Chapter 358 : Duchess Arnett and Miss Violetta

I kept my eyes fixed on Senior Vyn, who was slumped back, his chest gaping open from the attack I had just landed. Moments later, he slowly began to rise. Once back on his feet, he turned his gaze toward me.

"With a hole in your chest and blood pouring out like that, any human or creature would struggle to get back up; their bodies would naturally go limp. That rule should apply to demons, too. But it seems different for you, a demon under someone else's control. Your master forces you to rise again and again, no matter how severe your injuries are."

"Don't worry, senior. I’m going to save you and break you free from whoever is controlling you," I said.

I prepared to launch another attack at Senior Vyn. However, before I could strike, a massive, pitch-black iron pillar with a razor-sharp tip suddenly shot up from beneath my feet. It tried to impale me and thrust me upward, but I managed to dodge it just in time. That massive iron pillar didn't just appear where I stood; others erupted beneath the five dragons—mine and Senior Vyn’s that were locked in combat. The pillars pierced straight through their bodies. Instantly, all the dragons, both mine and Senior Vyn’s shattered and vanished after being impaled by the massive iron pillars.

"All those dragons vanished instantly after being pierced by those iron pillars. Pitch-black iron pillars, huh. I understand why they are pitch-black; it’s because they are imbued with 'Dark Magic'. I can sense a formidable amount of 'Dark Magic' within them. It’s no surprise that the basic elemental dragons were obliterated upon impact. 'Dark Magic' is one of the two most powerful elements in this world. It is entirely possible for a 'Dark Magic' user to nullify the magical power of other elements, especially if their 'Dark Magic' is stronger than the opposing element. Now, who created and summoned those pillars?" I wondered, gazing at the iron pillars that had pierced and destroyed the dragons.

I then scanned my surroundings. To one side, I spotted someone with their right hand pressed against the ground. The figure was clad in armor that resembled iron plating, pitch-black iron armor. I could sense 'Dark Magic' emanating from it. Although the armor completely concealed their identity, I knew exactly who was wearing it: Commander Dayne, the man I had previously struck down. I recognized him by his aura, which was identical to Dayne's.

"So, Commander Dayne has recovered after I knocked him down," I thought.

Commander Dayne lifted his right hand from the ground, stood up, and fixed his gaze on me. He then gripped his sword with his right hand, preparing to attack.

As I watched Commander Dayne ready himself for the attack, I glanced back at Senior Vyn, who was standing behind me. As I looked at Senior Vyn, I saw his entire body being encased in black iron. The iron had already covered his legs, arms, and torso; only his head remained exposed. With his body encased in the iron, the gaping hole in his chest was no longer visible.

"You should have encased your entire body in that iron magic from the start, Senior. If you had, perhaps your chest wouldn't have ended up with a hole in it like that," I said.

Just as I spoke, the iron encased Senior Vyn's head as well. Now, his entire body was covered in black iron, just like Commander Dayne's. Senior Vyn then extended his left arm to the left and his right arm to the right. Powerful 'Dark Magic' could be seen coursing through both his outstretched arms. After positioning his arms, he appeared to be muttering something.

~Dark Magic + Iron Magic: Dark + Iron Creation Magic – Dark Iron Dragon~

Two black iron dragons suddenly appeared beside Senior Vyn, one on his left and the other on his right.

"So, two dragons born from a fusion of iron and dark magic, huh? Fighting those two myself would likely be quite troublesome and time-consuming. In that case, I’d be better off leaving those two to them," I thought, glancing at the pair of dragons.

After that, I summoned five more dragons made of elemental magic, just as before. Not stopping at five, I conjured one additional dragon.

~Ice Magic: Ice Creation Magic – Great Ice Dragon~

I created an extra dragon using ice magic. With this addition, the total number of dragons I had summoned came to six. All six now surrounded me.

Having summoned the six dragons, I looked back and forth between Commander Dayne and Senior Vyn. Both appeared poised to attack me. Moments later, Commander Dayne, Senior Vyn, and their two summoned dragons shot toward me at high speed. Seeing this, I and my six dragons immediately braced ourselves to face them.

-

Back to Miss Violetta's place.

Miss Violetta was currently slashing and hacking at rose vines that were lunging at her. These vines were emerging from the area surrounding Duchess Arnett. Initially, the vines attacking Duchess Arnett had been green, but they had since turned a deep, pitch black. Every time Miss Violetta managed to sever a vine, it would instantly regenerate.

"There’s no end to this. Every time I cut them, they just grow back. If this keeps up, I won't be able to reach Mother. It looks like I’ll have to force my way through these vines," Miss Violetta thought.

With that thought in mind, Miss Violetta darted toward Duchess Arnett, dodging and slicing through the rose stems that lashed out at her. She managed to evade several of the attacking stems, though not perfectly; a few succeeded in grazing and wounding her. Nevertheless, she pressed on toward Duchess Arnett. Once within close range, she immediately launched an attack.

"I am sorry I have to use this magic. Goodbye, Mother," Miss Violetta said.

~Flower Magic: Sunflowers Bloom~

She aimed the tip of her sword at the center of Duchess Arnett's chest. However, just as the sword was about to strike, Miss Violetta suddenly stopped. She hesitated to unleash the attack.

Seizing the moment of her hesitation, Duchess Arnett swung her rapier to slash at Miss Violetta. Despite her momentary pause, Miss Violetta reacted quickly, dodging the slash. Yet, the strike was so swift that it still managed to graze and wound her upper abdomen.

After being struck, Miss Violetta instantly darted backward to put some distance between herself and Duchess Arnett. She glanced down at her abdomen, where blood was beginning to flow from the gash and stain her clothes. The bleeding was minimal, as the wound on her upper abdomen was shallow.

After checking her wound, Miss Violetta looked toward Duchess Arnett, who was watching her in return. Several black rose vines were currently weaving and coiling around Duchess Arnett.

"I had told Rid that I would be the one to defeat and kill Mother. Yet, when the chance to kill her directly finally arrived, I found myself hesitating. It is truly pathetic."

"Well, that is only natural; after all, who could kill their own beloved mother without the slightest hesitation?" said Miss Violetta.

Miss Violetta spoke these words while gazing at Duchess Arnett.

"What should I do now?" Miss Violetta asked herself.

As she asked herself this, a memory of a time spent with Duchess Arnett suddenly came to mind.

-

~Miss Violetta's Flashback~

About twenty years ago.

In the courtyard of the Duke San Quentine residence, Miss Violetta—then only nine years old was seen practicing her 'Flower Magic'. While Miss Violetta was practicing, Duchess Arnett suddenly appeared behind her, holding the hand of Princess Amelia, who was then only two years old.

"Y-you're practicing, aren't you, Violetta?" said Duchess Arnett.

Hearing her name called, Miss Violetta immediately turned around to look at Duchess Arnett.

"Yes, Mother. I am currently practicing," said Miss Violetta.

"I-I see. I'm sorry for interrupting your practice," said Duchess Arnett.

"It's alright, Mother. What brings you here?" asked Miss Violetta.

"A-actually, I came here because Amelia asked me to accompany her. A-Amelia said she wanted to watch you practice," said Duchess Arnett.

Princess Amelia, who had previously been holding Duchess Arnett's hand, was now hiding behind Duchess Arnett's legs.

"Oh, I see. So that's why you came here. But tell me, why do you seem nervous when speaking to me? You sound just like you do when talking to anyone else," said Miss Violetta.

"A-ah, forgive me. I was nervous because I was afraid you might scold Amelia for saying she wanted to watch you practice," said Duchess Arnett.

"Why would I ever scold Amelia, Mother? She only wanted to watch me practice; I wouldn't scold her for that. Come here, Amelia, let me show you some beautiful flowers," said Miss Violetta, waving her hand at Princess Amelia.

Princess Amelia, who had been hiding behind Duchess Arnett's legs, slowly began to approach Miss Violetta. Once she was close, she immediately hugged Miss Violetta, who warmly returned the embrace.

"You really are a sweet little sister, Amelia," said Miss Violetta.

Seeing Miss Violetta and Princess Amelia embracing, Duchess Arnett immediately approached them and wrapped them both in a hug. Miss Violetta and Princess Amelia were startled when Duchess Arnett suddenly embraced them.

"Mother?!" exclaimed Miss Violetta.

"I-I can't help it; my two daughters are just so cute," said Duchess Arnett.

Duchess Arnett continued to hold them both in her embrace for several minutes.

Afterward, Duchess Arnett and Princess Amelia watched as Miss Violetta practiced her flower magic. Miss Violetta showed Princess Amelia some of the flowers she had conjured with her magic. Princess Amelia looked enchanted as she gazed at the flowers Miss Violetta displayed.

"Your flower magic is truly beautiful, Violetta," said Duchess Arnett.

"Mother's rose magic is beautiful, too," replied Miss Violetta.

"Thank you, but when it comes to beauty, yours is clearly the more exquisite one. Your magic can create and conjure a wide variety of flowers, whereas mine is limited to just roses," said Duchess Arnett.

"But when it comes to power, yours is the strongest, Mother," said Miss Violetta.

"W-well, my magic is strong because I am older and more experienced than you, Violetta. When you grow up, your magic will surely surpass mine," said Duchess Arnett.

"You're right, Mother. In that case, when I grow up, I'm going to defeat you," said Miss Violetta.

"W-why do you suddenly want to defeat me?" asked Duchess Arnett.

"So I can prove whether or not my magic has become stronger than yours. If I can't defeat you then, it means I haven't become strong enough yet," said Miss Violetta.

"Y-you're right. In that case, I'll wait for you to defeat me once you've grown up, Violetta," said Duchess Arnett.

"Very well, Mother," replied Miss Violetta.

"That aside, I wonder what kind of advanced elemental magic Amelia will be able to use. Do you think she'll use my rose magic, your flower magic, or her father's plant magic? Or perhaps she'll wield an advanced elemental magic different from the three of us?" Duchess Arnett asked.

Duchess Arnett posed the question to Miss Violetta while gazing at Amelia, who was playing with the flowers Miss Violetta had conjured.

"Hmm... I have a feeling Amelia will be able to use your rose magic, Mother," said Miss Violetta.

"M-my rose magic? What makes you say that?" asked Duchess Arnett.

"I don't have a specific reason, Mother. I just feel that your rose magic would suit Amelia perfectly," replied Miss Violetta.

"I see," said Duchess Arnett.

Miss Violetta then resumed practicing her flower magic, while Duchess Arnett and little Amelia continued to watch her closely.

"Mother, I’d like to ask you something. What is your favorite flower?" asked Miss Violetta.

"My favorite flower?" repeated Duchess Arnett.

"Yes," said Miss Violetta.

"Hmm, let's see... try to guess," said Duchess Arnett.

"A rose?" asked Miss Violetta.

"Just because I can use rose magic doesn't mean the rose is my favorite flower. You're wrong; try guessing again," said Duchess Arnett.

Miss Violetta kept trying to guess Duchess Arnett's favorite flower, but all her guesses were incorrect. After several failed attempts, Miss Violetta finally gave up.

"I give up, Mother. I don't know the answer," said Lady Violetta.

"The answer is the white lily," said Duchess Arnett.

"A white lily?" asked Miss Violetta.

"Yes, my favorite flower is the white lily. I love it because it is so beautiful and lovely," said Duchess Arnett.

"I see," said Miss Violetta.

Then, Miss Violetta raised her right hand and conjured something in her palm. What she created were several white flower stems, white lilies.

"This is for you, Mother," said Miss Violetta, handing the white lilies to Duchess Arnett.

"F-for me?" asked Duchess Arnett.

"Yes," said Miss Violetta.

"T-thank you, Violetta," said Duchess Arnett as she accepted the white lilies from Miss Violetta.

"You're welcome, Mother," said Miss Violetta.

Duchess Arnett then gazed at the white lilies in her hand.

"How beautiful. If I were ever on the verge of death, it would be a beautiful passing indeed to be surrounded by these flowers," said Duchess Arnett.

"What do you mean by that, Mother?" asked Miss Violetta.

"I-it's nothing; y-you'd best just forget I said that," said Duchess Arnett.

"Very well, Mother," said Miss Violetta.

Duchess Arnett turned her gaze back to the white lilies she held in her hand.

"Thank you once again for giving me these flowers, Violetta," Duchess Arnett said.

"You are very welcome, Mother," Miss Violetta replied.

Duchess Arnett fell silent for a few moments, gazing at the white lilies in her hand, before speaking again.

"Violetta, I have a request for you," Duchess Arnett said.

"What request is it, Mother?" Miss Violetta asked.

"When I am gone, please scatter these white lilies, the ones you created over my grave," Duchess Arnett said.

She spoke without looking at Miss Violetta, her eyes fixed solely on the white lilies in her hand.

~End of flashback~

-

Back to where Miss Violetta stood.

Miss Violetta, who had been motionless, began to move again, preparing to take action.

"I never expected to recall that memory. It seems that memory holds the answer that will allow me to kill Mother with a calm heart," Miss Violetta thought.

A smile played on Miss Violetta's lips as she thought this. She then drove her sword into the ground beneath her feet.

~Oh, white lilies, bloom and fill this place with your beautiful blossoms~

~Flower Magic: White Lily Meadow~

Immediately, white lilies began to sprout from the ground around Miss Violetta. They did not merely appear in her immediate vicinity; white lilies sprang up across the entire surface of the area. They even began to encircle the roses that had appeared around Duchess Arnett.

Furthermore, beyond the lilies emerging from the ground, white lily petals began to materialize and drift through the air around them. The air was filled with the white lily petals fluttering about.

After driving her sword into the ground, Miss Violetta pulled it back out and held it once more. She then turned her gaze toward Duchess Arnett, who was looking around with a blank expression.

"It seems you no longer remember this, Mother. But rest assured, I still do. You once said that your death would be beautiful if you were surrounded by your favorite flowers, white lilies. Now, those very flowers surround you. And since they do, all that remains is your death. I shall ensure you experience the beautiful death you once spoke of, Mother," said Miss Violetta.

-To be continued