A gust blows across Rajas frombehind. He wonders if it was called bythe silent boy standing before him, or if it's simply the voice of the wind. Regardless, neither the air that burns aroundthem, nor the cool breeze that passed through, prevent those words from ringingwithin his ears.
His grim expression hides his concern ashe repeats Suimei's words. "A…magician?"
Rajas has trouble identifying Suimei atfirst due to his different outfit, but soon recognizes his face. Realization lights his eyes as he says, "Iget it. Bastard… you're that brattyspell caster from before."
Suimei responds by lowering hisstance. Without a word, he continues tostare Rajas down.
Rajas gives a heartfelt laugh full ofridicule at the sight. "So a lousy spellcaster made it all the way here. I bet mysubordinates must have been a handful."
"Yeah, it was a complete waste oftime. They were nothing but garbage. I don't even remember how many times I almostthrew up."
Rajas sneers as he says, "Hearing thatfrom someone as beat up as you, I believe it! Hahahahahahaa!"
Suimei is undoubtedly riddled with wounds,but other than a shallow cut across his face, none of them aren't visible. His long, black, jacket, however, is raggedand frayed from abuse. His utterexhaustion suggests the path he took there must have been over flowing withhardship. Not only is he struggling tobreath, but his posture and gestures all lack energy.
Rajas, interested in how Suimei was putinto such a condition, calms his loud laughter. With a condescending tone laced with merriment, he says, "Well? How'd you even make it here? I left quite a number of them backthere. Did you just force your waythrough?"
Suimei, despite the condition of his body,gives a curt, "How? I moved aside everything in my way."
Rajas continues to laugh and ridiculeSuimei. He takes those confident wordsas an injured man's bluff. Suimei, tohim, is nothing more than a person who hates losing. " Hou ,big talk with that shabby state."
Hou
He then says, "Tell me, what's soimportant that you'd wear yourself ragged just to come here?"
"Isn't it kinda pointless to be askingsomething like that now?"
"…Impossible, you came all the way herefor this woman?"
"And what if I did?"
Suimei came to assist Lefille, to lend herhis strength. Even though she alreadyslapped away his hand and there is no need for him to do such a thing, herefuses to standby any longer.
" Haa !? Kuhahahahaha!! You're seriously saying something asridiculous as that! In a situation likethis, you came to help a woman like that!? Is something wrong with your head!?"
Haa
Rajas' words are correct, Suimei is out ofhis mind. Only such a person would forcehis way through a mazoku army and come to place fraught with death. Although he has a reason for going, nothinganyone would want exists there. Instead,just by coming, he risks losing everything.
He adds, "You, you're saying a wretchedwoman like this is worth saving? A womanwho can't save anything, who runs away just so she can save herself?"
"Yeah."
Rajas is baffled by Suimei who shuts hiseyes and nods. Worse, Suimei evenrecognizes how dimwitted he's being. " Fu — why go this far for her? You should just abandon a woman like this ifyou value your own life. It's easy, allyou need to do is forget she ever existed."
Fu
Suimei did not need to go there. Just as Rajas spat out, he could have simplylet the mazoku storm past him by hiding in the forest. No danger would have befallen him thatway. All he needed to do was pretend notto see anything. Instead, he chose the foolishoption of abandoning all safety by diving straight in.
Suimei shakes his head while saying, "No,I can't do that. I wouldn't be able tohelp her if I did."
Rajas frowns at the unexpectedanswer. " Nu— ?"
Nu—
Suimei, meanwhile, continues challenginghim. He declares his reason for beingthere and his commitment to fight back. "To save those who grieve at their misfortune is the path I believe inand I refuse to abandon it. That's why—
"—That's why I came here."
Rajasis taken aback at Suimei's resolve. Hisblank stare soon vanishes as he lets out a sigh. " Ha— "
Ha—
He then releases a loud laugh. "Hahahahaha! Moron! That's why!? You came all the way here for a reason likethat!? You fought your way through my subordinates,through certain death! You're saying youdid all of that just to save someone who can't be saved!? You came all the way to a place like this forsuch a pathetic notion!? There a limitto stupidity! Fuhahahahaa!! What a ridiculous—"
"So what?"
Suimei's cold reply shuts down Rajas' loudlaughter. His tone is colder than eventhe gusts blowing through the most northern of countries. Not only does it chill the heart, it replacesthe lingering sounds of laughter with a sharp gasp. No other sound is allowed to remain.
"— —!?"
A frigid dryness fills the air. The cold isn't so much an envelopingsensation, but more a piercing arctic gale rolling in from far away. It's enough to shrivel up anyone's desire tofight.
Not even the heat being given off byRajas' overwhelming power is enough to disturb the now frozen soil.
Suimei, having caused that dreadful chill,stares down the Mazoku General with unwavering resolution.
Rajas says, "…Boy, don't you look at melike that."
"Are you saying you want me to stop?"
Rajas' aura swells at Suimei's laidbackresponse. He says, "If you don't, thenI'll make you!!" The roar Rajas howlsshakes everything around them. Clumps ofdirt, sand, and small stones are sent flying by the shockwave. At the same time, a fist and arm the size ofan oak tree's roots fly towards Suimei.
Confronting that fist which turns all whooppose it into chunks of flesh, is a peculiar chant Rajas has never heardbefore.
"Primum ex Quintumexcipio!!" (Rampart, quintuplicate deployment)
Five, shinning gold, magic circles extend beforeSuimei's hand like a shield. Regardlessof whether they form from fragments, take shape, or appear, each piece takes anoriginal design.
Suimei's golden defense shifts into place. His magic is in time to clash against Rajas'fist and gold sparks shower about from the strike. That's when the second and third magiccircles, either because they're unable to withstand the assault or because theyhave a different roles to play, break away from the formation.
"Ooooooooooooooooh!!"
"Arhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!"
The enormous fist tries to pierce Suimei'smagic circle, but is resisted with the glimmer of more golden particles asSuimei raises the magic power of his spell. The clash crushes the ground underfoot and emits a burst of wind. A raging tornado soon forms around them.
While the two roar out, the fourth magiccircle begins to rotate. Suimei flipsRajas' overwhelming power back on the mazoku and blows him away. A tsunami's thunderous roar accompanies Rajasas his massive body carves a ditch through the ground.
" Nugh— !?"
Nugh—
" Che— ,even with the Attenuation Rampart, he was still sent flying… This guy's stupidly powerful…" Suimei's shoulders heave up and down as hecurses Rajas. His current battle coupledwith those he fought on the way there have exhausted him. He thus looks behind himself and says, "Standup, Lefille. Let's take this guy down."
Che—
He'swants me to fight with him. To form aunited resistance. He's requesting mycooperation— No, encouraging me to stand. Suimei's bewitching scarlet shining eyesearnestly, truly, wish for it as they burn with a passion as bright as ironsmelting in a forge.
He'swants me to fight with him. To form aunited resistance. He's requesting mycooperation— No, encouraging me to stand.
Theseeyes, I'll never forget them. His eyes are those of a man who'll sacrificehis entirety for the sake of his ideals. Just how many has he swept away with thatgaze?
Theseeyes, I'll never forget them. Just how many has he swept away with thatgaze?
Lefille, however, no longer has the desireto answer such a call. Rajas alreadyshattered it. Without lifting her facefrom the ground, she says, "It's impossible."
" Eh— ?"
Eh—
"It's impossible. We can't beat him. You, me, we're going to die here."
Suimei is taken aback by Lefille's desolateresignation. "Hey … are you alright?"
…
Hemust have thought we'd be able to combine our strength here, that we'd be ableto defeat him together. But, it alreadytoo late. There's nothing left we cando.
Hemust have thought we'd be able to combine our strength here, that we'd be ableto defeat him together. But, it alreadytoo late. There's nothing left we cando.
Lefille says, "You can't beat Rajas. That mazoku is too strong. Suimei-kun, even with my power, we'd stilllose."
"Something like that, how can you knowwithout trying?"
"I already know it. He's strong. The countless soldiers of Noshias renown for their strength all fellbefore his power. That's why, you and I,us two alone can't beat him and there's nothing we can do about it. That's why, it's our fate to die here by hishand."
That'sjust our fate. We can't fight destiny. Since his heart still hasn't been broken, my bleakprediction must come off as nothing more than cowardice, but that'sreality. No matter how strong you wantit, no matter how much you encourage one another, sooner or later, before thatoverwhelming power, it's all nothing more than a spring night's dream.
That'sjust our fate. We can't fight destiny. Since his heart still hasn't been broken, my bleakprediction must come off as nothing more than cowardice, but that'sreality. No matter how strong you wantit, no matter how much you encourage one another, sooner or later, before thatoverwhelming power, it's all nothing more than a spring night's dream.
Suimei's shoulders droop and he closes hiseyes. Is he disappointed? Lefillecan't get a clear look at his face. He surely must be.
Is he disappointed? He surely must be.
He says, "…Are you satisfied with this,Lefille? Is such an end truly alrightwith you?"
"Yes, it's already enough. It doesn't matter. I don't care anymore. I'm tired of it."
"…Fine."
Lefille hears Suimei consent. He understands? I've made him realize the truth? That there nothing we can do? That doing nothing won't hurt as much asresisting? We'll have to endure a littlemore pain, but then we'll be free.
He understands? I've made him realize the truth? That there nothing we can do? That doing nothing won't hurt as much asresisting? We'll have to endure a littlemore pain, but then we'll be free.
By the time Lefille looks, Suimei isfacing forward. He's doing the completeopposite of what she wants. The man inblack clothes before her stands as her shield against the looming threat ofRajas.
"Suimei-kun?"
Suimei's words are laced with hope andwithout a shred of doubt. "In that case,I'll do whatever I want. Lefille, if yousay you won't move from that spot, then I'll just crush that brute here andnow."
To Lefille, his tone does nothing morethan betray an ignorance she can't bear to hear. "You don't know Rajas' true power! Don't you see that he's nothing like theother mazoku you've fought!?"
"Probably, but if I give up here, then Iwon't be able to save you, nor grasp what I'm chasing after."
Whathe's trying to grasp? That thing hedeclare to Rajas earlier?
Whathe's trying to grasp? That thing hedeclare to Rajas earlier?
Lefille says, "To save those who can't besaved? That's ridiculous! Misfortune always strikes all around thisworld! It happens all the time,everywhere, without exceptions!"
"Even so."
"That's just fantasy! An illusion! The empty dream of a child!"
"Even so."
"What's with saying, 'Even so'! Those're nothing more than fancy words! Does saying them guarantee our safety!?"
"Even so."
"Such a thing will never come true. It's impossible. Absolutely impossible."
Never. People everywhere in this world are goinghungry. They fall to their knees indespair. They die with fury raginginside of themselves. Right here, rightnow, are two more people who can't be saved. There are no exceptions. Thosewith no hope exist. They'll alwaysexist.
Never. People everywhere in this world are goinghungry. They fall to their knees indespair. They die with fury raginginside of themselves. Right here, rightnow, are two more people who can't be saved. There are no exceptions. Thosewith no hope exist. They'll alwaysexist.
Hehas to know that. Any rational personcan see it. Anyone who looks at realitycan see that such childish fantasies should have been abandoned ages ago.
Hehas to know that. Any rational personcan see it. Anyone who looks at realitycan see that such childish fantasies should have been abandoned ages ago.
Regardless, Suimei gives her a gentleshake of his head as though he were admonishing an unreasonable child. "Lefille, that's not something youdecide. Whether or not everyone can besaved is something I'll discover by seeing this dream through."
"What are you going to do chasingsomething like that? Such an indefinite ambiguity. Even if you chase after it, it won'tstay as something you couldn't find. Atthe end of the road, your aspirations are going to bring you nothing more thandespair."
"Perhaps."
"Then—"
"However, I refuse to look back. Why should I? I won't find the dream I'm chasing by turning around. The moment I surrender the dream I swore tochase on that day is the when I'll stop to exist. That's why—
"—That's why, just watch. Watch as I reach for this aspiration."
"Ahh—"
Howis his figure, after only giving me a resolute, "just watch," overflowing withdazzling radiance? I've never metanother like him in this whole world. Couldthis be the brilliance of a soul belonging to a person who does nothing butchallenge the impossible?
Howis his figure, after only giving me a resolute, "just watch," overflowing withdazzling radiance? I've never metanother like him in this whole world. Couldthis be the brilliance of a soul belonging to a person who does nothing butchallenge the impossible?
Rajas, who had been blown away,returns. His steps are heavy from therage of his unsightly defeat. He glaresat Suimei with murderous fury as he says, "Boy, you bastard…"
"Go down when you get thrown aside, youbrute."
Rajas' aura swells at an explosive rate onhis palm as he roars, "Quieeeeeeeet!!"
Black swallows black as it dyes thesurroundings under a shadow of purple. Rajas is once more unleashing the technique he used to obliterate afortress in Noshias. Just earlier, heused it to transform the area into a desolate space of land. "And with this, disappear!"
It'sover. This'll end it all. I no longer have any more power of thespirit. I can't endure against somethingthat powerful. There isn't a spell inthe world that can oppose it either. That's why, this is the end.
It'sover. This'll end it all. I no longer have any more power of thespirit. I can't endure against somethingthat powerful. There isn't a spell inthe world that can oppose it either. That's why, this is the end.
"Suimei-kun… already…"
Despite the situation, Suimei doesn't payLefille any mind. " —fun ." He instead mutters aspell. His attitude is one that doesn'tfind the situation worth getting excited over. "Non amo munus scutum. Omnes impetuminvictus" (My shield is not ashield. It stands firm against anyattack. It won't waver before any fire.)
—fun
Suimei's magic power rises with hischant. Its golden light shines as thoughintending to resist the encroaching darkness before then revolving like awhirlwind. "Invincibility immobilitas immortalis. Cumque mane surrexissent castle." (Indestructible,immovable boulder. That which gathersthe essence of stars and decors the strong fortress with golden radiance. Your name is)
The golden light divides itself as itmoves towards its required locations. Each beam of light sparks forth like a bolt of lightning where they thenclick into place.
"Firmus! Congrega aurum magnalea!" (Mydurable, radiant Golden Fortress!) Suimei's words end with his magic circles layering themselves on top ofone another.
A step behind the spell's completion isthe encroaching darkness swallowing everything in its path.
"— — — — che !!"
che
…Thisis the end. Of everything. That attack, its darkness will snatch up our bodiesand souls and then eradicate them.
…Thisis the end. Of everything. That attack, its darkness will snatch up our bodiesand souls and then eradicate them.
The end doesn't arrive. Lefille closed her eyes to the approachingdeath, but upon still seeing the darkness of her eyelids, opens them. Both she and Suimei are present and alive.
The dust clears away to reveal anotherbeing equally shocked at their survival. Rajas takes in the breath taking scenery with a shock that resounds allaround them. "Im- Impossible…!? My power once blew away an entire fortress!?"
Letters and numbers protect Suimei andLefille by forming geometric patterns around them and then shielding them withgolden light. On the ground is a magiccircle incorporating a clock's minute and hour hands. Other unknown magic circles of various sizesalso float around them.
We'resurrounded by golden magic circles. It'sjust like being enclosed within the walls of a fortress constructed entirely ofmagic circles.
We'resurrounded by golden magic circles. It'sjust like being enclosed within the walls of a fortress constructed entirely ofmagic circles.
Suimei says, " Haa— My Golden Fortress isn't as pathetic as those stone and woodshacks. This guy is modeled after amilitary base on the other world. You'llneed twice more the power than the Red Dragon's roar to do anything to it."
Haa—
"Did you just say, 'other world'…?"
Suimei holds out his right arm and createsa silver sword. He blows away Rajas'doubt along with the lingering dust and smoldering embers while saying, "That'snone of your concern!"
Rajas finally decides to treat Suimei as aproper opponent. He unleashes the fulllimits of his ferocious brutality against him. "You bastaaaaarrd!"
His style of fighting is straight forward,but he's also nimble and strong. Furthermore, his massive frame makes even just a scratch enough for himto shred off a chunk of flesh from a human.
Regardless, Suimei releases his defensivefortress, and with his sword, meets Rajas in close quarters combat. He courts death. All it requires is one mistake. Despite that pressure, he doesn't waver.
He dodges Rajas' crude onslaught andretaliates with both his magic power laced silver sword and the spells heinvokes by stringing together his words.
Justa single punch would be fatal. Yet,despite being stuck in the middle of such a hopeless fight, he looks nothinglike a tragic hero. Hisback is steady, almost as if he's being supported by iron pegs while a blazingresolve hidden within his heart drives him to continue. His unyielding and uncompromising figure isstronger than anyone else's.
Justa single punch would be fatal. Yet,despite being stuck in the middle of such a hopeless fight, he looks nothinglike a tragic hero.
Small wounds appear across Suimei's faceand body as the mazoku's aura brushes against his skin and clothes, but theyfail to deter him. With a ferociousroar, he reinvigorates his spirit. Thefear creeping into his heart is evicted.
Suimei fights with his all despite beingriddled with injuries. Lefille,enraptured by his zeal, comes to her senses.
—Justwhat am I doing?
—Justwhat am I doing?
"Ah…"
Ina situation like this, he's fighting like that. After I gave up, abandoned everything, denied all his words, and droppedto my knees. Now all I'm doing iswatching. I decided I can't do anythingand settled for just watching. How longwould I have watched for if I didn't notice? [1]
Ina situation like this, he's fighting like that. After I gave up, abandoned everything, denied all his words, and droppedto my knees. Now all I'm doing iswatching. I decided I can't do anythingand settled for just watching. How longwould I have watched for if I didn't notice? [1] [1] [1]
"……"
All Lefille can see is Suimei's back, adazzling back radiating his earnest determination. It reveals his fervent desire for everyone inthat unreasonable world who's overwhelmed by despair to instead find happiness.
Tosave those who can't be saved. Thedetermination when he spoke those words. It fascinated me. Am I just goingto watch without saying a word? Can Ireally just stay here without doing anything?
Tosave those who can't be saved. Thedetermination when he spoke those words. It fascinated me. Am I just goingto watch without saying a word? Can Ireally just stay here without doing anything?
The heavy pressure weighing down on herbody vanishes as she voices a precise, "No— —" The words of resignation she spoke earlier are the entire reason she'sbeing bound and now her response is the key. With it, she unravels the chains holding her down.
AmI fine with this? No, I'm not. I refuse an ending like this. I absolutely don't want it. I'm not finished. I want to chase after my dreams one moretime. I'll never stop, just like him.
AmI fine with this? No, I'm not. I refuse an ending like this. I absolutely don't want it. I'm not finished. I want to chase after my dreams one moretime. I'll never stop, just like him.
Therefore,one more time. I'll fight with my power,one more time. I'll endure the pain,even if I'm covered in blood, no matter how unsightly I look, this, here andnow, is my dearest prayer.
Therefore,one more time. I'll fight with my power,one more time. I'll endure the pain,even if I'm covered in blood, no matter how unsightly I look, this, here andnow, is my dearest prayer.
"Our revered goddess, Alshna. This me who could not change anything, thisme who could not save a single person, once more beseechs thee for the courageto change. I pray once more, once morefor this one—"
Lefille's prayer voices her desire. The method of motivating herself to onceagain take up her sword is the same as a ritual of resurrection. The goddess will never save her, but sheunderstands it's because the goddess doesn't exist in her world. The goddess does nothing more than watch overthem at the moment entirely because of that reason. That's why, for Lefille to change herself,those words are meant only for herself.
Then, upon opening her eyes, she discoversthat her body is brimming with unknown strength. The surge is such that it makes her think thefrailty she felt back when she collapse was nothing more than a dream. Gone is the helplessness that dwelled withinher body and heart.
That power, the courage to overcome, comesfrom none other than the young man before her eyes. The thoughts, he taught me to believe, he reminded me how, run though her mind asshe stands back up.
he taught me to believe, he reminded me how,
Lefille once more grips her discardedsword and, with both hands, holds it ready with all she has. A scarlet wind whirls around her great swordand cuts between Suimei and Rajas.
Rajas is shocked to see her standing oncemore. " Wha— you!? Bitch, where didyou find this strength!?"
Wha—
Suimei grins while saying, "Lefille…"
She radiates all the power of the spiritshe possesses. The vermillion wind sheunleashes is quickly answer by the crimson, warrior spirit, Shakti. Everything is enveloped by glittering scarlet. [2]
[2]
That gust forces Rajas to step back. He protects his face from Lefille's detestablewind with an arm. " Nu, uugh… This,"
Nu, uugh…
She then points her sword at the mazoku andspeaks her resolve. "Rajas, even ifyou're a bastard, your eyes still work. This power will vanquish all you disgusting mazoku. It's the power of the spirit granted by thegoddess' loyal servant."
"You'll vanquishes us how!? You're nothing more than a little girl who ranaway while cowering from my destructive might! [3] "
[3]
"—Shut up… I won't run anymore. Fromanything, from anyone, not even from destiny! I'll stay true to myself!"
Rajas' black aura swells from his body ashe says, "Little girl! Spare me yourprattling!" It then wraps around his armand fist as he strikes.
Lefille faces Rajas with her great swordand scarlet wind. Without flinching, sheclads a vermillion whirlwind around her slash and deflects his enormousfist.
" Guugha ,wh- what the!? This is nothing likebefore…"
Guugha
Lefille isn't surprised by herchange. The weak her from before hasdied. The one now standing in her placeis a new, stronger, person. Attacks thatwould once overwhelm her are no longer effective. Notthat I have time to spare explaining this to a bastard like you.
Notthat I have time to spare explaining this to a bastard like you.
She no longer wants to hear hisbewilderment and so strikes again with her sword. "Hyaaaaa!!" The results are opposite from before. She's now faster than him and able to get in many more hits. The power within her blows are also obvious.
Rajas, getting desperate, tries brushingLefille away with a frantic backhand. The swing is crude and unfocused, but luckily, also with excellenttiming for landing a vital strike. It would actually have to hit me first,though.
It would actually have to hit me first,though.
—Lefille emits the same glittering red thatfills her surrounds and becomes wind.
Her movements can no longer be followed byanyone. Even the scarlet silhouettethat's left behind gets pulled along with astounding speed. It's a speed beyond comprehension, almostlike teleportation. With it, she takeshis back.
Rajas notices and turns around whilesaying, "Bitch, when did you—" But istoo slow. Lefille finishes materializingand slashes down. She catches Rajas midturn and cuts him clean across the chest. " Guh, ugaaaaaaaaaa! "
Guh, ugaaaaaaaaaa!
Although she tore through Rajas' bedrocklike chest, the wound isn't deep enough to be fatal. However, from that opening gushes out thesource of his power. That power whichtormented her evaporates away.
Lefille recognizes the opportunity andcircles her great sword overhead while sliding a large step to the side. Then, as her foot comes to a firm stop,swings down with all her might. "Basan [4] !!" (Gala-Varna!!)
[4]
She drops her posture down so low with theswing, she's almost bowing. Her slashfloods that area with a scarlet gale as it tears through the Earth and splitsapart the heavens.
Rajas was complete engulfed by Basan, yetremains strong.
"How obstinate…"
He is riddled with cuts from head to toeand is leaking a black vapor from all over, but remains whole. " Guh…!! "
Guh…!!
Despite having been blown away by Suimeiand face Lefille's barrage, him falling over is doubtful. Justhow tough is this mazoku?
Justhow tough is this mazoku?
While Lefille frowns from impatience,Rajas takes a sudden step back. Shetenses herself for his next attack, but his massive body instead turnsaround. It can't be. Is he retreatingafter all of this?
It can't be. Is he retreatingafter all of this?
Lefille says, "Wha- Sto, stop rightthere!"
Rajas, having judged the situationdisadvantageous for him, acts as if he doesn't really want to leave, as hetries to escape. "…We'll settle thisanother time, swordsman of Noshias."
Despite all that happened, he has enoughstrength to leap into the night sky and, before their eyes, fades from sight.
Lefille swings another Basan towardsRajas' retreating figure with the intent of slicing him in two. "Hyaaaaaaaa!" Her scarlet wind, however, fails to touch him. He has reached a distance where her vermilliongale dissipates into a normal breeze.
—He'sgetting away. I can't reach him withthis much distance between us. It'd bedifferent if I could soar through the sky too, but I don't have that sort ofability.
—He'sgetting away. I can't reach him withthis much distance between us. It'd bedifferent if I could soar through the sky too, but I don't have that sort ofability.
Thisends the battle. Despite all he did,despite saving me, I let the one enemy I absolutely had to kill escape.
Thisends the battle. Despite all he did,despite saving me, I let the one enemy I absolutely had to kill escape.
"Damn it…"
Havingto end this later. I don't wantthis. Coming this far for such a lousyending… One more step, if I only hadmore step… Just a bit more, I justneeded to surpass that bastard by just a bit more. Then I could have…
Havingto end this later. I don't wantthis. Coming this far for such a lousyending… One more step, if I only hadmore step… Just a bit more, I justneeded to surpass that bastard by just a bit more. Then I could have…
As Lefille bites down on her lip fromdisappointment, she feels a rise of magic power from behind herself. No,calling this something lukewarm like, "a rise" doesn't match it in theslightest. This is an explosion of magicpower from a sudden and massive surge.
No,calling this something lukewarm like, "a rise" doesn't match it in theslightest. This is an explosion of magicpower from a sudden and massive surge.
"Su- Suimei-kun…?"
Isthis boy's magic power bottomless? He chargedthrough the middle of a massive mazoku army, warded off Rajas' power, foughtRajas, and still hasn't exhausted all the energy in his body?
Isthis boy's magic power bottomless? He chargedthrough the middle of a massive mazoku army, warded off Rajas' power, foughtRajas, and still hasn't exhausted all the energy in his body?
Suimei walks towards Lefille whilebrimming with energy. His pace is thatof a leisure stroll full of arrogant composure. He soon stands next to Lefille and with an echoing tone from his magician'svoice, says, "Abreq ad habra…" (Die.Thou shall perish before my lightning…)
–inverse cute star makes a guestappearance here today–
…The enormous, glittering red, cladtachikaze [5] dissipates into a breeze behind Rajas. That was dangerous. To think that Noshian swordsman would standbackup that fast. No, she didn't juststand backup, she got stronger. I don'tknow what happened, but it had to have been that spell caster.
[5] That was dangerous. To think that Noshian swordsman would standbackup that fast. No, she didn't juststand backup, she got stronger. I don'tknow what happened, but it had to have been that spell caster.
Rajas grits his teeth at being forced toescape from humans. "I won't forget thishumiliation. I remember your faces; oncethis wound heals, I'll return to payback this debt…"
Rajas charts his path of retreat, soaringeven higher into the sky as he gets deeper entrenched within his fury. "…Plunging into a thunder cloud with thisinjury might be dangerous, but I don't have another choice."
There is a possibility that they will chaseafter him if he flies too low to the ground. Not that it's very likelyconsidering how far away I already am, but after that flip, I should play itsafe. They definitely won't be able tofind me once I'm beyond the clouds.
Not that it's very likelyconsidering how far away I already am, but after that flip, I should play itsafe. They definitely won't be able tofind me once I'm beyond the clouds.
The deep injury Rajas took at Lefille'shands frustrates him to no end. He'drather avoid entering a cumulonimbus cloud in such a state, but success requires some sacrifices. This is the only way for me to get backsafely.
success requires some sacrifices. This is the only way for me to get backsafely.
—Ishould start considering how I'm going to get through that cloud.
—Ishould start considering how I'm going to get through that cloud.
Rajas looks up and blanks to a stop.
"Wha…?"
Reality is nothing like he expected. There is no cumulonimbus cloud, anywhere.
"— — — —!?"
Rajas is so startled that he begins tolook around. That which should be thereisn't. There should be dark clouds full of lightning and rumbling withthunder.
There should be dark clouds full of lightning and rumbling withthunder.
He wonders if his eyes are playing trickson him because he can't find a cumulonimbus cloud, only clouds blocking thestarlight of the night sky. However,just earlier he heard thunder roaring. Not even his fight against Lefille was enough to tune it out. What'sgoing on? How can there be thunderwithout a thunder cloud?
What'sgoing on? How can there be thunderwithout a thunder cloud?
Raja's gaze then drops downward. "Wha……!?" The disaster unveiled before his eyes robs him of his voice andwords. His breath then gets caught inhis throat as he looks even further.
His army which should have been gathered inthe plains lying between the foot of the mountains and the forest isabsent. In its place is undying and everburning fire along with fissures of raised and collapsed land. Many of his forces are imprisoned withineternity ice or repulsively melting as they are cooked within a wide spreadingacidic ocean of toxicity. Also on theground is the figure of a familiar retainer. More shocking than anything else, however, is that the remains don'tmatch the number of subordinates he brought.
More than half of his army, somehow oranother, vanished.
"Wh- what happened here…"
Thiscan't have just happened. Suchdevastation is utterly impossible. Evenif the humans rallied their forces, they can't have done this.
Thiscan't have just happened. Suchdevastation is utterly impossible. Evenif the humans rallied their forces, they can't have done this.
Rajas is familiar with what humans arecapable of due to his experiences in Noshias, but the atrocity before himclashes with that knowledge. Someone has to be responsible for this—
Someone has to be responsible for this—
Inthat case…
Inthat case…
"—Imoved aside everything in my way."
"—Imoved aside everything in my way."
That man's words return as a whisper inRajas' ears. They link to the carnagebelow. Right, before that man arrived, his path must have been blocked by mysubordinates. When he said, "everythingin my way," he meant anything that would block his progress, such as mysubordinates.
Right, before that man arrived, his path must have been blocked by mysubordinates. When he said, "everythingin my way," he meant anything that would block his progress, such as mysubordinates.
Thatmeans, what?
Thatmeans, what?
Before Rajas is a clear scene depictinghis subordinates having been crushed one after the other.
Then,that man, against the forces I brought to eliminate the Yuusha, repelled themjust because they stood in his way?
Then,that man, against the forces I brought to eliminate the Yuusha, repelled themjust because they stood in his way?
"It can't be, one person annihilating aforce of ten thousand…"
As Rajas arrives at an answer, thedeafening roar of thunder sends a cold chill down his spine.
Impossible,there are no thunder clouds. Thenhow? Where did that sound come from?
Impossible,there are no thunder clouds. Thenhow? Where did that sound come from?
"It can't be…"
Now that Rajas pauses to think, herealizes he never saw a single cumulonimbus cloud. He only concluded there would be one from thethunder he heard. However, if acumulonimbus cloud was never present to begin with—
"No way…"
Ifall that thunder was caused by something else…
Ifall that thunder was caused by something else…
"Impossible….!"
The sound he hears behind him is exactlythe same as what he heard during his bout with Lefille. He turns around and finds the answer to hisearlier question.
As the ground shakes from the thunderousroar, a midwinter, bluish-white, lightning bolt falls upside down towards thesky. Upon the black night sky, appears acircle that quickly fills in with shapes and characters. Soon completed is an enormous— No, a grand and ambitious magic circle.
No, a grand and ambitious magic circle.
Mid-sized magic circles are distributedmidway across the circle. The design isapt for unleashing a devastating spell. Standing at the heart of the magic is thatman. That human who introduced himselfas a spell caster.
Standing at the heart of the magic is thatman. That human who introduced himselfas a spell caster.
…Lightning smashes into the ground. The wind shrieks. Everything gets destroyed. The power generated by the man at the heartof the spell blows away sand and stone and then turns all of it into ash.
Ashockwave, that was just a shock wave.
Ashockwave, that was just a shock wave.
The power being used in that spell'scomposition to bring about a phenomenon is so strong, the surplus repulsiveforce tramples down on the surrounding environment. Thelightning raining down and the tempest that's building up are nothing more thandemonstrations to the phenomenon that will be unleashed upon him.
"Th-this is just a precursor…? That's, preposterous—"
— — — —The Mazoku General, Rajas, has noway of recognizing a spell from the Abra= Merlin • Abraham magic system.
More commonly called, "Holy Magic," or"Sacred Magic," it borrows power from holy guardian angels to repel, disperse,and free enslavement from, demons. Thestrongest and most renown spell is Bath in Death by Thine Thunder (Abraq • Ad •Habra). Also called, Abracadabra, it isthe most well-known incantation of Earth.
Suimei Yakagi, through modern magictheory, transformed it into one of the most aggressive spells in his arsenal. It is also his strongest spell for dealingwith demons and evil spirits.
A female statue manifests within a heathaze behind him. Despite being modeledoff a woman, it doesn't give a lifelike impression. Instead, it appears to have been carved froma material colored somewhere between white and ash. Finally, while it is neither divine normaleficent, it radiates a terrible power.
The sculpture opens her mouth and releasesshrill screech that calls down lightning from the heavens. "Arhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…."
…I'venever heard of a human like this before. One wielding an unknown power like that. That mysterious power, it isn't a power humans of this world canpossess. Even if he was summoned fromanother world through the Yuusha summoning ceremony, it would beimpossible. No Yuusha summoned throughthe power of the goddess was ever granted this sort of power.
…I'venever heard of a human like this before. One wielding an unknown power like that. That mysterious power, it isn't a power humans of this world canpossess. Even if he was summoned fromanother world through the Yuusha summoning ceremony, it would beimpossible. No Yuusha summoned throughthe power of the goddess was ever granted this sort of power.
Thatman isn't a Yuusha. He lacks all thetraits. Yuushaaren't just granted power far beyond that of ordinary humans, but also atremendous divine protection by all the elements upon being summoned. Suimei's spell doesn't even have a singledivine protection from the elements.
Thatman isn't a Yuusha. He lacks all thetraits.
He'smanipulating phenomena that should be impossible to manipulate, combiningphenomena, and altering the world created by the goddess to his own will. Even that lightning before my eyes has moredivinity, and is more repulsive, than anything I've ever encountered. I've never heard of a technique existing tocreate power like that. Humans capableof wielding power like that don't exist in this world. They absolutely don't. So, who the hell is that man?
He'smanipulating phenomena that should be impossible to manipulate, combiningphenomena, and altering the world created by the goddess to his own will. Even that lightning before my eyes has moredivinity, and is more repulsive, than anything I've ever encountered. I've never heard of a technique existing tocreate power like that. Humans capableof wielding power like that don't exist in this world. They absolutely don't. So, who the hell is that man?
—Amagician…, Yakagi Suimei.
—Amagician…, Yakagi Suimei.
"A… magician? The hell is that!? That man, he isn't a spell caster!?"
The statue continues to shriek as thefalling thunder splits into a thousand branches. Each of them gathers at the center of themagic circle with shrill echoes trailing behind. The entire world from the far off ground andsky at the end of horizon flickers a pale hue.
Rajas' heart is shocked by the expressionon the woman's face. It reveals the samesteel resolve projected by that man's crimson eyes. More than that, the death falling upon him isunavoidable.
"Dammmnnn iiiiiiiit!!"
— —Now, vile creature that sips on thenectar that is human suffering, before my ideals which I aspire to with theMagician's Organization, decay and vanish from sight.
As Rajas pieces together Suimei's wordsthrough the movements of his lips, Suimei places a finger upon the center ofhis magic circle.
The ear deafening thunderclap runs by inan instant. Several thousand beams oflight from the magic circles within the concentric circle gather as a ray systemof thunder to create one enormous pillar of light that swallows everythingwithin Rajas' field of vision.
Not even a fragment of the evil godworshiped by the mazoku exists within it. Not anywhere.
Not anywhere.
Soon, the Mazoku General, Rajas, whilescreaming his resentments, is engulfed by the radiance of the sacred thunderbefore then being swallowed by its torrent.
T/N: This chapter was so freaking long!! It filled 14 fricking pages. This T/N is being bloody written on the 15 <sup>th</sup> page!!!!! Anyway, I do like how in here, Lefille stood up on her own just bywatching Suimei instead of needing some extra convincing. That sorta helps make translating this a biteasier. *still grumbling*
<sup>th</sup>
Also, one more and we'll be caughtup. I won't be doing that chapternext. At first, I wanted to do that onebefore moving on to anything else on Isekai Mahou, but it's also prettylong. I want a small change of pace beforecoming back to that one. No worriesthough, I won't be delaying it for that long. It should be out sometime in March. Well, I say that, but whenever I try to schedule something like that,something tends to happen and stops me from following said plan. One month is also super long in terms ofupdates…. >.>