Chapter 454.1: Weakness

It is far too violent. Even though the rule is that our side should be the one to instill fear, yet she absolutely does not understand her role.

Using the exposed entrance, the enemy――Saya Kuromizu enters the Haunted Classroom. I, Lady, quickly snap my fingers. And the figure of Monster Diggy, who is on the floor, vanishes.

“This place is……” (Lucia)

“Lucia, be on guard. I will take the front.” (Saya)

Lucia, Saya, and the strange beings led by Saya. There is a limit to how irregular they are.

I cannot believe that there is a human being who can force open the entrance.

However, now that things have reached this point, there is nothing I can do about it. Fortunately, except for those two, the other investigators are hesitant to enter the Haunted Classroom.

Before anyone else can barge in, I snap my finger once again.

The door slams shut violently, cutting off Saya and the other members of the investigation team.

With this, the door can never be used again. However, Saya will never be able to pry it open again. After all, she has destroyed the door itself.

Either way, this Haunted Classroom has spread too far. I was planning to get rid of it soon, so it doesn’t matter.

And, this is the Treasure Shrine 【Star God’s Miniature Garden】.

They may think they have managed to sneak in――But this place is, so to speak, the belly of the beast.

“Hh!? Saya, the other side of the door――” (Lucia)

“It has been cut off. Lucia, be careful.” (Saya)

Lucia shouts. The scene beyond the door they have just broken down――What is there is no longer the school building where Lucia and the others have been.

Zebrudia Magic Academy at night.

However, time has not passed.

Here, unlike the outside world, there are no students or teachers. A world modeled after the outside world, yet fatally different――An academy of another realm and a hunting ground for us.

This is the hidden side of the Imperial Capital, a Treasure Shrine created by the Star God to learn about people’s fear, the 【Star God’s Miniature Garden】.

Glaring into the darkness, Lucia says as if she is spitting it out.

“………… It is the worst.” (Lucia)

I completely agree too. However, they are the ones who set foot in this Treasure Shrine.

Lucia’s eyes land on me for the first time.

The biggest problem is the woman named Saya, who has forced open the door to the other realm, but Lucia also seems quite troublesome. I can see the power surging from her body. She is probably even more powerful than Hugh, who destroyed the confidence of Monster Diggy. She is on a different level from the students I have kidnapped so far.

Lucia is unsure if I am an ally or a foe. It is because I am wearing Zebrudia Magic Academy’s uniform. However, it would probably be impossible to pretend to be on their side. As Saya has seen me outside in the exact same outfit before.

Both of them are troublesome opponents. However, if we can learn the source of their fear, the return of the Star God will surely be much closer.

I make a smile with the meaning of a declaration of war. First of all, I decided to shed some thick tears of blood.

If my information is correct, it should have enough impact to make a woman or child scream.

Unfortunately, since I have been here, very few people have been scared of this――.

“Hh!?” (Lucia)

Lucia’s eyes widen and her expression stiffens. Surprised by this reaction, I cannot help but look serious.

Saya doesn’t bat an eyelid and shows no emotion, but I can sense a strong wave of emotion from Lucia.

Our objective and favorite food is――The emotion of fear.

Can it be that Lucia isn’t as strong as I have imagined?

As a test, I extend my hand toward Lucia. As Lucia *biku* flinches, I tilt my head and ask in a weak voice.

“Onee-chan…… Did you, come, to save me?” (Lady)

“Hh!?” (Lucia)

“Careful, Lucia!!!” (Saya)

“Hh!?” (Lady)

Saya is really getting in the way. Just when I feel like I am making the most progress since I started spiriting people away, the strange entity that follows Saya attacks me.

Fortunately, only three of them managed to sneak into the Treasure Shrine, but they are still far too troublesome. The strange humanoid swings its arm at me, who looks like a weak young girl.

What on earth are these creatures? I quickly step back as a shadowy human fist passes right in front of my eyes.

And then, the fist slams into the classroom wall, penetrating it with ease. After a moment, cracks appear and the wall *barabara* breaks apart.

I can only stand in shock as the monster smashes through the supposedly reinforced wall like it is a piece of paper.

Saya says with a puzzled look.

“My power…… Is increasing……?” (Saya)

“!? Why did you bring something like this, Onee-chan!?” (Lady)

I involuntarily let out a shriek-like cry.

This Treasure Shrine exists for observing fear. Anything more terrifying than us must not be brought here, you know.

Even Monster Diggy might run away from such a being.

A strange *sarasara* rustling sound begins to come from the alien being. It is an eerie sound like sand trickling down. It is so terrifying that it makes me want to learn from it.

What’s more, there are three of those monstrosities. There are probably more outside. If it had been just Lucia, I would have welcomed her with open arms, but this is the worst.

Not good, I have no choice but to run away, even though such a good customer has come.

I swing both of my arms and *yotayota* stagger toward Lucia, blood *dorodoro* dripping from my body.

“Onee-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!” (Lady)

“Hh!!” (Lucia)

She is scared. She is not screaming, but she is scared, of me!

However, Saya steps in between the retreating Lucia and me. And before I know it, she is holding a metal baton in her hand. Saya shows no emotion whatsoever on her face when she looks at me.

No――To be precise, there is one thing that can be seen.

Irritation. Without a word, Saya swings her baton down without hesitation, with perfect form, at the bloody me.

This Treasure Shrine is our home turf. Most attacks are ineffective.

But I know it intuitively.

That baton would surely――Inflict severe damage to me.

“Hh!?” (Lady)

The power she demonstrated when she interfered with the door to the Haunted Classroom with her bare hands. That same power is even applied to the baton. Right before the baton hits, I vanish into thin air.

The baton cuts through the air and misses. A slight pain runs through me. I cannot believe it. Even though I escaped by *barabara* breaking my existence into pieces, yet just a slight scratch was enough to cause damage――.

Saya looks around warily, clicks her tongue, and puts away her baton.

“Tsk…… She got away. I was so close.” (Saya)

I want to get rid of this Saya as soon as possible.

It is no good. Knights who fight monsters and women with strange abilities should not be allowed into our world. All we need is someone like this Lucia who genuinely fears us. The most update n0vels are published on NoveI[F]

Dispersing my body like this is a last resort. In this state, almost all attacks become ineffective, but the user will also be unable to use most of their powers for a while. However, if I hadn’t gone this far, Saya would surely have completely annihilated me.

Before fleeing, I somehow manage to get my consciousness close to Lucia’s ear and whisper to her.

“Goodbye, kind Onee-chan.” (Lady)

“Hh!?” (Lucia)

“There she is!!!” (Saya)

Lucia trembles. Saya immediately slashes at her ear with her baton.

A strong pain runs through me. Pain is a warning signal, and this attack is likely accumulating damage to me to a small or large degree.

It is the worst. It is really the worst. I run away, invisible to anyone, as tears *poroporo* stream down my face.

§ § §

Thanks for reading! No way, I never thought that Lucia would be afraid of horror stuff! I thought that Strange Grief would be afraid of nothing but now I wonder if the other also have stuff they are scared off. But I love how Lady pretends to be fine and scare Lucia when inside her she is crying because of Saya