The Elemental Sword Demon King
Episode 266: Megidoa War City
POV: Kirigaya Kaizo
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Opening his eyes, Kaizo found a dim gray sky plastered before him.
Experiencing a unique sense of dizziness due to the continued effects of «Leap», Kaizo observed his surroundings, "Is this place the stage for the final round?"
Entering his view were the ruins of a very widespread city. Monolithic structures resembling temples stood tall everywhere, or rather, collapsed debris and debris formed mountains.
Strange trees grew from the ground, displacing stone tiles, creating a scene like a sea of extremely dense and green trees.
"As a stage to present Kaguya to «Elemental Lord», this is truly a creepy place."
Abandoned city, «Megidoa», historic battlefield of «Roh» war thousands of years ago.
The roaring wind blew away the sand and dirt on his cheeks. Compared with Sanctuary «Wind Palace», the air is completely different.
The presence of destruction, a substance that could be explained in such a way, was firmly attached to one's skin. This is a place where there is absolutely no life. Even the existence of spirits, which should have been widespread throughout the world, was also lost.
"After all, there doesn't seem to be an enemy team I'll meet immediately."
Kaizo started walking while watching his surroundings. This massive structure provides an intimidating presence with just its existence.
Although this is at «Astral Spirit», a realm where time is half stopped, the view from this thousand-year-old structure that still stands intact is quite astonishing.
Suddenly, Kaizo realized something as he approached the wall surrounding the abandoned city.
(Perhaps, this building material is not just stone?)
People wanted to call it a stone, but its surface was as smooth as a mirror. It is hard to imagine that objects that have survived wind and rain erosion for thousands of years can remain in these conditions.
As he reached out his hand to pat the dust off the surface, sparks spread out where his fingers touched. The holy power released from his fingertips had reacted with the stone material.
(This, it's impossible!) Kaizo widened his eyes.
If one were to ask what substance could react to the Holy power of a Spirit Contractor, only one answer would appear in his mind.
(This ruin was originally built from «Unrefined Roh» crystal!?)
Absolutely incredible, but based on what he witnessed, that was the only conclusion. This abandoned city could be a huge mine for spirit crystals.
Just because the purity of the crystals is low, they cannot be used even after processing. Standing there in amazement for a while, Kaizo looked around.
(By the way, now is not the time to do something like this. I need to find Victoria and the others as soon as possible.)
Returning to his senses, Kaizo immediately started looking around.
"By the way, I might as well try this." Searching in his uniform pocket, he took out a communication spirit crystal.
Instilling a bit of divine power through his fingers, he concentrated his consciousness. Bringing him to his ear, all he could hear was a static sound.
"It's no use. Well, I never expected it either. So, what about this?"
Next, Kaizo took out a different type of spirit crystal and silently chanted words of release. Inside it is sealed a very useful «Guide Spirit» at times when it is lost.
Kaizo caught him at «Hutan Spirit» near the Academy before «Style Sword» Festival begins.
The light elf quickly summoned and began to fly leisurely in front of Kaizo's nose.
"Tell me, which way is north?"
Maybe he was trying to ask, too. However, the elf simply tilted her little head and continued to swirl in the same place.
"Geez, I guess I have no choice but to search with my own two feet."
(Is this because an isolation barrier has been erected within the field, or does it belong to the abandoned city land itself? After all, it was clear I could not rely on comfortable spirit crystals.)
Of course, this was anticipated as soon as they heard the rules for the «Cross Fire» event.
(Hopefully, I can meet with at least one other member of «Tim Salamander» before nightfall.)
"Hmm?"
"The nyx?"
Kaizo touched the hilt of the holy sword and inserted a hint of divine power, in the blink of an eye, the sword had turned into an adorable silver-haired girl.
"What's up, Nyx?"
"Kaizo, I recognize this place."
"Know this place?"
Indeed, Nyx is a spirit that has lived for centuries, no, thousands of years. Recognizing a place that was once a battlefield during the «Spirit» War is not something that is too confusing.
However, Nyx is currently supposed to only carry a portion of the power separated from the original «Demon Slayer» when the contract with Kaizo was made. Hence, only a part of his memories remained.
"Maybe your memory is back?"
"No," Nyx shook her head expressionlessly, “but this scene is indeed stored in my memory.”
At this moment, a terrifying presence suddenly appeared.
"Kaizo, what a terrible presence."
"Yes I know."
Before, there was no presence around, not even a spirit. But now, Kaizo could feel such a strong hostility that it pierced his skin.
(An enemy elementalist? No!)
Instantly, as if spewing from the earth, many shadows appeared around him.
"What!?"
Humanoid shadow with disgusting ambiguous lines.
"What, these guys!? Them, spirit?"
"This is the ghost of the spirit that was destroyed, «Forsaken Spirits», Kaizo."
"Ghost of the spirit?"
"Yes. When spirits die with a very strong hatred, sometimes they lose their spiritual quality, becoming ghosts living on the ground. This abandoned town seems to harbor a large number of these ghosts."
"so. After all, this is the historical site of the battlefield." Muttering, Kaizo licked her dry lips.
Although spirits had all sorts of forms, all of these ghosts were generic humanoids without exception.
(Does all spirits become like this when their spiritual qualities are lost?)
The ghosts let out an annoyed voice as they reached out towards Kaizo. He frantically held Nyx's hand as he dodged the arm coming from all directions.
"Tsk, these guys aren't after me but Nyx!?"
"It seems so, Kaizo. Very likely, I..."
As if trying to hold back Nyx's words, the herd of «Forsaken Spirit» attacked once again.
"Ck!"
"Ah, Kaizo!?"
Kaizo quickly hugged Nyx with both hands and made a flying leap.
"Dealing with them one by one will take a long time. We have to break through at once, Nyx."
"Yes. I am your sword, your wish is my command," Nyx nodded as she slowly floated in the air like her body mass was gone.
...
*Connected.....
*Note: This story is fictitious. If there is a similarity in the name of the character, the scene, or the story, it is a mere coincidence and there is no element of intentionality.