New chapter of Nameless Hero is out! (1/3 chapters)
The Phantom of Rhizomata (1)
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“――― Schwerkraft (Press Down)!” (Anfan)
How many times have I heard that word?
Under the influence of Anfan’s gravity magic, my hands and feet had turned to lead.
Normally, such high-level magic takes time to chant, allowing close combat warriors to exploit the gaps during the casting. However, in this case, there were no such gaps…
Once caught in his spell, I was trapped in a negative chain from which I could not escape. There was not even a second before he manifested his magic. The only strategy I had to create that fleeting moment was to rely on my time control skill. But that too had been sealed by this gravity magic.
…Even amidst all this, I continued to resist. I sluggishly struck Anfan with my heavy leaden fists. A punch without acceleration had no power. Needless to say, it was easily dodged, and each time, I was kicked aside by Anfan. I rolled awkwardly on the ground, stood up again, and approached Anfan, dragging my feet.
I also made use of the sword duplication through Mental Image Extraction. I drew a sword from the floor and threw it. But my arms were too heavy, and that didn’t go well either. Even throwing the sword resulted in a parabolic toss. My body was exhausted, and my willpower was being sapped away.
“Are you an idiot…? Either way, our victory is obvious. Even if you continue to resist here, all I need to do is send guild staff to Soltaire in the meantime. Your rebellious spirit will end up being meaningless.” (Anfan)
Soltaire… my peaceful hometown. It was once ravaged by the surprise attack of the line guard’s octopus, but I’ve heard it has already been restored. Friends from the past live there peacefully. Alfred, Lindsay… I might end up causing them trouble.
“Lost, that guy is right. For now, let’s comply and think about revenge after Emped is revived, okay?” (Salamander)
Salamander, hiding on my shoulder, was also whispering selfish things. There was some merit in betting on that strategy. There was no doubt that the plan had been prepared in advance. But…
“But if I stop resisting here… it would mean acknowledging what this guy has done… The creation of Volcanic Volga… it has to be after I hit him once!” (Jack)
“……Hmph, that’s not rational.” (Anfan)
The silver-haired middle-aged mage spat out with an air of boredom.
“But it’s premature to think that the hostages are just your comrades far away.” (Anfan)
“……What… do you mean?” (Jack)
Seeing my reaction, he seemed satisfied and smirked.
“Your important companions are ‘here’ as well, aren’t they?” (Anfan)
With that wicked grin, I sensed everything.
“You didn’t find it strange that Colin and Giovanni aren’t here? By now, they must be captured after infiltrating this castle.” (Anfan)
No way…
There was a sufficient possibility that Anfan was bluffing here. But it was a fact that the two members of the Holy Knights were absent. There was no reason the two of them, who were left unchecked, wouldn’t run into Shia and the other five who were infiltrating from the back door to retrieve the Volga. Moreover, it was reasonable to think that Anfan would post a lookout for the Volga.
“You are easy to read. You should learn to suppress your expressions a bit more.” (Anfan)
“………!” (Lost)
“So, what will you do? If you continue to resist here, I will not hesitate to torture your comrades.” (Anfan)
Torture…
Even having already fallen into his trap, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I was in the midst of torture. Behind me, Yustin was still inscrutable, and I had no guarantee that Shia, Irene, Taurus, or Alba-san would save me if they showed up.
―――Don’t underestimate adventurers with your twisted sense of justice!
I recalled Gnome-sama’s words from before entering the castle.
Trust your comrades. Don’t underestimate your comrades.
I am aware that I had a have habit of taking on too much alone. If those five work together, they may be able to take down the two Holy Knights. It’s not that I didn’t believe in them. I certainly didn’t underestimate them.
Helping my comrades doesn’t stem from looking down on those around me. I simply couldn’t cut ties. Having grown up abandoned by Aldridge, I learned that even parental bonds could be so easily severed, which left me traumatized by the notion of “cutting off”. I couldn’t even think of severing ties with friends or comrades. Overly caring, overly protective… Even if called that, I want to be involved with everyone. I don’t want to break this connection.
So, I will keep protecting them. If there’s even a slight chance of danger, if there’s even a slight glimmer of hope, I will choose the option that ensures the safety of my comrades. If there’s even the slightest possibility of danger to my comrades now.
“……Understood. I will lift the seal on Volga… here.” (Jack)
“Well said. It’s helpful that your motivations are so clear… hehehe…” (Anfan)
I didn’t like the way he said that. But I had no choice but to do it.
“Ende (Release).” (Anfan)
“……Dah… haah… haah…!” (Jack)
I was liberated from the gravity magic. Sweat poured out. I was astonished at how light my body felt. I crawled on the floor and wiped away the dripping sweat.
“―――Lost………!” (Yustin)
For a moment, I thought I heard Yustin call my name. That voice sounded somehow urgent.
Was it my imagination?
—
Salamander stood beside me. Watching from behind were Anfan and Yustin.
I was being treated like a slave. My release from the seal was being watched like a human sacrifice from a distance.
“Listen up?” (Salamander)
The young girl form of the Salamander looked up at me with concern. I silently nodded in response. Having confirmed that, the Salamander positioned both arms and summoned flames.
“I recognize you… I recognize Lost as the real deal…” (Salamander)
“……Huh? What’s this all of a sudden…” (Lost)
For a combative red dragon, it was rare to hear such sentimental words.
Perhaps the loss of the spirit’s power had diminished his former vigor?
“No matter what failures await, your choice was the right one.” (Salamander)
With that said, the Salamander unleashed its flames at maximum output toward my right arm. I received that fire with my right arm, envisioning Volcanic Volga just like I had during the expedition to the Baira Volcano. Alfred’s beloved sword. The heavy, broad sword bore the weight of my comrades’ lives. The swirling flames coursed around my right arm.
―――Ah, please give me a little advice.
―――I am going to __________. That’s not a wrong thing, is it?
―――There are no coincidences in fate. Your decisions will all be correct.
I recalled the Goddess’s words. Your decisions will all be correct.
…Can I trust those words, Kea?
“Well done… Is that the fake Volcanic Volga? It emits quite a sinister color.” (Anfan)
Anfan behind me exclaimed in admiration at the flickering flames. The fake Volcanic Volga was a sword of fire, but it differed in two major ways from the sword Alfred wielded.
First, it had no metallic blade. From the grip forward, it was all flames. Seeing it alongside the other Volga series, it seemed like this was its original form. Secondly, the flickering flames were not red. Black flames billowed forth, with red lines flickering within, making it clear that it was not natural fire.
“Now then, let’s see your duplicating skills. I wonder if you can truly unlock it?” (Anfan)
He spoke in a way that was irritating.
Just because he was in a higher position, he looked down on me. I understood that it was meant to provoke me, but I wasn’t the kind of person who could control my emotions to that extent.
“Right now… I’ll show you…!!” (Lost)
I stood before the pedestal. Looking up at the anthropomorphized statue of the Salamander. It looked nothing like the real Salamander standing beside it. And in front of it was the slot on the pedestal.
I gripped the replicated sword handle with both hands. I pointed the flickering sword tip downward, steeled my resolve, and inserted it into the slot. Somehow, it felt like the red-black glow of the fake Volcanic Volga was blinking in response to the pedestal.
“Haahhh!!” (Lost)
This counterfeit key.
With all my might, I thrust it in… the moment.
“Lost-san!” (Shia)
The voice of my dear friend echoed through the vast room.
It was a clear, beautiful voice, like a crystal-clear river. Her blue hair was as beautiful as that river. Rushing in like a dive were Shia Randall and Sylphid-sama.
The other three were not in sight.
“Shia?!” (Lost)
But it was already too late… I had already thrust the fake Volga into the pedestal. A moment of silence followed. Anfan and Yustin were both taken aback by the sudden visitors. The pedestal showed no reaction at first, but soon after, it began to blink red and black.
“It seems we were late.” (Sylphid)
I heard Sylphid-sama’s voice.
Anfan calmly questioned.
“You were supposed to send Colin and Giovanni to us, right…?” (Anfan)
“They died in this castle. Even if they are Holy Knights, I cannot forgive this tyranny.” (Sylphid)
“Dead…?” (Anfan)
Around Sylphid-sama floated four barrels from the Volga series. It seemed that our plan had succeeded.
Would I end up not trusting them until the very end again?
“Ha… hahahaha! You defeated the Holy Knights? You all…?” (Anfan)
Anfan was laughing like a madman.
He hid his face with one hand, looking as if he had lost his mind.
“……Heh, I see. Well then.” (Anfan)
The expression of his high laughter quickly faded away. Well then. That tone was entirely calm. He looked at them merely as colleagues… no, as mere pawns. It seemed he had no feelings whatsoever for the deceased.
“But as you can see… the era of Emped is about to begin again here. Once that charismatic figure is revived, an era of magical development and evolution will arrive. The objective has been achieved.” (Anfan)
The pedestal continued to blink red and black. It was hard to judge whether that reaction was normal or abnormal, but soon, the castle began to tremble.
Would it rise again?
“Hmm, but the other pedestals emitted a pale blue light…? Did the fake absorb some distorted magic?” (Anfan)
“Lost, get away!” (Sylphid)
Sylphid-sama shouted at me.
Following that, I ran, with the Salamander having returned to lizard form, perched on my shoulder. When I got closer to Shia, I first checked on the safety of the other three.
“What about Irene and the others?!” (Lost)
“They’re fine. They had serious injuries, so I took them back to town for now.” (Shia)
I see… I’m glad… If someone had died, it would have been unbearable. I might seem overprotective for my earlier decisions and now, but I want to believe that it’s a relief that none of my family died.
Once Sylphid-sama confirmed that I was behind her, she declared toward Anfan. She floated into the air, extending her right arm in a defensive posture.
“As the great magician of Schwarzschild, I will purge you in the name of the Gods for being the perpetrator of this chaos!” (Sylphid)
Upon hearing those words, Anfan’s cool demeanor did not change.
“Perpetrator… that’s an old-fashioned thought. We, the Magic Guild, have contributed to the entire world. At this very moment.” (Anfan)
“No, this is an affront to humanity.” (Sylphid)
“Ha ha ha… Prosperity comes from defilement. You spirits are too conservative. You are entities that stifle the world’s possibilities.” (Anfan)
“The revival of Rhizomata Volga and Emped contributes nothing to the development of the world!” (Sylphid)
Anfan quietly raised his left hand. That gesture was a habit he used when casting his usual magic. With a snap of his fingers and a single name uttered, magic would come crashing down.
“Wind Blast!” (Sylphid)
” Übergang (Rebirth)!” (Anfan)
Sylphid-sama’s wind magic and Anfan’s snap of his fingers were simultaneous. A gust of wind struck Anfan, but that wind did not have enough force to blow him away. Sylphid-sama was indeed weakened. And from behind Anfan emerged countless magical bullets. The base magic manifested from a teleportation portal. Fireballs, electric bullets, and ice strikes flew out from behind him. Those must have been the stocks that Anfan had been holding. That magic could be stored and used for a simultaneous barrage.
“Kyah…!” (Shia)
With those countless spells unleashed, even Sylphid-sama could not evade them all. Two or three magic bullets struck directly and fell to the ground.
“You’re too weak! It’s embarrassing to even call yourself a sage! — Übergang (Rebirth)!” (Anfan)
But the stock was not exhausted yet. Even with Anfan’s continuous attacks, the vibrations within the castle grew more intense, and soon the castle itself was in danger of collapsing. Debris began to fall gradually from the ceiling.
Shia and I rushed toward Sylphid-sama.
“Lost, Shia Randall… run away. Even if Emped is revived, you two can…” (Sylphid)
“Sylphid-sama, this is also my responsibility. I can’t just run away now.” (Jack)
“Same here. I won’t run away anymore.” (Shia)
I glared at Anfan. Setting aside Emped, allowing that guy to run free any longer was nothing but dangerous. But in front of Anfan, I caught sight of a figure behind him. A hooded magician. Yustin, who had remained silent until now. He turned his back to us and faced his father.
“Yustin! You――――!” (Jack)
“―――― Übergang (Rebirth)!” (Yustin)
His voice trembled when he shouted that. No, it sounded as if his voice were wet. Behind Yustin, countless magic bullets similar to his father’s emerged.
“Yuu, what are you doing? Your duty is to eliminate those guys―――” (Anfan)
“Elektriche Kugeln(Electric bullet)―――Triplikat (Triple)!” (Yustin)
He also deployed electric magic around him. The powerful energy he was surrounded with suggested a counteraction.
“Hmph, a rebellious phase, huh? Fine. There will be punishment later. —Go!” (Anfan)
And then, all the bullets were unleashed. In opposition, the magical bullets that Yustin deployed were also fired. Yustin was intercepting the attack. He was protecting us.
“Yuu, don’t joke around! Don’t get in the way!!” (Anfan)
“I…!” (Yustin)
“I told you to follow what your father said! This is necessary for the prosperity of magic! Do you realize you’re straying from your duties as a magician?!” (Anfan)
Anfan unleashed ice magic at Yustin in a fit of rage. It grazed Yustin’s face and tore away the hood he had been wearing. …That scene was a replay from before. The moment when the mage of justice revealed his real face while dealing with the horde of Black Corpses.
“I can’t go against Tou-sama!!” (Yustin)
In that instant, that scream echoed throughout the castle.
“I can’t hurt Tou-sama!!” (Yustin)
Yustin was unusually exposing all his emotions toward us. His voice was filled with despair.
“So… so then!!” (Yustin)
Yustin slowly turned toward us. His large dark blue eyes were soaked with tears. The tears that flowed down his cheeks had already left many trails on his face.
…Yustin, have you been crying under that hood all this time?
“Lost! Shia! …Please, stop Tou-sama.” (Yustin)
That was the first wish Yustin had ever revealed to us.
The Yustin who had continued to push us away until now was pleading with a tear-streaked face. He must not have known what to do. Even if he wanted to stop his family, he couldn’t. He must have loved his father dearly. But he also wanted to help the townspeople. Yustin had continued to struggle within his own sense of justice. But in the end, he decided to stop his father after all. That was the answer given by the mage of justice.
“Leave it to me…!” (Jack)
“Of course!” (Shia)
We too would uphold that justice. We would stop this tyrant with all our might. With the combined strength of the three of us.
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