kscans

Chapter 267 - A Warrior's Pride

Kurikara… the Sankoken held by Fudō Myō-ō.

It purifies evil spirits and severs the karmic ties of disaster.

After the clash, the two of us stood back-to-back.

Silence dominated the space. …Neither of us moved a muscle. But the silence was broken.

I fell to one knee. I hadn't been hit by the demonic sword, but the pressure from its blade made my whole body ache. I even had the illusion that my bones were not just cracked, but broken. It was hard to breathe, and I felt like I would lose consciousness before I could even fight. …But I wouldn't fall. Sidoor was still here.

Sidoor wasn't moving either, but then a change came over him.

…His right horn split in two and fell to the ground. Almost simultaneously, he fell to both knees with the sound of a heavy stone dropping.

During the previous clash, as our swords met, we had fluidly separated. …As we separated, I had, at a speed that could be called god-like, slashed Sidoor’s horn with a return stroke from a low stance. Trying to cut his body from that position and in that time with a horizontal slash would have been impossible. …Moving up or down is faster and more certain. Hitting the horn was a coincidence, but I felt I had landed a decent wound.

Sidoor placed a hand on his horn.

…It was gone. The severed part was on the ground. For a Minotaur, the horn is not just a part of the body, but a symbol. A proof of their strength. And it had been cut.

Sidoor's fighting spirit ignited.

"…You cut my horn. I was going to end it, but… now we have no choice but to fight until one of us is dead!"

He turned and readied his greatsword.

It seemed I had touched a nerve.

I spurred my trembling body.

"…Heh. I’m at my limit, but fine. I’ll fight you until my life gives out!"

Not to be outdone, I took a stance.

A fierce fighting spirit swirled around us. The two inched closer.

The moment their auras were about to clash,

"That's enough."

A voice came from the sky.

…The fighting spirit subsided, and we both looked up. Six patches of darkness were spreading across the sky. From them emerged…

…An old man in luxurious clothes. …A woman with bat wings in flashy attire. …A monster with the face of an insect. …A small fairy emitting a faint light. …A merman, a fusion of fish and human. …A white-haired boy in a priest's robes.

Six beings, abnormal to say the least, floated in the sky. They slowly descended to the ground.

The boy said, "…Sidoor. Cool your head. I know about the horn. But this isn't like you."

To this, Sidoor replied, "…My apologies. The blood rushed to my head."

He calmed down and sheathed his sword.

The insect-man said, "For you to get that angry is quite rare. …There is nothing scarier than a person who doesn't usually get angry."

He said it as if he were laughing.

Though it was unclear if he was laughing.

The old man said, "…However, I must ask you to wait before killing him. We, too, would not like to see our entertainment disappear."

He was laughing as well.

Sidoor seemed to shrink, as if ashamed of his actions.

Just then, the bat-woman looked at me.

"…It's been a while. …Have you been well?"

Her voice was filled with affection.

I asked, "…Who might you be?"

I had never seen her before.

…With such a memorable monster, I should remember her. But I couldn't recall her at all.

To the trembling bat-woman, the fairy said, "…It can’t be helped, Harynair. You were just not memorable enough."

She seemed to be comforting her, but she wasn’t.

I had heard that name somewhere before. …No, it was no use. I couldn't remember. Was she really that unmemorable?

As I was thinking that, the merman said, "…My subordinate was in your care in the Republic."

I thought for a moment.

"The Republic? …Ah, that merman. Does that mean you were the one who caused that tsunami?"

The merman nodded.

…I remembered that well. The merman’s very existence was conspicuous. More than anything, with that tuna-like face, it would be harder to forget.

Just then, the bat-woman, Harynair, glared at me with incredible intensity. A resentful look. It couldn't be helped. I didn’t remember her.

The boy said, "That’s enough, everyone. We came here to stop Sidoor. Let’s not talk too much."

Silence spread.

But I said, "…But I have something to ask. Who are you? You look like a boy, but from the way you talk, I think you’re the boss."

To this, the boy replied, "Boss? Half right, half wrong. It’s true I’m something of a representative, but I’m just a coordinator. I don’t issue absolute commands."

He answered nonchalantly.

…An absolute command. So that means he can give some orders. I wanted to ask more, but honestly, I felt like I was about to pass out.

The boy said, "…Hmm. You seem to be quite exhausted as well. We will take our leave now. It seems someone has come from below."

As the seven were about to leave, I said, "…Wait. At least tell me your names."

As I pushed myself to ask, the boy thought for a moment.

"…My name is Bamhal the Dragon King. …As a reward for your valiant fight against Sidoor, we will do nothing for a while."

The other five seemed to want to say something, but they quickly fell silent.

It seemed his authority was absolute.

Just then, Sidoor said, "…I apologize for earlier. The blood rushed to my head. …You can have that horn. As proof that you got the better of me."

As he said that, a black hole opened and Sidoor vanished.

…The others also vanished one by one.

Only I was left. Just then, I heard the sound of footsteps and a voice. Tina was running towards me with a worried look on her face.

That was the last thing I saw before I lost consciousness.

In a certain castle.

The ‘Seven Demon Lords’ were gathered in the great hall.

They were talking about the recent battle. About how strong the Otherworlder had become. They were looking forward to the future, but since they were doing nothing for a while, they were bored.

As they were making small talk, Sidoor said, "…Lord Dragon King. I would like to leave the Seven Demon Lords."

The space fell silent.

Lates said, "…Is it because you lost your horn? …I understand how you feel, but this is too sudden."

To this, Daios added, "I agree with Lord Thousand Poisons. For Lord Sword Demon to leave would be very inconvenient for our structure."

He voiced his agreement.

Sidoor said, "…But it is also a fact that I am not worthy of the Seven Demon Lords. …Lord Dragon King, please…"

To his plea, Bamhal replied, "…I believe I understand your intentions. But as the one who brings everyone together, I cannot let you quit for such a reason. The replacement of a Seven Demon Lord happens only when one is defeated in battle for their seat. And I will not permit you to lose by holding back. If you do not show your strength, the other monsters will not be satisfied."

Sidoor fell silent.

…In the world of monsters, strength is everything. The weak do not command obedience.

Bamhal continued, "…If you still insist, then raise a promising successor. It doesn't matter if it takes decades or centuries. …If you wish, I can even lend you one of the privileges of the Seven Demon Lords."

The others were surprised.

…A privilege. That is, to become immortal. Even monsters age. They live longer than humans, but aging is inevitable.

But the Seven Demon Lords can be made immortal to maintain their peak strength for eons. To lend this privilege means that even those outside the Seven Demon Lords can become immortal. However, it doesn't make one younger. It only stops their age at the point of appointment. That's why Redorza became one of the ‘Seven Demon Lords’ when he was an old man.

Sidoor said, "…Thank you very much. To repay your kindness, I will surely accomplish this."

He bowed deeply.

To this, Redorza asked, "However, if that is the case, what will you do about that Otherworlder? Isn't your match still undecided?"

Sidoor replied, "…I intend to settle the score eventually. …However, I am in no hurry. I am thinking of re-examining myself. …It wouldn’t be so bad to think while raising a successor."

His face looked a little refreshed.

Rumby said, "…I don't get it. A warrior’s pride? …I don't understand."

She was swinging her legs, looking uninterested.

…Harynair had been silent the whole time. She was pondering how to make the Otherworlder who had completely forgotten about her remember her.

Time passed, and after the battle with Sidoor, the ‘Seven Demon Lords’ ceased their activities.