Chapter 172
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As anyone who has observed his life in this other world can tell, Holy Knight Yamada has terrible luck.
If it were possible to quantify status parameters in this world, his luck stat would have been devastatingly, unbearably low.
Yet despite being a human with critically low luck, Yamada has managed to conquer seven of the Newly Constructed Most Challenging Dungeons and is now on the verge of clearing the Sealed Dungeon. There are reasons for this success.
First, the Holy Knight class and his growth skills themselves are powerful. Second, he has gained the strength to overcome any difficulty through hellish training and countless real battles against stronger opponents.
However, these aren’t the only reasons for his success.
Above all else, he has guts.
Once he makes up his mind and decides on something, he never breaks – he possesses an iron will that remains unshakeable.
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Talisman Sena, who is an extension of Sena herself, takes the attack in my place and transforms into particles of light.
「Holy Knight, now you’re alone again.」
My heart is filled with hatred for the Living Dead before me, and sorrow for losing her, even if she was just a talisman, because of me.
But more than that, anger at my own inadequacy torments and condemns me.
However, as if concerned for my state of mind, the light particles, unlike previous talismans, don’t disappear but instead are absorbed into me.
───It’s okay, Ichiro
I feel her warmth, her heart.
───I’ll help you
I hear Sena’s voice speaking in my mind───and in that moment,
「This is───」
It’s the same sensation as when I managed to absorb qi during the battle against the Liquid Dragon.
「I’m not alone. She’s always here with me.」
If it’s mana I need, I now have plenty.
If the enemy is too fast to react to, I can just keep accelerating my thoughts with Autobahn.
The strain is too much? I’ll just have to endure it.
That’s how I’ve always done things up until now.
「Have you gone mad with fear, Holy Knight… Save your nonsense for hell—HAH!!」
Ainika launches a series of divine-speed combination attacks with a battle cry. To me, who’s committed to constant acceleration mode, they appear in slow motion.
Partial arm acceleration───I deflect everything with ease, then counter by slashing at his abdomen, cutting him clean in half.
Whether it’s a reflex or agony, I don’t care if he makes sounds like 「ughoh.」
He’ll probably revive, but I eliminate him with Light Magic anyway.
「You’ll resurrect anyway, right? Then I’ll just keep doing this as many times as it takes!」
Last time it was 1,080 times.
I have no idea how many times I’ll need to defeat this Ainika, who now possesses abilities far beyond what he had before, until he’s completely eliminated.
I can’t even guess, but I’ve made up my mind.
To meet Sena again, I have to see this through.
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Several minutes after Ichiro is dragged into some space.
Finally, Holy Knight Nelly and the Royal Knight Order arrive on the scene.
Many people have collapsed unconscious, affected by Ainika’s evil energy, but Orphelia and the others leave their care to the reinforcements who have arrived. They borrow a horse for transportation.
After placing Angelica and Purume, who had exhausted their power in the Tri-Head Dragon battle, on the back of the horse, they quickly return to town.
They rush straight to the guild and contact Anon through the Contact Pearl to explain the situation.
It’s surprising to see him, usually calm and collected, lose his composure like never before, though he regains his composure after a few minutes.
When Purume asks him 「Is Lady Omi there?」, he replies that they had just barely managed to return to town with three people.
While the sword saint’s unconsciousness was merely due to exhaustion from lack of sleep, it was quite challenging even for Sensei to heal Ashley, who was one step away from death, and the Saint who had actually lost her live once. She had just started taking a break.
「Just hearing about this situation, I have no idea what we should do. This is beyond what we can handle on our own.」
Anon says in an anguished voice.
「We have no choice. Anon, please go wake up Lady Omi.」
As everyone present laments their own helplessness in figuring out how to help Ichiro, Anon nods and says 「Wait a moment」 as he starts to leave his seat, when───
「The situation doesn’t sound too good, eh? No matter, now that I’m here, the problem is as good as solved. Come now, tell me what happened.」
A reassuring voice comes through the Contact Pearl connected to Skuld.
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