Chapter 111: Domain Expansion—Floral Field of Everlasting Gluttony!
Crack
Just then, a crackling sound suddenly came from the flame-covered area in the crater.
This sound was exactly the same as the sound of the flames burning the thorn bush earlier.
By the time Emiya realized something was wrong, it was too late; the pitch-black flames quickly burned away the remaining vegetation on the ground, leaving only a hole leading to an unknown place.
"...Substitution Jutsu?
It can even tunnel like a mole. What a troublesome Cursed Spirit."
However, the main reason Hanami was able to escape under such circumstances was likely its home-field advantage in this environment.
The ground beneath the forest is bound to be filled with various types of vegetation.
Although Emiya doesn't understand the specific principle behind how the Cursed Spirit receives environmental support, this Cursed Technique is likely not something it can use freely in a city.
Accidentally digging into an underground sewer or high-voltage power lines would be a joke.
"Sure enough, the most suitable way to resolve these Special Grade Cursed Spirits in one go is still a barrier like Domain Expansion, isn't it?"
It's a pity that Emiya hasn't even had the chance to learn techniques like Black Flash and Reverse Cursed Technique yet; the more advanced Domain Expansion would have to wait even longer.
Even if he wanted to unleash a stronger Innate Bounded Field, he would at least have to wait until he learned the Reverse Cursed Technique, which could provide powerful support for the conversion of magic power.
In Emiya's current physical condition, he might not even be able to unleash the power of Caliburn as he did last time.
However, for now, he cannot allow this Cursed Spirit to leave his sensory range for too long.
Judging from the current situation, this Cursed Spirit's combat and destructive capabilities are indeed inferior to Jogo and Mahito, but its defense and ability to conceal its presence are impeccable.
When the opponent chose to submerge beneath the ground, Emiya could no longer sense that massive Cursed Energy from it in this forest.
But it doesn't matter.
The Cursed Spirit's presence has indeed vanished, but the Cursed Energy reactions from the students and other invaders are still quite clear.
Most of them are gathered at the edge of this barrier, so Emiya immediately rushed towards the area with the strongest Cursed Energy reaction.
Since he couldn't be sure whether the situation over there was good or bad, Emiya didn't dare to delay at all while on the move.
When Emiya successfully reached the edge with the strongest Cursed Energy reaction a few minutes later, he saw this strange scene—
An elderly man wearing trendy clothes and holding a guitar was engaged in close-quarters combat with a bald, apron-wearing giant.
Such an explosive scene would probably not even be seen on special late-night Japanese TV channels.
"Uh, Principal Gakuganji... do you need help?"
The shift from an imposing old man leaning on a cane to a trendy man in a rock band felt too drastic, giving Emiya the bizarre impression that he might be looking at elderly twins.
"Are you still hesitating upon seeing an enemy Curse User? Not even a half-baked Sorcerer has any reason to do something like that, does he?"
Gakuganji Yoshinobu not only failed to answer directly but used the question to mock Emiya again.
Well, since he's an old man of this age who is still straining himself at work, Emiya has some empathy, so he certainly won't get angry.
After all, the man won't be around for many more years.
"What's this? So there's still young, healthy bodies besides the old, weak, and sick ones! You must be a great tool!
Hanger, hanger, hanger, hanger, hanger!"
Before Emiya even had a chance to act, the Curse User, upon seeing him, rushed over excitedly, brandishing his axe, completely ignoring his original opponent.
"Trace on."
Without waiting for the opponent to approach, Emiya Projected Kanshou and Bakuya and moved towards the opponent, disarming the weapon in his hand in a couple of moves.
"Huh?"
After losing his means of attack, the Curse User stared blankly and clenched his hands, seemingly not very bright.
"What is the tool you spoke of?"
Emiya did not rush to strike but asked a question first.
"Does it even need to be said? Only the best materials can create better hangers! I came here specifically for Gojo Satoru!
If it's him, he'll definitely make a top-quality... no, the finest hanger!
Only a Special Grade Sorcerer can create a Special Grade one. I'm tired of materials without much talent; they're useless except for shouting loudly."
With just a casual question, this fellow completely spilled all his secrets.
"I see........."
Emiya, his expression slightly darkening, raised the blade in his hand.
As mentioned before, techniques for forging Cursed Tools have indeed been passed down through the Cursed World from ancient times, but without exception, they are all evil arts.
It's not hard to deduce from this Curse User's words that he is a Cursed Tool Blacksmith who has mastered such techniques and has long since harmed countless lives to forge his so-called ideal Cursed Tools.
Emiya couldn't think of any reason to spare such a person.
"Don't kill him, we still need information...!"
Pfft—!
Gakuganji Yoshinobu was afraid that a young Sorcerer like Emiya would directly ruin the chance for further interrogation out of anger, but Emiya didn't need this reminder.
He didn't bring the blade directly to the opponent's neck; he merely used a quick move to sever the tendons in the opponent's heels and wrists.
Compared to the evil arts the opponent used for forging, he was already quite merciful.
"Wh-what's going on?
It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!
Save me, save me!!!"
Perhaps as a punishment for using such techniques and methods, this fellow's intelligence seemed to be considerably lacking.
However, Emiya ignored the person howling on the ground and turned his head to look at the other side.
Hanami, who had escaped earlier, was standing there at some point.
It merely glanced at the Curse User on the ground and paid no further attention.
"Your companion has been reduced to this state; don't you have any reaction?"
"Companion?"
Hanami was completely unmoved by Emiya's question.
"I never acknowledge humans as companions.
These Curse Users don't even understand our plan at all; dealing with him is a waste of effort."
Despite the compassionate tone in its previous statements, the personality it displayed now was exceptionally cold.
This Cursed Spirit has never concealed its true nature.
"A Special Grade Cursed Spirit?! But why is its Cursed Energy so vast..."
After witnessing Hanami's appearance with his own eyes, Gakuganji Yoshinobu immediately widened his eyes and furrowed his brows.
He has seen many Special Grade Cursed Spirits in his lifetime, but he has never encountered one with such massive Cursed Energy... and this is even after it was heavily wounded by Emiya, with its total Cursed Energy already less than half of its original amount.
And... is it really true that there are Special Grade Cursed Spirits that can not only talk but even discuss countermeasures and schemes? Were the previous intelligence reports not false?!
"Emiya Shirou, an outside Sorcerer who joined the Cursed World just over a month ago, has already Exorcised Curses of this caliber..."
Principal Gakuganji's expression and eyes were extremely exaggerated, but unfortunately, Hanami never gave him a proper look for a single moment.
Its gaze remained focused on Emiya.
Intentionally keeping a safe distance, it crouched down and pressed its pitch-black left arm against the ground. The resulting phenomenon was that the grass and nearby trees visibly withered rapidly, turning into a dead grey.
"Plants do not produce Cursed Energy, but my left hand can steal the life of plants and convert it into Cursed Energy.
However, the Cursed Energy will not be transferred to my own body, but entirely to this Offering Flower.
I really didn't want to use this move............"
For a Cursed Spirit that prides itself on protecting the planet and nature, its strongest ability is to steal the life of plants to gain massive Cursed Energy for itself.
How incredibly ironic.
However, one thing is beyond doubt: as the ultimate trump card of a Special Grade Cursed Spirit, its power must be terrifying.
As the grey, lifeless zone continuously expanded in the forest, the red flower bud on Hanami's shoulder gradually grew, until it fully opened, revealing a strange single eye within.
Massive Cursed Energy began to condense and concentrate in front of the blood-red Offering Flower. Perhaps because it drew upon the vitality of the plant life, the color of this energy mass was even golden-yellow. The life force of plants was converted into extreme destructive power.
"You may have the ability to dodge this attack, but your companion certainly won't... a normal Sorcerer doesn't have that many tricks.
Now you can only try to escape with him, or face my full-power attack.
But to be safe............"
Hanami not only never gave Principal Gakuganji a proper look but naturally treated him as a burden for Emiya.
Although the truth is that his guitar and music probably wouldn't be very useful against such an attack.
Facing Hanami's charged attack, Emiya did not stop it; instead, he silently Projected a seemingly unremarkable lead ball and held it in his hand.
Hanami saw this but didn't take it seriously, assuming it was the opponent preparing to defend or counterattack.
But it was very confident in its own attack!
"Domain Expansion—Floral Field of Everlasting Gluttony!!!"
Completely different from the manifestations of previous domains, Hanami's Domain Expansion took the form of a field of splendid flowers rapidly growing and blooming outwards from beneath its feet.
But no matter how special it was, it was meaningless, because the Noble Phantasm in Emiya's hand was always one step faster.
"Noble Phantasm Release— Fragarach: Gouging Sword of the War God!!!"
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