Chapter 171 : Hatred belongs in the past
“Fufu.” Avos Dilhevia laughed.
“Fufufu… Ahaha…! Ahahahahahaha! Yes, that’s right, Anos Voldigoad. Everything is as I anticipated, and I’m still in control of everything.” (Avos)
She slowly extended her white fingertips and held her hand as if gently grasping the void.
“In other words, the fates of the two of you also rest in my hand.” (Avos)
“Really? For someone who was born from the rumors and legends about me, you’re rather lacking in humility.” (Anos)
“Oh? That’s not true. If anything, I’m much more humble than you.” she said with a smile.
“Shall we talk?” (Avos)
“Sure. Even I am not so narrow-minded as to start a fight without my opponent’s consent. If you want to talk about surrendering yourself completely, I’m willing to lend you an ear.” (Anos)
She gently raised her hand and cast <Remote Clairvoyance Limnet>.
A crystal appeared out of thin air, giving us a visual of the arena.
“You should watch this before speaking so arrogantly.” (Avos)
The <Remote Clairvoyance Limnet> crystal projected a large image of the execution stand.
One student in white was placed on it and bound with the <Magic Restriction Chain Gijel> spell.
It was Igareth, who was reincarnated as a demon.
“Aramis Eltimo, a third-year student. Two thousand years ago, his name was Igareth Ijaysica. You know him, don’t you?” (Avos)
“He’s a human child I saved once.” (Anos)
“Wonderful. He shall now be executed.” (Avos)
When Melheis drew a magic circle, more magic power was concentrated into the <Magic Restriction Chain Gijel> spell, causing Igareth to be hoisted to the execution stand.
“Give it your best shot. If you can, that is.” (Anos)
“Fufu. Well, aren’t you confident. Is it because your subordinates are among the audience there?” (Avos)
She ran her sticky gaze over my body.
“Could be.” (Anos)
“My, did you think I hadn’t noticed? How adorable of you.” (Avos)
Avos Dilhevia twisted her mouth into a sadistic smile.
“To save that boy from execution, your subordinates will be forced to show themselves. And when they do, they will die a brutal death.” (Avos)
She poured her magic power into the crystal with her fingertips.
『Guh…! Urgh…! Ahh…!』(White-uniform A)
『He-… Help…!』(White-uniform B)
『Make… it… stop…!』(White-uniform C)
The students in white started wriggling in agony and screaming.
Their magic power was being drained from their bodies, from their very sources.
At the same time, some dark sludge cooled around the Demon Elders in the arena.
That sludge was exuding magic power far more sinister and greater than what Melheis and Ivis possessed.
“How do you like the power of <Dark Region Demon King Army Demera Gyze>?” (Avos)
“Hmm. So first, you add the magic power absorbed by the <Dark Region Demera> spell to your own, then you use it all to boost the magical effects of the <Demon King Army Gyze> spell, is that right?” (Anos)
The fake Demon King broke into a smile.
“Anos Voldigoad. Are you good at chess?” (Avos)
“Well, I don’t even know the rules of any board games. Even so, I don’t think I would lose to you.” (Anos)
“In that case, let’s play one game. A contest of wits using the arena as a chessboard, and each of our subordinates as pawns. Or would you rather abstain because you barely have any? If so, then you’ll never be able to save Igareth’s life.” she said in a nasty tone, as if trying to taunt me.
“Are you that afraid to face me head-on, Avos Dilhevia?” (Anos)
I held out my hand in front of my eyes and drew a magic circle on the spot.
When I cast a counterspell for <Illusion Mimicry Lynel>, a series of magic characters written all over the Throne Room became visible.
This was the magic formula I used to turn Delsgade into a three-dimensional magic circle. Of course, I put multiple layers of anti-magic over it to nullify any attempt from anyone other than me, the spellcaster, to control it.
Those anti-magic formulas were being broken through one by one, and the magic characters I had inscribed were being rewritten one after another. By focusing my Magic Eyes, I could easily see that this was Avos Dilhevia’s doing.
It seemed like it’d take her quite some time to be done with it.
“If you’re looking to buy time until you can get your hands on the Abolisher of Reason, then drop this charade about a contest of wits, and just say so.” (Anos)
“Provocation is a specialty of mine. So, are you abstaining, then? I’m fine with that. What I was looking forward to more than anything was seeing you, the misfit, suffer.” (Avos)
After showing me a smirk, Avos Dilhevia said the following.
“Carry out the execution.” (Avos)
That was the order she gave.
When I linked my vision to Misha’s, I saw the students in black standing evenly spaced, with their bodies facing the execution stand in the middle.
As I suspected, it’d be difficult for the two sisters to save Igareth while staying among the students.
If they used their Magic Eyes of Destruction or Magic Eyes of Creation, then naturally, they would blow their own cover.
The Seven Demon Elders, wrapped in that dark sludge from the <Dark Region Demon King Army Demera Gyze>, were on the lookout for any of my subordinates who could jump in from anywhere, with their eyes glowing.
Nihid, who was dressed in black, stepped forward.
He drew a magic circle to eliminate Igareth.
“Sensei! Please stop! Why? Aramis-kin hasn’t done anything wrong…! Sensei, please! Come back to your senses! Be the kind teacher you’ve always been!” A female student in white cried out desperately while enduring the pain of having her magic power absorbed.
However, Nihid didn’t pay her any mind at all.
“You called yourself Igareth, huh. A blood relative of the Hero Jerga. I allow you one final request. Do you have any last words?” (Nihid)
Staring at Nihid, Igareth spoke in a resolute tone.
[Avos Dilhevia is an impostor. I know the real Demon King. He was kind, strong, and never discriminated anyone. If any of you knew him two thousand years ago, how could you have forgotten about that!?] Igareth complained, but his words fell on deaf ears.
“Was that your final request?” (Nihid)
When Nihid asked, Igareth remained silent.
“I have fulfilled my mission. I have no regrets.” (Igareth)
Igareth spoke up, as if he was talking to me.
“I believe in the real Great Demon King. I know he will defeat Avos Dilhevia without fail… And I know he will establish true peace where humans and demons can walk hand in hand…” (Igareth)
“Is that so? Well…” (Nihid)
A jet-black sun emerged from the magic circle.
It dashed like a comet, and closed in on Igareth.
The latter stared at the black sun without looking away.
However, that <Hell Flame Annihilation Mortar Jio Graze> was slightly diverted from its target, burned off the <Magic Restriction Chain Gijel> bounding him, and plunged into Melheis, who was on the other side of the execution stand.
“Wha–!? Guh…!” (Melheis)
Melheis’ body was engulfed in flames and charred.
“This makes two of us, Igareth. I’m getting you out of here.” Nihid said.
“…My oh my. This is troubling…” (Melheis)
