Chapter 178 - Requiem of Slaughter
The McDallian Family's main house. I haven't visited on a snowy assembly day since the attack. The vast grounds boast an enviable parking lot, a French garden, an impressive mansion, and several annexes—a grand estate that truly deserves its place among the Five Great Families. However, today, I won’t be entering that mansion. I plan to look down from above, flaunt my superiority, and deal defeat and death to them.
As we approach our destination, I part ways with Verone and the Sixth Combat Unit.
"Alright, Yukari-san. Let's proceed as planned."
"Got it. I'm counting on you."
Everyone disembarks from the vehicles, which we leave behind. As Verone and her team run off, Valeria and I climb to the roof of the tallest building in the area.
Just being up high gives me a peculiar sense of exhilaration. They say some people love heights, and I might fit that description. I do have a flair for the dramatic, after all.
"Onee-sama, the view is clear."
"Yes, it’s not too far or too close. From here, we can easily oversee everything. This place is just perfect."
Even without Physical Enhancement Magic to enhance my vision, I can distinguish the enemies. Their grounds, illuminated by magical lanterns, are so bright that they’re even more visible than during the day. Conversely, we, hidden in the shadows, are hard to spot.
After a short wait, I can see the Sixth Combat Unit approaching the McDallian Family’s grounds.
A barrage of magical attacks follows, unleashed by the McDallian Family’s guards. They are on high alert. The Snake Head Society wouldn’t be so foolish as to approach in full gear and be casually questioned. These attacks, relentless and merciless, could wipe out anyone. Even in the city, it seems they have no qualms about such actions.
Still, the group in black and moon-white coats, adorned with the Kikyo emblem, is far from ordinary. While they won’t emerge unscathed from such a barrage, they are well-prepared. The specially designed coats offer some protection, but exposed areas remain vulnerable to injury. Yet, no one in the combat unit would flinch at such minor injuries. They have long since overcome such fears. For a unit trained to the core, these attacks are nothing more than a slight disturbance.
Our esteemed Kikyo Society members, as if nothing had happened, push forward and begin to crush the trembling enemies with ease.
Verone, the unit leader, leaves the frontline to her deputy and the young members and takes up a position at the rear, neutralizing distant enemies. I’m not sure exactly what methods she uses, but it seems to be a combination of Sensory Enhancement Magic and versatile spells, her original technique. The agonized deaths of her targets are a dirty but effective tactic that shows she means business.
The enemies gathered at the main gate and the parking lot were quickly overwhelmed by the Sixth Combat Unit.
No holds barred, no mercy shown. For revenge, the members are more determined than usual. In an instant, they decimate a force several times their number. Today, everyone is in a serious mood. A significant skill gap makes such a numerical disadvantage meaningless.
As one of the escaped enemies runs towards the mansion, the unit members disperse to surround the mansion, completing the first stage of their mission. Verone and a few others remain at the main gate.
This is just the beginning. Soon, it will be my turn.
The enemies have few choices. They know the Kikyo Society, their long-standing rivals, is attacking. Thinking we collaborated with the Legisamo Cartel to kill their boss and his wife, they will either charge in anger or prepare for a decisive battle. The younger ones, driven by rage, will undoubtedly attack.
Beyond the mourning war, they have internal power struggles. They must demonstrate their bravery and avenge their enemies to seize control of the McDallian Family. The faction that strikes first will gain the upper hand. Invaders like us are welcome, as this could be their chance to shine.
There's no room for negotiation. Verone and her team, stationed at the main gate, are, in a sense, the bait. I wait for the prey to take the bait.
Observing the mansion and annexes, it seems the two factions have quickly mobilized. Despite the late hour, they are in high spirits, fully armed.
They rush through the French garden, into the parking lot, and towards the main gate, where Verone and her team stand. Our moon-white coats are particularly conspicuous at night. How must Verone’s defiant and composed stance appear to them?
The enemies charge recklessly, abandoning all order. They are like horses in a cart, rushing forward for the reward. They won't let the glory go to a rival faction. After all, there’s a reward for a job well done. For them, this is a chance to rise to prominence.
Verone, the master of technique, will douse their enthusiasm with a cold shower. I prepare a shield to protect against what’s to come.
The Kikyo Society’s top technician, Verone, releases her signature magic with an almost elegant gesture. The Stun Grenade spell, which I’ve seen before, instantly halts the enemy’s momentum with a single shot. The power, range, and precise timing are impressive.
The blinding flash and deafening explosion fill the dark night. While we are prepared, the unguarded enemies must have been hit hard.
The leading group, blinded and in pain, stop in their tracks, causing a chain reaction. As she continues to release Stun Grenades intermittently, the enemy falls into chaos, turning the spacious parking lot into a scene of pandemonium.
As the enemies panic, the young members, standing beside Verone, unleash wide-area spells to further disrupt and immobilize them. Their goal is to hinder and confuse as many as possible rather than to kill.
They blast the enemies with intense wind spells, pushing back those trying to break through the gate, and spreading burning flames on the parking lot, carried by the wind.
Blinded and deafened, the enemies are trapped, unable to advance or retreat. The cries of the burned are added to the chaos.
Still, more enemies pour out from the mansion and annexes, filling the parking lot. This is a chance for glory for everyone. There’s no time for politeness.
Those who can’t fit into the parking lot spill into the garden, trampling the neatly arranged flowers. Some crash into the hedges, knocking over monuments, ruining the meticulously maintained garden. The grounds are rapidly turning into a chaotic battlefield, with enemies everywhere. Those still inside the mansion urge the others to hurry, creating a scene reminiscent of a hive of insects.
"Quite a mess. If you don’t have a clear head, this is a bad example to follow."
Valeria, standing beside me, observes the scene with interest. From our vantage point, the changes are clear.
The two factions, despite their large numbers, are hindering each other. While outnumbering a smaller, elite force is a valid strategy, the Kikyo Society isn’t that easy to crush. The enemy's situation is chaotic, and they are beyond recovery.
Verone’s tactics, such as luring the enemies and neutralizing them efficiently, have only worsened their situation. For the enemy, this is the worst scenario, and their chaos is now beyond control.
The chaos spreads. As the crowds surge, some try to escape the grounds. However, the Sixth Combat Unit, strategically positioned, prevents their escape.
At the right moment, Stun Grenades are launched from all around the grounds.
The continuous explosions and flashes, more intense than Verone’s solo effort, create an even greater impact. My plan was broad, but the Sixth Combat Unit’s execution is nothing short of brilliant.
The enemies, struggling and jostling, begin to turn on each other, creating an even more chaotic scene.
"About time."
"There are no nearby enemies for now, but I’ll continue to keep watch. I won’t let you down, Onee-sama."
The intermittent flashes should reveal our presence, but the disorganized enemies seem to have missed us. While an attack here is unlikely, we can’t afford to be complacent.
"Thanks. I’ll leave it to you."
The situation is set. Despite the ongoing reinforcements, there are well over a thousand enemies in the parking lot and garden. This is enough.
I entrust the perimeter defense to Valeria and focus on my attack. What I’m about to do cannot be done casually.
Taking a deep breath, I exhale slowly, immersing myself in the manipulation of magic. I envision a thin, extremely thin layer of magic, forming a delicate film. I shape the swirling magic with precision.
To create the base, I expand the thin film, synchronizing it with my breathing. The magic spreads quickly and quietly, filling a limited area.
What is magic? Despite numerous studies, it remains a mystery. No one truly understands it, even though we use it daily. But because it works, we use it. Magic, the source of spells, can be defined however we choose. Mastery lies in a strong mental image.
I have refined the technique of creating an almost non-existent magic film, as thin as a graphene sheet, a material rumored to be only one atom thick. This requires minimal mana.
My target is the McDallian Family’s parking lot and garden. Despite its thinness, the area is now under my control. The virtually undetectable magic film is so thin that it blends into the environment, making it impossible to detect. No matter how skilled one is in detecting mana, sensing something so close to nothing is impossible.
Though thin, the area is now under my control. With the base in place, filling it with dense mana is instantaneous. This is one of my new trump cards.
The Sixth Combat Unit has set the stage, and the moment is ripe. With everything prepared, it’s time to act.
"...I’ll show you my trump card."
Surveying the crowd, I extend my right hand and chant softly.
"Black steel inscribed in the underworld, hear the cries from the eight hells and four gates!"
Solidifying the mental image, I clench my hand, summoning the infernal magic at the cost of a headache-inducing amount of mana.
The remnants of vast mana surround me, enveloping me in a black lightning.
"Emerge from the abyss, pierce the heavens, extend your stone-ground branches as swords dripping with pus, and let dark crimson flowers bloom on the bones!"
The film of mana fills the controlled area, bursting like a deflating balloon.
"Spite Hades"
With the key phrase, the magic materializes according to my strong mental image.
Countless spines. Sharp, metallic spines.
An overwhelming number of long, sharp, and resilient spines, each infused with a will to pierce through anything and mana.
They are not simple, straight spines. Each spine has more spines, forming a vicious, three-dimensional shape that, once embedded, will never come out, ensuring a sure and swift death.
The spines, spaced just enough to allow passage, pierced through every enemy without exception. There was no way to escape.
But this isn’t over yet. My trump card is far from finished.
While going overboard might draw attention, the enemy is headed to hell. I might as well give them a final show.
"Be grateful for an easy death."
My voice sounds colder than I ever remember.
In sync with the chilling tone, another spell materializes.
The spines on the spines grow rapidly.
Extending diagonally, horizontally, and vertically, the spines form a space densely packed with thorns. It’s no longer just spines but a thorn forest, a metallic thorn forest that ravages everything. No human could survive in such a place.
Each of my spines is powerful on its own, capable of piercing through even the strongest defenses. This is a total massacre. To kill the enemy without question is what this means.
For every attack, I’ll return a thousand. To prevent such a reckless act from happening again, I must be thorough. The process might be unclear, but the result will be unmistakable.
In the past, I thought this way.
‘The Kikyo Society is untouchable.’
If people began to think this, unpleasant things would be less likely to happen. I make sure the outsiders understand this.
By buying the Kikyo Society’s anger and mine, the consequences are far from cheap. In the depths of hell, they will realize their mistake.
With such a clear result, Verone and her team move on to the next objective.
The Sixth Combat Unit, now dispersed, regroup at the rear gate of the mansion, breaking through the unguarded entrance. The debris reveals that a barricade of wood and metal had been constructed, likely intended to be used when the entrance was sealed. However, it was no match for our members.
The enemy’s forces were concentrated at the main gate, but a few remain inside the mansion.
"Onee-sama, are you not going?"
"I’ll leave the rest to Verone and the others. I’ve done my part."
The thorn forest is filled with grotesque corpses. My revenge and retribution are complete. By creating this hell, I feel I’ve made some kind of resolution. This is the end of my personal retribution. It’s time to draw the line.
The Sixth Combat Unit needs a chance to shine. I can’t hog all the glory. Besides, I have no interest in conversing with the enemy. I don’t intend to listen to their excuses or final words. They are merely targets for execution.
Even if Don McDallian were alive, I wouldn’t care about the faction leaders who were manipulated by the Gandrault Gang. They are just local bosses. The McDallian Family, which I once considered a significant threat, ceased to exist when Don McDallian died. I have no sentimental attachment to fighting such insignificant enemies. I will only give them retribution and death. That’s enough.
The Sixth Combat Unit storms into the mansion, wreaking havoc as if to avenge their fallen comrades. From outside, it’s clear they are acting on their own will.
The lack of a signal for reinforcements suggests that, as expected, the remaining forces are few.
Then, people start to emerge from the mansion, including women, children, and the elderly. They are non-combatants, likely the families of the targets or hired help. This was planned with Verone. We won’t harm them.
This is the difference between us and those who tried to kill us indiscriminately. The enemy lacked the courage and strength to face us head-on. They might have some flimsy excuses within their ranks, but that’s the reality.
We selectively kill our enemies. We don’t need to kill the cleaning staff or the cook, nor do we need to harm the families of the members, especially defenseless children. Such acts would tarnish the Kikyo Society’s reputation.
Once the Sixth Combat Unit has finished, we’ll return to headquarters. Before that, I’ll need to dispel the thorn forest. Leaving the evidence of such a horrific spell would be disastrous.
I dissolve the materialized magic, still within my control, and sense movement.
"...Once the job is done, return quickly. Is that the plan?"
It’s a signal from headquarters, urging us to return. However, it doesn’t seem like we need to drop everything and go immediately.
"It doesn’t seem urgent, but let’s return first. I’m curious to know what’s happening."
There’s no need to worry about Verone and the others. The situation is fluid, but our absence won’t cause any issues.
We borrow a vehicle and head back with Valeria.