Volume 4 Chapter 26 Withered Flower
[Race] Skull Knight
[Rank] B
[divine growth point acquisition amount] 15,000
Skull Knights equipped with swords, spears, and shields.
Seeing the sight of them closing in, Ms. Nemophila stepped forward and chanted.
"[Barrier: Protection]"
A translucent membrane formed into a sphere and enveloped Ms. Nemophila.
Moments later, the weapons of the Skull Knights slammed against the Barrier with a sharp 'Bang!' sound.
The Barrier has not a single scratch.
"Well, that's quite a solid protective magic. But just defending won't help you escape this graveyard."
Seeing Ms. Nemophila just continuously defending with the Barrier against the attacks of the Skull Knights, Skull laughed.
In response to Skull's words, Ms. Nemophila positioned her hands and narrowed her eyes.
"[Judgment]──[Nemesis]"
In that moment, the pained voices of the Skull Knights could be heard around her, 'clack, clack!'
Looking closer, the Skull Knights who had just thrust their blades into Ms. Nemophila were kneeling down one after another.
This is one of the effects of the skill [Judgment] held by the Princess Knight.
It's the power to inflict a weakening curse on those who attack.
I see.
So it's a power that returns a curse to the one who attacks.
A curse that can even penetrate the undead monsters of the necromancer race is quite troublesome, isn't it?
Seeing that, Skull immediately decides to take action.
"Well then, how about this?"
As Skull taps a staff shaped like an upside-down "J" against the ground, new Skull Knights suddenly leap out from beside me and Dahlia.
These monsters have just crawled out of the ground.
They head straight for me and Dahlia, swinging their weapons with full force.
It seems like the plan is to take care of me and Dahlia first since attacking Ms. Nemophila would result in a counterattack.
"[Barrier: Protection]"
However, that plan will be thwarted by a single move from Ms. Nemophila.
As she raises her hand towards us, Barrier magic is deployed for me and Dahlia as well.
At the same time, there's a loud 'bang!' as the Barrier is struck, making the attacking Skull Knights kneel to the ground.
"Even if I attack a Barrier placed by you, I will become the target of the curse. Truly cunning bunch, aren't they?"
The skill [Judgment] possessed by Ms. Nemophila activates effects that vary based on the sins committed by the opponent.
The 'Criminal' that slightly weakens those who approach within a certain distance.
The 'Nemesis' that curses those who attack with debilitation.
Against those who inflict wounds through attacks, deliver a blow of Magic based on Resilience value called 'Rebellion'.
All of this not only affects Ms. Nemophila's body but also includes those who attack the deployed Barrier magic.
Therefore, the Barrier placed on us is essentially part of Ms. Nemophila's body, and those who attack will suffer from the curse en masse.
Touching the Princess Knight is not even allowed.
Additionally, injuring a comrade is considered a serious crime.
This job class is truly deserving of being called a perfect guardian that absolutely protects oneself and one's allies.
"W-What the heck is this person...! I've never seen a job class like this among adventurers..."
"This person is not an adventurer; she's a princess. Well, she'll become a queen soon."
Amazed by Ms. Nemophila's strength once again, Dahlia was stunned.
Nonetheless, she was also impressed by Skull's insight.
She never expected that Ms. Nemophila's ability would be discerned so quickly.
Ms. Nemophila's job class, [Princess Knight], specializes in defense.
It is not a job class with offensive capabilities like Rose or Cosmos.
Because of this, they are forced to adopt a strategy of counterattacking only after the enemy has made their move.
Because that fact had been discovered by Skull early on, he didn't initiate any attacks himself.
"Alright, go ahead, Skull Knights!"
Now, he's summoning skull knights to attack in his place.
This way, Ms. Nemophila's counterattack isn't functioning properly.
At this rate, only our Barrier and Ms. Nemophila's Magic (magical power) will continue to dwindle.
We can only pray that the skull knights over there have their limits, but seeing Skull's relaxed demeanor, it seems unlikely.
We want to escape from here as soon as possible to support the two fighting against the Spirit King Vamph.
"W-what do we do, Aroze...!"
Dahlia, who is helplessly being attacked while the Barrier is under siege, asks me with a look of frustration.
I wanted to return that I was the one who wanted to ask that, but I decided to focus on thinking instead.
This graveyard is impossible to escape from, as there are invisible walls all around.
There is no sign that it can be broken, and it is likely a special space created by Skull.
The only conceivable way to escape is to either defeat the space creator, Skull, or wait until his power runs out.
In any case, neutralizing him here and now would be the best strategy.
[Race] Skull Emperor
[Rank] A
[Divine Growth Point Acquisition] 120,000
"...Alright"
I take out my knife and quietly steady my breathing.
Right now, I'm the only one who can stand up to Skull.
Plus, Ms. Nemophila's Barrier magic means I don't have to worry about any attacks coming from that side.
So... go for it without hesitation!
"──ah!"
I let out a sharp breath and kicked off the ground of the graveyard.
As I dashed through the Skull Knights, I placed my hand over my chest and chanted.
"[Boost]! [Accel]!"
Moments later, red and green light erupted all over my body.
At the same time, my body felt as light as a feather, and strength surged from within me like a spring.
Enhanced in strength and agility by the two types of support magic, I charged toward Skull with renewed vigor.
As I closed the distance, I brandished my knife in a straight line.
"Clack, clack!"
Bang!
That strike was blocked by the staff that Skull had readied.
Despite the boost, there was no sense of pushing him back at all, and I soon gave up on competing in strength and took a step back.
Immediately, I kicked off the ground and tried to dive to the side.
However, with remarkable reflexes, Skull readjusted his staff and easily defended against my second strike.
"Tch──!"
Just from this close combat alone, I'm acutely aware of my shortcomings.
As a Trainer, I can't win against this skeleton monster.
Indeed, it seems Skull himself is quite a strong monster.
Even maximizing the use of support magic, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was completely outmatched.
Should I put support magic on Ms. Nemophila and have her fight alongside me?
No, even if I did that, she wouldn't be able to pierce Skull with it.
The values of the divine blessing residing in Ms. Nemophila are exceptionally high in Resilience and Magic.
Her Strength is about the same as mine, and her Agility is on par with Cosmos, the Stardust Magician who fights with magic.
Above all, it's going to be tough to face off against this Skull given her lack of actual combat experience.
Ms. Nemophila's true power is only unleashed when she has a strong ally by her side.
If only I were stronger...
"Oh..."
......no.
There might be one method.
A way to possibly defeat Skull.
As I turned to look at Ms. Nemophila, I saw the last possibility in her eyes.
After that, I stopped the engagement with Skull and immediately leaped back.
"Oh, are we done already? The power of that blue-haired woman is troublesome, but it seems the other 2... were surprisingly lacking in strength here."
Ignoring Skull's provocation, I quickly retreated to my original position.
Then, I whispered to "Dahlia, the Eastern Hero" who was there.
"Hey, Dahlia..."
"W-What is it? At a time like this..."
Dahlia was intensely confused when addressed during the battle.
I threw her words that would further bewilder her.
"I'll take on your 'request' right here and now."
"Huh...?"
"'Make me stronger,' you said when you came to the Nurturer. You want to borrow the Trainer's power to become stronger again. I said I'll take on that request right here and now."
"..."
When Dahlia and Jostum visited me at the Nurturer, they brought a request to help with growth.
At first, I declined that request, but now I've decided to take it on anew right here.
If Dahlia can regain her original strength and I assist her with support magic, we might even be able to defeat this skull.
"Whether you like it or not, you're going to cooperate, Hero Dahlia. I know you don't want to die as a withered flower either."
As a Nurturer, this will be my first attempt...
Right here and now, I'll quickly make Dahlia grow and turn her into a blade to cut through the battlefield.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)