Chapter 133: Preparations Complete

Chapter 133: Preparations Complete

It seemed we had no choice but to fight our way through the situation before us.

Fortunately for us, that weirdo was patient enough to wait while we discussed our strategy, so we could take our time planning carefully.

Alright, time to face him…

“Are you still not done discussing?”

Looks like our opponent had finally run out of patience.

“We’re ready now.”

*BOOM BOOM!!!*

“Let’s start right away…”

I immediately created ice spears and launched them at him. Of course, just like before, they shattered before reaching their target. I wasn’t particularly concerned about their effectiveness since this was just a feint.

“That trick again? Are you an idiot?”

Seems my comedic performance was enough to make him let his guard down.

“Kuro, Faima, I’m counting on you both.”

I created an ice sword and began charging forward.

The Puppeteer continued manipulating his strings but showed some surprise at my approach.

“After all that discussion, you finally came up with a plan to speed up this battle. How interesting.”

“Take this…”

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“I’ve been waiting…”

“Gyaahhhhh…”

I coated both arms in ice and held them up to defend. Reinforced with spirit magic, this wouldn’t be easy to break. My job would be to hold the front line, preventing him from reaching our rear positions as much as possible.

Once again, I had to brace myself against attacks as sharp as knives and as powerful as hammers. But I would endure it, for this chance to strike.

“Not bad, kid.”

“Haven’t I told you? I’m older than you. Learn to respect your elders a bit.”

“Not happening…”

“Didn’t anyone teach you to listen to what adults say?”

With certain people, like the Dragon Lady elder, I could show respect. But never to this baby-faced shota.

“Instead of getting cocky just because you were born before me, worry about defeating us first.” Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

“You think a few taunts will distract me?”

Suddenly, I took a powerful hit that pushed my entire body backward. Thankfully, I was prepared and only staggered slightly. However, the Puppeteer barely paid attention to me anymore, switching his focus to Faima.

“Die…”

Before I could regain my stance, he swung his hand, sending a mass of puppet strings toward Faima who was concentrating on her spell.

“I’ve got this. Faima-san, keep going.”

“Thank you…”

Kuro drew her sword and jumped forward, continuously swinging it to block the rushing strings with her Lightning Blade. Meanwhile, Faima kept her eyes closed and continued focusing her magic power from behind.

A magic circle began to form above the Puppeteer’s head. It was Faima’s super air pressure, a Wind-element spell. She had used this same spell to save me from certain defeat in the valley. But this time, the power concentrated into it was much greater.

“Sorry to keep you waiting…”

A massive pressure wave crashed down, cratering the ground beneath the Puppeteer’s feet. However, at the impact’s center, he still stood there with his usual calm expression.

“Power-wise, it’s better than the ‘Tempest Spear.’ If I had normal defensive equipment, I might have been crushed flat. But I’m not that simple.”

“Then try blocking this!”

I immediately threw an ice grenade at him, but the result was the same—the ice shards and cold air couldn’t touch the shota standing there at all.

“What a useless bunch. Did you think this defense of mine only blocks magic and physical attacks? It can also block heat flow and air effects. It’s not easy to penetrate at all.”

In other words, that shield made of magical puppet strings was impenetrable.

Perhaps the strings he created came in two types—one for attacking and one for defense. Faima’s magic could defeat the attacking strings, but not the defensive ones.

Until we found a way through that shield, we had no chance of winning.

I felt like I was stuck in an extremely difficult RPG boss battle with no effective hints or tools.

“Are you done fighting? My turn…”

I quickly jumped aside to dodge a mass of puppet strings erupting from the ground. Unable to completely avoid them all, I had to use ice spirit magic to block them. But this wasn’t good—I’d already lost a third of my strength, and I needed to save enough energy to activate my ice armor if things got dicey.

“Kanna-sama…”

“Stay where you are…”

Seeing me cornered, Kuro shouted and rushed in, using her Lightning Blade to cut through the puppet strings.

“How fortunate. I thought my favorite puppet was broken, but it’s still safe and sound.”

Ignoring me completely, the Puppeteer turned his malicious gaze toward Kuro.

“Why don’t you return to me? If you do, I’ll overlook all your transgressions.”

“Each Black Wolf clan member serves only one master in their lifetime. I will never submit to you again…”

Kuro growled, baring her fangs in response.

“What a shame… I hate to destroy a black wolf puppet like you, but it seems I have no choice.”

With those words, the Puppeteer launched a handful of puppet strings at Kuro.

“You must know well that using lightning to enhance your sword generates tremendous heat—you won’t be able to use it again for quite a while.”

“…You…”

“Be quiet and die like a broken puppet.”

Kuro seemed to realize her predicament, but those puppet strings were too close, and she had no means of defense. She could activate lightning enhancement one more time, but with such a massive number of attacks coming from all directions, a tragic end seemed inevitable.

Without thinking twice, I threw my ice sword to the ground right beneath Kuro’s feet. Instantly, a tremendous wave of cold burst forth from the ice sword, raising a nearly four-meter-high ice wall from the ground to block all direct attacks aimed at my black wolf girl.

“You troublesome bastard.”

Wearing an annoyed expression, the Puppeteer swung his hand again, redirecting all his puppet strings at me.

Do you want to go all out and see if everyone’s impressed?

I immediately concentrated ice into both hands, creating a shield to block those incoming needle-like attacks.

So you’re finally fighting seriously?

(Kuro, can you hear me? Let’s start our plan…)