Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Demon King Mismatched School - 01 PDF
Demon King Mismatched School - 01 PDF
– STORY –
After 2000 years has passed, the ruthless demon lord has just
been reincarnated! But his aptitude at an academy for nurturing
candidates for demon lords is, “Inept”!?
The destruction of countries, reducing the spirits forest to ash and even killing the
gods. This was the man feared as the demon king.
The demon king Arnos uttered these words whilst sitting on his throne with his arms
crossed.
With just that a normal human being would be in fear from the power of his words,
however, the people in front of him right now do not have that worry.
The severer of fate, the hero chosen by the holy sword Kanon.
Including Arnos, they control this worlds fate. Four people will be handed down these
names in later times but now they gather in the hall of the demon kings castle
Deruzogedo.
“I understand the story. It’s not a ridiculous condition either. But now, when we are
trying to reconcile?” the hero Kanon said.
“That’s right.”
“Demon king Arnos. How many people have you killed until now?”
No, it doesn’t matter. Even knowing the answer would not make the past disappear.
Both sides killed and those who survived got revenge on those that were killed.
Because they were killed they were avenged and then those that got revenge were
killed for revenge.
Hatred accumulated endlessly for both races and the chain of tragedies accelerated to
a pace that could not be stopped.
Both humans and mazoku are the same in that they hate things different from
themselves.
“After all your brutality do you think you can say those words?”
“What would have happened without my cruelty? If you did not fear the demon king
Arnos you human beings would have calmly slaughtered the mazoku. It was a just
cause. I do not remember even feeling one bit of guilt. I even praised the humans I
killed as heroes.”
With a glint in his eye, the demon king Arnos glared at the hero.
“Kanon. You are a human. Don’t you believe that the world will become peaceful if the
demon king Arnos is defeated?”
“Yes, I do.”
“No. You should actually understand it. Stop being a fool. In the place where the demon
king Arnos was defeated a new fire will be born. Both humans and mazoku. If the other
side is not exterminated the fighting will not end. No…”
Arnos is just talking but he is also a being of immense magical power. Word by word
each one had a compulsion like magic.
“Even if the mazoku perish human beings will just make a new enemy again. Next will
be the spirits that are different to yourselves. If you eradicate the spirits next will be
the gods that made you. And if you defeat the gods you will turn on each other.”
“Certainly, people have weak parts to themselves, however, I want to believe in people.
I want to trust in people’s kindness.”
The hero Kanon is a good person. He knows of humanities ugliness but has the
courage to believe in the goodness of people.
“Then, Kanon. How about trying to believe in the goodness of the demon king Arnos?”
“As I said earlier. Divide the world into four. The world of humans, the demon world,
the spirit world and the world of the gods. Put up a wall between the worlds and don’t
open the doors for a thousand years.”
If the bond disappears for a thousand years the grudges against each other will also
disappear.
“I can change my life force into magical power if you three cooperate and I can activate
the grand magic.”
“So you die for peace? You who are called the demon king.”
“You and the others called me that without permission. I will not die. I will find a handy
container and reincarnate. Though it will be two thousand years before I next wake
up.”
Even though he had suggested it the demon king Arnos could not hide his surprise.
Humans, spirits and gods were shown evidence without any demerit.
The remaining problem was emotion. Hatred stacked on top of hatred, constantly
repeating.
For the first time, the demon king Arnos understood why he is called a hero.
“Thank you.”
“I never thought I’d see a day when the demon king thanked me.”
“And I did not think a day would come when I could thank the hero.”
Their viewpoints are different but they acknowledged the power and strength in each
other’s hearts.
The demon king Arnos stands slowly up from his throne and hold his hands in front
of his eyes.
At that moment countless particles of black light began to rise from the castle.
Many magic letters appeared on the walls, floors, ceilings etc. The words being drawn
are cramped together.
The demon kings castle is a huge magic circle that Arnos had prepared.
First, the grand spirit Reno and then the creation god Militeia turned their palms
towards him and loosed an extremely pure white wave. It was like looking at a star, it
was dazzling. A bundle of infinite magic power.
No matter how much magic power was poured into his body the demon king Arnos
absorbed it all.
The torrent of magic power was intense, crackling and scattering sparks everywhere.
It was loud enough to rupture your ears.
It could not endure the use of the grand magic that was absorbing all the magical
power of the world and the demon kings castle began to collapse.
Kanon kicks the floor and thrusts the holy sword forward. Magic is fed into it and the
blade becomes pure white before piercing through the heart of the demon king Arnos.
“Gofuu…”
Blood drips from the chest of Arnos.
“…Hero Kanon. Thank you once again. If you are also reborn in two thousand years……”
“Farewell.”
Their mouths fall open and their eyes look like they are about to pop out.
“Fumu. Even though it has been two thousand years it was only a moment.”
“Aah, sorry. Is this the first time you’ve seen a baby who reincarnated? I was surprised.
It seems that even in this age childbirth has not changed. My best regards.”
“Ta…”
“Ta…”
“Ta?”
“He talkeeeeeeeeeed!!?”
Arnos floats a look on his face that says, of course a reincarnated baby can talk.
“E…… a… u…”
While he looks himself over and stamps his feet Gusta and Isabella have expressions
of extreme surprise again.
Arnos the reincarnated baby that had used the <growth> crest floated a face that said,
of course it would be natural to use this magic.
A month has passed since I reincarnated.
I’ve spent the time looking into the world that is now two thousand years further on.
It seems the magical arts have degenerated to a much lower level than I thought.
Human’s don’t seem to know about reincarnation <Silica> magic at all. (1)
It was a rather common magic in the age of myths that I had lived in. For high ranking
magic users, reincarnating was not unusual, however, in the present times that age
has been called the era of magic. Reincarnation magic does not seem to be known in
the present age.
I can talk from birth and have magical talent. My parents Gusta and Isabella have
interpreted it that I’m just a very smart baby.
Growth <Crest> is considered an advanced magic in the present era but it is still generally
known about. (2)
two thousand years ago I sowed my own seeds. With magic, I created 7 subordinates
using my own blood and commanded them to have children and expand their
bloodline. I needed a container that contained my blood for a successful reincarnation.
As I expected, over two thousand years the blood of the demon king Arnos did not die
out, however, I did not expect it to mix with humans.
No, thinking about it I suppose that since the mazoku and the humans stopped fighting
its probably natural that those with mixed blood are born.
I guess deep down I thought that the mazoku and the humans were fundamentally
incompatible but after a thousand years of being separated by the walls, their troubles
were diluted and eventually lost.
Humans don’t seem to know much about the mazoku anymore. I asked my parents but
they didn’t know anything either. All they knew was that the mazoku tribe were really
far away on the other side of a wall. They had no further information beyond that.
The demon country, the home of the mazoku is apparently called Deiruheido.
“Hmm?”
I felt the slight flow of magic power and out of the corner of my eye, something caught
my attention.
Moving over to the window I open it and an owl jumps in before dropping a letter in
my hand.
Deruzogedo is the name of my castle. I don’t remember hearing about this demon king
academy.
I guess it was founded sometime during these last two thousand years.
“Deruzogedo is a school to raise the demon emperor. The person who inherited the
traits of the demon king of tyranny. In other words amongst the mazoku we were
founded to find people descended from the imperial family and make them into a fine
demon emperor.”
The demon king of tyranny? What a nostalgic name for myself, although I was
generally just called demon king Arnos during those times but perhaps it’s not bad
having those 2 names handed down.
“The demon king of tyranny was the founder and it is the role of the academy to find
the person closest to the founder and make them the demon emperor. You also carry
the blood of the founder and therefore we invite you to Deruzogedo. We await your
admission into the demon king academy.”
Even if it followed the unique magical signature overflowing from my blood it seems
the familiar cannot look any deeper into the abyss.
At first glance, having reincarnated, the blood of the founder flowing in my body is
diluted. However, if I analyse it carefully with demonic sight I can understand that the
blood has changed into the blood of the demon king Arnos.
“It is said that this is the year that the founder will be reincarnated.”
They knew that. It seems that the year of my rebirth was handed down throughout
the years.
“This year the students planning to enter the demon kings academy are really
promising. They are already called the chaos generation. Amongst them are many
people regarded as the potential founder reborn. Deruzogedo will be filled with joy
when the founder demon king returns.”
I see. The entire purpose of the academy is to look for the reincarnated demon king.
For me.
Should I go then?
This chaos generation of the mazoku. I want to see my descendants with my own eyes.
“We are looking forward to seeing you. You who has inherited the talents of the founder.”
I’ve decided. Strike while the iron is hot. I’ll go to Deruzogedo. It’ll be inconvenient
with this body though.
I use the growth <crest> magic. My body was wrapped in light and grew up to the age
of 16.
This should do.
It’s midnight now. Because both my parents are asleep I won’t have any issue leaving.
“Who!?”
Crap, did you get up? Moreover, in this form, she won’t understand that it’s me.
“Of course I did. Even if you grew up a bit Arnos-chan is still Arnos-chan.”
It’s a bit embarrassing to be called chan when I’m the demon king.
“Where are you going this late at night? It’s dangerous outside.”
Even though I’m a reincarnated being it doesn’t change the fact that I’m her son. Since
I was found I guess I can’t leave silently now.
My mother tilts her head to side showing she doesn’t understand it.
“You, you cant. Such a far-off school? It’s dangerous! Arnos-chan is only a month old.”
My mother doesn’t know anything about my character as the demon king either.
“Also mother cant travel such a distance to Deiruheido. There’s a magic school nearby.
Is that no good?”
“There’s nothing to learn from a magic school. Besides, I’ll be going alone so mother is
safe here.”
“That’s no good. Arnos-chan is only a month old. I can’t let you live alone. What about
money?”
“Eh……? No way…… this…… it’s not a fake made by magic… its real.”
My mother makes her living as an expert appraiser. She very good at judging precious
metals.
“How did you do this Arnos-chan? Such magic. Even the sage at the castle can’t do this.”
Speaking of the sage at the castle, they are a master of magic and compete for the top
spot in the country.
If you couldn’t even use this low-level type of magic back in the age of myths you would
have died but apparently, the world has become very peaceful.
“It’s the most basics of creation magic to produce things that already exist in the world.
The beginners class teaches you to create mithril and orichalcum. For the demon king
Arnos this is mere child play.”
“No matter how great a magic you can use no means no. Also, you shouldn’t call your
own name like that if you are an adult. Okay?”
“There’s no holding a man back from the road he’s decided on.”
“But dear, Arnos-chan is only a month old and I don’t know anything about this school.”
“They say if you don’t see a boy for 3 days they grow. Arnos is already a month old. In
that case, we will have to observe him 10 times more but father doesn’t have eyes that
big.”(3)
Ah, un. It’s been a month. Having lived together for a month with my parents I
understand them. My mother is a worrywart and my dad is a bit of a fool.
“Father knows Arnos. The demon king academy is a school a raises the wizard king
isn’t it? Arnos is so good at magic I’m sure he wants to study there.”
“Is it okay?”
My father nods.
…What?
“It’s the duty of a parent to support their child. You are still young. You are only a
month old after all.”
“It’s Arnos that doesn’t understand. Listen up. Parents are always sad and lonely when
a child leaves home. You are a newborn. We will be very lonely.”
“Yes… you grew up so fast. I didn’t think… sorry. Maybe Arnos-chan is a child given
great power by God and you think your mother is obstructive but I want to be together
a little longer.”
My mother died.
“Alright, its decided! We’ll prepare to move house straight away. Don’t worry about
anything. Father is a blacksmith. No matter where we go we won’t have to worry about
eating!”
(3) The three days thing is part of an old proverb but I couldn’t find a good English
source to explain it better.
Several days later.
My castle was made from a 3d solid magic formation so even after 2000 years it’s still
in good shape. Though in some odd places it is showing it’s age compared to when I
was last alive.
The only thing that’s really changed is that its name has been changed to demon king
academy.
Looking around my surroundings I can see people entering the gate one after another.
Although I said it wasn’t necessary my parents found out about the exam and came
with me to school.
“Un un. Our Arnos-chan is so strong after only a month. He will definitely pass!”
I turn and head off towards the row of mazoku queued up in front of the front gate.
“Good luck, do your best Arnos! Good luck, do your best Arnos!”
Is this what human parents are like? I must admit it doesn’t feel bad at all, just a bit
embarrassing.
Another embarrassing cheer that wasn’t from my father could be heard from behind.
A quick glance showed me a bearded, stern-faced man raising his fists in the air and
yelling.
The blood of the mazoku is mixed but seems quite weak in him. About the same as my
dad maybe? That means he could be a human being as well.
Trudging away from the embarrassing man is an expressionless girl. She’s very pretty
with blue eyes, a straight nose and an innocent facial expression. Long platinum
blonde hair with fluffy ringlets cascades from her head.
She’s wearing robes coloured in black and white. The embroidery and design seem to
be of mazoku origin. If that’s the case perhaps my parents are mazoku and not human
as well. Well, my mother might be mazoku anyway.
“Good luck, do your best Arnos! Good luck, do your best Arnos!”
That girl turns to look at my father and follows his gaze to me.
“Ah…”
“……Nn……”
Is she a poor talker? Taciturn perhaps? Doesn’t seem like she’ll say anything more.
After I spoke I wondered if I had done the right thing. That’s the name of the founder
demon king. On one hand I don’t want to cause a scene but on the other hand, I don’t
see any reason to hide it either.
“……Misha…”
“…Misha Necron……”
I wonder why she didn’t show any interest? Saying that, it’s better this way.
2000 years have passed. I can’t imagine anyone here will be interested in demon king
Arnos.
“……Nn……”
He had swarthy skin, a forged steel like body, short cut white hair and appeared to be
somewhere in his 20’s.
“Ha? Taking the admission test with your parents. When did the demon king academy
become a playground for children?”
“……Oi, is that?”
“Aah… this is bad… They’ve caught the arrogant gaze of Zepes. I wonder if that guy will
keep all his limbs……?”
Putting him aside for the moment, does this queue extend all along the right-hand
side? I’m sure that’s where the arena was.
“……Not really…”
I guess fighting’s not her strong point. Well, since things have become peaceful that’s
fine.
“I’m sorry. Your magical power was so weak I didn’t see you.”
“This one is the Demon duke Zepes Endou and you knowingly insult me?”
“Demon duke……? No, I’ve never heard of you. Are you famous?”
Aah, I see. This nickname must have been born sometime during the last 2000 years.
Zepes glares at me with merciless eyes and makes a fist. Particles of magic power
gather and a magic formation is drawn.
He opened his hand and condensed jet back flame sprang from his palm.
“Wha……!?”
“Were you surprised? Good. Will you beg for your life? I’ll forgive you if you lick my
boots. If not I’ll use this dark flame that can burn even the gods called Demon Fire
<Guresude> and turn that ojou-chans face into a skeleton. Hyahahahahaha!!”
Wha, wha… what type of low-level magic is this? What was the point of drawing five
magic formations to make this demon flame <Guresude>?
Of course I’m surprised. He spoke in such an exaggerated and grand manner yet I’ve
just been shown magic that’s inferior to a child playing with matches.
Despite being my descendant he’s not blessed with magic power at all. Poor chap.
“Fuu.”
“…What… the… Impossible!! That’s impossible!!”
“Why are you surprised? I just blew a match flame out with my breath.”
In the first place, the usage of magic power is fundamentally different between me and
Zepes.
This fellow frantically scrapes together magic power and forcefully uses it. I naturally
have it all around and can spontaneously use it.
If you couldn’t do that in the age of mythology your death was certain.
No, I suppose that the peace at any price mindset has caused the degradation of magic,
however, this could be a good age to live in. Mazoku that were weak can speak in such
a grand manner now.
“Bastard… such an insult… don’t think that you can return alive now.”
“Wait a minute.”
When I spoke, the body of Zepes stiffened like he’d been paralysed.
“…What’s wrong?”
Oh, I see. Magic power is naturally attached to my words so I must have cast compulsion
on him.
To be this easily caught by the power of words. He must have very weak anti-magic
abilities.
“Oh well. Please stand there and reflect for a while.”
“All those things I said… It was not words that should have been spoken when meeting
someone for the first time…… If there is a hole… I want to climb in. How can I apologise
for what I’ve done?”
The voices of the other applicants from earlier were murmuring again.
“Aah, did you see? He extinguished that demon flame. He must be a master at anti-
magic.”
“I’ve never seen his face before. He might be the dark horse of the chaos generation.”
So exaggerated.
I moderated my voice though. Even that fellow should be able to undo my compulsion
in about 10 minutes or so.
I called out to Misha who was waiting for me and we began walking.
“What?”
“…Strong…?”
We passed into the arena where the examination was taking place.
(1) Yare yare is usually translated as something along the lines of ‘oh boy, here we go,
my my’ and so on. It’s an expression of relief or disappointment usually. I didn’t
translate it because I like the sound of it, sorry. Same with Fighto.
The arena has been split into various sections.
An owl is perched on one of the bronze statues of knights that are lined up nearby and
speaks.
“Please line up by the letter that was printed on your invitation card.”
“Misha’s is?”
An owl flies to the end of each line carrying a piece of parchment with a letter on it.
“…Nn…”
Separating from Misha I line up in the F row. It’s a long line but I peer ahead using my
demon eye.
It looks like my turn will take some time. At a rough count, there are about 100 people
ahead of me.
All 7 lines are the same though so there’s about 700 people here.
I know it’s been 2000 years but my decedents have increased well.
After a while, I’m finally at the front of the line looking at the waiting room.
I can’t feel any traces of magic power so I can’t see who it’s master is. They have hidden
themselves well.
It seems there are some decent magic users in this age after all.
“Welcome, please come in. I’ll explain the contents of this practical exam.”
Inviting me and examining me. I can’t judge if the admission for this school is right or
wrong though their first purpose is to find the reincarnated demon king.
This is the first time I reincarnated but reincarnating with your memories intact is
supposed to be quite rare. How aware are they that they are the reincarnation of the
demon king Arnos. The mazoku of now probably have no idea.
If I stepped forward and introduced myself I could finish it. Saying that, it was
arranged for me to come here so it’s only common courtesy that I hear them out first.
“In this practical test, we have students duel each other in the arena. After beating 5
people your magic power is measured, we examine you and if you pass you are
admitted into Deruzogedo. If you lose you will be unable to gain admission.”
Also, by watching the magic that a person uses it is possible to tell if someone is the
founder.
I think that the test is a bit simple but it might be right for this time and place.
“Not really.”
“Well then, I wish you the blessing of the founder.”
I opened the door at the back of the waiting room and proceeded down a dim and long
passageway.
Even though it’s my castle this is the first time I’ve used this corridor. The arena was
originally a place where people fought to show off their skills for combat.
A light appeared as I neared the end of the corridor and I exited out into a round
stadium with high walls.
Above the wall was the spectator seats filled here and there with mazoku.
Looking closer I can see that they are all wearing the same uniform. Are they students
at this school?
Fumu. My partner is a small fry. It will be difficult to prove I’m the founder fighting
him. What should I do?
Without answering I walk forward 3 steps and the passage behind me closes with a
magic barrier.
“Oops. You retreat has been blocked. Are you nervous?” Zepes said in a proud tone of
voice.
“You thought I was thinking of running away? Don’t worry, I won’t kill you so feel at
ease.”
Yare yare. I was being polite but this guy has no manners.
Is he really a fool who can’t tell the difference in our power?
“Let me tell you I won’t go easy on you. I’ll change your proud face into a soggy, tearful
face full of horror then I’ll kill you.”
I glare at Zepes.
Power can be put into words but it didn’t effect Zepes this time.
The dull coloured armour he was wearing flashed anti-magic formations across its
surface.
“Hou, I won’t eat from that hand anymore. This armour contains the power to block
any magic cast at it.”
I see. Because he relies on that armour his own personal anti-magic power is weak.
“All weapons, armour and spells are allowed. Victory or defeat leads to death for
someone but you can give up and I’ll determine the winner.”
Zepes immediately whips out the sword that was hanging from his waist. The blade
was burning brightly.
“Are you surprised? demon sword Zefried. A sword born from an ancient fire that’s
been passed down through the Endou family. It will amplify my magic power tenfold.
You seem to be good at anti-magic but the flame of this sword cannot be erased.”
“Bastard!”
Zepes kicks the ground and in the next moment appears in front of me putting me in
range of Zefried.
“Die.”
If I had a sword I’d have done 100 slashes by now. Well, adults should pay attention to
children when they are playing.
Oh, it came.
The weapon aside, he’s no sword master so I have no real need to avoid it.
The demon sword Zefried was swung in a horizontal flash and was about to connect
with my neck when I absentmindedly looked properly at the sword for the first time.
That was dangerous. Several more millimetres and it would have connected with the
weak anti-magic field I always have active on myself. It would have snapped the sword
in half.
It’s the Endou family’s treasure that’s been passed down through the generations.
Even though its blunt I don’t want to break such an important item of theirs. Truly a
pang of conscience.
However.
“Is that a demon sword?”
“Indeed. Is this the first time you’ve seen one? It’s different from modern magic. It’s
true magic. It’s an old sword from the time of the gods. Demon sword Zefried!”
If I had to compare it to the time of the gods just pick up any old stick from the ground
and it would have more magic power than this.
If you were told that this is a product from the time of the gods you got a fake.
A true demon sword has its own will and such vast power that even it’s user would be
ruined eventually.
The words demon sword are being used too carelessly as well.
“Fuu.”
I blow and the fire from the demon sword Zefried goes out.
“Geh, Geeeeeeeeh!?”
A wordless scream comes from Zepes and a surprised voice leaks out from the
spectators.
“I can’t believe it. That person erased the flame from Zefried!”
“That old flame is said to not disappear until the end of the world. Also, I didn’t see the
activation of any magic!!”
“What? I just blew it out. With the amount of power hidden in that sword, it should
reignite itself in a couple of years.”
Fumu. That armour will break if I simply pat it though that would be a bit childish on
my part.
“No, but I do have an interesting proposal. In the first place, it’s wrong that we are
fighting over the same viewpoint.”
“I’ll give you a handicap. I will not move a single step from here. I won’t use magic and
I won’t empower my words or breath with magic. I won’t move my limbs and I won’t
even use my eyes or hair. I’ll defeat you without even blinking.”
“Ha! There should be a limit to bluffing. Is that your excuse for when you lose?
Apparently, your magic really isn’t suited for battle. Ha…”
“It’s a heartbeat.”
Magic power was infused in the beating and the sound shook Zepes violently. Even
though its an anti-demon armour its not a particularly good item. There are a number
of gaps in the anti-magic formations. My heartbeat passed through them.
“Ka… ha……”
With blood seeping out from his whole body Zepes fell to his knees and then fell
forward.
“Fumu. I give up. So weak. If I get excited my heartbeat will kill everyone.”
I turn around to leave but a voice calls out from behind.
“…Wait… bastard…”
Zepes tries to unsteadily get up but his body is too wounded so he crawls on the
ground.
“Ha. To inherit the blood of the founder but not being able to deliver the finishing blow
to an enemy…… to think such a thing is to bring disgrace to this demon king tribe…”
Does the demon king tribe mean they inherited the blood of the demon king?
“Kill me.”
“Ha! You can’t do it, can you? Then you fail. Try to make me give up if you can. Even if
I die, I won’t give up!!”
“I know what you’re thinking. You’ll use compulsion magic on me. That’s fine. Try it. I
won’t give up!! Haahaahaa… fuhahahahah!! Gah!”
I stamp on Zepes’ head pushing his face into the stone floor.
“Yare yare. You’re too full of yourself. Such an odd sense of superiority you’ve got.”
“If I don’t use compulsion magic I can’t make you give up was it?”
“Hmm. You’re pretty amusing. Very well. It’s my victory if I make you give up without
using compulsion magic and you win if I cant.”
“Haaa? You sure? You sure do talk big. Even if I die I won’t give up!”
If I can make Zepes give up without using compulsion I win and if not he wins is
written down.
Contract <Zekt> is absolute. The contract is signed with the users magic power. It is
impossible to change the contract.
“You’re an idiot. No matter how much you hurt me I won’t give up. At best I’ll feel sorry
for you. Hyahahahahaha!”
“Gah…”
I cut the tip of my index finger with my nail and let a single drop of blood fall.
“He brought the dead back to life! Such magic surpasses common sense!!”
Why are they surprised? The spectators are getting noisy over Zepes being revived. If
I couldn’t use this magic, death would really mean death.
“Wha… I……”
“Oops, I killed him again. Oh well. As long as it’s within 3 seconds, Resurrection
<Ingaru> can bring him back without any risk. It’s the 3-second rule.”
I’m following the 3 seconds rule where it’s safe to kill someone. This was a common
joke during the age of myths. They don’t seem amused.
As expected after 2000 years of change. Has humour changed as well? Actually,
looking closer, everyone looks terrified. Is my joke that bad?
Hmm. I’ll have to restrain my jokes until I understand this ages humour.
“Haa…!”
Resurrection <Ingaru>. After reviving again Zepes look at me with a face filled with
fear.
Is he starting to feel it? This much shouldn’t become a trauma for him.
“You said you wouldn’t give up even if you died. Surely you didn’t think your life would
end with only one death?”
“Well then. Shall I ask you again? Do you want to give up?”
A hopeless expression floats across Zepes’ face for an instant, however, a weak voice
comes out.
Again Zepes’ body is rebuilt. He’s watching me with a fear stained face now.
“By the way, Resurrection <Ingaru> magic has an interesting philosophy behind it.
After you revive are you the original or are you a copy of the original with the same
personality and memories? Could you be a completely new person? What do you
think?”
A sound of chattering teeth can be heard from Zepes shaking lips. His face is completely
pale.
“What’s this? You said something so modest all of a sudden. Being dead doesn’t really
mean death you know.”
“Oops.”
Crap. My finger slipped and I killed him by mistake. He was trying to say something as
well.
“Oh. You seem a lot better now. Well then, one more time.”
I bring my finger to Zepes forehead again and his eyes immediately lose all colour and
shine.
“…Please wait…”
“What is it?”
“I……”
“You didn’t last long playing our game. I was intending to kill you at least 10,000
times.”
I crack this little joke with a smile to show there’s no hostility but Zepes trembles like
I’ve just threatened him.
“……To overwhelming… who is that guy? I’ve never seen his face before.”
Somethings strange though. My name has been declared which is the same as the
demon king Arnos, but nobody is reacting at all.
Have a lot of foolish people taken the name of the demon king in the past so nobody
thinks anything of it anymore?
It would be troublesome if I became too famous but I also want to prove my abilities.
I hold out my hand to Zepes and praise him but his body twitches and shakes like he’s
frightened.
Zepes runs off while shouting out a line an underling would say.
Fumu. Once a match is over there should be no grudge. What’s he so angry about?
He certainly failed because of me but I didn’t kill him. Can’t he just try again next year?
He will return home healthy and come back to fight me again. During the age of myth,
many mazoku found happiness and shed tears of gratitude in this place.
“Unnecessary.”
I don’t need a 10-minute break. That last fight wasn’t even a warm up. I’ll actually get
tired from so much free time.
I’ve got another 4 people to beat. I hope they are not all small fry.
At that moment I sense a flow of magic power from the passageway that Zepes escaped
down.
“Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
A scream echoes from the passageway then a long haired mazoku appears. His brow
is wrinkled and he has a nervous look on his face. Then the source of the scream
becomes apparent. He’s dragging Zepes along by his throat.
“Eld, elder brother…… I was wrong…… please forgive me. Next time I’ll definitely……”
“Shameless.”
The long-haired mazoku crushes Zepes throat. Magical particles gather and black
lighting burns Zepes’ whole body.
“Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
The long-haired mazoku throws him away like garbage and walks towards me.
“To be defeated by a mongrel. He’s bought shame on our bloodline. Helping him to die
is the only sympathy I can offer.”
Am I the mongrel?
Oh well. No point getting upset. I suppose I am a mongrel but since I’m descended
from myself isn’t that fine?
It’s actually quite funny. I feel like a mother watching the fight between two sons.
Yare yare. Who’s the naive one here? I don’t want to spoil their fun though. What I will
say though is killing your own allies is stupid. If you did this in the age of myths you
wouldn’t live long.
“What a boring sense of justice you have using such grand magic like resurrection
<Ingaru> just to make someone give up. Everything is settled if you kill them.”
I see. Over there? Seats in the third row have mazoku not wearing a uniform. Are they
also examinee’s. Is my next opponent there?
It doesn’t make sense. I was in row F but I passed straight through into the arena and
started my practical test suddenly. I didn’t have a chance to go into the audience seats.
“Apparently you don’t know. We demon king tribe are purebloods. We are royalty and
as such we can choose our opponents. We are treated differently to you mongrels who
have the founder’s blood mixed in.”
Fumu. That letter on the invitation must have classified us on how much our blood
was mixed. I don’t know who came up with it but it’s hilarious.
My power doesn’t care how mixed your blood is. It’s completely unrelated to how
much you inherit.
Why would they do something so stupid? It’s like trying to kill me before I reincarnated.
In the first place, the idea that pure blood is strong and mixed is weak is fundamentally
flawed. A single drop of demon king blood is all that is required.
I’m absolutely amazed that something this simple hasn’t been realised.
“No, not really. I couldn’t care less about such stupid things.”
“Yeah, stupid. Because he was strong he was called the demon king by others without
his permission. Pureblood? His position? Ha. Don’t make me laugh.”
“I don’t care that a privileged class was made particularly. Such a thing has existed in
all ages, however, the demon king is someone who surpasses all laws and authority by
their own power and forces other to acknowledge it. It’s not to be passed down as a
privilege to the offspring.”
The long-haired mazoku’s eyes were now thirsting for blood at the way I was talking.
“You words this day, disregarding the founder’s great exploits and criticising the
royalty means your death. This great demon emperor Liorg Endou will put you to
death.”
“…What?”
“That disrespectful attitude to declare yourself the founder. Die 10,000 times!!”
“I don’t get it. Your thinking is that the demon king will reincarnate but will be an idiot
that doesn’t understand who they are?”
“Shut up! To doubt the 7 royal demon families is a grave sin!!” (1)
The 7 royal demon families. Another strange alias came out. I’d better look it up.
“What you are saying is lacking any ground but I don’t blame you because the demon
king is not something that is proven by words.”
“It’s fine. Let’s make it quick. I’ll teach your body that I’m the founder.”
I provoked him and wondered if he’d jump at me right away but unexpectedly he
looked up at the spectator’s seats.
“Show this guy what happens to people who criticise the royalty.”
As he speaks 3 mazoku get up from the seats and jump into the arena.
“Fumu. Is that okay? Should you do this in the middle of an entrance exam?”
“Have you lost your nerve? This is a respected entrance exam. It will be a pain to have
to defeat them one by one. Let’s just save the time and effort. Perhaps this will prove
who the founder is.”
The owl referee flying overhead doesn’t point out that this is a rule violation.
I see. This must also be one of their privileges. I guess the power of the royalty means
I can only pass by such means.
“About these 4 people”
“It’s too late now. Just regret your own remarks and die.”
“What?”
“I’m saying that these 4 small fry are not enough to prove I’m the founder. Get everyone
to come down here and line them up.”
“Bastard……”
Liorg didn’t even need to order it. The mazoku watching started jumping down one
after the other.
Liorg started to frown then appeared to change his mind and laughed.
“Even though you are an outrageous person who pretends to be the founder if we one-
sidedly destroy you the royal families name will be tarnished. We won’t do anything
for 10 seconds so use that time wisely and prepare a powerful magic.”
“Hou. You gained a very big mouth as your number of allies increased. You shouldn’t
look down on people.”
Though he was raging a little while ago Liorg was now laughing. Is it because he’s got
numerical superiority?
“Do you have time to talk? Several seconds have already passed.”
Liorg was talking like he’d already won. I had to laugh.
“Kuukuukuu. Hahaha.”
After being told Liorg finally see’s the flow of magic power as he puts magic into his
eyes. As soon as he did he was taken aback.
Has he finally noticed that his own magical power was running out of control?
“This fellow… 80 people from the royal families… at the same time…!!”
“Wha, what did you do? What the hell did you do!!”
“Hey. You’d better take control of your magic power quickly. Otherwise…”
The faces of the mazoku surrounding me became a deep blue. They are desperately
trying to control their magic power but they are too late.
“You’ll die.”
At that moment a loud noise rings out. The 80 people that jumped down into the arena
exploded like a powder magazine that had been set on fire. (2)
(1) This is subject to change. 7 royal demon families is a very literal translation and
I’m not sure it sounds right in English. The author uses 七魔皇族 and the furigana し
ちまこうぞく so 7, demon and Imperial family/royalty. I wondered if “the 7 imperial
families” sounded better. Yes, it omits the demon part but we know that anyway.
Possibly could also go with “the 7 demon emperor families.” Let me know what you
think.
However, I think I can tentatively say that they are all still alive for the time being. I
expressly warned them. It’s so sad that these people are my direct descendants yet
they are on the verge of death.
His right arm is dyed red. If he’s not careful that arm will be useless for the rest of his
life.
On the plus side, he’s less wounded that I thought he would be. He must have judged
that he wouldn’t be in time to stop it so he sent all the power to his right arm.
“What? I only threatened you a little. Your core, your source of power was scared of
me and went wild.”
“What a joke…”
It’s actually the truth but Liorg doesn’t seem to believe me.
To begin with, magic is created from the core of our being, our root if you will. If the
core is altered or scared, the magic produced by it can go out of control.
“Well, whatever. Care to admit that I’m the founder? Even a little?”
Should I praise him that he can still show such great hostility towards me or should I
admonish him that he’s that stupid he can’t tell the ability of his opponent?
“I see. However, the fact is that I’m perfectly fine and you are not. I am closer to the
founder than you.”
“Sealing magic, compulsion magic, recovery magic, magic of an unknown origin that
causes other powers to run wild. There’s no way to handle multiple magics’ at such a
high level. You are using a special tool to use your magic.”
“Yare yare. Did you see me come with a magic tool or use one? I understand that you
don’t want to admit my ability but your argument is hilarious.”
“Mongrel……”
Where’s this obsession with pure blood come from? It wasn’t like this 2000 years ago.
“I am royalty. It’s ridiculous to fall behind a mongrel. Defeat is not permitted even if I
die!”
Liorg thrust out his mostly dead right arm and a magic formation appears.
That is………?
“I’ll let you see it. The difference between you and me. The origin magic that is only
conveyed to royalty.”
“You should be sorry. This origin magic is a forbidden spell. It’s over for you.”
Black lightning gathers and crackles on Liorgs right hand. It increases and soon covers
a 1-meter radius. The radius doubles and the black lightning increases in power.
Intense sparks scatter as the lightning and the barriers react to each other.
“Do you understand? This is genuine magic that cannot be imitated by you mongrels.”
After speaking in a haughty tone Liorg raises his right arm to the sky, aimed and swang
it down with all his might.
The black lightning swells several hundred times, gathers like a typhoon or whirlpool
and blows everything up in the stadium.
*thud thud thud* fragments from the spectator gallery come raining down while a
cloud of smoke billows up. The figure of Liorg emerges from the debris.
His magical power is almost exhausted but he seemed to have escaped death somehow.
In the next moment, he looked up and saw me. A surprised expression appeared on
his face.
“Magical power dwells in old things and origin magic is a magic that borrows its power
from a source with greater magical power than yourself.”
Liorg is astonished.
It’s hardly a secret. I developed it after all. Of course I’d know about it.
“If you deal with origin magic it’s the standard strategy to borrow the power from an
old existence with more powerful magic. However, the older it is the more uncertain
its existence becomes and the control to borrow its power becomes increasingly
difficult. This is why it becomes unmanageable to borrow vast amounts of magic
power.”
In short, to use origin magic you must clearly know the existence that you are
borrowing power from, however, the older it gets the more information is lost about
it and eventually what is known about it will be different from the original thing.
You should try to borrow power from an existence that is reliable even if its old. It’s
common to use famous legends or folklore. Also if the object has an affinity with you
the success rate of origin magic rises as well.
To use <Jirasudo> this time that fellow used magic power deeply related to him. An
owner of huge magical power that even killed gods 2000 years ago.
He borrowed power from the Demon King of Tyranny Arnos Voldigod otherwise
known as me.
Certainly, to use origin magic in this age they will struggle to find a suitable origin.
However
“I’m sorry but when you use origin magic the item you are borrowing the power from
cannot be affected by it. Did you not know that?”
To me the difference is so little it’s basically the same, however, I’ll give him a bit of a
good evaluation due to his enthusiasm to risk his life using origin magic.
I’ll teach him what a magic battle is all about. He’s nothing but a sapling in my eyes but
I’ll favour him a bit. Is this parental affection on my part as the founder?
“Though you are very inexperienced it was pretty good of you to stake your life on it.
In consideration of that, I’ll give you one chance.”
“A…… chance……?”
I put my hand in the centre of the formation, grasp something and strongly pull it up.
Zepes’ body appears in the formation but it’s not Ingaru this time. The meat is too
rotten for that.
“What… this magic…? What’s this ominous magic power? What the hell is this?”
“Is this the first time you’ve seen it? This is Decaying Death <Iglum>. Put simply, it
resurrects the dead person as a zombie.”
“Impossible… it’s moving… it’s moving like its alive?! Such magic…… you monster!”
“Noisy!!”
The demon lightning was wrapped up in black flame as it approached Zepes. His
Demon Flame <Guresude> burnt it out completely.
“That’s due to <Iglum>. Those who are resurrected by it gain great magical power. As
compensation for receiving those powers, they burn with the hatred they had when
killed and are tormented by the pain of their wounds which will never heal.”
His pride as a pureblood would not let him live with the disgrace of being hurt by his
younger brother who he looked down on.
“Unfortunately my tastes are not that bad. I told you I’d give you a chance.”
“I’ve already told you that your idea of power is misplaced. You killed Zepes because
you thought him useless and weak but now he’s stronger than you as a zombie. First
off, amend your idea about your brother being useless.”
“Do I have to explain everything to you? Accept your younger brother, combine your
powers and face me.”
“Wh… what…!?”
He looks very surprised. It seems Liorg didn’t know that you can combine powers so
he would never even have thought about relying on his younger brother.
He must only have seen him as an enemy that was now a zombie.
“Bullshit! You said that those that became zombies burned with hatred for when they
were killed and suffer unending pain!! There’s no way this thing is sane!”
“Aah, that’s true. It’s a never-ending hell. It would be better if you died, however-”
“…Wh……!?”
“Show it. Show me the bond between you brothers. Match your powers and come at
me.”
“Bastard… are you serious? Rather than living as a zombie, the best thing I can do for
him is to kill him.”
“That’s just running away and making it easier for yourself. Believe in it. Your brothers’
bond. Forget your positions, forget younger and older and just accept it.”
While muttering in a trance Zepes summons a jet black flame in his hand.
“Aaaaaaaah… aaaaaaaaaah… pain… pain… pain… kill… kill… I’ll kill you!”
<Guresude> burns even hotter as Zepes grudge intensifies. Pretty sure Liorg is dead if
that hits him.
“How naive! Then now is the time to get along. Clear away your feeling and hatred.
Now, call it. Call your younger brothers name. I suggest you be quick and honest
because if you fail to show your bond you will die!”
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!”
<Guresude> has now turned into a huge fireball. It’s going to be released at Liorg any
time now.
I know it though. Their bond of brotherhood is strong. In the age of myths, mazoku
would do this if one sibling died so they could carry on protecting the other one as a
zombie.
In the current age, the mazoku have become weak. Magic has degenerated and become
weak, however, a brothers bond is something that will not change with time.
“Uaaaaaaargh!! Zepeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!”
<Guresude> flies straight towards Liorg and envelopes him in black flames.
“Guahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”
“Hmmm”
What’s happened to the bond between brothers in this era?
“The practical exam is complete. Arnos Voldigod has passed. Please move on to the
mirror room.” The owl’s voice calls down from the sky.
After confirming that the barrier has gone I retrace my steps to the entrance where I
came in.
I use resurrection <Ingaru> to undo his zombie state and bring Liorg back as well.
“Good grief. You actually killed each other. You became a zombie and lost all reason.
You’re a troublesome pair.”
Liorg and Zepes watch me like they want to say something but nothing comes out. I
guess they don’t have a valid argument.
“See you. Come again when you get stronger. I’ll play with you anytime.”
It’s a room with a great number of full-length large mirrors installed in it.
There’s already a number of mazoku in there. About a 100 I’d say. Presumably, all
people who have passed the practical exam.
“Yo Misha.”
The girl turns around with her long platinum blonde hair shaking gently.
“Although you said you were not good at fighting you seem to have broken through the
practical test.”
“…By chance…”
I’ve got the vague feeling that this was explained but I wasn’t interested so I didn’t
listen.
“If you pass the practical exam you are admitted. All that’s left is magic power
measurement and an aptitude test.”
I look around but everyone’s state is odd. Nobody will make eye contact with me.
I see.
“If you know that were you in the audience seats Misha?”
With her usual expressionless look, Misha shook her head from side to side.
All the mirrors in this room project images from all around Deruzogedo so Misha
watched my match from here.
“I don’t get it. Why are they frightened of <Iglum>? It’s not much of a spell really.”
“……Is it bad?”
“………”
I need to correct this to avoid being labelled as a brutal demon. Some lies will be
unavoidable.
I’ve only just reincarnated so I don’t understand the values of this age.
“…Got it…”
“Normal.”
It’s hard to imagine what exactly could scare Misha. Though she seems absentminded
she’s not timid.
“We will now be performing the magic power measurement. Please line up before the
magic crystals. After you are done please move to the next room for the aptitude test.”
In the age of myths, there was no way to measure magic power. It seems like not
everything has degraded. Some things have moved forward.
The other examinees seem to know the place as well. Several lines begin to form.
The magic crystal is a huge purple crystal paired up with a large mirror.
When you touch the crystal it reads your magic and displays the number on the mirror.
[126]
[218]
[98]
[145]
The owl sits in front of the mirror and reads out the numbers.
To be able to turn into numbers something that I could only tell through my senses
before. This is truly a convenient age.
It only takes several seconds to get a reading. Soon enough it was Misha’s turn.
“……Same result……”
“…Nn…”
Touching the crystal her power is displayed after several seconds.
[100246]
Instinctively I was impressed. It was only 3 digit figures until now but Misha is in the
hundred thousands. She’s got even more talent for magic than I thought.
After praising her a little she became a bit shy and looked down.
“Aah.”
I touched the magic crystal. This is my first experience of having my magic power
measured. I wonder what it will be?
Perhaps it will exceed a hundred million? If that’s the case then the people of this age
have severely dulled.
[0]
As the owl speaks a noise rings out and the crystal breaks into pieces.
That would mean that I would be unable to use magic at all. That should be easy to
understand but the owl said.
“What’s wrong?”
“What?”
Oh, I see.
I use my demon eyes on the broken crystal fragments. After analysing its structure it
seems that it enlarges in response to the power of the person touching it. The volume
that it has enlarged by is then measured and converted into a numerical value.
I exceeded its limit causing an intense magic reaction which led to it shattering.
Though it is a convenient thing it’s not possible to use it to measure my power.
“Impossible.”
“Why?”
“It broke.”
My magic power was too strong causing the crystal to break but other people won’t
understand this.
Also, all decisions have been left to these familiars, but they can only act as instructed.
There’s no way the familiar would know what to do when it broke.
The fact that it broke and that an impossible reading of 0 was given was irrelevant.
“Some people will understand what it means but even so it’s still supposed to be
almost impossible.”
If I’m being fair, I suppose they would never have guessed that someone with enough
power to break the crystal would turn up for the entrance exam.
On the other hand the story of the founder demon king reincarnating has been passed
down. Also, Misha said it was the first time she’d seen it. My breaking it may actually
count for something.
Another thing I’ve found out is that the demon eyes of the current mazoku are also
weak.
If they had even a bit of talent anyone looking at the crystal using their demon eyes
could have seen what happened.
Has the thought not occurred to anyone that the demon king Arnos would be outside
of the standards of magic power?
I’m probably being a bit childish getting obsessed over these numbers.
“You’re welcome.”
“Do we need to go to that room over there now?”
After entering the room an owl perched on a stone statue opens its mouth.
“Please stand in the centre of the magic formation to start the aptitude test.”
A large number of magic formations are drawn on the floor with students standing in
them taking the test.
“……Well then……”
“Ou. Later.”
I also find a suitable circle and stand inside. As soon as I have a voice echoes in my
head.
“In this aptitude test, we measure your thoughts against the cruelty of the demon king.
In addition, we perform a simple test on your knowledge of the demon king. We are
reading your thoughts so cheating will not be permitted.”
“Then let’s begin. It is said to be wrong to call the name of the demon king but please
state the demon kings name.”
No need to think this one through. It’s Arnos Voldigod.
“In the age of myth, the founder destroyed Deiruheido using Flame Prison
Annihilation Cannon <Geo Greys>. As a result, all of Deiruheido was burnt to the
ground and many mazoku lives were lost. Why did he perform such an act of violence?
What were the founder’s feelings at the time?”
The answer to why I used <Geo Greys> on Deiruheido was that I was half-asleep.
At that time I was in the middle of a long battle with the hero Kanon.
I wanted to sleep but I couldn’t relax for even a moment. I had to be in a state constant
battle readiness.
Thanks to that I fell into a half-sleep state and thought I was fighting Kanon and used
<Geo Greys> by accident.
This question is slightly wrong however. Certainly, Deiruheido turned into scorched
earth but not a single mazoku died.
Even though I was half-asleep my magic control was still perfect. I turned the country
into ash but made it so the mazoku were not affected by the spell.
If you can’t even do that much then you are not worthy of being called the demon king.
“You defy mass murder even though that was the creed of the founder. Describe why
this was the correct reason for the demon king.”
A trick question. A person who defies mass murder. I don’t remember ever making
mass murder my creed. If I don’t have to kill someone I won’t, however, in that age
helping people usually involved killing. That was the only reason.
And so the aptitude test continues, however, all the questions are about me. Naturally,
I know the answers so I answer without any hesitation.
30 minutes later the aptitude test is finished and I leave the room.
I half listen to the owl explaining about the admission on my way back.
Passing through the mirror room I go outside and find Misha standing there.
“……I waited……”
“For me?”
“Sorry. Is the day over now we’ve done the aptitude test?”
“……Nn……”
She took the trouble to wait so it would be awkward to leave now. I can’t do something
like that.
“Well then, as a celebration for passing do you want to go out and have some fun?”
“With me?”
“Yeah.”
“That okay?”
“If you’ve got some business to take care of don’t worry about it.”
“…I’ll go……”
“Really? Okay then, do you want to come to my house first? I’m sure my mother is
making a feast and waiting.”
“Like this?”
Flight <Fures> like the name implies it allows you to fly. It’s pretty easy to use but
there’s a better magic for moving around.
“Understood.”
A magic circle is drawn on the ground and the scenery in front of us is dyed a pure
white. The next moment a blacksmith and appraisers shop called [Solar Wind]
appears before us.
It’s a wooden house with the 2nd floor being our living area.
I say this but Misha is still staring at the signboard in front of us.
Her face hasn’t changed but it appears like she’s surprised somehow.
“…Magic?……”
“Yeah, Transfer <Gatom>. A very brief explanation is that it connects two spaces and
allows for instantaneous movement.”
Misha closes her mouth then opens it again and mutters some words.
“…Lost magic……”
“What is it?”
“It’s a magic that no one knows how to use anymore. It was lost back in the age of
myths.”
I see. Magic seems to have degenerated more than I thought over the last 2000 years.
Though it’s existence is known those who can use it have disappeared.
I can sort of understand it though. <Gatom> is a magic that I created and even in the
age of myths, those that could use it were few.
“…Arnos is a genius…?”
“…Serious…”
“No no, I’m sorry. It’s a bit embarrassing being called a genius for just this much.”
I won’t deny I’m a genius though. Anyway, I only want to be told this when I use magic
no one else can use.
“I am proof. This is my power but the people in this time have weak demon eyes and
don’t have the ability to stare into the abyss that is my power.”
Originally the demon king proved his existence by power but in this era, they are
obsessed with pure blood, royalty and other superficial things.
If Misha can’t see it then pretty much everyone else will have no idea.
If I press it any more than this it will become an annoyance for her.
“…Nn…”
“I passed.”
Yare yare. She wasn’t the one that passed so how can she get so much pleasure from
this?
There are more luxurious things and my aides used to tell me all the time to eat foods
more befitting of a demon king. It can’t be helped though. I like what I like.
When I used to ask what a demon king should eat I used to get the frightening answer
back of [humans].
They used to get loud saying that the demon king eating gratin was setting a bad
example for others. Idiots.
Demon King is the name of the person who can be as selfish as they want.
“Fufu, got it. Arnos-chan loves mushroom gratin. I knew you’d say that so I prepared
it in advance.”
I turn around and introduce Misha who was hiding behind my back.
For some reason, my mothers got a surprised expression on her face and put her hand
to her mouth.
“No, sorry about this. Hey, mother stop jumping to misleading conclusions.”
“…I see……”
“It’s fine, it’s fine Arnos-chan. Arnos-chan’s happiness is my happiness. Mother does
not object……” she says in tears before wiping the corner of her eyes.
What on earth is going on in your head mother? What delusions are running around
in there? I’m afraid to hear the answer.
“Looking back I remember that you were just born the other day.”
“Pappa knew that this day would come but the time still feels a little short.”
My father has a full smile on his face and my mother is filled with tears again.
“Yeah…”
“Alright, it’s decided. Let’s start cooking right away. C’mon Isabella smile, smile.”
“Un, you’re right. On Arnos-chan’s happy day mother shouldn’t cry. It’s okay, let’s laugh
properly!”
“Aah, it’s alright Arnos. You don’t have to help today. Papa will help.”
My father starts pushing my back to make me go up the stairs to the second floor
where my room is.
Once we are in my room my dad closes the door but just before he shuts it his face
tightens.
“Listen up Arnos. The cooking will take about 2 hours. Even if you let out a loud voice
your mom won’t hear it so do a good job.” (1)
My father then closes the door and just as it closes he says in an indecent voice.
“I’m sorry Misha. I’ll talk to them later when they’ve calmed down.”
“…Nn…”
Though not scary it was uncomfortable but Misha’s not bothered by this situation
either.
“…Empty room……”
Oh yeah, I remember the human who was seeing Misha off this morning.
“…Different…”
Misha nods.
“…Busy…”
“…Gentle…”
“Me?”
“No no, sorry. It’s just the first time I’ve been called that.”
“…Why is that…?”
“Well……”
I look back on my past life.
“For the sake of bringing about this world you now live in I was an oni, a demon, a
heretic, what colour is your blood? I was them all.”
“Me? No way.”
Though it was under the pressure of necessity if anything I’d say I was rewarded.
“I was tormenting them as well. In what way am I gentle? Anyway, it seems that my
care was unnecessary for those two.”
That guy Zepes did his best to turn his brother to cinders.
“……It’s a result…”
“It is?”
Misha nods
“…Arnos is gentle…”
They were completely unexpected words but it didn’t feel bad at all.
“…Older sister…”
“…Worry…?”
“Aah, a little.”
“…Gentle…”
I thought she might tell me about her older sister but Misha just smiled a little.
While waiting for the cooking to be done we chatted about random things.
Dinner was finally ready so Misha and I moved to the living room.
Luxurious dishes were lined up on the table as well as the mushroom gratin which is
my favourite.
“Now then, eat up” my mother said setting down a large platter full of mushroom gratin
before serving it out onto smaller plates.
Kuu, this savoury smell is unbearable. I’m ready to start drooling at any moment.
“…Nn…”
I’m not bragging but my mother’s food is delicious. I cannot remember eating any food
that was this good back in the age of myths.
In a peaceful world where magic has degraded cooking seems to have evolved. This
was the conclusion I had arrived at after eating my mothers cooking for the last month.
“This is…?”
Eryngii, Porcini and one I don’t know. It’s always only one type of mushroom!
“Uuh……!!”
Delicious…
The creamy flavour spreads through my mouth with a slight hint of salt. The rich tastes
condensed tightly and fell into my stomach.
“Fufu. Though Arnos-chan grew so big right away your face is still like a child when
eating.”
My mother said such a thing while I was in a trance eating the gratin.
*Cough**cough**cough*
I was careless. The surprise made the gratin go down the wrong way.
To make me, the one called the demon king lose his calm. My mother’s gratin has
terrible power.
What being can oppose me in this era? My mother apparently.
“……His kindness……”
“Right, that’s right! Arnos-chan is so gentle! Arnos-chan was going to come to Deiruheido
by himself but knowing I would be lonely we all came together!!”
Fumu. I see. Is this what’s called a doting parent? It’s my first time experiencing it. It’s
quite embarrassing.
“……Filial piety……”
All right. Right here and now lets lightly correct this.
My mother came back with some more gratin and I started to devour it.
“And with that sorted. How did your love with Arnos-chan begin Misha-chan?”
Good grief.
“Kyaaaaaaa! Very good!! Arnos-chan if girls are told such a thing they will fall in one
shot.”
How is that cool? Trying to talk to my mother at the moment seems pointless. Let’s
look for another opening.
Besides, there’s still some gratin left. I have to eat it while it’s still hot.
“……Nn……”
“Mouuuuu! Telepathy! Perfect affinity right from the beginning! Fated love…”
My mother is now in her own world with an entranced expression on her face and
does not appear to be coming out of it any time soon.
“Then, then… have you… you know… two people… have you kissed?”
Alright. This is the question I need. I can explain the truth with this. If you’ve never
kissed how can you be lovers?
“……We haven’t…”
“……1 month……?”
“That’s right. Are you surprised? Arnos-chan’s really smart. He could talk as soon as
he was born. He could use magic too. He grew big using Growth <Crest>.”
Even amongst mazoku, those that can use magic in their first month are quite rare. In
other words, it’s another piece of proof that I’m the reincarnated demon lord.
It will still take more than that to make people believe though. Resurrection magic
wasn’t something only the demon lord could use after all.
“…Eh? possibly? Misha-chan… are you worried about the age difference?”
“Is that so? My husband is also younger. It’s a good thing. Arnos-chan is so cute.”
“…Cute…?”
“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! Nee nee, just now I heard it, I did [cute] and [don’t look at me
with such eyes]. You said it! Middle-aged couple? Are you a middle-aged coupleeeeeee!?”
My mothers incredibly excited while my dad is sitting there silently drinking his sake
while nodding to my mother and staring off into the distance.
I had hoped that my mother would calm down soon but she’s getting even more
excited. She hasn’t stopped to draw breath so I’ve had no chance to correct her about
Misha.
Before anyone knew it dinner was over. Everyone was talking lively so it had become
quite late.
“Think of your home. I’ll read your mind and send you there.”
“…Can do that…?”
“Easily.”
“……Amazing……”
“……Was fun……”
“Even so. After my parents calm down I’ll correct them and let them know we are only
friends.”
“…Friends……?”
“…Friend…?”
“……Happy……”
“I see.”
“……Nn……”
“…Goodbye……”
Misha disappeared.
A few days later……
I headed towards the entrance of Deruzogedo Demon Kind Academy wearing the
uniform that an owl delivered to me yesterday.
Today is the first day of school and many students are passing through the front gate.
On my way in I noticed that there were 2 kinds of uniforms. I’m wearing a white
uniform but some others are wearing black.
At first glance, I’d say its split about 50-50 and does not seem to be affected by school
year.
My badge is a cross but I’ve also seen a triangle, a rectangle, a pentagram and a
hexagram.
The thing is I haven’t seen anyone else apart from me with a cross. Also, it feels like
I’m being stared at.
Most of the people looking seemed human and their gazes seemed interested.
It didn’t seem like I was stared at this much during the entrance exam. Whatever, no
point thinking about it too deeply.
As I enter the grounds I spot a huge bulletin board and head on over.
This is my castle after all so I know where it is. I head off up the stairs towards my
classroom.
Desks and chairs are lined up and all the students look at me.
Whatever. We’ll all be studying together from now on in the same class.
I’m not accustomed to such things but I heard that first greeting are very important.
Let’s impress them with how good natured and friendly I am.
“Good morning everyone! I’ll be ruling this class! Anyone who defies me will be
slaughtered!”
Hmm. Somehow it feels like everyone is pulling away from me and the air has become
heavy. Was my voice not friendly enough? Me of all people? Perhaps I’m a bit more
nervous than I thought on my first day?
Out of all the gazes being sneaked in my direction, there was one set of dignified eyes
that were not timid at all.
Platinum blonde hair and a body wrapped in a white uniform. It was Misha.
“Yo.”
When I greeted her, Misha turned her cold gaze to me and paid me attention.
“…Morning…”
“…Nn…”
Pulling up a chair I sit down next to Misha. There’s something I want to ask her.
“……Joke?”
Of course, I wasn’t serious. In the age of myths, it lightened many a rooms mood. [A
joke…] My subordinates used to talk about it all the time.
I should have learnt from the entrance exam and taken more care but it just came out.
“Should I better familiarise myself with the class a bit more first?”
“…Nn…”
“I feel like I’ve been looked at all morning. Do you know why?”
“……Not angry…?”
“It shows the results of your magic power measurement and aptitude test.”
“Ohh, that’s why they are different. How are they classified?”
“…It’s the first time in the history of the Demon King Academy that mark has been
given…”
“The Demon King Academy is an institute that raises the next generation of Demon
Emperors. Only those from the Demon King Tribe are admitted.”
Because I had the time I checked up on the school. Only the original Demon King which
is me can be called Demon King. Others must be called Demon Emperors. The Demon
King Tribe is those mazoku that have the blood of the founder in them.
“No one from the Demon King Tribe has been judged inept until now. Arnos is the
first.”
Fumu. I don’t understand how you can judge the aptitude of the Demon King but to
push the mark of an inept person onto the genuine founder can only mean that the
inspection method is wrong.
I had thought that I would be found out by the other side as soon as I entered the
academy. It seems the mazoku have degenerated much much further than I thought.
“I can understand failing the magic power measurement as my magic power is too
much and it broke the machine but I should have got a perfect score on the aptitude
test.”
“…Confident…?”
“Yeah.”
Answer the name of the founder, the feelings of the founder, all the questions were
about me.
No… wait.
“……You must not call out the awe-inspiring name of the founder…”
“My name?”
“…Arnos…”
“Full name?”
“Arnos Voldigod.”
I see.
“Hang on.”
I put my hand on Misha’s head. She doesn’t seem to mind particularly and is looking
at me in curiosity.
“…Nn…”
A name emerged.
“……Who’s that…?”
“Strange?”
“……Is correct. There is no one from the Demon King Tribe who would get the name of
the Demon King wrong.”
Misha nods.
“I see.”
In other words, because they were afraid to say my name over 2000 years they have
forgotten my true name and handed down the wrong name.
Thinking carefully Liorg said that origin magic risked your life. I understand what he
meant now. He used me as his origin but because my name is wrong he truly did risk
his life.
My feelings. I was half asleep and used Flame Prison Annihilation Cannon <Geo Greys>
but nobody died. That fact must not have been passed down. My answers were wrong
to them.
“The closer they are to the thoughts and feelings of the Demon King of Tyranny.”
I see.
“By the way. What type of person was the Demon King of Tyranny?”
“He combined cruelty with philanthropy. A perfect existence. He always only ever
thought about the mazoku and cared not for himself. Without greed and a noble heart.
Even his tyranny came from an immeasurable depth of caring for others.”
In this state, it’s no wonder I’ve been branded inept. I was judged as not even knowing
the name of the Demon King.
“Okay. I get the badges but whats with the two uniforms?”
Even in this class half wear white and half wear black.
“Black clothes are for scholarship students. Purebloods of the Demon King Tribe.”
“Like Liorg?”
Misha nods.
I see. Basically, there are those that want to show off their power at the entrance exam.
That explains why there was only small fry there. Those that are truly strong have no
need to show off.
I look up and see a woman wearing a black robe enter the classroom.
[Emilia Roodwell]
“I’m Emilia, the homeroom teacher of class 2. My best regards for this year.”
Fumu. As expected of a teacher, her magic power is pretty good. At least, she would be
too difficult for Liorg to handle.
“Right, let’s not waste any time. First off we will split into groups. If you want to
become a team leader please announce your candidacy, however, the condition is you
have to be able to use magic to teach from now on.”
“This is probably the first time you’ve seen it but this is the magic for Demon King
Army <Guys>. Briefly put, under the hand of the king it gives strength to the
subordinates in his army. We’ll be practising this in class. You will attempt to draw this
formation and if it’s judged that you can then you have the qualification to be a team
leader.”
It’s basically diving the class, not into those who can be team leaders but those that
have the qualification to aim at being a Demon Emperor.
However, or should I say as expected, my classmate’s reaction is not good. They are
looking at me with a startled look.
Yare yare. Just because I’ve been branded as inept and announced my candidacy they
react like this?
Certainly, looking around, all the hands raised are black clothes except me.
“Why?”
Yare yare. Every single one of them. He that knows little often repeats it.
“I didn’t say such a stupid thing. I’ll prove mixed blood surpasses pureblood. If I can
prove it you will accept me.”
Emilia sighs.
“It’s actually the opposite. Proof of superiority was given by the founder. As for proving
mixed blood is superior to pure blood that would mean that you are superior to
royalty.”
I suddenly laugh.
A verbal promise, Contract <Sekt>. It was common sense in the age of myth to seal a
deal with this. To be unaware of this disqualifies you as a teacher.
“Yes.”
“No way. That’s impossible. <Guys> goes back 2000 years in this form. No one has ever
found a defect.”
“I found it 2000 years ago but never got around to fixing it before I reincarnated.”
“This is its perfect form. If you call yourself a teacher tell me what you see.”
Emilia looks at the formation with an expression that says she cannot believe it.
“Such a thing…… just by rewriting three places this… Magical efficiency has increased
by 10% and its magical effect is 1 no 5 times more?…… This is.”
“To point out the defect in a formation the first time you’ve seen it… and then rewrite
it. Such a thing. I’ve never heard of it before. We haven’t even touched the basics of
magic foundation yet.”
“This could be the greatest discovery of the century……”
“It’s regrettable.”
“The magic effect was doubled before. The magic gate interfered with 3 characters
causing it to double up on itself.”
“Ah……”
“…I…”
“Hmm?”
“I approve your candidacy… please return to your seat.” Emilia said in a very quiet voice.
When I returned to my seat Emilia said
All the students who had previously raised their hands stood up.
5 people including me. At a quick glance none of them particularity interested me but
upon closer inspection one of the girls caught my eye. A blonde twin tail with blue
eyes.
She looks strong minded with good features and a good stature. She’s actually similar
to Misha but most importantly their magical wavelengths are similar.
“Well then, before you start grouping up, students who are running as team leaders
please introduce yourselves. We’ll start with…… Sasha-san.”
The twin tail from earlier huh. She smiles with a determined expression.
“I’m from the Necron family and a direct descendant of one of the original 7 demon
emperors Aivis Necron. I’m Sahsa Necron the witch of ruin. Pleased to make your
acquaintance.”
Though Misha appears to only be absentmindedly listening to Sasha her eyes are
locked on her.
“…Older sister…”
I see. The older sister she doesn’t know if she’s on good terms with or not.
Sasha’s in black clothes so she’s a pureblood while Misha is in white.
That means.
“Different mothers?”
“……Same parents……”
“There are other reasons apart from pedigree for someone to be in white clothes.”
“What?”
“Your family?”
Fumu. What kind of circumstances do you have to treat only one of your daughters as
royalty?
While talking to Misha the others have done their introduction and it’s my turn now.
First off let’s introduce myself. I turn towards the students and declare in a dignified
manner
“I’m the Demon King of Tyranny Arnos Voldigod. I’ll tell you all right now that the
name of the demon king you believe in is wrong. The real name is Arnos Voldigod. Not
that any of you will believe me. I don’t blame you though. In time, you will understand.
Pleased to meet you.”
The classroom falls silent at my self-introduction. Liorg told me that to call myself the
founder was disrespectful. Now I’ve told them that the name is wrong as well.
Nobody looks directly at me but keeps sneaking glances and whispering about what’s
this inept person saying.
Even Emilia who is in a position to tell me off ignored it and carried on talking. Was it
because of what I did a while back? (1)
“Okay, your self-introductions have ended. All students who didn’t run please go to the
team leader who you prefer. You don’t know each other yet so don’t mind first
impressions. There are no number restrictions for the teams so don’t worry about
being too large.”
The students stand up at her words and move to the people they like.
“It’s possible to change groups at any time, however, it’s up to the team leader to accept
a new member or not. Also, if a team leader loses all their members they will lose their
position.”
Seems like another mechanism to test the ability of those that would lead.
“It seems so. The witch of ruin. Another hopeful in the chaos generation. Some people
are saying that she’s the founder reincarnated.”
“Yeah, I’d heard that too. The owner of huge magic power and powerful magic.”
Whatever. The founder is me though she does seem to have a lot of magic power like
rumoured.
On that token evidence, most of the students move to Sasha.
Misha who was sitting next to me stands up. For a moment she looks at Sasha then
looks at me with her usual deadpan expression.
“Really?”
“……Nn…”
“I’m saved.”
“That’s right.”
It seems Misha is my only member though we are still qualified as a group. (2)
What’s happened to the others? I could just use magic to gather and compel more
members but wheres the fun in that?
While thinking along those lines a blonde girl pushes through the crowds.
It’s Sasha.
“Aah.”
“You only seem to have one member and its a defective doll-san at that.”
Fumu. Suddenly picking a fight with this me-sama. It seems this woman’s not right in
the head.
“Don’t you know? That child isn’t a mazoku but she’s not human either. Like I said
earlier she’s a defective doll-san. No life, no soul, no will. Just a trash doll that only
works due to magic.”
A magic doll?
She said their parents were the same. Was she created using their blood?
Well, whatever. There are many, many ways of creating magic dolls. There’s even a way
of creating a magic doll by a mazoku actually giving birth to it.
“If you think that a magic doll has no life nor soul then your understanding of magic is
pitifully shallow. Concentrate your demon eyes even further and stare into the abyss.”
A surprised expression quickly crossed her face before she laughed fearlessly.
“I’ll give you some advice. If you stay by such a cursed doll-san something bad will
happen. Nee, you understand that right?”
“You don’t know? The demon eyes of Sasha-sama are special. <Demon Eyes of Ruin>.
If she invokes them then everything in her field of vision will turn to ruin if she wills
it. You disintegrate. That’s why Sasha-sama is called the witch of ruin.” (4)
I see. Is it an idiosyncrasy? Misha is good with it and Sasha is good with it. It seems the
Necron family has the magical characteristic to specialise in demon eyes.
“…No way…”
I glare back at Sasha. My eyes fill with magic and spell formations appear in them.
“What’s up? Did you think you could do something I couldn’t do? Let me give you some
pointers on how to use <demon eyes of ruin>.”
I was saying some good lines but Sasha’s magic technique is still immature. I’ll teach
her something for future reference.
“……Ah…… ah…”
No one in the classroom disintegrates and at a glance, Sasha is fine as well. What I
destroyed with my demon eyes is her impertinent mind.
“I can’t believe it… that fellow matched eyes with Sasha-sama and he’s fine.”
“…I. Years ago I matched eyes with Sasha-sama by mistake while she had them
invoked. I was in a coma for a year……”
“That fellows a white clothes plus he’s an inept person, however, he has exceptional
knowledge of magic ceremonies and excellent anti-magic capabilities.”
“…In fact. There’s a gag order in place so the story won’t spread but I was watching
that fellows entrance exam. Arnos was performing instant death spells on Liorg-
sama.”
“Revived!?”
“Zepes was then turned into a zombie and made to kill Liorg-sama. He turned him into
charcoal.”
“…Eh? I’m sure I saw Liorg-sama after the entrance exam though.”
“By the way Sasha, you have pretty good magic power. Won’t you join my group?”
Was it an unexpected line? Her eyes open widely and she appeared to be at a loss for
words.
(1) I guess at the moment everyone is seeing him as this worlds equivalent of
Megumin. Powerful but an oddball.
(3) She uses Gokigenyou to great Arnos which (in anime and manga anyway) is
normally heard from rich and privileged ladies in private schools.
“I’m inviting you to join my group. What’s hard to understand about that?”
“Quit then.”
“Haaaaa!?”
“Stop saying such foolish things. I have no reason to quit being a group leader.”
“If you join my group you can patch up your relationship with Misha.”
“You do not need to apologise. It was that fellow that picked a fight with me.”
Are you defending her because she’s your older sister or do you really think that? It’s
hard to judge due to Misha’s deadpan expression.
“……It’s my fault…”
Fumu. Even after being called a trash doll, Misha doesn’t seem to hate her sister.
“Well then, let me correct myself. I was suddenly attacked by <demon eyes of ruin>
though I’m perfectly fine. That is not your fault.”
“…Gentle…”
“………”
“…Nn……”
“Okay then. It seems that the groups have been decided. I’ll continue with my
explanation so everyone please return to your seats.”
At the sound of Emilia’s voice, all the students return to their seats.
“From this point on I will be teaching you all magic and we will be starting with Demon
King Army <Guys>. This magic is especially suited for warfare so in 1 week there will
be a test. All groups will fight each other so please study hard for it.”
When fighting in a group, Demon King Army <Guys> raises your overall fighting ability.
It’s a bit of strange magic though. Depending on the user and their subordinates it has
7 classes and changes.
Sorcerer (Mage)
Therapist (Healer)
Summoner (Summoner)
Shaman (Shaman)
Each of these 7 classes bestows a particular trait. For example, the Castle Lord
(Guardian) excels in building castles and dungeons, barriers and anti-magic walls.
Reinforcement magic is bestowed.
On the other hand weapon magic and attack magic is forcibly weakened.
As long as the class characteristic is adhered to, the general magic power of your group
will improve.
The caster of the spell will always be the Demon King (King) and supply the magic
effects to their subordinates. It’s also possible to supply magic power as well.
Naturally, if the Demon King (King) dies or runs out of magic power then the spell is
cancelled and the magic effect disappears.
“I’ll now judge if the team leaders can use this magic.”
If the team leaders can’t use this magic then their members will have chosen poorly.
In order, each team leader cast Demon King Army <Guys>. None of them failed or
seemed to have a particular problem.
If I’m honest, in an actual war none of these fellows would be usable. Only Sasha
performed well casting a very stable spell. I guess that’s why she’s one of the chaos
generation.
“Very good. I’ll now give a detailed explanation of the spell. First off—–”
Emilia restarts the class, however, because this is the magic that I developed I already
know it all.
Also, she makes mistakes in her grand explanation but if I pointed them out it would
be never-ending. Let’s just ignore it.
I started to feel sleepy from such a boring lesson and before I noticed it I had nodded
off.
While my consciousness was absent the class bell rang and the lesson ended.
“Misha.”
“…Wake up…?”
“No need.”
I thought they’d start talking but there’s nothing but silence for some reason.
“Nee. Why are you with him?”
“…Friend…”
“I see. Is it fun?”
“…Nn……”
Sasha’s words are stinging but she also seems to be happy somehow.
Misha said that she did not know if they were on good terms or not. She doesn’t seem
to hate Sasha and that remark about her being a trash doll. Are there some
circumstances behind it?
“Kyaaa!!”
“Couldn’t you tell from my magic power flow that I was awake? You truly are a pitiable
person.”
By choice, changes in your emotions along with intensity can cause demon eyes to
appear.
In other words, it’s not always controllable.
Although she can’t control it her <demon eyes of ruin> are beautiful and that beauty
is a manifestation of her talent.
“Let’s fight.”
2000 years ago those with the courage to say that to me in such a dignified manner
were rare amongst both the humans and mazoku.
*Kuukuu* I laugh. No matter the game I don’t feel like losing at all.
“Emilia-sensei said so right? In one week we will be tested by fighting each other. How
about the loser has to do what the winner asks?”
I see.
“Most amusing.”
“If you win I’ll step down as team leader and join your group.”
“I get you.”
“No. You will cut all ties with that doll over there and become my thing. You will offer
your absolute obedience to what I say. I won’t permit any back talk.”
“Misha, remember this. All of your things are mine. Even your friends. I will not give
anything to you at all. Such an interesting toy is wasted on you.”
Yare yare. I don’t know where these spiteful remarks to Misha are coming from, also,
Why am I being treated like a toy?
“……Thank you……”
“Don’t worry. I’ll do my best against the other teams next week.
“……I’ll do my best…”
-One week later-
For the group opposition test, I headed to the Demon Wood Forest behind Deruzogedo
Demon King Academy.
It’s a deep forest covering valleys and mountains with an eerie feeling flowing out of
it. It’s a perfect spot to train magic.
“Now then. Divide into 2 teams and we will begin the test immediately. Sasha’s team
will go first.”
“I understand.”
“I’ll do it.”
“Then the first two groups will be Sasha and Arnos. Your results will affect your grades
so don’t hold back. Do your best.”
Emilia then leaves the forest along with the other students.
Both sides are using Demon King Army <Guys> so in effect, we are simulating a war.
Even though its just a simulation I can’t seem to get away from war.
“Aah.”
“I don’t know what kind of contract you drew with your <Sekt> so I didn’t sign it.”
Fumu. She isn’t making light of me as an inept person. Seems like she’s gazed at my
core properly.
Even though she was being looked at by the <demon eyes of ruin> Misha wasn’t
bothered and stared back at her older sister.
“…Okay with me…?”
Misha holds up her palm and invokes the magic formation for <Sekt>.
Unless both parties agree the magic contract can never be completed.
“Nee, you’d better remember. That arrogant attitude of yours. You’ll regret it later.”
Saying her piece Sasha abruptly turns around and leads her members off to the east
side of the demon tree forest.
“Shall we go too?”
“……Nn……”
Walking properly we arrive at the west side and wait for a while.
“The test between Sasha group and Arnos group will now begin. Don’t bring shame to
the founder’s name. Beat your enemy with your full power!!”
I was originally a pacifist. The people of this age have misunderstood me a lot for some
reason.
If I was such a warlike belligerent person from the beginning I would not have
remained silent when branded as an inept person.
She becomes lost in thought while wearing her usual deadpan expression.
“…My class is Castle Lord (Guardian). I’m good at Construction Creation <Ibis>……”
I can freely assign classes to my subordinates. I made Misha Castle Lord (Guardian)
because her magic control is very good so Construction Creation <Ibis> will suit her
well.
Castle Lord (Guardian) focuses on building castles and dungeons, imbuing walls with
magic and making barriers. It’s a class that requires precise magic formulas.
If the user of Demon King Army <Guys> is skilled they can raise the power even
further.
You build a Demon King castle using Construction Creation <Ibis>. Being in the castle
will also raise the ability of the Demon King and protect them. It goes without saying
but its extremely advantageous in sieges.
The proper tactic will show the maximum power of me and Misha.
“I think that’s what Sasha will expect us to do.”
If I’m honest, thinking about tactics in this place is pointless because I can’t lose,
however, I want to see Sasha’s panicking face.
I’m going to do something that the other side would never expect.
“…What…?”
“The Demon King (King) class shares its power with its subordinates while becoming
weak itself. The standard strategy is to build a demon king castle and stay inside for
protection.”
As long as they stay in the Demon King Castle the (King) can have its power raised.
How well the (King) can perform and is protected is down to how skilful the
(Guardian) is though.
“Let’s do this then. We’ll make a Demon King castle as a decoy and I’ll march on over
to their castle by myself.”
“…………”
Misha’s face doesn’t change but her silence had a surprised element to it.
“……Reckless…”
“That’s what the other side will think as well. We can completely outthink them like
this.”
“……Be okay……?”
“Well, usually this tactic would lead to our defeat. I’d be shot with that much magic
fire I’d look like a honeycomb but if there is enough power difference it will work.”
“You worried?”
I’m starting to understand Misha very well. She’s staring at my core with her demon
eyes and understands me as well.
Misha nods.
“……Be careful……”
“Yeah, I know. I’m not very good at going easy on someone after all.”
“…Strange…?”
“No.”
I didn’t think that she’d be worried about me fighting. Is this what having a friend is
like? It’s a fresh feeling and unexpectedly doesn’t feel too bad at all.
Waving at Misha I head off into the east side of the forest where Sasha’s group is.
After a few minutes, a huge magical power flow comes from behind me.
Turning around I see 3 huge castles have been built in separate places throughout the
west side of the forest.
They will probably be hollow shells as they are only decoys but even so. For Misha to
construct 3 huge castles in such a short period of time is outstanding. Her magic power
far exceeds others in her class.
Excluding me of course.
“Two are probably traps. The Demon King (King) will be hidden in the remaining one.”
“No. In such a short time Misha cannot create three complete Demon King castles. She
will be buying time to complete and strengthen the real one. I’ll swat them first.”
“Understood!”
I see. Assuming its one class per unit that 12 people heading off to the 3 castles.
She’s still got more than half her units at her position. She’s being more cautious than
I thought.
Now then——
That took longer than expected. A huge Demon King castle has appeared on the
enemies side. Until I had a destination I couldn’t move out.
My field of vision turns pure white and the next moment Sasha’s Demon King castle
appears in front of me.
I intercept their Thought Communication <Liikus> again and my head is filled with
noise.
“Sa, Sasha-sama!?”
“What’s wrong?”
“The enemies Demon King (King) Arnos Voldigod has suddenly appeared in front of
the castle!”
“I don’t know. The (Shaman) was watching very carefully for approaching magic
power but he just suddenly appeared!! It’s some type of magic we don’t know!”
“……Possibly… the lost magic Transfer <Gatom>…? It must be… what else could it
be…?”
Fumu. She’s very flexible in her thinking and understood it without seeing it.
“If the Demon King (King) wants to come alone that’s fine. He might as well beg me to
kill him. He probably intended to surprise us but we’ll teach him the folly of his
reckless tactics!”
“I wonder about that?”
I force my way into their <Liikus> causing Sasha’s team to start panicking.
“I don’t know. The magic formation has no problems. We shouldn’t be able to hear
him!”
“Well, we can!! Find the cause, quickly!! There’s a chance that he might be able to hear
us as well!!”
“The cause is the method in how you constructed the spell. The recall rate of the
formation is 89%. That’s pretty low so it enabled me to monitor you.”
“That’s stupid! If the recall rate is 89% then it can be used to conceal secret
communications on a national level but you’re saying it can be intercepted!”
Good grief. I took the time to carefully teach them but they don’t believe me.
“Even if he’s monitoring our <Liikus> he’s still the enemy (King) and he’s here alone.
This castle was constructed by 7 (Guardians). He won’t be able to breach even the first
layer.”
7 (Guardians) made this? I guess it will be pretty sturdy. There are a number of traps,
dungeons, reinforcements for the (King) and plenty of protection.
However……
“If you are only cautious of magic then you don’t know what a real battle is.”
With a groaning sound, the Demon King castle is ripped from the ground.
“I can’t believe it. That guy… Arnos Voldigod, he’s lifting the castle out of the ground!!”
I completely lift the castle out of the ground using only one hand.
“…No way… Where’s he getting the power from? He’s the (King) and he’s not receiving
any protection… How…?”
“Certainly, when using Demon King Army <Guys> the power depends on the class,
however, there’s a big difference between our base strengths.”
I slowly turn my body and start swinging the castle around. Centrifugal force slowly
builds up as I start swinging faster and faster.
“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
“Mon, monster! Not only lifting the castle but swinging it around as well!?”
In the first place, these people have gotten too used to peace and no longer train their
bodies. Before starting to use strong magic you need to work on your physical
strength.
I throw the castle away using the centrifugal force I’d built up. The huge Demon King
castle flies through the sky cutting through the air and then smashes into the ground.
“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
Fumu. Have I gone too easy on them? There’s less impact than I thought and the castle
has stuck in the ground in only a semi-ruined state.
They can still fight it appears but how will they get out?
As I slowly walk towards the Demon King castle I’m still hearing voices from Thought
Transmission.
“Bu, but Sasha-sama. With the castle in this state even if you use all the magic power
from the sorceress [mages] the success rate for <Geo Greys> is less than 20%!”
“Don’t lose your nerve! Recognise the power of our enemy. He’s a mongrel and carries
the mark of the inept but he’s a monster! He threw a castle. Do you think halfhearted
magics will work on him?”
As I thought, she’s got quite the charisma. Though she’s still immature its a shame to
keep her as an enemy.
“The highest level of flame magic is Flame Prison Annihilation Cannon <Geo Greys>.
Anything less will not defeat Arnos Voldigod.”
No one else voices an objection. A subtle flow of magic power begins flowing through
<Liikus> which tells me what their decision is.
“The enemy side is one person and we have 20 people! We can avoid the shame of loss
with this. Do your best and face death. Show that mongrel the best magic of your lives
and the pride of royalty!”
Magic particles begin to rise from the Demon King castle and a three-dimensional
magic formation appears. The Demon King castle itself is turned into a huge magical
focus.
Seven Castle Lords [Guardians] are building a spell formation that’s hard to construct.
In order to maintain it, 10 Sorcerer’s [Mages] are pouring all their magic power into it
and the two remaining Shamans will be responsible for aiming it.
Sasha Necron is at the centre of it all, organising the various magics to make it work.
She’s worthy of her name the Witch of Ruin. She’s got a rare talent.
Even though she’s borrowing her colleague’s power it is not easy to develop such a
large scale magic.
Unlike origin magic that provides enormous power but with an attached risk, the
highest level of flame magic <Geo Greys> is a technique that can only be used by those
with the skill and power.
It’s impossible with Sasha’s power alone but after training to use Demon King Army
<Guys> for a week she’s now at a level where she could actually use it in a real war.
“Are you all prepared? All your power and all your feelings. Leave them to me.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s win…”
“We have the power of royalty.”
Taking advantage of each class characteristic. A group magic that adds extra magic
power. It increases it by a factor of 10.
The magic formation hangs above the castle and takes on a gunport type shape,
Magical power concentrates in its centre.
The magic power concentrates to its utmost then explodes in one go. A comet that
looks like a black sun shoots at me.
Fumu. For something that only had a 20% chance of working everything’s gone well
for them so far.
To attack <Geo Greys> I hold my hand up to it and a magic formation appears along
with a small red flame.
Thinking about it, this is my first time using attack magic in this era.
“Go.”
The small flame that I fired collides with <Geo Greys> and in the next moment, a hole
appears in the jet black sun. From the hole, a red flame rapidly wraps up the black sun
and devours it.
It only took an instant but the huge <Geo Greys> was burnt without a trace.
“…No way…… <Geo Greys> was cancelled…”
“Sa, Sasha-sama! It wasn’t cancelled! The other sides <Geo Greys> is heading for us!”
The flame that I had fired plunged deeply into the castle and burst open. The castle is
soon wrapped up in flames and burns down causing the walls and ceilings to collapse
with a noisy rattle.
Sasha had a narrow escape. She escaped from the castle using Flight <Fres> while
carrying two Sorcerers [Mage’s].
Is her magic running low? She unintentionally made an unsteady emergency landing
right in front of me.
Fumu. In the age of myths, it was natural to use <Geo Greys> by yourself. Not that I can
point that out here.
“You saw how I cast it. What I used was not <Geo Greys>.”
“…Eh…?”
“But there shouldn’t be anything above <Geo Greys>.” one of the [Mages] protested
“No way… possibly… origin magic!? A taboo spell that threatens even royalty! In that
case, no wonder <Geo Greys> was destroyed!”
Flame magic is ranked in order of power from the strongest first. Flame Prison
Annihilation Cannon <Geo Greys>, Scorching Black Flame <Griado>, Demon Blaze
<Guresode>, Grand Flame <Gusgam> and…… Flame <Grega>.
“…No way… with the lowest level of flame magic… our… Sasha-sama’s <Geo Greys> was
burnt down and our Demon King castle……!”
“The secret is the difference in our magic powers. That was the only thing different
between you, me and the other 20 people.”
“Such a thing…”
“It’s not an odd story or anything. If there are differences in magic power then
<Gusgam> could beat <Guresode> for example. However, if the difference in magic
power is huge enough then this is what happens.”
As I finish speaking I take one step forward and the [Mages] begin to tremble all over.
They are crushed by despair and lose the will to fight completely causing them to lose
consciousness.
“……”
Even if she says that it’s not like we were really at war or something.
It’s not necessary to kill my classmates. Besides, its a pain to have to revive people all
the time.
“Join me as a subordinate.”
After thinking for a while Sasha reaches out to take my hand with no hesitation or fear.
Just before she takes it she glares at me and activates her <Demon Eyes of Ruin>
hitting me with their full strength.
“Die!!”
“I refuse.”
“I refuse.”
I laughed.
“Let me tell you something, Sasha. If the end of killing someone was only death then
I’d have died 2000 years ago.”
“…Fine. The present me cannot match you and besides, due to <Sekt> I cannot go
against you anyway.”
After making up an excuse Sasha demurely put the tips of her fingers on my hand.
“However, please remember this. This is a contract. I do not remember selling you my
heart.”
“What’s that?”
“Well yeah. I’m hoping you both get along. It would make Misha happy.”
“I see. Hmph.”
“What’s that?”
“Your demon eyes are beautiful.”
“I’m telling the truth. I have never seen such beautiful demon eyes.”
Even during the age of myths I never saw anyone with such pure, calm and undefiled
eyes like hers.
If my eyes are to be trusted then she has great untapped magical power and talent.
“Are you listening?” I ask Sasha who’s facing the other way. She turns to face me again.
Explanations of different magic concepts and techniques that did nothing but make
me sleepy. The test against Sasha barely qualified as light exercise.
For the last week, I’ve been going to Deruzogedo but nothing happened. No surprise
raids by the humans, no petty tricks by the spirits, not even some conspiracy from the
gods. Nothing at all.
I must remain wary though and be ready to protect Deiruheido if it comes to it.
I say this, but the greatly weakened Mazoku who should be vulnerable have prospered
to this day.
Total calm seems to have visited the Mazoku. Peace is boring, though that’s no bad
thing.
Leaving the gates of Deruzogedo Demon King Academy Sasha walks behind me
complaining.
I tilt my head to the side as Misha looks at me as well, her eyes blinking rapidly.
“………”
Can’t be helped.
“In the group opposition test, I suddenly appeared in front of your castle.”
“Here.”
“What……?”
“I said I’d show you but it’s faster to actually experience it.”
“Tha, that’s was just part of the scene. This is…… mongrel……”
“It doesn’t matter which hand you take but I can’t show you if you don’t hold my hand.”
“………”
“Misha.”
“…Nn…”
“What! Why!?”
“If you don’t want to see it that’s fine. I won’t be breaking the contract that way.”
Sasha quietens down and holds out her hand to Misha again.
“………”
“Hold it tighter.”
“Like this?”
“……Nn…”
Somehow her expressionless face seemed really happy like she was smiling broadly.
“Nee, you. What are you talking about with your eyes?”
I stare into Sasha’s eyes and her face quickly turns red.
“Fumu. You are not used to meeting peoples gazes due to your <Demon Eyes of Ruin>
are you Sasha?”
Bulls-eye? It’s no wonder really if your control over the <Demon Eyes of Ruin> is lacking.
If you carelessly meet someones gaze you could kill them by mistake.
I use Transfer <Gatom>. Our view is dyed pure white and the next moment I’m outside
my house. Blacksmith/appraisers [Solar Wind].
Sasha is muttering to herself while trying to analyse the remaining magical residue
though that’s pretty much impossible.
“Rather than that, that magic just now was <Gatom> wasn’t it? How did a mongrel
learn a lost magic? Teach me!”
“Don’t be so restrained.”
“I’m not!”
“…Nn…”
“Please wait!”
“Huh?”
When I turn around Sasha is muttering awkwardly.
“…I… me too…”
“What?”
“No! My purpose is <Gatom> That’s it. Will you stop it with your strange suspicions.”
Looks like I was right with her getting so excited and denying it. Perhaps she
unexpectedly wants to just hang out? Whatever. I should stop poking her. Misha gets
depressed when I get too stubborn.
My mother who was tending the front of the store notices me and comes trotting over.
“Welcome back Arnos-chan. How was your group opposition exam today?” my mother
ask with a nervous look.
“I won.”
“That’s amazing Arnos-chan! A genius. Only a month old and surpassing great people!
Too amazing! I’ll make a feast tonight!”
She’s rubbing her cheek against mine now. Really puzzling behaviour.
“Aah, ou…”
The force of my mother is as great as ever.
My mother pokes me in the stomach with her elbow several times before speaking to
Misha who was behind me.
A question mark appears above my mothers head when she sees two people.
“Nice to meet you mother. I’m Sasha Necron. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Sasha lifts the hem of her skirt and elegantly bows. “…Mother-sama… what…?!” (1)
My mother grabs Sasha by both her shoulders and appeals to her with a serious look.
“I’m fine and calm.” Sasha tells my mother who’s still wound up.
“Arnos-chan is only a month old. He doesn’t know better. He doesn’t mean any harm
but he’s already got a bride called Misha-chan.”
“It doesn’t matter… it doesn’t matter… a mistress is good too!! Arnos-chan, Arnos-chan,
why are you so popular!!”
As expected of my mother. She’s able to twist anything and put a slant on it.
“……”
“It’s Necron.”
“Ah, then…”
“That’s right. Were sisters. We only got to know each other by chance, I—.”
“Sisters are fighting over Arnos-channnnnn!! What should I do? What should I do!?
Arnos-chan is too handsome. He’s tearing up the close bond of sisterssssssss!!”
At that time a door banged open and another troublesome one arrived.
“Arnos. Papa was, papa was also naughty in the old days though I did it through fencing
hahahaha”
Fumu. My father is going full power right from the beginning. Why did you start with
an old tale suddenly?
“Therefore I understand your feelings well. I did dome stupid things as a boy and I’m
able to understand most of them. But.” My father’s expression turned serious. “You.
You’ve got 2 women. I’m so envious!”
Fumu. Despite calling her a trash doll their relationship doesn’t seem that bad.
It was very lively with 2 extra people and I must admit it didn’t feel bad at all, though
most of the noise came from my parents.
Sasha stared complaining that celebrating her own loss was hard to swallow but as
soon as she had some of my mother’s homemade food she fell silent.
“And and?? What did Arnos-chan say to invite Sasha-chan to the group?”
“It was nothing special. Become my subordinate. That was it, pretty much.”
“…No reason really. I’m just good war potential. That’s all.”
Misha swallowed the salad she was eating and said in an indifferent voice.
How did Misha know that? Was she listening to me using Thought Transmission
<Liikus>?
Whatever. It’s a standard strategy for anyone using Demon King Army <Guys> to
activate <Liikus> without being ordered to anyway.
“……Was it bad……?”
Being directly asked caused Sasha to turn her face away in surprise.
“Not especially.”
Fumu. It looks like my mother thinks they are arguing now. She has a nervous look on
her face that says ‘I was careless’.
My father casually catches my eyes and nods in a profound and farsighted way. It’s a
face that says ‘I have nothing more to teach you’.
Yare yare. Like the time with Misha I’ve been waiting for it to calm down so I can
explain that she’s not another bride but at the moment my mother’s got a tearful face
and seems ready to cry.
Well, I don’t suppose it matters. It’s not like I’ll die from a misunderstanding.
The lively meal seems to finish in the blink of an eye. I’ll send Sasha and Misha home.
When I came back into the shop after talking to my father in his workshop I saw Sasha
and Misha waiting for me standing side by side.
“………”
“………”
Silence.
I understand Misha. She’s originally a person of few words but Sasha does not have a
silent personality. It was a weird feeling with no talking going on.
At first, I thought that it was because she had to eat with a trash doll but Sasha’s
attitude doesn’t seem to suggest that’s the reason.
Zepes and Liorg were also like this too. It’s a story I don’t understand.
I decide to wait a little longer and watch the two of them from the shadows.
The silence continued for 10 minutes but it became impossible for Sasha to endure it
any longer and she started talking in a subdued voice.
“Late.”
“…Nn…”
“Nee.”
“Nn.”
“Nn.”
“…Him…?”
“…Like…”
“……Sasha…?”
“What?”
“……That so……”
“It is.”
Misha stares into Sasha’s eyes. Perhaps because she was excited <Demon Eyes of
Ruin> had formed in her eyes.
“…If its Arnos I can stare at him with these eyes…” Sasha trails off like she’s speaking
to herself.
“…Nn…”
“He’s truly crazy. My demon eyes are beautiful? Even though they are cursed to destroy
whatever I look at without my permission. However-”
Sasha cut off her own words then started speaking again.
“Someone with the same eye’s as mine. I’ve finally met that person for the first time.”
“That’s all.”
“…I understand…”
“…The same……?”
Misha nods.
Of course she can. Misha’s demon eyes are strong as well. Sasha’s <Demon Eye’s of
Ruin> will be resisted.
“Do you remember? Our childhood? I could not control these demon eyes at all and I
was destroying everything so I was locked away in a prison made from magic.”
“……I remember…”
“While everybody else avoided entering my field of vision Misha was always by my
side.”
“That’s right. Thanks to you, as long as I don’t meet someone’s gaze directly I don’t
carelessly injure people anymore.”
“…Hand…?”
“Yeah.”
“…Me too…”
“……Nn……”
“We always used to do this. I wasn’t let out of the prison so whenever I started crying
Misha held my hand and made me smile.”
Misha nods.
Misha nods.
“…Nn……”
The two of them stare at each other and grasp each other’s hand firmly.
Fumu. I don’t understand everything that’s going on but at least they seem to have
reconciled. Why were they originally fighting though? It’s mysterious.
Whatever. They are at a vigorous age. It could have been a worthless reason for all I
know.
“The story behind Transfer <Gatom>. Will you tell me while we walk?”
“Fuuun.”
Sahsa turns a look to me that says ‘strange guy’ but I brush it off lightly.
In the end, I didn’t talk about <Gatom> at all and Sasha seemed to forget about it after
a bit.
“Naturally.”
“I see. Well then, even though you already know, our lecturer for tomorrows great
magic formation is one of the old 7 Demon Emperors. Aivis Necron.”
One of the old 7 Demon Emperors? It’s a name I’m curious about.
“I’m amazed. You just said that there was nothing you didn’t know about. You don’t
know about the old 7 Demon Emperors? You truly are an inept person.”
“2000 years ago the founder used his own blood and made 7 subordinates. They are
the founders of the demon king tribe and inherited the traits and talents of the
founder.”
“What…?”
Oh, that reminds me. I never did give them names. I was so absorbed in my reincarnation
I never found the time to do it.
So the old 7 Demon Emperors started Deruzogedo Demon King Academy and started
raising the next generation of demon emperors.
Also, they knew I’d one day reincarnate as well so it was for that time as well.
“I see.”
Then if I meet the old 7 Demon Emperors it should be really easy to prove I am the
founder.
Somethings strange though. Those fellows are mazoku who were born during the age
of mythology but the management of Deruzogedo Demon King Academy is way too
negligent when it shouldn’t be.
Also, they should know me above all others so how was I branded an inept person?
Not to mention the mazoku have fallen into bloodline pedigree. I thought it must be
because they became incompetent over the years but perhaps there’s another reason?
Before long-
“……Arnos……… Arnos……”
“What’s wrong?”
“After learning about the old 7 Demon Emperors you fell silent. Is something wrong?”
“Is that so. Well then, thank you for escorting us. Have a good day.”
“Goodbye.”
“…Nn…”
I still don’t have enough information to work out how I have been branded inept.
I can think of a few possibilities but they are all guesses at the end of the day.
Never mind. Tomorrow I get to meet one of the old 7 Demon Emperors so I should
understand more then.
“What’s wrong?”
“…Nothing…”
“…Arnos…”
“Nn?”
“You know.” She abruptly turns away while blushing bashfully. “…Thank you……”
“For what?”
What? Did Sasha want to make up all this time but couldn’t due to her stubborn
character?
“That’s not true. Becoming your subordinate. Nobody would normally say such a
reckless thing.” Sasha seems happy and laughs. “Except for you.”
Fumu. I wasn’t in danger of dying at all so it was nothing much for me.
“It’s silly. A really trivial thing…… however, there was something I could never hand
over. That’s it.”
“What?”
“What if fate has already decided on something. What would you do?”
I answer immediately.
“If you don’t like it, change it. If you don’t mind it, it doesn’t matter.”
“Break it.”
“I refuse.”
“Very good.”
“More.”
Due to a conditioned reflex, I activate <Liikus> and try to read her mind. The reason
being that there is a specific curse that activates through a kiss.
I don’t know how long it took but she separates her body quickly.
“…But you are my first. I’ve never done that with anyone else…”
“Ou.”
When I arrive in Deruzogedo’s 2nd training hall there’s a different person than normal
sitting in the seat to my right.
It does remove the trouble of having to get up and move any time we need to discuss
something.
“Yo.”
“That reminds me. What happened to the people that were my members?”
“What happened?”
“Because I entered your group there should have been other people trying to join as
well.”
“I refused.”
Sasha is dumbfounded.
“Not like it’s a problem anyway. I can win with only you 2.”
“There will be other group tests. A lot are aimed at 5 people and when you move up a
grade it can be for 7 or more people.”
As the bell starts ringing the classroom door opens and Emilia enters. Entering behind
her is a man wearing a black robe, cloak and hat. Well, the word man is misleading.
It’s more of a skeleton.
If I’m not mistaken he’s one of my 7 subordinates though apparently now an undead.
So this is Aivis Necron.
One of the old 7 demon emperors. They seem to wield considerable power and
influence even in this age. The usually noisy students fell silent when Aivis appeared.
No. That’s not right. They got hit by the magic power this guy is emitting. It’s pretty
powerful. It’s causing them to unconsciously fear him.
The same thing would happen if I emitted my magic. Or rather, it would have done
once but the mazoku in this era are way too weak.
Now, if I emitted my magic it would cause their magic senses like their demon eyes to
become temporarily paralysed and they would feel nothing at all. They wouldn’t be
able to sense my magic at all.
Oh well. If they actually could sense my magic those with weak anti-magic capabilities
would die. Perhaps this temporary paralysis to their senses is actually a defence
mechanism now.
“As I said last time, today we will be training to use a grand magic. Please listen very
carefully to the old Seven Demon Emperor Aivis Necron as this spell approaches the
depths of the abyss of magic. Especially-”
Emilia looks at me
I stand up.
“……!!!!!!?”
Emilia’s mouth falls open like its ready to drop off. Seems like an extreme surprise.
The magic is familiar, I’m sure it’s one of my subordinates made from my blood. But,
there’s something…
“It’s fine,” Aivis said in a generous manner. “You said it’s been a long time?”
“2000 years? I see, that explains it.” Aivis nods having reached an understanding.
“Unfortunately, I lost my memories from 2000 years ago. All I can remember is my
lord the Demon King of Tyranny.”
Fumu, I see.
He remembers the Demon King of Tyranny but doesn’t understand who I am. In other
words, he believes the Demon King of Tyranny is someone other than me.
It might be related to his lost memory but it’s certainly a strange story. The top of the
academy is the old 7 Demon Emperors. Even if Aivis really lost his memory it’s
impossible for all 7 of them to lose their memories. This is no coincidence.
Has his memory been tampered with? Or are you pretending not to remember?
All the students, Emilia, Sasha and Misha all watch me anxiously as I walk straight over
to Aivis.
I slowly grab the skeletons face causing the whole classroom to panic.
The magic that I used was Recollection <Evui>. It recalls distant and far off memories.
“…It’s no use. The memory no longer exists in my head. I can’t remember it because
it’s gone. Recollection <Evui> cannot return that which is lost.”
I develop multiple magic formations and use origin magic Time Manipulation
<Lebaido> and stack up multiple Recollections <Evui>.
“If the memory is completely gone from your head then Time Manipulation <Lebaido>
will go back in time in a limited way. In this case 2000 years ago then Recollection
<Evui> will recall the memory from there.”
“…Impossible…! To go back in time… Is there a grand magic to transcend time…!?”
The origin of Aivis’ memory of the Demon King Arnos from 2000 years ago. By
following the flow of time back using <Lebaido> I can let it form.
In the head of Aivis, the experiences from 2000 years ago should be flowing like a
revolving lantern.
Even 2000 years ago there is no memory in the head of Aivis of the Demon King Arnos
Voldigod.
Of course <Evui> can only pull the memory out if it exists in the head of Aivis. I can
only read the surface but my name should be there at the very least yet when I looked
not even my name existed.
What came out instead and it came out many times was the name Demon King of
Cruelty Avos Dillheavia.
“Your memory from 2000 years ago has been beautifully erased and I don’t know
when from exactly.”
Simply put, the past has been tampered with. In the head of Aivis, the memory of the
Demon King Arnos was forgotten right from its start point.
“I see, however, thank you Arnos. It’s a fine crop just knowing this much. It means
someone is hostile against me.”
Are you serious or pretending ignorance? It’s possible he tampered with the past
himself.
“I don’t know! He grabbed the head on one of the old 7 Demon Emperors and got told
thank you!!”
I pull out my chair and sit down. Misha leans over and speaks to me.
Yare yare. So much noise over the dullest of things like usual.
I had thought that my name got corrupted by mistake over the years but it’s darker
than that.
The old 7 Demon Emperors, this Academy and me being branded an inept person.
“Today I’ll be lecturing you on the secret magic of the Necron family. Fusion magic.”
Aivis draws the basic magic formation for fusion magic on the blackboard.
It’s a very large scale magic and seems to be a natural magic formation that requires
moonlight to draw it. The magic gate and the characters are similar to those used in
the mythological age.
The students looked eager to copy the magic formation but it was nothing special for
me, however, at least it was a magic similar to something that would be studied in the
age of myths.
If the usual classes were like this I wouldn’t be so sleepy all the time.
“Hey Arnos. Why aren’t you copying it into your notebook? Are you using a recording
crystal?”
“……That’s a lie… right? No way you can memorise a complicated magic formation like
this just by looking at it.”
“What about you? I don’t see you taking any notes either.”
“It’s the Necron families secret magic and I’m a direct descendant. I learnt the basics
of it long ago.”
“No way. The old 7 demon emperors are an existence above the clouds. Even if I’m a
direct descendant I’m the 16th generation. I’m the lowest of the low. The amount of
times I’ve spoken to Aivis-sama is…… once.”
The mazoku have long lives. Apart from Sasha are other direct descendants still alive?
“——-As I just explained. The advantage of fusion magic is the ability to fuse magics
together. By combining different magics with different wavelengths it produces a
strong magic reaction. It can raise the original magic power tenfold. That’s the
beginners class for fusion magic Mixed Assimilation <Ge Gum>.”
“Nee. Did you really learn it? Didn’t you just give a flippant answer?”
“It took you a month but I understood the calculations in about 1 second.”
Sasha glares at me angrily. She seems to be quite dissatisfied for some reason as her
<Demon Eyes of Ruin> have formed.
“How?”
There’s a grateful atmosphere in the classroom but lots of fears as well. No one will
raise their hands.
“Anyone?”
“Umu, go ahead.”
Yare yare. The mazoku of this era sure are shy. It’s hard to think of them as my
descendants.
“I have one about the magic formation for Mixed Assimilation <Ge Gum>. There’s a
defect in the basic structure for fusion magic.”
“H… he… he… he’s dead! It’s over! This is completely different from that time with
Emilia sensei!!”
“A defect in the Necron families secret magic. In other words, he’s pointing out a
mistake by one of the old 7 demon emperors. That goes beyond dangerous.”
“There’s no way there’s a defect in the structure developed by one of the old 7 demon
emperors.”
“This is the basic method to fuse magic. The magic reaction causes the power to
increases tenfold, however, judging by the structure of the formation the fusion does
not last long at all.”
The students had deployed magic barriers while I was talking. They seemed convinced
Aivis was going to attack at any moments.
“That’s very impressive, to notice that detail while only seeing the formation once.”
The atmosphere in the class gave off the impression that the students were getting
ready to dodge incoming magic.
“What the…”
“He’s right…?”
“It’s true. Fusion magic has a defect in the sense that it’s duration time is extremely
short. It’s in the basic structure itself. Even if I develop it into advanced magic I cannot
erase this defect itself.”
“If you are an average user then the fusion time is about 3 to 5 seconds. Basically, this
makes it a flashy magic only and not worth remembering.”
“Certainly, there are limited scenarios where fusion magic would give you the
advantage. In most cases using other magics would be better, however, if you look
deeper into the abyss it is also a magic that can change.”
Fumu. As expected of a subordinate that carries my blood. If you could complete the
technique. Did your demon eyes arrive at the end point?
“I agree. When I looked into the abyss I understood the basic method of true fusion
magic.”
At that line, Aivis shakes in surprise.
The sound of notebooks being hastily put away and a pen falling on the floor sounded
throughout the classroom.
“…No! I don’t want to die! Why am in the same class as that inept person!!”
“Easily.”
I stand up.
“Wait… fusion magic is the secret art of the Necron family. I can understand you
improving Demon King Army <Guys> as you had probably seen it before but this…?”
“I’m the best in this class. Are you that worried about me?”
“Look.”
I walk over to the blackboard, emanate magic power and redraw the formation.
“How’s that?”
Aivis gulped the moment he saw it, followed a few moments later by his whole body
trembling.
The redrawn formation is actually emanating magic. Though demon eyes are required
to see it you need to actually think about it to understand it. Is the method correct?
Does it work? It’s obvious at a glance.
“…This… I can’t believe it…? The fusion time has increased several hundred times… I
see you’ve incorporated origin magic into it, however, you’ve tied that origin magic
into the technique itself…… how…?”
“It’s easy. Applying the technique of fusion magic I fused the two magics.”
“Wha…!!”
If you really look at it, it was actually an easy and very basic thing to do but no one
considered it. Probably for that very reason.
“What an idea. You said your name was Arnos Voldigod…… I did not think that anyone
had studied fusion magic before me.”
“Aah, I see.”
“What…?”
“Today is the first time I’ve seen fusion magic. Without your research, I could not have
completed it. I just gave it the final push.”
Aivis lets out an astonished voice.
“What…? You completely understood the method of fusion magic after seeing it for the
first time and then completed it…!?”
“Fast or slow, what does it matter? You would have noticed it yourself in another 1000
years or so.”
“…Arnos Voldigod. Why is a monster like that attending this academy? There’s nothing
to teach him.”
“What happened……?”
“I’m alive!!”
“I can’t understand anything that just happened. Arnos somehow completed fusion
magic!”
I sit back down and see Sasha looking at me with her mouth open.
“……In other words, you are my lord, the Demon King of Tyranny?”
“Ahh. The name of the Demon King of Tyranny is Arnos Voldigod. Someone has
rewritten it as Avos Dillheavia.”
“I have no idea, yet. But it will also be the person who erased your memory.”
“I see.”
A thirst for blood appears and Aivis turns his demonic eyes to me.
“You have the ability. If you are indeed an enemy of my lord the Demon King of Tyranny
then I cannot remain indifferent.”
Aivis is no fool. Seeing it from his standpoint with no memories he has no way of telling
if I am lying or not. It’s natural that he sees me as a potential enemy. He saw me use
Time Manipulation <Lebaido> after all and as far as he knows only I can use it.
2000 years worth of memories erased and out of the blue, someone appears as an ally
and proclaims himself as the Demon King of Tyranny as well as trying to fix his
memories. No wonder he’s suspicious.
“However, at the moment I shall remain neutral out of the nostalgic feeling I have from
you.”
“Farewell.”
“Why’s the inept person with one of the old 7 Demon Emperors?”
The students here sure like rumours. Good thing I don’t care about such things.
“Arnos-kun.”
Emilia gives me a school badge with a 6 sided star on it. It’s certainly not mine.
“Whose is it?”
Sasha’s or Misha’s then but since I’ve never looked at their badges I’m not sure which
one.
“Who?”
“……It’s not Sasha-san.”
“It’s negligent to use me for this. You should hand it back yourself.”
I thought she’d be offended or get angry but she looks embarrassed. Whatever. Misha
will be looking for this after all.
“There’s a dungeon test this afternoon. Don’t come here but go directly to the entrance
of the underground dungeon.”
“Got it.”
It’s crowded when I arrive and in the centre of it all is Sasha and Misha.
“I’m sorry but I can’t help you. If you want to join the group you’ll have to speak to
Arnos.”
“But Sasha-sama, I have no interest in speaking to that inept person at all. Please
Sasha-sama. Can you speak to him…”
They seem to be former members of Sasha’s group and apparently they want to be in
my group so they can be with Sasha again.
If you want to be in my group then you’ll have to deal with Misha as well though it’s
normal to think that Misha is closer to me since she’s been in my group from the start.
Is it because she’s wearing white clothes? She’s the logical choice to talk to if you want
to get a message to me.
Thinking about it, I’ve never seen Misha talk with any other mazoku. She’s not the
most talkative of people to begin with. Maybe always being with me part of the reason.
“Sasha-sama. Are you satisfied being in that inept person’s group? Don’t you have a
plan?”
“It can’t be helped since we have a contract. Are you sure you want to make light of
Arnos just because he’s branded as an inept person? He completed fusion magic after
all.”
She obviously wasn’t aware I was there as her eyes rounded and she turned away.
“…Shut up… they were annoying me, that’s all……” Sasha says feebly.
“…Thank you…”
“For what?”
“……The dungeon test this afternoon……”
Oh yeah, Emilia mentioned something about a dungeon test this afternoon. Basically,
it’s a test that challenges the dungeon that’s built under Deruzogedo. It’s similar to the
group opposition test as you have to act as a unit.
Magic tools and weapons are placed in the dungeon and you compete to score the
highest.
Although they try and sell it as a training exercise for labyrinth exploration it’s
basically a treasure hunt.
“That’s not why I’m here but you are right about the test.”
“Nn.”
The meeting place is the entrance to the dungeon but since we are all here we can set
off a bit earlier now.
“Aah. You can get a perfect score if you get to the altar on the bottom floor and retrieve
the king’s sceptre. A simple matter.”
“You weren’t listening after all. Though there is a perfect score it’s absolutely
impossible. No student has ever made it to the bottom. Not even a teacher has ever
made it. Nobody even knows if the king’s sceptre is there. Some even doubt that the
lowest floor even exists.”
“…Even if you ask such a thing me, I don’t know. It’s probably tradition or myth that
the king’s sceptre is on the bottom floor.”
“Is the king’s sceptre an item that strengthens your magic like Demon King Army
<Guys>?”
“Yes. It’s said that the sceptre was made by the founder.”
“If that’s so then it exists.”
“…You always say such irresponsible things. Whatever, it’s fine. Let’s go. It’s time”
“It’s my castle.”
It’s been a while since I’ve been in there. I set off for the dungeon thinking such things.
“Well then. The dungeon test starts now. Any items obtained in the dungeon belong to
the group leader. The time limit is 9am tomorrow morning. Any students that return
sooner than that can go home. Those that want to give up please use Thought
Transmission <Liikus> and contact me.”
“Wai, wait Arnos. Shouldn’t we take the initiative!? The dungeon is a first come first
served deal! We don’t have time to leisurely saunter in!”
“It’s fine.”
“Fine…”
“You can go ahead if you want.”
It seems that the school has put monsters in the dungeon but the students running in
front have defeated them so we were able to leisurely stroll through the dungeon.
“Right there.”
While giving me a look that says she doesn’t believe me Sasha reluctantly walks the
way I pointed out.
“What’s up?”
“Is it Sasha’s?”
“…Tomorrow…”
“What?”
“…I’m troubled…”
“Something that will never be forgotten for your entire life is the best.”
“If it’s something you thought of, wouldn’t she be pleased with it?”
“…Really……?”
“…Really…?”
“It’s here on the lowest level. If it’s still left that is.”
Then Misha gave one of her rare smiles.
“…Thank you…”
“…Tomorrow…”
Even if I can’t see her tomorrow I can still give her a birthday present or is there really
nothing she wants?
“…15 tomorrow……”
Born 15 years ago and this is the year that the demon king reincarnates. Sasha is still
rumoured to be the reincarnation of the founder.
In other words, my words were not taken verbatim. They didn’t believe that I would
be born as a baby but would transmigrate into a strong container already brimming
with power.
There is also the possibility that the demon king academy was not searching for the
founder at all. In fact, it could be the opposite. It’s been made to not recognise me as
the founder.
“Haaaaa……!?”
“…Strong……”
“He’s a strong idiot alright. That’s great and all but…… Didn’t he say that this was a
hidden passageway?”
I walk back to Misha and Sahsa who have dumbfounded looks on their faces.
“Hurry up.”
“…Nn…”
After a while of breaking through walls, a large space opens up in front of me.
This is the hidden room that leads to the dungeons lowest layer.
“It was created using magic and was surprisingly easy. I only left the barest traces of
magic to follow. A simple hidden passage that doesn’t use magic. It’s a blind spot for
many people.”
The only drawback to it is every time I come here I have to use Construction Creation
<Ibis> and repair the hole I make.
“But the dungeon beneath Deruzogedo is closed to the public. Only students may
enter. When did you find this hidden passage?”
The ceiling is very high and though we are in a dungeon it’s overflowing with trees.
There’s a waterway running through the room causing the light to glitter and reflect
off its surface.
“Yeah. Sunlight during daytime and moonlight at night. It’s made to draw in the
outside light.”
Fusion magic which is the secret art of the Necron family uses nature magic. Sasha and
Misha who both specialise in it immediately noticed that this room is a catalyst.
The position of the sunlight is different. Has somebody adjusted it using magic?
It wasn’t only me that used this dungeon, my subordinates did too so people would
have been in here. Maybe one of them did it?
“…What’s wrong…?”
“Nee, If Arnos has come here before then cant you use Transfer <Gatom>?”
“This entire dungeon has an anti-magic spell woven into it to prevent Transfer
<Gatom> working correctly. You could use it but you’d have no idea where you’d end
up.”
It’s easy to cancel the anti-magic but the dungeon has a system in place that would
collapse it if you did.
It would have been easy to leave myself a loophole so only I could use <Gatom> in the
dungeon, however, by setting it up so there were no exceptions it also made it the best
way to stop intruders.
“We’ve been walking for 2 hours now. How much further is it?”
“…Look…”
Misha points ahead where the bottom of the stairs could be seen.
“Really?”
Sasha runs ahead down the stairs but stops and stares at something in utter amazement.
There was a pair of huge, luxurious gates that even a giant could fit through.
“…Anti-magic…”
“……Even Flame Prison Annihilation Canon <Geo Greys> could not destroy it……”
Yare yare. They still don’t understand who’s here with them.
“Use your head a bit. If you intend to break it then you will fail. If magic doesn’t work
then open it without using magic.”
I calmly step forward and place my hand on the gate. Using my strength I push and
with a heavy, grating noise the gate opens.
“It opened.” Misha grumbled while having a dumbfounded look on her face.
“I thought this before when you lifted my demon king castle but what’s going on with
your body……? How can you open such a stupidly large door?”
I can’t say this out loud but she looks really cute trying to move it.
At the back of the room is an altar with an ominous looking staff on it.
If you look at it with your demon eyes you would tell straight away that it was loaded
with great magic.
It’s completely different from the blunt demon sword that Zepes had. It’s a genuine
item from the age of myths.
I had wondered if somebody had removed it but I’m happy that it’s still here.
Anything obtained in the dungeon is the possession of the group leader and a genuine
tool from the age of myths is something rarely seen. Obviously, someone like Sasha
with strong demon eyes would be interested.
“Go ahead.”
“Thank you.”
Happily running to the altar Sasha picked up the kings sceptre and stared in fascination
at the mysterious magic tool.
“…What…?”
I step into the room. At first glance it’s empty but when I speak a few words the magic
veil is lifted and magic tools such as demon swords and magic armour start to appear
one by one.
Amongst them was the very rare thread called the demon dragon thread which was
produced by dragons. A dress with moonlight sewn into it called <Moon Weaving
Dress>. A robe woven with fur from the golden lion Sirius which was called the most
beautiful in the world, the <Gold Lion’s Robe>. There were a lot of other pretty
costumes as well.
I know her quite well now. I know that she is not looking at the outer clothes but rather
at their abyss.
Magic items made in the age of myths choose their own owners. You can’t just give
someone an item as you don’t know if it will accept them or not. It’s not easy. How’s
she doing?
After a while, Misha began to walk.
“This is good.”
The item she picked up was woven with feathers from the divine bird Phoenix
<Phoenix’s Vestment>. On one hand it grants you the blessing of the immortal fire but
on the other hand, if you are not worthy of it it will turn you into ash.
“…Nn…”
Do you understand? I know she has strong demon eyes but how can she be certain
that it will accept Sasha?
With a happy smile on her face, Misha held <Phoenix’s Vestmant> in both hands. How
she was holding it said how important it was to her.
She heads back to the door where Sasha is but on the way she was distracted by a ring
placed on a pedestal.
The <Ice Lotus Leaf Ring>. It gives off a cold air and got its name after covering the
seven seas with ice lotus leaves.
It’s no coincidence that Misha saw the ring. Magic items and their users are attracted
to each other.
“……It’s fine…”
There might be some circumstances. Whatever. On my way out I take the <Ice Lotus
Leaf Ring> and go after Misha.
“Ah! Arnos, Misha, where’d you go? When I looked up you were gone. I was worried.”
“Please stop looking at me with that face. It feels like you are looking down on me.”
“What are you saying. The words ‘looking down on someone’ don’t exist in my
dictionary.”
Suddenly turning around Sasha looks back at the altar. All that’s left is to return and
complete the dungeon exam so we should finish our other business quickly.
“Are you going to give it to her?” I said to Misha who was hiding behind my back.
“…Now…?”
After thinking a little Misha shakes her head and steps out from behind my back.
“Sasha.”
Sasha looks back and was surprised to see the <Phoenix’s Vestment> in Misha’s hands.
“What’s that Misha?”
“Here?”
Misha nods.
“For you.”
“…Eh? for me? Is that okay?… Because… that’s… an outrageous magical tool.”
She understood the huge magical power hidden within as she stares at it with her
demon eyes.
Sasha smiles softly and tears come to the corner of her eyes.
“…Nn…”
Magic circles form in her eyes as she looks at the <Phoenix’s Vestment>. <Demon Eye’s
of Ruin>. There’s no need for them here so has she become emotional causing them to
come out?
Somethings odd though. If it was overflowing joy then they should have come out after
she was told it was for her birthday but they came out while staring at the <Phoenix’s
Vestment>. Something has made her excited. What’s she come up with?
She puts her hands on her uniform buttons but then looks at me as if she’s just noticed
me.
Good grief. She knows how to make work for people. Can’t be helped.
“That’s good.”
“…Arnos’ help…”
“You exaggerate.”
“Thank you.”
It’s been at least 10 minutes. How long does it take to change clothes?
“…Strange.”
Or……?
The altar enters my view first. It’s clearly different from before.
It’s red.
In front of the altar is Misha, head slumped forward and kneeling in a pool of blood
with a knife thrust into the right side of her chest.
She’s still alive but needs treating right away, except I can’t. A magic barrier has been
carefully set up around Misha.
On the other side of the room by the entrance is Sasha. She’s wearing the <Phoenix’s
Vestment> and is holding the king’s sceptre.
“Hmph. You’re an idiot. Just because we got along a little you were so easily deceived.
Did you really want this me to get along with that trash doll in this little play of ours
while aiming for first position in the dungeon test?”
A play huh? Reconciling with Misha, being happy, even crying over her birthday
present. Was all of that a lie?
“Men are simple. A little kiss for only a moment and you fall for it. Did you honestly
think I liked a mongrel like you?”
“However, as betrayals go yours seems a bit tepid for some reason. You could have
killed Misha, chopped up her body to make revival difficult, sealed those pieces in
rocks and spread them around the world where I’d never find them. Why didn’t you
do that?”
Sasha frowns and draws back from the atmosphere I’ve just created. I can’t say any
more. I can’t show a complete lack of empathy.
“So far what you’ve done is nothing but pure mischief. You might as well just patted
Misha’s breasts with that knife.”
The contract was made between Misha and Sasha and now it’s disappeared. With this,
she can leave anytime as it was only the contract that made her a member.
However I look at it I can’t see Misha agreeing to the cancellation. Unless both parts
agree it cannot be cancelled. Even if one of them dies the effect will continue.
There are a few other ways to break it but those are the most obvious.
“I see. Interesting.”
Sasha probably thought she had the upper hand but instead she now had a cornered
look on her face.
“You… are you crazy? That girl will die if you don’t help her. This isn’t a situation where
you can be composed! Don’t you understand that!”
“Fumu. What’s wrong with this situation? By all appearances, nothings changed. We
have a tedious sleepy class this afternoon.”
“She was born to be used by me. Nothing more than a tool and when it became useless
it was to be thrown away like a ragged dustcloth. A pitiful, miserable, magic doll.”
She’s not even looking at me. Her eyes are locked onto Misha.
“Nee, Misha. Are you still alive? Let me tell you this in your final moments. No matter
how many times I deceived you, you still believed me. You always played the good little
girl all helpless and cute. You disgust me! I hate you!”
Sasha excitedly spits out words designed to hurt but the thing is, her <demon eyes of
ruin> have not formed.
Not just now either. Not once have they formed since this began.
“And?” I take a step forward and Sasha takes a step back. “Your true reason is?”
“Oh? Did you possibly think that I couldn’t control my <demon eyes of ruin>?”
Sasha closes her eyes and when she opens them again her <demon eyes of ruin> are
gone.
“I heard the story about Zepes and Liorg. You put a lot of pressure on the brothers to
get along. You’re the same as that doll. A peaceful, easygoing, naive fool.”
I’m naive? Well, in this age I guess I am. However, she says I’m peaceful?
“Even though you’ve got a little bit of power you know nothing. Don’t force your ideas
on others!”
“I refuse.”
“When I want to say something I’ll say it. When I want to ask something I’ll ask. Who
can give me orders?”
Of course I still need to know some courtesy, however, I don’t need to hold my words
back here.
“Sasha. While you were my subordinate I gave you the hand of friendship. Surely you
didn’t think it will end with this?”
I walk right up to Sasha who’s gripping the king sceptre firmly while being on her
guard.
If I harm Sasha the barrier around Misha will shrink and crush her but before that
happens it will push the knife in deeper and kill her.
“The knife will be pushed in and kill her. Even you will need at least 10 seconds to
break the barrier and heal her. That’s all the time I need.”
Sasha’s body starts to float. She rises up and starts to fly out of the exit.
I was quicker though. I kicked the ground and rapidly approached Sasha grabbing her
hand. Sasha’s face was completely surprised.
Because the conditions had been met <Lent> activated, however, Misha was safe.
There was no change to the barrier.
If you looked into the abyss you would see that the knife, the barrier and the blood
were all illusions made by my illusion magic.
Misha was healed with recovery magic Healing <Ento> a long time ago and the barrier
was broken. Activating it does nothing.
“The moment I saw it. My friend was dying. Of course I would act.”
“By the way. I did that in 0.1 seconds. You had another 9.9 seconds to run away. What
should I do with the remaining time?”
“…Wait…”
“…Forgive her…”
Yare yare. She doesn’t normally look at me with such serious eyes.
“…No good…?”
I won’t take orders but it’s different if its a request. I’ll willingly accept the requests of
this particular friend.
“You are truly foolish Misha. Did you honestly think I’d say thank you? Too bad. Your
life exists to be used by me. In your last moments, you’ll regret this!”
Spitting out those words Sasha suddenly loses control of Flight <Fres> causing her to
fall to the floor doing a flashy roll along the ground as she hits it.
“Aah, my bad. You were in such high spirits with your little speech I forgot to tell you
but I disturbed the magic flow around here so you can’t fly.”
“A loser is a loser. Give it your all and crawl on the ground all the way back, otherwise,
I might change my mind.”
Even though I was undoubtedly being glared at I turned my back to Sasha and walked
off.
“Sasha. I’m tolerant of betrayal by my subordinates not to mention yours barely ranks
as mischief. I’ll forgive you if you show suitable manners and thanks.”
“…About Sasha…?”
“About you.”
Misha falls into her usual deadpan silence when I say that.
“……Want to know…?”
“Want to say.”
“I see.”
“…Nn…”
I can see most of the circumstances now going by what I’ve heard so far.
“It’s almost impossible to cancel any contract made by Contract <Zekt> unless the
difference in magic power is enormous. Yours and Sasha’s magic power levels are very
similar yet she cancelled the contract.”
“However, if you and Sasha are the same person then only one of you needs to cancel
it since in effect you signed the contract with just one person.”
“…Arnos is smart…”
It’s not something worthy of being praised. I guess the people of this time don’t know
that there is magic to split a person into two people.
“It’s similar to a magic called Soul Fission <Dielga>. The body and soul are divided but
they gradually return to their single original form.”
Misha nods.
“I’m a simulated personality created by magic. I don’t originally exist. I’ll return to
Sasha on my 15th birthday. That’s why that girl called me a magic doll.”
That explains the same magic power and why Misha is in white clothes despite the
fact she has the same blood. They always knew she’d disappear.
“…How…?”
“Soul Fission <Dielga> is not a simple magic. In this age, it has really limited use. Also,
the success rate dramatically drops if it’s not cast on a fetus. You carry Aivis’ blood. It’s
not a big leap to suspect him.”
“<Dielga> and fusion magic together have a purpose. Fusion magic can fuse together
two magics but it has a flaw due to it’s limited fusion time.”
“However, it’s a different story if you originally divide one thing into two. Using the
power of Misha and Sasha who will return to one person Aivis came up with a way of
eliminating the duration defect of fusion magic.”
Use <Dielga> to divide then use fusion magic to amplify the magic power. The original
magic power will increase many tens if not hundreds of times and because it was
originally the same thing it will permanently fuse together and never separate again.
I must admit even I find it quite an absurd thing to do. The complexity of the method,
the difficulty of the magic and the risk to Sasha are all enormous.
Even if she survived the fusion could her body withstand the power? Even if it did,
would her mind survive?
Well, even if Aivis is rotting he’s still a mazoku I produced directly. It will probably be
fine.
It’s a magic made by combining fusion magic and <Dielga>. It must have been
developed to produce a stronger mazoku. This is probably the reason that he started
studying fusion magic.
Misha nods.
“…I’m sorry…”
“Don’t worry about it. When you want to say something you should just say it.”
“I wanted to spend the time normally.” She says while raising her gaze to meet mine
before continuing.
“Since I was born my fate was decided. I’ll disappear and only Sasha will remain. Even
so, those 15 years would be pretty good I thought.”
Even compared to the short lives of humans her life is too short. For mazoku it’s a life
so short it will be an instant.
“With only that much time I wanted memories but no mazoku would talk to me. Half
a Necron. I’m not supposed to exist. Even in the school, it was the same.”
Fumu. Certainly, I’ve never seen Misha talking to another mazoku. Even Emilia will
only do businesslike exchanges.
“I thought so.”
“Arnos spoke to me and became my friend. You took me to your house and your
parents happily spoke to me.”
Misha laughs.
A girl I spoke to on a whim considers it a miracle. What kind of past have you walked
until now? It’s easy to imagine.
This age is certainly peaceful but it’s still not without tragedies.
“Arnos.”
The thing I wanted to say tomorrow has arrived. I gently place my hand on the head
of Misha who’s saying such a silly thing.
“What’s wrong?”
Misha nods.
“You are here and you are my first friend. You didn’t think I was going to let my friend
die did you?”
“…Impossible even for Arnos… I do not exist from the beginning. I’m only returning to
the original. I’m not dying, I’m disappearing. I cannot revive.”
Resurrection <Ingaru>. If the soul survives the death then by looking into the abyss at
the origin of the soul they can be revived, however, the origin of Misha is Sasha. After
Misha disappears, even if I use <Ingaru> the origin of Misha which is the source of the
resurrection won’t exist anywhere.
Originally one thing divided into two by magic. The time limit is 15 years. After 15
years the body and soul that is not restored cannot continue living.
To begin with, the state of division between Misha and Sasha is unnatural. Magic can
temporarily cause unnatural things to exist and can also restore unnatural things.
That being said magic cannot indefinitely maintain artificial things caused by magic.
“Thank you.”
“What for?”
“Kind words are good and all but just those won’t save you.”
“There there.”
She says it in her usual indifferent tone. Because she will disappear she’s worried
about me making friends with someone who will disappear.
I grabbed her slender body and pulled her to me hugging her strongly.
“…Arnos…?”
“There are two things that I don’t know.”
“…What…?”
“I told you. I am the founder, the Demon King. I will grant your wish.”
“I want to reconcile.”
“That is my wish.”
“……Difficult…?”
I release Misha.
“To where Sasha is. I’ll make sure you make up.”
When I laughed Misha smiled happily.
“…Nn…”
“You must keep thinking that there is a tomorrow right up to the last moment.”
“I understand.”
There’s nothing to be scared about she said. Because she doesn’t exist.
I am Arnos Voldigod.
Me and Misha are heading up the stairs towards the upper levels of the dungeon.
Sasha tried to use Flight <Fres> but I prevented that. Walking normally we still haven’t
caught up though. Perhaps she’s running?
“It’ll be fine.”
I raise my foot slightly and stamp on the floor. With a rumbling noise, the dungeon
begins to shake so violently even standing becomes difficult.
“Hold on.”
“…Nn…”
“I changed the topography a little and made some dead ends. We can catch up now.”
After advancing onward for a while a bright space appeared in front of us.
The reason was probably the fact that the passage we came through was no longer
there. When I stamped my foot the terrain changed dramatically and collapsed the
tunnel.
“Yo Sasha.”
When I spoke she jumped before turning around. She still grasping the king’s sceptre.
She’s being cautious since she doesn’t know what my aim is.
“If you want the king sceptre you’ll have to kill me.”
“Are you an idiot? Have you already forgotten what you did to me a while back?”
“I’m amazed at this idiot doll as well as you Arnos. You take everything this child says
so seriously. This child you are so enamoured with does not exist. It has no life and no
soul. It’s just a trash doll that will disappear tomorrow.”
“…I see. She told you. Doll-san has been behaving like she’s alive for a long time now.
Is it afraid of disappearing?”
“Wrong.”
“What is?”
“It’s decided that I will disappear. There’s nothing to be scared of.” Misha said
indifferently. “But before that, I want to make up with Sasha. That’s all.”
“About what?”
“I will draw a magic formation. If you can use it on your first attempt you win. If you
can’t it’s my win.”
Using the magic formation that another person has built is very difficult. You need to
know what type of magic it is as well as understand the technique for using it.
Normally the side drawing the formation will have an overwhelming advantage but
that’s only if their opponent is not me.
“That’s all? It’s quite advantageous for me. You can apply some more handicaps if you
want.”
A strange condition.
“What magic?”
“Oh? You have to check? Are you too scared to play now?”
The condition is to use one magic unquestioningly. It’s a broad condition and the use
of Contract <Zekt> will make sure it’s absolute. <Zekt> cannot be cancelled by being
halfhearted either. I need to be cautious due to my high magical power.
If she makes the conditions simple and limited, using <Zekt> should be okay.
Sasha turns around and walks off before stopping in the centre of the room.
Closing her eyes she holds the king’s sceptre with both hands and raises it up.
Magic power particles begin to rise up and an original magic circle starts to form at
her feet before gradually spreading out all over the room.
Magic characters and gates form one after the other. Ten minutes or so pass and Sasha
is still building it.
For starters, I don’t know this magic. It resembles no magic from the age of myths. This
is either something developed in the last 2000 years or judging by Sasha confidence
something she herself has created.
Another reason is the formation is unfinished. By my guess its not even at 10% yet.
There’s too many options to guess at the moment. At this stage, even for me, it’s
impossible to narrow down what kind of magic it is.
“Don’t worry. It will be done before that child disappears at midnight tomorrow.”
I see. It’s probably a strategy to delay me. Does she think I’ll be in a hurry to save Misha
before midnight so I’ll rush and fail or is she planning something else entirely?
“You challenged me to a match so you should do your best. Don’t ruin it with petty
tricks.”
During our last match, the differences in our abilities were clearly shown. Where’s her
confidence coming from? Sasha understands how powerful I am.
“Interesting. Out of respect for your reckless courage, I’ll not look at all until you
complete the formation.”
I sit down and close my demon eyes before casting Magic Clock <Teru> to see what
time it was.
Sasha is concentrating on constructing her formation. At this scale if she makes even
a tiny mistake she won’t finish in time though I don’t think her pride will allow her to
make a mistake.
Misha watches her sister figure desperately building the magic formation as if trying
to burn the scene into her eyes. It’s like she would regret even blinking and continues
watching her.
In this way, time passes and eventually <Teru> shows the time 11:45
Finally.
“Arnos.”
I slowly got up, activated my demon eyes and looked at the magic formation only to
find it still unfinished.
Sasha raises her hands and invokes magic. The moonlight that was pouring into the
room scatters off into countless rays of light and fills in the missing pieces of the
formation.
An accomplished mage in this age might need a whole day to decipher the hundreds
of thousands of magic characters but I saw it all the moment I looked at it.
“Kuku, kukukuku, kuhahahaha!! I see. Indeed I see it, Sasha. You never intended to win
right from the beginning.”
“I know your power. Even with such a game, I would never have won no matter how
good I was, however, I refuse to lose to fate.”
I see. She doesn’t want to lose to fate.
“As you guessed, my purpose is to have you use this great magic.”
“You planned well. You have to activate this magic to win and if I lost you’d order me
to activate it anyway.”
Since I’m under <Zekt> I have to cast it. No matter who wins or loses the magic will
still be cast which is what Sasha wants.
Of course with my power it’s not like I couldn’t get out of it but…… that would be
inelegant and tasteless.
“All right. In honour of your wisdom and courage, I’ll accept the victory.”
I hold my hand out to the circle, synchronise with the magic wavelength of Sasha and
activate the formation.
“This is the first time I’ve seen this magic. What is it?”
<Zekshiz> appears to be a magic that tampers with the wavelength of magic power.
It’s not a superficial synchronisation like I just did. It changes the actual origin and
makes you like another person.
Flame Prison Annihilation Cannon <Geo Greys> is a high level magic that Sasha could
barely cast so this circle would be beyond her power levels so that’s why she needed
me to cast it.
I activate <Zekshiz>.
Sasha body begins to shine while blue particles dance about like fireflies.
The light gets stronger and stronger and the whole room is dyed blue before returning
to its normal colour.
“…is it over…?”
Sasha nods.
It can be prevented by using anti-magic but with me as her partner it’s impossible.
“I don’t mind.”
I activate <Liknos>
“Misha.”
At the centre of the huge room the Necron sisters face each other while moonlight is
pouring down creating a fantastical scene.
Misha nods.
“What’s it like?”
“I see.”
If you are conscious of <Liknos> your thoughts will be transmitted through the magic.
[Only you were by me. Only you looked in my eyes. Only you smiled at me.]
[Because you helped me practise I ended up being able to control my eyes and stop
hurting people.]
[But for you who doesn’t exist, you were only a servant who followed. You were always
alone.]
[For 15 years I’ve lived happily enough and that’s enough. It’s fine already so I give my
remaining life to you.]
[I’m the original but I always thought there should be a way to change it so I researched
magic all this time.]
[Separation Fusion Reincarnation <Dino Jikusess>. What distinguishes you from me is
our magic wavelength so I created Origin Tuning <Zekshiz>.]
[I changed the origin of my power to match yours so <Dino Jikusess> won’t know who’s
the original.]
[Another magic, Subject Alternation <Delt> will make you the original.]
[I can do it.]
[<Delt> is the last piece to use. Please be aware that you are you.]
[You’ll be okay.]
[Here at the end I need to tell you that I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth Misha.]
[Since I’m disappearing I don’t have to worry about paying the price of lying while under
<Zekt>.]
“Nee, doll-san.”
[Nee, Misha.]
Sasha betrays the contract but I destroyed <Zekt> right at that moment.
“Therefore”
[Therefore]
“Have a nice day.”
Sasha hugs her younger sister. She doesn’t seem to have realised but she’s smiling.
[I will change it. You dying. Such a fate. I’ll break it.]
The moment Sasha casts the magic both of them are engulfed in a dazzling light.
The light begins to settle and the shadow of 2 people begins to appear.
With a surprised expression, Sasha stares at the face of her younger sister.
“……Such a…”
[However…]
The thoughts of her heart flowed out. She spills words filled with despair.
“…Why……?”
Nothing but good will comes from Misha’s eyes while she looks at her older sister.
Sasha bites her lip and strongly holds back her tears but a few drops begin to fall.
Sasha plan was certainly perfect but she made one miscalculation. Misha loved her
older sister more than she thought and her love was not affected by Sasha’s acting.
“…Idiot…”
“…You idiot… you… that much… that much… I… I did so many terrible things…!”
Sasha knees buckled under her despair and she buried her face into Misha’s chest.
“There there.”
“Don’t mind it. I am the one who never existed from the beginning.”
“That’s not true! Misha is here! I want to protect you! I love you. You are important.
You’re my sister. I’ll destroy your fate!”
“I’m not disappearing. I’m joining with Sasha. I’ll always be with you.”
Misha’s time as Misha was almost up but she looked satisfied while patting the crying
Sasha.
“Arnos’ help.”
“I’m glad.”
Misha nods.
“I thought we could never reconcile but in my life, two miracles have happened.”
She slowly turned to look at me, her eyes red and swollen from crying.
“If you ask if I can do it or not, I can. <Delt> was it? The reason you need to make Misha
reject you is because you are inexperienced.”
“Not allowed.”
“Please Arnos! Kill me! I’ve lived enough! I want to give the rest of my life to Misha.”
“I never existed from the beginning. It’s weird if Sasha is the one to be sacrificed.”
They both want to protect each other so much that they are each willing to disappear.
“That reminds me. There was a question similar to this in the aptitude test.”
I say while thinking back to the entrance exam.
“There is a daughter that is powerful but lacks the aptitude of the demon king and a
son that has poor magic but a great aptitude to be the demon king. One day they both
receive a gods curse and are fated to die together at a certain time but you are also
given one holy grail to cure one of them. Which one should you save? Describe the
thoughts of the founder at this time.”
“Why?”
“The demon king will not reincarnate into a mazoku that is not suitable regardless of
how powerful they are.”
I see. That’s the thinking of this era. Nowadays they lay emphasis on pedigree and
aptitude so that’s the correct answer.
“Wrong.”
You could also look at it that the demon king would only reincarnate into someone
powerful.
However,
“Also wrong.”
“In the first place who’s the fellow asking which one should be saved? When was it
said the founder could only save one of them? A gods curse? When would I lose against
a god?”
Sasha stood up. It was without much force but she stood up.
“…How…? It doesn’t require much thought to see that it’s impossible. Originally our
body and soul are one. We cannot remain divided forever. Even if you prepare a new
body for Misha, a soul cannot live a long life when cut in half. Even if you reincarnate
it will still only be half a soul and will still die young.”
Sasha arranges her logic to prove its impossible, however, if you know its impossible,
why did you stand up?
Is she expecting it? Betting everything on a tiny sliver of hope? That I will overturn
common sense like in our group opposition exam and replace her with Misha?
“No, not at all. There’s a simple solution to this. Originally, there just needs to be 2
people.”
Sasha was at a loss for words. Indeed, she probably thinks that the past cant be
changed, however, true magic can transcend even time, to a light degree anyway.
At this level, even for me, I can’t say that it will be easy.
“…That’s right. Misha was created by <Dino Jikusess>. If we were twins from the
beginning the Misha who is here now will disappear. Even if she is a younger sister it
won’t be Misha……”
If I change the past then Misha won’t be born. It’s blocked in all directions. A true
impossibility.
However, the demon king is one that destroys even the impossible.
“2 divided souls. Due to its origin, it is destined to return to being one. Don’t you think
there should be another origin?”
“Originally there was a whole Sasha. Then Sasha is divided by <Dino Jikusess> and we
get a Sasha and Misha whose origin is halved.”
“We simply fuse Sasha with Sasha and Misha with Misha. It’s a simple addition and
once done you will both have complete origins and will both be real people who were
born.”
“…I don’t really get it…… If it was just me I can see it but is there such a magic to make
the exact same person?”
“Sorry. No magic can produce the exact same person. There is only one origin for
everything in this world.”
“No, I cannot make another person who’s exactly the same but I don’t need to. We’ll go
and meet the other person ourselves.”
“I didn’t explain myself properly. I should have said I’ll go into the past and fuse the
current you with the past you.”
Both Sasha and Misha have looks on their faces that say they still don’t understand.
Origin magic <Lebaido>. They don’t know the time concept that occurs when using it.
In the age of myths, I wonder how many mazoku could change the past by more than
a few seconds?
“Basically, I will send the origins of the 2 people who are here now 15 years into the
past to when you were born. There will be 2 origins each then. One for the past and
one for the present. Misha and Sasha are the same person but past Misha and Sasha
are also the same person. Both your origins will return to being one. Misha will fuse
with Misha and Sahsa will fuse with Sasha.”
“You would both have bodies and would basically be born as twins.”
Changing the past is subject to various laws and is very difficult. If someone notices
that twins were born then contradictions in the timeline will occur and the past that
was changed will not go well.
Therefore, all I need to do is make sure that nobody realises or becomes aware of it.
“Although the past will be changed both of you as well as Aivis will continue to think
that Misha was born due to <Dino Jikusess>. Nothing will change. Not world history,
not even a speck of dust. The only thing that will change is that Misha will still be here
at midnight.”
Sasha looked at me with a face that said that she didn’t believe me.
I nod silently.
“Good. Both of you will be using <Lebaido>. If I go back nothing will happen. Both of
you need to go back and join up with your origins at the moment you were born.”
“…Wait. I know the basics of origin magic but such a great magic is…”
The origins of us 3 will be connected by <Guys>. I can pour my magic into them
through the magic lines as much as they need
“Leave the magic power and use of it to me. All you need to do is look at your origins
with your demon eyes. Those will be your targets.”
I raise 2 fingers.
“One. Make sure you get your own origin. Fix your eyes on the time that you were in
your mother’s stomach as the time stream you can travel back on is fixed then.”
I can send them back 15 years but that’s too general. I need an exact time.
“Two and this is important. The assumption of origin magic is that you are borrowing
power from the founder, the demon king.”
The origins of magic use the rule that the older you are the more magical you are.
Should I lend them my power from now or let them borrow my power from 2000 years
ago? It’s not so simple a story.
When using origin magic it would be much stronger using the me from 2000 years ago
due to the 2000 year drift strengthening my magic and increasing my power.
Oh well, it can’t be helped. It’s a troublesome magical concept. I should just finish up.
“Okay? Listen up. I am the founder. The demon king of cruelty that you believe in is
fake. He’s an imitation. Believe that I am the founder when you use the origin magic
otherwise <Lebaido> will fail.”
Misha and Sasha look at each other then nodded as they steeled themselves.
“In any case, I’m relying on you anyway. Even if it’s only a little, there’s a small chance
that I believe you.” replied Sasha.
At that moment a loud noise rings out and the ceiling collapses.
Mixed in with the rubble was a shadow which dropped straight down.
The moment my eyes caught the face of a skeleton it was already only several
centimetres away and in its hand was a jet black demon sword. It was like it was
holding condensed night in its hand.
The ominous swords effortlessly breaks through my anti-magic barrier before tearing
through my skin, splitting my flesh and piercing my heart.
“…Arnos…!!”
One of the old seven demon emperors Avis Necron mutters in a low voice before
pushing the rest of the sword into my chest.
“…Sasha…”
“…I know!!”
Misha uses Creation Construction <Ibis> to cover Aivis’ body in a prison of steel while
at the same time Sasha pours all her magical power into her <Demon eyes of Ruin>.
“Die!!”
Apart from the rubble that is still falling all the other debris, rubble and surrounding
objects make a noise and shatter all at once.
Aivis waves a hand and Sashas <Demon Eyes of Ruin> are suppressed while Misha’s
steel jail is broken.
Aivis then activates Demon Binding Chain <Gigel> tying Sasha and Misha up in chains
of magic.
“You are important containers. You should behave yourselves. It’s almost time. <Dino
Jikusess> will be completed and the founder will reincarnate here.”
“Fumu. I see. <Dino Jikusess> was purely to make a container for the founder to
reincarnate into.”
An astonished Aivis turns to see me standing there with a demon sword sticking out
of my heart.
It’s true that recovery magic hasn’t been working since I got stabbed.
“Did you honestly think I die from just having my heart crushed?”
I grab Aivis’ face daring to take another blow from him at such close range.
“I thought it was about time for you to come, Aivis Necron. You studied fusion magic
for over 1000 years and even gave it to your descendants. You couldn’t allow a
nuisance to ruin it.”
I draw a magic circle inside this guys body.
“Unfortunately, I don’t have time to play with you so I’ll have to ask you to leave early.”
At that moment a jet black sun appeared inside Aivis and tore through the multiple
layers of anti-magic he had built collapsing his body from the inside.
Black light began to leak from Aivis’ body as he began to split open.
“Gahh!… thi… this magical power… Impossible. Not only more knowledgeable than me
but more powerful… you… are strong…!!”
Aivis was blown away while trying to resist <Geo Greys> rampaging inside his body.
“I’m not able to heal the wound caused by this demon sword.”
I threw the demon sword Gador at Aivis causing the jet black sword to pierce his body
as if it was sucked in.
The force I threw it with was still in effect causing that guy’s body to fly into the air
and smash into the wall where he looked like he was crucified.
It’s time for the live performance. Time to change the past.
I pour magic into the formation I built and trigger Origin Magic <Lebaido>.
The Magic Clock <Teru> showed 11:59:55
Heading towards the origin that Sasha and Misha had fixed their eyes on <Lebaido>
invites them to the past.
The point of a silver sword appears and the empty space in front of my eyes was
suddenly cut. It looks a bit like a curtain for an actor to enter the stage.
From just the tip you could think it was a sword but I know its actually a scythe.
Other than me this must be her first time meeting someone who’s power she couldn’t
see the bottom of.
“Concentrate on your origins. The magic hasn’t fully formed yet. Besides, this guy isn’t
someone you can take on.”
Enlarging the space that was cut a pair of hands wearing white gloves appear. Grasping
the space they wrench it open further and a figure slowly appears.
It’s wearing a white robe with a hood and no matter how hard you stare with your
demon eyes you won’t be able to see its face. Of course, it’s possible it doesn’t even
have a face to begin with.
“Eugo Ra Raviaz the guardian deity of time. Simply put, its the god responsible for
protecting and keeping the order and flow of time.”
“He’s here for business as a god. I’m going to greatly alter the past and he doesn’t
forgive people that set out to do that.”
Eugo Ra Raviaz turns to look at me. After a moment it appears to recognise me and
says.
“—–Won’t permit—–”
“Hou. This is the first time we’ve met where you’ve spoken.”
“—–Won’t forgive—–”
Again Eugo Ra Raviaz emits a voice that shakes the air around it
“Fumu. If possible could you look the other way on this? Even though I’m changing the
past I’m only saving one mazoku. Or you could say only one tragedy is disappearing
from this world. Can’t a god allow this one thing?”
“—–Won’t permit—–”
If you try to change the past with magic other supernatural powers will act to prevent
it. The order of the world, the law of the world or simply providence. The guardian
deity embodies all of it.
Eugo Ra Raviaz is here to remove the cause of whatever is trying to alter the past.
In other words, he’s here to kill the caster of <Lebaido>.
“Yare yare. Even after 2000 years you lot are as narrow-minded as ever. You don’t like
people stepping on your speciality. You don’t permit anyone other than gods to
perform miracles.”
What value is there to a god that saves the order of things but doesn’t save anybody?
“The rules you and the other gods arbitrarily decided on are unjust. It might make me
the bad one but I have no intention of following such things.”
“—–Won’t allow disruption to flow of time. I will hand down judgement upon thee—
–“(1)
Eugo Ra Raviaz disappears with a flash of light. The next moment he appears next to
Avis Necron who’s still pinned to the wall.
What’s he doing?
Eugo Ra Raviaz raises his hand and the demon sword Gador moves backwards out of
Avis body and falls on the floor.
The wounds caused by the demon sword Gador cannot be healed but the guardian
deity of time returned the time to Aivis.
It was returned to before he was stabbed with Gador and burnt with <Geo Greys>
“—–I grant thee the power of the god of time. Destroy Arnos Voldigod—–”
Eugo Ra Raviaz turns into light and is then sucked into the body of Aivis.
What remained was a silver weapon in Aivis’ hand.
“Fufufufu……”
“As expected from you. It’s now come to this Arnos Voldigod”
With the Time Gods Scythe in hand, Aivis’ magic power cant even be compared to what
it was before.
Indeed, she has good demon eyes. If you look into the abyss of this fellow you can see
the power of Eugo Ra Raviaz overflowing from his source.
“I see the current Eugo Ra Raviaz has learnt to be more effective in his destroying of
those that disturb the time flow by giving his power to them.”
The power of Eugo Ra Raviaz has been added to the magic of Aivis but more
importantly than that.
Aivis doesn’t show any reaction to my words. He just stares at me in a grand manner.
Aivis shouldn’t know about the existence of <Lebaido> so naturally, neither should
Eugo Ra Raviaz.
Even if by some small chance I had used it in the past and one of the other Old Seven
Demon Emperors had told Aivis about it his lines still don’t add up.
He had to have already known about it and lied to me. It’s the most logical answer.
“Haha, kuhahahaha. Who’s going to die after this? Don’t get cocky over your borrowed
power. Your ability is known to me.”
I draw a magic formation and fire off a <Geo Greys>. A jet black comet fires out and
hits Aivis, however, wielding the Time Gods Scythe he cuts it right in 2.
It wasn’t even anti-magic or a counter attack. The time of <Geo Greys> was returned
and it never existed.
“Any magic will have its time returned. Your attacks will not reach me.”
“You prevented one magic. Is that it? If you intend to win try to make it look more
natural.”
Waving his scythe Aivis sets up a magic barrier. <Gazeruta>. Any magic that touches it
will have its time rewound.
“A splendid display of bluffing but how do you intend to break through a magic barrier
that returns time?”
“What……!?”
“<Gazeruta> is a magic barrier that unwinds the time of magic that hits it. A normal
<Geo Greys> would disappear as soon as it touched it so I made mine go against time.”
A <Geo Greys> that goes against time would normally be useless. Because it goes
against time it has no influence in the world at all. In other words, the magic itself
doesn’t occur. However, <Gazeruta> rewinds time so the magic has its time returned
to it putting it in a state where the magic is now occurring and can affect the world.
The first 6 shots of <Geo Greys> I fired were decoys. I fired another 6 <Geo Greys> but
sent them 6 hours back in time with <Lebaido>. <Gazeruta> caused their time to be
returned.
“Although you’ve borrowed the power of Eugo Ra Raviaz your knowledge and
preparation regarding the concept of time is insufficient.”
“It certainly looks like it. I guess I was taking thee too lightly.”
<Geo Greys> disappears leaving behind a perfectly healthy and intact Aivis.
“However, I who received the power of Eugo Ra Raviaz am now invulnerable. I cannot
be hurt.”
Eugo Ra Raviaz is the god of time and can freely return a body’s time with no penalties.
It doesn’t stop a bodies time as that would be unsuitable but if you ever get hurt you
can just go back to before it happened.
It’s an eternally invulnerable existence and Aivis who now shares that power also
benefits from that power.
Taking on Eugo Ra Raviaz means I only have one aim.
My <Lebaido> cannot manipulate the time of Eugo Ra Raviaz’s main body but by using
its own scythe against it I can.
By using the Time Gods Scythe I can make the immortal time gods time finite.
Aivis turned the scythe on himself and stabbed himself in the stomach.
As it settles his skeleton shines a silvery white and sharp blades appear on both arms.
There is a time limit to normal fusion magic but as long as Eugo Ra Raviaz is involved
it doesn’t matter.
Also, due to fusing with the scythe his magic power has swelled more than tenfold.
Aivis waves both his arms which have assimilated with the scythe as if he’s trying to
cut both the sky and the ground.
“Fumu. How strange. Are you trying to destroy the important vessels for the founder’s
reincarnation? Can you easily make more? Or-”
Aivis shows no reaction at my words and puts more power into his arms.
“Is breaking the container in which you put so much effort nothing compared to killing
me?”
“You don’t have the luxury to be able to talk anymore. The situation has already been
reversed.”
“Very Impressive. Thou art using the <King> class’ characteristic of <Guys> which
means thy magic power should have decreased by at least 30%. Though art also
supplying magic power to <Lebaido> as well as the 2 people using it and all the while
controlling it. Despite all this, thou endured my blow suffused with a gods power.”
“…Arnos…!!”
“………”
“How kind. Is the past not yet changed? Although you have the help of skilled people
origin magic is difficult to control. Just give up and throw away your burden.”
As Aivis is talking the sources of Misha and Sasha which are travelling back in time by
15 years are still on their way.
One reason the magic still hasn’t completed is that those 2 still don’t completely
believe that I’m the founder.
No matter how much they think they believe if it’s not from the bottom of their hearts
the origin magic will not complete.
“Not that it matters. The result will still be the same even if you don’t give up.”
“Escape.”
“Fumu. Yare yare. That’s the reason. You seem to think there’s a chance that I will lose
so you don’t believe that I’m the founder.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll buy you the time you need to let the origin magic complete.”
The loudest sound yet rings out and my last barrier is broken.
“It was a good bluff at the end there, however, this is the end.”
“You protected those two people right up to the end Arnos Voldigod.”
The voice of Aivis that had been far away was suddenly by my ear.
Accelerating his own time Aivis approached me in almost.1 of a second and stuck his
right arm into my abdomen.
Using the Time Gods Scythe embedded in his body he makes my body’s time go out of
control.
“I will drink all thy time and make thee disappear.”
Silver light surrounds me and time accelerates. 1 billion years——-10 billion years—
—-. Eternity piled up in an instant. Even the body of a demon king cannot survive
forever. One day I will die and disappear.
The light splits open and the body subjected to eternal time became extinct.
“Fu…… fufufufu, fuhahahaha!! How’s that? Did you realise it, stupid founder? Fate
cannot be changed. When I became immortal, no, 2000 years ago when you fled from
battle it was decided that this is what would happen on this day!!”
“I don’t know why you can remember since your past has been deleted but you seem
to remember me somehow or another Aivis.”
Aivis seems to be in a state that says he cannot believe it as he slowly turns around.
Aivis was born right at the end of the war. Despite being a mazoku from the age of
myths he’s never seen a true magic battle.
Aivis uses his demon eyes but there’s no trick. I was certainly killed earlier.
Even if the body is ruined the origin is also the source of magic power and it remains
there. Those who have mastered magic can use it even if only their origin remains.
That’s why it’s possible to resurrect even from there. If you’re dead for less than 3
seconds you can revive yourself.
“But…!!”
Aivis teleports 10 meters behind me.
A magic circle forms at his feet and a world of silver white spreads out from there.
A silvery-white barrier extends spherically. If you step foot inside it everything stops,
not temporarily but forever.
“Wha……”
“You’ve only stopped my time. Did you think you’d stopped my ability to walk as well?”
<Demon Eye’s of Ruin> float on my pupils. Everything I can see as well as magic is
destroyed. <Demon Eye’s of Ruin> are the ultimate anti-magic.
“…What’s with this magic power…? Using <Guys> which drinks magic and still
supporting those 2 dead weights? How can you still surpass me who’s obtained the
power of a god…!? Impossible. How can such a thing…!?”
“I will teach you what it means to challenge the demon king in his own castle.”
Black particles of light begin to fill the space. They soon increase to an uncountable
number and fill the room.
Many magical characters appear on the walls, floor and ceiling all crammed together.
The true demon kings castle appears. The strongest magical tool that Arnos Voldigod
owns.
As I grasp the handle the shadow reversed and in its place was a dark long sword.
“Your body which houses the power of Eugo Ra Raviaz is timeless, permanent,
immutable and immortal.”
Aivis pours all of his power into the silvery white world.
Because Aivis has used too much of his magic power the consciousness of Eugo Ra
Raviaz has come to the surface.
Is this the result of fusing with the Time God’s Scythe <Tokigami>?
The consciousness of Aivis and Eugo Ra Raviaz are beginning to merge.
Aivis’ right arm turns into a huge sickle and a huge amount of magic power flows out
of it.
“To whom do you think you are talking to? Know your place servant.”
“My subordinates souls and word are brave and admirable. I will not stand idly by as
they are sneered and ridiculed at.”
“Foolish.”
“Do you still think of yourself as the demon king, stupid founder? No one believes in
you! You should die in obscurity by yourself!”
A single blow and time-space is ruptured but I leisurely capture it with my bare hand.
“All of it.”
“It’s none of them. I am simply me. To completely annihilate those subordinates who
rise up and rebel against this me no matter what their destiny or providence is. That
is what a demon king is.”
“If you can’t believe in me that’s fine, however, I will break your destiny if you wish it
Sasha. Misha. If you say a miracle has occurred then I will make it so.”
“Do not pray and do not wish. Simply walk behind my back. I will stand before you and
block all unreasonableness. I will annihilate it all from now!”
“…Arnos…!”
Sasha’s mouth moved slightly in this world where time had stopped.
Her <Demon Eye’s of Ruin> were activated.
She had poured all her magic into it and was desperately resisting the time stop.
“…Arnos…”
There’s no more words but the thoughts of 2 people were flowing through Thought
Domain <Liknos>.
[I was convinced I’d lived enough but if I said I had no regrets I’d be lying.]
[I still didn’t know love. I didn’t think I’d die without even having a kiss but there was no
help for it. I’d run out of time.]
[Then I met you. A person who could look me in the eye without using anti-magic and
had the same eyes.]
[Just that much was enough to make me laugh. But that’s fine.]
[Let’s destroy that fate. Those words you said so very easily……]
[I gave you my first and last kiss. That should have cleared up my regrets.]
Her determination and small wishes overflowed as Misha’s calm and gentle heart
touched my mind.
[It’s not scary because I never existed from the beginning but I still wanted to make
memories.]
[I wanted a friend but nobody would talk to me. No one called my name as I did not exist
but then Arnos called my name.]
[Whenever you said it my chest got hot. It made me feel like I was alive.]
[However.]
Tears spill from Sasha’s eyes as she hears it then she cries out.
“…Nee. Please. Help me Arnos. That only one can live…… There’s no such fate…!!”
I brush off the scythe with no difficulty and step forward right in front of Aivis.
Jet black magic rises from my sword giving it the impression that it had grown into a
huge blade.
“This is Venuzdonoa.”
The countless anti-magic barriers Aivis had cast on himself all broke as my sword cut
through them and him.
“…Futile…”
“This body controls time and providence itself… what can you do…”
Aivis’ right arm fell off and an astonished voice leaks out.
“…What… the…”
It was easily cut off and no matter how much you rewind it won’t go back.
“…Impossible… Impossible…!! What is that sword? I’ve never heard of the founder
having a sword!”
“Naturally. I very rarely had the opportunity to draw Venuzdonoa. Those who saw it
died without even leaving their origin behind. It’s hard to create a legend when there’s
no one alive to tell it.”
“I’ll give you a pleasant memory to take into the afterlife. Principle destroying sword
Venuzdonoa. It can destroy all things in creation and is the sword of the founder.
Whether it be destiny, providence or a miracle. In front of me, they can do nothing but
grovel and disappear.”
No matter how strong, eternal or infinite Venuzdonoa will destroy them all.
“I……!”
Aivis tried to escape with Flight <Fres> but I grabbed him by the face.
“You won’t forget again. I’ll engrave your skull with fear. I am the demon king Arnos
Voldigod.”
A true magic tool chooses its owner and it seems I’m not compatible with the scythe.
Whenever I defeated Eugo Ra Raviaz in the past I always ended up breaking it.
I hold up my hand and form a magic circle which sucks <Tokigami> in.
Now then.
“Resurrection <Ingaru>.”
The skeletal body shines with a bright light and was revived.
If an origin is destroyed then <Ingaru> can’t bring them back so how did Aivis revive?
The principle destroying sword Venuzdonoa destroyed the origins of 2 beings that
were hostile to me. One was a mazoku and another was Eugo Ra Raviaz, however, there
appears to have been one more origin. Before fusing with Eugo Ra Raviaz it had
already fused with Aivis.
Light appeared in the eyes of the skeleton when I gave it some magic power.
“…I have been forgetful for a long time… My own lord… I remember now, however, my
origin has learned fear. I finally returned to myself after seeing thy battle style…”
“…I do not know… My memory has been erased, however, it’s probable that 2000 years
ago after Arnos-sama had reincarnated I was murdered by someone. Our origins were
fused and I was taken over…”
Well, his memory was completely wiped after all. Guessing is all he’s got.
“During the great magic training, I spoke to you in the classroom. Did they already
know?”
Aivis nods.
Someone killed Aivis and fused with him. Is that someone one the Old Seven Demon
Emperors? Was Aivis being played?
That person knew I was the founder and decided to kill me.
Time Manipulation <Lebaido> and Recollection <Evii> is only effective on those you
designate. During the great magic training, I tried to read Aivis’ memory but because
it was gone I obviously could not read it.
To read the past of the person who fused with Aivis would be impossible as I would
need to know their origin.
Because of its limited fusion time or maybe it was short on purpose they drew my
attention away from Aivis and maybe noticing he was fused with someone else.
“Did the other Old Seven Demon Emperors lose their memories like you?”
“Possibly, or they might have deleted the knowledge of who did it from their own
minds.”
“Receive this correct memory from me. It’s not much, but it’s from when you were
born until I reincarnated.”
“Your orders?”
“The person who fused with you was probably an underling of this Avos Dillheavia
though his existence is not yet confirmed. At the very least there is someone who is
hostile to me and knows I’m the founder.”
Shame I couldn’t get some information from the mazoku who was fused with Aivis. Oh
well, it couldn’t be helped. I was up against the power of Eugo Ra Raviaz so I couldn’t
take any chances. Besides, my top priority at the moment is Sasha & Misha.
“Avos Dillheavia will be watching me and dealing with a mazoku from the age of myths
will be troublesome. Even if I kill them they can probably reincarnate and they won’t
be so stupid as to casually appear in the demon kings castle since I can turn them into
rust on the blade of Venuzdonoa.”
A mazokus life is long and the person imitating me has already waited a long time. No
matter how long it takes we can afford to wait for the perfect opportunity.
“Okay then. Since you died here Avos Dillheavia might relax a bit and be less cautious.”
Now Aivis is believed dead he can investigate secretly from the shadows.
“Your will.”
When I used that magic the white space began to quickly regain colour. The hands on
the Magic Clock <Teru> begin to go round and round then start moving correctly again.
“…Wha…?”
Hearing a mutter from behind I turn around and see Sasha looking up at the ceiling.
“The space that Eugo Ra Raviaz created was isolated from the world and when I killed
him we became unable to return to the time we left. As a result, we have arrived a few
hours ahead.”
I laugh.
Misha’s face takes on a puzzled look for a moment before firmly nodding.
“…Nn…”
“Misha. I’m glad… I’m so glad. You see… errrm…” Sasha says while looking embarrassed.
“Saying that I hate you. I’m so sorry. I love you. I want you to live Misha.”
“Me too.” Misha takes Sasha’s hand. “I also want Sasha to live.”
“Un.”
While I’m looking at the 2 sisters they nod at each other like they’ve made up their
mind on something and turn to me.
In other words, they now believe I’m the founder demon king Arnos Voldigod from
2000 years ago and since they believed in me the origin magic succeeded.
“Sasha. Peace isn’t bad at all.” I say to her causing her to look puzzled.
“In this place, a little rudeness does not lead to loss of life. I got tired of a deteriorating
world that only had fighting. I reincarnated here and I must say its a good time. This
is the world I wanted to create.”
My decision and gamble to divide the world into 4 seems to have gone well even if
there was a slight miscalculation.
“Don’t stand on ceremony so much. What about the time you forcefully kissed me?”
“…Kiss…?”
“No… Wrong! Friend. It was a kiss between friends! Nothing more to it…!”
“Hou. I see. While you were under Thought Domain <Liknos> I’m sure I heard you say
from your heart that you wanted a continuation of that lov—”
“What are you laughing at mongrel! I’m telling you now you misheard it!! Because I
was going to die I just said anything! That’s all! Understand!!”
I can’t help but find it funny how this angry girl speaks to me.
“Whether you are the founder or not is irrelevant. In this time you are a mongrel.”
Misha nods.
“Arnos is my friend.”
“That’s right.”
“Should we go back? It’s a perfect score if we get back to the entrance by 9am.”
“I’m amazed. You’ve just gone through all of that yet you’re worried about an exam
score?”
“I’ve changed the past on a number of occasions but I’ve never got a perfect score in a
dungeon exam.”
After about a minute the dead end turns into a path again.
“My mother is sure to be preparing a feast and waiting. Also.” I start laughing. “It’s both
of your birthdays.”
“I’ll go.”
They fed me some story about having to perform an inspection to see if it was genuine
so they’d be keeping it a while.
Because the exam was planned to end at dawn on the 2nd day there were no classes
planned so we could all rest.
I cast Transfer <Gatom> and we arrive outside my home the blacksmith & appraisers
shop <Solar Wind>.
When I opened the door my mother who was inside turned to me immediately.
My mother runs over with more force than normal and hugs me tightly.
“I know, but even so Arnos-chan is only a month old. I was still worried.”
Fumu. Worried so much just because I didn’t come back for 1 day. My mother should
know my magic power to some extent. It’s an embarrassing feeling.
“I’m home.”
“Ohh?”
Her gaze turns to Sasha but for some reason, she seems startled. She has an expression
like she’s noticed something.
What’s that?
“I think the meaning between your statement and your moms are different.” Sasha
says in a quiet voice.
“What other kinds of meaning can I’ll return in the morning have?”
“What?”
“…It’s… It’s a good thing…”
“Sasha-chan!”
“Sasha-chan!”
My mother pats Sasha’s head and looks like she’s made up her mind about something.
“…You see, I want to avoid this misunderstanding. As for being gentle, it wasn’t needed.”
Sasha calmly corrects my mother however what my mother hears causes her to open
her mouth like she’s received a great shock.
“No, nothing. It’s fine. It’s fine Sasha-chan. Different people like different things. Un,
it’s fine, it’s alright.”
My mother acts like she’s understood something and is trying to convince herself she’s
happy with it.
Sasha looks like she wants to know so she asks my mother again.
“Everyone has their own preferences. As long as you aren’t too violent getting rough
is a good thing.”
Sasha becomes bright red and yells out before putting her hands to her head and
shaking it.
“It’s a misunderstanding. Coming home in the morning didn’t have that kind of
meaning. Misha is here too. See?”
“…fine?…”
At that moment the door to the workshop opened with a crash and my father appeared
and the first thing out of his mouth was.
“Arnos. Father was, even father was like this back in the day. You’re too quick to climb
the steps of adulthood. One of these days you could fall down Hahaha.”
“But when I heard you were with 2 people I was so jealous. You didn’t do both at the
same time did you!?”
My father slaps his hands on my shoulders while yelling and looking upset.
“Arnos. This is advice from your father who actually fell down those stairs.”
“Erm Misha-chan. How did you go up so many flights of adult stairs? How did Arnos
do 2 people?”
My father opened his mouth like he’d realised something before looking at me like
he’d seen something horrible.
“Like I said its a misunderstanding. Today is our Birthday so Arnos invited us!”
Hearing that my mother who was still in shock made a fist like she was determined.
“That’s right. Even if the people themselves say they are okay it’s not something you
can just openly talk about.”
“It’s alright. Mother will always be an ally of Arnos-chan. I’ll always support what
Arnos-chan wants to do.”
“That’s right. If Arnos wants to do something it can’t be helped. If you want to do it…”
“If that’s what you’ve decided then I’ll start preparing a feast right away. It’s Sasha-
chan and Misha-chans birthday. Right, I’ll bake a cake too.”
“What?”
“Done.”
Fumu. Her ring finger looks like the best fit. Whatever, any finger should be fine. I place
the <Ice Lotus Leaf Ring> on her finger.
Misha looks at me with her usual deadpan expression, however, a tear ran down her
cheek.
In a trembling voice, she said
“I was scared.”
“…Nn…”
Seeing this a smile bloomed on Sasha’s face and she held Misha’s shoulders.
And———-
“…Understand…?”
“Un. I was also scared during my proposal. No matter how much you believe it will go
okay it’s scary until it’s done. In Misha’s case, there’s also Sasha-chan too.”
“But it’s okay. Arnos-chan will definitely go through with it. Misha-chan and Sasha-
chan. I’m sure he will make you both happy.”
However.
“…Fufufu…”
Misha laughed
“Make us both happy?”
“Nn.”
It was a heartfelt smile from a girl who had suppressed her own heart until now.
TN.
With this Chapter 1/Arc 1 is finished. The next chapter/arc is the demon sword
tournament arc.