第５２４堀：希望から絶望 そして無情 (Part2)
"Princess, thank goodness you are safe!! What incredible luck!"
Clay, the handsome bearded man, said this as he walked toward us with his subordinates in tow.
...While drawing his sword.
"...What is the meaning of this, Clay?"
"Cl-Clay, sir?"
"My apologies, Duke Kamishiro. For the sake of the coming era of magic, I must ask you to die. As for Kagura and the Princess, you will make excellent research material, so I shall use you with gratitude."
Here it comes!!
A handsome man’s betrayal!!
Damn it, my ambition seems to be drifting further and further away. Am I cursed!?
Taiki is standing next to me, wearing a look of utter despair.
I could really do without a last-minute reversal or a dramatic comeback. We’re talking about a situation where it’s two outs in the bottom of the ninth, and we’d need four consecutive home runs just to turn the tide. The pitcher is in absolute despair.
While our minds were busy processing this delightful turn of events, the situation continued to escalate.
"Is this the Emperor’s will?"
"Oh, if it isn't Countess Baide. I have no need to answer to a woman who is nothing more than a delusional harlot."
"What!?"
"Honestly. The Emperor is losing support rapidly because he does foolish things like granting titles to females. Well, I suppose it can't be helped; like the previous Emperor, he clings to the fantasy of the 'First Founder.' Instead of such fairy tales, I shall show you something far more realistic and magnificent."
With that, Clay pulled a jewel from his breast pocket... wait, what!?
"Hey, Yuki, isn't that a core?"
"Yeah, it certainly looks like one."
Indeed, what Clay held appeared to be a Dungeon Core. However, the dungeon itself had long since withered into a mere cave. Does that mean it’s a fake? No, there’s no reason to pull out a fake in a situation like this.
"Behold! Summoning is not something exclusive to the likes of you!! And know this!! This is true summoning!!"
Clay channeled his magic into the core. Whether it was a limited activation or not, numerous summoning circles appeared at his feet, and Lizardmen began to crawl out from them.
Wait, why Lizardmen?
Shouldn't it be demons? You know, like a Lesser Demon or a Greater Demon.
Ah, come to think of it, didn't the monsters that relied purely on magic power vanish?
I have to say, it lacks a certain impact.
Apparently, we were the only ones who thought so. Kagura, Catherine, and even Duke Kamishiro were visibly trembling. Well, I suppose it’s understandable if they’ve never seen such monsters before.
"Su-Summoning, you say!? And so many of them... this is madness!"
"That’s right!! We have obtained power that the Three Houses cannot even compare to!! From here on, Haiden will become a nation of mages that surpasses even the legends!! As a start, if we strike down the Three Houses, 'That Person' will surely be pleased!!"
"'That Person'?"
"Yes! The one who revived the great magic and possesses unparalleled power has finally made a move!! The long period of dormancy is over; a new legend begins now!! The Assembly of Wisdom!! The Sages have acted!!"
"The Assembly of Wisdom? I thought that was just a moldy department for researching magical tools..."
"Hahaha!! That is why you are all fools!!"
...Ah, I see. Thanks for the explanation.
But honestly, this is starting to become a chore. I signaled to everyone around me.
"Hey, you there. Can't you listen quietly during your final moments? You’re only shortening your already brief lifespan."
"Um, could you save that edgy talk for someone who actually cares?"
"Hah!! You’re clearly unable to keep up with such overwhelming power... Then, die!"
With that, the Lizardmen charged at us with incredible speed. It was a pace no ordinary human could achieve.
"Yuki-sama!? Damn it, Lightning!"
Duke Kamishiro unleashed a spell to stop the lizard—the 'Liza-chan'—but it had no effect. It just kept charging forward with ferocious intent.
"Hah!! Do you think such magic will work on—"
*THUD!!*
With that sound, Clay’s words were cut short. A Liza-chan was now embedded in the ground. Or rather, was it flattened?
"Hmm. It seems this Lizardman wasn't trained very well."
"It would seem so. To think it would be defeated by a light tap from me."
"No, no, comparing them to Weed's monsters is a mistake in itself."
"That's right. Steve-san and the others aren't nearly as... animalistic."
"Hey, Eoid. That didn't look strong at all. Why are those guys acting so arrogant?"
"Shh!! Don't say that, Amanda. It’s strong to them, so let them have their moment."
The Weed members chatted away as they approached the flattened Liza-chan. It’s hard to be afraid of something that goes down from one of Deryu’s light taps. Still, no matter how pathetic they are, we have a job to do.
"Alright, alright. That’s enough chatting. Let’s go capture these idiots."
"Yes!"
"Wha...!?"
When the clichés pile up this high, it’s hard to know where to even start poking holes in them.
Try a little harder, will you!? Give it your all, you elite fiancé!!
*A haiku by Yuki & Taiki*