I, who charged towards the Divine Emperor, immediately activated Mist Solution and struck the Divine Emperor with Usugre.
“Hah! You’re quite good!”
However, the Divine Emperor casually caught my attack.
I intended to break even a sword made of Divine Metal, but this is an Engraving Tool.
The gauntlet, which also serves as a knuckle duster, has a split blade with a scythe-like tip, and thorns growing from the blade. It looks nothing like a sword, but it seems to be usable as a swordbreaker, and Usugre is thoroughly entangled.
“Is that your Magical Tool?”
“It is. It’s called Life Reaper.”
Life Reaper, so it means reaping lives.
It’s hard to tell from the name alone, but with a split blade, there’s a possibility it’s a Multi-Attribute Specialization Type.
No, even if it’s not Multi-Attribute Specialization Type, it might have characteristics that specialize in a specific attribute, so that possibility is higher.
“I didn’t expect it to be usable as a swordbreaker, but since you’re holding my sword, you can’t attack either, right?”
“I grudgingly admit it. Furthermore, your knife is a Magical Tool, but this sword is not. I want to say you’re underestimating me, but judging by how you handle it, this is your combat style.”
The Divine Emperor readily admitted it and changed the angle of Life Reaper to release Usugre.
Tch, if only I had a little more time in that stance, I could have hit him with Mist Solution from Multi Edge.
“I thought I didn’t need weapons if I had a Magical Tool, but judging by your fighting style, it seems that sentiment isn’t entirely unfounded. Well, as the strongest in the world, there’s no point in me learning how to use one now.”
He’s getting ahead of himself.
But with this exchange, I’ve learned that his swordsmanship might be superior to mine, which is bad.
Moreover, since Life Reaper is also a swordbreaker, Azure Silver Sword – Pale Green made of Lapis Laz is also at risk of being broken.
It’s best to avoid close combat, but it’s unlikely I can win by just poking from a distance.
In that case, there’s only one answer!
“Then, how about this!”
“What!”
I enveloped myself in Wing Burst, boosting my Magic Power.
Then I created Ice Edge Javelin and unleashed it in a barrage!
“Nnaaa!”
The Divine Emperor seemed to react a little late, surprised by Wing Burst, but he blocked all the Ice Edge Javelins.
Those are Earth-Attribute B-Rank Area-of-Effect Spell Round Pillar and Earth-Attribute B-Rank Interference Defense Spell Marvel Gate.
Since he used them on the fly, it means the Divine Emperor’s aptitude is Earth, but I am Water-Attribute, so our compatibility is poor.
In Engraving Magic, there is an attribute counter-relationship: “Water extinguishes fire, fire is fanned by wind, wind changes the nature of earth, and earth dams water.” In Engraving Magic, ice corresponds to the Water attribute.
There is also the reverse relationship, but basically, this kind of superiority exists, so the Divine Emperor, who has Earth aptitude, is a poor match for me, who have Water aptitude.
Conversely, it means he has good compatibility with me, so I am at a disadvantage not only in experience but also in terms of attributes.
Ice might be able to overcome the attribute counter-relationship to some extent, but completely doing so is impossible unless there is a significant difference in power, so it’s quite difficult for me right now.
Well, I do have other options.
“It seems your attribute is Water. Which means we have the worst compatibility.”
“It would seem so. Even with a Single Attribute Magical Tool, one cannot escape the superiority of attributes.”
“You understand well enough. If it were Katagiri, I would have been at a disadvantage, but with you, it’s the opposite. That means there’s not a single element that allows you to beat me.”
The Divine Emperor smiles triumphantly, but he has basically exposed Life Reaper as a Single Attribute Type.
Since the blade is split, it’s probably specialized in one of the attributes like Mako’s Spirit Dipper, but the fact that it’s a Fire-Attribute Magical Tool is still significant.
“Now, how about this?”
Indeed, I am at a disadvantage in attribute counter-relationships, but it’s not absolute.
Rather, the mistake is thinking that my attribute is only Water.
“Gah! Y-you… no way!”
“As you suspect, my aptitude isn’t limited to just Water.”
The Divine Emperor managed to block my Wing Line with Marvel Gate, but he is astonished by the unexpected impact.
In addition to my innate aptitude, I also have a trait called Sky Trait.
Thanks to the Sky Trait, the power of Water and Wind Engraving Magic and spells is boosted. Since Wind is strong against Earth, if I use that as my main, I would be at an advantage.
I have no intention of explaining that in detail, though.
“Tch, you have Wind too? How troublesome.”
However, the Divine Emperor doesn’t seem to perceive it as a disadvantage.
My guess is that the split blade of Life Reaper has the main part as Earth and the sub-part as Fire.
Earth and Fire represent the land, and the land is synonymous with darkness, so it’s the opposite of Mako and me.
If that’s the case, it’ll be troublesome for me as well.
“Is this why you’re wary of someone with Wind?”
I have no intention of wasting time, so I use Flying and ascend into the sky.
“Tch! As expected, you can use Fly Wind!”
Flying is Magic, but the only difference from Fly Wind is whether you use wings.
Since I learned Wing Burst, my usage frequency has decreased, but the Divine Emperor should know that Helios Orb doesn’t have flight magic, so he seems unaware of the difference between Flying and Fly Wind.
There’s no significant difference in terms of flying, so it doesn’t matter if he’s mistaken.
“For those who generate Wind attributes, it’s a fundamental spell. It’s not that you can’t use it just because your attribute is Earth, but criminals like you can’t even take the exam, so I thought you couldn’t use it.”
Most Engraving Magic can be used after passing an exam.
However, some rank A spells with high lethality or barrier effects, and some B and C rank spells with high versatility and potential for criminal use, require a solid background to even take the exam. Terrorists who are like Engraving Magic Supremacists are also deprived of their eligibility.
That’s why many supremacists can’t use not only rank A spells, but also some B and C rank spells with high lethality or versatility. Moreover, they look down on them, considering them unnecessary spells.
Fly Wind is similar, and they seem to think that flying recklessly only makes them a target.
To me, it sounds like sour grapes, and in fact, it is.
“Tch! But on the sky, there’s nothing to protect you. No matter how fast you fly, you’re just a target!”
“If you think so, try it.”
“What a gutsy fellow! Eat this and go to hell!”
Saying so, the Divine Emperor activated a stacked spell: Earth-Attribute B-Rank Offensive Spell Iron Horn and Fire-Attribute B-Rank Interference Spell Crimson Ray.
A mass of molten iron at high temperature approaches me, but its speed is not particularly fast.
“Do you really think such an attack can hit me?”
I casually dodge it, but as if anticipating this, Crimson Ray activates from the molten iron and approaches me.
“Ugh! That was close!”
“You dodged it. That speed is annoying.”
Although I was caught off guard, this is not a surprise attack, and the technique itself is not particularly unusual.
I was grazed, but it’s my fault for becoming careless, thinking I had the advantage.
If Mako finds out, she’ll definitely lecture me.
“Then, eat this!”
What the Divine Emperor activated then was a spell I didn’t know.
A mass of molten iron, completely melted, is enveloped in lightning and takes the shape of several swords, coming towards me.
This is the Divine Emperor’s S-Rank!
“Nnaaa!”
The intention is clear: to electrocute me even if I take it, but there are too many, and dodging is tough!
Moreover, it’s faster than the previous Iron Horn!
“I’ll say you dodged well. But you’re already in a birdcage!”
“What!?”
Astonished by the Divine Emperor’s words, I look around and see that the swords I should have dodged are suspended in mid-air, surrounding me.
Does this mean he intends to trap me and attack from all directions!
Moreover, since lightning is mixed in, I’ll be electrocuted even if I block the swords, and I have no choice but to dodge, which is difficult!
“This is my Non-Attribute S-Rank Target Interference Offensive Spell Thunder Cage Dome! Feel honored to receive this as you fall to hell!”
For this, I really can’t hold back anymore!
I generated Wing Bit Liberator and fired Ice Edge Javelins in all directions indiscriminately.
While Wing Bits can be generated infinitely, I can’t shoot them all down, and three of them hit me.
The power of each is not that great, but to easily pierce the physical enhancement of an Element Human and Magic Power reinforcement… as expected of an Ancient Demon.
I protected vital points, but two hit my left arm and one hit my right leg, and they’re quite deep.
“What! Could it be that you’re Dual Engraved!?”
“Yeah. Ahh, it hurts. It was sudden, and I couldn’t help but create them to get out of it.”
The swords that pierced me were created by Engraving Magic, so they have already disappeared.
The wounds are also closing with the healing power of an Element Human, but the pain is unavoidable.
I’ll use Knight Magic Aiding for first aid to get through this.
Fortunately, it doesn’t affect the maintenance of Wing Burst, and Flying hasn’t been canceled either.
My limbs are still numb, but since the wings are made from my Magic Power, it’s a relief that flying is not a problem.
“Of all things, a Fusion-Type. Well, it doesn’t matter, I just need to finish you here.”
Instead of losing his fighting spirit, he became even more motivated.
I heard that enemies despair at first sight of a Fusion-Type Engraving Tool.
The Divine Emperor has reigned in Abaricia for 200 years and experienced countless wars during that time, so he won’t lose his will to fight over something like that.
“Earlier, you intercepted them on the fly, but some of them must have hit you directly? If I increase the number, can you handle it?”
The basis for his belief that he can win against me is probably his S-Rank.
Indeed, the spell called Thunder Cage Dome from earlier is difficult to deal with on the first encounter, and since I’m flying, I have to be vigilant in all 360 degrees.
Even on the ground, since it incorporates Earth-Attribute spells of Iron, it would be easy to launch from the ground.
This means Thunder Cage Dome is an effective spell not only against aerial targets but also in ground combat.
Moreover, although not as much as Rank A, it also acts as a barrier, making escape difficult.
“If you think so, then try it! Your shallow tactics were dealt with long ago!”
Of course, I would have dealt with them.
That’s why S-Rank spells are developed, including that.
However, while I can handle high-speed movement, there’s no way I can handle Rank A spells.
Engraving Magic Supremacists can’t even take exams on Earth, and on Helios Orb, Engravers themselves don’t exist.
Following that, I use the flight assist of Wing Bit Liberator and fly around the battlefield faster than before.
“Tch!”
The Divine Emperor uses Thunder Cage Dome with irritation, but not only does it not hit me, it also fails to trap me within the barrier.
I know it will enter a standby state in mid-air, so I don’t forget to fire Ice Edge Javelins to cancel it out.
Alright, the numbness is gradually wearing off.
I retrieve Usugre, which I had been holding with Telekinetic Magic, in my right hand and hold one of the Wing Bits as a short sword.
Just as I think that, I am suddenly struck by a tremendous impact and thrown to the ground.
As an Element Human, I won’t die from a fall of about ten meters, but the impact I received was more intense than any attack I’ve ever taken.
Several bones are broken, and my head is swimming, my vision unfocused.
As I somehow manage to look up at the sky, I see a dragon with a crimson body in my field of vision.
I can’t see clearly, but is that a Blood Ruby Dragon?
Does that mean I was hit by a Blood Ruby Dragon’s attack and slammed into the ground?
I try to stand up using Usugre as a cane, but it doesn’t stick into the ground, and I fall forward.
Why, I wonder? Then I see that Usugre is also broken from the middle.
Seriously, this…
“As expected, you’re just a kid. If you’d paid more attention to your surroundings, you would have noticed Blood heading towards me.”
The Divine Emperor is saying something, but I can’t hear him clearly.
“You were better than I expected, but you’re still just a kid. Kids should suck on their mom’s milk, like you! Well, you can’t do that! Hahahaha!”
The Divine Emperor, laughing triumphantly, seems to be using Thunder Cage Dome again.
Fortunately, Wing Bit Liberator is still generated, but my thought speed has also slowed down, so generating Ice Edge Javelins is slow.
“To all troops! I’ll go easy on Thunder Cage Dome. Whoever brings me that brat’s head will receive a reward from me! Anything you desire!”
Perhaps lured by the Divine Emperor’s declaration, many Demon Race surround me.
This is bad, bad, bad!
…Huh?
Isn’t this situation…?
