Some of its heads would fall off in the future, limbs would sprout out like grass, and it would look like its foster parent.
If Rororo really morphed like that— what would it ask its parent to do?
That’s it. They hadn’t slept together for a long time, it will ask for that. They had to sleep apart because Rororo got too big, which made it feel a bit lonely.
The flames seemed to blow Rororo’s thoughts away and filled its entire field of vision as incredible pain hit its entire body. It moaned weakly as the pain pulsed through its entire body.
The pain was comparable to being hammered countless times.
It hurt so much that it couldn’t think anymore.
Rororo’s legs sent signals to stop advancing in the form of spasms.
But even so—
But even so— Rororo did not stop moving.
Rororo's advance got slower. Its muscles were burned and rigid, it couldn’t maintain its usual running speed.
Just taking a step forward was hard.
It was hard to breathe and it hurt when it inhaled, its lungs probably being damaged by the heat.
Only one of its heads could move, the others were just a burden now. The image of the undead conjuring a fireball from its hand appeared vaguely in Rororo’s murky eyes.
Its instinct as a living being told it one thing.
If it was hit again, it will definitely die. But Rororo was fearless as it relentlessly braved ahead—
That was the request of its parent and friend, that was why he would not stop.
As Rororo used all its might — although it was exhausted — to stumble forward a few steps, a red fireball flew from the hand of the undead once again, slicing through the air towards Rororo.
This hit will definitely rob Rororo of its life, that was an undeniable fact.
Death awaited it.
This was the end—
If—
That’s right— if that male lizardman wasn’t here.
Will that male lizardman allow Rororo to die before his eyes?
Watch such injustice unfold in front of him?
That was impossible.
“— 「Icy Burst」!”
Zaryusu who was running behind Rororo lept out to the side and shouted as he swung Frost Pain.
The air before his sword seemed to freeze instantly, forming a white wall of mist before Rororo. That was an extremely cold wave of air.
One of the abilities of Frost Pain.
A powerful skill that could only be used thrice a day— ‘Icy Burst’, it could freeze everything within range instantly and deal heavy damage.
The wall of cold mist blocked the incoming ‘fireball’ as if it was solid barrier. The fiery ball and chilly wall— according to magic theory, it was wise to counter one with the other.
It hit—
The ball burst into flames, struggling mightily against the white mist.
Both sides were like a white and red snake struggling and devouring each other. After pushing back each other for a moment, the two energies disappeared.
The undead was stunned and taken aback. It was the most natural reaction after seeing his spell dissipating.
There was still some distance between the two groups, but they were close enough to make out each other's expressions— and actions. An impossible distance was covered thanks to Rororo’s effort and determination, bringing the three lizardmen this far with no injuries.
“Rororo…”
Zaryusu didn’t know what to say. In the end, he chose a clear and simple phrase from the millions of expression in his mind.
“Thank you!”
After shouting his gratitude, Zaryusu sprinted without looking back. Crusch and Zenberu were right behind him.
A weak cry that was almost inaudible came from behind. That was a cheer for one’s family.
Speechless. His ‘fireball’ was negated, making him express his disbelief with words.
“Impossible!”
Iguvua cast ‘fireball’ once more. He was not willing to acknowledge that the lizardmen rushing at him had dispelled his magic.
A ‘fireball’ rocketed towards the three lizardmen.
It was blocked by a wall of mist conjured by the leading lizardmen with his sword, and it disappeared together with the wall. That’s right, it was the same situation as before—
“Try all you want! I will block all your attacks!”
The angry roar of the lizardman projected over.
Iguvua clicked his tongue with a face of displeasure.
For the magic casted by me, who was created by the Supreme Being Ainz-sama to be blocked by a mere lizardman!
Iguvua suppressed his wrath with all his might.
It was very likely that ‘fireball’ wouldn’t work anymore, but since they had to hide behind the hydra during their approach, there should be a limit to how many times this defence could be used. It might be ten times, or it might only sap some stamina for each use, and could be conjured indefinitely after recovering enough.
How should I deal with them? If possible, I want to test his words out…
Iguvua could shoot many more fireballs, but it was hard to judge which of the lizardman’s words were true.
Iguvua and the lizardmen were less than forty meters apart.
The lizardmen charging in seemed to be warriors and as an undead magic caster, Iguvua wanted to avoid melee combat.
He couldn’t use fireball in this situation. Iguvua wasn’t dumb enough to confirm how many times they could block his spell. If they didn’t hide behind the hydra in the beginning and had closed the distance, Iguvua might test it out. But that chance had been destroyed by that damn hydra.
“Curses… just a mere hydra.”
After spitting out these words, Iguvua decided his next course of action.
“— Well then, how about this?”
It just so happened that they were running in single file. Iguvua pointed his finger at the three charging lizardmen who were drawing close. Electricity sparked on his finger.
“Taste my 「Lightning」!”
A white flash of lightning emerged and—
Even from this far, the white light on Iguvua’s finger could be seen— ‘Lightning’.
Icy Burst from Frost Pain could fend off fire or ice element attacks. But Zaryusu had never used it against Lightning before, and wasn’t sure if it would work.
Should they try their luck, or spread out to minimize the damage they will take?
Zaryusu gripped Frost Pain tightly.
The air was buzzing with static electricity, proving that a lightning attack was imminent.
“Leave this to me—!”
Zenberu made his judgment before Zaryusu did and jumped forth with a shout. The spell was casted at the same time.
“— 「Lightning」”
“Warrghhh— 「Resistance Massive」!”
When the lightning looked as if it would pierce through Zenberu, his body buffed up, deflecting the lightning arc that was supposed to hit the other two behind him.
Resistance Massive.
A skill of monks, granting the ability to reduce magical damage by dispersing the Qi from one’s body in an instant.
This was the skill Zenberu had learned as a traveler after losing to the Frost Pain's ‘Icy Burst’. Although it was a wide area attack, it worked against any magic that dealt damage.
Both friend and foe yelped, but Zaryusu and Crusch who trusted their teammate weren’t too surprised. Hence, the lizardmen drew nearer while the undead was shocked.
As Zaryusu ran, he finally figured something out.
If he used Icy Burst during his duel with Zenberu, he would be blocked by this skill. He would then be wide open for an attack and lose. That was probably why Zenberu was luring Zaryusu to use that skill.