Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 225

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 225 – Something Horrible

It’s been several tens of minutes since Arche launched her spectacular attack.

Arche and Sylvia fought desperately inside the royal capital, but the same was true for the two men outside the castle gates.

Cain and Marco had crossed swords many times, but they had yet to reach a final conclusion.

“…Tch!”

Cain, who had taken a step back, clicked his tongue and looked at Marco.

The battle situation was still in Cain’s favor, but there was a reason why they still couldn’t come to a conclusion.

“Hmph… that’s also the influence of Ain.”

“Yes. As the commander said, I received the blessing of Ain-sama.”

Cain’s sword cut Marco again and again. Then, the light from Marco’s body weakened the same number of times, but it would be restored in no time.

This was also the reason why the battle followed a strange parallel line.

“What Ain absorbs flows into my body… but.”

“I also have the same benefit.

“I see. In other words, you have absurd physical strength.

As long as the World Tree of Gluttony continued to spread its roots, that physical strength would never end.

In other words, it was necessary to deliver a killing blow,

“But even if it were me, it would be extremely difficult to defeat Marco with a single blow.”

“That’s because you’re holding back.”

“Don’t be so modest. You’re probably one of the strongest Living Armors ever.”

For Marco, the benefits he received from his summoner, Ain, were too great.

In addition to his already strong body, his inexhaustible endurance made him even stronger. As a result, even Ain, who had high attack power, would have a hard time.

“I’m honored to hear you say that. Well, I am truly sorry. Just summoning us consumes a lot of magic power, and yet he protects me from the Commander’s attacks time and again.”

“I’m sure. Ain’s burden must be quite heavy.”

“Yes. That’s right. In the capital, Arche-sama and Sylvia-sama also use their powers. In other words, Ain-sama’s magic is quickly being drained.”

Marco started to speak as if he was trying to.

Cain, on the other hand, scratched his head and opened his mouth.

“Hah… what a roundabout way to show your loyalty… Marco.”

“Well, well. That’s what I said from the beginning…!”

Marco’s body glowed, and he picked up his big sword and ran. He attacked Cain’s sword head-on, swinging with all his might.

“My wish is… only for my master, for Ain-sama’s happiness!”

“It seems you’re using your powers quite freely, Marco!”

“Yes! This is what I have to do… what I must do!”

At this time, Marco’s strike showed a strength that was beyond what he could normally achieve. The reason he was able to do this was because of the favor he had received from Ain.

The force that was forcibly drawn out caused a huge amount of magical energy to flow into Marco’s body. When even this burden was restored by the favor, Marco attacked Ain with all his strength.

“What unreasonable power! It’s a power that exceeds the limits, but there’s no obstacle for me!”

“So let’s express our deep gratitude! Hahahahaha!”

The two of them continued to fight.

Even if the earth were to split open and the barren land was to be further transformed, the two of them would not stop fighting.

Under normal circumstances, they would have died by now. Even in this situation, Marco continued to swing his sword with all his might.

◇ ◇ ◇

Cain and Marco. What they did was only a repetition. Cain swung his sword, Marco swung his sword, and they healed their bodies with the power flowing from Ain.

Both lacked the decisive move, and the stalemate continued to the point of desperation.

The only thing that changed was the surrounding situation, and the ruined castle gate, walls, and earth watched over the battle between the two.

“Hahh… hahh…”

However, no matter how much damage their bodies have healed, they would still get tired.

It was Marco who tired faster, while Cain still looked like he had plenty of energy left.

“It’s hard to describe the feeling. Even though the other guy is already in pieces, I still can’t land a decisive blow. This is the first time I’ve experienced something like this.”

“As expected from the Commander… I never realized how much of a difference there is in our true strength…”

“I’m the one who is painfully aware of my own lack of strength.”

Cain felt a little frustrated that he couldn’t decide the outcome of the match.

However, there was still something strange about Marco, who was beginning to show signs of fatigue.

“By the way, Marco, why are you suddenly tired?”

“…Of course, Commander.”

Then Marco rammed his sword into the ground and released his stance.

“It’s probably because I wasn’t up to the task. I took too much power from Ain-sama. …If we also take into account the battle in the capital, Ain-sama is still using a lot of magical energy.”

“…Huh. Marco, you said… that you only pray for Ain’s happiness.”

“Yes. That’s why I did everything I could to make that happen.”

Marco’s breathing had evened out, but he continued to speak without picking up his sword, leaving Cain stunned.

“My part is over. From now on, I’ll leave it to the three of you.”

“I thought that was what you were going to say. But were you really going to do that?”

“I thought I made it clear that’s not what I meant.”

“I get that a lot, but the problem is that I don’t have enough words to express myself properly. Well, I’ll move on now.”

“Yes, please do. Be careful.”

Marco replied and then bent down to see Cain off.

His attitude was the complete opposite of how he had been at first, and it would have confused some people, but Cain understood Marco’s intentions.

“…Such unwavering loyalty.”

After parting from Marco, Cain muttered to himself.

Even as he heard the bustle of the royal capital, he thought of Marco remaining at the castle gate and sighed repeatedly in a dazed manner.

“Marco continued to use magic with force. In doing so, he continued to absorb the magic that had been dwelling in Ain’s body.”

Ain, who has become a World Tree of Gluttony, is a mass of power. Proof of this was that it had grown to the size of a city surrounding the royal capital as a result of continuously absorbing the power of the surrounding beings.

Therefore, Marco chose a method.

“Of course, as the opponent, I will continue to receive power from Ain. If the same is true for Sylvia, who is fighting in the royal capital, the result is simple.”

――The fuel ran out.

Marco’s body was rapidly accumulating fatigue, and this was due to the fact that the power flowing from Ain was weakening.

In other words, it could be said that the power of the World Tree itself was weakening. This was because a huge amount of magical energy continued to flow from Ain’s body in proportion to the amount of power they filled their bodies with.

“Even so, it’s still a roundabout way of doing things, Marco.”

However, Cain showed some understanding. Because…

“He didn’t want to hurt Ain without pretending, did he? That’s why he confused his words and even faked the final curtain call. The result was this method.”

Even though the pretext was to save Ain, Marco avoided using his sword directly.

The aversion to pointing a sword at one’s lord was the only thing the loyal knight Marco could not accept.

“…Well, I’m almost there.”

And so the battle outside the castle gates came to an end.

Cain changed his mood and entered the royal capital with a triumphant air.

◇ ◇ ◇

“O-Onee-chan…! There’s no end to it…!”

“Yeah, that’s right. It really is too inexhaustible; I’m getting tired.”

As Cain advanced, Arche and Sylvia tried their best.

However, the two of them were starting to get tired of the endless stream of rose creatures they were defeating.

“But you know… I wonder if the Arche is aware of this.”

“What do you mean, aware of what…!”

“The momentum has slowed down quite a bit, hasn’t it?”

The vines and tree roots attacked from all directions. While dodging them, the two of them begin to talk skillfully.

“…I-is that true?!”

“Yes, it’s true. But… I didn’t tell you, but I’m getting a little tired, too.”

Sylvia smiled with a light, carefree expression. It’s Arche who was disturbed by the smile, and she looked at Sylvia with eyes that seem to be begging for her.

“Hey, Onee-chan… don’t say scary things like that.”

“Well, it’s not a joke; it’s the truth… but I don’t think it’s a bad thing, you know?”

“Yeah, that’s right. This is our best chance.”

Then, everything that was spreading around them was cut down.

Cain, who had arrived, suddenly joined the conversation and approached the main body of the World Tree of Gluttony, leaving the two of them to fend for themselves.

“Onii-chan… What happened to Marco…?”

“It was a half-forfeited match, but it’s like I won. Now is our chance; we’ll stop Ain in one go.”

“…Dear! What happened to Marco?”

“I’ll explain later! But Marco was also on our side, and he helped us stop Ain… that’s for sure!”

The one who was most pleased to hear this was Arche. She had felt that she had been abandoned, and so she showed her deep relief.

“I understand. Then I’ll ask about it later… Am I right in assuming that this opportunity means that Ain-kun is getting tired?”

“Yes, that’s right!”

“…I’ll do my best!”

The two of them then set off after Ain-kun, dodging the World Tree’s approaching resistance as they made their way to the main body of the World Tree.

“But that really was the limit…!”

“It has to be. If we had grown a bit more, we wouldn’t have been able to do it so easily…! Hahahahaha!”

“I… it’s not easy at all… but like you said, it’s good!”

Sylvia unleashed magic, Cain delivered a sword strike, and Arche attacked with her power as the Demon King.

Unlike when they were two, with Cain there, they were suddenly able to get into position. The three of them were starting to show signs of fatigue, but that wasn’t a big problem for their opponents, who were losing momentum.

“So, Sylvia! After you force Ain into a dormant state, what are we going to do?”

“We’ll have to think about that later! For now, all we can do is keep the situation within our reach!”

“I see, I don’t hate that it’s easy to understand!”

“…M-Mumumu… I won’t lose to the second generation!”

“…Ehihihi…!”

“Aha. Fufufu…”

A rose creature appeared from the front. It attacked in increasing numbers to protect the main body of the World Tree that was devouring everything. But now Cain was here.

“You are so creepy. Stay back!”

Perhaps Cain was the best match.

Cain’s sword was said to be able to cut through even sea dragons, and it also had a high effect on the rose creatures.

“Oh, as expected from you, dear.”

“That’s because it hasn’t grown up yet. I can easily cut it down now.”

“What if Ain-kun had grown up completely?”

“Please stop. I don’t want to think about it too much.”

“Fufu… I agree.”

The fact that Ain was still growing meant that the three of them could move around with an advantage.

If he were to grow up completely, the rose creatures might become even stronger. Even Cain didn’t want to think about that.

“Um, Onii-chan, Onee-chan? If you’re too close together, it’s hard for me to be around, so maybe you should choose your places.”

“It’s been a while since we both gained bodies. Can you cut us some slack?”

Cain replied to Arche with a wry smile. The battle continued with Cain in the lead, and they gradually approached the base of the World Tree of Gluttony.

“I can see it now!”

And now they were practically on top of the main body.

“Dear! Try to make a deep wound on the trunk!”

“…What are you two going to do?

“Arche will really attack Ain-kun! I’ll work on Ain-kun’s roots and force him into a dormant state!”

“Onee-chan…! If you really do that and kill him…”

“Don’t worry about that. Even if you attack him when he’s defenseless, it won’t be a fatal blow!”

Then Arche nodded and increased her running speed. When she was right behind Cain, she gathered her strength for her plan.

“――Dear!”

“――Onii-chan!”

The distance between them and the trunk became shorter and shorter, and the two called out to Cain in a strong tone. Then…

“Ah, I’ll show you―Ain! This is the greatest power I can show you… catch it!”

Cain, with the momentum of his run, deepens his stance and prepares to swing his greatsword.

The air cracked with each movement of the jet-black greatsword, and it seemed as if the greatsword had a gravitational force that absorbed the scenery around it.

“Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

When Cain swung his sword, it had a great effect on the land beyond.

In the port city of Roundheart, as the sea surged toward the royal capital, the surrounding winds gathered and headed toward the World Tree of Gluttony.

Darker than black, the light-devouring sword attacked the World Tree of Gluttony.

“Giii, gigigigyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

A heartbreaking voice that would make even three people want to cover their ears echoed around them. It came from the World Tree of Gluttony, announcing that it had received a great shock.

And in the great scar that Cain had created, something horrible was spreading,

“W-what… is that…?”

Arche couldn’t help but cover her eyes.

The scar on the trunk of the World Tree of Gluttony showed the inside of the tree in detail.

Inside, several huge eyes were writhing around, and they were directed not only at Cain, who had cut it but also at Sylvia and Arche, who were standing right next to him.

The area around them was filled with a black, viscous liquid that was oozing from the wound, creating a bizarre scene.

“It’s better not to look at it too closely. This thing is surely the disaster that will be born when the World Tree of Gluttony has grown to its full size. It’s not just this continent… it might have taken over the whole world… it’s the Demon King of Demon Kings…”

Arche nodded despite breaking out in a cold sweat at Sylvia’s convincing words.

Thinking that she couldn’t let such a thing go, she gathered all her strength into her body and locked eyes with him for a moment.

“You are a being that must not appear. So stop now!”

Arche pointed both hands and unleashed a torrent of power at the World Tree of Gluttony.

She launched the strongest attack she could muster at the wound Cain had created.

“Hihi… hiha… ehiha…!”

Then, it began to writhe in pain, emitting an eerie voice.

When its eyes were crushed by the Arche, it began to repair itself as if it could bear the pain.

However, its momentum was already weak, and the speed of its repair did not seem to be anything extraordinary.

“Sylviaaaaaaa!”

Cain called to Sylvia, not wanting to miss the opportunity as he cut through the vines and roots that continued to gather around her.

Sylvia seemed to be concentrating, getting ready with her eyes closed and mumbling something. That’s why she didn’t answer Cain but immediately opened her eyes and stuck her staff into the ground.

“――Freeze everything you feel with your body, every moment!”

…This is the end of the battle against the World Tree of Gluttony in the capital of Heim.

The magic unleashed by Sylvia was powerful. As the ground around the staff and the underground crystallized, the tree roots stopped moving as if they were sleeping, and at the same time, the vine and rose creatures also died.

Eventually, the magical crystals wrapped around the branches lost their luster… and the capital of Heim returned to silence after a long time.

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