Chapter 271 - Three Leaves: Rocky Road II (2/2)

Thus, Jeanne would pave the way with her heat resistant body and superb strength, and Azhar, Sylvie, and Moonguard would fan out the kobolds. At a certain point, Jeanne would distract the hydra, and then Zal would eliminate the hydra in one blow with the Moon Reaver.

Sylvie glanced back to Zal and saw him still looking frustrated at his blade, and she crossed out that plan. But no matter. She had contingencies.

She looked down briefly at her necklace. Li's gift to her – but that did not matter right now. She thought of what it could do. By communing with it, she could essentially 'lock in' five weapons to manifest, but once locked in, she could not change them out for a full day.

Currently, she was locked out, and the weapons she had now were all meant for close combat where she excelled. Theoretically, one of the weapons was destructive enough to blow apart the orb but getting close to it was not something she could do without burning up. Nor could Azhar do the same.

She briefly considered whether Azhar could fire the weapon like an arrow, but the specific weapon she needed to use here was a double headed axe that would be impossible to try and shoot.

But Jeanne could easily do it. Sylvie could see a clear plan ahead now.

”Jeanne!” shouted Sylvie. ”Retreat backwards! I'm going to give you a weapon – make sure to swing it at the orb!”

”Got it!” replied Jeanne, her voice surprisingly unmuffled despite being a fair distance away. Good vocal cords, though not the greatest at actually singing.

Sylvie looked back at Zal. ”Get in position to use the Moon Reaver. The weapon I am giving Jeanne is one time use. If the hydra forms that orb once more, we will not get another chance.”

”Understood,” said Zal as he picked up the longsword in tense hands, steadying his breath and gaze. Rudaba put a hand on his shoulder, gently giving him some comfort.

But as Jeanne's steps grew closer, something else rushed forwards. It came from above. A flying figure radiating golden light that hovered high above Sylvie, looking down at the battle with sunlight filled eyes.

That figure was utterly unmistakable to quite literally anyone in Soleil, and Sylvie held in a breath as her eyes widened.

It was Sunstar.

But why would the great hero waste his time here?

It was already decided upon that the strongest of the Ascendant Order would limit their exposure to battle to conserve their strength for the demons. This, Sylvie had been somewhat suspicious of, for it felt far more like the heroes were being hidden, and if they were hidden away against something, then were not the common knights and adventurers left to face that very something?

Sunstar, in particular, had mostly been no more than a figure to raise morale, flying above the armies and beaming down a big smile so that he – the shining beacon of hope that had defeated the demons before – could inspire hope.

It worked, and there was not a single instance where he did not draw applause and smiles, and yet, Sylvie could not find comfort in his presence.

”It appears that this dirty creature is troubling you all,” said Sunstar, his voice booming and his smile wide as he crossed his muscular arms together, shooting out a fiery stare to the rock hydra. ”But by the might of the sun, no more!”