Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Steel Tower (10)

#48

The waiting room was plunged into unprecedented confusion.

“W-what was that just now? Is there anyone who saw properly?”

“It seemed like a person, I also well···.”

Because Ilark was too fast no one grasped the identity.

It only seemed that something that rushed out from the elevator entered while smashing the door of the audience chamber.

If they knew the fact that it was an enraged dragonblood woman the atmosphere would have gotten worse, but even as of now it was a sufficiently serious state.

“S-surely an assassin aiming at the lord?!”

“For that it is too quiet. What on earth is happening in this city?”

“A-are we also in danger? Even now we should leave the Steel Tower···.”

A bizarre day.

Even though they came receiving invitations they only waited for several hours.

With nothing to do they were looking outside the window, but about half of the golems wandering the city collapsed as if they got heatstroke.

Not enough with that an attack by a mysterious person even occurred.

On one hand scared enough to want to run away right now, on the other they could not easily move their steps worried something might go wrong.

While everyone was stamping their feet then.

“Everyone. You must leave right now.”

“Director Leodorn···!”

Bang! Kicking open the door of the conference room Leodorn walked out.

The stiffly hardened face was as serious as when discussing mergers and acquisitions.

“Here is dangerous. Calmly leave the tower and return to your residences.”

“I-is there a guarantee that outside is not more dangerous? The golems are collapsing though.”

“There is no place more dangerous than this Steel Tower now. I guarantee on the honor of the White Silver Song management director.”

“If we wait won’t the mage solve it? I heard she graduated as the top of the Blue Magic Tower.”

Leodorn tightly closed his eyes.

Anyway they were cowards under heaven.

No matter how scared, if a mysterious person invaded the audience chamber shouldn’t they run away first and see?

Above all just as he was about to say that that damn mage is the mastermind of all matters.

“No need to worry. It is only the nonsense of a reactionary force that does not know its place.”

“······!”

A familiar voice rang out from behind the nobles’ backs.

Turning their heads they froze.

The lord of Valkeros was standing with his hands behind his back.

“L-lord! You were safe?!”

“Yes··· huu, as you see.”

The lord nodded.

Although the attire was disheveled, and the face was flushed like a person who ran, there seemed to be no problem with health.

“Thanks to receiving the urgent report in advance and evacuating I could avoid the disaster. Destroying the golems and attacking the audience chamber was revealed to be the notorious fundamentalist organization of the west. Since Miss Silien immediately entered response it will be solved soon.”

“Aha, as expected···!”

“So everyone wait here until the situation is settled. There is currently no place safer than the Steel Tower in Valkeros.”

Clang. At the same time as the lord’s words ended the door of the emergency exit opened.

Twenty fully armed soldiers entered the waiting room matching formation.

“Oo. Truly reliable!”

“Even so we were anxious being only among ourselves, as expected the lord.”

Smiles bloomed on the nobles’ faces.

The soldiers with angles sharply caught looked as reliable as deposits in the imperial bank.

The only person who could not smile was Leodorn.

“······Fortunate that you are safe lord.”

Although he said that distrust was dripping in the voice.

He knew the fact that the man before his eyes was not the lord.

Leodorn said.

“Then. I’ll go back first.”

“Yes? Go back?”

“There is work left that must be handled urgently. Thankful for the thoughtful measure but I’ll try to protect my own body myself.”

“That cannot be. Director Leodorn. Protecting the safety of the citizens is my duty.”

The lord shook his head.

Placing his hand on Leodorn’s shoulder he showed a benevolent smile.

“You are a particularly important person so there is need to receive stricter protection. Until I separately instruct wait in the conference room.”

“However···.”

“Ahem! It is the lord’s order.”

Although a playful tone the eyes were full of killing intent.

Leodorn lowered his head.

If coming out this far there was no choice.

“······Let’s do so.”

Because in people’s eyes he was still the real lord.

If only the soldiers were not brought he would have given one to the face.

Thud.

As soon as Leodorn entered the conference room the door closed.

The sound of the soldiers’ armor clanging.

The fake lord’s playful voice rang out beyond the door.

“Absolutely do not let him come out gentlemen. Because he is a person whose personality is not ordinary.”

“Hahaha, the director has a fiery side.”

The nobles’ laughter was also heard along.

If going out from here it seemed he should give one each to those guys’ faces too.

Leodorn sighed with his back to the door.

“Huu··· troublesome···.”

He deliberately made a loud sound.

So that it enters the ears of the soldiers and fake lord.

So that he looks like a person who is really in trouble.

Step. Step.

Entering deep into the conference room Leodorn opened his mouth.

“For now it’s done. Although can’t go out no one will come in either.”

Unlike earlier it was a small voice like an ant crawling.

Similarly an answer close to a whisper returned.

“Thank you. Grandfather.”

It was the window side.

A blonde boy was kneeling in the middle of the balcony attached to the conference room.

From the appearance of tightly gripping the vertically erected staff an indescribable earnestness was being transmitted.

It was Kale who hid right after Ilark charged in.

“Is there nothing more needed?”

“Yes. This much is sufficient.”

Kale answered without turning his head.

He asked Leodorn to make it so no one interferes and then took a place on the balcony.

Although he did not hear the detailed circumstances except that Bran was safe he could not refuse.

“Hehe··· being with you guys always feels like getting involved in incidents.”

Leodorn smiled.

Since getting entangled with Bran’s group he was continuously experiencing adventures that might happen once in a lifetime.

He thought there would be nothing more serious than the Iron Blood Twin Shadows, but to think he would see the brain of a former workplace colleague.

Sweeping his beard he muttered in a complicated voice.

“Although half the purpose was achieved··· the people in the waiting room are worrying.”

Originally he tried to evacuate even the people but failed because of the fake lord.

He does not know what the enemy’s purpose is but if wrong everyone could fall into hostages.

Kale said.

“It’s okay. Everything will go well.”

“Hue, to think such words would come from your mouth.”

Originally it was a line Bran would say.

Now looking Kale was not stuttering unlike usual.

Although the cardiotonic component contained in the elixir also had a little influence, the biggest reason was because now is a time when belief is more important than ever.

“It will go well.”

Kale was waiting.

His turn.

Hoping the moment his light pierces the veil and reaches the goddess.

****

“Kuek!”

“Kraaak!”

The rise by telekinesis ended.

Crash! Bran and Ilark who were thrown landed rolling on the rooftop floor.

The pipes that were wrapping them fell with a thud.

“Ueuk, it hurts···!”

“Ilark. Are you okay?”

“So-so. The butt is a bit sore though.”

The two raised their bodies.

A wide pentagonal square revealed itself.

The sky was clear. Cumulus clouds like battleships were passing above the tower.

Looking around Ilark let out a hollow laugh.

“Ha, living I even came to the top of the Steel Tower.”

It was a voice full of admiration.

Although not the appropriate time Bran was also thinking similarly.

The scenery unfolded beyond the rooftop boundary was indescribably beautiful.

‘Amazing.’

Here is the peak of Valkeros.

To the north the Red Mountains are visible, to the south the widely extending wilderness.

The city spreading centered on the tower was turning busily as usual today too.

No, it would be a bit busier than usual.

Because all the new model golems suddenly collapsed.

“So where is this bitch···”

Just as Ilark was about to say something.

Hwaaaaak!

A giant metal sphere surged from the hole they came out of.

It was the sphere that smashed the ceiling of the audience chamber.

It seemed the bird that was not seen entered the tower again.

The sphere that gently circled the upper air stopped at the exact center of the rooftop.

“The weather is quite clear.”

A soft voice rang out above the two’s heads.

Bran raised his head.

“Silien.”

“It is a good place to meet the end of life.”

Silien was sitting on the sphere.

From the appearance of looking down while seductively crossing her legs not a shred of tension could be found.

Just as Bran and Ilark were preparing for battle again, two notifications rose.

『The boss of the Steel Tower, Silien Rua casts “Spiral Spear”!』

『The boss of the Steel Tower, Silien Rua casts “Steel Spirit Summon”!』

Following anomalies began to occur throughout the rooftop.

Crunch!

The parts constituting the surface of the Steel Tower were being torn off one by one.

Wide iron plates and long wires, even the steel railings produced to prevent accidents.

Various metal fragments were gathering in the air and being reconstructed.

Into the appearance of long and thick spears.

“Starting again.”

Bran frowned.

It was magical telekinetic swordsmanship utilizing telekinesis and Silien’s unique characteristic.

The giant spiral spear was sharp as if it would pierce even a wyvern’s heart in one go.

Such Spiral Spears as many as five!

‘The Nameless Hero might be a shit character.’

The sorrow of a slow starter was felt.

The problem is that it does not end here.

Something was happening at each corner of the rooftop.

Along with the sound of metal interlocking knights wearing plate armor were rising.

This is also Silien’s skill.

Lower Steel Spirits summoned receiving the mage’s call.

Clang!

The knights who completely formed their appearance took a sword salute.

“Ha··· fuck woman···.”

Ilark muttered.

It was a scene where one could not help but curse even if not wanting to.

Although he thought there would be a difference in power he did not know it would be this much.

Five Spiral Spears were circling around Silien.

Tak. Silien who was looking down at the two lightly snapped her fingers.

“Then. Try dancing excitedly.”

“Scatter!”

At the same time as Bran’s shout simultaneous fire began.

The Spiral Spears were shot all at once.

The Steel Spirits rushed while gripping the sword hilts.

Bran and Ilark dispersed in different directions and entered evasion.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The Spiral Spears that rushed like falcons were driving into the places they were standing until just now.

Ilark who avoided the spears crossing and sticking with acrobatic movements burst into a roar.

“Damn thing! Not coming down here?!”

“Yes. I won’t go down.”

Silien nodded.

She cunningly floated the sphere at a distance of about 7m from the ground and was not moving.

“This is why I hate Blue Magic Tower graduates.”

Bran muttered.

Even while holding an overwhelming advantage there is no way of doing roughly.

Just looking at the appearance of leaving one of the five Spiral Spears to use for defense it could be known.

‘If delayed more it becomes troublesome. Exert strength.’

Putting his hand into the inner pocket Bran chewed his lips.

For now he could endure. However if more time is dragged from here even a shred of win rate disappears.

Because Silien was slowly recovering the mana shield even in the midst of this.

“Bran! Dodge!”

Suddenly Ilark shouted.

It was the moment Bran who sensed killing intent tilted his waist back.

Slaaash!

The Steel Knight’s sword strike passed while grazing the tip of his nose.

“Keuk···!”

Blood splashed. Even a lower spirit’s sword is sufficiently fierce.

It would be enough to easily blow away a boy’s neck.

Clang!

The moment Bran adjusted his posture two more Steel Knights rushed in.

There is no angle. A merciless continuous attack because there is no emotion.

Just as Bran who prepared to be cut somewhere was about to respond.

“Move!”

Ilark who landed in front of Bran swung the axe.

Slaaash!

As a red semicircle was drawn three Steel Knights were cut in half.

Kang! Knocking away even the additionally rushed Spiral Spear she shouted raising her voice.

“Bran! I’ll handle these cans so you focus on that bitch!”

“Ilark···!”

Bran’s eyes widened.

Red heat was wavering along Ilark’s chest and spine.

The sound of the heart thumping is heard even here.

As of now a perfect state that can charge in.

The entire axe blade reaching 2m in width was blazing as if engulfed in flames.

“No choice. For now we have to live right!”

“Oh? Were you hiding strength?”

Silien raised an eyebrow.

Definitely Ilark in this state is strong.

The problem is just that the duration is short.

The moment the heat cools her performance would decrease to below half of usual.

It was a so-called time limit applied.

“···Yes.”

However Bran did not scold her.

Even in his eyes there was no other way.

The spirits and Spiral Spears continue to regenerate until Silien falls.

To pierce the attacks surging like a torrent and reach Silien one of the two had to tank.

“Understood.”

Bran nodded.

Operation change. Even if not receiving support it seems he has to force it.

This is how a bottom-tier party is.

Sighing Bran poured the prepared herb into his mouth.

『You ingested dried rabbit flower. Leg strength greatly improves!』

『Heart of Harmeno activates! Beneficial effects from plants are amplified double!』

The moment swallowing a message rose.

The thighs were being tightly pulled.

It was a herb Bran separately prepared to face Silien floating in the air.

Bang! Aiming at Silien Bran kicked the ground and jumped.

Her gaze was fixed on Ilark who was moving freely.

The 7m interval narrowed in an instant.

It was the moment the slash applying Smash was drawn.

Kaaaaang-!

Along with a metallic rupture sound the silver membrane guarding Silien heaved.

“Kyak?!”

Silien shrugged her shoulders.

It was an unexpected surprise attack. Bran who landed a strike landed on the floor.

Late turning to Bran her eyes opened round.

“What, how did you come up this far?”

A small crack had formed in the part hit by the slash.

If a dragonblood it might be different but it was a height she absolutely thought Bran could not come up.

Instead of answering Bran kicked the ground again and jumped.

Kaaaaang!

Once again a roar burst out.

“Eek, since I’m looking looking···!”

Silien’s eyes narrowed.

Although it did not become a particular threat every time hit the head ringing was annoying.

When she waved her fingers in the air the Spiral Spear prepared for defense began to move.

Just as Bran who jumped again was about to fire Smash.

Tukwaang!

The Spiral Spear swung at a speed close to the speed of sound struck Bran.

“Kuek!”

“B-Bran!”

Ilark was astonished.

Bran who flew like a baseball drove into the floor.

A heavy cough burst from his mouth.

“Cough, cough! Gak!”

It was a clean hit.

The vision was roughly shaking.

Blood pouring from the nose was flowing into the mouth.

“Doesn’t work.”

Ptui. Bran spat the blood pooled in his mouth.

Even though he knew it would come out like that he could not avoid.

Because of the absolute difference in specs.

Although he does not want to admit, as of now one Spiral Spear Silien controls is faster and stronger than himself.

“···Damn spell caster.”

Nevertheless he could not give up.

“Oh my. Are you thinking of continuing?”

Silien tilted her head.

Bran was rising again.

On the subject that looks like he would collapse just by lightly touching, the appearance of stubbornly standing using the sword as a staff was indescribably pitiful.

“This is a bit. I like it.”

Silien fiddled with her lips.

Smiling coquettishly she crossed her legs in the opposite direction.

It seemed she could partially receive repayment for the tragedy of missing the talent named Bran.

By seeing the appearance of that face full of fighting spirit contorting with despair.

“Bran···!”

Ilark was still struggling.

She was facing four Spiral Spears and five infinitely regenerating Steel Spirits alone.

The breathing sound had clearly quickened more than earlier.

Although facing without difficulty now the limit would soon arrive.

Up to here?

Even twisting the body this much can the statistic called win rate not be won?

If hit by another hit this time he would probably faint.

Then everything would end.

“Huu··· huuk···.”

Even while thinking that Bran prepared to leap while adjusting his posture.

The thighs swelled.

Just as he who finished his resolve was about to jump again.

Hwaaaaaak-!

Suddenly, bright light burst from Bran’s inner pocket.

“Ugh!”

Silien closed her eyes.

It was a flash so bright it could not be looked at straight.

The fluctuating flash widened as if an umbrella unfolded and made a hemisphere reaching 2m in diameter.

『You entered Rawiena’s Sanctuary!』

『While in the Sanctuary you can receive the effect of the tranquil Morning’s Blessing!』

『If exiting the Sanctuary or the Sanctuary disappears the effect of the blessing disappears.』

Following translucent windows rose one after another before the eyes.

It was the message he had been waiting for so much.

The face of Ilark who was fighting a desperate battle brightened greatly.

"Kid, you did it!”

“...Making me anxious.”

Bran swept his chest.

If before the eyes it is a timing so perfect he would want to even give a piggyback.

The condition was improving at a fast speed.

Sanctuary.

A cleric’s skill that can manifest blessing even in places not reached by vision.

Not only one’s own mana but also things with high mana conductivity could be used as catalysts.

‘Thank you. Linhardt.’

In Bran’s case the mana stone that was linked to Linhardt’s shackle was the catalyst.

Messages that stats including motor ability improved appeared and disappeared like lightning.

Perplexity settled on the face of Silien who opened her eyes.

“Divine power, how?!”

A just reaction.

For her it would be incomprehensible.

Because the Outer God’s Veil was a passive Silien also possessed.

‘As expected. Same as the game.’

However her divine cut was unexpectedly lower than Rudel.

Because for various reasons including a mage’s pride she does not use the Outer God’s power.

And Bran was convinced that if concentrating Kale’s Divine Power and growing it he could pierce Silien’s veil within several hours.

“Hup!”

Anyway the reason to hesitate disappeared.

Wrapped in the Sanctuary Bran kicked the ground and leaped. It seems like a beautiful ad balloon soars.

At the speed that clearly became faster than earlier Silien’s eyes widened round.

“Even if you do that nothing changes···!”

Along with her gesture the Spiral Spear flew in.

Even the spear that was attacking Ilark was added for a total of three.

Still fast but now he is very slightly faster.

Because he doped with precious herbs along with Morning’s Blessing.

Kwaaaaa!

Avoiding the hit by a paper-thin difference Bran swung the sword diagonally.

It was the moment Smash wrapped in morning energy exploded over the silver membrane.

Kwacaaaaang-!!!!

Along with a sound as if aquarium glass breaking the mana shield collapsed.

“What.”

Silien’s face hardened.

The silver membrane guarding her disappeared.

Without the mana shield her durability was now no different from an ordinary person.

Bang! Bran re-leaped at the same time as landing.

“Now just die, you monster!”

“······!!!”

Bright light was pouring over the longsword.

The salvation of Valkeros was before the eyes.

It was the moment Bran who raised the sword with both hands fired a downward slash.

“He.”

A cool smile rose at the corner of Silien’s mouth.

『The boss of the Steel Tower, Silien Rua casts “Binding Iron”!』

At the same time an anomaly occurred.

Charrrrrk!

Scraps of iron that flew from all directions stuck to Bran’s limbs.

It was several times faster than the speed the Spiral Spear moves. The body suddenly became heavy.

Although the slash was drawn it did not hit Silien.

Bang! Instantly made unable to move Bran lost balance and fell.

Ilark gasped.

“World, Bran?!”

“······Damn.”

Bran clenched his teeth.

It was Binding Iron one of the counter skills.

It was evidence that Silien really felt a crisis but that fact was not particularly pleasing.

Because in the end he only made her feel a sense of crisis and could not eliminate her.

Furthermore, a bigger problem than not killing Silien occurred.

“Lord Bran. You left an item.”

A giggling sound was heard from above the head.

Bran tightly closed his eyes.

The hand where the sword should be gripped was empty.

“Wow, a good sword.”

His longsword was stuck in the sphere Silien was riding.

So deep that the blade was not even visible.

Silien gently stroked the sword hilt.

“This time I was really surprised. To think you would destroy my barrier. Suddenly drawing in divine power too, I really can’t let my guard down.”

“Give back my sword.”

“No.”

Silien shook her head.

Judging from the entranced eyes it seemed the longsword was very to her liking.

Since she has the ability to handle metal like limbs she would feel it more attractive.

“I won’t say twice. If you don’t want to regret give it here.”

“Hehe, if so you shouldn’t have missed it from the beginning. Now this is mine.”

Silien tapped the sword hilt with her index finger.

It seemed enough time was dragged around this point.

Bran who was lying nodded.

“Then no choice. You take it.”

“···Yes?”

At the unexpected answer Silien was dumbfounded.

Rumble···!

Suddenly a sound as if a beast was growling rang out from above the sky.

The weather is this good so suddenly what thunder?

Just as Silien who briefly looked up at the sky was turning her gaze back to the sword.

“Eh.”

She froze.

The state of the longsword had clearly changed from earlier.

Golden current was crackling over the white blade.

As if it would explode right away.

“Wh-what?”

Silien was startled and stood up.

The energy of magic was not felt.

Her gaze that was examining the longsword stopped at one point.

One gold plum blossom colored scale was stuck on the end part of the sword hilt.

“This is···.”

Noticing that it is a dragon’s scale was not difficult.

Judging from the color it seemed a Thunder Dragon’s scale.

Since it was often used as material for high-grade equipment it was not something to be surprised that it is stuck on the sword hilt.

However.

“Why now?”

The point that no lightning energy was tinged at all in Bran’s attacks so far was strange.

There was not even once static electricity occurred, so why suddenly like this?

Now looking it also seemed somewhat different from ordinary scales.

A feeling as if containing more powerful force.

Just as Silien was shivering at the inexplicable ominousness.

“It is called Origin Scale.”

Suddenly Bran’s voice was heard.

It was not the existing position.

Turning in the direction the sound was made Silien flinched.

“At some point···.”

Bran was wedged like a bag in Ilark’s side.

Even while constantly fleeing the voice was calm.

While Silien’s attention was off three Spiral Spears were destroyed.

Although the Steel Spirits were steadily pursuing her, the speed was slow so the sign of catching seemed far.

“Origin Scale. What is that?”

Because busy fleeing there was no room to explain up to there.

Since it is an originally precious material even a smart one like Silien could not know.

Origin Scale.

A scale where the essence of the dragon gathers, that falls every time greatly molting once every hundred years.

It was a gift received from the dragon maid Freude as a reward for excellently training Ilark.

'Really lucky.'

The biggest reason for high evaluation was that the uses are more diverse than ordinary scales.

One of them is, exploding the condensed elemental power by reciting a pre-designated activation word.

It seems enough gathered with this.

Rumble!

Seeing the appearance of the sky flickering Ilark smiled while baring her teeth.

“Huk····· huff, khaha! You are dead now!”

Some of the wounds inflicted by Freude were still not completely healed.

Silien’s brows narrowed.

The sword suddenly containing lightning.

The strange sound that was heard in passing.

The absence of the barrier and the two’s reactions.

Soon realizing the meaning of Bran’s words she gasped.

“Surely.”

Her face turned pale.

Hurriedly raising her head a cumulonimbus cloud passing above the tower was visible.

Golden lightning light was faintly flashing inside the cloud giant like a battleship.

“It will hurt a bit. Because it is the lightning the Thunder Dragon wraps around.”

Of course he expected that Sanctuary alone would be insufficient.

Because Silien was not an opponent to go over with Kale hidden → blessing click deployment.

Originally the role of Sanctuary was to smash the damn mana shield.

From the mouth of Bran who was looking at the cloud the pre-designated activation word flowed out.

“Freude.”

The owner of the Origin Scale and the spell that opens the power.

The light that was leaking from the blade explosively strengthened.

“A-no!”

Silien screamed.

Although she urgently tried to pull the sword she failed. The blade containing mana had become heavy and did not budge.

Late recalling the characteristic of Numerite it was the moment she injected mana with the sword hilt.

Pat.

The surroundings dyed white and a shining vertical line was drawn between the cumulonimbus and the Steel Tower.

A flow of massive energy that destroys everything, drawn to high places.

Boooooooooo-!!!

A lightning that tore the atmosphere and struck drove down on Silien’s head.