Chapter 171 - Skirmish in the Crimson Mist
Whatever I don’t understand, I can’t afford to dwell on it now. One thing at a time. I’ll handle each as it comes.
First, I need to deal with those annoying long-range attacks. Even the sturdy members of Anastasia Union won’t last long under relentless assault and against enemies driven mad.
And then there’s this red mist. It feels poisonous—what exactly is it?
Never mind. There are plenty of questions, but standing around pondering won’t help. Action comes first.
“This far and no further.”
With a single breath, I reinforced my anti-magic armor and deployed layered shields around the younger girls, cutting off the distant attacks.
Next, this mist. I’d like to neutralize it, but escaping this space altogether might be faster.
“Onee-sama, what is this…?”
A familiar, sweet voice beside me. Perfect timing. Backup means more options.
“You’re here, Valeria. I’ve blocked the attacks on the girls for now, but this red mist is dangerous. I’ve left a small gap in the shield—get them out one by one. Move them behind me, inside the building.”
There are plenty of things to question, but right now, action matters more. And honestly, I can’t explain much beyond what I’m seeing.
“But Onee-sama… they’re attacking each other. What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. Probably the mist’s doing. Anyone acting out—knock them down. Can you handle it?”
“I’ll try!”
A dependable little sister indeed. Anyone who freezes without answers wouldn’t be worth relying on. Right now, moving comes before thinking. We came here to help—that’s all that matters.
I expanded additional shields along the corridors to block attacks aimed at anyone trying to reach the girls. While shielding, I also began systematically eliminating hostiles. I won’t stand for being attacked without retaliation, and letting them do as they please is infuriating. Attacking helpless girls? Trying to stop Valeria from saving them? Both are unforgivable.
Tracking the source of magical attacks quickly revealed enemy positions.
Ah, they’re scattered around the entire courtyard, using a perimeter strategy for long-range assaults. The density and discipline suggest Gandrault Gang’s determination.
Still, this red mist… Is some wind magic anchoring the air? It isn’t dispersing. I tried stirring the air, but the wind just churned uselessly within a dome-like barrier.
Priority now: reduce enemy numbers. Their attacks can’t breach my Active Armor’s defense. I’ll ignore them.
Through the automatic gaps in my defense, I launched precisely aimed iron spheres.
“Tch. Annoying.”
Taking out every surrounded enemy would take too long. I could wipe them out at once, but I’d rather save my trump card. It’d be nice if they just retreated on their own.
As I gradually broke their formation with iron spheres, I analyzed the situation.
This mist is definitely poison. As someone with high aptitude for medicinal magic, I can sense its nature—if I focus. It’s not ordinary poison. The base is paralytic, targeting bodily functions, but it’s mixed with some kind of magical reagent. Multiple toxins blended together—likely producing hallucinogenic effects, judging from the symptoms. Whether intentional or accidental, they’re clearly using poison gas to dominate the area. The fact it’s not instantly lethal… maybe they chose that deliberately, or maybe they lack stronger agents.
At this point, simple healing potions won’t work. The poison is too potent—low-tier potions would barely scratch it. And in a space like this, continuously saturated with poison, even high-grade potions are useless unless you escape. If it were fast-acting, escaping would be impossible.
Every organization prepares for poison, but this level of sophistication makes countermeasures difficult. In that sense, the Kikyo Society is exceptional.
Of course, poison gas has no effect on us. This cloak is inscribed with a Purifying Engraving equivalent to high-tier purification magic. Charlotte’s engraving magic works perfectly, shielding me from the toxic field. There’s a faint sense of unease, but nothing to fear.
Only with a master of high-level purification magic, a user capable of replicating such magic through engravings, and access to materials durable enough to withstand it—only then can such specialized equipment be made. No amount of money makes this easy. Mass-producing it? That would require not just a colossal budget, but immense power too.
The one girl who remained lucid in all this—given her status, she likely carried special anti-poison artifacts.
“Ugh, this is endless!”
Even after taking down several enemies, the pressure hasn’t lessened. Worse, I still can’t identify who’s maintaining the poison mist. Without knowing, I can’t target them. It’s down to luck.
The mist isn’t instantly lethal, but prolonged exposure leads to death. I can’t help but feel urgency creeping in. Wait—why am I trying to handle this alone with just Valeria? I have backup. I should just call for help.
“Paula! Help me clean up the courtyard!”
“…Yeah!”
I called out loudly, and my dependable, battle-hardened ally answered instantly. A moment later, a fierce woman burst through an upper-floor window, flipped midair, and landed neatly.
“Whoa!? What the hell is this?”
She must’ve been blocked by curtains or something—had no idea what was outside. She made a flashy entrance, but clearly panicked, her movements awkward. Well, it is shocking.
“It’s just poison mist. Calm down.”
I explained briefly while pulling her into the protection of my Active Armor.
“Tch, poison? Without this cloak, I’d be screwed. So—what’s the plan?”
She flinched at “poison,” but quickly remembered the engraving magic and steadied herself. The purification field only works in an extremely thin layer along the body’s outline. Normally, being inside a poisoned space would cause intense discomfort. We’re the abnormal ones for staying calm—even with the cloak.
“I want to destroy the source, but I don’t know if it’s a magical artifact or a mage. And the air’s magically fixed—can’t blow it away. If either the poison or the air control is mage-made, I want to eliminate them fast. So clear out the surrounding hostiles. Knock down one, and we break this stalemate.”
Paula reached out, touching the faintly glowing engravings on her cloak.
“Got it. Just smash anything in my way, right? Leave it to me!”
The quick-switching warrior flashed a savage grin and charged in. She’ll clear them far faster than I could with precise throws.
As she rushed off, Valeria returned, carrying one of the rescued girls. She must’ve finished dealing with the rampaging beastmen. Fast work. Impressive.
“Onee-sama! I’ve taken out everyone inside the shield and used healing potions. I’ll start bringing them out one by one.”
“Good. I’ll focus on defense and support. Handle the rest.”
The girl in her arms was unconscious—pushed to her limit. But she’d survive. The others I’ve seen are stabilized with potions too. Worst case avoided.
Keeping half my attention on Valeria and the girls behind me, I completely shut out enemy attacks. At the same time, I supported Paula by hurling iron spheres at enemies on the opposite flank. As I did, the sounds of fighting from inside the building faded.
“President! Wha—what is this!?”
A young member arrived with a report, but if every newcomer gapes at the mist, I’ll spend all my time explaining.
“It’s poison. The courtyard’s filled with toxic mist, but we of the Kikyo Society have nothing to fear. Inform everyone. Now, what’s your report?”
“Y-yes! We’ve eliminated all hostiles inside and rescued everyone possible. Where’s Captain Paula?”
Already done? If the interior sweep’s complete, only the outside remains. The front yard’s probably still being handled by Bonnie’s team, but the real issue is this backyard.
“She’s clearing hostiles nearby. Fifth Unit, assist her.”
The young member nodded and immediately began rallying her team.
As I had her prepare, the Anastasia Union members behind me started regaining consciousness—growing noisier.
“O-Ojou!? H-hang in there, Ojou!”
“Damn it! Where are those Gandrault bastards!?”
“Cowards! Hiding and ambushing like this! I’ll kill them all!”
I paused my attacks, glancing back. Good they’re waking up, but the poison mist hasn’t cleared, and some of them might’ve charged in recklessly. This could get messy. Our presence might only add to the chaos.
“Hey! Where’s Tony!? He was with me!”
“Where’d everyone go? Hey—someone’s down over here!”
“Me too! And more over there! Bring healing potions!”
We did what we could, but the situation was already dire when we arrived. Heavy casualties aren’t surprising.
Time to leave. The girls are safe. I’d rather pull back now.
Then Paula returned.
“Yukari! Gandrault’s retreating. No hostiles nearby—but the mist won’t clear!”
“They’re running?”
While Anastasia Union was regrouping, the enemy had already begun withdrawing.
Even without top brass, retreating so quickly after cornering one of the Five Great Families… it’s surprisingly clean. Maybe they’re disciplined about knowing when to cut losses.
“Probably ‘cause I took out their commander-type guy. Wasn’t unscathed myself, though. But the mist—”
I hadn’t noticed through the haze, but up close—she’s covered in blood. Her face and hair are soaked. Not just splatter—she’s been wounded. And she’s already healed? Someone managed to hurt our combat captain?
Fine that they’re retreating, but I can’t leave the poison mist lingering. It’s just in the way.
“If it’s not a mage, then it’s a magical artifact. In that case—destroy it all!”
Anastasia Union won’t complain if the mist disappears.
All around the courtyard, devices meant for environmental control or security are placed. Somewhere among them is the enemy’s device.
No time to check each one. I’ll smash them all at once.
“Valeria—stop for just a moment!”
I halted Valeria mid-rescue, then unleashed a barrage of iron thorns, piercing every magical resonance in the vicinity.
“Huh? Alright—let’s go!”
One device—likely maintaining a wind barrier—shattered. The red mist began to disperse. Paula used wind magic to push it upward, and at last, the crimson veil lifted. The view cleared.
The previous and current chapters felt like preliminary skirmishes, setting the stage for what’s to come. We’ve gained a glimpse into our enemy organization’s methods.
The outcome of the battle at Anastasia Union’s estate will be revealed next time.
The next episode will also include preparations for what follows.
Next time: “The Danger of Death, Close at Hand.” Thank you for reading.