Volume 17 Chapter 28-2 Red, Yellow, And Orange
"What!?"
Bernard was shocked.
He had thought it probably wouldn't be very effective, but he never imagined he'd be easily repelled without even using magic—just by a flick of the finger.
"[Shield]!"
As the flames rebounded toward him, he hastily erected a barrier of magical power.
Made in a rush, the barrier's strength was insufficient.
Boom!
Unable to defend against it, Bernard was blown away by the explosion.
"Gah..."
Slammed into the ground, he couldn't get up.
His body ached as if something were grinding against it.
He might have broken a bone somewhere.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey. I've only used one finger so far, right? You humans are too weak."
Reshival scowled unpleasantly.
"I can't help but get angry when I see weaklings. Weaklings should just die."
"Guh... As I thought, the difference in combat ability is just too great—"
There was no way to manage by keeping a distance at that level.
"After all... I'm going to be killed. For sure."
Bernard gritted his teeth.
The faces of his companions from 'Blue Crystal' kept flashing in his mind, one after another.
And then the faces of the companions he'd met so far as an adventurer.
Lastly—
(Ms. Estelle...)
The face of an older female knight, for whom he'd had a faint crush during his boyhood as a court magician in the Uralis Kingdom, floated up.
Though they hadn't met once since then, he wondered if she was doing well.
If she was living happily with another man...
Bernard's last wish was for her to still be living each day with a happy smile.
"Have you made your peace with it yet? Well then—die."
Gwooo!
From several meters away, Reshival threw a punch.
The casually launched punch created a tornado with its power, sweeping through the surrounding area.
"[Flame Wave]!"
Bernard unleashed magic that sent flames out in waves, trying to put up some resistance, but as expected, the flames were scattered in an instant.
Not only did it not neutralize the attack, it couldn't even slightly reduce its power.
(It's no use after all, is it—)
The punch's pressure turned into a shockwave and bore down on Bernard.
"Bernard-san!"
Suddenly, someone pushed Bernard from the side, and he fell.
"You—!?"
It was Rath.
In his hand, he held a black sword.
"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaah...!"
With a mighty swing of the sword,
Swish—!
He cut through the approaching shockwave.
"—Huh?"
Reshival raised an eyebrow.
"A legendary sword... perhaps? To be able to wield it, you must be quite the swordsman."
"I won't let you lay a hand on Bernard-san."
Rath repositioned his black sword and declared.
"You, that's Flora's──"
The legendary sword 'Purgatory'.
Rath was holding the sword that should only be wielded by the chosen humans.
(By the way, just now...)
Flora had allowed Rath to 'use Purgatory'.
However, that permission was only for him to practice with 'Purgatory'—was that permission still valid?
"That person is being healed by the demon. Until they recover... I'll buy time...!"
Rath's voice trembled as he spoke.
As if showing the terror deep inside him.
"Rath...!?"
"I've always... been behind. Admiring Rain-san, relying on Bernard-san, being protected by you all."
Rath continued with a trembling voice.
"Now, seeing Bernard-san desperately protecting us, I've finally made up my mind. I—"
Rath stared at Bernard.
He had a face that looked like he was about to cry.
Of course, he was still only a 14-year-old boy.
"...Rath. You should back down. If they're healing Flora, you should stay by the demon and Mirabell's side until then."
Rath shook his head at Bernard's suggestion.
"It's not enough to always—admire and rely on others. I have to do something too!"
The black sword in Rath's hand began to emit a faint phosphorescence.
As if—responding to the rise of his will.
"Because I think that this is now..."
Rath announced with a dignified look.
"From here on, I'll fight. I'll protect everyone—"
The boy who was trembling just a moment ago is no longer there.
Just like Bernard, he made up his mind—the face of a swordsman appeared.
* * *
SIDE: Deeta
The ceiling, the floor, the walls—the entire dungeon was painted red.
"It seems we've entered [The Heart of the Stars]... This is going to be a long journey."
Deeta looked around and muttered.
"It seems Flora isn't here. Was she sent somewhere else, or did only we come here?"
"We'll just deal with it if she shows up. It's just you and me, Deeta~"
Cyril said.
"There's nothing to be afraid of."
"Certainly. With me, and you—"
Deeta gave a faint smile at those words.
If her trusted confidant, her best friend, her most reliable partner was with her—there was truly nothing to fear.
Character Notes:
Est - Army accountant at Estfort Garrison; Reina's close junior. Keeps things in order despite chaos. Now Minister of Defense.
Mira - Once the daughter of a noble family in the South District, Mira became a skilled martial artist and officer at Felward Fortress. After being severely injured in a Beast Monster attack, she recovered under Abyss Vena's care. She later became Garvey's concubine, swearing loyalty and aiding him in leading the forces. Following the rebellion, she became a key officer in the South District's military command
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