Side: Mako
Even while dealing with numerous High Demons and Dragons, I kept a close eye on the one-on-one battle between Yamato and the Divine Emperor.
The battle seemed evenly matched, but when Yamato began to channel Wing Burst, he started gaining the upper hand, so I could watch with a little peace of mind. Yet, as expected, Yamato’s finishing moves are still sloppy.
“You’re getting a lecture when we get home.”
“N-Now, calm down, Mako.”
“Y-Yeah. You’re fighting the Divine Emperor, who’s referred to as an Ancient Demon, on equal footing. Plus, the Divine Emperor’s abilities were unknown,” Raus and Carol defended Yamato, but that’s no excuse.
“This is so annoying!”
Partly out of frustration, I unleashed Starlight Circle. While it wasn’t enough to take down the High Demons or Red Dragons, it was sufficient for temporarily holding them off while inflicting damage. Consequently, the caught High Demons and Red Dragons were systematically defeated by Hunters and Orders one after another.
“Taaah! Ah!”
“Carol, are you okay?”
“Yes, thank you, Raus.”
The moment she defeated the Burning Dragon before her, Carol’s magic power surged. It seemed she had evolved into an Ancient Elf. Having another combatant added to our strength now is genuinely appreciated.
“Congratulations, Carol. But now that you’ve evolved, you’ll need to put in some serious work, okay?”
“Of course!”
Carol, having evolved into an Ancient Elf, happily grasped her Lapis Light Rod. As a High Class individual, she had been focused on providing support, but with her evolution, her offensive and defensive capabilities have skyrocketed, allowing her to join the front lines. Polar is located in Count Bernstein’s Territory, which is also Carol’s homeland. Since the news of the demon attack, she had been perhaps too engrossed, but with her evolution, she has gained some composure and can now fight alongside Raus and Rebecca. She’s certainly fired up now, which is reassuring.
“I can’t be left behind either. I’m going all out!”
Not necessarily inspired by Carol’s evolution, I too spun the pinwheel of Spirit Hexa Dipper and decided to activate my trump card, Meteorite Light Sphere. This unfettered S-rank, formless technique, a layered application of Calamity Hexagram and Starlight Circle, is difficult to control but incredibly powerful. Even against an O-rank Burning Dragon, the moment Meteorite Light Sphere’s light hit it, the dragon was engulfed by the magic circle and mercilessly struck by all attribute attacks before falling. A-rank Red Dragons, and even mere High Demons, met their demise one after another. The drawback is that I become immobilized as I must concentrate on its execution, but its power and range more than compensate for this, making it difficult for enemies to approach.
“That Meteorite Light Sphere is terrifying.”
“It’s my ultimate Engraving Magic. Well, it’s still a bit awkward to use as it is, so I’ll be refining it further.”
While Meteorite Light Sphere utilizes the full potential of Spirit Hexa Dipper’s abilities, there is still great room for improvement.
“Ah.”
“Mako… your magic power…”
As I finished off the last Burning Dragon, I suddenly felt a surge of magic power. This sensation… I haven’t felt this in a long time.
“It seems I’ve evolved too. I have something I need to confirm, so could you cover me for a while?”
“U-Understood.”
I opened my Status, confirming my attributes and Innate Magic. It appears I’ve gained Water attribute magic and Telekinetic Magic. Spirit Hexa Dipper is a Multi-Attribute Specialization Type focusing on Wind and Water, and I wanted to use Telekinetic Magic, so this is a welcome development.
“Telekinetic Magic has arrived. This will make fighting much easier for me.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you. While confirming something on the battlefield isn’t ideal, it’s a boost to our fighting strength, so please forgive me.”
“You’ve wanted to use Telekinetic Magic for a while, haven’t you?”
Indeed. Although I sometimes use the Demonic Fan: Azure Sakura like an axe connected to Spirit Dipper, while fully manifesting Spirit Hexa Dipper, I can only use it as a fan. That’s why Telekinetic Magic was also granted to me, but since it wasn’t my own magic, it always felt a bit awkward to use. Now that I can use it myself, it means I can wield it with true freedom. Telekinetic Magic is apparently best described as creating invisible hands, and since I can create any number of them, I can now use the paired Azure Sakura independently.
“Then let’s try it! Here goes!”
I imbued the Azure Sakura with Wind attribute magic, Blading, and launched it like a missile. I can move it exactly as I intend, and its speed is incredible. I was able to easily sever the neck of a Red Dragon that was outside the Meteorite Light Sphere’s barrier. The description of using it like my own hands finally clicked with me as I experienced it firsthand. Even though I recalled it at considerable speed, there was no worry about it impaling me. And I can even deploy a shield without holding it!
“I think I understand it well enough. That’s it for the confirmation, I’ll return to support. Oh, and thanks for the guard.”
“Yes.”
I can’t keep confirming things forever, and Athena and Eos are also quite exhausted, so we’ll need to support their retreat soon.
“M-Mako! Yamato!”
“Huh?”
But then, startled by Raus’s scream-like voice, I turned around and saw Yamato being slammed to the ground by a single blow from a Blood Ruby Dragon. I was wondering why the Blood Ruby Dragon hadn’t approached, but was it to draw the Divine Emperor’s attention? Yamato managed to get back up, but judging by his condition, his left arm and leg are broken. And his Azure Silver Sword – Pale Green is broken too. This is bad!
“I’m going to assist Yamato!”
“Yes!”
I briefly saw the Divine Emperor’s S-rank technique earlier; it was a well-constructed technique that excelled in both anti-air and anti-ground combat. It’s not a favorable matchup, especially for Yamato, who heavily utilizes aerial combat. While his initial attack was powerful, its weakness is that once seen, countermeasures can be devised. Also, with that technique’s configuration, my Starlight Circle can intercept everything.
But that doesn’t matter now; I have to save Yamato! As I quickly donned Wing Burst and prepared to move with Flying and Accelerating Magic, the Blood Ruby Dragon, sensing my intent, blocked my path.
“Get out of the way!”
Even though the pinwheel’s rotation has stopped, my magic power is sufficient now that I’ve evolved into an Element Human. Disregarding the Blood Ruby Dragon, which was about to unleash its breath, I activated Meteorite Light Sphere. It struck the mouth that was about to breathe, its light penetrating its body, causing its bodily fluids, including blood, to reverse their flow. Spears of earth materialized, tearing its internal organs to shreds. The earth spears that pierced its scales erupted in flames, and a swirling tornado slammed it to the ground.
Leaving the disposal of the now deceased Blood Ruby Dragon to Raus and the others, I hurried to move. However, the Blood Ruby Dragon’s interference provided more of a time buffer than I expected, and the Divine Emperor’s S-rank technique directly hit Yamato. Yamato was somehow enduring it, but he was surrounded by High Demons, and in his current state, he couldn’t fly, thus losing any means of escape. Yamato was able to withstand the Divine Emperor’s S-rank technique, likely because the Divine Emperor held back, intending for the demons to deliver the finishing blow.
But even if I flew with all my might, it would be faster for one of the demons to attack Yamato. High-difficulty techniques like A-rank require a brief charge-up time for the caster, and that instant is critical. Still, I’m the closest and fastest, so I have to do it! With a resolve to absolutely make it in time, I concentrated my magic power to activate Alfheim!
However, it was no longer necessary.
The demons surrounding Yamato were annihilated by light from the heavens. While appearing casual, the light carefully avoided Yamato, precisely engulfing only the demons. They didn’t fall struck by light but vanished as if absorbed into it. I’ve only seen this phenomenon a few times myself. Could it be… that’s…!
“Could it be, Mako?”
“Huh?”
I was surprised to be called by name, but my heart leaped at the same time. It’s been nearly a year since I came to Helios Orb, and I’ve made more acquaintances. Nevertheless, the voice calling me now was one I never expected to hear again. It seemed unbelievable, yet nostalgia welled up within me. No way…
“It really is… it really is Mako!”
“Ma-Maoh!? Huh? Why… why are you here?”
As I turned around, an unbelievable person appeared before my eyes. She looked older than in my memories, but I recognized her figure, and more importantly, I couldn’t mistake the bow in her left hand. Standing there was my best friend and Yamato’s mother, Mikami Maoh!
“Mako! Thank goodness… you’re alive!”
“Y-Yes, somehow. That’s not the point! We don’t have time! Hurry, your son is…!”
My best friend is hugging me, tears streaming down her face. I thought I’d never see her again, so I’m so happy I could cry. But I have so many questions, like why she’s here, but it’s not the time!
“It’s okay over here. Look.”
Prompted by Maoh, I looked back, and beside Yamato stood a man in a suit. Given Maoh’s presence here, there was no need to guess who that man was. I recognized the sword in his hand as well. Without a shred of doubt, that man was Yamato’s father and Maoh’s husband, Mikami Asuka.
With Maoh here and Asuka by Yamato’s side, it must be the Light-Based Mythical-Grade Tactical Wide-Area Annihilation Technique, Ansara. Asuka holds the Engraving Divine Artifact, Sacred Sword Caladbolg, and Maoh is also manifesting the Engraving Divine Artifact, Sacred Bow Failnaught.
“So that was Ansara, then. I never thought I’d see it again.”
“We don’t use it that often either. Oh, Mako, can you tell me about the situation later?”
“Of course, but… I’d really like you to tell me why you two are at Helios Orb.”
Maoh and Asuka should be on Earth, specifically in Japan, so I have no idea why they are at Helios Orb. Yamato told me Asuka became one of the Seven Master Generals, so he shouldn’t be able to leave Japan. However, with Asuka there, Yamato’s safety is practically guaranteed. I could clearly feel my body losing strength. Recalling that this is the decisive battlefield against the demons, I quickly regained my composure.
So this is the conclusion of Gaia’s prophetic dream. I wondered who the two Humans were, but I never imagined it would be Asuka and Maoh. I feel sorry for involving them, but I’ll have to rely on them now. Seeing as their son is critically injured, I’m sure they’ll seek revenge without being told. But setting that aside, Yamato’s injuries are quite severe, so I need to use healing magic quickly.
