"King!

　He looked up at Beni's body as he spread his wings and flew away, and one of the pawns tried to follow suit. The one that pushed it back forcefully was the fist of the Gourin Yuan Sect, which seemed to hit him from the side.

''I can't go.......!
Gu..........?

　This giant body of a toucan is nearly three meters long. Its right arm, clad in a golden fighting spirit, was as thick as a log. Goubayashi, who has an outstanding fighting ability even in his class, was confronting Pawn in a form that was completely one-on-one.

　"The escape of the King. To be precise, it's the pursuit of Kaoru and the others. Sakuma, Harui, and the rest of the crew followed suit and flew off the deck. Kaoru and the others' objective was to destroy the ship arranged for the vampire's escape, the "king's" objective was to stop it, and Sakuma's objective was to stop the "king" in his tracks.
　The deck of the Heavy Duty Branch School was already in a state of warfare. There were only three pawns left. The three pawns had to be defeated without fail. We can't let them escape here. Goubayash was challenging the individual with the least amount of damage among the remaining pawns.

　The pawn that barely avoided Goubayasi's fist glared at me, with a black bolt of lightning flashing between his hands.

　To the vampire pawn, Goubayasi had been defeated once. It was when he left his base and was walking with Kaoruko and the others in the wilds of the continent. The black bolt of lightning that his opponent unleashed robbed him of his physical freedom and knocked him down until he passed out. The only reason I'm alive this way is because of the intervention of human knights. It was a stroke of luck.
　The strange-aged female knight who was present at the time took shelter of me, and I stayed in the human territory until my wounds were healed. It only lasted less than a week, but by the time the wounds had healed, the female knight, who was more than capable of standing up to vampires, had trained me to improve my mental and physical skills.

　As a result, I am where I am now.

　Goubayashi also clenched his fists and stared back at the pawn.
　"The fighting spirit itself was manifested by his own Phase 2 ability. The knights who interacted with Goubayashi all used their own forged bodies and the accoutrements forged by their master masters as weapons. Both the super-heavy cloak that Goubayashi possessed and the dropkick she had just unleashed were given to her by that female knight.

''Testing my growth here........ No, it's not like that.)

　A clenched fist is for a friend.

　In the end, he cannot get rid of the "demon" that lives inside him. Even though he was the son of a temple, the Golin Yuan-jong was quick on his feet since he was a child. He started learning kung fu to gain self-control, and as he grew more mature with age, he became more and more rounded, but he still found a little pleasure in fighting with a strong man.
　If this was the result of that, then there was no pros and cons.

　It doesn't matter where your soul is, it doesn't matter here and now.

　We must defeat the enemy in front of us. If we don't defeat it, someone else will be sacrificed again.

　That simple fact cuts through all the doubts born in Goubayasi's mind.

''Let's go!

　Goubayashi kicked up the deck and fleshed out vigorously at the pawn. The pawn released a black bolt of lightning clad in both arms. His pectoral muscles, clad in golden fighting spirit, caught the lightning bolt. There was a numbing sensation in his body, but it didn't stop the gourd palm's huge body from being held back.

''Hmph!''

　With a bang, a fist roared as it tore through the air.

　The fist shook off the slightest resistance and smashed through the wall of sound. The released fist slammed into the pawn's black armor. The armor, which had not attracted any attacks from the other students, cracked with a snap. The pawn's expression distorted greatly in shock.

''Ooohhhh!

　The second shot in succession. The left fist is slammed into the arm that was crossed over to guard the cracked spot.

''Ugh...!

　It's a scooping blow, from slightly below. The pawn's body is lifted into the air for a moment.

　Goubayashi drives his knee into the floating armor in an attempt to nip it in the air for further pursuit. Immediately after firing, he extends his knee and swings it sideways, kicking the vampire's body away. The pawn's body, dressed in armor, slams into the wall.
　Still, the pawn quickly stood up and glared at the gobayasi, kneading the black lightning bolt with both arms. Eventually the lightning converges and becomes a single spear, and the pawn releases it to projectile. As Goubayasi moved to make an evasive motion, the melee behind him flashed through his mind. The moment I stopped to avoid it, a black spear was thrust into the thick chest plate.

''...........!

　The spear did not reach the heart or lungs. As if to exploit the gap, the pawn produced a second spear. It seems that he intends to continue attacking from a long distance like this. In order to play the second spear that was released in the nick of time, Goubayashi focused his fighting spirit on his right arm.

''Hmph!
What...!

　The black spear that was thrown at him is knocked off with a hand sword. The moment the pawn was frightened, Goubayashi pulled out the spear that was stuck in his chest and threw it away. The spear, which was originally an energy body, melted into the air and disappeared.
　Goubayash further compressed the golden fighting spirit into his right fist.

　The reason why this golden energy body is called "fighting spirit" is because it was written in the documents left in Ryuzaki's room. Benii's memorandum on the Phase 2 ability. It said that Goubayashi's Phase 2 ability was "Tulo Ki Awakening".
　On the other hand, a note left behind by a human girl named Serena also had a description of an energy body called the Fighting Qi. It was a form of life energy that was diverted into battle, and in the east of the continent, there were fighting races that used it.

　From reading the materials, there are various ways to use the fighting energy. It can be used as armor to cover the body, or it can be used as a weapon. Right now, Goubayashi had concentrated all the fighting qi that covered his entire body into his right fist. The protection of his entire body would be completely neglected. He further closed his eyes and tried to unify his mind.
　On the battlefield, even a few seconds' gap could be fatal. But Goubayash put all those seconds into strengthening his fighting spirit. He spends those precious seconds for a single blow. The fighting air covering his right fist rumbles and rumbles, raising the wind around it.

　Kaka, I open my eyes. I saw a pawn shoot a third black spear at Goubayashi.

''Oooohhhh!

　Goubayashi swings his fist and charges towards the pawn. He thrusts a large, drawn-out fist straight in, which shatters the black spear. With a large stride, he takes one, then two, then three steps to the right.
　At the same time as the third step, a fist was thrust into the pawn's chest.

''Gahaha...!

　Vampires die if they crush their hearts. The relentless blow was a true execution of that advice.
　The pawn glares at Goubayasi with a determined look. Covered with the blood-repulsion spat out of his mouth, Goubayasi calmly looked back at him.

''........!　...!　.........

　He tries to say something, but no words come out of his throat, and the pawn eventually stops moving.

　He killed those who were close to humans. He killed those who could communicate with humans.
　The gourd palm eventually turned to ashes and silently clasped its hands together with those who hadn't even left a trace of what had once been a human.




''You ... how are you still alive!

　The pawn who had lost one arm shouted that with his eyes as if he was looking at someone who did not understand.

　It was extremely regrettable to Harao Maki that he had been sent around a handicapped opponent. This flow, which was naturally brought to a one-on-one, was proof that the number of classmates in the second year and fourth class was the first time it had worked effectively. However, the enemy of the five bodies was to be dealt with by Goubayashi, and the one who was turned in as his charge was the pawn who was missing one arm.
　Well, good. Letting the people have the flowers is also important.

　Harao, holding up the broken ankh, replied to the pawn's question, "I am a well-bred man.

'I am well bred,'
f*ck you.

　The pawn projected a black bolt of lightning in the form of energy. A hemispherical barrier deployed in front of Harao's eyes blocked the lightning bolt.

　Thanks to the recovery magic by the Fishermen's Sister, she's getting back on track. Although the recovery by water-attribute spirit magic was not as effective as the life magic used by Hakuba, it was helpful because it was also effective against undead like Harao. The fisher sister was still on the deck, turning to recover the injured student.

''When it comes to one on one, I won't show any mercy.
d*mn it!

　The pawn may have judged it to be disadvantageous in long-distance combat, and while the pawn has one arm, it comes at once toward Harao. The pawn's fists are swiftly delivered, but Harao dispatches them with one arm. He paid off the back of the pawn that involuntarily dangled in front of him even more and put dirt on it.
　The wounds have healed, but the broken decorations and torn bandages all over his body have yet to be fixed. He looked as shabby as if he'd been grave robbed, but Harao was proud of his chest and imposing. He walked with his arms behind his back and walked with his big legs.

''Tae........!

　The pawn strikes him from behind, but Harao avoids him with both hands behind his back in a fluttering motion.

'Don't be pretentious.........'

　Without letting everyone tell him, the unleashed back fist hit him like a whip to the face. Harao kicked to follow up with more, but he recovered his broken stance and the pawn took the kick firmly.

''Mu........''

　Harao's physical abilities are not outstanding by any means. Therefore, his basic fighting style is mainly to parry. He will take advantage of an opponent's attack to quickly strike, and when he loses his balance, he will strike back. Therefore, if the opponent regains his position, you will be exposed to a critical gap.
　The pawn scooped Harao's legs with one arm and flipped him over to the deck. Without pausing for a moment, he releases a black bolt of lightning into the air as he falls. The bolt of lightning extended towards Harao and covered his body in a smear of paint.

''Ha, Harao-kun!

　Masuyo Uozumi shouted her name.

'Don't worry,'

　However, Harao raises the chipped ankh and blows away the pawn's body as he continues to release lightning bolts.

''Te Te........!　How can you move with that........!

　Still, while managing to recover, the pawn let out a vindictive word.

''Wasn't the Black Red Qi (this guy) an attack that could stop the monster's movement and neutralize it!　Why are you....
It's the education gap.

　Harao tells him simply, and then slowly stands up, keeping his arms crossed in front of his chest. With his entire body stretched out, he stood up in an eerie manner, as if he was being pulled by a string. Then he put his left arm around his back again and raised the ankh in his right hand.

'You who disturb the sleep of my friends, you shall suffer the wrath of Harao.

　The pawn's body was slowly being fished up into the air in response to the words he chanted like a spell. The black-armored vampire flinched, but was completely unable to resist otherwise. Harao stared at the pawn raised in the air and put more telekinesis into it.

''Mnn!''
I can't...

　The heart, the source of life, was squeezed in a gagging grip. The pawn made its body jump in the air and stopped moving as it jumped, and then collapsed smoothly as if it had turned into ashes.

''.........''

　Harao put his arms back behind his back and stared at the vampire's crumbling ashes, but eventually, as if a thread had broken, he threw his body onto the deck.

'Harao-kun!

　Masuyo Uozumi rushed over to him as he slid across the deck.

'Hey Harao!'
Harao, get a grip!
Harao-kun!

　A mound of snakes, a half-horse and a picture-frame rushed to help Harao up.

　Immediately afterwards, however, a thick snoring sound could be heard from underneath the golden mask that Harao wore. The whole group suddenly became awkward and looked at each other. The mermaid fishermen, who had raised Harao's upper body, let go of his hand and Harao continued to snore carefree, even though the back of his head hit the deck as hard as he could.




''Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
Ouch...!

　Okumura's longest strike crashes into the body of a seriously injured pawn.
　His opponent is wounded. This one is outnumbered. Even under these conditions, the forces were still at odds. There is such a gap in fighting ability between the students who have not awakened in Phase 2 and the pawns of the blood family. The pawn had a hole the size of a clenched fist in his chest, but he caught Okumura's tackle with both arms and forcefully twisted him down with a forceful move.

''You're barbaric, just like this...!
Gah!

　Black lightning bolts ran from both of Pawn's arms. Okumura screamed and fell to his knees.

''..................''

　At that moment, a sphere shot out of the pawn's just dead center in a curve. Ozaji Do-suke's, a desperate shot with a distraction, but the pawn deflected his upper body slightly with a thin smile on his mouth. The kemari didn't crash into the pawn, but only slightly snatched it away.

'Did you get impatient?　You haven't quite killed it.
No, that's good, fatty.

　However, it was Okumura who laughed.

''What........''

　As Pawn turned his gaze, there was a wall that shouldn't have existed until just now. The top of the box bounced up vigorously, launching the ball high into the air.
　They were Nurikabe's Chihaya Kabe and Mimic's Hakairi Hayako. Not knowing what they were going to do, however, the pawn pushed Okumura's body away in an attempt to thwart their plans.

'You won't let me go!'

　The spider's threads that have been stretched out entangle the pawn's arms. The thread stretched out by Arachne's Spider Saki was strengthened by Kikimora's Kikino with the power of 《Weaving》. At that moment, aimed at the launched ball, Mitarai Azuki used water attribute magic to coat it with liquid.

''This guy........!

　The pawn, frustration evident, tugs at the string wrapped around her arm. The two helpless girls scream and almost get dragged away, but Zekou, the oga, roars and joins the tug of war. The forces are only briefly competing for a few moments.

'Go, white horse, go!'
'Ochaaaaahhhh!

　Kicking up the floor of the deck, Kenzaki, astride a white horse, ran through. The unicorn's horn, which is said to kill even an elephant, was thrust at the pawn's arm, trying to tear off the threads of Spiderzaki with his other arm. Kenzaki's sword swung down from the other side of the pawn's arm as if to pin the arm down.

''Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

　As it turns out, the attack by both of them, aiming at the jointed surface of the armor, succeeds in knocking off one of the pawn's arms.

Geez, you guys...!
Yeah!　Snowflake!

　Kenzaki shouted as he broke away from the pawn's attacking range.
　Ryouka Yukinoshita, the hot-blooded snow woman of the volleyball team, leapt at the ball launched high into the air. The cold air surrounding her glistened in the sunlight, solidifying the water that coated the ball.

'Buster smash!

　Snowflake let loose with his best smash. But the pawn avoided it again. The ball, coated with water and cold air, landed on the deck at his feet. Seeing this, Snowdrop, who landed on the deck, half-melted, crossed his arms and smiled wryly as he landed on the deck.

'Minus 1.2 trillion degrees of freezing light, you never know what might happen!
There is no such temperature!
And a half!

　In the midst of all the tweets, the ball that landed on the ground, as declared by Yukinoshita, popped the cold air and froze the pawn's feet at once.

''What........!

　The pawn's voice was colored with astonishment. The silver world was suddenly summoned to the tropical maritime nation. The ice covered him up to his knees, and the pawn was completely and utterly unable to move.

'Alright, everyone avoid it!

　In response to the shouts of Goshukawara, the students who had been fighting that pawn were retreating in pieces at once.
　Goblin troops, commanded by Gokubugawara and his goblin squad, were in their gun emplacements, the muzzle of their 360-degree rotating machine guns pointed at the writhing pawn. After confirming everyone's evacuation from the firing line, Goshikawara swung down one of his raised arms.

''Shoot---!

　Bullets were spat out in unison from the 25mm machine guns lined up on the deck. The bullets resulted in the final blow to the pawn's black armor, which was cracked by the fierce battle. Eventually, the armor shatters, and a lead ball rushes into the heart, which was protected by thick armor.
　As even the decimation was drowned out by the roar, some students turned away and some frowned as they watched to the end.

''Stop!''

　At the direction of the quintuple, the shooting stopped with a snap. The pawn's body, which was wrapped in ice, had completely returned to ashes before he knew it.

''........or did you win.......?　It's in our power....

　Kenzaki muttered fearfully, and Hakuba nodded.

''Apparently so.''
It's a triumph of friendship, isn't it?

　The body of Yukinoshita, who clenches her fist and smiles wryly, is already a dreadful mess.

''Hey, Five-minute riverbanks, I told you not to put a bullet in the deck!　It's crumbling the floor because of it!
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Kuremori, I had to do that........

　If you look at it, Goubayashi and Harao have also just defeated their respective relative pawns. Of the pawns that had attacked the branch school, three of them had been successfully defeated. Even though two of them were wounded, this is a great achievement.
　The students began to chant Hail Mary for the time being. However, Kenzaki looked up at the sky with a grim face.

　They had succeeded in defending the branch school. However, it would be of no use if Benii's custody was taken away.
　Sakuma's instructions were based on his concern for the escaped pawn. In other words, even if Sakuma and his team retrieved Benii, it would mean nothing if the pawn escaped from Delph Island.
　Of course, after a battle of this magnitude, Ryuzaki and the others would have to somehow win the trust of Chief Berger and the other islanders.

''The battle still continues, right?

　Kenzaki bit his lip and wished his classmates well.




　If they were able to escape at Benii's speed, would they be able to catch up? Sakuma was worried about that, but her back was slowly growing. Or maybe the performance of her physical abilities itself was beginning to decline due to the drought. If left untreated, even her life activities themselves would be greatly affected.

　Sakuma Shoko and Harui Yuka were chasing after Benii Asuka's body that had been taken over by the king.

　Benii's body itself would return to normal within half an hour. The problem was that his body would be joined by the pawn that escaped earlier. "If the King joins up, Kaoru, Uozumi and the others will have no way to counter him. Even if they succeeded in capturing Beni's blood, if the King was there, his blood would be drained again.
　They didn't know how long it would take until that "half hour" passed. That's why Sakuma and the others must stop the "King" from advancing any further.

"Whoa, whoa!

　Harui spread her wings and accelerated vigorously. Although not as fast as Kannari, her maximum flight speed was also quite fast.

''Asuka, give me back!

　Harui's airborne tackle, but the "King" didn't budge. Instead, he slowed down slightly and grabbed Harui by the neck with all his might.

''Gawd........''
Get out of my way.
Evil Flare!

　Sakuma chanted a spell and shot black flames at the king. Unable to avoid it, the king let go of Harui's head. Harui tackles him again, knocking Beni's body to the ground. As if snapping the branches of the trees, Benii Asuka's body fell into the dense forest area of Delph Island.

　As I thought, her physical ability is gradually declining. Benii's body was also nearing its limit. The fact that it is weakening is good news in itself, but we can't let the "king" use Beni's power any longer. Sakuma and Harui landed in the jungle to chase after the fallen King.

"You are very persistent....

　"Wang," he said as he brushed the dirt from Beni's sailor suit.

'I won't let you go any further. I'll have Asuka returned to you.

　Sakuma said resolutely, but Benii's face sniffed with a blank expression.

''It doesn't belong to you guys either.''
It's not your thing!
No, it's mine.

　When Harui stood up, the "King" said in a mockery voice, "Asuka is my property.

"Asuka is my property. I don't want you to do any more good to me.
d*mn it...!

　Harui spread her wings in anger. As she was about to charge, Sakuma chided her.

''Wait, Harui-san!''

　But it's too late. Harui pounces on the "king" before Sakuma can stop him.

"Hmm, you're just like a boar...

　"Beni's body, controlled by the King, slowly raises its arms. Immediately after, a black energy body is born at Benii's feet. It had been seen many times being used by other vampires, and it created an eerie crest shape. "When the 'king' pushed the arm that stuck out in front of him further, the crest that was born under his feet was pressed against Harui's body.

''Ugh...!

　Again, Harui screamed.
　Even though it was the same black energy body, its use was a step different. That emblem created with Beni's body fixed Harui's body like a crucifixion. "When the 'king' pulled his arm in a tight grip, Harui's crucified body flew as if it were being sucked towards the 'king'.

''Huh........!
Ah...!

　As Harui's body flew into the air, the king kicked relentlessly into Harui's body. Once again, Harui's body slammed into the cresting wall. Wang walked up to the crucified Harui and grabbed his nodding face and pulled him up by his hair, and then slammed in more knee kicks towards his defenseless stomach.

''Goh...!

　Harui's eyes widened. Sakuma couldn't help but shout.

'Stop!'

　"The King" sniffed at Beni's body.

'It's bad enough that you guys came after me. Don't worry about it. I'll hurt you, but I won't kill you.......
If you use any more power, wouldn't it affect Asuka's body as well!

　Beni's physical body is suffering from thirst. If the factor returns to its basal state with the use of power, then the symptoms should be progressing rapidly. And it would eventually affect the vampire's life activities themselves.

''What, where the aftereffects remain, they are paralyzed. In fact, if that happens, it will reduce the risk of Asuka running away from me, which I think is a good thing.

　"Beni's fingertips, controlled by the King, slowly traced the lines of his body. It was an unpleasant sight. Sakuma starts chanting an attack magic spell to help Harui and then Benii.
　There is a way to help Beni. But in order to do so, she must regain her consciousness, even if only for a moment, from the control of the "king". It's far too risky to try it out in a spur-of-the-moment situation. You've got one chance to do everything right. First, they must rescue Harui.

　But.

　Even if they saved Harui here, would they really be able to create an opening for the "King"?
　It seems that the "King" has no intention of relaxing his power, no matter what happens to Beni's body. As long as he can't save his power through the progression of his thirst, it's dangerous to clash with him head on. There was a miscalculation there.

　Then.

Evil Flare!

　Sakuma unleashed his magic towards the heavens. The black flames reached the azure sky through the trees and bounced in the sky.