Chapter 98
“D-Did I… do something wrong…?” I muttered, voice trembling.
The railgun I fired had turned into a pillar of light, boring a massive hole clean through Yamata-no-Orochi’s lower body and gouging deep into the earth beyond. The impact had literally reshaped the terrain. I stood there, trembling, mouth agape with a dumbfounded (ﾟдﾟ) expression. From the outside, I must’ve looked like a total idiot.
…No, you don’t get it, Lord Albert. That wasn’t how this was supposed to go. I mean yeah, sure, I put some real power behind the shot since it looked like a strong opponent, but this outcome? I didn’t expect this. Honestly, I was the most surprised by the result. So please don’t look at me like that…
Was this the power of the railgun? Or the effect of the Sanctuary Magic? Or maybe…
“…Is this because I wrapped the railgun in Sanctuary Magic…? Is that why it turned out like this…?”
The railgun itself had already been completed back when I visited the Hollow Garden. I’d just thought, “Hey, what if I combined it with the Sanctuary Magic I just learned?” and went with it on a whim. Sanctuary Magic—a magical barrier that rejects anyone I haven’t given permission to. I figured if I could layer that onto the railgun, it’d be crazy strong. That simple idea led to the creation of the Sanctuary Railgun (tentative name), and… yeah, it was terrifying.
“…Ah! Wait! What about Iris?! Where is Iris-san?!”
Could she even be alive after getting hit with something like that? Didn’t she get blown away along with Yamata-no-Orochi? A terrible thought crossed my mind. If I killed her… I’d bear that guilt for the rest of my life…
“…Kakakaka. That was some terrifying firepower.”
“—! Iris-san! You’re alive?!”
“Nay, I died once.”
“…Hweh?”
Iris-san, laughing cheerfully, crawled out from the remnants of Yamata-no-Orochi. She was covered in blood—but apparently okay? When I asked, she gave me a completely unexpected answer that left me frozen. Wait… you died? Then what is the Iris-san standing here now? A ghost? Do I need to exorcise her? (tremble)
“Fortunately for me, I’ve been cursed with immortality by Lord Cloud. I was blown to bits by your attack, but I regenerated.”
“Um… I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. All you did was unleash your full power. Besides, I’ve long since accepted the risk of dying in battle. That’s part of being a hound.”
Hurting someone and saying sorry is just common sense. But Iris-san laughed it off with ease and forgiveness. She’s… a remarkably big-hearted person.
“Well then, what now? Yamata-no-Orochi is dead. I’m alive, but my body won’t move. A complete loss. And the mission failed. If I return to Lord Cloud, the curse will probably finish me off anyway. Hmph. Cook me, roast me, do as you like.”
She’d already accepted death. And despite being an enemy, she didn’t seem like a bad person. In fact, she seemed honorable and sincere. I thought for a moment, then asked her something—not knowing if she’d agree, but worth trying.
“Um, in that case… I have a request.”
“Hmm. Speak it. If it’s something I can do, I’ll do it.”
“Would you teach me spear techniques? Watching you fight, I was amazed by your skill with the spear. I want to become stronger—for the sake of someone important to me. So… if it’s okay, I’d really like to learn from you.”
“Oh? You wish to learn the Dark Spear Style? Hmm. How perfect. In my previous life, I never took on a disciple. As a result, the Dark Spear Style fell into obscurity. But I am a warrior. I’ve always longed to pass on my perfected techniques to someone worthy. And now… perhaps that wish will come true.”
“Would you really teach me?”
“Of course. From this moment on, you are my first and foremost disciple.”
“Thank you so much, Master.”
And so, I gained a mentor in the way of the spear. Suddenly, I recalled something Lord Albert once said about me.
"Yuuka… you really are blessed with the strangest connections."
And he was right. I never imagined I’d encounter so many different people in my life.
But later I would come to realize: where there are good connections… there are also bad ones. The meetings still to come would drive us even further onto the battlefield.
Not that I had any way of knowing that just yet.
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