Chapter 174
Chapter 174. Enemies and Allies
Every time I swing my blade, lives are extinguished.
Fragile! Too fragile!
My body is still incomplete. In human terms, I’m barely a teenage boy.
Yet—despite being attacked by multiple soldiers, I’m not losing strength in the slightest. Rather, even several of them combined cannot stop my strikes. My physical ability is boosted by overwhelming magical power.
Strong soldiers are having their arms shattered, their bodies cleaved in two, falling with hardly any resistance whatsoever.
Just how—how different is our base strength?!
“What’s wrong, Humans?!”
As I trample over the soldiers, I couldn’t help but shout.
“Is this really all you’ve got?!”
It was pitiful. The lack of competition was almost sad. The soldiers, who once displayed their hostility and intent to kill, now had twisted faces soaked in fear.
–No, I understand.
I’m the one who has sealed their only weapon—their coordination.
Still!
Even so, this is… too much!!
“… UooAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAA!!”
Driven by emotions that can only be described as a mix of rage and sorrow, I continued to swing my sword, refusing to stop.
One, two, three! In the blink of an eye, more have died!!
Everyone, I… killed—!!
‘Incredible…!!’
From some distant place, Antendeixis’ trembling voice echoed. Even now, the excess magical power that Antendeixis couldn’t contain was flowing inexorably into me.
My own status was being forcibly expanded. The feeling of omnipotence. The ecstasy of bending the laws of nature to my will. My arms, swinging the blade with all their might, felt lighter instead of tiring.
It had already been a one-sided battle, and the gap was only widening further—
“Hahaha!!”
I couldn’t help but laugh at this point.
Screw it! The Demon Race, the devils, they’re all crap!!
It’s a mistake for such trash to even exist in this world!!
I’ll erase them!! I’ll wipe them all out!!
So, you all— for that reason— for that purpose—
“Become my sustenance!!”
Blood winds. Severed limbs flying away. Heads soaring through the air.
The blood that the earth can’t absorb splashes noisily.
With no room to stand on the fallen corpses, I step over their bodies.
More. Faster. More, more quickly.
I need to end this fight as soon as possible.
This futile war…!
—Just then.
I sensed a surge of magical power behind me.
With a dull roar, stone spears rained down upon the soldiers who were timidly surrounding me. Shields and armor were pierced as easily as sheets of paper, soldiers getting impaled while still standing, meeting their end.
I didn’t even have to turn around. Kuvirtar’s [Stone Manipulation Curse].
“Here!!”
“Take this!!”
Another surge of magical power. Two chunks of inky black flames landed consecutively, spreading sticky cursed fire. The soldiers screamed and burned away like dried twigs.
It’s the Knight Brothers, Okay and Seirei.
In addition, bolts of lightning and blades of wind, curses poured down, claiming dozens of lives as if someone had simply blown out a candle. Kuvirtar’s subordinates continued to conjoin—
“Your Highness! I’m here to assist!!”
And then, emerging beside me was—Albar Aoril.
“Yo, hey!”
Mimicking my actions, Albar wielded a long spear tipped like a sword, skillfully striking alongside my movements, finding the gaps in the soldier’s shields and armor, mercilessly and accurately taking them down.
—In this space where coordination is forbidden.
Only Albar, loved for his [Free-spirited] nature, was coordinating with me.
“D-Dammit!!”
“Too strong!!”
“There’s no way we can win this!!”
Facing the simultaneous attacks from the Demon Race, the soldiers cried out in despair—
“—[Fierce Flames!]”
In that instant, an ominous surge of magical power from the top of the fortress.
A silver blaze came crashing down toward me.
“Yikes! Here we go!”
Albar countered the silver flames with a spear enveloped in thick dark magical power.
Warriors burst forth from the fortress keep—
“—[Pure winds, drive away this vile curse!]”
As an elf mage summoned a pleasant breeze, I felt the realm of [Restrictions] I had deployed crack and shatter.
“—[Great Protection!]”
A man clad in silver armor raised a shining silver shield. The soldiers, cloaked in silver light, shook off their fear and regained their stance.
“—[The foul curse shall pass us by.]”
And a man draped in ceremonial robes bestowed blessings. The soldiers, who until now had felt like mere paper dolls, gained solid weight. They became magically reinforced beings—
“I won’t let you all do as you please any longer, Demon Race!!”
With a stern face, the silver-armored warrior glared at me—
A Hero.
Hey now, isn’t their arrival a bit late?
Do you have any idea how many have died by now?
Wait, their armor’s covered in blood. Have they been fighting elsewhere?
So young. The Heroes and Priests alike. The swordsman beside them still looks like a rookie.
Everyone is really doing their best…
“… At last, you show yourselves, Holy Church!”
The corners of my mouth curled up in a smile.
“I’ve been waiting for you!!”
I glared at Kuvirtar and Albar by my side.
“—Leave the small fries to you. I’ll take him down.”
At my gaze, and the pressure that didn’t allow for discussion, the Demon Race nodded without hesitation.
Having gained protection, the soldiers, now tougher, were pushed onto my subordinates—
Raising my sword and spear, I turned to face the Heroes.
“—My name is Zilbagias— Sevenths Prince of the Demon Lord Kingdom, Zilbagias Reyju!”
At my proclamation, the Heroes’ eyes widened. That’s right. I’m a prince, aren’t I? The one who leads this army has finally shown himself…
“Now—come at me! Show me your power!!”
