[Fai, look, I can fly]
[Ooooh! Amazing!]
[How come she turned into that kind of form?]
『That is called a valkyrie. That is the result of when a holy knight forges a contract and successfully assimilates with a sacred beastkin. She’ll probably have to adjust as this form opens up new ways of fighting. But really….. Valkyries were enemies in the past, but who would’ve thought that we gained one as an ally now.』
[Fai, come here.]
She beckoned me to approach.
[Could it be, this?]
[Yes, there is no other method.]
『It’s not exactly flying with wings as normal. She’s using magic power to propel herself into the air. Let’s just say that the wings are what allows her to do so.』
[Is it the same reason as to how Tenryu could fly in the sky despite its huge body?]
『Exactly.』
I see. Still so much more to learn. As I listened to Greed, we flew higher and higher.
[Roxy!]
[I think I am getting used to this. You know, when I was little, there was a time…when I wished that I could fly. I have always wondered how good it will feel like to be able to fly freely in the sky like a bird. Now that dream has come true.]
[Roxy, you are truly strong.]
In the past, there was a time when I was filled with fear that one day Gluttony skill would devour me and turn me into a monster.
[Knowing the risks, it’s certainly not an easy decision. But you couldn’t just stand still when the fate of the people in Hausen is in line, so you strode forward without hesitation. If it was me, I don’t think I can make such a heavy decision instantly…]
[Not really. All I did was emulate Fai.]
Roxy increased in altitude even faster. It seemed that she’s having fun.
[Now who was the person that tended to act recklessly and crazily, making me worried sick whenever he was not around me? Moreover, I do not want to be left behind anymore!]
[Roxy…..]
[And I also want to be able to help Fai more… I have had enough always becoming a burden!!]
=====
[Almost there.]
[Huge. what a size.]
『I was wondering about this earlier, but isn’t that the sacred beast zodiac Aquarius!? How come that it’s still here?』
[That is a living thing?]
『Of course. That thing was originally a sacred beastkin just like Snow. it’s in its transformed state now…..but staying in that state for too long will cause it to not be able to transform back to its original form. I doubt that it can still retain a clear mind by now. He put out something interesting…..that Libra bastard』
『Stupid idiot! Who the hell stupid enough to use appraisal from the front? You’ll just lose your eyesight from the appraisal countermeasure. Rather than that, it’s finished charging its attack.』
Roxy, sensing my movement, shook her head.
[Please do not do that. Using the secret will cost Fai a lot of stat. If you use it now, you will run out of methods to stop that sacred beast.]
[Then, what should we do to defend ourselves?]
[Leave it to me!]
She said so without a shred of hesitation. Apparently Snow who was dwelling inside Roxy acknowledged that it’s possible to do so.
[Snow is also very excited inside! Fai, you should just focus on what lies beyond this.]
[Alright.]
[Please hold on to me tightly.]
[That was, could that be the holy blessing!?]
[Yes, Snow-chan said so.]
It was the same holy blessing that the sacred beast Scorpion used. Actually, this one is way more powerful.
『This, nothing less from the so called Divine Guardian Shield.』
Roxy managed to defend against the attack. It should take quite a while before the beast can launch another one.
[We are getting closer. But the air is growing thinner as we go. I can hold on a little thanks to the holy blessing, but I do not think I can reach where the sacred beast is.]
[That should be enough. Greed, surely we can reach it from this distance?]
『Why of course, who do you think I am? Let’s go, it’s time for Bloody Ptarmigan.』
[Greed, Crossing.]
『Sure things！』
[And then, take 80% of my stats!]
[Let’s gooooooooo!]
[We did it, did we not?]
I was happy at first. But then, I realized… What will happen if a sacred beast that large fell to the ground?
[Greed. If it keeps falling like this… don’t tell me…]
『Nothing good will come from it. You should know that as well, Fate』
『Could that Libra guy has predicted even this far ahead?』
[Dammit! Everyone…at this rate everyone will…]
『How preposterous. We’ve gone this far, there is no way I could accept this kind of ending!』
[Greed!?]
『Luna also believes us till the end. And yet this me….this me could only watch. How pathetic…..you think so too, don’t you…..Kairos.』
The black bow shone as it began to change its shape.
『Fate, forgive me…..forgive me for doing this. I cannot simply stay here and just watch. I just can’t!』
[What are you trying to do!]
I suddenly had a very bad feeling. Before I could ask him to stop, Greed had already assumed a new form.
『This is the fifth form. A pair of gauntlets. With it you will be able to manipulate up to 10 black threads. From now on, nothing shall escape us anymore.』
[Greed… you, don’t tell me…]
『Alright. March on, Fate. Those are the people you care about down there. In that case, there is no need to hesitate anymore. You should already know what must be done. Wield this Me!』
[Even though you keep telling me how reckless I can be… aren’t you the same, you big stupid idiot!]
[Roxy, go to the sacred beat. Take us there.]
[….Yes.]
She complied without saying anything. Perhaps she couldn’t bear to say it.
As we finally caught up near the fire wreathed sacred beast, Roxy let her hold on my body go.
[Godspeed.]
After confirming that Roxy had moved away, I looked at the pair of gauntlets that is Greed’s new form.
[Let’s go.]
[Sorry, Fate. Think of it as a gift from this me at least.]
[Is it still not enough? Very well, prepare for worse then]
And yet I didn’t pay all that cost. I checked myself. It was all coming from Greed.
[Fate, look closely. And remember the feeling well.]
I couldn’t reply back because my body was hijacked by Greed. But apparently, my thoughts could still reach him.
[Do not be worried. This me is nothing but a weapon. Unlike Fate and everyone else. Nothing to be sad about. However, even this me… has something I do not want to lose at all cost]
v7-10
[Fai! Your hand!]
[What!? What in the world is happening here?]
The continent was really rising to the sky.
[That direction, is that not Gallia?]
Only the two of us could see clearly that the continent had floated up under the sunset.
[Hey, Greed. What should we do now?]
I was expecting him to explain like usual, but this time there was no answer.
[You said that once we unlocked the fifth form, you’ll be able to talk to us all normally. Say something… please… Greed.]
[Fai…..]
[Greed… please come back.]
But today, I lost something… I lost… an important companion.
=====
