novelQuest, Re-challenge! (2)
| ← Ch.029 | Ch.031 → |
Suppress the Demon Beast that lived in the forest of the Haunting Ground that spread out in West Tokyo, and liberate the forest―
Kazuki and the others applied to re-challenge the quest that they failed during Golden Week.
There was no class in the Knight Academy on Saturday, but this holiday was not spent to play. It was recommended for the knight cadets to challenge the quest in their spare time.
Kazuki and the others headed to the station after taking their meal at the Witch's Mansion.
The traveling method to perform the quest was mainly using rail transport. Thanks to the magic light train to travel inside the metropolis area and the new type Shinkansen to travel outside the city, the time needed to travel didn't take too long. Of course the cost was burdened by the academy.
Quests were done for the sake of the students' growth to become knights. It was linked with the class work.
"Will it really go well by just adding me to the party?"
In the middle of their walk to the station, Lotte came to ask Kazuki anxiously.
Kazuki was interposed between Lotte to his left, and Mio to his right, The three of them walked down the road.
"It's reassuring to have Lotte with us. It's going to be ok this time around when the red slime comes out like last time."
"Then I will always keep the electric magic in standby desu."
It seems the armament that Lotte produced with her magic would continue to be equipped as long the number of bullet or energy remained. If she prepared it beforehand, she could move to attack immediately without needing to chant the spell.
The destructive power was lowered but it could be said that it was a fairly convenient magic for quests.
...Once again Kazuki recognized anew the importance of using various magic to respond against different circumstances. If only he could use Lemegeton's power more skillfully...
"Kazuki, that, look there."
Suddenly Mio pulled Kazuki's sleeve and pointed her finger to one side of the street corner.
At the shopping street before the station, the [Knights] in their white uniform with the coat of arms attached to it, were walking.
This group of several knights were investigating by collecting information in the vicinity of the Knight Academy.
Most likely the Knight Order was searching where Loki was hiding.
Loki hid while taking along the illegal magicians who lost their sanity, so there should be some sign of them somewhere for sure. Interviewing witnesses should be fairly effective. If the knights kept collecting information about the area with connection to Kaya and Loki steadily, the possibility of obtaining related testimony to Loki was not low.
"...Hey, I wonder if that [Black Knight] mixed with the other white uniformed knights is the one mentioned at the news, the knight from Germany's Knight Order?"
Mio noticed it and whispered.
Among Japan's Knight Order's group who were wearing white uniforms, a person wearing black was mixed in.
Only one head looked taller than the heads around her and that face's facial features had the appearance of a foreigner.
It seems the uniform of Germany's Einherjar was black.
"I heard that they had arrived in Japan but... it only feels real after witnessing it directly like this."
Kazuki had already heard this information from Kaguya-senpai one step ahead though.
A few days after that night, the news of the Einherjar's arrival in Japan spread even to the world at large.
Cooperation to subjugate Loki with the leading power of North Europe, Germany's Einherjar. It was a cooperation set for one month.
With the current situation where Japan had severed all diplomatic relations, the coming of a foreign knight was a major event.
Of course the undisclosed circumstances of the negotiation between Japan and Germany was hidden from the news.
"..." Besides Kazuki, the refugee Lotte was cowering because of the German knight's presence.
"It's okay. She is not chasing Lotte, she only came here to defeat the Diva named Loki."
Kazuki tapped the shoulder of the shivering Lotte 'ponpon' lightly.
"Tha, thank you very much, Kazuki-oniisan."
Lotte made a smiling face that seemed forced, then came clinging on Kazuki's arm like she was depending on him. A flying heart mark came from her chest.
"...muu." For some reason Mio also let out a moan and hugged Kazuki's opposite arm.
...It's hard to walk. While three people were sticking to each other, they continued along the street to the station without minding the knights.
Facing those three people, Germany's female knight, wearing a black uniform, stole a glance toward them... Kazuki had such a feeling.
"...Chih. Isn't this the Knight Academy brats who ran back home immediately the other day?"
When they arrived at the gate of the Haunted Ground, the soldier who kept guard spat out such a thing.
"Forgive us from the last time. But this time, we reinforced our party properly, so we will be showing results."
At Kazuki's words, the guard saw Lotte's figure, "Caucasian? How rare..." and his eyes opened wide. It was a discourteous manner of speaking but [Caucasian with Japanese citizenship] in truth, was a rarity.
In any case, Kazuki and the others passed through the station gate and into the inner part of the Haunted Grounds.
A short while after passing the gate, the scenery was just a normal forest and there was no sign of the Haunted Ground.
The Haunting Ground's location was even further inside than before. There was no mistaking that this was because of Koyuki's great effort. As the number of Demon Beasts inside a Haunted Ground decreased, the original nature would also revert back.
―Then the battle started. Kazuki protected Mio and Lotte from the attacking slime that came one after another. As the rearguard, Mio's flame magic burned away the slimes.
As they defeated the Demon Beasts, their surroundings were also turned back little by little into the original nature of a forest.
"―Prophet... blitzz!"
The red slimes who were strong toward heat were lured to Lotte's surrounding, they were then imprisoned inside the electric barrier and brought down in one go. The slimes who received lightning were, borrowing Liz Liza-sensei's words, it was like the acute heart paralysis of a heart patient shaking fiercely in unsteadiness, 'PAN!' the mucus scattered everywhere and the curtain of their body's activity were closed.
"Kyaa!"
Maybe because they were allowed to get too close, a little of the scattered red slimes splashed onto Mio and Lotte.
Kazuki instantly remembered Mio from before. That liquid―was a poison that affected the mind.
"Are you guys okay!? You guys were only splashed by a little though."
"Yes... It's okay if it's only about this much..."
Mio replied with a blushing face and slurred tone. Then without reason, she came clinging on Kazuki while hugging his arm sweetly. Lotte did the same thing and also came to hug Kazuki while mumbling 'funyafunya'.
...Isn't this turning into a dicey situation?
Both of them were in their Magic Dress that had a high exposure rate, so Kazuki, who was being clung to, turned uneasy.
"The place we passed through before had a lake, so let's go there to wash off the mucus."
"It's fine to take a break while getting intimate with Kazu-niii―. Happyy?"
"I don't understand but I'm so happy desu? Everything okayyy?"
"Wake up you two! No matter how you look at it this is a no no! Come on, let's go."
Kazuki held their shoulders and led them to the lake.
He pushed them both to the watering place then sat down on the base of a nearby tree.
The Demon Beasts around this area were mostly exterminated, once it was a muddy swamp but it reverted back into a clear lake. Mio and Lotte soaked in the water while in their Magic Dress and cleaned up the mucus in their body.
With Lotte frolicking around by throwing water at Mio as the start, they both started to splash water at each other while laughing cheerfully.
"Kazuki you too, come here!"
"No, it will be troublesome if my uniform gets wet."
It'd be fine if he uses psychokinesis to shake off the drops of water, and pyrokinesis to dry off later but... both of them were wearing flimsy Magic Dress, while he was wearing a uniform that consist of shirts topped with a jacket. It'd take too much time.
Using the opportunity when Mio called out to Kazuki, Lotte threw water at Mio's face. Mio soon returned fire in revenge. Both of their hair and body were wet with water and sparkled brightly.
Both of their Magic Dress were designed to expose most of their skin and body line as it is.
Their skin emitted glossy smoothness because of the wetness. Their feminine body stood out in three dimension. A lovely sight could be seen out of their soaked body along with their beauty.
Their alluring navels and thighs and Mio's wet chest, pulled Kazuki's gaze... he shook his head in guilt because he stared at them both with a strange look.
"...Don't play too long―!"
Kazuki said that and then turned his back.
Really, a Magic Dress was poison to the eye even under normal circumstances. Now it was even more so. But it was an outfit for the sake of fighting that's why, he was disqualified as their comrade in arms if he had wicked thoughts like this too often.
This was only a little rest time, but Kazuki wished that it would end soon.
But the instant he turned his back, the scream of those two girls reverberated.
Kazuki turned back in panic, and from the surface of the lake, a gigantic―Demon Beast resembling a sea anemone's face came out. Several squirming tentacles were stretching and headed towards the two girls!
"Prophet... Fire!"
Lotte sensed the abnormality and quickly chanted her spell but the bullets were fired blindly.
On the other, hand Mio was caught by the tentacles and were binding her wet body.
"Wa, wait! I really hate tentacleee!!"
At some of the sea anemone's tentacles, there were some traces of being sliced, tentacles that were cut short were being regenerated in the same place. There was no mistake, this was the master of those tentacles that attacked Mio from the quest before.
"Mio! ...I won't let these tentacles do as they please!!"
When Mio was only a hair breadth away from being groped by the tentacles, all the tentacles were bisected in a flash and in one go by Kazuki's Iai draw.
"Ka, Kazu-nii! Thank you! Saying things like [I won't let these tentacles do as they please to my Mio]... ehehe."
A heart mark flew from Mio to Kazuki after being saved from her predicament.
...'My Mio', I don't remember saying that though.
"Hurry with the spell chant!" Kazuki scolded her, and with that Mio replied "Yes!" then switched to her battle mode. Hearing that reliable reply from his back, Kazuki focused on mowing down the tentacles that kept aiming at Mio and Lotte one after another.
These tentacles... why did it only aim at girls!? Which Mythology's influence was this!?
Kazuki's katana and Lotte's bullets couldn't inflict any fatal wound to such a gigantic Demon Beast. However...
"This debt from before... I'll return it now! These pervert tentacles!! Blazing Wings!"
Mio was able to finish a high level magic chant because of Kazuki's protection, wings of flame spread out and she leaped into the sea anemone. Countless tentacles along with the main body were swallowed by the wings of flame― it became the finishing blow. Heaven and Earth Formation. In the end, what decided the battle was the high level summoning magic.
"We did it, Kazu-nii!"
Mio raised an excited voice and came to hug Kazuki. The chest that he stared at strangely not long ago was now pushed softly into his body.
"Do, don't hug me when you are like this!"
"Why?"
"...My uniform will get wet, see."
Kazuki averted his eyes from the soaking wet Mio and looked around his surrounding....It seems this sea anemone was the last big game in this area as the lake's surroundings have returned to beautiful nature.
"Looks like this area has mostly been liberated, doesn't it... Let's go a little a deeper in when the Magic Dress dries, okay?"
Before, this place was an extremely large Haunted Ground. Now it had been fairly narrowed up to this size.
If they keep this pace, it was possible that they could liberate this forest completely today.
Mio and Lotte also harbored that presentiment, they agreed to Kazuki's proposal.
When they advanced deeper into the Haunted Ground, its atmosphere as well as the type of Demon Beasts appearing were also changing.
The dense foliage interrupted the sunlight, making the surroundings gloomy. From the darkness of the gap of the trees, ivy leaped out entwining, and Demon Beasts came out in a surprise attack.
The Demon Beasts that prepared the surprise attack were the ferocious types that resembled wild beasts.
For example, the monkey type Demon Beast that leaped out from the interval of the trees and attacked with sharp claws. An average swordsman wouldn't be able to catch their speed and would get mangled one-sided.
However Kazuki foresaw those movements and ended their lives by using lightning fast Iai draw.
For example, the wild boar type with their steel-like skin. Its raging charges possessed terrible destructive power, physical attack or the heat of flames couldn't pass their hardened skin.
Lotte's electricity however was able to scorch the inside of its hard skin.
Mio from the rear, supported using attack magic, striking the large type Demon Beasts using level 5 magic.
The Demon Beasts that had their life snuffed out were reduced into black magic power and disappeared one after another.
This forest is a place where one couldn't be careless, but the balance of the party was very good. If he wanted to be greedy, Kazuki would have wanted one more vanguard so he could also chant magic at a critical moment, but...
Kazuki could use Phoenix's magic up to level 6 as the result of increasing Mio's positivity level. But because Kazuki fights by himself at the front-line in this three man party, he didn't have any spare time to chant magic. The Magica Stigma inside Kazuki felt a little irritated because of that.
When they progressed deeper into the forest, they found a stone stair that climbed a small hill. The height was not to the degree of climbing a mountain, but at the top of the stone stair, there was a space that opened up.
There was a torii erected at the open space and through that torii, was a shrine. Its brilliant scarlet color was lost due to the Haunted Ground transformation, the whole body of the shrine was black. It originally enshrined a local Shinto deity. This place was supposed to be a tranquil sacred location, but an ominous heavy atmosphere was now pressing down.
The moment they stepped in there, fox type Demon Beasts leaped out from the surrounding forest. Kazuki instantly intercepted their lightning fast charge with his Iai draw, but at that instant―
"Kuu...!"
―The fox's golden hair scattered 'biriri' sparks around!
A barrier that really resembled the magic that Lotte used. The electricity was flowing through the Katana and into Kazuki.
Kazuki's defensive magic power was consumed and the electricity had no effect but when a defensive magic power extinguishes a phenomenon, the backlash called the ~shock of smashed magic~ occurs.
Because of that, Kazuki's swordmanship was disturbed.
The fox slipped out from Kazuki's Iai draw and rammed into his body.
Kazuki twisted his body and somehow evaded the attack.
But even with only that, Kazuki's work was already finished.
"Prophet... Fire!"
"Barrett!"
The fox who missed its attack was hit by the bullets of the gatling gun and the flame bullet successively. That body turned into black magic powder and disappeared.
"Hm, the atmosphere of the enemy changed the moment we entered this place."
"...At a place with especially thick magic power even inside the Haunting Ground like here, there should be a Sacred Treasure around!"
Mio pointed at the direction of the shrine and raised an excited voice.
Sometimes there were discoveries of ~Sacred Treasure~ at the Haunting Grounds. A man made thing located here was transformed by the thick magic power's influence, or possibly magic power was condensed and formed the Sacred Treasure from nothing. In the end, it turned into magic items of Mythology in this world.
Sacred Treasure had a distorted foundation that was impossible even with alchemy. It sucked the magic power of the user and brought forth magic phenomenon that transcended the laws of physics.
From the enemy that was appearing even stronger from the surrounding, the area's magic power was thicker and more stagnant when compared to other places. Just like Mio said, it was told that such places made it easier for Sacred Treasures to occur.
"Be that as it may, to search this shrine... we first need to exterminate all the Demon Beast in this area."
After Kazuki whispered so, the forms of golden colored foxes appeared one after another from the trees surrounding this open space where they were standing. It looks like the animals were the protector of the shrine.
This time, when Kazuki lured the foxes near enough,
"Fire Wall!"
―they were all burned up by the fire wall.
At the same time, Mio and Lotte released their respective magic.
"Is this... an enshrined katana?"
The inner sanctuary of the shrine that lost its color and blackened. On its altar, there was an offering of a Japanese katana made from plain wood. Only that katana hadn't lost its color and exuded an atmosphere of holiness.
Originally, it was an enshrined katana of the shrine, but it transformed into a Sacred Treasure because of the magic power flowing into it.
When it touched his hand, the texture felt like the plain wood was breathing. Kazuki's magic power was absorbed naturally into the katana. Sacred Treasures exhibited their special power by sucking the user's magic power.
"This Sacred Treasure is surely connected to Japanese Mythology. Moreover something like a katana is perfectly suited for you, right? Hey, Kazuki come on, let's test what kind of power it has!"
Mio said that in high spirits. Kazuki laughed wryly while already pushing his magic power into the Sacred Treasure then―'katsukatsukatsu' sounds were heard from the direction of the shrine entrance.
The sound of footsteps that came here directly―
"What the hell are you bastards doing? It's forbidden for an individual to pick up a Sacred Treasure. Hand it over to us at once."
A two-man group consisting of a Magica Stigma clad in her Magic Dress and a swordsman appeared at the entrance of the inner sanctuary.
Judging from their height and age―they were not students but knights of the Knight Order.
Kazuki harbored an uncomfortable feeling. Why did the Knight Order who had a labor shortage dispatch their people in this quest with this kind of difficulty?
"...We plan to submit this in our quest's report."
Kazuki replied so, but the female Magica Stigma clad in her Magic Dress seemed to ignore it and approached Kazuki briskly, she snatched the Sacred Treasure katana from Kazuki's hand.
The girl's gaze fell onto the katana on Kazuki's hips and spat out.
"Even though you're just a swordsman brat... holding something like Sacred Treasure..."
From there she turned her back, "Let's go Kondou!" she yelled to the swordsman, and left the inner sanctuary.
"Yes." The swordsman replied and faithfully followed behind her.
"Wha, what is that, disgusting! I mean, if we present that Sacred Treasure at the quest counter, it will reflect on our results you know!"
Mio's well formed eyebrows bristled in indignation.
"Even though they looked so self-important, there is no doubt that they are just lowly underlings, being dispatched at this simple quest in this busy time! Kazu-nii is far stronger compared to quack knights from nowhere like you guys in a duel!! Stupid!! Idiot!!"
When the knight had gone, Mio insulted them vehemently and stuck out her tongue.
Lotte imitated her too and she also stuck out her tongue. They looked like really close sisters.
"...Well, in any case we won't be able to bring it back, so let's ignore it and return to the quest. The Knight Order is also participating, so let's liberate this whole area today somehow or the other."
I want to try it out, that Sacred Treasure katana... Kazuki couldn't get rid of that feeling.
"Looks like there is no boss here like the sea anemone from the zone before."
Mio said so like she was trying to calm her emotions.
The more someone approached the central part of the Haunted Ground, the magic power would become thicker and will stagnate in the middle of the space.
Because of that, in many cases, a Demon Beast that was one rank stronger would be born in the heart of the Haunting Ground.
Kazuki and the others had already been at the heart of the Haunted Ground.
"I wonder if the party of those two knights before had already fought it."
"I don't think that was the case though."
Each time we defeat a Demon Beast, there was an actual feeling that the scenery of the Haunted Ground also changed, but there was not even a time that the scenery of the Haunted Ground changed when there was no fighting.
In other words this Haunted Ground is not so large, but Kazuki and the other two were more than enough to purge the remaining Demon Beasts.
Everyone's magic power was already quite exhausted, but they still had some composure for this.
"I'm a little bit tired... my stamina is not so good."
This whole thing felt a little bit like hiking physically. Lotte who spent the majority of her life laying down on a sick bed let out a bitter smile mixed with fatigue.
"Sorry, we forced you too much, didn't we? How about I carry you on my back on the way home?"
Carrying her in the back was like treating her like a kid, but Lotte let out reminiscence-like words.
"I'm happy if onii-san'll do that desu!"
Lotte looked a little awkward and embarrassed.
"...Wait Kazu-nii, not fair! If you'll carry Lotte in the back then... I'll be the one in the front, that... it's unfair if you don't use princess carry for me too!"
"One person each in the front and the back... that's unreasonable even if I used Enchant Aura, you know?"
For some reason the atmosphere became harmonious while the three people headed towards the center of the forest―
"...Barrett!"
The last Demon Beast was pierced by the flame bullet.
Right at that moment, the surrounding trees returned perfectly into their original appearance of bright and fresh green leaves in May.
The eerie atmosphere disappeared and the cool summer breeze blew bringing in the smell of summer.
When all present reflexively smiled broadly―Kazuki's back felt a chill of [something's presence].
"What's wrong, suddenly you look scared?"
"...Right now, a huge magic power of something is breaking out near this area."
"Eh, that magic power......!?"
It seems Mio also sensed the outbreak of magic power using Extra Sense, her countenance changed.
Before long, sounds of someone stepping on the falling leaves could be heard from the back.
"...Hmm, I was a little late. The Haunted Ground liberation is already finished... so that means, they only have little strength left to have fun, won't they?"
With a low voice that was rare for a woman, the voice with a sense of intimidation like steel could be heard.
They turned back to look. Inside the grove of trees, a blonde woman clad in pitch black military uniform was looking to their side.
The black clothed woman suddenly chanted her spell.
"...Yo. For the sake of soldiers desiring Valhalla, descend from Asgard and show those brave figures. I too will show the spirit of a hero. Oh Asgard's gods of war... Right here to me."
She was a woman with a bizarre form. On top of wearing a military uniform, a large sword sheathed in its scabbard was attached to her hips and a boorish shield was held on her left hand. It was not a shield used by swordsmen in Japan.
At the same time with the end of her spell, the pitch black military uniform was wrapped with the light of AccessAstrum Connection―she transformed into an armored form that shined fantastically like it was made from blue jewels. This is... Magic Dress?
This woman is... there is no way, Germany's Einherjar?
"...Mio, Lotte, enemy!!"
That female soldier was just like a Valkyrie, she drew her sword out and dashed toward this side. They didn't know the reason, but it was obvious that she was showing hostility to them!
Kazuki too took the stance of Iai while chanting his spell and dashed towards the opponent.
At his back, Lotte and Mio too started their spell chant one beat later.
The fight was―intricate!
"...I will do a good fight, meet a good death, and hope to participate in the fight of Asgard even more! Grant the crimson blood divine protection on me! Crimson Eyes of War GodBerserk!!"
The armored female soldier chanted a spell. She invoked some kind of magic and her eyes shined crimson.
At the same time, her running speed also fiercely accelerated....This was unmistakably a reinforcement magic.
"Mitrailleuse! Prophet... Fire!!"
"Barrett!"
First the gatling gun, and then one beat later, the flame bullet overtook Kazuki and flew to the female soldier.
The female soldier opened wide her crimson eyes that looked like they were burning and quickly stuck out the shield in her left hand.
The gatling and flame bullets were accurately deflected by the small shield.
...Her reflexes were superhuman. Having said that, it was not foresight like Kazuki. The magic from before might not have reinforced just her body but also her reflexes.
...Moreover that shield, how could it deflect Barrett without even a scratch!?
Kazuki and the female soldier who ran in a straight line finally came into contact.
The female soldier swung down the large western sword that she carried on her shoulder. Kazuki promptly drew his Iai.
As for Kazuki, his first draw of the sword was not for the sake of attacking.
He met the slash of the female soldier, he then shifted his body while redirecting the opponent's strength. Strong!
However, for Kazuki who had already experienced countless locking of swords, that slash's weight was in the realm he had never before experienced.
Even so, the posture of the opponent was broken, Kazuki released his second slash with the timing of hitting the enemy.
However the left hand of the female soldier moved with the speed that looked like it could even repel light, Kazuki's slash was repelled by the shield.
"...The moment the sword touched each other, it felt soft and my posture was thrown out of order. You use an interesting technique huh, lad."
The female soldier laughed so to Kazuki....She could speak Japanese!?
The counter attack of the female soldier instantly came. Kazuki having foreseen the slash evaded it.
The desperate offense and defense put a stop to Kazuki's concentration. The spell Kazuki prepared was dispersed.
To chant magic in this level of crossing swords was still difficult for Kazuki.
The gatling bullet and Barrett gave some cover fire for Kazuki in the middle of these, but the female soldier manipulated her shield with precise movement. She prioritized defending against Barret that had more damaging power rather than the gatling gun.
A soldier and at the same time also a Magica Stigma. Like seeing himself in the mirror...
"Are you Germany's knight? If you understand Japanese then answer, why did you attack us?"
Kazuki inquired without letting his guard down, but the female soldier only leaked a laughing voice.
"Rather than that, let's have a good battle, lad."
And then she slashed at Kazuki once more. Kazuki desperately fought back but―the female soldier was too composed.
While performing sword locking with Kazuki, the enemy chanted her spell.
"Divine protection of military man, whirl inside my body, double the Meginmight of heaven! Spurred into endless battle by god's intention, in this body! ...The Belt of Whirling Heaven's MightMegingj?re!"
...Glittering light swooped down from heaven to the female soldier's body. The limbs of the female soldier that absorbed the light grew like it was augmenting the muscle.
The female soldier stepped in with an acceleration completely like a cheetah.
If Kazuki was not an expert in foresight he would be cut up like a scarecrow for sure.
However, Kazuki observed the premonition of her movement, grasped the distance, predicted the trajectory of her sword, and finally dealt with the godspeed slash. He didn't oppose the power of the slash, and by redirecting it with a flowing motion, he used the momentum to break his opponent's posture.
His hands became numb from the extraordinary weight of the slash.
Kazuki returned with his counter-attack, but the female soldier who had her whole body reinforced easily blocked it with the shield in her left hand.
And then―the superhuman strong sword flew once again.
...It doesn't feel like facing a human opponent!
"You don't use summoning magic huh, lad! How, what kind of way that you use to throw my sword off balance!? Really interesting huh, so this is Japan's sword skill, isn't it!? The mystery of the east!"
The female soldier with blazing eyes smiled with great joy in the middle of the fight.
"...Fire Wall!"
While redirecting his opponent's sword, Kazuki desperately chanted level 2 magic and invoked it.
A wall of flame was rising from the ground under the feet of the female soldier in a perfect surprise attack.
The female soldier stepped back with her sharp reflexes, but she couldn't avoid it perfectly and the blue lights of defensive magic power were scattered....the first attack from this side.
"Is this Japan's summoning magic? What a cowardly attack."
The female soldier laughed in a broad grin. The damage was thin.
What a joke, why must we suddenly get attacked by this kind of monster.
"Mio, Lotte, spread out crosswise! No matter how fast she is, the shield can only defend from one side!!"
"You give a troublesome direction huh, lad! Then I'll deal with the son of the b*tch vanguard quickly!!"
The female soldier swung down her strong sword once again, Kazuki redirected that attack and repelled it.
The sounds of the sword fight resounded fiercely. Mixed with those sounds―a woman's angry voice could be heard.
"You guys, what are you doing there! Why are you fighting when the Haunted Ground was already liberated!? ...Who is that one!?"
Did she sense the flow of magic power? The two knights Kazuki encountered in the shrine were rushing here.
The female soldier was "Oh?" and made a surprised face.
"I see, in other words the information about me was only shared to... Loki's subjugation team, was it?"
Hearing those whispers, Kazuki was "What is she saying?" pondering that in his mind.
"The [protection target] is being attacked! Kondo, go!"
"...Roger!"
The female Magica Stigma passed down an order, the male swordsman called Kondo was approaching here.
Protection target...? Did she mean Lotte? No, these two knights... was looking at Mio?
"Is this only coincidence... are you bastards also as fun as this lad!?"
The German female soldier clad in blue helmet and armor separated from Kazuki and went to face Kondo.
This is bad. Even though this Kondo was a knight, an average swordsman might be instant-killed!
The female knight eliminated their respective distance with terrific speed and slashed at Kondo. That sword movement was simple but rigid. Even while Kondo was gazing in wonder to that speed, he somehow used his katana to block the female soldier's sword.
When their blades locked against each other, Kondo was trying to force back the sword right from the front. But that was a thoughtless move. The female soldier's superhuman herculean strength easily sent Kondo's sword flying.
The surprised expression was erased from his face, changing into fear.
"...So not all Japan's swordsman use the same skill like that lad before."
The female soldier whispered as if bored, and cut down Kondo without a second thought. Kondo was blown away like an old rag by the smashed magic's shockwave. The majority of his defensive magic power was stolen in only one attack.
"...I lost my interest. You bastard, die."
The female soldier pointed the tip of her sword in order to grant the finishing blow.
"...I won't let you!!"
At that time Kazuki sprinted with all his strength and entered between them, he barely deflected the female soldier's slash.
Just like that Kazuki redirected the female soldier's consecutive attacks one after another to protect Kondo.
"What the, what kind of sword skill is this...?"
While in the state of falling on his backside, the swordsman, Kondo leaked a voice of admiration toward Kazuki's sword handling.
"You bastard! Abandon the like of swordsman and attack the opponent!! And yet you called yourself knight cadet!!"
The female Magica Stigma was being protected by a swordsman, yet she yelled a misdirected thing.
"This is not an opponent that you can fight upfront, don't you understand!?"
Kazuki unintentionally forgot that the other side is an adult in the heat of sword fighting and yelled back.
"Cadet... a student huh. But you have a considerable skill for a mere child. Come, what fascinating thing you'll show me next!?"
"Don't make light of a student... Einherjar!"
The female soldier's bored expression returned a smile. Getting pleased like that...
"You guys' Heaven and Earth Formation has been undone! Go escape first!! We will look for a chance to escape too!!"
The female Magica Stigma took in her male swordsman partner's exhaustion and "Chih"
clicked her tongue. Thereupon she gave instructions just like what Kazuki said.
"Forming Heaven and Earth Formation with lowly swordsman like you, let's retreat for the moment!"
"So, sorry, cadet young man! I'm indebted to you!"
The female Magica Stigma escaped one step ahead, Kondo was also chasing her back while stumbling all over himself....The sooner they weren't here would make it easier to try to escape.
"Mio! If there is a chance let's escape with level 5 magic!"
"...Using that magic for escaping!? ...Aahh! Understood!"
Mio showed her displeasure for only an instant, but in light of the abnormal situation, she soon consented.
"Discussing your escape... what a kill-joy. Do you think I'll give you the chance? Resolve yourself... the resolution to enjoy the fight with me till the end!!"
The female soldier slashed at Kazuki with the mixed expression of anger and joy. Kazuki redirected it and sealed off the opponent's attack by disturbing her posture. The two's dance was restarted.
If they used Phoenix's level 5―[Blazing Wings], they should be able to escape with Phoenix's wings as long as the opponent didn't use any movement magic.
The problem wasn't the rear guard Mio, but whether the vanguard Kazuki had the composure to chant such high level magic or not...!
Even while crossing swords against each other, Kazuki and the female soldier respectively chanted their spell. However, due to the fierce offense and defense, it was not a simple thing. ―Especially in regard to Kazuki who was still inexperienced in Summoning Magic.
"If you said you're going to escape, then I won't go easy anymore! ...Thor, god of Asgard! The roar of the applause for my blade dance resounded! The thunder of the sky reside in this sword, no longer even the exchange of shield and halberd are allowed, send to oblivion!! Thunder SwordFj?rgyn Megin!!"
The atmosphere was vibrating, a flash of lightning fell from the sky aiming at the female soldier's sword.
Electricity dwelled inside the sword, it was swung down at Kazuki in that condition.
Immediately, Kazuki attempted to redirect the attack with his katana. But the moment the blades touched each other, electricity flowed into Kazuki's body. Defensive magic power protected Kazuki from the electric shock, but the shockwave of smashed magic was sent to his whole body.
The magic to keep lightning element in a sword― it would turn into a huge damage even with just touching swords.
Just like the foxes tinged with electricity that they encountered in the shrine.
"With this your sword skills have no chance, lad!"
With this Kazuki must perfectly evade all her attacks. If Kazuki couldn't disturb the opponent's posture anymore, the severity of the consecutive attacks would increase even more.
With his opponent's sword attached with ~attribute~, as a swordsman, Kazuki was cornered into a predicament at once.
This woman just now said about the god, Thor... Thor of Norse Mythology!
"...Are, are you okay!?"
The male swordsman, Kondo who seems to not have escaped, and was watching over the situation, shouted because he saw Kazuki's predicament....I'm happy that you're worried but, why are you still here? Kazuki made a bitter face.
"I'm fine, so run away!"
Kazuki shouted back, this time the man turned his back once again and escaped for good.
The cover fire of gatling gun and flame bullet were also flying but there was no effect.
Was it impossible... to escape? At least Mio and Lotte need to escape...
The moment despair crossed in his mind― A crack 'bikibikibiki!' ran on the air behind the female soldier.
"What!?" She leaked out a surprised voice and turned back.
The sound of the world being cracked resounded, a large black drop spilled over from the crack.
Cancer―in this timing!? ...Is this kind of coincidence possible?
The large black drop was―changed into the form of a giant with its body covered in red hot flame.
"The giant of Muspelheim! ...There is no way this is a natural occurrence with this kind of timing! Lad, is this you bastard's plan!?"
There was no way that was true. But― Demon Beast summoning. He happened to know that magic!
This timing was as if to save them, Kazuki was not fully satisfied with this but...
"Mio, now! Start to chant!"
Kazuki dashed to Mio and Lotte's direction. The female soldier clicked her tongue 'chih' from Kazuki's flight. The flame giant looked down on the female soldier. Its fist that looked like a log on fire swung down.
The female soldier blocked it with her shield....That woman's shield could even block that kind of attack!
Kazuki held up Lotte in a princess carry.
""Blazing Wings!""
Kazuki and Mio matched their timing to invoke their magic. They adjusted their wings of flame expansion so as not to spread the fire to the trees, weaving their way to soar up to the sky.
"Rage and blessing exist together in my war! Acting as the agent of the god of war, in thy crown rage and blessing poured on existence...!!"
The female soldier facing the giant swirled terrific magic power while shouting her spell.
Without a doubt, a high level summoning magic. An avatar of a muscular military man raised from the back of the female soldier. A red glint of eye that looked burning, also a red beard that look like a flame, he carried a large hammer in his right hand. An unrefined hammer with an extremely short handle.
The avatar of the military man overlapped with the female soldier and disappeared. And then only the hammer was left behind in the female soldier's right hand. The female soldier jumped to the top of the giant's head with that hammer in one hand.
"Smashed Skull's NoiseMjollnir!!"
'ZUTON!' a loud reverberation rang out, the female soldier swung down the hammer on the giant's head.
The giant's head was sunk down up to its abdomen in one go. A dreadful power was produced to hit the head until it sunk down to the middle. The body of the giant distorted flabbily. And then it was blown away as particles, leaving no trace.
...That kind of power... If she used that kind of magic...
While feeling shivers, Kazuki and Mio flew away as far as possible until the effect of the wings of flame were cut off. The intrusion of the German Norse knight, the intrusion of the Japanese knights whose intentions were not known, and then the last was the intrusion of the mysterious Cancer―
The second quest of Kazuki and the others was over with many puzzles jumbled together.
| ← Ch. 029 | Ch. 031 → |