"Hey, Gorgano!! What's going on here?! Is it possible for someone to steal a parasitic sword like this!?"
Holy Knight Canaria was going insane.
"No… Something so ridiculous…"
Even Warrior Gorgano was shaken.
They don't know, so it's understandable that they'd react like this. There's a special bond between me and the puppeteer, even if she doesn't remember it. Even if those memories aren't in the puppeteer's mind, they should be etched in her soul.
"Puppeteer, let's go all out from the beginning."
"Even if you say that… I don't have a grasp on master's ability."
The puppeteer spoke in my mind with a lackadaisical tone.
"Then do as I say."
"Sure thing."
It was a lackluster response, but that's fine.
"Pulsating Great Sword."
In an instant, the puppeteer expanded and transformed into a massive sword larger than my own height. My intuition was correct. The skills I acquired with the puppeteer before haven't been reset. With this, I can fight at full power.
"Wait, Master. Do you, by any chance, have a skill that applies a debuff when wielding a greatsword?"
"Oh, come to think of it, I do have the 'Thief's Skill'."
The 'Thief's Skill' and a greatsword were an extremely ill-suited combination. As a result, the 'Pulsating Greatsword' felt unnaturally heavy compared to the time when I didn't possess the 'Thief's Skill.'
However, even considering this drawback, the 'Pulsating Greatsword' was a powerful weapon, so I thought there wouldn't be any issues. But…
"If that's the case, I'll change your equipment to something suitable for a thief."
"What?! Can you really do that?"
"Hehe, don't you know? I'm quite talented."
"Oh, I'm well aware!"
"Hehe, I see! In that case, let's unveil the new weapon."
In an instant, the name of the new weapon by the puppeteer came to mind, so I spoke it aloud.
"'Stiletto Pulseblade.'"
Immediately, the 'Pulsating Greatsword' transformed into another weapon. It was designed for a thief, with a shorter blade. Like the 'Pulsating Greatsword,' it was black in color, but the hilt had a jaw-like structure that could envelop my right hand, securing it to the weapon. Thanks to this, my right arm and the blade became one, requiring no grip.
"Do you need a lecture for the new weapon?"
"It would be helpful if you could explain."
"Oh, but too bad, Master. It seems your opponent isn't willing to wait."
Indeed, Holy Knight Canaria was brandishing a different backup sword and appeared ready to strike.
"Give it back! It's mine!"
She shouted as she swung her sword high.
"In that case, I'll have to learn while fighting!"
I said as I caught her sword with the 'Stiletto Pulseblade.' However, Canaria had the upper hand in strength, and it felt like she might crush me. In an instant, multiple arms sprouted from the 'Stiletto Pulseblade' and grabbed onto Holy Knight Canaria's sword.
I see, this must be the ability of the 'Stiletto Pulseblade.' It was quite similar to the inherent ability of the 'Pulsating Greatsword,' 'Autonomous Function.'
The arms that emerged from the 'Stiletto Pulseblade' continued to pull me with great force. My body, pulled by these arms, floated in the air and rotated vertically due to the centrifugal force created by the rotation. Thanks to this force, my attack became significantly more powerful.
"Puppet Sword Technique: Grand Wheel Slash."
Holy Knight Canaria's armor, which she was wearing, split in two, and she crumbled to the ground.
"Why… How can you control the puppeteer better than I can…"
She muttered in frustration.
"Sorry. The puppeteer belongs to me."
As I said that, her body went limp, and she lost consciousness.
"That's impressive, master. I never expected you to control me so skillfully."
"I told you before. I know you quite well."
"Haha, I'll believe your story about coming from the future a little more now."
"You mean you didn't believe me at all until now?"
As we exchanged this banter, I turned my attention to the other adversary.
"Master, that one is rather strong."
"Yeah, I know."
I felt that fact painfully. After all, I've been killed by that person multiple times.
"Man, this is really surprising. To be honest, even now, I have no idea what's going on."
Saying this, Warrior Gorgano looked at me with suspicion.
"That's why I don't like your kind. While we're struggling to survive, you people can easily create miracles and trample on us like insects."
He muttered with resentment in his eyes.
"Shut up. Don't act like the victim. I've suffered plenty because of you."
"Oh, is that so?"
"So, if you want to give up and run away now, I could let you go, you know?"
"Don't get cocky, you brat."
Saying that, Warrior Gorgano gave an order to the Parasitic Scythe Puppeteer.
"Resilient Three-Jawed Azi-Dahaka!"
In an instant, the Scythe puppeteer transformed into a grotesque creature with three heads.
"Master! What should I do?"
"Kill that one right now!"
"Kill? Does that mean I can eat it?"
"Yeah, that's right!"
"I can eat it?! Yay! I was feeling a bit hungry, you know!"
"I'm really curious about how it tastes!"
The Resilient Three-Jawed Azi-Dahaka advanced toward me while chatting, preparing to eat me. It was enormous, covered in tough scales and equipped with powerful fangs.
"Master, I feel like I might wet myself from fear."
At a time like this, my puppeteer said something completely irrelevant. You don't even have organs to excrete urine.
"Since you're a girl, use more refined language."
"Oh… you're quite unusual, Master, to refer to me as a girl. Normally, that's just creepy."
"Creepy or not, I know you're a cute girl."
"Master, I don't think you should casually say things like that. It's kind of gross."
"No, I'm just stating the fact—"
"Ahh, I don't want to hear it. You're probably saying similar things to other girls, right?"
In the next moment, one of the jaws of the Resilient Three-Jawed Azi-Dahaka charged forward.
"Watch out!"
My Puppeteer shouted as I rolled to evade the attack. If I had reacted even a little slower, I would have been killed by now.
"They avoided it?!"
"What are you doing, you loser!"
"So clumsy! So clumsy!"
The Resilient Three-Jawed Azi-Dahaka continued to have relaxed conversations during the battle.
"Master, you shouldn't be distracted."
"If you think that, don't engage in conversation with me."
"Well, what should I do then?"
With such conversations ongoing, I kept evading the consecutive attacks launched by the Resilient Three-Jawed Azi-Dahaka.
At this rate, I could manage to dodge any attack by combining my "Thief skill," with the ability "Autonomous Function" from "Stiletto Pulseblade."
"Master, I can't help but think that even if you keep evading, it won't lead to victory…"
"I know that, alright!"
"In that case, why not try to attack?"
I didn't follow my puppeteer's advice, but it was true that constantly dodging wouldn't get me anywhere. I waited for an opening and attacked the Resilient Three-Jawed Azi-Dahaka with my blade.
"Master, this is…"
"It's having no effect at all."
Even though I had struck with all my might, not a single scratch appeared. Just to be sure, I attempted to strike with "Stiletto Pulseblade" repeatedly.
However, no matter how many times I struck, the Resilient Three-Jawed Azi-Dahaka remained unscathed.
"Hey, puppeteer, what should I do?"
"As if I'd know the solution!"
"Damn, you're useless when it matters!"
"Oh, so you say that kind of thing! If you're going to say that, maybe I should stop helping you? Maybe I should?"
"Wait, wait, I'm sorry! I'll apologize! Please don't abandon me! Please!"
"Hmm, well, it can't be helped now."
While conversing, I continued to dodge attacks from the Resilient Three-Jawed Azi-Dahaka coming from all directions, running about frantically. In the end, even after conversing with my puppeteer, no breakthrough seemed to come to mind in this situation.
"Hey, Scythe Puppeteer! How long are you going to hesitate? Kill already!"
"Well, it keeps moving around so nimbly."
"I don't want to hear excuses!"
"Alright, Master, I understand."
"Okay, just don't get angry."
"If you get angry, happiness will slip away."
So goes the casual conversation between the warrior Gorgano and Scythe Puppeteer in the midst of battle. Hearing such conversation, I realized something that might break through this situation.
"Sword Puppeteer, why didn't I notice this sooner?"
"Hmm? What's wrong, Master? You're speaking quite dramatically."
"If our attacks don't work, why don't we target the owner?"
"Oh, yes, indeed. When you put it that way, it's a very obvious idea."
If attacks don't work on the Resilient Three-Jawed Azi-Dahaka, then I should aim for the warrior Gorgano, who controls it. Yeah, it's a rather obvious idea.
The distance to Gorgano's location from here is considerable, and the Resilient Three-Jawed Azi-Dahaka stands as an obstacle. Targeting Gorgano seems like it might be more challenging than expected.
"Alright then, here we go. Sword Puppeteer's Turn."
"I'm serious now!"
With those words, I sprinted at full speed. I continued to dodge the relentless attacks from the " Resilient Three-Jawed Azi-Dahaka " coming one after another from above.
Just as I was about to reach them, the powerful jaws of the " Resilient Three-Jawed Azi-Dahaka " charged at me with force. I narrowly avoided them and then thrust the " Stiletto Pulseblade " into the side of the " Resilient Three-Jawed Azi-Dahaka."
I didn't pierce it for the sake of attacking. I stabbed it to use the ability "Autonomous Function" to push myself out with more strength.
Apparently, the intention was conveyed as the " Stiletto Pulseblade " sprouted numerous arms and firmly pushed me away by gripping the side of the " Resilient Three-Jawed Azi-Dahaka."
As a result, my body was shot forward in a straight line towards the location where Gorgano was waiting.
"Damn it! Don't underestimate me!"
Gorgano awaited me, charging with an axe in hand. I calmly received his attack with the " Stiletto Pulseblade's " edge and, to deflect his power, I made a vertical spin right there, and then, using that rotation, I struck at him.
The sound of splattering blood echoed.
It was the sound produced by my attack on the warrior Gorgano.
"I'm one step ahead."
"Damn it…"
Gorgano lay exhausted on the ground, glaring at me with resentment.
It seemed he had no more fighting spirit left, and there was no sign of him getting up.
In sync with Gorgano's condition, the "Resilient Three-Jawed Azi-Dahaka" ceased its movements and returned to its original role as a Parasitic Scythe Puppeteer.
Finally, did I win?
All that comes to mind is the bitter memories of the suffering I endured at the hands of the warrior Gorgano.
I've finally managed to defeat him. Thinking about it, it's quite a profound feeling.
"Can I accept something like this? Why do I have to lose to a brat like you? We were working so hard, just a bit more, and our plan was about to succeed. And yet, why do I have to lose to an adventurer who's not even a hero? This is ridiculous! Can I accept this?"
Warrior Gorgano exclaimed.
It seemed he still had the energy to shout, but he was quite furious. It was like the howling of a defeated dog.
"You can't accept it, huh? In that case, I guess I'll have to show you my trump card that I haven't revealed yet. Don't you think so, Puppeteer?"
"What's the trump card? I don't have a clue."
"It's this. 'Ruthless Predator.'"
The third form of the parasitic sword puppeteer, the 'Ruthless Predator.'
"What is this…?"
Indeed, even Gorgano couldn't hide his surprise at the 'Ruthless Predator' and was left speechless.
"Bon appétit!"
Then, the 'Ruthless Predator' happily extended its tentacles and slowly moved Gorgano's body towards its mouth.
"St-stop it! I'm sorry! It's my fault! Please stop—"
It was too late for regrets now.
With a gruesome crunch, the 'Ruthless Predator' mercilessly devoured Gorgano's body.
"Hey, Master. Can I eat this too?"
"Yeah, sure."
In addition, the unconscious Holy Knight Canaria was also consumed. By having the two of them, I hoped the puppeteer would become even more human-like, but there didn't seem to be any significant change.
For now, I had managed to defeat Warrior Gorgano and Holy Knight Canaria, but my battle was not over yet.
"Puppeteer, let's hurry."
I wanted to believe that Nyau was still fighting against Demon Lord Zoga. So, I needed to rush to her side as soon as possible.
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