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Chapter 38 – part 11

A flash of lightning streaked across the scene.
Everything around was enveloped in blue and white.

And in the next moment, there was a thunderous explosion along with the lightning.

Rumble, rumble, rumble… BOOM!

Within the electric barrier, the ogres, even Ogre Generals, fell to the ground in a panic with steam rising all around.

The number was in the hundreds.
With this, the group of Ogres dispersing around had lost about 60% of their numbers with just one strike.

However, it seemed that the damage inflicted wasn’t enough to incapacitate those stronger than Ogre Generals.

And at present, there were three Ogre Kings within her field of vision.

「Hehe, looks like they’re going to give me some fun, these demon kings… Alright then, next up is this!」

Saegusa rummaged in her pocket and pulled out a fist-sized iron ball.
She threw the iron ball into the air and thrust her palm straight ahead.

Right at that moment, Lilith’s expression turned pale.
Understanding exactly what Saegusa was about to do, Lilith dashed towards Cordelia.

「Hey? Lilith?」

Without hesitation, Cordelia was tackled to the ground with a rugby tackle.

「…To be honest… You, not in Berserker Mode, are… a hindrance.」

Lilith said as she chanted a spell, layering multiple defensive barriers around herself and Cordelia.
As soon as the defensive barriers were in place, Saegusa opened her mouth, humming a tune mixed with it.

「Zero-Style Electromagnetic Control (Railgun).」

The iron ball was released at an unbelievable initial velocity, easily breaking the sound barrier.
A shockwave rippled through the area, accompanied by the sound of cracking and trees being mowed down.

The three bullets streaked through the air and struck the Ogre Kings.
Chest. Abdomen. And head.

Without even reacting, the three Ogre Kings exploded into pieces, scattering chunks of flesh around and falling to the ground.
Lilith released the defensive barrier with a sigh.

「Hey, Lilith… What was that?」

Pointing towards Saegusa, who was charging towards the next group of demons, Cordelia had a trembling expression.

「…I understand what you want to say.」

「Is that really Koharu-chan? I don’t get it…」

「…I’m saying I understand what you want to say.」

Cordelia shook her head from side to side.

「If we’re not careful…」

「…Even with being careful, she’s stronger than me under these conditions.」

「Really? And what’s up with that iron ball? Its speed was abnormal.」

「I’ve seen Lute use something like that in the past. That was… a railgun.」

「A railgun?」

「…According to Lute, when you handle the power of lightning to its utmost limit and control it with extreme precision… it becomes possible to achieve super-physical magic.」

「Super-physical magic…?」

It seemed that Cordelia didn’t quite grasp the concept of physical magic.
The railgun allowed mass attacks at super speed due to the Lorentz force.

Cordelia couldn’t understand the application of natural phenomena based on modern Earth’s science and technology.

「But it’s still incomprehensible.」

「Hmm? What do you mean?」

「…A railgun… according to Lute, it should be a magic that’s impossible without the use of ‘science’… a knowledge.」

「Science?」

「Well, let’s leave that aside.」

Lilith added to Cordelia’s understanding.

「No matter how you look at it, it’s going too far, right?」

In front of the two, a barrier of lightning on a scale exceeding a hundred meters was released once again.

「Ah… She’s using such massive-area magic again…」

Cordelia then asked Lilith.

「Even assuming Koharu-chan is an A-rank magician, why doesn’t her MP run out with such reckless use?」

「…Most likely, Koharu herself isn’t using any MP.」

「Not using MP? Even though she’s continuously using super-high-level magic like that?」

Lilith nodded to Cordelia’s bewildered expression.

「…I don’t think someone like you who isn’t a magician would understand. Right now, the spirit energy that fills the atmosphere is rapidly depleting. No, it’s being consumed.」

「So, she’s using an external source of magical power?」

「…Put simply, yes. It’s said to be the power of the eight million gods in the East. They believe that gods reside in everything in the world… Gods are everywhere and yet nowhere.」

「Sorry, I don’t quite get it… Is that okay?」

Lilith sighed with exasperation.

「This is why brutes are… never mind. In essence, Koharu’s power of ‘divine possession’ means she directly embodies the power of nature, including everything from towns and cities in the human world, and in this case, she acts as a medium, in other words, a priestess.」

「I see.」

After pondering for a moment, Lilith continued.

「However, that way of fighting is just too reckless. If she continues doing that multiple times without proper care, she won’t live for long unless she takes extreme precautions.」

「Not living for long doesn’t sound very reassuring.」

「…Koharu’s muscle fibers, of course, but also her brain, cerebellum, and even her digestive organs, everything is under immense stress. It’s likely that the Saegusa bloodline has been using secret potions, including Elixirs, during the divine possessions across generations.」

「Aren’t Elixirs super expensive? But right now, that girl…」

「…Is a poor exchange student, among other things. Probably, she can’t afford proper care. Inevitably, she’s shortening her lifespan to an incredible degree.」

「What are we going to do?」

「…Regardless, my Lute will find a way.」

At that point, Cordelia’s tone carried a mix of bewilderment and irritation.

「My Lute… huh?」

Cordelia muttered with contemptuous frustration, her veins bulging.
Seeing that, Lilith gave a mocking smile.

「…The relationship between Lute and me is unbreakable, even with your holy sword.」

With that, Cordelia silenced Lilith with her palm.

「I have no intention of engaging in meaningless verbal battles here.」

With those words, Lilith shrugged her shoulders, looking slightly embarrassed.

「So, what’s the situation with Koharu-chan in the end?」

After some thought, Lilith responded.

「Without medicine, she won’t last more than a few years… Essentially, she’s a superhuman of the moment, fighting by shaving off her lifespan. That’s why her clan formed a settlement, concentrating wealth and medicine on the priestess who serves as the clan’s leader.」

At that moment, the Ogre Emperor appeared before Saegusa.
With its gigantic mass, it looked like a scene from a monster movie, while the priestess confronting it stood at a height barely exceeding 150 centimeters.

「Haha! Size doesn’t matter, does it? If it’s too big, it’ll just hurt!」

Saegusa continued with laughter as if something was amusing her.

「Well, I don’t have experience yet, you know! Haha! Ahahaha!」

With that, she took an iron ball from her pocket.

「Zero-Style Electromagnetic Control (Railgun)!」

With a sound that seemed like a joke, a two-meter-wide hole appeared in the Ogre Emperor’s abdomen right in the middle.
Drooping organs and spurting blood.

However… The Ogre Emperor didn’t fall.
Instead, it smirked and gave Saegusa a smile.

Watching from behind, Lilith let out a deep sigh.

「…As I thought, no matter how strong she is, she’s equivalent to the top level of A-rank. No matter how strong, she can’t defeat an Ogre Emperor with just A-rank recognition.」

The Ogre Emperor’s large intestine wriggled in a squirming manner.
Flesh closed instantly, swelling as if rising, and wounds were sealed shut.

Amazed by its regenerative ability, Cordelia shook her head.

「That’s an Ogre Emperor? How are we supposed to deal with something like that? Hey, Lilith?」

「…What?」

「Where’s Lute right now?」

「…Ogres have invaded the city. Due to that chaos, he seems to be a bit delayed.」

Then Lilith signaled to Cordelia.

「…Cordelia Allston? You have 10 seconds. Can you operate in Berserker Mode in that time frame?」

「You have some plan, don’t you?」

Lilith nodded.
In response, Cordelia pondered for a few moments.

「12 seconds… No, maybe 15 seconds. I might be able to sustain maximum combat strength for that long.」