Chapter 69

Raphatalia appeared behind the bitch and raised her sword.

Raphatalia and the bitch immediately engaged in a sword lock, turning to face each other.

It seems that Raphatalia was overlaying another illusion on top of the one that had been blown away.

"A pebble on the road keeps asserting itself!"

"To treat people like pebbles... Is that the word of someone who stands above others?!"

While exchanging words, Raphatalia and the bitch continued their sword lock.

The bitch's sword should be expensive, yet she couldn't break Raphatalia's sword.

It's unclear if Raphatalia simply outskilled her, but I need to hurry and help.

"I'm not down yet!"

Genkou, who had been crouching after receiving Self-Curse Burning, stood up and blocked my path.

"You're badly burned. Do you really think you can win in this state? I must have been underestimating you."

Genkou, who had received a direct hit from Self-Curse Burning, must have taken considerable damage. Indeed, his steps were slightly unsteady.

"This is nothing; a healing spell will fix it."

"Is there someone to cast it for you?"

I don't know what kind of magic Genkou can use. I saw one of his companions, who had been critically injured by Raphatalia, being desperately healed by another companion. The remaining bitch was still engaged in a sword lock with Raphatalia, so it wasn't the time for that.

"Don't forget about Phiro!"

"Phiro!? Are you okay?"

Phiro, who should have gone berserk with the Shield of Wrath, had stopped showing any signs of losing control. The Shield of Wrath, which is in a different class from other shields, had grown and maintained the power of Shield of Wrath II after leveling up. Therefore, the Dragon's Wrath, Roar, and the berserk state of the followers were still active. So, it must be the Shield of Wrath I, which was intentionally suppressed to prevent Phiro from going berserk... but it failed.

"What's going on?"

I noticed that Phiro's head feathers... the cowlick, were emitting a faint light.

"My body feels incredibly light."

The black flames covering Phiro were giving her strength, and her white limbs were turning black. However, the fact that Phiro herself wasn't being consumed by anything... the Queen of Filo Real must have given her an incredible reward.

"The source of power commands. Reinterpret the truth and heal these ones."

"Al-Tsvaite Heal"

The companion who had been casting a healing spell on the critically injured comrade finally activated the healing magic after a long incantation. A range healing spell, I see.

"We're saved!"

But... Genkou, you're making a big mistake. The healing light descended upon Genkou and his companions, healing their wounds.

"Alright... huh?"

The healing magic that was healing Genkou must have fallen far short of his expectations. Genkou tilted his head in confusion.

"Did you think a single healing spell would completely cure the attack? Sorry, but there are other tricks."

This is hilarious; the secondary effect of Self-Curse Burning is a curse that slows down the healing of wounds. The healing magic's effect was significantly lower than expected.

"I think the battle is decided."

The companion who had returned to the fight began casting a spell at Raphatalia.

"Phiro"

I instructed Phiro to support Raphatalia.

"Sure thing!"

Phiro, who had gained control over her berserk power, moved much faster than before. As both sides stopped the sword lock and Raphatalia took a defensive stance, Phiro rushed in and deflected the magic with one hand.

"Not yet!"

Genkou, undeterred, threw a spear at me.

"Air Javelin!"

The spear flew towards me.

"Take this!"

I grabbed the incoming spear. A metallic sound echoed from my hand. When I completely grabbed the spear and nullified its power, it instantly teleported back to Genkou's hand. A throwing skill... indeed, a ranged attack wouldn't trigger Self-Curse Burning. To understand that from just one glance, you're still a gamer at heart.

"I... I can't lose here. If I lose here, Princess Melty, Raphatalia, and Phiro will all become the Shield Demon's property."

...To this point, his unwavering sense of justice is somewhat admirable. But why am I being treated like the villain?

Could it be that to Genkou, I appear like a mid-boss in a game?

What an unpleasant treatment. Who's the boss character here?

"I will definitely save them."

"A lecherous jester like you is pitiful at this point."

He doesn't understand that I haven't brainwashed anyone. If he could direct this determination elsewhere, it would be better... what a waste.

"Ugh..."

He can't land a decisive blow on me. His companions are being overwhelmed by Phiro. Despite this, he hasn't lost his fighting spirit, which is indeed that of a hero. However, blindly asserting his own justice and not doubting his allies is another matter.

"Give up, you can't win against us."

He doesn't know that his allies are the real masterminds. It might be interesting to let him worry about the future, but I turned my gaze to Melty. Even though the battle was already decided, she was desperately trying to break the cage with magic. Despite plotting to assassinate her sister, she was now trying to save her. How earnest.

...I have a strong urge to kill her. But to prove my innocence, I can't kill her here. I can't kill her until my innocence is proven and that scum is dealt with. Otherwise, I would be no different from that scum. I wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice even family members to achieve my goals. Is that acceptable? No, I will prove my innocence!

"Not yet... I can't lose here!"

Genkou, determined to die fighting, charged at me with his spear. I would end it with the next move—

But an out-of-place sound interrupted me. Clapping came from an unexpected source.

"Wow... as expected of a spear, you have a very strong will. You made a good distraction."

Immediately, a powerful magical pressure filled the area. Phiro bristled and reached out to Raphatalia.

"Huh—"

"Mel-chan!"

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

"I'm a princess, how dare a mere monster—"

"Phiro-chan—bleh!"

Without hesitation, Phiro kicked the bitch, Genkou, and their companions to my feet and used high-speed magic to gather at my feet. Phiro and the others, both enemies and allies, were now gathered at my feet.

"Master! Full defense!"

"Wh-what—"

"Just do it! Cast multiple layers above!"

"Ugh! Got it!"

Pressed by Phiro's urgency, I quickly cast Shield Prison, followed by Air Shield and Second Shield. As the prison appeared, a massive pillar of light descended from the sky.

"Ugh..."

A heavy attack resonated through my body. I endured while casting Fast Heal. The Air and Second Shields, which were in a strong state, shattered instantly, and I barely held on with the Shield Prison. The sound of shattering echoed, and I raised my shield to protect everyone. The prison was destroyed, and the light descended upon me. The light was so thick that it was visible, enveloping everyone at my feet, which Phiro held down with her feathers.

"Ugh... ugh... ugh..."

The light drained my health as if it were evaporating.

"Just a little more... it's over!"

The light suddenly disappeared, and I lowered my shield. Phiro stood up and released everyone she had been hiding with her feathers. The surroundings were... a wasteland. The lush farmland was now a crater, as if a meteor had struck, with the villagers groaning outside the crater, likely affected by the attack's aftermath.

"What... is this?"

"Oh, oh, this is the Shield Demon. You're quite calm after receiving the high-level group synthesis magic 'Judgment.'"

Turning to the source of the voice, I saw the priest who had welcomed me at the church in the town below, smiling gently. Behind him were dozens of people who looked like church officials, and some knights as well.

"You...!"

The priest looked at us and Genkou's group with a hateful expression.

They're not reinforcements?

No, that attack definitely included Genkou's group.

This is...

"Ah, I apologize for the late introduction. I am the Pope of the Three Hero Church."