Madan no Ou to Vanadis - Volume 17 - Chapter 3.7

“The seventh… So that’s the idea, huh?” Sofy muttered, her face strained with tension.

What Tir Na Fal meant was probably the idea of adding the power of the Vanadis to Tigre’s Black Bow. In other words, the goddess would fill the place of Ezendeis.

Mila and Liza exchanged a silent look. They knew about the power of Tigre’s Black Bow, but they wondered whether that power would really allow them to defeat Ganelon. However, the Snow Princess of Frozen Wave immediately revealed a wry smile, and the Flash Princess of Thunder Swirl shook her head. They had realized that it bore no meaning to think about it and that they simply had to devote all their power while trusting him, just as they had done up until now.

Tigre firmly planted his feet on the ground, looking up to Ganelon. The after-effects of the goddess having descended into him still remained. This entire body screamed at him through intense pain, and his limbs were as heavy as lead. He was in a condition where he’d lose consciousness as soon as he relaxed his attention. And yet it had become much easier for him if compared to the time right after the goddess had been devoured by Ganelon.

He had been allowed more than enough rest. While watching how everyone else was fighting. For this reason he had to move himself as well. As long as he could hold a bow. As long as he could nock an arrow and draw the bowstring.

On the other hand, Ganelon silently stared at Tigre without a single stirring. He didn’t move because he was wary of Tir Na Fal.

Certainly the might of the 『Human Tir Na Fal』 falls far behind me right now. This must be the difference between having followed the proper procedures and not having done so, Ganelon judged.

On top of having performed the correct ceremony for the 『Demonic Tir Na Fal』, whom I’ve devoured by now, I’ve allowed her to descend into the Black Bow holder. However, the same can’t be said for the 『Human Tir Na Fal』. She has simply descended on the surface after responding to the prayer of a single girl. Still, she’s probably capable of exhibiting a power equaling several Vanadis if she unleashes her full might. But, she has said that she’s going to restrain her power in consideration of the body she possesses.

──It looks like she’s been telling the truth.

Very well, Ganelon muttered soundlessly. I’ll humor you people.

Right now it’d be an easy feat for Ganelon to crush Tigre without allowing him to shoot his arrow. But, Ganelon chose to not adopt such a method.

──It means the King of Magic Archery is going to become a hero.

Ganelon didn’t like that word. Only one hero was more than enough, so it was impossible for him to approve of any other heroes.

──I’ll deny you. You’re no hero. You mustn’t be a hero.

The Vanadis and Tir Na Fal had positioned themselves in a way as if they were encircling Tigre. For the sake of protecting the youth. For the sake of exhibiting their will to fight on his side.

The only exception was Elen. She stood next to Tigre, staring at Ganelon. Gaspal and Damad were behind the Vanadis. In case of whatever situation might occur, they had to protect themselves first and foremost.

“Stay strong, Tigre.” Gaspal lightly tapped the youth’s shoulder, and Damad nodded silently.

After the two fell back, Tigre tightly grasped his Black Bow and fixed his eyes on Ganelon. The arrow he had been holding in his hand dropped to the ground as Tigre had concluded that this was the wrong item for the occasion.

“Thanks, all of you.” He spat out words of thanks while heavily breathing out at the same time.

Fight spirit dwelt in his black eyes – and also, a firm promise that he’d undoubtedly answer their trust.

He readied his Black Bow. Pain ran through his left arm, but he endured. He drew the bow string back to the limit, and created an arrow made entirely out of power between his hands.

──Please. Please borrow everyone’s power. All of it. For the sake of defeating the man in front of me.

Elen’s Silver Flash, Mila’s Frozen Wave, Sofy’s Light Flower, Liza’s Thunder Swirl, Olga’s Mad Roar, Lim’s Luminous Flame, and Tir Na Fal’s raised palms; all of them released bright radiances, shining onto the Black Bow. The arrow, which used to be jet black, instantly changed its color, resulting in Tigre and Elen being illuminated by rainbow-colored light.

A creaking could be heard from the Black Bow. Tigre’s eyes widened. Up until now the Black Bow had never screamed in such a way. It was clear proof of just how much 『Power』 had accumulated.

At the same time, Tigre was assailed by a staggering pressure. While enduring with his teeth clenched, the youth tried to keep his left arm up. His left hand began to feel numb, causing the Black Bow to sway to the sides. A sheen of sweat formed on his forehead, single drops streaming down his nose and cheeks. Dread and nervousness disturbed his breathing.

At that moment, Elen gently placed her left hand on the youth’s left hand. Her warmth got transmitted to him, mysteriously softening the pain in his hand.

“Can you do it?”

Tigre nodded. The gathering of seven radiances transformed into a golden light, and changed Tigre’s arrow into a cluster of light. With each instant, the light became more intense and powerful, allowing the youth a hunch of what formidable shooting force it’d contain.

──But, it’s still not enough. This amount is no good when it comes to defeating Ganelon.

As the light became even stronger, Tigre’s visual field dyed white. The youth closed his eyes. He focused his mind so as to not waste even the slightest amount of the 『Power』 that was gathering in his right hand.

The skin on the fingers of both hands was torn, and the blood stained his hands crimson. The right hand fixing the arrow to the string and the left arm holding the bow were burdened to such an extent that it seemed like they’d be ripped to pieces any moment. It was such a tremendous pressure that Tigre thought his arm might be blown away at the root.

──Nonetheless.

Tigre could properly hold the Black Bow. Because he could feel the breathing and heat of his lover. That allowed Tigre to muster all his remaining strength.

This arrow will undoubtedly be capable of piercing through all creation.

He looked up to Ganelon and let go with his right hand. The bowstring vibrated as the arrow rushed off.

The giant thrust out both its hands, deploying a defensive membrane made out of miasma.

Raging as the atmosphere became a tempest, a flash of light pierced through space. Light arrow and defensive membrane collided, fighting each other so as to extinguish the other. The battle between both sides seemed like it might continue for eternity, but in reality it didn’t even take the time to count to ten. The light burst open, and the miasma scattered. The released particles of 『Power』 swirled, turning into a storm.

The light arrow had erased the defensive membrane. But, that was its limit, and it didn’t reach Ganelon. Within the stormy maelstrom, which was so powerful that no ordinary person would ever be able to remain standing, Tigre resolutely stood on his two feet, glaring up to Ganelon. On the youth’s side, Elen supported him.

However, Tigre’s next action must have been unexpected for Elen as well. The youth picked up the arrow he had dropped earlier, nocked it, and drew the bowstring back. Elen definitely heard the faint sound of the bowstring vibrating, even though it should be drowned out by the storm’s howling, deep inside her ears.

The distance between Ganelon and Tigre was less than 30 alsin. No matter how brutal or violent the wind, it would pose no problem whatsoever to Tigre. As if weaving its way through the squalls, the arrow flew, drawing a magnificent parabola. And then it stabbed into Ganelon’s face which was poking out of the giant’s forehead.

Ganelon didn’t even twitch. With the arrow still embedded in his forehead, he looked up to something with a blank expression. At the end of his line of sight lay the black sky, but Ganelon stared at something only he could see.

『Ooohh… Charles…oh, Charles!』 Ganelon addressed someone who wasn’t here. 『I’ll repel the demons. I’ll suppress the goddess. I’ll destroy the adherents of that place』

Ganelon continued, his voice full of joy.

『Now, come and pull your beloved red horse…to the end…of the land…』

His voice broke off at that point. Countless flashes surged out from within his abnormal appearance. The raging light turned into a globe, completely enveloping Ganelon. Ganelon had his existence erased as if dissolving into the light.

Everyone swallowed while fixedly watching the spectacle. Because Tigre’s eyes had been dazzled by the light, colors still hadn’t returned to him, but he still fully perceived how Ganelon kept disappearing.

In the next instant, the light engulfing the abnormal creature shot up straight into the sky, transforming into a huge pillar that connected heaven and earth. The pillar got rid of all miasma, and even blew away the clouds hanging in the sky.

When Tigre’s visual field recovered, Ganelon was nowhere to be found anymore. Only the traces of immense destruction hinted at his existence. Maximilian Bennusa Ganelon had died as a human. Through an arrow fired by Tigrevurmud Vorn, a human.

Olga looked up into the night sky and yelped lightly, causing everyone to follow her line of sight with their eyes.

“Northern lights…”

This murmur could have come from anyone.

A rainbow-colored curtain stretched over and over again as it gently undulated, covering the night sky. While peacefully shining, swaying, and dancing, the thin film of light changed its color and shape with each passing moment. Winding, surging, and arching, it gave everyone the impression that it might turn into a rain of light at any time and pour down on them.

It was such a fantastic spectacle that it stunned all of them speechless.

──The Goddess of the Northern Lights…

Tigre recalled the story of the goddess Sofy had told him about.

Without anyone knowing how much time might have passed, the light, which had dazzlingly illuminated the sky, began to fade. One-by-one the light particles quietly melted away, vanishing. As if trying to return to heaven. And, as if to announce the demise of the unusual phenomenon.

『──It’s time for me to go as well』

When Tigre looked back towards the source of that voice, something like black fog rose from Titta’s body. She limply heeled over like a doll that had its strings cut, almost falling to the ground. Tigre quickly caught Titta in his arms.

The fog, which had taken the shape of a person, softly coiled itself around Tigre as he breathed a sigh of relief.

『Farewell, my dear child. Very likely we’ll never meet again』

“Is it because we destroyed the Demonic Tir Na Fal…?”

The goddess seemed to laugh at Tigre’s question.

『That woman just went back to where she belongs. Many things are necessary for us to descend on the world. A long, long night, a domain of darkness, lots of death… When all these things are assembled again, you and even your children likely won’t be alive anymore』

All Tigre understood was that it’d apparently take an extraordinary amount of time. Complex feelings showed themselves in Tigre’s eyes. Shaking his head, Tigre looked straight at the black fog.

“Thank you, Tir Na Fal. Goddess who rules over the night, darkness, and death, as well as goddess who loves the people and the current world. We were saved thanks to you. Not just me, but everyone present here is grateful.”

Each word was overflowing with his sincere feelings. Tigre couldn’t abandon his reservations towards the goddess right away. But, he decided to forget about them for this moment.

The fog flickered, gently caressing Tigre’s face. At this point its human shape had already started to become indistinct, but it looked as it overlapped its lips with Tigre’s. And its whispered voice tickled Tigre’s ears.

When Tigre furrowed his eyebrows quizzically, a gust of wind scattered the fog. He looked to the left and right, but the black fog had completely dissipated. Tigre guessed that the 『Human Tir Na Fal』 had once more returned to the place she belonged.

“Wha-…!” Suddenly Elen cried out in surprise.

She stared at Silver Flash in her hand with a shocked expression. The longsword, which was always clad in wind and tinged with a silver gleam, had lost its color. Now it was dyed gray from the pommel up to the blade as if it had been cut out of stone.

Seeing that, Mila reflexively shifted her eyes to her own draconic tool – and swallowed. Her Frozen Wave had gone through the same change. The cold air, which had always surrounded Mila’s body as if to protect her, was gone as well.

This phenomenon wasn’t limited to their draconic tools. Sofy’s Light Flower, Liza’s Thunder Swirl, and Olga’s Mad Roar had transformed into gray stone works as if they had been just like that from the very beginning. None of them could hide their confusion due to the terrible shock they had experienced. Standing stock still, they kept looking down at their draconic tools.

And then, Lim’s two swords left her hands by themselves, and floated up into the air, just to soundlessly vanish after being wrapped up in a faint light. Lim’s eyes were filled with bewilderment as she repeatedly looked back and forth between her hands and the space where the draconic tool had vanished. As might be expected, she couldn’t understand what had happened.

“──Everyone.” Tigre called out to the Vanadis while holding Titta who was still unconscious.

Worry other than the one triggered by battle had surfaced on his face.

“Right before she disappeared, Tir Na Fal told me that I am the reason.”

“Tell us the details, Tigre.”

Olga walked up in front of Tigre, tightly clasping Mad Roar which was as big as a hatchet. She might not have recovered her composure yet, but no hint of her blaming Tigre could be found in her voice or her expression. Still, faint anxiety flickered in her eyes as she looked up to Tigre.

After looking at her and nodding, Tigre surveyed the other Vanadis, and then began to speak.

“Tir Na Fal said following: 『The Bow ended up turning six blades into empty husks. Their brilliance shall return when you welcome the seventh night of a full moon』.”

“I can roughly grasp the meaning, but she phrased it in a very annoying way.” Holding Frozen Wave under her arm, Mila spat out in irritation while pressing her left hand against her hip.

Tigre bitterly stared at the Black Bow he clasped with his left hand.

“I demanded more 『Power』 than usual. This guy heeded my request, but…”

The Black Bow might have gathered 『Power』 from the six draconic tools, going beyond their limits. Because of that, the 『Power』 ended up completely gone from them.

“Seven times a night of the full moon means they’ll recover in seven months, huh?” Sofy placed a hand on her cheek, sighing.

By then half of summer would have passed.

Elen readied Silver Flash, and said “Wind Shadow.” Usually Arifar would have fully wrapped up her body with wind, but right now not even a soft breeze blew. Even the stout-hearted war maidens couldn’t avoid looking at each other due to this.

Tigre stared at Elen who had pursed her lips without uttering a single word. If he was honest, he wanted to crouch down on the spot while holding his head and avoiding eye contact with anyone else, but he couldn’t afford to act so unsightly towards the girls.

“You mustn’t look at us like that.” Liza walked up to Tigre, and softly cupped the youth’s left hand with her right hand. “It’s certainly a serious situation, but…we fought a goddess. You can be proud of the downsides being limited to something like this. No, hold up your head high and be proud. Otherwise, I won’t forgive you. I’m older than you, after all.”

“You being older doesn’t change a single thing, does it?” Mila butted in while rolling her eyes

The blue-haired Vanadis faced Tigre with a gentle look, staying rooted to her spot.

“I share her opinion. You did what you had to do. Just like until now, you acted like yourself and as we know you. I’ll be troubled if you don’t feel prouder of that than anyone else. Please don’t feel depressed over something like this.”

Olga didn’t say anything, but she pinched the hem of Tigre’s overcoat, and nodded.

Tigre’s stiff face slightly loosened up due to the encouragement of the three Vanadis. Even the atmosphere, which was about to become gloomy, brightened up somewhat.

“Hey Tigre,” Gaspal stepped forward after having watched the course of events in silence so far. “I don’t understand the significance of the situation as much as you and the ladies. But, I can tell that the Vanadis are cherishing you. If you feel apologetic, it might be the best option to return the favor through actions. You should be capable of that. I’ll also help out if you want.”

“Even if you tell him to return his debt through actions, I think he has already done so.” Damad said with a sour look next to Gaspal.

“Because you defeated that monster, the things you called fairies and ghosts all disappeared, no? Stories about such things appearing on the continent are hard to believe, but it’s a fact that we saw them at various places in Zhcted. I’m sure they must have also popped up in the territories of the Vanadis. You got rid of those things. I think it’d be even fine for you to go as far as demanding a reward. At least I would do so.”

Damad’s remark sounded sketchy and rough, but you could sense his own way of caring from his words. Tigre recalled David and Lena. And the many other people he had encountered when he had gathered information in the capital.

You can’t bring back the dead. But, I might have been able to save the people praying for them to rest in peace. Looking at it like that, it’d be fine to be proud of it, just like Liza and Mila have been telling me. And, following Gaspal’s suggestion, I should return my debt of gratitude to those I cherish with my future actions.

At last Tigre was able to show his usual, gentle smile.

Noticing that her lover had apparently gotten back on his feet, Elen walked up to Lim who stood slightly away from the others. Lim had been dumbstruck right after she lost her two swords, but worrying about Tigre more than herself, she had been watching the youth with a worried expression.

“How about calling out to Tigre as well?”

When Elen teased her, Lim looked at her best friend, and shook her head, “The others have already told him the things I believe should be said. Besides──”

She lowered her eyes, looking at her right hand, and added with a feeble voice, “──Right now I wouldn’t be able to say it smartly… Just what happened here?”

Elen lightly clapped her shoulder, and then grasped Lim’s right hand.

“I saw the same when I nursed Sasha. How Bargren was wrapped up in that kind of light and disappeared.” Elen answered while being well aware that her words were cruel.

Giving it a pause of around one breath, Lim allowed the following words to slip out of her mouth, accompanied by a sigh of disappointment: “So Bargren didn’t acknowledge me as a Vanadis after all.”

“To be honest, I don’t know.” Letting go of Lim’s hand, Elen revealed a grumpy expression while continuing, “It’s certainly true that we were in a situation where we wanted to have as many Vanadis with us as possible. No, without you, we’d have lost. But, I don’t think Bargren would have lent you his strength if you didn’t possess any qualification as Vanadis. Maybe it’s because of me.”

Lim furrowed her eyebrows at that comment, showing that she couldn’t quite follow.

“Why would that be the case? I mean, for you to say that it is your fault, Lady Eleonora…”

“That’s what I mean, Lim,” Elen ransacked her silver hair while continuing with a troubled look, “Because I’ve been heavily depending on you, you have completely gotten accustomed to the thought of being my adjutant. Vanadis bend their knees only in front of the king, and otherwise share a relationship of equals. Of course there will be differences between them as rulers and warriors, but that’s not what I’m talking about here. Do you get what I mean?”

Lim became dumbfounded even as Elen hadn’t finished speaking yet. And then she let her eyes wander around meaninglessly as if unable to process the confusion welling up within.

Certainly, during the battle I had mostly forgotten about being Elen’s adjutant. I only thought about what I can do as a warrior, and moved in order to fulfill my own role. Even when Bargren manifested in front of me, I didn’t think about anything else but him allowing me to fight side-by-side with everyone else.

“Now that you’ve mentioned it, it would definitely be a problem if I believed myself to be your adjutant after having become a Vanadis myself…”

In the battle against Figneria, Legnica had lost against Leitmeritz. However, it wasn’t as though Legnica had become a vassal principality of Leitmeritz. Even from now on, it’d need to confidently get along with the principalities of the other Vanadis as another independent principality. Considering that, the current Lim would be inadequate as its Vanadis.

“Having said that, it’s a fact that Bargren lent you his power. Based on that, I think there might still be some hope left. How about leaving Leitmeritz and serving at the royal palace once things have calmed down?”

“You’re right… I will give it a thought. After we have cleaned up the currently outstanding issues.” Lim replied, finally smiling.

There still seems to be some hope, when she thought about it like this, a feeling of exaltation surged up inside her. Of course it was also possible that Bargren would find another girl as new Vanadis. No, it might be better to expect that to happen, Lim told herself. But now Lim could feel pride in having been able to temporarily hold the 『Twin Blade of Demon Slaying』 and use it to help her friends.

“Did you finish your difficult talk?” Sofy walked over to the two while holding her gray staff in both hands.

With a sidelong glance at Tigre, Elen asked Sofy curiously, “Are you fine without saying anything to Tigre?”

“I thought it’d be better to leave it to others this time. There exist other means than words to encourage and console men, right? In addition, we’ve also got other things we need to think about.” After making sure that Mila and the others were focused on Tigre, Sofy suddenly erased her smile and continued a lot more quietly, “After leaving this place, we’ll have to fight Valentina. Without our draconic tools.”

“Yeah, her draconic tool didn’t become like ours…” Elen spat out bitterly. She had also lowered her voice like Sofy.

Deliberately showing a smile, Sofy answered, “She hadn’t been present here, after all. But, I don’t think that she had calculated things to this extent.”

Valentina’s aim had likely been Tigre and the others expanding their powers by duking it out with Ganelon. That wish of hers came true in an extremely ideal shape for her. Ganelon perished, the world wasn’t remade, and Tigre’s party had been drastically weakened.

“First and foremost would be for her to not realize that our draconic tools ended up becoming like this. But, I think it’s safe to assume that it’s almost impossible to hide this.”

No Vanadis would step in front of her soldiers without carrying her draconic tool. However, it was impossible to walk around with draconic tools that had basically turned into slabs of stone. If things went south, it was quite likely for people to suspect that they might have lost their qualifications as Vanadis.

“Even if we’re going to prepare some fakes, it’ll require time and effort. So, what are we going to do?”

“It’s dangerous, but we do have a hand to play.” Sofy said while looking at Tigre. “It’d be to reveal it actively from our side, and justify it with a reason that’s convenient for us. For example,” Sofy further explained, “we could tell the people that there’s a traitor next to the king, and that our draconic tools lost their powers because of that, thus riling up the people to kill the traitor. And after the traitor has been killed, we would tell them that our draconic tools would regain their powers in due time.”

“Traitor as in Valentina?” Elen knitted her eyebrows.

Sofy shrugged her shoulders, “It’s just an example. This method would heavily depend on how many people we can incite in the beginning. But, honestly speaking, it’s no method I’d want to use if possible.”

Elen and Lim exchanged a look. They perceived that even Sofy was apparently unable to come up with an effective method on the spot.

At that moment, Tigre walked over together with the others.

“Lim, we were saved because you were there.”

Those were the first words the youth said. His face beaming with the desire of wanting to cheer up Lim.

Lim smiled kindly, and answered, “Lord Tigrevurmud, I am happy that I could be of service to you.”

Relief spread on Tigre’s face. He shifted his look left and right, looking at Elen and Sofy. Elen smiled proudly whereas Sofy nodded to affirm him that she was alright.

“Alright, let’s go then, Tigre. We can’t stay here forever.” Elen declared and left Zagan together with the others.