Chapter 91

"Ugh, ughhhhh!"

The wound on Gitan's body gradually began to close.

Hmm, he must have generated heat inside his body to break down the poison.

But it must have been a brute force method. His stamina seems to be decreasing, and the wound hasn't fully healed.

"…I see. Indeed, I didn't have a complete countermeasure against the poison. But I won't fall for such an attack again."

Patterns began to glow on Gitan's body.

What's that? It looks like the shell of an insect.

"I've covered my body with the shell of an Arc Beetle, which boasts high magic resistance. Now, even poison can't get through."

I've heard that the shell of an Arc Beetle is light and strong, and is used for armor.

But it's a rare monster that's hard to come by… for him to produce it so easily.

"Can you create parts of other monsters too!?"

"Of course. The scythe of a God Mantis, the fur of a Silver Kong, and the powers of all sorts of other monsters are at my disposal."

"God Mantis and Silver Kong!? Aren't those rare species that live deep in the continent!?"

Gitan chuckled at my wide-eyed surprise.

"Hehe, you seem shocked. If you give up, I'll kill you quickly."

"Hah, just because you can use the power of monsters, you think you're so great! Lord Lloyd, take him down!"

Grimo shouted, but I was taken aback.

To be able to construct any part of any monster? It's an incredibly formidable ability.

"…I'm impressed. I don't think I can kill this guy."

"Lord Lloyd!? What's wrong with you, getting so discouraged!?"

"No, it's really an incredible ability. Some monster materials are extremely hard to obtain. Many are used for magic sword crafting and magic tools, and large quantities are needed. But to be able to produce them at will… I can't bring myself to kill him. …It would be a waste."

"Huh…?"

Everyone's eyes widened at my words.

Huh? What's going on?

Did I say something strange?

"Haha, just as I expected of Lord Lloyd! Then let's capture him alive! Strip him of his materials!"

"Yes, and then we'll purify his evil heart with holy magic and add him to our ranks."

"Ah! That's a good idea!"

Synthesizing monsters and humans, and then killing those who expose it to keep them quiet—clearly a wicked heart.

As a prince, I must hate evil, not people, and guide those who have strayed from the path to the right one.

…I considered blowing his body apart and embedding heavy objects during his regeneration to immobilize him for life, but it would be easier to make him repent.

"Hehehe… You can't bring yourself to kill me because it would be a waste… You're amusing. Then let's see what you can do!"

"I don't need to be told."

I had already constructed the spell.

The purification-type holy magic, 'Aurora'.

I concentrated my magic power and released a beam of the highest-level purification light.

A dazzling flash of light pierced Gitan's torso.

"We did it! A direct hit!"

"No, no! It's not working! He's coming at us!"

Despite the light, Gitan continued to charge, emitting white smoke.

"Foolish! As a user of holy magic, I wouldn't be unprepared for such a thing!"

Of course, that makes sense.

Countermeasures against mental manipulation magic are relatively easy.

The mental magic 'Mind Shield'.

It offers no defense against physical impacts but blocks all mental manipulation. I always have it active.

Mental manipulation magic is composed of weak spells and only works with a surprise attack, but with this, it's like an impenetrable wall.

Even if there's a significant level difference between the casters, it's impossible to hit someone with mental manipulation if they have this up.

"Moreover, he has five brains, allowing him to construct spells at high speed! Damn, that's cheating!"

"Even Lord Lloyd, breaking through this barrier and hitting him with holy magic is tough…"

Indeed, he can reconstruct his barrier faster than we can dispel it.

At least under the current conditions.

"Then I'll destroy his brains."

If his spell construction speed is reduced to one-fifth, my holy magic should be stronger than his barrier.

I'll destroy them and hit him with my full power holy magic before he can regenerate.

"What are you babbling about!"

In the meantime, Gitan had grown sharp claws.

Black, twisted claws. There's something about these.

"They're the claws of a Rune Wolf! These claws can tear through spell constructs and nullify magical defenses! It's dangerous to block them with a magic barrier!"

"Then… 'Light Blade'."

I created a sword of light and deflected the claws.

A physical manifestation of light isn't affected by spell destruction.

I followed up with a thrust, sliding the blade.

"Rangras Style Dual Sword Technique—Chaotic Dragon Horn"

I traced Silfa's movements and unleashed a flurry of strikes.

"Your speed is commendable, but it's not enough for a demigod like me!"

But Gitan deflected all of them.

Ugh, it's tough to handle.

I flew back and gathered magic power.

I'll blow him away with a large-scale spell.

Double incantation—

"Whoa, your magic is very dangerous. I'll have to seal it."

Seeing me prepare, Gitan said and slashed the ground.

What's he planning?

He's falling too.

I landed, feeling puzzled.

Dust and debris flew up, and confused voices came from around.

"What's happening!? What's going on!"

"I don't know! The ceiling is collapsing…"

"Aaah! It's a monster!"

The dust cleared, and I saw the believers around us, all trembling in fear.

"This is the prayer room. Even at this hour, many people are praying to the gods. What do you think? With so many people around, you can't use large-scale magic."

Gitan laughed triumphantly.

But I continued my incantation without hesitation.

"What are you doing…! Don't you care what happens to these people!?"

"■■■, ■■■—"

High-speed double incantation using spell bundles.

I aimed the double composite magic 'Ice Storm Fang' at the confused Gitan.

A vortex of cold air, concentrated by magic power, engulfed Gitan.

"I released 'Ice Storm Fang', which has a narrow effect range, while simultaneously deploying a barrier around us. This way, no one else will be affected."

"Lord Lloyd! A few people almost froze!"

"This Zirel protected them! This Zirel did!"

…It seems a bit leaked out. Well, everyone makes mistakes. Yeah.

I thanked Zirel for the cover and saw that Gitan was guarding with a magic barrier.

Even with a double incantation, he can still block it… he's definitely a high-level mage.

And that regenerative ability. Ordinary magic won't do.

"Right, I have another mouth."

Using the mouth on the palm of my left hand, where Zirel resides, I can perform a triple incantation.

If I concentrate my magic power and fire it, I should be able to break through his magic barrier and deal a fatal blow.

Triple composite magic is even more timing-sensitive than double composite, but—

"It's worth a try…!"

I muttered and opened the mouths on both palms, ready to cast. What a guy… (completely taken aback)