-1550- The malice in the night

The Ninth Artificial Floating Island, Central Area.

In the area adjacent to the massive lake stood a five-story central control tower.

This building housed large-scale Wizard Fields for forced transfers and other essential devices required to maintain the competition's progress. It also contained the system controlling the entire ecological cycle and functions of the Ninth Artificial Floating Island.

Logically, such an important place should have had Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival officials stationed, monitoring the competition's progress and overseeing the operation of various devices. It was also the only place on the island where participants of the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival were not allowed to enter, rendering it meaningless for the representative participants to come here.

However, as night descended, several figures darted in from the direction of the forest, landing in front of the central control tower.

These individuals were none other than Yamier Kaiser and her team, representing Vebel.

Gazing at the cold, lifeless building in front of her, devoid of any signs of life or presence, Yamier led her team inside without hesitation.

No one stopped them.

No one reprimanded them.

For every person dressed as a guard or staff member lay in a pool of blood, barely clinging to life.

Yamier glanced at this scene and murmured as if talking to herself.

"It seems the plan has been successfully carried out."

With that, Yamier led her team to the control room on the third floor.

If it were daytime, the view from here would likely be quite good, with control terminals set up all around, looking very advanced.

However, like the rest of the building, the staff here also lay in blood, with no one in control.

No, there was one person.

A single individual sat on the control desk, idly swinging her small feet. When Yamier walked in from the door, the figure revealed a dissatisfied expression.

"You're so slow, Yamier. I've been waiting for ages."

The one who spoke was none other than Leysritt Flowerchild.

Seeing this innocent-looking girl, Yamier spoke without expression.

"Though the enemies weren't particularly impressive, merely a group of weak ants, playing hide-and-seek with them isn't my strong suit, so it took a bit longer."

Yamier stated this flatly.

"Really?" Leysritt asked with suspicion. "Isn't it just because you were enjoying the hunt, Yamier?"

After all, for the battle-hungry Yamier, once she started enjoying a fight, nothing could hold her back.

However...

"A group of ants isn't worth fighting."

Yamier's tone was filled with regret and disappointment.

Clearly, she was extremely dissatisfied with her opponents.

"Humans are too weak. Even without using Collapse Force, or even jutsuryoku, there are almost no humans who could be my match. It's hardly enjoyable."

Yamier spoke with displeasure.

"If Lord Zeth hadn't forbidden it, I would've already gone after the human who severely injured Kirsty and destroyed all your pets."

Only that human, she thought, could offer her the satisfaction she craved.

"A strong foe that even Lord Zeth is wary of, that's the true meaning of my existence."

A fierce battle lust flashed in Yamier's eyes.

Unfortunately...

"That won't do, Yamier," Leysritt said without hesitation. "That hateful big brother is my prey."

This time, Leysritt's primary goal in coming here was revenge.

Though she also had to execute Zeth's orders, no matter what, Leysritt desired revenge.

"Are you sure you can handle it?" Yamier glanced at her and remarked, "He's a strong enemy, one that even Lord Zeth is cautious of. If it were me, it would be different, but with your abilities, you probably wouldn't win."

Even though Leysritt possessed Collapse Force, among all the Armored Beetles that wielded it, her strength ranked in the middle to lower levels. If she faced such a strong opponent, she might get taken down.

In contrast, Yamier was second only to Zeth and Kirsty among the humanoid Armored Beetles.

This much was evident in the way the other four members of the Vebel team bowed respectfully toward Yamier.

Thus, in Yamier's view, Leysritt stood no chance against such a powerful foe. Otherwise, there would be no reason for Zeth to treat him so seriously.

Whether Leysritt understood this or not remained unclear.

She simply gave a pure smile.

"It's fine," Leysritt said excitedly. "Lord Zeth gave me command over all the Asmods, and I brought along the three Variants I've always wanted. There's no way I can lose."

"…I see." Yamier observed Leysritt, then lost interest and said, "In that case, proceed according to the plan."

With that, Yamier turned to one person.

"Gregor."

She called out the name of her vice-captain, who also served as her lieutenant within the Vebel team.

"Yes, Princess."

The man named Gregor immediately stepped forward, bowing to Yamier with the respect one would show a royal, even addressing her as "Princess." He then approached one of the terminals, activated the drone control program, and began typing on the keyboard.

"I'm now activating the signal jammers hidden in the drones across the Artificial Floating Island, rendering all communication crystal channels inoperable."

Gregor reported the progress while continuing his work.

"Next, I'll disable the Wizard Field responsible for forced transfers and activate the forcefield Lord Zeth designed. For this, we must use the Collapse Stone, crystallized from Lord Zeth's power, which can be considered a manifestation of Collapse Force."

This part had already been completed.

In the underground power room, devices that could generate the forcefield using Collapse Stones had long been concealed.

Thus…

"Once the forcefield is activated, neither side will be able to enter or exit the Ninth Artificial Floating Island. Naturally, outsiders won't be able to get in either."

Gregor finished setting up all the programs, then turned to Yamier.

"Shall I activate the forcefield now, Princess?"

He asked respectfully.

"Go ahead."

Yamier gave her permission without any hesitation.

"Understood."

Gregor immediately initiated the program.

"Vrrrmm—!"

At that moment, a tremendous force was generated within the Ninth Artificial Floating Island.

Like an erupting volcano, the energy soared into the sky, forming a twilight-colored barrier that enveloped the entire island.

At this moment, the Ninth Artificial Floating Island became a prison.