When Alexia Uses It

"Azu, can you still use that sword?"

"My body can still move, but the sword won't work. I'm out of mana, so it's just a regular sword now."

"I see. Then do your best as a decoy."

"I know."

*　*　*

I had used up all my mana, but the power of the Creator King's Apostle still remained.

Based on past experience, once that ran out, I wouldn't be able to move.

*　*　*

So we had to defeat this Snake Monster before that happened.

*　*　*

The snake's head was about the size of Azu. Its body was extremely long.

With a normal snake, cutting off the head would eventually kill it through blood loss, even if it kept moving for a while.

*　*　*

However, crystallized monsters kept moving until completely destroyed, so this Snake Monster was no different.

*　*　*

Azu and Finn dashed forward simultaneously.

No matter how large a snake was, it only had one head.

*　*　*

If two people moved at once, it would hesitate in choosing a target.

Splitting left and right with Finn, we closed the distance in a pincer formation.

As a test, I put my strength into a swing at its body, but only managed to scrape the surface.

*　*　*

(I guess the Apostle's power is running low too)

*　*　*

Setting aside the sword's abilities, if I had been at full strength, a full-power strike would have done more damage.

Its tail came rushing toward me, so I kicked off the body in front of me and jumped to evade.

The tail passed by right next to me, and I could hear the sound of it cutting through the air.

*　*　*

A direct hit would probably send me flying into the wall given my body weight.

*　*　*

"It's not making this easy for us, is it."

"That's just how it goes."

*　*　*

Elza reapplied blessings to everyone while grabbing her mace and rushing forward.

Alexia followed suit. She held her battle-axe in her hands.

*　*　*

The snake alternated unpredictably between attacks using its massive body and shooting out fangs it had broken off.

It didn't use any magic, but those attacks alone were difficult enough to handle due to the size difference.

*　*　*

Either Finn or Azu stayed in the snake's field of vision at all times to draw its attention.

Meanwhile, Elza and Alexia kept attacking to chip away at the snake's body.

*　*　*

Each time the mace swung, crystal fragments scattered dramatically.

Alexia struck her battle-axe at the spots Elza had damaged, widening the wounds.

*　*　*

When the snake tried to look toward Alexia and the others, Finn kicked a black sphere into its mouth and detonated it, drawing its attention back this way.

*　*　*

Despite smoke pouring from its mouth, the Snake Monster showed no signs of slowing.

I evaded its attempt to swallow me whole.

*　*　*

The large dodge brought me near Alexia.

*　*　*

"Use this. I'll launch you."

*　*　*

I nodded and took the spear from Alexia.

Sheathing my sword, I gripped the spear with my right hand.

*　*　*

The snake continued pursuing me.

*　*　*

There, Alexia tilted her battle-axe and positioned it beneath my feet.

I adjusted my footing so the soles of my shoes rested on the battle-axe, then jumped upward.

*　*　*

Alexia used the battle-axe to lift my body and swung with all her might.

*　*　*

"Hah!"

*　*　*

With that shout, I was launched from the battle-axe.

The snake also lunged toward me, rapidly closing the distance between us.

*　*　*

I stared at the snake until the very last moment to gauge the timing, then threw the spear into the snake's eye before twisting my body.

*　*　*

The spear pierced straight through one of the snake's eyes as if drawn in.

Twisting my body, I grazed the snake's scales and was deflected away, but took minimal damage.

*　*　*

"There we go."

*　*　*

Elza brought her mace down toward the protruding spear.

Like driving in a stake, the spear was pushed deeper until its tip broke through the snake's belly.

*　*　*

The impact sent cracks spreading across half of the snake's face.

*　*　*

"No wonder this place isn't popular. If it were a living creature, that would've finished it. It takes way too much effort."

"Doesn't it depend on what you get out of it?"

"I'm saying it's tiring."

*　*　*

Despite her complaints, Finn kept using black spheres to chip away at the snake's body.

Her hands moved even faster than her mouth ran. As expected, I thought.

*　*　*

Finn would probably object, so we likely wouldn't come here again.

Regardless of the opinions of slaves like us, Finn's opinion as a collaborator had to be taken into account.

*　*　*

I drew my sword from its sheath and was about to move to do more damage when strength suddenly drained from my body.

It seemed I had exhausted the power of the Creator King's Apostle.

*　*　*

Considering I had provided mana to the Water Elemental and then cut that mysterious sphere with everything I had, it had lasted quite well.

*　*　*

But the battle wasn't over yet.

When I tried to force myself to move, Alexia grabbed me by the scruff of my neck.

*　*　*

"Fall back and rest. You're at your limit."

"But…"

"No buts. Oh, but I'll be borrowing this."

*　*　*

Alexia gripped the Sealed Sword Grungaus and let go of her battle-axe.

The battle-axe left her hands and clattered as it rolled away.

*　*　*

She wouldn't normally treat a weapon like that.

She did so because the snake was slithering toward the weakened Azu.

*　*　*

When in a hurry, there were other priorities.

*　*　*

"I've been wanting to try this in actual combat."

*　*　*

Saying that, Alexia poured mana into the sword.

An enormous amount of mana befitting a top-class mage converged into the blade.

*　*　*

The blade filled with mana and began to glow.

Seeing this, Finn and Elza hurriedly moved out of Alexia's way.

*　*　*

"Hss."

*　*　*

With a sharp exhale, Alexia swung the sword.

The snake was still far away, and the blade cut through empty air.

*　*　*

Then the sword's ability activated, launching a follow-up slash.

Far larger than anything Azu could produce, the slash shattered the snake's body, sending it flying.

*　*　*

And it didn't stop there, blasting a huge hole through the thick crystal wall.

*　*　*

"It's hard to control. It absorbs as much as you give it, so I accidentally put in too much mana."

"That was way more powerful than mine…"

*　*　*

Azu said that as she collapsed backward.

With that much power, it must have been defeated for sure.

*　*　*

I saw Finn and Elza going to check on the situation from a distance.

That strike from Alexia had incredible power.

I knew it depended on mana, but I hadn't expected quite that much.

*　*　*

… Even so, it still didn't compare to when Kiyo had wielded the Sealed Sword Grungaus.

Just how much mana had that skeleton person possessed?

*　*　*

Thinking about that, I closed my eyes, and consciousness naturally faded away.