The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody - Volume 7 - Chapter 94

CHAPTER 94

The Ex–Demon Lord and the Salvation of the Failure

Once the battle was over, I looked below me. The dregs that comprised the titan were still raining down—and Lizer Bellphoenix was plummeting headfirst.

Was he trying to die?

I flew over to him.

The damage below us wouldn’t be an issue. Megatholium was basically an open field from all the destruction anyway. There were no things to be broken, no people to hurt with our descent.

I cast a spell on Lizer and slowly guided him to the ground. He landed facedown, then turned his head to look at me.

“…Why didn’t you let me die?”

I answered with a tired sigh. “I told you, didn’t I? ‘Don’t make any more mistakes.’”

Lizer must have thought death was the only way to absolve his sins. He thought this was the best way, even after he’d factored in Maria’s grief over losing him. How stupid.

“Death is an escape for you—just another method to run away. Sure, your crimes are worthy of this punishment. However…you must search for forgiveness anyway.”

His life would surely be a living hell. He’d wish he was dead. But even so…

“You must continue to live. You must continue to suffer… That is both our fates.”

I’d made plenty of my own mistakes. My sins were far greater than Lizer’s. My heart ached with their presence.

“When we’re met with misfortune, that mental anguish will be twice as painful for us as for others. And even if we are blessed with happiness, the weight of our sins will spiral us into suffering… Such is our punishment. Until the day that death grants us a fitting end, we have to go on.”

Lizer said nothing. There was resignation in his eyes, and he simply stared at the blue sky. At any rate, this matter was settled. All that remained was—

“If it’s the Strange Cube you’re after, I have it in my possession.”

I heard a familiar voice and looked toward its source.

There stood a single beauty. An elegant outfit in crimson tones. A tall, slim frame. Glossy black hair. Unearthly looks. I glowered at the figure and whispered the name.

“…Alvarto Egzex.”

He chuckled and revealed the block in his hand—the Strange Cube.

“I can hardly bear to tell you this after watching your efforts against my former master…but I will. You might have performed splendidly this time around, but I’m afraid there is no reward prepared. Unfortunately, this was a wasted effort.”

As he said this, he sent the Strange Cube off to his stronghold. The square in his hand vanished.

“…So while we were busy fighting the enemy, you were busy taking advantage of the situation. I’m surprised, actually. You’re not one to play such a minor role.”

Alvarto’s eyes narrowed at me, and he laughed darkly. “Don’t be so mean. You should understand my heart better than anyone… I could hardly bear to stand by. How many times did I hold myself back as I watched you all? If possible, I longed to abandon my position and rush over to fight by your side. Like that final battle. Nostalgic, huh?”

There was a tinge of remorse in Alvarto’s smile. He, too, shared a connection with Mephisto. He wasn’t lying. Nonetheless…

“Right now, I’m head over heels for you, not my former master. Abandoning everything to destroy that Evil God is the dumbest idea in the world.”

This man had prepared for thousands of years—not to defeat that accursed demon…but me, the Demon Lord. Alvarto’s heart was set on this.

“…Dealing with your attentions was the worst part about the ancient world.”

“I might say the same thing, my Demon Lord. Falling in love with you has been the worst thing that’s happened to me.”

I let out another heavy sigh and looked at him with narrowed eyes. “Are we done here? If so, begone. We’re enemies.”

“You’re so cold, my Demon Lord. I came all this way to stir you up.”

“What do you mean?”

Alvarto grinned. “I thought you might be tired from your battle with the Evil God. I wanted to raise your morale… Seeing her again should have an immediate effect.”

As soon as he said this, a mirror appeared in front of me—vista magic. A beautiful girl was slumbering on a bed.

“Ireena…!”

Twinkling silver hair. Porcelain skin. Glossy peach lips.

All the details in front of me were infallible proof.

“Lovely, no? I switched out her school uniform for a wedding dress. She’s like Sleeping Beauty… You know, I enjoyed a full view of her naked body while I was dressing her. And, wow…she’s blessed.” He placed his hand to his lips with a lascivious smile.

I scowled at him. “Very well. If you wish to declare war, then I accept. You’ll regret being born by the time I’m done, so prepare yourself.”

The daggers I glared at him would have killed.

However, Alvarto wore a pleasant grin. “Right. I’ve been waiting. No time to waste. Otherwise…I suspect the situation will deteriorate by the second.”

Then Alvarto disappeared along with the mirror.

“Damn. We have to hurry up and save her. Who knows what other humiliation he’ll put her through?” I muttered.

Still staring up at the sky, Lizer spoke quietly. “…I, too, will put forth my best efforts in this battle. Just like when I once fought in your name.”

“I’m counting on you.”

It hurt that we’d failed to recover the Strange Cube, but now we had another ally.

“I’d like to think the net positive will balance out to zero.”

I, too, looked up at the azure sky with an exhale.

“Hang in there, Ireena…!”

Determination to save my best friend raged within me like a fire.