To pave a path for Kaito. As their purpose became clear to them, they
began to act faster…
Neun ran with a strong gait that didn't show even a hint of fatigue, and
Laguna quickly lined up with her to head towards the wall of Demons.
[…How nostalgic. When was the last time we worked together?]
[I dunno. If you feel like you've forgotten how to fight, I don't mind if
you lie down over there, you know?]
[Shut it!]
After a brief exchange of words, Laguna rapidly accelerated and
thrusted out the large spear in her hand.
[Come, Hikari! Let's go with that move… Trident!]
With a shout, Laguna thrusted her spear into the ground, three huge
columns of water rose up, swirling like spears as they headed towards
the enemy.
The strike that was basically a tsunami on land swallowed a large
number of Demons and sucked them into a huge whirlpool, trapping
them inside.
Before they could see it, Neun stopped once, made a large number of
Japanese katanas appear in the air, and took an iai stance.
Thereupon, the swords floating in the air moved in conjunction with
Neun's movements, and slashes were released from all of the swords at
the same time.
[Hundred-blade flash… Blossom!]
Hundred slashes were released, cutting through the whirlpool in an
instant and reaping the consciousness of a large number of Demons.
But even then, she had no intention of killing their opponents, so she
made sure to hold back with each of her magic slashes…
[Good grief, can't you say what you plan beforehand… Please be
considerate about the one trying to match you.]
[Hahaha, this is just because of my trust in you!]
They succeeded in knocking down a good number of Demons, but there
were still some Demons capable of escaping the whirlpool. Laguna and
Neun turned towards them and immediately took up their weapons to
fight back.
Aside from Neun and Laguna, the people who had rushed to the scene
had also started fighting.
[Luna!]
[…Please give me special compensation for this. For disposable items,
these are quite expen… sive!]
Lilia shouted when she saw the formation of Demons approaching, and
Lunamaria, sensing her intention, took out several cards from her
pocket and threw them at the Demons.
When Lunamaria-san snapped her fingers, the thrown cards turned
into a magical thread shaped like a spider's web, entangling the
approaching Demons.
[Sieg!]
[Yes. Make sure you hold back properly, okay? Lili.]
After confirming that the Demons had stopped moving, Lilia evoked a
huge magic circle at her feet and activated her magic.
The magic that Lilia unleashed created a raging tornado that swallowed
the Demons that were stopped in their tracks. Sieglinde then thrusted
her flaming sword into the ground, transforming it into a tornado of
flames.
[…Shouldn't I be the one saying that? You can't kill them, okay? Sieg.]
[It's alright. I properly made sure that the flames I used were weak.]
[Properly, you said… I was almost caught up in your combination
attack, you know? My apron got a little burned, you know!? You're going
to compensate me for this, okay!?]
As best friends and comrades-in-arms, Lilia, Sieg and Lunamaria were
accustomed to working together, and as they joined forces, the three of
them were steadily whittling down the number of Demons.
[Gaaaahhhh!]
With a shout, Anima cut through the air, brandishing her powerful arm
like a heavy tank that eliminates all of her master's enemies.
If her opponents were defending, she would tear down their defense.
With her strong defensive abilities, she could just continue to attack
without caring about the enemy's attacks.
It was truly like a wild beast had unleashed. Her heavy and sharp blows
weren't easy to receive, even for High-ranking Demons, and she
managed to gradually open up the path.
Of course, the enemy was no fool. They decided that it wasn't a good
idea to fight head-on with Anima's power, and tried to exploit her weak
mobility.
However, Eta and Theta wouldn't overlook that.
Theta blocked the incoming attacks with her large shield, and Eta took
the opportunity to cleave the enemies away with her spear.
Normally, the two often quarreled due to their differing personalities,
but when it came to battle, the twins made a beautiful combination.
Because of their mutual trust in each other's abilities, Eta focused only
on attacking with all her might, while Theta would wholeheartedly
defend against all incoming attacks.
The two fighters, who completely divided their duties between offense
and defense, displayed a power that exceeded their individual abilities,
making them defeat even the Baron-level High-ranking Demons, who
were supposed to be superior to them.
The three of them have three different ways of fighting, but they all had
one goal… to pave the way for their esteemed master.
The scene of a flashy battle occurred as they charged head-on. For those
who witnessed this, they might be tempted to look away from the "one
who isn't fighting".
As if to weave through the gaps between the battles, little by little, Kaito
steadily advanced towards the ward's wall.
Although Kaito wasn't very athletic, the fact that he had been running
with Hina on a regular basis had helped, and he had been able to run a
considerable distance.
But of course, it was impossible for him to deceive the eyes of all the
Demons, and there were occasionally Demons who noticed and tried to
stop him… but they were obstructed by arrows flying from the rear.
[I won't let you get in Kaitokun-san's way!]
Razelia, an expert marksman, was keeping those who were approaching
Kaito in check…
[Whoa there, we're also here…]
[—and it would be troubling if you forgot about us!]
With Acht and Eval following him, Kaito was making more and more
progress towards the ward's wall.
It wasn't long ago that the battling parties were somewhat evenly
matched, but now, the tempo of the battle was being completely
controlled by Kaito's side.
So, it was inevitable that they were able to steadily advance.
[Just a few more meters…]
[O- Oh no! Somebody stop Miyama-dono…]
[Do you have the time to look away?]
[Guohhh!?]
Kaito would soon reach the ward's wall. Sechs noticed this and rushed
to give instructions, but Shea didn't let him and struck Sechs with her
scythe.
At the same time, she also restrained the other 5 Earl-level, Highranking Demons and pressured them to prevent them from reaching
Kaito.
And just like that, no one was able to stop Kaito. When Kaito finally
reached the ward's wall, he turned around and held out his hand.
[Neun-san!]
[Yes! Laguna, I'll leave the rest to you!]
[Leave it to me!]
When Neun called out to Laguna, she told Laguna that she would leave
the situation to her and immediately ran to Kaito and firmly grasped his
held out hand.
Holding Neun's hand, Kaito reached his other hand out towards the
ward's wall.
When Kaito touched the ward, it didn't block "Kaito and the beings in
contact with him", and after feeling like they passed through a thin veil
of water, Kaito and Neun escaped the ward.
When they passed through the ward, they found themselves right next
to the church door. Kaito and Neun stopped once and looked at each
other. After giving each other a nod, they put their hands on the church
door.
Along with a scraping sound, the large wooden door opened.
The woman Kaito and Neun were looking for… Vier was standing in
front of the altar.
Illuminated by the multi-colored light from the stained glass, Vier
slowly turned around to face the two visitors.
The figure standing at the altar with her back to the light was filled with
solemnity, and the thin smile on her face could even be described as
melancholic.
[…Welcome, you two. Fufufu, this reminds me of my time as the Demon
Lord.]
[...…]
[...…]
[Thank you for coming. I'm really glad you came… but I'm sorry. I'm
sure I won't be able to respond to your feelings.]
Vier looked at them with a sad smile on her face. She knew all about
what Kaito and Neun had come here for but…
Even though they know that… She was going to reject their proposal.
[That's why… Could you please leave?]