Chapter 64: About to explode

Whoosh—

The strong wind tugged at my loose uniform, whipping my hair across my face, stinging my cheeks.

But I wouldn’t turn back. A swordsman never sheathes their sword without drawing blood, or so I’d heard. Though I was technically a swordswoman, and I hadn’t drawn my sword yet.

“Ellie, it’s dangerous! Come down!”

Sister’s worried cries echoed, but I couldn’t stop. I jumped, scrambling up another boulder.

“Ugh…almost…”

Boom!—

“Eek!!”

A large rock suddenly exploded above me, nearly knocking me off. I clung to the rock, my arms trembling, and caught my breath.

“Huff…this is…harder than I thought. But almost there…!”

I could barely move, but I’d crawl the rest of the way if I had to.

I looked towards the summit, my eyes burning with determination, and was met with a harsh reality.

“I’m…not even halfway there…?”

The summit was much further than I’d anticipated.

Whoosh—

The wind howled, my resolve wavering like my loose-fitting uniform.

“Come down here, or you’ll be sorry! I’m serious, Ellie!”

The black gem at the summit continued to glow ominously. If I’d drawn my sword, I would have at least tried to…retrieve it.

“Maybe I should just…go back…”

Why had I even started climbing this thing?
I remembered.

****

I watched Sister, her gaze fixed on the summit of the giant, crawling turtle. Her expression was grim, unreadable.

“I sense a strange energy emanating from the top… Something different from the turtle…something…sinister.”

I stared at her, listening to her cryptic words.
If Sister said so, it must be true. Her senses were sharp; she was always sensitive to such changes.

I liked that about her. Her reactions were…entertaining.

“Ellie? Look up there, not at me.”

Sister said as she blasted another incoming boulder with a fireball.

I finally looked up and saw it—a dark, glowing object at the very top of the shell.

It looked like a gem, a large, black gem radiating a faint light. I wasn’t sure what it was, but one thing was clear:

“…Looks expensive.”

“….”

Did she have to look at me like that? I was her sister!

Sister, apparently unimpressed by my insightful observation, launched another fireball, aimed directly at the gem.

Boom!—

The explosion was powerful. The gem would shatter into worthless pieces any second now.

The fireball hit its mark. I wished it had exploded more spectacularly, like fireworks.

“The fireball…”

But the gem…absorbed it, swallowing Sister’s magic whole.

The gem glowed red, its energy intensifying, flowing through the turtle’s shell.

Groaaaaan—

The turtle’s eyes glowed red. It seemed to be moving faster.

“You made it faster!”

“Wh…what? That’s not… What am I supposed to do?”

Sister looked distressed. My words had hurt her, a sharp jab at her usually unwavering confidence. She looked down, dejected, and I felt a pang of… something.

“Don’t look like that, Sister.”

I stood on my tiptoes and gently patted her head.

I smiled at her.

‘Because I want to tease you more.’

Sister’s sad face was…adorable. I wanted to make her cry.

****

Sister, spurred on by my…comfort, continued her magical assault, though it seemed ineffective.

“Haa…haa…”

I walked over to her. She looked pathetic, covered in sweat and dust. She’d exhaust herself if she continued, so I stopped her.

“Let me handle this.”

“Ellie?”

She looked at me, confused, and I pointed at my sword.

“I’ll go up there and finish this. You take care of the falling rocks.”

“What are you talking about? Wait, Ellie!”

I jumped onto the nearest boulder, ignoring her protests. The slope was steep, but I wasn’t worried.

The shell was roughly spherical, which meant the incline would gradually decrease as I climbed. I’d be strolling comfortably by the time I reached the top, and I’d just… grab the gem.

“Hee hee, this is easy.”

I started climbing, feeling confident.

****

I was wrong.

“Gasp…huff…how big is this turtle…?”

I crawled towards the summit, the incline less steep now, but I was exhausted. At least I wasn’t injured, thanks to Sister intercepting the falling rocks.

Boom!—

“Eek?! What…?”

A boulder the size of my torso whizzed past my head. That was a close call. I looked down at Sister.

“Sister…?”

She didn’t look well, lying face down on a rock, her arm outstretched…

…and more rocks rained down on her, larger and more numerous than the ones I’d encountered.

“Sister, look out!!”

She couldn’t hear me, but I had to try. I screamed, hoping for a miracle.

Then, something shot up from behind Sister, accompanied by a loud roar.

“Haaaa!”

KABOOM!!—

And the rocks rained down, a cloud of dust obscuring Sister’s form.

I stared at the spot where she’d been, my heart pounding. The dust settled, and I saw…

Linne, standing protectively in front of Sister.

“Hey, Ellie’s sister! It’s dangerous to sleep on the job!”

Her sword flashed, shattering the incoming boulders. I sank to the ground, relieved.

“Th…thank goodness…”

That was close. I’d have to thank Linne for saving Sister. I smiled, looking down at them.

Boom!—

“Eek?! What the…”

A boulder the size of my head landed next to me. Apparently, I wouldn’t get a break. I stood up, ignoring my trembling limbs. I could still walk.

“Just you wait, you overgrown turtle. I’m coming for you!”

Ha ha ha. Cough, cough! I drew my sword, laughing maniacally. The slope was gentle enough now; I didn’t have to crawl anymore.

****

Whoosh—

I sliced through an incoming boulder, the flaming blade leaving a smooth, clean cut as the rock tumbled away.

“Finally…”

The wind tugged at me, threatening to blow me off the shell. I braced myself, my feet firm on the rock.

“Finally, I’ve found you.”

The black gem glowed faintly, as if in response. It was much larger than I was, up close. Though most things were bigger than me.

I carefully approached it, raising my sword.

One swing, and it would be over. The gem would be split in two, and Sister would be so proud. I didn’t care about anything else.

As I got closer, a strange energy emanated from the gem, a dark, swirling mist that seeped into the rock below.

I couldn’t let it…do whatever it was doing. The rocks had stopped falling, so I swung my sword.

Crackle!—

Sparks flew as my blade met…resistance. I stumbled back, surprised.

“It…blocked me?”

My Flame Sword could cut through steel like butter. It shouldn’t be stopped by this…mist.

“Again!”

Crackle!—

I swung harder, but the result was the same.

“Why…isn’t it working?”

I struck again and again,
but the strange energy wouldn’t yield.

“Fine, then…!”

I suppressed the flames, containing them within the blade until the sword looked ordinary, all the fiery energy concentrated within, ready to explode.

“Let’s see you block this!”

Kiiiing—

I poured all my remaining strength and mana into the sword, carefully controlling the flow, preventing the blade from melting. I filled it to the brim, the metal humming with barely contained energy.

“Haaaa…!”

I swung, bringing the fully charged blade down on the gem.

KABOOM!!!—

A blinding flash of light erupted.