CHAPTER 74
The Ex–Demon Lord and a Woodland Showdown, Part II
“A-Ard…! Could this be…?!”
“Sir Lizer has boosted the strength of every feral beast in this forest.”
We were surrounded by too many creatures to count.
“I could tell as soon as we landed in this forest: Sir Lizer is hellbent on delaying our advance,” I said.
The forest was an arsenal of life. Lizer’s home turf. His Original technique could control minds to make others exponentially more powerful, so even an ant could slay a dragon.
The creatures of the forest were proving this to be no exaggeration.
“Eek-eeeeeeek!”
“Graaaaagh!”
“Scriiiiitch!”
Monkeys. Wolves. Insects. All hounded after us. The average person would never witness such a sight. Wolves wove their way through the trees, monkeys came soaring from branches, and swarms of insects cut through the night.
It was, in a word, sublime.
“Does he honestly think this will be enough to break past my defenses?” I bumped the barrier protecting Ireena up to six layers and cast Mega Wall around myself.
The wild armies went in for the kill.
The wolves leaped at our shields, the monkeys pounded on them, and the insect threw their bodies against the barriers. If they had been normal creatures, this wouldn’t have left a scratch. These animals, however, had been given a dose of Lizer’s power, and their focused attack possessed enough force to surpass most modern attack spells.
“A-Ard! The walls are cracking!”
As Ireena said, the first of six layers was already failing. This charge of beasts was mightier than the demon’s magic earlier. I didn’t know whether to call out Lizer for cheating or feel sorry for the demon’s comparative lack of power.
“A-at this rate, they’re gonna break through! We have to fight back!” she cried, frantically.
Fight back, huh… And give them a taste of their own medicine?
“There’s no point in blindly trying to reduce their numbers. There will be instant backup to replace their fallen kin. I mean, we’re in the middle of a forest. There will be no end to their reinforcements.”
If we prioritized that method, we’d get tripped up. Not that standing by and waiting was an option. In fact, that was exactly what the enemy wanted. Lizer always said that war was about numbers, and he was right. When the difference between an opponent was overwhelming enough, anyone normally would be crushed.
Notice how I said “normally.” Every rule has an exception. And Ard Meteor was one of them.
“I’ll teach them that the number of troops doesn’t necessarily determine victory or defeat,” I proclaimed.
Then, I unleashed the best card in my hand.
All roads lead to despair.
That is the way of life for a pitiful man.
I began to chant for my Original. The creatures struggled even harder to stop me, and the first layer of my protection spell for Ireena was pulverized, but my heart remained calm. I carried on.
In complete solitude is he.
For there are those who follow his lead
But none to rule together with him.
I kept one eye on my surroundings… The caster, Lizer, was nowhere to be seen.
That wasn’t to say he wasn’t around. For his Original, he had to maintain a fixed distance with the target or its effect would weaken. He had to have been using an invisibility spell to creep around nearby.
There is not one who understands.
All are eager to leave his side.
The second barrier was obliterated. Ireena had broken into a cold sweat, but her eyes still conveyed full faith in me—as well as frustration at her own powerlessness, but…
I had to meet her expectations.
Cast away by his one and only friend.
He sinks into a sea of madness and isolation.
The spell was almost complete. I could feel the beasts’ ferocity intensifying with every passing second.
Third barrier, now gone.
Rest without peace.
Drown in anguish and despair.
That which guides this tale.
I was ready.
Time for some payback.
Private Kingdom—the Story of a Lonely King.
As the fifth layer of the defense spell protecting Ireena started to crack, I let loose my greatest weapon. An inky aura, darker than night, snaked around one arm and transformed into a long chain… Attached to it was a large, dark sword.
Full-Body Transformation, Phase I.
Power started to surge within me. I looked over my shoulder at Ireena and smiled.
“I’ll be finished in no time. Hang on for a moment.”
Ireena nodded. I reinforced her remaining barrier before anything else, then…stepped forward to face the wild.
No normal human could expect to witness such a sight in their lifetime.
It was like the world had frozen in time. The maddened beasts and creatures were now motionless, having been stopped from raging toward me. I slayed them all. It would have been faster to burn down the forest, but that seemed a little extreme. I wasn’t about to take innocent lives.
I knew I could win without going that far.
After I had taken care of things…I looked to the west—at a normal tree.
I glared at the space next to it. “Did you really think you could trick me?”
I launched myself off the ground and closed in, slicing my black sword through the empty space.
Sure enough, the blade was met with resistance. Something hard was stopping it from moving. A moment later, I could hear metal scraping against metal.
“…I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised,” said a solemn voice.
One would not have been able to detect anything at first glance. There was no figure, of course—no aura or scent. But there was no question he was there.
“Believe me, your invisibility spell is as impressive as ever, but you can’t fool me,” I said.
Realizing there was no longer any point in hiding, he dropped his guise. He was only a hazy outline at first, then he gradually came into focus.
An old, sturdy warrior. Years etched across his face.
Lizer Bellphoenix appeared, looking largely the same as always. He was dressed not in the pure white robes of a pope, but in jet-black armor—magical equipment he had favored in olden times. They were endowed with defensive power, and one would be hard-pressed to find anyone who could so much as nick it.
To top it off…the giant mace that had blocked my attack and was now pressing against me in locked combat always materialized whenever Lizer used his Original.
“So you didn’t just plan an ambush using your best spell. You dragged your favorite outfit from the closet, huh? Someone’s putting in the extra mile. …What the hell are you planning?” I glared at the old general, and my black sword remained locked with his mace.
“What are you trying to pull by joining forces with the demons?” I asked. “Why start this war? Even you can see the continent has been a wreck ever since the incident in Megatholium. There’s no way you could be blind to what would happen if we went to war now.”
Lizer said nothing.
I continued my tirade. “Because you encouraged the Asylas Federation into attacking Laville, I imagine war will break out among the Five Powers. Depending on how things play out, the entire continent may be subjected to a tragic outcome. Not just for adults. For the children you love so much, too. Don’t you get it, Lizer Bellphoenix…?!”
He finally spoke up. “Are you that afraid to lose what you’ve gained in this era?”
I scowled when he asked me that.
“Obviously. Why wouldn’t I be? That’s why I hate you for starting this war.”
Including my past life, I’d been alive for an entire millennium. Most of my time had been polluted by memories of war, and I was sick of it. Fighting always seemed to take everything I loved most away from me.
“I lost my friends in ancient wars sparked by stupid feelings, like Justice. Like faith and stubbornness. You, of all people, should know that. And how I suffered for it.”
If I didn’t do something about this current battle, I’d lose more friends. Ginny and Elrado, obviously, and everyone else at the Academy if they were enlisted to serve in the military.
“I reincarnated and finally made friends. I’m not about to let them end up as victims in your stupid games…! Never…!”
This desire let me channel more power into my sword. Our deadlock shifted in my favor, and Lizer exhaled with narrowed eyes.
“It’s a dog-eat-dog world out here. If you wish to see your dreams realized, you must steal the dreams, ideals, and hopes of someone else.” The strength of Lizer’s mace intensified, and his aura became almost overbearing—
“I want to create a brighter future for all children,” he continued. “To do that, I must steal your hopes. I will pluck your dreams and longings, your desire for a joyous future with your friends.”
Lizer unleashed a mass of power.
“Nraaaaaagh!” he roared, and the power traveling through his mace was multiplied.
Then…his eyes flashed crimson, and a carved symbol appeared on his breastplate.
“Interesting…! An evolved version of what you showed us in Megatholium, huh?” I asked. “Seems like you have more where that came from…!”
As far as I knew, Lizer could manipulate those struck by his mace and enhance their power. Anyone attacked by those already under his influence would be subject to his control as well.
Over the course of thousands of years, however, Lizer’s greatest weapon had apparently evolved to a point where it was unrecognizable.
“Nragh!” His mace disrupted the equilibrium between us.
His physical strength now far exceeded my own. He used his power to toss me into the air and sent me crashing through the middle of the forest. I knocked down every tree in my wake.
“I knew it. Looks like Phase I won’t be enough to take him down.”
In that case…
“Lydia. Brave Demon Full Body, Phase II.”
“UNDERSTOOD. PHASE II, STAND BY.”
Once the indifferent voice in my head confirmed Phase II…darkness began to shroud my body, and I began to transform. Jet-black armor wrapped around me, and my hair color faded into a pure white.
My feet hit the ground the moment I entered my second form and—
“Lizer Bellphoenix. Just as you have grown and reflected over these last few thousand years, I have worked on the power of emotion. Allow me to show you.”
Releasing all the energy I could muster, I launched full force at my incoming enemy. Our legs closed the distance in an instant. Sword and mace scraped against each other.
A shock wave spread around us. Lizer grunted in anguish. “Ngh…!”
My sword knocked away the large mace he wielded. Lizer was thrown off balance, and I mercilessly moved closer to rip into him.
“Ragh!”
“Tch!” Lizer leaped back and dodged my diagonal swing by a hair’s breadth. My blade grazed part of his armor, and…left a scratch on the invincible protective cover that Lizer so loved.
“…If my memory serves me, that form of yours doesn’t possess such strength,” he murmured, tracing the cut in the armor with his finger. “Is it the power of emotion and an attachment to friendship that gives you strength? I suppose…it matters not.”
There wasn’t the slightest trace of dread in those eyes. In fact, every second seemed to bring more animosity in him.
“Hah!” He had no fear of my sword and stepped forth with dauntless courage.
One of my attacks could take him out, astral body and all, yet he pressed daringly on. Conviction kept the old warrior, Lizer Bellphoenix, going.
The same could be said for me. Like him, I had something I could never give up: a brilliant future with my friends. And to protect that…
“You’re the loser here, Lizer Bellphoenix!”
“Nay! You’ll be tasting bitter defeat!”
We announced our vow to fight this out and clashed in battle. For some time, we were matched in power…but that delicate balance was beginning to slip.
And the one reigning supreme…was me, Ard Meteor.
“Gah!” Lizer’s face twisted, his armor newly marred.
Just a bit more. If I managed to take things just a step further, I could slice him in half. That was what I was after. If my enemy did nothing, I’d win in fourteen moves.
But…considering who I was dealing with, there was no way he’d just take it without a fight. In fact, I could tell he had something on standby. As soon as he put his plan into action…
“Eek?!”
A small cry came from the distance. Ireena.
…I was going to protect Ireena at all costs and employed magical means to keep an eye on her during my fight with Lizer. He was reflected in my right eye and she in my left.
The demon had thrown off his chains and was approaching her with flashing crimson eyes. Yet another instance of Lizer’s Original technique in action.
Anything struck by the mace would turn into an elite soldier for him—as exhibited by Lizer’s attack in Megatholium.
“So this has all been part of your plan. That demon was a sacrifice and key pawn. As crooked as ever, I see.” We glared at each other.
Ireena, however frightened, was now facing her own opponent bravely.
“T-take this!” she cried, casting an advanced Giga Flare.
Flames spun like a tornado to take down the demon. Hot wind blasted through our surroundings, mercilessly burning every tree and flower. Not even ashes were left behind.
And yet…the same couldn’t be said of the demon. Despite taking a direct attack, her opponent had been largely unharmed.
“H-how…?!” She’d powered up her attack with everything in her arsenal, but this outcome left her stunned.
The demon took one step closer, then another.
“Ugwaghh…” he said incomprehensibly, strange and ominous like some evil spirit. It would have sent any woman or child screaming, but…Ireena asked no help of me. She was doing her best to overcome him by herself.
I wanted to praise her spirit, but I couldn’t just let her fend for herself. She didn’t stand a chance of beating him, and I knew I had to step in. Injuring her pride was better than allowing her to fall victim to this demon.
“Even a man like you can tell I’d rush to Ireena’s aid. You’ve no doubt worked it into your calculations. However…” I stared at Lizer. “No matter what tricks you try to pull, you won’t land a single hit on me. I’ll show you.”
Lizer and I would act at the same time—the moment when Ireena was in imminent danger. We must have been observing the same things: holding the enemy in the right eye and Ireena in the left. Lizer and I glared at one another, then…
“S-stay away!”
Just as her life lay in jeopardy…There came the most shocking development.
“Raaaaaaaaah!”
It was a familiar voice, a sweet one. Totally out of the blue.
The girl appeared out of nowhere, flaming crimson hair whipping around, as she madly rushed forward… With the Holy Sword in her hand, she slayed the demon with a swing of her blade.
“No perverts are getting anywhere near my big sis!”
It came like a bolt from the blue. And its name was—
“S-Sylphy?!”
It was my friend, Sylphy Marheaven.
It seemed even Lizer hadn’t predicted that she might intrude.
“…This one ruins everything. As vexing as ever, I see,” he grumbled.
It was as if she had heard him, despite the distance. Using a farscape spell, I could see Sylphy yelling with my right eye.
“This sensation…! Lizer! You’re around here somewhere, right?! Come out, so I can give you a proper whupping!”
…Sylphy had considered Lizer a friend, which was precisely why she couldn’t forgive him for attacking us. And Lizer seemed to understand, which was why he refused to show himself in front of her.
“It appears my plans have been for naught. I suppose I have no choice but to trust their power.” Lizer’s body began to grow hazy and fade away. Was he using some sort of magic or sorcery I didn’t know about? He was going to disappear before I had a chance to fully analyze it.
As expected of Lizer Bellphoenix. He had thought of everything, including an escape route.
“If all goes according to plan, this will be our final farewell. I only pray that will be the case.” With those sinister parting words, the old warrior winked out of sight.
“Sigh… I wanted to settle things here and now if I could. Nothing’s ever easy.”
I canceled my Original and returned to my usual form before I made my way back to Ireena and Sylphy. The redhead greeted me with a sullen look.
“Lizer got away again, huh? He did it in Megatholium, and now he’s back at it again, the coward!” She huffed angrily, and I offered a wry smile before turning to Ireena.
“Are you all right, Ireena?”
“…Yes. Sylphy saved me.” Ireena seemed relieved to be safe, grateful to Sylphy, and……discouraged by her own powerlessness. I could read this all in her expression.
If I wasn’t careful in my approach, I’d accidentally drive a knife into her heart. I looked away from her and asked a question of Sylphy instead.
“And why are you here? Did you sense some sort of foul presence?”
“Nope. Total coincidence. I’m only here because I was researching where the tastiest monsters lived. You know, I was just eating a weird-looking boar. You want some?”
“Thank you, but I think I’ll pass.”
You’re looking for monsters to eat? Weren’t you traveling to train?
…Sheesh, I never knew what Sylphy—who was basically like my little sister—would do next. That said, her spontaneity had gotten us out of a tough spot.
If what Lizer had said was true, we had likely been in some level of danger. Sylphy had done us a solid back there.
“What are you two doing here anyway? Weren’t you home?”
“Yes. We were going to enjoy some time in the village, but—”
I launched into an explanation of the course of events thus far. When I finished, Sylphy’s eyes were as round as saucers.
“G-Ginny’s land was attacked by another country?! Th-this is bad!”
I knew now that she hadn’t heard about this.
“We can’t just stand here! We gotta go save Ginny!”
“We’re going to teleport to the besieged town now. …Ireena, are you ready?”
“I am. I won’t let you down anymore,” she replied, nodding firmly, eyes earnest.
In my opinion, she seemed too zealous…but if anything happened, I’d be there for her.
We teleported to our destination—me and Ireena, plus Sylphy, a friend we could trust.
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