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16.92% My 13th Reincarnation: The Gods Won't Let Me Die / Chapter 11: A Blinding Power

章 11: A Blinding Power

The glow of my sword bathes my surroundings in a layer of the brightest blue. Even the beast seems transfixed for a moment. Regaining its rage just as quickly as it had lost it, it rears back and lets out a massive scream. Is it trying to intimidate me?

I sense movement behind me. Elizabeth is still alive, but for how long? She can't take another hit from this monster.

She's the only friend I've had in centuries and she saved my life. I won't let her die like this. Wielding her weapon with both hands, I stand my ground in front of the mass of fur. I imagine that it's still dripping with the blood of my - Stencil's - parents.

Deep breath. Two goals.

Keep Elizabeth safe. Aim for the eye.

Putting all my strength into my legs, I push off the ground at full force, and jump off to the beast's left. Get it as far away from Elizabeth first. She can't get caught in the crossfire.

The greater monster roars and twists its entire body in my direction, barreling straight at me. I guess there is an easier target than a leaking pool of mana, after all. Its eyes are fixed on the glowing sword as it races toward me. Seems like it doesn't have to worry about ultraviolet light destroying its iris. I'll just have to destroy it instead.

The full force of the monster slams into the guild building as I slide beneath its body. Heavy rubble falls onto the creature's body, unsteadying it for a second. I was hoping to destabilize it enough to get a hit in, but its chaotic movements make it nearly impossible.

I can't keep fighting like this. I'm not tired yet, but I can feel Elizabeth's light fading. I need to get her to a healer as soon as possible. If Elizabeth arrived early enough, they might have managed to evacuate, in which case they can't be too far. I have to get rid of the greater monster, one way or another, even if it means I can't kill it now.

Wait. Hold on just a second.

What did I just think? Its eyes are fixed on the sword?

Of course. The perfect distraction.

I hold the sword as high as I can. I see the greater monster's rage-filled eyes center on the sword, the bright blue glow reflected in its eyes. It pulls back, readying another full-force strike. I do the same, aiming the sword off the side, so the beast can't miss its light. The monster rushes forward and I throw the sword as hard as I can.

It's dangerous to let go of my only weapon, but I don't need to kill the creature. I just need something that can hurt it enough to make it run away. Like, for example, if I were to plunge the short sword stuck in its neck, into its eye.

The monster's neck tracks the glowing sword's arc perfectly, and its body turns to aim directly at it. I reel back, setting off at full sprint after the massive beast. I'm not as fast as it is, but I don't need to be. The blue blade digs into the ground right outside of the cathedral. I didn't intend on talking to Gaia anytime soon, anyway. The creature slams into the cathedral walls, and parts of the building come tumbling down onto its body.

Coming in behind it, I set off hard, leaping high into the air and landing on top of its body. I grab ahold of the short sword sticking out of its neck and pull it out.

Gripping its thick fur, I climb the greater monster's head. The giant beast rears back on two legs, like a horse, trying to throw me off. I hold on as tightly as I can, my young muscles tensing up from the effort. I clench my teeth hard and pull back the arm carrying my short sword.

Swing. Plunge. A scream of pain like I've never heard before. The splattering of blood.

The beast thrashes around madly, nonsensically, its claws and head whipping in every which direction. I get thrown to the ground and get the wind knocked out of me.

As I stumble to my feet, I know I've done it.

The monster is fleeing, barreling across the plains as fast as its injured body can carry it. Clawing its way to the forest, mounds of dirt, grass, and plant life are ripped from the ground. It leaves behind a trail of destruction with every movement.

Involuntarily, I let out out a deep sigh. I must have been holding my breath, though I'm not sure for how long.

The first thing I lay my eyes on is the sword. It's not glowing blue anymore. The blade is just sticking straight up out of the ground, a pale gold.

It's a magic tool. I've been aware of that for a while. Normal tools don't glow blue. But this is so much more than just a magic tool.

I put my hand on the handle and the blue glow returns to it, bright as ever.

It glows bright as the sun when I hold it, but almost always a pale blue when Elizabeth holds it. Almost. When she saved me from the greater monster 6 months ago, it glowed much brighter. That would have been only a few seconds after my mana store burst, and I had just used a powerful barrier spell. In other words, we must have been flooded with my mana.

If this sword uses the mana from its closest surroundings to fuel its power, it would explain a lot. If I'm right, this is quite literally the perfect weapon. A weapon that controls my mana for me, turning into near-limitless strength? To think that such a perfect weapon was so close to me for so long. Where did Elizabeth even get it?

Oh. Right.

Elizabeth.


next chapter

章 12: Deja Vu

Elizabeth has been bedridden for about a day now. I haven't slept in ages. She still hasn't woken up, but the healers say she should recover. Apparently, I made it just in time.

I've been holding onto her sword. I'm going to get the most out of it until she wakes up. Sometimes, I get the intrusive thought to simply steal it and run away. I'm not likely to find another weapon as perfect and powerful as this. Nevertheless, Elizabeth is my friend. I won't steal from her. When she wakes up, I'll ask her about the sword.

I enter the broken-down guild, currently being repaired. Muscular men and women are hurrying about the place, getting rid of all the rubble and trying to clean up the blood that the greater monster left behind. Rebuilding efforts are currently in progress all throughout the city, but they're low on people. On my way to the front desk, I notice a few odd looks from the people walking about.

When I reach the lady at the counter, she stands up straight. They're only alive because Elizabeth fought off the the greater monster long enough for them to evacuate. And Elizabeth is only alive because of me. There's not a soul here who wouldn't recognize either of us on sight. It could be a mess if word gets around about me. I intend to leave town with Elizabeth as soon as she recovers, though, so I doubt it'll be a problem.

"Mi-mister Malt," the lady at the desk stutters.

"Sebastian is fine."

"Right, of course, sir Sebastian."

Fine. Better than "kid," anyway.

"Which assignments are available?"

Ordinarily, I'd pick from the board, but it seems like it took a hit from the greater monster, so it's in pieces currently.

"Ah, quite a lot of monsters have been gathering in the surrounding area. Groups of slimes and goblins have been spotted on the outskirts of the forest. A few orcs, as well."

"Give me all of them."

No need to pull my punches now. They won't say no to me.

"Y-yes, of course, sir Sebastian."

She fumbles with the papers for a bit, eventually giving up and just handing me the entire pile.

---

By the time I finish off the last orc, it's getting late in the afternoon, but the sun is still up, so I return to the guild to hand in my assignments. My rank doesn't mean much anymore, but the money is good for food, so I might as well.

It looks like they've been extremely busy today. The front wall is already up again, and the door is back on its hinges. I open it and enter the well-lit guild building. In the middle of the hall is a man. He's tall, muscular, rugged, and looks to be in his late 50s. He's just standing there, staring at me.

I start to approach the lady at the counter, but the man stops me.

"You're Sebastian Malt?"

"That's right."

"I am Kinn. I run this place."

Hm? This must be the guild master, then.

Looking around, it strikes me that nobody else is in the building. It's just him and the lady at the counter. They must all have gone home for the day.

"How can I help you?" I ask.

"First off, I'd like to thank you on behalf-"

I sigh.

"Get on with it."

I'm really not in the mood for dealing with other people right now.

He's taken off guard for a minute, but then returns to his former, professional demeanor.

"I received a letter that an official envoy from the royal family is on his way here to thank you and miss Elizabeth in person."

I almost choke on my own spit. The royal family? As in, the royal family that *I* am a part of? The royal family that thinks that I died alongside my parents from a greater monster attack several months ago?

"Are you alright, sir Malt?"

"Fine. I'm fine. This envoy isn't a part of the royal family, are they?"

"Not that I'm aware of? I believe it's one of their ambassadors, along with his entourage."

Phew. Safe. I've met the entire royal family before, though it's been several years. They would all definitely recognize me.

"Did they specify a day?"

"They were going to come today, but it seems like they've been slightly delayed. They'll be here tomorrow."

"Good. I look forward to meeting them."

I don't, but I probably shouldn't say that. I should be able to handle it, though. I've been thanked by royal officials plenty of times before. It's all just fake smiles and gold medals.

I hand in my completed assignments to the lady behind the counter, get my payment, and leave through the front door. I then promptly bump head-first into somebody in front of me, trying to enter the building.

"Oh, sorry," I mutter.

"Huh? KID!"

No.

"Kid, thank goodness you're okay."

"Vale. Why are you here?"

I mean to say "What are you doing here?" but I'm a bit distracted by this whole mess.

"I'm here to help, of course! All of Rosewood is buzzing about the greater monster that appeared in the town close to Sheere. I went to see what was happening and heard you and Elizabeth fought it off! You're really amazing, kid!"

He looks around, expectantly.

"Hey, where's the lady?"

"Still unconscious."

"Oh... Don't worry, kid, I'm sure she'll be alright. She seems tough."

"Yeah. She'll be alright."

"Well, anyway, I brought along some of my friends to help fix up the town here. Figures it'd be a mess."

I don't care. I'm tired.

"Thank you. I'm sure the townspeople are very happy about it."

"Eh, Vol is doing most of the work."

Hm? Vol is here?

"He's here?"

"Yeah, he insisted on coming."

Oh, yeah, I can feel his concentrated mana in the area. I really must be tired if I didn't even realize that until now. I really, really need sleep. Now.

"Wow, you look tired."

You. Don't. Say.

I finally manage to get away, and return to the inn where Elizabeth and I were staying. It's quite lonely without her here, even though she sleeps in a different room. That was her suggestion, funnily enough. I didn't think she'd be the type to care about her privacy.

Thinking about it now, it strikes me that it may have been for my sake. Despite her blank demeanor, she does actually seem to care.

Closing the door to my room, I fall into my bed and drift away in less than a minute.

---

I open my eyes to the sunlight outside. My head is buzzing. Rest is exactly what I needed to collect my thoughts and organize them into ideas.

A broken mana store. A magic weapon that can absorb uncontrolled mana. Vol, an excellent magic researcher, here, in Elsvaert. Magic stones set into the portal to Rosewood.

Scattered thoughts coming together to form a single concept. A ludicrous idea, that might just work.

Fixing a mana store is impossible, but what if there was a way to create an artificial mana store? A stone I could carry around, able to absorb my mana and prevent more monster spawns. And what better person to make it than Vol.

I head across town, barely making note of the carriage standing next to the guild as I enter it.

I could sense Vol's mana from across town. He's standing in the back of the guild, talking to Kinn, the guild master.

"Vol, I need to talk to you," I say as I stride toward him.

He turns to face me, a bemused look on his face.

"Sure thing, my boy. Though..."

Hm?

"I think somebody else wants to talk to you first."

He points to somewhere behind me.

I turn around to look at the door I just entered. I flinch.

There, in the doorway to the guild, is a person I never thought I would see again. She hadn't even crossed my mind. I just assumed she had died when the greater monster attacked our mansion, but now, here she is.

The young woman in front of me, who was my caretaker for several years, opens her mouth to speak. The bewilderment and fear is clear in her voice, as she speaks my name.

"Stencil..?"


クリエイターの想い
MadCreativity MadCreativity

I wrote this chapter in the middle of the night and I was very tired. Luckily, it worked out, because Shawl was tired, too.

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