Chapter 28: The Edge of the World: Arrival in the Demon Realm

Light.

Like branches reaching out from a pristine tree.

Like a sprout taking root in moist soil.

Thousands upon thousands of rays of light converge into a single beam. So brilliant, it becomes a meteor descending upon the earth.

Blinding all who bear ill will,

and bringing hope to those who walk the righteous path.

Nothing can obstruct its path.

Its name is Sagittarius.

The constellation embodying the power of the one who abandoned immortality, half-human, half-horse.

Unknown even in the kingdom before the Empire, and the kingdom before that.

And the kingdom before that.

Ancient history, from the continent’s dawn.

A tale lost to time, known only to the dragons, who remember all they witness.

This is interesting, my friend.

“…Raven.”

Crackle…

Resisting the light is futile.

All I can do is regenerate.

When I open my eyes, a completely different landscape unfolds.

Constellation magic of the star governing ‘penetration.’

Coupled with my ceaseless regeneration, I’m hurtling through space at an incredible velocity.

The edge of the world…yes, I’ll likely stop at the edge of the demon realm.

Because no stars grace the night sky there.

But…

It’s too far to return to my friend.

“Kudos…she never seems to be of any help.”

I sensed her presence vanish as soon as the fight began.

Well, it’s fortunate she didn’t interfere in this life-or-death struggle.

…Hmm?

The surrounding mana has shifted.

Ah, it’s finally happening.

Bang!!!

A massive wall slams against the back of my head.

This nostalgic sensation…

“…The demon realm.”

The corpses of demons litter the shattered ramparts.

All dead, their eyes covered by their hands.

They witnessed it, then. This golden meteor.

How tragic.

“Haa…”

Crackle…

Thick, black mana envelops the hole in my stomach,

regenerating my flesh, as if the wound never existed.

Even I’m in awe of this healing ability.

“Is this the power of the last remaining Dragon King’s bloodline?”

A bitter laugh escapes my lips.

A body that cannot die, even if it desires to.

Brush, brush.

I dust the remnants of the wall from my shoulder.

I flew for about five minutes? To reach the demon realm in that time…an astounding speed.

Lost in thought, I started walking towards the Demon King’s castle.

“…Va…len…tina…”

A faint whisper, barely audible even to a dragon’s ears.

The remains of one who had a single horn and red eyes.

A child who dreamed of joining the Demon King’s army six years ago.

“…Ah, Mirfak, wasn’t it?”

“To know this lowly one’s name…”

“There’s no such thing as high or low in the Demon King’s army. Don’t say that.”

I approached slowly and examined Mirfak’s body.

From his flesh to his internal organs, everything was so mangled that healing magic would only prolong his suffering.

This is the fate of those born without stars, who dare to gaze upon them without permission.

Not a mere reflection, imitating the starlight of divine power,

but the true, unadulterated force of constellation magic.

This young one, tragically, breathes his last.

“What…happened?”

“A battle. Indeed, it was a battle. A truly formidable opponent.”

Mirfak extends his dying arm towards me.

Like a human priest seeking forgiveness, with a reverent posture.

“I apologize for…being of no help…”

“Don’t be. You were born in a place without stars…”

In my world of eternal night,

you, who drank and laughed with me, were the stars.

“So, fragments of shattered stars, I have a proposition.”

Gargantua quivers, its maw opening wide,

large enough to swallow hundreds of thousands of demons in a single gulp.

I ask with a smile,

“Wouldn’t you like to become the horizon that devours the stars?”

“The horizon…you say?”

“Indeed. That horizon will surely be beautiful. All those who have departed will be there, as will those yet to depart.”

“All that you possessed, and all that you could not possess, will be there. And the unique sound…so serene, so tranquil…”

Gargantua slowly descends from the sky,

as if to consume everything in its path.

Mirfak says,

“It would be…my honor.”

“Then, welcome.”

Gargantua consumes.

The regrets, the passions, the lifetimes of countless demons.

Stories so long they wouldn’t fit in their own epic sagas.

And with this mass,

it will become a star that devours stars, emitting no light.

“…Did you enjoy your meal, Gargantua?”

Countless mana and countless years of training flow into me.

“Yes. Indeed. He might be able to kill me. And…”

A blue light flickers within Gargantua.

“Neither of us…used our true power. It wasn’t a serious fight.”

The power known as Black Star Dragon,

I haven’t used it yet.

“Teacher Raven! Teacher Raven!”

What’s all this commotion in the early morning?

I thought there might be construction going on and tried to ignore it, but…

Bang!

“Ah, f*ck. What’s happening to the building?”

A massive beam of light visible outside the window.

If my guess is correct, no one but Teacher Raven could produce that.

No. Not “if.” It has to be Teacher Raven.

Crash!!!

Cutting through any obstacles in my path with my sword, I searched for him.

But the surroundings look like a disaster zone.

Decapitated buildings float eerily in the air.

Flames, unquenchable by water, continue to consume the structures.

Nothing remains in the wake of such overwhelming power.

I felt a presence last night.

Was it the Demon King’s army?

And with this level of power…

Making a Legion Commander like Baalzebub look like nothing…

“Teacher Lenas?”

“Oh, f*ck. There you are, Teacher Raven.”

Lost in my thoughts, I nearly tripped over Teacher Raven.

I hurriedly pulled my foot back and checked on him.

“The mana around here is a mess. And you’ll need new clothes. Why did you coat your clothes with wax in the first place? It’s all melted.”

“…It seems like it’s been a year since we last met, Teacher Lenas.”

“What nonsense are you spouting? I’ll get you a potion.”

Leaving Teacher Raven, who was speaking strangely, I hurriedly tried to go to a store.

“Wait. Wait a moment, Lenas.”

“…What is it?”

Teacher Raven took a deep breath and said,

“Are you good at keeping secrets?”

“Yes? I’m quite good at it. I swear on my position as Swordsmanship Teacher.”

How honorable and lucrative the position of a teacher at the academy is!

These days, people value this more than being a knight.

“Haa…”

Teacher Raven sighed briefly and said,

“Place my left hand on my abdomen.”

“…What do you mean?”

Teacher Raven still has mana within him, that much is clear.

But if he uses any more magic, his head will probably explode.

They say using magic requires complex thought.

To borrow the Saintess’s words, it feels like experiencing a stranger’s entire life in your mind.

Then Teacher Raven, who fought someone with that level of power, must be pushing himself to the limit.

But, I’m not coldhearted enough to ignore a patient’s request.

I placed his left hand on his abdomen.

Fwoosh!!!

“Ugh… haa… Thank you, Lenas.”

“…What was that?”

Teacher Raven shot up, as good as new.

No aftereffects, and his mana flow has stabilized.

“It’s a secret. You’re good at keeping secrets, right?”

“Well, alright. But the damage to your mind is still there, so don’t overexert yourself.”

It’s common knowledge that damage from magic use is incurable.

If Teacher Raven’s head starts hurting again because I made him think too much by asking him questions…

I’d feel bad. Better keep my mouth shut.

But… no matter how much I try to stay quiet,

instincts honed over a long knighthood are hard to suppress.

Clang!!!

“Surprise attack.”

“…How?!”

I drew my sword and deflected the liquid projectile that was flying towards Teacher Raven.

The sticky yellow liquid was shaped like a spear.

The one attacking Teacher Raven from behind was,

A girl with short yellow hair, orange eyes, and a patchwork of ragged clothes.

The Queen of Envy, as sung in ancient ballads.

“Ah, Kudos of Envy.”

“Indeed. Kudos of Envy. I’m so envious…of your relaxed demeanor.”

Kudos said, irritably smoothing down her yellow hair.

Kudos. Huh. Strange things happen a lot around Teacher Raven.

A ridiculous story like the True Demon King’s army that you only hear in childhood fairy tales…

Is it real?

For a moment, I tried to think of someone who could do that to Teacher Raven,

but only the Demon King or names I’ve heard of in myths came to mind.

Hmm.

I pushed Teacher Raven behind me.

He tried to resist, but if a person who has only held a sword his entire life can’t win with his body, what can he do?

If I couldn’t even beat him physically, I would have quit being a Swordsmanship Teacher.

“Rest. I’ll handle this one.”

“Lenas…”

“It’s fine. I’ve dealt with plenty of pests.”

“…You think you can… when you’re not even as radiant as he is… you?”

Kudos extended her hand, forming a yellow sword.

A grotesque weapon, a bizarre amalgamation of countless blades.

Part scythe, part axe, part zweihander, part kris.

Kudos caressed the strange sword, a cruel smile twisting her lips.

“Do you know how many Sword Saints I’ve observed, how many I’ve copied? Today… you die.”

Kudos trembles, her body wracked with a nervous energy.

Is she insane? Well, I suppose it’s to be expected of a Demon King’s Legion Commander.

If she were sane, she wouldn’t be working under such a strange person.

“Hey, Kudos. Let me tell you something.”

“Are you leaving behind your last words? Fine, speak.”

“This might be impossible for you to understand, having spent your life copying others…”

I draw the sword from my hip.

The most orthodox of sword forms.

A form so basic, any knight who doesn’t recognize it should be ashamed.

A bastard sword.

“Someone who dedicates their life to a single pursuit is far stronger than someone who doesn’t.”

“…You bastard!!!”

Come at me.

Nightmare of a bygone era.

“My body’s fine. I was going to tell you that I can use magic now, but…”

A knight, sword drawn with resolute eyes, entered the plague doctor’s view.

“It wouldn’t be right to interrupt someone so determined to protect me…”

He quietly pulled out popcorn from subspace.

Because he knew that if he intervened, the scene would be ruined.