Chapter 209: Attack from a Higher Dimension—Eater
As the floating ice crystals suspended in the air gradually dissolved under the blistering high temperature, the eerie phantom located at the very center of the burning flames began to slowly reveal its true form.
The treacherous entity, born of the absolute unknown, was currently twisting its monochromatic tentacles. It wantonly radiated a chilling malice that seemed utterly determined to devour everything in its path.
No... could that suffocating aura really be called malice?
Perhaps for this bizarre creature, everything it did was merely the result of some cold, pre-programmed mechanism. Lacking any semblance of reason or emotion, did it perhaps not even possess what living beings called instinct?
Belle could not yet understand any of this. Of course, she had absolutely no interest in understanding it either. For her, there was only one simple thing left to do right now.
And that was to completely and utterly eliminate this treacherous anomaly of unknown origin.
"Be careful, don't let these tentacles touch you!"
Facing the black and white appendages that suddenly surged forward in a frenzied attack, Belle didn't forget to shout a warning to Kentaurosmon and Dynasmon while she nimbly dodged out of the way.
Naturally, Belle didn't leave out Magnamon either, even though she didn't like the golden-armored knight very much. With a single, precisely aimed energy shot, she sent him flying backward, simultaneously shattering the thick ice crystal that had been tightly binding him.
"Ugh... don't think I'll thank you, you inherently evil Digimon!"
After being violently knocked away, Magnamon flipped several times in mid-air before landing steadily on the scorched ground, his golden armor gleaming through the smoke.
But just as he was about to spit out some harsh words toward Belle, the cluster of tentacles that had originally lunged at him suddenly changed direction in mid-air, aggressively charging toward Magnamon's new position once more.
Seeing this terrifying speed, Magnamon subconsciously moved to raise his arms, fully intending to resist the impact using his own legendary defense. This was Magnamon's usual, tried-and-true fighting style. In the past, his impenetrable armor had always provided him with an unmatched sense of security on the battlefield.
But for some inexplicable reason, looking at the rapidly approaching monochromatic tentacles now, a deep sense of unease arose in Magnamon's heart for the very first time. One must know that even when facing the overwhelming power of Belle, he had never felt this specific brand of existential dread.
So, should he dodge?
No—! There simply wasn't enough time.
Seeing the writhing appendages just a hairsbreadth away, a towering figure suddenly descended from the sky at the critical moment, forcefully cleaving through the incoming tentacles with a massive blade.
"You—!" Magnamon gasped, staring up at his savior.
At that exact same moment on Belle's side of the battlefield, several sharp arcs of sword light flew out from behind her, timely severing a cluster of tentacles that were trying to ambush her from her blind spot.
"Mizu!"
"Little Belle, are you alright?"
"Mm~ I'm okay!"
After responding to Mizuki in a soft, relieved voice, Belle quickly retreated to his side, seeking the familiar comfort of her partner's presence.
"Mizu, I don't know what's going on." Belle pointed toward the writhing mass. "Right after Examon was defeated, it just suddenly burst out of nowhere. I swear, I didn't do this!"
"Don't worry, Belle, I believe you."
Seeing Belle's nervous and slightly panicked expression, Mizuki shook his head gently and gave her a look of absolute trust.
"I know you've always been that kind-hearted child."
'Besides, even if you did do it, so what?'Mizuki thought to himself, his gaze softening.'I've already said that I will face the future with you. Whether it's a future full of happiness and laughter, or the final path stained with sin and blood. We will always be together.'
"Mizu..."
Looking deeply into Mizuki's eyes, Belle instantly understood his unspoken heart. This intense feeling of happiness and security quickly caused her cheeks, which had been pale from the battlefield tension, to flush a bright, vibrant red.
This was the unmistakable color of happiness.
"Mm, I understand...!"
If it weren't entirely inappropriate given their current life-or-death situation, Belle really wanted to turn back into a child right then and there, throwing herself into Mizuki's arms to act spoiled.
'Hmph~ Dammit, it's all this weirdo's fault.'
Thinking of this ruined moment, Belle couldn't help but glare back at where the black and white tentacles were thrashing about.
"Mizu, do you know what this thing is?"
"...I have some understanding of it."
Following the direction Belle pointed, Mizuki looked ahead. Upon seeing those monochromatic tentacles writhing eerily on top of Examon's massive fallen corpse, his expression darkened slightly.
"I wasn't completely sure before, but now I can basically confirm it. It really is that answer I wasn't very willing to face..."
"Mizu?"
"Eater."
Although acting like a mysterious riddler sometimes felt good, Mizuki wouldn't go so far as to put on those frustrating airs in front of his own partner.
"It's said to be a higher-dimensional product from another dimension entirely. Originally, it was just a tool for higher dimensions to detect and record lower-dimensional worlds, but an almost zero-probability mutation gave it the terrifying ability to devour everything it touches."
"A product of... higher dimensions?"
Since Mizuki didn't intend to hide this crucial information, the surrounding Royal Knights also clearly heard his words over the crackling flames.
"The ability to devour everything... it feels like the mysteries are just piling up today."
At this time, Kentaurosmon, having successfully repaired his severed arm through rapid data reconstruction, galloped back to Omnimon's side.
"Omnimon, what do you think?"
Facing Kentaurosmon's inquiry, Omnimon simply remained silent, his cape billowing as he swung his great sword again to ruthlessly cut down another wave of incoming tentacles.
Just then, the regrouped Magnamon also tried to charge forward again, his golden armor flaring with energy. "Why so much nonsense? Dealing with such an eerie thing, there's only one thing we need to do, and that is to completely destroy it!"
Seeing Magnamon about to recklessly rush out again, Kentaurosmon rolled his eyes beneath his visor and swiftly grabbed the golden knight, pulling him back.
"Magnamon, calm down for me."
"While the situation is this unclear, we should calmly test its defenses first. After figuring out the opponent's true abilities, we'll make further battle plans."
"You have a point." Magnamon looked back at Kentaurosmon, and then the golden armor on his body began to glow even brighter. "But—That's the mindset of a loser!"
Kentaurosmon: "..."
Seeing Magnamon's incredibly stubborn and reckless appearance, the completely helpless Kentaurosmon could only sigh and look toward where Belle was standing.
"Hey, little girl over there~"
Holding firmly onto the still-struggling Magnamon, Kentaurosmon pointed a finger at the stubborn golden guy as he spoke across the battlefield.
"Could you help me out a bit, please?"
"Eh? Is it okay?"
Perhaps not expecting a Royal Knight like Kentaurosmon to casually talk to her at a time like this, Belle also showed a look of genuine bewilderment.
"It's fine, it's totally fine~"
After receiving Kentaurosmon's repeated and eager confirmation, Belle ultimately raised her hand and turned Magnamon into a solid 'crystal sculpture' once again, completely ignoring his murderous, muffled glare.
She even very thoughtfully manipulated the ice to fix the crystallized Magnamon directly onto Kentaurosmon's broad chest.
Well, how should one put it?
Given the massive size difference between the two Digimon, Magnamon fixed to Kentaurosmon's chest... looked exactly like a little baby being gently held in a mother's baby carrier.
Seeing this utterly ridiculous sight, the other Royal Knights present, after a brief and stunned silence, simultaneously showed expressions that were incredibly hard to hold back.
Dynasmon: "...Pfft~"
A fellow Knight: "Hmm? You laughed?"
Dynasmon: "I didn't..."
The fellow Knight: "Fine, if you won't laugh, I will! Hahahaha~~~~"
Magnamon: "!"
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