Chapter 98

Holding her weapon, the confrontation lasted only a few seconds. It was Angelica who made the first move.

"Explosion Shattering Sword"

With footwork as sharp as if she had no prosthetic leg, Angelica stepped into Justy's range and thrust her dagger with a fierce cry.

The target of the thin, ice pick-like dagger was Justy's shoulder, precisely the gap in her armor.

"Ugh!"

Justy rotated her short spear and struck the dagger.

She deflected the magic sword that would have been a one-hit kill and, seeing Angelica's stance slightly off balance, aimed to strike with the butt of her spear.

"Too easy."

But this time, Angelica's body danced. She kicked Justy's spear with her prosthetic leg while in mid-air, retreated, and put some distance between them.

Justy did not pursue, but carefully measured the distance to the woman who had landed a bit away.

Compared to Justy, who was fully armed with a spear and heavy armor, Angelica was lightly equipped with just a dagger. Although her metal prosthetic leg was a literal hindrance, she was more agile than Justy.

On the other hand, Justy's defense was greatly enhanced by her armor, but Angelica's "Explosion Shattering Sword" was a lethal technique where even a scratch could be fatal. If Angelica hit a gap in the armor or a limb, the battle would be decided. Therefore, Justy had to be cautious in her attacks.

Seeing Justy struggling to attack, Angelica twirled her dagger in her hand and her bandaged face twisted with joy.

"You're strong, as expected. But you're not like Uncle Calcifer, are you?"

"…I am honored by your praise. If so, would you kindly sheathe your sword?"

"Ha! As if a woman of Ilkas would be so skilled as to sheathe a drawn sword without spilling blood. You wouldn't either, would you?"

"Indeed. Then…!"

Justy kicked off the ground and leaped forward. With a momentum that belied her heavy armor, she charged straight at Angelica.

Angelica was surprised by the unexpected attack and her right eye widened slightly.

But she quickly lowered her stance and prepared for a counterattack.

"Ugh! 'Stone Wall'!"

"Huh?"

The shock was yet to come.

Justy, who had approached to the very edge of Angelica's range, stomped the ground with the momentum of her charge.

A sound like a small explosion echoed, and the ground rose to form a stone wall.

Unlike before, the stone wall did not protect Justy but surrounded Angelica on all sides.

"You can't be… trying to immobilize me!?"

Angelica's eyes widened in realization of Justy's intent, but it was too late.

"Stone Prison!"

"Ugh…!"

Angelica tried to escape by climbing over the stone wall, but the ground rose like a living thing and swallowed her along with the stone wall.

A dome-shaped ground captured Angelica, completely sealing her off.

"Rest assured. I will bring Prince Raidor before you run out of air. As a loyal knight, you will not refuse the prince's command, will you?"

Justy told the trapped Angelica and exhaled deeply.

She had managed to capture the wounded beast.

This was only possible because her true abilities were not known. If they had continued to fight, one of them would surely have died.

"…Lady Angelica. You still have a future. I hope you will make the most of your life in a way that is not revenge."

Justy whispered with a deep sense of sorrow.

Her words would not reach Angelica, who was imprisoned in the thick stone prison.

But that was fine.

No matter the reason, she, a member of the Oigist family who had betrayed the kingdom, had no right to tell her this.

(I doubt I or Blood can bring Lady Angelica back to the right path. If possible, I hope someone else can be her support…)

With a heavy heart, Justy turned away from the stone prison and went to call Prince Raidor, who was in the mansion.

Soldiers, drawn by the commotion, gathered around Justy.

"Captain Oigist! What's going on!?"

It was one of Justy's subordinates who spoke first.

The subordinate's eyes widened at the dome-shaped stone rising from the ground, and he spoke in a puzzled voice.

"Yes, don't worry about this. The battle is over. Could you please go and call Prince Raidor? I need to consult with him urgently…!"

That was as far as Justy got.

Suddenly, a sharp impact hit her back, and she fell forward.

"Captain Oigist!?"

"Ugh… Stand back!"

Justy used her spear as a cane to stand up. When she touched her back, she found her armor slashed and blood flowing.

The wound was not deep, but she had no idea how she had been attacked.

When Justy looked at the stone prison, it was shattered and collapsed in the next moment.

"Phew… I almost got claustrophobia. The sun is so refreshing, isn't it?"

The one who broke through the stone prison was, of course, Angelica Ilkas.

She was shaking off the dust from her shoulder and head, and in her right hand, she held a dagger. However, unlike before, the tip of the dagger extended into a blade that was red and almost poisonous.

"That sword is…"

"Blood Spirit Sword—my other magic sword."

Angelica told Justy, who was staring in shock, in a light, casual tone.

Thank you for your support.

If you like, please rate me using the stars below.