[WEB version] Rare Class Change! ~The Monster Tamer and the Rare Familiar’s Relaxed Journey to Another World~

Chapter 59: Resolution

A shining wind blew, protecting and encouraging Lena. It was inevitable.

The queen clad in crimson judged evil. It was destiny.

The heat that scorched the sorcerer’s hand was something special, effective only against those with black souls.

The skin beneath his white gloves burned fiercely, as if shouting, “Insolent fool!”

He could endure the heat, but a sinister premonition—a feeling the perceptive sorcerer couldn’t ignore—forced him to release Lena from his grasp.

He had no choice.

Though he had been entertainingly pondering the strange heat, he was quite displeased about having to relinquish the object of his curiosity.

He furrowed his brows in frustration.

Lena blinked in surprise. So even this inveterate villain possessed something resembling emotion, she thought, and offered a cheeky, triumphant smile.

“Did you want me that badly?”

“…Yes. I want to know everything about you.

I’ve never felt such a craving in my life.”

“I suppose I could tell you a little secret.

A parting gift for the afterlife, perhaps?”

“I, too, will die someday.

I’ll learn about the afterlife then. Until then, I intend to enjoy contemplating the mysteries of this world.”

“…I see.”

With a sigh of exasperation, Lena muttered a single word and dramatically swept the hem of her red robe.

Once again, relying on his intuition, the sorcerer cautiously took a step back from the swirling fabric.

“When a wise person dies, their lingering resentment becomes a ‘curse’ in this world.

So, what’s the opposite?”

Lena asked the sorcerer with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“A riddle?”

“It’s related to the heat that scorched your hand just now.

I don’t have much time for idle chatter… so I’ll just tell you.

The opposite of ‘curse’ and ‘resentment’ is… a very happy blessing!”

The moment Lena declared this with a beaming smile, a vortex of brilliant, windy light erupted around her.

Incidentally, this was due to her sister Sylphine’s “Wasshoi!” and one of Lena’s title effects, [Halo].

Facing the formidable dark practitioner, the title “Crimson Queen” had finally awakened in its true form!

The cursed item, the “Robe of Dread Emperor,” transformed into new equipment, blessed by the Crimson Queen.

“Fufu. I am the Crimson Queen, the one who bestows blessings.”

The awakened Lena perfectly understood the effects of her title.

Her collection of embarrassing moments steadily grew.

Let’s introduce the astonishing effects of the evolved red robe.

[Robe of the Crimson Blessing]

…The former Robe of Dread Emperor (Red), which underwent a unique evolution to protect the queen.

When touched by those fallen to darkness, it inflicts severe burns.

Grants fire resistance, water resistance, magic reflection, overbearing aura, dark searing, and +100 to Luck.

Well, well, well.

An unbelievably overpowered robe had been born!

Lena hardly needed any more bonus luck… but let’s just overlook that.

The [Dark Searing] effect was responsible for scorching the sorcerer’s hand earlier.

The Crimson Queen would deliver righteous punishment to those who stained their souls black, by any means necessary.

“The [Crimson Queen] title effect, you see, allows the wearer, clad in crimson, to do such and such…”

“I see. A title for judging those fallen to darkness.

…”Red” seems to be the key.

Is the punitive effect tied to the robe itself?

If the red robe were removed, could I touch Lena again?”

“Now, now, is that so?

But the robe isn’t the only red garment I’m wearing. My undergarments are red too.”

“I see. Impeccable defense, then.”

What in the world were they talking about?

The men present snorted with laughter, and Lena, who had only meant to sound intimidating, mentally checked out. Her familiars drastically lowered their opinion of the sorcerer, thinking, ‘How dare he make Lena-sama say such things!’ This was awful.

The sorcerer tentatively reached out to the robe and was once again burned by the [Dark Searing] effect.

He recoiled from the pain, but strangely, it felt…pleasant. The [Halo] had the terrifying additional effect of awakening a desire to be hurt in those who had previously inflicted pain on others.

Let’s get back on track.

Any red equipment favored by the queen would eventually receive the [Crimson Blessing], becoming a magic item with increased Luck and additional effects.

Lena had gained the ability to create ultra-rare “Blessed Equipment.”

This was essentially like acquiring a new special trait.

[Trouble Magnet]?

Let’s pretend we didn’t notice.

The Robe of the Crimson Blessing, originally a masterpiece crafted from the phantom red silkworms, now shimmered like a Jewel Slime, exuding an even greater sense of luxury.

“You can no longer touch me.

Give up and depart for the afterlife!”

“Hmm. You’re really pushing the afterlife thing.

…Indeed, I seem unable to touch you.

Besides, I’m being interrupted. The odds are decidedly against me.”

Lena glared at the sorcerer. Using his [Observant Eye] passive skill, the sorcerer caught a strange light in his peripheral vision. Reacting instantly, he channeled a weak barrier into his magic rod and swung it with all his might. A loud crack echoed through the air as lightning and the dark barrier collided and dissipated.

“…Annoying.”

“You are.”

It was the Magic Swordsman’s [Thunder Sword] skill that had attacked the sorcerer.

Without missing a beat, Luca’s magic sword flashed again. He had been calmly waiting for the right moment.

▽ Luca’s [Thunder Sword] attack!

▽ Ivan’s Dagger Defense!

Squinting against the glare of Lena’s [Halo], the sorcerer lowered his expensive rod and intercepted the attack with a dagger. A sharp, metallic clang rang out.

…That blow was heavy! He’s a skilled swordsman, the sorcerer thought, momentarily intrigued, before his attention was immediately drawn back to the queen. Lena was backing away from him… The sorcerer glared at the interloper in irritation.

Luca had removed his hood, revealing his face despite his previous reluctance. Though still disguised with a plain appearance thanks to the [Illusion] spell.

Crackle! Intense lightning coursed through the dagger… but the sorcerer’s high-grade monster leather gloves insulated him, preventing any damage. The [Bolt] spell aimed directly at his head was absorbed by the magic rod, and Luca, who had intended to deliver a lethal dose of electricity, clicked his tongue in frustration.

“Lily.”

‘Yes!

…Hee hee hee, [Illusion] off! Just the face, right?’

“No, just the “eyes” would have been fine.”

‘Oh. …Whoops♪’

At Luca’s signal, Lily dispelled the plain-faced [Illusion] on him. They had agreed to only remove the [Illusion] on his eyes… but the giant butterfly was trying to cover her mistake with a self-inflicted head bump. Again, Lily was currently in the form of a giant butterfly. Somehow, even that seemed endearing, probably due to Luca’s bias towards his companions, he thought with a slight smile.

What did that smile mean? While the sorcerer pondered this useless question, Luca locked eyes with him. The sorcerer tilted his head at the unusual purple eyes and handsome features, wondering why his face had changed, before dismissing it as unimportant and forcing Luca’s magic sword back with brute strength. Luca’s black hair fluttered in Sylphine’s shining wind.

…And then, the sorcerer noticed something was wrong with his own body. He couldn’t put any strength into his arm. A dull ache throbbed through it. Was it the queen’s title effect? …No, at this critical juncture, he seemed to have strained a muscle in his arm while blocking the magic sword. How unlucky! the sorcerer cursed.

The grating screech of metal on metal filled the air. Sensing his disadvantage, the sorcerer swung his rod wildly, forcibly creating distance between himself and Luca.

Luca readily stepped back. His “strategy” was already complete.

“Guided by the moonlight, appear to purify the defiled earth! Holy White Macho Men!”

With an abbreviated chant and Sylphine’s cooperation, Lena sprouted the remaining two flower seeds.

“Skill [Inspire]!!”

She poured all her remaining magic power into the [Inspire] skill, powering up her familiars!

A sheep’s bleat, as loud as a dragon’s roar, echoed through the forest. The slime stretched thin, covering the enlarged Hamal with [Shape Shift] and activating [Super Harden] at full power. The sheep, clad in diamond armor, charged.

‘Skill [Leap]! …And then—CRASH!’

▽ Hamal’s Super Heavyweight Press Attack!

The giant sheep, now a colossal 7 meters tall, surpassing even the dragon, leaped high and… completely crushed the exhausted dragon!

It was a scene straight out of a monster movie. The ground shook violently from the impact. Adventurers scrambled to escape, blood splattered, and spirits gasped…

“Holy white warriors, unleash the light within you and banish the darkness!”

And the shining Macho Men!

▽ Holy White Macho Men’s Muscle Posing! ×20

▽ The bloodstains are being purified…!

With each pose struck by the Macho Men, a dazzling holy light emanated from their bodies, steadily purifying the blood-soaked earth. The elderly mages, their magic power nearly depleted, were grateful for this unexpected aid and breathed sighs of relief.

Bathed in the abundance of holy light, Sylphine’s blackened body gradually healed… her fingertips regained their soft, peachy hue, and her legs, down to the tips of her toes, transformed into a translucent white. She was regaining her divine, spirit-like aura.

Having received the final blow, the Phantom Black Dragon slowly closed its eyes in the gentle light and vanished as if dissolving into it. Just before its eyes closed, they finally regained a semblance of gentle intelligence, suggesting it had perhaps returned to its senses in its final moments. It may have been a last shred of dignity for the dragon, a creature inherently proud.

…The high-ranking adventurers silently offered a prayer to the dragon in their hearts. They shielded the sheep and slime, now back to their miniature size after expending all their energy. The familiars had lost consciousness. The adventurers thanked them and then glared at the sorcerer, the root of the incident, locking onto him as their next target.

…Even the sorcerer seemed to realize that escaping this situation with Lena was impossible. The surrounding high-ranking adventurers, the butterfly, the magic swordsman, the queen, and even the spirit, though tired, were all formidable opponents. Furthermore, his own condition wasn’t ideal, making the odds overwhelmingly against him.

“…I’ll retreat for now.”

Muttering to himself, the sorcerer activated a special spell he’d already prepared. The large gem embedded in his magic rod glowed an indigo reminiscent of the night sky, surrounded by particles of starlight. A black magic circle appeared beneath his feet.

“I’ll come see you again.”

He glanced back at Lena, uttering a single sentence.

“[Tri-Warp]”

He then instantly activated the extremely rare black magic and vanished without a trace.

A barrage of ranged attacks from the adventurers, determined not to let him escape, slammed into the spot where he had been standing, but he was already gone. The attacks likely missed. The men stamped their feet in frustration.

[Tri-Warp].

A black magic spell, and one of the initial spells required to learn the advanced Space-Time magic. Space-Time magic was notoriously difficult to master. It required aptitude in both Spatial magic [Space] and Temporal magic [Time]. And [Tri-Warp] demanded proficiency in both. Only a dozen or so people in the world could use [Tri-Warp]. All of them were renowned mages. Data on the spell was scarce and often kept secret, so the general public only knew that its range depended on the magic power channeled into it.

Now, pursuing the sorcerer would be exceedingly difficult. He had actually used [Tri-Warp]. The high-ranking adventurers calmly assessed the situation, lowered their guard slightly, and prioritized tending to the wounded. They took out healing magic tools and applied amulets to the afflicted areas of those cursed with decay to prevent necrosis. Their anger towards the sorcerer still burned, but their ability to switch gears and prioritize demonstrated their experience as high-ranking adventurers.

Luca glanced at Lena.

” (…The sorcerer, Ivan, hasn’t gone far. He’s probably only about 150 meters away. I could pinpoint his location with [Farsight], but revealing my eye ability here would be unwise. If he’s cornered and retaliates seriously, I’m not sure we could handle it, even together. So, I think we have to let him go this time… What do you think?)”

” (Ah, yes, I understand. Let’s prioritize recovery.

…Sigh, when should I deactivate the Queen title?

Ugh… I never expected it to be this conspicuous…)”

“(…Isn’t it better to stay as the Queen for a while? If your usual self has to explain this disaster—excuse me, transformation—and the spirit’s cooperation, you might not be able to pull it off convincingly. It would be very unnatural for me to speak for you. As the Queen, I think you can handle it better. For now, please comfort your familiars. The sorcerer seems to have given up on you completely this time. We should be safe for a while. Oh, I’ve set up a little something for him, it’ll start taking effect gradually.)”

” (…You’re right. Okay, I’ll use [Familiar Recovery] on everyone. Thank you for your concern, Luca.

Um… the Queen’s title effect [Sentence of Fate] is probably having a negative impact on him by now.)”

” (I see, good work. You’re still blessed with extraordinary abilities.

…Sentence of Fate, the Queen… Ugh…!)”

” (That’s mean!

…Geez, don’t laugh at me! I know how you feel, though!)”

” (…Sorry!)”

Luca struggled to contain his laughter, his mouth twitching. Lena narrowed her eyes in protest.

“Silence!”

Oops, speaking out loud triggered the haughty queen persona!

Luca slumped over, clutching his stomach and mouth. The adventurers looked at Lena with complicated expressions and spoke to her hesitantly.

“Uh… well, young lady. You and your familiars were a great help this time, thank you very much. Good work!

…Um, we have a few questions, if you don’t mind.”

‘Call her Lena-sama! Call her Lena-sama!’

“……Whoa!?”

Sylphine appeared right next to the adventurer. She hadn’t been able to be seen by humans before, but she seemed to have gained new skills.

The adventurer gaped. The exquisite spirit smiled playfully at him, then floated into the air and did a somersault. Her vibrant, leaf-green hair shimmered in the sunlight, captivatingly beautiful… Everyone was momentarily mesmerized by Sylphine.

The old mages, who had continued using [Purification Purge] until their magic ran out, murmured in astonishment.

“Another Sylphine-sama…?

There should only be one Maiden’s Mistletoe near Racheli. But then… who is that spirit…?

…Could it be a newly sprouted spirit?”

The three old men stared intently at Lena. The adventurers also turned their gazes towards Lena, who stood tall and imposing.

“…Could you explain, Miss Lena?”

‘Call her Lena-sama! Call her Lena-sama!’

“M-My apologies!

Lena-sama, would you please tell us old men about the spirit you know?”

“That attitude isn’t bad. I don’t mind!”

Please, make it stop. Sylphine’s shining wind effect was in full swing, causing the red robe to billow dramatically. Lena and Luca were dying inside.

With her exhausted familiars nestled on her lap, surrounded by posing Macho Men, Lena-sama began to recount her encounter with Sylphine, starting from the very beginning.