Chapter 315

[I ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍want you to take the contaminated Lord's place.]

The ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍unexpected words left Killian's mind blank for a moment.

“…….”

To ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍think that a day would come when the existence that had sealed him away—

or ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍rather, the existence abandoned by Lord—

would ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍ask him for a favor.

“That is even more surprising than refining a Hollyheart.”

Killian stared at the being wearing Lord's appearance.

The Anomaly that had crossed over from the place called the outside.

The purity discarded by the altered Lord after he devoured the Anomaly.

Until now, Killian had shared the memories of others through several Gods, including Murus.

Unless this was some kind of mental attack—

‘He is not lying.’

How many beings in the world could even launch a mental attack against the current Killian?

[Yes. Contrary to what the Monster Lord told you, this is not a lie.]

The corners of Lord's mouth curved upward.

The pressure he gave off was different from when they had first met.

Killian soon realized why.

It was the pressure of having reached the moment when he had to face the truth and make a choice.

“Can you not explain in more detail?”

[Unfortunately, this is as far as I can go.]

Even this much was possible only because Killian had one foot in Divine Power and possessed a standing close to that of a Transcendent.

[The laws are still in effect.]

He warned of the danger that would arise if he conveyed any more information.

“What does it mean for me to replace Lord?”

[Exactly what it sounds like. The Lord who devoured the Anomaly here and then left was no longer the existence he had once been.]

The Anomaly should never have come into contact with Lord in that manner.

As a result—

[The best possibility for the world became its worst.]

The existence that should have accepted the world as it was and gone outside had been corrupted before its potential could even bloom.

[At this rate, everything that exists in this world will become a sacrifice.]

The countless rivers of blood flowing through the mountains and across the land would become the medium for a Formula designed to strip away the laws.

To replace such an existence meant—

[Cut him down. Cut him down and become the possibility Lord should have become.]

An ancient human who had reached Transcendence through mortal strength.

A human who had spent thousands of years sealed inside a sword and, under the influence of the Anomaly's power, had reincarnated as the descendant of his old friend.

A Superhuman who had accumulated Mana and Divine Power to the very limit of mortality.

[There are countless beings in this world called Superhumans, but you are a Superhuman in the truest sense of the word.]

“…….”

[It is something those supposedly born with destiny cannot do.]

Everything had begun thousands of years ago, in ancient times.

[The future was decided when you became a Godslayer.]

The possibility that had once been nothing more than a tiny ember had now become the only possibility.

One certain enough to replace the possibility that had been corrupted.

“I have no interest in some predetermined future.”

[…….]

“I am more the type to carve out my own destiny.”

[What grand packaging. I will take that as acceptance of my proposal.]

“If cutting down Lord because he intends to destroy the world is enough, then I accept.”

After all, what Killian had to do had not changed.

[That is enough.]

The face of the smiling Lord no longer carried the oppressive presence it had before.

‘The appearance is the same, but what is inside is completely different.’

“It feels strange calling someone like you Lord.”

[……?]

“Origin.”

A Transcendent who had once existed alone at the beginning and brought countless living beings into existence.

Killian gave the uncorrupted being a name as a gesture of respect.

“It means the source in the language of humans.”

[…….]

“It seems like a fitting name for what you are now.”

[Origin…….]

He shrugged.

[Not a bad name.]

From impurity to origin.

The moment he redefined himself—

FWOOSH—

Radiance erupted from Lord's featureless body.

Black hair and eyes so dark they were nearly black.

A physique closer to that of a mage than a knight.

He still had two arms and two legs, but his appearance was unmistakably different from before.

And that appearance was—

“That is me.”

It was the form Killian had possessed as the ancient human once called Adamas.

He had spent so long trapped in a sword that he had nearly forgotten it.

[Surprised?]

Origin asked in a playful voice.

“So this is how Lord felt.”

It wore his face, but it was not him.

A strange discomfort rose within Killian, as though something had been stolen.

[Do not dwell on it. I took this form because I need it.]

“……?”

[As you are now, you cannot cut down Lord.]

“…….”

[There is no need to make that face either. I am not belittling your skill. Lord is simply exceptionally well prepared.]

Origin continued.

[Lord divided his own power to evade the laws.]

Just as he had separated his Authorities to create the Gods.

[The Monster Lord and the Anomaly.]

“And the Emperor.”

Killian inferred it from what the Monster Lord had told him.

Origin nodded.

[Knowing Lord's nature, he likely prepared several additional contingencies.]

“There are more……?”

[That is only a possibility based on his personality.]

He had already failed after using the Monster Lord and the Anomaly.

Only afterward had he begun playing the card known as the Emperor.

[But I cannot imagine him staking his destiny on a human.]

There was something more.

And—

“He is waiting for me to step forward.”

Before time was turned back—

in the previous life, the Kingdom Alliance had fallen to the Monster Lord and the Emperor alone.

This time Killian's Regression had altered the situation somewhat, but if the Kingdom Alliance wanted a decisive victory, Killian would eventually have to enter the war himself.

[Lord will have prepared a decisive card.]

Regardless of whether the Monster Lord or the Emperor won or lost.

[A move capable of checkmating Killian Eurasia, who wields both Mana and Divine Power.]

“You are telling me not to enter the war?”

[I am telling you that the time has not yet come. Unless you have been granted a second Regression.]

“If we lose the war, there will have been no point in my Regression.”

[Eurasia, the nation of your old friend—or every mortal, humans included. Which has greater value to you?]

“…….”

[The ancient you would unquestionably have chosen the latter.]

He would have.

In those days, nations had not even existed, and his first priority had been killing the God before him.

[And one more thing…….]

“Do not drag it out. Say it all at once.”

[Whether you or Lord wins, the cracks in this place will become impossible to contain.]

That meant the Boundary would become meaningless and the Abyss would ultimately connect completely with this world.

For better or worse.

“The world is changing rapidly.”

Lord wanted to destroy everything and leave alone.

Killian did not.

“I want a world where everyone survives.”

He wanted them to adapt together to the world that had begun to change around them.

Even if ‘something’ from the Abyss eventually invaded this place—

“I want a world where I can resist alongside my comrades.”

[I see.]

Origin's shoulders shook.

[That answers my question.]

A shadow fell beneath his feet.

What Killian had thought was a shadow reached him.

Then—

RIIIP—

a maw opened.

‘The Authority of Devouring?’

It was the Authority Lord had used when devouring the other Gods in the Divine Realm.

Like Space, it was one of the higher Authorities Lord had never separated from himself.

“You are not planning to devour me too, are you?”

[Only remnants of the power remain. This is not enough to devour you completely.]

Origin explained that memories of the Authorities Lord had once used still remained within him.

[You have imitated the Gods' Authorities with Mana before.]

Killian thought he understood where Origin was going.

[Yes. Until the war among mortals ends, you will familiarize yourself with Lord's Authorities.]

“Another race against time.”

He had failed before.

But now three hearts sat firmly within him.

‘This time, I really might reach it.’

The Authority Killian had possessed when he was the ancient human called Adamas.

Gate.

“Let us begin.”

One who had approached the limits of mortality—

took his first step toward Transcendence.

***

Inside the Red Magic Tower.

The Imperial Palace could be seen beyond a hazy window.

The Sun was setting, and The Moon was slowly rising.

“We are almost there.”

The Mixed-Color Duke slowly turned his head and looked outside.

Countless screams reached his ears.

They belonged to priests, Mana users, and members of other races dragged into his experiments.

The flow of Mana churned violently and unstably.

“The Emperor was never important in the first place.”

Revealing his ambition, he slowly extended a hand.

A white pattern appeared over the back of it.

It was neither the pattern of a Divine Formula nor the design of a magic circle.

10-Star.

The realm once reached by the ancient human known as the Master of Mana, who had touched Transcendence.

The end of magic, visible only after casting aside his humanity.

“It will soon be complete.”

The ultimate magic, capable of resurrecting even dead Gods.

Enjoying the screams, he quietly laughed.

Simon Eurasia, reborn as the strongest knight.

Krusty Heinrich, who possessed the powers of both Gods and the Anomaly.

The Monster Lord, known as the king of the mountains.

All of them would become sacrifices for the completion of his magic.

A world where the Boundary collapsed and the Abyss became connected to this one.

He would be recorded as the one who completed it.

***

One wing of the Kingdom Alliance had crossed the Vassal States and entered the Empire proper.

A knight arrived at Eurasia's encampment, which centered on the Red Knight Order.

“Demian.”

Escar addressed the First Prince, who saluted him with his sword.

“Is your body all right?”

Escar had heard through messengers what had happened while Demian led the White Knight Order in the mountain subjugation.

Contrary to the report that he had been gravely wounded, Demian's face looked no different from before.

There was one difference.

“I cannot sense any Mana from you.”

Escar frowned.

“Did you not receive the report that my Mana Heart was destroyed?”

“What……?”

Disbelief entered Escar's eyes at the calm answer.

“While searching the mountains, the Monster Lord took control of my body.”

“……!!”

“And Killian destroyed my Mana Heart and refined a Hollyheart for me.”

He spoke as though describing someone else's affairs.

“Hah…….”

Should Escar be astonished that Demian had survived an encounter with the Monster Lord?

Stunned that Killian, who had been missing, had driven that Monster Lord out?

Or horrified by the ability to refine a Hollyheart in the place where a Mana Heart had been destroyed, and in such a short time?

Any one of them made this the most shocking report Escar had received since the Great War began.

Demian's composure was likely possible only because he had already accepted what had happened to him.

“Why did you leave the Order stationed in the mountains and come here alone?”

If Demian had merely come to make a report, sending someone would have been more than sufficient.

“I am no longer capable of carrying out the duties of commander.”

Therefore—

“I wish to take part in the war not as a commander, but as an ordinary knight.”

“…….”

Now that Escar looked closely, Demian was wearing armor more suited to a mercenary than a member of the White Knight Order.

‘You have found a new sword path.’

Everything he had built over decades had been reduced to nothing, yet Demian had not collapsed.

He had risen again.

As his godfather, Escar had no right to stop a knight trying to stand on his own.

“Permission granted.”

“Thank you.”

The next day—

a silver-haired knight joined the Lion's Mane Mercenary Corps hired by the Red Knight Order.

It was the first step of Demian Eurasia—

the man who, in the not-too-distant future, would come to be known as the Silver-Haired Holy Knight.

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