Ch.159Pursuit (4)

# Pursuit (4)

A strike that seemed to twist and shatter space itself. Each of Belphegor’s punches contained enough power to destroy the world.

But it was different. Not the divine power that transcended space, but the power of Belphegor’s own ability.

The moment La•Pa witnessed this power, he understood.

‘So that’s how he could handle divine power so easily?’

A power similar yet different.

That’s why he could handle that immense power, if only a little.

‘No, even before that…’

It was powerful enough to be dangerous if La•Pa took even one direct hit.

That’s why La•Pa had no choice but to focus on evasion.

This was natural given his plan to stall for time until he could attack Belphegor together with the hero party and the divine being.

However, there was one question.

‘If he wanted to, killing me would have been simple, wouldn’t it?’

If he used both the divine being’s ability to transcend spatial constraints and the Demon Lord Belphegor’s power to shatter space itself, wouldn’t it be simple?

It meant he could immediately deliver an unavoidable fatal attack.

But Belphegor didn’t do that. He only used his own abilities to pressure La•Pa.

This seemed strange.

Belphegor must have noticed that La•Pa was trying to stall for time. Because of this, La•Pa could be certain.

“You have limitations, don’t you?”

“…”

Belphegor could clearly handle divine power.

But except for when he first brought her here, he hadn’t exercised that power even once.

He only used the power he originally possessed. She had chosen to deliberately take the long way around instead of the quick and easy path.

“Well, that makes sense. There’s no way you could fully control such power. And if your original power was already that immense… Yes, your body can’t withstand using too much power. Right, kid?”

“…”

Realizing this fact, La•Pa couldn’t help but sneer.

Of course, Belphegor was strong. Even without usurping the divine being’s power, he would have been a worthy opponent.

But with just Belphegor’s power alone, it wasn’t enough.

Just as she couldn’t surpass Lug the divine being, Belphegor without divine power couldn’t surpass her.

Such was the simple relationship of power.

“That makes things easier for me.”

The power dynamics were different from what she had initially thought.

She was the one with the advantage.

Of course, that didn’t mean she intended to kill Belphegor with her own hands. Even a cornered rat will bite a cat.

But there was no longer any reason to just avoid his attacks.

La•Pa could now wear down Belphegor more thoroughly.

“I don’t particularly like the saying ‘what goes around comes around,’ but yes. This definitely deserves to be called that.”

The price for coveting power beyond one’s capacity.

The time had come to pay that price.

“You are truly…”

Black wings, horns, and even a tail.

Looking at La•Pa displaying the symbols of the dragon race, Belphegor thought.

“A petty creature.”

As soon as she realized she had the advantage, her attitude changed immediately.

The cautious behavior was gone, replaced only by arrogance.

“Didn’t you know? Those negative aspects are precisely what drive me to be strong.”

The three poisons and the five desires and seven emotions.

All those negative emotions that humans are ashamed of and despise form the foundation of who she is.

Just as divine beings grow stronger by receiving faith.

“Well, let me ask your name while we’re at it. What’s your name?”

“Mara-papiyas. Think of me as your distant ancestor and senior.”

“I see.”

Belphegor tilted his head with a languid expression, as if annoyed.

Seeing him nodding off as if sleepy, La•Pa—no, Mara-papiyas—sneered even more.

No matter how slothful one might be, being unable to resist sleep during battle isn’t just a matter of personality.

This too was a price he was paying.

“Somehow, I thought it was strange that you hadn’t invaded the human realm when you could have. But it wasn’t that you didn’t want to—you couldn’t, right?”

“Well, yes. Since you’re being so forthcoming, I’ll do the same.”

The side effects of Belphegor’s power.

And the culprit that could be inferred from Mara-papiyas’s words.

Having revealed their information to each other, the two glared at one another again.

“You must have some confidence to appear before me like this.”

“Hmm? I wonder?”

“Then for your sake, shall I tell you one important piece of information?”

Belphegor rubbed his eyes as if trying to stay awake.

Finding this both amusing and cute, Mara-papiyas smiled contentedly, but…

“This isn’t a stage for cowards like you.”

That smile disappeared the moment Belphegor removed his hand from his eyes.

A crumbling body. Blue flames overflowing through the cracks.

Seeing his unstable appearance that looked ready to explode at any moment, Mara-papiyas couldn’t help but understand Belphegor’s words.

“Make your choice.”

After a bit of conversation and that action, Belphegor was certain.

Mara-papiyas had no lofty ideals or beliefs.

She was cowardly, petty, hedonistic, and self-centered.

That’s why she was a different kind of evil from him, and that’s why Belphegor could provide an answer based on her nature.

She might be foolish, but what she held in her heart was an answer derived from more careful consideration than anyone else’s.

“Will you die here with me, or will you flee like a coward?”

“…”

Yes, to put it bluntly, Mara-papiyas wasn’t prepared to risk her life.

Could she really think about stalling for time when faced with a bomb that might explode at any moment?

If she truly wanted to save the world, she might. No, she should.

Just by stalling for time, Belphegor would self-destruct.

But she wouldn’t do that. For her, pleasure and her own safety were the most important things.

“Yes, you’re thinking about it.”

Mara-papiyas was contemplating.

At least, there was room for that.

Therefore…

“Shall I help you make your choice?”

Belphegor exercised divine power to light the fuse.

A flame kindled above his hand.

In response, the blue flames beyond the cracks began to flicker unstably.

Seeing him put even his own life on the line, Mara-papiyas’s face grew pale.

“Will you die together with me? Or will you flee and live?”

***

Legion Commander Eight couldn’t help but feel terror at the unprecedented violence he was currently exposed to.

“That, that crazy woman finally did it!”

Garnet’s tone left no doubt that she believed the woman was insane. And having such thoughts, he couldn’t help but be terrified.

Eight couldn’t stop Garnet. Not knowing what her purpose was right now. No, finding it hard to believe she had anything that could be called a purpose, Eight couldn’t help but become disoriented.

“She’s going to burn everything down! That crazy woman clearly came to vent her anger without thinking of the consequences!”

A relationship of deep trust.

An unquestioning nature.

Eight knew that if things continued like this, he would die.

Unless Garnet had some other purpose, she would gradually burn down this area to find him.

How could one withstand a siege against a madwoman with plenty of time?

“Seven! Help me! Help! Help! Urgent help!”

Eight urgently called for help as the flames drew closer.

He was calling for Legion Commander Seven, who had been stationed in the rear to block any unexpected variables.

“What?! What’s going on?! What’s all this fuss about?”

In response to Eight’s scream-like call, a small child appeared from his shadow.

The child with somewhat androgynous features, who had revealed themselves through the shadow, glared at Eight while covering their ears as if annoyed by the noise.

But ignoring such displeased looks, Eight shouted as if having a fit.

“That crazy Five has finally come all the way here and is running wild!”

“What? Running wild? What’s her purpose in doing that?”

“As if that woman would have anything like a purpose! Asking a crazy woman for reasons is meaningless!”

“…That’s true.”

Consistent statements.

Common thoughts.

At this point, one could only say that Lug’s trust had been accurate.

Of course, having been burned to a crisp by an angry Garnet, he couldn’t know this, but unfortunately, he wouldn’t have the chance to vent that resentment.

“…I understand for now. Please adjust to a location where it’s easiest for me to hide. Eight. I’ll handle it.”

“Of course you should!”

Legion Commanders Eight and Seven.

The two shone even brighter when together.

Using spider webs as obstacles to make it easier for Seven the assassin to sneak in, and moving them in real-time to create paths for him to return and hide again was simple.

A labyrinth of spider webs with an assassin hiding within.

That alone was reason enough for the two Legion Commanders to be responsible for the rear guard by themselves.

***

Esmeralda asked Steak, who was running alongside her.

“Lug, it’s true. It seems you really didn’t think that Sister Garnet might be planning something else.”

“Right? Look at my condition. Just seeing this should leave no doubt that she’s a crazy woman.”

“Definitely.”

Harsh gossip taking place in the absence of the subject.

Lug, who had become a rare steak, crispy on the outside and raw inside, seemed somehow proud that his judgment had been correct.

In a situation where his trust had shown definite results, this level of pain was bearable compared to that joy.

“…But can we get out of here before everything burns down?”

While Esmeralda was admiring Lug’s insight, Eirene Saintess had a stiff expression on her face.

The fire’s momentum was fierce. If they weren’t careful, they might not only fail to break through but also become isolated and burn together.

“A valid point, Saintess. But unfortunately, I must inform you of a cruel fact.”

Lug spoke with a gloomy expression.

It was another certainty.

“Do you think a crazy woman can control such things?”

Thud!

At that moment, a burning mass of spider webs fell between the group, separating Lug from the hero party.

“And only those who have observed her closely can confirm just how crazy she is.”

In the final moment.

At a time no one expected.

Lug decided on his final escape.