"Don't put up a front. I know your strength. You can't match me."
Furukas directed a condescending gaze at me. He probably felt that there was no reason for me to win after our previous sparring matches. Indeed, in our battles so far, I haven't managed to deal any significant damage to Furukas. Furukas hasn't dealt any damage to me either, but it's clear that he hasn't been serious yet. He was probably reserving his strength in case of an emergency, to resist his summoner. However, I haven't been serious either.
"Is that so... then let's see."
I released the magic power I had been holding back. Until now, I hadn't been serious to avoid scaring Linfia's sister, but now that I've saved her, I don't need to hold back anymore.
"Don't make me repeat myself. Your strength... is nothing to me..."
"What's wrong? If you can't match me, come at me."
Furukas also released the power he had been holding back, but it was only about twice as much as before. In contrast, my power increased by more than ten times. The density of my magic power had risen to a level where it could be visualized. I rarely go all out like this because it's difficult to avoid involving others in the battle.
"This time, there are fewer people to worry about... so I'll go all out, okay?"
"Fewer!? There are thousands of people below!"
"Compared to recent situations, it's fewer."
Compared to the people living in the capital of Kiir and Albatross, a few thousand isn't a significant number. I'm using a healing barrier similar to the one I set up in Kiir, but it's more focused due to the dense population. I don't need to worry much about the buildings, and the battlefield conditions are pretty good. Furukas gritted his teeth and readied his sword.
"No matter how much power you have! If you can't use it, it's meaningless!"
Furukas approached me at high speed. Mages are weak in close combat, and this strategy is probably based on that knowledge. Indeed, I can't handle weapons, and my martial arts skills are below average. Even after becoming Silver, this hasn't changed. No matter how much I enhance my physical abilities, my sense of martial arts doesn't improve. But if that's the case, I just need to fight in a way that doesn't require martial arts skills.
Furukas entered the range from the left. I leaned back and instantly teleported. I appeared in the sky above the city, away from Furukas. There, I pointed my right hand at Furukas and whispered:
"Surge, Blood Lightning—Bloody Lightning"
A massive, dark lightning bolt, like blood, shot straight at Furukas. Furukas tried to guard with his sword but was blown away a considerable distance.
Furukas managed to deflect the Blood Lightning upward and escape, but his body was badly burned. However, what would be a fatal injury for a human healed instantly. It seems that, unlike Barum, who uses corpses as a vessel, Furukas has a stronger demonic nature.
"Have you understood? Do you get a sense of my power now?"
Furukas created five massive swords, each several meters long, and hurled them at me. The large swords, like fierce birds, flew at high speed, coordinating to corner me. I dodged in the air, but another large sword came from my blind spot. While I was dodging the large swords, Furukas approached from below.
"You can't teleport now!!"
"Don't underestimate me."
I surrounded the large swords with a barrier to stop their movement and then countered with a right straight punch as Furukas charged at me. The right straight punch took the form of a giant, translucent fist and sent Furukas flying despite the distance.
This is an advanced form of magic that creates virtual hands and feet. Furukas, hit by the magic fist, was slammed into the ground. I kicked him while he was still bouncing. It was a low kick, which Elna would probably say lacks finesse, but it was enough to just blow him away. A giant foot was formed and kicked Furukas sideways.
"Ugh! Ugh! Uooooo!!!!!!!"
Furukas tried to stop himself by stabbing his sword into the ground as he was repeatedly slammed into the ground. However, he ended up receiving more attacks.
"O King of the Earth, punish the arrogant—Earthquake"
The ground where Furukas landed began to rise, eventually forming a massive earthen spear that attacked Furukas. Furukas tried to escape into the air, but the spear continued to grow and stretch until it caught him.
"Damn! Such troublesome magic!!"
Realizing it was futile, Furukas wrapped his sword in darkness and unleashed it. The earthen spear shattered and returned to the earth.
"Huff, huff... You seem pretty tired. Want to take a break?"
"Ugh... Why? Why didn't you fight seriously from the start?"
"To avoid scaring your summoner."
"That's it...? Just for that, you didn't fight seriously!?"
Furukas opened his eyes wide in disbelief. I understand his reaction. To achieve the best results, I act. Some criticize this, but for a single village, I might fight in a disadvantageous location. For a single person, I might prolong a battle. Many say sacrifices are necessary, that they are inevitable. But what if many sacrifices result? It's a valid argument, but I have no obligation to follow it.
"That's it. Some say those with power have a responsibility. I think it's a half-baked argument, but it has a valid point. If you can help, you should. However, I'm human, and I can't help those beyond my reach. Therefore, I've decided to protect those within my reach with all my might. Even if it's disadvantageous, even if I'm called foolish, that's my creed as an adventurer."
"I can't understand... The strong are right! That's the law of the demon world!"
"The demon world may be like that, but this is the human world. This world has its own rules."
"The strong decide the rules, right!?"
"Yes, that's true. And the strongest here is me. So here— I am the rule."
Furukas, enraged by my words, wrapped his sword in even more darkness and swung it at me. As a demon, he can't tolerate my arrogance any longer. Being underestimated by a human is unacceptable to his pride. However, it's a simple fact. Furukas' dark slash was absorbed by the barrier I had prepared. It's a barrier that absorbs the opponent's attacks.
"You should have moved when you were summoned. Your plan to set up a base here and bring other demons is arrogant."
"You're the most arrogant one!!"
Furukas tried to break the barrier by increasing the power of his slash, but this barrier isn't easily broken. He should have given up on a frontal assault when I prepared it. Furukas glared at me, but I didn't care. Many people were watching me, not just Furukas. They were watching SS-rank adventurer Silver.
"SS-rank adventurers... are different from other adventurers. Everyone thinks, 'If it's Silver...' You have to be someone people think that about. Today, the future emperor asked me to show my true strength. To lend my power to assert my will. If so, I have to show it. It's a response to his determination."
With that, I converted all the absorbed power into magic power and began preparing a great spell. Sensing this, Furukas tried to interfere, but chains emerged and bound him.
"Stay there. This spell takes a little time."
How long has it been since I used this? Since the imperial succession began, I've been working behind the scenes to elevate Leo. With more to protect, I had more to do, and I couldn't focus solely on battles. It used to be easier. I fought alone, and defeating a strong opponent was enough. It was simple and clear. Being Silver was easy. But I decided to support Leo, knowing all the risks. Leo has proven that it wasn't a mistake. He has grown and is approaching the ideal emperor I once envisioned. One day, Leo will be a universally praised emperor. He has shown that potential. So I can't just take it easy.
"I am the one who knows the silver truth. I am the one chosen by the true silver."
I'm called Silver because I wear a silver mask, but that's not the only reason.
"The silver star comes from the sea of stars, illuminating the earth and shaking the sky."
There are several classifications of ancient magic. Among them, there is a particularly powerful type of magic that I am most skilled at. It's called Silver Annihilation Magic. It's the magic I used to slay an ancient dragon, the first magic I used as an adventurer, and the symbol of Silver.
"The silver light is the truth of the gods. The silver brilliance is the protection of the heavens."
When I decided to become an adventurer, I started by slaying an ancient dragon that had become active near the empire and visited the guild headquarters as a souvenir. Although I wasn't registered as an adventurer, the adventurers in the slaying party reported my success, and I was appointed as an SS-rank adventurer as an exception.
"The momentary silver flash, the infinite silver glow."
The name Silver was given to me then. In a sense, it's almost a title. It means that the name Silver is not just a name.
"Silver light, dwell in my hand, to destroy the arrogant—"
A strong, silver ball of light appeared between my hands. Sensing the immense power it emitted, Furukas struggled to escape the curse chains and prepared to counterattack. He's a formidable opponent. From his ability to escape the curse chains, he is undoubtedly stronger than the S-rank monsters, the vampires, we dealt with. But it's too late. The silver light is already in my hands.
When I crushed the silver ball, a massive sphere of light appeared around me. It targeted Furukas and fired a silver beam.
Furukas countered with his maximum attack, trying to cancel it out. After a long period of equilibrium, Furukas managed to cancel it out.
"See! Your greatest magic is..."
Furukas, who was initially confident, soon lost his words. Behind me were seven spheres of light, each targeting the monsters below and firing the same silver beams. It must have looked like a god was delivering divine punishment.
All the monsters, which had been so numerous, were eliminated. Only Furukas remained. I used the curse chains to bind him again and brought him to the center of the hole in the city. At the same time, the seven spheres of light all targeted Furukas.
"I am the SS-rank adventurer Silver. If you survive and return to the demon world, spread the word. There's a dangerous person on the surface."
"This is a gift from me. You came here in a group, so it would be a shame if you couldn't even see the light."
With that, I raised my right hand. When I brought it down, the seven spheres of light would fire simultaneously. Furukas, sensing this, called out to stop me.
With that, I brought down my arm. The spheres of light emitted an intense glow, and concentrated silver beams were fired. They were beautiful, like the light of the stars, and blindingly bright. In an instant, the silver beams engulfed Furukas and eliminated the monsters and demons that were heading towards the hole. As the hole gradually closed, the silver beams became thinner. Finally, I slowly clenched my hand into a fist, and the emission of the silver beams ended, and the hole closed completely. The Silver Ray had eliminated the monsters. The demons had disappeared. The children trapped in the black sphere were saved. The knights and adventurers on the battlefield were helped as much as possible. It was a great result. So I declared to all the adventurers:
"The target monsters have been eliminated! The anomaly in the south will end here! Therefore, I declare the completion of the raid quest 'Rescue of the Blue Gull'! It's our victory!!"
The adventurers, who had been waiting, cheered. The knights, following their lead, raised their swords high and let out victory roars. Eventually, everyone raised their hands in celebration. The anomaly in the south, which could have shaken the empire, was resolved. There is still much to do, and the aftermath will be busy. But for now, let's celebrate this victory. There was something more valuable than just winning. The gains were significant. This will make Leo a hero, and the emperor himself will investigate the south.
"Maybe it's time to start the counterattack."
With that, I began creating a portal to return the adventurers in the capital. That's it! So, Part 3 is over!
I managed to finish it within a month, hahaha. I plan to start Part 4 after a little break, m(__)m
I'll work to make Part 4 even more interesting and move the story forward. I hope you'll continue to support me ('◇')ゞ
By the way, I'm going to cast a great spell for the readers from the author (/・ω・)/
It has been decided that the book will be published by Sneaker Bunko ('ω')ノ
I decided to bring this up at the end of the story. The details will be announced later.
Well, I'll see you in Part 4 <m(__)m>