LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 252.2
Chapter 252.2. Hakata Defense
As people try to walk while staggering, a beautiful woman’s voice sounds like a blessing, and a giant pure white magic circle is drawn in the air. Pure white particles pour down, enveloping the fallen people.
When the fallen people glow brightly, their charred skin peels away, revealing healthy skin underneath. The people, once burned black, stand up, patting their bodies in amazement before breaking into joyful smiles.
“I’m healed! I’m really healed!”
“I can’t believe it!”
“I thought I was dead!”
The crowd erupts with joyful voices. I’m also stunned, as I had resigned myself to waiting for death.
“It seems that very few lives were lost, though I wish we had arrived a bit sooner.”
A kind-looking woman descends from the sky, riding a jet-black tiger. However, her face is clouded with sorrow, as if she regrets not being able to save everyone.
Indeed, some people remain collapsed, charred, and lifeless—likely those who had already taken their last breaths before the magic was cast.
“You saved many lives today. That’s no small feat, Hijiri-san!”
Another figure descends from the sky, also riding a jet-black tiger. This time, it’s a large man in heavy, full-body armor.
“Thank you, Ohki-kun.”
“I, the perfect Tadakatsu Honda, will protect you, Hijiri-san! So go ahead and use your healing magic to your heart’s content!”
With a soft smile tinged with lingering sorrow, Hijiri-san responds as Ōki-kun, clad in thick armor, gives a solid thump to his armored chest. His name feels absurdly long.
Healing magic. This is my first time seeing it, and it’s truly powerful. I was amazed before by healing potions, but this is on a whole other level.
“Everyone, step back a bit. You’re about to see something unpleasant. Leave the enemies to us.”
At Taira Konoha’s command, the healed people realize that their clothes are still in tatters. Blushing, they run towards the city, embarrassed. There’s nothing like blankets or other things to cover themselves with. Sorry about that.
Meanwhile, more people arrive from the sky, riding jet-black tigers. I look up at the sky, speechless, wondering where they’re all coming from.
“Kaaaaw.”
A raven caws, soaring through the air. But it’s no ordinary raven—it’s enormous, at least 100 meters in length. The tips of its feathers shimmer like translucent crystals, and it flies gracefully with sleek black wings.
How could no one have noticed such a gigantic raven? I shake off my surprise—there are more pressing matters at hand.
The rainbow lizards on the outer wall have been wiped out, but other monsters continue to swarm toward the wall.
Surviving soldiers take position at fixed heavy machine guns, while tanks stationed outside fire their cannons, blowing away the monsters racing over the rubble with a thunderous roar.
But some monsters keep charging forward—armored triceratops. Their horns pierce through the tanks’ armor, flipping them over. These creatures, known as “tank-killers,” are especially tough against frontal attacks.
“Bring the bazooka! Some of you, flank the tanks for support!”
A squad leader yells, his voice high-pitched as he gives orders to intercept the armored triceratops.
“Don’t worry! Leave it to the Knights of Jest!”
Taira Konoha speaks calmly, pointing at the advancing herd of nearly twenty armored triceratops. They charge in a horizontal line, kicking up clouds of dust—an overwhelming sight. Even as the tanks fire their cannons, the triceratops effortlessly deflect the shells.
“Cats?”
But before I know it, a line of about twenty black cats, small as grains of sand from my viewpoint, has assembled in front of the tanks. I tilt my head, puzzled—why are there black cats in a place like this?
The black cats suddenly dash forward, charging at the armored triceratops.
“This is insane!”
They’re just tiny cats. Compared to the triceratops, they’re like ants facing an elephant. I think they’ll be crushed instantly, but—
When the triceratops collide with the black cats, it’s as if they’ve hit solid rock. The massive creatures trip over the tiny cats and topple over.
“Meow, meow.”
Adorable kitten-like meows echo as a jet-black wind passes over the fallen triceratops.
The black wind slices through their bodies, and they die instantly, spurting blood. These monsters, tough enough to withstand multiple bazooka shots, are killed with ease by a mere breeze from the black cats.
I’m stunned, my mouth agape. What… What are these black cats?
“All right! Let’s begin the defense!”
Taira Konoha raises her hand, her voice filled with confidence.
And then, a world of darkness descends.
Without warning or sound, everything before me goes pitch black. An oppressive darkness envelops the ruins, blocking out all light. The entire world is swallowed by darkness, and the weight of it is almost tangible.
Fear grips my heart, my soul quakes, and my body freezes in terror.
It couldn’t have lasted more than ten seconds. Just as I’m shaking with anxiety and dread, the darkness dissipates, and the ruins return to view. Relief washes over me—I thought I’d descended into hell itself.
All the monsters are gone without a trace. Only sparkling monster cores, glimmering like treasures, remain piled atop the rubble, reflecting the sunlight. It seems the darkness wiped them all out. The tanks remained intact, so only the monsters were erased.
No doubt did this. Trembling, I glance nervously at Taira Konoha, still standing with her arm outstretched, and begin to applaud.
“A-Amazing, Taira Konoha-sama.”
“Savior, thank you so much!”
“Banzai, Taira Konoha-sama!”
Everyone claps, though there’s a hint of fear mixed in. Taira Konoha raises a hand in acknowledgment.
“O-hohoho! Well, it seems the defense is complete!”
With a strange, strained smile, Taira Konoha declares the battle over. I clap as hard as I can, deeply