Chapter 48
Chapter 48 - Betrayal(1)
"Ugh, ohhh..."
The golem stayed frozen while pressing its putrid flesh against me.
Lucy and I initially flinched at the horrifying visual, but soon regained composure and looked at each other.
"...It stopped."
"Indeed it did."
"Why did it stop?"
"Did you do something?"
"What about you, hero?"
We tilted our heads in confusion at each other. Then looked back at the flesh golem.
The golem had stepped back from us and was now bowing its head reverently - not towards me, but towards Lucy.
After staring blankly at this scene, I asked Lucy.
"Isn't that not your subordinate?"
"Y-yeah. It's not. Which means..."
Lucy seemed to realize something and turned her head towards the group of liches. I belatedly followed her gaze.
...I see.
This means the necromancer controlling that corpse golem noticed Lucy and stopped it.
–Oh... My lord. My eternal burning black sun! This humble Eldritch greets the immortal Demon King."
As expected, there was Eldritch, who had already approached near us.
Eldritch bowed his head towards Lucy. The surrounding liches quickly followed their leader in worship.
Good social skills. Better than mine.
"Hero. Hero. The time has finally come."
"Huh? Ah, yes."
Suddenly Lucy tugged at my collar. It was a signal to put her down.
I obediently let down the Demon King, and she began walking towards them with noble steps.
–Oh. That countenance. This aura! Without doubt, it is our reincarnated lord!
The Demon King received the undead's reverence as her white hair fluttered in the biting snow wind.
That bearing suited her surprisingly well, contrary to her usual foolish demeanor which seemed to have vanished completely.
Eldritch seemed to feel the same way, continuously letting out exclamations in a moved voice.
Of course, considering what the immortal Demon King Lustica was about to do now, this would completely betray their expectations.
"My loyal servant Eldritch. I command thee."
The Demon King spoke while lowering her characteristic red eyes. Those authoritative and haughty eyes seemed to shine particularly bright.
Eldritch answered while bowing his head as if trying to drill through the ground.
–Oh... Whatever it may be, I shall obey. Please command me.
"Where is your lifeforce vessel?"
–...Pardon?
At the Demon King's blunt words, Eldritch quickly raised his skull and asked.
He was so taken aback that a response fitting for the Korean military came out.
However, Lucy's words were repeated without a single syllable changed.
"Tell me the location of your lifeforce vessel. Better yet, bring it directly before me."
–...Your... Your Grace... if I may ask... what purpose will you use it for?
"I will destroy it."
–...H-how could this be...
Eldritch's eye lights flickered. His lower jaw kept clattering as he blinked repeatedly.
Confusion and sorrow could be felt from his wandering eye lights. He seemed quite shocked since even I, who didn't know undead physiology well, could feel it.
That's understandable. It's like suddenly being told by your trusted master 'I'm going to kill you so bring your weakness with your own hands.'
The fact that he didn't shout 'Have you gone mad, Demon King?' proves this Eldritch's loyalty.
Lucy seemed to feel sympathy for Eldritch's state as she scratched her head and added.
"I apologize for not being able to repay your loyalty. I declare that you were my most loyal and reliable subordinate. Thank you for your many efforts while I was in a long slumber. I express my sincere gratitude."
–Oh... No, not at all... I merely did what I had to do... Demon King... My great sun...
Eldritch was immediately moved to tears when Lucy gave him a few words of lip service.
Her skill at sweet-talking subordinates is quite impressive. Being a Demon King must not be for just anyone.
–To walk alongside the great black sun's footsteps... it was an honor until now.
Eldritch clattered his jaw once as if in resignation, then waved his staff in the air. A green magic circle appeared and a bright red jewel popped out of thin air.
Eldritch carefully handed it over to the Demon King.
–Please accept this, Demon King. It is one of my vessels.
"...Yes. Thank you. Now..."
Lucy passed the red jewel she received straight to me. Just as I took it, Lucy suddenly stopped her actions.
And turned back to Eldritch to ask.
"One of your vessels? That's right. Come to think of it, you had two lifeforce vessels?"
–That is correct. In preparation for contingencies, I hid the other one where enemies could never reach it.
"Oh? Where would that be?"
–I hid it in what my archenemy holds most dear...
I opened my eyes wide upon hearing Eldritch's answer.
What the Margrave holds most dear.
He hid his life vessel in that?
'Then the other one is...'
While I was lost in thought, Eldritch emitted an ominous eye light.
His gaze was fixed on me. Without taking his eyes off me who had stiffened up, Eldritch spoke.
–If I may be so bold... may I ask about the identity of that flesh?
"Ah. That one is my attendant... No. Guardian. Yes. A guardian bound to me by contract."
The Eldritch's gaze lowered slightly.
–Guardian... even though you're a hero. Indeed, I can feel the lord's blessing.
"Well, yes... there are some complicated circumstances involved. Don't worry about it."
–As you command.
His gaze remained fixed on his vessel in my hand. When I hid it behind my back, the Eldritch spoke again.
–Is it the Demon King's will to destroy my vessel, or is it the Guardian's will?
"If I had to say... it's more the Guardian's?"
Lucy answered honestly.
The Eldritch's eyes flashed brilliantly for a moment.
This isn't good.
It feels like the conversation is flowing in a bad direction. Such an ominous premonition keeps stabbing at my senses.
–My Demon King. I won't ask what words you heard that made you decide to eliminate me. However....
Sure enough. Eldritch gradually approaches the Demon King.
And in his characteristically low voice, he began to persuade her.
–That person is a hero. A worthless, worm-like being used by those hateful heavenly dogs. Someday, they will surely hold a blade to your neck, my Demon King.
"No. That's not true. I received a personal guarantee. From now on, they will be my most loyal servant in my great cause..."
–My Demon King. Do you still believe the cunning tongues of these flesh beings?
"......"
The Demon King closes her mouth at those words.
Her red eyes looking at the Eldritch were wavering. Her heart was wavering.
No. Why are you wavering now? Am I that untrustworthy?
Let's abolish this distrustful society and establish a just one, immortal Demon King!
"Hey, this won't do. Don't listen to that bastard. We've secured one vessel, so let's withdraw for today..."
"Wait. Let me hear this."
I tried to hastily stop the conversation, but the Demon King refused with an unusually cold expression. From that look in her eyes, I had an ominous feeling.
Somehow, I could already guess the outcome of this conversation.
'This is dangerous!'
There's no time to hesitate anymore. First, I secretly searched my backpack and took out the Box of the Dead.
Then I held it up against the bright red jewel.
'... Good. It works!'
Fortunately, the Eldritch's vessel was smaller than the Box of the Dead.
I sighed in relief internally and carefully placed it inside the Box of the Dead.
Meanwhile, the conversation between the Eldritch and the Demon King continued.
"Continue."
–Yes. If you are being forced to listen to them because of the Guardian contract, there is no need for that.
"... No need, you say?"
–Nullify the contract with your power. Then appoint me as your new Guardian. Although your current magical power that I sense isn't enough to handle the immense power required for a Guardian contract... My Demon King, if you wish it... I will pour my magical power into you. Please nullify the contract.
"... Oh?"
The Demon King suddenly turns to look at me. Along with Eldritch, cold red eyes turn toward me.
At that chilling gaze that made my spine shiver, I strengthened my resolve.
And it seemed the Demon King had made her decision as well.
"Indeed. So there was such a method."
She immediately went to stand beside the Eldritch. Then she gave him a nod.
The Eldritch clicked his jaw once, then immediately shot a beam at me.
There wasn't even a moment's hesitation. It was an action as if he had been waiting for just that order.
"Damn it!"
Pip pip ping! Three beams.
Though I had anticipated the attack, I could only deflect two. One penetrated my left arm, leaving a searing pain.
"Ugh!"
–Detestable hero. Your silver tongue ultimately failed to separate my loyalty to the Demon King.
The Eldritch approached slowly while chanting a spell. Countless light bullets floated around him. There must be at least a hundred.
It's over. I looked at the Demon King with a dejected expression.