Evil Avalon
―― Satsuki Ōmiya’s POV ――
At the entrance of a massive fortress built atop an iceberg—no one knows when it was first constructed. Even a single stone set into the floor shows rounded edges and worn surfaces, proof of great age.
Standing there are Kirigaya-san, clad in his dirtied suit, and Kusunoki-sama, wearing the spare coat I lent her. I raise my voice for operational coordination and a status check.
“Kirigaya-san, if you would, please.”
“Alright, no time to waste, let’s make this quick.”
The snow outside is kept at bay thanks to the roof and walls, but the freezing wind still blows relentlessly, making it bitterly cold. Everyone huddles close around the makeshift bonfire to listen.
“The kunoichi Red—Todou—and several others have already gone outside to deliver information. The Adventurers’ Guild will surely take action, right?”
“Todou-sama has the authority to mobilize the guild. Moreover, we hold the seal granted by Rokurogi-sama, so the military should also move. In addition, my companions are scattered across various areas, gathering intelligence in real time, so please keep your terminals open.”
At present, Todou-sama has rushed off with his subordinate kunoichi Red to the Adventurers’ Guild, government agencies, and renowned raid clans. Thanks to Arthur’s 《Gate》, which links directly to the Guild’s front hall, they could make it there instantly.
The communication issue has also been resolved. In the middle of the floor sits something resembling a massive sea urchin with countless black spines—through this device, information with the outside can be exchanged. Normally, in dungeons, one can only communicate via large-scale state-owned magical instruments placed on designated floors. However, kunoichi Red is permitted to carry a compact version of such a device, and thus Kano-chan and I are also connected.
So, after gathering intel through magical tools and terminals, what was the situation outside…? Just as we suspected.
From outside, the skyscraper where the clan party is being held appears distorted like a mirage. No matter how directly investigation teams march toward it, they can’t get closer. Approaching from different angles and altitudes all ends the same—everyone loses their sense of direction and becomes hopelessly lost.
Souta had already mentioned that “human-repelling” and “illusion” arrays were likely deployed, so this was somewhat expected. Still, it seems the magic extends across a radius of several kilometers, throwing Tokyo into chaos.
“And now for the latest report—Sanada Yukikage-sama has officially been issued a government execution order under the crime of collusion with foreign powers. Both the ‘Ten Rakshashas’ and… ‘Colors’ are en route.”
After Kusunoki-sama finishes her explanation, she casts a subtle glance at Kirigaya-san to gauge his reaction.
Collusion with foreign powers—an act of conspiring with an outside nation to use force. One of the gravest crimes a state can recognize, punishable by the harshest penalty anywhere. Evidence had been compiled alleging Todou-sama’s collusion with the Holy Empire, and once this reached the government’s upper echelons, they issued an emergency kill order without waiting for cabinet approval.
Then, the news that both the Ten Rakshashas and Colors are mobilizing. The Ten Rakshashas is Japan’s largest raid clan, to which Rokurogi Shigure-sama belongs. Reports say their units, alongside government-led forces, have already entered Tokyo.
The clan’s name comes from its ten executives, each possessing unique jobs or abilities. One of the leaders dispatched this time is said to specialize in countering magical arrays. Depending on their skill, the barrier around the building might be broken, radically shifting the situation.
As for Colors, no details yet on who’s coming, but most likely an executive—or even the clan leader himself, Tasato Kōtarō-sama.
Still, the fact that a kill order was placed on their number two is a devastating blow to Colors. The political and adventurer circles won’t stay silent; strict surveillance is certain. Even the Kinrankai, Kirigaya-san’s own organization, could face purges. That must be why Kusunoki-sama looked to him—but for now, I force my thoughts away from that.
Securing information sharing with the Adventurers’ Guild is already a major step forward. Plans are being laid to approach the building, and once the combined might of the military and guild surges in, even the Holy Empire won’t escape unscathed.
Yet, the newly raised problem is just as severe, if not more so, than the good news.
“—So next point: the likelihood of a detonation array being present is high… that’s what you’re getting at?”
“Sanada’s a liar. Everything that guy says is best assumed false.”
Kirigaya-san narrows his eyes toward a certain direction. From beside Kano-chan, the owner of large horns leaps up energetically—it’s the revival of the detonation-array issue, thought to be over.
Arthur declares Sanada’s claims to be all lies.
First, Sanada had said: “Because the skyscraper is inside a magic field, it behaves like a dungeon with a ‘map repair effect,’ so any damage from battle would be restored, leaving no evidence behind.” Arthur flatly denies this.
Map repair only occurs inside actual dungeons. Even though places like the Adventurer School and the Guild’s front square are under constant magic fields, any damage or construction there is not repaired—a clear example.
So how did Sanada intend to erase evidence? Arthur’s deduction: trigger a detonation array. After removing every suspected divine-ranked player—dead or alive—the skyscraper would be blown to pieces, erasing all proof. The simplest and most certain method.
It’s not unthinkable. Taking Sanada’s “there is no detonation array” at face value would be far too dangerous. If it exploded, the casualties among Souta, the invited guests, the army, and even the building itself could be catastrophic.
Naturally, the next topic becomes: “Where is the detonation array located?”
Perhaps scouring the building corner to corner would reveal it, but with white robes roaming the halls, that’s impossible. Souta and his group can’t keep Mikhail restrained forever, and time is short. Kusunoki-sama raises the question.
“Even with fairies skilled in magic detection, the detonation array couldn’t be found… how do you intend to locate it?”
“Fairy—like a pixie? Show me where it is, please.”
At Arthur’s request, Chizuru takes out the black crystal containing the Dark Pixie. Whispering “please come out” with a bit of magic, the pixie responds, appearing with a faint glow.
For a moment, it glances about, disoriented by the change in scenery. But when its eyes fall on Arthur, it lets out a tiny scream and tries to dart back into the crystal—only to be caught at lightning speed. The pixie squirms desperately in his grasp as Chizuru and Kano-chan look on with concern.
〖・ーー・ーーー！〗
“Hmm? You’re only level 1. That won’t do. Hey, want to level up?”
A newly born fairy starts at level 1. Even if it uses its skills, the effects are weak, and its range of magic detection remains small. Supposedly, it can get stronger if it levels up, but in this dire situation, we don’t have the luxury of leisurely going out to hunt.
When I watched to see if Arthur-kun had something in mind, he pulled a clear, blue magic stone the size of a softball out of his pocket and handed it to the fairy, saying, “Eat this.” Contracted fairies and tamed monsters don’t need to hunt; they can gain levels simply by consuming magic stones.
But the dark pixie before us was so small it could sit on the palm of a hand. I thought it could maybe handle a pebble-sized magic stone at best…
〖ーー・ー？〗
“Pixie-chan, it’s all right. This person doesn’t mean to hurt you… But, um, do you think you can eat this magic stone?”
The dark pixie glanced back and forth between its contractor, Chizuru-san, and Arthur-kun, then fixed its gaze on the magic stone. Suddenly, it opened its mouth impossibly wide and bit down. With a crunching sound, it chewed through the stone that should have been harder than glass, eating it with obvious delight. But surely there was no way it could finish something that big—wait, what?
“Hey, Chi-chan, doesn’t it look like it’s getting bigger?”
“Could it be leveling up?”
While surrounded by everyone, the dark pixie gnawed with abandon. With each gulp, its body visibly swelled. At first, its outstretched limbs barely reached 20 cm, but now it had grown to the size of a baby. And still, it kept growing.
Kano-chan, Chizuru-san, and even the kunoichi in red uniforms stared wide-eyed at the supernatural sight. When the pixie finally finished the entire stone, it lifted its face with satisfaction, now towering at around a meter tall—about the size of a five-year-old. Its once delicate, transparent wings had become broad, butterfly-like appendages. Its silky silver hair had turned into springy curls, and the simple cloth draped over its body transformed into a flower dress adorned with black blossoms.
Arthur-kun explained that fairies don’t just gain levels—they evolve into higher species. This one had transformed from a “Dark Pixie” into a “Dark Fairy.”
“At level 1, you could only sense magic within a few dozen meters, right? Now you should be able to feel the entire building’s magic.”
〖That much… as easy… as breakfast… I think……〗
Though still weak in combat, it now possessed powerful illusion magic and status ailment skills, greatly increasing its support abilities. The fact it could now manage broken speech was another huge plus. Its mischievous personality remained unchanged, however, as it proudly flashed victory signs at everyone around it, as if to show off how amazing it had become.
“Such a pretty dress… and those golden eyes are adorable… Gimme this one!”
“No! The fairy-chan is mine!”
“…At this point, the very rules of dungeons themselves are starting to break down… Whatever. Moving on. We don’t have time to waste.”
The dazzling transformation of the Dark Fairy sparked delighted squeals from the kunoichi. Kano-chan, utterly smitten, tried to pull the fairy into her arms, only for Chizuru-san to cling to it just as tightly, sparking a tug-of-war.
Kirigaya-san, clearly shaken as the events before him shredded established common sense, quickly forced himself to switch gears. Time was short.
The next issue was deciding who would return to the building to search for the magic circle.
With the Dark Fairy’s power, it could detect magic sources within a hundred meters with pinpoint accuracy, drastically lowering the risk of encountering the white-robed enemies. A magical source strong enough to blow up the building would be unmistakable, no matter how far away. Arthur-kun explained all this while pointing smugly at the fairy.
It was undeniably an extraordinary ability, surpassing even the intelligence-gathering tools of nations and guilds. Kusunoki-sama and the kunoichi praised it wholeheartedly.
Still, the mission was fraught with danger. Mikhail and Sanada-sama were still wreaking havoc with powerful spells, and even locating the magic circle wouldn’t guarantee survival. The pressure of disabling it—knowing countless lives depended on success—would be immense.
But my closest friends were in that building, risking their lives. If there was a way I could help them, I couldn’t sit idly by. On top of that, I had the unique ability to communicate even within interference zones by using escape items. With these reasons in mind, I prepared to speak up—
Only for someone else to raise her hand first. A kunoichi in red with a gentle aura, named Hinamori Hiyori, stood tall.
“If it means I can repay even a fraction of my debt to Mamiya-sama and Narumi-sama, then please let me go! I, Hinamori Hiyori, volunteer!”
Her infiltration mission had failed, her comrades brutally slain. She had been drowning in despair—but it was thanks to those two that she was alive today. She declared with fiery conviction that she would go through fire and water if it meant repaying them.
I could understand her sense of debt, but the emotion she carried seemed deeper than that. And before I could process it, the person I dreaded most also raised her voice.
“I’m going too! My big brother is fighting in there!”
“Then for the same reason, I’ll go as well. Besides, this fairy and I are one body and soul.”
Kano-chan and Chizuru-san raised their hands, gripping the Dark Fairy’s tightly. My heart sank. If anything were to happen to them, how could I ever face Souta or Mamiya-sama again?
We had to stop them no matter what, but I couldn’t think of the right words to convince them. For now, I decided to cut in while organizing the situation we were in.
"Please let me, Hinamori-san, and the fairy be the three who go. Kano-chan and Chizuru-san—I want to entrust you two with something important. Is that okay?"
"Something important?"
Our ultimate goal was that no one else dies. But to reach that point, there were steps along the way. The first step was restraining Mikhail. If Mikhail were left free, everyone in the building would be slaughtered. That part could only be entrusted to Souta, Mamiya-sama, and Rokurogi-sama.
Even if Souta and the others managed to restrain Mikhail, if the explosive magic circle were activated, everything would be lost. That was why only Hinamori-san, the fairy, and I should go.
Arthur-kun turning into Arachne and heading there himself would have been safest, but since the Arachne summon was apparently a top-tier spell that could only be used once per day, that wasn’t possible. By elimination, I was the one who should go, since I could communicate even within the jamming zone. When I said this, the two of them opened their mouths to argue—but I pushed forward anyway.
"If Kano-chan and Chizuru-san return to the building, Souta and Mamiya-sama won’t be able to focus on fighting, worrying about you two instead. And as I said before, I want you two to stay here and look after my best friend."
"…You mean Lisa-nee?"
Arthur-kun had also said that while Souta and the others could barely restrain Mikhail, the only one who could actually defeat him was Lisa. I bowed my head, saying that I would go to the site and stop the explosive circle no matter what, so I wanted Kano-chan and Chizuru-san to ensure Lisa could be sent off in peak condition.
"I ask the same. Smaller infiltration teams have higher success rates. I swear on my life that I will return safely with Mamiya-sama and Narumi-sama. Please, restrain yourselves…"
Hinamori-san, too, bowed deeply, asking them to remain and support us. When the two looked at each other, they sighed and lowered their heads, muttering "Please take care of our brother."
Using the threat that their presence would prevent Souta and Mamiya-sama from fighting at full strength worked—precisely because those two loved their big brother more than anyone else in the world. It was a slightly underhanded way of persuading them, but I hoped they’d forgive me. And I owed gratitude to Hinamori-san for backing me up.
When the discussion reached the final stage—defeating Mikhail—Kirigaya-san and Kusonoki-sama cut in with skeptical expressions.
"—Wait. Can that Lisa really defeat Mikhail? He’s my old man’s equal—a real monster that even Kuki or Rokurogi couldn’t take down. If that falls through, then everything we’ve planned collapses."
"The only ones who can defeat a legendary adventurer are another legendary adventurer or the 【Saint】 herself. That has been said in adventurer circles since long ago."
Mikhail was said to be a living strategic weapon, possessing the power to overturn the course of wars singlehandedly. His strength was considered among the top five in the world. While many adventurers had their strength exaggerated over time, those of us who had seen Mikhail fight firsthand knew all too well that his reputation was no exaggeration.
That such a global aberration could be defeated by some unknown Japanese girl sounded unbelievable. Still, their questioning eyes pressed me for an answer.
Of course, Arthur-kun was the one to respond.
"If it’s Lisa-chan at full strength, fully prepared, she can beat Mikhail easily. I’d bet my horns on it."
"…If those are the words of Arthur-sama, who fought him directly… then we have no choice but to believe. Though it’s still hard to accept."
Arthur-kun had fought Mikhail directly, soaring through the skyscraper night sky in his spider form. No one understood Mikhail’s power better than him—and knowing Lisa’s true ability as well, he could confidently say she could win. With that, even Kirigaya-san and Kusonoki-sama fell silent.
"If I weren’t in this Arachne body, I’d beat him myself without breaking a sweat! But fine, I’ll leave his head to Lisa-chan."
"But about Lisa-nee… what’s she doing right now? That heavy magic pressure seeping out from inside the castle… it’s hers, right?"
From deep within the castle we stood before, probably the farthest “Throne Room,” a massive, sinister magic presence was surging. It was wild, ferocious, colder than the snowstorm around us—and yet unmistakably Lisa’s magic. Arthur-kun had probably stayed outside so as not to disrupt her control.
Though it pained me to think of my friends burning themselves away, I knew I had to hurry—so that Souta and the others could fight without worry, and Lisa could battle freely without hesitation.
I nodded to Hinamori-san, who had swiftly finished reattaching her protective gear, then turned to the one who would be the key to our explosive magic circle search. When I looked at her, she tilted her head curiously and fluttered her beautiful wings once.
"Will you come with me? Will you lend me your strength?"
Having eaten a Floor Boss magic stone, she had powered up enormously, transforming into the higher species—the great fairy, the Dark Fairy. With her power, we should be able to locate the magic circle in no time. Smiling, I held out my hand, asking her to help save our companions.
The Dark Fairy opened her big golden eyes wide and then—
〖Nope… pppbbbtthhh… bleh bleh bleh…〗
The fairy stuck her tongue out in a grand “akanbe,” leaving us completely at a loss for words.
This Fairy needs a spanking she playing too much
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