kscans

Chapter 137 - Light, Needles, and the Time of the Decisive Battle

Demon Lord Valdro Ark Celestia had descended.

The members for the decisive battle against the Demon Lord (in order of deployment) were Slime Princess Lumiere Melmel de Trois, a princess with a slime body who wields magic and shapeshifting abilities. Zombie Count Robele, a former Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon Lord, a noble of the dead who uses an immortal body and grudge magic. La Muse, the Silver Lamb, a half-breed of human and demon (humanoid and demon). And Hero Ares Scarlet, a hero who believes in people more than anyone and challenges this tearless final battle.

Mamoru the Hobgoblin was watching from the shade of a tree. He was a reincarnator who had cleared this game world once before. He was currently the coach.

A black flash tore through the festering red sky. Bearing ominous jet-black wings, the man who once championed human supremacy, Valdro, manifested at the end of his mutation.

"Now, show me the value of your evolution. Show me whether or not you are worthy of my Selection."

First up was Slime Princess Lumiere Melmel de Trois.

"For royalty, dignity and flexibility are everything... now, prepare yourself♡."

She transformed her slime body into a tornado, fusing lightning and water magic as she charged. But...

It was the Purity Doctrine.

The barrier Demon Lord Valdro deployed across the field forcibly halted her magical essence. The very right to exist was denied to all demons and mixed-species beings.

"Eh... wait, hold on? Am I... melting!?"

Her body's viscosity collapsed, making transformation impossible. Unable to maintain her shape, she crumpled on the spot.

"This is... ah, how unbecoming of a princess...♡."

With those last words, the Slime Princess melted. Into a gooey puddle.

Second was Zombie Count Robele.

"Oh my, oh my, to think I'd be called upon... How dreadful. War is so bad for my skin♡."

Robele adjusted his black rose brooch and gave his rotting cape a gentle twirl.

"But really, Valdro-san. You truly are a naughty boy... Human supremacy? That sort of thing is so out of style these days. Ohohoho."

A fog of undead spirits spread from his feet. His movements were elegant, like he was at a ball.

"The high society way is to raise cute children with tea and a diary!"

But his incantation was interrupted by the Rhythm of Silence.

"...W, wait just a moment!? My special incantation, its sound and light have vanished!"

His voice was swallowed by the air, his commands unable to reach the spirits. They didn't move.

"How awful... and I was so looking forward to being on stage after such a long time...!"

Then, the Needle of Order was activated. A "stake of negation" thrust up from space, piercing Robele's soul core.

"Kyaaaaaah!! N, no way...!? This hurts more than an embroidery needle, you know!!"

His body began to crumble apart. But in that moment, his eyes glowed red.

"...I, I'm not angry yet...? This is nothing... less than my morning teeth brushing...!"

Just as miasma began to rise, Ares's restraining shout reached him.

"Robele! If you give in to your anger now, you'll...!"

"Hmph, I know that without you telling me... After all, I am... an elegant lady, am I not♡?"

Though he was falling apart, Robele gave one final, graceful bow.

Third was La Muse, the Silver Lamb.

"Just because I'm a 'half-breed'... everyone's life has meaning!"

Leaving a silver afterimage, he unleashed a flurry of attacks. His movements were the fastest. But...

It was Evolution Pressure.

A super-heavy pressure emanated from Valdro's very existence. Those who approached suffered a burden on their body and spirit, marking them as "unsuitable for evolution."

"Guuh... move... damn it, I have... a way of life I want to prove...!"

Then, the Selection Inquisition was invoked.

La Muse's memories were projected onto a Phantom Court. A life spent without a place among either humans or demons floated into view.

"You can stand on neither side. Therefore, you cannot stand in the future either."

"Even so... there are things I want to protect!"

The verdict was that he was unworthy of evolution.

The circulation of magic within his body was destroyed. La Muse fell silent.

Ares Scarlet lifted her bloodstained face. There was no fear or anger in her eyes. There was only one thing.

The resolve to end it all.

Valdro's six wings spread wide, a symbol of his overwhelming power. But Ares did not lower her sword.

"I won't cry. I won't... cry for my friends who died protecting someone."

She took a step forward. The Demon Lord's pressure crushed the space around her, but her feet did not stop.

Mamoru the Hobgoblin watched her back from the shade of a tree.

"...That girl, she's not lost anymore. She's about to awaken as a hero."

Ares's sword began to glow. She alone remained standing on the battlefield. She alone. Without shedding a tear, she stared this hell straight in the face.