Chapter 65 - 73: Price (1/2)
”————-!” (Naofumi)
I shouted at the heavens.
Hate!
This whole world is hateful, I hate everything!
I'm going mad from everyone reproaching and accusing me.
I should just burn down everything with this power!
My vision is stained red and black, and everything I see becomes an object of my hatred.
”–!”(Naofumi)
Someone's voice reaches my ears, but I cannot hear it. It feels as if I'm submerged under water.
”–!”(Naofumi)
I feel something take hold of my hand – does it want to be incinerated!?
”Master, do you truly hate everything in the world?” (Firo)
I feel trapped – everything that torments me will die by my hatred!
”Really? Is that what you really think?!”(Firo)
Yeah, so what?
”Then, did Master hate the days he spent with Firo and Raphtalia onee-chan?(Firo)
That voice... An old memory floats to the surface of my mind:
A young girl loyally following me wherever I go, nothing separating us.
Obeying me even while injured... This recollection fills my view.
Later, too, my feelings of love are transmitted to a young bird that hatches from an egg and grows up under my care.
”That...That is....”(Naofumi)
”It's different. Since Master works hard, Firo can do her best.”(Firo)
The darkness is gradually clearing up.
”That's why Firo will eat master's anger and hatred.”(Firo)
My vision clears and I glance around.
”Naofumi-sama!”(Raphtalia)
”Are you alright!?”(Melty)
A few seconds have passed since I screamed, and I am being looked at with suspicion.
”Master, are you alright!?”(Firo)
”Did you help me control that?”(Naofumi)
”Yup, Master was in trouble.”(Firo)
Firo hugs me from behind. If I look closely I can tell that she has been severely burnt by the black flame.
Not even Firo's body could withstand the Improved Shield of Anger's flames.
Tsl note: I cried a little.
Ed note: Bakahou, you softie.
”Firo, Raphtalia onee-chan, and Mel-chan all believe in Master, so do your best!”
”Yeah.”
All I wanted was to simply beat the wave, it was not necessary to be swallowed by my anger.
After all, I can crush one of the ring leaders who made me suffer.
That pope bastard conveniently used Melty, the other heroes, all of us.
I will... kick that bastard's ȧss!
”...I'm going.”(Naofumi)
”There's still a chance, even in this situation?”(Ren)
”Yeah, I'll be sure to kill him with my strongest shield.”(Naofumi)
”What's with that confident attitude? You looked like shit just a little while ago.”(Ren)
Shield of Anger 2's dragon-like figure has become even more ominous compared to before.
The dragon's features have morphed to be more devil-like, the horns curl around.
”I have a skill that I need to use, please help make an opening for me to use it.”(Naofumi)
”You… Can't be helped. I'll rely on you for now.”(Motoyasu)
”Right. It is difficult to trust you, but we have no other choice.”(Ren)
”All-or-nothing.”(Itsuki)
”We'll use magic to help somehow…”(Hero companions)
”Oh dear, Oh dear... To think you would continue to put up this futile resistance. I hope you are prepared, because this is already over. Shall I perform the coup de grace?(Pope)
Magical power gradually fills the area.
High-density light is going to be unleashed any moment now.
”Firo!”(Naofumi)
On my signal the heroes charge at the pope, and Firo faithfully carries me as ordered.
”Fly!”(Naofumi)
”Okay~!”(Firo)
Firo jumps while the enemies start to chant.
”””High Class Synthetic Magic [Judgement]””” (Church Fanatics)
”Goooooooooooooooooo!”
I raise my shield above my head.
Crackling sounds can be heard as the light pours down onto me, but it is impossible to penetrate Wrath Shield 3's defense. The light bȧrėly does any damage to me even though I am right under it.
”To not even suffer a wound from Judgment.”(Pope)
The pope has a surprised expression on his face, all traces of his old smile gone.
What a suitable price for using the shield.
I'll teach him his place.
”No way… You won't be able to block this!”(Pope)
The pope points his sword at me and yells.
”Phoenix Blade!”(Pope)
A Phoenix takes flight from the Pope's sword and rushes towards me.
”I can withstand that, no problem!”(Naofumi)
I lower my shield in front of me.
Firo, understanding what I'm thinking, casts support magic.
A chant comes to my mind on its own. Are these the conditions for the Clothing of Anger (Intermediate)?
”I am the Hero of the Shield, commander of the origin of power. I have read and deciphered the law of nature. May the devouring flames become my power!”(Naofumi)
”Wrath Fire!”(Naofumi)
Anger is now my power.
The flaming phoenix collides with me and doesn't even singe my eyebrows.
”Wha! To nullify my skill…”(Pope)