Arcane Era-Chapter 63: King’s Downfall

CRACK!

Contrary to everyone’s expectations... It was the blade that lost in their contest of might. It cracked the instant it met with Theo’s fist, quickly breaking apart in an instant, before bursting into amber flames.

’W-what?!’ Despite seeing this, Gerald refused to remain stunned by what had happened.

He summoned another weapon—this time a battle-ax.

It was much firmer and stronger than the broadsword, and even though it was heavy, he could compensate for that with his own speed.

’I’m much faster than this kid... but he acts preemptively—almost like he can predict my next movements.’ Gerald growled. ’No matter... I’ve gotten used to all of your tricks. The next time we clash, you’ll be meeting your—’

His thoughts quickly halted once he noticed something absurd going on with Theo.

All the fiery power of light that surrounded Theo was suddenly being absorbed into one single location. This removed the coating of light from the boy, revealing his naked body, which was now covered in severe burns.

Every ounce of energy was gathered at his fingertips—forming an orb that kept expanding and contracting the more it sucked in the light energy around him.

’I see. He realized he can’t damage me the way he is, so he’s betting everything on that single attack...’ Gerald smirked. ’A smart move... but also reckless.’

By drawing in such immense energy, concentrating it into a single blast, the Regal Grade light began to display Imperial Grade power. Something as powerful as this could definitely harm the Mercenary King, and the Joker noticed this—tempted to step in.

However, Gerald quickly stopped her in her tracks.

’I have to fight this lad myself... to prove my legitimacy to the Crew Members and strengthen their faith.’

If he received support at such a crucial moment, it would ruin everything.

The Joker understood this, so she stepped away.

"Come! Show me your best move!" The King grinned with delight, spreading both arms wide.

Of course, he was not as careless as he appeared.

The moment Theo launched his blast, he would summon a shield, and then increase his enhancement to the highest magnitude—allowing all three buff effects to only focus on defense.

Adding to the fact that he had a shield and armor—both of which already displayed Regal Grade levels of durability—he would also have three stacks of defenses in the Imperial Grade. That would, no doubt, allow him to take on Theo’s attack, which was only barely displaying Imperial Grade level of power.

’I only have one shot at this...’ In Theo’s mind, a shaky voice echoed. ’Gotta make it count.’

It was time.

"Haaaaaaa!!!" Theo screamed, finally compressing the last remnants of his energy.

He took aim... and then fired.

WHOOOOOMM!!!

The blast moved faster than what most eyes could process, but Gerald could see it—albeit barely. Since his enhancement was solely focused on defense, his speed had been greatly affected, which in turn slowed down his cognition.

Still, he detected the traveling blur of condensed energy and noticed something strange.

It wasn’t coming for him.

’What?!’

Like an ascending meteorite, the ball of brilliant light rose to the air—charging indomitably in a certain direction.

—The chamber above.

No, more specifically, a glistening orb that dwelled at its base—where the purple light seemed to spread from.

It was a battery that held Ne’sh.

Ne’sh batteries were fragile, hence the durability of most batteries was incredibly low. However, this one had a much higher level, since it was used for a Quasi Supreme Grade Armament.

Its durability was near the Imperial Grade.

... Same as Theo’s blast.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

It all happened in an instant, with the deafening roar of an explosion, and the wide dispersion of a great amount of Ne’sh. The purple light shone bright for a second, before quickly dimming out, replaced by a momentary glow of bright amber light.

And then, of gold.

"Well done, Theo..." Right as Theo was about to fall to the ground, a hand caught him, and a voice echoed in the air. "... You managed to amaze me yet again."

Golden hair danced in the air, following the rhythm of the pristine wear of majesty that flapped very lightly upon descent. A smile coursed through his face as he held Theo warmly, the child’s battered body resting on his elegant regalia.

Three silhouettes landed right behind him, members of the Zenith, as they glanced at the stunned Crew surrounding them. The once confident expressions of the crowd suddenly dissolved, completely immersed in fear. As for the Joker, her body trembled as she cast her gaze on the glorious man who descended.

Then, her eyes sharply went to the man she had devoted herself to.

The Mercenary King! Surely, the King who desired to ascend to the Divine Court would have very little regard or fear for any Mortal—even if they were the Supreme Lord of Tyranny.

"Mercenary King!" The Joker screamed, quickly realizing that the lord whom she swore her fealty and friendship to had long vanished.

He was nowhere to be seen.

"Looks like he had a backup: a consumable Armament for teleportation." Shen Ak’ashi smiled, looking around to see the despair on the faces of the Mercenary Crew members who had been betrayed by their champion.

In a mere instant, the tables had been turned, and the ones who desired to ascend had fallen.

"What are your orders, Lord Shen?"

His eyes turned cold as soon as he heard the question from Terra, who stood behind him.

"Kill them all."

Terra smiled in acknowledgment while Drake sighed and Dinah nodded.

"Understood."

WHOOOSH!

Shen slowly placed Theo on the ground, his eyes fixed on the scrawny boy’s injured body while his subordinates expertly killed all the fleeing Mercenary Crew members.

Even the Joker, who tried to use the Arcane Ability of her Imperial Grade Armament, was easily killed by Terra, who ripped out her heart faster than she could transform her body into a silver-like material.

Only Drake refrained from killing, focused solely on restraining the enemies, and protecting himself as well as the crouching Shen.

Within a minute, every single member of the Mercenary Crew around were nothing more than lifeless corpses. Dinah and Terra returned to their Guildmaster’s side, their eyes partially fixed on Theo as well.

"What about the Mercenary King?" Terra asked, clearly not satisfied with the few lives that she had already extinguished. "Should we give chase?"

"No need for that... I already know where he is going." Shen sighed, slowly rising from the ground.

He approached the Joker’s corpse, kicking her mask away so he could see her face.

’So it was you... Marci.’ He sighed, slowly shaking his head as he walked away. ’I’m assuming his Ace and Jack will be Felix and Mars. What a fool you are, Gerald... dragging them to their deaths like this, yet claiming that I’m the monster.’

"Take care of Theo, and handle every other loose end you find. Fae and Damon should have already cleaned up the prisons and started to recover the Outer Court. Once you’re done here, rendezvous with them."

"Okay." Terra replied.

"Understood." Dinah nodded.

"Got it, boss!" Drake answered with a salute.

Shen chuckled and began to leave the hall. "As for me, I believe it’s time I did something useful after sitting idly for so long."

His confident smile grew broader and the golden glow in his eyes shone brilliantly.

"You can all relax after rendezvousing with the others. I’ll handle the rest."