How to Survive Against Villains Chapter 392

Episode 392 – Integration (2)

“...Integration?”

Arthur froze.

It was a word Reto would never utter unless the situation was dire.

“You’re going to trust the Shadow King?”

[Is there any harm in doing so?]

Just as every object can cast a shadow, the Shadow King was an Absolute Being of strict neutrality. Depending on the situation, he could beco either an enemy or an ally, but Arthur judged that—for now—he leaned toward being an ally.

As long as the World Tree exists...

He didn’t believe the Shadow King would lie about sothing tied to the World Tree.

Arthur looked at the red vortex swirling before him.

“Can it be eliminated?”

[I’m not sure.]

“What about Jess Milo? If I achieve Integration, she’ll detect it.”

[The Shadow King will block it.]

“So, that’s what he ant earlier by ‘I’ll block it’?”

It seed the Shadow King intended to suppress the undying aura released during Integration.

Within the sa conversation, Reto had shown knowledge of things he shouldn’t have known. There was clearly sothing going on between the two that Arthur didn’t yet understand.

It seed that when the Shadow King referred to “you,” he had been speaking with Reto in mind.

If the Shadow King is aware of Reto...

Judging by his tone and deanor, he didn’t seem hostile toward Reto.

That ans he sees value in using him.

The sa likely applied to Reto as well.

Rather than mutual trust, it was a relationship of mutual utility.

[Will you do it?]

“Did I ever really have a choice?”

[It’s the gateway to the Spirit Realm. You’ll need to be ready to take the risk.]

“It’s better to deal with it now than let it grow and cause a disaster.”

A forgotten being was toying with the inside of the vortex.

There was no ti to hesitate.

The entrance had to be destroyed.

[Tear down the wall.]

At Reto’s signal, Arthur exhaled briefly and closed his eyes.

After reaching 5-star rank, he had gained the ability to control his consciousness.

It was then that he clearly perceived the wall’s existence—the [Third ntal Barrier] that had always existed with him since the beginning.

Now, he could touch it.

He could break it down with his own will.

Chrrrk—

As his will surged, the wall began to crumble.

Back when he faced the King of Greed and his synchronization rate was 75%, the mont he broke the wall, he lost consciousness.

What would happen now that his synchronization rate had reached 85%?

Maybe this is for the best...

Without Jess Milo’s pursuit, it was a chance to obtain firsthand information about Integration.

Pakang—!

A rough tearing sound echoed from deep within.

As the wall collapsed, Reto’s self-awareness, which had been stirring within, began to swell.

Arthur’s face twisted in pain as he clenched his teeth.

Perhaps due to the higher synchronization rate, he managed to keep his consciousness intact.

A massive presence surged like a wave and began to fill his inner self.

It was Reto.

More precisely, Retonicalus the Undying.

Arthur watched silently as his consciousness felt like it was inflating like a balloon.

Is this the Integration process...?

At this rate, it seed the Integration would succeed without issue.

But that was a mistake.

“...Re, Reto.”

Arthur flinched in alarm at Reto’s presence, expanding wildly within him.

His being was growing endlessly.

Arthur’s vessel, which held that presence, was nearing its limit. It wasn’t just expanding—it felt like the vessel itself might burst.

Ghhk...!

Arthur dropped to the ground, clutching his head. His once-clear consciousness began to fade under the agony.

He couldn’t lose consciousness.

As a drowsy haze crept over him like a dream, Arthur bit down hard on his lip.

Crack—

Blood sprayed from his lip, montarily snapping him back to his senses.

At that mont—

Snap—

He heard sothing tear in his head.

“GAAAAAAAHHHH!”

Arthur scread into the air.

Flash—

His eyes snapped open, red energy seething fiercely from within.

***

At the outskirts of the World Tree, construction was in full swing.

Dwarf craftsn bustled about, spreading out blueprints and barking orders.

Following those instructions, hundreds of various races moved in unison.

Elves, beastkin, and even witches occasionally joined in to help with the work.

Though they all looked different, they worked with one heart to build the wooden structures that would beco their new ho.

It was a scene buzzing with heat and motion.

A shadow fell over the lead dwarf who was directing the scene.

“Looks like you kept things running just fine without .”

“And what took you so long to get back?”

“What’s with that face? Isn’t that a bit rude to your king?”

“You dumped all the hard work on and vanished. How do you think I feel?”

“You’ve no idea how rough I had it out there.”

“Did you risk your life or sothing?”

“Well, not my life. I couldn’t very well die and leave Sharbadin behind.”

It was Dorneth Gader, King of the Dwarves, visiting the outer worksite.

Focused as they were on their work, the dwarf craftsn barely reacted to their king’s arrival.

The social structure of other races clearly differed from that of humans.

“What’s with all the bags you brought?”

“Nothing for dwarves in here, so don’t concern yourself.”

“Let guess—they’re all for your lady?”

Dorneth held bulging pouches in both hands, clearly bundles of gifts.

“Sharp as ever.”

“No need to be sharp—it’s obvious to anyone with eyes.”

Dorneth’s love for his fiancée was well-known.

The dwarf knew exactly why his king had co here, arms full of presents.

He sighed, then struck the bell in front of him with a hamr.

DENG! DEEEENG!

The clear, loud chi rang out for all to hear.

As the bell tolled, everyone stopped working and sat down where they were.

It was the signal for a break.

As the workers rested and chatted, elves appeared carrying baskets of bread.

Snack ti had begun.

Among those handing out bread was a particularly striking elven woman.

When she finished distributing, she spotted Dorneth and waved brightly with a radiant smile.

Seeing that, Dorneth turned to the dwarf beside him and gave a thumbs-up.

“You really are sharp.”

As he watched his king grinning like a fool and waving his gift bundles, the dwarf chuckled helplessly.

It was a strange fate indeed that the destiny of the dwarves now rested in the heart of an elf.

***

A gentle breeze blew.

Dorneth and Sharbadin sat on a nearby lawn, enjoying a short reunion.

But it was indeed brief.

Dorneth, a little disgruntled, glanced at another beautiful elf woman sitting beside Sharbadin.

“Nella, when did you get here?”

The elf, chewing bread with small bites, brushed aside her golden hair and smiled sweetly.

She was known as the Saint of Tobaron, and her smile alone seed to justify the title.

“I arrived two days ago with the rchants.”

“Did they bring building materials?”

“Yes.”

“And Heinz? Human rchants work under him, right?”

“He’s busy organizing troops.”

“That old man’s still got energy, huh.”

Heinz Bell was a capable old noble who had founded the Anti-Kal alliance.

Once an aide to Lochter, he was now gathering elite soldiers from across the territories to form a large force.

He had considerable influence across all of Tobaron, backed in part by Dorneth himself.

After all, Tobaron’s true ruler was none other than Dorneth.

“The troops are being stationed at Elletor Fortress, I assu?”

“Unless the plan changes, yes. It was Sir Arthur’s order.”

“That guy... I can’t figure out what he’s thinking lately.”

Since Aintrier fell into the hands of the Allied Forces, rapid changes were happening all around.

It felt like Arthur had so grand strategy in mind, so Dorneth chose to wait and see.

Arthur wasn’t soone who acted without a plan.

“Still, Sir Arthur ca to visit. Haven’t seen him around?”

“He’s with the witches. You’ll et him soon.”

“I heard he’s changed a lot. Is that true?”

Dorneth, grinning as he watched his fiancée open her gift bundles, hesitated at Nella’s question.

“Changed, huh...”

He thought of Arthur, smacked his lips, and shook his head.

“See for yourself. Then you’ll know for sure.”

“?”

“With your special ability, you’ll understand.”

Nella folded her hands and looked toward the garden.

As the bearer of a divine blessing, her ability was called [Companion’s Bond that Breaks Walls]—a power that allowed her to deeply empathize with others’ emotions.

With it, she had unified all of Tobaron, earning the title of “saint.”

Now, with more experience, she could even sense soone’s nature or aura.

What kind of feeling will it be...?

Just as Nella smiled, imagining Arthur—

Fwffffft—!

...!

Urgent flapping of wings echoed from all directions of the forest.

Everyone resting nearby turned their gaze skyward.

Hundreds, thousands of birds took flight from the World Tree at once.

So of the onlookers widened their eyes in shock and rose to their feet.

Nella was among them.

...What is this?!

She saw sothing the others could not—

The emotion emanating from the World Tree.

Fear...?

BOOOOOM!

A massive shockwave shook the entire lawn.

Nella stumbled and fell to her knees, quickly looking around.

It wasn’t just the grass.

CRAAAAASH—!

“W-what the?!”

The gift bundles Dorneth had brought rolled in every direction, completely scattered.

So wooden structures even collapsed.

Shouts of confusion broke out around them.

Saaaaaaah—

From above, blue leaves rained down.

Leaves of the World Tree.

Tens of thousands fell like a storm, blanketing the forest.

Sothing had happened.

“The World Tree is in trouble!”

At Nella’s urgent cry, Dorneth cursed, grabbed his shield, and dashed toward the World Tree.

“Take care of things here!”

Leaving the two elves behind, Dorneth sped off toward the tree.

The ground shook violently beneath him as he ran, threatening to topple the entire village.

The once-peaceful forest was now filled with fear and chaos.

Spotting two witches nearby, Dorneth veered sharply in their direction.

Elder deia and Cordy.

As he joined the Elders, Dorneth asked quickly,

“What’s going on?!”

“We’re not sure.”

“Weren’t you with Arthur? Where is he now?”

At Dorneth’s question, deia looked gravely toward the World Tree.

“He went inside.”

“Inside the World Tree?”

“The Rift of the Spirit Realm.”

At that, Dorneth groaned quietly.

He knew from Arthur what that place was connected to.

His expression turned grim.

The three of them hurried to the World Tree’s roots, preparing to enter the rift without hesitation.

But—

“What is that?”

A being blocked their way with a stern expression.

A black shadow flickered threateningly.

Though small, it radiated imnse power as it firmly guarded the rift’s entrance.

Its face made it clear—it would not let them pass.

Recognizing the creature, Cordy shouted,

“Ba—Banri! It’s the shadow spirit!”

“The shadow spirit? That’s Fenry’s familiar, right?”

Banri, standing guard over the World Tree in Fenry’s absence.

Now that spirit was blocking their way?

deia furrowed her brow and said,

“It must an our entry would interfere.”

“Damn it! What the hell is going on in there?!”

“What now? Do we force our way in?”

Dorneth gripped his shield and braced himself, but deia shook her head.

“Let’s wait. There’s a reason the spirit is doing this.”

She was certain the Shadow King was behind Banri.

Which ant the denial of entry was the will of the Shadow King.

So far, he had shown himself to be supportive of the Allied Forces.

Waiting was the right move.

And—

“Elton is with Arthur.”

The shadow walking atop the flas.

The new master of divine power.

If it was Elton, he would be more than capable of helping Arthur resolve the issue inside.

He’s the most experienced with the rift...

BOOOOM—!

“Urgh!”

Another powerful shockwave struck the area around the World Tree. The three groaned, grabbing onto nearby roots to keep their balance.

Leaves tumbled down like a storm.

It was beautiful to behold, yet not a single person smiled.

Everyone in the forest froze, staring silently at the World Tree.