Chapter 365 - Winner
Phryne charged out from the rubble, lifting her weapon to hurl it at the lightning pterosaur carrying Mahiro and Ais.
But just as she raised her arm, the surrounding beasts closed in and attacked her.
"Sword princess, come down and fight me face to face if you have the guts!"
Swinging her heavy weapon to ward off the beasts, Phryne spewed vile insults to vent her rage.
A level five adventurer was undeniably formidable.
Surrounded by multiple thunder beasts, she held her ground without showing any weakness.
Part of the reason was the massive physical size of the beasts compared to Phryne, leaving little room for them to attack all at once.
Even with hundreds of those on the field, only a few could strike at her simultaneously.
Watching Phryne from above, Ais frowned and prepared to drop down to deal with her.
"Let me handle this," Mahiro said softly, taking Ais by the hand to stop her from leaping down.
Ais looked at him in confusion.
"Fighting someone like her would only dirty your hands, Ais," Mahiro said with a teasing tone. "Leave her to me. You just sit back and watch."
"I want to help too," Ais murmured, her expressionless face blushing slightly.
In her heart, she felt responsible for bringing Mahiro into this conflict with the Ishtar familia.
If she had not learned about Haruhime's ability and insisted on rescuing her from Ishtar...
"I appreciate the thought, Ais," Mahiro said gently, understanding her feelings completely.
"But rather than hiding behind you, I would much rather stand in front of you and shield you from the storm."
He gave her a playful wink and added, "Besides, rumors in Orario already call me a pretty boy living off your generosity."
Ais lowered her head shyly.
She had heard those rumors circulating through Orario as well, like how she supposedly bought magic stones for Mahiro, took in an orphan girl for him or spoiled him endlessly.
In truth, none of those rumors were accurate.
She had never done anything of the sort.
Instead of helping Mahiro, she had repeatedly dragged him into trouble and relied on his help.
The thought left her feeling guilty, yet at the same time, her heart filled with a sense of warmth and security.
She genuinely enjoyed having someone stand beside her...protecting her.
"Besides, I started this war game," Mahiro said, "so I should be the one to finish it."
"Alright," Ais mumbled.
Mahiro leaped from the lightning pterosaur's back, landing lightly on the rubble below.
"That girl actually let her pretty boy come down! Is she really not afraid you will die?"
When Phryne saw Mahiro land, her eyes filled with cruel delight.
She had been frustrated about reaching Ais, but now the summoner himself had stepped right in front of her.
Was this not her chance?
Mahiro was the caster who summoned this army of thunder beasts.
As long as she defeated him, the beasts would vanish.
A sinister smile spread across Phryne's face.
"No matter. After I turn you into meat paste, I will go up there and deal with her."
"I won't give that girl a chance to save you!"
"I have made up my mind," Mahiro drew sword of eternal flame into his hand.
He looked at Phryne with cool detachment. "It's better to finish you with my own blade."
Mahiro swung his sword gently, and the thunder beasts surrounding Phryne immediately dispersed, turning to pursue the remaining adventurers.
Without the beasts crowding her, Phryne felt the pressure lift.
"Let me show you some love!"
Seeing Mahiro dismiss his summons, Phryne let out a chilling laugh.
Clutching her axe with both hands, her bloated body moved with surprising agility as she rushed forward, intending to end Mahiro as quickly as possible.
As Phryne charged, Mahiro remained completely calm.
As he blinked, the color of his eyes changed, deep dark irises turning a ice blue.
Raikiri.
Arcs of lightning crackled across Mahiro's body as he charged forward.
The sword swung through the air like a bolt of thunder.
Phryne's eyes widened as her instincts warned her of extreme danger.
She tried to stop her momentum and step back but she was far too slow.
Mahiro moved at frightening speed, and his sword moved faster still.
Phryne raised her heavy weapon to block the strike, but the sword cut through the metal without resistance, sweeping straight across her body.
Before she could even register the pain...her bloated body collapsed.
Seeing Phryne fall, some among the onlookers felt pure relief while others fell into total despair.
Defeating the enemy captain brought an immediate end to the war game.
Just as Apollo had fallen before, Ishtar's reign was now over.
Hestia let out a long sigh of relief, a bright smile spreading across her face.
"Damn it! How dare he flirt with Ais right in front of everyone! Unforgivable!"
Loki watched Ais through the divine mirror, practically frothing with rage.
At that moment, Ais looked nothing like the imposing sword princess everyone knew.
Instead, she looked like a dutiful wife waiting patiently for her husband's victorious return.
It drove Loki nearly mad with anger.
The actual outcome of the war game was completely pushed to the back of her mind.
"Loki, hurry up and announce the result," Hephaestus said with a sigh.
"Fine, fine," Loki grumbled, sulking deeply as she muttered curses at Mahiro under her breath.
Then she announced in a loud voice, "The winner of this war game is the Hestia familia!"
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