The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody - Volume 2 - Chapter 35

CHAPTER 35 

The Ex–Demon Lord in Shock 

“With this, our school festival has come to an end. From here on out, the time-honored Spirit Festival will begin. In a moment, you will be able to enjoy the dazzling dance of spirits.” 

The Sword King Battle Tournament had ended, and throngs of crowds snaked out of the area as this announcement traveled across the school.

“I wonder what sort of program it’ll be this year?”

“There’s no way it can beat the last one. It was amazing.”

Even though the main tournament event had ended, there were still guests mixed in with the students as they collectively looked at the dark canopy above in anticipation. As they awaited the festival’s finale, I headed to the Tree of the Sword King.

To keep my promise with Sylphy.

…I dragged my heavy feet. When I thought about what awaited me, my pace became sluggish. She was probably already waiting.

I was afraid I had to keep her waiting for a while longer.

“…Honestly, why did things turn out this way?” I sighed and glanced up at the sky. It would be all too easy to blame everything on someone else. But…

I did it. I had to take accountability.

“I have no choice but to accept whatever outcome is thrown my way.”

I was anxious and scared as I continued to trudge forward.

My destination grew closer… And then I finally arrived at the Tree of the Sword King.

In the darkness, it stood straight with dignity, looming over me with a certain sacredness. The area around the huge Tree was empty…save for Sylphy, who waited in front of it alone.

To her chest, she held the replica of the Holy Sword, the prize for winning the tournament…the one modeled after Lydia’s.

I could feel my chest tighten. At the same time, it made me realize it was time to face what I had coming to me.

…As I maintained this grim resolve, I sensed a presence behind me.

“I wonder why she’s carrying the replica of the Holy Sword?”

“It’s obviously to get him to praise her victory. Are you seriously asking me that?”

It was Ireena and Ginny. Hidden from view, the two were curious to see what was going on.

“Hey, Ard Meteor. I’ve been watching you this entire month,” Sylphy started with a quiet voice, letting her lips form a gentle grin. “You’ve always been kind and dependable…and you’ve cleaned up my messes without a single world of complaint.”

She had nothing but praise for me.

“Oh, this is absolutely a confession. There’s no doubt of that. I can’t wait to see how he’ll respond!”

“…I-I’m going to stop her!”

“What? W-wait! Don’t get in the way!”

“Let. Me. Go!” 

Both Sylphy and I decided to ignore the two messing around in the back.

“Hey, Ard. I—”

By this point, I knew what was going on, even if I was totally helpless when it came to love.

Sylphy was trying to convey her feelings for me.

“Ard, I—”

There’s no way I can allow you to tell me this. 

“Sylphy, listen to me.”

I wondered what would happen once I revealed everything.

I knew perfectly well, and it was go time.

But Sylphy cut me off, continuing to speak with the gentlest expression: the last thing I’d ever expected.

“I—I—I can’t help but want to kill you.”

I could not understand this at all. I could do nothing but stand dumbfounded.

On the other hand, Sylphy flashed me a smile of bloodlust and madness—

An instant later, the replica of the Holy Sword in her hands began to emit a faint light. Along with it, the Great Tree behind her was releasing a silvery-white aura.

“This is…!”

Its shimmer aroused a feeling of nostalgia somehow…

I felt a throbbing in my chest.

It wasn’t my heart. No… It was Lydia’s soul responding from within me.

“It Is Here That I Shall Proclaim Your Release ,” Sylphy chanted.

At the same time, the replica of the Holy Sword and the Great Tree burst into light particles, emitting an illuminating mass that converged into one colony and gathered before Sylphy.

It became a single giant sword and revealed its true form.

“What…?!” My eyes flung wide open.

My heart beat rapidly, and I was absolutely drenched in sweat.

Thrump. 

Thrump. 

Thrump. 

Moreover, I could feel Lydia’s soul calling out. It was the first time she’d reacted in this obvious way. And the cause of it all had to be that thing floating before Sylphy: a silver sword carved with a complex sky-blue design. Simple ornamentation and a rough silhouette.

“The Holy Sword Vald-Galgulus. And formerly the divine, beloved weapon of Lydia the Champion,” muttered Sylphy in a cold, inhuman way.

She gripped its hilt. “The true one was sealed within the Tree of the Sword King, and the replica was the key to unlocking it. Now, why would the academy be hiding this? How fascinating. Is it destiny? Maybe. At any rate, I’ve achieved one of my goals.”

That tone was clearly not Sylphy’s. It was as though she was possessed… But she radiated a desire to kill, and that was no trick or fraud.

“…Demise-Argis,” she commanded, and another Holy Sword was summoned to her empty hand.

The golden blade, Demise-Argis.

The silver sword, Vald-Galgulus.

A Holy Sword in either hand…

It made me think of Lydia the Champion, my former friend.

My chest panged… It could be that Lydia’s soul inside me was evoking something with the Holy Swords.

“Sylphy…! You…!”

What are you planning? Before I had the chance to speak, she made her intentions clear.

“Arstella. Glisten, O Soul. Fotoblis. Become My Light… Tenneblick! And Dispel the Darkness!” 

With her ancient incantation, the blue pattern carved in the Holy Sword Vald-Galgulus flickered. Then her entire body was wrapped in a silver aura—like a suit of armor—and she stepped forward as those eyes burned and glistened with a savage light.

“Your head will be mine, you know, Ard Meteor.”