“――【Slash】――!”
At last, Feld’s Battle Art caught Amor, slashing off his upper body as if gouging out his heart from under his arm. But—
“Uwoooooooooooooooooooooooh!!”
Even so, Amor did not die.
As the half-broken Magic Stone spilled from his torn heart, it suddenly emitted a strong light. Lured by it, the Worms forcibly reconnected his body and completely covered the Magic Stone.
“I wooooon’t! Loseeeee!!”
“What…?”
The moment Feld disengaged with a groan from Amor, who was roaring and changing form, a massive, powerful arm slammed down on Feld.
“Kuh!”
Feld instantly blocked it with his greatsword. However, Worms scattering from the massive arm attacked Feld, trying to parasitize him.
“Graaaaaaaaah!!”
In that instant, electricity discharged from Nero’s whiskers struck Feld, burning countless Worms to death.
“Sorry, you saved me.”
Even as white smoke rose from his burned skin, Feld offered his thanks. Nero responded with a light flick of his whiskers, without even looking at him.
“I haaaaave! Been rebooooorn! As a heroooo!!”
The Worms began to repair Amor’s wounded body. But this was clearly beyond the scope of a Divine Protection (Gift).
And now, as a “hero” who feared no death, his spirit, enhanced by his Divine Protection (Gift), had surpassed the limits of humanity. The Worms implanted by a demon, responding to this, were trying to remake him.
The Worms that should have regenerated Amor himself multiplied, swelling as they devoured his flesh.
A Giant of Worms—. Leaving only his half-destroyed head, Amor’s entire body had become an aggregate of Worms. His form now exceeded four meters, and having abandoned his human body, he laughed boisterously with a voice that was no longer human.
“Hahaha! This iiiiis! The ultimate poweeeeeer!!”
【Amor Claydale (Left)】【Race: —】
【Mana Value: 312/450】【Stamina Value: —/—】
【Overall Combat Strength: 3240】
【Super Regeneration】
—Fall back—
“Hey!”
Telling Feld to “Fall back,” Nero advanced on Amor, scattering electric sparks.
“You dare come, mere beast!”
“Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!”
BOOOOM!!
The colossal bodies clashed, and the deafening roar became a shockwave, blowing away the nearby Undead. Several Undead caught in it were crushed.
The Worms could not penetrate Nero’s fur. He didn’t know what would happen if they aimed for his eyes or mouth, but Nero understood that he, who could burn them to death with electricity, had to be the one to fight.
However, Nero also realized he lacked a decisive blow to defeat the endlessly regenerating Amor.
Only Nero and Feld could face the current Amor. That was precisely why he had Feld, who possessed that “decisive blow,” temporarily retreat.
“Damn it! I’ll be right back!”
Slashing through the Undead of the Second Order of Knights along the way, Feld returned to the castle gate, leapt among the Dandole knights who were holding back the invasion, and slipped inside through a slightly open gate.
“Treat him immediately!”
“【Greater Heal】!”
A Dandole Magician who rushed over immediately began to treat Feld. Even 【Greater Heal】, which instantly regenerated stamina and flesh, couldn’t restore lost blood. Feld gulped down some nearby fruit wine as a makeshift disinfectant and stood up, holding his greatsword.
“Feld-dono!”
Margrave Dandole rushed over to him, and Feld turned a grim face towards the castle wall.
“My apologies. I’ll head to the front lines immediately.”
“But can you defeat that thing?”
This was no longer a battle between men. For Dandole, who had lived in the northern frontier teeming with Monsters, holding out against a hundred or so knights, even if they couldn’t be defeated, was considered trivial. But an enemy that wouldn’t die even when killed exceeded the scope of enemies he had anticipated.
“But I’ll try.”
In response, Feld gripped the hilt of his greatsword tightly, as if to rouse himself as a warrior.
Feld had been unable to press his attack effectively against the parasitic creatures called Worms. But he didn’t think it was due to the difference between humans and monsters, but because his own strength was lacking.
The Dragon Horn Greatsword, which he still couldn’t say he had mastered. If he could master it, he could fight even the current Amor—so he glared at the greatsword’s blade.
When he first slashed Amor, he had seen a half-broken Magic Stone in Amor’s chest. Magic Stones were the vital spots of the Undead. But why was it halved? Feld believed that was the secret to his Immortality.
But to cut it directly required power.
“Please… lend me your strength!”
He spoke to his greatsword and gripped the hilt tightly. The blade faintly glowed with the mana that filled his clenched fist.
“Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!”
Nero, letting out a roar, slashed Amor with his claws, and the electricity discharged from his whiskers burned the Worms.
【Nero】【Race: Kua’arl】【Phantasmal Beast Rank 5】
【Mana Value: 212/280】【Stamina Value: 361/510】
【Overall Combat Strength: 2136 (Physical Enhancement active: 2704)】
Their combat power was almost evenly matched. Nero was slightly inferior to Amor, but considering his combat experience, Nero seemed to have a slight advantage.
“Ugaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!”
However, against Amor, whose wounds regenerated in an instant, Nero, wary of Worm infestation, had his greatest weapon, his “fangs,” sealed, and his stamina was gradually being depleted.
I want new “power.” Nero earnestly wished.
Beasts do not seek power. For a beast, its very existence is “power”; it is not something to be sought.
To be defeated in battle simply meant the enemy had triumphed. It was merely that he was weaker than his opponent; he accepted it and bore no grudge.
But Nero, for the first time in his life, shunned defeat. At that moment, negative emotions other than anger began to stir within him for the first time.
“Nero!!”
Hearing the call, Nero momentarily caught sight of Feld, who had retreated earlier, now standing atop the castle gate, holding his jet-black greatsword.
But his appearance was different from before. The strength of the Physical Enhancement he was clad in hadn’t changed. However, a portion of his mana flowed into the greatsword, and the weapon hummed as if to drain all his mana.
“Guuuh!!”
Feld’s muscles bulged as he gripped the hilt, trying to suppress that power. With each absorption of mana, the power unleashed by the Dragon Horn Greatsword seemed to increase.
“Graa…”
Feld couldn’t move, focused on suppressing it. But Nero, seeing Feld’s eyes, understood what he was trying to convey.
That was the power of “Darkness.” The horn of the Dark Dragon, the material of the greatsword, craved the user’s mana to reclaim its original power.
The Earth Dragon, once captured by humans, had transformed into a Dark Dragon through rage and hatred.
The attribute that governs emotions is “Darkness.” Nero felt it within himself as well. He seethed with frustration at his own inadequacy, consumed by a fervent passion to gain strength. But this was not anger towards foolish opponents who defied him.
—Aria, the Moon— The light that illuminates the darkness of night. The girl who manipulates light and darkness.
Something in the heavens, beyond his reach even if he stretched out his hand… But she had called Nero her partner and chosen to fight alongside him.
He had a strong “desire” for the girl he wished to be with.
That strong desire had even called forth spirits of darkness, causing the same “Dark” power as Aria’s to dwell within Nero.
“Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!”
“What!?”
Nero’s form vanished, and Amor was astonished.
“Guah!?”
The next moment, Nero reappeared and destroyed Amor’s arm.
“You wreeeetch!!”
Screaming, Amor struck with his other arm, but Nero’s form vanished into Amor’s “shadow.” Then, leaping out from the shadows of the surrounding Undead, Nero tore at Amor’s back with his claws.
Dark Magic—Shadow Walker—.
However, Nero’s Dark Magic, being that of a “Phantasmal Beast” and not a human, connected all the surrounding shadows, forming a barrier that enclosed Amor.
【Nero】【Race: Kua’arl】【Phantasmal Beast Rank 5】
【Mana Value: 320/330】50Up【Stamina Value: 520/520】10Up
【Strength: 20 (30)】【Endurance: 20 (30)】【Agility: 18 (27)】【Dexterity: 7】
【Claw Strike Lv.5】1Up【Martial Arts Lv.5】【Defense Lv.4】
【Non-Attribute Magic Lv.5】【Dark Magic Lv.5】New【Mana Control Lv.5】
【Intimidation Lv.5】【Stealth Lv.4】【Night Vision Lv.4】【Detection Lv.5】
【Poison Resistance Lv.4】【Slashing and Piercing Resistance Lv.5】【Status Ailment Resistance Lv.4】
【Overall Combat Strength: 2541 (Physical Enhancement active: 3210)】405Up
“You beaaaaaaaast!!”
Faced with Nero, who attacked by instantly disappearing and reappearing, Amor could only scream as he attacked the Second Order of Knights, his own subordinates, trying to eliminate the “shadows.”
“P-Please stop, Your Highness!”
Even for an Undead, being crushed by Amor in his current state would result in a fatal wound. At the very least, even the knights who still possessed their will would become mindless dead. Witnessing such a scene, the knights of the Second Order of Knights shouted, trying to stop the rampaging Amor, but Amor glared back at them and roared.
“It’s because you bastards are dawdling! Take down Dandole already!”
“…Hah!”
Even if they were Undead, if Amor, their source, were to strip them of their power, there was no telling what would happen. In the worst case, those without will might remain as they were, so the members of the Second Order of Knights who still had their will headed towards Dandole’s gate with grim determination.
Nero was occupied with Amor and couldn’t move. Feld, who was suppressing the greatsword, believing Nero would create an opening, was in the same situation.
“Damn it…”
Should I stop the mana flowing into the greatsword here and intercept the Second Order of Knights? But if I did that, I wouldn’t have enough mana to imbue the greatsword again.
While he hesitated, a knight from the Second Order of Knights, charging in without any defense, was pierced through the chest by a spear from a Dandole knight waiting before the castle gate, yet still swung his broken sword and cut down the Dandole knight.
There was no time. In a situation where he had to make a decision immediately, the moment Feld clenched his jaw to make a decision—
“Gogah!?”
A giant spear, flying from the darkness, pierced an Undead from the Second Order of Knights.
“—’Spirits of Water and Wind!’—”
At that “voice,” spirits of “Water” and “Wind” in the form of maidens ensnared the Undead, slashing them apart and blowing them away.
When Feld and the Dandole knights turned their eyes in that direction, they saw Dolton, who had thrown the spear from horseback, and Mira, who had cast spirit magic. From their side, two mounted figures charged onto the battlefield.
“Finally, it’s my time to shine!”
Jesha, charging in while shouting, sent an Undead flying with a single strike of his two-handed axe. Viro, who plunged horse and all into the gap in their ranks, galloped around, further disrupting their formation. At this sight, the people of Dandole raised cries of joy.
“—It’s the “Rainbow Sword”!”
The Rank 5 adventurer party, “Rainbow Sword”—they had received word from Feld and begun to act immediately, arriving ahead of the First Order of Knights.
Though only four people, they were all Rank 4 or higher, and being attacked from behind by them caused the Undead who were still commanding with their own will to falter.
You bastards!
At that sight, the moment Amor’s attention was diverted—
GRAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOH!!
Nero, who had dived into his own Shadow and leaped out from Amor’s, tore into him with his claws, and the shockwave sent Amor flying towards the castle gate.
“UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!”
Seeing that, Feld unleashed the greatsword’s mana all at once and shot forward like a cannonball.
Feeeeld!
Amor, noticing him, launched his powerful arms and Worms at Feld even as his stance crumbled. However, the Worms were corroded by the darkness enveloping Feld and scattered.
“—[Hell Slash]—!”
Feld was the same as Nero. He had sought power, knowing his own inadequacy. To prevent a single girl from being left alone, to stand by her side himself.
【Feld Ruin (Tangus)】【Race: Human ♂】【Rank 5】
【MP: 94/240】15Up【HP: 317/370】
【Strength: 17 (26)】【Endurance: 15 (22)】【Agility: 14 (21)】【Dexterity: 8】
【Swordsmanship Lv.5】【Spearmanship Lv.3】【Axe Combat Lv.3】【Throwing Lv.3】
【Defense Lv.4】【Martial Arts Lv.5】【Stealth Lv.1】
【Light Magic Lv.2】【Fire Magic Lv.2】【Non-Attribute Magic Lv.5】【Utility Magic x2】
【Mana Control Lv.5】1Up【Intimidation Lv.3】【Detection Lv.3】
【Status Abnormality Resistance Lv.3】【Poison Resistance Lv.1】
【Simple Appraisal】
【Total Combat Power: 1594 (Physical Enhancement active: 2035)】100Up
Guaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Feld’s Level 5 Battle Art severed Amor’s arm and slashed his massive body from shoulder to stomach. But—
“Too shallow!”
Amor’s Magic Stone was exposed again, but Feld’s slash, slightly deflected by his arm getting in the way, only managed to crack the Magic Stone. However, its power was incomparable to before; the dark-attribute greatsword burned the Worms from the wound, hindering regeneration.
Seeing that, just as Feld and Nero were about to move in for a follow-up attack, Amor, with bloodshot eyes, screamed as if foaming at the mouth.
Not yet, not yeeeeeet! Demon! Grant me poweeeeeeer!
A reddish-black light overflowed from Amor’s heart, Worms gushed from his Magic Stone, filling his wounds, and his reactivated powerful arms sent Feld and Nero flying.
—Gah!?
At that moment, just as the Magic Stone was about to be enveloped by Worms again, a white hand snatched it from behind, and a black-haired girl revealed a gleeful smile.
“Gotcha~♪”
The climax is near!
Karla-san, I wonder what she’s plotting…
Next time, the scene will return to Aria.
Volume 3 of the book and Volume 1 of the manga are now available for pre-order.