Epic of Ice Dragon: Reborn As An Ice Dragon With A System

Chapter 2418: Clash Of Venerables II [54]

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At the same time as the champions received the power of their dragon families, Alma poured everything she had into the fight. Her eyes glowed brightly as she constantly pushed herself to the limit.

Not just for the world, but to avenge her parents, who had been killed by Oberon, and to protect her children waiting for her back home.

And of course, all of this was possible thanks to Root, Hermes, Drake, and all her friends.

This world, this new life she was now living, came with all its ups and downs, but she had to admit it.

She loved this world and her new life.

Even though she had lost so much, this world had given her the parents she never had in her previous life, siblings, and even love. She has children now.

She could not feel more fulfilled, and for that very reason, she had to fight.

"Mom, Dad... watch your daughter! She’s fighting the ones who brought you down! She will make amends for our country’s past and won’t let these old monsters control us from the shadows anymore!"

The elves, despite appearing peaceful and organized to the outside world, had always been controlled and monitored by Greenwood and his gigantic sect, which had ruled Alfheim from the shadows for thousands of years.

The noble families in particular were watched most closely. Alma was a princess of the elven kingdom, her parents the king and queen. Because they dared to oppose Greenwood’s demand to take their daughter—who had been born with a Unique Skill—they were murdered in cold blood, and Alma was captured.

Thanks to Knife and Root, she had managed to escape with many other survivors, including Hermes, her lover, and the friends she had protected in her hidden village.

Now, her long journey had finally brought her here, all thanks to her friends, and especially Drake.

"Drake, you’re one hell of a guy...! Even though I have Hermes, I can’t help but feel like I fell for you a little, damn it!"

Alma cried inwardly, angered at herself for these feelings. Yet it was precisely those feelings that suddenly awakened something deep within her.

BA DUM!

BA DUM!

BA DUM!

As her heart fluttered with love and determination, a specter manifested inside her, overflowing with power.

"T-This is...!"

Her eyes widened. Her long blonde hair waved in the wind of their clash as she saw it.

A slender figure made of white steel, decorated with heart-shaped pink crystals.

It wore a mask resembling a two-faced jester and a large hat adorned with colorful feathers.

It held a long blade identical to Knife’s.

She could hear its name.

"I see... Hahah..."

"Alright then."

It was calling her to say its name.

"Awaken..."

As they clashed against Héluna and were once again overwhelmed by her relentless attacks and incredible technique as space shattered around them and the dragons struggled.

"Masked Blade Dancer!"

Another Archetype manifested.

FLAAASH!

The Masked Blade Dancer appeared, spreading her delicate arms. Her blade shone with dazzling silver light.

The instant she emerged; Knife was overtaken by the Archetype. He became faster, more precise, sharper, and completely unpredictable.

CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!

"NNNGGH?! W-WHAT IS THIS?! HOW?!"

Héluna was overwhelmed in an instant. The power of an Archetype, drawing upon Oblivion’s Records, was something she could not easily match, especially one born perfectly for this moment.

"{Sword Fairy Waltz}!"

Alma activated her Archetype’s Skill, unleashing a graceful dance across the battlefield. The entire Soul Construct absorbed the Archetype’s power, moving dazzlingly and leaving trails of petals and butterflies everywhere.

"W-WAIT!"

Héluna was pushed back relentlessly, more and more, until she could do nothing but defend.

CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!

"STOP! STOP! STOOOOOOP!"

Until she was left completely exposed.

The dragons roared in unison. The last surge of their power overflowed as the sword came down; Knife and Alma unified as one.

"{Soul Punisher}!"

Knife’s Hidden Ability, once granted by Héluna herself to destroy the souls of her enemies, now turned against her.

A skill she had used countless times to torture anyone who dared oppose her or her dream with Oberon.

"AAAAHHHHHHH! OBERON! MY LORD!!!"

CRAAASH!

The blade pierced her chest, shattering her sword and reaching straight into her soul. Her Soul Gear broke apart rapidly. Her soul, pierced through, was engulfed in draconic flames.

And then it exploded.

"UUUAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"

BOOOMMM!!!

The massive explosion engulfed not only her but everyone nearby. The dragons, Alma, and Hermes plummeted from the skies, all unconscious except Hermes.

"Haaa... Leaving me the hardest part for last, huh?!"

He waved his hands one final time, using his spatial magic to swiftly teleport everyone together before rushing downward and placing them on the wooden surface of the nearly destroyed endless castle.

"I-I made it... Oh my god! We almost didn’t make it... Ugh... Everyone worked really hard."

Hermes smiled weakly, feeling utterly exhausted and ready to leave the rest to Drake.

"At least... we killed that bitch, so it’s done..."

He was about to close his eyes beside Alma, holding her close.

However, a bright purple light snapped him awake.

FLASH!

"E-Eh?!"

There, amidst the smoke of the massive explosion, Héluna emerged, gasping for air and vomiting blood. Fragments of her soul fell from the gaping wound she desperately tried to repair.

"Grrrr...! Y-You damned mortals, I am going to skin you alive...! I won’t tolerate...! This humiliation...!"

She wasn’t dead.

In fact, she had survived everything.

"N-No way...! Fuck! Fuck! Alma! Alma, wake up!"

Hermes cried, shaking her desperately. Alma gasped, eyes flying open.

"W-What?! What time is it? I want breakfast in bed—"

"It’s not over yet, Alma!"

"Aaaah?!"

Alma panicked. Her Mana fluctuated wildly, but a sharp pain in her soul paralyzed her.

"Ouch, ouch! Damn it, my soul! It hurts! W-We’ve gone way beyond our limits!"

"But without your Mana we won’t be able to—"

"This is where you’ll die... your king isn’t back. It’s hopeless for you... heheh... hahahaha!"

Though weakened, she was still terrifyingly strong.

Héluna pointed her index finger at them, laughing like the maniac she was.

A massive concentration of Moonlight, Starlight, and White Void compressed at the tip of her finger, rapidly forming a huge sphere of energy.

"Die."

The sphere transformed into a sharp beam that struck them and unleashed a devastating explosion.

A wave of intense, space-devouring heat engulfed Alma and Hermes as despair took hold.

BOOOMMM!!!

Héluna laughed. It was finally over.

"You were truly annoying... Whatever remains of you, I’ll use as materials. I need to repair my Soul Gear, but above all, I should offer it to my master—right! Master Oberon! I have to go help him and—"

RUMBLE!

"Huh?!"

From the smoke of her own attack, a gigantic figure emerged. An enormous metallic fist reached her.

And punched her down with overwhelming force.

CLAAANK!

"Aaaaagggh?!"

Her eyes widened as bones shattered and her body was crushed beneath the massive fist. She slammed into the ground, creating a huge crater.

BOOOM!

"W-What...! What was that?!"

She looked up, coughing blood and struggling to heal, only to see a metallic titan standing before her, glaring down with glowing eyes.

At the titan’s side stood a large, muscular man. His radiant aura, shaped like countless dragons of every element, protected everyone while he carried Alma and Hermes safely in his powerful arms.

"H-He’s back already?! B-But...! That means that demon was defeated! So soon?! Then that means...! A-Ahh...! Oberon...! Master Oberon, I have to—"

"Where do you think you’re going?!"

Charlotte’s voice rang from the machine as it charged toward Héluna. The furious Venerable manifested giant blades of moonlight, slashing relentlessly as the titan pursued her.

Yet as she fled, a group of dragons overflowing with rainbow auras attacked from the opposite side, hurling her straight back toward the unscathed titan—the Dracosea Captain—who pummeled her body once more.

"Nnngaaaahhh!"

Héluna was assaulted from every direction. Drake glanced at Hermes and Alma, healing them with his Aura.

"Y-You came... oh thank god..." Alma sighed. "Drake..."

"D-Do you have to carry me like this?!" Hermes asked, embarrassed at being cradled like a child.

"You were about to die. What’s wrong with that? Do you want me to drop you?" Drake raised an eyebrow.

"No, it’s fine, I don’t really mind~" Alma hugged Drake’s muscular arm. "We almost died... Ugh."

"Yeah, well done fighting until now, everyone," Drake nodded, looking at the dragons slowly waking up. "We’ll take it from here. You should all rest."

"R-Rest?! Are you kidding me?! My sister is there...! I have to fight back...! Thanks for healing us, Drake! L-Let’s do this," Surtr said, struggling to stand despite looking ready to collapse.

"Calm down. I understand you want to go, but Héluna isn’t finished yet," Drake replied. "We can’t let her rejoin Oberon, or the same thing that happened between Fortune and Deus will happen again."

Drake gently set Hermes and Alma down, though Alma clung tightly, making it difficult.

"Alma... let go of me."

"Can’t you carry me a little longer?"

"...I’ve already healed you."

"Alma, enough!"

Hermes pulled her away as she reached dramatically toward Drake.

"Drakeeeee!"

Drake raised an eyebrow and quickly turned his attention back to the battle.

"You all did a wonderful job. How about we take her down together?"

As he smiled, his dragons nodded.

Weakened as they were, they wanted to finish this.

Their Auras unified with Drake once more, stronger than ever before.

"{Primordial Dragon King Soul Unification Arts}: {Immortal Heavenly Dragon King Celestial Spirit Avatar}!"

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