As a result, he hadn’t killed anyone for some time now, but it would somewhat be correct to say that that was because the guys he punched with the intent of killing them just wouldn’t die. That’s precisely why Zagan could say this.
“However, the only ones who could just disregard it entirely are surely sorcerers like us. It’s far more pure to be worried about it. A truly and utterly foolish worry.”
Nephy stared at Zagan in surprise, then leaned in on his shoulder.
“The only one who could declare such a worry as foolish would be you, Master Zagan...”
I never would have thought this way before meeting you, you know?
Those words crept up all the way to Zagan’s throat, but wouldn’t make it out his mouth. Instead, he shrugged his shoulders.
“However, even if we were the ones to tell Kuroka that, it would never reach her. Even Raphael likely wouldn’t work.”
The only one who could get that through to her was someone who had passed their time with her, who had tasted the same pain as her. And at the same time as that thought came to mind, Zagan suddenly felt that it wasn’t quite the case either.
No, it might not actually be all that complicated.
Once in a while, there were idiots in this world who wouldn’t see truth as the truth, who would kick aside reason without hesitation and unconditionally think of others. Back in Nephteros’ case, this was Chastille. Surely there was someone suitable to do this for Kuroka. And as if affirming that entirely, a voice rang out in the area.
“You dummy! I was really saved when I found out that you were alive you know!? So why can you even say that!?”
They couldn’t tell what the two were talking about, but Lilith screamed out in tears as she hugged Kuroka. Kuroka looked bewildered for a moment, but eventually hugged Lilith back as if giving up.
“P-Please don’t cry, Lilith. I’m properly alive here. It’s not like I’m thinking that I should die... Hey, please? If you cry so much, even I’ll...”
Watching that play out, Zagan and the others pulled back little.
“Seems it was needless anxiety on our part.”
“Master Zagan, looks like your judgment here was correct.”
“Like I know. Lilith just decided this on her own.”
“Despite all that, Big Bro, you look happy,” Nephteros commented curiously.
“Shut it. You lot go look for food already!”
“Okaaay.”
Nephteros and Foll left as they giggled.
“Seriously...”
And although he said that, Zagan thought to himself, I may just be blessed with good subordinates...
The thought that people could save others was arrogant and ridiculous. Nevertheless, if there was someone out there who believed that they were saved, then it just meant there was inevitably someone who had saved them. Such things were pretty much a form of coincidence, nothing more than a miracle. It wasn’t something that could be brought about by desire. And back when Zagan scornfully laughed about such a thought, this was what Archdemon Orias told him.
“I believe that someone who knows that yet doesn’t give up and lends a hand to others, is precisely one who is capable of saving others.”
He didn’t believe that to be a joke. But even so, It’s a good thing if Kuroka is saved by this...
Leaving behind the two girls crying in each other’s arms, Zagan certainly smiled in relief.
◇
“Er, crap. We reached the sea.”
Deciding that constantly watching over the two girls crying would be far too boorish, Zagan and Nephy went back into the forest, but there was no path to follow. They ended up coming up to the shore as they wandered through it. The two of them didn’t manage to scavenge up much food. The reason for this was largely because they were munching on the fruits they found along the way.
“Master Zagan, you never even considered winning yourself right?” Nephy remarked with a giggle.
“Well, it’s just that sort of occasion. It’s the duty of one who aims to be a king to offer rewards during such frivolous games.”
Zagan spurred on those around him with rewards during the fishing contest and the current food gathering contest and had no intention of winning himself. The primary reason for these contests was naturally to abate Foll’s hunger, but he did also want to reward his subordinates and Chastille’s group for going along with him to the bottom of the ocean for over half a month. Snatching the reward for himself would just be counterproductive.
Having now come out to a spot with a good view of his surroundings, Zagan turned around.
“...So, what do you want?”
And as he asked that, a stuffy-looking man came out of the forest.
“Haha, I didn’t mean to get in between you two here ya know?”
“So it was out of consideration? I don’t keep any secrets from Nephy. If you have something to say, get it over with quickly.”
There were things he hadn’t told her about yet, but one day he would do so. If she asked him about them, he would answer right away too.
Michael shrugged his shoulders.
“Okay then, I’ll cut right to the chase... One of the thirteen Archdemons, Andrealphus was killed.”
“Huh...!?”
Nephy gulped down. They had come into conflict with two Archdemons already in Bifrons and Orias, but both of them were eerie sorcerers whose powers seemed bottomless. A large reason Zagan was able to overpower them was because of his power to devour sorcery. This power was the source of his second name Sorcerer Slayer, and without it, he surely wouldn’t be able to get out of a fight with another Archdemon safely. This was shocking news, but Zagan’s reaction was still completely cool-headed.
“Hmmm.”
“Huh, you don’t believe me?”
“I do. I was planning to kill him one day anyways.”
Zagan didn’t even know how Michael was expecting him to react to such news.
“You were planning to kill him...? Well, whatever. It’s stupid to try and preach morals to a sorcerer, huh?” Michael replied as he scratched his head in a troubled manner.
“So? You surely didn’t come all the way to this uninhabited island just to report that to me right?”
“...You’ve really got no charm here buddy...” Michael muttered with a sour look. “The one who did it is a sorcerer called Decarabia.”
Zagan didn’t recognize that name.
Not that sorcerers always go by the same name all the time anyways.
There were even cases like Zagan’s where he didn’t actually know his original name.
“Hm... I don’t know that name. What kind of sorcerer is he?”
“Seems he was Andrealphus’ disciple. And just as you’d expect from a disciple of an Archdemon, he was one of the biggest contenders for succeeding Marchosias after his death. The thing is...” Michael put on a bitter smile and began slapping his own head. “Apparently that guy’s got a whole lotta screws loose in his head. So they didn’t accept him as an Archdemon.”
“Hm? Then why did he wait so long to kill him?”
If he were holding a grudge for not being selected, his actions were half a year late. Michael shrugged his shoulders.
“Who knows? It might just be something trivial like he’d gotten out of his hole in the ground for the first time in a while and was throwing a tantrum or something right? Seems nobody can guess what that guy is thinking at all.” Michael then clapped his hands as he recalled something. “Oh yeah. Apparently Decarabia gave himself a name — Archdemon Slayer.”
“That’s quite the tall claim.” Zagan replied with a strained smile.
Even among the many countermeasures Zagan devised against the other Archdemons, he hadn’t really found a reliable way of killing them yet. And now someone was calling themselves an Archdemon Slayer. It was hard to believe. However, there were several facts that Zagan could grasp from that.
“I see. The fact that you’re telling me this is
because he plans on challenging me next, right?”
Nephy trembled with a start.
“Master Zagan...”
“Fear not, Nephy. If he truly did kill another Archdemon, it is something worth celebrating over. He’s going out of his way to come here and show me that method, after all.”
“You’re acting awfully composed, but it’s not my fault if you get tripped up here ’kay?” Michael commented in astonishment.
“I already told you. I plan on annihilating the twelve other Archdemons. If there is a means of killing them, it only stands to reason that such a means would be pointed at me as well. A king who falters over something so trivial cannot defeat the Archdemons.” Zagan then glared at Michael. “Setting that aside, are you lot from the church planning on having me and that Archdemon Slayer or whatever collide and hoping for two open seats among the Archdemons?”
“Hah? Well, those cardinal geezers are probably hoping for that.”
“And you’re implying that you’re different.”
Michael put on a bitter smile.
“I don’t get what you’re planning at all, but the Archdemon known as Zagan is already an existence that heavily influences that balance between the church and sorcerers. If you kick the bucket here, the church will take heart in their plan to wipe out the sorcerers. And what do you think will happen then?”
“Sounds like the church is having fun.”
“Those guys who only think by the numbers probably are. But not me. People will start getting killed all over, and my workload as an Archangel will only go up. I’m a fundamentally lazy man. I’d rather not have the peaceful balance we have now collapsing.”
It certainly was true that this man looked lazy.
A lazy man would pick the easy path of pretending to be a friend and cutting someone down from behind too.
Zagan was fine with believing Michael here, but he didn’t trust him. He nodded without allowing his vigilance to waver.
“Very well. You can look forward to me finishing him off.”
“Oh? You really do catch on quick don’t cha?”
“If he’s coming here, he probably has a boat too. With that, I can send you on your way.” Zagan replied with a dead-serious air about him, leaving Michael completely taken aback.
“...W-Well, that’s all I had to say.”
Michael left with a completely worn out expression on his face. Nephy then shyly wrapped her hand around Zagan’s pinky finger as if unable to bear her anxieties about the situation.
“Master Zagan...”
“I’m telling you there’s nothing to fear.”
Zagan gently brushed Nephy’s cheek, and Nephy leaned in against him, letting the strength out of her shoulders. She then tilted her head to the side.
“Um, is Lord Michael perhaps an acquaintance of yours, Master Zagan? The two of you don’t quite seem to be friends... but you also look to be somewhat close.”
“Hmm... how do I even explain it...? We’re not close, but we’re acquainted. In any case, he isn’t someone I got involved with because I wanted to.”
A lot of things would actually be easier if I just offed him right here too.
However, Zagan was currently in the middle of an enjoyable vacation, as were his subordinates and Chastille’s group. If he exposed Michael’s identity, then everybody’s fun would surely come to an end. That’s why he didn’t do anything. He could only provide a vague answer even to Nephy. He didn’t know whether his intent was conveyed to her, but Nephy’s pointy ears quivered as she nodded.
“I see. All is as you will, Master Zagan.”
And then, just as they began walking side by side, Nephy’s ears twitched.
“What’s wrong?”
“...? Master Zagan, do you hear something?”
“Hm...? I don’t really hear anything.”
Zagan sharpened his hearing with sorcery. He could hear the voices of the Angelic Knights, Barbatos and the others running about as they gathered food, but he didn’t hear anything suspicious in the area.
But, Nephy’s the one saying this.
It could be something like the voice of a spirit that Zagan was unable to hear. He just received a warning from Michael. There was a possibility that their troublesome guest was already here.
“What does it sound like?” Zagan asked as he put himself on guard.
“A... voice...!?” Nephy cupped her ears with her hands, then gulped down. “This is bad! Master Zagan, the voice is pleading for help!”
“Ugh...”
It was possible that one member of their group had gotten injured or something. However, it was strange that Zagan couldn’t hear them if that were the case. So for the time being, he had Nephy lead him to the voice. After passing over the beach, they eventually arrived at an inlet that led into a dark cave. And after coming this far, Zagan realized just who the owner of the voice was.
“That’s... Alshiera?”
The vampire who had once antagonized him was sprawled across the floor.
◇
This girl looked the same as the last time he saw her, but also completely different. Her black and frilly dress was in complete tatters, and her golden hair was totally disheveled from being in the ocean water. A pair of sharp fangs could be seen from her slightly open mouth. The girl laying down in the cave was so quiet it was questionable if she was even breathing — though she was undead to begin with — and showed no signs of the slightest movement. Nevertheless, she was still obstinately gripping onto her stuffed teddy bear covered in creepy stitches.
Did she fight someone... Michael? No, doesn’t look like this happened recently.
It appeared that she had been laying in this cave for quite some time, as her body was somewhat buried in sand up to about ankle height. This was likely an effect of the tide carrying the sand in. Moreover, it didn’t look like she was wounded by a sword.
“Is she... dead...?” Nephy said with a gulp.
“No, she’s undead to begin with. She wasn’t alive in the first place. However, the fact that her body is present means that she’s still here. But...”
Zagan fell silent.
She’s already a goner like this. She’s just waiting to disappear.
The undead possessed no concept known as ‘death’, but they would vanish if they were to lose their vessel. It would likely take anywhere from tens to hundreds of years for them to reappear in the world. However, Nephy was one who couldn’t ignore her even if she wasn’t a living being.
“Please hang on.”
Nephy held Alshiera up and put her atop her lap gently as if she were a doll about to break into pieces at any moment. She then swept away the sand that was covering Alshiera and put her hand to her brow. And yet, Nephy’s face stiffened up.
“I can’t heal her? Why...?”
“Mysticism probably doesn’t work on her. I told you before, the Night Clan exists outside of the realm of life and death. The source of mysticism is based on an existence which governs over the cycle of life and the spirit, so it’s a power in almost direct opposition to them. That’s why they can’t intervene with each other.”
Celestial mysticism might have had an effect, but Zagan didn’t fully understand its structure and was hesitant to have her try it.
“Ugh...”
Mysticism had no effect, but Alshiera let out a small groan from being supported.
“My dear... brother...”
Unexpectedly, that was the first thing to leak out of her lips.
I don’t know what era it was, but I guess even she had family, huh?
Becoming an undead was, in a sense, the same as severing oneself from the world. It meant that one no longer shared the concept of lifespans with others, after all. In that sense, sorcerers were somewhat similar, but nevertheless, it was unexpected for such words to spill from her lips.
Despite being of the Night Clan, you sure have some humanity left in you, huh?
Zagan couldn’t really speak about othe
rs in this sense, but there was nobody here to point that out to him.
“Master Zagan...”
Nephy pleaded him to save Alshiera with her eyes, and Zagan let out a helpless sigh.
It would actually be more convenient for me if she just up and vanished here though...
Nephy didn’t seem to think she was a villain, but Zagan believed Alshiera was the one to make Foll go berserk. It was Zagan’s policy to eliminate all those who inflicted harm on himself and those around him.
“But, I guess I also want to interrogate her about what her objective is.”
Muttering that out, Zagan suddenly cut his own wrist using mana, and blood came pouring out.
“M-Master Zagan!?”
“People call them vampires for a reason. They’re able to preserve their existence in the world by absorbing life from the blood of others. The only way to save her here is to feed her blood.”
Life held a different meaning for them. By stealing the power of life from other beings, they were able to preserve their existence in the world. It would be more correct to state that it was the medium by which they were extending the time limit of their existence. The undead required neither air nor food after all.
Having said that, Zagan hated the idea of using Nephy’s blood. No matter the method he used, it would require him to wound her to draw out blood, and that would be accompanied by pain. Using an Archdemon’s blood here was truly a luxurious medium. She would surely gain several hundred times the power that she would from a normal human.
Seems there’s a saying in Liucaon to ‘show humanity even to one’s enemy,’ but this is somewhat like giving a full course of the world’s finest cooking.
Zagan brought his wrist up to Alshiera’s mouth and let his blood flow down her throat.
“Mm... Ah... Haa...”
Alshiera’s eyes opened as she gasped and clung to Zagan’s wrist as if coveting what he was offering her.
An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride: Volume 7 (Premium) Page 9