CH 158.2

Chapter 158.2. New Year’s Eve Maid Security

-Kazuta’s POV-

Activate the trump card, the ability of Tsukezaru. The magical armor emits a sinister aura and envelops the body. The well-trained body creaks and swells up, becoming larger and larger.

Clothes tear apart as muscles expand. Black, needle-like bristles sprout, covering the skin with fur. Fangs emerge from the mouth, transforming the face into a ferocious visage.

“This is our trump card [Monkey Shift]! Our Physical abilities increase several-fold, and the fur possesses powerful magic resistance!”

Everyone transforms into black, towering three meters tall apes, baring their fangs and drooling. It’s the secret technique of Tasukaru. It’s a technique only the elite can use.

Even if their enemies are powerful magicians, they sneer, believing this number, they can defeat any opponent.

“Attack!”

With that single word, they stomp the floor and charge toward Nimue. The ability of [Monkey Shift] lies in its immense strength and agility.

The magic armor is equipped with the magic of [Weight Reduction], which allows the body to approach zero weight. Even as great apes, their bodies remain light.

Moreover, with the help of [Modified Levitation], they can create platforms in space, enabling them to move in three dimensions.

Stepping on the created platforms, the grotesque magical apes move at high speed, extending their fangs to attack.

The seven magical apes swiftly move through the hall’s air, kicking off walls and the floor, leaving afterimages as they circulate Nimue.

“Our movements shall be invisible!”

With a mocking smile aimed at Nimue, who remains motionless, they prepare to launch an attack, and he almost gives his subordinate a signal. However, a loud crash diverts their attention to the noise’s source.

Expecting it to be additional security, he’s surprised to find one of his subordinates collapsed against the wall. Whether unconscious or simply immobile, they show no signs of movement.

“What… What’s happening?”

Unable to keep up with the high-speed movements, it appears as though his subordinate struck their head against the wall, but such a thing should be impossible. His subordinates are skilled ninjas.

Frowning, Kazuta becomes wary of what Nimue might have done, and amid his vigilance, another loud crash is heard. Another subordinate crashed into a wall and fainted.

“What? What the!?”

There is no magic detection. No magic barriers are in effect. There is no sensation of his subordinate getting attacked.

“Gah!”

“Ugh!”

One after another, his moving high-speed subordinates collided with the walls and lost consciousness.

The fear in his heart grows stronger than his anger because his elite subordinates are clumsily crashing into walls.

That woman must be doing something.

“Hurry, let’s take her down!”

Unable to evade or defend against unknown attacks, Kazuta tried to defeat Nimue and turn the situation around.

[Demonic Hard Claw Strike]

The ninjas’ muscles crack as mana gathers, and become an aura around their arms. Claws, sharp enough to easily sever a human, extend.

Raising both hands, Kazuta and the remaining subordinates attack Nimue.

They use a rapid onslaught of claw strikes. Even with a magic barrier deployed, the coordinated assault of the demonic claws with the remaining subordinates should have torn through the barrier and reduced the woman to a scattered mass of flesh.

However, as they approach Nimue, preparing to strike down, their bodies suddenly freeze and crash to the floor.

Kazuta’s body slams into the floor, engulfed in confusion and intense pain. The remaining subordinates also experience a similar rigidity, sprawled out on the floor.

“Magic… How did you…?”

His body grew cold, and unable to move even an inch, he let out a groan of astonishment as Nimue chuckled.

“You all have already entered my world. The [Snow World].”

With a flick of her index finger, the powdery snow clinging to Kazuta, and the others started squirming like slimes.

They widened their eyes, shocked by its true form.

The powdery snow was an enemy’s magic. The soaked snow seemed to disrupt their magic armor and freeze their bodies. Their magic barrier also couldn’t activate.

“Ugh… I should have felt something amiss with this unfreezing snow…”

Kazuta realized its true nature, and regret filled his mind. As he understood his own will get twisted the moment he recognized its true form. He wondered why he had rashly rushed in.

“If it is the snow imbued with the magic of [Mental Elevation], [Haze], and [Weak Will], then you were also guided by the [Confusion Blizzard].”

The snow began accumulating on their bodies when they entered the premises.

All of it was toxic snow infused with magic.

“Why… did you need such heavy protection?”

Nimue, wearing a mocking smile, appeared in his field of vision, and Kazuta lost consciousness, collapsing to the ground.

Nimue looks at those who have fainted, coldly and takes a curtsey.

“Nimue, the lakeside witch, is the strongest in personal combat. No human can match me.”

Without moving a finger, having defeated the intruders, Nimue shifted her gaze to the corner of the hall.

“As guards, have I passed the test?”

“Did you notice?”

As the space distorted, an old man wearing magic armor appeared.

With a stern look, he examined the intruders and nodded.

“No problem. There is no one more suitable than you as a guard for Miu. But you are too strong. Why do you protect her?”

The one who appeared was Takano Kazamichi.

Anticipating an attack, the old man had also put on his full equipment to confront the intruders.

However, the new guards defeated the intruders easily.

And they did it without killing them.

Judging from their appearance, they were at the level of the head of the family.

Kazamichi scrutinized Nimue with suspicious eyes, trying to intimidate her.

“I am a loyal maid of Miu-sama. There is no greater honor for me.”

“Understood. But remember this well. If you betray us, you will come to know the power of Takano County.”

He wasn’t completely convinced. He narrowed his eyes, gave Nimue a cold gaze, then turned and left.

“No need to worry. Serving my Master as a Heroic Spirit is the greatest joy.”

Nimue smiled softly and took out her smartphone to contact the other guards and prepare to restrain the intruders.