Chapter 501 - 328: Accidental Death

He knew he would be at a disadvantage on the ground, so as he ascended, he waved his magic staff to conjure a Fire Element Spell—Burning Hand.

The scorching temperature distorted the very air as pure Fire Elemental Magic Power coalesced into a giant hand that blotted out the sky, slamming straight down.

This spell wasn’t meant to end the fight, but simply to allow him to ascend to a safer altitude.

Although he had ascended to the Legendary level, Rillo did not grow arrogant or complacent. Maintaining humility in battle was a fundamental principle for any Mage, and he would not underestimate any opponent.

The Lord’s disdain for this spell was practically written on his face. Ever since he had stepped into the Holy Hall, his Elemental Resistance had reached an unimaginable level. If his opponent didn’t bring out the big guns, a Fire Element Spell of this caliber would, at most, singe his hair.

To the spectators in the stands, however, it was nothing short of an apocalypse. Even though the spell wasn’t aimed at them, they couldn’t help but shield their faces in alarm, trying to lessen the scorching heat that stung their skin.

Levi merely gave a casual swat with Digen’s Howl, and the giant hand of flames, as if it were a solid object, instantly dissipated into nothing.

The fight was happening too fast; every exchange occurred in the blink of an eye.

The Archbishop, who had been dividing his focus to quietly chant a spell ever since he took to the air, was finally done.

Rillo sneered, waving his Magic Staff to unleash a spell comparable to a Forbidden Curse. The Magic Power within him drained away at a frantic pace, as if a floodgate had been opened.

The sky above the entire Gladiatorial Arena was enveloped by the Fire Element. The arena was bathed in a sea of crimson, and horror was etched on every face.

This was the Legendary Magic, Cloud-Burning Storm, rumored to be powerful enough to turn an entire lake into a desert.

The crowd felt as if they were submerged in magma. A scorching heat washed over them, and sweat trickled down their bodies. The Noble Ladies’ silk gowns were soaked, clinging tightly to their beautiful forms and outlining their flawless figures for all to see.

The Debei Palace Mages gulped nervously but had no choice but to stand their ground and cast a defensive Barrier for their monarch. If Archbishop Rillo went mad and unleashed this spell on everyone present, they had no idea if they could possibly block it.

Levi laughed wildly, his tenth finger falling to mark the end of his count. He raised his weapon, ignoring the look of terror in Dragon Soul Digen’s eyes. An eruption of Holy Light, dozens of times more massive than the White Bone Fortress, poured from the five Holy Light Seeds inside him at five times its normal speed. This forcefully subjected Digen to an infusion ten times more brutal and five times faster than anything it had previously endured.

The immense Holy Light radiated from the tip of the sword, bursting through the dome of the Saint Demin Arena. It instantly pierced the blockade of Fire Element and scattered the clouds. Even the sunlight paled in comparison. The entire world seemed to be filled with nothing but gold, which formed a pillar in the sky like a passageway to the Divine Kingdom.

The residents of all Gonda City stared in amazement at this magnificent spectacle. Even a barefoot farmer miles away stopped his work, hastily fell to his knees, and cried out piously, "Holy Light Goddess above."

"Th-th-this..." Everyone was too excited to control themselves, as if they were witnessing a living Saint.

The faces of the Debei Palace Mages were deathly pale. They, more than anyone, understood just how immense the Elemental Power contained within that light truly was.

Compared to Levi’s Holy Light, the Magic Power contained in the Legendary Magic overhead was like a stream next to a lake. There was simply no comparison.

The Lord gripped the Giant Sword with both hands and brought it down in a mighty slash. The Holy Light Giant Sword that filled the sky followed suit, cleaving downward.

With a deafening BOOM, element crashed against element, exploding like oil on a raging fire in a kaleidoscope of colors. But the victor was decided in an instant. The Holy Light Giant Sword, its momentum unchecked, slammed into the Magic Shield Rillo had cast, melting it instantly.

It then fell upon the disbelieving Rillo, sending him flying. A ring on his finger shattered upon impact.

That single strike had nearly cost him his life.

A Magic Shield capable of withstanding Dragon Breath and a top-tier, Legendary-level piece of defensive Magic Equipment—with such ludicrous defenses, he should have been able to bathe in Dragon Breath.

But before the Lord, it was as if none of it existed. It was all more fragile than paper.

And yet, the Holy Light Giant Sword that pierced the heavens continued its descent, its momentum unchecked.

"Worri! The Lord of High Cliff Castle has gone mad! Everyone, run!" It was Prince Filo who reacted first. Realizing the situation was dire, he leaped to his feet and used Magic to amplify his voice.

The walls of the Gladiatorial Arena, which had been reinforced by the Palace Mages and were said to be nigh unbreakable even for a Legendary, were being sliced apart like tofu.

A deep trench was scoured by the Holy Light into the hardstone floor tiles that had stood for a thousand years.

A massive passage leading directly to the outside world was revealed before them.

’Damn, was this a shoddy construction job or what?’ The Lord was dumbfounded. This was not a consequence he had anticipated.

Back then, that group of Palace Mages had confidently thumped their chests and assured him he could go all out. They swore this Gladiatorial Arena had been reinforced by them, and that not even Legendary Powerhouses could necessarily break it.

That’s why he’d wanted to test the Mages’ abilities.

But Levi couldn’t be bothered with that now. This was the time to seize the opportunity and beat a dog while it’s down. He could see that Rillo hadn’t been completely incapacitated by his intentionally weakened attack.

The Lord hefted his sword and, in a great leap, crossed several hundred paces to land above the crater where Rillo had fallen. It was an incredibly dashing move.

"How can you possibly possess that level of Holy Light!?" Rillo’s face was white as a sheet as the Lord grabbed him by the collar and hauled him out of the crater. His aura was like a guttering candle flame, on the verge of being extinguished.

The old man simply couldn’t comprehend it. His opponent clearly hadn’t reached the Legendary level, so why did he possess Holy Light more immense than that of a Legendary Holy Knight?

Even if the Holy Light Goddess herself favored him, it shouldn’t be possible to reach such a level!

"Because I’m actually the reincarnation of a Saint," the Lord said, his face an image of noble righteousness and compassion for all living things. He looked as sincere as one could possibly be.

"Which Lord Saint are you!?" Rillo, severely injured and his mind a complete muddle, seemed to actually believe him.

"Heh, I can’t believe you actually bought that. I was just messing with you!" the Lord roared with laughter.

The combination of extreme anger and his severe injuries was too much. The man’s eyes flew wide, his legs kicked out, and his soul returned to the embrace of the Celestial Father.

"Huh? He’s dead?" The Lord wore a look of utter bewilderment.

...

With so many experts present, it was impossible for them all to have been cut down by Levi’s one attack, especially since he had intentionally held back.

Although no one was injured, many were left dusty and disheveled. After a period of chaos, order was restored in the Gladiatorial Arena, and everyone was eager to learn the outcome of the duel.

"I’d say Lord Li’s attack was exceptionally powerful. A single strike was enough to shatter the Saint Demin Arena. No matter how tough Rillo is, he must be on the ground, unable to get back up."

Prince Filo, who had quite a sense of humor, made a little joke as he led the crowd toward the arena floor to assess the situation.

"He certainly won’t be getting up from the ground," Fatir said with a soft sigh, looking at Rillo’s corpse.

"What?" Filo didn’t understand at first. But when his gaze shifted to the ground ahead, his face filled with panic.

He began to pace frantically, shouting, "Quick, go to the resting room and get His Holiness the Pope!"

Rillo, who had only just ascended to the Legendary level and was the Pope’s chosen successor, had died on Debei soil. Talisi would absolutely go berserk!

"It’s too late. His soul has completely dissipated. Not even my teacher could bring him back, unless a living Saint were here." Fatir shook his head. "He had lost the will to live, causing his soul to rapidly fade away."

"I wasn’t even trying to kill him. I can’t believe he couldn’t even take one of my attacks," the Lord said, looking frustrated.

’And I was even holding back.’

After all, they had only exchanged words. Levi wasn’t so petty as to kill someone over a simple argument.