Chapter 675: All For One
The carpet that made them hover over the city was controlled by one of Master Azkavan"s star summons, but the group couldn"t split before deciding on a plan. Even with their combined strength, and Fey"s augmentation, they would die in front of Amelio.
"All for one," said Devan after being quiet for the length of their conversation. The rest of them were quiet before turning toward him. "We need to give every power we have to one person to win. That person will be chosen by… the White Fairy."
Arthur, Ilia Perli, and Azkavan turned toward Fey, who nodded at Devan as if it was only natural. As Arthur pondered the situation, he realized the current Amelio could obliterate any of them.
"I can turn the pool into a one-way path that transmits our powers to one person, but its effect on their body can be disastrous. However, there is one person among us who can handle it," said Fey while looking at Arthur. "It"s Arthur Silvera."
"That"s absurd," frowned Master Azkavan. "The boy will die. We are all Astra-rankers, and he is no stronger than a Vetus-ranker. So are you planning to kill him?"
It was unusual to see Master Azkavan display such worries, and Arthur considered the possibility that he was a good person. Although the guild hunted them down for their belongings, it did not come without reason. After all, his father was a sc.u.mbag.
"Are you sure about that, White Fairy?" asked Devan with equal doubt. "I would"ve had no objections as long as you choose wisely. However, this greenhorn is still…."
"As long as you allow me to include you in my pool, I get a general understanding of your capacity to receive powers. I use that capacity to ensure no one gets more than they can handle. There is always a limit to what the body can hold."
"And?" asked Ilia Perli with a frown. "Are you saying Arthur has a higher capacity to handle power than ours?"
"Master Devan can receive fifty percent of the pool. Master Azkavan can receive forty-five, while Major Ilia Perli can receive forty-eight. This does not equate to personal power, but the capacity to handle foreign strength."
"Then, Arthur Silvera can handle more than fifty percent?" asked Devan. "Do not forget that the pool has the power of four Astra-rankers combined."
"It doesn"t matter. My ability surveys the limits of the human body and how much of the current pool it can receive. The numbers I gave are an estimate of the current pool, but Arthur Silvera does not follow these rules."
"I don"t follow them?" asked Arthur, who has been quiet, observing Amelio"s rampage in Kera city. "How so, Fey?"
"The reason is," she muttered while seeming hesitant and then shook her head, "Arthur Silvera doesn"t have a limit, as far as my ability can tell. So it doesn"t matter how much I give him because he can turn everything into his strength."
"Impossible!" muttered Ilia Perli with a shaken heart before glancing at Arthur. "A person like that perfectly matches your ability, Miss Fey!"
"Indeed," smiled Fey while ma.s.saging her forehead. "I did not expect one of my questions would be answered here. The ability to use every power as his own… should not exist in this world. I didn"t plan to reveal it, Arthur. However, the circ.u.mstances are dire."
"I don"t blame you," said a smiling Arthur. "Regardless of whether it is known or not, I am still a criminal in the eyes of the world. We need to hurry and make a decision. Are you afraid, Major Perli?"
The Major looked at him with surprise before smiling. He seemed amused that Arthur picked on his change of mood. However, after Fey told them that Arthur was capable of using every power to be his own, Major Perli grew apprehensive.
"I thought the kingdom made a terrifying enemy, but you don"t seem like a terrorist to me. I have betrayed the crown, so there will be no going back."
"We will trust your judgment, White Fairy," said Master Devan after a while before turning toward Arthur. "It seems this kingdom and the world will be indebted to you. Are you alright with handling this responsibility, Arthur?"
"I"m only afraid that the world isn"t," said Arthur before turning toward Amelio. "I will be counting on all of your strengths to end this show of madness."
The rest of them smiled before Fey raised her arms toward the sky. A great domain appeared around them, with Fey acting as the center. There were no pillars this time, but she used her domain instead.
"Although the Astral Pillar can be more stable, the domain cannot be disturbed. However, my domain cannot exchange life and death, Arthur. I cannot be of help if you are injured," said Fey. Arthur nodded without turning away. "Then, receive the powers of the four of us. We will be down there seeking soldiers to include them in your strength. May the heavens… break under your fist."
***
Every awakener and citizen around the world were sitting on pins and needles as they watched the broadcast coming from Kera. The fight against Amelio, who showed an unparalleled display of stats, froze the hearts of many with fear.
A single strike tore a city in two, making Kera a live example of what every city in the world would look like if it faced the wrath of Amelio. Therefore, the world did not care about the ident.i.ty of those fighting as long as they won.
It was the first time a calamity appeared unexpectedly. There were recordings of other calamity-tier monsters appearing, but Amelio was by far the strongest among them. The mere fact that the warriors fighting had yet to perish made them heroes in the eyes of the world.
However, those heroes were torn apart by the unsealed Amelio. The broadcast was unfiltered, showing the world the gore of actual battles. As soon a creature came to stop Amelio, a single flick of his finger was enough to tear a giant hole in them.
The world cheered for the heroes and tried to pray for their safety, but the heavens did not answer. Soldiers have been torn apart in front of their families, who wept until their eyes bled. Shadows and hobgoblins that fought against Amelio were all torn to pieces regardless of how resilient they were.
After a while, fathers took the children to their rooms, and families turned the TV off. It was a traumatizing scene. However, those who remained to see the end of this tragedy were rewarded with a scene they would never forget.
One of those people was Emma, whose face was bruised after she tried to escape the palace. However, Prince Caleb was stronger than her and did not pull back his punches to make her give up.
"Let me go!" shouted Emma, almost in hysteria. "I need to go there and save him!" Emma tried to stand up again, but Caleb kicked her in the shoulder and pinned her against the wall.
"You want me to stand idle while you l.u.s.t over some man?" spat Prince Caleb with a face contorted in rage. "I always a.s.sumed you were a pure soul, but you are no more than a wh.o.r.e. First was Alexie, and now this. Do you have no shame, woman?"
"You are the one," said Emma while trying to push his foot away, "who has no shame, Caleb. I took no man other than you while you fooled around. As soon as I made friends, you tried to get them as far away from me as possible."
"Because I know you are the daughter of that wh.o.r.e," grinned Caleb. "She chased after men and ended with your father, so you were bound to do the same. So don"t hate me, but hate your mother who gave you our bloodline!"
"She did nothing wrong," squeaked Emma as she felt her bones were about to break. "Just let me go! I didn"t break the contract until now!"
"We have more than just the contract to decide what you do. After all, you are the next queen of the Yalveran Union!" rambled Caleb while his face became crazed. Emma felt her collar bones breaking under his foot, but a figure drew their attention to the screen.
"Arthur…" muttered Emma as she watched Arthur"s face on the screen. He was different from before, as his body was larger and seemed to have an aura around him. However, his expression was still calm, even while holding Amelio"s arm.
"This is enough, Fallen G.o.d Amelio," said Arthur, whose height was now towering over Amelio. Ancient blood covered his skin, suggesting that this was the ability of the b.l.o.o.d.y King, Devan. "There is no need for more unnecessary deaths."
"Death is always welcomed, outsider," said Amelio with a grin before he punched at Arthur"s stomach. However, the fist stopped in front of it. "A spatial summon?"