Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: What Came Out of the Magic Hat Was a White Rabbit
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The battle in the forest ended quicker than expected.
"Well, that was pretty fun! Hehe, to think you'd even wound my body!"
The battlefield fell eerily silent, signaling defeat.
The magician's arm was broken, her cheek sliced with blood trickling down. Her black tailcoat was in tatters, bloodstains seeping through in places.
"That was unexpected. Glass Knight and Light Hero!"
Magic Hat twirled her white hair around her finger, striding toward the fallen hero with thudding steps. Her face brimmed with delight.
"Kainel! Please, snap out of it...!!"
Ariel clutched Kainel, shaking his shoulders as she sobbed. His golden hair and holy sword were already plunged into the ground, while he leaned against a snapped tree trunk as if asleep.
"No... This can't be happening..."
The red-haired elf was covered in scrapes and cuts too, but in better shape than the hero.
Ariel's crimson eyes glared resentfully at Magic Hat's golden ones.
"I just love this kind of love. You're Ariel, right? That's what this greenhorn kept calling you."
"Get lost!! You crazy bitch!!"
The elf mage unleashed a barrage of fireworks magic at the approaching magician, but
"No use. It's 'authority' made from lies, remember?"
Her spells fizzled out upon touching the magician's clothes, as if they'd never reached her. The Demon King brushed off invisible dust.
Magic Hat gazed contentedly at the red-haired mage using holy power on the hero.
"...Love that shatters like this, only to realize its preciousness and try to mend. How valuable is that? Hehe."
She flashed a proud smile at the weeping elf, who felt a wave of revulsion at the sight.
That was when it happened.
"Magic Hat..."
"Oh? Planning to fight again after all that?"
The Glass Knight rose once more, directing hostility at the white-haired magician. The wolf eyes within the helmet burned with unbroken fighting spirit.
"You think you see hope just because I took a little damage? Really?"
"Yes..."
Panting heavily, Pine aimed her sword at Magic Hat. The Truth Demon King sneered and drew a single card.
"...This should make you give up. Heart Queen."
The Q of Hearts in her hand glowed, and a mature woman with black long hair and wolf ears burst forth. The Glass Knight hesitated at the sight.
"Now, Heart Queen. Heal me up!"
"..."
At Magic Hat's command to the black-eared wolf woman, the Demon King's clothes and wounds mended completely.
"...Huh."
The black tailcoat looked brand new, untouched from the start,
"Phew, much better now. As expected of Emperor Locke's wife. Top-notch performance!"
Her broken arm returned to normal. The white-haired magician swung it around several times to confirm, then laughed.
"...Mother?"
The woman in the summoned antique black dress even wore imperial insignia.
"Oh? You know her? Then you're royalty? Unexpected."
Aside from the black hair, her wolf eyes made her look like mother and daughter with Pine. The Glass Knight froze as past memories resurfaced.
"You... had her..."
Pine's sword hand trembled. A conditioned fear response. Her wolf ears and tail drooped limply.
She never dreamed her mother, thought dead a decade ago, was being used like a minion by the Truth Demon King.
"It's me! Snap out of it!!"
"..."
"No use. She won't hear anyone but my commands."
The empire's empress stared blankly at her own daughter Pine, like a corpse, obeying only Magic Hat.
"...What the hell did you do to Mother!!"
"I told you earlier. 'I won't kill her' for my dear husband's sake."
Magic Hat, having guessed Pine's identity, smirked mockingly and began to provoke. Her eyes curved into crescents to taunt.
"Though maybe it was worse than death! Wonder if it hurt? Turning into a card?"
"Magic Hat!!"
The sight pushed the Glass Knight's rage to its limit, and she charged at the Truth Demon King. Her sword probed for openings multiple times, but
"No use. That resolve won't even touch me. You're no hero."
"Shut up...!"
The white-haired woman casually blocked imperial swordsmanship with one card. Infuriatingly, the blade couldn't reach her neck.
"This time... it won't end the same...!"
"Have we met before? This is our first time, no...?"
Magic Hat wore a puzzled expression even as she parried Pine's attacks, resting her chin on her hand in leisure.
"I didn't see a Glass Knight like you when collecting the Heart Queen..."
"Mother's name isn't that!!"
She swung cards while feigning incomprehension at the Glass Knight's fury.
"Whatever. She's lively now, after nearly dying!"
The Demon King, who valued amusement above all, chuckled and set aside her pondering. She flicked one remaining card between Pine's armor plates.
"Hup...!"
The joint at her knee.
The sharp card flew there, crumpling Pine's form. An involuntary feminine cry escaped, distorted by the glass helmet's hum.
"Masterpiece armor... All good, but isn't it too copied? Looks just like our husband's."
Pine collapsed, clutching her knee. The wound was severe; she bit her lower lip hard to endure the pain.
"...I'll kill you."
She hadn't given up. Grinding her teeth, she glared murderously. The magician laughed at the feral eyes,
"Weak spots match too. Gaps in the armor. Ah..."
As if struck by something, she suddenly looked sorrowful, face crumpling like a tragic heroine. She covered it with her hands, tears streaming.
"...Sob. What about our poor husband..."
Something was off. No genuine emotion seeped through her cries. Pine's keen eyes caught it, chills running down her spine.
"Still preparing... so it'll be fine, right...?"
A mask of lies from dry eyes.
"This time, I'll do anything for my husband...!"
Mad muttering from a lunatic. Not pity.
"...You're insane."
As the hand dropped from her mouth, the Demon King's twisted smile revealed crocodile tears.
"Insane with love...? Isn't it beautiful? Hehe!"
Magic Hat, flushed with lust and ecstasy, pressed a card to the Glass Knight's throat.
"Now, for the finale. Love's obstacles."
The Truth Demon King smiled softly.
Thanks to Dennis's teleport, I returned to the forest.
"Damn."
A quick scan showed the situation was dire.
"Too late?"
Traces of Kainel's Shine Strike used dozens of times, trees burned to ash by Ariel's fireworks magic.
'Before learning ultimates, so they probably lost.'
No hero party despite the major battle meant defeat. Despair hit; I pressed my hand to the helmet's forehead.
"...Huh."
Glass shards trailed in a line like a signpost. Mardol left a path.
Follow this to the Demon King. I prepared to sprint.
Wolf Fang
Full-body blood surge accepted without restraint. Pure instinct body technique for maximum speed.
'Think. I know all of Magic Hat's patterns.'
I had to prove why I adopted only Granasia style here. Couldn't let Kainel, Ariel, or Mardol die and ruin everything.
'Even facing the Demon King, I can protect everyone.'
Crazy risks or staking my life—or both.
I ran like a wolf hunting prey. Breath burned my throat. Heart pounded to burst. Legs heavy as lead.
The forest clearing after endless dashing.
"..."
The shining glass shards ended there.
"Now, for the finale. Love's obstacles."
The black-clad magician from head to toe, unforgettable even if I tried.
The Truth Demon King menaced the Glass Knight with a trump card like a fallen holy sword.
"Kainel... I'm sorry... I'm too weak..."
Beside the unconscious, bleeding Kainel, Ariel clung with her battered body, healing futilely.
"...Ha, seriously."
Couldn't take it anymore. Rage fueled my sword draw. Way past the line. Her smile made me nauseous,
"Fucking thrilled to see you, you bastard!!!"
Inner fury erupted; I yelled and unleashed Void Slash. It only forced her back from Mardol momentarily.
Void Slash
Reverse scale thrust repeated. Aimed at weak points. Utilized wind pressure when ineffective.
"Eh? You...?"
Magic Hat yelped in surprise,
I reactivated Wolf Fang to exploit the gap. Repeated reverse scale thrusts targeted vitals.
'As expected, only a hero can truly damage her.'
No holy sword meant no effective hits. Iron blade passed her neck repeatedly. Switched to wind pressure.
—Thud crash!!
Void Slash blasted the Truth Demon King into a tree. Bought some time. She crashed amid the storm I whipped up.
Serves you right, edgelord.
"Licht...?"
"Helmet guy!! What happened?!"
I kept distance just in case. They spoke upon spotting me. Good, everyone but Kainel could still talk.
"Mardol. Lend me your hand."
"Uh... Sure."
Status intact, so savable. I clasped the Glass Knight's hand.
Savior Sword
Paladin skill. Dual tree with Nameless Saintess for wide-area heal. Efficiency optimized to avoid jealousy.
Holy Knight skill.
Dual-classed with Nameless Saintess to cover her healing gaps; could heal everyone nearby.
Even with my meager mana.
I learned efficient ones so our Saintess wouldn't get jealous.
Maintaining link with Mardol, I plunged my sword into the ground, knelt, and vowed skyward.
—Drip.
A clear droplet sound rang out, white light rippling around us.
"Licht, impressive."
"The wounds... they're healing? Even I couldn't..."
Superior to common heals.
Holy power worked this way too. I sighed in relief. It worked. Kainel and Ariel's injuries vanished cleanly.
"Ka, Kainel? You're awake?!"
"Ariel...? You okay? The Demon King..."
Good, Paladin skill took hold. What if I hadn't known linking hands with Mardol boosted magic?
"Sleep well, Kainel?"
I teased the barely awake golden hero. Worry less, you rookie.
"...Licht? How are you here...?"
"Black Knight, remember? Had to come."
I grinned at the fool rising with nonsense. No one else to take Magic Hat yet.
"Licht..."
"Oh, I'll let go of your hand now."
I dropped it in startle, but Mardol stared piercingly. Another flag?
"It's not—"
Huh, her leg wound healed too. Blood from armor joints gone. That's why she called me.
"Leg alright now, Mardol?"
"...Thanks, Licht."
Can't let you die; it'd ruin our Saintess's happiness. And I hate seeing people die.
"No problem."
Confirmed all back to normal, I finally relaxed with a sigh.
"Kainel!! Waaah... I thought you died...!"
"Maybe better than your snot and tears on my clothes."
"...Hmph. Forgiven this once. Kainel...!"
We four faced each other, checking wellness. Ariel nodded thanks for saving the hero.
"Glad everyone's safe."
"Thanks, Helmet... You're a Paladin."
"Licht, you're cheating..."
Could've been unhealable like in Black Heart. Facing Truth Demon King without being late was pure luck.
"...Licht. Ahead. Careful."
Then the mad magician approached step by step, ranting maniacally.
"That black helmet... Could it be... My husband?! You're alive!!"
The black tailcoat woman acted familiar.
Arms wide in ecstatic grin. But something was very wrong.
"One question, Magic Hat."
Why didn't she seem male? Curves like a woman's body, voice and hair too.
"Why are you a woman?"
Long white hair, golden eyes—nausea rose. Annoying how she scratched at me.
"Husband... Your memory's fuzzy...!! I've always been a woman!"
To strangers, she'd pass as 'Nameless Saintess?'. Blushing, shrinking shyly—the Truth Demon King.
But to me, totally different. I shook my head in disgust.
First, she's male in my knowledge. All four Hero Cult Demon Kings were.
"Come with me to Hero Cult, husband!"
"..."
Second, human ears not wolf, eyes plain gold not lupine. Voice different.
"Fuck off."
I proudly flipped her the bird. The black magician outfit woman looked baffled.
"Eh? Husband, no memory at all? But you came here...?"
Finally, Nameless Saintess wouldn't know me.
Like with Serbi, this fake acting chummy wasn't our Blue Rose.
"Yeah. Don't know crazy bitches like you."
Aura matters. Nothing like her honed-blade menace.
No matter looks or time,
"So mean...! Well, that's my husband for you!"
I'd never mistake our soft, warm Nameless Saintess.
Definitely not her. No inrang traits, just human. And that title was gross.
"...I'm taken already?"
My heart belongs to her alone.
That's pure love Black Knight.
Who's your husband? Absurd.