278 275. Checkmate.txt (1/2)

'Oops - but if you look closely, the thug in question seems to be our present human god. ...... Huh, it's always the same. You all know how mischievous our princess is!　As a loyal vassal of the Real Man God here, I, Feydert, shall work with a clear mind!

With an exuberant roar, Feydert snapped his fingers.

Then all of the magic stone lines in the 11th Crossroads suddenly began to glow.

The magic is being activated by using the magic stones from the magic stone lines.

Instantly, Rustyala frowned and stared at Feydert with a smirk.

''This, this sluggishness ......!

'Hmmm, it looks like luck is on my side!　I didn't know that the place where you guys started your dispute was the 'Eleventh Crossroads'!

That's right.

This 'Eleventh Crossroads' could be said to be the place with the highest concentration of 'magic stone lines' in the world.

The Allied countries have the largest amount of magical stones in the world, and the Fouzeyards are the richest, and the 11th Crossroads is a single-digit intersection for the nobility.

Not only is the demon stone line the best in the world, but also its security level is the highest in the world.

The magic stone line's warding has just been activated. I know the wavelength of your magic power better than anyone else. Activating the warding that suppresses your body is a piece of cake.

It's likely that the warding of the 'magic stone line' (line), which was set to keep monsters away, was changed only to suppress an individual named Rustyala. That setting change is possible with the authority and technology that Feydert has. The ”Magic Stone Line” that is activated by simply pouring magic power into it is a good match for Feldeldeldt.

Just as I expected, after Feldeldeldt missed us at the cathedral, he chose to use the ”magic stone line” to track and capture us.

On the ”Magic Stone Line (Line)”, which is being used as it should be for the first time in a long time, Rustyala tries to move beyond the limits.

However, due to the double deployment of the 《Invisible Ice Room》 and the ward, the expression of Rustyala, the quintessential Rustyala, also distorts his expression.

''Ko, this--!

He lets go of me and tries to head down to Feydert.

One step at a time, I'm moving forward forcefully, but - in the middle of it all, Rustyala runs out of power and stabs his knee.

She's gasping for breath as if she's struggling to cough up blood even now.

How could he fight to this point with a body that was wobbly from the ritual?

Seeing that Rustyala can't move, I start to move too.

But of course, that's not allowed either.

''Oops. ''The same goes for Reiner Helvilleshain. I know your magic power as well, though not as well as the Gentleman God. If it's your current battered body--''

Just like Feydert's words, my body also gets heavier as if it were carrying a lump of iron on its back.

Not only is my body even heavier, but the circulation of magic power is greatly disrupted.

Even if I tried to build wind magic now, I would fail due to the warding effect from the 'magic stone line'.

I'm going to stop the same way Rastiara did.

If I wanted to, I could do it, but I'm not going to do anything rash here.

Seeing this, Feydert is a little suspicious, but gives instructions to the others.

''Hmm. Apparently, it seems that Ryner really can't move either. Then, with sufficient caution, first of all, we need to secure the 'blood'. All of you 'Magic Stone Humans' (Jewelculus), please relax your magic a bit.

From the crowd, the 'Jewish Stone Humans (Jewelculus)', including Emily, appear.

If there is an 'Invisible Ice Room' that solidifies the space, Emily and the knights can't get close to it, so the magic loosens up. However, even if it loosens, there is still a 'magic stone line (line)' ward.

Rustyala, who is even more susceptible to the wards than I am, doesn't seem to be able to even stand up.

I'm not going to be able to get to the point where I can't move, so I'm going to go up to Rustyala, pretend to restrain him and try to get him to resume his example magic.

''Excuse me, Rastiara-sama.

”Wow, my Lady Tiara's 'blood'--

A continuation of the 'blood transfer' that was taking place in the cathedral temple will take place.

In the meantime, Feydert bustles around. Without a moment's thought to reinforce their justice, he said, ”Ladies and gentlemen, don't worry. Thanks to the excellent 'Magic Stone Line' (line) of the Fuzzyards, it seems that the quarrels among our people are over. As long as we knights and the 'Demon Stone Line' (Line) are around, Hoozeyards is absolutely safe--! He exclaims.

Shortly afterwards, Rastiara is placed by the knights with a lock on his arm that restricts his magic. Rastiara twisted her motionless body to resist, but the five locks were placed on her arms and legs, and she was finally unable to move at all.

It seems that the ”blood transfer” also ended at the same time.

Emily filled her body with strength, looked down at Rustiala who fell to the ground and muttered.

''--This is the end for Rastiara-sama. ...... All that's left is Ryner-san.

And then he glares at me and Tiara.

--Okay.

This stops the nastiest thing in town - Las Tiara.

Right on schedule.

Thank you, Feydert and Emily.

Nice incapacitation.

But it's no longer necessary.

I keep my reluctance on my face, struggling to keep from smiling.

Feydert is alert and directs the restraints.

''Then let's restrain Ryner and the girl next. ...... Just to be sure, surround them with the elite only.

With Emily in the lead, the ten or so knights who seem to be high level walk out without a hint of caution.

In front of me is Emily, strengthened by Tiara-san's 'blood'. And as if to cut off the retreat, the knights surround us.

In response, I slowly stand up and stare straight back at Emily.

''With that body, are you going to f*ck me now?''

Emily was sincerely worried about me.

She must be proud of the overwhelming difference in power that has been created.

Unlike the Lord and the others, I have no way to check the status of others. However, I understand that Emily, who gathered Tiara-san's 'blood' to collect it, is a far cry from the status she had yesterday.

She was one of the mid-level explorers, but now she will have gained the talent to step into the legend.

The concentration of magic power visible to the eyes is also unusual.

''Yeah. ''Of course.''

Still, I nodded.

My magic power is low, and my body is in tatters.

Both of my legs are especially badly injured. In addition to being pierced by arrows, even the contents are torn apart by the outburst of magic.

Furthermore, the wards of the Invisible Ice Room and the Line of Magic, the limbs are not able to move well.

However, I regrip my sword, saying that I won't abandon the game.

There's no reason for me to lose to an opponent of Emily's level, and I'm going to be strong.

''Then I won't go easy on you. --Growth.

It's a good thing that you have a good idea of what you're doing.

It's not a problem for me to be in close combat with the current me, so after converting the overflowing magical power into enhanced magic, she closes the distance with an empty handed fist just like Rustyala.

It's helpful.

It was hard to move his legs in this state.

And as she approaches me randomly, I swing my sword out.

Just like when I dealt with Rustyala earlier, it's a flash of arm aim.

But even if it's the same aim, the situation is too different. The injured leg is not able to come forward, so I can't step in, which is important in swordplay.

To put it bluntly, it's a flash that can only be called a hand strike.

Emily ducks it with her enhanced body, comfortably dodging it, and extends her arms from a distance.

I duck to refuse, but I can't escape with my feet, which can't even retreat.

After a few times, the sword and my bare hands intersect - easily I am struck hard on the wrist and let go of the twin swords. Following that, I am grabbed by both hands by the collar of my clothes and lifted up my body.

It's a haphazard way of looking, with the younger girl levitating my legs.

In addition, Emily crosses her hands and uses the collar of her clothes to choke me hard.

'Ggh, ugh, ahh--!

That concludes the ritual. Thank you for your work, Mr. Reiner. Now go to sleep.

Emily declares up close and personal, confident of victory.

To that I choose to reply rather than breathe.

'E, Emily ....... I know how you feel--

My throat tightens and all I can do is muffled voices.

Still, I make it clear.

Swords and magic aren't the only ways to fight back.

I know that words are a fine tactic, too.

I was just recently taught by the mentor behind me to fight with all provocations and threats.

'But are you sure?　You've been seen at ......?

Just one word.

Delivered to her ears.

”Did she see me?

And next I move my eyes.

I move my eyes, not my hands or feet, but my eyeballs, and turn my gaze to a corner of the crowd.

Caught in the act, Emily turns her eyes to it too.

Beyond that, there was a boy - a boy.

'Emily!　What the hell is going on here!　Why, Mr. Reiner!

Emily's partner in crime, Al, was there.

He had waded through the crowd of people and was out of breath to reach this battlefield.

Moreover, I had arrived just in time for Emily to be breathing down my neck.

Emily's face turns pale at that worst possible timing.

''Al-kun!　Why ...... here!

Why? ......?

It had to be because I called him.

He was waiting patiently near the cathedral, and Tiara called him.

The method is simple.

Tiara-san's body doesn't move, and she can't use magic. He can't even use magic.

But his magic moves.

In that case, it's a 'magic stone line' just like Feydert.

Since even the non-combatant Feydert, who can't use magic, can handle it, there's no reason Tiara-san, who was a saint, can't handle it.

Or rather, if you ask Tiara-san, it seems that the 'magic stone line (line)' is a substitute that Tiara-san developed to begin with. Anyway, she can at least deliver her voice through her magic power.

If it's a dense area of this 'magic stone line', there's always a line that leads to the cathedral.

There's nothing strange about it.

However, Emily was confused.

She was upset by the unplanned situation and let go of my collar that she was holding onto.

'--This is, you know, ...... Al-kun. No, it's not .......

I spread my hands out to indicate that it was a misunderstanding that I was tightening them up.

To which I reply with a laugh.

”Haha, you're an idiot. Of course I told you all about it.

She tells Al that she betrayed him at the Cathedral.

When Emily hears this, she becomes enraged.

''This, this, Reiner Helvilshein--!

But I'm the one in a rage.

I'm going to be the one who turns to me, and I'm going to say a few words to Emily, and I'm going to construct a spell.

The fact that I can't use magic isn't too bad for me.

I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of them.

It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

This is my only chance to win at close range.

The leg is gone, but the arm is still there. ”My legs are ruined, but my arms are still intact, so be careful.

He clings to Emily with his right arm and his left arm hits his enemy in the stomach.

Then, he builds his best and most powerful magic.

Of course, the magic does not succeed. On top of his physical condition, his magic power is disturbed by the warding of the 'magic stone line (line)'.

The 'failure' of that magic was obvious.

However, I could also see that the 'failure' was a 'failure to fail'.

''-- Magic 《Tauschus Wand》!

The great magic is activated - and it fails badly.

Naturally, the magic power poured into the pouring unleashed like a flood that broke a dam.

A huge amount of wind magic bursts in Emily's abdomen with a sound as if a huge drum had been beaten, and my left arm bursts as well. At the same time, my left arm also bursts.

To be honest, my arm is more damaged than Emily's. The damage done to the enemy is probably less than a tenth of its original size. However, that zero-range explosion had enough impact to make her faint.

''--!

The explosion hits Emily's pigeon tail, and she goes white eyed and her strength drains from her entire body.

I slap a victory declaration from me this time toward her consciousness, which is probably moving away from her.

''I'm not going to lose to someone who would stop at this level. That's what happens when you have regrets. Come back to me with confidence.

As it is, I put all my strength into the right arm that grabbed Emily and tossed her roughly into one of the crowd.

'See!　Take it, Al!　Keep that guy alive for a minute!

I dare to keep the blood-infused Emily away.

It's not just that I can only afford to protect Tiara-san right now, but I wanted to disperse the enemy even more. Or rather, there's no way to not use the Al that has just appeared.

I smile at the rest of the knights to provoke the enemy.

'You guys are next. The first one to eat my magic is the one you want to eat--

He pointed with his useless left arm.

The left arm that had been sacrificed to take Emily down was in a terrible state. Just like his leg, several fingers were twisted and broken, nails were peeled off, and bright red blood was dripping from countless lacerations.

The knights who had surrounded him gasped when that finger was thrust at him.

They must be terrified of me, who sacrificed both legs and my left arm to increase my will to fight, even though they were covered in blood.

The knights, who know pain better than the average person in training, must know how much the pain of my joking injuries hurt.

They may be disgusted to see me continue to laugh in the midst of that pain.

Some of the knights even pulled back a step.

My intention to provoke them has turned into a threat.

As a colleague, I'm pathetic.

What are you frightened of?

This is a knight.

Shed blood, slaughter flesh, cut off souls, yet fight for the Lord - that is a knight.

I am working as a knight now, and I want you to work as well.

I'm a knight now, and I want you to work too.

My foot hurts, so come over here and...!

However, the request falls through, and a distant Feydert stops the knights.

'Ladies and gentlemen, wait a moment.'

Tsk.

It would have been easier if I could have made the enemies who tried to capture me faint in turn, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Faydert laughs at my tongue-lashing.

''Huh, I won't take the provocation. I'm not even in a hurry. I hope you won't get carried away just by taking one insurance piece. As long as we use this '11th Crossroads' as a battlefield, our advantage will not change. This one will just have to take its time and hold you back, and that's the end of it.

So you're gonna threaten me with another hostage situation?

'No, sir. It is known that I am incapable of killing Lady Lastiara and Lady Flanlure. I'll give up that insurance.

He's calm.

As he speaks, Feydert lays out the situation around him. By letting the knights hear it, he allows that calmness to permeate the entire area.

'But even if the insurance didn't work, it was enough to kill your power. Now you're injured all over, and you can't use your prized twin swords. You can't even walk, let alone run. You can't weave magic well in the dense area of the magical stone line. In that state, you have something to protect on your back and you have to deal with this number. --It's really too much.

He was also a little proud of himself.

Feydert happily talks about how he has pushed me to this point.

These kinds of opponents talk longer when they are confident of victory.

This is also a good stall for ...... good time, as planned.

I shrug my shoulders and agree with Feydert.

”Indeed. I'm not sure I'll be able to take on all of you on my own in this situation.

'A little ......?　Hmmm, wasted strength. I can see it!　Your status!　Those in the priesthood, calmly assess the state of the enemy!　This man no longer deserves to be a threat!

Feydert took my words as strength.

And with the privilege that only priests are allowed to have, he tries to make my current situation (status) go down the tubes. There are not a few knights who have gained experience as priests. Soon, my lack of power is passed on to the knights as information.

You are a priest, by the way. You can see the results of my conversion (status) very clearly.

''Of course, I can see how much magic power you have left!　Huh, you're already close to zero!　Even if you can use it, is it only reckless magic with a 'price'!　But I won't give you time to 'chant' fluently in this situation!　This time it's over!　Now, ladies and gentlemen, weave your magic where the sword can't reach and keep firing with all your might!　There's no time to rest!　Of course, the 'Magic Stone Humans (Jewelculus)' should be on their guard and let the magic continue!

Federt carefully instructed the best solution to the current situation.

The surrounding knights started building magic from a distance as instructed. Some of them are doing 'chanting'. However, no matter how much I am, it's a magic of quantity and quality that can be fatal if it's a direct hit.

However, in this situation, the skill 'bad sensation' is still not activated.

There's no discomfort to stick around and let us know that our current situation is a 'success'.

I confidently declare it to be the end.

Yeah, this time it's over. You guys are too focused on me. I'm sorry, but there are two of us. --Who do you think is behind me in the first place?

I turn my face back to look at Tiara, who is sitting on the ground.

'Nice, Rainer. Thanks for stalling.

Tiara smiles and looks up after not moving for a long time.

With that face, I introduce her to everyone around me.

The man there is the saint of the Levantine religion in the legend of a thousand years ago.

It's the one whom all the knights of our Fouzeyards should originally serve and protect as their lives.

--This is Lady Tiara Hoozeyars.

You don't need to refrain from it, but savor its power.

When I tell her that she, not me, will be the one to get out of this situation, Feydert snickers and shouts for the battle to continue.

'Tiara Fuzzyards ......?　Ha, what a load of crap!　That's the Jewelcruise, which is prepared for rituals everywhere!　There's nothing wrong with that!

Following those words, magic is released from the surrounding knights.

Just like in the cathedral, a wide variety of magic arrows come at me.

It's not a lot of arrows because I'm concerned about Tiara-san behind me, but the number of arrows is small, but they are excellent in their precision, and they come flying in accurately to kill only me.

Without a doubt, this is a density of attacks that I am unable to prevent right now.

However, Tiara is behind me.

I'm not worried about anything.

''Feydert-kun!　It's bad enough that we're using 'magic stone lines' (lines) that are almost unchanged from a thousand years ago!　For me, as a developer, this is about as little as it gets!　--Cursery, Line React!

Tiara-san, who had her hands on the ground behind her, shouts out.

And from those two hands, shining magic power passes through and invades the 'magic stone line' (line) on the ground.

It was only a small amount of magic power that entered, but it was enough to disrupt its function. It's not that I've taken control of all of the 'magic stone line'. He just changed the target of the warding that Feydert had put in place.

With just that much, the entire situation was reversed.

The magic power of the surrounding knights is disturbed by Tiara-san's 'Magic Stone Line (Line)' going crazy. It's not quite an outburst, but the power of that magic will be attenuated.

That attenuation is not very important.

What's more important is that my magic has been lifted.

''--Check.

I retaliate with a declaration of victory.

And soon I'm beyond the limits of my magic and building magic with my life.

The sensation of cutting out my soul with a knife and turning it into fuel.

It was a sensation that made me feel like I was going to go insane physiologically, but I do it without hesitation.

This time the great magic is not a 'failure'. It's true wind magic.

'I'm going to get it out here!　We'll be swallowed up in one piece!　--Magic, WIND MADNESS!

Magic that was unleashed by exchanging life for magic - because I was used to dying from Tiara-san's stupid special training, it was possible to construct it as smoothly as the Lord Christ.