[Vol. 7] Chapter 275: My System Is Above Yours
[You speak so seriously, like it's some kind of sacred truth that must never be touched or questioned. But Carinvega Frederick... what about you?]
[Since you’ve come down to the human world and taken this form with your own thoughts and will, doesn’t that make you a living being too? Aren’t you also part of fate? And yet, time and again, you’ve used your powers to change the flow of destiny, to make your own life better.]
[Back when you were an [Emperor Lion Beast], you did it. And now, as Carinvega Frederick, nothing has changed. So if you're supposed to be so selfless and above all things, then tell me, Your Highness, the [Agent of Fate], why do you get to do that? Is this just a case of ‘only the ruler can set fires, but the people can’t even light a lamp’?]
“Carinvega” paused slightly. Even though this was a purely mental conversation, she clearly understood the priestess’ sarcastic metaphor. She started to reply.
[That’s just—]
But Violet didn’t let her finish. She raised her hand and cut her off, speaking firmly.
[Enough. Don’t give me excuses that even you don’t believe. I’ll tell you the real reason, because rules are made by the strong. As long as you have power that no one else can question, you can do whatever you want, and no one can stop you. If we’re talking about rules, can something like the [Agent of Fate] really come from a [Wheel of Fate] that’s not supposed to interfere with the lower world?]
[......]
There was another short silence. The red-haired girl didn’t argue against Violet’s “twisted logic.” She simply looked at her without emotion and got straight to the point:
[So, you want to use force to interfere with fate. Do you really have the power to do that? Can you handle the consequences?]
[Ha~ I’ve heard that kind of warning plenty of times before. I’m not saying I’m invincible or anything... but let’s just say. I do have some confidence in my own strength.]
[......]
For just a brief moment, the red-haired girl, full of divine power, showed the tiniest flicker of emotion on her face, barely noticeable. But it quickly faded, and her expression returned to cold calm. She slowly raised her bare arm and opened her palm, pointing it forward.
[Then… prove you’re worthy, with actions.]
"BOOM!!!!!"
Invisible power surged out from Carinvega's body, crashing into the shield that the priest girl, Violet, had already expected and set up in an instant!
But to her surprise, the shield created by the sixth-tier magic [Light Protection] shattered immediately, bursting into countless glowing points without offering any resistance.
"Crash~!"
The invisible force followed up, hitting Violet’s body directly. The artifact [Feather Robe Graria] immediately shone with brilliant white light, spreading out many white feathers to form a shell around the black-haired girl, creating a second layer of defense.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!!"
The powerful wind swirled, and the sky was filled with white feathers flying apart under the force, scattering like light until they gradually disappeared into the air, creating a stunningly beautiful sight.
After the impact faded, the shell made of white feathers slowly vanished. However, behind the untouched girl, suddenly three pairs of six magnificent, long, and elegant white wings appeared, sparkling with an aurora-like glow.
"Boom!!!"
The six wings flapped together, and with a deafening blast, the white-robed girl, who seemed like a ranged class, vanished into a blur. The next moment, her staff, raised high, grew rapidly and slammed down in front of Carinvega.
[Fate: Beyond All Things]
Her will echoed through causality and the universe. The power of the rules transcended time and struck. Just as her hand, which had been reaching toward the enemy, was turning upwards, it collided with the top of the [Eternal Scepter of the World's Heart].
The invisible wave that had once protected Carinvega like a shield reappeared. It was like hitting something with an indestructible shell. Although the terrifying power in the staff caused Carinvega to be pushed back, it could not break through her defense and harm the red-haired girl inside.
"Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!!!!!!"
As the unharmed Carinvega was sent flying back, the repelling force that naturally emanated from her body moved rapidly along, destroying countless ruined buildings along the way. In no time, she had crashed through the ruins of the Lionheart Society headquarters, and was heading toward other buildings outside that were still intact.
It seemed like Carinvega had no awareness or concern about the impact this battle would have on the surroundings. Even as the retreating force hadn't yet faded, she raised her hands again in the air, reaching out toward the almost vanishing white figure in the distance.
[Fate: Life and Death in an Instant]
However, before the mysterious power could be released, the white figure, with unimaginable speed, instantly reappeared in front of her. Three golden lights appeared from her chest, fingers, and wrist at the same time, coming together, merging into a blood-red, shockingly powerful color, forming a long chain that wrapped toward the red-haired girl!
"[Iron Blood Arena]!!!"
The red stream of light pierced through the air, and although the invisible wave of protection appeared again, this time it seemed to do nothing, like two parallel objects crossing each other. The blood-colored chain went straight into Carinvega’s body, linking her with the priestess who had activated the skill.
Then, everything around them suddenly changed!
"Zzz!!!!"
A massive red and black arena replaced the shattered city landscape. Looking around, the only thing remaining in this pitch-black void was this arena, as if it were at the center of the world.
[...?]
Even Carinvega, who had no concept of good or evil and no emotional tendencies, seemed surprised when she was suddenly transported to this arena. She looked around at the changed environment, then instinctively lowered her head to see the spot on her chest where the red chain-like light had pierced through.
Clearly, all these changes came from the blood-red light.
[What kind of power is this, able to break through the barrier of fate?]
The black-haired girl, who had also been transported to this place but was clearly familiar with it, shook her head. She held her priest staff in one hand and said casually.
[Can we stop making everything sound so mysterious? Talking about breaking through fate… Forget about how different you and [Fate] are. In the end, that ability used for defense against attacks is just a rather strange way of using power. Why would you think it can't be broken?]
[......]
Carinvega didn’t seem interested in arguing. After a short pause, she raised her hand again and pressed it toward the direction of the girl.
[Fate... life and death in an instant.]
"Zzz~"
The mysterious invisible force began to move, but the next moment, countless red chains, appearing faintly, suddenly wrapped tightly around the girl’s body, like spiritual snakes. Carinvega’s power slightly wavered, and the attack she had just prepared instantly vanished, as if nothing had happened.
[?]
The red-haired girl froze for a moment, then, not believing what had happened, pushed her palm forward again, but still, there was no response.
[What... what’s going on?]