"That's odd, such an intense reaction? It shouldn't be appearing this early in the storyline."
After making some slight modifications to the mansion's barrier, Aesc stood on the opposite hillside, stroking her chin as she watched the gradually materializing gateway to the faerie realm.
"At this level, it shouldn't only appear due to the workshop's activation. Was something originally delaying it..."
Ah, wait. Wasn't it originally that something was delaying the gate's appearance, but rather, is it because of me (a Faerie of Avalon)?
My arrival has deepened the connection between that side and this one.
Then again, with mystery already so thin in this era, the sudden appearance of a top-tier faerie like me… I'm half wondering if the Counter Force has taken notice.
Hmm... Best to head back for now.
Observing the Black Dogs emerging one after another and charging towards the mansion, along with the group already assembled in the main hall, she mused, "Seems there's no need for me to wake them."
Wills, roused by Lord El-Melloi II and brought to the hall, asked in confusion, "My lord, what's happening?"
"Look outside. Trevor's ritual is nearing completion," El-Melloi II said, pointing towards the manifesting faerie gate.
"What is this?" Wills exclaimed, staring out the window.
The others in the hall turned to look and discovered the horde of black canine creatures swarming the mansion.
"Black Dogs. They are part of the spectral army known as the Wild Hunt, said to appear alongside fierce winds and thunder. The dead summon death, and the Black Dogs transform into the Hunt. Seeing that gateway to the faerie realm should make everything clear," El-Melloi II explained, gesturing at the distant gate.
"This workshop Trevor created was essentially a massive murder device from the start. It uses the ley lines to activate the Fairy Eyes, drawing out their power. That power uses the deceased as a core, artificially giving birth to these faerie creatures—the Black Dogs."
Surveying the numerous Black Dogs outside, El-Melloi II speculated, "The real death toll is likely far higher than the reported fifteen."
"Seems they want to add us to the ranks of the dead," Aesc remarked casually, having somehow blended into the group unnoticed.
She put away her staff and began helping a visibly pained Reines, who was covering her eyes, manage the overwhelming magical energy. It shouldn't have progressed this quickly.
Shooting a brief, knowing glance towards a certain lady in their midst—the one ultimately responsible for this mess—El-Melloi II sighed inwardly and warned the others, "Here they come!"
No sooner had he spoken than a Black Dog slammed directly into the mansion's barrier.
Splat.
The creature shattered into pieces, while the barrier remained utterly unshaken.
"This is..." Wills stared in astonishment. "The mansion's barrier shouldn't be this strong."
Aesc, holding Reines, deftly avoided El-Melloi II's pointed look.
What is Teacher doing?
Gray, standing nearby, watched with confusion as El-Melloi II kept glancing intermittently at Aesc.
Meanwhile, Adashino raised her sleeve, from which several white cloth strips shot forth, winding around the mansion's structure. "While it doesn't seem entirely necessary, I'll take responsibility for protecting this place and Reines."
"Understood." El-Melloi II finally tore his gaze away from Aesc and addressed the group. "Let's bring this incident to a close."
--+--
Facing the onslaught of the Black Dog horde, Gray, wielding Add who had transformed into a scythe, charged ahead at the forefront.
Wow, such an earnest and hardworking kid is truly adorable.
Aesc's gaze then drifted towards a certain childish Lord in the group.
"Ugh, such a crude way of utilizing magical energy," she commented offhandedly, watching El-Melloi II fire beams of light at the Black Dogs in a rather undignified posture.
It was merely converting raw magical energy directly into physical force—not even proper magecraft. For someone of his caliber, it was as lowbrow as a full-grown adult trying to crawl like an infant.
"Shut up!" El-Melloi II roared at Aesc, who was hanging back at the rear, watching the scene unfold as if it were none of her business. "Lend a hand, will you?"
He then stared in surprise as Aesc produced a long spear and leaped nimbly to the front lines beside Gray.
"At this level, it's faster to just wade in and start whacking them than chanting spells," Aesc said, noticing his stunned expression. She promptly kicked a Black Dog attempting to ambush Gray into smithereens. "I know a thing or two about close-quarters combat."
"Thank you, Miss Aesc," Gray said politely.
"Be careful now," Aesc replied, patting Gray's head before turning to face the horde and beginning to... apply herself with moderate effort.
"Not bad, ladies! Truly worthy students of the El-Melloi classroom."
Watching the women fight so fiercely, Kairi Sisigou brandished his short shotgun, casually blasting a Black Dog that got too close into chunks. He then turned to the beam-spamming El-Melloi II. "Lord El-Melloi II, can I get the Clock Tower to reimburse my expenses?"
"Take it up with the Department of Policies!"
"OK!" Kairi Sisigou grinned ferociously as he reloaded.
As the rain intensified, the group's stamina gradually waned.
Observing the endless stream of Black Dogs and the massive, towering Black Dog standing at the center of the horde, El-Melloi II glanced towards Aesc, who was idling nearby and avoiding his gaze.
Some help you are, madam.
No... is she waiting for something?
Noticing Aesc's occasional, subtle glances towards Add, El-Melloi II pondered.
I see. She figured out Add's true nature long ago.
Confirming that the slacking lady had no intention of intervening, El-Melloi II called out to Gray at the front, "...It can't be helped. Will you assist me, Gray?"
"I understand," Gray replied, leaping back to a safer position.
Seeing this, Aesc, who was watching from the side, smiled slightly and pulled out her staff and a book of sorcery.
Is it finally time?
Gray raised the scythe overhead, calming her mind as magical energy began to surge around her.
Golden particles started emerging from her surroundings and the scythe itself, floating upwards towards the sky.
Simultaneously, the book in Aesc's hands began frantically sketching and recording the scene.
"Hey, Lord, what is she preparing to use?" Kairi Sisigou asked, feeling the ambient magical energy growing increasingly agitated.
"She's preparing to use King Arthur's Holy Lance, Rhongomyniad."
"What? The Holy Lance? That scythe?"
"The scythe is merely a borrowed form, a vessel designed to seal the Holy Lance. Gray... was born from a certain clan, a child bearing resemblance to King Arthur."
Seeing the Black Dogs shift their focus and charge towards Gray, El-Melloi II urgently yelled, "Cover her!"
Kairi Sisigou rushed in front of a Black Dog about to bite Gray, ready to block the attack.
In the next instant, he found not only that one, but all the Black Dogs closing in were pierced through by the falling raindrops.
In the distance, Aesc's staff gleamed with a faint light.
Having no time to ponder who had intervened, Kairi Sisigou turned to voice his biggest confusion to El-Melloi II.
"Wasn't King Arthur a man?"
"She was a woman!"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.