Chapter 257.2. It’s Punishment Time!

Upon the simmering magma, Miu descends gracefully. She adjusts her wrist, returning the Radiant Sword to its base form.
Mega Queen tries to rise and make a strained metallic noise, but it sinks into the magic-charged magma. Its legs melt away in the molten goo.
“You can’t fight anymore, can you? How about some questions?”
Walking calmly atop the magma, Miu approaches the fallen Mega Queen. She questions it while remaining composed.
Miu’s feet don’t sink into the magma, nor does the intense heat affect her. This scorching hellish environment is her creation, brought forth by her magic.
“Grr, I can still fight!”
Raising its shattered and partially severed foreleg, Mega Queen attempts to struggle.
“It’s pointless.”
With a cold expression, Miu lightly slashes the Shining Sword horizontally. The foreleg is sliced into sections, becoming fragments that dissolve and sink into the magma.
With its mana nearly depleted, Mega Queen no longer possesses the power it had moments ago. It can’t harm Miu anymore.
“So, a question. Why did you try to kill me? And you sacrificed your daughter for it.”
“B-Because you were a hindrance. I need to crush your noble line.”
“Menou Marquisate possesses an overwhelming fortune. There should be a way for them to recover. I think you didn’t have to create such an absurd magic weapon and squander your resources.”
Mega Queen’s funding must have been outrageous. It wouldn’t be surprising if the development costs reached trillions. 
They likely exhausted all the precious treasures and rare minerals owned by Menou Marquisate. The response seems far too unnatural.
As a noble, even if they lamented this incident, they would endure and plan for a revival. Especially for a cunning Marquisate like the Menou family.
“You’re an obstruction. Your existence is troublesome. Th-That’s what I’ve been told…”
Noticing an oddity in his tone, Miu narrows her eyebrows. Something seems off.
“Last question. The magic stone used in Mega Queen, it’s the same Queen Ant magic stone that once offered to the Emperor, right? It was supposed to be securely stored in the Royal Treasury.”
Exhaling softly, Miu speaks in a determined manner.
“Who took out the magic stone? It couldn’t have been the Emperor’s Faction. They didn’t need to erase Miu to that extent, and it’s unlikely they had such a powerful connection with the opposing Menou Marquisate.”
It had been Miu’s doubt for a while. She had been questioning it for some time.
“Who instigated you? No, who is controlling you?”
In the original story, the Royal Family members were easily killed one after another. They were diminished through rebellions and attacks.
Initially, I had assumed the imperial family members were just foolish, but the Emperor I met during the audience seemed intelligent. He seemed to be somewhat cunning.
He wasn’t the sort to be casually manipulated by Duke Kanna’s schemes like in the original story. 
This discrepancy had been bothering me, leading me to question why Duke Kanna’s plans were so successful.
And it seemed I had finally reached the answer.
“You don’t have to answer. Is it one of the Emperor’s most trusted aides? Someone who rarely appears in public.”
Though they should be the Emperor’s closest aide, I have a strong hunch about someone who rarely appears in public.
If anyone could accomplish this, it would be that person.
They’re diminishing the security during the Emperor’s important ceremony. For example, the coming-of-age ceremony, where his prestige was at stake.
They were inciting Nagamasa, who has the [God Armor] and overwhelmingly strong abilities but an odd complex, to betray the Emperor and the Royal Guards.
They were monitoring Seina’s actions and setting traps for the Royal Guards.
They were delivering incorrect information to prompt monsters to attack Nobunaga in the future.
Similarly, the Emperor also gets assassinated unexpectedly. 
And thus, Shin is crowned as the new Emperor. That’s the plan. 
They go unnoticed by everyone. They’re the one who can make it happen.
This individual can move secretly in the shadows, taking action without anyone noticing.
“Who’s going to tell you that? Dieee, Takano Miu!”
Fen screams as if he’s gone mad. Then, Mega Quen’s chest opens, revealing a magic circle comprised of rubies imbued with magic.
[Initiate]
As mana explodes like a flash, he releases flame-like beams of light. 
The ground gets upheaved, space gets shaved away, and a scorching inferno approaches.
It seems he had hidden his final trump card.
“Now I’ll show you the most powerful Grand Mage’s ma~gic!”
However, Miu’s ice-blue eyes harbor a profound darkness. She extends her small hand, casting a shadow over the approaching inferno.
[Soul Awakening]
[Three Consecutive Magic]
[hree Consecutive Magic]
[Absolute Zero]
[Absolute Zero]
[Absolute Zero]
[Absolute Zero]
[Absolute Zero]
[Absolute Zero]
-Fused-
[World Freeze]
From Miu’s palm, a blue light radiates, illuminating the surroundings. 
This azure light is the power of Miu’s magic, possessing a terrifying might that transforms the world into an icy realm.
The world bathed in azure light freezes and comes to a halt with a resounding noise. 
The scorching hell transforms into a world of azure, and snowflakes flutter from the sky.
The inferno freezes into pillars of ice while retaining its fiery shape.
And Mega Queen has transformed into a shimmering ice sculpture.
Now immobilized, its body has turned into nothing more than an ice object.
“It seems Mii-chan’s final trump card had more power!”
In the world of silence, Miu’s voice resonates.
And so, Mega Queen crumbles into icy particles, falling apart.
-Destroyed Mega Queen. Killed Menou Fen. Destroyed a coconut-
The log is displayed, and a cold breeze brushes against Miu’s cheeks.
She brushes her hair disturbed by the wind and tilts her head.
Coconut? What’s that? 
Could it be that Coconut was Ymir’s true form? 
Perhaps Munin couldn’t analyze Ymir because, judging by the name, he wasn’t a living being. I see. That makes sense.