Umi lightly swung the wand in his hand. Following that motion, a Divine Deer descended from the sky, stepping through the air as it charged straight toward Waffle.
Waffle let out a roar and swung his sword forward with force. The slash collided directly with the Divine Deer, but this time it did not disappear. Instead, the impact pushed back against the blade, forcing Waffle to stagger.
He gasped for breath, struggling to maintain his balance.
In the distance, Umi kept his eyes closed as he slowly walked forward. Each step carried a chilling aura, and with every gentle swing of his wand, more Divine Deer descended from above. They moved alongside him before launching one after another toward Waffle.
"My body… it hurts so much…"
Waffle's voice echoed weakly. He could only keep swinging his sword, barely managing to block the Divine Deer rushing toward him.
Umi raised his wand and drew a circle in the air.
Immediately, three Divine Deer descended at once, splitting into three directions and charging toward Waffle simultaneously.
Umi opened his eyes and murmured softly:
"The ancient magic of the Hiliria race… isn't as strong as I thought…"
Waffle tightened his grip on the ice sword, let out a painful roar, and swung a wide slash. The strike cut through all three Divine Deer, causing them to vanish into white mist while releasing melodic sounds.
Umi frowned slightly:
"It lacks damage, yet consumes too much Essence… Compared to Lumeria or Ignaria, it falls far behind."
On the other side, Waffle was panting heavily. His entire body trembled, and he no longer had the strength to lift his sword, dragging it along the ground instead.
Umi lowered his wand.
At once, thousands of Divine Deer that had been flying in the sky descended together, walking beside him. They formed countless glowing blue lights, each step resonating like a gentle symphony.
Umi stopped.
"I will give you two choices… surrender and live—but you must provide all the information you have. Or… die."
Waffle did not answer.
His mouth hung open as a green liquid continuously flowed out. His bloodshot red eyes gradually turned dull gray.
He breathed with difficulty, slowly lifting his head.
"The curse… has taken effect… Even if I surrender… I will still die…"
Umi was slightly confused.
"A curse?"
But at that moment, Waffle suddenly stood upright and roared. His hand clenched tightly, crushing the ice sword into pieces.
"Since I'm going to die anyway… I won't die for nothing!"
A dark red Essence burst out from his body.
The missing half of his body began to spew out a thick black liquid. The pale flesh beneath slowly started regenerating.
Umi immediately turned his face away in disgust.
"It stinks… like a rotting corpse."
He raised his hand to cover his nose.
Waffle's body continued to change. The three missing arms also began to regenerate—black liquid oozed out, emitting a horrifying stench before gradually forming again.
His gray eyes cracked open, and red blood burst out from within. His mouth stretched wide as black fluid kept pouring out.
The wings on his back flapped violently. The torn parts were stitched back together with black thread-like lines.
Waffle lifted his head, gasping for breath.
He raised all four arms, pointing straight at Umi.
"Beetle Form! Black Fire Cannon!"
The wings on his back swelled, becoming a massive sphere. The black stitched lines stretched and cracked apart.
"Even if I lose… Browne and Blondie will definitely kill Ganso, capture Van Ouderwets… and wipe out humanity!"
He shouted, preparing to attack.
But suddenly, a Divine Deer shot forward and pierced straight through his body.
Waffle was startled, unable to react in time.
The Divine Deer passed through him and disappeared behind, leaving behind a patch of ice forming and spreading from the center of his chest.
In the distance, Umi stood still, his wand pointed directly at Waffle.
He gently lowered his hand.
"I've only used two types of ancient magic so far… now I will use the last one… and it will be your death sentence."
Waffle roared in refusal.
The massive wing behind him exploded. Dark red Essence scattered everywhere, blowing away the surrounding frozen grass.
His four arms were launched like four cannon shells, shooting straight toward Umi.
"Minerva Endeien! Glacies Planeta!"
In an instant—
All four arms froze midair. Cracks spread across them before they shattered into countless fragments.
Waffle stood frozen.
His will to fight completely disappeared.
In the distance, Umi spread both arms. The Divine Deer around him flew chaotically before gradually merging, forming a massive sphere of light behind him.
Umi's eyes glowed blue.
Waffle no longer felt fear, nor anger.
His body trembled slightly… then gave in.
His four arms dropped limp, his legs buckled.
Behind Umi, thousands of Divine Deer merged into a gigantic Divine Deer standing tall behind him.
The ground trembled with each wave of cold energy it emitted.
Patches of ice began forming across Waffle's body.
Umi lifted his head and slowly extended his hand forward.
The giant Divine Deer immediately stepped forward, charging straight toward Waffle. Each step shattered the ground, sending out waves of blue energy.
Waffle raised his head high, spreading all four arms wide.
He let out a deep breath… and accepted his fate.
But at the very moment the Divine Deer was about to reach him—
It suddenly changed direction.
The Divine Deer shot straight into the sky. A powerful gust swept everything on the ground—grass, ice—into the air, leaving only Waffle standing there.
He looked down at his body.
Still intact.
In the distance, Umi was breathing heavily. He raised his hand to rub his eyes, then let out a laugh.
"Waffle… you do not deserve a painful death."
Waffle touched his chest. The small patch of ice was still there.
Umi's voice continued:
"The small Divine Deer earlier has carved a mark into your heart. In 20 minutes… your heart will stop. Instead of dying in agony… you will die more gently."
Waffle stuttered, unable to speak.
He collapsed to his knees, his mouth still open.
"Why… didn't you kill me?"
Umi turned his back and began walking away.
"Because you deserve a gentler death. I know… you were just someone forced to fight. So… enjoy it."
Waffle looked up at the sky.
The sky was pitch black.
A raindrop fell onto his face.
Then a heavy rain began to pour, washing everything away.
"To fight someone that strong…"
He raised his remaining arm, catching the raindrops.
"It truly is… an honor…"
Waffle closed his eyes and whispered:
"Browne… Blondie… they've probably… already lost too…"