Evil Avalon

Chapter 118- Fatal and inevitable attack

(TL:By Rafael,valhallatls.blogspot.com)

"Please, Sagara-sama, Narumi-kun. It's hot, so please be careful."

In the spacious director's office of the Thief Research Department, bright sunlight pours in through the large bay window. Kirara-chan, with a gentle smile, quietly arranges cups filled with fragrant hoji cha tea. The aroma is quite different from what I've been drinking until now. I wonder if this type of tea is more high-end.

"By the way, Narumi. I've heard that you have something to discuss as well."

Akizane Sagara, the current student council president, looks at me with a somewhat softened gaze from behind his glasses. At first, he seemed like a proud and difficult noble, but upon talking to him, I realized he didn't discriminate against commoners and acted with concern for the school and the country, making him a likable young man.

If he's that kind of person, I can't help but have expectations that he will listen sincerely to my request.

"...Yes. There was an altercation with the Kendo Club this morning, and I wanted to discuss it."

"Could it be about the invitation from the First Kendo Club? We received a notice that you would be dueling a student from Class E."

As Kirara-chan said that, she calmly took a seat on the sofa in front and picked up a cup of steaming hot tea. So she informed all the Hachiryu. Ashikaga had declared that he would gather a crowd and torment me in front of them.

In that case, the conversation would be straightforward. I candidly asked if it would be possible to pretend that the duel never happened, but Kirara-chan shook her head slightly and denied it.

"Proper procedures have already been followed by the First Kendo Club, so we can't just make it disappear now. However, I've heard that the other student involved has also agreed."

"It's unfortunate, but even I can't stop it. However, it's an official duel, so you don't have to worry about your life being in danger."

At the Adventurer School, duels are only allowed when following the official rules. It is assumed that there will be no killing, a [Priest] teacher will be on standby, and an arena will be used as the venue. When Akagi and Kariya fought before, it was also considered an official duel, so these rules were applied.

The school allows duels with the aim of giving students experience in combat and raising their combat awareness. However, whether it actually achieves that is highly doubtful. In the game, it was used as a means to openly and fairly bully the weak. It is clear that this duel was also used as a show of force, utilizing the duel system.

As far as I'm concerned, if Tsukishima-kun gets beaten fair and square in this duel, it's fine. He has some responsibility for provoking the First Kendo Club, a group of nobles, after causing such a commotion. With the non-lethal rule and the [Priest] teacher present, he should bear the pain as a learning experience.

However, most likely, it won't turn out that way.

"Ashikaga-san will defeat him. And it will be completely one-sided."

"What...?"

"What do you mean? Is the level difference really that significant?"

Sagara and Kirara-chan's eyes widened in surprise. They quickly called up Tsukishima-kun's data on their wrist terminals and became puzzled once again.

"1st year, Class E, Takuya Tsukishima... [Newbie], Level 4. If what Narumi says is true, then this data can't be trusted."

"But even if it's just Ashikaga-sama, let alone taking on the entire First Kendo Club... the required level would be unrealistic. It would be on par with high-ranking members of large-scale raid clans."

"I don't think Tsukishima-kun's level is that different from Ashikaga-san's."

The level of Ashikaga, the vice captain of the First Kendo Club, is displayed as "21" in the database. If I were to defeat him with ease, I would need a level

The level of Ashikaga, the vice-president of the First Swordsmanship Club, is displayed as "21" in the database. If you want to defeat him with ease, you would need to be around level 25, and if you want to take on all the members of the First Swordsmanship Club, you would need to be near level 30.

However, it doesn't seem like Tsukishima has raised his level that high.

Assuming that he raises his level by summoning monsters and leveling up solo, that method would only work up to around level 20 at best, even for adventurers who have knowledge of the game. If there are multiple people, there are some good hunting grounds like "worm hunting" or "mole hunting," but fighting solo can easily result in prolonged battles and a high accident rate, making efficiency significantly worse. Based on the knowledge that I and Lisa have, there are no exceptions to this.

Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that Tsukishima's estimated level is around 20 or so, even if it is high. If you have confidence in defeating Ashikaga or the First Swordsmanship Club despite that, then there must be reasons other than level.

For example, the skills of the top-tier job. They all have powerful effects and are a privilege of players that can significantly increase their combat abilities. If I were to use those skills without regard, I could probably defeat all the members of the First Swordsmanship Club, but similarly, Tsukishima also has a significant chance of winning if he fights seriously using player skills from the game era.

On the other hand, using skills from the top-tier job would be too burdensome for a body at around level 20, and depending on how the opponent approaches, there is a possibility of running out of stamina or MP and losing. Furthermore, using player skills too much in front of a large audience can cause serious leaks of information and reveal weaknesses, and it is possible to be destroyed by countermeasures.

Considering all of these factors, if the plan is to simply rely on brute force by assuming the use of player skills from the game era, then it can be said that the plan is naive. If Tsukishima is that kind of man, then it would be easy for me, but I feel like what he is trying to do is not of this vector. I have a bad feeling about it.

"If the basis of Tsukishima's victory is not the level difference, then is it his combat experience...no, his use of hidden skills?"

"I see your point, but even if he uses hidden skills, can he really 'unilaterally defeat' Ashikaga-sama?"

Kirara-chan says that Ashikaga's swordsmanship skills are one of the best at this adventurer school. It's not just for show that he is a candidate for the next Eight Dragons, so if there is no level difference, he won't be easily defeated. It would be normal to think so.

However, we players face fatal consequences if we don't know how to deal with them...

For example, there are skills belonging to systems such as instant death magic, time manipulation, and mental manipulation, which are incredibly dangerous as they can quickly decide the outcome of a battle without resistance or countermeasures. Needless to say, instant death magic is dangerous, but if time is stopped, the recipient becomes vulnerable to an attack that they can't even perceive, and if the mind is manipulated through things such as charm or thought guidance, the body can be taken over or the MP can suddenly drop to zero.

However, these skills were not that frightening for advanced DunEx players as everyone had countermeasures against them. Nevertheless, in this world, no such reports exist, and there are hardly any individuals capable of handling these skills, let alone using them.

If Tsukishima were to use these skills, even if he didn't reveal his strength or information, it would be impossible for him to wipe out the First Sword Art Department. By demonstrating his overwhelming power, he could engrave a strong sense of fear in the minds of the other eight dragons and potentially force them to surrender. Of course, if that were to happen, the game story would collapse and become unsustainable.

I can't help but find it strange that Tsukishima is jeopardizing the game story. He already hindered Akagi-kun's progress by teaching Kariya how to counter him during their previous duel, but isn't he afraid of the game story's collapse? He probably thinks he can overcome numerous bad endings and disasters by himself, but what about the aftermath? What is he hoping to gain by discarding his powerful future knowledge cheat?

Nevertheless, these skill uses are just the worst-case scenario. It's doubtful whether such inhumane things will be truly used, and even if they were, the eight dragons wouldn't give in so easily. But in that case, the E class would enter into a full-scale conflict with the eight dragons...

"I see. Based on Narumi's condition, it's apparent that Tsukishima has a considerable trump card."

"I'm only speculating since I don't know Tsukishima's abilities...but it's clear that chaos will ensue. If we can't eliminate the duels altogether, we need additional measures like limiting spectators or keeping the details of the duels confidential."

"... Is it that serious?"

"If one of the eight dragons crumbles... we'll be in trouble."

As they pondered the situation, they realized that the school's order might be at risk if the E class, who were commoners, one-sidedly defeated the aristocrats. It could create cracks in the aristocracy's authority and pride. Sagara and Kirara-chan thought about what to do while exchanging glances.

If commoners were to unilaterally crush the aristocrats, it could undermine the aristocratic system built on authority and pride. While Sagara and Kirara may want to create an environment where E-class students can rise to the top, they probably have no intention of abandoning the aristocratic system. As aristocrats, it is understandable that they would feel a sense of crisis.

However, I would like them to be aware of the danger of leaked hidden information or confidential information. If such information were to leak out, it could attract dangerous organizations, and everyone who witnessed this duel might be targeted. I cannot take care of such measures, so Sagara is the only one who can do something about it.

The two seem to be gathering their thoughts, and there is a moment of silence. They probably wanted to share the fact that this duel would only lead to trouble, so they have at least cleared the minimum condition.

"By the way, who is this man named Tsukishima? Can I ask?"

Sagara looks up from his arm terminal screen and asks. There is no way that such a man is just an ordinary student, and he suspects that he may be a dangerous person from some organization.

"He's not a member of any organization that the president is worried about or an agent of another country. He should not have any intention of harming this country."

"Even though he is not a member of an organization, he has such power... Is he something like Narumi-kun?"

"Well... something like that, I guess."

Kirara is sharp in many ways, but it is reassuring that she does not ask too many detailed questions about it. I can't say that Tsukishima is the same player as me, and even if I did, it wouldn't make sense.

"I understand. I think it will be difficult, but let's try to impose restrictions on the number of spectators as an ultra-legal measure. We may not be able to stop Hachiryu and Sera, who were directly invited by Ashikaga, but other students should be prohibited as a general rule."

It is helpful that Sagara is moving to limit the number of people to reduce the risk of information leaks. Even if information were to leak, Hachiryu and Sera, who are always surrounded by guards, should have enough firepower to repel any ordinary clan.

"The situation being what it is, I will try to intercede as well. What will you do, Narumi-kun?"

"I would like to be allowed to observe the duel as an exception. I plan to intervene if something goes wrong."

"Intervene... I understand. I will rely on you if that happens."

I don't know how far Tsukishima is willing to go, but if things seem to be getting out of control, I will have to intervene to stop him. Even with Hachiryu, it would be difficult to deal with the skills used by players.

I should also prepare for the possibility of the game's story being disrupted. In that case, most of the growth and romantic events of the dozen or so capture characters, which were centered around school-related events, would not occur, and the destructive events that the protagonist was supposed to contain would accelerate instead. Since there is a limit to what I can do, I want to prioritize and push forward any feasible events as soon as possible.

There is a one-week grace period until the duel. Arthur seems to be holding an event soon, so maybe I can use that opportunity to invite her out. There were too many obstacles to make proper contact until now, so figuring out how to overcome them and bring her in is a headache-inducing problem.

TL Note-  Sorry for the late update had to deal  with some personal issues. 

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