So far, I have only seen the Crimson Direwolf Emperor display two Special Abilities.

Crimson Ray and Poisonous Breath.

All three heads appear capable of using these abilities, although it appears the Cadre 6 Magivore needs to be immobile to use them. I haven't fully confirmed this last part, but this has remained consistent through all its attacks.

I already have a way around these two abilities, too.

Using Golden Dawn, I can absorb the Crimson Ray. As for the Poisonous Breath, I'll simply keep my distance while using my Golden Ray to attack during its immobile period.

However, just having these solutions doesn't mean I should let my guard down.

'The Direwolf Kings displayed four abilities: Poisonous Blast, Air Cannon, Blinding Ray of Destruction, and Tail Lightning Strike.' My thoughts flow smoothly as I hurriedly calculate my next course of action.

'This guy must have at least five Special Abilities at its disposal.'

So far, though, I've only seen two.

That's the most worrying thing about my current predicament. Not knowing what this beast is capable of will lead to a fatal conclusion. If I assume that each ability is as powerful as the two that it has just displayed, then there's no doubt in my mind that I could die if I am caught off guard for even a moment.

'But there's no need to panic too much…' Once I notice my heart racing too fast, I let out a deep sigh and keep my emotions in check.

Now that I have countered its too abilities, there's no doubt it'll show me more of what it's capable of. The important thing is for me to keep my distance and strike only when necessary.

I can't waste any attack, especially now that I've practically confirmed Golden Dawn's power.

'Since it absorbs energy to grow stronger, it naturally means that the energy it has is finite, and it requires constant recharge to display its optimal power. Any attack I use reduces the reserve of energy it has left, which means I have to make each blow count.'

This also means I shouldn't be expecting Crimson Ray anytime soon.

Since I figured this out, it's very likely that Ciel has as well.

She won't hand over the means to make me stronger, not when the Crimson Direwolf Emeperor has other abilities at its disposal.

The good news is that I'll get to see all the other cards it has up its sleeves, but the bad news is that I may be forced to deplete my energy supply. Speaking of depletion, Frontflow is about to run out, which means I must predict the Crimson Direwolf's next line of attack before it happens.

Keeping my distance is one thing, but that won't be enough.

I also have my golden raiment on me, but I still haven't tested its defensive properties due to the heavy risks associated with taking a hit from this entity.

In the end, I can only rely on a preemptive counter.

Damnit!

If I were a Seeker and had Prophecy, I could easily handle this situation, since I would know what move my opponent would resort to. Knowing this, it's even more surprising that Ciel has allowed me to get away with all my counters thus far and has even expressed surprise at my current performance.

I have greatly exceeded her expectations, no doubt.

But how?

If she can see the future, she should be able to know what I'm going to do before it happens.

Unless…

'Can she not use Prophecy right now? Some time has passed since she started her plan, so I thought she would have recovered enough to use Prophecy, but could that not be the case?'

I'll admit, it'll be a relief if she can't use Prophecy.

If I had to guess, her current inability could be tied to the sudden emergence of this Cadre 6 Magivore. She must have had to pay some kind of price to get such a powerful creature on her side, and although I know she cannot compel it, maybe their 'bond' allows her to somewhat influence its thoughts.

Should that be the case, it would be quite the burden on her existence.

I doubt she would be able to do anything that actively relies on her Existence within that period, which means Conception is likely out of the picture.

This is just a guess, of course.

But why do I feel like it is spot-on?

"You must be pleased with yourself for making it this far…" Ciel's voice suddenly echoes in the air, causing the smile on my face to immediately freeze.

Frontflow has been exhausted.

The Crimson Direwolf Emperor will make its move any moment now.

"I know your Frontflow lasts for a minute and requires about twenty to fifteen seconds to recover and use the Conception again. You can certainly use it for a longer period, but that would only increase your cooldown period, and that would prove fatal to you, wouldn't it?" Ciel's soothing voice calmly flows, causing my anxiety to rise.

She is correct.

It used to be thirty seconds of cooldown, but ever since I regained consciousness, this duration has shortened to twenty or fifteen seconds.

But the fact that she knows my limits is frightening.

Although my expression is deadpan, I am rapidly counting the seconds while pointing my blade in the direction of my opponent as insurance.

I have to be careful.

There's no telling what might happen at any moment!

"This charade has lasted far too long already, Javier…" She mutters, her gaze distracted. "I'm tired, and I wish to end this as quickly as I can. So…"

Silence reigns for a moment.

I feel a suffocating sense of certainty from her.

Then, she smiles.

"… I'll be going all-out now!"

The moment she says this, Ciel suddenly vanishes from her position.

Only bright purple sparks dance where she used to be.

"NO!"

I yell out in anger, frustration instantly consuming my features. "You can't run away now!"

Unfortunately, this distracts me long enough for the Crimson Direwolf King to charge in my direction. I didn't even notice it getting close, but it closed our distance in a single leap.

Such a terrifying monster!

At such close range, its tail perks up, letting out terrifying sounds that crackle in the air. The echoes are akin to a thunderstorm, and the reverberations cause everything to vibrate with deep intensity—myself included.

Before even a second elapses, the crimson electricity forming on its tail completes its charge, and it is sent towards me.

My trembling body does not even bother trying to dodge.

There's no use.

BZZZZTTZZZZZZZ!!!

My body is completely doused in the shocking sensation, and I scream in deep pain as everything around me burns in an instant.

My Midnight Garb is instantly eviscerated, turning into ashes, and all my potions evaporate in an instant. The Expenditure-type Armaments in my possession immediately turn to dust, all of them rendered useless by a single attack.

My mask cracks into a million pieces, too.

I was hopeful about Golden Dawn absorbing the attack, but it let down my expectations.

It doesn't do a single thing to stop the lightning!

Even my flying horse, Obsidian Steed, begins to melt, unable to withstand the pressure of just a few seconds of lightning.

This is the same Armament that is a step higher than a normal S Grade Armament.

It can barely hold on.

I am so high up in the sky, so if this Armament falls now, I'll undoubtedly meet my end.

"Fuck!" I scream aloud, enduring the biting pain that circulates through my body.

The only reason I have lasted this long is the golden light clinging to my body, but I can see it shrinking at an absurd rate. Even with its protection, the pain I'm experiencing is unlike anything else I've ever withstood.

I nearly black out multiple times, but my sheer will keeps me awake.

Survive!

I have to survive somehow!

If I let up for even a moment, I'll fall unconscious. Then, it won't be long before Obsidian Steed is destroyed and my death becomes certain.

"Move!" I yell with extreme vigor, pushing the worn-out winged horse. "Move, goddamnit!"

Thankfully, it responds to my call and hurriedly begins its descent.

I have no idea how much longer it can hold on.

But the air is no longer a viable option.

I need to ground myself.

I need to hurry!

Right as we are descending, the Crimson Direwolf Emperor appears right above me, all three of its monstrous jaws opening to let out another attack.

'Crap!'

"HOOOOOOOWWWWWLLLLLL!!!"

A powerful howl, deafening and overwhelming, fills the entire Sanctuary.

The ground rumbles, as though experiencing a violent earthquake, and the clouds in the sky part as though experiencing a rupture in space. I watch cracks form all over the world beneath me, completely redefining the Sanctuary's landscape.

Such destruction… just from a single howl?!

This has to be yet another Special Ability—a Sonic Attack.

The flickering golden lights can barely protect my body from the pressure, but I completely lose my hearing the moment the sound hits me. I have no idea if this is permanent damage, but none of that matters at the moment.

I need to survive.

The head of Obsidian Steed explodes from the sound, and many parts of its black body break apart. If I had my hearing, I would likely hear creaking sounds from its wings, since I can see that it's barely hanging on.

Any moment now, this Armament will fall apart.

Thankfully, the Sonic Howl's pressure increased the speed of our descent, which has brought me much closer to the ground. Unfortunately, however, if I land like this, it will only spell devastation for me.

Obsidian Steed will likely crash, and I will suffer severe injuries if I'm not careful.

This means I will have to make a decision.

Frontflow's cooldown is about to be expended, and it should be available right at the moment I am about to hit the ground.

If I activate it then and jump off the Obsidian Steed, I should be fine.

But… that isn't the decision I have to make.

It won't take long before the descent, which will likely leave me in a bad state either way. The Crimson Direwolf Emperor will also catch up rather quickly, likely with the intent of bombarding me with yet another attack.

I won't be given any moment to rest, and since we are evenly matched in speed, I'll be unable to create any distance without Obsidian Steed.

That would be catastrophic for me, especially once Frontflow reaches cooldown.

Which means—

CRASH!

Just as planned, I leap away from the destruction right as it is about to take place, rolling on the ground before finally kneeling. I tightly grip Golden Dawn, using the blade as a support while slowly rising to my feet.

"Haaa…"

I ended up making this decision in the end.

Using Frontflow, I have swapped out my Minute Layer with my Hour Layer, which has now given me sixty minutes encapsulated within one minute to end things.

Once this time is up, it will take several minutes before I can activate Frontflow again. I'll definitely die before a single minute of cooldown is consumed, which means if I wish to win… I'll have to do it within this golden hour.

Ciel is still hiding somewhere, most likely because she wishes for this beast to go all-out.

I have been grounded, and Obsidian Steed is now useless, which means I have to rely solely on my own abilities.

I'll be going all-out, too!

This is scary.

I'm very frightened right now.

This battle feels impossible, even more so than when I faced Zarius.

But—

'I can win!' As I tell myself this, I tightly grip my blade and let the golden light course through my bruised, naked body.

It will likely be the most difficult battle of my life.

But I can win this… and I will!

Hurriedly taking a martial stance, I glare at the descending entity and prepare to use my Superior Aditi Martial Technique.

A sharp glint appears in my eye, and I let out a crazed smile.

"Come!"

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