Interlude 8[แก้ไข]
Part 1[แก้ไข]
---In the skies of [Underwood], 3000 meters up.
Sparks flew with the violent clash of metals while a pair of wings continued to weave a quick pattern in the air.
The battle between Leticia and the Gryphon was still playing out in the air. The Gryphon being the Lord of the Skies but the enemy was one that possessed Divinity. Possessing more than just the upper hand in agility, Leticia also possessed the Gift to create a countless number of weapons that could be fired repeatedly from the Dragon’s shadow. Izayoi had been knocking away the spears with his trident all this time but he could see that it would be an uphill task to land on the Citadel judging by the current situation.
Gry temporarily descended and pulled away but did not take his eyes off Leticia as he stared at the figure with growing frustration at the current predicament.
“Damn it! What the hell is that guy?! There’s completely no flaw in the defense for me to make a landing!”
“Yeah. Although that thing doesn’t chase us when we draw away from the Citadel and maintain our distance, it actually makes the situation trickier. The specialized guard is much tougher than I thought.”
They had tried nearing and backing away, soaring from left to right to try to bait the guard away but it would seem that the shadow of Leticia wasn’t one to jump for the bait. Izayoi had actually planned to just leap into the Citadel and get things settled in the straightforward fashion, but he had decided to leave off that thought after considering the high risks.
“I’m really at my wits end. Is this what they call exhausting all options?”
“Oi! This isn’t the time to be joking man, you stupid lad!”
Gry chided in reply while Izayoi shrugged his shoulders at that. But it was true that the battle this time was one that really gave him much headaches.
In addition to it being his first aerial battle riding on another’s back, he was also wielding a weapon that he was unaccustomed to. Hence his predicament was still within the confines of being understandable.
In his world, though he had experience with using a gun out of mercy, swords or even weapons of the pole-arm varieties were totally new to him. And for Izayoi who had always welcomed the challenge which he went to fight with just his fists alone, the aerial battle of today would really be a bad disadvantage for him since the very beginning.
“……As long as we can successfully land on the Citadel, we can solve the problem but for now, we can only continue to spar with her. So I’ll apologize in advance for I’ll need to trouble you to make preparations for a long drawn out battle.”
Izayoi raised his trident and swept it back in a swing while Gry gave a grunt in response.
They were both reviewing their next strategy when a brilliant light from below halted their train of thoughts.
The light was so intense that it illuminated the far end of the skies for miles around.
Gry’s face immediately became ashen.
“That’s ……[The Ray of Balor]……?”
“……Are you sure about that?”
“Mhm…Yeah. That’s the same ray that I’ve witnessed ten years ago. Could it be that the enemy has used [The Death Eye of Balor] already…?”
Gry was so shaken by shock that he did not even bother to hide it. For he who had witnessed the events of that day would surely understand the full meaning behind the fear of [The Ray of Balor] that brought death to all that it touched.
All trace of amusement had also been wiped off Izayoi’s face as he loosened his hold on the reins while declaring:
“……Looks like we will be leaving it here.”
“What do you suggest? Are we going to support the rest on the ground?”
“No, you are free to go there alone for I will just try my luck at jumping to the Citadel.”
Izayoi stood up on the saddle and started to judge the distance between him and the Ancient Vampire Citadel.
And that caused Gry to be alarmed.
“No, Wait! Didn’t you say that the risk was too great and decided to abandon that idea earlier?”
“Yep. It’s much easier to target a person jumping in mid-air and there’s no certainty that no other defensive measures have been placed around the Ancient Citadel ……but since there’s no other method currently, I just have to give up the thought of landing with my body unhurt.”
“That’s why I said to give it some time right---?”
“It’s precisely because we do not have that luxury anymore that I made this decision. Since the enemy have already used [The Death Eye of Balor], it would mean that they plan to finish things up in the cease-fire period. And that would just mean more danger for Kasukabe and the others who are in the Citadel.”
Gry couldn’t help but to draw a sharp intake of breath upon hearing that for the possibility was indeed quite high.
“That’s why I’ve decided to sneak into the Citadel of the enemy to meet up with Kasukabe and the others and confirm their safety. And after telling them the conditions to clear the game, I will take a somersault back to land as that will be for the best arrangement.”
“But if you are injured, wouldn’t all our efforts just now go to waste?!”
“Nope, it’s fine. As long as I have my limbs attached, it won’t be a problem. With a good sleep and sufficient nourishment, I will be as good as new.”
Izayoi laughed loudly as he lowered his stance in preparation for a jump.
“……as for those guys down there, I’ll be leaving them to you. Though Ochibi-sama might say ‘Leave it to me’, but he’s still a small lad who hasn’t matured fully. So before I get back, please help me to look after them.” Added Izayoi in a serious tone as his muscles had already wound up for the leap.
“…Uu…”
Hearing those words, Gry finally understood that Izayoi already had it in his mind all along.
This guy had intended right from the start ……to solve everything on his own.
Rescuing the comrades who have been imprisoned above, solving the difficult mystery of the Game’s riddle, defeating the main culprits of the enemy and last but not least, to defeat the Demon Lord.
To accomplish all these alone. If it were words that came from another’s mouth, it might have been taken as a joke that would invite mockery……but for this guy, it might just be possible.
And precisely due to the ray of hope that could be seen from this guy---Gry steeled his resolve.
“……I won’t agree to that request.”
“What? Why?”
“Didn’t that lad tell you to leave it to him? And if you had agreed to leave it to him only to send him support later, that can be seen as a kind of betrayal to the resolve of your comrade.”
“Ah, no, that’s not what I meant---”
“The same goes for me. I’ve already told you that I’d become your legs and wings in this battle didn’t I? So, if we start talking about throwing everything into the gamble---then let’s start it with mine!”
A fearsome cry marked the end of Gry’s words as he proudly lifted his eagle head and shuddered as he summoned whirlwinds from the atmosphere while lunging towards the direction of the Citadel.
Izayoi who stood on the saddle had frantically grabbed the reins and tightened his grip on the trident as he shouted against the winds:
“Oi…..What are you……!”
“Here it comes, Izayoi! Get ready!”
The strong limbs of the gryphon bounded across the air as it sped on with all its might.
Leticia’s shadow was expressionless as usual as it took its place to welcome them with its strikingly golden hair and jacket dancing in the wind.