A magical girl and a desperate situation
I never expected to find myself in the very situation I feared most.
If we don’t count Rinne and Lockwert, facing four at once… This would actually be easier than taking on four S-Rank monsters simultaneously.
“Is this your plan? Or is it the witch’s?”
“It’s me. It’s about time our little game comes to an end.”
(How’s the barrier holding up?)
“It won’t work. There’s no way we can do anything while fighting like this.”
I knew it would come to this… Perhaps it’s best to play our trump card from the start. I’d like to take out either Rinne or Lockwert with a surprise attack, but that seems impossible.
Rinde doesn’t matter much, but being walled in would be troublesome too. No matter which form I transform into, it’ll take some time, however brief.
“Are we dealing with those four?”
“Well, let’s introduce ourselves since we’re here anyway?”
“No need. Remembering names of the dead would only be a loss for us.”
Rinne laughed as she looked toward the group of four.
This was mere provocation, but the Demon already knows most of what we need, so there’s no real issue.
(What about intel?)
“I know the two on the left, but the two on the right are new faces. I’ll send their data to you just in case.”
…Maybe I should have asked directly?
Their names are Rozanne and Elraks. They might differ somewhat, but both seem specialized in close combat… As opponents, they’re quite well-rounded.
“Well, we could just surround and kill them, but that would exhaust us too. How about a little game instead?”
“A game?”
I intended to fight all four at once, so what’s his angle?
“Yeah. You know how it is – medicine is a double-edged sword compared to your Arcana. Even if we die in the end, minimizing exhaustion is our responsibility as commanders. Besides, while Inie may be fine with pushing limits, wouldn’t you rather not strain your Arcana?”
That’s true, but the Demon never objects to my decisions. Though afterward, it takes effort to keep them in good spirits – still, if they’re alive, they won’t complain.
“Haluna”
(…Fine, I’ll listen.)
“So, what’s this game?”
“How about this: We prohibit the use of medicine on our side, and you prohibit the use of Arcana. Then we’ll have one-on-one elimination matches. Hope you don’t mind the advantage we’ve given ourselves?”
“That’s not what I heard…”
Rozanne interjected against Rinne’s proposal.
Not according to plan?
Honestly, I don’t know what Rinne’s up to, but there’s nothing else to do but wait and see.
“We could stick to the original plan, but I didn’t expect things to go this smoothly. When you have an advantage, you might as well change strategies, right?”
“Meh, whatever.”
Only Rozanne complained; the other three showed no particular reaction.
One-on-one battles. Maybe better than facing all four at once, but I’m clearly at a disadvantage.
Though I could hold my own in second form, fighting a top-tier Enhanced Form magical girl is tough.
They’ll learn my moves, but I won’t learn theirs, plus the fatigue from consecutive battles… Magic could handle that, but there’s no guarantee Rinne will keep her word.
Perhaps it would be better to face all four from the start…
Still, if I can take out two, we’ll gain the upper hand, then I can use Arcana for a surprise attack.
Contracts aren’t meant to be broken, but promises are.
“Alright, I accept your proposal.”
“Good. Remember, even though it’s a game, it’s still a death game. Don’t hold any grudges if you die.”
There’s no enmity between us, so I have no intention of complaining about killing or being killed.
However, despite trying not to think about it, the emotions rising within me have become increasingly difficult to suppress.
They have a clear purpose for coming to kill me, but I only have selfish reasons.
We have a contract, but that’s just a bonus.
Killing without consequence? What a wonderful situation.
“So, who should I fight first?”
“Anyone want to go first?”
Elraks raised a hand in response to Rinne’s call.
Elraks summoned a greatsword into the raised hand and approached me.
The greatsword confirms the Demon’s information.
“Decided then. Elraks, good luck.”
“I get it. Doesn’t matter what happens, the job stays the same.”
The others entered a rift created by Lockwert and disappeared from sight.
They must have moved away to avoid getting caught in the crossfire if they were too close.
“First time meeting, Inny Flowering. I’m Elraks. So, you’re going to fight me head-on, huh?”
Magical Girl Elraks. Armed with a large greatsword and uses lightning magic.
She’s about 170 cm tall, but the greatsword looks to be around 2 meters.
I’d like to assume the greatsword makes her movements slow, but that’s likely compensated by her magic.
Best to avoid her attacks rather than try to block them.
“The transformation consumes energy, so I’d rather delay it as long as possible. Out of curiosity, what was the original plan?”
“Just luring you to a predetermined location through various tricks and hitting you there. We were supposed to split up and wait, but who would have thought the least likely strategy would be chosen… Well then, shall we begin?”
Elraks’ atmosphere shifted, and a piercing killing intent radiated from her body.
Guess it’s time for me to act too.
(Akuma)
“This is my fault, but please don’t overdo it.”
(This will be tough too.)
Fighting someone above my rank in a straight battle.
How much can I push myself?
“Transformation”
Black enveloped me, changing my appearance.
Compared to before, my outfit has become more elaborate.
A cape has been added, and I now wield two swords – one black, one red.
If this were simple enhancement, it would be fine, but it’s not.
It steals what it can and converts it into power.
I don’t know the principle behind it, but it might be a magic of hatred.
Moreover, wielding two swords should be impossible for a right-handed person like me, yet I can handle dual blades without issue.
Magic works in mysterious ways.
Though mutation has begun in my body, life is unpredictable – might as well live how I want.
“Then… goodbye!”
In an instant, Elraks appeared before me.
Must be super acceleration from lightning.
I ducked to avoid the horizontal swing of the greatsword and tried to counter with my red sword from below, but it didn’t budge.
Given the length difference, Elraks has the advantage, meaning I need to step inside her range to strike.
Up until now, I’ve relied on single decisive strikes, but this time attacking with speed seems more effective.
Using the momentum from raising my red sword, I thrust with the black one.
Elraks deflected my sword with the hilt of the greatsword and attempted to punch me with her left arm while I was off-balance.
An ordinary punch would be painful enough, but Elraks’ left arm crackled with bluish-white lightning.
Getting hit would mean immediate defeat.
Thus…
“Earthquake: Arc Crush”
Holding the red sword reverse grip, I plunged it into the ground.
With the vibration, the earth cracked, disrupting Elraks’ balance.
I managed to evade, but the lightning grazed me, burning my skin.
Even a graze is this bad, so a direct hit would be fatal, it seems.
As we leapt back from the cracked ground – well, Elraks leapt back while I used barriers as footholds to press the attack.
I negated Elraks’ released lightning with my sword and unleashed a slash.
While Elraks defended with the greatsword, I closed the distance rapidly.
“Hmm, I’m not underestimating you, but you’re strong.”
“You seem pretty relaxed yourself.”
Elraks effortlessly countered my continuous attacks.
My efforts aren’t exactly full strength, but neither is Elraks in Enhanced Form.
I’d like to sever at least one limb first, but Elraks is protected by sturdy armor.
Not just iron, but attire woven by a magical girl.
It won’t be easy to cut through.
Unlike before, I can last a while, but I’d like to finish the fight before she gets serious.
Let’s release a bit of these emotions then.
Let me fight, but don’t go wild.
Deliberately making a wide swing with the red sword to provoke Elraks’ counterattack.
Elraks deflected my sword with minimal movement and swung the greatsword upward.
At that moment, I released the suppressed hatred.
Black light coursed through both my swords, enveloping them in magic.
My clothes changed slightly, but there’s no time to worry about that.
Though my stance is poor, I brought down the black sword and slammed it onto Elraks’ greatsword.
Until now, my sword would have been pushed back, but this time I managed to overpower hers.
Elraks looked astonished, but with the greatsword pulling her body, there’s no way to avoid my blow.
“Double Break: Scissor Cross”
Swinging my swords from both sides.
In this state with magic flowing, I should be able to cut through the armor.
“Surge! Holy Lightning”
At the moment my swords struck, Elraks transformed into Enhanced Form.
The swords were deflected by Elraks’ hands, but that was within expectations.
I avoided the incoming magic with a backflip and threw my red sword.
However, Elraks was no longer there, having somehow appeared above me.
Our eyes met, and I felt death approaching.
I quickly erected multiple layered barriers in front of me, hoping they would buy me some time.
The greatsword descended and collided with the barriers.
They shattered instantly, but the brief respite allowed me to create a barrier beneath my feet, forcing my way out of the greatsword’s range.
The greatsword grazed my leg, but I managed to evade.
I summoned the thrown red sword back to my hand and considered my next move.
Despite the heavy equipment of a greatsword and armor, Elraks’ movement is enhanced by lightning magic.
Her motions may be linear, but I lack any means to counter them.
Besides, I’m all in black while she’s in white.
Looks like I’m the villain destined to fall, isn’t it?
“Getting stronger without Enhanced Form is truly fascinating. The witches told me about Arcana, but I still don’t understand it fully.”
That’s useful information.
Though basically everything is exposed, this state seems usable as a trump card.
“Knowing it doesn’t change anything. We’re either going to kill or be killed anyway.”
Elraks’ killing intent is genuine, but there’s no hatred, only a sense of duty.
I kill because you’re the enemy. That’s all.
Thus, there’s no unnecessary interference in our strategic exchanges.
Retreat when necessary, kill when possible.
No unnecessary pursuit.
“You’re right. I accepted this mission prepared to die, but if possible, I’d like to witness the end with my own eyes. Therefore… Die for me.”
Before I could respond, Elraks vanished.
Where did she go?
No, if she moved that fast, it must be…
“Behind you!”
(Figured!)
Crouching, I dodged the greatsword that swept overhead.
I jumped sideways to avoid the follow-up downward strike and attempted to slash at her legs.
The armor sustained some minor damage but wasn’t cut.
“Lightning Blossom Summon”
Lightning spread from the greatsword Elraks raised and descended toward me from the sky.
Not only that, Elraks transitioned from defense to offense, pressing me relentlessly.
My superior strength until now has reversed due to Elraks entering Enhanced Form, and with relentless lightning raining down from above, I can barely manage to evade.
Additionally, taking a direct hit from the greatsword would mean instant defeat.
The combination of lightning causing burns and paralysis, followed by being bisected, proves troublesome against such a well-coordinated opponent.
Unlike Ren’s absurd abilities, I can’t discern a path to victory.
Stabbing her in the face would suffice, but creating such an opening seems impossible.
I need to attack, yet evading is all I can manage for now.
So far, I haven’t sustained major injuries, but…
(What should I do?)
“Any ideas? Preferably something that avoids further strain.”
Currently, I’m negating the falling lightning with my sword and dodging or deflecting the greatsword’s onslaught.
Though it won’t last long, I have enough time to think.
The two options remaining for me are orthodox and unconventional.
The orthodox approach involves releasing even more of the suppressed hatred.
In this heightened state, defeating Elraks without medicine should be easy.
The problem lies in what the next battle might bring.
Though I doubt I’ll be injured as severely as during the Shengxi encounter, battling four consecutively is unrealistic.
Still, after eliminating two, using Arcana power should suffice.
The unconventional method involves switching bodies with Sora using Hermes’ ability.
Though classified as Arcana power, it’s not liberation, so Rinne and the others likely won’t notice what happened.
With a grown body, I can endure even more, and magical output will increase.
Since the transformation remains intact until canceled, consecutive battles won’t be an issue.
However, using this method again will require waiting for Sora to grow once more.
Simultaneous liberation of Arcana won’t be possible during that period, leaving me without a trump card for emergencies.
Both methods have their pros and cons.
But unless I choose one, I can’t break free from the current situation.
For now, let’s try the orthodox method.
Let’s believe it’ll be fine for a short duration.
Negating the descending lightning with a slash from the red sword, I deflected the greatsword’s trajectory with barriers and the black sword, escaping its direct path.
Alright, let’s go.
(Sorry, Akuma)
“Haluna!”
Akuma’s response faded as the emotions buried deep within me – the hatred and malice – overflowed.
The existence of a magical girl wielding a blade born from hatred and envy surged forth.
Kill the magical girls.
Rather than suffering, destroy everything.
Return this mad world to nothingness.
Embracing the impulse, I let the hatred run rampant.
