Koibito wo Netorare, Yuusha Party kara Tsuihou sa Retakedo

“For now, let’s cut off his legs — Huh!?”
A powerful force repelled the descending sword.
It was as if it had struck an invisible wall.
“My magical weapon [Thunder King – Swift Wind 77th Form] — controls the wind. From that, it creates a shield of compressed air.”
Margo calmly explained.
Looking closer, even Shia’s full-force slash on his back was shallow.
“Just compressed air blocked my [Severance]…!?”
“Of course, ordinary wind couldn’t do it. I sensed [Darkness] coating your sword. So…”
White and black light intertwined, emanating from Margo’s body.
“I infused the windshield with [Chaos] and strengthened it.”
“[Chaos]…”
“I acknowledge your strength. But in the end, your [Darkness] is just borrowed from Chrome. I’ve been honing [Chaos] for two solid years, you can’t compare.”
The Hero Knight arrogantly expressed his confidence in victory.
“That’s enough lecturing. Honestly, I don’t want to cut a beautiful girl like you… What a shame!”
Realizing she was about to be attacked, Shia used [Acceleration] to retreat.
However, Margo had already appeared in front of her.
“Impossible!?”
Too fast–
“I’m a Hero Knight with extensive battle experience. I can easily read the moves of amateur sword-wielding kids like you!”
The sword in Margo’s hand curved sharply, bringing a gust of wind slashing into Shia’s body.
“Kyaaaaaa…!”
Unable to defend against that strike, Shia was blown away, blood flowing from her open wound.
“Shia!”
Fortunately, Yurin had created an invisible net with magical manipulation and caught her in mid-air before she could collide with anything.
“Thank you, Yurin.”
“Your wound, Sister Shia! I’ll heal it right away…”
Yurin pulled the magic net towards herself, lowering Shia down and beginning to use Healing magic.
The wound gradually closed, and Shia’s pain began to fade.
However, the lost blood wasn’t restored.
Healing magic couldn’t completely recover sustained damage or fatigue.
“As expected, he’s too strong…”
Shia inwardly groaned.
Bitterly, she realized he wasn’t an opponent she had a chance of defeating.
Even with Yurin’s help–
“Sister Shia…”
“It’s okay. Lord Chrome will surely return. We just need to hold out until then.”
“… Yes.”
Shia and Yurin nodded to each other, once again standing side by side to face Margo.
The blood loss to her brain was making Shia’s consciousness gradually dizzier —
It seemed the previous blow had caused severe damage.
Shia gripped her sword tightly.
Her vision had begun to blur.
Margo’s figure was becoming hazy.
“Enduring until Chrome returns, huh… how stubborn.”
The Hero Knight sneered.
“You understand the difference in our levels now, don’t you? Why not surrender to me? Why do you keep choosing Chrome?”
“I… was saved by him.”
Shia looked straight at Margo.
“He helped me avenge my sister’s death. Thanks to that, I was able to move forward in life. So from that moment, I wanted to be useful to him. I wanted to become his strength.”
“It’s the same for me. Lord Chrome took me in. So I want to help him, even if just a little. With all the strength he has given me.”
Yurin also stared intently at Margo, just like Shia.
“Hmph, repaying a debt, is it?”
He sneered once again.
“… It’s not just that.”
Shia bit her lip.
“Since we set out on this journey, I’ve always been by his side, watching him fight. I’ve seen his pain, his frustration, his anger. He has always been alone — always!”
Shia steeled herself, adjusting her posture.
The red and black light emanating from her blade grew even stronger.
“I want to be by Lord Chrome’s side. If I can erase even a little of his sadness or pain, I’ll do anything I can! That’s why!”
All of the girl’s strength was concentrated in her legs and sword.
The pressure weighing down on the ground was so intense it couldn’t maintain its original shape, cracks gradually spreading out around her.
The black shoes on her legs, trembling with intense emotion, continuously released red and black particles of light.
[Acceleration] had been pushed to its limit.
Or rather, the limit was just a point to determine the boundary.
And that boundary was being continuously broken–