[Craftsmanship] Make use of a fire-proof shield

To hear your saintesses tell it, mankind had never faced a threat like this before. Nil Riiche's magic was unique, among humankind and demonkind alike. The only thing you could rely on in this case was your own preparation! You'd crafted a shield, built of robust material and coated during its creation to give it a certain measure of fire resistance. When you'd carried it into this mission, you figured you might be using it to protect against a false saintess's fire. You hadn't imagined that some sort of demon-spawn would be using a new variant of the fire spell against you, but you were happy to have the shield on-hand. The only question was whether it would be enough...

"A shield? That wouldn't work against a Geodbolt, let alone my refined Devilbolt!" the so-called dame giggled, grinning more broadly as more and more coils of black flame extended towards you from her parasol. "Oh, dear. You squires have a part to play in my master's plan to come, but a dull squire like you has no reason to be part of that plan, I'd say. Surely, he will not fault me for this."

You braced yourself on a knee and raised the heavy shield, clenching your teeth against the wind and knowing that the impact to come was only going to be worse. A half-moment later, your body shook, as you struggled to keep the shield against the dirt in front of you. Black flames billowed in every direction around the shield's surface, scorching the ground and leaving trails of eerie, black flames in their wake. It seemed like the shield was holding, but the heat all around you was intense. How much longer could you hold out like this?

{if Helmid = True}

"Sir Lavender! Please, get behind me!" Helmid begged, doing her best to march against the windstorm and reach you. "You can't continue to withstand such an attack! I've never seen anything like it!"{endif}{if Amulette = True}

"Ooooh? What a sturdy shield, squire!" Amulette praised you, from somewhere behind. "I did duly doubt that such a dubious defense could dutifully defend, but behold! Hardly a hair has been harmed!"

You thought her words might hide her true intent: if she could continue to use you as a distraction here, she might be able to conjure up a spell powerful enough to use against Nil Riiche.{endif}{if Rosary = True}

"Oh, Geod! I apologize for making you do my work for me! P-Please, try to hold on!" Rosary begged you, with tears in her eyes. She'd been trying to chant the Geodshield, but you'd been quicker with your own defense... and thank Geod you were. You didn't think there was a moment to spare, waiting for that shield.{endif}{if Belit = True}

Belit was still trying to crawl from casket to casket, hoping to get around the wind tunnels, but she had no success. "Damn magician! This devil really doesn't fight fair!" she complained, frustrated at her own uselessness in this scenario. "Are you okay, Vin? Just tie her up for a bit longer and I'll get my knife in her, I swear!"{endif}{if Bangaal = True}

Bangaal clapped her hands excitedly. "Wow! Such stalwart strength, Lavender Vin! Bangaal had underestimated you, but to summon such a shield! That might even protect you from chaos magic, for a time!"

You weren't exactly thankful for the compliment. You needed an answer to Nil Riiche's strength, not compliments for temporarily weathering it!{endif}{if Liens = True}

"Fuck! Oh. You're alive. Okay. Good. I thought you were- Nevermind. Good," Liens acknowledged your safety, sounding at least a little relieved. "Do that again. While I think up a plan. Just give me a second longer. The damn wind. Shit! What an annoying attack! Son of a bitch!"

It didn't sound like Liens' characteristic luck was helping her much here, as she struggled to find footing in the windstorm.{endif}