Volume 9 Chapter 57 Thunder Vs Flame, Part Three
The Phoenix fell engulfed in flames.
"...No way."
Its burning wings, its beak spewing flames, everything was dyed in a deep red and crumbling away.
Tsukiko couldn't believe her eyes as she witnessed a spirit with such immense power being defeated in a single blow.
Leon glanced at his partner and then looked at Luiid across Silguera.
"What's the deal? I heard you can't use magic, but what's the logic behind it?"
"It's about not assuming that the information you have in a war will always be correct. Time is always flowing, the world is changing. I am also one of those who will eventually change."
A bright red light of magic power ran through Luiid's arm as he fired a fireball. It was an intense magic power that couldn't exist in a broken magic power circuit.
The density of the magic power was even higher than when facing Tsukiko. This means that not only has the amount of magic power increased, but the control has also significantly improved.
"I used the Demon Lord's arm as a catalyst to perform magic, surpassing the limits which caused my magic power circuit to collapse. However, strangely enough, as time passed, the catalyst that should have been a foreign object became familiar."
"So, you're saying you can use the magic power of the Demon Lord?"
"Well, who knows. Whether this is the magic power of that person, my own, what will happen in the future, I have no idea. The only thing that matters is that I have the power to surpass you. That's all."
Silguera growled, its muscles flaring with fiery vigor.
Leon's magic is the summoning of Pii-chan. When Pii-chan dies, his combat strength is practically nonexistent.
Nevertheless, Leon chuckled.
"Will you surpass me? You've grown bold, Jillzack Luiid."
"The outcome is decided. Burn, Spirit User."
Silguera raised four greatswords and brought them down.
Looking up at the flame sword that can even dry up a great river, Leon muttered,
"You didn't hear it, huh? Pii-chan is a phoenix."
──There is nothing born from ashes.
That was the incantation Luiid used in the past.
Yes, ashes symbolize the end. They are beings carried away by the winds of decay, disappearing.
However, there is one exception, a life born from ashes. Within the unchanging white, it emits a definite heat and light, crying out its first breath.
"Now, it's time for revenge."
Using ashes as a veil, the bird of light spreads its wings and takes flight.
It has a divine appearance, far from its previous chicken-like form, with its tail feathers sparkling like a rainbow. The reborn Pii-chan ascends straight to Silguera and clashes.
Fire is ineffective against the phoenix born from ashes.
The spear with wings pierced the monster.
That one strike shook heaven and earth, blowing away Tsukiko and the others who were crawling on the ground.
And then Pii-chan descended straight towards Leon.
Leon welcomed the intense heat that could even burn a magician with one hand.
"Spirit Armament - 'Holy Sword of Radiant Glory'"
It was too dazzling and beautiful to be called a weapon.
It was not a finished piece of art. It was the art of life that breathes second by second, creates flames, and changes its form.
But unmistakably, it was a weapon.
The golden handle, the single-edged blade resembling wings, the decorative feathers extending from the pommel - everything was for the sake of battle.
It was clear at a glance.
Under the falling embers like snow from the sky, Tsukiko and Luiid prepared themselves.
It was no longer the same battle as just a moment ago.
It was not a premonition but a certainty.
"I like that. I don't dislike that kind of thing."
Leon said so and disappeared from the scene.
At the same time, Tsukiko and Luiid also moved, activating magic.
Lightning danced, and hundreds of fire monsters rampaged.
Everything was torn apart by the Phoenix Sword.
Leon Hannes Bolz comes from a family of magicians who have served Julius since medieval times.
He didn't have any talent.
Just like his brothers, he was born with exceptional magic called 'Spirit Summoning', but the spirit he could summon was a fire-breathing chicken.
Leon spent his days as a dropout.
If he had any talent at all, it was his refusal to give up.
He honed his martial arts, improved his magic, and bowed to anyone to become stronger.
He never thought he had any talent. Even now, after defeating his brothers in a duel and becoming a true leader.
What he believed in was Pii-chan, who answered his summons.
The 'Holy Sword of Radiant Glory' wielded by Leon is the embodiment of the bond between those who trust and are trusted.
He defeats the Golden Thunder Spear head-on and cuts down the 'Red Servants' attacking from all sides.
He did so while keeping his distance, applying pressure with the rapid fire of 'Falling Sun,' and sweeping away the collapsed areas.
Tsukiko and Luiid both sustained injuries all over their bodies, and the flowing blood quickly evaporated.
"This is it, it's over!"
The sword that leaped up deflected the 'Golden Thunder Spear', lifting Tsukiko's upper body.
"──!?"
She tried to create a barrier with thunder magic, but it didn't amount to much against that.
Leon's sharpened thrust pierced through the barrier, penetrating the abdomen.
The wound was instantly cauterized, and no blood flowed.
"Heh... haa... haa..."
Tsukiko, looking dazed, could clearly hear the rough breath.
"It's surprising. I didn't expect that from someone like you."
Leon, who thrust the sword, said so.
Luiid, who had intervened between Tsukiko and Leon while gripping the sword piercing through himself with both hands, spat out blood-soaked words.
"I didn't intend to protect her or anything like that... I just wanted to give you a punch in the face."
While they were talking, magic power was draining from Luiid's body.
With no strength left to defend, his skin burned, his hair and clothes caught fire. And the eyepatch wrapped around his head burned off and fell.
"....Sissy..."
The prosthetic magic eyepiece under the eyepatch appeared and stared at Leon.
* * *
Jillzack Luiid was an unknown demon.
He lived in the northern demon residential area, where the snow was so deep that the ground was not visible throughout the year.
Although he had no title, he ruled as a fortress protecting the border from human invasions.
Luiid had a daughter.
Sissy Luiid, the beloved treasure left by his wife who passed away at a young age, just like her mother, found the extreme cold land uncomfortable.
No matter how many times he considered moving, it was always rejected by Sissy.
'Father is the guardian of this land. Mother would say the same.'
So, Luiid always kept the fireplace burning in the house to ensure she could stay warm.
"--Snap, crackle, pop. The fireplace glows bright. A warm, cozy fire on a chilly night. Swaying gently, oh, what a sight."
Listening to Sissy's singing on the sofa, spending time together was the ultimate joy for Luiid.
However, such small happiness was suddenly shattered.
The God-Demon War had begun.
Luiid had to leave home for a long time to defend the borderlands.
'It's okay, Father. I'll keep the fireplace warm every day and wait for your return.'
Sent off by Sissy's words, Luiid went to battle.
And then, he learned that a separate unit of humans had launched a surprise attack on his town.
Luiid abandoned his battlefield and rushed back to the town with all his might.
The white town protected by deep snow was burning red.
Magic doesn't follow any logical reasoning. Even if it's a snowy town or an underwater castle, it burns.
He knew that the best.
'────'
He called out his daughter's name.
By calling her name, he rescued her motionless body from the flames and wept.
Surely, Luiid broke at that moment.
He abandoned his warrior self, fixed the eyes of the girl who had shrunk in size with a magic prosthetic eye, and promised to visit the place once she recovered.
But fate once again thrust him into the battlefield.
He was chosen as a warrior in the Second God-Demon War.
At that moment, the smoldering fire of anger beneath the sorrow blazed up.
Earning the title 'Ashes,' he threw himself back into battle.
"Really, this is ridiculous..."
Luiid muttered.
He was protecting the hated human race, even though he was trying to die. He really didn't intend for that. What happens to her is none of his concern.
Even though he said that, his body moved.
He understands the reason for it.
Tsukiko's determination to stand up against unfairness resonated with him, like his daughter.
When the enemy attacked, Sissy could have abandoned the home and fled. Despite her frail health, she knew the escape route in times of need.
Yet, she chose to protect it until the end. It was her promise to Luiid.
"Well, that was quite a bad flame."
Leon drew his sword.
Using his last bit of magic power, Luiid commanded the fiery hounds with Aspita (Red Servant).
The magic unleashed with a resolve to risk it all only managed to push Leon back.
After witnessing that, Luiid collapsed backwards.
"Wait!"
Tsukiko caught his falling body.
Despite using fiery magic, Luiid's body felt cold.
It's not just the wound that's burning. Most of his internal organs have suffered severe burns and lost their function.
"Why did you save me?"
"...Well..."
Luiid looked beyond Tsukiko, gazing at the sky.
In that state, Luiid's hand held Tsukiko's hand. Tsukiko looked at the hand that was held with a strength that didn't seem like it belonged to someone on the brink of death, or rather, the strength that came from being on the brink of death.
"You... don't understand how to use magic power... Girl, your magic power is special."
"Special? More importantly, focus on healing!"
"No need. Just once... I'll teach you just once."
The connected hands revealed the meaning of those words.
Luiid's fading magic power flowed into Tsukiko. Magic power overlapped with magic power, causing Tsukiko to tremble inside.
This is a coincidence. It's a trick of fate."
Only Luiid might have noticed it in the back of his mind.
The Demon Lord's blood was infused with the Demon Lord's magic power.
――――.
――.
With a click, a light bulb went off in Tsukiko's mind.
"This is it... finally, Sissy..."
Those were Luiid's final words.
"Thank you."
Tsukiko closed Luiid's eyelids, laid his body on the ground, and looked at Leon.
"Huh...?"
Leon never took his eyes off Tsukiko and the others for even a moment. He did give them some leeway, considering they were facing a formidable opponent.
He was on high alert, ready to react instantly in any situation.
But he didn't understand.
In the blink of an eye, Tsukiko Isumi had transformed into a different person.
Not in appearance or soul, but his intuition as a magician was whispering that the person in front of him was completely different.
"Who are you?"
"What are you talking about? The person in front of you is the same as always."
It's hard to believe that she was so close to being killed, yet she said in a calm voice.
Her magic power was calm, indicating that.
It's an unbelievable story.
Even now, the surroundings are engulfed in flames, not an environment where people can live without magic power.
Just a moment ago, Tsukiko should have been protecting herself by covering her whole body with magic power.
No, that hasn't changed even now.
It's just that there's no waste.
Against the fluctuating heat, she only flows the magic power that is absolutely necessary to protect herself.
It's no longer protection, but neutralization.
Originally, magic power manipulation was astonishing, but at this level, it's in a different dimension.
With a crisp and light sound, Tsukiko's hair floated. Her wet black hair, wrapped in lightning, shone golden.
"Okay, so yeah. Yeah, finally, I made eye contact with myself. It's like the feeling of looking in a mirror for the first time. It's a very strange feeling."
"What are you trying to say?"
"Let's settle this."
Tsukiko didn't know how to put her current feelings into words.
Despite feeling excited, her heart remained unmoved.
Under the calm water's surface, it felt like a huge ocean current was swirling slowly, giving her a strange sensation.
It wasn't scary, but rather pleasant.
Her magic, which had only been known as Golden Thunder until now, took shape.
"Activate."
Tsukiko chanted the words that peeked through the gaps in the hazy clouds.
"'Golden Destruction Thunder (Konkakyūrai)'"
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