“A multi-form staff—!?”
Forse and Lilmid exclaimed in astonishment.
Yes, this was the Messiah Rod’s greatest feature.
It transformed into a form that placed the least strain on the staff, depending on the magic I wielded.
By switching between modes such as attack and defense, this staff could withstand my spells, which the traditional Booster Rod couldn’t handle.
With this staff, I should be able to fight even against the Elysion Octa.
No, I wouldn’t lose.
Even if my opponent was the Magatsu Emperor.
“Go-o-o-o-o-!”
A blade of magic power shot from the staff as I swung it down.
“Fenrir Talisman.”
Lilmid cast what was previously their impregnable defensive field, which had deflected all the magic barrages from the Fourth and Seventh Squads.
The shining membrane of magic power met my magic blade, rippling as if to push it back—
And then, it dissipated into nothingness.
“…Tch!”
Forse and Lilmid retreated in a panic.
As their hoods fluttered and fell, their true faces were revealed.
Blonde and silver hair… though their hair colors were different, they were handsome young men with similar features.
Perhaps they were brothers.
“To slice through my defense—”
“…That staff is more troublesome than I imagined.”
As they retreated, the two sporadically launched attacks.
My magic blade intercepted every single one and pushed them back.
The situation was the complete opposite from last time.
Both my offense and defense far surpassed theirs—
“Hmph, but—you’re still too soft, Abel!”
As he said that, Forse unleashed an offensive spell.
Not at me—but at the Third, Fourth, and Seventh Squads, who lay fallen and incapacitated.
“No—!”
I scrambled to expand the range of my Defensive Spell to block the attack.
“Now, all of you, disappear!”
Forse continued to cast offensive spells.
Just like before, over a hundred orbs of light rained down on everyone.
Were they planning to escape using a flight spell in the meantime?
“Isn’t that cowardly…”
I glared at them.
No matter how grand the incantations, their actions were so underhanded that it lacked conviction.
“Cowardly? Using insects as bait?”
“Which life is more valuable, ours or yours—there’s no need to weigh it on scales.”
Forse and Lilmid frowned in displeasure.
Ah, I see.
There was no changing their minds.
They looked down on all humans other than themselves, ruling them and killing them if they became a nuisance.
Therefore, to protect the people I cherished—
There was only one way.
“I won’t hesitate anymore—I won’t!”
My heart pounded wildly.
My entire body trembled.
I stared straight at Forse and Lilmid, and swung my staff up with a great flourish.
“Magic Power Maximum Acceleration—Photon Blade!”
I transformed the accelerated magic power into a blade and swept it across!
“Odin Talisman!”
Lilmid deployed a magic barrier that had once easily withstood even Photon Blast.
The pale blue blade collided with the magic barrier, scattering crimson explosions and seven-colored sparks—
“Guh…!”
My magic blade, which had effortlessly sliced through the barrier, then cleaved Forse and Lilmid’s bodies in two.
The wind that blew felt strangely cold.
I looked down at Forse and Lilmid.
Their bodies were split in half from the torso and lay on the ground.
They were, of course, instantly dead.
It was my first time killing anyone.
Of course, I didn’t kill them with glee.
But if I didn’t, everyone else would have been killed—
Driven by that single thought—I had swung my blade with a clear mind.
“Haaaah.”
I exhaled deeply.
When I became a knight, I had expected moments like this to come someday.
The mental damage was less than I had imagined.
I had thought I would be consumed by guilt.
Or that my heart would tear itself apart with pain.
But what filled me now was the lingering exhilaration and excitement of battle, and relief that I could protect everyone.
Then—
“N-No way, to defeat Forse and Lilmid…”
At a voice from above, I looked up sharply.
It seemed the battle wasn’t over yet.
“Dibahha!”
I thought he had fled, but he was still here.
His direct offensive capabilities were unknown, but he was also one of the Elysion Octa.
I couldn’t let my guard down against him.
He might still be hiding trump cards using spatial manipulation.
I kept my gaze fixed on Dibahha in the air and re-gripped the Messiah Rod.
“Whoa there, I have no intention of escalating things further. I’ve fully understood your strength.”
Dibahha said with a chuckle.
“However, defying the Empire is equivalent to defying the Magatsu Emperor, who is like a god. You will surely face divine retribution.”
Through his mask, I could almost see Dibahha’s sneer.
“I am not suited for direct combat, so I will take my leave now.”
With that, Dibahha retreated with surprising ease.
“Is it… over.”
I let out a deep breath.
My knees threatened to buckle from exhaustion.
I managed to stay standing and looked around.
Claire’s Third Squad, and the other squads, were all injured.
I saw Beatrice kissing the female knights of the Seventh Squad one by one.
Ah, right, those kisses had a healing magic effect.
…Honestly, I felt a little envious.
The Fourth Squad also seemed to have members capable of Healing Magic who were treating the injured in turn.
Incidentally, it seemed to be a different type of magic than Beatrice’s, as they weren’t kissing.
Besides, I didn’t want to see men kissing anyway.
“Wait for me. I’ll cast Cure Grade on you one by one.”
I walked towards Claire and the others.
Before that, I glanced once more at the two corpses lying on the ground.
The faces of the deceased Forse and Lilmid seemed to mock me.
—Defying the Empire is equivalent to defying the Magatsu Emperor, who is like a god. You will surely face divine retribution—
As if embodying Dibahha’s words…
The next part will become explicit. The update will be paused for about a week and will resume on Thursday, June 23rd.
