32 - Chapter 28: The Three Idiots and the Messenger of the Sun God
Serious-san "See?"
The sacred peak of Mount Niyakando. What awaited the group as they stepped into its foothills was a welcome they had not anticipated. A crowd of white shadows lined the cliff. Latia, spotting a particularly large white shadow in the center, recoiled from its sheer majesty.
"W-what is this... this divinity...?"
"There is no mistake... this is... a Spirit Beast-sama...!"
Kazuha perceived the identity of the opponent, sensing a presence similar to that of her stepmother, Kureha, who was a Holy Beast. Just as beastmen with high magic become Holy Beasts, animals with high magic also become Spirit Beasts. She was certain that this presence, this pressure, and this magic could be nothing else.
Lilitia, who also recognized the form, let her lips tremble.
"Could it be... the one who heralds the beginning mentioned in the scriptures... the messenger of the Sun God... the bird of prophecy... the Divine Bird, GrimEdda...!?"
White feathers shining silver in the sunlight.
A bright red comb, as if symbolizing the sun.
Sharp, thickly developed legs capable of tearing through all things.
And as that thing opened its yellow beak wide, the Three Idiots...
"It's a giant chicken!!"
"Kooo-kekokkooo!!"
They were extremely excited by the chicken, which was the size of a medium-sized truck.
"Man, it looks like it would be satisfying to eat!"
"Let's make fried chicken! I occasionally crave it! That Colonel-style thing!"
"Ah, I get that. I used to buy the sale packs on my way home from work every 28th of the month. Then, after taking a bath, having it with a chilled beer is the best."
Wiping their mouths with a drool, the Three Idiots already had the eyes of hunters.
"Fried food and beer are the healing of a working adult...!"
At this sight, the ordinary chickens surrounding the Spirit Beast felt a sense of danger and backed away slightly. Unaware that they, as members of the Divine Bird race, were being treated as broilers, they were confused as to what this trembling born from an incomprehensible terror was, when GrimEdda leaped from the cliff, glided elegantly, and landed.
Then, alone, it remained motionless while glaring at the Serious Breakers group. Its attitude was as if saying, "Come at me."
"Oh? I wonder what's going on?"
"Could it be that it intends to face us alone?"
As Geoglyph tilted his head and Latia speculated, Kazuha nodded.
"According to legend, Spirit Beasts possess intelligence beyond human understanding, but I hear they do not like to shed more blood than necessary."
"The scriptures say that GrimEdda fought a duel with a saint who sought the protection of the Sun God, and lent its power to the saint who demonstrated their strength."
"This flow is that, isn't it...?"
Marianne sensed various things from Lilitia's explanation.
"Hmph. It seems this guy wants a one-on-one."
Later stepped forward.
"Are you going to do it, Ray?"
"It doesn't look like it uses magic or anything. In that case, it's my turn."
As Later walked toward GrimEdda without transforming the Rig Veda, Kazuha called out to him.
"L-Later-sama! Good luck...!"
Without looking back, but giving a thumbs-up, Later faced GrimEdda empty-handed.
"Yo, sorry to keep you waiting."
"Koo..."
Whether it understood the words or not, GrimEdda shook its head. It seemed to be saying it didn't mind, and Later gave a wry smile.
Then, they both lowered their hips and took their stances...
"Well, shall we?"
"Kek!"
The one human and one bird collided.
●
Later, having decided not to use the Rig Veda, diverted all of his magic into physical ability and defense. It was not some kind of mocking play or a self-imposed restriction. He had simply instinctively sensed that this was the optimal solution.
And he realized it was the correct answer with the first clash.
Advancing at the same timing as GrimEdda, he met a flying front kick with his reinforced right fist. It was not the sound of a strike, nor the sound of a graze, but a dull sound of steel clashing that came along with the impact.
He barely managed a draw by wrapping nearly 70 percent of his total magic around his fist. Normally, when using the Rig Veda, Later distributes his total magic equally between physical reinforcement and defense. This time, he diverted the magic he usually gives to the Rig Veda into his defensive power. Only by doing so was he finally able to reach an equilibrium.
(This is thrilling...)
Later's lips curled unconsciously at the firepower befitting the name of a Spirit Beast. If he had not used any reinforcement, his fist would likely have been sliced open as easily as butter. Not only that, the aftershock might have reached his torso.
Furthermore, GrimEdda did not follow up with an attack and instead created distance. It was not an opponent without wisdom who relied solely on physical specs, like the Earth Dragon. Its movements were those of a warrior who observes the opponent and constructs the flow of battle.
(I'm starting to get fired up...!)
Later, who was both capable and temperamentally more suited for one-on-one fights than fighting multiple people, felt a surge of excitement bubbling up from the bottom of his chest.
On the other hand, GrimEdda also recognized the opponent as a strong enemy. Its intention had been to decide the matter mercilessly with that one strike and intimidate the enemies in the rear, Geoglyph and the others. If possible, it intended to carry the corpse away and have its rumors spread among humans so that they would not approach. Since a single example as a warning usually works for most living things.
However, that was overturned. Not only did the human take the hit, but he had countered it.
(This human... has accumulated considerable kung fu...)
He must have been suppressing it normally. At the moment of collision, his internal magic increased to an eye-popping degree. When distance was instinctively taken, that magic was suppressed again. GrimEdda speculated that he had likely repeated training that emphasized instantaneous output.
As is common with beings possessing massive magic, there are those who perform the wasteful act of constantly leaking magic to flaunt their power. For example, dragons, or races that are strong from birth, are prone to this. It is true that if one can intimidate others, conflicts themselves decrease, so it cannot be called completely wasteful, but that is the arrogance of those who possess it from the start.
In contrast, what of GrimEdda? It was originally just a chicken. After many twists and turns, it acquired magic, and after growing stronger over a long life, it reached the point of being called a Divine Bird.
Now, it can easily handle something like a Lesser Dragon, and depending on the conditions, it can even rival a Divine Dragon species. However, the path to this point was by no means flat.
In particular, the strength of physical reinforcement depends on the amount of magic. The more magic one has, the longer and more powerfully one can reinforce the body, and this is the key to GrimEdda's fighting, whether in attack or defense. It is natural since it cannot use magic like humans.
The fact that it grew its magic meant there were times when it was weak, times when it was scarce.
To survive those times, it sought ways to operate magic efficiently. Instead of constantly wrapping itself in magic like water, it poured all its magic into pinpoint moments, such as the moment of starting a dash or the moment of impact. Naturally, the timing becomes severe, but it was useful not only when facing a superior opponent but also when outnumbered, to avoid dropping combat endurance.
(This human male is a "one who was weak," just like me...!)
If that was the case, there was no longer any need for restraint, and GrimEdda spread its wings.
Having finished the first clash and confirmed each other's impressions, the one human and one bird faced each other, even wearing smiles.
●
"Geo, it's a bit early, but let's have lunch."
Ignoring the clash, Marianne made a suggestion, and Geoglyph nodded.
"That's true. Come on, Lilitia. You too, stop clinging to Marie and help out."
"Why should I do such a thing—"
"Which do you prefer, expulsion from the party or reporting you to the church?"
"Gunuuu..."
"It is fine, Lilitia. As long as you belong to a party, cooperativeness is important. Yes, sometimes it is more important than one's own desires...!"
I wonder how she can say that with a straight face, this idiot, Geoglyph thought, his face becoming a void like a Tibetan sand fox, as Latia called out to him worriedly.
"But Geo. Don't we need to help Later? The opponent is a Spirit Beast, you know? Your or Marianne's power might be necessary..."
"Ah, it's fine, it's fine."
Taking out a wide straw mat from his storage magic and spreading it, he said in a carefree voice.
"Later, you see. When it comes to 'ready, set, go' facing each other, he's far stronger than we are."
To be continued tomorrow.