The grimoire Nano Eater contained a total of ten spells. Only one was a direct-attack type, but there were two more that were extremely useful in combat.
The <Another Heart> that Chesa had just used was one of them. It transformed the grimoire into the contractor’s spare mana heart to assist with spellcasting or even allow it to chant independent spells. The fuel for this was the unusable mana that Nano Eater normally devoured and stored.
Chesa chanted rapidly.
<Icicle> <Storm Guillotine> <Bullet Port>
Triple magic chant, now possible after she gained Memorization (S+).
“Nano Eater.”
「Identifying friend and foe.」
Icicles filled the air. At Chesa’s gesture they shot off in every direction. It was not indiscriminate fire. The spells, under Nano Eater’s precise control, pierced only the hooded demon worshippers with pinpoint accuracy.
Fshk! Fshk!
“Aaagh!”
“Kyaa!”
The fanatics screamed as they were run through and collapsed. Yet they displayed terrifying zeal, crawling across the ground to close the distance.
Chesa remained calm and flicked her left hand. Zzzzt! A translucent scythe followed her motion like a wave, mercilessly harvesting the cultists’ heads. It was the lightning blade <Storm Guillotine>. Thanks to Firebird (S-), lightning was the element she was most comfortable with after water.
A few cultists who had avoided the icicles charged toward Chesa. The unidentified orb floating above her head—<Bullet Port>—detected their approach and fired mana bullets. Bang bang bang bang! Their pure white robes turned bright red in an instant.
“Miss! A little help over here?!”
At the urgent voice, Chesa glanced back at the fight between Hagel and the mercenary. Hagel was pushing their ally back.
<Photon Lance>
Whiiing!
The moment she began chanting support spells, a ray of light shot toward her. Hagel, having regained his composure, was keeping her in check even while trading blows with the formidable mercenary.
The instant Chesa’s breathing faltered—
Nano Eater’s telepathic message arrived.
「<Haste> spell executed.」
Nano Eater had chanted the spell itself. This was the true value of <Another Heart>. Chesa’s steps became impossibly light. She dashed forward, and rays of light rained down along the path she had just left.
‘So this is the comfort ki users always feel…’
She felt a touch of envy, but experiencing it once was enough. Unlike her husband, she did not have the nerve to trade blows with powerful enemies at close range.
Then a signal came from the rear where the mages were positioned.
<Divine Rope>
The high-level spell was led by a high priest who had been excommunicated from the Life Church. Holy yang ropes manifested around Hagel.
“Hmm…!”
Those mages are certainly annoying.
Hagel frowned in displeasure.
Elements gathered in his hand.
<Zero-Void>
A sphere compressed to the extreme and turned into void distorted the surrounding space. Even the holy ropes meant to bind sinners had part of them erased and snapped. It was merely a taste of Void, yet its power was immense.
But Zero was an incomplete spell.
It could only threaten the area around him and could not be fired from his body.
Even so, for the brief time the void sphere was maintained, he could catch his breath. Such a terrifying spell was a major threat to the opponent simply by existing.
In fact, the flashy swordsman who had been pressuring him was now watching the situation. If he could hold out until Tikus joined—
The moment that thought crossed his mind—
<First-Void>
Something pitch-black flew toward him. Hagel instinctively rolled across the ground to dodge the unidentified attack, then widened his eyes belatedly.
To minimize the backlash from Fluid Harmony, Aiden had consumed various recovery elixirs and Visanya’s healing pills before returning to the vicinity of Melkina.
With Tikus dead, the tide had clearly turned in their favor. However, the troublesome Aliki still remained.
Unfortunately, most of the Dearside School warriors sent to deal with her had been tied down by the fanatics. Once again, it seemed he would have to move personally for a stealth operation.
Aiden climbed onto the roof of the mobile fortress where Aliki stood and, without hesitation, removed the Formless Robe (S-) he had been wearing.
Given her detection ability, sneaking any closer was impossible.
Zzzzt!
He activated Ladyroot once more. The Light-Demon Sphere appeared and began spinning around him. Normally, at his current level, he could only use it once per day, but the Thunder God Physique (S) correction allowed repeated activation.
“Uoooooh….”
Dozens of demon worshippers guarding Aliki charged at him like zombies. Aiden swung Thunder and Burn Sword toward them. Fshk! Fshk! Each sweep of his blade sent several heads flying in a row. He harvested dozens of lives in the blink of an eye like reaping wheat, then closed in on Aliki.
“You bastard…!”
The highest-ranking fire spirit Magnus materialized behind Aliki.
Boom!
A ferocious wave of heat exploded. Flames surged outward like a tidal wave, mercilessly incinerating even the corpses of their own cultists.
“I might actually get burned…”
But Aiden possessed the Elemental Dominion (A) trait and was also wearing the Salamander Cape (A). Even flames from a highest-ranking spirit were not particularly lethal to him.
Aliki shouted when she saw him completely unharmed despite taking the blaze head-on.
“Canadea!”
=Understood.
The highest-ranking wind spirit Canadea flapped its wings. Razor-sharp blades of wind shot forward. Boom! Aiden used Infecting to violently vibrate the surrounding air and neutralized the attack.
<Padio Blink>
He instantly teleported right in front of Aliki. He swung Thunder to sever her right arm, but Tap! Aliki moved with an odd, swaying step and dodged the slash.
Aliki was not only an outstanding spirit summoner but also a master of cat beastkin body techniques.
After creating a slight distance, Aliki suddenly extended her claws toward Aiden’s throat. Crunch! A burning sensation flared as blood sprayed.
However, her [Strength] was only 6. Even with fairly high [Mana], it was nowhere near enough to threaten a warrior of the same level. Ordinary attacks would end as mere scratches, so her strike could safely be ignored.
Aiden grabbed the arm of the retreating Aliki and kicked her in the face with Vibrating Ki.
Crack!
Aliki tumbled across the roof without even screaming. Blood from her coughed-up mouthful left a red trail on the floor.
Soon her body went limp. After confirming she had truly fainted, Aiden bound her tightly. Only then did he let out a breath and survey the battlefield from atop Melkina.
All that remained was the Dragon Horse Cult leader, Hagel Vinter.
“Looks like things are wrapping up over there too.”
The mercenaries who had seen Aiden overpower Aliki had already joined the fight against Hagel alongside Julian Connelly. Among them were Dearside’s Kache and Quentaltin’s executive Pepe.
Dozens of warriors had surrounded the Dragon Horse Cult leader. The bloodied Hagel looked at Aiden and asked,
“What happened to Tikus?”
“He died fighting me.”
Hagel’s face darkened.
Although the impact had faded from repeatedly facing near-Twelve Heroes level opponents, securing forces above level 50 was practically impossible in reality. Anyone with that level of strength could enjoy wealth and honor anywhere on the continent, so there was rarely a reason to join a suspicious cult unless forced by special circumstances.
In fact, every vice-leader he had recruited—except for the already deceased Lucian Arabal—had been someone who had been driven out of their original country or organization and fallen into hardship.
“The last remaining vice-leader, Aliki Wi Gates, has also been captured. The infamous Dragon Horse Cult ends today.”
One of the encircling warriors sneered. The cult had caused chaos across the continent for years, and many harbored deep grudges against them.
Hagel silently stared at Aiden before asking,
“…Aiden Stroke. Looking at your track record, I can’t figure out your goal. Are you a pawn of the Sun Cathedral?”
“No. I’m unaffiliated.”
Hagel’s eyes filled with doubt.
Aiden looked at him and said,
“Then shall we continue the negotiation we started earlier?”
“…What?”
“I didn’t come here just to hunt cultists for fun. I have business with you.”
“My answer is set. Rather than clinging to life by harming my family, I would rather choose death.”
‘What if it also brings great benefit to your family?’
“………”
Because he had spoken with <Silent Voice>, only Hagel could hear him.
Hagel hardened his expression and glared at Aiden. His face clearly said, “Let’s hear what trick you’re trying to pull.”
Aiden smiled faintly and said,
“If you arrange a meeting with the Schnifelt family at the appropriate time, I will specially tell you the whereabouts of the Dragon God’s Essence (S-).”
“…!”
Hagel’s eyes widened. The Dragon God’s Essence was one of the elixirs that could reduce the intensity of the ‘heavenly punishment’ binding the Schnifelt family. It was a key that could loosen the shackles tormenting them for a thousand years.
After a moment of thought, Hagel also spoke through a spell.
…Is that your only demand?
‘Probably. But since you’ve lost your entire cult, I’ll need to place a few restraints on you so you don’t think about revenge against us.’
‘Restraints… something like a magic contract?’
‘Similar.’
Aiden looked around. There were too many eyes here to summon Shambhavi.
‘Let’s move to a different location first.’
“Restrain the cult leader!”
Hagel obediently extended both arms and accepted the mages’ binding spells.
Without Aiden’s permission, do not leak detailed information about the Blispiel Clan or its forces.
Under no circumstances cause direct or indirect harm to the Blispiel Clan.
Immediately after the ‘heavenly punishment’ ends, arrange a meeting between the Blispiel Clan and the Schnifelt family.
In exchange for clause 3, Aiden Stroke must provide the target Hagel Vinter with the whereabouts of the elixir 『Dragon God’s Essence (S-)』. If this is violated or if the Dragon God’s Essence no longer exists in the world at the time of disclosure, the contract is nullified.
If clauses 1–3 are violated, Shambhavi’s venom will cause brain death.
Send a messenger pigeon reporting your current status to the Blispiel Clan house at least once every two months. Violation will result in pain according to the severity.
Temporarily transfer ownership of Melkina. Violation will result in pain from the venom.
“…I understand the contents completely. I declare here that I will fulfill every promise without fail.”
=The oath is accepted.
Crunch! The twin-headed serpent Shambhavi bit Hagel.
Against a low-level opponent, a casually spoken word could enforce the contract. But to force someone stronger than himself, a strong vow like this was necessary.
=The contract is complete.
“…As expected, a contract through a great spirit. A rather unique authority. I’ve never seen anything like it in any document.”
A spark of interest appeared in Hagel’s eyes. In any case, this man could no longer cause him direct or indirect harm.
“I have one personal question. May I ask?”
“Ask. I’ll decide after hearing it.”
“Your wife used <Void>. Where exactly did she learn it?”
“I cannot say.”
Even if he tried to leak information about them, he would die the instant he did, so there was no need to give away unnecessary details. Aiden, who knew all the settings, was aware there were rare ways to circumvent ‘Oath Enforcement.’ Therefore, he had to consider every possibility.
Having lost his entire cult, Hagel departed alone without any attendants.
Aiden located the corpse of a demon cult executive skilled in elemental magic, used Shape Fader (A+), and disguised himself as Hagel’s body.
The only people present were the blood-bound elites of Quentaltin and the Dearside School warriors who supported the Sword Saint’s challenge. Julian Connelly would also keep his mouth shut for the right price, so there was little worry of information leaking, but there was no harm in being cautious.
Aiden then led Chesa and Linia toward the Machine God Tribe member Melkina.
“…Now, what to do with this white elephant.”