[Did you forget anything?]
“Hmm…”
The elixirs are safe.
One, two, three… four… I’ve got ten high-grade potions.
One, two, three, four… twelve daggers.
Three painkillers.
Four anesthetics.
“Y-Yeah. I packed everything… probably.”
[What do you mean ‘probably’?]
The usual laughter-filled voice of Carpen echoed in the quiet Cartia mainland.
Two days ago, with Cartia’s help, I successfully persuaded my party.
I felt great wrapping up the preparations.
Although “preparations” just meant a few potions and some medicines…
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
To be precise… I was the only one slacking off.
The others were running around like their feet were on fire…
Ser was busy figuring out the changing magic circles, and
Rubia, along with Hermila, was planting artifacts to strengthen barriers here and there.
Time passed, and today was the day of subjugation.
We quietly dealt with the incomplete masters that popped up now and then and managed to finish the preparations without a hitch.
Except for the fact that there was no contact from Sirin… it was quite a pleasant start.
Sirin should be fine…
“Phew…”
[Feeling nervous?]
“A little?”
I was nervous.
And scared too.
But a bit excited as well.
Because I felt like I could strike back here after not being able to during the cutscene.
If only that one thing were possible, it would be easier to fight.
There would be more chances to attack, and subjugation time would be shorter, too.
“But, did you… regain all your memories, Carpen?”
[Well, sort of.]
Carpen’s face bore a bitter taste.
“What do you mean ‘sort of’… um, so, do you remember what your relationship with Carpen was?”
[Not a lover, just… a comrade I was somewhat close to.]
Then, pop.
Ears and a tail popped out and began to sway softly.
“Carpen… what took you so long to show up?”
Rustle– rustle-
“I was thinking about some things…?”
Swish-!
“Got it… heh heh.”
I hugged the suddenly close tail tight and rubbed my cheek against it.
It felt soft and made my heart at ease.
[By the way, will you be okay?]
“What do you mean…?”
[At least one of the three of us should stay by your side, right?]
Carpen looked around as he spoke.
[Even if they come late, it feels like one wrong move and they’ll be dead right away.]
I shook my head.
“The aggro from Valoran… um… being the target is what I do best…”
From the beginning to the end.
The aggro from Valoran should only be on me.
If it accidentally attracts aggro elsewhere, it can mess up my routine.
Of course… even if it gets broken, getting aggro back won’t be a problem.
But it’s better to finish things neatly.
Especially starting from phase three, it absolutely must not be interrupted.
[Well, there really isn’t anyone else with a proper weapon besides you.]
“Uh… is that so?”
Hermila has her fists.
Rubia is bare-fisted.
Ser… has some twigs or something.
“R-Right…?”
What the heck… laying it all out like this makes it feel like a huge mess…?
[And you’re really good at deflecting attacks, aren’t you? That might even be better.]
“Hehe, hehehe… y-yeah. I’m the best in the world!”
[But, isn’t Sirin a bit better?]
“W-What are you saying? I’m better!”
[Sirin was stable on one leg. You fell right away back then!]
“Ugh… t-that’s… Sirin is not human…!”
[Wow, Sirin is not a human being. That comment… no matter how much it’s Sirin, I feel like that’s going to hurt.]
Carpen’s cackling voice floated on the wind.
“So annoying…”
I hugged the tail tightly and turned my back to Carpen.
While doing that, I felt a cold aura from my neck as a thin thread connected.
“Wow… hehehe… I think this is really well made. Don’t you think?”
[Yeah. It really suits you. Wear it for life.]
For sure… it was definitely a compliment, but why didn’t it feel good?
Maybe it’s just that Carpen’s way of speaking is so annoying?
[Looks like Rubia’s work is done too.]
“Yes.”
[And soon Hermila will finish her work too.]
“Right…”
[And finally, Ser will fire the signal flare?]
I nodded and tossed my robe aside.
“Oof…”
The cool air wrapped around me, clearing my mind.
[After this is all over, you should buy some clothes. It’s winter now.]
“I-I have a coat made of Tylant leather…?”
[Not that, idiot. That’s an outer garment. I mean something to wear underneath. What are you going to do if you catch a cold?]
Carpen, floating in mid-air, gently landed in front of me.
“W-Why are you suddenly nagging…?”
[Seriously, even when I worry, you complain.]
“…You were worried?”
[Tsk.]
As Carpen clicked his tongue, he picked up the robe lying on the floor and draped it over my shoulder.
“Eh…”
[If you’re cold, your body stiffens. You need to stay warm before a fight. And… a woman should stay warm.]
“Ugh… d-don’t say things that are cringy.”
[Geez, such a cheeky little punk.]
Even while saying harsh words, Carpen reached out and ruffled my hair.
“But… um, you know…”
[Nope.]
“Ugh… hurry up and tell me.”
Hehe, “Alright. What is it?”
Carpen’s hand paused.
“Just the other day, I was too surprised to ask… why did you expel Valoran into the dimensional gap? Couldn’t we have just subjugated him?”
[Subjugation… well, it might have been possible if we had gritted our teeth and done it.]
“Then why…?”
For a moment, Carpen fell silent and then spoke with a bitter smile.
[Because that was the only path to victory.]
“Victory…?”
[Yeah. The victory I wanted the most about everything.]
“I see…”
I guess it’s a trend for people around here to speak in difficult terms.
They always say things that are hard to understand.
[Someday, I’ll definitely tell you. So, for now, just bear with it.]
At that moment, a voice came from the crystal ball that Hermila had handed me.
-Noah, Rubia and I are ready.
“Oh… yes. Thank you for your hard work.”
-…Are you really okay alone?
“Of course!”
A faint sigh was heard.
-Okay. Once it starts, I’ll rush over as quickly as possible… Just don’t get hurt for exactly three minutes.
“Yes!”
Nodding, I set the crystal ball down on the ground after the connection was cut.
Then, I stood up and spread my senses wide.
There were definitely no living people around.
Glad it all went smoothly.
With a gentle smile, I planted the great sword stuck to my waist into the ground.
[What will you do after the subjugation?]
“Hmm… I’m not sure.”
I stretched out my open hand.
“I just… want to laugh and chat with my friends.”
And I grabbed it.
“Without worries.”
At that moment.
BOOM-!
A loud explosion echoed from afar, and a line appeared in the sky.
[Two hours until you dismount from your horse.]
The thin line gradually thickened, connecting and splitting, forming a massive door.
“One hour.”
Dongggg-
A gigantic sound like a bell echoed.
Clop-!
From beyond the opened door, Valoran appeared mounted on a colossal horse.
“Wow… it’s huge.”
It looked to be three times the size of an ordinary horse.
The great sword appeared to be twice the size of Frey.
Eyes filled with rage and fierce killing intent.
The thick magical energy that covered the sky blocked the sun and cast a sticky shadow.
“Phew…”
I lowered the robe hanging over my shoulder.
Holding Frey tightly with both hands, I awakened the dormant energy within me.
The surging energy flowed into my body.
The emitted Blood Aura enveloped me.
The chill I felt made my body rise.
[It’s coming.]
At the same time Carpen’s words reached my ears.
Clop-!
With the sound of hooves, the massive great sword swung down from the sky.
The trajectory was as expected.
No need to dodge.
No need to block.
Just like usual.
As always.
I twisted the great sword upwards.
And then.
SWOOSH-!
It felt like an electric shock ran through my hand.
The ground beneath my feet crumbled away.
The force from the clash of swords swept through the surroundings, causing buildings to collapse.
But at the same time.
Crack- KAAANG-!
The gigantic great sword soared into the sky.
Next came.
Clop-! The horse’s legs lifted.
Close-range pattern.
I inhaled deeply.
Starting with the right.
BOOM-!
Next, upwards.
Shatter-!
Downwards.
KAAANG-!
Continuing with the left, down, up, right, and diagonal left.
A straight downward strike followed.
I swung the great sword with all my might.
SWOOSH-!
Valoran’s great sword bounced off into the air, with Frey thrust deep into the ground.
A horrific shockwave consumed the area and created cracks.
[Is she really doing this? What a crazy girl.]
With Carpen’s cackling laughter in the background, I rushed at the exposed Valoran.
In order to protect Valoran’s body, the horse’s front legs lifted, and Valoran’s great sword changed its trajectory, rushing towards me.
Not stopping, I advanced instead.
I stepped on the leg aiming for me, leaped over it, and struck Valoran’s incoming great sword aside.
I twisted my body with the Blood Aura and swung the great sword with force.
Clash-!
The thick magical energy held back Frey, but it couldn’t advance any further and hung in the air.
The magic that poured from the horse’s open mouth turned into mist, blocking my escape route.
A mass of magic hovering in the air surrounded me.
A punch that seemed like it could swallow my body rushed toward me.
If I think and move, it’s too late.
Trusting my instincts, senses, memories, and body, I moved.
First, the magical mist.
[GRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAA–!!]
With a fierce roar, my Blood Aura cleared away all the mist.
Next came the magical orb.
Using the horse’s head as a platform, I forcefully yanked Frey from the magic’s grasp.
At the same time, I maximized my senses to pinpoint the orb’s weakness. I traced along the line.
With a feeling akin to my eardrums bursting, all the magical mass exploded.
Finally, Valoran’s fist.
Using Frey as a platform. My Blood Aura as my legs. Fixing my body. I matched my punch to Valoran’s.
My energy and Blood Aura wrapped around my fist, and in that moment,
BOOM-!
The insane rebound launched me backward.
My hand that made contact with Valoran’s fist cracked.
It broke and shattered.
Grabbing onto the Blood Aura, I smashed the potion bottle and drenched my hand.
Feeling the rapid healing of the bones, I once again gripped Frey tightly.
Simultaneously, a massive magic circle formed beneath my feet.
A guided magic that followed the player.
My favorite pattern from Valoran.
The trick that allowed me to clear in the shortest time.
Just like in the game.
Feeling a grin spreading across my face, I charged at Valoran.
A bit faster than the returning magic circle.
Maintaining a slight distance, I ran.
Clearing away the magical energy, deflecting the great sword, dodging the orb, and not stopping.
Finally, when I reached Valoran,
I deliberately slowed down.
Deflected the incoming great sword with a KAAANG-!
Confirming Valoran’s body stiffening from the impact.
I stepped on the magic circle chasing after me.
SCREECH-! A sharp sound was heard as the magic activated.
Simultaneously, I unleashed my Blood Aura frantically, blasting myself out of the magic circle.
And then.
BOOM-!!
The violent fire demon that surged forth from the magic circle engulfed Valoran.
[Wow, damn. What’s this…?]
Grinning widely, I poured the potion over my cracked rib from the rough landing.
“Easy.”
