Chapter 61
Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Cardinal Sin (4)
BOOOOM!!
The black giant, struck by the formless red fist, toppled backward with its massive bulk.
Its sheer mass caused the ground to upheave just from rolling over.
"Hoo...!"
I steadied my pounding heart, which felt ready to burst, with deep breaths. Fortunately, it didn't seem too late—Isabel looked unharmed.
Though with her pale face and blood streaming down, she wasn't exactly in great shape.
"...Are you alright, Isabel?"
"Ah..."
At least she was still breathing, so that had to count as safe. I'd sprinted here with everything I had; if I'd been too late, it would've torn me up inside.
The aura the black giant unleashed upon its thunderous descent was that threatening.
I'd been shocked by the magic radiating from it—it looked like a demon duke, if not worse.
'Behemoth...?'
I wasn't an expert on theory, but I had solid basics. The grotesque number of arms and the fangs protruding hugely from its mouth.
No doubt about it. That giant was the demon grand duke, Behemoth. With the Demon King dead, the most vicious being in the demon realm.
And the white-haired old man standing beside it with a terrifyingly stern expression was someone I knew well, of course.
"Duke Rayhem..."
Having met him before, there was no mistaking him. I stared at the jet-black aura cloaking his entire body and let out a deep groan.
Five years ago, that chilling blackness had reduced Orthos from the swamp to 'mere trash.'
Naturally, that grand sorcerer was the contractor who summoned Behemoth to this land. The one responsible for Isabel's wretched state, along with that immense power.
"...Unlike you, why'd you charge out alone?"
I sighed as I turned to her. Her battered form didn't feel real.
She was the second strongest after Israfeel, as far as I knew, yet here she was, beaten this badly.
"I don't know what happened in the back alleys, but if you had to assault the lord's castle... wouldn't linking up with me first have been the smart move?"
My words came out laced with suppressed emotion. I shot Isabel a reproachful glance, and she flinched, hunching her shoulders.
Her reaction left me with an indescribable frustration. Just this morning, she'd set off to scout the back alleys as usual.
She was the one who'd told me not to act rashly if I spotted anything.
"...But why are you such a mess? Couldn't you at least be somewhat intact? You look half-dead."
"..."
"Your presence got fainter the closer I got, Isabel. Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
I clenched and unclenched my fist, about to scold her more for her reckless stunt, when—
"...Haa."
Rumble, ruuuumble. The giant rose amid the ruins of the already devastated fortress from the first clash, its aura even fiercer now.
Duke Rayhem placed a hand on the giant's ankle, infusing it with his own energy.
The upper body, severed by my attack, was slowly but surely regenerating.
Up close, it was clear: that thing was a monster. An irrational extraterrestrial abomination that defied the laws of our world.
Even Isabel couldn't guarantee victory one-on-one after blocking the black wave it spewed on descent.
Let alone enduring an assault with Duke Rayhem piling on.
I wrapped crimson vortices around both arms and shifted position to shield Isabel.
"We'll talk properly later, Isabel. Never thought I'd live to scold you. Talk about a role reversal."
"...Ugh. Evan, I..."
"Later, I said. For now... just conserve your strength."
I couldn't kill that thing alone anyway. Adding that, I stomped the ground with a boom! before she could reply.
Closing the distance took less than two seconds. My body flashed right under Duke Rayhem's chin, fist clenched.
"...!"
He reacted a half-beat late, eyes snapping down. The lethal aura around him wasn't for show—it was quick enough—but...
"Too slow."
Late was late. Even with a different energy, he was a mage at heart.
Unless he was a battle mage mastering close quarters, this range was my advantage.
Crackle, crrrackle...!
The key to facing a mage: end it fast, no chances given.
Crimson light fiercely gathered in my gripped fist, and I thrust my arm forward.
Behemoth didn't sit idle. As its eyes spun toward me, it reached out with a roar, but I was a step faster.
KABOOOM—!!
"Guh, urk?!"
A detonation like an exploding shell echoed. My strike left a gaping hole in Duke Rayhem's gut, trailing red.
He'd regenerate it easily with full demonic power, sure.
"Get lost."
"Cough!"
Thud! I could at least drive him off the field for now. I kicked his chest hard, sending his body tumbling into a crash.
Unlucky for him—his forehead smashed a rock, blood pouring down.
Duke Rayhem lifted his head, shuddering, glaring daggers at me.
"You... worm! A pest holed up in brothels all day, what is this power...?!"
"Ah, I just like women a bit."
Hiding in brothels was a ploy to fool Duke Rayhem anyway—no need to explain now.
Answering in a soulless tone, I summoned a holy spear and hurled it.
BOOM!! The crimson blade tore through the air like cannon fire.
Duke Rayhem's eyes widened, and the next instant, the giant blocked with its leg. The spear cleanly pierced Behemoth's black ankle.
'Wasn't expecting it to land.'
Tsking, I circulated divine power again. That demon was too monstrous for me alone. Better to drag it out than waste energy pointlessly.
"...What is this."
But was trading blows with Behemoth itself unbelievable to someone?
Duke Rayhem stared at me, eyes filled with disbelief.
"How does a mere saint candidate wield such divine power...? What are you?!"
"Whoops."
Swoooosh! No time to answer—a black tentacle flew at me; I twisted away.
It writhed disgustingly, revealing sharp barbs.
Up close, not a tentacle—one of Behemoth's myriad arms. Its speed, bursting the air, was threatening.
"...Hoo."
Snap!
I snapped my fingers, summoning dozens of holy spears. They painted the sky brilliantly, slicing the tentacles apart.
[...!]
One spear per tentacle. Behemoth's six pairs of eyes bulged as it convulsed.
I couldn't kill Behemoth, but it couldn't catch me either.
"Curious about my identity?"
No surprises, and I could maintain this stalemate for three days and nights. Smirking, I answered the duke.
"That blonde mess you made over there? She's my mom, Your Grace."
"Wha... what?"
"...Peep!?"
Duke Rayhem's face twisted in absurdity at my reply, and from an unexpected direction came a chick-like chirp.
Evan and Duke Rayhem whipped around simultaneously.
Isabel Sedent, mid-healing, frantically clamped her mouth shut.
Her eyelashes fluttered as she gulped.
I muttered, thoroughly awkward.
"Uh, Isabel? Just kidding."
"Ah, ah..."
Her small face turned apple-red, so I quickly faced front again.
The woman's pitiful expression faded, replaced by the demon.
[...]
"..."
I shared a meaningful eye-lock with Behemoth, then thought to myself.
'How does a scream sound like... peep...'
Not that it was bad.
Just a bit... cute. Slightly out of character.
"...Ahem!"
Whoosh!
I cleared my throat and surged divine power. Light gathered on my arms anew, and Behemoth shook off its daze a beat later, roaring.
[KYAAAHH!!]