[Part 4/4]
"This is bad!? We need to retreat!"
"D*mn it...!!"
'w(ﾟДﾟ)w run away!!'
Shishimai and I cut down several of the bugs that had broken through the guards, but we quickly had to withdraw. Unfortunately, we couldn't handle their numbers.
Amidst the chaotic situation, Botan continued the ritual diligently with the summoned guards. She understood that if she didn't succeed in the curse, everyone would die. She told the bear to kick the mummy's head to make it stop making noise. She then flipped through the book's pages and read the final passage.
'Hisss!!'
Several golden beetles climbed along the walls and approached Botan.
"Leave them to !!"
Leaving the bugs chasing us to Shishimai, I rushed to intercept the bugs approaching Botan. One, two, three...!!
'Σ(; ﾟДﾟ) Papa-!!'
"Damn! They dodged...!!"
One bug that avoided my attack charged straight at Botan. I enhanced my leg strength with spiritual power and managed to catch up to it, crushing it against the wall. However, another one made a beeline straight for Botan...!!?
"!?"
"I won't let you!!"
The golden beetle that leaped towards Botan was swiftly cut down by Tamaki's sword, which intercepted it in an instant. It was a brilliant flash of skill. Both Botan, who was casting the curse, and I were left dumbfounded.
"Haah, haah...!! I'll do everything I can too! So leave this to !!"
"...Understood!!"
With determination in her tense expression, Tamaki's words reached us. I nodded slightly and turned my attention back to intercepting the bugs in front of .
"'Ka-geki - Noyaki Hiki (Fla Attack - Field Scorch)'!!"
Shishimai swung her naginata, releasing a curse. The sparks from the naginata transford into the shape of a fox and dashed through the swarm of insects. The flas scattered by the fox dispersed the swarm of bugs.
"Cut them down!!"
'ヽ(；▽；)ノ Please give a lucky charm!?'
I rushed into the swarm of bugs with my Teguruma. With a single swing, I tore through dozens of bugs, and my Teguruma returned to my hand. Damn, these pesky spiders. Trust your own thread! Relying on modern tools is weak!
"Kuh!? Can I get through!?"
As the swarm of bugs slipped past Shishimai and , Onikuma stood firm, and Tamaki ford the final line of defense. Onikuma acted as her shield, and Tamaki swiftly cut down any bugs that approached, showing off her swordsmanship that was on par with a master.
"'Offer them here. Present the sacrifice. Guide us. Pay the price. Protect us from the pursuing hunting dogs. O existence of providence, hear my voice'...!! Has it arrived!?"
Botan finished reciting the final verse of the ritual, sensing the presence. The magic circle drawn on the floor glowed, and countless shining hands extended from the white lines. They emitted a pure and divine light.
'……!!!??'
The mummies trembled, horrified and surprised by the approaching fate. Struggling to escape, all their efforts were futile. Creepy, childish voices full of ridicule resounded. Countless thin hands enveloped the sacrificial mummies, sinking them into the floor and then into the depths of the earth...
"…!!"
Botan gasped at the grueso and evil sight. Several hands reached out towards her. Instinctively, she braced herself, but they only lightly touched her attire before retracting. These beings were malicious, sly, and crafty, but precisely because of that, they were loyal to the ironclad contract with no loopholes.
The magic circle that swallowed the mummies glowed even more suspiciously. Then, it began to rise from the floor. A gate erged, floating in mid-air.
"It's here!! Everyone, get out quickly, or I'll leave you behind!!"
Botan realized that despite requiring high-quality sacrifices, the range of mobility of the gate was limited, and she had no idea where it led to. This shoddy "equivalent exchange" was the price to be paid. As she turned to shout this, her voice grew hoarse.
"!?"
At the sa ti, she witnessed it. A swarm of bugs had advanced so close that even the guards couldn't restrain them anymore.
'Grrrrrrr!!'
Onikuma swiftly carried Botan and charged into the gate's depths. Along the way, it grabbed Tamaki by the collar as if to save her from an accident. Shishimai, I, and the others followed suit, running at full speed without looking back.
"'Beco a shield'!!"
Amidst Botan's cry in ancient language, several dog-faced beings assisting the ritual seed to have plunged into the swarm of bugs. There was no ti to confirm.
"Quickly, co on!!"
"Tomobe-kun, hurry!!"
Shishimai made a beastly leap and jumped into the gate. I turned around. With a desperate expression, I saw Tamaki at the rear. Amidst the roaring and clamor of the countless bugs, they shouted in alarm. Tamaki's voice almost sounded like a scream.
...Through Shishimai's eyes, I saw the trendous swarm of bugs filling the area behind , leaving breathless.
"You d*mn bastards!!"
'＼(>_.
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