Chapter 461
Chapter 461. Grudge to the Bone
“Alright… let’s do this.”
I steeled myself and got up.
After hearing the story from Virosa, I filled my stomach with camp food, took a little rest, and then used the teleportation spell again on Leila…
My condition was stable, and my motivation was reset.
—I’m about to summon Arthur and the others.
As a human with strong magical power, and freshly dead, I’m sure… my consciousness is still intact.
“…………”
It wasn’t just that I felt heavy. The irregular breathing and racing heart weren’t due to poison.
…But I can’t just stay like this.
I recited the spell and opened the gate to the spirit world.
“【Come forth――】”
I called out.
“【Lexar, Gier, Archie, Reni, Ralph――】”
And then.
“【――Arthur】”
O-o-o-o
Before me, from the black gate of dark magical power――
They burst forth.
The souls.
‘What… is this place?’
‘Whoa, it’s hot, hot… huh?’
‘What’s… happening!? Where’s the Demon Lord’s Prince!?’
They seemed confused, as if time had stopped since their moment of death,
They exchanged glances, and their gazes――focused on me.
“I’m terribly… sorry!!”
I shouted, dropping down onto the sandy beach.
‘――Zilbagias!?’
Bishop Lexar screamed with a shocked face, looking down at his translucent hands,
‘【Holy light, come to this hand!】’
Wow, that was a quick self-spiritualization decision! Plus, the holy silver spell spread to the surrounding Vampire Hunters! In an instant, a collective of holy spirits is born!
‘【God’s Roar!】’
“Gwaaahhh!!”
Bishop Lexar’s lightning magic hit directly, making me scream involuntarily.
‘What do you mean “I’m sorry!”?’
‘Don’t mess with me! You… you!!’
‘Hey hey hey hey――!!’
The swarming holy spirits surrounded me and started to beat me up. Their shining silver fists and kicks hit me like curses…!
“Ughhh…!”
Still prostrate, I took it without resistance. They had the right to be furious, and I had the duty to accept it. Each blow had quite an impact since I was in the form of a demon and had no protective spells or barriers!
But I endured… I endured…!
“Ugh… uuu…”
The Vampire Hunters, who had been mindlessly beating me up, soon heard a soft woman’s sobbing that wasn’t mine, and they seemed to pause in confusion.
“Ugh… uuuu…!!”
It was Leila. She was watching from a little distance, streaming tears.
“Fuuuu… guuuuuu…!!”
However, her wide-open golden eyes shone with an unsettling glimmer, and the expression she wore was far from what you’d expect from a lovely girl—it was truly a ‘menacing look’——
“Growwwl… fshuuu… fshuuu…!!”
Particles of light were leaking out from between her clenched teeth, ready to burst forth.
‘Hieeek!’
One of the young Vampire Hunters took a step back in surprise.
‘Why… why is Leilaine here!?’
Bishop Lexar looked aghast. Then, he raised his head and did a double-take at me.
‘…!? The Demon Lord’s Prince… has Alex’s face!?’
At those words, the other Vampire Hunters seemed to notice my face too. They all voiced their confusion with “Huh?” and “Why?”
Spirits perceive the world not with eyes but with magic power. They likely overlooked the physical appearance due to being caught up on the existence of ‘Zilbagias’.
“Leila.”
I called out to her as she looked ready to unleash her breath. I’m happy she’s angry for me, but still.
“It’s natural for everyone to be angry.”
I have no right to say anything to me… to us.
“Uugh… uuuuu…”
Leila, who had been groaning for a while, suddenly noticed one of the spirits and went pale.
“…………”
She lost her anger and sat down beside me with a soft thud.
“…I’m sorry. In Alex’s place, please let me take a hit or two as well.”
For a moment, I thought about telling her not to do that.
But if I got beaten up beyond recognition, in any case, Leila would end up taking the injury for me, and I genuinely had no right to say anything.
“I’m really sorry. Hit me as much as you want…”
I apologized again.
“…………”
But even after waiting, the next blow didn’t come.
When I raised my face, feeling suspicious――
‘……Alex!’
Silently, a young man stepped forward in front of me.
No―― he was too young to be called a young man.
He still had the unsullied look of a boy, hardly more than twenty.
“Arthur…”
He was clearly younger than the Arthur I knew. He probably hadn’t even turned twenty yet. In the spirit form, the appearance reflects the mental age rather than the physical body.
I remembered how Arthur had aged rapidly while wielding Excalibur.
…He must have unsheathed Excalibur at the front lines before meeting me. Just a brief moment, as the final trump card to defeat an unstoppable enemy.
‘Alex. Why is this happening…?’
Arthur looked not angry, nor disdainful, but just deeply sad.
‘Why… would such a thing happen?’
………
‘Who are you really?’
……I said.
“I am without a doubt the Demon Lord’s Prince Zilbagias. But I also possess memories of my previous life, as a human…”
I began to speak.
“My name is Alexander. Eight years ago, I participated in the assault on the Demon Lord Castle, was defeated by the Demon Lord, and… I was one of the heroes who died.”
Arthur and Bishop Lexar’s faces filled with shock.
†††
I laid everything bare.
How I was reborn after being defeated by the Demon Lord. How I hid my previous existence and resolved to act as a Demon Lord’s Prince while planning to destroy the Demon Lord Kingdom.
I made a pact with the Great Demon God of Taboo. I rescued the Saint, Liliana. I slew the White Dragon King, Faravgi. I received his daughter, Leila, as a gift.
As the Demon Lord’s Prince, I made my debut in Evaroti. I destroyed Defteros Kingdom. I set up a concept for an autonomous district to protect prisoners from both the human and beastman tribes.
I avenged my homeland by defeating the fourth prince, Emelgias.
I helped Liliana escape to the Alliance. After facing exile, I too fled the Alliance. I hunted down Night Elf spies.
And then——
“I met Arthur and the others.”
Vampire hunting. Later, upon visiting the Hamilton Principality, I learned about the invasion of the Imperial Army――
“I felt all along, as I traveled through the rear of the Alliance, that the threat of the Demons was being severely underestimated. It was due to the machinations of the Night Elves, but with how complacent the rear was, we couldn’t hope to fight the Demon Kingdom head-on.”
Even if I were to slay the Demon Lord and successfully destroy the Dark Portal, it wouldn’t mean that all Demons would vanish overnight. Rather, it would be the beginning of a long, exhausting extermination campaign.
There are not only Demons but also the demon soldiers left in the living world, hostile Dragon tribes, and even legions of Undead. If the uncontrolled dark ones came flooding in, the current Alliance wouldn’t be able to cope.
It was necessary to note that the Demon Lord’s Army wasn’t taking things seriously at all. If all the Demons, demon soldiers, dragons, and Undead came pouring in recklessly, the continent would be ravaged.
“So… I thought it was necessary to somehow showcase the true horror of the Demons. It just so happened that the Imperial Army attacked. I thought I’d test just how strong these folks, calling to overthrow the Demon Kingdom, really are. If the Imperial Army proves to be the real deal—though it would annoy me, that would be fine. If not, then we can stop the invasion, and the infamous reputation of the Demon Lord’s Prince would resonate… killing two birds with one stone…”
That’s how I thought…
“Until Arthur and the others came.”
‘…………’
A grave expression—this is what that means.
Bishop Lexar and the others were stunned, frozen with their mouths agape, some shaking their heads in disbelief, others rubbing their temples in pain—
‘So, that’s it.’
Arthur muttered.
‘I was worried because you had that oddly calm expression when we parted—like you had made some sort of resolution… so that’s what it was…’
Had I been detected? Impressive…
‘I now understand…’
Bishop Lexar said, in a voice that sounded exhausted.
‘Now I know why the Demon Prince had been speaking so long about our strengths and weaknesses. It was literally to make us aware…’
“Yes… that’s correct…”
‘…Wait a minute, I poisoned you, but what happened to that?’
“Still feels like I’m dying… Sorry.”
I heaved partially digested bile.
‘So you’re surviving on vomiting it back…’
‘Just vomiting isn’t all…’
“No, there are other things that are pretty bad, like if I’m not careful, I might even stop breathing… I’m extending my life by having Leila take the symptoms with teleporation magic…”
I should have Leila take on the effects again soon…
‘Want me to treat you?’
Arthur knelt beside me, looking concerned.
“…………”
I felt like I might cry.
After being killed unjustly… why is it like this… this…
“No… if you use your miraculous light now, you’ll… disappear.”
‘Ah… I see. That’s right…’
Arthur looked down at his shining silver hands, shoulders drooping.
No matter how they may shine like something holy——
The fact remains that they are spirits.
The holy silver spells, literally, are nothing more than glittering curses.
“I’m sorry… truly sorry…”
‘…………’
Arthur didn’t answer. He seemed at a loss as to his own feelings.
‘But it seems… being with you, there are casualties among us.’
Bishop Lexar said while looking around at the others.
“…As far as I know their names and faces, I’ve called forth the Vampire Hunters. I can’t say whether the other souls have already perished or if they still live.”
I also called out the Forest Elf, Yesera, but she didn’t show up.
‘Right after the summoning, a few of them ended up self-destructing with fire magic and light magic, you know.’
Antende, who had returned to me to avoid confusion, said quietly. Oh wow, seriously? Those missing members are also like that…
‘Got the situation now but… what are you planning to do by summoning us?’
One of the Vampire Hunters said with a blend of confusion and slight irritation. I straightened myself.
“First, I wanted to apologize. Also… I promised. When I die… I’d turn into a holy spirit.”
‘『…………』’
Hearing myself say that made me want to slap myself.
I can’t exactly be the one to say “I’d become a holy spirit when I die,” the one who killed them, right? Damn it, damn it, damn it—!!
Aaahhhhhh!!!
“A-a-a-a-a!!”
“I’m really… sorry!! I know it’s not something that can be forgiven by just apologizing. If you want me to die as an apology, I’ll die! But, please… wait until I’ve destroyed the Demon Kingdom…!”
‘No, that’s not going to happen. Nonsense.’
Bishop Lexar sharply cut me off.
‘While I understand your desire to apologize through death…’
He crossed his arms and sighed, watching me calmly.
‘I will say this clearly: Alex, whether you die or not, live happily till old age or suffer to an early death, it won’t bring us back.’
You’re absolutely right…
‘Dying to apologize is just self-satisfaction for you. Let’s set aside the rightness or wrongness of what you’ve done for now… That said, this is just my personal opinion. I don’t mean to impose it on everyone. So please take it as such.’
He carefully continued his words, looking around at Arthur and the Vampire Hunters to reinforce his point.
‘I understand your situation is special. I also acknowledge that there’s some reason in your thoughts. Considering that massacre, while you may be disqualified as a hero… if you think of it as the work of a Demon Lord’s Prince supporting humanity, it earns full marks. Thus it had definite effects.’
Disqualified as a hero—such a calmly said line pierced deep.
‘Naturally, the families of those killed by the Demon Lord’s Prince would hate you. They would resent you. In fact, we, who were killed by you, wouldn’t lie if we said we hold hatred or resentment.’
——A calm gaze. The surrounding Vampire Hunters increased the tense atmosphere, making it feel even more strained.
‘To settle that emotion—— while it might indeed serve as a fitting solution for you to show that you would die, don’t you think the loss incurred would be far greater? Alex, or rather, Demon Lord’s Prince Zilbagias?’
He leaned in closer, peering into my face.
‘Just how much power do you truly possess? Wasn’t it the case that you didn’t use your full strength when fighting us?’
…………!
‘… Just as I suspected.’
Bishop Lexar looked up to the sky.
‘… You weren’t giving it your all?’
‘That can’t be true…’
‘You’re joking, right…?’
The Vampire Hunters’ faces twitched.
‘No… thinking back, it’s only natural. Because while you were fighting us, you didn’t use necromancy at all and were holding back your demon magic as well. Until Bishop Lexar fell in battle, you were probably making sure we wouldn’t suffer losses.’
Arthur said, though no one wanted to believe it as he spoke.
‘And… you can use it, right? The holy attribute too?’
——I lowered my gaze to my hand.
Can I use it?
Still…
‘【Holy light, come to this hand!】’
——A silver light ignited at my fingertips.
With a sizzling sound, the demon’s fingertips burned—
Even now, the pain felt almost comforting.
After everything I had done… this holy silver spell was—
Still, it hadn’t abandoned me…
‘…………’
——The souls of the Holy Church watched with complex emotions.
A demon now shone with a holy light.
It was an unprecedented, somewhat blasphemous sight.
“Ah…”
Looking like they might cry, I crumpled my face.
The young demon gazed at the silver flame of light on my fingertip as if seeking warmth from a small candle flame in a freezing snow mountain.
It was a desperate, tragic sight——
‘…There is no other hero with such power.’
Bishop Lexar muttered.
Even after declaring me unworthy as a hero…
Even so, to expect me to serve as a hero.
‘To let that power slip away by dying just to apologize is simply unacceptable.’
That was not simply a statement of compassion.
‘You should wield that power for the benefit of humanity until your dying breath.’
The frenzied light that gleamed in Bishop Lexar’s eyes…!
‘That alone could be your only atonement. Dying to apologize? Don’t be foolish. No one is saved by your death.’
After that, he relaxed his shoulders and let out a sigh.
‘…Well, it’s true that the families of your victims would wish for your death. From my perspective, if the vampire who destroyed your homeland said, “I’m truly a reincarnation of a human being, and I had no choice but to pretend to be the vicious vampire because of the surrounding eyes. I’m sorry for killing your family!”…’
For just a moment, it seemed like an ominous dark power was rising from Bishop Lexar, who should have been illuminated by holy silver spells.
‘Damn it, suffer and die would be the only words that come to mind. Well, there shouldn’t be a situation like that, but clearly, he took pleasure in tormenting…’
“B-Bishop Lexar…! It seems like both spiritualization and evil spirit transformation are about to coexist… I understand your feelings in many ways, but…”
‘Thus, there’s no need to reveal your truth to everyone. If they find out, it might just cause more trouble as it leaves them with no outlet for their emotions. At most, after you destroy the Demon Kingdom, you can spread the story that you were defeated by a hero and died miserably—that way, the families may find some solace.’
“I see…”
‘But, Bishop, what should we do then?’
One of the young Vampire Hunters spoke up, unable to hold back.
‘What about us, who were killed? …I was prepared to die fighting the dark ones, but not like this!’
He shook his head, visibly frustrated, as if unsure of what to do.
‘Of course, since this situation has unfolded, there’s nothing we can do about it. I know that and I’m willing to cooperate with you, Zilbagias. But… I’m not satisfied! I can’t accept that I died just to show the fear of the demons!’
……….I could only bow my head in deep regret.
‘I understand your feelings all too well. I am in the same state of mind.’
Bishop Lexar placed a hand on his shoulder and nodded.
‘…So, let’s ask Zilbagias for a fair price.’
‘A price… you say?’
‘Yes. A price we can accept. But hold on, this isn’t a price for us cooperating. Regardless of life or death, as long as we have the will and strength, we will naturally fight the dark ones. This is simply a transaction asking for your convenience in settling our emotions with the Demon Prince Zilbagias.’
Bishop Lexar turned to face me.
‘Alex. There are a few things I need to confirm.’
“What is it?”
I straightened my back and responded.
‘You plan to return to the Demon Kingdom someday, right?’
“Yes. Next summer, my exile term ends, so I plan to return to the Demon Kingdom.”
‘What will your status be when you return? Any penalties?’
“There shouldn’t be any official penalties. I will fully regain all my powers as the seventh Demon Prince.”
‘Excellent.’
Bishop Lexar smiled.
‘Then, for the sake of our one absolute goal—’
He took a step forward, gazing at me.
‘For you, as the Demon Prince, can you make one promise?’
“…As long as it’s within my capability.”
‘No, it’s a simple matter.’
Bishop Lexar moved closer.
‘We, the members of the Holy Church, have things absolutely impossible to us but—since you are a Demon Prince, or rather, as a demon, you can come into direct contact with the dark ones, right?’
He placed a hand on my shoulder.
‘Of course, you could grasp it—’
The holy silver spell burned me.
‘You know the location of the vampires infesting the Demon Kingdom. Isn’t that right…?’
In an instant, the faces of several individuals crossed my mind.
The faces of Yavka and others, who were likely still living in the autonomous district——
‘As a Demon Prince, eliminate them by any means necessary. Ensure their destruction.’
Bishop Lexar wore a fierce smile.
‘That is the condition for which I would willingly cooperate with you.’
