And yet, he'd been so careful about keeping this whole Fourth Primogenitor dig under wraps.
So how?
Not just the Lion King Organizationeven terrorist groups had caught wind of it?
'Someone must've leaked it.'
That was Gajou's first thought.
But now wasn't the time to play detective.
He stepped over to Liana, his expression grim.
"This just got serious," he said under his breath.
If it were just him, he wouldn't be worriedhe had certain tricks up his sleeve.
But the problem was Kojou and Nagisa.
Liana snapped back to herself at Gajou's voice. She glanced at him, surprised.
In all the time she'd known him, this was the first time she'd seen that kind of expression on his usually flippant face.
Was it because?
She glanced at Kojou and Nagisa.
Taking a breath, Liana's gaze hardened.
"Don't worry. I'll keep them safe."
This had started because of her. If those two got caught up in it, she'd take full responsibility.
Even if it meant putting her life on the lineshe'd protect them.
Whew!
She exhaled slowly, eyes full of resolve.
—
Elsewhere
Himeragi Yukina pulled the Snowdrift Wolf Schneewalzer from her back again, gripping it tightly.
From what she'd just witnessed, this beastman Golan was probably far beyond her level.
In fact, he might even be on par with Dimitrie Vatler.
And if that was the case, then this would probably go just like last time.
Back then, all she could do was stall him.
Vatler had only died because Lynn stepped in personally.
StillWhether she was a Sword Shaman of the Lion King Organization or a retainer of Lynn, Yukina had no intention of backing down.
Her amber eyes filled with determination as she raised Schneewalzer and pointed it at the beastman's massive form.
Golan Hazaroff: "Huh?"
.
.
.
Angry Snowdrift Wolf
Golan Hazaroff's massive beastly eyes locked onto Yukina's tiny figure. His gaping, bloodstained jaws twisted into a terrifying grin.
"You dare point a weapon at me, looking like that?"
"HeheHAHAHA!"
"I admire your courage!!"
Suddenly, Golan got all riled up. His eyes gleamed wildly, as if he'd just found something amusing. But
That amusement didn't last.
His pupils narrowed, and a dark chill settled over his gaze. "If you're that brave then how about you die first!"
VMMMMMM
Two dark crimson beams of light shot out from his eyes like twin lasers!
Yukina's pupils shrank. She was just about to react when
CLANG
The sound of clashing metal echoed from thin air.
A shimmering barrier sprang up instantly!
BOOM!!!
The red beams smashed into the barrierbut instead of tearing through it like expected, they bounced off like they'd hit a mirror, scattering against the thick ice that coated the ground!
BOOM!!
The underground tomb shook violently from the impact!
One of Golan's huge eyes bulged as he stared at the golden-haired woman inside the barrier.
She actually blocked his attack?
So this Lion King Organization really isn't to be underestimated.
His eyes narrowed slightly at the thought.
But honestly, more than just the power Endou showed, what really caught his attention was something else.
He glanced at the spot where his beams had landed.
The thick ice covering the flooruntouched. Not even a scratch.
Like his attack was nothing.
But he knew how powerful his own energy was.
Which could only mean the ice was even tougher than his attack?
The Fourth Primogenitor
His gaze drifted past the others, settling on the girl sealed inside the ice coffin.
It was hard to believe that someone who looked so delicate could contain such monstrous power.
"O slayer of demons, divine wolf of snow and dawn, help me smite this evil!"
As Golan focused on the Fourth Primogenitor, Yukina seized her chanceactivating Snowdrift Wolf Schneewalzer in a flash!
SHING
A silver streak tore through the cold air, swirling with a storm of pure power, hurtling straight for the Golan!
Golan snapped his gaze around, locking onto the spear. A sharp pain suddenly prickled at his temple.
What the hell?
Instinct screamed at himthis attack wouldn't be fatal, but it definitely wouldn't feel good either.
With a roar, he opened his jaws wide, and
FWOOOOOM
A wave of pitch-black flame spewed forth, forming a towering wall of fire that intercepted Schneewalzer midair!
The flames surged, clashing against the spear's magical energy in a crackling standoff.
—
"Damn" Akatsuki Gajou blinked at the incredible spectacle in front of him. He glanced at Yukina, then at his own dumbass son.
Seriously. Same age, and yet?
He shook his head and turned his attention back to the fight.
Nearby, Liana Caruana finally let out a breath of relief after watching Yukina and Endou step up.
Looks like they were actually sticking to the deal.
Even if it was just a verbal agreement.
Honestly, Liana was kind of grateful the Lion King Organization showed up at all.
If it were just her facing someone like Golan, she'd have no clue what to do.
Still, she didn't let her guard down.
Even though Yukina had way surpassed her expectations in powerIt didn't look like Golan was affected much.
—
Inside the barrier, Yukina remained calm.
Snowdrift Wolf's attack hadn't done any damage. She wasn't surprised.
With a simple gesture, the spear stopped midair and zipped back into her hand.
She sighed quietly. "I really can't bring out Snowdrift Wolf's full power yet"
If only she had a skill like Lynn's "Return the World to Zero" this whole situation would probably be easy to handle.
But she just wasn't strong enough.
Endou, still watching Golan carefully, said offhandedly, "Don't worry. Once you level up a bit more, you'll be able to use it too."
At that moment, Liana and Gajou came over.
"Got any ideas?" Liana asked, a bit tense.
Endou shrugged, casual as ever. "We can hold him off, sure. But beating him? Unless he decides to back off on his own, forget it."
"" Liana clenched her teeth.
Like hell he's giving up on the Fourth Primogenitor willingly.
"Damn it!"
Beside her, Gajou glanced at Endou, who didn't seem the least bit worried. He narrowed his eyes.
"You?"
"You do have a plan, don't you?"
Endou side-eyed him lazily. "You've got sharp eyes."
"?"
Liana looked confused for a second, then suddenly grabbed Endou's arm. "Waitwhat is it? What's the plan?"
Endou just smiled mysteriously and said one word:
"Wait."
"..Huh?"
Liana tilted her head, baffled. "Wait?"
"Mhm."
Endou nodded and didn't say another word.
Gajou stroked his chin, deep in thought.
Wait?
He hadn't seen any traps or killer moves being prepared
So what were they waiting for?
He couldn't figure it outbut he did trust Endou wasn't bluffing.
That said He knew better than to count on someone else to solve everything. His eyes returned to Golan as he mentally flipped through data, searching for a breakthrough.
...
Meanwhile
Golan shut his mouth again, thick black flames leaking from between his lips like fog.
His beastly eyes locked onto Snowdrift Wolf Schneewalzer in Yukina's hands, glinting with greed.
"Not bad. That's a fine weapon you've got there"
"But"
"It'll be mine soon! HAHAHA!!"
He burst out laughing, clearly eyeing Schneewalzer like it was treasure.
Snowdrift Wolf: "???"
Yukina suddenly felt the spear in her hand trembleviolently.
Then, all on its own, it shot out of her hand with a brilliant flash!
FWIP
It launched itself straight at Golan!
Endou: "???"
She blinked. "You're attacking again?"
But Yukina shook her head with a complicated expression. "Nope."
"Uh"
Endou pointed at the flying spear. "Then what's that?"
"It's moving on its own."
"???"
Endou looked even more confused.
Yukina stared at the charging spear, her voice uncertain.
"I think Snowdrift Wolf is Angry?"
"???"
.
.
.
Lynn Arrives (Bonus)
The Snowdrift Wolf charged forward with a blinding white glow radiating from its body.
If you looked closely, you could even catch a faint glimmer of rainbow-colored light shimmering around it.
Seeing this, both Yukina and Endou's eyes widened in surprise.
But Yukina frowned slightlyher magic power It was draining way too fast.
It felt like the magic inside her wasn't nearly enough to keep the Snowdrift Wolf going.
Seriously?
Yukina looked a bit embarrassed. She was supposed to be the weapon's master, but she was holding it back?
The Snowdrift Wolf seemed to notice this as well. Once that hint of rainbow color reached a peak, it stopped reacting altogether.
ThatThat was all the magic Yukina could muster.
The Snowdrift Wolf: ""
"?"
Endou raised an eyebrow. Wait a minutedid she just see a spear looking speechless?
What the hell?
Sure, she knew the Snowdrift Wolf had shown signs of sentience lately.
But stillwas it just her, or were its emotions getting more and more expressive?
If one day it turned into a human, she wouldn't even be surprised anymore.
—
Meanwhile
Golan sneered as the Snowdrift Wolf charged toward him again.
"Nice weapon shame about the person using it."
After that last clash, he'd basically figured out Yukina's limits when it came to wielding the Snowdrift Wolf.
He wasn't worried in the slightest.
His massive arms surged with black flames. Raising both hands, he lunged forward to grab the charging beast!
Two gigantic, flame-wreathed hands came crashing down like a black net, aiming to completely smother the Snowdrift Wolf!
The intense flames twisted the air around themso hot the distortion was visible.
But just as Golan's hands were about to close in, the Snowdrift Wolf suddenly burst with radiant light!
HUMMMM
From within the white glow, a sliver of rainbow lightsmall, yet piercingstood out brilliantly.
SSSZZZHH
The light touched Golan's arms, and a sizzling sound immediately followed!
The black flames wrapped around his arms started to vanish, as if someone were erasing them with a rubber.
Golan's eyes shrank, pupils contracting in shock. A creeping sense of dread surged from deep within.
And then
A searing pain tore through his right arm!
"AGHHHH!"
He grunted, biting back a scream, eyes darting to his arm.
What had once been a massive limb was now just a bloody stump.
Blood gushed out in torrents, dripping onto the stone floor with a splat, splat.
His face contorted in agony as he staggered back, clutching his severed limb with his remaining hand. A strand of magic sealed off the bleeding, finally allowing him to breathe again.
He gritted his teeth and stared ahead.
What just happened?!
His gaze landed on the Snowdrift Wolfnow dim and lifeless on the ground.
That weapon?!
ButWhere was his arm?
Golan immediately looked around frantically. If he could find the severed limb in time, maybejust maybehe could reattach it.
But no matter how hard he searched, there was no trace of it.
That only made his rage worse.
The sudden turn of events left both Liana and Gajou stunned.
Waitdid that actually work?
Seeing the state he was in, they finally reacted, a glimmer of hope flashing in their eyes.
Maybe they still had a chance!
But then they looked over at Yukina, who was gasping for breathand that flicker of hope dimmed once more.
She looked completely drained.
Damn it!
Sure, the attack landedbut if she used up all her magic just to take off one of his arm.
Liana's heart sank again. She glanced at the Snowdrift Wolf, now embedded in the floor.
If Yukina was out of juice then maybe I
"Don't even think about it."
Endou's calm voice cut in, as if reading her thoughts.
"If the Snowdrift Wolf doesn't acknowledge you, you're not even qualified to use it."
Liana froze, frowning.
Endou kept staring at the weapon, quietly muttering to herself.
"Return the world to Zero"
"That ability's seriously busted."
To think Yukina, who only had the magic power of a mid-class devil, could pull that off?
What if her power increased even more?
Endou clicked her tongue, clearly unsettled by the thought.
She turned back to Yukina with a curious look. "You've already mastered the Snowdrift Wolf's true power?"
Yukina, still bent over and catching her breath, shook her head.
"No."
"Hm?"
Endou raised an eyebrow.
Yukina sucked in some air and continued, "That wasn't me the Snowdrift Wolf acted on its own."
Her current ability wasn't enough to unleash the weapon's full potential. And even if she could after what just happened, she probably wouldn't dare use it so easily again.
Her face was palecompletely spent.
Endou's eyes flickered thoughtfully. "So"
"The Snowdrift Wolf can activate itself?"
Interesting.
Also, was it just her imagination, or was that thing getting weirdly emotional?
Endou looked a bit thrown off.
—
On the other side
Still unable to find his missing arm, Golan was seething.
His beast-like eyes narrowed past the fallen weapon, locking onto Yukina and the others.
He'd dismissed them as minor playersbut they'd actually managed to put him in this pathetic state?!
"You all DIE."
He opened his jaws wide, his voice icy and guttural.
And in the very next instant
A jet-black flame erupted from within!
He inhaled deeply, and a blazing sphere of dark fire condensed in his mouth.
With a deafening roar, a massive beam of black energy exploded outward!
The moment it fired, Liana and the others' pupils shrank in terror.
Even in this underground tomb encased in layers of ice, they could feel the burning heat surging from that beam!
'We're going to die.'
That was the only thought that flashed through Liana's mind.
Endou's eyes narrowed, and in a blur, she raised several barriers to try and block the incoming attack!
But
Crack! Crack!
Sharp shattering sounds echoed as the black flames collided with the barriers.
Every single one of them snapped like twigscompletely overwhelmed.
Endou froze. She hadn't expected Golan to suddenly unleash this kind of terrifying power.
But even so, she wasn't panicking.
HUMMMM
Just before the black flame engulfed them, a large black magic circle flared to life on the icy floor.
And thenA tall figure emerged from it.
