kscans

Chapter 311 - The Heroic Tale of Two, Part Seven

—I think they might have been a 'princess and her knight.'

Well, visually, they were both armored knights, but... seeing their respective roles and behaviors?

When the blue one lost its right arm, the white one offered its own sword without hesitation.

Ever since the 'chain' appeared, it was always the white knight who teleported in to provide support.

Furthermore, after their initially separate five-layered HP bars merged, the white knight became immune to damage, clearly protecting the blue one—acting as its shield and sword...

They both fought, but that was their essence.

The learning AI of [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King] must have perceived us in the same way.

—Honestly, really,

What a gross misinterpretation.

I am not a knight who protects her, and she is not a princess to be protected by me.

We've graduated from protecting and being protected. Now, we are equal partners who protect and support each other—which is why this is the outcome.

"You look disappointed."

"—Huh...? Oh, r-really...?"

When I spoke, Sora, who had been staring 'ahead' with an indescribable expression, turned around in surprise and started patting her own face.

"D-Did I look like that?"

"Who knows, maybe I was just imagining it."

Or maybe I just used the wrong word.

Not disappointed, but sad, might have been more appropriate. If so, I can 'relate' and 'understand' from my own 'experience.'

There's always a certain sense of melancholy that comes with it—the moment a battle with a powerful enemy ends.

We both turn our gazes forward. The blue knight, cradling the battered and motionless white one, begins to transition into its final phase.

The HP bar displayed above it is down to its last sliver.

With more than half of that already gone—the outcome between a dying boss enemy and two players with strength to spare was obvious to anyone.

The white knight's body disintegrated, dissolving into light and merging into the remaining blue knight's armor.

White and blue mixed, their boundaries vanishing—becoming silver, its radiance approaching that of its former platinum self.

I feel no fear, no awe.

That is, without a doubt—

"...We've gotten stronger, haven't we?"

"Yeah, no question."

—the undeniable proof that Sora and I have surpassed our former 'wall.'

"It's taken on a nostalgic form."

"Yeah... before, it was so huge we had to look up at it."

The colossal knight, now fused but already at its limit, falls to one knee with a ground-shaking thud.

But even so—[Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King] does not bow its head.

The golden chain that had danced in the air emits a brilliant light, becoming a greatsword befitting its massive hands.

'—'

The kingly sword desires a fitting end.

"...Haru."

"Are you sure? It'd be better if we both—"

"It's clearly singling you out, isn't it?"

Sora smiled with a troubled look, pointing to the tip of the sword aimed squarely at me.

As she unsummoned her magic sword, she looked at our nemesis, who was no longer moving—who could no longer move.

"It's sad, but I'm also satisfied, and I've come to terms with it—let's move forward."

Her amber eyes stared straight ahead, ready to witness the end.

...You really misjudged, didn't you, [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King]?

My partner is certainly as lovely as a princess—but her true nature is that of a 'protagonist,' far stronger than any knight.

"Okay, then... I guess it's this guy's turn to take the final stage."

I thrust my left arm out to my side, clad in the remnant of a past defeat.

The time we lost to [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King],

and [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King] lost to the will of the world (the system),

the embodiment of that mystery-filled 'day.'

Where are you right now, I wonder.

Did you disappear?

Or are you in this left arm?

Or maybe, are you repeating yourself, standing right before me now?

I don't know, but—

"I'll give you a grand send-off, so rest in peace—Manifestation Release."

Key word acknowledged, phase transition initiated.

The gauntlet of light glows brighter, pulsing like a heartbeat.

"Sora, can I have a 'sword'?"

"...Do you want a big one?"

She tilted her head, but she must have already figured out that I was going to do something again, because she nodded in understanding.

When she came closer and I replied, "The biggest you can manage," Sora smiled and nodded—

"[Turm Riesig, A Tower in His Hands]."

She bestowed upon me a sword so massive it looked like it could reach our 'opponent' even from here. The mana packed into it was extraordinary; it was truly,

"Thanks—I'll be taking this."

—a mass of power worthy of being devoured by this left arm.

Not the hilt, but the blade itself.

I grabbed it as if sinking my fangs into it, and shattered it—in that instant, the magic sword exploded into golden light and was violently sucked into the gauntlet of [An=Ru Galta].

"Invert—[Angalta, the Soul-Stealing Sword]."

What is born is a greatsword of spiritual light.

A gentle push on my back, and I step forward—just like last time,

"Sorry to keep you waiting, brother."

'—'

"That was fun today—I'll come play again sometime."

This is our final attack.

◇ [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King] has been vanquished ◇

---

《Angalta, the Soul-Stealing Sword》 — A sword of spiritual light that devours 'swords' and increases its power according to their martial might. It can only devour weapons that are owned by or have been given to the user. This time, it used the partner's magic sword as a substitute, but if a normal weapon is offered as a 'sacrifice,' it will be completely and mercilessly lost. Armaments in categories other than 'sword' are not applicable.