Archwizard K’s Journey In The Cultivation World

Case 121: Lord of Ashes.

Green Camp.

''Medic! Medic! There's an injured here!''

''This way!''

''Goddamn it! Anybody have spare fireball scrolls?!''

Different from many places, this base, established by the Green Tower's master—an elf—was in a dire situation. It was hit the hardest among others simply because of one entity.

————————!

Once again, the grueling shriek dominated the battlefield.

Ripping through the dark clouds was a creature whose long, thin scales resembled sheets of symmetrical golden marble. Its body seemed endless, and along that never-ending length was another endless grove after grove of magic shot indiscriminately to the ground.

A dragon.

Goddess of Prosperity, the Ruler of Gold—it was the remaining member of the Heavenly Venerates.

Her entire existence was the reason for this part of the border to be so chaotic. Unlike the mortal god, the Ruler of Gold was abnormally quick in her advancement, effectively overwhelming the system in one swoop.

''Tch. Stupid dragon.''

The young elf, now Green Tower's master, clicked his tongue and drew his bow once more. Fiery arrows of green rapidly materialized from the tips of his fingers, and as soon as the bowstring was released, they turned into living spears that relentlessly pursued their enemies.

Yet, it was nowhere near enough.

Nowhere enough meaningfully retaliate. They were clearly in the defense, and it would seem as though the border would finally be breached.

'When will reinforcement arrive...?'

For now, the situation was still somewhat salvageable. The wizards were fighting cautiously not to allow casualties in the first place, but if things got worse, they might have to retreat.

It was cynical, of course, to abandon these people who gambled their lives for their world, yet so rational.

''Hah...''

Popping another mana potion into his mouth, the elf drew his bow again.

And right when it seemed like this battle would go on the same way for much longer, something changed. 

It suddenly got warmer.

Soldiers and wizards alike could notice a growing orange hue raining onto everything around them, and that growth was true to the amplification of the temperature, too.

''T-The sky!''

''Look up!''

''Deploy a barrier! Hurry!''

A meteor.

A ball of fire so bright and hot it made people think of a cosmic disaster. Most were panicking, some scrambling to shelter, but some had also realized the silhouette that was buried within the body of flame.

'It's the phoenix... how reliable.'

Finally, the Green Tower's master lifted his corner.

The battlefield might just be saved.

For one reason or another, Diamante's prowess wasn't exactly known within the public consciousness. 

She rarely participated in any type of conflict, choosing to cultivate the image of a friendly, bubbly princess. It was partly for diplomatic purposes but also because she had listened to her real self.

However, unlike the image she had, Diamante was vastly more powerful than anyone could expect.

''H-Hey! Are you sure this is right?!''

Trailing behind the phoenix princess as she descended from the orbit were three members of the crew. Two of them—Mie Xieren and Kang Shuren—only glanced around worryingly, but Bai Qing was on the verge of freaking out.

After all, they were going to crash right into the middle of the battlefield.

Normally, that would be fine, but not now. Not when Diamante was burning an enormous amount of mana to radiate such immense flame around them.

Yet, the fluffy pink hair, now sparkling as though jewels thanks to its owner radiating mana, showed no sign of calming down.

''Hahah! It's fine, it's fine! Believe in me that believe in you!'' 

''You used that sentence wrong! Wait, ah—we're going to crash!''

Bai Qing's scream was drowned out in the end, and the four promptly braced themselves for impact.

For a moment, everything went white.

For a moment, it felt like everything was disintegrated.

Yet, everybody would soon find out that they were... fine—even the ones that weren't fine before. Instead, it seemed the invading monsters received all the heat instead.

Because they were reduced to ashes.

''Heh.''

Rightfully, everybody's attention was on Diamante, who proudly puffed out her chest while standing in the middle of the crater she created. Emei's abbess could somehow stand, but Bai Qing and Kang Shuren were sprawled out on the ground, stacking on top of each other.

It was a comical sight.

Yet, it somehow filled the soldiers with hope—the kind of uplifting hope that this war had lacked. Some remembered one of the two protagonists who created the enlightening Yin and Yang symbol in the battle with the previous Heavenly Venerate.

Diamante de Soleil.

''...''

Soon, it would be time to defeat the final enemy.

Diamante's smile faded a bit as she took in the dragon's outline. Even now, spells were raining down on people, and monsters kept pouring into the space. Her strong suit was resilience, not defensive or offensive. She wasn't sure if she could keep up with a god.

All she could do was stall, stall, and perhaps die, but she still had to stall.

It hurt to die, but it was also okay to die.

After all, that was where a phoenix's pride lay—because they would come back no matter what.

'At least, until she arrives...'

With unwavering trust in her savior and lover, Diamante was energized once more. She quickly pulled up Bai Qing and Kang Shuren and straightened up both of them.

''Keep this with you at all times. Be careful, okay?''

She handed them each a pink feather and stroked their heads.

''You, too. Don't overexert yourself.''

Even Mie Xieren.

'''' ... ''''

All three of them were thinking the same thing. They wanted to retort, 'You will definitely do so, not us,' but ultimately... it was too much. The phoenix princess's eyes were too bright for that kind of talk.

''I'll go.''

''Good luck.''

''Let's hope for the best.''

Instead, they all nodded determinedly and went their way. 

Soon after, the field was covered in another layer of buff from Bai Qing. From far away, distinct sounds of a certain chaotic sword style could be heard, and sure enough, the 'Goddess of Ice' herself was already vanquishing the battlefield.

Diamante felt a wave of relief.

''...Now then, I should also get going.''

Mind light as feathers, feathers light as mind.

The girl took off into the sky, blazing two magnificent wings of fire. Even if what would be left of that fire was mere ashes... it would be fine.

At least it burned once, and that was all that mattered.

Meanwhile, in the Underworld.

The little girl and her pet fox, after many bizarre encounters, had reached the king's castle.

''Hu...''

''A-Are you sure we're going to be alright if we went in, master...?'' The little fox Shen nervously asked.

''I think so.'' Lan replied. ''...Maybe.''

The only reason the two were qualified to enter this realm was because Lan technically died once, and Shen's soul was connected to hers. Otherwise, it would be challenging to break into here.

Kierra had anticipated that the King of Underworld would reinforce security after she broke in a century ago, and she'd figured she didn't have enough time to plan it all out again.

Of course, she had given the two some measures to convince the king and, at the same time, protect themselves.

''Phew... let's go in.''

Trusting Kierra, the wizard who saved them, they decided to enter the castle.