Mushoku Tensei (WN) - Volume 22 - Chapter 233

Thus, our fight with Demon King Atoferatofe began.

Summary up to the previous time-The battle with Atofe began.

“I am the Immortal Demon Lord Atoferatofe Ryback!

I’ll bestow you with the title of hero if you can defeat me.

If you lose, I’ll make you my puppet and use you until your last breath!”

Spreading an overwhelming killing intent was Atofe.

Moreover, the one who was opposing her was the figure of a hero.

“Sword King Eris Greyrat!”

Eris held one of the Sword God’s Seven Swords 『Phoenix Elegant Dragon Sword』 above her head and confronted Atofe.

“Sword God Style, huh!”

She happily unsheathed her sword without separating eye-contact from Eris.

“I’ll tell you beforehand, the Sword of Light is ineffective against me.”

“……”

Eris isn’t agitated by Atofe’s words.

Even she knows that.

She has heard about the Legend of the Immortal Demon Lord.

Immortal Demon Lord Atofe can never be defeated.

She doesn’t have any technique.

Her sword is dull and slow.

She just can’t die.

No matter how many attacks she takes, no matter how many fatal wounds she sustains, she won’t die.

She will rise even after receiving any type of attack.

And then gain victory at the end.

That is the Immortal Demon Lord Atofe.

There are only less than 10 veterans, including one of the Three Heroes’ Demon Slayer, who were able to oppose her during Laplace’s military campaign.

Feared as the symbol of dread, the only one who was said to have solely defeated her was the North God Kalmann.

Eris is having an insight.

She is thinking, ‘Can I defeat that Demon Lord in front of my eyes with my strength alone?’

Nay.

It’s impossible with just one person.

Exaltation can be felt for challenging a legendary being, but she doesn’t hold any techniques to defeat Atofe.

However there is no need to lament over that.

Even if she doesn’t have a playing hand, there is a person who already has one.

Since the arrangement of that situation has already ended in advance before coming here.

“……”

“Hey, say something.”

Eris doesn’t talk.

“Well, there was a fellow like you who concentrated all the nerves and fired an extremely powerful blow…….”

“…….”

“Fufu, I remember it since I have good memory.

Although that blow never did reach me and I smashed that person with my fist like a frog.”

Atofe might have recalled about that time.

She glared at Eris while a wicked smile ‘kukukuku’ rose to her face.

“How about it? Eris Greyrat.

It’s a once in a lifetime gamble.

Would you expose ungratefulness in front of your trusting comrades……or is it honor?”

“……..”

“My neck is right here. If you take my head back home, you will be regarded as a hero of the Human Race and leave your name in history for eternity.”

Striking her neck with a ‘tonton’ is Atofe.

With an expression that is overflowing with self-confidence.

‘This woman won’t be able to kill me.’

That sort of self-confidence.

The surrounding Imperial Guards are sighing.

‘Ah, Atofe-sama is getting negligent again!’ and sighing.

Nevertheless, against heroes, letting them get one attack in is an unavoidable disposition for the race of the Immortal Demon Lords.

“Not really, I don’t want something like honor or anything.”

Eris said clearly.

“But I’ll slice off your head.”

“Well said! Eris Greyrat! Now, come!”

Atofe’s shout reverberates.

The evening sun falls behind the mountains, the surroundings are wrapped up in slight darkness, and the violet flame lighted on the candlestick shines upon the two people.

Atofe’s eyes that glitter with burning fire.

Eris’s eyes that are undauntedly staring back.

The gazes of the two cross and their killing intent collides together.

A critical situation of two people.

“Ah…..”

However, the Imperial Guards weren’t watching the two of them that time.

They were looking behind Eris.

There stood a giant.

A stone giant was standing within the slight darkness having a height of 3 meters.

Where the hell did it came from?

Is it summoning magic?

No, there are no traces of how it was done.

Furthermore, a blue-haired magician is standing separated several steps from that giant.

As if to say it’s a success, the giant suddenly grips its hand and looks up from behind.

“Ah~….”

The reason Eris of the Sword God Style, possessor of a seemingly rough disposition, didn’t attack-

A person who was standing within the Imperial Guards understood it and let out a voice of admiration.

The reason is that while Eris was stalling for time, Rudeus was busy in preparation.

He summoned the Magic Armor 『MK. I』.

“Oh……Ooohhh…….”

The shadow standing behind Eris.

Atofe groaned, looking up at it.

There is a remembrance.

That armor. Even before Laplace’s military campaign, during the Second Great Human-Demon War.

She remembers seeing it before it was sealed.

Its form is slightly different.

Its color is slightly different.

However, those are trivial things.

Like hell are there many instances of this sort of armor in this world that can be collected!

“Fighting God Armor……!”

Atofe was looking up dumbfounded and muttering—-.

“GAAAAAAAaaaaaa!!!!”

Eris attacked.

—Rudeus’s Point of View—

Eris’s sword took flight.

Straight towards the left nape of Atofe’s neck, who was looking up at the Magic Armor. With the shortest distance.

The Demon sword that transformed into a long straight beam of silver light glides towards Atofe’s nape while keeping the overwhelming power of bloodshed as it is.

And without change goes through—

“Su!?”

It stopped.

The sword came to a halt midway through Atofe’s neck.

“…..”

Atofe’s sword was sticking into Eris’ right shoulder very deeply.

Eris’ right arm lost movement with just that.

It didn’t stop.

It was stopped.

By a thrust of the sword into the gap of bone and bone like a support rod, though expressed as the strongest sword technique, Longsword of Light was stopped. [44]

“GAAAAAaaaaa!”

Eris gave up on her right arm in an instant.

Using only her left hand, she swung the sword.

By all rights, something like a neck is severed in just one strike of the Longsword of Light.

But the power is halved if it’s dealt with just one hand.

Only 1/3rd of Atofe’s head was left while adhered to her torso as it is.

That would naturally result in death.

But the enemy is Atofe.

The Immortal Demon Lord Atoferatofe.

“SRRaa!”

Atofe, who was looking like a half-corpse, kicked Eris in the air.

Roxy caught from behind Eris, who was blown off with an unpleasant ‘begon’. [45]

Eris continued to look towards Atofe with ferocious eyes while the top of her shoulder was gushing out blood.

Her turn was up till now.

“oooOOHHHH!”

Atofe turned towards me while raising her roar.

She prepared her sword as if to defend and took up a forward-bent posture.

And thrust her sword into me as I was preparing the Gatling Gun.

Since Eris was blown off, I started shooting in a straight line.

“『Shoot it thorugh』!”

A rain of rock cannonballs poured down.

First step. Atofe’s armor was smashed into several small pieces.

Second step. Atofe’s shoulder was torn to pieces and the sword danced in midair.

Third step. Atofe’s upper half of the body that became full of holes was blown off and separated from her lower half.

There isn’t a fourth step.

The lower half of her body, now without the upper half, while waning and shaking violently, fell.

This spectacle is bad for the heart.

Since she is the Immortal Demon Lord, blood isn’t coming out, but if blood had spurted out, I might probably feel sick.

I can’t get used to becoming a murderer.

There is no way I can get used to it.

I was able to do it because I knew that she wouldn’t die even if I fired the Gatling Gun from such close range.

That’s right.

She won’t die, right? Even though things may appear this way.

“Did we do it?”

Roxy inquired while applying Healing Magic to Eris and anxiously surveying the Imperial Guards.

Until Atofe gives the order, they won’t attack.

Everyone, there is no need to worry about Atofe.

I have absolute faith towards the proprietress of immortality.

“Not yet.”

I replied while being vigilant.

“Is it our turn after this?”

“No, that’s unreasonable.”

“Look at the floor. Hasn’t the black weekday steel been gouged out?” [46]

“Even that armor doesn’t make any sense. What’s that magic……”

“Before when he fought Atofe-sama, that guy used a rock shell with amazing power. It’s probably that.”

“Ah, I see. So it’s a rapid firing rock shell.”

“Which means, apart from the armor, that staff(?) might be a magic tool.”

I am getting analyzed for some reason.

What a careless bunch.

But they probably know that Atofe won’t die from just that.

Atofe revives.

The scattered pieces of flesh draw near towards the large piece of meat.

Little by little, those pieces combine and start returning to their former size.

I guess it returns back by itself even if you pull out the hair, unlike a certain parasitic creature…….[47]

It also feels like a life force that will regenerate from a small piece of meat by cell division even if the pieces of meat don’t entirely return back. [48]

Such a creature can wear armor on its body and even use martial arts.

She’d obviously be powerful……

Atofe returned back to her previous form as I was thinking that.

However, as a result of blowing her full of holes, her upper half is naked.

I ended up seeing the muscles more forged than Eris’s and large breasts not inferior to Eris’s.

Is there any significance in forging those muscles even though she is such a creature…..?

There probably is.

Rather, the matter of forging them becomes even more meaningful to her than it is to humans if you consider that the cells won’t die.

Very interesting.

“Do you still want more?”

After the regeneration finishes, I ask the now unarmed Atofe.

With the resolution to fight.

However, it’s not like opposition won’t come if it comes to fighting seriously.

Moore, who is looking from behind, will be deemed as a hostile opponent if we have to erase Atofe here in all seriousness.

He will commence the attack by leading the Imperial Guards when he judges us as hostile.

Or so I’ve heard from Orsted.

We’ve also more or less come up with a plan if it comes to that, but…..

Well, it’s better to satisfy Atofe by knocking her down many times over.

I don’t know how many times I will have to face her, but I’ll keep her company until my magic supply is exhausted.

“Don’t want it!”

Or so I thought, but Atofe shouted.

Thereupon, Moore rushed over and put a cloak on her.

“I’ll immediately go and pick up a change of armor, so…”

“Humph!”

Atofe sat down on the ground with a ‘plunk’ and crossed her legs.

She doesn’t intend to fight.

But she’s looking at me, seemingly annoyed.

That’s really unexpected.

I certainly thought that she would be rushing towards us like a wild boar while reviving.

Or give the order to her surroundings and siege us.

“……”

She was disregarding Eris, who was standing next to me and setting up her sword.

Roxy, who was preparing the staff was also standing behind oblique to me, but I guess there is no need for her turn.

“……”

Atofe is fixedly staring at me.

Silently and motionlessly for a short while.

“Moore, do you remember?”

And said that with a sigh.

“No, during the Human-Demon War, I was still….”

“That’s right. That’s how it was.”

Atofe muttered with an unusually calm and low voice.

“It’s different from that time.

It was more golden in color during that time.

Its power and speed are there, but such a weapon didn’t exist.”

Atofe might be talking about the original 『Fighting God Armor』.

The strongest armor made by Laplace.

“But the Human Race was like that.

At first, they were weak. Absurdly weak. If we invaded, they would easily collapse and run away.

But they steadily changed after a short while.

When I realized it, they had changed their personnel, armor, and weapons.

Their method of fighting was like that too.

They would become firm, fall apart, and lie in wait within the mountains and across rivers……

While doing so, they became stronger little by little.

Kal said that it was the strength of the Human Race.”

Atofe’s face is settling down for some reason.

The way she’s talking feels somewhat intellectual as well.

The Immortal Demon clan probably enters a wise-man state after regenerating once.

“Did you build that?”

“Yes.”

“I see….you’re strong, truly strong.”

Atofe said that with a refreshed face.

“It’s a pleasant story. Since Father wasn’t able to win against the Dragon Race after many hardships when the worthless Human Race were able to overtake…..” [49]

Atofe slowly stood up.

With Moore on her side, she looked up at me with her arms folded and talked.

While I wasn’t able to catch up with her meaning, she continued.

“I recognize my defeat. As promised, I will be under your jurisdiction while you continue to live.”

Thus, Atofe became a comrade.

“Rudeus Greyrat, you are a hero who defeated me.”

Incidentally I became a hero.

After that, a party was held at Atofe’s fortress.

It’s a party for the subjugation of the Demon Lord.

The organizer is the defeated Demon Lord herself.

Imperial Guards are the staff.

Participants are also the Imperial Guards.

On the occasion of the party, a large military drill was organized.

Organized in the center of the arena, such things as tree persons are put in order for athletics and a carpet made out of beast leather is spread out to encircle the circumference of the surrounding area with all of the guards eating and drinking. [50]

Demon Lord Atofe was defeated.

Having said that, the people captured by Atofe weren’t released.

It’d be troublesome for me if Atofe’s war potential of Imperial Guards decreases; Atofe definitely might have understood that situation too.

For now, it’s just like before.

They’re not all cops and robbers and we can’t proceed to release all the members just like that. [51]

Well, if some fellows want to return no matter what, we’ll send a few of them little by little when we get the chance.

If it’s just a little, then even Atofe won’t notice.

Although every member of Atofe’s Imperial Guards is absolutely enjoying the party.

They don’t seem to have the intention to fly the banner of revolution.

“Today is an auspicious day. Drink! Sing! And Fight!”

Even though Atofe was defeated, she was in a really good mood.

A party hall right in the center of the arena.

She’s glowing in satisfaction by waging fights against fellow subordinates over there.

It seems she’s pleased to receive the alcohol I gave her, looking at how she’s shouting “Delicious!” each time she takes a drink.

It’s a really mysterious feeling, but it slightly resembles that of Badigadi’s around there.

Things like drinking and singing first before a duel…..

They’re siblings after all.

The Immortal Necross may have been a fellow like that too.

“Hahahahaha, that’s good!”

“Crush ’em good!”

“Your guard is down! Raise it! Raise it! Woww….”

There are many hand-to-hand fights that are being performed in the arena.

It’s a manly fight with only bare hands without armor nor weapons.

There are robust men of the Imperial Guards who tightly grasp their fist and knock their opponents hard.

Ah, no, wait. That’s not a fellow guard. It’s not even a man.

“The victor is Eris!”

The one in the arena is Eris.

That fight might not have been enough for her.

The Demon Race of Atofe’s Imperial Guards are knocked down by movements like those of a ferocious stray dog.

They were said to be the elites, but Eris too isn’t holding a sword.

If it’s a fist fight, whether they are equally matched or one of them goes easy on another……

No, they’re not holding themselves back.

Some players that have fainted are scattered around the side of the arena.

As if Eris has already beaten the crap out of at least three people.

They are hurt, but Roxy arrives and uses healing magic within a second, so it should be fine.

You’ve become strong, Eris……

“AHHAhahahaha! Strong aren’t you! As one would except from the comrade of the hero! Who’s the next one!? Who will dare?”

“Fight me! Demon Lord Atofe! Get down here!”

“Ahhahahahahaha! You’re an even bigger fool than Kishirika if you’re challenging me to a fist fight! All right, I like it! I’ll become your enemy!”

Atofe suddenly threw her clock off while getting her upper half naked and comes down to the arena.

The grounds were filled with nothing but shouts of joy.

The party is now at its climax.

Will Eris win or Atofe?

Odds are probably higher for Atofe. However, if it’s Eris, a totally unexpected result could——

“Rudeus-dono…..Rudeus-dono!”

“Oh, excuse me.”

I’m not participating in that party.

I’m in the middle of a meeting at the fort’s room with Moore regarding the matters hereafter.

Even though I should have been the leading actor…..the party is now at its climax.

I wonder for what reason the party was held.

“Ahem, I understand the regarding circumstances.

Search and kill that apostle Gisu and Hitogami and also provide backup when it comes to war.

Search for Kishirika-sama. Establishment of an intelligence organization. Provide backup during Demon God Laplace’s war.

Is that roughly all?”

“Yes.”

Unlike Atofe, Moore was a person who understands conversation.

Listening to my request, summarizing it, he’s positively considering it.

Perhaps he holds Atofe’s intelligence characteristics; he might have been born by jumping out of that narrow skull.

“Aside from the former two, the latter two, especially regarding the war with Demon God Laplace, we probably won’t be able to provide support.”

“Is it unreasonable after all? Because of the debt to Laplace or the like….?”

“Atofe-sama was defeated by you personally. If you die, that will be over. Or will you be able to live even until 80 years later?”

“…….I guess that’s difficult.”

Personally until the end.

I, individually.

It might be possible to let them think that Roxy defeated her, but…..

Well, it can’t be helped.

This too is probably fate.

“Assisting the Mercenary Group is difficult as well.”

“Is it a territory conscious thing after all?”

“Atofe-sama reigns over this region, but the ones who control it are the Imperial Guards. Building a different organization is convenient to make use of, but we can’t look after their troubles.”

“…..I understand.”

Mercenary group too is overdoing it.

Just building it should be fine, but we mustn’t forget that the head of the neighboring organization is Atofe.

If a problem occurs, to settle it, strength is needed instead of wit.

Surely, such an incident might occur, and before you realize it, destruction would have set in.

“Regarding the search for Kishirika-sama, let’s send out letters containing Atofe-sama’s sign to the Demon Lords of various areas. They will surely lend a hand if it’s just a search.”

“Please do.”

“There is no need for you to request. The one delivering the letters will be you. Since we don’t know the exact place of the Teleportation Magic Circle.”

“Ah, yes.”

That’s right, now that he mentions it, these people already know about the Teleportation Magic Circle, so there is no need to hide it.

Teleportation Magic Circle.

It’s a taboo for the Human Race, but it might not be a taboo for the people of the Demon Race who have longevity.

“Since Kishirika-sama doesn’t run away without a particular reason, she will probably be found out immediately.”

“It’s better if she’s found as soon as possible.”

“It depends on the speed of the letter’s delivery, but…..she might get discovered within this year.”

I can’t find where Kishirika is as usual.

“Just why does that person wander around like that?”

“Well it’s unclear to me just how the members of the ancient demon race think.”

“……But of course.”

In my opinion, I think Moore is also from one of the ancient demon races……

I don’t know how long they live, but if it’s the Immortal Demon race, they might live for centuries at a time without getting affected.

“However, Rudeus-dono sure has become stronger. There’s quite a difference if we compare you from before when we met.”

“It’s the power of the Magic Armor.”

“Such an honorable honesty.”

“There is no conviction in my honesty. I was able to obtain Atofe-sama’s power by making her surrender, but I myself haven’t dramatically become any stronger.”

『Strength』 can be produced.

It’s an agglutination of magic and skill.

It doesn’t mean that I can just obtain that 『Strength』 with my power alone.

Me, Zanoba, Cliff, and Roxy too these days.

If not for them, the Magic Armor would never have seen completion nor operation.

“You’re the second person after North God Kalmann whose strength was recognized by Atofe-sama in just one blow, and she decided to come under your jurisdiction.”

“I think I am inferior in regards to the level of the Major World Powers.”

Before long, the one defeated would have been me if she had kept resurrecting and continued fighting again and again.

Since I don’t have an inexhaustible supply of magic.

“We’ll readily supply if there is insufficiency.

Be it skills, armor, or comrades.

Atofe-sama has come to recognize all of those.

Therefore, she always hangs around all of the members.

Since that is the strength of the Human race.”

He’s probably saying that…..the strength of the human race is the power to put things together.

Making use of weapons, armors, and comrades as well, while accommodating all of those with strategy and tactics.

No matter the enemy, we won’t utter cowardice.

For this reason, Atofe accepted defeat and Moore is praising me.

I’m somewhat content with that.

“However, just like Atofe, we the Imperial Guards still have the swordplay of North God style.We don’t think you fought in all seriousness.”

“I’m deeply impressed by those words.”

Atofe fought alone this time.

But that is the minimum force as far as she’s concerned.

She still has much more power to bequeath.

I don’t know where she will intend to use it.

The future me was outwitted by Moore and was defeated……

I just happen to see a vision of conflict with the Imperial Guards, so for that reason I prepared something in advance just in case.

Roxy was there for that reason.

She possessed scrolls for every hypothetical situation.

If we’re able to pin Moore down even for just a short time, we could at least prepare our retreat.

Or so I thought, but it might have been risky if the Imperial Guards had genuinely participated.

“Moore! Moooooorree! Bring Rudeus here!”

And a callout came from Atofe.

The loud voice which called out to Moore resounded till here.

When I looked out the window, Eris was falling face-down and Roxy was rushing towards her in a hurry.

Looks like she lost.

Well that’s obvious.

“We should start going soon. Please use the Lithograph that was installed just now for making communication.”

“Yes, but before that.”

While saying that, Moore presented a box that was located to his side.

Looking like a large Japanese dictionary.

A box that has an ominous demonic pattern carved into it and feels like I’ll be cursed if it’s opened.

It was unexpectedly light after I held it.

“From Atofe-sama, I hand this over to you from us.”

“…..And this is?”

“When you’re caught in a dilemma, please open this. It will definitely become your strength.”

I see.

The enjoyment of trying to open it, is it?[52]

“Well then, shall we go?”

“Yes.”

I put the box in the baggage and left the room.

After that, I sat next to Atofe, watching the competition from a special seat and treating myself to alcohol.

A team competition of 5-5 by the Imperial Guards.

Moore and others are showing off very flashy magic.

The rest are doing acrobats like the Chinese Athletic Association and musical instruments are being played resembling a former troubadour.

Although I wasn’t able to enjoy much looking at them.

For some reason, Atofe who was sitting next to me was naked above the waist the whole time and continued to do so.

Good gracious, I am in trouble as to where to look.

The abstinent Rudeus has become greedy because of the abstinence itself.

“…….”

When I started taking glances, before I knew it, Eris who was sitting next to me pulled my ear and Roxy who was sitting on top of my lap blocked my field of vision towards Atofe.

It was an enjoyable party.