episode_0055

It hadn’t been long since Alain disappeared into the barrier with Ark Rich.

The power of the barrier laid by Ark Rich seemed to weaken, and soon it began to flicker and show signs of breaking.

It appeared that entering with full force had some effect, as there was more resistance than expected.

However, the outcome of a battle between a support-type priest and an entity responsible for a boss episode was as clear as day.

In order to rescue the recklessly brave priest, I threw a magic bullet into the barrier.

Boom!

Crash!!!

The magic bullet collided with a terrifying force, causing Ark Rich’s barrier to shatter with a crisp sound.

Amidst the fluttering shards of the barrier emerged a gruesome silhouette.

But what I saw was far from what I had anticipated.

“Where in the world did this much holy water come from…!”

Alain, wearing a liquid gold cloak, stood beside the agonizing screams of Ark Rich and the soaked priestly robes, sporting a detached expression that seemed almost transcendent.

Upon witnessing this sight, I had a gut feeling.

I absolutely should not laugh at this.

Nor should I speak, or react in any way.

If I did, who knows what might happen.

Despite my efforts to avert my gaze and feign ignorance, there was one thing I overlooked…

That was precisely when…

“It’s… It’s the rebirth of the Saint!!!”

The reactions of others.

How they saw that as the rebirth of the Saint, I cannot comprehend.

To the uninformed eye, it seemed like a priest with unwavering devotion had risked death to administer holy water to the Winter Lord.

…Look at that body twitching.

How embarrassing must it be to contort so dramatically?

I mean, it’s already mortifying to be caught by just one person, but to be exposed like that in front of so many… oh.

As I sighed at the dizzying thought, Alain’s movements, which had been writhing vigorously like a powerful eel, suddenly came to a halt.

Is that okay? Has the shock caused her to lose her mind?

Concerned, I gazed at her with a worried look, and in response to my worries, Alain began to laugh quietly.

“Hehe… Hahaha… Oh dear… Hahahaha…”

Whether she was crying or laughing, Alain made strange sounds for quite some time.

Just as the mournful sound subsided, Alain unleashed her burning anger upon Ark Rich.

“…Because of you… Because of you!!!”

Crackle…

The massive bone prison that had restrained Alain crumbled to dust due to the golden divine power.

Freed from her constraints, Alain immediately generated a wave of divine energy and, like an angel descending to judge evil, aimed her spear at Ark Rich.

Was it to conceal shame? Or had she lost her mind due to embarrassment?

Or perhaps she was enraged by the shame inflicted upon her by Ark Rich?

…Honestly, all three seemed plausible, but regardless, Alain recklessly charged once again towards the screaming Ark Rich.

Boom –

Allowing herself to be struck by Ark Rich, she plummeted into the Grand Duke’s chamber.

It might seem anticlimactic compared to the momentum she displayed, but it wasn’t. Thanks to Alain’s costly sacrifice, the tide had completely turned.

Alain’s invaluable sacrifice brought about many things.

Her dazzling performance instilled a glimmer of hope in the battle-weary troops of the Grand Duke and her courageous charge, followed by a fall after losing her wings, ignited a flame of struggle in the hearts of the combatants.

Moreover, by significantly weakening Ark Rich’s power, the tide naturally shifted.

“I will remember…!”

Facing the direction she fell, I shouted faintly and quickly drew upon my magic.

Now is truly the time to try.

Though it’s still ambiguous to say the situation is good, rising from 0% to 1% makes a significant difference.

To win in battle, I began aligning the pieces of victory one by one.

“Kotas?”

“Why do you call me?”

“Do you see the Bone Dragon Ark Lich is riding? Can you dismantle that for me?”

“…It seems impossible.”

“If you dismantle it, you can keep the promise we made two months ago at Daesurim. That’s the main dish I’ll be cooking…”

“In that case, the story changes. How much should I cut it into?”

First, Orc gourmet Kotas helped him regain his lost enthusiasm.

“Inspiration, remember the one you were planning to use in the West?”

“Oh…! Can I finally use that?!”

“Yes, feel free to use it. But make sure to fly it as close to the Eternal Snow Mountain as possible. We don’t want any collateral damage to the Grand Lord.”

“Hehe… Isn’t that obvious! The day has come when we witness the power of this grand and beautiful thing! My heart is already racing with excitement!”

He allowed the use of forbidden weapons in Stroheim.

“My chest… I’m working out… Don’t talk…!!!”

“Yeah, you’re doing just fine on your own.”

To Bell, the Hel Elf who seemed unsure if he was fighting or lifting weights, nothing was said.

For the battle enthusiast Draconian, Louis, who was far away and seemed to be doing well like Bell, words seemed unnecessary.

With only one pesky fellow left…

I turned to look at the grinning fool beside me and spoke up.

“Hey, can you cut that?”

“What?”

“The ominous magic circle above our heads.”

“Well…”

He hesitated for a moment, then grinned widely and shrugged his shoulders.

“It seems the effectiveness might vary depending on what you suggest.”

“…Do you really want to do that in this urgent situation?”

“It sounds like a joke, but I really couldn’t cut it. I tried earlier.”

With a stern expression, the sword continued.

“I tried to slash with all my might, but right before destruction, it all disappeared and returned to normal. Now, to cut that, we need a more powerful sword strike than that.”

“So, if you have a strong desire, you think you can cut it?”

“Yeah, like we did in the West, remember? Or not? Maybe I’ll suddenly awaken and slice it.”

It feels like being deceived.

Looking at the face of the giggling fool, I felt like I was being tricked, but since he wasn’t the type to play tricks, I pondered.

…What should I do to make this fool desperate?

If I suggest something worse than a date, it might backfire.

But there’s nothing greater than a date… Only actions suitable for real lovers.

A kiss, perhaps… Allowing touching the chest… Doing something even more intimate…

“…”

Perhaps due to excessive thinking, my brain started to overload.

Ah, it’s too bothersome to think, can’t you just act like a man for once?

That doesn’t seem right, does it?

Allowing something intimate is akin to selling my body.

Selling one’s body is something prostitutes do.

Moreover.

If I say something like “Let me touch your chest” to that perverted guy, wouldn’t I appear too easy? He might think I’m a loose woman.

So, the body is off-limits.

Selling your body is only acceptable when there’s no other choice…

No? Not even as a last resort.

“Sigh…”

Surprisingly, apart from offering my body, nothing else came to mind to propose to him.

If you ask if I’m thinking too much about that…

“No way.

It’s because that perverted guy only desires such things.

If he were a bit more gentlemanly, he could have immediately thought of the conditions I would propose, just like I told Kotas and Strohheim.

*Sigh…*

After contemplating for a while, unable to find an answer, I shook my head.

It feels like a defeat.

To think that all I can offer that guy is this damn body.

I feel really terrible.

Glaring at the sword with a frustrated look, he smirked and pointed towards the sky.

“Hey, sorry to interrupt your contemplation, but that thing seems like it’s about to activate slowly, you know?”

“Noisy! Can’t you see I’m thinking right now?!”

“I also want to give you more time, but unfortunately, I can’t afford to do so anymore.”

…”

Turning my gaze towards the sky, the magic circle, shining brightly with ominous black hues due to absorbing my magic, seemed ready to unleash magic any moment. As per what the guy named Karl said, I realized that my time was running out.

No longer a time for contemplation.

I steadied myself and slowly walked towards Karl.

“So, what do you plan to do?”

“…Do you really hate me that much?”

“I told you, it’s unavoidable. Should I swear on my sword?”

“…Just keep your mouth shut for a moment. Maybe close your eyes too.”

Forcing his mouth shut with my hand, I took a deep breath.

Yes, as Karl said, this is inevitable.

I might have said it several times already, but isn’t it better to be in this world than in the afterlife even if it means rolling in a dung heap?

So.

It truly is unavoidable.

*Click.*

“Huh…?”

Surprised by the soft touch on his cheek, Karl widened his eyes.

Seeing him flustered and scrambling around, his face seemed quite decent, but it was too hot to look directly at him.

Nevertheless, I had to do what needed to be done.

With a trembling voice, I cautiously pointed to the sky and asked.

“…Can we do it now?”

“Of course.”

With his reply, he split the sky in half.”