Chapter: 316
The plains stained black by miasma.
In the quiet plains, where no living beings existed, a sudden slight ripple occurred.
The miasma flowing around had accidentally congregated in one place.
The gathered miasma soon took on the shape of a living creature and landed on the ground.
…■■■?
What had just happened was referred to as a ‘Lower-ranked Demonic Beast.’
It wasn’t strongly influenced by any witch’s miasma, but rather produced from the diluted miasma scattered in the atmosphere, born without any particular abilities.
The lower-ranked demonic beasts born this way instinctively moved according to their urges from the moment they were born.
Of course, they had the instinctive desire for survival that all creatures share, but among all desires, the most representative urge of lower-ranked demonic beasts was appetite.
Instinctively seeking to find and devour any living things around them.
The reason for this is a matter of debate even among researchers studying demonic beasts.
The most plausible theory at the moment is that most of the miasma scattered around the world originated from the activities of the Witch of Gluttony, implying that lower-ranked demonic beasts were minimally affected by it.
Of course, this is merely speculation; the exact reason remains unknown.
Regardless of the reason, this particular lower-ranked demonic beast also moved according to its primal urge of appetite.
■■■!
While wandering around looking for something to eat, the demonic beast suddenly discovered a place that appeared to be overflowing with food in the distance.
Unbeknownst to the beast, it was a defense mechanism protecting the Human City.
Driven by the thought of a hearty meal, the lower-ranked beast quickly bolted toward that direction.
But in that moment.
The front paw it had thrust forward to run suddenly disappeared.
No, not just the front paw, but even the front legs that followed.
Though nothing was visible, the demonic beast watched as its body seemed to be erased beyond some sort of boundary.
■■───?!
Only after the front legs had completely vanished did the beast realize.
Ah, there’s something here.
This is a place I shouldn’t approach.
However, by the time the beast realized that, it was already too late.
Despite having lost its front leg, the inertia carried the remaining body forward, and the lower-ranked demonic beast, just born, vanished without leaving a trace.
Right after that, the air that had made the lower-ranked beast disappear rippled, revealing something for a brief moment.
At a glance, it appeared to be a colossal pillar.
However, if one were to look up at the top of the pillar, they would realize that it was not a pillar at all, but rather the leg of a massive creature.
The size was so enormous that it instinctively called to mind the word ‘mountain.’
If that lower-ranked beast that had just smashed into the leg could see this scene, it might feel wronged.
If it had known that such a large and fearsome existence was there, it would have never dared to approach.
But there was nothing to be done.
A lower-ranked demonic beast, possessing no real abilities.
Unlike middle-tier beasts that handle witches’ abilities in a somewhat weakened state, this giant beast was classified as a high-tier demonic beast, with powers almost akin to those of a witch.
Moreover, this colossal high-tier beast was likely so powerful that it could even be classified as a top-tier demon.
If such a powerful beast was deliberately using its abilities to conceal its presence and appearance, how could a mere lower-ranked beast notice it?
The lower-ranked beast simply fell prey to a natural disaster.
No one could have known that such a powerful being was lurking and hiding right there.
Indeed, no one ever knew.
The reason such a powerful existence was concealing itself and standing there was to act as an overseer for someone.
*
“……Bae, could it be that it’s John now?”
-…■■■?
“……It can’t be; your powers are released now.”
-■■■…
The giant beast, which had briefly revealed itself while yawning at what the girl with dark violet hair said, made a small sound like it was playing dumb and hid its shape again.
The scene of that giant body melting back into the air as if nothing had happened was truly surreal.
It was possible because the giant beast was a high-tier beast capable of wielding the powers of Sloth.
Even with its threatening size, this giant beast wielding the powerful ability of Sloth was nothing short of a calamity.
In the past, the dwarves had feared this giant beast that trampled their city so much they called it the beast of doom, Behemoth.
If the dwarves, now extinct, could see Behemoth serving as an oversight for the girl, they would surely be weeping in the afterlife.
Anyway, atop the now concealed Behemoth, the girl with dark violet hair, Beatrice, was wondering what Eva was up to.
It was voyeurism—no, observation.
To Beatrice, who usually found little interest in matters, the existence of Scarlet Evande was, for the first time in a long while, a subject of interest.
So, since she began to call her Eva, she had been watching her from the shadows.
Even when the Witch of Gluttony was sealed, and when the Witch of Lust led the demonic beasts to invade the city.
And even when she went out to defeat the Witch of Lust.
Having grown lazy, Beatrice relied on Behemoth to diligently traverse the continent in her place.
Regardless, Beatrice had been quietly observing Eva all along.
Her precarious yet determined journey was a rather amusing spectacle.
Up until now.
“This time, it seems Eva is in a bit of trouble.”
Having watched her closely, Beatrice knew exactly why Eva was in trouble.
Even without that, any witch would have felt it.
The presence of the Witch of Gluttony, who would soon awaken from her seal.
When the Witch of Gluttony first awoke, it was indeed Beatrice who sealed her, and it was a surprising event even for her.
However, that event was merely a temporary measure.
If the Witch of Gluttony were to awaken again this time, could Eva overcome her?
“Hmm, it’s absolutely impossible…”
Beatrice could guarantee this.
If the Witch of Gluttony were to awaken in this state, even Eva would be unable to do anything.
The Witch of Gluttony was a being she wasn’t sure she could defeat even with her own powers.
Others might find it incomprehensible how illogical this was.
But this was something Beatrice could say because she was aware of just how powerful she truly was.
There’s a saying about talent or aptitude.
Doesn’t it make the strengths of individuals among humans notably distinct?
Witches were no different.
Beatrice was aware that she had a particularly unique talent among witches.
She would be confident enough to emerge victorious even if the entire world turned against her.
However, geniuses, as the saying goes, recognize each other.
The moment Beatrice saw that the Witch of Gluttony possessed capabilities that could be compared to her own, she instinctively felt it.
Such extraordinary strength that it would be unjustifiable for others.
The ability to survive even if the world were to perish one day.
The Witch of Gluttony possessed similar traits.
Because of such a being, Eva would die at the hands of the awakened Witch of Gluttony, and the world would come to an end this time.
That was the inevitable, inescapable conclusion.
Thinking of this, Beatrice simply…
“Well, I can’t help it…”
With a nonchalant expression, she displayed an indifferent reaction.
It would be strange to feel regret over something natural.
Even if the world were to end, it had nothing to do with Beatrice.
In this mundane world, things never happen outside the expected, so it wouldn’t matter whether it perished or not.
This thought crossed Beatrice’s mind.
Suddenly, a faint feeling of displeasure flashed across her eyes, which had been full of boredom.
“Wow, so you were here? I thought you were completely hidden!”
The sudden appearance of an unexpected visitor startled her.
Beatrice squinted her eyes and clenched her fist, punching Behemoth gently as she said.
“…Bae, it’s your fault I got found out.”
The person before her was an annoying existence that would show up even if she was buried underground if she didn’t hide her presence.
It had been a hassle to conceal herself perfectly, but due to Behemoth yawning a moment ago, her powers had been briefly loosened, leading to her discovery.
Since this was already the case, Beatrice murmured to the hooded woman, who stood before her with a beaming smile.
“…So, what do you want?”
“Ah ha! You’re going straight to the point without any greetings? How cold, but that’s fine! I just wanted to set up a last request in advance.”
Beatrice frowned at the woman’s words.
Between Beatrice and the woman before her, there had been a contract made the previous day.
A deal was struck: in exchange for pulling her out from underground, she would grant her three requests later.
At that time, Beatrice had taken an interest in her kindred unexpectedly after being buried underground for centuries and had carelessly accepted the contract.
Had she known it would be such a hassle, she would have turned it down back then; Beatrice lamented her past self for not carefully agreeing to the terms.
“I get it, but this is the last one… what is it?”
“Do you happen to know that the Witch of Gluttony is about to awaken and that her seal will soon be broken?”
“I know…”
“If you know, then the discussion moves quickly! When the Witch of Gluttony awakens, she’ll try to devour everything and end the world!”
The woman said with a deep grin.
“If the world ends like that, I want you to fight the Witch of Gluttony! Until one of you dies! It would be even better if you both died while fighting!”
“……What?”
Beatrice asked, dumbfounded, as she couldn’t fathom the woman’s reason for the request.
“Are you telling me to just go ahead and fight her without even asking you to protect her? I don’t understand the reason…?”
“What? You want to know the reason? Since this is the last time, should I tell you specially?”
At Beatrice’s question, the woman replied with a smile.
And right after, the face of the woman, who had been smiling broadly just moments ago, turned emotionless.
Beatrice could tell from the sudden 180-degree shift in atmosphere that this was the woman’s true face.
Was her previous appearance a mere act to conceal this true visage?
Thinking about this, Beatrice heard the woman mutter softly.
“After wrapping up the play and letting the curtain fall, it’s not ideal for two unmanageable roles to cause trouble after the end of the show, right? So, I’m considering giving those troublemakers a small penalty. What, is it not to your liking?”
I see, so she wasn’t just a little crazy, but completely mad.
Noting the woman’s words, which felt a bit off-kilter for a witch, Beatrice shook her head and responded.
“No, it’s fine. I just have to fight that witch, right? I get it, so you can leave now…”
“Really? Ah ha ha, then I’ll take my leave! It seems this will be our last meeting! Let’s meet again in the afterlife~”
As if her previous face had been a lie, the woman donned her comical mask once more and began to leave.
However, before she vanished, Beatrice, who had been quietly watching her, casually asked.
“By the way, was it really you who released the Witch of Gluttony?”
“Huh? And?”
“If I remember correctly, before I got involved, I put a contract in place to keep my hands off Eva…”
“W-Wait!!! I didn’t touch her according to the contract! I didn’t, I swear!”
“……Wordplay.”
“I-I’m leaving now!!!”
As Beatrice slightly raised her hand in warning, the woman was startled and fled somewhere.
Seeing that, Beatrice lowered her hand again.
Sure, it had irked her a bit when the woman toyed with the contract, but she hadn’t genuinely intended to kill her.
Besides, the woman hadn’t actually lied.
In any case, if this kind of wordplay scenario was permitted.
The content of the contract made with the woman just prior was that in a situation where the world was about to end, she should fight the Witch of Gluttony.
Beatrice gazed down at the place where the Human City was located, where Eva was, and smirked slightly.
“Well then, before that witch ends it all, it’s fine for me to finish it off myself, right?”
If fate was decided to end, it wouldn’t matter if she wrapped it up with her own hands.
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