Chương 96: Chapter 63:”Even If Time Stops”

I release the speed-specialized Wind Blade Magic [Rafalusditt], and Argus releases the Light Bullet Magic [Arllion] toward Clam simultaneously. Both are considerably high-speed magic, and they should reach him in just a short time, but—! Apparently, Time Stop was used. My body doesn't move even a twitch. But certainly, as Milia said, thanks to [Arlcumber], I could recognize his movements even in the stopped time. 0. 5 seconds: Clam moves out of the trajectory of the stationary magic.

Argus's Light Magic [Arllion] also stopped moving perfectly along with my [Rafalusditt]. 1. 0 seconds: He holds his sword and starts running fiercely towards me. 1. 5 seconds: He approaches my bosom and steps in further. 2. 0 seconds: He enters a posture to slash me— 2. 1 seconds! At the same time time started moving, I immediately twisted my body. Slipping past his side as he swings down his sword, I barely dodge.

Without taking my eyes off him, I jump back towards the stairs of the Royal Palace and release [Volket] aiming at his back.

"Deya!" Clam, who turned back immediately, swings his sword and brushes it off. The fireball repelled by the blade flew in a strange direction. —This position is still within his range. If I stay here, I'll die. I shoot [Fallancer] further. Magic that rapid-fires small wind blades is convenient for checking. While he is busy dealing with that, I hurry away from him more than 12 meters. Argus also matched the Lightning Spear Magic [Delvend] while heading to where I am.

However, both magics were beautifully repelled just by him swinging his sword. Apparently, that sword has the power to repel magic. Clam, pursing his lips, was calmly assessing our movements.

"That movement just now—I see. You guys heard about my magic from Inea, didn't you?" We're moving as if we can see it. No wonder he noticed.

"But even if you know, there's nothing you can do." Clam, re-holding his sword, attacks here again. At that moment, Argus raised a voice of surprise.

"Gravity Magic doesn't work!?"

"What!?" I can't hide my astonishment either. The Gravity Magic we were relying on doesn't work!? Clam says nonchalantly.

"Hmph. I didn't come to Edel and do nothing. What I aim for is a higher height. Half-hearted Gravity Magic doesn't work on me now."

"Tch... That's troublesome." He must have obtained a means to reduce or nullify Gravity Magic with something existing in Edel. Troublesome beyond measure. I clicked my tongue inwardly, transformed into a man, applied Qi Reinforcement, and called out to Argus.

"Let's go!"

"Yeah!" As if arranged, we run towards the entrance of the Royal Palace. Even if we fight in this place with good visibility, creating an opening is extremely difficult. The chances of winning are thin at this rate. It's better to enter the Royal Palace and aim for a one-chance from a blind spot. Fighting in a place with poor visibility as much as possible. It was one of the strategies I discussed with Argus. Besides, I strongly feel Tor's presence from inside the Royal Palace.

As long as there is a danger that he will be killed if left alone, Clam has no choice but to chase.! Time Stop again—! While unable to move at all, I felt his Qi approaching steadily from behind. Precisely because I can recognize it, I have to face the fear of approaching death head-on. Is it this terrifying to know it's coming but be unable to do anything? On the way, I realized the aim deviated from me and headed for Argus next to me. 2. 1 seconds. Time starts moving.

"Argus! Behind you!"

"Kuh!" He crouches and avoids the horizontal sweep that would surely reap his life if hit, by a hair's breadth. But it's still a dangerous position. In close combat, he has an overwhelming advantage. I decided to transform into a woman, close my eyes, and release assist magic. Since Argus is not facing this way, there is no problem. [Flash] Flash Magic explodes. I don't know myself, but dazzling light should be spreading all over his field of vision.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Will this stop him a little? But my recognition was naive. When I opened my eyes, surprisingly, he was already approaching right in front of me.

"Do you think such trivial magic works on me?" Eh!? It didn't work!? He is already thrusting. Evasion won't make it in time. I'm done for! At that moment when I prepared for death,"Chii!" Clam suddenly jumped back greatly and took distance. Immediately after, a blade of darkness crosses in front of my eyes.

"I won't let you do it that easily." Argus's provocative voice was heard from the side. Did he cover me with [Kilbash]? I was saved. Being interrupted, Clam's consciousness was directed at Argus. Let's support with magic while we can. I'll succeed this time. Oh Fog. Cover and hide. [Tilfog] Dense fog drifts from the surroundings and covers the field of vision. With this, visibility became bad at once. And this situation is unilaterally advantageous for us. I used the fact that Clam cannot use ordinary magic.

We who have cast [Arlcumber] can see the surroundings well, but he probably can't see almost anything. I transform into a man again and take out three throwing knives from my waist pouch. Putting strong Qi into them, I throw them all at once aiming at his vital points. To make him use Time Manipulation Magic.! For a moment, I feel like my consciousness was interrupted. He must have erased time. So without a moment's delay, I throw five additional knives. Of course, all aiming for vital points.

Then, exchanging glances with Argus, we ran to the Royal Palace together without looking aside.

"Don't underestimate me too much...!" While releasing sharp killing intent from behind, I heard his angry voice. I shivered. Entering the Royal Palace, we came out to a vast entrance. Countless white pillars penetrating from floor to ceiling are lined up. A blood-red carpet is laid on the floor made of blue stone, and there are stairs leading up on both sides. Both pillars and floor emit a beautiful luster like jewels, and everything seemed to be made of materials I had never seen before.

Apparently, there was no one else but us. Nodding to each other, we separate and head to both sides of the entrance. I go to the left side from the entrance, and Argus goes to the right. We positioned ourselves where our figures are not reflected from before the entrance, and outside the range of Time Stop. Remaining a man, I carefully read the movement of his Qi. He is gradually approaching here. Tension rises inevitably. Noticing I was sweating in my hands, I wiped them lightly with the hem of my jacket.

I intended to send a signal to Argus by hand, estimating the timing when he jumps into the entrance. That moment is the match. Cast powerful Gravity Magic, which takes time to activate even for Argus. As expected, if it's that powerful, it should work a little. I have no choice but to believe it won't be completely nullified. Then, hit [Arllivine] where his movement became dull. His Qi was finally right there. It will arrive in just a little bit. I felt like my heart was going to jump out.

Probably, the match will be decided in an instant offense and defense. Now. What will happen. Then... it's strange. For some reason, his reaction suddenly deviated. Instead of heading straight to the entrance, he is heading to the side wall where there is nothing. The direction where Argus is. Why go there? When I thought so—! Time stopped. 0. 25 seconds: I saw it. 0. 5 seconds: What on earth did he do? Clam slipping through the wall— 0. 75 seconds: Approaching Argus at a terrifying speed! 1.

0 seconds: Clearly exceeding the maximum range distance. 1. 2 seconds: At this rate, Argus will— 1. 3 seconds: I have to save him! 1. 4 seconds: Move! 1. 5 seconds: Move, damn it! 1. 6 seconds: Shit! 1. 7 seconds: Unless it's magic— 1. 8 seconds: I won't make it! —At that moment when I was about to be torn apart by despair. I realized. 2. 0 seconds: —My magic. 2. 1 seconds! Reach! [Falbullet]! Simultaneous with Time Stop cancellation.

The wind magic bullet I released desperately slightly deflected the trajectory of Clam's sword, which was on the verge of capturing Argus's chest. Thereby, it took a form of barely avoiding a fatal wound, but— His sword mercilessly cut off Argus's right arm. I almost cover my eyes involuntarily. From the elbow down, it dances in the air spinning— Argus, spurting fresh blood from his right arm. Distorting his face in pain, he crouched on the spot.

"Argus!"

"A little interference entered. But this is the end!" Clam raises his sword again. Bad. No. Don't! Argus will be killed! There was no time to hesitate anymore. I activate the Arrow of Light. To attract his attention here. Perhaps sensing an abnormal rise in magic power, the sword on the verge of being swung down stops abruptly.

"What. That is—" Holding a bow in my right hand and making an arrow appear from my left hand. Draw it fully. There is no turning back anymore. If I don't hit this—I lose.

"Magic I've never seen—but too late." —I knew you would stop time. Also that I am probably within his range, which somehow expanded. And you, who were wary of my abnormally powerful magic. Given that cautious personality. You would come towards me to finish me off before avoiding. A certain fact I just realized. The possibility of poking your opening. For that, I truly need to bet this life. You are stronger than me. If I do it normally, I definitely can't win. Unless I risk my life, I can't win against you.

Then I will bet my life. To save Argus and overcome you. The sword approaches me, who cannot move. A blow of death that will surely reap my life if hit squarely. Even if time stops— Only transformation seems possible. I transform into Ore (Male). Immediately after, his sword pierces my chest. That sword— Stopped a few centimeters into my chest, without reaching a vital point. I won the bet. Yes. You have a habit of aiming for the heart when finishing off. Normally, the attack cannot be prevented.

But, just one point. If it's just there. Even the current me can somehow prevent it if I concentrate my Qi with all my might. You couldn't realize that I was protecting only my heart intently. If you had accumulated training properly, you would have easily noticed. You, who obtained Time Manipulation Magic, neglected training by being obsessed with it. Remaining unable to read Qi properly became your bane. And— It's time! I become Watashi (Female).

That magic I had waiting in the "World of the Heart" in a state just before activation. Release it right in front of my eyes. Oh Arrow of Light! Pierce through Time! [Arllivine]!! The released Arrow of Light—! Without a pause, Clam's abdomen, who activated Time Erasure continuously— Cleanly penetrated, opening a wound hole so large that it cannot be undone. He had a face of disbelief. I guess so. Because it hit even though you erased time. When receiving an unavoidable attack, you try to skip time first.

If you had tried to avoid it normally, you might have been able to avoid only a fatal wound. You used Time Erasure reflexively out of habit. You relied too much on your Time Manipulation Ability. That's why you lost. Clam approaches me, who sat down petan due to the recoil of magic, as if with the last tenacity. It seems he intends to take me with him at least. But, it's useless. You have already lost.

"Argus! Finish him!"

"Ouh...!" Argus, who lost one arm, is not a human who loses fighting spirit just because of that. As trusted. With only his remaining left hand, he was preparing his strongest Gravity Magic.

"This is the end! [Granselregid]!" A black sphere of super-gravity appeared above his head.! No matter how much you stop time, it's a useless struggle. He, whose physical strength is running out due to my attack, no longer has the power to escape from that magic. The gravity sphere mercilessly pulled him in and crushed his whole body to pieces. Eventually, when the magic disappeared. He was lying on the ground with his body tattered, in a state where he could hardly move anymore.

When I approached softly, he said squeezing out a weak voice.

"I never thought... I would really have my feet swept out from under me..." But, he laughs fuh somewhat satisfied.

"But well... losing to someone like you... isn't a bad feeling..." The Hero Clam Selenberg breathed his last quietly. I just quietly stare at his remains sleeping peacefully. I couldn't feel like rejoicing honestly about defeating him. Inea-sensei said he had no pride as a swordsman. Certainly, that might be so. But. Although he used Time Manipulation, didn't he continue to be a warrior to the end? It seems so to me. He was a have-not. That's why.

If it was something he could reach if he stretched out his hand, he probably wanted any power. I understand that feeling well. Because I'm probably similar. He just made a mistake in the method. He ran only to power, trampling on everything else. He... stepped off the path. I closed my eyes and decided to pray for his happiness in the afterlife for a short while, putting my hands together.

"I took revenge." Opening my eyes and looking forward, Argus looking up at the sky. Had a radiant expression as if a possession had fallen off.