Chapter 350

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“Ah, don’t worry. I won’t kill you.”

“Ugh.”

Murmur gripped Johan’s neck even tighter.

Despite the slender, fern-like hands of a child, the grip was absurdly strong.

Since appearance is not important to a human possessed by a devil, twisting a human’s neck would be a piece of cake if she set her mind to it.

Even Johan, a strong man at the captain-level, was no different.

Thanks to this, Johan couldn’t easily counterattack or break free. The opponent was a fragment of an Ancient God. Clearly stronger than Johan. It was like having his windpipe bitten by a ferocious beast. 

It was obvious that if he showed even a hint of suspicious behavior, his neck would be broken immediately.

“I’ve seen a lot of kids like you. The type who are obsessed with fighting strong opponents, right? You hate having your battles disturbed. I know you well. It’s best to kill a captain-level powerhouse when you have the chance, but… well, this time is special. I’ll spare you.”

After all, the truly dangerous one is the Commander.

It’s true that devils would be in danger if several captains gather.

But that was only true for ordinary devils.

‘Anyway, Agares’s seal will be broken soon, right?’

He had strained himself to eliminate Astaroth, causing the timeline to shift again, but all that had happened was a slight extension of the deadline. 

Once Agares is freed, the danger posed by the captains will be reduced to a level similar to that of other supernaturals. Besides, Murmur is the ruler of space. If necessary, she could just escape with a spatial jump.

“I came to make a proposal.”

“A proposal… you say?”

“Yes, a proposal. An interesting proposal, one that you won’t lose out on.”

Murmur reached out to Eresh.

As if asking her to take her hand.

“Become my subordinate.”

“?”

Eresh frowned. She suddenly appeared, interrupted the fight, and now she’s saying strange things. Eresh stroked the red fox mask and replied.

“I am a subordinate of Astaroth. Coveting the subordinates of other Devil Gods is forbidden, even if it’s you, ruler of space.”

One must not recklessly covet the possessions of another Devil God. Even Agares, the second-in-command and de facto ruler of the Devil Gods, cannot steal what belongs to other Devil-Gods. Only Astaroth can control Eresh, Astaroth’s subordinate. Why is the ruler of space, who should know this, making such a proposal? Eresh couldn’t understand Murmur’s intentions at all.

“That’s okay.”

Murmur shrugged and said.

“Astaroth is dead.”

“…”

“As her subordinate, can’t you feel it?”

Eresh reflexively focused on her master’s presence. Astaroth could always sense Eresh’s presence, regardless of distance. 

Conversely, Eresh could roughly sense her master’s location, no matter how far away she was. If she couldn’t sense her presence, there were several reasons. She could be sealed, sent to another dimension, or…

“How is it? You don’t feel it, do you? Astaroth’s presence?”

“…”

Was she too focused on her duel with Johan?

If something had happened to her master, she should have been the first to know.

But who could have done it? How many humans are capable of harming her?

The man who is the Commander of the Celestial Corps? He has a history of defeating a devil single-handedly. The undisputed king of humans. The strongest supernatural. 

If it’s that man… no, but my master said that if her ‘plan’ succeeds, she would have nothing to fear. And her plan succeeded. She told me. That the plan was a success. That the long-awaited plan had finally come to fruition. 

So she told me to focus only on my own purpose. That’s why I was so focused on the fight with Johan…

Then, the other captains? They are far inferior to my master alone, but if there are many of them, they can be a threat to a devil. No, this doesn’t make sense either. Even the Commander isn’t considered a threat, so would the other captains be a threat?

The ruler of space has concluded that her master is dead. Devils do not lie, so it must be true. But who could have done it? To kill a devil. Only a transcendent being who defies common sense, like a devil, could accomplish such a feat…

…Ah, I see.

“You don’t seem sad.”

“Huh? What?”

“The death of a Devil God is unprecedented. There have been Devil Gods who have fallen into a state similar to death, but no Devil God has ever died. Even though she was a blood-related sibling and a companion who had lived together for countless years, you don’t seem very sad.”

“…Well, I can’t say I don’t have any feelings at all. I’m sad too. As much as a fingernail? Maybe bigger than that?”

“Why did you kill her?”

“Heh, you think I killed her?”

“I don’t have any material evidence. It’s just a feeling. You could call it intuition.”

“For beings like you and me, intuition is like prophecy. I won’t deny it. It’s true that I had a hand in Astaroth’s death.”

“Why…? No, I think I know.”

Although she was her master, Astaroth often behaved suspiciously. Unlike the other Devil Gods, she seemed to be following her own plan. 

She had no interest in the ‘great cause’ that the Devil Gods spoke of. But that didn’t matter to Eresh. She was her master’s sword. A sword doesn’t need to think. It just needs to be wielded in its master’s hand.

“The Noble Prince wouldn’t have allowed a conflict between Devil Gods, especially one that would take a life. I see. Now that I think about it, I felt a huge energy. I wasn’t paying attention to anything other than Johan, so I didn’t pay attention… but it was definitely a Devil God’s power. The Noble Prince himself must have come.”

Her master allowed it. She told me not to worry about her safety and to focus only on my purpose.

That’s what she did. Eresh intentionally cut off her attention from any external changes.

There was a Sword Saint in front of her. An embodiment of her dream realm. A rival and an idol.

In that situation, it was incredibly difficult for Eresh to pay attention to anything else.

“If Agares allowed it, it means she must have committed a serious crime. Did my master commit treason or something?”

“That’s right.”

“Then she deserved to die.”

I see.

Was that her master’s plan?

To gain power and betray the Devil Gods?

At least it’s certain that she committed a sin that deserved summary execution.

Eresh was silent for a moment. She covered her face with her left hand, which was not holding the Demonic Sword. The hard texture of the red fox mask filled her grip. 

‘Master. My master.’

She had received many favors from her. She, who should have been defeated and perished, was able to gain a second chance and evolve into a demonic beast thanks to her master’s grace. 

She was playful and mischievous, but she didn’t dislike her. And now she’s dead. Killed by her own kind for betraying her own kind.

“So, what about my proposal?”

Had she decided that she had given her enough time to think?

Murmur reached out to Eresh again.

“Ereshkigal.”

Eresh lowered the hand that had been stroking her mask and looked at the child with the white cloud mask. A Devil God of equal rank to her master. One of the 72 corpse parts who rule the Demon Realm.

“Won’t you become my subordinate?”

It’s a proposal you can’t lose.

She was now a sword without a master.

The ruler of space would be a more than adequate new master.

In fact, considering her personality, she might be much better than Astaroth.

Eresh pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly.

“My answer has already been decided.”

She grabbed the Demonic Sword and swung it with all her might.

“The enemy of my master. I will kill you.”

“…Huh?”

“I am a Death Knight. A knight of death. How can a knight serve two masters? My master is only one. She gave me my name and a new life. Unless she personally transfers me to someone else, I have no intention of following the one who killed my master.”

A crescent-shaped strike surged. It wasn’t very threatening to Murmur, but she never expected Eresh to react this way. She reacted slightly sluggishly to the unexpected reaction. It was only a moment, but it was enough for someone.

“Ugh?!”

The repulsive force bounced Murmur’s hand away.

Freed, Johan rolled across the floor.

At the same time, the radiance of the Holy Sword poured down like countless lightning bolts.

Distorting the space and diverting it in the wrong direction, Murmur cast a bewildered glance.

“Are you serious? You followed Astaroth that much? You haven’t even been with her for very long, have you?”

“The length of time doesn’t matter.”

“How terrible is that girl’s personality? You should know from experience.”

“That’s true. Her personality was really… no, it was unique. I couldn’t figure her out.”

“She lives only for fun. She may have been nice to you because she liked you at first, but as time goes by and her interest wanes…”

“Stop. Don’t insult my master any further.”

“…Ha, seriously. I can’t believe it.”

Yeah, that’s right. This type was annoying. A guy who tenaciously pursues what she believes is right. Even if a solid obstacle blocks her path, she won’t stop until she crashes and breaks. That’s why I wanted her… but it’s a different story when the blade is pointed at me.

“I’ll give you one more chance.”

“I don’t need it.”

“You’re going to die, you know?”

“It would be a good death if I died fighting a strong enemy.”

“You’re a monster, an enemy of humans. If you antagonize us here, you’ll be an enemy of the monsters too. Do you understand? You’re making both sides your enemies. You’re becoming a public enemy.”

“It will be a glorious death.”

“I’m going crazy.”

I can’t talk to her. She’s Astaroth’s subordinate, but don’t resemble her this much. I can’t help it. I’ll have to beat her up and get rid of the poison in her head.

“Ah, wait. There’s one thing I need to correct.”

Johan, who was dusting off his coat as he got up, said, slinging the Holy Sword over his shoulder.

“Humans have a long tradition of alliance. Even if they are enemies, they will join hands if they have a common enemy. Oh, but we’re all enemies? You’re an enemy, and I’m an enemy. We’re each other’s common enemy. But little devil, there’s no way you and I can form an alliance…”

His position as the leader of the Knights was not won by gambling. He roughly understood what was going on. A civil war had broken out. Eresh’s master, the girl with the red fox mask, was executed by the same devil. As a result, Eresh turned her back on the monsters, which was a golden opportunity for Johan.

“It’s an alliance, Eresh. I haven’t recognized you yet, but just this once…”

“Are you crazy?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t get me wrong. I’ll cut you down too.”

Good.

Sword Saint and Devil.

Both were goals she definitely wanted to cut down.

It wouldn’t be bad to cut them down at the same time.

“Hey, no, how are you going to beat her alone?”

“Do you calculate your chances of winning before you fight?”

“You have to?! If you recklessly charge in when it’s impossible, you’ll just die a dog’s death?!”

“Tsk, for a Sword Saint, you’re so pathetic. I’m disappointed.”

‘I’m going crazy.’ The words Murmur had just uttered came out of Johan’s mouth as well. Eresh didn’t even look at Johan and said.

“There is one misunderstanding, so let me correct it.”

“What?”

Her pupils, hidden behind the red fox mask, were redder than ever. Round and clear, but eerie eyes. It was as if the full moon was stained with blood.

“I don’t think I have no chance of winning.”

It’s just infinitely low.

It’s just a 1% chance of surviving out of 100 fights.

“If it’s 1%, isn’t that a pretty good chance?”

“…”

Johan was speechless at Eresh’s confident words.

“…Like master, like subordinate.”

And so was Murmur.

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Today’s author note is…

Sorry, there’s nothing as well.

I just wanted to say something.

Huh? You’re not angry?

It’s clear that everyone likes me too!

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Better than no words!!

Oh yeah, beat both up!