Otome Game no Heroine de Saikyou Survival-Chapter 94

Grave Assassination Battle (5) – Target

Coeurl and I, on his back, escaped together from the depths of the hole.

It would have been difficult for me to escape from that place alone, but perhaps because of its basic physical abilities, Coeurl was able to run up that fragile wall in one bound before it collapsed.

Coeurl jumped up even higher, using a large dead tree that seemed to tower to the heavens as a foothold, and I looked around from that position to check the situation.

The sun was still high in the sky when I encountered Grave, but it was now late into the evening, and the color of the sky was beginning to encroach on the blue sky.

It had probably been four or five hours since I had left Viro and the others.

Was the battle still going on? Viro and Samantha believed that they would not lose even against Grave, but even if they did not lose, there was still a possibility that they were in a critical situation.

“Over there. That’s where our enemy is.”

[Gaooh!]

Coeurl barked in response to my words and began to move to avoid the holes that dotted the earth, landing on the dry ground as if to shatter it.

Wait for me… I’d be there soon.

***

“You’re holding up well. Age has got you down, huh?”

“No, boy!”

As a Rank 5 Magician, she used Level 4 body enhancement and Taijutsu, making her a fast-moving old woman who was shooting rock bullets similar to Stone Bullet.

Stone Shot, Samantha’s earth magic, maintained Level 2’s magical power consumption and was nearly as powerful as Level 3’s Stone Lance in terms of anti-biological effects.

As expected, it was difficult to slash it away, and as soon as Grave avoided it by jumping, Viro attacked from behind him, but…

“–Jumping Slash–“

“Kuh.”

Viro blocked the water magic that Grave unleashed while he was out of stance and attempted to counter Grave with his mithril dagger, that was sharpened with magic power, but deflected by Grave’s kick.

Grave could use magic as well as swordsmanship and other concealment skills.

The magic Grave learned was only up to Level 2, the same level as his former colleague Sera, but while he was in hiding, he trained his magic skills up to Level 3, considering the fact that he would be facing multiple opponents on his own.

“Your attacks are getting monotonous, Viro, are you getting impatient because your apprentice is in danger?”

“Shut up! Dark Mist!“

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Viro had also raised his dark magic to Level 2 in the past three years. In the process of training, he had also reached Level 4 in magic control, and the accuracy of his body enhancement had improved, which had also increased his combat power.

He used to not place so much importance on individual fighting ability, but his heart had given birth to some thoughts when he saw Aria’s fighting style, where she continued to fight strong enemies alone.

It was difficult for an adventurer of Rank 4 or above to always be ambitious, even if the reason was that his apprentice was catching up to him.

Viro released a dark mist that blocked Grave’s vision. Just before Grave tried to move to escape the fog’s reach, Samantha performed a magic spell.

“–Stone Skin–“

It was an armor-type sorcery that cloaked you in earth-attribute magical elements and absorbed a certain amount of damage.

He saw Samantha, clad in [Stone Skin], jump into the Dark Mist.

“So you did.”

In this darkness that was made of magical elements, night vision was not effective, and it was difficult to determine her exact location by detection.

Normal attacks were blocked by Stone Skin. Even if the opponent was a sorcerer, she was an experienced adventurer who controlled Level 4 body enhancement, so the moment his attack was blocked, there was a possibility of a counterattack from her.

If Grave could use his Combat Skill, he would be able to slice through Stone Skin. but if he missed the attack in the darkness, it would give Samantha an opportunity to attack.

(I have no choice but to back down at this point.)

As soon as Grave made that decision and jumped back, Samantha’s magic was released again from the darkness.

“–Water Ball–“

I knew this Level 3 water magic because Grave could also use it. The power was weak, and the speed was slow, but the advantage of this magic was its ranged attack, which was rare in Level 3.

“Kuh!”

Grave’s feet were swept away by the surging water pressure.

Aiming for that moment, Viro, who had also been hit by the water pressure, jumped into the water, and when they clashed, blood spurted out from Grave’s side.

“Take this!”

“Don’t let it get to you, kid!!!!”

Samantha scolded as she emerged from the darkness, standing beside Viro and bracing herself.

Grave, frowning at the blood overflowing from his own side, glared at them both to check their condition, then used healing magic on his wound.

“–High Heal–“

It was a Level 3 light magic that granted recovery and healing effects instantly. Even though It consumed 30 Magic Power, the effect was expected to be tremendous.

Because of Grave’s use of this magic, Samantha and Viro were unable to attack.

When using high-level magic without a heavy warrior who used shields to block attacks, it was necessary to make his opponents stop for a moment to not receive a counter while casting.

Even the two could not use any large-scale magic attacks because of not having a tank, a single precise hit from a strong spell should have been more than enough to end the fight if it hits.

However, this premise collapsed due to Grave’s use of High Heal, and Samantha was forced to use low-Level magic to reduce the unnecessary consumption of magic power.

But–

“Too bad. If Aria, who can use light magic, had been there, the battle would have been a little more decent.”

Grave gave a ridiculing grin as he finished healing the wounds.

“You…”

“You’re a talkative little bastard.”

Samantha could also use light magic that is much stronger than what Grave could use.

However, to finish off Grave, high-level attribute magic was needed, and to reduce the consumption of magic power, Samantha was hesitant to use healing magic.

Basically, both Heal and Cure were magic that needed contact, which meant that the magic must be used for several tens of seconds while keeping the physical contact with the target, but High Heal could be used during battle since it could fly several meters.

All three of them had potions, but they could not drink them during battle.

Viro and Samantha, whose healing magic was blocked during the battle, were unable to heal their wounds, while Grave, although consuming magic, still had time to spare since his main battle style was close combat.

“It’s time to settle this before the phantom beast returns. You guys better use your healing, if you can afford it, and Aria, I thought there was a chance she might come back, but I guess I was expecting a little too much.”

“You annoying bastard…”

“Don’t think it’s going to be that easy, kid.”

Viro and Samantha let loose their killing intent, and Grave, as well, poured more magic into his two favorite magic swords to prepare for the clash.

Although she might be an old woman, Grave would not be too careless knowing that the person he was facing was a former Rank 5 and with a Rank 4 companion, but he had already seen the best of what they could do in the past few hours of his battle against them.

But then…

[Guooooooh!]

The roar of the beast echoed through the swampy forest, and their eyes caught sight of a jet-black Coeurl racing toward them at a frightening speed.

“…I guess I was too long…”

The beast was a random option, and he was expecting for a chance that it would not come back when it fought Aria and be injured by her, but Grave was disappointed that he had overestimated his expectations.

But Grave’s plans remained the same: Coeurl was not good at distinguishing between people and did not understand the difference between Grave and Viro.

Using Viro as bait should buy enough time for Grave to escape, and after Viro and Samantha were killed by Coeurl, he could slowly continue his plan to assassinate the Duke.

He also prepared some tricks against the beast in his pocket, which he had been preparing the moment he decided to lure Coeurl out.

“Phantom beast…? Damn!”

Realizing that Coeurl’s appearance meant that his apprentice might have died, Viro pointed his blade at Coeurl.

“Back off, kid!!!”

Samantha’s voice echoed as Grave shifted his position, leaving Viro alone.

Just then–

“No, no. That’s not it.”

Coeurl, who was about to attack Viro, jumped over him.

Viro looked up at Coeurl as he leaped over him and saw an ash-covered girl with her one arm entangled on to his tail, and her weapon at the ready.

“Aria!”

“Let go!”

–Done–

Coeurl swished his tail as he attacked Grave, and Aria, was like a released bullet with the same momentum, stabbed Grave’s shoulder with a deep black dagger, momentarily catching him off guard.

“You should be dead by now.”

“Aria!!!”

Grave showed a distorted emotion akin to excitement as he was unexpectedly pierced in the shoulder.

“This is unexpected! Hahahaha!!!”

Grave shouted as he brandished his swords at Aria, who quickly jumped away avoiding the blade by doing a somersault, and pointed her slender fingertips at Grave.

“–Shadow Pain–“

“How did you!”

Shadow Pain, which should have been bearable, struck Grave with a pain sharper than expected, and the slight difference stopped his movement for a moment.

(Don’t tell me that she had raised her magic level in such a short period of time!)

But still, even if it was only for a moment. Aria, who was floating midair, was unable to make a proper pursuit. Viro and Samantha, on the other hand, were unable to enter the fight because of the momentary confusion.

But we were not the only enemies of Grave.

[Gaaaah!!!!]

Coeurl, who released Aria, attacked Grave with the same momentum, biting off Grave’s left arm off that Grave had barely managed to avoid when the bite aimed at his throat.

“Gooooooooooo!!!”

As expected, Grave shrieked out in pain and leapt back to get away.

“–Stone Shot–!”

Samantha’s magic shot from a distance penetrated Grave’s side, and Viro’s knife sliced through his shoulder.

Aria immediately pulled out a throwing knife and aimed it between the eyes, and Grave had no choice but to throw his remaining sword to block it.

“I never thought you’d be able to tame Coeurl… Fate is on your side.”

“Don’t talk about me in such a casual tone.”

Grave’s eyes widened, and a twisted smile appeared on his face.

“Fuhahaha, you’re right. I don’t know you. And as I had first sensed, I judge you to be dangerous.”

Grave, with his arm and his favorite weapons gone, still looked into Aria’s eyes with a look of superiority. He then pulled a ball out of his pocket and slammed it down on the ground.

“Grave, you think you can escape…”

“Get back, boy! It’s a smoke screen of poison!”

A strange smelling smoke spread instantly and covered the area. Coeurl, who was still trying to chase after Grave, couldn’t stand the strange smell and jumped to the side to avoid it.

“…”

With her vision blocked, Aria’s ability to detect magic elements with her eyes was drastically reduced. Even so, as she held up the pendulum without letting her guard down, Grave’s voice was heard from inside the smoke.

“Aria, you are my target from now on. And you should better protect the princess. I’m coming to kill both of you.”

As the voice played, Grave’s thin presence disappeared completely. If he was a light warrior of the scout type and could even use light magic, it would be useless to pursue him.

“…Did you let him escape?”

Aria muttered in a low voice while covering her mouth with a shawl.

The reason Grave declared that he was going after Aria and told her to protect the princess was to bind her actions.

However, if Aria thought about it in reverse, as long as she stood side by side with Princess Elena, Grave would focus not on other but only towards Aria.

“I want what I want, Grave, and next time I’ll kill you for sure.”