The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody - Volume 5 - Chapter 69

CHAPTER 69

The Ex-Demon Lord and the Bright Side of Humanity, Part III

A man plunged down from the center of the blue sky, his papal robe whipping around in the wind. His eyes saw only me. Mine saw solely him.

Lizer Bellphoenix.

An experienced and fearless fighter.

A veteran soldier skilled in the pen and the sword.

The shrewdest military mind.

One of my former greatest soldiers.

A cornerstone of the Four Heavenly Kings.

He came at me, exerting tremendous force—all to take control of my fate.

“Lizer…!”

An instant was all it took for me to construct a spell as I glared at the enemy descending straight down on me. It was seven layers of the high-level Giga Wall. For this first bout, I chose to focus solely on defense instead of intercepting him with attack magic.

If he was any normal enemy, this would pose no threat to me, and I would respond with a counterattack to nullify its effects.

However…with Lizer casting his Original technique, there would be no intercepting it.

He was holding that giant mace of his, manifested from spell. Making contact meant it was all over.

“Hah!” Lizer barked.

The distance between us was infinitesimally close to none. He wielded the enormous mace in his left hand, aimed straight for my head. My defense managed to block it, the golden barrier stopping the heavy impact, which set off a thunderous shock wave that rattled our ears.

Moments later…my wall started to crack.

I guess I should have expected this of Lizer. He nearly obliterated my defense magic in a single attack.

I could have restored it—if Lizer had been kind enough to let me.

“KAH!”

Lizer swept his mace sideways with another mighty shout. My wall didn’t have the strength to withstand another attack. As soon as I made this calculation, I disposed of my barrier, hitting the ground running to dodge his blow.

The mace whistled through the air, and I bounded back.

A successful withdrawal.

I vaulted into the sky from the execution platform, shooting forward like an arrow, far away from Ireena, Rosa, and Valdr.

As the citizens below looked up at me…Lizer stepped forward and launched himself at me.

We ripped through the air, landing in the backstreets of town. Without anyone else around, it was just us two. Lizer glared at me as he shouldered his mace. I could feel that the old general was out to kill me. He radiated murder.

I continued to keep a strict eye on him as I murmured quietly, “Is this the sort of scenario you were anticipating?”

“…Not at all.”

There was no remorse in his expression.

“You are awfully calm,” I observed.

“That is because it does not alter what I must do.”

We continued to lock eyes as we talked. The vibe made our hairs stand on end.

Lizer continued. “If things had gone as I expected, you would have tossed away this ‘Ard Meteor’ facade. You would have plunged into darkness to save your friend…by returning to this world as the Demon Lord. That was what I expected.”

“…I knew it. You were aware of my identity all along.”

There was no longer any need to pretend in front of this guy. I faced the man before me not as Ard Meteor, but as Varvatos.

“I see you’re as sharp as ever. I was this close to messing up and playing right into your hand,” I admitted.

I must have been dancing to the sound of his tune all along. Ireena has lost everything because I’d made a selfish decision. I was so close to revealing myself to the world…if it meant saving her…

“If it’s for Ireena, I’d adopt a new set of values and morals. I’d do whatever it took… But I didn’t think about the future on purpose. I knew a wretched one was waiting for me. With no place to go, I’d either chose to take my own life…or…”

“Brainwash the citizens, following your own footsteps from the ancient days. It would make things easier for you… I was hoping that would be your decision.”

He must have realized that would never happen. In fact, it wasn’t even an option for me.

“I’ve had more than enough of that…after making that choice in my final days,” I admitted. “It was too upsetting to rip away free will from my subjects and force them to look at me with affection—a solitary game.”

I was painfully aware of that.

“…Lizer, I’ll be honest. You made some points with your vision for society. But using power to control people’s minds and force them into living in a utopia is—”

“I know. You just said it yourself. A lonely game. But…that was the only way it could be actualized. I, Lizer Bellphoenix, exist only to bring that ideal to fruition.”

“…And anything outside your faith lacks worth?”

“Correct. I will unite the world as one, wipe away all discrimination, and create a world where children can smile. A world where it doesn’t matter if one is demon or otherwise, where the young ones can live happily. This body is nothing more than a vessel toward that end.”

In a way, his convictions…reminded me of my past self.

“…I used to be a lot like you. Especially in those final days. After losing Lydia, I thought I was only living to keep my promise to her.”

“I know. Lady Lydia always hoped for a world without…discrimination, disparity, or war, a world without sexism and ageism, a world without boundaries between demons and humanity. A world where everyone could smile and laugh. It was very close to my own vision of utopia, and your version was perfect.”

“Yeah. I made it happen…only after brainwashing the citizens, getting rid of anyone in my way, and ridding the world of any free will.”

In the ancient world, I was always fighting for freedom and to gain the respect of the people.

But at the very end, I took away that exact freedom from them.

“The irony. After crushing the Evil Gods—my eternal enemies—I ended up doing their job for them.”

Many of my subjects became disillusioned by this change and left me. Some even fanned the flames of rebellion.

…With my own two hands, I murdered them all—the subordinates who had believed in me and stayed by my side all that time.

In order to keep my promise with a dead friend, I slaughtered. I killed. I butchered them.

“In the ancient days, I would sometimes think I wanted to be defeated… Then maybe everything would end. Maybe I could end a life where I was constantly feared by others. Maybe I could break away the chains that bound me toward this way of life.”

I had wanted someone to stop me—keep me from making all these mistakes. In the end, I was never offered that respite…

I finished my temporary utopia, and soon after…my heart had shattered into a million pieces.

“…I got what I deserved. I knew that, but I couldn’t handle being alone.”

“And thus you abandoned your utopia and reincarnated into this era… And you know the rest: I talked about what happened after your selfish choices at the museum.” Lizer’s eyes seemed disapproving. “Modern society is in shambles. People are breaking apart. Nations are falling to pieces. War is a daily part of life, and the lives of precious children are being lost. All by the will of the people. Even I cannot stop their collective choice. That’s why…I need you.”

Lizer hefted the giant mace off his shoulder and pointed it at me.

“I shall use my power to make the Demon Lord my pawn. By doing so, I shall give birth to a new utopia in the modern era.”

“…I don’t think that’s much of a utopia. It’d be a kingdom of dolls.”

“It matters not. Humanity will walk the wrong path unless someone controls it. Even you must know this. It must have been proven to you in Megatholium.”

He was indirectly referring to Bordeaux. It was true that his death had shaken my perspective.

“Your little scheme made me think people were disgusting…but it’s different now.”

This was my counterargument.

“Bordeaux was unhappy because he couldn’t find a real friendship. He was called the Saint and saved many. But…he had built hierarchical relationships, not friendships.”

Everyone had called him the Saint out of reverence like some sort of living god.

It reminded me of my former relationship with my subjects. As the Demon Lord, I was feared by my subjects, who put me on a pedestal as the savior of the world. In other words…they saw me for my tremendous power. They didn’t see me as an individual.

All of Bordeaux’s relationships were the same.

“You have to be on the same level to develop real friendship. Bordeaux must not have realized that until right before his death. If he had, he wouldn’t have chosen that end for himself…”

He could have struck up a real friendship with Ireena and me. With that as a stepping stone, maybe he would have enjoyed a life surrounded by loved ones.

Just like Carmilla, the demon in our class.

“…What are you trying to say?” Lizer asked, sounding irritated.

“Bordeaux’s death triggered my misguided way of thinking…and I made the wrong choices. Until recently, I…couldn’t refute anything you said, Lizer. I thought humans were pathetic, too, but…

“…But?” the old general asked, his eyes narrowing to scrutinize me.

In the face of this, I thrust my chest out proudly as I made my declaration.

“I can now say this with confidence: People aren’t just those characteristics. There’s the tiniest speck of goodness in all that grime. Call it human potential. I believe in it. So…Lizer Bellphoenix. I won’t support your vision.”

I was just like Lizer until only recently, but this was where we parted ways.

People feared the unknown.

People would never welcome these individuals as one of them.

…That was a downright lie. My friends proved it to me. All the people in this life were living proof.

“…You think they might be friends, but that’s an optical illusion. A trick of the eye,” Lizer said. “As I said, that won’t change my objective. It alters nothing—even if circumstances are not optimal, even if you have made an error in judgment. I will use you by my own power…and create a bright future for the children.”

His entire body started to exude murder and militancy.

Words were no longer necessary. From here on out, we’d be using only brute force to hammer our convictions into each other.

All roads lead to despair.

That is the way of life for a pitiful man.

I prepared to cast my greatest spell. If I was going up against an opponent like Lizer, there was no way I could afford to hold back.

In complete solitude is he.

For there are those who follow his lead

But none to rule together with him.

“As if I’d let you cast your special magic…!” With a sharp exhale, Lizer swung his own weapon.

Its target was…not me.

It was two stray dogs who had been listening to our conversation in a nook of the street. Lizer mercilessly struck both in the back.

““YIP?!”” The two dogs yowled, crouching to the ground to deal with their injuries.

““AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!””

They seemed to shake it off, howling viciously. Their eyes shone crimson, and a red symbol glowed on their chests. This was what happened to living organisms when Lizer struck them with his mace after he had cast his special skill.

“Grah!”

The effect was absolutely incredible.

The two dogs bared their fangs, lunging to attack me, moving at supersonic speed. A moment ago, they had been ordinary strays. Now, they possessed astounding fighting power and were closing in on me to carry out their master’s orders.

There is not one who understands.

All are eager to leave his side.

I continued my chant while avoiding the beasts’ fierce attack. I wouldn’t be able to cast unique powers if I couldn’t finish the aria, and using any other magic while chanting wasn’t possible, either. That was why I usually prepared it before the battle to cast as a surprise attack.

Lizer was doing his best to make me struggle.

“Nragh!!”

While my attention had been taken by the dogs, Lizer came in from the side to knock me down. I leaped away just in time and put distance between us.

…His unique power didn’t just make anyone struck by his mace insanely powerful. It could also make the target his puppet. The worst part was…it was infectious.

Cast away by his one and only friend.

He sinks into a sea of madness and isolation.

In the middle of my chant, one of the dogs leaped out at me from a blind spot. I dodged it by a hair’s breadth. Its fang attack thwarted, the dog glared at a third stray…and rushed forward to sink its teeth in the quivering animal’s throat.

“YOWL?!” The dog whined in pain.

“GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!”

The next moment, the wounded animal looked up at the sky as it howled. Its eyes shone red, just like the new symbol on its chest.

…This was probably the greatest weapon in his arsenal. Any living creature that came in contact with one of his possessed puppets would be infected with the same condition.

In summary…

If the mace touched you, it was game over.

If you touched something that had touched the mace, you were done for.

This was why it was impossible for an army to defeat Lizer in battle. After all, he could make any of the enemy soldiers follow his orders.

…I was being outnumbered. He was driving me into a corner. The battle could end at any second.

Rest without peace.

Drown in anguish and despair.

That was as far as he was going to get.

That which guides this tale.

The chant was done.

Private Kingdom—the Story of a Lonely King.

That marked the beginning of my revenge.

A dark aura twisted around my right arm, manifesting into a chain. The darkness morphed into a large black sword…and I gripped its hilt with my right hand.

“““GRAAGH!”””

The three strays closed in.

They were innocent.

“I’ll end you.”

The dogs swooped down on me. As I was now, they were fatally slow. To me, they might as well have been frozen in midair.

It didn’t even take a full breath for me to slice through their torsos. Their corpses thudded on the ground, with no energy to offer one final yelp of agony.

By the time their blood and entrails splashed on the ground…I was already closing in on Lizer.

“To return your gift. Hope you like it.”

With no trace of former melancholy, I swung the dark blade—the vicious attack aimed at the nape of his neck. Lizer blocked it with his mace.

However…he had no chance of holding out against my physical strength.

“Ngh…!” he growled, anguish showing on his stony face.

His body was blown away to the side. Although he’d been able to defend against the first blow, his stamina had given out, and Lizer blasted through multiple edifices from the impact.

I was now on the offensive. I was the superior opponent.

I passed through the holes left behind his body and searched for my prey.

I felt a tinge of anxiety.

…It wasn’t part of Lizer’s plan for me to feel like I was close to winning…right?!

I had sent Lizer flying toward the main avenue.

“Y-Your Eminence?! What happened?!”

…On the long strip was a large group of Holy Knights…

“Huh?! S-Sir Ard?!”

“Why did you come back?! Where’s Ireena?!”

…There were my classmates.

“…Hmm. Call this divine aid,” someone said—in a voice that was calm, level…and icy.

Crap.

Lizer’s mace moved…right toward the heads of the male students next to him.

“Stop, Lizer!!” I stepped forward to put an end to this reckless act.

But just before I could…

The wind kicked up. The air whistled.

Someone had swooped in like a gale with a blade drawn.

“I’ll take down anyone who lays a hand on my students…!”

My big sister’s sword blocked Lizer’s weapon.

Metal grinded against metal, whining and showering them with sparks.

The boys…were perfectly fine.

“L-L-L-Lady Olivia…!”

“Run! Get as far from here as you can!”

“I won’t let you. Don’t allow a single one to escape.”

Two sides with conflicting commands. They stood locked in. The knights quickly blocked off all exits. Olivia clicked her tongue and stared at her former comrade-in-arms.

“Damn you…! I held my tongue because we broke bread together, but…! If you’re going to get my students involved, I’ll show no mercy…!”

“Show no mercy, you say? And what of it? Olivia vel Vine. Do you believe that I would be brought down by a heathen?”

The murderous energy flashed between the two, rippling through the air.

Sure enough, the winner of this deadlock was…

“Comrade. I remember fighting beside this sword…but it’s grown pitifully dull now that you have lost sight of your reason to fight.”

“N-ngh…!”

The old general put more weight into this attack.

“Ngah!”

His strength sent Olivia and her sword flying. As soon as there was considerable distance between them, Lizer struck a group of nearby soldiers with his mace.

“Olivia vel Vine. As you are now, you aren’t even worthy to die by my hand.”

The enhanced soldiers personified Lizer’s orders.

“““GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”””

With a strange war cry, three knights charged at Olivia.

Lizer seemed to imply his subordinates were enough for her. As a matter of fact, his power had made them a force to be reckoned with…

“Tch…! Ard Meteor! Protect the students!” Olivia barked, slowly drawing the enemy farther away.

I took over this duty and headed for the students.

“Worry not. I won’t let anyone lay a single finger on you.”

Their reactions were mixed. Some showed relief. Others were angry and seemed to think I was disrespecting them. Still others never fully grasped the situation in the first place.

At any rate, a vicious battle was about to unfold. I had to take down Lizer and protect everyone at the same time.

So what to do?

I mustered up all my wisdom and started to work out a plan.

Meanwhile…

“You’re right. My subordinates and I will not lay a finger on anyone. In fact, it is no longer necessary.”

Lizer’s expression was somewhere around a self-satisfied look of victory.

What was he talking about? I had no idea.

A second passed by.

“U…ugh…!”

I heard a tiny voice from behind. The high pitch told me it was a girl, and her urgency gave me the chills.

This was not good.

My sixth sense kicked in, warning me of danger. I instinctively looked back.

“What…the…?”

A female student stood before me. Her eyes glowed a fiery crimson, and a symbol of the same color was on her chest. Her fingertips…reached out to touch the nape of my neck.

“Ngh…!”

Those strengthened by Lizer’s magic became his puppets. Furthermore, anyone touched by his pawns lost their sense of self and became his subordinates.

I was no exception.

“Tch…! How did this…?!”

My vision blurred, flooding red. A small emblem bubbled up on my chest and swelled bigger. I could feel my consciousness falling under someone else’s control.

“…I told a single lie as I was speaking with you just now.” Lizer was starting to dive into some lengthy explanation.

“Remember when I said our present situation was unprecedented? That was not true. I foresaw this might happen and created a bit of artifice. Be that as it may, it was a risky feat.”

Lizer looked up at the sky with a fresh face. “I readied one of your schoolmates in advance, the female student over there. I secretly came into contact with her and placed her under my command with my special magic. I doubt you picked up on this, but after thousands of years, I’ve gained a new ability. That is…the power to invoke potency at will. Now I can decide how my magic will affect those who have been struck by my mace.”

So that was how he made this all happen. Until just moments ago, the girl had been in her right mind. She hadn’t been acting the least bit strange. However, that must have just been on the surface.

The girl had become Lizer’s pawn…all without realizing it.

“As I mentioned earlier, it was a dangerous scheme. Originally, I considered naturally leading you here after you had already cast your specialized magic. However…seeing as you are so perceptive, I knew you might realize my intentions. Even so…it appears I am under the protection of some form of greater will.”

As he said, I would have sensed something if he had led me here, but…

“I did not bring you to this place. You did. You unconsciously dug your own grave.”

That was why I hadn’t noticed his plan.

“An aid from above. A higher power had chosen me. After this tragic drama spanning thousands of years, I will use this moment to bring about the final curtain. With you as my pawn, I shall open the door to a new world.”

“N-ngh…!”

A bloodred crimson invaded my vision. The symbol on my chest started to spread.

“As my former master, I offer you the smallest tribute. I shall provide aid to your friends. There is no need to worry. You may submit your consciousness over to me.”

He was talking as if he’d already won and…I laughed it off, breaking out in a cold sweat.

“Not yet. There’s no way in hell this is over, Lizer.”

“It is. At this point in time, you have no options left.”

“So what…? Even you know I’ve got some strange powers…!”

As part of my Original technique, I could analyze and control spells. If I could just activate that power—

“Impossible. Didn’t you used to tell me? Your ability is ineffective against other people’s special talents and skills. They cannot be analyzed or controlled.”

Lizer’s expression went dark, as if he was starting to doubt his certain victory.

I saw this, letting my lips curl into a smile. “Just like you lied to me…I lied to you…!”

I touched the design on my chest with my right hand.

“It’s too soon to celebrate, Lizer Bellphoenix…!”

Then, for the first time in my life…I controlled and analyzed a specialized skill—an Original technique.

…As mentioned, I didn’t tell Lizer the whole truth. In theory, my abilities could analyze and control all concepts.

However…these specialized skills housed so much information, it had the potential to overwhelm my brain…up until the point of madness. This had supported my theory that it was impossible.

If I couldn’t make it happen, I had no future. So I figured I might as well give it a shot.

Steeling myself, I began to analyze his ultimate spell.

“G-gwah…! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!”

The maelstrom of information flooded my consciousness.

Meanwhile…the crimson blocking my vision subsided slightly, and the symbol on my chest seemed to wither.

“What…?!” Lizer shouted in dismay.

I imagined him blinking in surprise. I wished I could laugh at him, but…I was at capacity.

“Gngh. Ngagh…!”

The blood vessels started to pop. It felt like they were all being torn to shreds. I had experienced all sorts of pain in my long life…but nothing like this.

Magic subconsciously released from my body, becoming a shock wave that impacted the material world. It struck the students and knights, rippling through both their clothes and faces.

“I still…haven’t…processed enough…?!”

I needed to raise the limits.

“Phase II…!”

“UNDERSTOOD. SWITCHING TO STAGE II OF FULL-BODY TRANSFORMATION.”

Lydia’s robotic voice echoed in my mind. Without a moment’s delay, my body began to change.

My hair was dyed pure white, sweeping behind me… A dark aura ran down my neck and covered me all the way to my toes and morphed into pitch-black armor.

“N-NGAAAAAGH…!”

Each time I entered this form, it increased its potency of my skills. As proof, my processing capacity rose tenfold…while Lizer’s hold on me weakened.

There was hardly any crimson left in my vision, and the symbol on my chest was now diminutive.

“Ridiculous…!”

Now that I could intake more information, I’d gained at least a certain degree of leeway. I took this chance to look at Lizer and flash him a big smile.

“There’s nothing the Demon Lord can’t do…!”

As my body was washed over with energy, I continued my analysis.

Now that I was in this form, my processing skills were elevated. On the other hand, my body was involuntarily creating shock waves as I tried to handle this information. It was already starting to impact the physical world. Windows shattered to pieces. The ground broke apart…

It struck people’s minds and bodies.

“Gwagh?!”

“Wh-what is this…?!”

The knights cried out. Some fell on their backsides, others were blown away by the waves…and the remaining people tried to brace themselves as their entire bodies trembled.

As a whole, they all looked up at me in fear.

Meanwhile…the students were dead silent. They were behind me, so I couldn’t see them. However, I was sure—

“I’m surprised. Your power is something to behold. Certainly not anything I could measure up to. You are the greatest…and most fearsome monster,” Lizer said glibly as he spread both arms wide.

I could see what he was up to. He was trying to shake me up psychologically, which would make me fail.

The reality was I did have cause for concern. Lizer was using that as his ace in the hole.

“Take a look around. They fear you. My subordinates…your classmates. All fear that tremendous power.”

“……”

“You said people were more than hideous creatures. The very ones who you referred to are now treating you as a strange entity! They are in fear and awe of you!”

Lizer’s voice intensified.

“This is the will of the people! They fear what is different! They hate it. They would do everything in their power to eliminate it! Because you transcend all other beings, the whole of creation will reject you!! Even if you get through all this! The future waiting for you is—!”

He was now shouting.

“W-wow…!” gasped one of the students, and then it was like a dam burst. My classmates began to stir.

“I knew it! Sir Ard is the best!”

“So everything we’d seen before was just a warm-up…?!”

“Hah! So what?! Even if he’s the strongest one in the world, Ireena will marry me!”

“In your dreams. She’s mine. Dammit.”

“Sir Ard, marry meeeeeeee! Like, right nooow!”

Absolutely no one feared me.

Like always, the girls were doting on me so much that it creeped me out…and the boys couldn’t stand me. Even after unleashing my power, it didn’t change their perception of me.

That was…how I had been hoping to be saved.

“How about that, Lizer Bellphoenix…?! The people I’ve met in this era…will never…betray me, Ard Meteor…!”

Lizer was stunned into silence, and I gave a mighty smile. “This world is a lot simpler than we thought, Lizer…! It’s true that people fear what they don’t understand, but…! No matter what secrets you may be hiding…! No one in this world would ever abandon their friends…!”

Up until this point, I’d failed to realize something so simple. I never could have believed it was that obvious. However, I didn’t have reason to doubt this anymore. There was no mistake. I would prove that and resolve everything.

I further unleashed my power.

“Phase III…!”

“UNDERSTOOD. SWITCHING TO STAGE III OF FULL-BODY TRANSFORMATION.”

As soon as Lydia’s voice echoed in my mind—

My entire body was covered in a film of darkness. It must have looked like I was being wrapped in a cocoon.

Seconds later…I broke through it like an emerging insect.

“Huh…?”

“S-Sir Ard…?!”

The students cried out in astonishment. It was a normal reaction.

My body had undergone significant change within the black cocoon… It was like I’d become another person entirely.

I was cloaked, not in armor, but in what appeared to be a raiment of condensed darkness. My pure-white hair flowed down my back and shone against the sunlight.

I was…the one who carved his name into legend, Varvatos the Demon Lord.

“S-Sir Ard…! You’re so beautiful…! Hmm? I’m feeling a little woozy…”

“I…might die…! He’s too hot…! Death by hotness…!”

The girls swooned the moment they looked directly at me.

“N-no way…! As a parishioner at the Church of Ireena, I would never…”

“Wh-what’s this throbbing in my chest…?!”

“If he’s that hot, I don’t even care if he’s a guy.”

As if to follow the steps of my former subordinates, some boys were learning they could swing both ways.

I really wished they’d all just cut it out.

…Their cheering washed over me.

“Hey. I’ve finished my analysis.” I spoke with the same face and voice as my past self. The red in my vision and the symbol on my chest were completely gone.

I was controlling and analyzing a specialized power. My first-ever attempt was a success.

“Y-you…! You’ve got to be joking…!” Lizer exclaimed as he stared dumbfoundingly and broke into a cold sweat.

I readied my black sword. “…How about we finish this?” I declared in a quiet, calm voice. I stepped forward to get us started.

“ gh!”

As expected of a Heavenly King. He could react to my movements even in my third form.

“You might have fast reflexes, but they mean nothing.”

I caught him in my strike zone and swung the black blade with ease.

Lizer stopped my slash attack with his mace.

“N-ngagh?!”

My physical strength at the start of the battle could not compare to what it was now. The moment sword and mace slammed together, and the impact rang through Lizer’s body…

It pulverized every bone and tore his insides to shreds.

“GWAGH!”

He vomited blood, and like an arrow, his old body went flying straight through the center of town. Like a short while before, Lizer left wind tunnels through the buildings.

I kicked off the ground lightly and followed him.

“I’m about to slice you in half. Get ready, Lizer.”

He was still airborne when I ran the blade through his torso.

“Grah!”

This time, he managed to react at the last minute. He held out the mace to protect his stomach.

Our weapons clashed once again. Because I focused my power directly below me, Lizer’s whole body slammed into the ground and pounded into the cobblestone road.

“GAH!”

Another spew of blood poured from his mouth, dyeing his white beard.

Lizer couldn’t hope to beat me. Even still…there was not the slightest hint of resignation in those eyes.

“U-urawagh!”

Maybe conviction kept him moving. Every bone in his body was crushed, and his innards were all ruptured, yet Lizer resolutely swung his giant mace.

“It’s useless.”

He was much too slow, and I dodged the attack with ease.

My target was my enemy’s right arm—the one gripping the weapon. I drove my dark blade right at it.

When it made contact, Lizer’s arm was lopped off.

“Gah?!”

The severed arm thudded to the ground and let go of the mace.

“You’re done.”

After my brief verdict—I cast a binding spell, manifesting magic circles around Lizer.

A beat later, they released dark chains that snaked around the old soldier’s body. Finally, the tips of the chains planted themselves into the ground and forcefully brought him to his knees.

I looked down on my past subordinate and readied my black blade.

“We may have gone our separate ways…but you’re still a former servant who once attended to me. Therefore, I won’t completely erase your astral spirit,” I continued quietly.

I’d already decided on Lizer’s sentencing. Letting this man live was too dangerous.

“Any last words?”

Sweat trickled down Lizer’s cheek, and his withered face was screwed up in pain.

“My fate…is not destined to end here…!” His eyes burned with passion.

I admired the old man for refusing to show weakness even in his dying moments.

“You were a fine soldier. Farewell.”

I aimed for the top of his head and swung down.

This veteran fighter’s fate would be decided here. In just a second, my sword would split his body in two.

The time of deliverance had come—

“No. This isn’t how the story goes.”

There was no warning when I heard this voice.

The scene before me changed.

Before I knew it, my dark sword had disappeared…and Lizer. When I checked myself, I realized that I was no longer in my transformed state. Obviously, this was not my doing.

I didn’t have the slightest idea what was going on. But I did know one thing.

The person standing in front of me was the force that had made this all happen. Not only that, but I recognized this individual.

A slim figure dressed in a tailcoat, face hidden by a strange mask.

I knew this façade, though I didn’t know the person’s name.

I thought I’d personally taken care of this individual during the school festival…but here we were, with no explanation.

“So you’re alive,” I murmured. It was a natural response.

The mask chuckled as I stayed on guard and showed that I was ready to engage in battle.

“Indeed. That’s right. You’re right, Ard Meteor. I am now a clown. And clowns are eternal, indestructible beings,” the mask said with somewhat dramatic flair.

I ignored this statement. “…Where’s Lizer?”

“In a perfectly safe place, of course. The big bad Demon Lord would eventually gobble him up if he stayed close for too long. So I thought I might provide a replacement for the time being. Sir Lizer is still a key part of my plan, after all. I cannot allow you to kill him.”

“Plan? …What is Lars al Ghul scheming?”

There was a high chance that this mask was one of the top brass of a certain organization.

That was why I had asked him this.

“Hmm. Could you say the organization is involved with my plans, I wonder? I’m not particularly trying to trick anyone. Clowns can be disagreeable at times. There’s little difference between laughter and anger. That’s where it gets tricky.”

Well, that wasn’t much of an answer.

The mask bowed elegantly. “Well then, let us meet again soon. Farewell, my beloved Demon Lord.”

They were gone an instant later.

“…Who and what the hell was that?”

Even after this individual was gone, I continued to stare at the single point right where the figure had been standing.

“Their appearance. Their aura. Even their voice. It all sounds so familiar. Like an old friend I used to know… But on the other hand, it feels like we only just met.”

Who was that person? What were they plotting?

…I knew I’d end up meeting them again at some point, even if I tried to fight against it. I bet it would cause the world to be in jeopardy…

“Ah! Heeey! Arrrrd!”

“Thou certainly know how to create a commotion.”

“Let’s get outta here!”

“I do wonder how much it will cost in damages…”

I had friends.

“Daddy!”

“I’m pooped!”

“I want to go home and roll around on my bed. You too, right, Carmilla?”

“Y-yes. I do.”

I had friends I could believe in and love from the bottom of my heart.

“Sir Ard has returned to normal!”

“You’re easier to befriend in this form.”

“Oh, thank god. I don’t feel anything for him at all now.”

“I knew it. Ireena’s the one for me.”

“Hey, where did Elrado and Lady Olivia go?”

“Oh, didn’t she say something about fixing his reclusive habits and chase after him?”

“Why would she do that?”

…As long as I had everyone by my side, I would try my best, no matter what life threw at me.

“That was a lotta hoopla! But Ard saved the day!”

I would do whatever it took to protect my best friend’s smile.

“Well! Let’s head on home, Ard!”

I gripped Ireena’s outstretched hand.

“Yes, let’s go home. To the place we belong.”

From the bottom of my heart…

…I savored this moment of happiness.