But Bifrons simply burst into laughter in the face of such sincerity.
“Pffft. Please? Ahahahaha! This is the first time I’ve been told something so amusing in such a serious way! Even Neptheros has a better sense for jokes! Ahaha!”
Bifrons was clearly laughing in contempt, but Foll still didn’t raise her head.
“...So will you leave?”
“Ahahahaaah... Hmm, I had quite a good laugh, so I kind of want to listen to you. But I didn’t come here to play.” The Archdemon was laughing in tears but still spoke with malice. “Oh well, as thanks for making me laugh, I’ll make sure it doesn’t hurt. There’s nothing to be scared of. Just close your eyes and it’ll all be over quickly.”
Foll drooped her shoulders dejectedly.
“...I see. So it’s no good...”
“Now, now, no need to feel so down. I’m actually quite pleased with you, you know?”
Thus, Foll finally raised her head with a sigh.
“Then I’ll drive you away.”
Her amber eyes were filled with determination. Her reaction was pretty much as expected, but Bifrons still smiled as if unable to bear their happiness.
“Now that’s what makes you the Wise Dragon’s daughter! Allow me to teach you a little about sorcery as a reward!” the Archdemon mercilessly declared, but the first to take action was Foll.
“Black Dragon Marbas.”
She held out her hand and called to the black dragon. In the next instant, black claws took shape and tore apart the body of the childish Archdemon. Foll felt strange feedback from the strike. She certainly did tear Bifrons apart, but it was accompanied by a heavy feeling as if wading through water. There was no sense that she tore into a living being.
“Hehehe, is this your new power? It both destroys its target and eats their mana. Is this meant to mimic Zagan’s Heaven’s Phosphor? It’s not bad at all. What’s best about it is that it’s far faster than sorcery.”
Foll ground her teeth from having everything about her strike figured out after only being seen once.
Archdemons really are scary. This power could even defeat Decarabia, who had managed to strike down a homunculus of Andrealphus. But even so, it couldn’t reach a real Archdemon. After being torn apart, debris in the air gathered together and reconstructed Bifrons’ body.
What crazy regeneration abilities... Zagan once granted Nephteros the ability to kill an Archdemon, and Bifrons managed to bear the brunt of it multiple times and still regenerate. But above all else, wounds inflicted by Marbas were cursed. It was supposed to be impossible to regenerate them with sorcery, but it was like there was no effect at all.
Foll continued to observe Bifrons with her amber eyes.
No, this isn’t a living being! It was “something” like debris. Or more specifically, it was like a crystallization of mana. Each crystal was literally the size of a grain of sand and had a terrifyingly intricate magic circle engraved on it.
Bifrons’ body was a colony made of such crystals. Just how much skill and mana was required to manipulate such a thing? It was impossible for Foll as she was now. This also explained why Zagan’s barrier was unable to perceive an intruder.
“Hehehe, looks like you can see it. Well, that was a freebie just for you. Keep it a secret from other sorcerers, okay?”
As implied, the Archdemon had deliberately acted in a way that Foll could witness. If Bifrons was so inclined, they could have eaten away at Foll’s body from the inside out. The fact that they showed her this meant they were displaying the truth of what was about to happen to her own body before actually doing anything.
But even so, Foll didn’t yield to fear.
“Heaven’s Scale Snowfield.”
She quietly muttered and a countless number of lights rose into the air. The small lights, which resembled powdered snow, were fragments of Heaven’s Scale, the greatest shield that Zagan had developed.
“Heaven’s Scale...? You know that’s not enough to stop me, right?”
Just as Bifrons said, Zagan had granted Foll those scales as a way to protect her body. But it was impossible to protect herself from Bifrons’ sorcery if it didn’t serve as a means of attack. Foll was fully aware of this even as she wove together the spell.
That was because she needed to do it to beat Bifrons. Even this Archdemon was surely unaware of what it was that Foll was doing. She defenselessly exposed herself before a terrifying enemy and spread her arms out while closing her eyes. It looked like she had lost all heart. She then took a small breath and began singing.
“Huh?”
Bifrons sounded completely dumbfounded. Immediately following that, the world burst apart without a sound. With Bifrons at its center, the earth, the trees, the air, absolutely everything in a large radius was pulverized to atoms. Even Bifrons crumbled into nothing with a shocked expression plastered on their face.
Foll fell to her knees, unable to even witness this for herself.
“Haah... Haah...”
She was breathing roughly and could feel something hot crawling up her throat. The taste of rusted iron spread throughout her mouth. This wasn’t gastric acid but blood.
I couldn’t suppress the backlash. Even though she had managed to pulverize Bifrons’ body, she’d ended up inflicting a severe blow to herself. It was far too incomplete to use in an actual battle. But she’d had no other way of facing off against an Archdemon.
“How surprising... I didn’t think... you had such power.”
“Bi...frons...”
Perhaps just as one would expect of an Archdemon, she could still hear Bifrons’ voice even though the colony was completely destroyed.
“I see... That was a dragon’s roar. You formed a resonance between your own breath and Black Dragon Marbas’ breath, then had them reverberate within the snowfield to amplify its effect, right?” Bifrons saw through the entire attack in but a single glance. “Hehehe, how splendid. I sincerely apologize for underestimating you, daughter of Zagan. Or perhaps I should say... Apparition Valefor.”
Foll’s eyes shot open. This was a sign of respect from an Archdemon. And Bifrons continued speaking in a distorted voice.
“Aren’t you able to clad your body in that same power? I’d still be able to defend against it though.”
Foll glared back at the space where Bifrons was, and unexpectedly, the Archdemon continued speaking without a single hint of malice in their voice.
“Don’t be so angry. I’m just giving you some genuine advice. I still feel joy in seeing sorcery develop to its very limits, you know? As proof of that, I will graciously step back for today.”
“Bifrons’ mana dispersed from the area as if to prove this wasn’t a lie.
“Oh yes, one more thing. Does that power of yours have a name?”
Foll didn’t know what the Archdemon was getting at, but shook her head.
“Then allow me to bestow it one. Divine Echo. A godly sound capable of slaughtering even an Archdemon. It’s quite appropriate for you.”
And with that, Bifrons’ presence vanished completely.
I really don’t understand what goes through that Archdemon’s head. And after sitting there dumbfounded for a few more seconds, Foll yelled out in anger to the skies.
“Why?! Didn’t?! You?! Tell that to Nephteros?!”
Yet her sorrowful cry vanished into the forest in vain.
◇
“Hak!”
Bifrons coughed out blood and fell to the ground. The Archdemon was currently in one of their bases. Their original research base had been destroyed by Zagan. This one wasn’t the size of a castle and was only about big enough to be used as a storage space for spare materials. But that’s what made it the perfect hiding spot for Bifrons, considering the sorcery that Zagan had cast on them, and Shere Khan, who was also being hunted.
I wasn’t even planning on playing around this time. What terrifying power... It wasn’t beyond recovery, but Bifrons was still unable to speak. Zagan was quite the shrewd man to be hi
ding such a pawn to play while also having both Gremory and Kimaris serve as his hands. In truth, Zagan didn’t count his family members among his subordinates, but that wasn’t something Bifrons could comprehend.
Just as Foll inferred, Bifrons’ sorcery manipulated crystallized mana. The Archdemon no longer possessed a true body. Each and every crystal was Bifrons, and any such cluster was also Bifrons. There was no longer any meaning to the word individuality to this Archdemon. Zagan may have been even more terrifying than this though, considering he was capable of casting such a complicated pledge on such a body.
The power that Valefor unleashed could be called Bifrons’ natural enemy.
No sorcery can completely defend against it, since it’s based on sound... And above all else, the sound dealt a blow to Bifrons’ very existence. It was a truly nightmarish power that was impossible to avoid. In a complete state, there was even a chance of it killing Bifrons.
Furthermore, that was the power Zagan’s elf used before. The Archdemon wasn’t sure if Foll herself was aware of it, but that was the same as the celestial mysticism which struck Shere Khan on Alshiere Imera, Algea Pathi. That one little girl manifested the power which was born of the collaboration between two high elves, two Archdemon candidates, the personal disciple of an active Archdemon, and an Archangel.
It wasn’t something she’d stolen from Zagan, nor was it something she had learned from Nephelia. She’d refined it all on her own using what was given to her by her parents. But perhaps that was oversimplifying it. Using Heaven’s Scale like a tuning fork was surely beyond Zagan’s expectations as well. And this was something she had done in the desperate situation of facing an Archdemon on her own. Bifrons also felt compelled to praise her Celestian chant required for the prayer. Her growth was miraculous. It was moving even for this Archdemon.
“I get it now. Watching the growth of a young sorcerer is actually quite pleasant. I see why Zagan put her at his side. I feel like it would even be fine to yield my Sigil to a girl like her.”
Those were the true feelings of this Archdemon who could be considered to be the very picture of evil.
Bifrons’ goal in infiltrating Zagan’s castle was to secure Alshiera. The Archdemon wasn’t planning on fooling around at all and was focused on fulfilling their contract with Shere Khan. In spite of that, Bifrons was repelled by a little girl. It was like she was a completely different person from the girl he met on that ship half a year ago. If she were to reach such a stage back before Zagan inherited his Sigil, Bifrons would have definitely recommended her for the position. The Archdemon truly felt respect at having been brought to a knee like this.
Hahaha... Me? Feel respect? How laughable. And having finally recovered enough to stand back up, Bifrons shook their head.
“Not yet. I can’t afford to die yet.”
The Archdemon now had a goal worth staking their life on. That was precisely why they joined hands with a cripple on death’s door. The face that came to mind was none other than the cute and irritated face of their little doll.
“Why didn’t you say that to Nephteros?!”
Bifrons did, in fact, hear what Valefor screamed in the end.
I wonder if things would’ve gone differently if I’d praised Nephteros... But the childish Archdemon laughed it off as nonsense.
“...Hahaha, that’s none of your business.”
If Bifrons still had such an honest heart, they wouldn’t be an Archdemon.
Just then, the creaking sound of a wheelchair drew closer.
“Bi...frons... What... were you... doing...?
“Hi there, my dear friend Shere Khan. It was nothing really, I just thought I’d help my sworn friend’s research. Having said that, it seems I failed this time.”
“That... is not... an opponent... you can defeat... by challenging... them... without... a plan,” the tiger-faced sorcerer replied in a wheezing voice. He was likely referring to the vampire.
I think I’ll keep quiet about not even getting anywhere close to Alshiera. Mhm... If Bifrons was to reveal such shameful information, they would paint a target on their back. And that would do them no good while Zagan’s sorcery was still in place.
Bifrons let out a cheerful laugh.
“It’s true that I was being rash... They may have sniffed this place out, so let’s move. Don’t worry, I’ve still got plenty of bases that nobody knows about.”
Bifrons went to push his wheelchair, but the tiger sorcerer shook his head. That one action surely took all the effort he could muster.
To think the Tiger King has been reduced to such a miserable state. His withered fingers looked like they would snap with just the tiniest amount of force. Such an evil inclination did cross Bifrons’ mind, but they shook it off immediately. This man was right next to Andrealphus as one of the oldest Archdemons. It was natural to assume he had one or two trump cards prepared that Bifrons didn’t know about.
The childish Archdemon then innocently cocked their head.
“What wrong, Shere Khan? Does my hiding place not suit you?”
“Setting... that aside... I have... a request.”
“Hmm.” Bifrons sighed. They never thought they’d hear such a laudable phrase from this tiger.
Looks like he’s in the mood to cooperate for now... Or perhaps it was just an act to get Bifrons to think that way. In any case, there wasn’t much in the world more enjoyable than a trade with an Archdemon.
“I’ll do anything I can. We’re sword friends, right? Ahaha!”
Bifrons brought their ear closer to Shere Khan to listen to his sword friend’s request, then raised a brow.
“Azazel’s Staff...?”
According to Shere Khan, it was a more realistic approach than targeting Alshiera.
Is that... something else entirely?
Azazel’s Staff. The first thing that came to mind was the staff wielded by a certain girl. Bifrons knew that it was a Holy Treasure related to the name Azazel. However, it seemed that Shere Khan was talking about something else. He then added one more thing.
“Huh? Your subordinates already slipped in? Aah, and those children bungled it up... Haaah... We both have such problematic subordinates, huh?”
Bifrons felt some amount of sympathy due to the case with Nephteros.
Well, not that I really care just because he’s asking me to do it. As long as it doesn’t fall into an enemy’s hands, at least.
Bifrons hoped it was an amusing toy, if nothing else. This childish Archdemon was truly a superior sorcerer worthy of endless respect, but Bifrons was rotten by nature.
“But... Azazel... Azazel’s legacy, huh?” Bifrons repeated that name over and over as if savoring every drop of honey in their mouth.
To think a part of the legacy existed aside from my Sacred Sword... It was something Bifrons sent to clash against Zagan. Although, the Archdemon no longer possessed it. Even if they were capable of guiding it, it was too difficult to control.
Sure, I had the matter with Nephteros to deal with, but throwing it away there was quite the waste... However, Zagan didn’t realize that girl’s true value. It was ridiculous. Shere Khan was so fixated on her precisely because he understood her value.
But I guess I don’t really know what Shere Khan is plotting... Rare species hunts sounded fun and all, but he always muttered nonsense about protecting someone or salvation while in a daze. Although this man was given the title of Archdemon, he had obviously long since thrown away his sanity.
“So? The legacy is in the Holy City of Raziel? How troublesome. Well, I’ll go and enjoy myself to the fullest.”
Thus, Archdemons who were tied by fate all headed to the Holy City as if attracted by each other.
◇
The following day, Zagan and Nephy had been jolted about in a carriage ever since the morning. They didn’t return to the castle the previous evening but made use of an inn while making preparations for a carriage in Kianoides. They deployed a powerful barrier specifically for obs
tructing Gremory, so they didn’t think they were discovered by her.
Zagan had taken off his sorcerer’s robe and was instead wearing a silk shirt and trousers, a belt with a brass buckle, a crimson tie around his neck, and a black mantle as an overcoat. He was dressed just like a noble.
Nephy was wearing a white dress and a slightly transparent wool cardigan, which made her look gentle. It wasn’t as gorgeous as her evening dress, but it gave her the feel of a refined daughter from a well-off family. Though, she naturally still had a boorish collar around her neck.
I feel like it’d be fine to take it off at times like this... However, Nephy refused to yield and emphasized that it was made for such moments. This collar was the first thing to connect Zagan and Nephy, after all. And he was honestly quite happy that she treated it so dearly.
The carriage they were in was big enough for six people, but Zagan had reserved it for himself, so it was just the two of them in the back. A deep voice then resounded through the carriage.
“My liege. We should arrive in the Holy City by nightfall at this pace.”
“Hmm. That’s faster than expected. Good work.”
The one driving the carriage was Raphael. He had also changed out of his Valefor armor and was now wearing the armor of a regular knight. In this age, the word knight was largely synonymous with Angelic Knights, but there were in fact knights who were not affiliated with the church. Their wages and status were conferred to them by the feudal lord, or king, of their land.
Well, the armor had no sorcery cast on it and didn’t hold a candle to Anointed Armor though. Zagan’s little group was under the guidance of a noble couple and their knight escort.
Nephy looked down at her own dress shyly and lifted it up slightly.
“This is my first time wearing clothes like this. I feel somewhat restless.”
“You’re right. But wearing different clothes from usual is nice, huh?”
Nephy is so damn cute! Why haven’t I bought her more clothes like this?! Manuela was the one who picked out this outfit, as always. She did play around and tease Nephy to her heart’s content as if it were perfectly natural, but Zagan allowed it this time. This was their first trip together on their own, after all.
An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride: Volume 9 Page 8