Chapter 224: The True Enemy
“Ha…”
The ominous warning emanating from the Man in Black Robe continued to echo in my mind. Despite being ensnared in the Gravity Field, I felt the surge of his Magic Power rising. Seizing the moment created by Rio, I channeled my Magic Power into my legs, preparing to leap forward.
“Ah…”
In that instant, I heard Rio’s faint voice from behind me, followed by the sound of something heavy collapsing to the ground.
“Go!”
I was already too committed to cancel my advance, but Rio’s telepathic communication and the absence of any further warnings from her solidified my resolve to charge straight at the Man in Black Robe. It seemed she had erected a Spatial Isolation Barrier before collapsing, and with Nil having also rushed out, I felt assured.
With Rio’s Gravity Field dissipated, I no longer needed to maintain my Anti-Gravity. As I burst forth, I deployed a Magic Disruption Field around my opponent, reinforcing it with a Spatial Isolation Barrier at the forefront just in case.
I thought I had found an opening thanks to Rio, but it appeared the Man in Black Robe was quicker on the draw. His Magic Power surged, and a sinister grin twisted his lips, but as I closed the distance, that expression shifted to one of shock. He must have attempted to cast a spell, but it was futile. The Magic Disruption Field was effectively neutralizing his efforts. He would need to channel a significant amount of Magic Power to overcome it.
“It’s over.”
I positioned the retrieved katana at my waist and slashed upward in a reverse diagonal cut. For a brief moment, I thought I saw signs of a Force Field activating, but of course, the Disruption Field had done its job, preventing any activation. The Man in Black Robe was swiftly severed from his right side to his left shoulder, collapsing in a spray of blood and entrails.
“Phew…”
During that time, I had also been monitoring Rio’s condition with parallel thought. Slowly turning around, I saw Rio collapsed on the floor, Laila-san pressing down on her severed right wrist, and Mesaria-san pinned beneath a now larger Nil.
“I never expected the innkeeper and Laila-san to be on that side…”
Letting out a deep sigh, I rubbed my temples. The ominous warning that had resonated in my mind was now gone. This was likely the end.
“Ah, how disappointing… I can’t move at all…”
Though Rio lay on the ground, she seemed conscious, having erected a Spatial Isolation Barrier around us. Laila-san’s severed right wrist was contained within that barrier.
“Ugh…”
As I walked slowly toward Rio, Laila-san stepped back, still clutching her wrist.
“Shuu. Could you pull out the needle stuck in my waist?”
Once I ensured the area was secure, Rio’s voice reached me. Looking closely, I noticed a thin needle embedded in her waist. So that was the reason she couldn’t move. It seemed even the Metal Spider’s shirt couldn’t protect against such a slender needle. After all, it was just fabric.
“Alright… here goes.”
“Ah!”
After she released the barrier, I carefully pulled out the needle. A small scream escaped Rio as she twitched slightly. However, she seemed unable to move immediately, focusing on healing her waist with Healing Magic. It appeared that the moment Laila-san had stabbed her with the needle, Rio had managed to erect a Spatial Isolation Barrier around herself, resulting in her wrist being severed.
A Spatial Isolation Barrier can forcibly manifest over an object if enough Magic Power is channeled. The same principle applies when manifesting in the air; it simply displaces the gas present in the area. The amount of Magic Power required increases with the state of matter—gas, liquid, solid.
“Both of you, I had no idea you were enemies until the very end.”
I pointed my katana straight at them as I spoke.
“I didn’t realize either until I was stabbed with the needle.”
Slowly, Rio stood up and positioned herself beside me.
“Are you alright now?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Good… So, I’d like to hear what’s going on, but let’s move to the Living Room.”
As I spoke, Rio nodded and quickly used the Spatial Isolation Barrier to capture Laila-san. She did the same with Mesaria-san, dragging them both toward the Living Room.
“Now, let’s hear your story… or at least I’d like to say that, but…”
“Indeed.”
Laila-san’s complexion was growing increasingly pale, and it was no surprise given that she had been left with a severed wrist.
“W-What are you…?”
Laila-san murmured, her face turning blue, but I ignored her protests. As Rio purified the severed wrist I had picked up with magic, she began to reattach it.
“…!”
Magic Power surged from Rio as Healing Magic activated. Before my eyes, Laila-san’s previously pale face regained color, and her severed wrist reconnected.
“Huh? …The pain…”
Laila-san muttered in disbelief, her expression one of confusion. Mesaria-san, watching from the side, widened her eyes, staring intently at Laila-san’s right hand. After confirming that she could move it without any discomfort, Laila-san shifted her gaze from Rio’s face back to her own wrist.
“……Normally, a wrist wouldn’t reattach this quickly.”
“I think your stamina has returned to some extent, but how do you feel?”
At Rio’s words, Laila-san fidgeted as if checking her condition.
“It’s unbelievable, but it’s definitely back…”
“That’s great to hear.”
Hmm. Recovery of stamina, huh… I’ve never consciously used Healing Magic with that in mind, but I might ask Rio about it later.
“…”
Mesaria-san remained silent, merely listening to the exchange between Rio and Laila-san.