But the beasts block my path, and even when my attacks reach her, Bell's defensive magic circles stop them.
She's a formidable mage herself, on top of her ability.
Honestly, I'm being overwhelmed.
Taking down one beast takes a lot out of me.
Meanwhile, she creates more effortlessly and keeps attacking with magic.
This fight… she's got the upper hand.
"Guoooooo!"
A lion-shaped beast swings its massive arm at me!
I leap into the air, but a dragon-shaped beast charges in!
This pattern again!
Even when I dodge, the follow-up attacks don't stop!
"You…!"
I create wind blades, slicing off the dragon's head.
It crumbles like sand, dissolving into the air.
Bell speaks.
"…Big sister, at your limit?"
"Not yet. We can't lose. If I fall here, we're at a disadvantage."
"…I see."
She's not much of a talker.
…Wait, is she not interested in the school?
She hasn't attacked it or sent her beasts there.
Was my suspicion showing on my face? Bell tilts her head.
"…What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
If I mention it, she might attack the school… Better keep quiet.
But how do I break through?
I'm completely stuck.
As I think of a strategy, a voice comes through the magical device in my ear.
It's President Sona.
"Holy Cross wielders have appeared from the north. Rias and the others can't handle them alone."
Holy Cross wielders!
Their purple flames are lethal to devils—our natural enemy!
Rias and the others are strong, but if those flames touch them—
"Narrow the defense perimeter and form groups of three or four."
"Sorry! Can't break away right now! Hold them off somehow!"
Following Sona's voice, I hear my brother's through the device.
He's struggling too.
Alice and Kiba are likely in the same boat.
Our key fighters are tied up by Asem's four minions.
This situation is bad.
BOOOOM!
An explosion and black smoke rise from the school's southwest!
That's not a cross!
For a moment, I think it's my brother or Alice, but the location's wrong.
That's—
Koneko's scream comes through.
"This is Koneko, southwest sector. …Evil dragons Grendel and Ladon have appeared!"
—!
At this timing!
No, maybe because of this timing.
Holy Cross wielders from the north, two legendary evil dragons from the southwest!
Southwest is Koneko and Saji's sector!
They can't handle Grendel and another dragon alone!
But my brother and I are tied up with our enemies!
What do I do…!
As I panic, a massive white-glowing magic circle appears beneath me.
Bell puts a finger to her lips, muttering a spell.
"White cage, black swamp. Bind with sacrifice."
Instantly, the ground turns to muck, pulling my feet in!
A trap!
A magical trap triggered by stepping into it!
When did she set this…!
I try to escape, but—
"My magic… won't work!?"
My eyes widen in shock.
No matter how many times I try to form a magic circle, it dissipates before completing…!
"…Big sister's magic won't work anymore. That circle drains your power."
"No way…!"
Using magic drains my strength, but doing nothing means being swallowed.
At this rate, I'm…!
I have to do something…!
If I fall here… everyone…!
The more I struggle, the more my strength fades.
I'm pulled in up to my knees.
Then—
A sharp whoosh cuts through the air.
Before my eyes—a red spear is embedded deep in the ground.
The magic circle binding me dissipates, as if negated by the spear.
I recognize this red spear.
This spear is—
"Are you alright, Master?"
A woman appears.
Long purple hair down to her waist.
Wearing a dark purple battle outfit that hugs her form, with a sleeveless black coat.
Two swords at her waist.
She pulls the red spear from the ground and smiles at me.
I'm genuinely shocked by her arrival.
"W-What!? Dill!? Why are you here!?"
Wasn't Dill supposed to be at home!?
This morning, she was telling me, "I ate mentaiko spaghetti for lunch yesterday!" So heartwarming!
So why is she here!?
How did she even get here!?
This town's barrier is strong, isolating it from the outside, with time flowing differently inside and out…
How did she…?
I voice my question.
"Uh, how are you here…?"
Dill distorts space, reaching into it.
What she pulls from subspace—
"Provisions. Your mother asked me to bring them."
A mountain of onigiri!
Mom!?
Talk about timing for provisions!?
"Indeed, your culinary talent comes from your mother. These are delicious."
Dill's eating the onigiri!
Those are provisions, right!?
Not saying you can't eat them, but they're provisions, right!?
As I internally scream, another presence appears.
I turn to see a woman with long blue hair.
"Came to have some fun… but wow, you're going all out."
"Tia!? You're here too!?"
"Yes. I'm Diarmuid's escort. Your mother asked me too. Here, a letter."
Tia hands me a note.
It's more like a scribble on a memo pad.
"Eat these and do your best in class! ♡ From Mom"
Mom…
Thank you. I feel so energized.
I ask again.
"How did you get in? And how did you know about this situation?"
Tia answers.
"Pure chance. We came to deliver provisions as your mother asked, but couldn't get in. We investigated and found a magical barrier. So—"
"I used Gáe Dearg to temporarily disable the barrier," Dill says. "It repaired itself quickly, though."
That red spear, Gáe Dearg, nullifies magic and sorcery.
She used it to enter the barrier and negate the circle trapping me.
"What about the purple flames?"
I point to the wall of purple flames surrounding the town.
The town is enclosed by a triple barrier: the magical barrier, the purple flames, and Agreas's elliptical dome.
Even if Gáe Dearg can nullify the barrier, it shouldn't affect the flames.
Tia replies.
"Those? We broke through. Couldn't erase them entirely, but we made a hole big enough to pass. It repaired quickly, though."
Wow, as expected of the mightiest Dragon King!
Such a reliable big sister!
"…Who?"
Bell, watching from atop her beast, asks.
Right, she doesn't know them.
Tia was in the vampire town, but they never met, and Dill was at home.
Dill points her spear at Bell.
"Me? I'm Master Miu's maid!"
"Really!?"
"Daring to raise a blade against my revered Master is a crime worthy of death. Prepare yourself."
Uh, what am I to Dill exactly?
I feel… overly revered…
Making karaage shouldn't warrant this… I'm starting to feel guilty.
Tia speaks.
"I'm heading to Issei. Diarmuid, I leave this to you."
"Understood. I'll protect Master at all costs."
"Haha… Thanks, Dill."
As I thank her, Dill looks oddly pleased.
[Miu Side Out]
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