Chapter 0412 Send out
-x-X-x-
What exactly were the four people from Room 10 doing when the auditorium was in chaos?
When the four of them arrived at the first floor on the left, where the western countries of the Dark Continent guests were seated, they found the corpses of ten Templar Knights and the coffin-sized alchemy tool turned into rubble.
"It seems that the people from the western countries of the Dark Continent cleaned things up here before us."
Ryo said while nodding. Looking proud for some reason.
"This alchemy tool was destroyed so… wouldn't it have been better if we destroyed the other two as well?"
Niels commented on the obvious while looking at the coffin-sized alchemy tool and Ryo in turn.
The previous two were stopped by Ryo using some kind of water attribute magic to cut the 'line' inside.
He felt like it would have been faster to just destroy them like the one in front of them.
"What are you talking about, Niels! Even though that is a bad alchemy tool made by a bad person, it is a wonderful thing. You might even call it a masterpiece! It is unacceptable for someone aiming to reach the top of alchemy to destroy such a wonderful tool!"
"O-oh…"
Niels was unable to retort Ryo after his fervent declaration.
Of course, Etho and Amon were smiling bitterly…
But at times like that…
"Something is coming!"
Ryo shouted and looked towards the entrance of the atrium.
The other three looked the same way.
Golden smoke gathered there, formed a mass, and a human-sized bipedal creature made of smoke appeared.
"Smokeman!"
There is no need to say who said those words… there is only one water-attribute magician with such a naming sense.
"Isn't there another better way to call them?"
Niels commented with a tone of exasperation.
"Then, how would Niels express it?"
"Eh… um… golden smoke lump…"
"Rejected!"
Even while Niels and Ryo were talking, Etho was watching the Smokeman closely.
Then he nodded and said.
"That's likely called a 'Spirit Smoke'."
"Smokeman, what a pity…"
"There's nothing to pity!"
Ryo said regretfully, and Niels interjected.
"According to the teachings of the Western Church, that is the appearance of angels when they exercise their power down here… apparently."
"As expected of Etho. But I'm surprised you know that much?"
Etho said, and Ryo was impressed.
"Yeah. You know, Monk Carle, he told me. Apparently, Graham-san is famous as a researcher of Founder New-sama, and this 'Spirit Smoke' had also come up in his research. He seemed really happy when he was talking about it, but… that's probably it. I guess this is that angel we've been hearing about.''
"Ah… the Fallen Angel…"
Etho explained the reason, and Ryo nodded in understanding.
However, after Ryo's words, despite being smoke, the 'Spirit Smoke' spoke.
"Fallen Angel, you said?"
All four of them heard the words clearly.
They were surprised.
"It can talk…"
"If it is reacting to the term Fallen Angel, it understands the concept of Falling?"
"It looks very strong."
"With no vocal cords and stuff, how?"
Niels and Etho's responses were fine.
The person from Room 10 who usually has common sense, Amon, instead feels like a battle fanatic at times like this.
And as for Ryo… there's nothing left to say.
However, it was Ryo who retorted.
"Fallen Angels are angels who have separated from God and whose energy supply has been cut off. They are pitiful existences who will have no choice but to disappear if they do not do anything."
Usually, Etho talks about religious matters, but this time Ryo was the one who initiated it.
He wanted to see how accurate their understanding was.
"…So you are the ones who interfered with Sacharias' magic circle?"
"Niels, it looks like everything has been revealed."
"Why are you trying to push the blame on me here?"
"There really were angels who separate from God."
Unlike the conversation between Ryo and Niels, Etho muttered with a sigh.
Even though he understood the concept, was it really possible to continue existing apart from God?… he couldn't wholeheartedly accept it.
However, the being in front of him did not deny Ryo's words.
An angel separated from God…
Angels carry the power of God and manifest it on the human plane… the agent of God's power.
How could it exist apart from God?
Etho, with a slightly sad expression, Niels and Ryo… However, there was a fourth person from 'Room 10', whose expression and demeanor were clearly different from those three.
"Niels… Amon looks like he is itching to fight."
"What a coincidence… that's how it looks to me too."
Ryo and Niels looked at Amon and commented.
"Ah, sorry. How do I put it, I can't see the depths of that 'Spirit Smoke's' strength. Doesn't it look super strong? Well, of course, I know that I'll die if I lose in a fight, but…"
Amon was saying some battle-maniac words.
"It's smoke, you know… I don't think you can cut it with a sword, right?"
"You're right! But don't you think it has to solidify the moment it tries to inflict damage?"
It seemed that Ryo and Amon were already simulating a battle with the 'Spirit Smoke' in their heads.
"Etho… half of our party are battle fanatics."
"Niels… even you sometimes appear happy when fighting, you know?"
Etho countered Niels' words with a small smile.
Niels was so shocked that he was speechless.
"Well, Amon, please show me your sword."
When Ryo asked that, Amon obediently showed him his sword.
Ryo wrote a magic formula in water on the sword.
"The other day, after watching a golem battle in the Republic, I was shown the magic formula for enchanting golems. If you can write on golems, I think you can write on swords as well."
"Eh…"
Amon was speechless at Ryo's claim.
"Although the opponent is a smokeman, the core must still be there somewhere. Even if it was made with the power of an angel, as long as it manifests in this world, it should not deviate from the underlying principles of this world. Smoke will disperse unless there is some force to keep it gathering, right? But the fact that it hasn't scattered…"
"I see! Find the core-like part that's collecting smoke and thrust my sword into it."
Ryo's explanation was vague, but Amon, who is a genius, seemed to understand.
"
A thin layer of ice covered Amon's body.
Although it was thin, that 'laminated ice' had the same principle that was also practiced in the recent Ice Bahn… a tough 20-layer with 'non-vibrating' ice sandwiched in between.
It should be able to withstand damage to some extent, but since he didn't understand the power of angels and the 'Spirit Smoke'…
"Please don't rely on it."
"Thank you! It's been a while since I last saw Ryo-san's
Hearing Ryo's words, Amon happily recalled the past.
On the last day of the dungeon course, when he dived into the dungeon for the first time, and the next day as well, Ryo applied
Amon recalled he was barely conscious of it, but it seemed he remembered it.
While Ryo and Amon were talking like that, the 'Spirit Smoke' was waiting patiently without attacking or doing anything… or not, Etho was actually asking it a question.
"Why did you build such an underground magic circle?"
Niels was observing Etho's questioning from the side.
To be frank, he didn't think the smokeman in front of them would answer human questions…
"It is, my mercy."
(It answered…)
Niels was surprised by the fact that it answered.
Etho wasn't surprised at all by its answer.
That may be unique to priests, who are closer to God and angels than ordinary people.
However, although he was not surprised by the answer, it seemed that he had doubts about the content of the answer.
"Did you say mercy?"
"Yes, mercy."
There was no waver in the 'Spirit Smoke's' answer.
Perhaps, rather than the Spirit Smoke in front of them, it was the answer of the Fallen Angel who could be said to be the source of it.
"Why is it that a magic circle that takes away people's lives without any choice is merciful?"
Etho asked with a frown on his face.
He had the expression and atmosphere of a person who found it hard to understand.
"People would be able to let go of the Fragments of God without feeling any pain. In that sense, it would be mercy."
"Letting go of the Fragment of God means dying, right? I don't think dying is a mercy for people!"
In response to the 'Spirit Smoke's' answer, Etho objected sharply, albeit in a soft voice.
"To be freed from all the pain in this world is mercy."
"Pain and suffering are certainly unpleasant. I think it is human nature to want to escape from it. However, it is also a test that God has given to people. It is in no way useless or harmful!"
"God is not as merciful as you think."
"Why would you…"
Etho couldn't continue speaking after saying that much.
He came to understand that the 'Spirit Smoke' in front of him, and by extension the Fallen Angel that was its true form, would never share the same way of thinking as him.
It was a very lonely feeling.
"Etho, Amon's preparations are complete."
Ryo said.
Ryo also heard Etho and 'Spirit Smoke's' 'Question and Answer', but he didn't want to touch on it.
Ryo was certain.
The Fallen Angel that is the main body of the 'Spirit Smoke' in front of him was different from the Michael (pseudonym) that Ryo knew.
He had expected it.
That changed into certainty.
However, what they had to do remained the same.
He just felt a little relieved.
He figured they had no hope of survival if they faced someone like Michael (pseudonym).
But if that's not the case…
Niels didn't say anything, just patted Amon on the shoulder.
That was enough.
Even Amon, who was tapped, just nodded without saying anything.
Ryo watched over the two of them.
(Nurturing people means to prepare the people around you for the worst. Because when an irreversible problem occurs, the person who sent them out will be the one to be tormented by that decision for the rest of their lives… People can still grow if they are left alone? That's not true. Those who say such things are people who have never raised anyone.)
And so, in the atrium on the west side of the assembly hall, the battle between Amon and 'Spirit Smoke' began.
Author's note:
(Reprinted/excerpt from activity report)
Today (August 26, 2021), for the first time in a while, I used the 'Novel Search' on the 'Let's Read Novels' page.
I tried sorting by 'Weekly unique entries'.
And guess what!
'Water attribute Magician' was at the top!
Weekly unique users: 266,882
In other words, in the past week, out of 833,239 works,
This is the work that has been read by the most people!
Thank you!
Activity report issued on July 15th
'Water Attribute Wizard' has reached 90 million page views & has the second highest number of weekly unique views on 'Narou'…
However, since the weekly unique users were 267,024,
You've been reading and following for over a month… I think that's the correct way to interpret it.
Over 260,000 people read this every week… an average of just under 40,000 people every day!
I feel so blessed.
It's not an animated work, and I'm still waiting for the first volume of the comic,
It's not like it's listed as 'The most popular work at the moment' on the main page of Narou.
It's been a year and four months since the first post, 1.8 million characters and over 400 stories have passed…
I'm really happy that so many people continue to read it!
Thank you very much.
-x-X-x-
His opponent was smoke.
Amon's sword sliced air.
Parin!
Immediately, Amon's chest armor was shattered.
Ryo's special
"Laminated Ice Armor 30 Layers."
He instantly recast the ice armor.
He had accounted for the possibility that it would be broken in one blow.
Even though the opponent was different from Michael (pseudonym), they were still a being who claimed to be an 'angel'.
Even if that was not their main body, they should be considered to have the greatest attack power possible.
"Hmm… even though it's within expectations, a single blow is still…"
Even though he expected it, he still felt frustrated.
Niels answered Ryo's murmur.
"As expected, the opponent this round is so different from what he is used to."
Amon's movements also showed that he was quite confused.
Ryo's ice armor being broken with a single blow was something he had never experienced before.
"But now that we've sent him out, we have no choice but to watch over him."
Etho declared.
It seemed that Etho, who is a priest, was mentally stronger than the swordsman or magician.
"I know. I know… Amon is at least more talented with a sword than I am. He might even reach the level of His Majesty Abel someday."
Ryo was surprised by Niels' words.
To Niels, Abel's swordsmanship is synonymous with God.
The fact that he recognizes that Amon may reach that level someday can be considered the highest evaluation.
"But he's only 19 years old… I think he should have had more time to slowly gain experience…"
Niels ended his statement weakly.
Of course, he understood it in his head.
It was too late now.
So he didn't complete his sentence.
"It's okay. Unless it's instant death, I'll save him."
Etho declared powerfully.
"His heart is protected by Ryo's ice. So it will be okay."
Etho insisted strongly again.
Ryo nodded at that.
Bakki.
Amon's chest armor cracked again.
However, it was not penetrated.
It stopped at two-thirds.
It seemed that increasing the 20 layers to 30 layers had some effect.
"
Second reconstruction.
Bakki.
"
Third reconstruction.
Bakki.
"
Fourth reconstruction.
....
The ice armor cracked, and each time Ryo reapplied it.
That was repeated over and over again.
Niels was watching with an anxious expression on his face.
Etho stood firm and watched.
Ryo… he noticed something as he was reapplying the armor.
"Little by little, the duration between reconstructions is widening."
Yes, the interval between reconstructions was increasing.
In other words, it was becoming harder to break.
That was proof that Amon was getting used to it little by little.
Kakin.
Additionally, from time to time, they could hear the high-pitched metallic sound of hard objects striking each other.
One is probably Amon's sword.
Then what about the other object?
It was probably smoke that had solidified…
In other words, Amon was starting to catch the moment when the smoke solidified and attacked.
"He's amazing…"
Ryo couldn't help but whisper.
That was Amon's strength.
Naturally, the opponent was 'smoke', so it was completely different from fighting an opponent with just a sword.
Every part of their body can turn into a weapon at any moment…
Amon responded with minimal movement of his body and sword to evade the attacks.
With the slightest movement of his sword, he parried the attack of the 'Spirit Smoke'.
If he didn't rely on minute movements, he wouldn't be able to keep up with the number and speed of attacks from the 'Spirit Smoke'.
At first, when he defended, his chest armor was broken many times, which seemed to be a problem.
However, now he could deal with it and was no longer suffering any fatal damage.
While Etho was impressed by Amon's movements, he noticed that Ryo's hands were also moving slightly.
Etho shook his head with a bitter smile.
"As expected, Ryo is also a battle fanatic."
No one could hear Etho's murmur.
The sword that Amon learned while in his village was the Hume style.
In Ryo's context, of those he knew, that is the style Abel trained in.
In the early stages, footwork is used extensively, but it is optimized according to the characteristics of each body while reducing unnecessary movements.
But that's just the basics.
Even Abel doesn't use footwork a lot… he's the type to use it exclusively at key points in a battle.
Whereas for Amon.
He doesn't use much footwork.
In the first place, since the enemy is smoke, he may not have that leeway.
But more importantly, his swordsmanship is different from Abel's…
"Ah, there are parts where his style overlaps with Niels'."
Ryo finally noticed.
Niels' swordsmanship is completely self-taught.
Amon seemed to have incorporated Niels' sword style into Hume-style swordsmanship and customized it to suit him even more.
Related to martial arts and tea ceremonies, there is a term called 'Shuhari – the three stages of mastery'.
You could say it's a word that expresses the relationship between master and student, the stage of training, or the relationship with the school itself.
Shu (fundamentals): The stage of faithfully observing and mastering the teachings and techniques of the school. Most people remain at this stage.
Ha (breaking from tradition): The stage where you take in the good from other schools and develop them within yourself. The super top-notch individuals.
Ri (creating own technique): The stage of breaking away from a school and starting your own school. These people leave their names in history.
Ryo's understanding was roughly like that.
Abel is definitely at the final stages of 'Ha'.
If he had tried to master the art of swordsmanship as a swordsman instead of becoming a king… perhaps he could have reached the level of 'Ri'.
However, what was surprising was Amon in front of him.
He reached 'Ha' at the age of 19, and even now, at this very moment, he continues to grow…
Eventually, he will reach 'Ri' and there is a possibility he might create a new sword style…
For example, in the history of Japanese swordsmanship, Nenami Jion, the founder of Nen-ryu style, Aisu Iko, the founder of Kage-ryu style, or Ito Ittosai, the founder of Itto-ryu…
It's truly a level that will leave their name in history…
"Maybe I should secure his signature now."
Both Niels and Etho heard Ryo's murmur.
However, the two of them ignored it because they had no idea what it meant.
Speculative investment is quite difficult.
"Amon is amazing huh."
"Yeah"
Etho muttered and Niels agreed.
Then, Etho glanced at Ryo and asked in an even lower voice.
"Who is stronger… Amon or Ryo?"
"Ryo."
Niels answered without hesitation.
Etho was surprised by the speed.
He thought he might at least hesitate a little.
From Etho's point of view, he couldn't tell the difference in strength between Ryo and Amon at all…
"Is that… because of Ryo's magic?"
Etho asked with the first reason that came to mind.
"No… In the first place, if you consider magic, it won't even be a fight. Even if they fought without magic, Ryo will be the last one standing."
Niels declared again.
"Why?"
"Ryo's defense is impregnable. Even… a Sword Saint can't break through it… in other words, it's humanly impossible."
"Sword Saint…"
A Sword Saint is truly the highest-ranking swordsman.
There's not always one, and it's not something that someone formally decides and recognizes.
It is an existence that many swordsmen in the world naturally recognize as the strongest.
Currently, there is nobody called the 'Sword Saint' in the Central Countries.
No, to be exact, they're not currently active.
They have already retired from the front lines…
"A being beyond human capabilities… be it power, speed, or something else… only someone at that level can even think of trying to break his defense."
"That strong…"
Etho was surprised by Niels' words.
And he thanked God.
Now, at this party, there were people like Ryo and Amon.
Meanwhile, the battle between Amon and 'Spirit Smoke' continued.
However, it was clear that things were different from when the battle started.
It was Amon's movements.
His legs were moving.
In short, the situation had evolved to where he had gone from trying to survive with minimal movement to counterattacking.
At that time, he began to utilize footwork to close the distance at once.
All because he got used to the smoke's movements.
"If you think about it normally, I don't think that smokeman expected their situation to gradually get worse.''
"I agree."
Niels nodded in agreement with Ryo's words.
The 'Spirit Smoke' would also understand that although they started with an overwhelming advantage, they had now been forced into a situation where they were at a disadvantage.
Naturally, to overcome that situation, they would typically… make a move to reverse the flow of battle…
But… if they don't make such a move?
Then it would be something abnormal.
What's abnormal?
As far as he could see, there wasn't anything being done.
If that's the case, he had no choice but to believe that there was something abnormal happening that was invisible to the naked eye.
And eventually…
"Here!"
Zaku.
Amon's sword pierced something that wasn't smoke.
At that moment, the something that was pierced became covered in ice.
"Eh…"
An exclamation of surprise escaped Amon's mouth.
The moment the ice covered what looked like the heart of the 'Spirit Smoke', the smoke dispersed.
"Excellent work, Amon."
Ryo clapped.
"Well done!"
Niels also applauded.
"Are you hurt?"
Etho, being a priest, was worried about Amon's health.
"Ah, yes, I'm okay."
Amon answered Etho's question for now.
Then he looked at the piece of ice that slipped off his sword to the ground.
"This is… Ryo-san's ice?"
"Yes, that's right. That's what I drew on the sword with a magic formula earlier, activated if Amon's sword catches something that might be the core of the smokeman. As expected of Amon, you did a good job piercing it."
"Ah, yes, thank you very much!"
At this point, Amon finally showed a bright smile.
However, Etho noticed something strange.
"Huh? But Amon's sword doesn't have any magic stones attached to it, right? Where did the magic power that activated the magic formula come from?"
"Just as I'd expect from Etho. You're great at knowing what to look out for! That's from the magic line connected to me."
"Magic line…"
"Yeah. Though it's invisible."
Ryo nodded many times and answered happily.
As if a novelist satisfied to know that there are readers who have noticed hidden elements in the novels he wrote…
"Well, whatever it is, I'm glad we were able to defeat it safely."
Niels said the most sensible thing and the battle in the western atrium ended with Amon's victory.
-x-X-x-
While Amon was fighting a 'Spirit Smoke' on the first floor of the atrium and Graham was slaying the 'Spirit Smokes' with his holy sword in a part of the assembly hall arena… in fact, a more gruesome battle was taking place in another part of the assembly hall.
In the east side audience seating area.
There, guests from the eastern countries of the Dark Continent were beginning to evacuate outside the assembly hall.
The 'Chief' and other senior guests had already left the auditorium, but three-quarters of the guests were still there.
"Hey, the Spider monster is here!"
A scream rose from the audience seating area.
The unmistakably grotesque creature, with the face of Cardinal Sacharias on its head, the face of the Pope on its abdomen, and the faces of the four bishops on the knees of its four legs, approached the east-side auditorium rapidly from the arena.
Then they chanted. The knees.
"
"
"
"
Four voices echoed from the Spider monster.
It was four Fire Cannons firing in rapid succession.
When already, the
Multiplied by four.
With just a single quadruple volley, ten percent of the audience seats were reduced to rubble.
Even those who quickly defended themselves were not unscathed.
The balls of flame shot in rapid succession were a menace, but the destructive power of each ball was also very high…
"What the hell is this magic…?"
"We can't block them with our gauntlets…"
"If only we have enchantments…"
"Hey, where's Kinme-dono?"
"Kinme-dono is already outside protecting the 'Chief'…"
The guests were forced to fight amidst a grueling evacuation…
The carnage which could be described as a massacre of the guests from the eastern countries, was clearly visible to the cardinals and archbishops.
But none of them could afford to offer to help.
Even Graham, who was getting fed up with the endless 'Spirit Smokes' that appeared no matter how many he slashed.
"That spider monster is definitely not a creation of man… Then, perhaps the power of a holy sword could be of some use."
No one replied to Graham's muttering.
The only one who could make an effective attack against the 'Spirit Smokes' was Graham with his holy sword.
Stefania, who had only been praying from behind, moved as if she had steeled her resolve.
She took out one of the three holy swords from the bag on the ground and picked it up.
"Chief Stefania!"
The Inquisition officers, her subordinates, exclaimed in astonishment.
It is said that if a holy sword is held by a person it doesn't recognize as its master, it will absorb their magic power or even their life force.
The three holy swords on the ground now were swords that had been without a master for a long time.
Stefania took one of them, and even pulled the sword from its scabbard.
But nothing happened.
That's a good thing.
Holy swords basically don't glow like magic swords.
The fact that Stefania didn't collapse from being drained of her strength…
"Seems you've temporarily approved of me as your master, huh."
Stefania's muttering was heard by the Inquisition officers around her.
Then Stefania ran to Graham.
"Stefania?"
"Graham-sama, I'm here to help!"
Thus began Graham and Stefania's sword performance.
Stefania is the head of the Inquisition.
In some cases, situations arise in which the Inquisition must forcefully bring wayward priests before the Inquisition.
In such cases, the chief who leads the Inquisition cannot be weak in close combat.
The previous chief, in particular, was known as a vampire hunter and had fought with vampires that are overwhelmingly superior to humans.
His successor, Stefania, must not be weak.
In fact, the skills of her predecessor, Graham, wielding the holy sword before Stefania's eyes, was brilliant.
A relatively safe fight, though he seemed to be wielding his sword not at full strength, but with a great deal of leeway.
Stefania also wielded her sword, not quite surpassing him, but almost as good.
"Stefania, you have improved your skill."
"Thank you, Graham-sama."
Compared to the situation where Graham was fighting alone up until now, the number of people fighting with the Holy Sword had doubled.
He now had some breathing room.
But still, if asked if he could break through the 'Spirit Smokes' in the arena and go to the rescue of the guests from the Eastern Countries, it would be impossible.
Perhaps, at that very moment, the remaining cardinals and archbishops, and possibly the priests in the audience seats behind them, would be attacked by the 'Spirit Smokes'…
(It seems cruel, but the people I need to protect the most right now are not the guests. But the priests here.)
Graham had already made up his mind.
It was probably the same for Stefania, who was swinging her sword next to him.
The fact she didn't suggest, "Let's go help them" already said it all.
She, too, was calmly analyzing the situation.
It was a painful decision obviously.
They hoped something or someone would appear to change the situation.
Such a convenient thing won't happen, and such a person won't appear… they know that.
Even Graham was aware of his desire for such a heroic being.
"What a foolish desire."
He mocked himself.
But despite his self-mockery, he couldn't deceive himself.
Even though he was considerably younger, he had absolute faith in Roman the Hero because he never gave up at any point and often discovered breakthroughs in resolving problems.
But there was no more hero.
"If the guests from the eastern countries perish, we will be next."
The Central Countries delegation, directly across from them, put up a solid defense and withstood the 'Spirit Smokes'.
That was because the command capabilities of each of the three countries were extremely high.
Also, the fact that there were several holy sword-wielders probably played a big factor.
Although the audience seats didn't seem like they would be easy to defend, it didn't seem like they would collapse just yet.
If he were that spider monster, he would most likely choose the priests as his next target.
Since they are probably easier to crush.
"Damn, we're still not out of the water yet…"
A heroic and powerful being who can break out of this situation…
Graham was thinking that when he looked to the west, where the audience had already retreated and the seats were vacant…
Only to lay eyes on four adventurers.
-x-X-x-
"There's fighting all over the place…"
"Even though there are traces of intense battles everywhere, there are no corpses."
"And lots of 'Spirit Smokes'…"
"Over there, in the audience seats! An Arachne is on a rampage!"
Niels and Amon focused on the battle, Etho found the same kind of 'Spirit Smoke' that Amon fought earlier, and Ryo compared the spider monster to an Arachne.
An Arachne is a monster from Greek mythology, with the upper body of a woman and the lower body of a spider.
Thinking about it, the spider monster did appear somewhat like one… but Cardinal Sacharias serving as the head was unmistakably male… and the Pope at the abdomen was also male…
Spiders usually have eight legs, but the one in the arena had four.
However, from its silhouette, it was not hard to see why Ryo would call it an Arachne…
"That spider… did it just invoke four magic spells at once?"
"It sure did… It seems like it can cast spells separately for each of its many faces… I remember reading a manga like that once…"
Etho asked, and Ryo nodded in response.
The word manga didn't seem to register with Etho.
Ryo remembered as he said that.
"Come to think of it, the Pope who attacked me before had four heads floating around, casting four spells simultaneously."
"What, heads floating around?"
"They were floating beside his real head… it was quite eerie."
Ryo provided a precise answer to Niels' question, but he couldn't convey the image to Niels.
Niels was perplexed.
Describing a scene the other person has never seen is indeed a difficult task.
Giving up trying to picture the scene, Niels scanned the arena and the audience seats.
First, he made eye contact with Graham in the arena.
Then, he also made eye contact with Hugh McGrath in the audience seats.
Graham, through his gaze, indicated two bags placed on the ground.
Hugh, through his gaze, indicated the audience seats of the guests from the Eastern Countries being attacked by the spider monster.
Niels understood just from that.
"We've got orders from the commander. We're to rescue the guests from the Eastern countries who are under attack. Also, Graham-san wants us to use the two ownerless Holy Swords."
Niels' explanation surprised the three of them.
Though surprised, they also understood that it was the most necessary action at the moment.
"Once Amon and I secure the Holy Swords, we'll charge through the arena while cutting down the 'Spirit Smokes'. Then, we'll strike the spider monster from behind. Ryo and Etho, head to the guest seating area. Etho, focus on healing the injured there. Ryo, make sure to protect Etho until then, and afterward, protect the guests."
"Understood."
The three of them responded in unison.
"
Ryo chanted, and the four of them were enveloped in ice armor.
Then, after a brief pause…
"Let's go!"
With Niels' command, the four of them dashed forward.
Niels and Amon ran toward where Graham and the cardinals and archbishops were gathered.
Along the way, they encountered 'Spirit Smokes', but they only swayed and fluttered…
And the two ran through them without attacking.
The priests who had been riveted by Graham and Stefania's battle with the 'Spirit Smokes', did not notice Niels and Amon until they came running up and picked up the Holy Swords from the bags on the ground.
"Hey!"
Naturally, seeing that would elicit a response.
Some random guys who appeared to be adventurers emerged from nowhere and picked up the Holy Swords.
However…
"It's fine!"
While still in battle, Graham, who had been keeping an eye on the actions of 'Room 10' shouted out.
At the sound of his voice, the priests, mainly the inquisition, who tried to stop them, stopped in their tracks.
There was no mistaking it, it was the voice of their esteemed former superior, Graham.
"I'm counting on you to rescue the guests from the Eastern countries."
"Certainly sir."
Graham said while fighting, and Niels replied.
At the same time, Niels and Amon drew the swords from the bags.
At that moment, Graham and Stefania saw the Holy Swords faintly glow.
"They glowed…"
"That seems to be the light indicating that the Holy Sword has truly recognized its wielder. Truly worthy of B-rank adventurers."
Stefania murmured, and Graham smiled in response.
While Graham and Stefania were at the level of being 'temporarily recognized' by their Holy Swords, Niels and Amon were at the level of being 'officially recognized' by their Holy Swords.
That difference.
For now, either was fine.
The important thing was being able to use the Holy Swords when facing an opponent they couldn't defeat without them.
Graham and Stefania continued to cut through the 'Spirit Smokes' without pausing.
Believing that was the only way to save their comrades.
Niels and Amon, wielding the Holy Swords, struck at what seemed to be the neck of the 'Spirit Smokes' that was approaching them.
With just that, the 'Spirit Smokes' disappeared.
"Compared to fighting in the atrium just now, it's so much easier…"
Amon exclaimed in surprise.
"Well, they are indeed Holy Swords, specialized in vanquishing spirits, all right. Quite something."
Niels remarked, seemingly amazed by the power of the Holy Swords.
While running, they had watched Graham and Stefania's battle, so they knew that severing the neck or piercing the chest of the 'Spirit Smoke' would instantly make it disappear.
They understood that, but…
"The performances of these swords are extraordinary. Now I understand why they wanted to seize them."
It's clear now why they went as far as infiltrating the delegation quarters to seize the Holy Swords.
Indeed, in the Central Countries delegation, it was mainly Gladys Aldiss, the negotiator from the Kingdom's Ministry of Military Affairs, and Groen, the leader of the Union's escort squad, who, as holy sword bearers, were repelling the 'Spirit Smokes' that approached the delegation.
"Let's quickly defeat that spider monster, Amon."
"Got it!"
With the holy swords in hand, Niels and Amon dashed toward the spider monster with Sacharias' head, cutting through the 'Spirit Smokes' blocking their path.
Meanwhile, Etho and Ryo.
There was hardly any 'Spirit Smokes' on the path they chose.
Of course, both of them were protected not only by
"Ryo, is the distance still too far for magic?"
"Yeah, it's still too far for precise bombardment. I'd like to attack and support the guests, but…"
As soon as Ryo answered Etho's question.
Five offensive spells were launched from the southern audience seats, striking the spider monster.
One of them, in particular, seemed quite powerful, and the spider monster, not having erected a barrier, suffered considerable damage and writhed in pain.
"That was…"
"Probably His Majesty Roberto Pirlo."
Both Etho and Ryo understood who was leading the bombardment.
They both knew that the former King, Roberto Pirlo of the Union, was a very powerful magician.
They also understood why there were only five magic bombardments.
"In a battlefield-like scenario with a large number of magic bombardments, they interfere with each other and deviate significantly from their targets… so they limited it to just five powerful ones to prevent that."
"Truly, His Majesty Roberto Pirlo and his subordinates are remarkable. Precision bombardment from that distance is quite challenging."
Both Etho and Ryo were impressed.
It was a calm and precise magic bombardment.
"Someone like him was an enemy of the Kingdom during the 'Great War' thirteen years ago…"
"Ilarion-sama and Arthur-san mentioned that. They said the Union's magic was troublesome, and they thought they were going to die. At that time, His Majesty Roberto Pirlo's name wasn't mentioned, but I heard it later from His Majesty himself. He was at the center of the Union."
Roberto Pirlo, as one of the Union's representative magicians, stood on the battlefield during the 'Great War' when the Kingdom and the Union fought.
Despite being over sixty years old at the time and holding a seat in the Ten-member Council, the Union's central governing body, he personally stood at the forefront.
Ryo had heard from Roberto Pirlo himself, during this journey to the west, about how he had engaged in fierce battles with Ilarion Baraha and Arthur Verasis, the main magicians on the Kingdom side.
"Oh, it seems there will be another bombardment… Etho, when the Arachne's attention turns back to the delegation, let's jump to the audience seats!"
"Huh? Jump?"
Etho couldn't understand the meaning of Ryo's words at all.
However, without resolving Etho's confusion, Ryo acted decisively.
He wrapped his left hand around Etho's waist and held on firmly.
Although Ryo couldn't be described as having a particularly sturdy physique, he was well-trained, had developed some muscles, and, above all, had a strong grip.
Because he wields a sword.
And, the grip strength of his left hand!
Although that grip strength alone would suffice, just to be sure, he reinforced it with ice so as not to drop Etho.
While Etho was saying something like, Uh… or Um…
As Ryo predicted, there was another round of three magic spell bombardments from the Central Countries delegation aimed at the spider monster.
But…
"
It wasn't one of the faces on its four legs but the face of the Pope on its abdomen that chanted.
Absolute defensive magic.
As expected, the absolute defense couldn't be pierced, and the bombardment was deflected.
However, for Ryo and Etho, whether the bombardment succeeded or failed didn't matter.
The moment the attention of the spider monster, which Ryo arbitrarily called Arachne, turned towards the delegation, they leaped over it in one go.
"
And thus, they landed in the guest seats of the Eastern Countries.
Releasing Etho, Ryo chanted.
"
An ice wall was erected between the spider monster and the guest seats.
Etho, unaffected by the sudden experience of flying, began casting
Perhaps Etho was the one with the strongest nerves in 'Room 10' after all…
At this moment, the guests from the Eastern countries of the Dark Continent narrowly escaped the threat of total annihilation.
-x-X-x-
"మీరు అబ్బాయిలు…" (You boys)
At the guest seats, a man who was about to be killed by the spider monster's magic spoke to the two of them.
"We are adventurers from the Central Countries delegation. We were instructed by our commander and Cardinal Graham to protect you all."
"Is anyone else injured?"
Ryo casually used Graham's reputation while Etho asked as he healed any injury he could see.
"అతని దాడి మేజిక్ శక్తివంతమైనది!"
It was spoken in a language that Ryo and Etho couldn't understand.
The guest must have understood that they were unable to communicate with each other. He took something out of his pocket and put it over his right ear.
Then he spoke again.
"అతని దాడి మేజిక్ శక్తివంతమైనది "That monster's attack magic is powerful"!"
"Automatic translator!"
After the guest spoke, the machine in his ear spoke words that Ryo and Etho could understand.
"This is an alchemy tool that translates speech into the Central Countries' language."
It seemed to work very well.
"It's been a while since I've seen a tool that combines reality and fantasy."
No one answered Ryo's murmur.
"Magic Shield was destroyed in an instant…"
"Four magic were cast at the same time? "
"That's a monster…"
The guests all started speaking in unison.
Did they want someone to hear about their terrifying experience? That's understandable.
However, the spider monster wouldn't stay idle.
"
"
"
"
Four consecutive shots of the fire-attribute ten-shot attack magic
A magic that does not exist in the Central Countries.
But…
"I don't want to admit it, but that Empire guy's fire-attribute magic was stronger.
As expected, even Ryo's ice wall received considerable damage after receiving four consecutive Fire Cannons.
Therefore, he re-casted it, but…
"Layers were needed when I dealt with his magic too."
Frankly speaking, the Explosive Blaze Magician's attack magic was stronger.
Moreover, Ryo didn't need to attack this time.
Just defending was sufficient.
It wasn't up to Ryo to deal the final blow.
It was…
Slash.
Two swordsmen with holy swords approached from behind the spider monster.
Amon jumped and decapitated Cardinal Sacharias, and Niels' sword, which plunged into its back emerging out of its stomach, also pierced the Pope's head, which was in its abdomen.
Due to a surprise attack from the rear, the Absolute Sanctuary that was protecting the front of the monster spider disappeared.
"
Ryo released four ice spears that pierced the faces of the four bishops who were on its knees.
Amon and Niels moved away from the spider monster.
Just to be safe.
"
Just like he did for Neil Andersen, he soaked it in Ryo water and then froze it.
The spider monster had five of its faces crushed and one face cut off, and was frozen in ice.
Of course, Cardinal Sacharias' head, which had been cut off, was also frozen in ice.
At that moment, all of the 'Spirit Smoke' in the assembly hall disappeared.
The 'Spirit Smoke' outside the meeting hall had also disappeared, but that was impossible to tell from there…
It was a complete victory.
Those who understood that smiled.
At last, it was safe.
They could tell.
It was not just Hugh McGrath or Roberto Pirlo, even Graham felt it.
Everyone thought so.
Except for one person…
"… Is it really impossible to manifest beyond the dimensional wall?"
Only one person… Ryo remembered the question he had been pondering for a long time.
If it's not possible, then that was the end.
The 'Fallen Angel' who lost their proxy, or remote-controlled spider monster, could no longer intervene… Well, strictly speaking, they might be able to but perhaps even then, their time left should be short.
That's why they decided to do something so large-scale to obtain a large amount of 'Fragments of God', even if it meant losing the trust of the country that they were supposed to use as a valuable pawn.
Most likely the time limit for their existence to disappear was very close.
That was without a doubt.
Now that there was no one left on this side to reap lives and offer a large amount of God Fragments through the magic circle, it was only a matter of time before the Fallen Angel disappeared…
But… did he overlook something?
Etho, who was next to him, noticed that Ryo's expression was grim.
"Ryo?"
"…Where does that Arachne energy and magic come from?"
"Arachne? Ah, the spider monster… isn't that from the Fallen Angel?"
"Right… That's right… Otherwise, it's impossible to explain…"
Ryo thought to himself.
However, that meant that 'energy can transcend dimensions and cross dimensional walls'.
In cutting-edge theoretical physics, gravity is thought to transcend dimensions.
Then what about other energy?
He resolved to remember it then.
He wracked his brain again and again.
E＝mc²
E is energy.
m is mass.
c is the speed of light.
Einstein's formula suggests that matter can be created from energy.
Energy and mass are essentially the same thing…
In other words, it is possible to cross the dimensional wall as energy and become matter upon reaching this third dimension…
At that moment.
Light fell from the sky.
-x-X-x-
Chapter 0417 The Final Curtain Draw – And the Extinguished Hope (Part 1)
-x-X-x-
What is that?…
On the surface, it looked like a person.
A priest wearing a shining white robe.
But everyone there could tell.
That was not a person.
It was in the center of the assembly hall, but they could feel the pressure coming from it all the way to the audience seats.
Ryo was probably the only one who noticed that the Arachne, the spider monster that was supposedly frozen, had disappeared.
That was likely its manifestation or a medium…
Ryo was certain.
"Fallen Angel…"
Immediately.
Ryo realized that he had locked eyes with the Fallen Angel.
But the next moment.
Gon.
"
He hurriedly recast 100 layers.
100 layers was currently the maximum number of layers that Ryo could instantly create…
"That wasn't magic…"
It felt like what the Fallen Angel released earlier, causing his 30-layer ice wall to instantly disappear, wasn't magic.
"That felt like energy itself… is that possible?"
Honestly, he didn't know.
Honestly, he didn't understand.
But it was right in front of him.
And it was an enemy.
If they don't deal with it… they'll all die.
Ryo wasn't the only one who came to that conclusion.
The more powerful someone is, the more perceptive they are of that.
The Fallen Angel stood in the center of the arena.
Graham and Stefania attacked from the north.
Niels and Amon attacked from the east.
Then, from the south… Master McGrath attacked.
As if to provide support, fire attribute magic flew from the south.
It was Roberto Pirlo.
However, Roberto Pirlo's magic bombardment disappeared just before it hit the Fallen Angel.
The moment it disappeared, a small light emitted, and for a moment, Ryo could see magical power flowing into the Fallen Angel's arm.
"Did it… absorb it?"
He had to assume that the Fallen Angel could freely move between pure energy and matter.
Magic is… a kind of energy.
To be honest, Ryo still couldn't say that he understood everything about magic, but he still thought of it as a kind of energy.
Fundamentally, two energies can't collide with each other.
Often it is 'substances charged with energy' that collide.
Then, what is 'mutual annihilation' in magic?
That is probably a problem that cannot be solved without an accurate understanding of magic…
The swordsmen attacked from three sides.
Their downward blows were fast, thrusts were sharp, and side sweeps left no traces behind…
But…
Ping.
All the swords were repelled before they could reach the Fallen Angel.
The people who attacked it probably expected that too.
Even a holy sword probably wouldn't harm it.
Still, they had to attack.
The reason was fear.
Although battle-hardened… even they, or rather, only they, could understand the primal fear that directly touched their human nature.
Driven by fear, they had no choice but to attack.
However, as expected… all their swords could not reach it.
Ryo didn't move.
Even Ryo felt fearful of the Fallen Angel.
But he understood more than that.
The swords of this world could not harm it.
That was not something that could be defeated.
What's next if it can't be defeated?
Give up?
No!
"There's no need to defeat it."
Correct.
"Just lock it up."
Correct.
"Just seal it."
But there's a problem.
It had no substance.
If it was made of matter, they could surround it with matter and confine it.
But that being was not the case.
If it is something that moves back and forth between matter and energy… how do you confine it?
To confine energy… how do you do that?
Is there really no way?
"There is!"
Ryo raised his head and told Etho.
"I'm going downstairs for a second!"
"Huh? Ryo?"
"
The Water Jet drew a circle and punched a hole about five meters in diameter.
The same method he once used when he went to rescue Abel and others on the 40th floor of the dungeon.
And Ryo jumped in without hesitation.
At the end of the hole…
The first floor.
Several Templar corpses and… a coffin-sized alchemy tool.
"
He slid the coffin into the center of the hole…
"＜Ice Bamboo Shoot＞"
A pillar of frost rose from the ground where the coffin and Ryo were… It became a large pillar of ice and expanded up to the audience seats, holding Ryo and the coffin aloft.
In just a few seconds, Ryo and the coffin appeared in the audience seats.
"Ryo, that's…"
"Yes. It is equipped with a mechanism that collects magical power and God Fragments. We can use these magic formulas and magic circles to trap it!"
Ryo succinctly answered Etho's question.
"Hmm… this seems like how charged particles will revolve around the lines of magnetic force… are the God Fragments charged particles? No, it's somewhat different… but it's similar in this relationship… I'm sure this magic formula wasn't invented by that cardinal, it was probably taught by the Fallen Angel… It's like the Larmor Precession… plasma confinement in a tokamak-type nuclear fusion reactor… will it keep spinning forever? Perpetual motion… no, it's the other way around… a magnificent waste of energy…"
While Ryo was muttering and fiddling with the coffin, the battle in the center of the arena continued.
That said, the humans were unilaterally slashing at it with their swords, and the Fallen Angel, completely unharmed, was knocking them away… and the process repeated.
Naturally, Etho looked at the arena and Ryo alternately, feeling anxious.
Then, Ryo finally stood up.
"Done!"
However, he stood up, looked at the center of the arena again, and thought about it for a moment.
And whispered.
"No… this coffin is not enough…"
The presence in the center of the arena was probably a Fallen Angel manifested in the third dimension.
Even the coffin, which was supposed to collect the magic power and God Fragments of hundreds or thousands of people and activate an underground magic circle, was not strong enough to seal away that Fallen Angel.
(I made the loop mechanism and the Fallen Angel's energy will be absorbed into that 'closed loop' but… it's still too big… if we don't divide it or confine it in another layer, the magic formula itself will not be able to withstand it… it's troublesome that it's not from this world…)
Ryo pondered.
Was there anything better?
Was there a better way?
His gaze once again turned towards the coffin in front of him.
And then it dawned on him.
(There was another coffin! If I used that to do something like a double confinement method…)
Ryo glanced at the audience seats on the south side.
The Central Countries delegation was there.
Directly above the coffin, in the middle… was the Kingdom's delegation!
On the floor of the audience seats was Ryo's
In that case…
(
And it reached the first floor.
(＜Ice Bahn＞＜Ice Bamboo Shoot＞)
Just like before, the coffin slid on the ice floor, and the coffin was raised from below on a pillar of frost all the way to the top floor… at the same time, the remaining layer of ice opened up and the coffin appeared at the audience seats.
The surrounding envoys were surprised.
No one explained anything, but many of them accepted that 'Ryo probably did it'.
Ryo had also become quite famous…
(＜Ice Bahn＞)
The coffin, held up by the ice bamboo shoot, slid down an ice slide from the south audience seats to the east audience seats where Ryo was.
It arrived safely before Ryo.
Ryo immediately drew a new magic formula and magic circle.
The coffin that he modified earlier was only slightly smaller than the coffin on the south side that arrived in front of him.
He was certain of that because he cast 'Scan' on it when he saw it on the first floor.
In that case, he should fit it into the coffin from the south side!
"It's complete!"
It was accomplished at a great speed.
As fast as Neil Andersen when he rolled out the upgraded Republic's golem 'Civilian'.
That may be proof that Ryo's alchemy has reached top tier.
Place the east coffin into the south coffin.
Then think again.
The tools for sealing have been completed.
However, even if he did bring that contraption to the center of the arena, no sane being would obediently enter if he asked them to.
Besides, even with double confinement, he was still anxious.
He didn't know if such a thing was possible, but unless he did some damage to the Fallen Angel and made it a little 'weaker', there was a high possibility that the coffin would blow up the moment he confined it in it.
However, in the center of the arena, battle-hardened fighters were attacking with holy swords, but they were all repelled by what appeared to be the Fallen Angel's
If even a holy sword could not break through it, it must be a barrier of something that was not of this world.
An opponent who absorbs magic and cannot be harmed by a holy sword.
Someone who is not of this world.
It is impossible to damage and weaken such an opponent.
"Is there something? Some way…"
Ryo looked around.
And then he stopped at one point.
He placed his hand on his waist…
"Murasame…"
He removed it from the sheath and held it in his right hand.
Ryo's partner that has gone through many life-and-death situations with him.
The sword given to him by a non-human, his sword master, the Fairy King.
"Maybe I have no choice but to rely on you…"
Ryo muttered.
At that moment, Murasame seemed to glow blue, just a little.
It's as if it answered, "You can rely on me".
Ryo formed an ice blade on Murasame and held it in his left hand.
He then carried the double coffin on his right shoulder.
Then he said to Etho.
"I'm going."
"Be careful."
Etho answered.
In the center of the arena, the battle-hardened fighters, driven by fear, slashed at the Fallen Angel with holy swords that could not harm it.
They understood too.
That even their holy swords couldn't harm it.
That they would be repelled by the Fallen Angel's
But they were not acting rationally.
It was the heart.
Their hearts were moved… by fear.
Fear welled up from the depths of their hearts due to the presence in front of them.
Fear eventually turns into despair.
When you are in despair, your body stops moving.
They know.
So, they attacked while they could still move.
Graham and Stefania attack from the north.
Niels and Amon attacked from the east.
And Hugh McGrath attacked from the south.
They too were beginning to feel that they had to accept the situation.
There was nothing humans could do in the face of that existence.
At that moment, a blue light flashed over their heads.
The blue light descended on the west side of the Fallen Angel, placed the 'coffin' on the ground, and attacked the Fallen Angel without wasting any time.
Parin.
Gakin!
There was a sound like glass breaking, followed soon by the sound of hard objects striking each other.
Ryo's downward blow broke through the Fallen Angel's barrier and the sound came from the sword in the Fallen Angel's hand immediately coming up to block that blow.
Ryo broke the barrier that even holy swords could not break.
"Fallen Angel, your opponents are me and Murasame."
For a brief moment, after Ryo taunted it, the Fallen Angel seemed to smile slightly.
And then, the sword fight between the two began.
-x-X-x-
Ryo attacked.
Vertical downward slash, reverse upward slash, diagonal downward slash, diagonal upward slash, side slash… and thrust.
However, his attacks were never rushed.
Rather, he carefully reproduced the sword swings he had trained one by one.
However, his sword flashed at high speed.
The Fallen Angel defended.
Dodge, weave, and directly deflect… those were the essence of its defense.
Yes, there is no slack in its defense.
Rather, it perfectly defended and deflected all of Ryo's attacks one by one.
Naturally, during a high-speed sword fight.
"Amazing…"
Who blurted out those words?
Already, the only people fighting in the center of the arena were Ryo and the Fallen Angel.
Graham, Stefania, Niels, Amon, and Hugh also watched the two fight from a distance.
The holy swords they held could not reach that being…
They knew it, but their hearts were controlled by fear.
So they had no choice but to attack.
But…
Ryo now fight in their place.
What's more, Ryo's sword could harm the source of that fear!
So they decided to watch.
Meanwhile, the sword fight unfolded.
It was not a display of unconventional technique.
Rather, his swordsmanship could be called orthodox.
That's precisely why the observers had no choice but to acknowledge the high level of technique involved.
Sword technique built through pilling effort on effort, getting knocked down over and over again, getting back up and picking up the sword… and repeating that process over and over again.
It may not be the sword of a genius.
Still, it was a sword achieved through overwhelming effort over many years without cutting corners.
It didn't feel fleeting or fragile at all…
"It's so thick…"
Master (of the sword) McGrath was able to see the 'thickness' formed through Ryo's time spent seriously training in the sword.
That's why he muttered that.
That was the path he once took.
It was different from the heights that geniuses like Abel reach through effort on top of talent…
However, they will never be inferior to nor lose to the heights those geniuses reached…
They would reach a different height.
Hugh was well aware.
That height was not something a person could reach alone.
He realized that he couldn't move up unless he met a 'partner' to whom he could entrust everything.
That was Hugh's holy sword Galahad.
Likely for Ryo, it was the ice sword he was currently wielding…
Hugh had no idea about the origin or history of Ryo's sword.
He didn't even know if the sword was inscribed with the name of a famous swordsmith.
Ryo believed in his sword, and his sword performed its best for Ryo… Hugh could comprehend that.
It was different from the trust between people.
Complete unity of heart and body.
The sword becomes a part of the swordsman's body, raising each other to a higher 'dimension'.
Being able to see such a sight is a blessing for a swordsman.
"He's a magician though…"
Hugh mumbled that involuntarily, and then smiled bitterly.
He understood.
That didn't matter.
A man who simply trained with his sword seriously, connected with it with his heart, and rose to greater heights.
That's all.
The sword fight that started with Ryo attacking and the Fallen Angel defending had switched to Ryo defending and the Fallen Angel attacking.
At first, the Fallen Angel was maintaining a dignified stance as if to say, "Come attack me", but now it was attacking fiercely.
It was as if, as it continued to be attacked by Ryo, it too became heated…
If you looked closely, you might even see a faint smile on it.
And, of course, Ryo, who was subjected to such fierce attacks, also smiled.
Why was he smiling?
There is only one reason to smile.
Because it's enjoyable.
Of course, if he received a fatal blow, he would die.
He understood that.
He understood but… he couldn't help but feel that it was fun.
Parry the Fallen Angel's side sweep, dodge its diagonal downward slash, lean back to further dodge the following back slash, and counterattack with a diagonal downward slash.
While dodging Ryo's diagonal downward slash with its footwork, it took another step to the side and slashed from a blind spot.
Ryo had never seen the school of swordsmanship the Fallen Angel practiced before, but to be honest, he was excited to defend against it.
Even though he would die if he received a fatal blow.
And finally…
He failed to defend.
Slash.
A large gash was cut into Ryo's right arm.
Amazingly, the Fallen Angel's sword cut through the Fairy King's robe.
"It's okay, it didn't reach the bone."
Ryo made an instant judgment.
But soon something else, more important, occurred to him.
"My robe was cut…?"
However, the robe soon repaired itself.
As if it had a will.
"Thank goodness."
Ryo was relieved. He didn't want to see his precious robes in tatters.
...
Well, that's not what Ryo should be worried about.
His arm was deeply injured and was bleeding profusely.
If he was the kind to worry more about his body than his clothes.
However, Ryo declared.
"This is just a handicap. It's not like I got my arm cut off."
Hearing this, the Fallen Angel clearly smiled.
It was different from the faint smile he had seen so far. A distinct smile.
As if it was rejoicing in the battle…
A Fallen Angel who can break through even Ryo's impenetrable defenses.
However, Ryo did not despair.
Even if it seems impossible at first glance, there is always a breakthrough point.
Ryo knew that from his experience of fighting many extraordinary beings.
Experiencing success is what gives people confidence.
Ryo looked straight ahead.
His right arm was deeply injured.
But no problem.
Ryo's sword was supported by his left arm.
The right arm is the one that guides the sword…
The Fallen Angel must have also noticed the change in Ryo's atmosphere.
It moved its sword wide.
To decide with one blow.
The two of them remained motionless in complete silence.
Cling!
The sound of something falling.
That was the trigger.
They both jump in at the same time.
The Fallen Angel's sword swung down first.
Just a little, Ryo moved his left side further forward and turned sideways.
He raised his right arm above his head.
And Ryo's right arm got cut off.
However, at the same time, Murasame, that was supported by only his left hand, pierced the Fallen Angel's chest.
A clear thrust with the left hand.
Furthermore, ice spread from the pierced chest.
It was not Ryo's magic.
It was Murasame.
Although the opponent was supposed to be immune to magic, Murasame, with its hilt and blade glowing blue, stopped the Fallen Angel's movements.
"Coffin, activate!"
Ryo exclaimed.
At that moment, the Fallen Angel's expression changed to one of surprise.
Then, he looked at the coffin that Ryo had brought with him when he first flew over.
After a few moments, it burst into laughter.
Maybe it understood what it was and how it had been modified.
"It's an alchemy technique that was used to capture a Djinn for hundreds of years. It also used the Djinn's own magical power."
Ryo applied the mechanism that was used to capture the Djinn of the south, near Kona Village.
Using the Djinn's own magical power to keep capturing the Djinn… what a trick.
The 'Black Notebook' that Ryo inherited from 'Hasan' also contained a similar magic formula.
Of course, at the time, Ryo couldn't understand it at all, but over the past three years, Ryo's knowledge of alchemy had increased and he had gained experience.
He had honed his skills!
This time, he'd use the Fallen Angel's energy to trap the Fallen Angel.
It was a technique that even the genius alchemist Viscount Kenneth Hayward probably didn't know.
"And this coffin is equipped with a mechanism that captures and stores God Fragments, an element that is probably important in a higher dimension. I'm guessing it is a magic formula you taught Cardinal Sacharias? I can easily predict that if I use it, it would capture you, a being from a higher dimension."
Ryo explained.
He was explaining, but at the same time, he was understanding it.
The Fallen Angel in front of him must have appeared in this three-dimensional world in search of a place to die, so to speak.
Of course, it didn't matter who it fought or where it died.
But it sought the right person to die to and the right location, the circumstances to satisfy that…
Perhaps it manifested in this arena and noticed right away.
In this place, Ryo was that right person.
No, it may have known about Ryo's existence even before that… for example, when he defeated the Pope in the atrium of the underground palace…
But when it descended to this arena, it understood clearly.
Ryo was the right person to be its final opponent.
It wasn't because it understood Ryo's power, but because he was wearing the robe of the Fairy King.
Because it knew that he had the Fairy King's sword that could interfere with its power.
That's why it shot Ryo first, who was in the audience seats.
Ryo then prepared a 'coffin' and fought it with Murasame… and perhaps convinced the Fallen Angel.
Eventually, the Fallen Angel, whose energy supply from God was cut off, will disappear.
However, if possible, it wanted to take action and bring its curtain to a close through its own volition… Ryo interpreted it to be something like that.
"If you're convinced, please sleep peacefully in this coffin."
Ryo said that in a rather calm tone.
The Fallen Angel smiled faintly… and was sucked into the 'coffin'.
Ryo's right arm was successfully regenerated by Etho, who ran so fast he looked like he would tumble.
Afterward, the storage of the coffin was discussed.
Ryo, of course, remained in the discussion until the end, as he was pretty much the only person who could move the coffin.
Meanwhile, the Central Countries delegation returned to their quarters…
After the discussion, Ryo arrived at his dorm feeling tired.
The consumption of magic power wasn't that great, it was more of a mental strain.
Of course that was natural since his arm was sliced off.
"Welcome back, Ryo."
"Ryo-san, welcome back."
"Go and take a bath."
Ryo finally felt a little better after Etho, Amon, and Niels greeted him.
He decided it was a good time to report to His Majesty the King, who is far away, since his previous report was quite some time ago.
((I'm really tired. I can't continue doing this without receiving overtime allowance.))
((…Ryo.))
((Abel? What's wrong?))
Abel's reply was the darkest tone Ryo had ever heard.
((…Sorry, Ryo. The Kingdom may be ruined))
((Abel?))
((At least the people in the delegation should survive… okay? Don't ever return to the Central Countries, okay?))
((Abel?!))
((Don't come back…))
At that point, communication was cut off.
After that, no matter how many times he tried to connect, he couldn't connect to Abel.
It had never happened before that 'Soul Resonance' did not connect.
Something unusual had certainly happened.
The three people of 'Room 10' watched Ryo's unusual behavior from the sidelines.
"Ryo?"
Niels called out quietly.
As expected, he could tell that he was not in the mood to joke.
"My communication with Abel was lost."
"Ha?"
Niels was speechless at Ryo's words.
Etho and Amon couldn't say anything either.
"I was told not to come back to the Central Countries, but that's not going to happen…"
"But it will take a month…"
In response to Ryo's words, Niels reminded him of the travel distance.
"What about Merlin?"
"If I recall correctly, he said that the magical power… the magical power of the dungeon has not fully returned yet, so he won't be able to reach the Central Countries…"
Amon and Etho searched for the possibility of teleportation using Djinn Merlin's help, but it was impossible.
The magical power consumed to send Hero Roman and the Demon Lord Nadia through teleportation… not just Merlin, but the magical power of the western dungeon that served as the foundation for the teleportation… it may not be the same 'magical power' that the three in 'Room 10' are familiar with, but… it sounded like it would take quite a while to recover.
Ryo thought of something and looked up.
"I'm going to the Empire's lodgings."
"Huh? Hey, Ryo!"
Niels instinctively called out to Ryo as he began to walk away.
However, Ryo quickly left the dormitory.
Imperial Delegation Accommodation.
"This is Ryo Mihara, Duke of Rondo, Kingdom of Knightley."
Ryo said as he held out his identification plate and entered through the entrance.
"Huh? Duke?"
"Is that the Water Magician from earlier?"
"Hey, wait a minute!"
"Don't come in without permission…"
Ryo ignored all the voices and pushed forward while clearing away those who grabbed at him with
"Please let me see His Majesty the Former Emperor."
While saying that, he cleared away all the hindrances and opened the door to the Emperor's room on the top floor.
"Excuse me, Your Majesty the Former Emperor… are you there?"
It was a particularly luxurious room… he could tell at a glance that it was a room set up for the former emperor… but the person in there was a nobleman.
He was not the former emperor.
A nobleman that Ryo also knew.
"Count Hans Kirchhoff?"
"Yes, hello, Your Excellency, Duke Rondo."
"Excuse me, but His Majesty the Former Emperor…"
"His Majesty is not here."
Count Hans Kirchhoff answered Ryo's question without any hesitation.
The answer suddenly flashed in Ryo's head.
That was something that had been bothering him ever since during the trouble at that meeting hall…
Count Hans Kirchhoff also came to Ryo and Robert Pirlo.
Not the former emperor.
Yes, the former emperor was already at that point…
"He's no longer in the Western Countries?"
"Yes. As expected of you, you deduced it quickly."
Hearing that, Ryo fell to his knees.
"Duke Rondo?"
Hans asked suspiciously.
"That means… His Majesty the Former Emperor… has returned to the Central Countries with Baron Hagen Venda, who can use
Ryo's question for confirmation was already weak and small.
"Yes, you're right."
Hans answered with a nod.
There was the moment when Ryo completely lost the way to quickly return to the Central Countries…
Author's note:
This is the end of 'Part 8: Pope Inauguration Ceremony'.
'Final Part: The Great Djinn War' finally begins tomorrow!
The stage moves to the Central Countries.
What will happen to the Central Countries without Ryo?
The final boss in this second volume was not in the Western Countries but in the Central Countries…
(Didn't he appear here and there during the second volume?)
As everyone who has read this far understands,
The 'Great Djinn War' is occurring in the Central Countries, and Ryo is missing… he has no way to return!
So Ryo won't appear for a while in the final part… sorry…
I did my best to create content that would make you feel a sense of Ryo even if he's not there… Yes, with effort.
But he will appear eventually!
Please wait patiently!
So, I hope you enjoy reading the final part of volume 2.
The final part alone has over 100,000 characters!
Well then, please look forward to reading the final part starting tomorrow.