472 467. Beastman.txt (2/2)

「「「「「「「「「「--《Invisible Ice Room》」」」」」」」」」」

Due to its immobilization magic, the entire space in front of the labyrinth entrance was solidified.

Just as I would have seen it completely, an old man who stands out from the group of 'Magic Stone Humans (Jewelculus)' emerges from the group.

I call out the name of the face with a heavy sigh while walking slowly.

'Apostle Diprakra ......!

Blast. I was surprised at how fast you went, but you managed to time it right.

I identified one of my enemies and put my hands and feet to work.

I can't move at all.

But his body was as heavy as rusted iron and too slow.

We contort our faces as we adjust our posture, as 'fast' as the old man who is now walking and approaching us.

And then, further behind the diaphragm, we hear another voice say, ”I couldn't even see a shadow of a guess.

'I didn't even see a shadow of a guess!　Di Prakra-sama, you're a class act!

At the far end is the bloodsucking Kounel, the head of the Senate, as usual.

She was riding on the back of Perciona Quager, the president of the Celestial Knights, whose lower body was transformed into a horse (centaur) by ”Demonization,” and she was shouting cheerfully in a completely safe zone.

Three troublesome enemies.

They were completely waiting for us to appear.

Even Sera, below us, understood this, grunting and snarling and asking me for confirmation.

I shake my head that we hadn't just been drinking and eating so far.

'I've been eavesdropping the whole time. Even at ......, it seems that those 'magic stone humans' (Jewelcrus) were the unaccounted for ambush soldiers to the knights here.

With the application of my signature non-attribute magic, I was able to sense the vibrations throughout the Confederacy.

However, that my eavesdropping was just as 'planned', the old man's apostle Diprakra answered.

The old man replies to the apostle, ”Hmm, I knew you were listening in. I thought there was nothing I could do if they could detect the lurking heartbeat alone. ...... It's as expected of Kounel. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about your allies' abilities on the premise that they will one day become enemies. No, what is brilliant here is our Lord's 'plan'?

Diprakra smiles, confident of a future victory.

Indeed, as far as we are concerned, we can't move as far as we are concerned and we will be easily captured.

I feared so, but Diprakra approached the entrance to the labyrinth, not us. He reached out to the stone wall next to the entrance and poured out his enormous magical power.

''But don't let your guard down. You have the same inner workings as Serdra, the one who steals the truth of nothingness, don't you?　Then we will only use our maximum power to stun, capture, and seal you without harming you. ...... The magic formula that was once developed to seal the Gentiles is more than enough for the two of you.

Diprakra told him what he was going to do.

But Kounel, behind him, was quick to tease it out.

''Oh, I know that one. I know that 1,000 years ago you said a similar thing, and in the end the one who was sealed by the World Tree was Diprakra-sama himself.

'Oh, that's ......, the Sith guy was inspired by Yotaki to ......!　I won't make that mistake again!

Yes, I know. Don't repeat those stupid times again. Don't forget that, Apostle Diprakra.

A nail-biting warning.

Honestly, I thought I could successfully bring them into a close battle and capture them back if they were against Diprakra, who talked about not letting their guard down but let their guard down.

To me, Kounel was a troublesome presence.

After receiving advice, Diprakra increased his vigilance and continued to pour magic power into the wall while maintaining as much distance as possible.

Then, a large tree that emitted light at the top of the labyrinth entrance began to creak and sound.

I know that this large variety of tree is the world tree that Kounel spoke of.

And it's easy to imagine that Diprakra, who has been one with the World Tree of the 'mainland' for a thousand years, could use this World Tree of the 'frontier'.

Diprakra coughed and spoke the rest of the story.

''Gosh. ...... Descendants of Seldora, you have chosen the worst entrance of the five. This me is an apostle who has served only in defensive warfare for a thousand years. And the situation a thousand years ago was very similar to this one.

What looked like tree roots grew out of the wall around the entrance to the labyrinth of Hoozeyards.

It moved as if it were alive, building a further wall of wood in front of the wall of chains that had been sealed off.

It's a barrier that you can tell at a glance that it's strong not only physically, but magically as well.

Furthermore, tree roots grow and rise up from underneath Diprakra's feet as well.

The roots of countless trees entwined with its old body and lifted it high.

It appears to be the power of the tree man (Doriad).

However, his experience in combat with the 'The One Who Steals the Reason of the Tree' id sees the difference.

It would be magic, not a race trait, to have its body lifted up by a tree growing from its feet, rather than a tree growing from its limbs. This apostle is more likely to be good at pure wood-based magic than the power of a tree person (Doriade).

'The growing World Tree, including your own, reminds me of your long battle with Serdra. This is how I fought a thousand years ago, when I was in charge of defending Fuzzyards.

As Diprakra's body lifts up and moves away into the blue sky, the world tree that shines in the upper part of the labyrinth also changes.

Its branches and leaves snarled and grew rapidly, and everywhere roots grew and bunched together, constructing what looked like thick limbs into a terrifyingly huge human form.

In a short amount of time, the wooden giants I had seen rose like gatekeepers of a labyrinth.

It was similar to the 'Viaisia Castle' that Aide had shown in the duel, but smaller in size.

No, was this imitated and sublimated by Id?

At any rate, a giant of the same kind of tree was born. Moreover, a large palm that covers even the sun is approaching from above, as if it were falling.

'............!

The shining giant's movements are as delicate and careful and relaxed as a woman who has dropped a small item, unlike the id.

However, it's still too big to pick out the person crawling on the ground.

Even though there are knights and 'Magic Stone Humans' (Jewelculus) around, the index finger and thumb of the giant's right hand are approaching regardless.

Unable to bear it, a voice resounds from below his waist.

''-- 'Demonization'

It was Sera.

The reason she was able to speak human language was probably because she stopped the 'beastification' of becoming a wolf.

The new transformation is instantaneous.

The moment I thought my bottom stirred wide, my body tilted and floated.

Holding me to one side like a piece of luggage, Sera-san ignored the restraints of the Invisible Ice Room and jumped backwards in a big way.

I kept that new figure in my view, even though I couldn't move.

The first thing that stole my eyes was the long hair that became even more beautiful.

The hair, which should have only reached my chest, had grown to nearly the ankles.

His long blue hair is similar to mine, but slightly different in color.

It's not my sky blue, but a darker blue, almost indigo. And that beautiful shade of dark blue gemstone (blue sapphire) covered not only the hair, but most of the skin as well.

The beast's body hair was particularly dense on both arms and legs, which were also obviously enlarged.

Sera-san became a beautiful werewolf wearing only a cloak, and also performed a special addition called 'Demonization', which greatly increased her muscle strength and magic power, allowing her to act even within the enemy's 《Inviral Ice Room》.

However, the destination of that forceful leap was close to the knights who were surrounding us.

The knights started to move to catch us, but they must have known that it was dangerous to enter the Invisible Ice Room in the flesh.

I stopped just ahead of them and took a look at Diprakra, who stayed above us, to check with my gaze.

Diprakra replies without returning his gaze to the knights.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it happen. It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has been entrusted with stalling and reporting, or else you wouldn't have counted it. There are many others who are suitable for the job.

Diprakra stopped moving the wooden giant and then continued to look at the wooden wall that was the doorway to the labyrinth.

Then, a large amount of blood poured out of the cracks in that wall, as if groundwater was seeping out of it.

Like an embankment that has exceeded its capacity due to heavy rainfall, the same phenomenon is occurring not only from the labyrinth, but also from the 'magic stone line' (line) of the nearby road.

Flooding - or is it bleeding?

Quunel, who had refrained from being in a safe zone all along, happily bit into his own arm at the unusual phenomenon. He called out someone's name while letting blood flow from the self-inflicted wound and dropping it into the shallow waters of blood generated at his feet.

'Quite a janitor-not Neysha-sama! Nice timing to cover you, hehehe.

The moment Kounel's blood mingled with it, the place began to bob and bubble as if it was boiling. Furthermore, with a movement as if to crawl up from the surface of the water, a blood-soaked doll (human figure) was born in front of the labyrinth.

The figure is also deformed.

Even though it is a doll, it has no eyes, nose, mouth or skin.

I've seen this bright red monster before.

I realize that it's a 'blood doll' that was once summoned by 'The One Who Steals Blood's Reason', and Sera-san, who's holding me, speaks out.

''This is the 'Blood Riku'!

'Yes!　The fact that our 'primary attackers', not the 'secondary attackers', have conquered 'Blood Land' means this. We've become so close to each other that we can ask for reinforcements whenever we want by forming an alliance through 'discussion', right?

That quunnel's mouth sounded light and false.

Thus, the fact that the Blood Shoal was unfolding freely in front of the labyrinth, it could only mean that they had seized the opponent's territory with overwhelming force.

In other words, the 'Blood Demon Beast', the biggest and most difficult enemy of the 'Blood Land', could also appear in this city at any time.

Sera-san, who must have thought of it as well, shouted boldly as if to blow away her fears.

''But!　I'm used to dealing with this, if I was defending against it in 'Blood Land'!

Even within the 《Invisible Ice Room》, Sera-san punched the 'blood dolls' that moved and approached even within the 《Invisible Ice Room》 away from them with her free right arm.

''As expected of the beast knight Sera Raydiant-sama, who is rumored to be the best of all time. Ah, brave. It is said that you defeated that Rainer Helvillestein in a duel.　I'll prepare the senior members of the past Seven Celestial Knights for your opponent. To be honest, it's easy for me to call them because I know them. As long as you are indebted to our 'Ingrid Trading Company', the souls will respond to you as far back as you can go, as far back as you can go.

Just as his words, a few individuals who could be called 'blood knights' holding red swords are born from in front of the eyes of President Persiona, who is riding on Kounel, just like the 'blood puppets'.

Those special 'blood knights' with a thick magical power run out without even bothering to deal with the 'Invisible Ice Room'.

''Kook, this is--!

There might even be a 'blood knight' with familiar movements.

Sera-san waved her 'demonized' arm while breaking out in a cold sweat towards the approaching enemies. It collided with the red sword of the nearest 'blood knight', and the blood shallows at the feet of both of them made a huge splash as if they had thrown a huge stone.

Right now, Sera's arm was a deadly weapon that exceeded even a blade. However, it seems that he can't easily defeat the 'blood knight' like the 'blood doll'.

However, Kounel, who is in a safe zone, is merciless and mumbles, ”You owed money to the Chamber of Commerce during the famine around 720, didn't you? I've been chanting like a collection of ”I don't know what to do” and continuing to build more magic.

There are four ”blood knights” that I've been able to confirm right now, but there will be more to come.

I'm not going to be the only one who has the ability to do this.

...... Is it tidal time?

There will be a lot of restrictions on the other ”blood knights”.

But the restrictions are also on Sera.

Basically, 'Beastification' comes with a time limit.

Sera's 'Beastification' that we're doing now is an enhanced version of it, even shorter and more dangerous.

The more you push it, the greater the aftereffects and the gap between the two when you release it.

Presumably, the hand of the wooden giant waiting above is aiming for that disarming gap.

It's already confirmed that the situation won't improve even if we fight at leisure here.

The diversionary tactic failed when the decoy called Dia was ignored and the real mission called us was struck.

While mocking myself for that usual me, along with various thoughts, I say thank you.

''Thank you, Sera-san,''

It didn't work.

But the degree of failure was no longer a reason to give up.

The Kanami and Rustyala I admired were always looking forward, no matter how much they failed and failed and failed.

They would show their backs in front of me and then go on and on and on.

-- from here on out, this Snow Walker has to go.

That strong determination must have been conveyed through the skin I touched.

Sera-san, who has heard about my serious 'demonization' beforehand, tries to stop me in a hurry.

''Su, Snow-sama!　It's still early!　With an enemy of this magnitude, I can get through on my own!　Your 'beastification' and 'demonization' is not what we're talking about!　Trust me while you're on earth and watch!

I think it's possible to break through, too.

However, it also means that I can take Sera's 'demon return' even further.

I no longer want to let anyone go ahead by themselves.

If I want to move on, I'll be next to you.

That's because we are friends, and supporting each other is what a partner is all about.

That's why I'm going to make my arms grow in size, just like Sera-san.

First of all, 'dragonization'.

Blood vessels float out of my rapidly growing arm and blood smoke begins to blow out like steam.

'I believe in you, and I want you to be more active elsewhere, Sera. ...... And it's never too early to get serious. There have been plenty of times when it's been too late, though.

There was even room for self-deprecating redundancy.

I'm welcome to be lazy.

But I forced my way out of Sera's holding me with my partially 'dragonized' arms.

Falling away from my protector, I'm left alone and reach my hands and feet in the shallow waters of the oozing blood.

In front of me, the blood is spreading.

Clutching that bright red blood, I remember my life to this day.

I've always been afraid of blood.

It reminds me of death.

誰かが死ぬのが怖かった。

故人を連想するからだ。

でも、何よりも怖かったのは、私自身。

――『竜人（ドラゴニュート）』の本気。

『竜人（わたし）』が本気になったせいで誰かが死ぬのは、心底トラウマだ。

特に『理を盗むもの』が敵にいる戦場では、本能的に『逃避（にげ）』たくて堪らない。

だから、私は声を震わせる。

「――『ずっと本気になるのが、私は怖かった』――」

震えるのではなく、自らの意思で強く震わせて。

みんなに聞いて欲しくて、周囲のみんなに――特に《インビラブル・アイスルーム》の維持で呻く『魔石人間（ジュエルクルス）』や決して蚊帳の外ではない騎士たちに向かって、呟きながら立ち上がっていく。

無詠唱だが、私の声は血の浅瀬を伝搬していた。

いくつもの魔法の波紋が、次々と広がっていく。

まだ《インビラブル・アイスルーム》の影響は濃い。

私の膝と腰は曲がり、肩と腕は撫で落ちている。

髪は直線を描き、顔は伏せたまま。

とても不安定で、力の入りそうにない姿勢だ。

私の『竜化』はセラさんと対照的に、練度が異常に低く、時間がかかる。

さらに、その次の領域となると猶更だ。

だから、徐々に『竜の咆哮』に近づかせながら、ゆっくりと話し始める。

音の波紋を、さざなみに変えて。