Claudia fell into the black hole while being dragged by tentacles, however she was
calm.
"――Respond, Holy Cross."
Just those. With just those words that couldn't be even called as a scripture, the Holy
Cross deployed a radiance in spherical shape around its user.
The tentacles were instantly dissolved and dispersed.
Claudia tasted a strange sensation for a few seconds where there was nothing like
sense of weightlessness even though she was definitely falling. The darkness where
she couldn't even see an inch ahead opened up all at once right after that.
What flew into her sight were skyscrapers with flowing river of magma.
It was an amazing sight of a bunch of buildings that should be called as a metropolitan
and flowing river of magma at all the parts where originally the streets should existed.
She couldn't see the horizon, however, seeing that she could see the bedrock ceiling
until the faraway distance, she understood that this was an underground city with
vastness that beggared imagination.
Claudia seemed to be falling from a hole that was opened in that ceiling.
With the speed of freefalling, she would crash into any of the skyscrapers in a few
second. Even if she was lucky and could avoid that, in a few second more she would
enter the worst dive into the street of magma.
But, as expected Claudia didn't look anxious. Right now she was Claudia in exorcist
mode. In the middle of work, even the god of clumsy girl was docile.
"――The wings of the summit right here. Please grant me a temporary sky."
The Holy Cross shined. At the same time, shining wings appeared on Claudia's back.
They flapped loudly and feathers of light fluttered. Those wings that were enveloped
in silver light closely resembled the apostle wings that Kaori possessed.
The figure of Claudia enveloped in spherical light while dancing in the sky by flapping
silver wings was divinely beautiful in this hell. That sight was truly worthy to be
coming from someone who was called a saint, not a single one from thousands of
people would be able to deny that.
Claudia traveled glidingly in the sky like that and landed on one of the skyscrapers.
The wings softly scattered silver feathers and then vanished.
"Kousuke-sama… everyone…"
Her gaze naturally moved above. She had become completely alone. She would be
lying if she said she wasn't feeling forlorn. And as expected, she would be lying if she
said that she wasn't worried about her comrades.
But, the words of a hero that surfaced in her heart immediately cleared away that
anxiety.
'Everyone won't die. I too won't die. I'll bring down Unknown. I'll accomplish my
longstanding desire, save the world, and return home alive with everyone to eat lemon
cake.'
'Fuh', Claudia's lips formed a smile.
In that moment, intense impact and ripple spread on Claudia's barrier surface.
"Tsu――Unknown!!"
Her sworn enemy was on the rooftop of the adjacent building. The body of deep
shadow was around three meter tall. Eyes and mouth of flame, blazing blood vessels
that were like magma were running through his whole body. He had materialized even
more. His twisted horn wasn't there previously. The fierce pressure that she didn't feel
even twelve years ago looked like it was distorting the surrounding space.
Ordinary people, no, even the average exorcist would lose consciousness or stiffen and
became unable to move just from facing him. He truly boasted a majesty that should
be called as "King Class".
[Claudia. My mother body. You don't know just how much I have been waiting for this
time.]
Even his words had become far smoother. As expected, it seemed that his power had
increased considerably perhaps thanks to his worshippers.
Unknown slowly made his body floated and landed on the same building with Claudia.
The group of huge high-rise buildings that couldn't be found that easily even in earth
had rooftop width that was also in different level. The space was around as large as a
baseball field.
Thus, there was still quite some distance between them. Although, with Unknown
getting that closer, the pressure became so strong it even induced nausea.
Claudia scolded her legs that almost backed away.
Her gaze was sharp and her overflowing dominating aura would make anyone
wondered that there must be some mistake of her being a clumsy self-destructing
saint. Truly, she was certainly worthy to be called as the "strongest exorcist".
"I've also waited for this time. This time for me to take revenge for father and mother.
This time where I'll destroy you!"
[Kakah. What a pleasant hatred. It's astonishing to hear that coming from a servant of
god.]
Unknown spoke in ridicule, to corner his opponent.
[In the first place, wasn't it you who summoned me? The death of your mother and
father was――]
"Yes, it was my fault."
But, it didn't work anymore against Claudia.
Because,
"It seems that it's fine to hate. It seems that it's also fine to fight for personal enmity."
Because that was human heart. Because there was no doubt, that it was an important
heart.
But, that wasn't all. There was certainly things that she had accumulated until now.
"I will destroy you with following my personal enmity and my mission."
The sense of mission that she held together with her comrades was also Claudia's
strength.
Thinking of him that made her notice that, Claudia recalled his fearless smile and tried
to imitate it. As though to fire herself up and push back Unknown's pressure.
"You want me right? Then, stop with the trifling talk and come at me."
With the Holy Cross in one hand, her other hand gestured invitingly,
"I am, the " Saint
Strongest Exorcist
" Claudia Barenberg. If you think that you can make me fall,
you can try."
A war declaration. Killing intent and sense of mission throughout these twelve years
were filling it.
[Kakah, very well. I'll make you fall and become pregnant with me. If it's me with the
reborn flesh, I'll surely be able to trample even those irritating technique users!]
Unknown lifted his hand. Right away, a pressure attacked Claudia. It wasn't a mental
pressure. It was more physical, yes, it was super gravity.
"Tsu――o lord-, please protect thy child! So that all evil will be thwarted by the solid
fortress!"
She kneeled while supporting the Holy Cross. Claudia's prayer resounded. The Holy
Cross's barrier increased in radiance and protected the user from the super gravity.
[Let's see how far you will be able to endure.]
Unknown increased the pressure further while mixing a scorning laugh.
*Blam-*, the rooftop around Claudia sunk. But, even while groaning Claudia was still
going strong. Her strong gaze pierced Unknown and the radiance of the Holy Cross
was getting increasingly stronger.
But, it was the building that became unable to endure that intense pressure.
Cracks were spreading in radiating shape around Claudia.
"――Wings of summit!"
A moment before the rooftop caved in, she deployed the silver wings and glided. The
high-rise building was crumbling below with a rumble and thunderous sound. During
that time Claudia was trying to move to the adjacent building.
But,
[That light is an eyesore.]
"――!?"
Unknown's figure was right in front of her. His arm was drawn back and then it
attacked Claudia like a cannon that was fired from close range.
Terrific impact instantly almost made her lost consciousness, however, the light of
Holy Cross, the strongest sacred vessel wasn't pierced and protected the user fully.
Although, the place was midair. Claudia was blown away along with her barrier like a
pinball and pierced through the adjacent building. Without stopping she crashed into
the upper floor of even farther building.
"Uh, kuh"
Even though she was groaning, Claudia had endured an attack that normally would
turn the victim into a lump of flesh. Her consciousness almost left her once more, but
she absolutely wouldn't let go of the Holy Cross's protection.
Then, at that timing, a powerful torrent of power outside the building was…
"Tsu――o lord, sever the evil of the wicked and support the righteous to stand firm!
What protect me is the shield of god! God saves those with earnest heart!"
The moment she strengthened the barrier further, the space screamed. Her field of
vision flabbily distorted as though her sight was blurred, but the next instant the very
space itself shook.
The high-rise building that received an impact that should be called a space blasting
instantly turned the spot above the floor where Claudia was located into dust.
Even the floor itself was filled with cracks like spider web and it would collapse
anytime.
At the center of the floor that now had good visibility, Claudia was clinging on the Holy
Cross with a pale expression. Even while the barrier had countless cracks in it, it
somehow endured.
But, she had used a lot of power for strengthening the barrier just now. Claudia tried
to take out a test tube from her pocket with trembling hand――
[Is that a kind of holy water? I won't let you.]
Unknown tackled. Claudia who was blown away once more yelled "aAAAAAH" while
pouring strength into the Holy Cross.
Claudia was blown away as though being pushed while piercing through several highrise buildings. Before long, she crashed onto an open space near the surface ground.
"Ua, hh, kuh"
She groaned. From outside the barrier, Unknown was looking down with enjoyment
at Claudia who was enduring the pain.
Claudia who tried to retreat was stopped by foot trampling on the barrier's top.
[Kakakah. What's the matter, Claudia. Is your high spirit only appeared at the
beginning? You won't be able to defeat me by simply defending you know?]
Unknown trampled the barrier while cornering Claudia with words. Claudia glared
back wordlessly.
Even now when she was forced into defense one-sidedly and getting shown the
difference in strength while being completely isolated, Claudia kept sending a
rebellious gaze. Unknown narrowed his eyes and right after that he grinned
repulsively and spread out his hands.
Then,
[Claire… please, save father.]
[It's painful, Claire. Why are you tormenting your mother?]
Besides Unknown, the father and mother of Claudia appeared. They were broiled in
black and flamed writhed in pain.
It was Claudia's fault that they were suffering. It was only Claudia who could liberate
them from this suffering.
That's why, don't be disobedient even more than this…
I beg you, be a good kid…
You are, really a bad kid…
"Fufuh"
A chuckle leaked out.
Yes, it was Claudia's laugh.
Unknown narrowed his eyes in puzzlement.
[Are you going crazy?]
"No way. I'm just amused, at how cornered you are."
[You are saying, I'm cornered?]
Unknown was getting even more puzzled. Claudia fearlessly laughed even with her
pale face.
"In reality that's how it is right? You cannot break through my barrier, but considering
the possibility that I might die, you also cannot attack seriously. That's why, you are
even doing this kind of play to break my mind."
[Just when I'm wondering what are you going to say. The delight of trampling over
your heart is――]
"Even though that person is coming?"
Unknown closed his mouth. Claudia's smile was getting increasingly wider.
"You are fearing that person."
[What are you…]
"You aimed at him first when we stepped inside hell. Even when you were dragging
me here, you sent an intense attack only to that person. Above all else, you yourself
said that you have to be reborn. You are aware that you won't be able to win against
the technique users――the returnees right?"
*Creak-*, the barrier made a sound. It was creaking from Unknown's stepping foot. It
expressed the condition of Unknown's heart more eloquently than anything.
"Even though you were dragging me away here without being able to finish off that
person, my defense is harder than you imagined. That's why, you even did this kind of
provocation wanting me to go out into offense."
Even if it was Claudia, the strongest exorcist, it would be difficult to activate defense
and offense simultaneously at the same level. She was able to endure Unknown's
attack right now exactly because she was persisting in defense.
The moment she shifted into offense, Unknown would definitely take advantage of the
opening in the defense that would slightly loosen at that time.
"That person said it."
Claudia showed a bright grin that was terribly irritating for the enemy no matter what
and she spoke.
"A demon king will be lying in wait brazenly. You who are running away, hiding, and
making petty provocation have declared it yourself through that."
That was to say,
"That you have no caliber as demon king."
[…You don't need any limbs to conceive me.]
Unknown became serious. Intense rage and hatred surged. His feeling that wanted to
make Claudia into his mother body unharmed had vanished. As though to say it would
be fine as long as she survived while conceiving him until he was reborn, he was going
to unleash an attack without holding back.
"I'm grateful that you are going along with my conversation."
[What?]
"I'm saying, that I have bought enough time."
Furthermore, Claudia who was forming a wide smile with loveliness that was
unthinkable for someone who was in hell called out with her happiness in full display.
"Right? Kousuke-sama!"
"Exactly."
[Guo!?]
The one who answered to that call was of course, that person, the abyss lord. The
invisibility that was working in full made even Unknown to not notice his approach. A
flying kick of gravity & blaze from directly horizontal―― Jutsui Engeki Kyaku
Fall into the deep darkness
exploded. (TN: Gravity Crash Blazing Kick)
The technique that was created by ad-lib blew away Unknown that was hit by it once
more. His body pulverized the pillar of a high-rise building and vanished to the other
side.
"I'm sorry Claire, for leaving you alone like this."
"No, Kousuke-sama. I believed in you. Besides, I am someone who introduced myself
as the strongest exorcist. It will be out of the question for me to be unable to struggle
through just this much by myself."
"Fuh, I see. By the way, right now call me Abyssga――"
"Kousuke-sama! Please be careful! Unknown is even more powerful than before!"
"Ri, iight…"
Ri, iiight~~~
'Why won't you call me Abyssgate? Right now, it's okay even if you call me Aby you
know?' the lord thought, but he closed his mouth seeing the towering building at the
other side of the street of magma collapsed with a thunderous sound and a spire of
darkness color pierced the sky.
The lord that felt a sever killing intent directed to him carried Claudia in his arms and
attempted to escape to the sky.
Right after he flew up with his pseudo flight, the place where they were at just a
moment ago was hit with a shower of countless tentacles like a rain. The foothold was
destroyed and sunk into magma.
The lord who flew without paying attention to that landed on the highest skyscraper.
Even though this highest high-rise building that had huge clock attached in it was
devastated, it possessed a majesty that gave the impression that perhaps it was the
symbol of this city when this underground city was still in good state. The stopped
hands of the clock might be engraving the time when this city was destroyed…
The lord let Claudia down, at the same time Unknown also landed on the rooftop of
the clock building.
[So you are going to get in my way no matter what, human?]
"I'm going to get in your way no matter what, demon."
The hero in black walked forward while covering the holy woman behind him.
The saint believed in him and kneeled. She put up the Holy Cross in front of her and
held it tightly with both hands while closing her eyes.
[I'll trample you bastard and your comrades too.]
"Looks like you have no sense of joke."
*Shan-* with a clear sound two short swords were drawn out.
Of course, they were then held in the awesome cross stance!
"Let's make it simple. Claire will destroy you. If before that you can kill me, it will be
your win. If you cannot… you understand right?"
[That's simple, and on top of that it's easy.]
'That's not the case', the lord laughed.
"No need to hold back. Dance with desperation to resist against death, demon. If not,
my abyss will easily swallow you."
――Activated Last Zell v.4
Limit Break!!! The torrent of jet black pierced the sky!
[A mere human, know your place!]
Unknown vanished. He rapidly approached with a speed that made it seemed so. He
went toward the center of the torrent and thrust forward his powerful arm that was
enlarged like a log.
The sound of destruction was the proof that the speed surpassed the speed of sound.
The torrent of jet black was sent flying.
At the same time, blades flew toward Unknown.
Neck, arms, torso, legs. Four lords swung short sword that was enveloped in flame.
[Impertinent!!]
Unknown thrust out blades of shadow from all over his body like a mountain of
swords. The four lords were stabbed, however, they grinned and right after that, they
split into eight lords and unleashed a storm of slash.
Unknown who got a part of his shadow cut down greatly rotated his body. His body
that was covered with swords and his whip-like tail became a brutal attack to all
directions.
The eight lords were shredded to pieces in an instant but,
"I'll have you stop getting wild near Claire."
Abyss-style Katon – Futon mixed formation Gouka Beni Senpuu
The dark flame of the whirling
――four layers of
blazing whirlwinds were activated from the lords at the four directions.
The immense red spire scorched the air.
Furthermore, nine lords that were lined up in a single vertical line charged in a straight
line toward the flame pillar.
[Mere flame-]
It wasn't effective. At the same time when Unknown's voice resounded, the pillar of
flame was burst open.
Because the lord had predicted that, the column rush――Abyss-style Je○ Stream
Attack!
Unknown's tentacles pierced the lord at the lead, then the shockwave that resulted
from a mere swing of the arm blew away the second and third lord. A super gravity
that was suddenly generated crushed the fourth and fifth lord but…
The attacks couldn't reach until the sixth. Unknown attempted to intercept with his
own fist, but that fist itself was met with a kick that was enveloped in flame from the
sixth, and the other arm was also deflected by the seventh.
Like that, the eight's kick exploded on the torso that became defenseless.
[Nuguh]
"Fly away"
As an insurance, two short swords were launched into a fierce thrust that gouged even
the eighth. The two swords that were enveloped in flame and ice even unleashed
further impact and sent Unknown flying literally.
He flew like a pinball, bounced on the rooftop of the adjacent building, and then he
crashed into the upper floor of even further adjacent building.
"Claire, can you do it?"
"Yes, Kousuke-sama. From here on, I will entrust my everything to you."
Claire who opened her closed eyes said that and smiled. And then, she closed her eyes
once more.
She was able to recover before the current fight. She had also finished her mental
preparation.
Therefore she could chant, the prayer to god, the scripture with the strongest relation
to the deed of demon extermination. Once it was used, she would use up all her
strength and became unable to move properly. It was the strongest exorcist's words
of power that should also be called a double-edged sword.
――O lord, please listen to the prayer of thy child. Please stop this lamentation in my
heart.
The Holy Cross was enveloped in faint light. It was a pure white, fleeting radiance that
looked like it would vanish anytime.
[Don't get carried away, human!]
Super gravity attacked the whole clock building. The high-rise building that was two
building away from here was blown away and Unknown flew out.
"That's my line, demon."
Gravity magic "Black Vortex" ――maximum activation!
The four lords that were positioned at the four directions of the rooftop formed gravity
field at their respective position. The pressure that was coming down on the clock
building was neutralized by the barrier of gravity field.
Shadow flew out from Unknown. Aura that was painting out the surrounding black
was spreading, even dark clouds were starting to filling up the ceiling.
From the aura of black shadow, great number of demons, monsters oozed out.
Not to mention Gargoyle, Gazer, and Hell Hound, even that shark that could cross
through space, a one horned horse enveloped in purple lightning, a crow with woman
head attached, a lump of dark red flame…
The number easily reached the thousand.
Unknown spread his hands widely to the demons who filled the space to the brim and
spoke.
[This is the power of king.]
Then,
"This is the power of the abyss."
In return, the lord opposed with a thousand lords.
The two armies used the skyscrapers as replacement for stepping stones or clashed
in the air.
――God is the righteous judge. Thy, repent. The god sharpen that sword, draw that
bow, and prepare the weapon to bring death, turning arrow into fire arrow
Unknown glanced at Claudia who was continuing to pray and raised a yell while
gritting his teeth.
[You bastard, just how much power you have!? That's a power that surpassed the
category that is allowed for human!]
A human who was unbelievably opposing an army of demon with troops of equal
force.
Unknown joined the battle personally in order to clear away the reality that wouldn't
go as he expected.
"Have you forgotten? It will always be human who destroy existences like you."
A black hole materialized in the air. At the same time, Unknown's figure vanished. It
wasn't anything like high speed movement. He crossed over space through the black
hole and materialized behind the lord.
The powerful arm struck mercilessly, however, the lord too dodged by vanishing.
Abyss-style Kuuton technique Ban'ei no Kagerou
Abyss is always unevenly distr
――a technique that used clone,
disposable pebble for teleportation, kunai, and so on to switch spatial position.
The materialization location was of course behind Unknown. The short swords flew
and shaved away the shadow!
[You bastard, just as I thought you are possessing the power of the royalty.]
Unknown muttered while his eyes of flame blazed up. Instantly, a streak of lightning
fell on the lord.
"Guuh, so you can control even the weather!"
The rain of lightning poured down in godspeed was blocked by randomly dodging
while using clones as shield.
――O lord, please descend. My god, please grant me salvation. With that, I will destroy
thy enemy and crush the wicked heart
Lightning was also falling to Claudia, but that too was shielded by the clones who used
themselves to build an impregnable wall. Not even a single attack passed through.
Claudia too didn't bother at all with the situation outside herself. She only closed her
eyes and offered her prayer wholeheartedly.
Unnoticed, the Holy Cross's radiance was getting so bright it couldn't be ignored. The
brilliant light was like a sun in the form of cross.
Unknown created a black hole in front of himself. His narrowed eyes was looking
through the lord toward Claudia behind him.
[I'll face you at my leisure for later.]
Unknown vanished into the black hole as though he was absorbed in. His destination
was obvious. Right behind Claudia…
"Don't speak such cold thing. This is a dance
steps of death
between me and you right?"
Similary, right behind Claudia――the lord who teleported between her and Unknown
thrust the short sword that he held in reverse grip toward Unknown's stomach while
grinning fearlessly. And then, he activated teleportation once more.
It was a teleportation to a different place that also dragged Unknown together.
[You bastard-. All troops, aim for the woman! Don't bother with the man's shadows!]
Unknown gave the order to aim at Claudia and disregarded the lord's clones that
would increase with more number than the defeated clones.
The demons also appeared without end. Several hundred demons ignored the clones
and advanced toward Claudia.
"I thought you will come like that!"
Multiple clones gathered to where Claudia was.
Like that, they lifted up their hands to the sky as though making a group prayer, and
unleashed the trump card that he had prepared since this battle started and was
desperately keeping in standby state until now.
" " " " "――Black Heaven Destitution!!!" " " " "
One of the gravity magic's hidden technique that swallowed the whole area and
obliterated everything without a single exception.
A star of calamity appeared near the ceiling, whirled blackly, and released jet black
sparks. It was swallowing all the demons that were rapidly approaching Claudia.
The demons screamed while desperately struggling in the air, but there was no way
they could escape from the pseudo black hole by doing something like that.
The clones were desperately protecting the clock building by deploying gravity field
barrier, but even the surrounding high-rise buildings got their upper floors torn off
and swallowed.
[Impossible…]
For a moment Unknown was dumbfounded. The technique that the human who he
was facing right now showed was without a doubt something that could only be
handled by the royalty, furthermore it was only by the few minority of them. Even he
himself hadn't reached that level!
[…No way I'll accept this. There is no way this is acceptable-]
Unknown became indignant and caused severe quake in the space itself.
"Kahah!?"
The lord was sent flying while vomiting blood along with several hundred clones at
the same time.
The use of Black Heaven Destitution was a double-edged sword. Because it was a
trump card among trump card, it would use up the entire magic power and vitality of
the user. It was to the degree that the lord became unable to instantly react against the
wide range attack of space blasting.
Ignoring the lord who was sent flying while vomiting blood, Unknown rapidly
approached Claudia once more. There was no clone on his way. He didn't teleport but
rushed straight physically to kidnap her right away.
"I, told you, I WON'T LET YOUUUUUUU-"
The lord unusually raised a war cry with his emotion bared open. Using pseudo flight
that gave a speed of freefalling, in addition of the acceleration using gravity magic, he
cut into the Unknown's path.
[You're in the way-, human!]
"The one in the way, is you asshole-, demooon!!"
The lord took a stance of crossguard with his short swords while blocking the
Unknown's rush.
He was being pushed back to where Claudia was, but at that time he had already
recovered several clones. They attacked Unknown from all directions and somehow
stopped the momentum of his charge.
――Even if evil has no end, even if the battle will last for eternity, my faithful heart too
will continue for eternity without end. Therefore, o enemy of god. O existence of vice
and scorn. Look, our light too, is eternal.
At the same time when the Black Heaven Destitution vanished, light gathered to there.
The pure white light erupting from the Holy Cross was taking shape bit by bit. Yes, the
shape of a huge cross of light that pierced the sky.
The demons who were nearby were dispersed without being able to even do anything
to resist. Just like how shadow that was touched by the light would silently vanish.
The Unknown that was locked in a contest of strength against the lord opened his eyes
wide seeing the cross of heaven.
He instantly understood. That was something that was enough to destroy him, no, all
demons. The terrifying act of god. It drew a line from a simple miracle, so to speak it
was the very concept of "destroying demon".
Unknown raised a shriek.
[KILL THAT WOMAAAAANNNN!!]
"I WON'T LET YOU, TOUCH EVEN A SINGLE FINGER OF HEEEEERRR!!"
In respond the lord was also commanding with a scream to all his clones.
Unknown directed eyes that were blazing with hatred toward the lord. Right away,
Unknown's last ability was activated.
"-, this guy!?"
Unknown changed shape. Lion's head, feet and claws that were like dragon, snake tail
and hawk wings――yes, it was that monster that once made Kousuke to swallow
bitterness――a chimera.
An instant of unrest. But, he barely dodged the approaching claws and fangs due to a
clone that took them in his place.
The snake tail attacked, but he severed it with his short sword.
Without pause the lord stepped in and let out a slash with the short sword in one
hand――
[You still have some way to go huh, Kousuke.]
"Wha-――guah!?"
The lord got diagonally slashed instead.
The discomposure disordered his swordsmanship and right after the sword was
deflected, he got hit by a counter.
The cause of the discomposure was one. The thing that was a chimera just now had
become the man who was like an older brother that the lord, Kousuke, still idolized
unwaveringly until now.
Yes,
"Captain, Meld…"
Unknown's last ability was to read the weak memory of the opponent and reproduced
that person. Just like how he showed Claudia her dead parents. However, this time it
wasn't an illusion, he was transforming himself.
[Kousuke. Don't get in my way!]
"Don't look down on me-"
A great sword that was held above the head was parried with the two short swords
even while being discomposed.
The lord rotated while unleashing a high spinning kick to mow the opponent's face
but,
[Kousuke-, stop-. What are you doing!?]
"――"
Instantly, the face that he was going to kick through right now changed into Emily's
face.
Perhaps his discomposure showed in his face, because for a moment, Emily's lips
distorted.
"Shih-"
[Nuu!?]
But, the lord kicked through Emily's face without stopping. Even while feeling
discomposure, the lord didn't lessen the kick's strength at the slightest. Unknown let
out a shocked voice.
"What's the matter? Come at me. You can do whatever you can."
It was obvious for anyone who looked. The lord had quietly snapped. He gestured with
his fingertip provocatively.
――Arrive at the sacred palace, the gate of consecration opened. Now, let's gather
The light that the cross of heaven emitted was starting to burn Unknown's flesh by
bits and pieces as though in concert with the lord's fury. The end for the prayer, and
for Unknown was nearing.
"There is no time you know, demon? You naked king who is abandoned even by your
fellow demons and cannot even injure a single human without relying on a cheap
trick."
[…-, I am king. I am the true king-. They aren't responding to my call is simply because
they are ascertaining! The caliber of king, exist only in m――]
From his words, as expected Unknown couldn't gather the named demons. He didn't
know the true reason, but from Unknown's attitude that laughed scornfully saying "So
what if I can't" in respond to that, as expected he wasn't worthy to be called a demon
king.
The lord snorted 'hah' and raised his middle finger.
"Keep barking alone like that for your whole life, you loser dog."
Unknown charged in a state where his rage couldn't be expressed in language
anymore.
The lord met him from the front.
The ever-changing attacks of powerful arms, tentacles, and tail were all taken down
by clones that were half deployed as though overlapping with the main body as though
there were double or triple layers of blur.
When super gravity poured down, it was opposed by similar anti gravity. His eyes
didn't overlook the sign of space blasting and he prevented it through disturbing the
space by activating his own teleportation incompletely.
Demons came attacking. But, the multiplication speed of the clones finally surpassed
the demon summoning speed. A single demon would be swarmed by dozens of clones.
The number was crushed by even greater number.
Unknown was repeatedly attacking with super speed while transforming into people
close to the lord one after another, but unnoticed the balanced battle was…
[You, bastard-. You're still, getting faster-]
"That is mine Limit Break. This is――Abyss Lord
Abyssgate
."
The special Limit Break that increased the specs the more time passed――Abyss Lord.
Using Last Zell, the lord reached the deepest depth in one go and from there he
continued to drink magic power recovery medicine when there was opening.
By doing that, although there was limit for the flesh body, the Limit Break state was
unbroken and the spec was increasing even further from the deepest depth. So to
speak, it was a path that was leading to the last derivation technique of Limit Break,
"Supreme Break".
Specs that were completely superior. The lord was already becoming a streak of
shadow in a different sense from Unknown and danced madly. Far from dodging, even
ignoring the lord and aiming at Claudia had become impossible for Unknown.
――What is here is the sacred cross. The embodiment of god's wish. The absolute
concept that bring about the ultimate will in heaven.
And then, the cross that was shining in the sky――its form was completely established.
It was truly the Holy Cross of Claudia itself.
The underground city was filled with light until the far end of the ground!
[Stop-, CLAUDIAaAAA-! YOU'RE, MY――]
"It's checkmate. This is far easier than inflicting a single scratch on the demon king."
There was no more dignity or anything. Unknown was frantically trying to stop
Claudia with a deathly desperation.
But, such Unknown was once more sent flying really easily by the lord.
"Now, it's the closing of curtain. End the nightmare throughout these twelve years!
Claudia Barenberg!"
'Yes, Kousuke-sama.'
Even though there was no voice, such soft words that were filled with determination
certainly reached the lord.
And then,
"I command under the name of Saint, Claudia Barenberg."
Claudia's eyes opened slowly. The jade eyes shined silver, and she herself was
illuminated from behind by a silver halo along with the Holy Cross.
"O residents of hell, o people whose soul are invaded by desire of strife and
rule――perish."
The words of the saint were told solemnly, however, myriad of feelings were filling it.
A scream surged out. A scream of death agony.
All the demons in this underground space were illuminated by shining Holy Cross at
the sky and vanished.
[…It, doesn't come true again]
There was already no place where the light didn't reach.
Far from that, Unknown who was smoking white from his whole body noticed that he
couldn't even activate his own abilities and silently stared at his crumbling hands.
Unknown's gaze turned toward Claudia who was looking straight at him. When he
noticed, the man who was his greatest obstacle was drawing closer to her.
Seeing the strength of the two's gaze, the determination residing inside those pupils
that was shining in this hell, Unknown returned an envious gaze to that for an instant.
But, before Claudia and the lord noticed that, those eyes immediately burned with the
flame of hatred and,
[Hell is created from nine stratums. In the lower stratums, existences that are far
beyond your imagination can be found anywhere.]
He talked further while half his body was crumbling away.
[I don't know what those guys' plan are for you all, but at the very least, I have left
behind a command to the dead at the stratum right below here. Even if I perish, every
single one of them will trample your world until they are all exterminated to the last.
The door to your world are opening in the lower stratum.]
The expression of the lord and Claudia stiffened. Because both of them exerted their
maximum strength in this battle, they were mostly spent right now. In addition, if the
path was opened, right in this instant Vatican would be flooded with demons.
Unknown sent a mocking smile to the two of them, and then, hatefully, resentfully,
Unknown was showing an expression that was filled with such complicated emotions
before at the end, with a calm tone as though he had let go of the burden on his
shoulders,
[These damn humans]
Saying that, he vanished.
That was the true end of the unknown greater demon who had been scheming to
invade and rule over the other world since faraway past.
"Uu-"
It was Claudia's groan. The Holy Cross of heaven melted into empty air and vanished.
"-, Claire… are you alright?"
While vomiting a bit of blood and desperately maintaining his sanity that was almost
lost due to his mini self inside his heart that was wearing a chuuni T-shirt, Kousuke
scolded himself that now wasn't the time for that and supported Claudia. 'It huuurts,
my heart huuurtts. But, work hard for a bit more okaay, meee!'
Claudia who didn't have any way of knowing the inside of Kousuke's heart that was
like that was silently shedding tears.
"Kousuke-sama… am I, does Claire… succeed in getting revenge for mama and papa?"
The Holy Cross fell with a clang. Claudia who was already using up all her strength and
feeling was only crouching while leaking out a sob with a feeling that couldn't be
expressed in words.
The divine light vanished completely and only the redness of magma illuminated the
underground city. Amidst that, Kousuke embraced Claudia's head.
"From the start, Claudia's mama and papa doesn't want Claudia to take revenge or
anything. That's what I thought. They should want you to live happily."
The family that Claudia kept thinking about even after twelve years had passed. The
parents who poured their love by that much into their daughter must be wishing for
their daughter's happiness.
"But, even so, Claire made your wish came true through the path that you decided by
yourself and you traveled desperately. Even though it's a path that is different from
what your parents want, if they two of them are here, they will absolutely say this
while thinking about Claire, not for their own sake."
――You have worked really hard.
She had done her best for twelve years even while vomiting blood. There was no way
they wouldn't feel proud of such daughter.
When Claudia heard Kousuke's words, she buried her face into his chest and sobbed
quietly once more.
The two of them were snuggling close to each other like that in the middle of hell just
for a few moment.
"Let's go home Claire. Right now it's still the time to run for that sake."
"Yes, yes-, Kousuke-sama!"
Even though she had used up all her strength and her expression was pale, Claudia
who understood Kousuke's feeling showed a smile that looked the loveliest until now.
It was a beauty that was worthy for the name of saint.
But, at that time, a terrific impact assaulted the underground city. It was an impact
that was like a tremendous earthquake. Just from that, several high-rise buildings that
were in the verge of crumbling collapsed and vanished into the sea of magma.
"Chih. It's the dead of the lower stratum huh. That damn Unknown, he is irritating
until the very end."
The physical weariness that came as the after effect of Limit Break wasn't something
trivial. It was even truer because this time after entering Limit Break state of depth V,
Kousuke forcefully lengthened the effect until his specs were increased to the degree
that he entered the state of Supreme Break.
Kousuke became able to move somehow by using the recovery medicine of the highest
grade and then he carried Claudia on his back.
"Claire, how much you can still fight?"
"Thanks to the secret medicine I received… if there are five more minutes, I will be
able to somehow to deploy the minimum barrier and offense."
Five minutes. It sounded short but long. Kousuke himself too would only be able to
use elementary level magic for a while. In hand-to-hand combat too he would only be
able to do a movement that was forty percent of his normal state.
But, even so,
"We are going home."
"Yes, Kousuke-sama!"
Claudia hugged Kousuke's neck tightly as though to bury her face onto it.
The impact that was piercing up from the lower stratum was getting stronger second
by second. Other than flooding into earth, the demons of the third stratum must be
trying to climb up to this upper stratum that was this underground city, or perhaps
they were even trying to climb until the surface. It was possible that their objective
might be to chase after Kousuke and Claudia.
They already didn't have even a minute of time extension.
If there was something that could be called as a small mercy, the hole on the ceiling
that they used to come here was still existing. For some reason the hole wasn't black,
it was becoming a hole of light, but there was no doubt that Wynn and others were
maintain the hole.
Kousuke squeezed out his remaining little magic power that the recovery couldn't
catch up with and flew right away to the ceiling.
He passed through the shining hole and flew toward the visible exit of light.
"You are back!"
"Claudia-sama! Kousuke-san."
"I'm glad…"
They tumbled on the ground when landing. When Kousuke and Claudia raised their
face, Wynn and others were there. Although they had become wounded all over, not a
single member was lacking from among them.
"Everyone, I'm glad all of you are safe…"
Claudia became teary eyed once more, but she quickly pulled herself together.
"Unknown was defeated. But, at the end he made the demons at third stratum to
rampage. Surely they are already appearing in our world too. We have to escape from
here as fast as possible. If not we will be swallowed by a large swarm of high class
demons!"
Wynn and others gulped. But, their discomposure lasted only for a moment. They
immediately reformed their formation to surround Kousuke and Claudia on his back.
"Time until recovery?"
"I want two more minutes until I can make clone again."
Even if they would be able to escape safely, the compensation of forcing himself would
be him being unable to move properly for a week. Kousuke thought that while giving
an answer. Though of course, if he could get regeneration magic applied to him, he
would become better to a certain degree.
"Got it. Leave the two minutes to us."
With Wynn at the lead, the ragged exorcists started running with Kousuke and Claudia
at the center.
They were cutting open the path with great desperation.
Like that, they somehow succeeded in going until they could see the outer
circumference of the ruined city. But, there was despair there. At the other side of the
street where they were rushing through to escape from the ruined city, at the
wasteland outside, low class demons were gathering in fan shape.
The number of the low class demons should be expressed as blanketing the ground. If
it was seen from above, the sky was also flooded with the winged low class demons.
It seemed they were lying in ambush.
There, even more despair was catching up with them.
*DON-* An impact came once more. The seismic intensity that far surpassed even 7 or
8 Richter assaulted them. Kousuke and others who were in a state of extreme
exhaustion couldn't help but collapsed or stopped moving.
"What's that just now!? Don't tell me, they are coming out already from the third
stratum into the underground city!?"
"-, wait, what's this pressure!? This is far more than Unknown isn't it!?"
Kousuke and others exposed a lethal opening, however, for some reason the low class
demons didn't attack.
Far from that, they were looking around as though being scared of something. It even
looked like they were in confusion.
*DON-*
*DON-*
*DON-*
Impacts came intermittently like the pulsation of a mighty existence. At the same time,
there was a swelling up presence which applied pressure that caused even Kousuke
to shrink back.
The wind of lamentation, the physical exhaustion from Limit Break, and then the
mental exhaustion
Abyss Lord's aftereffect
that he was enduring by desperately averting his gaze from it, they
were dulling Kousuke's senses and he couldn't grasp the detail of the enemy that was
approaching from the underground.
But, if that enemy appeared right now, they absolutely wouldn't be able to win…
Should he resolved the breaking down of his flesh and bought time by using Limit
Break – Depth V mode once more…
But, if he did that, the possibility of Kousuke himself going home would be
despairingly low.
At the back of his mind flashed the image of Rana, Emily, the people close to him,
comrades, and then family…
(Eei, don't hesitate, me! In any case, no one will be able to go home if I don't fight! Fight
here with the resolve of making this place my grave!)
He silently put down Claudia.
The determined expression of Kousuke caused Claudia to grasp his sleeve
spontaneously. She guessed what he was planning to do.
Wynn and others also guessed the same.
That was why, before Kousuke could say "Leave this place to me and go ahead. No
worry, I'll catch up soon",
"We cannot let Kousuke-dono to steal the spotlight even more than this."
"Please don't underestimate exorcist."
"This time, I'll protect Kousuke-san."
After Wynn, Anna, and Aziz said that, the other members also grinned fearlessly and
readied their sacred vessel. Claudia smiled gently and embraced Kousuke's arm.
"Let's be together, till the end."
Kousuke showed a slight hesitation but… a beat. He shrugged his shoulders in
exasperation and nodded with an expression of resolve.
And then,
"Don't give up till the end! We will absolutely return alive! ――Here it comes-"
At that instant, the ground was pulverized――
"SHAORAAAAAAAAAAAAA-, DESUUU!!"
A rabbit flew up. Along with a giant that looked like a minotaur getting socked in the
face.
" " " " "Eh?" " " " "
It went without saying that the eyes of Kousuke and others, without a single exception
shrunk into a dot.