Episode 19. Operation to exterminate knapul (8)
“Master, isn’t this demon resurrected again?”
“If you block demonic energy, no matter how high-ranking demons you are, you will inevitably become helpless. This is especially true for demons who focus on fighting using demonic energy.”
I looked down at Kyokyo’s motionless body and said.
“More than that.”
I crouched down in front of the body of a headless demon and ripped through my clothes.
“The important thing now is to prove your innocence.”
“Su, Master? What are you doing?”
“There will be tattoos. Kyo-Kyo must have left traces on the bodies of nobles to strengthen his brainwashing.”
Asmodians do not trust humans under any circumstances.
Moreover, Kyo-Kyo is a demon who has been in the human world for decades and has observed human cunning longer than anyone else.
There was no way he wasn’t prepared. He must have done something to the nobles.
After digging through his clothes, he saw a tattoo of a distorted black skull on his inner thigh.
This tattoo, meaning human destruction, was painted on the back of the viscount family head Iris had fainted.
“…… That’s solid evidence.”
Just comparing the tattoos on Kyokyo’s corpse with the tattoos on the noble’s body was enough to prove the connection with the demons.
If it’s not enough, the misunderstanding will be resolved if you explain the truth about the traces of the demons remaining underground and the mens company to the king.
The Men’s Association was running because of Kyokyo’s brainwashing.
As long as Kyokyo is dead, the Sangkai will no longer be able to function properly. This is because consumers will no longer buy useless items as if possessed.
The vitality of the economy that rose through the bubble will die, and the economy will suffer for a long time. It’s not exactly an economic downturn, but a return to its original state.
Looking down at the fallen viscount, I took out a scroll that was used directly to the royal family and wrote down the contents. It was about finding traces related to the demons, so they wanted a quick investigation.
One hundred sentences are worth seeing.
Nothing could be as persuasive as having them face to face.
After checking the contents of the delivery scroll once more, I was about to tear it apart when Ariel appeared from behind.
“Prause, I brought you a notebook with things related to Men’s Co. Written on it. Ah, I recorded all the evidence that this person was trying to hide with surveillance magic, so I can check it anytime.”
“I see.”
At this level, Iris’ killing of Marquis Lecter would be taken into account. In the Aium Kingdom, those who are related to the demons must be executed.
It doesn’t matter who died at the hands. It will remain awkward.
“I think we just need to bring the count’s evidence from Phoenix.”
“Okay. Our work is done. Just as I entered the viscount’s house quietly, I also leave quietly when I leave.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
“By now Tina should be following the route I told her. We wait near here, join Tina, and return to the palace. Let’s go.”
I tore the transmission scroll with all my might.
* * *
Come out of the house and jump over the wall with Ariel’s help. Iris could see her licking her lips in regret, but she pretended not to know.
“Ariel, did you hear from Phoenix or Orient?”
I asked while lowering my posture deep inside the forest.
“I didn’t come.”
It’s strange.
The fact that Kyokyo came this way meant that the count’s situation had already ended. However, he could only interpret the fact that he did not receive a call that an unexpected situation had occurred.
It was time to try a different delivery method because of the bad impression.
“…… I guess I wasn’t the only one here with something to do?”
“!”
A helpless voice like I’ve never heard before.
I look at the human figure walking towards me with its long hair flying.
“I don’t feel Kyokyo’s demonic energy at all. Hmm……. I must have been a little late.”
The approacher stopped walking and talked to himself.
“…… I guess it’s good I had no interest in such a plan anyway.”
The head of the silhouette that had tilted her head languidly stopped. It seemed to be watching us directly.
At that moment, without realizing it, I laid my hand on revenge.
Even I, who couldn’t detect mana or magic, could tell that the aura emanating from the silhouette was ominous.
“Prause, that demon I saw at the border.”
“!”
Are you referring to the demon you saw at the border, Stella Forna?
Why did you show up at the right time?
She will attack the Aium Kingdom in earnest after the Human Demon War. Now was the time to develop strength in the realm of demons.
Could this be a variable again?
“That woman is on a different level than before. I can feel the magic that is much stronger than the demon Ferora I dealt with before!”
Worse than Pero. It’s nonsense.
That meant that he was almost at the level of a corps commander. Have you already grown up there?
Did there be a variable by defeating the Black Dragon and Pero, who had a lot of weight in the War of Man and Horse?
Damn it, I don’t know.
[Prause, that’s not the same alter ego I met before. It is the body Hurry up and possess me!]
Just as we are perplexed by unexpected variables, a silhouette raises her hand towards us.
“It’s been a while, Prause. How have you been?”
As Stella said, Iris and Ariel prepared to fight at the same time.
“I told you that you were coming, but you didn’t come, so I came myself. To answer your question.”
As soon as I blinked, Stella was standing in front of me. Neither Iris nor Ariel could react, even though they were staring at her without taking their eyes off her.
I looked up in amazement at the movement far beyond my expectations. Beneath the lustrous golden hair was a melancholy look. Her eyes narrowed.
“Don’t be so vigilant. We’re just talking for now.”
I tried to draw my sword, but it was blocked by Stella’s crouching palm.
“Of course, if you attack me, I won’t stand it either.”
“…… What are you here for?”
“What are you here for? I came to kill the people who made me like this.”
Oops. Not now. At least we had to kill him after our misunderstanding was cleared up. If we kill them now, they will be misunderstood that we assassinated not only Marquis Lecter, but also other nobles.
“…… It’s great to be able to remain unconcerned even when your life is threatened.”
Stella stared into my face and gave her opinion.
“So how are you going to answer my question?”
“Ah~ that one?”
Stella points at me and laughs. Then, the white ones inside her mouth appeared. Each one was sharpened like an awl.
She has a human face, but it seems to make you realize that she is no longer human.
Of course, she could be turned back into a human right away, but if she refused, it was just a hopeless wish.
“I will live as a demon.”
“…… If you could turn you back into a human, do you have any intention of quitting the demons?”
“No. Doesn’t exist.”
Stella answered firmly. Rather than an answer he spat out without going through his head, it was more like an answer he had already predicted and prepared for my words.
“It’s not even funny that I’m becoming a human now. My life is already over.”
“… ….”
“Prause, do you think there will be a human who will come and accept me? Wouldn’t it be sold as a slave or dragged away by demons? I became a dirty body because I went through all kinds of humiliation. Can anyone understand that?”
“Maybe there isn’t—”
“If there is, it must be just a cunning human trying to take advantage of me.”
That was a solid answer.
She had already made up her mind. She was convinced now that no amount of coaxing could persuade Stella.
“I hate humans more than demons. I hate it. I will kill all the people who made me like this. Of course, that goes for you as a human too.”
She didn’t do anything, but it’s kind of unfair to be hated.
…… No, are you hated because you didn’t do anything?
“If I were going to kill someone, you would definitely stand in my way, right?”
Before she knew it, the magi gathered in her palms shimmered in front of her eyes.
“If that’s the case, I’d rather die right here.”
“Ha!”
Suddenly!
Stella’s hand rushing to my face floated in the air. Iris had cut off her forearm.
“Don’t touch Master!”
“It doesn’t hurt that much.”
Kaang!
Stella’s hand, which grew again at a speed that did not even last for an instant, struck Iris’s sword. Even though she reacts correctly and blocks it, Iris is pushed back.
“Queup!”
So you’re saying that your physical abilities are close to perfect?
In the case of sudden growth like this, it must be right before the battle of man and horse begins…….
“Don’t resist. I will let you go without pain.”
Once again, I shouted as I looked at the black palm facing me.
“「Mantra」!”
She froze for a moment and stopped her movements. She took advantage of the gap and stopped Iris from swinging her sword.
She shouts why Iris is stopping her. But she couldn’t help it. She needed to hear the answer.
“Stella, let me ask you one more time. Don’t you really want to be human?”
“I never want to be.”
I deny it even though I wrote a mantra.
In that case, I had no choice but to be prepared for this side as well.
“I see.”
I kicked the stomach of Stella, who hadn’t come back to her senses yet.
f*ck!
Seeing her tumble down on her dirt floor, I plucked her vengeance.
“「Ghost」.”
Feeling the familiar sensation of being possessed by Phasma, I loaded her sword with mana. She opened her mouth as she watched Stella rise slowly.
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“I knew what would happen to you, but I neglected you. I won’t apologize for that now. Because I thought it was right at the time.”
“What are you saying all of a sudden?”
“Yes… …. It must be my responsibility for you to become like this.”
I gave strength to the hand that held my vengeance.
“So if someone has to kill you, it must be me.”
Because that would be the only way I can take responsibility.