Chapter 640

「Wooo―f!」

「Haaaaa―!」

Almost at the same time Fran was launched by Urushi's paw. I channeled all of my magic power into my sword body while leaving the bare minimum amount of magic power for our escape later.

I also used my Telekinesis and Magic Release to help Fran accelerate further while transforming my sword body into the shape of a katana. I also supported her with my newly learned Life Magic.

And thanks to our Potential Release, I could smoothly activate all of them at the same time.

The price of using it was high though...

『Guh...!』

My durability value has already been reduced by half.

(Master?)

『I'm fine! Just focus on your attack!』

(Nn!)

The world seems to be running in slow motion because of my Thought Acceleration, but Fran's rushing speed was incredibly fast. The surrounding scenery even flowed by us as if we're in a warp.

Fran then poised me above her head.

I will then activate the Sword God――

Said Announcer-san just before I used the technique.

『Huh――?』

(!)

Has time stopped?

No, that doesn't seem to be the case. It was only our perception that experienced a significant acceleration. Because of this, there was a delay that made our surroundings seem to stop.

But, why?

I was using space-time magic to help us accelerate to the very edge of our limit. But there was no way we'd suddenly accelerate even further without me noticing just because we're in a Potential Release state.

And it wasn't just a slight acceleration, but we got accelerated several hundred times faster.

(My body, won't move)

『Me too』

I searched for signs of our surroundings, trying to figure out what was going on. But I couldn't fully process the flood of information that was pouring in, and I was feeling something similar to a vertigo attack.

『Kuh...』

(What's wrong?)

『F-Fran, are you okay?』

(?)

I thought Fran was in an even worse state than me, but... Fran's telepathy tells me that she was just in shock.

Was she okay? It wouldn't be surprising that her brain was under a tremendous burden due to the multiple activations of magic.

「This was because I helped you」

『Rhyn! You're the one who did this!?』

「Yeah, it was me, and Sword-san too――」

When Rhyn told me so, my vision suddenly went white. But at the same time, the torrent of information subsided. I see. I guess the reason why Fran was so calm was because she was in this state.

(Master, over there)

『Yeah, I see it... But isn't that, Fran?』

(Master is there too)

We saw our figures right in front of us. It was as if it was a three-dimensional image of us, projected onto the ground just a few feet away.

However, this Fran's outfit was a little different. It was similar to Fran's Black Heavenly Tiger equipment, but with pants instead of a skirt, and the details are quite different.

The most conspicuous feature was probably the earring in her left ear. Not like the earring of Fran over here, she wore an earring with a blue gem on it.

Moreover, I could also feel her presence, so she shouldn't be an illusion.

Their presence was similar but yet slightly different.

If I felt her presence, I would definitely determine that it was Fran. But there was a slight difference when I compared the Fran who was holding me and the Fran who appeared in front of me.

Their difference was really slight, I could tell because I could compare them directly... She was Fran, but she was not the Fran I know.

And what the hell was that horrible evil spirit? Was it coming from me? But Fran was exposing herself to that evil spirit without a care in the world. On the contrary, she even seemed to be manipulating that evil spirit.

But I didn't have the time to worry about that right now.

『Fran! Are you okay!? Oi!』

That Fran's entire body was in a terrible state. She must have over-strengthened her body. Even though she was only standing there, she seemed to be continuously taking damage from the backlash.

I could hear the sound of bones creaking. The pressure of magic power flowing inside her must be causing intense pain all over her body. Blood tears flowed down her face as she clenched her teeth.

That Fran was in such a state while holding another me in her hand.

Why the other me didn't heal Fran!? Why was Fran in such a state!? And it seemed that she was planning to perform some kind of technique from that state.

She seems to be pointing the other me towards her opponent.

But in my eyes, all I could see was just her appearance in this white space. I couldn't tell what was going on around them.

She didn't respond to my call either, so I guess Fran and the other me on that side couldn't see us.

『Fran! Shit! Why, why my recovery magic won't work!』

As I was trying to use my recovery magic on her, that Fran suddenly began to make a move. And with a sad and somewhat desperate look on her face, she muttered quietly.

「Master, let's go」

『Okay』

Fran's voice and expression were so somber that it seemed as if someone close to her had died. But behind that expression, there must be an SOS from the girl that could not be expressed in words.

"Somebody, help me..."

I thought I could hear such a voice.

However, the words that came from her sword, which should be able to speak, were so emotionless that it gave me chills.

「Can I use Master in his Potential Release state?」

『I'm a sword. I have no right to judge. I'll follow Fran's decision』

「Master's thoughts, I want to hear it」

『If you use it, you will be able to defeat it for sure. However, the backlash will affect your future battles. In some cases, your life may be in danger. If you don't use it, you may or may not be able to defeat it. However, you can maintain your fighting ability』

「Not that, that's not what I meant. Let me hear which one you think is better, Master」

『I don't have the right to answer that question』

I felt like my head was going to boil with anger from hearing that.

What was that!?

Was that really me? No, I would never admit that that thing was really me.

What the hell are you doing!? Fran looks like she was about to cry, but she was still counting on you, you know?

Help her! Don't just answer her with something like that!

If it was me, I would answer with "You don't need that!", "I'll do something about it!", or "Let's use it and defeat it in an instant!", "Let's do this together!".

You're the one who needs to say something to Fran to take her mind off her worries! A simple "Don't worry" would do!

I couldn't help but shout at the Me over there.

『Oi! The idiot over there! You bastard! Why are you making Fran cry!? I'll never forgive you!』