Chapter 14. Metia Destruction Battle (I)
The air briefly warped, and the next second, several of the many stone pillars supporting the City Hall suddenly exploded. However, after the smoke cleared, the City Hall did not even become a ruin; even those few pillars were still partially connected. The expressions of the onlookers watching this scene from a distance grew much darker.
"It really won't work?"
"After all, this is the City Hall of Priestella, one of the five major cities of the Dragon Kingdom, and it contains the strategic-grade 'Metia' capable of broadcasting to the entire city. This level of sturdiness is only natural. Even if we or the Captain were to use the Howl, it would probably take about nine cycles to destroy the main structure of the building."
Tivey adjusted his glasses and continued.
"But even the strongest sister here can only manage five cycles, and Hetaro and I can only use two cycles."
Unlike Ricardo, who could use the Howl alone, Mimi and the other vice-captains could not use the Howl individually; they had to share the burden through their Divine Protection to use this ultimate skill.
This meant that at most, only four cycles could currently be used. Subaru looked at Beatrice on his right.
"If there is no interference, Betty's remaining Mana can destroy the City Hall, I suppose."
"No interference, huh?"
Subaru looked at the City Hall. The guards who were supposed to be on duty were nowhere to be seen, but there was no smell of blood in the air, and the ground was so clean it was reflective. The City Hall's doors were wide open, as if welcoming everyone in.
Apart from the missing guards, it looked just like the City Hall he saw when passing by yesterday, but this very normal sight made Subaru, who was mentally prepared to see a mountain of corpses, gulp nervously.
—Should we continue the long-range bombardment?
Subaru suddenly recalled a scene from an anime he watched in Japan, where an alchemist whose words commanded reality repaired a destroyed building instantly.
—If that Pandora has the ability to repair the building, then Beatrice's combat power will be wasted for nothing.
Subaru bit his lip, but the intelligence he had on Pandora was ultimately only the small amount seen during the Sanctuary trial.
Subaru remembered that Pandora did use her Authority to restore the land that Greed had destroyed, but Subaru also recalled that, to be precise, she used her Authority to erase what Greed had done at the time.
Subaru looked at the group behind him. Due to his contributions during the subjugation of the Archbishops of Sin [Sloth] and [Lust], they were waiting for his decision.
—The safest route would be to destroy the City Hall from outside. If [Wrath] starts her crazy feast, I will also return to the time before the death feast began. Subaru subconsciously looked around. He knew that the worst-case scenario for the safe approach would be the death of 100,000 citizens of the Water Gate City, with little useful information gained.
—'All you great people! I entrust this beautiful Water City of Priestella to you.'
Kiritaka's bowing image suddenly flashed in his mind. Subaru scratched his head in annoyance.
—If that Roswaal were here, it would be great.
—I should risk it and attack directly. Even if I die, I can gain more information on Pandora.
Subaru looked at the people around him. They trusted him and were waiting for him. Subaru was not afraid to gamble his own life, but he felt an unprecedented hesitation about gambling the lives of these important people.
"Don't worry, the Madam said Mimi would protect Big Brother, and Mimi is very strong."
"Betty will protect Subaru, too, I suppose."
Mimi said with a loud laugh, perhaps sensing Subaru's internal conflict, and Beatrice also puffed out her chest and said without showing any weakness.
Subaru took a deep breath and looked at Crusch and her party.
"To be honest, I can't definitively say that '[Vainglory]'s Authority cannot repair a destroyed Metia.' The plan we discussed on departure—'[Vainglory] cannot repair a destroyed Metia'—is at best my conjecture."
"It matters not. The opponent is a Witch Cult Witch who threatens the entire Water Gate City. This alone is enough reason for me to draw my sword against her."
Crusch spoke in a dignified and serious tone, her orange eyes looking straight at Subaru.
"Sir Subaru, why are we standing here with weapons in hand? Why did Anastasia send Mimi and the others? Feeling a sense of responsibility is good, but the situation is urgent, and we have no option to retreat."
Subaru fell silent. He looked at the people who had just attended the meeting. Aside from Kiritaka and Anastasia, who had no combat ability, everyone else was here. This was a battle
for the destiny of the Water Gate City, with all the combat strength guarding the main camp staked on it.
"Lord Subaru, that feeling of yours is a virtue, but it is also a weakness. Thanks to you, I was able to fulfill my long-cherished wish of slaying the White Whale and avenging my wife. At that time, I decided that I would wield my sword for you."
Wilhelm looked at Subaru with his clear blue eyes, his tone as firm as ever.
"Even Grandpa Will has been charmed? It can't be helped, I suppose. But don't worry too much, Subaru, after all, cute Ferris-chan is here, nya. As long as you have one breath, no, even if you've stopped breathing, I can save you, nya."
Ferris said, covering her mouth.
"I understand. Then, I beg you."
"Leave the task of buying time to us, but if the opponent truly has that level of fighting power, there's no way we can stall for too long."
The group looked again at the lower-left district of the city, which was already half-ruined, and swallowed a mouthful of saliva, then cautiously stepped into the City Hall.
"Oh my, thank you for making the effort to come all this way. It doesn't look like you're here to deliver the item I need. May I ask what the matter is?"
A beautiful voice suddenly rang out. A silver-blonde-haired girl appeared at the corner of the staircase leading to the upper floors. The girl wore her usual airy clothing, her small feet bare, and her eyes were filled with goodwill and love, just like a legendary saint.
"Hah—"
Crusch swung the sharp blade in her hand without hesitation.
The gale instantly cut Pandora, who had appeared before the watchful group, in half at the waist. Blood and organs gushed from the severance. The next second, the sword-wind struck the wall behind the girl, and smoke and dust instantly engulfed the stairwell.
"That's so dangerous, okay. If we talk nicely, we can understand each other. Neither I nor my followers want to actively harm anyone. Just as I said before, our goal is the [Remains of Typhon]. Therefore, sacrifice is unnecessary."
The voice came out from the smoke, and the girl with a gentle smile on her face walked out of the smoke and dust, casting a look of mercy toward the group.
"So, please hand over the remains. Once the matter is resolved, we will immediately…"
Pandora's gentle words were once again interrupted by Crusch's slash before she could finish.
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