Chapter 454: Dancing Flame, Dancing Demon

The stage has changed from blood red to jet black, and after more than a dozen years, the 『Unprecedented』 and the 『Vampire Princess』 are facing each other again. Unlike those days when they were young, there is no fear in the hearts of these former adventurers. No, saying there’s no fear would be a lie, but their desire to win is stronger this time. One for the sake to part with her past defeat, one for the sake of his wife and disciple, and one for the sake of money. The challengers will put everything they have into this decisive battle.

「Hah!」

The battle started with Nell’s rush with her sword. Whether it’s an ordinary person or a self-proclaimed Demon King, Nell’s flame burns everything equally even with just exists there. Its heat is like a small sun being nearby, and its very existence itself has become a deadly weapon. What would happen if such a dangerous flame were to take the form of a sword and be used as an attack with a clear intent to kill? It is not hard to imagine that the destination where the sword swung would become hell.

Moreover, the horror of Nell’s sword is not limited to that. Nell’s pure swordsmanship is also outstanding. No other swordsman in the world can match the speed of Nell’s sword. Even Giorgia and the Warrior King, who are known as masters among masters of the highest level of swordsmanship, are no match for Nell. Rather, the difference is so big that it can’t be used as a measure.

Nell’s sword, which combines such magic (violence) and martial arts (violence), attacks several slashes at almost the same time in one swing. Moreover, they come from all directions, giving no time to evade or defend. Basically, the opponent is slashed into small pieces and immediately turned into ash. …… Yes, that’s basically the case. However, this is only the first stage of hell. Even if a miracle happens and you could break through this attack, there is still a new hell to come.

「Now, let’s fight to our heart’s content!」

「Ahaha, you should’ve said that before swinging your sword many times, you know?」

However, the opponent is Maria Irygal, who is known as the strongest creature in the world. She responds to the approaching hell with her bare hands and repeatedly competes with the onslaught of the flame sword. No matter what kind of wounds they suffer, they will recover completely, one with her flame and one with her own regeneration ability. At first glance, they are fighting equally.

(Tch. I knew it, she’s really amazing when she’s serious…!)

But in fact, Nell clicked her tongue inside. The conditions are in her favor, but she can barely compete with Maria. Scroll Abyssal Magic Level 80 『Fake Universe』. This magic creates a space where the direction of gravity is random, and it’s a kind of magic that is effective regardless of friend or foe. However, Deris adjusted this magic with his exceptional manipulation of magic power, changing the range according to the movements of his allies and deploying it in such a way that it would only affect Maria.

(It’s hard to move since a while ago! What is this? Is this Deris’s work? It’s a new sensation and kind of fun, but it’s hard!)

The gravity is working normally at the sole of Maria’s foot. However, above that point, the direction of gravity varies from place to place, and there are some places that have zero gravity. Moreover, the direction also changes with the passage of time, and even the strength of gravity is random. Normally, it’s dangerous even just standing upright, and even more so if you jump carelessly. For a fighter, this Fake Universe brings the worst condition――or at least that’s how it should be. As mentioned before, Maria and Nell are still evenly matched. Moreover, since the magic creature of her left arm is still alive, she can only exert 90% of her power. It only shows how bottomless her power is.

「Hey, why are you fighting Nell head-on even though you’re in a bad situation because of the gravity? What kind of magic did you use?」

「Deris, you’re the one who’s using magic! I’m not using any magic~. You see, Maria is very good at dancing. After all, the level exceeds four digits. In other words, I can dance like this in any posture and under any situation! And Deris, the one who’s attacking me with an invisible attack from my blind spot is you, right!? That’s so dirty! Deris is dirty! You stink a little!」

「Stop calling me like I’m some kind of garbage!」

「You guys are noisy!」

Nell and Maria are exchanging slashes and blows that create afterimages in close combat, and Deris is using magic behind Nell. He is in a position to thoroughly harass Maria when he sees an opening. Because of his position and the aftermath of the attack and flames that are flying around, it’s inevitable for Deris to get sunburn. As for Alezel――

(――Alezel has been running around the outer circumference while clacking her abacus from a while ago, but what is she trying to do? Moreover, she has a nasty face that’s like when she’s working hard to make money…. Is it just harassment to attract my attention?)

Well, Alezel is just running around just like what Maria is seeing. It seems that even Maria can’t grasp her intention. However, the distance between them is meaningless with Alezel’s speed, so there’s a great possibility that she will do something the moment there’s an opening. For now, Maria leaves Alezel alone while being wary of her.

「Deadly Roast!」

「Whoa!?」

Nell is repeatedly shooting small fireballs while swinging her sword. It’s a magic that she used before when she was playing catch ball with Deris. At a glance, the attack seems plain, but it’s a horrifying magic that will create a large explosion upon contact. She shoots them at Maria’s feet in front of her, using it in a way that’s like a suicide bombing, but for Nell, it’s nothing but medicine.

「Hahahahahaha!」

Nell’s blood boils more vigorously than ever as she is bathed in the super-powerful explosion. The flames that are burning her armor have reached her hair, changing its color from golden to crimson. Since Nell’s characteristics are spreading to every strand of her hair, it may be more accurate to say that she is not actually ignited and burning, but is clad in the life energy that overflows from her body. Thus, the wildly beautiful demon was born.

「Cough cough…! Jeez, inside my mouth was burned, you know!? This much won’t kill me, but it still hurts!」

Apparently, it is not only the appearance that has changed. The sword, which creates a sea of flame with just one swing, has ranked up, further increasing its momentum, power, and the number of moves. Nell, who has prepared for everything from the beginning, seems to grow up in the middle of the battle, no, she’s still growing at a tremendous rate even now.

「Retreat~!」

Maria stopped her counterattack and dodged Nell’s attacks as if she was dancing. She moved her wings and retreated to put distance between herself and Nell.

(She’s adapting faster than expected, huh. She said something ridiculous, such as she’s a good dancer, but I guess that depends on the interpretation, just like Haru’s throwing, huh?)

The situation should be the worst for Maria, but Deris felt that she was getting used to the bad environment of Fake Universe and that her movements were smoother than in the early stages. The situation is still in their favor, but Deris couldn’t help but worry about this.

「Nell is so scary~. You’re like a demon~」

「You’re the demon, you damn vampire!」

「You’re wrong! I’m a vampire princess! I’m a princess, not a demon!」

「That’s right~. As expected of Princess, I’m gonna give you something good.」

「See!?…. Hmm?」

Someone tapped her shoulder when Maria was retreating. When she looked back, there was a figure of Alezel.

「Ah, here you go.」

「Huh?」

And she handed her something.