Chapter 230 - Chapter 26: The Demon Lord
At the entrance of the temple built by stacking black stones, there was a large iron door carved with the face of some beast-like creature.
Henry-sama took the ring attached to the beast's mouth and banged it against the door, 'Gangan,' and it opened inward on its own.
I was pulled along by the two of them as we went inside.
There was a large hall, just like the audience chamber of a royal palace.
A brilliantly shining chandelier hung from the ceiling, and on the pitch-black floor, a red carpet with gold trim extended toward the throne in front.
And on the golden-shining throne, which had various colored jewels scattered across its large backboard, sat an elderly man wearing a crown that looked as if it were woven from vines.
"Fumu. You were faster than last time."
When we approached to a distance of about twenty steps from the throne, the man on the throne spoke listlessly.
With his right leg crossed over his left, and both elbows resting lightly on the armrests, he looked exactly like a king of a nation appearing in a fairy tale.
He wore a green tunic and pale yellow trousers. He was draped in a black cloak with a red lining, wore leather shoes, and had a mustache and a goatee. His black hair, mixed with white, was lightly waved.
In terms of age, he looked to be about fifty in human years.
"It's been a while, Demon Lord."
Henry-sama stepped forward.
After tilting his head slightly, the Demon Lord asked if he was Henry of Sertoria.
He knew Henry-sama. In other words, he was the same Demon Lord as the previous generation. This might be a new discovery.
"Indeed. I am Henry of Sertoria."
"Likewise, Eleanor."
Eleanor-sama stood beside him.
"Three people this time? Moreover, to think there are two who came last time. It seems humans are quite short on talent."
The Demon Lord stood up from the throne and thrust his right hand out to the side. A black staff-like object appeared in his palm.
"No, wait, wait. We are just here to spectate. The main force is seven people. They are properly waiting outside."
"Spectate?"
Even the Demon Lord seemed surprised.
Henry-sama gave a brief explanation. In short, he wanted to let them watch his son, his son's wife, and their comrades fight the Demon Lord, as a memento for their journey to the afterlife for themselves, and as support for those they served for the others. The Demon Lord listened in silence, but then said that it would only increase their casualties. I thought he would get angry, but he was unexpectedly calm.
"No, we will just watch from a distance. We won't interfere at all. We have no intention of obstructing our son's big moment."
He pointed to a distant corner, saying that area would be fine.
"Do as you wish."
Unexpectedly, the Demon Lord agreed.
"However, if magic from friend or foe flies to where you are, I will not take responsibility."
Furthermore, he was giving us a warning.
Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama jumped for joy and thanked him profusely. I wonder what kind of relationship they have?
"And, one more request. And there are a few things I want to ask."
"What is it?"
When Henry-sama spoke, the Demon Lord made the staff disappear somewhere and sat back down on the throne.
When one thinks of a Demon Lord, I had imagined something like the boss of the Gargoyles, but he was quite soft-spoken. The executives matched the image much better. He was the enemy of the Church and the greatest enemy of the humans on the island—no, in the past, including the continent—but what was the meaning of this?
"First, about the Arachne on the third floor. She says that if the humans win this battle, she wouldn't mind taking refuge with an acquaintance of ours. Jeanne here is beloved by multiple spirits, and they recognize each other as friends. She should be fine if she spends time with such a person. Could you not grant your approval?"
"Arachne, unlike dragons and the like, originally liked humans. However, because the humans hated her, she had lost her place. That responsibility lies with the humans. If you will fulfill your responsibility, there is no problem."
That was good. With this, Arachne would have fulfilled her duty. However, between Goblins and Alraunes, it seemed that humans were much more terrible creatures.
Henry-sama thanked him.
"Also, there is something I want to ask. When I offered a prayer according to the scriptures of the Goddess we worship over the bodies of the Demon Race members we fought on the third and fourth floors, they turned to dust and vanished. Could you tell me where they disappeared to?"
"I have no obligation to answer. If our bodies vanished due to a prayer to that Goddess of yours, then you should ask that Goddess. If she truly exists, that is."
He spoke without changing his expression. I didn't know if he knew or not.
"In that case, you won't complain if your body is turned to dust after this battle, will you? This Jeanne has already turned three members of the Demon Race to dust during this battle, you know."
No, um, it was just a coincidence that I offered the prayer; it would be the same no matter who did it. If you say such things and I become targeted by the Demon Race, what am I supposed to do?
As I desperately tried to argue, the Demon Lord pointed his left palm toward me as if to say, 'Be quiet.' I reflexively fell silent.
"Such things should be said after you win."
He said it leisurely to Henry-sama. It was halfway a threat, but there was no change at all in his expression.
"Also, the boss of the third floor might have been thinking of breeding spiders to do something bad to the spirits. The one who became a Revenant of his own accord, too. The Orcs are also involved. Could you not stop them?"
"I care not what the Orcs do. Much less do I know of a human who became a Revenant of his own accord. If you want to stop them, stop them with your own power."
"Did you not create the Orcs?"
"I do not. If I had created them, humans would have been destroyed long ago."
"But are they not part of the Demon Lord's army?"
"Even if that were so, what of it? If there were a Goddess who was an adversary, and it were necessary to destroy her, I would use spirits and kill them as well. The powerless only perish. That is all there is to it."
Henry-sama was at a loss for words. What he was saying was the same as the Orc who was raising spiders. It was the exact opposite of being strong against the strong and kind to the weak.
"Um. Why do you lead an army and oppose humans? For example, is it impossible to coexist and co-prosper by deciding the territories of monsters and humans?"
I ended up asking reflexively.
"Then you should ask that Goddess of yours. Why are monsters the adversaries of humans? If that Goddess truly exists, she will answer you."
"But, like Arachne, it's possible to spend time together. Even now, I am talking with you like this. Would it not be fine if we just didn't harm each other?"
The scriptures don't say that monsters are the enemy. The Church is just saying that on its own. However, humans have a long history of exterminating monsters since ancient times to protect their living spheres. What we were granted by the Goddess for that purpose was Holy.
"You. Did you say your name was Jeanne?"
"Yes. I am a priest of Sertoria."
The Demon Lord had remembered my name. Since Henry-sama and the others had also given their names, I didn't think I would be cursed.
"Then, Jeanne. I shall ask you. If you answer that question, I will answer yours. Why do humans kill monsters?"
"That's because they cause harm to humans... Ah!"
"It seems you've realized. The answer to your question is: because humans cause harm to monsters and kill them."
I remembered the Dryad. Although a revised agreement was eventually concluded, she was always wary of humans clearing the forest. She also said that monsters, unlike humans, do not cut down trees recklessly. If monsters are beings that live in the forest, then humans who reduce the forest are beings that cause harm to monsters...
"Jeanne. Pull yourself together. You must not be misled."
Eleanor-sama held my shoulders and shook me.
"There is a contradiction in the Demon Lord's words. If the weak should follow the strong, then it ends with the victory or defeat of the parties involved. It does not become a reason to raise an army and retaliate for other monsters being struck down."
Even human wars are just trying to justify each other's claims; such things are just like wordplay. I came to my senses when Eleanor-sama, who was looking at the Demon Lord with a sharp gaze while resting both hands on my shoulders, said that.
"Demon Lord. For humans to survive, we have no choice but to defeat monsters. We cannot make them livestock, and they ravage the fields. Monsters must be invading human living spheres to survive in their own way. It's just that our positions are different. However, like Arachne, there are those who try to live together. Is there no need to organize armies and fight each other?"
Henry-sama took over.
"Henry. Your thoughts, which you say you were taught by that Goddess, and our thoughts are different. Fighting is our very essence. Since we were given life in this world, we fight, plunder, and devour until we die. That is all there is to it."
"So nothing has changed since thirty years ago—no, since ancient times."
Henry-sama muttered sadly.
"Why are you on the Other Side? This is the Other Side, isn't it?"
This time Eleanor-sama asked.
"You said your name was Jeanne. You can use light magic, can you not? Try using it."
For some reason, the Demon Lord spoke toward me.
When I looked at Eleanor-sama, she nodded.
Since I had no choice, I tried to illuminate the surroundings with Light.
"Make it stronger."
Since the Demon Lord said so, I raised both hands and chanted with the amplified version at full power. If this was the Other Side, a powerful light should shine from above...
However, there was no light; on the contrary, it became pitch black.
A moment later, the light returned, but the temple was gone.
Looking around, we were in a place like a very large cave hall.
The Demon Lord was still standing there. Only the throne, which emitted a dazzling light, remained.
What was the meaning of this...
"Magic..."
Eleanor-sama muttered.
Apparently, we had been inside the cave from the start, and a blinding temple had been built.
In other words, it wasn't the Other Side. However, it meant the Demon Lord knew what the Other Side was like.
"As it is, it is somewhat inconvenient, so I used a technique to build the temple. However, light is necessary, so I returned it. Now, that should be enough. Call your son and the others. If you want to watch, watch from the tower. I'm sorry, but if it becomes a battle, I will have a barrier erected. It would be troublesome if there were someone to throw cold water on a long-awaited battle."
Eleanor-sama looked around and crossed her arms.
"For a place where even the Demon Lord fights, it's quite desolate. In our time, we fought inside the temple, so there was an atmosphere. As it is, I don't think it's fitting for a decisive battle with the Demon Lord."
"Fumu," the Demon Lord held his right hand high, and when he chanted some spell, it returned to the temple. However, the wall on the side we entered was gone. It was completely visible from the tower. Did he arrange this so we could spectate?
"As expected of the Demon Lord. It must be like this."
Henry-sama also nodded at Eleanor-sama's words. He seemed satisfied.
Before returning to everyone, I asked.
"Besides the Arachne on the third floor, if there are monsters who can coexist and co-prosper with humans, may I invite them?"
"Do as you wish."
At that moment, the Demon Lord, who had been expressionless until then, smiled.
We returned to everyone, and Henry-sama and the others conveyed what had happened.
Eleanor-sama remembered the exchange accurately. Harris-sama was writing it down on parchment. They didn't talk about Arachne, but since they said the details would be unofficial after going up, they would probably tell Roberts-sama and the others.
"You all should also try talking to the Demon Lord if there's something you want to talk about. He's an unexpectedly reasonable fellow."
Everyone laughed, saying that Henry-sama had asked the things they wanted to hear.
"Jeanne. I was impressed by your attitude. Coexistence and co-prosperity are the teachings of the Goddess, whether it be the Demon Lord or monsters. You are trying to embody that."
I was praised by Bishop Phillips.
"But, I didn't get his agreement."
The Demon Lord had clearly said that the Goddess's thoughts and his own were different.
"Even among humans, there are those with different thoughts. For example, the people of the south..."
Everyone started giggling.
"But, of course, there are many people who are not like that. It might be the same for monsters. Did you know? It's about the Orcs who live in large numbers in the Demon Realms of various countries. Ogres like human flesh, but I hear Orcs don't eat it by choice. In other words, if we guarantee their territory, we might be able to avoid fighting with Orcs. Perhaps the Church must also revise its thoughts on monsters."
Saying so, he walked toward the Demon Lord together with Roberts-sama and the others.
The seven members of the main force were enveloped in a semi-circle like a thin shadow on their way toward the Demon Lord.
It was surely the barrier the Demon Lord had mentioned.
Since Henry-sama had conveyed that, the seven stopped for a moment and looked around, but then continued walking toward the Demon Lord.
After confronting him and having a few exchanges, the Demon Lord, who had been sitting in the chair, stood up. He held a staff in his right hand and raised his left hand high. In his left hand, a yellow-shining sphere had formed. It was lightning magic.
The Headmistress and the others from the previous time apparently released Megiddo Fire at this timing, prepared for a mutual kill.
The Demon Lord cannot use the holy magic Magic Reflection. They predicted he would only use magic defense. If he used Magic Barrier or Magic Break, he himself would become unable to use magic. They had struck there.
However, Roberts-sama and the others dared to take one hit from the Demon Lord.
No, the released lightning was drawn to one of the two daggers Hughes-sama had tucked into his waist and thrown into the air, and its trajectory was diverted.
Harrison-san released a Log Holy, and at the same time, Roberts-sama and Gladys-sama, who had split into two directions, attacked with spears.
The Demon Lord was swinging his staff, dealing with the three of them simultaneously.
Hughes-sama was manipulating a shield made with Wind Barrier to obstruct the movement of the Demon Lord's staff.
Evans-sama was flying ice made with Ice Cube.
James-sama was probably timing his magic release while also serving as a feint; he held both hands toward the Demon Lord from a slightly lowered position.
Bishop Phillips was manipulating the activated Magic Reflection to prevent the Demon Lord from using magic.
Every time the silver blade and the black staff crossed, sparks flew, and every time the Holy was parried, something like a black mist rose from the staff. As for the Ice Cube, it evaporated with steam the moment the staff touched it.
Currently, four people were attacking directly. Despite the movement of his staff being hindered by the Wind Barrier, the Demon Lord was parrying all the human attacks with his staff. Neither blade nor magic hit his body. It was extraordinary motor nerves.
He moved smoothly with footwork as if he were dancing, leisurely swinging his staff, dodging and parrying spears and magic, and occasionally delivering a blow.
Occasionally, Evans-sama's Fire Storm enveloped the Demon Lord's body, but in the next moment, it was neutralized by black flames.
At the foot of the tower, there was great cheering. They must not have thought they would be able to see the battle with the Demon Lord and the moment a new hero was born.
Beatrix was desperately drawing the composition on a stone tablet. It was for two hundred gold coins, and furthermore, it would be displayed in the royal palaces of two countries. She couldn't afford to mess up.
Henry-sama was crossing his arms without saying anything.
Eleanor-sama, who had said she would watch the big moment, occasionally had her eyes open, but for the most part, she had her eyes closed and was fervently praying. Jennifer-sensei, standing beside her, was the same.
The Headmistress, who was shouting loudly, was swinging her staff without regard for the trouble of those around her, so a hollow space had formed just there.
The roar must have been echoing inside the barrier, but it didn't reach here.
Only the cheers of everyone resonated excessively.
Even though they were attacking unilaterally and preventing the Demon Lord from attacking, as if recognizing that a prolonged battle would be advantageous to the other side, earnestness gradually began to seep into everyone's expressions.
It was about an hour later.
Roberts-sama, positioned to the right of the Demon Lord, slashed down heavily from the upper right with a spear that had a long spearhead like a double-edged sword. The Demon Lord raised both hands above his head, held the pole diagonally over his left shoulder, and as he parried it, he spun around and stepped forward from a high overhead position, striking at Hughes-sama in front. He barely blocked it with the air shield, but Hughes-sama, who reflexively dodged as if rolling to the left, bumped into Harrison-san with the momentum, and Harrison-san, who was pushed, fell to one knee in front of James-sama. In that instant, Megiddo Fire was released toward Gladys-sama. And the magic bounced back by Magic Reflection caught the Demon Lord. In that moment, a sound like the barrier vibrating 'Biribiri' occurred. The Demon Lord had released magic power to block the magic. However, Roberts-sama's spear had already pierced the Demon Lord's flank. Hughes-sama's fall itself was the signal, and furthermore, the Megiddo Fire must have been a decoy. Or so Will told me.
A moment of silence. The movements of the eight people inside the barrier seemed to have stopped.
"Roberts! Be careful!"
Whether Eleanor-sama's cry reached inside the barrier or not...
Light like a pitch-black mist began to rise from the Demon Lord's body.
Roberts-sama and Gladys-sama jumped back and stood as shields in front of everyone; in that instant, black light was released from the Demon Lord's entire body, and the seven were blown away all at once.
A sound like glass breaking occurred, and the barrier was shattered.
The black light reached all the way to us, a shock as if my whole body were paralyzed ran through me, and I was blown away.
It suddenly became bright. The Demon Lord must have deployed the barrier again. The groans of the seven could no longer be heard.
There was a bit of a commotion among the support group, but everyone was safe. When I raised my head, the Demon Lord was holding both hands high. Something like a black mist began to rise from both hands. Inside the mist, yellow light like lightning flashed many times.
Inside the barrier, six people, excluding Gladys-sama, stood up unsteadily.
Above the Demon Lord's head, there was a pitch-black sphere that looked like the mist had solidified and was gradually growing larger, and several streaks of yellow lightning were circling around the sphere.
It stopped growing. Had the magic been completed...
Roberts-sama, who had rushed to the fallen Gladys-sama, nevertheless stood up toward the Demon Lord, regripped his spear, and rushed toward the Demon Lord.
The Demon Lord threw the black sphere toward Roberts-sama.
At the same time, two Megiddo Fires were released in succession again. This time it was a combined technique of two mages and one priest.
The necks of two brilliantly white-shining dragons collided with that sphere. The first one collided with the sphere and held it back, and at the point where the second one collided, the magic dispersed. Roberts-sama did not slow down. He continued toward the Demon Lord just like that.
The moment the Demon Lord parried the silver throwing knife thrown by Gladys-sama, who had raised her body with her left hand from a fallen state, and the silver dagger thrown by Hughes-sama, who was on one knee, Roberts-sama made a low but long leap toward the Demon Lord.
At the same time, Harrison-san released a Log Holy from behind Roberts-sama.
The white light passed through Roberts-sama's body and then through the Demon Lord's body as well. And, bounced back by the Magic Reflection released by Bishop Phillips, it passed through the Demon Lord once more from behind.
With his staff still held high, the Demon Lord's throat, as he recoiled for an instant, was thrust upward by Roberts-sama, who had landed and lowered his hips, with the silver spear that had a double-edged sword-like spearhead, and when he swept it sideways, the Demon Lord's head fell.
Listening to the explanation of Flora, who had good eyes, everyone raised a cheer.
The six gathered beside the Demon Lord's corpse and praised each other's efforts.
When Roberts-sama walked up to Gladys-sama, who was sitting cross-legged alone in the place where she had been rolled by the impact, and offered his hand, Gladys-sama took that hand, stood up energetically, and embraced Roberts-sama.
That was the moment a new hero was born.