304 301. Battle of the underground mall.txt (1/2)

After seeing off Nosfi and the others, we ran through the Great Sacred City, and after a few minutes, we arrived at the entrance to the underground city.

Flames gushed fiercely from the entrance to the underground, refusing any visitors, but Ryner's wind magic made a hole in the ground and forced us to proceed.

Stepping down the scorched stone stairs, scraping through the flames and scorching your skin, you'll find yourself in an underground city that has been transformed. The radically changed landscape takes my breath away in amazement.

'This, so far ......!

The underground streets that had been safe in the morning had been completely destroyed.

Not only was it re-wrapped by the burning flames as it had been when I first arrived, but it was also re-wrapped by the burning flames. The houses that had lined the streets had collapsed, leaving more than half of them in ruins. Fragments of the walls are scattered, broken stalls are exposed, and much of the wood has been turned to charcoal.

And in the sky of the collapsed underground city, there was one sun shining brilliantly in the sky that should not be there.

A sun so bright that it swallowed the light of the city's burning flames.

A luminous intensity that should normally be found only at the end of the sky is contained within this narrow underground city. I could tell at a glance that the brightness of the sun was not natural. To be honest, it was even more painful to keep my eyes open in the midday light than on the ground.

The underground city is collapsing, filled with purgatory, and the sun is shining to the detriment of people.

When I finished assessing the situation, the word ”hell” popped into my head, albeit a clichéd metaphor.

That impression seemed to be shared by Ryner and Ragne, who were standing next to each other.

The two of them are dripping with sweat, squinting, and taking half a step backwards. Their instincts must be reluctant to move on beyond this underground city.

However, since we've given up the pursuit of Nosfi and came here, we can't just choose to retreat here.

When the three of us were about to walk forward with our minds, a voice arrives from the shadows of a nearby building.

”--Oh, brother!　You're back!

The Reaper, who was supposed to be in the mansion, crawls out of the slimy shadows. She is followed by my sister, who is also sleeping, pulled by her hand.

Seeing the two of them, I return the voice, relieved that it's not the worst situation.

'Reaper!　I see that Yangtaki was safe too: ......!

'Yes ....... Attah was making sure your sister was safe and retreating. That's why I was here.

'Nice decision, Reaper ......!　So, what has happened since then!　What happened after I left the mansion and all this happened!

''What do you mean ....... After the brothers left the mansion, a lot of things really happened ....... First, Sis Sera came to the mansion ...... while Sis Snow's brother mixed some strange poison into the food ....... He used light magic in a weak place ...... but it didn't work on everyone else--well, so--

The Reaper tries to tell me the events that have taken place since I've been gone, in order, but it doesn't work. From the way he looks at me, I can tell that a series of unusual accidents have occurred in quick succession.

Immediately I interrupt the explanation, grabbing the reaper by the shoulders and appealing to him to get to the point.

'--Where do you want me to go!

There's no doubt that time is running out, that's all.

The Reaper understands this, and without repeating the interrupted conversation, he puts his hand to his chin and thinks about it - only answering the main points that are necessary for this occasion.

''There's a lot going on, but I think stopping the four of us fighting in the middle comes first and foremost!

I'm going to the middle.　Reaper, you take care of the Yangtaki here!

Yeah, I will!

After that exchange, I start running.

As instructed by the Reaper, I head straight to the center of the underground city with two knights in tow.

-- On the way, a high-pitched sound that shakes my eardrums rings out from above.

''--'' ---, ---------- At ！！！！

Instinctively, I cover my ears at the high-pitched sound that sounds like I'm scratching a metal plate with a sharp object.

To quickly confirm the source of the sound, I climbed up on top of one of the still-formed underground buildings and turned my face to the sky.

I manage to look into the glaring sunlight with my eyes - to understand where the high-pitched sound is coming from.

In the sun, there was a human figure.

I understand that the person emitted the high-pitched sound and magically formed the sun.

As you stare at it, the magical sun is transformed.

Gradually, the shape of the sphere becomes distorted, and like an amoeba, the sun expands into the sky. With an erratic movement, the sun's rays encroach on the underground city, illuminating every inch of it. The sun's luminosity dims as it spreads out over a wide area, revealing the identity of the man in the center.

'Di, dia ......!'

An agonized Deer flies in and out, screaming magic.

The too-dense magic and screams mingle in her throat, and the magic name seems to change to a high-pitched sound that is not human.

Deere emitted particles of light from her lost right and left arms, spreading wings from her back that she had never seen before. Perhaps all of the sun that spread out like this amoeba were the wings of her magic power.

As a result of putting too much light-attribute magic power into her wings, she has become the sun beyond her role of flying in the sky. And I know why Dia is putting too much power into them.

Undoubtedly, Dia now has lost herself in magic.

Her screams, her expression and her magic. Everything hints at a runaway.

I reaffirm my lack of time left and speed up my run.

But before we can get there, the situation evolves.

The deer in the sky suddenly stops its high-pitched diffusion and slowly utters human words.

Turning her eyes directly downward, she says just one word.

'...... not, it's cunning.'

His voice was small.

It was small, but it was filled with strong emotions, and at the same time contained an unusual magical power.

Perhaps the effect was similar to attributeless vibrational magic. The small voice filled the entire underground city and gradually swelled up.

When he heard the vibration, his body almost stopped along with fear. It was most likely a special voice that induced fear or some kind of conditional abnormality.

Deer dropped a small voice like a rainstorm to the figure on the ground.

'...... Rastiara is cunning. Sly sly sly sly sly. It's not fair. ......!　I--I--I've always had to put up with ......!　All the time I'm just watching from afar: ......!　I can't even step out of that tree's shade: ......!　I can't even go home anymore: ......!　Only Rastiara is waving his sword in that place: ......!　I would have loved to be with Kanami too: ......!　Wielding the sword together, living together, together--!

Beyond that curse - the one on the ground was Rastiara.

From the heights I'm currently running from, I can gaze at it and manage to catch its pea-like form.

In the center of the underground city, I can see Rustyala shouting back something to Dia, who is directly above me. But--.

”-- Shut up (・・・・)!　Shut up!

The response from Dia in the sky was a strong refusal.

I could only hear Dia's voice, but I could only tell that persuasion was proving difficult.

Furthermore, with that cry of denial, a magic was released from Dia's left arm. She must have chosen a magic that she was good at on the spur of the moment. That magic was one that I was familiar with.

''--【Flame Arrow】Oh!

It was familiar magic, but the scale of it was unlike anything he had ever seen before.

The white light falling from the sun. The diameter of the Flame Arrow is more than ten meters. It was no longer a beam of light, but a light star. It's a sight that would be better described as the light wards themselves being shot downward.

Rustyala, who seemed to have sensed the activation of that magic beforehand, flees from the range of the 《Flame Arrow》.

After that, the light of magic illuminated the center of the underground city and melted the entire area of the ground that Rustiala was on. Perhaps because it was a wide area, it didn't have the ability to penetrate, but it gently and uniformly evened out the ruins.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.

And before Dia's next attack can be unleashed, I manage to reach the center of the underground city. Naturally, the mansions that existed today morning are nowhere to be seen, not in shadow or shape, and instead of being abandoned, they're close to the flatlands.

In the corner of that flatland, Rastiara was facing a single mass of fire.

A pillar of fire, slightly different in color from the flames of the underground city, stood there. Inside the pillar of fire, which was enough to swallow one person, Maria was on her knees and hugging herself with both hands.

Maria appeals to Rustyala with a pale expression.

''--Forget it, Rustyala-san, quick!　Get away from me, please!　If you keep this up, it will kill you. ......!　We wouldn't be that crazy without you. ......!

Maria, who looked like she was having a hard time even writhing, looked up at Dia in the sky, explaining the threat they posed to her.

Just as she said, Dia, who seemed to have lost Rastiara in the light of her own magic, only let her gaze wander in the sky and didn't seem to try to release her next magic.

However, Rastiara would not accept Maria's suggestion.

'If I'm not here, you can manage ......?　Maria, that doesn't solve anything!　Don't worry, I'll take care of it!

'Shh, but ......!　If this keeps up, I'll eventually have to go to ......!　Duh, ugh. ......!

'Sorry, Maria: ......!　I've decided I'm not going to leave anyone behind ever again: ......!

Maria is squatting with her forehead close to the ground, while Rustyala is trying to continue to convince Dia.

I interrupt between the two of them and tell them that I'm going to take over the place.

'It's okay, you two!　I can take it from here!　Reiner and Ragne are both there!

With everyone's conversation so far, I'm starting to get a general idea of the situation.

Just as Nosfi had said, Dia is losing herself due to Arti's magic. Probably, the same magic has been cast on Maria. But it doesn't work well on Maria, who has experienced that magic once, and it hasn't gone so far as to make her completely lose her mind. That's about where it should be.

'No, Christ. I'm here, but ...... Mr. Lagne seems to be a little behind.

When I looked back, I saw that only Ryner was following me.

Probably, Ragne would arrive late again. But reinforcements are reinforcements. Maria in the pillar of fire shows a relieved expression at our arrival.

'Ka, Kanami-san ....... You came, you came ....... I'm sorry, sometime Arti's magic is ...... for everyone. I'm already ...... just to keep me down, the limit is ......--

'Don't worry about it. It's more than enough to keep me in check. I'll finish the rest, don't worry.

...... Yes.

Maria put her forehead to the ground and stopped moving completely. She must have concentrated on keeping herself under control. The momentum of the underground flames wouldn't stop, but she shouldn't be attacking her surroundings like Dia did.

Next, Rustyala causes a reaction to my appearance.

''Eh, er, ...... welcome back?''

I'm not as happy as Maria is.

Rather, she looks as if she doesn't know why she came here.

''Ah, I'm back. Immediately, Rustyala, meet up with the Reapers and leave the underground city. I will destroy the wards of the Great Holy City right now and I will fight for real. My Distance Mute can cancel it, even if it's Arti's magic: ......!

Dia was motionless in the sky, and there was still no sign of Snow.

She thought that if she was going to use great magic, it was now, and tried to knead her magic.

But it was stopped by Rastiara in front of her by shaking her head.

'I'm sorry, Kanami. Just don't try to break the spell on Dia and the others. Let me take care of this.

'What about ......?'　What are you talking about?　Maybe there's something wrong with you: ......?

Did Nosfi leave some kind of trap behind?

I ask Rustyala why.

I'm sure this is an event that would be very beneficial to you if you could get past it.　So you don't want to give it away, huh?

For a moment I didn't fully understand the reason for the reply.

However, I soon found out that Rastiara was refusing for no great reason and raised my voice.

''Bah, you idiot!　This isn't the time for jokes!

There was no way I could accept such a reason. He shouted so strongly, but Rastiara didn't pull back, but tightened his joking expression and repeated his request seriously.

''I'm sorry, I wasn't joking ....... If I pull back here, I'll never be happy 'together' with you all for the rest of my life. I won't even be able to talk about it anymore. I feel like that's what I'm doing ....... So, please .......

'Well, that story again: ......!　Now is not the time to talk about it: ......!

We talked last night - the dream of Rastiala.

The future of We Are All Together.

That story is repeated.

But it's just a matter of getting to know each other in more peaceful times.

If you want to get along with everyone, you should break everyone's magic rather quickly. That's what I thought, but Rustyala was the opposite. I'm going to appeal to the exact opposite view.

'Nope, now is the time ....... As I told Maria, this is the opportunity that Nosfi has prepared for us--!　--Growth Extended!

Hey, hey, hey!

Then he cast an enhancement spell on himself and pushed me away.

At the same time, the place where we were just now explodes. I was able to firmly confirm that moment with my eyes.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future.

As I was pushed away, I adjusted my posture and looked at my companions coming out of the sand smokescreen.

'Hah, hah, hah ......!　Dear Mr. Rastiara, ......!　Wow, my Kanami and ......!　Don't talk without me--!

A girl with blue wings spread out, arms covered with reptilian scales, and both eyes shining like red balls.

It was Snow, who had awakened her blood and had become 'dragonized'.

I had expected this, but something was wrong with her magic. She shook her shoulders, opened her big mouth, and repeatedly breathed too deeply, as if she was struggling to breathe. Then, while making a flashy appearance, he ignores us and begins to ask himself.

'Oh, ah, aha! ......!　Hey, why is that ......?　Why do I always do this: ......?　--Yes, I know. This is what happens because I'm me: ....... I can't ....... There's nothing I can do. I can't try to do anything. I can't do anything ......!

After enough self-flagellation, he finally squeezes out his voice with empty eyes, looking at Rustyala and me in turn.

'Rastiara-sama, I'm no good ....... I'm no good and no good, so I really want Kanami ....... I can't live without Kanami ....... So, I want Kanami ....... Please, take the Kanami to ....... Kanami for Kanami for Kanami--

But soon the conversation breaks down, and he tries to turn to me on the opposite side of the room from Rastiara, calling my name.

''--Snow!　Look at me!　Don't worry, I'm all ears!　That's the one we talked about on the boat a while back!

But before he could turn around, Rustyala shouted and stopped Snow's movement.

The will to talk to Snow was there, that he was the one talking to Snow, and he wasn't going to give it up to me.

When Snow was stopped, he turned to Rustiala and threw a continuation of the broken conversation at her.

'Kanami would spoil me ....... But Kanami isn't just for me anymore....... Ugh, ugh, ugh ....... La, if only it wasn't for Lady Rastiara, she would have been mine......!　He always says all the right things all the time, and eventually Lady Rastiara has it all to herself all the time: ......!　It was mine. ......!　Kanami was mine. ......!

'Hmm, the idea that that someone belongs to someone else is the worst thing about Snow: ....... As long as you don't have that, you can spoil me as much as you want .......

To Snow's words, which were clearly insane, Rustyala was taking them seriously.

Even though this is the situation, Rastiara is trying to ride out his troubles with his usual conversation.

But of course, Snow was unable to continue the conversation properly, and her voice grew louder with excitement.

''--Yeah, I can't!　No, no, no, no!　I know that's a bad idea!　I'm not good enough, I'm not good enough, and I'm not good enough--that's how it happened!　You can't always protect people!　You're always putting people in danger!　Me!　Even today, because I let my brother get away with it - oh, ahhh ......!　It's all my fault!　My fault, my fault, my fault, my fault, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh ------ ！！！！

At last the cry became a roar.

This is no ordinary roar. It's a magical ”dragon's roar” that only the dragon man, Snow, can use. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it.

The vibrations and winds filled with an enormous amount of magical power.

My whole body trembles and my eardrums feel like they are about to be torn.

In order to get out of this place, I check my friends around me.

Ryner, who is behind me, had escaped out of magical range before anyone else. Maria, who is a little farther away, is using her fire pillar to prevent all of Snow's attacks. In a simple magic power comparison, Maria would not be defeated. As long as she is cowering in that fire, no half-hearted attack should be able to pass.

The only one left is Rastiara - she was the only one who couldn't deal with 'Dragon's Roar' and 'Dragon's Wind'. No, she wasn't trying to be precise.