Chapter 36: The Strongest Magician’s Declaration

Artemisia was undoubtedly the most talented Wizard in the history of Britain’s SSS Anti-Spirit Unit, not just in her generation.

No, she was the most talented Wizard ever. Young, yet she already possessed terrifying strength that could fight Spirits head-on and even kill them. She had even made DEM’s genius Wizard Takamiya Mana yield.

It was no exaggeration to say that only that legendary existence stood above Artemisia now.

Even Westcott, founder of the famous DEM company, recognized her talent as a Wizard and tried to recruit her to DEM, but Artemisia coldly refused.

When had it begun?

Was it when she watched thousands of comrades slaughtered? Or when millions were murdered? Or when she saw all of London razed by Jormungand?

Maybe it started then. Artemisia began gathering information on Jormungand. After confirming the places Jormungand often appeared, she left Britain, which was already dangerously short on supervisors, and followed Jormungand all the way to Tengu City.

Did she expect to live peacefully after destroying a city? The world did not work that way. Even if Jormungand could fight an entire Wizard army alone, so what?

She was Artemisia. She was the future “strongest in the world.” Jormungand was nothing.

“Nice to meet you, Jormungand.”

Artemisia steadied herself and looked at the Spirit girl who had once destroyed London. Perhaps because revenge was close, her original anger had become strangely calm.

“The ace of Britain’s SSS Anti-Spirit Unit, Artemisia Bell Ashcroft, will take your head.”

No exaggeration or emotional waver. Artemisia declared those terrifying words in a calm tone.

There was no overstatement at all, only a small announcement filled with certainty. It was the supreme confidence of Britain’s, and the world’s, most talented Wizard, confidence that she could defeat or even kill a Spirit head-on.

“Artemisia Bell Ashcroft?”

Chihaya Sayo frowned and took a small step back.

Although Artemisia was definitely a blonde, blue-eyed beauty, and her expression was far less gloomy than Tobiichi Origami’s, still…

For some reason, when Artemisia’s blue eyes fell on her, Chihaya Sayo felt her heartbeat slow for an instant.

That feeling of being watched by an apex predator made Chihaya Sayo deeply uncomfortable. Though they had not fully clashed, Chihaya Sayo understood that this girl named Artemisia was far stronger than her. In a head-on fight, she would die.

A drop of cold sweat slid down her forehead. Chihaya Sayo felt as if a mountain rested on her shoulders, but she knew she could not retreat.

Artemisia had not attacked recklessly, probably because she could not gauge Chihaya Sayo’s current strength. She had no idea that Chihaya Sayo no longer possessed the terrifying power that had destroyed London.

If Chihaya Sayo showed cowardice and backed away, the next second that anti-Spirit light blade in Artemisia’s hand might pierce her chest.

Chihaya Sayo had a feeling that the special anti-Spirit light blade in Artemisia’s hand could break through her Astral Dress as easily as cutting tofu.

Kurumi Tokisaki struggled to stand. After hesitating, she still moved closer to Chihaya Sayo.

Honestly, Kurumi Tokisaki and Chihaya Sayo had no real life-or-death conflict. Facing a common external threat, cooperation was possible.

She knew her own situation. Kurumi Tokisaki fully understood what Chihaya Sayo’s terrifying power was, and she knew Chihaya Sayo absolutely could not unleash that power now. But…

She was thankful this was still the city center. Thankful that Chihaya Sayo had once slaughtered millions without changing expression. Artemisia might be holding back because of that.

Although Artemisia had decided even before joining SSS to sacrifice her life at a critical moment, attacking Jormungand would not cost only her own life.

In Artemisia’s view, the lives of everyone in the city rested on her decision, so she did not dare act rashly.

Chihaya Sayo and Kurumi Tokisaki stared at Takamiya Mana and Artemisia, who stood nearby with their Realizers already deployed, not daring to relax. But these two guests from Britain were also wary of the city’s residents and did not dare attack freely. The only one completely out of the loop, Shido Itsuka, still had not recovered from the bloody scene.

‘Damn Shido Itsuka! Are you really a trilobite? You’re the only one who can break this situation! Hurry and have the aerial ship Fraxinus teleport us back, or else…’

She herself was completely weak. Kurumi Tokisaki beside her had to keep consuming spiritual power just to stay active. Never mind surviving a few moves against these two ace Wizards. Even trying to escape would be a fool’s dream.

The moment she showed any intent to flee, Artemisia, already poised to strike, would certainly pierce her chest with the anti-Spirit light blade.

“Repeat announcement. A spatial quake precursor has just been observed in this area. This is not a drill. Residents, please proceed immediately to the nearest shelter. Repeat announcement…”

The loud spatial quake alarm suddenly rang out, but…

“No need to look. No other Spirits will appear.”

Artemisia broke the deadlock first. She glanced lightly at the time display on her Realizer and gave Chihaya Sayo a relatively gentle smile.

“Don’t bother thinking. We triggered that spatial quake alarm manually. No Spirit will appear. Naturally… twenty minutes is also enough for the nearby residents to find shelter.”

After all, from the very beginning, the initiative had been completely in Artemisia’s hands.

Actually, when she saw these two Spirits who had once caused chaos in London, Artemisia had an immature idea, but she did not dare gamble with the lives of the entire city.

She could not bear such a serious consequence.

And now…

“Jormungand, I have watched recordings of your battles many times… Though I acknowledge your strength, I still hold a small doubt about whether you are stronger than me…”

Artemisia stepped lightly forward and revealed the blade in her hand to the Spirit before her.

“Come, let me see the power that can easily destroy an entire Wizard army.”

****

“What do you think of Artemisia?”

“That child’s talent is probably not below yours. It would be a shame to leave such a talent in the SSS.”

Westcott wore a rare smile. He naturally knew about Artemisia. A genius like her was practically a heroine from a power fantasy. At eighteen, she could rival Ellen, who had been famous for a long time.

“But if we’re talking overall strength, she still can’t beat Ellen, right?”

“Come on, have a little confidence in me. I am the strongest in the world!”

“Haha, look at yourself. Do you look like the strongest in the world?”

Ellen lifted her heavy eyelids and gave an annoyed glance at the relaxed figure sitting across from her.

Who was responsible for her current state? Her body had never been great, but the reason she had become this sickly wreck…

At that thought, Ellen’s gaze toward Westcott turned resentful.

If this heartless, despicable man had not dumped all his work on her, how could she look like this now?

Capitalists who exploited their employees like this should all be hanged on street lamps, every last one!

“Haha, don’t look at me like that. It’s scary.”

Westcott took a light sip of black tea and crossed his legs.

“Artemisia went to Japan herself to seek revenge on Jormungand… Isn’t that fine? If she succeeds in killing Jormungand, we save some effort and can focus on obtaining the Demon King’s power. And if she loses…”

There was no light in his dark pupils. Although Westcott, sitting before Ellen, still made expressions like a normal person, to Ellen he felt like a dead man who had completely lost his heart and emotions.

“Oh, right. The former ace of SSS, Minerva Liddell, wants to join DEM. I’ve already agreed.”

Without continuing the previous topic, Westcott suddenly brought up something else. The shift was abrupt and stiff.

“Minerva Liddell?”

Ellen frowned and began searching her memory for the name.

If she remembered correctly, Minerva also had decent talent as a Wizard, but only decent. Never mind comparing her to Artemisia; even Jessica could easily crush her.

Her talent was just decent. Against a Spirit, she would be an ordinary, unremarkable cannon fodder. And that person was somewhat…

Ellen had seen her once from a distance. She gave off a somewhat sinister feeling, like a venomous snake with little strength.

But considering the Wizard forces had been reshuffled by Jormungand, and they were in urgent need of talent… Character did not matter. As long as she could work.

“Minerva’s talent as a Wizard isn’t much, but this person suits my taste…”

Westcott smiled slightly. Maybe it was Ellen’s imagination, but she felt that this man who had completely lost his light showed a different color for a moment.

“If Artemisia is defeated, she will turn that genius Wizard into a power loyal only to us.”

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