Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Crown Hall Hypnosis App Bust Operation - Complete
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『The Snare Engraving Despair』 was advancing its operations from multiple angles to conquer Crown Hall.
What allowed the Empire to endure?
It stemmed from the imperial bloodline's unconditional competence.
Humans are imperfect beings, so even under a wise ruler, worthless heirs could emerge. Across generations, mutations inevitably occur.
The high-ranking black magicians could wait as long as needed. By using vile forbidden arts fueled by crushing others' souls, they could extend their lifespans dozens of times over.
Historically, kingdoms had teetered on the brink of destruction at black magicians' hands because they struck during vulnerable periods: foolish kings, arrogant kings, or ambitious incompetents.
A blade thrust in such times was impossible to block.
But the Empire was different. It seemed as if "incompetent imperial heirs" didn't exist. Every imperial child was a genius; even those with personality flaws were never incompetent.
The power of their bloodline? Did their golden hair signify such superior traits?
No. Even children born from stolen imperial seed only inherited the golden hair and blue eyes—they weren't born with talent.
Then...
The secret to their competence must lie in the capital, Crown Hall.
A goddess's blessing? An ancient artifact's effect? Or an unknown grand magician's forbidden art? Unknown. But circumstances confirmed it existed, hidden at Crown Hall's heart—the imperial district.
If they could destroy it. Or seize it...
They might finally topple the Empire, which had seemed unshakeable for millennia.
Black magicians rarely cooperated, but the prospect of imperial collapse was too enticing. No investment in power felt too great.
Thus, 『The Snare Engraving Despair』, backed by other named black magicians, pursued multiple plans to assault and plunder Crown Hall.
The magic turning citizens into living spies was a gift from another named black magician. He planned to use it wisely.
Make contact with a controllable fool. A noble would be convenient; greedy and ruled by his loins, ideal.
Use an artifact that arbitrarily controls others as bait, borrow their influence to spread magic through Crown Hall.
The plan succeeded. They'd gathered vast intelligence so far, with more expected. They could even advance further.
Incite chaos using the hypnotized. Sudden terror everywhere would sow panic...
For this, 『The Snare Engraving Despair』 assigned three capable men to the viscount: escorts, monitors, and de facto commanders replacing the inept noble.
All three were black magicians, elite "Metamorphosis"-level powerhouses who fueled arts with souls.
One had reached true Metamorphosis mastery. Amplifying with others' souls made their power overwhelming even among peers.
Above all, the statues.
Hypnosis was merely a side effect from magic engraved on their surfaces. The true purpose was the statues themselves.
Engraving crude stone instead of precious metals with high mana conductivity had reasons. In emergencies, unleash the statues' power.
So when intruders arrived at the mansion, they stayed calm.
"That's 『Puppeteer』 Lorey. And that one... seems like an Intelligence agent. Nice rack."
"The agent's got some bite, but that scrawny guy? Nothing special. Three exchanges, he's dead. And the kid... a servant? Can't sense a thing."
"Kid? Where? Him? Dude, calling that a kid means you like 'em huge."
They even joked. Four foes, but only two threats. The Metamorphosis black magician, toying with his bowstring, lowered his voice.
"Quiet. If the viscount dies, we hit hard. Kill all but one."
"Got it. I'll smash and drop."
The dual-wielder spat, drew swords from his waist.
Shraaaak—! Rumble!
He smashed the floor and dropped. Until then, the black magicians thought they'd dispatch the intruders swiftly. If time allowed, capture and toy with them.
But when inexpressible flash erupted from the twintailed girl's hand.
Their strongest, the archer, uttered a final realization before being bisected and erased. They realized this job had gone terribly wrong.
A monster hid among them.
I blinked to refocus. Clearly, the dual-sword guy dropped, swinging... I fired hasty magic. Snapping to, Pingbalrez blocked my front.
"You..."
Pingbalrez's forearm bled deeply—bone-visible from blood loss. She summoned chains, wrapped both arms, spoke without turning.
"You okay? Hurt anywhere?"
"...Thanks to you."
Arrogant thoughts surged. If I were a warrior, not mage, Yuria Lancaster wouldn't have been hurt. Or if I'd prepped instant defenses. But not time for that. I scanned the battlefield. One muscled brute with massive greatsword on back. One lean dual-sword wielder. The archer... dead. Shredded by Violet Magic Tower Master Yuna's intercept. Drooling face-down. They never expected her. Victory was ours—asymmetric power. The dual-wielder sweated cold, glancing at the corpse.
"What? Dead...? The fuck! Why?!"
"......"
Consider. Tower Master blasts end it. But we needed intel. Viscount likely puppet; capturing attackers yields more. Interrogate them. So I asked.
"Tower Master, can you subdue leaving intel intact?"
"Hm..."
Hesitation meant no. Tower Masters struggle controlling power; might erase everything. Bleached brains yield no info. Aiming issue. Cannon to head without shattering skull.
"Bind feet solidly?"
"Yes. If so, I'll cleanly erase limbs only. B-but if anyone endangers, I shoot immediately."
Confirmed.
"Junior, greatsword's mine solo."
"...Mage solo frontline? 『Puppeteer』 Lorey."
"No worry, agent. Confident. He doesn't look your level."
"Then dual-swords: me and mad mage... duo subdue or kill."
Assignments set. Scarred-face senior shifted, harassing greatsword with check spells. Pingbalrez charged dual-wielder. Her bleeding chains caught my eye. I gritted teeth, prepared magic.
The greatsword black magician glared at Lorey. Pre-intel listed her.
"『Puppeteer』 Lorey... Heard the name. Mostly dungeon surveys?"
"Got a survey? Bad timing for commissions."
To Lorey's cool reply, he raised greatsword overhead grip.
"Adventurers easier than mercs. You brawl golems, live cushy. Killed anyone?"
"More than you think."
"Let's check. Holocaust, 『Blazing Mental Barrier』-!!"
-Kyaaaaagh—!
A pitiable soul from the greatsword screamed, shredded. Thick black mana spread; he completed the spell.
Black flames flickered in his eyes.
"...That's Red Tower's mental protection."
"Right. Burns all mental harm attempts. 『Puppeteer』 Lorey... Obvious from nickname. You'll use body-control illusions?"
Whoosh. Greatsword cleaved air threateningly.
"Violet Tower mages... so huntable. Few souls block easy-!!"
Thud thud thud. Against charging bulk, Lorey calmly incanted. Mental interference blocked, so visual-bending light illusion.
Skilled illusions flawless. Lorey's honed basics wove precise phantasm.
Light refracted; Lorey split threefold. Natural motions, diverging directions. Black magician couldn't distinguish.
"Hup!"
Swoooosh—!
Greatsword halved one phantom.
Screee—! Clang!
Lorey exploited gap, hurled dagger. He channeled mana through armor, blocked. Slashed another phantom.
"Waiting for mana depletion? Wrong. Ten souls stored! Fight all day. Your head rolls first... though!"
"......"
No weaknesses in mana-flooding black magician. No efficiency needed; raw output wins.
Burn others' souls—mere evil accepted for vast power.
Why hesitate?
He infused greatsword fully. Mana so thick blade vanished. Crude, blunt—but crushes people easily.
Phantasms gone. Lone dazed Lorey: real. He swung.
Before him, Lorey raised finger quietly.
"One correction."
"Die—!!"
Whish—Boom!!
Greatsword crashed beside Lorey. Wrong floor spot.
Cold sweat beaded black magician's cheek.
"...Wh-what. I clearly...!"
"Burns mental harm attempts? Won't work. 『Puppeteer』 doesn't steal."
Senses wrong. Arm not his. Twisted somehow. Protection up, yet...
"What did you...!"
"『Puppeteer』 doesn't make foes puppets. Puppets are you. I'm the puppeteer."
He tried gripping greatsword. Arm wouldn't move despite effort. Instead, Lorey before him raised arm. She said softly.
"This magic gifts me control."
"......!!"
Finally understood. Lorey gifted his body senses. Arm he'd willed was hers.
Quick judgment. If his arm is hers...
"Then...!"
Move "her" arm to punch himself. He willed punch.
Thwack—!
"Guh...!"
Punched own face. Lorey released 『Puppeteer』; senses returned.
Lorey smiled.
"Now, which is your arm? Think, tell me."
"U, uwaaa—!!"
Vicious mind game. Unsure when senses gifted. Own arm or hers swinging?
Punch forward: hit her with his or self with hers? Twisted chaos; he danced to her tune.
Puppet show ended with him KO'd by self-punches.
Lorey stretched post-fight. Brute easy prey. Sensed foe would've needed complex psych war.
"Now, junior's side..."
Turned. Dual-wielder glowed, self-destruct imminent.
"?"
Raaaaagh—!!
Soul scream echoed; vast mana surged from dual-wielder. Basic buffs.
Raw mana dump boosts—no special process, no weaknesses. Pure spec crush.
"『Trojan Horse』, 『Time Perception Distortion』, 『Tickle』..."
Kept blasting his mind. Not technique; sheer volume like dirt walls. Hard to breach.
Even gnawed through...
"...Hmph, think it'll work?"
Head shake dispelled. Real-time mind cleanse. Overwhelmed by class; few options.
Chaaaain!
Yuria Lancaster sustained Metamorphosis. Not burst like golem smash; prolonged variant.
"Hup!"
Whoooosh—!!
Chains on arms whipped. Silver arc shattered table, chairs flying.
No dual-wielder amid debris. He crouched low, scuttled cockroach-like.
Flash—! Graaang!
Blades surged salmon-upstream. Yuria deflected with chained forearm, swept low kick at face.
Crack!
Dual-wielder launched airborne, but blocked with raised hand. Not solid hit. Used her attack to lift deliberately.
"Yuria, block-!"
"Got it!"
Screeeee! Clang!
He spun midair. Blades blendered; Yuria's chains severed, blood sprayed.
"Y-you bastard...!!"
Tower Master aimed finger. Whirr. Intel-scooping flash gathered, but he wary—kept Yuria in line-of-fire.
Knew top threat.
Need variable. Summoned hologram.
"What joke... guk?!"
Ignored charging holograms as illusions—till butler punch proved physical.
"Weird magic... scatter!"
Shraaak!
Holograms clinging shredded instantly. Bought one turn. Brainstormed.
Standard illusions failed. Mana walls blocked; breaches cleansed instantly.
Like foe chugging debuff pots hourly—debuffs useless.
If 『Responsive Succession』-like faith-draw setup, suppressible. But no weak crowd for faith drain.
No wonder scarred senior dissed illusions; counters headache.
Needed different magic.
Not TRPG; other.
Since isekai reincarnation, rarely thought harm. Never crafted direct-kill spells.
No fun, no need. Protected by Tower Master; no need for vicious arts... naive.
Now needed. Head-lopping magic.
Before more scars on Yuria's beauty... pierce that bastard.
Mana mental barriers? Pierce focused.
Mind cleanse? Neutralize one-shot. Like Tower Master's.
Craft.
Twisted magic spiral. Tip sharp, barrier-piercing to brain-depth.
Infused emotion. trio's despair from Cthulhu session. Second Prince's heartbreak. Crammed pain.
"Wh-what're you... fuck!"
"Mage, I'll guard! Finish it—whatever!"
Focus. Carve delicately.
Simple efficient arrow. No bowstring. Hunts prey relentlessly, devours mind.
"Shadows underfoot, darkness peeking wardrobe cracks, black night's solitude."
Shot dead.
"Here's what happened, Your Highness."
"Ah, I see. So... shattered-mind black magician self-destructed, blowing half the mansion. Violet Tower Master twisted blast—no casualties—but Capital Knights arrested on noise... and I just bailed you?"
"Yes."
Second Prince Irid closed eyes, pondered, decided.
"Prostrate."
"Yes, sir."
Quietly bowed flat. Not empty-handed. Saved viscount hostages, evidence, hypnosis app, suspicious fun items... But spill now? Merits spent calming anger. Wait rage cools, then list for praise, rewards.