9004th: Chapter 6 – Sentence. Kivenji Forest, Cover The Retreat (6)

　I hold Teolita and leap into the night sky. 

　Even I think I’m doing something illogical. 

　Or am I doing something already beyond logic? It’s still okay for me to withdraw here. The people back there might even end up dying without suffering unnecessarily. 

　However, I can’t help but get angry.

　Probably my own selfish anger.

　Each and every one of them can dare to keep saying absurd things like for the sake of others, for the sake of honour. 

(Are they stupid?)

　I curse in my heart.

　I’ll let them realise how meaningless those words are. I’ll stun them.

　The most stunning thing of course — some guy like me who doesn’t have any good reason to, will be the one defeating the Demon King. 

(I’ll make you realise.)

　I lept over the river in a rage.

　The sky is cold– the wind feels strong. Beneath my eyes are a herd of Fae. The rest are Holy Knights. 

　You could say that the ground is full of enemies. 

“Grab on tight. Don’t fall.”

　Was the only thing I told Teorita.

　From here on I’ll be doing something a little crazy. I’ll need her power. 

“I require not your concern. That would be insolent. The one concerned about you humans, is me.”

　Naturally, [Goddess] Teolita was unyielding. She clung to my neck. 

“Then, Zyro, it’s time for me to play my part, no?”

“No. Not yet.”

　I answered immediately.

　Can’t rely too much on Teorita.

　The function of [Goddesses] has a limit. 

　There exist restrictions on the amount of things that can be summoned. Beyond that, the [Goddess] will fall apart, like a thread snapping.

　In the worst case, they will die and never return.

“Zyro, it is not permitted for you to underestimate me. This much is still–”

　Teolita argued, but I can’t trust her.

　[Goddesses] have the habit of acting tough.

　It’s as though they think that if they can’t be relied upon, they’d die. Anyway, they don’t like looking weak in front of humans.

(I do hate it after all.)

　I know a method for measuring the fatigue of a [Goddess].

　The brilliance of the eyes. Sparks scattering from the hair. The stronger these two features get, the more they are forcing themselves. Currently, even while I’m holding her, the sparks from her hair don’t stop.

　With one or two more big summons, her limit will come. 

“The [Goddess] leaves strategy to their Knight.”

　I said in a forceful tone. It came out naturally.

“Save it until I say it’s time. I can handle the small fry.”

　I dared to say like it wasn’t a big deal.

　It was a lie. Even the small fry are tough enough. 

　Below me. my sight is filled with Fae — some of them can leap into the air and are looking up at me. 

　There are way too many. 

(Tenets of mobile combat. One, secure the landing point.) 

　I pulled a knife from my belt and looked at my landing point. 

　A few Fae howl, drawing attention to me. They were Barghests. Elephant-sized giant wolves. 

　Their fur is much thicker than normal wolves, and in some places, hardened into what look like thorns. 

(Just the right opponent.)

　One of the ideal enemies for the Berkuu-Type Shock Trooper Seal Series is exactly these kinds of big land-bound targets. 

　Do not allow counterattacks, destroy such enemies one-sidedly. 

　Such work asks for power and accuracy.

　So I squeeze the knife, let enough of the Sacred Seal’s power penetrate, and release it in a throw. 

　Timed detonation.

　Of course, there should be no way for me to get the timing wrong. A blade pierces one Barghest, light and roars erupt. 

　Pieces of meat scatter, the impact affects the nearby Fae. 

“That’s rather splendid. Well then, Zyro, next is me–”

“Not yet.”

(Mobile combat, two…)

　In my head, I remembered my habits.

(Don’t stop moving. Take the opponent’s blind spot.)

　As I land, I leap forwards. This time low. A low attitude that makes you feel like your toes are scraping the soil. Move to their side and widen the distance accordingly. 

　Also, if you jump like you’re crawling on the ground, you can slip past the feet of Trolls and Barghests. 

　While passing them, drive in knives.

　Faster than they can turn their heads around, explosions happen.

　Meat bursts.

“Zyro. Next, is it my role?”

“Not yet.”

(Still don’t stop moving.)

　I jumped up high again. Throw a knife — this time into a herd of small sized Fae to blow them away, kick a tree, and again fly over their heads. 

(Can’t stop… If I stop, I’ll be surrounded.)

　Blast. Flash. Jump.

　All of a sudden, the distance to the Demon King has gotten smaller.

　Crushed soil and mud, a path has been made with the corpses of Fae. The Demon King Phenomenon “Awd Goggie” is even larger when viewed up close. 

　Some strange power supports that insanely massive body. 

　And that guy looks at me like I’m an idiot. 

“This is a Demon King.”

　Teolita’s tension is transmitted to me. I can tell that her body had stiffened. 

　And Teolita noticed that I’d noticed.

“It’s certainly not the case that I’m cowering.”

　Teorita said quickly like she was upset. 

“Defeating Demon Kings is the long-cherished desire of a [Goddess]. I’m just becoming exhilarated. Therefore, now it’s time for me–“

“Not yet. A bit more.”

“Still not yet? Haven’t you made me wait several times since earlier?”

“Just a bit more.”

　Awd Goggie notices someone approaching, and stretches out some of its seemingly uncountable legs. It’s trying to slap me like a fly. 

　I’d thought this was something it would definitely do. 

　This was something I had already anticipated in advance that I would have to evade.

(If just once, maybe… it’ll go well.)

　Kick a tree, jump.

　Dodge a blow from a sickle-like foot. While leaping over the head of Awd Goggie, throw one of my few remaining knives. 

　I was aiming at the joint of the leg — a gap in its shell. 

　You could say this was something close to a circus trick. 

　The blade of the knife I release pierces exactly that point. The flash of a blast.

　Sure enough, it worked.

　The blast causes serious damage to the gap in the shell. The leg twists and twists off into shreds, body fluids leak. 

　A moment later, the scream of Awd Goggie” echoes like splitting iron. 

“For losing only one leg, you’re sure showing a big reaction.”

　This proved it.

　Only the shell is hard. Destruction is possible by aiming at the gap — but the price to get this information isn’t free.

　In response to the scream of Awd Goggie the Fae also moved. 

　Movements clearly aimed at trying to catch me.

　They try to intercept my landing. The Fuath use their four frog legs and jump. 

　The number of my knives are limited, and Awd Goggie will be wary the next time. A second chance won’t come so easily. 

　Normally, the plan here would be to pull back.

　However, I know that if I go about it normally, I won’t be able to win, and there’s also a [Goddess] here. I should use abnormal methods. 

“Zyro, you’re about to be surrounded. Is it still not yet time for my debut? Shouldn’t it be about time?”

“Ah–“

　As I land, I stick a knife into one of the Fuath that was trying to catch me. 

　The blade sinks into flesh and ruptures the opponent.

“It’s now, Teolita.”

　I jumped on the tree again and pointed to the Demon King.

　And the Fae that are filled with obvious murderous intent are stampeding over to where we are. 

“Open a path to the Demon King. Please make it grand.”

“……Assuredly!”

　’Huun’, she hummed, and Teolita’s eyes burned. 

“Observe closely.”

　From the void, many swords were born.

　This time, starting from the first sword, they are already huge.

　Impractically big swords that could only be used for nothing but rituals. 

　Thick blades that can slice through both Barghest and Troll. 

　The blades that shine silver pour down like rain. The Fae are skewered, creating a way to the Demon King. 

“One more time.”

　I immediately lept.

　Hold Teorita tightly and convey an image.

“…I’m asking for a special sword. Can you do it?”

“Insolent.”

　Teolita’s entire body was emitting sparks — enough for the me carrying her to feel pain. 

“I am a [Goddess], my Knight. Simply piously pray.”

　The distance between us and the Demon King instantly closes.

　That guy quickly moves its many legs.

　Those compound eyes of Awd Goggie are this time, directly aimed at me. It intertwines its numerous legs to create a ‘net’ and tries to grab me in mid-air. 

(This too, in the end, can only be done once.)

　The first time, I showed it how I used a knife.

　That guy understands the threat. There was offensive power, but not enough to be deadly, it should be thinking that it can stop me by doing this. 

　And in fact, that would be the case if I was alone. 

“Proceed.”

　The moment Teorita said that, I saw a sword born in the void.

　A much longer sword than all the swords that had come before — it’s like a ‘spear’. It may no longer be appropriate to call it a sword. I grab it, feel a shock like my shoulders are about to dislocate, and imbue it with the Scared Seal. 

　Then I leap. 

　I kick with all my strength.

　The Sakara Seal of Flight imparts a massive amount of kinetic energy, and I send the sword flying.

　A single shot with mass and speed comparable to something fired from a ballista. 

(In the Royal Capital, battering rams and catapults are being prepared.)

　Without a doubt, the military must have already grasped that those kinds of simple physical weapons would work.

　The Fortress Gartuil guys have the bad habit of playing political games, but they are by no means incompetent. Especially when their own lives are at risk.

　Therefore, this attack should be effective. If it has no effect, then there’s nothing that can be done. 

　The results are immediately obvious.

　The spear-like sword blows through several legs of Awd Goggie.

　The blade cuts, smashes and tears through. The tip of the sword pierces the body of Awd Goggie.

　When I realise the blade has penetrated through the shell — at the same time, a flash of light runs through. 

　Sound of exploding. 

　A roar that splits the air. 

　”Zatte Finde” activates from inside the Demon King.

　The shell ruptures from the inside, flesh erupts, body fluid splatters.

　I see the aftermath of the destruction caused by me — by me and Teolita. 

(Success.)

　I thought.

　The body of “Awd Goggie” is filled with scars that look like it had been gouged out from within. From those areas, body fluids continue to overflow. 

“Nice, Teolita. Like this–”

　I said.

　It was that moment.

　I heard a damp sound.

From Awd Goggie.

　That destroyed body was shaking.

　Something’s growing from there. Growing at a ridiculous speed — a new leg? Or a tentacle like a jellyfish? Two or three.

　It didn’t matter what specifically.

　Only one thing came to my mind at this moment

“That’s unfair.”

　The shaking from the body looks like it’s almost coming to an end. 

　Holding Teorita, I turn my back on Awd Goggie. No matter how you thought about it, this had been foolish. 

　I ended up doing something I said I wouldn’t do. 

　Following that is well — an impact.

　I had probably been easily blown away.

　My vision spins, everything goes dark for a moment, and I know that I’ve crashed into something. Fortunately, a big tree. Not a Troll of Barghest.

　However, I started to feel this might no longer be possible. 

　I can’t bring down the Demon King now. The same hand can’t be played twice, and though that guy is still leaking fluid, its wounds are gradually closing. 

“Zyro!”

　Teorita shouted.

　Even so, it really hurts. I see the night sky.

　And after that, the Demon King screams in great pain — serves you right. Without orders from the Demon King, the Fae are running around unhinged. Some are aroused and start killing each other. 

“…My Knight! Turn your eyes here!”

　I was being called.

　Teorita — her eyes are shining brightly. Probably the colour of flames?

　And besides her, one more.

(……What’s this)

　It would’ve been better if this was a hallucination. That’s how ridiculous and comical this was, I don’t want to look. 

“…Ah–… Zyro?”

　That guy was peeking at me with a troubled look. 

　Dotta Luzlas, the worst thief in history. Why did I have to be looking at that guy’s filthy face right now?

“What are you doing, in a place like this?”

　You’re the only one I don’t want to hear that from.

　The guy was carrying a barrel big enough for a child to fit. 

　Looking at the letters written on it, I was shocked — “Verkle”, “Handling Precautions”, “Rinelitz No. 7 Equipment” — and what’s more, “Scorched Earth Seal”.

“Dotta.”

　I laughed. I raised my body while laughing.

　My entire body hurts, but this isn’t the time to be concerned about that. I grab Dotta’s chest and hold him down so he can’t escape.

“You stole again?”

“This was different. When I snuck in, it was nicely placed in front of my eyes–”

“Well done. I’ll let you go without killing you later.”

　――Anything other than that, I couldn’t say for sure.

　A Scorched Earth Seal is, to describe it, assembled from pieces of wood engraved with Sacred Seals. The actual weapon is actually just the barrel itself, assembled from those pieces of wood.

　Dotta, who had stolen and carried it around exposed to the surroundings, was an overwhelming idiot.

　I activate it by pulling out some pieces of wood that make up the ‘Safety Device’ of the barrel. Depending on the amount you remove, you can control the power and determine the blast radius. 

　It’s fortunate that this is the same model as the one I was familiar with. 

　If the opponent is a Demon King whose shell has already been destroyed, even the lowest blast setting will be enough. 

　There’s no need to clear the surrounding area.

　I put strength into kicking the barrel, and simultaneously bounce backwards.

　Along the way I also grab Dotta, the least I can do for him — needless to say, I slam him on the ground as soon as we land. 

　The ground hollows out, a corner of the forest lights up with an explosion we are close enough to hear. 

　Like this, we exterminate the Demon King “Awd Goggie” and finally complete covering the retreat for the Holy Knights. 

　–Of course, there’s still the problem of all the things we need to explain later.

–

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