kscans

Chapter 31 - # The Demon Lord's Castle, Throne Room of Black Flames

A vast hall where darkness itself seemed to breathe. At its center was a towering throne of black obsidian. Flickering black flames, like fire, stained the space a deep crimson.

The Hobgoblin, Mamoru, walked through the space with a tense expression. The sound of his footsteps echoed unnaturally loudly. There was no one behind him. This time, his companions were not with him. It was an audience for Mamoru alone.

Seated on that throne was the king of this world's darkness. Demon Lord Legna-Val-Noct.

The massive figure, clad in jet-black armor, turned its head to look down at Mamoru. But its gaze, though cold, was tinged with a deep sadness.

"You have come, Lord Mamoru. Or rather, 'the heretical soul closest to the power of reincarnation.'"

"...You know me?"

"Of course. Your name is etched in the records of this game world. You were once human... but now, as a member of the monster race, you are about to pass through a new gate of evolution. That is precisely why there are things I can only speak of with you."

The Demon Lord's voice was quiet. But its contents were enough to overturn the very foundations of the world.

"This world... is being toyed with by the gods."

"...Huh?"

"Beings known as 'reincarnators.' Six souls, summoned from another world. They were all chosen by the fingertips of a god and dropped into this world. As a game."

Behind the Demon Lord, a giant magic crystal materialized. On it, the figures of five reincarnators were displayed.

"The first. A woman who hides a cold heart behind her beautiful face. A bureaucrat from another world, 'Izabel Crawford.' She has seized control of the kingdom and the temple, calling herself the 'God of Law.' Pity and tears do not exist for her."

In the mirror, a silver-haired Izabel looked down with a blank expression at the people kneeling before her.

"The second. A man of machine and logic, 'Crow Sakakibara.' Encased in mechanical armor, he has built a 'Mechanized Magic City.' He sees both humans and monsters as nothing more than data. All are materials for his efficiency and experiments."

Giant gears and magic cannons writhed around him.

"The third. A young girl with an angelic smile, 'Mel Aria.' Her true identity is a mad sorceress. A being who spreads poison while laughing, making death and despair bloom like flowers."

The girl was dancing in a field of flowers. But the flowers blooming were poisonous. Corpses lay scattered on the ground.

"The fourth. A lone swordsman, 'Yuto Mikazuki.' He believes only in the power of the sword, belongs to no faction, and wanders in search of a life-or-death battle with the strong. If you encounter him, you will be no exception."

His eyes were a void. But the killing intent seeping from his back was the very essence of a battlefield.

The Demon Lord finally spoke the name of the fifth.

"The fifth. A being who reincarnated earlier than planned and began to break this world most profoundly. 'Hero Ares,' real name, Taiga Nanjo. He now perceives this world as 'his game.' As a result, nations have fallen, people have died, and order has collapsed."

"...And finally, there is one more, the sixth. Real name, Mamoru Kikuchi. He has cast aside his human form and stands in this world as the monster, Hobgoblin.

"You are the only one attempting to resist the 'gods' system' of this game world. You are the only ally who bears the mission to strike down the Hero alongside me."

Mamoru bit his lip. He remembered the fact that Elshia had been destroyed because of Ares.

"Don't screw with me...!"

At his small shout, the Demon Lord nodded quietly.

"You are the only being who can defy the hand of god. Because you are 'a being who was not chosen as a human resident of this world.' In other words, you are a 'foreign object,' and a 'key.'

"But there is a way. The divine beast dwelling in the far north, the Rainbow Dragon. Its flesh holds the power to evolve the soul. If you eat it, you will be able to transcend your current existence."

"Eating its flesh... that's not just a simple power-up, is it."

The Demon Lord nodded gravely.

"That is correct. 'Evolution' comes with a price. Whether you can maintain your form, or become a 'monster'... If you still have the resolve to correct this world, then eat."

Mamoru looked forward silently.

"If there's no other way, then I have to do it."

On the Demon Lord's palm, five names materialized once more.

Izabel Crawford. Crow Sakakibara. Mel Aria. Yuto Mikazuki. Hero Ares (Taiga Nanjo).

"...However, whether they become your allies or your enemies, that depends on the path you walk."

The black flames flickered violently. The flames were reflected in Mamoru's eyes once more.

You were not chosen, you are one who resists. Become one who chooses.

The Demon Lord said.

"Go forth. Make your decision. Will you leave this world as a 'game,' or will you restore 'order.'"

The Demon Lord used his power to return me to the ruined town of Elshia.

"Will the reincarnators cooperate with us monsters? Or... will they stand against us as enemies?"

The story begins to move again. The next stage is the far north, to the sacred mountain where the mythical dragon that soars through the sky, the Rainbow Dragon, dwells.