The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet
“Damn it…!”
Altera’s face twisted in anger at Nina and Iris’s flawless teamwork.
However, she didn’t charge in again.
If she did, she would just get swallowed up by Nina’s teleportation once more.
It was a pretty much perfect combination.
Or rather…
She probably imitated Nokia’s fighting style, but to think Nina could do the same thing too.
Isn’t this a perfect way to corner someone with no possible escape, no matter how you look at it?
“Reez-chan!”
“Understood.”
So Reez is moving as well.
Being a demon, she must possess high physical abilities and magical power.
But that can’t be all.
Just like how Altera manipulates flames and can even turn herself into fire…
There’s a strong chance Reez has some kind of special ability too.
What should we do?
First, observe how she moves?
Or…
“Boost!”
I decided to charge in from our side on purpose.
If we don’t understand the enemy’s ability, we could be pushed into a critical situation all at once.
Everyone could get hurt.
Before that happens, I’ll confirm it with my own body.
I enhance my physical abilities and sprint forward, leaning my body ahead.
The weapon in my hand is Kusanagi.
The fuel is empty, and my magical power is nearly gone, so it’s just the First Form.
Even so, its sharpness is outstanding.
Even if the opponent is a demon, it should still deal decent damage.
“On!”
With an “I’m coming too!” kind of feeling, Sakura runs alongside me.
I hesitate for just a moment, but Sakura is an expert in close combat.
It shouldn’t turn into anything serious, and if something does happen, I can cover for her.
And after all, having someone beside you really is reassuring.
“Perhaps it’s time for you to exit the stage, Rain-san.”
Smiling, Reez moved her fingertips as if she were playing a musical instrument.
Something’s coming!
Keeping my guard as high as possible so I can respond no matter what happens, I accelerate even more.
I keep my eyes firmly on Reez, not missing a single movement.
I shouldn’t have missed anything, and yet…
“Huh?”
Before I knew it, Reez was right in front of me.
Her palm was already facing us, magical power converging within it.
“Rain!”
Yuki, who had been running slightly behind, dove in like a body check.
Me, Yuki, and Sakura all tumbled together across the ground…
And right after that, black light was released from Reez’s palm.
I’ve never seen it before, but it’s definitely attack magic.
“Thanks, Yuki. You saved me.”
“You’re welcome. Still…”
“Oof…?”
When did she get that close?
Even Yuki, who should have been watching from farther away, seemed not to understand, wearing a puzzled expression.
“Oh my, you managed to avoid it. You’re quite impressive.”
“What did you just do?”
“Did you really think I’d honestly reveal the nature of my trump card?”
Fair point.
“Fireball!”
Gwoosh!
As if to catch us off guard, Altera’s flames come rushing in.
After intercepting them with magic, we retreat once to where Nina and the others are.
“Nina, do you know what Reez just did?”
“U-um… no, I don’t really know.”
With her fox ears drooping flat, Nina answers apologetically.
I wondered if she might have manipulated space the same way Nina does…
But if Nina herself has no idea, then that probably isn’t it.
“It’s not something you need to worry about, Nina. How about you, Iris?”
“I’m very sorry… I don’t have any idea either. I stayed with her for a while, but I never saw her fight…”
“I see. And Iris, you don’t need to worry either.”
As if to reassure them, I gently pat Nina and Iris on the head.
“Fah…!? T-this head-patting is unbelievably pleasant—such exquisite, soft touch…!”
“Oof…!”
Sakura, please don’t look so jealous.
“Um… Rain? Everyone? We’re in the middle of a battle, you know.”
“S-sorry.”
Yuki scolds us lightly, but…
It feels like the taut string of tension that had been stretched to its limit has loosened a little.
Yeah. That’s right.
Everyone is here together.
And Yuki is right beside me.
I absolutely can’t forgive Altera, and my resolve to defeat her here hasn’t changed…
But I’ll stop letting my anger control me.
Just like when I fought Weiss, I’ll control that anger and make the power welling up inside me my own.
Until just now, I’d been pushed to the brink and had no room to breathe…
But now that everyone’s together, I should be able to do it.
“Still, Reez-san’s ability is unsettling…”
“She might have teleportation. I, Yuki, and Sakura will be the vanguard. Iris, Nina, and Finia stay in the rear. But she might move to your position in an instant, so be careful.”
“Understood.”
“Mm.”
“Y-yes!”
“Then… shall we go one more time!”
Yuki and I ready our weapons, while Sakura bares her fangs with a low growl.
Altera and Reez take their stances as well.
And then…
The final battle begins.
Comments
Post a Comment