Chapter 218

Episode 214: The Shining Fighting Young Lady

On the golden stage, sand swirls about.

The scattered sand around was proof of Diya’s numerous victories alone.

“Merely grunts, aren’t they?”

With her arm, she intercepted the great scythe that came rushing from behind, grabbed its handle, and with sheer grip strength, snapped it in two. Then, as if to return the favor, she delivered a right hook.

With a blow so powerful that calling it a projectile would be an understatement, Solciera effortlessly turned into sand.

However, the enemy was not alone.

From both sides, Solcieras approached Diya, who had just finished her swing.

“Such predictable tactics, how dull,”

Yet, without even looking, Diya leaned back to evade the attack.

She then channeled golden energy into her legs and performed a spinning kick, destroying the two Solcieras.

The one-sided nature of the fight made it look more like a dance on a grand stage than actual combat.

It could be called nothing less than a one-sided massacre.

However, Diya’s expression was far from bright.

“…How long do you intend to keep up this meaningless prelude? It’s about time you stepped onto the stage.”

“Nonsense. A stage is for those worthy of it. I certainly don’t consider myself such…”

Thus saying, the Conductor shook their head.

Their face was contorted with amusement.

“Doing something like this will be futile. My gold remains unshaken.”

“Hmm…”

Without changing expression, the Conductor pointed at Diya.

“Then let us begin the queen’s return ceremony, shall we?”

In response to the Conductor’s words, multiple monitors unfolded around them.

Displayed on them were scenes of civilians being attacked by fake Solcieras.

“!? How dare you!”

“Angry for the people’s sake? Excellent. That merits some points as a Sanctuary User. Though, given your other shortcomings, I can’t quite acknowledge it fully.”

Saying this, the Conductor conjured a tea set from the void.

As if mocking Diya, the Conductor began drinking tea right before her eyes while she fought.

“Ahhh! This area is strictly no eating or drinking! Such unroyal behavior—wait, hold on!”

While turning several foes into sand, Diya reprimanded the Conductor.

She then realized something.

This scene was absolutely impossible within the confines of the Golden Court.

“Why can you use an extended domain?”

“For what reason, you ask? …Hahaha, why don’t you try thinking about it with that overly royal mind of yours?”

Laughing joyfully, the Conductor continued.

Upon seeing her, Diya noticed something.

“The Golden Court is being invaded…!?”

An anomaly occurred in the golden stage which was supposed to stretch endlessly.

Dia, the master of this sanctuary, understood this much.

Only now did she finally perceive the anomaly of the sanctuary contracting and limiting its range of influence.

“…Why only now…!”

“I decided it was fine for you to know since I deemed it appropriate. The sanctuary is but a massive magical formula carved into Kroma’s autonomous zone. Hence, even without defeating you, the sanctuary can be seized.”

“But the core power lies within me―!?”

Suddenly, a Solciera appeared before her, pointing the handle of the great scythe at her.

At its tip, a magic circle for artillery attack was forming.

(Avoidance is impossible. Then!)

Gripping her fist, Diya deliberately charged towards the artillery attack.

In sync with the release of the artillery, Diya unleashed her own punch.

A tremendous shockwave erupted from the collision, sending sand swirling about.

By the time the dust settled, only Diya remained standing on the stage.

As always, undefeated.

But there was a hint of fatigue visible on her face.

“Let me enlighten you why we mimicked Solciera. It’s due to this interference power. With it, we interfered with Kroma’s sanctuary magical formula. While it may not reach perfection, with tens of thousands of copies, it surpasses the original. We’ve already taken over more than half of the sanctuary’s authority.”

The Conductor finally stood up.

Simultaneously, darkness spread from beneath their feet, corroding the surroundings like it was devouring the sanctuary itself. They dramatically spread their arms and continued speaking.

“The Student Council of Kroma was merely troublesome. Interfering carelessly might have been noticed. You needed to always stay a step behind. Thus, it was necessary to create this expanded state of the sanctuary. In this condition, it’s impossible to notice every subtle change in the outer magical formulas, isn’t it?”

The gold lost its luster, and the stage began collapsing from the edges.

“As soon as interference succeeds once, it becomes easy thereafter. By the time you reached here, you’ve already lost, false Sanctuary User.”

Along with the contemptuous words, even more Solcieras appeared around Diya.

However, unlike before, they didn’t initiate close-range combat.

Instead, they followed the true tactic of Solciera—unilateral suppression through artillery bombardment.

Massive artillery formations were already being prepared as part of the preparatory phase.

“…I see. You pretended to have your abilities sealed until you could seize the sanctuary.”

“That’s right. Your sanctuary might be invincible in one-on-one combat, but that’s all there is to it. Such self-centered power cannot save anyone.”

“Not royal, but an effective strategy indeed.”

Surprisingly, Diya accepted this without panicking. She opened a window and began operating it without hesitation, even as artillery fire was about to be unleashed.

“…You think calling for help will work? Futile. Right now, my created angels are everywhere in Kroma. No one will come to save you.”

“Is that so? Quite convenient, isn’t it?”

“Why such a nonchalant reaction…? Why?”

Seeing Diya’s attitude, the Conductor took a deep breath.

They then widened their eyes and screamed.

“Why give up when you’re a Sanctuary User!? Overcoming overwhelmingly unfavorable situations is what defines a Sanctuary User! That person was like that! Always overcoming adversity, always breaking through hardships! There was a dignity worthy of being called a hero! But from you now, I feel nothing! If you’re going to claim the title of Sanctuary User, resist till the end and show me! …Therefore, allow me to prove my righteousness!”

After screaming and scratching their head, the Conductor instantly calmed down and pointed at Diya.

“Fire!”

At the command, the Solcieras simultaneously unleashed their artillery.

Silver beams shot towards Diya from all directions.

Glancing sideways, Diya continued operating the window unaffected, eventually closing it.

“…My royal instincts were correct after all.”

With a quiet murmur audible to no one, she clenched her fist just before the beams struck. Then, she slammed that fist into her own chest.

“!”

Golden energy enveloped her entire body, instantly repelling all the beams.

This was Diya’s sole wide-range attack—emitting a wave of ability nullification with herself as the epicenter. Even in the current unstable state of the Golden Court, it nullified the artillery attacks from over a hundred Solcieras and transformed dozens of them into sand en masse.

“…”

Though it was a powerful technique, the cost was significant.

Diya, at the center of the stage, knelt on one knee, breathing shallowly. The Golden Court accelerated its collapse, and the surrounding scenery began returning to normal.

“I see…you sealed the remaining power of the sanctuary within yourself, didn’t you? Did you think that would make it impossible to interfere—?”

Once again, Solcieras appeared around Diya.

They ensnared her with silver chains as she tried to stand, lifting her into the air.

The silver chains began emitting a suspicious light, and Diya’s expression gradually twisted in agony.

“Interference in the deep dimensional layers closed off by humans has already been established by scholars, you know? Pitiful, imitation. Now, let me teach the foolish populace watching this a lesson as well.”

The Conductor spread their arms dramatically in front of the suspended Diya and the sleeping Miuye.

It was an unmistakably evil gesture, akin to a villain on a stage.

“Here stands the fallen Sanctuary User. Kroma will sink into my dark realm, and the people will perish. …If anyone dares to oppose this, they are welcome. I do not reject the birth of a hero.”

This marked Kroma’s declaration of war against all.

Thus began the greatest event in Kroma’s history.