Chương 24: Light That Reduces Kingdoms to Ash

Holy Ray." The words left my lips calmly. But what followed was anything but calm. From the radiant sphere hovering above Regulus's blade, a storm of white lightning erupted—dozens, no, hundreds of lances of sacred energy cascading downward like divine judgment itself. The air screamed as the bolts descended, tearing through vampire ranks with merciless efficiency. They didn't merely die. They were erased. Bodies were reduced to ash mid-motion. Shadows burned away.

Defensive spells collapsed instantly beneath the overwhelming purity of the light. Vampires who tried to flee were struck from behind. Those who attempted to resist were consumed where they stood. There was no discrimination. Only annihilation. When the storm finally subsided, nothing remained of their forces. Just drifting ash. I inhaled slowly, surveying the destruction. Then I moved. My body blurred forward at insane speed, Regulus screaming through the air as I charged into what remained of their defenses.

Each swing of my axe was bathed in sacred radiance, and every single cut erased existence itself. A graze was enough to disintegrate a vampire completely. They didn't even have time to scream. Some of them attempted to adapt, transforming into grotesque insectoid forms, reptilian monsters, or hulking aberrations in a desperate attempt to gain resistance. It didn't matter. I crushed them all the same. Walls shattered as I passed. Statues exploded into fragments. Priceless paintings were reduced to drifting dust.

Entire corridors collapsed. I left nothing behind but death and ruin. The sacred aura pouring from both my body and Regulus intensified with every step. It grew so oppressive that weaker vampires couldn't even approach me anymore—simply entering my vicinity caused their flesh to blister and burn. They died before they could reach me. I continued advancing. Relentless. Unstoppable. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

Then— My danger sense flared violently. I twisted aside in the same instant a massive wave of darkness tore past me, obliterating an entire wing of the castle behind my previous position. Immediately afterward, multiple surges of power converged from several directions at once. I flowed through them. Dodging. Weaving. Redirecting. Then I raised Regulus. A condensed bubble of distorted air formed around the axe's edge. The vibration hummed with terrifying intensity. This was the power of the Gura Gura no Mi.

I swung. The world broke. Shockwaves exploded outward in every direction. The remaining vampires were erased instantly, their bodies pulverized by vibration alone. Huge sections of the castle collapsed inward, the land itself splitting apart as fissures tore through the ground. Stone, earth, flesh—everything was crushed equally.

"I love this fruit when it's paired with me!" Regulus roared in exhilaration inside my mind. I couldn't help but smile. Feeling Enkidu's presence withdrawing—Valerie secured—I decided to end this. Raising Regulus high, I poured divine energy into it. Golden light erupted along the blade as another vibration sphere condensed, even denser than before.

"Let's go all out, Regulus."

"Yes—finish them!" the Lion King answered with savage glee. I brought the axe down. The earth cracked open like glass. Most of what remained of Tepes Castle collapsed entirely. And with that… It was over.... With Sebas, Enkidu, and Gilgamesh. Not long after, Sebas, Enkidu, and I walked calmly away from the devastated area. Ahead of us, Valerie rode atop Regulus in his lion form, holding onto his mane with sparkling eyes.

"How do you think the vampires will react when they realize she's gone?" Sebas asked quietly.

"Probably nothing," I replied.

"They won't want this incident leaking to the other factions." Given how isolated the Tepes Faction was, it made sense. Admitting they'd lost their Longinus possessor right under their noses would invite ridicule—especially from Carmilla. Pride alone would keep them silent. Still… Marius remained a wildcard. If he had already contacted Rizevim and Qlippoth, things could escalate quickly once they realized I'd taken the Holy Grail. And Rizevim would not stop.

His obsession with awakening Trihexa would drive him straight toward me. I exhaled softly.

"At least most of my team doesn't rely on Sacred Gears," I muttered.

"Aren't you concerned about Heaven or the Underworld learning about your Longinus?" Sebas asked.

"Even if they know, there's nothing they can do." I already knew they monitored Longinus wielders. I simply didn't care. Suddenly—"Lord Gilgamesh! Lord Enkidu… d-do you live here?!" I turned toward Valerie. Her eyes were wide as saucers, staring at my mansion in disbelief. I laughed softly.

"Yes. Though only temporarily." She immediately ran ahead, racing toward the garden.

"She's excited," Enkidu observed. I nodded.

"Lord Gilgamesh! These flowers are beautiful!" She stood before a vibrant arrangement of begonias and camellias, overwhelmed by their colors.

"The servants arranged most of it," I replied.

"Did you have gardens like this?" Her expression dimmed.

"…Only roses." We entered the house, Sebas opening the doors to reveal the magically animated servants and constructs bustling about. Valerie squealed.

"Oh my God! It's like Beauty and the Beast!" I raised my hand. She hesitated, then mirrored the gesture uncertainly. I gently clapped her palm against mine.

"Humans do this to celebrate something exciting," I explained. Her eyes lit up.

"I like this! It's much friendlier than noble greetings!" She dashed off happily. Even Sebas chuckled. We settled into the living room. Enkidu sat beside me. Sebas prepared tea. Valerie sat across from me, fidgeting.

"Lord Gilgamesh… may I ask something?"

"Of course." Her joy faded into nervousness.

"U-um… what would the terms be for me staying here? I'm willing to help however I can—cleaning, cooking—anything." I smiled gently.

"I appreciate it, but I already have staff." Her shoulders slumped. Then she blushed deeply.

"Well… I—I wouldn't mind being… more intimate…" Enkidu shot me a murderous glare. I resisted facepalming. Clearing my throat, I replied carefully.

"You don't have to go that far. In fact…" I leaned forward slightly.

"I already had something else in mind."