Chapter 172.1

Chapter 172 : The sword of a traitor

Avos Dilhevia narrowed her eyes and smiled in a graceful manner.

“Don’t get carried away just because of one victory. You’re only making the extent of your intentions more obvious like that.” she said in a soft voice while glaring at me with her cold eyes.

“Hmm. I see. It’s true that one loss isn’t enough to make you realize that you’re out of your league.” (Anos)

Her gaze grew sharper.

“In that case, I’m gonna add three more victories. This should be enough to make even you understand how outclassed you are.” (Anos)

When I taunted her, she projected different images on each of five crystals using <Remote Clairvoyance Limnet>.

Each displayed a spacious room. White-uniform students were bound with <Magic Restriction Chain Gijel>, and their magic power was being absorbed into <Dark Region Demera>.

“They’re being held captive in the west wing, east wing, south wing, north wing, and main wing, respectively.” (Avos)

Avos Dilhevia sent magic power into the crystals to locally increase the power of <Dark Region Demera> in the five rooms.

The students in white instantly screamed in pain.

Their magic power was absorbed before my eyes.

“I would say they have about ten minutes left before dying.” (Avos)

“Really? So what?” (Anos)

“There’s only three of your subordinates left. Eleonore, Zeshia, and finally, Meno. Even if the three of them split, they would never reach the two remaining rooms in time. Although, if they do split, their fighting power will be diminished, leaving them powerless to save the hostages.” (Avos)

She didn’t take into account the ones in the arena, huh.

She probably dispatched a few soldiers there to buy some time.

“Have you already forgotten what you just witnessed in the arena? Even demons from two thousand years ago can escape your mind control if they’re reincarnated. I might have a few more pieces left, you know?” (Anos)

“Quit bluffing. Do you think I never took notice of the sources of your subordinates? I used my Magic Eyes to scan all the demons in this castle and see whether they came from two thousand years ago. The sole reason those in the arena escaped my inspection is because they were lucky enough to be reincarnated only afterwards.” Avos Dilhevia said with a soft smile.

She must’ve known from the start that her control wouldn’t reach the demons from two thousand heard ago who reincarnated.

If so, then maybe it was safe to assume that the moment she appeared, Avos Dilhevia had already dealt with the demons who were already reincarnated by then.

“In other words, the only demons you have on your side are those who reincarnated just a few hours ago.” (Avos)

“I can only call it foolish of you that you didn’t inspect those same demons.” (Anos)

Although, I guess that was just her prioritizing the acquisition of the Abolisher of Reason.

“Oh, but that’s just because there was no need for that.” (Avos)

Avos Dilhevia smiled, as if relishing in some victory.

“Think about it and you’ll understand why. All of your subordinates who were only reincarnated in the last few hours can’t tell exactly who is friend or foe. If they try to confirm it themselves, my subordinates will take notice of them. Therefore, they can’t afford to ask around carelessly.” (Avos)

If they said anything about siding with Anos Voldigoad, and their interlocutors turned out to be on Avos Dilhevia’s side, then they’d surely get captured.

It’d be hard to gather only a handful of allies and act in an organized manner when there were nothing but enemies around them. If there was even one enemy mixed in with all the allies they gathered, Avos Dilhevia would be the first one to know.

“In just a few hours, it will become difficult for them to tell who is on Anos Voldigoad’s side and who is on Avos Dilhevia’s. The only ones who managed to tell them apart were those six in the arena.” (Avos)

She giggled as if to taunt me.

“You may have thought you had me outwitted, but in reality, all you did was bring your own subordinates, who were hiding in plain sight, into the open.” (Avos)

As she sat on the throne, she spoke to me condescendingly.

“I think you and Kanon should just go and help them, Anos. And when you come back, I’ll deal with you again. Using your pride and joy, Venuzdonoa, that is.” (Avos)

When Avos Dilhevia held up the palm of her hand, some of the magic letters in the room flew off and were rewritten into something else.

She must’ve thought that I only had enough time to leave and come back here, then she would be able to get her hands on the Abolisher of Reason.

“Hmm. You’re right, it would be hard for those who were reincarnated to find allies in just a few hours. And I wouldn’t have enough time to find them and give them orders either.” (Anos)

As I said that, I used <Thought Communication Leaks> to send a message via a certain crystal.

“But there’s one way to find my reincarnated comrades without the enemy knowing.” (Anos)

I spoke to my subordinate from two thousand years ago in the arena.

“Isn’t that right, Davidra?” (Anos)

And he immediately replied.

『Avos Dilhevia the False Demon King.』(Davidra)

His telepathic message transmitted from the crystal echoed in the room.

『Do you know Anosh Porticollo?』(Davidra)

“…What is he talking about?” (Avos)

It was then that Avos Dilhevia had a confused look on her face.

Violent explosions roared from the five crystals.

When I looked, I saw that the white-uniform students who were displayed on the five <Remote Clairvoyance Limnet> crystals had been freed from their <Magic Restriction Chain Gijel> binds.