasn’t involved, I would laugh. But now that it’s happening to me, I can’t help but get more angry.” Invidia had no interest in chatting. It just wanted to vent. Somehow, Fermut had managed to bite at its ankles from the dead. The item that Invidia had personally collected had been used to summon his worst enemy. To make matters worse, it was now being forced to consume other collectibles that were in short supply. It was completely enraged.

“... From now on, I won’t be taking the future into consideration, you old ghost.”

Envy of the Seven Sins was so utterly furious that it had somehow become calm. The old grimoire slowly pulled out a sword.

[―What?]

Nuada’s expression hardened. The shape of the straight steel blade, that bluish light…

Kwarururung!

Lightning started to crackle. Nuada recognized the fearsome lightning bolts that had leveled mountains and razed plains.

[Caladbolg?!]

It was the sword of Fergus mac Róich, Elin’s honorable hero! Nuada covered his sword with divine power and blocked the lightning bolts. Invidia’s Aura Abilities might be crude, but he was now using divine battle gear capable of killing gods. He wasn’t the legitimate owner, so the gear would disappear after one use. However, that one use was threatening enough.

This was the reason Andras had been exploring the ruins from the Age of Mythology since its founding. The relics that Invidia monopolized for centuries started to finally shine.

“Kill, Dainsleif.”

It was a cursed sword that increased in strength when it was steeped in blood. It was cursed with Retribution, Retaliation, and Destruction, but the sword was broken the moment the curses were released. Nevertheless, it left an angry scar on Nuada’s left side.

“Come down, Moralltach!”

This was a sword that, once brandished, emitted a wave of light. This time, Nuada received the attack with his sword. The aftermath was so intense that the ground sank down dozens of meters. Indeed, this was the power of the Age of Mythology. If Nuada had been using any other sword other than Claimhb Solais, it would have broken from receiving so many transcendent blows.

[―Don’t climb up!]

Even so, Nuada Airgetlám was the godking.

Kakang!

Nuada’s sword slashed down on the sword Invidia brought out, shattering it. It wouldn’t have been so easy if Invidia was the legitimate owner, but the sword chose to be destroyed by the godking, rather than lend power to its hated foe.

Four swords were broken in quick succession, then the light from Claimhb Solais pierced Invidia’s body. No, it was more accurate to say that it only looked like it was pierced.

Kwaduduk...!

The pieces of armor disappeared as it flew into the air. The pure white finish on the breastplate gave it away as Witege’s Armor. It was too late for Nuada to notice that Invidia was wearing it. However, even this could only buy Invidia a few more moments.

Invidia pulled out another sword, but it was rare that any sword could compare to the god-sword, Claimhb Solais. It was fortunate if Invidia could block a single attack. There were even cases where he needed to use two swords at once.

[Stolen power, stolen techniques, and now stolen weapons.]

Nuada ridiculed as light emerged from behind him.

“Kuk, try and stop all of this...!”

Invidia hurled thirty-four swords at Nuada, who retaliated with a wave of lights that vaporized the blades. Increasing the number of weapons couldn’t win against these Nuada’s warrior instincts and his acumen as a strategist.

[What will you bring out now? Almace? Or Beagalltach? Balisarda and Morglay are also not bad. You might be able to breathe longer if you have Tyrfing. You might not be struggling if you brought them out earlier.]

“Mocking me till the end!”

[Ridiculous. You don’t even deserve my mocking. Invader, your very nature is the one mocking you.]

It was time. Nuada raised his sword. Theo had given him a non-standard offering, but Nuada couldn’t bring out the unlimited power of the godking. He could only stay in this material world for another twelve, no, thirteen seconds?

He, the god of victory, was sure this was enough.

[Maybe you have no more weapons to take out. If so, die here.]

Claimhb Solais drew in the light. The silver sword burned up as the light started to reach the density of an artificial star. The compressed energy was comparable to an ancient dragon’s breath.

Hyde had once wielded the god-sword to destroy the warlocks, but this was a thousand times more powerful. It was far from its most powerful state, but it was still enough to completely kill Invidia.

A pseudo-sun hung in the sky, as Claimhb Solais lost the shape of a sword. The gold and radiant light, like the old sun, was the symbol of Nuada Airgetlám. It was the supreme light that warmly embraced all of its people and defeated the enemies!

[Annihilate the enemy, Claimhb Solais!]

The pseudo-sun fell on Invidia’s head according to the will of godking Nuada. The majestic and divine light of the sun enveloped the world. No mortal Aura Ability couldn’t endure this. No shield or armor could provide respite from a falling sun.

The only enemy who had ever survived the power of this sword had been the evil Crom Cruach.