A powerless defeat.


    Once hailed as the greatest Dark Mage in the continent’s history, under the name Heralhazard, he now stood before us with a look of utter despair on his face.


    Luaneth, who had just experienced an overwhelming and unexpected defeat, stared at us and asked weakly.


    “How can this be?”


    “Perhaps it is because we have come close, even if it is just a bit, to what it truly means to be Necromancers.”


    [I don’t have much experience, but Necromancers don’t really have a chance of winning once a hierarchy is established.]


    At our words, Luaneth bit his lip and dropped his head.


    He knew this as well. It was just that he never imagined that his own abilities would fall short compared to ours.


    Necromancers used souls to wield magic, but what about when Necromancers fought each other?


    Ultimately, the one who managed to maintain control over the souls won. There was even a possibility that the souls one controlled could be turned against them.


    In a battle between Necromancers, the moment the difference in skill was apparent, the one at a disadvantage would inevitably become powerless.


    We won more comfortably than expected.


    Luaneth could be considered the last mid-boss Aria faced before reaching the final episode. He was the most powerful and troublesome opponent among Dante’s Dark Mages.


    However, while Luaneth spent countless years trying to save the continent, the Dark Spiritualist had strived to surpass Heralhazard, the strongest Dark Mage in history, leading to her victory.


    “It would have been quite a struggle if I were alone.”


    I couldn’t guarantee my victory if I went against Luaneth in a battle between Necromancers all by myself. Seeing me answer honestly, the Dark Spiritualist smiled brightly and responded.


    [I too would have lost if it weren’t for you.]


    Her words had a lot of meaning packed into them. Luaneth sighed as he watched us.


    “Fine, I acknowledge that the two of you, my juniors, have surpassed me.”


    Pooof!


    White smoke billowed from Luaneth’s entire body. I was a bit taken aback since there was no such gimmick in the game, but the Dark Spiritualist and I responded calmly. ?A?O??βЕs?


    “But at the same time, I cannot afford to lose.”


    Sinister black bubbles bubbled up as something strange rose from his palm.


    Soon, it turned into a giant staff.


    [Ah.]


    The Dark Spiritualist let out a sigh.


    According to the records, it was said that Heralhazard wielded a cursed staff and wore a raven mask to conceal his identity.


    “If the one you have faced until now was Luaneth Luden Griffin...”


    The wind blew the hood of his black robe, naturally covering his head. At the same time, a raven mask covered his face.


    He looked completely different from just a moment ago.


    The white smoke that had been pouring out vanished like steam, and was replaced by a sticky black mana that rose all over his body.


    [That’s right. It was indeed too easy.]


    The Dark Spiritualist nodded frankly and retreated along with me.


    There was no such gimmick.


    Luaneth didn’t have this sort of phase in the game. He accepted his death cleanly, albeit dejectedly.


    Was it because of his conviction?


    Having regretted the mass slaughter he had committed, he abandoned the name Heralhazard and walked the path of redemption as Luaneth to save the continent.


    That part remained unchanged.


    However, unlike Aria, I rejected his methods outright and even argued that annihilating the souls was not the best approach.


    Moreover, he found the alternative I proposed to be unacceptable and an even more dangerous path.


    “Now, I will face you as Heralhazard, the manslayer of the continent.”


    The black robe fluttered, and vast mana spread out in all directions. I instinctively covered my face with my arm as I was pushed back.@@@@


    [This is truly incredible.]


    “It feels like he becomes a completely different person.”


    “Do not move recklessly.”


    “Huh?!”


    “Even the slightest impact can break the Mana Stone.”


    Due to its vast quantity, it required extreme caution while handling. Even a tiny scratch could cause the mana inside to spill out.


    I always wondered where the Mana Stone was hidden. So it turned out the Blood Mage had concealed it within his own blood.


    So, he was able to use magic in a variety of ways.


    And the move he made was quite effective.


    “Kuh, ugh!“


    He managed to make Heralhazard groan bitterly.


    If he fought me here, the Mana Stone would surely break. The recoil from our clash would be too much for this fragile glass-like Mana Stone to withstand.


    In the end, it was a moment of choice.


    If he, as Heralhazard, still wanted to kill me, the Mana Stone meant to save the continent would be destroyed.


    However, if he, as Luaneth, acknowledged his defeat, a glimmer of hope for me to save the continent would arise.


    Regardless of the outcome, the choice to annihilate all the souls to save this land had vanished.


    It felt like a long time had passed.


    His expression, concealed behind the mask, had numerous complex emotions.


    Resentment, anger, bitterness, anxiety, despair, and more.


    Even though his bitter feelings were hidden behind the mask, they were still visible.


    “Is this truly the conclusion of everything we have prepared for?”


    As if he was unable to accept it, he gritted his teeth and sighed. And I responded calmly.


    “Although you said that I would be able to save the world without any sacrifice.”


    And I did agree with his opinion.


    It was not possible to bring salvation to the continent without sacrifice.


    “I too stand here having given up many things.”


    I made direct eye contact with the Dark Spiritualist beside me. She smiled bravely, but a sadness lingered within.


    “Sighhh....“


    Upon hearing my words, he slowly, very slowly, loosened his grip on the staff.


    The ominous staff, along with the mask, dissipated into bubbles just like they appeared.


    His head drooped low.


    “Since I haven’t seen the entire path you walk, I dare not judge it recklessly.”


    Returning as Luaneth once more, he declared in a voice mixed with longing, not looking at me.


    “I hope... you succeed.”


    * * *“Huaah!”


    The carriage heading for Graypond stopped, and a woman jumped out as if bursting forth.


    Her messy pink hair was sticking out all around, and the glasses perched on her nose were quite tacky.


    Even the white gown she wore didn’t quite fit her short stature.


    However, her voluptuous figure overshadowed everything, exuding a peculiar charm that captivated all the men in the surrounding.


    However, her gaze, as she gathered her belongings, was fixed on just one place.


    It was directed at the royal palace.


    “He said I could come right away, right?”


    She was Fel Petra, a renowned authority in body engineering magic.


    After being summoned by Deus, she had rushed over without hesitation, even though it was the middle of the school term.