Chapter 357 "Confrontation"

To pave a path for Kaito. As their purpose became clear to them, they began to act faster..

Neun ran with a strong gait that didn’t show even a hint of fatigue, and Laguna quickly lined up with her to head towards the wall of Demons.

[……How nostalgic. When was the last time we worked together?]

[I dunno. If you feel like you’ve forgotten how to fight, I don’t mind if you lie down over there, you know?]

[Shut it!]

After a brief exchange of words, Laguna rapidly accelerated and thrusted out the large spear in her hand.

[Come, Hikari! Let’s go with that move…… Trident!]

With a shout, Laguna thrusted her spear into the ground, three huge columns of water rose up, swirling like spears as they headed towards the enemy.

The strike that was basically a tsunami on land swallowed a large number of Demons and sucked them into a huge whirlpool, trapping them inside.

Before they could see it, Neun stopped once, made a large number of Japanese katanas appear in the air, and took an iai stance.

Thereupon, the swords floating in the air moved in conjunction with Neun’s movements, and slashes were released from all of the swords at the same time.

[Hundred-blade flash…… Blossom!]

Hundred slashes were released, cutting through the whirlpool in an instant and reaping the consciousness of a large number of Demons. But even then, she had no intention of killing their opponents, so she made sure to hold back with each of her magic slashes……

[Good grief, can’t you say what you plan beforehand…… Please be considerate about the one trying to match you.]

[Hahaha, this is just because of my trust in you!]

They succeeded in knocking down a good number of Demons, but there were still some Demons capable of escaping the whirlpool. Laguna and Neun turned towards them and immediately took up their weapons to fight back.

Aside from Neun and Laguna, the people who had rushed to the scene had also started fighting.

[Luna!]

[……Please give me special compensation for this. For disposable items, these are quite expen…… sive!]

Lilia shouted when she saw the formation of Demons approaching, and Lunamaria, sensing her intention, took out several cards from her pocket and threw them at the Demons.

When Lunamaria-san snapped her fingers, the thrown cards turned into a magical thread shaped like a spider’s web, entangling the approaching Demons.

[Sieg!]

[Yes. Make sure you hold back properly, okay? Lili.]

After confirming that the Demons had stopped moving, Lilia evoked a huge magic circle at her feet and activated her magic.

The magic that Lilia unleashed created a raging tornado that swallowed the Demons that were stopped in their tracks. Sieglinde then thrusted her flaming sword into the ground, transforming it into a tornado of flames.

[……Shouldn’t I be the one saying that? You can’t kill them, okay? Sieg.]

[It’s alright. I properly made sure that the flames I used were weak.]

[Properly, you said…… I was almost caught up in your combination attack, you know? My apron got a little burned, you know!? You’re going to compensate me for this, okay!?]

As best friends and comrades-in-arms, Lilia, Sieg and Lunamaria were accustomed to working together, and as they joined forces, the three of them were steadily whittling down the number of Demons.

[Gaaaahhhh!]

With a shout, Anima cut through the air, brandishing her powerful arm like a heavy tank that eliminates all of her master’s enemies.

If her opponents were defending, she would tear down their defense. With her strong defensive abilities, she could just continue to attack without caring about the enemy’s attacks.

It was truly like a wild beast had unleashed. Her heavy and sharp blows weren’t easy to receive, even for High-ranking Demons, and she managed to gradually open up the path.

Of course, the enemy was no fool. They decided that it wasn’t a good idea to fight head-on with Anima’s power, and tried to exploit her weak mobility.

However, Eta and Theta wouldn’t overlook that.

Theta blocked the incoming attacks with her large shield, and Eta took the opportunity to cleave the enemies away with her spear.

Normally, the two often quarreled due to their differing personalities, but when it came to battle, the twins made a beautiful combination.

Because of their mutual trust in each other’s abilities, Eta focused only on attacking with all her might, while Theta would wholeheartedly defend against all incoming attacks.

The two fighters, who completely divided their duties between offense and defense, displayed a power that exceeded their individual abilities, making them defeat even the Baron-level High-ranking Demons, who were supposed to be superior to them.

The three of them have three different ways of fighting, but they all had one goal…… to pave the way for their esteemed master.

The scene of a flashy battle occurred as they charged head-on. For those who witnessed this, they might be tempted to look away from the “one who isn’t fighting”.

As if to weave through the gaps between the battles, little by little, Kaito steadily advanced towards the ward’s wall.

Although Kaito wasn’t very athletic, the fact that he had been running with Hina on a regular basis had helped, and he had been able to run a considerable distance.

But of course, it was impossible for him to deceive the eyes of all the Demons, and there were occasionally Demons who noticed and tried to stop him…… but they were obstructed by arrows flying from the rear.

[I won’t let you get in Kaitokun-san’s way!]

Razelia, an expert marksman, was keeping those who were approaching Kaito in check……

[Whoa there, we’re also here……]

[—and it would be troubling if you forgot about us!]

With Acht and Eval following him, Kaito was making more and more progress towards the ward’s wall.

It wasn’t long ago that the battling parties were somewhat evenly matched, but now, the tempo of the battle was being completely controlled by Kaito’s side.

So, it was inevitable that they were able to steadily advance.

[Just a few more meters……]

[O- Oh no! Somebody stop Miyama-dono……]

[Do you have the time to look away?]

[Guohhh!?]

Kaito would soon reach the ward’s wall. Sechs noticed this and rushed to give instructions, but Shea didn’t let him and struck Sechs with her scythe.

At the same time, she also restrained the other 5 Earl-level, High-ranking Demons and pressured them to prevent them from reaching Kaito.

And just like that, no one was able to stop Kaito. When Kaito finally reached the ward’s wall, he turned around and held out his hand.

[Neun-san!]

[Yes! Laguna, I’ll leave the rest to you!]

[Leave it to me!]

When Neun called out to Laguna, she told Laguna that she would leave the situation to her and immediately ran to Kaito and firmly grasped his held out hand.

Holding Neun’s hand, Kaito reached his other hand out towards the ward’s wall.

When Kaito touched the ward, it didn’t block “Kaito and the beings in contact with him”, and after feeling like they passed through a thin veil of water, Kaito and Neun escaped the ward.

When they passed through the ward, they found themselves right next to the church door. Kaito and Neun stopped once and looked at each other. After giving each other a nod, they put their hands on the church door.

Along with a scraping sound, the large wooden door opened.

The woman Kaito and Neun were looking for…… Vier was standing in front of the altar.

Illuminated by the multi-colored light from the stained glass, Vier slowly turned around to face the two visitors.

The figure standing at the altar with her back to the light was filled with solemnity, and the thin smile on her face could even be described as melancholic.

[……Welcome, you two. Fufufu, this reminds me of my time as the Demon Lord.]

[………………..]

[………………..]

[Thank you for coming. I’m really glad you came…… but I’m sorry. I’m sure I won’t be able to respond to your feelings.]

Vier looked at them with a sad smile on her face. She knew all about what Kaito and Neun had come here for but…

Even though they know that…… She was going to reject their proposal.

[That’s why…… Could you please leave?]

Vier appears in a church, illuminated with lights and cool background music. She isn’t the last boss, but she has the atmosphere of a last boss. She isn’t really the last boss though……

The long and serious Vier arc is almost over, and from on, it’s time for the sweet Six Kings Festival…… or rather, the six consecutive dates.

P.R. note: I hope Shiro and Kaito share the room at the top of the tower o///////o.