Chapter 162
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Chapter 162: She Has Arrived
“What…?”
Tina felt her pupils contract in alarm as she realized something was wrong. She instinctively reached out, only to feel as though she had struck a massive sponge. The force pushed her back rapidly.
Two types of magic intertwined within the barrier, each fiercely rejecting the power she channeled. It was as if an invisible wall had been erected, halting her progress.
Tina turned her head to survey the magical creatures around her.
Her steps slowed as they began to encircle her, their strange, misshapen forms exuding a primal menace. Though lacking true intelligence, they seemed keenly aware of the terrible presence looming behind her, hesitating to approach too closely.
Still, they did not relent in their pursuit of the “intruder.” They moved steadily, their tightening circle a symbol of impending doom.
A wave of despair washed over Tina.
“It’s hopeless now…”
Yet, despite this overwhelming sense of futility, Tina was surprised to find herself unafraid. There was no terror or panic, no shattering of her will.
When she first trained under the Holy Alliance to fight the demon race, she’d been consumed by fear—fear of pain, of death, of capture. She had imagined countless horrible ends at the hands of the enemy.
But now, fear felt distant. Instead, she was left with a quiet sense of regret.
“I won’t be able to serve Master Lolth any longer… or apologize to that knight.”
A small smile tugged at her lips.
In that moment of resignation, Tina realized how profoundly her perspective had shifted.
The strength to face her own end with peace and clarity stemmed from her bond with Lolth, the master who had given her purpose as a maid.
But it wasn’t just Lolth.
Her time as acting lord of Hillenbrand Town had been transformative. Leading by her own abilities, rather than relying on her lineage or appearance, had earned her the trust and admiration of her people. That growth had become an integral part of her.
Images flashed through her mind: the residents’ joy at the sight of abundant harvests, the laughter shared over newly built bridges, the dwarves celebrating with their ale, Mora the wood elf’s cheeky grin during card games, and the nobles slowly embracing hard work.
This was her legacy, and it gave her the strength to act.
“If I can’t escape, I must at least reduce their numbers.”
Tina straightened her back, ignoring the blood dripping from her mouth and nose. She began to channel her remaining power, weaving the spell with deliberate precision.
“Eclipsed Falling Star.”
As a royal priest of the Moon Elf clan, Tina wielded magic of immense potency. Even without reaching the legendary rank, her pure bloodline allowed her to cast spells that bordered on forbidden.
But such power came with a cost.
Even under ideal conditions, these spells exacted a heavy toll on the caster. And for someone in Tina’s weakened state, the consequences were even graver.
Behind her, a night sky unfurled—a deep, starless void with a single luminous moon.
But the moon began to fade.
Eroded by an unseen force, its glow diminished. As the moon darkened, tendrils of magical energy wrapped around Tina, coiling like serpents.
One by one, the stars in the night sky began to tremble.
When the first star fell, it ignited a brilliant explosion.
BOOM!
White light erupted in the midst of the monsters, consuming at least ten elite-level creatures in its wake. The shockwave scattered seven or eight more.
The monsters roared in rage, momentarily suppressing their fear. They surged forward, driven by desperation or perhaps the realization that Tina was near her limit.
But Tina’s magic had not yet subsided.
One after another, stars fell, each impact unleashing another wave of destruction. The Eclipsed Falling Star, a devastating artillery spell, was one of the Moon Elf’s greatest legacies.
Tina murmured softly as the spell reached its conclusion, her voice tinged with regret.
“What a pity… if I were outside, this spell would have wiped them all out.”
Her body sagged against the magical barrier, her protective enchantments dissipating. Nearly half the monsters had been destroyed, but the survivors began to regroup.
She had nothing left.
Leaning against the barrier’s elastic surface, she slid down, her body aching and her strength spent.
“I’ve done everything I can…”
Her consciousness remained sharp despite her exhaustion. Her mind drifted to memories of her family, her sister Froer, and the people of Hillenbrand Town.
The past two centuries seemed distant now. These last few months, brief as they were, had given her life its greatest meaning.
“Master Lolth… the Abyssal Demons… are they truly evil?”
As the monstrous horde advanced, Tina raised her gaze to the lead-gray sky and the decayed tower looming in the distance.
“Is this how it ends?”
Her musings were interrupted by a voice.
“At a time like this, you’re still thinking about philosophical questions. I have to admit, your mindset is impressive.”
Tina froze.
The voice was familiar—exasperated, teasing, but strangely comforting.
A figure emerged beside her, clad in a plain black shirt and radiating an air of nonchalance. There were no grand displays of power, no blazing golden light.
Yet Tina’s heart soared.
“Lolth… Master?”
Her voice trembled, her eyes brimming with unshed tears as she wiped the blood from her lips.
“If it’s not me, who else could it be?” Lolth sighed, raising a hand.
The space around them seemed to twist and fracture. An almost imperceptible rift formed in the fabric of reality, slicing through the monsters like a blade through paper.
It wasn’t merely cutting them in half—it was as if the universe itself rejected their existence, tearing them apart.
Lolth glanced at Tina, her tone casual but commanding.
“Rest. I’ll handle the rest.”