"You must be the magician of this world. Would you mind listening to my story?"
With a beautiful voice that echoed deep in her mind, Ayaka turned to see an incredibly pretty girl standing nearby, looking almost like an angel or something supernatural.
"..."
Ayaka couldn't find words. Even though Ayaka was considered quite attractive herself, being friends with the stunning Tsukiko, this girl was exceptionally beautiful.
Her golden hair sparkled even in the dark, and her eyes, like rubies, had a mysterious charm as they looked at Ayaka. She was wearing clothes that resembled white robes, giving her a unique presence.
"Who are you...?"
In response to Ayaka's question, the girl nodded.
"I'm Lisha, and people call me a saint in the Holy Goddess Church."
"Holy Goddess Church? A saint?"
The words were unfamiliar to Ayaka, and she couldn't help but ask for more information. Without directly answering, Lisha continued.
"I'm sure you have many questions, but for now, we need to get out of this situation."
"Well, yes, but..."
Ayaka was at a loss for words in the face of Lisha's reasonable request. She did understand that, for the time being, Lisha was not their enemy. And the protective light around Ayaka was probably created by Lisha.
"Even though you say we need to leave this place, how can we do that?"
"Right now, we're safe in my 'Seiki (Sanctuary,)' but my magic power won't last much longer. Maybe just a few more minutes."
"That won't be enough. It'll take at least a lot longer until help arrives."
In some cases, it might take even longer. If they could gather powerful magicians, that would be great, but if not, it would take a while to prepare the forces needed to defeat the Great Demon. Even trying to call Tsukiko back was pointless since her phone wouldn't work properly in this magic storm.
Lisha's face showed anguish at Ayaka's words.
"I'm sorry. This turmoil is our fault. I promise I'll defeat that Great Demon, so please, escape."
"What does that mean?"
"I can't explain further."
Lisha said this with a gentle voice and began to move toward the Great Demon, walking past Ayaka. To Earth magicians like Lisha and her companions from Asteris, Ayaka was not an ally. Perhaps there was another way, but she couldn't take such a risky gamble with so many unknowns. Depending on the situation, a battle might erupt just because they had the "key," and they could also become the enemy.
However, Lisha couldn't abandon Ayaka, who had sensed the magical disturbance. Regardless of whether she was sheltered or ignorant of the world, her soul was pure and compassionate. That was what defined a saint.
Therefore, Lisha steps forward to take the responsibility for involving Ayaka in the God-Demon War. White light emanated from her, and a faint veil of light shone to restrain the Great Demon. The magic that Saint Lisha used, the "Sanctuary," prevented evil from entering and provided healing within its golden domain. However, it couldn't be used to harm. No matter how hard she tried to protect, victory was impossible. She understood that. Yet, even knowing that, if there were people suffering and grieving, she would never retreat. The reason the Saint never left the church wasn't just because her life was precious, but also because she was too kind for the harsh outside world.
"Wait a moment."
Ayaka grabbed Lisha's arm.
"What is it?"
"It's not a 'what is it.' Are you telling me to leave a child behind and run away? That's not a joke. I'd rather die honorably than survive like that."
Ayaka sighed, saying, "Kids these days..."
"But..."
"There's no other option. We'll survive together no matter what. I'm Ayaka. Kagami Ayaka."
Saying this, Ayaka smiled.
She had been prepared to die here, and she couldn't grasp the situation fully, but one thing was clear—this girl was going to fight. In that case, she couldn't allow her life to be wasted here. It was an adult's duty.
(Really, first it was my duty as a big sister, and now it's the duty of an adult. I guess I can't escape it that easily, even if I can drink like one.)
But if it meant she could enjoy a cold beer afterward, Ayaka would take on any job without hesitation.
Alright, once this job was over, she decided she would go to an izakaya and worry about writing reports and such later.
"Well then, how much longer can you defend against its attacks? Can you create a barrier like a shield during the battle?"
"...My magic power is not at its peak, and this magic isn't very versatile. I can only create a protective area like this, and while 'Sanctuary' is active, I can't attack from here... But I can maintain this defense for a few more minutes."
"I see."
Ayaka sighed and looked around.
On the other side of the veil, the fiery Great Demon continued to unleash its punches with undiminished force. It seemed unlikely that they could hold out until the enemy's magical power ran out.
Ayaka removed the amber bracelet from her left wrist as she spoke.
"Well then, I'll have to hit it with a high-powered spell the moment your 'sanctuary' wears off. Sorry, but can you protect me for a little while?"
"Understood... Can we defeat it, though?"
"Who knows? At the very least, it should be easier to defeat than the one who summoned that Great Demon. Well, I can't say for sure how effective my magic will be."
She wished Tsukiko were here in a situation like this, but Tsukiko had probably used up most of her magical power to cast 'Tensen Shinsou.' Retreating was the right choice after all.
Ayaka carefully disassembled the bracelet she had removed and placed the amber on the ground. Then she took out a small cloth bag from her pocket and placed it on the ground as well, containing nuts, smooth stones, and solidified-dried flowers.
Lisha, who had been watching, muttered.
"Is this magic domain?"
"You seem to know it well. Your magic is somewhat similar, isn't it? Well, it's something like that. I'm not really an expert in this area since I'm better at magic that interferes with living creatures, but fighting that thing without any preparations would be foolish. We need to increase our chances of winning."
As she spoke, Ayaka took out a vial of magic-conducting water and sprinkled it on the ground among the amber pieces. Finally, she filled her right hand with the magic-conducting water.
"Well then, let's give it our all when the time comes."
"Understood. As long as you stand as a warrior, I promise I will never retreat as a saint."
"No, if I mess up, you better run away quickly."
Despite looking like she was in her late teens, what determination she had. Ayaka couldn't help but sigh at the thought.
Regardless, if they failed, the chances of both of them surviving would plummet. Ayaka gathered what little magic power she had, not only into her own body but also into the amber scattered on the ground.
What she was creating was a pseudo-space to enhance her magic. The nuts and amber represented trees, the solidified flowers represented fields, and the smooth stones and magic-conducting water represented flowing rivers.
She created a space where life circulated and integrated with the surrounding natural energy. This was called "Senjutsu," which was different from Western magic that was good at generating magic power. In the modern era, it had been proven that the source of power was the same in both Western and Eastern magic, so they were often collectively referred to as "magic."
Ayaka made herself a part of this vast natural entity, channeling her magic power into the bracelet with the amber and the magic-conducting water using the power of the magic domain.
The initial small stream, like a snake, would merge with several other streams. Over time, it would transform into the torrent of a dragon.
In this moment, Ayaka transformed a small amount of water in her palm into the jaws of a dragon.
"Now!!"
With Ayaka's sharp command, Lisha released the 'Sanctuary,' and at the same time, Ayaka struck the palm of her tightly clenched right arm into the fiery Great Demon.
—'Kuromizuchi (Black Dragon).'
The magic-conducting water, carrying a wave, let out a chilling roar as it pierced the Great Demon's throat.
Fire and water clashed intensely. The Kuromizuchi's fangs undoubtedly burrowed into the fiery flesh of the Great Demon, attempting to tear it apart.
In response, the Great Demon, with fists the size of a human head, grabbed the wave of water and forcefully tried to pull it away.
The sound of the fire being torn apart and the sound of the water being scorched echoed.
"—Guh!?"
Even so, Ayaka groaned.
There was no doubt that Kuromizuchi had inflicted damage on the Great Demon. The evidence was the fresh blood and red flames spewing out.
But it wasn't enough.
With only a small amount of water, they couldn't completely tear apart the Great Demon's thick body.
Kuromizuchi gradually faded, and Ayaka's right hand was seared with excruciating pain.
Nevertheless, Ayaka continued to pour magic into it, trying to disrupt the Great Demon's magical structure with the wave magic.
Retreating now meant there would be no chance of victory or survival.
The wave magic caused the flames to flicker, and a scream emanated from the Great Demon's dark mouth, but the Great Demon showed no sign of stopping.
The fist of the infernal fire steadily approached Ayaka, ready to consume her life.
Behind her, there was a sense of Lisha trying to activate the 'Sanctuary,' but Ayaka had exhausted her magical power by now. Protecting Ayaka at this point would only lead to both of them falling.
Therefore, Ayaka tried to shout, to use her last bit of strength to hold off the Great Demon and tell Lisha to "run!"
—Roarrrrrrrrr!!
At that moment, the Great Demon roared, releasing flames from its entire body and forcibly dispelling the wave magic.
The magic domain that composed the magic, along with the wave magic, scattered, and the Great Demon's fist approached Ayaka, her eyes wide with astonishment.
However, at the last moment, Lisha's 'Sanctuary' intervened.
Crack! The light veil clashed with the Great Demon's fist, and the flames licked at the veil.
"Ugh!? Please, escape quickly! It's impossible now!"
Realizing her own defeat and imminent death, Ayaka shouted at Lisha. But Lisha shook her head in response.
"I won't! While I maintain the 'Sanctuary,' Kagami-san, you must escape!"
"Why is this child saying such things?! Even in this state, I can buy us some time, so just run!"
Both of them stood their ground, shouting at each other.
However, from Lisha's perspective, Ayaka was already in bad shape. Her clothes and hair were scorched in various places, and her right arm, which had used wave magic, was badly burned. While the 'Sanctuary' would gradually heal her, its primary function was protection, and healing was only a secondary effect.
Ayaka likely had no magic left and was probably just maintaining consciousness.
On the other hand, Lisha was far from her best condition. Her magic had been depleted from days of fleeing, and her physical condition was less than ideal.
Nevertheless, Lisha had no choice but to stand her ground.
She remembered the image of the young man who had saved her.
From Lisha's perspective, as someone known as a Saint who had seen many heroes, kings, and royalty, that young man had no aura whatsoever.
However, the magic he used was undoubtedly extraordinary. Lisha had never seen magic construction that surpassed the 'Sanctuary,' and she had never encountered magic that allowed a person to escape from the magic beings alone. She could attribute the reason she had been able to escape from the magic beings that chased her to the 'Sanctuary.'
Even from Lisha's perspective, his magic construction was beyond her understanding.
It was undoubtedly more potent than any person she had met so far. She had an unwavering belief in that.
But that same person had said something.
The problems of Asteris were Asteris's own, and they had nothing to do with the life she was living here.
That was indeed true.
Even a girl like Lisha, who couldn't comprehend the lofty thoughts of a goddess, understood at least that this God-Demon War was not something to be welcomed by the people of Earth.
So, she couldn't retreat.
If someone is wounded there, provide healing; if someone is sad, offer comfort; if there is injustice, stand up against it.
It was not only her duty as someone belonging to the Holy Goddess Church but also as a person from Asteris that she could never engage in shameless acts like abandoning the locals to the God-Demon War.
Contrary to her feelings, cracks began to appear in the light veil.
"—Ggh!"
The excruciating headache, like an axe splitting her head, came from exceeding the limits of the 'Sanctuary' usage.
(…With this, the clothes I bought will go to waste, won't they?)
Lisha's last thought was that. Despite saying she didn't want to cooperate, the person had shown concern for Lisha until the end. When he had grabbed Lisha's shoulder to bid her farewell, his face had looked like that of a child on the verge of tears.
Even someone as strong as him had scars. Deep, profound scars, surely. If it weren't for the God-Demon War, could Lisha have helped heal those wounds if she had met him again?
Just as she entertained such futile fantasies, the 'Sanctuary' was finally broken.
Ayaka instinctively shielded Lisha on her back, and Lisha watched as the Great Demon's fist swung toward Ayaka's shoulder.
Red dyed her entire field of vision.
Then, a light streaked through. The fire's light and the darkness of the night were all cut in an instant, revealing a brilliant silver flash.
At that moment, even the sounds of burning flames were vanquished in one fell swoop, and the night's silence descended as if it had suddenly remembered.
"What... how..."
The stunned voice came from Lisha.
Standing there was someone who should never have come. A knight clad in silvery armor, standing to protect Ayaka and Lisha. It was unquestionably Yuusuke, the one she had parted ways with.
"..."
The silver knight held a jade-like radiance in his eyes. He glanced silently at Lisha and then turned his gaze toward the Great Demon.
"W-what...?"
While protecting Lisha and holding her, Ayaka turned to face the scene and lost her words.
The silver knight, who stood before them, emitted an aura entirely different from any magic Ayaka knew. No, could this even be considered magic?
As Ayaka looked at the silver knight, everything felt so far removed from her understanding that she subconsciously trembled with fear.
Flame was also different, but compared to the presence in front of her, it was still within the realm of understanding. However, the knight before her was an existence so beyond comprehension that even recognizing it would become impossible if she relaxed for a moment.
—Roarrrrrrr!!
Unlike the two who were frozen in surprise, the Great Demon, who had been certain of killing, let out an irritated roar as he swung his fist, obstructed at the crucial moment.
And then, the Great Demon's fist, which could melt and punch through even masses of steel, was effortlessly swept aside with a light sound.
"…Huh?"
The one who let out such a dumbfounded voice was Ayaka. It wasn't surprising because all the silver knight did was to flick away the red cape that hung over his left shoulder, without moving from his spot.
Just that simple action had caused the deadly fist to disperse like light ashes.
The Great Demon, who had advanced with murderous intent, as if willing to kill even if it meant burning his own body, had been easily pushed back, like a toy played with by a child.
Then, to fill the gap created, the silver knight took a step forward.
Heavily. That single step exerted the force equivalent to a march by tens of thousands of troops, firmly pressing into the earth.
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