Chapter 57 — The Forbidden Queen: Full Assault!
Dancer Carlile.
Druid Carlile.
Beast Tamer Carlile.
Mercenary Carlile.
Maid Carlile.
Elf Carlile.
Priestess Carlile.
Princess Carlile.
Farmwife Carlile.
Physician Carlile.
Assassin Carlile…
Thirty-six Carliles—
each of a different profession, a different costume, yet all equally breathtaking—
launch their full-scale assault.
"Elias~ which one do you like~?"
"As a dancer, I'd gladly perform a tender, private dance just for you~"
"Want to know what it feels like to be tamed? My beast-tamer's whip has been starving for attention!"
"If humans don't interest you~ then choose me, the druid~
A deer, a bear, a cheetah—there's bound to be a form you like~"
Elias understood instantly.
This woman had gone all in.
Among the thirty-six appeared even one version with horns and fangs—
a demonic Carlile.
A red-and-black gothic gown.
Torn lace trimming.
Moon-pale skin.
Hair cold as falling snow.
Lonely crimson eyes.
Dark violet lips whispering a sinful summons—
As though yearning for another solitary soul somewhere in the vast universe.
Elias lowered his gaze and smiled faintly.
A human mage who claimed to stand for justice—
yet to win, she did not hesitate to become a demon.
Should he call it ironic?
No.
It was exactly as he had foretold.
Humans consumed by desire could become just as mad, cruel, and unscrupulous as demons.
Wasn't this Carlile—pretending to be a demon—
the perfect proof?
Unfortunately for her, Elias's eyes saw only Arisols.
All her magic, all her temptation—
were nothing more than ornamental obstacles in his way.
Still—
Since she had gone to such lengths for him,
it would only be polite to return the favor tenfold.
He formed seals silently with his mind.
Shadow Clone Technique.
——BOOM!!!
White mist erupted throughout the hall!
When the fog cleared, the Carliles froze—
They were now completely surrounded by seventy-two Eliases.
Across all thirty-six faces, the same expressions appeared in perfect unison—
Absurdity.
Shock.
Utter disbelief.
"…That's impossible."
Carlile's eyes twitched uncontrollably as she stared at the scene, unable to comprehend it.
Clone magic consumed enormous amounts of mana.
Even now, she was barely holding herself together at full capacity.
If not for fighting inside her own barrier, she wouldn't even have been able to sustain this many copies.
Thirty-six versions of herself were already her absolute limit.
Yet this man—
This mage named Elias—
was standing inside her barrier, where any intruder should have suffered mana suppression…
And still—
He had doubled her numbers effortlessly.
He split into seventy-two.
Exactly twice her number.
And judging by the calm, indifferent look on his face, he clearly wasn't even going all out.
What kind of monster was this?!
All thirty-six Carliles stared in stunned silence.
All seventy-two Eliases curved their lips into faint smiles.
"It seems you've run out of tricks."
"In that case…"
"Allow me to put an end to this absurd farce."
---
Meanwhile, outside the arena, the crowd grew increasingly restless as the wait dragged on.
"Damn… it's already been an hour. Why isn't it over yet?"
"That pale-faced guy—who would've thought he could last this long?"
"They're not seriously staying in there for three days and nights, are they?!"
"No matter how long it takes, once the Queen activates her domain, she's never lost!"
Flamme folded her arms tightly, her fingers tapping anxiously against her forearm.
Her mind flickered between Elias's expressionless face in the photo taken three days ago—
—and the things that might be happening inside Peach Blossom Paradise.
Wait.
Flamme suddenly froze.
When did she start… caring this much about Elias?
And why—
why would she care about a demon?
Her brows knit together as embarrassment crept across her face. She bit her lip lightly.
Could it be because of that so-called—
—smack!
Flamme slapped her own cheeks and forcibly cut off her thoughts.
"No. I stayed in the village for reasons unrelated to Elias."
"And the only reason I'm worried is because he's a demon—and whether he can be a good influence on Frieren."
"Yes… that must be it."
As she reassured herself, she failed to notice her disciple's curious gaze fixed on her.
Frieren quietly pouted.
What's wrong with Teacher today?
Slapping her own face, muttering to herself…
And that look she keeps giving the arena—she looks angry.
I don't get it at all~
The adult world sure is complicated~
Just then—
a sudden commotion erupted from within Peach Blossom Paradise!
"—Ungh!!!"
"—Aaaah!!"
"—H-hehehehe!!!"
Layered, chaotic screams—clearly not from a single person!
The crowd went dead silent.
Not a single person dared say another word.
Everyone knew—
this battle had reached its final climax.
Frieren yawned.
"Looks like it's finally ending…"
"Judging from those screams, Elias seems to have the upper hand, don't you think, Teacher?"
"…Teacher?"
Flamme: (งᵒ̌皿ᵒ̌)ง⁼³₌₃
"Frieren…"
"I'm begging you…"
"PLEASE. SHUT. UP!!!"
As Flamme roared, the peach blossoms on the arena burst open once more!
The enormous petals slowly descended, dissolving into hazy pink sparks.
All eyes locked onto the single figure still standing on the stage.
Frieren's eyes widened.
"It's Elias!!!"
The entire arena exploded into chaos!
"What?! Am I seeing things?! That guy is still standing?!"
"No way! Queen Carlile's Peach Blossom Paradise has never failed!"
"Why does he look so calm?! Is he some kind of prodigy who enjoyed it?!"
As the swirling mist finally cleared—
Carlile was revealed, collapsed on the ground, gasping desperately for breath.
Her lips trembled as she muttered weakly:
"So… there really exists a man this powerful…"
"That's… Queen Carlile?!"
"My god… The Forbidden Queen—Carlile of Endless Allure—lost?!"
"Just look at her… I can't even imagine how brutal the fight inside the domain was!"
The referee immediately announced at full volume:
"Congratulations to contestant Elias for defeating three consecutive opponents!"
"You have successfully advanced to the Central Arena!!"
Shock. Confusion. Awe.
All eyes converged on Elias.
He descended the stage calmly, step by step, until he stood before the orange-haired woman.
(งᵒ̌皿ᵒ̌)ง...(≖_≖'')
"Flamme, what kind of expression is that?"
"I only took a little longer than expected. I still won in the end, didn't I?"
"—Elias."
"The screams coming from inside the domain just now…"
"What were they about?!"
"—Combat."
"When people get hit, they scream. Is that strange?"
"—Oh? Combat, huh?"
"Then what about that woman lying there on the ground, panting like she's about to pass out?!"
"—She's exhausted."
"She insisted on fighting me at full strength and ended up draining all her mana."
Flamme: (´-ι_-｀)
"Elias…"
"That kind of ridiculous explanation…"
┴─┴︵╰（‵□′╰）
"Do you seriously think I'd believe that?!"