Evil Avalon

Chapter 159 In the Darkness

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

— Perspective: Satsuki Omiya —

"—Is there a ‘Player’ among you?"

It was Sanada-sama who asked the question in a clear, expressive voice that was easy to understand.
What exactly is a "player"? It probably doesn't carry its literal meaning… maybe it's a code word.
Wondering what the word refers to, I looked around to see if anyone seemed to know, and saw Kirigaya-san respond with an exasperated look.

"You were asking the same question on the rooftop, weren’t you? What do you mean by ‘player’?"

"I originally suspected it might be you… but let me explain: another name for a ‘Player’ is — ‘Divine-class Individual.’"

Divine-class Individual.
When I heard that, the first ones who came to mind were the four Saintesses who reign at the top of the world.
As their title suggests, they’ve conquered the deepest parts of dungeons using knowledge beyond human comprehension and godlike abilities.
Even now, they uphold the order of the world. They’re legends in history.

Could Sanada-sama be suggesting that someone comparable to a Saintess is among us?
Sure, Kirigaya-san, Kusunoki-sama, and the Mamiya siblings are definitely impressive…
But this question is so outlandish that I can’t help but tilt my head in confusion.
Maybe the term “Divine-class” has some hidden meaning.
As I’m trying to puzzle it out, Kusunoki-sama steps forward once again to act as our negotiator.

"There’s no such thing as a Divine-class Individual outside of the Saintesses. More importantly, now that the Holy Empire has obtained the teleportation device and information about the Samurai class, isn’t there no more reason to continue this aggression?"

"Teleportation devices and Samurai, you say? Compared to the knowledge of a Divine-class Individual, those are trash.
Well… perhaps that’s something you wouldn’t understand."

Sanada-sama’s goal is clearly the knowledge that Divine-class Individuals possess.
True, information about the gates and class-switching methods of the Samurai is powerful enough to shake the global power balance.
But the knowledge possessed by a Divine-class Individual is on another level entirely.
It is said that with such knowledge, one could repeatedly rule the world or even reshape it from the ground up.

If someone with such power were really among us, why are we in such a desperate situation right now?
That’s what I can’t help but wonder…
Still, while the term “Divine-class Individual” is unfamiliar, I do recall hearing the word “Player.”
Souta and Risa had referred to themselves using that word.
So that must mean—

(Are Souta and the others Divine-class Individuals…?)

They definitely have incredible knowledge and amazing combat sense.
But if you asked whether they were on the same level as the legendary Saintesses…
Something just doesn’t feel right.

As I doubtfully glance their way, wondering if this is all a huge misunderstanding, Kusunoki-sama shakes her head while holding her kunai and speaks.

"At the very least, I am not aware of such a person. But may I ask why you believe one of them is among us?"

"It’s simple. The teleportation device and the discovery of a new dungeon area — such revolutionary events could never occur without the involvement of a Divine-class ‘Player.’"

Discoveries in known dungeon areas are incredibly rare — they usually only happen once every ten years since the dawn of dungeon exploration.
Even though millions of people dive into dungeons every day, it’s almost impossible to find anything new.

And when new discoveries do happen, almost every time, it turns out a Saintess or their associate was involved.
This has led to a general belief that some sort of special force only accessible to Divine-class Individuals is at work.

And yet, these two major discoveries occurred with no evidence that a Saintess was involved at all.
Suspecting the emergence of a new Divine-class Individual, Sanada-sama enlisted the cooperation of the Holy Empire, with which he already had ties.
The Holy Empire sent Mikhail Maxim — the man often called the right hand of Saintess Aurora — to Japan to conduct a full investigation.

The first candidate to emerge was Sosuke Kirigaya, who had risen to become the number two figure in Kinrankai due to his involvement in these discoveries.
However, after months of thorough investigation, it was determined that the likelihood of him being a Divine-class Individual was extremely low.
Next, the investigation broadened to include all of the Colors group, but no further clues were found — a complete dead end.

Even so, the likelihood that a Divine-class Individual is nearby remains high.
And when you're faced with power capable of ruling the world, there’s no way you just give up.

The Empire recalled some of its frontline units and devised a bold plan to draw out the Divine-class Individual.
Using the teleportation device and new area announcement as bait, they gathered all of Kinrankai and its associates into one place and moved in with Mikhail’s elite forces to pin them down.

"—And just look what came crawling out. The mysterious giant warrior that showed up at the party venue…
The spider-like monster currently fighting Mikhail-sama… Ahh… magnificent."

Even a single unknown skill is reason enough for a nation to start a war.
And yet here, multiple unknowns had appeared.
Combined with our behavior — as if we were operating based on complex magic formations — Sanada-sama narrowed his eyes and wore a rapturous expression, convinced:
There must be a Divine-class Individual — or someone very close to one — among us.

"Have you understood now? But we don’t have much time. Who taught you about the teleportation device? Who granted you such skills?
I wish to welcome them in peace — or so I would prefer…"

With the Holy Empire’s power, even memories can be extracted from corpses.
In truth, the plan was to kill every person inside this skyscraper and harvest memory fragments from their heads.
If we refuse to talk, then they will have no choice but to kill us all — Sanada-sama placed a hand over his heart with a pained look.

It’s already confirmed that the Holy Empire possesses terrifying skills that can manipulate the dead.
We’ve heard that the Saintesses of Eastern Europe actively participate in national affairs, unlike their Japanese counterparts.
So it wouldn’t be surprising if they could extract information from the dead.
But still, for someone claiming to welcome us peacefully, the murderous intent in Sanada-sama’s eyes is impossible to miss.
It’s as if he’s saying: "Talk, or I’ll kill you."

Reacting to that hostility, Kusunoki-sama and Kirigaya-san readied their weapons.
Tension thickened to a point where combat could break out at any moment.
And although Sanada-sama is a rear-line support type, he’s still one of Japan’s top adventurers — seasoned and powerful.
If possible, we must avoid a fight.

It seemed the pressure would only keep rising, but then —
A young man in traditional hakama, carrying a large jar on his back, stepped forward while humming, as if he had no clue this was a battlefield.
With an inappropriate smile on his face, he said:

"May I ask a question?"

"What is it? If it’s a plea for mercy, then give me the name of the Divine-class Individual fir—"

"Could it be, Sanada-sama, that you’re trying to stall for time?"

"…And here I wondered what nonsense you’d spout."

Sanada-sama, who had hoped to learn the name of the Divine-class Individual, looked visibly disappointed at this unexpected accusation of stalling.
He scoffed, ready to dismiss it — but Mamiya-sama pressed on with more logic.

First of all, someone who has been acting so cruelly until now can’t just say "Speak up and I’ll help you" and expect anyone to believe them.
It’s a waste of time — both Kano-chan and I nodded in full agreement.

Next, if you can extract memories from the dead, there’s no point in waiting.
You could just kill us and take what you want.
"So why haven’t you done that yet?" Mamiya-sama pressed with a bold grin.

Could there be a reason they can’t kill us?
Maybe there’s a limit on how many memories they can extract…
Or maybe only certain people can use the extraction spell.

Whatever the reason, if Sanada-sama really is buying time, that in itself is a dangerous situation.

Just as I opened my mouth to suggest we leave immediately, a girl in a kimono approached me from the side and whispered softly in my ear—

"(…It’s alright. My brother has calculated everything—this entire situation, and even that man’s intentions. All will go according to plan.)"

"(Huh, really? But what’s with that super-hyped pose he just did?)"

"(Naturally… all of it is part of the plan.)"

With a proud puff of her chest, Chizuru declared, "Leave everything to my brother."
Wondering if that were really true, I turned back toward Mamiya-sama—
He was tapping his temple with his index finger as he walked, then suddenly struck an exaggerated “thinking” pose like a stage actor.
Kano-chan whispered, "Isn’t that the pose from that famous detective show that’s all the rage on TV right now?"
But Chizuru insisted even that was part of the plan.

Their conflicting views sparked a whispered argument:

"(He’s just doing it because he wants to.)"
"(You’re blind to genius.)"
"(You’re too far gone in your brother complex!)"
"(Says the pot to the kettle!)"

Completely ignoring the bickering pair, Mamiya-sama continued with a triumphant grin, unfazed.

"Why is Sanada-sama stalling for time…? No, before that—do Divine-class individuals other than the Saintesses really exist? It’s hard to believe… but I say yes, they do."

From the string of major discoveries in the dungeon, to the Holy Empire deploying overwhelming force and throwing away all pretense—
When you connect the dots, the theory that a Divine-class individual is the true target is entirely convincing.

"Moreover, he claims that such a being is here. If killing them and extracting the knowledge would allow him to rule the world, then why waste time with persuasion? It’s simple—he’s stalling because he fears us!"

Mamiya-sama spun his body dramatically, pointed sharply, and declared the conclusion as if revealing a brilliant deduction.
Kano-chan stared at him coldly: "That’s literally the exact same pose from that TV drama."
Chizuru, on the other hand, clapped quietly over her heart and gazed at him adoringly: "As expected of my brother."
Her brother complex is genuinely worrisome at this point.

Still, the idea that Japan’s top-ranked adventurer is afraid of us feels like a stretch.
Sanada-sama didn’t even look insulted—he just gave a tired smile.

"You think I’m afraid? Heh… then tell me—what exactly do you plan to do?"

"Naturally, I shall punish you!"

"The ‘Dungeon-hating, Failed Noble’... is going to punish me?"

“Dungeon-hating, failed noble…”
Yes, I’ve heard that rumor before.
A noble who was expelled from the Adventurer Academy for never once entering a dungeon.
Even nobles with no talent for fighting can raise their level by bringing a retinue of warriors and having them fight.
But this particular noble kept saying, "I hate crowds," and never once entered a dungeon.
The academy, in an unprecedented move, issued a recommendation for expulsion.

The scandal rocked both noble society and the adventurer world—it’s still fresh in my memory.

And now, that very noble is strutting around, making bizarre poses, and provoking the executive officers of Japan’s strongest clan, Colors, with talk of punishment.
Unable to contain himself, Kirigaya-san shot a glare at Kusunoki-sama and demanded:

"(That guy’s never even been in a dungeon! Why the hell is he acting so cocky?)"

"(It’s just how he’s always been.)"

As his childhood friend, Kusunoki-sama admitted outright that the “Dungeon-hating noble” is indeed Mamiya-sama.
She sighed, saying she’d tried to get him to tone down his ridiculous confidence many times, but it never worked.

But something doesn’t add up.

Sanada-sama has been radiating an overwhelming magical presence this whole time.
If Mamiya-sama were truly level 1 and had never entered a dungeon, his body should be shutting down from the sheer difference in magical power—
Either going into a panic or passing out cold.
Yet he’s standing here unfazed, despite being in the middle of a battlefield where top-tier adventurers are clashing.
There must be a secret.

The time was nearing the designated explosion hour: 8:00 p.m.
The floor occasionally shook, dust falling from the ceiling.
The battle inside and outside the building was intensifying by the minute.

If there’s no explosive magic circle in here, then as long as Arthur and Souta regroup with us, we might manage.
But can we really just sit in this room and trust the Mamiya siblings?
My anxiety only grows.

Mamiya-sama was still boldly striking poses, while Sanada-sama glanced at his watch, head slightly lowered.
When he looked up again, his expression was even more drenched in killing intent.

"Very well. I suppose I should be honest… Yes, I was stalling for time."

Everyone’s alert levels instantly spiked.
I moved forward to protect Chizuru and Kano-chan, raising my staff—
Just then, the gate behind Sanada-sama began glowing purple again.

Someone else was transferring in.
And not just one person—twenty, no… over thirty light forms appeared.
Thirty or more individuals were teleporting into this space.

It couldn’t be the Holy Empire… or at least, I prayed it wasn’t.

But the oval purple lights began reshaping into humanoid forms,
and one after another, the white-and-silver uniforms of the Holy Empire—the Saint Robes—appeared.

Each one had a fierce, disciplined face, emanating the aura of a seasoned warrior.
Unlike the previous white-robed forces, their movements were perfectly synchronized, making them appear even more intimidating.

"Dammit! This is what he was waiting for!"

"A Divine-class Player is, by definition, outside all norms. There’s no way I’d face someone like that alone. It’s pure risk. That’s why—"

"I brought overwhelming force to crush you."

Divine-class individuals wield unknown skills, elite knowledge, and battlefield tactics that allow them to adapt to any scenario.
Even if their level is low, they’re still beyond comprehension.
To fight one alone would be madness.

That’s why Sanada-sama stalled—for this.
Even Kirigaya-san could only grit his teeth and curse.

"Resist if you want. If you catch my eye, I’ll gladly add you to my collection—《Rise Dead》."

As he turned his right wrist with a sinister gleam in his eyes, a dark red, ominous magic circle appeared, and a mutilated corpse crawled out.
The white-robed figures behind him, having judged us as prey, drew their weapons. The sheer density of magical power and killing intent they unleashed began to warp the very space of this vast room.
Their combined might might even surpass the forces that attacked the Clan Party venue.

Just one of them would be a life-or-death struggle. With this many, it was no longer about victory or defeat—escape itself seemed impossible.
And reasoning with someone ready to slaughter us wasn't likely either. We were completely cornered.
Our only hope—

—was the brother and sister who, even in this desperate situation, had not lost their fearless grins.

The brother quietly set down the jar he had been carrying and looked over the newly arrived white robes with curiosity.
His sister, hiding her smiling mouth with one hand while clutching her staff, stepped forward gracefully.
Both had a gleam in their eyes, but I couldn't understand how they could remain so composed in the face of such overwhelming power.

“My, what a spectacle! To bring in such massive reinforcements—clearly, the Holy Empire means business!”

“Indeed, brother. Judging by their rank insignias, they appear to be regular army. This only raises my expectations.”

(…Regular army?)

Indeed, golden rank insignias adorned their chests, and the armor glimpsed beneath their robes shared a uniform design.

The Holy Empire’s regular army may not surpass mercenaries in individual strength, but as a unit, they are evaluated as the most powerful fighting force in the world.
After all, they defeated the main forces of the European Union, previously considered the world’s strongest. That reputation is well-earned.

But the Holy Empire is still in the thick of a brutal war with the European nations.
To pull not just mercenaries but their main army off the front lines and deploy them here—
That proves just how critical they consider what’s happening.
In other words, the story about a Divine-class individual is likely true.

With a horde of the dead under his command and a dark, evil Aura swirling around him, Sanada-sama explained the situation—partly as if restraining his own violent urges, and partly as if warning us.

“These individuals are without a doubt the Holy Empire’s regular army. They could not be moved until we had a solid lead on the Divine-class target... But now, the operation enters its final phase.”

Originally, Mikhail Maxim was to spearhead a blitz at the Clan Party venue, securing and selecting the Divine-class individual as fast as possible.
But now that they had a confirmed target, the plan was progressing without a hitch.

Next, everyone in this building would be killed.
We, suspected Divine-class individuals, would be recovered—dead or alive.
All traces of battle—bodies, damage—would be erased within a day thanks to the dungeonization effects of the Magic Field.
During that time, a magical ward to repel humans would ensure no one entered.
All evidence would vanish.

To obtain the knowledge and power of a Divine-class being—
That was the core of this operation.
The Holy Empire was going all out, utterly shameless in their attempt to take it.

“As long as we can analyze a Divine-class memory, we don’t fear Japan’s resistance, or even the world’s. In fact, we welcome it... Oh my, oh my.”

With joy in his voice, Sanada-sama raised a hand to signal the white-robed troops.
They spread out wide to surround us.
Even in the face of this, the Mamiya siblings stood front and center, completely unfazed.

“Chizuru, if I remember right—when this jar is smashed, the cooldown on skill reuse drops to zero, correct?”

“Yes, brother. I confirmed it using the appraisal wand. The effect lasts for 30 seconds, so please take care.”

“What are you planning to do? Don’t tell me you intend to fight this entire force—”

Mamiya-sama pulled a small dagger from his chest and checked its edge for nicks.
Kusunoki-sama, alarmed, stepped in to stop him, urging him to hold back and wait for support.
But we all knew—even a few seconds of delay might not be possible.
Just watching would eventually drag us into combat.

Kirigaya-san had the same thought and took a bold gamble.

“Sanada! You think you’ve cornered us—but it’s the other way around. You’ve walked right into our trap!”

“…You’re claiming you even anticipated the arrival of the regular army? A bold bluff. So what does this dungeon-hating, failed noble plan to do with that pitiful jar?”

Sanada-sama showed mild interest in Kirigaya’s desperate bluff,
But the white-robed soldiers were unfazed and began chanting buffs in unison.
The dim room lit up with colors from their magic, and the pressure of killing intent swelled even further.

There was no avoiding battle now.
And once it started, it would be over instantly—our deaths assured.
But at the very least, I couldn't give up on saving the child entrusted to me by a dear friend.

As I desperately tried to think of a way to buy enough time to use an escape item, a dry, ceramic “click” echoed through the room.
Mamiya-sama had tapped the rim of the jar.

Cracks spread rapidly across its surface, and light burst from the fractures.
Next, bluish-white geometric patterns covered the room, tinting everything in pale hues—
The magical device had activated.

Kano-chan and I could only stare in astonishment.
As the magic and light spiraled through the air, the Mamiya siblings walked forward slowly, unarmed.

“Just as the blond boy said… I truly was waiting for the Holy Empire’s reinforcements. But to have so many gather? What a delightful surprise!”

“To be so fixated on the Divine-class that you ignore the world’s strongest—my brother—is laughable.
Tonight, you shall vanish into the misty sea... 《Astral Veil》.”

Just behind the jubilant Mamiya-sama, Chizuru raised her staff high, cloaked in shimmering, cloth-like magical energy.
That effect… I recognized it—it was a defensive anti-debuff spell.
She was about to act.

“A defensive spell? If you think that alone can block the regular army’s assault, you’re sorely mistaken.”

Even Sanada-sama, sensing something unsettling in the siblings’ strange behavior, stepped back.
But the white-robed soldiers had already spread into formation.
Lowering their stances, they aimed to obliterate everything before them and surged forward.

The floor shattered.
Magic went wild.
War cries echoed like thunder.

A tidal wave of death opened its maw and surged toward us.
And Mamiya-sama stood at its center, smiling ever more deeply, his hands crushing something at his chest.

Dark energy burst forth, consuming all vision in a single moment.
And from the epicenter came words—no, a name—steeped in terrifying power.

“Now! Become my nourishment—and rot in the void between shadows! 《――――――》”

…

And then—

All sound vanished.
A sudden, crushing silence blanketed everything.

As I cautiously opened the eyes I had tightly shut—

—everything around me... had fallen.

TL Note- A hidden powerhouse?

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