Chapter 39

The severed head called out Arjit's name as it rolled over the hair. The hair writhed, aiming for Arjit. Arjit swung his ice magic sword to defend himself, but it was ineffective. Even when cut, the hair would regrow, and when frozen, it would swing the frozen parts around.

"Master Arjit!"

The stoll's feet slowed as it chased the head.

"Don't worry! I'm at a disadvantage, quickly finish off the head!"

"Understood!"

"Stoll! Be careful!"

Mimachi cut through the hair that tried to bind Stoll and ran through. To avoid being caught by the hair, Mimachi placed one hand on the ground and shouted in surprise.

"The spirits can help!"

She then slammed her magic into the ground.

"Please! Spirit!"

Several log-like pillars rose in the room, forming a foothold.

"Stoll!"

"Got it!"

Stoll leaped onto the pillars and pursued the head. However, the head, rolling amidst the writhing hair, would sometimes hide, making it difficult to catch.

"Damn, it regrows when cut... what should I do..."

At that moment, a golden flame ignited in a corner of the room.

"Master Arjit! Over here! Its target is Master Arjit!"

"Vels, no! Amnart's safety is a priority!"

"Father! If we don't lure it, we'll be at a disadvantage!"

Hania's fist, slammed into the ground, blocked the hair approaching while burning with flames. The hair, fearing the flames, was seen fleeing in confusion. Hania created space this way, entrusting Amnart to the old butler, and moved away from the hair while rescuing the knight who had been caught by the hair.

"It's tough that only Lady Hania and Lady Stoll can deliver the decisive blow here..."

The old butler, standing beside Amnart, muttered.

"Wait, what?"

Seeing the guardian spirit, Amnart realized something.

The flower of fire blooming in its chest...

Amnart ran his fingers over his own mantle. Embedded there was... a flower created by the power of Hania's guardian spirit and his own. He infused it with magic. In his hand, the flower returned to its original form. And it became a thorn of fire.

"Wow... I can use fire."

Amnart, who could only promote plant growth with the help of his guardian spirit, exhaled in awe at the non-burning fire. Of course, it was a power he couldn't use without a medium, and it was only possible because of the flower imbued with the power of two guardian spirits created by Yui, the perfect medium.

Thorns of fire began to grow around Amnart.

"Huh?"

Eh? I haven't done anything yet...

The old butler chuckled at Amnart's confusion.

"Lord Amnart, it's the effect of the crown."

"The effect of the national fabric, where the nature of the guardian spirit reflects the abundance of the land!"

Amnart had heard about it but was experiencing it for the first time.

"Amnart! Can you grow them in layers!?"

Startled by Arjit's question, Amnart extended his hand to Hania, who was returning while dragging the knight she had rescued from the hair.

"Hania, lend me your strength!"

The old butler Vels leaped over the thorns and carried the knight in place of Hania.

"Lady Hania, please hurry to Lord Amnart."

"Thank you, I'll leave it to you!"

The thorns of fire opened a path, enveloping Hania. The moment Hania took Amnart's extended hand, thorns of fire sprouted throughout the room, especially surrounding Arjit.

[A"Ah"a"A"]

The writhing hair was blocked and ignited everywhere. Stoll, from atop the pillars, finally found the head that had been rushing toward Arjit. It had grown large shark-like teeth, and its hair had transformed into insect-like legs, allowing it to walk independently. Drooling profusely, it approached, causing everyone, including Arjit, to be overwhelmed by a sense of disgust.

"Stoll, I'm counting on you!"

"Leave it to me!"

The moment the lured creature was struck by Arjit's sword, Stoll's flame, in the form of a spear, pierced it at the perfect timing.

[I"Ah"a"A! Wh"at"......E"......?......]