Uls had promised Elise. It said it would bring Karan into the magic circle.
So Uls participated in the battle but conserved its strength as much as possible.
Its instinct screamed at it to tear Ragnaros apart, but Uls held back and waited. Because Elise, who had asked for its help, reminded it of itself when it was searching for its child.
“Awoooo!”
Karan’s stomach was pierced by Ragnaros. It was time to keep the promise. Uls kicked off the ground.
Uls moved nimbly, avoiding Ragnaros’s falling body. After four leaps, Uls caught the falling Karan.
A pain that felt like its back was breaking overwhelmed Uls, but there was no time to hesitate. Its silver fur quickly turned red. Uls hurriedly changed direction and headed for the promised location.
Elise, drained of all color, was watching Uls. She looked like she might disappear like a bubble if touched. So Uls pushed itself even harder.
“…Your Highness… Your Highness…”
Uls dropped Karan at Elise’s feet. Then it pulled Elise’s collar, dragging her to Karan’s side.
Uls disliked the barbaric man who troubled Elise every night, but it disliked seeing Elise suffer from losing him even more.
So Elise, do something!
Uls howled long and then bit Elise’s wrist. Not hard enough to draw blood, but enough to snap her out of it.
Elise’s shoulders jerked. Her dazed eyes became clear.
As Uls retreated, Elise sat beside Karan.
People were shouting with concern for Karan from all around, but Elise couldn’t hear anything.
Elise put her finger under Karan’s nose. Though faint, she could definitely feel his breath. Elise’s heart clenched.
“Your Highness, can you hear me?”
Elise widened her eyes, trying not to cry. She couldn’t show weakness.
If her plan failed, this would be their last memory of each other, so if possible, with a smile…
“Hic.”
But despite her resolve, tears forced their way out. She wasn’t an emotionless wooden doll after all.
Elise gripped Karan’s hand tightly. He responded by squeezing back. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
“Your Highness, I have a request. It will be difficult, but you must do it.”
“…I have… something to say…”
Elise’s warmth woke him up. Karan barely opened his eyes. His vision was blurry, and Elise looked hazy.
“No, Your Highness. You mustn’t speak. Just listen to me and let me know if you can do it or not. No, that’s not right either. You must do it no matter what, understand?”
Hearing the urgent voice, he realized his situation must not be good. Well, of course, he wouldn’t be fine after having his stomach pierced.
Then what about Ragnaros?
Could Elise live in a safe world now?
It was good that he had written his will before leaving.
Karan let his thoughts drift.
“Your Highness! Please. Don’t be weak-hearted. You need to use magic. You must activate the magic circle on the ground. Can you do it?”
“Ma… gic circle?”
“Yes. The magic circle. It will save you, Your Highness.”
So that’s why she drew the time-reversal magic circle. It was for him. How far ahead does Elise see?
He finds himself in awe every time.
“Can I… survive?”
“Of course! Did you plan on dying and leaving me behind?”
Elise’s voice was thick with emotion.
You’re crying, Elise. I’ve finally made you cry.
“What… would make you smile?”
“Activate this magic circle. Then I’ll smile. I promise I’ll smile…”
Honestly, Karan didn’t have the strength to move a finger. But if he could just see Elise’s smile.
Karan slowly moved his limp hand. Elise quickly grabbed it and placed it on the line of the magic circle.
“From now on… you must only smile.”
He had seen too much of Elise crying, Elise with a serious face, Elise worrying, Elise in misery.
So when they meet again after reversing time once more, she must definitely smile, Karan thought as he tried to extend his pinky finger.
Of course, it was just in his mind. Karan didn’t have the strength to move even his little finger.
But he was a man who listened well to Elise.
Mana flowed from his fingertips. However, the amount was far too small to activate the magic circle.
“Hic, hic.”
Elise covered her mouth with her hand.
More power was needed.
It was then.
“We’ll, huff, help.”
The magicians from the Ivory Tower approached and one by one placed their hands on the magic circle.
Magicians who could barely walk, magicians who had lost an arm, all rushed to the magic circle without exception.
While magicians were indeed a selfish bunch, they weren’t so shameless as to ignore a dying hero who had saved the world.
And they knew better than anyone the preciousness of the future gifted by the hero.
“Magicians repaying a debt, it’s hard to believe even seeing it.”
Ilaria, who had confirmed Ragnaros was completely dead, sat down next to Elise.
She wrapped her arm around Elise’s shoulder, letting her lean on her.
“Karan will survive. Everyone is praying with one heart and mind. Especially you.”
Elise nodded with difficulty, but the situation didn’t look very hopeful.
Despite the magicians’ efforts, there was no sign of the magic circle activating.
How on earth did Karan activate this magic circle back then? He must have had his magic sealed at that time.
“…!”
Elise’s eyes widened. She finally realized.
That Karan had been willing to die at that time.
It felt like someone was squeezing her heart. It felt like that hand was stirring up all her internal organs.
Elise anxiously bit her lower lip. Her lip split, and dark blood seeped out.
More mana was needed.
Who else here could pour in more mana?
“Parrish! Where is Sage Parrish?”
Elise craned her neck.
“Wasn’t Sage Parrish fighting with Iris? Come to think of it, I haven’t seen him for a while…”
“Surely he wasn’t defeated by Iris?”
The magicians all raised their heads at once. Their trust that it couldn’t be true crumbled in real-time.
“I’ll go look for him!”
Elise stood up.
“No, Elise. Let me go.”
David, who had somehow come close, said. A faint bloodstain was visible on his abdomen. The sutured wound had finally burst open.
“I’m in good shape. I’ll go.”
Haltbin stepped forward. His face was a mess, as if he had just wiped away tears.
“Lady Elise, stay by His Highness’s side. He’ll look for you first when he wakes up.”
People roughly guessed what Elise was trying to do.
“Thank you, Haltbin.”
Haltbin selected a few warriors in case of a potential battle.
“We’ll find him and bring him back quickly.”
Though Haltbin showed enthusiasm, there was no need for him to act.
“How touching. But what should I do? I can’t stand seeing you all so cheerful among yourselves!”
Iris appeared on her own.
“…!”
Covered in blood, she was the very embodiment of a demon. People couldn’t hide their shock.
“Thought you might be looking for this.”
Iris threw down the sprawled body of Parrish.
“Sage!”
The magicians clung to him. Fortunately, he was still breathing, but his condition wasn’t good.
“Ragnaros is dead, so why are you…”
“Why am I fine, you ask? Because I received a mission from Him before you all arrived. He may be dead, but I’m eternal. Can you feel it, Elise? This vast power flowing through my body?”
“You have Ragnaros’s power?”
Elise asked sharply.
Iris curled up the corners of her mouth.
“Yes. I’m the only one in this world who can use His power. So I’m just like Ragnaros now. The blood flowing through my veins, to the tips of my fingers and toes, everything is filled with Lord Ragnaros’s mana!”
“Ah, I see.”
Iris’s brow furrowed at the unexpectedly nonchalant response.
“That’s good.”
Elise even smiled.
“You, have you lost your mind from fear?”
Elise shook her head. Others, including Ilaria and David, watched Elise tensely.
Even to them, Elise’s state seemed precarious.
“You know, sister. I think I need to act like your big sister one last time.”
Elise drew her sword. It was the sword Karan had made for her.
“Are you challenging me?”
Iris clutched her stomach and laughed. It was pathetic and ridiculous that someone who could barely use magic would dare to confront her, who now possessed Ragnaros’s power.
“That’s right. I’m challenging you.”
“You can’t, Lady Elise! We’ll, we’ll find a way somehow.”
Haltbin blocked Elise’s path. Elise glared at him fiercely.
“Don’t stop me. This is something I must do.”
Elise planned to activate the magic circle with Iris’s blood.
Iris was no longer human. As she said, she was the embodiment of Ragnaros’s power.
So her blood must be full of mana.
This way, Iris would let her guard down, and there would be just one chance.
Elise concealed her plan. Ilaria, who had stood up with her, pulled Haltbin’s arm. He staggered aside.
Elise stepped forward, treading on Karan’s blood.
With each squelching sound, her anger towards Iris grew stronger.
It felt like Karan’s death was all Iris’s fault.
“I was getting sick of this too. We’re quite persistent, aren’t we? In the next life…”
Iris’s eyes rolled back. With only the whites showing, she looked like a monster.
Grinning, Iris began her casting.
“Everyone, don’t take your hands off the magic circle!”
If by any chance she failed to stop Iris, they would all die.
But Elise was confident she could save everyone because she was determined not to die alone.
Elise gripped her sword tightly. As she channeled a tiny amount of mana into the sword, the pre-engraved magic circles reacted.
An ordinary sword would shatter when activating such powerful magic circles, but this sword made from skeleton bone had good compatibility with magic and was harder than diamond, withstanding even powerful spells.
The sword shone in a brilliant array of colors.
The shield could only be used once. The trick magic to enhance the attack’s power was also a one-time use.
So Elise couldn’t dodge the fireball flying towards her body.
“Lady Elise!”
The desperate cries faded into the distance. One fireball burned away Elise’s shield and disappeared. The next fireball that flew in set Elise ablaze.
Gritting her teeth against the pain of her whole body burning, Elise approached Iris.
Elise raised her sword high.
