ãââ! Oi stop it, Ripple! Itâs too soon to give up, you know!? Besides, heâs still young!ã
Leon noticed the light emanating from Rippleâs body and impatiently stopped her.
ãI-, I canât! Itâs not by my will! Iâm being dragged by him!ã
This was the first experience even for Ripple. For Hyrule Menaces to turn into a weapon, the unification of will between them and their user, the Holy Knights, was essential. There was the need to first unite their hearts into one. Therefore, if Ripple didnât want it, the weaponization shouldnât happenââor so everyone thought.
So, how could this happen?
Was it because Silva was still ignorant, and thus he could genuinely wish for Rippleâs strength?
Was it because Silva respected Ripple so deeply, and Ripple found his admiration delightful, and thus the distance between their hearts was shortened?
Was it because, deep down, Ripple wished to liberate her father who had become a Prisma as soon as possible?
Perhaps, it was due to a combination of many things at once that pulled Ripple by Silvaâs will.
ãAAaaaaahhhââ!ã
I can no longer stop it!
Rippleâs body grew more and more radiant, and as the illumination reached its peak, her body was no longer that of a girlââshe had transformed into a double-barrelled rifle, wrapped in golden glimmer.
ãI can feel itâ¦â¦what tremendous power this is! Anything can be defeated with this! Even a Prisma!ã
With a look of excitement on his face, Silva tightly gripped the Golden Rifle that Ripple had transformed into.
ãOh s̲h̲i̲t̲! Oi, stop it! Release her now!ã ãMister Silva! Please think carefully! You mustnât give in to the power!ã
Leon and Principal Miliera seemed to be very tense by the turn of the event.
But Leone, who was watching it unfold from the side, couldnât understand why. If Prisma could be defeated by Ripple turning into a weapon, then wouldnât that be fine?
As Silva had argued, it would be difficult to lead Prisma out of the capital. There would be a huge deal of damage if that were to be done.
They might be able to control human casualties if they took time to evacuate the people. However, the houses, the stores, and many other buildings in the path leading there wouldnât exactly be safe. Protecting them also fell to the duty of the Knights.
In that sense, Leone mostly agreed with Silvaâs point of view for the bigger part.
ãâ¦â¦What a beautiful light. So this is the true power of our guardian deities, the Hyrule Menace!ã
While Liselotte was genuinely transfixed by the sight before herâ¦
ãY-, yeah! But, somehowâ¦â¦ã
As for Leone, she could feel a strange sense of unease. That light was supposed to be divine and beautiful, and yet it felt terrifying for her. She couldnât explain why, but she knew what she felt.
ãDonât get carried away! Youâre not ready for that!ã
Leon tried to take away the Golden Rifle from Silvaâs hand.
ãLady Ripple had complied with my will! Iâll take care of it! Out of the way!ã
Silva shook Leon off. The strength he displayed was much greater than usual, easily bouncing Leon off of him.
ãA-, amazing! As expected of a Hyrule Menace, the goddess who protects us all! This power stands leagues apart!ã
He nodded with conviction and pointed the muzzle of the gun at Prisma.
ãLady Rippleâs Father! While I sympathize with youâ¦â¦I, along with Lady Ripple, shall take you down!ã ãGod damn itâ¦â¦! I told you to stop!ã
Standing up, Leon stood in the line of fire towards the Prisma.
ãImpossible!? Donât get in my way! Lest I shoot you along with the Prisma!ã ãNope! You put your gun down!ã ãWhat a tall order! Fine, Iâll take you out altogether!ã
A colossal, intense, sun-like light converged on the muzzle of the Golden Rifle.
ã! You mustnât, Mister Silva!ã ãWhy not !? If this takes care of the traitor Leon and as well, isnât this basically killing two birds with one stone!?ã ãP-, please wait, senior!ã
Leone couldnât help but exclaim, too.
ãLeone, you too!? Whatâs wrong with any of you!?ã ãI-, I donât know! I know my brother being executed someday is something he canât avoidâ¦â¦Even so, something tells me, that day is not today!ã
There must be a reason why Leon, the one person who was essentially hostile to them, was so forceful in trying to stop Silva. There was also an intuitive feeling of uneasiness that drove Leone to act.
Guooooo!
Countless dots of light appeared for the third time across the Prismaâs body as the situation unfolds. The large-scale destructive beams would be incoming again!
ãOh no! Miss Leone, retreat!ã ãY-, yes!ãn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
The moment Leone answered, a high-pitched sound as if something shattered, was heard. The barrier that Miliera deployed was destroyed. At the same time, a warped silhouette slipped into Silvaâs bosom.
BAM!!
ãGuohkâ¦â¦!?ã
Silva fell to the ground, his eyes white. The Golden Rifle that Ripple had transformed into also slipped away from his hand, thenâ¦
Ripple returned to her original, Beastman girl form. Her eyes widened in surprise. Her gaze turned to the culprit who had knocked Silva unconscious. In other words, Inglis, who was still in the posture of a beautiful elbow strike.
ãI-, Inglis!?ã ãâ¦â¦It seems that I made it in time.ã
Inglis showed a wide smile.
ãN-, no, which part of it did you make in time!? How!? All I can see is you attacking an ally and forcefully rob the limelight for yourself though!?ã
Rafinha, who remained on the Flygear floating above, stuttered, her eyes wide open. It seemed that Inglisâ action was unexpected even for her.