Chapter 87
What was that noise?
I was startled and ran to the window. But from this room, only the serene garden of the marquisate was visible. The source of the sound was clearly the eastern waterway, which could not be seen from the room.
That made me even more anxious.
“Marion. Numerous demonic beasts are coming. Block them with all your might. I will go.”
“W-wait a moment!”
There was something I wanted to ask before the Demon King disappeared.
“Why are you telling me these things? And why are you suddenly….”
Pretending to care about the world?
The follow-up question could not come out of my mouth.
Isn’t that the case? Although it is said that Pelles forcibly summoned the Demon King, it was the Demon King who first tried to destroy the world.
The Demon King stared at me intently before slowly opening his mouth.
“This is the place where you will live from now on. There is no other reason beyond that.”
“…That’s contradictory.”
I wasn’t even happy. The Demon King had killed countless people. Yet to suddenly say that the reason he was trying to protect the world was because of me honestly made me feel sick.
“I am originally capricious. And.”
The Demon King suddenly held something out. It was a germanium bracelet.
“This is….”
“It is yours, so wear it. It will be helpful.”
Can it really be called mine?
Strictly speaking, since Kaiden paid for it at the jewelry store, it is mine. But the original owner was my mother’s, and the claim that I had worn it since I was young was a lie.
To feel guilt in the middle of this.
“…What kind of help will it provide?”
“It will help when your mind and body are unstable.”
Does it really have such an effect? I received the bracelet with surprised eyes.
“Go quickly. Hold out. You will be able to do it.”
The Demon King left only those words before disappearing in an instant.
I stared blankly at the spot where he had vanished, then soon came to my senses. Because another thud! sound came from outside.
[Marion, we have to go!]
But there was something holding me back.
“Is it okay to leave His Grace the Archduke alone?”
What if something happens to Kaiden, who is lying motionless? While I was hesitating, unable to do this or that, Bled suggested.
[I will stay by Kaiden’s side. Anyway, the current me wouldn’t be of any help…. But once I make the power given by the Demon King mine, I will be helpful. For that, I need a little time.]
“Are you finally able to become a holy dragon?”
Bled nodded with a cute face.
[Yes. Just trust me.]
I was worried, but the only one I could trust right now was Bled.
“Alright. I’m counting on you, Bled.”
[Be careful.]
“Yes. You too.”
While putting on the bracelet, I looked at the face of the sleeping Kaiden.
“I’ll be back soon, Your Grace. Please rest.”
After whispering quickly, I rushed out of the room. When I arrived at the main hall, I saw Marquis Fernandi coming out in a hurry, along with the Archduke, Lucas, Stella, Durante, and several servants. Everyone was wide-eyed in surprise, trying to grasp the situation.
“What is going on, Marquis?”
“It seems an attack has come from the demonic beasts at the eastern waterway. It happens from time to time. Everyone, it’s dangerous, so please hide quickly.”
“You fool, do you think I’ll just hide!”
“But you are all guests….”
“Everyone!”
Before the argument between the Archduke and the Marquis dragged on, I drew everyone’s attention. People’s eyes turned to me.
Focusing on the part of the Demon King’s words—“Numerous demonic beasts are swarming in. Block them with all your strength.”—I spoke.
“It’s total war. The Demon King told me that the demon Pelles, who was disguised as the chief mage, is leading a massive army of demonic beasts and invading. We must prepare for this!”
“W-what?! Total war?”
The Archduke shouted in surprise.
Lucas asked me.
“Didn’t the chief mage die?”
“He apparently survived by pulling a rat-like trick. I don’t know the details either, but it seems that guy is the mastermind behind everything.”
At my answer, everyone visibly showed shock.
“Is a real massive army of demonic beasts really coming?”
“But didn’t Sir Marion say she is the Demon King’s daughter?”
“It’s not the Demon King, he says. It seems Pelles orchestrated it?”
While various opinions flew back and forth breathlessly, Stella asked in a voice tinged with a ray of hope.
“Is it difficult for the Demon King to resolve it? He is the king of demons and demonic beasts, after all….”
After briefly pondering how to explain this, I said it in a way people could easily understand.
“The Demon King was backstabbed by Pelles and went to the eastern waterway to deal with it. He said he needs time. Right now, the only ones who can stop the rampaging Pelers are us.”
At my words, Lucas muttered.
“Even the Demon King gets backstabbed.”
Ah, does it come out like that? It was a bit embarrassing, but there was no helping it. I wasn’t sure if it was okay to explain things like the origin of demons to others, and there was no time, so this was the best I could do.
At that moment.
“M-Marquis!”
One of the marquisate’s soldiers came running in, panting.
“What is it?”
“A huge swarm of demonic beasts has appeared at the eastern waterway!”
“!”
It was exactly as the Demon King said. I looked at the Marquis. Since he was the lord of the marquisate, he had to make the decision.
“Prince Lucas. Wake the 10,000 troops and prepare them. I will sound the trumpet as well.”
“Understood.”
The great battle against the demonic beasts had begun.
* * *
Pelles clenched his fist tightly and then opened it.
“Congratulations, Lord Pelles.”
“Hmm.”
A demon beside him bowed obsequiously and flattered him. Normally, Pelles would have found it irritating, but right now he was in an extremely good mood.
He had destroyed and absorbed part of the Demon King’s origin—a massive tree deep in the eastern waterway.
He wanted to absorb it all, but he had to stop midway. Just as overeating causes problems, his body showed rejection reactions.
He was flustered. If he couldn’t digest all this right away, wouldn’t that mean he couldn’t surpass the Demon King?
The Demon King would surely have felt the damage to his origin. He had to find a way before the Demon King came rushing.
In a hurry, Pelles disassembled and absorbed several holy relics of the human god Nyx. That was the right choice. The relics of Nyx neutralized the Demon King’s energy.
All sorts of powers were surging throughout his body. Pelles felt it. He might have become stronger than the Demon King.
At that moment, something bulged and moved in his palm. Pelles frowned at the unpleasant sensation.
“Lord Pelles, just now that was…?”
“It’s nothing.”
Some energies were still rampaging because they hadn’t been properly absorbed yet, but it wouldn’t be a problem. In time, they would soon fuse with his body.
Even the Demon King, whose origin was damaged, wouldn’t be able to do anything to him right away. There was plenty of time to carry out the grand undertaking.
Looking at the massive army of demonic beasts lined up on the vast plain at the end of the eastern waterway, where Fernandi Marquisate was clearly visible, he praised his subordinate.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Not at all. Everything is merely one step toward the grand world that Lord Pelles dreams of. I am merely honored to be here.”
Yes. All of this is for the sake of us demons.
Pelles exhaled in joy and asked.
“Is the brainwashing of the demonic beasts certain?”
“Yes. Just now, we sent one wyvern to the marquisate to test it. It obeys orders perfectly.”
With this, preparations were perfect. A full moon had risen as well.
Pelles grinned, baring his teeth.
“Go. The first sacrifice is Fernandi.”
“Yes!”
The subordinate sounded a massive drum. At that, the demonic beasts that had been standing blankly and unsteadily suddenly raised their heads sharply. Their number easily exceeded several thousand.
“Advance―!”
With the signal, the demonic beasts let out thunderous roars and charged toward Fernandi Castle.
At the sight, Pelles laughed maniacally.
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