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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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“[I am Belphegor… Lord of the Infernal Swamp.]”
His voice, deep and resonant, echoed through the chamber, a heavy weight pressing against my chest.
Belphegor… that’s… not the worst. He’s known for his laziness, his lack of initiative. And this summoning is incomplete. We still have a chance.
My companion, unfazed, analyzed the situation, searching for a way out. But I was terrified.
This is… a greater demon…?
Even in his incomplete form, he radiated an overwhelming power. The demons I had faced before were nothing compared to this. My companion had warned me about the greater demons, their schemes, the inevitable confrontation.
I have to… fight that?
Snap out of it, Amy Parker! You’ll die if you hesitate!
It was impossible. I couldn’t fight him. I was paralyzed by fear.
-Thud.
“Wh-what…?”
River collapsed before me, her face pale, her hands trembling, though she still gripped her sword.
This is bad! Your coat is protecting you, but Seymour is vulnerable! An ordinary human can’t withstand a greater demon’s aura!
His words jolted me back to reality. I couldn’t give in. I wasn’t alone. If I faltered, we would both die. I forced myself to stand.
“[What a… dull place. Summoning me to a cave… Haven’t they learned anything in the past thousand years?]”
Belphegor seemed unimpressed, not even acknowledging our presence. His indifference gave my companion hope.
He’s not interested in fighting. Now’s our chance! Use the hourglass! Even an incomplete summoning is too dangerous! Run!
The hourglass was special. It could bypass even a greater demon’s anti-teleportation wards. Belphegor’s boredom was our opportunity. The hourglass… I could escape.
But then…
What about River?
The hourglass could only transport one person. If I left her here…
It’s a necessary sacrifice…!
I glanced at River.
“…I have to… stand…”
River, who had faced the Devil’s Advocate without flinching, was trembling, unable to stand. I couldn’t leave her.
No… I have one more…
You’re using that now?! It’s a powerful weapon, but it won’t be enough against a greater demon!
‘He’s not fully summoned!’
I had one last resort. I had to act while he was still… distracted. I raised my left pistol.
“Holy Flame of St. MacIntosh…!”
-Whoosh!
White flames erupted from the pistol, engulfing Belphegor. The holy flame, unleashed, poured forth in an unending torrent, dispelling the demonic energy. Even a greater demon couldn’t withstand the holy breath of a dragon. I had to fight, for both our lives.
“Here I come!!!”
I holstered the useless pistol, drawing my mithril greatsword. Aura Blade ignited, enveloping the blade in a brilliant light.
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“[How… unpleasant.]”
The flames vanished.
“Kyaaa!”
A wave of dark energy erupted, scattering the holy flames, sending River and me crashing against the wall. I was bruised, but mobile. River, however, wasn’t moving.
“Ugh… River… are you alright?”
“…”
“No…”
She was unconscious, her head bleeding from the impact.
“[Unpleasant. Dousing me with that filth… after I graced you with my presence.]”
Belphegor emerged from the dissipating flames, slightly singed, but unharmed. The Holy Flame, even with its divine power, wasn’t enough.
“I should have saved it… for him…”
“[Insolent.]”
A black bolt of energy shot from his finger, piercing my left leg.
-Thud!
“Aagh!”
I screamed. I knew showing pain only amused demons, but I couldn’t help it. The black spike wasn’t ordinary. It pulsed with agonizing pain. He could have killed me. He was simply… toying with me, like a child observing ants. He held our lives in his hands, deciding our fate on a whim. The spike remained embedded in my leg.
“Ugh…! I can’t move…”
I had failed. I should have used the hourglass. My companion had been right.
You’re injured, but you’re alive. He’s not even trying to kill you. Now’s your chance! Use the hourglass!
He was right. I could still escape.
But then what?
Survival was victory, but if I ran now, I’d be alone again, without Atlas, without River. Another lonely battle against demons? Was that truly victory?
“No…”
This was my life now. A lonely fight for survival. I would eventually be strong enough to face even a greater demon. My companion had promised me that. But I would still be alone. How long would this continue? Until every demon was eradicated? Could I endure that?
“What’s this…?”
Something warm trickled down my face. I thought it was blood, but it was tears. I hadn’t cried in years. I thought I was numb, but I still clung to… something.
I made my decision. I removed the hourglass and placed it around River’s neck. I turned it. She vanished.
What have you done?! You want to die?!
My companion was shocked. He had every right to be. I had essentially given up my life.
“I’m sorry… I… couldn’t live like that.”
I had been happy at the Academy. I had found something I had lost after the deaths of my friends.
“I’m… scared of being alone…”
Atlas, who had befriended me. River, who had protected me. They had shown me kindness, despite my weakness. Their warmth had been… comforting. I had cherished those moments. And I had regretted Atlas’s transformation.
Could I live with myself if I abandoned River, if I chose to survive alone? Could I bear the emptiness of that morning gathering spot, with no one left to share it with?
“I’d rather die… than survive alone…”
Tears streamed down my face. I wept for my impending death, yet I smiled, knowing River had survived. A confusing mix of emotions.
…Such a… predictable ending.
My companion’s voice was resigned.
I didn’t understand you at all…
Belphegor, looking down at me like an insect, sighed.
“[What a tedious melodrama. I’m bored. Time to leave this place.]”
Black energy coalesced around his finger. My leg, pierced by the black spike, was useless. I was powerless. My life had been a series of choices made by others, but I could choose my own ending. I kept my eyes open. I would remember the face of the demon who killed me. I had killed demons before, but… I had failed.
“Can demons… even die…?”
Yes. All demons have three weaknesses, even greater demons. Remember?
I remembered his first lesson, the three ways to kill a demon, the most important information, etched into my memory.
First, divine power.
Second, pure substances.
And…
“Third…”
“Hey! Hey, hey, hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
A desperate shout echoed through the chamber. Footsteps approached rapidly, then stopped abruptly.
-Thud!
“[Gaaaaaaaaah!!!]”
A flash of light, a blade piercing Belphegor’s side. A brilliant, radiant blade. I had seen it before, the blade that had ended my childhood nightmare. I learned its meaning later. A blade so infused with aura that the metal itself was invisible. Swordsmen called it…
“Ultimate… Aura Blade…”
Belphegor screamed in agony, the blade embedded in his side.
“What the hell did you do to my canary!!!!!!!!”
The one who wielded the blade… was Atlas.
more chapters please