kscans

Chapter 65 - An Overwhelmingly Powerful Helper Arrives

In the midst of a fierce thunderstorm, a drenched Tiris raised a sword of light high and stood before Mamoru. Her eyes shed tears, yet they had lost their emotional light, her expression as vacant as a manipulated puppet.

"Stop it, Tiris!!" Mamoru screamed.

"Shake off Aria's puppet strings!!"

The sky split, and thunder shook the earth. The rain continued to fall relentlessly, blurring their vision.

Tiris's sword swung straight down.

"Guh!!"

Mamoru closed his eyes, bracing himself.

...However.

"...Huh?"

When he opened his eyes, the sword of light was stuck in the ground just to the right of his face, mere centimeters away.

"Tch... looks like one of them snapped."

From behind, Mel Aria spoke, pouting. It seemed Tiris had resisted from the depths of her soul and managed to sever one of the puppet strings herself.

"But it's okay. I'll just stitch it up♪ Time for a do-over."

It was at that moment.

Spacetime twisted, and from a purple vortex, a man appeared.

"...Who the hell are you!?"

Ares and Mel Aria instantly went on guard.

"I am not one who needs to give his name, but..." a low, heavy voice cut through the rain.

"My name is Regna=Val=Noct. I am the Demon Lord of this game."

The moment they heard that name, the air on the scene froze.

The Demon Lord Regna waved his hand once, and all the puppet strings entwined around Tiris were sliced apart.

"Wha...!? Stop it!!" Aria screamed, but Regna didn't even turn around.

"Mamoru, listen well. Hero Ares has gained power beyond our imagination due to the 'Blessing of Fate.' As you are now, you have no chance of victory."

"...What did you say!?" Mamoru gritted his teeth.

"But there is still hope." Demon Lord Regna opened another vortex in space.

"Beyond this gate lies the 'Witch's Shrine.' The ancient witch who resides there, Merlin, will teach you the way to further evolution."

"Huh? What're you doin', interfering like this when you're the Demon Lord? A Demon Lord ain't supposed to leave his castle, that's against the rules!"

Ares laughed and was about to step forward, but Demon Lord Regna spoke quietly.

"The one breaking the rules is you, Taiga Nanjo. You, who tramples upon the world of 'Legend of Brave Regalia' with a player's selfish desires."

Ares's face twisted into a scowl.

"Now go, Mamoru. You monsters are the 'last hope' that can correct this world."

Mamoru turned to his companions.

"...We're retreating. Amy, Koni-chan, Defray, hurry to the gate!"

Tiris also gave a small nod and followed Mamoru.

But at that moment, Ares roared.

"Like I'd let you escape!!"

Just as he was about to take a step, Regna moved in front of him.

"I shall be your opponent."

Thunder roared as Ares and Regna's gazes clashed.

"Go, Mamoru! Go, heroes of the monster race of hope!"

Mamoru and his party passed through the open magic transfer gate. To grasp further evolution, and the possibility of 'victory.'

Chapter Nine, End.