Fenrir Goes Berserk (2)

The movement was far faster than expected, and her reaction lagged by a fraction of a second. In that instant, Fenrir’s massive jaw loomed before Cordelia. Gleaming sharp fangs closed in on her throat. Somewhere in the distance she thought she heard her mother’s anguished scream.

(This is bad! Too late—!)

The word “death” flashed through her mind, and the next moment someone slammed into her from the side, sending her flying. At the spot where she had stood, fangs snapped shut with a clack.

“Kyaa!”

“Run!”

After her body hit the ground hard, she heard Isaac’s desperate voice. It seemed he had saved her.

“Th-thank you very much…!”

As she lifted herself up, she saw Isaac deploying magic at incredible speed. In an instant, a thick wall of water formed around them, and numerous sharp water spears took shape.

“Your Highness! Leave this to me! Water magic is not very effective against a Sacred Beast…!”

“I know! But you expect me to just watch while you alone fight!?”

Water magic was healing magic and low in attack power. Furthermore, most magic except dark magic had half its effect against a Sacred Beast. He surely knew that as well.

Sure enough, the water magic released by Isaac was easily struck down by Fenrir’s thick foreleg. The defensive barrier shattered with a splash at a single swipe of its claws. Then massive fangs appeared—and sank into Isaac’s right arm.

“Guh…!”

“Your Highness!”

Jean instantly hurled a fireball at Fenrir’s face, slightly reducing its momentum, but the fangs were merciless. A dreadful cracking sound rang out as fresh blood splattered everywhere. The color was so red it made Cordelia’s head burn with anger.

“Jean! Help restrain it! Cordelia, run now!”

His face twisted in pain, Isaac shouted breathlessly. Even as he was bitten, he deployed multiple water chains to bind Fenrir.

(What have you done to His Highness!)

Face flushed with rage, Cordelia stood and sprinted forward. Her target was Fenrir. While running, she gathered all her magic into her right hand.

“Get a hold of yourself! You are a sacred wolf! Your duty is to protect everyone!”

Shouting, she unleashed a full-force right straight—packed with all her dark magic—into Fenrir’s cheek while it still clung to Isaac’s arm.

Boom!!!

Fenrir’s body was blown away with a thunderous sound.

Freed, Isaac collapsed onto the floor, and blood gushed out violently.

He immediately began casting healing magic on himself, but the wound would not close. Fenrir’s injury was no ordinary one. Rushing over, Cordelia cried out near tears.

“Is there anyone else who can use water magic!? Hurry!”

Blood still poured from Isaac’s right arm, forming a large pool. Water mages rushed over, but every healing spell was repelled. It was clearly no normal wound. Frustrated at being unable to help, Cordelia struck the floor with her fist.

(If only I were a holy magic user!)

At that thought, she suddenly realized something.

“Hina! Come over here! Heal His Highness’s wounds!”

Hina, still sitting in shock, flinched at Cordelia’s shout. Dragging her over beside Isaac, Cordelia pushed her forward. “Here! Heal him!”

But Hina only panicked and made no attempt to cast magic.

“What are you doing!? Heal him quickly! Only you can do it!?”

“I don’t know how! I’ve never used magic before!”

“You—! And you call yourself the Holy Maiden!?”

“As long as I can summon Fenrir, that’s enough, right!?”

With that, she turned away like a sulking child.

(Oh honestly… wait, speaking of which, where is Fenrir!?)

Startled, Cordelia hurriedly looked toward where she had punched Fenrir away.

The throne that had been there was gone. Instead, cracks ran through the wall, and amid the rubble lay what seemed to be the destroyed throne—and the giant white beast.

(Oh no… did I crush His Majesty the King…?)

The blood drained from her face.

Even if it was to defeat the Sacred Beast, if she had smashed the king with Fenrir, her entire family would surely be executed.

Frantically searching for help, she spotted the king being shielded by knights and felt immense relief.

(Th-thank goodness! Thank you, Royal Guards…!)

Relieved that not only the king but her whole family’s lives were spared, she turned her gaze back to Isaac. Perhaps thanks to the combined efforts of the water mages, the bleeding had slightly lessened… it seemed.

(We must get His Highness proper treatment quickly! Meanwhile I must bombard Fenrir with dark magic until it cannot move!)

She would surely be condemned nationwide for beating up a Sacred Beast, but for Isaac she did not care. Besides, the current Fenrir could hardly be called sacred.

As she began gathering power to unleash another full attack, the sound of crumbling walls echoed.

Then the giant body slowly rose from the rubble.

It shook its entire body like a dog shaking off water—and Fenrir spoke in a deep, mysterious voice that echoed in her head.

“…That was a fine punch. Thanks to it, I have awakened.”

Unlike before, golden eyes shining with divinity stared straight at Cordelia.