Ch.536536. The Count’s Family and the Special Operations Team (1)

Demon fragments are tricky opponents.

They are creatures directly fashioned by demons, puppets made from pieces of their own power. This technique, which can only be wielded by demons who have been granted names and authority, creates exceptionally troublesome adversaries.

If these reborn puppets are left unchecked, they eventually become even more powerful enemies, either being reabsorbed by their original body or becoming knights who protect the demon’s side.

“The Magia is getting thicker. Elder Pleta and the guardians, please summon the spirits.”

Edelin raised her hostility toward the demon fragment that had appeared in the north.

Perhaps because her body had become younger, her heart was beating intensely before battle. She suppressed her old combative personality, which was resurfacing due to this sensation, with the cold rationality she had built over time.

She twisted the corner of her mouth at the nauseating remnant scent of corpses that brushed her nose.

“Still, it’s fortunate. If we shatter the fragment into pieces, it will be quite a blow to them as well.”

“Then I too shall do my utmost to ensure your expectations are realized, Lady Edelin.”

“That’s a good attitude, Pleta.”

A fragment is a portion of a demon’s power that has been separated.

If it is destroyed, the demon will essentially lose the power it invested in creating the puppet fragment.

Edelin could tell.

‘Power enough to infiltrate the northern kingdom and transform these numerous corpses and remains into its own legion.’

From this smell that heightened her combativeness, she could sense how much power the corpse demon had poured into creating its puppet.

“Elder Pleta, there’s no need to be so tense.”

“…Still, as an elder and the head of the Pleta family, I must be prepared not to cause trouble for the Grand Elder.”

“Close combat. I alone will capture the fragment’s movements and destroy it. Just deal with the soldiers it has already created.”

The elves charged forward, kicking off from the ground.

Unlike the great forest, they advanced through the cold air. By the time their long ears had turned red from the cold, they finally confronted the fragment. It had taken the form of a human, pale as death without a hint of blood, holding a sword infused with thick Magia, its unfocused eyes directed toward them.

The fragment had already quietly secured hundreds of soldiers, it seemed. Around the fragment lay numerous corpses that had turned black, stained with Magia.

“It seems to have secured more soldiers than I expected.”

“I thought some bitch was boldly rushing in, and sure enough, it’s a damn long-eared wench.”

“It seems the original’s consciousness has been integrated.”

In an instant, the corpses rose from their places and picked up the weapons they had wielded in life.

While they once aimed at demons and dragons with a sense of duty, now they were filled only with envy and jealousy toward the living.

“…Tsk. This is why demons are…”

Edelin clicked her tongue as she drew her bow and quickly nocked an arrow created with spirit magic.

With fluid motion, the magical arrow was held between her index and middle fingers, waiting only for the signal to shoot forward.

The split-finger technique. Even for a High Elf, the bow’s tension was monstrously powerful, requiring three fingers to pull the string, with the ring finger also placed on the bowstring despite not holding the arrow.

Taking a proper shooting stance for the first time in a long while, she shouted:

“Grant peaceful rest to these pitiful dead who have been raised again by demons!”

Paang─!

The magical arrow pierced through the legion of the dead, opening a path toward the fragment.

The Grand Elder’s arrow was both beautiful and utterly cruel. Everything in the arrow’s path froze instantly, then shattered from the windblast that followed.

Edelin began running through the gaps between the corpses that rushed to fill the empty spaces.

“Guardians! Do not underestimate the dead! Never forget that they were all excellent knights and mages who gathered to hunt dragons and demons!”

The elves began unleashing a barrage of arrows to support Edelin, who had drawn her sword and was approaching the fragment.

Edelin swung her sword down at the fragment.

Kwang─!

A powerful pressure burst forth as their swords clashed.

The fragment drew upon its Magia, while Edelin poured endless spirit magic into her sword. A sword fight began in the balance achieved as they consumed and burned each other’s mana.

“I can’t believe you’re still alive. Even for a High Elf, aren’t you at an age where you should be waiting for death soon?”

“That’s my line. I gave you wounds severe enough that you’d struggle to survive even if you returned to your world. I thought I wouldn’t see you again until I died.”

“Your insolent way of speaking is typical of a long-ear. It brings back memories, so I suppose it’s a form of entertainment.”

A display of skill unfolded that was on a different dimension from ordinary contests of strength.

It was a precarious balancing act where showing even the slightest weakness in strength, Mana, or Magia would mean being devoured by the opponent.

But Edelin possessed more than just swordsmanship.

“You’ve brought these annoying vermin again without getting tired of it.”

“Is that something you should say after nearly dying from a spirit’s attack?”

Edelin’s old personality began to surface in the exhilaration of the fierce battle.

The condensed magic of the highest-grade spirit she controlled was fired at the fragment.

“Back then, that Sianella woman was by your side.”

The army of the dead instantly rushed forward, throwing themselves to absorb the magic.

When the magic touched the corpses, the Magia that had raised them burst and swallowed the spell.

Undeterred by the nullified attack, Edelin took a firm step forward.

Tsuzu-zu-zu─!

The sharp noise of steel. Feeling the recoil of Mana and Magia frantically trembling to devour each other traveling up the sword.

Chang─!

She pushed away the fragment’s sword with even greater force.

“Oh.”

The fragment, pushed back by her strength, showed faint pleasure instead of gloom for some reason.

“Your appearance and spirit are the same as before, but unlike your exterior, your substance seems different? The original you would have quickly put an arrow in a puppet like this if you saw an opening like just now.”

“……”

“You’ve become dull. I guess even you can’t overcome time, unlike us.”

The current Edelin did have deficiencies compared to her past self.

And Edelin knew exactly what the fragment was talking about.

‘…The more I recreate my past skills, the faster my remaining time diminishes.’

It wouldn’t be a good choice to allocate more of her time than necessary to a mere fragment like this.

But Edelin was not an elf shallow enough to fall for such simple provocation.

“Even with this aged body, a fragment of this level…”

Though it would take more time and place a great burden on her body.

She was the one who had manifested the spirit realm at this age to kill the demon of poison.

There was no hesitation in the actions of one with well-founded confidence.

“I can certainly erase it.”

The reason she entrusted the undead soldiers to the guardians rather than sweeping them away herself, and the reason she approached the fragment with a sword rather than her specialty of archery, was to conserve her strength.

Edelin, who had revealed just one small piece of her many hidden techniques, became the worst natural enemy for the fragment.

“Interesting, long-ear. Have you dabbled in necromancy to kill me?”

“I wonder. Does this look like necromancy to you?”

Edelin, who had begun the war against demons in earnest with all life at stake.

“Look forward to it.”

From her emanated an aura that could be called madness—

“Your original body will take a greater hit than you expect.”

* * *

The Demihumans Special Task Force finally entered the Count’s territory.

After stopping at a church to rest from their journey, the first place they headed was the Count’s castle.

As a combat force dispatched for independent research on the temple within the Dungeon and the characteristics of monsters that had long adapted to Magia by using the Dungeon as their hunting ground, it was essential for them to speak with the people of the County who had achieved the feat of reclaiming the Dungeon.

Sharenne, the commander of the Special Task Force, met for the first time with the person who would discuss the Dungeon in the elegant and dignified reception room.

“The sharp claws of the Demihuman Alliance. I’ve heard how high your martial prowess is. As someone who wields a sword, it is such an honor to meet such distinguished warriors.”

Looking at the woman with moon-like silver hair and cold features, Sharenne thought:

“I am Siabel Sianella, who will be discussing matters related to the County’s Dungeon with you.”

Though she had dark circles under her eyes as if exhausted, they only deepened the shadows of her already sharp gaze, creating an intimidating presence. The woman wore neat formal attire now, but judging from her calloused hands and angular movements, she was undoubtedly an excellent knight.

“I am Sharenne, commander of the Demihumans Special Task Force currently in cooperation with the Holy Kingdom.”

And so, as she introduced herself with somewhat awkward royal etiquette and grasped the woman’s hand, Sharenne could instinctively sense something in the gaze directed at her.

“The conversation seems like it will be lengthy, so please sit comfortably here. I’ve prepared some refreshments.”

She thought that this conversation might become a more important turning point for their Special Task Force than expected.