It Seems That the Demon King Is Among the Members of the Hero’s Party

38. VS Clovikas 2

Well, I may have been talking big, but honestly, I’m in trouble. I know that demons can use magic to strengthen their physical bodies, and I’ve learned to do the same from Tra-san. Even the demons I fought in the past were strengthened in a similar way. But Durandal’s inability to cut through their hardness is a first.

Even a dragon’s body can be easily sliced through…

Oh well, I’ve acknowledged their hardness. From now on, I’ll infuse Durandal with magic and strengthen it before striking.

I need to be careful not to run out of magic.

“What’s wrong! You’re just dodging and can’t do anything!”

I dodged Clovikas’ attack and kicked away the goblin that was approaching from behind. I wanted to counterattack, but the goblin was in the way. They’re being controlled quite skillfully.

The timing of my counterattack coincided with the goblin’s charge. Dealing with both of them at the same time is quite tough.

Tra-san’s side has about five times as many goblins as mine. I can’t expect any support.

To break through this situation, I’ll infuse Durandal with magic.

“Do you think you can stop me?”

“Then try to stop me!”

Clovikas’ attacks became more intense, trying to stop my actions, but the goblin’s movements became more erratic. I kicked the goblin that flew towards me towards Clovikas, and in the brief opening, I swung Durandal.

“‘Mad Dance of the Swallow’!”

A swallow-shaped magical slash was released from Durandal. Its size was about half of the ‘Flying Swallow’, around 1 meter. Its speed and power remained unchanged, but this slash, infused with five times the magic of the normal ‘Flying Swallow’, could move freely according to Durandal’s will.

“Damn it!”

“This makes it one-on-one!”

The goblins around me and Clovikas were being cut down and eliminated by the ‘Flying Swallow’ that was flying around freely according to Durandal’s will.

Clovikas clicked their tongue, stretched out their tail, and tried to attack, but I knocked it down with the flat of my sword and continued to attack.

I thought they would guard with their arm like before, but they chose to dodge instead. Durandal, infused with magic, was too powerful to defend against.

I don’t know if they’re underestimating me, but Clovikas didn’t seem to be using any magic. They were only using their magically strengthened fists, feet, and occasionally their tail to attack. It seemed somewhat monotonous. They must be aiming for something.

As I tried to chase after Clovikas, who had jumped back a considerable distance, I noticed a glowing red-black magic circle beneath my feet.

───A ‘Black Bomb’, perhaps.

It’s a type of magic that’s set up as a trap. Unlike regular magic that can be used immediately after chanting, this type of magic requires the target to step on the magic circle or receive an impact to activate. It’s like a landmine from my past life. Did they set it up while attacking me?

The moment I recognized the magic circle, I jumped back, but the activation was slightly faster. A black explosion spread from the magic circle, and I was blown away by the shockwave.

Even so, my magic-based guard managed to reduce the damage, so I only suffered minor burns. I took a defensive stance in mid-air and landed on the ground, and when I looked at Clovikas, I saw that they had taken a considerable distance from me. Are they chanting magic? This is bad.

The ‘Flying Swallow’ that was moving according to Durandal’s will tried to stop Clovikas’ chanting, but it was struck down by their tail and disappeared.

“Ha! Dance, human!”

A magic circle about Clovikas’ height appeared, and I chose to dodge. The magic circle released small, 5cm-sized magical solid projectiles. Each one was small and had minimal power, but the number was absurd – around 50-100 per second? It’s like a Gatling gun! The goblins that were approaching me were being shot and killed, with countless holes opening up in their bodies.

The only saving grace is that the projectiles aren’t too fast. If I stop moving or get caught by the goblins, I’ll be in trouble.

───This is the ‘Magic Bullet’ magic that demons love to use, a dark-attribute magic. It’s said to be a magic that demons created to overcome their numerical disadvantage, and its effectiveness increases when used against a large army rather than a single target. How many humans and elves have been killed by this magic? It’s clear that this magic isn’t meant to be used against a single person like me.

In reality, the damage to the goblins around me is much greater. Clovikas doesn’t seem to care about that, so I suppose the goblins are just pawns to them.

However, the bullet curtain is too thick, and I can’t close the distance to Clovikas. This is a stalemate.

Should I have Clovicas use ‘Furious Wings of Insanity’? While that magic is being used, it can’t move, but there’s a risk of defense with its tail, just like earlier. I should probably refrain from using ‘Furious Wings of Insanity’, which consumes a lot of magical power.

The ‘Flying Wings’ and ‘Furious Wings of Insanity’ are used for physical enhancement, consuming magical power. I have about 60% of my remaining magical power left.

Thanks to the accumulated magical power from the past three days, I don’t need to worry about running out…

As I dodge the goblins that are rushing towards me, I see a dazzling light enveloping a spear heading towards Clovicas. It’s the ‘Holy Javelin’. Noel’s magic, perhaps.

Clovicas notices the spear’s presence and tries to knock it down, but it doesn’t seem to be effective. The spear continues to advance straight towards Clovicas, its gaze fixed intently.

I tried to close in, but the surrounding goblins are getting in the way. I continue to slash and eliminate the goblins that keep coming, and while doing so, I see Clovicas neutralize the magic and grab the spear, striking it down. This isn’t going to change the situation.

I used ‘Furious Wings of Insanity’ to try and turn the tables, but it backfired with a single spell, putting me at a disadvantage. I really dislike the magic used by demons.

“You’re just a little priestess, aren’t you? Annoying elf!”

After glaring at Noel, who’s at the village entrance, and then at me, she lets out a sly smile and begins her magic incantation. Is she targeting Noel?! I try to stop her, but the goblins are in my way.

“Kail, fall back!”

I hear a voice from above and look up to see Sasha, who was supposed to be defending the western entrance, flying towards us using magic.

As I confirm her presence, I take a step back to avoid getting caught in her magic.

“‘Prominence’!”

A massive red magic circle appears in the sky, unleashing a fireball over 10 meters in diameter that falls straight towards Clovicas. It’s like a small sun. Clovicas seems to have judged it to be too dangerous and cancels its incantation, quickly retreating. The fireball chases after Clovicas, its face twisted in pain.

“Is the western entrance safe now?”

“It’s all clear. That’s why I was sent here, right?”

“That’s right, but you’re really quick.”

“The opening ceremony’s Holy Sword was released, and I used wide-range magic to clear out most of them. Only two people are left for mopping up.”

As I talk to Sasha, the Prominence hits, but it probably didn’t land. I saw Clovicas use magic just before it hit.

It’s still really quick, though. We haven’t been fighting for that long, and yet…

“How’s your magical power?”

“I’ve used about 60%. We need to wrap this up quickly, or it’ll get ugly. I’ve been using it lavishly, and it seems like Clovicas is over there.”

I follow Sasha’s gaze and see Clovicas, unharmed. It probably didn’t get hit.

“And then, there’s you annoying humans!”

“Oh, I’m a dwarf, can’t you see? Gentleman, sir.”

“Don’t talk back to me, little girl!”

“You’re being rude to a lady. I’m a dwarf, old man!”

As I listen to Sasha and Clovicas’ exchange, I think one thing: Sasha (this guy) is flying safely in the air, which is unfair. I think she’s using wind magic. Even when she’s talking to me, she’s still flying in the air, while I’m dealing with the goblins…

By the way, if she’s going to fly, she should wear something that doesn’t show her underwear.

“How’s your magical power, Kail?”

“I still have some left.”

“That’s good. As I said earlier, I only have about 40% of my magical power left. I can support you, Kail, but I can’t use high-powered magic.”

“What about the liquor?”

Drinking during a fight isn’t exactly praiseworthy, but if it recovers magical power, then it’s better to drink.

Luckily, she’s a dwarf and can handle liquor. A little drink shouldn’t have any effect.

“I drank the last bottle before coming here. I finished it on the way.”

Ugh, this dwarf is a real alcoholic.