Rukil, running toward the holy stake, saw Kelvin holding Ridwan by the neck, who looked like he was about to give up.
(Kelvin, are you going to defeat Ridwan, who possesses the Indestructible Authority? I suppose that’s worthy of Melfina’s favor. However, he doesn’t seem to be at his best. I’m sorry, but I’ll be taking Ridwan back.)
Rukil swung his arm in place and threw the divine bird it was carrying toward the holy stake. The ball, named divine bird, approached the holy stake at high speed, on a course to collide head-on. However, just before the impact, the holy stake changed its shape, creating a door leading inside. The loud opening and closing sounds produced at that moment shifted Kelvin’s gaze and consciousness there for a moment.
(Ridwan’s original objective was to defeat the divine bird. However, the holy stake is equipped with such functions to achieve a certain purpose. I will make effective use of the holy stake’s transport function, which was prepared for this purpose, you Ten Authorities.)
What Rukil expected from the holy stake was the transport and storage of the divine bird, and to distract Kelvin. No matter how much Kelvin was in the middle of battle, if a giant, mysteriously powerful bird that appeared out of nowhere began to swallow a giant, unidentified stake that was overhead, he would inevitably pay attention to it. The opening created was extremely short, but for Rukil, who was in stealth state, it was an invaluable opportunity.
“Oh?”
Rukil, who approached at blinding speed, retrieved the battered Ridwan in this instant. However, Kelvin’s staff, swung almost reflexively, grazed him and dissolved the magic that had provided stealth.
(What is this… a heavenly divine sword? I see, so this is how you defeated Ridwan.)
Thus, Rukil revealed himself before Kelvin. She held the damaged Ridwan hanging from one arm, scattering black sparks around her.
“Oh, I wonder who it is… I thought you were going to fight Mel, but you disappeared somewhere. Mel seemed to be chasing you in a hurry, but, hmm… judging by your condition, you haven’t fought yet?”
“…You say strange things, Kelvin Celsius. If I am here, doesn’t one normally assume that Melfina has been defeated?”
“No, I don’t. It’s true that you are as attractive as my salivary glands are going crazy. But if you ask me if you surpass Mel’s, honestly, no. Even if you succeeded with a surprise attack, Mel wouldn’t let you go back with such a beautiful body. That means you’re likely running away from Mel, carrying that big bird. The surprise attack you just launched on me is good proof of that. I don’t feel the confidence that you’ll definitely win. You’re about my skill level, or perhaps lower?”
“………”
Kelvin asked, but Rukil remained silent, her lips pursed. It seemed Kelvin’s guess was correct.
(You figure that out in this brief exchange? You’re more of a battle maniac than I know.)
Rukil, beyond admiration, felt a sense of exasperation at the battle junkie’s extraordinary analytical skills and his abnormal thirst for battle. At the same time, she was convinced that they should not fight here and now.
“I’m ashamed to say it, but you are correct, Kelvin Celsius. However, my objective has been achieved. I will withdraw quietly this time.”
Rukil flew out from under the holy stake. Whether preparations for departure were already complete, a roar louder than before echoed from the holy stake.
“Oh, your objective, huh? Is it to retrieve that incredibly divine bird and the near-death Ridwan?”
“…Is that so, is there a problem?”
“No, if that’s the case, then your objective is only half achieved—or so I thought!”
“?!”
At the same moment Kelvin shouted, the sensation and weight of holding Ridwan vanished from Rukil’s hand. Her gaze shifted to where Ridwan, who had been there only moments ago and should have been seized, was nowhere to be seen. It disappeared in an instant, as if dissolved into mist.
(Was I handed a fake? No, Kelvin didn’t have the ability to create illusions like me or Melfina-sama. Even if he could, I, who am proficient in that field of magic, wouldn’t mistake an illusion. I certainly had the real Ridwan—! This is, perhaps…!)
Rukil almost clicked her tongue. Managing to hold back, she decided to glare at Kelvin instead.
“Are you perhaps under a ‘Summoning Magic’ contract with Ridwan?”
“Haha, you’re quick to catch on. I never thought you’d figure that out at a glance. You’re a scary one.”
“…What mouth says those words to me? To form a summoning contract with one of the Ten Authorities is borderline disrespectful?”
“Is that so? I’ve been contracted with a god from the start, so I don’t really understand if it’s disrespectful. Besides, since I met the contract conditions, there’s no room for outsiders to complain.”
Summoning contracts generally succeed with monsters of lower level than the summoner, by reducing their HP to a certain extent. However, for intelligent monsters that can understand language, the conditions are not limited to this. It is necessary to convince them that the summoner is worthy of contracting with, or that they are suitable for the master. Unlike slave contracts, a master-servant relationship cannot be forcibly established—but there is an exception to this. Causing fear and breaking their spirit to make them submit. Only summoners who have reached S-Rank can form contracts under this hidden condition. Honestly, Kelvin doesn’t know about this condition, but by chance, Ridwan’s spirit was broken, and the contract conditions were met.
“It was a close call with the timing. If you had come even a few seconds earlier, the contract might not have been made. Well, let’s just say the goddess of luck smiled upon me.”
“What are you saying? Don’t claim the goddess for yourself. I’ll kill you, you know?”
“Huh? Oh, uh, sorry about that…?”
Kelvin, slightly flustered by Rukil’s sudden change in demeanor, her killing intent escalating sky-high, understood that he had stepped on some kind of landmine.
“Ah, Mel seems to have returned too.”
“!”
From the direction Rukil came, a strong presence approached. Needless to say, it was Mel.
“What do you think? Ridwan has become my magic body, but shall we start round two as it is to get him back? I’m not in perfect condition, but I welcome it regardless.”
“…No, I’ll pass. I’ll consider Ridwan entrusted to you for now. Well then, see you again.”
Rukil vanished with black flames. She had likely moved to the holy stake, but Kelvin did not follow. Perhaps even Kelvin was exhausted from the fierce battle. He silently watched the holy stake disappear into the sky.
(…Fuhuhu! That guy is a mass of madness and ambition! In the future, he’ll become even stronger! Hmm, my dreams are expanding!)
No, that was wrong. A battle junkie wouldn’t send enemies away for self-preservation. Kelvin selfishly harbored the hope that this blue flame would eventually ripen into a full bloom in the near future.
