Epilogue
The mage academy was reduced to a state that could only be described as the epicenter of an explosion. The God of Destruction Europa was gone without a trace. Not only that, but the mountain behind the old campus building and the courtyard were so utterly obliterated that it was hard to imagine the buildings that once stood there ever existed in the first place.
I didn’t expect it to be this powerful...
Even as they ran away, if any of the students had been harmed by the blast... Diablo looked around anxiously, but thankfully the blue brick building was hardly perturbed in all the commotion. The students who ran to hide behind it were gradually coming out, raising voices of surprise at how much the courtyard had changed.
Looking at the ground, it seemed the shockwaves had somehow bounced back in front of the buildings. Was that the headmistress’s or the teachers’ doing? This was a mage academy, after all; there should’ve been some sorcerers capable of such.
Diablo heaved a sigh of relief.
“The evil has been extinguished.” Lumachina nodded. “And the children are safe. As magnificent as ever, Lord Diablo.”
“Hmph... Such a monster cannot hope to match me...”
“Yes.”
“...But your contribution was significant as well.”
“Thank you very much!” Lumachina beamed happily, her gratitude sincere.
Diablo turned to look at Horn. She and Angeline were just fine. The two were in a state of shock over the complete chaos the academy was in, but they didn’t seem to be physically hurt.
He then turned his eyes to Sylvie. “I told you to get a Dispel ready...”
“Going through the capital’s Adventurers’ Guild would’ve been too time consuming. Besides, it’s hard to hire someone for help on such short notice. So I just thought I’d ask Lumachina if I could borrow a priest.”
“...You didn’t expect her to come herself, did you?”
Sylvie shrugged. “I bet the Grand Cathedral’s in a panic right now, though...”
“It’s fine.” Lumachina smiled. “The believers will all understand that this was at the will of God.”
“Uh...” Sylvie waved her hand lightly. “I think it’s a pretty big deal when the High Priest just up and disappears.”
Diablo had to agree. But her rushing to the scene was to be expected given the circumstances. Besides, everything turned out okay in the end, so it was fine.
Diablo finally turned toward the panicking students.
Mercie...
The flower-selling girl was standing alongside her friends. As one might expect, she was surprised by the situation as her eyes darted about.
She looked fine. He couldn’t claim everything went the way he wished it would, but he’d at least saved her. He could feel a smile naturally play over his lips.
“So what are you going to do now?” Sylvie folded her hands behind her head. “Report this to the academy? Think they’ll give you a reward?”
“...Right after they hand me the invoice for the damages.”
“The old campus building and the mountain behind it are one thing, but the courtyard’s definitely a problem... If they want it properly serviced, it’d cost a fortune.”
“And the blue brick building was damaged a little, too, looking at it.”
“Your magic is just too strong, Diablo.”
“I had to defeat that monster in one blow. It only made sense to use that much power.”
“Riiight~ So then, do we head back to Faltra?”
“...Hmm.”
“You’re leaving so soon, Lord Diablo?!” Lumachina looked surprised. Horn also raised her voice, her eyes on the verge of tears, as she cried out, “Boss!”
“I... I still...needed you to save me...b-but...um!”
“Stand firm and learn. The powerless haven’t the leisure to lament their weakness.”
“Yessir, Boss! I’ll study real hard!”
After rising to her feet unsteadily, Angeline bowed her head too.
“I honestly still don’t have a handle on what happened here, but...I think you saved me, and the academy. Thank you so very much.”
“Hmm.” Diablo nodded. But just as he was about to turn on his heels to leave, Sylvie screeched out.
“Huuuh?!”
Then—
Clap, clap, clap...
Someone greeted them with half-hearted applause. A large, bulky man stood on the roof of the carriage that had brought Lumachina here. His body was so muscular and robust one could hardly believe he was human. His black hair was parted to one side and he wore black-rimmed glasses. He was like a beefed-up bank teller.
“Astounding. You defeated a monster that powerful with just one hit. Simply remarkable.”
“Ugh... The Order of Palace Knights...” Sylvie winced.
“I am Marquis Maximum Abrams,” the man said with a smile. “I believe this is our second meeting, no?”
“Hmph...” Diablo glared back at him. “As if I’d remember... Huh...?!”
Another figure stepped out from behind the carriage, a man clad in a red long coat. He was a blond elf with a black sword at his waist. He was completely unharmed...
“This man is quite dangerous, Captain. I, Thanatos the Undying, will be the one to put him in his place.”
“Yes... Perhaps someday. But now.”
“D-Didn’t you die...?” Diablo couldn’t help but ask.
“Do not make me repeat myself. I am an undying immortal.”
Seems that wasn’t just a bluff...
Diablo didn’t understand the logic of it, but it seemed the Order of Palace Knights were a troublesome lot. There was no telling how strong their captain was.
Maximum narrowed his eyes. “Looking at you fight...it seemed to me you were well-versed in how to combat that monster, Sir Diablo.”
“Hmph... I can tell that much just by looking at it. Maybe your underling is just useless for rushing in without a plan?”
“What?!”
Thanatos’s anger flared up, but Maximum silenced him with a raised hand.
“No, I guarantee you my ‘underling’ is quite skilled. It is you who is suspiciously skilled.”
“Think whatever you will.”
Diablo wanted them to keep thinking as much, that he was “too dangerous to oppose.” For that reason alone he stuck to his Demon Lord role play. But Maximum wouldn’t back down—not yet.
“Well, any power that exceeds human understanding will raise a red flag by the normal population. But there is a very important gentleman who wishes to meet with you, Sir Diablo. Surely you know who I speak of?”
“Nn...”
Maximum reached out his hand. “His Majesty awaits. Please come with me.”
“...And if I refuse?”
“Oh, you won’t, Sir Diablo.”
Saying so, his glance turned to Horn, then Angeline.
“You bastard...” Diablo held up his staff.
“I think you’re well aware of which one of us would prefer the peaceful solution here... So, what will you do?”
“Tch.”
This man thought to extort Diablo. He seemed quite powerful, but it seemed his trust laid in his words. Sylvie was more suitable for that sort of exchange, but...Diablo couldn’t expect much out of her now. Diablo had nearly forgotten, but she was one of those who said Diablo was better off listening to the king’s order. She wouldn’t interfere if Diablo going to the audience would end things peacefully here.
Diablo turned a sidelong gaze toward Sylvie, only to see her bringing her hands together apologetically and mouthing a “Sorry!” He almost had to wonder if the captain of the Palace Knights being here was her handiwork...
“...Traitor.”
“What, I didn’t go that far!”
Lumachina stood in front of Diablo.
“You must not show disrespect to this man. Even the Palace Knights are not allowed to do so.”
Maximum looked at Diablo.
What will you do?
Depending on what Diablo said here, Maximum would even be willing to cut down the High Priest. Diablo could see this man doing so.
And so, Diablo sighed and placed a hand on Lumachina’s shoulder.
“I see your devotion clearly. For now, return to where you belong, and do what you must.”
“Lord Diablo?!”
“Believe in me.”
“Y-Yes.” Lumachina kneeled.
“I thought the High Priest offered prayer to God and God only.” Maximum tilted his head curiously.
“Hear me and listen well, captain. If you dare lay a hand on my belongings, both you and your king will regret it.”
“Hmm. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Maximum snapped his fingers. A chariot covered in black approached from down the road, and he gestured for Diablo to get on it.
“I will have you accompany me to Castle Grandiose, Sir Diablo. Will your companions be joining us?”
“I will be going alone.”
“Mhm.” Maximum nodded.
“...I don’t trust him,” Diablo whispered in Sylvie’s ear. “Make sure Horn and Lumachina aren’t taken hostage. I leave it to you.”
“Right. I’m sorry it ended up this way.”
“It’s fine.”
I figured I’d end up meeting the king, anyway...
The door to the black carriage opened, and Maximum took a seat first. Thanatos, who stood outside, propped up the sword at his waist.
“If you do anything suspicious, I will cut you down.”
Diablo ascended the carriage’s gangway ladder and sat on the seat opposite Maximum.
“Hmph... Going to such lengths to call for me, I expect quite the banquet.”
To be continued...
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