It was complete nonsense that an Archdemon would seek retribution for another, but the fact that this man chased Decarabia may have been about revenge in a certain sense.
“Tch, so you’re saying you had no intent to antagonize me? Then why did you bring Decarabia here?” Zagan replied.
Decarabia didn’t possess any sorcery to leap over space. However, no ships came anywhere close to the island. Zagan had already checked that nobody was present on this island when he arrived. So in that case, just how did Decarabia arrive?
“Oh come on, how did I end up being the one who brought him over? My ship got sunk and I ended up drifting here too you know?”
“And I didn’t hear anything about who else was on that ship.”
His boat was the only one to draw near to this island other than the one Zagan’s group used. And so, Andrealphus shrugged his shoulders helplessly.
“Oops, guess I forgot about that. I was the only one moving the ship, but I feel like maybe there was someone else riding along.”
His roundabout phrasing irritated Zagan. It was certainly true that this man hadn’t lied, but he didn’t tell them the whole truth either. He was the same as Alshiera in that regard.
“You bastard...”
“Hang on now, it’s not fair that you’re the only ones getting to ask questions here. Haven’t you heard of paying respect to your elders?” Andrealphus then turned to Foll. “By the way, little dragon. You guys had a fishing competition, right?”
“We did. What about it?”
Andrealphus then put on a sociable smile.
“I started late, but I’m participating too. My catch was that Decarabia over there. How was it? Don’t you think I fished up the best prey?”
Foll turned to look at Stella behind her, and after pretending to think it over it for a while, she returned a small nod.
“It really was the most... horrible tasting one.”
Andrealphus nodded in satisfaction.
“So, that’s how it is. Doesn’t that mean I have a right to the prize too?”
“Hmm. So what do you wish for? Just try saying it.”
Zagan knew full well what his answer would be; there was no need to ask, but he did nonetheless. And Andrealphus put on an impudent smile as if anticipating that.
“I’d like you to return my disciple over there to me. I’ve spent quite a bit of time on her.”
I see, not a student or an attendant... but a disciple.
It was certainly true that he hadn’t lied. Students and disciples were similar, but disciples implied that they were being taught one’s characteristic sorcery. Zagan gave a glance over to Stella who started trembling violently with a start, then replied with a smile.
“I refuse.”
“...Thought so...”
That was the last they had to say, and also the signal for the battle to begin. Zagan clenched his fists. Andrealphus gripped his Sacred Sword. And the two Archdemons stepped forth.
◇
A metallic echo rang in the air continuously. It looked like the two Archdemons were simply glaring each other down without moving a muscle. But even so, blinding sparks were constantly flying about between them.
Heaven’s Scale was already wrapped around Zagan’s fist, and each time sparks went flying in the air, his fist appeared hazy. Zagan’s fist and Andrealphus’ Sacred Sword were continuously clashing.
Andrealphus brought his Sacred Sword straight down at Zagan, and Zagan used the back of his fist to strike the flat of the sword. Zagan then aimed his fist right at Andrealphus’ face, which was quickly blocked by his sword.
Having struck Heaven’s Scale twice, even the Sacred Sword had cracks running along its edge. However, it consumed the mana around them to immediately restore itself. Andrealphus moved to strike with a horizontal sweep once more, and Zagan blocked and returned the strike in kind, once more sending sparks flying into the air.
Both of them were simply scoping the other out, only using a single hand to fight. That was exactly why it looked like they weren’t moving to those watching them. And with their exchange of offense and defense still going on, Andrealphus let out a bored voice.
“Hey Zagan. This is what we call pointless repetition. It’ll never end like this you know?”
“You’ve already seen the hands I have to play while I haven’t seen anything yet. I’ll be somewhat careful about it.”
“Oh, you’re right, aren’t you? But it’s not like I set Decarabia on you ’cause I wanted to see what you could do you know? How ’bout I show you one of my hands as an apology?”
Andrealphus brought his attacks to a stop and gripped the blade of his own Sacred Sword, causing blood to flow along the blade.
“Now then, it’s been quite some time. Sing to your heart’s content.”
Zagan put his fists up at the ready.
Is that the Sacred Sword’s spiritual power?
Just like how Chastille could manipulate light, and how Raphael could manipulate flames, this man was also capable of releasing the Sacred Sword’s power. And so, just what extent of power could an Archdemon draw from a Sacred Sword? Zagan vigilantly put himself on guard, and was left completely dumbfounded in the next instant.
“Angelic Confession — Zachariel.”
Black light surged out of the Sacred Sword. The trembling blade gave off a sound like someone playing a wind instrument. It should have sounded rather ominous, but it was a melody which was somehow calming to the heart. The black light didn’t assault Zagan, but instead wrapped around Andrealphus’ body.
“Take a good look, Chastille. It’s been two hundred years since this has been used in this world. Even Raphael wasn’t able to reach this stage. This is the final form of the Sacred Sword.”
What eventually manifested was a sinister yet beautiful set of armor adorned with wings. It’s size easily doubled that of Andrealphus himself, who was quite tall to begin with. Its gauntlets looked large enough to grasp a human body in each hand, and it was gripping an enormous spear made of light. Its form seemed somehow female. The set of armor made of light appeared transparent and overlapped with Andrealphus’ body.
Andrealphus pulled a striking wooden box out of his Anointed Armor. It seemed that he filched it from their luggage without asking. It was a new box of wrapped tobacco. He took one out, crudely bit off the end and spat it out, put it in his mouth, lit the tip with sorcery, and let out a satisfied puff of smoke.
“There’s a lot called seraphs locked up inside each of the Sacred Swords. Well, they’re basically something like a living pillar.”
“Seraphs...?”
Even Zagan had never heard of such beings.
But that may just be the secret behind the power of the Sacred Swords...
Even when Nephy carved the same Celestian words that were on the Sacred Swords, she was unable to bestow anything with as much power as the originals.
“There are monsters in this world that we call demons, you should’ve fought against them once or twice already now. They’re a lot that someone at the level of an Archangel can only just defeat by trading their life. You ever wonder why the world hasn’t ended yet despite that?”
“Are you saying those so called seraphs have been fighting them?”
“Seems so? At the very least, that’s what old man Marchosias said.”
Hearing the preceding Archdemon’s name once more, Zagan squinted his eyes.
Marchosias again? That name’s been following me around ever since I came to Atlastia...
Although, if Marchosias had said that, then as the one who was involved with demons one thousand years ago, it was likely the truth. Moreover, Zagan had faintly felt that was the case. There was something paranormal in this world like the gods and devils of legend. Demons, which were befitting of the image of devils, truly existed. In that case, there should have been something out there which conformed to the image of gods.
It was truly vexing that all who knew about it, be it Marchosi
as or the Wise Dragon Orobas, were all already dead before he could ask them.
“But why is there no record of seraphs ever existing? If they possessed such power, there should be some sort of record of them.”
“Aah, about that...” Andrealphus replied with a look of exasperation and a bitter smile, “Old man Marchosias obliterated them down to their very roots.”
“What!?”
“Seems he had quite the grudge. He completely and utterly wiped them out until there wasn’t even proof that they existed left anymore. That’s why I can’t really answer you if you ask me what exactly these seraphs are either. I’m not lying, you hear?”
Even if he can’t answer me precisely, he must have a clue...
He wanted to ask, but as long as Andrealphus was talking about it the way he was, it was plain as day that he would just dodge the question. Andrealphus simply laughed to imply that he had no intention of telling Zagan any more.
“Oops, my bad. We went off topic there. Anyways, this Sacred Sword has a seraph locked inside it. What we call Confession is the ultimate form of the Sacred Sword where an Angelic Knight dons the seraph itself.” After explaining that much, Andrealphus flicked away his still lit smoke. “Now then, that’s enough downtime. You better not kick the bucket from this as an active duty Archdemon, you hear?”
And the seraph brought down its spear of light. Zagan grasped his mantle with both hands and looked up at the seraph in admiration.
“I see... You don it, huh? That seraph or whatever you call it may unexpectedly stretch out to the same point that sorcery does.”
The spear of light came down, and that black light came to a stop but a hair away from Zagan’s head.
“Heaven’s Scale Western Sky.”
Zagan’s left arm was wrapped in a massive gauntlet made of mana. It extended from his shoulder and was about the same size as Andrealphus’ Confession. It was a left arm made entirely of Heaven’s Scale. That left arm had grabbed the Confession’s spear and brought it to a stop. And since this spell took on the shape of a left arm, there was obviously another...
“Heaven’s Scale Eastern Sky.”
A massive gauntlet made of mana took shape on Zagan’s right side.
The completed form of Heaven’s Scale is Dragon Form, but it’s too exaggerated a technique to use against an individual person.
The power discharged by Dragon Form was too grand. Just destroying a single target would also destroy everything in the vicinity. It wasn’t well suited for destroying a small target. Above all else, it wouldn’t be able to keep up with this man’s speed. This was a form of Heaven’s Scale that Zagan devised for fighting exactly such opponents. The Western Sky blocked the spear. As such, the Eastern Sky was free to act.
“Here we go, don’t you die on me either, you hear?”
The fist of the Eastern Sky came crashing in. Andrealphus let out an amused whistle and held up the Confession’s left arm. Black light gathered around it, taking on the shape of a shield, intercepting the Eastern Sky. And so, the destructive power they were capable of was...
“So it’s even...”
“...Seems so.”
With the opening created by Zagan’s right fist diving in, the spear of light slipped out of the Western Sky’s grasp. Andrealphus’ sword was replaced by a spear, and Zagan’s fist was replaced with a gauntlet. And their previous exchange of clashes repeated. The speed was the same as before, but the scale of destruction was far greater. Nephy and the others were no longer able to stay near and retreated.
And just then, Andrealphus spoke out in a meddlesome manner as if to spur on Zagan.
“What a blunder. Or maybe it’s just incomplete? You went out of your way to shape it after a human’s hand, so you should’ve at least made a weapon too.”
Zagan’s right fist which was colliding with the shield was fine, but the left arm which was blocking the spear was starting to show cracks. Even the toughest armor would start to break apart if repeatedly struck by a sword. It was only inevitable for the Eastern and Western Sky to eventually break as long as they were just shaped to mimic arms while being assaulted by that spear. However, Zagan let out a snort as if all this was no big deal.
“Do you have holes for eyes? These are barehanded because they don’t need something like a weapon at all.”
It was true that the Confession’s spear was scarring the Eastern and Western Sky, but by the time the spear came in for another strike, the scar was already regenerated. The sorcery known as Heaven’s Scale was one which devoured all power in the vicinity ad infinitum and transformed it into a sturdy shield. The aura of a Sacred Sword was not exempt from this. The Heaven’s Scale was absorbing the Confession’s aura and regenerating itself.
Now realizing that his own power was being devoured, a look of delight flashed across Andrealphus’ face.
“Haahaa. I see. I get why Orias hesitated to make you an Archdemon now! So you can devour both Archdemons and Archangels, huh? Oooh, how scary.”
Even though Zagan was devouring both his mana and aura, the Confession showed no signs of weakening. On the contrary, the spear of light looked to be filled with even more power, and carved a massive fissure in the earth. Its tip could already reach all the way to the edge of the beach, and if he were to cast it into the water, it would send a wave blowing over like a second attack. This island would surely sink in no time if he were to do so.
“Are they both just goddamn monsters here...?” Barbatos groaned.
However, Zagan coldly replied.
“This is my domain. It would be a loss if this island were to sink. You don’t mind dying already do you?”
“Don’t be that way. You may have forgotten, but my primary occupation is that of a sorcerer, you know?”
Confession was his power as an Archangel. This man had yet to display his power as an Archdemon. And just then, Chastille screamed out.
“Zagan, the ground!”
And Zagan finally realized it upon hearing her shout. Before he knew it, a massive magic circle was carved into the ground with Andrealphus at its center.
He drew a magic circle with the tip of his spear while attacking!?
He wasn’t just swinging around his black spear meaninglessly, its tip had drawn a large magic circle emitting black light.
But, sorcery I can devour.
That was supposed to be the case, but Andrealphus wagged his finger in the air.
“Whoa, can you really now?”
And Andrealphus’ sorcery activated. It was likely some grand sorcery appropriate to one named an Archdemon.
But I devoured it!
Andrealphus’ sorcery was broken down, became Zagan’s food, and was now wrapped around Zagan’s arm. He certainly felt that all happen...
But suddenly, Zagan’s chest split open.
“What... the...?”
He was unable to hide his discomposure.
Impossible... I really devoured it!
As proof of that, Zagan’s mana was amplified in proportion to what he absorbed.
“Oh? How mysterious. It worked. Maybe it wasn’t sorcery, huh?”
Hearing Andrealphus say that, both Nephy and Nephteros gulped down.
“It couldn’t be... Celestial mysticism...?”
“There’s no way. I mean, he’s human, right?”
Celestial mysticism was a miracle which could only be used by high elves. If humans were capable of using it, then Bifrons wouldn’t have created Nephteros in the first place.
Zagan then looked down at his own wound.
The wound itself... is from the Sacred Sword...?
Just how did it slip past his ability to devour sorcery and the Heaven’s Scale? Zagan pinned down his wound. He was using sorcery to heal it, but the wound itself wouldn’t close. This also happened when Chastille had cut him; the Sacred Sword’s aura obstructed sorcery from doing anything.
Blood splattered to the ground, creating a red pool at his feet. Zagan had no chance of
winning unless he was able to unravel the secret before he fell to a knee.
The sorcery was woven by that magic circle at his feet, right?
Since it was carved using the aura of a Sacred Sword, simple sorcery would be unable to destroy it.
“Eastern Sky.”
Zagan used the Western Sky to shield himself from the Confession’s spear while driving the Eastern Sky down directly from above.
Heaven’s Scale can even absorb the Sacred Sword’s aura.
That was supposed to be the case...
“Whoa, I can’t let you do that—Zachariel!”
A black light poured out of the Sacred Sword itself and repelled the Eastern Sky.
So he can wield the Sacred Sword even while manipulating the Confession?
Moreover, there was the mysterious sorcery that he was unable to devour. It was like taking on three enemies at the same time.
“Now then, that’s all the time you get to think it over. Let’s continue.”
Zagan brought both the Western and Eastern Sky together as if to fortify his defenses.
It’s definitely sorcery, I really did devour something. The problem is the fact that I devoured it but it still activated.
“Take this!”
Andrealphus’ sorcery activated once more.
“Urgh!?”
And once more, blood spurted out of Zagan’s body.
Not yet!
His ability to devour sorcery was functioning normally. Heaven’s Scale wasn’t broken either. Or rather, both were filled with even more power.
So he’s coming in contact?
Andrealphus made a show of tapping his Sacred Sword against his shoulder.
“Isn’t it about time you give up? It’s pretty impressive that you took that attack twice and are still standing. You’re probably already the top of all current Archdemons when it comes to pure toughness, you know?”
The second strike deeply gouged the right side of Zagan’s abdomen. It was causing an even larger amount of blood to pour out than the first strike.
The first was a slash. The second... a thrust?
The fact that he couldn’t heal the wounds meant that it was something caused by the Sacred Sword or the Confession.
An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride: Volume 7 (Premium) Page 17