c41-c60 · 058-ch58

Chapter 58: Match Pump

"Uwaaaaaaaaahhh!!"

"Gyaaah!!"

The massive overflow of monsters attacks the surrounding Chiffons indiscriminately. The silent wetland instantly transforms into a hellish pandemonium of screams.

This is... an absolutely ridiculous match pump. The ones being attacked are just running around in confusion, and I can't feel any will to resist from even one of them. That must be the order. I thought he was just incomprehensible, but to think he'd do something this tasteless.

But now's not the time to be thinking about that. Even if the ones being attacked are his allies, and even if those kids are questionable as to whether they can be called human, I can't just watch them die before my eyes and sleep well at night.

"Blast Shot, multiple deployment"

I deploy multiple explosive magic orbs and launch them at the monsters in sight. Since there's just so many of them, there are some I can't completely destroy, but this is a situation where quantity takes priority over quality. I'll focus on destroying their limbs first. Even if I can't finish them off, just slowing them down is enough.

"Shibasaki-san! I'll provide support!"

Perhaps understanding my intent, Negomin, who's now able to move, maneuvers around, targeting the legs of the massive monster horde.

Honestly, that's a huge help. In this situation of many against few, no matter how many helping hands we have, it's not enough.

"Negomin, thank you so much." "I should be the one thanking you! ...But there are just too many! Even when we kill them, they don't die properly, and I don't know how long I can last..."

Even Negomin, who's elegantly handling the massive army, finally shows a sign of weakness. It's true, at this rate, we might manage with what's in visible range, but we'll end up missing everything else.

"Uwaah, my legs, my legs...!" "It hurts, it huuurts!!"

Screams that seem to cling to my ears can be heard from all around. ...So someone finally got injured. If they suffer a fatal wound in a place like this, there's nothing we can do...!

But amid my frantic thoughts, what suddenly pierces through the gaps in the screams is a holy hymn like sunlight filtering through leaves.

"...Sunlight's Grace."

As the pure-voiced chant ends, an emerald glow fills the surroundings. When that glow touches the injured, their wounds begin to heal immediately.

"It's area-effect continuous healing. You two, focus on the battle!"

Saying that, Sister Rose continues her magic chant through the hymn.

...No, this is incredible.

Magic that directly affects the human body loses precision the farther the distance from the target and the greater the number of targets. Even I need considerable concentration when casting silencing magic on multiple people.

And yet, this precision with this many people... It's just absurdly excessive. This person's healing magic skill really does exceed Sister Towa's.

The threat from the haze still shows no sign of stopping. But just the fact that we don't have to choose who lives and who dies makes my heart feel considerably lighter.

I hope this converges soon, but I know it won't be that easy...

My premonition proves right. The fleeing Chiffons suddenly stop moving, and several of them try to run away from this place.

"...! Ice Fetters!"

I stopped their movement with ice shackles, but one of them who was already at a distance manages to escape. And clinging to its back is a black haze.

Of course I can't just let it go like that... But it's no good, the range is too far. Paralyzation doesn't work unless it's at close range. The only magic that would reach from here are all lethal types.

I have no choice but to chase it. However, I can't just leave the continuously spawning zombies alone.

...Sigh, that's just like him. I suppose this is his countermeasure, having anticipated this much.

"Please go! You too, Sister Rose!"

At that moment, Negomin's powerful voice echoes through the dungeon.

I look toward Negomin. The amount of zombies in this area is clearly beyond what Negomin's skills can handle. But I--

I looked into her eyes. Clear eyes, holding a definite heat.

---I'll trust in that. She has something that will get her through this situation.

"I'm counting on you." "I'll handle it!"

Leaving this place to her, Sister Rose and I took off running.