Evil Avalon

Chapter 168 The Dawn of a New Era

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

A gentle mountain range sits a short distance from the dungeon city. From its foothills up the slope, various shops, bars, sports facilities, residences, and pools stand haphazardly lined up. Adventurers clad in armor, merchants, and businessmen come and go between them, creating a bustling, lively town.

At the summit, past the lively district, stands a massive, distorted structure rising conspicuously into the sky—over a dozen stories tall.

The countless expansions and renovations have left its shape irregular and unbalanced, looking as if a child had stacked blocks at random. It can hardly be called beautiful, and many people frown at its lack of taste.

Even so, this building is feared by countless nobles, and like moths drawn to a flame, adventurers gather, and people seeking entry never cease.

People call it, with awe and respect, “Demon-God Castle.”

・・・・・・・・・・

The sun had already set, and from somewhere drifted the savory smell of dinner. Because this district was mostly residential and had few streetlights, darkness fell quickly. As a result, almost no one walked the streets except for the occasional drunkard.

In a corner of such a street stood a particularly striking girl.

Her silver and blue hair was braided alternately into curled rolls, and her dress was a Gothic outfit decorated with ribbons and frills. At first glance she looked like an early teen, but her pale skin—almost glowing even in the evening darkness—and heavy makeup made her look like a fully grown woman.

A man with rough breathing stomped heavily toward her, and the girl lightly pinched the hem of her skirt and offered only a token curtsey in return.

“Minister… sir, welcome.”

“Hah… hah… honestly, making me walk to such a remote place…”

The man she addressed as Minister was a fat man in a suit, wiping sweat from his face with a handkerchief. Cars could only reach the foot of the mountain, and as no one else had been invited, he was forced to walk up alone—leaving him drenched in sweat and in an extremely foul mood.

Unfazed, the girl simply turned on her heel and began walking toward the summit. The man, who had been expecting words of gratitude or apology, could only twitch his lips in irritation before snorting and following after her.

After climbing the slope for a dozen minutes, the structure at the summit had grown so huge that one must crane their neck to see it. Up close, its twisted, complex construction was even more apparent.

Flanking the massive front entrance stood two muscular men holding spears. The moment they noticed the Gothic girl, they hastily straightened their posture and saluted deeply. They immediately began pulling open the heavy doors with all their strength.

Inside, the distorted exterior gave way to a lavish marble interior. Large landscape paintings adorned the walls. The girl walked straight down the long hallway without giving anything a glance… but the Minister, panting and sweating, finally snapped.

“Hey! Where is your boss? Why isn’t he here to greet me!”

“Ahh… the Boss is currently away on an expedition… ah, this way.”

Without even turning to face him, the girl continued walking. She stopped before a double door at the end of the hall and opened it without knocking. Inside sat a young man in a school uniform—likely a high schooler—and a poised woman in a maid outfit with a white headband.

The room wasn’t large, but every piece of furniture and tableware was from an expensive, well-known brand. Anyone could tell at a glance that the owner of this room had extraordinary wealth.

The maid rose first, bowing deeply with elegant form as she addressed the man who had barged in, breathless.

“Welcome to our castle, Minister.”

“Hmph. ‘Demon-God Castle,’ you say… in other words, it’s just an illegal structure made by piling junk together. Vulgar and completely lacking in harmony.”

The young man bowed alongside the maid, but the Minister ignored their greeting, complaining loudly that he never wanted to come to such a place. He plopped onto the sofa with a thud. The Gothic girl’s eyebrows twitched slightly, but the maid showed not the slightest reaction. She signaled subtly, and the butler behind them hurried forward to arrange sweets and pour tea.

The Minister—though being treated politely—snorted arrogantly, glaring at the maid as he issued his command.

“Move your troops immediately.”

An insult one moment, and a sudden military demand the next. The young man’s eyes chilled quietly, but the maid kept her smile, responding politely.

“But Minister… regarding the matter the other day, we already sent not only our strongest swordsman, Rokurogi Shigure, but also ‘Blackfang,’ and—there she stands—Jōraku, one of our top executives.”

“This is no time for that! Do you have any idea how serious the situation is right now?!”

The “matter the other day” referred of course to the riot caused by Mikhail Maxim and Sanada Yukikage. In that incident, they had dispatched three of their top executives—Rokurogi Shigure, the martial specialist Blackfang, and Jōraku, the anti-barrier magic expert in Gothic dress. The maid explained they had already cooperated to the fullest.

The Minister slammed the beautiful wooden table, shouting over her words. His haggard expression made it clear how desperate he was.

At the Kinrankai party, many nobles and politicians had died, and it was highly likely that information about the Samurai had also been stolen. To make matters worse, the government’s expected astronomical tax profits from the Gate teleportation device had collapsed entirely. Bureaucrats and cabinet ministers were scrambling, meetings being held one after another.

Who would take responsibility? Sanada’s Colors group and the Kinrankai who led the Gate project were obvious targets, but so was the Minister of the Treasury—this world’s equivalent of the Finance Minister—who had loudly advocated for increased revenues from negotiations with the Holy Empire, and the Minister of the Army, the very man standing here, who had personally pushed aside warnings of “Mikhail Maxim is dangerous” to allow his entry into the country.

But public opinion wasn’t his concern. These ministers were not elected but chosen from among the great noble houses, so what he feared was the movement of rival nobles.

“At this rate, I’ll be forced out of my ministerial seat. That is why—right now, in the midst of this chaos, I need a great achievement that no one can deny!”

No responsibility had yet been assigned, but it was obvious that rival noble families would soon make their move. Before that could happen, he needed a major success to wipe away disgrace. He shouted passionately, spittle flying, essentially admitting he simply didn’t want to lose his position. The maid listened quietly, nodding and responding with her best polite smile.

“That is indeed a grave matter. So then—what exactly is the content of your request for military deployment?”

“Hmm. I will be too busy to act personally for some time. Therefore—”

Japan’s government issued a statement condemning the Holy Empire for the recent incident, but the Holy Empire dismissed it, saying “There is not a single piece of evidence for what Japan claims; it’s all fabricated.”
As a result, the Japanese government mobilized all diplomats to politically and economically pressure the Holy Empire in retaliation, attempting to rally international opinion to Japan’s side.

However, not all conflict has shifted entirely to diplomacy.

The Holy Empire has not completely withdrawn its forces from Japan; dozens of combat troops vanished without a trace from that infamous building, and it has been confirmed that several other operatives remain hidden in the country.

It is seen as highly likely that they are still targeting something within Japan, so the military and police have been deployed—centered around Tokyo—to maintain vigilance.

“Because there is distance between our nations we haven’t reached a direct military clash… but we have no idea what they might try. I must be prepared in case an emergency arises.”

“But Minister, can we truly be of any help to national defense?”

“That is not your role. What I want from you is to search for the transfer device gates.”

If this is a matter of national defense, the area that must be protected is vast.
In other words, operations will mainly take place outside the Magic Field. Adventurers who fight with swords and magic can surpass even modern weaponry inside a Magic Field, but in areas without mana, they lose their physical enhancement and can barely exert their usual strength.

Of course, if it were known in advance that a Magic Field generator would be used, the circumstances would change—but from what the minister said, this is not the case. When the maid asked what he meant, he clarified that the matter was separate and “You are to search for the transfer device gates.”

“Transfer device gates…?”

“Yes. I’ll provide all related information held by the Ministry of Finance and the military. I’ll also give you the necessary funds. Use them to locate any unconfirmed gates before anyone else! It’s time for you to repay the debt you owe me!”

The sudden deployment order came as the minister’s chin fat shook while he yelled, “Gather troops immediately and go to the dungeon! Right now!”
He stormed out after shouting. Faced with the unreasonable, one-sided order, the young man and the girl in the gothic dress were left stunned.

After the storm-like chaos passed, the room fell quiet again—and two heavy sighs were released.

“…That bastard, I swear I’m gonna deck him! Aaaagh, damn it!”

“Joraku-san, your language is slipping again… But yes, he’s made another outrageous demand, just like last time.”

The gothic-dressed girl, who had been standing expressionlessly, now twisted her heavily made-up face, stomping in fury as she spat curses filled with murderous intent.
If this were inside a Magic Field brimming with mana, she might have launched a weapon skill on the spot.

The young man in a school uniform also grimaced as if chewing bitterness, but soon forced a smile and looked at the maid beside him, waiting to see how she would respond to the minister’s arrogance.

But the maid’s gentle smile did not fade.

“If the Minister is in such trouble, we have no choice. Let’s make the preparations at once.”

“…Are you seriously planning to help that guy, Kurosaki?”

Even as the gothic girl questioned her sanity, the maid—called Kurosaki—nodded firmly and declared that they would gather every bit of strength they could to assist him. Naturally, the girl was far from convinced.

Rokurogi Shigure—the clan’s pride and its most treasured member—had gone alone into danger to visit the Kinrankai.
She even cooperated with the crafty Mamiya to break through the Holy Empire’s barrier.
More than that, the girl couldn’t forgive that frivolous, arrogant minister.
They were the proud, top-class strategy clan—why should they bow to such a mediocre man? She continued to protest furiously.

Yet the maid—Kurosaki—simply shook her head as if refusing to listen.

“Joraku. You may not understand yet, since it hasn’t been long since you became one of the ‘Rakshasas’… but our organization is able to remain healthy only because of that man’s influence.”

The clan Kurosaki and Joraku belong to is the large-scale raiding clan run mainly by the “Rakshasas”—the Ten Rakshasas who serve as high-command executives.
With tens of thousands of members and associates, their power and influence rival that of any noble house, extending deeply into both adventurer society and political and financial circles.

Because of their size, they naturally attract hostility from nobles and rival clans.
In reality, they are embroiled in turf wars and conflicts across Japan.
Even now, their clan leader, Takamura Kaede, is leading several Rakshasas in a major conflict against the western noble coalition.

Of course, Takamura has no desire to fight, yet the past few years have forced them into continuous battles, and several of the original Ten Rakshasas have been lost.
To prevent organizational collapse, they must rely on influential politicians and business magnates they have long maintained ties with—one of whom is the foul-mouthed, overweight army minister.

To the girl—who was newly chosen as a Rakshasa just last year—the minister is nothing more than an obnoxious, unreasonable man.
She crushed the hem of her inflated gothic dress in frustration, unable to accept it.
But Kurosaki remained unmoved.
The young man, puzzled, finally asked:

“You seem to have something in mind, Kurosaki. Would you share it with us?”

“Very well, young master. The search for the transfer device gates… is without a doubt a gift from the heavens.”

“…A gift from the heavens?”

The girl and the young man stared blankly, not understanding.
The maid smiled and said she would explain step by step.

First, the event from the other day:
The management plan for the transfer device gates—secretly developed between the Kinrankai and the government—was exposed, sending shockwaves across the globe.

Until now, even first-rate adventurers required months just to reach a hunting ground suited to their “appropriate level,” and each dungeon dive required enormous funds and time.
If instant travel becomes possible, the entire concept of dungeon diving changes.
But the gates’ impact goes far beyond that.

The long-believed limit—late level-30s—may vanish.
Many top-tier adventurers could reach the 40s.
Meaning adventurers equal to Mikhail Maxim might appear not in tens, but hundreds—possibly even thousands—across the world.

Mikhail was so powerful that modern weapons like shells and guns had no effect on him; it was said that defeating him would require weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear arms.
The Japanese government had even considered raining missiles on the center of Tokyo just to bring Mikhail down.
If adventurers of such an otherworldly level were to flood the world—what would happen?

No one can predict it precisely, but the military balance—currently based on existing economic power and resource reserves—would collapse, and a system centered entirely on adventurers would likely emerge.
And the one who could become the ruler, the creator, or the destroyer at the top… would undoubtedly be whoever mastered the transfer device gates first.

As the maid explained in a flat tone, the young man in the school uniform and the girl in the gothic dress exchanged looks and fell deep into thought.

"…Even Lord Rokurogi, who has long guided the Japanese adventurer world, was unable to reach level 40… is that what you mean?"

"If the transfer device gates are truly real, and one can instantly jump to the deep layers of the dungeon, then the level-up race will definitely overheat. But—"

The gothic-dressed girl tried to argue that even if they wanted to outmaneuver other clans, they had no information about the transfer device gates—not even a clue to begin searching—so how could they form a proper plan?
But then she seemed to accept it, exhaling deeply as she said, "—So that’s how it is."

Kurosaki nodded with satisfaction, her white headband bobbing as she leaned forward and raised three straight fingers.

"At present, only three organizations possess information about the transfer device gates. First—the Holy Empire, with its extreme secrecy, will never hand information over. Second—the Kinrankai, all of whom are now imprisoned, so leaks are equally impossible. And the third—"

"The Japanese government."

Kurosaki affirmed Joraku’s answer with a smile bright enough to make flowers bloom.

"Exactly. The Minister said he would provide information only to us. And if we find the transfer device gates before anyone else, just as he requested… we can monopolize them, can we not?"

Neither the Holy Empire nor the Japanese government has released any information, so even after the incident became public, details about the transfer device gates remain unknown.
Adventurers have been desperately searching for them ever since, and in fact, Kurosaki has already mobilized several subordinate groups to investigate.

If the Minister is willing to provide both government information and funding, they may be able to locate the gate faster than anyone else—and monopolize its use.
On top of that, the arrogant and detestable “Colors,” once praised as the strongest, conveniently self-destructed.
Calling this a golden opportunity to reshape the balance of power, the maid slowly stood up, placed a hand quietly on her chest as if suppressing her anticipation, and began to speak.

"The world will soon enter an era of upheaval… If we grow complacent and sit on our laurels, we will be left behind by the coming age. And if that happens, no matter how powerful the organization—even a nation—its fate will be extinction. That is why the search for the transfer device gates is of utmost importance. Do you understand?"

"…I am not even a Rakshasa, so I have no authority to object. When Mother is absent, you are the highest leader of the organization, Kurosaki-san. I will abide by your judgment."

The young man in the school uniform stood and bowed deeply to the maid.
Following him, the girl in the gothic dress contorted her elegant face in resentment and reluctantly bowed as well.
Receiving their agreement, Kurosaki narrowed her eyes with satisfaction, dropped her refined smile, bared her fangs, and revealed eyes dripping with ambition.

"Then, as acting clan leader, I command you. Secure the transfer device gates before anyone else. Break through the threshold of level 40 faster than all others. Crush the greedy, filthy noble swine—and in this country… let us build a paradise for us alone. Gather the strongest soldiers you can find!!"

Japan’s largest and oldest raiding clan, the Ten Rakshashas.
Its number two officer led several Rakshasas and tens of thousands of soldiers into the dungeon.
The sight spread across Japan, stirring various speculations among great nobles and rival clans alike.

It was an event that heralded the arrival of a new age.

TL Note- This chapter felt like a epilogue...

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