Hey wait I just checked Baka-Tsuki, and someone registered me all the way up to 305. It’s not like I wasn’t planning on doing them, but please don’t register me.
Chapter 304: A Price Too Great
I step in front of the bursting Houou. To protect Raphtalia. To protect the Heroes, and the slaves, and the Allied Armies. I stand against the flames scorching the ground before me.
I can only count on the Wrath Shield’s defense power.
Perhaps the Spirit Turtle Shell would work as well, but this one has higher defense at the moment.
“UWWWOOOOOOOOHHH!”
I let out my voice, as I go forward, step by step, to push away the flames coming at us.
Besides the area I defend, everything is charred black.
Gu… It’s gotten past my Shield’s defenses, and I feel the excruciatingly hot flames eating at my flesh.
My instincts scream that my body is in danger.
Should I switch to the Spirit Turtle Shell?
And, from the Shield… I feel something screaming out.
If I change to that shield, I still won’t be able to stand this.
「Change Shield」!
I change one of my Float Shields to the Spirit Turtle Shell.
Even with the Wrath Shield, I’m taking this much damage.
If this attack gets past me, those behind me will be reduced to nothing but cinders.
I feel the world around me slowing down.
The merciless flames from Houou keep attacking me. In order to turn everything into ash.
Barely… I’m barely containing it, but I get the feeling that only 5 seconds have passed in real time.
I deployed Meteor Shield long ago, and it was instantly destroyed.
There’s no point in using a reflecting Shield, and my Float Shields are already out.
What do I do?
「Dreifach Resist Fire!」
Something from behind me… is it Ren? A magic that increases my fire resistance flies at me.
A wise decision.
But that’s merely delaying the inevitable.
!?
As if to tell me there was more to come, the fire power suddenly jumps up. The flames burn through me.
The heat seeps through the cracks forming on my Shield. My shoulder is now a nicely baked entrée.
“Naofumi-sama!” (Raphtalia)
“Gu…”
Raphtalia and the others call out to me.
But it’s still not enough to handle Houou’s inferno.
Gugu…
The force hitting me seems like it’ll blow me away at any moment. My limbs are turning into charcoal. The HP bar on my status is unsteadily teetering into the critical zone, and I guess I’ll be burned away to nothing at this rate.
I’m impressed that the past Seven Star Hero was able to take on this monster.
Ku…
In ten seconds or so, I’ll be blown away, won’t I?
No, there’s a single way.
But if I do, I’ll definitely die…
But…
“I just have to do it!”
It happened at the same time as my scream.
Next to me, a single little girl stood.
“It’s fine. I’ll protect… I’ll fulfill Naofumi-sama’s wish.” (Atlas)
“What!?”
Me and… that girl’s brother cry out.
I can’t let her challenge the impossible. I immediately reach out my hand to grab her.
But my outstretched hand never reached Atlas.
Having studied defense under me, that girl… uses one of the attacks we made together. 『Collect』. She directs all of the flames towards her, and collects them. She creates a Wall to redirect them, and sends them in a direction devoid of human life.
“Atlas!”
In response to my voice, the girl’s mouth forms a kind smile.
She’s letting off an immeasurable amount of sweat… the meat on her arms has been burnt to a crisp, yet still, she uses her chi to redirect the flames… And in response to her great will, the flames obeyed.
What came next was an explosive sound strong enough to destroy my ears, and a flash too loud for me to keep my eyes open.
When I open them, the smoke prevents me from seeing anything.
“Geho, Geho! Atlas!” (TL: Sound of coughing)
I wave my arm as if to brush away the smoke. I shout out.
And I turn and ask a question.
“Are you okay! Is everyone safe!?”
The smoke clears, and behind me, I see everyone standing.
There are corpses all around. Many have collapsed on the ground.
More importantly, Atlas.
And… I look up.
And I realized the fact that something was falling down from the sky.
I hold out my arms to catch it.
“Ah…”
Heavy emotions run through my head, yet the item in my hands is so light… that thing, that item… was a girl missing an arm, with both of her legs turned to charcoal. It took me several seconds to realize that I had found Atlas.
“Atlas!”
Fohl runs over
“KYUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!”
At the same time, the shadows of two large birds cover us.
“Naofumi! We have to retreat!” (Ren)
Ren shouts at me.
“Ah… bu-but…”
“The current you can’t fight! We have to heal your wounds! And… We need to hurry up and treat that child! There are many injured people. This is the time where… the best healer among us should step forward. This is the time for you to act!” (Ren)
No words can come out of my mouth… what do I do? What can I do!?
“Quickly! Leave this place to us!” (Ren)
“Raphtalia-san, hurry and get those two out of here! Fohl, you get back too!” (Ren)
“Yeah!” (Firo)
In response to Ren’s stern words, I was brought to the back lines. My mind was still blank.
“Ah… ah…”
I still can’t form any words.
Looking closely, it isn’t just her legs that have turned to charcoal. Everything under her stomach has been burned to a crisp.
It’s amazing that she’s still alive.
“Hah… ha… hah…”
I leave her to rest in a temporary medical tent, and go around treating those on the verge of death with the rest of the medics.
The rest are… only those that survived made it here.
In my blank mind, I look over everything I saw and heard once more.
“Atlas! Get a grip!” (Fohl)
Fohl grips Atlas’s remaining arm, and desperately starts talking to her.
Atlas responds in a whisper.
Don’t waver…
I need to save as many lives as I can.
I’m a hero. I’m the Hero of the Shield.
Defense, Support, and Recovery. I’m perhaps the best in the world in those aspects.
… I can’t concentrate.
Calm down. Concentrate, and cast the highest level healing you can.
「Revelation Heal」!
The glow of my recovery magic envelops Atlas.
But… it didn’t bring back her missing limbs.
“W-why!?” (Naofumi)
Healing Magic is all-purpose, right!?
No… It’s probably healing her, but her wounds are too severe…?
It works as an ointment, and if drunk, it can save patients on the verge of death. If I use it in all ways possible, she should get better.
But…
“WHY!?”
There’s no sign of Atlas healing.
I take out my anger on a nearby healer.
“Why won’t she heal!?” (Naofumi)
… She’s crossed the line where healing is possible.“
Rat came forward, and muttered this.
“What… do you mean?” (Naofumi)
“Rafu…”
Under Rat’s arm, Mii-kun’s core cried out.
“This child also had her body destroyed as he protected everyone. He did this much…” (Rat)
“Can’t you do anything!? Can we give her life like that Mii-kun in your hands?” (Naofumi)
“This can’t be…” (Raphtalia)
“That’s a lie!”
I won’t believe it! Never! There has to be a way!
What the hell is the Hero of the Shield? What the hell is with this hero that had to sacrifice a little girl to survive…
“Naofumi…… sama…” (Atlas)
I turn to Atlas.
“Did we protect everyone?” (Atlas)
“Onii-sama… please bring Naofumi-sama here…” (Atlas)
“… Okay.” (Fohl)
Fohl grabs me, and drags me next to Atlas.
“… I know. I have no time left, right?” (Atlas)
“What are you saying? You have as much time as there’s time in the world.” (Naofumi)
On my answer, Atlas, weakly shakes her head.
“Naofumi-sama… It’s fine already. Don’t worry about me.” (Atlas)
“Of course I would worry about you!” (Naofumi)
Right. If one Yggdrasil medicine was no good, then if I use more, I should be able to save a single life.
I signal the healer to come closer, and order him to bring some Yggdrasil medicine.
“Quit it already, Marquis! I just said it, but she’s past the limit.” (Rat)
“And I’m telling you because we do know!” (Rat)
I ignore Rat, and apply the second vial to Atlas.
But as I touched her skin, I noticed.
The parts that had become charcoal wouldn’t come off no matter what.
“Sorry, Atlas!”
I took a knife meant for medical use, and cut off the charcoal portions.
But… still, there’s no sign of her healing.
“Hah… hah…”
It seems she can do nothing but breathe. She puts her remaining hand on mine.
“Please… stop already.” (Atlas)
“Never!” (Naofumi)
Don’t say such things in front of me!
Even when I was betrayed by those I trusted, even when I was called a devil, even when I was almost killed, I never gave up.
Even so… I can’t give up in the face of this… this unreasonable turn of events!
“Naofumi… sama. Please understand… I can’t be saved anymore. I’m the one who understands that best. Every second, part of my chi, my life force leaves my body, so… I understand.” (Atlas)
“But ,even so-”
Water scatters from my eyes, which I thought had withered long ago.
“With Naofumi-sama’s miraculous power, I am… here talking to you. Please… calm yourself.” (Atlas)
Weakly, as if her body would crumble at any second, Atlas stroked my face.
“Hah… hah…” (Atlas)
“…”
I close my mouth, and Atlas smiles. It’s a smile like one a mother would give to comfort a crying child. Using her hand, she wipes away my tears.
“Naofumi-sama, I love you more than anyone else in this world. And I said this before, right? I wanted to become your shield.” (Atlas)
“… Yeah.” (Naofumi)
And that means you’ll accept a fate like this!?
If you died because you acted as someone’s shield, do you understand just what sort of emotions the person you protected would experience!?
When I was thinking that, I understood what Atlas was trying to tell me.
What she did was exactly what I was trying to do.
Using Collect to gather the flames, and release them somewhere else.
If Atlas didn’t step in front first… I would be where she is now.
“Even so.. this…” (Naofumi)
I can’t muster up anything but a cracked voice from my throat.
“I am… satisfied. Like this, I was able to use the life you saved to save yours.” (Atlas)
“No, you can’t die. You can’t die from protecting someone like me.” (Naofumi)
That was something that I should have been doing.
If it was me, I may have survived it.
“Naofumi-sama… I don’t think I can… answer that request.” (Atlas)
“Why!?” (Naofumi)
I know! I already Know.
But can’t I pray for a miracle too?
Someone. Anyone is fine. God, I pray to you.
I’m well aware that this is a selfish request.
Even if the God of this world is the Four Heroes, even if I go against myself, if you can save the girl before my eyes, then… I…
“Naofumi-sama, please… listen to my last bit of selfishness.” (Atlas)
“… I wished to become your Shield. That wish hasn’t changed… and… I don’t want to return my blood, flesh, or soul to the earth.” (Atlas)
“Eh?” (Naofumi)
The hand grasping mine moved to my Shield.
“I knew from the start I could never become Naofumi-sama’s number one.” (Atlas)
“But still, I wished for it. If at least this body can be closer to yours than anyone else…” (Atlas)
I remember the Atlas that came to my room every night.
She always wanted to be by my side.
“Even if I lose my form, please let… me be with you.” (Atlas)
At this girl’s goal… I trembled.