༺ Evil Ghost ༻
Wasn’t it truly hilarious?
Clearly, until just a moment ago, we were in an overwhelmingly disadvantageous situation in this battle.
The Royal Knights who were the strongest in close combat.
And the Mage Tribunal Judges who were in charge of handling mages who deviated from the proper path.
These supreme powers worked together in the Kingdom, where swords and magic coexisted.
However, with just these two girls joining the battle, I could start to see the scales tip to our side, which was obscure before. We finally had a winning chance; the power balance on the scales had been restored.
Of course, winning here didn’t simply mean defeating or eradicating them all.
“Don’t kill anyone. Just clear the path.”
“What?”
“Huh?”
The two turned back to me with expressions of discontent.
“I mean, they were the ones trying to kill you, Professor. I was thinking of tearing them apart and feeding them to the dogs.”
“Master Bastard, I don’t consider something where no blood is shed as a fight. That’s just children playing.”
Though they had completely opposite personalities, the conclusion they came with was oddly the same, which was quite amusing.
Witnessing their bold response and despite it being a letdown for them, I retorted with unwavering certainty.
“Just shut up and follow.”
I had to assert firm control in order to manage people as unrestrained as them. Eventually, they complied with my demands.
“Hmph! Got it, Professor!”
Aria swung her sword with an ecstatic expression, she seemed to be in a good mood.
Even though it was a playful sight, a sense of pressure could be felt from her actions.
She wasn’t the protagonist on her second run after watching the ending for nothing.
“Sigh, I suddenly lost interest. Well, considering this axe is pretty lame, I probably wouldn’t leave a scratch on their armor anyway.”
Findenai commented sarcastically as she stared at Darius’s axe in her hand. Nonetheless, she threw the box she had been carrying on her back to me.
“Oh, right. Take this.”
“….”
The box had a bumpy landing, rolling across the floor towards my feet with a rattle. I frowned at the sight.
“Do you not know what’s inside?”
“Huh, I do, though. How did you even know where a thing like that was hidden?”
The item I tried to secure by sending Aria and Fındenai.
Depending on whose perspective, it could be considered the most valuable item on the continent. But seeing how Findenai handled it, indeed, it was a different case for her.
Since I needed someone to take care of it, I immediately handed it to Deia, who was right behind me.
“It’s something important. Keep it safe.”
“Huh?”
Since Deia used a magic gun, she wouldn’t be much help in combat.
Then, the trio from the Scrapyard Nomad rushed past me and went towards the front.
“Chief! Long time no see!”
“Hiya! You’re still wearing that?”
“People from this kingdom really are insane!”
Watching her comrades gladly run towards her, Fındenai also playfully smiled.
“Hey, you punks, grab your weapons quickly. Don’t make us, the Scrapyard Nomads, lose face.”
“Aye!”
The trio, who just reunited with Findenai, began to brim with energy. It was a stark contrast to their previously listless demeanor.
“Are they your support?”
Ropelican, who was standing by my side, brushed his beard and asked. I slightly nodded and responded with confidence.
“Those two will be able to buy us enough time.”
“They are certainly not ordinary people. Especially that young girl… Even I can’t gauge her strength at all.”
Aria, who somehow had started the battle, was now raging like a storm against the Mage Tribunal Judges.
Since the Judges specialized in facing mages, Aria solely employed her swordsmanship.
“Be grateful for the Professor’s mercy. I was originally going to kill everyone here.”
Due to Presiding Judge Tyren’s internal injuries from our previous battle, there was a sluggishness in his movements, making it easier for Aria to handle him.
“Keugb!”
“The Professor is not someone you can treat as you wish.”
Aria not only acquired the item I requested, but also her own sword. It was a unique item called, ‘Libelungen Sword’, which she was now wielding.
Looking at the battle, Findenai appeared somewhat inferior to her.
It seemed that the absence of any equipment she used as a boss in the game made a significant impact.
“You can go support my maid. Aria can handle it alone.”
“Hmm, understood.”
Ropelican’s mana resonated once more, its echo reverberating through the ground. With an unfavorable matchup against the Mage Tribunal Judges, facing the Knight Order would be more comfortable for Ropelican.
“Shall I go too?”
Darius asked, drawing his sword as he stepped forward. Contemplating which side to aid, he glanced at the Knight Order, where Findenai stood, then shifted his gaze to Aria on the opposite side.
“Tsk, you’re still scared of her, huh?”
Deia clicked her tongue disapprovingly as she looked at Darius, who still bore the trauma from his encounter with Findenai.
However, I placed my hand on Darius’s shoulder as he was about to confront the Mage Tribunal Judges.
“Break through the Knight Order. Follow me closely.”
Considering Darius’s capabilities, he should be able to clear the path ahead, so I called him separately.
I also gestured to Deia and instructed her to stay close behind.
“I am going to go too?”
“Yes, there is something you need to do.”
I didn’t plan it with this intention, but the items inside the box Deia currently held were the most effective tools to resolve this incident.
Just as we were about to penetrate the Royal Knights’ side.
Clang!
Findenai’s axe clashed with Gloria’s crimson greatsword. With a fierce explosion, the two women moved in sync as if coordinating their breaths.
“Step aside!”
Unfortunately, the Royal Knight Commander, Gloria, had the upper hand.
However, Findenai was someone able to grow stronger over time as the battle continued, so I wasn’t sure what might happen if more time passed.
As for now, Gloria’s dominance between the two of them was evident.
“Are you nuts?!”
Nevertheless, Findenai’s gaze remained unfazed. Instead, she laughed in amusement, showcasing a more diverse set of movements.
Findenai’s nimble movements mocked the Knight’s stiff and proper movements.
Findenai performed acrobatic stunts, which was born out of her experience facing countless crises as a member of the resistance movement.
Despite Findenai suddenly avoiding a head-on confrontation, Gloria remained calm and swung her sword with composure.
Her proper yet sturdy appearance could be considered the epitome of a knight.
Unfortunately, Findenai was the type of person who prioritized the outcome over the process.
With her white hair fluttering, Findenai stepped back, and a giant hand emerged from the ground, suppressing Gloria.
“Such a pathetic magic!”
Gloria’s sword swiftly slashed through the giant hand, reducing it to a handful of soil.
Concealed within the pile of dirt, Findenai was able to strike again, this time squarely hitting Gloria’s chest.
However, the axe’s blade was damaged, losing its value as a weapon. This prompted Findenai to raise her foot.
She, who had been targeting a single decisive blow, concentrated her mana as if the moment had arrived.
Bang!
“Keuk!”
Gloria was pushed back, but even with such a powerful blow, her armor remained intact.
‘The difference in their equipments’ levels are too significant.’
The more I looked, the more I thought that way.
At that moment, Ropelican hurriedly ran to my side and shouted,
“By itself, clearing the way is not easy. Can I use a little trick?”
Understanding what he was trying to do, I nodded without hesitation.
“Come here, Deia.”
“Huh?”
“Excuse me.”
Deia didn’t expect to be suddenly called, but I ignored her confusion. I placed my hand on her waist and signaled to Ropelican.
“W-What are you doing!”
Startled, Deia tried to break free, but we were already swept away by the wind and flying into the sky.
“I’ll leave you with the landing!”
Blown away by Ropelican’s tremendous wind, we flew towards the Royal Palace.
The Mage Tribunal Judges and Knights, attempting to stop us, aimed their spells and sword auras at us.
I was protected by the Dark Spiritualist’s magic, since she was following behind me and by the efforts of my companions below.
“Kyaaaack!”
The experience of flying was unfamiliar to Deia as she screamed, wrapping her hands and feet around my neck and waist.
It was hard to move around because of Deia, so I searched for a landing spot after turning my gaze towards the Royal Palace.
The ominous energy belonging to the evil spirit who had taken possession of King Orpheus’s body, had permeated the entire palace, indicating its formidable strength.
It was chilling beyond measure. For the first time in a while, encountering an evil spirit in this situation made my heart flutter.
“Sigh.”
It turned out that there was still a part of me capable of feeling surprised when facing an evil spirit. With that thought, I chuckled and turned towards the balcony.
It was a place filled with memories of Eleanor.
Despite landing smoothly with mana, Deia still clung to me like a koala, her body trembling all over.
“You’re heavy. Get off.”
Upon my remark, she regained her senses, swiftly separating from me with a startle, while pretending to cough a few times.
“B-being at such a height is scarier than I thought. It is not the same as just peering down from the railing.”
Of course, anyone would be scared if they flew up like that without any safety measures. I quickly warned Deia, who was lost in her thoughts.
“Be sure to take care of the items on your back. I might need your help.”
“…Help? What is that supposed to mean?”
I stopped Deia by grabbing her hand. She was trying to open the box to peek at the item inside.
“Don’t open it. It will be detected immediately.”
Considering the massive energy spread throughout the Royal Palace, it was obvious that the evil spirit would notice if there were any slight openings.
“Since you have good judgment, you’ll figure out what it is once you see it.”
“…Alright.”
Perhaps feeling burdened by the trust I gave her, Deia avoided eye contact. I nodded and headed towards the corridor connecting the banquet hall.
Thud!
Another massive figure plunged onto the balcony. Unlike how we landed smoothly, he rolled clumsily and only stopped after tumbling against the wall.
“Ouch! My knees got scraped.”
As he groaned, Darius quickly got up.
“Do you think I would not follow, and just let the two of you go?”
Watching Darius speak confidently, I blinked for a moment but eventually nodded, giving his shoulder a light tap.
“It is good to have you.”
Deia and Darius, not expecting such straightforward gratitude, briefly looked at me in a daze. However, I ignored them and headed straight into the corridor.
Only then did the two come to their senses and follow behind me.
As we entered the corridor, the Dark Spiritualist frowned and said,
[There’s a strong energy here.]
“Yes, I can feel it too.”
“…Are you talking to a ghost?”
Deia realized that I was talking to the Dark Spiritualist. However, I didn’t have time to explain.
Though it might not be visible to ordinary people, I could see that the Royal Palace corridors were already tainted with the energy of the evil spirit.
Perhaps it was due to the late hour, but all I could see was darkness, rendering the path concealed and causing me to lose my sense of direction.
This was another inconvenience I didn’t anticipate.
‘The energy seems to be coming from the audience chamber.‘
I glanced at Deia and said,
“Can you guide me to the audience chamber?”
“Huh? It’s not difficult, but…”
“Please.”
Since spirits were not visible, neither were their energies. Deia took a big stride to step into the darkness.
With her to lead me, I placed my hand on her shoulder and followed. However, she noticed something a bit odd.
“Why aren’t there any guards?”
“The corridor seems empty.”
Upon realizing this, Deia and Darius commented. The place was completely dark, and with me knowing nothing about my surroundings, I couldn’t help but remain silent, pondering the reason. I was unable to come up with a clear answer.
Like this, we smoothly arrived at the audience chamber.
Feeling the door’s texture with my palm, I took a deep breath and turned to stare at the two.
There was no need to ask if they were ready.
From the left, I could feel a strong wind from Darius’ breath, while from the right, I could smell Deia’s cool fragrance.
Creak.
Thus, without any hesitation, I opened the door.
Unlike outside, the audience chamber was not filled with darkness. However, the reason could be easily understood.
Countless people knelt and respectfully bowed towards the throne. Not only the guards, but numerous servants working in the Royal Palace also formed a queue.
Additionally, people living in the accommodations provided for employees working in the palace were also present.
“Wha-what’s going on?”
Hearing Deia’s gasp, I directed my attention ahead.
The carpet, once red, had now taken on a hazy, deep midnight blue hue as it extended towards a massive throne.
The man seated on the throne was the King, under a curse.
A sinister creature with a grim face and small horns on its head possessed the King’s body and hovered behind him.
This was another type of possession.
[You… you can see me?]
The grim-faced creature, immediately realizing I could see its true form, turned towards me and asked.
After signaling the two to step back, I walked on the carpet.
“Yes, I can clearly see your demon-like figure.”
Thinking that it was ridiculous, the evil spirit sneered mockingly.
[A demon-like figure? How foolish. I am a demon—a transcendent being with immortality beyond human limits.]
“Stop bluffing. If anything, you’re probably in the process of becoming a demon.”
[……]
Perhaps I perfectly hit a sore spot, the grim-faced creature momentarily fell silent.
“How many souls have you devoured for horns to grow on an ordinary human’s head? According to my knowledge, this is beyond common sense.”
[I have been doing this for no less than centuries. What can a mere necromancer like you—a criminal—possibly know?]
It was a monster that devoured the souls of deceased humans, and thus aimed to transcend beyond humanity.
That creature gestured with its chin towards the Dark Spiritualist, who was standing behind me, and laughed.
[That bitch is quite impressive. You’ll make excellent nourishment.]
[……]
As a necromancer, the Dark Spiritualist was also aware of how extraordinary the entity before us was. However, she could only remain silent in its presence.
Even a formidable necromancer like the Dark Spiritualist dared not compare; the power gap between them was clearly evident.
It was so powerful.
This being obviously possessed enough strength to engulf Griffin Kingdom.
It had surpassed the norms of being just an evil spirit.
An evil ghost.
And currently, I was staring at something in the process of becoming more. The process of becoming a demon.
“How ridiculous.”
A sneer involuntarily appeared on my lips.
[The bearer of Lemegeton, do you believe in that mere stone?]
The creature opened its mouth as if he was about to devour something, but he immediately laughed.
[Lemegeton’s owner was originally a demon. But he gave the stone to a boy who wished to save his mother, as both a blessing and a curse.]
“….”
[Now, I shall take it. It is indeed such a sweet fruit.]
The Lemegeton in my hand resonated. I raised my hand to look at it and replied,
“Did you get blinded by a mere stone like this?”
[……]
“Necromancers are those closest to death, yet they have never reached that level.”
The boundary line between life and death.
They were those who listened to the stories of both sides from the closest point to the line.
However, the line was not horizontal but vertical.
“The dead are just that. Dead. Do not dare to so casually invade the realm of the living.”
The grim-faced creature began to mockingly laugh at my words as if they were utterly ridiculous.
[Are you currently teaching me black magic? Are you trying to tell me how to perform necromancy? I have now become the Demon of Griffin! In my past life, I was a mage who shook the continent, diving into the very extremity of taboo!]
“That was a meaningless power.”
Despite confidently declaring its achievements, the creature suddenly seemed pathetic.
This was a lifetime of ignorance, stemming from its inability to grasp the essence of the study he had pursued even beyond death.
“You’re talking about immortality, right? Did you forsake your humanity in order to become a demon?”
[……]
“You’re just a third-rate coward who only knows how to run away, unable to grasp the meaning, intention, and weight of death.”
Blaze.
“A damned piece of fodder who denies death, even while in companionship with the dead.”
Blue flames blazed from my hand. I felt like I could already see the end of this battle.
He fled from death…
And shed its guise as a human…
Thus fully transforming into an evil ghost.
“Learn from this, you, a moron who has failed to realize anything amidst countless deaths you’ve witnessed.”
If a lesson would be the only thing he could take from me…
“A bastard like you doesn’t deserve to rest in peace.”
Absolute extinction was the only thing I had prepared for him.
