It was a vast canyon with purple crystals scattered all over its exposed rock walls. It was a breathtaking and profoundly beautiful place in tis of peace, but it was now connected to the Void, and had turned into an Abyss.
In front of us, Wild Tempest, stood an army of skeleton knights that was so huge that it completely blanketed the canyon.
The skeleton knights held swords, axes, spears and war hamrs, and wore pitch-black armor. Their form and strength differed individually. The smallest one was the size of an adult male, while the largest one was about 6 ters tall. The weakest one was rated as depth five, and the strongest was rated as depth seven.
However, they were all small fry. The one that we really needed to subjugate, was the giant dog that was behind the army of skeleton knights.
Pitch-black fur that embodied the darkness of night, three pairs of glittering red eyes, and a mouth that leaked green fla. The Beast that possessed these characteristics was called Garm, and its depth was nine. It was an extrely dangerous, high-level Beast that even large clans couldnt win against without thorough preparations.
Owoooooooo!!!
Garm howled at the heavens. Ordering them through that howl, the skeleton knights under its command started to move all at once. Garms trait was its ability to summon and control skeleton knights.
Beings who have departed from the natural order, you have no life, and likewise, also no sin!
Talk Skill: Exorcism
It was limited to undead types, but it was a Skill that could instantly destroy opponents of the sa or lower Rank. Even against opponents of a higher Rank, it wasnt the end if it was resisted as it was also capable of greatly weakening their abilities.
One third of the army was annihilated by my Exorcism. The remaining two-thirds slowed down after having their abilities lowered. Without a monts delay, I issued instructions, which had buffs attached, to my allies.
Kouga, scatter the small fry using Rain of Cherry Petals! Leon, use Divine Impact on the big ones that remain! Alma, pursue and completely destroy them!
Alright!Understood!Got it!
When Kouga drew his blade, countless slashes shot out. Their number was incomparable to before, and their power had also increased significantly.
Samurai Skill: Rain of Cherry Petals
As a result of Kouga ranking up and becoming a Samurai, so of his Bladesman Skills had changed into Samurai Skills. Just like how it was impossible to avoid the dancing cherry blossom petals scattered about by a storm, the keen slashes released by Kouga thoroughly severed the skeleton knights.
However, the slashes weren't able to completely destroy the large skeleton knights, and they ended up only slicing off fingers or the ends of their armor. Five large skeleton knights, which were thought to be depth seven, had remained. Just before they swung their giant weapons down at us, their movents were stopped by a dazzling sphere of light that had been released by Leon.
Knight Skill: Divine Impact
A debuff Skill that lowered abilities for a short duration while doubling as a ranged attack. The mont the sphere of light hit, Alma freely bounced left and right off the surrounding rock walls, and crushed the joints of the large skeleton knights. The large skeleton knights could no longer support their giant size, and gave way under their own weight, kicking up clouds of dust.
The army of skeleton knights had been successfully wiped out. The only thing left to do was to finish off Garm, the core of this Abyss.
However--
Owoooooooo!!!
When Garm howled once again, a dense shadow extended from its feet, and a new army of skeleton knights erged from it. Their numbers were more than double the previous armys.
Tch, I knew that it could summon them again, but it could do it this quickly?
Garms trait was summoning and controlling skeleton knights and as long as its magic power was not exhausted, it could summon them endlessly. Past battle records indicated that there was no choice but to overwhelm Garm with attacks that were faster than its summoning speed.
When I clicked my tongue, Garm twisted the corners of its mouth up, as if it had heard .
This mutt, how dare it laugh at
Beasts that were highly intelligent were generally cruel. Garm was no exception. Just like people did, it took pleasure in cornering its prey.
Master, Exorcism and our next instructions!
I know! Beings who have departed from the natural order, you have no life, and likewise, also no sin!
Hurried by Leon, I activated Exorcism again. The number of skeleton knights that were destroyed was much fewer than before. That ant that their overall strength was higher than the previous army's as well.
Kouga, throw the small fry into disorder! Leon, support Kouga! Alma, charge Garm! Youre the only one who can get close to it!
The three of them moved according to my instructions. Kouga threw the army into disarray by firing Rain of Cherry Petals continuously. Leon protected Kouga from the skeleton knights using barriers and ranged attacks.
Accel--Duodecuple!
As the battle on the ground descended into chaos, Alma approached Garm along the rock walls of the canyon. Then, staying at top speed, she threw herself into a charge. Garm effortlessly dodged her onslaught.
Dammit! I cant hit it!
Alma pursued Garm desperately, but her attacks weren't even close. Even the iron needles that she threw using Assassin Skill: Perfect Throw ended up stuck in the rock walls after they were evaded at the very last instant before they hit.
Garm's movents couldnt be explained solely by the difference in physical abilities. In all likelihood, Garm was probably using its highly-developed brain--its advanced processing speed to perfectly predict every attack. In other words, it was doing the sa thing as I was. No, on the contrary, its predictions were completely superior to mine.
But Garm didn't perform any counterattacks against Alma. Even for Garm, there would be an opening the instant it switched from defense to offense. In that case, it was probably thinking that it should focus on dodging like this, and aim for the mont Alma got exhausted.
It was the thinking of a pure hunter. Despite such an overwhelming difference in fighting abilities, it was utterly devoid of conceit. It planned on killing us only using no-risk and reliable thods.
This is bad Well be annihilated at this rate
The battle situation was getting worse by the minute. Alma was starting to tire from maintaining her top speed, and the speed in which Kouga and Leon were dispatching the skeleton knights was also dropping.
Weve got no choice Change of plans! Kouga and Alma, protect Leon! Leon, after deploying barriers on everyone, prepare to fire Seraphim Blade!
Knight Skill: Seraphim Blade
In exchange for consuming all of the users magic power, it was an area-of-effect attack Skill that shot an extrely powerful ray of light and heat. It didnt matter how fast Garm was, this attack was unavoidable.
Master, using Seraphim Blade is a bad idea!
With an alard expression, Leon raised an objection.
If we dont win after using Seraphim Blade, there will be no one to deploy barriers and heal wounds! Please reconsider!
Shut up! If things stay as they are, its only going to get gradually worse for us!! In that case, we have no choice but to aim for a reversal using an all or nothing gamble!!!
I understand that! But--
Just do it! Masters orders!!!
Leon nodded reluctantly when I forcibly dismissed his objection.
Understood. Everyone, cover !
Leon held his sword above his head and deployed the barriers. Then, he started the preparations for firing Seraphim Blade.
The skeleton knights crowded around Leon, who had stopped moving, but Alma and Kouga rushed in and fought them back. I also used Silver-chan's magic bullets to help protect the defenseless Leon.
Leon concentrated all of his magic power into the sword he held aloft, and it shone a brilliant red from the heat it emitted. Despite the fact that the Skill was only in its preparation phase, the waves of heat emitted by the sword evaporated the flowing river, and was beginning to lt the surrounding rocks. We were protected by the barriers deployed by Leon, but we were just barely able to endure the heat.
Preparations have been completed! Master, give the signal!
The mont Leon asked for instructions, Garm jumped and tried to escape from the canyon.
As if Ill let you escape!
The magic bullet that I shotThunder Bullet, exploded above Garms head. The lightning strikes spread out like a spiderweb, cutting off Garms escape.
Now, fire!!!
Seraphim Blade!!!
Tactical Skill: Deploy Tactics
Tactical Skill: Assault Command
Knight Skill: Seraphim Blade
Leon's Seraphim Blade, which had been strengthened by my buffs, fired a ray of light and heat that looked like it would blanket the entirety of the vast canyon. Everything in its line of fire was vaporized instantly, and while it certainly annihilated the army of skeleton knights, it even transford the terrain of the canyon.
......Did that do it?
Smoke had enveloped the area, so visibility was poor. It happened at the sa ti I squinted my eyes and muttered.
Owoooooooo!!!
Garms third howl, and the shadows of skeleton knights wavered from the other side of the smoke.
Dammit
Garm was alive and well, even after a direct hit from Leon's Seraphim Blade. It had defended against the attack by deploying a barrier using its enormous magic power.
However, Garm shouldn't be completely unhurt after that attack. Also, the number of skeleton knights it had summoned this ti was small. We had successfully dealt damage and reduced its magic power. However, what we had lost in exchange was incomparable.
Due to the rebound from Seraphim Blade and Assault Command, Leon was unable to stay on his feet, and had collapsed onto the ground. Even if he drank a potion to recover his stamina, it was probably impossible for him to jump back into the fray.
Is this as far as we can go? Everyone, were retreating! Alma, carry Leon and go on ahead! Kouga and will be the rear guard!
The defensive battle we fought as we retreated went on for about three kiloters before it was stalled when Kouga was overpowered by an onslaught from a large skeleton knight. He received a powerful blow from a giant sword with his blade, but was unable to fully divert the power of the blow, and was blown back into a rock wall.
Kouga!!!
When I scread, Kouga fell to his knees and vomited a large amount of blood.
I, Im sorry, Noel This is as far as I go
His bones had undoubtedly been broken, and had punctured his lung. Kougas body had given out too.
Noel, watch out!
Alma pushed out the way, and a large skeletons sword swept through the spot that I had been in. In exchange for helping , Alma was blown away into a rock wall just like Kouga had been.
No way
With this, I had beco the only one who was still able to move. Kouga and Alma were wounded and incapacitated, and while Leon seed conscious, he was still collapsed on the ground.
As I stood stock still and speechless, the ranks of the skeleton knights unexpectedly split apart. From behind them, Garm leisurely strolled forward.
120, 119, 118, 117
i have won
The giant dog that stopped in front of spoke the human language without any intonation.
it was a pretty enjoyable battle. but you are not at my level
100, 99, 98, 97
Why arent you finishing us off using the skeleton knights? Whats your goal?
my goal is you. your brain is very outstanding. if i eat it while you are still alive, i will probably beco stronger. human child, beco my nourishnt
Garm opened its big mouth, revealing its uneven teeth.
Wait, I admit defeat. If you want to eat , you can do as you like. But before that, theres sothing that I want to ask you
what is it? try
Convinced of its victory, Garm lent an ear.
Do you know anything about the Lord that has a man-made battle axe? It has two horns on its forehead. If you know its traits and how it fights, please tell
why do you want to know sothing like that?
It killed my grandfather. It fled back to the Void to heal from the wounds that it had received from my grandfather, but its still alive. If I could have a wish, I would wish to kill it with my own two hands
in short, it is for revenge. how foolish
Garm twisted its mouth, as if it was mocking .
75, 74, 73, 72
at any rate, you are going to die here. there is no reason for to answer you
Garm avoided answering my question, but rather than saying that it had no intention of answering, I got the impression that it couldnt answer. Just like how it was with Dantalion, it was probably afraid of the higher ranked Lord after all.
In order to get the information, I would need to either ask other Lords, or beco strong enough that my Talk Skill: Confess couldnt be resisted. Either option seed a long ways off for .
62, 61, 60, 59
is that all you wanted to ask?
Theres still one more thing. Would you like to make a deal with ?
a deal?
Garm tilted its head at the word deal.
If you let us go, I'll tell you sothing good. Its information thats very aningful to you. It'll definitely co in handy
are you planning on selling out other seekers? ludicrous! you fail as a warrior! Repent your foul deeds in the realm of the dead!!!
The mont Garm barked furiously, I removed a silver tube from my coat.
Take it easy. I'm not going to sell out other Seekers. This tube is what I wanted to tell you about
what is that tube?
Intrigued, Garm slled the cylinder. It had completely let its guard down, hadn't it? Well, the reason for that was probably because it understood that I had no killing intent. The instant I showed even a speck of hostility, my head would surely be bitten off.
This is an atomizer. When water is put inside, it can be sprayed around as a fine mist. Whats more, its possible to operate it remotely. Just like this
When I took out and pressed a palm-sized switch, the atomizer opened and a fine mist was released.
35, 34, 33, 32
hmm, what is so useful about that thing?
You dont get it? If thats the case, then that's where your limit is
When I snorted derisively, Garm noticed that sothing was wrong, and took a step back warily. I had shown no hostility, but the fact that I had not showed any hostility was the very reason that was making Garm waver over what to do instead of retreating.
what did you do?
I guess its natural that you dont get it. In the first place, you approached because you determined that I had lost my will to fight. If you had felt even the slightest intention to fight back from , you would probably have never approached
what are you talking about!? what are you saying!?
13, 12, 11, 10
Garm took another step back. Even though I was right in front of its eyes, its high intelligence was the very thing trapping it inside a maze of its own thoughts, making it unable to harm carelessly.
It's not sothing thats difficult to understand. Certainly, I lost my will to fight. Even now, I still have no will to fight. But you should have thought of it in this way. There's no need for to have a will to fight when the battle has already been decided
5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Zero. Its been exactly two minutes
At that mont, Garm collapsed. Then, it vomited bloody foam, and began panting in pain. It was almost as if Garm was drowning in water.
impossible!? this ispoison!? i should have dodged all your attacks!
No, you didnt dodge everything. This place that we fled to has several of those atomizers that I told you about earlier set up in advance. The contents are, of course, adeadly poison. You've inhaled plenty of it through the air. In other words, the mont you entered this place, you had already lost. The reason why I have no will to fight, is because of that
t, there is no way then, you should be poisoned as well
By the way, this poison only works against Beasts. Its completely harmless to the human body. Isnt that right, Alma?
When I turned the conversation to her, Alma sat up and nodded.
Refining it was very difficult. But its my best work. Its colorless, odorless, and vaporizes quickly. Once it enters the body of a Beast, it makes the Beasts blood harden into jelly after two minutes. The only drawback is that I can't mass produce it because its made from my blood. It was really hard to get the amount needed
About one liter of the poison was refined during a three-day preparation period. Many tis that amount of Alma's blood was consud to produce it. Her blood was replenished through transfusions, but it was very draining on her physically, so it wasn't sothing she could repeat and still be able to take part in battle in perfect condition.
That's what I was talking about. Do you get it now?
gugu...... skeleton knights!!! kill that human!!!
Garm was gasping feebly as it commanded the skeleton knights to attack .
Beings who have departed from the natural order, you have no life, and likewise, also no sin
The entire army of skeleton knights was destroyed by my Exorcism. Because Garm, their summoner, had been weakened, the supply of magic power to them beca inadequate, which resulted in their strength dropping drastically.
There was no longer any need to fear the skeleton knights. The Demon dog king, which had lost its army, snarled regretfully.
your loss and subsequent retreat...... so it was all an act to lure to this place......
Wasn't the acting great? I'm the one who wrote the script, and directed the play. But not everything was an act. For the sake of making you use your full strength, we had to pull out all the stops. --It seems like you're trying your utmost to regenerate yourself, but it's impossible because of the lack of magic power, right?
Taking into account the amount of magic power it had used to defend against Leon's Seraphim Blade, and the magic power that it had spent in three large-scale summonings, it no longer had enough magic power left to regenerate itself from its current state.
If we had tried to defeat it using poison from the start, it would have regenerated itself imdiately, then the sa thod would probably never work again. Above all, once it realized our intent to kill it with poison, it would definitely never go near any suspicious places.
The fact that we were fighting seriously, and were really being cornered, was the very thing that made Garm, which had superior processing capabilities, lower its guard and fall into our trap.
Although it's our strategy, we had such a bitter experience. It was really tough..... Oh, I'm not talking about the fighting, but Noel's directing...... But I guess it did pay off
Kouga wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stood up. The weak-willed words from before were part of the act, but the damage he had received was real. Leon and Alma also tried to get up, but I forestalled them with my hand. Everyone had fought well. From here on out, I could handle it myself.
Garm stood up with trembling feet and confronted . Then, using the last of its strength, it flung itself at . However, before its claws and teeth could bridge the distance between us, I squeezed the trigger.
Garm Bullet, impact.
The magic bullet pierced Garm's neck, then exploded. As Garm's head was severed and sent flying through the air by the explosion, a clear voice rang out.
brilliant job, warrior!!!
Garm's head, which had fallen to the ground, had a contented smile.
...To think that it would give words of praise to the winner, rather than spewing bitter curses. It's surprising that even Beasts have pride
I slid Silver-chan back into its holster and issued my last command.
Battle, end
Oh man, Noels Exorcism chant is so chunni But, the author is spoiling us by giving us another huge battle right after the Dantalion fight to kick off the second and also last arc of Part 2. Yes, its another 15 chapter arc.
Btw, anyone seriously thought that they were going to lose for a second? It's another of Alma's long revealed Skills to the rescue though.
Most readers would have noticed that the people in this novel tilt their head whenever theyre confused or have a question. At the start, I used to change it during editing, but I gave up very early on because it happened so often that I thought Id just let this beco a world where everyone tilts their head a lot. Its gone a bit too far now though Even Beasts are doing it What's next? Everyone snorting in laughter? Wait......
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