Olivier and Aurora (5.5K) (Continued)
Aurora slowly lowered her head, a look of sadness appearing in her eyes.
Although he didn't speak or refute, it precisely proved that everything Mahiro said was true.
"So cruel..."
Rose spoke hesitantly.
The events were so shocking that they were difficult to accept.
"... Teacher Yotsuba Clan, you're not telling a story, are you...?"
Alexia asked in a trembling voice.
Although the surrounding area was filled with images reminiscent of memories, and even some empty cells could be seen.
All that remained were walls and floors stained with blood, and bloody handprints that seemed to be pleading for help.
But she still found it utterly absurd.
What is this fourth Demon King Diablos from another world, or this Diabolos? Even the three legendary heroes who defeated the Demon King were all created.
He inherited the so-called blood of Diablos or something...
According to him, wouldn't the cult have ultimately succeeded?
In other words, didn't that bald bishop just now live for over a thousand years???
Although she had somewhat accepted this past in her heart, she still couldn't accept it subjectively.
"Well, as I said from the beginning, it's just a story."
Mahiro didn't argue, didn't refute, and didn't even turn his head.
His gaze was fixed on the huge, transparent glass jar that stood on the ground floor, beneath the railing.
Inside was an arm.
A black, thick, ugly, and obese monster arm, which looked like bloody pieces of flesh clinging to several long, sharp claws.
That's the real Diablos' arm.
But...
"What a pity."
Mahiro calmly withdrew his gaze.
Unable to resolve.
It wasn't because Diablos's arm was particularly special, but because everything in front of him was just a corridor of memories constructed of magic.
Even though that arm was within reach, it didn't possess any real power.
"Is the game not finished yet?"
With Mahiro eyelids slightly lowered, Zhenxun saw Delta chasing after the bald man and beating him up. It was obvious that the bald bishop was covered in wounds, and tadpole-like incantations had even crawled all over half of his body.
The high concentration of magic power suppressed the signs of the curse poison continuing to erode the body.
However, even if he could keep splitting into multiple clones, the speed at which he could split into clones was nowhere near the hunting speed of the dog.
Even the greatsword, which was as big as a door panel, had been bitten into scrap metal.
However, Delta never killed Nelson, as if he were toying with his prey.
Even the roar sounded like a vicious laugh.
"He's really weak. This person is probably just a scholar who's buried in his research."
Alpha walked over and looked down with him, speaking in a voice tinged with pity.
"Hmm, among the Knights of the Rounds, this guy should be among the weakest, but... never mind."
Mahiro was originally planning to make a move, but he suddenly noticed that the blonde elf Olivier had suddenly started moving again.
She slowly turned around, looking at him with those slightly vacant eyes...
No, to be precise, it was watching them, him and Alpha!
Then he turned around and walked deeper into the area.
It was as if gesturing for them to follow.
"Let's follow them and see."
"Um..."
Alpha nodded in agreement.
"But before that, the game here should also end."
Mahiro prepared to follow, he casually tossed a "Nihility" spell downwards.
While still trying to split himself into two, Nelson suddenly stiffened, his face turned blood red, and his eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
The next second, they all exploded, scattering into dust that filled the sky.
"Huh?"
Upon discovering that its prey had suddenly disappeared, the dog also snapped out of its hunting mode.
The ears on the top of my head twitched, and when I looked up, I saw Mahiro and Alpha walking deeper into the area.
"Hey boss, wait a minute, Delta's saying!"
The dog quickly climbed onto the tripod and chased after it.
But in the next instant, light filled the entire world.
The world, overflowing with light, shattered and crumbled like a mirror.
After the light faded, a brand new area appeared before everyone's eyes.
A slightly chilly breeze filled my nostrils. Compared to before, the place felt less crowded, but much more spacious.
"This is the center of the Sanctuary..."
Aurora began to introduce them.
But there was an undisguised surprise in his voice.
Because it was Olivier deliberately led them here.
Not only that, even the restrictions on the Sanctuary's absorption of magical energy were temporarily suspended.
What does Olivier want to do?
Aurora was unaware of the details; she only saw Olivier take another step, her bare feet treading on the cold metal floor, and walk forward.
There stood a towering, enormous stone gate.
It was bound by countless chains thicker than a human body, stained with dark brown blood and engraved with ancient characters.
It's as if something important is hidden inside.
On the pedestal below the gate was a magnificent longsword.
This sword is the very holy sword that Olivier used to sever Diablos's arm!
But at that moment, Olivier came to the holy sword and gently grasped the hilt.
She wasn't trying to pull it out; quite the opposite, she was simply standing there, holding it.
That's all.
But soon, her body began to dissipate, turning into countless golden specks of light that merged into the blade of the holy sword.
Just as she was about to disappear completely, she turned her head again and exchanged a glance with Mahiro and Alpha.
For the first time, those calm, almost melancholic, lifeless eyes revealed other emotions.
It is a prayer.
Though faint, those eyes were pleading with them, begging them to end everything that was happening.
"Only a hero's direct blood relative can draw this sword..."
Beta stepped forward, looked at the ancient characters engraved on the pedestal, and translated them.
Everyone immediately looked at Alpha.
But Alpha looked at Mahiro beside him.
"This is what you deserve, go."
Mahiro patted Alpha on the back and gently pushed her out.
Alpha staggered a few steps, glancing at him every now and then, before slowly approaching the pedestal.
The sword in the stone, huh...
This tactic is very familiar to Mahiro; he knows the outcome even without watching.
Choosing the King's Sword is definitely out of the question, but if it's the holy sword used by the previous hero to slay the Demon King, then it will surely be granted some kind of inheritance.
And indeed, it turned out just as he had guessed.
Under everyone's gaze, Alpha reached out and grasped the hilt of the holy sword, and at that moment it seemed as if her figure overlapped with Olivier's just moments before.
And with a slight force, the holy sword was being pulled slowly from its pedestal.
The golden light emanating from below instantly filled the entire space.
"What happened?!"
"Have no idea!"
"Lord Alpha...!"
The light was so blinding that no one could open their eyes; even Beta, who was closest, couldn't see anything clearly—it was like a flashbang.
Only Mahiro witnessed and saw everything.
Bathed in light, the Alpha stood firm against the raging wind.
Her dazzling golden hair was blown away by the gale, and at the same time, the magic power within her body began to expand, and the dissipated magic power transformed into a storm.
If it was just a small pond before, it has gradually become a lake.
Her power has completely surpassed that of [Blood Queen] Elizabeth!
"Could this be considered inheriting Olivier's power?" Mahiro muttered, stroking his chin.
[That's not all.]
"The Demon-Slaying Holy Sword in his hand, "Est suddenly responded.
[The girl transformed into a sword.]
"What's the meaning?"
[The being named Olivier sacrificed everything she had left, merging it into that sword.]
"... Can I understand that as becoming an existence like you?"
[No, she's different from me. Her situation is far more cruel; she's lost all consciousness, and all her memories have been transformed into power.]
"Hmm..."
Mahiro smiled slightly.
To be honest, he didn't care about this kind of thing, and he could guess a little bit about it.
So it's not surprising at all.
But there's one thing he still cares about.
How do you compare to Est?
[Foolish owner, there's no comparison.]
That's true...
Est is a true elf with an infinite lifespan, and she even serves as a guardian deity in the elven realm. It would be strange if a mere sacrificial sword could compare to her.
However, that sword was not weak.
Est added another sentence.