Veronica continued to unilaterally take Lucy’s attacks.
With each slice of the blade that bit into her, sweat trickled down Veronica’s forehead.
“Veronica, that’s, that’s enough. Stop for a moment.”
“Hah, giving up now that you’ve come this far?”
Veronica grabbed the opponent’s hand forcefully and struck their chin with her other. Purple flames erupted from her wings, dimly illuminating the ground for a moment.
“Ugh, ow! You damn old hag!”
Lucy jumped back instinctively, clutching her chin. However, the impact seemed shallow, and she didn’t take much damage. Veronica, on the other hand, was leaning forward, barely able to stand. If this continued, she would truly die. Was there no other way? Her gaze fell upon Lauren, who was hiding behind the bushes with Pauline.
That’s right, her threads don’t just bind the opponent’s body. I quietly moved behind the bushes.
“Lauren, I need a favor.”
“V-Veronica is in trouble, Hiroaki-san. What should we do?”
“It’s not me who will fix this. It’s you, Lauren.”
She widened her eyes at my words. Was this another gamble, a desperate move? It was the same with the Minotaur, but then again, everything is like that. I borrowed the small needle attached to the tip of Lauren’s glove.
Meanwhile, Lucy, whom I had left behind, was angered by the painful counterattack.
“That’s it, I’m killing you for real. The boss told me to stop, but I’m doing it. Just like my name, Death Crow Claw, I’ll give you a brutal burial. A bird burial, indeed!”
Black mist began to envelop the area again. This is bad; if she uses this, Veronica will be finished for good this time.
“Piyo, scatter the mist with wind magic. And with sparks for distraction.”
“Eh, it’s difficult, but I’ll try.”
The wind blew, and the mist dissipated. At the same time, Piyo rode the wind and approached the enemy. Before entering the opponent’s attack range, she spun in the air and struck something with a *batin*. Lucy instinctively guarded her face with her claws. She must have thrown a pebble she found.
Now’s the chance! I lowered my stance and approached the enemy. I charged from the right and thrust the needle I was holding. The opponent, surprised by the ambush from the side, hurriedly stepped back. Although I touched her body, it wasn’t a complete hit. She pulled her body away faster than the impact, reducing the shock.
“Tsk, what was that? Don’t surprise me like that. Listen, I’m not like that cow-woman. You’re acting like a kid, seriously, have you guys been doing this all along?”
He wore an expression of exasperation. I looked back at Veronica. Good, she was still standing, barely.
“Veronica, how long are you going to keep this up? Honestly, you’re being too lenient with a child. It’ll hurt when you take a bath if you get this covered in wounds.”
She looked up, wondering what I was talking about. She looked at me as if to say, “What are you talking about?” Of course, we hadn’t planned anything, and she was at her limit. But I continued, ignoring it.
“Isn’t it about time you used it? Veronica of the Dream Scent, show me your true power. Hurry, or the night will end.”
She looked at me with a clear question mark on her face.
“W-what’s this ‘Dream Scent’? It sounds so lame. Fine, show me your real power then.”
“Ah, ah, can you really say that? Once you’re caught in this technique, you’ll end up cutting your own throat. It’s tragic, dying while being controlled.”
I winked at Veronica. She shook her head as if it were ridiculous.
“Hahaha, oh well, fine. If you want to see it so badly, I’ll show you. It’s been a while.”
Then, Veronica released a swirl of black smoke. But that alone wasn’t surprising; Lucy could use a similar technique. The smoke floating around gradually swirled and changed shape. Then, it began to surround Lucy.
“So, that’s it? Gggh, what?!”
Alright, now I hope the trick isn’t revealed. Veronica snapped her fingers nonchalantly.
“Ow! Damn it, what did you do?!”
Lucy tried to stop her hands, which were moving on their own. This time, one of her feet started moving uncontrollably.
“Those who inhale this smoke gradually lose their self-awareness. And in the end, they commit suicide. That is the Death Flower.”
“W-what did you say?!”
The black smoke turned purple and changed its shape, blooming like a flower.
“Ugh, you beast! How dare you! I won’t forgive you anymore!”
She broke through the surrounding smoke and came towards me. Purple flames erupted from both wings, and she flew at an incredible speed. I threw the liquor bottle I was holding at her. Lucy’s body reacted instinctively, shattering the bottle.
“Guaaaaaaah!!”
Bathed in the highly alcoholic liquid, she was engulfed in her own flames.
