Chapter 209

Chapter 209

The forefather of the bloodline. Since the birth of the Demon World, the appearance of monsters that have lived alongside the original Demon Kings until today naturally piqued the interest of TaUMIEL.

Moreover, the power exhibited just a little while ago.

It wasn’t the complete power that TaUMIEL remembered of Ersha Scarlet, but it was surprisingly impressive for someone who had lost all their strength and been exiled. This meant that, in the end, Ersha had partially regained her power.

How Ersha had regained such strength and why she, who should be asleep, was wandering around the Demon World in a normal state.

Just thinking about it for a moment made it clear. There was only one person in this place capable of doing such a thing, and moments ago, Ersha Scarlet had even gone to protect him.

“Did you wake that monster up and bring it along?”

TaUMIEL spoke in a tone laced with reproach, and Nahun looked at him as if to say, what’s wrong with that?

“It’s quite the sight. Not only are you interfering with the Demon World, but you’re also bringing in someone who was disgracefully exiled.”

TaUMIEL narrowed his eyes and said.

“Don’t you think you’re disturbing the order of the Demon World?”

“Disturbing the order? The real problem is you rampaging around here.”

“Enough, both of you.”

Ersha interjected.

“Do you not realize how much influence is exerted just by the fact that such great beings are fighting in the Demon World? You’ve already crossed the line long ago.”

“Stop telling me to quit! What ridiculous nonsense, Ersha Scarlet.”

TaUMIEL dismissed Ersha’s advice as nonsense, revealing his anger unabashedly.

“I have no choice left.”

“…If you were afraid of Taumiel’s punishment, you shouldn’t have come down.”

“Don’t get cocky! Do you dare act as if you know my situation, you little girl!!”

TaUMIEL had come down not knowing things would turn out like this. If Mephistopheles had died in the top tier ranks, TaUMIEL would have understood that it was possible and would have sent more subordinates to investigate cautiously.

However, he couldn’t comprehend how Mephistopheles had died on the 40th floor. The fact that Mephistopheles was killed at that level was clearly the work of someone who had violated rules that had previously been perceived.

But he never expected it to be Nahun, and even less did he think it was reasonable for Nahun to be here.

“…What I have to do here hasn’t changed.”

Thus, TaUMIEL could not withdraw. If he pulled out and returned, all that awaited him would be the furious wrath of Taumiel, who deemed him to have ignored his authority. For the sake of a valid reason to quell that wrath, TaUMIEL had to bring this judgment to an end.

Nahun looked at TaUMIEL and spoke.

“In the end, you’re just dragging this out.”

“I’ll help the girl.”

“No.”

“What?”

Nahun stated.

“One is enough.”

TaUMIEL spread his enormous wings and charged swiftly once again. Pulling his withdrawn arm forward, his long sword sliced through the air sharply. There was no fluff to the attack. The sword moved too smoothly and swiftly.

However, Nahun reacted. His golden eyes never missed the movement, and he leaned back to evade. Simultaneously, he punched toward TaUMIEL’s arm that wielded the sword.

THWACK!!

With the strike that knocked TaUMIEL’s arm away, Nahun followed up immediately with his own sword strike. Yet TaUMIEL was not an opponent to be underestimated; he responded even to the brief series of attacks.

Blocking the sword, TaUMIEL slightly pulled one leg back, seemingly preparing to kick up. Nahun reacted, but it was just a feint. The leg that appeared as if it was about to rise became a support, and TaUMIEL charged forward, thrusting his sword ahead.

CLANG!!

The sharp sword clashed against the great sword, twisting its trajectory. The blade grazed past Nahun’s cheek. As drops of blood splattered, Nahun rotated his body counterclockwise. This allowed TaUMIEL’s sword thrust to propel forward, creating an opening for Nahun to delve deeper.

BOOM!!

And the subsequent sword strike. The force generated from the great sword, coupled with TaUMIEL’s impressive physicality, displayed a destructive power beyond that of the sword wielding Nahun. TaUMIEL, having surplus magic power compared to Nahun, stacked his magic to minimize the shock; still, Nahun’s strength delivered a jolt that resonated throughout his entire body.

“Such a battle solely based on physical ability. You’re truly a monster.”

“Are you seriously coming at me knowing that?”

“Still, this is a more plausible situation than facing Taumiel!”

Once again, the ominous mana infused TaUMIEL’s sword. Seeing the grayish mana rising, Nahun realized that this was the perfect opportunity.

Nahun’s golden eyes glimmered. All usable magic power within him drew in the surrounding external mana. The gathered magic energy began to concentrate in one place.

However, since TaUMIEL made the first move, his attack started much faster before Nahun could properly gather his magic.

“It’s already too late! The blade of records!”

『 Sómnĭum Ensis 』

The gray mana gathered on the sword gave off a sinister, ominous glow. Simultaneously, TaUMIEL’s arm moved rapidly, and the blade quickly closed in on Nahun’s body.

At that moment, fierce red aura flared from Nahun’s own sword. Just before TaUMIEL’s blade made contact with his body, Nahun completed his own spell.

“A strike of disaster.”

『 Exítĭum ictus 』

TaUMIEL registered it with his eyes, and in that instant, his body trembled, and his muscles stiffened. In that fleeting moment, Nahun brought his arm down toward the sword aiming to pierce his chest. Nahun’s strike collided directly with TaUMIEL’s.

BOOM!!!

The two strikes perfectly canceled each other out. Both felt the impact of their consequences vividly, at which point one moved first…

CRACK!

“Guh…, you…!”

“You were slow.”

It was Nahun. His physical abilities hadn’t changed, and since he inherently had the upper hand over TaUMIEL in physical prowess, it was naturally expected that he would be faster.

In an instant, Nahun’s hand gripped TaUMIEL’s neck, applying pressure. The powerful grip couldn’t even withstand the body of the same Great Demon. Nahun’s hand cut into TaUMIEL’s skin, crushing his muscles. With the sound of breaking bones, blood gushed out abundantly.

FWOOSH!!!

However, after witnessing TaUMIEL regenerate his severed hand moments ago, Nahun did not end it there. Stabbing his sword into TaUMIEL’s heart, he ensured a proper conclusion.

At that moment, Ersha, who had been watching the scene, spoke.

“Nahun.”

“What is it?”

“There’s no meaning in a confirmation kill.”

“What do you mean?”

In response to Nahun’s question, Ersha answered.

“It is forbidden for the guardians of Klifirot to take each other’s lives.”

#

The Archangels and Great Demons can mutually annihilate one another. Just like how Nahun completely wiped out Mikael. This is because they are opposing existences, and it is only natural for them to exist to be annihilated by each other.

However, Archangels, who are guardians of the same Sephira, or Great Demons, who are guardians of Klifirot, are unable to take each other’s lives.

This was a law of the world derived from the trees of good, Sephirot, which constitutes the Heavens, and the trees of evil, Klifirot, which constitute Hell. It was to prevent infighting in a situation where they opposed each other.

“…Heh.”

“Before TaUMIEL recovers, we need to toss that body into Hell.”

“Then does that mean you wish to judge me…?”

“You were thinking of incapacitating Nahun and taking the body back to Hell as proof of judgment, right?”

Nahun pulled his sword from TaUMIEL’s heart. Indeed, there were no signs of life left in that body, resembling a dead person. The locusts that had been binding the massus had lost their power and were now all lying on the ground.

“How long do you think it will take for him to recover?”

“At most, it’ll be three days.”

“Are you saying we need to throw him into Hell before then?”

“…Do you need to go again?”

At that moment, Seere, who had also been on the castle wall, cautiously asked. Nahun glanced at the slightly anxious Seere and shook his head.

“No. If it’s simply to throw him into Hell, there’s no need for me to go.”

“Should I go instead?”

“That would also be dangerous. You haven’t completely regained your strength yet.”

Nahun turned his head slightly to the side. His gaze fell upon a distant figure. Agreas, who had been watching the situation from afar, let out a hollow laugh at the gaze directed at her.

“So I wasn’t mistaken after all.”

She moved on her own. Without taking many steps, she reached the castle wall where Nahun and Seere were. Agreas wore a smile that conveyed interest, and bowed to Nahun respectfully.

“I am honored to meet a great being.”

Though Nahun’s identity as a Great Demon was unknown, it was a given that not even a Demon King could single-handedly take on TaUMIEL. Nahun spoke to Agreas, who was greeting him.

“…The fact that you were here from the beginning means that the Council has also acted in response to this matter.”

“Exactly. I came upon the orders of the Council Chair.”

Although her tone reflected politeness, there was no sign of respect for a Great Demon in her voice or behavior. Perhaps she understood. In this place, which is not Hell but the Demon World, she was more advantageous in combat.

“Then I would like you to help with the cleanup.”

“That’s something I’ll naturally have to do. I came here to do that. However…”

Agreas narrowed her eyes slightly.

“It seems the cleanup isn’t fully completed yet?”

“I am different from this guy. I am permitted to act by the Lord of Hell, so what do you mean by it’s not finished?”

“That means….”

Agreas looked up slightly at the castle wall. Seere, who was standing there wearing a cloak, was present.

“Can I take it that you are publicly supporting Seere von Debata in Hell?”

“……That is merely my personal action; Hell is not involved.”

“You just said you received permission from the Lord of Hell moments ago, didn’t you?”

Explaining about contracts and prohibitions couldn’t be conveyed properly to Agreas, so it didn’t turn out well. Nahun sighed softly, then looked at Agreas with a cold gaze.

“Then what are you going to do? Are you going to fight me?”

“Hmmm, that is somewhat interesting, but….”

As Agreas revealed her intent for combat, Seere, Ersha, and the massus of the end displayed fierce auras from atop the castle wall. Agreas sensed that it would be too much to face them all and Nahun alone at the same time.

“It doesn’t seem like a good time.”

She regretted not bringing a few subordinates with her. True to her title as a martial arts Demon King, she enjoyed combat, but she was not one to engage in reckless acts.

“Just as you said, we will recover TaUMIEL’s body and pass it to the chair through Hell.”

“And you won’t keep quiet about me?”

“Why would I? How could I keep quiet about this? Great beings are supporting a Demon King here.”

“…If you won’t keep quiet…”

Nahun spoke.

“I can make you keep your mouth shut.”

“…That’s a bit chilling, but are you sure about that? If I don’t handle this, it will continue to pose a problem, you know?”

“I can go myself if necessary.”

At Nahun’s words, Seere flinched slightly, but she made no argument.

“And there already exists a Demon King who is supported by Hell.”

At Nahun’s ambiguous remark, Agreas’s pupils widened in surprise. She stared momentarily at Nahun, then nodded.

“Alright. Then let’s keep that information between the two of us and the chair. Since you mentioned permission from the Lord of Hell, the Demon World’s ruler can know about it, right?”

“Will you really keep that?”

“If I were to lie and leave, you could come to judge me later. The moment I announce this information, the rumors in the Demon World would spread, and there’s no way the Great Being wouldn’t notice.”

Agreas held the second highest rank. It would be unreasonable to just say that she would go to judge in Hell, but Nahun understood that Agreas’s suggestion was the best course of action.

If Nahun were to attack Agreas to silence her, Seere and Ersha could end up in jeopardy… The only one who could easily send TaUMIEL’s body to Hell was Belzebut.

“Understood.”

“Wise choice.”

As Agreas dropped TaUMIEL’s body, she summoned her magic and lightly caught the falling body. Seere and Ersha, startled by the momentarily revealed power of Agreas, were taken aback.

‘Is this the power of the current second-ranked Demon King?’

Nahun was also quite impressed; the magic that Agreas displayed in that moment was formidable. With her physical abilities as a martial arts Demon King, she was certainly not weak.

Holding TaUMIEL’s body, Agreas bowed her head.

“Then I will take my leave.”

“…Very well.”

Until Agreas willingly withdrew, Nahun maintained his tension. However, the expected situation did not unfold, and Agreas truly vanished beyond the layers.

“Teacher.”

Seere called out to Nahun with a slightly worried expression and voice. Nahun, sensing her concern, smiled reassuringly as he descended.

“It’s alright, Seere. The situation you’re worried about won’t happen….”

“No, that’s not it. Are you alright? Did you get hurt?”

Nahun’s eyes widened. He thought she was worried that Agreas had picked up on something, but instead, she was concerned about his well-being.

“Ah, yeah. I’m fine. I’m not hurt anywhere serious….”

“You have injuries on your face! And here too…!”

The scratches from blocking TaUMIEL’s attacks still remained. Such wounds usually healed quickly, but perhaps due to being from a fellow Great Demon’s attack, they had yet to heal.

“Quickly get treated!”

“There’s no need to fuss so much.”

“We can’t have scars on your handsome face!”

“What?”

Nahun momentarily spaced out at her words. Then he burst out laughing lightly and said.

“Why are you worrying about such strange things when Agreas is the one you should be concerned about?”

“Huh? That side is something we have to face someday anyway.”

“That may be true….”

Nahun looked at Seere’s expression. She genuinely seemed unconcerned about that side. He was slightly surprised by his disciple’s boldness and gently tousled her hair.

“Right, as you said, it is a wall we will have to overcome someday. We don’t need to be afraid.”

“Yes, of course.”

Seere smiled confidently. Nahun found her brave demeanor so adorable that he couldn’t help but smile.

“Now, let’s hurry back and get some rest. You’re still not fully recovered, are you?”

“Yes~.”

“Ersha, please take care of the aftermath.”

“Understood, Nahun.”

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