The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody - Volume 7 - Chapter 87

CHAPTER 87

The Ex–Demon Lord and the Meaning of Finality

“Aaaaaaaaargh?!”

Ireena’s shriek echoed through the open space. Her body lurched forward like an invisible string had yanked her.

She’d closed in on me.

“W-watch out, Ard!” Ireena shouted as her sword came crashing down.

The string of attacks was a blur; her Blade Dance was too fast for the naked eye. I managed to deal with half of them, while the others drew blood.

“Agh!” Ireena’s face crumpled when she saw she had injured her friend. Staring at the misty-eyed girl, I jumped back and put distance between us.

…So, what am I supposed to do now?

“S-sniff… Why is this happening? Please. I don’t want to do this anymore… Save me, Ard…”

Ireena looked at my bloodied body and wept.

Even though Ireena was before me in this state, I kept my cool. I couldn’t show any emotion. After all, this was one of Mephisto’s sick games. I had to get to the bottom of things or it’d be too late.

“…Reincarnating into the future only to be forced into a death match with the friend I wanted? Sounds just like him. However…”

Think. What is the truth?

Feel it out.

What kind of evil thing would he want to throw at me?

“…It’s horrible to try to step into the shoes of someone I detest.”

I am Mephisto. Mephisto is me. I’ll become him and read his mind.

“…Am I supposed to just end things here? There’s no knowing until I try.”

Depending on the outcome, I might be dead in a matter of seconds. But I’d made up my mind. Even if I died with regret or ended up lamenting a terrible mistake, I was ready. Unless I anticipated any future and kept calm, I could never hope to fight that monster.

And so…

“A-Ard?!” Ireena cried with shock as she watched me.

I tossed my weapon in front of her.

“Wh-what are you doing…?!”

Ireena had no idea where I was going with this. I spread both arms wide in complete submission.

“N-no…! You can’t, Ard!”

She must have thought this was my idea of self-sacrifice. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

…Well, she was probably right. In this scenario, there were three possible outcomes.

First, Ireena killed me, and my journey came to a tragic end.

Second, I killed Ireena and consequently lost my own heart.

And finally—

“N-no! Nooooooooo!”

Ireena lunged at me with a scream. She closed the distance between us quickly, swinging her blade down as soon as I was within range. Was I going to be cut down the middle? That would be an awful way to go.

“M-move out of the way! Move, Ard!”

She was panicking. I couldn’t detect any insincerity. All of Ireena’s displays of emotion were genuine. The expression on her face was markedly authentic. She truly feared losing her friend and regretted that she couldn’t stop it, but—

“Ah. I see what’s happening here.”

It was about to make contact. The sword was closing in on my head. This was a lethal attack. And so—my suspicions were confirmed.

“You always lean forward whenever you’re about to break your favorite toy.”

I was on the brink of death. The curtains were closing.

I veered sideways and dodged the blade coming down on me. Using my whole body, I grabbed the outstretched wrists with both hands, twisted the joints to the limits…and broke them.

With both her hands now useless, her sword clattered to the ground. Then—

“You tripped at the finish line, Mephisto Yuu Phegor.”

I took up my enemy’s blade and stabbed her through the chest without a second’s hesitation.

“Agh…?!” She gave a small yelp and looked down at the sword sticking out of her. A stream of blood dripped from her mouth… Then the bastard looked up at me and started to cry.

“Wh-why would you…?”

I dislodged the blade from my enemy’s chest with a sigh.

“I’m not playing your little games.”

And then I sliced through Ireena’s neck. Well, technically, it was Mephisto’s head disguised as Ireena’s face. It caught air before crashing down on the ground and rolling.

If this had actually been Ireena, the head would have stayed silent forever. However…

“That’s weird. I thought it was a flawless performance.”

The decapitated head spoke with the terrifyingly beautiful voice of Mephisto.

I looked down on him and clicked my tongue. “‘Flawless’? Really? The real Ireena would have sacrificed herself to save me. She would have bit off her own tongue…or begged me to kill her. Those would be her options.”

Mephisto should have known all that.

“…You slip up when you get excited. You were set on killing me, but your enthusiasm went into overdrive just as you were about to land the final blow. Your mask slipped, and you revealed your true feelings… In that instant, you thought, Killing him here would be a waste, didn’t you?”

Mephisto smiled at my question, then purred with the intimacy of a longtime lover.

“That’s my honey. You’re the only one who can understand me.”

“Yeah, that’s why I can never get your face out of my head,” I spat.

“Heh-heh. I’m so happy I’m always on your mind—”

I gutted the freshly severed head just to shut him the hell up.

“We’re done here.” I let go of the hilt and collected the sword I’d tossed earlier.

“…They’re probably still dealing with his sick idea of ‘fun.’”

Olivia and Sylphy. I imagined both were suffering through the worst of it. I was mostly worried about…Olivia.

She was an impenetrable fortress…but there was one certain weakness that made her frail. And that beast would know just where to find it.

“…I better hurry.”

With a vague yet intense sense of uneasiness, I rushed forward—

They’re tiny, was Olivia’s first thought when her enemy came into view. It was someone petite and quite short, only about half her own height. It appeared to be a young boy, based on what she could see from the face peeking out of his hood.

—However…

From the raw power, the talent… She could see he was far beyond the ordinary. After jumping around and knocking swords—ten, then twenty times—Olivia ended up in an open space with her foe. Between each clash, her mind raced.

A small frame has its drawbacks. But…if he can wield a sword longer than him…there are only benefits to being petite. He’s a small target, for one.

Olivia had no choice but to admit that his swordsmanship was first-rate. That alone was enough cause for alarm, yet…

He has more than just his sword. He’s casting magic into it and producing his own battle tactics.

Olivia jumped back to put space between them.

His vicinity started to glimmer, manifesting as magic blades, sparkling with energy.

Even if I put distance between us, he’ll continue hitting me with these attacks. I can deal with spells by using my slashing technique, but…

Olivia proceeded to sever them—slicing and slashing the conjured projectiles that came her way and eliminating them all. Her movements were elegant and infallible…but she was so focused on taking care of the blades that her attention drifted from her opponent just the tiniest bit.

Seizing his opportunity, the enemy rushed in and swung at her torso. His breath, power, and timing were impeccable. There was no way she could dodge such a strike, but—

He can fight, but he doesn’t have the experience to take me down.

Heart calm, Olivia parried his movements with ease. Everything had been a fake-out; the foe was convinced that he had her cornered, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. She’d only led him to believe this was the reality.

I don’t have time to waste here.

There’s Sylphy and…

Her little brother—Ard. She had to hurry to him. And so…she went ahead with her plan. Olivia evaded an incoming blade and used her own sword to stop him from slicing her in half, then she swept his feet out from under him. As the boy toppled to the ground, his hood slipped off.

A therianthrope? I see ears poking out of his dark hair. I hate to kill one of my own, especially one so young… Unfortunately, justice demands it.

Aiming for a vital point, Olivia brought her sword down.

—And in that instant—

“Sis…ter…,” whispered the enemy with a lowered head.

Upon hearing the word, fragmentary recollections played in Olivia’s mind.

The citizens in the plaza.

The demons spectating.

The devil, laughing.

My family—despondent.

The grief on my parents’ faces.

The blade coming down.

And—

“N-no! I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die!

“S-save me, Sisterrrrrrrr!”

These memories had faded with time. It had taken years, but she’d finally healed the wound in her heart. Why was she suddenly remembering this now?

—The devil answered her question with a ruthless smile.

“You sacrificed everything in the name of justice.

“But I guess you can’t cut down your own brother, huh?”

Olivia paled instantly at Mephisto’s voice.

“I-it can’t be…”

Her sword froze in place, and she stared down at the young boy.

…The longer she looked, the more it became clear.

The enemy was right in front of her, yet she knew these delicate shoulders, this timid figure. She knew this slender frame—one that belonged to a boy who had always come bounding to his sister in tears whenever his back was against the wall.

He looked up at her, and she instinctively jumped back. Olivia began to sweat. She stood as far from him as she could, as if hoping to escape.

“No… It can’t be… This is…”

Her breathing was ragged, and her stomach hurt. She couldn’t stop sweating. Olivia was physically unharmed, but the same could not be said of her heart. Before her—

The enemy. The small boy. The young therianthrope…

…cried out to her as tears streamed down his face.

“Sister…!”

Olivia’s mind went blank.

That silky black hair. That adorable face. Those wet eyes.

She could never forget who this was. The weeping child, shoulders trembling in fear, was…

“Luis…!”

Luis vel Vine.

Family she had cherished more than her own life. Her dearly departed brother.

He was right in front of her.

“Yes, that’s it. That’s the look. Everything went just like I thought, but I’m still having a grand time. You really are so fun to tease, Livvy.”

The devil’s voice rang in Olivia’s mind, and her face went pale. It was the same tone he’d used on the day he stole everything from her.

—A long, long time ago.

During the time of the ancient world, the one where humans were controlled by demons and Evil Gods.

Olivia was born the eldest daughter of the vel Vines, who came from a line of “Pedigree Slaves.” Of the enslaved races, they possessed special authority that enabled them to govern the people on behalf of a small fraction of demons. Among this group, the vel Vines were a renowned military family whose voices held sway with their demon overlords.

As a member of this esteemed family, Olivia displayed exceptional skill with the sword, and was expected to have a bright future… However, her younger brother Luis had no talent to speak of.

“Why was I born this way…?

“I want to be as strong and cool as my big sister. But I know that’s impossible…”

Their relatives were disappointed by the eldest son’s pessimism and tendency to cry over nothing. Olivia alone saw the potential in Luis and always encouraged him.

“I did it! I got one! I returned a blow, Sister!”

During one mock battle, he managed to outmaneuver Olivia—mostly because she’d been holding back, but a hit was a hit. Her little brother’s progress thrilled her.

She was struck by a certain thought. His smile is too adorable.

It was rare coming from him and blindingly bright. Olivia doted on Luis because she wanted to see it more often. Sometimes her love was gentle and other times, harsh. Her mission was to help him become a strong head of the family and continue to support him from behind.

“Luis, I might be stronger than you now.

“But one day, I want you to become a man powerful enough to protect me.

“I know you can do it. As your big sister, I have confidence in you.”

Olivia continued to encourage her brother and offer gentle smiles for his eyes only. She imagined his promising future. However…

One day, everything was stripped away—by the demons who distanced themselves from her parents’ influence…and by the Evil God Mephisto.

“N-no! I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die!

“Save me! Save me, Sister!”

Olivia’s brother, the person who she loved more than anyone, sobbed and pleaded with her. Yet she was just as helpless. Bound by magic as she was, Olivia was incapable of so much as closing her eyes. She and the rest of her family could only tremble and stare as her little brother’s head fell to the ground. Then, after it was all over…

“Ahhh, that was a good show. Wouldn’t you agree?”

The devil released her bonds.

Olivia quietly asked him a question. “Why did you do it?”

The devil tilted his head for a moment before answering with a grin. “Hmmmmmm. To kill time, I guess?”

Murderous rage roared within Olivia. She lunged at the face of evil and grabbed his jugular, but it wasn’t enough to wipe the smirk off his face.

“Hee-hee. That’s a nice expression. I saw this coming a mile away, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m having a ball. You’re as fun to tease as I’d hoped, Livvy.”

In the end, she never got her revenge.

The devil who had robbed everything from her just kept smiling.

There was no doubting that he wore the same grin now.

Just then, the voice of the devil rang out and pulled Olivia back from the past.

“I should warn you right now that there’s no way to save your little brother.

“You can either kill the family you love in the name of justice…

“Or you can be killed by your own little brother.

“Those are your two options.

“I gotta say, that’s one tough ultimatum. Well—entertain me.”

She could feel his menacing presence…

“Ah…! Sister…!”

Luis jumped to his feet and came charging at her. Olivia thought she could see a vision of the devil hovering above his head. The phantom smirked as it manipulated her precious brother like a puppet.

“Mephistooooooooooooooo!” Olivia shouted in an explosion of rage as Luis swung his sword.

“P-please save me, Sister!” Luis wept, pleading with her.

This dulled Olivia’s reaction time. She could normally dodge such an attack without a problem, but the blade grazed her cheek.

“Ngh…!” She retreated and put distance between them.

Magic swords came rushing at Olivia. On most days, she could cut them down with ease. However, her heart was shaken, and she couldn’t defend against them with flawless precision. By the time she’d staved off the torrent, Olivia was beaten and bloody.

“S-Sister!”

He was coming for her. Her little brother readied his sharp sword to deal a death blow.

“N-no! Help me, Sister!”

The boy raised his weapon high with a cry…then brought it down. Olivia met the strike head-on and locked swords.

“S-Sister…! Wh-what is this…? What’s going on…?!”

Past Olivia’s blade, she saw Luis sobbing. As tears fell from his eyes and his nose dripped with snot, she felt her heart breaking. Olivia ached to hold him close, but that was a lost dream.

She had no time to wish for a peaceful moment with her brother.

Kill him or be killed. Neither was without tragedy. But even so…

I have to keep moving forward…!

For justice…! To save everyone…!

She would cut down her little brother. Olivia desperately searched inside herself for something that would give her the strength to do so.

This isn’t my first time dealing with this sort of thing…! I’ve been in situations like this a million times before…! This boy isn’t Luis…! He’s just a copy…!

In the ancient past, a number of enemies had deduced Olivia’s weakness and used her dead brother to drive her into a corner…

However, each of those attempts had ended in failure.

First off, his astral spirit was lost a long time ago.

There’s no question that it crossed to the other side…and it has reincarnated—many times already. That’s why this version of Luis is nothing more than a fake…!

Arriving at this conclusion brought Olivia peace.

“I don’t need to go easy on a fake…!”

She focused her power to her legs and then her arms, knocking away the enemy. Olivia’s display of bloodlust brought fear to Luis’s face.

“Eek!” Luis cried.

Her heart would no longer be swayed.

“Hah!”

A mighty shout bolstered her intensity. Her opponent’s upper body bent backward—and immediately veered sideways. Their locked swords crumbled, and he lost his balance.

“Kah!”

A strike that made the most out of this opportunity. A slash across the neck. And, at the very least, a single, painless moment. Olivia’s heart was shallow.

She would cut off his head and end this battle. That was the only thought on her mind.

“He’s no fake,” rang the devil’s voice.

Time stretched into eternity. As her blade slowly made its way toward Luis’s neck…the monster stirred doubt in her heart.

“I bet you’re thinking that your little brother’s spirit was lost a long time ago.

“And you’re not wrong. But what if…I found a work-around?

“Suppose I cut off a tiny piece of his astral spirit just before his execution and stowed it away until now. What if I knew we would find ourselves in this predicament now?

“And the boy standing in front of you is your real brother.”

It sounded way too convincing to be a lie. And so Olivia’s movements faltered once again. The blade meant to cut the head off the boy’s shoulders broke only the thinnest layer of skin—

And instead, Luis drove his sword deep into Olivia’s stomach.

“Gah…”

“S-Sister?”

They looked at each other with wide eyes. Two expressions of agony and surprise. They were grappling with their own emotions, but there was a common sentiment shared between them.

Grief.

Their hearts were drowned in grief.

“Wh-why…?! Why did this…?!”

The sword was pulled from Olivia’s stomach against her brother’s will, and he hefted it onto his shoulder.

“Lu…is…”

His big sister looked up at him as she fell to one knee and vomited blood.

…She had failed to kill him. In that moment, Mephisto’s voice had given birth to doubt.

She wondered if she would re-create that scene—the moment her brother’s head fell—with her own two hands.

…And she couldn’t do it again.

“…Luis.” Olivia dropped her sword to touch her little brother’s cheek. A tear fell from her eye. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t save you.”

Then she came to a decision. Gone was her devotion to justice; Olivia chose to let her brother take her life.

“N-no…! No, no, no, no…! P-please move, Sister!”

Luis’s teeth rattled; strength coursed through his hands.

This was the end. Death would come in a matter of seconds. But it was fine. After all, nothing was more precious than her little brother’s life—not even carrying out justice.

“Mephisto, please. Guarantee my brother will be safe after I die.”

With those final words, she prepared to meet her end.

Sisterrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Luis swung his blade with a shriek.

Realizing death was imminent, she prepared to accept it quietly, when…a certain face popped into her mind.

Her other brother.

Two identities flashed before her eyes, and…

“Olivia!!”

…a voice called out to her.

When I witnessed the scene, I cast off the mask of Ard Meteor.

“Olivia!!”

My body acted on reflex when I saw my big sister’s life in jeopardy.

…The outcome was pretty miraculous, honestly. Just as the boy was about to cut off Olivia’s head, I jumped toward her and knocked her out of harm’s way. If I’d been even a split second too late, her life would have been lost. His blade cut through thin air and failed to strike anything.

“…Lady Olivia. Please drink this—hurry! If we don’t heal your wounds now, things won’t look good for you.”

I pretended to keep it together, taking out one of Verda’s handcrafted potions from the pouch at my side.

“…Sorry.”

Olivia’s expression was mixed as she accepted it, but at least she still had the will to live. She quickly cracked open the lid and downed the potion in one gulp.

The effects were instant—healing the shallow cuts across her body and the gaping wound in her stomach.

…With that done, I turned my gaze from Olivia to the boy and pieced together what had happened.

“Are you her younger brother?”

“…Yes.”

He eyed me—the new intruder—and trembled from head to toe. His appearance and behavior matched what I’d heard from Olivia.

“I see. You love to play some sick games,” I spat.

The devil responsible for this called out to me.

“Welcome to our tragic little stage, honey—I was hoping to give you a taste of misery. I’ve been waiting all this time.”

This was all part of his plan. It was obvious from his tone.

In other words…he was convinced that even I couldn’t escape misfortune.

Olivia seemed to pick up on this, but…

“…Do we stand a chance?” asked my big sister, eyes imploring.

My heart stung when I saw her like this. If I could, I would have loved to stand tall and tell her that she could leave this to me.

Regrettably, I could only offer her the exact opposite.

“I can’t change the way this ends.”

It didn’t matter what was done. Her little brother, Luis vel Vine, would die.

Even if he was freed from the devil’s curse by some miracle, Mephisto would take his life and revel in our despair as soon as we gave a sigh of relief.

“Please understand that resolving this matter will mean sealing your brother’s fate.”

That was the repulsive truth. I couldn’t stand admitting it. Nonetheless, I cleared my expression of disgust and looked dead into Olivia’s eyes. I had to convince her that this was for the best.

“Listen, Lady Olivia. Those who are gone can never return. All we can do is selfishly live in their stead.”

Olivia looked down and didn’t utter a word.

Mephisto prattled on. “It seems someone’s confident calling the shots. Or maybe you can say this because it’s not your problem?”

I heard him chuckle. My past self would have objected…but these experiences in the modern era had helped me grow as a person. And so I stuck out my chest and readied myself.

“Even if you created her right in front of me, I, Ard Meteor, would not flinch. I guarantee that I would take her life and…take yours.”

“Oh? Well said, honey. Your power might be on the decline, but it looks like your heart has gotten bigger… But isn’t that just what you want? I’m sure Livvy feels differently. Are you going to force your feelings on her?”

I answered without a second’s delay. “Yes. I will. If that is where justice leads me, then I have no doubts.”

As if he wasn’t quite expecting this, Mephisto gave no answer.

“…Lady Olivia. Please feel free to resent me.”

I will kill Luis with my own hands. If you can’t do it, I’ll carry that sin for you.

“…Is there really no other way?”

I nodded when she asked me that, her face marked with despair. It was an expression that told me there was a dangerously high chance she might try and take her own life once all this was over. I made a new declaration to my big sister—words that would bring small yet certain salvation.

“Even if the ending will turn out just as this devil planned, I believe we can change how we take it. And so—nothing will end tragically.”

Olivia couldn’t yet understand what I meant. She still appeared conflicted. Mephisto—silent until now—didn’t seem to catch my drift, either.

“I wonder what you’ll show me?”

The voice sounded slightly bewildered, more than a little excited. Then, right after he said this…

“A-aaaaaaaaaargh?!” Luis let out a scream, magic swords floating around him.

“Lady Olivia. I ask that you do not interfere.”

No sooner had I given this warning than the blades closed in on me.

I dodged, dodged, and dodged again. Nothing found purchase. Luis charged and came within reach of me.

“H-help m—”

“I won’t.” I stopped the small boy’s sharp cut with my own weapon. “You need to bear it.”

After deflecting my opponent’s attack, I caught him off guard, balled my right hand into a fist—and struck his youthful cheek.

“Argh?!”

Clearly no one had expected this. Olivia and the airborne Luis regarded me with wide-eyed shock. I couldn’t see Mephisto, but his voice seemed to hint at the same thing.

“Hey now. Isn’t that going too far?” A tone both surprised and exhilarated. “He’s just a kid. How could you—?”

“Silence. You can just watch in envy.”

It was true that my actions appeared cruel at first glance. But that wasn’t the case. Far from it, in fact.

“Ard Meteor…! What are you…?!”

My big sister sought an explanation, which was fair enough. She must have assumed I’d end her little brother with a single blow of my sword. This was a reasonable assumption to make, that even if I couldn’t save him, I’d try and make it as painless as possible.

I had the exact opposite thing in mind.

It was clear that Olivia saw my last strike as meaningless violence. Except she couldn’t be more mistaken.

“Lady Olivia. Sir Luis. And you, too, Mephisto. Your assumptions are wildly inaccurate. I didn’t strike a defenseless child just now.”

Olivia was speechless, unable to see where I was going with this. Luis looked at me in confusion while holding his cheek. I surprised him with a question.

“Sir Luis. Are you afraid to die? Do you wish to escape death?”

“O-obviously…!”

“I bet. But…your response is only appropriate for normal children. You forfeited this privilege at birth, Sir Luis.”

Luis trembled. Olivia too.

They’d heard this before—more times than they could count. These siblings, born into a renowned military family, had been trained to possess a soldier’s mentality and discipline.

“Sir Luis. I’ve heard of your situation from your older sister. When speaking of you, she seemed buoyant with joy…and stricken by grief. For the long years that it took her heart to completely heal, Lady Olivia was like a ghost shackled by the past… And it is you, Sir Luis, who is to blame.”

The boy looked like he was in pain, and I pressed on.

“Yes—you’re a young child who is barely ten years old. But you’re simultaneously a soldier. And all soldiers have a point in their life in which they must die. For their master. For their beliefs. For their loved ones. There are more reasons to count… But it doesn’t matter. When that moment arrives, a soldier must fall honorably. That death must overwhelm those who witness it and burn a fire in their hearts to be passed on.”

I paused for a moment and stared straight into Luis’s eyes.

“I was told your sentence was the last one to be carried out. In that case…you remember your parents’ deaths, don’t you? Try and recall them… I’m certain they were honorable. Both of them must have accepted their fate without begging for their lives and gazed at their surviving daughter in an effort to convey their final wishes. Your mother and father fulfilled their duty and died with pride… And yet, Sir Luis, you ruined that moment.”

From what I’d heard, his death had been a wretched sight that only evoked grief and pity. There could be no worse end for a soldier.

“Because you died disgracefully—wailing and begging for your life—those feelings that should have been passed on from your parents to Lady Olivia were tragically lost.”

Luis listened in silence as I critiqued him. There were no longer tears in his eyes. His expression held…a deep sense of reflection.

“Despite your age, Sir Luis, you bear a heavy responsibility. You are a soldier and the eldest son of the vel Vine family. You were in the position to become the head, someone to protect the family…including your sister. But you made a mistake. You didn’t just go back on your parents’ wishes—you broke your sister’s heart and left this world.”

I was sure that the following statement would be the cruelest yet, but it had to be said. Those who leave this world could never come back. I couldn’t change Luis’s end or his fate. Even if these were in the hands of the devil…

“Sir Luis. You have a chance to make amends. You can choose a proper death.”

Luis jolted. Behind me, Olivia did as well…but I’d focus on her later. All my attention remained on Luis.

“Right now, you are being controlled. The devil is manipulating your body against your will… Fight the spell that binds you. I’m not suggesting you’ll win. However, there is value in resistance. If you can overcome his will…”

I looked deep into Luis’s eyes before uttering my final statement.

“Your existence will live on forever within your sister. Not as her pitiful brother but as a proud soldier. Your last moments will spark a fire in her heart…and you’ll bring honor to your parents on the other side.”

As soon as I finished, a magic blade appeared in front of Luis. Its tip was aimed right at me.

“…I…I…” His shoulders heaved up and down. His breath grew ragged and his teeth chattered. Even so, he finally closed his eyes…and slowly calmed down. Then…

“I am the eldest son of the vel Vine family. I’ll protect my sister…and become a fine soldier.”

He opened his eyes. They were now cloudless. In that moment, he had broken free of the devil’s grip. The sword pointed at me turned around—and flew toward Luis’s small body as if called there.

“Eugh.”

A small cry escaped his lips. Luis had pierced his own chest with the blade. A second later, the weapon vanished. The small boy collapsed as blood poured from the corners of his mouth.

“Luis!!”

An anguished scream. Olivia raced over to her little brother. She cradled his slight frame in her arms and sobbed.

“Sister…”

Luis was surely suffering and terrified of his impending death. He must have wanted to call out for help…

“Please don’t cry. Unlike me, you’re strong, Sister.”

The boy offered the best smile he could and wiped Olivia’s tears. His lips trembled as he asked her a question.

“Sister. Do I…look like a soldier now? Am I making a face that…Mother and Father wouldn’t scold me for?”

“Yes…! You’re a proud soldier…! Father, Mother, and I…all think you’re incredible…!”

Her tears—a fountain of them—cascaded down to Luis’s cheeks. To him, it was the best blessing he could ask for. Luis’s face was pale as his lips broke into a happy smile.

“Sister…I won’t ask you to save me anymore… Instead, someday…I promise I’ll be reborn as a soldier…who can protect you…”

His shaky hand wiped away her tears once more. Then he crossed to the other side.

“…I see. So this is what you wanted to show me,” the devil called out, breaking the silence. “In the end, honey, you showed off your crafty side.

“You drove her little brother to suicide for your own sake.

“Killed a small child through logic instead of dirtying your own hands.

“My goodness. Someone has the makings of a devil.”

I was sure that, from somewhere unknown, Mephisto was wearing a malicious smile. But his deception wouldn’t work on me.

“Is that what you really think? Are those your true feelings?”

The devil immediately fell silent. I took advantage of this and continued talking. I wanted to prove that I had crushed his evil scheme.

“You called me evil…but you also admitted to a fact you’ve been avoiding—that the situation fell out of your hands.”

Mephisto said nothing.

“You were determined to make Sir Luis suffer through a tragic death. But…see for yourself. Look at his face in death. Can you say his final moments were wrought with anguish? No. You can’t. He defied your bonds and chose a proper end for himself. Therefore—”

Mephisto maintained his silence, and I made my declaration.

“Sir Luis’s death was not a tragedy. It was no different from a soldier’s death that might be found in a hero’s ballad. His final moments did not ring of your intentions, Mephisto Yuu Phegor. In fact, that figure became more than just a wailing child and defied your wicked desire…and that has sparked a flame in us.”

I pointed to the heavens and boldly carried on.

“Absolutely nothing has gone according to your plan.”

The embodiment of evil now faced the unexpected…

“Heh, heh-heh…heh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh…”

Joy. Shock. Hatred. Anguish. Regret. Emotions melded together as he broke into riotous laughter.

“Oh, I knew it. It’s you. It’s always been just you. No one else can show me such a good time, honey.”

As if answering his excitement, the space around us began to tremble. Then—something fell in front of me.

Two eyeballs.

“I take it back. I did say you were uncoordinated, but I was wrong. I’ve gouged out my blind eyes and offered them to you. I was a fool.”

He gave a satisfied sigh and left us with these final words.

“I’m looking forward to our reunion in Megatholium. Keep entertaining me until the final curtain closes.”

And with that, his presence vanished.

I turned back to Olivia. She was still holding tight to Luis’s body…but finally, she laid him on the floor.

“Let’s go. I’m sure he’s giving Sylphy a hard time,” she said, her eyes glimmering with an intense light.

“Yes, let’s be off,” I agreed with a nod, and we hit the ground running.

Sylphy. She had to be suffering right about now, too.

And yet…there was no uncertainty in my heart. In fact, I was hopeful. She’d find her way past this and mature even more. That devil was about to wake a sleeping lion.

Armed with this belief, I raced toward her—