Chapter 87
Chapter 87
Episode 87
Black and white.
The power of the two KPs painted the world in two colors.
"Ugh...?!"
It was difficult just to look at.
But that world of extreme opposites didn't last long.
The [Key of the Evangelist], which had the advantage of the sanctuary in addition to its elemental superiority, began to push back the Demonic energy.
"Now!"
The [Death King] was already on the defensive.
Even if he tried to pay attention to me, just blocking Lucia Domine's attacks would be his limit.
The moment I passed the [Death King]...
"...."
I felt an unusually small amount of attention from him. I wasn't even in his consideration.
It wasn't that he couldn't pay attention because he was busy blocking Lucia Domine's attacks.
The [Death King] had no intention of stopping me from moving.
The reason was obvious. He didn't think it was necessary to stop me.
There was no way such an important item would be left unguarded.
A judgment that he could somehow stop someone like me.
Then who was the guardian the [Death King] had set up?
"Hand..."
The battle with the Hand was unavoidable from the start. So I wanted to face it with as many countermeasures as possible, but in this situation, the only thing I could do was draw the magic formation in advance.
[Mana Dominator LV. 3]
[87/100 until guaranteed SSR-rank magic]
The pre-accumulated stack was 87. I wouldn't use this yet.
[Mana Dominator] was my trump card, no different from a disposable bomb. If I used it recklessly, I might not be able to do anything at the crucial moment.
So for now, it would be better to prepare advanced-level magic.
The magic I had learned before coming to the Holy City was [Hellfire] and [Diffused Lightning].
Fire-attribute magic, though not as good as divine power, was effective against the dead. On the other hand, [Diffused Lightning] was better to deal with an unspecified number of undead, so [Hellfire] was the only option here.
"...Will this work?"
As I moved, constantly drawing the magic formation, I thought.
Could advanced-level magic really stop the Hand?
There were all sorts of penalties and even terrain conditions. There were no better conditions than this.
But even with all those favorable conditions, a sense of unease remained.
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't help but be skeptical.
They were the top monsters among the undead who had lived for hundreds of years.
Even though this was the sanctuary of the Holy City, the opponent's strength was likely to be higher than that of an elder mage.
At this speed, it would probably take about 5 minutes to reach the altar.
It took me about 50 seconds to draw and maintain one [Hellfire] formation.
Looking at the numbers alone, I could create up to 6 Hellfires, but the more I made, the harder it would be to maintain, so it was probably right to think of 4-5.
I wanted to prepare more, but I couldn't slow down.
Just as I was repeating the process and turning a corner...
"Grrrr..."
"What...?"
I came face to face with a giant, filling my vision.
I was in a hurry. Too much of a hurry to anticipate this situation.
I had noticed from the middle that there was an opponent, but I thought it was natural for them to be guarding the sacred remains.
But why was it here? What the hell was this thing?
"As expected, Thanatos-sama's words are never wrong."
Along with a slurred voice, a chimera made by stitching numerous monsters onto a giant's body was revealed.
One of the five Hands, the elite of [Death King] Thanatos.
[Giant Chimera Ghoul]
Gigantes Dusk
The one who defeated Oz in the original story appeared.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
This was the worst. Everything was the worst.
The fact that I only had 3 prepared [Hellfire] formations.
The fact that the distance to the opponent was too close to recklessly release the formations.
The fact that the opponent was a type of monster that couldn't even be scratched without high firepower.
The fact that this monster was the one who trampled Oz.
And there was a problem that transcended all of that.
"You seem to be afraid of me."
The fact that I was feeling a fear I had never felt before.
My hands were trembling.
The 4th formation I was mechanically drawing was already messed up and couldn't even function as magic.
I had expected it. I had prepared for it. It was insufficient, but I should have had a plan.
But the 'result that had already happened once' transcended all of that, shimmering before my eyes and instilling fear.
The image of Oz rolling on the ground after being struck by him flickered in my retina.
"Hmph!"
There was no time to stand around blankly.
I bit my lip to clear my head. Fear could be overcome.
The first time was difficult, but the second time would be nothing.
[Spatial Barrier Lv. 2]
With [Spatial Barrier] activated, I fired all the prepared [Hellfire] spells, striking the walls and ceiling.
With only 3 [Hellfire] spells, it was impossible to injure that monster.
Then it was several times more beneficial to use them to create an opportunity.
"Ugh..."
[Spatial Barrier] was ultimately a disposable shield against a single attack.
Even though I tried to reduce the damage by deploying [Hellfire] simultaneously, I couldn't completely erase the aftermath.
If I didn't have the [Starry Sky Robe], I might have become a charcoal briquette.
"Are you trying to lure me to a place convenient for fighting? Interesting."
"You monster..."
Gigantes crawled out from the fiercely burning flames.
I could once again feel the immensity of the creature, which had been hidden because it had been crouching in a narrow space.
There were no wounds on him. At most, just soot. His skin was difficult to pierce even with advanced-level magic.
That was a weapon. The very incarnation of destruction, capable of smashing its surroundings just by flailing its limbs, without any particular skill.
"Phew..."
I observed the opponent. I inferred based on the information I knew from the game and his appearance.
His already huge body had even larger arms.
A moving snake's head on its tail.
Even that was so large, due to the creature's size, that it could be mistaken for a dragon's head.
It had no wings, and its legs were short compared to its arms and torso, making it look clumsy.
That would be its only weakness.
My assets were [Contemplation], skills, and a little bit of magic and martial arts learned on my own. Logically, it was ridiculously insufficient.
I took a stance and waited for Gigantes. He was looking around, distracted by the noisy surroundings.
Of course, attacking him during this opening wouldn't be very effective.
"I responded to the provocation, but... I should finish this quickly and go back."
Gigantes was underestimating me. It was probably because of my appearance during our first encounter. If so, good.
As always, prejudice would be a powerful weapon.
First of all, Oz in the original story was stronger than Gigantes. He was defeated due to carelessness, but in terms of pure skill, he definitely had the upper hand.
I remembered it was a fight where he bombarded from a distance with advanced-level magic, his specialty. It was a difficult method for me to use, but...
"My magic won't miss."
"What a pathetic bluff."
"...You're right."
Even as I spoke, I could feel my voice trembling. I still hadn't overcome my fear.
[Erosion Rate 17%]
To make matters worse, the [Erosion Rate] was also low.
I wondered if the [Erosion Rate] had dropped because Oz was scared, but the problem seemed to be with me.
My mind had been shaken ever since I had killed for the first time.
The difference in means had created a new gap between Oz and me.
Normally, I would have liked it, but during a battle, it was bound to be dangerous.
The higher the [Erosion Rate], the sharper my perception of the battlefield became.
40%
The highest level my [Erosion Rate] could reach. But now, I couldn't perform at my maximum potential.
Anyway, I couldn't use Oz's methods. I didn't want to either.
"Grrrrrrrrrr!!!"
Gigantes let out a bizarre roar and charged on all fours like a beast.
What was that? That was slow? The original story definitely said its mobility was low, was that right?
Or was there some measure I didn't know about? Like someone had already cut its Achilles tendon.
Gigantes, closing the distance in an instant, slammed its forearm on the ground and swung it wide. One of the patterns I had seen in the game.
The only difference was...
"Hmph!"
"...?!"
That I could dodge it.
If I had to pick something where I surpassed Oz, it would be physical ability.
I had the stats of an R-rank warrior, and if I used magic, I could move close to SR-rank.
If divine arts were added, I could even approach SSR-rank, but that was out of the question since I couldn't keep up with my physical abilities. But this was enough.
"I heard you were a mage..."
"Sorry, I'm a bit healthier than other mages."
Landing on its unnecessarily large arm, I looked at Gigantes's stupid-looking face.
"You don't look so scary up close."
"Grrrrr..."
Gigantes frowned at my provocation and swung its arm again.
Naturally, I could dodge it. I, who was not Oz, could do that.
I couldn't be a fixed turret like Oz, but I could be a tank that fought while moving.
"As long as I'm not careless..."
Even if I couldn't win, I wouldn't lose.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Eleanor finished her date with Oz and was slowly returning to her accommodations.
Since she was also staying at the Holy City, her destination was the same as Oz's, but she didn't deliberately return with him.
There was a problem.
"Hehehe."
Eleanor couldn't control her laughter, which would have been unsettling to others.
In her hand was an unfamiliar accessory, none other than a birthday present from Oz.
She herself had completely forgotten about her birthday due to recent events, but her Master was different.
Of course, Oz had completely forgotten Eleanor's birthday, but she had no way of knowing that.
"Ehehehe, heh. I can't help it. I don't wear just anything, but since Master gave it to me, well."
Eleanor smiled brightly, looking at the brooch with a large blue gem. It was definitely expensive.
Wasn't it an item given by Oz, the [Successor of the Mage king]?
It might not match the specialness of the birthday she had expected, but its value wouldn't be low. Of course, she would have liked even a cheap item...
"Well, since he put in the effort, I'll let it slide this time."
Eleanor, who still remembered the time he lied to her, tried to act magnanimous.
"Hmm..."
Eleanor once again looked down at the brooch nestled in her hand. A blue gem that suited her was sparkling.
A transparent gem, polished into a polygon, reflecting the surrounding light.
Whether she tilted it to the right or left, the gem's light didn't fade.
"...How much is this really?"
Eleanor suddenly felt scared.
She was currently struggling for even a single gold coin, but she was still royalty.
She had some ability to discern valuable items. That's why she knew the gem on the brooch Oz gave her was no ordinary item.
But was it okay to carry such an item around like this? Shouldn't she only wear it on special occasions?
No, more than that, it was burdensome.
What was Oz thinking, preparing such an expensive item?
"Hmm... Master definitely likes me."
Otherwise, he wouldn't have prepared such an expensive item.
Eleanor reaffirmed what she had already concluded in her mind. No one could imagine the shame she would feel when the truth was revealed.
"Hmm, hmm. It can't be helped. If Master insists... Shall I think about it a little after rebuilding the kingdom?"
A shameless remark.
Just as she was heading towards her accommodations with an arrogant and proud mindset...
"Ah, there you are. I was worried it would take a long time to find you, but I guess I was lucky."
"Yes...?"
A man with hair like a red lion's mane appeared before her.
A Sistus, and an avatar of the 'Outer Beings'. 'Scar,' the former leader of the Red Lion Mercenary Group.
Eleanor felt a strange sensation from him.
Despite being a warrior with a dignified and stern impression, his way of speaking was too light.
"Hmm? Hmmm? Looking closely, you look familiar."
"Um... Who are you?"
Eleanor hesitated and stepped back. This didn't feel good.
She didn't lower her guard and fumbled in her pocket. Unfortunately, there was nothing that could be used as a weapon.
"Ah! Yes, I get it now. This is quite interesting."
"....?"
Eleanor frowned at the unpleasant man muttering to himself. Was he someone she knew?
But even so, the man before her wasn't in her memory.
"You look quite similar to my reflection in the mirror I sometimes looked at."
"Where do we even look alike?!"
Eleanor couldn't help but retort. She couldn't forgive the man, who looked like he could be a bandit chief, for saying he resembled her.
"Let me ask you one thing."
"...I have a perfectly respectable father, so there's no way we're related."
Even at Eleanor's firm declaration, the man showed a bizarre smile and said,
"Delayed von Chrysos."
"...."
"Do you know this name?"
Eleanor froze.
She couldn't help but freeze.
There might be people who knew she was from Chrysos.
Because she was the princess of Chrysos.
There might also be people who knew about her father, Delayed von Chrysos.
Because her father was the king of Chrysos.
"...Who are you?"
But this was different.
There was a strange sense of incongruity from the moment they first met.
"What am I? I'm the monster that swallowed Delayed von Chrysos."
At those words, Eleanor rushed straight towards the opponent without saying anything.
"Hmm?"
And passed right by him.
Scar, caught off guard by the unexpected situation, couldn't even react properly.
He could only stare blankly at Eleanor's retreating figure.
"What was that..."
Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed like she would lose her temper and charge at him. That was what he had provoked her to do.
But the opponent ran away. Why did she run away at this timing?
Fortunately, it didn't take long to figure out the reason.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaap!!"
Eleanor, who he thought had ran away, was returning, letting out a kiai.
In her hand was a greatsword that wasn't there before.
"Well, well... I can't tell if this reaction is calm or not."
Losing her temper at the provocation and charging at him.
That was the man's plan.
But the result was a little different. A step was added.
Eleanor lost her temper, retrieved her greatsword, and then charged.