Chapter 288
Chapter 288. Full Power and Tenacity
My hometown’s enemy, Demon Lord’s Prince No. 4, Emelgias.
Having been directly hit by a forbidden spell, my body moved sluggishly.
Before me, I stared wide-eyed at the blade approaching.
Finally, my sword, Adamas, was about to reach his throat――!
But suddenly, Emelgias’s expression fell away. His face was eerily innocent―― and his body slumped, all hostility and murderous intent vanished.
His lips moved.
“Ta-ii, abu”
――Ta-ii, abu……?
Innocent, like a baby’s cry. What was that mysterious incantation? A word? No―― what? His face looked as if reason had evaporated; completely defenseless despite being at a dead end. Yet, I swung my blade to decapitate him.
However, in that moment of confusion, a translucent tail of a serpent burst forth from Emelgias and struck my arm with a resounding crack. It wasn’t enough to stop me, but my blade wavered slightly.
Squirming.
Like being defanged, or like a snake, Emelgias bent his body in a grotesque manner. His green hair was partially sliced away in a near-miss――
Then, as if suddenly coming to his senses, Emelgias’s core returned. Hostility reignited, he tried to regain his stance while wielding a spear.
“Ugh――What the hell just happened!?”
Shaking his head as if to clear the drowsiness, but no, that’s my line! I frowned, realizing I’d missed my chance, and readjusted my grip on the spear-sword.
“[Forbidden to Use Spear Work!]”
Established. Emelgias’s hand holding the spear dulled. Without hesitation, I struck!
“……Forbidden……Demon God!? This guy is!?”
His spear, moving against his will, Emelgias looked at me with astonished eyes, as if conversing with someone――
‘――That guy! Is he possessed by a demon!?’
Antendeixis warned.
‘Be careful, there’s a demon within him, just like us.’
Just as he said, dark energy seeped from Emelgias’s body―― I envisioned a gigantic serpent coiling in the darkness. A demon within him…… that tail earlier must be it! But that’s like Platy’s many arms!
With a whoosh, the serpent tail again shot from Emelgias’s body like a whip. Anticipating this, I simply raised Adamas. With a sound akin to heated iron being plunged into water, the serpent’s tail was effortlessly sliced away and scattered into mist. A wave of magical energy like a scream――
“Ugh――Ooooh!! [Tear it apart]!”
Emelgias unleashed a blade of wind, and as if in response, my Bon-Deij shone emerald green, gaining resistance to wind. The enhanced protective spell repelled his offensive magic.
“[Offer it up!]”
“[I refuse!!]”
Desperately entangling devil spells only to be overthrown by my will.
You’re already past your limit! Since I’d heard from the old beastman Sword Saint, Dogajin, about the “curse that steals abilities,” I had been preparing for this day.
What is a curse? The clearer the target’s outline, the easier it is to resist.
Be it teleportation spells or the curse of the [Sadistic Demon], or your demon powers!!
And I promised that gentleman too…… I would avenger my enemies!
“Die alreadyyy!!”
The spear handle turned into a lengthy sword handle. The blade, scattering sparks of holy attributes, traced a silver arc through the darkness.
With a clang! My strike was slightly deflected. Realizing he couldn’t use his spear, Emelgias shrank the magical spear. Transitioning from a spear to a short metallic rod, unbound by magic, it was slammed into my holy sword.
As a consequence, the magical spear was severed. The shallow cut across his face registered the pain of holy attributes as “Gugaaaah!”
“Young’un!!”
While the female demon race aide, also stripped of her spear, tried to intervene.
Tap! Tap!
I knew it, the timing is just right――Barbara!
From deep in the darkness, the Sword Saint surged forth. Right before Leila released her breath, I had supplied enough magic. With a thrust like a superhuman speed merging with her sword, the catastrophic strike, trailing vapor explosions, lunged at Emelgias.
“――Take this!”
The female demon race, having discarded her useless spear, leaped at Barbara, not even acknowledging herself.
As her fingers snagged the dragon scales on Barbara’s surface and tore them away――
“Gyaaaa!”
Using the acceleration from the Sword Saint, the female demon led her fall and threw her at Emelgias, who was now astonished, “What!?”.
Flung away, Barbara smashed through the fortress doors and out――
What the hell, she’s not a Sword Saint, is she!? A demon race with this level of martial arts exists……!?
However, even if Barbara was stopped, my holy sword would not be halted!
He’s unarmed now, this time I’m going to slice him up!
“Nh…… Ooooooh!!”
Emelgias, glancing around, gritted his teeth and glared at me. Those eyes were not giving up; still struggling――!?
Suddenly, with a swoosh, Emelgias accelerated and leaped sideways.
The distance between us widened. He’s moving like a demon, defying the laws of physics!
……No, was that wind!? Did he release a strong gale to move!? If I looked closely, beneath Emelgias’s armor, the serpent leather of his Bon-Deij glowed and wriggled. His Bon-Deij had a hidden function; in close combat, that was pretty troublesome!
If he keeps dodging around, it’ll be a hassle. Antendeixis!
“[Forbidden to Flee!]”
Further established. Emelgias’s movements dulled.
“[Scatter into pieces!]”
Still, he flung wind blades in all directions. Like that futile struggle would work; all of it was blocked by my protective spells.
“――I’m sorry,”
Emelgias suddenly apologized with a serious face, as if spitting out blood. What? Is he begging for his life now?
“Forgive me……!!”
…………No, it’s different!
It wasn’t directed at me, it was him――!
“[――Offer it up!]”
At his feet lay three Izanis tribe warriors, charred black from the breath attack.
Caught in the wind blades, the bloodied, nearly lifeless demons――
Zwoosh, magical power was siphoned away.
Emelgias’s presence swelled, while conversely, the demons became as brittle and fleeting as withered leaves. Dammit, that’s the play he went for……!
“[I am Emelgias Izanis!]”
Demon Lord’s Prince No. 4 surged with magical power.
“[The one destined to become the ‘Strongest’ of the Demon Lord Kingdom!]”
He picked up the fallen spear of the demon and gripped it tightly.
“[Only a Demon Lord can bind me―― know that!]”
With a loud snap, Emelgias broke free of the forbidden magic. The stolen magical power, the reaffirmed [Identity], and having recognized the [Forbidden] strengthened his resistance……!!
“Y-young……”
“Hiss. Stay alert, that Sword Saint is coming again.”
“……Yes!”
With one arm in tatters and nearly severed, the female demon race stood ready with an expression that suppressed both confusion and pain.
On the other hand, I was trembling―― it was a long-forgotten feeling. I felt once again the injustice of the demon race and the very existence of demons.
Do you know how I’ve strived to raise my magical power……!?
And this happened…… so easily……!!
‘That guy―― is dangerous.’
Antendeixis said in a voice colder than ever.
Having drained magic from three viscounts and earls, Emelgias was rapidly approaching me. Extracting all the magic I’d entrusted to Antendeixis and doubling my [Identity] now……!
“Don’t you mess with me……!”
“That’s my line……!!”
As I involuntarily growled, showing his teeth, Emelgias replied in kind.
“What the hell is that…… Holy attributes!? Contracted to the Sword Saint of the Undead, and now you’re using the power of a Demon God…… why are you……, no……!”
Narrowing his eyes, Emelgias muttered, “Forbidden…….”
“[――Dragons! Return to the castle and report, the Seventh Demon Lord Prince is in danger of rebellion! This one uses the Hero’s holy attributes… a traitor of the demon race!!]”
Emelgias cast a [Message Spell].
As expected, he swiftly thought of what would be most unpleasant for me right now. Truly a genius at harassing……!!
But.
“――[What happened!? Respond with a roar!]”
Emelgias looked puzzled. He must’ve realized.
There was no response to the [Message Spell].
“……!?”
Glancing back, outside the door, what Emelgias saw was.
――The dragons falling helplessly from the sky.
†††
After breathing fire upon the demon race.
Leila swiftly transformed into a human and dashed through the hall, escaping through a window, then transformed back into a dragon and soared into the sky.
“Oops, I can’t let you through.”
However, blocking her path―― was a huge shadow.
Four green dragons, brought by Emelgias.
“Please, let me through…… it’s my master’s crisis!”
In mid-air, flapping her wings and hovering, Leila pleaded.
Gurugurug, the green dragons laughed mockingly.
“Sure, but no way.”
“We won’t get involved in the demon’s disputes……”
“In exchange, you’ve been told you’re free to do as you wish.”
Their grating, metallic voices dripped with disdain.
“It’s been a while, and you’ve become quite the beauty, huh?”
“Idiot, didn’t you always transform in the cave?”
“That’s true!”
“This is the first time we see you up close.”
Circling around Leila slowly, their rude gazes fixated on her.
“I like slender girls like you, you know.”
“A sleek neck is enticing.”
“Hey hey, are you sure? Your color’s gonna mix, you know?”
“Not a problem; you’re just a child of the white dragon anyway…….”
Flinging out whatever they pleased, Leila narrowed her eyes.
“If you’re going to get in my way…… I’ll force my way through.”
But her brave words only drew more laughter.
“Try if you can, young lady.”
“You don’t think you can escape from us, right?”
“No dragon can match the speed of the green dragon’s wind.”
“Plus the difference in numbers and size! If you cause trouble, you’ll just get hurt!”
Gurugurug.
“True……it seems tough without help. You guys look really strong.”
Glancing at one of the green dragons, Leila spoke timidly.
“Hahaha, that’s cute.”
“Uh-huh, and you’re pretty muscular too.”
“Right, right? You’ve got good eyes.”
“If you’re gonna pick, I’d like both of you……”
Leila looked down, while the two dragons snickered wickedly, the remaining two exchanged glances while flapping their wings.
“Something feels off.”
“Did she just regain her confidence too quick?”
“That’s right.”
Leila raised her head.
“[If you become my allies, it would be reassuring. Isn’t that right――?]”
Her golden eyes glimmered ominously.
“――Watch out, don’t look into her eyes!!”
One of the dragons shouted in realization, but it was too late.
“‘Gogaaaaah!!’”
Caught off guard, the two dragons fell into a frenzy after being hit by Leila’s [Charm], turning their attacks on the other two.
“Wha—Don’t be stupid――”
“Gawaaaaa!”
“Snap out of it! Guh, Gaaah!”
“Goouuu!”
Sure enough, the four green dragons got entangled in the air. Leila, with a cold glance, took a deep breath.
“――Gaaaah!!”
With all her might, she breathed fire.
Burning two of the enchanted individuals fully in a light breath. The other two, blinded, spiraled down.
The ground trembled. Leila spread her wings, quickly going in for the kill. She bit into the neck of one unconscious dragon and savagely ripped its throat apart.
“Ugh……why―― who taught you the white dragon’s magic――”
The other dragon, probably having returned to its senses after the charm, struggled to rise.
“Of course, my father.”
Spitting out the scales, Leila replied curtly and once again let her eyes gleam.
“…………”
This time, gaining an entranced expression, she took the throat he had offered and mercilessly crushed it.
The green dragons certainly had the advantage in numbers and size over Leila.
However, to some degree, they were aware of it.
As the daughter of the tribe chief, Leila—
Knew she couldn’t be bested in magical power.
The four of them had been overconfident because they assumed Leila lacked proper training as a dragon.
Never had they anticipated that, in addition to the white dragon’s magic, she inherited her father’s battle experience――
“Damn, don’t think I’ll let this slide for free!”
A voice came from mid-air. And another ground rumble from a different direction. It seemed the other battle had reached its conclusion.
The last dragon, likely having just disabled the charmed individuals, was bleeding from various wounds as it ascended.
Claiming to have “wings that summon the wind,” its flight speed was indeed astounding. It seemed it intended to create some distance from Leila――
“I was told this, you know.”
Leila murmured in a mechanical tone.
“Don’t let them escape, okay.”
……To be precise, the instruction was, “make sure they can’t fly.”
Suuuu―― she inhaled.
“――Gaaaah!!”
That was the angry breath of a dragon. Venting her extremely unpleasant feelings from having to endure those derisive gazes for even a moment.
Bathed in a massive pillar of light, the green dragon had its wing membranes burned away, screaming as it plummeted.
Having climbed higher had become its undoing.
For those without wings, the laws of nature were cruel――
With a thunderous crash came the sound of bones shattering and flesh squashing.
Deservedly, its flying speed was something to behold, but――
“From the light’s perspective, it looks like you were standing still.”
Leila, with her wings extended, swiftly moved in to deliver the final blow to the remaining dragon.
