Chapter 101
The silver arrow that could shatter Midgard approached the ground . As she watched it, Benetnash was already preparing for her next move .
I couldn’t care less what Midgard ends up becoming as a result of this skill .
It was not a lie when she said she felt this way . But at the same time, she had the conviction that this would not happen . It was because Ruphas had Lifthrasir, which could cut through magic . If it was a normal person wielding it, it would be impossible to cut such a huge silver arrow, but the current wielder was not normal . It was Ruphas . Therefore, she will definitely cut it down .
Benetnash was convinced of this . But even if it was her, there was bound to be some kind of opening the moment she cut through the magic . Even if Ruphas understood this, she had no choice but to stop the attack . If she dodged it instead, Midgard would really be blown away .
That very moment would be a good opportunity for Benetnash . The time it would take her to cut the arrow would probably only be a moment, but this would absolutely be a good opportunity for Benetnash . After breaking through her limits, this moment would be like several minutes to her .
She could win—by aiming for that moment when Ruphas was defenseless and launching an all-out attack!
But Benetnash’s expectations were overturned in the next moment . Unbelievably, her sure-kill attack, which used all her magic power, stopped just before the ground . Ruphas stopped it with one hand, completely killing off the momentum .
“What? With just one hand…!?”
“I’m giving it back . ”
Ruphas threw the arrow, while Benetnash evaded it . After missing its target, the arrow pierced through the stratosphere into s.p.a.ce and struck a distant planet which was even larger than Midgard . It penetrated the planetary core, utterly destroying it .
The attack was meant so that Benetnash could create an opportunity to catch Ruphas off-guard, but instead, it was Benetnash who was caught off-guard . A momentary stiffness . This was an opening created unconsciously . She was defenseless . It was less than one-tenth of a second in real time, but it would be enough for Ruphas to defeat her opponent . However, Ruphas did not pursue Benetnash, letting the opening slip by .
Was she holding back? Was she leaving some leeway? Or perhaps she was just being complacent? …None of them were right .
Ruphas wanted to show her respect to Benetnash and decided to give her a complete defeat . A complete victory required her to not make any surprise attacks on her opponent . She needed to face her opponent’s full power upfront . Thus, Ruphas allowed Benetnash’s opening to slip by . She did not want a pointless victory by making surprise attacks on an opponent who was off-guard .
Ruphas’ face was turned violently ferocious . Her crimson eyes shone like a flame .
“Benet . I will show you what ‘Mana Trans.m.u.tation’ is . Rejoice…This is still an experimental skill . I haven’t shown it to anyone yet . ”
Alchemy worked on physical materials, but it was considered impossible to trans.m.u.te using magic as a base material . To be precise, it was possible to trans.m.u.te mana into materials, but it was pointless to do so since magic would eventually revert back into mana . This was common sense in alchemy . Anyone who dabbled in alchemy would know it .
But Ruphas now knew that this information was not right . Trans.m.u.tation using mana as the base material was possible . And proof of this could be found everywhere in the world .
“Trans.m.u.te—Winter of Wolves !”
At Ruphas’ declaration, the surrounding mana coalesced and stabilized . It then took the forms of wolves and a pack of several hundred wolves charged at Benetnash .
Wolf-shaped magic? It was certainly so . Since magic turned mana into phenomena, it had to be magic . There was nothing surprising about it having the shapes of wolves . After all, there were magic in the forms of birds, beasts, and even humanoids . The Water magic Apsaras was one such example .
What is this? Why does an existence created by mana have its own ego and attack according to its own judgment? This is critically different from my own magic . In fact, these seem more like demons than magic .
Benetnash thought so, but this did not change what she needed to do . It didn’t matter whether it was a demon or magic . She just had to kick all of them into smithereens!
“Do you intend to beat me with just this level of attack!?”
A flash of silver dashed forth and the wolves were defeated one after another . The wolves were slashed apart, losing their forms and reverting to mana . The mana then acc.u.mulated behind Ruphas . When all the wolves were defeated, the mana fully acc.u.mulated and formed a giant wolf . With a body no less than two hundred meters long, this giant wolf king was even bigger than Aries . It stared at Benetnash and bared its fangs .
“Trans.m.u.te—The Thing That Shakes The Earth!”
Ruphas laughed eerily as the G.o.d-eating wolf opened its maw .
And roared .
The unspeakable wolf’s roar became a wave of destructive energy that swallowed Benetnash . Her entire body was torn in an instant and an enormous amount of blood flowed . Only Benetnash could have endured it without losing any of her body parts . If it had been anyone else, there would not even be any bones left .
“Gah…ha, ah…”
However, she finally reached her limit and fell to her knees on the ground . Her heartbeats were annoying, her fingers were shaking, and her vision was becoming blurred . She understood what this meant .
Ah, I have reached my limit . If possible, I want to make one final blow . But it seems I only have enough power left to make a full-power attack .
As she thought this…Benetnash laughed involuntarily .
Oh, it’s the same . It’s the same situation as the last time .
It was like this two hundred years ago . She was cornered to the point where she had to gamble it all with one final attack in an attempt to reverse the situation . At that time, some boring people got in the way, but it was different this time . Benetnash put all her remaining power into her right arm and looked straight at her nemesis .
“…Let’s go, Mafahl . Let’s end it with this attack . ”
“…Oh, yes . Come on then, Benet . ”
She spoke the same line as before . Ruphas understood and replied in the same manner . That beckoning gesture was also the same as last time, making it both hateful and endearing .
Now then, the stage that I longed for is right before me . The continuation of that day is finally here .
Benetnash’s expression distorted in delight as her eyes burned with a deep red color .
“—Oh!”
Regardless of victory or defeat, this would be the end!
By burning even her life-force, Benetnash’s attack was like a meteor . She charged straight at Ruphas at her maximum velocity, faster than anything she had ever been able to reach even in her several hundred years of existence .
On the other hand, Ruphas also went straight ahead . She decided against using feints and raised her right arm to receive the attack upfront .
Their arms crossed and fresh blood danced between them .
The one bleeding was…Ruphas . Benetnash’s all-out attack tore into her shoulder, leaving behind a wound that was not shallow . But unfortunately, even though it was not shallow, the wound was not deep enough either . Although she was bleeding profusely, the wound did not reach her bone . Ruphas could easily recover from a wound of this extent .
On the other hand, Ruphas’ sword had pierced Benetnash’s heart . The sword served as a plug, preventing excessive bleeding . However, anyone could see that it was a fatal wound .
In other words…the victor had been determined . Benetnash could not defeat Ruphas . She was relieved . After realizing this fact, Benetnash smiled with a sense of self-ridicule .
“—Still couldn’t reach you, huh?”
In her heart, she felt that it was frustrating and mortifying . After all, it was the first time ever in her life that she had a goal and the first time she ever had a rival . Yet in the end, she still could not surpa.s.s her even once . Until her final moments, she was only ever chasing after Ruphas’ back . With a plop, her arms dropped down as her body lost its strength .
“…Are you satisfied? Benet . ”
“Don’t be a fool . Losing is the worst . All that remains is a lingering attachment . ”
Her eyes could not see anymore, yet strangely, she could hear Ruphas’ hateful voice clearly .
Are you satisfied with this?
As always, it showed how much leeway she always had . But that was the kind of person Ruphas was . If Benetnash got angry over it every time, there would be no end to it .
“…Ah, but…I feel like my heart has gained closure . It’s not bad . ”
“You just said that it was the worst . ”
“Shut up . ”
She collapsed as her legs lost their strength . However, her body was embraced by Ruphas . Benetnash no longer had the strength to push her away, so she simply entrusted herself to Ruphas .
It seems my vitality is ending here .
She had a lingering attachment, but there was no regret . This was a battle in which all possible outcomes were accepted, a fight that she yearned for . And it had finally been realized . The result was disappointing, but she certainly felt that she was alive right at that moment .
So…yeah, it wasn’t bad .
Although it was only for a short while, the time that had stopped for her finally began to flow again . Even if it was just for a few moments…it was still more fulfilling than the two hundred years that she spent in stagnation .
“Mafahl…Did you know that this would happen?”
“Yeah, didn’t I say it before? That I will definitely return . ”
“Hmph…Stupid…You made me wait too long!”
Despite the hateful words spewing from her mouth, Benetnash could not stop smiling . In her mind, she recalled the old days spent with the people whom she acknowledged—Alioth, Dubhe, Phecda, and Mizar .
Now that I think about it, those days weren’t so bad .
Even while vowing to have a rematch with Ruphas, she stood by her as they fought for world domination .
They were considered to be companions as well as rivals to her, the fearsome Vampire Princess . That was why she could not forgive any form of betrayal . That was why she was angry at them . She did not regret not helping them . They simply reaped what they sowed . She did not intend to apologize or repent .
But…yeah . I’ll forgive them somewhat . Now that I think about it, I don’t really hate them .
“Hey . ”
“Hmm?”
“…Hold me a little tighter . My body feels like it’s fading away . ”
“…Oh, I understand . ”
Alioth and the others have already pa.s.sed on . This time, it’s my turn . That is all there is to it . There’s some kind of fluid in my mouth . It’s probably blood, but I can no longer taste it .
Benetnash forcefully swallowed it . Her consciousness felt distant and she realized her end was near .
“Mafahl . Do you really think you can change the world? This is the playground of the G.o.ddess…We’re no different from the magical beasts in the arena . The G.o.ddess looks down from the distant heavens to see us struggling . How are you going to fight someone like that?”
“I’m collecting various hands to play . Everything is going well now . The G.o.ddess may also be preparing various things…Well, there’s no problem . After all, I have some talented subordinates . ”
Ruphas said as she thought of her subordinates . They would surely do well . Since she had such confidence and trust, she could allow herself to play the role of the G.o.ddess’ toy and clown, continuing to dance to her tune . Although she was awake now due to a little shock, she would soon return to slumber again . And then, she would wander about like a sleepwalking patient with sleepy eyes, baiting the G.o.ddess to let down her guard .
“In particular, ‘she’ is talented…If it is Ophiuchus, she would certainly do well . ”
“…I haven’t heard of her . Aren’t there thirteen people in the Twelve Stars if you include the Twins?”
“She is the thirteenth star that even the Twelve Stars are unaware of . Two hundred years ago…No, she started taking actions on my orders even before that . I’m here in this way right now because she was able to outsmart the G.o.ddess . ”
“So everything is in the palm of your hand? I don’t like this . ”
Benetnash muttered in annoyance, yet she was relieved in her heart . Truly, the person she regarded as her rival was a terrifying being . To be able to outsmart the G.o.ddess and make her dance in the palm of her hand, she was such an abominable woman . That was why she could think: It’s fine…She won’t lose to the G.o.ddess .
It was rather frustrating, but she could not imagine her losing .
That’s fine . Don’t lose to anyone . You should continue acting like who you are…Just be the absolute powerhouse that I admire . As long as you do that, it would all have been worth it .
“Mafahl . ”
“What is it?”
“Don’t ever lose . Now that you’ve won against me, if you lose to someone else, I’ll beat you up even if I have to come back from the underworld . ”
“Oh, don’t worry . I won’t lose . ”
Ruphas’ forceful response brought a sense of satisfaction to Benetnash . A few seconds of silence pa.s.sed between them, then Benetnash spoke once more .
“Hey, Mafahl . ”
“What?”
“Did I…manage to become your rival?”
“What a stupid question . You’re the one who has ever chased after me so far in order to defeat me . Perhaps, you are the only one who understands me the most . ”
“…I see . ”
Benetnash did not reveal her thoughts regarding Ruphas’ reply . However, one could somehow discern that she was happy . A few seconds later, Benetnash spoke again .
“Hey, Mafahl . ”
“What?”
“Are you still there?”
“I’ll be here until the end . Don’t worry . ”
Her consciousness was finally drifting away and she was losing sense of her body . It was almost time to say goodbye…Benetnash felt the truth of this strongly . But still, it wasn’t bad, if the place to die was in the arms of her rival .
“Hey, Mafahl . ”
“What is it?”
“………”
“…Thank you . ”
—Those were the last words she uttered .
Thereafter, Benetnash did not speak anymore nor did she move . Ruphas gently laid Benetnash down and pulled out the blade stuck in her heart . She cleaned her body using healing divine magic .
Her sleeping face was full of comfort with a gentle smile that she rarely ever showed . Gently stroking her hair, Ruphas pondered .
Just as Benetnash saw Ruphas as her goal, Benetnash was Ruphas’ goal . When she was still immature, the Vampire Princess was already known as the strongest humanoid . Along with the Dragon King, Demon King, and Lion King, she reigned as one of the four powers .
Ruphas, who was still weak at that time, wanted to be just like her . She strongly yearned to be powerful like the Vampire Princess, repelling all irrationalities and not losing to anyone . Benetnash wondered if she was considered a rival by Ruphas, but that was incorrect . It was Ruphas who thought so first . Ruphas was the first to see Benetnash as a rival, aiming to become just as strong .
“I’m the one who should be thanking you . If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be this strong…Thank you, Benet…Rest in peace . ”
She said her words of farewell and raised her head . There were ten vampires, possibly Benetnash’s subordinates, standing nearby . She could tell at a glance that none of them were ordinary people .
Their levels…Even the weakest is Level 500 . They’re probably survivors of the battle from two hundred years ago .
As Ruphas recalled, Benetnash challenged her alone two hundred years ago . She also did not partic.i.p.ate in the fight against the Demon King . In other words, the elites from that time were left behind until now . But even so, they were no match for the current Ruphas . If she wished, she could kill everyone in the blink of an eye .
“You must be Ruphas Mafahl-sama?”
“Yes . Are you Benetnash’s subordinates?”
“We are not her subordinates . We are her tools . All of us had dedicated everything to her . ”
“She was rather adored, wasn’t she?”
The vampires looked upon the peaceful, sleeping face of Benetnash and gently carried her body . Then, they lowered their heads deeply to Ruphas .
“Thank you, Ruler of the Black Wings . You have fulfilled your promise to our master . ”
“…You don’t hate me?”
“This is what our master wanted . Be it victory or defeat, life or death…We would always prioritize the will of our master . ”
Despite saying so, they were probably feeling conflicted inside . One vampire standing in the back clenched his fist until it was dripping blood, while another vampire tapped on his shoulder .
“Our master is surely satisfied…That is…our…greatest pleasure . ”
“…You don’t have to force yourselves . ”
“!!”
As Ruphas said this, the vampire who was bowing previously raised his head and struck with his fist . But before it could hit Ruphas, another vampire grabbed his arm and stopped the attack . At that moment, he opened his eyes and realized that he was being rude . Perhaps, this was the result of being unconsciously driven by anger . He immediately lowered his head and held his fist tightly .
“Excuse me . Please forgive my rudeness . ”
“Apologies, but we will be taking our leaves now . We must conduct a state funeral for our master . ”
The vampires turned their backs on Ruphas and flew away . They did not even look back once, but it was obvious that their eyes would be full of hate and grief . This was because…the eyes of the vampire who lashed out earlier were bleeding tears of blood .
“…She was very much adored…Truly . ”
Ruphas muttered and picked up the twin swords on the ground . She started walking through the wasteland caused by the battle to rejoin Dina and the rest .
However, her footsteps were somewhat heavy .