Chapter 159
Chapter 159
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: The Raid (4)
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Barroc was truly strong. He wouldn't fall easily, even against our combined assault. Before long, the surrounding area was utterly devastated. The fierce battle had obliterated buildings and trees alike.
The other fights had already concluded. Students, faculty, and knights watched from a distance. A silent awe spread through them, as if they were overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the confrontation.
"Tch, he's disgustingly persistent."
"What did you expect from one of the Four Heavenly Kings?"
"Still, it looks like it's almost over. If we just push a little harder..."
Barroc's body was covered in wounds, and his breathing was ragged. He was about to reach his limit. It was as if he was down to the last of his five health bars.
It would be great to press the advantage and finish him off, but... our own condition wasn't much better. Most of us were utterly exhausted.
Should I drink another elixir? I've had so many, I feel like the effects are wearing off. Could there be side effects from using a bugged item?
I had already used far more than necessary. While I still had quite a few left, I couldn't just use them recklessly. Considering what was to come, it was best to save them for true emergencies.
"Today, it is my loss..."
Barroc, who had been silent, spoke in a mumble. This filthy, cheap bastard... admitting defeat now that he thought he was going to die.
"But I have reaped a decent harvest. This encounter has allowed me to gauge your true strength."
Hmph, a mental victory? He was clearly trying to justify his defeat by claiming he'd gained something. That damn pride of his...
"Next time, I will act accordingly. I shall mobilize the full elite of the Demon King's Army."
"..."
A deeply unsettling feeling washed over me. Surely, they wouldn't send two or more of the Four Heavenly Kings, would they? Maybe later, but right now? That would be a problem.
I was inclined to let him go quietly, but now I felt the urge to eliminate him, even if it took some effort. However, doing so would drastically shake up the main scenario of the original story, which would complicate things considerably.
Just then, the fated event occurred, rendering my dilemma moot. A massive flying beast, large enough to swallow a bull, descended in an instant. It snatched up the arm-raising Barroc and immediately fled.
"Ah, we lost him in a flash!"
The entire sequence was incredibly swift. Even I, who knew it was coming, was stunned. I could only imagine how the others felt.
Aruru belatedly summoned a spirit while Gale and Skadi unleashed a barrage of magic, but it was no use. Barroc was a seasoned warrior. He had reserved enough strength to block such attacks. Well, nothing to be done. It was a shame, but I had to follow the original story's script...
In that moment, I heard his mocking laughter from high in the sky. To think he'd repay kindness with enmity after I spared his life... This is why you can't trust demons. Ingratitude is their default setting.
It was too late now. We hadn't even caught Cedric or the Demon King's spy; how could we possibly capture one of the Four Heavenly Kings? A reckless pursuit might lead us right into an ambush by the Demon King's Army.
It was a headache in many ways, but I had to be satisfied with this. I had achieved my goal without any casualties, just as planned.
All things considered, it had gone better than expected, and I had gained much more.
I'd acquired valuable experience by facing a powerful foe, laying the groundwork for future growth. My companions and I had deepened our bonds by coordinating our attacks... that alone exceeded my expectations.
Furthermore, many people had witnessed the fight. The knights, in particular, would surely report our deeds to their superiors. This would solidify the trust of the Emperor and the nobles.
Finally, on a personal level, I was due a massive amount of achievement rewards and fame. If I got any greedier, I might just be struck down by divine punishment...
Analysis complete. I quickly finished my calculations. Just when I thought it was all over, the biggest anomaly of recent times occurred. A single streak of light shot up from the ground...
It closed the distance at incredible speed and pierced through Barroc's body. As if that wasn't enough, it completely blew up the flying beast. Its master, naturally, began to plummet.
"———!!"
Everyone's jaws dropped at the sight. The power was truly immense. It had taken down one of the mighty Four Heavenly Kings in a single blow, even if he was exhausted and trying to escape.
I was filled with a sense of bewilderment. There was only one person who could pull something like that off. But... I couldn't believe it. That ditz actually carried at the last minute?
As if to refute my doubt, Ilensia came running from the distance, her face alight with joy.
"Kyaa! I did it! I did it!"
Her voice was not just cheerful but downright giddy. Having paid him back for more than what she'd suffered, she seemed to be on cloud nine.
We all stared at her blankly. Given her usual behavior, it was only natural that our gazes were filled with disbelief.
"Huh? What's with those reactions?"
"..."
The circumstances made it clear that Ilensia was responsible. Yet, everyone seemed to be trying to deny it. To acknowledge it would be to admit some unknown sense of defeat.
"I thought you were dead..."
"Why would I be dead?"
The elf girl snapped, demanding to know who spread such nonsense, and the others, without exception, pointed at Aruru.
Meanwhile, our little cutie was tilting her head with a look that said, 'Huh? Is she a ghost?' Only when Ilensia approached with a displeased expression did she finally grin sheepishly.
"Oh? You were alive? Wow, that's such a relief!"
A soulless reaction. It was obvious to anyone she was just trying to smooth things over. Ilensia narrowed her eyes and looked down at Aruru.
"You weren't hoping I'd gotten hurt, were you?"
"Hmm, I don't know about that... but anyway, I was going to avenge you!"
She asserted her innocence, as if to say, "Isn't that what matters? What's the problem?" The sheer audacity made the elf girl's hands tremble.
She looked like she wanted to flick her on the forehead, but perhaps fearing the consequences, she didn't act on it. Ilensia let out a sigh, then put on an uncharacteristically serious expression.
"Forget it, we have to go. He's probably not dead yet."
She urged everyone on, saying we had to finish the job. A correct assessment. As she said, this was no time to be standing around. Barroc had fallen near the academy's rear gate. We hurried toward the location.
"Hey. If we catch him, my contribution will be the greatest, right?"
"..."
She was subtly flaunting her achievement. The phrase 'once when it counts' came to mind. Why did it remind me of those toxic players who feed all game, get lucky in the final team fight, and then claim they carried?
She would have gotten the credit anyway, but she just had to add that unnecessary comment. Well, it was probably because of our lukewarm reactions. By the way... there was something I didn't understand.
The flash of light that had pierced Barroc's body possessed a power that bordered on an awakening skill. It was a technique that Ilensia, at her current level, should have been incapable of using.
Stealth, sniping, charging... it must have been based on the principle of gathering mana to its absolute limit and releasing it all at once. It was a tactic often used in the later stages of the game, but to think she had mastered it on her own already. She might act like a ditz, but she wasn't without talent.
No, wait a minute... setting aside the technical issues, how did she replenish her mana? Judging by the power of that attack, it would have required the combined mana of about three of our little cutie, who had the largest reserves.
"Oh, that? I used the elixirs."
"How many?"
"I used almost all of them."
"..."
A sharp pain shot through my head at her casual, matter-of-fact tone. While some of us were trying to conserve them, this ditz had gone and squandered them.
Of course, since she had landed a decisive blow on one of the Four Heavenly Kings, it couldn't be called a waste, but any admiration I'd felt for her completely vanished.
I also noticed that her way of speaking had changed. She used to address everyone formally, but now she spoke casually. I wasn't sure what brought on the change of heart, but I preferred her speaking comfortably like this.
Before long, we arrived at the spot where Barroc had fallen.
"Look! He's still alive!"
"Indeed. As expected of a Heavenly King, he's tenacious..."
Barroc's state was beyond wretched. A large hole was torn through his chest. Although he possessed a remarkable regenerative ability that allowed him to heal most wounds instantly, he seemed to be struggling, having exhausted most of his strength.
He wasn't bleeding, which meant he must have performed some kind of first aid on himself. That must have cost him time, causing him to miss his chance to escape. He struggled to his feet, a look of despair on his face.
"Kuh, to think the price of carelessness would be so great. This place shall be my grave... but I will fight to the very end. I'll take at least one of you with me!"
He declared he would take whoever dared to attack him first as his companion to the afterlife. Most of us flinched at his grim determination, but we quickly bristled with indignation. Barroc's condition was obviously critical. He was no longer a being to be feared.
"Look at this dying bastard, still trying to act tough."
"Hmph, I bet I could beat him one-on-one now."
The battle-crazed Baken and Crow were the first to charge in. Even the relatively sane Erich followed suit. A glint of madness flickered in their eyes, as if they intended to pay him back for all the trouble he'd caused them blocking his attacks.
The renewed battle was completely one-sided. The main party didn't even step in; those three alone were enough to finish him. A punch landed, a spear stabbed, a shield bashed down... every attack found its mark.
Well, since they were also quite exhausted, it devolved into a messy brawl, a crude exchange of blows.
What was I to do with these last-hit fiends? No matter how important the experience points were, I had no desire to join that shabby fight.
I wasn't the only one. My companions also seemed reluctant to get involved. Even the princess, who loathed Barroc more than anyone, showed a look of distaste, as if to say that this was just too much.
"Hmm, at this point, it's almost pitiful."
"For the end of a Heavenly King, it's rather pathetic, wouldn't you say..."
That was the general consensus, but when you have a group of five people, one is bound to do something unexpected. This time, the star was none other than Luciel.
"Um, may I go for a moment?"
"Huh?"
"It's practically over, isn't it? I was so happy that you told me to stay in the back out of concern for me, but my hands and feet are itching to join in. I can't stand it anymore."
"———??"
Um, so... she wanted to join in? I really wanted to stop her. You'll stoop to their level! No matter how I thought about it, this was no place for our benevolent Saintess.
"No. It's not like that at all. The goddess is always watching over me, so I cannot simply stand by."
Hating and destroying evil was the duty of a cleric. She was practically vibrating with the need to do something, waiting for my permission.
I looked at Luciel with a sense of unease. Her eyes, befitting a Saintess, looked kind, but I could sense a sort of madness lurking within them. What should I do? If I tried to stop her, I might become her target.
"Just... take it easy, alright?"
"Yes. I'll just go break one of his legs and be right back!"
"..."
Her voice was brighter than ever. As if she'd been waiting, she pulled out her mace and ran off, humming a little tune. Hmm, just one leg... I thought she was going to smash his head in, so that was quite restrained.