Bring Down the Ancient Aerial Fortress! 1

* * *

The final stage, the fourth stage, begins.

Mihabyushira Hill, suddenly rising into the pale blue sky.

Its appearance is, roughly speaking, a cone with a pointed bottom.

Would it be easier to understand if I said shaped like a spinning top?

On its upper part sits the natural, verdant Mihabyushira Hill, beloved by the citizens of the royal capital.

But attached right below it is a structure made of a mysterious metal, with a very mechanical design.

Although its covered in dirt because it was buried underground, you can see gears rotating, antenna-like parts, and protrusions that look like they could shoot something, all arranged haphazardly, with purple cables running through the gaps.

Several of these cables, especially the thicker ones, extend downwards, still connected to the ground.

I just described it as shaped like a spinning top, but if you include these cables, this flying hill doesnt look that different from a jellyfish.

And it seems these cables are extending radially from Mihabyushira Hill.

What happened as a result of the hills ascent was the collapse of the houses built on the ground above the cables.

The beautiful cityscape of the royal capital, built with gray stone, was mercilessly destroyed simply because the cables were pulled up, dragging the hill with them.

And on the underside of this floating Mihabyushira Hill, there was a structure that was even more eye-catching.

Its a super giant sphere, located at the tip, the very bottom of the cone.

This sphere is glowing like fire, dyeing the pre-dawn royal capital redder than a sunset.

Now, about this bizarre Mihabyushira Hill.

Why did this hill suddenly rise into the air?

A prank by the gods?

A natural phenomenon caused by mana?

Both of these are answers that could be considered correct in this world of Ardyst, but in this case, theyre wrong.

This ascent of Mihabyushira Hill

Was artificially induced.

And its purpose is.

A massacre of unprecedented scale!

* * *

I-Ihihi Amazing! This is amazing! Were flying, arent we!!

Lets change perspectives.

This Mihabyushira Hill actually has a control room inside for operating its movements.

The walls of this semi-circular room are a single display, showing several images of the surrounding area.

The man sitting comfortably in a luxurious chair in the center of the room, like a throne, clapping his hands in delight, watching the images.

This man is one of the culprits behind Mihabyushira Hills ascent.

This filthy, giant man with a bushy beard.

Hes a lawless man from the Country of Thieves, Yabonove, a villain who once led a small band of thieves and caused havoc.

And now, hes also a murderer who indiscriminately kills people at the instigation of his partner.

His name is Megzam.

<IHIHIHIHIHI! Hows this, hows this, isnt it amazingggggg!? This is the aerial fortress I built during my very first life, my pride and joy! In other words, its Soul Conqueror!!>

A high-pitched, jarring voice echoed in Megzams head.

Its the voice of his partner.

Soul Conqueror Soul again. So this flying hill is related to Soul Devourer as well? Partner.

Theres no one in Megzams line of sight as he asks that while twirling his beard.

Whats there is a long, slender, eerie sword, its blood-red blade glowing, stuck into a device that looks like a giant pincushion.

In other words the magic sword Soul Devourer.

Yes, Megzams partner is the magic sword Soul Devourer or rather, the Great Evil Spirit, Engee Albitt, who was possessing that magic sword.

<Yes, yes, yes, yes, absolutelyyy! I told you before, didnt I!? Soul Devourer has external devices!>

Engee happily answered Megzams question.

Now, originally, these two couldnt converse unless Megzam was holding the hilt of the magic sword.

But by sticking Soul Devourer into Soul Conqueror, Engee transferred his possession target to the giant Soul Conqueror.

And Megzam is also wearing a strange hat with lots of cables sticking out of it to operate Soul Conqueror.

In other words, as long as hes wearing this hat, Megzam can talk to Engee even without holding Soul Devourer.

Hoo So this Soul Conqueror is that external something?

Megzam continued his conversation with Engee while picking his nose.

External device is a term rarely used in modern Ardyst, so Megzam is unfamiliar with it.

And hes not very interested in this topic.

So, no matter how many times hes told, he doesnt really remember.

<Thats righttt!! And this Soul Conqueror greatly expands the functions of Soul Devourer!! Soul Devourer is just a sword, you know, so theres a limit to how many it can kill!! But this aerial fortress is different!?>

Engee shouted proudly.

Megzams heart pounded as he listened.

So youre saying I can kill more and more?

<Thats right!>

I can devour more and more souls?

<Yes, yes!>

So I can experience that supreme sensation to my hearts content?

<Yes, yes, yessss!>

That well

After saying that, Megzam paused, wiping the drool dripping from his chin with the sleeve of his bloodstained clothes.

Its going to be a fun feast.

He licked his lips, a wicked smile spreading across his face, gazing at the cityscape of the Ashgo Kingdoms royal capital displayed on the front wall display.