Chapter 169.1

Chapter 169 : The execution

Using <Illusion Mimicry Lynel> and <Concealed Magic Power Najila> to conceal ourselves and our magic powers, we slipped past the Magic Eyes of the demons guarding the area, and left the underground dungeon.

Before long, we should be back on the ground floor of Delsgade.

『Do you think Meno-sensei was able to locate Avos Dilhevia and the rest?』(Lay)

Lay was speaking to me via <Thought Communication Leaks>.

『Who knows. They must be wary of us themselves. So I’d say it’s 50-50.』(Anos)

『Umm, don’t you think all three of them could be in different places?』Eleonore asked while tilting her head.

『I don’t know, but I have no doubt that they’ll want to pit the most appropriate opponents against each of us.』(Anos)

『Which means that they don’t want Lay and Avos Dilhevia to face each other, right?』Sasha asked.

『Yeah. Because based on her rumor and legend, the Hero Kanon and his Sword of Three Races are her natural enemies. However, Shin would be more than capable of fighting Lay on equal terms. And since the Sword of the Three Races is endowed with divine power, it would be ineffective against a god like Nosgalia.』(Anos)

『So they want to pit Lay against Nosgalia?』(Misha)

This time, it was Misha who asked.

『For them, this would be the ideal matchup.』(Anos)

『But I thought Nosgalia couldn’t fight properly ever since you defeated him, Anos-kun.』Eleonore pointed out with a questioning look.

『Except that Avos Dilhevia is there. Since she possesses the blood of the Great Spirit Mother, she even knows how to use spirit magic. If she combines that with the magic power of the Demon KIng of Tyranny and the magic of the gods, it may not be impossible for her to heal the wounds in his source.』(Anos)

There was no way to know for sure, but it was best to assume that Nosgalia was back to perfect condition. No doubt he anticipated this, which is precisely why he behaved with such composure, even though he was weakened at his source by the Abolisher of Reason.

『Nosgalia would face Lay, while Shin and Avos Dilhevia would fight me. As for you guys, they would have my subordinates from two thousand years ago and the Seven Demon Elders hold you up, which is reasonable, considering their overall strength.』(Anos)

『Oh, really? They think it’s going to be that simple?』Sasha said, revealing her fighting spirit.

『More importantly, the Spirit King, it’s Shin, right? Do we have to fight him?』(Sasha)

『…I guess so. Or maybe we don’t need to fight him.』(Anos)

Shin did everything up to this point to keep Avos Dilhevia, or rather, Misa, from getting killed. For his late wife, whom he couldn’t protect.

If so, then perhaps all I had to do was tell him that I would defeat Avos Dilhevia and save Misa.

『But if that man had no intention of fighting us, he would’ve come back to me by now. Then he would’ve explained everything he did with his own words.』(Anos)

『So why didn’t he?』(Sasha)

『Surely because he can’t. Regardless of the circumstances, it doesn’t change the fact that he turned his blade on me. At this point, it’s too late for him to return to his old “sheath” like nothing happened. Although, I don’t think that’s the only reason.』(Anos)

I could vaguely guess what it was, but I couldn’t be sure until I asked him directly.

The least I could tell was that he was waiting for me.

If so, then I had to respond to this.

『I don’t know what it could be, but that’s fine. I know you’ll do something about it anyway. In any case, if Meno-sensei can figure out their location, we’ll have the advantage, right?』(Sasha)

『Yeah. Also—』(Anos)

As I was talking, a voice resonated in the underground dungeon.

“Anos Voldigoad the rebel. We know that you have already invaded the premises of Delsgade.” (Melheis)

That voice. It belonged to Melheis.

“As of now, we shall obey the orders of Avos Dilhevia, and execute the inferior breed, the students in white, one by one. If you want to save them, come to the arena alone. If you don’t, I will kill them one by one.” (Melheis)

Hmm. Just the kind of move I expected.

『Were you going to mention this?』Sasha asked.

『Yeah. Originally, their plan to use the white-uniform students as sustenance for magic power was probably their way to lure me in.』(Anos)

『Since he demanded that you come alone, does this mean that Avos Dilhevia is in the arena?』Eleonore asked.

『…Probably not. I’m sure that the real purpose is to confirm my presence first. And I don’t think they’re foolishly honest enough to believe that I’ll show up either.』(Anos)

『In that case, we’re going there.』Sasha declared, to which Misha nodded.

『We’ve got this.』(Misha)

『Then here’s what we’re gonna do. Eleonore and Zeshia, you’re in charge of rescuing the other white-uniform students. Aside from those about to be executed in the arena, they should still be locked up.』(Anos)

『Got it.』(Eleonore)

Eleonore replied cheerfully, and Zeshia followed suit.

『I will do… my best…』(Zeshia)

Rina turned her gaze at me.

『What about me…?』(Rina)

『Come with me. The Spirit King is waiting.』(Anos)

Rina thought for a moment before replying “Okay.”

She was the Love Fairy Fran. It wasn’t hard to imagine now whom she was lending her own body to.

I saw the past with her. Surely she had a vague idea of who she was.

But I couldn’t let her know everything yet.

If she realized that she was the Love Fairy Fran, she would disappear.

Until she remembered the feeling of love, I couldn’t let her know…

We headed upstairs at a rather quick pace.

We finished climbing the stairs of the underground dungeon, and arrived at the first floor of the Demon King’s Castle.

I thought we might run into a welcoming committee, but apparently, there was no watchman in the area.

“Starting now, we split up.” (Anos)

I removed the <Illusion Mimicry Lynel> spell on Misha and Sasha.

Using <Creative Construction Ibis>, I made them large, pointy hats. By putting all of their hair inside them and wearing them deeply, they could hide their faces to a degree.

“They’re not very powerful, but they’re detection-warding magic gears. By wearing those hats, you’ll somehow avoid catching other people’s attention. If you could sneak around using <Illusion Mimicry Lynel>, that’d be the best option, but in the case of restricted areas, the enemy probably has countermeasures in place.

For instance, Luche used <Wind Wave Schur> to generate some wind and read the air flow. Misha and Sasha had no way to defend against that.

“If they look for intruders who have turned invisible using <Illusion Mimicry Lynel>, those who can see through it will become a blind spot in our operation. It hasn’t been long since Avos Dilhevia took over Demon King Academy. The fact that a demon from two thousand years ago is commanding the royals means that they don’t know the faces of their men very well. If you play your cards right, you two can blend in at the execution.” (Anos)

Misha nodded and used <Creative Construction Ibis> to change her white uniform to black.

“We’re off.” (Misha)