parentshiftbook Chapter 451: Cleath and Idïa
Chapter 451: Cleath and Idïa
Chapter 451: Cleath and Idïa
While Billy stood before Jeanne and Viola, Cleath was also standing in front of the former Duodecad members.
“So that strange guy is Cleath?”
Charlie the Thousand Morphing Blade asked Barun, who was casting support magic behind him.
“That’s right, sir. And get this... he’s probably a member of the ancient imperial family.”
Upon Barun’s words, Cleath’s eyes widened — and filled with intense, sharp, and furious anger.
Recognizing Cleath’s anger, Barun became convinced that his claim was true.
“Oh, c’mon... I just heard about it from Warren, you know? When that guy says something, you can bet it’s true. Just look how you reacted so blatantly to that information — No talent for being a commander at all, I say.”
With each condescending and provocative word, Cleath’s eyes grew bloodshot.
Picking up on Barun’s words, the Demon Blader Jacob and Benevolent Petal Catherine muttered,
“Yeah, and this boy has the talent to provoke people...”
“Well, with just that talent, he’s fit for leading the Duodecad, I would say...”
Even such remarks from the two could not stop Cleath’s transformation into a Devil.
Tension ran across their faces due to the powerful surge of arcane energy.
Cleath proceeded to summon a new wave of lesser Devils.
“That magecraft is as troublesome as ever!”
Landing next to Barun, Melchi spoke with a smile.
“Where have you been? You didn’t just come out of the Teleportation spell circle, did you?”
“Hahaha, I’m what you’d call a ninja in T’oued!”
“That doesn’t answer my question at all.”
Melchi laughed cheerfully, continuing to dodge Barun’s question.
“You...! The girl from back then!”
Cleath, who had once pursued Melchi in Regalia, glared at the latter.
“This time it won’t be a game of tag... but a fight to the death!”
Melchi slammed her fists together, intimidating Cleath.
“You sure love to bark...!”
Two warriors stepped forward in the presence of Cleath.
“It’s about time I got to show off my moves.”
“Of course, Guild Master! And I’ll enjoy this, too~♪”
The two who once protected Beilanea, Charlie with an oversized greatsword and Duncan with a colossal battleaxe, stood there.
“Yeeeah! The more the merrier!”
Three more stepped forward in front of Cleath.
“The rest of you, take care of the lesser Devils.”
“”All right!!””
In response to Charlie’s words, everyone’s voice echoed.
“And I’ll support all of you!”
To Barun’s words, the three nodded without turning around — it was a mix of trust in Barun and caution toward Cleath.
Facing a single Devilkin, they were not foolish enough to swarm him, as there were limits to helping each other and anticipating each other’s attacks.
This was a four-person battle, including Barun’s support. Any more participants would compromise their effectiveness. That was the conclusion reached by the four.
“Hehehe, only four against me? You underestimate my power...!”
“GAHAHAHA!”
“NAHAHAHA!”
“OHOHOHO!”
“MWAHAHAHA!”
Before Cleath, the four laughed boldly.
Despite the overwhelming power difference between them and Cleath, the four continued to laugh. Addressing the inexplicable expression on Cleath’s face, Melchi pointed her finger and spoke,
“You insolent child! Know your place!”
“By the way, Miss Irene...”
“What is it?”
“We should try THAT word against her — you know, the one Master Tūs and Sir Gaston like to refer to you with.”
Raising his glasses, Warren — as well as Irene — lifted the corners of their mouths ever so slightly.
“Nice!”
Irene and Warren, the Black Emperor, aimed their staves at Ishtar of the Black — at their adversary, Idïa.
“”BRING IT ON, YOU OLD BAT!””
In the next moment, Idïa’s wrathful Zenith Breath flew at the two.
“Earth Control!”
With Warren’s Swift Magic, the earth in front surged upward in one near-instantaneous motion.
Idïa’s Zenith Breath was deflected by the emerging earth wall, appearing with precise speed and angle, protecting Warren, Irene, and the University students behind them.
“Tch!”
Idïa’s face contorted briefly in frustration, and Irene emerged from the edge of her field of vision.
“Heh, you really are a genius, being able to see things this far ahead...”
Irene’s almost-complaint for Warren reached only Idïa’s ears.
“What!?”
Indeed, Warren’s Earth Control served an additional purpose — it disoriented Idïa.
While Warren hid behind the earthen wall, Irene took advantage of the blind spot created by the Zenith Breath’s light and the wall. She moved in, preparing to invoke the highly destructive spell she had been taught personally by Asley.
“Pochi Pad Bomb!”
Invoked from Irene’s staff with Swift Magic, the paw-shaped water bomb collided with Idïa.
“GAH–!?”
The strike to the side inflicted significant damage upon Idïa, who clutched her gouged flank.
Warren, raising his glasses, murmured,
“A mere faker of the Black Chain thinks she can stand against this Black Emperor, hmm?”
Idïa’s expression, twisted in pain, turned to fury.
“Oh, so you like that nickname now, huh?”
“No, I just thought it would be effective at provoking her.”
Warren’s dismissive words, akin to mockery, provoked anger much like Barun’s had. Warren’s strategy, designed to incite rage, revealed the limited options on the side of the Resistance.
[Now, it would be helpful if she continued to act on her anger... But it’s likely not going to be that easy...]
Before Billy stood Haiko, Viola, and Jeanne.
In front of Leon stood Lylia.
Melchi, Charlie, Barun, and Duncan stood before Cleath.
Irene and Warren stood before Idïa.
And before Goku’ryu, there stood Pochi, the Fool’s Familiar.
Floating in front of Pochi was a metallic red body, covered in countless scars. This was the result of the orders Lucifer gave to Billy — The fact that the Hell Emperor had slaughtered thousands of monsters in this short period, the fact that he had passed through hell — Pochi was informed of these truths.
However, Pochi’s expression remained remarkably calm.
Even as she gazed up at the Hell Emperor, tension did not show on her face.
The Fool’s Familiar simply muttered, not to be heard by anyone, but more as a self-confirmation,
“...I don’t plan on losing today’s battle.”
Pochi lacked confidence in her heart, but she had faith.
“Here I go, Master! AWOOOOOO!!!!”
It was the unmistakable faith in the words of Asley, her Master and best friend.
— It’s all right. I know you can do it. I... I guarantee that.
That assurance, those words, gently but swiftly propelled Pochi’s legs forward.