Chapter 79
Chapter 79
Chapter 79
Elvin and Karen (3)
Karen, who had been sent flying, quickly got up and assumed her stance.
"Mess? You're saying my swordsmanship is a mess?"
However, unable to help that her insides had been thoroughly shaken, she frowned while wiping the blood flowing from her lips.
To such Karen, Luciella rested her sword on her shoulder and said:
"The sword I saw you wield at the academy was graceful, sharp, and deadly. But now it feels violent, rough, and crude. Only your strength has increased while your original essence has disappeared, so offering one's neck to such a sword would be a mistake only a third-rate would make."
"Third-rate...? Third-rate?"
Karen was enraged.
She had completely fallen for what was the most intense insult and provocation above all else.
"Aaaaah!"
Karen let out a scream-like battle cry and charged at Luciella once again.
However, perhaps surprisingly regaining her reason within her anger, her swordsmanship began to become more refined than expected even as she pressed her attack.
'Tch, shouldn't have said that?'
Moreover, despite already having received considerable energy, she showed no signs of tiring at all.
'Considering her previous magic reserves, it wouldn't be strange if she had collapsed long ago...'
Was it really too late?
Had she really become a vassal of the demons?
However, seeing no particular reaction from Rudian, it wasn't time to give up hope yet.
"Haaah!"
WHOOSH!
Luciella, who had been solely defending all along, swung her sword greatly and repelled Karen's attack.
"Just taking hits isn't my preference!"
Then she actively went on the offensive and shouted:
"Consider it your fate even if you get hurt somewhere!"
"Ah, no! Your Highness, what are you saying right now!"
Rudian, who had been watching, shouted in panic.
Even a graze from such a heavy greatsword would cause serious injury.
What more if the wielder of that sword was Luciella?
They could only pray that she would show mercy in her strikes.
'...Won't they move?'
As the battle became intensely fierce, Rudian glared at the figure hiding in the darkness beyond Karen's back.
The reason Rudian hadn't stepped forward despite her prowess being beyond expectations was to keep in check any sudden actions from that existence in the darkness.
'If the situation tilts, I'll have no choice but to step in.'
It was true that Karen had become stronger than expected.
Luciella simply hadn't often engaged in combat before, but her skills were historically genius-level, worthy of being counted on one's fingers.
Especially having gained great enlightenment from her battle with Baphomet Dugo, she had been dedicating herself to training whenever she had time despite being busy, and now she was truly on the verge of becoming a Sword Master.
No matter how much of a handicap she fought with, the current Karen would never be able to defeat Luciella.
***
As expected, the tide of battle began to flow exactly as Rudian had foreseen and Luciella had concluded.
"Huff, huff!"
Karen, who had fought for nearly 30 minutes continuously drawing out magic without rest, was gradually reaching her limit.
"Your, Your Highness... Were you always this strong...?"
"That's what I should be saying. Karen, you've really improved a lot."
Bitterness lingered on Luciella's lips as she said this.
"If this hadn't been achieved by borrowing another's power, I would have been purely happy."
"Kuk, don't be ridiculous! What's wrong with becoming stronger even by borrowing others' power?"
"......"
Rudian, who had become stronger than anyone by borrowing others' power, quietly kept his mouth shut from behind.
"For revenge, for advancement, people can sell anything they have! Don't pretend otherwise, you hypocrite!"
"...It's an extreme view, but I can't particularly deny it. I too have seen many such people."
Luciella held her sword and slowly approached Karen.
"However, seeing your current state, I don't particularly feel like discussing such views. You seem appropriately tired, so now we can have an in-depth conversation."
"Hehehe, I'd rather die than do that!"
Karen wore a forlorn smile for a moment, then began to emit a mad aura once again.
Grooooo!
"I will never, ever forgive you!"
"......!"
At that moment.
A sticky, murky black energy began to flow from Karen.
It was the moment when the reality of the demonic energy that Elvin had spoken of earlier was confirmed.
It was at that moment that Rudian intervened.
"Your Highness, this is far enough. I will subdue her."
"Lord Rudian!"
"However, it's questionable whether I can properly subdue her."
"What do you mean by that?"
Luciella shouted in confusion.
"It's nothing much. That person won't just stay still while I subdue Senior Karen."
"That person?"
Only then did Luciella notice the familiar silhouette of a woman who had appeared beside Karen and recognize the existence and identity.
"...Pruna Silent!"
"It's been a while, Luciella."
Pruna, who had changed into night clothes and appeared on the scene, first struck the back of Karen's neck and knocked her unconscious.
"Kugh...!"
"Tsk, I told you it wasn't time to show that power yet... It seems your reason flew away in anger."
To Pruna, who held the limp Karen, Luciella shouted:
"Pruna Silent, has the captain of the Imperial Guard dared to become a traitor to the Empire! How far do you intend to fall?"
Even at Luciella's rebuke, Pruna's expression remained unchanged.
She held Karen and snorted as she said:
"I don't particularly have anything to say to you. My will is also contained in the words this child shouted at you."
"Are you saying you'll abandon humanity just to covet power?"
"Someone like you who was born a winner in life from the beginning can naturally put the word 'just' in front of power. Well, it's not only that though..."
Trailing off her words, Pruna turned her gaze away from Luciella and turned her head toward Rudian.
Then she slightly bowed her head and expressed her apology.
"I've heard of your reputation from my lord, but this is the first time I'm meeting you directly. I am Pruna."
"...I am Rudian Belstad."
Since Pruna didn't think Rudian was a simple human, her attitude was quite respectful.
Of course, while her attitude was respectful, the content coming from her mouth was not respectful at all.
"Since you were the one who came to us first in this matter, I trust you won't hold us responsible. Moreover, I believe this child is not particularly involved in the pact made between that person and you."
"She belongs to the Delphione Foundation, so she can be considered a Delphione affiliate. Naturally, I consider this a violation of the agreement."
"She kicked away that position herself, so she's no longer a Delphione affiliate. Besides, the cause lies with your side, so we bear no fault."
"......"
Pruna's words were logical and persuasive.
In fact, Karen had only withdrawn from the academy, and was still officially affiliated with the Delphione Foundation. If they insisted, they could refute that argument, but since nothing would particularly change, Rudian gave up on rebutting.
Pruna's gaze finally turned to Elvin.
"Elvin Kepler, they said you're Kaitel's disciple?"
"That's right. Though it's been barely even a month now."
"The duration doesn't matter. What's important is that you're Kaitel's disciple."
Fierce hatred began to flow from Pruna's eyes.
"The confrontation between this child, my disciple, and you will be truly interesting."
"What... Did you say?"
"Within the next month, I'll personally arrange that stage for you. If you truly want to get this child back, try taking her by force."
"......!"
"She's not complete yet, but once she receives grace before long, this child will be reborn anew. Then even if you and Luciella attack together, you'll crumble miserably. Hehehe..."
Pruna gave a slight bow toward Rudian, then left the words "Well then, farewell" and turned her form away.
"Ah, Miss!"
Seeing Karen's form disappearing into the distance, Emma cried out sadly, but only a tiny echo returned.
"...What should we do?"
After the two disappeared, Luciella asked Rudian for advice with a stern expression.
In fact, she had tried to launch a surprise attack and snatch Karen away the moment she saw an opening, but she couldn't even swing her sword properly due to the tremendous aura Pruna displayed.
Rudian calmly opened his mouth to Luciella, who wore a serious expression.
"What an arrogant auntie."
"Ar, arrogant? Pufft!"
Though Luciella had seriously sought advice in the rather heavy atmosphere, she hurriedly covered her bursting laughter with her hand at Rudian's sudden remark.
Who could possibly describe Pruna Silent as an arrogant auntie?
"And she's even conceited. A month? She's really advertising that she'll attack us within that time, advertising."
"St, stop. Pu, puhhupt!"
"...Why are you laughing?"
For her, who had been raised so delicately, there was no immunity to this kind of non-humor humor from Rudian.
"An, anyway, Lord Rudian's tone sounds like it's not the worst situation, am I correct in my guess?"
"It's not the worst but the best. Everything has been resolved except for just one thing."
"Huh?"
At Rudian's assertion, the others' eyes widened slightly.
Rudian raised his fingers one by one as he enumerated the points he had confirmed.
"First, I confirmed that Senior Karen is not yet a vassal, second, they plan to make her a vassal but mentioning a month's time means we still have sufficient time, and finally, I personally confirmed that time is on our side, so it was truly a very good meeting."
"...That's all well and good, but why are you starting with your middle finger when you look at me?"
"Having to help with someone else's romance and making things difficult has made me suddenly irritated."
Elvin scowled at Rudian's words, but...
What could he do?
While Rudian bore some responsibility for Karen ending up like this, if Elvin had taken good care of Karen from the beginning, such complicated matters wouldn't have happened.
"Well, let's end the jokes appropriately... Now let's have a serious conversation."
"Wasn't it serious until now?"
"Just shut up and listen."
Having sealed the lips of the irritated Elvin, Rudian lowered his expression and continued speaking.
"Pruna Silent mentioned a month's time, but there's no particular reason for us to accommodate that."
"Right. All the preparations are already complete."
At Luciella's affirmation, Rudian wore a wicked smile as he continued:
"So we... Will commence operations tomorrow evening."
"...What did you say?"
The thought that even if it was fast, wasn't this too fast, circled through Luciella's mind.
However, Rudian was resolute.
"A month? Tell her to cut the crap. We'll attack that woman tomorrow evening, crush her, and rescue Senior Karen. And as soon as we eliminate that woman, we'll immediately seize control of the Imperial Guard and begin the demon expulsion plan."
"......!"
"In other words, after the day after tomorrow passes, not a single demon will remain in the Morian Empire."
The plan that Rudian and Luciella had meticulously prepared.
The event that would signal its beginning would be Pruna's elimination.
"However, separate from that plan..."
Rudian glared at Elvin as he spoke.
"To persuade Senior Karen, only you, Senior Elvin, must step forward."
"......"
"If you saw her power just now, you'd know it won't be easy at all. No, you'll have to stake your life on it."
Fighting many against one was impossible.
To persuade Karen, first and foremost, apart from logical and emotional aspects, it had to be proven that Elvin's skills were above Karen's.
And that proof of skill and the subsequent persuasion would probably only be possible by risking Elvin's life.
"Will you be able to do it?"
"Of course."
Elvin stood before Rudian with the appearance of a man who had somehow made a firm resolution.
"I will definitely get her back."
Elvin clenched his fist as he continued:
"Because I like her."
"...Oh my!"
Luciella covered her cheek and let out an interesting exclamation.
And Rudian bent over and clutched his chest.
At Rudian's sudden behavior, Luciella screamed and supported him.
"Ru, Lord Rudian? Why suddenly!"
"No, it's just... I got hit with severe single person pain."
"Single person pain...? What's that?"
It's something someone like Your Highness will never experience in your lifetime.
Anyway, now that everything had become clear, all that remained was execution.
Rudian smiled broadly while thinking of Asmodeus and Marbas who would be somewhere in the capital.
'Now, it's the final battle.'