Chapter 126: Apostle part 2

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Translator: Soafp

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How long had I been asleep? When I slowly awakened, the scene that entered my eyes was… Ahh. Those were beautiful fingers… But someone was biting and chewing on those fingers along with the entire arm…

Can I forgive this? No, I can’t forgive… There’s no way I could forgive thaaaaaaaaaaaat!!

I sprang up, drew my short swords from my waist, and leapt straight towards the enemy who seemed to be the Goblin King. The enemy swung their greatsword at me, but with my still imperfect “Barrier,” I dodged by sidestepping.

Having closed in on the enemy, I thrust my right short sword into the Goblin King’s right eye and the left short sword into its left ear.

The Goblin King died instantly and collapsed, but my stomach wouldn’t settle. I equipped eight Wind Bullets (for monsters) and fired them until the Goblin King was obliterated.

When I looked up, it seemed that three individuals resembling Goblin Kings were lying dead around. It must have been the work of Ashera and Mother.

Counting the one I defeated, that made four… but there were still three kings remaining.

And behind them was the entity that seemed to be the Emperor.

As I pondered which one to charge at, I was spoken to.

“Al. I’m okay, so if you think it’s too much, run away.”

When I glanced sideways, it seemed that Mom was on the verge of magic exhaustion, just like Ashera.

“If you keep talking like that, I’ll feel pathetic and want to die…”

“…”

“Please stop, Ashera. Just for a little while longer. I’ll definitely heal that arm of yours… Just wait a little longer.”

As I took a step forward to move, someone stood beside me.

“You’re slow, El.”

“I apologize, Nii-sama.”

“I want to clean up the small fry first. Can you stop the Emperor’s movements?”

“Leave it to me.”

“Let’s go!”

“Yes!”

I led with El behind me. I dealt a Bash with my magical shield and Reactive Armor to the foremost King. It didn’t kill it instantly, but it couldn’t stand after the damage I inflicted… one down.

Perhaps they hadn’t expected the shield to explode. The remaining two kings were frozen in surprise. I wrapped eight Wind Bullets around myself and yelled at the right king.

Surprised, it swung its greatsword at me, but I met it with my magic weapon (greatsword) in a clash. At the moment our powers were evenly matched, I simultaneously fired all eight Wind Bullets that had been set up… two down.

The Kings, whose forms were now unrecognizable, were being watched by the last King…

I deliberately lowered my two short swords and slowly approached the final King.

Clearly frightened and looking around, all it could see were the corpses of its fellow Goblin Kings.

Would it run away? Would it come at me? Either way, I would kill it…

Perhaps intimidated by my killing intent, the Goblin King fled. Despite my still lacking skill, I used “Bash” from my magic-enhanced shield and “Barrier” to catch up to the fleeing King in an instant. With my right short sword, I swiftly severed its head while it was still in motion, then with my left short sword, I thrust through its left shoulder into the gap between the collarbone and pierced its heart.

The King collapsed while still fleeing.

Immediately turning to El, it seemed like he had counterattacked with Reactive Armor. I unleashed three Wind Bullets onto the remaining breathing King and then joined the fray against the Emperor alongside El.

[Elphus PoV]

Time rewinds a little, and it’s around the time when Elphus awakens.

The surrounding noises are annoying. I slowly start to regain consciousness.

When I realize it, Nii-sama is yelling at one of the Goblin Kings.

He’s still shooting Wind Bullets into the enemy, even after thrusting a short sword into its eye and ear, causing instant death.

Nii-sama showing such emotion… Just as I thought that, I noticed that Ashera nee-sama, is missing her left arm.

Ah… That King from earlier was holding something in its mouth… Could it be… No way!!!

At that moment, my fear of the Emperor turns into anger.

Ashera and Nii-sama seem to be discussing something, but it’s not something I should listen to.

Nii-sama says he’ll clean up the Kings first. If that’s the case, then I’ll take on the Emperor.

Normally, Nii-sama would say something like “It’s okay to defeat them,” but today, even if I could defeat them, I must not. These are enemies Nii-sama wants to kill…

I shrink down and run after Nii-sama as he dashes forward. I successfully slip past the group of Kings, hiding behind Nii-sama’s back.

There stands the Emperor. First, I’ll let it taste Reactive Armor (Supercharged).

Nii-sama said he would also be blown away, but I think if I’m careful with how I release my power, I can manage it. Surely, I should have an advantage when it comes to handling the shield.

The Emperor doesn’t seem to be making any moves toward us, so I decide to approach it.

When it attacks, it will surely counter. It swings its sword at me. I dodge the first swing. Then it swings again.

I block the swing with my right short sword against the base of its greatsword to obstruct its motion. Then, using my left hand shield, I bash into its stomach, making a loud “thud,” and am sent flying back a few meters.

Dust fills the air, temporarily obscuring my vision, and I wait cautiously for the dust to clear.

It must have been less than 10 seconds… There stands the Emperor, with burns on its chest and its right hand hanging limply.

[Aldo PoV]

Heading towards El, it seems the Emperor has burns on its chest and can’t use its right hand.

El, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to have any apparent injuries and stands straight.

“El, how are you holding up?”

“My physical strength and magical power are indeed strong, but my tactics and intuition are lacking. I probably haven’t fought anyone stronger than myself.”

“I see… I’m worried about Ashera and the others. Let’s defeat him as quickly as possible without letting our guard down.”

“Understood.”

From there, the Emperor was on the defensive against the onslaught of attacks from both me and El.

However, being a creature from a fairy tale, the Emperor is resilient.

El’s almost deceptive Reactive Armor took a direct hit, but both my attacks and El’s attacks are barely dodged or parried. Moreover, because it’s clad in magic, landing effective blows is difficult even when attacks connect.

“Indeed. The Emperor is resilient…”

“Yes…”

But the Emperor, without a counter-attack, gradually accumulates wounds.

I wonder if both El and I are reaching our limits? Just when I thought that, the Emperor made an unexpected move.

Currently, we are fighting on top of the city walls. The Emperor throws away its greatsword and punches the base of the wall with its fist.

It must have been a gamble for the Emperor. But it seems it won spectacularly.

In the crumbling wall, the Emperor certainly laughed. With dust swirling, nothing could be seen.

Using localized sonar, I sense the Emperor running through a hundred meters ahead.

Should we pursue or not? Just as I thought the ring was shining, Aoi appeared.

“Hurry up and pursue the ‘master.’ They might escape.”

Although Aoi insists, when I see Mom and Ashera, I can’t just leave them in such a precarious state.

“Aoi. We can’t leave Ashera and Mother behind.”

“Me neither. Sorry, Aoi.”

“Even though I’ve never heard of two Apostles, both of them not chasing after the ‘master’… People are truly strange creatures.”

El and I return to the mansion, carrying the wobbly Mom and the fragile Ashera in our arms using space kicks.

Ashera, in my arms, seems so fragile, as if she could break at any moment…

“Ashera… I’m sorry. I couldn’t protect you…”

“Aldo, you always protects me…”

Seeing Ashera laugh like that, I cried again.

We arrived at the mansion shortly after.

I immediately instructed the maids to prepare baths and change of clothes. Both of them must be on the verge of magical exhaustion, and perhaps sleeping would be the best option for now.

Since it’s daytime, they probably won’t wake up until evening…

Ideally, I’d like to have a meal together. I’ll talk to Roland about it and ask him to wake Ashera and the others up.

I also need to rest since I’ve used too much magic. As I head to my room, I find Halva standing outside.

Honestly, I don’t know what to say. But I must apologize…

I walk up to Halva and slowly kneel down. Then, I place my hands on the floor and press my forehead against it.

“I’m sorry…”

It’s not just about the arm being healed. It’s not that simple.

At that moment, both Ashera and Mom were on the brink of death.

If I had woken up just one minute later… If the Emperor hadn’t underestimated us and backed off…

Surely, if something had been slightly different, both Ashera and Mother would have died.

As I shrink down like a turtle and apologize, Halva silently watches without saying a word.

When I thought I should say something, Halva begins to speak slowly.

“When she was born, she was so small… and didn’t cry much. The doctor even said she might not live long.”

At first, I didn’t understand what Halva was talking about, but it must be about Ashera.

“Even so, Lush and I worked hard to raise her… When Ashera was six, Lush fell ill, and from then on, I caused her nothing but trouble. When she became a disciple of Lady Rafina at the age of seven, she became so bright… I must be a terrible father… I know I’m ignoring her wishes… But, Aldo… I want you to cancel the engagement. I don’t want to see her die…”

Halva glances at me, unable to move or speak, then slowly walks away.

“An Apostle,” “a Spirit,” “the Goblin Emperor,” “the crisis of the Blue Ring,” and now “cancelling the engagement” have been added.

I felt something collapsing inside me…

For now, I need to sleep, even if I have to take sleeping pills… As I forcibly fall asleep after taking the pills, traces of tears remain on my cheeks.