(...Her learning speed is far swifter than anticipated!)
The Beast King roared within his mind. Nevertheless, there was not a single shadow cast over his attacks, which were unleashed from a body reinforced to its limits by mana. While constantly maintaining his composure, he simultaneously kept his burning fighting spirit ablaze. Yet, faced with a monster that could only be described as a bug in the world, his heart was not dead enough to remain silent.
A technique he had shown but once was being nearly perfectly emulated, even if it was currently a degraded copy. The method of accumulating a vast amount of mana in his limbs beforehand to transition instantaneously into offense or defense. The martial arts structured upon that premise, and even the tactical thinking of how to configure those techniques to connect them into an assault. Little by little, it was all being stolen with absolute certainty.
To be sure, her current mana manipulation was crude. Although it was improving step-by-step with the passage of time, it still suffered from a tremendous amount of loss. Fundamentally, because the enhancement of physical capabilities via mana was meant to be finalized entirely within the body, it was impossible for mana to leak to the exterior. Mana that leaked externally would simply diffuse on the spot, turning into pure waste. Yet, by virtue of the overwhelming mana residing within her form, she completely ignored that extravagance.
(Despite wasting an amount of mana that would cause an ordinary person to shrivel dry in less than a second! There is still no end to her mana!)
"Ahahahaha! Not yet, not yet! You can still keep going, right?!"
"Tch! (Multiple Mana Barriers—Maximum Output!)"
Swinging her leg high into the air, a heel drop was unleashed with all her might. Crossing both his arms, the Beast King simultaneously expelled all the mana accumulated within his limbs to generate a barrier. A single layer would undoubtedly be shattered, and his crown would be pierced right through. Making that judgment, the Beast King generated three layers of barriers and received the blow.
The first layer was reduced to smithereens in the blink of an eye, and the second layer diffused into mist after withstanding it for a mere fraction of a second. He somehow managed to hold it off with the third layer, but the monster before the Beast King's eyes was an "ostrich." Her leg strength in her raw, base state was at a level capable of kicking away a heavy armored infantryman, and that very strength was currently being reinforced by mana. It was an extraordinary display of power.
Due to the impact of receiving Lais's foot, the ground in contact with both of the Beast King's legs shattered, collapsing inward in an instant. A gargantuan crater centered around him was completed. This location, which had originally been a peaceful grassland, had been thoroughly destroyed by the combat between the two; not a single fragment remained of the kind of landscape where young children could run around and enjoy nature.
(Right there!)
Being pressed down to the extent that the ground collapsed inward—at a glance, it was a situation where one would think the Beast King had been cornered into a disadvantage, but he had aimed for this precisely. Lais had leaped up to deliver a heel drop, meaning her body existed directly above the Beast King. And being pressed down so deeply meant that his mouth—his mana cannon—could be discharged at point-blank range.
"Take... t-!!!"
Attempting to unleash the mana accumulated within his mouth, he looked upward.
There, looking right back at him, was Lais, who had charged a mana cannon in her mouth in the exact same manner.
"The. Exact. Same!"
"Tch!!!"
He instantaneously canceled the mana cannon accumulated in his mouth, discharging mana from his feet with everything he had.
Should they engage in a direct clash of identical techniques, the Beast King would fall into an overwhelming disadvantage. While the discrepancy in technique and experience remained clear as day, the opponent's sheer quantity of mana rendered all of it utterly void. In a direct exchange, he might be able to inflict a wound upon the opponent, but it would undoubtedly be restored by that excessive mana. Furthermore, the output on her side was already superior; in the end, it would result in a situation where he would be blasted into nothingness while Lais remained completely unscathed.
Consequently, the choice he made was escape.
Firing a mana cannon from the soles of his feet, he instantly retreated. And upon the location where he had stood until a moment ago, a polar light was unleashed. A simple violence composed of raw mana that incinerated everything and destroyed all in its path. A threat he could comprehend precisely because he had accumulated and utilized it himself. A cold sweat—he knew not for which number of times—flowed down the Beast King's brow.
"Ah-ah, you dodged it. What a sha~me."
"......Tch!"
"Hmm~? Ah, are you thinking about my mana quantity? Ahha! Far from decreasing at all, it's actually increasing, you know? Apparently, I just have that kind of constitution! How myste~rious!"
Information flashed through the Beast King's mind; while the possibility of it being a bluff existed, even from his perspective, the current Lais was far too abnormal. The reckless, wild method of destroying her own brain with her own hands and regenerating it. From the rapid surge of mana driven into her brain, the Beast King comprehended what had occurred within her body. Because her brain had become brand-new, a massive amount of endorphins was likely being discharged within her mind to deceive the pain arising from the destruction and regeneration of her brain.
Normally, it would stop at the level of numbing the pain; it shouldn't result in a state this incredibly high, but this was a phenomenon impossible by the design of living creatures. Because an incomprehensible event where the brain regenerated after being entirely destroyed had occurred, it could be considered that the brain's functions had gone haywire. In short, it meant that endorphins were being spewed out far more than necessary.
And, a return from a situation that would normally bring death to a living creature. The explosive surge of mana generated by it.
"......Are you a monster?!"
"Ahaha! In a way, maybe! I'm a cute little monster-chan!"
In short, to kill the woman before his eyes who called herself an ostrich, it had to be a strike that would completely erase her entire body into nothingness. Any half-baked power would merely result in an act of benefit to the enemy.
Her learning speed was swifter than the Beast King's assumptions; furthermore, it was something he too had begun to comprehend, but she had already switched her policy from "killing" to "learning." In other words, this battle would continue until she finished learning everything the Beast King possessed, and the instant she became satisfied, this battle would signal its conclusion. The short-term decisive battle the Beast King had desired had already met with failure, and currently, he had fallen into a state of being kept alive by Lais.
In that case, thinking he would overwhelm her swifter than she could learn, the Beast King altered the composition of the mana within his body. Attempting to apply an attribute to the 'Mana Cannon'—which was a simple discharge of mana—to unleash a wide variety of attacks, he began to move, but...
"Next is... attribute application, maybe?! I wonder what you're going to show me!"
He immediately halted his hand.
At the landing point of the attack he had somehow managed to dodge just now, there stood Lais, looking over here with an expression of pure amusement, laughing as though this entire world was her personal toybox. She was completely wired. If one looked at that alone, she appeared to be nothing more than a human high on substances, but even while her brain danced with ecstasy and hatred, it was unfailingly calculating the correct answers.
The fact that her learning speed was swift meant nothing other than the fact that, during stagnant situations, it generated time for her to preview or predict. It was an answer born from Lais also comprehending that the situation was disadvantageous for the Beast King.
"...."
Reverting the composition of his mana to its original state, the Beast King took his stance once more.
Attribute magic could certainly be expected to enhance power, but that power would fluctuate wildly depending on the enemy's resistances. Just as ostriches possessed resistance against electricity above a certain level, there existed individuals among beastmen who held absolute immunity against several attributes. Against such a foe, unleashing an attack that could be nullified would result in nothing but an opening.
Admonishing himself for being too hasty for success in the face of the opponent's growth speed and specification discrepancy, the Beast King executed a change of policy.
A half-baked attack would result in nothing but a benefit for the opponent. He knew that even a mana recovery born of one's constitution would eventually meet its limit, but at what timing that would arrive was uncertain. In the first place, he had no intention of doing something like 'waiting for the opponent to run out of breath,' a gamble that didn't seem likely to succeed. In short, what remained was an attack via maximum output. Erasing the opponent with an attack that utilized his everything—literally his everything.
(If this fails, it is the end. ...But, I have no choice but to do it!)
◇◆◇◆◇
"Oh, you're quitting? What a shame!"
The special mana manipulation the Beast King had been performing—in all likelihood, the application of an attribute—was halted.
Ehh~! It was a technique that looked so interesting! Showing me just the tip and then putting it away, what a teasing guy! Because you reverted it back before I could properly grasp the entire picture, I couldn't understand what it was like at all! Cheapskate! I hate you! Since you've angered Lais-chan, I'll have Beast King-kun take a job counting trees in the highlands! It'll be fine! There's nothing but danger to your life there!
While thinking of such things, I revolve my thoughts at a deeper level.
As I muttered just now, he was probably trying to use attribute-type magic. Something along the lines of placing an attribute on top of the 'Mana Cannon'. Right now, it's just a polar light being discharged, but wouldn't it feel like being able to fire a beam that looks like a pillar of fire? Precisely because of that, I think I could reproduce it immediately if I looked at it properly and received it with my own body... but if he won't do it for me, then it's impossible.
(That being the case, what is he going to bring out?)
Having traded blows with that Beast King-chan for quite a bit, my high state is starting to settle down slightly. While the surface layer of my thoughts and my tone of voice are still ongoing, my underlying thoughts are starting to become calm little by little.
The situation the opponent—the Beast King—is placed in should be exceptionally Dire. I am currently right in the thick of improving my techniques, and simultaneously, my mana remains abundantly left over. Perhaps thanks to remaking my body, every single movement is incredibly sharp. To use a game example, it's probably around the point of being in a permanent critical state. The reality might be different, but my mood truly feels exactly like that.
In contrast, the opponent is considerably exhausted; though visible wounds are practically non-existent, he is soot-covered in various places. Furthermore, though the sharpness of his techniques hasn't deteriorated, his body isn't quite keeping up just a little bit. It's likely a drop in specs due to fatigue. And above all else, the consumption of the mana supporting his battle; though it still feels like it's greater than Amelia-san's maximum mana, it has become vastly scarcer than when we began fighting.
"Haah!"
"Aha! There it is, there it is, it's here!"
Emitting mana from his legs, the Beast King closes the distance. It seems he desires close-quarters combat.
Only, his speed is a little slow. A drop in output? No, is he conserving his mana?
(If I were the opponent, what would I do?)
While parrying the thrust fist with my wing, I deepen my thoughts. In exchange, my mouth has turned into a pure reflex action, so I'm probably speaking pretty crazy things, but I won't pay mind to that area. The thrust fists and feet; the martial arts based on experience that the Beast King displayed just now. A fierce strike upon which a buff to physical capabilities via mana was riding. It's an attack that would be quite painful even for the current me if I received it normally.
However, until a moment ago, he should have combined a 'Mana Cannon' right along with that. I am currently emulating it as well, but this combination is considerably troublesome. What should I call it, something like Gun Kata? Well, over there it's a handgun, whereas over here it's a destruction beam, though. It's annoying because just when you think it's an ordinary punch, a beam comes flying out of his hand, you see. Therefore, if he is to fight "normally" with me, it's an attack where not using it conversely places him at a disadvantage.
(...My attacks are blocked by his mana barrier.)
While contemplating such things, I assemble my assault.
Yeah, as expected, he's conserving his mana and plotting something. That said, I can't see the alteration in the mana flowing within his body. Ah~! In all likelihood, if it were Amelia-san or someone of that nature, they would comprehend it, though~! This is absolutely a case of insufficient experience! If that's the case, I have no choice but to receive it with my life! I activate my Spell Card! [Augmentation of Physical Hardness via Mana]! Sacrificing mana whose maximum quantity I can no longer grasp myself, I raise my Defense power by 3000 points!
Powerful! Invincible! Lais-chan is the strongest!
"Tch!"
Yeah, yeah, as expected, it gets exposed, doesn't it! We individuals who can manipulate magic can see things by passing mana through our eyes! Consequently, my effort to raise my defensive power by increasing the mana circulated through my body was completely exposed! But that much was already within expectations, right? Right? On top of the body reinforcement as always! The recovery that keeps circulating at all times! And the mana for the 'Mana Cannon' accumulated in my legs and wings! If I cram an increase in defensive power on top of this, as expected, the capacity of my brain is tightly packed, but there is no issue!
After all, my brain is brand-new! Of course, the capacity for magic usage is currently improving as well! The only impact is that it's a bit exhausting to the point where I can't revolve my thoughts in the background!
"Come, come, come! I wonder what you intended to show me! Hurry up and tell me~!"
While saying so, I unleash a kick with all my might.
If it ends here, then he was merely an existence of that level; ending without being able to display a single card for a comeback holds an elegance of its own, doesn't it?!
With one leg planted on the ground, the target for the other is the opponent's head. A high kick.
In my past life's world, even the ostriches that served as our basis could kill a lion if they landed a direct kick. In the first place, the lion itself is called the King of Beasts, but that is a title humans attached entirely on their own whim. There are far more massive amounts of creatures stronger than a lion. Consequently, if one is kicked by the leg strength of an ostrich, and this power raised by mana reinforcement, they can absolutely be killed.
The opponent likely comprehends that as well. Raising his arm, he deploys a mana barrier just like before...
(...He's not deploying it?)
Remaining exactly as he is, the Beast King does nothing.
There is something.
Though I thought that, the leg I already swung through cannot be halted the instant it makes contact with the unprotected arm of the Beast King—
It explodes.
"Tch!"
Blasted away by the explosive wind, I roll across the ground.
It possessed a considerable amount of power, but perhaps because I had arranged my defensive stance in the first place, there is no damage to me. However, a considerable amount of distance has been taken.
(What on earth did he..., tch!)
Driving my foot claws into the ground, I rapidly decelerate my speed. Thereafter, the dirt and dust kicked up by the explosion; by swinging my wings with all my might, I blow away that annoying obstacle obscuring my vision. With this, securing my vision was accomplished, but...
(His arm is gone.)
Perhaps due to the explosion just now, the arm the Beast King should have used to guard is gone right from the root. To be sure, it was an explosion of a considerably massive scale, but if it were him, he should have been able to defend against it; why did he go out of his way to discard his arm? Well, although it's only a vague idea, I comprehend the principle of how he destroyed his arm. He likely caused the mana within his arm to rotate at high speed to its absolute limit, giving it directives to explode outward the instant it received an external impact.
A so-called mana explosion triggered within the body; judging by this power, it seems likely he applied some kind of attribute to it, but I don't comprehend that far.
Perhaps because the Beast King's mana is scattered about due to the mana explosion, I can't see it in that much detail...
"...Ah, I see."
Inadvertently, a voice of admiration escapes me.
An ordinary blindfold via the dirt smoke, combined with a magical jamming triggered by causing his arm to explode via mana. Something that likely couldn't be seen even if one passed mana through their eyes. For him, it must have been a more than sufficient charging time.
Within the Beast King's mouth, the largest mana sphere I have witnessed thus far is floating.
There is barely any mana remaining inside his body; in other words, he intends to decide it with that.
"GUGYAAAAAAH!!!!!"
By the time it could be visually perceived, it was already too late; the mana sphere is released.
In an instant, the polar light of the mana cannon expands across the entirety of my vision.
"Wow."
Ah, this is going to hurt. My skin is going to be scorched, yeah... Yeah, with this power, my recovery won't keep up. Yeah, yeah, it's certainly a desperate strike. If I received this with my bare flesh, I think I would have died as expected; after all, even I would die if I were entirely blasted into nothingness, wouldn't I~! Also, I think I'd die if my head was chopped off and left like that for a certain period of time.
...Eh? Why am I not panicking despite looking like I'm about to die?
"Because I've already been taught how to cut through it."
The 'Make-Believe Mana Cannon' I unleashed; when the Beast King received it with his body, he carved through the polar light—the torrent of mana—to secure a safe zone. I just have to do that right now, but well... I'm a bit lacking in information. Since I was swallowed by the mana, it means I can't see it even if I perform mana vision from the exterior, you see. Look, even if you turn on a flashlight in an incredibly bright room, it doesn't become 'blindly bright!', right? It's that kind of feeling.
Therefore, it means there is a necessity to do it in my own style.
"Well, in short, it's fine as long as I can secure a safe zone, right?"
Within the polar light, I circulate the mana inside my body. Bringing both my wings together in front of my chest, I refine the mana. It can't be called perfect just yet, but thanks to having an excellent textbook example called the Beast King, my technique in mana manipulation has managed to improve considerably. In a manner of speaking, this is a gift from a student to a teacher. It's the submission of a report for today's lesson.
What I imagine is that mana sphere of the Beast King that could even be called a work of art.
Twisting the threads of mana together one by one, I form a mass.
And.
"Release."
A mana sphere filled with mana in the exact same manner as the interior of my body; a tiny hole the size of a single needle is opened within it.
The instant that occurs, the world switches.
What is born within the polar light is a black light. Not a simple discharge of mana, but an aggregate of deeply refined, pitch-black mana. The tiny black light—just large enough to fit my body precisely—unfailingly pushes back the white light.
The Beast King likely noticed that I was doing something within the light as well; he instantaneously pushes up the power. Despite the fact that barely any mana should remain anymore. ...However, the power over here is higher. Little by little, it unfailingly pushes back the Beast King's mana.
...He likely wagered literally his everything upon this single strike. To be sure, this assault was a strike capable of killing me. If there were factors other than me and him present here—say, my children or his vassals—it wouldn't have been strange for the crown to go to that side.
Yeah, he was a good teacher, and a good opponent.
Let's end it.
Pushing further mana into the woven mana sphere, I elevate the pressure higher.
The black light, having increased its power further, pierces through the white polar light.
Unfailingly, it destroyed him.
With slow steps, I advance.
"...Ah, as expected, you're alive."
"......Is it... you."
His mana is already empty, and his lower half has been blasted into nothingness. His entire body is covered in wounds and scorched in various places, but for even his upper half to remain, should I say 'as expected of a Special Tactical Force'? I was intending to blast you into nothingness pretty seriously, you know?
"Unscathed... are you."
"No~pe? I was scraped away considerably, you know? If I received it completely unprotected, I would have been blasted into nothingness in all likelihood. Well, it just means my growth was swifter. Thanks, sensei."
"......Heh."
Laughing it off lightly, the Beast King is unable to laugh very well, likely because death is already nigh. Slightly—no, considerably frustratingly—this guy is making a somewhat refreshed face. There are likely many other emotions present as well, but a feeling along the lines of 'if it's impossible after going this far, it can't be helped' can be seen. Ah-ah, even though I was intending to kill you after plunging you into despair. I failed, didn't I.
"...Do you hold... interest... in the position... of Beast King?"
"Beast King? ...Could it be that it's a system where the strongest guy who fights becomes the King? No way, no way. I'm a kindergarten mama, you see. I have my hands full with babysitting. Please spare me from taking on anything more than this."
"Is that... so."
Well, if one is a King, there must be a corresponding amount of hardship, and this guy must have had a life of his own as well.
The eyes of this guy as he brought up the topic of the Beast King were eyes with a core to them. The eyes of one who protects the people behind him; personally, they are the kind of eyes I prefer. They are not those of a madman who merely enjoys slaughter; a guardian, should I call him? ...We might be a little similar.
Among the soldiers and commanders I slaughtered to the absolute last, there must have been many friends and comrades-in-arms. But well, if this is war, and the current continent is in an era of civil strife, there are places where it can't be helped. Us surviving this time, and this guy dying, is also one of those things, isn't it? We have no choice but to bring ourselves to a settlement on various matters.
If there were no such thing as war, and if this guy hadn't harmed my children, perhaps there might have been a different future.
"...Well, if I feel like it, I'll at least look after them to some extent. We're 'hired hands' anyway; in the end, we decide for ourselves. As long as we aren't attacked, we have no intention of doing anything from our side."
"......…Is that so. I am... a little... relieved. Sー..."
Closing the eyes of the Beast King, who had ceased to move.
Though it didn't proceed entirely according to the initial plan, the grudge has been settled. I managed to learn what could be learned as well, after all.
...Beast King, "Shi." I shall make sure to remember it. Ah, but since I'm an ostrich, don't place expectations on my memory capacity, okay?
"Now then, I think it's fine since I've left it to Amelia-san and Matilde, but... let's hurry up and return to look after my kids! I have to make haste!"
Next time, the aftermath.