58. Hell Gate! (3)
By the time Kariel was focusing on Gareum’s soul fragment in the underground ruins, Roman quickly retreated.
This is because the Roman emperor came out and ordered a retreat.
Ignis’ surprise attack took a fatal blow, but it was thanks to the end of the end, and with the help of Sandria, who arrived late, he slowly began to retreat.
On the other hand, the demons were different.
As the demon king went to hell through the gate of hell, the commander who would lead the army disappeared.
Lokan, who was only outside, could not know that the demon king had disappeared, but he noticed at once that something was wrong with the demons and changed it to an annihilation operation.
Because of that judgment, he was able to deliver a fatal blow to the demons.
“Is each of you an abductee?”
Lokan sighed as he saw the demonic armies scattered in order to survive in the Black Canyon.
Although it did a lot of damage with one surprise attack, it was still not enough.
A lot of high-ranking demons still survived, and low-level demons can fill it up quickly, so it would not be a disappointing result for them either.
Although it inflicted fatal damage to Roman’s army, it was hard to say that he was very happy.
“I should have finished it completely… … .”
He should have completely crushed Roman’s army on the run.
There was certainly a chance to annihilate the enemies.
However, he missed the opportunity because he was worried about the safety of the emperor.
Tharion and the commander of the Imperial Palace entered to secure the emperor’s safety, and the Empire’s main forces focused on keeping the canyon under complete control rather than annihilating the enemy completely.
Obviously, that was the right strategy at the time, but now that I think about it, it was just a pity.
Thanks to his missed opportunity, Roman’s main force was able to escape with the help of Sandria, and in the end, Roman’s emperor was also able to escape safely.
“… … Too bad.”
I had a feeling that I would regret later that I had missed this opportunity to completely destroy one big enemy.
Perhaps because of that, I sighed heavily and looked at the battle situation that had taken place in the canyon.
Even while Rokan sighed, the battle continued fiercely, and enemies were dying in Ignit’s offensive, which led to an annihilation operation by enveloping them in all directions.
“Commander! Roman’s army is trying to get out of the canyon completely.”
“I will attach two legions. Track it down to the end and gnaw through the troops.”
“number of people!”
At Rokhan’s command, one of the commanders bowed his head and disappeared.
In the end, Roman escaped from this intense battlefield.
All that remains is the army of demons who have not yet been able to get out of the canyon.
“Tell them to come with the intention of killing all the demons who have not yet escaped the canyon.”
“Yes!”
Rokhan’s eyes shine at the thought of wiping out all the remaining demons.
However, as much as the main forces left in the canyon.
And his judgment was right.
Soon after, the whole canyon was shaken, and the half-exposed ruins showed their full appearance.
At the same time, the gates of hell that his emperor was so worried about were opened.
Deformed monsters bursting out of the gray storm.
“For Your Majesty!”
“I’m assuming you’re inside. It is currently being sought by Lord Tarion.”
“… … Haven’t you found it yet?”
“There were traces left on the ground of the ruins. We are assuming that you are in the secret area of the ruins.”
At the report of his subordinate, Rokhan sighed and looked straight ahead.
“Leave His Majesty’s comfort to Lord Tarion, and we do our own thing.”
Rokan, who was worried about the emperor’s safety even in the midst of the horrendous monsters, took a long breath and regained his composure, and began to issue orders one by one.
This is because as long as the gates of hell are open, they must be completely blocked so that they cannot cross this canyon.
“Gather all your troops near the canyon. A double encirclement must be built so that they cannot go out.”
“Yes!”
Lokan looked at the terrible gate left behind by the Demon King and the Roman Emperor and gathered the remaining troops.
If it was not possible to completely prevent the endless streams of hell beings, it could have spread to the entire eastern continent starting from here.
It was best to annihilate them in the canyon with overwhelming firepower and set a barrier to prevent them from going out.
“We are starting the second operation. It will be annihilated layer by layer around the canyon. The key is not to attack the gates of hell, but to prevent the army of hell from going out. Keep this in mind.”
“Yes!”
At Rokan’s command, nearby commanders launched a second operation.
As the operation created in preparation for the opening of the gates of hell was executed, all troops began to form formations.
As the units that had been scattered in the annihilation operation formed formations and formed formations, the ghosts that had been screaming and running out died one by one.
Preva’s corpses piled up in front of the solid defensive line made Ignit’s defense more smooth, serving as a great wall.
* * *
While Ignit’s army was fighting the hell’s army, Kariel was struggling underground.
“after… … How about upstairs?”
At Kariel’s question, Surt shook his head.
The hungry spirits were already pouring out through the gates of hell.
-Your men are running hard to find you.
“ah! You go up and talk to me.”
Kariel said with an expression that she forgot about Surt’s words.
– I’m still thinking about that.
“Can you go up again?”
A secret space that has been closed again since Kariel came down.
– As Gareum’s soul fragment is being restored, the barrier is also weakening. I think it’s possible.
As Gareum’s soul piece resonated with the other pieces, the power of the barrier weakened, leaving a gap for Surtur to escape.
It was meant to go to Tharion through that hole and then come back.
“after… … It’s taking longer than I thought.”
The power that Gareum’s soul fragments ate was considerable.
Perhaps Kariel’s power alone was not enough, he was also accepting the power of Hell.
Nevertheless, the light of the soul fragment was not yet fully lit. There were parts that did not give off light in some places, and until this part was filled, Kariel had no choice but to be held still.
Surt disappeared to tell the news that Kariel was safe, and in the meantime, he squeezed the fire inside his body to the floor and blew it.
Kariel, who put all her power into it, lost consciousness before she knew it.
How much time has passed like that?
Surtur’s worried words awakened her consciousness.
-… … Are you okay?
“You can hold on.”
Kariel, who barely responded with a pale complexion, looked at the piece of Gareum’s soul.
It may have been because he had given all his energy for a few days, but most of Gareum’s soul fragments in front of Kariel were shining.
– If you blow a little more, it will be over.
“after… … I didn’t think it would be this much to wake up just one soul fragment… … .”
– The dog that bit and killed the god. It’s lucky to be able to finish that soul piece at just this level.
Kariel sighed at Surt’s words.
What will happen if you wake up Garum by collecting all the soul fragments, even though it is only one piece?
Can I get recognition?
As the existence of Gareum, which I thought was just a vaguely powerful existence, came closer to reality, I felt a sense of emptiness.
“I feel like a mythical existence again.”
Greater beings than the Grand Master.
Thinking like this, I could see how advanced they were.
– You should know by now.
Surt, who spoke with a bubbly expression, once again controlled some of Kariel’s power and helped to infuse it into the soul fragment of Garum without wasted power.
– This is the last time! Just squeeze!
Cariel, who had been giving him strength while frowned at Surt’s shouts, squeezed out the power he had been sucking in and filled the empty part of the soul fragment.
At that moment, the gem containing the soul of Garum began to crack.
And a huge amount of green energy was emitted through the cracks.
Neither the power of hell nor the power of Kariel’s fire, but the unique power of Garum was radiating out and spreading out in all directions.
At last, the gigantic jewel completely exploded, creating a gigantic illusion within the fragments of Garum’s soul.
-… … .
A huge dog that kept its mouth shut and stared at Kariel.
Surt says that he is happy to see such a dog.
-Long time no see.
Suddenly, Surt’s fireball took the form of a gigantic giant and was shining faintly.
Was Skoll also affected by Garum?
While tilting her head, she revealed her original translucent body.
-… … Traces of her are gone. Are the gates of hell also tainted?
Gareum, who confirmed the state of the gate of hell at once, looked at Kariel while frowning.
-You’re too weak to succeed his will.
-Well… … In a way, he’s better than that guy.
Seeing Garreum talking as if he was pathetic while looking at Kariel, Surt smiled and said,
From the point of view of Surtur, who had seen Kariel’s efforts up close, Kariel was much better than the first emperor, who had been blessed by the gods and had all kinds of talents.
He led his lack of ability with only one head, and even after receiving the power of the first emperor, he covered his lack of talent with effort.
-That’s quite right.
Gareum, who received some memories from Surtur, looked at Kariel again.
The first emperor who showed overwhelming majesty by receiving the blessings of fire and talents from God.
A great hero who rose to Grand Master with swordsmanship and pioneered even the power of fire.
However, the first piece of Garum was attracted to Kariel, who achieved the current situation by raking up the talent that was lacking even more than that.
– So did my master.
the owner of the grove.
Hel, who was the master of the underworld in the past, was also forcibly abandoned by the gods, so half of her body was necrotic and her powers were also limited, but she was a woman of preeminence who became the master of the underworld.
-… … okay. i don’t admit it
As soon as Gareum’s first soul fragment said that he acknowledged it, his green new form became powder and permeated into Kariel.
[You have awakened the first Soul Fragment of Garum. You will receive two planned rewards.]
[You have received the recognition of your first Soul Fragment. The power of hell is strengthened.]
[Hope the soul shards sync. Therefore, it is slightly affected by Gareum’s physical talent.]
As Gareum’s soul fragment completely permeated Kariel’s body, Kariel’s physical talents temporarily became stronger.
Accordingly, firearms, which had been slowed down due to physical limitations, were also affected.
– Now it’s going to be useful.
Surtur, who had returned in the form of a small fireball, crossed his arms and shook his head.
The gigantic phantom of Gareum turned into powder for a long time and flowed into Kariel’s body, and Kariel, who had absorbed all the phantoms of Gareum, finally opened her eyes.
-The gates of hell, can you close it?
“I think it will still take some time.”
It was only the first piece of Gareum’s soul, but the difference in class was so great that they couldn’t handle all of it.
But one thing was certain.
If you can fully handle the power that this soul fragment gave you, you will be much stronger than you are now… … .
“Shall we go up first?”
After saying that, Kariel looked up at the ceiling.
Then, a green fire wrapped around the ceiling and opened the way to the ruins where the gate to hell was located.
At the same time, the altar, which was in perfect shape even though it was worn out elsewhere, began to crumble.
-Are you done with your work?
After muttering like that, Surt turned and climbed up with Kariel.
“your majesty!”
“From now on, I will close the gates of hell. Stop those bastards from coming around me.”
“I take orders!”
As Tarion bowed his head in response to Kariel’s command, all the shadows and knights in the vicinity bowed their heads and chanted.
As a defensive formation was created around Kariel, while blocking the swarm of anglers, Kariel called Lokan.
“From now on, I will close the gates of hell. So the commander divides the army into two until the gates of hell close.”
“You mean two?”
“okay.”
Cariel nodded at Lokan’s question, and his eyes lit up.
Since there were two enemies, the Roman Emperor and the Demon King, Ignit had to be divided into two.