Chapter 548
C548
It was no coincidence that Murakan escorted Quikantel and encountered Misha.
Furthermore, Jin not finding her lurking around his hideouts was no coincidence either.
"If you're so concerned, I'll order to increase the number of people tracking Misha even more. Will that help ease your anxiety?"
"...Okay, I understand. I think it would be much better if we could capture Murakan's sister."
"It was a pity that I lost her by a narrow margin some time ago. Anyway, I care more about my son than the twelfth flagbearer or the Black Dragons."
Misha had been evading Zipple's pursuit. She sensed the unusual atmosphere within the Empire, so she was preparing to meet Jin.
However, she had to be cautious about joining the battle at the Sword Emperor Castle even after it started. If she were severely injured in this war, it would cause irreversible setbacks in all matters of Solderet that she handled on behalf of Jin.
Nevertheless, since Jin's death or capture didn't end the setbacks, she immediately joined Murakan and stayed here. As Jin's other Dragon Guardian, her first duty was to protect him.
Misha transformed into a human and stood beside Jin. Murakan was behind them like a large black mountain, with his amber eyes burning like flames.
"It's been a while."
Misha's firm yet clear voice seemed more reassuring than anything else.
"If that's the case, I might be able to completely remove the Sword of Legends from the calculation."
The Sword of Legends was literally the last resort. Even if he used the sword to defeat Octavia and the Spectres, Jin, who executed the sword, would never witness the direct end of this war.
Still, the only reason Jin wanted to use the Sword of Legends was that it was the only answer.
Misha was by far the most powerful Dragon that Jin knew. The image of her effortlessly defeating Murakan, who had regained 40% of his total strength, was vivid in his mind.
Once again, Murakan had said something unnecessary to Misha along the way, and due to that, there were traces of Shadow Energy flowing like blood in her mouth. It wasn't a serious wound, but it looked like a proper hit, as always.
"It's been a while, Misha-nim."
"I wished to see you too. I have many stories to share with you. But before that..."
A black spear formed in Misha's hand. The spear technique, which Temar directly called the "Shadowless Spear," had stopped Octavia and the real Spectres on the island of Beradin two years ago.
"Firstly, we need to get rid of those who interfere with our meeting. We've met before, haven't we? Daughter of Zipple."
Octavia's eyebrows twitched.
"Black Dragon Misha... Like two years ago, and even now. I thought you were only good at running away, but it seems you have experience in scratching the insides of people. You must have been busy avoiding pursuers, yet still managed to find your way here."
In response, Misha smiled cheerfully.
"I felt it even two years ago, you. Don't you think you should improve your manners a bit? Even Riol Zipple was extremely careful when talking to me, but your casual tone and informal behavior make me uncomfortable..."
Everyone who heard that voice seemed to feel a cold bloodthirst running down their spine. Especially Murakan, upon seeing Misha genuinely expressing her anger after a long time, recalled unpleasant things, and the scales on his back trembled.
'I have never seen a mortal live comfortably after poking at the temper of this sinister demon... That woman named Octavia will never be at peace, not today, not ever.'
Of course, Octavia was not intimidated at all.
"Really? I didn't know. I'll tell the clan scribes. If there's any record of the former Patriarch Riol using honorifics for you, erase it."
"Uh, uh. You'd better stop now."
Murakan, who reflexively opened his mouth, interrupted Octavia after reading the atmosphere. Naturally, Murakan was not offering advice because he was concerned about Octavia. It was just that he was worried that the fierce monster would somehow release the irritation and anger that still lingered on him in the future.
'Ah, this monster has also aged, so let's hope he doesn't have that behavior. Let me recover all my strength...'
Jin wasn't the only one reassured by Misha's unexpected appearance. The Vamel Alliance and the Sword Saints thought the same.
They were surprised that, even though she was standing next to them, showing her back, there was no gap or opening.
'That lady is the Black Dragon Misha, our lord's second Dragon Guardian. The atmosphere is no joke.'
'Murakan-nim even expressed that she is a terrifying being, and the rest of the enemy seemed very afraid... Indeed, she's incredible.'
'It's scary, really scary. I have to look good.'
Lata, Valkas, and Amela thought in unison.
All the others thought the same.
"When are you going to stop this?"
Shadow Energy extended from the black spear and formed a black armor on Misha's body. After finishing her armament, Misha looked exactly like the Grim Reaper from legends.
"You can think you can erase history as you like. However, it would be wise to face reality head-on. The world you dream of is already crumbling."
Casually, just as Misha finished speaking, the sky lit up, and a deafening explosion occurred. The cannon of the Kozec ship infused with Kelliark's mana collided with Ron's sword.
The entire space, no, the entire sky distorted and swirled with the impact.
It was a force that shattered even the protective shield of Jin and Octavia, the two groups that had held together.
Magicians reflexively chose to re-cast their shields, and martial artists made the decision to rush at them.
There was no need for Jin to give orders or signals.
It was close-quarters combat with incredible speed.
That was the only thing a martial artist could do against first-class magicians.
The black spear stretched first, and then the eyes gleamed.
Just like two years ago, Misha demonstrated her strength this time as well, shattering Octavia and the Spectres' shield center with a single blow.
As if Octavia had expected it, she immediately launched her light magic as a counterattack, and at the same time tried to bind Misha's feet with her mana.
Thirty Spectres reacted almost as fast as Octavia and fired various types of magic without pause.
All kinds of large magical spells were unleashed continuously.
The swords of the Vamel Alliance and the Sword Saints also created sharp aura waves.
Dozens of swords and staffs intertwined, and with each clash, the ground screamed, causing earthquakes.
'This should be manageable.'
Indeed, Octavia and the Spectres were a bit tired.
As evidenced by Octavia's battleship, which was completely destroyed as soon as it touched the ground, their path through the battle of the giants was much longer than that of the Sword Emperor Castle camp.
Still, facing the Vamel Alliance and the Sword Saints would have been enough, but the addition of Misha completely changed the situation.
It wasn't just that the odds of winning were slightly higher.
Misha was stronger than Jin thought, and above all.
She had extensive experience facing the so-called "Spectres" for longer than anyone else in this world.
A whopping thousand years.
Even the Spectres she remembered were incomparable to the current ones.
Just like the difference between the Ten Great Knights of Runcandel and the Black Knights.
"A while ago, you said I fled after fighting you on that island, is that right?"
Misha's black spear brushed Octavia's cheek.
The spear's edge re-entered between the splattering drops of blood, and Octavia hit the ground with her staff to create shockwaves of light attribute that would hinder the attack.
In that opening, a thrust followed at the speed of light.
Without the Spectres' shield, not even someone like Octavia would have escaped without serious injuries.
"On that island, I limited myself to fighting by killing as few of you as possible. Do you know why? Killing too many would be burdensome in the long run. Zipple cares too much about victory or defeat."
"You're good at boasting."
Like Octavia's response, there was a bit of bluff mixed in, but not entirely false.
However, all the magic from Octavia and the Spectres was unable to hit Misha.
It was thanks to Jin, the Vamel Alliance, and the Sword Saints holding out, but the crucial point was that she perfectly understood the magic of the current Spectres, thanks to the battle two years ago.
Moreover, Jin couldn't help but break into a cold sweat when he met Misha and saw her ability.
She had very strange abilities.
"You're good at boasting."
Octavia couldn't help but turn her head at the sudden sound of "her own voice," even though the enemy's Black Spear loomed in front of her.
It was an unavoidable greater force.
At the next moment, what Octavia saw before her eyes was another figure, identical to her, standing there.
Naturally, it was a forgery created by Misha's Shadow Energy.
However, that fake Octavia was telling the real Octavia something.
"What is this?"
What is this?
A gaze that doesn't understand why another "self" is there.
At that moment, Octavia instinctively realized that all of this was Misha's ability and tried to respond.
But it was already too late.
It's always fatal to show an opening in a fight.
Especially if it's someone like Misha.
Thudddd-!
The black spear pierced Octavia's shoulder.
"Hehehe, you're truly the Spectres Captain. You managed to avoid it. I wanted to get rid of that uncouth mouth of yours."
The Spectres took a step forward, and Octavia retreated as she distanced herself from Misha.
Unlike their drastic formation change, Misha was smiling as if she had no intention of continuing with an additional attack.
"I, too, once challenged fate like you. How does it feel? It's not very pleasant, is it? What you're doing is exactly that," Misha said.
The fake Octavia disappeared, and in that moment.
The dawn sky distorted once again.
The showdown between Ron and Kelliark was becoming more intense.
The advantage was tilting towards Ron.
Ron's sword skills were gradually pushing Kelliark's magic away.
"Your leader seems to be losing to the Sword Emperor. Somewhere, Runcandel might be patiently waiting for an opportunity. Still, the fact that you're not showing signs of withdrawal must mean there's something you believe in, right?"
Whatever it is.
You'll die without seeing the outcome.
As Misha continued with her words, Octavia could only grit her teeth.
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