Throne of Magical Arcana

The thickness flowing around the Blue Key was like the tide in an ocean that brushed the amalgamation of primeval devils nonstop, melting the disgusting, twisted blackness. The negative feelings around that were almost concrete were gradually resolved.

Harex’s indiscriminate outburst at the critical moment seemed truly effective. The amalgamation of primeval devils where the Lord of Hell’s will was hiding was suddenly slowed down and could not really melt into his body. However, their parts that had already been melted were only shivering in the Blue Torrent, showing no sign of dismemberment at all.

Everything seemed to be indicating Maltimus’ plan perfectly. He was waiting for the stop of Harex’s outburst to completely melt with him before he went on a rampage again!

“It’s useless, Harex. If you had realized it sooner, there was a chance that you could’ve avoided it. However, the negative feelings in your mind have been integrated with me right now. You will either die or become the shell that accommodates my arrival,” the Lord of Hell continued with his symbolic tone of mockery. It was not because he was talkative, arrogant, or stupid, but because in a mental battle, the more badly the enemy was grasped by negative feelings, the more easily he could control him. Therefore, necessary verbal abuse was an effective method.

At this moment, Lucien and Natasha were still separated from him by the thick, blue ocean that was running outward. They couldn’t break the obstacle at all for the time being. If the Blue Torrent could be resolved so easily, then Maltimus, as a demigod, would’ve penetrated through it and ended Harex’s struggle.

Lucien and Natasha did not look at each other or talk in the telepathic bond, but they made a similar move almost at the same time. One of them uttered weird and incomprehensible voices, casting the Luxury Cracking that was attached with Hand of Uncertainties toward the thick ocean. The other held the Sword of Truth tightly and turned into a streak of light that never retreated, slashing at the Blue Torrent before Lucien!

Their mutual thought was to top the Lord of Hell from stealing the Ocean Emperor’s body before the melting process was completed so that he would not be able to arrive at the main material world at any moment, or there would be infinite trouble. But of course, if there was nothing they could do to reverse it, they would turn around and flee immediately. They couldn’t risk exposing themselves in the eyes of a hostile demigod.

Crack, crack, crack.

The blueness that was not real seawater exploded and died out layer after layer. Then, illusionary and terrifying gaps that seemed to be slashing everything appeared on them!

The gaps that shouldn’t have existed in this world spread out into countless branches, reducing the thick ocean that was on the verge of collapse under Luxury Cracking into broken pieces.

Crack.

The Blue Ocean was separated into a few larger lakes first. Then, the lakes broke again into tiny ponds.

However, the thick light from the Blue Key was flowing incessantly. Hardly had Lucien and Natasha destroyed the blockage before them when the overwhelming torrent came at them and blocked them again.

Harex tried his best but still couldn’t get the amalgamation of primeval devils away from him. In his desperation, he suddenly had the idea of dying together with the enemy. If you want to steal my body, you won’t be able to reach the main material world in the next decades!

By then, his self-detonation would be powerful enough to turn the ocean within several hundred kilometers into the remains of death. The Lord of Hell’s will of arrival would be shattered, and he would suffer heavy wounds. Lucien and Natasha would be buried with him!

He had dominated the Boundless Ocean for a thousand years and controlled the supreme power of the sea clans. He was too proud to allow himself to lose his self-awareness and become a container for the Lord of Hell to arrive!

Sometimes, death was not the worst option!

The moment it occurred to him that he would rather die with the enemy, Harex felt the deepest coldness surging inside his soul, and he was somehow stiffened for no good reason. At this moment, the amalgamation of primeval devils made of countless tiny black bugs was reflected in his crimson pupils. The Lord of Hell had somehow got rid of the blast of the Blue Torrent and was wriggling toward his body and his soul!

The amorphous object wriggled into what appeared to be a human face. In a mocking smile, it said, “It is a ‘desperate’ thought to detonate yourself. So, I have sensed your heart’s invitation, which has reduced the barrier of ‘communication’ between us.”

Fear popped up in Harex’s indifferent eyes for the first time, and his feeling further integrated with the dark shadow.

The Lord of Hell’s understanding of the primeval devils and his abilities to manipulate them were truly remarkable. No wonder he used to laugh at Pope Viken!

Solemnly, Lucien cast Luxury Cracking that was attached with Hand of Uncertainties nonstop, destroying the thick ocean before him with the cooperation of Natasha’s Sword of Truth. However, the blue torrent showed no sign of drying at all. As a result, the two of them only pressed forward for several kilometers.

It was in fact only a river dozens of meters wide between Lucien and Harex, but it seemed to be a whole insurmountable Boundless Ocean.

“Hehe. You are actually a victim of your own wariness. Lucien obviously meant to banish me, but right now…” Maltimus chuckled, and the wriggling darkness seemed to somehow spread toward Lucien and Natasha. “It’s impossible for you to outrun me. If your ‘Luxury Cracking’ were as good as Hathaway’s, and if your ‘Sword of Truth’ were one of the thirteen level-four legendary items, there might be a slim chance. It’s a pity that they are not. Run now. If you don’t, I won’t show you any more courtesy.”

Desperation. Deep desperation. Maltimus’ words made Harex, who had already been partly possessed by the primeval devils, foresee his ending. How did he make consecutive mistakes at a critical moment? Was his sanity really blinded by his greed?

The deep, gloomy darkness stuck to Harex’s face, filling his crimson pupils with infinite gloom and desperation.

“Let’s get out of here.” Seeing that Harex was gradually devoured by Maltimus, Lucien hurried to tell Natasha in the telepathic bond. If they did not go now, they would never be able to go!

Although they were reluctant to admit their defeat, it was still necessary to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. The Lord of Hell who arrived as “Harex” would obviously be able to utilize the power of the Blue Gate to block the area. After he was deprived of his strongest suit, escaping, he would be crushed by a demigod and probably killed. Even though he did not arrive in person, Maltimus would still be as strong as a beginning-level demigod when he was active inside the body of Harex.

Without any hesitation, Natasha sheathed her longsword and flew out of the hollow. At this moment, Harex and the amalgamation of primeval devils had already been highly integrated. It wouldn’t take long before the status transformation and the possession were completed.

Lucien blinked outward following Natasha. He began to consider a trip to the Night Highland. In order to take care of the Lord of Hell who had arrived, the four top legends of the Congress were apparently capable of defending but not enough to attack. Also, they needed to be wary of the ambush of Pope Viken and other experts. Therefore, Lucien had to visit Rhine and ask for the help of “Silver Moon” Alterna.

At this moment, an unpredictable and distant “song” suddenly echoed, and the thick ocean centered at the Blue Key produced green, vigorous seeds.

“The elven tongue? ‘Life Stimulation’?” Lucien immediately stopped. His spiritual power that was spread out with the ninth-circle spells were instantly cast, allowing him to see a gorgeous lady at the edge of the hollow who was wearing a dress made from tree leaves. She seemed to have been floating for a long time. Her blond hair was tied, and she was the amazing integration of innocence and maturity, making it hard to describe her beauty. “Elven queen, Aglaea? She’s here, too?”

Behind Aglaea was the shadow of a tall tree, which seemed both real and illusion. Vigorous air was spreading from the greenness, and at the center of the tree, a transparent heart made of light spots was beating powerfully.

Her mouth had been closed, but her beautiful and enticing song was still echoing. In the meantime, the green illusionary seeds inside the blue ocean absorbed the water around them in thirst like regular plants, before they rooted, sprouted, and branched. After only one moment, the illusionary seeds grew into tall trees that were entangled into a shadow that was very similar to the elven tree.

Under the crazy absorption, the Blue Key, which already approached its limits, could not sustain any longer. Therefore, the thick ocean soon turned dry, revealing Harex on the altar and the shadow that had overlapped him.

Maltimus seemed to have foreseen the change. He accelerated the integration with Harex the moment the song echoed. The body of the murloc became blurred, and the dark shadow was turning concrete.

Having no time to consider why Aglaea came at such perfect timing, Lucien made the decision quickly. He raised his hands, and with a voice as freezing as the blowing wind, he said, “Snow Goddess’ Forgiveness!”

There was no time to create a vacuum. Maltimus was about to succeed!

Therefore, Lucien did not choose “Positron Cannon”, or his “Eternal Blaze”, which was slightly weaker than Mr. President’s version.

A translucent, glittering pillar of light shot out casually. It seemed to be restrained by countless tiny electric currents and lasers that could barely be seen. Wherever it passed, it brought tranquility from inside to outside.

Natasha stopped before Lucien with the Sword of Truth in her hand instead of attacking Maltimus with him, because the frigidity was indiscriminate and she could attack the enemy when the melting started. Also, she needed to be wary of the elven queen who had popped up out of nowhere.

That was the calmness that a knight who considered protection her doctrine had to learn.

The black shadow, which had almost entirely consumed Harex, suddenly spewed out illusionary, stinky fluids. They seemed to be an olfactory representation of negative feelings!

Those thick fluids opened an illusionary film on the altar, trying to block “Snow Goddess’ Forgiveness”.

At this moment, a delicate and beautiful longbow appeared in Aglaea’s hands. She drew the bow very skillfully and aimed at Maltimus.

The Nature’s Heart behind her suddenly glowed, creating a peaceful and harmonious nature.

That “nature” was gathered into an illusionary long arrow with a strength that contained the whole cycle of nature. Then, after Aglaea’s hands that did not seem to belong to a hunter at all released it, the greenish long arrow was shot out and disappeared into the void.

The air before the altar trembled hard, and a prolonged hum began. Then, the void was shattered, and the greenish arrow that represented fertilization, growth, maturity, decay, and burial pierced out. It was shot out late but arrived early, hitting the thick black film before Snow Goddess’ Forgiveness did.

The shallow greenness blossomed, as if a forest were growing out. Any unnatural things were broken without a sound. They vanished, or rather, they entered into the “cycle of nature”.

It was exactly one of the thirteen level-four legendary items—Nature’s Punishment!

Although there were many top legends in history, it did not mean that the legendary items they used were necessarily level-four legendary. The dragons and demons who counted on their talents clearly couldn’t create such advanced items. Even the sorcerers could not upgrade their unique legendary items without appropriate legendary materials. For example, up until so far, Fernando’s and Hathaway’s legendary items hadn’t been upgraded yet. Subtracting the items that had disappeared or were destroyed for various reasons, there were only thirteen top legendary items that people were familiar with.

It meant that Douglas, who boasted two level-four legendary items, was the minority of the minorities. The underdogs such as the Prince of Demons, the master of the first floor of hell, the Lord of Storm, and the Lord of Elements were all coveting the items. The master of the first floor of hell, whose “Book of Warlocks” was stolen by him, hated him in particular. But of course, as long as there was any chance, Fernando and Hathaway both had great hope to increase the number of level-four legendary items to fifteen.

Under Nature’s Punishment, the external defense of the Lord of Hell was dissolved, and the transparent, colorless pillar of light from Snow Goddess’ Forgiveness hit him precisely.

The whole world fell quiet. Not any noise could be heard anymore. The wind was frozen, the water was frozen, and so was the light.

Harex stood at the center of the frozen world, and his body was still holding the gold trident high. Confusion and desperation were frozen on his face.

As a top legend, even though he could’ve taken “Snow Goddess’ Forgiveness” from Lucien the hard way without being hurt, that would only happen when his defense was intact. However, his defense had been broken by Maltimus, Aglaea, Lucien, and Natasha. Even his original soul had been heavily wounded and was on the verge of collapse. He could not control his body to resist the attack. Therefore, he had been directly frozen by “Snow Goddess’ Forgiveness”.

The amalgamation of primeval devils where the Lord of Hell was residing, on the other hand, hadn’t reached level four of legendary yet, and it was not famous for its defense. Therefore, it was also frozen in the extremely low temperature, like a cluster of black glue.

Water splashed out, and the unnatural coldness quickly thawed. Harex’s body and the black glue melted and vaporized with it.

Pa.

Emperor’s Grasp, one of the thirteen top legendary items, fell next to the Blue Gate. It was a weapon that could attack a longsword with its strong defense in the first place. Therefore, it was only slightly damaged.

The gold trident emanated enticing light under the ripples. Even Lucien felt that his heart was beating faster. However, that was not the focus of his attention. He vibrated the air and asked his question, “Is that all?”

They were a top legend and an arriving demigod after all. Also, it was not a “flawed arrival” like the last time but almost a perfect integration that could accommodate most of the strength.

“… The melting was not completed. Maltimus could only carry out limited strength, and Harex had been in a weak state after the consecutive strikes.” Aglaea hesitated and proposed her opinion from the other direction.

Lucien nodded his head. That was rather reasonable. The moment the idea popped up, another idea occurred to him. “Aglaea must’ve come a long time ago. She did not attack because she was waiting for the best opportunity. If she had attacked sooner, Harex, her nemesis, would’ve gotten away from the danger and would only be wounded. If she attacked late, she would have to face a demigod who understood the mysteries of the primeval devils very well. There would’ve been nothing she could do except to defend herself and look for a chance to escape.

“Therefore, she needed to wait for an opportunity to destroy both Harex and the amalgamation of primeval devils. She had to wait even though something went wrong.”

Although he knew very well that it was Aglaea’s most rational choice based on her interests, Lucien still burst into fury when he thought that it had significantly increased the odds of the Lord of Hell’s arrival at the main material world. “Also, she found the Blue Gate. I’m afraid that she planned this a long time ago and knew Harex would come here. In order to get the Blue Gate, she let those sea elves become the offerings in the blood sacrifice.

“Emperor’s Grasp must not be given to those ambitious schemers who don’t have boundaries.”

The fury was so intense that Lucien could barely control himself. Suddenly, he was alarmed. He couldn’t control himself?

Without any hesitation, Lucien pressed his chest and cast a legendary spell to himself.

“Mental Fulmination!”

BOOM!

The noise that sounded from the deepest part of his heart echoed, like the bell knock in a church or the sound when the grass deep below the ground was finding its way to the surface.

Lucien’s whole soul was shaken, and his mind was in such a storm that he could barely control his body. At this moment, together with the soul-stirring fulmination, a black shadow appeared on Lucien’s body.

Then, having experienced the extreme circumstances such as spread and collapse, Lucien managed to get his soul back under control. Then, the Arcana Light was on. In the pure and warm brilliant, the flickering shadow quickly dissolved.

Lucien’s mind was immediately cleared. His unreasonable fury just now was completely soothed. Aglaea could have come to save her people by following the enemy and happened to run into them. She might not be as vicious as he thought.

He had been possessed by the primeval devils despite his Mental Barrier. The Lord of Hell’s control over negative feelings and the status of primeval devils were truly terrifying. If he hadn’t been through status transformation before and had a deep understanding of primeval devils, he probably couldn’t have escaped just now!

It was true that the Lord of Hell plus the primeval devils were not so easy to destroy!

Right when Lucien cast Mental Fulmination, where the damage had been lowered to himself, Natasha also changed her face color and slashed herself with the Sword of Truth without any hesitation!

When the silver sword hit her body, her body twisted and turned into the same sword. Then, the sword was separated, and a shadow inside was burnt into ashes in miserable screams.

In the next second, the sword that Natasha’s body turned into melted with the light of the Sword of Truth, avoiding the tearing of the illusionary gaps.

After she resumed the shape of a human, her face was much paler. Among the three of them, she was the weakest, and she did not bring out the Shield of Truth. She had only managed to get rid of the shadow by his familiarity with the Sword of Truth and her own blood power.

Seeing that, Lucien secretly sighed. He was too careless and emotional just now. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been as easy for the primeval devils to possess the legendary experts such as himself and Natasha.

Emperor’s Grasp was clearly a medium that the Lord of Hell intentionally left to cast his spell!

Aglaea was much easier than Lucien and Natasha. Her body turned blurry into an illusionary shadow of nature. It seemed that she was in every place where nature was adored. In the hazy greenness, a black spot was very obvious.

Green brightness rose on Aglaea’s body, quickly melting the dark shadow. She said solemnly, “Let’s go. We were a bit late. He has already completed the integration!”

“Haha. If you hadn’t been waiting for an opportunity, would I have the time to melt him at all?” The laughter of mockery seemed to be coming from all directions.

Magma started to erupt from the ground, and the intense stench of sulfur spread out.

Aglaea had come to rescue her people who had been captured. On her way here, she luckily encountered a bunch of Kuo-toans who were escorting the captives. She learned the situation of the Blue Gate and came here as soon as possible.

When she arrived, it was exactly the time when Harex burst out of the Blue Torrent. After balancing the pros and cons, she decided to wait based on her experience. It was a shame that her choice of timing had a tiny error since Maltimus sensed her arrival in advance.

Despite her regrets, Aglaea, who had been in the status of primeval devils herself, managed to suppress her feelings. She raised her right hand, untouched, allowing new trees to grow inside the magma and slowing down its flow.

Lucien and Natasha, blinking and flying backward, approached the edge of the hollow at the same time.