Chapter 735 – Beyond the Hole

000

“… No, it is not connected to Cleon through magic. The reaction is too faint to say that it is beyond the barrier.”

When Lila, who was watching Cleon’s reaction while crouching near the barrier, spoke like that, the other party members also had dark faces and were looking at the barrier leading to the imperial territory that was blocking their path.

Because the ones who spread and maintained this were the shamans of the Eastern Kingdom, it was impossible to open the barrier without them.

However, talking about the situation may not be enough to lift the barrier.

This is because it did not make common sense to disarm the defense line of contamination that stretched across a wide territory in order to save the people who were dragged inside.

“Lila. The tentacle that dragged Cleon in… Have you found out what it is?”

When Kuon asked that question, Lila nodded and took out the book she had brought with her, thinking that something might happen near the empire’s territory.

This is because in the book that listed various weapons used in the war against the imperial territory and newly created threatening monsters, there was a person who was believed to have captured Cleon.

When Lila used her magic to open her book, she started turning the pages quickly, and then she thought, Wow! As she makes the sound, she displays at the top what Lila is looking for.

“… I think it’s probably this guy. ＇Demon Sword Starfish＂.＂

When she pointed to the page, there was a detailed description of the creature along with an imaginary illustration by the author of the book.

＂… It looks gross…＂

It was as if goosebumps appeared on her body, so when Sasha said that while shaking her body, Amelia nodded her head as if she agreed.

It was made from a tangle of dark red tentacles, and it had the appearance of failing to imitate the appearance of various living things using the tentacles that made up its body.

＂Is this… A type of imperial biological weapon?＂

It is said that there were several threatening monsters that were created through experiments by the imperial people at the time and used in war. Could this be one of them?

Otherwise, it was thought that it made no sense for such creatures to exist in the natural world.

“No, this is a chimera created by the Academy to support the kingdom’s war effort. It is said that the kingdom’s wizards and alchemists also participated in the production.”

However, Lila shook her head and denied Amelia’s question.

“During the war against the Empire, the most threatening entity to ordinary soldiers was the Demon Sword Knights under the direct command of the Demon Sword Emperor. In addition to having the same superhuman physical abilities as the knights of the kingdom, they each used magic swords with special and powerful abilities, so it was bound to be difficult to deal with them.”

Imagine there is a unit made up entirely of Cleon or Rubera. When Lila said this, the group thought that it might be a bit unpleasant to deal with.

“Therefore, in order to resolve the power gap, it was necessary to do something with the Magic Sword Knights. This magic sword, Starfish, was created as a counter to the Demon Sword Knights.”

It was written that the magic sword starfish is usually lurking in the ground or mimicking a very small form, but when there is a magic swordsman nearby, it becomes active, binds the body, absorbs magic power and stamina, and puts one in a coma.

It is said that a magic swordsman who is hit by that ability loses his mind and is forced to see nightmares close to the worst in order to break his will, which is important for using the magic sword.

“… Isn’t that an effective tactic even if you’re not a magic swordsman?”

When Sasha asks that question, Lila is silent for a moment, then continues to say more about what is written in her book.

＂No, of course. That’s not the only reason it’s called the Demon Sword Starfish. The truly dangerous part of this guy is that it absorbs even the magic sword of the magic swordsman it neutralized and turns it into its own power, and starfish that have suffered damage have the property of combining with each other to recover.”

＂… And a single starfish that is combined like that can use various magic swordsman abilities…?＂

At Amelia’s point, Laila nodded and spoke while looking towards the barrier.

“It’s just a guess, but I think the reason we were able to break through the barrier was because the barrier judged that it wasn’t a biological weapon from the Empire. From the perspective of the kingdom or eastern country, it has magical power that identifies it as an ally.”

＂Well, I see… But then Cleon is even more dangerous!?＂

When Sasha once again raises her voice as if she is panicking, she looks at Layla as if she is wondering if there is any way.

“… If I pour all my magical power into it, I wonder if I can create at least a small hole in the barrier. If the magic is stopped, the hole will be filled again, so I have to stay here…”

＂Then I-(I)＂

As soon as Lila finished speaking, the other three came forward to enter the barrier.

Lila looked at the three as if she knew that, but she soon shook her head and spoke.

“Calm down for now. Do you guys know how dangerous it is to go in there? Because the inside is a dark magic area filled with dark magic, recovery magic cannot be used properly, and there are weapons from empires and kingdoms that have not yet been dealt with. “No one knows what kind of dangerous evolution the monsters may have achieved over the past 30 years.”

As they listened to Lila calmly explaining why they should not go inside, the expressions on the others’ faces became even darker.

“Cleon wouldn’t want you to be in danger to save him.”

The more I was told that it was dangerous inside, the more I became worried about Cleon’s safety inside.

“… But you can’t do anything…”

The moment Amelia muttered that, her voice was heard.

[Then, I will go.]

And, a black portal opens where the party is looking.

When the gaze of the party is momentarily taken away by the thing made of dark magic, thin limbs extending from within it as if passing through the water appear in front of the party, catching the magic of the portal and opening it.

And soon, it was Lillim who was recuperating in her room that completely showed her whole body.

＂Lilim… How?＂

When Sasha asked that question, Lilim answered with a natural expression.

“I can feel his presence no matter how far away I am. Because originally, he and I were created as a pair.”

As she says this, she shakes her head, tying her own long black hair into a bun.

Her hair flowing below her waist looked like the tail of her horse.

“However, since he seemed to suddenly disappear beyond the barrier, I only used primitive vision magic to determine the situation at the place where his presence was last felt.”

＂… In other words, he is a stalker specialized for Cleon. ＂

Lila said that without thinking, but Lilim nodded her head after hearing those words.

“More than that. It’s about going inside. Unlike you who are new to the imperial territory, I have lived in the empire before. At least, I know the geography of the empire better than you.”

Looking at Lilim, who spoke expressionlessly while making a V shape with one of her hands, Lila let out a sigh.

“That’s not the story, I’m saying it’s dangerous inside. If we go inside, we can chase Cleon out with magic, so it doesn’t matter about geography.”

“That’s true too.”

When Lilim obediently acknowledges Lila’s words, Lila closes her mouth for a moment and then looks at her and speaks with a suspicious look on her face.

＂… No way you…＂

“It’s okay to be in danger if you are yourself. Isn’t that what you think? Lillim.”

When Amelia intercepted what she was about to say, Lila was silent for a moment, but she did not withdraw her suspicious gaze as she looked at Lilim as if asking how she was.

Lilim didn’t say anything for a moment, and then she answered them with a small sigh.

“Yes. If this can atone for her and you, even just a little.”

Amelia, who seemed shocked by Lilim’s words, closed her mouth for a moment.

Soon she was talking to Lilim while clenching her fists.

“We really don’t want to receive atonement in the form of throwing away our lives like that. Atonement is something you do while living.”

Amelia says that having others carry the weight of her own life cannot be considered her atonement.

Lilim looked at her quietly, as if not specifically confirming or denying Amelia’s words.

“I was only suggesting options, Amelia. “I have no intention of going inside to commit suicide.”

＂Can you fight more than that? Pandora… Cleon picked it out, right?”

When Lila talks while looking at her, wearing a white dress that can’t even be called her suit, and holding nothing that can be used as a weapon, she talks.

“There is black magic. Even without Pandora, it is a bit surprising that it is treated as luggage.”

Lila said this because it reminded her of when she was a demon and used Pandora to overcome three people, but she herself says that she can fight without Pandora.

Well, since there was a time when he was a devil, it would be natural for him to be able to use at least one or two black magics.

＂Umm…＂

When Lila folds her arms as if thinking about her answer, Amelia turns to look at Lila and speaks.

“Lila, are you really planning to send Lillim inside?”

“No way. Even if it’s her, I hesitate to let her go inside. But… It might actually be the most likely among us. Since the inside is a dark magic area, it is also the optimal environment for Lilim, who uses black magic.”

It could be said that it was the inevitable fate of a wizard, but Lila’s rational side was to come up with the most effective and reasonable solution in her head.

Of course, from an emotional standpoint, I don’t think it’s right to weigh someone’s life.

“… I can’t send it alone. If Lilim goes, I will go too.”

＂The dark magic inside the barrier interferes with your holy power. It’s a pity, but this time you’ll be here protecting Lila-“

“There is a way.”

As Amelia spoke in response to Lilim’s words, she took out a small glass bottle containing a black crystal from her adventure bag.

＂… That.＂

It was natural that Lilim’s expression darkened as soon as she saw it.

That is, her crystal lotus flower, which was planted on her by herself and used to send her into a frenzy. This is because it was a fragment like leftover residue after extinction.

＂Did you have it?＂

＂Just in case… I thought it might be useful somewhere.＂

Although the crystal could not be compared to the previous one, it was clear that it contained a significant amount of dark magic.

“Wait Amelia? No way, using that-“

And, as soon as Kuon saw Amelia’s crystal, what came to mind was that, although it was an unsettling thought, Amelia answered her as if it was okay.

“… It’s okay, Kuon. Because I practiced being able to control my magical power.”

And just as she uses her sacred pendant to transform herself into a Saint Princess – and uses her own body as her medium to grow herself.

Concentrating her mind on the fragments of black magic in her hands, she used the magic crystals as her medium to transform them into new power.

Instead of the light that occurs when she transforms into the Saint Princess, a sphere of dark magic completely covers Amelia’s body, as she thinks darkness envelopes her.

A shape similar to the egg of black magic that she saw in the royal capital just before she was completely eaten by the demon inside her crystal.

However, this time, rather than breaking out of it – the sphere of black magic gradually decreased in size, contracted inside Amelia and fell asleep.

It also meant that she had succeeded in completely controlling the dark magic that covered her body.

Also, the appearance of her appearance there seemed quite different from her usual appearance.

Her skin was a little paler than usual, her platinum-blonde hair had lost a little more color, becoming closer to white, and instead of her usual braid, her hair had become a side-tail style.

The clothing covering her body was not the sacred white plate armor of the Saint Princess, but rather a one-piece dress with little fabric based on black and purple.

A cloak resembling devil’s wings was fluttering down behind her, and what she was holding in her hand was not a large war hammer, but a scythe that was unrivaled.

Finished with white and black over-the-knee socks and black leather shoes, the fashion looks closer to a devil than a warrior.

Finally, when she opened her eyes, which she had closed for a moment to focus on controlling her magical power, one of her eyes was dyed red, creating a red and blue odd eye.

＂… I really succeeded in controlling it… ＂

Lila clicked her tongue as she looked at Amelia’s new appearance as if she were dumbfounded, but Amelia looked down at her body and looked at her as if she was a little embarrassed by her clothes, which were more revealing than she had thought. He answered while blushing.

“This is a bit unexpected… I thought it would just change the color to black.”

＂Ha, but it looks good on you, Amelia…!＂

When Sasha said that, Amelia scratched the back of her head as if she was embarrassed.

＂… You mean you can do that for Cleon. For you, it would be like a deep scar in your heart.”

“If I use my power for someone else, I will overcome it. … And this power is not just for Cleon, but Lilim, it is the power to enter there with you.”

At Amelia’s words, Lilim looked back at Lila, as if she had no choice but to acknowledge her determination.

Lila, too, was opposed to sending Lilim alone, but if Amelia joins her with her new powers, her chances increase not by a factor but by a square.

“… I can’t help it. Just wait a little while, I’ll make a hole in the barrier. Sasha, Kuon, prepare for any hostile entities that may pop out from inside.”

Following Lyla’s instructions, once her group is in position, Lyla holds her staff in one hand and raises the other hand up, and begins to chant a spell to blow a hole in her barrier.

＂Run forward, Apostle of Falling Sun. This is a purifying fire that burns the polluted earth. Process, unite, and become a ray of light that turns all evil into ashes.”

Seething fire-attribute magic surges from beneath her feet and through her head, and the tip of her staff begins to tremble under the influence of the chanted magic.

＂Providence Blast!＂

Eventually, the completed form of magic was magic in the form of an intense, high-heat ray emanating from the tip of her wand.

She bent her body and strengthened her legs to prevent herself from being swept away by the wake of her magic.

Then, as soon as her magic touched the border barrier, it slowly melted that part.

＂Ooooohhh!＂

She forcibly moved the staff, which was not moving properly, and immediately drew a large circle with her staff, creating a hole in the barrier large enough for a person to pass through with the same trajectory.

However, at that moment, a dark creature came out from inside as if it had been waiting, and attacked Laila, who was using magic, but-

＂Heavenly destruction!＂

At the same time, as soon as Kuon’s voice was heard, a green wisp flew in from her and exploded upon contact with her black creature, annihilating it.

＂Nice timing, Kuon! Now, since I opened it, I have to bring it back properly!”

When Lila shouted, Amelia stretched out her hand toward her Lilim.

＂…＂

＂Let’s go!＂

And Lillim looked at the hand held out to her for a moment, then held it quietly.

Laila throws her body into the hole she created and enters the barrier –

And that means, after a long 30 years, he returned to the territory of the empire where he lived with the Demon Sword Emperor.