Chapter 97

I fired a large fireball into the swarm of monsters, sweeping them away, then looked up at the sky, sensing something strange, and involuntarily gasped.

"──That is... Could it be?"

The monster's black body began to transform into something abnormal.

The monster, no longer a single mass of flesh, was trying to return to its previous bone-like form.

Seeing this, I was so shocked that I lost my voice and trembled.

I hesitated to believe what my eyes had witnessed.

Because──

It was exactly as I had predicted.

"Finally... You've made up your mind, haven't you?"

The monster is now remaking its body to be suitable for high-speed movement.

Probably, the greatest threat it feels is Mr. Noll's 'Black Sword.'

After all, that monster can only be injured by that.

However, just a moment ago, when Mr. Noll struck the 'Black Sword' with a powerful blow that could have impaled the monster deep into the ground, it seemed to have done no damage to the bones.

Probably, the flesh is getting in the way.

As long as that flesh remains, attacks won't reach the core.

Our greatest challenge was to somehow deal with that swollen flesh.

The monster must be aware of this as well.

...But, what if.

If we could make the monster think that the flesh is no longer necessary.

That was why I sent Ines and Lala to the sky.

Lala and Ines would relentlessly whittle down and burn the flesh.

Mr. Noll's attacks wouldn't work.

If they could continue this indefinitely, the monster's body would eventually shrink.

...Then, what would the monster do?

Ultimately, the only threat to the monster is Mr. Noll's 'Black Sword.'

The 'Black Sword' deflects all of the monster's attacks.

But, as the confrontation continues, the monster will surely realize that the 'Black Sword' can only be wielded by Mr. Noll, and that no one else can pose a threat.

──Then, it must understand that it must destroy the wielder at all costs.

But Mr. Noll's speed is abnormal.

To confront him with the resolve to be pierced, that vast amount of flesh would surely be a hindrance.

Therefore, it should confront him with just enough flesh to withstand a blow from the 'Black Sword.'

It seems the monster has now come to this resolve.

Whether the monster would reach this conclusion was a gamble.

...Originally.

To attack or to flee.

That was a major turning point.

The worst-case scenario was if the monster fled.

If it analyzed our forces, prepared, and continued to target us, it would be disastrous.

But, I was certain it wouldn't do that.

──Because it is 'Pope Astira.'

I don't know why I think so.

But, I have a near certainty.

'Pope Astira' and

the 'Astira' here are completely different people.

I know this because I faced her directly.

Her arrogance, believing everything should belong to her.

Her selfishness, thinking she can trample and manipulate everything for her own sake.

Her vanity, believing all existence should serve her.

Therefore, it is impossible for her to choose to flee here.

I had a feeling, almost an intuition, about this.

And it seems to have been correct.

Now, the monster is being cornered by Mr. Noll, Ines, and Lala, and is preparing for the final showdown.

To defeat Mr. Noll, who wields the 'Black Sword.'

The situation is unfolding exactly as I had envisioned, and I am inwardly surprised.

But, I cannot afford to relax here.

Because this is the main event.

The monster probably hasn't realized that this is a bad move.

It is focused on Ines's [Divine Shield] and Mr. Noll's 'Black Sword,' and doesn't suspect that something is hidden on the ground, shielded by Ines's shield.

I hope that is the case.

Because the main attack to whittle down the monster's flesh is coming from here.

The 'charm' I received from Mr. Oken.

With this, I can deliver a single blow that surpasses the monster's imagination.

──A miniature portable magic cannon, 'God's Thunder.'

The only prototype magic device in the world, developed by [Magi Saint] Mr. Oken using the secret technology of the Magic Imperial Kingdom.

This magic device contains a single large magic stone that Mr. Oken had kept in reserve.

A 'Demon's Heart' of the highest quality, which Mr. Oken said he had never seen before or since.

With this, I can unleash a magic of tremendous power once.

I have decided to stake everything on the current situation.

The chance to fire is a one-time opportunity in every sense.

If I pour all my magic power into this prototype, it will disintegrate instantly.

If it is detected once, it will be guarded, and hitting it again will be difficult.

──One shot, and it's over.

There is absolutely no second chance.

A single, extremely dangerous gamble.

I am involving everyone who remains here, staking their lives on this.

This realization makes me feel a slight nausea and dizziness.

But, as far as I know, I don't have a more ideal trump card.

Mr. Oken handed us the best trump card before we left for Misra, as if he had foreseen this.

Now, it's a matter of whether we can make use of it or not.

I think it's a strategy that can only be called a gamble.

Naturally, everything may not go as I have envisioned.

──But. Fortunately.

I have won the gambles so far.

Everyone is doing an incredibly good job.

Ines, without showing any unnaturalness, is gradually guiding the monster to the stone marker we built on the ground.

That is not a wall, but a marker.

A massive engraving on the ground to coordinate with the sky.

That's why I have remained in the designated position, waiting for this moment.

Finally, the preparations are almost complete.

The situation is now as perfect as it can be.

No, everyone has worked hard to make it so.

──Now, it's just me.

Yes, just me.

I just need to not fail.

If I can give Mr. Noll, who wields the 'Black Sword,' a chance, we can win.

There is a chance to win.

There must be.

I believe this, and I have conceived and directed this strategy.

This reckless, gamble-like strategy.

That's why I cannot fail here.

I absolutely cannot fail.

The pressure makes my breathing heavy.

...It's okay. I will definitely hit it.

I just need to hit it. That's all.

Everyone is already doing an excellent job.

I just need to not fail in using this 'trump card.'

It's just that, that's all──

I try to calm myself by taking a deep breath and looking up at the sky──

Suddenly, my body feels cold.

My whole body starts to tremble, and just as I am about to resolve myself, doubts swell up.

"...Hit... it...? That... thing? ...How exactly?"

The doubt quickly turns to despair.

The giant in the sky is moving like lightning itself.

What is happening up there is beyond imagination.

The target is large.

But it is too fast.

Too fast.

...Hit it?

How can I possibly do that?

...It's impossible.

My sweet plan is collapsing at the last moment.

──I must have been too naive.

──I will fail.

──I will definitely fail.

I realize that I had planned an impossible strategy from the beginning.

My logical thinking leads me to a dark conclusion.

──No. Even if it's impossible──I will do it.

I deny the inner voice, warn myself, and force my faltering heart to rise, as if spitting out a trembling voice.

I can't back down now.

I can't let my weakness ruin the situation we have built together.

I grit my teeth, muster my last bit of courage, stretch my hand towards the sky, take a deep breath, and give my final instructions to the people around me.

──From now on, I will stop attacking the monster on the ground.

I'm sorry, but I have to leave the rest to you.

That's all I can say.

It's no good... This is not a proper explanation.

In this chaotic situation, my intentions will not be fully conveyed.

"...What? What do you mean!?"

Confusion naturally arises.

I haven't explained this to them.

If I do, the monster might detect it.

...I have failed.

There is no time to cover it up. But.

──Understood. Leave it to me. We will reposition with her at the center.

"Wait... Wait a minute, what do you mean!?"

"It's the final big showdown, Miranda."

"Yes, it will be fine, I'm sure."

Prince Terrence, Astira, and Sigil instantly understand my intentions and respond.

I leave the rest to them and focus all my consciousness on my body.

──Because the main attack is coming from here.

Ines is skillfully blocking the monster's path with her [Light Shield] in the intense battle and guiding it above my head.

Just a few seconds more to reach directly above.

I will unleash my all-out attack the moment it reaches above my head.

I must pour everything into that one strike.

I need to hurry and prepare for it.

Failure is absolutely not allowed.

I cannot fail here.

──But.

Even so.

"...Why...?"

My body is still trembling in small movements.

The more I try to stop the trembling, the more it grows, to a degree I have never experienced before.

──Why.

...Why?

...I already know.

What I am about to do is a genuine 'gamble.'

It is an incredibly reckless thing to do.

I understand this deep down.

That's why my body won't move.

──The [Fusion Magic] with ten spells that Mr. Oken showed me in the capital's underground.

I will use that and amplify it with 'God's Thunder' to deliver a strike.

With that power, it should be easy to peel off the monster's flesh.

I built this situation based on that theoretical calculation.

It is not wrong in terms of possibility.

But, the possibility is──extremely close to zero.

After all, it is a skill that cannot be mastered in a short time.

In fact, I couldn't master it.

No matter how many times I tried, I never succeeded.

The more I tried, the more I realized that I could never reach that level.

I should have known this.

Yet, I am about to do it now.

I included this vague element in my strategy, understanding what it means.

At that time, I couldn't think of anything else, and I thought it was the option that would sacrifice the fewest people in Misra──but that's just an excuse.

At that time, I wished that no one would be sacrificed.

Sacrificing a few to save the majority.

This is often the best judgment.

Sacrifice is inevitable in choices.

You cannot gain something without giving up something.

Sometimes, you must be ruthless to be a 'king.'

I understand this.

But, I always search for a different path.

Unconsciously, I avoid choices that will make someone a sacrifice.

When faced with a choice, I look for an escape route.

A path where no one is unhappy, where no one is sacrificed, if only it could be found nearby──

I dream of such an impossible fairy tale.

──And the result is this gamble.

I am nothing more than a dreamer who continues to dream sweet, childish dreams.

I can never be a realist like my brother.

I cannot make proper, rational judgments.

So, I might die here.

But, I am sure that if I die, my brother will properly carry on the Kingdom of Creuse.

This thought slightly eases my mind.

...That's right.

I feel sorry for Ines and Roro, and for Mr. Noll and everyone who came with us──

But, no matter how many times I think about it.

No matter how many times I reconsider.

This is indeed the option that sacrifices the fewest people.

...That's right.

In that sense, my judgment is rational.

In that sense, I am making the most optimal choice.

I am not wrong for taking this gamble.

I decide to convince myself of this and heighten my mental focus again.

Because if I miss this opportunity──it will never come again.

...Finally, my body starts to obey me.

"──[Magic Barrier]"

I cast a magical barrier, layering [Physical Reflection] and [Magic Reflection] to prepare for the impact, and use [Magic Concentration] to condense all my magic power in my palm, preparing to release every last drop of the magic power dormant in my body.

I am putting the lives of those who remain here at risk with my strategy.

So, I cannot hold back out of self-preservation.

──After this, I will be nothing but an empty shell.

I resolve myself to this and amplify my magic power to the extreme with [Magic Enhancement], [Magic Amplification], and [Magic Explosion].

"──[Blazing Extreme Flame]"

Next, I carefully create ten magic power orbs and make them float around my palm.

...It's done. This far, everything has gone according to training.

And──

All that's left is to [Fusion] them.

I must succeed.

I must.

Only then can my magic reach the power needed to peel off the monster's flesh.

──But.

If I fail.

If I fail here.

I imagine it, and my body trembles.

At the same time, my limbs move as if they are not my own.

...No. What am I thinking.

This shouldn't be happening.

──Ah, of course.

Of course, I will fail.

The certainty of despair, which I had suppressed, rises in my mind.

Suddenly, the heightened magic power starts to dissipate.

"Rin"

A boy stands beside me, seemingly out of nowhere.

...Roro.

It seems he could hear my inner voice.

"I'm sorry, Roro... I'm really sorry."

My voice trembles with shame.

I can feel tears welling up in my eyes, and I feel angry at myself for it.

...This is not the time to cry like a child.

If I keep this up