Chapter 66 – This Monster is Mine Now
A massive forepaw came crashing down toward the tower master.
Thud-! A single blow that would mean instant death. An attack that no fragile human body could possibly withstand slammed down.
Iron Hanma, who had dodged that terrifying strike by the width of a sheet of paper, thrust out his hand.
This was the advantage of a battle mage. Unlike knights who had to assume precise stances to attack, as long as the spell manifested successfully, he could land a critical hit.
Iron Lance
Krunch-! A massive iron rod shot out from empty air. It pierced right through the monster's forepaw at the exact spot where it had struck.
[Kieeeek-!] Bahamut's scream raced through the space, resounding loudly.
Those watching from behind clung to a sliver of hope.
“Were battle mages always this strong?”
“Yeah. Even I'm surprised.”
“But... how do we overcome that monster-like regenerative power...?”
There had been effective hits before. But they had all been rendered useless by the monster's horrifyingly astonishing regeneration.
This time was no different.
“A true monster, indeed.”
[Krung!]
BOOM-! The brutish, rapid attacks continued relentlessly.
The tower master didn't yield, repeating evasion and counterattacks. His tremendous concentration and superhuman physical abilities were on full display. The disregarded image of the Iron Tower mages began to shift little by little.
But even the tower master's feats were showing limits. His stamina was starting to bottom out.
It had been over 30 minutes since he had been facing the monster alone. He was holding on with superhuman mental fortitude, but even that seemed precarious.
“Master-!”
Holy Bomb
BOOM-! Perfect timing. The sacred bomb exploded against the monster's head, halting Bahamut's movements.
A flush of color returned to the tower master's face.
“You've kept me waiting.”
“Damn it, my bones are aching, guh.”
“You've got more work to do. Oh, and please make sure I can take this guy's corpse.”
“Heh... you little rascal.”
The tower master gave a wry smile. Fine, he could do that much. Burning monster corpses was imperial law anyway.
Lawrence positioned himself very close to the monster. Everyone's eyes widened at the sight.
“Isn't that Young Lord Lawrence?!”
“That young body, so close...!”
To them, it was an incomprehensible situation. They assumed he couldn't endure the mana pollution.
But those who knew Lawrence's secret nodded in realization, letting out gasps of admiration.
“I see!”
“What a blessed constitution at times like this.”
“...Lady, will your little brother be okay?”
Someone asked Loria. She nodded with a bright smile.
“Yes, Lawrence will be fine.”
He had no mana road. No mana meant no mana to corrupt. To Lawrence, this place was just an unpleasant space—nothing more, nothing less.
“Lawrence can get close to the monster!”
Her confident voice rang out.
[Grrrrr...] At the new enemy's appearance, Bahamut's eyes turned to Lawrence.
Lawrence pulled a bone from his inventory and aimed it at Bahamut.
“I need your heart.”
To get stronger.
With a small chuckle, Lawrence charged at Bahamut.
#2
The plan was simple. The Iron Tower master and mages would bombard it with spells, while Lawrence climbed onto Bahamut's back and used Space Sever.
Space Sever's range was about 2 meters. To get close enough to use it, someone had to restrain the monster's movements.
At his call for help, not just the tower master but everyone who had recovered joined in.
“The Holy Knights will join as well.”
“Young Lord Lawrence, our lives depend on you—please succeed on the first try!”
Aldmiri. The holy light emanating from her blocked the mana pollution.
In the meantime, Lawrence poured all his strength into charging at Bahamut. The monster tried to target him with its massive forepaw, but those who had reached the pinnacle blocked its movements each time.
Leap and land. Using his trained physique, Lawrence climbed onto Bahamut's thigh area.
[Grrrrr-!] Bahamut thrashed wildly to shake off the foreign object. Like a horse kicking its hind legs, it spun in place, bucking madly.
Fragments rose from Bahamut's skin. They slithered toward the clinging Lawrence.
“What a handful.”
Holy Chain
Remaining uses: 4/5
Clank! White iron chains stabbed deep into Bahamut's skin. Lawrence gripped them tightly and quickly climbed upward.
Whoosh-. Before enemy attacks could reach him, Lawrence kicked off with his feet.
His newly acquired unique ability shone here.
Blink
Remaining uses: 1/3
Holy Chain
Remaining uses: 3/5
Lawrence reached the area near its hip. Time to get to work.
“You've been a real pain up till now-.”
First, he needed to make sure it couldn't walk or run. The first Space Sever activated.
Slash-! A white line was drawn.
[Kieeeek!?]
Splurt-! Black blood sprayed from the monster.
Thud-! Simultaneously, its massive body sank to the ground as if collapsing.
The rear leg that had flown off, spewing blood. The tissue in between had vanished cleanly.
Painful screams continued to echo. Its voice was so loud that even the great instructors, the tower master, and the Holy Knight Captain clutched their chests.
Mental Counter
Mental Counter
[...]
Mental Counter triggered like mad. Lawrence gritted his teeth and pressed in close.
Second target: the neck.
[Groooar-!] Fragments rose en masse to protect their host. Lawrence activated his artifacts without hesitation. No need to conserve them.
Holy Bomb
Mana Spear
“Get lost-!”
BOOM-! Indiscriminate magical bombardment. Especially the Mana Spears were devastating, cleaning the area spotless in an instant.
Holy Chain
Remaining uses: 2/5
Clank-! Fixing the chains like a slingshot, Lawrence launched forward with the recoil.
A mountain of fragments loomed right in front of him, about to crush him. Like a small tsunami crashing down, he thought he couldn't advance.
Splat-! The fragments plummeted all at once, as if to crush him.
Had he been swept up, even the strongest human would have lost their footing.
“Thought you'd won, you shit pup.”
[Grrrk-!]
Blink
Remaining uses: 0/3
Lawrence used his last unique ability effectively. He had already reached Bahamut's head.
“This pup is mine now!”
Space Sever
Slash-! The monster's head fell.
#3
An astonishing result that was hard to believe even after seeing it. On the first flash, the monster collapsed; on the second, Bahamut's head fell.
On the third, its heart was extracted.
“No way.”
“What... what kind of monster just appeared...?”
It wasn't just the cadets. Priests knelt in prayer, and mages shed tears of emotion.
The inevitable death they had foreseen had changed. For an eleven-year-old boy to achieve such a monumental feat was beyond comprehension.
[Waaaaaaah-!] Wild cheers erupted across the city.
Victory. Thanks to one person.
What a miraculous event. Though it was a result of coincidence, luck, and various factors aligning, Lawrence's influence was immense.
Without him, the monster would have razed Alambra and moved on to other regions.
“We won-!”
“That kid really was the monster...”
“I need to think seriously. With that level of talent...”
Those who understood the meaning of strength were the most shocked. Those who knew the value of time realized just how absurd Lawrence's talent and ability were.
Desire for Lawrence grew ever stronger.
“Maybe the Iron Tower will rise as the strongest tower one day.”
“I need to step it up. Can't lose to my little brother.”
Freya and Loria voiced their thoughts in turn. Loria especially clenched her fists, steeling her resolve.
Lawrence Montemer. Once considered defective, he was now the one elevating the family name the most.
Mana Spear, was it? When did he learn 4th circle magic...?
And the glimpse of her brother's magic level in that instant. Anxious feelings began to fill her mind.
Could she really avoid being caught by her little brother...?
The competitive spirit of one who didn't yet know the secret burned fiercely.
Meanwhile, Lawrence pondered how to sneak away the mangled monster corpse.
He had to secure the heart first, so he declared boldly.
“I'll take the monster's heart. Great research material.”
“Do as you like.”
“Mm, I permit it too. Commander's discretion.”
“Thank you.”
Thus, he secured the heart for sure. But stopping there felt a bit unsatisfying.
Aldmiri stepped forward.
“We must burn the monster's corpse. To prevent this land from being polluted.”
“Mm... that's true, but.”
“Excuse me, Holy Knight Captain? Could we talk for a moment?”
“Hm? What about?”
Lawrence hoped to create another breakthrough. He had forged a strong bond with the Northern Duke by healing his son and daughter.
How to connect with the Holy Kingdom and the Church? The answer was obvious.
Lawrence whispered in Aldmiri's ear.
“...”
Aldmiri's eyes widened at his words. She questioned him repeatedly with her gaze, asking if what Lawrence said was true.
“Brother, if there's any lie in those words, regardless of this victory, you'll be branded a heretic execution target. For blasphemy.”
“Don't you want to know why I can use holy magic?”
“...”
Aldmiri stared at Lawrence intently. An eleven-year-old boy grinning mischievously. But it felt like an experienced other dwelled within.
Like looking at a cunning cardinal...
She seriously wondered if she'd be completely swayed.
Lawrence drove the wedge into the hesitating Aldmiri.
“Don't you want a promotion?”
“What shall I say, brother?”
When bribes don't work, perhaps consider if the bribe was insufficient.