At the same time, a huge red sphere appeared in the air - a kendama.

Then, there was a shock and a loud noise that shook even the atmosphere.

A giant metal ball with a diameter of two meters was shot out by Druken and turned into a cannonball.

The "half-humanoid" in the path of the metal ball was hit head-on, its body twisted and deformed by the crushing, and shattered into pieces and flew away.

A big hole suddenly appeared in the encirclement.

"You little bastard and sadist! I won't let you leave me alone!"

It seems that the targets of Shia's anger are Yue and Hajime. Perhaps she feels humiliated by the hateful rivals who rushed into the battlefield without even looking at her...

The ground beneath Shia's feet shattered, and like Hajime, she stepped out of a hole and jumped into the large hole created by the kendama's bombardment.

She seemed to be planning to go directly to Hajime and Yue, but...

The 'half-human' creatures would not let her go, and they attacked from all directions.

"You annoying little bastards!"

Shia's cheeks flushed red as she fiercely swung her rabbit ears at the "half-humanoid" that came to obstruct her.

The "half-man" approached from the front with a sonic boom, and Shia also swung the Drukken from the front to strike. As a result, the "half-man" was easily knocked away like a marble.

Perhaps because the "demi-humanoids" possessed a strength akin to steel, every time Shia swung the Deluken, a resounding clang of impact echoed. Every time this sound rang out, the "demi-humanoids" flew out in all directions.

None of them could touch Shia's body.

Even if corrosive mist is wrapped around his body, as long as Druken swings once, the subsequent shock wave will blow away all the corrosive mist.

Even if he wanted to attack Shia from all directions at once, the kendama connected to the chain would coordinate with Shia's rotation and sweep away the surrounding area.

With Shia at the center, the hurricane formed by the war hammer and kendama shattered all the "demi-humanoids" into pieces. It was truly a storm.

"Hmm~! I really hate myself for not having the power to annihilate."

Because Xia is purely good at close combat, in the face of violence of numbers, although she will not be defeated, she will still be slowed down.

In the distance, Hajime and Yue, despite their verbal quarrel, were still fighting together (?), and at first glance, they seemed to be on good terms. Shia glanced at them, puffing her cheeks in dissatisfaction.

Then, another half-humanoid attacked from behind and from the side, but this time, Shia crushed them both with a single spin kick. The two half-humanoids curved into a U-shape, dragging their companions along with them, becoming new marbles and flying away.

Seeing Shia displaying her prowess in the air in front of the square, Kaori said with envy:

“How amazing…”

Although Kaori already knew that Shia was very strong, to be honest, this was the first time in so many battles that Kaori saw Shia fight up close.

She wanted to fly to Hajime and Yue, but Shia's battle was so gorgeous and overwhelming that Kaori couldn't help but stop.

Of course, facing the "half-humanoids" that continued to attack during this period, Kaori continued to slash with her greatsword or shoot them down with a barrage of silver feathers with decomposing magic, so Kaori herself also showed overwhelming combat power. However...

(My strength... is borrowed strength.)

Such thoughts couldn't help but pop up in her mind.

"Haven't you overcome those feelings in Melkine?"

"what?"

Tio spread her fire breath like a shotgun, firing continuously while shielding Kouki and the others. She glanced at Kaori and said this to her.

Kaori felt that her inner thoughts were completely seen through, and the negative emotions in her heart began to swell.

However, Tio continued without any concern:

"No matter what means you use, the power of the hand is your power. And to gain that power, you're even willing to change your own body, right? So don't give me that expression."

Kaori couldn't help but glance towards Tio, revealing a momentary gap. Kaori turned around and saw a "half-humanoid" approaching from above, but Tio didn't even look at it. She casually sent out a wind blade, easily slicing it in half.

The wind blade was terrifyingly sharp, just like Tio now.

"You can hold your head high, Kaori. You can be proud of your devotion, your hard work, and the fact that you're standing here right now."

"...You're so long-winded. I already know it without Tio telling me."

For some reason, even though she felt unhappy and disgusted, Kaori felt particularly embarrassed and couldn't help but retort like a child. However, Kaori could vaguely feel a warm feeling in her heart.

Kaori, feeling somewhat angry, fired a fan-shaped decomposition bombardment, and all the "half-humanoids" in orbit were reduced to dust as if weathered.

Perhaps she had seen through him. Tio smiled at Kaori and continued:

"Besides, Shia is a special person, incomparable to others."

Indeed, Shia is very special. She is the only demi-human who possesses magic power, and she is so strong.

Just as Kaori was thinking this, Tio shook her head.

"No, I'm not talking about her ability, I'm talking about her heart."

"Heart?"

"Yes, heart. Shia is originally a rabbit-man. Her heart loves peace and dislikes fighting."

But that would not make the wish come true.

"Even though I'm afraid, I must take a step forward. Even though I'm afraid and cry, I must fight and continue to be by the side of my loved ones and friends. Although the world seems to have bestowed the title of hero upon the glory, but..."

Tio's gaze shifted to Shia.

"In my opinion, neither Kouki nor even my master deserves the title. The true 'brave man', the 'hero'—should be Shia Hauria."

To Tio, the person who showed the most respect among her companions was surprisingly Shia.

Although Kaori was surprised to discover this, what shocked her the most, or should I say what puzzled her the most, was——

"...Tio, your emotions have changed, haven't they?"

This can be seen from her words and actions towards Kaori. She has been covering up for the listless Kouki and Ryuutarou and others who are in crisis due to their lack of strength. Now she does not hide her respect and love for Shia.

No matter how you look at it, Tio doesn't seem to harbor any negative feelings. If that were the case, it would mean that Tio originally hated them...

"Hmph, I don't like you, and my disgust is welling up in me now...but so what?"

"what?"

Tio's gaze returned to Kaori again. Her 'deep' and 'heavy' gaze made Kaori gasp.

Tio chuckled softly, and once again breathed fire at Kaori's exposed back, and said calmly:

"If I were to be swayed by my emotions, I wouldn't be able to live for five hundred years."

The indicators of memory and soul guide Tio's judgment. If the longing she once cherished could be so easily forgotten, or even swayed by emotions, then her heart, having lived through so many years, would have long since broken. So, even if she now hates someone, as long as the memory of her affection remains, Tio Kularus will never be swayed by emotion. Whether positive or negative, love or hate, her heart will accept and bear it all.

Tio continued:

"Besides, before the matter at hand, my own feelings are insignificant. Although I dislike you, my memory tells me that everyone present is someone I must protect."

Regardless of whether it was a mission, a bond, or an obligation, Tio would never abandon her duty.

and so--

"Kaori, I will protect you even at the cost of the name of the black dragon Tio Kularus, who holds the vocation of 'Guardian'."

Tio exudes the aura of a king, giving others a sense of security, like a mighty tree. Her eyes hold a will of steel.

Her black hair swaying in the flames and storm, framing her proud declaration, was so beautiful that it was mesmerizing.

"No, no, that's not necessary! I can fight on my own!"

Kaori answered again like a child, her cheeks flushing subtly.

Kaori thought, the magic of reversing emotions is really powerful.

The big pervert actually looks very handsome!

Perhaps Tio had cut off unnecessary hobbies in order to control her disordered emotions, and as a result, her true side as "Dragon Man Tio Kuralus" had fully emerged.

Normally, Tio is both handsome and beautiful, a noble and perfect "sister".

Kaori felt incredibly embarrassed and prepared to fly away like Shia. She'd originally wanted to be with Hajime and Yue, but she'd just been overwhelmed by Shia's overwhelming presence and stopped for a moment. Of course, she did so for the same reason as Shia, not out of concern for them.

However, just when she was about to rush out——

“Ahh!?”

"!!"

A mournful cry was heard, a voice that was familiar to Kaori.

Kaori looked back half unconsciously, only to see Shizuku sitting on the ground.

Apparently, she slipped on the bodily fluids of the "half-humanoid" beneath her feet.

This creates a fatal gap.

The half-humanoid's arm, shrouded in corrosive black smoke, was raised high.

Guanghui was nearby and he also saw Shizuku's crisis.

There is also a bell behind me.

Besides, as long as Tio breathes fire, there shouldn't be any problem.

However, Kaori threw all the possibilities of Shizuku being saved out of her mind.

When she came to her senses, Kaori had already drawn her greatsword and was standing next to Shizuku.

"Ah... Kaori..."

"Shizuku-chan..."

Kaori didn't consider the rationality and necessity of rescuing Shizuku at all.

Originally, he went after Shihe Yue in order to wash away the humiliation of being abandoned and to let Shihe Yue know his existence, but this reason was also thrown out of the window.

The body moved involuntarily.

Although the direction is different, Kaori's negative feelings towards Shizuku are the same as Hajime's, no, even stronger than Hajime's. However, in order to save Shizuku, her body acts before her thoughts.

Kaori felt her body suddenly lighten, and the fog that had been lingering in her heart dissipated.

A smile naturally appeared on Kaori's face, an expression not one she would show to someone she held negative feelings towards.

"Alright, stand up, Shizuku-chan! There's no time to rest!"

"Huh? Ah, okay."

Shizuku hurriedly got up with Kaori pulling her hand. She looked at Kaori in confusion. Kaori had already turned her back to Shizuku, holding a big sword to fight the enemy.

"It's okay, I'll protect Shizuku-chan."

"what……"

Shizuku's memories flashed through her mind.

That was when she realized her own mortality - Shizuku was betrayed by her friends in the palace, and just when she was about to be killed, her best friend rushed to save her.

What happened after that?

That’s right, her best friend, Kaori, had died once after protecting her.

I always want to protect my best friend, but I am powerless at the critical moment and can only be protected by my best friend. As a result, my best friend died!

Shizuku felt a sharp pain in her heart, and at the same time, she felt that the shackles that had been imposed on her seemed to be broken.

Shizuku naturally turned her back to Kaori.

It's not because she hates Kaori, but because she wants to give her back to Kaori and protect Kaori's back.

Shizuku stood back to back with her best friend and spoke in a strong voice:

"Thank you, Kaori. I'm fine now. I'll be protecting you from behind."

Shizuku drew her sword and slashed.

Her sword-drawing technique was sharper than before, and with one strike, she severed the "half-humanoid" in two.

"good!"

Silver feathers flew everywhere, and the light of recovery magic flowed. Kaori recovered her magic power, physical strength, and injuries all at once.

"Tio! Shizuku-chan and I will handle this, I'll leave the other side to you!"

"Okay, got it!"

Tio answered immediately, and she looked at Kaori with a look that seemed to praise her, "That's right."

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like