OHNIR – Chapter 115
Chapter 115: Finale
When Kelusta and Gloria returned with the news of Starangui’s death, everyone’s heart went through a transition from “absurd” to “shocked.”
This queen, who had poisoned the king and started a war, who could be called ruthless and cruel… had actually ended her own life in such a bleak way as suicide?
“Because she already knew she had no chance of winning. The throne she had pursued all this time was about to be lost, and the person she wanted refused to continue any kind of relationship with her. Perhaps in Starangui’s mind, something like a ‘useless waste’ should never have existed in this world.”
Kelusta said faintly, “From her attitude toward us, I can guess that Starangui probably never truly submitted to the Goddess of Deceit either… She only wanted to use the means of ‘becoming the ruler’ to coerce Gloria into submitting to her.”
Gloria, who had been named by her girlfriend, frowned and immediately said with sincerity, “She and I only ever had a simple ‘cooperative relationship,’ and it had completely ended before her death.”
“Alright, I know,” Kelusta huffed sourly. “But she did willingly die for you, after all. As her official girlfriend, can’t I even be a little jealous?”
“Alright, my dear, she has already killed herself.”
Under the watchful eyes of the Duke and the others, Gloria calmly kissed Kelusta’s cheek and emphasized, “But if you insist on being jealous—then we had best get engaged as soon as possible. That way, you can announce my marital ownership to the entire kingdom sooner. Doesn’t that make sense?”
Kelusta: “…”
Everyone: “…”
We feel your obsession with getting engaged, my lady.
As the commander-in-chief, Duke Reginald, after a long silence, conferred with His Highness the Prince and the Great Mage, Principal Love. They ultimately decided, based on the principle that “Starangui did, after all, ascend the throne through proper procedures and can be considered a legitimate former queen,” to purchase a glass coffin from the townspeople on the spot and personally attend to Starangui’s remains.
And Satrick, with lightning speed, demonstrated the talent befitting an heir—
He led his army and, taking advantage of the enemy’s lack of intent to fight that day—perhaps Starangui had specifically ordered them to cease hostilities—he launched a direct assault on their unprepared camp outside the town, capturing a host of soldiers from the Royal Knight Legion.
“Queen Starangui has passed away. Her body is in Seaside Town. I can permit your army’s commander to enter the town and witness this fact with his own eyes.”
Satrick announced faintly, “Knights, according to the laws of the kingdom, I am about to become the next king of Nobili. I can assure you that those who cease resistance will be considered to have surrendered and will not be executed for treason—because you are the most loyal of armies. ‘Following the orders of the previous ruler’ is certainly not a reason for punishment.”
“And now, the war is over. The kingdom needs you, and the continent of Nobili should welcome a new beginning.”
The news of the queen’s death spread rapidly through Seaside Town, securing a faster and more complete victory in the already decided seaside battle.
The townspeople rushed excitedly from their homes, gathering beneath the town walls that were being dismantled piece by piece by the earth mages, offering grateful hugs and blessings to every warrior. Although the abrupt end of the war left everyone looking a bit dazed, it didn’t stop them from trying to organize a celebration of sufficiently grand scale—
But before that, there was something more important to do.
The plaza was surrounded by people watching with rapt attention, yet the two young women at the center appeared perfectly composed. The final piece of the Gathering Magic Circle, emitting a faint white glow, floated in mid-air. Bathed in the curious and focused gazes of the crowd, it was slowly lowered into place.
As the clear lines of the spell began to etch themselves into the earth, nearly everyone heard a subtle, immense sound. It was like a new sprout breaking through the soil, or like a great sphere of water rapidly condensing—it didn’t actually ring in their ears, but was more like a great hammer striking their minds or hearts, magically convincing everyone that they had indeed heard the strange noise.
After the eye of the formation was fully set, the Gathering Magic Circle, which encompassed the entirety of Seaside Town, began to glow with a soft white light that grew from faint to strong. Kelusta squeezed Gloria’s hand, staring nervously at the center of the formation. Only when a wisp of warm yellow light began to emerge from it did she finally seem to relax, letting out a long sigh.
It was a success.
The power of the fallen gods, drawn by the ocean that created this world, had come to Seaside Town from all directions, forming the Holy Force Source that nourished this land. The Condensation Spell had gathered these powers, making them a solid whole, which was finally drawn out by the magic circle to appear before everyone.
When the Holy Force Source, radiating a warm yellow light, floated completely into the air, everyone present let out a sigh of contentment and pleasure.
It was like being continuously washed by a warm spring in a world of ice and snow, or stretching one’s limbs upon the softest of clouds. The comfortable feeling was indescribable, yet utterly real, making everyone who felt it yearn for more.
“No wonder the Goddess of Deceit wanted it so desperately,” murmured Principal Kata Love, whose magic was the most profound. “This is the true ‘divine power,’ possessing endless strength.”
Magic was also known as “Remnants of Divine Power.” As a gift from Clara to the human race, it was a derivative of the gods’ power.
The Holy Force Source, on the other hand, was formed directly from the complete, original power of all the gods. Compared to magic, it was like a novice meeting a master.
“The Holy Force Source has been completely extracted,” Gloria said, gazing at the luminous body that was as bright as the sun. She reminded her gently, “You should have already considered how to handle it, Ruth.”
“Yes, I have indeed.”
Kelusta nodded, turned around, and, under the watchful eyes of the people, raised her head and said in a loud voice:
“The Holy Force Source is the crystallization of the gods’ power. It belongs to the entire continent of Nobili and should not be possessed by any single person—”
“The living conditions at the Continent’s Edge are worsening by the day. Every place besides Seaside Town is facing an ecological crisis to some degree. The dissipation of divine power is threatening us, and the Holy Force Source is the best solution to this situation.”
She declared to the people with perfect clarity, “Therefore, I will release the Holy Force Source, allowing the treasure left by the gods to return to the continent, to return to the very land beneath our feet!”
As soon as her voice fell, loud cheers erupted from the crowd. Some of the demon soldiers who had long lived on the Continent’s Edge even began to chant Kelusta’s name. They jumped up in excitement, waving their arms at her from afar.
Kelusta, slightly embarrassed, gave them a small nod and turned back around. Following the method the System had taught her, she condensed her magic into her right hand, then raised her arm and traced a series of wondrous trajectories in the air.
Following her movements, the magic within the Holy Force Source unraveled like a silken thread, quickly transforming into a continuous ribbon of light that drifted into the distance.
Wherever this ribbon passed, withered willows sprouted new shoots, dying animals regained their vitality, and the barren lands of the Continent’s Edge were no longer infertile… Even all the inhabitants living upon it, whether human or demon, felt a subtle, faint change occurring within their bodies—
“Huh, what’s this…”
“Oh heavens, Jacqueline, look! A vine is growing out of my hand!”
“Hey! Hey! I can summon a strong gust of wind! Lord Musen, is this magic? I’ve never seen magic before!”
“Mommy, I can make the dirt into little people too, just like big brother!”
“My dear Paster, your mother and I are just like you and your brother now. Our whole family are earth mages!”
“Everyone—oh, everyone has gained magic?!”
In the inner circle of the crowd, Duke Reginald, a wisp of black mist curling from his fingertips, retracted his hand. In a good mood, he turned to his son beside him. “How does it feel to have your magic back, Wend?”
“…A little strange.”
Wend frowned and awkwardly raised his hand. A fierce gust of wind immediately blew in his face, turning his normally neat silver hair into something resembling a bird’s nest, with strands sticking out in all directions.
Wend: “…”
Standing to the side, Musen burst out laughing without restraint.
He cleared his throat and said with an indescribable sense of superiority, “If you need a wind magic teacher—well. I would be more than happy to take on the role, sir.”
“…” Wend said, expressionless, “I thank you for the offer.”
The Holy Force Source contained an immense amount of divine power.
As its liberator, Kelusta was undoubtedly standing in a perfect position.
As the warm power flowed down from above, pouring endlessly into her body, she couldn’t help but close her eyes. She felt her body growing hot, trembling uncontrollably, as if something was about to break through a long-held restraint!
Gloria stood by her side, watching Kelusta without blinking.
Under her gaze, a pair of translucent, snow-white wings slowly unfurled behind the brown-haired girl. They were a phantom formed by light magic, just like when Gloria had awakened, now appearing on Kelusta as well.
A long time later, when the wings dissolved into a flurry of scattered feathers and the girl finally opened her pure golden eyes, as bright as the sun, Gloria smiled. She gently pulled her into an embrace, being the first to offer her congratulations.
“Congratulations on awakening your Light Magic, Ruth.”
—“Ding! Gloria’s favorability +10. Upon inspection, the primary capture target’s favorability has reached the maximum value of 100. Congratulations to the host on completing the mission!”
Amidst the familiar notification sound, Kelusta also slowly began to smile. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Gloria’s waist, a gesture of great care.
She leaned against the other’s shoulder, a bright light interwoven with azure and snow-white flowing from her fingertips.
Though the sun was still high in the sky, casting its warmth, a light rain suddenly began to fall over the people’s heads. Each drop of water intertwined with the light, refracting a brilliantly colored rainbow in the air.
The rain fell on the treetops, on the earth, and on everyone, simultaneously giving them all a wonderfully comfortable and gentle sensation.
“—Blessing Magic.”
Gloria chuckled softly, stating the answer with precision.
The newly awakened Light Mage gave her a proud arch of her eyebrow.
The brown-haired girl turned around. Standing in the very center of the Seaside Town plaza, her gaze swept around, passing over every face she knew so well.
When they all smiled back at her in unison, Kelusta took a deep breath. She smiled, her eyes filled with a gentle, expectant tone as she announced—
“The war is over,” she said, “but our new lives have only just begun.”
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