The chaotic gray energy rising near Ezekiel settled down. The realm had risen.
“Seems like it’s not just any Chill, huh?”
Seina said, observing Ezekiel closely.
“It’s Chill mixed with heat, and it doesn’t feel like just heat—there’s a strangely sharp edge to it. It feels like three energies are mixed together…”
Ezekiel nodded slightly.
“You’re right.”
“…As expected of my master, I have so much to learn!”
Ezekiel forced a smile. Using this kind of ice without accepting another energy would be impossible.
Ezekiel and the two women began to move immediately.
Originally, it was announced that Ezekiel would go alone, but in reality, it wasn’t the case. The elder Seina and secretary Agnes volunteered to join.
Ezekiel accepted after much contemplation.
‘This is also their problem.’
Both Seina and Agnes had been directly betrayed by the Purple Magic Tower. It wouldn’t be surprising if they wished for revenge themselves.
Of course, the women were more worried about Ezekiel, which he didn’t realize.
“The Magic Tower still exudes confidence.”
Agnes fiddled with her cube as she spoke.
“They can’t be unaware that the Imperial Tower has suggested a joint expedition, but they’re still complacent.”
“…In simpler terms, they don’t fear the Imperial Tower or the Emperor’s judgment one bit? They say they’ve summoned elites; maybe they really believe in it.”
Seina clicked her tongue as she spoke, visibly displeased just by thinking about the Purple Magic Tower.
There was indeed a sense of arrogance from that tower.
After betraying them, the Imperial Tower suggested a joint expedition in plain sight. They must know this is a trap, yet they willingly accept.
They must have prepared an even greater scheme.
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
However, Ezekiel said so anyway.
“The elites from that Magic Tower are no problem at all.”
It wasn’t just empty encouragement.
He was prepared. It was simply time for punishment.
Outside the Imperial Capital,
Ezekiel’s party dashed towards their destination without a moment’s rest. Time was of the essence.
The 0th Princess Arcne was still writhing in pain at this very moment; they had to hurry.
“How much longer, secretary?”
“We’re on the right path. It’s just that the terrain is rough…”
Ezekiel quietly nodded at those words.
“These guys were really hiding well.”
The terrain could hardly be called harsh.
Sheer cliffs, grass that grew as tall as a person’s waist, bare branches hanging ominously, the humid heat…
It was an ample setup to drive out humans.
Ezekiel asked Agnes.
“When is the Purple Magic Tower supposed to arrive?”
“I can’t say.”
That was the nerve-wracking part of this joint expedition.
Typically, joint expeditions would gather in advance and depart together, but this time was different. They had decided to meet at their respective destinations.
‘Could they be arriving later than us?’
The group from the Imperial Tower sent a letter stating they had departed simultaneously. They couldn’t have completely ignored it.
It felt strange that they hadn’t sensed any energy from the Magic Tower yet.
“Are those Magic Tower folks planning on being late to engage in an energy contest?”
“Considering their past behavior, there’s a possibility.”
Agnes answered painstakingly.
“Well then, let’s rush. If the Magic Tower is late, that’s another sin we can hold against them.”
“I agree with the inspector.”
The women nodded toward Ezekiel and sped up. They sent their mana out behind them and rushed forward.
Whoooooosh─!
They charged through the difficult terrain without hesitation.
Punishing the Magic Tower, saving Arcne, preparing for a confrontation with the Emperor… This expedition was extremely important, and there was no reason to hesitate.
Of course, Ezekiel was the fastest, but unexpectedly, Agnes and Seina didn’t fall too far behind.
Though they looked strained, they gritted their teeth and kept up.
It was admirable, prompting Ezekiel to casually say,
“Looks like you’ve made some progress in using your mana.”
“…Are you the only one to have done well, inspector?”
Even as Agnes and Seina became drenched in sweat, Ezekiel felt invigorated. The uplifting sensation coursing through him meant he wasn’t even tired from the rush.
How long did they run like that?
“…”
Suddenly, as if predetermined, the three of them stopped. They felt a strange energy nearby.
It was as if a black, sharp aura was gripping them by the shoulder.
Ezekiel was now quite familiar with such a sharp, yet refined energy. He didn’t know why it was there, but he felt he knew whose it was.
“…Seina, Agnes.”
Ezekiel quietly called the names of the two women.
“Yes, I felt it too.”
“I think it’s a Demon; the presence is immense. I didn’t sense this much even in the Underground Maze.”
“Of course not, it’s the Demon Lord’s.”
A heavy silence fell immediately afterward.
Was Ezekiel’s statement that shocking? Agnes and Seina’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“You said Demon Lord?”
“…Demon Lord? Really?”
Ezekiel nodded hesitantly, believing his senses were correct.
“There’s no doubt; it’s definitely a Demon Lord.”
“Why on earth is a Demon Lord here? It can’t be just to protect some leftover minions.”
“…We must have business with them.”
“If there’s business, don’t tell me it’s a fight?”
“Seeing them suppressing their mana, seems they have other intentions. Let’s hope that’s the case.”
Ezekiel spoke candidly about what he felt.
If the Demon Lord wanted to take their lives, there would be no need to expose that much mana while approaching. A surprise attack would be the standard.
Swoosh, swoosh─
The still-sharp mana continued to poke at Ezekiel’s shoulder. It felt like something was nearby, but it was hard to gauge the Demon Lord’s intentions accurately.
‘Are they summoning me?’
Wham─!
Ezekiel utilized the technique of Scatter at once. Obstructions burst apart and his visibility cleared.
As he looked over the wide-open view, he noticed someone standing in mid-air not too far away.
Wearing a translucent garment that almost revealed everything.
White hair that looked as if it had been burned, with an eye patch covering over her eyes. His expectations were right.
Demon Lord Valetta, it was her.
Yet, there was an unsettling feeling he couldn’t shake.
‘…She has no eyes.’
The last time they met in the Demon Realm, she had looked almost perfect, but now she was different. She was binding her eyes with bandages, suggesting she had lost them.
It was certain. She must have lost them in the fight with the Emperor.
“Wait here.”
Ezekiel quickly commanded Seina and Agnes before dashing towards her. He stood directly in front of the Demon Lord.
He initiated a conversation at a distance only the two would hear.
“This continent isn’t a land for you to rule.”
While he spoke, his mind raced. How weakened was the Demon Lord now? Could he handle her if she were at full strength?
Lost in thought, he continued.
“What on earth do you want?”
“…Han-shin, aren’t you also a Demon?”
Valetta slowly parted her lips.
What had happened to her eyes? Blood poured like tears from behind the eye patch.
That scene was oddly majestic yet grotesque.
“I simply came to check on my Demon.”
“You seem to have taken a heavy blow to your eyes. Who’s your Demon? Shape up and focus.”
“Ah, this?”
Valetta, sporting a casual smile, raised her hand toward the eye patch. It looked like it would bring immense pain, but strangely, she didn’t seem to feel it.
“Your Emperor has been rather difficult, you know? I unintentionally became so enraged that I offered my two eyes as a sacrifice to cast a ritual. Quite emotional, I must say.”
That thought had many layers.
The fact that the Demon Lord was in such a state meant, in turn, that the Emperor must be in a rather grave condition as well.
“So? Did you come to complain about losing your eyes?”
“Of course not!”
The Demon Lord grinned widely.
“I came to discuss something very, very, very~ good!”
Whish!
In the next moment, the Demon Lord stood right next to Ezekiel. It seemed like a surprise attack, but it wasn’t.
She simply whispered very softly in his ear.
“About the Goddess Arcne, you see…”
Ezekiel’s body immediately reacted.
“About Arcne?”
In a brief moment, three energies swirled into a gray maelstrom.
Instantly, a spear of ice formed in his hand, differing from the previous blue hue. It shone gray like a blade.
Scrape─.
It sliced through the air at an unbelievable speed.
“…Shut up.”
The Demon Lord’s head flew into the air.
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