Day 16 Water Month
Today is the third day we’ve stayed at Isis-san’s home, and yesterday we spent the rest of our day discussing what we should do regarding this information regarding the dungeon. We decided that we should tell the cssmates and the Hero about it first to see their reaction.
After we told them, most of them were pumped and excited to delve into the dungeon, especially when we said that there won’t be any real danger since it was supervised by Alice-san and her subordinates.
The hero in particur was excited since he said that he'd been getting rusty from ck of action so he was pretty thankful about it.
Incidentally, we can share the information regarding the dungeon with each other by letting the person who has visited the dungeon tap the star twice, which is convenient since there’s a lot of dungeons. From the map alone, there are 5 one star dungeons, 4 two stars dungeons, 3 three stars dungeons, 2 four stars dungeons, and a single 5 star dungeon in each region. Which amounts to 60 dungeons in total.
Also, Alice-san gave us a bit of a rundown on the difficulty of the stars in each dungeon. She expined using a totally out of pce whiteboard that the monsters and traps in the 1 star dungeon are as strong as High-ranking demons, 2 stars is Baron-Ranked demon difficulty, 3 stars is Viscount-ranked demon difficulty, 4 stars is Count-Ranked demon difficulty, and 5 stars is peak Count-Ranked demon to Duke-Ranked demon level difficulty. Of course, just like regur old rules, the higher the difficulty, the greater the rewards.
Also, according to Alice-san, before she divided the Count rank and Duke rank, the difference between the weakest Count ranked demon and peak Count ranked demon is rger than the difference between a Baron-Ranked demon and Count-Ranked demon so she decided to promote some peak Count-Ranked demons to the Duke rank, and promote Ein-san, the only Duke-Ranked demon at the time, into a special Maid-Ranked demon tier.
…I can already picture the reluctance on Alice-san’s face when she decided to make a special Maid rank to please Ein-san.
But besides that, since the cssmates didn't know how powerful they are compared to the residents of Trinia, they decided to test their strength with someone from Isis-san’s camp.
…I don’t know if they’re confident or idiotic, but they decided to challenge one of Isis-san’s executives. They probably thought that they could band together and potentially beat one of them, I guess.
But anyway, as I had already woken up from my sleep, I brushed my teeth, changed my clothes and went out to the training ground near the castle.
…And what I saw when I arrived…
“Haiyaaaah, all of you already turned into limping noodles~, I only used one tail to defend myself and you all still can’t even nd a hit on me~, what failures~” (Eul)
“DORYAAAAA!!!” (Ryutaro)
“Hoi hoi~” (Eul)
“ABAH!?” (Ryutaro)
“Trying the same trick over and over again won't work you know~, and what are you trying to spread here? Hoi~” (Eul)
“Awawawa! Not the itching powder! Not the itching powdeeeeeeeer!!!” (Suzu)
As I arrived at the training ground, I saw Eul-san standing upside down with her tails supporting her while using one of her tails to fend off Ryuutaro’s attacks. I then saw the cssmates get blown away, burned, frozen, turned into stone, scratching themselves, and fainting with their mouth frothing while the healers did their best in healing them.
Even Ryutaro and Suzu, who are significantly stronger than the rest, since they acquired ancient magic, got toyed with by Eul-san. Or rather, Ryutaro turned himself into an ogre using metamorphosis magic and he still got hurt by one of Eul-san’s tails. Meanwhile, Suzu tried to spread the butterfly monster’s confusion powder only for it to be blown away back towards her, causing damage to her instead.
It was, indeed, chaos. It’s like a scene from a war, except the one they were trying to beat didn’t even break a sweat, nor gnce at them. It was that one-sided.
“Haaah, to think you all confidently challenged me in a spar and yet the result is this, well at least one of you isn't as bad.” (Eul)
As Eul-san take a gnce on her right, I saw the Hero having a spar against one of the executives, Sirius-san, the Bug swordswoman. Upon closer looks, Kaori and Shizuku are spectating the spar so I decided to leave the chaotic warzone and join them.
“...Nn, morning. What's going on here?” (Yue)
“Ah, Yue, good morning. Kouki-kun asked Sirius-san for a spar and they’ve sparred dozens of times already.” (Kaori)
“...And the hero kept on losing?” (Yue)
“Yeah, I saw her swordsmanship, it was so refined that I don’t think I can beat her with just my skills as a swordsman.” (Shizuku)
Nn, that’s pretty surprising, Shizuku is the best swordsman among us and if she isn’t confident in beating Sirius-san with her skills alone, then Sirius-san must’ve been one of the most skilled swordsman we’ve met so far.
“Haah! Hyaaah!” (Kouki)
“Too slow.” (Sirius)
“Gah!” (Kouki)
The proof was clear as day as the hero utilized his Holy Sword with all his might by swinging it with feints and acrobatic moves, even changing sword styles alongside his sword form giving his best shots. Though Sirius-san predicts all his movements and just parries them as if she’s redirecting flowing water.
“Guh…” (Kouki)
“What’s wrong? I hope that’s not all you got.” (Sirius)
“Kuh, I was hoping not to use this, but…” (Kouki)
All of the sudden, he sheaths his sword and enters a stance while closing his eyes, seemingly trying to gather all of his focus. After a while, he opened his eyes, with a serene gaze as if he didn’t have any thoughts.
I see, this is what Hajime says when he said that the Hero reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship. By clearing his mind, he reaches the state of emptiness, capable of swinging his sword in a complete trance like a drunken fist, making it even more difficult to predict its movement.
And yet…
“Fssh!” (Kouki)
“Oya? Your movement got better, well it’s still far from perfect.” (Sirius)
“Gah!” (Kouki)
Even with that, Sirius-san is still able to predict his movements and beat him. I see, so this is a peak Count rank demon’s strength.
“Hah hah, it’s still not enough, huh?” (Kouki)
“Of course, any of the Six Kings’ executives should at least be capable of discerning any single micro movement, from the twitching of your muscles, the very slight movements of your limbs, your breathing, down to the environment of our battlefield and the intensity of magic power to predict movements up to a hundred possibilities and intercept them.” (Sirius)
“...To think that you’re capable of that, the peak of swordsmanship feels so far away.” (Kouki)
“I think we have a slight misunderstanding here. Although I am one of the best swordsmen in the world, I’m still far from the best swordsman, you know?” (Sirius)
“Eh?” (Kouki)
Nn? Did I hear her right? Sirius-san, who handled the Hero like a child with a fancy stick, said that she isn’t the best swordsman? Judging from both Kaori and Shizuku’s surprised faces, I didn’t hear wrong.
“W-wait! There’s an even better swordsman than you?” (Shizuku)
“Of course, I even met him, or her? I don’t know that much, but compared to their swordsmanship, mine is like a toddler swinging around a toy stick. Unn, I still remember the day we met. I thought I had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship, but their presence blew away my confidence. From then on, I trained and trained and trained, I also had countless spars to improve myself in hopes to beat that person.” (Sirius)
We’re quite shocked that Sirius-san not only met this strange individual, but also had a match with them and seemingly completely lost. Judging from her nostalgic expression, we can tell that she still felt like she can’t even hope to match with this individual.
Seriously, this world is really insane, I wonder how the hell this pce can be this peaceful…
“Ah, my desire for spars is also the reason why I joined Isis-sama as her subordinate, of course sword skills are useless in front of the mighty strength Isis-sama had.” (Sirius)
“Wait, you once had a fight with Isis-san? “(Kaori)
“W-well, it’s not my proudest moment but I was desperate to get stronger at that time so I decided to request for a spar with Isis-sama. Needless to say, she also completely beat me to a pulp.” (Sirius)
Heeee, to think Sirius-san had a history like that with Isis-san, it makes me wonder how Isis-san’s other executive met with her for the first time.
But besides that, I know Isis-san is very powerful but I’m a bit curious on how exactly powerful she is. Watching Tio and Shia fight against Magnawell-san and Megiddo-san makes me want to try testing my limit.
“I see you’re interested in just how powerful Isis-sama is?” (Sirius)
“...Nn? Well I guess, I always heard the Six Kings were beings beyond any beings in the Demon Realm, but I haven’t really gauged her strength myself. Besides, seeing Tio and Shia, my family, fight with Magnawell-san and Megiddo-san respectively makes me a bit excited. Well, I know I will lose given Isis-san’s magic power is more intense than mine, but I kinda want to test my limits against the pinnacle of this world.” (Yue)
Nn, I said what I thought of these past few days, we met with the pinnacle of this world, and Shia and Tio fought them. Though both of them lost, they didn’t let their feelings get the better of them and decided to train and get stronger. I, too, wished to test my limits against the pinnacle of this world. Since Isis-san is a magic expert like I am, I think I can learn many things from her.
…It’s also to ensure that Bakaori will never catch on to me, but that’ll be a secret.
“Umu, I see. Well Isis-sama is kind so she will most likely give you permission to—Oya?” (Sirius)
As Sirius-san was speaking, she suddenly stopped talking midway and looked towards Eul-san’s direction and began walking towards that direction, Eul-san also straightened her posture and kneeled down.
Needless to say, they bowed down towards their king, Isis-san, who appeared at the training ground. Also, this pce is ced with the same magic that suppresses Isis-san’s magic aura, so it’s not a big deal for the cssmates here.
““Haah! Good morning Isis-sama!”” (Sirius & Eul)
“Hello everyone, good morning… is everyone here alright?” (Isis)
“Haah! It’s okay Isis-sama, these people didn’t deserve your kindness for they ask this upon themselves.” (Eul)
“Unn? Ah, so they asked… for training isn’t it…? I heard that Shalltear… challenged them in clearing the dungeon… so they got excited…” (Isis)
“It is as you said Isis-sama. Also, someone here has a request.” (Sirius)
“A request… is it?” (Isis)
As Sirius-san said this, she gnced towards me and Isis-san followed her gaze. Well since it’s come down to this, I’ll just ask her directly.
“...Nn, just like Sirius-san said, I wish to spar with you, Isis-san.” (Yue)
“Unn? With… me?” (Isis)
“...Nn, just like Tio, I also wish to know the limits of my strength here compared to the Six Kings, especially you Isis-san since we both are magic experts. I wish to know my limits by sparring with you.” (Yue)
As I sincerely asked for a spar against Isis-san, she put her finger on her chin with a pondering gaze. After a while, she then replied to my request with a lukewarm gaze.
“Unn, are you sure… about this?” (Isis)
“...Nn, Yes I’m sure.” (Yue)
“Are you… really sure?” (Isis)
“...Yes.” (Yue)
“...Okay, but don’t you think… we should wait for them… to go away first?” (Isis)
As Isis-san looked around her, she looked at the cssmates that were exhausted from their sparring session with Eul-san with a worried expression on her face. I’m guessing since she will be fighting, the magic that suppresses her magic aura will be lifted and it’ll be bad for the surrounding. Especially since her magic aura is powerful enough to pierce through Soul Shell.
Me and Hajime haven’t told the cssmates about Isis-san and her magic aura yet when we met her for confidentiality reasons, but there's already been a briefing about it when they decided to visit Isis-san’s castle, so they should’ve known about her magic aura.
Though, weirdly enough, they are okay with staying here because they want to see me fight seriously or something. Isis-san told them that it’ll be dangerous, even with a Large-Scale Spatial Barrier protecting them, but they insisted on staying.
…For the time being, we distributed the Soul Shell because it’ll be worse without them …
“Unn, Shalltear…” (Isis)
“Yes yes, by the way, this is your st warning: go inside the castle. This is not a joke, Isis-san’s magic aura is not something you all are prepared for, so for your safety: go.” (Alice)
As Isis-san called out to Alice-san who mysteriously popped up between us and cast a Large-scale Spatial Barrier separating the cssmates and us, she gave the cssmates a final warning. Though they’re adamant in staying.
“Isis-sama, while I’m sure you wish for these people’s safety, they’ve decided to stay here. Besides, we can always heal them and we’ve already give them enough warnings regarding your Magic Power of Death, so if they’re still stubborn then we can only let them be.” (Eul)
“...Unn, then…” (Isis)
After Isis-san heard Eul-san’s words and straightened her resolve, she stopped worrying and looked towards me.
“Alright, the preparations are complete, do you have anything you need, Yue-san?” (Alice)
“...Nn, I already called Hajime, can you all please wait?” (Yue)
“Okay~” (Alice)
By the way, as all of this was happening, Hajime was holed up in his room preparing many things such as the team and items for dungeon expeditions. I already told him about this and to go to the training ground, though.
After a few seconds passed, Hajime appeared by using the crystal key and turned towards me.
“So, Yue? You’re seriously going to do this?” (Hajime)
“...Nn, and I’m sure you would do the same, after all, I know all about your pn.” (Yue)
“As expected of Yue, and you know, too?” (Hajime)
“It was as easy as looking through crystal clear gss.” (Alice)
Nn, I also just found out about this yesterday, but apparently Hajime is also eager in having a spar against Alice-san, and he’s desperate in gathering information about her power and strength using Endou, though I heard that he failed to do so.
“You know, you can always ask me to have a bout with you, I can even tell you about my power and strength.” (Alice)
“Ah? I ain’t gonna go the cheap way, I will find out all of your power myself. Besides, I’m getting annoyed by your antics so I’ll definitely wipe that smirk off your face.” (Hajime)
“Heh, cocky, aren’t you? Well I suggest you fight with Isis-san first, you’re fine with that right, Isis-san?’ (Alice)
“Un…” (Isis)
Nn, looks like Isis-san doesn't mind fighting against us, either. Apparently it was shocking for the cssmates that she’s willing to fight both of us at the same time as they were saying, “Hey is this for real?” and “Yue-san and Hajime-san fighting against Isis-san?” and “Isn’t that kinda unfair?” or things along those lines.
But me and Hajime knew… we knew that we have to give it our all and very best to possibly nd a hit.
For some reason the Pleiades walked back a considerable distance. Well, it didn’t matter too much anyway so I’ll just ignore that.
Nn, hopefully this won’t go too one sided.
.
.
.
(Change to third person view)
As Isis waited for Alice’s sign to begin, Hajime prepared for the fight by taking out his entire arsenal from his treasure warehouse: his trusted duo revolvers Donner and Schg, the heavy duty sniper rifle Schgen AA, the machine gun Metzelei Disaster, rocket uncher Agni Orkan, Gatling Pile Bunker, even his Burst Hyperion, Cross Velts, his wide arrange of bullets, grenades and missiles, and Grim Reapers of all variants.
While he’s preparing his weapons, Yue embraced Hajime’s neck and bit it to suck his blood while he’s injecting himself with Cheatmate Mon E* edition. Her magic power skyrocketed and she turned her form into her adult form with three rge halos floating behind her back.
…The male cssmates were all taking gnces at her as if they wanted to sear her presence into their memory. The female cssmates alongside Shizuku and Kaori meanwhile were giving them cold looks…
“...Forbidden release.” (Yue)
After Yue took this form, she then chanted her original sublimation magic. Light burst out blindingly as golden light spiraled around Yue before shooting upwards until it pierced through the sky. She then constructed an army of Apostles made out of light that can erode everything they touch. She then also constructed one of her original magic.
“...Evil Dragon of Seven Heavens.” (Yue)
Seven dragons formed above Yue: the Lightning Dragon, Azure Fme Dragon, Rock Dragon, Storm Dragon, Ice Dragon, Light Dragon, and Darkness Dragon. All of them formed and obeyed their creator, Yue.
“...Limit Break, Supreme Break.” (Hajime)
Crimson light burst out from Hajime and pierced through the sky, twirling around Yue’s golden light. Forming a giant pilr of light with crimson and golden color. The spectacle was so magnificent it drew all of the onlookers’ breath away.
As they finished their preparations, Isis looked at them, as if she was saying 「are you done?」, to which they nod.
“Alright, I’ll take down the magic seal now~” (Alice)
As Alice said this, the magic that was supposed to suppress Isis’s Magic Power of Death was erased.
Isis’ body was enveloped by a light blue colored mana, then it suddenly turned pitch bck.
Immediately after this.
“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!” (Male Cssmates)
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” (Female Cssmates)
The surroundings turned into utter chaos… filled with blood curdling screams.
“HELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPMEHELPME—” (Cssmates)
“RUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUN—” (Cssmates)
All of them were shouting those words, as if they tried to get away. But they couldn’t.
They can’t move, they can’t blink, they can’t even breathe, much less think rationally. The only thing they could think of was to escape, as far away from her, no, it.
As they looked at Isis, her figure distorted into something beyond comprehension, beyond what their mind could perceive. She distorted into something unthinkable, something unperceivable; into pure horror, into their worst nightmare and deepest fear; shaped into an amalgamation of insanity.
They tried to escape, no, they terribly and desperately wished to, but… they couldn't.
They wished to run, to hide, to escape, to flee, to disappear from this very moment. As, once they set their eyes upon such an Isis…
They couldn’t look away.
Horror, terror, fear, fright, panic, dread, trepidation, madness, insanity, frenzy… all of those emotions morphed into a big ball of negative emotions, all struck into their mind like a tsunami.
It prevented them from moving, but even if they could move…
They cannot escape.
Because they knew.
All of them knew.
Sooner or ter, it’ll catch them, it’ll tear them apart: physically, mentally, spiritually, in every way possible.
That’s why.
They can’t run.
No.
They didn’t run.
None of that matters anyway.
Because it’s hopeless.
It’s useless.
It’s pointless.
It’s not worth prolonging their suffering.
For the King of Sorrowful Souls and Death has descended upon them and brought forth chaos and madness onto their feeble mind with her presence.
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” (Kaori)
“K-Kaori!!” (Shizuku)
Kaori screams with terror while Shizuku runs towards her. Both of them have considerable strength so their mind won’t break that easily.
And yet…
“IWANTTODIEIWANTTODIEIWANTTODIEIWANTTODIEIWANTTODIEIWANTTODIEIWANTTODIE— “(Kaori)
“Kaori! Hang in there—Ubgh!?” (Shizuku)
The King of Death and Madness proved to be too much for even Kaori, who has conquered many trials in the Labyrinth with Hajime and his party. Her eyes darkened, her mind shattered into smithereens, she weeped heavily, wishing to disappear; wishing to die so her pain could be felt no longer.
Shizuku threw her arms around Kaori. Even though she was also subjected to the terror, even though she cried asking for help in her mind and almost began puking, she couldn’t let herself break down in front of her best friend, she forcefully gulped down the contents of her stomach that tried to escape up.
And she wasn’t the only one.
“S-SUZU!” (Ryutaro)
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” (Suzu)
“AAAAAHHHH!!!!” (Kouki)
Suzu and Ryutaro were hugging each other, weathering the terrors and madness together. Kouki colpsed on all fours and desperately tried to endure it, so much so that blood started pouring out from his eyes and lips.
“Hey what’s going on, desu!?” (Shia)
“What happened here!?” (Tio)
“Shia!? Tio!? Don’t get any closer!” (Shizuku)
“Shizuku-san! Kaori-san! What hap… pened…” (Shia)
Shia and Tio went to the training ground and found it full of students falling to the ground half crying and puking. When they tried to help them, Shizuku shouted at them to not get closer.
But her words were too te.
“Ah? Ah?! AAAAAAAHH!!??” (Shia)
Shia was struck with the terror from Isis’ Magic Power of Death, her pupils shrunk and her mind immediately flooded with many negative emotions.
“Shia!” (Tio)
“AH!?” (Shia)
Although Tio was also subjected with the fear-inducing aura of Magic Power of Death, fortunately she was still capable of moving and dragging Shia out from Isis’ domain.
“Th-th-thanks Tio-san! Wh-wh-what happened!?” (Shia)
“I doth not know, but something tells me it hath something to doth with that.” (Tio)
As Tio took a gnce towards the battlefield inside the Large-Scale Spatial Barrer, Shia saw Hajime and Yue desperately fighting against an unknown entity.
But what Tio didn't know is that she’s making a grave mistake.
She… gnced at it.
“Tio-san! Let’s ask other people for help!” (Shia)
“...” (Tio)
“Tio-san?” (Shia)
In Tio’s mind, she suddenly remembered that day, the day where the sky was murky and dark, the air was filled with the scent of blood and ash, and the scenery was filled with the corpses of her fallen brethren.
And in front of her was her…
“-io-san!”
She can’t forget it, how could she? It was her darkest day, the day she swore revenge against the mad god.
“TIO-SAN!!!” (Shia)
“AH!?” (Tio)
After Shia shook Tio several times, Tio snapped back to the present. Cold sweat poured out from her forehead, her legs trembled, and she almost fell if not for Shia catching her.
“I thank thee for snapping me back, Shia.” (Tio)
“Wh-what happened, Tio-san?” (Shia)
“I doth not know the reason, but I was reminded of that day, the day Chichiue and Hahaue passed away. Something triggered my memory after I took a look at Goshujin-sama and Yue’s opponent.” (Tio)
“Wha…?” (Shia)
As Tio finished expining, both of them were thinking hard on how to save the cssmates safely without going mad and mentally breaking down.
All hope was seemingly lost until…
“Oya? Looks like you can still function well, huh?” (Alice)
“Alice-san!?” (Shia)
“Alice-dono!?” (Tio)
Alice appeared and greeted the flustered Shia and Tio. Shia asked Alice with an angry tone.
“What the hell’s happening?! I thought this pce was supposed to be safe!” (Shia)
“Unn? They’re only having a spar with Isis-san, though?” (Alice)
“What kind of spar can cause this!? And they’re fighting with Isis-san?!” (Shia)
Shia was understandably angry that her cssmates and her friends are all in a terrible state. Sighing, Alice expins the situation to Shia.
“You remembered about Isis-san’s Magic Power of Death, right?” (Alice)
“If I remember correctly, Isis-dono hath a special constitution that makes her exude a special magic aura that can cause fear to those within it, and that aura is the Magic Power of Death. However, since we’re visiting her home, her magic aura was suppressed. Wait, is this—!?” (Tio)
“Yep, this right here, is the result of her Magic Power of Death being fully unleashed.” (Alice)
Alice then points toward the cssmates and expins that they all fell down in this horrid state with extremely pale faces, shaking so hard both Shia and Tio can visibly see it from far away.
“B-but why didn't you evacuate them then!?” (Shia)
As Alice finished expining, Shia asked with an angry tone still. Alice then gred at her with a bnk stare.
“Why must I?” (Alice)
“Eh?” (Shia)
“I already warned them about Isis-san’s magic aura before. In fact, Yue-san is the one that asked Isis-san for a spar, you know?” (Alice)
“Yue did?” (Tio)
“Not only that, Isis-san already asked them three times to go back to the castle, I also already warned them before the match started. They persisted and were stubborn to stay, so they brought this upon themselves. By the way, the fight just started a few seconds ago so there’s not much time that’s passed. They really don’t have much mental power save for a few individuals, huh?” (Alice)
As Alice finished talking, Shia and Tio fell into silence, they realized that both Isis and Alice already told them that they tried to evacuate the cssmates but to no avail. And the result is the chaos unfolding right in front of their eyes.
Not even 2 seconds went by, Shia bowed down to Alice.
“Alice-san! I beg you, please help them!” (Shia)
“Hooh? Despite knowing that they brought this upon themselves, you still wish to help them?” (Alice)
“We don’t have any excuses! You and Isis-san gave them many warnings and they still didn’t listen, they deserve to get a beating from me, but please help them! I know this is selfish because we can’t get near Isis-san’s magic aura, but if it’s you, you definitely can! Please!” (Shia)
As Shia still bowed down to Alice, begging her to move them out, Tio did the same.
“It is as Shia said, we apologize for their rudeness, but we’re powerless at this moment. We can’t get closer to Isis-dono’s magic aura. Please, help them.” (Tio)
As both Shia and Tio bowed down to Alice, begging her to move the cssmates to a safe pce, Alice released a big sigh while pinching the bridge of her nose while looking really annoyed.
“Haaaah, this is why I don’t want to get involved.” (Alice)
“Then?” (Shia)
“Fine, I’ll move them, though it’ll come at a price.” (Alice)
Not even a second after Alice said that, she created many clones, knocked the cssmates unconscious and carried them away.
“Oi, you lot already know what you’re supposed to do, I’ll grab them here, and both of you will carry them to a big space in the castle for me to cure them ter. Also while you’re at it, go warn the others to not step a foot into the training ground, you understand?” (Alice)
“”Yes!”” (Sirius & Eul)
Both Sirius and Eul carry the cssmates including Suzu, Ryutaro, Kouki, Kaori, and Shizuku on their backs. As they carried the cssmates, Eul looked at both Tio and Shia with a sharp gaze.
“Don’t misunderstand, we do this not out of goodwill, but because Isis-sama and Kaito-sama will be saddened by this whole situation. You get it?” (Eul)
Shia and Tio can only nod at Eul’s word and say thank you to her as she teleports, presumably to the castle.
“Anyway, I’ll supervise their fight first, only Shallow Vernal-sama knows what they are trying to do now that it’s come down to this.” (Alice)
Shia and Tio can only nod at Alice’ words as they’re looking at the fight with worried expressions.
Amidst the chaos.
“Unn, I’m impressed… you acted fast enough… to shoot me… it’s pointless… though…” (Isis)
Strange, is what Hajime and Yue thought. After all, they both have nguage comprehension skills, they should’ve registered and comprehended what Isis said.
And yet, they can’t hear it, or rather, they can’t comprehend it. Their brains and minds filter Isis’ sound from desperation, as if they instinctively knew that a single word from her spells chaos.
Isis said this calmly to the bewildered Hajime, with Yue hugging his left arm so tightly she almost shattered it. Hajime desperately struggled to shoot Isis once more, but his hands can’t even lift his gun. Just like Kouki, he’s also bleeding from his eyes, nose, and mouth, as if his mind was overloading with the terrors the King of Death exudes.
Just as Isis had said, she was impressed that Hajime acted fast enough to shoot just after Alice took down the magic that suppresses Isis’ Magic Power of Death. After all, he knew about it, and so he decided to immediately attack.
Yet, it failed.
“RRRRAAAAAARRGGHH!!!” (Hajime)
Hajime forcefully bites his lips, lifts his arms and shoots at Isis once more. What came next, broke logic itself.
The bullet… disappeared…
It’s not as if Hajime teleported his bullet or anything. In fact, the bullet he shot was just a regur bullet, and it’s not as if the air around Isis was so hot it vaporized the bullet immediately, on the contrary, her surroundings felt cold, colder than anything they’d ever felt.
And yet, it disappeared. As if the bullet couldn’t even exist within the King of Death’s presence.
Hajime and Yue couldn’t comprehend it: why did it disappear without any trace? Why didn't the bullet even reach her? It should’ve reached her. It should’ve at least touched her beautiful skin.
Yet…
“Sad… isn’t it?” (Isis)
Out of desperation, Hajime shot his railgun towards Isis again and again, and the results were always the same. Isis didn’t even move an inch or even flinch. Both Hajime and Yue could only stare at her with eyes filled with disbelief.
“Everything that comes near me… whether they’re normal living … or already dead … tangible … intangible … beings without the concept of death… or even beings who transcend it… they all…” (Isis)
Die.
After Isis uttered those words, an image of them dying in the most horrid way possible fshed before their very eyes.
Is it even real? Is it an illusion? They don’t know.
What they did know, however,
was death.
Death… is all they know.
“Death… is cold…” (Isis)
In extreme desperation, Yue commanded her army of Apostle of Light and her seven dragons to charge towards Isis.
All of them… every single one of them… disappeared…
“Haah… Haah… This can’t go on! Yue!” (Hajime)
“Nn!” (Yue)
Yue and Hajime tried to come up with another pn under the extreme stress and decided to do the unthinkable.
The swirl of magic shrinks, and concentrates onto them. Gusts of winds flew throughout the battlefield.
One look at them and Isis already knew what they were trying to do.
“Concept magic… creation, isn’t it?” (Isis)
As Isis mutters those words, Hajime transmutes the ground and forms a derringer pistol. With Yue, they pour an extraordinary amount of mana into it.
Concept magic wouldn’t come to realization without a strong will, and what they wish for is…
““...「Banish All Our Enemies」!”” (Hajime and Yue)
–Banish All Our Enemies
The Concept Magic unches a bullet that is capable of cutting the fabric of space itself and banishing their enemies to the boundary of worlds. It’s an unavoidable and unperceivable attack that uses Soul Magic to lock onto the target. The hole it tears also has Gravity Magic in order to suck their enemy in and make sure they cannot get away.
They know Isis was beyond anything they’d ever fought, that’s why they decided to try and banish her to the boundary of worlds.
“Those idiots, they actually made Concept Magic to banish Isis-san from Trinia.” (Alice)
As Alice said this, Shia and Tio looked towards the battlefield with dumbfounded and surprised expressions. Normally, Concept Magic can’t be made without an extraordinary strong will and clear goal so that the effect of Concept Magic can come to fruition. In other words, they truly, absolutely, wished to banish Isis out from this very pne of existence.
For Hajime and Yue, this is not a mere spar anymore, this is a fight for their lives.
While Shia and Tio were very worried, both Alice and Isis didn’t show any expression. In fact, Isis looked at Hajime and Yue’s Concept Magic creation with awe and admiration with no trace of worry about the danger.
“Unn, both of you… able to do this… in this situation… As I thought, both of you are… amazing.” (Isis)
““GOOOOOOOO!!!”” (Hajime & Yue)
While Isis praised them from the bottom of her heart. Hajime and Yue finished constructing the Concept Magic. They shot it towards Isis, a beautiful golden and crimson colored light burst out from the pistol’s barrel.
“ALL WEAPONS! FIRE!” (Hajime)
As the magic bullet travels towards Isis, Hajime commands all of his weapons to shoot everything they’ve got at Isis, all in order to make sure the magic bullet 「Banish All Our Enemies」 hits.
Hundreds of thousands of bullets, rockets, grenades, pile bunkers all unched simultaneously. All ten Burst Hyperion shot out sers of pure heat and destruction. Rose Helios and Sor Bomb were thrown out, and Cross Velts and Grim Reapers all shot out of their arsenals.
All towards Isis.
Yet, she didn’t show a worried expression at all, when Hajime and Yue looked at her before they were blinded by hundreds of thousands of projectiles, her expression can only be described in one word.
Cold.
Colder than even Death itself.
The projectiles flew closer and closer toward Isis.
Then…
“Die.” (Isis)
As Isis uttered a single word, it reverberated throughout the space inside the Large-Scale Spatial Barrier, phasing through it, and spread across the training ground.
Every bullet, rockets, grenades, pile bunkers, sers, his artifacts Donner and Schg, Schgen AA, Metzelei Disaster, Agni Orkan, Burst Hyperion, Gatling Pile Bunker, all of the Cross Velts and Grim Reapers…
Even the Concept magic bullet 「Banish All of Our Enemies」
All of them… disappeared…
All from a single word.
As if they abided the King’s command.
They all… died.
“GHAK!” (Hajime)
Not only did all of Hajime’s artifacts disappear from existence, his metallic left arm, his right eye, his treasure warehouse, even the particles in his blood to boost Yue’s abilities alongside Cheatmate, all vanished.
Since the particles took about a quarter of his blood's content, Hajime’s body couldn't handle the ck of blood, and fell down with Yue beside him still.
“Ha… ji… me…?” (Yue)
.
.
.
(Back to Yue’s PoV)
I don’t know what just happened.
As a matter of fact, I don’t even want to know.
I thought it’ll be fine, both me and Hajime felt her magic aura before. We thought that we could weather through it.
Thinking about it, Isis-san may have suppressed her magic aura back when we first met, after all she can’t risk causing chaos near a neighborhood.
But that’s not important at all right now.
Hajime fell down in pain right beside me.
I need to help him.
I have to help him.
But I can’t.
“!@#%&&”
An unintelligible word reverberated in my mind, causing more damage.
I see, so this is the extent of her magic aura.
Everything we do, everything that we will do.
All of them are useless against her.
She didn’t even need to move nor think.
She merely needs to exist.
Her very presence is more than enough to render everything we throw at her useless.
I underestimated it.
I shouldn’t have involved Hajime.
And now Hajime’s in severe pain because of me.
This is all a mistake.
This is all my fault.
This is all a mistake this is all my fault this is all a mistake this is all my fault this is all a mistake this is all my fault this is all a mistake this is all my fault this is all a mistake this is all my fault this is all a mistake this is all my fault this is all a mistake this is all my fault this is all a mistake this is all my fault this is all a mistake this is all my fault this is all a mistake this is all my fault this is all a mistake this is all my fault.
My fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault my fault.
It’s all… my fault…
Hmm?
What is this… feeling?
Ah.
That’s right.
It’s this peculiar feeling.
The exact feeling I felt when I was betrayed by my own people. The feeling I had when I was trapped underground for 300 years. The feeling when I watched my beloved Hajime almost die right in front of my very eyes when we fought against Ehit.
Despair.
Fear.
Hopelessness.
Yes.
It’s all… hopeless.
*tap, tap, tap
Nn? What is that?
Footsteps?
No.
No!
NO!
GET AWAY!
GET AWAY FROM US!!!
*Tap, tap, tap
GETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAY!!!
I tried to take a gnce at the source of footsteps, but it was all too blurry.
I tried to cast magic with a miniscule amount of magic power I have left, but the spells phased through it, as if it never existed in the first pce.
I shouted at it, to not get any closer, yet it didn’t slow down.
None of what I do works.
None of them… work…
…
I see.
So this is it.
The end.
It was… pretty… anticlimactic.
I see…
If that’s the case…
“...I love you… Hajime…” (Yue)
At least let me die by my beloved’s side.
That’s right.
I give up.
Just take me.
“...e.”
Take me away.
Just me.
Don’t touch him.
Please.
Please....
I beg you.
Please.
“...ue.”
No.
NO!
NO!!!
DON’T TOUCH HIM!!!
*SLAP!
“Ah…” (Isis)
“Ah…” (Yue)
As I spped the hand that was seemingly about to touch Hajime, my consciousness suddenly resurfaced by the sound of my sp. Slowly, my survival instinct drowned into my subconsciousness.
Through my teary eyes, I saw a worried Isis-san trying to reach out to me. Her magic aura must’ve been suppressed.
“Ah… sorry…” (Isis)
It was a bit, just a bit.
But I saw… Isis-san with a sad and lonely gaze.
As I saw that, I immediately realized something.
Isis-san… did nothing wrong.
It was her magic aura that caused me to act like this. But Isis-san herself did nothing wrong. Heck, she’s worried about this stupid me who foolishly challenged her even after knowing her magic aura’s capability and even offered me her hand.
That’s why.
It’s my fault for spping Isis-san’s hand.
Then!
I!
Should!
APOLOGIZE!!!
*SMACK!!!
“Eh?” (Isis)
“Pyuuuh! Mugyiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!! PWAAH!!!” (Yue)
I spped my cheeks with both of my hands, I then pinch it as hard as I can, and released them. My cheek must’ve turned beet red now.
But none of that matters.
Since Isis-san’s magic aura was suppressed, the feeling of dread disappeared, so I can talk to her easily.
“...I’m okay Isis-san. Sorry for spping your hand before, I’m just a bit scared.” (Yue)
With the calmest tone I ever mustered, I apologized to Isis-san for spping her hand while trying to stand up. Though I must’ve been tired since I’m wobbling like crazy.
“Ah, Yue… are you okay?” (Isis)
“W-w-well, I’m fine I guess?” (Yue)
“You’re not fine… okay? Let me… help you.” (Isis)
“...Thank you.” (Yue)
Thankfully, there’s an archangel of kindness right before me, helping me stabilize my body with a gentle smile.
“What about… Hajime?” (Yue)
“...Shalltear.” (Isis)
“Yeah yeah, I’ll help you, okay?” (Alice)
“Unn… thank you Shalltear… can you also… restore everything too, please?” (Isis)
“Haaah, okay. But only because you said please.” (Alice)
Words can’t describe how grateful I felt from the bottom of my heart when Isis-san asked Alice-san to restore Hajime and his artifact. I’m guessing, no, I’m sure normal causality interference magic wouldn’t work on something Isis-san destroys.
…There’s also the fact that causality interference magic as a whole is an uber level difficulty magic to cast, though.
As I was walking with assistance from Isis-san’s, I remembered Kaito-san and Isis-san’s story when they first met. At that time, the past Isis-san must’ve not had such fine control over her magic compared to the present Isis-san.
Which means Kaito-san had it worse compared to us, and yet he still stretched out his hands and held them out towards her, saving her heart.
Yep, Kaito-san is a monster as expected.
Ah, my consciousness… is fading away… so… tired…
"Don… ry Yue… I will… go… care… him…” (Isis)
I thought I heard Isis-san’s voice… saying something like… she’ll take good care of Hajime… with a gentle smile on her face still…
Then… I shall trust her… and entrust Hajime in her hands…
So… slee… py…
Afterword:
Serious-senpai: O-oi, Isn’t this too one sided!?
Author: What do you mean senpai? This is Isis still holding back you know?
Serious-senpai: S-she still holds back!?
Author: Let’s say it like this. If a completely direct copy of bloodlusted Isis was to be spawned in the Arifureta world, she would instantly kill everybody, no questions asked, without even moving her muscle or without even knowing it. Whether it’s Eshit, the Demon from the Hell world, or even the “Dragon” everything will succumb under Isis’ Magic Power of Death and there’s not a thing they can do to stop her.
Author: The gap is to f*cking wide…
???: Hey, what if m—Alice-chan decided to go ballistic against their world, what do you think will happen?
Author: Please don’t suddenly ask me something so ominous…
