MTL NOVEL Chapter 8: Chapter 8
The fight was going on longer than Haruka would have liked.
She could feel herself tiring: Karna and Siegfried were still battling, and it took her all just to avoid the spells Gordes had thrown at her. She was running out of mana, and Gordes's unrelenting spells ensured that she wouldn't have time to consume another apple or switch mystic codes. I have to end this soon… no way am I dying!
She mentally scolded herself as she dodged out of the way of another blast. You're up against a skilled magus who's probably had his fair share of mage fights. He can probably anticipate your attacks. Meanwhile, you have zero experience fighting mages. Haruka, you're an idiot.
Her one moment of distraction was a mistake. Gordes shouted an aria, and spears of earth shot up from the ground, circling around her before closing in. Haruka reinforced her body and smashed her way through a few with red Black Keys and rolled out of the way of a few others, but some pierced through her battlesuit and lodged there.
To her credit, Haruka didn't cry out, only wincing and ripping out the spears. It was a bad idea, as the wounds began bleeding badly. Cursing for not remembering any healing spells on hand, she jumped back, stumbling a bit as her leg had a nasty wound in it. "Not bad for a first-rate magus."
"I could say the same to you, girl," Gordes huffed. "And you say you're an amateur." He was bleeding from multiple cuts and scratches from Haruka's Black Keys, obviously tiring as well. However, he had managed to heal most of his major injuries and looked like he could still go on for a few more rounds.
Haruka looked out of the corner of her eye and smiled as she saw the faint glow of the sun light up the horizon. Just a little bit more… She reinforced her body once again, calling out to Karna. How are you doing?
You should worry about yourself first, Master Haruka.
Indeed, Karna and Siegfried had been tirelessly exchanging blows, razing most of the land but making sure to stay away from their Masters.
"No use… guess I'll use my ace for this." Haruka winced as her muscles protested when she raised her arm, her lips forming the familiar aria she had learned months ago. "Black Key Hell—activate!"
Gordes braced himself, but his jaw fell slack as multiple portals (around 20 in number, the most Haruka could summon) opened up behind the Chaldean Master, who at that point did look pretty terrifying: all bloodied up and injured but with a dangerous fire burning in her eyes. "A-alternate spaces?!" He stammered out. Each portal had a blade poking out of it—Black Keys, to be precise.
Haruka thrust her hand forward, and a rain of Black Keys shot from the portals. Gordes barely had time to throw up a shield before the blessed weapons slammed into the area around him. While the onslaught was going on, Haruka swiftly took out her phone and tossed two golden apples in her mouth, as well as switching into her standard Chaldea uniform, casting an Emergency Heal on herself. The worst of her cuts closed, and she sighed in relief, ending the spell as she sensed that her Black Key supply was dwindling.
(Surprisingly, she didn't have as many Black Keys as she thought she had. Maybe, just maybe, she'd have to ask for some of Amakusa's later.)
(In reality, she still had a few hundred left. She just didn't want to admit it.)
On the ground, a weak shield flickered out, and Gordes lay on the ground, unconscious. He had protected most of his body from the bombardment, but Black Keys were lodged into his arms and legs.
"Haa…" Haruka let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, and fell to her knees, utterly exhausted. Jeanne ran over to her, a concerned look on her face.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Ruler," Haruka said with a pained smile. "I'll retreat for now."
Karna and Siegfried had stopped their battle once they saw their Masters fall and had rushed to their sides. Siegfried watched on with a concerned look as the 2 homunculi carried Gordes into the car that he had come in, and turned to see Karna, who was helping Haruka stand up.
Haruka waved to Siegfried. "Sorry about taking your Master out. I'm guessing you and Karna want a rematch later when we're not interfering?"
"Master, you should really prioritize your own well-being over our desires first," Karna said reproachfully as he lifted Haruka into his arms. Turning to Siegfried, he spoke. "We will meet again, Saber of Black."
"I look forward to it, Lancer of Red," Siegfried replied, dematerializing. The car containing Gordes drove off.
"Anyways, Ruler, no, Jeanne d'Arc," Haruka said seriously. "We were under orders to attack you tonight. Stay on your guard." Karna, Mordred and her Master are hiding out in the largest Trifas graveyard. Take me to them.
Understood.
With Haruka in his arms, Karna disappeared into the distance, leaving Jeanne alone to think about the words Haruka had told her.
***
Master Haruka, are you sure you are alright? Karna asked as he landed in an empty part of the graveyard. Your injuries look quite severe.
I'm fine, Haruka said, wincing as pain flared up in her right arm. Luckily Raikou or Boudica aren't here or else they'd be fussing over me like there's no tomorrow. Nightingale would probably freak out. Well, for my first fight with a highly experienced mage, it didn't go too badly. He should be out of the fight for a while.
Are you really sure you can confront Mordred and her Master in this state?
Hm, no. But they should at least listen to us since we're on the same side. I'll just heal myself later. The boundary to Shishigo Kairi's bounded field is just up ahead. Go and trip it; I know it's just a warning signal.
Karna sincerely wished his Master would stop running head-first into potentially dangerous situations.
His wish would not be granted.