Campione: Strongest# 477: Altrouge Brunestud

Somewhere in the German mountains.

The high-altitude peaks remained locked in perpetual winter, half the mountain buried beneath pristine white snow.

Though a thriving city lay just ten kilometers away, this place remained eternally desolate.

The reason? Those who entered these mountains invariably lost themselves in the forest, becoming food for wolves.

Combined with accounts from the few survivors who claimed to have seen golden-haired fairies on the mountain, rumors of mountain witches had spread over time.

In recent years, aside from thrill-seeking extreme athletes, even the locals wouldn't dare enter, leaving the area even more abandoned.

And at the heart of these witch-haunted mountains—

Within a barrier-enclosed valley that defied the surrounding winter with eternal spring, a medieval castle stood year-round.

In the castle's rear garden center, a golden-haired woman in a pristine white dress sat smiling at a European tea table, addressing the golden-haired king standing rigidly beside her in a suit. "Saber, not going to play with those girls?"

Saber closed her eyes, pondering briefly before opening her holy blue eyes with a grave expression. "You must have sensed it too, King of Heroes."

"Oh, you mean Alaya's command? Why should I care? Not cutting down that treacherous fool with one strike is already the height of this king's mercy." Gilgamesh laughed mockingly.

Suddenly, Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, as if communicating with someone. After a moment, she sighed softly.

"Oh... That makes things difficult. Fine, I suppose I'll go."

"That one remains as shameless as ever." Hearing this, a cold sweat ran down Saber's face. Years ago, she'd been packaged and given to that unscrupulous superior's child. Now, to get the King of Heroes to act, they were playing the grandmother card.

In a sense, Saber had already lost hope in 'humanity.'

Gilgamesh snapped her fingers lightly. Ripples appeared in the air behind her as the Gates of Babylon trembled open.

"Get that snake woman here quickly. Hassan stays to guard the house. We're departing!"

Gilgamesh's lips curved upward, her face showing a playful smile. "I remember—that bastard child is in Japan!"

—————

Aboard a private jet to Tokyo.

The spacious aircraft held only ten beige luxury seats, making it extraordinarily roomy.

On one seat, a pure white beast—part rabbit, part cat—lounged lazily against a pair of slender legs wrapped in black stockings.

The creature called Primate Murder had truly become a pet, its legs wrapped around its owner's tantalizing calves, rubbing its soft fur against the girl's long legs, indulging shamelessly.

"Hehe~" A laugh like silver bells rang out sweetly.

Altrouge Brunestud smoothed her long, silky black hair—hair dark as night itself. Her absolutely beautiful face, which seemed to gather all the world's beauty, wore a mischievous smile like a playful sprite.

"Knowing I'm taking you to see the 'male master,' you're acting this spoiled. You've learned bad habits, Primate Murder."

Altrouge looked teasingly at Primate Murder by her feet, her meaning clear.

"Princess, I just happen to be in a good mood today." Primate Murder's body trembled mid-frolic, a slightly embarrassed protest coming from its mouth.

"Oh~ Really?" Altrouge deliberately drew out her words, patting Primate Murder's spine with a mischievous smile.

"Would you like some fruit, Princess?" A steady male voice suddenly rang out.

Black Knight Strout, dressed in monk-like black robes, entered the cabin carrying a plate of fresh fruit with measured steps.

"...Give me some." A bitter voice spoke softly—it came from a golden-haired man in white knight's clothing lying on another seat.

"A Dead Apostle Ancestor getting airsick—you learn something new every day." Primate Murder turned to complain at White Knight Brad on the nearby sofa.

"I specialize in close combat and naval warfare." Brad, face covered in cold sweat, took a small orange piece from Strout's offered plate, shoving it whole—peel and all—into his mouth, defending himself bitterly.

Seeing Brad's terrible complexion, Altrouge narrowed her red eyes, speaking gravely. "Brad? Are you sure it's just airsickness?"

"Hmm? Right, it's never been this severe before." Strout's gaze sharpened beside them, his expression turning serious.

His chewing stopped abruptly. Brad frowned, carefully examining his body. His expression changed as he suddenly began chanting.

Seconds later, a small azure bounded field enveloped Brad completely.

"Though I don't know what method this is, after deploying a small-scale Reality Marble, the nausea disappeared..." Looking at his wary companions, Brad spoke gravely. "...Including the desire to go to Tokyo."

Crimson eyes filled with cold intent, Altrouge smiled brilliantly. "Oh my, come to think of it, my last date with Haru was only three days ago, wasn't it? Even I'm being affected?"

"The ability to influence Dead Apostle Ancestors—Dark Six?" Strout's gaze turned sharp as he looked out the window, his voice ice-cold.

Altrouge covered her mouth, laughing briefly before her form suddenly transformed from a girl to a tall, slender mature woman with perfect proportions.

The next second, domineering words echoed through the cabin.

"As leader of the Dead Apostle side, it's necessary to make these ignorant seniors understand exactly whose era this is!"

—————

At Ogawa Apartments' entrance.

A dark figure silently watched the split Reality Marble, a playful smile curving his lips.

Then the figure lowered his head, looking at Araya Souren's separated head and body on the ground. "I didn't expect you to fail, Mr. Araya."

A bitter voice emerged from the fallen head.

"Though I survived through relics and my Origin, recovering from injuries dealt by the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception will take a century."

"Again, infinitely close yet missing by a hair. Can the Counter Force's interference truly never be overcome?"

"The Counter Force's interference, huh? Well, since we've been discovered, there's no choice." The dark figure looked at the shattered bounded field before him, releasing a helpless sigh.

As his words fell, piercing howls erupted throughout Tokyo!

"ROAAAAR—!!!"