Chapter 96

"What are you doing..."

Valka, with a voice trembling, pressed the claws that had grown from the beast-like hand at the end of the giant arm, which had transformed from the miasma, against my throat. In front of her, I smiled while sweating profusely, trying to buy some time.

The wall surrounding the Central District had collapsed.

The existence of the gambling city, steeped in desire, was now exposed, and the defensive barrier that refused reinforcements had been lost.

If the plan I conveyed before setting out was followed, it wouldn't be long before Enzia, Kuro-chan, and Inoshishi-kun, leading the second Abatos village forces, would gather here to confirm this collapse.

Suaro-san and Orkidea-san.

Delphi is here, and so are the members of *Beowulf* and *Berserker*.

Enzia and Kuro-chan's noses would quickly pinpoint my location.

"You... "

‘Oh, you’re quite angry, aren’t you?’

Valka, radiating a killing intent, and Asmodeus, who was goading her from the side.

To at least buy some time, I tried to twist my body to escape the claw's restraint.

"..."

However, the moment I tried to move, pain shot through my head, and dizziness followed.

The pain was likely due to the *Curse* etched by Cyraus.

The dizziness made my thoughts waver, as if a fog had settled in my brain.

(…Ah, probably because I overused *Alchemy Lv.3*...)

Perhaps it was because I remotely operated a large number of tools.

It must have put a considerable strain on my brain, like overusing a superpower.

When I realized, my vision was tinged red, and blood was flowing from my eyes like tears.

It felt like I had become like Gaito from *Kamen Rider Geats*.

"I'll kill you!"

Valka, with no strength to resist, tried to decapitate me instantly—.

The moment she exerted force on her claws, the door was torn apart with a loud noise.

"!"

Valka involuntarily turned her gaze towards it.

The torn door was kicked from the other side, and a person rushed in, brandishing a sword.

The sword struck the giant arm extending from Valka's body.

"Ugh!"

The severed arm turned back into miasma and dissipated in the air as it hit the ground.

Valka, taken aback, took a step back.

Then, standing in front of me, who had lost my balance against the wall—

"I'm sorry, Mako, for being late."

"...Iksa."

Iksa stood there, gripping a sword in his hand.

"The prince Stinger and his guards suddenly went berserk... I was holding them back, so I arrived late for the rescue."

The sword Iksa held was designed like a Western blade.

A sword with decorative embellishments on the hilt and blade, like a work of art.

The faint magical light emanating from it suggested it was probably one of the magical artifacts he had in his bag.

"...What about Prince Stinger and the others?"

"They are now being restrained by the supervisors. In the arena, Gurai was holding down *Lavinia*'s fighters."

Iksa, while glaring at Valka, who had regrown her severed arm, continued.

"It seems she is the mastermind behind this."

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

‘Get out of the way! I’ll kick you out, humans!’

—Meanwhile, inside the Central District where the wall had collapsed.

Enzia and the others reached the Central District, passing by the panicked guards who were facing the suddenly collapsed wall.

Naturally, the guests inside the gambling city were also shocked.

"Where are Mako and the others!?"

"Lord Reyle, calm down. These divine wolves are tracking Mako's scent and heading in that direction."

Reyle and Suaro, riding in the cart Enzia was pulling, were conversing while looking at the passing streets.

Behind them, carts pulled by Kuro-chan and Inoshishi followed, with *Berserker* and *Beowulf* members riding on top.

"Big sister..."

Muu was also riding in Enzia's cart.

Although she was told it was dangerous and she shouldn't come, she couldn't bear to stay behind, thinking her missing sister might be in this city.

"It's okay, Muu. Mako and the others will surely save your sister."

Maul and Meala, who had also come along, encouraged Muu, who had a serious expression.

‘Here! ’

‘Ponpoko! ’

Chibi and Pokota also tried to encourage Muu by ramming into her body.

‘This way! ’

Enzia, following Mako's scent, ran.

And the place she arrived at—

"...Oh, this is quite a mess."

It's no wonder Delphi muttered this.

The arena they had reached was now collapsing.

The staff, residents, and even the lord's knights, all turned into puppets by Valka's power, were gathering and causing chaos.

Those unaware of the situation were fleeing in panic.

The enslaved puppets were heading towards Mako, Iksa, and Gurai, who were inside the arena, to slaughter them.

Suddenly, a part of the arena exploded.

"Kyaa! What, what!?"

Reyle screamed.

Debris flew up from the explosion site, and dust rose.

In the background, a huge black arm was wildly thrashing about.

"What is that...?"

Suaro muttered in shock.

They didn't know that the arm was a power granted to Valka by a demon.

"!"

Suaro then saw Iksa, who was standing with his sword ready, as if engaging in battle with the giant arm.

"Prince Iksa!"

‘Is Mako over there! ’

Enzia shouted—right then.

Valka's giant arm, swinging wildly, destroyed the walls and pillars of the arena.

Debris was flying towards the cart Enzia was pulling due to the impact.

"...! It's bad!"

"Run!"

The incoming debris hit the cart, causing it to overturn.

The reins and other attachments that held Enzia's body in place snapped from the impact, and the passengers were thrown out.

"Ah!"

Muu, who was ejected, rolled on the ground and reached the wall of the arena.

"Ugh, ugh..."

Muu, trying to get up despite the pain in her body.

At that moment, the debris above Muu's head, which was about to collapse, fell down towards her.

"Muu! Run!"

Uga, who was also riding in the cart, noticed this first.

He called out, but it was already too late.

Muu couldn't get up, and the debris rained down on her.

"Ah!"

Muu's scream, filled with terror, echoed.

"Ugh!"

Without hesitation, Uga ran.

He kicked off the ground and leaped, enveloping Muu in his body like an umbrella.

“Uga!”

Maul and Meala's shouts were drowned out as Muu and Uga disappeared under the falling debris.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

—Inside the arena.

The arena was now a chaotic scene, with guests fleeing and the enslaved puppets controlled by Valka pouring in, surrounding Gurai and the *Berserker* members.

It was like being surrounded by zombies.

Moguro and the *Berserker* members were about to fight back with the clubs they had taken from the unconscious fighters when—

"!"

Lunato, who had been acting like a berserker, suddenly stopped.

"What is it?"

Gurai, who had been holding her down, was puzzled.

Just before, her *Lavinia* characteristic long ears had twitched slightly, as if hearing something.

Lunato, staring into the void, whispered softly.

"...Muu"

The name she uttered was her brother's.

"……—aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh