“It was only thanks to your help that I was able to achieve a time of peace.” (Anos)
I thought back on the Magical Age.
Boring classes, retrograde magic formulas, descendants who didn’t even recognize me as the Demon King.
Such a ridiculous, dull, peaceful life where no one had to die.
If I could, I would’ve shown it to them too.
“Thank you all.” (Anos)
With those words, I expressed my gratitude and appreciation towards my men.
I wasn’t sure if my smile right then was good, but I hoped it was enough.
I stood up and stared at the mansion behind the graveyard.
“I’ll make sure your deaths weren’t in vain.” (Anos)
If I left Avos Dilhevia to her own devices, another war would break out. If it ever came to that, many would lose their lives.
There was no way I could let that happen again.
“Sorry I kept you waiting. Let’s go.” (Anos)
“Nh.” (Misha)
Using <Illusion Mimicry Lynel> and <Concealed Magic Power Najila>, Misha and I concealed ourselves and our magic powers, then we walked to the mansion of the graveyard.
There was a <Lock Barrier Dejit> cast on the entrance door.
“Hmm. I see. This was arranged so that unlocking it with <Unlock Dee> or anything similar would warn the occupants of our intrusion, huh.” (Anos)
The simple and weak effect of more than one spell operating together made it hard to notice.
However, thanks to that message on the wall, it was easy to see through that trick.
I did as instructed, and cast the <Rotten Death Igrum> spell on the door.
I heard a click, and the door was unlocked.
I put my hand on the door and slowly opened it.
It was dark inside. Just like the exterior, the interior looked quite old.
The furnishings were covered in dust, and quite a few of them were scratched.
As we proceeded deeper into the room, we found a stone staircase leading to the basement.
Since there was nothing else to see, we descended those stairs.
Lamps were attached to the stone walls, dimly illuminating the area.
After a short while, I heard a cackling laughter.
“—-That was so amazing. It all happened in a snap. Right, Zeke?” (Eldmed)
It was the voice of a merry man.
A little further on, I spotted a headless demon, the Conflagration King Eldmed.
“To think he would cut down a god so easily, even if this one was injured! That’s the Demon King’s right hand for you! Forget the Demon King, this god can’t even hold a candle to his subordinate…!” (Eldmed)
He had no mouth, and I had no idea where his voice was coming from, but Eldmed was strangely excited, and talking passionately.
And the one beside him, who kept interjecting to show that he was listening, was a man with brown skin, golden eyes, and his hair tied back. Someone I met once two thousand years later. It was Zeke, the staff officer of the Conflagration King.
“Then how strong must the Demon KIng Anos be? No matter how many powerful enemies I send his way, I still can’t see the bottom of his potential! In fact, does it even have a bottom? I gotta say, this is wonderful! Now what do you think I’m referring to, eh, Zeke?” (Eldmed)
“I have no idea. That aside, master, what shall be our next course of action?” Zeke asked after giving an appropriate reply.
“The Heavenly Father is still in Aharthern.” (Eldmed)
“Without your body, it will take some time for him to recover, won’t it?” (Zeke)
“That’s right. That god is dying right now. But he did say that everything was going according to plan, right? And it looks like me going to see the Demon King’s right hand was also part of the plan.” (Eldmed)
Zeke frowned and pondered.
“The point is, my alliance with him is still ongoing.” (Eldmed)
“The Netherworld King was right, the gods truly are a mysterious race. Perhaps it would be best not to get too deeply involved in this.” (Zeke)
“Khahaha! It’s precisely because they’re such a suspicious bunch that they’re so good. You think some small fry with nothing new to show would be a fitting nemesis for the Demon King, hmm? If it’s an expendable opponent we need, we can leave that to the Scarlet Monument King, don’t you think?” (Eldmed)
After a moment of looking at him like he wanted to say something, Zeke spoke up.
“Yes, Sir.” (Zeke)
“But even if we’re talking about the Heavenly Father Nosgalia, whose order is the creation of orders, he’s no match for the Demon King at all. Because he looks down on the Demon King of Tyranny as an insignificant being. Do you think a guy who makes light of his opponent can win a battle?” (Eldmed)
“No, Sir.” (Zeke)
“Exactly, he can’t. He’ll never win. The Demon King of Tyranny always exceeds my expectations. If his enemies fall into the trap of thinking that ‘If I do this, I can win’ or ‘If I do that, I can win’, then they’ve already lost the fight. But I, the Conflagration King, am different. Because I know that the Demon King of Tyranny will always win…!” Eldmed shouted loudly.
As if he was praising me.
“That being said, it’d be a real shame if the god were to disappear. If he could let go of his pride and realize what it means to face the Demon King, then his godly powers would be immense.” (Eldmed)
In the middle of his emphatic speech, Zeke interrupted him.
“Regarding the fact that gods are order itself, isn’t this what binds Nosgalia?” (Zeke)
“If so, then I can just turn myself into an entity that controls that order.” (Eldmed)
Zeke showed a dubious expression.
“How?” (Zeke)
“Isn’t it obvious? I, the Conflagration King, will get my hands on the power of the Heavenly Father. And I’m preparing the magic formula to do just that.” (Eldmed)
“…Can you truly accomplish such a feat?” (Zeke)
“Of course I can’t, it’s impossible! Even if I spent two thousand years on it, it’s not something I can pull off. Magic development isn’t my expertise, after all. However, for the Demon King of Tyranny, if I presented him with the magic formula still in development, it’d be a cinch for him to complete it.” (Eldmed)
A look of exhaustion appeared on Zeke’s face.
Probably because no matter what their topic was, Eldmed always ended up talking about me.
“Hey now, don’t look so fed up, Zeke. When I say ‘Demon King of Tyranny’, I’m not talking about Anos.” (Eldmed)
“Then, who?” (Zeke)
“The great spirit who will be the Child of God. Nosgalia’s plan is to give birth to the Demon King of Tyranny Avos Dilhevia.” (Eldmed)
Zeke’s expression turned grim, as if in shock.
“You’re planning to take advantage of the Hero Kanon’s own scheme?” (Zeke)
“Exactly.” (Eldmed)
“…In other words, you mean to borrow the power of Avos Dilhevia, who will be born as a result of Nosgalia’s plan, and take control of Nosgalia himself?” (Zeke)
“If the situation allows it, that is. Gotta take whatever option is most likely to increase the number of enemies for the Demon King Anos. That’s what tempts me more than anything.” (Eldmed)
Eldmed cackled out loud.
“If my guess is right, the Hero will soon get in touch with the Great Mother of All Spirits and the Demon King’s right hand. Now that the Demon King is gone, what decision will the three of them make? Khahaha! This is gonna be quite a show.” (Eldmed)
