Gregory emphasizes his magic capacity by casting multiple spells at once, but in doing so he sacrifices his chant speed. His invocations are slow to come out, making it easy for to interrupt them. In comparison, Rodwell’s speed is significant that I would already have to be dodging in the air before I would have the chance to cancel his chanting. The risk there is significant.
“Are you even trying to help, noble!?” (Dominique)
“Shut up! Spear of fire, [Flame–…!?” (Gregory)
I shot [Magnum] at Gregory’s magic while repelling the incoming swing sword. Dominique held small pouch on his mouth that he took out from his chest and was about to release it but I held his jaw with fingers and switched to sides. I don’t know what’s inside it but it won’t be a problem if it doesn’t come out.
“Keh! He even saw this coming!?” (Dominique)
“I offer my life to those who worship the ground, [Rock Golem]” (Gregory)
Dominique withdrew at once, sticking the sword into the ground and throwing three small knives. At the same time, Gregory summoned more golems to attack me. I disposed of those quickly with [Magnum Shot] after finding their magic formations with [Search].
As I got a closer look at the knives approaching me, I realized that they were coated with something. Evading two of them with minimal movement, I caught a hold of the handle on the last one, and threw it back at Dominique.
“Haa!? What kind of eyesight do you have!?” (Dominique)
“Spear of Fire, [Flame—…” (Gregory)
I extinguished the [Flame Lance] spells that Gregory was invoking, and Dominique deflected the dagger I threw back at him with the flat of his blade. Following that, he returned to swinging at me, while also using magic stones with his mouth. I noticed as they were shot towards me that they were inlaid with a fire magic formation, but he launched them too quickly to be useful. I used [String] to smack them away long before they managed to invoke any magic, and they exploded off in the distance. I then warded off another swing of Dominique’s sword with the knife, and returned his attack by striking him in the stomach with my knee.
Unfortunately, that strike didn’t even faze him. The ‘life boost’ drug that he consumed deprived him of the sense of pain; he shrugged off the attack and continued swinging at me. I quickly backed away to avoid the blade.
“Is this also no good!?” (Dominique)
“— Bring forth, [Rock Golem]” (Gregory)
Despite there being three golems this time, I needed only one hand to destroy them with [Magnum]. It’s easy to fight him with [Multi Task].
“Impossible! How can he do this so effortlessly!?” (Gregory)
Even if you ask why, it was foolish to use magic that can be easily dispelled. You should’ve learned from fighting against Emilia, but your pride as a noble has led to negligence, and that in turn will lead to your downfall.
That was how the fight continued from that point on; I would dodge and evade strikes from Dominique while destroying any magic that Gregory would attempt to invoke. They were visibly becoming increasingly frustrated at their inability to wound me, despite teaming up against me.
“This is no good, can’t just do this forever…” (Dominique)
“Haa… haa… that senile old man will catch up if we sit here for too long. Do something quickly, mercenary!” (Gregory)
“Keh, this noble… oi, that’s easier said than done!” (Dominique)
Even while gasping for air, struggling from mana exhaustion, Gregory is still arrogant as usual. Dominique laughed as he was cursed at, already used to his partner’s antics. Turning back to me, he shoves his sword into the ground and points at me in a grandiose manner.
“We don’t have a lot of time, so let’s finish it with this next exchange.” (Dominique)
“Just go all out, if you have something up your sleeve. This isn’t the time to be stingy, right?” (Sirius)
“That’s true. My employer is already in the red, with all of the expensive tools I’ve had to use thus far. There’s no point in holding back at this point, so I’ll be going all out to try to kill you now.” (Dominique)
“What did you say, you bastard!? Were you playing until now!?” (Gregory)
“As a mercenary, I’m different that you nobles, you know? I don’t get my kicks the same way you do. It’s fine as long as we survive, anyway.” (Dominique)
Those were truly the words of a mercenary, I from a certain perspective, I could understand where he was coming from. I was in a similar line of work in my previous life, after all. However, in this situation, it was foolish for him to hold back and not go all out, as a safety precaution.