The spell Mia originally prepared wasn’t intended to be used like this.
The plan was simple: since the gryphon had wings, Mia would conjure an ice staircase, allowing Alice and Charlotte to dash up simultaneously and slash the wings off.
If the gryphon had been alone, that would have worked. But with humans controlling it, the situation became more complicated.
“Spitas Glacia!”
As Mia chanted and swung her staff toward the ground, it looked as though water was spilling out and freezing instantly.
It didn’t create a beautiful ice staircase like something from a Disney animation. Instead, jagged, hastily formed steps shot upward with sharp icicles protruding at the front, looking dangerous enough to pierce anyone who dared to approach.
I wasn’t sure if Mia had intended this, but it was certainly effective. From our side, it was just a staircase. From the enemy’s perspective, it likely resembled a charging ice tank.
The knights positioned in its path were forced to retreat.
A piercing eagle’s cry rang out, something you’d expect at the start of a Western film. The gryphon raised its massive body, wings flapping as it reared onto its hind legs.
It had already been intimidating enough on all fours. Standing upright, it was a true monster.
“Mia!”
By the time I shouted, I was already dashing up the staircase at full speed.
“I know!”
Mia yelled back as I called out again.
Another chant echoed, and the ice staircase continued spiraling upward, growing taller and steeper.
Once more, the gryphon let out its unnervingly clear, almost unnatural cry. As it twisted its body toward me, I fired.
Boom!
The sound was far louder than that of a standard bullet, more akin to cannon fire.
Clang!
The rifle’s butt struck the brass plating protecting my shoulder with a sharp sound. A creak near my elbow followed—a reminder to ask Browning for improvements later.
I hadn’t expected a single shot to incapacitate the gryphon. It was a gryphon, after all—a creature of legends, residing where humans couldn’t reach. Few who ventured into its habitat returned alive, and even with the invention of cameras, photos of gryphons were scarce.
Its crimson eyes locked onto mine.
A chill ran down my spine.
It wasn’t like the fear I’d felt on a battlefield with bullets flying. At least in war, the enemy was human. Even if they were trying to kill me, they were still the same species. There was no reason to feel the primal intimidation of facing a predator.
But the being before me was a gryphon, the apex of life. In this world, apart from dragons, nothing could rival it.
Still—
“Not so fast!”
A sharp voice rang out below as a whip-like slash of a sword grazed the gryphon’s face.
It was Claire’s strike, leaving a thin wound near its cheek.
There was no time to check if it bled.
The gryphon remained unshaken, merely flapping its wings and ascending into the air.
“Damn.”
Clicking my tongue, I raised my rifle again—
Tat-tat-tat!
Before I could pull the trigger, another volley of bullets flew toward the gryphon. Unlike my previous shots, these caused smaller explosions of red flames and icy shards.
I didn’t need to look down to know it was Lena. She must have loaded all her pistol rounds into a submachine gun.
The gryphon, still majestic as ever, was at least distracted, its gaze shifting from me back toward the ground.
The crushing weight of its stare lifted, replaced by the sounds of clashing swords and gunfire below.
“This is as high as I can go!”
Mia’s strained voice called out, hoarse from repeated shouts.
Sure enough, the staircase I was running up was nearing its end.
Beyond the last step, I caught sight of the Cardinal.
The faint glow emanating from his chest illuminated his sneering face as he looked in my direction. That light—it was likely the source controlling the gryphon.
If he could fully command the gryphon, he’d have used it to shield himself. But judging by his twisted expression, he hadn’t achieved complete control.
So, even with such a powerful tool, he couldn’t make it his own.
Not much of a Fangryphon, are you?
I bent my knees and launched myself forward with all my strength.
Crack!
The sound of the frozen staircase breaking underfoot echoed as I shot upward, tumbling through the air.
Whether it was the adrenaline or the repetition of combat, time seemed to slow. I saw everything clearly—the knights rushing toward the Cardinal, the Cardinal turning in a panic, and the chaos unfolding below.
Precision wasn’t necessary. The bullet I was about to fire wasn’t ordinary; it was practically a grenade.
I aimed loosely toward the cluster of enemies and pulled the trigger.
Boom!
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A section of the second floor exploded, screams echoing in its wake. Flames engulfed some, and others scrambled in panic.
“Argh!”
But I wasn’t unscathed. The Cathedral knights were no amateurs; their swordsmanship was proof enough.
Slash!
A blade tore into my right arm, leaving it mangled.
I had jumped with flair, but I fell short of the second-floor railing—
—Or did I?
Not yet!
I twisted mid-air, barely avoiding a follow-up slash. The blade grazed my shoulder, but it was manageable—an injury I could heal later.
However, my plan for a graceful landing failed.
I landed near the spot where the Maramaros rounds had detonated, avoiding falling into enemy hands, but I still tumbled across the floor.
The brass exosuit’s steel core wasn’t forgiving; each roll felt like a blow to my bones. The fresh wound on my shoulder didn’t help either.
This is definitely going on Browning’s to-fix list.
Springing to my feet, I immediately dropped back down as another knight lunged.
Of course, they wouldn’t just let me stand there and shoot them.
Not yet!
Unloading a revolver into a packed group of enemies isn’t the best idea. Unlike rifles with thirty-round magazines, a six-shooter leaves you defenseless once emptied.
But...
If the enemies are tightly packed,
If the bullets are anything but ordinary,
And if I have infinite chances to fire them the way I want—then the rules change.
Still prone, I rolled away from an incoming slash, dust and debris flying in its wake.
From the ground, I drew my revolver and began firing without hesitation.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The nearest enemies were thrown back by the explosions. While the Cathedral knights’ armor wasn’t for show, enchanted to withstand such impacts, a few in the front collapsed.
That bought me precious time.
I snatched up a nearby rifle, gritting my teeth as a sword struck the brass plating on my right arm again.
The reinforced metal held, but the impact reverberated through the inner steel, jarring my arm painfully.
No time for second-guessing. Before resetting time, I had one more shot to take.
I braced the elephant rifle under my arm and aimed directly at the Cardinal.
And I pulled the trigger.