Volume 5 Chapter 51 The Theory Of The Kid Leader
I'm gradually struggling to keep up, with more and more moments where the blade grazes my body. Just when I thought I had fixed the wounds, new ones start to appear on top of them. I'd rather be fighting Bael again at this rate. Back then, it was fine because it was just one opponent, but now it's like facing eight giant snakes at once.
I only have two arms, two eyes, and only one Black Spear. I'm barely managing to cope. Even though I'm just swinging the spear according to Gram's instructions, my mind is burning, and it feels like my nose is about to bleed.
Sssshhht!
A sharp pain shoots through my side. The snake belly I blocked with the spear just now changes its trajectory, piercing into my side. Whether it's by chance or Reed's intention, the only thing I know is that it's dangerous.
"Nggh!?"
After hitting the two consecutive blows at the same time, a sharp pain shoots through me, causing my movements to be fatally delayed. As expected, just at that critical moment, a group of snakes belly combined into a large serpent's belly approaches. I'm robbed of the chance to strike back. I grit my teeth, preparing myself for the worst.
Clankkk!
"Kuuuh!"
"Mikage!!?"
Just as the tip of the serpent's belly is about to reach me, Mikage jumps in front of me in the nick of time. Using her sheathed sword, she deflects the trajectory of the snake's belly, but the force is too much, and I am thrown off balance, along with her.
"Are you... are you okay, Yukina-sama?"
"Sorry, I'm fine... wait, you!?"
I quickly get up, my eyes widening. Mikage, who had fallen, is holding her leg in pain. A considerable amount of blood is flowing from between her fingers, wetting the ground.
"You... you protected me!?"
"Well... when I first took Reed's blade—probably to prevent me from interfering between Reed and Yukina-sama. Even though I was caught off guard, to be so easily taken by surprise..."
Mikage grits her teeth in frustration. She realizes the strength of Reed, who easily inflicted a deep wound on her.
"If I were to join the fight clumsily, I would only be a hindrance. I was trying to at least strike back at his opening, but I'm sorry."
"If you say that, what position does that leave me in, just saved a moment ago!"
I temporarily seal the wound on my side with magic and then deflect the approaching snake. Anger at having hurt Mikage, anger at being protected at the cost of injuring my leg, surpasses the pain. I glare strongly, wondering how to settle this, but then I feel a sense of discomfort.
Ever since being blown away with Mikage, attacks from the Great Serpent's belly have been scarce. Considering the situation so far, he's not someone who would miss exposing a fatal opening.
"Haa... Haa... Gah... Guuu..."
In front of me, Reed was groaning in pain, his left hand pressed against his forehead. Even though I should have been the one on the offensive, he seemed oddly drained.
Reed, with his eyes wide open in an extreme smile, had blood trickling from his nose, despite not being hit by any of my attacks yet.
'That makes sense.'
Gram responded with a hint of understanding.
'The human brain is optimized to handle two arms. But Reed right now is like controlling eight arms simultaneously. Moreover, those arms move as freely as snakes. The massive processing is putting an incredible strain on his mind.'
Even I, facing the eight snake bellies, was in a tough spot to the point where I felt like my nose was about to bleed. There's no way Reed, who actually controls them, doesn't have any consequences (risks).
'If you look closely, ever since he sprouted those eight blades, Reed hasn't moved an inch from that spot. He's fully occupied controlling the snake bellies, unable to spare any consciousness to move his body.'
It means that Reed is experiencing the repercussions of overusing Enchantment - Weight Increase, albeit in a different form.
'Even so, that guy should be aware of that. If you, you should somewhat understand that waiting for self-destruction due to recoil is a foolish strategy, partner.'
The nature of the recoil between me and Reed is different, and it's unclear what kind of suffering Reed is currently experiencing. However, there are things that are certain.
Even if his limbs shatter, even if the contents of his head are incinerated, even if his heart stops, the burning impulse deep in his chest drives the body.
──Until he reaches his destination, he won't stop even if he dies.
Unfortunately, at this moment, I don't have the same level of greed as Reed. It feels like I'm almost there, though.
"Mikage, can you say something that will motivate me? I know it's a bit strange to ask in this situation, but..."
I know it's a strange request, but Mikage is always present when I'm about to do something reckless. I ask her with a glimmer of hope that she might provide some kind of trigger.
Mikage looked at Reed and then at me alternately before speaking hesitantly.
"I don't know the details, but Reed's target is undoubtedly Yukina-sama. However, please consider what would happen if Yukina-sama were to truly become Reed's possession."
...Come to think of it, I had a vague feeling of 'dislike' without really thinking about what exactly was bothering me. This might have been one of the reasons why I couldn't find the motivation to do things.
"If Yukina-sama were to become Reed's property..."
After a slight pause filled with hesitation and disgust, she spoke after a moment of silence.
"That would mean that not only Yukina-sama but also Kyunei and Aina-sama would become Reed's possessions."
I see. It's like the theory often brought up by bullies and gang leaders, 'what's yours is mine.'
──────..................Wait a minute.
"You've got to be kidding meeeeeeeee!!"
If I were to lose like this, it wouldn't just be me. The realization that Mikage and the others would also be at Reed's mercy finally hit me, and my anger reached its peak.
'As expected of Mikage! She really understands partner's essence! I have some doubts about how simple partner is though!!'
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