Volume 1 Chapter 108 In The Storm
Ragius seems to know this old magician named Darmud. I have no idea what happened between them.
"...Ark, I understand that you hate me."
Ragius approaches. His red eyes, with long vertical pupils like those of a snake, seem to hold a hint of sadness. Although his appearance is human-like, the strange horns on his head and unnaturally pale skin make it clear that he is not entirely human.
"But for now, I cannot die. I have a duty to fulfill. Once that is done, I will gladly end my life. However, I need your help to accomplish that."
"I... No matter what the reason may be, I cannot forgive you."
No matter the circumstances, he deceived me. Even if it was because of my own lack of power.
"Yeah, I guess so. There's no need to forgive. I can't be forgiven."
Ragius reached out his thin arm and touched my chest.
I could feel the lost magic power permeating my body.
"The only way to revive the homunculus's girl is to place the key on the altar and break the seal placed on the world. Then your wish will come true."
Ragius said there's a way to revive Fatina. Is it related to the key? Even so, I can't easily believe it.
Even if the Level Cap and skills disappear, how does that connect to bringing Fatina back to life?
Sensing my feelings, Ragius lowered his eyes.
"Considering my past actions, I know it's hardly acceptable. However, my desire to help you is genuine. I don't have time to explain everything right now, but once everything is settled, we'll talk again."
It seemed like a true expression of emotions from Ragius, who had always been dishonest. Perhaps it was because he had transformed from a serpent into a human and could now show his facial expressions.
"He will be my opponent. While he is distracted, you should retrieve the key and head towards the altar. And if it goes well..."
Ragius leaned closer and whispered softly in my ear.
"'It is to save the shrine maiden.'"
"That means..."
Just as I was about to ask what it meant, Ragius slowly moved away.
"Now, are you prepared to face death, Ragius?"
"That is my line. Today, I will give you your comeuppance."
"Do you really think you can defeat me? You, who have wasted time playing pranks."
"You won't know until you try. It seems like you have grown quite old and feeble."
In the midst of heavy rain pouring down, Ragius stood fearlessly facing Albain.
"Ragius, earlier you really tried to kill me."
Merletta said, glaring at Ragius with displeasure. Despite receiving such a gaze, Ragius remained unfazed.
"When I read your hidden memories, all I felt was disgust and hatred. Is revenge really that important to you?"
"If peeping into other people's minds is your hobby, then you're messed up. Darmud, just kill this guy already."
"You fool, this guy is not someone called Darmud. He is the magician who has lived for 3,000 years and sealed the world── Albain himself."
──Magician Albain.
Could this old man be the person that Ragius was warned never to fight against?
In reality, with my current abilities, I can't even get close. I once again realized my own powerlessness.
"Darmud, is what he just said true? Have you been deceiving me too...?"
The first person to react to the conversation was the king. He couldn't believe that the man he had employed was such a monster.
"It doesn't matter who it is at this point. As long as I achieve my goal, that's all that matters. Our interests align."
Merletta interrupted the king and the conversation was cut short. Darmud── no, Albain seemed uninterested and just glanced at the two without saying anything.
"Albain. I don't know what you're planning, but it's time to right the wrongs of those who have departed."
"Oh? Can you do it? Can you?"
When Ragius raised his right hand, a long, thin staff appeared in the empty space. At the tip floated a red gem, and the staff was adorned with gold inlays on pure white.
"So, you're the one who stole the baptismal armor."
"I didn't steal it. It was entrusted to me."
Ragius knelt down and closed his eyes, offering a prayer. His staff spun in the air and came to a stop, pointing towards the sky.
"Oh, Astal-sama, please remember me once again──
Suddenly, as if feeling a wave of heat, several giant pillars of fire erupted around the square.
"Ouch...!"
A wave of intense heat enveloped the square. The area transformed into a domain dominated by fire, in addition to water, wind, and lightning.
The gem embedded in the amulet made a cracking sound, as if it was about to exceed its protective limit.
Thunderbolts writhed on the ground, melting and disappearing into the flames.
"Let's go, Albain."
Ragius floated towards Albain. The pillars of fire created numerous fireballs, as if supporting the sorcerer's battle. However, before any of them could touch Albain, they turned into rainbow-colored light and dissipated into mist.
"That's old-fashioned magic. I can't feel any progress."
"Ark! You must steal the key!"
That's right, there's no time to be amazed.
Right now, I can reach the king.
Without thinking, my body starts moving and I start running. The visibility is poor, but the distance isn't that far.
"It seems like you're trying to oppose me. But don't think it will be easy── Iria!"
The black dragon standing next to the princess flaps its wings and rises, blocking my path. The knight in armor, who is the rider, aims a large bow at me.
'Rrrroooarrr──!'
A roar-like scream echoes. Magic power gathers in the open jaws of the black dragon, forming a sphere.
As I run around, a black wave radiates. Thanks to being alert, I manage to avoid it.
The black dragon spews out waves while shaking its head from bottom to top, causing a section of the floor to melt in a straight line.
"How about it? Lulue's power, enhanced by magic. With this, It shouldn't fall behind even against you."
Lulue, the dragon of the knight Iria, had completely changed. Its body had enlarged, and the vivid aqua-colored scales had turned jet black. Its eyes were bloodshot, and there was no trace left of the time when it used to sit quietly by Iria. If this too is the result of Albain's magic enhancements, it's too grim.
Whoosh! A sound of cutting wind and something flew in. When I parry it with a sword, it was indeed an iron arrow.
The black knight riding the dragon, her large bow was the same as Iria's weapon I had seen before.
The person in the black armor riding on the back really seemed like her. Because her face is covered by a helmet that completely covers her head, considering her personality, she shouldn't agree with their plan. It seemed like she had lost her sanity due to mental manipulation.
──Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Three arrows are shot in succession. I try to dodge and move around, but she is aiming to hit me accurately. The impact of each arrow is much heavier than when we fought before. The arrowheads are wrapped in a black mist-like aura. It seems that Lulue's abilities have transformed, making Iria even stronger. I can no longer hold back against an opponent like this.
"I'm sorry."
I apologize, even though I don't think she can hear me.
I can't heal Iria. The only thing I can do is set her free from this state.
The skill [Dragon Tamer] mainly enhances a part of the dragon's abilities. On the other hand, if the dragon dies, the person's own abilities will be weakened to their original level cap.
If I can defeat Iria first, the battle will be over. But Lulue has magic defense, so normal instant death magic spells won't work. If I get close and they escape into the sky, it will be the end.
"Can't we stop this pointless fight already? Or do you think you can kill Iria? She's such a kind girl."
"Shut up"
It's probably your fault (Merletta) in the first place──I almost said it out loud but held back. What I need right now is not an argument.
The problem is how to defeat the enhanced Lulue.
To penetrate the magical defense, the magic of "Ruin" is necessary, but it cannot be used frequently. Since there is no way to recover a large amount of life force and magic power, it must be defeated in one blow.
Now that "Annihilation" cannot be used, there is only one method with the highest success rate. It carries the risk of self-destruction and is a technique that has not been used before.
Using the "Ruin" with 'Quadruple' applied.
All that's needed is just a tiny amount of time to cast the magic.
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