“Among the sorcerers that guy killed, was a man called Resentment... Andras. He was the first sorcerer Zagan killed. And you see, I was his disciple...”
Nephy’s eyes opened wide in shock as she heard that.
“Oops, don’t misunderstand, alright? Getting revenge for a teacher isn’t something sorcerers do. If Zagan didn’t kill him, then I would’ve done it eventually.” Nephy could not sense any deceit or resentment in his words. Those words likely weren’t a bluff, but his true intentions.
“However, that castle that guy’s stretching his legs in, the gold he used to buy you, and even the wisdom he gained were all things I was supposed to inherit. It doesn’t sit well to just stay silent and hand it over, right?” Next, he looked over to Chastille.
“In the beginning, I tried to instigate that lot from the church, but nothing went smoothly. My damn subordinates were easily tracked down, and the people I sent to face Zagan had the tables turned on them so easily. I was hoping that if he faced a Sacred Sword, he’d at least get one of his arms lopped off or something, though.”
Nephy was taken aback. Barbatos had visited the castle immediately after the Angelic Knights attacked, and not only that, he was worried about the state of Zagan’s wounds. However, it seemed that was for a nefarious purpose, and not true concern.
If not for Nephy’s mysticism, he truly would have been stuck fighting one-handed.
Chastille was surely glaring at Barbatos.
“It can’t be... You’re the culprit behind the kidnappings!?”
“What’s that? You only just realized it?”
The mastermind behind the kidnappings... Nephy recalled that Zagan said ‘it was an incident that looked like they were practically trying to draw the attention of the church.’
Perhaps... Master already knows who the culprit is. He didn’t reveal a name, but had a rather bitter expression on his face as he spoke of it.
Chastille then roared in a trembling voice.
“Did you cause such a repulsive incident just to frame Zagan, you bastard?”
“No way? Heeheehee.” Barbatos began laughing in a creepy way.
“The one who suggested using sacrifices was that Face Peeler guy, and I played along ’cause I needed a way to display my power.”
“To display...? For what purpose?”
“Isn’t there only one answer to that question? The twelve Archdemons!” Barbatos spread out both his arms.
“It’s to show the Archdemons that I’m clearly fit to join their ranks! It’s also the one and only method of eliminating all those other candidates.” And then, Barbatos drew his face closer to Nephy.
“Honestly, I was a little troubled when I had my damn sacrifices snatched away, but you’ve fallen into my hands. With the mana of a white-haired elf, I’ll be able to open the door...” Nephy glared back at Barbatos expressionlessly.
“My apologies, but that is likely meaningless.”
“Hmm, you sure can talk. You think I won’t kill you or something? Or... could it be that... What, you think Zagan’s gonna come save you?”
“Zagan’s gonna come save you.” Nephy’s chest tightened up and began hurting as she heard those words.
Will Master... really end up coming? In the first place, he didn’t even know that Nephy had been captured. Also, for whatever reason, he was trying to distance himself from her.
Nephy didn’t think he’d cast her out from his heart. Someone who did that... wouldn’t make such a painful face. But even so, he may have had a reason not to come and save Nephy.
Nephy then shook her head. That’s not it. Once more, she was thinking like the weak. I decided to be helpful, so what am I doing holding Master back?
If she couldn’t do something about such a trivial issue, then there was no point returning to his service.
After coming to that realization, Nephy stared fixedly at Barbatos while maintaining her expressionless look.
“You’re wrong. I do not intend to cause any trouble for Master over something like this. I’m trying to tell you something else.”
“Oh, what?”
“Master has already inherited the Archdemon title.”
All expression vanished from Barbatos’ face.
“...You’re lying.”
“I speak nothing but the truth. Apparently that’s why he dismissed me.”
Unsteady on his feet, Barbatos took a step back.
“Impossible. That guy’s... an Archdemon?” Barbatos started scratching his head desperately.
“He wasn’t satisfied with stealing Andras’ legacy from me, so he even took the seat of Archdemon?” After that, he turned to Nephy with a blistering glare.
As she stepped back upon feeling her body shuddering, he pulled on Nephy’s collar.
“Ugh...” Her hands and feet were tied up, so Nephy was unable to brace herself as she fell to the ground.
“Come!” Barbatos dragged her toward the large hall.
“That guy’s an Archdemon? Fine, bring it on. I’ll just have to steal that title from him by force. As long as I can complete this ritual, it doesn’t matter if he’s an Archdemon or anything else.” An ominous magic circle was drawn in front of them. It even looked connected to the walls. It was the enormous magic circle she saw earlier.
A massive crest was carved into its center, and surrounding it were dozens of layers of detailed crests that served as the ‘circuit.’ Even Nephy could tell that the entire magic circle had been drawn with blood. She wondered how many sacrifices were needed to draw such a complex magic circle.
And, at that point, she knew that she would be added on as the ‘finishing touch.’
Coming to the same realization, Chastille yelled out in anger.
“S-Stop! If you’re going to use a sacrifice, then choose me. As an Angelic Knight, I have at least resolved myself for such a fate!”
Barbatos glared at Chastille suspiciously when he heard that.
“Even if you don’t coax me like that, you don’t need to worry. I’ll use you for something else. This ritual requires the best of tools, you see?”
Nephy bit down on her teeth at those words. Tool, he said. True, Nephy had grown used to being called that throughout her life.
But... Master never once called me a tool. And she still hadn’t repaid him for that. As such, there was no way she could just die here.
I want to live. That was the very first time that Nephy wished for that on her own.
“I’ll live... and return... to Master’s side.” He might turn her away. He might scold her. But even so, she wanted to stubbornly remain in the castle.
When morning came, she’d make breakfast, and watch and wait until Zagan cleaned his plate. And if cooking three meals a day wasn’t enough, then she would try letting him sleep on her lap again. She was willing to do anything, as long as it made Zagan happy.
When it comes to a test of endurance, I won’t even lose to Master.
There were days where she did nothing but obey like a corpse. Compared to those times, where she lived in a place without a trace of warmth, Zagan’s place was paradise.
He may not have had a particular need for Nephy. And honestly, there was always the possibility that he’d eventually come to treasure someone far more than her, but...
But you can’t remain alone, Master.
Loneliness killed one’s heart. It made them lose all their feelings, and the entire world lost its color when seen through such eyes.
Something like that could not be considered truly living. Nephy, who had survived day by day with no desires, wanted to grant that vivid world to none other than Zagan.
That was why she wanted to support him more than anything else in the world. And so, she resisted Barbatos.
“Let... go.”
“Tch, this bitch!” Barbatos then irritatingly yanked on the chain, which made Nephy fall to the ground again. Dragged along the ground, blood spilled out of her arms and legs.
Tears welled up from
the pain. However, Nephy simply grit her teeth and glared at Barbatos.
Something like this... isn’t at all painful. It was nothing compared to when Zagan told her to get out. Nothing compared to when she saw that sorrowful expression of his.
That was why Nephy roared out a stunning declaration.
“I belong to Master. I don’t want to be touched by the likes of you!”
Barbatos’ face twisted into a pleased expression as he heard those words.
“You lowly fucking slave, don’t get conceited!” Barbatos raised his hand, motioning to strike her. If she was hit by a sorcerer’s full strength, then Nephy’s dainty body would give in with little resistance.
And yet, Nephy didn’t avert her gaze. As she braced herself for the impact... The stone wall crumbled, accompanied by a thunderous roar.
“Wh-What’s going on?” A man suddenly appeared in front of Barbatos from the cloud of dust. And that man began to speak as he let out an ‘Ah.’
“Well said, Nephy. I would expect as much of my disciple, really.”
Her master, the one she wanted to meet more than anybody else in the world, was standing before her.
◇
“Yo, Barbatos. It’s been about a week, right?” Zagan called out to him like always, as if he was just speaking casually to a close friend.
Barbatos’ face grew noticeably stiff at that.
After Manuela came over, Zagan rushed straight over. He knew of all of Barbatos’ hideouts, and since it was Kianoides, there was a rather limited selection among the bunch.
There were other potential prospects, but Zagan intended on just going through them one by one. The fact that he managed to find Nephy in one shot was just good luck.
“Um, you know, Mr. Sorcerer. Is this alright? I heard sorcerers are at an absurd disadvantage in the domain of another sorcerer...” Manuela was speaking in a completely frightened tone as she followed behind Zagan, but all he did was shrug his shoulders.
Incidentally, since the three Angelic Knights weren’t in any condition to fight, they were set aside elsewhere.
And perhaps having regained some of his composure after hearing that, Barbatos stared at Zagan.
“How long... have you known?” The reason why he didn’t ask why Zagan came here... was likely because Barbatos had prepared for such a situation.
Zagan then replied while scratching the back of his neck.
“I’ve more or less been suspicious since that Face Peeler or whatever sorcerer came by?” He was talking about the sorcerer who attacked Chastille.
Now that I think of it, is she also here? As he took a look around, he spotted the girl in question chained to a wall... She was an Angelic Knight who seemed to lose to sorcerers quite often, and he sympathized with her just a little for that.
Anyway, after confirming her presence, Zagan returned his gaze to Barbatos.
“When I tried to throw that woman out, you came by like you were checking up on the result. Wouldn’t I be crazy not to suspect you?” He’d grown sure of Barbatos’ involvement after he heard the story from the Archdemons, but he’d held misgivings the entire time.
The reason he never went as far as to speak of it... was simply because he didn’t really care either way. He did somewhat consider Barbatos a friend, so he held no concern as to whether Barbatos betrayed him.
Barbatos then made a face like he found this unexpected.
“You had some nerve... to accept my invitation to the auction like that...”
“I was interested in just what it was you were planning. Besides, I was honestly curious about the Archdemon’s legacy.” Looking at it in hindsight, thanks to that, Zagan managed to meet Nephy. In that sense, he was almost grateful to the man before him.
After returning a bitter smile, Zagan continued with a ‘But before that.’
“You... injured Nephy, right?” The ground broke apart. The bedrock cracked from Zagan taking a single step forward.
“Ugh...” By the time Barbatos raised his guard, Zagan was already standing right before him.
“You son of a—”
“First, your arms.” Barbatos thrust out his arms as if to put some kind of sorcery to use, but Zagan brushed them aside with a single hand. As an unpleasant crack rang through the air, both of Barbatos’ arms bent in an impossible direction.
“Wha—?”
“Next, your knee.” In response to Barbatos’ scream, Zagan mercilessly tripped him up. No, that wasn’t exactly accurate. He kicked Barbatos’ knee diagonally from above. From that single strike, the joint in his knee shattered into pieces.
“AGUAAAH!” Barbatos fainted, foaming at the mouth all the while.
It had been mere moments since Zagan stepped in.
Throwing a backward glance at his undesirable friend, who had his arms and leg crushed and was spread out on the ground like a caterpillar, Zagan fell to a knee in front of Nephy.
He tore off the shackles binding her hands and feet through sheer strength, and then went to remove the collar. The one she was wearing was different from before, and could luckily be removed by force without any real tricks.
Verifying that there was nothing left binding her, Zagan finally gazed at Nephy’s face. Her snow-white hair was dirtied with mud, and her eyes had tears in them.
“Aaah, um... Did it... hurt?”
“It... definitely hurt.”
“It did, didn’t it...? Sorry.” With a thump, Nephy struck his chest.
“Rather than me, Master, you looked to be... in far more pain.”
“...I did?”
Large teardrops fell from Nephy’s eyes as she continued.
“I’m not sure what happened to you, Master. If you say that you have no need for me, then I’ll accept it, but—” Nephy clung to Zagan’s chest tightly, then said, “There’s no way... I would be fine with it hurting you, Master!”
That was the first time he’d heard Nephy speak so loudly.
“Do I... look like I’m hurt?”
“Yes.”
“Honestly, I’d say I’m the one causing you pain...”
“That is a different matter from whether or not you’re hurt yourself, Master.”
“As I thought, I did... hurt you, huh?”
“Please don’t try to change the subject,” Nephy said, acting awfully strict. And, while still clinging to him, Nephy looked up at Zagan’s face.
“Please don’t... leave me on my own, Master.” Slowly but steadily, heat rose up in the depths of his chest.
Did I... leave you all alone? And yet, far from cursing him out, that was what Nephy said.
The idea of hugging her and attempting to win her back seemed far too much of a stretch after all this time.
“Nephy...” But more than anything else, at that moment, there was something he simply had to say to her.
And just as he tried to speak those words...
“You asshole, don’t just act like you’ve won without even fucking finishing me off!” Barbatos stood up, having likely restored his smashed arms and legs.
Below his feet, a blood red magic circle spread out.
“Master!” Nephy let out a scream, but Zagan just calmly brushed her head.
“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen.”
“Wha—?”
And sure enough, just as Zagan said, nothing came out of the magic circle. There was no way that Barbatos didn’t invoke his sorcery. However, even though he had, nothing happened.
“What... happened...?” As Nephy donned a puzzled expression, Zagan spoke up.
“Before, we talked about an ultimate sorcery that existed in theory, right?” It was a sorcery which destroyed other sorcery by adding a circuit on the interior of a magic circle. It existed in theory, but was impossible in practice.
“To tell you the truth, there is an underhanded method of using it.” He then ran his finger through the air as he said that, drawing a magic circle identical to the one on the ground.
“If it’s
an exact copy of your opponent’s magic circle, then you can stack it up on the inside. If you do that, then a resonance-like phenomenon will occur.”
The first time Zagan used sorcery was when he was eight years old. At the time, the juvenile vagrant Zagan was captured by Resentment Andras to be a sacrifice.
Zagan already understood what it meant for a child like him with an unknown identity to be captured by a sorcerer. That was why he memorized the shape of the magic circle when he was captured, and secretly drew it on his own arm. Since he had nothing to write with, Zagan even used his own blood.
Thinking back on it, it was nothing but the shallow idea of a child. After all, an amateur who was merely imitating the shape could never use something like sorcery. And yet, Zagan somehow succeeded.
As he tried to run away, he was discovered by Andras, and right when Zagan was about to be killed by a lightning bolt... Zagan used the exact same sorcery.
It was likely just a coincidence. When the exact same sorcery was invoked with just the slightest time lag between them, the resonating sorcery rebounded on Andras.
It wasn’t as simple a phenomenon as it sounded, however. If one just tried stacking up identical sorcery, they would either both spontaneously discharge or all of it would return to the one who tried to do so. In the first place, the invocation would likely never make it in time.
It was a miracle which occurred because the exact same sorcery was piled atop an enemy’s in a fraction of a second. and just like that, Zagan killed Andras.
He did so with a technique that belonged only to Zagan — the power that made those twelve Archdemons choose Zagan as a sworn friend.
Barbatos then drew back.
“R-Ridiculous... Are you saying... that’s Andras’ legacy?”
“Andras...? Ah, now that you mention it, there was a guy with that name... Was he also able to accomplish such a feat?” Taking that into consideration, he sure did die awfully easily.
Likely knowing that this wasn’t the case, Barbatos turned completely blue in the face.
“Wh-What the hell are yoooooou!?” Having become completely frantic, Barbatos began firing out sorcery blindly.
An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride - Volume 01 Page 18