The town of Pars.
“I… I somehow made it!”
I shook off my pursuers and arrived in Pars without losing my life. My equipment was so torn and tattered that it needed Efil’s repair skills. I made the mistake of activating my blessing midway, but I managed to completely prevent any further situations where Ange would have to rescue me. I gave it my all, and I accomplished it.
“Tch, it was just a little bit more~”
“Don’t pout like that. It was just one exciting moment after another, my brain was going wild with endorphins, and it exhausted me completely. I even had to use my blessing…”
“That wasn’t me who used it~”
Serge puffed out her cheeks like a hamster. What a child.
“Old man, I think you set a record for the most deaths in a single day today…”
“They kept coming back, whether I cut them, crushed them, or blew them up, so in a way it was terrifying. If I didn’t eliminate them the moment they appeared, they’d come at me with slashes and iaijutsu. How many times did Nito slash me today alone?”
“I don’t want to hear that from someone who regenerates with magic the moment they’re cut.”
While this world shines with a few elite fighters rather than overwhelming numbers, Nito’s slash-and-run army was terrifyingly strong. Without white magic, I would have definitely been done for.
“I’m so tired… Can I go see Uncle Gerard now?”
“Estoria-chan, you’re definitely more energetic than this old man. Age-wise, isn’t this old man also one of your uncle’s peers? Come on, let me heal you, okay?”
“Eh?”
“It’s tough when you reply with a deadpan expression. My heart is made of glass…”
The old man was defeated. This is what happens right after praising her in my heart.
“Honestly, you’re as sloppy as ever. Kelvin, get going.”
Bel waved her hand at me dismissively, as if shooing me away. To be clear, this same Bel is the one who physically pierced my heart, surpassing Serge. That was a good kick. Perhaps it’s the confidence of a strong person, but her expression was tinged with a hint of pride.
“Oh, oh. Even though I’m today’s MVP, you’re being unusually cold, aren’t you? Don’t you have any words of encouragement or anything?”
“What’s this… em-bu-… whatever it is? You have no more business here, so head straight to the mansion. Now, quickly, at a running pace. Don’t keep Sister Sera waiting.”
“Ah, I see. The reason you’re rushing me is because Sera is next. You’re as devoted to your sister as I am to mine, aren’t you, Bel?”
“…Do you want to be pierced again?”
“No! I’m going now!”
Seeing the genuine killing intent emanating from Bel, I quickly turned around. If I stay here any longer, it seems she might start the continuation of what happened earlier. With Serge’s dispirited cheer of “Do your best~” echoing behind me, completely different from her battle voice, I headed for the mansion, which is the 7th Checkpoint. Just then, Ange appeared with Kuromel on her back.
“Yay, congratulations Kelvin-kun!”
“Congratulations on clearing, Papa.”
“It was a close call. Well, it was a pain to use Mel’s blessing, but I’m glad I was able to save Kuromel. If I had been disqualified while saving her, it would have been a funny story.”
“As the one who has to rescue you, I was on pins and needles the whole time. I guess we can expect Kuromel-chan’s moment to shine in the next one. Personally, I thought you could have used her in the battle just now.”
“Papa repeatedly warned me not to use her via telepathy. Just like you said, Ange, there are only two checkpoints left. I strongly recommend using her next time, Papa?”
“Hmm…”
If these two say so, then the next trial must be that difficult. However, without confirming who the next opponent is or what kind of battle it will be, I can’t make a decision here. Kuromel’s ability, my trump card, can only be activated within a limited time.
Since I can’t cause trouble by running around town, my movement here is an exception, and I’m walking. Even so, as we chatted with the two of them on a path I’ve grown quite accustomed to, we found ourselves in front of the mansion’s gate before I knew it. After greeting the gatekeepers Wan and Tu and proceeding further, the path ahead was the final battlefield. The figures lined up there were clearly my opponents for this stage.
“…Ange, aren’t you going in?”
“Hmm? Ah, yes. Kuromel-chan, please conduct a strict examination~”
“Of course. I won’t cheat. You do your best too, Ange-san.”
“Fufufu~. When you say that, it makes this older sister fired up~”
Ange set Kuromel down and moved to the other side. Now, all the actors were assembled. The mansion’s garden was already covered by Colette’s secret art, ‘Sacred Temple Divine Realm,’ preventing any attacks from reaching the outside. It felt like they were waiting for me, fully prepared.
“Kelvin! You’re finally here!”
The spirited first shout came from Sera, who couldn’t wait another second. The others also offered their own words.
“Kel-bro, I always believed you’d make it this far! But you’re not getting past here!”
“Grrr! (You’re not getting past here!)”
“Upon designating this location, the King must have foreseen his opponent. Yes, our opponents this time are us.”
“At the end, you face the allies you trust the most. We, the ‘Celsius family,’ will be your opponents for the 7th Checkpoint.”
“Ange-san, this isn’t the end yet. More importantly, Master’s equipment is damaged. It needs to be repaired before the battle.”
Led by Sera, Rion, Alex, Gerard, Ange, Efil, and Kuroto gathered at this spot. Even though I see them all the time, for some reason my heart pounded.
“Older Brother, we’ll take Kuromel-chan with us.”
“Papa, I’ll be cheering for you from the balcony!”
Separately, young Shutra and Colette appeared. Shutra took Kuromel’s hand and disappeared into the depths of the mansion. Hmm, since he’s the top executive of the operation, is Shutra watching the match with Kuromel? Meanwhile, Colette took my hand.
“I don’t think you’ll need it, Kelvin-sama, but just in case, I’ll use my secret art— With this, you can rest assured.”
“‘Survivor’s Divine Realm,’ which evades fatal wounds once… Did you apply this to everyone, perhaps?”
“Yes. With Kuroto-sama’s support, it was managed just like last time. …Kelvin-sama, this Battle Rally is, in a sense, the biggest turning point. To reach the final destination, I want you to win no matter what. I know I’m not in a position to ask such a thing…”
Colette bowed deeply. I was a bit taken aback by her dignified demeanor, unlike her usual frenzied shrine maiden self, but I quickly grew fond of her. I gently patted Colette’s head.
“Indeed, this time, they are the greatest enemies I can imagine. Not only are their individual skills formidable, but their coordination and the trust they place in each other are also the strongest ever. Fighting alone would be nothing short of reckless. But, hasn’t that always been the case for me? I will win, so that I never have to make her cry again. I will definitely win.”
“Kelvin-sama…! I wish you good luck…!”
Colette ran towards the mansion, likely heading towards Kuromel and Shutra. Seeing her off, Delamis’s shrine maiden’s prayer felt incredibly helpful. Now, I could finally relax.
“Well then… My beloved allies, how shall we celebrate life today?”
