“Everything is cowardly if it stops you, right? How old are you, ten?” I retorted. He had no right to complain if all it took to hem him in was two shields. I’d fought a woman once who had been surrounded by no less than three shields, and she had still avoided them and turned them against me.

“Hah! Great Tornado III!” Armor proceeded to launch a skill that created a tornado centered on him, smashing the mirrors using a power attack. The shattered glass fragments proceeded to whirl up in the wind and rip into Armor. He gave a pleasing roar of pain. There seemed to be more fragments than just breaking them would have created.

Still, the countereffect wasn’t all that strong, and Armor didn’t seem too badly hurt—more was the pity. He also seemed to have just the positive effects of the curse weapon active, meaning his wounds were gradually healing.

A number of Miyaji’s women were sent flying by the still-swirling tornado. They screamed as they were blasted across the chamber and then passed out. Protecting himself by attacking his own allies! What a dumbass.

“What are you doing to my women?!” Miyaji shouted.

“It’s their fault for getting too close!” Armor responded. What impeccable logic! Did he have any understanding of working as a team? “Anyway . . .” The black aura around Armor became thicker and more enhanced. He started to cackle. “I’m getting a handle on this now. Things aren’t going to go your way again! Jason Murder IV!” Armor put on a hockey mask that suddenly appeared in the air and started to swing his axe wildly.

“Raphtalia! Itsuki! Get down!” I shouted, grabbing their shoulders and dragging them down. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but it quickly turned out to be the right one. A moment later, a massive attack smashed through the barriers. It happened right in the position where our heads had been. It had come right through the Stardust Mirror! If it had landed, it would likely have caused serious damage.

“See, you can do it if you try!” Miyaji managed, regaining his footing. “Right. I’ll cast Hero’s Melody on you too.” Now he seemed pretty sure of his victory, praising Armor—however, he was still coming from a position of arrogance. It was quite a departure from his rage at his women getting blown away.

“Hah! Play the theme of our justice, then! You worthless fiddler!” Armor growled.

“What! Don’t get too full of yourself just yet. A ‘please’ or two would be nice!” Miyaji fired back. These guys really didn’t get along.