Chapter 186: Atrum's Strength

["There is no mirror in the Golden Princess' room."]

[Gray curled up and whispered, "If that person's face is artificial, I wonder if that's the reason."]

["I'm very afraid of the face in the mirror, afraid that I will gradually change."]

["I don't hate this face, but I'm still afraid to look in the mirror."]

["It feels like the ghost of a long-dead hero has taken over my body."]

["Stop talking."]

[El-Melloi II interrupted her.]

["Change? That might be scary indeed."]

[The atmosphere suddenly became heavy again.]

"Poor child..."

Artoria looked visibly distressed. Seeing young Gray endure so much pain because of her own legacy was difficult to bear.

She clearly felt responsible for Gray's suffering.

Mordred: "Alas..."

Lancelot: "Even after a thousand years, Morgan's actions continue to harm others."

[After a moment, El-Melloi II suddenly exclaimed in surprise.]

["How is that possible!"]

[Reines: "What is it, brother?"]

["Really? Is it really that simple?"]

[El-Melloi II murmured, "In that case, the calculations match. Since it's planetary, a 120-degree trine is sufficient. The other, no, that one has already been found. Because they are complementary beauties, if we want to maximize the effect… So, the problem isn't about Perrault or Basil, but something simpler and more superficial…"]

["It's the other way around!"]

[After a moment, El-Melloi II finally pieced it together.]

["It's not comparing the sun to something else, it's comparing it to the sun itself. If the symbols of the sun align on this scale, then the difficulty of execution decreases significantly. But if this is the correct answer…"]

[Reines: "Hey, brother, it's fine to think you're smart, but don't start rambling about how the sun can be reversed."]

["…In that case, wouldn't the worst possibility come true?"]

[El-Melloi II looked at the dark clouds in the sky and murmured, "Why didn't I realize it earlier? What kind of clown am I? Maybe there's still time to fix this."]

["Gray!"]

[Gray: "Yes!"]

[El-Melloi II: "I have a favor to ask of you."]

Tohsaka Rin: "Uh, what is he talking about?"

Caules: "He's talking too fast. I couldn't follow."

Fiore: "Just watch quietly. I'm sure it will be explained later."

---

[Meanwhile, inside the Moon Tower:]

["I see. So, this is how it should proceed?"]

[Aozaki Touko packed up her belongings and murmured, "Well, although it's a bit troublesome, a request is a request."]

[Elsewhere, Maio and Islo followed Byron's instructions to take refuge in a shared temporary workshop.]

[During their conversation, Maio mentioned that he, the Golden Princess, and Carina had grown up together.]

[At that moment, the door suddenly opened. The ones who entered were the Silver Princess and Regina.]

["Can you please help me?"]

[The Silver Princess said seriously, "I believe Lord Valualeta is the one who killed my sister."]

[There was a moment of silence in the room.]

Waver: "Accusing a Lord of murder? That's a bold move."

Kayneth: "Although I don't like Inorai, it's unlikely she's the murderer. She has no reason to commit such an act."

Sisigou: "But why would the Silver Princess suspect Valualeta?"

Danic: "It might be related to the attack."

---

[Returning to the battlefield:]

["The attack on the Twin Tower should've succeeded by now. Something unexpected must have occurred."]

[Atrum muttered in frustration.]

["Terribly sorry."]

[The attackers immediately knelt and confessed their failure to Atrum.]

["Atrum Galiasta. That is my name."]

[Atrum introduced himself: "Lord Byron, your young subordinate is quite entertaining, though his character is somewhat lacking."]

[Byron: "These two seem to be guests."]

["Is that so? Oh, I'm truly envious. With his great reputation, even strangers come to assist. European elites and veterans are indeed different. In my homeland, even among relatives, it's natural to fight to the death."]

[Atrum pretended to sound serious as he said, "So, what do you think? I believe my subordinates have already asked, can you transfer the blood linden leaf to me?"]

[Byron: "...I don't understand what you mean."]

[Atram: "That's war."]

Waver: "What exactly does Byron want the Leaf for? He refuses to part with it even now."

---

["Wait."]

[Svin suddenly spoke: "Lord Byron, I have a request."]

[Byron: "A request?"]

[Svin: "If we defeat this guy, can you return the Marrow of the Moon Spirt that was taken from Lady Reines?"]

[Byron: "This…"]

["Please don't waste time. The delay is already unacceptable. I won't indulge in trivialities," Atrum interjected.]

[Atrum takes out a primitive battery from his suit and places it in his palm.]

[The original battery, one of the oldest in the world, was discovered in the "Khujut Rabu ruins" on the outskirts of the Middle East. When the family originally researching the battery fell into decline, the Galliasta family purchased both the artifact and its associated knowledge with their wealth. By combining this technology with the ore and cost-based magic their family had already studied, they successfully merged their magic with electricity. This same technique was applied to the spell that manipulates the weather.]

["Gush Out!"]

[As the incantation fell, lightning transformed into a massive hand that reached out to strike. Svin immediately shifted into his beast form to counter it.]

[After an intense clash of lightning and sparks, the first exchange ended.]

[It seemed like a draw, but in terms of raw power, Atrum's lightning had the upper hand.]

[Svin: "As a spell, it's second-rate, but in combat, it's first-rate."]

[Atrum: "Second-rate, you say? How dare you, kid."]

[Svin: "You know it's true. If my teacher were here, he'd have seen through your tricks in an instant."]

["Your magic is refined and well-suited for combat, but as a magician's craft, it lacks depth. That's why I say it's second-rate."]

["At best, you're a warlock, not a true magus."]

["You insolent—!"]

[Atrum's face twisted with rage. His pride wounded, he unleashed several times more magical energy than before, pouring it into the primitive battery and amplifying its output.]

[The lightning took on the shape of a colossal dragon, roaring as it surged forward, intent on devouring Svin.]

[But just as the dragon lunged, Svin's figure vanished.]

[With incredible speed, he leapt back, darting between tree trunks with agility that defied human vision. Using the environment to his advantage, he closed the distance and appeared directly above Atrum's head, poised to strike.]

Tohsaka Rin: "Lightning transforming into a dragon… that's both terrifying and beautiful."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "But it's ultimately just for show."

Kayneth: "Your student's sharp tongue does you proud, Waver."

Waver: "It's Atrum's overinflated ego that makes him so easy to provoke."

---

[Meanwhile, near the Twin Tower:]

[On the main road, a carriage was waiting. Mick held an umbrella for Inorai, standing by like a dutiful servant as she prepared to board the carriage.]

["Stop."]

[A calm but commanding voice rang out—it was the Silver Princess.]

["Oh, Princess Silver?"]

[Inorai raised an eyebrow, her tone faintly amused: "What's the matter? And it seems you've chosen rather bold words to address me. Is it because I'm old and hard of hearing?"]

[Silver Princess: "I said, stop."]

[Inorai: "How peculiar. To use such a tone with me… I may not care much for formalities, but I also don't appreciate unnecessary conflict."]

[Silver Princess: "You killed the Golden Princess, didn't you?"]

["Oh?"]

[Inorai appeared momentarily stunned. Then, touching her chin, she said with a sly smile, "Ah, I see now. This is your gambit?"]

Sisigou: "She's got guts, confronting a Lord head-on like that."

Caules: "But judging from her reaction, it doesn't seem like Inorai is the culprit."

Darnic: "Don't jump to conclusions. She could simply be surprised that her involvement was discovered."