Episode 876: Luck is a skill! (1)
“Whew…”
Giselle let out a long sigh and collapsed.
It had been an incredibly arduous fight. More mentally than physically, it was exhausting.
“Julien…”
If it weren’t for Julian, humanity would have suffered even greater losses. After all, hadn’t he trusted his friends and brought the Salvation Church’s main force together?
If the apostles had acted separately… The very thought sent a chill down his spine.
A thousand years ago, and even now,
Julian was undoubtedly the warrior who saved the world.
“…Rest in peace now.”
Despite saving the world, he was a friend who had never enjoyed anything in comfort.
He had shouldered the heaviest burden, and fought with the deepest wounds.
Now, at least, his soul… He truly hoped it could rest without worry.
That was Giselle’s true heart. But at the same time, he felt a strange premonition. Even though it
was a separation, it didn’t feel like the end. It was
a strange premonition, as if someday… …we would definitely meet again. Though
rationally, it was a feeling that should have been laughed off, Giselle couldn’t dismiss it lightly now.
It could simply be a vain wish, born of a pitiful heart…
“Could it be… the power to see providence?”
The power of darkness bestowed upon her by Yulien and the legacy of light left by Deneb.
Once she gained control of these two, she was able to enter a higher level of consciousness, surpassing her previous enlightenment.
Of course, she wasn’t yet fully enlightened.
Her newly acquired power was unfamiliar, her control was incomplete, and she hadn’t even fully grasped Deneb’s power.
Only the power of the necklace, absorbed long ago, and the bracelet, now absorbed, remained. Only by acquiring the remaining powers of the bracelet and ring would she truly be complete.
Yet, even now, she knew what she had to do.
“…The Demon Realm.”
A place that had existed like a shadow of this world since the distant mythical age, a place that was the backside of the world and the very essence of negation.
A place where what should never have existed could never disappear, solidifying into cracks in the world.
Because of the Demonic Mirror, humanity has always lived in constant anxiety.
All eyes and nerves were focused on it, leaving no room for anything else.
The peace brought by Deneb’s sacrifice was fleeting. Darkness eventually rose, staining the world once again with blood.
Unless the Demonic Mirror was destroyed, humanity would forever walk with the shadow of destruction.
But now, Giselle had found a clue to severing that bond.
Whether it was truly possible would require all her strength to consider.
“Ugh…”
Giselle struggled to get up from her seat.
She turned her head and looked at the path she had taken.
It had felt like a short fight, but in reality, it had been a considerable struggle.
By now, the other friends’ struggles should be coming to an end.
“…They should be safe.”
She wanted to hurry and help, but her remaining strength was minimal.
Still, she couldn’t not go. If the fight wasn’t over, she had to lend a hand, however small.
Giselle hoped her friends would be safe, and she stumbled forward again.
After all, it wasn’t over yet.
* * *
“This is crazy.”
Alfoy trembled, at a loss.
He was quite far from the battlefield.
Giselle had brought Alfoy with her, hoping for a glimmer of hope. In reality, he was meant to be a lucky totem, wishing for victory.
Naturally, she couldn’t ask him to join the fight against the Apostles, so she told him to quietly support her from the rear.
She simply hoped for that strange luck that kept him from dying in times of crisis.
However, Alfoy, possessing a keen desire for honor, secretly withdrew from the battle against the Crackers.
“I’m not the type to fight such insignificant people. It’s the right time, the right time.”
Instead, he planned to watch from afar and intervene if he thought it would be helpful in the fight against the Apostles.
If there was an opening, he would try to channel his magic power to Jerome and Vanessa and show off.
Alfoy bided his time, shouting proudly,
“If not me, who will save the world!”
But that resolve soon vanished.
Seeing the Apostles fighting from afar, he couldn’t dare approach.
Kwaaaaaaaah!
Light and darkness collided, exploding.
It was as if the end of the world was approaching, as if every known natural disaster was striking at once.
The scope was so vast that the entire area was utterly devastated.
Not a single human figure was visible. It was just the clashing energy of the storm, engulfing the space.
“…Why did I even try to go there?”
It was crazy. No, it was simply impossible.
Even getting close would instantly tear my body apart, and if I was unlucky, my soul would be disintegrated.
Alfoy gulped and looked the other way.
Waaaaah!
A completely different scene unfolded on the other side.
The Death Squad held an overwhelming advantage. Most of the Crackers had already been swept away, and there were only a handful of Salvation Church priests left.
A complete victory.
It was safe to say the battle was over.
“Okay, let’s go back there.”
I felt like I could make a splash if I just went over there and used a few spells.
Above all, it seemed safe. That was something I really, really liked.
Alfoy rose from his seat and slowly moved.
He never fights he’d lose. He only fights he’d win.
That’s the basic attitude of a genius strategist.
Alfoy, who had been moving with that mindset, stopped walking.
“Hah…”
Anxiety began to rise in his mind.
Even if he showed up now, he’d only get cursed at.
He’d probably get nasty questions asking where he’d been hiding all this time. No, he was lucky he wasn’t ignored.
But that only happened if the Apostles were defeated.
What if the Apostles won?
Without Giselle, the suicide squad and all would be annihilated.
“We have to run.”
Run.
Historically, that’s always been the best option.
If the suicide squad wins? They’ll just get cursed at.
If the suicide squad loses? At least he can survive.
Amidst his anguish, his instincts began to scream powerfully.
―Now!
“What?” ―If
you want to live, run!
“Right?”
But… His feet wouldn’t move.
“Damn it! Damn it!”
He knew everyone had brought him here, just in case.
In reality, he probably didn’t have any expectations. No, by now, he’d likely forgotten about his existence.
There wouldn’t be any time for other thoughts in a fight like that.
Still, Alfoy couldn’t leave.
“This… was supposed to be the last fight…”
If he left a fight like this, he’d never be able to show off. He’d never be able to tell tales of his bravery.
After all the hardships he’d worked so hard to build his reputation(?).
And… … .
There was an even more annoying reason.
“They’re all fighting for their lives.”
The absurd desire to be of some help to them, even a little, kept stabbing his chest.
But his instincts also cried out urgently.
“You’re not that kind of guy! Why are you acting like that all of a sudden?
” “I don’t know! I don’t know!” ”
Don’t get me wrong! Get a grip! Don’t you know it’s all just luck? You know better than anyone!
“Luck is skill!”
“You idiot! That’s not what I meant! You honestly only wanted to join because of your reputation!” Stop obsessing over that damned reputation! This isn’t the time to be proud! You’re just a slacker!
“Shut up! I’m not a fool! I’m just a god! Why? Because I defeated a god!”
Alfoy, driven by pride, shook off his instinctive voice and, with tears welling up in his eyes, slowly inched closer to the center of the battle.
He muttered incessantly as he walked.
“Just a moment. I’ll help you for a moment and then get out.” He
planned to briefly attract the apostles’ attention, or if that didn’t work, quickly transmit some magic and escape.
Despite his cautious approach, the aftershocks of the collision were too strong, and Alfoy couldn’t get any closer.
He felt like he’d be torn apart if he got caught in that place.
―Let’s just go back. You can’t go in. We need to call someone.
“Right?”
Seeing the violent storm that arose, his mind quickly changed. He was always such a fickle and spineless man. Just as
Alfoy was about to agree with his instinct and turn around,
AAAAAH!
The suddenly intensified energy caused Alfoy to be forcibly dragged away.
“Eaaaah!”
Alfoy flailed his arms and legs wildly in the air.
The pressure was so great that he couldn’t even breathe. His screams were half-muffled.
But whether by fate or a trick of the world, Alfoy was carried perfectly by the storm’s current.
He spun around and crashed to the ground as if someone had thrown him.
Crash!
Alfoy, who had been slammed to the ground, jumped up.
“Huh? What? Why is it dark?”
Darkness filled his surroundings.
Alfoy looked around, sweat dripping down his face. Then, a familiar figure, though faint, appeared.
“Gillian!”
Gillian’s eyes widened at Alfoy’s welcome shout. This place was a formidable foe, more than even the most skilled superhuman could handle. Someone
of Alfoy’s caliber would be torn apart in an instant. Not metaphorically, but literally.
“Damage!”
Gillian shouted and threw his shield.
Crack!
A massive explosion erupted in that instant. Gillian barely managed to block the energy that Nedruman had fired at Alfoy.
Alfoy trembled, unaware of what had happened.
Then, Belinda, wounded all over, appeared and grabbed Alfoy by the back of the neck.
“Ah! This kid really needs a lot of work!”
Belinda understood the situation immediately.
Ah, he was mistaken again.
He really thought he could perform miracles. He had
indeed performed miracles when fighting the Dragon Lord, but back then, there was at least a chance to try.
But this place was different. Alfoy could do nothing. If anything, he would only be a hindrance.
No, it would be fortunate if he were even a hindrance. Even now, if it weren’t for Gillian, he would have died in an instant.
“Run quickly! Don’t come near this place! You’re dead!”
Belinda simply threw Alfoy to the ground.
He might die in the aura storm that dominated this area, but… …he would die for sure if he stayed here.
“Ah, I understand. I’m going…!”
Alfoy muttered as he flew.
I felt a little sad.
A little embarrassed.
But… … strangely, I felt relieved.
“Okay, what should I… I should run away quickly.”
Alfoy sullenly turned, but it felt like he had been pardoned.
It was better, in a way. Now that he had permission(?), he could run away without hesitation.
But things didn’t go as Alfoy had planned.
Kwaaaaang!
“Uh-huh-huh!”
With a tremendous roar, Erenes blocked Alfoy’s path.
She turned her head urgently and let out a panicked voice.
“Alfoy? Why you?”
“U-Uh…”
“This place is dangerous. Run away quickly.”
Paaaaak!
The wind spirit enveloped Alfoy and flew away.
Alfoy felt a mixture of embarrassment and relief this time.
― Yes! I got permission twice!
“……Okay, I’m really going now.”
And with the spirit’s protection, this time it was really safe… … .
Kwaaaaang!
“Uh-huh-huh!”
Suddenly, a tremendous shockwave struck.
The wind spirit barely managed to protect Alfoy, but it couldn’t withstand the impact and disappeared.
“Thud!”
Alfoy fell to the ground, his hands flailing in confusion.
“What! What! Why am I the only one?”
“Whoosh!”
This time, Parniel quickly blocked Alfoy’s path. Kaor and Lucas screamed from the side.
“Alfoy, what the hell is that bastard! Why are you here!”
“Hey! Where do you think you are! Are you crazy?”
Alfoy couldn’t argue. Every word was true.
I was getting yelled at for nothing. I really wanted to get out of here quickly.
Parniel grabbed Alfoy’s head with one hand and threw him backward.
The surroundings were dangerous, but there was nothing he could do.
If he stayed here, the aftershock alone would tear Alfoy to pieces anyway.
“Eeeeeeeeeeeee!”
Alfoy screamed at the tremendous speed.
Still, he thought it was fortunate. Didn’t everyone think he was useless?
It was still a little sad, but survival was important, so it was a good thing.
The problem was that too many energies were colliding in this area.
Alfoy was caught in the middle of the largest magical storm.
Paaaaaaaah!
“Woooooooo!”
Alfoy thought he was truly dead this time.
There was no spirit protecting him, and he hadn’t been able to ride the flow as luck would have it before.
But then, someone grabbed Alfoy by the collar and forcibly dragged him out of the storm.
“Alfoy!”
Alfoy, who had been tightly shut, slowly opened his eyes.
He saw Vanessa, her appearance a mess from the battle.
“B-Vanessa! Oh, oh, oh! I missed you! Please save me! Hurry up and throw me back!”
“Why on earth did you come here!”
Alfoy’s shoulders hunched at the sharp shout.
“I-I just…”
Mustering up his courage… … In fact, he had been dragged in by force, but even Vanessa didn’t seem to welcome him, instead scolding him.
Alfoy grew even more sullen.
Still, it was a relief. He thought Vanessa would just throw him back again. He
was used to being treated like luggage by now. And since the Apostles didn’t seem particularly interested in him, he thought it would be easy to escape.
But this time, things were a little different from what Alfoy had expected.
A sudden silence fell over the battlefield. Gator had stopped moving.
Taking advantage of the gap, Jerome and Vanessa instinctively blocked Alfoy’s path.
Gattros glared at Alfoy and asked,
“Alfoy?”
Alfoy nodded unconsciously. Then, even Gattros’s beard began to tremble.
He asked again, his voice trembling.
“The man who… defeated a god?”
“Me, me?”
“Captured a dragon?”
“T-that’s me, too?”
“Are you… a member of the 9th Circle?”
“T-that’s right. A temporary member of the 9th Circle, though.”
Alfoy unconsciously, out of habit, brushed his hair back and put on an arrogant expression.
He felt slightly elated that such a powerful figure as an apostle recognized him. He realized once again the importance of fame.
Then, suddenly, a tremendous murderous intent burst from Gattros.
“Finally… I’ve met you.”
His voice, filled with joy, echoed throughout the battlefield.
“The ‘true secret weapon’ of… Fenris, who ruined our plans…”
“…Huh?”
Alfoy’s eyes widened, not knowing what was going on.
Secret weapons sounded cool and he liked them, but why would he say something like that?
Before he could figure out why, Gattros started unleashing all his energy.
Ddddddddddd… … .
The earth trembled, rocks rose, and the air screamed.
Anyone could see that he was truly angry.
Gattros, who had been fighting by distributing his strength until now, was now pouring all his energy into Alfoy alone.
“Right here…”
His eyes gleamed.
“I will definitely tear you to pieces.”
Jerome and Vanessa looked dumbfounded at Gattros’s anger.
“Hiccup!”
Alfoy, who truly had no idea what was going on, could only hiccup with a pale face.
