Chapter 237

TL: TangSanFan

ED/PR: Tanthus

***Bellbrook Subjugation Battle (5)***

"I don't see why I need to go on living."

The boy who spoke those words was named Gluckt.

Only recently having passed his tenth year, this naive boy was granted an audience with the sage of the century, Sylvania Robespierre, due to his bloodline—he was the offspring of the adventurer Dalex Eldervain.

The current emperor had allowed Sylvania to meet with people from all walks of life, believing that broadening her horizons would lead her to continue conjuring magical innovations that would benefit the world.

This intent of the emperor had indeed taken effect, with Sylvania's experiences in the lily palace laboratory expanding more than they ever had before.

It was in the midst of this that she met Gluckt, the boy with vacant eyes and unruly hair.

Sylvania would not soon forget the hollow look in the boy's eyes as he sat quietly in the waiting room, gazing up at her.

Gluckt's father, the frontier adventurer Dalex, had died the previous month, attacked by a bear while exploring lands in the far east. His mother passed away on the day Gluckt was born, effectively leaving him an orphan.

Left alone, Gluckt's last wish was to meet privately with the renowned sage Sylvania.

Honoring Dalex Eldervain's achievements, the emperor granted this wish. On the day he finally faced Sylvania, the dazed-eyed boy spoke words heavy with meaning, far beyond his years.

"I'm frail by nature. The magicians at the tower tell me I have no talent for magic. I'm not particularly smart either. I'm not sociable, and I find dealing with people to be exhausting. I don't have any close friends, and all those I could call family have left this world."

"..."

"Even if I live on, I can't see my life getting any better. I don't have a clear goal or dream, and even if I did, it doesn't seem like I could achieve it. I'm convinced that there's nothing in my life that will improve."

There was certainty in the boy's eyes, an acknowledgment that his life and abilities were all too clear to him.

"I don't know what happiness is."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You never know. If I live long enough, maybe even someone as useless and clueless as I can make a difference somewhere. If I'm lucky, I might even find success. But even then... in the end... I'll die alone, without anyone, without anything, just sitting still, welcoming death. From the start, I'm just... empty."

Everyone has moments of baseless certainty when they realize their life won't get any better, that the peak of their life is far too low to even be called a peak...

It's when life itself feels hollow.

What's the point of desperately clinging to such a miserable existence?

In stories, misfortune and trials are overcome and life can miraculously turn around.

But in reality, 99% of miserable lives simply come to a miserable close.

Misfortune in fairy tales is a trial to be overcome, a mere prelude to a shining future that awaits the protagonist.

But in reality, misfortune is just that—misfortune. It is the corporeal reality, a weight that must be carried through life, as integral as limbs are to a body.

The shiny "happily ever after" is neither an obstacle to overcome nor nourishment for growth.

In the reality of life, we are not the protagonists.

And for those who are not the protagonists, misfortune is nothing more than misfortune.

"I've heard you're the wisest person in the world. That's why I wanted to ask you this question."

The boy with the vacant stare asks Sylvania,

"Do I really have to live through this life that has no chance of seeing the light? What's the point of it all?"

Is there a reason to go on living a life that's nothing but a struggle?

Sylvania couldn't quite remember how she had responded to such a heavy question from the mere ten-year-old.

* * *

To face an overwhelmingly powerful foe, one must use every available means.

To face them openly in an unobstructed area would be suicide. The first move must be to relocate to a battlefield where the terrain can be exploited.

After reaching that conclusion, I begin the battle by scattering a smoke bomb from my pocket onto the ground.

― Kwaak!

― Hwaaaah!

Bellbrook's breath cuts through the night sky, and a massive outcry of magical power once again overshadows Acken Island, just as I quickly move through the rising smoke.

I had to hastily retreat back inside the Triss Hall. While in the open courtyard I'd have to face all attacks head-on, inside the hall with its walls and doors, there will be angles and corners to utilize for cover.

Sylvania reads my intention as though she had anticipated it, and with a flick of her hand, she sends dozens of magic bullets my way.

For Sylvania, it's like throwing a light jab—an understatement, considering even a flinch from her could turn those magic bullets into deadly projectiles capable of pulverizing a person.

I somehow avoid the onslaught of magic bullets directed at me by leaping into the lobby of Triss Hall.

― Bang! Kwang! Bang!

Soon, the entrance of Triss Hall collapses.

The building debris is crashing down where I stood just moments ago.

The lobby of the Triss Hall is quite open, so running toward the second or third-floor corridors would be wise to pull attention and delay for time.

That's when I make my move toward the staircase.

― BANG!

The top of the building is sliced away like tofu.

Sylvania, who had just been on the open roof, rolls her foot once and crashes through the first-floor ceiling, landing solidly on the ground.

Her robe flutters, and dust rises, but she stands in the center, brushing off her giant staff, absorbing all surrounding impact with ease.

Her movement shows no constraint by physical forces.

Through the dust, she grins like a zombie and stretches her pupils unnaturally as she looks at me.

"You're brave. So brave. Truly brave."

I wonder if her mind is still intact.

"You don't run. You're brave. So brave. Impressive. Brave. Remarkable. Even facing the sky-dominating Star Spear Dragon, even against me smashing buildings without a care, you don't flee and keep up the fight. Remarkable. Truly brave. Impressive. Remarkable. Brave."

Her crackling voice continues without stop, sounding as if she's forcefully wrenching out the sounds from a decaying voice box.

"Because of people like you, such tremendous trials are overcome. Unimaginable disasters, like the revival of a Star Spear Dragon, are defeated. You're amazing. Because there are great and brave people like you, the future goes on. Right. Isn't it? Impressive. Truly wonderful. Brave. I'm amazed there are brave people like you."

"..."

"So, you need to die."

Her face, which seemed filled with joyous laughter just moments before, now turns sinister with a downturn of her lips.

"You need to die, let's die. You shouldn't be here. You're a variable. If you live, you will stand against Bellbrook. You'll try to prevent this senseless world from ending. Just stay still. It might be simpler to die quickly. Without pain, drifting to sleep... I'll give you that peaceful rest. Otherwise, you'll die in more pain. So, stay still. Don't resist. Listen to me. If you don't stay still, if you resist, if you keep delaying, you'll die more painfully."

"..."

"I'll twist your neck. Squeeze out your heart, pull out your veins. Rip out your innards, peel off your nails. Reveal your facial skin and burn your flesh. Cut out your tongue, break every finger, slice your ankles. For your begging mouth, I'll shove in a fireball. Blood will flow like a river. Spilled guts will roll on the ground. Pain. Such pain. Heh-heh. Ha-ha. Haha."

For a while, Sylvania laughs disturbingly, then her face returns to a grotesque expressionless state.

"So, die comfortably. Let's all die comfortably. Don't be consumed by vanity. Rather than wandering the endless void, fearlessly navigating an endless future... let's die here together. Towards a rest in death. I can help you. I can."

"Sylvania Robespierre."

I call her name softly, and the girl, flicking her robe, twists her neck eerily and looks back at me.

"What have you seen?"

"Nothing, I've seen nothing."

At that moment, a thread of blood trickles down from Sylvania's lips.

Upon closer inspection, she had been gnawing on her own lip.

"I haven't seen anything. There was nothing. What I've seen is just darkness, eternally continuing within the void."

"..."

"Have you ever stared blankly at a dark mountain at midnight? Or have you gazed quietly at a pitch-black sea? Have you ever stared into darkness that stretches endlessly, without end? Have you never done that?"

Sylvania, engulfing the conversation with madness in her bubbling voice, is not one who can be reasoned with.

However, she gave me time to gather magical energy as my body's strength began to wane. I diligently focus my dwindling magical power.

"The fear of darkness is a primordial aspect of human nature. To swim eternally in that, losing limbs and spilling guts in the process of death, is much more painful, do you understand?"

"..."

"We can all die more comfortably."

― Thud, thump, boom!

Gathered divine power begins to envelop the area. Despite the vast lobby of Triss Hall, the dense concentration of magical energy makes it hard to breathe.

As Sylvania moves to act, I transform the gathered power into arrows and shoot several at her.

I don't expect them to hit effectively. They're merely meant as a distraction as I escape towards the staircase.

But Sylvania does not even bother defending. She doesn't even cast a protective spell.

Just by surrounding herself with the dissipating flow of magic, she renders the magical energy arrows ineffective.

The divine power she summoned turns toward me. Sylvania, with her hands outstretched from a distance, clenches her fist.

Suddenly, I realize the nature of the magic.

High-rank divine magic, 'Instant Death'.

Within range, anything taking human form is guaranteed to die in one hit—a spell representing the epitome of absurdity.

The only requirement for this magic to work is that the target is human. That is all.

There's no counter-affinity. Protective spells are useless. If successful within range, any human will be unable to escape death.

The lengthy casting time and tremendous amount of divine magical power it requires are serious setbacks, but to Sylvania, the pioneer of divine magic, they mean nothing.

Even she must expend effort to cast high-rank divine magic, but it's worth it if she can resolve the situation in one stroke.

There's much to be done. There are too many variables in the world trying to stand against Bellbrook. For her, there's no point in wasting time with a human like Ed Rothtaylor.

Yet, I resist.

The only way to oppose divine power is by confronting it with the same divine power.

Given the rarity of divine magic, it's practically a meaningless hypothesis. Alas, I have mastered divine magic.

Pushing against the incoming divine power, I summon my body's divine energy. Though substantially weaker compared to Sylvania's overwhelming power, I can at least resist.

Mid-rank divine magic 'Death Immunity'.

Though not fully mastered, its basic efficacy holds true.

My body's fine vessels burst, blood flows from my nose, and my bones tremble as if about to shatter, but I clench my teeth and continue to resist with a sudden raise of my arm.

― Kaang!

Dizzy, I manage to summon the rest of my magical power and produce blades of wind.

Just as Sylvania had left herself open by using a high-rank spell, my blades made of magical energy soar at her.

Sylvania dismisses the wind blades effortlessly with a sweep of her staff, but her pupils are noticeably widened.

"You didn't die?"

In her moment of surprise, I ignore the agony spreading through my body and hastily ascend the second-floor staircase of Triss Hall.

"You didn't die? How? How didn't you die? You should die, comfortably, when it's time... when you can die comfortably... You should die! But how? Why? Why aren't you dead? Why don't you die? How? How are you still alive? Why? Why? Why? How? How? How?"

As Sylvania mutters bizarrely several times, she twists her head unnaturally and looks up at me ascending the staircase.

"It's okay. I'll make sure to kill you."

Once again, the magic circle she deployed shines brightly...

And instantly, half of Triss Hall is obliterated.

* * *

"Save us, please save us! If we stay like this, we'll all die! The sky, it's filled with too many demonic beasts!"

"President! What should we do now?! Should we flee to Obel Hall?! But I heard that the Mekses Bridge has collapsed...!"

"Everyone, stay calm!"

At the student plaza where the closing event was being held, the remaining student council forces were barricading with survivors.

Stepping down from the stage, they used collapsed stage equipment as a barricade to set up a temporary base, shaking with fear.

That was the only fortunate thing...

Yes, Tanya Rothtaylor maintained her composure even after the chaotic events. Still, the lack of contact from the academy headquarters was a concern.

"No word from the academic headquarters yet?" she asked.

"None. I suspect they may have been affected too. Waiting for their contact is becoming increasingly difficult," Zix replied, dusting off the blood from his sword as he joined Tanya.

Zix had just returned from combat at the north gate of the temporary camp. The battles had been relentless since the upheaval began, and exhaustion was evident on his face, but his reliable presence still remained.

For the moment, they had to deal with an unfavorable terrain. Rather than facing the hordes of demons in the open, he suggested finding a building to fortify their position, despite the risk of collapse.

Together, they discussed the options for a building that could accommodate and defend the current group of over 200 students and outsiders.

Obel Hall was not suitable, but Gluckt Hall had been damaged by a recent monster's strike. Shifting towards the teaching buildings seemed to be the likelier option, despite the risks.

Zix' analysis of the situation was sober and precise—the hope for a casualty-free resolution was fading.

The people at the students' plaza camp, in essence, entrusted their lives to Tanya's judgments. She felt the weight of their expectations, but a single swallow of dry saliva helped her push through the burden.

Guiding all the occupants to the teaching buildings would come at great cost, with the likely loss of half the group. But staying put and being encircled by demons would result in total annihilation, Zix reasoned with a sharp gaze, well aware of the gravity of his words.

A roar from Bellbrook, a monstrous creature, split the sky, but Lucy Meyril countered it by casting hundreds of magic circles, deflecting the attack far out to sea. The resulting colossal explosion even simulated rain on the distant Acken Island.

Tanya, shielding herself from the spray with an arm, ordered the preparation for evacuation, mentioning the possibility of joining forces with those under Saint Clarice's guidance at the cathedral's campsite nearby.

The students at the combat teachers' area had to be informed too; though time-consuming and dangerous, it seemed necessary.

Tanya's brother Ed was holding off the actual monster at the overrun Trickshawn. Zix and all the students were left dumbfounded by the revelation of the Grand Sage Sylvania's resurrection, an incredible and dire piece of news. The Trickshawn, the academy's brain, was compromised, and now Ed Rothtaylor confronted the resurrected Grand Sage alone.

Despite the pandemonium, they needed to make a decision. Ed's actions were intentional, sending Taely to the students' plaza despite staying at the chaotic Trickshawn. Tanya bet on her brother's judgment, directing Zix to aid Taely and confront the imminent threat of Bellbrook.

The situation was dire: they were racing against death, and every moment of hesitation led to more casualties. A wrong decision had the same fatal consequence; Tanya understood the enormous responsibility on her shoulders. As the student council president, she had to be both rational and intuitive when lives were at stake.

Finally, after a brief deliberation, she gave her instructions: "Mr. Zix, please assist Mr. Taely."

It was a decision that could endanger her life, for Zix was among the strongest at the camp, as precious as any combatant. Yet, Tanya trusted her brother's insight and believed in Zix's principle—a strong commitment to protecting those around him.

As Tanya and Zix prepared for their crucial roles, Lucy Meyril exhaustedly but resolutely continued to face Bellbrook above the skies of Acken Island. The calamity they all fought against was massive, defying human resistance. The outcome would weigh heavily on the actions of a few, in a world where variables such as Lucy Meyril and Ed Rothtaylor were already altering the course of destiny.