Chapter 95: Rose Finger

My name is Kojou Akatsuki. I was originally just an ordinary human, but two weeks ago, I became unintentionally involved in a kin-devouring ritual orchestrated by the former Fourth Progenitor, the Night King of Flames. As a result, I inherited the power of the Fourth Progenitor. However, since I’m not the original, none of the Familiars obey my commands.

Today, I was simply out buying groceries... and yet, once again, I was caught up in a chaotic battle.

The street was engulfed in relentless flames. The surrounding buildings were reduced to rubble. Above, in the sky, a massive avian Familiar soared with pride!

It was easily ten meters long, radiating an aura of sheer destruction. Its feathers shimmered with scorching red and deep black hues. The magical power pulsing from its body and the unending torrents of fire spewing from its mouth could reduce everything beneath it to ashes.

This was the might of a Familiar.

Below the Familiar, an old-era vampire observed the situation carefully. Despite being a prominent figure from a bygone age, sweat streamed down his forehead—clearly, he was in a difficult position.

He was being forced into a corner.

"This is—!"

Opposite him, a colossal gray-black arm was swinging fiercely. On the ground, I—Kojou Akatsuki—was clashing with a man wielding a massive axe. But it was clear... I was losing.

Suddenly, the gigantic arm reached out and grabbed the giant bird! The arm wasn’t physical; it was pure condensed magical energy.

With a sudden burst of force, the immense hand tore the bird’s wings apart. Torrents of searing flame erupted from the Familiar’s wounds!

Arthur glanced at me helplessly. “Why the hell did you have to run around for no reason?! Wouldn’t it have been better to just stay home quietly?”

On the other side, the owner of the massive arm turned out to be a petite and adorable girl. She had soft blue hair and a round, childlike face, but her eyes were void of emotion.

“Is that... an artificial life form?”

As I continued to face the man with the axe, a large gash appeared on my body. Blood spilled, and I was on the verge of collapse.

“Stop!”

Yukina came rushing in, with Arthur following closely behind.

The man glanced at the two of them, eyes filled with curiosity.

“Your aura... it doesn’t seem demonic, does it?”

Killing intent surged from him. It was clear—he wanted them dead.

Yukina Himeragi quickly took a battle stance.

“Since you’ve seen me, then stay here forever.”

“Not good! Snow White Wolf!”

Without hesitation, Yukina drew a long spear from her case.

“Oh?” The man looked intrigued. “That weapon... it’s the Seventh-Style Assault Anti-Demon Machine Gun ‘Schneewalzer’, equipped with the Divine Strike Wave Drive Art. A superweapon from the Lion King Organization! What luck.”

A glint of interest flashed in his eyes.

“You’re quite the expert. I didn’t expect that. In that case, I—Rudolf Eustach, Exorcist of Lotheringia—will formally engage you in battle.”

“You’re an Exorcist? What are you doing here?”

“That... I don’t care to answer.”

With that, he charged forward, swinging his massive axe. The blade howled through the air, and its power made Yukina tense—this was a real threat.

Raising the axe high above his head in a deadly stance, Rudolf brought it down like a guillotine, aiming to cleave Yukina in two. But Yukina reacted swiftly, swinging Snow White Wolf and blocking the axe with the tip of her spear.

Clang!

The clash rang out like thunder. Surprisingly, Yukina held her ground with sheer force.

“Haha! Interesting! As expected of a Sword Shaman!”

Rudolf attacked again, but Yukina’s martial skill was exceptional. She flowed with precise movements, blocking each strike with flawless timing.

The two were evenly matched for the moment.

Meanwhile, Arthur approached me. He wasn’t worried about Yukina. In his eyes, that old man couldn’t possibly be her equal. Arthur only needed to keep an eye on the emotionless little girl.

“Hey, Kojou Akatsuki. Not dead yet?” Arthur called out as I lay on the ground. If I died, his mission would fail.

Fortunately, being a True Ancestor had its benefits. The blood that poured from my body reversed course, flowing back in, and the wounds healed within seconds. My regeneration was terrifying.

“I’m fine. Thanks for the concern, Teacher.” I sat up, and seeing I was okay, Arthur turned his attention toward Astarte.

On the other side, Yukina's battle was reaching its climax. She began to chant.

“As the Sword Shaman of the Lion God's Child, I offer this request. Oh, dawn of demon-slaying, oh divine wolf of Snow White, with your steel divinity, vanquish the evil gods and countless demons for us!”

“That’s the Lion King Organization’s magic!”

A surge of magical energy enveloped Yukina. The tip of Snow White Wolf gleamed as waves of power gathered.

“Ha!!”

Rudolf unleashed his full might. The magical armor covering his body reached peak output. As he struck, the collision with Snow White Wolf rattled his arm, sending sparks flying from his armor.

But Yukina didn’t stop there. Her attacks became relentless—each strike faster than the last, like a storm. Rudolf could do nothing but defend, and even that was becoming difficult.

That was the true might of a Sword Shaman.

“Incredible!”

His armor began to crack under the continuous pressure, and even his axe started to show signs of breaking.

“I can’t afford to drag this out. Astarte, eliminate her!”

Suddenly, Astarte, who had been silently standing before Arthur, moved with blinding speed. A faint glow appeared in her eyes.

“Command received. Beginning—Rose Finger.”

Astarte’s magic condensed into a massive hand that lunged toward Yukina. She raised Snow White Wolf to defend, and two surging forces of magic clashed violently.

“Ha!!”

“I can’t lose...!”

In that fierce collision of magical energy, Yukina slowly began to gain the upper hand. Snow White Wolf tore into the magical arm, bit by bit.

But just then, Astarte let out a sharp cry. A massive surge of magical energy erupted from her body, knocking Yukina back. From her other side, another enormous magical arm swept forward violently!

Am I going to die?

Staring at the approaching arm, Yukina felt death closing in.

At that moment, a memory surfaced.

That kind, gentle figure who always stood beside her.

If she died... he would be heartbroken.

I can’t die yet!

A powerful emotion surged within Yukina—something she had never felt before.

“Yukina!”

A familiar, gentle voice echoed in her ears.

It was Arthur’s voice...


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