Chapter 101


    The silver arrow that could shatter Midgard approached the ground . As she watched it, Bnash was already preparing for her next move .


    I couldn’t care less what Midgard ends up bing 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 .


    Bnash 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 Bnash . 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 Bnash . 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 andunching an all-out attack!


    But Bnash’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,pletely killing off the momentum .


    “What? With just one hand...!?”


    “I’m giving it back . ”


    Ruphas threw the arrow, while Bnash evaded it . After missing its target, the arrow pierced through the stratosphere into space and struck a distant which was evenrger than Midgard . It prated theary core, utterly destroying it .


    The attack was meant so that Bnash could create an opportunity to catch Ruphas off-guard, but instead, it was Bnash 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 Bnash, letting the opening slip by .


    Was she holding back? Was she leaving some leeway? Or perhaps she was just beingcent? ...None of them were right .


    Ruphas wanted to show her respect to Bnash and decided to give her aplete defeat . Aplete 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 Bnash’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 me .


    “B . I will show you what ‘Mana Transmutation’ 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 transmute using magic as a base material . To be precise, it was possible to transmute mana into materials, but it was pointless to do so since magic would eventually revert back into mana . This wasmon sense in alchemy . Anyone who dabbled in alchemy would know it .


    But Ruphas now knew that this information was not right . Transmutation using mana as the base material was possible . And proof of this could be found everywhere in the world .


    “Transmute—Winter of Wolves !”


    At Ruphas’ deration, the surrounding mana coalesced and stabilized . It then took the forms of wolves and a pack of several hundred wolves charged at Bnash .


    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 ording to its own judgment? This is critically different from my own magic . In fact, these seem more like demons than magic .


    Bnash 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 sh of silver dashed forth and the wolves were defeated one after another . The wolves were shed apart, losing their forms and reverting to mana . The mana then umted behind Ruphas . When all the wolves were defeated, the mana fully umted 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 Bnash and bared its fangs .


    “Transmute—The Thing That Shakes The Earth!”


    Ruphasughed eerily as the god-eating wolf opened its maw .


    And roared .


    The unspeakable wolf’s roar became a wave of destructive energy that swallowed Bnash . Her entire body was torn in an instant and an enormous amount of blood flowed . Only Bnash 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 bing 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...Bnashughed involuntarily .


    Oh, it’s the same . It’s the same situation as thest 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 . Bnash 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, B . ”


    She spoke the same line as before . Ruphas understood and replied in the same manner . That beckoning gesture was also the same asst 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 .


    Bnash’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, Bnash’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 . Bnash’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 Bnash’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 . Bnash could not defeat Ruphas . She was relieved . After realizing this fact, Bnash 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 surpass 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? B . ”


    “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 Bnash 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 copsed as her legs lost their strength . However, her body was embraced by Ruphas . Bnash 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 oues were epted, 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, Bnash 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 bepanions 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 passed 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 .


    Bnash 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 yground of the Goddess...We’re no different from the magical beasts in the arena . The Goddess 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 y . Everything is going well now . The Goddess 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 y the role of the Goddess’ 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 Goddess to let down her guard .


    “In particr, ‘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 Goddess . ”


    “So everything is in the palm of your hand? I don’t like this . ”


    Bnash 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 Goddess 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 Goddess .


    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 toe back from the underworld . ”


    “Oh, don’t worry . I won’t lose . ”


    Ruphas’ forceful response brought a sense of satisfaction to Bnash . A few seconds of silence passed between them, then Bnash spoke once more .


    “Hey, Mafahl . ”


    “What?”


    “Did I...manage to be 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 . ”


    Bnash did not reveal her thoughts regarding Ruphas’ reply . However, one could somehow discern that she was happy . A few secondster, Bnash 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...Bnash felt the truth of this strongly . But still, it wasn’t bad, if the ce to die was in the arms of her rival .


    “Hey, Mafahl . ”


    “What is it?”


    “.........”


    “...Thank you . ”


    —Those were thest words she uttered .


    Thereafter, Bnash did not speak anymore nor did she move . Ruphas gentlyid Bnash down and pulled out the de stuck in her heart . She cleaned her body using healing divine magic .


    Her sleeping face was full offort with a gentle smile that she rarely ever showed . Gently stroking her hair, Ruphas pondered .


    Just as Bnash saw Ruphas as her goal, Bnash 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 . Bnash 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 Bnash as a rival, aiming to be 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, B...Rest in peace . ”


    She said her words of farewell and raised her head . There were ten vampires, possibly Bnash’s subordinates, standing nearby . She could tell at a nce 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, Bnash challenged her alone two hundred years ago . She also did not participate 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 Bnash’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 Bnash and gently carried her body . Then, they lowered their heads deeply to Ruphas .


    “Thank you, Ruler of the ck 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 whoshed 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 wastnd caused by the battle to rejoin Dina and the rest .


    However, her footsteps were somewhat heavy .