"Talking"
"Thinking"
[Status Magic or other reference to a system or power]
…
"And maybe they can comfort you too? Freeing you of this self-imposed hell."
She eventually left to sleep and Naofumi did the same, for tomorrow was war.
...
The following morning was all seriousness and anxiety. Naofumi made a quick breakfast and tried to help everyone's nerves. Teal and Melty were visibly nervous, Raphtalia and Monti seemed unfazed at all, Leon and Eclair seemed to cope by focusing on something, and Filo was... Filo. She was acting like it was any other day, which helped everyone's nerves.
As they got ready and reequipped their weapons and readied their potions, Naofumi felt he had to say something. He'd been failing at it lately, but he wouldn't now. He was not blind to his role, as both the shield hero and the head of this family.
"Listen up. We are about to face a lot of crap..., but we are stronger than ever. Communication stays up, keep everyone updated as best as you can. I want to make everyone clear of something, though... I want these guy beaten, but not at the cost of your lives. I can summon you back to me, in the worst case scenario we return here or an hourglass with my [Portal Shield]. I don't want to do that because it'll spell doom for many others, but I already made this decision before... You are all worth more than Melromarc to me."
He paused a moment, the words reassured some, but Melty and Eclair's expressions weren't as relieved as the others.
"That said, I know none of you want to run away like we did before. The church and lords want to hurt everyone who is nice to us or demi-humans, they would kill Erhart, the witch, Van, Lerno and Lute village and countless more. The heroes will be there too. They humiliated us, attacked us, destroyed our home, called us a 'fake family' and tried to kill some of us... Let's show all of them!" Naofumi channeled his strong anger in as positive a manner as he could as the party got pumped.
"Are you ready?" Fitoria asked, unaffected by the little speech.
"Yes." he confirmed.
She teleported them to the location Naofumi requested and he confirmed it with his map abilities. They were about to do the riskiest thing they've ever done. Naofumi turned to thank Fitoria, only to see a small wooden cart and Fitoria leaving.
"I expect great things of you, Naofumi." Fitoria said before teleporting away.
"..." She left before he could thank her properly.
Naofumi saved the place they were at right now as a save spot.
"Let's do this." Naofumi motioned to the others to get in the cart as he put the harness on Filo.
They rode slowly down the road. They knew they were somewhere between them and the border. After a bit, they started to think that maybe the enemy knew more than they were led to believe. The border was nearly in sight and-
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
Naofumi looked to his map and saw nothing. "What the hell?"
"Filo! Go off road, now!" Naofumi yelled.
Filo was already doing that before Naofumi gave the order. Every member of the family sensed the attack.
[Judgement]
Suddenly, a blinding light broke through the sky and for a moment joined heaven and earth. The light burned the air and ground all the same as nothing escaped its brilliance. The noise conquered all others as no one could hear a thing. It expanded slowly covering a wider area for a moment before beginning to recede. When the attack began to fade, the thunderous sound they had somehow been spared thus far came in to shake them to their core.
The attack had missed them by only 30 feet or so with Filo running full speed, but the cart was heavily burnt and thrown to the other side of Filo by the heat and shockwave, breaking the back wheels and axel entirely and nearly throwing them from the cart. Filo herself was pushed back another 10 feet, but dug her talons into the earth as to not be moved farther. The climate control potion along with Filo's stats left her unharmed by the spell. They looked back at the ruined ground in awe and terror. This was what their enemy was capable of?
One after another, Naofumi was alerted of enemy signatures entering his detection range.
"How unfortunate that you dodged the spell. It would have ended this all quickly and spared you all of any suffering. I should have known that the devil would make us work for peace." Came Balmus' voice.
Naofumi and the others looked past the section of road that was now turned to heated rock and crudely formed glass to the force that stood before them. They saw the pope, Biscas T. Balmus at the front of the growing force. Right behind him were five others in fancy white robes, those would be the church officials just below the pope, the archbishops.
"Even if they were struck directly, the shield devil would have likely lived. His stubbornness is his power, after all." The calm official corrected.
Catching up behind them were some powerful looking older people, Naofumi recognized two of them as that Wagner fuck and lord Wymarc, the king's adviser. That meant these were the greater lords.
"I heard you lot killed Idol, correct? I'll grant most of you a painless death as a reward..., but I'll be taking you." Lord Veramir finished, pointing to Raphtalia.
"So you really were the savior of the heavenly fowl!? Looks like I get your bird in the end haha-"
"No, you don't!" Came a well-known voice to stop him.
Making their way to the front was the three heroes and their parties. Motoyasu being the one to deny lord Wagner any ownership of Filo. They stared down Naofumi, beyond confident with an army at their back.
"You don't escape this time, Naofumi. We will right your wrongs." Itsuki declared.
Naofumi was intimidated by the combined force, but internally he was beyond happy. The heroes were out in front and their plan could begin in earnest.
"You will not escape this, devil. Do you wish to plead in your final moments?" Balmus asked smugly.
Naofumi grinned, throwing the enemy off.
"I beg to see you fossils keep up. Filo!" Naofumi yelled.
Before Filo even began to run, the heroes and their parties were giving chase. The back of the cart created a lot of drag for Filo, but even still she didn't go at her full speed. They wanted the heroes to slowly gain on them.
"Your holiness, should we pursue?" One official asked.
"Leisurely. Let those three be useful at least once before they die." Balmus instructed.
"Everyone spread out wide, heavy flanks, form horns!" Lord Wymarc ordered loudly.
The other lords ordered that their men do the same. The soldiers and mercenaries formed a guard around the church clerics on three sides with the most powerful people guarding the front side.
...
The chase
...
The party felt they couldn't go much farther. The cart was about to fall to pieces and Naofumi needed to reengage the main forces without them coming to help or hurt the other heroes. He needed Itsuki to get closer, he was too far back.
"So I guess my trick last time means you can't read minds after all? Not future sight either? What kind of shitty psych-"
[Blink Arrow] Itsuki was reliable in his predictability. He shot the arrow far ahead of the cart.
"Now!" Naofumi shouted, throwing Teal one of her pots.
Teal grew her sword then leapt off and hit Motoyasu with a [Autumn Blow], one that had been charging for 9 hours. The attack launched him to the right of the road towards a forest at great speed. She then raced off to where he'd land.
Leon shot off to the right, only to turn leftward and use his fire magic like a thruster to grab Ren by the arm and collar and propel them both off to the left side towards a large open field.
Filo changed to human form to drop her harness and prepared [High Quick]. She waited to see what Itsuki did. When his arrow hit the road ahead of her, he appeared at the location. Filo didn't question it as she shot off at him planting a huge kick into his chest, dealing her double damage and pushing them both away.
Raphtalia used [All Hide Mirage] on the remaining five of them and they began to run back towards the army.
Naofumi gave the other three an order, "Win if you can, but don't you dare die! Just say something and I'll pull you back." Naofumi was gravely serious.
The kids would hope not to anger their father, but they all resolved not to retreat. They would do their job and be of service to the family.
Naofumi and the others passed the still approaching parties of the three heroes who couldn't keep up. They hated not engaging them, because that would create more pressure on the others, but the army and church was the bigger target. Their invisibility dropped just after passing them, allowing Malty to spot them.
She didn't even hesitate. Without Motoyasu around to explain herself to and only her other fellow party members as witnesses, she felt she could get away with anything. She began to chant her spell as she took aim.
[Zweite Fire Arrow]
Melty had heard her voice and began chanting as well. Right before she was done chanting, she turned around and launched her own spell.
[Zweite Aqua Shot]
The two spells collided and Malty was shocked to see that her spell lost by a lot. The remainder of Melty's spell hit Malty dead center and sent her tumbling back. She was in a constant state of falling backwards for 15 feet or so before she came to a stop. She shot to her feet in anger and confusion, looking to where Melty was.
She had continued moving with the others the moment the spell was cast, knowing her level 41 water spell was going to beat Malty's level 63 fire spell.
Malty considered following Motoyasu still, but she also wanted to ensure that Melty was eliminated. She concluded that an army was more than enough to handle Melty and ran after the other party members. While anyone could kill Melty, only she could order Motoyasu around.
Naofumi and the other saw the army in the distance, but-
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
Naofumi saw it was coming from high above again. He switched to the [Wrath Shield] without a second thought. He admitted that the shield still tried to take his mind over, it was even harder to fight off this time than last time. Which was concerning when he considered that Fitoria supposedly dampened its ability to do just that. The welcome and warm grip of Raphtalia's hand on his shoulder was all he needed to pull himself together.
He layered 2 [Air Strike Shield] above them, then surrounded them with a [Shield Prison].
[Judgement]
The light came down with an unnatural force. Everyone other than Naofumi could only guess as to the closeness of the struggle as the [Shield Prison] rattled, showing those inside that light was the only thing outside the cage. The first [Air Strike Shield] broke to the force of the spell and the shaking around the cage intensified. The second [Air Strike Shield] broke after a moment and again, the cage was now rattling so fast they couldn't hear anything else. Just as the cage was beginning to break, the spell had ended.
Naofumi had blocked the spell completely.
They were now at the center of the aftermath, sunken into a crater surrounded by burnt stone.
"It seems you were right, Kalbur. The shield devil can indeed survive [Judgement]. If that is the case, I will strike him down personally." Proclaimed Balmus. "With me." Balmus ordered.
Balmus and his five officials advanced forward.
"Oi! You can't leave us out of this! Some of us only came here for a fight!" Lord Averill complained.
He, along with lord Wagner and lord Veramir also advanced. With them, the large military force began to move forward. Naofumi wondered how he was going to stall all these people until the others arrived.
"No one under level 30 is to approach them. The shield devil is not defenseless. We can't waste men needlessly" Lord Wymarc ordered.
"Shield hero, run! Why did you not retreat already!?" Lord Wymarc could do only so much to help Naofumi without revealing his allegiance.
"As always, you are right. Only those of sufficient strength should fight. Fortunately, we are not short on strength." lady Grimwald said, ushering to her 40 elite solders mounted on tyrella.
They moved along each side of the newly formed crater, trying to surround them.
[Chain Lightning]
Monti struck the leading rider on the right side and the spell traveled between the men and their mounts, hitting everyone in that side, but not one of them fell. It did, however, keep them at bay long enough for Naofumi and the others to act.
They began running to the right, up the crater, wanting to avoid being surrounded in such a compromising position.
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
Naofumi turned to see another lord launching at him at high speed, it was lord Langiva. The man positioned his glaive out front and readied for impact. Naofumi barely had the time to move between him and Melty. He never imagined someone here would have speed comparable to Filo. He used [Parry] to intercept the attack. No matter the speed, though, Naofumi was the shield hero and doubled defense for one second meant the attack never could have succeeded. The man tried to continue past Naofumi, but the repelling effect of Naofumi's skill reversed the man's momentum and created distance between them as they attempted to crest the hill.
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
Next came lord Wagner's morning star head barreling towards the whole party. An [Air Strike Shield] blocked the attack, but Naofumi noted that it nearly cracked the barrier. No sooner was the attack thwarted did lord Wagner reel his weapon back to him in a single motion.
"Tsk. So he can block my strikes at this range?" Lord Wagner said in annoyance.
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
Lord Wagner's son, Eadwig, as well as lady Grimwald threw knives at them just as they topped the crater. Half of them were coated in poison, the other half heated to red hot. Raphtalia used [Light Shield] to block the attack, having started the chant before lord Wagner's weapon was blocked. It easily blocked the attack, but before they hit the barrier, the heat caused the poison of the other knives to vaporize and explode. All these attacks were so strong, being hit by any of them would deal more than a little damage.
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
Lord Langiva came back for more, racing up the crater, glaive held far out to the side. While he readied a wide sweep, another attacker revealed themselves, lord Veramir. He had struck the ground beneath him to launch himself in the air and came down on the party. Raphtalia and Eclair both catching his greatsword with their own swords. Lord Veramir allowed their attack clash to push him back so he could try his next attack from the ground.
Monti's tail shot pass Naofumi and caught lord Langiva's glaive. Monti wrapped his tail around the weapon and went to throw it away and its wielder if he foolishly held on. He was surprised that the lord channeled lightning magic through his weapon in an attempt to stun Monti, but it was lightning magic, so he shrugged it off as he threw the man.
Veramir went to trade blows with Eclair, but something caught his eye. He quickly chose Raphtalia as his target instead.
"Don't worry, I won't kill you." Veramir said to Raphtalia.
He leapt at Raphtalia, looking like he was going for a downward strike, but it was a ruse. His real aim was to intercept the thrown Langiva and use his greatsword as a place to catch his feet. They both seemed to understand what they were doing and Langiva softened his landing on the blade while Veramir readied his swing. Veramir twisted his upper and lower body to somewhat turn in mid-air and swing his sword at Eclair while Veramir jumped off the sword. Their combined force shot Langiva at blinding speed and struck Eclair, who blocked the attack, but the force brought her to the ground and slid several feet from the rest of them.
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
Lord Wagner, Eadwig, lady Grimwald, one of her closest mounted knights all attacked the party again. The fifth alert was form Kalbur leading the other Archbishops in a cooperative magic, light was rushing towards Naofumi. A few mounted knights went to strike the downed Eclair as well.
"Shit! They won't give me a moment to catch my breath!"
Naofumi used [knock knock] to bring Eclair to his side, then used [Shield Prison] on them. Once it was up, they were bombarded. Naofumi quickly explained something to the others while the attacks kept coming.
Before the cage could be timed out, lord Averill came down on the cage with a single punch, destroying it completely..., but they weren't there. They used Naofumi's new [Security] to walk out of the cage. That was done because Naofumi anticipated that the moment the cage timed out, they'd all attack at once, but destroying it and with just a punch?
[Zweite Squall]
Melty caused it to begin raining on the army. It dealt no damage and was met mostly with laughs.
"Slowing the foot soldiers gains you nothing, princess. Even Grimy's men are mounted, you gain nothing. Haha-" lord Wagner chastised.
"No, fools! That other one uses lightning!" Kalbur barked.
[Blightning]
Monti shot off the largest bolt he could loop it to and struck the wet ground. Using the water, the spell spread much farther, hitting far more people, but very few important people. Lords Langiva and Veramir struck their weapons in the earth and stood on them. Langiva sent out a counter pulse to keep himself from being hit, Veramir's greatsword simply overpowered the lightning with its natural curse. Lady Grimwald and Eadwig stepped near lord Wagner, who spun his mace above his head and used magic to create a veil of wind, cutting off the lighting. The High ranking church members were all protected by the angry official who used [Anti-lighting] around them.
This left only lords Averill and Wymarc taking any damage.
Naofumi was really wishing the reinforcements were here already.
"Nice spells for a couple of kids... My turn!" Lord Averill threatened.
He began chanting as he took the cap off his drinking pouch. Just as he finished he took a deep drink of alcohol... then breathed fire as bright as Leon's.
[Zweite Drake's Rebuke]
The flame was wide and fast, Melty didn't have the time to cast a water spell in response and even if she did, the fire was mixed with a real flammable substance which made it more resistant to water. Naofumi switched to the [Soul Eater Shield] and blocked the attack, gaining him some mana back. He saw that the heat of the attack evaporated most of the water around their immediate area.
More attacks came after that, Veramir and Langiva both went to attack Naofumi, but Naofumi didn't receive a prophecy which meant-
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
Lord Wagner's mace came again at Naofumi, which he had to block. Like Naofumi thought, the first two attacks were not meant for him as they both feinted and went around him. Veramir engaged Raphtalia, while Langiva attempted to strike Melty. Raphtalia surprised Veramir by matching him in both strength and speed for the most part and Veramir began to wonder how he was going to beat Raphtalia without ruining her looks. Eclair intercepted Langiva's strike and the two of them also began an exchange. Eclair had the skill, but Langiva certainly wasn't lacking, moreover he had speed that Eclair was having trouble with.
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
Lord Averill came at Naofumi before Wagner's weapon was pulled back. He was hoping the combined force would send Naofumi flying.
Monti, however, was done with all this. He swung his own fist back at him. While still in human form, Monti believed a full force punch after his class upgrade would tear the man's arm clean of. The two collided, creating a shockwave that struck the remaining water back into the air and caught everyone's attention.
"..."
Monti's face became one of shock as his punch was more or less even to Averill's own. Monti had been arrogant. Even though Naofumi had warned them several times, he thought that his new power wouldn't be challenged like this. He failed to understand that while he was absurdly strong for his level that these people were a higher level and also had uncommon talent to have reached this point.
"Yes! The vibration is great! Rattle my bones little beast!" Averill was made excited by Monti's strength.
He came at Monti with strike after strike, pushing the boy back more and more. Monti was too close to the others, if he tried using [Overdrive] to attempt to overpower Averill, he'd likely harm them and force them to separate further. He did his best to trade blows with the man, but Monti had no hand-to-hand skill. If it was just a contest of power, he might manage a win, but the man was clearly insanely skilled as he'd slip blow after blow past Monti's own. In less than 30 seconds, Monti's face was bloodied.
Monti even tried to add his tail in a few times, nothing. The man was able to read Monti's movements easily and was able to start dodging Monti's weapon-paired stinger before it came near him. Monti was going to lose, he-
[Zweite Aqua Slash]
Melty struck Averill while he was focused on Monti and made him bleed. He seemed livid that someone interrupted his fun.
"Now's my chance!" Monti screamed internally.
[Blightning]
Monti hit the man at point blank range, then struck his tail into the earth firmly. He used his tail like an arm and his body as the fist as he wound back and hit Averill hard, pushing him back.
Seeing this, Naofumi used [Air Strike Shield] to separate Raphtalia and Eclair from their opponents then used [All fast Heal] on the party..., but it did nothing. Grimwald saw what was happening and used [Anti-Heal] in response. Monti took a health potion, Melty took a mana potion, and Naofumi took a Sp potion.
The party was rather worried at this point. Veramir and Langiva seemed a good matched for Raphtalia and Eclair, Melty could fight a ranged enemy, but only as long as it stayed ranged. Monti could probably take any of them if he could use [Overdrive] except maybe Langiva because of his own lightning expertise. There were just too many of them and they worked well together, but worst of all things weren't even serious yet.
They soon would be.
"While I appreciate your enthusiasm, nobles of Melromarc... It is only fitting that I kill this devil, no?" Balmus spoke darkly, as someone handed him a weapon.
The atmosphere changed. Naofumi knew what that weapon was now, but knowing what it was did little to help the situation. The other nobles seemed like they were not going to argue for the most part. They also seemed to understand the power in Balmus' hands. Balmus held the sword with both hands and simply pointed it at Naofumi.
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
With no speaking a skill's name or chanting of a spell, a large white force shot from the weapon at high speeds. Naofumi positioned himself in front of the others and placed his shield out front. The force struck him, the forces struggled. Naofumi had little trouble at first, but it quickly proved too much as the power gloves could not compete. They were damaged heavily and lost the strength they added. With that, Naofumi was about to be thrown back, but everyone else placed a hand on Naofumi's back to help steady him. They weathered the attack this time.
"How am I supposed to protect everyone when they have this much power!? When they have these numbers!? We are going to need to retreat! I'll teleport back and we'll find the kids and run! I thought their class upgrades would be enough, but they just have too much!" Naofumi thought desperately.
Suddenly, earth came shooting up next to Naofumi, only Raphtalia was able to get to his side before the stone rose and formed a wall separating the group.
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
Averill rushed in with a smile and prepared an open palm. Monti, Melty and Eclair all dodged, but that was because they were not his target. He struck the newly made stone wall and broke the whole wall free of the ground and threw it into the crater, Naofumi and Raphtalia with it.
"Mom! Dad!" Monti felt like he failed. He should have stopped the attack instead of dodging.
"There you go, Balmus. You have your fun and I have mine." Averill offered with a smile.
"As expected of a lord, to come up with a way that we all get what we want. Thank you kindly, lord Averill." Balmus returned his smile.
Naofumi threw the wall off of him as he and Raphtalia returned to their feet. They were back in the crater. Monti went to approach and Naofumi yelled.
"Don't come down here! We'll come to you!" He screamed in anger at Monti.
Monti froze, Eclair placed a hand on his shoulder.
"He's right. He may be able to escape again, but not if he also has to worry about you."
"..." Monti shook in rage as Melty thought how best to fix their increasingly terrible situation.
The replica changed shape, changing from a sword into a spear. Balmus then raised it high in the air.
"You did well, given the circumstances, but now I must cleanse this world of you and in doing so, mark the beginning of Melromarc bright future!" Balmus exclaimed with fervor.
The spear tips began to shine brightly.
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
Naofumi knew that what was about to hit him was not something he could handle. He was getting angrier by the second as the unfairness of it all just festered. The desperation, Monti's bloodied face, Raphtalia's worried look, the other three kids who were all battling bravely. They were all trying and doing more than him and he was supposed to be the hero!
"Listen here, you stupid fucking shield! Do something! I have to save them! I have to win!" Naofumi screamed in rage aloud.
.
[Wrath Shield ll unlocked]
[Wrath Shield ll]
+25 def, + 25 mdef
[Unique Ability: Self Burning Curse] Upon something striking the shield, send out cursed flames to lash out on those around yourself.
[Ability: Burning Curse Up] Cursed flames become (moderate) in power.
[Ability: Unrelenting] Your curses are harder to remove
[Unique Ability: Strength Up] Physical strength increases based on def and level.
.
Naofumi switched to the shield and his mind was assaulted harder than before. He stumbled a moment. Raphtalia caught him and spoke to him.
"No one is gone and everyone is alright. We're all still here! So stay with me!" She called to him.
He heard her, but didn't show it. He wanted to hear her say words of comfort, he needed them.
[Brionac]
The light as bright as [Judgement] came at them from the spear's gem and raced towards them. Naofumi raised his shield up and Raphtalia helped hold Naofumi securely.
[Reflect]
Naofumi took the attack as he and Raphtalia were pushed back. They put everything they had into the attack and Naofumi lost more than a little Hp for his efforts. After a few seconds of being pushed back, though, they came to a stop.
"Wha...?" Balmus couldn't understand how this was possible.
"Rraaaggghhhh!" Naofumi and Raphtalia screamed as the ability shot off of the shield combined with the also triggered [Self Burning Curse].
One of the officials tackled Balmus to the ground, placing himself atop Balmus while two more placed several barriers above their group of six. The redirected attack and accompanying cursed fire rained down in every direction. The tyrella ran away against their riders' wishes. The normal clerics and soldiers were in a panic as a few larger sections of the light and fire struck at them. Monti's group and the lords completely disengaged to instead focus on dodging the hazards.
After a moment, everyone regrouped and Balmus was furious.
"How dare you!? Attacking my followers with your foul curses! Turning my power, meant only for the wicked, on the righteous! I will not allow either to happen again!" Balmus bellowed.
Understanding his meaning, the five archbishops began to chant. At hearing this, the many clerics collected themselves and added their own voices to the chant. As the chant reached its end, a hauntingly loud bell could be heard. The bell rang again, but louder and again.
[Cathedral]
A large building or dome was forming around the crater. Naofumi saw that whatever this ability was it was messing with his party system. Naofumi saw Filo, Teal, and Leon fade from his menu and for just a moment he thought the worst had happened. However, it also faded the information of Monti, Melty, and Eclair as well, which were still within his sights.
Monti panicked and acted against his father's orders and tried to reach the crater before the dome separated him from his parents. Eclair had a clearer mind and stopped him from doing so. Monti was beginning to cry, fighting Eclair off of him, seeing he wasn't going to make it in time. Naofumi locked eyes with Monti a moment and they both calmed. Naofumi said one thing to his son before the wall came down.
"Use it."
And now the party was split further. In a way that they could not retreat anymore. Naofumi could not only not see any party member other than Raphtalia, but also could not communicate or summon them either. He could not teleport as well. He watched as the cursed fire died instantly to the expanding holy effect now surrounding them.
"If Filo, Teal or Leon need to escape those three, I can't help them! If Monti can't keep Melty safe, I can't save them! If the reinforcements aren't enough or arrive too late, I can't save them!" Naofumi was beyond panicked.
"You have to do it, Monti, they've left us no choice." Naofumi said aloud in a low voice.
Raphtalia now understood what Naofumi and Monti planned.
"Come, beast, show me more of that power of yours." Averill challenged as he and the other lords began to gather up.
Monti let one of his minds cry and panic, but the other two focused. His tail shot out and grabbed both Melty and Eclair as he leapt into flying onto the top of the magically formed dome.
"What a pathetic attempt." Langiva chastised.
Langiva made it to the top of the first wall in a single jump, Grimwald and Eadwig doing the same. Wagner threw his mace-head hooking onto something and began to quickly climb the side. Once at the top, he lowered his weapon for Averill and Veramir to grab, but only Averill did so.
"What's wrong, Vera? Pouting that you lost a piece of ass? Grow up." Wagner chided.
"That's upsetting, but if the shield devil dies first, I may still get her... No, I'm not going up there because it's holy. My greatswords curse would be weakened... I'll stay down here with Al." Veramir said.
All the lords quickly climbed the construct to find Monti at its highest point.
"Just fly us away for now." Eclair suggested.
"Put on the ring." Monti told Melty.
She was confused, but did so without questioning it.
"Eclair, if you stick close to Melty you should be fine. If not... sorry." Monti said in a low voice.
"Oi! Stop running and fight me!" Averill demanded.
Monti spread his arms out to his sides as the swirls in his eyes began to spin. He stared down these people with anger and disgust.
"You attacked my family, for that, die!" Monti screamed.
He slammed his hands together in a loud clap, but the noise everyone heard was that of breaking glass.
[Wave of Catastrophe]
.
[Author's Notes]
No hero fights this chapter, next chapter? likely.
The kids have some battles soon, but the hero's parties will join as well at some point and they don't have an escape button.
Naofumi has [Wrath Shield ll] now, which is sad. In canon though, he gained [Wrath Shield lll] here, so he is still doing better than canon in terms of keeping his anger in check.
I am aware that [Cathedral] is anime only and was instead a combination of [Sanctuary] and [Castle Wall] in canon..., but [Cathedral] is cooler as a single spell, so I went with it.
Monti used it. Will Raphtalia forgive him?
Were you expecting this much of a struggle?
What is your opinion of the enemies now that they've shown a little of what they're made of?
Please leave a review!