Chapter 39

Translator: penny

Chapter: 39

Chapter Title: Three Letters

"Hm, I was just in need of a demon for research purposes. This works out perfectly."

The match against the demon ended in an instant kill.

It was already subdued, and now it had encountered Yuria, who was practically its natural predator. There was no way it could hold out.

The saintess alternated her somewhat dazed gaze between the demon that had turned to ash and vanished, and Yuria.

"Don't let your guard down. We've only killed a temporary rat as a stopgap."

With those words, Yuria began pulling her familiars out from the shadows.

The saintess's body was one that Baphomet had coveted for a long time, after all. Now that it had noticed the loss, it was certain to come at them in full force.

Rachel, who had been scanning the room, asked in a slightly urgent tone.

"Are these all the enemies? Where is my Ian?"

Everyone present flinched at the words "my Ian," but Yuria continued her explanation to Rachel, who was on the verge of panic for the moment.

"The Young Master was chased by the demon we just caught. Or rather, it's more accurate to say he went straight to its nest."

Nest.

The demons' hideout, where they could freely move between nests with their fellow demons excluding others. An even trickier place to hunt.

The energy felt earlier was at least supreme-grade or higher.

Rachel's expression darkened the instant she heard that word.

Because in her eyes, this was a situation where one should avoid the hornet's nest as it's dangerous, yet that person had gone straight into it alone, without any protective gear.

It was more than enough to call it madness.

"...Then shouldn't we hurry? That one seemed at least a top-tier demon. For Ian to face it alone..."

"It's something the Young Master planned."

"No...! Isn't this a matter of your master's life right now?"

"I have tasks here. I don't want to act on emotion and become a variable that hinders the Young Master's plan."

Rachel fell silent at Yuria's firm reply.

"...Even if it's a plan, isn't it too dangerous?"

"There must be more reasons he asked for my help... I need to go right now."

Yuria blocked her path with a voice that had grown even colder.

"Do you know the nest's location? Considering your true nature, this doesn't seem like you."

True... nature.

Nature.

Rachel repeated the word in her mind, then stood before Yuria with a resolute expression.

"...Ian is my precious family. That doesn't change the fact that I need to rescue him right now."

"The Young Master especially emphasized that you shouldn't come. Our mission is to stand by and protect the saintess. The second wave will arrive soon. A force made up solely of Baphomet's direct knights. We need to prepare immediately to stop them."

"..."

"This isn't the time to stay silent and ponder. If you still can't accept it, leave. Anyone trying to sabotage the Young Master's plan will be dealt with mercilessly."

At Yuria's words, Rachel had no choice but to turn her head and address the most pressing matter first.

"...If what you say is true, then that demon force is dangerous. Especially if it's composed of exclusive knights. I don't know your exact plan... but shouldn't we be escaping rather than confronting them now?"

It was a very sensible statement.

The cold conclusion of a strategist.

Looking at the knights visible outside the window and nearby, there was no way they could block an army.

One might wonder how they even stopped the first wave.

And this was the second wave, made up only of the legion commander's direct subordinates. Even Yuria would be at a disadvantage.

Even the Holy Kingdom hesitated to face a legion commander's direct knights. Even if it was the lowliest legion commander, it was still a supreme-grade powerhouse beyond that realm.

Teaming up with others offered uncertain odds, let alone a frontal defense. It was absurd.

A cool-headed analysis would say to abandon the village and relocate only the saintess.

However,

"What?"

"...~~This is how we do it."

The plan Ian had devised, as explained by Yuria next, was even more insane.

"...Are you saying that's a feasible plan right now?"

"When I first heard the plan, I thought about chopping off the Young Master's limbs and locking him in solitary confinement to spend eternity just the two of us. But I held back."

"At that level, it seems more like luck than a plan..."

"You've acknowledged the high difficulty. However, the Young Master said there was no other way. Even if the legion commander comes."

But Rachel, faced with such an outrageous idea, pressed her forehead and swept her hair behind her ear.

"But... would a legion commander even hesitate at something like that? In my opinion, no matter what..."

"That's why he acted."

If it's him, he'll make it work somehow.

Even if he can't, Yuria had already roughly calculated ways to save him.

"...We might even have to pray for the legion commander to visit this place directly."

"Yes, probably."

....

Meanwhile, Ian, who had been watching the entire situation through a magic tool, continued onward.

The demon's main nest.

The one that had barely survived with its second life after detaching from the saintess would definitely emerge here as in the original story.

'Dillon almost died to this guy too, I think.'

The nest's location was a swampy area where thick demonic energy was beginning to engulf the forest.

Six lowest-grade, ten mid-grade, two high-grade, one supreme-grade. Subordinates from other legion commanders were visible, along with a few of its direct knights.

Not a small number by any means. But rather, he should call it a windfall that there weren't more.

"..."

However, among those demons, something more eye-catching than any other was glaring at him from the swamp's center, the only eyeball there wide open.

I wiped the cold sweat dripping to my chin with the back of my hand and gazed at the black vines and tentacles connected between the polluted trees.

At the center of those vines was a black entity laced with pulsing veins.

'Revival ritual.'

From the entity at the nest's core, maintaining an egg-like form, 'someone' wrapped entirely in demonic energy was peering through from beyond.

As if looking at something intriguing.

Baphomet.

Was watching me.

Probably lounging on its throne in the demon realm, observing me. It doesn't show itself easily by nature. Famous in the original for rarely appearing, its presence here meant I'd either seriously pissed it off or it was interested in me or Yuria. The interest in me was likely due to how I handle Yuria as a subordinate, assessing the master's capabilities... or whatever inscrutable demon curiosities.

Then, it turned its grotesquely dilated pupil and bloodshot eyes toward the approaching demons.

...

"You there,"

The demon stared fixedly at the intruder's face.

Had it come here knowing everything already?

However, the man's prowess, from what it had seen before, was pathetic.

Of course, in swordsmanship and handling Aura Blade, he seemed to possess some unexpected talent as a human...

'No matter how much power he's hiding, he's ultimately just a bit better than ordinary bugs.'

Expecting attention as that maid's master, it had monitored him closely in various ways.

The mana core directly linked to him was pitiful too.

The very fact that such a man had wielded an Aura Blade proficiently before the saintess was still a mystery.

Moreover, surrounded by demons that would make its legs tremble and send high demons and knights fleeing—even in this situation—his expression still held composure.

Soon, a scoff as if mocking its half-resurrected self, a sneer curling at the corners of his mouth, and a nonchalant voice slowly grated on the demon's nerves.

Normally, a weakling like him should be on his knees begging for mercy.

Did he not realize his own weakness?

I hadn't thought him the type to bluff this far.

'...What the hell is this guy?'

Either way, the intruder dies.

Having truly felt that monstrous maid's power earlier, it needed to accelerate its plans. Every minute and second was precious to deal with this man.

"I praise your guts for coming this far. But your bluffing is excessive."

"What're you saying? A guy who barely survived."

Demons surprisingly respond well to provocation.

Especially ones festering for years under Baphomet's shadow, subtly looked down upon.

"...You, I'll specially turn into a demon and show you to my maid."

The demon thrilled at the rising bloodlust, slyly sneering.

In truth, during contracts, it had seen countless humans bluffing like this.

And without fail, they were torn apart miserably or turned into mindless demons, dying in wretched forms.

Imagining that arrogant man reduced to that, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠screaming in regret, naturally brought a sneer.

Then, the demon's arm began grotesquely enlarging, muscles swelling.

An attack so potent that merely touching it would be fatal, demonic energy dripping drop, drop.

High demons had various advantages.

Unlike low-grade ones: super-speed regeneration, skin impervious to auras, demonic energy reinforcement, black magic.

Traits that even typical high-grade demons struggled to possess one of. Black magic that imitation sorcerers chanted for minutes while offering sacrifices activated with a mere raise of the hand—the sight of a high demon's magic circle would make black mages faint and instill despair in foes.

'And yet, he hasn't even assumed a stance till the end.'

Not even drawing the sword at his waist.

If his level was low, he probably couldn't even recognize the supreme technique being deployed.

Hence no fear, no reaction.

For reference, high demons don't die easily from a crushed head.

Arms severed regenerate in seconds, and severing them is hard to begin with.

That's why the Holy Kingdom's saintess and high priests use 'holy power.' No saintess around here likely has enough to kill a high demon like itself.

Plus this environment.

'Demon nest.' The longer a human stays, the ground devours their mana, growing endlessly. Mental attacks and lack of resistance mean the rising demonic miasma like deadly poison is standard.

Reason the Holy Kingdom sends only elites in small numbers to 'nests.'

Large groups would feed and expand the nest, and sending mediocre talents makes them demon fodder, harder to reclaim later.

If this nest was freshly formed, it'd be easier to destroy...

'Too late now.'

Even if known, a man like him couldn't destroy it.

Unless that maid, or at least a high priest or saintess sacrificed everything in holy power—it was impossible.

Meaning, even if this Ian had hidden cards like Aura Blade despite only sensing mana, unless he was an outlier like that vampire, a normal aura user couldn't destroy it.

Even excluding that,

The demon lunged forward, slamming the ground.

Demonic energy clinging to the floor spread massively from the point of impact, the ground beneath exploding into a massive crater.

The demon's inherent power was tremendous.

And the prey entering a place even more advantageous to it.

'...But no complacency.'

The man was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠still unsettling enough to intrigue the stronger demon Baphomet.

Seeing him dodge this strike showed confidence in speed.

Even a drop of this 'nest' demonic energy would react severely on human flesh.

He had widened the distance instantly, calculating the splash range.

Unusual for normal human mana and aura, but the demon remained unperturbed.

His 'movements' had been fast from the start.

Even using Aura Blade before, he had considerable potential in agility and technique.

Having witnessed his battle up close once, it was hard to dismiss him as pure bluff to attract Baphomet's interest.

-'An interesting man, one who received the Duke's authority.'

-'...The Duke, you mean? But authority...?'

Recalling Baphomet's reaction when reporting the vampire's confirmation and her master's details just before this incident.

-'The ability to temporarily borrow others' power... no, not quite. Sharing, perhaps. Heh heh. An amusing power. Especially useful for one skilled in schemes.'

Baphomet had said it with a sinister sneer and raised eyes.

Sharing? Borrowing?

Impossible without direct demon contract or blessing.

No such traces on him.

Just pulling mana or boosting stats from somewhere without cost...

'Magic tool? Too crude for that...'

Not unseen before, but insufficient here.

Yet, dodging all demon attacks without a hit, severing a mid-grade demon's neck instantly—he could tell.

...Mid-grade demons in a nest rival mid-to-high grade in power. Killing one with plain swordsmanship, no aura. Bizarre.

But.

'Magic tools have limits.'

Durability.

Knowing it couldn't drag into a prolonged fight, perhaps he chose this. But once the inscribed spells or mana deplete, it's over.

So, slowly send minions to exhaust his cards until they break.

Couldn't land hits yet, but expending a few cards on mid-grade fodder was fine. They'd be cannon fodder outside anyway.

The one who dodged its attacks leisurely earlier now showed slight openings with high-grades intervening.

The demon seized the moment.

Self-destruction.

A mid-grade demon's body swelled instantly, exploding before the man. As near-administrator able to control the nest itself, it could use moving demons as living bombs.

Already irregular battlefield, and boosted demons exploding amplified power beyond imagination.

The smug face until moments ago now had parched lips.

Somewhat successful—decent demonic energy clung to his body.

More ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠would stick soon. Mana draining from tools and himself over time.

No hope for him. Defeat nearly certain.

Victory's smile returned to the demon's face.

Continue self-destructing mid-grades, have high-grades jump in to wound somehow.

Indeed, shallow wounds eased demonic infiltration.

By exhausting all lowest and mid-grades via self-destruction, he was nearly ragged.

Mana depleting, nest expanding boosting demons, wounds deepening from miasma, new wounds appearing real-time with clinging energy.

"..."

However.

The puzzling point.

No trace of human fear or despair on his face.

Seriously calculating something.

Not losing composure might surpass itself.

As if even what it inflicted was within his plotted plan.

Reason it couldn't fully relax despite ability to kill: that.

"Human."

"..."

After the final blast, the demon—with one leg nearly crushed—approached clapping slowly.

"Your struggle was somewhat entertaining. Impressed by your talent, how about becoming a demon now? I could at least spare your life."

A lie.

Demon whispers 99% false; even true, new demons die soon or lose reason attacking humans.

But in life-or-death, anything desperate.

To demons, toying unaware humans is play; humans know yet cling to slim hope—demonic pleasure.

Extending hand to dying humans: favorite pastime, easiest bait.

But unlike demon experience,

This Ian was odd.

"...Heh heh, funny thing to say."

Blankly looking at its leg, then bursting into laughter.

Deeply mocking tone.

Eyes and voice looking down as inferior. Demon, filled with jealousy toward Baphomet, clenched fist.

"Fine. Turning a human demon yields similar intellect. Bug to another vermin—same. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Instead, I'll stuff demons into you like maggots for rebirth. Want three faces eating each other first? I pride myself on knowing human suffering best. Multiply pain several-fold, drive mad without killing."

Stimulating words to shatter human mind.

The man unscathed.

No reaction, just indifferent snort.

As if viewing a comical clown.

"You, the one here most scared of my maid? The one who fled pathetically and died."

Narrowed eyes.

"Now, I'll become even scarier."

Like that vampire.

Cold gaze.

Unwavering motion.

Changing to sharp fangs, red eyes.

Just manipulating blood on the ground.

....

The atmosphere shifted instantly, blood rising into the sky, and the guy's face began hardening.

"Truth is, I wanted you to use self-destruction."

"...What?"

"Vampire power comes from blood usually. Works on demon blood too. If it were me, maybe not, but she's proficient with other bloods already."

"..."

The demon's face chilled momentarily.

'She' meant only one: the sole vampire encountered, that monster.

Soon, as if recognizing me as a threat, nest-shaking demonic energy exploded as the demon raged.

"...So you deliberately heightened my guard to make the demons self-destruct?"

"What else you gonna claim?"

Another mocking voice, blood vessels bursting in demon's eyes.

"...Still arrogant. You're human. Babbling about vampires just knowing Blood Magic. Do I seem unable to tell your race is human?"

"Yeah? Then confirm with your own eyes."

Truthfully, highly dangerous.

Just boldly talking while blocking invading miasma.

And if I take one more step, fully accepting vampire power here—what happens?

Probably 30 seconds including recovery and kill time.

Half already spent stalling.

But.

"...Now it's enough."

"Arrogant human, still talking shi—"

"Enough. Come on in."

Scoffing, beckoning it.

Reason you were wary of me.

The 'source' of that vampire power. How I subdued such a strong being.

Curiosity about that power.

Baphomet targeted Yuria for that too.

Probably needs supreme sacrifice to surpass perfect wall.

Chosen one.

Talent to leap barriers.

Perfect bloodline.

And with those words, I bit my own hand hard.

Red blood.

Flowed down my throat.