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Chapter 286. Thrown

It was Leila who first noticed it. The flying object in the night sky.

Next, I sensed an approaching magical power. When I stepped outside, four dragons were about to land in front of the fortress.

Descending gracefully from their saddle was a green-haired demon—

Emelgias = Izanis.

Dressed in serpent leather, styled like a Bondage, and wearing bone armor, he wielded a magical spear made by dwarves.

His face bore scars reminiscent of snake scales, and his pupils were elongated. He looked less like a demon and more like a beast.

………..

Hasn’t his magical power become absurdly strong…? Isn’t he bigger than me?

Hey, Antendeixis.

‘—The nature of his magic is entirely different than before. He must have accepted the powers of demons beyond their limits.’

Antendeixis coolly analyzed.

‘He has partially become one of our kind. It’s remarkable he can still move while retaining his original personality despite being mortal.’

Now that I think about it, I heard he fell ill after his visit to the Demon World. He skipped the last dinner party, and I thought he was just embarrassed and hiding away.

But being unwell is the least of it.

What is this magic? It’s easily at the level of a Grand Duke. How does he compare to Aiogias?

‘Barely, Aiogias is still superior.’

…Antendeixis, the portion I entrusted to you.

‘If you return everything, you’d be roughly equal to Aiogias now.’

So my original magical power is nearly on par with this green guy? I understood, but since returning from my first battle, I’ve barely gained any power myself.

Not nearly as dramatically as he has. Damn it, what on earth did he use?

And he’s practically fully equipped. Meanwhile, I have just the Bondage beneath my clothes and Adamas. Just as Barbara had said, I should’ve equipped the white dragon scale armor.

“It’s not peaceful, is it, brother?”

With that, I called out to him.

“What do you want?”

It was clear it was no good reason.

“I’d like you to hand over the results of your research.”

In a slightly higher but still gritty voice, Emelgias spoke.

“Huh?”

His high-handed words made me respond without thinking.

…Results of necromancy research? Countermeasures against Enma? Why? …Wait, how did he even find out about the research? Could it be that the Demon Lord spilled the beans? Why? Even so, I don’t understand why he wants it.

“Of course, I won’t ask for it for free. If you hand over the results quietly, I’ll make you a valuable asset under my command.”

…???

What the hell is he saying? There are so many points I want to poke fun at; it’s confusing. This doesn’t even feel like a negotiation.

…No, it’s clear he never intended to negotiate from the start. His sinister, clingy gaze seems to hope I would resist.

Seeing the tense expressions of his subordinates and the dragons watching from a distance—so it seems he’s been itching for a fight from the beginning.

If this was the former annoying green guy, he would’ve laughed it off and slammed the door shut, ending the conversation.

But now, the coiling serpent… no, the swirling vortex of magic.

Ignoring him is no longer an option.

“What will you do? End your life here, or live longer as my subordinate…?”

He chuckled, as if reveling in his own words.

I have a hunch. That overpowering feeling when you gather massive amounts of magic. Could it be that he’s gotten addicted to that? It can’t have been long since his magic reached this level… Did he grow that rapidly?

“Does Father know about this?”

But I avoided that topic and reminded him of the Demon Lord’s existence to gauge his reaction.

“He’d certainly be angry.”

With a half-smile, Emelgias replied nonchalantly.

“But Father isn’t here. If you take a shot at me, you’ll be punished, but based on past examples, it’ll likely be just confinement.”

So he’s decided he doesn’t mind facing penalties.

“However, killing you would result in a heavier punishment… I’d prefer not to kill, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t resist too much…”

A poisonous wind of magical power washed over me.

A menacing aura filled with murderous intent.

My hair stood on end.

—In joy.

This was a clear threat. Finally, he crossed that line.

How nice of him to come at me. Haha. I didn’t expect it to come this soon…

I’ve been waiting for this day.

If he’s coming at me, I have a justifiable reason to strike back.

I’ll never forget. The burning village. Claire surrounded by goblins. That bastard laughing as he skewered my father’s head with a spear, my mother running while carrying me, countless arrows from night elves sticking into her back—

Even if my memories fade and fray, I will never forget this scene.

How many times have I dreamed of this…! How many times have I had nightmares…!

My blood was boiling. On the other hand, my head was cooling down, beginning to plot how to turn this battlefield to my advantage.

“There’s no escape.”

Emelgias sneered as he watched me scanning the surroundings.

No way, I’m just thinking about how to off you in the easiest way possible. You’ve brought six subordinates and four dragons along. Quite a lineup, from viscounts to earls. That seems like all the enemy’s fighting force, but… it’s troublesome if there are other lackeys hiding around the fortress.

Emelgias, in terms of magical power alone, is quite the formidable foe. Since we both have to play our cards wisely, if we get into a brawl outside, it could easily be witnessed by someone—

“I have a question for you, brother.”

I quickly gathered my thoughts, putting on a cheerful smile while I asked.

“You mentioned your research results; what exactly are you expecting?”

Seeing I didn’t flinch, Emelgias narrowed his eyes, his smile disappearing.

“The high-speed communication technology associated with the undead. It could threaten our Izanis tribe’s position.”

…Ah, I see now. Apparently, the Daily Evaroti has been leaked. It really could undermine the advantages of the Izanis tribe.

If he misunderstood that I was actively testing that out—well, that explains why his lackeys are following him in this reckless act.

Such fools. They really are fools.

‘Not even realizing I’m keeping it from the Demon Lord…’

I haven’t started operations yet because it’d be too powerful, but inadvertently, I seem to be protecting the position of the Izanis tribe as well. It’s laughable.

“Ha ha ha ha ha…!”

I laughed, stepping away from the sword’s hilt, enjoying the moment.

“Unfortunately, it seems there’s a misunderstanding, brother.”

In response, Emelgias, still narrowing his eyes, scrutinized me closely.

“The results I’m researching are entirely different. It’s quicker to see than talk, and since we’re in a bit of a hurry, why don’t you step inside?”

I acted as if nothing was amiss, casually opening the fortress door and urged him to enter.

—Right inside the main chamber.

To the kill zone where Barbara and a dragon-form Leila were waiting.

The moment they noticed the dragons approaching, they’d entered a combat-ready stance. Liliana was strategically a bit farther back just in case.

Considering the possibility that other subordinates might be lurking around the fortress, drawing him into a space where obstacles to vision could be minimized is the best option.

Of course, there were other witnesses present. Emelgias’s subordinates and the dragons.

But it’s no problem. I’ll kill them all…!!

The Adamas at my waist rattled—

In that moment.

Behind me, Emelgias’s magical power surged.

“[Tear them apart.]”

—A storm of wind blades raged through the interior of the fortress.

 

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