Joint Combat Practice 2 (16)
?The sound of a huge whale roaring resonates through the earth.
Just by swinging its tail and fins a strong wind blows. The apostles of Telos set up camp and deployed defensive formations to block the huge strong wind but it was not even an act of aggression that caused the wind in the first place.
The apostles quickly exchanged opinions using only glances.
It’s not like there’s no chance of winning. If sufficient magical power is supplied a cooperative force of six people acting simultaneously can sufficiently block the movement of that monstrous whale.
However the goal right now is not to subdue that highest-ranking spirit.
The apostles’ goal is to recapture Belbroke’s molar necklace. It is a relic that is the core of all plans.
However numerous flying spirits are blocking the route and the pterosaur that Ed and Yenika are riding on in the distance is also traveling at incredible speeds.
In that case the right person to chase them down is Taldarek the 3rd Seat.
After coming to that conclusion the apostles quickly finished formulating a plan.
The three of them block the movement of the highest-ranking spirit as much as possible and the two secure a path for Taldarek to fly. Then Taldarek reaches Ed and Yenika at top speed overpowers them and seizes the relic.
In any case all those countless spirits would be useless if they suppressed the main body Yenika.
It took no time to take action. Taldarek’s wings spread wide.
“Yenika come to your senses!”
My forehead was a furnace. The reason her face was completely red wasn’t because she was embarrassed for no reason like usual. A high fever is rising due to the ridiculous amount of magical power being used.
Ed supported Yenika’s staggering body and took out Belbroke’s molar. The magic flowing through the surface is clearly weakening.
The further away you are from Aken Island the weaker the magical power will become.
“Ed… .”
I didn’t lose consciousness. Even in a dazed state Yenika is commanding the spirits as best as she can.
Friede the highest-ranking water spirit who commands the sky.
The magic circle created by that huge whale filled the sky. All kinds of water elemental magic split the sky.
In the wind that splits the sky the third Taldarek flies through the air.
Its speed is comparable to that of a bullet. She was almost pierced by a spear without even realizing it.
Fortunately what was pierced by the spear were a few strands of Yenika’s light pink hair and the back of the pterodactyl she was riding.
As the pterosaur’s back was pierced by the spear it screamed and its body began to shake.
Just like that Ed and Yenika fell to the ground again.
***
“Right now we can’t subdue the Holy Spear Dragon Velbrok with the power of the Holy Emperor Dao alone. “Don’t judge others based solely on the vague descriptions in history books.”
There is no unnecessary words.
Clarisse sat quietly and focused on the main points.
The majesty of the water spirit that covers the sky is clearly visible through the broken stained glass. Not only the bachelors but also the cathedral knights all looked up at the sky in cold sweat but it didn’t seem like a very big sight to Saint Clarice.
She had seen the Holy Spear Dragon Velbrok several times larger than that one harpoon the entire Aken Island dozens of times.
That’s why you don’t lose your composure.
Seeing this Emperor Eldein and Archbishop Verdio felt a great sense of discomfort.
Clarisse the saint who always played innocently with eyes full of curiosity about the world is no longer there.
That saintess sitting quietly with her hands folded had already experienced the bitter taste of reality.
“Saint. How on earth… .”
“Listen carefully Verdio.”
There is a man. He is a blonde fallen nobleman whose death Clarisse has watched over and over again.
I remember every single one of his deaths. It is clearly engraved in Clarice’s memory.
There’s so much he’s done to get Clarice here and sit down with her.
Now it was Clarisse’s turn to do her part.
No matter what anyone says Clarice has the absolute status of being a saint of the church.
A person with the authority to express opinions directly to the Archbishop and the Holy Emperor. In that respect no one can take on the role of Clarice.
That’s why Clarisse speaks confidently.
“I’m sitting here after repeating the same thing countless times.”
There was silence in the room.
“I haven’t quite figured out why time repeats. Roughly… “I have a guess though.”
– Quang! Quang!
In the sky above Aken Island a huge whale and the apostles of Telos collide. All kinds of flying spirits whose number could easily be in the three digits were also helping.
Academic staff also rushed out to help control the accident. Although all sorts of defensive magic formations were deployed the giant whale had no interest in the bachelor’s side.
Even such a magnificent sight is just a noisy background to Saint Clarice.
“Saint. “Now is not the time to joke.”
“It’s noisy Verdio. “I’m talking to the Holy Emperor.”
yes? Saint… ?”
Clarice had already cooled off.
It is clearly different from when she was a saint when she looked at Verdio and regarded him as a devout believer and looked at him with respect. His youthful eyes and trembling hands were still pitiful but that didn’t stop him from speaking.
I have experienced a lot my values have changed a lot and more than anything I am emotionally leaning on someone.
Humans grow quickly if they have someone to support them. After realizing that fact Clarice continued her story.
“Mr. Seonghwang. Why did I know about the secret plan to subdue Bellbroke? “It must have been a plan that was not told to anyone until we arrived at Aken Island.”
The wrinkled eyes of the prosperous Eldain look straight into Clarisse’s bright red eyes.
“How did the blonde boy who just stormed the cathedral and took Belbroke’s molar know? “How could a male student from the Ministry of Magic on Aken Island know of the plans that were exchanged between high-ranking priests in Holy Emperor Island?”
Verdio’s eyes widen little by little.
A blonde male student who just attacked the cathedral.
The behavior of the cathedral knights who came in after breaking the glass took the necklace and ran away before they could come to their senses… It seemed as if he had truly seen through the church’s plans.
“How did I know that the Holy Emperor and Verdio were here? “You two and the guards must have used stealth magic to move to this cathedral as secretly as possible.”
Eyes gather.
“Because I’ve experienced it all in the first place.”
I wonder if he’s saying this in his right mind but there’s really nothing he can say to refute it.
“Verdio is a person who will bring destruction to the church Holy Emperor. “If not now someday his madness will engulf the church.”
“What madness saintess. “What you say is too extreme.”
“We have to cut him when we have the chance. Him right now… .”
“Saint!”
“I told you it was noisy Verdio!”
Clarice hit the table with a bang.
And static.
The prosperous Eldain says nothing. Clarisse and Verdio are facing each other.
“How could you do this to me…” .”
Verdio’s reaction that eventually appeared was completely unexpected.
he is… I was shedding tears.
“Ever since I became the next saint I have always worked hard to be chosen as a saint.”
“… .”
“In case you were not able to adapt I gave you all the knowledge I could protected the steeple from subversive forces and protected the saint from the conspiracies of non-believers. “How many years have you lived like that?”
The tears of grief shed by the old archbishop… The successful Eldain’s pupils shook slightly.
“I devoted myself so much to the saint. That fact will be known to all the cathedral knights of Holy Emperor Capital. Don’t you know this not only the knights gathered here but also the Holy Emperor Eldain!”
“… .”
“More than anyone else I was the saint’s most ardent supporter. “I am the one who always prayed more earnestly than anyone else for the saint to have only stability and happiness.”
Verdio’s eyes were full of despair and grief.
“Saint! The saint is truly a treasure favored by Telos the most sacred and greatest god of this holy city. He is much more valuable than this poor archbishop. I am… I have always thought that way. That’s me… At best… To have to be slandered in this way… In such a miserable reality… “Tears are flowing.”
After that there was silence again. A sobbing Verdio lowered his head.
The past life lived solely for the saint was denied. That is the image of a person shedding tears miserably leaving a wound in her heart.
Clarice sees him and slowly walks towards him.
It is infinitely similar to the way someone calmly walks to a person making penance or approaches a believer who is being baptized.
Her appearance smiling benevolently and representing God’s will is engraved in the memories of all knights as a beautiful figure.
Clarisse approached him in a humble manner placed her hands on his shoulders and spoke in his ear.
“So you tried to use me as a scapegoat when things went wrong?”
A ray of tension flows through Verdio’s cold veins.
This was a fact that only Verdio knew. He couldn’t have spread it to anyone.
The absurd claim that time was repeating itself was not just made hastily to persuade the audience.
Sadly Saint Clarisse truly understands the depths of those sitting here.
Clarice goes next to Eldain whose eyes are wide open and speaks.
“Don’t be deceived any further Seonghwang.”
The prosperous Eldain is a bystander. In essence he can be said to be no different from Verdio but he still has the opportunity to take a different path.
That’s why Clarice talks to Eldain the prosperous man. Have Verdio excommunicated.
“Now is the time… “It’s time to make a decision.”
At that moment an explosion occurred from under the table.
– Quang!!
It was Verdio’s magic spell.
***
This is a forest area that you have to drive a long way to the north after leaving Aken Island.
Yenica’s lieutenant spirit in the form of a pterodactyl wandered among the coniferous trees there and barely made an emergency landing.
-Kagagagagagak!
It slid across the floor and made a painful sound and then the spirit was reverse summoned and disappeared. It seemed like they held on as long as they could to get us safely to the ground.
Yenica and I rolled around a little on the dirt but we weren’t seriously hurt.
However Yenika’s physical condition was not good to begin with.
I gritted my teeth and stood up from the dirt floor. I quickly ran to Yenika who was far away and checked her condition.
“Hey Yenika. Are you okay?”
He was out of breath as if he was exhausted. I lifted my forehead to check for fever. I couldn’t tell the body temperature with her hand so the moment I tried to touch her forehead Jenica pushed the area around my chest instead.
under… don’t do it… .”
what?
more… The heat is rising… .”
Yenika gurgled and composed herself.
It seemed difficult for him to walk alone so I lent him my shoulder.
“This place might be…” “It is the Great Forest of Crete.”
huh… I have to go further… ?”
After listening to Yenika’s question I took out Belbroke’s molar necklace. She had a magical response but it was very weak.
Now all we have to do is go a little further.
I walked out together supporting Jenica. Once you reach a place where it doesn’t affect Belbroke’s seal bury it in the ground or throw it into a nearby lake so no one can find it.
But it wasn’t going to go that smoothly.
– Quang!
Should I call it a landing or a fall?
Considering that your body is completely fine it would be correct to say that you are close to the former.
However the amount of dust rising is not something that can be considered landing.
– Hwaaaah!
Soon with a single flap of its wings it scatters all the dust. The man standing at the center is… The Apostle of Telos is Taldarek the 3rd Seat of Swiftness.
I’ve already dealt with it once.
Memories that subdued him in a repetitive cycle of time. His body was pierced by a spear in front of the cathedral but he used that as an opportunity to restrict his movements and finished him off with a single blow from Merilda.
This is a case where an overwhelming power difference was overcome through a short decisive battle. However the situation is very different from then to now.
It’s a situation where you can’t risk your life and Yenika has already used Glast’s ring. Until Yenica’s magic returns she cannot use the ring.
Unlike before it is good news that this side has a force called Yenika…
“Ed… In front of me… I can not see… .”
“Keep your eyes closed until all the dust clears.”
no… That’s not it… .”
I was preoccupied with Taldarek who had descended right in front of me.
When I turned my head toward her after hearing Jenica’s words I saw that Jenica’s eyes were somehow empty as she stood supported by me.
hey… you… .”
“It’s probably a temporary phenomenon… .”
“… “Bad timing.”
The side effects of the ring seemed certain. It seems that it drew more mana than expected. It will take some time to recover.
Even after this incident is over it will probably be difficult to live alone for a few days. Even though it may seem like too much if she didn’t pull in her magic to this extent Yenika wouldn’t have been able to deal with all of those apostles alone.
I gritted my teeth and leaned Jenica against a nearby tree.
Behind us a man who had succeeded in pursuing us risking the lives of the other apostles was looking at us.
Wings extending from behind luxurious robes. A dull chin peeking out from under the shadowy robe hat. The arm holding the spear had sturdy muscles.
“Give me that necklace right now.”
I pointed to the Belbroke molar necklace in my hand.
“Otherwise…” “I could kill you.”
I put my finger in front of Jenica’s eyes and moved it around.
Yenika’s pupils do not move along with her fingers. She is just staring straight ahead blankly as if she were a still image.
The high fever is still there and my toes are shaking. I was sweating so much that my school uniform shirt was completely wet. He looked like he was having trouble breathing so I undid a few buttons on his shirt and pushed the shawl to the side. After that after wiping the sweat from my forehead I stood up.
The man came quite close. I’m just looking towards Yenika.
“Is that the girl who is handling the spirits?”
“… .”
“If I don’t subdue that girl right away my colleagues could be in danger.”
The reason why Yenika is in such an extreme situation is because she is still dealing with numerous spirits and stopping the pursuit of the apostles.
From Taldarek’s point of view he would like to immediately suppress Yenika and eliminate all the spirits that threaten his other colleagues.
Taldarek seemed to have decided that there was no good point in dragging it on for a long time and in an instant he flew out with his spear flying out.
The speed is such that it can be considered impossible to see and avoid with the naked eye. A speed that momentarily surpasses the speed of sound. The spear flying in a straight line towards my ship was so powerful that it wouldn’t be surprising if I died from a single hit… .
– Whaaaaaaaa!
‘Speed beyond my perception’ is an advantageous factor for me only once.
‘Blessing of the Storm’ that nullifies attacks outside of awareness only once.
The wind blowing from the tip of the spear enveloped Taldarek’s body.
“What?!”
I ‘on purpose’ did not recognize Taldarek’s spear in order to utilize the protection of the storm.
I didn’t look at him or try to anticipate the timing of the attack.
– Kaang!
As the spear bounces a large gap is instantly created in Taldarek’s body. A very brief state of suppression. Taking advantage of that moment he struck Taldarek’s abdomen with the mid-level fire magic ‘One Point Explosion’.
-Quaang!
When I took out the dagger and looked back the aftermath of the explosion remained.
He leaps backwards and plunges the dagger into his shoulder.
“Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!”
– Quaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
As it is a spirit-style ‘explosion’ appears and another explosion occurs.
As I have said time and time again in order to beat him I have no choice but to rely on short-term decisive battles and luck. He must somehow grit his teeth create an opening and deliver the fatal blow.
However in a state where Merilda cannot be manifested there is a limit to the firepower.
In the end in order to defeat Taldarek it was necessary to make Merilda appear. However Glast’s golden phoenix ring cannot be used.
“You… !”
Taldarek fell to the dirt but quickly recovered and stood up. The dagger pierced the clothes but it did not seem to penetrate the body covered in holy magic. There was a dull feeling when I stabbed it.
Absolute lack of firepower. It was a chronic weakness of mine.
“In the end I will resist… !”
so.
What if I don’t have a ring?
How long are we going to deal with high-ranking spirits by relying on the ring and drawing on magic power taking all the penalties?
I took a deep breath and gathered my strength.
Memories of dozens of deaths continue to invade my brain.
They died from being crushed by the rubble of a building died from excessive bleeding died from being stabbed by a spear died from being hit by scales and died for various reasons… The countless memories engraved in my mind did not only bring me pain.
Whenever there was a crisis I constantly summoned Merilda and the feeling of magic that I had repeated dozens of times now remains intact in my memory.
The surest way to increase your spirit sensitivity is through the accumulation of experience.
And that experience was steadily accumulating within me in this short period of time. I felt that the flow of magical power had become even smoother.
is it.
Only then did I understand why my memories had fully returned.
This is thanks to the aspect magic that I had learned in advance.
Since I haven’t used it properly yet my proficiency in star-level magic was at a miserable level… .
While Adele was steadily rewinding time I was constantly exposed to star-level magic near her and my sensitivity to star-level magic steadily increased.
Yes.
When time is rewound all memories and events return to the past… My abilities engraved in the ‘stat window’ have been completely influenced.
As Adele approaches death the power of the magic power expressed in her body gradually weakens.
On the contrary my power gradually became stronger and the moment the dynamic was reversed… I was able to resist her Aspect magic and retain all my memories intact.
Elemental magic also… Was it not different?
=== [Magic ability details]
Grade: Skilled Magician Specialty: Elemental Common Magic: Quick Casting Lv 12 Mana Detection Lv 13 Fire Elemental Magic: Combustion Lv 17 One Point Explosion Lv 2 Wind Elemental Magic: Wind Blade Lv 15 Elemental Magic: Spirit Sensitivity Lv 18 (up!)
Spirit Understanding Lv 18 (up!)
Spirit Appearance Lv 13 (up!)
Sensory Sharing Lv 13 (up!)
〈 Spirit Slot: Lower Fire Spirit Mug 〉 Sensitivity Level: 5 (up!)
Elemental Efficiency: Perfect (up!) (Phase shift possible!)
Unique Skill: Protection of Fire (Temporary Fire Immunity Explosion) Explosion (Low Explosion Magic)
Increased fire magic ability 〈 Spirit slot: Lieutenant Water Spirit Lacia 〉 Sensitivity level: 4 (up!)
Elemental food efficiency: very good (up!)
Unique Granted Skill: Brother’s Protection (Temporary Physical Attack Immunity) Water Source Appearance (Low-level Water Magic)
Increased water magic ability 〈 Spirit slot: High-ranking wind spirit Merilda 〉 Sensitivity level: 3 (up!)
Elemental Efficiency: Normal (up!)
Unique Skills: Storm Protection (periodically neutralizes damage) Updraft (Lieutenant Wind Magic)
Aspect magic that increases wind magic ability:
Star level magic expression Lv 3 (up!)
Temperature Transformation Lv 2 (up!)
Death Immunity Lv 0
Time Prison Lv 0
Short-distance space movement Lv 0
Forced Unity Lv 1 (up!)
Visual illusion Lv 0
Dazzle Lv 0
===
The hem of Taldarek’s robes flapped in the howling wind.
He tries to lower his center of gravity to support his body from the strong wind but soon his floating body flies and lands on a nearby tree.
Even the old trees shake their heads to and fro like ripe barley. Small coniferous trees were uprooted and flying through the air. I was worried that Yenika would be harmed but strangely enough the wind did not blow around the tree that Yenika was leaning against.
It means artificially created wind.
As time rewinds countless times how many times has my past self died?
In the past I left everything to Clarice and ended up constantly suffering a painful end.
I am full of memories of gritting my teeth and putting in effort to achieve something. The ending was a miserable death for everyone. All the memories of the past that seeped into me were the history of such seemingly meaningless efforts.
Have all those enormous pains and deaths become nothing and just a meaningless struggle?
Was all the history of struggling and not giving up on an inevitable fate nothing more than a useless mistake?
Thankfully God shook his head at that question.
– Oooooh
There is a proverb among peddlers that if you hear a wolf howl in a forest area you should beg God for your life. This is because the mountains and forests are completely the territory of wolves.
A wolf the size of a house growls among the tall coniferous trees. It is a high-ranking spirit that I manifested entirely with my own power without any magical effort.
The giant Merilda’s sallow eyes look down at Taldarek.
***
“Kuhuhhh… !”
There was a huge hole in the ceiling of the cathedral.
Except for Clarice who is completely immune to Holy Magic… Everyone was damaged by the sudden explosion.
The inside of the chapel was already in disarray. To cause an explosion of this level using only divine power a fairly long chanting time is required.
While Verdio was pretending to claim his innocence he was quietly chanting a magic spell in his mind.
“On Aken Island the power of time can be controlled… . Probably Adele Seris… There will be no one but that girl… .”
Clarisse was strangled and suppressed in the arms of Verdio who was making his way through the groaning knights. This is why even the knights who still have energy left are unable to resist.
Verdio who was baptized by the Church of Telos is immune to counterattacks from the protection of the Holy Law. He was able to subdue her by pressing her with all her might.
nice… Wow… Even after all this… “Do you think you’ll be safe Verdio?”
“Of course you won’t be safe. just… Adele Seris… Where is that woman… Speak… . Because I don’t need it all… !”
All plans have already gone awry. I can’t do anything now. There isn’t even an escape route.
Nevertheless Verdio seemed to have something left… He tried to get out of the cathedral.
“If all the plans have already collapsed… At least… .”
“Ugh… !”
Clarice gritted her teeth and tried to get away but she couldn’t overcome the difference in power.
Just a feeling of despair comes over me.
This was my last chance and I was almost there but I got caught up in the last minute and let my guard down. Verdio’s split-second judgment and boldness were more than she expected.
– Bang!
Just like that Verdio kicked out the main door of the cathedral. He took his horse out of the carriage and was about to head somewhere.
however.
“It’s a little late this time.”
There is a girl sitting on top of a carriage munching on beef jerky with languid eyes.
Verdio still doesn’t know the girl’s identity and why she appeared here.
Come on. “I was waiting.”
But Clarice who was held in his hand could tell.
There is no longer any escape route left for Verdio… does not exist.
“Is the story over?”
