"Not only is she highly resistant to physical attacks… but even magic doesn't affect her? That was a third-tier spell!"
The Four Strategists stared at the girl in front of them, their faces pale and tight with disbelief. Even Hekkeran, who had expected that a third-tier spell might not kill her, could not comprehend that it had failed to even scratch her.
The rarity of magic users compared to warriors made sense here. A warrior could hone their skills through training, but magical aptitude relied almost entirely on innate talent. Someone without magical energy could practice until the end of time, and it would be useless. Yet, when wielded by a true spellcaster, magic's destructive potential far exceeded that of warriors. A human hero-level mage could wipe out a small squad with ease, while a warrior would struggle to achieve the same.
That was why Arshel's spell had held so much hope for the strategists. And yet—even such potent magic had done nothing. Not a single scratch. What kind of monster was she?
"I think you've misunderstood something," Aurelia said calmly. "Yes, I possess certain resistances to both magic and physical attacks. But by the standards of Nazarik Tombs, my resistance isn't even remarkable. The reason your attacks fail is simple: your skills and spells are far too weak."
"My intention was to let you intruders die painlessly and return to eternal slumber. But your actions angered me, so I intend to hand you over to Lord Terrorking or Lord Dimyukos instead."
As an NPC created by Yuto, Aurelia's sense of justice was unusually high for Nazarik, pegged at a perfect 100. She had admired the bonds between the Four Strategists at first, but Hekkeran's lies and the attempt to tread on the guild's armory had lowered their score sharply in her eyes.
"Wait! You can't kill us! We're here on behalf of the Bahasu Empire! If anything happens to us… the world will know. If famous operatives from the Empire die here, this ruin will be fully exposed. Both the Empire and the Kingdom will send more agents in. Let's make a deal—let us leave, and in exchange, we'll spread the word that this ruin contains no treasure and is filled with danger."
No one escapes fear of death—not even the Four Strategists. Hekkeran grasped at this last chance, invoking the Empire and Kingdom as leverage. This time he spoke truthfully: they were indeed commissioned by the Empire. If any operatives died here, the Empire would likely send even stronger adventurers—or an entire army—to explore the ruins. Hekkeran judged that Aurelia would not want that, making it their only bargaining chip.
"Empire? Kingdom? Even if they send armies, so what? You still don't understand the true power of the Nazarik Tombs." Aurelia's tone was casual, almost teasing. "That's fair, though. I haven't even shown you my strength yet. No wonder you've misjudged the tomb's power."
The Four Strategists froze. She claimed she hadn't even demonstrated her strength yet, after what they had already witnessed?
Before they could even begin to speculate about her true power, a violent storm erupted from her form. Sakura petals swirled around her, forming a massive, ascending whirlwind. Aurelia's presence, fueled by raw magical energy, underwent a complete, terrifying transformation. Where before she had seemed like a quiet, girl-next-door type, now her aura rivaled that of a dragon.
Arshel, gifted with the innate ability Clairvoyant Eyes, could clearly perceive the magical energy around her. As she focused, her body trembled uncontrollably, her hands struggling to hold her staff.
The magic coalesced into a towering cherry blossom tree, its roots sinking deep into the ground. Calculating the scale, Arshel felt her own magical power was barely the weight of a few petals against Aurelia's tree.
"Impossible… there's no way we can win… she's a monster among monsters… on a completely different plane!"
Arshel's combat spirit collapsed entirely. Only Robatik's stabilizing Lionheart spell kept her from falling completely into despair. Even so, when she looked at Aurelia, all thoughts of resistance had vanished.
"Her power… it's that immense? But even so, against an entire empire…" Hekkeran murmured.
"If the Empire's forces are anything like you, then it's nothing," Aurelia interrupted. "I'm not a pure mage, so my mana isn't exceptional. Even what you see now isn't my full power. Thanks to my creator's favor, I have another form that greatly amplifies my strength. And there are others in Nazarik Tombs who surpass me."
Hekkeran and the others fell into complete despair. The average level of the Empire's army? Compared to her, laughable. And the top operatives of the Empire, despite their skills, were no more than ordinary soldiers in her eyes.
Worse, the miko displaying such terrifying power had yet to use her full strength. Even if she did, there were still beings in the tomb stronger than her.
"Seems you finally understand your situation. Now… prepare to sleep forever."
Aurelia sent a cascade of radiant sakura petals hurtling toward the Four Strategists, intent on ensnaring them in illusions before handing them over to Lord Terrorking and Lord Dimyukos.
But suddenly, a shadow intercepted them. A skeletal hand slammed forward, and a wave of black energy enveloped the petals, shriveling them instantly in midair.
"Aurelia Omega, do not kill these intruders just yet. They have other uses."
"Understood, Lord Anzu."