Ch.18360. The Race Between Me and Fate (2)

My consciousness is hazy.

Elhermina.

Is that really her standing there? If so, how long has it been?

But why… why is she here?

Thoughts swirl chaotically in my mind.

“AAAAGH! YOU?! YOU! You… ignored my warning! And followed me here?! How? How did you get here?! By what means! WHYYYYY!!!”

Leaning against Elhermina’s arm, I stared at the current Demon Lord standing at a distance, consumed by various doubts.

What had… happened here?

The pure white flames clinging to the Demon Lord’s entire body seemed to be troubling her, like a predator that had caught its own tail.

“More importantly… you managed not to lose it.”

My right hand clutching the broken sword.

Elhermina placed her hand over mine and gazed down at it with a distant look, exhaling deeply.

“Nooooo! Hey! What happened to you?! You’re practically dying here!”

And then.

With a noisy voice that didn’t quite match the atmosphere, Zora slid over and reached my vicinity.

“L-let’s start with first aid.”

Zora thrust a stone I’d seen before against my chest.

“I appreciate it.”

“Huh? What?”

Leaving behind the bewildered Zora and me, she rose to her feet and headed toward the current Demon Lord.

Her snow-white hair and the white flames surrounding it billowed like an elegant, long banner.

“What kind of trouble did you get into to disappear for weeks without a word?”

“…”

Weeks?

“Didn’t you know? It’s been over two weeks since you vanished inside that building! Two weeks counts as ‘weeks.’ Don’t argue with me.”

Zora was making a fuss.

Judging by her rather unrefined attitude… she must have been through quite a lot.

“What… happened?”

“What? To me? Or to that lady over there?”

…That lady?

“Let’s focus on your recovery first, shall we? What did you do to end up in this half-dead state with that supposedly amazing body of yours? Ah, it would take too long to explain, right? Don’t bother. We can make time for that later.”

She wasn’t exactly rambling, but she spoke so quickly that it felt that way.

Still, one thing was certain—my breathing had become a bit easier.

“But like I said before, there’s no spare for this. I did take the time to make another one, but even so, there’s only one left, okay?”

“…”

I tried to force my upper body to sit up.

Though my body wouldn’t obey, with Zora’s support, I managed to raise at least my torso.

“…”

More easily than before, I turned my gaze and saw it in the distance.

Heba.

She was impaled by the current Demon Lord’s violent attack, hanging lifelessly like fruit on a tree branch, in a miserable state.

“Why? What about… that person? How did they end up… like that? Do you know them?”

“…”

Ahriman.

Don’t just stay silent—explain. You must have seen everything.

-That woman? She just saw you getting beaten up, and instead of knowing her place and running away, she rushed in and got herself skewered. Reaping what she sowed, isn’t she?

“…”

-What? Are you still upset that I didn’t help? But you’re the one who made me like this, aren’t you? It’s not like I didn’t help at all. I did what I could. You’re the one who caused this mess with your unnecessary actions. How many times did I tell you to trust me?

“…”

One thing was certain.

Ahriman and Athena were neither identical nor equal.

I realized that clearly this time.

And it hit home.

If Ahriman and Athena had been the same kind of being…

…Zeus would have had no reason to consider her his daughter, to leave her be, or to favor her.

He would have struck her dead without hesitation.

“How… did you get… here?”

“You’re quick to ask. This isn’t the time for that, though.”

Elhermina swung her sword with flames hanging from it.

As the flames followed the trajectory of the sword, they rushed into the Demon Lord’s body.

“…?”

Could she be hit that easily?

‘No.’

There’s something else.

But it wasn’t anything particularly special.

This was.

The product of effort.

And when that effort is accumulated by someone who is a genius and extraordinary.

It is in itself…

-Kugh!!!!

The Demon Lord flailed her arms.

Black flames erupted, and black branches shot up from the ground.

And all of that.

Was being struck down, scattered by… the current Elhermina.

Her technique was marvelous. It was so excellent that it could be said to have reached divine skill.

But the essence of the sword she wielded was… surprisingly, exactly what I knew.

‘Imperial Swordsmanship.’

There are no movements or techniques in Imperial Swordsmanship that involve throwing or launching oneself, but.

This was a practical application of it.

Though it lacked formal stances and preparatory movements, all of those elements were contained in the sword forms and strikes she delivered.

Things I couldn’t see at all before were now clearly visible.

Moreover, that pure white fire surrounding her.

Like the sun dominating the sky at midday, that white fire emitting pure light seemed to filter out and block the malice and hostility directed at Elhermina.

THUD!

The Demon Lord’s body, struck by the sword but not cut, was driven forcefully into the ground as if by a blunt weapon wielded with both hands.

The ground’s surface shattered, and white and black flames intertwined like writhing snakes.

Creating a violent storm.

The essence of the storm was fire and heat.

The air, heated by it, suddenly spread with a whoosh, carrying its heat even to where we stood at a distance.

“…”

Was she always this strong?

Her movements are extraordinary too. No wasted motion.

No hesitation, no delay.

The sword is straightforward, but the swordsmanship displayed is more versatile than anything.

The core is not fixed, but the entire body moves continuously.

When the lower body is still, the knees, pelvis, and waist.

Even the upper body moves with optimal trajectory and efficiency.

She can take any stance at any time, and draw any form of sword strike she desires—it’s almost like an ability.

She’s not being dragged by the sword she wields; every moment of wielding is under her control.

She cuts, then thrusts, then withdraws to cut in reverse, parries, deflects, swings, blocks diagonally, and flows through.

More fierce, fast, and agile than flowing water, yet.

Still without any excess.

“I kept waiting for you outside, you know? What else could I do even without news? I couldn’t exactly take on that gatekeeper giant myself.”

While watching the battle between Elhermina and the Demon Lord,

I found myself listening to Zora’s words.

“That’s when she arrived. It was impressive. For your sake, she fought that awakened gatekeeper giant head-on for over half a day and somehow neutralized it. We slipped inside during that opening… but even that wasn’t easy.”

Zora explained.

Though she spoke lightly, having experienced the interior myself, I knew her words were far from trivial.

Above all, I had moved while concealing my presence and hiding, so apart from the gatekeeper giant… I hadn’t faced many trials.

But she, El, wasn’t in the same position.

“She took down everything. And while looking for you, she seemed to be searching for something else too. For two days after that, barely sleeping properly… wandering through that building we just came out of. Yes, the temple.”

Zora said.

That she had cheated death several times.

She spoke lightly, as if joking.

But it must have been more than an anecdote—perhaps an extreme adventure and exploration.

Perhaps fragments of another great and small myth overcoming trials.

“And we arrived at some tomb inside. And there… that lady grabbed something from the hand of a skinny corpse… a corpse lying in a corner, and suddenly she became like that.”

“…”

I don’t know the details, but.

There’s definitely a connection.

And what that connection is.

“I’m fine, so go check on her. Go over there and see how she’s doing.”

“But who is she anyway? Ah, right. That’s not important right now. Got it.”

As Zora left, I forced my upper body up and stared straight ahead again.

At that moment, Elhermina switched the sword to her left hand. Suddenly, strange wooden branches gathered over her right hand, forming an elongated shape.

-Hmm?

The former Demon Lord, who had somehow appeared beside me and was standing with her arms crossed.

She uttered a strange name as she saw it.

-Mistletoe? At this point?

“…”

What is that, to provoke such a reaction?

Elhermina threw the spear formed from branches like a javelin.

-Where do you think you’re throwing that thing!

The current Demon Lord swatted away the incoming spear as if it were nothing.

But unexpectedly, the spear that hit her hand burst and separated, splitting into dozens of branches.

Then each of them, like arrows being shot, rained down on the Demon Lord’s entire body.

Like the tentacles of some monster, but with clear intent, they battered the Demon Lord’s armored body as if slashing it—this attack, this offensive was not one to be taken lightly.

-This kind of—?!

Would you believe that those branches pierced through her pitch-black armor, her seemingly invincible protection?

But that wasn’t the end.

That was merely a projectile launched before physical contact.

Elhermina charged in with her sword wreathed in white flames.

Her sword strike, finally, on the defenseless body of the Demon Lord.

Split it clean through.

-!!!!!!

White flames swept around like a storm.

So powerful was its momentum that even the sky seemed to be affected, turning white.

-!!!!!

There was no scream.

The Queen of Pain does not scream from mere pain.

But the attack had definitely connected.

The current Demon Lord was clearly in pain, visibly struggling to maintain her balance.

-You hid—such power? Then why were you just taking hits before?!

The Demon Lord expressed her bewilderment, but.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Elhermina emotionlessly continued to cut through her body.

If she were an ordinary creature or life form.

She should have been cut in two by the previous attack.

Strangely, though, the Demon Lord, despite having her waist and upper body cleanly sliced through by the sword.

Far from dying, she was merely in pain.

-Kugh!

Rather, she seemed more annoyed by the wooden branches embedded in her body, her face contorted in extreme displeasure.

“Let’s end this now.”

Pointing her sword tip at the Demon Lord who had fallen to one knee after allowing consecutive attacks.

Elhermina pronounced the finale.

-Who decides, as they please.

Shivering, the Demon Lord forcibly rose to her feet.

A crimson energy, flames, and radiance flowed from around her.

But separate from that.

A pitch-black darkness embraced her shoulders from behind.

-Ah—!

The red-haired, red-eyed girl who trembled slightly and made a tearful face.

-That’s right. Nothing is over. Nothing. Nothing.

After muttering to herself as if deranged.

-Because nothing can be undone. Nothing. Nothing! Hic!

Suddenly, a straight sword appeared in her hands, which she had clasped in front of her chest.

Taking the form of darkness, it was like a sword made of ominous, gloomy veils.

It took the form of metal as black as pitch.

However.

“That’s…”

Familiar.

Something is different, but.

Newly different, but.

That was definitely something very familiar to my eyes.

As Elhermina rushed toward it.

The Demon Lord, holding the sword straight out with both hands.

Suddenly changed her stance.

“What…?”

Consecutive strikes.

Elhermina’s swordsmanship was marvelously unparalleled, but.

The Demon Lord’s sword technique opposing it was different from before—not recklessly charging in, relying solely on physical abilities and strange powers, but a strange swordsmanship with restraint and control, yet also chaos and disorder.

But the essence of that… was very familiar to me.

“How can she use Grandeus’s swordsmanship…?”

What on earth is her identity?

-Fool. Are your eyes just for decoration? Look properly. Does that look the same as Grandeus’s or yours?

Rarely, the Demon Lord shot not a taunt but a harsh rebuke.

“…”

Right. It’s different.

What I learned and practiced is…

Not that aggressive or offensive.

It starts with Para.

Then Betita, Grate, Fortes are the same, but.

Fabiam.

The downward strike.

Necata.

The thrust.

And Punita.

The upward strike.

No less than seven forms, advancing and retreating repeatedly, were being displayed in succession.

Every movement is not for defense or counterattack, but to attack and break, crumble, and neutralize the opponent’s defense.

And there was one completely different form, format added to what I had learned.

But it wasn’t a sword form.

‘The gait.’

The advancing movement.

But in that movement… there is no retreat.

A march risking one’s life.

A march throwing everything away.

“This is.”

A strange light crossed Elhermina’s blue eyes.

Though she was skillfully responding to this.

When the Demon Lord began to actively utilize her abilities as well, Elhermina’s advance also began to falter, as if facing an impregnable fortress.

And watching this, the former Demon Lord, the golden girl, muttered as if somewhat excited.

-Abandoning one’s body to kill the opponent. The determination to annihilate. Excellent. Only advance, no retreat. Abandoning harmony for destruction, control for aggressiveness. Is it the product of obsession? Foolish stubbornness? Or is it desperation? It’s desperation. Yes, I can see it. Is this your answer? I can see it so clearly! Hahaha!

“…”

The golden girl.

Who was also the former Demon Lord.

Can she see the composition and reality of that?

I can see it too.

Everything familiar.

And if asked to imitate that.

I could definitely imitate it immediately.

With a little practice, training, adaptation time.

Right away.

-Kyaaaah!

But.

Was it because of that strange wooden spear in Elhermina’s hand?

The Demon Lord showed particular weakness to it.

The same javelin as before doesn’t work now.

For some reason, the projectile seemed to fly around, avoiding her body.

So Elhermina, with a sword in one hand and a wooden spear in the other.

She threw herself in deliberately, driving the opponent back with brilliant sword-spear techniques.

While allowing her waist to be exposed, she pierced the Demon Lord’s forearm with the wooden spear.

Unlike Elhermina, who didn’t even let out a groan, the Demon Lord, despite her title as the Queen of Pain, was clearly in great pain, desperately trying to maintain her balance.

It’s almost as if that wooden spear is the Demon Lord’s natural enemy.

-A branch that killed the God of Light. Yes. So it works on those of the lineage of radiance too. If Rueld had been an enemy, she might have prepared this in advance to deal with him. The Emperor of the Berk Empire has his formidable aspects. How did she obtain that? Or… did that damned old man throw it to her knowing this situation? Ah, that would also fulfill the contract with that Heba woman, so it makes sense.

“Do you know what that is?”

-It’s a branch that a trickster god used to kill an annoying god. Originally… it was something most insignificant, not even a weapon… but it happened to kill the God of Light. That’s why it became special. Laevateinn, which this Demon Lord incorporated into her body. That too is a masterpiece of the trickster god. What a terrible connection.

“…”

-It will end soon.

The strange thing was, even though Elhermina was moving like that, not a single breath was disturbed.

But the Demon Lord’s appearance was extremely precarious.

She looked as if she was barely standing by stabbing her sword into the ground.

With the wooden branch still pierced through her, she was panting heavily—a stark contrast to her previously overwhelming presence.

-You, youuu! You—!

“If you want to talk to me, bring your subordinate.”

Elhermina’s sword scraped across the black armor.

-!!!!

Facing the Demon Lord who was gritting her teeth, Elhermina reached out and thrust her arm straight into the Demon Lord’s chest.

Normally, there should be no opening or gap to insert anything, and it should have been blocked.

…But as if unbound by material and physical constraints, her hand was visibly sucked into the Demon Lord’s chest.

-Wh-what!

The Demon Lord grabbed both of Elhermina’s arms.

Crimson branches and black flames erupted from her body.

As if to pierce and burn even herself.

As I saw before… this is an extreme attack, a rampage that presupposes self-destruction and self-harm.

But for someone, it could be the most lethal and appropriate counterattack or assault.

However.

The pure white flame instantly blocked all of it.

Moreover, the wooden spear that was wrapped around Elhermina’s right arm like a parasite suddenly increased in volume, offsetting all the crimson branches that were stabbing in.

-Kugh!

“Return this and go back.”

A blackened staff emerged from the Demon Lord’s chest.

Elhermina grabbed it and pulled hard.

Suddenly, Elhermina’s eyes shot upward.

As she quickly withdrew her body, the blackened staff was split in half.

-…It’s not over. It’s not. It’s not.

The Demon Lord, who had been glaring at Elhermina with a pained expression, had her form sink into a crimson space created on the ground, as if being buried in a swamp.

“Haa.”

Elhermina had been about to pursue her immediately.

But perhaps due to the ominous shadow at the Demon Lord’s head making her hesitate.

In the end.

She let the Demon Lord, whom she had managed to corner, escape in a somewhat anticlimactic way.

“…”

Is it over?

The situation has calmed down in a way I never imagined.

No, thinking that might be fundamentally wrong.

“Kariel.”

Elhermina.

She looked this way and, for some reason, raised the wooden spear in her right hand high above her head.

That gesture, what is it?

It’s as if she’s about to throw it at me.

Is that just my imagination?

“This will hurt a little.”

“??”

What?

The wooden spear that left her hand instantly pierced through my body.

“?!?!”

What… what are you doing…?

…El, you…?