Published: September 6, 2025
"Haahhh!"
"Rosemine!"
With a sharp, metallic sound, Shutzelia's shield completed. At the same moment, I heard the high priest's slightly anxious voice.
...Huh?
The instant I lifted my face from my light prayer to the gods, Heisshitze unleashed mana straight at me. At the same time, I thought I heard Hannelore's thin, high-pitched shout, "Yah!" But with the pale blue glowing mana ball flying directly at me, I couldn't see what was happening at all.
Inside the shield, I gasped sharply and closed my eyes tightly. Even knowing a shield stands before you, having something flying at you is frightening.
In the pitch-black vision, there was a loud "Bang!" as the mana collided and burst against Shutzelia's shield. After a startled shiver ran through my body, I slowly opened my eyes. The mana ball was already gone, and only the familiar transparent yellow Shutzelia's shield remained.
"Heisshitze's attack was blocked. What was that? It’s not Gettilt."
"A hemispherical shield, perhaps?"
"Watch out, Lady Hannelore!"
Among the knights watching, sharp voices rose after seeing Shutzelia's shield. The high priest's amulet counterattacked toward Hannelore, who seemed to have simultaneously attacked the high priest with Heisshitze. A slender beam flew straight toward Hannelore.
"Gettilt!"
Hannelore swiftly raised her shield and crouched behind it, barely deflecting the counterattack. She froze in that posture, probably scared. Her face looked like she was about to cry. Fortunately, the high priest’s amulet counterattack was at most double the power of the attack, and since Hannelore’s offensive power wasn’t very high, the counterattack wasn’t severe.
...Thank goodness. I’m really glad Lady Hannelore is safe!
Inside Shutzelia’s shield, still riding the mini bus, I exhaled in relief. I relaxed my expression, but the high priest’s face looked extremely displeased. He looked just like someone whose plans didn’t go as expected. Probably, he intended to use the amulet’s counterattack against Heisshitze, not Hannelore.
...He must have expected Heisshitze to launch a powerful attack right from the start.
Though Heisshitze’s attack was aimed at me and blocked by Shutzelia’s shield, given their long acquaintance, the high priest probably assumed the attack would be directed at himself. He planned to counterattack with the amulet accordingly.
Since the distance between Hannelore and me was too great, maybe Heisshitze attacked me, and Hannelore attacked the high priest. Or perhaps Heisshitze was testing my defense. Whatever the reason, the high priest was caught off guard.
"Heisshitze, watch out!"
"The opponent has a magic tool for counterattacks!"
Unlike Heisshitze attacking me, the knights of Dunkelfelger watching from outside could see the amulet’s magic tool activate. Shouts of advice began flying about.
"This is a counterattack to physical attacks. Think carefully about your attack method!"
"No, Lord Ferdinand isn’t a man who carries many magic tools with the same effect! Physical attacks are more certain."
...Exactly right! Applause for Heisshitze for getting it right!
As Heisshitze said, the high priest only brought two amulets: one to counter physical attacks and another to counter mana attacks.
In other words, the high priest used one amulet almost immediately after the start. And it was on the rather weak probing attack of Hannelore, not the presumably powerful attack from Heisshitze.
...Ah, I can almost hear the high priest clicking his tongue in frustration.
With a stern look, the high priest prepared to attack Hannelore, but Heisshitze quickly drew his sword and slashed. His speed was faster and sharper than the high priest’s. The high priest’s eyes widened as he blocked the attack.
The clash of blades echoed dully. A flick of the wrist made the sword spin, launching the next attack immediately. The high priest endured Heisshitze’s assault with a grim face.
Heisshitze grimaced with a crooked smile.
"Don’t think it’s the same as ten years ago!"