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“Wendy….”

It couldn’t have been more than an hour. Even though it was just a short time since I last saw her, Wendy was looking at me with an expression of deep longing.

Seeing her face, my mind snapped back to reality.

Wasn’t this a space created by William’s memories and my own? There was no way Wendy could be here. Did that mean she was an illusion created by my memories?

“How… did you get here?”

“W-Well, Master Myohail opened a path for me! When the Count suddenly collapsed, I was so shocked, but Master said there was a way…! He manipulated the magic formula flowing through the magic power and created a passage for me to come here…! And then….”

“…….”

Seeing her ramble on, it didn’t seem like she was just a figment of my imagination.

I didn’t fully understand what she was saying, but to summarize, it seemed Myohail had used a magic formula to send Wendy here.

This was strange. I had foreseen this situation and asked Myohail for a favor in advance. If I were to awaken as the Demon Lord and lose control, I asked him to “dispose” of me.

So why had Wendy come here?

Above all, this was a situation where the hero had come to save the Demon Lord… something unheard of.

“Why?”

“Huh?”

“Sealing or killing me would have been the safest and most certain method.”

I didn’t want to admit it, but I had failed to overcome the trial of despair. Not only that, I had given the demons an opening, been thoroughly beaten, and was on the verge of losing my body.

Anyone who saw me, having lost my mind after being infected by William’s despair, would have thought I was a failure. Yet, despite that, why were Myohail and Wendy trying to save me?

No. Right now, there was something more urgent than that….

“Go back.”

I arrogantly commanded Wendy as I got up.

“Huh? B-But….”

“Go back now. If you’re worried about me, all the more reason to leave.”

Wendy was like a sensitive spot for me.

Even though I had avoided countless death flags, she was still the biggest one. If anything happened to her here, I was done for.

Even if I survived alone, there was no telling when the missing protagonist might suddenly appear and kill me, so I decided to send her back.

But Wendy shook her head vigorously.

“No! I’m not going back alone…!”

Surprisingly, she refused my command.

She, who had always been obedient and loyal, was now refusing with all her might. And I soon found out why.

“If I do that… I might never see the Count again…. I don’t want that. I really don’t….”

Wendy’s large eyes were filled with my reflection, as if I were her entire world.

“Besides, I heard from Master. The reason the Count is trying to become the Demon Lord….”

That surprised me.

I hadn’t expected Myohail to reveal that to Wendy. I thought he was tight-lipped, but it seemed he just didn’t care enough to speak up before.

After ending his reclusive lifestyle and starting to live in the mansion, Myohail had changed. No, thinking about it, it was all because of Wendy.

Myohail cherished her as much as I did. The reason he came out of seclusion was entirely because of Wendy. Whether it was because he wanted to see his cute disciple grow or because he felt like he had a granddaughter, I couldn’t tell.

But it made sense that Wendy, who had made Myohail spill the secret and come here to save me, was worth considering.

Originally, Wendy should have been killed by Tristan. But she was appointed as an exclusive maid, performed her role, and even entered university as an excellent student.

Now, she had surpassed the protagonist, her brother Peter, and become a hero candidate.

And now, she was looking at me with an expression of admiration, as if I were some great person.

“Knowing that… how could I leave the Count behind? S-So please, take back your words….”

She was still clumsy, stuttering, and a crybaby, but even after repeatedly falling into “misfortune,” she kept getting back up.

That’s why Wendy had been able to grow and come this far.

“And actually, once I’m here, I can’t leave alone unless we defeat the demon. Hehe….”

In the end, she was saying she would share my fate.

What was so good about that to make her smile so innocently…?

I couldn’t help but sigh.

“That was reckless….”

“I-It might be reckless! But Master said that defeating the demon directly is the only way to save the Count…!”

“Ha! You think you can defeat me? Dream big.”

A voice that seemed to rise from the depths of hell made us turn around.

“Finished talking? Brat.”

Ruelberta, whose arm had regenerated, was glaring at us.

Even though we had allowed a sneak attack, a demon was still a demon. The attack Wendy had landed earlier didn’t seem to have done much damage.

“Stay back.”

“Count…?”

“Cough…. He’s a high-ranking demon. It’s too dangerous for you. Hide somewhere safe.”

I drew the sword I was carrying and said that. But….

“N-No.”

Wendy refused my command again.

“We… we made a promise, didn’t we?”

“A promise?”

What promise had we made? As I tilted my head in confusion, Wendy stammered.

“D-Don’t you remember? When I asked you to take me to the north, I promised… to protect you….”

Ah, we had made that promise.

It wasn’t very reliable, but….

But the next moment, my eyes widened.

What Wendy pulled out from her apron pocket was a faintly glowing coin.

“That’s… could it be….”

“D-Don’t worry….”

The Miracle Coin, which could only be obtained from a god. Clutching it tightly, she declared to me.

“This time… just this once, I’ll protect you….”

*

My body felt as light as a feather.

The warm magic flowing through my body felt incredibly good.

Wendy swung the Prandecker in her hand.

Once, twice, three times….

With each swing, I could feel her speed increasing.

Yet, Wendy still had room to spare.

‘I think I can swing even faster…!’

Wendy, who had once been praised by Bella, the empire’s greatest swordsman of the modern era.

But if Bella saw Wendy swinging her sword now, she would probably be too shocked to speak.

“Ugh?!”

The cloth covering the demon’s chest was torn.

After allowing one attack, Wendy’s sword shredded his clothes.

Even though it was broken and shortened, the remaining blade was incredibly sharp. Moreover, she easily took control of the battle by overcoming her only weakness, her pitiful reach.

But the demon wasn’t just going to take it.

“Stop flailing around…!”

Wendy ducked as the demon’s sharp claws, which could slice through a giant bear’s thick hide like paper, slashed through the air. A few strands of her red hair scattered in the air.

“You dodged well. But…!”

The demon closed the distance to Wendy in an instant with a nasty smile.

Wendy’s stance had been broken from dodging the previous attack. He was aiming for that defenseless moment.

The demon’s kick, faster than human eyes could follow, flew toward Wendy’s neck.

“?!”

The next moment, the demon’s face was slammed into the white snow.

The moment he extended his leg, Wendy grabbed him and threw him to the ground.

Even Wendy, who had flipped the demon in an instant, was surprised at how her body moved as she thought. It was the first time she had properly used the martial arts she had learned from Blanshe.

Above all… Wendy’s body was now overflowing with strength like never before.

“You little….”

The demon’s face lost its composure.

“I don’t know what kind of magic you just used… but is that your true form? Brat.”

“I’m not a brat.”

Wendy puffed out her cheeks.

Using the Miracle Coin to unleash the Hero’s Power, she had transformed from a girl into a woman.

Even though it wasn’t the time, she couldn’t help but wonder how Tristan was looking at her now.

Was he seeing her in a new light? She thought she had shown a cool enough side while fighting the demon, but who knew….

At that moment.

“Duck!”

“E-Eek?!”

At Tristan’s shout, Wendy quickly grabbed her head and ducked. That action saved her. The rock behind her was shattered by the demon’s magic.

“Don’t let your guard down, Wendy.”

“S-Sorry… Ah!? No, I’m sorry!”

In her panic, the speech pattern she had been holding back slipped out.

‘Ugh… so embarrassing….’

Thinking she had shown an unsightly side, Wendy’s face turned red.

But that thought was short-lived.

“You damn brat…. How dare you interfere?”

The man who stood up, brushing off the snow, looked exactly like Tristan from head to toe. But his eyes were bloodshot, filled with malice toward the two of them.

Wendy didn’t need an explanation to know.

This man was the demon who had cursed the Ruelberta family.

Thinking that, Wendy’s anger flared.

“Do you know how much… how much pain the Count has suffered because of you?”

“Pain?”

The demon laughed as if he found it ridiculous.

Even though he had the face of a handsome young man like Tristan, his laughter was somehow eerie.

“Who said anything about suffering? If there are people causing pain and blaming others, just kill them. The Ruelberta family had the power to do that, didn’t they?”

“Don’t talk nonsense! You demon!”

“Well said. The Ruelberta family is a family of demons.”

“…Huh? N-No. What?”

“I am the demon of ‘Wrath,’ Ruelberta. The first head of the Ruelberta family and the embodiment of ‘Wrath’ passed down through the generations.”

Wendy swallowed hard.

The Count’s ancestor was a real demon…?

Demons are beings born from destruction and chaos, living in hell.

And such a demon was the founder of the Ruelberta family….

She glanced at Tristan beside her, but his expression was calm, as if he already knew.

Wendy closed her mouth.

Right. Nothing changes. No matter what the Ruelberta family’s past was, Tristan was her kind master. That would never change.

“But how did you recognize Tristan?”

The demon Ruelberta spoke.

“I transformed to look exactly like him. Did you figure it out because of his eyes?”

“No. Our Count isn’t a bad person who torments the wounded like you!”

“Cough…!”

Tristan, who was behind her, started coughing.

“A-Are you okay!?”

“…I’m fine. Cough.”

Tristan, covering his mouth with his hand, coughed. In that brief moment, Wendy could see blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.

Tristan’s injuries were severe. He needed treatment as soon as possible. The longer this dragged on, the worse it would be for us.

But the demon didn’t seem to want to drag this out either.

“Enough of this nonsense.”

A sinister incantation flowed from Ruelberta’s mouth. At the same time, a black magic formula was drawn around him.

“Be born.”

The magic formula writhed, and soon, grotesque beings crawled out of it.

Minotaur-like creatures with goat heads instead of bulls. Their backs had bat-like wings.

Screaaaaa-

Two monsters, easily five meters tall, stood towering over the snowy field. Wielding axes and spears, they let out eerie cries.

Moreover, their faces were covered with eyes. Murky, dark eyes that moved around.

“Ugh….”

At the sight, Wendy instinctively stepped back. Seeing the black magic power rising from their bodies, they were undoubtedly demons.

Don’t be scared….

As Wendy steeled herself, Ruelberta’s creepy laughter echoed.

“Aren’t they cute? Demons made with my magic power.”

“Disgusting.”

“Despite their cute appearance, they have quite the appetite. I’ve been starving them for almost a month, so they’re a bit ferocious. They especially like wounded prey.”

“W-Wait…?!”

Only then did Wendy notice the two demons’ gazes fixed on Tristan.

Screaaaaa!!

The two roared.

The sound was so horrifying that Wendy wanted to cover her ears.

‘The Count… is in danger!’

Wendy quickly drew a magic formula in the air to create a barrier for Tristan. But….

“Don’t even think about it. Brat.”

An invisible claw slashed Wendy’s elbow.

“Ugh?!”

She barely twisted her body, but her elbow was torn, and bright red blood flowed down.

“Getting distracted? You really are a brat. Your opponent is me.”

“Move aside!”

“Hmph. Did you think I’d let you save that man?”

Ruelberta continued to press Wendy with his sharp claws.

“Move!”

“Ha! Try and get past me!”

Meanwhile, Tristan was alone, facing the two giant demons. In his weakened state, he was desperately resisting. No, he was doing everything he could just to avoid their attacks.

He had no strength left to fight. If this continued, he wouldn’t last long.

Sure enough.

Wendy’s prediction came true.

“C-Count!”

The demon’s kick hit Tristan square in the chest. As he crashed to the ground, spraying blood, Wendy’s patience finally ran out.

“Eek?!”

In an instant, she released her magic power and rushed toward Tristan.

With the sole thought of saving him no matter what.

“Seems like that man is very important to you.”

The chilling voice from behind made Wendy freeze. As if he had been waiting for this moment, the demon Ruelberta sneered.

“Don’t you wonder what expression he’ll make when I kill you, who’s so precious to him?”

“?!”

Oh no….

Only then did Wendy realize the demon’s true goal.

She swung her sword to slash the demon behind her.

“Guh…!”

“Too late!”

Ruelberta’s elongated hand, sharp as a blade, flashed.

Crash-!

With a dry sound, Wendy’s vision suddenly flipped.

“…Huh?”

She felt the cold sensation of snow.

When she came to her senses, Wendy was lying on the snowy ground.

What’s going on…?

Above her, lying sprawled on the snow, was a black shadow. It was none other than….

“Are you hurt…?”

“Count…?”

The black noble… Tristan was looking down at her.

Only then did Wendy vaguely realize that Tristan had thrown himself to save her.

“Can you get up?”

“Ah…? Yes….”

Tristan calmly helped her sit up and checked her over.

“…It seems you’re not hurt. That’s good.”

At that moment, Wendy felt a sense of doubt.

‘How…?’

Tristan was injured. Moreover, he had been attacked by a giant demon.

He shouldn’t have had the strength to save her….

As if sensing her thoughts, Tristan showed her the ring on his hand.

“Fortunately, I had some magic power stored here.”

Wendy knew. That magic power was clearly something Tristan had saved for emergencies. Yet, he had used it to save her.

“Sniff…. You told me not to be reckless….”

Her nose stung.

Ah, I shouldn’t cry like this in front of him….

“Even though you’re being so reckless too… sob….”

“…….”

Even as tears streamed down her face, Tristan said nothing.

He simply leaned against her slowly.

Wendy, held in his embrace, gently closed her eyes.

Tristan’s embrace was warm.

Whether she was happy, sad, plagued by nightmares, or in pain, he had always held her like this.

How many times had she been saved by that warmth?

Wendy opened her eyes again.

Then, a strange sight came into view.

“…Huh?”

The white snowy field was now stained with blood.

It was like a scene from a nightmare.

Who had shed so much blood?

As Wendy tried to check her own body, she froze.

She realized her hand was wet with something warm and sticky.

“Ah….”

Just before she could figure out what it was, Wendy saw “it” that had been hidden from her view.

“No….”

It was a long object piercing Tristan’s back.

“No…. Please….”

The object that had pierced his back and stomach was none other than the hand of the demon Ruelberta.

Realizing the source of the abnormal bleeding, Wendy’s face twisted.

“No…!”

*

“I said I’d protect you…!”

Wendy was crying in my arms.

“I said I’d protect you…! I said I’d protect you…!”

“Wendy….”

Blood flowed from the corner of my mouth.

At this point, surprisingly, it didn’t hurt.

“Please…. Don’t die! Count! Don’t die…. Don’t die…!”

Wendy pleaded with me in a broken voice.

Seeing her tear-streaked face, I instinctively tried to wipe her tears.

But my hand was already covered in bright red blood, so I couldn’t.

‘Ah…. I’m going to die.’

I had lost too much blood. My mind was hazy.

“I-I’ll be a good girl…!”

She hugged me with all her strength.

“I won’t break any dishes…! I won’t spill tea…. I’ll really…. really treat you well…! So please…!”

Wendy sobbed.

“Don’t go… don’t die….”

“Wendy….”

“I don’t like this.”

A cold voice made me look up. The demon, who looked exactly like me, was standing there.

“To think you’d throw your life away for such a brat. I must have misjudged you, Tristan.”

Ruelberta sneered at me as I lay dying.

“I wanted to see your true ‘Wrath’ at the end. What a pity.”

“…Don’t get the wrong idea.”

I strained my voice.

“I won’t be consumed by ‘Wrath’ like you…. It won’t end with ‘Wrath’….”

“Hmph…. A dying man’s last words….”

“By the way, your mother said something….”

“What?”

The sudden comment made Ruelberta frown.

“There’s an important condition to become the Demon Lord….”

“Condition…? What is it?”

“‘Despair’….”

I painfully read the message floating in the air.

My last remaining card.

+

Trait: Despair

Rank: SSS

Details

 

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