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Amber, The Magician Of The Ancient Castle 3

Isaac sat on his knees, dumbfounded, no longer a target or a threat.

Chrome seemed to be unconscious, and he, too, was not currently targeted by Amber.

"Despite appearances, the Poison has been continuously dealing damage. Amber's HP isn't that high. Soon, she'll start to panic."

Amber, in a slashing motion, paused for about a second before releasing a large half-circle attack skill.

As the skill flew towards them, I lifted Ao-chan with my threads and moved towards the ceiling.

The skill left marks on the wall resembling the claws of a giant beast.

"Troublesome, really."

Amber, seemingly indifferent, used an item.

<Amber used an Antidote, and Poison was cured.>

Bleeding and Burns had random durations, and these had already healed.

"Flying around like a gnat, what do you plan to do?"

"Not a gnat, but a poisonous insect... Watch out for the stingers."

"Hahaha! You can't get close without support. Isn't it a mistake of a weakling?"

"M-Minato-kun, you got me there..."

Ao-chan admitted defeat on her own.

"It's fine; I don't care."

Amber's HP was now below half. 

The situation was different from when everyone was present. 

Dealing more damage from here carried more risk.

"But my options are limited. —Sensei, use [Dark Magic] at the right moment."

"Got it."

I found a foothold, set Ao-chan down, and then attempted to approach Amber again.

"You can't get close anyway."

With a light swing of her staff, a magic circle appeared at her feet.

That was—!

[Crossfire]—flames intersected, surrounding in front, back, left, and right. It was an all-encompassing skill for offense and defense. 

The power wasn't high, so rushing in was an option, but I couldn't touch her.

I applied the brakes and hesitated to approach.

"I've considered close-quarters combat, too. Properly."

"Huh? Obviously. Don't underestimate a seasoned player. Be grateful to me."

"Huh?"

Amber, looking suspicious, clouded her composed expression.

Well, she probably wouldn't understand even if I explained.

"...Minato, I kinda get your aim."

Slipping through the gap in [Crossfire], a magic arrow hit Amber's shoulder.

"Just run away already. Are you stupid?"

Unconcerned, Amber threw a disdainful look at Isaac.

"Maybe. But turning your back, and running away after letting a friend get killed by the enemy is not the way to live."

My aim...

He probably understands it vaguely.

 —But that's not it.

I don't want her to take the target to that extent.

"Isaac! It's enough! Withdraw!"

"I don't mind! I don't want to die, but I don't want to live by turning my back on the one who killed a comrade."

Amber chuckled irritatingly.

"Your half-hearted determination will be your demise."

"Fine by me. Come on, you damn woman."

"Ggh... Just as you wish!"

[Crossfire] ceased, and the activation motion of [Sword Lance] began.

"Why is this happening—!"

I gritted my teeth in frustration and closed the distance rapidly.

I have no choice now.

Ao-chan's [Dark Magic] was activated, and I hesitated on whether to go with my plan or use [Thief's Expertise].

<Stole a potion from Amber, dealing 33 damage to SP>

Za za za za za.

Amber unleashed several attack magics towards Isaac.

One hit him directly as he tried to evade, piercing his shoulder, thigh, and arm with magic.

In an instant, Isaac, now tattered, disappeared with a satisfied smile.

"Tch..."

Ao-chan bit her lip.

It's just us now, Ao-chan and me.

Amber enclosed the surroundings with [Crossfire] without a break.

A bit more. Just a bit more.

With one more approach, we can do it—.

If Chrome were here...

Using the stolen potion on Chrome...

No, but what's the point of waking him up?

He's slow. 

It's like asking him to be a target.

In a game, there's an efficient formula for victory: do this and that for optimal results.

But... I can't.

In a real-life-or-death battle, I can't ask him to be a stepping stone for my victory.

"Minato-kun, over there."

Ao-chan pointed to where Chrome was.

His arm moved slowly, taking out a potion from his inventory and bringing it to his mouth.

And then, with a clatter, Chrome stood up, using his battered shield like a staff.

"...What the hell is this?"

"Chrome, the party is wiped out. Retreat! We'll find an opportunity to withdraw too!"

The latter part was a lie, but Chrome seemed not to hear.

"Wendy, Quentin, Isaac, probably Demil too... They've all probably gone. They were comrades I've been with since I could count on one hand, and now they're erased like trash. I can't just stand idly by."

Muttering solemnly, Chrome raised his shield and began advancing step by step.

"Minato, I'll fight believing in the information you mentioned."

"It's futile to talk to someone who desires death. Being weak is a sin, truly. How pitiful."

I believe sympathizing with the enemy is the greatest insult. 

It's the condescension of the strong.

Unforgivable.

"Chrome! That's enough! Why are you doing this—"

"It's obvious. I want to show this damn woman my fighting spirit."

In a game, you'd give up and retry, or escape from such a situation. 

But for Chrome, offering himself to the enemy is a matter of pride.

"A slow-moving pillbug that can only fortify itself is barking at me? Fufu. I'm looking forward to it."

Chrome, advancing while using [Saint Force], prepared for an attack.

"I realized, Minato, by watching your fight... the Bison fight. If you use your initial skills extensively, they become pretty good."

"Dead people talking nonsense."

Amber unleashed [Slash], but with buffs and his natural high defense, Chrome somehow withstood the damage and continued to advance.

Taking advantage of the break in [Crossfire], I activated [Thief's Expertise].

<Dealt 33 damage to Amber's SP.>

"Now you won't be able to get close, right!?"

Amber, wearing a sadistic smile, activated [Crossfire] again, blocking Chrome's advance.

"Why bother now?"

However, Chrome didn't stop. Step by step, he steadily closed the distance.

He continued to take damage during that time. His proud shield melted, and his armor began to heat up.

"The initial skill I thought was useless turned out to be good after using it extensively, really."

Chrome used the top-tier version of the initial skill for Holy Knight, [Pride of the Shield]. It greatly raised the defense and magical defense of targets within a certain range but lowered their Agility.

There was a clear intention behind this.

I received that message.

[Prize of the Shield] had been used on Amber.

"To me...? A mistake at this point!? How foolish! Ahahaha!"

Jumping out from behind Chrome, I rushed towards Amber.

Chrome showed a faint smile.

"You got the order of defeat wrong, you damn woman. You left the most dangerous one."

Originally, it shouldn't have been possible to approach with [Crossfire], but it was interrupted.

"Huh—?"

Suspiciously, Amber furrowed her brow.

[Crossfire] didn't stop. It became impossible to cast.

As expected, like Isaac, Chrome also understood my intention.

Amber's SP was about to run out.