Avangarde Kingdom Arena
I will obliterate this arena along with Vandalsia, leaving no trace behind. The lives of hostages mean nothing to me; I only radiate the intent to kill. Drawing Disballade from its sheath, I prepare to turn this place into a barren wasteland. I act as if I am about to do just that. Just that alone causes the arena to fall silent for a fleeting moment.
“Shut up!”
The audience of monsters was too noisy, and this was my true feeling. I didn’t intend to acknowledge this public execution, whatever it was. I would silence everyone—Yakamasshi, that loudmouthed demon, the monsters scoring from the sidelines, and the audience. If I were serious, I could make most of the monsters here flee in terror.
Monsters began to tremble, some breathing heavily, ready to charge at me. Yet, nearly half of them fled the scene. Some took to the skies, while others shoved past their comrades toward the exit. Even humans in the audience were caught in a mild panic. Perhaps they were truly frightened; most, including Shitakka, the commentator, had fainted.
“D-Daddy! I’m scared!”
“Fufu…”
Aside from Nerva, who was desperately calling for help, no one else seemed particularly shaken. Vandalsia wore a satisfied grin for some reason, while Belmund’s expression remained unchanged. I wasn’t surprised that he was still alive; I had a hunch that the one I defeated at Avangarde Castle wasn’t the real deal.
“That girl over there is the one who defeated me in the depths of the Abyss Cave. It’s understandable that she would flee in fear, but…”
The monsters attempting to escape burst into nothingness, as if they had exploded. Some vanished mid-flight, leaving behind only their wings, while others disappeared entirely without a trace. It all happened within mere seconds, showcasing their usual strength.
“I don’t recall granting you permission to flee.”
That single statement seemed to overwrite the feelings of the monsters I had intimidated. The remaining monsters stayed put, their instincts telling them to run, but the fear instilled by my words held them in place.
“Vandalsia, if you want to defeat me, come at me directly. Or are you scared? Afraid of being defeated again?”
“If it were the old me, I would have been enraged, but now I am calm. You should quietly watch as your comrades are slaughtered.”
“Are you saying Elmera will be killed? You really don’t know how strong she is, do you?”
His face showed surprise, as if he was about to say something. It seemed he truly didn’t know. I understood why Lord Daigami had kept the Divine Concealment a secret. Vandalsia didn’t know much about us at all.
“Elmera! It’s okay to be scared! But if you die here, it’ll be exactly what he wants! We’re going to defeat him, right?!”
“Shut up!”
“I was scared too! I was all alone in the dark Abyss Cave! But I thought I couldn’t end it like this! I fought just to defeat the One-Winged Demon I believed to be my enemy! I’ve been fighting because I couldn’t forgive my powerless self!”
Nerva, who had stopped flapping his white wings, tilted his head and descended. I couldn’t tell if Elmera was scared or frustrated, but she trembled slightly while listening to me.
“But in the end, that means you want to live… I don’t even know what really happened to the village, but maybe I held onto a sliver of hope. If I live and endure, something will come of it. That’s why I was able to fight.”
“…My sister is gone. What do you know?!”
“I thought I had lost my parents, friends, and everyone in the village too! I thought they were dead! But what I found after struggling to live was this! If I had given up halfway, this outcome wouldn’t exist!”
“My sister was killed!”
“Did you see her get killed?!”
In a gamble, I asked, knowing I might be cursed out next. I regretted it immediately, but it was too late.
“Of course she was killed…”
But Elmera didn’t answer whether she had seen it. She continued to avoid my gaze, poking the floor with her toes like a child. It was one of her usual habits.
“That’s right. I killed your sister with my own hands.”
“I can’t trust what a monster like you says! Do you think Elmera would believe the words of someone she hates?!”
“…!”
With a creepy smile, he looked amused, clearly enjoying himself. I had to shout to interrupt him. If I didn’t, Elmera would be killed. She was always teasing and acting strange, and while I didn’t particularly like her, I didn’t want her to die. I didn’t want to think that way.
In response to Vandalsia’s taunts, I spoke. Yes, I wouldn’t trust the words of someone I disliked. Elmera understood that better than anyone.
“Elmera, you’re good at imagination magic, right? Then try imagining a bright future for yourself. You can easily picture defeating Nerva over there, can’t you? Or can’t you?”
“Shut up!”
“If you can’t, then forget it. I’ll just laugh and call you an idiot.”
“I don’t want to be called an idiot by an idiot!”
Finally, she seemed to regain her spirit. But she was furious, stomping her feet into the stone floor with such force that it seemed excessive. There was no need to be that angry.
“If I lose and die here, I’ll call you an idiot forever! Idiot!”
“You brainless musclehead!”
Elmera’s magic power enveloped her, shaking the entire arena. Nerva, surprised by the sudden release of energy, stumbled as he flapped his wings.
“Whaaaat! W-What’s going on?!”
“This brat, upon closer inspection, has Divine Nature. ‘Rejection,’ huh?”
“Why did you suddenly get so energetic?! But it’s useless! Now, once more, it’s time for the Jaki Jaki Maple Sweets! I’m going to sing!”
Suddenly, strange music began to play, and Nerva started dancing to it. Perhaps my intimidation was wearing off, as the audience of monsters seemed to regain their excitement.
“Yeeah! So gooey!”
“Maple honey combo!”
“Here it comes!”
““““It’s poured onto me!””””
I couldn’t take it anymore. I just wanted it to stop, whatever it took. As Nerva danced and flapped around, the monsters began scoring again. If this continued, we’d be overwhelmed once more. What would Elmera do?
“Ha…”
“There was nothing like this in the culture of the uptight elves!”
“Alright, Fire Shot!”
Elmera cast Fire Shot!
“I hate that!”
Nerva made an X with his arms, deflecting Elmera’s fireball, sending it flying off in the wrong direction. Even though it was a low-level spell, Elmera’s Fire Shot had enough power to incinerate even large monsters. Was that what she was referring to earlier?
Fire Shot was nullified!
“Looks like the sinner Elmera is running out of options! We’re diving into the chorus! Maple maple! It’s become aaaaah!”
“““““It’s become aaaaah!”””””
If this continued, they would score again. This wasn’t the time to be goofing off. If ‘Rejection’ nullified all attacks, then even imagination magic wouldn’t work against him. I wondered if it was even more powerful than my destruction magic.
I didn’t understand the scoring system, but the reason my attacks weren’t effective against Nerva was due to ‘Rejection.’ I could think of the scores as Nerva’s skills, which didn’t matter much. The real problem was how to defeat Nerva. Was Elmera thinking this through? Imagination magic couldn’t be realized unless you could envision it. While it was powerful, its weakness was that when you couldn’t imagine anything, you truly couldn’t do anything.
“Nope, attacks against that brat are nullified. Elmera-chan is in trouble!”
“Stop his heart with imagination magic!”
“Y-You’re saying something terrifying, Rua-chan… Of course, I tried stopping the blood flow, tearing the blood vessels, and attacking the blood, but it seems imagination magic itself doesn’t work. It’s strong; I think we’d struggle even in a normal fight.”
“This isn’t the time to be saying such carefree things…”
“Of course, I’m already working on something!”
Before I could ask what, a change occurred in the audience. The monsters, who had been raucously cheering, now clutched their heads, covered their ears, and glared at Nerva with displeasure. Even those scoring seemed to share the same sentiment, wearing expressions of agony as if they wanted it to stop.
“W-What’s going on?”
“What a terrible song… It’s like noise…”
The one who spoke was a small, goblin-like monster with a single eye, clearly judging the scores. This had to be something Elmera did. Nerva looked puzzled at the other monsters who weren’t even trying to give scores, but soon began to puff out her cheeks in frustration.
“What did you just say?!”
“Uh! N-Nothing at all!”
“Then give me the score, the score! Come on!”
“Y-Yes… zero points.”
“What did you just say?!”
“Wahh! What am I doing?! No, no, that’s not it!”
The other monsters all held up signs marked with zero as well. At this rate, I would need Elmera to explain what was going on.
“If my Imagination Magic doesn’t work on you, then I just changed the atmosphere of those fools over there. Just two spells: ‘A magic that aligns their sensibilities with mine’ and ‘A magic that can only speak the truth and cannot act otherwise.’ That’s all, right?”
“What do you mean, ‘right’?! What are you going to do about it?!”
“You’ve mocked us elves for not having songs, but is that really something to be proud of? To us, your song is just noise. Cultural differences are just like this.”
Nerva seemed so shocked that she forgot to fly and sat down on the floor. The audience of monsters had also completely lost their excitement, as if the earlier commotion had been a lie.
“Well then, shall we start the counterattack? Fire Shot!”
【Elmera cast Fire Shot! It had no effect on the Radiant Princess Nerva!】
Once again, a massive Fire Shot was unleashed. But, as before, it was deflected before it could reach Nerva.
“Idiot! That won’t work!”
“W-Wow, such magical power…”
“Is that really a low-level spell?!”
“The fireball wrapped in crimson flames sways like a work of art… 10,000 points!”
【You dealt 10,000 damage to the Radiant Princess Nerva! HP 86,300/96,300】
“Buwaahh!”
Nerva scattered her wings and was flung away as if pushed by an invisible force. It seemed to have dealt a significant amount of damage, as she lay there twitching, unable to get up.
“It hurts… it hurts, why, why, why?”
“I told you, they have the same sensibilities as me. Ah, I’m such a genius. Even Fire Shot is a work of art, right?”
“That’s unfair… totally unfair! This is impossible! I hate this!”
“Oh? Are you going to cancel this stupid rule space? That would mean you’re admitting your song was garbage, right?”
“Ugh, ughhh!”
Seeing Elmera getting carried away, I regretted encouraging her just a little. Elmera was provoking Nerva, knowing that the scoring rule was her skill. If she stopped here, our chances of winning would plummet.
【Elmera cast Fire Shot!】
“Beautiful! It reflects the beauty of what was unleashed! 10,000 points!”
“I never get tired of seeing it! 10,000 points!”
“The cutest in the world! Too cute! 100,000 points!”
I should have ignored Elmera’s taunts and canceled the spell, but by the time I realized it, it was too late. With a flurry of white feathers, her small body twisted and spun in place. It was as if she was being squeezed by an invisible force, turning her bones and everything else into mush. Judging by the twitching, she was barely alive.
【You dealt 120,000 damage to the Radiant Princess Nerva! You have defeated the Radiant Princess Nerva! HP 0/96,300】
“Well, that’s the end of the public execution.”
I lazily tossed my hair back, not even glancing at Nerva. Though usually playful, Elmera was deadly serious when it came to this. Unlike me, she would carry out her intentions even against humans. While leading the Phantom, she had tried not to kill humans, but that was only for those uninvolved. Those who attacked or were evil were dealt with ruthlessly. It was unimaginable coming from her petite frame.
“Hey, you two parents over there. Your daughter ended up like this, huh?”
“N-Nerva-sama!”
“No way… Nerva-sama, Nerva-sama…”
“You bastard!!!”
Nerva’s defeat ignited the fury of the monsters. No, it was more than that. Each flame combined, engulfing the Coliseum in a torrent of fire. The monsters in the audience charged forward like starving beasts, racing toward a single point. Naturally, that point was Elmera.
“Elmera!”
“Ah, you all have committed heinous acts, and now you’re like this.”
“You there, Rua, that kid! You better be ready too!!!”
For some reason, I was caught up in this too, and at this point, I had no choice but to fight back. I wished Lord Daigami would deploy the Absolute Divine Territory, but for some reason, he seemed drained and I couldn’t rely on him.
Sighing like Elmera, I drew Disballade and prepared to face them. But just as I was about to, it became unnecessary.
“Who gave you permission to come down from there?”
The sphere of Catastrophe carved through the very front wall of the audience area. It swept cleanly along the Coliseum’s walls in a circular motion. Naturally, the monsters that had leaped at us vanished from this world as well. The monsters in the front froze in place upon realizing what had happened to their comrade. Some couldn’t stop in time and collided, filling the audience area with screams and the sound of something being crushed.
“Uh, uh, uh… um…”
“Ah, ha, ha.”
Only Shitakka and the large-mouthed demon remained intact. Given Vandalsia’s nature, it wouldn’t be surprising if both were killed. Shitakka was completely flustered, unable to provide any commentary. His head bobbed like a broken doll.
“Return to your seats.”
With a single command from the demon, the monsters obediently returned to their original positions. If they didn’t listen, they would meet the same fate as those who had just been erased. The once ferocious monsters suddenly became well-behaved. The goblin-like ones straightened their backs and sat properly. Just how scared were they?
“What will you do about Nerva?”
“She’s already dead; there’s nothing to be done.”
From the conversation between Vandalsia and Glare, I realized that Nerva, who had barely been alive moments ago, was now dead. Despite losing their daughter, they seemed utterly unfazed. Even Vandalsia, who was usually lenient with the Evil Nobility, didn’t shed a tear for his child.
Hatra had gotten angry for Goto. Karein still had a human heart left. But those two had nothing left.
“She’s your… daughter, right?”
I knew they couldn’t hear me, but I couldn’t help but say it. At that moment, I recalled the warmth of my father’s hand. What I desperately reached for, something precious, held no value to them. It was infuriating and complicated all at once.
“Is the public execution over? Soon?”
Just as Elmera was about to speak to Vandalsia, something pierced through her small body. It was like a plant’s tentacle or a claw. It burst forth from the arena floor. It was a precise attack that suggested a single strike would be fatal.
“Y-You can’t be serious…”
At the same moment, something was pulled from Elmera’s chest. As she crumbled to the ground, the colors around her gradually became clearer, followed by the outlines, and finally her entire form was revealed.
“Muhuhuhuh. It seems you couldn’t imagine anything in the presence of my power, Hots, which blends into the environment.”
“What a grand power, Hots. Compared to that, my acquired ability is merely ‘negotiation,’ something rather mundane.”
“What are you saying, Parack? Without you, the Kingdom of Avangarde would still be a small nation isolated from other countries! Gehehehe!”
“Let’s make this a celebration of our newfound power, shall we? I, Kamran, will take charge of the arrangements.”
Following the man named Hots, who had pierced Elmera, the other three appeared. They emerged as if they had blended into the background like chameleons. I could barely grasp that this was Hots’s power, and the others were merely benefiting from it. I still had no idea who they were.
“Those people are… former ministers of the Kingdom of Avangarde! Former Military Minister Kamran, Former Diplomatic Minister Parack, Former Environmental Minister Hots, Former Financial Minister Zenigeban! Rua, those people, like Garlyle, sold their souls to demons!”
“So, they also have the cells of monsters…! More importantly, Elmera!”
If it weren’t for Ritta, I truly wouldn’t have known who they were. Speaking of which, I heard that among the traitors were some high-ranking officials from the Kingdom of Avangarde. Garlyle and these guys just want power. If they want to become stronger that badly, they should train and fight it out. I don’t understand why they want to become monsters without even trying.
“Ugh, what are you doing?”
Elmera suddenly rose up behind the four who were laughing together. Of course, the hole in her chest was completely healed.
“Elmera, you’re okay…”
“Yeah, that was a close call. There was no sign of danger until now. If I had been even 0.1 seconds slower, I would have been dead. It really ticked me off.”
“Now, I will announce the next card.”
The large-mouthed demon, looking less energetic than before, raised a card in one hand.
“The executioners are former ministers of the Kingdom of Avangarde, and the criminal is…”
““““The Flash Strike Girl!””””
Just as the large-mouthed demon was about to speak, everyone chimed in and called my name. Why am I being singled out by these strangers? They’re staring at me with such intense eyes, and it’s clear they’re eager to fight.
“The criminal is Rua…”
Why do they sound so unenthusiastic? Maybe the earlier intimidation is still affecting them.
“Seriously? After ambushing me, you’re going to say that, Uncle? If I hadn’t imagined it, I would have been dead!”
“Tch… Imagination Magic is more troublesome than I thought…”
“Lord Hotts, let’s focus on killing Rua for now. That little girl can be dealt with later.”
“Indeed, after all, we all have grievances against that little girl!”
Being pointed at like that makes me feel embarrassed. I’m being resented by these strangers, and it’s all so sudden that I can’t even respond.
“Hmm. This looks interesting, so I’ll let Rua-chan handle it.”
Even though I might be killed after being resented, she thinks it’s interesting? Elmera leaps into the air, spinning four times for no reason before landing on my side. She pats my shoulder and gives me a thumbs-up with that cheerful smile.
“It wouldn’t be fun if you finished it quickly, so take your time, okay?”
“Huh? Take my time?”
“You know what I mean! Geez!”
She’s really a confusing girl. This is why Elmera tires me out.
“Belmund, what about them?”
“Well, they are likely one of the finest creations I’ve ever seen.”
I thought I heard Belmund whisper something from afar, but I didn’t really care. It’s been a while since I fought in front of so many people.
◆ Shin Report ◆
Tch, if Nerva hadn’t taken that bait, we could have taken Elmera down.
Ah, no, no, Shin is a good boy. Yes, a good boy, so I’ll report seriously. By the way, Shin has always been under Rua’s pressure, so I’m used to it. I haven’t wet myself. I held it in. I should have.
Regaining my focus, I somehow understand the resentment of the ministers. Is it directed at Rua personally, or is it something else? But what I should be cautious of is Hotts’s ability. Until just before, even I didn’t understand it. The ability to blend into the environment. If everyone has that kind of ability, then no matter how much Rua tries, I’m not worried at all.
Huh?
The military situation of the Nation of Vandalsia:
– Vandalsia, the King of Destruction (observing)
Evil Nobility:
– First Evil Consort Grea (watching beside Vandalsia)
× Second Evil Consort Karein (being treated by Lord Daigami)
× Third Evil Consort Hatra (killed by Karein’s Word Soul)
– First Evil Prince Alcist (currently missing)
– Second Evil Prince Brandark (currently missing)
× Third Evil Prince Goto (defeated by Juke)
× First Evil Princess Nerva (defeated by Elmera)
Calamity:
× Lesser Than, Queen of Absolute Darkness (defeated by Lord Daigami)
– Eternal Spirit Emperor Lurudo (engaged in battle with the Noibranz army)
× Hellsberg the Sky-Soaring Tyrant Bird (defeated by Rua)
And many more.
Sub-Calamity:
× Girand the Tyrannical Strongarm (defeated by the Demon Lord)
× Gremli the Hermit of the Interstice (defeated by Rua)
And many more.
Outlaws who have strayed from the path of humanity:
– Former Prime Minister Belmund (watching near Vandalsia)
– Former Military Minister Kamran (appearing in the Coliseum, set to execute Rua)
– Former Diplomatic Minister Parack (appearing in the Coliseum, set to execute Rua)
– Former Environmental Minister Hotts (appearing in the Coliseum, set to execute Rua)
– Former Financial Minister Zenigeban (appearing in the Coliseum, set to execute Rua)
× Former Captain of the Royal Guard Garlyle (defeated by Ritta, subsequently killed by Vandalsia)
× Former Vice Captain of the Royal Guard Tristan (defeated by Ritta, subsequently killed by Vandalsia)
× Five former Royal Guards (defeated by Ritta, subsequently killed by Vandalsia)