Volume 17 Chapter 18-2 I'm Glad To Have Met You
"Here we go!"
I swung down the Refraid Sword.
I had already changed the distribution of the [Bestowal] traits, reallocating all points to [Shockwave].
The powerful Shockwave approached Farnekē.
With another strike, then a third── while swinging the sword, I also hurled the 'stone with Enhancement Bestowal maxed out' in between.
Shockwave and stone bombardment── this flurry left Farnekē no chance to counter.
"I'll push through just like this...!"
"That won't penetrate my Barrier. End of explanation."
Crash!
The Shockwave collided with the intangible shield, sending sparks flying.
Stones continued to hit one after another, but they were also blocked and ended with sparks.
However,
"Transform into stone."
Goldred thrust out his right hand.
"!?"
Farnekē's entire body changed to gray.
"What is this──"
"Checkmate, [Blue Commander]."
Goldred smirked.
"You can't use two relics at the same time. Either stop Rain's shockwave and stone bombardment with [Barrier], or stop my petrification... Either way, the other attack will finish you off──"
"Hmm..."
"The moment Rain's attack pinned you down, the match was over. Now, petrify."
"Hmm──"
Farnekē briefly grimaced,
"──Alright. I admit my defeat. End of explanation."
When her expression transformed into a smile, her entire body turned to stone.
Somehow... it feels like she has easily admitted defeat.
"Wait... Did she acknowledge us...?"
In the strictest sense, she was probably a different kind of existence from an enemy.
She is──perhaps a 'judge' of sorts.
She recognized our power and deemed us worthy to move forward... maybe?
* * *
After that, I was staring at the stone Farnekē.
"[Arch Legion]... huh"
Whether it was Farnekē or the War Horse Knights we fought prior, they were enemies standing in our way, but I feel they are somewhat different from pure enemies.
Because, just before Farnekē turned to stone, her expression was──.
It looked like she was cherishing us.
──And then, at that moment.
"Hmm...?"
Suddenly, I felt heat on my forehead.
What the...!?
It's different from the feeling of having a fever when you're sick.
It feels more like heat welling up from inside my body, gathering on my forehead──.
"...!"
Goldred looks at me, surprised.
"What's wrong, Goldred?"
"You──"
His voice trembles slightly.
"'Can' you...? Can you...?"
"Huh?"
Can you?
What?
Not understanding what Goldred is saying, I tilt my head.
"...No. If you don't understand, that's fine."
'Confirming the incapacitated state of [Blue Conductor] x1'
'"Bonus points from "Star Power" are generated... Converting to "Strengthening points"'
'You have acquired "Strengthening points" 9,999,999.'
'The "Strengthening points" have transferred to the user.'
'End the ritual.'
Suddenly, an announcement echoes in my mind.
The terminology is slightly different from usual, like "bonus points."
Speaking of which, isn't this Voice of the Stars? It must be──.
As always, it just announces in a mechanical tone, but wouldn't it show some kind of emotion about the fact that I'm currently heading towards 'The Heart of the Stars'?
Or is it purely system-related and thus completely indifferent to such emotions?
"I mean, is the amount of Strengthening points really incredible!?"
A moment later, I was taken aback.
It was just too massive....
"Still, it's on a completely different level from before──"
"You defeated an upper-class from the [Arch Legion]. You should get that much points."
Said Goldred.
"Oh, but the decisive factor was Goldred's petrification attack, right? Will you also get points for that?"
"It seems that [Blue Commander] judged our teamwork to be the key to victory. Or perhaps, as a sign of her acknowledgment of us, she specially granted this to just the two of us."
"'The two of us'? Does that mean Goldred also received Strengthening points?"
"Of course. I received the same 9,999,999 points as you."
Goldred smirked.
"With this huge amount of points, I can use the 3rd spell endlessly. Fighting in cooperation with someone is quite nice too."
That smile turned into a happy grin.
"You believed in my ability."
"You believed in me too, right?"
"I just trusted my own judgment. You are strong. That strength is something I've analyzed based on all the information I've gathered──essentially, I only trusted myself."
And, Goldred.
"But you are different. Despite not having enough information about me, you chose to believe my words outright. It could be called naive... but that kindness felt comfortable to me."
"Goldred...?"
"I'm glad I met you, Rain."
Thud!
In that moment──I felt an intense sense of discomfort, and I stepped back.
"Huh...!?"
"Oh!? You dodged well!"
Goldred laughed.
"You...!"
My right leg won't move!
"What is this──"
My right leg had turned gray up to the shin.
It's turned to stone.
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