Episode 97: Intervention Breaker
If the brilliance one is supposed to protect were to turn against them, what exactly should one do?
I still do not have an answer to that question.
“――!”
“That’s good, keep it passionate. Look at me more.”
Instead of a great scythe, Na Takikai wields a short sword with astonishing dynamic vision and physical prowess, yet every slash misses its mark and cuts through nothing but air.
“Use it already, the Star Reader’s Staff.”
“…It irks me to do as you say.”
“But you can’t win in that form, can you? Don’t worry, Solciera won’t be noticed by Luka right now. Why don’t you unleash your power?”
You’re such an irritating person no matter where you go.
Knowing everything about me while maintaining a nonchalant attitude.
No matter what I do, you remain utterly calm.
What bothers me most is that you said you’d kill Kanon.
That’s unforgivable!
“Partner, let’s do this.”
In response to my fervent emotion, a magic circle unfolds.
A purple magic circle expands around my limbs, transforming what was once a uniform into a pitch-black dress.
“The starlight awakens here.”
Star Reader — Second Form.
With increased magical power and interference ability, a magic circle spreads around Nameless.
From there, countless silver chains are launched.
“Yes, that’s good.”
Nameless gracefully dodges, then leaps into the air.
Simultaneously, a magic circle unfolds.
“I’ll bring you down.”
“Haha, try it!”
Black and silver artillery collide.
Anyone below Rokuhara’s level would undoubtedly be unable to withstand it, but Nameless effortlessly neutralizes the attack.
But I had anticipated that.
“–Fufu, your back is wide open?”
While launching artillery, I transfer behind her.
Throwing the short sword with force, I activate the surrounding simplified artillery arrays and fire them all at once.
“Haha, impressive. Yes.”
Without choosing to evade, Nameless blocks the artillery and the thrown knife with a barrier.
However, I had already prepared the main converging artillery.
Before the smoke clears, I bind Nameless with silver chains.
“…Hmm, so you can’t teleport either? You’re interfering with my transfer magic?”
“A bit childish, but without this, things could get dangerous.”
Bark! That’s what you get!
This is what happens when I get serious!
“It’s meaningless anyway.”
Using transfer, binding, convergence, and interference abilities to their fullest extent, Nameless is completely overwhelmed by the relentless barrage of attacks.
Alright, now I’ll launch artillery to tear apart that coat of yours!
“Know the brilliance of the stars.”
The tubes extending from the vast magic circle in the courtyard connect to the great scythe.
I take aim and pull the trigger.
Silver light fills the courtyard.
There’s no way anyone could defend against this light.
“…Hmm”
Nameless seemed to momentarily catch her breath.
Unable to resist, in the next instant, she is swallowed by the artillery.
The intense explosion and swirling sand.
The grass on the courtyard lawn is torn up, and trees have fallen against the walls.
Alright! Victory!
Phew. It may lack mystery, but it’s necessary to make a point.
I remain vigilant, converting all smoke and debris into magical energy to prepare for a second shot.
Even if she’s a mysterious beautiful girl, she might still be able to move.
“Hey, if we could still win against that, we wouldn’t just be irregulars. We’ve won.”
Indeed, that seems to be the case.
“If you’re using the same magic as us, interference is possible. Showing off my custom magic has come back to bite me, hasn’t it?”
As the Star Reader’s Staff correctly stated, Nameless appears to be listlessly bound by the chains.
Why doesn’t the coat come off?
Show your face clearly.
“Most likely, that coat itself is a relic with an effect to conceal appearance.”
Alright, then I’ll destroy that relic with the second shot.
Afterwards, I’ll stab through it with the short sword, paralyze her, and interrogate her.
“…Fufu, as expected, you didn’t finish me off in one hit, did you?”
“What are you trying to say? Are you going to cry and apologize?”
“You can’t kill me, can you? You’ve always been kind. Even though you could kill me anytime you wanted.”
“I have a few things I want to know, so I’m keeping you alive. Once I’m done, I’ll grant you your wish and kill you.”
“Being tough… No, because you’re truly strong, you can fight alone, right? But—as long as you’re alone, you can’t defeat me.”
Nameless snaps her fingers.
At that moment, the chains that were supposed to be binding her are easily severed.
It’s not just that.
The magic circle behind me and the tubes extending from it are cruelly shredded.
“…Hey, what was that?”
The Star Reader’s Staff voice clearly expresses confusion.
I understand the cause.
It was the slash she just unleashed.
There was no motion or anything.
Just the phenomenon of slashing appeared.
“Lutra’s… ability…?”
“Pretty sharp, huh? Yeah, I don’t want to show any more cards. Let’s just go with this and your magic for now.”
Nameless then unfolds two magic circles.
She inserts her hands into them and pulls out a great scythe and a katana.
Both are black, but their shapes are familiar.
“Hmm, they match, don’t they?”
“How creepy. Do you like me that much?”
“I’ll teach you right now!”
Nameless takes her stance and forcefully kicks off the ground.
In an instant, the distance is closed, and Nameless appears before me.
Hahaha, fool.
That’s Tourak’s signature move!
How could I not know the terrifying nature of Lutra when I know the original story?
I intercept the katana with the great scythe and dodge the downward strike by leaning to the side.
Then, I grab Nameless’s arm who has approached closely.
Star Reader’s Staff!
“Let me show you a nice illusion, hmm?”
An illusion flows from the Star Reader’s Staff.
Nameless lets out a slight groan but then jumps back with a sound as if cutting something.
Were you cutting through illusions just now?
Isn’t that dangerous? You’re handling Lutra’s ability at the level of Tourak from the later part of the original story.
It’s somewhat better since you’re not in Star Slash Form yet.
“Let’s play more. Come on, Solciera!”
Even while holding her head, Nameless smiles with ease.
Her words betray a rising emotional intensity.
What is this guy…
Not a mysterious beautiful girl, but rather someone completely insane, right?
“Partner, as long as you don’t have the resolve to kill, she will keep challenging you forever. Moreover, from her tone, she seems to be hiding something else.”
Yeah.
Honestly, I’d prefer investigating the Evil Eye over catching Nameless right now.
…Yeah! Star Reader’s Staff! Let’s retreat here!
“Is this fine?”
I want to capture her, but it seems impossible.
Besides, it doesn’t seem like she’s here to kill me either.
I don’t sense any killing intent.
If she can use the same magic as me, she could do much more.
Yet, Nameless doesn’t actively move.
So, this must be…
“Do you intend to stop my feet?”
“…Yeah, you’re pretty sharp.”
That makes sense.
Despite acting like she knows me, she suggests killing Kanon and only uses her abilities passively against my attacks.
Clearly, she’s deliberately delaying me.
I don’t know what she’s delaying for, but…
If I can’t reach something in time, I’ll escape from this stalker woman beforehand!
“I don’t have time to play with you.”
“It’s because you want to investigate the Evil Eye, right? Stay a little longer. Don’t worry, just a little more.”
“No thanks.”
She doesn’t even try to hide it once she’s caught.
Yeah, let’s escape quickly.
“Go ahead and play your pointless puppet games alone.”
I coldly say this and begin the transfer magic.
But at that moment, the transfer magic is audibly cut off.
“Let’s play more. How about reminiscing about old times?”
“Nonsense. There’s no way I have memories with you.”
“…Haha, you’re right. Then, let’s create some here.”
Enough already.
I don’t want to be toyed with anymore!
I want to do the Mysterious Beautiful Girl routine!!
Do it!!
“Ah, our partner has broken down.”
Transfer magic won’t activate either. Seriously?
If you can use Lutra’s slashes, the Mysterious Beautiful Girl combo I did earlier would have been interrupted too.
Using both Lutra and Solciera is totally unfair!
You’re not even trying to kill me, and this endless losing event is beyond buggy!
“Well well, shall we go for round two?”
Nameless enthusiastically charges forward.
Each swing is sharp and heavy.
However, they are all released under the assumption that I can handle them all.
Her blade movements indicate that she won’t give me a chance to escape.
Handle it with Solciera’s magic if I try to attack.
Cancel it with Lutra’s slashes if I try to escape.
It’s impossible…
My knowledge of the original story is useless…
“…Hmm, then let me propose a gamble—”
Just as the Star Reader’s Staff started to say something,
a red flash falls between Nameless and me.
It resembles the converging artillery and gouges the ground, creating a massive explosion.
What now!?
“Mm, this energy…”
“–Nice, looks like you’re having fun, huh?”
A lazy yet ferocious voice.
The figure emerging from the center of the explosion is certainly not someone I want to see right now.
“Le-Leader, we should observe the situation…”
“Did I say that? Haha, maybe I did! But hey, can you stand idly by in front of such a feast?”
Seeing the young man wielding dual swords, I hold back tears and say,
“Rokuhara… What do you want?”
“Don’t make that face. We’re former sparring partners, aren’t we?”
That’s why I dislike him!
“I have no intention of dealing with you right now.”
Following Nameless, Rokuhara also gathers here.
Solciera, Nameless, Rokuhara… What is this place?
Is the power inflation here exaggerated?
“Coincidentally, Eina was nearby in this district… It’ll be exposed,” says the Star Reader’s Staff.
As I stare at the dual swords, they rattle and a girl’s voice is heard.
“Uh, sorry sister! But since Leader decided to go… I thought I might benefit from it somehow…”
You’re not apologizing at all.
You’re just after the fisherman’s advantage!
There’s no other choice; let’s make it a chaotic three-way battle and look for an opening to activate the transfer magic!
“Understood. The priority remains escaping from this place,” says the Star Reader’s Staff.
I take my stance with the great scythe.
Just as I prepare to face both of them,
“Well, let’s play,” says Rokuhara, turning his back on me.
Positioning himself directly opposite Nameless.
Eh, Rokuhara?
“…What do you mean?”
“This guy is mine. I’ve decided. So, you, scram!”
Ro-Rokuhara-san!
“I’ve been watching the fight a bit… This guy doesn’t really have the intention to kill properly, does he? Either you don’t want to kill or you don’t have time to deal with this guy. Considering the use of transfer magic, it’s probably the latter, huh?”
Both apply, Rokuhara.
But thank you, Rokuhara!
Rokuhara♥!
“…Wasn’t Eina normally aiming to defeat us as well?”
Eina-chan has tendencies like that.
But whatever, it’s lucky!
I don’t understand why Rokuhara is at Jilnias Academy or if it’s a snake in the grass, but being saved remains unchanged.
“…I’ll repay this someday.”
“Yeah, repay it with a real fight.”
I dislike that idea.
I unfold the transfer magic circle.
Simultaneously, Nameless attempts to use Lutra’s slashes, but Rokuhara’s attack interrupts it.
Now, Star Reader’s Staff!
“Uooooo, Mysterious Beautiful Girl withdrawal!”
Surrounded by a simpler magic than usual, I scatter magical feathers around and vanish from the scene.
When did you implement this transfer magic, Star Reader’s Staff?
“Kanon couldn’t escape, which pissed me off. I’ve been working on a faster version by limiting the distance and coordinates instead of the usual transfer. Scattering the feathers and disappearing suddenly— isn’t it cool?”
Cool…
“…All of it got cut off before I could showcase it! It pisses me off to the core!”
Well well, since it succeeded, it’s all good, isn’t it?
The place I transferred to appears to be a classroom close to that location.
We can’t stay idle here.
Let’s hurry, Star Reader’s Staff.
We need to investigate the Evil Eye. Given that Nameless interfered, it seems we’ve hit the jackpot!
“Right… But what does ‘not having time’ mean?”
Let’s investigate that while thinking about it!
I immediately start acting to investigate the Evil Eye.
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