Chương 121: Chapter 120. Old Time's Sake

Levi landed without so much as a sound. Heavy sheets of rain hammered down all around him, the inevitable aftermath of a thousand-meter-tall tsunami bursting apart under a storm of blades. High in the sky, a cold chill seemed to sweep through the air, condensing the swelling clouds of steam back to a liquid state that promptly contributed to the raging downpour. For nearly half a minute, the sound of billions of rain droplets incessantly striking the sea was all that could be heard.

Throughout it all, Levi stood tall and unmoving, gazing out over the spectacle. His form remained conspicuously dry, the droplets seemingly curving around him as though repelled by some unseen force.

"Levi," Anastasia said, her tone light and sweet, though with the unmistakable current of danger underneath.

"Aren't you forgetting something else?" However, the same couldn't be said for the High Priestess that stood next to him. Her form became increasingly drenched, and by the time the powerful rain slowly ebbed to a stop, Anastasia looked little more than a wet cat, her blonde hair clumped together and her dress plastered against her skin, fully soaked through. Her distinctly white dress– His magic nearly tore a metaphysical muscle as it streaked across the air to vaporize all the moisture from Anastasia's form.

In an instant, she was completely dry, her hair cascading down in its normal waves as steam hissed from her skin. Levi coughed gingerly, trying very hard not to wince.

"M-My apologies." There was probably some irony here somewhere, how he was somehow more scared of Anastasia than the cataclysmic tsunami just prior. But then again, who could blame him? Anastasia paused, then giggled at his expression.

"I'm only jesting. Good work." Levi's lips twitched.

"You're evil… But thank you. You as well." For several seconds, they just looked out at the now-serene surface of the sea. It was hard to believe that just a minute ago, it had been opened up in an all-consuming maw that nearly engulfed the entire island. It was harder yet to believe that they had managed to stop it in its tracks. In terms of raw wide-scale destruction, the [Hero's Defiance] was the single most powerful spell Levi had ever unleashed in both his new life and old.

Hell, he wasn't even certain if he could've cast such a spell in his old life. He'd grown stronger, significantly so.

"Well," Anastasia said.

"Shall we face the music?" Levi inclined his head.

"Let's." They turned around as one to see the entire Resistance gaping at them. Rikimaru's eyes were wider than dinner plates. General Shiba looked as though he'd experienced a whole religious reawakening. Terminus's gaze was filled with a terrible calculation as he examined Levi. Selene looked distinctly impressed. Yuki's expression was filled with awe. And Minato… The Spear Sage was grinning ear-to-ear, leaning heavily on his spear.

"Incredible!" he cried.

"What a truly magnificent display–" He choked and wheezed, blood splattering the sands below. He would've fallen over altogether were it not for Levi suddenly appearing next to him, pressing a hand against his back. Levi hadn't had the time earlier, but now, sparks of magic leaped from his hand and zipped across Minato's body, healing his injuries–"What the fuck are you doing?" Rikimaru snarled. Levi blinked, turning to Rikimaru.

"What?"

"He's the enemy," Rikimaru said.

"Why are you healing him?"

"I mean…" Levi shrugged.

"It doesn't seem like he's our enemy at the moment–""The Pillars just killed a thousand men!" Levi fell silent. Belatedly, he noticed that the Resistance was glaring at Minato, hatred and anger in their eyes. For once, the Spear Sage didn't meet their gazes.

"The two of them wiped out an entire ship," Rikimaru said, his voice raw and eyes pained.

"One thousand lives, gone in an instant. And now you're telling me that they're not our enemy–?!"

"They're not." Rikimaru froze. Because Levi wasn't the one who'd spoken.

"The Spear Sage was being controlled," General Shiba said, his voice quiet but firm.

"Some sort of possession magic, I wager." Rikimaru's eyes widened in shock. Minato didn't look up, his face hidden from view. General Shiba's stare pierced into him.

"During our battle, he was finally able to break free. Isn't that right, Ascendant Minato?" There was a long moment of silence. Then, slowly, Minato nodded. Rikimaru faltered, looking between General Shiba and Minato.

"Im… Impossible. How could someone, anyone, control two Ascendants at the same time?"

"You'd be surprised," Levi murmured. This was an interesting turn of events. He hadn't expected General Shiba to connect the dots – but he also hadn't expected Minato to apparently break free of the Chorus's control. Now that the secret was out…

"It is very much possible."

"I… No," Rikimaru spat, shaking his head violently.

"Even so, they're still guilty of their crimes. Controlled or not, my comrades' blood is still on their hands." Minato seemed to physically sag in place.

"If they were indeed possessed, then they need to be punished for being too fucking weak–!"

"RIKIMARU!" General Shiba roared, his voice hardening with anger.

"Temper yourself! I know you're grieving for our comrades, I am too, but do not allow yourself to be driven mad by revenge!" He swept his gaze across his gathered soldiers.

"The same goes for all of you. You are better than this. We are not the empire. We do not disregard intent, we do not condemn those with no choice, and we most certainly do not castigate the Pillars who gave themselves time and time again for the sake of our country!" All around, the Resistance members bowed their heads in shame, the hatred in their eyes melting away. Rikimaru hesitated. Then, his face too filled with shame.

"You're right. I apologize, General. I was out of line—""No," said Minato quietly. The Resistance went silent.

"You're right. It is our fault." His voice seared with self-loathing.

"We were supposed to be the best. Yet, we allowed ourselves to be controlled like spineless puppets." He turned to Levi.

"Levi Ironwood, grant me this favor. Restrain us." Levi blinked.

"What? Why?"

"Why?" Minato said. His face twisted in rage.

"Because for the past seven years, I have been a dog, my spirit overwritten and my ego violated." Oddly, Terminus tensed at that.

"By what or who, I don't know. Perhaps it was the Emperor, but…" He hesitated.

"It didn't feel like him." Levi's gaze was unreadable.

"That's because it wasn't. I…" He glanced around, aware of the Resistance listening in.

"I'll fill you in later." Minato's eyes sharpened.

"Please do. Whatever the case, I refuse to have my will taken away again. I am of sound mind now, but who knows how long that'll last?" He sounded unbearably frustrated with himself, but also resigned.

"Unless you know of a way to prevent the possession from happening again?" Levi let out a long exhale.

"No. I don't." He still had no idea how the Chorus's magic functioned nor how to neutralize it. In the first place, possession magic had never exactly been his forte. That field of study was more a priestess's specialty – but by the look on Anastasia's face, she didn't know how to counter the Chorus either.

"I see," Minato said. Despite obviously not wanting to let himself get his hopes up, he still looked disappointed.

"Then there's no other choice. As much as I wish to join the battle, you must restrain me. Kaito, too." Levi nodded. He went to collect the unconscious Sea Druid; the curling seaweed around him attempted to attack Levi as he came near, but Levi cut through them easily enough.

"What knocked him out?" he asked curiously. He'd only arrived at the tail end of the battle, when Minato had charged the tsunami. He hadn't seen anything before that. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"I don't know," General Shiba said.

"I didn't see the attacker. He just seemingly passed out for no reason right before the tsunami appeared." He paused.

"That wasn't your doing?" Levi was suddenly overtaken by an inexplicable coughing fit.

"No. I can't imagine why you'd think so." As a Sea Druid, Kaito was no doubt profoundly attuned to the natural energies of the world. Levi wasn't surprised that he'd passed out from the magical backlash of the Dragon Leyline being sundered. Levi pointedly refused to think about the implications of that. Surely, nobody outside of Yukihasa had felt the magical backlash. There was no way it had been that loud… right? Things should be fine…

"Where's Ayako?" he asked, changing the subject.

"She vanished a few days ago," Minato said.

"I don't know why, but neither Kaito nor I have been able to find her." Levi hummed. A few days ago… That was roughly when he'd fought against the Chorus in the Source subdimension. Was it connected? Had Ayako somehow taken advantage of the Chorus's momentary 'death' to break free of its control? Well. He had a feeling he'd find out soon enough. Minato didn't resist as Levi placed Kaito next to him. He only nodded, equal parts determination, guilt, and regret in his eyes.

"For what it's worth," Levi said quietly.

"I don't hold your actions against you." Minato froze. Then, softly, he said, "Thank you." Levi didn't need his True Sight to see that his words had an impact on the Spear Sage. He meant what he said. Levi knew countless people not even half of Minato's strength who would've thrown an apoplectic fit over being restrained like this, arrogant and shortsighted that they were. Yet, not only did Minato not hold any objections, but he was even the one who'd suggested it.

It was clear that the Spear Sage felt genuine remorse over something that wasn't even his fault. He was a rare individual who fully understood and observed the sanctity of life. The air became charged with mana as Levi cast restraining spell upon restraining spell. He quickly ran out; his old job had mostly involved killing, not capturing. Fortunately, countless dings! began sounding in his head as the System supplied him with all sorts of new and shiny techniques.

Anastasia, Terminus, and Selene also joined in, each casting their own containment techniques. Minato and Kaito were Ascendants, after all. They weren't taking any chances. As Levi finished casting his final skill, a shifting wall of volcanic sand rising up to entomb the two, Minato spoke.

"Just promise me one thing, Levi Ironwood."

"Yeah?"

"Give the Emperor hell." And Levi smiled.

"I will." And the black sand coffin sealed shut around Minato with a rasping hiss. But not before Levi saw the look of grim satisfaction on the Ascendant's face. With the Heavenly Barriers disabled, two Pillars taken out of commission, and the final Pillar nowhere to be seen, the imperial capital of Endo had effectively lost 98% of its defensive capabilities. The Resistance swept through the city with remarkable speed, easily overpowering the imperial soldiers that tried to defend.

It was clear that the Resistance had spent months if not years preparing for this operation. They moved like a well-oiled machine, not letting even a single vulnerability go unpunished. They knew exactly where all the imperial soldiers were stationed. Knowledge that had quite literally cost multiple spies' lives to attain. The Resistance encountered some difficulty when the Huntsmen took to battle, but not much.

The Resistance's shinobi units had trained for years to counter them; they knew all the Huntsmen's favored strategies and protocols. The streets became filled with the sound of fighting and the metallic scent of blood. The Resistance tried their best to limit collateral damage, staying away from dense civilian centers. They advanced meter by meter, gaining more territory every second. However, not a single one of them relaxed. They knew that this wasn't the true battle.

Indeed, the entire Resistance's assault on the capital was nothing more than a diversion. The actual plan revolved around the five people cloaked in stealth rapidly converging on the Imperial Palace.

"Father, the sound of fighting is drawing closer," the boy said. He was no older than twelve, his feet not even reaching the floor as he sat at the long dining table. His head was turned to look out the window of the grand dining hall of the Imperial Palace.

"Finish your food, Daichi," the Emperor said from where he was seated at the head of the table. His face, as always, was covered by a white veil.

"But Father, what if they reach us here?" the boy asked, a hint of fear in his voice, though clearly suppressed.

"Nonsense," the Emperor said.

"There is nothing to worry about. The Resistance won't be able to get through the Pillars. Besides, Endo's barriers are sure to reactivate any moment now." A ghost of a smile curved his lips beneath the veil.

"Nothing can keep the Heavens down for long."

"But–""Daichi," the Emperor said. His tone was mild, but the boy stopped talking immediately, his body stiffening.

"Follow your siblings' examples. None of them are worried, now are they?" The boy glanced around the dinner table. Sure enough, his brothers and sisters, the princes and princesses of Yukihasa, were dutifully eating their food: a luxurious assortment of raw fish and fermented side dishes. Not a single one looked even remotely concerned. Slowly, the boy returned his attention to his own half-eaten plate. He still seemed a little worried, but he must've seen that there was no point in speaking any further.

The Emperor smiled. It did not reach his eyes.

"That's a good boy," he said in the same manner as one might have when complimenting a dog.

"In this country, I alone am god. My word is reality. Our enemies are impotent in the face of the divine–" The anti-teleportation wards surrounding the palace shattered. The Emperor's eyes widened.

"What–?"

"If you are a god," Terminus said, materializing right before him in a crouch on the table, "then it is man's prerogative to defy the divine. [Deadlock]." The space around the Emperor twisted and distorted. The Emperor tried to shoot to his feet, but he was unable to move, utterly paralyzed. No, not paralyzed; invisible boundaries had been imposed into the very space around him, locking him in place. However, a False God could not be bound so easily.

"YOU DARE?" the Emperor roared, divinity exploding forth from him. His form began radiating a dark, golden light–"I dare," High Priestess Anastasia said coldly from the side. The Emperor's head snapped to face her.

"You are no god but a man. A contemptible, abhorrent man at that. But you need not explain yourself to me, for all will be revealed under the Goddess's [Judgement]." Her Divine Skill activated with a flash of brilliant golden light, and instantly, the Emperor was overwhelmed by the full emotions of every person he'd ever killed. All the sorrow, fear, pain, anguish, and grief condensed into one piercing spiritual strike. The False God screamed. The other people seated at the table shouted in alarm, trying to rise.

Simultaneously, elite palace guards and Huntsmen burst into the dining hall, drawn by the screams. They all froze. Or rather, their shadows froze, and they too ceased to move. The Archdemon Selene's expression was impassive, almost bored, as she effortlessly restrained them all. The shadows of her dress swirled, stretching to the marble floor below and expanding outward to attach to every other shadow in the room. The dining hall seemed to grow darker.

"That pain you feel," Resistance Leader Yuki said from the other side, her eyes narrowed fiercely, "is but a tiny fraction of all the pain you've caused the people of this country. For far too long you've reigned as a tyrant. But you know something? Tyrants may be strong, but in the end, they'll always fall, cut down by the people they oppressed." Somehow, despite the emotions assaulting his psyche, the Emperor managed to speak.

"You… You think that a mere mortal can cut down a god?"

"Not really, no," Levi Ironwood said from behind him.

"Thankfully, I know someone who can. And it just so happens that his sight is my own." With that, he slashed his hand across the air. Blades of magic burst forth, cutting into the Emperor at seemingly arbitrary points. Across the neck, along the ribs, perpendicular to the kneecap. And the False God was instantly overcome by death. The Emperor collapsed like a stone. Except, he wasn't even allowed to fall; Terminus's imposed boundaries kept him sitting upright. However, it was clear that he had perished.

A heavy stillness fell over the dining hall. The Emperor's children stared at their father in pure incomprehension, as if unable to believe what they were seeing.

"Well," Levi said.

"That was easier than expected. Good work, everyone–" The boy screamed. Levi blinked, turning to him.

"What's wrong? Are you alright–?"

"Levi!" Anastasia suddenly snapped, confusion bleeding into her voice.

"It's still active!" Levi frowned.

"What is?"

"My skill [Judgement]. And…" Anastasia swallowed as she too turned to the boy.

"It's now connected to him." There was a long moment of silence. Then, the boy's screams turned into gurgled laughs.

"HAHAHAHA!" the Emperor laughed in the disturbing voice of a twelve year old.

"Did you truly believe that would be enough to end my life? I am the Emperor!" Levi stared at the boy, his eyes wide. He didn't miss the grave, knowing glance that Terminus and Yuki exchanged with each other. However, Levi had no time to question it; he was too busy trying to figure out what just happened. His Sever and Cleave had cut into the Emperor's lines of death. He was sure of it. However, the Emperor hadn't died. Instead, he'd reawakened in the body of his son… Instantly, Levi connected the dots.

He was very, very familiar with this particular field of magic. It was impossible for him not to be. He had spent an entire life hunting down those who abused it, after all. The Emperor had used some sort of immortality technique to extend his life. Soul transference, body hopping, vessel repurposing… The specifics didn't matter. What mattered was that in doing so, the Emperor had just violated the sanctity of death. Before, Levi's anger toward the Emperor had been completely personal in nature. But now…

His face became devoid of all emotions, grey eyes hardening into unearthly ice. Now, it was professional.