Chapter 4: The Lonesome One
“Diablo.”
Someone had called his name. Who could it be? he wondered. He thought it might be Shera, but another girl came to mind.
Rem, maybe?
“Diablo, please wake up.”
Yeah, that was definitely Rem’s voice just now. But what floated into his sight was...
“Eh?! “
It was, without a doubt, Rem. But what she was wearing wasn’t her usual Gemstone Gambeson, but something like a white wedding dress... Or rather, it was something that looked like one, but was far too transparent to be called as such. What she was wearing looked to be more like alluring lingerie.
Next to Rem was Shera, who was wearing a similar outfit. She leaned her chest on top of the bed, her body leaning toward Diablo.
“Diablo?”
Wh-What are you...doing...?!
“Ooh... Aaah...”
His mouth couldn’t form words. His Demon Lord role play was the furthest thing from his mind at the moment.
“...This is all your fault, you know,” Rem whispered into his ear.
“That’s right, it’s all your fault, Diablo,” Shera added.
I’m responsible for this?!
Diablo wondered what exactly he could’ve done, but nothing in particular came to mind. It was this lack of confidence that made him develop a communication disorder in the first place. If he had to apologize for doing anything, being born into this world felt like the most probable answer. Looking back on his life, everything seemed like a sequence of failures, regrets, setbacks...and escapism...
“Uuu...” Diablo scrambled, running away in a crawl.
He felt compelled to escape.
Why am I trying to run this desperately away from Rem and Shera dressed in transparent dresses?!
The reason—
Suddenly, he felt as if he were floating through the air, and...
His head hit the floor with a thud!
Owing to his sturdy body it didn’t really hurt, but it was awfully embarrassing. When he opened his eyes, Diablo found himself on the floor next to his bed.
“I-It was just a dream...” Diablo sighed.
It really was odd seeing Rem and Shera dressed like that all of a sudden. The reason for that unusual sight and his own odd actions was clear: dreams were just like that sometimes. It wasn’t the first time he’d gone to sleep when he was too tired and had weird dreams.
What time is it right now?
It was still dark out, but he could hear singing from the main street. It seemed he hadn’t slept for more than an hour or two. Diablo could live just fine without many of modern Japan’s conveniences and technology, but having a watch handy would be nice.
Suddenly, there was a vigorous banging on the door, making Diablo jump. He stood up hurriedly from the floor. He couldn’t let out a panicked voice; his Demon Lord dignity wouldn’t allow it.
“What loud fool disturbs me?!”
“Diablo, it’s horrible!” Boris’s voice called out from behind the door.
“Persistent idiot!” Diablo shouted at him angrily. “I told you, I am not going to the feast!”
“It’s Miss Rem! She made an attempt on Lady Celestine’s life!”
Diablo couldn’t process what Boris had just said at first. His thoughts grounded to a halt.
“Miss Rem visited the Mage’s Association earlier,” Boris continued, while Diablo remained quiet. “In the middle of giving Lady Celestine her report, she fired a magic attack at Lady Celestine!”
“Impossible!”
“I think so too, but there were many witnesses...”
“And Rem...?!”
“According to the reports, she’s been chased to the western walls.”
He was relieved to hear she was still alive, but this was still too early to be calm. Diablo put on his equipment.
“What about Celes?!” Diablo asked while fastening his cloak and putting on his boots.
“Miss Rem’s attack missed, and the guildmaster of the Adventurer’s Guild, who was also present, prevented any further attacks.”
The hell’s going on?!
Nothing made sense. Rem was always thankful to Celes, and went to make the report out of gratitude for giving her the freedom to act. Did the Mage’s Association try to capture her? But Rem wasn’t a Demon Lord’s container anymore. There was no reason for them to restrain her. And, if the Mage’s Association were the ones to initiate the attack, why do it in front of Celes?
With his staff in hand, Diablo left the room, Boris moving aside to let him through.
“Head to the ruins of the west gate. If she hasn’t moved away, she should still be on the walls near there.”
Just when Diablo was about to nod, a realization flashed in his mind.
“Boris, you said Rem fired off a magic attack.”
“Yes.”
“She summon anything?”
“It looked like elemental magic.”
Diablo felt as if his spine had turned to ice.
“Are you sure this is Rem we’re talking about? She’s a summoner! She can’t use elemental magic strong enough to kill someone!”
“Ah...aaah!” Boris’s face turned paler by the second.
“Report this to Rose and the others! I’ll go on ahead!”
Normally, this much of a ruckus would make everyone leave their rooms. But right now, Sasara was exhausted, and Rose was in a similar state of sleep after having been charged with magical energy, and needed repairs, too. As for Edelgard, she was brought to the brink of death in the last battle, so even a Fallen like her likely wasn’t in her prime. It’d be best not to rely on her at the moment.
Diablo rushed out of the inn.
Rem, what’s happening to you?!
†
Boris’s information was accurate. As Diablo faced north from the ruins of the western gate, he found a tumultuous, grave atmosphere fill the scene. Soldiers and curious passersby had formed a ring. They were holding lit torches, lighting the place up like the plaza. Their gazes were fixed upward, at someone on top of the inclined wall—a black-haired girl.
Rem.
There was no one but her on the bent wall. A row of soldiers was right below, but no one was trying to scale it. Standing in front of the soldiers were Laminitus and Sylvie.
“Surrender, Rem Galleu! You have nowhere to run!”
“Rem, just tell us what happened. We won’t treat you badly, I promise! Come on!”
Those two are the worst possible people to handle this...
Their respective allure and cuteness were things Diablo knew better than to be fooled by. Laminitus and Sylvie were both hard-headed, and didn’t shirk away from having to sacrifice others for the sake of their people. They were good people who abided by the law... People who put the law above everything else. Convincing them to let him take over the situation would be impossible. At worst, they’d deem Diablo as Rem’s cooperator and have him apprehended.
“I guess...I’ll have to tackle this from above.”
He flowed magic into his SSR-rank boots, the Empty Sky’s Gambol. His body was granted flight magic and levitated in the air and he swooped up to the top of the wall. A stir passed through the soldiers as they saw him. Perhaps the only reason he wasn’t mistaken for a Fallen was because they knew Laminitus could use flight magic as well, and, fortunately enough, some of them saw Diablo fly earlier, too. No one dared fire a bullet at the man who’d defeated the Demon Overlord.
Diablo reached the top of the inclined wall. It was cracked, deformed, and on the verge of collapse.
“Rem!”
“...Huh?!” Rem’s eyes widened in surprise.
Thankfully, or unfortunately, there was no mistaking it...she was Rem, the girl who’d been at his side from morning to nightfall for nearly a year now. He could tell it was her just from her gestures and atmosphere.
“...Diablo...you came.”
“What happened? Speak.”
Looking down made it clear why none of the soldiers were trying to scale the wall. It was wavering, ever so slightly. Shards were crumbling off it every other second. It was only a matter of time before this section of the wall collapsed on its own, be it now or in a few years’ time. It was certain that, if a flock of armored soldiers were to rush their way up this wall, it would crumble at once. Diablo kept his flight magic active, and made sure to not apply his weight to it.
“You may not believe me...” Rem said with an agonized face.
“Oh?”
“...Right now...Modinaram is inside my body.”
“As I thought.” Diablo clicked his tongue.
“Huh...? Y-You believe me?!”
“Why did you assume I wouldn’t? I believed you when you said Krebskulm was sealed inside you, didn’t I?”
“Right, but... But I...attacked Celes...”
“I heard she’s fine. Now tell me, what happened at the Mage’s Association?”
Rem threw a glance at the ground. There was no movement among the soldiers. It seemed they’d decided to watch over Diablo’s actions for now. Laminitus, who stood at the lead, had a grave expression, however.
“...I was speaking to Celes in the Mage’s Association’s office,” Rem began. “Then my consciousness blanked out for a moment. It felt like I was falling asleep. My physical condition wasn’t good to begin with, so perhaps even without fighting, I’d grown fatigued—or so I thought.”
“Hmm.”
“...But, when I came to, there was a magic spear in my hand... A black one.”
“A Black Lance?”
“...I don’t know.” The girl shook her head. “I don’t have that sort of knowledge. But the spell was on the verge of activating. I diverted its target, so it wouldn’t hit Celes.”
“I see.”
“...I then realized, based on past experience, that there was a Demon Lord inside me. But this is the first time my body’s been manipulated like that.”
“Krebskulm was sealed, but Modinaram took refuge inside you. That may be the difference.”
This type of event had never happened in Cross Reverie.
Rem nodded. “...Krebskulm was supposed to revive if I died.”
“Right.”
“But I think...Modinaram awakens whenever I fall asleep.”
Why is it always Rem...?
The indignation against the unfairness of it all spurred up in Diablo. But he had to focus on finding a countermeasure first.
“Klem may know a way to solve this.”
She was a piece of the Demon Lord as well, and had knowledge from when she was crushed by God. She was knowledgeable about the other Demon Lords, too.
“...That’s, all...all good, but...I’m actually at my limit here.”
“What?!”
“...M-Modinaram’s consciousness keeps getting stronger.”
“Rem! Keep it together! You’re a skilled adventurer, aren’t you?”
“...I know. I have my dignity as well. I do not wish...to helplessly become someone’s...stepping stone...” She walked to the outer rim of the wall, and looked to the distance.
“...The Fallen...”
“What?”
“I’m sure...they knew Modinaram would revive. That’s why they stayed there.”
“That sounds likely.”
“...But I won’t let them have their way.”
“Of course we won’t. Leave the Demon Overlord to me.”
Rem suddenly smiled. There was no sign of agony in her face. It was a completely bright expression.
“...Thank you so much, Diablo... I’m truly happy I got to meet you one last time.”
Last time? What are you thinking, Rem?!
Rem clenched her teeth and flung her body beyond the outer rim of the walls—
“Rem! Don’t die on me!” Diablo shouted.
The iron collar clasped around her reacted to his order. The Enslavement Collar. Rem, with her body leaning toward the outer rim of the walls, suddenly stiffened like a statue.
I did it...
“...Why...” Tears trailed down from her eyes. “Why won’t you let me die, Diablo?! I don’t... I don’t want to become your enemy...”
“I am the Demon Lord Diablo! No matter what tries to control you, I will destroy it without mercy!”
“Kya!” Rem’s limbs suddenly relaxed. It looked like she may collapse, but she remained suspended diagonally, as if she were held up by strings, completely unmoving. Black mist began enveloping her body, changing her shape. Horn-like appendages grew out the sides of her head, and her nails extended, becoming as sharp as knives. What looked like scales even grew over her skin at spots. It resembled Klem’s awakened form somewhat. She looked like a Demon Lord...
Two sets of four purplish-black wings sprung out from Rem’s transformed back. They looked like shapeless, indistinct smoke figures. From one of the wings surfaced the shape of a black goat’s head.
Modinaram!
The shape of its face opened its mouth to speak.
“Aaah... Fool that you are. Drowning in emotion, you have squandered your final opportunity to dispose of me...”
†
Diablo clutched his staff tightly. Rem had been taken over by Modinaram. His choice to stop her may have been a mistaken one...but he had no qualms.
“You will deeply regret laying a hand on my belongings, Modinaram. I will defeat you and take back Rem!”
“Nay. I have transcended completion.”
“Hm?”
“My defeat in our last battle stems from two causes. The first is a gap in knowledge. I knew not of you, while you were familiar with me and the other Demon Lords.”
True enough, that had decided the fight. Diablo knew most of Modinaram’s tactics already. These were all attacks the Demon Lords used in Cross Reverie, so Diablo knew them. Conversely, Modinaram didn’t know Diablo had magic reflection. The Fallen Eulerex was on the opposing side, so he likely could have provided Modinaram with that information, but it seemed strength gave way to conceit in this case and they didn’t exchange their knowledge. Nobody would make a walkthrough for a game that takes no skill to beat, leading to information being withheld.
“But I have gained such knowledge now. I know much of you, thanks to this pantherian...”
“Why Rem? If you wanted to take over someone, why do something so roundabout when you could have tried to take over me? Not that I’m the type of Demon Lord that would yield to you!”
“This pantherian is a vessel...” The wings at Rem’s back wavered. “A rare existence capable of containing even a Demon Lord. The fact she was vacant was most favorable for me.”
A long time ago, God sealed Krebskulm within Rem’s bloodline. Whether he gave them the ability to act as vessels or picked them for already being so was something Diablo didn’t know. Whatever the case, removing Krebskulm from within Rem left a vacancy within her. By going inside, Modinaram was able to access her memories and learn Diablo’s fighting style. Diablo couldn’t hope for it to repeat the blunder of launching grand magic at him again.
“The second cause for my defeat was the difference in our underlings. No arrogant Fallen would stand ahead of the Demon Overlord. We are unlike the races.”
“Hmph... Are you saying there are no cowardly soldiers under a superior commander?”
It was said in an attempt to agitate, but simply put, it was a difference in culture. The Fallen watched over the battle out of belief that helping would be shameful.
“According to this pantherian’s memories...” Rem pointed at herself. “You have no subordinates at your side now.”
“Heh! Fool. I don’t need help from my underlings to destroy you.”
Diablo didn’t let his bravado slip for even a moment, but there was no mistaking the fact that Sasara and Rose serving as vanguards played a great role in his last battle with Modinaram.
This’ll be tough...
Until now, Diablo had vast amounts of information on his enemies. His knowledge from Cross Reverie acted like intelligence that he’d gathered and gave him the upper hand. But now Modinaram had information on him, too. And it wasn’t as simple as an animal or a child; it was intelligent.
Up until now there were a few times when an opponent’s crafty schemes got the better of Diablo, like with Galford and the paladin captain Batutta... Diablo saw time and time again how it wasn’t enemies with high stats, but rather those that used their heads who proved to be true challenges.
“There is no defeating me,” Modinaram asserted. “I shall emerge victorious, without fail!”
Rem extended her hand, and a black broadsword appeared in it: the Godslayer sword. Modinaram intended to keep this a melee fight; a natural choice, given that he now knew of Diablo’s magic reflection.
But while Diablo spoke with Modinaram, he’d already planned three steps ahead in the battle.
“I order you, in the name of the Demon Lord Diablo! Do not move, Rem!”
The Enslavement Collar reacted again. While still poised with the broadsword, her body stiffened.
“Gah... What is this?!” Modinaram, who tried to manipulate Rem’s body to attack Diablo, cried out in surprise.
Good! Even the Demon Overlord can’t easily dispel an Enslavement Collar.
Rem’s body was under Diablo’s control. He didn’t want to give her orders, but if someone else was manipulating her, then the situation was dire. To top it off, Diablo looked down on it with as much ridicule as he could.
“Heheheh! You may have gained some knowledge, but that doesn’t matter if you’re simply a goat’s head who doesn’t know how to properly employ it! Rem is enslaved to me. So long as you inhabit that body, you, too, are my thrall!”
“Guh... Such intense force of compulsion!”
“Stay still, Rem. I’ll crush those unsightly wings before you know it.”
Diablo clenched his right fist.
Do I use spells that work by contact? No, both Matoi Izuna and Absolute Zero won’t work on just the wings; they’ll damage Rem, who’s attached to them, too. Maybe Darkness Cannon, then? It fires a shell with powerful penetrating power. I’ll fire it in close range so it doesn’t hit Rem!
Promptly deciding on a strategy, Diablo rushed forward. As he closed in on his opponent, the wings behind her changed shape, forming a giant fist.
“Certain victory is mine!”
Rem’s body couldn’t act because of the Enslavement Collar, but Modinaram, who was currently outside her body, obviously retaliated. The massive fist extending from the wings was flung at Diablo.
“Of course you’d do that! You’ve only the one choice!”
Foreseeing this turn of events, Diablo easily avoided the attack, though it still managed to skim against his shoulder. Just that caused an impact which made Diablo feel like his whole upper half was blown away. From Modinaram’s perspective, this was just a feint, but it was nearly a fatal blow for Diablo. It felt like a truck had just crashed against him.
Can I guard against this with my current gear? Can the Tonnerre Empereur: Libre deflect this?
It wasn’t impossible, but a failure would cost him his life. The risk was too great.
A black monster now appeared from Rem’s back. It had a goat’s head and a gorilla’s bulky, muscular body, but it felt somewhat different from the form Diablo had fought earlier. Its outline was unsettled, and it felt like smoke, or some sort of aura. Was it a lump of magical energy? Or maybe some type of spiritual body?
Diablo scoured his memory, trying to recall if monsters of that type ever appeared in Cross Reverie. If nothing else, a Demon Lord formed by fog was never implemented in the game. There were a few monsters of indeterminate form where physical attacks may have been useful when they had physical forms, but, for the most part, they were susceptible to magic.
I guess I should try to expose its properties by using simple attacks.
“Lightning Arrow!”
He fired a bullet of light. It didn’t have enough firepower to damage the Demon Overlord, but it was swift and accurate. The bullet punched the fog, forcing it to disperse.
“I see...” The black goat head narrowed its eyes. “You refuse to harm this child of the races... Hence, you will not use grand magic.”
“I’ve got so much to consider in this fight.”
“Victory is all that is supreme!”
“That’s the only thing I’ll agree with you on!”
Diablo kicked the ground to make distance between them, then nodded. “There are three things you’re wrong about, Modinaram...”
Diablo couldn’t read the goat head’s mood from its expression and silence, but his opponent stopped moving.
“You thought that by taking over Rem, you’d stop me from using grand magic...” He raised one finger. “But I never needed something that exaggerated to defeat you in the first place.”
“Nonsense...”
“The second mistake you made was thinking Rem knew my entire fighting style.”
“Hmm?!”
“I’ve got this up my sleeve, too!”
Diablo pulled a tube from his pouch, with a hint of shame. Before he used it, he clenched his teeth.
“Kuh... To think...I’d need to rely on something like this!”
A gacha-exclusive item I had to whale for!
The tube made a popping sound and a globe of light shot up from it, illuminating the area in a blueish luminescence. The goat head tilted curiously.
“Illumination?”
“Yes, Rem wouldn’t know about this. Naturally.”
It was an extremely rare SSR item even in the game, exclusive to the gacha loot box, that had a 3% chance of netting the player a SSR item. In addition, there were over 300 SSR items in the gacha pool. Diablo didn’t even want to calculate the probability of getting a specific one.
The sphere lit up the sky above them like a moon.
“Modinaram...you were the one to use such a foul trick of manipulating Rem first. You won’t dare call me a coward for this, will you? Though I’d laugh at you if you did.”
“This light, what manner of power is it?!”
“Heheheh... I’ll tell you. This is called a Customize Bomb. It’s a magical tool that applies a certain condition on this area.”
“Certain, condition?!”
“Listen carefully, for the condition is Physical Restrictor! As of now, all physical attacks in this area will be weakened by 90%!”
Diablo couldn’t read Modinaram’s expression, but he could tell how disturbed it was from its stupefied silence.
“And!” Diablo broke into a run. “Your third mistake was to think you could ever win against me!”
Diablo was once again within arm’s reach of Modinaram and Rem.
“Ooooooh!” Modinaram swung its massive fist at Diablo, howling.
Diablo flung his right fist against the massive, rock-like fist bearing down on him.
“Volcano Cannon!”
Magical, seething magma erupted from his right hand as the two fists clashed together. In a normal environment, Modinaram’s fist may have been burned, but its overwhelming power would blow away the magma and crush Diablo’s upper body. Right now, however, its power was greatly limited.
“Heheheh.... Didn’t you hear me, Modinaram? All physical attacks have been diminished. Is punching all you’re good for? Why not fire a spell or two? I’ll still manage to reflect even those!”
“Guuuh... Diabloooooo!”
Modinaram started pushing back.
Even when reduced to ten percent, he’s still this strong!
But now he could finish it!
“Rock Cann— Ah?!”
The enemy suddenly disappeared from his sight, leaving Diablo confused for a moment. Modinaram shouldn’t have been able to move this quickly right now. It was using Rem’s legs, after all, and she was ordered not to move.
For a moment, Diablo felt like he was falling. Then, a rumbling that felt like an earthquake reached his ears.
The walls are collapsing?!
†
Diablo was lucky the Empty Sky’s Gambol’s effect was still activated, granting him flight magic so he wouldn’t be caught up in the rubble. He landed on the ground on the outer side of the collapsed walls. Roughly a hundred meters of the walls’ length collapsed, and he could hear people in town going into a panic.
Flapping its black wings, Modinaram landed, along with Rem’s body. She was still being manipulated. Emerging from the wings at her back was the goat-head in gorilla form.
There’re scores of Fallen watching over the battle from the west. If it flies there, things could get annoying...
Diablo couldn’t tell if it was because of its current form or the Physical Restrictor’s effect at play, but its flight speed was slow at the moment. They were back to square one, but the situation hadn’t changed. He had to close the distance once again, and this time, for sure...
Diablo clenched his fists.
“You...” Modinaram growled.
“Hm?”
“I am! The Demon Overlord! Absorber of all other Demon Lords! The greatest Demon Lord, on the cusp of becoming the Primeval Demon Lord! Wielder of the greatest magic, and the greatest physical strength! And yet...a mere child of races! A mere child of the races!”
Its massive hands cradled its small goat head, and a squelching sound reached Diablo’s ears. The head was becoming distorted.
“Why?!” Modinaram screamed with a bloodcurdling voice. “How can the Demon Overlord be inferior?! Whyyyyyy?!”
“Your preparations were too lacking.”
“Giyaaaaaah?! Diablooo...ooo... Gah?! Gaaaaaa? Gugugu... Ooh?!”
The goat head tore apart, sending a splatter of blood onto the surrounding surfaces. Its head was crushed by its own massive hands.
Did he commit suicide?!
Diablo still had a bad feeling about this, and most of all, Rem’s consciousness hadn’t yet returned.
Crap, what now?! Shouldn’t she come to her senses by now?!
As he took a step toward Rem’s body, a black serpent suddenly lashed out against him.
“Uuu?!” He wasn’t sure what spell to cast in the spur of the moment.
Rem was in the line of fire. If the spell penetrated the serpent, it may damage her. But, if it was too weak, it would be able to block the attack...
Lightning fell down from above, piercing the serpent, and a girl’s loud voice echoed in Diablo’s ears.
“Step back, Diablo! You’ll get caught up!”
“Klem?!”
And leave Rem behind?!
Despite that, he had to believe in Klem right now. He flew back to the town, only to see a moment later that his judgment was correct.
Countless black serpents flowed out of Rem in droves, eventually blotting her out of sight.
“What’s that?!”
“The Demon Lord of Madness, Modinaram, has shown its true nature!” Klem shouted, running over to him with Shera in tow.
“What about Rem?!” Shera asked. “What happened to Rem?!”
“Stay calm, Shera! Modinaram is inside her body, so she should be fine. If its vessel were to be destroyed before it prepared its resurrection, even a Demon lord would be obliterated.”
“I don’t understand a word you’re saying, Klem!”
“Aaah. If Rem dies, so will Modinaram. It’s keeping her alive.”
“Huh...? So Rem has to die if we want to defeat Modinaram?”
“I won’t let that happen!” Klem shook her head. “This Demon Lord will drag Modinaram out of Rem’s body!”
“Yay!”
“...But Modinaram knows that. Even after using Rem as leverage, it couldn’t beat Diablo, so now its vessel is only a weakness. So it did that, seeking out its next form.”
“What is it doing, Klem?”
“Modinaram’s gathering up magical energy to gain a body powerful enough to defeat you, even if it knows doing that will bring about its destruction!”
“What do you mean? Don’t Demon Lords produce endless amounts of magical energy?”
“Yes, our supply is endless so long as we’re intact! But Modinaram lost its body and fled inside Rem, and its remaining magical energy wasn’t enough to beat you.”
So it was in that kind of state...
“What do you mean by gathering up magical energy?”
“It’s started.” Klem pointed. “Look for yourself and you’ll understand.”
The countless serpents were charging at the Fallen. Diablo could hear screaming, shouting, and explosions from spells and martial arts, but there was no stopping the black serpents. They were devouring the Fallen and magical beasts one after another.
“Ugh...” Shera clasped a hand over her mouth.
Diablo felt a chill run down his spine. “So that magical energy...was the Fallen?”
“You’re lucky, you know? The races don’t have that much magical energy, so it went in that direction instead.”
That many Fallen and magical beasts most likely had a staggering amount of magical energy to draw from...
†
When the black serpents appeared, Eulerex, the commander-in-chief, was the first to fly away.
“This is bad! Retreat! Run!” the Fallen Priest, Lazpuras, called out.
“Run away, Grand Turtle.” Manuela, the magical beast user, tapped on the shell beneath her feet.
“There’s no saving this turtle anymore!” Lazpuras grabbed Manuela under her armpits and ran away, as if sliding down its shell.
Most of the Fallen and magical beasts didn’t run away, but simply stood there, watching as things unfolded. Their individual fighting strength was high, so they were lacking in fear and caution.
They’ll be wiped out.
Lazpuras kept running. The larger Fallen that stood in the vanguard were the first to be devoured by the black serpents.
“Demon Overlord?! Why...?!” the other Fallen cried out as they were the next prey in line.
Then came the magical beasts’ turn.
“Why is the Demon Overlord doing this?!” Manuela asked, her face pale.
Lazpuras ran, desperately carrying her heavy body along.
“That’s not the Demon Overlord anymore! It’s nothing but a venomous snake that hungers for magical energy!”
“How can you say something so blasphemous! Aren’t you a priest?!”
“You can lecture me all you want once we get away from here with our lives intact!”
His fat, frog belly slapped against his legs loudly as he ran. Not far from there, the serpents were feasting on the Fallen and magical beasts. And just as he was about to flee into the forest...
A black shadow was cast over Lazpuras’s head.
“Ah...”
A serpent.
†
“Look, it changed form again!” Shera raised her voice.
“Yes! It looks like this is the final form Modinaram picked!” Klem said with an excited breath.
It was a castle, one that Diablo had seen once before.
“...The Demon Lord’s castle.”
The real one was much larger, though. In the game, the Demon Lord’s castle even dwarfed the citadel city of Faltra. That was natural; it only made sense for a final dungeon to be larger than a city encountered in the middle of the story. It had several spear-like spires as its towers, and was surrounded by high walls. The front gates would open with an ominous creaking.
“It’s probably beckoning you, Diablo,” Klem said.
“Hmm...”
“Modinaram thinks it can beat you inside there... No, it probably already lost all traces of thought. All it wants is to fight you now.”
“Is Rem inside?”
“She is. I can tell from her scent. I know it well, since I’ve been with her for so long.”
It was then that people from the city started coming out. The walls were reduced to rubble anyway, so there wasn’t much of a clear border between the city and the plains at this point.
“Hiya, Diablo,” Sylvie said. “This has become a real mess, huh?”
“What is that castle?” Laminitus showed up at her side. “When did it show up?”
“That’s what’s left of the Demon Overlord Modinaram.”
Laminitus didn’t look like she believed Diablo’s explanation, but she didn’t deny it, either.
“That’s a lump of magical energy, right?” Sylvie asked. “Can it maintain that for long without a body? I sure would like to hear a real Demon Lord’s opinion...”
Diablo wondered about how this was an implicit way of saying that there was a “fake Demon Lord” present, but didn’t comment on the matter.
“Right!” Klem nodded. “This is just it dispersing the magical energy it consumed from the Fallen! It’ll probably fade away by tomorrow morning.”
“I knew it!”
“But...if we just wait for that to happen on its own, this city won’t get away unscathed, either.”
“Ah, yeah, knew that, too.” Sylvie scratched her head.
Looking closely, the Demon Lord’s castle was still spouting out black serpents. It was also gradually moving closer.
“At that speed, it’ll come in contact with Faltra in an hour,” Laminitus said, glaring at the castle. “I don’t know how fast those black snakes can extend, but if they have the same range as a magi gun, they’ll be inside the city within half that.”
She was a magi gunner who commanded sand ships, so her ability to measure such things purely by sight was trustworthy. Sadly, there was no leisure for them to watch over the rising of the sun now. Laminitus began giving orders to the regional knights behind her.
“Move the civilians to the east gate, with priority on the injured! If anyone wants to flee to the capital, let them. We don’t have any soldiers to escort them and help with evacuation. Everyone else, guard this place with your lives!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“You’re gonna fight that thing?!” Sylvie asked, her eyes round with surprise. “That’s the Demon Overlord after it gobbled up the whole Demon Lord’s army!”
“It doesn’t matter who the enemy is...six of the eight barrier towers are either intact or repairable. If it’s just two towers, we can set up temporary ones within three days. The Mage’s Association’s central power is intact as well. We can’t afford to lose Faltra if we’re to protect the territories of the races! If this town is broken through, the Fallen will be free to attack the other cities even without the Demon Overlord. Can you guarantee there are no Fallen left in the rear guard?”
“Mmm... There probably are, to be fair.” There were probably some cautious Fallen that hadn’t stepped to the forefront, biding their time.
Adventurers and soldiers stood to defend the city. As the regional knights ran to and fro in a panic, someone else ran over to them.
“Rose, Edelgard!” Shera waved at them.
†
“Rose apologizes earnestly.” Rose bowed her head deeply in front of Diablo. “Master, punish Rose however Master sees fit. To think Rose would sleep slothfully while Master is engaged in mortal combat...”
“It’s fine, you needed that rest. What about Sasara?”
“Rose could not rouse her despite Rose’s best efforts.”
Is she for real?!
An awkward atmosphere fell over them. Even during a fight for the survival of the races, bedtime was bedtime? Really?!
It was then Diablo had considered something: God’s chosen High Priest, Lumachina, had a unique penalty that didn’t allow her to use her healing miracles on herself. So maybe...
“No, I doubt it... Well, I guess there’s no point in forcing her awake. A sword is only sharp if you maintain it well-whetted. If she needs that sleep, let her.”
“As Master wishes.”
On the other hand, Edelgard gazed at the Demon Lord’s castle with mixed feelings.
“What is it?”
“Many, friends...” the Fallen girl groaned at Klem’s question. “All gone...”
“Ah, right. You were one of the Demon Lord’s castle’s Fallen, too, originally.”
“Yes... But... Eeeh... Mmm...” Edelgard seemed to be searching for the words. She was always bad at talking, so no one rushed her, until eventually a single word escaped her lips.
“Regret?”
“Yes...that’s right.” Klem closed her eyes at Edelgard’s whisper, and the both of them fell quiet for a moment.
But then Klem clapped her hands with enthusiasm. “All right! Enough with the chitchat. Diablo. You have to decide! What do you intend to do?!”
Diablo looked over everyone present. His gaze passed over Shera, Klem, Edelgard, Rose, Sylvie, Laminitus...then settled on the Demon Lord’s castle.
Rem.
“It’s obvious! I’ll go and take back what is rightfully mine! Modinaram desires to face me one last time as well.”
Klem smirked. “Words worthy of this Demon Lord’s master. That thing will stop if you destroy its core, anyway. Go and finish it off!”
“You’re not going, Klem?” Shera tilted her head curiously. “Weren’t we going to save Rem together?”
“I’ll go alone.”
Diablo realized Modinaram’s strength well enough. In all likelihood, the Physical Restrictor didn’t have any effect within the castle’s bounds, since the Customize Bomb’s light didn’t reach it. If a fight broke out like earlier, Diablo couldn’t guarantee he’d be able to protect those around him.
“Physical attacks are weakened in the area right now.” Diablo pointed up. “If there are any people who use spears or swords, enchant them so they do magical damage.”
In fact, had Modinaram realized this, Diablo may have had to come up with another strategy. But it seemed Modinaram’s strength was so high it never bothered to think any deeper.
“That’s crazy, Diablo! Most soldiers and adventurers rely on physical attacks.” Sylvie frowned. “And you say ‘enchant their weapons’... I can only manage just a few at once, you know!”
“Hmm.”
Diablo hadn’t planned for that. He never did check too deeply about how magic enchantment worked in this world. He never had much of a reason to care, since his Demon Lord’s Ring would reflect any enchantments applied to him. But this was a problem. With most of their fighting forces weakened like this, would the troops of Faltra be able to stave off the black serpents?
“Allow me to take over the role of enchanting.”
A voice spoke from behind them. Turning around, Diablo saw a group of regional knights and sorcerers approaching. The party swiftly parted to the sides, revealing a beautiful woman standing there with a smile and a long staff in hand.
“It has been a long time since we last met, Diablo.”
“Celes?!”
Some of the mages furrowed their brows at Diablo referring to her by a nickname.
“I’ve received a report on the situation.” Galford was standing at her side. “Leave this place to us... The races are still at risk. If that fake Demon Lord’s castle isn’t stopped, we will have all but lost.”
“You talk a big game, Galford...but will you really be of help here?”
“Would you care to test me?” Galford’s menacing aura hadn’t diminished in the slightest.
His lost arm was back to normal now. Despite being so grievously wounded, he was back in action in less than half a day! This was the strength of an experienced war hero.
“Diablo,” Celes cut into their conversation.
“Hm?”
“I will...do my best.”
“Ah, yes, hmm... Yes, help these weaklings live through this.”
Her calm, sluggish words seemed to pacify the tense atmosphere. In this situation, that was both good and bad.
“Please, Diablo...” Celes said imploringly. “You have to save Rem!”
“Are you serious? Didn’t Rem try to kill you?”
“Rem would never do that seriously. That was the Demon Overlord. That girl is a responsible, persistent...lonesome child. I’ve always wanted to see her be set free, in the truest sense of the word.”
Despite being a sorcerer, Celes’s words felt like a prayer directed at God. But that went without saying.
Diablo pulled out his staff and said, “Leave everything to me.”
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