Volume 4 Chapter 27 The Lone Wolf's Memorial
First of all.
That thought was short-lived, as the voice that Irial had just defeated approached.
'Kihahaha, I've done it. She fell for it perfectly.'
Roze, appearing from the darkness on a horse. She looked down at Irial from above. Despite Zene (Crow) being destroyed, her expression remained calm.
Instead of her, the horse's mouth opened and a voice came out.
'I underestimated you. I almost died.'
"If it were so easy to possess someone, then you, Fifi, would just be a coachman."
'Close, but not perfect. We are puppets with a will, servants of Roze born from the shadows of the deceased. It's not like I control everything.'
Irial didn't expect an answer, but Fifi revealed the truth without hesitation.
'This magic called Shadow Manipulation Magic, which trains and nurtures sentient beings to become loyal warriors. That is what 'one lurking in the shadows' are. It's complicated, but each individual has their own name.'
"Quite advanced magic."
Creating and controlling multiple sentient beings is unheard of. It's extraordinary magic.
Perhaps Fifi's control is more precise. That's why it changes shadows based on the situation. Defeating Zene (Crow) doesn't mean Fifi dies.
Roze, who had been silent until then, spoke up.
"I appreciate your praise, but did you really think that I was talking without any meaning?"
"Don't worry, no matter what you do, I will win."
Irial felt uncomfortable with Roze's sudden actions.
If she was exposing herself from the hidden place to buy time, there must be a reason for it.
It could be a formula that imposes restrictions by casting magic to the opponent, or simply a magic that takes time to prepare.
"You said so, but you went along with the story?"
"It means it's a mutual understanding."
Irial wasn't just talking in vain.
She was also preparing for the next move. Her wings slowly changed shape, switching from the general-purpose formula she usually used to one specialized for attack.
They were within striking distance of each other. It was a battle of who would make the first move and how.
Roze was the first to move.
Strictly speaking, it wasn't Roze who moved, but the "night" itself.
From right next to Irial, the night attacked like a tsunami.
'I see. But that was a misjudgment.'
While trying to distance herself from the black torrent that crushed the trees, Fifi's voice could be heard.
'This one is too strong-willed. No matter how much I train it, it refuses to listen to me.'
The raging tsunami, which was just causing chaos, chased after Irial as if it had a will of its own and swung its arm.
Despite the tsunami being blocked from above by her defensive formula, Irial was blown away with an explosive impact.
While crushing the forest in a straight line, she managed to regain her posture.
What appeared, looking down on her, was a wolf.
It was too big to be called a wolf, with muscles like logs and a coat of hardened hair like armor.
In Asteris, there are creatures called "Yaral" that fly around the world. They use the magic of "Wind Calling" to fly at high speeds and move in groups. They are not strong, but specialize in not being killed. They dig up the ground with their hard beaks and devour insects and plants.
Yaral, which crosses three countries in just one day, is a nuisance to all living creatures, but they are always on the verge of destruction.
Because there are natural enemies of Yaral on the ground.
The lone wolf "Eijuu."
The violent king who slaughters Yaral's flock alone. Its nature is extremely brutal and relentless, relentlessly pursuing its prey until it is killed.
If this darkness was created from Eijuu's shadow, it would be bad.
Irial immediately tried to escape upwards, but Eijuu barked before she could. Magic power responded to that barked and manifested.
"Kuh!"
Irial knelt down under the weight that seemed to wrap around her whole body. It was as if her own weight had multiplied several times, a heavy pressure. This was the magic used by Eiju, the "Aura Chain," which temporarily increased the surrounding gravity through a bark. With this, any prey that entered Eiju's range would be mercilessly tormented and killed without being able to escape.
'Hahaha, it's heavy, isn't it? That creature, Beria, born from Eiju's shadow, is just like Zene (Crow)! You'll regret thinking otherwise!'
Fifi's words were true; the power of this magic was incomparable to that of a monster. The image of the wolf was even more intense than when it was alive.
"Move aside."
If you can't keep your distance, then retreat. The "Wings of the White Robe (Sky Doll)," specialized in attack, shot out rough light spears. Beria, the wolf, avoided the spear with agile movements that didn't match its large body, and then struck with its claws again.
"Ugh!"
——It's heavy.
Each strike had the power to shatter the earth and flatten mountains. Because the form of the "Wings of the White Robe (Sky Doll)" had changed, the defense couldn't keep up. The sound of creaking came from within as the impact penetrated the bones.
The spear couldn't catch up. Its swift and smooth movements were too free in the darkness. Irial deliberately didn't fly high, but moved through the gaps in the trees. No matter how fast it was, it wasn't easy to chase in this forest.
Beria seemed to understand that as well. It let out a roar in annoyance. At the same time, it leaped high and crossed the forest in one go.
"What...?"
And then it wrapped black chains around its limbs and descended. Irial felt an indescribable fear from its imposing figure. It couldn't be stopped.
Anyway, she needed to disengage. That's what she thought when Beria fell nearby.
The chains writhed around the ground, causing it to ripple. It wasn't something as simple as an earthquake. The ground that had been struck bounced back, and the chains attacked there.
The world turned upside down, and Irial couldn't even take a proper defensive stance as she bounced off the ground multiple times.
'Hahaha! What happened to that big mouth earlier!'
Fifi, who had merged with Neve, ran through the shaking ground and bombarded her with light bullets. Continuous explosions of light and impact. Irial's organs twisted, and blood spurted from various places, staining her silver hair.
The pain made her head go numb. It was even difficult to maintain the magic. But still, Irial thrust the white spear into the ground and stood up.
"..."
In the past, her heart might have broken in such a desperate battle situation. Irial understood well that she lacked experience. She was a much smaller existence compared to the warriors participating in the God-Demon War. But she understood.
The strength of her conviction to fight for Yunea. That alone couldn't be surpassed by any hero. That's why she was chosen. That's why she was here.
Yunea and Yuusuke were on her back now.
Even if her flesh was crushed and her bones shattered, these wings would not lose their radiance.
Beria approached to deliver the finishing blow. As she heard the footsteps of death approaching, Irial flowed magic power into her wings and transformed them further.
It may not reach, and she may be judged for dirtying their ears. But still, she would chant. To prove that this conviction was not wrong.
"Ah, our mother. The mother of creation. Even if it is a tainted soul, let us prove that this feeling alone is true. Please look down from the farthest heights of heaven upon this magic power hotter than blood, and these pure white feathers."
Feathers fluttered from her wings, each one taking the form of a small humanoid like an angel. They held hands and eventually created an elegant object.
A lance that resembled a battering ram. The composition of the "Wings of the White Robe (Sky Doll)" had been remade solely for this magic.
Roze, who was watching from afar, let out a sharp cry.
"Beria! Retreat!"
Her judgment was correct. However, Beria ignored it. Due to its absolute confidence in its own abilities, the wolf did not hesitate. If it had been a live prey, it would have carefully approached it, but the now deceased wolf did not scare it.
In other word, it forgot its fear.
"Holy, holy, now present the proof of faith."
With the claws wrapped with the "Aura Chain," Irial's magic was complete.
Although somewhat distorted and imperfect, it emitted a divine radiance.
Don't let the wolf get in the way of my mission. Irial thought so.
"Shadows, be true to your nature and make way for the light."
And the angelic spear spread its wings and was released towards the beast.
"'Judge Lucia (The Judgment-Revealing True Spear).'"
The white spear pierced through the beast that had lost its reason and wisdom.
The chains that had arrogantly tried to bind Irial were burned, and the shadows were cleansed by the light.
——Grrrrrrrr!!
Still, the wolf-like creature writhed and tried to move forward. Despite its torn body scattering in the night, it aimed to crush Irial. That was the only instinct that had soaked into its shadow.
"It's futile."
But the spear did not let the wolf-like creature attack her.
The "Judge Lucia" that pierced through the shadows released its grip and transformed into numerous spears, creating a beautiful geometric pattern that dominated not only the wolf-like creature but the entire space.
In the brilliance reminiscent of midday, there was no escape for the wolf-like creature.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)