WHOOSH – The flames erupting from Charlotte’s body melted the ice monsters’ forms.
But the monsters did not stop moving.
Because the falling snow from the sky was regenerating their bodies.
“Annoying!”
Only after the fire-wrapped sword sliced through the monsters’ cores did they cease their activities.
Hoo…
The avalanche split apart, scattering debris that fell as snow onto Ursphere.
As soon as the snow touched the ground, it transformed into monsters that charged at the people.
However, thanks to the quick response of the group led by Revuze, there were serious injuries but no fatalities.
The monsters weren’t strong.
They were just a bit tough.
Because of that, ordinary adventurers and knights could easily handle them.
Of course, Rubia’s party was the same.
CRUNCH – The sprouted tree roots pierced through dozens of cores at once.
The brilliantly shot divine power shattered the monsters’ cores like knives.
Charlotte clicked her tongue at the scene and bit down on a magical herb.
“So, Rubia. What’s up with Noah?”
Her voice was the same as usual, but her sword was cutting through the monsters without a moment’s pause.
“…I think I could see.”
“You said your vision didn’t return even when you took the elixir before, right?”
“Yes…”
Rubia’s divine power flickered uneasily.
Seizing that moment, the monsters lunged, but Yuria’s tree roots exploded out.
“The elixir I made… it can’t be better than that… it’s not good…”
“But isn’t it good if Noah can see now?”
Hephaestus, snugly attached to Yuria’s arm, spoke with a puzzled expression.
“Yeah… that’s true. But… how should I put it… it feels like Noah, but not quite Noah?”
Hmmm… “What the heck does that even mean? Did she get smarter or something?”
After hesitating for a moment, Rubia nodded and replied.
“…Yes.”
“What…?”
“Yes, yes…?”
“Eh…? Noah…?”
Upon hearing Rubia’s answer, the group’s movements came to a halt.
“Hey, Yuria… Didn’t you say taking the elixir makes your intelligence drop or something?”
Yuria slowly nodded her head.
“Then what does that mean…? Did it drop too much and make her go crazy?”
“I don’t think she’s gone crazy… well, to put it another way, she had the same vibe as Sirin…”
As numerous monsters began rushing toward the frozen group, Rubia’s divine power blocked them from reaching.
“Similar vibe to that kid Sirin…? So she’s just a little brat. Just like—”
Charlotte’s words were cut off as divine power shot past her neck, shredding monsters to pieces.
“Ugh! You crazy lady!”
“Noah is cute, but she’s not a brat. Anyway… that’s not the vibe I meant; it just feels like she knows something we don’t.”
Charlotte, rubbing her neck, scowled and clenched her fist.
“Ugh, I’m really craving so much for some sweet revenge… But Noah was like that too? Maybe it’s just because she’s in such a chaotic situation?”
Rubia firmly shook her head.
“That’s not it. I’m sure. My eyes can’t be wrong when I look at someone I love.”
Rubia had been watching all of Noah’s actions closely.
If Noah was lost in thought during a conversation, her head would shake.
When lying, the corners of her mouth would droop.
Before bed, she would take a deep sigh three times.
While staring at jelly, she’d lick her lips a couple of times.
When she felt like taking a bath together, she would hold her hand and act all fidgety.
Three deep breaths every time she held her sword.
The shape of her fingers gripping the hilt.
When she called out her name, she would tilt her head slightly, her breathing shallow and the corners of her mouth would curve upwards, with her voice tone lowering just a bit…
All these behaviors, known only to her, were stored in her memories.
But Noah from earlier…
Was a bit too different.
“W-well… that’s impressive…”
After hearing Charlotte’s dazed voice, Rubia realized what she had said and quickly looked around.
Hephaestus was covering her mouth, blushing.
Yuria had completely… turned her gaze away, poking a random tree root thump-thump.
“Ahem… ahem! Anyway, it felt a bit different. And the avalanche that Noah sliced through, I’m sure it was Noah. I felt the magical power erupting from inside her body.”
“Given how crazy that Noah guy is… it’s hard to believe. This is one of those situations where you see it but can’t believe it.”
“I saw Noah slicing through all of Kalt’s shadows… but this time… I can’t believe it either.”
“I… didn’t see it…”
The group, except for Hephaestus, trembled at the thought of the avalanche that had poured into Ursphere.
And they swallowed dryly, recalling the moment it was sliced apart.
“Anyway… after everything’s done, we should talk. Noah just-”
At that moment.
[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA–!!]
A terrifying roar filled with rage echoed.
The roar that seemed to split the ground made several people drop to the ground.
Some were seen foaming at the mouth, having collapsed like Carpen did.
There were those trembling and digging at their ears.
“Hey, just now…”
Charlotte’s gaze turned toward where the roar began.
The summit of Karahan.
Nothing could be seen.
A distance that could only be perceived through magical sight.
There, a white giant rose its body.
The magic circle floating in the sky began to shatter one after another.
A sinister energy caused Rubia’s divine power to ripple.
Yuria’s beasts cowered with their tails between their legs, and the plants bowed their heads helplessly.
Charlotte’s flames were the same.
Everyone in Ursphere stared at the peak of Karahan.
A faint white dot that could barely be seen.
A snowstorm that obscured everything.
An avalanche that almost swallowed the city.
Roars that seemed to directly inject terror into their souls.
And, white.
“T-Tylant…?”
Charlotte’s voice created a huge ripple in the quiet Ursphere.
A scream that started as a small groan erupted toward the sky.
Adventurers threw down their weapons, fleeing in fear.
Some picked up the abandoned weapons.
Knights tossed off their armor, crawling away.
Others rejected helping hands, running away.
Monsters stampeded over those in a frenzy.
But there were also people who relentlessly fought to kill those monsters.
Chaos burst into Ursphere at the mention of Tylant.
Among them, a few remained resolute in doing what they had to do, but they were in the minority.
Most began to flail in the chaos.
From time to time, Revuze’s shouts could be heard, but they were quickly drowned out.
Meanwhile, the thing presumed to be Tylant continued to grow in size.
It was drawing closer.
“Yuria! Charlotte! First… We should stay with Hephaestus… no, maybe it’s safer to be with us.”
Rubia’s mind was a mess.
Chaos was escalating since Tylant was headed in Noah’s direction, and she couldn’t calm down.
But they could not afford to stand still.
She realized that quickly resolving this situation and heading that way was the best way to help Noah, and she began to move.
The other party members, who had been dazedly looking around, also hastened their steps.
The princess’s voice spread through Ursphere, riding on the flames that burned brilliantly.
Pollen soothing the mind and roots that were killing the monsters soared up.
The radiant magical power enveloped the injured people.
Yet, even during that, Rubia could not take her eyes off the direction Tylant was coming from.
Memories of the deceased Ruchi, who died fighting Karpen, came to mind.
Heinzel, whose arms were severed.
Noah, who had been desperately fighting.
All of it surged back, making her feel like she would go crazy.
She was still likely recovering from her battle with Kalt.
With her exterior intact, the aftereffects could still linger.
There could also be mental issues arising.
Tylant was a disaster that the Master and the 16-man subjugation team had sealed away.
But even if just one was released, it would be a natural disaster.
No matter how much humans fly and jump, fundamentally they are human.
Humans cannot stop natural disasters.
Of course, even if Noah defeats Karpen.
Even if he beats the master known as a human disaster.
Tylant is a different kind of monster.
Fast.
Quickly resolving this situation and helping Noah must be done.
It might not help at all.
It could even be a hindrance.
If that’s the case, at least let me serve as a shield with this sturdy body.
I’d rather be hurt than Noah.
Yes. Maybe if I play dead for a month, Noah would finally understand my feelings.
But… Noah can’t clean her body with divine power like I can.
She can’t create nutritional supplements like Yuria.
And like Charlotte, she’s not rich… Oh, wait, she is rich.
Anyway, it seems Noah can’t keep my fainted body in a clean state.
It seems I won’t be able to faint for long anyway.
It would be better to pretend to be collapsed for half a day and receive nursing care.
But I likely won’t.
Even if they might do something terrible while I’m asleep, I’m more than willing to overlook it.
It might even be better that way.
Hehe…
Having finished her thoughts, Rubia released a flood of divine power all at once.
BOOM – The divine power soared into the sky, creating another sun.
That sun burst in the air, turning into rain.
The deluge of divine power that began to pour over all of Ursphere started healing the people and mercilessly killing the monsters.
Charlotte’s mouth dropped wide open at the sight.
“What the hell… They say love makes you alike, but… the two of them are putting on quite the show…”
Rubia gave Charlotte a faint smile as she stepped forward.
All her imaginings would come to fruition after defeating Tylant.
But even if she didn’t win, her resolve to save Noah made her steps light.
Yet, Rubia’s firm determination shattered into pieces after arriving at the place where Noah was.
