I felt strength overflowing my body.
The changed Phoenix Robe was probably spreading Lord Fire God's
power all over my body.
Or more like, I felt like I could finally fully control the Phoenix Robe.
If I had to put it into words, it felt like it had become something sort of
the armor version of Hinokaguzuchi.
By acting as converter, the Phoenix Robe was able to evolve to a
battle mode that explosively enhanced my strength.
Thus, the 'Vermillion Bird Form' was born.
It was a battle mode featuring a whole body armor, four wings
growing on the back, and a halo that shone like a sun around the
wings.
"Y-you are…" Magmell was solidified with an astonished expression.
I thought while looking back her.
Didn't Arca said it'd be better if I were to be a little forceful when
dealing with her?
I don't really like acting like that, but let's try it for the time being.
――Pull.
"Wha-, hey, what do you think you're doing!?"
"Just shut up and come with me." I carried Magmell in a princess
carry.
Naturally, she glared at me and screamed, "W-what are you
intending to do!? I can walk on my own!? Please let go of me!?"
"Calm down for now. And try checking your condition properly."
"What…?" After a moment of being dazed, Magmell looked down at
her own body and said, "My fatigue… is disappearing…?"
"That's right. My power is special, you see. It originally only heals my
body, but it seems that in this form, it can also heal those whom I
touch."
"How could that be possible… Without even using any Arts…"
Magmell was astonished, but soon after, like she just remembered,
she said, "M-more importantly, I've recovered enough, so please let
me go!? How long are you planning to carry me!?"
"Isn't it obvious? Until all of them are eliminated."
"Huh!? T-that's impossible!? I mean, look at their numbers! Stop
joking around!?"
"I'm not joking. For that, I need your help. So, lend me your
strength."
"P-please stop saying such nonsense!? Who do you think you are
that I would lend you my—"
Then.
"—Just shut up and listen to what I said! I need you!"
"…Y-yes." Magmell nodded obediently.
Crap.
I yelled at her quite strongly but, I hoped it wouldn't turn into a
problem later…
And I'd been acting rude toward her since a while ago, too…
I was worried that if she got hurt mentally because of me, but soon
after, I found out that it was just a needless worry.
"So, umm, what do I suppose to do…?"
...Eh?
S-somehow, her character changed, didn't it!?
Magmell abruptly turned meek, far from her previously prickly
attitude. She looked at me with reddened cheeks and moist eyes.
Eh, what's the deal with this person!? I thought in bewilderment.
Unable to stop at this point, I continued talking in forceful mode. "I'll
support you, so you use all your power to exterminate them. You can
do it, can't you?"
"Y-yes… As you wish…" Magmell nodded and held up her Holy Staff
while still being carried by me.
"Pierce! Purifying Fangs of Light— Sunlight Vermillion!"
――BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG!
Magmel's powerful Art once again wiped-out masses of monsters.
However, she seemed to have realized it then.
"My stamina isn't decreasing…?"
"That's right. As long as I continue to support you, you can wield
your power infinitely. Sure, you are a saintess, but you are first and
foremost a girl. You're too fragile to take it upon yourself to carry all
the burdens. That's why I'll support you. In exchange, you rely on
me. Don't try to carry all the burdens by yourself just because you're
a saintess. Got it?"
"...Yes. I understand..." Magmell nodded with intoxicated look.
It seemed I'd went overboard.
In the end, I told her in bold manner. "Yosh. Then— from now on,
you're mine."
◇ ◇
Like that, we succeeded in stopping the attack. We then decided to
return to Algren Castle for the time being, but,
"I see, I've understood the whole story. I did say that you should be a
little forceful when dealing with her and in fact, I can see that it
worked well."
"But," Arca said with a rarely seen vein on her forehead, "I don't
remember ever telling you to be so intimate with her, though…?"
"N-no, y-you're exaggerating…"
"Come on, Exa-sama. Say ahh."
"Eh, ahh… om nom nom…."
"How is it? Is it good?"
"Y-yes…"
"Fufu, I'm glad."
Of course, the one who laughed so gracefully was Magmell.
Probably, her feelings that had been pent-up until now had burst out
all at once.
Which then made her return to her original personality. Now she had
become a really kind onee-san.
"Kh, this is out of my expectation… I'm afraid I have to withdraw my
previous statement. You don't have to save this girl anymore, so
leave her alone."
"No, even if you say so…"
"Yes. I already belong to Exa-sama. If you don't like me, why don't
you go and leave to somewhere far from us?"
"…Hou? A mere new concubine candidate is telling me, the legal
wife, to leave?"
"Yes. Then, I can become the legal wife. Or rather, please leave."
At that moment, snap, with a vein seemingly about to burst on her
forehead, Arca drew the Holy Spear on her back.
"Yosh, Exa. You can watch something interesting from now on."
"W-wait a minute!? That 'something interesting' is totally different
from the last time, isn't it!?"
"Hahaha, you'll see, so just sit back and enjoy the show." Arca said
with a smile, I noticed that her eyes weren't smiling at all.