Chapter 1157 - Maidens of the Sword
The maps, areas, and fields existing in Arcadia can be divided, in terms of ratio, into a small number of indestructible terrain and a vast majority of destructible terrain.
Classed under the former are environments within many instance dungeons, or environments within the special area Territories existing on fields—in other words, the latter refers to normal areas.
The endless "world" that forms the [Garden of Divine Creation] tolerates intentional fluctuations, just as players were able to clear forests and establish [Safe Areas] in the early days of the service.
In short, there exists a logic—like 'if you thrust a sword into the ground, the tip will be buried'—that is natural in reality, yet not natural by existing game common sense.
That is to say, naturally.
If a succession of giant towers rains down, it is only natural that the earth becomes riddled with holes.
"Hieee...???"
That being said... the hundred giant towers raining down, the roaring impact exploding with a power and intensity rivaling modern weaponry, the vortex of quicksand bursting and dispersing due to the violence of the dust given form, and the hard bedrock being crushed and pierced the moment it appeared—all of these were a familiar sight.
"...As expected, it looks like it will be a good fight, though."
In the very midst of where the destructive power was raining down, right at the center.
Just as Iris, holding the person in need of rescue who let out a dazed voice that was hardly even a scream, smiled in the midst of the Tempest (protection of the sword wind) she deployed to match the arrival of the supporting fire.
Just as Nia, who was keeping watch while erasing her presence at the edge of the depression so she wouldn't be targeted by any mistake, quietly watching the situation, laughed "Uwahaa" with a complete lack of tension.
—And just as a certain someone, who was currently absent, always, always said.
For those who, by now, fully knew that the girl was Arcadia's foremost bug character, that level of occurrence was nothing to be surprised about.
Therefore,
"—Iris-san!"
"Fufu... It's fine! There's no need to hold back!"
A communication of confirmation between the earth riddled with holes and the heaven that had riddled it.
Yes, in other words, the fact that what just happened was merely a probing feint—
[Circle of Twin Swords: Elden Kreis]
Anyone who knew would be exasperated, but not surprised.
"Terra (Sand Sword)—Flamme (Flame Sword)—'Integrate (Demonic Sword Fusion)'"
No holding back. As the Angel, who had obediently accepted the command from the Princess, landed on the pommel of one of the towers she herself had thrust into the earth, and sang.
[First Tower of Divine Piercing: Sturm Riesig]...—Obergrenze (Limit Manifestation)!
What appeared and stood in attendance was a brilliant heavenly sword.
Even though the battle situation had changed along with the terrain, she remained at the center of the monster's territory, namely, the place with the best view and convenience. While suppressing the [Dragon-Eating Worm of the Vortex: Goliath Ninerve], which was rampaging with natural frenzy.
While keeping in check the "head" that was trying to head toward herself and toward the girl identified as the source of the suddenly appeared "natural disaster"—or rather, by severing all of the endlessly appearing "tentacles" that came through the holes (paths) in the bedrock that had been opened in countless numbers even before Sora made her holes.
Reflected in Iris's eyes as she looked up was... a small sun shaped like a sword, or perhaps a giant sword shaped like a sun. A tower of golden flames, easily exceeding thirty meters in total length.
—Now.
The four types of demonic swords equipped by Sora's spirit vessel, [Cradle], possessed characteristics that deeply inherited the properties of the magic that served as their respective "basis."
"Terra (Sand Sword)"—what this starting, fundamental, primordial, and versatile dust-storm sword possessed was a dual physical and magical attribute that inherited the power and properties of the sandstorm controlled by the secret raid boss [Bastide (Offspring of the Dust Storm)], the owner of the decayed eye... which served as the material, the [Tear of the Dust Storm].
"Flamme (Flame Sword)"—next, the second. What this brilliant sword, the incarnation of scorching heat, possessed was a simple high power in accordance with its elemental tendency, in addition to a material penetration ability produced by its intangible blade.
"Glacies (Ice Sword)"—furthermore, the third. What this snow-flower sword, harboring extreme cold, possessed was countless numbers and freezing like falling snow. An action-hindering effect due to the cold, and a Status usurpation ability that stole the power of whatever it touched.
And... "Eclair (Lightning Sword)"—the new fourth. What this flashing, shining lightning sword possessed was Vortex (Lightning Conduction), which imparting electrical properties to itself and its master in a broad sense, as well as the Anti-Magic Eraser (Magic Nullification and Erasure) ability, which seemed to have inherited with a twist the properties of the grand magic [Disastor (Violet Lightning Star)] infused by Iris.
If so, what was noteworthy in this current situation was the characteristic of the second demonic sword, "Flamme (Flame Sword)."
An intangible demonic sword formed of fire. The material penetration ability possessed by its blade, the lawless limit of penetration execution that slipped through any shield or wall, was—none other than—proportional to the total length of the blade.
In other words, the tip of the small sun exceeding thirty meters was,
"—[Calamity of Melting Heavenly Flames: Laevateinn]!!"
easily penetrating bedrock that was merely somewhat thick, piercing the hermit.
Thus, a fraction of a second before impact. Iris, having played the roles of decoy, guard, and distractor, retreated in a single step, while nearby Nia cleverly shielded both eyes with her arms—the next instant.
In the desolate rocky mountain area, a dazzling flame of the ultimate sun stood erect.
And five seconds, ten seconds... while the exploded golden flames raged along with blasting heat, and lava, the aftermath of the power, scattered here and there. Leaving one only exasperated that it might have reached even without material penetration in the first place, at the bottom of the large hole that had opened wide in the center of the area.
"────────..., ............!..."
Still breathing, as expected of the monster.
If one were to describe it, a grotesque monster that could be called a sea anemone made of rock was writhing—toward its location, the next brilliance fell.
A vivid blue-silver, no less brilliant than the previous gold,
"—[Boundless Heavenly Sword: Perfect Espada]"
As the sword was swung, the curtain fell.
That's right. The legitimate strategy against Ninerve-kun is to slip through the ridiculous onslaught, work hard at digging a hole, and then beat up the main body of the sea anemone. Of course it's impossible for a single platoon.
Furthermore, the common name Immortal Worm became popular during the "how the hell do you defeat that shitty boss" era when its full nature was not yet clear, and even now that its true identity has been revealed, it is still passed down with affection. It seems the first recorded slayer was the invincible samurai of the East.