“Fumu. So that’s how it was Melheys.” I said to the man that appeared. “You stuck that contracted demon sword in Ray and even the tournament was your idea. Your Unification Faction is simply a power balancer for the royal factions. If the royal factions get too big a lot more reckless royals like Emilia will appear.”
Melheys nods in a polite manner.
“It is as you say.”
“Your origin has not been taken over so who’s orders are you following or is it your own will?”
Melheys doesn’t answer.
Because he lost his memory did that make it easier to betray me? Is it possible he actually has his memory but managed to hide it from me? It could be neither of those options as well.
“The Unification leader is said to be an unknown mazoku. Is it Avos Dillheavia?”
“Is that what you think?”
Oh well. It was worth a shot.
“It’s fine. I’ll make you confess by force then.”
“Unfortunately, that will be impossible Arnos-sama.”
“Oh? Because a large Dimensional Prison <Azeishis> was deployed you think you can beat me since I’m locked in?”
“No, since I had already won when the match started. Victory was decided while you were playing around in the demon sword tournament. Your loss was caused by your lack of attention when you lapsed into sentimentality.”
Melheys draws a magic formation and pulls out the Kings Scepter.
It should have been kept at the academy but one of the old seven demon emperors would have no trouble getting it.
“Your left arm that was amputated by Initeio will not heal so easily.”
What Melheys is saying is true.
Initeio cuts all magic formulas and the effect remains for a while afterwards so I’ll have to wait to use recovery magic.
I can heal it but it will take a while and Melheys won’t be stupid enough to allow me that time since he appeared the moment my arm was severed.
“Moreover, thanks to the <Demonic Absorption Bracelet> your magic has been reduced by over half now. Being trapped in <Azeishis> also means your subordinates can no longer help you.”
Magic particles gather on either side of me and two men appear.
It’s two of the old seven demon emperors. Gaius Anzem and Idol Anzeo.
“Fuumu. Apparently, its time to return the debt.”
Gaius carries his extremely large demon sword Grajeshion on his shoulder.
“Don’t be careless Gaius. Even if he’s weakened he’s still the founder.”
Idol grips both his swords of ice <Ides> and fire <Zess>.
All three swords were destroyed by Ray and me but they seem to have been repaired.
“Have you understood? It’s three on one with three being old seven demon emperors. No matter what you do there’s no winning for you in this situation.”
I laugh through my nose at the words of Melheys.
“Fu. Kukuku. Three on one? Can you not count Melheys?”
“What are you say—”
A noise rings out and Grajeshion leaves Gaius’ hand and pierces the ground followed by Gauis as he collapses on the spot.
“…….Gaius?”
Next Idol’s head falls to the ground.
“……Wha, this is…….!?”
A blade flashes but Melheys quickly unfolded a magic gate and disappeared only to reappear again a short distance away.
“As expected I still can’t cut three people at the same time.”
Melheys looks in the direction of the voice and see’s Ray standing there holding my Kongo Iron sword in his hand.
“Ray Grandori…….you should have died……”
“If Ray was beaten by me in the finals he was supposed to die. I guess the contracted demon sword was supposed to cut even deeper into his origin. If that were to happen not even I could revive him, however, the sword was embedded in Ray’s body.”
Melheys seems to have noticed something
“……..Did you pretend to stab Ray Grandori in the heart but instead destroyed the sword that was embedded in him………?”
“That’s what I set out to do from the start but I knew I would be aimed at the moment I relaxed which would be right at the end of the fight and I was right. As soon as <Azeishis> was deployed you stopped watching Ray with your demon eyes and that allowed me to act.”
Melheys stares at me and Ray with a grim expression.
“Weren’t you one-sidedly observing me Melheys?”
“There shouldn’t have been a chance to make arrangements between yourselves in advance. Ray Grandori was fighting against you seriously.”
“I was serious.” Ray says. “I fought against Arnos seriously to protect him. I was also serious about destroying the bracelet and losing my mother as well. It wasn’t a lie when I said I wanted to fight him with all my might.”
“Then how was it possible the moment I released my demon eyes for you to destroy the contract sword?”
“……We didn’t make any advanced arrangements. I just thought he would transcend it all with his strength and it seems he did.
“Wha…….”
Melheys is lost for words at Ray’s response.
“It seems you made a miscalculation. Usually, if there is a handicap you protect your body. Did you think I’d protect my body and the bracelet but be defeated by Ray?”
Melheys doesn’t answer and just quietly gazes back.
“It’s not a big deal though. I took all of Ray’s energy and fought against you outside the stage at the same time. I actually won two matches.”
Melheys’ expression told me all I needed to know.
“You said I didn’t notice because I was playing Melheys. You got in the way of my match with Ray and you tried to kill both Sheila and Ray. Why did you think I needed to stop my fun over such a trivial trick? Insignificant and worthless. That’s all your plan was.”
