Although she unwittingly blocked it with her lance, the fearsome impact rode through the weapon and struck Shalltear’s body.
“Gueh!”
The impact from being rammed by a giant fist forced an embarrassing noise from Shalltear and sent her flying. The damage from the shockwave was insignificant, and the physical attack itself was blocked by the Spuit Lance. However, the knock back effect of the shockwave penetrated the magic defenses of Shalltear’s equipment.
Although her stumbling balance was quickly restored with the help of a magic item, her head was dyed red with anger.
“Y, You, how dare you make me utter such a disgraceful sound! Before I tear you to pieces I’ll pry the same…. same?”
As she turned around, Shalltear’s vision was met with a huge light and she felt her temper instantly vanish.
In Ainz’ hand was a bow covered in the light of the sun. The arrowhead that was giving off a brilliant resplendence, needless to say, was pointing directly at Shalltear.
“N, No way. No, it’s a lie…. That’s, Hou Yi?”
A story passed down in a distant land called China*, a weapon named after the hero who was said to have shot down the sun. It was the main weapon of Shalltear’s creator.
*(Author’s Note: A legend from the time of Emperor Yo. The sudden appearance of ten suns in the sky burned the land and crops. It is said that a man named Hou Yi shot down nine.)
Almost all of the Guardians had established measures against ranged attacks, so an arrow was nothing to fear. However, that arrow did not deal physical damage; instead, it was a mass of elemental damage. In other words, it was regarded as magic and unblockable.
The fact that she had no MP, nor any skill uses left, everything was a result of the earlier battle. In other words, everything was a result of the scheme of the man known as Ainz Ooal Gown.
With her eyes dyed red, Shalltear let out an angry cry. It was the appearance of one who understood what was to come next, the struggle of one who did not want to admit defeat.
“You bastard! Peroronchino –sama’s weapon! Everything was part of your plan! How did you prepare that weapon?! Where were you hiding it! Was it a skill triggered by breaking the wooden rod?!”
Just what sort of trick was it?
It was as if his actions were favored by the world itself.
“A magician does not reveal his tricks.”
“How is that a magic trick! How did you pull out Peroronchino –sama’s weapon with something like that!”
“….. Indeed, you are right. This may have been rude to him. Well, the answer is that it was a cash item. Rather, did you finally come to understand? That everything was within my plan?”
The sphere of light, with its charging complete, flew towards Shalltear. Despite knowing that it was useless, she held her lance diagonally to block and— the explosion of light covered the surroundings.
While her whole body was burning within the divine light, Shalltear judged that it was dangerous to retreat back. If things continued like this, she would be overwhelmed without being able to do anything.
Even if the white armor was powerful, it would not be unaffected by the Spuit Lance. Then she had to forgo defense and attack while relying on its life absorption effect.
“Ooohhhh!”
Ill fitting with her outward appearance, a vigorous battle cry exploded from Shalltear’s throat. A chilling voice floated back in response.
“A 7 to 3 chance of victory…. around there I believe. There is no need to say which side was the seven, I hope?”
Ainz slowly raised a monstrous, huge axe. Emitting a purple light, the pressure alone from the axe forged from red crystal was enough to make closing the distance difficult. Despite this, Shalltear charged.
The only thing she could do now was move forward.
“Good resolve. This is the final phase, Shalltear!”
♦ ♦ ♦
“….. It. is. Ainz–sama’s. victory.”
As if locked in admiration, Cocytus muttered while nodding his head. Whereas Demiurge, who had no aptitude as a warrior, threw a doubtful glance. Of course, Demiurge too, believed that his master will emerge victorious. But his need to analyze the situation logically caused him to question.
“Why is that? To me, it looks like it will still be awhile before the victor is decided.”
“Shalltear. has. decided. to. forgo. defense. and. focus. on. offense. It. is. not. a. bad. decision. I. too. would. have. done. the. same. in. that. situation.”
