Konbini Ossan Volume 8 Chapter 22 — The Beast King and Thunder Flash
At Marceline’s will, the parts of the TA detach and burst away.
This is the TA’s final trump card.
By purging all components except those responsible for speed, it enters an emergency evasion mode that maximizes velocity alone.
However, the drawback is severe.
Because everything except speed is stripped away, not only is its defensive capability lost, but even the output of the magitech saber falls below that of its normal state.
The only usable weapon remaining is a single armament that can be fired once by diverting all output meant for speed into offense.
“Ngh!”
Naturally, the speed gained in exchange for such risk surpasses even what it had been before.
Leonis’ punch slices through empty air by a hair’s breadth as Marceline narrowly evades.
“There!”
And at that moment, Marceline chooses not to flee, but to attack.
Not with the magitech saber in her right hand—
But with the sole weapon that retains sufficient output even in emergency evasion mode: a mechanism embedded in her left arm that compresses lightning magic into the shape of a stake and fires it, a so-called pile bunker.
“GwooOOO!”
Marceline’s strike lands cleanly, slamming into Leonis’ abdomen.
The lightning stake pierces even his thick abdominal muscles, inflicting a double layer of damage: impact and lightning magic combined.
If this damage is enough to bring Leonis down, then Marceline wins.
But reality is unforgiving.
“I shall not lose!”
Leonis endures the lightning coursing through his entire body and swings a follow-up punch at Marceline.
Because she diverted her output to the pile bunker, her speed enhancement has diminished. She has no means of evasion.
“Gah!”
The blow connects directly, sending Marceline flying. She bounces and rolls across the ground several times before finally coming to a stop near the wall.
The damage appears severe enough to render her unable to move. Marceline cannot rise.
“The winner is Leonis-san!”
I declare the conclusion of the fourth gate and immediately rush to Marceline’s side.
“Ugh… Yuuichi-dono. Forgive me. I have lost.”
“No, Marceline-san, you did splendidly. It was a magnificent battle.”
“Hearing you say that makes me happy. Heh…”
Suppressing the pain, Marceline manages a faint smile.
Leonis approaches us. His transformation has already undone itself, and he stands once more in his original form.
“Thunder Flash. That was a fine display of battle… far beyond what I would expect of a human warrior.”
Leonis speaks words of praise toward Marceline.
“When you cast off that armor, your speed surpassed even mine in Beast King Descent. Had you chosen to flee at that moment, my technique would have expired, and I would have lost.
…
Yet you sought victory and stepped forward. That spirit is proof of a warrior. I respect the strong. Even if they are human.”
The words are unexpected, and I cannot help but show surprise.
I had not imagined I would hear such acknowledgment toward a human from the Demon King’s army.
Receiving Leonis’ words, Marceline rises with my support.
“To be recognized by someone of your calibre is an honor as a knight. It was a fine battle.”
With that, Marceline extends her right hand, seeking a handshake.
“Indeed.”
Leonis accepts and clasps her hand firmly in return.
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E/N:
Kuh, as much as I wanted Marceline to win, it really was a fine battle of endurance! There's something about true warriors that envigours the readers!
Stay tuned!
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