And Iris’ attacks didn’t stop there.
Using the Flowing Star, she instantly grasped the true form of the mana that wrapped around the wolf’s body. She could sense it—the core at the center of the wolf’s huge body, which materialized the beast into reality.
Pooth!
The wolf’s body, solid enough to repel steel, was no stronger than tofu in front of Iris’s hand. Reaching effortlessly for the wolf’s heart, Iris grabbed the core and applied gentle pressure.
Crink!
The core crumbled like candy in her hand. With the nucleus that bound the wolf to the present world destroyed, the wolf’s torso transformed into a phantom flame and vanished.
“…Uhm. After all, it wasn’t a real wolf, but a type of synthetic beast. She must be truly insane to leave such a pet on the street without a leash.”
Synthetic beast was a kind of familiar that mages used. If it differed from a normal familiar, it specialized in a more combative aspect.
Judging by the uncanny lifelessness of the wolves, it was clear they were released here simply to block this path. It wasn’t until Kris raised her sword at the wolves that they bared their teeth.
Of course, even so, it was hard to believe she was truly sane, placing such a hideous beast on a street where people walked. Well, if you think about it, it probably meant she was that desperate about this matter.
“Grrrrr…”
Watching the two wolves disappear instantly under her hand, the remaining wolves took a step back. They recognized who held the power here and now.
“You’re smart. If you’re this clever, raising at least one in the imperial palace doesn’t seem like a bad idea.”
She smiled at the frightened wolves when suddenly, a gust of wind began to blow through the area. Iris raised her eyes and saw a bronze bird flapping its wings in the sky, enveloped in wind.
Woo-woo-woo!
The earth’s axis shook. From the depths of the ground, a giant made of rock arose and began to roar at her.
Drrrrrmm!!
“…Grrrreugh!”
At the giant’s roar that shook the surroundings, Kris took a step back without even realizing it. Although she had faced all sorts of dangers while serving as the princess’s escort knight, she never imagined she would have to contend with a rock giant using only a sword.
“…Hoo. It seems you were in a bit of a hurry. Did they wait here just in case?”
However, far from being frightened by the monsters, the princess smiled as if delighted to meet an old friend. Yes, how could Iris forget their existence? These were the strongest familiars used by Bianca del Castana, a mage in the expedition.
“It’s been a while, Stymphalos and Oried.”
Iris smiled and greeted them, but naturally, there was no response.
“Krryaaa!”
“Grrrreugh!”
The bronze bird and rock giant erupted with terrifying energy. Their master had given them only one command—not to let anyone pass through this passage. Though their master had asked them to refrain from killing if possible, both creatures instinctively realized that the woman before them was a monster who might devour them if they didn’t fight with everything they had.
So, they gave it their all…
In the next moment, a gale began to rage through the area.
Kris felt her body being crushed by the powerful winds that seemed to choke the life out of her.
“Groo-groo-Grroogh!”
The rock giant raised a massive arm made of stone. A fist larger than any rocky mountain came crashing down toward Iris.
No human could survive being struck by that—
“…This is a bit dangerous.”
Iris couldn’t help it. She had already guessed that her opponent had memories, but she hadn’t expected them to fight so seriously. It seemed she, too, would have to reveal one of the cards she had been hiding.
Iris’ right hand gently wrapped around the hilt of her sword. She stepped forward with her right foot and slightly lowered her upper body. It was the first ‘stance’ she had taken since the battle began.
Eyes closed.
For what she was about to do, sight was unnecessary.
All that was needed was her unwavering will to change the world.
“…Haa.”
She took a deep breath, focused her mind, and straightened the blade of the sword that existed in her heart.
The flow of thoughts that connected heaven and earth concentrated on a single human being.
Cut.
That was her intent, and her will made it so in that moment.
The next instant, Iris’ eyes snapped open.
A line was drawn in the void.
Crrang!
She then casually sheathed her sword, for everything had already been done.
“…..”
Time seemed frozen…
Outwardly, nothing had changed. Neither the grotesque birds that brought the storm nor the giants that shook the earth moved—they were as still as statues.
Crrrask!
Finally, time resumed.
The space distorted, and soon there was the sound of cracking.
And then—
Aaang!
Everything in the path of her sword was slashed—the wolves, the bronze bird, and the enormous rock giant were all cut down. Even the mountain on the other side was split in two.
At the end, even clouds in the sky were cleaved!
Kurrrhhh!
As the mountain split, a tremendous shockwave swept through the area. It was a scene of majestic destruction, hard to believe as the work of a single human.
“…Unbelievable…!”
Kris stared at the princess with her mouth agape. She could hardly believe what she had seen. She knew very well that the princess she protected was far stronger than her, but she never imagined she harbored such immense power.
“Ha…”
However, Iris, who had wrought the destruction, merely looked at her trembling right arm with a dissatisfied expression.
Her body was not yet complete. It had only been a forced manifestation of the result she would have achieved ten years in the future. As a result of that moment, she realized all the muscles in her right arm were torn.
“…Ugh!”
It wasn’t just her right arm that was broken. When she wiped her mouth, blood oozed out.
Apparently, current body was weaker than she had anticipated.
“…Hah, damn it…”
Nausea eventually overwhelmed her, spilling from the mouth of the well-bred princess. She had been so close to reaching the Marquis of Castana, yet to be caught in such a situation now drove her mad. At this rate, she would fall entirely into the hands of Bianca del Castana.
But she couldn’t give up here.
There wasn’t much time left until Cain and Bianca’s engagement ceremony. If she faltered now, she might regret it for the rest of her life.
“…Cain.”
Trying to steady her wobbling legs, she took a small step forward. Her eyes shone brighter than ever.
“Wait a little longer. I’ll be coming soon…”
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