New chapter of Nameless Hero is out! (2/3 chapters)
Total War (2)
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The strength of the Holy Knight Giovanni or something was beyond what I had imagined. The sharp lightning released from his spear not only attacked Alfred but also struck me and Dwayne.
“Those petty tricks… are something small-time villains use…” (Alfred)
Alfred seemed to have used his Volcanic Volga as a lightning rod to somehow block the lightning.
“I see. Then, I’ll hold back the Thunder.” (Giovanni)
Giovanni or something glanced at me and Dwayne, seemingly confirming that our attempt to stop him had been successful.
“Then, you’re fine with a duel, just the two of us?” (Giovanni)
“Of course!” (Alfred)
In the distance, a battle between Alfred and Giovanni or something was about to begin. Meanwhile…
“Sometimes, in battle, cowardice is a part of it. I regret this, but forgive me, Jack.” (Kreus)
Kreus approached me, readying his spear and aiming it toward me. My legs were numb, and I couldn’t move, but with Thread Fist, I should be able to dodge using the booster.
“Behandlu (Healing), Starku (Enhance), Speedste (Quick Feet)…” (Dwayne)
I heard an incantation from somewhere, and saw a spear coming down in front of me.
“Gewehrkugel (Bullet)… von pat (First Strike).” (Dwayne)
Dwayne leapt in, his bare arm deflecting Kreus’s spear. The sound was like steel clashing against steel. It seemed Dwayne’s arm had been enhanced by magic.
“Dwayne!” (Jack)
Furthermore, Dwayne cast Healing on my legs, relieving the numbness. His swift actions. He seemed like the old Dwayne again.
“Dwayne, you’re back?” (Jack)
Before I could get an answer, Kreus launched a counterattack. Dwayne deflected it with his bare hands, then fought back with his martial arts, exchanging blows with Kreus’s spear as if in a fistfight.
I couldn’t tell if Dwayne had regained himself, or if he was being controlled by something. But his berserker-like back urged me to move forward. In this situation, it seemed more important to press on.
—
The moment I charged forward, a deafening landslide sound rang out, and Alfred appeared, diving into the scene. Looking in the direction he’d come from, Giovanni or something was also following in a fluid motion, about to strike.
“……Ow…” (Alfred)
“According to the contract, no one may pass through here. Boy, you too!” (Giovanni)
A roar and an angry expression closed in on us.
“Damn it…” (Jack)
I quickly raised my gladius to counter. The heavy spear came down. At the same time it descended, countless thrusts rained down like a storm.
“Not bad for a kid. But if you’re just clever, you’ll eventually get eaten.” (Giovanni)
The gladius was heavy, with a thick blade. Its lack of strike power resulted in a delayed swing.
*Thud Thud Thud*
The spears falling like rain were too much to block with just a sword. I activated time control, trying to predict the enemy’s movements. But even so, I was barely managing.
“Ughhh!!” (Jack)
Behind me, Alfred rushed to my aid. The battle was back and forth, but now it was two-on-one. Even in this situation, Giovanni or something of the Holy Knights continued to fight without losing his breath. As expected, he was no ordinary foe.
Alfred swung his Volga, and I seized the opportunity to strike in the gaps of his attack. But Giovanni or something skillfully maneuvered his spear, deflecting both attacks.
“See, it’s true. I’ll have to borrow the power of Thunder after all!” (Giovanni)
I heard Giovanni or something mutter, and then lightning crackled around his spear.
“Jack, watch out!” (Alfred)
The lightning shot from the tip of the spear, aimed directly at me. Alfred jumped in front of me, taking the full force of the strike.
“Ughhh!!!” (Alfred)
Alfred collapsed to his knees, black smoke rising from his scorched back.
“Fred!” (Jack)
“Gotcha. This is it.” (Giovanni)
Giovanni or something charged! His lightning spear aimed straight for Alfred’s back.
Just as it was about to pierce through him, massive ice pillars slammed down, splitting the space between them.
“What is this?” (Giovanni)
The ice pillars surrounded Giovanni or something, and when I looked carefully, I saw countless arrows made of ice embedded in the ground. It was Lizbeth… Lizbeth had come to help!
“An Archer was lurking too?!” (Giovanni)
More Frozen Arrows rained down from above. It seemed Lizbeth was firing them relentlessly from somewhere.
The arrows kept coming, like hail. Giovanni or something struggled to defend himself.
Just then, Alfred regained his footing and called out.
“Jack, I won’t screw up again. Trust me and head to the Cyans!” (Alfred)
“But―――” (Jack)
“I’ve already deflected ‘her’ arrows before, you know?” (Alfred)
Alfred’s eyes. The same mad, victorious look as always.
“Alright!” (Jack)
With that, Alfred and I dashed in opposite directions. This time, I activated the Light Thruster for high-speed movement. Behind us, we could hear the battle cries of Giovanni or something and Alfred.
“What are these ice statues… Coward! Where are you?!” (Giovanni)
“――――A woman’s cowardice, huh?” (Alfred)
Alfred’s Volcanic Volga ignited in flames. He charged toward Giovanni or something.
“True men allow it…!” (Alfred)
Distracted, Giovanni or something had his feet pierced by Frozen Flow.
“What――――” (Giovanni)
His feet froze, and he became immobile. Meanwhile, a barrage of Frozen Arrows rained down on Alfred, but the flames of the Volcanic Volga cut through them all, rendering the icy needles ineffective against him.
“Prepare yourself!!” (Alfred)
—
(POV switch – Lizbeth)
The sun was setting, and twilight was creeping across the mountainside wilderness. I had been late searching for the perfect spot, but it seemed my support had arrived just in time.
From afar, I could hear the brave cries of my comrades.
It’s been a year since I brought Jack into the party. A lot has happened since then. I had suspected something was off when we took down the grizzly, but I never imagined he had such insane power.
“Ha… It’s been a while since I ran out of magic. I overused it…” (Lizbeth)
I drank a horrible magic potion to recover. This is a debt I owe.
“True men allow it…!” (Alfred)
The red man’s bravery was still as strong as ever, his cry announcing our victory. I wondered if he wasn’t embarrassed shouting so loudly. But I had fallen for a man like him.
“――――Really, men are fools.” (Lizbeth)
This is my way of pretending to be strong. For the heartbroken me, it’s a little spell to take the next step forward.
“Well then. Goodbye, Alfred (the stupid redhead).” (Lizbeth)
I’m not going to be held back anymore. The next time we meet, I’ll introduce you to my proud boyfriend.
—
The inside of Paradise Cyans was very quiet. The statue of the goddess at the front entrance stood quietly, solemnly. It was a scene like the outside noise was a lie. That said, Tristan wasn’t here, nor were the children whose brainwashing should have been undone.
What is going on?
When I listened carefully, I heard a familiar sound coming from somewhere. I had heard it the first time I infiltrated here. It had the same rhythm as the Holy Spirit Hymn.
I rushed to the “hall” where the ritual was being offered. I pulled the thick soundproof door and forced it open.
There were no children in sight. But on the stage, Alisa, dressed in a nun’s outfit, was holding her hands together in prayer, and beside her stood Grace. A woman playing the pipe organ, Medna-san was facing away from us. In front of the pipe organ was a large cross. On that cross, Kea was bound and hung with chains and iron bracelets. She wore a black-and-white nun’s outfit with long, fluffy, pale purple hair. She seemed unconscious, hanging limp.
“After all, you came back.” (Medna)
As I descended the rows of the audience seats and approached the stage, Medna-san spoke to me at a certain moment. Alisa and Grace also sized me up. It seemed like defeating these two alone would be difficult.
“Because of you, Paradise is in chaos.” (Grace)
Grace glared at me and spoke. Alisa was glaring at me as well. I, undaunted, spoke a casual question.
“What did you do to Kea?” (Jack)
“This child? She hasn’t woken up at all. I didn’t do anything in particular.” (Grace)
Though she said she didn’t do anything, she bound her up like this. What’s going on?
“What about the other children?” (Jack)
“You’re no child either, are you?” (Grace)
“Enough! Where did you take the other kids?!” (Jack)
Grace fell silent under my forceful words. She wasn’t at a disadvantage, but I couldn’t back down. Alfred and Dwayne were outside, after all. It was Medna-san who stood up and answered my question after stopping her music.
“We’ve decided to vacate this place and move.” (Medna)
“…The revealed paradise is no longer a paradise. The children are being sheltered in a safe place.” (Medna)
Medna-san and Grace alternated in answering. Their responses were so straightforward, it didn’t even feel like an exchange between enemies.
But I must not forget. These people are the ones who kidnapped those children.
“Why do you and Tristan keep getting in our way? Have we really done something so wrong?” (Grace)
“Tristan… that’s right, where’s Tristan?!” (Jack)
“Such a troublesome child with so many questions. It’s a shame, given how cute you look?” (Grace)
That’s none of your business.
“If it’s Tristan, he’s no longer in this ‘world’. It’s because he tried to take Alisa away.” (Grace)
“Ha…?” (Jack)
No longer in this world? Did she kill him? This person?
“If you don’t want to be killed, you’d better disappear quickly.” (Grace)
How selfish…
“Oh? Do you intend to do something? I’m not fond of harming children, but with your current appearance, it’d be very easy for me.” (Grace)
Did Grace notice that I grip my gladius?
She responded by taking out a flute.
“Wait, Grace. Let me handle this—” (Medna)
Medna-san stopped her there. The black witch and the white witch stood side by side. It looked like a frightening painting.
“Jack-kun… you’ve grown into a warrior too quickly. That’s why you can’t understand the feelings of those being oppressed.” (Medna)
“I’m not brandishing violence.” (Jack)
“That’s true… But what about Alan and Peter’s deaths?” (Medna)
…Why are they bringing up those two?
“We originally wanted to save the children who had been traumatized in battle. We heard that there was a child in Soltaire who had lost two companions in a dungeon and was hurt, so we came to visit.” (Medna)
“That’s…” (Jack)
“Yes, it was about you, Jack-kun.” (Medna)
The rumor that Alan and Peter had lost their lives didn’t stay in Soltaire. Was it inevitable that I met Medna-san back then?
“—But you still sought the battlefield.” (Medna)
I still remember it. On the peaceful square in Solterre, I had fun talking with Medna-san and learned to play an instrument. Those days are now gone, never to return.
“Maybe it was just that you were such a twisted child, or maybe that experience drove you mad. But it pains me to add more unfortunate children to the mix. So, it would be easier to just take them in here, right?” (Medna)
So that’s what it was… My tragic childhood, disowned by the Aldridge Household. I just wanted to confirm my own existence. I want to be a warrior. I want to be a hero. The battlefield tales my mother read to me. My one ideal self.
The ghost inside me, obsessed with that heroic image, has caused things to go wrong around me. The decision to become a warrior dragged in the children of Barwitch and Dari Amor. But…
“You’re already a fine warrior. I don’t mind if you try to defeat us, but are you prepared to be defeated yourself?” (Medna)
Medna-san’s red eyes glimmered. Her gaze was so cold that I almost felt the entire hall would freeze.
“Medna-san… you’re just as mad.” (Jack)
I raised my gladius, and Medna-san readied her lute. Her appearance, like a glamorous black ghost, seemed fleeting. It would take a lot of determination to strike her down with a sword. Determination that could destroy one of my precious memories.
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