Aozaki Aoko Case File

After breakfast, Aoko, Lina, and Gourry had a brief discussion.

Aoko and Lina exchanged opinions and agreed that, regardless of whether Rezo was telling the truth, he was definitely hiding something from them and likely had ulterior motives.

Gourry didn't have much to say. He knew he wasn't particularly bright, so he left the decision-making to Lina and Aoko, focusing solely on his role as their bodyguard.

As for Zelgadiss, it was clear he had connections with Rezo. When they eventually met, there was a possibility of being attacked from both sides, which would be dangerous.

"That orb—let's leave it in the inn," Aoko said to Lina. "It has Reze's tracking magic on it. If you carry it, he'll always be able to pinpoint our location."

Lina nodded, placing the orb in a drawer in their inn room. She cast a spell to make it invisible to ordinary people without magical abilities, ensuring the housekeepers wouldn't accidentally take it.

The trio set out again. On the surface, their destination was still Atlas, but in reality, they were quietly moving toward Zelgadiss's group or their ambush site, based on a magical marker Aoko had secretly placed on Zelgadiss.

Regarding Rezeo, Aoko wanted to confirm some information with Zelgadiss. Whether the stone-headed man was working with Rezo or they were rivals competing over the Orichalcum Goddess Statue, she needed to know.

That said, based purely on strength, Aoko didn't think Zelgadiss could be a match for Rezo. The gap in magical power between them was too vast. Even Aoko herself, in her current state, wasn't confident she could defeat Rezo.

Aoko's plan was simple: if those guys showed up, she'd beat them all up first. Whether to kill or spare them would depend on the answers she got afterward.

...

"Looks like we've got some business to take care of," Gourry said seriously, drawing his sword from its sheath. "Finally, the boss himself has shown up, huh, Jerugandis?"

"..."

Goury's comment instantly made the atmosphere awkward. Both sides fell into silence, contemplating how to respond to him.

"Isn't it Selkadiss?" Lina corrected him.

"It's Zel-ga-diss!" Zelgadiss visibly annoyed, corrected them again. Lina was mispronouncing it on purpose to irritate him.

"Hand over the statue," Zelgadiss said calmly. "If you refuse, I have no choice but to act. This time, I've brought my entire force with me."

"No concern for your fallen subordinates?" Lina taunted. "Are you so confident you can defeat us?"

"That guy was just a mercenary, living by the sword," Zelgadiss replied. "If his skills weren't up to par, dying in battle is only natural. I don't hold a grudge against you for that."

"Besides, I brought all these reinforcements because I respect your strength," Zelgadiss continued. "This is my full power. Let's settle this with our skills!"

With that, Zelgadiss drew his sword. From the surrounding forest, goblins, trolls, and mercenaries emerged in large numbers. Beside Zelgadiss stood a towering werewolf warrior who, while intimidating, didn't appear particularly intelligent.

"Demonic Emperor Spirit Blade!"

Jerugandis muttered an incantation as he charged forward, his sword glowing with a black and red aura—an enchanted spell for sure.

Gourry engaged the werewolf warrior in a fierce battle. The opponent's strength was formidable, and Gourry couldn't take him down quickly.

Meanwhile, Aoko had already prepared before arriving at the ambush site. She activated her magic circuits, channeling immense magical power to enhance her physical abilities, making her capable of going toe-to-toe in close combat with a magical swordsman like Zelgadiss.

Their weapons clashed—Zelgadiss's enchanted sword against Aoko's staff. To his shock, the sound of their collision resembled the sharp clang of metal on metal. Even more surprising, as a spellcaster, Aoko's physical strength was slightly superior to his as a swordsman.

Aoko smirked sinisterly as she pressed her staff down, forcing Zelgadiss into a defensive position.

"Not much of a magical swordsman, are you?" Aoko taunted. Her hand slid along her staff, fingers poised to cast a spell.

"Empowered Spell: Burning Hands!"

"Wha—?!" Zelgadiss felt an overwhelming surge of magical energy from Aoko's hand. He knew he was in trouble but couldn't react in time.

A cone of searing flames erupted from Aoko's palm, engulfing Zelgadiss and incinerating the goblins and trolls behind him. Screams filled the air as dozens of his forces were burned alive.

"Ugh...!" Zelgadiss cried out as he stumbled backward. His cloak and mask were completely scorched away, revealing his true form beneath: a man with skin like blue stone and hair resembling strands of steel.

Just as Rezo had described, Zelgadiss was a hybrid of monster and human.

Although Aoko felt there might be more to the story, she decided it was best to give him a thorough beating first. He didn't seem like the type to talk honestly without some persuasion.

Unlike typical villains in stories who lose their will to fight after being unmasked, Zelgadiss quickly drew a dagger inscribed with runes and hurled it at Aoko's shadow.

But as someone well-versed in magic, Aoko easily saw through his plan. It was a spell designed to pin someone in place by targeting their shadow.

In an instant, Aoko vanished into a wisp of smoke, evading the dagger entirely. The blade struck the ground harmlessly, and Zelgadiss quickly adjusted his stance, scanning his surroundings warily.

By now, Aoko had figured out his fighting style: primarily close combat, supplemented by a variety of auxiliary magic. He was indeed a powerful magical swordsman.

Unfortunately for Zelgadiss, he was up against an overpowered archmage who had already lost interest in toying with him.

Aoko reappeared mid-air, pointing her staff at Zelgadiss. Multiple magic circles materialized around her.

The next moment, a barrage of magical projectiles rained down, engulfing Zelgadiss and his forces. Explosions roared through the battlefield, reducing the goblins, trolls, and orcs to nothing but blood and debris. Only Zelgadiss was spared, deliberately left alive by Aoko.

Gourry had also finished his battle. With the buffs Aoko had provided earlier, he had adapted to the rhythm of the werewolf warrior's attacks and decapitated him with a single strike. The remaining trolls fled in panic.

Zelgadiss lay motionless on the ground, his body bloodied and battered. Even his stone-like skin, enhanced by his monster bloodline, couldn't withstand the sheer force of Aoko's magical onslaught.