novelThe Corrosion of God (2)
| ← Ch.017 | Ch.019 → |
"BIKIBIKIBIKI!" Strange high pitched sounds are raised, a giant rift ran on the blue sky. A black, muddled parallel world spread out at the other side of the rift.
From the rift, two black drops spilled out. The black drops wriggled and squirmed in the air and became two dragons, flapping gigantic wings that looked like it could completely cover the sky.
"~NiddhoggShiryuu~! ~FafnirDokuryuu~! Destroy this hindrance of barrier! And then after that all that nuisance other than Onii-chan! REMOVE THEMMM!"
The face of the screaming Kaya is wrapped by light. The old rag clothing that the girl wore is tinged by light——completely transforming it like a Magical dress. From her forehead's left side a typical horn grew out just like a magic beast's.
The dragons should have been attacking humans as their maximum priority——but they don't even pay any attention to the audiences and instead, in accordance with Kaya's words, swooped down to the barrier.
The barrier is thin because it's assumed that there won't be any direct attack; however, a crack appeared because of the ramming attack.
The student in charge of the barrier attempted to repair the barrier in panic.
"...This is not a play! Everyone in the audience please evacuate immediately!"
Liz Liza shouted loudly. Because of that, each person looking at the situation in front of their eyes——finally realized that the attack of illegal magic users are a reality and rushed to the school gate.
With the barrier destroyed, the student who was in charge of the barrier fainted by magic intoxication as a result of the attack.
"Student Council, intercept it! ——Combine together the strength of both departments!"
In this place the swordsmen and Magica Stigma that can fight are only—— the Student Council members.
While Liz Liza roared angrily, she ran to the fountain located in the garden near the ground and plunged both hands inside the basin.
She vibrated the ~Prima Materiabase particle~ with sophisticated Psychokinesis Magic and transformed the water into pure white mist. The mist was manipulated according to Liz Liza's thought and streamed into the dragon heads.
With the sudden obstruction of their field of vision, the approaching nose-diving dragons were misdirected into the wrong direction and crashed.
"I don't understand the circumstances but...there is no need for cooperation if just for the likes of a dragon!"
The Sword Division's Hayashizaki Kanae threw a challenge towards the crashing Niddhogg.
"It can't be helped, we will take on the green dragon!"
The Magic Division's Hoshikaze Hikaru exclaimed and started to ~Accessconnect~ to Baal!
"Wai, you idiots..." Liz Liza cursed toward the two divided Student Councils.
Very suddenly——the Inter-division competition changed into a real combat mobilization.
"Kaya!? You, why are you using something like that kind of illegal magic...!"
"Onii-chan! For my name to be called by Onii-chan, I'm so happy...so happy that I want to kill!"
Kaya that transformed into atypical appearance screamed while her crying and laughing expression distorted.
"~Weapon InviteJingi Shinshoku~!"
Around her hand with *BIKIBIKIBIKI!* sound, a dimension rift materialized and from there a drip spilled over again, this time it changed into a large magical sword with blue translucence. The girl raised the large sword overhead.
"I also obtained it you know! ...The same power like Onii-chan and Mio-chan!"
Kaya swung the large sword that was as large as herself towards Kazuki.
"!?" Kazuki doubted his own eyes even as he tried to use Foresight.
What in the world is this...The girl's breathing and muscle shows no signs or intention at all!
Kaya didn't think about anything! It's as though the sword has a will of it's own and move completely by itself!!
Kazuki desperately evaded by falling over. His way of evasion is reminiscent of an amateur.
"Nii-sama!" Kanae immediately shouted and she threw one of her two short swords to Kazuki. Kazuki received it and drew the short sword from it's scabbard.
Without a moment's delay, the second downward swing and the third strike of the large blue sword came, but both were warded off by the short sword.
"Look, Onii-chan! Because I also wanted to become strong! The me that was abandoned became like Onii-chan and Mio-chan!!"
"Because of that...you agreed to an illegal contract!?"
Kaya no longer had any hesitation...her body was being possessed by someone!
"After all, only this Diva...the only one that gave me any kind words!"
Kaya shouldn't have had any training in any sword skills; however, the sword moved just like there was a swordsman's soul that dwelt inside the sword. Even to Kazuki, the swordsmanship was so sharp that it left his body trembling with fear.
"Kazuki! Why are you in a pinch when the opponent is also using a sword!"
Mio chanted a spell while at the same time spouting a rebuking voice——
"...~BarrettRasen Hana~!"
However Kaya rotated her arm with terrific force and bisected the high speed bullet of Barrett into two.
"This sword will reject all [Shot]!"
It's obvious that it's not a human technique and reaction speed.
"Is that, ~Sacred Treasure~!?"
An animal warped by magic turns into an evil beast, a human transformed by magic into an Elf, normal spaces warped by magic into haunted grounds, and the same case where a weapon or tool were transformed by magic also exist. An item that had its foundation warped into a Sacred Treasure, to a degree where it's impossible to be imitated by alchemy, were legendary magic items that were rarely discovered in haunted grounds where evil beasts gathered.
Kaya chanted magic that pulled the evil beasts and Sacred Treasure from somewhere.
What kind of Diva is she contracted with!?
"This is the power of ~Tricksterthe guide of chaos~ that I have obtained! If Mio-chan is also coming here...I'll kill you altogether! ~Muspelheim InviteEngoku Shinsoku~!"
With Kaya as the center, *BIKIBIKIBIKI!* countless rifts formed with terrific force in scope that swallowed up Kazuki and Mio.
Kazuki sensed the flow of magic——and realized that evasion is impossible.
Even Defensive Magic won't make it in time with his current chanting speed.
Large-scale Destruction Magic. Summoning of hell. This magic changed the very space itself!
The world was smashed up beginning from the rift. The very space itself where Kazuki and the others stood was converted into a pitch-black dimension. The surrounding darkness suddenly became red-hot hell.
The created space became the world of fire from Norse mythology. Like being imprisoned in a microwave oven, there was already nothing left to be done except accepting the fate of death. However——
"Oh mermaid's singing voice, manifest the frozen thought. Regret become flower of ice, loneliness become light snowfall, cover the world with cold nothingness...~White AlbumShizukanaru Seppaku~!
Along with an awe-inspiring singing voice, countless snow and water crystal scattered and danced in the red-hot space.
Flame and cold collided, offsetting each other, the world once again broke and scattered.
The other dimension was extinguished and the scenery was restored back to normal.
The one that crashed Large-scale Destruction Magic into Large-scale Destruction Magic was Koyuki.
Vepar, the mermaid of 72 Pillar was releasing near transparent light blue radiance besides the girl.
"Koyuki! ...Even though you are also a first year, for a high level magic that work into space itself...!"
"...Please show some spirit to fight and survive! You'll die you know!!"
Because of Koyuki's reprimand, Kazuki and Mio quickly started to chant their spells.
"Dragon Invite!"
The space beside Kaya split, this time two small flying dragons came out.
""Barrett!""
Toward the flying dragons that leaped closely with their fangs bared, two flame bullets shot them down.
Kazuki ran and drew his Iai towards Kaya——this time he has the resolution to fight.
Scrape off all of the girl's magic power and make her powerless!
"How cruel! Why is Onii-chan pointing that sword to me...I'll kill you!!"
Kaya's large blue sword automatically moved and blocked Kazuki's slash, *GIN!* sound was echoing.
Kanae, who already handed out one of her swords to Kazuki, confronted the dragon without her usual two-sword style and with only her one remaining sword.
Nidhogg the death dragon. In the Norse mythology, that name was handed down to the black dragon that gnawed at the root of the ~YggdrasilWorld Tree~ in the depth of the world. A dragon that left its name in mythology.
"Interesting! If its just ordinary dragon slaying then nobody will be amazed!"
Kanae challenged the death dragon Nidhogg. [~Storm CatFujin Koneko~] doesn't utilize Iai. With a good command of her agile body, Kanae's way of fighting was with an overwhelming number of attacks driving the opponent into a corner.
The dragon waved its claws at random because its face was covered by mist. After all it should just be an animal so Kanae easily evaded the rough attack and with her short sword, one layer, two layers were hacked into pieces.
However toward the hard skin "GIN! GIN!" the consecutive attacks only lightly bounced.
Nidhogg keep waving both of his arm's claws not even feeling the attack. The attack doesn't even compare to a mosquito's bite.
While Kanae evades with paper-thin margin——this time she aimed at the inside of the joint and swung her katana.
However even that attack while filled with biological knowledge, "GIN!" was repelled from the hardness feedback.
Kanae "Chih" clicked her tongue.
...The powerlessness that cannot even be compensated with strengthening magic, unable in admitting that it was her own shortcoming.
The mist that was covering the dragon's face cleared. In the corner of Kanae's field of vision, "You idiots...Fight using cooperation..." the figure of Liz Liza-sensei who collapsed while speaking bitterly due to magic intoxication entered into her sight.
This ~MagicaMagic Division~ teacher produced mist using common magic with poor magic consumption and saved the spectators.
Looking at that figure, Kanae felt a brief remorse because she challenged the dragon alone.
If it already became like this, even if its only by willpower, I have to bring down this black dragon by my own hand!
The death dragon that had its vision free looked down and glared at the girl.
Starting from that moment, it doesn't attack randomly anymore, instead it accurately and fiercely swing its claws.
Swinging both arms one after another and brandishing it's tail roughly, Kanae concentrated her mind and using Foresight avoided all of those. This time Nidhogg opened its huge mouth and tried to swallow Kanae.
"I've waited for that!"
Nidhogg's big mouth facing toward Kanae *GABUM!* closed down, but she back stepped and avoided it.
And then she made a big jump to Nidhogg's nose tip. From there she leaped further.
"First the eyeball!"
With her whole strength, she stabbed the dragon's eyeball. Compared to the skin, the soft eyeball *DOSU!* was pierced by the sword blade.
When she sensed the sword pierced until the bone in the bottom of the eye socket, she released her katana.
Nidhogg that has the katana left in its eye socket struggled violently. Kanae landed in Nidhogg's nose, and hopped gracefully like a dancer.
"——And then the brain!"
With her whole body motion like a spring, Kanae kicked the handle of the katana stuck inside Nidhogg's eyeball and drove it deeper inside. With acrobatic movement the force was amplified many times over, driving in the sword like a hammer.
"BAGIN!" A certain bone deep inside the eye socket ~Sphenoid bone~
's cracked response was felt. Even unknown creatures, if they have eyeballs then the eyesocket's construction must be consistently similar. No matter what kind of living things they are, this bone structure that has the role of connecting eyeball to brain, was not a sturdy thing. Smoothly the blade reached the brain.
"——And then DIE!"
Kanae kicked up the handle of the katana diagonally with one leg. The sword blade that reached the brain vibrated violently in Nidhogg's cranium. Its brain tissues shook and it's whole body spasmed convulsively.
Nidhogg *DOOON!* laid down its body, while Kanae landed agilely like a cat.
"How's that, you see that! ...Damn, how dull. I got too worked up....What about Nii-sama!?"
While cleaning the short sword soiled from blood and grey matter with Psychokinesis, Kanae turned toward Kazuki's direction.
At that time Kanae witnessed the girl shouting "Onii-chan!" while swinging the large sword.
The body's performance was amateur but only the slash was strangely sharp.
"Nii-sama is...I'm the only sister of Nii-sama!"
Kanae assaulted the girl from the back.
But the attack that should have been completely unforeseen by the girl was automatically intercepted by the large blue sword.
"Wh...what is this fellow!? Is this really a human movement!?"
"KANAE!?" Kazuki turns his eye to Kanae with surprise and delight.
"Nii-sama Nii-sama, I killed the dragon even faster than ~MagicaMagic Division~ and came to help, you know!"
"Idiot, don't be careless!"
Just like what Kazuki said——soon Kanae's face lost its color.
The illegal magician girl showed that she can compete against Kazuki and Kanae at the same time with one large sword. Furthermore with the high-speed activation of Possession Magic, she was also matching the back-up Summoning Magic of two people from the Magic Division's Student Council.
"Is this girl a monster!?"
Illegal magician——this girl is beyond ~Magica StigmaStigmata Magician~!
Certainly this girl's power cannot be compared with a Stigmata Magician, she might be an existence we have no chance to stand against.
"Kaichou, dangerous! That dragon is still not dead!!"
Looking toward the voice from the back——Nidhogg that should be dead, has its eyeball *BUKUBUKU!* bubbling while standing up and raising its claw overhead toward Kanae. That kind of absurdity...
"TORAZOU SMAAAAAAAAASH!!"
But immediately, somebody forced their way through and with all their strength perform a full swing with their long sword.
The claw and long sword clashed, that voice——Torazou was blown off but the claw attack was also repelled.
"Torazou!? ...To be saved by you...somehow it's infuriating."
"Kaichou, stop being so obstinate and lets cooperate with the Magic Division! I'll hold back this black dragon so Kaichou, go and help Magic Division's student council!"
"What!? Don't joke around...This me...with what kind of face can I cooperate with them!"
"Other than somehow using their ~Chorus Magic~ in this place and catching all of them in one attack, there is no other way! ...However we are all equal you know. For those guys to be able to finish their chant, we must be the one's holding back these dragons! Isn't that right, Kaichou!?"
"!? Even though you are just Torazou, impertinently giving sound argument...!"
Is it Nii-sama's influence... Damn, rather than the current me, Torazou's way was right!
"...Torazou, I leave that guy to you! Absolutely don't die!!"
"Ou! I'll be troubled if you forever keep thinking I'm a pathetic guy you know, watch this Kaichou, you too Hayashizaki Kazuki! UOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Toward the other side of the battlefield——Kanae started running to where the green dragon was fighting with the Magic Division's student council.
The poison dragon Fafnir. A dragon with the power of poison residing in its body that appeared in Norse mythology. It has six misshapen arms, making an unsightly figure. On each of its six arms poison claws are attached.
"......~Ride LightningRaijin Shunshin~!"
Hikaru who has her whole body accelerating attracted Fafnir with the attack from ~Lightning LineRaijin Yu~ held in one hand. During that time Kaguya was chanting high level magic. That was the tactic. ~GernicaJigoku Souhi~——It will be settled with instant death!
However Hikaru cannot keep up with the exchange with speed alone when there were six arms that keep on striking, her posture was off-balance. Danger! Damn...already useless!
Immediately Kaguya discarded the high level magic that she currently chanted and switched into level 2 magic.
"My wicked mind filled with curse, I beseech thy agony... Unashamed of ominous thought! ~Fill PainZouo no Mudabana~!"
The bullet of curse hit Fafnir and it writhed in hallucinatory pain.
But this magic only gives pain and stops the target on its track——with no actual damage to the body.
Using that opportunity, Hikaru recovered her posture....This battle of endurance has continued for quite long.
"For Asmodeus' high level attack magic I need to concentrate, so I'm troubled that the almighty Hikaru cannot earn more time you know! Idiot Hikaru!!"
"No matter how almighty I am there is no way I can exchange blows with something this tough! Idiot Kaguya!!"
While insulting each other, Kaguya's expression warped haggardly.
"The Knight Order should already be notified but...if it keeps like this sooner or later one of the fights in this divided battlefield won't hold out..."
BARIRI* At last the spark dispersed, Hikaru's Ride Lightning's effect was finished.
"I, I wonder if it's no good if I don't chant again? Today, this is already my fourth time you know..."
"Please don't say some spoiled things, you good-for-nothing princess!"
Hikaru's magical power was already exhausted from the previous battle. Toward the girl that was in the middle of thinking that she can't chant Summoning Magic anymore, the claw of Fafnir swooped down.
However at that point, someone interrupted with speed like a rolling gale.
...~Storm CatFujin Koneko~.
"You two withdraw! I will serve as vanguard!"
"Kana-chan!? ...You came to help us!?"
Kanae looked back with a fleeting glance and "Fun" her nose snorted.
"...It's only a temporary alliance. I'll stop this guy so get rid of them all in one go with Chorus Magic. That dragon over there is small fish, but it can't be killed with a sword."
Fafnir looked down as if to assess the human that came to interfere.
Kanae informed the two people behind while thrusting her short sword to the dragon.
Chorus Magic——If its impossible to hold out until the Knight Order come, then certainly there was no way other than that.
Chorus Magic is a chanting method done by linking several Stigmata Magicians with Telepathy and matching together their magic power wavelengths, producing colossal magic power and materializing level 10 Summoning Magic.
The amount of magic power required for level 10 Summoning Magic was too large, one person alone using it was difficult.
But Chorus Magic demands considerable concentration and multiple Stigmata Magicians also became defenseless at the same time. It's a tactic that risked inviting total annihilation easily if the vanguard cannot protect their charge.
"Can't you depend on me?"
"...No, if the two Student Councils combined their power then we are invincible you know. I have wished for that for a long time! Hikaru, the number is not sufficient so call Koyuki-chan here!"
Until last year Koyuki has already learned the basic of matching magic power's wavelengths.
This year after completing the contract with a Diva, the number of people for Chorus Magic will be enough if Koyuki is included.
Protected by the Student Council of Sword Division——Magic Division's Student Council's trump card was usable!
Fafnir's claws attacked Kanae. The six arms waving about cannot even come near Kanae who took pride on her godlike agility.
Kanae is very poor at a battle of endurance. Even with only a few hits from the enemy, Kanae's meagre defensive magic power will be smashed up immediately, furthermore the poison will steal her movement.
But...Otonashi Kaguya was looking from behind. Kanae can't show a shameful fight.
Probably I am the one that know best Kaguya's strength.
For the sake of winning against her, for a long time Kanae searched for her weak points and kept polishing countermeasures.
Otonashi Kaguya is strong. To a degree that there was no way to win if Kanae challenge her directly face to face.
For this reason, it's vexing but...she can be relied on.
"I'm counting on you, ~Magica StigmaStigmata Magician~! ...And then watch from there, Hayashizaki's swordmanship!!"
Kazuki looking at Kaya's magic power, noticed that its gradually declining.
When thinking at the beginning how she first summoned the dragon, the scale of the magic Kaya chanted slowly kept getting smaller. However in addition to the frequent magic, it seems that even merely swinging the large blue sword was also wearing down her magic power. Kazuki can already see Kaya's limit.
It's a hard blow when Koyuki was called back by the senpais but the condition on this side is starting to get better.
"Please no..." Kaya's whispering voice was leaked.
"This kind of me stop it already...even though I love him, even though it's precious memory... Why do I want to kill them...? If its like this, I will continue being alone...this kind of me, stop it already..."
Even so the girl raised her sword and slashed at Kazuki.
"That's why this kind of thing, stop it already!"
"I can't stop! Onii-chan, somehow please help me!"
Even if you said somehow...there was no other way other than shaving her magic power until she became powerless.
In the edge of his field of vision "DOWAA!" The figure of Torazou-san sent flying by Nidhogg was reflected.
Even if Kaya was stopped, the dragons that were already summoned cannot be expected to disappear.
There was no more room for taking it easy. Right now the senpais already——?
"""Thy name is Asmodeus! Thy strength become almighty desire, oh pure black contract, in accordance with my life display that strength!!"""
The three person's magic power altogether ~Accessconnect~ the ~AstrumDistorted World~——The Diva was pulled into the present world and materialized.
Along with a flash of violet, the witch finally materialized together with clear real form.
After that Kaguya-senpai passed her order to Asmodeus...! Probably that power can manage to defeat the two dragons altogether, those senpais have that power.
All the magic power were absorbed toward Asmodeus until nothing is left, and Hoshikaze-senpai and Koyuki crumbled down.
Kazuki's sword and Mio's Barrett attacked Kaya incessantly.
"Please help...Onii-chan..."
...Kaya, was it because I was not in Nanohana Institute that it became like this? The feelings of guilt stroked Kazuki's spine.
I, if I don't save her...
"Thy are I, I am thee! ...Become my thought as it is, Curse, Malice, keep beseeching, drag in all my bitter enemy and open the hell's gate!"
Kaguya-senpai keeps continuing chanting the spell with strong magic power.
"Kukukukuku! This air has been a while hasn't it, Kaguya! I'm in good mood so I'll be faithful to you! Kaguya, with your desire now what in the world is it that you wished for?"
"My desire is the manifestation of hell! Send all those people to hell! To inescapable nightmare!"
"Very well! Thy wish is my wish!"
The ultimate magic of Asmodeus was started by Kaguya.
"~Seventh InfernoDainana Jigoku Genkai~!!"
The surrounding surface dimmed ominously.
Is something happening?——Kazuki spontaneously looked back to Kaguya-senpai.
In accordance with Kaguya-senpai's command, Asmodeus raised her right arm overhead, grandly. From Asmodeus' back, gigantic ominous violet [Gate] rose gradually from the ground. Along with Asmodeus' loud laughter, that gate opened, like a damn bursting open with violet miasma flooding out.
The miasma avoided Kazuki and the others, nothing but the enemy that Kaguya-senpai hated were swallowed up.
The instant the fingertips of Asmodeus' raised right arm *PACHIN!* echoed, the violet miasma transformed into a reddish-black flame of hell.
Kaya and the two dragons were buried inside a cluster of flame without even leaving a strand of hair uncovered.
This flame, its the same type of flame seen before in the school entrance ceremony, Gernica.
Namely, this Seventh Inferno manifestation are——[Enemy and Allies Discernment - Large Scale Instant Death Magic].
This flame of hell was not heat attack or the like, this spell slowly applied the concept of death.
"Kaya!"
Kaguya's flame of hell that swallowed all the object of her hostility has even attacked Kaya that already exhausted all her strength. On the other side of the reddish black flame, Kaya's blue defensive magical power let out a frail shine.
"Kaya, stop it!"
Kazuki shouted pleadingly toward Kaguya-senpai.
Kaguya-senpai who doesn't even imagine the connection between Kazuki and Kaya was confused of the reaction Kazuki showed.
"That summoning magic, that magic will kill her!"
"Otouto-kun...Sorry, right after requesting this flame, even myself cannot control it. Even if it's only a tiny hate, everything of the opponent won't be able to escape and will be killed. But compared to bringing down the other two evil beast, I cannot give preference to the life of that illegal magician. Everyone else is already worn-out you see!"
Looking around the surrounding, Torazou-san already exhausted all his strength and fell down. Kanae too received poison claw and crouched down. Hoshikaze-senpai and Koyuki too because of the Chorus Magic, their magic power was sucked up to the bone and they collapsed because of magic intoxication.
The only ones that were safe and could stand up were Kazuki and Mio, also Kaguya-senpai, just three people.
"But, that's..."
If Kaguya-senpai's magic was interrupted, the surviving dragons——the wounded Fafnir can be handled somehow or other, but the method to defeat Nidhogg that can regenerate its injury will be lost.
But if the invoked magic keep continuing like this, Kaya will be burned out before the dragons.
"He, help me, Onii-chan!"
Inside the reddish black flame, while her defensive magic power was being eroded, Kaya pleaded for help.
"Otouto-kun...besides if that child escapes it will become a grave crisis. I won't hesitate anymore like that time with Earth Snake. I cannot hesitate. Because I'm this academy's strongest magician!"
With eyes burning grimly with a sense of responsibility, Kaguya-senpai shouted. While shouting she supplied magic power to Asmodeus. Asmodeus "KUKUKUKUKU!" while laughing madly continued to burn the enemies with the flame of hell.
Kaguya-senpai's regret with dark expression saying "I have to kill him.", about Earth Snake, came to mind in Kazuki's head. But at that time Senpai was in pain. She is a reliable senpai but, I know that she tried desperately doing unreasonable things. Senpai's touch soaked with tears, I still remember it in my heart.
...I understand that Senpai's word is correct. But is this kind of thing really fine...!?
If Senpai kills Kaya...Not regretting anything, not hurting, can that really happen!?
This kind of situation, there was no way I can consent...!
"Sto, stopp! I don't want to die! I don't want to die alone! Stop, stopp!! Help me——Loki! Power...Give me more power!!"
—— The moment [Loki] was yelled, blue defensive magic power from the girl was coming back around.
All thoughts were blown off from his head, Kazuki doubted even his own eyes.
...That recovery was not at the level of just 'coming back around'. Enormous blue light that can't even compare to the girl's original condition covered the girl's whole body, and started to push back the flame of hell.
Vast defensive magic power was distorting [The concept of destined death of the ruler of hell].
"!? ...Such thing, impossible. This kind of magic power...it's inhuman!"
The whisper that Kaguya-senpai unintentionally leaked made us tremble with fear.
Currently the two dragons vanished without even their ash remained, however even now Kaya was still leaking blue light——
"...U, aaa...don't want...Stop it Loki, my head! In my head I'm not me any...aaaa...Iyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
——Kaya who should be escaping already from harm, raised a screaming voice that can break her throat, from the other side of the blue light.
I don't understand at all what in the world is going on.
{...Kazuki, that girl, is being taken over right now. }
After the uneasy silence, Leme's voice resounded inside Kazuki's head.
"...Taken over, what kind of thing is that..."
Why did it become like this, it's completely like being in a nightmare.
No, it could be that——all that happiness until this point, maybe everything was just a dream.
The blue light of defensive magic power and the flame of hell is struggling against each other, Kazuki watched all that in a daze.
{Each time a Diva possessed a human, that human's substance was being distorted into that Diva's form. That distortion keep being repeated little by little and each time, the human's form was rearranged. The result was that girl's madness}
Leme answered. The flame was being extinguished little by little. Kaguya-senpai kept getting closer to the limit.
Asmodeus' figure was "Oioii, is it already over?" faintly starting to disappear.
On the other side of the weakening flame and the light, a human silhouette appeared——that shadow was not a girl's shape. If Kaya was taken over...then who in the world was that...?
{The contractor's mind was tampered around and her ego became ambiguous, and then in one go the Diva plundered the flesh's leadership. At that time the flesh was distorted into that Diva's original form——that Diva became this world's resident}
Long time ago, there were news that because of a malicious Diva's materialization Tokyo was destroyed. There were great numbers of orphans, that were born because of that incident, in Nanohana institute.
Because of the establishment of the Knight Order everybody forgot that dreadful affair.
Finally the flame and light ceased.
The one that stood there did not resemble Kaya at all. A man with long hair and tall stature.
The color of the long hair was blue with transparency similar to a crystal. A handsome feature with slightly slender face, a sinister smile was pasted on that face. In the right hand, it was still clutching the large blue sword.
"Fufufu...hahaha..." The man made an abnormal face and distorted smirk.
"HAHAHAHAHA! At last, about time I obtained flesh and body in this world! Even with all that hindrances from the Knight Order, I'm the first one that achieved this brilliant achievement isn't it? ...Hahahahaha, how awesome of me! Hahahahahaa!"
"...You are, who are you?"
In front of the man who guffawed wildly, Kazuki questioned while gripping his katana.
"Hahaha! ...What is it brat? Why should I give my name, didn't you listen about this happy occasion? If that's the case then let me give this whole world a greeting!"
The man shouted with faked high tension where you could feel the anger just by looking.
"My name is Loki! The Loki-sama of Norse mythology! Hahaha, human's history will soon end! Starting from now the age of gods begins! This Loki-sama will bring even more chaos to this world for sure...When the curtain for the age of gods are opened once more, no one but me will be the one that causes...the Ragnarok! That's surely my role!!"
What the hell is this man... Did Kaya get caught up with this frivolous man!?
Besides Kazuki who was glaring at Loki, Mio and Kaguya-senpai fell to their knees, watching with gazes filled with despair. Only Kazuki was still standing, gripping his katana while facing each other.
"Hm? ...You are not just a normal human, are you? The one inside you is...Solomon Mythology's Lemegeton isn't it? I see, I see, I see...This time too Solomon's 72 Pillar are helping the humans isn't it? Then this brat is the one named new [King] is it? And then you are going to obstruct me, won't you?"
"Bastard, what have you done to Kaya!?"
"What have I done was it? It's just as you see. I broke her, and then I ate her. Thanks for the food. I finished my brilliant achievement you know! There is no doubt that this great me was the one that broke this girl efficiently don't you see!? If I broke her right away then she will just get violent and get arrested by the Knight Order so, I adjusted her condition, and then tampered around with her brain tissue. While breaking her piece by piece, I guided her into wanting to abandon her ego on her own many times, that's the point. And there I got a great idea, [changed her into wanting to kill a person she likes], I remodeled her into that. From here the best outcome came out, just great. Great idea that deserved the Noble prize in human abuse isn't it! Please stop, I don't want it like this~~ she cried and shouted like that, this girl surrendered her ego to me!! ...Hahaha, just awesome!! From a long time ago, manipulating people's feelings skillfully is my specialty! Man, I just want to do it over again~"
"...You, you asshole."
"Whaaat, you bastard is going to punish this Loki-sama, is it? Maa, you're just a low-life."
"Otouto-kun...Its impossible you know!"
Kazuki ignored Kaguya-senpai's restraint and started running.
"...Interesting! You want to challenge the legendary sword style!? Brat!!"
Loki received Kazuki's Iainuki casually with his large blue sword, but,
"U, oo...?" Loki was pressured by the weight of the slash.
Toward Loki who shook violently and braced himself futilely, Kazuki swung his second downward slash.
"Wha, what the hell is your swordstyle!? I don't know something like this!?"
Loki blocked that slash with his large sword, however he backstepped while reeling.
"UOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Kazuki gave up using Foresight, he just swung his katana recklessly, attacking furiously.
"Bastard!"
Loki swung to counterattack while cursing; however, Kazuki parried the heavy large sword and entered one blow from the resulting gap. *BACHIN!* Loki's defensive magical power protected him from Kazuki's katana.
...What in the world, that [thickness] just now.
——With that one attack, unintentionally Kazuki calmed down from his rage and sensed the magic power.
...Few hundreds, no, with few thousands slash, would it be enough to destroy this barrier?
If all the opponent's defensive magic power until now were a curtain, without a doubt this guy's defensive magic power was a wall.
"Uoo...wait a little you bastard, wait! What the hell are you! How could you human's sword style have advanced to this point!? You're fucking kidding me! You weakling!!"
Loki's shout was tinged with anger while he staggered backward.
But this guy was not seriously flustered for real. Kazuki understood that.
"Fucking bullsheet, don't get cocky brat! This time I'm using magic for real!!"
Along with his rage Loki's magic swelled up. The [large blue sword] gripped in his hand rapidly sucked the magic power——the dense magic power condensed violently inside the thick blade.
Right now I'm not inside his sword's range.
Even so——something's happening! Kazuki used Foresight to see the magic power——and instinctively felt despair.
"...Show the divine sword's essence!! L?vateinn!!"
——Ignoring how far the distance was separated, in that place Loki swung his large blue sword downward.
It's not a mere practice swing.
"ZUBAAAAAAAAA!" Along with wind-slicing sound like the world itself tore apart, the condensed magic power gushed out and became a sharp shockwave rushing to Kazuki.
Kazuki evaded using Foresight. Nevertheless, the released sword pressure from the large blue sword sensed that movement and change its trajectory like having its own will. Unparalled accurate pursuit. It's impossible to evade.
It's clear that he won't be able to defend with the amount of his magic power.
Magic intoxication. No, with this destructive power——~Overkillone-hit kill~
Standing in front of certain death——it feels that time become extremely slow.
At that moment, a shadow throws itself in front of Kazuki while chanting a spell.
"...~Self BurningEnsei Yoroi~!"
Mio clad in flame armor jumped in front of Kazuki.
However the flame armor was easily erased by the shockwave, and then the penetrating shockwave *GARIGARIGARI!* eroded the defensive magical power even further——Mio's own blood scattered around.
Fresh blood, so red that it looked like an illusion.
Mio who covered for Kazuki collapsed feebly into Kazuki's chest.
The girl's body, from her chest to her stomach, from the lung to the intestines, a vertical line was ripped apart.
Even with a glance it's obvious that it's a fatal wound. The body grew pale because instinctively it knows that death is near.
"Mio!? You...why!?
"If you received that attack with your current magic power you would surely die won't you...Protecting a Rank E, is the duty of a Rank A, right...?"
Because of her ripped lung "hyuu--hyuu" Mio leaked a weak breath.
"Eh, damn it? Sheet, I got the other kid killed. Sheet."
Loki spat out in frustation. But when he noticed Kazuki's expression he laughed complacently.
"Hm? Why is your face like that brat? I get it, through Kaya I somehow know about you guys but...Mio-chan is your lover huh? Hehhehhe"
We are not lovers. But... BUT...!
His head became pure white. The world seemed to blur white because of the highly strung emotion.
Lies...lies lies lies! How could it become like this!?
I don't know for what kind of reason. But that guy, he trampled my precious person...!
"HAHAHAHAHA! That's a good face you make there brat! ...How precious, then for today's moment to be forever unforgotten I'll especially let you survive alone brat. Forever live your whole life to regret this moment! Commit today's encounter in your memory forever, Onii-chan? HAHAHAHAHH!"
"Bastaard...I'll kill you!"
"With your magic power it's impossible you know, brat! Rather let me teach you how it is to kill! It's impossible to calm down huuh!?"
...I...I don't care what happened to my body. This lowlife, I'll freaking kill him!
Kazuki was filled with killing intent for the first time since he was born, embracing that rage he chanted the spell.
"Burning up everthing that was touched...scorching heat of rejection without destination! ~Self BurningEnsei Yoroi~!"
With his little remaining magic power, Kazuki covered his whole body with flame armor and prepared the form of Iai.
"Thaatt's whhyyy, I said I'm gonna teach you how it is to kill isn't it? Your katana won't be able to pierce my magic power, you get it don't you!?"
Kazuki kicked the ground. Anyhow for this guy, there won't be any mercy.
That's why with my whole strength!
"Besides, why when you are really that angry, rather than attack, you chanted flame defense magic, your life is too valuable huhh!? What a laughable brat!"
"... I don't need something like life! I'll kill you no matter what even if it means stabbing each other to death!!"
Kazuki slashed with Iai while shouting. Right at that moment——By using psychokinesis [Liquid Manipulation], was applied to the whole body of flame and condensed into the sword's blade.
"UOAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"What!?" Toward the wide-eyed Loki, a flash of flaming battoujutsu reached his chest.
Thick defensive magic power blocked that attack.
However the blade clad in flame inflicted a strand of scratch on the thick defensive magical power.
Kazuki fixed his grip in the katana with two hand——Iai's real form are two attacks.
Kazuki thought there was no other way except this technique. If that guy said that he'd teach me, I'll teach him technique polished by a human.
Since magic was born in this world, father polished his sword principle with the assumption of fighting against Summoning Magicians.
Inside Hayashizaki style polished by father, exists an ultimate Iai that pursued a dream.
Hayashizaki-style Dream Sword——[Pile UpKasane].
Why was it called dream sword, it was because father himself cannot realize this technique. It means that it's an unrealistic swordsmanship.
The first swing of the sword gouge out a scratch in the defensive magic power. That scratch, before new magic power plugged up that hollow space the size of a strand of hair, a second swing returned swiftly and piled up the scratch in the identical place. That swing will pierce and kill the defensive magic power.
It doesn't matter how much the enemy's magical power was left, a certain sure-kill consecutive Iai's.
But the time span before the produced scratch got filled up with new magic power was only a blink of an eye. In that one instance, piling up a second sword slash perfectly tracing the first sword slash trajectory, makes it evident why it's called dream sword.
However, for Kazuki at this moment, everything looked like they moved in slow motion.
Using ~Extra SensePerception Reinforcement Magic~ to clear and sharpen his perception, Kazuki sensed the defensive magic power's scratch.
Kazuki stirred up his body with his will. Raising a yell of kiai and activating ~Enchant AuraBody Power Reinforcement Magic~ below the navel, Kazuki accelerated his muscle structure. The whole body's muscle raised a snapping shriek because of the will's unrelenting demand for speed beyond the limit. Even so, whatever the consequence it doesn't matter!
The body surpassed the limit due to magic...Just this guy I'll kill him no matter what!
Everything that Kazuki has cultivated himself——Summoning magic and common magic, and then sword skill——Using everything of those to pile up this two slash. All the scattered pieces are converged in this one swing of a sword.
The blade slid into the scratch where the defensive magic power was thin and gouged and ripped it apart.
——Kazuki arrived at the truth of the sword. The sensation of ripping flesh was clearly felt. Before his eyes, "BAT!" crimson spurt of blood opened like a flower blooming.
"...Thi, this is the sword of human..."
Even so Loki was not dead....He received a severe wound but, a fatal wound was not delivered.
Kazuki understood from the slash's feedback. The depth was not sufficient, if only its one sun deeper.
Kazuki's fingertips lost its strength, the short sword fell to the ground.
...If it's not a short sword, then he'd be dead already!
"Don't fuck with me!"
Loki who sports a wound in his chest let fly a kick towards Kazuki who lost his strength and fell to the ground already.
Kazuki's powerless body that was already like a doll was thrown backward.
"But...thank goodness", suddenly Kazuki who already calmed down thought. If I really killed that guy's body for real——Kaya will also die. If Kaya is not saved...
Strength, my strength is lacking...For a long time I thought I didn't need it, a strong power...
"Damnnit, too careless...how stupid...the body that I got with great trouble is...!"
"Stay away from Otouto-kun! I will kill you!"
Loki raised his head in fluster. Kaguya-senpai mustered her last strength, she squeezed out word by word slowly for a spell, containing the disappearing Asmodeus in the present world.
"Thi, this female magician, from that kind of condition how can she keep the Diva's complete summoning alone!?"
"Oioi, do your besttt, Kaguyaaa...Yosh, this guy is pretty bad news, so let's kill him yeahh!"
Asmodeus was "Kukuku" chuckling, even now Senpai desperately kept her receding conciousness.
"Seventh Hell, come out...!" That voice wringed out the magic.
"Wai...like hell with this! That one is seriously terrible! Hold it I said!!"
The same time Loki started screaming, a fissure ran below him.
From there a huge snake fiercely burst out. Only, the snake head was *gunyagunya* transformed into a human's face——it faced Loki and grinned.
The illegal magician called Earth Snake. Because of the surprise, Kaguya-senpai's concentration is thrown into disarray.
"You are...~MidgardsormrWorld Snake~. I see, you too have materialized huh?"
Loki grinned broadly and laughed, and clung to the snake's body.
"It's amusing playing with you bastards, too bad I don't have time for this, getting hurt for real will suck...Get out of here, my child!"
"...~Land EscapeDochikusou Tongyou~!"
"Dammnit, I'll remember this day, you human brat...no, Solomon's King! I'm acknowledging you! I'm gonna make you dance in my ~Ragnarokwar of gods~ too!"
Before Kaguya-senpai could invoke her magic, both of them sank into the ground. After waiting and seeing that Kaguya-senpai finally passed out, Kazuki watched the scene while still on his back.
——The world is being encroached by the myth.
~CatastropheDestruction~ that didn't make sense was spreading out right in front of my eyes.
In the end of the battle where sword, magic, and Diva mixed together——the ground's surface was gouged, cloud of sand floated, and the spectator stand destroyed, just like a ruin in a desolate land.
Everything was dyed in decadent red by the setting sun. Kazuki stood up in a daze.
This should be a fight for the sake of protecting an important place where I belong.
This kind of conclusion.
Kazuki's underfoot was wet with crimson liquid. Mio lay there, her uniform covered in blood.
The bleeding amount was outrageous. It's not only because of the setting sun that made just about everything dark red.
The siren of the approaching knight group entered his ear.
Kazuki kneeled beside the girl and held the limp upper half of her body in his arms.
Nothing was reflected on the the half-closed eyes of Mio. Her "hyuu-hyuu" breath was becoming intermittent.
The [Red] flowing out of her chest announced the end of Amasaki Mio.
"Why for something like me... Even though you always say you are the master, I am the slave....Even so, why..."
Kazuki whispered not expecting any reply but, inside Mio's hazy eyes strength are returning, the girl laughed faintly.
"...tha, that's because you see"
Even with agonizing breath, her colorless lip quavered.
"Honestly...I'm so happy I could meet you"
Toward those words, an intense lump of guilt swelled up deep inside his stomach, becoming a strangled yell. It's painful in the heart. His eyes are hot. His head became pure white.
That kind of thing——I knew!
"...The karaage, was delicious"
I know, just from your expression that was obvious!
"...You came when I was sulking alone in my room, I'm glad...getting teased by classmates, I was happy...when we were told we look like married couple, going on date...I was happy. Saying we were going to eat together the same sweet curry..."
I know...I understand all of your feelings, and yet, I didn't have any courage to believe it.
"I, I was always a person that was only saying unpleasant things wasn't I, sorry..."
There was no need to apologize. Her honest feeling was plain to see even without Leme's magic.
"...Cheesecake...it'd be nice if I wrote [Love] properly..."
Mio's eyes closed, she inhaled her last breath softly, and then her pulse stopped.
"...I wanted...to kiss you on the lips..."
That was her last word.
The color left Mio's expression leaving behind an empty shell. Inside Kazuki the dam broke and tears overflowed.
Everything of those...even words that was not said at this moment, I knew all of them already...!!
"UAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
I couldn't protect her....I don't even have any power that can protect her.
For a girl who felt love for me, I'm powerless to protect her.
Because of my cowardice, beacuse I keep demeaning myself, I don't even have strength to believe...!
In the middle of wailing, the shaking view blurred with tears reflecting the light of fireshadow——attached to Mio, the matching necklace with me shined reflecting the setting sun. The feather necklace——Phoenix.
The symbol of destruction and rebirth, the divine bird leaping over the world's logic. Its complete summoning...
Leme once said [underhanded trick].
Kazuki bet on the vague hope. He cradled up Mio's body——
He put their lips together without hesitation.
It tasted of blood. At the same time the stigma in the left had radiated heat.
The heat changed into a powerful bond with Mio's spells flowing into his mind.
Phoenix ultimate magic——transcending the fate, the power to take back what is lost.
"...Oh sweet-talking divine bird....Oh beautiful artist shaking fate....Namely the poet, transform into magician. Everything of me, for thy poem..."
{...In your condition now, the magic power is not enough. }
The surrounding shined with orange light. Orange is, the color of Mio.
Behind Kazuki, Phoenix spread its wing and materialized.
The divine bird warned with low voice. Just like the legend of Phoenix, that magic will burn oneself entirely till only ashes are left behind, from the ashes one will be reborn and resurrected once more. The caster's magic power will be consumed entirely.
The caster's existence and fate will be distorted, invoking a grand restoration magic. Right now it was still barely in time.
If Kazuki used that kind of grand magic in his current condition, he will fall into a grave magic intoxication. His mind will be dragged into ~AstrumDistorted World~, the boundary between Astrum with the thinning self-ego and mental world will be lost, blending them together, making it impossible to return from Astrum to the real world. Completely forfeiting his mind.
"My mind——I don't mind about that kind of thing. I don't care whatever happens to me."
"If that's so, then fine...Oh King of Solomon. Recite my poem."
"Disintegrate my body into a thousand words, remake the world by that illusion...~ReviveMesshi Tensei~!!"
As soon as the chant ended, magic power, mind, soul, the feeling of everything being absorbed was felt.
The world distorted. However what happened after that, Kazuki couldn't recognize anything anymore.
——And then Mio opened her eyes.
| ← Ch. 017 | Ch. 019 → |