ãââThat does it.ã
After Ether Strike annihilated Myynti, Inglis nodded to herself. Now, even after she fired Ether Strike at full strength, she still had some strength left. She could proudly claim that her endurance was growing slowly but steadily.
ãAs expected of you, Glis! Youâre awesome!ã ãI always know youâre amazing, but never to this extent!ã
Rafinha and Leone came running to her.
ãYeah. I would have liked to fight him more slowly, though. He was a good training partner.ã
Despite his look, the Chimeraâs strength was the real deal. Inglis had to settle things promptly because of the circumstance at play, but in any other scenario, she would drag the fight out.
ãEeehhâ¦â¦? Isnât that impossible, physiologically and aesthetically speaking?ã ãS-, sheâs right. He was as disgusting as before he became a Magic Stone Beast; you know?ã ãYeah, but you know. Strength is neither bad nor goodââã
Inglis might as well fight the Chimera with her eyes closed, so âit wouldnât enter her vision.
ãJ-, just who are youâ¦â¦? That kind of power, not even Holy Knights or Hyrule Menacesââã ãI am but a run-of-the-mill Squire, though? You may look at it yourself.ã
Said Inglis as she held out both of her hands to Prime Minister Althea, neither of which was engraved with Rune.
ãNuu, you certainly areââBut, you have something moreâ¦â¦ã ãRather than me, why donât we devise a way to escape this subspace together? We still donât know the situation outside tooââã ãT-, trueâ¦â¦ But, how do weââã
The Prime Minister was cut in the middle of his sentence, as the four of them saw the surrounding scenery changing rapidly. At one moment, Inglis thought the space distorted in front of her eyes. The next moment, they were already back to the cabin.
ãEh!? Weâre backâ¦â¦!? Did you do something, Glis?ã ãNo, I did nothing.ã ãAaah!! Look over there!ã
At the direction of Leoneâs sight, there was Faris. On his abdomen, a sword was sticking out, covered in sticky blood. And the owner of the sword that pierced him wasââ A male with his features covered with a black iron mask, his outfit all black, complete with a cloak. It was the Black Mask, the head of the Ironblood Chain Brigade.
ã!!! The brigadeâs Black Mask!ã
Shouted Rafinha.
ãEhâ¦â¦!? Th-, that meansââã ãExactly, Leone. He is the leader of the Ironblood Chain Brigade.ã
Now Inglis could guess why they were ejected from the subspace. At the hand of Black Mask, Faris was fatally wounded. This must have caused the subspace to collapse.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
ãKghâ¦â¦!! Uuuhâ¦â¦!!!ã
With a thud, Farisâ body crashed into the floor.
ãInglis Eux. How odd to meet you here.ã
The Black Mask glanced at Inglis.
ãJust how did you get hereâ¦â¦ã
Did he impersonate an insider and intruded, orââ
ãBy that.ã
The Black Mask pointed a direction behind him. His back was facing a wall, blown open by some kind of impact from outside. Upon closer look, rubbles of the wall were loitering the room everywhere, making the entire space even messier than when Inglis left it.
And then, beyond the opened hole, hanging in the open skyââ Was the sight of a giant flying ship.
ãWhaâ¦â¦!ã ãEEEHH!?!?ã ãYou have something like thatââ!?ã
The flying vessel was just as big as the Highlandâs ships. The hull was equipped with several gun ports, which Inglis assumed to be the cause of the open hole in the wall.
ãImpossible, why would you people have something our Kingdom canât even acquireâ¦â¦!?ã
The Prime Ministerâs question was spot on. If they possessed such a thing, then they were no longer just an ordinary guerilla organization. Just what was the extent of the Ironblood Chain Brigadeâs military strength? How uncanny. Any missteps and the brigade couldâve easily taken over a single country.
ãRather than fussing the detail, just defeat him here and now!ã
Leone swung down her black great sword Artifact. There was a distance between her and the Black Mask, but her blade stretched out in an instant and struck its target.
Clink!!
However, Leoneâs full-strength strike was easily blocked by the Black Mask with his one-handed sword.
ãCease the thought. You canât defeat me with your strength.ã ãShut up! Itâs because of you, big brother Leon isâ! Itâs all because of your cajolery, big brother Leon deserted the Kingdom!!ã
Leone attacked fiercely in quick succession, but the Black Mask parried them all.
ãThat is simply untrue. Comrade Leon would stand on his own against all odds, even if I wasnât there. A few persuasive lines from the likes of me would never sway him. He is a man with a resolute core. We only work together because our ideals aligned, is all.ã ãShut your mouth! Donât you talk as if you know him!!ã ãGood lordsââã
Kraang!!!
The Black Mask started an attack, he swung at Leoneâs blade.
ãAahâ¦â¦!?ã
The great sword was swatted away from Leoneâs hand by the impact, falling to the floor as it was.
ãI warn you. If you attempt to attack me any further, I shall act in self-defense. I have my own agenda.ã ãKghâ¦â¦! You wonât threaten me with thatâ¦â¦!!ã
Leone didnât hesitate to pick her Artifact back up from the floor. But Inglis gently took her hand and stopped Leone.
ãWait, Leone. Can you leave the rest to me? Iâm worried about you, and besidesââã ãYou want to fight him?ã ãâ¦â¦ Is it obvious?ã ãYou didnât notice? Your face is basically grinning.ã ãââIâm sorry, but can I?ã ãAll right. Since there is no other choice but to leave it to you eitherââInglis, please.ã ãYeah. You can leave it to me.ã
Inglis walked up to the Black Mask.
ãThis day sure comes faster than I thought.ã ãâ¦â¦ Let me ask just one thing. Where is Highlandâs Special Envoy Myynti? If I donât take him out first, we canât enjoy our bout freely.ã ãHe is no longer here. I took care of him.ã ãYou saved me some trouble. This is my exit thenââThough, I suppose, I canât exactly say so.ã ãThat is true. If youâre inclined to escape, then I will chase after you to your ship. Donât blame me if it gets broken.ã ãThat would be a problemââã
It was thenââ
DOAARRR!!!
The ship rocked wildly after a thunderous roar.