Arc 4 Chapter 54 : Last Battle

[Raul POV]

I have to get back to the surface.

That was the only thought occupying my mind after taking this artifact from Siena. However, the wound on my back from Siena’s attack was deep enough to make swimming through this raging sea extremely difficult.

If I did not reach the surface quickly, my body would become too weak from losing so much blood. For that reason, I poured all my strength into my body and tried to swim my way out of the depths.

After nearly two minutes of swimming upward, my head finally broke through the surface.

Thunder roared loudly in my ears. The screams of soldiers fighting aboard the ships were no less deafening. However, even though I had reached the surface, the enormous waves caused by the storm winds could drag me back beneath the sea if I did not hurry and climb aboard a ship.

Suddenly, I spotted a fairly large wooden plank floating nearby—a fragment from one of the ships destroyed across the sea.

I tried to swim toward it.

However, my body was suddenly pulled beneath the water. Someone had grabbed my leg.

It turned out to be one of the Venetian soldiers who had fallen into the sea. He then reached for the only wooden plank I had found.

But I was not about to let him have it.

I grabbed his leg in return.

The man turned around and began kicking wildly, trying to break free from my grasp.

We began wrestling beneath the water.

We punched and kicked each other, each of us trying to drown the other. However, I would likely lose the contest of strength if we stayed underwater for too long because of the wound I had received from Siena.

That was why I placed my palm against the man's chest and prepared a new ability from the second level of one of the Profound Codex I possessed.

"Pain Swap!"

The man's body was sent flying deep into the sea. Blood began spilling from his back, just as it had from mine.

Yet the pain in my back had now disappeared completely. All I could feel were minor wounds.

Pain Swap was the second stage of the Profound Codex Full Vengeance that I possessed. This ability allowed me to transfer the pain or injuries I had suffered and exchange them with the body of another living person.

I then swam toward the wooden plank and pulled myself onto it.

Reaching into my pocket, I took out the crescent-shaped pendant I had previously stolen from Siena.

A Rune had appeared on the artifact.

That meant the artifact had already been activated, yet Siena had not used it because she did not know what it was for.

- JEDARRRR!!!

A thunderclap startled me.

The area around the sea was growing darker.

In the distance, I could see a gigantic Water Octopus destroying the Imperial fleet. Many of them were trying to attack Celestia, but none of their attacks had any effect on the Demigod.

I then pulled a mask from inside my uniform and put it on.

Afterward, I stood up and moved the muscles in my back.

A pair of black wings suddenly emerged.

With Celestia's body positioned so high above the sea, I had no choice but to fly if I wanted to reach her.

"All right, let's take half of the Demigod's power."

---

[Elena POV]

This creature cannot be stopped...

Even though the three Grand Espada, along with all of our Knights and Mages, had unleashed their attacks upon this creature, not a single one had managed to have any effect.

"Fire! Don't stop! Fire your magic at that creature!"

Hundreds of magical projectiles flew toward the gigantic Water Octopus, even though we knew they were all futile.

Every spell was simply swallowed by the Water Octopus's body without leaving the slightest effect.

Perhaps only powerful attacks like Uncle Raymond's earlier slash were capable of stopping this creature.

"Watch out! One of its tentacles is coming toward us! Abandon the ship!"

One of the gigantic Water Octopus's blue tentacles swung toward us.

I activated Acceleration and ran toward the edge of the ship before leaping across the gap with Axio.

- CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!

The sound of several heavy impacts echoed from behind me.

I landed on another ship.

Turning around, I saw that one of the gigantic Water Octopus's tentacles had just destroyed three ships at once.

What terrifying power.

At this rate, it seemed that half of our fleet had already been destroyed by this creature.

We could not even retreat because the Venetian Fleet had appeared and was blocking our path.

If this continued, our entire army would be slaughtered in this sea.

What are we supposed to do?

"Princess Elena..."

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice from behind me.

I turned around and saw an elderly man in his fifties walking toward me.

It was Uncle Raymond—the man who had cut through the water tornado created by that creature.

"Don't let this desperate situation interfere with your mind during battle," he advised me. "If our minds become chaotic, we will not be able to find a solution to the problem we are facing while fighting."

"But Uncle, if we don't hurry and do something, even more of our people will die!"

Besides, I did not understand why none of the three Grand Espada had used their Awakening to stop that creature.

Uncle's gaze seemed to indicate that he knew exactly what I had been thinking.

"Princess, a Grand Espada can only use their Awakening once," Uncle said gently. "This power has a time limit, and we can only use it at the right moment. Right now, we still haven't found a way to defeat that creature. If we exhaust our Awakening before discovering its weakness, then our secret weapon will have been wasted, wouldn't you agree?"

I lowered my head after hearing his explanation.

All I could do was lament the fact that my strength was still not enough to fight on the same level as the Grand Espada.

"Even so, that doesn't change the dire situation we're in," Uncle said, staring toward the gigantic Water Octopus rampaging across the sea.

- BOOOMMMBBB!!!

A massive explosion of fire erupted against one of the Octopus's tentacles.

The heated water produced a cloud of steam that partially obscured the area around the gigantic Water Octopus.

"Wasn't that Grand Espada Danilo?" I muttered.

"Correct. That was one of the attacks from the Fire Nature Mana he possesses," Uncle replied.

Not long afterward, the steam surrounding the gigantic Water Octopus dissipated.

One of its tentacles had been destroyed by Grand Espada Danilo's attack.

Yet losing a single tentacle did not stop the gigantic Water Octopus from attacking our fleet once again.

"Power Tempest!"

Suddenly, another one of the Octopus's tentacles was severed by a powerful Wind Element attack, allowing the ships that were about to be struck by the creature's attack to retreat safely just in time.

That attack had come from Grand Espada Cortez de La Hoya—the younger brother of the head of a Noble family from the western region of the Empire.

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This time, two of the gigantic Octopus's tentacles had been destroyed by two Grand Espada.

At present, only their magic seemed capable of having any effect on the creature we were fighting.

"Hmm... What a troublesome enemy," Uncle Raymond muttered, stroking his beard as he watched the attacks of the two Grand Espada fail to incapacitate the creature.

If I remembered correctly, I had fought a monster that could continuously regenerate during last year's survival exam.

Brian was the one who defeated that troublesome monster, wasn't he?

However, after conducting research in the academy library, I learned that the monster we fought back then did not possess a true body nearly as large as the gigantic monster we had defeated.

That meant Brian had not actually been the one who defeated the monster.

Someone else must have discovered its weakness and defeated its true body.

For some reason, the only person who came to mind was that black-haired man.

"Uncle, every living creature must have a weakness, right? Even a Goddess?" I asked him.

Hearing my question, Uncle Raymond looked at me seriously this time.

"Of course, Princess. However, the stronger the enemy we face, the fewer weaknesses they possess."

Uncle Raymond then pointed toward the circular barrier surrounding the woman inside the head of the gigantic Water Octopus.

"And I believe the Barrier created by that woman is one of them."

I looked toward the place Uncle had pointed.

It was true.

We could penetrate the Water Element magic surrounding the woman within the circular Barrier, although she would eventually recreate it as it had been before.

However, at such a height, did we even have an attack capable of reaching and destroying that Barrier?

"Count Raymond, you've been standing around doing nothing this whole time! Have you found this creature's weakness!?" Grand Espada Danilo asked as he landed on our ship.

"Lord Danilo, your Awakening allows you to fly through the air, doesn't it?" Uncle Raymond asked the youngest Grand Espada. "We will attack the Barrier surrounding that woman and strike her when her defenses are exposed."

Awakening Mode was the strongest ability available to a Knight.

Only those who had successfully unlocked all three stages of their entire Profound Codex could use this ability.

"All right! I'll prepare my Awakening!" Danilo said as he began gathering Mana.

Meanwhile, Grand Espada Cortez de La Hoya landed on the neighboring ship and likewise began gathering Mana to activate his Awakening.

"Princess, could you step back for a moment?" Uncle Raymond asked me.

I stepped backward as requested.

He then began gathering a tremendous amount of Mana.

"Red Velmathor!" Grand Espada Danilo shouted.

His body was immediately covered in extremely hot lava armor.

His skin was also covered in red scales resembling those of a dragon.

"Green Pheasant!"

This time, Grand Espada Cortez de La Hoya activated his Awakening.

A pair of wings emerged from his back, while his body became enveloped in green Mana Particles.

"Grand Platinum!"

Finally, Uncle Raymond activated his Awakening.

I had only seen him activate this ability once before, when I was ten years old.

His entire body was covered in Platinum armor, leaving not a single part of his body exposed.

If I remembered correctly, Uncle's Awakening could increase his strength, defense, and speed by tenfold.

"Grand Espada! Launch!"

The three of them disappeared from the ship and shot toward the gigantic Water Octopus.

I saw flames erupt from Grand Espada Danilo's feet, propelling him through the air, while Uncle Raymond relied purely on his physical strength to launch himself through the sky.

The woman controlled her tentacles and attempted to attack the three Grand Espada.

However, a mass of lava exploded against one of the tentacles, Uncle Raymond cut through another tentacle that was about to strike him, and Grand Espada Cortez created a powerful gust of wind that destroyed the attack aimed at him.

Three tentacles were destroyed in an instant by a single attack from each of them.

"Lava Blast!"

Grand Espada Danilo spewed scorching lava toward the gigantic Octopus's head, causing the water around its head to evaporate and exposing the Barrier protecting the woman controlling the magic.

"Eagle Deep Strike!"

Grand Espada Cortez flew toward the woman and slammed his fist against the Barrier protecting her with tremendous force.

However, the moment his fist made contact with the Barrier, a light appeared and sent Grand Espada Cortez flying backward.

But above him, Uncle Raymond was already prepared to launch his attack while Grand Espada Cortez was being thrown away.

"Greater Shock!"

He swung his sword, creating a shockwave that slammed into the Barrier.

"Volcano Eruption!"

Grand Espada Danilo punched the Barrier.

A tremendous explosion of lava erupted around the Barrier protecting the woman.

At this point, I could no longer see her condition because the Barrier was covered by scorching lava.

Grand Espada Danilo retreated, while Uncle Raymond landed on a ship not far from us.

However, once the lava from Grand Espada Danilo's attack disappeared, the Barrier protecting the woman remained intact.

There was only a slight scratch on its surface.

"So strong..." I muttered in amazement. "Even the three ultimate attacks from the three strongest Knights weren't enough to destroy her defenses."

The woman recreated the tentacles that had previously been destroyed.

But this time, she created a dragon's head at the end of each of the eight gigantic Water Octopus's tentacles.

The dragon heads then opened their mouths and aimed toward the Aragon Empire's fleet.

- SWOOOSSHH!!!

The dragon mouths unleashed streams of high-pressure water that destroyed dozens of ships at once.

What am I doing just standing here?

Is there really nothing I can do to help defeat this creature?

The three Grand Espada attempted to attack again.

However, they were intercepted by the eight dragons.

The three of them managed to destroy four dragons, but Uncle was struck by a stream of water fired from one of the dragon's mouths.

- CRASH!!!

He was sent flying and slammed into the ship where I was standing.

"Uncle! Are you all right!?" I rushed toward him.

"Ughhh... I think a few of my bones are broken," he answered casually. "But don't worry. Grand Platinum heals my wounds every minute, so I'll recover before long."

- BOOOMMMBBB!!!

A deafening explosion echoed from the battlefield.

Smoke and steam filled the air around the gigantic Water Octopus.

Through the haze, I could vaguely see the bodies of the two Grand Espada falling from the sky.

It seemed they had just launched another attack against the woman's Barrier, only to be struck by a powerful counterattack.

Using Eagle Eye, I finally saw a crack in the Barrier protecting this troublesome woman.

"Princess, we have to destroy the Barrier before that woman can repair it," Uncle Raymond said as he tried to stand. "I believe the Profound Codex attack you possess has enough power to destroy it."

"But I don't know how to reach that woman when she's so far above us in the sky!"

"I'll throw you and divert some of those troublesome dragon-headed tentacles," Uncle said, his expression serious.

I nodded before walking toward the edge of the ship and beginning to chant my spell.

In the distance, the creature was destroying our fleet one ship after another until almost nothing remained.

- JEDARRRR!!!

Thunder began roaring across the sky.

I raised my sword above my head with both hands.

Dozens of bolts of lightning began striking the sword, causing both of my hands to tremble as I held it.

I gathered as much energy as possible so I could pierce through the Barrier.

Not long afterward, Uncle stood beside me and prepared himself.

"Princess, are you ready?" he asked.

I nodded.

Uncle then grabbed me by the waist and hurled me toward the gigantic Water Octopus with tremendous force.

A moment later, he followed with a powerful leap.

The woman noticed our approach and directed the dragon-headed tentacles toward us.

The mouths of all eight dragons opened, preparing to unleash their high-pressure water at us.

- SWOOOSHHHH!!!!

The streams of water shot toward us.

Uncle Raymond's sword began to glow.

He then shouted and swung his sword vertically.

The massive stream of water was split into two.

Even Uncle's attack caused the water surrounding the Barrier to part, exposing it.

"Now, Princ—"

Uncle Raymond's words were cut short.

One of the gigantic Water Octopus's tentacles struck him.

Now I was alone in the air.

The remaining seven dragon-headed tentacles began rushing toward me.

There was nothing I could do to evade them at a moment like this.

Besides, I was still too far away to release this attack and destroy the Barrier.

However, just as the seven dragon-headed tentacles were about to strike, someone suddenly wrapped their arms around me and carried my body to the side, allowing me to evade the gigantic Water Octopus's attack.

I began to feel a warmth that was strangely familiar.

A mask covered the face of the man who had saved me.

"You... That mask... Aren't you one of the members of The Masquerade who killed the Holy Knight?" I asked, confused as to why a man like him had saved me.

"We don't have time to discuss this," the man replied seriously. "You need to destroy that Barrier with your magic."

I quickly regained my focus and concentrated on the situation before me.

From behind this man's back, I could see the mouths of all eight dragons opening again, preparing to fire their high-pressure water at us.

- SWOOOSSHHH!!!

They began firing.

The masked man twisted his body and dove upward through the air, avoiding the streams of water.

He then flew closer to the Barrier inside the head of the gigantic Water Octopus, which was now exposed.

"Elena, are you ready?" the man asked me.

For some reason, he called me by my name as though we were already very close.

Nevertheless, I nodded.

But our journey would not be easy.

The eight dragon-headed tentacles began rushing toward us again, trying to strike and knock us down.

- ROOAARRR!!!

The mouths of all eight dragons opened wide.

Their horrifying teeth looked capable of tearing our bodies apart until nothing remained if we were caught.

The man twisted his body again, performing a series of maneuvers to evade every dragon tentacle attempting to seize us.

Once we had passed through them all, he pushed me forward with tremendous force toward the Barrier protecting the woman inside.

"Lightning Blade: Lion Song of Death!"

- CRACKKK!!!

My attack shattered the Barrier.

Looking ahead, I saw the woman inside it staring at me with hatred.

Her eyes suddenly lit up, and my body was immediately seized by excruciating pain.

My body was sent flying through the air and began falling from the sky.

My consciousness slowly faded...

The only thing I remembered was a blinding light appearing as the mysterious man flew toward the woman inside the Barrier I had destroyed.

---

[Celestia POV]

How troublesome...

Unlike hundreds of years ago, the humans attacking this island were far stronger than before.

Perhaps magic had evolved considerably during all those years.

Even though I could only manifest half of my power in this form, those humans were capable of breaking through the spells I had cast with power far greater than theirs.

The woman who destroyed my Barrier earlier was undoubtedly a descendant of the lightning mage who was the twin sister of the Hero of Light—the one who defeated a Demigod of the Demon Race, the Demon King.

After I cast that woman aside, a black-winged man suddenly approached me.

He then pressed an object against my chest.

The object began to glow, and for some reason, the Mana within me began being drawn into it.

I tried to repel the man with my magic, but for some reason, I could not properly control my magic.

"What are you doing to me, Human?" I asked him irritably.

He looked at me from behind his mask before saying,

"It is time for you to entrust the duty of protecting this island to someone else and rest peacefully."

"No! As long as greedy humans like you still exist, life in the sea will always be threatened! As long as the people living on this island remain free, they will ensure the continuation of marine life, and I will protect them from threats posed by greedy humans like you!"

Indeed, look at what your kind has done just to satisfy your thirst for power.

You destroy people's homes and make them suffer simply because you wish to dominate the world.

I will never entrust the future to your filthy hands.

"I have someone more suitable than you to protect this island, Celestia," the man said, surprising me with how he knew my name.

"That is why you should entrust your power to her," the man continued. "Because only in her hands will this island become far stronger and safer from outside forces that seek to exploit this place."

My consciousness began to fade.

It seemed that the object this man had used on me was an Artifact capable of sealing someone's Mana.

But if my power would be used to protect this island, then I suppose I would be fine with whoever wielded it.

That was why...

"Do you promise that you will not allow anyone else to use my power to destroy the sea and the people on this island?" I asked the man.

"I swear that I will give it to someone who truly loves this island," the man answered confidently.

I nodded.

After that, I looked at the sea one last time.

I could see the countless wrecks of the human ships I had destroyed scattered across these waters.

Perhaps it was true.

Violence was not the answer to creating peace and preserving the environment in which living creatures resided.

I hoped that whoever received me would be able to resolve every problem without war and destruction, unlike what I and my predecessors had done all this time.