Domain Manifestation, huh? I’ll just categorize it as a type of Transformation Ability. Now, as for the newcomer’s new armament—I confirmed multiple heavy weapons integrated into their arms and legs, more robust machine guns than before mounted on both shoulders, and new blade-like giant weapons added to their wings. Also, that Explosive Reactive Armor you mentioned earlier is intriguing. Judging from how it instantly blew away the Gluttonous Poison Mire, I wonder if it explodes when hit? Given its apparent power, I could probably be blown away myself. So that’s why it’s not just dangerous to approach, but even touching it is a matter of life and death. Not only absolute defense, but such abundant armament too…
“Hahaha, you greedy thing!”
“There won’t be anything left.”
A storm of gunshots that makes one want to cover their ears. It seems I don’t have time to analyze things leisurely. With this many guns firing simultaneously, there’s hardly any gap left to dodge within the barrage, is there? Should I make a hasty exit from the bullet curtain? Or perhaps, use Rukil as a shield? Ah, no, from our initial exchange, it was clear their relationship wasn’t good. I can easily imagine Ridwan choosing to abandon Rukil if he felt like it. Mel is nearby too, and if I’m not careful, the attack might penetrate the barrier directly below us. That idea is rejected. So then… Aha.
“Found something good!”
I soar upwards at full speed, rushing towards a seemingly suitable shield.
“You think you can escape?”
That shield is the giant stake I mentioned. If the stake enters the line of fire of my pursuer’s gunfire, they might stop firing out of fear of destroying it.
“Ridiculous.”
Huh, what’s wrong? Even with the giant stake within the range of his attack, Ridwan shows no sign of stopping his gunfire. He’s in his usual trigger-happy state, and the bullet curtain is approaching—For now, emergency retreat behind the stake!
—Gagagagagagagagagga!
The moment I hide behind the stake, the clamor of bullets colliding with the stake rings out. Oh, this is surprising. Not only did Ridwan continue firing without hesitation, but this stake is also withstanding that barrage of attacks. Is this stake as sturdy as Ridwan? Or is this stake also subject to some kind of ability?
“Are you intending to use the Holy Stake as a shield?”
“It was just floating conveniently! And could you speak up louder?! The gunfire is so loud, it’s hard to hear!”
Mentally, it feels like construction is happening right next to my ear.
“Hmph. Then, keep your ears open.”
“Huh?”
As if to avoid the giant stake I’m using as a shield, something is thrown towards my left and right. It’s not bullets. It’s more like explosive-shaped…
“—Stun Grenades!?”
The moment I exclaimed that, a blinding flash and a deafening explosion, which threatened to shatter my ears, assaulted me mercilessly. Ow! K-Kuku, I see, I see, so such underhanded tactics are also possible. The blindness and ringing in my ears are severe. But I can deal with this with White Magic. The problem is that I lost sight of Ridwan in that split second. The gunfire stopped, and his inorganic presence, which was just on the other side of the stake, has vanished along with it.
—Giiiin!
“Well, that’s to be expected!”
With the sound of afterburners igniting, I instantly realize an ambush is coming from directly above. If my eyes and ears were still useless, I probably would have been in danger, but they have already recovered thanks to recovery magic. I parry Ridwan’s descending blade-like wings one after another with my Black Staff, coated with the Dark Black Sword. The incoming wings are numerous, and as usual, their strength is immense. Each time the coating is shaved off, I reapply it and defend again. After parrying all of them, I blew Ridwan away with a powerful multi-impact attack. However, at that moment, Ridwan’s armor explodes, and the flames along with some of the blown-off surface armor assault me.
“…Your tenacity is worse than a fly’s. What’s your name?”
I managed to escape the predicament by deflecting the flames with the Viscous Wind Reflecting Barrier and directly repelling the flying armor with my staff. The damage I couldn’t fully deflect is instantly healed each time. However, this is bad. Ah, this guy is seriously bad. Because since this fight began, my mouth has been stretching into a grin the whole time. I’ll probably have sore facial muscles by tomorrow.
“…Kelvin, Kelvin Celsius. And your name was Ridwan Mahad, wasn’t it? I’ll remember it, for you were a splendid rival!”
“Then, I shall add your name to my data as well! You were a person with considerable backbone, for a lesser species!”
By the way, Touya, isn’t it a master’s privilege to steal their disciple’s techniques? So, I’ll imbue my Black Staff with the Divine Sword of the Heavens, including Mana Overload. The shining sword I saw once—it might not suit me, a Grim Reaper, but it’s the most effective means available right now, the best possible move. And I’ll secretly cast another spell without incantation.
In contrast, Ridwan transforms the guns that sprouted all over his body into close-combat weapons like swords, appearing specialized for melee. Wow, he can change his armament so instantly. Rather than swapping equipment using ‘Storage,’ it feels more like an innate ability, similar to the Sacred Sword Will possessed by Touya and Serge. His absolute defense is also impressive, and as a Fallen Angel, his body in itself is profoundly interesting. …I want that body.
“I shall take your head!”
“Sorry, but my head is already taken!”
This is a supreme battle driven by desire, to fulfill desire. Well, the original objective might be slightly different, but passion is necessary for everything. Desire swirls, and desire calls forth more desire. I move towards Ridwan, following that instinct.
~~~
“Haa, hoo… Seriously, descending the tower and the mountain was a hassle, but the journey to the capital is no joke either…! Still, that ruckus… It’s most likely the Masters fighting, right? Fighting so high up in the sky, they’re not in their right minds, really…!”
Gazing at the colorful spectacle unfolding in the distant sky, Paul muttered such words. He was ordered by Kelvin to stay behind, but unable to bear it, he set out for the capital on his own—and that was the good part, the journey itself was incredibly long. He hastily descended the Ice Tower and the Spirit Ice Mountain, defeated monsters that attacked him along the way, and got lost due to misreading the map. Then, after a while, realizing he could use the fierce battle visible in the distant sky as a landmark, he found himself here. Honestly speaking, the capital is still far away. By the time Paul arrives, the battle will likely be over.
“No, in Master Kelvin’s case, the longer it drags on, the more he might be enjoying himself…? Alright, there’s a chance!”
Thinking such things, Paul proceeds along a wild path. The fatigue from climbing the mountain and descending the tower and mountain still lingers, making it difficult for him to organize his thoughts.
“Hmph, why must I travel on paths without roads? The path I tread is the righteous path, the royal road, I should be marching along the formal route with dignity…!”
“Lord Edgar, this time it might be better to avoid that. We don’t know where the Fallen Angels might be watching.”
“Yeah! And how many times have we brought up this topic? I wish you’d stop whining a bit!”
“Fool, that’s precisely what’s disrespectful!”
And precisely because of that, they couldn’t sense the presence of those closing in to this extent. By the way, ‘to this extent’ refers to the point of encountering them on the wild path.
“Hm?”
“Mmh?”
“Eh?”
“…Lord Paul? Oh, Lord Paul. It’s Lord Paul, the elder brother of that maverick Prince Edgar, who quit royalty to become an adventurer! What a coincidence meeting you here. *Chisss*.”
“…”
Paul had coincidentally encountered Edgar, Ax, and Perrona, who were missing in Lumiest. Perhaps due to the sheer miracle of their reunion, the three, excluding Perrona, remained in a state of shock for a while .
