Chapter 30

I was able to successfully defeat one of the Tin Knights with the <Wall of the Castle> skill.

However, even if I managed to defeat all three Tin Knights twice in a row, it wouldn't render the Embryo powerless.

This is because the Tin Knights can survive even if their HP is completely depleted.

The Tin Knights will only be completely incapacitated when the Embryo, their main body, runs out of strength.

Until then, no experience points will be gained.

The mass of flesh that is the Embryo writhed and lifted the lid of its single eye.

A magic circle unfolded centered on the Embryo, and a white light flew toward the Tin Knights.

This is the Embryo's magic <Repair>.

It can revive the Tin Knights that have stopped moving, restoring them to a perfect state.

No matter how hard you fight the Tin Knights, you will be forced into a prolonged battle.

However, when it uses magic... its weak point, the eye, becomes defenseless.

"Take this!"

I kicked off the ground and leaped to the side, putting a significant distance between myself and the two Tin Knights.

At the same time, I threw a soil attribute magic stone infused with mana at the Embryo.

This is a magic stone from a Patchwork Bear.

Attacks using magic stones don't deal much damage and consume a lot of MP.

Additionally, using expensive magic stones as disposable items increases the cost.

While it is a complete degradation of magic skills, the advantage of being usable by anyone outweighs this.

In front of the Embryo, countless soil needles extended from the magic stone.

Red bodily fluid flew from its eye.

"Kee!"

The Embryo let out a scream.

This is the only attack I can make that can reach its high position.

I quickly got up and positioned myself to sandwich the Tin Knights between the Embryo and myself.

If I failed to do this, a fast-activating <Sylph Cutter> would fly at me and instantly kill me.

I was surrounded by three Tin Knights again.

I tried to repel the leading one with a <Shield Bash>, but it jumped back and dodged.

I quickly shifted my shield to the right to deter the enemy there, while I knocked down the enemy that attacked from the left with a body check and quickly unleashed a <Body Slash>.

I managed to deal damage to the enemy and gain distance by using the recoil from the body check and the slash to jump backward.

That was good.

However, something clearly unexpected had happened.

The <Shield Bash> was dodged.

In <Magic World>, a mere monster wouldn't be able to respond to my skills so nimbly.

It was clear that the Tin Knights had learned the movement of the <Shield Bash>.

This is not a game world, so it's only natural.

It was within my expectations.

However, this makes the difficulty of defeating the Embryo much higher than in <Magic World>.

――――――――――――――――――――

Monster: Embryo

Lv: 50

HP: 31/42

MP: 43/60

――――――――――――――――――――

I dodged the attacks of the Tin Knights while checking the Embryo's <Status>.

To defeat it, I need to throw three more magic stones.

Regardless of the remaining magic stones, my MP as a swordsman is only enough for three throws.

Moreover, the <Lord of Dreams> recovers much faster than normal monsters.

If I take too much time, I won't be able to defeat the Embryo.

If that happens, it will be a complete deadlock.

While I was clashing blades with the Tin Knights, the Embryo moved and opened its lid.

This is the preparatory action for casting a spell.

"I thought it wouldn't cast attack magic with the Tin Knights in between us...!"

I knew it.

The fact that it didn't move like in the game was clear from the way it responded to the <Shield Bash>.

It was uncertain how effective my strategy of exploiting the AI's weaknesses would be.

Don't falter, always act with the best you can do in the current situation.

I understood that the situation was disadvantageous, but out of pride, I didn't want to leave them to die and escape.

The <Sylph Cutter> launched at this distance is impossible to react to at my level.

I can only defend against it with experience and intuition.

That is the best I can do in the current situation.

I held my shield and retreated to the back.

Immediately after, the head of the Tin Knight in front of me flew off.

Then a heavy impact ran through my shield, and I was blown away.

I endured the intense pain running through my body, gripping my sword and shield tightly, determined not to let go.

If I let go of my weapons, it would be over.

My consciousness was blurred.

My heart was beating fast.

I never thought that a high-level, fast-activating magic skill would be so vicious.

I tried to move my legs, but I couldn't muster any strength.

I realized it at the same time as I thought about it.

It was a stun status effect.

It occurs at a low probability when the body is hit hard.

This stun lasts only a few seconds, but in the current situation, its significance is enormous.

Two Tin Knights mercilessly closed the distance and swung their daggers at me.

"...Maybe my initial luck stat is low. Maybe I should have had Lucie stay behind."

Such a light remark slipped out.

Immediately after, something grabbed my armor from behind and pulled me back.

The blade of the Tin Knight grazed my nose.

"Thank you very much! I appreciate being called upon!"

Lucie shouted loudly, her voice trembling, as if to encourage herself, and stepped forward.

"<Doppel Illusion>!"

Lucie's figure split into four shadows.

The two Tin Knights paused for a moment before swinging their blades at the illusions.

Taking advantage of this, Lucie retreated and stood next to me.

"What are you doing! You were supposed to escape with the others..."

"Since there was no sign of them coming this way, I told them the way and came back to check on my own! You said you would escape immediately, so why are you fighting seriously here!"

Lucie said this in a voice that was on the verge of tears.

"I'm staying because of my birth mission and... my pride. Please return quickly, Lucie."

I had taken too much time, and my stamina was overused.

Moreover, the Embryo had turned into a much more vicious and powerful enemy than I knew.

I couldn't expect it to fall easily to the simple pattern of throwing magic stones.

Even a little time gained would make it impossible to defeat it due to its automatic recovery.

The chances of winning were almost zero.

I couldn't involve her.

"Then, I'll stay out of pride too! You helped me... you said you needed my strength... you risked your life to protect and escape... If I had the resolve to leave you to die, I would have quit being an adventurer long ago!"

Lucie aimed <Iron Piercer> at the Tin Knights.

"Lucie..."

"Even if I lose all other abilities, I have speed! Almost twice as fast as Elma! I can't and don't want to make excuses to myself that I'm useless and can't do anything!"

I had misjudged her.

In this extreme battle, I lacked a stable means of attacking the boss, and as a heavy knight, I lacked speed.

I desperately needed a companion.

However, the previous duo was clearly broken, and Lucie seemed to be on the strong side, so I thought she would freeze up in front of the Embryo.

But Lucie had come back for me... and protected me from the Tin Knights' attack at the last moment.

Lucie was much braver than I thought.

"...Your words are encouraging, but I underestimated the situation. The only effective attack method, throwing magic stones, doesn't seem to work on it anymore. Moreover, neither I nor Lucie have any long-range attack skills to target the floating one."

"Does that mean you're giving up! There must be something we can do...!"

"There's a secret plan to take down the Embryo, the baby, with one blow by forcefully targeting its weakness. If this fails, there will be no second chance... Can I count on your help? If it fails, you must escape this time."

How can we defeat the Embryo with our current forces?

The Embryo is a technical boss, so if we can hit its weakness effectively, it can be taken down easily and quickly.

There was a strategy I had considered first but quickly discarded due to its risk and lack of feasibility.

If there are no other options, we have to rely on it.

"Let's do it, Elma!"

Lucie nodded without hesitation.

"Thank you, Lucie. Let's defeat the Embryo together."