The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody - Volume 7 - Chapter 84

CHAPTER 84

The Ex–Demon Lord and the Greatest Psycho

Long, long ago—a time known as “the ancient past.” Certain beings ruled all of creation.

The Outer Ones.

Back then, this had been their main title.

Higher powers—the Outer Ones—controlled the ancient world and created the heightened beings known as “demons” in the image of humankind. Our overlords were intolerant of the creatures called humans, as the majority were oppositional and resistant to their regime. Hence, I formed a rebel army with Olivia and my comrades and fought an ongoing battle to expel our masters…

To tell you the truth, however, I never considered them to be pure evil. I found that some of them had extended their hands to humankind. And these were just some rare exceptions to the rule—many had gone so far as to create utopias, places without rampant discrimination toward humans, and they made model rulers in the political sphere.

Their collective might have wronged humankind, but they worked independently, driven by their own convictions. Though the Outer Ones were the enemy, many felt they should give credit where it was due.

Of all the Outer Ones, there was one creature unlike any other.

Mephisto Yuu Phegor.

That devil held no beliefs. His actions were not bound to any form of logic…and were repulsive above all else.

Even if you condensed every ounce of evil in this world, it wouldn’t compare to him.

On a whim, Mephisto could smugly save anyone—humans, demons, gods—or spit in their faces with laughter and kill them. He was evil incarnate.

This was how he earned the name Evil God.

Yes, the original title was his alone.

In the modern bible, one of the heroic ballads of the Demon Lord uses Evil Gods as a blanket term to refer to the Outer Ones—

But to me, that title belonged to just one being.

Mephisto Yuu Phegor.

In my opinion, no one else was worthy of this name.

There wasn’t a single person who didn’t loathe him in the ancient past, not one among humans, demons, or gods. All of creation despised him—resented him, tried to rid themselves of him. I was no exception. Neither were my subordinates or comrades: Olivia. Verda. Alvarto. Lizer—the Four Heavenly Kings. The high officials in the Council of Seven. Rivelg, the knight of roses… All the heroes of old. Ordinary soldiers who hadn’t made names for themselves. We all shared the same sentiment. That included the Champion Army led by Lydia.

In particular…Lydia resented Mephisto more than anyone else.

Mephisto had killed her beloved mother…

And he was also her biological father.

We would never know how much this knowledge had anguished Lydia—the knowledge that they shared the same blood. Until the very end of Lydia’s life, Mephisto had been a menace to her—a walking nightmare.

And not just to her. He was a nightmare for all of us. That was why we were willing to sacrifice anything to eliminate him.

I had gotten comfortable, relieved to know he would never exist in this world again.

…And yet…that nightmare had come to life once more.

“Ngh…!” The grinding of teeth. It echoed quietly.

Olivia and Verda stood next to me. Sylphy was directly behind me. It was impossible to keep calm with the monster staring us down.

As all eyes laid on him, Mephisto did the unimaginable—

“Oh dear. This worked out to my calculations, but I can’t stop myself from tearing up.”

His eyes misted like he was reuniting with an old friend—his closest friend in the world.

…Emotions beat against my heart—annoyance and nausea. Tension. Unbridled rage.

…Ginny was the only one who’d never had the misfortune of meeting Mephisto before. She remained fearful yet calm.

“‘Mephisto’…? Isn’t that the name of the Evil God that the Demon Lord sealed away in an eternal prison…? How are you here…?”

Ginny remained composed enough to ask questions. Her psyche was cold, stoic. This question triggered all our brains to start racing.

“It was Lizer…! He used the Strange Cube…!”

Sylphy was probably right.

Whenever Lizer found himself in a tough spot, he always turned to strange schemes. I knew his logic was that he wouldn’t break free from a stalemate until he came up with a plan that went beyond his foe’s logical faculties.

And I had to give it to him: This was how he’d overcome his other predicaments, which had convinced him to do something this stupid.

“Lizer…! I didn’t think he was such an idiot…!” Olivia snarled, speaking what was in my mind.

I see. This has to be one of his weirdest schemes. I can’t say we saw this coming.

Who would have thought? Who would have guessed he’d turn to something that was basically suicide? I’d bet everything that Lizer had made sure to prepare for the worst before reviving Mephisto, devising some sort of plan to keep him in check.

…Pathetic.

I mean, Mephisto was an Evil God, for crying out loud! Even the Demon Lord had been no match for him—not to mention the Champion. It was impossible to control a monster.

“Phew… I think I’ve calmed down now. Sorry for falling apart on you.”

Mephisto smiled and narrowed his golden eyes as he took a look around.

Then he turned to Verda, speaking to her with great affection. “These inventions on display—marvelous. My darling pupil. It seems you threw all my lessons in the trash. But I think that’s what makes you special.”

“…Are you planning on breaking my toys again, teacher?”

It was rare to see Verda with a flash of anger—dark, terse—crossing her face.

Mephisto smiled. “Hmm. Well, as you might have guessed, I currently serve as Lizer’s pawn. But for the little teacher’s pet, I guess I could make an exception if you don’t want your feelings to get hurt—”

His smile was angelic, like a holy mother.

“—Then I’ll have to break you first.”

Sirens blared in my head.

“Verda!” I screamed.

Do something, Verda! I prayed…but it was all in vain.

A jet-black spear appeared beneath Verda’s feet, and…

“Ah…”

…its tip impaled her petite body, puncturing her through.

“Isn’t this great? Now you don’t have to feel bad about anything ever again,” he said, a devilish smile on his divine face.

“Mephistooooooooooooo!” Olivia cried, frenzied in anger.

She whipped out her magic blade, closing in on him, preparing to cleanly slice through him—

“Boooring. As always.”

Just as she was about to land the blow, Olivia’s body shot through the air.

“Gah…?!”

She slammed into a wall, then slid down to the ground, slumped over, unmoving.

What had happened to her? What did Mephisto do?

It was too fast for my eyes to catch it.

“Fighting fire with fire? You’re so predictable. It bores me… And that attack just now? What do you have to say for yourself? I could yawn three times in the time it took you to come at me.”

His lips were in the shape of a smile, but those eyes were cold like ice.

He turned to me. “Well? What will you do now, honey?”

Terror coursed through me as I launched my attack—one of pure instinct, no thought behind it.

I realized I’d unleashed a barrage of elemental magic. It was charged with everything that was in me. No mercy, no holding back. No way.

I was going berserk before the definitive threat in front of me.

The storm of destruction submerged him, causing major damage to anything in its vicinity. A localized attack but sufficient in strength. No one was safe. Nothing could save him.

—And yet…

“You disappoint me, honey,” Mephisto whispered sadly.

Then…it all vanished—gone was my magic vortex.

He hadn’t utilized any special powers. No, Mephisto had merely waved both hands as if clearing away the smoke around him. That was all it took to cancel out all my effort.

“Ah—this is so foul.”

His petite body radiated something pure black, as if reacting to his mental state.

We couldn’t dodge it. Even reacting proved to be impossible. His aura washed over Ginny, Sylphy, and me, casting us into a corner of the room.

A sharp pain shot through my body when my back slammed into the wall. Just as I fell face-first on the ground…

“Time is a cruel mistress.”

Mephisto kicked me, violently digging his foot into my shoulder. A David in size, Goliath in strength. I couldn’t move an inch.

Mephisto pouted as he stared at me coldly. “You’re so uncoordinated now, honey.”

And then I felt something flowing into me. Something terrible from his toes. An inauspicious energy coursed through me.

“A-argh…!” I cried out in agony.

If the pain was only physical, I was confident that I could bear it. But this…this gnawed, corroded—destroyed my astral spirit. It was indescribable.

“Gaaaah…!”

I was going to disappear. Forever.

But there was nothing I could do. So long as he kept his foot on me, I couldn’t stop him.

…Was this the end of my life? My heart pounded, cold with fear; my teeth were chattering.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

Sylphy shot toward Mephisto, wielding her Holy Sword, Demise-Argis. A perfect ambush. As soon as her foe was in range, Sylphy aimed for his neck, thrusting the tip at him. However—

“Oh dear, that was close.”

He waltzed away from her. The Holy Sword sliced through empty air, failing to catch a single cell on Mephisto.

We were now far apart. Sylphy stood in front of me, taking a protective stance, and stared down the enemy.

“That’s enough outta you!”

I could already sense that this gallant knight…was in imminent danger.

“Syl…phy…!”

Don’t do it. You can’t go up against him. Run. Take Ginny…and run…!

I wanted to scream at her, but I couldn’t. The psychic damage had taken my voice from me.

And time wouldn’t wait for us.

Sylphy glared at the enemy, valiant and brave.

“Heh-heh-heh.” Mephisto chuckled to himself quietly.

“…What’s so funny?” Sylphy knit her eyebrows together.

Mephisto stifled his laughter. “Little Sylphy, right? You’re one of the pupils my daughter raised as her own. Isn’t that right?”

“Yeah, so wh—?”

“And yet…you were nowhere to be found during the time that mattered most.”

Sylphy trembled slightly.

“She’d loved you more than anyone else. You meant the world to her. But you weren’t even there—nowhere to be found as she was on the verge of death. Why was that, little Sylphy?”

A smile, a terrible one, broke across Mephisto’s face. He struggled to suppress his laughter, continuing to torment her.

“You might have been able to prevent that tragedy from unfolding—been able to save her from my brainwashing. Her best friend—my honey—couldn’t say anything to help, but you—her de facto family—might have succeeded. Oh well… You just weren’t there.”

Mephisto knew his words would burrow deep inside her psyche. That was why he was smiling.

“You’d disappeared as your mother lay dying…and yet, you continue to act the part of the savior… Heh-heh-heh… Do you think you can protect your friends? Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh… Oh, you’re funny—pathetic, pitiful. A little fool. Oh—”

Mephisto’s shoulders twitched as he looked at her with utter disdain.

“—You have no right to put on airs; you brought misfortune upon your mother.”

At that moment, something within Sylphy snapped.

“Shut uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup!!!”

Her scream pierced through the air. She raced forward, like a child throwing a tantrum.

Mephisto remained cool. “Okay, I’m done with you,” he said, looking at her as if she were a toy that now bored him.

Then—Sylphy’s body caught air before she could process what was happening.

I had no idea how he did it. She was forced back as if repelled by a giant barrier—and blasted through the wall, vanishing from sight.

“All right.” Mephisto turned away from the gaping hole and over toward…

“Eek…!”

…Ginny.

She was cowering on the ground, legs having given out from under her. He stared at her.

Those eyes of his—widened and golden. I could tell he could get a read on her.

His shoulders drooped. “How boring. You’re no fun at all,” he grumbled, letting out a heavy sigh. “No dramatic flair in your personal life. Is everyone in the modern era like this? This world is like a personal hell. The old days were so much better… I really didn’t want to admit that out loud, but I can’t help myself when I look at you.”

His eyes and face turned frigid. Finally, even the smile on his lips vanished. Mephisto spoke in an indifferent tone.

“If I was to make a comparison…I’d say you’ll forever be a caterpillar—doomed never to form a chrysalis, much less emerge as a beautiful butterfly. You have no redeeming qualities or anything… I’m bored out of my mind. And you know… Whenever I see an insect, I get a sudden urge to squish it.”

I could take no more. My powerless friend—the poor girl, who just cowered in fear—was in danger. Finally…

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!!”

My body obeyed my command, lurching forward. I wasn’t healed, and the pain rushed through me, a living hell.

However, it was nothing compared to the agony of losing a precious friend.

“Private Kingdom!” I chanted the incantation and cast my killer move without a moment’s hesitation.

As soon as my spell manifested, I entered Stage III of Brave Demon Full Body. It was the best I could do—battle-wise—in my current condition. In exchange for the unimaginable power it bestowed on me, it placed my body under an indescribable strain…crushing my skin and bones beneath its pressure. But if that meant I could take on the monster, I would do it.

I focused everything into the black blade that manifested in my hand—

“Ah. You look best like this, honey—”

  I didn’t know what happened.

The last thing I remember was his revolting smile. After that, nothing.

I found myself lying on the floor. My black sword shattered to pieces.

My Original had been canceled.

“Ngh…!”

I couldn’t move. Not even a single finger.

“That’s right, honey. This world is absurd—extremely so.”

He was smiling…yet tears streamed down his face.

“Ah, so it’s true. This world has turned upside down. I guess my beloved honey is nowhere to be found now. I thought I remembered you being much stronger. More passionate. More overwhelming. And far, far more terrifying  And this is you now?”

Mephisto held out his left hand. A magic circle—flashing pure white—appeared in his palm.

“I’m so disappointed, honey—so disappointed, in fact, that I’m ready to say good-bye forever.”

An inky orb peeked out from the circle.

“I’ve decided that after I kill you, I’ll kill myself, too. Bye-bye.”

Tears of sorrow streamed down his cheeks, which were taut from his cheerful smile.

Without any hesitation, Mephisto prepared to seal my fate.

Then—the dark orb came at me.

“Gwagh…!”

As I predicted, my body remained immobilized. I would take the hit—directly.

—I was going to die.

I was scared. But not about dying. I was terrified I’d end my life’s journey without saving anyone.

“Iree…na…!”

I’m sorry, Ireena. I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I couldn’t save you. Forgive me for being weak.

Tears trailed down my face.

This is it, huh.

Accepting my fate, I closed my eyes.

Then—

“Ard!”

My ears rang when someone shrieked. Ginny.

I could feel her presence, her body movements. My eyes snapped open on instinct.

And…I caught a glimpse of Ginny running over and standing in front of me protectively. The dark orb closed in on her—

“Ah.”

And then it exploded.

The orb combusted as soon as it made contact, becoming a ball of black flames, smoke billowing around Ginny.

She yelped quietly—and the fire scorched her skin…until she collapsed in front of me.

“Agh…!” My body shook. My teeth rattled.

Ginny.

Ginny. Ginny. Ginny. Ginny. Ginny.

“Ginny…!”

Wake up. Come on—open your eyes. Please. Don’t die on me. You can’t die. You can’t…!

“Ginnyyy…!”

I was powerless to do anything except beg—sobbing.

…On the other hand…

“I wasn’t expecting that.”

That devil. His angelic face regarded Ginny with a look of surprise, eyes wide.

“How’d that happen? She should have been rendered immobile. Even if she could move, she couldn’t have made it in time to stop my attack. How did she do it? What pushed her beyond her mortal limits? Oh, what? What-what-what-what-what—?”

His golden eyes darted back and forth like a pendulum. He mumbled to himself.

Finally, he seemed to reach a conclusion. “Ah, I see. It’s love—the power of love.”

He clapped his hands together…and smiled—a saintly one, abundantly kind.

“I take back what I said, sweet Ginny. You’re not a pathetic caterpillar—you’re an exceptional resource with great qualities.”

Mephisto’s cheeks flushed red as if he was blushing. He spread his arms wide, throwing his head back to stare up at the ceiling.

“Thank you. You’ve caught my interest and given me a great idea to amp up the drama… Hee-hee. Right now, I suppose I’m on cloud nine, as they say.”

Mephisto twirled around, doing a small dance before skipping toward me.

…I’d been rendered completely powerless. I couldn’t hold a sword. I couldn’t form a fist. I couldn’t do anything. I just had to let it happen.

Mephisto cradled my face in both hands. “I’ve changed my mind, honey. It’s unfortunate how you’ve changed…but I can go along with it—stoop to your level. Then we can play again. Just like the old days.”

He planted a kiss on my forehead and whispered to me like a maiden in love.

“It’s me versus you all—the one who wants to stage a dramatic play and those who want to stop it. Ah, I can’t wait! I just know it’s going to be a ball.”

Then Mephisto said, “See you later. I love you, honey.”

His face, cherubic. The devil winked out of sight. All that remained were his victims.

We lay there like corpses, unable to move.

…I managed to hold on to my consciousness, but my condition was dire.

“Gngh…!” I choked. Tears—globs of them, sticky—rolled down my cheeks.

The reality before us—the truth I didn’t want to accept—had given rise to a feeling of immeasurable regret.

…I had lost. We had failed. In every possible way.

That much was clear.

Mephisto has cast us into the pit of despair and left us there. He hadn’t stopped at dealing us physical and psychic damage—he’d obliterated any hope for the future.

…Crack.

An echoing sound. His parting gift.

With his departure, Mephisto had snapped each of our bracelets, breaking the sole means of returning our magic.

I would have managed to keep it together if we were just at square one. But we had to keep fighting…after losing it all—magic, a means to fight. We had no choice.

I wept, consciousness dimming, hacking like I’d consumed molten lead.

“Is there no hope for us…?!”