Demon Sword Master of the Holy Sword Academy - Volume 9 - Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

AUDIENCE WITH THE DARK LORD

“Lord Alexios, who do you intend to meet at a place like this?”

“I believe I told you not to ask.”

“Y-yes, m-my apologies. But still…”

“Listen. No matter what happens here, I won’t hold you responsible. You need only do your jobs as guards, that’s all.”

The Seventh Assault Garden’s Area VI—the special demi-human protection ward. Three people were walking through the underground supply passage beneath it. One was the emperor’s younger brother, Alexios, clad in a military uniform. The other two were Holy Swordsmen who served as his trusted bodyguards. All Alexios told his guards was that he would be negotiating with an underground organization.

That a royal intended to converse with the leader of a clandestine organization felt impossible on its own. Who knows how Alexio’s guards might react if they heard they were marching to meet a potential Dark Lord?

I understand their suspicions, of course.

Alexios couldn’t very well beckon a Dark Lord to the palace, and using the Astral Garden ran the risk of the empire’s top brass learning of the exchange. A slight shiver ran through Alexios as he moved through the passage.

Zol Vadis.

Alexios had no doubts about the powers of this so-called Dark Lord. Alexios had used a broadcasting station he had influence over to add a message to the footage of the masked Dark Lord. Using the ancient text Duke Edward had researched, he requested an audience with the Dark Lord. Alexios had assumed that if this Zol Vadis was the genuine article, he’d send a response.

Sure enough, the answer came mere hours later, appearing above the capital. Ashen clouds covered the sky, producing a sudden downpour. Startled by a flash of lightning, Alexios looked out his window, and his eyes beheld a startling sight.

Lightning ran across the hanging clouds, and Alexios instantly realized what this meant. Bolts repeatedly flashed over the same spot, drawing ancient text over the canvas of the clouds.

I accept your call to negotiations.

The lightning then went on to specify the place of the meeting. Evidently, the Dark Lord was capable of manipulating the weather. Zol Vadis clearly had powers that exceeded Alexios’s imagination. He felt cold sweat run down his forehead.

Depending on how the talk goes, I might not return alive.

At worst, he could be killed on a whim. But if he managed to win this Dark Lord to his side…

He could become humanity’s hope in place of the Holy Swords.

As the group continued through the dim corridor just barely illuminated by mana lamps, something happened. The shadows on the ground suddenly surged up.

“Your Grace, back away!” one of the knights said, activating his Holy Sword.

“Wait.” Alexios raised his voice to stop him.

“Insolent lout.”

Crack!

A whip lashed out from the darkness, striking the Holy Sword and shattering it.

“What?!”

The shadow slid over the floor like a black dress. A lovely girl dressed in a servant’s uniform emerged.

“A-a maid…?” The three exchanged confused looks.

“I am here on my lord’s behalf,” the girl in the maid’s uniform said dispassionately.

“I—I see. We apologize for any disrespect…,” Alexios replied, still astonished by the maid’s arrival.

“I am here to greet you at the behest of my lord. My apologies, but we cannot welcome your two guards to the audience chamber.”

“Wh-what?!” one of the Holy Swordsmen cried. “We cannot consent to this!”

“We’re His Grace’s royal guards!”

“You are not permitted an audience with my lord. We ask that you vacate the premises…” The girl shrugged indifferently and snapped her fingers.

“Wh-what?! M-my shadow, it’s…!”

“My shadow is swallowing me up! Ahhh! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

The pair were consumed by their own shadows.

“Wh-what did you do to them?!” Alexios asked, alarmed.

“Rest assured, I did not kill them,” the maid replied carelessly before snapping her fingers again. “Now then, welcome to the Dark Lord’s castle.”

“What…?” Alexios looked down and realized he was sinking into his shadow. “Ahhhhhhhhhhh!”

It felt as though he were drowning in mud… However, he collided with a cold, hard floor a moment later.

Wh-what just happened?

“How long do you intend to keep your eyes closed?” demanded an icy voice from above. “You are in the presence of a Dark Lord.”

Alexios opened his eyes slowly.

“Ah…”

He was no longer in the underground passage, but a vast hall. Flickering candlesticks cast an eerie glow. Engravings of strange creatures decorated the walls, and miasma hung about the place.

Wh-where am I…? Was I transported here?!

While surprised, Alexios’s sober mind worked to grasp the situation. Did that maid use a Holy Sword ability? Or was it some kind of other power at play?

“Lower your head, human,” the maid commanded with a voice that struck terror into Alexios.

“…!”

This girl was no ordinary maid—she was an apex predator who wielded absolute power.

“Raise your head. I allow it,” another voice instructed from overhead. The voice echoed eerily through the audience chamber.

“…”

Alexios fearfully raised his head. At the top of the staircase at the end of the chamber was a throne made of bones. A king in a skull mask sat upon it.

The Dark Lord Zol Vadis, Alexios thought, a shudder running through his body.

“I permit you to speak your name, fearless human.”

The eyes behind the mask glinted red, and the air in the audience chamber trembled.

Ahhh. I really might die here…

Intense regret gripped Alexios’s heart. Yet still, he was prepared.

“It is an honor to meet you in the flesh, Your Majesty the Dark Lord.”

Alexios kneeled in a perfect display of aristocratic dignity. His pride demanded he maintain appearances, at the very least.

“I am the younger brother of the emperor of the Human Integrated Empire. My name is Alexios Ray O’ltriese.”

From behind his skull mask, Leonis gazed at the man like he was gauging his worth. In truth, he knew him already. When Alexios appeared at the designated meeting spot with his two guards, Shary, who was lying in wait, identified him and sent Leonis simple documents about him.

Leonis had Alexios and his guards walk around for a bit in the tunnels to confuse them and buy time so he could study his guest.

That said, Shary’s intelligence consisted of data readily available to the public. Alexios was the younger brother to the current emperor, Alzeus Shida O’ltriese. Since he lacked a powerful Holy Sword, he’d chosen the path of a researcher.

In the empire, royals without the power to fight the Voids were not given any genuine authority.

His pedigree is fine, but the royal family sees him as a nuisance.

Leonis was disappointed to learn of Alexios’s identity. A trap would’ve made for a more interesting turn of events. Using ancient text to reach out to Leonis had made him suspect that the one responsible was a remnant of the Dark Lords’ Armies or some other survivor from a thousand years ago.

But it’s just a mere human.

Still, this was interesting in its own way. This man knew of the ancient text and the Dark Lords; that much was fact. And his connection to the current emperor meant that he might be privy to government secrets.

“You may stand, Alexios.”

“My lord, that’s—” Shary spoke up, but Leonis raised a hand to silence her.

“It is fine. We are not equals, of course, but I will pay royalty their due respect.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty the Dark Lord.” Alexios bowed his head deeply and rose slowly.

He was a slender man with a well-featured face, but he certainly didn’t look like the kind to fight with a sword in his hand. However, his green eyes did contain a hint of tragic heroism.

His pedigree means that he is technically Regina’s uncle. Leonis noted the color of the man’s eyes. I cannot treat him too cruelly, then.

Regina had aided Leonis more than a few times, after all.

“Dark Lord, before I speak my business, I would like to present you with something,” Alexios said.

“Oh? Very well. Show me.” Leonis nodded graciously. Alexios knew his manners.

“This meeting was called on short notice and was kept secret, so I couldn’t prepare much, but please accept this precious token.” Alexios carefully retrieved a small jewel box from his breast pocket.

“Hmm. Shary, bring it over.”

“Yes…”

Shary took the jewel box and climbed up the stairs to deliver it to Leonis.

“Is it a doughnut?” she whispered.

“Somehow, I doubt that…,” he replied quietly. Upon opening the box, Leonis found a silver amulet inside. “What is this?”

“It was excavated while digging through an ancient ruin. Discovering such items in a nearly complete state is quite unusual, so it’s quite a precious part of my personal collection…”

Leonis toyed with the amulet while half listening to Alexios’s prattling explanation.

A protective charm using a second-order spell. I suppose it’s valuable in its own way…

To Leonis, this was nothing short of junk. His treasure vault in the Realm of Shadows held many magical tools with far greater power.

“My Lord, this is tra—,” Shary began.

“Silence, Shary. In this day and age, it carries great value.” Leonis dropped the amulet into the shadow at his feet. “I thank you for your wonderful gesture, Alexios.”

“Yes. I trusted that you would appreciate it.” Alexios bowed his head, looking somewhat pleased with himself.

Leonis cleared his throat behind the Zol Vadis mask.

“All right, let us get down to business. First, there is something I wish to ask you.”

“Wh-what is it, Your Majesty the Dark Lord?” Alexios asked, his expression tense.

“How did you come to know of the Dark Lords?” Leonis questioned, his eyes glinting through the skull mask. “And where did you learn the ancient text? As far as I know, the knowledge of both has been lost to humanity.”

“If I may be so forward, Your Majesty, I am a researcher who has explored ancient ruins around the world. The amulet I presented you earlier was discovered on one such expedition.”

“I see. Just like Riselia, then.”

“Risel…?” Alexios asked, baffled.

“Never mind, forget it.” Leonis immediately retracted mention of his favorite minion’s name. “So you discovered evidence of the Dark Lords’ existence while investigating ancient structures?”

The legends of the Dark Lords and Six Heroes had been lost to history, but when Leonis visited the ruins of Necrozoa, he did come upon surviving statues and carvings exalting his name. Riselia was able to read them, if only partially, and nearly found out he was a Dark Lord.

“No, I knew of the Dark Lords before that,” Alexios said.

“…What do you mean?” Leonis asked, his eyes glinting again.

“My old friend and former teacher researched the Dark Lords. He was an excellent Holy Swordsman and devoted his life to defending his land from the Voids, but he perished in the process. I inherited some of his research.”

“Hmm.” The name of a certain man surfaced in Leonis’s mind. “Are you referring to Duke Edward Crystalia?”

“H-how did you know?!” Alexios asked, his eyes wide with alarm.

“Fool. I am a Dark Lord. I know and see all!” Leonis snapped at him.

Alexios flinched in fear. “O-of course… I beg your pardon!”

Leonis smirked behind his mask. It was only by coincidence that he knew Duke Crystalia studied the Dark Lords, but bluffing about it worked in his favor.

“Very well, you are forgiven. I understand now how you know of the ancient Dark Lords. Did you seek me out of mere curiosity, then?”

“O-of course not, Your Majesty the Dark Lord. I come to you on behalf of all humanity to ask for your…for the help of Zol Vadis!”

“Oh?” Leonis laughed, amused. “You think I would wield my mighty powers for mere humans?”

Leonis let his aura of death show ever so slightly.

“?!” Alexios shivered and nearly collapsed to his knees, yet he managed to hold his ground and continue speaking. “H-humanity suffers under an unprecedented threat—Voids. In the sixty-four years since the Void invasion began, we have made countless sacrifices to secure safe havens for ourselves. And now, the power of the Holy Swords alone is not enough to oppose our enemy.” Alexios raised his voice as he spoke, so as to not be overwhelmed by the Dark Lord’s presence.

Hmm. I may be going easy on him, but it is still commendable that he remains on his feet despite my power.

Leonis was impressed with the man. Despite his scrawny frame, he had grit. Leonis continued questioning him, though.

“How familiar are you with the Dark Lords?”

“Th-the Dark Lords are…erm, enemies of humankind that cast the world into ruin and chaos… Or so Edward’s research notes claimed…”

“Correct. And I am one such Dark Lord. What reason would I have to help you humans, then?”

“B-because the Voids are a threat to you, as well!” Alexios declared, shaking off his fear.

Leonis made a pensive gesture. “You humans truly are greedy. In the name of survival, you would seek the powers of the Dark Lords that sought to destroy your world?” Leonis laughed. “First, you beseeched the heroes for help, and now, you cling to the Dark Lords?”

Memories of his time as the Hero of the Holy Sword, Leonis Shealto, crossed his mind. One thousand years ago, Leonis was a member of the Six Heroes and dispatched the Dark Lord Zol Vadis. But after that, he was seen as an obstacle to humanity. Leonis was betrayed and left for dead.

And now, after all that, humankind prostrated before Leonis, in his Dark Lord form, begging for aid.

“Your Majesty, I—”

“Do not let it bother you. It does not concern you.” Leonis shook his head and shrugged.

The time is right…

Alexios’s face was swiftly losing its color; if Leonis continued projecting his aura of death, the man would faint.

“Very well. I will lend you my strength, courageous human.”

Alexios looked up at the throne fearfully. “?! D-do you mean it…Your Majesty?”

“Depending on what you will give up in return, of course,” Leonis added, nodding grandly.

Alexios’s plea hadn’t moved him. The Voids were an obstacle to the restoration of the Dark Lords’ Armies and a threat to the Seventh Assault Garden, which belonged to Leonis. Destroying them was a top priority regardless of this man’s wants. Plus, he needed to dispose of the conspirators behind the Void attacks, too. Naturally, Leonis had no intention of sharing that with Alexios.

At best, I’ll use you like pawns. Leonis cackled, the eyes of his skull mask igniting with crimson fire.

“I-in return…?”

“No need to guard yourself so. I will not devour your soul.” Leonis’s evil laughter echoed through the room.

“?!”

“Hmm, yes… First, I demand information.”

“Information?”

“It has only been a short while since my resurrection. I do not know enough about this world. I’ve looked through many books in this age, but there are things I still do not understand. Surely a member of the royal family would have access to knowledge the common man does not.”

Alexios swallowed nervously. “I-I’ll answer anything I can.”

“Good, then here is my first question. Many seem to accept this era’s magical technology without question. However, it should’ve been impossible for humanity to acquire such advanced marvels in a mere few decades. Especially the Assault Gardens. Someone gave you this technology, correct?”

“…”

“My next question pertains to the Holy Swords. Their power did not exist in my time. The people of the Human Church claim theirs is the power of the planet. What is the truth behind their strength?”

A silence hung over the room. Alexios seemed to harbor some doubts, but eventually…

“Very well, Your Majesty the Dark Lord. I will divulge everything.”

He parted his lips, steeling himself.