Ch.6767. Evil Spirit

# Isn’t it truly laughable?

Just moments ago, the battle situation was overwhelmingly unfavorable.

The Royal Guard Knights, masters of close combat.

The Magic Inquisitors, anti-mages.

The kingdom’s finest forces and combinations of sword and magic were mixed together.

Yet with the arrival of just two people, victory that had been obscured came into view, and the balance of power began to shift.

Of course, victory here doesn’t simply mean eliminating everyone or annihilating them all.

“Don’t kill them. Just clear a path.”

“What?”

“Huh?”

The two people turned to look at me again. Their faces were filled with dissatisfaction.

“But Professor, these people tried to kill you! I was planning to tear them limb from limb and feed them to the dogs.”

“Master, I don’t call a fight without bloodshed a fight. It’s just child’s play.”

It was fascinating how these two had such different vibes yet reached the same conclusion.

Their boldness left me feeling both exasperated and certain in my response.

“Shut up and just follow my orders.”

These unleashed beasts needed to be firmly reined in. They would end up following my words anyway.

“Hmm! Understood, Professor!”

Aria wore an ecstatic expression. She writhed with pleasure as she swung her sword around.

Though playful in appearance, even that movement exuded pressure.

She wasn’t the second-playthrough protagonist who had seen the ending for nothing.

“Sigh, suddenly I’ve lost all interest. Well, this axe is so poor I probably couldn’t even scratch their armor anyway.”

Findenai mocked while looking at Darius’s axe in her hand. Then she threw the box she had been carrying on her back to me.

“Oh right, take this.”

“…”

The box clattered as it rolled across the floor to my feet. My brow furrowed as I looked at it.

“Don’t you know what’s inside?”

“I do? How did you know where it was hidden?”

The item I had sent both Aria and Findenai to secure in advance.

Depending on one’s perspective, it could be considered the most valuable item on the continent, but seeing how she handled it, I was reminded that this was indeed Findenai.

For now, I needed someone to hold it, so I handed it to Deia who was right behind me.

“It’s an important item. Keep it safe.”

“Hmm?”

Deia uses a magic power gun, so she wouldn’t be much help in combat anyway.

Just then, the junk shop trio rushed past me toward the front.

“Boss! It’s been a while!”

“Kyah! Are you still wearing that?”

“Those kingdom bastards are going to get it now!”

Seeing her comrades rushing toward her excitedly, Findenai grinned mischievously.

“Boys, grab your weapons. Don’t embarrass the junk shop.”

“Yes, sir!”

The trio who joined Findenai immediately began to show vitality, unlike their powerless appearance until just now.

“Reinforcements, I see.”

Rockpellican, standing beside me, stroked his beard as he asked. I nodded slightly and answered with confidence.

“Those two will be enough to buy us time.”

“They’re certainly not ordinary. Especially that young girl… even I cannot gauge her depth.”

Aria, who had already begun fighting, was storming against the Magic Inquisitors like a tempest.

Since the Inquisitors specialized in facing mages, Aria was using only her swordsmanship.

“Grateful for the Professor’s mercy, I was originally going to kill everyone here.”

The Inquisitor Chief Tyren seemed to move sluggishly, perhaps because the internal injuries he suffered in his battle with me hadn’t fully healed, making things easier for her.

“Kugh!”

“The Professor is not someone you can treat carelessly.”

Not only that, but while retrieving the item I requested, Aria had also obtained her sword, wielding the unique item called “The Sword of Nibelungen.”

Looking at this, Findenai’s side seemed somewhat inadequate.

The fact that she had none of the equipment she used when she served as a chapter boss was having a significant impact.

“Please support my maid. Aria can handle things on her own.”

“Ahem, understood.”

Rockpellican’s mana shook the earth once more. Since he didn’t match well against the Magic Inquisitors, it would be more comfortable for him to face the knights.

“I’ll go too.”

Darius drew his sword and strode forward. After contemplating which side to help, he glanced at the knights where Findenai was, then turned his gaze to the opposite side where Aria was.

“Sigh, still scared of her.”

Deia clicked her tongue as she watched Darius, who clearly still carried the trauma from his encounter with Findenai.

But I placed my hand on Darius’s shoulder as he was about to head toward the Magic Inquisitors.

“We’ll break through the knights’ side. Follow me closely.”

I thought Darius would be sufficient to clear the path ahead, so I called him separately.

I also gestured to Deia to stay behind me.

“Should I come too?”

“Yes, there’s something you need to do.”

Unintentionally, the item in the box Deia was holding was the most effective for resolving this incident.

As we were about to move to break through the Royal Guard Knights…

KWANG!

Findenai’s axe and Gloria’s red greatsword collided. With a violent explosion, the two moved as if in perfect sync.

“Get out of my way!”

Unfortunately, Gloria, the captain of the knights, had the upper hand.

Findenai was the type who grew stronger the longer a battle continued, so if more time passed, it might be different.

But for now, Gloria was clearly dominating.

“Like hell!”

Despite this, Findenai’s eyes showed no sign of defeat. Rather, she laughed as if enjoying it more and displayed diverse movements.

Findenai’s fluid movements violated the knights’ rigid and static movements.

This acrobatic skill was possible because Findenai had faced numerous crises while living as part of the resistance.

Despite Findenai’s sudden shift to avoiding direct confrontation, Gloria swung her sword calmly.

Her honest and solid appearance was exemplary of a knight, but…

Unfortunately, Findenai was the type who prioritized results over process.

As Findenai jumped back, her white hair fluttering, a giant hand emerged from the earth to attack Gloria.

“Mere magic!”

Gloria’s sword quickly sliced through the giant hand, reducing it back to a handful of dirt, but…

Findenai, who had hidden in the dirt pile, struck directly at Gloria’s chest.

Since the axe blade was damaged and had lost its value as a weapon, she raised her foot. Findenai’s mana condensed as if this was the moment she had been waiting for.

BANG!

“Kugh!”

Gloria was pushed back. However, even with this direct hit, her armor didn’t even crack.

‘The equipment level difference is severe.’

That thought kept coming to mind the more I watched.

Just then, Rockpellican rushed to my side and shouted.

“Breaking through won’t be easy. I’m thinking of using a little trick, if that’s alright?”

Understanding immediately what he intended to do, I nodded without hesitation.

“Come here, Deia.”

“Huh?”

“Sorry.”

Deia was surprised to be called suddenly. I put my arm around her waist and gave Rockpellican the signal.

“W-what are you doing!”

Deia struggled to break free in surprise, but we were already swept up by the wind and flying through the sky.

“I’ll leave the landing to you!”

Swept up by Rockpellican’s massive wind, we flew toward the royal palace.

Along the way, Magic Inquisitors and knights tried to stop us by shooting magic or sword energy, but…

The Dark Spiritmaster’s magic behind me, along with our comrades fighting below, protected us.

“Kyaaaah!”

Though she was screaming, Deia wrapped her hands and feet around my neck and waist, perhaps finding the experience of flying through the sky fascinating.

It was difficult to move because of Deia, but I turned my gaze toward the royal palace to find a landing spot.

The malevolent energy from the evil spirit possessing King Orpheus’s body was so strong that the entire palace was immersed in an ominous aura.

Beyond giving me goosebumps, it made my heart race to see an evil spirit after so long.

“Ha.”

I chuckled, thinking it was funny that I still had enough heart left to be surprised by evil spirits.

I turned my body toward the balcony, a place with memories of Elenoa.

Despite landing naturally by raising mana, Deia was still clinging to me like a koala, trembling.

“You’re heavy. Get off.”

At my words, she seemed to come to her senses, startled and letting go before clearing her throat several times.

“H-high places are scarier than I thought. It’s different from just looking down from a railing.”

Anyone would be scared rising like that without any safety measures. I cautioned the pale-faced Deia.

“Keep the item on your back safe. I think I’ll need your help.”

“…Help? What is this?”

I stopped Deia’s hand as she tried to peek inside.

“Don’t open it. It will be detected immediately.”

Given the massive energy permeating the entire palace, it was obvious that if there was even a slight opening, whatever it was would be immediately noticed.

“You’ll know what it is when you see it. You’re clever.”

“…Hmm.”

Was my trust burdensome? Deia slightly averted her gaze. I nodded and was about to enter the banquet hall to head for the corridor when…

THUD!

Another massive figure fell onto the balcony. Unlike our clean landing, he rolled around before finally stopping after hitting the banquet hall wall.

“Ugh! Scraped my knee.”

Darius grumbled but quickly got up and dusted himself off.

“You didn’t think I’d let you two go without me, did you!”

Looking at Darius speaking so boldly, I blinked for a moment but then nodded and patted his shoulder.

“Good of you to come.”

Deia and Darius stared at me blankly for a moment, perhaps not expecting such a sincere expression of gratitude, but I ignored them and immediately headed for the corridor.

They finally came to their senses and followed.

As we entered the corridor, the Dark Spiritmaster frowned and said,

[There’s a place where the energy is getting stronger.]

“Yes, I feel it too.”

“…So you were talking to a ghost?”

Deia finally realized I was speaking with the Dark Spiritmaster. But there was no time to explain.

Ordinary people might not see it, but to my eyes, the royal corridor was already painted black with the energy of evil spirits.

Perhaps because it was late dawn, but it was literally just darkness, making it hard to see the path or maintain a sense of direction.

This was inconvenient.

‘Is the energy coming from the audience chamber?’

I glanced at Deia and said,

“Can you guide me to the audience chamber?”

“Huh? It’s not difficult…”

“Please.”

Since she couldn’t see the evil spirits, she couldn’t see the energy either. Deia strode into the darkness.

I followed her, placing my hand on her shoulder as a guide, but there was something strange.

“Why are there no guards?”

“The corridor is empty.”

Deia and Darius correctly pointed this out. I remained silent, trying to think of a reason, but couldn’t come up with an answer since everything was shrouded in darkness.

Thanks to this, we smoothly arrived at the audience chamber.

Feeling the texture of the door with my palm, I took a deep breath and looked at the two.

There was no need to ask if they were ready.

From the left came Darius’s strong breath, and from the right, Deia’s cool fragrance.

Creeeeak.

So without any hesitation, I opened the door.

Unlike the outside, the audience chamber was completely cleared of darkness. But the reason was easy to understand.

Numerous people kneeling and paying homage toward the throne. Not just simple guards, but many servants working in the royal palace were lined up.

These were people living in the accommodations provided for palace employees.

“W-what is this?”

Hearing Deia’s exclamation, I focused my gaze ahead.

Following the carpet, which was originally red but appeared dark blue in the dawn light, led to the massive throne.

And the cursed king sitting on the throne.

A small horned black face hovered ominously behind the king’s body.

It was a form of possession.

[You, you can see me?]

The black face, immediately realizing that I could see its true form, asked with a sneer.

After gesturing for the two to step back, I walked on the carpet.

“Yes, I can clearly see your demon-like form.”

The being laughed incredulously.

[Demon-like? How foolish. I am the demon itself. A transcendent being who deals with eternal life beyond human limitations.]

“Don’t be so pretentious. If we’re being precise, you’re in the process of becoming a demon.”

[…]

The black face fell silent for a moment, as if I had hit a sensitive point.

“How many souls must you have devoured for horns to grow on an ordinary human head? It’s beyond my understanding.”

[For hundreds of years. What would a mere necromancer like you know?]

A monster who had transcended humanity by devouring the souls of sleeping or wandering people.

The creature nodded toward the Dark Spiritmaster following behind me and smiled.

[You are quite excellent. You’ll make good nourishment.]

[…]

Being a fellow necromancer, the Dark Spiritmaster could only remain silent, knowing how far beyond normal standards the being before us was.

The power gap was clear, even to the exceptional Dark Spiritmaster.

It was strong.

A being clearly powerful enough to devour the Griffin Kingdom.

That was no longer just an evil spirit.

It was an evil demon (惡鬼).

And it was looking beyond that, toward becoming a true demon, but…

“How ridiculous.”

I couldn’t help but sneer.

[Possessor of Lemegeton. Are you relying on that mere stone?]

The creature opened its mouth wide, grinning as if it would devour me at any moment.

[Lemegeton’s original subject was a demon. It was both a blessing and a curse given to a boy who wished to save his mother.]

“…”

[Now I shall take it. What a sweet fruit it is.]

The Lemegeton in my hand resonated as if in response. I raised my hand to show it and replied,

“Are you blinded by this mere stone?”

[…]

“A necromancer is one who is closest to death, yet does not touch it.”

The boundary between life and death.

A being who listens to stories from both sides at the closest point.

However, that line is not horizontal but vertical.

“The dead are simply dead. Do not carelessly intrude upon the realm of the living.”

At my words, the black face began to cackle. As if it was too absurd to respond to.

[Are you teaching me Black Magic? Are you teaching me necromancy? Though I am now a nameless demon of Griffin! In life, I was a mage who made the continent tremble and reached the pinnacle of forbidden arts!]

“Meaningless power.”

That being, proudly proclaiming its achievements, suddenly seemed pitiful to me.

The ignorance of not understanding the essence of the discipline one has pursued beyond a lifetime, even after death.

“You spoke of eternal life? You wanted to transcend humanity and become a demon?”

[…]

“A third-rate being who only ran away without properly understanding the meaning, purpose, or weight of death.”

Whoosh.

“A wretched miscreant who walks with the dead yet denies death.”

Blue flames rose from my hand. I already felt like I could see the end of this battle.

Fleeing from death.

Shedding the shell of humanity.

A being that became an evil demon.

“Watch and learn, you fool who has understood nothing despite countless deaths.”

Learning is the only thing he can take from me.

“I have no rest to give you.”

Annihilation is the only thing I have prepared for him.