Evil Avalon

Chapter 162 Infinite Prison

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

―― Satsuki Omiya’s Perspective ――

The great sword bearing the crest of the Holy Empire, brimming with immense magical power, was just about to come crashing down upon  Mamiya-sama’s head—

――and then everything froze in that very posture.

It wasn’t just that. The arrows loosed by archers, the magic bullets fired by magicians, the shattered fragments of the floor, even the ear-splitting roars—all of it fell silent, and an almost painful stillness dominated the space.

Everything had suddenly come to a halt. I could tell that something extraordinarily abnormal had occurred, but I had no idea why.

Thanks to the anti-debuff barrier I cast in a split second, I narrowly escaped whatever this was—but Kano-chan, who was right behind me, had half of her body sticking out of the spherical barrier. She’s frozen there, her face still wearing that startled expression.

Looking around, I see even Kirigaya-san is stuck with her sword drawn, and Kusunoki-sama has stopped mid-motion while scattering something like explosives on the floor. It isn’t just people—enemy, ally, magic, debris—it’s as if everything without exception has been affected. This is like—

(Is… time stopped?)

If time had merely stopped, then everyone should be safe… but oppressive dark magic is bearing down on me from all directions, and I don’t know how long my barrier will hold. My hands are locked in place as I pour magic into it just to keep it up. I can’t even move to pull Kano-chan inside.

As I grit my teeth and desperately maintain the barrier, I see figures walking calmly through the motionless room. One of them is the very person responsible for this abnormal phenomenon— Mamiya Subaru-sama.

"For now, you. That sword is in the way, so go ahead and die."

With a single slash of the short blade in his hand, he severs the neck of the white-robed figure who had been frozen mid-swing. Blood sprays forth as if time had resumed, and the man collapses vertically like a felled tree. Completely unfazed by the torrent of blood, Mamiya picks up the severed head and casually tosses it into the corner of the room.

Then, the other person still able to move—Chizuru-san—walks up to the group of white robes, pointing with a radiant, flower-like smile.

"Brother, there’s one over there still putting up some useless resistance…"

"Then, Chizuru. Go ahead and hunt a few yourself, level up while you’re at it."

It’s thanks to her barrier, the anti-debuff spell Astral Veil, that Chizuru-san is also immune to this time-stop magic. In fact, it was because she cast it that I realized a powerful debuff was incoming and managed to throw up my own barrier just in time.

The white-robed healer had apparently done the same—anticipating this time-stop debuff and setting up a barrier to endure it. But theirs wasn’t the kind that allowed movement like Chizuru-san’s; it was exactly like mine—barely maintained by spreading their arms and focusing all their strength. As Chizuru-san approached leisurely with her barrier still intact, she raised a hand glowing with attack magic and smiled sweetly.

"Coming all the way from the Holy Empire… that must’ve been such trouble for you. I’ll be taking your life as my reward."

『Stai, nu te grăbi……』

The white robe muttered something in a strained voice, but Chizuru-san’s glowing hand mercilessly blasted magic bullets into the defenseless chest. With fluid grace, she turned and fired more magic into the temples of the nearby archer and mage—devouring several lives in mere moments.

Meanwhile, Mamiya-sama casually went around lopping off more heads, one after another, like someone picking ripe fruit from a tree. This wasn’t even a battle anymore—but that was only natural.

The divine, godlike power to stop time itself. This was why Mamiya-sama hadn’t even flinched when the Holy Empire’s reinforcements arrived. If anything, he must have welcomed the idea of even more enemies showing up.

"Ah… I can feel the power surging within me…"

"You’ve finally caught up to Rokurogi-sama… Congratulations on reaching Level 38, Brother."

Instead of monsters, the Mamiya siblings had been leveling up by killing humans. According to Chizuru-san, who had been checking with an appraisal wand, Mamiya-sama had now reached the same Level 38 as Rokurogi-sama. She herself reported reaching Level 30 after her kills but declined to continue, saying, “Any more and it might interfere with my studies.”

In Japan, adventurers above Level 30 are exceedingly rare, considered the elite among elites, capable of joining the largest and most prestigious raid groups. Those above Level 35 dwindle to the point where they can be counted on two hands—including Rokurogi-sama.

The top adventurers are ranked yearly by the Adventurers’ Guild and featured in all kinds of media, making them a common topic in schools. And yet these siblings were breaking into that realm with ease… just who are they?

"Curious about me, are you?"

As I strained to maintain my barrier and tried to discern the truth, Mamiya-sama tossed away the head he was holding and began walking toward me. My thoughts froze, and terror nearly made my heart leap out of my chest.

Even if he were a total amateur with no combat training, someone at Level 38 could likely kill a top-tier raid member barehanded. If Mamiya-sama decided to, he could take my head—and Kano-chan’s—without the slightest effort. I had to divert his attention somehow…

Fighting to keep my voice from cracking under fear, I forced myself to sound calm and spoke.

"Um… Ma-Mamiya-sama. W-What in the world is happening here?"

"As you can see, I’ve stopped time. No one else can move, right?"

My hands trembled as I held the barrier up against crushing waves of magic, and I asked again.  Mamiya-sama casually flicked the short blade in his hand. The knife flew, severing the white robe’s head and continuing on to embed itself in the wall with enough force to leave a massive crack.

The movement of that throw… flawless, without a hint of wasted motion—he could pass for a master of thrown weapons. He’s certainly no combat novice.

He’s often derided as the “Dungeon-Hating Failure of a Noble,” but with this kind of strength and throwing technique, he could easily make a name for himself across all of Japan without ever setting foot in a dungeon. So why has he allowed that disgrace to linger?

Mamiya-sama, more enigmatic than ever, picked up a blood-soaked sword, flicked the blood away with incredible speed, and spoke again in the same calm tone.

"You see, we’re not out to punish evil in the name of justice… No, we’re an evil organization. Now then, little braided girl—you’ve seen my ability. What do you think I should do?"

"…If you want to play it safe, the best course is to kill every witness here. However—"

Right in front of me, Chizuru-san coldly suggested killing all the witnesses—including me—for having seen the time-stop skill. But then, with a quick glance at Kano-chan, she fell silent, as though reconsidering. Mamiya-sama seemed to sense something in that hesitation, nodded repeatedly with satisfaction, and then spoke gently once more.

"Come to think of it, Chizuru, you always say you don’t have a rival. Do you think that girl would make a good one?"

"…Yes."

Rival.

At the Adventurer School's junior division, there was a genius who dominated every subject and constantly shattered records in dungeon trials. The star of the adventuring world, whispered about with expectations by not only those around her but even the media—destined to become an executive in a major raid clan, the head of a noble house, or an elite official in the Ministry of Adventurers—

That was none other than Chizuru Mamiya.

But for her, having no one to measure up against made school life unbearably dull and disappointing. She had always wished for a rival she could clash with at full power. And the candidate for that rival—yes, it was the girl frozen next to me with a stunned look on her face: Kano.

Indeed, this child was a bundle of talent. She absorbed Souta’s wide-ranging combat techniques like a sponge, and lately, she had been showing remarkable skill as a Golem Master. Even Risa was astonished by her ability. Her exceptional combat sense was sharpening more and more, and there was still no sign of her limits.

She said she’d take the Adventurer School entrance exam next year, but if Kano enrolled, there’s no way she’d be stuck in an E-Class. Even Chizuru, who holds the title of genius, might not be able to keep her spot as the top student.

As I was thinking this, Mamiya-sama decided my fate on his own.

"If something were to happen to the braided girl, that child who could become Chizuru’s rival would grieve...Besides, Narumi Souta is a talent I absolutely want on my side. I can’t allow any harm to come to his companions."

"Narumi Souta... Forgive me, but didn’t he die back there...?"

It seems I’m being spared because hurting me would make Kano sad. To be saved by the very girl I risked my life to protect—it was both touching and humiliating. But then something shocking slipped out regarding Souta, and I froze again.

Chizuru lowered her brows and added that no matter how strong he was, facing three Holy Empire mercenaries at once would leave no way to survive.

But Mamiya-sama shook his head confidently and denied it.

"That level of threat wouldn’t kill him. Heaven itself would not allow his death.And besides, I believe Narumi Souta could become my rival."

"Y-Your rival... Onii-sama’s?"

Narumi Souta might seem absent-minded, but he’s quick-thinking and, above all, has a strong heart. Generally, the stronger a person becomes, the more they indulge in arrogance and drown in violence—but Souta is different. He never flaunts his power; if it’s to protect those dear to him, he will face any foe without fear, giving it his all.

Mamiya-sama smiled as he said Souta could be his greatest rival and understanding ally.

He’s right. Souta has no interest in fame or glory earned through strength. He uses his power only to protect family and friends—and he has the resolve to match. That’s exactly why I trust him with all my heart.

But Chizuru was frozen, eyes wide in disbelief. For her brother—whom she believed to be stronger than anyone—to acknowledge Souta as a rival must have been a huge shock.

Ignoring his sister’s reaction, Mamiya-sama picked up a long spear, lowered his stance almost to the ground, and unleashed a surge of magic.

"In any case, let’s finish this quickly. My power won’t last much longer—so, here we go!"

He stepped forward with force, then leapt high, slicing through the upper half of a white-robed soldier along with his armor. Using centrifugal force, he spun, severing the heads of several more in the blink of an eye. The way he handled that heavy spear so effortlessly—he didn’t look like anything but a master lancer.

Usually, he hides his strength, unbothered by being ridiculed as a “disgraced noble,” and only when it counts does he unleash overwhelming power. His versatility with all kinds of weapons reminds me so much of Souta.

I wanted to keep watching him mercilessly mowing down the white robes, but my magic was running out. Maintaining the barrier in this raging torrent of magical energy was draining me dry. As I felt my power weakening and braced myself to lose consciousness, the crushing pressure around me suddenly lightened.

Chizuru had expanded her barrier and pulled me inside. At the same time, the stunned girl next to me came to life with energy.

"—Gyaaah! W-What?! Wh-What happened!? What the hell—"

Kano shook her twin-tailed head violently from side to side, her shocked expression getting even worse. Just moments ago, the Holy Empire’s army was charging in formation, and now the entire floor was a sea of blood. No wonder she was confused. She darted her eyes around for an explanation, but I couldn’t give her one because I barely understood it myself.

"Please calm down. And whatever happens, I beg you to keep my brother’s ability a secret."

"W-What do you mean?"

According to Chizuru, Mamiya-sama’s ability was “to stop time within a certain range.” Even a top-tier healer could only resist slightly by putting up a defensive spell, and even then only briefly. After all, no healer could fight seriously against Mamiya-sama in a space where time itself was frozen. In effect, it was an invincible skill.

Invincible... Right now, we were witnessing one of the world’s most elite armies being slaughtered mercilessly before our eyes. There was no denying that. The difference between the carefree Mamiya-sama before he stopped time and the cold-blooded warrior spinning a spear and severing necks now was so overwhelming it left us shaken. Kano could only grit her teeth and watch.

But strong skills always come with heavy drawbacks—that’s Risa’s theory. If that’s true, then there must be some kind of physical, mental, or other burden attached to this ability. Of course, Chizuru wasn’t about to tell us.

"H-Heh... So then, Chi-chan, why are you here with an older brother who has such an incredible skill?"

Kano-chan’s probing question made Chizuru glance at her with a slightly cautious look for just a moment, but then she answered in rapid succession:

"Because of an old grudge… I came to investigate Kinrankai’s internal affairs."

"Then, when the Holy Empire caused this mess, I had no choice but to move to contain it."

Now that she mentioned it, I recalled how cold Chizuru’s gaze had been toward Kirigaya-san and Kuki-sama. It made me wonder—what kind of grudge lies between the Mamiya family and Kinrankai? On top of that, considering how Chizuru has been pouring out an enormous amount of magical power to maintain the barrier without so much as a change in her expression, I can’t help but think she possesses some kind of overwhelming ability as well.

The Mamiya family’s deeper secrets… I desperately want to dig into them, but the situation doesn’t allow for it.

Even now, this room is locked in stopped time, while the Holy Empire’s regular army is being mercilessly trampled by a single man. The sight of headless white-robed soldiers collapsing and adding to the growing pools of blood is something so surreal that even witnessing it firsthand feels impossible to grasp.

What remains is the deepest part of the room—Sanada-sama, frozen with a grim expression, and the corpse of what seems to be the puppetized kunoichi in red. Mamiya-sama slowly approached them, spinning his long spear in a wide arc.

Even if he is the vice leader of Japan’s strongest clan, Colors, once time is stopped, he’s no obstacle. But is it really okay to just kill Sanada-sama like this? Shouldn’t he be captured alive so we can clarify responsibility and causes for this whole incident?

Those thoughts were shattered by a sudden shock and the sound of impact. The force was much stronger than before, shaking so violently that I could barely stay on my feet. Stumbling, I looked around to figure out what had happened, and from the cracks spreading across the floor and walls, I could tell the source of the shock was very close.

Before I could react, another massive shock struck, forcing me and Kano-chan to crouch low in an attempt to endure it. Cracks spread through the space itself, which had been cloaked in dark magical energy, and a sound like shattering glass rang out.

At the same time, countless suspended magic projectiles and fragments of the floor suddenly shot forward at blinding speed, exploding into chaos. Thanks to Chizuru’s quick switch from an anti-debuff spell to a physical barrier, we barely avoided being shredded. But up ahead, Sanada-sama and Mamiya-sama, both now moving, were clashing weapons in a violent deadlock.

The dark magic filling the room hadn’t fully dissipated, but since Sanada-sama was moving, the time-stopping effect had either weakened or been canceled.

Mamiya-sama clashed weapons with Sanada-sama several times, sparks flying with each strike. Forcing another deadlock, he shoved forward with brute strength, trying to deliver the final blow.

"Sanada-sama, I’m rather busy, so I’d appreciate it if you’d die quietly."

"...This devastation… This power. I see now. At last, I’ve figured out who you truly are."

Their tense exchange was cut short as the puppetized kunoichi Red launched an attack like a sudden gale from the side. Mamiya-sama narrowly evaded with a backward bend, then somersaulted away while hurling his spear, grabbing a newly fallen sword and countering in the same motion. At that same moment, two others slipped into the room, now able to move again.

"What is… happening here… Mamiya-sama!?"

"There are many things to suspect and question, but first we must deal with Sanada."

At some point, Kusunoki-sama had shed her dress and now wore the black ninja suit of “Kunoichi Red,” staring wide-eyed at the battle unfolding before her. Each swing sent tremors through the air, slashing with such dense magic that the air itself howled. If she realized that this deadly exchange was between a Colors executive and her childhood friend, I can’t imagine what kind of shock she’d feel.

Meanwhile, Kirigaya-san, who had noticed the Holy Empire’s army was completely annihilated, quickly scanned the area and warned:

"Whatever else, the priority is dealing with Sanada first."

True, now might be the best chance to overwhelm him with numbers—but…

The puppet lashed out with countless feints, while Sanada-sama, in between attacks, chanted spells loaded with massive magical power. In response, Mamiya-sama became a blur of black afterimages, tearing the puppet away at blinding speed, then swung down with the greatsword he’d just picked up. Barriers and sword strikes collided, releasing flashes of searing light, followed by shockwaves strong enough to reach us even here.

There’s nothing I could do if I jumped into that super-elite fight. The best I could manage was to stay out of the way and not become a burden. Frustrated by my own helplessness, I glanced at Kano-chan—who was leaning forward, eyes sparkling with excitement.

"To think he’s fighting against Sanada-sama… Amazing! Chi-chan’s big brother is this strong!?"

"Of course he is—it’s only natural for my brother to be this—ah, here it comes again!"

Her proud affirmation of her brother’s greatness was cut short as a third shock slammed into the room, and the dark magic covering the space was finally and completely blown away.

As colors and sounds came rushing back, I looked toward the outer wall to see a massive hole torn open by the blast. From it poured fierce winds and an overwhelming surge of chaotic magical energy. Just touching that presence made it feel as if someone had gripped my heart in a vice, crushing it with terror.

The owner of that magic was about to enter this room.

Pulling Kano-chan close, I watched nervously as a dazzling light burst from the gaping hole—and then, almost instantly, slammed into Chizuru’s barrier with a deafening impact. The stench of burning filled the air as scorching winds raged. In that fleeting moment, I saw the silhouette—

Fully armed, Mikhail Maxim stood there, gripping in his right hand the limp, lifeless body of a white spider—Arthur-kun.

TL Note- Cliffhanger by author.

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