WRITTEN BY THE MYSTERIOUS LION MASKSEPTEMBER 24, 2016
182. THE ENTRUSTED WILLKondo and Carrera.
A will to never accept defeat in his uniform, and a pride in her demonic strength which forbade the same action.
But in reality, both were in tatters.
Kondo inducted the “Abyss Annihilation”, and successfully redirected the flow of Energy.
But that time, was definitely not now.
Albeit consequently, all his chakra (spirit energy) had been drained, and he didn’t even have the strength to manifest a single bullet.
It goes without saying that his guard was still up. But at the moment, he couldn’t nullify even simple attacks, and the next direct hit would definitely spell his defeat.
That was Kondo’s situation.
As for Carrera, her state wasn’t unlike Kondo’s.
Unable to properly control her Energy from the effects of Anti-Spirit Energy, the overwhelmingly adverse reaction disintegrated both her upper limbs.
However, she was a Spirit Form.
From her 6 wings, only 2 remained, and held up her body.
Regeneration would obviously take a lot of time, and she didn’t have that time in the middle of battle.
Yet, Carrera faced her foe, and prepared for the showdown.
The one’s watching over Carrera’s faceoff.
Though the Emperors defence was impregnable, the members of the bridge were not self-assured, and were busy maintaining the barriers from the deck to the upper levels.
They had attempted to contact home for reinforcements, but communications were cut off by some kind of signal jamming.
Their escape from this ship had been blocked, and retreating towards the ships floating on the ocean also seemed hopeless.
However,
「Xam’d-kakka, if that impossibly destructive power from just now hit us, we wouldn’t stand a chance.」(TN: -kakka is honorific like -sama)
One of the Elite Mages reported to Xam’d.
Because every one of the Demons’ attacks were just ridiculous.
It was probably the one shot by Demon Lord Rimuru who was pitted against “Scorch Dragon” Velgrynd.
Being an Elite Mage himself, Xam’d instinctively understood that this attack simply broke the laws of this world and surpassed reality.
The other attacks were similarly very strong attacks, but this attack just neglected reason.
「Don’t say it. We can only fulfill our assigned duties now……」
With an unyielding spirit, Xam’d encouraged his subordinate.
He understood how unrealistic the prospects for this plan was, but there was no other option.
This was their only plan, there was no plan B.
And now, in front of this troubled Xam’d, a single man appeared.
As if returning in the utmost urgency, his breathing was hoarse. His armour appeared damaged in many parts, as if he had just survived an intense battle.
「The Emperor, is he, is he alright!?」
Xam’d recognized the man as the Beast Corps captain, Gradim.
His worry must have been the result of fatigue from enduring battle.
「Oh, Gradim-dono! You were alive!?」
Xam’d knew about the great mana released below, which had initiated the Beast Corps’ battle with the Demons.
Among the countless fallen allies, a single survivor was a happy misprediction.
「Yes, somehow. I was conceited thinking I was that best; the enemy truly is strong.」
They may have multiple Demon Nobles.
The one that lieutenant Kondo-dono is in battle with right now must be one of the best too.」
I just barely managed to escape using the transfer device.
But, I couldn’t rest in peace without making sure the Emperor was safe.
「Indeed……
「Don’t give in! If I protect the Emperor, can you move this ship at full speed?
If we do that, we can use the transfer device right?」
But we must……」
Xam’d glanced at Emperor Rudra, and reaffirmed his determination.
They were still unscathed thanks to the Emperor’s Skill, but it was getting dangerous.
Those conditions were known to a select few of the Royal Knights.
But his sense as an Elite Mage would deny that presumption.
And seeing how Kondo had defended the ship at the expense of his body only fueled his theory that there must be a weakness.
Therefore, they had to act now.
「I’ll leave him to you, Gradim-dono!」
Xam’d shouted, then headed into the bridge with his men to prepare moving the ship.
Gradim ―― No, the thing shaped like Gradim ―― bowed deeply while seeing off Xam’d.
And under that helmet which hid his face, there appeared a warped smile.
Kondo and Carrera’s battle continued.
Parrying fatal attacks, then dealing them out in succession.
Meanwhile, Carrera regenerated one of her arms.
Even using up her defence magic, her main body was now defenceless.
For Carrera, it was the most disgraceful moment in all her life.
Damaged beyond belief, they moved their bodies through will power only.
The thing shaped like Gradim closely observed their battle.
Carrera too was handling all of his attacks with only a single arm.
It seemed like a long time had passed, but in reality it was only a few seconds. Feeling its body move, the thing now looked at the conditions outside.
With a broad grin, the thing shaped like Gradim made it’s move.
An armoured hand entered Kondo’s chest.
That attack on Kondo proved fatal.
The man kicked away a blood spewing Kondo, while cutting away his heart and putting it in his mouth.
「Guhahahahaha!!
「Gu-hha…… B-bastard…… You’re not ……. Gradim …… 」
Facing Kondo who vomited blood,
「Don’t put that weakling together with your’s truly. Also, your’s truly is busy so see ya!!」
The man answered mockingly.
Then, putting Energy in both his hands, and pointing towards the barrier in front of the Airship――
「Remove Blast!!」
―― made his attack.
An attack overlapped with the barrier piercing effects of lieutenant Kondo’s Skill.
「Guhahahahaha!! Look at this power Kondo.
I’ll take care of the Emperor for you. So be at ease.
And being at ease ―― Die!!」
He released a series of Energy Blast towards the two on the ground.
He wanted to confirm their deaths, but the other Demons were heading over.
His first priority was escape, and confirming their deaths was secondary.
The thing shaped like Gradim quickly entered the bridge, and erased his presence.
Kondo closed his hazy eyes, and lay on the ground.
(Pathetic―― )
In the end, he had accomplished nothing.
He could neither protect his homeland, nor his promise with the Emperor.
―― Become my friend, Tatsuya!
Ah…… I couldn’t even fulfil my promise to you.
I couldn’t even fulfil my promise of releasing you in the end……
―― I requested this of Damrada, and I will also request it of you, Tatsuya.
You must never let the Justice King break loose.
This mad, mad world that took away Lucia, and the Creator Veldanava.
Returning all to none, it probably believes that those two would return if we started back again from zero.
―― Hey Tatsuya. I reincarnated. I still remember you.
―― I’m fine. I can still handle it. This time, we’ll definitely defeat Guy!!
―― Recently, the military affairs are being handled without me involved……
Justice King Michael won’t stop at just civilization, it will definitely destroy everything in this world……
Conversations with the Emperor of days long past flashed across his mind.
Repeatedly reincarnating to the point of exhausting his control over Justice King Michael, the man still displayed the Aura of a ruler.
Or rather, dangerous.
If it was before the Emperor was weakened, maybe he would have shone a light on the boys heart.
That being the case, Kondo took that task upon himself and eliminated the boy. To avoid unnecessary trouble, and to erase any seeds of disaster.
He grieved in his regrets.
He should have followed his gut feeling, and stopped the Emperor’s sortie.
It was his failure.
One that he couldn’t take back anymore……
「Hey, enough sleeping. Get back up and fight me!」
Kondo heard a voice calling out to him.
Beautiful golden hair, a dazzling beauty.
And also, the Demon he was fighting to the death.
( ―― Don’t be unreasonable. I’m dying here, obviously I can’t fight. )
(fu, fufu. A finisher, huh. You’re, right.
―― As I thought. You’re unfair…… )
Doubting if it reached her, hearing Carrera’s words, Kondo had a weak chuckle.
He attempted to get up, and failed.
(I guess, I can’t do anything now.)
( ―― Am I, jealous…….?)
「I h-have a request. Please kill…… Emperor…… this gun ―― 」
(What am I doing. I can’t leave this to a Demon…… ) (TN: he says ‘I’ with ‘ore’ now.)
But, ah……. My consciousness is fleeting.
Well, if we was in better health, he could restore the Core, but it was impossible now.
In fact, because his willpower and chakra had been exhausted, the destruction speed was considerably slowed down.
It was completely impossible to recover now, that was his self-analysis.
「Hmph. How boring. I finally had a good fight, but this is not fun at all.
I guess I can kill the Emperor too on the way―― 」
「You’re so slow! Where’s the offering? You want to made a deal with a Demon, you need a contract!」
Watching the fidgeting Carrera, Kondo couldn’t hold back a smile.
This Demon, the enemy. Her shyly fidgeting figure.
(Everything, even my soul……. I’ll hand over all so……. Please…………!)
With the last of his will, Kondo opened his eyes, and looked at Carrera with all his strength.
Thinking his will was properly entrusted may have just been his day dreaming.
He bet his last hopes on this pathetic salvation.
Trusting a Demon, he would have never imagined it.
「Thine request, we shall accepted it.
Thine wish shall surely be granted.」
Carrera declared in a dignified manner.
The brilliantly shining God-tier gun.
However, even though she received his chakra, she didn’t get his Nucleic Heart.
For humans on the level of “Saints”, even if their soul was captured, their Nucleic Heart would not.
Without fail, the Heart would escape from the cycle of reincarnation, and pass on.
「Hmph. Too bad. It’s been a while since I fought someone with a bit of backbone……. 」
Carrera now focused her attention on the gun.
And suddenly, the Power (Skill) gushed in.
《Ultimate Skills 『Extinction King Abaddon』 and 『Sandalphon the Executioner』successfully integrated. 》
Carrera understood the usage of her new powers from the information sent to her brain.
And she instantly mastered the usage of the gun.
―― You’re a bit sensitive, so your technique (mana) is too rough. Handle this with care――
She felt as if she heard Kondo again.
Cheeky till the very end, she thought.
Carrera stood up.
Her recovery had already been completed.
「You’re alright, Carrera-sama!」
They kneeled in front of Carrera who stood before them.
At a glance, they determined how their master’s power had grown over her fight.
Satisfied,
「Let us go. We shall carve fear into the soul who dared look down on us.」
She walked.
Also……
Most importantly, towards the place where she would come to fulfill her contract.