“Ah, don’t worry, I’m not playing around. It’s purely goodwill.”
Could being a Demon truly be considered goodwill?
Naturally, it was a proposition that didn’t warrant any consideration.
“Miss Alicia, a former Hero, or Miss Selian, a Sword Master, would both be welcomed if you were to switch sides to the Demons. Please make the decision between the two of you. I’ll give you plenty of time to think about it.”
Even though it was an unworthy offer, I was at least grateful for the brief moment of reprieve. Though I wondered if this could buy us enough time for some assistance to arrive, preparing for the worst was unavoidable.
And so, I clenched the Holy Sword tightly in my hand and gathered my strength before speaking.
“Seli, do you think we can handle this?”
“…It’s frustrating, but his strength is genuine. If we fight him… it might be tough, even for me. Even if we both attack, I don’t think it will change the situation much.”
The words from Selian’s mouth weren’t encouraging. Nevertheless, Selian couldn’t possibly know the full extent of my power. If she buys us some time, perhaps I could use my assassination skills to deliver a surprise attack. It’s worth a try at least. Though I can’t explain my assassination techniques to her, I’ll have to phrase it carefully.
“At least let me…”
“Even if El uses his full power…”
Before I could finish my sentence, Selian added earnestly, looking directly into my eyes. Her resolute tone and the penetrating gaze made me falter, and I stopped mid-sentence.
“R-really?”
Surely it was just my imagination. She has no way of knowing about the hidden skills or powers I’ve concealed from her. She’s never seen any signs from me.
Selian must have considered that, even if I have a hidden trump card, it wouldn’t significantly change our chances.
“I might as well just eat the heart. Then El can leave safely…”
“Stop joking. Didn’t you hear that guy? Eating the heart turns you into a Demon. Besides, how do we even know if his words are true?”
“But… I don’t lie!”
Despite her firm declaration, Selian hesitated, her gaze drifting towards the Demon’s heart, still beating violently.
However, even if Eden’s words were true, I could never allow Selian to eat the Demon’s heart. If her sacrifice saved me but turned her into a Demon, could I ever truly remain human?
Maybe it’d be better if I ate the heart…
No, doing so would make me no different from Selian. Knowing her, she wouldn’t feel gratitude for my sacrifice, just as I wouldn’t for hers. I understand that well without having to ask, since we’ve spent quite a few years together.
Wait, how many years have we known each other? Actually, it’s been less than a year…
“Hm…”
“Seli!”
“N-nothing. Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. Just trying to think and my head’s a bit cluttered.”
Damn it. Confusing unnecessary things only caused her undue concern. Chances are, her thoughts shifted even closer to eating the Demon’s heart.
“Seli, can you grant me one favor?”
At this rate, considering my own hesitation to step forward and consume the heart in her place, Selian might act first. That can’t happen. She can’t eat it, and neither can I. So, there’s only one choice left, isn’t there?
“Of course. Just say it. Except the favor of eating the heart.”
A snicker escaped me. Through all the time we’ve spent together, I’ve become so much like her — worried about each other in equal measure, trusting each other completely.
That’s why I like her. Trusting Selian, let’s give her the final request, possibly the last one.
“Will you stand by my side? Even if the end brings death?”
Startled, Selian widened her eyes. But instead of being alarmed by my words about death, she smiled brightly and replied.
“Of course. Not even death could separate us.”
We smiled at each other. With her approval in mind, there’s nothing left to hesitate about. Both Selian and I cast away any thoughts of eating the Demon’s heart. All that remains is to teach that Eden guy a lesson. Of course, though we’re prepared for the worst, we have no intention of dying.
I plunged the Holy Sword into the pulsating Demon heart. The moment it was pierced, a sizzling sound of the heart burning emerged.
“Tsk. It’s unfortunate that you reject my goodwill.”
It seemed Eden was ready for the imminent battle. He stretched out his spider-like legs extending from his back.
“El?”
“Yes?”
Interrupted mid-preparation, I briefly responded to Selian’s inquiry without turning my head—unsure when the attack might come.
“Do you mind if I ask one favor too?”
“You already granted me an outlandish favor. What could I possibly deny you?”
“…Saying that makes it hard to know what to ask, doesn’t it?”
Does she need so much from me? But if we somehow survive this, what couldn’t I give to Selian?
“If we die here… in the next life, could El be the one to greet me first? Like the first time we met.”
Something about Selian’s statement didn’t quite fit. She’s surely tense about the impending battle.
“Seli, I never thought you believed in reincarnation. But I don’t intend to die here. I intend to live a very long life, you know.”
The memory of entering the Academy for the first time and the collapse of the Assassin Guild surfaced. Back then, I was determined to be discreet about my true identity around Selian and her family, wanting to live a long life.
Certainly, I never imagined we’d grow this close at the time.
“It’s a sincere request. Please answer.”
Selian urged for a definitive response, insistent on getting it from me.
“Alright. There won’t be any need for us to die here, but even if there were, I’ll be the first to greet you in the next life. Is that alright?”
Though I couldn’t turn to see her face, I could vividly imagine her beaming.
“Then, shall we go?”
“Yes, I’ll take the front, but with four pairs of legs, I can’t guarantee stopping everything. Additionally, he’s probably versed in magic, so be careful.”
“Yeah. Though I’m not on the same level as Seli, I’ve reached the threshold of Sword Mastery, so don’t worry.”
It would be ideal if I could reach enlightenment during the fight and ascend to full Sword Master status, but expecting such fortune seems unlikely.
“Waiting is quite tiring too. If you’re ready, come forward. Wouldn’t this be your last stand, after all?”
With a fierce roar, Selian took the first move. Her speed, befitting a true Sword Master, drew rapid and powerful streaks, but even her devastating strikes were blocked by only two spider legs.
But surely anticipatory, Selian followed up with quick combinations. Each swing contained undeniable power, yet Eden defended fluidly, sometimes using one pair of legs, occasionally two, sometimes three, or even four, depending on what was needed.
In the midst of his defense, Eden used the two remaining human arms to craft magic circles in the air with a flow of mana, sending spells towards Selian.
Meanwhile, I infused mana into the necklace artifact I had retrieved from a dungeon during summer vacation at Anne’s house. A dark mist spread slowly from the artifact, but Eden and Selian, seemingly unaffected by the impaired vision, continued to exchange blows.
The effectiveness of the mist in concealing me from Eden isn’t certain, but as the weaker side, we must exhaust all our options.
After this battle, Selian will no doubt discover the secret I’ve kept. Yet, I don’t worry—she’ll definitely forgive me. I’m certain of that now.
Clang!
Despite his impenetrable defense, I occasionally interfered whenever Selian found herself in a pinch, giving her brief moments to catch her breath. Even these interventions were swiftly countered by the spider legs, forcing me to risk my life.
“Actually, I was quite interested in Miss Alicia, the Hero, but now that I’m crossing blades with Miss Selian, I find myself more intrigued by you.”
Even now, the leisurely tone is still present in Eden’s voice.
“Your swordplay is undoubtedly at the Sword Master level, but it’s strange. Your sword, your power, aims for something much greater. Your spirit is refined to the point of beauty, and your technique is honed to a formidable degree. However… the physique that should support it lags far behind. Rather, the strain of pushing an immature body to the limits has disrupted your balance. It’s quite the feat you managed to ascend to the Sword Master level like this.”
As if to prove he wasn’t lying about previously being a magic professor, Eden continued talking.
Selian, annoyed by his casual demeanor, tightened her jaw and swung her sword even more aggressively.
“Imagine your spirit, your technique, housed in the superior Demon body that no human physique could ever match. Imagine becoming even stronger than me. Wouldn’t that be truly splendid?”
“Kuh! My sword… my strength, is for El… Strength without El is meaningless!”
Her voice brimming with anger, Selian swung her sword with renewed vigor. This caused all of Eden’s spider legs to be thrown off, creating an opening. Not letting this opportunity pass, I swiftly moved, concealing my presence in the darkness and charging forward with my sword.
However, just before my Holy Sword pierced Eden’s neck, it hit a mana barrier mid-air and stopped.
Instead of allowing me to retreat into the darkness, the barrier, now entrenched with the blade, grabbed hold of me and refused to let go.
Eden, with a face chillingly emotionless, glanced at me and then redirected his gaze to Selian, as if none of the moments of casual chatter before had ever happened.
“…Such pointless obsession is far from beautiful. Fine, I am no longer interested in persuading someone so dim-witted and lacking in aesthetics. Since you two wish to be together, I’ll at least grant your final wish.”
As if he had been indulging us until now, his magical aura surrounding him intensified.
—
[End of the segment.]
