“Lily, wasn’t that a bit too harsh?”
Just after Fiona started speaking while moving ahead, leaving Lulu, who had transformed into a crying fairy girl after snatching the ‘Red Crystal Ball’ away from her, the golden-eyed girl shifted her gaze to the beautiful fairy girl, Lily, walking next to her, looking slightly annoyed.
“Hehehe, dungeon exploration is nice, isn’t it? Unexpected treasures can be obtained. This is the romance of adventure!”
“Oh, so you’re not particularly regretting it, huh?”
Words like “maybe I went a bit too far” never leave Lily’s mouth.
“How pitiful. To steal from such a small child.”
“That child doesn’t have the right to hold this. At any rate, in that state, she’ll definitely earn some resentment and get stolen from someone else.”
Rather, they should be thankful.
By safely keeping the fairy clan’s treasure blessed by Fairy Queen Iris, it can be protected from the greedy strong ones who may appear in the future.
“Thank you, Fiona. Thanks to you, it was easy.”
“No, exploiting the opponent’s weakness is basic.”
Fiona’s ‘Fairy Killer’ boasts a devastating power against fairies.
A unique effect completely seals off the unique magic from fairies, which is why Lulu was unable to do anything from the moment it was cast.
“As long as you’re here, we won’t lose against our kind, or rather, it wouldn’t even be a match.”
“Honestly, it’s strange for fairies to fight each other to the death.”
Fairies are fundamentally different from humans. While they often dislike and quarrel, they would never truly hate each other or kill. At most, they might be ostracized from the village like Lily once was after being chased away from the spring.
Therefore, battles between fairies aren’t anticipated, and tactics aren’t honed.
However, Fiona, being human and a witch, created ‘Fairy Killer’ to defeat the strongest romantic adversary, Lily, by utilizing her fellow fairies to seal off their unique magic.
“I’m glad it worked out.”
“I too was surprised at how smoothly it activated.”
Originally, the caster is Fiona.
Although only she can activate it, the presence of a fairy is always necessary. Special spells may require specific catalysts or offerings. Following that example, fairies act as catalysts.
When fighting Lily previously, Fiona had integrated captured Vivian as a biological part into her weapon, but this time, Lily herself became the catalyst.
However, to outsiders, it likely seemed as if Lily was the one exercising ‘Fairy Killer.’
The trick lies in the ‘Queen’s Armor.’
Once having turned into the Queen of Jealousy, Lily used a special mental magic that employed the powers of captured Fiona and others.
By showing dreams, she activated the magic model within the person and exercised it through telepathy.
However, if the original caster has the intention to cooperate with Lily, the situation changes. There’s no need to induce by showing dreams, and the magic can be made to activate for Lily.
Nevertheless, if the person is present, it would be more certain and unleash the full power. If they are too far apart, even the telepathy of the ‘Queen’s Armor’ wouldn’t reach. Above all, without mutual trust of considerable degree between the caster and Lily, there wouldn’t be enough understanding to activate the magic.
“She really was a foolish child. I never said anything about a one-on-one duel, yet she got all energized by herself.”
“Lily, do you find it fun to bully your kind like that?”
“That’s too much. In fact, I’m rather pitying her. Those who have excessive power one day bring about their own destruction. With this, that child should become a bit more subdued.”
“It seems obvious to me she will just burn with a desire for revenge.”
Now transformed into a fairy child, Lulu’s greatly diminished power leaves Lily uninterested in how she will live from now on.
No matter how much Lulu resents Lily, it is futile.
After all, she is merely a child who doesn’t know love. Without the strongest emotion in this world, the capability to love someone, she could not stand as Lily’s opponent.
“She should have a wonderful love and then come back.”
The boss of the fourth floor, ‘Lapis Salamandra,’ is a salamander clad in deep blue crystalline armor. However, it has undergone such unique evolution that it could be considered a different species altogether.
Because it resides inside a cave without flying, its huge wings, which are the greatest feature of flying dragons, have regressed into strong forelegs by developing the flapping arm joints.
It has no flying capability and can only glide. However, the developed arms are harnessed with great power capable of easily tearing the ground apart, and blue lightning magic fed by the lapis lazuli-like blue crystals accompanies its power.
The blue lightning dragon rushes through the shimmering crystalline cave. Lapis Salamandra is one of the top three formidable foes in the fourth floor’s boss battles, but—
“Ugh, after all, the ‘Red Crystal Ball’ is the best.”
With a gigantic Meteor Sword, Lapis Salamandra’s neck was sliced cleanly, causing it to fall.
Lily danced joyfully without spilling a drop of blood alongside the severed head, spinning around excitedly.
“Really, you just wanted a new ‘Red Crystal Ball,’ didn’t you?”
“The fact that Lily’s power increased is undeniable. Choosing to take it by killing was the right decision.”
“She isn’t dead, though.”
While saying such things expressionlessly, Fiona and Sariel began actions necessary to advance without any particular sentiment at the boss battle that went unremarked upon.
“This is definitely the Teleportation Circle, right?”
“Core extraction complete.”
“Finally, we’ll reach the end. Let’s hurry and finish this.”
Thus, the ‘Element Master’ reached the fifth floor.
“Ugh, what a distasteful room.”
The scenery that spread out beyond the light of the teleportation was a corridor shining with gold.
A vast space that continued for a long time. On both sides stood huge columns that were at least ten meters tall, spaced evenly apart.
And all those columns and the walls were decorated in gold.
“——No, this glaring golden brilliance is the most direct representation of human desire, the true scenery.”
In response to Lily’s murmurs, a man emerged from the shadows of the columns.
A young man with flaxen hair and a handsome face.
He had the appearance that would likely gain popularity as a male idol, yet he wore black armor. A beautifully crafted armor with intricate golden decorations radiated a dense magical power that felt worthy of being called a great magical tool.
“If you desire this brilliance, you are merely a fool. At least for me, I do not need this much gold.”
Without showing any surprise, Lily replied to the young man’s words as if it were a matter of course.
Of course, she was not just going along with the conversation.
Standing on the red carpet spread at her feet, Lily and the others were already in a combat-ready stance.
“Oh, how bold you are to say that—how interesting, you must be Lily. An idol, an adventurer, or something completely different, huh?”
“Thanks to you, I’ve become somewhat well-known. Yes, I am Lily. Being an idol is just a little game. My main job is just an adventurer. For now, at least.”
“My sister seems to have been hurt quite a bit in that little game of yours.”
“Oh, you must be that girl’s older brother. So, you really are Zenongart, the strongest adventurer of Karamala.”
“Indeed, I am Zenongart.”
As he introduced himself, members of ‘Golden Dawn’ appeared from both sides of the columns.
Lily and her companions formed the center, with Zenongart standing in front. To the right rear were the ‘Sword Master’ Aylan and the ‘Magical Archer’ Tina. To the left rear were ‘Heavy Cavalry’ Sena and ‘Spirit Mage’ Wendy.
The five members were arranged in a triangular formation around them.
It was clear they had anticipated their arrival, sensing the presence of teleportation.
“Well done to come this far. Your Rank 5 strength seems genuine.”
“Even so, my strength is still less than half. After all, the most important leader is absent.”
“I cannot simply dismiss that as nonsense. I must acknowledge your strength. However, I must say this—killing a woman is not my hobby. Do retreat.”
A moment of silence followed Zenongart’s bold proclamation.
Lily widened her eyes as if genuinely surprised that someone would say such a thing and finally responded with a smile, as if she had come to understand.
“Hehe, ahaha, you seem to have a sense of humor.”
“I love beautiful things. I do not wish to mar your individually shining beauties.”
“Is this your way of flirting, handsome?”
“I’m not arrogant enough to say that you should become mine here. It is just my personal principle that beautiful things should remain beautiful… but if they obstruct my ambitions, I won’t hold back.”
“Hmm, ambitions, huh? You aren’t actually planning to say you want to become the Demon King, are you?”
“The old legend, a story that everyone admired but failed to achieve. However, in the present, that will finally become reality—yes, I will become the Demon King, unify the Pandora Continent.”
“Oh please, stop it. Don’t make me laugh any more than this. You’re interesting. If you kneel quietly before me, I might let you go. Now and in the future.”
“Hmph, what is there beyond this point?”
“Karamala will become mine.”
Once again, silence filled the air.
This time, Zenongart was the one smiling.
“I see, so you do know the secrets of the Original Monolith.”
Immediately following the inheritance broadcast, the lifeline in the outer district was cut off. It was suspected that this was due to Lily, who recently appeared as a collaborator in the ‘Chaos Legion.’
By manipulating the monolith, she controls Karamala’s lifeline.
Just that much is not impossible if one can decode ancient magic and learn to manipulate the monolith to a certain degree.
However, having enough confidence to declare that she would acquire all of Karamala certainly implies that she knows about the Original Monolith as well.
In other words, their aims are the same—complete mastery over the Original Monolith to dominate Karamala.
“How unfortunate. If you already know this much, I cannot let you go.”
“I would not mind letting you go, however…”
Glancing left and right, the ‘Golden Dawn’ members had their weapons ready and were already brimming with magical power.
As expected of the Rank 5 party renowned as the strongest in Karamala, consisting of stunningly beautiful girls; their power was impressive. Excluding the Apostle, they likely comprised the peak powerhouses among humans.
“Fine, I will entertain you.”
In the charged atmosphere where a blade, arrow, or attack magic could fly at any moment, Lily raised her hands confidently.
“Fiona, Sariel, just watch from there.”
“Are you going to handle this alone, Lily?”
“Yes, I’m feeling good right now.”
“Well, that’s understandable, since your new ‘Red Crystal Ball’ is running perfectly.”
“Lily, ‘Golden Dawn’ is not an opponent to be taken lightly.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll call you if needed.”
Saying something that could be construed as overconfidence, Lily smiled defiantly, looking at Zenongart standing in front.
“Now, come at me from anywhere.”
“Fast—”
The first to move was ‘Sword Master’ Aylan.
He was not just any swordsman but bore the class of a sword master, and his skill was not a joke.
With breathtaking speed, his trained body and refined martial arts allowed him to invade the gap fluidly.
His presence was minimal. But his speed was at maximum.
The blade drawn from his waist, silent as it escaped its sheath, surged toward the defenseless Lily’s back.
“——’Queen of the Storm.'”
In an instant, Lily and Aylan’s figures crossed.
“What… what is this speed…?”
Aylan turned back with a look of astonishment.
With his sword cutting through the empty air, when he finally turned to face Lily, he realized too late.
“‘Meteor Sword: Betelgeuse.'”
He had already been cut.
A thin, sharp, yet super-dense bluish-white blade of light floated in Lily’s right hand.
It was undoubtedly Aylan who had made the first move.
There was no carelessness or opening. Personal feelings had made him unwilling to see Lily speaking down to his beloved Zenongart, and he acted with the highest-speed swordsmanship he could muster.
However, he was slashed by Lily as she moved later.
How could this happen, how on earth could she do that—yet, the answer was very simple.
“I was simply faster, swordsman.”
“Ugh!”
Lily sliced through Aylan’s Calra-style swordsmanship armor, deeply branding searing wounds on his pale skin.
With a fatal blow, Aylan bled and fell over.
“Wh-what have you done!!!”
Just a moment later, ‘Heavy Cavalry’ Sena charged in.
The ancient armor she wore burst forth with magical power as a booster, transforming into a rushing mass of iron that bore down on Lily.
Against the heavy, ancient armored figure glowing in bluish-white ether light, Lily merely appeared as a slender girl. After all, strength contests were not her forte as a fairy. She would never stand and take it head-on like that.
However, Lily did not budge from her position.
As she raised her large shield against Sena’s oncoming ancient armor, she gently extended her thin right arm.
Sena thought as she looked at Lily before her, surely she wouldn’t receive it with just one arm—but that was exactly what she intended.
“‘Queen of Flames.'”
With an explosive metallic clash, the deafening sound echoed.
Even a runaway armored carriage wouldn’t make such noise when running over a person.
The extent of the impact that occurred when the thick sacred silver alloy shield collided with Lily was beyond imagination.
Indeed, it collided head-on.
Yet, there stood Lily.
“You stopped me?! How could such power—”
Lily had genuinely stopped Sena’s charge with just her right arm.
The palm of her hand placed squarely in the center of the shield dented the mithril alloy armor.
The sight of a delicate, pure-skinned maiden’s slender arm irresponsibly stopping a massive metal block seemed unreal, but what made it possible was the swirling, burning crimson aura enveloping Lily’s right arm.
The first Demon King’s blessing, which brought explosive growth in strength, focused that power further into her right hand.
“Now, let’s see if you can handle this—’Fist of Wrath.'”
In an instant, a tremendous explosion.
It was a deadly punch that super-compressed the searing black magic ‘Black Flame’ and unleashed it at the moment of impact.
Of course, Lily did not possess superhuman strength like Chrono. The punch’s force was zero.
But the power of ‘Black Flame’ added to it was more than sufficient to blow away a single heavy knight clad in ancient armor.
“Guh… ugh…”
Sena, crushed by the heavily bent shield, flew backward and collided with a golden column. Shattering gold fragments flew everywhere as the column was partially destroyed, stopping her movement.
“Approaching is dangerous. I will shoot now.”
“I know, Tina-chan, I will adjust.”
The two front-line fighters were easily blown aside, but the backline would not be perturbed, swiftly aiming for a long-distance attack.
There must have been plans for one of Aylan or Sena to stop Lily’s movement even slightly and deliver precise attack magic in the process.
However, with the loss of their front lines, any risk of hitting their teammates was eliminated, and they had increased the threat level against Lily.
The two members of the backline, the ‘Magical Archer’ Tina and the ‘Spirit Mage’ Wendy, were currently amassing magical power into their respective attacks.
Tina fitted a stunning white and gold bow, charging an arrow of flames coiling with purple lightning.
Wendy thrust her goddess-shaped staff forward, drawing out a large magic circle adorned in icy blue and verdant green.
Both were dual-elemental spells, suggesting power of at least advanced rank.
If unleashed simultaneously, there would be nowhere to escape even if they tried to soar into the sky.
“Heh, I’m a fairy. Magic is my forte.”
As she spread her arms, light ignited, and in the next instant, two guns were grasped.
In her right hand was the silver ‘Meteor Striker.’
In her left hand was the jet-black ‘Star Destroyer.’
With these two contrasting weapons in hand, Lily crossed her arms at that spot, directing the barrels at each target and pulling the triggers.
“——’Star Fall.'”
Two shots fired at once.
Instantaneously, gigantic magic circles appeared above Tina and Wendy’s heads.
Just as they were about to unleash their magic, overwhelming beams of light descended from above. They would face immediate death if they did not counterattack.
As a result, both of them paused in their assault on Lily.
Already, two luminous, shining stars of destruction had begun to fall.
Tina quickly flipped around and jumped backward while shooting her prepared arrow of flame and lightning at the star overhead.
At the same moment, Wendy unleashed her ice and wind magic while simultaneously chanting defensive spells with earth and ice.
As Lily watched the unfolding scene, the two ‘Star Falls’ exploded with incredible light, heat, and impact.
“Now, it’s just you left.”
The golden corridor bore two gruesome destruction scars.
In one corner lay Tina, battered and soot-stained, still clutching her broken bow.
In the center, Wendy, dressed in a robe and dress now reduced to ashes, lay half-naked.
Four members of ‘Golden Dawn,’ hailed as the strongest in Karamala, had become immediately unable to fight.
Watching the fallen figures of his dependable comrades and beloved women, Zenongart spoke up.
“Lily, that power of yours, could it be—”
“Don’t say any more than that. I’m still keeping it a secret for now.”
Zenongart’s focus was solely on the incredible power that Lily wielded, more so than the fall of his comrades.
Through telepathy, he felt the stirrings of his heart.
However, that settled quickly.
“I see, so that’s how it is… Heh, who would have thought we would meet here at such a time. Is this what they call fate?”
“I’ve long since met my fate.”
“You, too, stand as the final trial against my path to domination. Lily, daughter with the Demon King’s blessing.”
“Ugh, let’s not get carried away. I shouldn’t have shown off my abilities.”
Thanks to that, she’s clearly misunderstood the situation horribly.
Yet, Lily had no intention of pointing that out to him in such a rude manner.
“I will defeat you and become the Demon King. Behold, this is my new power as the Demon King——’Golden Magic Palace.'”
March 6, 2020
I have updated my activity report after quite a while. I discuss the third volume of the comic adaptation and the latest chapters, so feel free to check them out together.