Chapter 131.2 - Battle in Goma's Castle

Chapter 131.2 - Battle in Goma's Castle

「That was so close.」

「Are you okay, Kotori?」

「I...I'm okay!」

Though the defensive wall was mostly destroyed, it barely managed to protect them from the flame tornado. The hot wind wasn't the only reason the three girls were sweating profusely.

Since Sakura and Ryouko were your orthodox spellcaster type, this was their first experience in close combat. Even though a fire-breathing monster wasn't that rare in this dungeon, a monster that used a magic wand, and magic was actually a rare case.

And the one who fought that rare monster, the flame magician type gogma, were that duo or trio since Kotori was included.

The magician-type gogma who swung around its magic wand which looked like a bishop's staff as it fired one fireball after another had already surpassed Cerberus' heat radiation in terms of heat alone.

Even though their side had two spellcasters, one hit from gogma's fire arrow was enough to incapacitate them. On the other hand, in spite of being a magician type with a big frame, the gogma's toughness far surpassed their expectation. In spite of scalding and bleeding from all over the place after receiving so many 『Lux Sagitta』 and 『Ice Sagitta』, it was unperturbed, as if all of their attacks was only on the level of a scratch.

On the other hand, the pair of girls raised defensive magic as soon as Kotori sensed that the gogma was about to fire a spell more powerful than an intermediate spell. The gogma's timing in invoking its spell was that of an experienced combatant.

Both Sakura and Ryouko were forced into a defensive battle by gogma's firepower. Though it wasn't that strange if they lost to their far more superior opponent long time ago, they barely survived thanks to 『Sage』 Kotori's assistance in reading their opponent's move with 『Magical Power Analysis』.

Kotori let her comrades know the timing for attack and defense, moreover, she was also the one who did covering fire for her comrades when they were about to be attacked by gogma as soon as they showed an opening, and was also assisting Yuuto in one way or another.

「A deadlock huh...」

「But, we're in a better situation thanks to Sakura’s healing magic.」

Their sole advantage over the gogmas was the fact that they had Sakura, a healer.

Though Sakura was an amateur when it came to close combat as a magician, she mastered a little bit of swordsmanship since she always saw the spar between Asuna and Yuuto, their vanguard. Thanks to that experience, she could use 『Healing Light』 on Yuuto who fought a fierce battle against four-armed gogma when he needed it.

「But now, we're also on the side that needs reinforcement.」

「The best we can do right now is keep this guy at bay. We've no choice but to wait for Asuna and Minami to make a breakthrough in this situation.」

It was vexing but the three couldn't do anything since they simply lacked the firepower to defeat their opponent and assist their ally.

「We've no choice... but to believe in them.」

Despite her vexation, Sakura couldn't help but accept the fact that she lacked firepower and needed her comrade's assistance while sending 『Healing Light』 to Asuna and Minami who fought a fierce battle beside them.

「O-Ou~... eh, it's not hurting anymore!?」

「Sakura's healing magic huh. That was close, Natsukawa.」

「Shank you~u, Sakura-cha~n!」

Though Natsukawa Minami seemed to be as cheerful as usual, it was in fact a facade to prevent her heart from breaking under this situation. She was really grateful for Sakura's 『Healing Light』 which came in time but, she barely hanging in there with just a light graze from gogma's attack.

「FUOGAA! MUGOO, UOGAAAA!」

The gogma who fought against Minami and Asuna was a swordsman type with a wind elemental magic sword like the one used by the four-armed gogma. That gogma wasn't just big, it was really fast on top of that. The enchanted sword fired 『Air Sagitta』 which combined with exquisite swordplay had cornered Minami and Asuna.

「Nevertheless, this is a tough one huh.」

「Uuh, still long way to go~.」

The only moment she could relax her mind was when she recalled about him. Her chest was overflowing with love whenever she thought about him, and that joy would turn into dread and anxiety that was enough to make her cry in the next moment.

In short, she was showing signs of emotional instability. Ironically, the person herself was aware of that.

And yet, Meiko kept swinging her weapon, burying one enemy after another, her face was as docile as a sheep despite facing storms of weapons that were brandished with killing intent to kill her as if the battle itself was a trivial matter to her.

「UOGA!」

Sure enough, the blazing axe-wielding gogma started to increase the power behind its attack.

But due to how skillful Meiko used her black shield, adjusting the angle of her shield right before the moment of impact, the attack ended up sliding down instead of striking down the shield. The blazing edge of the edge ended up striking the stone floor in vain instead of striking its real target.

「MUGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!」

The other gogma used that chance to swing its hammer which could pulverize everything with its powerful impact towards Meiko.

「Uhm, whoopsie!」

Meiko used her jet-black halberd. Though the blade that was attached to its spear length handle was too big for humans, it was still too small compared to the hammer that was forged to match the gogma's huge stature.

Meiko skillfully manipulated that halberd with one hand, crossing blows right from the front with the hammer that was swung with gogma's both hands, repelling it.

Every single one of her swings was not only empowered with her berserker strength but also added her martial art, 『Shock』 too.

「Fu-haa...」

「BGRRRRRRRRRR...」

「MGGGRRRR...」

Strong, both Meiko and the two gogmas felt the same. Their battle might look like an unfair battle of two against one but, in fact, it was a deadlock for both sides.

As a 『Berserker』, Meiko had the highest physical damage amongst the member of Yuuto's team. It wasn't self-conceited, but a fact, even Meiko realized that fact.

And her power was enough to kill a gogma who was far higher and heavier than her in a single hit in a one-on-one battle.

But from the gogma's perspective, Meiko with her superhuman strength that rivaled them despite being a human was their greatest threat. Their instinct had told them that they would lose against her in a one-on-one battle.

They actually felt relieved that the two of them were the ones who dealt with this terrifyingly powerful woman allowing the battle to enter a state of deadlock. Since their side was starting to gain an upper hand in the other battle, all they needed to do was hold this woman in this place until their comrades finished off the woman's comrades. By then, they could use their superior number to defeat the woman, a despicable but just act.

Strangely, the line of thought of the gomas was no different from Yuuto and Co, the humans.

「If it's going to be like that time, I guess I've no choice but to use that――」

Knowing that her side was the one that was slowly being cornered, Meiko reached the conclusion that she needed a temporary power-up to break the deadlock.

Meiko made that decision as she parried her opponent's onslaught. She wasn't scared. Instead, she felt some sort of joy within.

The reason being the trump card that she was going to use was the one given by Kotaro.

「Lend me your power―― Kotaro-kun!」

She took out a small leather bag from her pouch in the gap between the two gogmas' attacks. The content of that leather bag was a white powder.

This was the second time she used it after the battle against the armored bear.

Yes, the thing she took out was gomas' infamous doping, the 『Reagent X』 which was given to her by Koutaro as the trump card in case Meiko was overwhelmed by her opponent.