Ren, the Sword Hero, gazed around the room and questioned, "Is this the place?"
To which Itsuki, the Bow Hero, responded, "Yeah, I think so."
The mages from both parties raised their hands and united their magic to open the door, revealing a massive flight of stairs.
"There's no doubt about it. The Three Heroes Church is concealing something," Itsuki stated.
Ren held a Rosary cross and muttered, "Hard to believe Naofumi was right." The two heroes then made their way down the stairs.
Upon descending, the heroes were greeted by numerous books that composed the great Archive of the Three Heroes Church.
"It appears to be some kind of archive. Let's take a look around," said the Bow Hero as he picked up a book from the shelf.
"Hey Itsuki, take a look at this," Ren called out, displaying a leather-bound book that was covered in an uneven, dark red stain.
With anticipation, the heroes opened the book and began reading.
As they perused the pages, they came across an intriguing entry:
Journal Entry #358:
The Heroes of the Sword, Spear, and Bow have successfully defeated the boss of the 2nd wave of catastrophe. Unfortunately, they had assistance from an Adventurer who goes by the name Kuro Merlin and the Devil of the Shield. Why does he protect Demi-Humans as well as Humans when he should only protect the latter? It makes no sense; the only good thing those creatures are good for is being slaves.
We must find a way to rid ourselves of the Devil of the Shield.
-Pope Alexander D. Balmus
As the heroes continued to read, they came across another intriguing entry:
Journal Entry #359:
My Shadows have revealed to me that this Adventurer, Kuro Merlin, is actually a Cardinal Hero. I have been scouring the archives for any information on this hero, but there is very little to be found. What I have gathered is that he was summoned to this world before the First Wave hit and protected the people. However, like the Shield Devil, this...magic demon protects both Demi-Humans and Humans before aiding the other Heroes. By his side is a red-haired Fox-Demi-Human and a Nine-Tailed Kitsune Mount.
-Pope Alexander D. Balmus
As the heroes delved deeper into the journal, they uncovered another shocking entry:
Journal Entry #360:
After ordering my shadows to keep an eye on the Magic Hero, it was revealed to me that the Cardinal Hero of Magic had not only married a Demi-Human but had also fathered a child with them. He is no longer a Hero. He has been tainted by the Demi-Human filth. It is time to forge the weapon.
Both he and the Devil of the Shield must die.
-Pope Alexander D. Balmus"
Itsuki shook his head in disbelief, "This is truly disturbing."
Ren's grip on his sword tightened as he spoke, "It's sickening to think that someone would be killed just for marrying a Demi-Human."
As the heroes continued to read the journal, they stumbled upon another chilling entry:
Journal Entry #361:
We managed to separate the False Hero from his Demi-Human whore. With her captured, we sold her as a sex slave with explicit instructions to constantly be moved and traded. However, he had found her, and I lost two of my followers to the new untold power that the Hero possessed. Somehow, he was stronger than any of the Heroes.
One of my shadows came to me today, saying that the Magic Hero is coming after me. The forging of the weapon must be completed before he gets here.
Itsuki's eyes widened in horror, "This is inhumane. How could anyone do this to another human being?"
Ren's expression grew grim as he spoke, "This is an atrocity beyond comprehension. We must put an end to this madness and ensure that these criminals face the full extent of justice."
Journal Entry #362
As I write my final entry as Pope of the Three Heroes Church, my heart aches with the knowledge that our weapon remains incomplete and the Hero is already at the gates of our capital. My son, I implore you to take up the mantle and finish the weapon in my stead. It is imperative that you use it against the Devil of the Shield and the Demon of Magic... The Magic Demon is currently inside our church. Though my time is fleeting, I take solace in knowing that I will soon be offered a seat at God's holy table for sending these sinners to their eternal rest...
The rest of the journal was stained with dried blood.
Ren furrowed his brow, a sense of unease settling in his chest. "Something is amiss," he muttered, closing the journal. "Search through these books and see if you can find any information on this 'weapon'."
Unbeknownst to the heroes and their parties, the first princess was keeping a watchful eye on them, her expression twisted with displeasure.
"You heroes should mind your own business," Princess Malty hissed before turning the corner and disappearing from sight.
After scouring the archives for hours, the Bow Hero finally stumbled upon a book detailing the artificial weapon they had been seeking.
"Ren!" Itsuki's voice echoed through the room as he hurried over to show the Sword Hero the book.
"An artificial weapon? And there's a map attached to it," Ren murmured, taking the map from Itsuki's outstretched hand. "Let's go."
With the capital far behind them, the two parties trekked through the treacherous terrain, following the map's instructions until they found themselves at the mouth of a foreboding cave. As they neared the coffin that held the key to their mission, Itsuki felt an eerie sensation stirring inside him, causing him to look up.
"What?.." Ren's voice rang out with shock and confusion as he opened the coffin, only to find it empty. "It's empty!"
As Itsuki scanned the area, his instincts kicked in, and he caught sight of an ominous object hurtling toward them. "Crap, it's a trap! Everyone, run!" he bellowed, just as the object made contact with the cave, sending shockwaves through the ground and causing a massive explosion.
As if by magic, Fitoria whisked the group away from the Filolial Sanctuary, transporting them to a random field. Raphtalia expressed her gratitude for the ride, and Naofumi thanked Fitoria for the wagon they had received earlier. However, as Fitoria looked longingly at the wagon, Filo quickly sprang into action, transforming into her Filolial form and guarding her precious possession.
"No takebacks," Filo declared firmly. "It's all mine, okay?"
Naofumi tried to reason with her, reminding her that Fitoria had given the wagon to all of them, not just her. Eventually, the group shifted their focus back to Fitoria, and the Shield Hero asked if there were any other heroes nearby.
"Yes, there is," Fitoria replied. "Very close, in fact."
"Thanks," Naofumi said, grateful for the information.
"Shield Hero, I implore you to protect Filo and remember the promise you made to me," Fitoria said gravely as both parties climbed into the wagon.
"I know. I'll do everything in my power," Naofumi replied, determined to keep his word. With that, Filo began pulling the wagon, and they set off on their journey.
"So, any idea which hero we'll meet?" Gray asked, breaking the tense silence.
"Not really. My Clairvoyance Skill only gives me minor details, so it's hard to say," Balthasar replied, looking at his brother. "I stopped using it when I thought you were dead."
As Gray placed a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder, a sudden noise interrupted their conversation. "Th-runk!"
The sound of something hitting the wagon sent both parties reaching for their weapons. But when they peered outside, they saw nothing except for an arrow with a piece of parchment attached to it. The Dragonoid carefully removed the parchment and unrolled it, revealing a crest of a dragon wrapped around a katana.
Balthasar held up the parchment, showing the crest to the group. But to his surprise, there was no response, except for a gasp from Lily when she saw the crest.
"I've seen that before," Lily exclaimed, taking the parchment. "The bastard that took my leg had that crest all over his home."
Gray asked if she had any idea what the crest meant, to which Lily replied that she didn't remember what the man called it, but she knew it was part of a secret order of some kind. Naofumi quickly realized the gravity of the situation and called out to Balthasar.
"Balthasar, we've got a problem," he said, causing everyone to tense up.
As they approached the border, they spotted Motoyasu and his "party" of cheerleaders, along with the Bitch. Balthasar let out a vile laugh, a sinister grin spreading across his face.
"Oh ho ho ho," he chuckled darkly. "This day just got a whole lot better."
Lily's frustration was palpable as she spoke. "Of all people, it had to be him," she said, exhaling deeply.
As the wagon came to a stop, both parties disembarked. Balthasar and Naofumi approached Motoyasu while their respective parties stayed behind.
"Listen, Motoyasu, we just want to talk," Naofumi said, trying to diffuse the tense situation. "We're not looking for a fight."
Balthasar, however, had other ideas. "Speak for yourself," he barked, his eyes locked on Motoyasu. "I still have a score to settle with that two-faced Bitch."
Naofumi shot a glare at Balthasar, then turned back to Motoyasu. "We're simply asking to be let through."
Motoyasu's head was bowed, his body trembling with emotion. "Is that all you have to say for yourself?" he asked, his voice laced with anger.
Abruptly and without warning, Motoyasu lunged forward with his spear, aiming straight for Naofumi. "Traitor!" he bellowed, his voice thick with fury. "Devil of the Shield!"
The air around them crackled with tension as the spear hurtled towards its target, but just before it could strike, a glowing green barrier enveloped the Shield Hero, halting the attack in its tracks. Both heroes spun around to face Balthasar, who had his staff aimed directly at them with a look of steely resolve. Behind them, the other members of the party instinctively reached for their weapons, but the Shield and Magic Hero quickly commanded them to stand down.
"Quite the hostility towards Naofumi," Balthasar remarked, causing Motoyasu to back away. "At least hear him out before you try to take his head off."
"Thank you, Balthasar," Naofumi acknowledged as the Magic Hero dispelled his barrier spell.
"I refuse to listen to someone who enslaves Filo and Raphtalia with a brainwashing shield," Motoyasu retorted, tightening his grip on his spear.
"You're still clinging to that lie?" the Magic Hero shook his head in disbelief. "You truly are next-level stupid."
"Shut up, Magic Demon!" Motoyasu snarled as his spear began to glow red. "Airstrike Javelin!"
With lightning-fast reflexes, the Dragonoid deftly employed his Reflect skill, effortlessly deflecting the incoming attack. "As I said," he remarked coolly, "next level stupid."
However, Motoyasu wasn't giving up that easily. In a moment of blind rage, he charged toward the Magic Hero, intent on skewering him with his spear. But before he could make contact, Lillian leapt into action, blocking his attack with her sword.
"Stop it, Motoyasu!" Lily shouted, pushing the Spear Hero away. "We're not here to fight!"
Motoyasu, however, was deaf to her words. He spun around and struck Lily with the shaft of his spear, sending the Demi-Human flying back from the sheer force of the blow. Luckily, Emiko's swift fox form caught Lily's fall by her tail.
"I think I finally understand why I was summoned to this world," Motoyasu declared, his fingers tightening around the grip of his legendary weapon. "To put an end to your vile ways once and for all."
With a fierce battle cry, Motoyasu launched himself forward, unleashing his powerful skill - 'Meteor Thrust!' The attack hurtled towards the Shield Hero at breakneck speed, but Naofumi was quick to react, summoning his trusty shield to block the incoming strike. However, the force of the skill was so great that everyone behind Naofumi was thrown back by its impact.
Thankfully, Balthasar was quick to respond, using his magic to conjure up protective barriers in front of everyone. Filo and Emiko had also managed to conjure their own barriers to shield themselves from the onslaught. When the attack finally subsided and the dust settled, everyone could see Naofumi panting from the exertion, but otherwise unharmed.
Motoyasu's anger only seemed to grow as he saw that Naofumi had survived his attack. "Still alive, Naofumi?" he spat with irritation, his voice thick with bitterness. "Stubborn as ever, I'll give you that."
"He's called the Shield Hero for a reason, Numb-nuts," the Dragonoid chimed in, causing Filo to snicker in amusement.
Raphtalia could sense that nothing they said would get through to Motoyasu as he seethed with rage. Naofumi, too, was confused as to why the Spear Hero was so hostile towards him.
"Why are you so mad at me, Motoyasu?" Naofumi called out to the Spear Hero, lowering his shield. "Is it because I ran away when we fought last time?"
"Are you that heartless?" Motoyasu snarled, the grip on his spear tightening. "Were Ren and Itsuki so insignificant to you?" He lifted his spear and gripped it with both hands. "People call you the Devil, and now I finally understand why."
Naofumi and Balthasar were left bewildered by the Spear Hero's words. However, the Magic Hero was the first to break the silence with a direct and forceful question, "What in the fuck are you talking about!?" The Dragonoid's voice boomed with frustration and confusion.
"You led us to believe that the Heroes were supposed to unite," Motoyasu's voice grew louder, brimming with anger. "But you deceived us. We trusted you!"
Balthasar joined in, his voice ringing with accusation, "You never trusted shit!"
Motoyasu charged toward the Magic Hero, who was defenseless. Balthasar scrambled to act but before he could, Naofumi intercepted the spearhead just in time to save the Magic Hero. Naofumi pushed the spear aside, his eyes blazing with fury. Balthasar's staff crackled with energy, ready to unleash its power.
Naofumi dodged a strike aimed at his head, his heart racing with adrenaline. "Motoyasu, I don't even know what you're talking about!" he shouted, frustration creeping into his voice.
"Well, you should!" The Spear Hero lunged forward with his spear aimed at Naofumi's body. "Think about it!"
But Motoyasu's attack was thwarted by a powerful magic barrier summoned by Balthasar. The Dragonoid pointed his staff at the Spear Hero and unleashed a fierce bolt of lightning. Motoyasu quickly backed off to avoid being hit by the spell.
"He's trying to kill us for real this time," Naofumi said, his eyes fixed on Motoyasu.
"You're gonna pay!" Motoyasu growled, his spearhead glowing with an ominous aura. "You'll both pay for what you did to them!" He charged toward the two Heroes, calling them murderers.
Motoyasu's accusations caught Naofumi and Balthasar off guard, leaving them with little time to mount a defense. Naofumi acted quickly, hitting The Spear Hero with a powerful wind spell before creating a mid-level barrier between them for protection.
"What the hell are you talking about, Motoyasu?" The Dragonoid demanded, his voice laced with confusion. "Who's dead?"
"Don't play dumb with me, Balthasar!" The Spear Hero shouted as he relentlessly attacked the barrier. "You both know exactly what you did!"
The Spear Hero retreated from the barrier before his spearhead began to change, crackling with arcs of electricity as he attacked the barrier again.
"How can you both stand there and pretend not to understand why I'm so furious?" Motoyasu's voice grew increasingly agitated as cracks formed in the barrier. "Why won't you admit that it was you who killed them?"
"The Heroes of the Bow and Shield are dead?" Melty's voice shook with fear. "How could this have happened? They were both so strong!"
The Princess's words only seemed to anger Motoyasu even more. "You used your brainwashing shield on Princess Melty too!?" The Spear Hero shouted as the barrier gave way. "That's unforgivable!"
The Shield Hero quickly blocked the spear with his namesake. "For the last time, I'm not brainwashing anyone!"
"If what he's saying is true, then we're as good as fucked in the next wave," The Dragonoid said, his mind racing as he recalled what Fitoria had warned them.
"'If even a single Cardinal Hero is missing, then fighting off a wave becomes almost impossible.'"
"Listen here, Motoyasu," Naofumi stated firmly, pushing the Spear Hero away from him. "I want to make it clear that I had nothing to do with the deaths of Ren or Itsuki. What possible motive could I have for killing them?"
Motoyasu began to respond but was interrupted by the Magic Hero. "Hey, Fuckhead!" Balthasar called out, catching Motoyasu's attention. "Did you actually witness their deaths firsthand?"
Motoyasu's expression softened as he shook his head. "No, I didn't."
"Then how can you be so certain that..." Balthasar's voice trailed off as he was cut off by a voice that instantly filled him with anger.
"Allow me to clarify," Princess Malty said smugly as she and the rest of Motoyasu's party approached the Spear Hero. "A member of the Church informed Sir Motoyasu that the Devil of the Shield had released a monster that was sealed in the center of town." Her grin grew wider as she finished her statement. "Then, he and the Magic Demon used the resulting chaos to kill both the Sword and Bow Heroes."
Before she could continue, the Princess was startled by a sudden yelp and had to duck to avoid a blade of wind. All eyes turned to the Dragonoid who had wind magic swirling around his staff.
"Balthasar!" Lily called out in surprise.
"After everything that woman has done to us, how could I not?" Balthasar exclaimed, his frustration palpable. He pivoted back to face Spear Hero and his party, his tone seething with anger. "And every word that comes out of her mouth is complete bullshit."
The Princess scowled at Balthasar's words, but her expression only made the Dragonoid grin wider. "Idol released that monster when the Sword and Bow Heroes were nowhere near us," she retorted.
Malty took advantage of the moment, warning Spear Hero, "Be careful of Naofumi's Brainwashing Shield and the Magic Hero's hypnotic magic. Don't let the Devil and his Demon deceive you with their words."
But Spear Hero was resolute. "You have nothing to worry about, Myne. I won't be fooled by their lies," he declared, his eyes narrowing on the heroes.
Naofumi let out a frustrated sigh, his irritation palpable. "I can't figure out why she's always like this," he muttered.
Balthasar interjected, his voice laced with animosity. "Probably because she's a complete bitch," he snarled, loud enough for Malty to hear. "And from my experience, she's the reason why people end up dead."
Malty's face contorted with anger as she channeled magic through her hands. "That's the last time you speak to me like that!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the air.
A sphere of blue magic hovered in the air, growing in size until it exploded and formed a lightning cage around all three heroes and their parties.
Balthasar identified the spell with a quick glance. "That's a lightning cage spell," he observed.
Malty smirked, crossing her arms. "Very perceptive of you, Magic Demon," she taunted. "It's an impenetrable prison made of lightning that..."
Malty's smirk faltered as Balthasar continued speaking, much to her annoyance. "Which seals the target and caster inside until one of them can subdue the other," he explained before pointing his staff at the lightning cage and casting jammer magic.
"You've overlooked one major fact, Babycakes," he said before casting an anti-lightning cage spell.
The lightning cage surrounding them sparked out of control before exploding, leaving Malty staring at Balthasar with a mixture of anger and shock.
"I am the Cardinal Hero of Mother Fucking Magic," Balthasar declared, pointing his staff at her. "Wanna try again... Bitch?"
Motoyasu charged towards Naofumi, his spear at the ready, determined to avenge the deaths of Ren and Itsuki.
"Motoyasu, please calm down and think this through!" Naofumi pleaded, using his shield to deflect the incoming spear. "Are you going to believe everything they say without verifying it?"
"I don't need to," Motoyasu retorted, raising his spear once more. "I trust my friends enough to take them at their word."
But Balthasar interjected, "Can't speak for your other cheerleaders, but that Bitch of a Princess can't be trusted." He canceled out another one of Malty's spells.
"Stop calling me that!" Myne shouted, raising her hand to call forth her magic.
As the Spear Hero charged at Naofumi, he couldn't help but think that Balthasar might be right. Despite his arguments, Motoyasu seemed to be under the spell of the conniving Malty, making it nearly impossible for Naofumi to get through to him.
As he deftly blocked the incoming strike and kicked the Spear Hero away, Naofumi realized that he needed to take drastic measures to restrain Motoyasu before attempting to reason with him.
Summoning all his strength, Naofumi created a ball of interlocking shields and chains that encased the Spear Hero. But his victory was short-lived, as Motoyasu effortlessly broke out of the Shield Prison in a matter of seconds.
Grimly assessing the situation, Naofumi turned to his waiting party and gave the command to attack. However, before they could even make a move, Malty and her allies stepped in to block their way.
Undeterred, Naofumi summoned his strongest monster, Filo, to take on the opposing forces. But just as the battle was about to begin, Balthasar spoke up, warning them of his formidable magical abilities.
"Be careful," Balthasar cautioned, as he raised his staff and summoned a swirling mass of powerful magic elements. "I can counter any spell you throw at me."
Both mages charged toward the Magic Hero with fierce determination. However, just as they were about ten feet away from him, they suddenly split off in two different directions, making it difficult for Balthasar to keep track of them both.
Despite his best efforts, Balthasar was unable to keep his eye on the two of them at once, allowing one of them to fire off a spell while he was distracted by the other.
Meanwhile, Malty took the opportunity to glance over at Filo, who had shifted into her Filolial Form. With a wicked gleam in her eye, she began to chant a spell, channeling her magic into the creature.
As she spoke the words, "As source of thy power and as the next queen I order thee," Naofumi couldn't help but roll his eyes at the pretentiousness of Malty's incantation.
"Seriously?" he questioned, his incredulity clear in his voice. "How much more pretentious can a spell incantation get?"
With a mad grin on her face, the princess raised her hand towards the ever-growing ball of fire and chanted, "Decipher the laws of creation and bring down a rain of fire that will consume all of my targets!"
Zweite Fire Squall!
The massive sphere erupted, unleashing hundreds of fiery projectiles aimed straight at Naofumi and Balthasar's party. But just before the flames could engulf them, Melty rushed to Filo's side and cast a spell of her own.
"As the source of thy power, I order thee to nullify the rain of fire and keep my target safe from its flames," she intoned, as water began to flow around her hand.
"Anti-Zweite Fire Squall!"
Melty's water spell sprang into action, intercepting the fire magic and creating a swirling wall of water that snuffed out the flames before they could do any harm.
"Take Motoyasu down, Filo!" Naofumi commanded his trusty filolial.
Without hesitation, Filo charged toward Motoyasu, intending to send him flying with her usual powerful kicks. However, the Spear Hero was ready for her and deftly blocked her attack with his spear. But Filo was not one to be deterred. She spun around and hit him with the back of her foot, determined to take him down.
"I don't want to fight you, Filo, but I will if I must," Motoyasu pleaded with the filolial queen, but she simply glared at him and continued her pursuit.
As Filo launched herself into the air, talons poised to strike the Spear Hero, Motoyasu blocked her attack once again. But the force of her weight caused him to drop down to one knee, leaving him vulnerable.
Just as Filo was about to deliver the finishing blow, however, Malty intervened with another fire spell, determined to protect her ally.
"Don't even think about it, you tub of lard!" Malty shouted, pointing both hands at the filolial.
"Zweite Fire Arrow!" she incanted, unleashing a powerful stream of flames directly at Filo.
Filo didn't hesitate even for a moment, shrinking down to her human form just in time to avoid the searing flames of Malty's spell. As the blast passed harmlessly over her head, she quickly regained her footing and prepared to continue the fight.
But before she could even make a move, Motoyasu knocked her away from him with a swift blow from his spear. As his weapon began to glow red, the Spear Hero quickly apologized to Filo before activating one of his skills.
"Chaos Spear!"
A barrage of rapid thrusts was sent hurtling toward the Filolial Queen, but she was quick to react, dodging and weaving through the barrage with ease.
Just as Motoyasu was about to launch another attack, however, Emiko stepped in, taking on her fox form and summoning a wall of fire with her powerful magic.
"Zweite Inferno!" she incanted, as the flames roared to life, separating Motoyasu from Filo.
As the nine-tailed kitsune stood before the Spear Hero, growling menacingly with the fur on her tails standing on end, Motoyasu readied his spear, sneering at the creature before him.
"You, on the other hand," he sneered, "are fair game for my wrath."
Motoyasu began to activate one of his skills as he chased after the Kitsune. However, the moment he closed in on the fox, Naofumi crashed through the wall of flames and deflected the Spear Hero's weapon, shielding the Magic Hero's beloved Kitsune.
"I won't let you lay a finger on Filo or Emiko," Naofumi declared, brandishing his shield.
Before Motoyasu could retaliate, the two party members battling Balthasar were flung at his feet.
"For a pair of magic users," the Dragonoid remarked, stepping alongside the Shield Hero and extinguishing the flames from Emiko's spell. "They should have realized that strategy wouldn't work for long." The Magic Hero then turned to the rest of his party and signaled to them. "Gray, Lily, draw your swords."
Both Demi-humans unsheathed their weapons and joined their comrades. "Face it, Spear Fucker," Balthasar said with a grin, gesturing to both parties. "You're outnumbered, outmatched, and outclassed in every sense of the word." Fire magic swirled around the Magic Hero's jewel as he chuckled. "In short, you lot are screwed."
"Sir Motoyasu, let's use it!" The princess called out as the other two party members rose to their feet and stood by her side.
"You're right, Myne," Motoyasu agreed, raising his spear as the three girls began casting spells.
"Zweite Fire!"
"Zweite Airshot!"
The three spells converged on the head of Motoyasu's spear, and the Spear Hero wore a smug expression on his face.
"Behold our combo skill, using wind, fire, and my spear," Motoyasu boasted, pointing his weapon at the two heroes. "Now take this!"
"Airburst Flare Lance!"
The skill unleashed a fiery and windy torrent in the shape of a crimson spear. Naofumi and Balthasar summoned their strongest defensive shields and barriers to counter the combo skill. However, to their dismay, Motoyasu's skill proved stronger than expected and caused damage to both heroes' hit points (HP).
Motoyasu fired the same skill again, much to the Dragonoid's annoyance. "Great, now he's just going to spam that move until his skill points drop," Balthasar growled as he suffered another hit from the skill.
However, the unexpected move from the Second Princess left Myne in a state of shock and disbelief. "M...Melty?" she stammered, staring at her younger sister in amazement.
"Are you guys alright?" Raphtalia inquired, concerned for her allies' well-being. Naofumi received a notification on his status screen, revealing a combo skill that he and Raphtalia could perform.
"That's a combo skill?" Naofumi asked, turning to the Raccoon Demi-Human. "Raphtalia, we can do what they just did."
"Then let's do it, Master Naofumi," Raphtalia declared, unsheathing her sword.
At the same moment, Balthasar also received a notification, but instead of a skill, it was a spell. Judging from the Dragonoid's smirk, it was a powerful one. The Magic Hero gathered Emiko, Lily, Filo, and Melty and shared his plan with them, while Gray assisted Raphtalia in executing Naofumi's skill.
"Raphtalia, Gray," Motoyasu taunted the Demi-Humans. "If you two keep siding with Naofumi, I won't show either of you mercy."
"Like you could even beat us," Gray countered, a cocky grin on his face as he and Raphtalia charged forward, swords raised.
"Hide Mirage!" the two Demi-Humans shouted in unison, their bodies starting to fade away.
"Mirage Shield," Motoyasu countered, summoning his Air Strike Shield between himself and the Demi-Humans. "Now, change shield."
The Shield flickered from a transparent green to a ghostly white, sporting a fanged grin and three red eyes. Gray and Raphtalia lunged at the Shield, their swords clashing against its hardened surface and forcing its maw open. The Shield clamped down on the Spear Hero, draining his skill points which flowed straight into Naofumi's core. Motoyasu managed to slip away, but his skill points had already vanished.
Defiant, Motoyasu charged after Naofumi, bellowing, "Fine, take my skill points! I won't need any skills to defeat the likes of you!"
But before he could strike, Gray stepped in, halting Motoyasu's spear with his sword. "Surprise!" he exclaimed, gesturing towards the Spear Hero's party.
Myne let out a piercing scream as Raphtalia stepped forward, her Mana sword at the ready. Malty seethed with anger as she felt her magic power drain away. "How dare you strike me," she growled, her venomous gaze fixed on Raphtalia. "You filthy Demi-Human!"
"Hey, Princess Bitch!" Balthasar hollered, beckoning Raphtalia and Gray to return to their side. "These people are just like you and me."
"Naofumi, I'm not done with you!" Motoyasu moved to strike down the Shield Hero only to find thick vines bound to his body.
Motoyasu lunged towards Naofumi, intent on taking him down, but found himself ensnared by thick vines. "Vine Snare," the Dragonoid declared, standing tall behind Filo, Lily, Emiko, and Melty. "Very useful for restraining cocky, entitled little shits. Light 'em up, ladies."
"As the source of thy power, we order thee to decipher the laws of nature..." The five spoke in perfect unison, their voices reverberating with authority.
Filo stepped forward, her hands raised high, and summoned a mighty wind that howled through the air. "Let a tempest be unleashed, a wind that will shake the very foundations of the earth," she declared, her eyes blazing with power.
The second princess joined her, her voice clear and strong as she summoned a deluge of rain that pounded against the ground. "Let the heavens open up and pour down upon our enemies, a torrent of water that will wash them away," she proclaimed, her magic crackling with an intense energy.
Emiko followed suit, her hands ablaze with fire as she conjured a raging inferno. "Let our enemies be consumed by the flames, a fire that no one can escape," she declared, her eyes flashing with unwavering determination.
Lily stepped forward, the air around her growing colder and colder as she called forth a blanket of ice. "Let the ground be covered in a frozen wasteland, a never-ending winter that will endure for all time," she intoned, her voice echoing through the air with an icy edge.
And finally, Balthasar raised his staff, his eyes alight with lightning as he summoned forth a storm that crackled and roared. "Let the skies be shrouded in darkness, a tempest that will tear the world asunder," he proclaimed, his voice ringing out with a commanding power that shook the very ground beneath their feet.
As the five joined together, their magic circles pulsed with a brilliant otherworldly energy, merging into a larger spell circle of unparalleled power. "Let a catastrophic force be unleashed, one that will wipe out our enemies once and for all," they intoned, their voices rising to a deafening crescendo as the magic surged through their bodies.
And then, as they spoke the final words of the incantation, an explosion of raw elemental force erupted from the circle. The ground shook violently as the very air crackled with energy, and a deafening roar filled the air.
"Ragnarök!" they cried out in unison, their voices echoing across the land.
The resulting explosion was a cataclysmic event, a tempestuous display of elemental power that ravaged the battlefield and left nothing but destruction in its wake. It was a demonstration of magical prowess that would be spoken of for generations to come, a testament to the sheer strength of those who could wield it to its fullest extent.
In an instant, the entire world was transformed. The ground beneath their feet froze solid, the sky split with thunder and lightning, and the earth itself erupted into a seething inferno. Flames leapt high into the air, spewing molten lava in all directions, while a deluge of water and wind merged with the other elements, creating a maelstrom of devastation that tore through the battlefield like a hurricane.
The magical blast struck Motoyasu and his party with unyielding force, hurling them through the air like helpless rag dolls. They tumbled helplessly through the chaotic storm of elements, utterly powerless to withstand the ferocity of the onslaught.
And then, just as abruptly as it had begun, the spell erupted in a blinding flash of light, hurling the elements of the attack in every direction. And as the dust settled, the four lay motionless on the ground, their bodies shattered and bloodied, charred and seared beyond recognition.
"Best damn spell ever!" The Dragonoid bellowed in excitement.
"It's certainly powerful," Lilian acknowledged before drawing the Magic Hero's attention to something. "But it came at a great cost. We've nearly exhausted all of our magic reserves to cast it."
"Agreed. It's time to shelve that one for a while," Balthasar concurred before approaching the princess. "How does it feel to get a taste of your own medicine, Your Highness?"
"Stay...away...from her," Motoyasu growled weakly as he struggled to his feet.
Tauntingly, the Dragonoid kicked Motoyasu to the ground and sneered, "And what will you do about it, Spear Douche? She still needs to pay for what she's done to me and my party," revealing his malicious intent.
Gray, the Magic Hero's brother, interjected, sensing that something was amiss. Raphtalia shared his uncertainty, adding, 'We're all the guards go.'
As they surveyed their surroundings, the entire area appeared deserted except for the heroes and their parties. The sudden realization dawned upon them that they were alone and vulnerable. Acting swiftly, Filo and Emiko transformed and started herding everyone together.
"Master, bring up the Dark Shield quickly, and as many other shields as you can," Filo exclaimed in a panic. "Otherwise, we're all going to die."
In a desperate attempt to save them all, Balthasar took a blue potion from his staff's inventory and hastily drank it down, restoring over half of the hero's Magic Points.
"Everyone, get as close as you can," Balthasar commanded, pointing his staff upwards.
The Dragonoid's spell, 'Divine Barrier,' enveloped the heroes and their parties in a bright yellow shield. Sensing the impending danger, Naofumi quickly shifted to his Rage Shield and covered everyone in his 'Shield Prison' skill.
Noticing the concern and worry of their mounts, Balthasar alerted Naofumi, saying, "Hey, Naofumi, I don't think we should get stingy with our magic and skills."
Balthasar then cast another barrier spell, 'Mirror Force,' to fortify their defenses. Naofumi recognized the spell, but before he could comment, the Magic Hero interrupted, "Less talk and more defense."
Turning to Emiko, the Magic Hero asked, 'Where is it coming from?'
"Above us!" Emiko and Filo's synchronized screams sent chills down the heroes' spines as they braced themselves for the imminent danger.
The Shield Hero quickly activated his 'Air Strike Shield' skill, followed by his 'Second Shield' skill, while the others prepared for the incoming attack.
Malty, as usual, questioned their actions in a condescending tone that irritated the Magic Hero.
"Can you, for once, keep your mouth shut and let us save your sorry behinds?" Balthasar snapped, his frustration mounting as his 'Mirror Force' spell shattered like glass. "Oh, no..."
The Dragonoid's eyes widened in shock as he watched his magic points plummet at an alarming rate. Even his powerful 'Divine Barrier' spell failed to last more than thirty seconds before his mana was completely depleted.
Naofumi stood alone to defend his companions, relying on his 'Air Strike Shield' to withstand the attack. Though it lasted longer than Balthasar's magic, it too shattered under the immense force of the blast. His 'Second Shield' fared even worse and lasted only a fraction of the first one. The impact of the blast shook the Shield Prison violently, causing screams of terror to erupt from its inhabitants. Unfortunately, like Balthasar's magic and Naofumi's skills, the Shield Prison eventually shattered.
With lightning-fast reflexes, Naofumi used his Rage Shield and willingly absorbed the full force of the massive attack. He braced himself for the head-on collision, determined to protect his companions at all costs.
As the blast subsided, Naofumi fell to the ground, completely drained of energy. His companions gathered around him, all staring in disbelief at the destruction caused by the attack. Fear was etched on their faces as they gazed into the giant crater that had been created.
Naofumi struggled to catch his breath as he asked, "Is everyone okay?"
"I think so," replied the Dragonoid as he produced several mana and health potions from his inventory. "I'm grateful to be fighting alongside the Shield Hero in times like these."
Motoyasu looked at the Magic Hero and demanded, "What the hell was that? Was that one of your spells?"
Balthasar scoffed, "If I had a spell that destructive, I would have used it on that bitch of a prince..." He stopped mid-sentence as he noticed the expression on the princess's face.
"No way...That power," Myne muttered under her breath. "No...It couldn't be."
Balthasar tightened his grip on the princess's arm, demanding an answer. "You know what caused this," he growled.
Before the Magic Hero could force the truth out of her, a slow clap echoed through the air. All heads turned towards the beginning of the crater where they saw the Pope's smiling face.
"Nevermind, I think we're about to find out," the Dragonoid growled, his eyes never leaving the Pope's smug expression.
Finally. Finally. Finally!
I have finally returned. Now I know this took WAY longer than it should have, and for that, I am very sorry. I honestly can't apologize enough for the long time I made you all wait, however, I hope this chapter can make up for it.
Next time
The Apostle of God
Battle with the Pope