――I moved behind the vigilant sentry and struck a pressure point along the center line of his body.

「――――」

　Suddenly, the man collapsed without uttering a sound. I only supported his falling body not out of kindness, but because the sound of his armored gear hitting the floor would be a nuisance.

「How troublesome, lifting a full-grown man with one hand is tough for an old man like me. —His inside may be empty, but he sure is heavy.」

　Murmuring to myself, the elderly man with white hair and eyebrows—Roswaal, held the defeated enemy with just one hand and lightly tapped the wall beside him with his toes. The stone wall rippled like water upon the tap, swallowing the body of the pushed-in enemy and burying it completely.

　Fortunately, it seems that the undead do not die if they don’t breathe, so burying them in the wall does not kill them.

　With no heartbeat, there is no blood flowing either. I could just sweep away the shattered pieces with a broom if I were to kill them, so disposal is easy, which is a nice aspect.

「But other than that, nothing is good. It’s troublesome when some of them come back to life immediately after being killed, so it’s not wise to kill them carelessly.」

　Among the traits of the zombies I’m dealing with, the one that Roswaal considers to be the most dangerous is their resurrection.

　If they keep coming back to life no matter how many times they are defeated, it is not just the fighting spirit of the imperial soldiers that gets broken—it is also the problem that the resurrected undead retain the memories from before their deaths.

　If that happens, they can instantaneously share all information in exchange for a disposable life.

　As the leader of the shinobi, Roswaal fully understands the importance of timeliness and accuracy of information in battle. In his lifetime, he has killed more enemies than either scouts or messengers could dream.

　Normally, you kill to prevent information from being conveyed, but the fact that information can still be conveyed even after killing is nothing short of absurd.

「Well, shinobi techniques also allow for self-destruction upon death, using the color of the smoke from the explosion to convey information, so it’s a two-way street.」

　While it’s true that causing trouble is a specialty of shinobi, this situation is quite troublesome for business.

　The retreat from the Imperial Capital to the Castle City, during the delay in combat, the verification revealed that there are critical zombie ‘Core Insects’ among them, which seems to be the source of their resurrection. There are even zombies that can restore themselves if decapitated, which is due to not killing the Core Insect.

　In the end, the source of the Core Insect’s power is a Great Spirit known as ‘Stone Block,’ and if the undead are killed excessively along with the Core Insect, Muspel might not be able to support the Empire’s land anymore.

　Thus, Roswaal is determined to thoroughly avoid killing the undead.

　The undead I buried in the wall earlier were neutralized by accurately striking their vital points with pressure points, depriving them of mobility. In this manner, Roswaal had buried about fifty undead in the walls—though their bodies and insides are papier-mâché, I am relieved that the pressure points function as vital points.

　However, that is but a trifling resistance in light of the vast number of undead.

「Telling an imperial soldier, who excels in killing and being killed, not to die or kill is quite unreasonable, don’t you think?」

　That is something that would make allies coming from the Kingdom and City-States, which are in a cooperative relationship to save the Empire, frown; however, it’s an opinion that many imperial soldiers would likely empathize with.

　As a result, the enemy leading the ‘Great Calamity’ has launched a defensive battle against the Volakia Empire, which must fundamentally operate on a premise of non-lethality. —No, it’s not just a result.

「It’s a bad habit of old folks to always imagine the worst. The enemy is using the blood that the Empire has soaked into the land… They’re aiming for a thorough weakness.」

　The battlefield where ancient strongmen resurrect one after another is a testament to the relentless struggle of Volakia.

　Considering that such a catastrophe wouldn’t have occurred in other countries under the same conditions, the enemy has taken the most suitable measures to conquer Volakia.

　That is precisely why we need to recognize that we cannot afford to misread our strategies.

「――――」

　Squeezing his brow, Roswaal silently held his breath within the Crystal Palace where he was infiltrating.

　Trying to exist as inconspicuous as possible is the sign of the shinobi leader’s skill—making sure not to be detected while reducing the number of sentries.

　If he were to be detected and included in the target for the ‘Curse of Thorns,’ even Roswaal would be incapacitated. He is weak to pain. Just imagining thorns pricking at his heart makes him want to roll over.

　To avoid that, Roswaal was moving with utmost caution.

　――A small elite force should make a quick strike into the Imperial Capital and swiftly eliminate the enemy’s leader.

　This was the strategy adopted for the final stage of the battle against the ‘Great Calamity,’ and it was a plan that Vincent, of course, and Roswaal had no objections to considering the best course of action.

　The number of undead exceeds the total number of imperial soldiers, and if we engage in a war of attrition, the life of the ‘Stone Block’ will whittle away, shortening the life expectancy of the Empire in a thorough pincer strategy.

　It was evident to everyone that a resolution must be rushed.

「Of course, the other side is likely predicting that as well.」

　However, even if the other side knows, if there are no other options to consider, they must proceed with that plan. The only question now is how much they can stuff into the plan to surprise the enemy’s expectations.

　Thus, I divided the small elite further, preparing several flashy decoys to draw the enemy’s attention.

　While the decoys are functioning, Roswaal has only to fulfill the role assigned to him.

　――Roswaal’s role is to infiltrate the Crystal Palace and bring back information about the obscure interior of the castle.

　In particular, the most important tasks are to determine the whereabouts of the foe known as Sphinx, the leader of the ‘Great Calamity,’ and to free ‘Steel Man’ Moguro Hagane, who is likely to be immobilized within the castle. If there’s extra time, he aims to retrieve Cecilis’ beloved sword, the ‘Dream Sword’ and the ‘Cursed Sword.’

「Well, I probably won’t find Cecilis’ sword. The ‘Cursed Sword’ may have run away, and I’ve got no idea where the ‘Dream Sword’ has been stored.」

　Despite being long-winded about how amazing his beloved swords are, Cecilis wouldn’t be foolish enough to chatter about their characteristics. He might answer if asked, but to inquire about the contents of his possession implies there’s a reason for doing so.

　Roswaal couldn’t afford to provoke Cecilis unnecessarily.

　In any case, due to the slim chance of success, Roswaal decided to postpone the acquisition of the swords.

　The ideal situation is to grasp Sphinx’s location and secure her. If that’s achievable, perhaps that peculiar boy, who shrinks yet refuses to return—Schwarz, and his accompanying girl could exterminate the undead together with their souls.

　This would be the most desirable conclusion in the conflict with the ‘Great Calamity.’

　However, that would not be easy.

　「――Damn it, they cornered me to a dead end.」

　Contrary to the desire for an early resolution, Roswaal often found his feet hampered.

　When looking at the map, he perfectly understood the scene, and being a shinobi, he would never forget the places he had visited. For Roswaal, the Crystal Palace was a familiar workplace.

　Yet, the reason Roswaal’s search isn’t proceeding smoothly is due to the contents of the palace being entirely renovated beyond what he knew.

「Pretending to deceive like this should rightfully be our specialty!」

　Roswaal saw no value in such tricks, but the Crystal Palace is known as one of the most beautiful castles in the world. Due to the influence of the imperial capital battle, some signs of wall collapse remained, yet the overall impression of its appearance remained largely unchanged.

　However, upon entering the castle, things turned out to be drastically different.

　The architecture of the hallways, positioning of rooms, sizes of doors—various elements had been rebuilt, transforming the Crystal Palace into an entirely different castle that even Vincent, who once lived there, would get lost in.

　Since the external appearance remained the same, entering without a plan would guarantee confusion.

　Even retrieving this information means Roswaal has ample reason to precede. Or perhaps Schwarz, the strategist, had anticipated this situation all along.

　If that’s the case, his insight is as reassuring as it is a future threat.

　Even now, the Kingdom and City-States, which are in a collaborative relationship, are unpredictable about how they will treat the Empire after they prevent the undead ‘Great Calamity’ at the water’s edge.

　When that time comes, there will no longer be Chisha beside Vincent.

「――But, I must say, what a show the Chisha has put on.」

　In the atmosphere reeking of war and death, both the living and dead, Roswaal couldn’t even spare a moment of silence for the fallen; instead, he looked at Chisha, who had stolen his techniques and even managed to avoid arousing Vincent’s suspicion.

　Roswaal prefers to steal the techniques of others rather than have his stolen.

　After all, growth is a privilege of the young. They can create new things on their own without stealing, while the old have no such potential for growth left. Therefore, Roswaal dislikes being stolen from.

　If the youth become enamored with taking rather than creating, what would happen then?

　New things would cease to come into existence, and Roswaal would run out of things to steal.

「And that Chisha, the lazy one, does such a thing. —Not that I don’t understand his feelings, but still.」

　Within the limited time, Chisha sought the best possible outcome.

　In other words, the choice made by both Chisha and Roswaal was the same. Roswaal, an old man nearing his end, while Chisha had set the opportunity for his demise as a death soldier.

　Thus, in order to increase the number of cards in their hands, he didn’t hesitate to use any means available.

　Amidst the few options to choose from, Chisha decided to gamble and secured this outcome.

　――Vincent lives on, while Roswaal is on his side.

「――――」

　――Roswaal Dunkelken had ambitions.

　They were the last goals of his life—to leave his name in the annals of the Empire’s history as one that stood unparalleled, and to engrave and prove that his existence had been a single life with significance.

　Adopted and raised as a shinobi, living as a shinobi, Roswaal has survived until just short of a century.

　However, the vast majority of his daily life was spent fulfilling the goals of others.

　Call it the fate of being a shinobi if you want, but Roswaal exceptionally lived long among shinobi. —So, shouldn’t his end be unshinobi-like?

　If quiet passing without leaving a name is the hallmark of a shinobi, then Roswaal might as well aim for the very opposite.

　Thus, Roswaal continues to wait for that opportunity with a hawk’s eye.

　To blossom his last flower in life, he thinks that the most fulfilling would be to take the head of the ‘Wise Emperor,’ Vincent Volakia.

「But if the opponent is facing ruin, betraying them would make no sense.」

　Letting the ‘Great Calamity’—the army of undead, aim for the demise of the Volakia Empire puts Roswaal’s plans to crumble into nothingness.

　Roswaal wishes to be remembered in the history of the Empire.

　If that Empire is destroyed, Roswaal’s wishes can never come to fruition. Therefore, he was left in awe of Chisha’s acting that kept him from acting rashly until this point.

「After this chaotic uproar settles down, I hope there’s still room for me to do something. My life might expire soon, if I’m not careful.」

　After the war, during the Empire’s reconstruction, it wouldn’t be impossible to assassinate the Emperor before the Kingdom and City-States can take action—but it feels wrong to use the ‘Great Calamity’ as a cover for it.

　In any case, unable to find an ideal opportunity, Roswaal knew that until the ‘Great Calamity’ is dealt with, his ambitions and schemes must remain buried as he looks ahead. —Before Roswaal’s gaze, there’s a large door that once led to the audience chamber.

「――――」

　Within Roswaal’s silent heart, two opposing sensations surged.

　One told him not to proceed beyond this door, while the other insisted that he should. The former was rooted in instinct, while the latter was backed by years of shinobi intuition.

　Normally, Roswaal would firmly stick with the former. However, his intuition is speaking. Beyond this door lies the meaning of Roswaal’s infiltration.

　Whether it’s Sphinx, Moguro, or the sword, he had no way of knowing which it would be—or perhaps it could be neither.

「…If I prolong my life, an old man with little time left must not miss the opportunity to overturn a nation. Damn it.」

　With a hoarse voice, Roswaal muttered, deciding which course of action to take.

　If it’s in the audience chamber’s area, it should be possible to examine the situation through a hole in the wall without passing through the door, so Roswaal traversed the walls via the corridor window to reach the desired room.

　Without opening the door, he peeked inside—

「——Hey, hey, even I wouldn’t do something like this!」

　The changed grand hall revealed the ‘Witch’s’ creations, and the leader of the shinobi, nicknamed the ‘Malicious Old Man,’ could not hide his discomfort as he muttered.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

　――The soul of that thing had lost its original state and was torn apart.

　Brought back to the surface through forbidden methods, it became a captive soul doomed to destroy the empire to which it belonged—the undead were placed in such a situation.

　To some extent, the undead had their mental structures altered from what they were during their lives. Were they not, then all the resurrected dead wouldn’t assist in the Empire’s fall.

　The way they were altered ranges from light to severe; however, the more serious the impact on their original nature, the more faithful they become to the commands, at the expense of their potential capacities.

　Hence, naturally, the practitioner would prefer for those who were strong in life to undergo minimal alterations.

　In fact, the likes of the ‘Thorn Emperor’ and ‘Magic Bullet Shooter,’ both skilled warriors, displayed significant drops in their capabilities due to mental burdens, so the ‘Witch’ shifted the focus towards allowing them some degree of free will to maintain their fighting strength.

　If these strong individuals had been turned into mere puppets, they would have been unable to showcase even half of their true abilities in a pitiful display.

　In any case, excluding these exceptional strong beings and those like Lamia Godwin who were willing to cooperate with the ‘Witch’, the souls of the undead were ruthlessly toyed with.

　No matter what wishes they held in life, how noble their spirits may have been, or what they treasured, all were trampled upon and utilized.

　They are coerced into moving as the harbingers of calamity destined for the Empire’s destruction.

　That entity was no exception.

　Deprived of free will, reduced to a tool for battle, they experience repeated ‘deaths,’ only to resurrect again, returning to being new vessels to be exploited.

　Sadly, that entity matched well with the ‘Witch’s’ conditions for zombification.

　Somewhat skilled, highly driven to fight, even if turned into a puppet, they would not be hampered in terms of capability, and their final moments were etched with profound regret and hatred.

　That was the reason they rampaged with a furious and relentless passion.

　Being torn apart and losing their original shape, their bodies forgot to remain human and were transformed into a monstrosity of the grotesque.

　With long, massive arms, overabundant legs, a flimsy trunk of only bones and skin, even in such a form, they could not escape the situation of being utilized by the ‘Witch.’

　No matter how many times they are killed, their souls are stretched out, and they resurrect as yet another monster.

　To end this cycle, they must fulfill the ‘Witch’s’ desires. They must grant the ‘Witch’s’ wish and become the herald of the calamity that will incinerate the Empire.

　To have become a being of the unthinkable form, that was now their sole wish. That was the only wish.

　That wish alone—nothing more, nothing less; that wish is it.

「——’Giant Eye’ Izmail.」

　――。――――。――――――――。

　Amidst the ominous roars and the sounds of fierce combat, that name slipped through.

　Although their ears no longer resembled ears, various sounds should have been heard and yet, that one voice stood out indisputably clear, strangely firm, and wondrously proper.

　What that meant, the entity had no idea.

　Didn’t understand—

「Izmail!」

「Iaaah Iaaah Uuuh.」

　The question birthed a disruption in thought, and all those arms and legs meant for killing came to a halt. At that moment, an outstretched hand grazed the thin, flat trunk, robbing something away.

　It felt like something was slipping away effortlessly.

　Was it something important? Something significant? Even that is uncertain. Yet, the moment it slipped away, the violent impulses that filled the body suddenly receded.

　It’s empty, empty! My insides feel empty.

　All the frantically stuffed-in reasons to lash out flowed out, leaving behind only what had been there from the very beginning.

　That was the reason to fight. The ambition for fame, the desire for achievement, all can be construed as such.

　The reason for coming forth was to fight. The reason for fighting was to etch their name in history. It was to prove that their existence—’Giant Eye’ Izmail—was indeed there.

「Ah, so it was fulfilled…」

　The large, black, single eye glowed golden as it distinctly reflected the man’s face.

　That handsome man with long black hair and narrowed eyes looked on unflinchingly at the looming threat to his life, boldly gazing at the transformed Izmail.

　At the pinnacle of the Volakia Empire, Izmail was recognized.

　And that—

「――The honor of the Swordwolf, your Imperial Highness.」

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

　Jamal stopped the strike of the weapon integrated with the war axe, utilizing the increased mobility of his numerous legs to dart around the streets with agility, supported by Subaru and Beatrice’s magical interference.

　In the meantime, several devastating attacks were unleashed, but those were narrowly swatted down by Spica, who jumped and fluttered around, barely preventing harm to her companions.

　Then—

「――’Giant Eye’ Izmail.」

　Abel called out the name of the undead as he fixed his keen gaze on the grotesque figure.

　For a moment, Subaru thought it was a mistake, but if Abel called the name of the undead in the Imperial Capital, he was already resolved to believe it wholly. In fact, Abel had never once misnamed an undead entity before.

　That said—

「Izmail!」

「Iaaah Iaaah Uuuh.」

　With the linked hands, Spica pushed her way forward, smashing the palm against what seemed to be the chest of the creature called Izmail.

　Activating ‘Star Eater’ did not strike or bash, and Subaru and the others held their breath.

　If the conditions were met, even if its form deviated from that of a human, it should meet the same end as the other undead.

　As they anxiously watched, Izmail’s immense body slowly trembled, locking its large, round, golden eye onto Abel.

　And then—

「――aah.」

　In a soundless utterance, it left behind something unsaid, and the grotesque massive body crumbled to dust.

「Ah, damn! I can’t believe it! What the hell was that monster just now!?」

「A warrior of the single-eyed tribe, named ‘Giant Eye’ Izmail. It was as I called it just now.」

「So single-eyed doesn’t just mean they have one eyeball; they actually turn into monsters like that… what the hell.」

　With the battle against the powerful undead concluded, Jamal wiped the blood and sweat trickling down his jaw, muttering in disbelief.

　He regretted that he had momentarily forgotten the fact that he was speaking to Abel, allowing his language to become crude.

　However, that assessment might not be entirely off.

　Izmail was not always in such a form.

「Beatrice.」

「I understand. That was probably a victim of the ‘Secret Art of the Undying King.’ Being brought back over and over again has left him in an abnormal state.」

「Ugh, uh…」

　Beatrice lowered her head, and Spica glanced down at her palm with a gloomy expression. As Subaru patted Spica’s head gently, he let out a deep sigh.

　When they had encountered Izmail while fleeing during the battle in the Imperial Capital with Rem and Flopp, his transformation had been unbearably gruesome.

　Whether he had been blasted away by an explosion or resurrected after dying, the grotesqueness of his form had only worsened.

　Yet, that never-ending hell should have concluded with Spica’s ‘Star Eater.’

「But how did you recognize who they were even in that altered form?」

「The moment they return as undead, some degree of change in appearance occurs. Therefore, distinguishing them based on their features becomes crucial. In Izmail’s case, he was in the easily recognizable category.」

「Easily recognizable…」

　With the humanoid aspects gone, only a remnant remained; having seen the twisted, aberrant figure once before, Subaru matched the enemy from the midst of their retreat, while Abel did not.

　Nevertheless, Abel’s precise recognition spoke more of his uncanny memory than any kind of unfair advantage.

「It is essential to be aware of the notable soldiers within the country. Regardless of whether they become enemies or allies, the more factors you can judge from, the better.」

　However, the words that followed Abel’s statement pointed to the notion that he was appraising not just their physical attributes, but their other facets too.

「――――」

　Hearing that made Subaru recall the moment Izmail crumbled to dust.

　The unspoken words, their meaning unresolved, seemed to carry a more solemn emotion than expressions of resentment or malice.

　Perhaps it stemmed from respect for the Emperor who called his name.

　In any case—

「—Shit, it’s a crucial moment.」

　Glancing up at the sky, which was filled with stunning sounds, Subaru murmured.

　Within his field of vision, breaking through the cloud-covered sky, he spotted a falling iceberg—the one that Roswaal boldly made use of and then had Emilia create.

　Furthermore, in the far-off sky, swirling clouds morphed into ominous weapons while distant thunder grew louder from the ground, echoing amidst the bright sword strikes that shredded apart the collapsing cityscape.

　At every peak, everyone respected the conditions Subaru had set and engaged in fierce battles.

「That Roswaal sure is going all out. He’s too eager, isn’t he?」

「Seeing that makes me remember he’s indeed a dangerous dude. With Roswaal sneaking into the castle, I hope he doesn’t get squashed, ya know.」

「If there’s a need to crush, then he might crush. He’s that kind of man.」

　The sound of the sky splitting open resounded, and the shattered iceberg scattered countless glimmers into the heavens.

　Roswaal, alongside Medium, was currently facing off against the enemies riding the ‘Flying Dragon’—this opponent is one of the most challenging, and all Subaru could do was trust in Roswaal to achieve victory.

　Of course, the presence of the ‘Curse of Thorns’ and ‘Cloud Dragon’ remains a formidable threat.

「All that’s left is to hope Emilia and Tanzer do well…」

　In the midst of the imperial capital’s ongoing predicaments that could hardly be described as a desperate battle, Subaru was worried about Emilia, who was among the comrades sent to different places, where results remained uncertain.

　He believed that the current distribution of forces was reasonably optimal, yet Emilia’s arrangement felt ambiguous, without clear parameters. However, considering the role he had assigned to her, it should be correct for her to act alongside Tanzer now.

「Honestly, when Izmail showed up, I thought it was all over…」

　Without Emilia in the current lineup of forces, being able to hold back that grotesque form of Izmail was unmistakably thanks to everyone’s unified struggle.

　In particular, Jamal’s contribution was immense—as time went by, he improved his movements drastically. He might just be leveling up rapidly while standing on the brink of death.

　That in itself is something to be welcomed, provided that one can set aside the psychological resistance against relying on Jamal.

「Jamal Aurelie, you still got some fight left, huh?」

「Yeah! If you command it, I can take down a hundred or two hundred more!」

「So he says. You lot better step it up too.」

「Damn, he’s acting all proud just because he’s doing what others can’t!」

　While throwing shade at Abel, who was the only one with a calm demeanor without participating in the fight, Subaru then turned to check on Beatrice and Spica.

　Although trepidation hung over them like a tightrope, the combat against the undead always depended on the total capabilities of the existing forces. There were strategic concerns to be mindful of, and moving forward while leaving someone in a vulnerability wouldn’t be wise.

「Betty seems to be good to go?」

「Aah—uh!」

　Responding to Subaru’s meaning-filled glance, both nodded with brave faces. In that case, it would seem that the one most at risk in terms of stamina would ultimately be Subaru.

　However, given that Subaru was continuing his ties with the ‘Pleiades Battalion,’ it was safe to say that, in terms of stamina, the one most at risk was Abel, unanimously agreed.

　Regardless—

「The situation should be shifting soon. If Halibel has done her job, a path to the Crystal Palace should have opened up. From there—」

　He was about to call to his comrades to acquire information about the situation in other battle zones, and consider materials for the current round and future developments.

　When suddenly—

「——I see. This is a curious phenomenon. Must observe.」

　They were caught off guard, turning to the voice unexpectedly coming from outside their collective awareness.

　Startled, Subaru found a figure that hadn’t been there before—a small, ghastly, pale-skinned undead crouched down, inspecting the dust gathered on the ground with its fingers.

　This was Spinx, a familiar undead with pink hair who fiddled with the dust of the destroyed Izmail, herself a prominent commander of the ‘Great Calamity’ and a strategic target in this final conflict.

「――――」

　The overly confident entrance left Subaru’s mind in an instant state of emptiness.

　With the ‘Curse of Thorns’ and the threat of the ‘Magic Bullet Shooter’ looming, Subaru and his companions, armed with Spica as their trump card, had planned to reap the remains of the undead while seeking to weaken the opposing forces and create an advantageous position for the forthcoming decisive battle.

　Yet to have the very premises of that plan crumble away so simply—

「——No.」

　It was an opportunity, and Subaru concealed his panic, gripping Beatrice’s hand tightly. He quickly exchanged glances with Beatrice while also taking Spica’s hand, who was wide-eyed in astonishment.

　Before them stood Spinx, the very root of this ‘Great Calamity.’

　Moreover, like the rest of the undead, since she had been resurrected using the ‘Secret Art of the Undying King,’ Spica’s ‘Star Eater’ should have an effect on her. Though she gained an advantage through becoming undead, she simultaneously bore the unavoidable weakness of Spica.

　If they could capture the essence of her comeback, the battle would end.

　Even if their strategies and motives remained unclear, they could put an end to the fighting.

　That’s why—

「Spinx…」

「What’s needed is the alignment between the target’s ‘name’ and ‘soul.’ I am surprised that you utilized even the powers of ‘Gluttony.’ A countermeasure is necessary.」

「——!」

　Before they could preemptively strike, Spinx’s calm analysis disrupted their movements.

　Immediately, the mere mention of ‘Gluttony’ caused Subaru to choke on his own breath, realizing that Spica’s ‘Star Eater’ had been comprehended instantly.

　Even if they were to have their aim deciphered, should the power land, it wouldn’t be capable of escape.

　Thus, he found himself held accountable for that reckoning.

「——Damn you.」

　The vulgar curse cut through as the matter was forced between the thrusted Subaru and Spinx.

　Spinx raised one slender finger, pointing towards Subaru and the others. From her fingertip released a white heat ray that struck toward Subaru and Spica’s heads before Jamal leaped in.

　The sword that Jamal readied was gouged into a round shape by the heat ray, and that which he was unable to block pierced through his midsection, a stench of seared blood filling the air with an intensity that struck the nostrils.