The Book Eating Magician Chapter 290:

Chapter 290 – INVIDIA (2)

The body that was stronger than anyone else’s was shaking dangerously .

“Blue Tower Master!”

“Old Man!”

The robes of the 8th circle great magician, Blundell Adruncus, were dyed red . It was due to the damage of the sword which destroyed the body and spirit without leaving traces on the clothing .

However, Theodore couldn’t help wondering .

A magician’s accomplishment couldn’t be said to be proportional to mental power, but a powerful magician possessed a strong mentality . Veronica and Blundell would only feel a mild dizziness after receiving this attack . So, why did Blundell suffer such serious injuries?

The reason for it was revealed by Invidia .  “You are doing stupid things, transferring the damage of others to your own body . What is the use of such ineffective behavior?”

“Cough! It might be dangerous to those children, but it is just a slight scrape to this old man . Anyway, if I can use my life to save them, there is no reason to hesitate…!”

Indeed, Blundell didn’t fall down . The heart sword would’ve sliced William’s heart, as well as Sylvia’s carotid artery .  Instead, the spirit and physical strength which had been trained for a hundred years received the blow that would’ve killed dozens of people alone .

The expressions of the magicians, who were burdens to Blundell, stiffened .  Meanwhile, Invidia scoffed, “Why should the strong protect the weak? You should’ve let them die and attacked me instead . ”

“Hu, a monster like you won’t understand humans . I wasn’t expecting this!” Suddenly, Blundell pointed his staff . “Wait a bit longer!”

“You . . !”

Once again, time stopped .  As the space around the emperor stopped, Blundell shouted urgently toward the weary-looking Orta,“White Tower Master! Get anyone who isn’t a master away from here! Hurry!”

“…Yes!”

There were elite magicians of the 6th circle . They would be a great help in a normal confrontation between masters, but if the emperor was the opponent, they wouldn’t even be able to grab his ankles .

It was just like how general soldiers couldn’t help in a war between warriors and knights . When had they ever received such treatment? The magicians were in distress because they didn’t understand the situation .

Among them, there was a magician who refused the teleportation .  “I don’t want to, I don’t want to! Grandfather, Theo! I can help too! I don’t want to run away alone like this!”

“…Sylvia . ”

Sylvia struggled against the confused William’s hands, shaking her long silver hair to the left and right as desperate tears overflowed from her blue eyes .  She looked at Theodore as the magic circle started to shine beneath the magicians’ feet .  It was the precursor to a mass teleport .

William was sweating while struggling with Sylvia .  Then Blundell walked over and spoke softly, “Sylvia, sweetie . ”

“I don’t want to! I don’t want to hear it, Grandpa! I couldn’t show you anything! Please don’t disappear like this! Theo, I wanted to be helpful to Grandpa, so I worked hard…!”

“Then you have achieved that goal, my granddaughter . ”

“…Huh?”

Blundell gently wiped Sylvia’s tears and gave her a warm smile . “I have been living all this time because of you . ”

“Ah…” As she paused for a moment in a slight daze, the magic circle flashed once .  The light disappeared and no one was standing there anymore .

‘Sylvia…’ Theodore’s chest felt tight as he recalled her crying face .  Did she sense that she would be separated from Blundell in this fight? He didn’t know why, but he felt anger at Sylvia’s crying face .

Then as if to light the fuse, he emerged .

Chaaeng!

It was the emperor of Andras, Invidia ‘Envy . ’ The Time Stop could only hold him for a few minutes .  As he walked forward, Invidia ridiculed them, “It is the end of the boring melodrama . ”

He didn’t care about the heavy atmosphere as he raised the sword in his hand .

“Now, come on,” he declared, looking at the seven masters .

“I was already planning on it!” Understandably, Veronica was the first to respond to the provocation .

Kurururung .

She took one step, and the ground melted from the vast heat and pressure . The power of Veronica, who had inherited the blood of a dragon and the magic of eight circles, was more than twice that of Blundell’s . There wasn’t a single magician who surpassed her in pure destruction .

Simultaneously, 10 Infernal Blades appeared beside her .  The moment that the space in front of her was distorted by the terrible heat, the world’s strongest magician jumped forward .  In a flash…

Veronica’s fist burst forward .

―――――――――――!!!

A hill was crumbled in one blow, and the debris destroyed in two . By the third blow, the air was burning to produce a vacuum . From then on, it couldn’t be seen with the human eyes .  When measuring with time, each blow took a fraction of a second .  The bombardment which could destroy a mountain crashed into Invidia’s body .

“Hrmm . ”

Before that destructive power, Invidia’s sword flashed .

Zest’s Style Space Cut .

Broken Space―Thin Air Cut .

This was the technique that had blocked Theodore’s heatwave in the past . A section of space was cut, blocking any physical forces .  Then Invidia’s sword moved again .

Delkur’s Defense Method .

Immutability―Impregnable Wall .

Temporarily cutting space wouldn’t be able to completely prevent the destructive power, so he would strengthen his defenses with other Aura Abilities .  Simultaneously, a dark aura appeared in front of Invidia’s body and blocked all of Veronica’s blows . The space trembled, and the clouds above their heads were torn apart!

Nevertheless, the wall of darkness didn’t collapse easily .  However, Veronica wasn’t Invidia’s only enemy .

“―Your back is exposed . ” Randolph’s double swords flashed behind the emperor .

Kakiing .

There was no chance to use a hidden technique . However, there was no need for anything other than strength to kill . With his speed, Randolph could stab at Invidia’s vital spots .  Then Randolph’s two arms moved .

His right hand aimed for Invidia’s neck, shoulders, ribs, and side, while his left hand aimed for Invidia’s temple, clavicle, wrist and abdomen .  The speed didn’t leave any afterglows and couldn’t be reacted to .

“It is fast, but that is all,” Invidia spoke a few words and struck back .

Ainz Round Sword Style .

Mirror―Imitation .

Just like a mirror, he deflected all of Randolph’s attacks, launching eight strikes to block all of them .  It was the ability of Ludo Ainz, known to be the backbone of the Seven Swords from 200 years ago . However, Randolph didn’t know this and was hit in his abdomen by Invidia’s kick .

“Kuheeok!”

There were still two people . Edwin and Ellaim hid their nervousness and started their distinctive breathing .  It was to call the high ranking water and wind elementals .  The two guardians who used the spear and bow were veterans who defended the outskirts of Elvenheim . The problem was just that the other person was more of a monster .

“What, my legs?”

“You aren’t the only one who knows lost skills . ”

Invidia used Delkur’s shadow ability to completely stop Ellaim from moving .  As their mobility was stopped, Invidia slowly and vertically raised his sword in his hand .

‘This…!’ Theodore was the only one who responded .

He had recent experience fighting ‘him’, so his instincts made him revolve his circles faster than anyone else .

Pan Helliones’ Super Heavy Sword .

1st type, Earth Break .

Shortly afterward, aura fell down like a meteor .

 

*     *     *

Kwarururung!

There was a landslide . No, it was too moderate to call it that . The lava on the ground soared into the clouds, and the earth was turned upside down, forming a huge basin in the middle of the mountain . It was like a giant, that was several kilometers in height, had stomped their feet as hard as possible .

Pan Helliones possessed a strong destructive power, but it wasn’t enough to destroy a mountain range like this .

“…How can we win against that monster?”

Theodore barely pulled out the two elves with Fluidization and looked at the devastation .  If he had been half a beat late, Edwin or Ellaim would’ve literally been smashed .

‘Perhaps if it wasn’t for Blundell’s assistance, I would be too late . ’

Theodore didn’t miss the moment Invidia’s body turned black and white as time was stopped for a moment just as the sword was about to fall .

Time Stop, the original ultimate magic used for victory could only stop the enemy for a moment? As Gluttony said, the ultimate magic to not have much effect on grimoires that were already at the 6th stage .

Blundell’s Time Stop was a big help because unlike Veronica’s destructive power, he could assist in the direction of the fight .

‘No, even so…’

Too strong . His super-sensitivity was still a mess, but Theodore had passed the threshold of life and death many times and realized there was no chance .

‘Not power or speed . He has used six or seven Aura Abilities . If I assume that there are dozens more… we don’t stand a chance . ’

It might be possible if only one Aura Ability was used at a time, but he was a monster who could combine several abilities .  Were the legendary grandmasters like this?

-No, not a grandmaster .

Gluttony firmly denied Theodore’s words .

–Well, if we only consider the output, he has long surpassed a grandmaster .  However, you are overlooking the most important part .

‘The output is more than a grandmaster? What is the difference?’

–It is the difference in ‘standing . ’ I would like to explain more but… please be prepared .  He is coming again .

‘Dammit!’

Invidia was coming again .  “Is it up to here? Then it is my turn . ”

Theodore felt something . Invidia’s blade greatly bent and took an unknown shape .  It was a 3D shape that couldn’t be recognized by the senses of a creature .  Then Theodore shivered with a sense of discomfort as Invidia used a special technique without hesitation .

Triple Compound Hidden Technique .

It was the combination of three Aura Abilities that Invidia had obtained from three slaughtered sword masters .

Broken Space―Cut to Pieces .

Refraction―The End of the World .

Maze―Decisive Stage of Labyrinthos .

It was the extreme space cut that could damage a high ranking demon, as well as a refraction sword that crushed the bent space itself . In addition to those, it combined the ‘Labyrinth’ ability which allowed Invidia to rebuild space freely .

Kill, kill, and kill .

How many people could survive in this space where three types of deaths coexisted? It was a technique that Blundell couldn’t afford to take on alone!

‘Shit, I can’t escape with all my limbs intact…!’

Theodore could escape if he sacrificed his left arm .   Then it happened when Theodore faced the approaching **** .

Clang! There was a loud sound that came from an unknown place .

“…Eh?” Theodore’s eyes widened . All of the hellish attacks had disappeared without a trace .

Invidia stared at someone with an interested look . “How did a 7th circle magician penetrate this…? It is those eyes . The Empty Eyes are the nemesis of the labyrinth . I will leave you alive and pull out your eyeballs . ”

“…Kuk . ”

The one who suffered damage and the one unaffected were the opposite of what had been expected . The blood that flowed down from Orta’s mask proved that he had paid a considerable price . It was difficult to break down Invidia’s technique even with the transcendent power of his eyes .  Furthermore, he wouldn’t be able to block the next technique with his Empty Eyes .

In this increasingly unfavorable situation, someone whispered in Theodore’s ear, [Kid, do you have any countermeasures?]

[T-Tower Master?] Theodore didn’t look back despite his surprise, as he lowered his voice and replied to her, […Why are you saying this to me?]

It might be different in a normal situation, but right now, there were many suspicious things about Theodore . He was being called brother by Invidia, and no hostility was shown toward him . Invidia had even said that they would talk later .

If it wasn’t for this urgent situation, it wouldn’t be strange if he was arrested and interrogated . Then why did Veronica ask him if he had any countermeasures?

Veronica made a sound like she heard something ridiculous and sent her voice to him again, [Hah! There are many things I want to ask, but there is no one here who thinks you are an enemy . How long do you think we’ve watched you, fool?]

[…Thank you . ]

[Ah, stop talking about this embarrassing story! So? Have you thought of something? If this continues, we will definitely lose . Suggest anything . ]

Theodore was troubled for a moment . Then he thought of a last resort .  However, in order to carry out this method, somebody’s sacrifice was needed .

“…I need time . ”

“How much?”

“5 minutes―no, 3 minutes . ”

“3 minutes…” Veronica narrowed her eyes .   Frankly speaking, this confrontation was being maintained by the opponent’s whim . They wouldn’t be able to hold on for 3 minutes if he really wanted to kill them .

In such a situation, 3 minutes was impossible .  However, this made Veronica even more convinced by Theodore .

“It is hard, but isn’t this good?”

“…Tower Master?”

“This time, I will show you a wonderful appearance! Don’t be late with your preparations . ”

Theodore’s hairs rose as she stepped out without hesitation .  Strategically, it was ridiculous for her to face the opponent alone . Due to that, Invidia didn’t attack immediately .   He opened his mouth with a strange look, “Red hybrid dragon . What are your intentions?”

“What are my intentions?”

“Surely you can see the difference in strength . What are you going to do by yourself?”

“Hmm, how about this form?” Veronica threw off her red robe, revealing her solid and well-trained body .  It was a feat that required a lot of courage to do in front of a monster like Invidia .  Then at that moment…

Duguen! It was the sound of a heart beating, and it came from Veronica’s body .  The air seemed to shake .  It was like a giant drum-like sound .  Dugeun, dugeun .  A strange shockwave emerged with Veronica in the center .

“3 minutes… That is the limit of my time,” Veronica murmured in a grim voice as she tucked her hair behind her ear .

Then Invidia was able to see it . “…Hoh?”

In Veronica’s eyes, there were golden dragon pupils, not human ones .