- …. - Well, I get you. You’re a 『Reflector』 after all. Your strength uses the opponent's power. It’s unthinkable that you can cut down the majestic 《Yggdrasil Abyss》 that has taken root in this earth with your power alone. Even with 《Damage Reflect》, you dealt no damage to me, who has increased in volume to this extent, did you? No matter what you do, no matter what it is, you have no chance of winning. Yes, it was as Ein said. Certainly, Tatara’s blade reached Ein. But that was the end of it. Neither 《Total Reflect》 nor 《Damage Reflect》 worked against 《Yggdrasil Abyss》. Tatara didn't have a hand that worked against Ein. For this reason, Ein didn't intercept her in the remaining 10 meters. From the condition of Tatara who crawled out of the bamboo grove, she saw at a glance that any form of turning the tables was impossible. - … It was a truly useless struggle, wasn’t it? Saying that, Ein stretched two thick branches from the trunk of 《Yggdrasil Abyss》. The branches grew to the left and right, branched out, and formed a shape that looked just like the devil's hand in a picture book. And, - Now that you’ve used 《Angel Dust》, even if you’re alive, you’ve become a cripple who just urines and defecates. Naturally, I can't bear to see you
like that, so I'll kill you with one blow. I’ll crush you flat like a bug! I’m reluctant to say goodbye to you here, Fia! Informing so, she swung down the devil's hand to crush Tatara. To settle the battle. But, - … Yeah. Me too. 『!』 Her own death drew right before her eyes. Before that, Tatara’s expression was still satisfied. Was she really satisfied with retaliating with the bite of an insect? ──That was highly unlikely. Ein denied it. This slow learner was also an 《Abgrund》 assassin. She couldn’t feel satisfaction from failing to kill the target. Then why was she making that face in her dying moment? It was a given. This little bug had a means that could surely end her life. Deadly poison. But what was it? An incomprehensible question ran through Ein’s mind in a fraction of a second. It, it was like,
- I'm sure Aneki isn't here anymore, and my words won’t reach her anymore, but… since this is my end, I'll just say one thing. ──Like a flashback. - Thank you. ──See you later. - ! Bad news. Ein’s wisdom sounded the alarm and accelerated the swinging tree branches. But it was too late. Immediately after Tatara pulled Jizurimukade’s starter rope to its limit and tore it off, - 《Astral Force》. Ein’s questions, the scenery reflected in her eyes, the sounds reaching her ears, her life── Everything suddenly burst and disappeared inside white walls. She didn't even have time to let out a dying voice.
◆◇◆◇◆ 『──!?』 The footage from the drone shooting the battle between Tatara and Ein suddenly cut off. At that moment, a sound that exceeded the tolerance of human hearing became a shock and hit the broadcast helicopter flying over Kradleland. The helicopter was shaken violently. What the hell happened? The commentator leaned out of the shaking helicopter, 『Je───sus!?!?』 He saw the scene of the heart of Luchaire, the capital of Kradleland. The castle where Tatara and Ein were fighting vanished, and a huge crater had been dug. 『What is this sight!? It looks as if a nuclear missile had been dropped! The castle too! 《Yggdrasil Abyss》 as well! It caused everything to be blown away from the root! There’s no reason for Ein to cause such an explosion from that situation… Does that mean Tatara did it!? No, she's a 『Reflector』! How did this explosion happen!? Holy shit! I’m ashamed, I don’t get it at all!』 The commentator was confused, but his guess, which was about Tatara blowing away the entire heart of Luchaire, was right.
This disastrous scene was brought about by a certain Noble Arts that Tatara activated with all of her remaining power. … Neither 《Total Reflect》 nor 《Damage Reflect》 worked on it. In front of the power of 《Yggdrasil Abyss》, 《Total Reflect》 could only deflect it at best. As for 《Damage Reflect》, due to the difference in volume, no matter how much damage was returned, it was no more than a scratch. Tatara no longer had a hand that worked against her. Therefore, she wasn’t a threat. Ein’s reading──was wrong. Certainly, Tatara was a 『Reflector』. She only showed her true value by using the strength of the opponent. Therefore, if there was no usable power, her fighting power was greatly reduced. But──there was. Even if she couldn't reflect the opponent's attacks, there was one power she could use. It existed so naturally that many people forgot to be aware of it. However, this moment certainly existed, and the great power that supported the world. Orbital motion. ──The power of the stars running through the universe.
The orbital speed was said to be 100,000 kilometers per hour. What if she could deflect even a tiny bit of that power towards the enemy, even if it didn't result in a reflection? The remnants of power peeling off from its original and ideal flow became an incomparable iron hammer, crushing the enemy. That was Tatara’s Noble Arts, 《Astral Force》. It was the true identity of the power that blew away the royal castle and gouged out and tore off 《Yggdrasil Abyss》 to the roots. … And, as a matter of course, there was no way that Tatara, who was struck by the interference of power very closely, even though she was the caster, would come out unscathed. She didn't use 《Astral Force》 from the beginning because this Noble Arts was merely a suicide technique. Blown away by the aftermath of 《Astral Force》, Tatara was lying like a dirty worn-out rag on the edge of the huge crater that had been dug. (… I hear, nothing….) She looked up, the broadcast helicopter in the sky came in. Pointing at her, who had collapsed, the commentator leaning forward seemed to be shouting something, but she couldn't hear anything. Not even the sound of the helicopter, which should have been intrinsically loud. She seemed to have lost her sense of hearing because of the recoil of 《Astral Force》. (My arms… right)
She had no sensation from her shoulders down. It was silly to hope to be safe. (My legs… huh) Looking down, Tatara spilled a wry smile at the appalling scene beyond imagination. (… I’m going to die. Rather, it's a miracle that I'm still alive like this) The reason she didn’t die from shock was solely because of the effects of 《Angel Dust》. The drug also contained an analgesic effect that dulled the pain. But then, the moment she used the drug, there was nothing to be thankful for as she was a confirmed cripple. (But… I got her to take responsibility…) The rebel who sullied the trust of 《Abgrund》. She was able to deal with her. The 《Sisters》 who collapsed in that house, and those who were killed in that house. As a human standing on their corpses, what should proceed in a logical manner proceeded. As a survivor of the selection, there was no better way to die, (──Ah) Thinking that far, Tatara remembered. 『If you die, I’ll cry. I’ll cry my eyes out. So, I'll hold a state funeral so big as if there was no tomorrow. Just so you know, our state funerals are
immodestly noisy』 The promise that Stella unilaterally forced on her in that Edelberg open-air bath. (… Really, that gorilla… has the nerve to make me a worthless promise) It was unprecedented for an assassin to be given a state funeral, but that woman could do it. She should have been able to fulfill her life as an 《Abgrund》 assassin, but lamenting her death was a disgrace that would persist after dying. It was an improper end for a person who killed others for her own convenience. It was really worthless. Her weakness that ended up feeling a little happy about that worthlessness──was really beyond help, (Goddammit… you win….) Tatara put as much strength as possible into her already dead body. The vanishing that was already covering most of her consciousness. So that her life wasn’t taken away into a sleep that she would never wake up from. So that she would stand in front of her one more time, and make her realize how much unnecessary meddling she had done. So, for that reason── (… Don't let her die… Kurogane)
Chapter 18 Storm and stress 『Director Ascaride. We have been waiting for you』 At the figure of the blonde woman who opened the door of the detention center, the female staffer who was counseling her, stood up and saluted. The tall woman who entered the room with the staffer’s salute returned a sign with her hand, saying that greetings weren’t necessary, 『Oh? Is this the kid who sent half of Orben's unit to the hospital?』 She looked down at the young silver-haired girl sitting opposite the woman. 《Marionette King》 Or-Gaule's first murder. A young Iris who had just lost her parents and neighbors in 《La Croix sanglante》, a hidden incident. Iris' expression was terrible. Her crying eyes were awfully red and her eyelids were swollen. In addition, her pupils were different colors and didn’t reflect anything as if they were fake. Not even the scenery in front of her. Not even her own feelings. It was as if everything had spilled all over with the tears. But, 『…I was told that when you were arrested, you sustained mortal wounds, but considering all that, aren’t you surprisingly intact? There’s not even a single scar on you』
The female staffer responded to this. 『She was regenerated by her ability. Orben-dono certainly succeeded in subduing her for a moment by inflicting a serious life-threatening injury, but… right after that, she regenerated and attacked Orben-dono's unit again. The report we received says that her Device at that time was equipped with solid defense power that was incomparable to the first time, and the ability to immediately heal the damage received, therefore, the power of Orbendono and his unit could not inflict even a single wound』 『… Both siblings reached 《Brute Soul》, huh. This thing called talent is a scary thing』 『What is… Brute?』 『It’s nothing. More importantly, Orben and the others were quickly subdued by such things』 『Lacking a method of attack, they helplessly engaged in a delayed battle as they aimed for her to run out of magic power, and suddenly fainted as if a string had been cut. Perhaps the boy, the prime culprit, lifted the control over her, or moved to a distance where he couldn’t control her』 『I see. That explains it』 Muttering that she was convinced, the tall woman sat down facing Iris, who seemed to be in a stupor, and spoke to her. 『Good evening, missy. Shall we introduce ourselves first? My name is Levi Ascaride』 Known as 《Bayonet》, she was the Director of the French Branch of the 《International Mage-Knights League》.
『What is your name, missy?』 『…………Iris……』 『Iris. Iris-Gaule, correct?』 『……』 Iris slowly returned a small nod. The exchange was all mechanical, and it would be better to just call it a mere 『reaction』 rather than a 『reply』. She was there in body, but not in spirit. However, considering what happened to Iris, it was only natural. 《La Croix sanglante》. Almost all the residents of a poor village were locked up in the village church and slaughtered after extremely inhumane cruelty. From the forensics that went to the scene, it was already known that many of the atrocities against not only Iris' parents but also many other villagers were perpetrated by this girl. To be precise, it was done by Iris who was manipulated by the prime culprit, Iris' younger brother, Orleus-Gaule. She was used as a convenient lethal weapon by her younger brother. Her mind was suppressing her sensitivity to the limit in order to protect herself from living hell where she lost control of her body while she was conscious and was forced to destroy her parents, friends and neighbors. While understanding that much, Levi said to Iris.
『Good gracious, Iris-Gaule. Your younger brother has done a terrible thing. Although there were less than 100 people, slaughtering all but one single villager is an unprecedented atrocious incident. If done poorly, it will affect the social position of all us Blazers. Not only that, the older sister protected such younger brother of hers and fought with the League's subjugation unit, sent half of the troops to the hospital, and escaped her sick-in-the-head younger brother. Really, these siblings aren’t your everyday brats』 『!』 『D-director, this child is just a victim who was manipulated by the ability of the boy who is the main culprit! Haven’t your words gone too far!?』 *Tremble*, Levi's words made Iris's body tremble as if triggering a convulsion. The female staffer raised a voice of protest to protect her, but Levi laughed scornfully at this. 『Victim? Don’t spout nonsense. Wasn't this brat a relative of the main culprit, the fucking brat? The older sister was by his side more than anyone else, wasn’t she? Then she should have noticed. Before this happened, somewhere along the line this would happen, she should have become aware of her younger brother's abnormality. By overlooking this, it was none other than the negligence of this girl and her dead parents that led to this day. Everything that happened in that village──it's all your fault. IrisGaule』 『Uuuh~~~~~~~~~~!』 『Director!!』
The manner of speaking of Levi, who mercilessly cornered the girl who had been hurt more than anyone else, was too much. It wasn't a spectacle that any sane person could let it pass by in silence. The female staffer raised her voice in anger and approached Levi with a momentum as if to grapple with her violently. 『Please put an end to this! If you are going to say anything more stupid than this, then──!?』 However, the staffer stopped walking just before she grappled with her, and swallowed her voice of protest. Levi criticized Iris with inconsiderate words because there was a strong compassion in her eyes that was contrary to her harsh words. 『I knew it immediately when I saw what happened at the church. More than through the monitors. The mind of the guy who created that hell is no longer human. A demon that feeds on the pain and fear of others, with a completely different sense of values than humans. If we leave him alone, your younger brother will spread the same tragedy that happened in that village all over the world. Are you okay with that?』 『──────……』 Iris couldn't immediately answer Levi's question because her sensitivity had become dull in order to protect her heart in extreme situations, and because she had time to imagine the second and third tragedies that would eventually come. But Levi didn’t rush her to answer. She fixedly stared at Iris and waited for her to understand.
Finally, after several minutes passed, Iris, imagining the next disaster that her younger brother would bring, shook her head and answered Levi's question in denial. That’s not good. There’s no way I can allow such a thing. Levi nodded deeply at this, 『I see. How could it be okay? You survived by thrusting aside the fate of dying in that village. That's because you know what you're ought to do. As a relative who was unable stop her younger brother, you understand that you yourself must put an end to this tragedy』 She took Iris's small hand while saying that in a tone filled with strong conviction. And said: 『Come with me. I'll give you the strength that will make the difference』 『……』 『Or do you want to forget everything that happened in the village, your responsibility, your younger brother, and start a new life? If that's what you want, I’ll make arrangements so that you have another foster family at least』 『No』 The response to this question was fast. The reason why she was alive, the meaning of having survived. Iris had lost sight of everything and was dumbfounded, but Levi's words made her recognize her responsibility anew.
That sense of responsibility gave strength to her half-dead body and a flame of will to dwell in her eyes. 『… Strength, please』 Iris put Levi’s hand, which was taking her left hand, between that and her right hand, and clasped it tightly. And swore. 『Younger brother… I will, defeat you…!』 ◆◇◆◇◆ In a corner of Luchaire castle town. There, two shadows intersected, blowing up rubble and dust. One of them was small. A slender boy who was completely dressed in a black cloak. 《Marionette King》 Or-Gaule. And the other one. The large shadow chasing him. An obsidian knight armor that emitted steam-like purple magic.
《Orichalcos》 She was 《Black Knight》 Iris Ascaride. Wielding a great battle axe that housed purple flames, Iris swooped down on Or-Gaule. On the other hand, Or-Gaule unleashed his malice on the approaching Iris while running through the intricate alleys, walls, and roofs of the castle town, trying to keep Iris at a distance. - ────. Dozens of malice that even when straining her fine and perceptive eyes, only the blink of light could be seen. It was Or-Gaule 's Device 《Black Widow》. The tough and elastic cutting threads didn’t worry about any obstacles between them and their target. Utility poles, chimneys, and even huge buildings were all cut in two as easily as slicing butter with a hot knife. They cut through even the atmosphere, became kamaitachi, and intercepted the chasing Iris. But, - ────! The opponent was 《Black Knight》, who was the fourth from the top of the potencies that divided the world into two. Iris stepped in the dozens of slashing threads that cut even steel without hesitation and brushed them away with a single stroke of her great battle axe.
Dozens with just a single stroke. If Or-Gaule's cutting threads were kamaitachi, Iris’s blow was exactly an explosion. The power contained was wildly different. But that was also an obvious truth. Iris Ascaride’s Device 《Orichalcos》. The embodiment of《Indomitability》 that repelled all kinds of difficulties and healed injuries in an instant. At first glance, this ability gave the impression that it was an extremely defensive ability, but that was incorrect. 《Orichalcos》's defensive power and healing could also be converted into attacks. It was magic enhancement of action. Even if she didn't have the ability to strengthen 『physical abilities』 like Ikki Kurogane, any Blazer could strengthen their 『actions』 through magical impulse and gain speed and power. The increase in 『action enhancement』 was what distinguished Iris from other Blazers. With the powerful healing by means of 《Orichalcos》, she was able to withstand 『action enhancements』 that would blow off the limbs of other Blazers. In addition, because of the unparalleled defensive power of 《Orichalcos》, which even tank cannons didn’t scratch, allowed her to keep attacking with maximum firepower without worrying about enemy counters and integrated power with no gaps in terms of offense and defense.
That was the true value of 《Black Knight》’s Device, 《Orichalcos》. And this 『action enhancement』 wasn’t limited to just offsetting the enemy's multiple blows with one blow. Of course, speed also was put to good use. After repelling the slashing threads, Iris made her body go down deeply immediately after and accelerated again by kicking with enough power to lift the ground. She got very close to Or-Gaule in a single breath and swung down her battle axe. - Oops, that was close. If you had hit me now, it’d be more than a wound. - …. The blow of the battle axe superficially tore Or-Gaule's cloak and blasted the asphalt ground, but it didn’t lead to bisect the enemy's life. Or-Gaule kept Iris at a distance again when the great battle axe dug into the ground and devoted himself to escape. Iris pursued him with overwhelming attack power and rushing speed. The battle between the two had been repeating this development ever since they ran into each other. Having offense and defense completely secured, Iris was always clasping the initiative in the battle. ──However, despite always taking the initiative, it was a fact that the fatal blow hadn’t been dealt yet. Why?
The reason was Or-Gaule's Device. 《Black Widow》 Or-Gaule was able to stretch magic threads that could control spirit and physical forms at will throughout Luchaire. Yes, just like a spiderweb. In other words, in this place, there existed invisible footholds that only OrGaule could freely use. This difference was very large. No matter how good Iris' attack power was, once he took his feet off the ground, the actions she could take were limited. The stronger the force put into the kicking foot, the more the vector would be fixed to one side, making sudden stops and sharp turns difficult. However, this wasn’t the case with the spider that used invisible footholds. After jumping, he jumped again using the threads as a foothold before touching the ground with his feet. He grabbed a thread during free fall and suddenly stopped. In the air where he originally wasn’t able to move, he suddenly jumped three times in completely different directions. All as he wished. He evidently moved around freely using the entire space as a foothold. The difference in scope of action was night and day. It was natural for 《Black Knight》, who excelled in attack, defense, speed, and everything, to be at a loss.
In addition to it, - You can't talk anymore? That’s sad. To think that my beloved Nee-san hates me so much. - I don’t want to hear that from you…! - It's true though? Not just Nee-san. Nee-san said she would take revenge on everyone, but I love everyone in the village too. Think about it. There’s no way that you still remember the names, faces, and voices of people you don't like, even after all these years, do you? - Shut up…! - Our neighbors, Michelle and Tor. We played together quite often. Butcher Gérard and Aunt Romy. We always went there to buy meat for the restaurant, don’t you remember? Irene-onee-san liked looking after others and Stephane knew a lot of superficial stuff about sex. Bernard and Eric were followers of Gaspar, the neighborhood bully. Gaspar and Irene were dating, right? Nee-san didn’t know. Because Nee-san was shy. Aha Somehow, when I look at Nee-san’s face, it reminds me of many things from the past. How nostalgic. - Shut up!! Or-Gaule whispered and shocked Iris’ heart full of scars that even 《Orichalcos》 couldn’t protect. - W-why… how can you make such a face…? How can you do such a thing to everyone… how can you call everyone's name with such a soft voice…!? - Well, everyone is my benefactor. On that birthday, everyone gave me life. I was just feigning a smile to fit in with the surroundings, but everyone gave me a real smile. That's why I am very, veeery grateful to everyone!
- ~~~~, AAAAAAAAA!!!! - Eep! That was close, very close. - You’re beyond salvation…. You’re insane. I don't want to hear your voice. I'll slice that windpipe of yours right now! - That’s not fair. The words that Or-Gaule whispered tore off Iris' heart because they were his true feelings and were free from lies and falsehoods. The pain provoked anger, anger turned into power and materialized as action. Little by little, Iris's attacks became less accurate. But, (Luckily, she’s getting mad) Or-Gaule didn’t attack even when a visible opportunity began to appear. The spider calmly stared at her murderous impatience. He knew her weakness. (I can't say that my ability has power suitable for battle) As shown by the fact that his main role in 《Rebellion》 was to control the world situation using threads and to fill in manpower shortages using puppets, Or-Gaule's true value wasn’t combat. He stood little chance against genuine fighter-type opponents like Iris or Wallenstein if he faced them head-on. That was why he didn't proceed honestly or didn't attack carelessly.
He disturbed the opponent's pace by using their weaknesses and lured them deeper and deeper into his territory. And then──the chance he was looking for finally came. - ……!? Suddenly, the movement of Iris, who was chasing Or-Gaule, stopped running, falling forward. Or-Gaule, who kept on escaping, came to a stop and, - I said it, didn’t I, Nee-san? “Let's continue what happened that night”. - ! Immediately after, Iris noticed. Countless fine threads twined around her whole body, taking her movement away. Yes. This place was a spiderweb. The threads of Or-Gaule were stretched everywhere. They didn’t usually interfere with physical phenomena as spirit forms, and despite not being in sight, they did exist. It was obvious what would happen if she moved her body violently in such a place. The threads entwined around her. Many times. Many times. Or-Gaule waited for the moment when the threads reached a sufficient amount, and materialized them. Then, he activated 《Marionette》, the evil Noble Art that captured Iris and the villagers in《La Croix Sanglante》, on the night when it all began.
As a result, he took the supremacy of Iris’ body away again. - Now, I’ll have Nee-san protect me again because the ones who’ll stand in my way will be many── Or so he expected. - Huh? But when trying to control Iris, Or-Gaule noticed. The threads tied to her. The finger that manipulated was completely still. - ~~~~~! Immediately after that, a shadow hung over Or-Gaule's visibility. The shadow of Iris, brandishing a great battle axe and charging at him. Or-Gaule evaded this at the very last second by recklessly throwing his body backwards. It was a risky evasion. If he hadn’t been able to sense her initial movement through the threads, he would have been decapitated by now. That fact made Or-Gaule break into a cold sweat. However, he wasn’t confused by the fact that 《Marionette》 didn’t get through. He was also a 《Desperado》. He immediately recognized the power that was bringing about the reality in front of him.
(It's not resistance by means of simple physical strength. Is this Nee-san’s 『gravitational pull』…!?) Battles between Blazers were, to sum up, battles for the control of fate. This was exceptional in the presence of 《Desperados》 who were outside the ring of causality. Iris had lived her whole life for this day since she was adopted by 《Bayonet》Levi Ascaride. The enemy of her parents and friends who took everything away from her. Just to defeat 《Marionette King》 Or-Gaule. She had sharpened herself just for that. That tenacity, grudge, and resolve became a kind of curse, enveloping Iris. She would never allow herself to be manipulated by Or-Gaule or the recreation of 《La Croix Sanglante》. Of course. 《Black Knight》 Iris Ascaride existed only for that purpose! - ────Huff! - 《Grand Guignol》…! In defiance of Or-Gaule's malice twisting around her body, Iris closed the distance over and over again. Even though he was irritated by the unexpected situation, Or-Gaule intercepted her. Snapping his fingers, he released the threads stretched around her. The number of slashes caused by it was incomparable.
──But in the end, only the number increased. - !? Hundreds, thousands of saturated slashes that instantly turned the enemy into pieces of meat. 《Orichalcos》 sustained all of them. Even though it gave off sparks with a shrill metallic sound, the luster of obsidian didn’t suffer a single scratch. She approached the enemy that had to be defeated in a straight line. - If so… how about this! In response to this situation, Or-Gaule also changed his method of attack. The slashes by means of threads were trivial. Their sharpness couldn’t pierce the enemy’s armor. If so──their weight would do. 《Deus Ex Machina》 It was a Noble Art that created giant dolls by tying the surrounding structures together with threads. Putting that technique to use, he used the threads that were stretched like a bow, and shot structures as arrows. A fountain statue. Utility poles. A church steeple. Houses themselves. A mass of several tons with a speed equal to that of a bullet due to the tension of the stretched threads. Their power was dozens of times that of a tank cannon.
That should be the case, and yet, - ────. 《Black Knight》 was unstoppable. The flying stone statue, the utility poles, the steeple, the private houses── While all the shells of rubble hit her body, she moved forward without flinching even a little. With an extraordinary defensive power that could perfectly be called a fortress, she received Or-Gaule’s attack entirely and cornered him again and again, mowing down the great battle axe. Or-Gaule used the spiderweb to avoid this, but, - ! The skin of his left arm was torn by the resulting wind pressure and the surrounding structures were blasted. Or-Gaule did guess this scene before his eyes. (I really don’t like this. Could it be that my attack doesn't work at all?)
Cold sweat from the chills emerged on his forehead. However──he was also a Blazer with an extraordinary talent. - Even so, there are ways to do it. Or-Gaule jumped three times by using the spiderweb as a foothold, then jumped over Iris's head who unleashed a horizontal sweep and circled behind her. Of course, he was not going to launch an attack from behind. With his attack power, he couldn't deal damage even if he hit her back. Because he knew that, he ran away. The slight moment it took for Iris to turn around. He concentrated everything to create distance. And then, Iris turned around to chase Or-Gaule who widened the gap again──in an instant, - ! She noticed a change in herself. The moment she turned around and was about to start running, she felt a strong pressure on her neck, on one of the weak indirect parts of the armor. Of course, that was the pressure from Or-Gaule's Device, 《Black Widow》. Not that it mattered. Threads were already entwined around her body. However, in front of the gravitational pull sharpened to the point of defeating Or-Gaule, 《Orichalcos》 and Iris were like smoke surrounding him. He didn’t have the strength to bind her body. That should be the case──but,
The force pressuring her neck was stronger than any of the threads wrapped around her body, it was cutting deep through the chain mail. Iris noticed the pressure. This isn’t Or-Gaule's power. - Aha As expected of you, you seem to have noticed. Yes. That’s Nee-san’s strength. I tied the threads so that the more Nee-san moves putting strength into it, the more Nee-san will strangle herself with the threads and her own strength. If he couldn't capture the opponent with his own power, there was no problem in using a different power. Or-Gaule understood his own low combat capability, so he had many ways to compensate for it. Besides, asphyxia was 《Orichalcos》’s only clear weakness. It was one of the few defeats that Iris suffered in last year’s A-Rank League. Among them, it was disclosed in the battle with 《Campione》. No matter how excellent her healing power was, she wasn’t able to create oxygen from nothing. - No matter how great Nee-san is, with this── You can't move. The confidence of Or-Gaule──was shattered in the blink of an eye. (Eh────) He was careless for a hundredth of a second. Just one blink. In that fraction of a second, the obsidian blade got right before his eyes.
What? How? I thought the distance was more than enough. The answer was throwing. Iris threw the battle axe at Or-Gaule, who was away from her, with all her might. Convinced of his own advantage, Or-Gaule’s carelessness manifested in the form of blinking. Iris aimed and shot precisely at that moment. The battle axe rotated and went straight towards Or-Gaule. It would bisect his slender torso, flying as though being absorbed by him. It was too late to evade it already. He didn't even have time to put his strength into his knees. ──However, the accumulated experience of Or-Gaule, who spent a long time in the shady world as a 《Desperado》, overtook his consciousness at the last moment and guided his body to the action he should take. The little finger of the left hand. A slight bending movement from the first joint up. In an instant, Or-Gaule's body jumped straight up. A leap──no. By manipulating the threads tied to himself, he lifted his own body straight up. In the end, Iris' surprise attack ended up tearing Or-Gaule's thigh shallowly, ──It didn’t end there.
- !?!? Suddenly, jet black color covered Or-Gaule 's vision. Then, without even having time to think about anything, an impact hit his face. Sharp pain pierced all the way to the back of his head, his consciousness began to fade and his vision was blurred by tears. In the middle of that, Or-Gaule saw the answer to the shock that struck him. It was Iris' fist. Iris had acknowledged many times already that this place was a spiderweb. In that case, it was natural to predict that he could use the threads to escape upwards. She read through Or-Gaule 's emergency evasion and counterattacked with all her might. Or-Gaule's body bounced off the ground and tumbled after receiving a downward fist to the face. Even though the overflowing tears and nosebleed deprived him of breathing and sight, - Gah!? ~~~~, 《Grand Guignol》!! Or-Gaule fell to the ground and unleashed a suppressing slash to defend against follow-up attacks. But──that was nothing more than useless resistance. That was obvious. It had already been proven that 《That》 wouldn't work against the enemy in front of him*.
*TN: That is the furigana reading for Grand Guignol. Iris' follow-up attacks didn't stop. Flicking off thousands of slashing flashes, she trampled on Or-Gaule's right arm who was lying on his back on the ground. The arm that was broken from about the middle bent like a rubber doll. - Gi──d-damn you! Iris clutched the wrist of the left arm that was raised and about to release 《Grand Guignol》 again, And crushed it with all her strength. - Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Unable to bear the intense pain piercing his brain, Or-Gaule screamed. But Iris didn't allow it. ──This guy didn't even have the right to cry out in pain. - Gbho! Iris's right hand tightly clasped the throat of Or-Gaule who trembled in pain. Then, with that momentum, she slammed Or-Gaule's head into the ground, putting all her weight into it to constrict him. (H-how… is she moving!?) Or-Gaule, who was completely pinned down by Iris, couldn’t hide his confusion at this situation. Certainly, Iris should have threads tied to her so that she would strangle herself with her own power.
With such violent movements, it wouldn't be strange if her head was blown off. Why and how did Iris escape from the threads? That question──was solved when he saw what had fallen onto his cheek from the slight gap in the helmet of 《Orichalcos》. Foam mixed with blood and saliva. Yes, the threads were certainly tightening the neck with Iris's own power. Even this moment. To the extent that they unmistakably cut open the flesh of her neck through 《Orichalcos》, cutting deeply into it. But even that pain, (She doesn't care…?) - I’ll kill you…! I'll kill you, I'll kill you! I'll kill you! Her brain cells dying from suffocation. Her flesh being cut by the threads. Iris sustained them with the continuous healing of 《Orichalcos》. However, it was the same as bailing out water that had entered a ship with a hole in the bottom. Sooner or later, what awaited her was nothing but destruction. But she didn't mind. All she had to do was break this slender neck before she fell! - Ah, ──────….
《Orichalcos》's obsidian fingertips dug into Or-Gaule's neck. The pressing force was so strong that the surrounding asphalt cracked. Or-Gaule's face, cut off from the flow of blood, was dark red and swollen, and his eyeballs as though about to pop out. Or-Gaule made slight movements and tried to put up resistance, but he couldn't do anything with his broken arms. The situation was decisive. Just a little more. Just a little more and I’d be able to kill her. Nevertheless, - ────ah──── - ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!! Suddenly, Iris's body, which was mounting him, jumped as if convulsing. For a fraction of a second, the strength constricting Or-Gaule's neck loosened, albeit only slightly. Or-Gaule didn’t fail to notice this godsend! - …. He pulled the thread with the right big toe of his bare foot. Immediately after that, the collapsed asphalt slipped under Iris' feet. The footing suddenly skidded, and Iris' axial shifted.
At that moment, Or-Gaule escaped from her restraint, jumped into the air three times and ran up into the sky. - Cough! Cough! Cough! *Makes weird sounds as he catches his breath*. He seemed to have broken a bone in his neck. Every time he breathed in, a strong pain attacked him as if his skull had been cracked vertically. While enduring such pain, Or-Gaule managed to breathe in and let oxygen return to his brain, and once again became convinced of the awfulness of the situation. To think there was such a difference in power. It was completely beyond what he expected. Anyway, now that he had to treat his broken arms, he was unable to even defend myself. Judging so, Or-Gaule escaped. Without looking aside, using the stretched spiderweb as a foothold, he jumped into the sky where Iris couldn’t pursue him. - You think you can escape? However, his path was blocked. The path leading to hope was cut off, and his evil intentions were shattered by a scarlet sword princess who flapped her blazing flame wings. By 《Crimson Princess》 Stella Vermillion.
- Ah────. - No one deserves to die in this world. Those are great words, but for me, who is also a politician, are a fairy tale. In this world, there are definitely people who are better off dead. Good-for-nothings who bring sorrow to thousands and tens of thousands of people around them just by being alive. ──You’re one of those, Or-Gaule. That’s why. And Stella, who blocked Or-Gaule's path, held her sword of light aloft, - Burn to nothing! 《Katharterio Salamandra》──!!!! She swung down the heaven-splitter sword at the spider below her eyes.
Intermission The witch who was late Around the time the representatives of both factions began to clash in the capital city of Kradleland. A plane landed at Vermillion Capital Airport at night. A small jet with the crest of 《League》 on it. It was an emergency aircraft that was allowed to travel to and from the airspace and airports of League member countries without prior notice. The reason why this aircraft came was, of course, to assist Vermillion. As long as the war was established as a 5-on-5 battle of representatives by agreement between two countries, direct assistance was not possible, but that wasn’t the case if it was indirect. All the people who came to Vermilion by plane were experts in medical magic. For Vermilion, that lacked people who could use medical magic, they were extremely welcome helpers. Whether they won or lost, there would always be wounded. All the more so if the person in charge of the group was the well-known 《White Robed Knight》. Therefore, so that nothing was to happen to them, the Imperial Guard and Daniel Dandalion, the Head of League’s Vermilion Branch, who was also Vermillion's best swordsman, headed to meet them. - We have been waiting for you, Kiriko-sensei.
After meeting at the airport, the captain of the Vermillion Imperial Guard bowed to the doctors who came and showed his gratitude. - You are much younger than the rumors said. I am surprised. It is very hopeful to have the young genius of the medical magic world, 《White Robed Knight》, as a support. I look forward to working with you today. - Will we be heading to Kradleland immediately? When the girl asked about her itinerary, the captain replied 「no」. - Everyone is standing by at Vermilion Castle. In Luchaire, 《Black Knightdono》has set up the 『gate』 of the 《Winged Prime Minister》 in advance, so in the event of an emergency, we would like you to enter Luchaire from there with us. - Understood. Please show me around me until then. - Of course. We have a car outside, so please follow me. However, when the captain was about to guide the doctors to the exit, - Wait. Dandalion stopped him. - Dandalion-san? - She’s not 《White Robed Knight》. - Eh!? Surprised, the captain stared back at the girl. Taking his place, Dandalion took a step forward. Then he looked down at the girl with a confused expression and asked. - Why are you here? What happened to Kiriko-sensei?
In response, the girl stared back at Dandalion with jade-colored eyes and answered. - A 『Jailbreak incident』 occurred in Japan the other day, so as a result of being assigned to support 《World Clock》 and 《Raikiri》 who are handling gatherings, Sensei was unable to leave Japan. Therefore, I persuaded her to let me, who is also Sensei’s disciple, come here as her substitute. On her lovely face, a smile full of self-confidence that could even be described as fearless appeared. - Please rest assured. I, Kurogane Shizuku, am the most suitable for this role.
Translated, edited and everything else by Taekan