Chapter 124
Fwoosh-!
Dazzling flames filled my vision. The surrounding temperature rose sharply.
Tiny sparks, like grains of sand, swirled around Yor.
Yor frowned in surprise at the sudden attack.
Hey, what's with the sudden attack?!
He couldn't help but feel a bit wronged. He'd just been told she was a childhood friend, and they'd started talking. Then she suddenly went into overdrive, trying to attack him. Could his refusal have been that upsetting? He couldn't help but be flustered.
What was strange, however, was that the flames weren't *that* hot. It wasn't that Yor had suddenly gained Fire Resistance. Livia was intentionally controlling the intensity of her Flame.
If she were serious, his skin might have melted like the Adventurer he'd seen earlier. Perhaps she didn't want to truly harm Yor, as Livia was holding back. Yor could feel it himself.
“I don't want to hurt you. So just come over here quickly.”
Pop-crackle-!
Fireworks enveloped him.
As if to threaten him, the fireworks were incredibly loud.
Honestly, the dazzling light was more annoying than the heat.
Yor frowned. From the looks of it, reasoning wouldn't work. So he had to fight, but attacking outright felt awkward.
A connection he never knew existed with his Opponent had suddenly appeared, and he couldn't just attack someone who claimed to have followed him around when they were young.
Perhaps because it was such a sudden confession from the past, a thought briefly crossed my mind: *Could she have brought up the Orphanage to make me drop my guard?*
“...No, that”s ridiculous.'
But he quickly dismissed the thought. He had never told anyone about his origins, so the fact that she knew meant it wasn't a lie.
Therefore, Yor made a decision.
*'First, I'll subdue her.'*
He decided to subdue her, holding back his strength just as she was. He wanted to talk to her, to find out how she became a Branch Leader and why she wore those small sunglasses.
And so, the battle began. Livia used Magic to restrict Yor's movements, while he aimed his spear shaft at her limbs. Thanks to the flames surrounding them, the battle looked quite spectacular.
...
Meanwhile, the Knight Commander stared blankly at the scene. She didn't know what was going on, but the Branch Leader, who was the most dangerous person, was completely focused on Yor. Thanks to this, the battle, which she had expected to be very difficult, was proceeding much more smoothly than anticipated.
“This is our chance.”
Serena thought this was the perfect opportunity to break through the Frontline. If they charged quickly, they could destroy the Altar much faster than expected.
Serena looked at her subordinates and shouted.
Now! Everyone, move up. We'll push them back in this opening! Waaah!
A roar echoed. Fortunately, the subordinates under her command were people who knew how to seize an opportunity. The Knight Order and adventurers unleashed their reserved strength straight ahead.
Startled by the intensified offensive, some Lemegeton Followers looked at Livia and shouted urgently.
Branch Leader, there's no time for this! If we don't stop them quickly, the Altar will be...! Be quiet!
Of course, Livia had no time to care about such things. To her, Yor, right in front of her, was far more important than the Altar. Yor found it a bit hard to understand why she cared so much about a childhood connection, whatever it was.
In any case, the Knight Order charged upwards. The Otherworlders participating in the battle did the same. While they were curious about the fight between the Branch Leader and Yor, the rewards they'd get for their achievements were more important.
Ah, what should I do...?
Chaerin, at least, seemed indecisive.
Just go up. I'll handle things here.
Upon Yor's words, heard from afar, she followed the Knight Order. Staying here wouldn't be much help anyway. It would be better to destroy the Altar quickly and then return.
Thus, only Livia and Yor remained in the center of the mountain. Yor looked at Livia and inquired.
"Should we talk now?"
"Then will you come with me?"
"Tsk, not really..."
Fwoosh-!
Once again, flames enveloped him.
And so, the battle resumed.
*
After I was left alone with Livia, my forgotten childhood friend, the first thing I thought was...
Fire really is *awful*. It just doesn't suit me. Flame brought me an excessive amount of fatigue, a mere biological Meat Shield.
The flames were dazzling and uncomfortable. The sparks landing on my body slowly accumulated heat. Since the range itself was wide, it was difficult to avoid them properly.
Surprisingly, the Mithril Alloy spear shaft even deflected the formless fire. But even so, I couldn't block every attack that came from all directions.
To be honest, it was a bit unexpected. Even though we were both holding back, Livia's Skill was definitely outstanding.
When I tried to close in, she'd deploy a Wall of Fire with high firepower, obstructing my path. She wasn't just using the heat from the flames. The unnecessarily flashy flames interfered with my vision. Honestly, I had somewhat underestimated her because she was a Magic User, but her combat sense was remarkably good.
“Does she have a lot of practical experience?”
Thanks to this, the battle lasted for quite a long time. Perhaps because we were both holding back, a decisive outcome wasn't easily reached. Still, mana isn't infinite, so as time passed, Livia's breathing grew heavier.
Haa, haa... How about it? Getting tired? Hot, aren't you? If you give up being an Adventurer and come with me right now, I'll stop the Magic.
Yet, as if she didn't want to show her fatigue, she even put on a bluff.
Unable to endure the frustrating situation, I decided to take a bold step.
“All right, I”ll just break through.'
The Wall of Fire protecting her was certainly hot, but ultimately, it was just flames with no physical force. If I had put my mind to it, I could have broken through.
With that, I activated Blood Force Art, beginning to wrap blood around my body.
It was a type of Barrier. It contained demonic energy, and in any case, was a substance harder than most steel. So, it should be able to block this Flame for a while.
It felt a bit unfamiliar since it had been a long time since I'd used this method. Fortunately, it went more smoothly than I expected. It took some effort to cover my entire body, but thankfully, the ability worked as I intended.
I was a bit worried about side effects, but holy water was plentiful enough. This level of usage should be manageable.
Seeing her wrapped in that thin Barrier, I immediately rushed towards her.
Fwoosh-!
I charged straight through the baptism of fire that appeared before me. A momentary burst of hot air brushed past, but it wasn't an intense heat that would burn my skin.
Soon, I saw her startled figure. I immediately grabbed her arm and threw her to the ground.
“Kyaaak!”
With a faint scream, her body slammed onto the ground. I took the opportunity to get on top of her, subduing her so she couldn't move.
I grinned and said,
“Now we can finally talk, can't we?”
For some reason, her face instantly turned red. Regardless, I repeated her name inwardly.
“Livia, Livia...”
My faint memories seemed to be gradually becoming clearer. Looking at her like this, I could definitely see traces of her childhood appearance. Although more than ten years had passed, her delicate features remained. The cute child had grown into a considerable beauty at some point.
“You've grown up beautifully.”
Though her personality seemed a bit twisted, to be honest, it was surprising that she remembered me from childhood and was so happy to see me.
It would be a lie to say I didn't feel good about it.
But if I were asked if I could follow her, that would be another matter.
“I have quite a few acquaintances here.”
It had only been a few months since the Knight Order declared a truce. She wanted me to follow her? That would mean I'd have to be hostile towards the Knights again, wouldn't it? I didn't particularly want to make that many enemies.
And even if that weren't the case, I had many connections here, and many reasons not to join Lemegeton. When I explained this, she made a tearful face, as if my answer displeased her. But a defeated Opponent had no say over me.
Afterward, I intended to ask her a few questions. I had many questions myself: Why she left the Orphanage, how she ended up joining Lemegeton, and where she learned such Magic, among other things.
But unfortunately, there was no time for that. The sound of the Knight Order descending from afar began to reach my ears. Hearing that, I couldn't help but be momentarily flustered.
*'Already?'*
I hadn't expected them to come down so quickly. It seemed they had already captured the Altar. Or perhaps, I had fought longer than I thought.
In the end, I had no choice but to release her. With the Knight Order seemingly descending, I told her to run.
It was a shame to let go of someone I'd just subdued, but it was clear she'd be executed if she met the Knights. No matter what, I couldn't just watch my orphanage mate die. Even if she seemed to have committed some crimes, I was a former criminal myself, so I didn't think much of it.
When I released her, she stared at me with a blank expression. But that was only for a moment.
“...I'll come see you soon.”
Livia left the spot, leaving those words behind. I let out a sigh.
“Huu...”
It was nice to meet someone I knew from the past, but it felt like things were about to get troublesome.
As I stood there blankly for a moment, the Knight Order appeared shortly after. It had been close enough for me to hear it.
“H-huh!”
As soon as they saw me, the Knights gasped. A surprised Chaerin began to bring me a blanket.
“...Wow.”
“Shit, I have to record this.”
Some Otherworlders suddenly started turning on their cameras as they looked at me. Unable to understand their reaction, I tilted my head for a moment.
But that was only for a moment; I lowered my head and checked my body.
Perhaps because of the flames Livia used, my upper garment was completely burned away. Only my sturdy pants covered my lower body.
“Ah, I see.”
Seeing that, I quietly nodded.