Chapter 160
Chapter 160
Chapter 160
Legion (1)
Kimaris.
The highest-grade demon who had previously taught Rudian the way of the sword and departed to Leviathan's side.
In truth, their final moments witnessed in the Tower of Trials had been portrayed as if they had eternally perished following their master.
However, Rudian suspected that while Leviathan's fate was uncertain, some of the demons under Leviathan's command might not have met their end.
'Just as the souls of all living beings in the middle realm circulate within the embrace of the Death King, the souls of demons return to the bonds of the Demon God.'
While the Death King, who must handle so many souls, rarely makes exceptions to the cycle of souls, there was a setting that the belligerent Demon God would not reincarnate the souls of outstanding warriors among Leviathan's creations, instead bringing them into the Manma hall that the Demon God had established.
The conditions for being an 'outstanding warrior' weren't simply martial prowess, but the nobility of soul that possessed loyalty, righteousness, and conviction.
If it was Kimaris, who had never left Leviathan's side even after death and had devoted loyalty for ten thousand years, there was certainly a high possibility of catching the Demon God's eye.
BUUUUUNG!
A strange vibration resonated along the back of Rudian's hand.
—……!
As the thick, destructive demonic energy began pushing away the spirit power that filled the surroundings, the Spirit Kings showed agitation for the first time.
—I understand your circumstances well, but...
—Still, aren't you getting too close to demonic energy?
Despite the Spirit Kings' uncomfortable words, Rudian chuckled and dismissed their concerns.
"You're using Outer Force just fine, so what's the problem..."
Besides, even though he'd been somewhat forced into the position, he was a candidate for the Seven Seats succeeding Leviathan.
So there was nothing wrong with commanding demons under his authority!
As the thick demonic energy flowing from Rudian expanded its domain to nearly 1 kilometer.
—It's been a long time.
Before long, a massive lump of demonic energy began condensing within that space, taking the form of a black knight.
Not a Dullahan like before, but showing the characteristic appearance of a demon with blue skin exposed.
Kimaris had revealed himself.
—I thought we'd have no more occasions to meet, but to think our connection would continue in this manner.
Kimaris looked directly at Rudian with eyes filled with wonder.
—By the way, you've really grown so much. Incomparably more than in the past...
"Have you been well all this time?"
Rudian also faced Kimaris with unexpected eyes.
'He's much stronger than when I saw him in the Tower of Trials?'
The power of Kimaris, summoned in his prime without any restrictions whatsoever, was at a level that could easily compete with a Spirit King.
Kimaris slung his great sword over his shoulder and laughed heartily.
—Hahaha, it's thanks to the Demon God's favor. But I thought it would be impossible to descend to the material realm with a physical form—what kind of magic did you use?
"It's thanks to this mark."
Kimaris probably hadn't seen Rudian inherit Leviathan's seat, as he had remained on the 10th floor until the tower's destruction.
—Hmm? Hmm? That's definitely Leviathan's symbol, but...
However, upon seeing that mark, Kimaris suddenly showed an expression of incomprehension.
—Being able to summon us who have lost our bodies with just that is a bit...
"...Yes?"
—Well, I suppose it doesn't matter. Are those lackluster spirits your enemies?
Though Rudian briefly wondered about Kimaris changing the subject, that doubt didn't last long with the Spirit Kings before them.
"That's right, but the problem is I can't reverse-summon them."
As soon as Kimaris heard a rough explanation of the current situation, his expression slightly crumpled.
—Not a very pleasant fight.
Slightly deflated, Kimaris gave Rudian several additional names.
—If you're thinking of holding those fellows back, there are some good ones. It would be good to summon those who were legion commanders.
During the past Heaven-Demon Great War, all of the demon realm's legion commanders had been skilled in summoning magic.
Accepting that advice, Rudian began reciting the names of legion commanders who had once served under Leviathan.
"Betan, Gasperat, Deiola, Baskerville..."
The ancient legion commanders who had served under Leviathan during the Heaven-Demon Great War... and who were now deceased and residing in the Manma hall began to be mentioned one by one.
BUUUUUNG!
Just as when Kimaris was first summoned, the demonic energies spread around began condensing to create forms.
As those forms took clear shape, four legion commanders revealed themselves in the material realm.
The Spirit Kings watching this scene let out groans.
—This is just... practically a Demon King. No, good enough to be called a new Seven Seats member?
—It feels like recreating the great war of ten thousand years ago.
The four legion commanders who appeared knelt before Rudian.
—We greet the successor of Lord Leviathan.
Their attitude was quite respectful.
Unlike Kimaris, with whom he was acquainted, this was different from his expectation that they would be quite unfriendly.
'Hmm, they're quite obedient?'
Having served as legion commanders during the First Heaven-Demon Great War meant that if they had survived to the present era, they would be strong enough to claim a seat among the 72 Demon Kings.
Certainly, befitting those who had caught the Demon God's eye and entered the Manma hall, their loyalty to Leviathan seemed genuine.
The fact that they used extreme honorifics even toward Rudian, a 'human' who could be called Leviathan's successor, proved this.
In any case, since having a comfortable situation was good, Rudian gave them the same explanation he had given Kimaris.
—As the successor wishes...
—We shall hold back those fellows.
Unlike the battle-crazed Kimaris, the other four legion commanders readily accepted Rudian's proposal.
—Kekeke, those shameless ones are desperate to please you.
"What do you mean by that?"
—There are such things. You just enjoy yourself.
From Kimaris's words, it seemed there was some inside story...
Before he could think about it, the legion commanders who had received Rudian's command began spreading demonic energy around them, starting to summon Leviathan's 'legion.'
"...!"
Rudian was quite surprised watching this scene.
It wasn't because monsters suddenly appeared like bamboo shoots after rain.
It was because the way the legion commanders deployed their domains of demonic energy resembled the 'unique domains' deployed by 9th class Great Magicians.
'No, rather that's the original!'
The only domain Rudian had experienced was that of Celestial's Eugene, but even so, the domains of those legion commanders now were far more refined and mature than that fellow's.
'Probably the next stage after that would be the realm of 'Authority'?'
In any case, he now had something to tell Gray.
That clever fellow would surely be able to grasp some clue about the next stage from this scene.
After some time passed, an army of monsters numbering a staggering 100,000 was created in an instant.
Five colors and the color of darkness created a single boundary like national borders.
From the center of darkness, Rudian shouted to Evangeline at the center of the natural colors.
"Here we go, Miss Evangeline. Please wait right there."
"......"
Evangeline glared at Rudian with a frown.
Probably as someone who was essentially a spirit, she didn't like Rudian emanating demonic energy.
—Kyaaaaaaak!
The battle began with the monsters covering the plain charging at the spirits.
KWARRRRUNG!
Even if swallowed by tsunamis or swept away by earthquakes... the unique durability of monsters possessed the toughness to ignore most obstacles and charge forward.
—Sweep them all away!
The subordinate spirits also began attacking the monsters indiscriminately with killing intent.
The monsters' momentum was certainly tremendous, but in reality, this level couldn't achieve victory against the spirits.
'But one moment is enough.'
Breaking through the Spirit Kings' restraint and knocking down the final bastion guarding Evangeline's vicinity—the giant spirit beast—would essentially end the game.
Just as Rudian was about to charge at Evangeline.
—Wait.
Kimaris, who had appeared at some point, briefly restrained Rudian.
—Let me give you one piece of advice.
"...? What is it?"
Rudian paused his momentum and listened carefully.
Kimaris's advice couldn't be ignored.
—Don't use demonic energy from now on. And if possible, Outer Force too.
GASP!
If he said such a thing, there must be a reason.
"...Is there a reason?"
—Someone is watching.
"Who?"
—From 'above.'
"...!"
—Your current physical condition is far from normal. The Demon God was wary of that black goat interfering too much with this planet. If even the Demon God feels that way, what reaction do you think the gods ruling this planet will show?
'...Oh no!'
Only then did Rudian realize his mistake.
Certainly, he had been too reckless in pursuit of his goals.
If he continued using demonic energy and Outer Force so freely on the surface, even with the purpose of stopping the conspiracy of North and Garganta, there was a high possibility of sanctions.
No matter how much Rudian's actions benefited the heavenly realm.
"Certainly, if I bring in demons and cause such chaos, the heavenly realm can't view it favorably."
There's a limit to using poison to fight poison.
Kimaris consoled the self-reproaching Rudian.
—With your current self, you should be able to achieve your goal even without those powers. Isn't that right?
"It's difficult, but... not impossible."
Since it was impossible to send back the demons he'd already summoned, he needed to handle at least Evangeline's main body and the nearby spirit beast with his 'original' capabilities.
—Good. Then I'll break through the front.
Rudian put away Diablo and drew Daylight.
Diablo could be considered Rudian's power recognized by the heavenly realm, but still, since there was something pricking his conscience, it would be better to use the holy sword rather than the demon sword when possible.
He had sufficient power anyway.
SAAAAA!
With the escort of Kimaris and the legion commanders, Rudian began charging while drawing his holy sword.
At Rudian's appearance, the Spirit Kings let out bitter laughs and shook their heads.
—He looks good enough to be called a hero with a holy sword.
—But he's surrounded entirely by Demon King-level demons...
—...In my 50,000 years as a Spirit King, I never imagined I'd see such a sight.
—Being able to see such a scene is probably proof that the day of destruction has drawn near.
—Take this a bit more seriously. A contractor's life is at stake!
Only after the Fire Spirit King, who was responding most actively, gave a sharp rebuke did the other Spirit Kings also begin engaging Rudian and the four legion commanders charging toward them.
BANG!
In terms of scale, it was a greater battle than the Marbas War, but for some reason, the battle itself was proceeding quite cautiously.
The Spirit Kings didn't want damage to the surroundings, and since the legion commanders' purpose was to buy time from the beginning, it was a natural course of action in a way.
It felt like having a steel club that could be swung powerfully, but leaving it aside to fight with tree branches instead.
In any case, except for the fairly intense battle between the dog-headed legion commander Baskerville and the Fire Spirit King, the others continued their fight while subtly holding back.
Given the situation, it took Rudian only a few minutes to reach Evangeline.
"Miss Evangeline."
"......"
Rudian faced Evangeline after breaking through the Spirit Kings' passive defense.
"Now that we've come this far, I'd say the match is roughly decided. Will you continue?"
In fact, if Rudian had fought just a little more ruthlessly, Evangeline, whose lifespan had reached its limit, wouldn't have lasted long and would have self-destructed.
The Spirit Kings also knew this fact, so hoping for a happy ending of sorts, they had shown considerable restraint.
Even with what was essentially the Spirit Kings' betrayal, Evangeline's expression showed no change.
Only a firm determination to settle the match remained.
"Of course we must continue."
GRRRRUNG!
Her hands began turning black and white.
The black and white colors thus created began dyeing her entire left and right sides like the Taiji symbol.
'...As expected.'
Looking at the title she possessed, there were various types of contract spirits beyond the existing five Spirit Kings.
Among them, the most powerful yet heterogeneous—light and darkness.
In this world where the chief god Berus of light and the Demon God exist, how powerful the strength of spirits handling the domains they govern would be... was as clear as fire.
"This is the end now."
Thus, Evangeline, having drawn out 100% of the spirit body's true power, conducted her final test of Rudian with eyes dyed black and white.