Two more to go. After that will be Iguvua.
Flexing his thick right arm, Zenberu confirmed that it could still move.
His left arm was wounded badly and couldn’t exert power. Zenberu had used his left arm as a shield a little too eagerly. He stared at his limp right arm.
“Never mind, just think of it as giving them a handicap.”
Zenberu glared at his annoying foes. He attempted to move his left arm, but the pain coursing through his body was not what he expected from moving his fingers.
This is nothing. A comrade continued charging even after its heads became burdens. I, Zenberu, don’t want to be mocked by them.
Zenberu understood how strong the Skeleton Warriors were after fighting them. Two of them could fight Zenberu on par. That’s how strong they were.
If he took on four at the same time, chances of victory would be slim.
Thank you, giant crab. I will not eat mud crabs for a long time as thanks.
After offering thanks to his beloved food, Zenberu turned his killing intent towards the two Skeleton Warriors closing in.
He clenched his fists.
I am still standing, I can still fight.
To be honest, Zenberu was surprised that he could still fight on.
“Stop thinking about foolish things!”
There only need to be one reason.
Zenberu mocked the past him.
Behind the Skeleton warriors was Zaryusu’s back. The figure that did not retreat a single step while facing the powerful existence Iguvua.
“That back is really broad…”
Really—.
Zaryusu, Crusch and Rororo. We fought together all this time, that’s why I can still go on.
“Hey hey Zaryusu, you are wounded all over. Aren’t you in worse shape than when you fought me?”
Zenberu sent a Skeleton Warrior flying with his large arm, and used his left arm to block the scimitar of the other Skeleton Warrior.
But he failed to parry the sword, which made another wound in his abdomen. That was the place Crusch had healed with magic.
“Crusch is already shouldering a heavy burden, and now you do this.”
He was healed by Crusch’s healing spell once again and the wound mended slowly. Zenberu didn’t turn to look back, but her voice came from near the water surface. It was easy to imagine what kind of posture she was in while casting the spell. Even so, she didn’t stop casting her magic.
“… That’s a good woman.”
If I ever get a wife, a woman like that would be great.
Zenberu who was thinking that felt envious of Zaryusu.
“I don’t want to be the first to fall and be the laughing stock.”
Feinting with his large arm, he attacked with his tail. Zenberu laughed. I am older than those two.
The two Skeleton Warriors hid their body behind shields and closed in. The shields blocked the view of Zaryusu, evoking strong emotions from within Zenberu.
“Don’t block the way! I can’t see the back of the awesome man like this!”
Zenberu roared and charged forth—
Iguvua and Zaryusu’s even match was still continuing. Their faces were reflected in each other’s eyes. Zaryusu saw that Iguvua’s gaze diverted slightly away from him. The undead poker face of Iguvua suddenly twisted horribly. What happened next froze Zaryusu’s mind and body.
He heard the sound of water splashing behind him. Someone fell.
“Look! Your companion is down!”
He couldn’t turn back. It might be true, it might be false. Thoughts that made his scales stood on end also surfaced, but the enemy before him had overwhelming strength. He didn’t have the luxury of turning his head to find out. The moment he turned his head, the fight would be over. Zaryusu didn’t fight this long just to lose for some stupid reason.
Zaryusu fought to secure victory firmly in his hand.
If Iguvua was telling the truth, it would be bad if he didn’t dispose of the enemy reinforcements soon.
Zaryusu was steeling himself to take the next magic attack when he heard the sound of someone getting up from the water and bones cracking.
“Zaryusu! We settled this side! The rest— is up to you!!”
“「Middle Cure Wounds」!”
Zenberu roared in great pain and the sound of him falling into the water reached Zaryusu.
The moment Crusch’s hoarse voice was heard, Zaryusu’s wounds got mended.
“Muu—!”
Displeasure creased Iguvua’s face. Without looking back, Zaryusu knew the two of them completed their task perfectly. What’s left was—
“My turn!”
Iguvua used his staff to parry Frost Pain that was coming at him.
“Ku ku ku… I am the Lich Iguvua, don’t look down on me just because I am not proficient in melee combat!”
Although he said that, Iguvua could tell his chance of winning was low.
In a one on one fight, Iguvua could win with superior physical attributes. But the white lizardman behind kept healing the lizardman before him, turning the tables in terms of health left.
Only one out of three blows was deflected. The other two tore at Iguvua’s body. Even though he had resistance toward slashing weapons like skeletons and the additional ice damage was negated, the situation was dire.
Iguvua was panicking.
I am the creation of the Supreme Being Ainz Ooal Gown, the commander of this army. I can not fail!
He wanted to summon undead soldiers to act as meat shields, but Iguvua would be attacked whenever he tried to cast spells. It was tough to do so with an enemy right before his eyes.
He would lose if this went on.
Iguvua decided to show his final hand. It wasn’t a great plan— Depending on the circumstances, this might doom him, but that was the only choice he had left.
He suddenly turned around and ran. While Zaryusu was surprised, but he still took the chance to cleave at Iguvua’s back. Iguvua who took a hit on the back staggered, but did not fall. Zaryusu clicked his tongue at Iguvua’s seemingly endless health, and sprinted to catch up with Iguvua who was pulling away.
Iguvua turned back to show his undead face filled with wrath, but seemed to be elated about something.
A red sphere of light appeared in Iguvua’s hand. It was ‘Fireball’.
Using wide area spell at such a range? He wants to kill himself — No!
Realizing Iguvua wasn’t looking at him, Zaryusu was filled with fear. Iguvua was looking behind Zaryusu. He was focusing on Crusch and Zenberu who were lying on the ground.
— What should I do!?
Zaryusu thought frantically.
This was a major lapse. He could give Iguvua the final blow by sacrificing the both of them. If he didn’t do that, there would be no telling how the battle would turn. With both parties low on health, any mistake would be fatal.
To defeat Iguvua— Didn’t they fight through all this while in order to do that? So many lizardmen had given their lives for this goal.
Then he should sacrifice the two of them. They will definitely forgive him with a smile. If he was in their shoes, Zaryusu would want the other party to do so too.
— Even so.
Zaryusu wasn’t someone who would abandon the comrades fighting alongside him.
Only one way was left— Save the two of them and then destroy Iguvua.
Things were simple once he made up his mind.
“—「Icy Burst」!”
Zaryusu created a barrier of cold air on the ground near his feet.
“Gaarrgghh!”
Zaryusu’s body was chilled by the cold air bursting forth, pain that could only be described as intense spread through his entire being.