Chapter 145 : Trinity

 Chapter 145.1

Chapter 145 – Trinity

The area in front of me was covered in clouds when I emerged from the monumental stone castle.

With a sweeping glance around, a rift in the clouds can be distinguished, revealing a bridge. Beyond the bridge, the landscape is lush with flora, where a little castle has been erected.

This time, there is no doubt that it is the genuine castle of the Spirit King.

At the next instant, as soon as I step on the ground, my body appears before the castle.

Reaching for the door, I opened it.

As a result of the clash between Lay and the Spirit King, the interior of the castle is in shambles.

The floor was cracked, the pillars were disintegrating, and the walls had various broken parts.

The sound, on the other hand, is the most noticeable aspect.

The place was deathly silent.

Up until a couple of minutes ago, the Spirit King and Lay had been engaged in a heated battle.

If the battle was still ongoing, the absence of even a single sound is improbable.

Has the issue been settled?

As I stepped forward, I made my way to where the throne of the Spirit King was positioned.

Nobody is present. Neither Lay nor Misa nor the Spirit King are in sight.

There is a massive amount of blood forming a puddle there.

At the center of the puddle lies a red jewel.

"Hmm."

Holding my hand over the red gem, I cause it to levitate.

I surrounded it with magic circles in all directions, enclosing it in a spherical magic circle.

"｢Seal Curse Bind Restoration Raelente｣."

It is a magic that breaks seals, curses, and bindings.

Little by little, the jewel begins to crack and shatter.

Accompanied by a faint light, a battered and bruised Lay materialized on the spot.

He collapses on the ground, as though he no longer had the strength to get to his feet.

I supported his body with my arm.

"Even though you were sealed with the Spirit God Human Sword and the Unique Sword, I didn't expect you to lose."

I cast the magic of ｢All Magic Complete Healing Ei Sheal｣ and heal Lay's injuries.

"What about Misa?"

Lay had undoubtedly been imprisoned in the diamond before he could learn what had happened to Misa if he was asking that question.

Had she died, her body would have remained here.

Did you take her so that I wouldn't be able to use ｢Resurrection Sanctuary Theo Ingal｣ on her?

Nonetheless, I don't see why the Spirit King would do such a thing.

The reason he sought to eliminate Misa was that it would be easier for him to defeat Lay.

But although he sealed Lay, he did not kill them.

To destroy Lay thoroughly, with his seven sources, he likely lacked sufficient time.

I suppose he had escaped before I arrived.

If his objective was to eradicate Misa, there would be no necessity for him to resort to such a roundabout way of dealing with the situation.

All he had to do was to inform her that he was her father and call her out before I could locate him.

"It is reasonable to assume that the Spirit King took her away."

"You mean… he's planning to take her as a hostage?"

"Alternatively, Misa may be a child of God. There is the possibility of using that power for some purpose."

Hmm. However, this is tricky.

Am I overlooking something?

No, something is amiss.

If there is just a hint of insight, I have a feeling that I can figure it all out.

"… Anos. The Spirit King, perhaps he is."

"Shin?"

Lay nodded.

"It seemed like he was concealing his swordsmanship, yet it looked somewhat similar to his. Perhaps due to the power of the spirits, he's significantly stronger than he was 2,000 years ago."

Shin is the only demon from 2,000 years ago who could have dominated the present Lay to such an extent.

It is also understandable that the Cursed King's subordinates were in possession of half of the demon swords.

According to Jiste, the Spirit King has existed since 2,000 years ago.

If that is the case, Shin didn't reincarnate?

I can't believe that guy didn't abide by the words he told me.

Or were there circumstances under which he couldn't?

This may have accounted for Shin's current conduct.

What in the world had taken place after my reincarnation?

How did you wind up in the position of the Spirit King?

"Anos!"

When I turned around, both Sasha and Misha were rushing from the door. Following them are Eleonore and Zeshia.

Apparently, they made it through the ordeal in one piece.

"Look! It's Dilhade's magic broadcast!"

Misha shows me the image on ｢Remote Clairvoyance Limnet｣.

The location is the throne room of Delsgade, the Demon King's castle.

There was someone seated there.

He is clad in an ominous mask and a cloak that extends all the way down to his feet.

"My fellow demons."

That guy opens his mouth solemnly.

It's almost as if he's impersonating the Demon King of Tyranny.

"In the last war, we learned the foolishness of mankind. It is not only human beings. This world is also corrupted. Therefore, we, the demon race, must correct it."

His voice matched Lay's voice during the time he was wearing the mask of Anos.

"Gather yourselves together, esteemed royalty of the blood of the Demon King of Tyranny, and join me. To Avos Dilhevia, the Demon King of Tyranny. Together with me, we shall rule this world righteously."

It was distinctly different.

Those words are infused with a grudge that is incomparably different from that of the Spirit King from earlier.

"O ye humble half-breeds, descended from your founder! Bow down to me and be my sustenance. Here in this Dilhade, my lineage is the sole and absolute criterion." Rising to his feet, the masked mozaku spread his arms wide. "Come, my seven demons of my own creation."

On the spot, seven magic circles surfaced, and the seven demons were transported by the magic of ｢Teleportation Gatom｣.

They are the Seven Elder Demon Emperors. Each of them kneels and hangs their heads in allegiance to the Masked Demon King.

"Answer me, Seven Elder Demon Emperors. Who am I?"

The Seven Elder Demon Emperors collectively declared, "The Demon King of Tyranny, Avos Dilhevia. The one who rules the world."

"State our long-cherished wish."

The Seven Elder Demon Emperors unite their voices, "Only the imperial family shall reign, and the ideal of righteousness shall be attained."

Taking a step forward, the Masked Demon King stepped forward.

"We have a foolish half-breed who defies our ideals."

With another step, the Masked Demon King strides forth and lifts his hands.

"Attention, all royalty!" In a stern and vengeful tone, the man said, "Slay the misfit."

Once more, he commands, "Kill Anos Voldigoad!"

His words have a magical tinge to them, and they ensnare the Seven Elder Demon Emperors like a curse.

No, even through the ｢Remote Clairvoyant Limnet｣, curses were reaching out, turning into black shadows that intertwined with Lay, Misha, and Sasha.

"What's this?"

"A verbal curse."

"I feel a compelling force, albeit not a very strong one," Lay mutters.

"I don't feel good about this."

When Sasha glared at it with her 『Magic Eyes of Destruction』, the curse extinguished.

I see.

So that's how things are.

"This guy is not the Spirit King."

With the power of ｢Teleportation Gatom｣, he made an attempt to transport to the castle of the Dersogade Demon King, yet was rendered unsuccessful. It seems that an anti-magic was deployed to obstruct the ｢Teleportation Gatom｣.

However, there is a small hole in the castle that allows allies to be transported. It's possible that the weaker magical power will be able to pass through.

By using magic power, I constructed a magical body that resembled myself and flew it to the Demon King's castle with ｢Teleportation Gatom｣.

My eyes turned white as I focused my attention, and the picture of Avos Dilhevia appeared in my field of vision within seconds.

"What…!?" the Seventh Elder Demon Emperor Gaios raised his voice at the sight of my magical body.

"This was quite a riddle. But now I have found the answer. " I stride forward lazily while saying this.

The Seven Elder Demon Emperors all spring to their feet at once, drawing a magic circle towards me.

Holding them back with his hand, Avos Dilhevia looked down at me.