Chapter 54 - Moving Forward (2)
“Lord Beltre. I demand an explanation for the current situation.”
Elaine’s crimson eyes were icy cold, belying their fiery hue.
The atmosphere surrounding the Security Force headquarters’ main gate was utterly hostile.
Elaine’s soldiers stood in formation behind the gate, clad in steel armor with swords at their waists as if preparing for battle, glaring at their opponents.
Their opponents were the Imperial Royal Guard’s 3rd Battalion.
Knights in splendid black-and-silver uniforms gazed leisurely at the Security Force soldiers inside the gate.
“An explanation? Anyone hearing you might think I’ve done something wrong.”
Beltre stroked his neatly trimmed mustache with one hand while unfurling a scroll with the other.
“By decree of the sole and supreme ruler of the Arkesia Empire, Emperor Lijain Arkesia—effective immediately, custody of the individual known as ‘Heavenly Demon’ and all related procedures shall be transferred to the Imperial Royal Guard’s 3rd Battalion.”
Beltre looked triumphant after finishing the imperial edict.
“As you can see, I’m merely carrying out His Majesty’s orders as his loyal servant.”
‘So other factions have begun making their moves too.’
But Elaine knew better. The Emperor, who in recent years had lost all vigor to the point of barely recognizing his own children and wives, couldn’t possibly have issued such a decree.
‘Considering the faction Lord Beltre belongs to and the princes most opposed to the Crown Prince… This must be the Third Prince’s doing.’
Having noticed Badelon and the Crown Prince joining forces, the Third Prince had finally entered the fray to seize the Heavenly Demon.
‘Losing the Heavenly Demon now would be dangerous, but what comes after is the real problem.’
Other factions who had been biding their time to gauge Badelon and the Crown Prince’s reactions would likely take the Third Prince’s involvement as their cue to enter the game more aggressively.
‘First, I need to buy time.’
With both justification and superior authority on their side, Elaine judged that outright confrontation would be disadvantageous.
“I’ve verified the contents of the letter. However, I cannot immediately hand over custody of the Heavenly Demon. We must first confirm the authenticity of this document through official channels—”
“Hoh? Are you daring to disregard His Majesty’s command now?”
“Precisely because it’s His Majesty’s command that we must exercise utmost caution, Lord Beltre.”
The commanders’ gazes locked in midair, sparks flying between them.
The atmosphere between the two groups rapidly chilled in response.
“Very well. Then by force—”
Just as Beltre, his face twisted in hostility, began to speak—
BOOM!
An earth-shaking explosion erupted from inside the headquarters.
“!?”
Everyone instinctively turned toward the source of the sound.
Even Elaine, as the person in charge, froze momentarily before regaining her composure.
“…Find out what’s happening immediately!”
She shouted at her adjutant standing nearby, but before he could move, a soldier came running from the epicenter of the commotion.
“What happened?!”
The pale-faced soldier knelt, catching his breath before finally exclaiming:
“The Heavenly Demon… has escaped!”
First, I casually blew up the room I was confined in using Explosive Flame Technique.
It’s a martial art created by some lunatic called the Explosive Madman—a technique that detonates with extreme yang energy.
The energy investment is minimal, but the destructive power is immense. The downside? The user gets caught in the blast too, which is why nobody uses it. Even its creator eventually got blown to smithereens by his own technique.
Of course, with my Heavenly Demon physique, I can tank the recoil just fine.
[Remaining Demonic Qi: 98%]
-Hoh. The efficiency has improved quite a bit?
“Better conserve it. Who knows how many fights I’ll have ahead. By the way, Vertus, what were you doing all this time that you’re only responding now?”
-Hmph. Why would I bother watching someone with your power being dragged around by mere humans, subjected to tedious interrogations? Only now that you’re doing something interesting have I decided to intervene.
“Stay out of it. Don’t get in my way.”
Now, let’s go.
“Uh, uh…”
The guards who’d been stationed at the door were sent flying by the explosion, leaving them staring dumbfounded as I casually stepped through the gaping hole in the wall.
-By the way, is it alright to cause such a commotion right from the start?
“That’s exactly the point.”
What I’m about to do isn’t some sneaky escape.
My goal is to imprint upon this world exactly what kind of existence I am.
For that, I need to make a spectacular entrance.
Passing by the soldiers, I exited the building I’d been confined in and strode across the Security Force headquarters’ garden toward the main gate.
Waiting for someone to stand in my way.
‘…Strange. Shouldn’t the captain or someone have shown up by now?’
Yet the soldiers merely milled about, exchanging glances but taking no action.
Puzzled, I finally reached the main gate—
“What’s all this?”
I came face-to-face with soldiers blocking the gate.
“…? They wouldn’t be holding training exercises right at the main gate.”
Looking closer, the soldiers outside weren’t Security Force members.
They wore uniforms marking them as more ‘elite’ troops.
“Hey.”
When I addressed one of the Security Force soldiers, everyone flinched, but I pressed on.
“Is this some kind of event? Or a mock battle?”
“You—how did you escape?!”
“Tsk. Answering a question with a question. Imperial folks sure lack manners.”
Elaine pushed through the soldiers to step forward.
“Heavenly Demon! What in the world—”
“Ah, Elaine. I was getting bored being cooped up here. Think I’ll take my leave now.”
“What do you—”
“Indeed! The Security Force’s failure! Witnessed with my own eyes!”
Just then, a man with a goat-like beard and bleating voice interjected urgently.
“Captain Elaine, that man before us is undoubtedly the Heavenly Demon, correct? Or is he not?”
“…He is.”
“Hoh! For the Security Force, charged with safeguarding the Empire’s heart, to show such incompetence! A prisoner who threatens the safety of the Empire—nay, the entire continent—brazenly strolling about like this?”
The goat-man dramatically ranted before declaring:
“Therefore! Judging this an emergency threatening the Imperial family’s safety, by the Royal Guard’s authority, I hereby announce the temporary suspension of all Security Force duties and their transfer to our 3rd Battalion!”
Drawing his sword, he commanded:
“Knights! Arrest that criminal at once!”
“…Now they’re outright calling me a criminal.”
At his command, the so-called Royal Guards drew their swords in unison, spreading into formation.
Meanwhile, the Security Force soldiers seemed to be subtly backing away.
This situation wasn’t what I’d expected.
I thought I’d be fighting the Security Force first, but a third party had suddenly intervened.
“Charge! In His Majesty’s name!”
-Raaaah!
“Well. Doesn’t matter.”
Demonic Qi drawn from my dantian surged up my spine, filling my lungs.
[Activating ‘Heavenly Demon’s Oppression’.]
“Halt.”
“!”
The charging knights froze mid-movement.
-Wha, what is this…?
-My body… won’t move…!
“And bow your heads.”
At my command, the knights knelt as if pledging fealty, deeply bowing their heads.
“Hmm.”
‘My demonic arts are working particularly well today. Did I level up without noticing?’
[Correction: No RPG-style experience-leveling system is applied to the user.]
‘That’s what you say.’
“You… you fiend!”
While the soldiers remained immobilized, Goat Beard, apparently their commander, resisted the oppression and raised his sword at me.
“Just as I’d heard—you wield demonic sorcery. But I, Beltre Whitrion, Sword Expert, shall not fall so easily!”
Mana enveloped his rapier.
“The secret sword arts of House Beltre shall—”
“Too much talk.”
I lightly leaped forward and flicked his forehead.
Thud!
The ground cracked slightly as—
“Guhk!”
—he collapsed, eyes rolling back.
“How did a ‘Sword Expert’ expect to keep up with power inflation? Ah, you lot can take a nap too following your leader.”
Thud.
The knights followed suit, falling unconscious.
‘Warm-up’s over…’
I turned my gaze toward the Security Force, my next opponents.
Having been further away, they weren’t completely oppressed, though most looked pale, some even staggering.
“Doesn’t look like you’re in fighting shape either. What’ll you do?”
This time, Elaine stepped forward.
Aside from slightly paling, she seemed unaffected by the Heavenly Demon’s Oppression.
‘At least she’s far stronger than that last guy.’
“…Heavenly Demon. Before crossing swords, may I ask why you’re doing this?”
“I’m done playing along.”
“To what exactly are you referring?”
“Being dragged around.”
Channeling Demonic Qi through my dantian, I walked toward her.
“I just came to this conclusion. The only place I’ll settle is one I fight for myself. If I keep living passively…”
I glanced at the fallen Royal Guards.
“…Nuisances like you Imperials will keep bothering me.”
“A pity. From our perspective, we extended you the utmost courtesy.”
“Annoying me to assimilate, yet never specifying what you actually want afterward. Who’d agree to such shady dealings?”
“…I understand your perspective.”
Elaine also infused her sword with mana, stepping toward me.
Unlike Goat Beard, the aura enveloping Elaine’s sword was far more substantial and stable.
“Confident?”
“No. But as a daughter of House Herthe and defender of the Empire, I cannot retreat.”
“I see.”
Then I must meet her resolve in kind.
Closing my eyes, I channel Demonic Qi to my fingertips, shaping an intangible sword.
“…!”
Elaine’s eyes widened impossibly further as she watched.
“Surprised?”
“Yes. That there exists a realm beyond Sword Master.”
“This is called Heart Sword… Seems your world hasn’t conceived of it yet.”
“How regrettable. Were circumstances different, I’d have thrown away my sword and begged to become your disciple on the spot.”
“Joking.”
“I’m sincere.”
Whoosh—
Having finished speaking, she closed her eyes and steadied her breathing.
Whoosh—
This time, black flames merged with her aura.
“Elaine Herthe, eldest daughter of House Herthe, asks once more for your name.”
“…Heavenly Demon. That’s all I remember.”
Elaine smiled faintly.
Her gaze burned with fighting spirit toward a worthy opponent.
“Heavenly Demon. I challenge you to a duel. The first move…”
She kicked off the ground, closing the distance instantly.
“…shall be mine!”