Upon closer inspection, the horns curved elegantly upward and then swept back with a majestic grace. His skin glinted a bronze hue, and standing at about three meters tall, his body was reminiscent of a child's torso, complete with bulging arms, a chest that would put bodybuilders to shame, and a powerful lower body that supported his formidable upper frame.
At a glance, it looks just like the Flame Demon from that certain game, "Final Fantasy." I mean, isn't it basically the summoning beast itself?
"Hey, can we really call that a Minotaur…?"
"Well, it definitely resembles something that might infringe on various copyrights… but if it's labeled as a Minotaur, there's not much else to say."
"...No problem. That is a Minotaur. Though, it's only the main body that looks like that. The replicas are just ordinary Minotaurs."
When the two, familiar with that game in the real world, were asked, they firmly stated that what they saw was a Bull Demon. So, the summoning beast's true form is only the main body? At this point, I'm starting to think the replicas might actually be better.
"You challengers are the 'Apostles of the Labyrinth.' Then come! Defeat me and show your power!"
The 'Apostle of the Labyrinth' declared this, brandishing its enormous war axe.
"Defeat you? But you're the main body of the 'Apostle of Gems,' right? Is it really okay to take you down?"
"Not an issue. Even if I fall, a replica will become the main body in my stead. But if you can defeat me, then try. If you don't succeed, I will grant you proof of being an Apostle if I deem you worthy. In exchange, you must stake your lives on it. Those who lack the resolve to gamble their lives should leave. Only those willing to risk their lives may confront me."
So, if the main body is defeated, a replica takes its place?
Would the doppelganger evolve like the original? Nonetheless, we've come this far. Searching for other Minotaurs now would be a waste of time. Forcing Trinity to join us would be unbearable, but I encouraged myself to prepare for anything—if the situation turned dire, I could always escape.
Suddenly, a shocking declaration came from Miba-san.
"...Hmm, this time I won't intervene. I'll only help when life is in danger."
What!? I was caught off guard, having unconsciously relied on Miba-san for support. Come to think of it, she had said something similar during the 'Apostle of Gems' quest. Back then, she helped us only because we were at a disadvantage in numbers. This time, with just one enemy, she meant for us to handle it ourselves.
That makes sense. Miba-san won't always be by my side. We have to face the Angel Quest with our own strength. I steeled myself and aimed Unicorn at the 'Apostle of Labyrinth.'
"Alright, 'Apostle of Labyrinth,' I'll defeat you and claim the proof of being an L Apostle!"
"You seem to have made up your mind. In that case, I shall face you with all my strength!"
With that, the 'Apostle of Labyrinth' raised its battle axe and took a deep breath.
"WHOOSH!!!"
We froze in fear at the soul-shaking war cry that echoed around us. Taking advantage of our paralysis, the Apostle of the Labyrinth closed in quickly. It swung its massive battle axe down, shattering the floor beneath us, but its broad attacks missed us completely.
Trinity and Ava managed to snap out of their stiffness and swiftly withdrew from the area, while I dodged the battle axe with a quick step, using my swordsmanship skills. I hadn't anticipated such a destructive blow, so I couldn't counterattack while evading.
However, I learned something from that experience: the Apostle's attacks were indeed a threat, but its speed was not as daunting as I had feared. While it moved quickly for a muscle-bound fighter, the length of its strides and the heft of its swings meant that it wasn't impossible to keep track of. As long as I was careful, this wasn't a fight I couldn't win.
Or so I thought—until I came to realize just how naive my assessment had been. The Apostle of the Labyrinth charged in again with another sweeping attack. We all wielded our weapons, evading its blows. I dodged its massive swings with my Unicorn, Ava unleashed her magic-infused Infinity Ava Subblade from a distance, and Trinity, rope at her hip, readied herself with her Luf=Grand rope sword style.
The dynamic of the battle shifted only after Ava's attack landed.
"Dual Wielding Technique: Cross Slash!"
Ava's attack scores an X-shaped wound on the body of the Apostle of Eyes.
"GRRROOOAAAR! Not bad, Yariolna. Then let me unleash my secret weapon!"
Wait, weren't you supposed to be fighting with all your might? Holding back your trump card until things get dire isn't really giving it your all!
"Ice Barrier!"
The Apostle of the Maze reveals its hidden technique.
As the name leaves its lips, the Apostle's skin shifts from bronze to a deep blue. Instantly, it becomes encased in a cracking armor of ice.
"WHHHHHHAAAAAAA!!!"
With a roar that rivals Ava's Infinity Ava Blade, countless ice war axes materialize and rush towards us.
Trinity, positioned diagonally behind the Apostle, is out of the attack range, but Ava and I stand right in the line of fire as the ice axes come raining down.
In retaliation, Ava conjures an ice sword and hurls it back to intercept the onslaught.
I carefully assess the falling ice axes and narrowly evade them with the agile steps of the Sword Princess style.
During this distraction, Trinity springs into action, attacking from behind the Apostle with the Rufu Grand Rope Sword style.
"Rufu Grand Rope Sword Technique: Tension Thrust!"
With a dagger attached to a rope, she throws it at the Apostle, using the momentum to leap behind it, where she thrusts the dagger with a backstab maneuver.
However, the attacks with daggers were ineffective against the 'Apostle of the Labyrinth,' shrouded in a suit of ice armor. Trinity hurriedly untied the rope and distanced herself from the Apostle. Just after she moved, the massive battle axe of the Apostle swept through the spot where Trinity had been standing.
Now, with its back turned towards us, the Apostle became our target, and Ava and I rushed forward. Trinity found herself facing the Apostle head-on, but as we approached, she threw a knife to draw its attention and provide cover.
"Blade Dancer Style - Instant Flame Slash!"
I unleashed a fireball infused magic sword towards the Apostle. Now that it was encased in ice, the fireball was more effective than ever. The area struck by my attack caused the ice armor to shatter, exposing the blue skin beneath. That was the moment Ava's martial technique struck.
"Dual Blade Technique – Six-Blade Dance!"
With a flourish reminiscent of some wandering hero from a comic, six flashes of blades etched across the Apostle's body. Yet, even undeterred by that, the Apostle retaliated with a magic spell.
"Freeze Bind!"
It unleashed an ice-based binding spell aimed directly at me. Vines of ice coiled around my feet, immobilizing me. If this binding magic was equivalent to earth-type spells, I estimated its effect would last about five seconds. But, of course, even within that five seconds, the Apostle's onslaught continued unabated.
The Apostle of the Labyrinth took a deep breath.
Was that a roar about to erupt?
I braced myself for the impending shout.
But instead, what burst forth was a blast of icy breath.
"BOOOOAAAAAHH!!!"
I instinctively crossed my arms to shield myself from the falling ice and snow.
The hail resembled ping-pong balls, and the chunks of ice were about the same size.
Even through my dragon-leather-covered armor, it hurt like hell.
But that icy breath had more in store; my crossed arms began to freeze over.
Naturally, with my arms in that position, they were encased in ice.
Just as I was about to be attacked by the Apostle's massive battle axe, I hurriedly dodged with help from Ava and Trinity.
"Hey, what am I supposed to do now?"
I couldn't fight properly with my arms frozen like this.
"Why not just smash the ice?"
"No way! If you break it, both of your arms will be shattered too.
Try casting a Fireball to cover your arms from the inside out. You might get burned a little, but it will break the ice from within."
Whoa, so it would have been a disaster if I had just smashed it!
I followed Ava's advice and used fire magic to shatter the ice from inside.
"Ow, hot!"
I waved my burning arms and then readied my Unicorn, facing the Apostle of the Labyrinth once more.
The Apostle of the Labyrinth had transformed from an icy armor to one made of rock. Its skin shifted from a cold blue to a warm ochre.
"Rock form!"
"Now it's made of rock, huh? Just like the ice, it must have high defense."
"I think it'll scatter rock weapons like before, so as long as we watch out for that, we should be fine."
"Doesn't it have some kind of breath attack?"
"Is it going to spit out debris?"
I imagined the Apostle spewing out rubble and grimaced—sounds like it would feel gritty in its mouth.
"I doubt that form has a breath attack, but we should still be cautious."
"Understood!"
We remained alert to the Apostle's attack patterns and resumed our assault. With its rock armor, it seemed to have slowed down. Seizing the opportunity, we unleashed a relentless barrage against the Apostle.
It responded as if it had been waiting for us.
"Flame form!"
The rock armor transformed into a shower of gravel, and blazing flames erupted from the Apostle, launching towards us.
"Whoa!?"
"Ahhh!?"
"Whoa!?"
As I was blown back by the debris and fire, another attack surged towards me. Its skin had reverted to a reddish-brown, enveloped in flames, resembling a certain summoning beast.
"Freeze Bind!"
I found myself once again ensnared by the binding spell of the ice magic cast by the Apostle of the Dungeon. Wait!? Magic works regardless of the formation, doesn't it?! Upon reflection, it makes sense. Just because it's not in that formation doesn't mean the elemental magic can't be used. The Apostle of the Dungeon took a deep breath. —Oh no!? This is bad. It was definitely going to unleash a fire breath in that state. With me bound as I was, there was no way to dodge it.
"BooOOOOOooOOOooo—!!!"
Just as the flames were about to engulf me, an aid spell shot out from Ava.
"Material Shield!"
A radiant barrier appeared before me, blocking the oncoming flames. However, this light shield, capable of deflecting any physical attack, lasted only about 1 to 3 seconds. And the Apostle's fire breath continued unabated. After the shield vanished, I felt the flames scorch my body.
"—AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
I held my breath to avoid burning my lungs, shielding my face with both arms. It had to be less than five seconds, but with my body ablaze, that time felt agonizingly long. Although dragon leather armor is said to be resistant to fire, how effective could it truly be against being completely engulfed in flames?
Before I knew it, the fire ceased. Standing before me was Mibato, her sword drawn and ready.
Ah, so it was Mihane who protected me from the flames partway through. No wonder I've only sustained this level of burns after exposing myself to such intense fire. Still, my body was a mess, covered in burns. I collapsed to the ground.
"Suzanne!"
"Hey, are you okay?!"
Ava and Trinity rushed over, their worried faces hovering above me. What the hell were they doing? Instead of worrying about me, they should focus on the Apostle of the Labyrinth—we were still in the middle of a fight.
"Sorry, but the quest's off. We need to treat this before it becomes life-threatening."