Chapter 191: Backstab
A deep, lingering kiss.
Eikou shut his eyes tight, his arms encircling the slender, pale neck of the girl.
Time seemed to stretch until Yu Ji, face flushed crimson, suddenly shoved him away.
"You… what did you just do…!"
Yu Ji's face was burning red, her ears so hot they looked ready to steam.
"It's fine. You can kill me however you like later. The most important thing is…"
Eikou raised his eyes to the heart-shaped gauge above her head—now it had reached its maximum.
Good. It seemed she could finally unleash the full power of this Spirit Origin.
"Although this was a necessary sacrifice, don't misunderstand. Besides, to be honest…"
Eikou kept a calm expression.
"I've repeated this process so many times already. I can't even count how many women I've either force-kissed or been force-kissed by today, and as a result I accidentally don't feel anything anymore."
"Not feeling anything is the real problem here?!"
Yu Ji's entire face flushed, revealing her sharp little fangs.
Despite her words, her expression was strangely conflicted, her snow-white skin glowing with heat. Though she wore a mask of anger, her hands clutched at her sleeves—a posture of someone who wanted to speak but couldn't.
"This time I'll spare your life, but when we return, that will be the day of your doom!"
She quickly added,
"Tactically, I can understand your reasoning, but staying in this state is unstable in every sense. We must end this fight quickly!"
"Yes, ma'am."
Eikou nodded obediently.
Then her magical energy surged to the limit. The dark sweater on her slender body suddenly vanished, replaced by a bold, untamed jet-black battle outfit.
Her glasses shattered from the outburst of mana, and her long braided hair whipped loose, streaming wildly in the storming wind.
In that moment she was like a proud fairy standing amid a tempest.
Assassin Yu Meiren, Third Ascension!
She snatched up the twin swords from the ground, her deep crimson vampire eyes now radiating a chilling, dangerous aura.
In an instant Yu Ji seemed completely reborn, suddenly charging forward, twin blades slicing through the air, aimed straight at Queen Medb.
[Spirit Origin of Yu Ji has been greatly strengthened.]
[As an Assassin, she has fiercely suppressed Rider Queen Medb.]
[Your side gains several more chances of victory; the balance is tipping toward you.]
[Meanwhile, Medea Lily has activated the Sweet Devil Slot Machine.]
[Please perform a Luck check.]
A single die tumbled down.
[Result: EX, great failure!]
[Upon rolling a great failure, the effect of Disaster With Women altered the outcome, making the failure even more disastrous...]
[The Slot Machine hit an extremely unfavorable number, erupting with thick black smoke that instantly engulfed Medea Lily.]
[She accidentally inhaled the terrifying black miasma; her Spirit Origin may become corrupted!]
Heavens—at such a critical moment, a great failure! Luck A, and still a great failure!
Eikou's face immediately fell, silently crying out in his heart: Sure enough, my luck is running dry. Those earlier streaks of fortune were merely the last flash before extinction!
Despite the searing pain in his chest wound, Eikou rushed forward to check on the girl.
He waved away the ominous black vapor and gripped Medea's arm, hastily pulling her out of the fog.
"Lily, are you okay… you, you…"
Eikou stared blankly at the woman before him.
"You… who are you?"
Before him no longer stood the small, delicate Medea Lily he knew, but a mature Greek witch—seductive and strikingly alluring.
Her sea-blue hair fell even longer than Medea Lily's, cherry-colored lips tinted with a faint violet gloss, and a regal deep-purple gown draped her form. Beneath the hood, her face bore a resemblance to Medea Lily, yet radiated a dark, seasoned charm.
This… could it be Medea as an adult?!
That damned Slot Machine—so this is what "Spirit Origin may become corrupted" meant?! Give me back the sweet, innocent girl!
Wait… could it be that this adult version of the witch is even stronger in combat, with sharper tactics and coordination?
How is this a great failure?
Damn it, this is clearly a great success!
Pop!
Medea flicked a finger against his forehead, hard enough to make him clutch his head in pain.
"You… what was that for…"
"Nothing. Your annoyingly handsome face just suddenly irritated me," the sultry witch replied with a hint of displeasure. "But don't worry, I will still honor the contract between us. Wipe them all out, correct?"
"Umu, truly… thank you," Eikou answered softly.
[Medea Lily's Spirit Origin has undergone a transformation.]
[She has become her adult form—the Witch of Betrayal.]
[Her combat strength has increased dramatically.]
[A growing sense of unease fills you; the last time you felt such an ominous sign was during the speed race. The convenience of Disaster With Women has once again turned into a boomerang.]
"Damn it, maybe this really is a great failure after all…"
A chill ran down Eikou's spine.
He couldn't help but sigh—Disaster With Women truly was an unbeatable double-edged sword.
[Assassin Yu Meiren has been greatly empowered, and Caster Medea, through her Spirit Origin transformation, has also grown stronger.]
[Brynhildr attacks everyone indiscriminately.]
[After you wagered everything, the tide of the battlefield finally begins to reverse.]
[Just as Tristan and Brynhildr fall into chaos, Medea drives her Noble Phantasm 「Rule Breaker」 fiercely into Brynhildr's back, re-establishing a contract and forcibly pulling her to your side.]
[Medb is pinned down, unable to move, by the strengthened Yu Ji.]
[On the battlefield, only Tristan and Kriemhild remain able to fight.]
Blades and spears clashed; the red-haired knight retreated again and again.
"For a League Champion like me to be suppressed by you… it truly saddens me…"
Tristan muttered in disbelief, the hand drawing his bow beginning to tremble.
"You should surrender, Tristan. I don't want to fight you," Eikou said seriously, "even if you are not the Tristan I once knew."
"I dislike violence as well, but my mission is to test the bond between you and your wives. I am the enemy you must defeat."
With that, Tristan's golden eyes blazed as he once more raised his bow, magic circuits flaring and flooding the arrow with immense mana.
"Come, this is the final strike."
Eikou's eyes widened. "Your Noble Phantasm is already ready…?"
What a terrifying opponent, Tristan. Good thing you're my classmate; I'd hate to face you in any sparring match next semester!
"He's about to unleash his Noble Phantasm—dodge!"
Eikou shouted urgently.
A single-target strike like this—he absolutely could not afford to be hit again.
Pain was one thing, but his Battle Continuation was spent; if this Noble Phantasm landed, it would surely cost him his life.
"『Failnaught』,"
Tristan intoned the name of the Noble Phantasm with icy calm.
"This is my arrow, the final test for you—"
"No, this trial already has its answer. Your mission is complete."
A clear, melodic voice rang out behind Tristan, like a dagger from the shadows.
Tristan frowned, unguarded by the sound, until a sharp blade suddenly pierced straight into his back.
Slash—
The Red Knight of the Round Table's face twisted in shock.
It was like watching a disciple drive a blade into their own master.
"You… it's you…?"
He turned his head slowly, stunned to see the one who struck was his own ally—Kriemhild.
"You may leave the stage now."
The Queen of Revenge, Kriemhild, spoke coldly, Balmung clutched firmly in her hand.
[Beyond all your expectations, Kriemhild betrays Tristan at this critical moment!]