At the same time Rudeus let out that murmur, my feet sunk into mud.
We were given information about this magic as well.
It's the same as Rudeus Greyrat's nickname, [Quagmire].
Normally, this magic would just produce a slick puddle at your opponents' feet.
But, as expected, this is a massive spell.
The entirety of this huge garden has become a muddy swamp.
Miko-sama's beloved Saraku trees and Balta trees began to creak as they started to sink into the mud.[5]
But, you can't stop us with something like this.
Trash has already started the chant to counter it.
"...[Dense Fog]."
In the next instant, we were swallowed by a vast white fog.
This is bad!
"Stay alert! First we'll counter the quagmire, do not accidentally attack your comrades in the fog!"
The next moment, purple lightning leapt over the ground.
It was too fast, in an instant I heard a sharp [kii~] and the sound of an explosion.
"Do not panic! Our armor is resistant to [Electric]! Make sure he doesn't escape! Go!"
[OK!] echoed out from the fog.
All right.
According to our information, Rudeus is weak in close combat.
All of the members of [Defense of the Holy Sepulcher (Anastasia Keep)] are advanced rank or higher swordsmen, and capable of all advanced rank attack and barrier magic.
Even standing alone we are powerful, we are all well-versed in one on one combat, the fight is still in our favor.
Though I'm only around the intermediate rank in the Water God Style, Cortege is nearly saint ranked.
Even if Rudeus has power on par with an emperor ranked magician, it will not be possible for him to break through our defense.
We have not made a mistake in our strategy.
"--We are countering the [Quagmire]!"
"[Shifting sand]!"
As Cortege finished his chant, Trash's voice was heard.
The mud at our feet quickly turned to sand, and we freed our feet.
I'm sorry, Rudeus-kun.
[Quagmire] can be countered with the advanced rank magic [Shifting Sand].
But this isn't something they would have taught at the magic university.
Research for countering melded magic is still in its infancy...
I wonder if this is the first time his quagmire has been countered?
I don't know what you were planning, but this is checkmate.
Of course, I don't believe you were plotting to kidnap Miko-sama.
Miko-sama truly treasured your friendship.
You were sincerely worried about Zenith, and asked for my help...
I understand that was all you wanted.
But, it can't be helped.
Because these are instructions directly from the Cardinal.
Regardless of the authenticity of the information, we have to follow our orders.
Only Dust was truly enraged, because he earnestly loves Miko-sama...
At the very least, your life won't be taken.
I give you my word.
To be labeled by the Cardinal as a heretic and only deprived of your hands is an incredibly lenient judgment.
Therefore, we aren't even using poisoned swords.
It's all right, Rudeus-kun.
Although you are still young, don't you have a good bride?
With Eris supporting you, you'll be able to survive even without hands.
Moreover, you're even the Dragon God's subordinate.
I heard about it when I was a child, the Dragon Tribe has a mysterious power.
By some chance, it might be able to break our seal.
You can live out the rest of your life in a place our eyes cannot reach.
And, as for Zenith, I'll manage somehow.
But even though I told you that...
"--Resist the [Dense Fog]."
Cortege's voice brought me back out of my thoughts.
At the same time, I suddenly had a sense of discomfort.
... Something's strange.
What is it?
Nothing has happened.
That's it. After creating the dense fog, Rudeus hasn't moved an inch.
Will he try to escape? Or continue to fight?
However, even if I can't see more than a meter ahead, I should still be able to hear him.
After the initial [Electric], there was nothing.
Has he already escaped?
A [Quagmire], followed by [Dense Fog] and then [Electric] certainly stopped our advance.
Using so many different magics, but it's already too--
"--[Wind Blast]!"
The wind magic cleared the fog in an instant.
"..."
"...."
"...... Eh?"
I can hardly believe my eyes.
After the fog lifted, Rudeus was gone.
All that was left was a torn, crumpled scroll.
And a huge... rock?
A statue?
Armor?
"... Summoning magic?"
I muttered those words to myself... Then, in the next moment...
The huge armor began to move.
This is beyond imagination, huge. It was moving at a tremendous speed.