Chapter 192: The Thunder’s Resolution (2)

Just when I thought that the tension and burden I had been carrying had been lifted…

「Don’t jump to conclusions. It’s too soon to feel relieved. 」

Seiya, still holding Egzation, declared in a cold voice.

「Bu…But Seiya! Leon has already…」

「That’s right, Mister Seiya. Hasn’t he completely lost his will to fight? 」

Celseus said the same thing, but Seiya continued to look at Leon with a stern gaze.

「I won’t give him the benefit of the doubt just because he’s afraid and wants to abandon the battle. I won’t stop attacking. I’ll hurt him so badly that he won’t fight back. 」

「Whattttttt!? 」

Seiya didn’t want to stop attacking even against an opponent who had completely lost his will to fight.

「Wait, Seiya! That’s harsh against an opponent who isn’t resisting! Now I don’t know who’s the tyrant here! 」

I heard laughter after I shouted. And it wasn’t from Seiya.

…Huh…?

「Guhguhguh! Hahahahaha! You’re a scary guy after all! 」

Leon was laughing loudly.

「You’re right. You’ll be in trouble if you jump to that conclusion. I never said a word about giving up. 」

「What!? 」

Celseus and I were speechless. Leon was still laughing with amusement.

「On the contrary. I can’t help but feel happy. Finally, I can put an end to that nightmare. 」

「Hmph. I guess it was just an act after all. 」

Seiya snorted while we were at a loss for words. Leon shook his head lightly.

「I’m not acting. My fear and shivering hands towards you are real. I know it deeply in my mind. You are my “natural enemy”. 」

「The…Then why!? 」

I couldn’t help but ask. Leon explained, 『Even though I feel an overwhelming fear towards Seiya, I still have the will to fight. 』. I felt that what he was saying was contradictory.

「As I said, there’s no one in Exfolia who can compete on an equal footing with me, an Artemizer. But even so, the nightmare of the dark reddish shadow constantly follows me. So I train. I continue to hone my skills beyond my limits. In order to defeat the dark reddish shadow that clings to my consciousness…」

As soon as he said those words, the Thunder Beast Artema on Leon’s chest began to glow! Then a pale blue stream enveloped Leon’s entire body!

「It’s a little emotional. I prepared myself for today. It was all for this day’s sake. 」

「Huff, huff. 」, Leon said, breathing heavily, as he raised his right hand, which was crackling with explosions. Seiya pulled Egzation back, preparing for the attack.

「Thunder Beast Artema…Plug-in ver. 2…『Volt Prediction』! 」

Leon pierced his own chest with his dazzling right hand! Leon’s body shone especially brightly as he howled in pain!

「He attacked himself!? 」

Celseus was shocked, but so was I.

…Version 2, “Volt Prediction”!? But that was…!!

Leon’s whole body was charred as if struck by lightning from the powerful blow he had unleashed. Leon looked clearly damaged, but Seiya muttered.

「Keep a little distance away. 」

「Ye…Yes! 」

I too had a premonition that something terrible was about to happen. And then…I took a second look at Leon’s body, which was releasing white smoke, and I realized.

Leon wasn’t charred. His platinum-shining, mechanized body had now become jet-black body armor. His shiny black body seemed to have increased its defensive power even more and now he became even stronger.

Suddenly, Leon pointed his black finger at Seiya.

「…Lock on. 」

「Seiya!! Leon is trying to do something…Ah!? 」

I looked at Seiya as I shouted and noticed he had jumped so high that he was approaching the ceiling of the vast round table room. He had already sensed the danger before I warned him.

Seiya was quick-witted as always and avoided the target of the pointed finger. But, for a moment, while Seiya was jumping, it seemed as if he was enveloped in a black aura!

…No way!? Leon’s attack hit Seiya!? I thought he had dodged it completely!!

Perhaps it was an unavoidable skill like the Valhalla Gate. Bu…But, if that was the case, did it activate just by entering Leon’s field of view!?

I didn’t know. I truly didn’t know, but something abnormal had attacked Seiya, ignoring his preparations and defenses. The black aura that had been surrounding Seiya’s body finally disappeared, but Seiya frowned and distorted his tongue in disgust.

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We have a not-so good news, dear readers. The author announced that she will go on a short hiatus until the Fall, because she wants to get inspired to write Cautious Hero. It means we’ll have to wait until then to keep translating the series. We’re sorry about this but we can’t do anything except waiting until the next chapter is released. We will keel translating the other series as schedule. Don’t lose faith until Fall. Thank you!

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