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After that night's battle, Finn had gained a new appreciation for Airmid's abilities, particularly her [Shared Burden].
While its usefulness was limited within the small Yahweh Familia, its potential within a larger group like the Loki Familia, especially with Finn's ability to lead weaker members into the deep floors, was immense. The combination was practically unstoppable.
"It's such a shame—"
"Indeed, a terrible 'shame'," Loki chimed in, appearing beside Finn.
"....."
He rolled his eyes at his goddess's blatant attempt to recruit Airmid. He was used to her antics.
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With Airmid's return, and her [Shared Burden] linking all the adventurers outside Babel Tower, the deep-level monsters that had swarmed the city found their attacks ineffective.
The damage, enough to tear apart a Level 2 and severely injure a Level 3, was distributed among thousands, reduced to a mere tickle.
Skilled adventurers, wielding high-level weapons, swiftly dispatched the weakened monsters. This scene repeated itself throughout the area.
"Excellent! We've stabilized the situation!" Finn said, his earlier anxiety fading.
"Without Airmid, we would have suffered heavy casualties. The Yahweh Familia has proven invaluable." He was incredibly grateful for their assistance.
He couldn't imagine how disastrous the initial stages of this battle would have been without them.
"We're lucky to have Mika and his Familia on our side." With renewed confidence, he focused on directing the defense, maximizing their advantage to push back the dark faction.
Mellie's illusions, too, played a crucial role, disrupting the enemy's attacks and sowing chaos in their ranks.
Soon, the monsters unleashed by the dark faction were eliminated. After all, unlike the dungeon, the city couldn't generate an endless supply of monsters.
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Just then, a deafening clang echoed through Orario, far louder than any previous weapon clash, followed by a massive explosion.
BOOM!
The sound of clashing weapons, which had been reverberating through the city, suddenly ceased.
Everyone knew what had happened: the duel between Ottar and Zald was over.
They all looked towards the source of the explosion, a plume of smoke rising into the night sky. The outcome of that battle would determine the course of the war.
As the smoke cleared, a figure, battered and bruised, emerged. It was Ottar.
"Ottar!" The adventurers erupted in cheers. His victory signaled the dark faction's impending defeat. They could no longer turn the tide.
"Ottar! Ottar! Ottar!" They chanted his name, their voices echoing through the city. Then, as if guided by an unseen force, their chant shifted.
"Mika! Ottar! Mika! Ottar! Mika! Ottar!" The names of the two heroes who had defeated Alfia and Zald, securing Orario's future, reverberated through the streets.
"Mika and Ottar—They are truly Orario's Strongest." Finn smiled, listening to the cheers.
"Now is our chance! Attack!" he shouted.
"Charge!" The adventurers surged forward, their morale soaring. The dark faction, demoralized by Zald's defeat, broke ranks and fled.
A chase ensued.
Airmid and Mellie remained behind; they were no longer needed.
"We won," Airmid said softly.
"Indeed. We've won," Mellie replied firmly, although the battle wasn't officially over. The dark faction had no chance of recovery.
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Mika slowly regained consciousness.
"Ugh... my head—" He groaned, rubbing his temples and looking around. He was in his room.
"If I'm here, it means the battle is over. So—we won?" He tested his limbs, feeling his strength returning. He opened his door and saw Yahweh eating in the dining hall.
"Yahweh-sama!"
"Mika, you're awake!" She rushed over and patted his shoulder. "Good. It seems you've fully recovered. You must be starving after fighting all night. Come eat."
He sat down at the table, his stomach rumbling at the aroma of the food. Ayu handed him a bowl and chopsticks, and he began to eat ravenously.
Yahweh watched him with a smile.
"Where are Airmid and Mellie?"
"They're still at the Guild, attending a meeting. The battle just ended, so Ayu and I brought you back first."
Mika nodded. This decisive battle against the dark faction held great significance for Orario, especially Mika and Ottar's victories over Alfia and Zald.
It proved that Orario still possessed formidable strength, a crucial message in a time when their reputation had been tarnished by the departure of the Zeus and Hera Familias.
"Gabriel!" he suddenly called out, remembering Alfia. "Where is it?"
"Here." Gabriel appeared, holding a glowing orb of light.
Seeing it, Mika smiled.
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He had insisted on facing Alfia not only to fulfill their promise and inherit her will, but also for this orb – Alfia's soul.
"It would be a waste for such a talent to simply vanish. Besides, you wouldn't want to entrust the task of slaying the Black Dragon to me, would you? You'd want to avenge your comrades yourself."
"So—don't be so eager to die." He took the orb from Gabriel. As a companion of his parents and a dear friend, he couldn't bear to let her fade away. He wanted her to live.
And he had the means to do so: his [Nen ability, Angel's Rebirth].
He had developed this Ability in the [Type-Moon World] to capture the divine oxen that pulled the [Gordius Wheel].
It allowed him to transform spirits into his own [Nen beasts].
And Alfia, now a spirit, was the perfect candidate.
"Activate the magic circle and barriers around the Familia home," he said to Yahweh, feeling his strength returning.
"Leave it to me." With Mellie and Airmid away, activating the defenses fell to Yahweh. In Orario, her consciousness was linked with Gabriel's.
Through Gabriel, she could use both Nen and Magic. With a wave of her hand, the magic circle and barriers surrounding their home activated.
Mika nodded, satisfied. "Excellent."
He focused his attention on the orb in his hand, slowly clenching his fist as light seeped through his fingers.
"[Angel's Rebirth]!" A surge of Aura flowed from his body, accompanied by his Magic power and mental energy, all converting into Nen.
To maximize its effectiveness, he had placed a condition on Angel's Rebirth: the stronger the spirit, the more aura required for the transformation.
This played to his strengths. He could convert various forms of energy into aura; all he needed was a sufficient supply of Mind Potions to replenish his mental energy.
He consumed several potions, and his Aura reserves replenished, flowing into the orb, its glow intensifying.
"It's beautiful," Yahweh murmured, watching the radiant light emanating from the orb.
"Fortunately, we have the barriers activated. Otherwise, Mika's Aura would alert the Entire City. However, the barriers are limited by the size of our courtyard. Perhaps it's time to relocate."
She looked towards the distant glow of fire where Mika and Alfia had clashed. The area, now filled with molten lava, still illuminated the night sky.
"Perhaps we could purchase some land there and build an estate," she mused.
As more and more aura flowed into the orb, the spirit within began to transform.
It rose from Mika's hand, expanding and shifting in mid-air until a humanoid figure, formed of pure aura, materialized before him. While it lacked distinct features, its form was clearly defined.
Then, guided by Mika's Nen, Alfia's features began to emerge.
"It's done," he said with a smile, feeling the flow of aura subsiding. Alfia's Nen beast form was complete, but she remained suspended in mid-air, her eyes closed.
He wasn't worried; her awakening was only a matter of time.
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Alfia slowly opened her eyes, a complex expression on her face as she looked at the familiar figure before her.
"I always sensed something—unusual about your Power. But I didn't realize you could even manipulate souls," she said, landing gracefully on the ground.
"It was a coincidence. I never imagined this ability, developed on a whim, would prove so useful." Mika approached her.
"As they say, 'To the victor go the spoils.' As the victor, I have dominion over your soul. Are you ready to become a part of my power and help me fulfill your final wish—to slay the Black Dragon—alongside me?" He extended his hand.
Alfia chuckled. What a strange question. To help 'her' fulfill her own wish? It sounded like a joke. But she had no intention of refusing.
She could feel it; the terminal illness that had plagued her since birth was gone. She felt a sense of freedom she had never experienced before. If not for that illness, she wouldn't have been limited to Level 7. She believed she could have surpassed even their Empress, reaching even greater heights. She was confident she could have slain the Black Dragon herself.
But now—that "What If—" was a possibility. How could she refuse?
She placed her hand in his.
"I look forward to working with you."
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