Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: vs Dream Demon Sirka
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Right after the light pouring from the forged Dragon Heart began to dim.
Kieeeek!!!
The low-grade monster—a writhing mass of tentacles—burned in the flames of magic power. It let out death cries from a mouth impossible to pinpoint amid the tentacles, then began twisting amid the scent of grilled squid.
"It's hot! M-my body is burning! Save me! Miss Violet!!"
"It's okay, Al'Miraz?! H-how do you put it out again!?"
Al'Miraz, naturally still wrapped in the tentacles, screamed for her life amid the blaze and begged Violet for help. Violet hurriedly tried to recite the spell to dispel her magic upon seeing this.
But by then, the tentacles had burned completely to ash.
"...Huh?"
"I-it doesn't hurt? No burns, not even hot anymore...?"
With the tentacles that had bound her gone, Al'Miraz opened her tightly shut eyes. She examined her body in bewilderment. But her coppery skin showed no scorch marks. In fact, thinking back, it hadn't felt that hot at all.
──Marcossias was a witch's spell that burned enemies with flames, but those flames consisted of harmless magic power toward anyone who wasn't her foe. There was no reason for Al'Miraz—the familiar serving as the spell's conduit—to feel any pain.
She had simply freaked out at the sight of the roaring flames, recalling how Violet couldn't even burn an apple during practice. And she was the first to realize it.
"A-are you okay? You said it hurt a lot earlier..."
"...I-indeed, incredible! Even with a staff made using a Dragon Heart, this level of potent magic power! And the finesse to heal your familiar—me—in an instant! I, Al'Miraz, am in awe of my master's rapid progress!"
Clap clap clap! As Al'Miraz clapped enthusiastically, Violet could only tilt her head. When had she ever used healing magic?
But considering the staff drew summoning circles automatically and produced power equivalent to a ten-verse incantation from just one verse... she convinced herself it must have activated an auxiliary spell without her realizing.
'They said two Dragon Hearts went into it...! This staff is amazing, Arthin...!'
Violet nodded in understanding at the iridescent red and blue Dragon Hearts gleaming in the staff. Seizing the chance to change the subject, Al'Miraz hurriedly gazed at the staff and chattered away.
"Ah, I just had a great idea! With this, I might be able to wield my wish-granting power properly! Why not give it a try?"
"Wish-granting power...? Didn't it fail during the day and just bring misfortune...?"
"Th-that was because that man's idea of happiness was so vulgar! Besides, with the staff's aid now, I think it's worth a shot!"
Wish-granting power? Violet felt a vague unease. If it failed again, who knew what misfortune might befall Arthin.
But at the same time, a fierce determination to save Arthin burned in her heart. After a brief moment weighing the risk against safety, she suddenly recalled words Arthin had once said to her.
-"Violet, you mustn't limit your potential yourself. Imagine everything you dream of and aspire to. You're going to become a greater witch than even your grandmother, right?"-
"...Alright. I'll do it. My wish is to rescue Arthin from the demons. Al'Miraz."
Arthin believed in her. So she had to believe in herself to move forward. Calling Al'Miraz's name with resolute determination, the yellow-haired bunny girl flashed her yellow eyes and grinned like a devil.
"Excellent! This time, the contract demon Al'Miraz shall grant that wish!"
With a confident shout, Al'Miraz's eyes glowed, and her body floated into the air. The Dragon Hearts in the staff resonated in tandem, flashing red and blue. Vast magic power swirled around them, radiating brilliant light.
The radiant mana flowed with Al'Miraz's dance-like gestures, but the staff allowed no waste or leakage. Soon, her completed power took form as a massive beam of light that streaked across the hallway and shot off somewhere.
"H-ha! Success, Miss Violet! Th-that beam will guide us to Lord Arthin!"
Having witnessed her power achieve something meaningful for the first time—rather than scattering uselessly—Al'Miraz's eyes sparkled with excitement like a bunny in heat, her face alight with emotion.
How much ridicule had she endured as a half-baked demon unable to control her own power? The years flashed before her like a panorama.
"R-really? If we follow that, we can save Arthin?"
"Yes! No doubt about it! This omnipotent sensation means the wish succeeded perfectly! Hurry, Miss Violet! Lord Arthin awaits!"
...I finally did it. I can save Arthin! Overcome with emotion at her first success, Violet dashed after the beam's trail.
'Wait for me, Arthin. This time, I'll definitely save you...!!'
**
Kyaaaaaaaah───!!!
"Ugh...!"
The scream echoing like a vengeful spirit drained the strength from my body. I gritted my teeth and deployed holy arts to barely fend off the invading demonic energy.
Her nose broken from Unicorn's kick—blood streaming from both nostrils—the upper dream demon Sirka wailed in what seemed like utter fury.
"Unforgivable... How dare you mar my beautiful face...! Not content with kicking it mercilessly, you targeted just my face with stomps...!!"
Well, Unicorn had indeed fixated on the dream demon's face with eerie precision. Though the swelling had eased from the impact.
"But for a whore like you to leer at Arthin and lick your lips—This Seat tolerates humans, but will not stand idly while a vile creature like you eyes my mate!"
Unicorn declared proudly at Sirka, then dyed her hair pure white again, cloaking her fists in holy power before charging once more.
"You lowly bicorn! You'll pay for injuring my noble face!"
Whether truly enraged, Sirka dropped all pretense of politeness and spewed black flames at Unicorn.
I hadn't just been spectating. While Unicorn and Sirka bickered, I hurled the spell I'd prepared at Sirka.
"Lightning Spear!!"
"Kyaaaaak! You half-baked human pest!"
The fastest attack spell I knew below 7th circle pierced Sirka's shoulder. She grimaced in pain, then fired five magic bullets at me in a high-speed barrage. The clash against my magic barrier unleashed a massive explosion, hurling my body backward from the shock.
"Arthin!!"
"Daring to worry for your contractor while facing me!"
Craaaack!!
The moment Unicorn whipped her head toward me in alarm, Sirka exploited the opening, slashing wildly with claws wreathed in black demonic energy from her blind spot.
Unicorn countered with fists glowing in holy power. Explosive bursts of air erupted dozens of times in that brief instant between the two women.
'Damn, Unicorn's clearly getting overpowered. Is she a monster!?'
For some reason, despite her burned body and wings—and our additional blows—Sirka brimmed with overflowing demonic energy, overwhelming Unicorn's holy power with sheer volume.
Without Marianne's practical sparring, and whatever awakening from the quest completion, Unicorn's limbs would have been torn apart by now.
I gripped my Orconhile Longsword and leaped at Sirka, deploying a razor-sharp aura blade to unleash the essence of my swordsmanship.
─Imperial Swordsmanship Secret Art: Troll Killer.
Not subtle cuts or thrusts, but the swift swordplay of the legendary giant slayer Urdan Helik—designed purely to butcher foes. It assumed the monster's regeneration and magic power rivaled five times his own strength, endlessly carving the body in relentless strikes.
The stronger the opponent, the more they predict and guard vital points or cower. But if a vital couldn't be fully severed, it rent flesh instead, chaining into the next to pressure and whittle them down endlessly.
"Eeek...! Annoying pest—even unawakened filth like you!!"
Sirka's barrage on Unicorn faltered, allowing Unicorn's fists to slam powerfully into her body several times.
Or, to describe it accurately in her true form: Unicorn's fists targeted only the dream demon's massive breasts and face. Each vicious blow mashed the flesh with obsessive malice.
"You crazy bitch! Why do you keep aiming for my face and tits!!"
Sirka blasted potent demonic energy across the entire space. Unable to withstand it, my body flew into the air.
"Arthin! Be careful!"
Splat! Unicorn caught my flying form, letting me land safely cushioned against her ample bosom.
"Th-thanks, Unicorn. But we're in the middle of a fight... isn't this hug a bit too tight...?"
"Hehe, no need to be shy! You and This Seat have sworn eternal love, after all!"
No, I definitely never swore any such thing.
"You insane bicorn—did losing your purity to a man drive you mad? Not content fixating on my perfect face and figure, now flirting mid-battle! Know your place!"
Sirka's confusion turned to rage beyond comprehension; she even began pointing accusingly while venting at Unicorn.
Honestly, even I'd be pissed in her shoes. I could somewhat understand the dream demon's feelings.
"Hmph, spinsters and whores like you know one thing and pretend to know all. While you waste your lives clearing cobwebs from your cunts like whores, we unicorns savor pure, noble love with splendid mates like Arthin—a blessed race!"
"Wh-what?! Spinster whore!? Me—an upper dream demon and candidate for next dream demon lord—called a spinster whore?!"
Calling a dream demon a spinster whore? Glancing up at Unicorn in bewilderment, she sneered disdainfully at Sirka.
"Isn't it true? You don't know how to love one person, unloved yourselves. You delude yourselves as superior while sucking seed from strangers your whole lives—but you're just whores showing lewd dreams and slurping essence via your powers!"
"Wh-what nonsense libel is this...!"
"Then have you ever even dated? You seem self-absorbed, so guys chased you—but your outrage at 'spinster' proves you've never truly shared love and joy with a man!"
"No! So many incubi trailed after me, spouting such rubbish...!"
"Then tell us: where was your first kiss?"
Sirka flinched hard, her body trembling violently. No way, really?
"...N-near the Demon King's castle... in a flower field... romantically... Anyway, I've done it all! Don't belittle me with lies! We're a race that revels in pleasure! As an executive, I can't possibly be a spinster!"
Her shout bordered on a scream. A flower field near the Demon King's castle? When I stormed it, no such romantic spot existed—unless you counted Lilith's garden of man-eating flowers.
"...Oh man..."
"Almost pitiable. You can't fool us, let alone yourself."
Tears welled in her eyes, her voice choked with sobs—utterly unconvincing. I couldn't bear to watch long and averted my gaze.
It reminded me too much of myself before the 5th cycle—holding back tears inside every time someone verbally jabbed if I'd ever dated.
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