Chapter 190: Priestess of The Red Lotus (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 190: Priestess of The Red Lotus (3)
‘Hilde, sneak out and get Kaya.’
[What are you planning? You can’t possibly win against that woman with your current strength, can you?]
‘I’m going to win. Now, listen carefully to what I’m about to say.’
*
[…Understood. You must survive, Master. When I return, I shall give you a proper taste of my affection.]
‘I don’t need it.’
[…!]
I gave my orders to Hilde, who was hiding in my collar in her miniature mana form.
Miya’s watcher minion had vanished the moment I reached the outdoor dueling ground, so Hilde should be able to move around without issue.
The one I had to be most wary of, the Phantom Cat Cheshire, was likely preoccupied with the excitement of the closing ceremony by now.
The key was getting Hilde out without being detected by Priestess Miya.
I steadied my breathing and prepared for battle.
Unlike our last duel, Miya didn’t let her guard down. She unleashed the power of the Nine-tailed Fox from the very start.
With her using the fox’s power, I couldn’t win on my own. The gap in combat experience, physical ability, and even clever tactics meant nothing in the face of such overwhelming raw power.
‘Three tails…’
That wasn’t even close to her full strength.
Her tails stored a massive amount of mana and acted as amplifiers for her magic. Simply put, the more tails she revealed, the stronger Miya became.
When the ninth tail appeared—that was when her true power would be unleashed.
‘She’s planning to pressure me gradually, huh?’
It was a vicious strategy. She wasn’t satisfied with just ending it instantly by bringing out all nine at once.
Currently, a shadow demon was lurking within Miya’s shadow. It had snuck in without her ever realizing it.
While it was fused with the shadows and unable to act for now, the moment Miya unleashed the full power of the Nine-tailed Fox, it would devour her strength.
Then, I would become a Demon-Limited Hunter, capable of annihilating both Miya and the demon in a single stroke.
Therefore, I had to give Miya a reason to bring out all nine tails.
I had to withstand her attacks, counter them, and escalate the fight.
‘Not bad at all.’
Foolishly, I felt a surge of excitement.
This was a golden opportunity to gain real combat experience. A life-and-death struggle was far more nourishing than a hundred practice duels. Every experience like this was incredibly valuable on my journey to defeat the Evil God.
Crackle!
Miya swirled flames with her black fan.
It was time to settle things with this tiresome girl.
*
Bang!
Crackle!!
“Are you just going to keep running, Senior? Try to make a fool out of me like you did back then!”
In the outdoor dueling ground, where only the two of them remained, Miya’s red flames drove back the encroaching darkness.
Having partially unleashed the Nine-tailed Fox’s power, Miya radiated intense heat in all directions, maintaining a constant [Firestorm] around her.
Though such a spell should have rapidly depleted her mana, Miya possessed such a vast reserve that she didn't even need to worry about consumption.
Isaac sprinted across the grounds, countering her with ice and rock magic.
He leaped from the dueling floor into the stands, dodging Miya’s flames with the nimbleness of a squirrel.
Before long, his right hand gripped Zhonya’s Staff, which he had pulled from his magic pouch.
The mana stone, infused with the natural mana of dawn, glowed with ice magic. He executed high-level mana mastery in an instant.
A powerful ice spell surged to counter Miya’s flames. Red and pale blue clashed, painting the night scenery.
Boom!
The flames were neutralized.
Isaac and Miya glared at each other through the rising veil of white steam.
“You’ve gotten stronger. Your mana is more refined.”
Miya gathered her flames.
To her senses, Isaac’s mana was denser than it had been during their last duel. Even with three of her fox tails unleashed, she wouldn't be able to defeat her silver-blue-haired senior at this rate.
While she held the advantage in sheer mana quantity, Isaac possessed the technical skill to bridge that gap.
Pushing back her anger, Miya regained her rationality. And her reason told her…
Isaac was a genius.
He was simply a late bloomer.
‘Or perhaps…’
Perhaps he was the Nameless Hero.
In other words, he could be slowly revealing his true strength while pretending to grow. If there was a reason to conceal his power, what better excuse than ‘growth’ to explain away his sudden rise?
Although it was an unwelcome hypothesis, it was an undeniable possibility.
The idea that the man she wanted to claim for herself could be such a fraud was so absurd that she let out an involuntary scoff.
Miya glared at Isaac, convincing herself that such a possibility was false.
“I’ve been thinking…”
In Miya’s hand, the tip of her luxurious black fan flickered with flames like a bonfire. Behind her, three tails of fire waved gently, casting a soft, rhythmic glow.
“I hated you. I thought I’d make you pay for humiliating me during our duel. But after calming down and thinking it over… it turns out you’re quite useful. Like a decent piece of trash.”
“What are you trying to say?” Isaac asked, clearing his throat.
Miya covered her mouth with the flaming black fan, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Become my subordinate.”
“What…?”
“If you join me, I can promise you wealth and honor. I swear it as the Priestess of the Land of the Fire Blossoms, Horan. That’s a tempting offer for a lowlife like you, isn’t it?”
“Haa.”
Isaac let out a deep sigh. He sat down in the stands right behind him and slung Zhonya’s Staff over his shoulder.
Even without the help of [Psychological Insight], deciphering Miya’s intentions was simple enough.
“Hey, I’m late in asking, but what about the closing ceremony? What are you doing here?”
“You really are late in asking.”
Miya turned her head toward the stadium.
Far from the main academy grounds, she couldn’t hear the music of the ceremony, but she could feel the festive atmosphere in the air.
A chuckle escaped her lips.
“My clone will take care of it.”
“Is that your familiar’s ability?”
“You know it well. Yes, Mae is proficient in all sorts of magic.”
“Must be convenient for skipping out on things.”
“Senior… aren’t you a bit too relaxed? Why don’t you worry about yourself instead of the ceremony?”
The fact that the Priestess of Horan commanded the Nine-tailed Fox, Mae, was common knowledge. One of the fox’s abilities was to create clones, and Miya, as its master, could use that power to duplicate herself.
Though the clone couldn't hold a conversation, it was more than capable of performing the dance at the closing ceremony.
“So, let me get this straight. If I become your underling, I get wealth and honor… right?”
“Looks like you understand. I rule the East. When I say something, I mean it… on one condition.”
“And what is that?”
Miya chuckled and extended three fingers of her right hand.
“Three fingers. The index, middle, and thumb should suffice. Give me those, and I’ll forgive your impudence and promise you a life of luxury.”
“…”
“It’s a generous offer for someone who messed with me. Just three fingers to appease my anger, and in exchange, you get to serve under the most beautiful woman in the world for the rest of your life… Where else would you find such a deal?”
Miya had no intention of actually stopping at his fingers.
Though she coveted Isaac’s talent for her ambitions, her disdain for him ran too deep. If she ever got the chance to sever his fingers, she’d do it slowly, joint by joint. Then, pretending it was an accident, she’d take his entire wrist.
Every time he screamed in pain, she would feel a thrill of pleasure. It was the only way to truly soothe her rage.
“What do you think?”
“Hmm.”
Isaac lifted his head, feigning contemplation, then calmly raised his middle finger to Miya.
“Fufu.”
Miya let out a chilling laugh and intensified the flames on her fan. The fire surged.
Whaaaack!!
Miya waved her fan, and a torrent of fire rushed toward Isaac. He lunged to the side, dodging the [Firestorm], and countered with a barrage of spells.
[Ice Spear], [Frostfire], [Frost Explosion], [Rock Avalanche]…
Every elemental spell failed to penetrate the flames surrounding Miya, consumed by the heat before they could land.
The flames were dense with mana. It was as if an intangible force had created a defensive barrier with the sole purpose of protecting her, like a wall of pressurized sand.
However, Miya was also unable to pressure her opponent. The strength of three tails wasn't enough. At this rate, it would just become a battle of attrition.
She doubled her output.
Miya pulled out three more tails. Six flickering tails of flame now waved behind her. As the number of tails increased, her magic grew exponentially in power and temperature.
It was no longer just a burning flame. It was a force that shattered and swept away everything in its path.
Crackle!
Boooom!
“Senior! If I can’t have what I want, I’ll just destroy it! The more you resist, the worse it’ll be for you! Just come with me peacefully, okay?!”
“…”
Isaac remained impassive. Not a trace of panic showed on his face.
His cold gaze, a sharp contrast to his usual gentle eyes, scanned the battlefield. If his opponent was stronger, he would simply adapt.
Isaac handled Miya’s flames with practiced skill. He understood her attack patterns perfectly, as if he had fought her a thousand times before.
Using his exceptional physical abilities, Isaac navigated the stands, though his movements were gradually being restricted by the [Firestorm] barricading the area around Miya.
Whenever the flames got too close, he neutralized them with powerful ice magic.
“Really… is that all? You dared to confront me with such mediocre skills?!”
Miya was a whirlwind of emotions. Veins bulged on her forehead as she glared at him. She released her seventh tail, cackling.
“Kugh!”
Even without direct contact, Isaac could feel his skin sizzling from the radiant heat. He intensified the chill enveloping his body to soothe the burns.
“Hehe, how amusing.”
Miya tracked the man as he fled through the clouds of dirt and pungent smoke.
The difference in mana was stark. It was clear that she, imbued with the power of the Nine-tailed Fox, was far superior to her senior. Yet, Isaac was somehow bridging that gap with sheer combat sense and observation.
Such talent was rare.
Miya, a tyrant who had used her position as Priestess to look down upon and exploit her people, knew the value of talent all too well.
Wizards were expensive.
This was Märchen Academy, a gathering place for the elite, so skilled mages were common. But in the outside world, simply wielding 6-star magic could earn a commoner the status of a noble. Those who could wield 7-star magic or higher could name their price.
And what about this man?
He had already mastered 6-star magic and possessed physical abilities uncharacteristic of a wizard. Plus, he had the combat instincts to pressure her in their last duel.
With such potential, it wouldn't be long before he reached the 7-star level. His future was unimaginable.
‘I want him.’
He was a remarkable talent. Especially if having him also meant gaining the overwhelmingly gifted Luce Eltania.
She had to have Isaac, by any means necessary.
Fine, let’s see who is superior.
I’ll prove that I’m far mightier than you’ll ever be. I’ll let you feel the full extent of my power.
I am the woman who will dominate this world. A Divine Priestess who will rule as the sole monarch.
This lowly academy is merely a stepping stone.
So beg for my forgiveness and come under my wing.
Even if you don’t want to, it doesn’t matter. I’ll do things my way.
I’ll take someone dear to you as a hostage.
I’ll gouge their eyes out, skin them, or sever their limbs. Then you’ll surely grovel and beg.
You’ll beg me to take you as my subordinate, admitting your mistakes.
That is the future awaiting you if you refuse me, Isaac.
Miya thought to herself as she relentlessly unleashed her fire magic.
“Eden!”
[Kyuu!]
The rock golem familiar, Eden, appeared beside Isaac. Clad in rock armor to increase his combat prowess, Eden formed a rock shield in Isaac’s hand.
Isaac leaped through the stands and charged toward Miya, aiming an enlarged fist at her.
From another direction, Isaac lunged forward behind the rock shield, wrapping his body in intense cold and releasing [Frostfire].
The [Frostfire] swirled into the [Firestorm], creating a momentary cloud of blinding steam.
Meanwhile, ice magic condensed around Zhonya’s Staff, forming a pale blue magic circle. It was the formula for the 5-star ice spell, [Frost Explosion].
Isaac intended to protect himself with the rock shield while casting [Frost Explosion] at point-blank range.
“Hehe! Is that all you’ve got?”
A reckless choice.
Miya unleashed her eighth tail. Red flames erupted from her like a pressurized blast, engulfing both Isaac and Eden.
Paaaa!!
“Kugh!”
Isaac crouched behind the rock shield, but the violent force sent him flying like a ball. [Frost Explosion] activated, only to be instantly consumed by the scorching heat, rendered completely ineffective.
Eden was also pushed back helplessly, crashing into the stands alongside his master.
The stands shattered with a thunderous crash, and dust billowed into the air. Eden groaned as flames capable of melting rock swirled around him.
At that moment, a dagger slithered across the ground toward Miya.
Swoosh!
However, the dagger was deflected by a [Flame Pillar] erupting from the ground.
“Trying that trick again… don’t you ever get tired of it?”
Isaac, along with Eden, had tried to distract Miya to secretly throw the Sheath of Disaster. Having been tricked by it before, Miya saw right through it.
The magic circle engraved on the Sheath of Disaster emitted a pale blue light before flying back into the stands, its glow fading.
Isaac tossed the red-hot rock shield aside. It rolled across the ground with a clatter before dispersing into brown mana.
He swung his arm to clear the dust and stood up. His uniform was scorched, and his silver-blue hair was matted with dust. He wiped the blood trickling down his forehead.
Through his messy hair, his frosty red eyes—filled with unwavering determination—remained fixed on Miya.
Calm and steady.
‘That’s the spirit.’
Miya looked at him like a piece of ripe fruit. If she took one bite, the juices would surely burst forth.
He had immense potential and wasn't intimidated by an opponent who overwhelmingly surpassed him. He focused his will and stared down his enemy.
It was a remarkable spirit. She truly wanted him.
“Senior, what will you do now…?”
Isaac held out Zhonya’s Staff. The mana stone pulsed with light.
Gooooo…
Miya swiftly looked up as she felt a heavy mana signature above her.
A pale blue magic circle had been deployed within the [Firestorm]. Amidst the chaos, Isaac had taken the time to calculate the formula for a 6-star ice spell.
The [Frostfire] had been a distraction to hide the formation of the magic circle. Miya had been so focused on the Sheath of Disaster that she failed to notice Isaac’s true final move.
Something burst forth from the magic circle—a dangerous-looking pale blue sphere. By the time Miya saw it, the spell was already active.
Whaaaaaa!!!
Miya’s eyes widened.
It was the 6-star ice spell, [Frost Glitter].
Dense, thick spikes rained down like a torrential shower. Even the [Firestorm], imbued with the power of the Nine-tailed Fox, couldn't block this.
“…Hehe.”
However, Miya only smirked.
The final tail of the Nine-tailed Fox sprang out, instantly forming a perfect defense. Fire magic erupted from the ground in multiple streams, spiraling outward in the blink of an eye.
The air heated to an unbearable degree. The flames swirled, gathered, and then erupted.
Boooooom!!
Pillars of flame surged up like beams of light, obliterating the [Frost Glitter] and devouring the dense sphere of magic.
It was the 6-star fire spell, [Explosive Wave].
A tremendous explosion of steam shattered the remaining stands. Isaac hastily deployed a wall of [Fossilized Ice], but the shockwave shattered it instantly and sent him flying.
“Ugh!!”
Isaac was hurled across the dueling ground, crashing into a wall with enough force to make it crumble.
It felt like his bones were breaking. Even with [Basic Protection Magic], he was helpless against such an impact. Luckily, he didn't lose consciousness.
His strength was draining. He gritted his teeth, forcing his body to move.
A terrifying pressure of mana crushed down on him. The difference in power was now beyond comparison.
He lifted his head.
The [Firestorm] that had filled the grounds had transformed into a gentle breeze of flower petals. It was the 7-star fire spell, [Cherry Blossom].
Touching even one of those petals would cause an explosion far greater than anything the [Firestorm] could produce. No matter how much defense magic he used, his body would be blown apart.
In the center of the [Cherry Blossom] storm, under the night sky, stood a girl wrapped in nine tails of flame.
Her hair had turned a deep red, shaped like flickering blazes. Her red eyes glowed with a holy, terrifying aura.
She was the Master and Divine Maiden of the Eastern Nation, the Priestess of the Red Lotus. The tyrant of the East, who would never be satisfied until she possessed what she desired.
“I’ll give you one more chance. No… this is an order.”
The Priestess, now at her full power, spoke.
“Join me. Become my subordinate and beg. If you are still unwilling, even with the promise of wealth and honor, I will have no choice but to use violence. Wouldn’t that be sad?”
“…Such as?” Isaac’s voice was thick with the taste of blood.
“I’ll harm someone dear to you.”
“Why…?”
“You made it quite obvious that you care deeply—almost sickeningly so. You came at me with fury in your eyes over that worthless princess. If I were to harm someone far more precious to you than Princess Snow White… what kind of reaction would I see then?”
Miya’s smiling face suddenly hardened.
“I might just gouge out your mother’s eyes. And if that doesn’t make you serve me, I’ll skin her. And if you still won’t listen…”
“Don’t… talk… nonsense…”
Flop.
Isaac’s voice trailed off. He closed his eyes and collapsed limply to the ground.
Miya was momentarily startled, but then felt a thrill at having said her piece.
“Huhu, it’s too boring if you pass out now. The fun has just—”
Miya started to approach Isaac.
But then.
Behind her, a pitch-black darkness crept up from the ground like an assassin.
There was no mana emanating from it. Miya was slow to react because there was no presence to detect. Startled, she whipped her head around.
[Give me that power.]
The dark figure opened its jaws wide and swallowed Miya whole.
“Kugh…!”
Miya clutched her head in agony as her body and mana were gradually engulfed by the dark energy. From within her shadow, a human head with three pairs of eyes and three mouths carved like triangles sneered wickedly.
[Miya! Miya!! Ugh, what is this thing?!]
The Nine-tailed Fox’s desperate cries echoed through the dueling ground before its voice was silenced.
The nine tails wrapped around Miya were dyed a deep, abyssal black. The color of the 7-star [Cherry Blossom] petals transformed from a brilliant red to a void-like darkness.
The shadow demon let out a strange howl as it finally absorbed Miya’s power completely. On Miya’s face, where black smoke seeped out, three pairs of eyes took their places.
Miya was flung aside by the demon and rolled across the ground. The demon, having drained her power, looked down at her with a satisfied smile.
“Demon…!”
Miya frowned grimly and tried to manifest fire magic, but nothing happened. She stared at her hands in shock.
It was the moment of the shadow demon’s triumph.
“…”
Isaac cracked open one eye to witness the scene. He was only pretending to be unconscious.
His field of vision was clear; he had fallen at a precisely calculated angle.
In 「Act 8, Scene 2, Priestess of the Red Lotus」 of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, Miya finally revealed her full power by unleashing all nine tails. And in doing so, the demon hiding in her shadow revealed itself.
It was the final boss of Act 8, the Shadow Demon.
[Elmetona the Ethereal]
Lv: 180
Race: Demon
Elements: Dark, Fire
Danger: Highest
Psychology: [Pleased with successfully stealing the power of the Priestess and the Nine-tailed Fox.]
‘She’s out.’
「Act 8, Scene 3, The Shadow Priestess」.
We had reached the final chapter of Act 8.
[Finally, you’ve unleashed your full power…]
“Kugh!”
Elmetona the Ethereal grabbed Miya by the throat and lifted her up. Miya struggled, gripping Elmetona’s arm in agony. Despite her attempts to kick at the dark figure that looked exactly like her, it was futile.
Her eyes rolled back as she choked, tears and saliva streaming down her face. Without her fire magic, Miya was just a powerless girl.
If the source of her power died, Elmetona would lose the strength she had just gained, so she couldn't kill Miya. However, the demon intended to show Miya exactly who was superior.
[Waiting was hard.]
Whack!
“Ugh…!”
Elmetona punched Miya in the face while still choking her.
[I’m exhausted. I almost killed myself because I was so impatient. I almost ended my own life. I’m dumb. I’m foolish. I’m pathetic. But I took it. I took this power…! But I loathe myself…! I’m idiotic! I’m miserable! I deserve to die!!]
“Ku, kughh…!”
Slap!
Thud!
Whack!
Thud!
Crack!
Elmetona slapped Miya’s face repeatedly as she spat out a rapid-fire stream of words. She slammed her knee into Miya’s abdomen and broke her leg with a single kick.
“Kughhhh…!!”
Miya couldn't move because she was being strangled. She couldn't even turn her head. She could only gasp for air as the blows rained down. Her once beautiful face was now a hideous, bloody mess.
The shadow demon, Elmetona the Ethereal, was sinister and deeply self-loathing. She constantly muttered self-deprecating remarks. If any creature looked at her, she would tear them apart, convinced they were mocking her. Her self-esteem was non-existent.
‘That was hard to watch…’
Elmetona wouldn't kill Miya. She needed her as a battery. Since it had come to this, Miya might as well take the beating.
Elmetona didn't stop her one-sided violence. Before Miya could choke to death, she released her throat, then grabbed her arm and used her like a punching bag.
It was the process of establishing a hierarchy. She would instill absolute fear in Miya, the true owner of the power, by assaulting her every day. It was a daily ritual of exploitation.
Isaac slowly got to his feet. Debris fell from his body, clinking softly against the ground.
[…?]
The Shadow Priestess, Elmetona, released Miya’s arm. Miya collapsed to the ground with a dull thud. Her face was swollen and bruised, her joints were twisted, and her clothes were tattered. She was a complete mess.
Crunch.
Elmetona stepped on Miya and glared at Isaac with her three pairs of eyes.
[What’s with that look? Are you calling me an idiot? Pathetic? Disgusting? Pitiful? Are you looking down on me?!]
Crack, crack.
“Ack, aaak…”
Elmetona stomped on Miya in a fit of rage. The blows shattered what few bones were still intact. Unable to bear the excruciating pain, Miya finally lost consciousness.
That was enough.
Isaac grabbed his shoulder and lightly stretched his neck, spitting out a mouthful of blood. His cold, red eyes scanned the demon.
Meanwhile.
At the stadium where the closing ceremony was taking place.
A small, firefly-like figure approached Kaya Astrea and whispered into her mind. It was Hilde. The familiar conveyed Isaac’s instructions.
“Sir Isaac…”
Kaya’s expression hardened. She stood up and made her way through the aisle.
She was about to leave when Dorothy, who possessed the power of [All in the World], noticed that the dancing Priestess on stage was a fake.
Goooooo.
An unmatched, heavy mana descended upon the stadium.
Time seemed to stand still. The noisy closing ceremony fell into a sudden, chilling hush.
Dorothy’s eyes widened. She froze, then wrapped herself in starlight mana and floated into the air.
With shocked expressions, Luce and the Paladins turned toward the source of the enormous surge of mana.
Seated at the top, Alice closed her eyes to gather her thoughts. Beside her, the Phantom Cat Cheshire flashed a strange smile, as if it had known this was coming.
The faculty and Imperial Knights scrambled to assess the situation. In an instant, the festival grounds were filled with chaos and frantic murmurs.
Everyone present realized one undeniable fact.
The Great Archwizard.
The Nameless Hero had appeared.