Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Episode 38
It was dangerous.
This was on a different level than before.
[Death King] was no longer calculating gains and losses, but trying to crush us with all his might.
『You mortals who know no bounds.』
[Death King] addressed each and every one of us.
His very approach had changed.
He no longer underestimated us, but regarded us all with caution.
『In honor of your tearful struggle, I shall graciously inform you of the conditions for victory.』
Mockery.
But the vigilance remained.
[Death King] was trying to forcefully turn the tide of battle in his favor at this very moment.
There was no need to play into his hands.
There shouldn't have been….
『Are there any among you with the courage to step towards death?』
The condition [Death King] offered was not one we could refuse.
The malice, which had been encroaching and contending with Arietta's domain, began to expand explosively.
The malice, which should have been diametrically opposed to divine power, was painting the world with the Underworld through sheer overwhelming force.
And the conduit that was summoning the Underworld was none other than the staff Marie held.
“Ugh!”
Marie groaned.
Even she, a native of the Underworld, couldn't withstand malice that tainted the world itself.
『I know your kind well.』
“What…?”
『Will you stand idly by? Or will you try to stop me, like moths drawn to a flame?』
A simple, but effective provocation.
The [Death King] had seen through our objective. No, more precisely, he'd seen through Eleanor’s temperament.
“Of course…!”
“Alexios, stop her.”
Thwack!
“Oof…”
Alexios knocked Eleanor unconscious as soon as my words left my mouth.
He was surprisingly obedient.
It was almost unsettling how unquestioningly he followed orders.
“What? Got a problem?”
Alexios, as if picking a fight, addressed me, seemingly aware of the bewilderment in my gaze.
“No, I just thought you were quick to act.”
“She was already done for. Just barely holding on.”
“I see….”
Listening to Alexios, it seemed he'd intended to knock out Eleanor, who was clearly pushing herself too hard.
I guess there were things only someone of the same warrior class could understand.
“So, what’s your plan now? Is this part of your grand scheme too?”
Even as we engaged in this small talk, the [Death King]’ key was distorting the world.
“You think so…?”
The gist of this plan was twofold.
The first was to prevent [Death King] from exploring Tia’s secrets, and the other was to rescue Marie.
“It went sideways.”
It was like this every time I made a plan.
I couldn't seem to achieve a perfect victory.
Even when I subdued Gerard, his death ultimately directed suspicion towards me.
When I subdued Alexios, I ended up exhausting all the magic stacks I had meticulously prepared.
Nothing ever went right.
Was it because of Oz's luck, or were my plans simply flawed?
“So? Should we just go back and get the Headmaster? There’s no way we can stop that thing.”
“No….”
But one thing was certain.
“…We still have to try.”
『Indeed, did you consider becoming moths yourselves?』
“Screw you. Your hastily concocted plan is full of holes, even at a glance.”
Regardless of the outcome, regardless of how it ended, if I was the one who devised the plan, then it was my responsibility to see it through.
“Arietta.”
“Yes, Oz-nim.”
“Can you do it?”
“……I’ll try.”
Arietta began to sing again.
The wings that sprouted from her back trembled unsteadily, and her voice also sounded strained.
However, as the [Saintess of Hope], she did not sing of despair.
Even when everyone else gave up, she was in a position where she could never give up.
Arietta’s divine arts began to push back the malice once more.
But even that had its limits.
A space of about 10 meters radius around Marie.
The [Death King]’s malice, which still hadn't been repelled, swirled within.
This was Arietta’s best.
“I’ll break the lock.”
So, all I could do was seize the opportunity she had created.
I had to break the lock connected to the [Death King].
The delicate task of destroying only the key without harming Marie was something only I, with [Contemplation], could accomplish.
“Marie.”
I pushed myself into the space where the horrifying malice swirled.
The [Death King] didn’t stop me.
Rather, he simply smirked, as if eager to watch.
That arrogant attitude was annoying, but I wasn’t foolish enough to throw away this opportunity.
“Marie Sistus.”
I called Marie's name again, as she hung her head, swallowing her pain.
“Why…? Why you?”
“Disappointed it’s not Noah?”
“No!”
Marie cried out as if having a seizure.
Tears welled up in her eyes, whether from pain or some other reason.
“You didn't have to go this far for me….”
“We’re friends, aren’t we?”
“But we’ve only exchanged greetings.”
It was a little hurtful to hear her say that, but it wasn't wrong.
Acquaintance was probably a closer description than friend.
“That’s enough.”
“No… No matter how I think about it, that can’t be a reason to risk your life.”
Well, I knew Marie would say something like this.
Wasn't it a perfectly objective assessment?
In the short time I'd known her, the girl named Marie was someone who valued relationships.
When Eleanor rushed in, she only expressed her refusal, but didn’t question it.
The reason was obvious.
Putting herself in Eleanor’s shoes. She would have made the same choice if the situation were reversed.
That was why, even as she tried to stop Noah, she didn't deny her decision.
“Then just think of it as me being a good person.”
“Lies….”
“That bastard's at it again.”
“……Shut up, Alexios. Don’t ruin the mood.”
Did you really have to say that now, of all times?
“Fine, if you don’t like that, how about this?”
The time I'd spent interacting with Marie was indeed short.
But even in a short time, there were things one could learn.
“I haven’t heard your response to the greeting I gave you.”
That she valued relationships above all else.
That's why, instead of painstakingly building the title of friend, I decided to make a single promise.
“Remember you promised to respond to my greeting?”
“……I remember.”
The promise to hear her response to my greeting.
I hadn’t heard that answer yet. That was enough for now.
“Then start thinking about it now. I’ll tell you upfront, I’m not expecting an answer until this is all over, so keep that in mind.”
“Don't….”
“I’ll ask you after I chase that bastard away.”
“Don't risk your life for something like that….”
Marie lowered her head and cowered.
She trembled, as if terrified of something.
“Something like that?”
Unfortunately, Marie didn't seem to know me very well yet.
It was a shame, considering she'd probably been gathering information on me under the [Death King]'s orders.
“I’m sorry, but for me, that’s not ‘something like that.’”
Rumors about me had already spread throughout Scientia.
If she’d looked into the person I was, she’d have known better than to say such a thing.
This was clearly a misjudgment on Marie's part.
“I have a nasty personality, so I can't stand not receiving something in return.”
Yes, that was how I was perceived. Arrogant and aristocratic.
[Erosion Rate 40%]
More befitting the Oz that appeared in the game.
“So, you better be thinking of a good answer for me.”
Marie stared at me with a dumbfounded expression.
She seemed to want to say something, but I had no intention of listening.
Like Oz, I said my piece and stepped into the space swirling with malice.
“Kgh…!”
The malice invading my body felt like it was tearing every single blood vessel apart.
Still, I could endure it.
By circulating mana through my body, I could push back the erosion, at least to some extent.
I still couldn’t properly use even advanced-level magic, but there was no penalty for manipulating mana.
Yes, I possessed the talent befitting the [Successor of the Mage King].
“You’d better be preparing a suitably impressive response.”
Marie silently looked up at me.
Her eyes were brimming with tears.
“Because when this is over, that’ll be the only thing binding you.”
“Yes…”
Marie gave her answer, hesitant but firm.
Well, who would want to die? In truth, she must have wanted to live too.
Now, I was only about 5 meters away.
I'd already come halfway.
“Haa…”
And I was starting to reach my limit.
Naturally, the [Death King]’s malice grew stronger and denser the closer I got to the lock.
『Why not retreat now? If you surrender and retreat obediently, I won't pursue you.』
“Shut up.”
『Can you even approach? In reality, you're struggling to hold on, aren't you? How long do you think you can last?』
The offer to flee sounded incredibly tempting.
The further I went, the more despairing it became.
『Is it not enough?』
“Shut up….”
I spat out the words, but I couldn't deny [Death King]’s words.
It wasn’t enough. Even with Arietta's divine power and my mana manipulation ability, it was difficult to go any further.
“Haa…”
It was dangerous. I shouldn't have stopped, but my feet refused to move forward.
『Are you finally afraid of death?』
I didn't even have the energy to respond.
Cold sweat dripped down my spine as I felt the sensation of death approaching in real time.
This was the first time I'd felt death so acutely.
Even when chased by assassins, I'd been able to handle it with composure.
When I fought Gerard, I knew he wouldn't kill me because he was a professor.
Even when facing Alexios’ rage head-on, I hadn't worried about dying.
But now it was different.
Trying to focus my mind only filled me with terror.
“Ugh…”
The more calmly I thought, the clearer the form of death became, making me want to vomit.
“Y-You should stop. Father was right. It's not too late….”
Seeing me in agony, Marie’s expression contorted as she tried to persuade me again.
“Marie, don't worry. Just remember two things.”
Don't make me lose heart too.
“Your response to my greeting, and what you want to do after that.”
“......”
“Just think about those two things for now.”
“Okay…”
I felt my fingertips trembling.
And every time I felt that tremor, I realized that time was slipping away.
『How long do you think the Saintess can hold on?』
“…….”
The [Death King]’s words were cunning.
They twisted my mind as if he could see through my thoughts.
『Your pain-stricken expression is quite a sight.』
Was I frowning?
Then what expressions were those watching me wearing?
I didn't know what expressions Arieta, Alexios, and Lucia were making as they watched me.
I didn't even have time to check the expression of Marie, who was right in front of me.
“……Well, even if I frown, I’m still handsome.”
All I could do to the [Death King] right now was taunt him.
I focused all my nerves.
『This is your last chance. If you retreat now, you can save your life.』
Ignoring the [Death King]’s words, I concentrated. I had to keep going.
“Ugh…?!”
My focused mind, holding even my breath, crumbled the moment I took a step forward.
Just one step.
Yes, it should have been just one step.
Yet, it felt different from the space I'd been standing in just a moment ago.
No, it didn't just feel different, it was clearly different.
『Didn't I say I'd stop at nothing?』
The [Death King] hadn’t stopped me.
But that wasn't due to arrogance.
Rather, he'd used it to buy time.
The [Death King]’s Avatar that had been enveloping Marie was already an empty shell.
“Impossible….”
The Avatar's mouth opened like a marionette with its strings cut, and a completely different scene unfolded within.
A gate connected to the Underworld.
What I saw through that small opening was the king of the dead, clad in armor and wings, stained black with malice.
[KP Death King]
Thanatos
“What are your impressions of gazing upon the Lord of Death himself?”
The [Death King] had invaded, bearing all the risks of setting foot in the Dragon Emperor’s domain.