The Deadly Sins Sorcerer of Magic Academy
Mahou Gakuen no Taizai Majutsushi
Arc 2 Martial Arts Festival
The Invasion Begins
Zagar is a nation famous for the massive fortress that encircles it almost entirely.
Constructed from thick stone blocks stacked high, its towering walls are so tall that one must crane their neck to see the top. Its durability is so formidable that even dozens of high-level magic spells fired at once wouldn’t leave a scratch.
It’s that heavily fortified. Designed to allow no one to breach it.
Why would they construct something so extreme?
It’s because Zagar is located relatively close to demon territory.
In this world, the continent spreads out broadly in a flat expanse. Demons, the sworn enemies of humanity, reside in the west. Humans and other coexistence-friendly demi-humans have built their nations and homes in the east.
At the boundary between east and west—separated by sea—is where Zagar is situated. (TLN: not really sure)
For that reason, if demons were ever to invade, Zagar would be their first target. As the first line of defense, this mighty fortress stands watch.
Guards patrol the walls day and night. All visitors from foreign nations undergo strict inspections before being allowed to trade.
Naturally, there are anti-demon fortresses established on the mainland before the coast. Troops are stationed at all times, maintaining a defensive line capable of responding to any invasion at a moment’s notice.
Yet....
“…Princess, all units have landed safely.”
“…I see.”
The fortress was now unrecognizable.
Smoke billowed into the sky. Rubble was scattered everywhere, and pools of blood stained the ground.
Amid the wreckage were not only debris—but human limbs, torsos, and heads, all strewn about.
Yet no one paid them any mind. Some even stepped on the remains as they passed.
“…Ahead lies the wretched human settlements. Behind us, several battalions stand ready.”
“Indeed… And on top of that, three of the Four Demon Generals, including myself, are present. Not to mention even Her Highness as well—this is what you call a flawless operation.”
“…For all that, it took you long enough to get ready.”
“My apologies… The damage inflicted by the previous Hero was far worse than anticipated. It took many years to recover and prepare our response.”
The man who bowed his head appeared middle-aged. He wore a tailcoat, and long brown hair tied behind him. Sprouting from his back were not wings—but bare bones.
“…Verily. But that all ends today.”
A young girl glared at the fortress ahead. Her mithril-like silver hair reached her waist, and she wore a slightly revealing outfit. Her arms were crossed, her lazy posture laced with hate.
Unlike the middle-aged man, she looked fully human. But her eyes were something else entirely—translucent and unnatural.
One eye burned like a ruby. The other gleamed like amber.
Those eyes made her beauty all the more striking, and the aura she exuded was something uniquely fearsome.
Perhaps that’s why the figures behind her―each inhuman in appearance―knelt before her.
“Let’s just get started, Princess! I’m dying to smash something!”
“Silence, Garaf! You’re in Her Highness’s presence!”
A towering, muscular man with burning red skin shouted out, only to be scolded by a small girl in a pointed hat.
But the girl they called princess didn’t seem bothered at all. She kept her gaze fixed on the fortress.
“…Everyone ready?”
“All preparations are complete, Your Highness.”
“Hell yeah! Fully ready, Princess!”
“The Four Demon Generals stand ready at your command.”
The three who stood beside her responded in unison.
"""GGGGAAAAAAAHHH!!!"""
The soldiers assembled behind them let out a ferocious battle cry in response.
Their number――――roughly twenty thousand.
“…Then, charge!”
The girl raised her small, delicate hand and snapped her fingers.
In that instant, a massive magic circle formed behind her. Glowing red, the sigil looked ominous―soaked with malice. The magic in the air was immediately drawn into the array.
It resembled―almost eerily―the summoning circle Julis had used to call forth the Beast of Pride.
“Hellfire, Purgatory――――Bombard!”
From the magic circle, black flames burst forth.
With overwhelming heat and darkness that painted the landscape in black, the fire surged forward—devouring the forest as it sped toward the fortress.
♦♦♦
“Where is Julis?”
“Who knows? He’s probably gotten himself mixed up in some kind of trouble again, I’d wager.”
With a concealment spell cast around her, Cecilia glanced anxiously around the area, searching for the person she dear the most.
Musée, watching the flustered Cecilia, couldn’t help but think she looked like a loyal dog that had lost sight of its master.
“T-This is a huge problem! We have to find him quickly!”
“If you go after him, it’ll probably just make things worse, you know...”
While Cecilia panicked, Musée calmly sipped from a glass of wine, utterly unfazed. In this moment, Musée looked every bit like the babysitter to the anxious girl beside her.
Then――――
BOOOOOOOM!!!
A thunderous impact rocked the venue.
The entire castle shook violently. Food and drinks toppled from tables, crashing to the floor. Screams echoed from every direction.
“What the—!?”
“The castle’s shaking?!”
“Stay calm! Everyone, please stay calm!”
Students and instructors from various nations all cried out in surprise, their faces painted with fear and confusion.
No one could make sense of what had just happened, and panic spread like wildfire.
“Kyaaa!”
“Be careful.”
Cecilia stumbled but was caught by Musée just in time.
“W-What is happening…?”
“Well… I wonder?”
Like the others, Cecilia was stunned. But Musée remained composed, her demeanor completely different from the panicking crowd.
“…Still, I can say with confidence this isn’t a good sign.”
As the tremors subsided and the echoes of the explosion faded, the hall gradually calmed down.
The students were gathered to one side by their instructors, while dignitaries were surrounded by guards for protection.
(It’s almost certainly an attack… The question is――who would dare strike during such a grand occasion like this?)
The king offered calming words to reassure the crowd, then quickly issued commands. Knights began to move in a rush, trying to grasp the situation.
(Well, it’s no concern of mine who’s attacking where…)
Musée gently stroked Cecilia’s head to soothe her unease.
(But if someone dares disrupt my disciple’s grand stage… then that’s another matter. Anyone who threatens him… I’ll crush them myself.)
Her crimson eyes began to glow with a sharp glint.
Even though The Martial Arts Festival hadn’t begun yet.
♦♦♦
“Hmm?”
“…Huh?”
“…That’s definitely not good.”
Julis and the others also felt the tremor.
The impact shook the castle, the roof creaked, and the footing became unstable—but the three of them remained standing steadily, unfazed.
From inside the castle, the cause was unclear. But from their position on the roof, it was obvious.
In the west, plumes of smoke and flames were rising. The fortress had fallen, revealing the open vast beyond.
“…Looks like it’s my turn now, huh?”
Takaaki, the Hero, placed his hand on the sword at his waist. Though still sheathed, it radiated a divine glow, holy and brilliant. It was a sacred blade granted by the Goddess―crafted to fight demons.
The sword pulsed in response――――calling him.
“…I still, haven’t seen my sweet little sister yet.”
Michaela lowered her mace, the maniacal grin from earlier gone. Her voice now carried a grim seriousness.
And then――――
“Bastard, how dare you to attack a place where Cecilia is...... I’ll kill you.”
The Deadly Sins Sorcerer glared ahead—his eyes devoid of light, sharp with lethal intent.
What he saw through the shattered remains of the fortress was――――
A vast army of demons.
Once again, even though The Martial Arts Festival hadn’t begun yet.
[To be Continued]
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