Ch.5252. Removing Curse (2)

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In truth, even if this is a device left behind by the Lightbearer, touching it doesn’t mean they’ll immediately pop out.

When you infiltrate an important facility and the alarm goes off, does the person in charge show up right away? No.

Logically, the first to arrive would be the “security forces.”

-!

And the security guards that angels most commonly employ are typically automatons. Self-operating combat dolls equipped with cores.

A mechanical giant with a body made entirely of steel emerged from within the light, taking heavy steps.

When it slammed its massive weapon onto the floor, the entire dome seemed to resonate with a hollow sound.

“…A sidereal steel automaton? How are the three of us supposed to defeat that thing?!”

Elia shouted in panic.

Well, sidereal steel is the metal that forms the core of the star’s heart that I once struck. In terms of strength and hardness, it’s a premium metal that would be offended if called second best in this world. There’s a reason it’s used to make holy swords.

As Elia said, this isn’t an opponent that students could handle. To match its level, we’d need someone of the Academy Headmaster’s caliber.

“…”

I silently stare ahead.

[Crisis situation detected.]

[Assessed as a direct threat to life.]

[Skill: Desperate Situation applied at A-grade.]

A-grade, huh.

Come to think of it, it’s stranger that it’s not EX-grade given the power gap.

This is ultimately just a machine that follows programmed commands. It probably doesn’t satisfy the “hostility” condition that would trigger a higher grade of Desperate Situation.

“…”

I give a bitter smile.

Well, considering that I was openly trying to damage a holy relic left by the Lightbearer, it wouldn’t be surprising if an actual angel appeared instead of this machine.

But according to the “precepts,” angels are forbidden from directly harming others, so it can’t be helped. Even in situations where force is truly needed, they can’t intervene directly.

The reason it’s emerging so slowly is probably because it’s trying to figure out how to subdue us without using force.

‘…When you think about it, it’s quite ridiculous.’

Demons have relatively free reign to intervene in the material world.

Their fragments are scattered across the earth, their followers are incredibly numerous though not openly visible, and under the right conditions, they can directly manifest through vessels containing their fragments.

In contrast, angels can at most indirectly bestow protection or blessings on someone.

For their true form to directly enter the material world requires conditions even more stringent than a demon fragment taking root in a vessel and that vessel going berserk.

“…”

All of this happens because of the “precepts.”

The agreement between those at the top of the celestial hierarchy and the rulers of Pandemonium, the demons.

It’s an important plot device that even affects the ending in the later parts of the story.

Angels and the celestial realm are allies, but…

They’re not as absolutely on our side as one might think.

Just look at how someone like the Pope can wield historically powerful divine force.

More precisely, it’s a phenomenon caused by “factions” within their ranks.

‘…Thanks to that.’

Because of those precepts, the means by which angels can influence the material world are extremely limited.

So in most cases, when they want to do something in the material world, their influence tends to be concentrated on a single human.

In the material world, such a person is called a “hero.”

Like the orange-haired woman next to me who’s gritting her teeth and drawing her sword.

“I swear, I can’t live because of you!”

She said that and tried to join me, but I extend my palm toward her.

It’s clearly a gesture telling her to stay back.

“…What is it now?!”

She asked angrily, but well.

I didn’t bring you along this time because I needed your help in combat.

Rather…

“Because it’s better without you.”

In the current situation, your participation would make things worse.

“…”

Elia’s mouth opened slightly. Her pupils trembled fiercely.

“…What, uh, what, exactly, what do you mean…?”

“I mean exactly what I said.”

As I mentioned earlier, humans who receive concentrated protection and blessings from angels are called heroes. Our protagonist is currently a hero “candidate.”

If there’s any evidence that she was involved in what I’m doing now, it might cause troublesome issues later when she’s appointed as a hero.

“It’s not that you’re weak or unhelpful. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

Of course, I can’t explain all this to her.

The rigid thinking of those higher up in the celestial realm can sometimes be more vicious than the demons of Pandemonium.

They’d likely try to dig into how an outsider like me knows about the internal affairs of the celestial realm.

“Then why…!”

“Oops.”

She tried to say something again, but before I could answer, the automaton swung its massive weapon down at my position.

I don’t even need to activate a swordsman’s focus. With Desperate Situation at A-grade, this much is easy to handle.

The problem is that I have no means to inflict effective damage on it.

‘That’s why it’s optimal as a security guard.’

The reason angels frequently use automatons despite their lacking offensive power is that they’re optimal for “buying time.”

That thing truly doesn’t die.

Even if Desperate Situation triggered at EX-grade instead of A-grade, it would still be a distant goal for me to defeat it.

[It looks tough. Can a sword cut through that?]

Yuria tilted her head and displayed such text beside me.

Unlike Elia, she doesn’t show any reaction to my actions, and despite the appearance of a clearly large and powerful enemy, she doesn’t show even a hint of tension.

“…”

As I dodge another attack from the automaton that stabs down toward me, I gather my thoughts.

I’m newly realizing that her emotions also deviate from the normal sense.

Most Demonic Vessel candidates are like that, but she’s particularly severe.

More precisely, most of her emotions are concentrated around “me.”

Joy, sadness, fear, anger, whatever it may be.

‘…It’s scary.’

It truly is.

Due to the White Demon’s characteristics, her soul has already fused with the demon fragment. Still, it’s undeniably frightening.

I can’t even begin to guess which direction these emotions might take later.

For now, she just suffers from anxiety symptoms when separated from me.

But if something goes wrong, well.

If she truly wants to “be together forever,” she might plan a joint suicide with me…

“…”

A chill runs down my spine.

I need to make sure Elnore doesn’t end up like this.

She’ll also complete her fusion with the fragment soon.

‘More importantly.’

There is a way to deal with the automaton right now.

Using her.

But that method is a bit… yeah.

It makes me feel like garbage.

“…”

I sigh as I look back and forth between her and the automaton.

Well, I still have to do it.

That’s partly why I brought her along.

“Yuria, listen.”

[Yes. It’s okay.]

“…”

No.

Maybe you should hear what I’m planning to do before deciding.

[More importantly, you called my name for the first time? I’m happy!]

Stop it.

Don’t make me feel even more like trash…!

“First, take that off and put it on your wrist.”

I point to the leash as I say this.

No matter what, it feels wrong to do this while she’s still wearing that.

[Do, do I have to take it off…?]

“…”

Why are your eyes welling up with tears again?

Did I say something wrong?

“No, um… don’t take it off. It’s fine…”

Sensing that persuasion would take a long time, I give up and firmly grasp the leash in my hand.

It’s solid and sturdy. I understand why the craftsman who took the commission had a lewd expression when he assured me, “It won’t break no matter what you do with it.”

I emphasized multiple times that wasn’t my intention, but he still looked at me with an expression that said “Sure, I know. I know everything.” It still makes me a bit angry thinking about it.

“…”

Anyway.

This should work for what I need to do.

“Hup!”

With a shout, I pull back on the leash.

Then, I immediately “throw” Yuria. Like throwing a stone.

With A-grade Desperate Situation, this much is easy.

With a choking sound, Yuria flew through the air with a whoosh.

She then hit the automaton’s head with a thud, before sliding down its body with a series of clatters.

Like a scene from a cartoon.

“…What are you doing?”

“…”

“I asked what you’re doing?”

Elia looked at me with eyes that viewed me as trash, but I deliberately ignore her.

It’s all necessary.

-!

The automaton notices Yuria nearby and shifts its target to her. Its massive weapon rises again.

If it comes down, it would pose a critical threat to life, but…

I visually measure the distance between the automaton and Yuria.

One and a half steps.

At that distance. Well.

“Wait, danger…!”

Before Elia could finish her warning.

With lightning speed, Yuria drew her blade.

And the next moment.

-!

-!!!!

In a single strike.

The automaton was cut in half.

“What…!”

Elia’s mouth fell open.

“…I couldn’t even see it…! Wait, isn’t she a student?! She seems stronger than Headmaster Conrad!”

I smile slightly at her astonished expression.

Yes. There was a reason I was twisting my body to stay more than three steps away.

The Curse of Severance. A curse that becomes more ruthlessly destructive the closer you get to the target, and when you enter within two steps, its intensity increases even more.

Enough to completely shatter a sidereal steel automaton.

It’s only in this state because we’re around the two-step mark. If it were within one step, well.

At this point in the story, there’s probably no character who could withstand a single hit from Yuria.

‘…That’s why there was a tactic that openly exploited this trait.’

In the game, it was called the “Blender.”

The method is simple. By whatever means necessary, you place Yuria right in the middle of enemy territory. Then she grinds up absolutely everything nearby.

What I just did is similar.

“…”

It’s extremely trashy behavior, but the effect is undeniable.

‘…This will probably be useful in Chapter 2 as well.’

This ability will be quite important when facing the Boy King.

The “penalty” of the Curse of Severance is that it projects such attack power indiscriminately, without distinguishing between friend and foe.

What I’ll gain from this is the power to “distinguish” between them.

[W-wow! I took it down in one hit!]

“Hey, wait. Just a moment!”

The problem is that even with such a trait, she tries to cling to me without any hesitation.

I step back in alarm to adjust the distance.

Yuria becomes dejected and stops walking. It’s like seeing a pet dog that brought back a frisbee but wasn’t petted by its owner.

[Aren’t you going to praise me…?]

“…”

Reluctantly, I pick up a long stick that had fallen from the wrecked automaton.

I use it to pat Yuria’s head from a distance.

“…Yes. You did well.”

[Hehe…]

Well.

Should I call her generous for still liking me after this treatment, or is it truly terrifying…?

“…What are you two doing?”

“…”

Shut up.

Have you been nitpicking everything since earlier?

But this isn’t the time to be receiving criticism from her.

Having instantly destroyed the automaton, the angels must be in a state of emergency before they can even use force or anything. Someone will emerge soon.

And no sooner had I finished that thought.

The light surrounding us flickered more strongly.

-!

Then, a winged human wearing armor emerged from within the white light.

White armor. A woman with blue hair that reached down to her feet.

It’s a figure I recognize. Female angels are extremely rare to begin with.

Virtue Angel. Themed around purity and virtue, known for bestowing “miracles” upon humans on earth.

Considering the hierarchy of angels in Sera, she’s quite high-ranking. Equivalent to a senior government official.

“An, angel?!”

Elia was shocked beside me. Well, from her perspective, it must feel like seeing a celebrity in person.

However, the appearance of this angel is surprising to me as well.

‘…A higher-ranking one than I expected.’

I never thought I’d directly face the Lightbearer from the start.

Those are characters who don’t show their faces until near the ending. No matter what trouble I cause, it’s impossible at this point.

Because positionally, they stand almost directly opposite to demons.

So I expected some low-ranking angel to appear, but I didn’t expect a Virtue Angel to emerge directly. It’s unexpected.

‘…But that’s good?’

However, it’s unexpected in a good way.

In terms of saving time.

To break the Curse of Severance, I need to negotiate with a high-ranking angel, and a Virtue Angel is more than…

what I can “extract.”

Because I’m going to use a somewhat radical method.

“…So, you’re the one who did this?”

The angel with a benevolent smile said that to me.

“…”

But looking into those eyes, I can’t continue such thoughts.

Her eye corners are twitching, and her mouth is quivering.

She’s clearly furious.

Of course, who would be happy when something happens to a special object that a superior instructed to manage well?

“I don’t know what you were thinking when you did this…”

The angel said as she spread her wings wide.

Golden feathers scattered majestically around. Then, divine power began to gather ominously nearby.

‘What follows from here is probably…’

What angels commonly use instead of subduing opponents with force is mental “suppression.”

Directly infiltrating the opponent’s mind to control their actions without causing harm.

Rather than inflicting serious harm on me, she’ll probably just subdue me to prevent me from acting recklessly here.

“Are you prepared…”

“Yes, I am. Let’s get on with that gloomy thing quickly.”

“…”

When I interrupted the angel’s imposing words, she momentarily lost her words and stared at me.

You can’t refute this, can you?

‘…I don’t understand why it’s so gloomy when it’s supposed to be divine power.’

I sigh as I think this.

Holy-type skills interact unusually well with the mind. They have good compatibility, they say.

It seems angels are no exception.

What kind of angel performs brainwashing or mind control?

“You really need some education!”

Saying that, the Virtue Angel shot divine power toward me.

Then, I strongly feel something “intruding” into my consciousness. It must be the sensation of another person’s mind mixing with mine.

It’s divine power directly wielded by an angel. Even a fairly strong person would lose control completely, but.

“…”

I let out a small laugh.

But, well.

From my current position, I actually welcome the angel doing this with open arms.

‘Got you.’

If she directly “infiltrates” my mind.

I have my own preparations.

“…!”

And immediately.

The angel’s eyes widened.

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