“The Elysion Octa… what is that?”
I groaned in astonishment.
She didn’t sound like she was joking.
“Right now, the Six Great Nations have united and are even contemplating an invasion of the mainland where His Majesty the Emperor resides. it is you, Abel, the hero of salvation, who is creating this momentum.”
Dorothea—no, the gaze Dorothea directed at me now clearly harbored murderous intent.
“With you here, we can defeat the Empire—the people’s hopes will soon turn to despair. Through your defeat.”
“…Is that why you intend to kill me?”
Sweat beaded on my skin as killing intent and hostility washed over me.
Half-consciously, I reached for the staff hanging at my waist.
The Messiah Rod, which Veronica had just finished repairing.
“The other day, I returned to the Empire and annihilated Rungaria’s Phantom Ark. Now it’s your turn.”
Come to think of it, I heard Dorothea was abroad on an ‘urgent matter.’
It was probably a plausible excuse, but in reality, she had crossed the sea to defend the Imperial mainland.
And—shed defeated Rungaria’s elites.
“The Messiah Rod is a marvelous Artifact. A staff that transforms according to its purpose to withstand your magic power—the idea and technique are truly worthy of Veronica. However, I have this.”
Dorothea’s forehead glowed faintly.
A luminous pattern, shaped like a bird, appeared.
“Magic Orb. An Artifact amplified with magic power, created by His Great Majesty the Emperor.”
Dorothea announced as if singing.
The light emanating from her forehead converged in mid-air, transforming into an Orb.
A green luminous orb, about the size of a volleyball.
A ‘Jewel’ (The Orb), as its name suggested.
“Its magic amplification factor far surpasses that of a Booster Rod or a Messiah Rod. The only drawback is that it cannot be mass-produced due to cost.
The Orb’s core is embedded within a specialized magical lifeform (Homunculus), integrated, and extracted after being nurtured for many years—it is a creation that requires both time and effort. Even within the Empire, there are only a handful of Orbs that can be used in actual combat.”
Dorothea explained.
“—Reload, Assault Rod.”
As she spoke, the Orb floating in the air burst and changed form again.
A pitch-black battle-axe with a long shaft exceeding her height.
A green Orb was embedded near the junction of the shaft and the blade.
This was—Dorothea’s personal magic staff.
“You have experienced this power firsthand. Gilra, an Exceed who was once an amateur in magic, gained power surpassing that of a Slayer captain with the prototype No. 37 Magic Orb. Forse and Lilmid, who had the test-type No. 62 Magic Orb implanted in their bodies, obtained immense power.”
Dorothea held the black battle-axe in front of her.
“And I possess its final form—No. 99 Magic Orb. The ultimate Orb that transforms its owner into the world’s strongest mage.”
The strongest mage—
Dorothea exuded a powerful presence that made such a statement believable.
“Now, shall I show you? The power of the ultimate Orb.”
Dorothea swung the battle-axe staff she held high.
Simultaneously, the Magic Orb emitted a dazzling green light.
The robe Dorothea wore tore and flew off.
Amidst the fragments scattering like black snowflakes, her pure white, beautiful naked body appeared.
Contrary to her innocent face, she had a voluptuous, glamorous body.
A moment later, underwear that clung tightly to her naked body and purple glowing armor were equipped.
“That… form is…”
I gasped.
I had seen a similar silhouette before.
When I fought Origa, an Elder of the Elf tribe.
“Megid Mirage—the ultimate secret art of magic.”
“Isn’t that art forbidden for the Elf tribe? How did you…?”
I groaned with a dry voice.
Having fought it once, I knew.
The overwhelming power of the spell.
A substantial reduction in casting time and a phenomenal increase in magic defense.
It was an ultimate secret art that provided overwhelming power-ups in both offense and defense.
“Indeed, elves do not readily impart this power. They believe such immense power invites disaster,”
Dorothea smiled.
“Then how did you—”
“I did not learn this art from the elves. I investigated its original form and developed it myself.”
“Original…?”
“From the High Ancient Civilization. By accessing the magic data of that civilization, it is possible to reproduce such arts.”
Dorothea, clad in armor, swung her battle-axe staff again.
“…Data correlation. Archive Magi—Access.”
The string of words was incomprehensible to me.
It felt less like magic and more like a scientific weapon.
That sense of dissonance, that atmosphere.
And,
“Golden eyes piercing the sky—”
A spell, like a song, echoed from Dorothea’s lips.
“H-hey, wait…”
I groaned with a dry voice.
Could it be that spell…?
“Now, let me test your power.”
Before my horrified eyes, Dorothea unleashed the power of the art.
“Photon Blast!”
