noveltune Chapter 268
Chapter 268
“......I’m not entirely sure, but there is still one remaining method.”
At this point, when Sylvia, who had been enduring the witch’s magic, collapsed and everyone lost hope, Eve’s voice reached someone nearby, sounding almost petulant as if they had given up.
“......Are you saying there’s another way? If so, why didn’t you use that method before this disaster happened?”
Given the situation, such defiance against authority was even more forbidden during wartime.
However, Eve merely chuckled at his attitude without holding it against him.
She knew that the person who spoke was a man who had fought fiercely until he was on the verge of magical exhaustion just moments ago.
Understanding everyone’s feelings, she replied with a bitter smile, acknowledging the helplessness of the situation.
“I told you. It’s an uncertain method. I didn’t want to mention it until it was an absolute last resort. I’m sorry.”
“......That’s fine. You didn’t need to apologize.”
Feeling guilty about how he had treated Eve, the man grumbled with a twisted expression in response to her words.
He must have realized he had acted foolishly.
They were bound by a fate that clearly stated if they do not defeat the witch, they will all die.
In such circumstances, no one would fail to do their best.
Still, he couldn’t muster any positive thoughts and asked Eve with a gloomy expression.
“......But is there really a way to bring that down? After facing it directly, I can’t believe we ever won against that thing before. How did we beat that monster back then...?”
His question echoed the sentiments felt by everyone else.
Having faced the gluttonous witch in person, they realized how absurd it was to think that they had ever emerged victorious against her.
In response to their question, Eve spoke.@@@@
“Back then, we were able to use sacred artifacts.”
“......Sacred artifacts?”
“It’s mentioned in the textbooks; you’ve probably seen it at least once. It’s the story of how we won the battle against the gluttonous witch using the powers of sacred artifacts.”
Sacred artifacts, items imbued with special powers, like the World Tree of the Elves.
Recalling the past when they had defeated the gluttonous witch using those artifacts, Eve continued.
“Using the power contained in those artifacts amplifies our abilities severalfold. If used as consumables, they can grant us greater power for a brief time. We amplified the magic intended to eliminate the original source of the barrier and completely suppressed the witch’s magic. Even then, the accumulated strength was vast, allowing us to barely seal her away after fighting for a full six days and nights.”
At those words from Eve, Sylvia, who was nearby recovering with healing magic, spoke with great effort.
“......Then, if we were to use the World Tree as a consumable, how—”
“Unfortunately, that’s impossible.”
She knew they had a sacred artifact too.
With it, they could try to find a way to make it work.
Even if it was the World Tree revived after hundreds of years, it wouldn’t matter if they couldn’t stop the gluttonous witch; it would all be for naught, so using it as a consumable wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Sylvia spoke as the representative of the Elves with that thought in mind, but Eve shook her head and responded immediately.
“The Illusion Mirror of the Fairy Race.”
Momentarily taken aback by the sudden mention of an unknown name, Sylvia was thrown off.
“The Beast King’s hide from the Beastkin race, the Dragonstone from the Dragon clan, the Great Spirit of the Orcs, the Giant’s club that crushed the mountains, the halfling’s scroll containing a little world.”
Following that, Eve spat out names that seemed to be various races’ sacred artifacts, and Sylvia’s expression gradually hardened.
She understood why Eve had deemed it impossible.
With a despairing voice, Sylvia asked Eve.
“......You can’t be serious; that’s everything?”
“Exactly. Those are the sacred artifacts used to defeat the gluttonous witch. All six artifacts I just mentioned have been used up. Even if we were to use them as consumables, a single World Tree wouldn’t be remotely enough. If she’s currently at that level of power, we would need at least three.”
“Ho ho.”
“......You know, Eve.”
“......What?”
“......I’m sorry. Leaving you behind like this.”
“......If you’re sorry, then until you go, talk to me a lot. I regretted not being able to talk much with Viola before she left.”
“Ha ha, alright. Since there’s no one left for our wives to get jealous about, shall we talk about the times Viola was dating?”
.
.
A brief moment of nostalgia concluded, and Eve opened her eyes, scanning her surroundings.
Her precious students were looking at her with anxious eyes.
Eve gazed at them and softly murmured.
You see, Aegis, even without your request, I would never abandon these children.
But since you asked, I’ll do my very best.
With that, Eve took a deep breath.
“......Teacher?”
At that moment, Scarlet, who was next to Sylvia, felt it.
The faint magic aura emanating from Eve was becoming clearer and more distinct.
And looking on in surprise at the change, Eve spoke to Scarlet.
“......You asked what I’m going to do if I’m not bringing her down?”
With the strength she had been consciously holding back now restored.
“I’m going to seal her away. By using my powers.”
Eve possessed the ability to send someone into a created illusion.
However, in order to send someone into the illusion...
“However, to use that power, I need to get close to that witch.”
She had to approach the target closely.
Yes, she needed to approach.
To get near that witch, who was spreading the dangerous magic around her.
“W-What, Teacher, that—!”
“It’s fine. I will. Plus, it’s impossible to seal her unless I die anyway.”
Those who realized that this method involved necessary sacrifices were taken aback and yelled out.
But Eve didn’t care about that sacrifice at all.
Her sacrifice was an essential course of action.
The illusion created could only be escaped if the one trapped inside expressed a strong desire to leave.
However, there was only one way to eliminate that escape route.
That was the death of the one who created the illusion, Eve herself.
The illusionary seal would only be completed by her death.
And Eve was ready to accept that death.
In order to fulfill her old friend’s request.
In order to protect her beloved students.