“Uhahahaha! Show them the difference of your strength!”
At the command of Professor Jill, the artificial lich continues to attack the motionless skeletons. However, someone cut through the flame burst that Ignis released, he quickly leapt in front of the professor.
It was Sukejiro. He holds the flying dragon bone sword in his right hand and shows off his golden body. The professor swallowed his saliva at the sight of the dazzling golden light reflected before him.
“Amazing! The silver skeleton was pretty good, but a gold one is just the right skeleton that my lich deserves! Ignis! Get this material right away!”
“Katakata”
Armed with a red magic stone on its forehead, the lich follows the professor’s words and unleashes another Flame Burst. The huge fireball hit Sukejiro directly and dust was blown away with the explosion.
“““Katakatakata”””
Multiple jaw clattered. A dome of darkness was formed in the place where Sukejiro was, and the power of the explosion was brilliantly extinguished. When the darkness disappears, three black lich appear from underneath his shadow to protect Sukejiro. The professor let out a gasp of amazement.
“Did you deploy multiple shadowfields and extinguished the power of Flame Burst? A magical beast that has such degree of intelligence huh… But this is very interesting. In this way, I will be able to showcase the real strength of my created lich. Ignis, Aquanis, Ael, Tila. Deal with them!”
“““Katakatakata”””
Each of them sets a target and scatters. It was Ignis vs Sukejiro, Aquanis vs Lich A, Ael vs Lich B and Tila vs Lich C. Once they closed the distance to their target, they immediately proceeded to a hand-to-hand combat.
Ignis delivers a kick. Sukejiro dodged it with a backstep and then he activated the Shadow Bind. Ignis slipped through the chains of darkness that stretched out from the ground as easily like a monkey and then he kept his distance. For Sukejiro, who has a large physique, Ignis seems to be a difficult opponent to fight.
On the other hand, Aquanis and Lich A were also engaged in a melee battle. They clash with their canes and kick each other. However, perhaps because of the difference in basic performance and skills, the artificial lich was being pushed back. The reason why it became a melee battle is simple. Because both of them possessed dark magic that weakens magic, they lacked a decisive factor. That is probably why they opted to weaken their opponent with physical attacks first and then finish it off with magic.
However, I must add that it would have worked if it was a normal lich.
Lich A landed his palm on Aquanis’ rib cage and wielded the Flame Bomb almost at the same time. The man-made lich was shattered into pieces by the impact of the explosion and then it fell to the ground.
“Aquanis!?”
Professor Jill exclaimed.
This outcome is as expected. The Homeless Lich are versatile lich, they are not only good at physical attacks but also with magic attacks. It is particularly evident in the presence of their skills. The artificial lich on the other hand didn’t seem to be using any skills. In other words, they are fighting only with basic stats and magic. That won’t defeat my Homeless Lich.
As proof of this, the other two were also shattered by the Zero-Distance Flame Bomb that was thrown at them when Lich B and C took advantage of their opening.
“A-Ael!? Tila!? Why! Why is it my Lich!?”
The artificial lich named Ignis, who carries Skeleton 7 on his back, is the only one left. Right now, Sukejiro is at the mercy of Ignis, who is smaller than him and he was unable to land his attacks. If the distance was wide enough, he could unleash a powerful magic attack but it will be avoided. And even if Sukejiro closes their distance, the more Ignis was able to dodge his slash attack. While blocking the storm of multiple flame bursts with his shadow skill, Sukejiro is intently watching for his chance of victory.
“Ignis! Kill them all at once with magic! With your power, you can do it! Avenge the three of them!”
“Katakata”
Ignis raised his wand high to the sky, and then an enormous amount of magical power swirled in it. As I was watching the scene, I also felt a bad premonition about this situation where the air vibrates.
“This is the forbidden magic Hellflare!”
As many as 30 fireballs fused in the sky to create a giant ball with a diameter of 20 meters. It’s probably a ultimate spell caused by the multiple use of Flame Burst. If it were shot, the entire floor could be engulfed in flames. Even I, felt anxious.
Then, the fireball was released, Sukejiro, who is clad in shadow, catches it with both hands. The hot air even reached my place and Sukejiro’s feet were slipping on the ground. It’s like a little sun. Lich A, B and C also rush in as support but they can’t stop the Hellflare. In order to do something about this critical situation, I should also go to help.
“Katakatakata”
That’s when Skeleton 7, who was tied to Ignis’ back, clattered his jaw. Apparently, he had fainted until now. His red eyes look around to check the situation.
“7! Kill Ignis!”
At my command, 7 clattered his jaw. He tears off the rope and slashed his spear behind Ignis. It’s a brilliant slash. He drew a straight line directly from below to the top of the head, cutting Ignis in half. The magic in the sky vanishes, and Sukejiro and the others, whose body parts are charred, fall to their knees on the ground.
“M-My Ignis! Im-Impossible!!! It’s the ultimate lich! There is no way he could lose!”
Professor Jill sat down helplessly. I turned my gaze to Sukejiro and sends him a wordless message. I once received a request from him, but as long as he is hostile, I could not let him go alive. I don’t want him to make something crazy out of resentment after all. In that case, I should clean it up properly.
As Sukejiro slowly approaches him, the professor repeats his excuses with a frightened expression.
“I-, I was only forced by His Majesty to accompany them. I am a victim just like you!”
“Katakata”
“I’ve always thought that the king was a piece of trash! He wanted to monopolize my sublime knowledge! But if it’s you guys, we can work together! With my great wisdom and your exceptional materials, together, let us build the true ultimate lich!”
“Katakata”
“My research can change the world――”
Sukejiro’s sword cut off the professor’s neck. I felt that it would be a shame to kill someone who could create an artificial lich. However, there must be some knowledge that should not be released to the world. An example of this is the man-made magical beast. In a world where mass murder is already possible by magic, the existence of a killing machine is too dangerous. I think it’s still too early for that in this day and age.
“Katakata”
7 reported his return as he knelt at my feet. At one point, I thought he was dead, but he was safe. Suddenly, at that moment, the bodies of Skeleton 7 and the three lich begin to glow. It’s the light of evolution.
When the light went out, a golden 7 appeared.
| 【Analysis Result: Skeleton 7: Race born by turning the Homeless Skeleton into a sacred beast and further evolving. Rarity: SS, Overall Ability: A】 |
| 【Status】 Name: Skeleton 7 Race: Homeless Golden Skeleton Magic Attributes: Darkness, Nothingness, Holy Magic: Shadow, Shadow Field, Shadow Bind, Holy Lore Skills: Soul Eating ▹Special: Leadership ▹Advanced: Spear King Technique, Taijutsu A, Taijutsu B, Hardening ▹Intermediate: Swordsmanship, Spearmanship, Hammer Technique, Archery ▹Beginner: Self-Healing Domination rate: 100% dominated by Shinichi Tanaka Evolution: Conditions are not met <Evolution Conditions: Spear Emperor (Beginner), Slash Resistance (Beginner), Dictatorship (Beginner) > |
It seems that 7 has finally evolved into a golden one. The strange thing is that, unlike humans, magical beasts can complete their evolution in an instant. Well, I don’t really understand if I think about it, so maybe it’s better to think of it that way. I nodded deeply in approval when I saw the figure of the three lich.
| 【Analysis Result: Demilich A: The evolution of a Homeless Lich. It is ten times more powerful than the standard Demilich. Rarity: S, Overall Ability: A】 |
| 【Status】 Name: Demilich A Race: Homeless Demilich Magic Attributes: Darkness, Fire, Nothingness Magic: Shadow, Shadow Field, Shadow Bind, MindBreak, Flame Bomb, Flame Burst, Charm Skills: Familiar Creation, Familiar Strengthening, Familiar Summoning, Soul Eating ▹Intermediate: Swordsmanship, Search, Hardening ▹Beginner: Spear King Technique, Fist King Technique, Attack Prediction Domination rate: 100% dominated by Shinichi Tanaka Evolution: Conditions are not met < Evolution Conditions: Spear King Technique(Special Grade), Fist King Technique(Special Grade), Attack Prediction (Special Grade) > |
His black skeleton and red eyes remained the same, but his canines were long and sharp like those of a vampire, and his fingers and toes were like claws. In addition, two horns grew from his forehead, and a tail extended from the buttocks. It’s like the skeleton of a demon.
Equipped with power befitting their sinister appearance, the three of them fell to one knee to show their loyalty to me once again. At that moment, Sukejiro came to us. He shook his head when he saw the four of them.
“Hey, you just missed out on the evolution this time. You’re already golden so don’t be discouraged.”
“Katakata”
He seems to be feeling anxious as his subordinates completed their evolution. Well, all the legion commanders have become golden, so it is clear that his position is in jeopardy. It seems that it is not pleasant for him to lose the deputy general position to his subordinates.
That being said, I have no intention of removing Sukejiro from his position as Deputy General. He is a large skeleton and he boasts a strength that cannot be treated on the same level as the other golden ones. If there is one person who can compete with him, it is Suketarou.
After I had finished checking their evolution, I turned my attention to Erna.
“Air Cutter!”
“Flame Bomb!”
Feria and Erna’s magic collided and the wind blew around them. Speaking of a confrontation between the two of them, it sounded good, but it seemed that Feria was the only one who had growing hatred.
“I’ll clear up the humiliation from that time!”
“You are the one who started the fight you know! If you’re going to hold a grudge, hold a grudge against yourself!”
Wind and flame collided again. The two of them were unleashing magic while running.
“For a long time now, I just couldn’t forgive you! You are blessed with a better birth and environment than me yet you didn’t have a talent for magic! I should have been born into the Frederia family!”
“That’s irrelevant! There’s nothing I can do about where I am born to, and who decided that I don’t have any talent? You can’t just decide whether someone have talent or not!”
“That’s it! Those defiant eyes! No matter how much I bully you, you won’t acknowledge me! I can’t forgive you! Spear rain!”
“That’s a given! I can’t respect someone who bullied me! Rock Armor!”
Small spikes of water rained down directly above Erna. But before it hit her, the rock armor obscures her and it repels the spikes of water.
“Earth attribute!? It should have been only two attributes, fire and light!”
Erna escapes from her earthen armor and activates her magic, leaving Feria in shock. Then her outline faded and she disappeared.
“Camouflage!? Where did you go!?”
“Here!”
After appearing in front of Feria, Erna gave her an uppercut. If I had to name it, it would be Erna’s Heavenly Fist. Her fist hits Feria’s chin and she was hurled in the air.
“Not… Not yet…”
Feria gets up unsteadily. Erna had a sad look on her face.
“Why are you so hung up on me? If you win, what good will Feria get from it?”
“That’s how the strong thinks you know. I want to win. It’s a shame to lose to a rival.”
“Rival?”
“I don’t think you know but, the Benesse family has long regarded the Frederia family as their rival. Since birth, I have been educated to win over the Duke’s family, and that the Benesse family will eventually take over. That’s why I can’t afford to lose to you.”
A dense magical energy is released from Feria’s body. It stagnated around her body and converged on her wand at once.
“Original Magic, Storm Phoenix”
A gigantic water ball appeared then it quickly changed its shape and became a large bird. The flapping of its wings creates a gust of wind that blows everything away. Erna remained motionless, staring at the spell.
“This is my highest magic! It’s the height of a master-level magic that you can’t reach! Come on, Phoenix! Defeat that stupid woman!”
The water phoenix soars high in the sky and flutters its wings towards Erna. The wind that swirled up fell on the target in the form of hundreds of blades.
“Cancer”
A thick wall that looks like solidified darkness appears from the ground without a sound, protecting Erna from the blades of the wind. Perhaps it was a mixture of dark magic and earth magic, but the wind dissipated without even scratching the walls.
In addition to that, Erna mutters as she refines her magic.
“Laser”
The beam of light emitted from the wand severed the phoenix in two, even burning Feria who is directly below it. Her skin is scorched and her beautiful hair are burned away causing a strange smell. Wrapped in a ball of fire, she writhes in agony on the ground as she let out a scream like scratching glass.
Erna extinguishes the fire with water magic and uses Aquarius Recovery towards Feria. In an instant, the burns disappeared and she returned to her original appearance.
“(Hiccup)… uwaaaaaa”
“I’m going to let it go this time, so don’t think about revenge anymore. It’s not all about the house. Feria should think for herself and live her own life.”
Erna spoke to Feria, who was crouching on the ground and crying. I guess she didn’t feel like killing Feria who is her classmate and is from the same village.
But that’s fine. If Erna thought of letting her go, it wasn’t my turn to interfere. Erna hugged Feria, who continued to cry.
“I-I’m sorry, (sniffle) I’m sorry! (sniffle) Actually, I am jealous of you! I wanted to be friends! But I can’t do that! I don’t know what to do!”
“That’s enough. I forgive you.”
Erna smiled brightly but Feria didn’t seem to be able to say anything. However, the expression on her face changed. I felt that it was as if something that possessed her had been destroyed. Their conflict has finally come to an end.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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