My Skeleton Soldier Is Strange - Chapter 247

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 247
The first Armored Knight was struck by the beam. In that instant, a protective barrier of azure light materialized around his body—the final protective enchantment woven into his armor. Yet the shield shattered in a heartbeat, and the beam pierced through the knight’s form.
A phenomenon of terrible beauty unfolded. The Armored Knight’s body began to wither at an accelerating pace.
He aged rapidly, his vitality draining away in seconds.
“Ugh…”
Before even a few seconds had elapsed, the Armored Knight dissolved entirely. All that remained were dust particles suspended briefly in the air, which the wind soon scattered to nothing.
Similar scenes repeated across the Battlefield. Hundreds of Armored Knights were struck by the crimson beams and obliterated without a trace. Their pristine armor, their formidable weapons, even their valor itself—all proved meaningless before this new threat.
In less than a minute, the Battlefield was completely cleared. The Emperor’s Royal Guard Knights had all vanished, and the Inner Castle Gate stood open and defenseless.
I observed this spectacle with perfect composure. My expression revealed little emotion, yet my eyes burned with the certainty of victory. I raised my hand and pointed forward.
“Chariots of Death, advance without hesitation.”
At my command, the Chariots of Death surged forward once more. They passed through the open Inner Castle Gate and entered within. The interior of the Inner Castle was an entirely different world from the outside. Vast gardens, beautiful fountains, magnificent structures stretched in every direction. Yet all of it was now being trampled beneath the Chariots of Death.
The chariots crossed the gardens without hesitation. Their treads mercilessly crushed the meticulously maintained grass and flowers, and marble statues shattered in their path. The fountain waters turned black, and trees withered wherever they passed.
At the center of the Inner Castle stood the Imperial Palace—a structure that embodied the very essence of the Empire. Dozens of spires pierced the sky, their gold and silver ornaments gleaming brilliantly beneath the sun. Marble columns framed the grand entrance, and an enormous gate carved with the imperial seal awaited us.
The Chariots of Death arrived before the Imperial Palace’s grand entrance. They formed ranks and surrounded the gate. I leaped from my chariot and landed on the ground. I walked slowly toward the entrance.
The gate was completely sealed. It was a massive double door constructed of solid wood and metal, inscribed with multiple magical seals. I raised my hand and pointed at it, and the cannons of the Chariots of Death immediately swiveled to aim at their target.
No firing command was necessary. The chariots understood my intention and acted instantly. Dozens of crimson beams erupted simultaneously toward the gate. Initially, it formed a magical defense barrier, but that shield shattered immediately, and the gate itself exploded into fragments.
The explosion was far more violent than anticipated. Not only the gate but substantial portions of the surrounding walls collapsed, and debris scattered in all directions. Dust and smoke erupted skyward, obscuring the interior for a moment.
I did not rush. I waited for the smoke to clear, then walked slowly through the ruined entrance. The Chariots of Death followed in my wake. To force their way through the impossibly narrow opening, they demolished more of the surrounding walls. Stone and metal debris were crushed beneath their treads.
We entered the Throne Hall of the Imperial Palace. It was the most magnificent space within the palace, where all the Empire’s important ceremonies and councils convened. The ceiling soared thirty meters high, adorned with exquisite frescoes. Massive tapestries depicting the Empire’s history hung from the walls, and the floor was crafted from rare marble.
The scale of the Throne Hall was overwhelming. It stretched one hundred meters in length and exceeded fifty meters in width. Columns of varying sizes lined both sides, and between them were displayed countless artworks and trophies.
At the far end of the Throne Hall stood a staircase, and upon it rested the Imperial Throne. The throne was a colossal chair forged from pure gold and adorned with precious gems.
Upon the throne sat a man—Ullan, Emperor of the Empire. He appeared to be approximately fifty years old, possessing a powerful frame and commanding presence. His distinguishing features were his black hair streaked with gray, his beard, the deep lines etched into his face, and the fierce intensity of his gaze.
“…”
Contrary to expectation, Ullan wore not the ornate ceremonial robes of an emperor, but battle attire. Though crafted with greater refinement than an ordinary knight’s armor, it was fundamentally practical combat equipment. Upon his head rested not a golden crown but a simple silver circlet.
When I reached the center of the Throne Hall, Ullan slowly rose from his seat. His movements were unhurried, yet the sharp edge of a seasoned warrior could not be concealed. He grasped a massive greatsword that had rested beside the throne. The blade was as tall as he was, with an abnormally broad edge.
Ullan descended the staircase slowly, greatsword in hand. His steps were heavy yet resolute, and his eyes remained fixed upon me. He reached the bottom of the stairs and faced me directly. The distance between us was approximately twenty meters.
Ullan planted the greatsword into the ground and gripped its hilt with both hands. His eyes held not fear but unwavering resolve. He looked directly at me and spoke.
“So this is the final battle.”
Before Ullan’s words had even finished, his body erupted with azure energy. It was as though suppressed power had been released all at once. The blue light vibrated the air around him, creating waves that caused the Throne Hall’s floor to tremble slightly.
Ullan gripped the greatsword firmly with both hands. His arm muscles swelled with power, and his entire body concentrated its strength. The swirling azure energy surrounding him intensified, creating the impression of standing within the eye of a hurricane.
In a single moment, Ullan’s body became completely still. He drew a deep breath, gathering all his energy. And in the next instant, he swung the greatsword at incredible speed.
It was no mere sword technique. Following the trajectory traced by his blade, a wave of azure energy formed—a massive surge that crossed the entire Throne Hall. The blue energy erupting from the blade became a wind that spread in all directions.
I sensed the danger and reacted instantly. Using my powerful leg muscles, I pushed off the ground and launched myself skyward. My body shot upward like an arrow toward the Throne Hall’s lofty ceiling. Wings of light unfurled behind me, aiding my flight.
I succeeded in evading, but the Chariots of Death behind me were not so fortunate. Ullan’s blade wind struck them with devastating force, and something remarkable occurred.
At first, only microscopic fractures appeared on the chariots’ surfaces. But those cracks rapidly expanded, and as though glass were shattering, the armor of the Chariots of Death began to break apart. The crimson mist emanating from the Chariots of Death dispersed in the wind, revealing the internal structures.
The blade wind did not cease. It passed through the Chariots of Death like a tangible substance, tearing them to shreds. The hardened armor was ripped like paper, and the internal machinery and magical systems were reduced to fragments.
The nearest Chariot of Death was completely destroyed. It exploded into thousands of pieces, and those fragments inflicted secondary damage upon the other chariots nearby. Like dominoes, as one chariot collapsed, its debris damaged another, which then collapsed in turn, creating a chain reaction.
Within mere seconds, all the Chariots of Death in the Throne Hall were completely annihilated. The floor was scattered with metal fragments and bone-like debris, and the crimson mist vanished entirely. The energy cores that had been the heart of the Chariots of Death were all neutralized, their light extinguished completely.
From near the ceiling where I observed this entire spectacle, my eyes widened. My face displayed a mixture of astonishment and admiration. Rather than panic at witnessing the Chariots of Death’s instantaneous destruction, I found myself intrigued.
“Impressive.”
My exclamation echoed through the Throne Hall. My voice carried not fear, but the exhilaration of facing a fresh challenge. I drifted slowly through the air in circular patterns, my eyes never wavering from Ullan.
My right hand moved through empty space as if grasping something tangible. In that instant, crimson light swirled around my palm, gradually solidifying and taking shape.
At first it resembled nothing more than a crude staff, but it grew increasingly defined. It was a steel staff—nearly two meters in length with considerable girth. Its surface gleamed with black metal, yet crimson patterns like flowing lava were etched across it.
As I fully grasped the steel staff, a more potent crimson aura radiated from my body. It possessed a nature diametrically opposed to Ullan’s azure energy. The red aura pulsed more intensely along the length of the staff.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————