Chapter 352: Walking Across Water and Gramps Tons Retort

Using the

as a foothold, I kick off it, clad my whole body in Magic Combat Style, and also accelerate by using

.

Its no match to the lightning-like acceleration when using

, but it should look like Crazy-Eye Togmas

to Schmihazar.

I close the distance to him in no time, and swiftly brandish Murasame. The bluish-green blade heads for Schmihazars flank accompanied by a beam-saber-like sound.

Fast, Schmihazar mutters while fixing his posture.

He lifts his reddish right arm greatsword, and tries to parry Murasame with its tip. But, Im superior when it comes to speed, resulting in Murasame slipping past the greatsword.

Murasames blade hits Schmihazar flank, immediately cutting through the flesh at his abdomen while melting his orange armor with its bird embroideries alongside a weird sizzling and bubbling sound as the light beam gnaws its way through the body. As if the sound of bones and flesh melting tells a story, I can sense the vibrations of the flesh being torn apart through the hilt, but the feedback is somewhat lacking.

I cancel

. Meanwhile, Schmihazars skull jolts.

Guuuoooaahh!

He s.h.i.+vers with his lips trembling. And then the abdomen, cut up by Murasame, explodes. At the same time, floods of violet blood and completely asphalt-colored entrails spill out. Hes roughly 30 meters above the river, but the huge amount of violet blood pours down into the river like a waterfall. Its so much that it looks as if another river has been created in midair.

Schmihazar continues to spill blood in such a way, but is it a fake? As if using the repulsive force of his own blood gus.h.i.+ng out, he retreats while swiftly rotating as if performing a backwards pirouette. The violet blood from his abdomen slashes on his own white hair. The whole spiraling revolution looks like the movement of a punctured, huge balloon, and the violet blood sprays seem like a gigantic pinwheel shooting blood into the vicinity.

Those blood sprays come flying at me in waves. At once, I use the opportunity to partake in the blood. Even if it might actually be poisonous, I judge that blood still remains blood, and thus might become nourishment for me.

Focusing on the vampiric

, I leap off the

while spreading my arms to the side, as if carrying out some kind of religious ritual.

The

underneath me vanishes. My whole body is basked in waves of violet blood as if Im receiving a baptism while floating in the air with my posture imitating a cross.

The cold blood seems to tightly squeeze down on my heart. As I begin to fall, I create a new

underneath me, landing on it. The blood coming in contact with Murasame evaporates instantly. A sulfuric smell hangs in the air.

Within that short moment, I suck up all of the violet blood. The blood itself smells just like youd expect blood to smell. While licking my lips, I also take in the blood that splayed on my face, whetting my own thirst. It doesnt taste like sour summer strawberries or grape juice, butit does have a fairly rich taste.

Id call this the Holy Communion if only I had bread with me.

Take it and eat it, as this is my body

Im reminded of this part of the Bibles Matthew Gospel.

Then I

Murasame at Schmihazar. The beam saber heads for Schmihazars right chest in a straight line. However, before it can pierce into his chest, its repelled by his red greatsword.

Schmihazar is in the middle of a slow rotation, but it looks like hes kept me in sight.

But, the sound as his sword flicked Murasame away felt somewhat viscous. Murasame falls into the river while buzzing. The beam saber emitted from the hilts emission muzzle disappears, seemingly withering away back into the muzzle. I guess Ill obediently pick it back up.

Using

as a foothold, I hold out my right hand towards the falling hilt, and chant, Come, Murasame.

The hilt flies back to me while whirling around. Its flight speed gives one the impression of it being forcibly pulled over by the force of a super-conductive magnet.

Murasames hilt safely reaches my hand, but I instinctively gaze at it to check whether it has been broken or something. The emission muzzle and the hilt itself are both fine. My fingers and hand havent been ruptured either.

I mean itd be a big deal if you make Riki snap.

1

is the silly pun I make in my mind, but even the metal with its round, repulsor-styled shape on my palm is alright. After nodding that everythings a-okay, I directly pour mana into the hilt through my right hand.

In response, the beam blade shoots out from the emission muzzle with a buzzing. The turquoise light of Murasame also illuminates the waterweeds on the river. The weeds, which follow the rivers flow line, have obtained a violet coronet. It must be Schmihazars blood. After all, his blood is spreading in such quant.i.ty that it dyes the rivers surface violet.

Schmihazar himself has retreated while rotating exaggeratedly. Ive considered pursuing him, butit looks like the cut caused by Murasame has been shallow.

He continues to revolve, but it happens in an unnatural state of hovering while making himself turn. I suppose hes trying to lure me in with those movements. Or maybe its also possible that hes shedding so much blood because of his large build?

With the whimsical feeling of wanting a cowboy hat, I make Murasames hilt rotate on my palm as if toying around with a revolver. After stopping to provide mana, I holster the hilt back into its sword belt. I also erase

.

Shuuya, youre falling! Higlia shouts at me from the riverbank.

Well, thats only natural with my foothold now gone. As I fall, I pull off a gun spin with Murasames hilt, but at this rate I wont sink into the river, despite falling towards the river, as long as theres no interference from elsewhere.

Thus I cast a certain spell Water Control. Using that spell on the gently flowing river underneath me allows me to easily land on the water as if my soles are glued to the water surface.

Just like that I walk across the river, then jump, land one one leg, and walk again, as if performing a dance.

Changing the distribution of Magic Combat Style in my body, I have some fun with Water Control while imagining a combat footwork on and beneath the water that uses

. I feel like Ive grown wings on my back. Im totally excited about the future possibility of developing battle techniques utilizing water.

While das.h.i.+ng across the water surface, I severe waterweeds with Murasame. The sprays of water underneath my feet feel great.

Moving like a heat haze is possible! Heat haze, lightning, lunar water?

Wh-!? Water magic without chanting all of a sudden!? Higlias surprised outcry reaches my ears.

While focusing on increasing my volume, I shout towards her, I have a pet called Balmint, but that Bal is an Ancient Dragonia who lives with a dragon granny, no, a dragon mother, or rather, young dragon lady called Sazihali, also an Ancient Dragonia. Shes teaching him how to live as a dragon. Ive received the magic book allowing me to learn this spell from her

Hearing my shouted explanation, Higlia covers her mouth with both hands, and blathers excitedly, Those dance-like movementstheres too manythings I feel, while twisting her tight waist.

Thrusting out her chest, her body suddenly quivers all over. The shape of her silver armor changes a bit as if to show off the shape of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Shuuya, youre the perfect male partner. Ive already thought that youre a great male, but now the urge to cross fists with you has become even stronger! And I feel like licking and play-biting you! I want you to experiencemy fervent love. Im sure even G.o.d Wolf Hurley-sama and the Twin Moon G.o.ds Higlia bashfully mumbles a confession of love.

Her skin with thin fur growth has turned crimson, looking as if its releasing a steam that wraps up her whole body, and shes started to restlessly rub her inner thighs. She keeps demanding eye contact, and the motions of her tail are cute as well.

As Im thinking that it might be fine to pair up with the charming Higlia, whos releasing some kind of pheromones,

Be careful as its said river departures perish in rivers.

Wha!? That retort with the voice of a grandpa Come on, Gramps Ton, you should have evacuated with Nemus and the otherswhy are you next to the river?

Higlia yells with a very angry look, Stupid geezer! Get away from here. Cant you see the enemy!?

She scolds Gramps Ton who dons a carefree, r.e.t.a.r.ded expression while changing the location of the acorn in his mouth. However, the same applies for you as well, girlyis nothing I can voice out.

Ill leave Gramps Ton to Higlia. Actually, it lessens my worry that Higlia could try to join the fight or something.

She grabs Gramps Tons arm, and drags him away towards Nemus group. All the while, Schmihazar hasnt come attacking.

Alright Im going to enjoy walking across the water then. Its a natural waterbed. I dont plan to mess around by making weird groans, but since the vibrations and sensations coming from my soles are changing every now and then, its actually fun.

Come to think of it, isnt this the first time for anyone to use water walking in actual combat? Well, you could call it a stunt thats possible because of my chantless casting. I kinda feel like an immortal mountain wizard.

While activating or canceling

in the middle of the fast-flowing river, I hop around while minutely adjusting the timing. I think next time Im going to dance with Helme on the water. Well whirl around together while practicing

at the same time. Pair skating with Catiza as the judge to score it.

Still, I must give my thanks to Water G.o.ddess Akreshys. And while at it, Im also going to pray to Kokbruuundozuu-sama, despite her being an ancient, cursed G.o.ddess. Which reminds me, the spear unified with Schmihazars left arm might is also related to cursesmaybe Im simply fated to encounter curses.

Schmihazar is still hovering. Meanwhile Im admiring the beauty of the moonlight as its reflected on the riverand then I look beneath the water surface. The water is mixed with purplish, glowing blood, and theres waterplants growing in the river As all of this is illuminated by the moonlight, it produces a deeply impressive scenery.

I also thought so back at the crystal pond, but I feel like Ive entered the world of a fairytale-like, fantastical painting. Its as if Im walking through Monets garden Giverni. While recalling the beloved garden of that great painter, I s.h.i.+ft my eyes towards Schmihazar.

Hes still hovering while rotating.

Violet blood is sticking to his white hair. He makes his whole body tremble while the shape of his big skull is clearly visible thanks to the wet hair. And then he gets caught in the branch of a tree protruding out from the riverbank right behind him, causing his hovering to come to an end.

Schmihazar dangles from that branch. If he were to represent a tarot card, itd be the Hanging Man.

Is the area around his eyes s.h.i.+ning?

Schmihazar lifts his left arm, now transformed into Iglued. The ethereal woman appears from its tip, but I feel like shes come out on her own. Iglued with its apparently strong self-consciousness, seductively entwines both arms around Schmihazars thick neck after lifting her upper body with the help of the magic lines as if pulling herself up.

Then she directs an uneasy look at Schmihazars abdomen.

Schmihazar, does your tummy hurt? My poor, lil Schmihazar She says to him with a tone thats teeming with evil.

Iglueds ethereal body relocates to Schmihazars lower body. She doesnt suck the tip of his big c.o.c.k like some succubus, but still, she sniffs the smell of his nether region. And then ponders, before kissing the wound caused by Murasame with her leaflike lips. Moreover, she extends her snake-like, green tongue, and repeatedly licks his wound while posing. Her pose resembles that of Helme when shes flaunting her b.u.t.t.

Iglueds red eyes gleam, and then she laughs, Fufu, fufufufu, but, in exchange

She doesnt finish her remark thats filled with wickednessand instead moves like a wave. As soon as a chrome green, sinister mana from the spear begins to emanate, it covers half of Schmihazars body in the blink of an eye. Flooded by that mana, Schmihazar trembles. Did he react to her succubus-like action? I mean, its because its a behavior completely resembling a succubus, so yea.

Schmihazars body sways with movements you wouldnt expect from a giant. And then the thick eyelids of his Demonic Eyes open and close, like the eyelids of a lizard.

As he repeats that peculiar blinking, Guguguoooeven I, guaaah.

Is he rejoicing or screaming in pain? I cant really tell right now when looking at his face and listening to his voice.

The breathing wheezing through his shark-like fangs is ridiculously intensehas the amount of blood gus.h.i.+ng out of his wound increased? Also, I dont know if Iglueds kiss stimulated him, or if it was for her own pleasure, butSchmihazars Demonic Eyes are glowing.

He widens his mouth by spreading his jaw, and continues to loudly roar like a beast, Guburaaaaaa.

His sausage-sized lips trembling is nothing new, butit gives off an atmosphere as if Im going to hear another voice screaming Gimme prey! from within his mouth at any moment.

Looking at the interior of his mouth reminds me of the time when I was wandering about in the underground. Reflexively, I shoot out

from my wrist.

Schmihazar didnt react to my chain attack, and just when I thought the chains tip would collide with his head, Iglued extended its wood blade, repelling my

.

Be patient, boy. Please dont send any weird chains this way.

She calls me boy, huh?

While erasing

, I decide to watch whats going to happen with Schmihazar.

And just then, I recall Granbar, whom I encountered in the underground. The movement of releasing a tongue from a split-tongue But Schmihazar has no wings on his back like Granbar had. He also has no gas-mask-shaped face protector or organ covering his mouth. Schmihazar is an unknown race differing from Granbar.

The instant Ive reached that conclusion, a single, vertical stripe appears on the magic symbol of Schmihazars blood-smeared epiglottis. That stripe looks as if a sharp blade has completely cut through the neck in a vertical direction. The stripe splits open, tearing apart to the left and right

Ugh, his uvula is clearly visible in the gaping tear. The shape of the torn magic symbol transforms into an abnormal genital area. Has the interior of his throat extended? It looks as if another dimension or something has formed in there. At its bottom is an indecent, round hole. The flesh around his thyroid cartilage has also taken on a crooked shape.

Hey, wait a secfor him to change the interior of his mouthis he actually a Granbar-type?

Right after I had that thought, the upper part of that hole inflates like a balloon. The head of a baby grows out of that obscene bean. Moreover, both its eyes are messily st.i.tched shut with black strings.

What the f.u.c.k is this

The sickening baby head twists and turns in a supple way. Mana converges in that head, and the babys mouth moves. As it makes a sound like a tongue thats wetted with blood

Here comes the true magic circle~ DemonicA geradeh, phugruu ro phokar!

Its voice has a tone going beyond my wildest expectations. It feels childish, and yet old-styled. Its a voice different from that of Schmihazar and his two talking weapons.

And then, as if the words spoken by the baby have obtained form, an R wrapped up in a heat haze floats up in its mouth. A character for fire? Moreover, an R?

On top of that, a tiny wand clad in flames twists out of the indecent hole beneath the baby. A small magic wand clad in fire? Its handle seems to be made out of metal, butis it a fire element item?

While rotating, that magic wand pa.s.ses right through the mouth, overlapping with the R letter floating within. The R letter turns into particles after coming in contact with the wand, and vanishes. The flames engulfing the wand expand, obviously having absorbed the power of the R letter.

The interior of Schmihazars mouth is big, but the inside does seem rather hot. Usually it should fester, I believe, butI suppose its pointless to consider Schmihazar as normal. After all hes got a monster-like tongue, a cl.u.s.ter of sharp fangs, and a weird hole.

Even while Im thinking all that, the magic wand slowly advances through the mouth with its split tongue, and then it leaves through his big lips.

But, first the shoulders, and now a burning magic wand coming out of his mouth? He hasnt changed his tongue in the way like the Death b.u.t.terfly woman Ciel did, butis this guys entire body a bundle of items? Does the coffin actually possess some secret door? Does that place have 70 ways to open it or something?

Are you some kind of trick box? As if its a named huge coffin

Several seconds after I asked this while imagining the opening of such a box, the baby and the indecent hole start to squirm. Once a flesh cover engulfs the babys head, the indecent hole closes. The black worm-like meat and the threads are automatically sewed together as if to fill that hole.

Disgusting. But, at the same time, its funny in a strange way.

Schmihazar has now closed that big mouth opening, and after lifting a cheek into a crooked smirk, Itd be a perfectly fitting description, but youre wrong. This is the outcome of me having been endowed with a magic symbol. He explains pridefully.

That means he was bestowed a symbol like Eva or Mystys on the throat.

You were given one, you say? By magic symbol you mean a crest, right?

Youre right, but thats unexpected.

What is?

It looks like you dont know much about magic symbols.

Thatsrather than not much, I

dont know about them at all is what I was about to say, but on my neckI have

, a symbol given to me by Vaamina-sama, the G.o.ddess or queen of nightmares. It might be nothing youd call a magic symbol, though. And the

is maybe also something equal to a magic symbol?

Following that train of thoughtif I asked Heavy Knight Leader Claude who was dispatched by the Religious State to the Holy Kingdom, the guy whom I beat up in the pastI feel like hed deny it fervently, but well, I suppose the

is something else. I mean its a rare Extra Skill.

Besides, my

There might be different kinds despite all of them being called magic symbols. Are all marks looking like crestssimply lumped together into the category of magic symbols?

I guess you dont have any powers like the great Hoffmann-sama. Schmihazar looks at me full of disappointment.

Im sorry to disappoint you, but I doubt that I have any powers like your master. In the first place, I dont really know what powers he possesses anyway. And, since my bloodkin also possess such magic symbols as crests of n.o.bles, I just knew a bit about its power and its abilities by chance.

Does the Lucical Crest Tree also enter into the category of magic symbols?

Hoh, spearmaster, you have bloodkin with magic symbols?

Bah, my tongue slipped and I ended up revealing information about my family members. In exchange, Ive bought some time for Rollo to come backor rather, I think Schmihazar is also stalling for time.

Is mana and spirit indispensable to summon the other spear?

The small magic wand has been rotating while relocating to above Schmihazars head. A shower of blood is pouring down on him from the tip of that wand. Bright red blood similar to embers. Schmihazar has violet blood, but the blood released by the wand isnt violet. Is the blood raining down on him the healing type?

I should soon deploy HalKonks Evil Dragon King armor, huh? No, its too early. I dont need to prepare my defenses yet. Right now Im wearing the jet-black combat uniform. The fibers of Gatrance-form have been restored after getting cut.

But, I feel like the healing of my abdomen and hand injuries progresses slowly. I dont know whether it was caused by the holy sword, the magic sword, or both, butthose swords doubtlessly possess special blades.

I guess Ill check it out later. Moga seems like hed s.n.a.t.c.h them quickly away, though.

Now then, before transformingI guess Ill draw out some information about Hoffmann from Schmihazar. The time for recovering and summoning Baldokit looks like Schmihazar has also judged that its smarter to chat while at the same time buying time.

Besides, I cannot help but feel like theres some ulterior motive behind what Schmihazar does. You can also say, theres more to him than meets the eye, or theres a bottom beneath the bottom

Im also curious about what he suddenly let slip earlier. The order by Hoffmann to have me investigatedcan be interpreted in various ways.

As I sort my mind, I speak up, Rather than such thingsthe ability with the grid-patterned netthe power that bundled up the tentacles of my partneris that a skill? Or magic?

That ones a pain. I dont want to be caught by it either. Well, if I get completely entangled in it, Id simply use my suicide attack aka becoming a blood spear by cladding myself in a blood chain armor

You mean

? Thats a skill.

I heard you say that Hoffmann stole it personally, though?

Indeed, I received it from Hoffmann-sama.

Nice, youre a great blabbermouth, Schmihazar-kun. Lets raise his mood

I switch from my evil smile to a pleasant one, and focus on a friendly look, From the great Hoffmann-sama, huh? So, who owned it before him?

The instant I ask that, Schmihazars large frame responds with an obvious reaction of getting all lively.

A sacred knight protecting one of the western sages! Hoffmann-sama, who was looking for the Rindel Antidote, was very happy over having obtained that skill by chance, and praised me for my work. As a reward for it, he bestowed me that skill! Since it uses a lot of mana, its limited in its application, butits highly effective against big animals. He honestly answers.

For some reason, hes very cheerful. I can feel his delight from the movements of his eyebrows. I wont deliberately point out the movements of his lips.

So Hoffmann possesses an ability allowing him to transfer skills and magic symbols, huh?

Correct, spearmaster. It piques your interest, doesnt it?

Schmihazars wordssound as if Hoffmann is speaking here in person.