That 203: The Holy Knight's Great Shield

Perhaps a good ten or so minutes passed, with the battle remaining one-sided.

With little concern left for healing Rinne, both I and Tsuzuri had retreated to the edge of the field, watching Rinne more like spectators than participants.

Of course, I kept a close eye on Yukiya, determined not to miss even the slightest move he might make.

"…………Hah…………Hah………Damn it, this kind of stamina doesn’t suit someone in their forties."

"How you holding up? Ready to admit defeat yet?"

"Can’t I… just push a little more? I still have some pride, you know."

"Hmph. Suit yourself, then."

Another one of those boar-like roars—how many times has this been now, I can’t even count.

Each time, a wave of cries rises from the crowd—hard to tell if they’re cries of despair or cheers.

"That's why—sweet it is!"

At the moment Rinne tried to dodge again, that was when it happened.

"《Holy Knight's—Great Shield》!"

As Yeku shouted, a massive shield, roughly his own height, materialized on his right arm.

Though it appeared to be made of metal, it was enveloped in an inexplicable aura, and its shape seemed to shift constantly.

Shifting like mercury, it seemed capable of altering its shape to some extent at the caster's will—

"No good!"

I gasped and cried out, but there was nothing I could do now, powerless as I was.

And then he—

"Uwaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

With a furious cry, he drove the shield he'd conjured straight into the ground, forcefully blasting soil upward as if using a shovel to scrape the earth.

For a split second, it felt like the ground had exploded.

Almost everyone present probably had the same reaction—some were even flipped over.

"Rinon-sama...!"

My nearby maid let out a worried cry, but it's alright. I can see her clearly—she barely managed to escape the attack's range.

"Seriously? Seriously!? Ah! That was close!"

"——Now comes the real part!"

And Yagiku drove the shield straight into the ground, then used it like a shovel, lifting up clumps of soil in quick succession.

With each motion, a sound like something bursting echoed through the air.

The dust, presumably enhanced by Unyielding, carried explosive force reminiscent of a grenade.

Even if it weren't for that, taking such a massive amount of debris head-on would inevitably slow one down.

If that's the case, I might end up allowing Yonetsu-san to close in.

"Rinon, — keep going!"

Shouting words I no longer even know whether they're encouragement or just support.

Nevertheless, it would be premature to say the tide has completely turned in our favor. According to Zonri's prior intelligence, Yeku must have expended a considerable amount of resources to manifest the *Great Shield of the Saint Knight*. If he's also dedicating energy to offense, his effective combat time is likely to be significantly shortened.

Woohoo! Aaah!

Shouting like that, Yeku kept digging up the soil one after another.

Each time, undulations began to form across the sports field.

"...This isn't good."

"Yeah."

Only because we were able to observe it objectively, both Sutori and I noticed it.

It seemed Nightku wasn't just randomly digging up the ground.

"That guy—he's restructuring the battlefield, blocking off Ren'on's escape route."

It might be hard to escape like this... maybe.

"Should we switch to Plan B?"

Shutori looked shocked and said,

"Wait. Is there even a Plan B?"

"There isn't."

Ignoring Shutori's flustered reaction, I looked up at the sky.

"I'll think of something now."

I've already heard from her about the effects of various spells.

In this case—let's see... yes.

"There's actually something I'd like to try."

"What exactly?"

And I called out toward the sky.

The spell... was it okay to decide on my own?

"――《Rain of Blessings》"

Fifth in the Water-element magic series.

Apparently, this technique allows one to freely summon rain clouds.

Looking up, I saw pure white clouds already forming.

At once, droplets began to fall—pitter-patter, pitter-patter—wetting my head, and then—

in an instant, a torrential downpour poured over the entire sports field.

"Ahh!"

Suzuri let out a startled cry.

Rain poured down over the entire field as if the sky had turned upside down.

Immediately, we could no longer see even a few meters ahead.

"Is this just a magic shower for taking a bath?"

"Heh heh. That wasn't Melazoma... just Mela."

"...S-super amazing... I don't understand it all, but I know it's amazing!"

This should at least hinder Yoriku's actions a little.

Continuing, I said,

"Rinon, —'come back'"

Using the [Encouragement] ability, I call Rinon back.

She returned just a few seconds later.

It seemed she already had a good idea of what was going on.

"...'Haku,' you shouldn't go too overboard, or you'll break the rules..."

"I only called down rain. Hehehe."

"But..."

"If they start complaining later, you can just say they pulled out a magical shield of their own, can't they?"

That's probably what's going on.

Isn't Mr. Sasaki deliberately making the rules obvious and easy to exploit?

Even if Yoriku wins, they can still find fault.

And even if we win using underhanded tactics, it can still be interpreted in a positive light.

I see—very much like the usual cunning, almost deceitful style of Unko-man.

This time, that would be welcome.

"Then, I'll come up with Plan B. I'll wear down Yeku's power completely. I'll win."

But, Yeku...

That's something you taught me yourself.

The world is a game.

That's why we absolutely must aim to win.