When death was mentioned, Leon looked grim. The Seventh Squad was responsible for this incident, if there had been no casualties, it could have been handled as simple mischief. But a loss of life was no longer something that could be brushed aside.
The moment Lefiya saw Shaka, she burst into tears, clutching his collar and sobbing uncontrollably.
"Waaaaaah, Yui-chan... she protected us..."
The young elf's tear-streaked face left Shaka at a loss for how to comfort her. Should I say she was just showing off and will be back to normal tomorrow? No, can't do that.
He spoke carefully: "Yui might still be alive. She was wearing the 'Fire Fairy Essence Protective Cloth', she must be buried somewhere safe."
"Really?" Lefiya looked up, her eyes red and swollen like a lost child finding shelter.
"Mmm-hmm," Shaka nodded quickly.
"Then... I'll never say her music is bad again..."
Hehe... Is that what you're most worried about?
While Shaka was being clung to by the elf, Leon had already administered an elixir to Verdine. The burns covering his body began to heal immediately.
All eyes then turned to the frenzied fairy.
"This is a problem. What do we do?"
Fairies held special status among lower-realm humans, though not as high as gods in this age, they were still deeply respected. Some elven tribes even worshipped them as totems. But what about this fairy, twisted by reckless experimentation?
Shaka studied the fire fairy, who was howling at the sky with tears streaming down her face and spoke earnestly:
"We have to save her."
"Oh? There's still hope?" Leon asked in surprise.
"Of course."
Shaka knew what a truly fallen fairy looked like, utterly deranged, exuding revulsion at first glance. This one was clearly incomplete; the seven-colored magic stone in her chest had not yet fully integrated.
"Their modification techniques are flawed these experiments are fragile failures that fall apart easily. The man-eating plant isn't even high-level; Black Cat's magic can destroy it. The real trouble is the vines inside her body they've absorbed her power and grown too strong to handle easily."
Shaka paused, then outlined the plan: "You restrain her. I'll shatter the magic stone. I believe destroying it will let her recover."
"Why can't I do it directly?" Leon asked.
Because I'm afraid you'll use too much force...
Shaka explained: "I suspect the corrupted consciousness has a self-preservation mechanism. If threatened with death, it might drain all her essence to protect itself. A sneak attack from someone like me 'small fry' as I am, will be more reliable."
He knew the plant contained traces of a fallen fairy's consciousness. To avoid desperate measures, he was willing to take the risk. Leon would trigger her defenses instantly; Shaka could strike before she reacted.
Leon raised an eyebrow: "Aren't you afraid? By guild standards, she's at least Level 5."
"Not with you here. Besides, her consciousness is still intact and I'm not weak either," Shaka said frankly.
Calling her Level 5 was misleading, theres a massive difference between a combat-trained Level 5 and one without. This was less a fairy and more a mutated plant controlling a fairy's body.
Moreover, with Astraea's city-defense efforts on swordsmith city, he gained some recognition from Ryu, Though officially Level 1, his average attributes exceeded 3000, giving him the courage to take this gamble.
The Main Battlefield
Once the plan was set, Leon gripped his longsword and advanced toward the fairy. Each step sent golden ripples across the ground, and his blade sparkled with light.
"What a poor child..."
Pity filled his golden lion-like eyes. With one swift strike, he cut through the vines entangling her.
[Come, Lord of the Covenant! Loyal knight, hero of the Round Table! Prove yourselves if you seek Camelot's Holy Grail!]
A low lion's roar emanated from his sword as he drew closer.
The fire fairy lifted her head, tears streaming, and roared as she began to chant:
[Scorching flames converge, heavens roar! I am fire's spirit, flame's embodiment, queen of conflagration... Burn to ash!]
Flames gathered from all directions; lava-like patterns on her skin glowed brighter, even seeping a blood-like liquid. A massive magic circle rose before her, ringed by eight smaller ones.
Leon continued forward, his voice steady:
[Humility, honesty, compassion, courage, justice... I swear these eight virtues to the Lake Spirit! My blade is Excalibur!]
Golden flames ignited in his eyes; his sword burst with light, and a lion-shaped phantom roared deafeningly.
At that exact moment
[Annihilation Flame Slash!]
[Sword of Supreme Victory!]
The fairy and Leon unleashed their magic simultaneously. The scorching beam and golden sword light collided, splitting the fire in two and blasting it across the wasteland. Two explosions melted the ground into a fiery hellscape.
As their attacks clashed, a strange dagger shot through the chaos aimed straight at the fairy. She tilted her head to dodge, her expression disdainful.
Then a chill ran down her spine.
Shaka, his body wreathed in pale flames, appeared behind her.
"now!"
He tossed it upward, spun around, and pressed his palm against her back:
[Flying Thunder God Technique, Second Stage. Flame Blossom!]
A burst of condensed fairy essence exploded outward. Countless green branches erupted from her body, forming a giant hand that swung at him. Tiny wooden spikes shot out like bullets.
"Useless?!" Shaka feigned horror. Of course how could a fire fairy fear flames? Even bound by the plant, she's immune to ordinary fire.
He vanished in a flash of golden light as the spikes flew past.
"Looking the wrong way?" Shaka's confident smile appeared above her.
"But your real opponent isn't me!"
The fairy's eyes widened as she remembered Leon, still watching intently.
"Destroy!"
Leon's sword flashed, turning the green flesh on her body to dust. Painful memories crossed her face. More tentacles sprouted from the magic stone, frantically absorbing her power to defend against him.
"Now..."
The kunai fell slowly before her eyes. In its blade, she saw Shaka's face.
"Kill me."
[Flying Thunder God, Slash!]
Golden light flashed. The dagger pierced the magic stone in her chest.
Click, click!
The seven-colored core shattered into crystalline dust.
"Aaaaaahh—"
The green branches convulsed wildly as the fairy howled in agony. Wooden spikes burst from her body in all directions.
Shaka's hair stood on end; he activated the Flying Thunder God Technique again. Leon blocked most attacks, but some slipped through.
Can't get hit, this is fatal!
Shaka knew how dangerous the green flesh was. As he moved, he swung his flaming dagger to shatter the spikes. His clan crest heated up, and his speed surged
[Wings of Justice] activating to pushed his attributes toward Level 2's peak but.
Even so
When the attack ended, Shaka collapsed like a bullet-riddled rag, trembling uncontrollably.
"Shaka!"
Black Cat's pupils contracted. She rushed forward, unleashing a torrent of healing white wind but green vines sprouted from his wounds, draining her magic.
"Ugh Master, I can't hold on! I'm being drained dry!" Mamenosuke wailed.
"How could this happen?! Hold on just a little longer!"
"We won't let you die here!"
Shaka lay on the ground, staring at the sky as his vision blurred.
"Too much blood..."
He coughed up blood his lungs were pierced, and every breath brought more. Leon sprinkled a panacea over him, but the vines prevented healing.
He frowned: "Precise techniques are needed to remove these branches."
Everyone gathered around Yuuki looked stunned, Sanae Dekomori was silent, and Lefiya stared blankly.
This outcome was unexpected.
"Why be a hero?! Just be a game planner hide behind the scenes and profit! Why risk this?!"
Tears fell from Black Cat's eyes onto Shaka's face. So cold...
"That's just who he is," Yuuki said, her fist clenched so tightly her nails drew blood.
She remembered how he'd protected transfer student Nishimiya from bullying, stood by her side, and jumped into an icy river to save Menma.
He always shouted "I want everyone to be happy!" He acts cool and speaks in weird ways even said he'd be a "harem king" and that everyone would be his wings... What an idiot.
But he keeps his promises, always finding ways to make people smile... Why did it have to be him?
Yuuki blamed herself bitterly.
Shaka wanted to speak, I can still be saved! Stop crying and treat me! but his mouth was full of blood, and he could barely move.
Dekomori remained calm: "I know what he's saying he's not done yet. Stop talking and pull the branches out! Stinky cat, use your curse to corrode them!"
Shaka's eyes welled up. Finally, someone understands me!
Leon spoke softly: "He wanted to save everyone. In the gods' words, he won't stop until he gets a happy ending."
"What do you mean?" Yuuki asked.
Leon looked at the fairy, who had slowly risen to her feet.
"He wanted to save you. He said your consciousness was still there, that you weren't evil. He knew if I, a Level 7, attacked, that thing would fight to the death. Only a 'nobody' like him could strike suddenly and truly free you."
As everyone watched, the fairy's eyes were clear now. Her delicate face was streaked with tears, her body covered in wounds, and blood poured from the hole in her chest. She staggered toward Shaka.
Everyone tensed except Leon but no one stepped back.
"What are you doing?"
Wordlessly, she knelt before him, leaving a trail of blood on the ground. She held his battered body gently.
"Why?" she whispered, sorrow etched across her face.
Her voice echoed in his mind. He replied mentally:
"No reason... I won't die. Haha. If I have to say, I just can't stand seeing a girl cry... cough cough..."
Blood seeped from his lips, and his vision faded. As if to show off, he mouthed silently:
"Don't panic—I think I can still be saved."
"Fool..."
Shaka's consciousness slipped away.
Everything was going to plan, Leon distracted her, I sneaked in, she underestimated me, Leon disabled her, then I shattered the stone... But that final attack was too strong! Incurable wounds, what luck!
His thoughts faded as darkness closed in. Just as his body grew cold, searing heat flooded into him warm, like being wrapped in flames. Something soft pressed against his lips, and cool liquid flowed into his mouth.
A dream?
A gentle, deep voice reached him:
"Thank you, my..."
"Fool..."
-------------------
When Consciousness Returns
Shaka didn't know how much time passed. He felt something nudging his stomach.
"Drink!"
He sat up abruptly, a cold towel sliding from his forehead.
"A familiar ceiling..."
Goddess Astraea sat on the bed's edge, her face worried as she stroked his cheek.
"Welcome back, Shaka-chan."