Chapter 28: Aerial Liabilities
"Rimuru," I transmit, my voice a dark, resonant frequency that cuts through the frantic bustle of the executive room. "Tell Milim to stay out of this one. If she fights, the collateral damage will be higher than the threat itself. We handle this 'Charybdis' as an internal audit. I want to see if our new Alliance can handle a true physical stress test."
Rimuru wobbles, looking at the pint-sized pink disaster currently trying to convince a group of Goblins that honey-covered stone is a delicacy. "I'll try, Shinji. But you know how she is. Keeping her on the sidelines is like trying to keep a hurricane in a glass jar."
"Then find a bigger jar," I retort. "Or more honey. I refuse to lose our newly paved infrastructure because a Demon Lord decided to play 'tag' with a flying shark."
The following hours are a masterclass in emergency resource allocation. I hover above the southern outskirts, overseeing the High Orcs as they reinforce the subterranean bunkers. The stone is thick, treated with the [Density Laws] I've made standard for all high-priority construction.
Notice. The Sky-Queen Charybdis has entered the 100-kilometer sensor range. She is accompanied by thirteen 'Megalodon' class aerial summons. Total magicule output: Calamity Grade.
Azathoth, give me a resolution on that interference field. I want to know exactly how much of my [Spatial Motion] is going to be throttled when she arrives.
Analysis. The [Magic Interference] field is a passive aura that disrupts the stability of magicule-based constructs and spells. Logic suggests a 60% degradation in efficiency for non-physical skills. ROI on magical energy: Critically Low.
"Great," I mutter internally. "It's an anti-business zone. No magic, no efficiency, just raw, messy violence. Deadpool, if you're listening, now would be a great time for some of that 'plot armor' you're always fourth-wall-breaking about."
The horizon begins to darken, but not with clouds. A massive, undulating shape breaks through the mist—a shark the size of a mountain, its scales shimmering with a dull, violet light. Behind it, thirteen smaller but no less terrifying shadows dive through the air.
[Visual of the City of Tempest's defensive bunkers]
The Pegasus Knights of Eurazania, led by Albis, take to the sky. They aren't running away this time; they're acting as a screen. Beside them, our own Kijin—Benimaru, Hakuro, and Souei—blur into the heavens.
"Rimuru! Now!" I pulse.
Rimuru launches. Not as a slime, but as a whirlwind of coordinated magicule strikes. But the moment his spells hit the aura of Charybdis, they simply... evaporate.
"It's no use!" Rimuru yells via [Thought Transmission]. "The magic is just vanishing! We have to get in close!"
"Then we get in close," I pulse.
[Spatial Motion]
The jump is grueling. Moving through the interference field feels like swimming through cooling lava. My obsidian membrane vibrates with a high-pitched whine as I bypass the first wave of Megalodons. I appear exactly fifty yards from the main body of Charybdis.
The pressure is incredible. It's a physical weight, a crushing gravity born of pure, unrefined hatred.
Warning. Soul Capacity is experiencing high-frequency noise from the [Magic Interference] field. Suggestion: Initiate Copy immediately to stabilize the internal environment.
Done. Azathoth, I want the 'No-Fly Zone' rights. Give me that interference law!
[Law Manipulation – Copy]
I focus on the static, the way the air rejects the very existence of magic. I map the jagged, chaotic frequency of the Sky-Queen's aura.
Analyzing... 10%... 30%... 50%... Error. Target complexity exceeds current stabilization threshold. Replicating [Partial Magic Interference] instead. Note: This will protect the User's internal systems but will not project a field.
Partial is fine! Just stop the core-shaking!
Success. [Partial Magic Interference] acquired. Soul Capacity usage: 48%. Warning: User is 2% away from the 'Overcapacity' threshold. Further Copy attempts are strictly blocked until evolution or synthesis.
The relief is instant. The crushing weight on my soul lifts as my system integrates the law, creating a localized 'null-zone' within my own membrane. I feel solid. I feel untouchable.
"Now," I pulse, my voice a cold, resonant frequency that cuts through the roar of the wind. "Benimaru! Hakuro! Forget the magic! Use the physical force of your blades! I've stabilized the immediate coordinate space! The 'fees' for being in the air have been waived!"
I float in the eye of the storm, a dark, silent orb amidst the chaos of a sky-shattering battle.
Current Magicule Reserves: 76.4%. Location: Mid-air, Charybdis Engagement Zone. Status: [Partial Magic Interference] acquired. Soul Capacity: 48% (CRITICAL). Note: One more copy and I'm bankrupt.
Chapter End.