Episode 12: Salvation III (vs. Sealed Labyrinth Fourth Layer Guardian β)
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─── Vroom, vroom, vroom.
As the three of us advanced, a floating Treasure Sword appeared before us. This monster, which Yamada considered one of the strongest candidates among the bosses he had fought so far, was none other than the Claiomh Solais.
─── Vroom, vroom.
────── Vroom, vroom.
────────── Vroom, vroom.
─────── Vroom, vroom, vroom.
The sound of the Treasure Sword’s ominous waiting echoed through the air, resonating continuously and shaking the atmosphere.
We were shaken to our cores, our bodies trembling. The sound emitted by the Claiomh Solais was more terrifying than any roar from the fiercest monsters we had encountered. Yet, they steeled their hearts, striving to remain calm.
Saintess Mika and Angelica looked once more at the monster before us. Having come this far, there was no turning back.
The sight of the floating, radiant Treasure Sword was reminiscent of the previous one, but the brilliance it emitted was on an entirely different level.
“It’s coming!!”
Angelica’s voice rang out, signaling the start of the battle. The air sliced apart as the deadly blade rushed toward us.
However, this was a predictable pattern of behavior. The strategy we had devised against the Treasure Sword was not particularly complex, provided one did not consider that each action could cost us our lives.
Even without its form as the Six Blades, the Treasure Sword’s flight speed was extraordinary. Ashley stepped forward first, deflecting the thrust of the Treasure Sword with her Holy Shield.
The plan was straightforward. Ashley would defend with her shield, Mika would bolster our defenses with her Barrier, and Angelica would prepare to activate the Reflector, launching her spell in sync with the beam of light.
As the slashes came, Ashley exhaled, “Hah!” Her shield techniques, renowned for their unparalleled sturdiness, were exceptional. She skillfully parried the Claiomh Solais’s strikes time and again. Yet, the Claiomh Solais relentlessly attacked her with the persistence of a serpent. No matter how many times Ashley deflected or evaded, the speed and force of its strikes never waned, continuing to assault the three of us.
Before such overwhelming determination, even Ashley began to struggle to defend against every blow, and eventually, the blade reached her. The tip sliced through her armor—but it did not pierce her flesh.
This outcome had been anticipated in our strategy; we had accounted for the possibility that the blade would eventually reach us.
Ashley had already activated three Skills: All Reinforce Plus, Guardian’s Guard, and Shield is Mine.
The reason she was not cut was not solely due to her Skills.
In addition to her multiple Skills, a powerful Barrier had been erected by Saintess Mika. This was not a simple flat wall or a hemispherical shield surrounding our party; it was a meticulously crafted and highly compressed Barrier that fit our bodies and did not hinder our movements.
Although this was an incredibly high-difficulty Barrier at such a critical moment, it had been incorporated into our strategy at the request of Saintess Mika herself.
Originally, the slashes could have cut through Ashley’s armor, reaching her soft skin, but the meticulous plan laid out before the battle proved effective.
Through the Mana Circuit, Ashley and Saintess Mika felt Angelica’s palm, which should not have been touching them. They understood that their Mana was being manipulated through the Circuit, alongside Angelica’s desperate incantation.
“Don’t worry, we can still do this. Stay calm.”
Ashley sensed Angelica’s anxiety through the Mana Circuit and spoke up.
The Treasure Sword increased its floating speed—no, its flight speed. At the same time, its movements became more complex, no longer the rough motions from before, but rather as if it were searching for the trio’s blind spots. Ashley realized the enemy’s intent but was a step too late. The Claiomh Solais targeted their backs, darting around with unprecedented speed.
“Ugh!!”
Ashley groaned. The slashes that she had been able to deflect until now finally surpassed her shield techniques. Yet, Ashley called out to the two.
“I’ll protect you both, so don’t worry!!”
Ashley took the slashes that her shield could not reach with her own body.
However, as if mocking her, the Treasure Sword’s flight speed surged even higher, and with it, the power of its strikes increased. Gradually, significant wounds began to appear on Ashley’s armor. It would not be long before the blade reached her flesh.
“Angelica, hurry!”
Saintess Mika felt like she might lose her mind watching Ashley throw herself into the enemy’s attacks. Ashley continued to fulfill her role of protecting the two.
Thus, the Treasure Sword grew impatient. Earlier than before—
“It’s coming!!!”
Saintess Mika shouted. The Treasure Sword ceased its slashing and began to float in place.
─── Vroom, vroom, vroom, vroom.
The sound of the Treasure Sword intensified, its blade shining so brightly it seemed to burn the eyes, flickering in and out. The Treasure Sword was now generating and storing a massive amount of energy—the three of them clearly sensed the vast energy concentrating at its tip.
“Angelica!!”
The moment Saintess Mika shouted—
From the tip of the Treasure Sword, a torrent of thick energy was unleashed. The world was engulfed in light, and the three of them were about to be consumed—
Just before that moment,
“Reflector!”
A powerful voice rang out from Mage Angelica. In response, particles reminiscent of morning mist shimmered into existence before the three.
In that instant, the beam of light that was supposed to engulf them changed direction by 180 degrees, consuming the Claiomh Solais instead. The torrent of light, still brimming with power, unleashed destructive energy around, gouging the earth and walls, culminating in a massive explosion.
“Phew, as expected of Sage Angelica.”
“Angelica, I thought we were done for…”
Ashley and Mika expressed their thoughts, but there was no trace of joy on Angelica’s face.
“What’s with that expression?”
Ashley asked.
“Both of you, the battle continues. Round two has begun.”
Angelica replied. Ahead of her, where the flames had cleared, floated the Claiomh Solais, now transformed into the Six Blades.
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I will be promoting this for the next few days. Please forgive me!
Today, on July 16th, the first volume of the comic adaptation has been released.
The manga version includes a Chapter 0 that does not exist in the novel, illustrated by the talented Yuchi Su. Thank you all for your support!
We have also received further reports of purchases! Thank you!