Chapter 456.1: Star God's Miniature Garden ②

Chapter 456.1: Star God's Miniature Garden ②

Now, how should I do it?

The Phantom of the 【Star God’s Miniature Garden】 Treasure Shrine, the symbol of fear for young girls, I, 『The Weeping Lady』, am in deep thought as I watch the movements of the intruders.

This Treasure Shrine is my territory. It is easy to check on them even from a distance. There are also many other things I can do to instill fear.

The duo of Saya and Lucia is carefully making their way through Zebrudia Magic Academy at night.

This Treasure Shrine contains various areas designed to instill fear in humans, including the prison where Hugh is held captive. However, an area modeled after Zebrudia Magic Academy will be appropriate for these girls. When everyday space transforms into another world, intense fear arises. And then, when we gain fear and dread, we will obtain power that is not merely superficial.

“First of all, Saya is in the way…………” (Lady)

Lucia is fine. She is an exemplary target who properly fears me. But Saya is different.

Given that she commands those monstrosities, that woman shows no fear, dread, or respect for me. Hugh felt a tiny bit of fear despite everything, but Saya was even worse.

However, it is too late to just kick Saya out of the Treasure Shrine now. As long as she is inside the Treasure Shrine, she has already become my prey. It would be one thing if the opponent escaped, but for me, whose raison d’être is to instill fear in others, chasing them away because they are troublesome is not merely an admission of defeat, but a denial of my very raison d’être. Just like Monster Diggy, who intercepted Hugh and lost both his confidence and his power, if I continued to do things like this, I would lose my power and eventually disappear.

For now, let’s just give it a shot.

Saya and Lucia are walking down a hallway. It is the fifth floor of Zebrudia Magic Academy’s Research Building.

To start, I send a white figure running past the window on the outside of the corridor.

It is a cliché move, but it is one that has been tested on many people and has frightened quite a lot of them.

『!?』 (Lucia)

Lucia instantly notices the silently moving figure and gasps. Her power is undoubtedly the greatest of all the people we have kidnapped so far, yet she is shaken by this much, what a great customer.

『What happened?』 (Saya)

『There is a figure outside――』 (Lucia)

『…………』 (Saya)

Saya opens the window without a word or hesitation.

That’s not okay! You can’t do something like that without any emotion whatsoever!

Lucia’s observation skills are superior. The concentration of Mana Materials they have absorbed shouldn’t be that different, so why are their movements so different? As a test, I place a woman in a white robe behind Lucia. She has sunken cheeks and empty sockets where her eyes should be, giving her a truly frightening appearance.

In response to the overly cliché move, Saya kicks the floor, grabs Lucia’s shoulder, leaps upward with all her might, and stabs the Phantom I created with her baton.

『Wh-What is it!?』 (Lucia)

『Nothing………… Just an insect.』 (Saya)

A way to win――I cannot think of any.

And it is a mystery what kind of life someone could lead to become such a person. If something terrifying appears in the darkness, shouldn’t you be wary, even if it is just an illusion?

No………… Maybe she is just used to these kinds of visuals. The things following her look pretty awful too……

As a test, I make footsteps sounds behind them. Lucia instantly turns around first, followed by Saya. Of course, there is nothing there. The unknown is the foundation of fear.

『Wh-What was that sound………… Just now?』 (Lucia)

『Don’t worry about it. There is nothing there. It seems the Phantom is trying to scare us.』 (Saya)

Is it those eyes? Are those blood-red eyes to blame? Or maybe she is just used to these kinds of anomalies? Certainly, the white figure reflected in the window and the footsteps heard from behind may not be a big deal compared to the strange phenomenon that is Saya following.

However, if that is the case, then I will bring out my best move.

While Lucia is clearly nervous, Saya still looks perfectly composed.

I will tear off that mask of composure!

I close my eyes and teleport to the outside of the hallway where Saya and Lucia are. Now is the time to show you what I am really made of. I quickly increase my speed and fly through the air, slamming my palms against the window repeatedly.

“!?” (Lucia)

Bloodstains shaped like a palm clings to the window along with loud bangs. The blood quickly drains from Lucia’s face.

No one can fail to feel even a shred of fear at this!

I smile with confidence. However, Saya’s reaction to it is merciless.

“………… This, I can do it too.”(Saya)

“!?” (Lady)

That’s impossible…… Is this Saya woman really human?

Saya pulls out her baton and begins banging as hard as she can on the windows where my handprints remained.

The glasses shatter without any effort, making loud *parinparin* crackling sounds. Lucia, who has been cowering in fear at my threat, forgets her fear and opens her eyes wide.

Even delinquents wouldn’t suddenly start smashing windows out of nowhere when they are experiencing paranormal phenomena!

Saya leans forward through the broken window and looks at me.

“Saya!?” (Lucia)

“I found you………… I won’t forgive you for scaring my Lucia.” (Saya)

“!?” (Lady)

Her fierceness fills me with fear. Those shining eyes――I no longer know who is the symbol of fear. I am sure I will have nightmares about them. Saya grabs the edge of the window with a light, agile movement and jumps outside.

This is the fifth floor, you know!

I am speechless.

Saya――Doesn’t fall. She continues to kick into the air and approaches me.

“!?” (Lady)

I instinctively try to run away, but Saya pursues me with precision. No way, no way, no way. Saya raises her baton high in the air toward me, who is reeling in utter confusion at this completely unexpected turn of events.

However, before she can swing it down, Saya is grabbed by a thick arm that reaches out from within the school building.

“Diggyyy! Well done!” (Lady)

“Ah…… Aaah………… Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” (Monster Diggy)

A rugged arm with sloughing epidermis on its skin. Monster Diggy lets out a growling roar and violently throws Saya against the wall with all his might. If I have to say, the murderous Monster Diggy is the polar opposite of me, who instills psychological fear. Although he is a fellow member of the Treasure Shrine, it is a bit frustrating to have to rely on his power, but if I cannot win with psychological fear, I have no choice but to overwhelm her with physical might.

Monster Diggy was once human, but his physical abilities surpass those of humans. In the past, it was a truly terrifying monster that plunged fear into the hearts of countless civilians, and even the military was not able to stop its attacks.

Yes――In the era that once existed, that is.

“…… What, are you?” (Saya)

“Ah…… Ah……………?” (Monster Diggy)

Monster Diggy boasts incredible strength, capable of slaughtering a delicate woman with a single blow. Saya has been thrown against the wall by his powerful arms, but let’s not talk about being slaughtered, she isn’t even scratched.

In the split second before she is slammed into the wall, she spins her body midair and lands on both feet against the wall.

Truly an acrobatic move. Stared at by those crimson eyes, Monster Diggy, certain of his slaughter, takes a step back.

Mana Materials. It is all the Mana Materials’ fault!

That power has resurrected us in this world, and――It has also greatly strengthened the creatures of this world. According to the information I have, human species should have men larger and more physically capable than women. However, this is not the case in this world. In this world, there are women who are stronger than grown men. Women who are far stronger than Hugh LeGrand, the knights who faced Monster Diggy.

Moreover, right now, Saya――Isn’t even using those monstrosities.

Saya approaches the confused Monster Diggy. Her movements show no trace of fear or hesitation. This is not the kind of movement one would expect when going against a monster with several chained heads hanging from its neck and giving off a stench of decay.

Monster Diggy hurriedly picks up the axe he has left behind and swings it down toward Saya.

Saya blocks the axe, which is swung with enough force to cleave her in half, with just her baton.

For an instant, black purple lightning scatters around. No, to be precise, it is not purple lightning. It is probably energy. The unknown force that nearly dealt me devastating damage earlier.

Monster Diggy’s giant axe is deflected by Saya’s tiny baton.

At that moment, I clearly see Saya’s eyes widening.

“Don’t tell me…… She didn’t expect this?” (Lady)

In other words, Saya has been confronting Monster Diggy without taking into account this unknown power.

Saya’s baton smashes into Monster Diggy’s open torso. Black lightning flashes, and the Monster Diggy’s thick, muscular body explodes. A scream echoes down the hallway.

I quickly evacuate Monster Diggy. Monster Diggy melts into black liquid and disappears.

However, the damage is already immense. It was a fatal blow, even though it was only a single hit. He is still barely alive, but he wouldn’t be able to move for a while.

Saya lightly shakes her baton and clicks her tongue.

“He got away again.” (Saya)

How dare you do that to Monster Diggy!

I stop myself from saying that at the last moment.

No. Those are not the words of the one who inflicts fear should say. Rather, they are the words that should be uttered by the one who is attacked by Monster Diggy. And that is how a battle against a terrifying monster should be, one where you try to get revenge but are ultimately brutally killed without being able to do anything.

No――They don’t have to be brutally killed. It is fine if the monsters lose after a fierce battle. As long as there was fear, Monster Diggy could be proud of his defeat. That is why when his opponent was Hugh, there was still room to spare.

But this is too much. At this rate, it is impossible to tell which one is the monster.

Thanks for reading! Nani!? Saya used Haoshoku no Haki! What kind of king is she aiming to be XD And it is so funny how Saya is nonchalant about Lady’s scare move. Especially the bloody handprint in the windows, it is the same move she did in Code!

Also have you watched the 1st episode of Strange Grief Season 2 (Episode 14)? What do you think about it? We have a flashback episode about how Strange Grief save Tino when she was a child. I love those moment as it doesn’t show up in the web novel, I wonder if we will see Anthem becoming a giant. And looks like since the beginning of their adventure, Cry end the problem right when people start to move. Sasuga Master~ And they still have the rap preview at the end of the ending, lol, rabbit desu!

So it looks like this season will cover up to volume 6, but sadly, after I looked at season 2 blu-ray info, we only have 11 episode TT.TT Fingers crossed that the pacing won’t be too bad, we need moar episode!!!!