Chapter 217: SFDI: Chapter 217
"The Spirit’s Strike" Finn, naturally, had prepared for contingencies, notifying other Familias beforehand. Therefore, as the Fallen Sprite
"The Spirit’s Strike"
Finn, naturally, had prepared for contingencies, notifying other Familias beforehand.
Therefore, as the Fallen Sprite avatar appeared, various Familias sprang into action. Those who hadn’t been notified also sensed the impending crisis, and adventurers throughout Orario mobilized as well.
For a time, Orario resounded with a stirring battle cry, a heroic epic unfolding before their very eyes.
Amidst this cacophony of battle, Drake and Finn, along with the rest of their company, made their way with utmost speed to the sewers beneath Daedalus Street.
Gazing upon the massive gate crafted from orichalcum, even Drake couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer extravagance— bordering on wastefulness—of the Daedalus clan.
This single gate alone, if melted down, could yield enough material to forge more than ten Level 1 items imbued with the unbreakable attribute.
Finn glanced at the banner Drake had seemingly produced from thin air, then turned his gaze towards the ornate gate before them. "So, this is the entrance to the artificial labyrinth? How do we proceed?"
Drake produced the Eye of Daedalus. "Fortunately, I managed to acquire the key from the Dark Faction earlier!"
The "D" symbol etched into the center of the magical tool glowed brightly, and with a resounding boom, the massive orichalcum gate swung open.
After ensuring their equipment was in order, the group entered the subterranean labyrinth. Upon entering the artificial labyrinth, they immediately discovered something unusual.
Both the ground and the walls were completely enveloped by a layer of green, fleshy substance, resembling nothing so much as a thick coating of raw meat.
Having all experienced the events that transpired within the food storage area, they instantly recognized that the artificial labyrinth had been transformed by the Fallen Sprites into a veritable breeding ground.
Moreover, Drake noticed faint red streaks of light shimmering between the masses of green flesh; these streaks were clearly part of a vast and intricate magic circle.
Understanding that another arduous battle lay ahead, the group adopted a heightened state of vigilance.
Drake, however, felt a wave of relief wash over him. His greatest apprehension regarding the artificial labyrinth had always been its intricate mechanisms and deadly traps.
But now that the interior had been so thoroughly transformed, it was highly unlikely that any of the traps would still be functioning correctly.
Furthermore, they could all hear it—a series of strange sounds echoing through the passageways, sounds that were vaguely reminiscent of both labored breathing and the rhythmic thumping of a heart.
The moment the group set foot upon the green, fleshy substance, a deluge of carnivorous plant vines erupted from the ground, their sharp points aimed directly at them like a volley of spears.
However, before these vines could even come close, they were reduced to splinters. Ais, having activated her "Wind Spirit Sprint" ability, had deployed an unbreakable barrier of swords, effectively deflecting all of the carnivorous plants.
Without slowing their pace, the group continued their advance into the depths of the artificial labyrinth.
As they methodically cleared away the obstructing green flesh from their path, aided by the possession of the Eye of Daedalus, they swiftly reached the enormous cavern that served as the central chamber on the tenth level of the artificial labyrinth.
This cavern had originally been used by the Dark Faction as a meeting chamber, but it had now been transformed into a nest for the Fallen Sprites.
They could clearly hear the strange, rhythmic sounds emanating from the mass of vines that filled the chamber before them.
Riviria spoke, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "What course of action should we take? Should we begin by unleashing a bombardment of magic spells to test their defenses?"
Drake shook his head. "There’s no need for such preliminary measures. Our presence has already been detected by the master of this lair."
The mass of vines began to writhe and then parted, revealing the Fallen Sprite nestled within.
"[Waaaaaaaah!]"
While the previous Fallen Sprite avatars had retained a faint trace of the purity associated with divine fragments, the creature before them was a thoroughly corrupted entity, a grotesque amalgamation of filth and decay.
Although its outward appearance remained strikingly beautiful, the only discernible aura emanating from its being was one of unrestrained madness.
Drake brandished his battle standard, his fighting spirit igniting a fervent blaze within him.
"Then I shall take the lead!"
With these words, Drake charged forward, unleashing a devastating blast of Fire Dragon’s Blazing Flames.
The Fallen Sprite let out a deafening shriek, engaging Drake in a furious exchange of magical attacks.
Lightning and fire clashed violently, clearing away the surrounding green flesh and revealing the ultra-hard metal floor beneath.
Drake, moving with breathtaking speed through the blinding light of the magical confrontation, closed the distance to the Fallen Sprite, wielding his battle standard to shatter the countless vines that lashed out at him.
The other members of the group were not slow to react; they launched a coordinated assault upon the Fallen Sprite.
Axes, twin blades, scimitars, enchanted boots, rapiers, spears—a veritable arsenal of weaponry was unleashed upon the Fallen Sprite, mercilessly tearing apart its outer defenses and shattering a significant portion of its core.
Once again, the Fallen Sprite emitted a bloodcurdling shriek, its body emitting a large plume of white vapor that sent all those who had attacked it flying backward.
"[I’m burned!]"
Tiona involuntarily shook her arm, which had been scorched by the intense heat. The white vapor emanating from the Fallen Sprite’s body had caused the temperature within the cavern to rise dramatically.
Gareth spoke, his voice laced with concern, "Is it attempting to heal itself? This is unlike anything we’ve encountered before!"
Indeed, the Fallen Sprite’s behavior was highly unusual.
The vines that served as the host for the female form began to swell and expand, and intricate red lines spread across its body. The green outer shell of the creature began to crack and fissure under the immense pressure, revealing the black, organic matter within.
During their initial exchange of blows, the group had been puzzled as to why something that Dionysus had clearly intended to serve as his ultimate trump card should prove so remarkably weak. Now, it seemed that this monstrous entity was only just beginning to reveal its true capabilities.
The Fallen Sprite continued to grow larger and larger, until all of the green portions of its body had completely vanished, leaving behind only remnants of its former self. It had transformed into a terrifying, jet-black monstrosity, a physical embodiment of despair.
"That... that is... a dragon?" Finn murmured, his voice barely a whisper.
Before them stood a creature possessing three pairs of wings, its entire body covered in obsidian-like scales, and its head resembling that of a fearsome demon—the very image of an evil dragon from countless fairy tales.
The Fallen Sprite spread its arms wide, its form seemingly nailed to a cross, its body tightly bound to the magic stone. Its upper face had completely vanished, as though it had been consumed by the monstrous dragon.
Before anyone else could react, Ais sprang into motion.
The emerald-green aura that had previously enveloped her body underwent a dramatic transformation, shifting into a torrent of inky black flames.
Ais’s [Vengeful Princess] ability had been activated, unleashing a surge of raw power born from her intense hatred of monsters, particularly those of the dragon species. This power restored Ais to the form she had possessed when she was known as the "Doll Princess."
Ais’s vengeful black flames seemed to have a particularly potent effect on the Fallen Sprite; the Fallen Sprite, now transformed into a black dragon, fell strangely silent.
However, the immediate danger spurred it into action, and it unleashed a furious barrage of magical attacks upon Ais.
"[It’s impossible to allow you to injure our princess!]"
Gareth and Bete charged forward simultaneously, overwhelming Nidhogg’s magical attacks with a brutal display of overwhelming physical force.
Ais seized this opportunity to close the distance to Nidhogg, her Despair, now wreathed in black flames, aimed squarely at the magic stone embedded within the creature’s body.
However, Nidhogg raised its massive claw, and Ais’s sword, despite its ferocious power, merely chipped away a few scales.
While it was true that this creature had been created using the power of a Fallen Sprite, it remained, at its core, a dragon. The defensive capabilities of dragon scales were not so easily overcome.
"[Burn everything to ashes, Surtr’s Sword! I am Alf! Superior—Victory Sword!]"
Riviria’s magical bombardment followed immediately, the fiery sword striking Nidhogg with devastating force.
However, when Nidhogg reappeared before them, it bore only a single wound, a few scattered scales having been dislodged from its body.
Finn swiftly swung his spear, severing several of the carnivorous plant vines that had begun to sprout from the ground, only to find Drake tossing his battle standard towards him.
"Finn, use this. Pray to the spirit!"
Finn caught the battle standard; although he was unsure of its purpose, he trusted that Drake would not engage in such reckless behavior at a critical moment like this.
Following his instincts, Finn grasped the fluttering battle standard and began to offer a prayer.
A resounding horn call echoed through the cavern, and to the astonishment of everyone present, a multitude of figures materialized behind Finn.
Even Drake, the creator of the battle standard, had not anticipated such a development.
Finn had not summoned a single spirit, but rather, an entire army of spirits—the legendary Knights of Fianna.
Throughout history, the Knights of Fianna had been composed of dwarves, a race often looked down upon and underestimated.
During a particularly dark age, the Knights of Fianna had served as a beacon of hope, a sharp sword that cleaved through the darkness. Wherever the signal fires of their pact were raised, they would arrive, employing their exceptional skills to drive back the monstrous hordes.
And standing behind Finn were the spirits of this legendary knight order. At their head stood a diminutive dwarf astride a magnificent steed whose mane and tail were ablaze with blue flames; the dwarf’s crimson eyes were visible beneath his helmet.
The banner bearing the emblem of a spear fluttered proudly in the air. As the dwarf leader raised his spear and pointed it towards the monstrous creature before them, the Knights of Fianna charged towards Nidhogg with unwavering determination.
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