The second act of the battle had just begun when an attack by the enemy commander, the middle-ranking demon Manmon, escalated into a full-scale clash.
What’s more, he used gold coins as projectiles, an unconventional and costly attack.
He was unlike any enemy we’d faced before.
“Hey, Astarotte. Manmon seems to be flicking gold coins with his fingertips to attack. Do you have any idea what he is?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t. The Demon Realm is a world of survival of the fittest, so gold coins aren’t in circulation…”
I asked Astarotte about Manmon’s identity, but she only tilted her head.
More shocking than that was the fact that Manmon, who was expected to remain inactive until the final phase, had attacked.
However, given his flippant attitude, he might have just intervened for amusement…
Even so, the psychological pressure on the party members seemed to be high.
“You sure paid for that!”
【【【Fire Arrow】】】
*Thump, thump, thump*
Elise immediately retaliated with a multi-cast of “Fire Arrow” towards Manmon, but as expected, it was merely a light jab. He easily deflected it without moving and it landed in a flowerbed behind him, kicking up dust.
“Hmm, a rather lively specimen. Since you’re going to be my ingredient, I hope you put up a good fight and despair. However, my source of vitality is human depravity… so crushing you would be a poor strategy.”
Manmon was muttering something, but the surrounding battle noise made it inaudible.
However, with Manmon’s and Elise’s attacks as a signal, the battles of those who had spread out to the left and right also intensified.
I also received Holy Aura from Holy Spirit Serena and moved towards Kirika with Astarotte.
“Say, Hal, would it be problematic to use the three Vampire sisters for a suicide attack?”
“That’s right. They did help defeat Harpy Inn=Lan in the ground, and Lucialurei has approved their Class Change to Human Race and granted them permission to live in the Human Realm, so it’s wiser to refrain. Besides, if we use one, the remaining sisters would likely turn against us for revenge…”
“So, in the end, we were just led on by Holy Spirit Serena’s honeyed words.”
“That’s right.”
“And Zwei, who’s clinging to me and trembling, doesn’t seem very useful either~”
“B-but, Kirika Mother, it’s scary!”
“You didn’t say such a weak thing when it was Mimi No. 1, did you?”
“W-well, Kirika Mother. It’s because I gained human-like knowledge and emotions from Hal Father that I became afraid. I wish I had chosen a combat class… I’m terrified of dying. And I hate taking the form of a Mimic Slime too!”
“Oh, Hal, for this battle, I’ll be using Fear as well.”
“That’s fine, Kirika. I’ll focus on everyone’s healing, so I’ll leave Fear to you.”
When I went near Kirika, she spoke to me.
It seemed she wanted to coordinate with me regarding the available Summoned Beasts.
For this battle, it was decided that Dry and Fear, Mimic Slimes scouted by Zwei in a certain labyrinth, would be used.
Regarding the three Vampire sisters, their use for suicide attacks was effectively confirmed as sealed.
Now that Grandmaster Kirika recognized the sealing, they would no longer be used for suicide attacks.
However, the Seiken-gan implanted in their uteri would be left as is.
Once their Class Change was complete and they became ordinary humans, it would naturally be expelled from their bodies.
“I wish I had a means of attack too. It’s infuriating to see that plump Elise being so active.”
“I feel the same. Even when I was a Succubus, I didn’t have many offensive abilities, but I want to fulfill my duties as a Party Member of ‘Princess Harem’.”
“What Freya Mother and Astarotte Mother say is reasonable. That’s why I chose a production class. If I have time after the battle ends, I’ll make weapons for you all.”
Freya and Astarotte agreed with Zwei’s lament about lacking attack methods, but then Zwei took on the task of crafting weapons befitting them.
Thinking about it, Zwei’s role is also important.
Glancing to my right, Dan Tsetsen, with her glossy calico fur, and Mai were clashing, while Yan Kurgard, with his black and white patchwork pattern, was being slashed by Sharon’s scimitar, though he didn’t seem to be taking damage.
Both Mai and Sharon were using techniques and hidden weapons learned from the Assassin’s Guild, but the Centicore’s body was tough.
Then, Ly and Tirna rushed to their aid, drawing their rapiers.
Ly seemed to pair up with Mai, and Tirna with Sharon.
With a two-on-one advantage, Dan Tsetsen and Yan Kurgard, wary, backed each other up, covering their blind spots.
They were surprisingly calm.
The four of them surrounded Dan Tsetsen and Yan Kurgard, who were huddled together, and were attacking whenever an opening appeared, but this situation would likely continue for a while.
This time, looking to the left, Sister Shera, who had stopped her sweeping slashes with the Zantou, was now cornering Bucci Pruun with thrusting attacks.
However, it was far from a fatal blow, and both sides showed signs of fatigue.
Sister Shera’s thrusts were also losing momentum.
The Zantou was powerful but heavy, making it disadvantageous in a prolonged battle.
And with the elegant sword dance of Edele, who wielded twin swords, several scratches were inflicted on the naked body of Moni Pruun, the sole female among the enemies, but they were also superficial.
The Lycanthropes were also surprisingly agile.
“I’ve come to help. First, let’s take care of the male wolf (Bucci Pruun).”
Dietlinde, in a thrusting stance with her rapier, narrowly avoided Bucci Pruun’s attack range with her divine speed and pierced his right flank.
Before withdrawing, she twisted the blade to deepen the wound.
However, she couldn’t inflict damage to his internal organs, Bucci Pruun grimaced in agony.
“Guh. Y-you did that, didn’t you, you bastard!”
“Bucci big brother, are you okay?”
“Yeah, it’s just scratches. Don’t worry, Moni.”
“Okay.”
Bucci Pruun glared at Dietlinde, who had wounded him, then tried to reassure his worried sister Moni Pruun of his well-being.
A touching sibling devotion, but Moni Pruun’s movements momentarily faltered.
“To get distracted during battle… accept the price for your foolishness!”
*Slash!*
“Gyaah! I got a little careless too.”
Edele’s sword on her right side, attacking swiftly, slashed Moni Pruun’s back.
It was a perfect strike that exploited Moni Pruun’s momentary lapse in concentration, but the slash was shallow.
Lesser demons have high physical abilities and are resilient.
Despite looking like a beautiful girl with large breasts…
“A chance has arrived~”
At that moment, Kirika, who was by my side, activated her summoning magic.
The ground beneath Bucci Pruun’s feet glowed faintly, and Dry, the Mimic Slime, was summoned, binding his legs and depriving him of his freedom.
Bucci Pruun seemed perplexed by the sudden turn of events.
“I’ll finish off this damn wolf! Foxes are superior to wolves! Die!!”
With the timely support from Kirika, Sister Shera grinned menacingly and swung her Zantou horizontally.
Bucci Pruun froze in astonishment at the approaching blade.
It was akin to a stray dog darting into the road, freezing in fear at an oncoming carriage.
*Whoosh! Slash!*
“Ugyaaaaahhh!”
The Zantou’s unrefined blade, swung with all her might by Sister Shera, sliced through Bucci Pruun’s abdomen from the right flank and cleaved him in two.
Blood and entrails spilled out as his body was bisected.
Even for a demon, this was likely a severe blow.
“This is the finishing blow! Demons are tenacious, you know.”
Dietlinde once again took a thrusting stance and pierced Bucci Pruun’s forehead with her rapier. At that moment, Bucci Pruun’s upper and lower halves burst into flames.
It seemed that Fire Spirit Magic had been cast in parallel with the rapier thrust.
“B-Bucci big brother!? N-noooooo!”
Upon realizing Bucci Pruun had fallen, Moni Pruun cried out in anguish but fell into a state of confusion.
By then, Dry, who had been summoned, was also dismissed.
To deal with the remaining enemy on the left flank, Edele, Sister Shera, and Dietlinde regrouped.
*Fwoosh, Chudooon!*
*Fwoosh, Chudooon!*
*Fwoosh, Chudooon!*
At that moment, dust clouds rose in three places in quick succession.
This was Manmon’s projectile attack.
Perhaps he was trying to cover Moni Pruun’s retreat by creating a barrage.
“Moni Pruun, come back.”
“B-but, Lord Manmon, I have to avenge him!”
“Staying there is a useless death. Obey my orders.”
“Guh… Yes, Lord Manmon.”
Edele and the others were about to eliminate Moni Pruun, but it seemed they had successfully escaped due to Manmon’s intervention with his projectile attack.
Just as she began to retreat from the battlefield, the ground beneath Moni Pruun’s feet glowed faintly.
“I won’t let you escape.”
The moment they thought she had escaped, Kirika summoned again, and Feor, the Mimic Slime, sprang from the ground beneath Moni Pruun’s feet, restraining her.
“Huh, huh!? W-what is this!?”
【Wind Cutter】
【Water Cutter】
This time, Ain and Eria, who were positioned behind Elise, unleashed their attack magic.
They likely saw her as a perfect target, being restrained away from her allies.
“Gyaaaahhh. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts! Ugh!”
Ain’s “Wind Cutter” inflicted a deep wound on Moni Pruun, from her right shoulder to her abdomen.
Following that, Eria’s “Water Cutter,” which rotated mid-air, changed from a vertical to a horizontal attack, severing Moni Pruun’s head.
After that, Dietlinde’s Fire Spirit Magic disposed of Moni Pruun’s body.
Even Manmon looked regretful!
“You… you dare act like this, you mere ingredients. You’ve gone too far. Shall I make you pay?!”
Now, with his anger evident, Manmon began firing gold coins indiscriminately.
*Fwoosh, Chudooon, Chudooon!*
*Fwoosh, Chudooon, Chudooon!*
*Fwoosh, Chudooon, Chudooon!*
“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”
“Heeeeeeey!”
“Gyaaaaaaa!”
Alicia, Freya, and Dietlinde were blown away by Manmon’s enraged indiscriminate attack, their defensive magic giving way.
They seemed to have sustained injuries such as fractures and lacerations in addition to contusions, so I rushed over and applied “Healing Magic” to heal them.
“A-Alicia, are you okay?”
“Yes, Hal. In my case, it was just scratches and bruises from being blown away… but it hurt a lot. Your ‘Healing Magic’ is truly amazing.”
“I’m glad your injuries aren’t serious, Alicia.”
Alicia’s injuries were minor, but she seemed to be suffering from some mental shock.
“Freya, Freya!”
Freya had fainted.
What’s more, her left arm was bent at an unnatural angle, indicating a fracture, and she was bleeding from her forehead and knees.
I healed Freya’s fracture and injuries.
“Freya! Freya! Wake up!!”
*Tap, tap*
“–…Ha-Hal… I… I…”
“You’re alright now, Freya.”
“Yes, thank you, Hal.”
After finishing the treatment, I lightly tapped Freya’s cheek to rouse her.
Seeing Freya safely awake brought me relief.
Only Dietlinde remained.
“Th-this is bad…”
Like Freya, Dietlinde had also lost consciousness.
However, she was blown away to an unfortunate location, and a log was impaled through her abdomen.
It was probably one of the fences that had been driven into the border of the flowerbed.
Mustering my courage, I pulled out the log, and her abdomen began to bleed profusely.
I cast “Healing Magic” with all my might, and the wound closed, stopping the bleeding.
Of course, her damaged internal organs were also healed, but the lost blood could not be restored.
Dietlinde would need to rest for a while.
My Holy Aura was also running low again.
“–…Hal, thank you for saving me.”
“Dietlinde’s injuries were severe, and while I’ve healed the wounds themselves, she needs to rest. Please return to the reception room and rest.”
“I-it’s frustrating, but there’s nothing I can do.”
“Astarotte, I apologize, but could you escort the three injured individuals to the reception room?”
“Yes, Hal. Understood.”
Although the “Healing Magic” had healed their fractures and lacerations, I judged that they would be unable to fight for the time being due to the mental shock of being attacked and injured, so I had Astarotte accompany them and retreat into the Former Lord’s Mansion.
At that moment, I sensed something approaching from behind.
*Fwoosh, Kiiin!*
*Plop!*
“U-ugh!? S-Serena?”
“…Time for a little ‘Heavenly Punishment’~ With this, the replenishment of Holy Aura is complete~”
“You startled me!”
“We look forward to serving you again~”
Regarding the shortage of Holy Aura, after Dietlinde was taken away, Holy Spirit Serena reappeared nonchalantly from behind and replenished it through her anus.
The reason she hadn’t appeared when I called out to her earlier was apparently due to her wariness of Dietlinde, her natural enemy in a way.
The reception room was sturdily built, and besides Myale and the others who had collapsed, the three Vampire sisters who had withdrawn earlier were also there, so it should be safe then.
Thank you for reading.
Episode 49-12: At the End of a Fierce Battle… ② has been pre-scheduled for release on May 24th at 0:00.
