Chapter 223: Hero (4)
Seeing the shadow abruptly rise before their eyes—witnessing ‘Death’ in person—everyone fell into a state of shock.
The ‘Death’ that emerged from the rising shadow had the form of a ‘human’, just like the statues humans carved to worship themselves.
However, unmistakably, it emitted a heterogeneity that made one realize it was a different being from us.
In other words.
“…You finally crawled out.”
Unlike the time he appeared before us borrowing a possessed body, this meant he came personally this time.
As expected, most people in this room seemed to find it difficult even to wiggle their bodies, suppressed by the immense ‘Divine Power’, the energy of a god that could be called the source of the heterogeneity he emitted.
Those who could withstand that Divine Power were those accustomed to such ‘energy’ usually.
“O, God…”
In other words, the clergymen.
Starting with the guy who first accused me of being a devil, clergymen began to kneel one by one in front of ‘Death’.
“R-Really, God has…!”
“God has descended…!”
As if it was natural to pay respect since the being in front of them was a ‘god’, even if it wasn't the god they served.
However, ‘Death’ seemed not interested in such respect at all.
Not even giving a glance, treating them as if they didn't exist in this place from the beginning.
Actually, it wasn't just the clergymen; it was the same for everyone.
The only thing ‘Death's’ gaze was directed at was.
“Is it different from what you expected?”
It was me.
“Naturally, you must have thought negotiations would break down and we would kill each other.”
“I will not deny it.”
The reason ‘Death’ left me alone for a while was surely because he expected my plan to fail.
Thinking we would fail to overcome the deep-rooted hatred between the two races in the end, and instead of joining forces to fight back, we would swing swords at each other as always.
Then he could have taken advantage of that confusion to easily eliminate both sides, reaping the benefits effortlessly.
However, in the end, it didn't go as he thought.
“Are you saying you carried on a conflict for a thousand years that could be resolved with just a few words like that?”
Wrong.
“Truly pathetic, you mortals.”
Could it have been just a few words?
If not for the actions we had taken so far, those few words would have had no power or meaning.
So there wouldn't have even been a chance for [Persuasion] in the first place.
“Certainly, you are a variable.”
The fact that he still hasn't realized that is proof that he is──
“But still controllable.”
Underestimating me—underestimating us.
“Still, meaningless.”
Then, there is definitely a chance of winning.
At that moment, ‘shadows’ began to rise from the floor one by one among those who still couldn't move, crushed by the overwhelming Divine Power.
And those shadows soon began to take form, just like when ‘Death’ appeared.
“Foolish mortals.”
All were slaves of ‘Death’ from the Underworld—the ‘Legion of Death’.
“You were ultimately born to serve me.”
As expected, while there were some with human forms like ‘Death’, most took the forms of beasts, and monsters hard to find here in the mortal world at that.
“Your souls, all belong to me.”
And ‘Death’ proclaimed.
“Die.”
At that moment, the shadows moved.
Clang!
Miki hurriedly raised his shield, blocking the claws of a 「Shadow Beast」 that was about to tear apart the head of a kneeling clergyman.
Simultaneously, Johannes, who was next to him, swung his mace at that beast.
The body of the beast, hit directly by this, scattered as if completely shattered, but.
“…!”
As if nothing happened, it quickly regained its original form.
Sapphire, who jumped up from her seat, kicked the chair she was sitting on and sent it flying, then.
Swish!
Immediately swung her trident.
However, the 「Shadow Soldier」 cut down by that spear, which the God of Water himself was said to have used directly once, also.
“What…!”
Only had its form scattered for a moment, quickly returning to its previous appearance.
That was the same for the shadows that fearlessly rushed at me.
Fwoosh!
However, my 「Hellfire」 continued to burn them whenever they tried to regain their form.
Of course, that didn't mean they ‘disappeared’.
“Kuh…!”
“These things, they don't die at all…!?”
Because they are already dead.
The reason these damn shadows of the Underworld are annoying is that the concept of ‘death’ doesn't exist for them at all.
It's sort of like undead.
However, it wasn't controlled through necromancy using a mere mortal's magic power, but the Master of the Underworld bringing souls of the Underworld that would never run out.
In other words, they have no limit.
Regrettably, I had a limit.
I can't cover this whole world with 「Hellfire」, and even if I do, it will eventually go out.
So, there was only one way.
Even if those shadows don't really die, keep ‘pretending’ to kill them while ensuring this side doesn't die as much as possible.
Meanwhile, find the caster moving those damn shadows—‘Death’—and make him stop.
But ‘Death’ had already disappeared after making the shadows move as if there was no need for him to step in personally.
We can never kill those shadows, but those shadows keep killing us, so this fight is already over.
It wasn't wrong.
But, eventually, he will come to find me again.
Because I will make it so he has no choice but to come.
As seen earlier, at least the most effective way to ‘restrict’ the movement of those shadows was 「Hellfire」.
Even if their forms return, I can constantly burn them whenever they do.
“I will bring our warriors!”
And our demon warriors all know how to handle 「Hellfire」.
Whether big or small, our demons have the ‘ember’ I left.
“I'll leave this side to you!”
My companions, more reliable than anyone else, nodded.
With just that, I could turn my back with peace of mind.
When I ran out of the room like that, the outside was also in great chaos due to the sudden attack of shadows.
In the middle of that chaos.
Boooooo──!
I blew the horn in my hand with all my might.
“──It is time to keep the promise!”
More precisely.
─ Once. If we call you, fight for us just once.
Before, the one I made a ‘contract’ with.
“Great Fernaga──!!”
Red Dragon, 「Horn of Fernaga」.
Then, lighting 「Hellfire」 on the horn that had served its purpose, I threw it hard at a 「Shadow Soldier」 trying to cut down a watchman.
Simultaneously kicking the ground hard.
──Bang!
Running through the snow particles scattered like an explosion in all directions, I stepped on the wall of the barrier.
Dadadada!
Like that, I quickly climbed the wall.
Then not long after, when I reached the top of the barrier.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
With wingbeats like a storm, I saw a giant figure flying towards this barrier—the Red Dragon.
There was no hesitation.
I immediately jumped off the barrier.
──Whoosh!
Because I knew if it was Fernaga, he would surely snatch me up quickly without missing such a me.
“Long time no see.”
“Hmph, didn't you say a dragon never goes back on his word──!”
Fernaga, carrying me on her back like that, flew high into the sky as she was.
“You bastard── have you really become no longer human now?”
“Still, my beauty that you fell for remains the same.”
“Heh, haha! Kuhahaha──!!”
Fernaga's hearty laughter echoed throughout the sky.
“──By the way,”
But that was brief.
Fernaga spoke in a quite serious tone.
“I was wondering what kind of fight you would call this great Red Dragon to── don't tell me, I didn't know it would be such a dangerous battlefield. Those things, they aren't of this world, are they──?”
“Shouldn't it be at least this much to satisfy the great Fernaga?”
“Ha! Usually, I would have fallen for that flattery── but, don't you know too? That the calculation doesn't match at all.”
“That is true.”
It was hard to deny.
Actually, the contract too, we just didn't mention it due to the dragon's face, but frankly speaking, it was no different from me deceiving him into it.
“A contract is a contract, so I will fulfill it but── with this much, shouldn't I receive something more in addition──?”
“Greedy.”
Anyway, as expected of a dragon.
“Fine. Then when the fight is over, I will prepare one treasure you want as a price.”
“──Deal established!”
Fernaga burst into hearty laughter again.
“Good, Yubin who woke up from a long sleep! ──This great Fernaga, will lend you strength!”
Whoosh!
Cutting through the clouds touching his hand, Fernaga began a steep dive.
And towards the direction my finger pointed—towards the ‘shadows’.
『Fire of Hell──』
Roar──!!
Immense flames, spewing 「Dragon Breath」.
Simultaneously.
『──Burn the earth!』
I cast 「Inferno Wall」, raising a massive demonic fire.
Like that, two magnificent walls of fire blazed together and began to burn the ‘shadows’.
──Thud!
Fernaga, flying between those walls of fire, soon reduced speed and slowly descended towards the ground.
Like that, we landed in the middle of the camp.
Here too, like inside the barrier, seemed to be in a situation of great chaos due to the sudden attack of shadows.
Until I── their new ‘Demon King’ appeared riding on the Red Dragon.
In the eyes of the warriors looking at me, no more doubt could be found.
Therefore, no long explanation was needed about what we had to do from now on.
“──Warriors!!”
I shouted, raising one hand wrapped in 「Hellfire of Karma」 high.
The warriors who heard that shout responded by raising their weapons high in unison.
“Light the fire!”
Fwoosh!
As if waiting only for this moment, flames of 「Hellfire」 rose from the warriors' weapons in unison.
“Today! We will make a god kneel!”
The one who first passed that ember── I, the ‘Primordial Demon King’, shouted.
“We will regain our freedom, our future──!!”
I, Yubin, shouted.
『Long live the demons!』
“Long live the demons!”
Whoosh!
Then, Fernaga, receiving my signal, flew high into the sky.
Simultaneously below, the warriors who received my 「Encourage」 began to bravely rush towards the shadows, towards the barrier, without anyone being first.
So now it was my turn to keep the promise.
I must open the gates of the barrier.
For this, I took the lead more than anyone and flew towards the barrier.
“Promised──? One treasure.”
“Yeah.”
When I reached the front of the barrier before long, I jumped off Fernaga's back just like that.