The Hero Who Returned From Death Quits

39 – EP3. Falling Glory

He admitted it. Yes. He underestimated it.

The saying that it was one of the three great calamities in the world was not in vain.

Did he become arrogant?

Did he rampage thinking that he could overcome someone far stronger than his original self and that it was his own ability?

He was never comparable to the enemy commander, Genome. No, he wasn’t even sure if he could properly defeat even one skeleton knight.

And Grandis and the king of the dead possessed a strength that couldn’t even be compared to Genome.

The king of the dead not only possessed great strength but also had everything within his territory in his grasp. He made a mistake. He had fallen into the hands of the Lich King himself.

So, how should we break through this situation?

The thought of daring to use the Lich King never crossed his mind again. Just thinking about it sent a chilling sensation running down his skin.

It was a feeling similar yet different from Grandis. If Grandis embodied the sudden emergence of disaster, the Lich King felt like being trapped in his clutches, unable to escape.

However, there was no apparent way to break through the ashen soldiers.

If they headed for the plains, they’d encounter the undead army or Grandis. If they went through the mountains, they’d face the ashen soldiers or the Lich King.

Perhaps it would be better if Grandis and the Lich King fought each other, causing both to fall…

In that moment, a thought brushed through his mind.

“…Huh?”

It was truly an unreasonable plan, but if it could succeed.

He calculated in his head.

Though it seemed utterly nonsensical, the more he thought about it, the more his confidence grew.

He had made up his mind.

“For now, the soldiers will head to the mountains.”

“Huh?”

Peria raised an incredulous eyebrow.

“Let me clarify. The soldiers, the commanders, Peria, Sain, and Lena will head for the mountains and enter the Lich King’s territory.”

“What?”

Peria stared at Ainzel with a bewildered expression.

“Perhaps we will launch surprise attacks whenever there is a chance. Ensure thorough border defenses with alarm magic during the night.”

“What are you even talking about…”

“And the Holy Lady and I will go towards the plains to join the Lich King’s territory.”

“What on earth are you saying?”

As Peria spoke, Ainzel simply gazed at her. Peria looked into his eyes.

That strange gaze again. That incomprehensible, bottomless certainty that almost felt infinite.

Peria was overwhelmed by his strange look.

“…I have a plan. It’s to save as many people as possible.”

Not just her, but everyone present here was overwhelmed by his conviction.

“…Yes.”

Beatrice nodded.

“Let’s go.”

His operation had begun.

“I’m going this way!”

Angel ran continuously with the saint.

Undead creatures creating an oppressive encirclement. But compared to the undead of the Lich King, their numbers were significantly fewer, and now Beatrice was with him.

“Break through that side!”

“Yes!”

A sacred ray of light melted away the undead creatures, and he ran straight towards that spot. Amidst it all, he did not forget to check his direction.

And finally, while witnessing the undead creatures that were about to form an encirclement chasing after him from behind, Angel laughed.

Good, it’s half successful.

Beatrice destroyed the corpses that were following them with occasional beams of light. They were brimming with the deliberate intention to stand out more than anyone else.

Days passed like that. Despite taking a longer route than traversing the mountains since they were running through a plain, they arrived in similar dates.

Thus, Angel and Beatrice arrived in front of the territory of the Lich King.

“…If we do this, there will be a way, right?”

Beatrice looked at him anxiously. But Angel smiled. He had complete confidence this time.

“What’s the matter, you came too?”

Feria’s voice was heard. She and the soldiers appeared extremely tired, with exhausted faces.

“Damn it, suddenly gray soldiers appeared and pursued us… They were much faster than the undead, so it gave us a hard time. Damn bastards. They attack us every night… sigh, I can’t even talk about it.”

Lena said. Feria looked at Lena with a vacant expression, silently agreeing with her.

“Well, we can’t help it. But… this time we will definitely survive. Hold on a little longer, even if it’s tough.”

Yes. This time for sure…

Angel smiled, looking up at the sky.

In this way, they once again entered the land of the dead.

The same pressure they felt last time began to seep in, and chills permeated their bones.

But they endured, because they could bear it.

Eyes flying through the sky started to appear, and soon their thoughts resonated in their minds.

– Those who dare to disturb the rest of the dead, prepare to face death. Urging the spirits, prepare for your demise.

The ashen soldiers were also crushed under the pressure as they stepped foot into the land of the dead.

And once again, countless corpses began to rise, and the sky filled with gigantic eyes.

“…There really is a way, right?”

Feria asked with a trembling voice.

“Fine.”

I’ve done everything I can. Now all that remains is to wait for good luck.

Finally, as the sky opened up, the king of the dead descended on a dazzling dragon.

-…Oh, how interesting. A hero setting foot on this land? Surely, the purpose of a hero is to defeat the demon king. …However, the price for disturbing the rest of the dead is unforgivable.

The Lich King began to swing his staff. Corpses approached from all directions.

In a seemingly hopeless situation, the Lich King began to raise his head.

-…What is this? Dare undead creatures from another territory set foot on the domain of the king of the dead?

They were the undead brought by Angel and Beatrice.

-…To even see a Death Knight, I cannot understand what is happening.

Angel smiled.

And with that smile, the snow that covered the sky began to burst out.

-What!?

The snow that covered the sky began to fall to the ground. It didn’t take long for the blue sky to emerge.

“Now! Hide without being noticed!”

Angel told the soldiers.

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“Haah, what is this? I followed the intriguing hero, but all I see are corpses reeking with foul smells.”

A voice that crushed the entire land, similar to the Lich King’s level.

Grandis arrived in the Lich King’s territory.

-…How dare the demon army commander come here!

“Noisy, Skeletal Mask.”

Grandis retorted.

“Ha, I can’t even see the hero… Well, I suppose I’ll have to entertain you instead.”

She licked her lips, and the two mighty beings began to collide.

With each attack, the sky shattered, and with each collision, the earth trembled.

The fight between these two beings who reached a ‘boundary’ was so colossal.

And under that collision, Angel, who was struggling desperately, was not in a good situation.

“Lady Saint….”

Beatrice used all her divine power, and while the Lich King and Grandis’ subordinates clashed, they diligently attacked the humans.

However, Beatrice’s divine power was extraordinary. She had even singlehandedly defeated a Death Knight, causing countless undead creatures to perish in the aftermath.

“Just a little more! Just a little more!”

Angel clenched her teeth and fought on.

And then, a path opened.

“Run!”

Granedis and the Lich King, along with their minions, clashed in an intense battle. In that chaos, the only path forward revealed itself.

And blocking that path were numerous skeletal knights.

Even the slightest intruder into their territory would not be spared, as the skeletal knights with ominous glares seemed determined.

“…Once we take them down, it’s over! Let’s go!”

Despite saying so, Angel was inwardly uneasy. He couldn’t properly handle even a single skeletal knight, and the uncertainty of winning crept in. Even Beatrice couldn’t use her divine power in this situation. He lost confidence once again.

And then, and then.

Sein’s sword began to emit light.

“Go!”

The sword’s radiance scattered like a shower of sparks.

Sein awakened as a High Expert once again.

And Angel’s expression twisted as he watched.

He knew.

He knew that his memories were completely buried.

That his one-night love had become something only he knew.

Yet, the memory of that night haunted him, making his chest heavy.

But he ignored it, running forward and wielding his sword.

On the night when the Navigator’s Star shone brightly. Enchanted by the beautiful scenery, he couldn’t let go of his emotions even now.

Finally, the last skeletal knight fell, and Angel and his soldiers left the land of the dead.

Meanwhile, the battle between the Lich King and Granedis lasted a full day before concluding.

The reason was simple. The Lich King, who realized that the intruders had escaped, momentarily hesitated, and Granedis didn’t miss that opportunity.

“…Hah, the hero never even saw my face.”

Beside her, a skull detached from the Lich King’s body rolled.

The continent’s three major calamities, the Lich King, met his end in defeat against Granedis.