Chapter 78

It gave her the feeling that she was the only one in the entire Greek God whose aura wasn't with Avia, which was incredibly annoying.

"No, no, no, this is Jupiter, a major god in the Rome pantheon. Although it's just a different name, the atmosphere here is still slightly better."

Is there any essential difference?

"No difference."

After Avia finished speaking, Typhon did not ask any further questions and remained strangely silent.

"Ah, speaking of which, Zagreus devoured the fragments of you that were scattered on the ground when Zeus was seriously injured. Do you need me to help you get them back?"

Unlike Typhon's silence, Avia continued speaking.

If I were to --

"Lady Avia, if Lady Typhon... requires it, I, Zagreus, will gladly return it."

Typhon was interrupted by a new voice before he could finish speaking.

Then, a man with a face that, by modern standards, appears to be of mixed Asian and Middle East descent, and with brown skin, appeared before the two.

Zagreus of wine, made a pact with the Lostbelt Sea, thus gaining the ability to walk on the lands lost to the Age of Gods.

"Forget it, there's no need for that."

Typhon said calmly, then walked to the side, seemingly unwilling to continue speaking.

"Zagreus, you're not in good shape... Are you badly injured?"

At this moment, Avia frowned slightly. He could sense that Zagreus's injuries were exactly the same as those on the Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg's body.

That person is truly amazing.

Zagreus didn't deny it, and answered directly.

He is in a very bad state right now. Ever since he was defeated by Kihara that day, he has felt like he is in a state of constant burning of his essence. It would be best to return to the five Great Gate of the Lostbelt Sea to recuperate. However, he is worried about the faint Typhon aura that has spread throughout the world at some unknown time.

After all, Typhon was an enemy of the Greek God and a potential natural disaster that could destroy humanity, which made him uneasy.

So after waiting so long, Zagreus, having finally learned of Typhon's information, finally visited this human named Avia.

At first, he was surprised that there were humans who dared to associate with the Dead Apostle, but then he was almost startled by what he saw on the unknown White-Haired Girl...

This isn't the scent of Sefar!?

Has this guy come back to life again?

But his fear subsided somewhat when he saw Sinfjötli. Although Zagreus did not recognize this Norse hero, the aura emanating from him was comparable to that of Zeus, the king of the gods. He couldn't help but think that perhaps the great god Odin from another land had already made some preparations.

Then, upon arriving here, they saw that Typhon, the progenitor of all demons, had appeared in human form, and even more so, as a young girl...

Zagreus truly admired Avia, especially since he possessed the familiar aura of the Gods of Greece, as well as the aura of many exotic Norse gods that were similar to that of Sinfjötli.

"Let's put that aside for now. What brings you here today?"

Seeing Avia shrug, Zagreus continued:

"The reason I came here is actually very simple: I sensed an aura that shouldn't exist in this world..."

"Yeah."

Although Zagreus did not say it explicitly, the silver-haired youth knew he was referring to Typhon.

"It's a scent that I both miss and fear. I can feel the pure Wrath welling up from deeper within my lungs, the roar of lava that couldn't fulfill its desires... Originally, I thought I would only be responsible for what I promised in human disputes, but this calamity born from our divine lineage must be resolved at all costs, and cannot be allowed to harm humanity."

Then, seemingly quite pleased with himself, having accepted the unexpected turn of events, the Prince of the Underworld smiled, revealing his white teeth, and sincerely said:

"But it seems unnecessary now. You have accomplished what we could not... So, I should return now. I wish you all the best."

"In that case, we shall meet again, Zagreus."

Avia did not try to persuade him to stay, but simply watched the Greek God depart.

At that moment, he glanced at Typhon, who had run to the side. The red-haired girl seemed to be venting her anger, stomping on the shadow of the tree and making a tight gesture with her hand towards the shadow, as if she wanted to strangle it.

"Is this fun?"

"... If I were to give up some of the parts that make me who I am, Avia you think that would be a good thing?"

"So, you were worried about me after all. But I've said it so many times—"

The silver-haired youth looked at the red-haired girl who had been with him for several years with the same nonchalant expression as when they first met.

"You are free, Typhon Ephimilous."

"Are you making a wish? But you can only make the first wish on me, so it's impossible for me to become unfree against my will."

Typhon said with a serious expression.

"Of course not. I already promised you a long time ago. You can't have forgotten that, can you?"

"Ugh... Mind your own business! You're so annoying! I hate petty people the most! Especially you, Avia!"

She flailed her arms wildly, while Avia grabbed her head.

Due to the height difference between them, Typhon's fist was practically out of reach of Avia, and neither of them used Od.

Meli, who was observing everything from Rhine Gold, propped her head up and made an amused expression when she saw this scene.

159: The Last Roman (2k5)

The following day, numerous legions, led by the Roman Praetorian Guard, finally arrived in Orléans.

After a brief respite, as evening approached, the sound transmitted through Magecraft resounded throughout the battlefield of Orléans.

"--I am Aetius, and I hereby declare the commencement of the war."

"Attention all legions, repeating once, combat commences now."

Orléans was strategically located with high and sturdy walls, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Aetius should have simply focused on defense and not engaged the Huns in open battle outside the city...

But as someone familiar with the Magecraft World, Aetius understood that this was something that could defeat the Huns, who were under the control of the two great Rome Empires. The Orléans region was not an insurmountable natural barrier like the Caucasus or the Alps. According to the known intelligence, Avia and Attila definitely had the assistance of the Mage's Association, the Phantasmal Species, and... suspected Dead Apostle.

Therefore, this made Aetius make up his mind.

"Target: The Huns Empire."

"To the north, the Rome Six Legions and the Imperial Guard."

"Eastern front, Anthem Alliance."

"Southwards, the Executor Legion."

"Western direction, the United Order of Knights."

"Notify all legions to begin the march immediately."

At the same moment, as the Rome army set out, Avia, perched on a high hill, witnessed it all from the soft glow of the setting sun.

"What, you're already here?"

Altrouge Brunestud gazed in Avia's direction at the other side of the battlefield, her narrowed red eyes revealing a hint of coldness.

"That's right, the Hymn Alliance is heading towards the Royal Guard and various Dead Apostle, the Order of Knights of the Alliance are heading towards the Phantasmal Species, and the Executor are targeting the Magecraft."

"To be honest, the Church has probably laid out all its resources; that's truly impressive."

The dark-skinned princess smiled, a smile she hadn't shown in a long time.

"If we win this battle, does that mean we've won?"

After a long silence, Attila suddenly spoke.

"..."

Altrouge Brunestud did not answer; her fair complexion was slightly pale.

Having witnessed the Millennium Castle War, she understood that to achieve true victory, merely defeating these enemies was not enough; Kihara had to be killed.

But Avia responded with a faint smile, like a blade hidden in its sheath.

"Of course it can be counted."

Destroying the Western Rome was Attila's job, but dealing with Mabul's Kihara was what he needed to do.

He prematurely united with the Church, which led to its corruption, and the Holy Scripture were prematurely developed because of his own words.

Avia didn't believe that no one else besides herself could break through this situation.

I simply felt that these were things I had created to achieve glory, but also things I had to bear the consequences of.

On a normal battlefield, he could accept dying in battle, but on a battlefield where the odds were heavily against him, he was, after all, a king. How could he lead them to their deaths? He had to fulfill his responsibilities. Since he was a king, he would ensure their survival even if it meant his own death.

"--Let the war begin."

The next moment, before the Rome army, the endless horizon stretching across their field of vision was entirely stained with the colors of the Huns legions.

This is a scene that should never appear in the human world. Magecraft and fantasy, the normal and the mysterious, people and creatures from two worlds that should never have any contact are fighting bloody battles on the battlefield. As far as the eye can see, all that can be seen is death.

Amidst the Abhimanyu battle cries, ominous blood silently spread.

This is the Battle of Châlons, historically hailed as the decisive battle for Europe's Fate, and in the Magecraft World, as the decisive Fate the Magecraft World itself.

In the distance, a burst of purple lightning, the result of the combined Od of hundreds of Magecraft, flashed and clashed with the dazzling light brought by the hymn.

The Phantasmal Species hurtled through the air with a piercing hiss, charging down like a hammer, while the church knights on the ground raised their massive shields, which were difficult for ordinary people to wield, to resist.

People fall due to death, but they cannot stop the advancing momentum that transforms into a sea of Sea of Blood.

The deafening Deafening Crash of the grand Magecraft painted the blood- Twilight with a layer of black, which then poured onto the battlefield and exploded.

A powerful wave of Od surged across the ground, but a fraction of a second too late, it transformed into terrifying Od that indiscriminately dissolved friend and foe into blood.

Both sides quickly followed up with another wave of large-scale Magecraft, which were extremely rare in the past. These spells, which could destroy a small town or even a city with just one strike, were now being unleashed in dozens or even hundreds of times, turning the roars and cries into nothingness, falling to the earth as if there were no end in sight.

"Damn it, hold out to the death! Even if it kills us, we cannot retreat! For the sake of the Church!"

"Rome!"

"Rome!"

On the blood-stained battlefield, countless roars echoed through the sky.

However, Aetius, the Rome commander, was pale and his mood grew increasingly somber as the unfavorable news reported by Magecraft from various legions came from.

Although they anticipated a large-scale, destructive Magecraft and made preparations, their own casualties still far exceeded their expectations.

From a military perspective, even though we are still putting all our strength into resisting, there is no guarantee that we can survive this ordeal.

Is today the day the Western Rome comes to an end?

At this moment, Aetius picked up the Spear of Longinus.

"General, what is this...?"

"No, sir, the Church has only granted permission for propaganda."

"We'll be punished, but we still have hope of success..."

The officers standing nearby watched Aetius's retreating figure as he picked up the Holy Lance.

"Although I used the sacred object without orders... I will inform the Church about this and accept the punishment."

The next instant, somewhere in the chaotic battlefield, came the sound of someone leaping up, followed by the heavy whistling of the wind.

A figure carrying Rome flag atop a spear leaped over the heads of the Werewolf squad, piercing through the ranks and continuing its rapid advance.

"... Aetius, I hope you can accept this ending."

After noticing this unusual change, Avia, located on the high hill, mobilized.

"... The situation is unfavorable, we must retreat--"

In that instant, a surge of bloodlust rushed to Aetius's head, not from Wrath... but from an indescribable fear.

At this moment, the object reflected in my eyes changed--

Avia, clad in red armor.

As someone once known, they brought forth such a bloody enemy, destroying everything with brute force. To the Western Roman Empire, they were an enemy to be eliminated, but... not a match for them.

Yes, they are absolutely no match for us, but that is not a reason to give up, nor should we give up.

"Long time no see, Avia."