NOVEL WEB Chapter 454
Chapter 454. Between Prayer and Curse
“—Ugh, I can’t deal with this!!”
Mud-covered Zilbagias stood up, shaking with indignation. His hand gripping the spear trembled violently.
“No matter what you say! I can’t bear it! A hero like you… dying in such… such a trivial battlefield is unacceptable!”
—What is he saying?
Arthur felt a wave of exasperation wash over him. Of course, when heroes and demons fight, one of them dies. That’s just how it is. It’s the same whether you lose your head or die of old age; it’s just a matter of timing.
But suddenly, in a fit of desperation, Zilbagias turned his back and began to dash away! He was trying to break through the encircling knights!
“—You’re not getting away!!”
At such a critical moment, he was attempting to escape! This is too absurd!
Arthur raised his silver shield and shouted, “【Chains of Restraint!!】”
Part of Avalon transformed into chains, snaking around the Demon Lord’s Prince’s left arm like a serpent, trying to ensnare its prey.
“What—!?”
Clank! Arthur’s shield and the Prince’s arm were bound together. The holy chains scorched the dark skin, tightening their grip without release.
The Prince instinctively tried to cut the chains with his spear, but the bonded Avalon was far too sturdy for even a scratch. It was uncomparable to the regular 【Chains of Restraint】 used by priests.
Of course, this chain was a legendary prototype of that very magic. Even a powerful prince of demons couldn’t easily escape—!
“【Bubble!】”
As a follow-up, Arthur launched a water bullet. It struck the ground repeatedly beneath the Prince’s feet, turning it into a squishy mud puddle. The footing would become increasingly unstable, making it even harder to break the chains.
With disdainful red eyes glaring at Arthur from behind the mask, the Prince’s face was marred by deep wrinkles as Arthur returned his ferocious grin.
“Don’t let him escape!”
“Now! Finish him!!”
“Uooohhhh!!”
Just then, the shouts of heroes and Sword Saints surged, each striking with all their might against the Prince’s protective spells. The magical barrier buckled and cracked, and Arthur too, constricting the chains, rapidly closed the distance on the Prince.
“Tch—”
The Prince clicked his tongue in evident annoyance—
Without a hint of hesitation, he severed his own left arm with the spear.
“【Teleportation】”
In the blink of an eye, he thrust the spear infused with horrific dark magic into a nearby Vampire Hunter. The young hunter tried to dodge, but barely managed to avoid a direct hit, only grazing his toes.
Suddenly, a dull thud echoed as if striking a leather pouch filled with water.
The young man’s leg exploded, his left arm grotesquely falling off. Even the valiant Vampire Hunter couldn’t withstand this and screamed in agony, his eyes rolling back as he lost consciousness. In stark contrast, the Prince’s new left arm grotesquely sprouted with squelching sounds.
No matter how many times one witnesses it, the sight is utterly despairing.
—Nevertheless, Arthur was a hero.
He wouldn’t falter at this!
For an instant, just a fleeting moment, the Prince’s movements halted! He rushed towards the Prince, drawing further power from Excalibur.
With a radiant, malevolent light emanating from the holy sword—
“Eat… this!!!”
With all his might, he brought it down.
The magical barrier of the Prince groaned and shattered as it absorbed the silver blade.
“【Thunderbolt!】”
Like it had been waiting for this moment, Lexar, cloaked in lightning, leapt forth with twin holy swords aimed squarely for the Prince’s neck—only to be met with—
“Don’t get cocky, humans!!”
A thick wave of pitch-black magical energy exploded from the Prince, cascading in all directions.
“【Wither your arms—tremble—panic!!】”
A horrific darkness that felt as dense as smoke suffocated the air, evoking a sense of tragic foreboding. The Sword Saint’s movements slowed, knights dropped their swords, and some even fled, paralyzed by indescribable fear.
『【———】』
Moreover, an eerie wave of unearthly magical power radiated from the Prince. It felt as if their hands holding swords had been forcibly glued in place.
—Once again, it’s that so-called ‘Forbidden Magic’!!
Lexar mustered every ounce of magical strength, desperately trying to shake off the curse, but his hands wouldn’t obey.
Just a little longer. The protective spell was so close to being peeled away! The Prince’s neck was within arm’s reach, and with the acceleration of lightning magic, he achieved maximum speed. Yet still—!
Move, sword! Just a scratch, anything! If I could, I’d—
In that moment, their eyes locked; the Prince’s head whirled around.
“【Despair!】”
The end of the spear, dripping with shadowy curses—was coming.
“Ah!”
In a split second, Lexar instinctively raised his remaining left arm, the half of the twin holy sword gripped tightly within it, to take the Prince’s blade.
The impact was tremendous.
Even with all of Lexar’s magical strength, he couldn’t even touch the isolated “power.” A curse of despair coursed through the blade and into his arm. The holy sword named after his mother, 【Maria】, shattered with a high-pitched scream.
“Guah—!!”
Before he could even mourn its loss, Lexar’s left arm burst apart too. However, thanks to the sacrifice of the holy sword, its intensity diminished, and it wasn’t a fatal blow. If the blade had maintained contact any longer, his upper body might have detonated.
—Can we truly defeat such a monster…?
For a brief moment, doubt wormed its way into his thoughts.
—No, this is the curse of the Prince!!
Lexar gritted his teeth so hard he felt like his molars would shatter.
Ensnailed by the forbidden magic, unable to wield his sword, he’d accept that as fate!
But!!
His heart!!
The spirit to confront the enemy of humanity!!
The essence of his soul would never yield to a curse!!
“Enough already, fall!!”
As Lexar resisted, the Prince swung his spear once more.
“【—Despair!】”
The blade approached.
…Time felt agonizingly slow. The ancient spear glimmering in the moonlight was visible in sharp detail. A strange sense of déjà vu washed over him. This blade seemed familiar somehow. Arthur’s shout echoed distantly—
I cannot lose.
I refuse to lose!!
“【Absolutely—】”
【——I must not give up.】
“Oooohhh—!!”
Lexar roared, rallying his spirit, and brought the twin holy sword, the one named after his father, 【Nicola】, to his lips.
【No matter how desperate the situation, one must never abandon the fight.】
He licked the blade.
It was a sharp double-edged sword made by dwarves. In his recklessness, he cut his cheek and split his lips, blood dripping as he charged fiercely toward the Prince.
Startled by this sudden act, the Prince momentarily faltered, and the tip of Lexar’s weapon struck the spear. The spear shattered, and the curse that flowed into him was dispelled along with Lexar’s right arm.
Regardless, Lexar’s charge didn’t lose its momentum. Cloaked in blinding lightning, he barreled towards Zilbagias—
【If the sword is broken, bite and claw like a beastman to inflict damage!】
“Graaahhh!!”
Lexar bared his fangs and sank them into Zilbagias’s neck. Just like the vampires he loathed. He sank his teeth into the meat of the Prince’s neck—
“Gah—Damn it, this bastard—!!”
The unexpected attack threw the Prince into disarray as he tried to shake him off.
Despite losing both arms, Lexar clung like a fighting dog to the Prince’s neck, preventing any escape. Instead, he unleashed an even greater current of lightning to halt the Prince’s movements.
“Gu-Gaaahhh!!”
Electricity, infused with holy attributes, surged into the Prince’s neck, drawing a scream from him. Lexar himself seemed transformed into an incarnation of lightning, the discharge overwhelming enough to keep even Arthur and the other heroes away—
【Like a dragon, fierce, and like a demon, crafty, avenge yourself with your very life.】
The sound of boiling echoed from within Lexar’s body, like water nearing a boil. His eyes were bloodshot, blood gushing from his nose and ears—
“Stop—!!”
In a bizarre twist, both the Prince and Arthur’s voices overlapped.
They sensed something ominously abnormal in Lexar’s sheer ferocity.
“—”
Lexar ripped his mouth from the Prince’s neck. His blood-soaked and battered face looked unbearable to look at, yet he wore a strangely serene expression.
His torn lips moved.
Just leave the rest to me.
With a thunderous flash brighter than a lightning strike, Lexar exploded from within. The magic ran rampant, scattering blood, flesh, and organs.
And they all were pierced by the holy power infused to the utmost limit, launching themselves at the Prince at close range.
“…Gaaahhh!!”
The blood-drenched Prince screamed in agony. The deluge of Lexar’s blood splattered across him, shimmering silver as it boiled. Smoke rose, his desperate resolve even after death became a curse that ate away at the dark creature—!
【Even if you should fall without having achieved your vengeance, your courageous actions shall never be in vain.】
“…!!”
The surrounding soldiers and knights of the Imperial Army stood stunned, speechless at Lexar’s tragic demise, their expressions frozen in shock.
Yet.
“…It’s working!”
One of the Vampire Hunters shouted.
“Follow the lead of Bishop Lexar—!!”
With bloodshot eyes.
【For it is in such a manner that the injured enemy—】
“Bishop Lexar…!!”
Arthur gritted his teeth and raised Avalon once more.
【The next hero will surely accomplish the vengeance!】
“【Chains of Restraint!】”
Even struggling to re-establish his defensive spells, the chains this time truly ensnared the Prince’s torso, further tormenting him with the addition of Lexar’s silver blood and the holy light flowing from the chains—!
“Giiiiiiaaaahhh!!”
“Now’s our chance! Kill him—!!”
“Finish him—!!”
Arthur, the Vampire Hunters, struck the holy sword against the Prince.
“…Damn it!!”
But again, the Prince unleashed a wave of magical energy. The forbidden magic slowed everyone but Arthur, whose Excalibur shook off the curse, only to be stopped by the spear and the renewed protective spell.
“Don’t screw with me—!!”
The Prince was furious now. Those red eyes behind the mask were wide in excitement, gasping from excruciating agony.
“【Teleportation!】”
A lightning-fast thrust!
Just after Arthur swung down Excalibur, he couldn’t evade in time and took the blow on his shield.
“Guh—!!”
As he focused magical power on the chains, the magic resistance was torn to shreds at a terrifying speed. The burns inflicted upon him were forcefully transferred to Arthur.
His entire body burned with agonizing pain! —But strangely, it didn’t feel too bad.
Was it because Arthur was already in a state of extreme limit?
Or perhaps, it was a “medal” left behind by his comrades in arms who had traded their lives—?
“Damn it… damn it all!!!”
In contrast, the Prince was still in pain. The harm was pushed upon him from beyond, continuously burning with Lexar’s blood. No matter how many protective spells he tried to re-establish, the remnants of Lexar’s flesh wouldn’t wash away.
And the holy element contained therein did not seem to weaken after Lexar’s death but rather seemed to grow ever more radiant…!
【Therefore, you must never give up the fight.】
“Dieeeee!!!”
Arthur pulled further “power” from Excalibur as he swung with all his might.
He caught a brief glimpse of his own hand, shockingly filled with wrinkles.
But he didn’t care.
Here, at this moment! He would deliver the final blow!!
“Don’t underestimate me—!!”
Yet the Prince draped himself in dark magic, counterattacking like a whirlwind with his spear. Excalibur was deflected. The curse gnawed at Arthur, bursting the skin of his arm. Yet he fought on as healing miracles surged through him. So long as the 【Chains of Restraint】 were present, the Prince could not escape Arthur’s grasp.
“Uooohhh!!”
The young heroes, the Vampire Hunters, took turns pounding the holy sword into the creature.
“Uwaaaahhhh!!”
Amidst a somewhere inhumane scream, the Prince lashed out with his spear. A hero who took a direct hit from the spear’s tip collapsed into a cloud of blood.
Yet through that very crimson haze, the next hero brought their sword down.
Even after being pushed to such an extent— the Prince was still strong!!
One by one, they were chipped away!
If they were ordinary warriors, they would have long since given up and fled barefoot.
But still.
Still!!
【Even if their hearts break, they will still strike the enemy down.】
The ambition to eradicate the enemy of humanity propelled the heroes forward—!
“Gah—Ha!”
Suddenly, the Prince spat blood. Even with the spatial shift spell pressing injuries all around, he was seemingly no worse for wear aside from the burns.
“…No way.”
In shock, the Prince glanced at his right hand, and Arthur seized the moment to slash, but the Prince swiftly recollected himself and parried.
In close quarters, they were locked in a power struggle. Arthur caught sight of the Prince’s right hand and noticed that the gemstone on the ring worn on his middle finger was flickering and glowing wildly.
—This is.
As a noble hero with connections to the aristocracy, Arthur recognized it immediately. This ring was a magical artifact for detecting poison to prevent assassination…!
Of course, Zilbagias is of royal blood, so it’s not surprising to see he had a poison-detection accessory or two. Normally, this type of magical artifact warns the owner when holding poisoned cups or dishes.
However, if used with some trickery to bypass the artifact, the ring would notify the surrounding people and the owner. In a swift manner to seek out a healer.
Now, that magical artifact was finally in effect.
And the only one who had delivered a painful blow to the Prince recently was none other than—
“Bishop Lexar…!”
Given that the Prince had been repeatedly using spatial shift spells, the persistence of the poison without diminishing meant that the teleportation spell must be useless against poison. Has this been the hidden hole?
—He did it. Truly remarkable, that veteran Vampire Hunter.
Arthur felt both reverence and a tinge of sadness bubbling within. He laughed somberly.
“How unexpected…!”
Strangely enough, the Prince seemed impressed.
What a carefree thought.
Even as death approached.
Yet as he contemplated that, he couldn’t help but smirk—because he realized he was the same.
“Your hands are trembling, Zilbagias…!!”
Arthur pushed Excalibur forward. He felt as though he was no longer losing in strength. Arthur was tapping into every last bit of potential he had, but evidently, the Prince was weakening.
“Don’t screw with me!!”
Gritting his teeth, Zilbagias pushed back forcefully. Behind his mask, his red eyes seemed to glisten with tears—
“【My name is—Zilbagias Reiju!】”
His voice trembled, as if he were squeezing it from the depths of his belly.
“【The mightiest, warrior on the path to becoming a Demon Lord—】”
His presence swelled.
“【—Carrier of blood rains and slaughter, harbinger of death and despair!!】”
Darkness filled the area, obscuring vision.
“【Despair!!—】”
It felt like a heartfelt plea, a grim darkness spreading that seemed to suck the will and courage from all existence around.
Yet—within that darkness, Arthur raised his sword.
“【Holy Radiance】”
Excalibur.
“【Come to my hand!】”
A blinding light, the silver blade piercing the sky, dispelled the darkness.
“【I am the sword of the innocent!】”
He offered himself. His body. His heart. His soul.
His life.
Despite the immense power flowing from Excalibur, his extremities felt as if they were turning to ice within him.
But still, that was okay.
“【I will kill the enemy of humanity here and now!!】”
With everything he had—he stepped forward.
Arthur swung down, unleashing the light from his hand.
““Uuuhhhhhh—!!””
The clash of the roars of the Prince and the hero crescendoed.
The dark malice met the brilliant silver light in a cataclysm of forces.
Unbelievable amounts of magical power swirled, collided, devoured one another, exploding and surging, splitting the ground, howling the atmosphere, bending the laws of nature as they were crushed.
All existence knelt before the dark magic and became distorted. Even time and space wavered—
That must be the reason.
Arthur’s true holy sword pushed against the Prince’s spear, attempting to cleave his head—at that very moment.
He felt a strange sensation grip his foot as if it had twisted at the ankle.
—His advance faltered. The final push hesitated!
…His footing slipped due to the deluge of water he’d blasted at the Prince’s feet— was the natural conclusion.
However.
It felt as though something grasped his ankle—like someone’s hand—an uncanny feeling.
Amidst the roaring winds conjured by magic, a voice reached his ears.
A chilling, icy voice resonated.
『【May disaster befall all who would bring harm to that child.】』
Arthur’s Excalibur—was pushed back.
By Zilbagias’s spear.
“—Ooooohhh!!!”
And then,
The blade was withdrawn.
†††
—It was as if a storm had passed.
Upon the hill, the royal guards clad in magnificent armor were overwhelmed by the curse, some unconscious, some lifeless, collapsing in tangled heaps.
The ground was a blood-soaked mess of filth. The once vibrant flowers were trampled and uprooted, fresh meat scattered all over, emanating an awful stench.
Yet, contrary to such a grim scene, a crescent moon floated peacefully in the clearing sky.
The silver queen of night looked down, coldly surveying the realm below—
“Guh… ugh…”
The hero knelt upon the muddy earth.
Blood trickled from his mouth. It wouldn’t stop. It flowed without end. Slowly, a crimson stain seeped from his chest.
He had been sliced by the Prince’s spear.
From his hand, the true holy sword fell, vanishing into thin air before it could pierce the ground.
The hero gazed hopelessly up at the night sky.
It felt cold.
His body—no longer obeyed him. His vision blurred. He could feel no sensation in his limbs.
Even without looking down, he realized his body had reached its limits—turning lifeless like a twisted tree.
—The sound of water splashing.
Ah. The Prince was approaching.
He hadn’t finished him off. After summoning all his last resort strength.
…No, what’s the point of giving up here? He must resist until the end.
“【Holy… Radiance…】”
Something felt amiss. I can’t use my magic at all.
Until now… that never happened…
“Stand, …stand up…”
Just a bit longer… against this, the Prince…
The Prince, da…?
Suddenly, Arthur’s gaze landed upon that “face.”
His thoughts froze.
“…!? ”
Zilbagias, panting heavily, suddenly reached towards his own face.
His fingers touched his cheek.
The bone mask he had been wearing—had been shattered by the last strike of Excalibur.
Had his advance not been sluggish for some reason back then, it was no doubt the mask wouldn’t have sufficed; his head would have been severed.
But because of that—
—The Prince’s true face was now revealed.
“…Alex?”
Arthur spoke in a trembling voice.
“Wh-why…?”
He could speak no further.
With a splat, the old, withered body collapsed into the puddle.
In that state, it would never move again.
Only the eyes that had lost their silver shine remained wide open in disbelief—
The legendary hero did not die in a bed, but rather in the mud of the battlefield.
In a heart-wrenching way, he aged and perished.