Ch.332332. Exploration

●

In this world, there are always those born under lucky stars. People who easily achieve success in whatever they do.

As one such person, the current situation was utterly perplexing to Elnore.

“-Hmm.”

In the life of Elnore Erinarise la Tristan, instances of hardship could be counted on one hand.

Any kind of obstacle was quickly overcome under her grasp. The only time she felt nervous was when she first proposed to Darwood, but even that ended up firmly in her grasp, didn’t it?

“So it is you. It seems only you can bring yourself down in the end.”

[…]

The translucent gray figure that constantly accompanied her these days glanced down at her with a look of disdain.

Though verbal communication was impossible, it was quite common for it to appear like this and communicate with her non-verbally.

“If you’re not going to help, could you please stop looking at me with such an irritated expression?”

[…]

“What? Instead of glaring, if you have complaints, say them out loud.”

[…]

Of course, having grown somewhat accustomed to this, Elnore wasn’t bothered anymore by speaking so bluntly.

Though the other party was quite stubborn, refusing to open its mouth no matter what she said.

‘-Anyway.’

Elnore frowned as she looked ahead.

To rephrase what she just said, the fact that she would ask this gray figure for ‘help’ meant that the predicament she faced was quite severe.

“-“

A figure identical to Elnore stood before her, holding a sword in the exact same posture, staring at her expressionlessly.

Even the gray figure protruding from the upper body was identical to hers.

‘Nothing works against it.’

It was clear that any ‘ability’ using demonic energy could be used equally by the other side.

‘How is that even possible?’

Though she wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about demons, she knew very well that this wasn’t the kind of ability that could be easily imitated.

Yet, the opponent replicated it effortlessly.

As if it knew a great deal about these types of abilities.

“…”

It wasn’t completely flawless, though.

Looking more carefully, there was some room to underestimate what she initially perceived as her perfect doppelganger.

There were definitely flaws in how it ‘spoke’ or ‘acted’ exactly like her. It was as if those functions had been removed for efficiency.

However, at least.

In terms of ‘fighting’ in this place, it clearly produced output equal to hers.

And the problem was.

‘-It’s not diminishing, is it?’

The demonic energy output she could emit was noticeably decreasing bit by bit.

In contrast, her doppelganger facing her showed no signs of diminished output.

It might be possible to strategically push it using the flaws she discovered earlier, but at this rate, her defeat was inevitable.

‘What should I do…’

She quietly closed her eyes and sank into thought.

It was impossible to avoid the battle and flee immediately. She had repeatedly confirmed that whenever she tried to take such action, the opponent’s attacks became more intense.

In the end, she had to win and break through, but to defeat an opponent with exactly the same skill level as hers, well.

‘That would only be possible if I became stronger right now.’

It was nonsensical. Improvement in skill doesn’t happen so radically.

Unless there was some kind of eye-opening catalyst-

“…?”

As Elnore was thinking this, something fell at the edge of her vision.

The object slid down smoothly as if sent by someone, then plopped onto the floor.

And as soon as she identified what it was.

“…”

Elnore’s consciousness went dark in an instant.

●

And there were people watching this situation from a distance.

“…What the hell is he doing?”

Talker opened his mouth with a dumbfounded voice as he examined the image floating before him.

He had just confirmed what Darwood Campbell was doing, but he couldn’t understand what it meant at all.

He had been watching how this man, who couldn’t even untie tightly bound ropes by himself unless in an ’emergency situation,’ would handle this predicament.

Suddenly, he was banging his head on the floor to draw blood, then carefully smearing it on his clothing.

After thoroughly and evenly coating his clothes with it,

He sent one piece to each of the Demonic Vessels.

Since the only ability that man could freely use was holy power, it must be something utilizing that.

In truth, from Talker’s perspective, it seemed too pathetic to even bother with.

Seeing him in his underwear with a blank expression and blood streaming from his forehead, it was hard to understand how such a person could ascend to the rank of demon by his own power.

“Blood-stained clothes? What could he possibly do with that?”

In response to Talker’s words, the Luminary let out a small laugh.

“No, he’s probably trying to make them think I’ve done something harmful to him.”

“…Wouldn’t normal people just ignore such provocation?”

“If they were rational enough to make such judgments, they wouldn’t have come here in the first place.”

“…”

That was true.

The fundamental reason they could walk into such an obvious trap was because of their tendency to rush headlong into anything related to Darwood Campbell, regardless of consequences.

“You still don’t understand, Talker.”

The Luminary continued speaking to him as he gazed at the situation with a cryptic look.

“What I’m wary of is their tendency to charge in recklessly when it comes to Darwood.”

“…What?”

“I already know what moves Darwood might use against me in a fight, and Darwood probably guesses that I know this. So the variables we can bring out when we face each other are limited.”

That’s why he called it a reconnaissance battle.

If they both know each other’s tendencies, then all ordinary strategies become meaningless.

In such a situation, they both roughly know each other’s “hidden cards” that could be effective against the other. The point was to examine those cards.

While the Luminary was a specialist in methods of sealing “demons” and controlling even them,

Darwood’s strength lay in the “bonds” he had built with demons over time.

Yes, for example.

The momentary “overoutput” they might produce from just a “hint” that his life could be in danger.

“…So you’re saying that will actually work?”

“Yes.”

The ritual these vessels were trapped in was far more dangerous than they realized.

From the very beginning, Talker and the Luminary had spent months meticulously preparing this ancient sorcery and high-level ritual formations, creating a multi-layered trap specifically for this purpose.

The effort and resources that went into it were truly astronomical, but the result was powerful enough to prevent even Demonic Vessels from escaping that place, so it was certainly worth it.

But for something like that.

To be shattered by the mere sight of blood-stained clothing was unimaginable-

-…

Before that thought could finish.

Suddenly, a crack appeared in the ground with a sharp sound.

“…?”

The Luminary looked down at the floor beneath him with a blank expression.

This place was quite far from the ancient castle where those Demonic Vessels were contained.

Even traveling by carriage would take several days to cover the distance.

Generally, even what are called high-level rituals couldn’t imagine covering such a range.

But, for some unknown reason.

What could possibly be happening to affect even here-

————-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As demonic energy of all sorts of mixed colors filled the image, the Luminary closed his mouth.

“…”

Though old and worn.

The sight of a castle at least the size of a mountain being completely shattered was quite a spectacle.

Especially considering that until just now, that was the place where the Demonic Vessels had been struggling to escape from.

And it didn’t end there.

“Boss.”

“Yes.”

“…Is all this destruction happening just from the ‘release’ of demonic energy?”

“Seems like it.”

The atmosphere burns. Beyond burning, it tears apart. A hole opens in the sky. The ground disintegrates. All living beings within several kilometers are annihilated. The image is filled with an overwhelming display of violence that seems to return the very cycle of existence and life to nothingness.

And piercing through the center of such a scene are roaring voices.

The simultaneous screams of the Demonic Vessels.

“””””Come out right now, you fucking bitch-!””””””

“-Wow.”

Hearing the murderous chorus that was clearly perceptible even through the image, the Luminary whistled.

‘…At this rate, they’ll kill her themselves?’

Talker was having such rational thoughts as he watched the image.

●