No Damage 27

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27. I Wish You're A Strong One

Quadra Canyon, flanked by sheer cliffs on both sides──.

At its exact midpoint, Luka and the others awaited the Demon General.

On either side stood adventurers of S-rank like her, Dractio, and A-rank like Dalton.

Behind them, a thousand elite knights selected from the Royal Knights were on standby.

Furthermore, as a separate unit, five hundred troops consisting of adventurers like Sarome, several A-rank adventurers, knights, and magicians, were maneuvering around the canyon.

The plan was simple: when the target demon reached the interception point, Sarome and the others would move to the opposite side of the canyon for a pincer attack.

"The Legendary Six Demon Generals, huh? I wonder what they're capable of."

Dractio murmured in a nonchalant tone.

He was in his early 30s.

With a slender face and round glasses, he looked more like a scholar than a mage.

He possessed formidable magical power and was renowned as the best in defensive magic in his generation.

That's why he was called the Indomitable Wall.

In the battle against Gyrasvrim, who had the power to destroy an entire town with a single blow, there was no more reliable ally.

And──the next day at noon.

"It's here, that's──"

Dalton shouted.

A black figure approached straight from the front of the narrow canyon.

"The Six Demon General, Gyrasvrim──"

Luca tightened her expression and drew her beloved longsword, Forcegreed."

Simultaneously, she entered a state of mental concentration.

She was a Factor Holder──a special ability user inheriting the blood of non-human beings, capable of exerting power beyond human limits.

Activate the Factor of Close Combat.

The heat surges.

The flames ignite──.

She recited keywords in her mind to clarify the image and activate her Factor.

Dractio and Dalton, each wielding a mage's staff, began chanting spells.

Furthermore, behind them, the knights were ready with spears and bows.

"...Not yet. Keep it occupied a little longer."

While maintaining her mental concentration, Luca kept an eye on the demon's movement.

She raised a hand to control the knights' movements.

Gyrasvrim walked as if taking a stroll.

Calculating the relative distance precisely, Luka lowered her raised hand.

"Now. Everyone, release──"

"[Funeral Flame]!"

Dalton unleashed a fire magic.

The knights released their spears and arrows simultaneously.

They turned into a downpour, pouring down on the black demon.

Roaring and booming.

Explosions and shockwaves.

Attacks of a level capable of wiping out a Class A demon without a trace.

However,

"Such a weak welcome greeting..."

Despite simultaneous concentrated bombardments from both physical and magical sides, Gailasvrime continued to walk calmly.

There wasn't a single scratch or scorch mark on his jet-black knight armor.

"An ambush, huh..."

Stopping about twenty meters away, Gyrasvrim spoke.

"That's right. We won't let you get close to the royal capital."

Dractio declared while raising the bridge of his glasses with his fingertip.

"You seem confident... Fighting against a strong opponent brings me joy..."

Muttered Gyrasvrim.

"I wish you're a strong one... For now, about 30 percent..."

He raised the red giant sword in his right hand.

The width of the blade was unusually wide, more like a metal plate attached to a handle than a sword.

"A single slash capable of destroying a town... But I can't afford to underestimate you."

Dractio quietly remarked and swung the staff in his hand.

"[Heaven's Shell]!"

A golden dome of light appeared around him.

The dome expanded rapidly, enveloping all allies.

The next moment, the black knight swung his sword.

The shockwave of the slash collided with Dokratiel's barrier magic, resounding with an explosion.

Raging, destructive energy.

The cliffs on both sides were carved away, and countless rocks rained down.

"Guh, it's... heavy...!"

Dractio groaned with his staff thrust out.

The dome of light flickered violently.

The shockwave of the demon's slash and Dokratiel's barrier energy were struggling against each other.

Like a showdown between top-notch swordsmen──.

Pushing against each other.

If they got overpowered, everyone would get engulfed by the shockwave.

"Kuuuaaaah!"

Dractio roared.

The dome of light, shining brilliantly, scattered the shockwave.

"Hm... You've endured it..."

Gyrasvrim's voice slightly changed.

"It seems there are some usable individuals among humans..."

His voice hinted at joy.

"I pride myself as the world's foremost in defensive magic. The 'Adamant Barrier' is not just for show."

Dokratiel smiled while raising the bridge of his glasses with his fingertip.

Still maintaining the defensive field, he turned towards Luca.

"I'll block his slashes. I leave the attack to you, Luca."

"Understood. I'll use the power of my Factor now──"

Luca tried to finish refining her visualization.

But,

"Block? Don't make me laugh..."

Gyrasvrim growled low.

"Raaaaaah!"

A beast-like roar echoed.

He added his left hand to the sword he held with his right and lifted it high with both hands.

A black aura surged from his entire body.

The released energy violently shook the surroundings.

Tremendous energy was concentrated on the blade.

"Sixty percent... Can you withstand it this time...?"

He declared and simultaneously swung the red giant sword downward.

Once again, sparks scattered violently.

Dractio's defensive barrier flickered even more violently than before──,

"Gah...!?"

The one who pushed through was Gyrasvrim's slash.

The red blade that tore through the dome of light sliced Dractio's body in half.

With a thud, the body split in two and fell to the ground.

"Dractio...!"

Even Luca was stunned.

"To think a Rank S would be easily killed..."

"T-this is... no, it's too strong...!"

Countless screams rose from behind.

Looking back, the knights lined up in rows all had pale faces.

They all seemed visibly scared and couldn't possibly stand at the forefront of the battle.

"D-don't panic. We are the defense line of the royal capital. What good are we if we falter here!"

Barely holding onto their fighting spirit was Dalton.

He desperately scolded the soldiers, but no sign of the panic subsiding.

(It seems they were demoralized just by witnessing that exchange.)

Without anger or disappointment, Luka analyzed calmly.

They were fundamentally trained for combat against enemy nations──human adversaries.

It might be natural for them to be frightened when facing demons.

Ideally, defeating such opponents was the job of adventurers.

"Next is you... girl."

Gyrasvrim glared at Luca.

"You are different from the other weaklings... You don't hesitate or falter against me..."

"I am Luca Abasta the Ice Blade. Allow me to be your opponent."

The beautiful knight declared resolutely.

"No matter how mighty my opponent is, I will give my all."

Her 'all' was now complete.

──Nerve enhancement.

Reflex enhancement.

Speed amplification.

With the completion of her visualization, her limbs became as hot as burning.

She could feel the extraordinary athletic ability dwelling throughout her body.

"I see, a Factor Holder..."

Gailasvrime bathed Luka in a red gaze.

"I wish you're a strong one... The man from earlier was disappointing..."

"Indeed. Then, I shall meet your expectations."

With a calm tone, Luka readied her sword once more.

"Forcegreed, [Lightning Form]."

The longsword made a mechanical sound as it split into two swords.

She removed the knight's armor she had been wearing, leaving only her underwear.

Luca's final annihilating form specialized in speed, discarding defense.

"I will defeat you."