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“Let’s put an end to this. You’ve fought enough.”
“I… I have not yet shown all of my strength!”

Hom’s legs lashed out in kicks to every direction, even as they sank into the mire. With each strike, Black Blood Oil sprayed forth, splattering across the white armor of Estea’s Selem Salkh like returning blood.

“Your movements are slowing. Before death by blood loss, I’ll at least grant you a final gift.”

I could tell Estea was preparing to finish Hom.

“First Blade—Gale!”

Selem Salkh’s sword wreathed itself in a blade of wind. Even without her aether fully recovered, the force of a direct hit would surely be devastating.

Estea’s eyes saw only Hom. That made this the perfect chance.

Ars Magna responded to my will, spreading out a simplified formula. I raised my hand and poured aether through it, shouting my incantation.

“O water, obey my will and become a raging torrent—Splash Flood!”

The remnants of the ice wall already scattered across the ground churned the mud, dragging Selem Salkh’s legs down into the mire.

“ARKECIUS HAS MOVED!! Showing off magic on par with a magic soldier once again!!!”
“Create Water!”

As long as the fight was bound to mecha, a finishing blow to Arkecius would end everything. That was why I had to use this chance not to kill, but to disrupt the situation so Hom could move more freely.

“Why water, of all things—…!”

Estea’s murmur cut off, replaced by a brief cry of astonishment. The water I had conjured with Create Water began gushing forth from the very ground of the colosseum.

“A-A torrent of water!!! It’s flooding the colosseum like a raging river!! Selem Salkh is completely immobilized!!! A-and—waaaaait!! The force of the water is lifting it into the aaaaaaair!!!”

At Johnny’s shout of amazement, the audience gasped as well, fingers pointing upward. The water I had unleashed burst forth like geysers, so powerful they carried Selem Salkh up into the air.

“So this is a prison of water!! Below, a raging torrent and jets bursting upward in a storm! Even if she tries to fire her thrusters, the water’s force is far too strong!!”
“Hom!!”

I shouted toward Hom, who stood firm in the midst of the torrent, her gaze fixed on Selem Salkh.

This was her final chance. I had already given everything I could. From here on, this fight would be Hom’s alone—she had to battle for her own sake.

“Here I come!”

With the aid of her thrusters, Hom charged through the torrent. Altered, its frame soaked in black blood oil, was only moments away from death by blood loss.

In time with her dash, Lemures—still wedged into the wall—raised its magic staff.

*—She made it.*

“Alfe!!”
“Lady Alfe!!”

Hom’s and my voices overlapped. Alfe swung her staff, wagering the last of her mana.

“Linear Accel!”

A chain of acceleration circles flared to life ahead of Hom, one after another. Stretching skyward, they carried Altered high into the heavens, like the activation of some colossal Blitzraid.

With each circle Altered passed through, its speed mounted higher and higher. After clearing nearly twenty acceleration arrays, Altered vanished into the distant sky.

“Thank you, Alfe. Thanks to you, Hom was able to be sent forth.”
“……”

There was no reply. Alfe had fainted from magic exhaustion. Yet before the referee could declare her defeated, Estea’s cold voice rang out above.

“Second Blade—Whirlwind Wheel.”

Estea turned her machine, raising a storm, and broke free from the prison of water. The water scattered, crashing down on Arkecius, and with a spray of mud, Selem Salkh landed before me.

The effect of Create Water had already faded. With the arena still flooded, Arkecius was nearly submerged in water.

“Will you not resist?”

Estea asked, her blade leveled at me.

“As you can see, I can’t move. My role here is finished. Besides, the one who will defeat you is Hom.”
“I see.”

In a flat tone, Estea muttered, then forcefully hauled Arkecius upright from the mire with her machine’s left arm.

“Then remain here, and witness it.”
“You’d better not underestimate her. That girl is strong—far stronger than you imagine.”
“I look forward to it.”

With that, Estea severed Arkecius’ left arm. With two vital sections destroyed, Arkecius was officially downed, incapable of fighting any longer.

But thanks to Estea raising the machine for me, I could stay here just a little longer.