“It’s nice that you’re quick on the uptake. Though honestly, that ruins some of the fun of it...”
The girl slowly raised her hand. It was like she was signaling the outbreak of a war. And then, just as she opened her mouth...
“Hm... Are you Bifrons? I can’t really condone you acting up in somebody else’s domain.”
The one who slapped the girl’s shoulder was an old woman wearing a robe. And under it was a face that neither Bifrons nor Zagan expected to see at all.
“Why are you here... Archdemon Orias?”
For some reason or other, a third Archdemon showed up in Kianoides. Even Zagan was taken aback by her appearance.
“I’d also like to hear you answer that, Orias. Why are you here?” Zagan questioned her in a sharp voice.
“My goodness. Aren’t you the one who called me here?” Orias replied with a simple shrug of her shoulders.
“...Oh,” Zagan dryly uttered that single word, feeling dumb. After all, he was the one who demanded that this old woman visit her daughter in the first place.
I told her to do something time consuming, but she’s already here? Contrary to expectations, she was extremely motivated to get her task over with as soon as possible, which turned out in his favor, leaving Zagan quite bemused.
“Ahaha... When did you two get so close, I wonder?”
“We’re not really all that close, but when I tried casually messing with him the other day, he turned the tables on me. So, as an apology, I came to offer him a tribute,” Orias stated, a smile peeking out from beneath her hood. After saying that, she pulled out a bottle from her robe, which made Zagan stare at her in wonder.
“No way! You really found some?”
“I just happened to pass by it at a market due to good fortune. And well, since I got my hands on it, I thought it best to drop by right away.”
“You have my thanks. Shall we go have a drink at my castle, then? I can at least have a meal prepared for you in return.”
“That’s quite the attractive offer, but what to do? It looks like you’re in the middle of something here...”
Zagan looked at the vulpin girl as he heard that, finally remembering she was there. The girl had both her hands in the air as if she was surrendering, and tilted her head to the side in confusion.
“Um, can I ask something? What exactly did you want so badly that Granny Orias had to go out and get it personally?”
“Liquor. It’s a type you can’t get anymore, so I had almost given up hope of ever getting my hands on some. Luckily, I asked Archdemon Orias to assist me in my search.”
“Feels quite good to see you so delighted over it,” Orias replied with a not all that dissatisfied smile on her face. On the other hand, the young girl was left completely taken aback.
“Huh, liquor...? By liquor, you mean an alcoholic beverage, right? I’m not really sure how valuable it is, but... why? Is that really something an Archdemon should spend their precious time seeking?”
“Hm... From the beginning, I was never one to keep disciples or familiars by my side, which left me with no choice but to do my shopping myself.”
“Um... Shopping... An Archdemon... shopping...”
The girl slumped her shoulders as if her common sense was being smashed to pieces. Nevertheless, she bravely opened her mouth to speak.
“Th-Then, what kind of liquor is it? You’re not going to tell me it’s some sort of spirit liquor that will grant immortality, right?”
“It’s something whose manufacturing method has been lost because you destroyed that elven village,” Zagan replied with an angry glare as he clapped the girl’s shoulder with a thud. Sure, Zagan’s outburst of anger was the thing that reduced the village to ashes, but he decided to leave that part out. In response, the girl then drooped her shoulders once more as if she was fed up with absolutely everything.
“Should’ve known... When three Archdemons gather, they all act as they please. Still, I’m the type who’s true to their word. I won’t step aside just because Granny Orias is here, got it?”
“What a coincidence. I’m also the exact same kind of person. And so, I’ll have you go to hell now,” Zagan proclaimed. And in the next instant, the vulpin girl fell to her knees as if losing all her strength.
“H-Huh? I can move...?” Kuu’s real voice finally poured out of her mouth. However, her relieved expression was dyed in despair the very next instant, as a black ‘sludge’ poured out of her mouth.
“Gak...!? Huh, wh-what the...?”
However, the sludge didn’t just pour out of her mouth, but also her eye sockets, her ears, her nose... It seemingly poured out of every orifice in her body.
That damn Bifrons went and planted that Sludge Demon Lord in Kuu... There was no way he could forget. It was a disgusting creature that possessed Nephteros and devoured several dozen sorcerers. Zagan and Nephy had defeated it already, but the Sludge Demon Lord was enormous. Some remnant surviving wasn’t all too strange.
This sludge possessed beings, then ate them from the inside, accelerating its own growth and fueling its inexhaustible regeneration. With such an abundance of prey in Kianoides, it likely wouldn’t take more than a minute for it to grow large enough to engulf the entire town.
“Get away from her, Orias. Even an Archdemon can’t touch that thing directly,” Zagan said as he immediately distanced himself from the girl.
“...Seems so,” Orias replied as she backed away.
“S-Saaave... meee... AAAAAAAAAAAAH—” Kuu let out a sorrowful scream, and Bifrons’ laugh rang out shortly after.
“Aaahahahah, now then, what’ll you do? I bet you can tell just from looking, but this is a fragment of the Sludge Demon Lord you defeated before. Now, can a softhearted person like you kill this girl to save the town? Or will you sacrifice the town to save this girl? Ahahahah!”
“...How idiotic,” Zagan said, interrupting Bifrons’ grand speech. He then stabbed his hand into the girl’s chest without hesitation.
“Huh...?” Kuu blinked back at him as if she couldn’t believe it. And in his hand, which pierced out her back, was a black pulsing lump.
“Burn to ash — Heaven’s Phosphor.”
With that, the lump in his hand was reduced to dust. And, as if killed by that attack, the girl whose chest was still pierced by his arm collapsed into Zagan’s arms.
“I’m surprised. I didn’t think you would kill her that quickly... Maybe I’ve misjudged you.”
“Wait, did you not see how I killed this thing last time?” Zagan didn’t know where that voice was coming from anymore, but he replied in an exasperated tone regardless.
“...What?”
Seriously? How does this idiot think Nephteros survived, then? The Sludge Demon Lord could even pull in the Sigil of the Archdemon and devour all sorcery. Bifrons set up a barrier back then to keep anyone from escaping, so it was possible that the barrier prevented Bifrons from being able to observe what was going on. Though, that seemed truly foolish.
After Zagan pulled his arm out, there wasn’t a single wound left on the girl’s body. She was even breathing quietly.
“Ridiculous...”
“You’re the one being ridiculous. It’s not all that difficult to use sorcery for both killing and healing at the same time, right?”
Zagan used Heaven’s Phosphor to burn away just the sludge at the exact same time he applied healing sorcery to Kuu’s body. This was the exact same method Zagan used to defeat the Sludge Demon Lord and save Nephteros.
“...” Bifrons’ voice vanished, leaving this sense of being at a loss for words in the air. It seemed there were no other tricks planted in Kuu’s body... Well, a fragment of the Sludge Demon Lord was a big enough trick that it could easily destroy the entire town. It could be said that sorcery capable of combating such a thing was quite rare. At the very least, it would be completely impossible without power on the level of an Archdemon.
After letting out a snort, Zagan finally raised K
uu up into his arms.
“Orias. Could you erase this girl’s memories? That’s your specialty, right?”
“I don’t mind, but why?”
“Do you not think there are things in this world that one is better off not remembering?”
“I’ll look after this girl until she wakes up. I can’t promise that I’ll carry out your request, though,” Orias replied as she looked back at him with a bitter smile. Then, she took Kuu from him. Even if it was something she became by chance, she was still an Archdemon. There was no way she would obey his every command. Still, he felt Kuu was likely safe with her.
If Bifrons’ objective is Nephteros, it’s pretty obvious where the real stage is... Bifrons’ preparations were sure to be far fiercer over there. And just as Zagan was about to run off, Orias called out to him, seemingly just remembering something.
“Oh right, I’m not saying it’s compensation for looking after this girl or anything, but I have a request.”
I see. I didn’t think she came by just to bring me liquor... Zagan halted as he came to an understanding. It seemed that this was the real reason that Orias came to Kianoides. And so, Zagan sat down on a bench to hear her out.
“Do you think I would ever refuse a request from you?”
Orias was still Nephy’s only remaining blood relative. Even if Nephy rejected this old woman, Zagan would pay her respect.
“I’m thankful for that, but are you sure this is fine? From the way that brat Bifrons was talking, I don’t think you have much time to have a leisurely chat,” Orias said in a surprised tone. According to Barbatos, a chimera was chasing Nephteros. Kuu wasn’t a chimera, so it was clear that there was something else set in motion. Nevertheless, Zagan shrugged his shoulders like he wasn’t the least bit worried.
“It’s not a problem. My subordinates aren’t so incompetent that they need me to watch over each and every little thing they do.”
Zagan gave them power as their king. This was a fight between one who was a king of the people, and one who was trying to become a monster. Two Archdemons, kings among sorcerers, with opposing philosophies.
However, what Zagan didn’t realize at that moment was why Kuu’s clothes had changed. He had absolutely no idea what the clothes she was wearing previously were being used for.
◇
“Keep it together, Chastille!” Nephteros reprimanded Chastille, which made her return to her senses. Even now, the chimera wearing Kuu’s clothes was looking up at them from the plaza underneath the nap room.
“She was a therianthrope girl called Kuu. It couldn’t be...” Chastille covered her mouth as if filled with the urge to vomit as she said that.
“...We aren’t sure that’s what happened yet, so just concentrate on finishing that thing off first. Be warned, you won’t have the luxury of me protecting you in this fight,” Nephteros harshly stated. Though, she did seem to be encouraging Chastille at the same time.
“You’re right. If the person I swore to protect ends up being the one who protects me, I wouldn’t even be able to show my face to that girl,” Chastille said as she mustered her willpower, held out her hand to Nephteros, and continued with, “Let’s go, Nephteros. We’ll take care of that thing together!”
“...Didn’t I already say that was the plan?” Nephteros said, averting her from Chastille. Thought, she did still take her hand. The two of them then leaped from the window down into the plaza. Perhaps because of Nephteros’ sorcery, their descent was slow and they didn’t feel any impact upon hitting the ground despite falling from two stories up. And following after them, Angelic Knights came rushing out of the sanctum.
“Knights, focus on minimizing any damage to the surrounding area! We’ll take this thing on!” Chastille barked out marching orders to her subordinates. She had made it known to them beforehand that the chimera could not be damaged by any normal weapons, so they knew they had no chance. The loyal Angelic Knights dispersed into the surroundings to protect the town. And, as Chastille drew the Sacred Sword from her back, Nephteros raised her voice.
“Bifrons, you’re watching, right? How long do you plan on playing around?”
“Fufufu, despite looking like a little chick on her deathbed yesterday, you sure do look energetic after only a night’s rest. It makes me happy to see my cute puppet in such good health,” Bifrons’ voice rang out from the chimera with a chuckle. It was the voice of the repulsive Archdemon that Chastille had heard before atop that boat. The chimera then stretched out its arm, which looked like a lump of meat.
“Now’s a good chance, so let me say this once more. You’ve had more than enough fun running away from home. It’s about time you come back. It’s no big deal, since I had some fun too, so I won’t hold this against you,” Bifrons let out a jarring laugh alongside those words.
“I’m not your damn puppet. I’ll resist you to the very end,” Nephteros replied with resolve, gritting her teeth, as the chimera’s body trembled like its sadistic heart had been spurred on.
“Mmmm. That’s what makes you my Nephteros. Still, there’s no need to resist, is there? All I want to do is bring you home. It’s not like I’m planning to hurt you all, okay?”
“You have some nerve to say that...” Chastille responded, feeling greatly angered by that statement. That made sense, since Nephteros was right on the verge of death from exhaustion when she found her yesterday.
After putting her through something so cruel, where does this Archdemon get off saying they’re not planning to hurt her!?
“Is the reason Nephteros is looking so healthy because of you, I wonder?” Bifrons asked as the chimera shifted its hooded face toward her direction.
“What if I am!?”
“Kufufu, thanks for saving her. It’s a little unexpected that she’s gotten so attached, though...” Bifrons’ remarked in a voice that was clearly laden with a sense of discomfort. Still, despite all that, Bifrons continued on in sing-song that showed they were having fun, saying, “Now, I wonder what kind of face Nephteros would make if she lost you here?”
A terrifying presence filled the air as those words rang out from the chimera.
“It’s coming!” Nephteros roared, which made Chastille dive to the side. Immediately following that, the chimera’s arm stretched out and mowed down the area where Chastille had just been standing.
“Shine — Sacred Sword Azrael!”
This chimera was far too dangerous. After Chastille severed the extended arm, the portion of its body that was burned by the Sacred Sword’s light crumbled to dust. However, using that opening, its body transformed from a humanoid shape to that of a beast and thrust out a multitude of limbs.
“Pierce through — Selini Chavliodous!” Nephteros let out a chant in Celestian at that exact moment. Rainbow colored crystals pierced out from underneath the ground and tore apart the earth. The crystals were as large as the cathedral’s pillar and pierced through the chimera’s torso unerringly.
Alright! Now to crush its mobility before it can move those limbs... The chimera, which possessed numerous limbs, could move in a way that even Chastille was unable to keep up with. It was a big deal to seal that aspect of it. And, just as Chastille leaped in to bring it down with a swift strike, Nephteros yelled out some words of warning.
“You can’t approach it carelessly! That thing’s aiming for you!”
Chastille came to a sudden stop when she heard that, and a moment later, the chimera’s body swelled up, then burst. If Nephteros didn’t stop her, Chastille would have leaped right into that attack, which was flinging out something both of them had seen before.
No way... This is... Chastille and Nephteros both turned pale at the sight of the pitch black sludge.
“Everyone, take cover! No matter what happens, do not touch that sludge!” Chastille exclaimed. There was no way she could forget it. That was the sludge made of the residual thoughts of the Demon Lord. The only things that could deal with it were Zagan’s Heaven’s Phosphor and a high el
f’s celestial mysticism. A Sacred Sword could hold it back, but it didn’t possess enough power to annihilate it completely.
Unfortunately, Nephteros’ body was unable to withstand celestial mysticism powerful enough to defeat the thing. In other words, they currently possessed no means of eradicating it.
This is the reason Bifrons is attacking the church without a care in the world...
Nephteros’ face had also stiffened up with tension, but her expression showed no signs of giving up.
“This is not the Demon Lord from back then. Even if I can’t finish it off on my own, it’s something we can deal with together,” Nephteros remarked, her voice conveying her utter belief in her words. The way she spoke with dignity reminded Chastille of Nephy, but made her seem like her own person at the exact same time. That was why Chastille returned a nod.
“How reliable. Let’s fight together, Nephteros,” Chastille replied, deciding to deal with the sludge that had flown around the plaza rather than the chimera’s body itself.
First, I’ll start by eliminating this troublesome sludge... The sludge dissipated, almost looking like it was drying up, as it was mowed down by the Sacred Sword’s light. Seeing this, Chastille could tell that this sludge’s power was far weaker than the Sludge Demon Lord from before. The Sacred Sword’s power was more than enough to deal with it.
Lord Raphael’s Metatron would be far more effective, though... That Sacred Sword’s power manifested as flames. If Raphael got serious, he could use it to cover the entire plaza... However, the only one here was Chastille.
Chastille cast her gaze over to the chimera while she was busy burning away the sludge, saw that it was still unable to break away from the crystal piercing through it, and posed a question to her newfound ally.
“Nephteros, do you have a way of defeating that thing?”
“...I don’t, but I can make it smaller. You take care of it when I do, okay?”
An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride: Volume 5 Page 16
