Chapter 974 Taking the Burden

As the Hero's Party ventured deeper into the black castle, Kahn received a stunning revelation that left him dumbfounded.

"What?!" this time, it was Kahn who was flabbergasted and left speechless.

In his past life as Elric, he had a hobby of learning the history of powerful people, different religions, cultures, mythologies and the most powerful figures in the annals of history of Earth.

So obviously, he knew who Marcus Brutus was.

This man in front of them was the conspirator and the one who killed one of the greatest generals in human history. 

The Last Guardian they were about to face was not only a chosen Hero like himself and Maximus but also hailed from Earth, just as he did. 

This unexpected twist added an entirely new layer of intrigue and complexity to their final confrontation.

[How is that even possible? Was he summoned just like Bjorn Ironside in this world?

But didn't he die by committing suicide? He shouldn't have been alive to be summoned inside Vantrea at all.] spoke Kahn to himself in bewilderment. 

Right then, Rathnaar spoke in his mind…

[That shouldn't come as a surprise to you, kid. Just like the God of Darkness, God of Nature and God of Life can also resurrect dead people from different worlds and summon them as their Heroes.

The Hero of Nature I killed back then was also one of such individuals. He himself mentioned that during our battle since he was a loudmouth.] elaborated the Peak Saint.

What Rathnaar spoke was indeed the truth Kahn was unaware of. Hence, the immense shock he received was finally subsided.

God of Life had brought back Bjorn Ironside from the dead and summoned him as the 4th Hero of Life in the Elven empire aka Zivot Empire around 1400 years ago. Meanwhile, God of Nature resurrected Marcus Brutus and summoned him as the 7th Hero of Nature when the Nadur Empire of the present was called the Falkor Empire under the human reign 700 years ago.

So far, Kahn had heard of 2 of the heroes who were from Earth just like him and one of them was standing right in front of him. 

This newfound knowledge added depth to Kahn's understanding of the situation and made it clear that Gods from Vantrea had their influence extended even into Earth's history to some degree.

----------------

At this moment, all the members of the Hero's Party were on high alert and activated their lifesaving skills after learning the truth.

"To think that a past Hero of Nature to be stuck here…" said Maximus with an incredulous tone.

The Hero's Party found themselves in a precarious situation. Their abilities and skills were limited to Semi-Saint rank compared to the unrestricted powers of the Last Guardian, Marcus Brutus, who was also a Hero. 

This revelation shattered Maximus's confidence in their ability to protect their allies and achieve their goal, as he as a leader, had to assume that Marcus Brutus was likely to possess his own Divine Abilities as well.

The playing field had become more challenging, and the Hero's Party needed to devise a strategy that would level the odds against this formidable opponent. 

This unforeseeable confrontation with a former chosen Hero added complexity to their mission, raising questions about the nature of their role in this final battle and what awaited them in this final showdown.

"What? Are you scared already?

This takes out the fun. Nevermind, I had no intentions to play any games with you lot anyways." said Brutus with a domineering tone.

Next, his mocking expression turned dead serious as his eyes turned black as if they were an endless pit of darkness.

"I have watched all of you. How you killed the other guardians, my former party members and what skills you used to defeat them.

Don't be under the delusion that they will work on me or you could outsmart me in any way.

Just accept your sealed fates and surrender your lives to me for killing my comrades. 

That way, I will at least grant all of you a swift and painless death." declared Brutus in a grim and tyrannical voice.

But right then, it was Maximus who smirked and replied sternly…

"I have never seen anyone beg for an easy victory so passionately." 

BOOM!!

A massive black and red aura burst forth from Brutus' body as he unleashed his killing intent and the entire hall trembled as if an earthquake was shaking the entire castle.

"Big words for a mere Hero who couldn't even protect half of his comrades inside the God's Domain." spoke Brutus with visible disdain.

"Such hubris for a Hero who died during the conclave of heroes and failed to enter God's Altar." mocked Maximus in return.

"Hah! You… I will relish the moment I end your life with my own hands.

I will make you watch as all of your comrades fall before your eyes and there's nothing you can do to save them." declared Brutus, revealing his contempt. 

The confrontation between Maximus Gladius and Marcus Brutus, was fraught with tension and mutual disdain. The massive release of Brutus' dark aura signaled his malevolent intent, causing the very castle to quake.

However, Maximus was unyielding in the face of this threat. He taunted Brutus for his past failures and made it clear that he wouldn't back down. Their exchange revealed deep-seated animosity and a desire for vengeance on Brutus' part since they had killed the previous guardians who were now revealed to be his former party members.

[This guy… We shouldn't underestimate him. He was a skilled politician and a tactician.

He also has experience as a war commander of the army. We can't let Maximus be the main weapon without a strategy first.] thought Kahn.

Kahn wisely recognized the need for strategy and planning to counter Brutus's tactical and leadership experience. The battle ahead was not only a test of strength but also a test of wits, and they couldn't afford to underestimate their formidable opponent.

Also… Being the intellectual person he was, Kahn had figured out quickly that Maximus was intentionally provoking Brutus during their exchange so that the last guardian would target all of his wrath on him.

Because currently, only Maximus had the highest chances of survival due to his divine abilities as the Hero of Nature. 

Kahn's keen intellect allowed him to grasp the subtlety of Maximus's strategy. 

Also, Maximus' tactic had a dual purpose: first, it would allow the rest of the party members a better chance of survival, and second, it would give Maximus the opportunity to assess Brutus's abilities and tactics up close.

Without even declaring it, Maximus was taking all the burden of the upcoming battle on himself just so his teammates could survive this incomparably powerful enemy.

His role as the Hero of Nature, backed by divine abilities, made him the best candidate for this dangerous task.

Crack!

Shatter!

"If it is a painful death you seek, then you shall have it." declared Brutus as his aura rose.

Bang!

He banged his scepter on the ground and soon, 6 spherical shadows appeared on the floor and from each of them, familiar figures arose one after another.

Shock!

All the members of the Hero's Party were left sundered as they recognized all the previous guardians they faced before, all of whom were now at Saint Rank from the start.

[Son of a bitch! This guy…] thought Kahn as he came to a conclusion with an irritated countenance.

[He has the Necromancy Divine Ability.]