Volume 1 Chapter 52 Amidst a World Consumed by Flames, I Sing a Lullaby
Inside the burning, dilapidated building, as expected, Marie was trying to get up and run outside.
"Get!"
To gain the protection of the 〈Magic Stone of Fyrel〉, I disarmed 〈Pierce〉 for a moment, then slammed a roundhouse kick to Marie's right leg.
She stumbled, and I grabbed her hair, yanking her with all my might into the center of the room.
Her grotesque body slammed into the rotting wooden floor, getting stuck.
"Come on, Marie, let's see who can handle the heat better. It's a challenge of endurance!"
As I said this, I slashed at Marie with 〈Pierce〉 after she struggled out from under the floorboards.
I aimed to chop off her remaining left arm, but it wasn't a clean hit.
Even though I had reapplied 〈Sharpness〉 before entering, I couldn't match Minori's swordsmanship.
"Aaaaaaaah!"
"Oops."
I didn't know how she was doing it, but every time she screamed, her body was sliced up.
However, I knew that if I didn't get close, she would be fine. Fortunately, I had been anticipating this and was already moving away, so I remained unharmed.
Now was the perfect opportunity, so while she was distracted, he got ready.
"In the name of Ryuuji, grant my flesh the power to shatter all things, 〈Shatter〉!"
This Temporary Enchant magic wouldn't just increase the power of punches.
It would also amplify the power of weapons.
I countered again, wrapping my arms around Marie's 2 left arms and slashing them away.
Those wounds burned with the intensity of a raging inferno, regeneration coming to a halt.
With her arms gone, Marie flailed, but lost her balance and fell face down.
"Whoa!?"
Just then, a burning beam came crashing down.
Even with 〈Absolute〉 protecting me, this was seriously scary.
As Marie struggled to push the beam off and get up, I leaped onto her back and stabbed her with 〈Pierce〉.
A scream ripped from Marie's throat, a scream not of pain, but of something far worse.
"The Magic Core...is gone. But it doesn't matter. I'll stay with you until we both burn to ashes."
As the dilapidated building crumbled around us, I whispered to the thrashing Marie, singing her a lullaby.
* * *
"...It burned down."
"Mm."
I heard Lene and Suzu's voices.
Lene sounded stunned.
Suzu was her usual self.
It hadn't been 30 minutes, had it? The building continued to collapse, beams raining down on top of me and Marie.
I was weighed down then, but thanks to the fire, I'd become incredibly light, able to move freely.
"What! Why are you so calm, SuzSuz! Mr. Ryuuji is in there!?"
"Mm, he went in. But he's probably fine."
"How is he fine in this fire!? How!?"
"Big Bro Ryuuji wouldn't leave Suzu and the others behind to die. He said so himself."
"........."
Mm, as expected of Suzu.
She's always been calm and intelligent.
Alright, I'll try to reassure Lene.
"Eh...Kyaa!?"
When I reached out of the burning wreckage towards the sky, Lene shrieked in terror.
Shoot, I was trying to reassure her, but I only scared her more.
"It's me, it's me. Like Suzu said, I'm alive."
I poked my head out from the ashes and called out to Lene, who was sitting there with tears welling up in her eyes.
"W-wait, that really is Mr. Ryuuji's voice... I can't see your face at all; it's covered in soot!"
"Oh, I see. Sorry, Suzu, could you douse some water? Marie's already completely gone."
"Got it."
Thanks to Suzu using her water magic, 'Downpour,' I was able to wash my face, and the remaining flames were put out.
I was saved.
"So, is Minori okay?"
"Yes, she's sleeping now."
"That's good to hear."
I felt relieved at Lene's smile.
Since she had taken a hit to a vital spot, it was a huge relief that things didn't turn out worse.
Though she might need some time to recuperate.
"But how did you survive this fire, Mr. Ryuuji? You don't have a single burn, do you?"
Well, that does sound like a mystery.
But I had previously shown her the magic stone that made this possible.
"The 'Normal Temperature Magic Stone.'"
"...Oh!"
It looked like Lene had figured it out, clapping her hands in front of her.
That's the same magic stone I used to freeze the 'Goblin Hero' along with the old mine.
At that time, it was used to endure the cold, but this time, it was used for the opposite purpose.
"...By the way, you two. I have a favor to ask."
"Sure, what is it?"
"What is it, Big Bro Ryuuji?"
"I need you to bring me my bag. Can you do that for me?"
"Huh? If you're done, why not just come out? Are you hurt or something?"
"No, that's not it..."
Lene and Suzu exchanged bewildered glances, probably curious about my hesitant response.
I felt a little awkward, but I thought if I left like this, things would get even more uncomfortable. So, I decided to just say it.
"I need to change my clothes. I got burned."
"........."
"........."
In a completely unsatisfying ending, the two of them let out small sighs.
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