“Ah, ahh…”
It’s impossible, I can’t hold it back.
The Divine Heir Fiaara was convinced of this.
On the summit of Mount Mera stands the Mera Main Shrine, a temple that encompasses ancient ruins containing the Original Monolith deep underground. Here, the oldest and most sacred altar has been built, protruding like a stage leading to a massive volcanic crater.
Despite all preparations made, the ritual of protection, conducted by the High Priests of the Sun Temple, was in vain, as the raging power of the Phoenix was surging forth with the intensity to incinerate anyone entering the mountain.
“My, Divine Heir… there’s no more we can do…”
“I understand.”
From quite some time ago, lava had been bubbling up at the bottom of the crater, and the boiling water level was gradually rising, threatening to overflow at any moment. Just moments ago, with a tremor that shook the ground, the summit was engulfed in the bright red magical power of the Phoenix.
The Phoenix had already awakened deep within this crater.
Using the sea demon, laden with bursting black oil, as a sacrifice, the dragon’s lair connected to Mount Mera was stimulated, awakening the Phoenix from its long slumber. Naturally, its awakening could not be anything but unpleasant.
The enormous and magnificent entity, eliciting a fundamental fear, made its presence known at my feet, feeling utterly unavoidable.
Not just Fiaara and the High Priests, even the elite knights guarding the main shrine felt a terrible dread and could hardly bear the scorching presence.
“It’s already too late. We can no longer hold it back with our power… so everyone, please escape now.”
“Then you should escape, Your Highness.”
“It has been decreed that age determines who dies first.”
“Yes, it is enough for us old fools to be sacrificed.”
It was clear that the eruption and the awakening of the Phoenix could not be stopped.
The only thing that could be done was to sacrifice oneself here, performing a final act to dedicate all their power to minimize damage even by a little.
No one among the High Priests hesitated to carry this out.
They also regretted it. Ten years ago, they had only stopped the eruption thanks to the sacrifice of the Divine Heir Minaeris and her partner Tior.
In truth, it should have been them who were sacrificed. The figures of those two, who had thrown themselves into the crater without hesitation, still burned in their minds like a nightmare.
If they had been the ones to sacrifice themselves first. Then, this little Divine Heir would not have lost her parents.
The young Fiaara, whom they had cared for and raised like a true granddaughter, should have been entrusted to her parents instead. Each time they saw her adorable smile, their hearts ached with the realization.
So this time, they would not make the same mistake.
No matter what happened, they would protect this child.
“Captain of the Knights, bind the Divine Heir and take her away.”
“That can’t be! If I, the Divine Heir, flee, the authority of the Sun Temple will be lost! Faith will disappear!”
“Indeed, at this point, we cannot escape accusations.”
“Still, we want the Divine Heir to live!”
“What kind of High Priest would sacrifice a child who has just barely come of age, while placing the burden of blame on the Divine Heir?”
“Please, do not worry. I will surely stop the destruction of the Runes.”
The concern of the High Priests felt like a curse to Fiaara at that moment.
Somehow, she had to become a sacrifice here, unable to forgive herself if she failed to do so.
The loss of her parents was deeply engraved in her heart as an inescapable tragedy. It was too cruel, painful, and the loneliness was enough to tear her heart apart.
Thus, she turned the responsibility of being a Divine Heir into her salvation.
The duty of the Divine Heir was heavier than anything. Thus, her parents’ sacrifice to save the Runes was not a tragedy, but a heroic act to be proud of. If she could not affirm this truth, she knew she could not endure it.
Fleeing from her suffering, she devoted herself to the harsh training of the Divine Heir. She publicly declared she wanted to be great like her parents, while in the depths of her heart, she recognized that this was merely an act of escapism.
But there was nothing she could do. That was how she had lived, knowing no other way.
“If I become a sacrifice, I can protect half of the Runes!”
She had a rough estimate of the scale of damage that could be mitigated by dedicating herself completely to counteracting the power of the Phoenix. If she and all the High Priests dedicated their lives, they could save half of the island. However, if she as the Divine Heir withdrew, the range of damage would surely increase.
Because of her reluctance to lose her own life, hundreds, thousands, or possibly tens of thousands of people would die. She would allow many whom she could have saved to perish.
Having lost her parents was already agonizing.
She could not bear it. To shoulder even more lives than those she already had lost.
If she survived here, her heart would surely not withstand it.
Because she was not a truly devoted Divine Heir, but merely a weak human, clinging to the justification of duty to ease her own heart.
“Even so… even so, Your Highness…”
“I understand, it is merely our selfishness.”
“Please, just let the Divine Heir live.”
Yet, Fiaara couldn’t ignore their feelings, nor did she have the courage to throw herself into the crater immediately.
Their willingness to go with her made the fear of death seem more bearable.
But she could not abandon her life at the expense of everyone who cherished her like family.
Should she live? Should she die?
She no longer knew.
“What should I… do…”
Her vision blurred. Her breath became ragged, her heart raced, and her body trembled.
Faced with an ultimate choice that had to be made, her mind went blank and her thoughts stopped.
As she stared blankly at the dark night sky, it descended from the heavens.
Hyu-goo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o—
A sudden strong wind swept across the sacred altar stage.
Before she could even think about what was happening, it had already touched the stage.
“Witch Fiona… why are you here?”
“I came to help.”
In front of Fiaara, who was both mentally and physically at her limit, Fiona spoke with the casualness of someone coming to assist with moving.
Before emotions towards the abominable sister who appeared suddenly could form, the wary High Priests sprang into action.
“Your Highness, step back!”
“What does the cursed daughter of the detestable Witch Namialia intend to do?”
“This is the altar of the sacred Sun God, leave this place at once!”
“Please move aside, I am your older sister!”
Despite the fact that her sister had come in a time of crisis, Fiona frowned at the obstruction, feeling it was outrageous.
The High Priests stood before Fiaara, ready to protect her, while behind Fiona, the knights debated whether to immediately strike.
However, the real daughter of the infamous witch Namialia, condemned to execution, had audaciously entered this critical moment for the survival of the Runes. It was only natural for her to be seen as plotting some wicked scheme.
And Fiona had no way to persuade those brimming with murderous intent through mere words… It seemed it would be faster to physically move the stubborn old folks out of the way.
“Everyone, stand down. Lady Fiona of the Elroad Empire has been granted cooperation to quell the Phoenix. This is a royal decree.”
Thus, the one who swiftly spoke the words to pacify the situation was Sojiro, mounted on the Pegasus carrying Fiona.
Through Vivian’s fairy communication, the news had already reached King Hanau and Demon King Chrono, and an impromptu yet formal cooperation request had been established.
When it came to royal orders, no matter how much history the parties had, the knights obeyed immediately. After all, the person present was the second minister next to the chancellor and also a powerful Shinobi in the Runes.
“This witch is cooperating?”
“Are you asking us to rely on an outsider?”
“Do not worry, High Priest. Lady Fiona holds the official title of volcanic shrine maiden in Adamantoria. Her ability to quell a raging dragon is very much reliable.”
“Um, oh, yes. I received this from a Dwarf, a proof of shrine maidenhood.”
With an attitude that seemed to say “look at this,” she took out a necklace intricately crafted, with a design of a fire dragon coiling around a staff from within her triangular hat.
The exquisite and dazzling craftsmanship, a masterpiece made by Dwarven artisans of Adamantoria, was suitable for a sacred shrine maiden guarding the Balrog Mountain Range, a mark bestowed for Fiona’s remarkable feat of repelling the fire dragon stirred by the flame orc’s sorcery.
“To save all of Runes now, we need Lady Fiona’s power. Please understand.”
“…I acknowledge the royal decree.”
“We are grateful for the Empire’s assistance.”
They adhered to the royal decree while subtly implying that if Fiona was to fail, the Empire would take responsibility, thus deciding to accept the difficult situation.
Fiona, the cursed child. Though a most detestable existence for the Sun Temple… if that means saving the Runes and the beloved Divine Heir, they had no choice but to take the chance.
As the High Priests stood back, Fiona boldly stepped forward before her sister.
“Fiaara.”
“I will not acknowledge you as my sister.”
Even in such a dire situation, Fiona’s carefree demeanor was reminiscent of when they first met, and Fiaara felt an unexplainable irritation.
However, Fiona’s very presence was the hope needed to break the urgent situation, and Fiaara realized she had no choice but to accept it.
“Well then, let me show you my good side, little sister.”
Completely unaware of Fiaara’s complex emotions, Fiona eagerly challenged the raging phoenix.
“Deeper than original sin—‘Black Witch Endymion’.”
The protection of the infamous demon god manifested.
A jet-black aura abruptly wrapped around Fiona, overwhelming the surroundings with its ominous atmosphere.
“‘Proof of the existence of demons.’”
In the face of Fiona, who had transformed into a demon, everyone thought.
Was it really okay to borrow such demonic power?
“Th-that power is…”
Before the overwhelmingly powerful aura of demonic Fiona, Fiaara asked with a trembling voice.
The glaring eyes of the demon shone lazily, yet with an air of pride.
“Of course, I’m serious. After all, we’re facing a Phoenix.”
This revelation made Fiaara understand that the duel they had encountered before was merely a game.
Now that her full strength ‘Flame Phoenix’ had been consumed, her defeat was already evident. However, she had never imagined there would be such an overwhelming disparity in power.
Indeed, Fiona might be stronger now. But she believed that if she grew just a little more, she would definitely catch up. And someday, when she achieved such strength that she wouldn’t even regard the abominable witch’s daughter, she wouldn’t have to worry about trivial anxieties any longer—such thoughts crossed her mind, but Fiona showed her that she had arrived far beyond what she had perceived.
“So please, lend your strength, Fiaara. So that I can return.”
Seeing Fiaara, who was trembling in shock, Fiona interpreted her expression as mere tension and casually suggested simple tasks to ease her nerves.
What she was doing was the same as during the Adamantoria Liberation War.
Synchronizing her mind with the fire dragon, controlling its will. After that, once the act was completed, she would separate her mind back into her body.
While the reasoning was simple, the overwhelming might of the dragon could easily swallow a human’s psyche. Thus, even the genius witch Fiona couldn’t accomplish it alone.
To ensure that her consciousness returned safely, a target was needed; a guiding voice to call out to her so she wouldn’t lose herself.
That role fell to Ursula, who had unintentionally become her most devoted disciple. Thanks to Ursula’s capabilities being ideally suited for this task, and her own growth and ability, Fiona was able to feel assured she could “do it.”
“You can do it. After all, you’re my sister.”
In that instant, Fiona held the same conviction.
From their earlier duel, she had gauged Fiaara’s capabilities.
She didn’t have the same strength that came from repeated real battles and skirting death. However, she realized that Fiaara had trained earnestly as a Divine Heir.
It was just a tad lacking in practical combat experience, but her strength was sufficiently top-tier.
And above all, their magical properties were strikingly similar.
They were sisterly bonds, sharing the same bloodline. Even if their mother was different, that mother too was of Soleil descent.
The nature of a person’s magical power varies greatly. While often categorized by element, there are subtle differences when measured precisely.
The closeness of their magical power undoubtedly stemmed from the strong ties of blood. Family members often share similarities in the quality of their magic.
“What do you mean, you plan to directly possess the Phoenix! That’s madness!”
Even without being an extraordinary genius, her capable sister’s wits, ranking high among the Sophokles, quickly grasped what Fiona intended.
Normally, the way a Divine Heir calms the rage of a rampaging dragon is by offering prayers that are only heard in the heart. Not through physical sounds, but by harmonizing their magical powers, akin to telepathy.
However, this method would be far too insufficient to stop a dragon driven by strong, instinctive anger.
“Given how angry it is, there’s no other way.”
“Well… yes, that’s true, but…”
“Then let’s start.”
“Wait!”
With Fiaara wanting a little more time to gather her resolve, Fiona ignored her and raised her fully blossomed ‘Walpurgis,’ challenging the Phoenix.
“I can create fire (burn me to create).”
As a form of greeting, she unleashed a full incantation of ‘Golden Sun.’
During the Adamantoria liberation, she had struggled to get ‘Argonaut’ running and directly inserted it… but now, she had no purgatory forge crafted by her own hands.
She was forced into a battle far less favorable than before, now without the dedicated weapon known as ‘Argonaut,’ which had served as the ritual altar for controlling the fire dragon.
However, the Mera main shrine altar lay before her.
It was not merely the oldest shrine. The fact that the genuine ‘Golden Sun Solphilia’ once resided here granted overwhelming divine power to this place.
And the altar, continuously prayed upon by the Divine Heir who worshipped the sun god, was completely specialized in containing the Phoenix of Mount Mera.
With the current Divine Heir and the elderly High Priests dedicating their lives in genuine prayer, Fiona calculated that victory was still plausible even without ‘Argonaut’ and Ursula’s assistance.
“Here, create the sun in my name—‘Golden Sun.’”
What should properly be described as radiant like the sun, a dazzlingly bright golden fireball began to sink slowly into the bubbling crater, about to overflow.
The searing lava silently swallowed the ‘Golden Sun’ without exploding. Ten seconds passed, then twenty seconds; typically, it should have long unleashed its hidden destructive power, yet no thunderous sound or explosive winds burst forth.
“…A dud?”
“No, it passed through just fine.”
Fiaara asked, troubled by the absence of any response, but she soon understood its meaning when Fiona explained.
At the rim of the crater, a magic circle formed out of golden flames rapidly rose into view. It was a remnant of an ancient sealing technique inscribed long before the Mera main shrine was constructed.
Fiona recognized that this design must have been carved by the ancestors of Soleil. It was a technique she had never seen before, yet somehow instinctively understood. Despite being an ancient structure, its sensibility closely matched her own, and above all, it had been refined to be the most convenient for her to use.
“Incredible… you’ve already synchronized with the earth veins?”
“This should suffice for the preliminary preparations.”
Perhaps it was because she had done it once before, or perhaps as a descendant of Soleil, her compatibility with this land was exceptionally good.
Fiona felt her spirit spreading throughout the mountaintop via her magical mass ‘Golden Sun.’ Just like during Adamantoria, she could feel everything in this place through the earth.
The sensation of expanding and diffusing made it seem as if she were fading away, but the witch’s firm self-awareness would not crumble.
However, Fiaara understood how miraculous that was.
She could also synchronize herself with the earth veins, provided she had ample time and preparations.
Even then, her integration would only be at the level of tenuously feeling things out.
Forcefully penetrating her magical power through a powerful magic into the great earth and maintaining her presence through overpowering mental fortitude was no less than a divine feat.
“Now, let’s go.”
Ignoring Fiaara’s astonished state, Fiona concluded her preparations and was ready to confront the Phoenix.
“Ah, wait, so suddenly—”
Unbeknownst to her, Fiona had taken over the operation of the protective ritual, and at this moment, all of the restraints keeping the awakened Phoenix subdued were unleashed.
From the depths of the bubbling magma, fiery wings soared towards the sky with astonishing force.
Before Fiaara could brace herself, the legend of Mount Mera revealed itself.
Kyo-o-o-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a—
A thunderous roar of a beast echoed, belonging to a giant bird with a molten fiery body, as legendary as its tales suggested.
Just how immense it was remained unmeasured; after all, the Phoenix had only just emerged its head from the lava’s surface.
Yet its overwhelming presence exceeded the tales of lore. This was truly the manifestation of a natural disaster.
With an aggressively sharp visage akin to a ferocious bird of prey, the beautifully adorned flames—which were praised in descriptions—were now raging violently due to the anger stirred from being disturbed from its slumber.
Atop its enormous, blazing head were eyes that glimmered like rubies, glaring with pure unbridled fury, casting its gaze over Fiona.
Fiona met the Phoenix’s gaze directly, proclaiming:
“Ah, this might be bad.”
“Hey, don’t mess with me, you scumbag!”
Overwhelmed by this outrageous statement, Fiaara unleashed a heartfelt curse as she slapped her sister’s cheek.