338 335. Second turn.txt (1/2)

The Stealer of Blood is blocking my path.

This time, however, it was my turn to offer a dialogue.

”Fafner, I will use my power to bring your father back to life. So please get out of the way there.

We know that Fafner has been robbed of The Scripture and The Heart and is being manipulated by Ragne.

But there should be a difference in Fafner's ability to resist if I tell this story or not. If he knows that your father will come back to life, he will try his best to lose, being a follower of this, and he will try his best to lose. Above all, I want to stop Fafner's outburst before the soldiers behind him enter the castle.

'No more (・・・・・・・).

However, that expectation was betrayed with just one question.

Fafner stood up and magically manipulated the blood at his feet. Instantly, about twenty of the blood tentacles I saw before are generated and come at me as if throwing a net.

''-- 《Zeerewind》!

Quickly, the liner behind me released his full force of wind and pushed back the web of blood.

I leave my defenses to him and focus on the dialogue.

'Why?'　Your father, Master Kanami, is coming back to life.　And you, of all people, refuse to do that?　You, the knight who was most fond of Lady Kanami: ......

'Yeah, I'll refuse to be the only one: ....... I'm sorry. I found out while I was knighting that Ragne guy ....... That kind of 'hope' is making us more unhappy .......

Things are different than they were yesterday.

Fafner, who was positive when he was controlled by me, has become bizarrely backward-looking (negative).

Is it the influence of Lagne, the current master, or is it the influence of Lagne?

Maybe Lagune's 'reversing' power has played with his state of mind.

Without retreating, I continue to persuade him.

'Fafner, you want your father to save the world, don't you?　You've been saying that for a thousand years: ....... Your father has the power to save the world one day. It will be there. So, it is not Ragnae that you should have on your side now, but us, who are trying to bring your father back to life. We want you to show us your unprecedented resistance now: ......

In the past few days, Fafner has been acting freely, even though he says he is being manipulated. If it was a lie that he couldn't go against the holder of the 'Scripture', then now is the time to disrupt Ragne's plans.

However, despite his wish, Fafner shook his head.

He also increases the number of blood tentacles, which is proof of his battle intent, to forty - double the number of blood tentacles.

'Yeah, I want Kanami to save the world. I don't doubt that if you come back to life now, you will be able to save the world as well. ...... It's just that that 'saving the world' wasn't that important to me - that's all.

Fafner draws blood from the ground floor and generates a single sword.

With that in hand, he speaks his theory as he walks through the pool of blood. He continues to spit very honestly, perhaps because of the light of the flag I hold.

'In the end, I guess my 'saving the world' was the same as Lagune's 'best in the world' ....... It's a 'dream', not an 'unfulfilled dream'. So even if it comes true, all you can do is confirm the work you can do. 'Oh. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of the situation. -- there's no point.

A disturbing magic and killing intent fills the grand entranceway.

Hurriedly, I argue with Fafner to calm his temper. Those are the words I can say because I was his master for a long time, a thousand years ago.

'...... Fafner, you are an intelligent knight. You knew that from the beginning a thousand years ago, didn't you?　You knew it, and you were trying to save the world. You were trying to reduce the number of people suffering in this world, if only a little. You were desperately trying to reduce the voices of the dead in those ears as much as possible--

Let's just kill them all, shall we?　We may not be able to stop the voices of the dead, but we can stop the voices of the dead from growing.

Fafner stopped my admonition by spitting out too many boisterous words.

Fafner's face was twisted in pain, but he seemed somewhat refreshed.

Maybe it was something he had thought about for a long time. There is no doubt that your father's death was the catalyst for this, but it feels like it was originally his true feelings in his heart.

'Fafner ......, why ......?'

Maybe he is the same as I was a thousand years ago now.

I've been subjected to enough madness to be certain that dialogue is no longer possible, and all I can do is call his name.

''Kuhaha. In the first place, don't you think it's too unfortunate just to live in this incomplete and ragged world?　Then it would be better to kill them all already. It would be better ...... to kill them all so that no one is born anymore!

”Fafner, please wait--!　I'm not ready to talk--!

With those last words, Fafner ran out.

He must be using magic 《Blood》 at the same time. Even though it was a knee deep pool of blood, it was as if he was running across a plain.

''End of story!　This one is more suited to the Ragne stuff than Kanami!　That's why I'm going to side with Ragne!　I choose and protect Ragne by my own will--!

In an instant, the distance between us was closed.

Fafner's raised bloody sword slammed into me.

Shucks!

I blocked it with a flag of light in my hand.

He uses top-notch swordsmanship, but this one can also use top-notch stick skills. Their intersection was equal.

But Fafner's attacks weren't just swords.

At the same time, the blood tentacles, which had increased to almost a hundred in number, undulated and jumped at me.

I managed to block the blood sword, but the blood tentacles were not able to defend themselves in time.

Naturally, there is a difference in the first move between those who had the battle in mind from the beginning and those who wanted to interact until the end.

Ryner pulls the collar of my unworthy clothes from behind.

''--[Tauschus Wied]!

A hundred stakes of wind pierced and offset the tentacles of a hundred blood.

During the current conversation, Ryner must have been preparing for it all along. Then, in response to my crisis, he forcibly switched his standing position - not me, but Ryner's sword crossed with Fafner's blood sword.

The two Helvilleshains face each other face to face, sparks flying.

'I won't let Ragne kill you ......!　Temporary, but Lord is Lord!　I'll protect that guy for sure: ......!

'That's the line over here: ......!　This one is temporary, too, but mainly Nosfies!　You'll never let me do it: ......!

Seeing that clash of killing intent, I feel that the dialogue is now over and the hostility has been confirmed.

Frankly, I still wanted to continue the dialogue. Just like my admirers, I wanted to throw words at this Fafner endlessly and defenselessly, just like the people I admire.

The new real 'magic' I had arrived at - 'Elixir of Immortality' - I'm confident that I specialize in it.

I also know that it is 'immortality' for times like these.

But reason warns me that it cannot be done.

My new real 'magic' is a one-time thing.

The person who will use it is at the 'top' of Hoozeyards Castle.

I'm not going to be able to use it in this first floor.

I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get away with it.

While I was talking to Fafner, the soldiers behind us had caught up and were now trying to get into the castle. When I saw them, I shouted to the rear to stop them.

'--Gentlemen, please stop!　The castle is no longer united with the enemy's 'Blood Stealer'!　It is no longer possible to fix it!　We have no choice but to destroy it from the outside!

The soldiers in front of the castle entrance hear me and interrupt my advance.

'All hands, halt!

'Stupid ......!　I knew it was thin, but our castle is already ......!

Originally, castles were for the protection of the people!　What are you going to do if you hesitate to break it here!

'Send the voice of the saint to the surrounding knights!　Whoever has a free hand will attack the castle itself!

Furthermore, the soldiers would also carry out their instructions without question.

Thanks to the miracle shown well in advance. In less than a few seconds, the castle begins to shake from the attack from the outside.

''The main body of the Thieves of Blood will be controlled inside by us!　Ladies and gentlemen, attack from the outside!　Look at the light from my flag!　Please don't hesitate to ask!

As I shouted that, Fafner, who was slicing and dicing with Ryner in front of me, jumped backwards in a big way.

''Tch!　Nosfy, you're a pain in the ass--!

With a click of his tongue, he put his hands on the ground and manipulated the blood in the castle.

As the water level in the sea of blood dropped, he felt the flowing blood on the walls grow thicker.

He increased the thickness of the walls and fortified the castle's defenses.

Looking at the situation - after all (...), he was convinced that the weakness of the castle's walls hadn't changed in a thousand years.

Everyone is initially fooled by the solidity of its blood wall, but this is not something that is [absolutely unbreakable] like the crystal of Lowen Alais. Just like Dia broke it down in the morning, if you can push it through with simple firepower, you can break it with it.

Of course, the magic of a hundred or so knights wouldn't freak me out.

But a thousand to ten thousand. If the knights continue to attack the castle continuously, the wall of blood will one day reach its limit depending on the amount of material they have.

I point to the faded magic power Fafner wears and urge him to surrender.

''Fafner, please give up. As long as I continue to strengthen and brainwash the soldiers outside, you will have to turn most of your blood and magic power outward just to protect the Lord's foothold at the 'summit'. It is no longer a complete siege and annihilation war. As long as you are in this form, you have no chance of winning: ......

Ha, jeez. So what?

But Fafner doesn't take it up.

He laughs off the fact that I'm not that much of an inferior force in front of me, the same 'stealer of reason', taking on an army of a country by myself.

'Hey, Nosfi. In the first place. Did your physical condition or your magical power level ever have any effect on the outcome?

There's no .......

The reasons behind Fafner's confidence were compelling enough to make me nod my head.

Fafner's laughter intensified at such an honest reaction from me.

''Kuhaha!　I know, right!　In other words, we 'stealers of reason' will always be even until the fight is over!　The only difference between victory and defeat is the difference in 'unconsciousness'!　Oh, the usual!　None of this is always the case!

Hence, they would not surrender until they were defeated.

After reinforcing the castle, Fafner immediately runs out to resume the battle.

'And hey, you think you know all my weaknesses, don't you!　I know your weaknesses.　You can't cut down a piece that needs to be cut down, you death-hating bastard!

And it wasn't me who Fafner aimed at, who was assisting him in the rear guard, but the liner in front.

Leaving behind all the tentacles that grew from under his feet, Fafner single-handedly fleshes out the liner.

That's unthinkable on this scaffold. Even though Ryner is preparing himself, he is unable to dodge the flash from his blood sword.

''--Kuch!

Reiner's right side is slashed and he grunts.

But immediately, the injury is transferred to my right side.

However, Fafner had predicted its recovery. Caught off guard, he returns the blade that gave his enemy the fatal wound and goes to cut off his enemy's head.

Although Ryner was caught unawares by the first blade, he calmly blocked the next one with his twin swords. But before he could catch his breath, Fafner's left fist attacked him.

Ryner twisted his body to catch it with his shoulder.

Fafner's physical strength is leaped thousands of times higher than that of an ordinary person by stifling the power of the dead. The impact of his fist reverberates to the marrow of his bones, and pain rushes through his entire body. The reason my bones don't shatter is because of Ryner's own sturdiness and the strengthening of my magic.

And both the damage and the pain are also transferred to me 'instead'.

Ryner will remain unharmed.

Naturally, Fafner, who also anticipated the recovery, did not stop attacking.

A series of attacks. The blood tentacles that were waiting for me bellowed like whips and struck Ryner from all sides. With that, Fafner himself continues to apply the chase of his sword and fists. Regardless of how much they are recovered, they keep on attacking - again and again and again - over and over again.

It's a breathless series of strikes that maximizes the physical strength of the 'Stealers of Reason' on top of mobilizing all of the skills such as 'Swordsmanship', 'Body Technique', and 'Magical Combat' that were inherited from the dead.

In response, Ryner couldn't fight back even once, and repeatedly took fatal wounds, swearing while biting his teeth.

''-- d*mn it!　Even with the enhancements, this is it!　The difference in self-power, yet!

The only thing that matters is that the knight in the front is this guy, no matter how strong the 'one who steals the truth of light' is.　If you're going to let me deal with you, bring Tida or Aleiss!

In a fight that lasted only a few seconds, the number of fatal wounds crossed double digits.

However, Ryner still remains unharmed.

Normally, those who don't know the true nature of my magic here would move to wait and see. However, Fafner, who knows that I'm just carrying everything on my back 'instead', will not let up. He continues to attack me through the liner.

And finally, the fatal wounds caused by 'The One Who Steals Blood's Reason' have crossed the triple digits - I've been stuffed with three orders of magnitude of mortal pain, and I unbearably poke my knees in the air.

'......!

Seeing this, Fafner smiled as he fought with Ryner.

I guess he was convinced that his own battle strategy was a good fit. In contrast, the fighting Ryner showed a bitter profile and shouted to me from behind.

''Nosfi!　Enough!　Turn off my 'replacement'!

If you break the auxiliary magic now, you'll be shredded in an instant!

I shouted back as Ryner, who would have been killed a hundred times, refused to help me, bringing me back to my jumping consciousness.

'I can't get in shape over here when I'm in a situation where I'm never going to get killed!　Come on, you just run up there!　I've played along with your selfishness so far!　The rest will go according to the 'original plan'!

Then I tell him to head for the stairs.

Although there are not many words, I know what Ryner wants to say. He wants me to stop my selfish 'Fafner's Persuasion' and quickly move on to the 'original plan' that we decided on in advance.

”...... I get it, Ryner!　Hold Fafner there, even if he dies, while I head out!

What?　Hey!　Seriously, you're going up there!

Fafner must have thought that I would definitely continue to help Ryner. The moment I really cut off all of Ryner's assistance and was about to head to the steps of the castle alone - I was clearly upset.