Chapter 107: No, The Careless One Is You, Curse
In many instances, humans boast themselves as the masters of the Earth.
Because as technology gradually developed into the modern era, it became difficult for any creature on Earth to inflict significant damage on the human species, even micro-organisms like viruses included.
Especially in the modern day, humans have even realized aerospace projects that take them out of Earth, so they naturally stopped respecting a world that posed no threat and could be exploited at will.
Humanity has moved past the era of seeking gods to satisfy their fear of the unknown and began to boast themselves as 'gods'.
Until they discovered that if they continue to act so excessively and wantonly, the environment they can survive in will shrink.
Climate change, loss of biodiversity, environmental pollution—humans call these the three great crises of the Earth, and some nature lovers began to urge everyone to protect the planet.
In fact, if the Earth truly had a macroscopic 'consciousness', environmental destruction and species loss would not affect it. Instead, the existence of humanity might bring about destruction.
No matter how big the Earth is, resources are finite—when human development reaches a point where Earth's resources cannot satisfy it, and external resources cannot be found, the Earth will sooner or later face the 'destruction' day.
In Emiya's original world, didn't the greater source of magical energy on Earth suffer irreversible depletion due to the destruction wrought by the Magi, leading them to search for a way to save the world?
The moment the greater source truly depletes, all life and energy reactions on Earth will vanish with it, turning into a completely dead star, the [Steel Hallow] (Steel Earth).
[Gaia], which Magi confirmed as the will of the World, would naturally cease to exist.
However, Emiya can at least be certain that most Magi were looking for a way to reverse the depletion of the greater source not because they wanted to save the world, but simply because they knew they would die.
But Emiya is no longer the man who wears empty justice on his sleeve, nor is he one who would sacrifice everything to save the world.
He might save the world, but it would only be because there are people and things in that world worth saving.
However, there is no issue of Mana depletion in the world of Jujutsu Sorcery. Any wild talk about saving the world or saving humanity is merely a false proposition.
Forget the issue of whether the planet needs protection or not; let's just focus on the most important point—
"What right does a mere Curse have to say such a thing!"
Facing the rapidly stabbing tree roots, Emiya swung the blade in his hand without reservation.
Boom!
A violent collision occurred between the blade and the tree trunk.
However, compared to the huge attack range of the sharp tree roots, the volume of a single long sword was too small. The fiercely surging and growing tree trunks instantly engulfed Emiya's position and continued to inject and exert force against the wall behind him.
"To think you can defeat me with just this kind of attack, you are looking down on me too much, Curse!"
The next second, Emiya's figure burst through the wall again from the third floor, running across the high tree trunks toward the Curse's main body.
Behind him and all around him, tree roots began to attack him, but it didn't matter.
Half a month had passed. Even if his body couldn't overuse Magical Energy due to circuit overload, his reserve of Noble Phantasms had certainly not gone without increase.
"Trace on!"
Dozens of swords materialized behind Emiya. A few flew toward the surrounding incoming branches, and the majority charged forward together.
Boom!
Accompanied by successive exploding sounds, a path leading directly to the enemy was successfully blasted open in front of Emiya, with several remaining blades stabbing towards the area around the Curse.
Utilizing the moment the opponent instinctively used its right arm to block the attack, Emiya swiftly reached its front and brought down Kanshou and Bakuya simultaneously.
Clang!
"What?!"
The blades indeed struck Hanami's body with great force, but completely contrary to expectation, the attack failed to penetrate its defense, leaving only a shallow mark on the surface.
But how could this be?
Even if Kanshou and Bakuya's exorcism effect could hardly cause significant damage to a Special Grade Curse anymore, how could it fail to even break through its defense?
Even Jogo only reduced Kanshou and Bakuya's damage to that of ordinary blades.
Or is it that the Curse representing the forest specializes in defense, unlike the Curse representing volcanoes and the earth, which is more focused on offense?
"That blunt blade cannot wound me."
Hanami's tone was flat.
"Is that so? You can't be sure!"
The attack was not just from the married swords in Emiya's hands; it also included the few blades that were used as explosive projectiles.
While slashing attacks failed to inflict noticeable damage on the Curse's arm, Emiya keenly noticed that the explosive flames had caused minor damage to the branches covering its eyes.
Found it: the weakness.
Emiya continually swung Kanshou and Bakuya, attacking Hanami's body, giving the opponent's one functional arm almost no time to block.
Hanami gradually began to endure the blade attacks with its body, and its movements became leisurely.
"I told you this blunt blade simply..."
Slish—!
Before it could finish its confident words, the rapidly moving blade sliced across the two protruding branches, easily severing them in two.
Emiya, having confirmed the location of the weakness, did not hesitate. He instantly reversed his grip on Kanshou and stabbed fiercely toward its eye socket.
"Urgh!!!!"
The blade plunged hard into Hanami's eye socket, causing the opponent to scream as purple blood continuously flowed out.
Unfortunately, its reaction speed was also quick; it forcefully grabbed the incoming blade with its palm, then exerted its strength to fling it away. It then summoned tree roots and branches beneath its feet again to move itself away from Emiya.
"Hoo... hoo... Your observation is truly sharp, Sorcerer...
But I won't give you another chance!"
Clearly, Hanami's 'eyes' were not just a weakness but also the most painful spot for it.
Stepping on the branches, it quickly flew toward the high altitude, embraced by the plants, while countless tree roots still surged from below, continuously stabbing toward Emiya's location.
However, this kind of attack has no chance of hitting him.
Emiya began to jump and weave extremely flexibly through the 'ocean' of tree trunks, continuously closing in on the Curse's direction.
"I will also get serious now, Sorcerer."
Tear—
Hanami tore apart the swaddling cloth covering its left side, revealing a red flower bud hidden underneath, and a black arm that seemed somewhat mismatched with its white body.
With this bizarre white-and-black color scheme, Emiya absolutely would not believe there was no difference or trick involved.
But so what? The offense will not stop!
Emiya sprinted rapidly across the constantly spreading tree trunks, closing the distance to the target, and successfully arrived near the opponent to engage in close combat.
Due to the re-liberation of its left arm, Hanami's movement was clearly even faster than before. It was almost impossible for Emiya's Kanshou and Bakuya to find a vulnerability to attack its weakness again.
Then, what if he tried to intentionally expose a vulnerability...
After maintaining the clash for a few seconds, Emiya suddenly raised the married swords, gathering momentum to strike at the opponent's head. Hanami, as expected, promptly grabbed the incoming sword edge.
"Are you becoming impatient, Sorcerer, because you can't determine if my companions are attacking your students?"
Both individuals began to inject their full strength into their arms simultaneously, but it was precisely as this struggle of power began to slightly tilt—
Emiya suddenly felt himself enter a state of weightlessness.
The branches that had been nearly a hundred meters tall instantly disappeared beneath his feet, while only Hanami remained standing on a sphere constructed of entangled vines.
"You were careless, Sorcerer."
Hanami looked at Emiya, who was falling downwards, its tone still so indifferent, as if truly devoid of intense emotion.
"No, the careless one is you, Curse."
Despite performing freefall motion downwards, a smile appeared on Emiya's face.
"I...?!"
"Broken Phantasm."
Boom!
Looking at the Curse being swallowed by the flames in the sky, Emiya clearly knew that this level was far from enough.
"It's not over yet! Caladbolg II: Fake Spiral Sword!!!"
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