episode_0092

The two humans were able to witness something familiar to the elves, yet strange and surprising to humans. At the very top of the pyramid-shaped altar was a flat disc made of stone.

And in the middle of it all, there was a sword stuck in there. Based on the information in Glenn and Milicia’s heads, it was possible to deduce that this sword was the one that Leones Dreamside had used in the past to wound and seal the Demon King.

And, although it was visible from a distance, the two were clearly visible. No, it was most clearly visible. No one, unless they were blind, could not see the black and ominous aura that was rising from the sword.

“As expected… It’s the energy derived from that sword. Like the elders said, I should have performed the ritual more often…”

“It would have been useless, Sister. When I… made contact with it myself, the cause of the energy that arose was somewhat… complex. It’s like… um… I’m just guessing, but maybe…”

Sieta and Vidia were chatting more leisurely than expected, looking at the energy emanating from the sword stuck in the altar. It was a contrast to the two humans who were extremely tense about this unusual phenomenon and were gathering their magical and divine powers.

“Hmm… It would be much easier if there was a physical medium. I feel a little sorry for my father, though…”

“You’ve been stuck there for hundreds of years and left to fester, so why would you be upset? I guess I’ll just let it be. The elders might go wild a bit, but… not as much as they would go wild towards me.”

“Me, Sieta, Vidia?”

Perhaps feeling that her patience had run out with the two of them still talking to each other, or perhaps she wanted to bring the elf sisters back to reality, who were far too relaxed for the situation, Milishia cautiously intervened in the two’s conversation.

Sieta, who had been thinking while rubbing her chin, smiled and said “Ah” at Milicia’s call.

“Yes, Saintess. I’m sorry. Did you only talk to me and my younger brother?”

“No, it’s not. I think there’s something, a sharp number… Did I guess right?”

“Well…it’s not sharp…but it’s the best we can do for the current situation! It’s a quick fix though!”

Holding up his index finger, Sieta explained the plan he had hastily devised.

“First, with the remaining divine power of the saintess and I, we will surround and press the altar, or to be exact, the sword at the top of the altar. Then, inevitably, the dark power will be pushed by the divine power and rush to the sword, which is its medium. At that moment, the dark energy is concentrated and rushes to the sword, and with a bang! We will smash it with the powerful fist of the escort knight! Not just physical power, but with the fists that we have strengthened with divine power! And in the process, if a variable, for example, the dark energy, tries to interfere with us, Vidia will shoot her bow to restrain it! How is it, a good strategy? ”

“Ah, yes. Sounds like a good plan-”

“Hey, wait a minute! What are you talking about! Without even consulting me!”

Milicia showed a somewhat hesitant but agreeable attitude to Sieta who was explaining at length, but on the contrary, the other person expressed their opposition. Vidia was quite embarrassed, but Sieta was the one who was bewildered.

“Huh? What? Vidia, you’re the best at using a bow among all of us. And you’re the only one who can attack from a distance. Did you really need to talk to me, you petty little sister?”

Perhaps because she wanted to properly repay Vidia’s previous tantrum, Sieta emphasized the word ‘petty’ very strongly. However, Vidia did not look indignant, but rather had a serious expression.

“The premise is wrong! Look, I’m just a spirit right now! The bow and arrows are something I’ve materialized by borrowing the power of that dark energy! Right now, I don’t have any power to materialize anything except for the clothes!”

“Oops…”

“I didn’t make that suggestion for nothing, you idiot!”

At that remark, Sieta’s expression, which had been smiling brightly, froze. Glenn clicked his tongue without realizing it. But, a suggestion? What was it that they whispered to each other just now?

The words that eventually came out of Sieta were enough to elicit a cry of indignation from Glenn.

“Hehe, my mistake!”

“Is this a situation where you can just brush it off with something like that?”

Glenn blurted out his true feelings without thinking. However, there was something he overlooked.

In the first place, we shouldn’t have wasted the time getting to the pyramid on small talk. If we were going to make plans, it would have been better to discuss and prepare in advance before arriving. Even after arriving, we were strangely impressed by the relaxed atmosphere, so we didn’t let our guard down and chat.

The enemy has detected our arrival.

『You useless elf girl… It would have been better if you had been used as a long-term pawn and disappeared… You chose a cruel fate for yourself.』

At the sudden voice, the four people flinched.

Soon, Sieta and Milicia covered their entire bodies with divine power. Glenn stepped forward and raised both his fists. Only Vidia, with her face suddenly pale, approached her own sister.

“Sister, I told you earlier…”

Above the sword stuck on top of the altar, the darkness that barked even more showed movement. It was strange, but its shape was gradually changing into that of a human face. Eyes, nose, mouth, even ears and hair.

The group involuntarily let out a small groan at the sight of the dark aura that successfully brought out someone’s face.

“My face…”

“As expected…”

“Do you know this face?”

Although it was an unfamiliar face, Glenn could sense considerable discomfort from the face created by the dark aura. Well, it was natural to feel uncomfortable since they were opponents, but Sieta and Milicia’s reactions were unusual.

And Milicia answered Glenn’s curiosity with a shocking answer.

“The face of the Demon King that the warrior, Vidia, and the other warriors combined to defeat…”

“Huh? That face is the face of the Demon King?”

Glenn unconsciously looked back and forth between Milicia and that huge face as he listened to Milicia’s answer. Was that vague but clearly visible facial expression the same as the face of the Demon King who had terrorized this continent until a few years ago?

Sieta gave a sure kill shot to Glenn, who was still confused.

“Yeah… I thought I’d seen that face somewhere. It was the Demon King of the warriors’ party who was said to have died. Is my memory any good?”

“Your Majesty, have you seen this?”

“Yeah. It was probably 20 years ago. I came to see my father in person. I saw him say something to my father and…my father reject me.”

“Huh?”

However, Sieta’s explanation raised more questions. The Demon King had ‘personally’ come to Leones, the leader of these elves, 20 years ago, and Leones had rejected him.

“Ah, that story…is definitely something that Vidia told me before…”

Milicia also recalled her memories and let out a small exclamation as she tried to speak to Sieta. However, time did not exist only for the party.

That huge face started making noise.

『Ah, it’s you… the saint who overthrew the leader of our demon tribe, the Demon King, and trampled on his place! Yes, because of you… this detestable elf priestess managed to get in here. And even undo the brainwashing that was placed on that useless woman!』

It was a rather creepy voice. It was as if someone had stuck a branch down a person’s neck and forced them to speak. Furthermore, the fact that the dark figure recognized the saintess and immediately showed hostility was not a good sign.

Finally, a tough opponent has appeared. Glenn was at a loss as to whether he should be happy or sad that he was finally in a situation where he had to throw himself into it.

However, his determination to protect the one he loves with his life was unwavering.

“What on earth is your identity? Why are you doing this?”

Despite the insulting tone of his opponent, Milishia did not show any sign of anger or anything, but instead asked in a tense tone, sweating profusely. Then, madness erupted.

『Hahahahahahaha! What is that question? The mercy of the strong? How ridiculous. That composure, that arrogance! A being who merely carries the blessings of a god, trying to look upon me with a sense of superiority! I have nothing to say to a being like you, you saint who brings death. I have not even a single bit of information to give to a vicious being like you who would wipe out even the seeds of our demon race…』

“That guy is a kind of a collection of resentment from countless demons, modeled after the old Demon King. You could say that he’s a gathering of the spirits of demons who committed evil deeds and met death, wandering the nine heavens. To be honest, it sounds like one person’s voice right now… but when I heard it, it sounded like several people were saying the same thing. He probably wants to corrupt the clear-speaking objects around him and make them his subordinates. The purpose, of course, is to collect sacrifices for the Demon King’s resurrection…”

『Wh, what are you doing! This elf girl doesn’t know gratitude… What are you going to do if you blow it all like that!』

The huge face that had been spitting out madness and shouting leisurely until just a moment ago showed Vidia’s unstoppable look of bewilderment. Then Vidia smiled meaningfully. As if she thought she had been caught.

“You’re going to admit that what I’m saying is true?”

“What? Ah… this, this bitch…!”

bragging.

Vidia Dreamside had used her experience to set a trap by mixing in some bluff. Glenn couldn’t help but admire it.

‘This elf princess, I thought her fighting skills might get better if she just gained some more experience… but she’s smarter than I thought? But why is her love life…’

『This girl… is throwing a tantrum because she wants to live! You’re going to be crushed by me anyway, so why are you struggling? Even if you survive here, do you think your kind will just leave a girl like you who’s joined hands with darkness? It’ll be ruin, ruin. You idiot!』

“You talk a lot. Thank you.”

“What? Thank you?”

The dark figure became dumbfounded at the absurd answer. Thank you, what is that? The verbal abuse he had been spewing?

「To be honest, I am currently in a trance state, so I have no sharp means to attack you. If you attack me, I will be beaten to death without being able to move. All I have left now is my tongue, which I can continue to wag while I am alive… In other words, the more you listen to me and respond to me… the more I will be attacked by my weapon.」

“Your attack? Hahahaha!”

The dark figure burst into flames. This elf was truly foolish, he thought, for placing so much importance on winning a mere argument. A desire to mock him grew in his veins.

I shouldn’t have done that.

『How ridiculous! Even if you provoke me with words, all you and your colleagues will receive is curses and physical force filled with my anger. In other words, it is useless and rather like a moth flying into a flame! Do you call such a foolish act that will lead you to destruction an attack?』

“That’s right. If you can kill someone just by talking, you can say you’ve reached the realm of a god. I’m just an elf spirit that’s come out and speaks to you. But…”

It was at that time that the dark figure noticed the changes in its surroundings.

“Other than me, it’s quite possible. If we just have time, we can prepare an attack that can finish you off.”

“What? This is it!”

Only then did the dark figure say, “Oops!” and quickly transformed into a sharp figure. It transformed into a sharp, giant awl, trying to stab the humans and elves in front of it.

But it was too late.