Part 1
「Diablo.」
His name was called.
He thought “whose voice is that”.
He felt like it sounded like Shera’s voice, but another young girl came to mind.
──Was it Rem?
「Diablo, please wake up.」
Ahh, this time it was definitely Rem’s voice.
What came into his view……
「Eh!?」
There was no mistake it was Rem.
However, her attire was not her usual equipment, the 《Layer of Secret Stone》.
It was like a pure white wedding dress……No, it was too transparent for that. It had an appearance like that of alluring underwear.
Next to her, Shera was also there.
As expected, she also had a similar outfit that made it difficult for him to figure out where to place his eyes.
Getting onto their knees on the bed, they brought their bodies closer.
「Diablo♡」
──You guys……what’re you doing……!?
「O……o……u」
He couldn’t properly put his thoughts into words. This wasn’t time for his Demon King role play.
Rem whispered close to his ear.
「……Diablo, it’s your fault.」
Shera joined in.
「That’s right, it’s Diablo’s fault.」
──I’m the one to blame!?
He thought about what he was to blame for. There were too many things that came to mind. To begin with, it was because he didn’t have any self-confidence that he had a communication disorder. If he was told that he was to blame, he would end up thinking that he should start apologizing from the fact he was born.
When he looked back on his life up until now, there were failures, regrets, setbacks……and evasion……
「Uuu……」
Diablo tried to crawl away and escape.
For some reason, he felt that way.
──Why am I trying to run away from Rem and Shera who are in transparent dress-like attire this desperately?
The reason was……
*Hyu* A sensation of floating in the air.
*Gotsun!* He hit his head.
Since he had a sturdy body, it didn’t hurt all that much, but he slowly became embarrassed.
When he opened his eyes, Diablo had fallen off from the bed and onto the floor.
「S, so it was a dream.」
He breathed a sigh.
He thought it was strange for Rem and Shera to suddenly wear that sort of outfit.
The reason for both the absurd scene and his own strange action was clear. Dreams were that sort of thing.
Being too tired and seeing a strange dream, was not a first for him.
──I wonder what time it is right now?
It was dark outside the window.
Singing voices could still be heard from the main street.
It doesn’t seem like he slept for several hours.
The lack of the numerous cultural conveniences that were in modern Japan was surprisingly not all that troubling to his lifestyle, but he at least wanted a clock.
*Don don don!* His door was vigorously knocked on.
He was surprised by the sudden event.
Diablo jumped up from the floor.
However, letting out a rushed voice wasn’t Demon King-like. Taking a deep breath, he regained his role play.
「Who is there!? How noisy!」
『It’s terrible, Diablo-san!』
The voice that came from the other side of the door, was Boris.
He shouted at him.
「So stubborn! I told that I wouldn’t go to the celebratory banquet, didn’t I!?」
『Rem-san has! Made an attempt on assassinating Celestine-sama!』
He was unable to understand the meaning of his words immediately.
Diablo’s thoughts came to a standstill.
During that time, Boris continued his words.
『Not long ago! Rem-san, she visited the Magician’s Guild. In the middle of her giving a report to Celestine-sama, she attacked her with magic!』
「That’s absurd!」
『Th, that is how I feel as well but……there are many eye-witnesses……』
「Where is Rem……!?」
『According to the reports, it seems that she was cornered at the western ramparts.』
He was relieved that she was alive, but it was not a situation that he could happily welcome at all.
Diablo arranged his equipment.
He put on his mantle that he took off, and continued talking while putting on his boots.
「What of Celes!?」
『Rem-san’s attack missed, and after that, due to the presence of the Adventurer’s Guild Guildmaster, it seems that the assault ended at being an attempt.』
──What’s going on?
He was nothing but baffled.
Rem always held gratitude towards Celes. Even this time, she should have gone to make a report out of feeling a debt of gratitude for being allowed her freedom.
Did it seem like she was going to be confined at the Magician’s Guild? No, the current Rem was no longer a vessel of a Demon King. There was no reason to constrain her.
Besides, if it was something that the Magician’s Guild side had started, the need to expressly do it in front of Celes was……
Diablo held his magic staff in his hand, and came out from the room.
Boris moved to the side.
「Please go to the former site of the west gate. If she hasn’t made any big movements, it will be at the ramparts that haven’t crumbled near the gate.」
Uttering *Umu!*──He suddenly felt discomfort about something.
「Boris, did you say that Rem attacked with magic?」
「Yes.」
「Not with a Summoned Beast?」
「It seems that it was Chemical Elemental Magic.」
*Zowa* A chill ran down Diablo’s spine.
「Was that really Rem!? She is a Summoner! She isn’t able to use Chemical Elemental Magic strong enough to kill a person!」
Boris’s face rapidly turned pale.
「Ah, ahhhh!」
「This matter, tell it to Rose and the others! I will head out first!」
Normally, with this much of an uproar going on, everyone probably would have come out from their rooms.
However, Sasala was totally exhausted and sleeping.
Rose was also in a similar situation. After pouring magical power into her, she ended up in a state similar to falling into a deep sleep. The need for self-restoration was probably a cause.
What about Edelgart? Since she was nearly extinguished in the earlier battle, although she is a Demonic Being, she is probably far from being in normal condition.
Those girls couldn’t be counted on.
Diablo rushed out from the inn.
──Rem, right now, what is going on with you!?
Part 2
It was just how it was in the information.
When he turned his face to the north from the collapsed west gate, at a distance where the hustle and bustle could be heard, a crowd with a heavy atmosphere was made.
The soldiers and curious onlookers had formed a ring.
Several torches were lit, and it was only there that that had become bright as if it were daytime.
The gazes of the people had gathered at the top of the slanted rampart.
Someone was there.
At the top of the rampart, there was the figure of a young black haired girl.
So it was Rem.
At the top of the slanted rampart, there was no one but her. Although the soldiers had formed lines below, none of them tried to climb up the rampart.
The ones that stood at the front of the soldiers, were Lamnites and Sylvie.
「Surrender, Rem Galeu! You have nowhere to run!」
「Rem-saーn, let us hear your circumstances. We won’t treat you badly! Okay?」
──These are the two worst people.
One mustn’t be fooled by their allure and cuteness. Both Lamnites and Sylvie were actually thickheaded. They had personalities where they wouldn’t mind making sacrifices for the sake of their organizations.
They were virtuous people that prioritized the law.
They were virtuous people, but the law would be prioritized.
It would probably be impossible to persuade them and get them to leave this place to him. If done poorly, there was a chance that Diablo would be constrained first as Rem’s accomplice.
「From here……I guess I’ll head there from above.」
He poured magical power into his SSR-class equipment boots, the 《Empty Sky’s Dance》.
Displaying the effect of Flight Magic, his body floated in the air.
*Hyuu* He flew up to the top of the rampart.
Seeing his figure, the soldiers made a stir. Was the reason why they didn’t mistake him for a Demonic Being because Lamnites was also able to use Flight Magic?
It was fortunate that there were also many soldiers that knew about Diablo from the earlier fight. There wasn’t anyone that thoughtlessly fired projectiles at Diablo who had defeated the Great Demon King.
Diablo arrived at the slanted rampart.
It was cracked, bent, and looked like it would crumble at any moment.
While taking caution, he got down to a place that was about ten steps away from her.
「Rem!」
「……ッ!?」
She opened her eyes wide open looking surprised.
For better or for worse……it was unmistakably the person herself. He had been together with her from morning to evening for close to a year now. Even with just her gestures and her atmosphere, he could tell that she wasn’t a different person.
「……Diablo……So you came.」
「What happened? Tell me.」
After he tried getting down, he could understand the reason why the soldiers did nothing but watch from below, and why no one was climbing up the rampart.
It was faintly swaying.
*Para para……* Fragments were constantly falling.
It was probably only a matter of time before this part of the rampart collapsed. He didn’t know if it would be right away or after a few years though. What he could say for sure is that “if heavily equipped infantry were to climb it in great numbers, it would immediately collapse”.
Diablo kept the effect of Flight Magic, and adjusted it so that he wouldn’t place his body weight on the rampart.
Rem made a painful face.
「You might not believe me but……」
「Hou?」
「……Right now……Modinalaam, is within me.」
Diablo clicked his tongue.
「I thought that would be the case.」
「Eh, you believe me……!?」
「Why do you think I would doubt you? I had even believed that Krebskrum’s soul was sealed within you, didn’t I.」
「That is true……but……I……did that to Celes.」
「I heard that she was safe though? Tell me in detail. What happened at the Magician’s Guild?」
*Chira* Rem turned her gaze to the ground.
There were no movements among the soldiers. It felt like since Diablo had appeared, they decided to watch over the developments.
Lamnites and Sylvie who were at the lead were making stern expressions.
Rem opened her mouth.
「……It was when I was talking to Celes at her office at the Magician’s Guild. For an instant, my consciousness became distant. It was close to being sleepy. Since my physical condition was questionable to begin with, even though I didn’t fight, I might have accumulated fatigue──that is what I thought.」
「Umu.」
「……However, when I realized it, there was a spear of magic in my right hand……A black one.」
「Was it 《Black Lance》?」
She slightly shook her head left and right.
「……I do not know. Since I, do not have knowledge that extends that far……Merely, it was already right before the magic activated. I was somehow able to divert the aim so that it wouldn’t hit Celes though.」
「I see.」
「……Since I had experience with it, I realized it. That, there was a Demon King within me. My body being manipulated like it was this time is a first though.」
「Krebskrum was sealed within you. Modinalaam escaped into you. That might be the difference.」
This sort of event didn’t exist in the MMORPG Cross Reverie.
Rem hung her head down.
「……It was said, that Krebskrum would revive, when I died.」
「That is true.」
「It would seem……that when I fall asleep, Modinalaam awakens.」
Why is it always Rem?
He felt resentment for that unreasonableness, but more importantly, he needed to think of a way to deal with it.
「If it’s Krum, she might know of a solution.」
She was a fragment of the Demon King, and she had saved up knowledge from when she was pulverized by God. She was also well-informed about the abilities of other Demon Kings.
「……It would, be nice……if we could ask but……actually, I already seem to be at my limit.」
「What did you say!?」
「……M, Modinalaam’s, consciousness has already gotten stronger.」
「Rem! Hang in there! You’re an outstanding Adventurer, aren’t you!?」
「……I know that. I also, have my pride. I don’t……want to helplessly, be a stepping stone for anyone……after all……ッ」
She walked out to the outer rim of the rampart.
She glared out into the distance.
「……The Demonic Beings.」
「What?」
「They……surely know that Modinalaam has reawakened. It is for that reason, that they remained at that location.」
「That might be true.」
「……I won’t let them, have their way.」
「Naturally. The Demon King that is within you, just leave him to me.」
*Fu* Rem smiled.
The anguished look vanished from her face.
It was a bright expression.
「……Thank you very much, Diablo……I, truly am blessed, to have met with you in my last moments.」
──Last moments!? What do you plan on doing, Rem!?
She clenched her teeth.
As she was about to leap out from atop the rampart──
Diablo shouted.
「Rem! Don’t die!」
The iron ring that was placed on her neck reacted to that order.
The 《Slavery Choker》
Rem, who had half of her body out of the rampart, stopped moving as if she had turned to stone.
So he made it in time.
Tears spilled out from her eyes.
「……Why……Why, didn’t you let me die, Diablo!? Even though I……don’t want to become your enemy……」
「I am the Demon King Diablo! No matter what tries to dominate you, I will annihilate it without fail!」
「ッ!!」
Rem lost strength in her limbs.
She looked like she was going to collapse.
However, as if she were hooked by a string from above, she suddenly stopped moving while still slanted.
A black haze enveloped her body.
Her appearance changed.
Horn-like things extended out from the sides of her head.
Even her nails became sharp and pointed like knives.
She originally had a lot of skin exposure, but the form of her outfit changed into something more risque. Moreover, they had a texture like that of scales affixed to her skin.
It resembled the outfit that Krum had when she was revived.
As if, she were a Demon King……
From the back of the transformed Rem, purplish black wings spread out. The number of them were two on both the left and the right, making for a total of four.
They were wings that swayed and were like smoke which didn’t have a fixed form. In one of those wings, the face of a black goat floated up.
──Modinalaam!!
That floating head opened its mouth.
「Alas……Thou, art foolish. Drowned in emotion, to think’st thou wouldst miss thine final chance at extinguishing me.」
Part 3
Diablo readied his magic staff.
So Rem was taken over by Modinalaam.
By some chance, he might have made the wrong choice……
However, he did not regret it.
「Modinalaam, I shall make you regret having laid your hands on my property. I shall defeat you, and take Rem back!」
「Nay. I have surpassed perfection.」
「Mu?」
「In mine own defeat in the earlier battle, there were two reason for it. First was the difference in knowledge──I hadst not known of thee, and thou hadst deep knowledge of myself and the other Demon Kings.」
Certainly, that was probably the deciding factor.
Diablo had a general grasp of Modinalaam’s numerous techniques.
Since they were nothing but attacks of Demon Kings that he fought against in the MMORPG Cross Reverie, he knew about them very well.
Conversely, his opponent didn’t know that Diablo was able to do Magic Reflection.
Since the Demonic Being Ourou was in the enemy encampment, he should have had that information though……
Was it self-conceit due to strength?
Information sharing wasn’t done.
For example, a walkthrough site wouldn’t be made for a game that could be cleared without any sort ingenious solving needed, and people that would try to have an exchange of ideas for it probably wouldn’t appear.
「I have obtained knowledge. About thee, from this Pantherian……」
「Why, Rem? If you are going to take someone over, wouldn’t it be fine if you weren’t so roundabout it and just take me over? Well, I am not a Demon King that would yield to the likes of you though!」
The wings that spread about from her back wavered.
「This Pantherian, is a vessel……A rare existence able to store even a Demon King’s soul. For it to be empty, tis quite fortuitous for me.」
Long ago, it seems that God sealed Krebskrum within Rem’s ancestors.
At that time, God either bestowed them the ability as vessels, or had chosen them because they had the ability as vessels.
Either way, with Krebskrum being removed, it seemed that the inside of Rem had become vacant.
And then, having entered inside of Rem, Modinalaam seems to have learned of Diablo’s fighting method from her memories.
He could no longer have any hope of Modinalaam making the blunder of firing Maximum Magic.
Modinalaam spoke.
「The second reason──the difference in subordinates. There art no Demonic Beings arrogant to stand in front of the Great Demon King. They art different, from the Races.」
「Hmph……There are no cowardly soldiers under a brave general, is that what you mean?」
He had made an instigation, but in other words, it was a difference of cultures.
The Demonic Beings only watching the fight only happened because they had a sense of values where “assisting is rude”.
Rem pointed at herself.
「According to this Pantherian’s memories……Right now, thine subordinates, art not here.」
「Ha! You damned fool. Even without any troops, I will butcher you personally!」
Diablo didn’t destroy his cocksure stance.
However, there was no mistake that the vanguard of Sasala and Rose had played a huge role in the earlier fight.
──This is really hard to do.
Up until now, Diablo had one-sidedly known about the enemy.
With his knowledge from the MMORPG Cross Reverie and with information gathering done beforehand, he stood in superiority.
The current Modinalaam was well-informed about his situation.
Moreover, Modinalaam was no simplistic like a beast or a toddler.
He was intellectual.
Even up until now, Diablo had several times where he was driven to the wall by enemies who formulated plans. Like the Feudal Lord Galford and the Head of the Holy Knights Baduta……
Opponents that used their head were much more formidable than enemies who only had high parameters.
Modinalaam made a declaration.
「My defeat, dost not exist. I shalt obtain, inevitable victory!」
Rem put out her right hand.
A jet black large sword appeared in it.
《God Breaker》
He intended on bringing the fight into close combat.
Since magic would be reflected, that was a natural choice.
Even while Modinalaam was talking, Diablo read the next next move of the fight.
He gave a command.
「In the name of the Demon King Diablo, I order you! Rem, do not move!」
Once again, the 《Slavery Choker》 activated.
Her body stiffened up while having the large sword at the ready.
「Gah……What!?」
Modinalaam, who was manipulating Rem and was about to cut him down with the jet black large sword, raised a voice of astonishment.
──Yosh! Not even the Great Demon King is able to lift the 《Slavery Choker》 that easily.
Her body was under Diablo’s control.
He was reluctant to make her obey him through orders, but if she is being manipulated by someone else, then it was a different story. In addition to that, Diablo looked down on him with all his might.
「Ku ku ku! Even if you have obtained knowledge, for a goat head that doesn’t know how to use it, it has no meaning! Rem is enslaved to me. As long as you are within that body, you are also a servant to this Demon King Diablo!」
「Gugu……This much of a compelling force is……!?」
「Do not move, Rem. I shall pulverize those unpleasant looking wings right away.」
Diablo clenched his right hand into a fist.
──Should I use contact-type magic? No, both 《Matoi Izuna》 and 《Absolute Zero》 would give serious damage to not only those black wings but also to Rem who they are attached to.
In that case, I guess 《Darkness Cannon》.
It was magic that fired a cannonball with high penetration power.
In a way so that it wouldn’t hit Rem, he would fire it from point-blank range!
Choosing his tactics in an instant, he made a dash.
He closed in on her.
The wings that spread out from her back changed its form. To a shape that was like a giant’s fist.
「I shall have, certain victory -nariya!」
It was possible to restrict the actions of Rem’s body with the 《Slavery Choker》, but Modinalaam, who was outside of that body, attacked as if it were only natural.
The wings turned into a gigantic fist, and came thrusting out.
「I thought so! You have no other choice but that!」
Since he had anticipated it, Diablo easily evaded it.
Even so, it had slightly touched him.
With just a graze on his shoulder, he received an impact strong enough that it felt like his whole upper body would have been taken away by it.
If not for his training as a Warrior, he would have taken that attack just now and that would have been the end of it.
From Modinalaam’s perspective, it might have been a mere check, but for Diablo, it was a punch that could have been lethal.
If he were to compare it to something, it was something like suddenly having a truck rush pass from a distance that one’s hand could reach.
──Can I defend against that with my current equipment?
What about warding it off with the 《Tonnerre Empereur・Libéré》?
It might be possible, but it would probably be instant death if he were to fail. The risk was too big.
From Rem’s back, the figure of a black monster appeared.
It had a black goat head, and a body like that of a gorilla──However, it had a look different from the body that he fought during the day.
Its contour wasn’t fixed.
It was kind of like mist, or an aura.
A mass of magical power? Or, should it be called a spirit body or something?
Diablo searched his memory to see if there were any monsters with a similar property in the MMORPG Cross Reverie.
At the very least, there weren’t any Demon Kings that could turn into mist.
However, there did exist several monsters that could turn into an indeterminate form.
When taking a form, physical attacks should work on them, but fundamentally, magic should be effective.
──But, I guess I should probe its properties with a small attack.
「《Lightning Arrow》!!」
A bullet of light flew.
When fired at a Demon King, its power was insufficient, but the bullet was fast and its accuracy was high.
With the gigantic fist, it was punched and dispersed.
The black goat’s head narrowed its eyes.
「That is right……Thou cannot injure this Pantherian……Therefore, thou cannot use Maximum Magic.」
「You have taken various things into consideration.」
「Victory, is supreme!」
「Umu, that alone is something I can agree with you on.」
Diablo kicked the ground and took some distance.
After a moment, he nodded.
「Modinalaam, you have made three misunderstandings.」
「……」
He couldn’t read the thoughts from the expression of the goat head, but the opponent’s movements stopped.
Diablo put up one finger.
「By manipulating Rem, you probably believe that you have prevented my Maximum Magic but……to begin with, to defeat you, something that grandiose is not needed.」
「Such lies……」
「Listen──Another misunderstanding, it is not like I taught Rem all of my ways of fighting.」
「Mu!?」
「I have also made this sort of preparation!」
Diablo pulled a tube out from his pouch.
He had a feeling of shame.
Just before he used it, he gritted his teeth.
「Kuh……To think that I……would have to rely, on something like this……!!」
──On a paid gacha item!!
The tube made a *Pon!* sound.
A shining sphere shot up.
The surroundings were illuminated by bluish-white brilliance.
The goat head tilted.
「Lighting -naruya?」
「Well, I guess Rem didn’t know about it, as I thought.」
It was a SSR-class gacha item that was rare even in the game after all.
In the gacha, the SSR-class drop rate was 3%. On top of that, in the variety of items, SSR-class items alone easily surpassed 300. He didn’t even want to calculate the rate for each and every item.
The bluish-white sphere that floated in the sky seemed like a moon.
Diablo curved the ends of his lips.
「Modinalaam……You were the first one to use a weak point called manipulating Rem. It is already too late to say that anything is unfair, got it? Well, I’ll only be smiling since you got caught up in it though.」
「This light, what is it -naruya!?」
「Ku ku ku……I shall tell you. This is called 《Customize Bomb》[1]. It is a magic tool that will apply certain conditions to this place.」
「Certain, conditions?」
「Pay attention──The condition is 《Physical Restrictor》! From now on, in this place, damage from physical attacks will be lowered by 90%!」
「…………!?」
Modinalaam’s expression couldn’t be read, but going by his loss of words, his agitation was transmitted.
Diablo broke into a run.
「And then! Your third misunderstanding is──the thought that you could win against me!」
Once again, he went into a distance where his hand could reach.
Modinalaam swung his gigantic fist.
「OOOOO!!」
He howled.
Diablo turned towards the fist that was like a boulder, and struck his own right fist directly from the front.
「《Volcano Cannon》!!」
From his right fist, red hot magma gushed out due to magic.
Both of their fists struggled for supremacy.
Under normal circumstances, even if Modinalaam’s fist was burned by the super scorching heat, through his power that reached absurd levels, it would probably blow the magma away, and crush Diablo’s upper body.
However, only for now, his power was drastically reduced.
Diablo opened his eyes wide.
「Kukuku……Modinalaam, did I not tell you that physical attacks had their power reduced? Do you not have any techniques other than punching? How about firing magic at me? Well, I would just reflect them though!」
「Guh……Diabloooooo!!」
He applied more pressure.
──To think he would have this much strength despite being reduced to ten percent!
However, I will bring him down with this!
「《Rock Ca……!?」
His opponent’s figure suddenly vanished from his field of vision.
For an instant, Diablo was confused.
There was no way that the current Modinalaam could move that fast. As for why, it was because the one that became his legs was Rem. She had been commanded to not move.
There was a floating feeling.
And then, a thunderous roar that was like an earth tremor followed.
──The rampart collapsed!?
Part 4
Fortunately, he had kept using the Flight Magic of his boots, the 《Empty Sky’s Dance》.
It ended without him getting rolled up in the collapsing rampart.
Diablo got down onto the ground outside the town.
The rampart spanning a length of around 100 meters toppled over, and people made an uproar within the town.
And then, black wings flapped, and along with Rem’s body, Modinalaam descended.
So Rem was still being manipulated.
The wings that grew out from her back once again took the form of a goat-headed gorilla.
Diablo had a thought.
──To the west of the town, there are many Demonic Beings watching the fight. It will be somewhat troublesome if he flies away over there.
Maybe because of his current form, or maybe because of the 《Physical Restrictor》, his flight speed was slow.
He got ready to start again, but the situation didn’t change.
Once more, he got close, this time for sure.
He tightly clenched his fist.
Modinalaam groaned.
「Damn thee……」
「Mu?」
「I am! The Great Demon King! Having absorbed numerous Demon Kings! Resulting in the 《Originator Demon King》, the ultimate Demon King! With the greatest magical power! With the greatest physical strength! With the greatest Demon King army! All of that……against a mere person of the Races! Lost to a mere person of the Races!?」
His gigantic hands held his small goat head.
A creaking sound was made.
His head started to warp.
With a voice that sounded like blood was coming out with it, Modinalaam shouted.
「Why -naruya!? This Great Demon King, is inferior!? Whyyyyyyyyy!!」
Diablo said it straight out.
「It is because your preparations, were lacking.」
「GIIiiiiiYAAaaaaaaah!! Diiiiabloo……O……OGOH! Ogogo? Ogogo……O!?」
*Bushu!* The goat head split.
Blood scattered about.
With his own large hands, he crushed his own head.
──Suicide?
However, his unpleasant presence did not vanish.
Above all, Rem’s consciousness had not seemed to have returned.
──Shit! What is going to happen next!?
Right now, should he take her back!?
When he took one step forward, a black snake rushed out from Rem’s body.
「Ugh!?」
He hesitated as to whether he should instantly fire magic or not.
Rem was on the line of fire.
If it penetrated, the damage to her would……
However, if the power was low, he would be unable to defend, and he himself would……
Lightning came falling from right overhead.
The lightning pierced the black snake.
Following that, the loud voice of a girl resounded.
「Fall back, Diablo! You will get dragged in -nodaー!!」
「Krum!?」
──And leave Rem behind!?
That is what he thought, but right now, he trusted her. He returned to the town with Flight Magic.
Immediately following that, he learned of the correctness of that judgement.
Several black snakes poured out from Rem. Steadily increasing, Rem’s figure became unseeable.
「What in the world is that!?」
「《Demon King of Insanity Modinalaam》 has revealed his true character -noda!」
Krum, who had rushed over, spoke.
Shera also came together with her.
「What about Rem!? What’s going on with Rem!?」
「Calm down -noda, Shera! Since Modinalaam is within her, she is surely safe. It is because if the vessel is broken while the revival preparations aren’t ready, even the Demon King will be extinguished!」
「Krum-chan, I don’t really know what you’re saying, you know!?」
「Ahー, in other words, since Modinalaam will also die when Rem dies, she should be alive -nanoda.」
「Eh……? In that case, does that means that to defeat Modinalaam, Rem has to die?」
Krum shook her head left and right.
「That won’t happen! It’s because if it’s Maou, then she will pull that fellow out from Rem!」
「Hurray!」
「However, Modinalaam also knows that -noda. Even after making Rem a stepping stone, he couldn’t win against Diablo. The vessel is already nothing but a weakness for him. Seeking his next form, he ended up doing that.」
Diablo asked a question.
「Krum, what did that fellow start?」
「He plans on gathering magical power -nanoda. In order to obtain a body powerful enough to win against you, Diablo. Even though he should know that that would lead to his own destruction.」
「What do you mean by that? Don’t Demon Kings gush magical power forth limitlessly?」
「Umu, if we are in good health, it is limitless -nanoda! However, Modinalaam had his original body destroyed, and escaped into Rem. He was unable to win against Diablo with his remaining magical power.」
So he was in that sort of state.
「What do you mean by gathering magical power?」
「It has started -noda. If you watch, you will understand.」
Krum pointed.
The countless black snakes headed towards the Demonic Beings.
Shrieks were raised.
Screams.
Explosions due to magic and Martial Arts also occurred.
Even so, the black snakes did not stop. One after another, the Demonic Beings and Demonic Beasts started to get eaten.
「Ugh……」
Shera covered her mouth.
For Diablo, a cold sweat ran down his back.
「By magical power……Do you mean the Demonic Beings!?」
「It is fortunate, isn’t it? Since there aren’t many among the Races with really strong magical power, he went over there -noda.」
With that many Demonic Beings and Demonic Beasts, there would surely be a lot of magical power.
Part 5
When the black snakes appeared, Commander-in-chief Ourou was the first one to fly away.
The adviser Lazpuulas shouted.
「Not good! Take shelter! We must escape!」
The Demonic Beast User Manuela hit the shell under her feet.
「Grand Turtle, run away.」
「With this huge turtle, it already won’t make it in time!」
Lazpuulas carried Manuela under his arm. He ran down from the gigantic turtle as if sliding down the shell.
A majority of the Demonic Beings and Demonic Beasts didn’t run away.
They watched wondering what was going on.
Their individual fighting strength was strong. Due to that, their fear and wariness were thin.
──It’s total destruction.
Lazpuulas broke into a run.
The large-sized Demonic Beings that were at the head of the army were the first to be swallowed by the black snakes.
「Great Demon King-sama!? Wh, y……」
Screams were raised, even from the other Demonic Beings.Next were the Demonic Beasts.
Manuela’s face turned pale.
「Why is Great Demon King-sama doing this!?」
Lazpuulas desperately carried his heavy body and ran away.
「That, is no longer Great Demon King-sama! Those are poisonous snakes that only desire magical power!」
「For a person known as a priest, isn’t that blasphemy!?」
「That sermonizing, if we get through this alive, I will listen to it then!」
The fat, frog-headed Demonic Being noisily moved his legs and ran. He wasn’t fast, but the black snakes were greedily devouring the other Demonic Beings and Demonic Beasts.
He ran away into the forest.
Immediately after that──
Black figures covered the area over Lazpuulas and Manuela’s heads.
「Ah……」
They were black snakes.
Part 6
Shera raised her voice.
「Its form is changing again!」
「Umu! It seems that is the final form that Modinalaam has chosen -nanoda!」
*Funnu* Krum made a rough snort.
It was a castle.
Diablo recognized it.
「……It’s the Demon King castle.」
Though he said that, the real thing was probably much larger. In the game, the Demon King’s castle was much larger than Fortress City Faltra.
It was only natural that the final dungeon would be vaster than a town that appeared midway through the story though.
Several towers that were like spears were lined in a row, and were surrounded by a tall rampart. The front gate made a *gigigi* sound and opened.
Krum spoke.
「Most likely, he is calling for you, Diablo.」
「Mu……」
「Modinalaam is thinking that if it is in there, then he can win……No……Anything that could be called thought has already been blown away for him. He merely wants to fight you -nanoda.」
「Is Rem, also inside?」
Krum nodded.
「Umu. Maou was always together with Rem after all. Maou can tell by smell.」
At that time, other people had come out from the town.
That being said, since the rampart had already turned into a mountain of rubble, the boundary between the plains and the town had become vague though.
「Yaa, Diablo-san. Things have become grave, haven’t they?」
It was Sylvie.
Lamnites was also with her.
「What is that, that castle? When was it built?」
「It seems to be a mere shadow of what the Great Demon King Modinalaam once was.」
Hearing Diablo’s explanation, Lamnites made a face that said she couldn’t believe it, but she did not deny it.
Sylvie asked a question to Krum.
「That thing, it’s a mass of magical power, right? With him having no body, is it possible to maintain it for a long time? I’d like to hear the opinion of a real Demon Kingー.」
That is clearly saying that “there are also fake Demon Kings”, isn’t it? is what Diablo thought, but he kept silent.
Krum nodded.
「Umu! That was created with magical power gathered from the Demonic Beings, but it is vanishing from the ends -noda! It will probably vanish by tomorrow.」
「Is that so!」
「But……If you wait for that, this town won’t get off safely, you know?」
「Ahー, is that so?」
Sylvie scratched her head.
Looking closely, black snakes gushed forth from the fake Demon King castle once again. On top of that, although it was slow, the castle was getting closer.
Lamnites glared at it.
「With that speed, it will make contact with Faltra City in an hour. I do not know how far those black snakes can extend out, but if their range is about the same as a Magi Gun, then they can reach the whole town in about thirty minutes.」
She was a Magi Gunner that drove sand ships at high speeds. Her eye measurements with that sort of thing could be trusted.
Unfortunately, at this rate, it didn’t seem like they could just safely pray for the morning sun.
Lamnites gave orders to the Local Knights that were waiting on her behind her.
「Prioritize the injured, and evacuate the citizens to the east gate! For the people that want to run away to the royal capital’s side, let them go. However, there are no soldiers to send around as evacuation escorts. All hands, defend this place to the last!」
「Understood!」
Sylvie made her eyes go round.
「You’re going to fight that!? That’s the Great Demon King that swallowed the Demon King army whole, you know!?」
「No matter who the enemy is……Six of the eight barrier towers are either going strong or can be repaired. For the other two towers, they can temporarily be made in three days. The Magician’s Guild’s central tower is also safe. This Faltra City is meant to protect the territory of the Races, so it absolutely must not be lost! If it is broken through, even if the Great Demon King vanishes, other Demonic Beings will surely overrun the defenseless town. Or could it be that you are able to affirm that there are not any rear guard Demonic Beings?」
「Nnー……Honestly, I think there are some.」
Being on the cautious faction, it seemed that there would also be some Demonic Beings that wouldn’t really come forward.
So the military and the Adventurers will protect the town.
As if replacing the Local Knights that busily ran about, there were people that came running this way.
Shera waved her hand.
「Rose-san! Edelgart-san!」
Part 7
Rose lowered her head very deeply in front of Diablo.
「I am terribly, terribly sorry. Give this Rose any punishment you like. To be sleeping while Master was fighting……」
「It is fine, rest is necessary. What about Sasala?」
「No matter what we did, she would not wake up.」
──Seriously!?
A delicate atmosphere spread amongst everyone there.
Even though it is a critical situation that concerns the existence of the Races, the night is bedtime!?
Suddenly, Diablo had a thought──Come to think of it, the High Chief Priest who was chosen by God, Lumachina, was burdened with the peculiar handicap of having “Healing Miracles not working on herself”.
「Could it possibly be that……Well, do not force her. A sword is something that shines when it is polished. If it is needed for her, then let her sleep.」
「Understood.」
On the other hand, Edelgart was gazing at the fake Demon King castle with a complicated-looking expression.
「…………」
「What is wrong -noda?」
The young Demonic Being girl groaned at Krum’s question.
「Many～, companions……have……vanished.」
「Ahh, that’s right. You were a Demonic Being of the Demon King castle.」
「Yes……but……ehー……uhー……」
Edelgart searched for words. She was somewhat poor at having conversations.
No one rushed her.
Finally, one word.
「Regret?」
「Umu……That is true.」
Hearing Edelgart’s mutter, Krum closed her eyes, and the two of them said nothing for a moment.
After that, *Pan!*, Krum clapped her hands.
「Now then! Diablo, you have had enough of the tedious talk, right? You should choose! What will you do -noda!?」
Diablo surveyed everyone present.
Shera, Krum, Edelgart, Rose, Sylvie, Lamnites……
And then, he looked at the Demon King castle.
──Rem.
「Naturally, I will take back my property! Modinalaam also desires a conclusion to all of this after all.」
Krum grinned.
「Now that is Maou’s master -nanoda. That thing will not stop anyhow unless you destroy the core. Go get him -nanoda!」
Going “huh”, Shera tilted her head.
「Krum-chan, are you not going? Aren’t we going to go and rescue Rem with everyone here?」
「I will go alone.」
He had a good understanding of Modinalaam’s strength.
Most likely, the effect of 《Physical Restrictor》 will have disappeared inside the castle. It was because the light of 《Customize Bomb》 doesn’t reach inside of it.
If it were to turn into a fight similar to before, he wouldn’t have the leeway to protect those around him.
Going “Now that you mention it”, Diablo gave instructions.
「Right now, in this area, physical attacks have lost their meaning. For people that use swords or spears, it would be best if you enchant them so that they turn into magic attacks.」
Actually, if Modinalaam had quickly realized this fact, another countermeasure would have been needed.
Since he was thoughtlessly using his own strength, schemes probably weren’t working in his head.
Sylvie made a difficult face.
「That’s unreasonable, Diablo-san! A majority of both the soldiers and Adventurers use physical attacks. And then, the enchantment to turn them into magical attacks is high grade magic……I am just barely able to enchant several people, you know!?」
「Mu……」
This was beyond his expectations.
Now that she mentioned it, enchantments of this other world weren’t really investigated.
Since Diablo himself would have enchantments reflected with the 《Demon King’s Ring》, he was excessively disinterested in it.
Would it be difficult for them to protect the town from those black snakes after having a majority of their fighting power made powerless?
From behind, a voice was raised.
「That enchantment, I shall take responsibility for it.」
When he turned around, a group of Local Knights and Magicians approached. *Za* Then the enclosure split to the left and right.
A beautiful woman was expressing a smile.
She held a long staff.
「Diablo-san, it has been a while, hasn’t it.」
「Celes!?」
Maybe because he called her with her nickname, the escort Magicians knitted their brows.
Next to her, Galford was also there.
「I have received the situation report. The Magician’s Guild has decided to completely cooperate. Leave this place to us……The Races are still in an existential crisis. If that imitation Demon King castle is not stopped, then we will have no chance at victory.」
「Galford, you came out looking self-important but……You will prove useful, right?」
「Would you like to test me?」
His bloodlust had not weakened.
Even his arm that he should have lost had returned to how it was before.
To think that he had gone from having that many injuries and that much exhaustion to making his return without even half a day passing! Is this what it means to be an experienced person of the great war?
Celes came in between them.
「Diablo-san.」
「Mu?」
「I, will do my best.」
「Ahー, umu, right……Well, be sure to assist the small timers.」
Her slow tone softened the edgy atmosphere. With this situation, it was for better or worse.
Celes spoke.
「I beg of you, Diablo-san……Somehow, please save Rem-san.」
「Are you serious? Didn’t Rem try to kill you?」
「Rem-san, would not do such a thing. It was an action of that Great Demon King. That girl, she has a strong sense of responsibility, is very persevering……and lonely. I, always think to myself, if only Rem-san were free in the truest meaning of the word.」
Her words, they sounded like she were praying to God despite being a Magician.
That didn’t even need to be said.
Diablo took out his Magic Staff.
「Just leave everything to me!」
Part 1
「Diablo.」
His name was called.
He thought “whose voice is that”.
He felt like it sounded like Shera’s voice, but another young girl came to mind.
──Was it Rem?
「Diablo, please wake up.」
Ahh, this time it was definitely Rem’s voice.
What came into his view……
「Eh!?」
There was no mistake it was Rem.
However, her attire was not her usual equipment, the 《Layer of Secret Stone》.
It was like a pure white wedding dress……No, it was too transparent for that. It had an appearance like that of alluring underwear.
Next to her, Shera was also there.
As expected, she also had a similar outfit that made it difficult for him to figure out where to place his eyes.
Getting onto their knees on the bed, they brought their bodies closer.
「Diablo♡」
──You guys……what’re you doing……!?
「O……o……u」
He couldn’t properly put his thoughts into words. This wasn’t time for his Demon King role play.
Rem whispered close to his ear.
「……Diablo, it’s your fault.」
Shera joined in.
「That’s right, it’s Diablo’s fault.」
──I’m the one to blame!?
He thought about what he was to blame for. There were too many things that came to mind. To begin with, it was because he didn’t have any self-confidence that he had a communication disorder. If he was told that he was to blame, he would end up thinking that he should start apologizing from the fact he was born.
When he looked back on his life up until now, there were failures, regrets, setbacks……and evasion……
「Uuu……」
Diablo tried to crawl away and escape.
For some reason, he felt that way.
──Why am I trying to run away from Rem and Shera who are in transparent dress-like attire this desperately?
The reason was……
*Hyu* A sensation of floating in the air.
*Gotsun!* He hit his head.
Since he had a sturdy body, it didn’t hurt all that much, but he slowly became embarrassed.
When he opened his eyes, Diablo had fallen off from the bed and onto the floor.
「S, so it was a dream.」
He breathed a sigh.
He thought it was strange for Rem and Shera to suddenly wear that sort of outfit.
The reason for both the absurd scene and his own strange action was clear. Dreams were that sort of thing.
Being too tired and seeing a strange dream, was not a first for him.
──I wonder what time it is right now?
It was dark outside the window.
Singing voices could still be heard from the main street.
It doesn’t seem like he slept for several hours.
The lack of the numerous cultural conveniences that were in modern Japan was surprisingly not all that troubling to his lifestyle, but he at least wanted a clock.
*Don don don!* His door was vigorously knocked on.
He was surprised by the sudden event.
Diablo jumped up from the floor.
However, letting out a rushed voice wasn’t Demon King-like. Taking a deep breath, he regained his role play.
「Who is there!? How noisy!」
『It’s terrible, Diablo-san!』
The voice that came from the other side of the door, was Boris.
He shouted at him.
「So stubborn! I told that I wouldn’t go to the celebratory banquet, didn’t I!?」
『Rem-san has! Made an attempt on assassinating Celestine-sama!』
He was unable to understand the meaning of his words immediately.
Diablo’s thoughts came to a standstill.
During that time, Boris continued his words.
『Not long ago! Rem-san, she visited the Magician’s Guild. In the middle of her giving a report to Celestine-sama, she attacked her with magic!』
「That’s absurd!」
『Th, that is how I feel as well but……there are many eye-witnesses……』
「Where is Rem……!?」
『According to the reports, it seems that she was cornered at the western ramparts.』
He was relieved that she was alive, but it was not a situation that he could happily welcome at all.
Diablo arranged his equipment.
He put on his mantle that he took off, and continued talking while putting on his boots.
「What of Celes!?」
『Rem-san’s attack missed, and after that, due to the presence of the Adventurer’s Guild Guildmaster, it seems that the assault ended at being an attempt.』
──What’s going on?
He was nothing but baffled.
Rem always held gratitude towards Celes. Even this time, she should have gone to make a report out of feeling a debt of gratitude for being allowed her freedom.
Did it seem like she was going to be confined at the Magician’s Guild? No, the current Rem was no longer a vessel of a Demon King. There was no reason to constrain her.
Besides, if it was something that the Magician’s Guild side had started, the need to expressly do it in front of Celes was……
Diablo held his magic staff in his hand, and came out from the room.
Boris moved to the side.
「Please go to the former site of the west gate. If she hasn’t made any big movements, it will be at the ramparts that haven’t crumbled near the gate.」
Uttering *Umu!*──He suddenly felt discomfort about something.
「Boris, did you say that Rem attacked with magic?」
「Yes.」
「Not with a Summoned Beast?」
「It seems that it was Chemical Elemental Magic.」
*Zowa* A chill ran down Diablo’s spine.
「Was that really Rem!? She is a Summoner! She isn’t able to use Chemical Elemental Magic strong enough to kill a person!」
Boris’s face rapidly turned pale.
「Ah, ahhhh!」
「This matter, tell it to Rose and the others! I will head out first!」
Normally, with this much of an uproar going on, everyone probably would have come out from their rooms.
However, Sasala was totally exhausted and sleeping.
Rose was also in a similar situation. After pouring magical power into her, she ended up in a state similar to falling into a deep sleep. The need for self-restoration was probably a cause.
What about Edelgart? Since she was nearly extinguished in the earlier battle, although she is a Demonic Being, she is probably far from being in normal condition.
Those girls couldn’t be counted on.
Diablo rushed out from the inn.
──Rem, right now, what is going on with you!?
Part 2
It was just how it was in the information.
When he turned his face to the north from the collapsed west gate, at a distance where the hustle and bustle could be heard, a crowd with a heavy atmosphere was made.
The soldiers and curious onlookers had formed a ring.
Several torches were lit, and it was only there that that had become bright as if it were daytime.
The gazes of the people had gathered at the top of the slanted rampart.
Someone was there.
At the top of the rampart, there was the figure of a young black haired girl.
So it was Rem.
At the top of the slanted rampart, there was no one but her. Although the soldiers had formed lines below, none of them tried to climb up the rampart.
The ones that stood at the front of the soldiers, were Lamnites and Sylvie.
「Surrender, Rem Galeu! You have nowhere to run!」
「Rem-saーn, let us hear your circumstances. We won’t treat you badly! Okay?」
──These are the two worst people.
One mustn’t be fooled by their allure and cuteness. Both Lamnites and Sylvie were actually thickheaded. They had personalities where they wouldn’t mind making sacrifices for the sake of their organizations.
They were virtuous people that prioritized the law.
They were virtuous people, but the law would be prioritized.
It would probably be impossible to persuade them and get them to leave this place to him. If done poorly, there was a chance that Diablo would be constrained first as Rem’s accomplice.
「From here……I guess I’ll head there from above.」
He poured magical power into his SSR-class equipment boots, the 《Empty Sky’s Dance》.
Displaying the effect of Flight Magic, his body floated in the air.
*Hyuu* He flew up to the top of the rampart.
Seeing his figure, the soldiers made a stir. Was the reason why they didn’t mistake him for a Demonic Being because Lamnites was also able to use Flight Magic?
It was fortunate that there were also many soldiers that knew about Diablo from the earlier fight. There wasn’t anyone that thoughtlessly fired projectiles at Diablo who had defeated the Great Demon King.
Diablo arrived at the slanted rampart.
It was cracked, bent, and looked like it would crumble at any moment.
While taking caution, he got down to a place that was about ten steps away from her.
「Rem!」
「……ッ!?」
She opened her eyes wide open looking surprised.
For better or for worse……it was unmistakably the person herself. He had been together with her from morning to evening for close to a year now. Even with just her gestures and her atmosphere, he could tell that she wasn’t a different person.
「……Diablo……So you came.」
「What happened? Tell me.」
After he tried getting down, he could understand the reason why the soldiers did nothing but watch from below, and why no one was climbing up the rampart.
It was faintly swaying.
*Para para……* Fragments were constantly falling.
It was probably only a matter of time before this part of the rampart collapsed. He didn’t know if it would be right away or after a few years though. What he could say for sure is that “if heavily equipped infantry were to climb it in great numbers, it would immediately collapse”.
Diablo kept the effect of Flight Magic, and adjusted it so that he wouldn’t place his body weight on the rampart.
Rem made a painful face.
「You might not believe me but……」
「Hou?」
「……Right now……Modinalaam, is within me.」
Diablo clicked his tongue.
「I thought that would be the case.」
「Eh, you believe me……!?」
「Why do you think I would doubt you? I had even believed that Krebskrum’s soul was sealed within you, didn’t I.」
「That is true……but……I……did that to Celes.」
「I heard that she was safe though? Tell me in detail. What happened at the Magician’s Guild?」
*Chira* Rem turned her gaze to the ground.
There were no movements among the soldiers. It felt like since Diablo had appeared, they decided to watch over the developments.
Lamnites and Sylvie who were at the lead were making stern expressions.
Rem opened her mouth.
「……It was when I was talking to Celes at her office at the Magician’s Guild. For an instant, my consciousness became distant. It was close to being sleepy. Since my physical condition was questionable to begin with, even though I didn’t fight, I might have accumulated fatigue──that is what I thought.」
「Umu.」
「……However, when I realized it, there was a spear of magic in my right hand……A black one.」
「Was it 《Black Lance》?」
She slightly shook her head left and right.
「……I do not know. Since I, do not have knowledge that extends that far……Merely, it was already right before the magic activated. I was somehow able to divert the aim so that it wouldn’t hit Celes though.」
「I see.」
「……Since I had experience with it, I realized it. That, there was a Demon King within me. My body being manipulated like it was this time is a first though.」
「Krebskrum was sealed within you. Modinalaam escaped into you. That might be the difference.」
This sort of event didn’t exist in the MMORPG Cross Reverie.
Rem hung her head down.
「……It was said, that Krebskrum would revive, when I died.」
「That is true.」
「It would seem……that when I fall asleep, Modinalaam awakens.」
Why is it always Rem?
He felt resentment for that unreasonableness, but more importantly, he needed to think of a way to deal with it.
「If it’s Krum, she might know of a solution.」
She was a fragment of the Demon King, and she had saved up knowledge from when she was pulverized by God. She was also well-informed about the abilities of other Demon Kings.
「……It would, be nice……if we could ask but……actually, I already seem to be at my limit.」
「What did you say!?」
「……M, Modinalaam’s, consciousness has already gotten stronger.」
「Rem! Hang in there! You’re an outstanding Adventurer, aren’t you!?」
「……I know that. I also, have my pride. I don’t……want to helplessly, be a stepping stone for anyone……after all……ッ」
She walked out to the outer rim of the rampart.
She glared out into the distance.
「……The Demonic Beings.」
「What?」
「They……surely know that Modinalaam has reawakened. It is for that reason, that they remained at that location.」
「That might be true.」
「……I won’t let them, have their way.」
「Naturally. The Demon King that is within you, just leave him to me.」
*Fu* Rem smiled.
The anguished look vanished from her face.
It was a bright expression.
「……Thank you very much, Diablo……I, truly am blessed, to have met with you in my last moments.」
──Last moments!? What do you plan on doing, Rem!?
She clenched her teeth.
As she was about to leap out from atop the rampart──
Diablo shouted.
「Rem! Don’t die!」
The iron ring that was placed on her neck reacted to that order.
The 《Slavery Choker》
Rem, who had half of her body out of the rampart, stopped moving as if she had turned to stone.
So he made it in time.
Tears spilled out from her eyes.
「……Why……Why, didn’t you let me die, Diablo!? Even though I……don’t want to become your enemy……」
「I am the Demon King Diablo! No matter what tries to dominate you, I will annihilate it without fail!」
「ッ!!」
Rem lost strength in her limbs.
She looked like she was going to collapse.
However, as if she were hooked by a string from above, she suddenly stopped moving while still slanted.
A black haze enveloped her body.
Her appearance changed.
Horn-like things extended out from the sides of her head.
Even her nails became sharp and pointed like knives.
She originally had a lot of skin exposure, but the form of her outfit changed into something more risque. Moreover, they had a texture like that of scales affixed to her skin.
It resembled the outfit that Krum had when she was revived.
As if, she were a Demon King……
From the back of the transformed Rem, purplish black wings spread out. The number of them were two on both the left and the right, making for a total of four.
They were wings that swayed and were like smoke which didn’t have a fixed form. In one of those wings, the face of a black goat floated up.
──Modinalaam!!
That floating head opened its mouth.
「Alas……Thou, art foolish. Drowned in emotion, to think’st thou wouldst miss thine final chance at extinguishing me.」
Part 3
Diablo readied his magic staff.
So Rem was taken over by Modinalaam.
By some chance, he might have made the wrong choice……
However, he did not regret it.
「Modinalaam, I shall make you regret having laid your hands on my property. I shall defeat you, and take Rem back!」
「Nay. I have surpassed perfection.」
「Mu?」
「In mine own defeat in the earlier battle, there were two reason for it. First was the difference in knowledge──I hadst not known of thee, and thou hadst deep knowledge of myself and the other Demon Kings.」
Certainly, that was probably the deciding factor.
Diablo had a general grasp of Modinalaam’s numerous techniques.
Since they were nothing but attacks of Demon Kings that he fought against in the MMORPG Cross Reverie, he knew about them very well.
Conversely, his opponent didn’t know that Diablo was able to do Magic Reflection.
Since the Demonic Being Ourou was in the enemy encampment, he should have had that information though……
Was it self-conceit due to strength?
Information sharing wasn’t done.
For example, a walkthrough site wouldn’t be made for a game that could be cleared without any sort ingenious solving needed, and people that would try to have an exchange of ideas for it probably wouldn’t appear.
「I have obtained knowledge. About thee, from this Pantherian……」
「Why, Rem? If you are going to take someone over, wouldn’t it be fine if you weren’t so roundabout it and just take me over? Well, I am not a Demon King that would yield to the likes of you though!」
The wings that spread about from her back wavered.
「This Pantherian, is a vessel……A rare existence able to store even a Demon King’s soul. For it to be empty, tis quite fortuitous for me.」
Long ago, it seems that God sealed Krebskrum within Rem’s ancestors.
At that time, God either bestowed them the ability as vessels, or had chosen them because they had the ability as vessels.
Either way, with Krebskrum being removed, it seemed that the inside of Rem had become vacant.
And then, having entered inside of Rem, Modinalaam seems to have learned of Diablo’s fighting method from her memories.
He could no longer have any hope of Modinalaam making the blunder of firing Maximum Magic.
Modinalaam spoke.
「The second reason──the difference in subordinates. There art no Demonic Beings arrogant to stand in front of the Great Demon King. They art different, from the Races.」
「Hmph……There are no cowardly soldiers under a brave general, is that what you mean?」
He had made an instigation, but in other words, it was a difference of cultures.
The Demonic Beings only watching the fight only happened because they had a sense of values where “assisting is rude”.
Rem pointed at herself.
「According to this Pantherian’s memories……Right now, thine subordinates, art not here.」
「Ha! You damned fool. Even without any troops, I will butcher you personally!」
Diablo didn’t destroy his cocksure stance.
However, there was no mistake that the vanguard of Sasala and Rose had played a huge role in the earlier fight.
──This is really hard to do.
Up until now, Diablo had one-sidedly known about the enemy.
With his knowledge from the MMORPG Cross Reverie and with information gathering done beforehand, he stood in superiority.
The current Modinalaam was well-informed about his situation.
Moreover, Modinalaam was no simplistic like a beast or a toddler.
He was intellectual.
Even up until now, Diablo had several times where he was driven to the wall by enemies who formulated plans. Like the Feudal Lord Galford and the Head of the Holy Knights Baduta……
Opponents that used their head were much more formidable than enemies who only had high parameters.
Modinalaam made a declaration.
「My defeat, dost not exist. I shalt obtain, inevitable victory!」
Rem put out her right hand.
A jet black large sword appeared in it.
《God Breaker》
He intended on bringing the fight into close combat.
Since magic would be reflected, that was a natural choice.
Even while Modinalaam was talking, Diablo read the next next move of the fight.
He gave a command.
「In the name of the Demon King Diablo, I order you! Rem, do not move!」
Once again, the 《Slavery Choker》 activated.
Her body stiffened up while having the large sword at the ready.
「Gah……What!?」
Modinalaam, who was manipulating Rem and was about to cut him down with the jet black large sword, raised a voice of astonishment.
──Yosh! Not even the Great Demon King is able to lift the 《Slavery Choker》 that easily.
Her body was under Diablo’s control.
He was reluctant to make her obey him through orders, but if she is being manipulated by someone else, then it was a different story. In addition to that, Diablo looked down on him with all his might.
「Ku ku ku! Even if you have obtained knowledge, for a goat head that doesn’t know how to use it, it has no meaning! Rem is enslaved to me. As long as you are within that body, you are also a servant to this Demon King Diablo!」
「Gugu……This much of a compelling force is……!?」
「Do not move, Rem. I shall pulverize those unpleasant looking wings right away.」
Diablo clenched his right hand into a fist.
──Should I use contact-type magic? No, both 《Matoi Izuna》 and 《Absolute Zero》 would give serious damage to not only those black wings but also to Rem who they are attached to.
In that case, I guess 《Darkness Cannon》.
It was magic that fired a cannonball with high penetration power.
In a way so that it wouldn’t hit Rem, he would fire it from point-blank range!
Choosing his tactics in an instant, he made a dash.
He closed in on her.
The wings that spread out from her back changed its form. To a shape that was like a giant’s fist.
「I shall have, certain victory -nariya!」
It was possible to restrict the actions of Rem’s body with the 《Slavery Choker》, but Modinalaam, who was outside of that body, attacked as if it were only natural.
The wings turned into a gigantic fist, and came thrusting out.
「I thought so! You have no other choice but that!」
Since he had anticipated it, Diablo easily evaded it.
Even so, it had slightly touched him.
With just a graze on his shoulder, he received an impact strong enough that it felt like his whole upper body would have been taken away by it.
If not for his training as a Warrior, he would have taken that attack just now and that would have been the end of it.
From Modinalaam’s perspective, it might have been a mere check, but for Diablo, it was a punch that could have been lethal.
If he were to compare it to something, it was something like suddenly having a truck rush pass from a distance that one’s hand could reach.
──Can I defend against that with my current equipment?
What about warding it off with the 《Tonnerre Empereur・Libéré》?
It might be possible, but it would probably be instant death if he were to fail. The risk was too big.
From Rem’s back, the figure of a black monster appeared.
It had a black goat head, and a body like that of a gorilla──However, it had a look different from the body that he fought during the day.
Its contour wasn’t fixed.
It was kind of like mist, or an aura.
A mass of magical power? Or, should it be called a spirit body or something?
Diablo searched his memory to see if there were any monsters with a similar property in the MMORPG Cross Reverie.
At the very least, there weren’t any Demon Kings that could turn into mist.
However, there did exist several monsters that could turn into an indeterminate form.
When taking a form, physical attacks should work on them, but fundamentally, magic should be effective.
──But, I guess I should probe its properties with a small attack.
「《Lightning Arrow》!!」
A bullet of light flew.
When fired at a Demon King, its power was insufficient, but the bullet was fast and its accuracy was high.
With the gigantic fist, it was punched and dispersed.
The black goat’s head narrowed its eyes.
「That is right……Thou cannot injure this Pantherian……Therefore, thou cannot use Maximum Magic.」
「You have taken various things into consideration.」
「Victory, is supreme!」
「Umu, that alone is something I can agree with you on.」
Diablo kicked the ground and took some distance.
After a moment, he nodded.
「Modinalaam, you have made three misunderstandings.」
「……」
He couldn’t read the thoughts from the expression of the goat head, but the opponent’s movements stopped.
Diablo put up one finger.
「By manipulating Rem, you probably believe that you have prevented my Maximum Magic but……to begin with, to defeat you, something that grandiose is not needed.」
「Such lies……」
「Listen──Another misunderstanding, it is not like I taught Rem all of my ways of fighting.」
「Mu!?」
「I have also made this sort of preparation!」
Diablo pulled a tube out from his pouch.
He had a feeling of shame.
Just before he used it, he gritted his teeth.
「Kuh……To think that I……would have to rely, on something like this……!!」
──On a paid gacha item!!
The tube made a *Pon!* sound.
A shining sphere shot up.
The surroundings were illuminated by bluish-white brilliance.
The goat head tilted.
「Lighting -naruya?」
「Well, I guess Rem didn’t know about it, as I thought.」
It was a SSR-class gacha item that was rare even in the game after all.
In the gacha, the SSR-class drop rate was 3%. On top of that, in the variety of items, SSR-class items alone easily surpassed 300. He didn’t even want to calculate the rate for each and every item.
The bluish-white sphere that floated in the sky seemed like a moon.
Diablo curved the ends of his lips.
「Modinalaam……You were the first one to use a weak point called manipulating Rem. It is already too late to say that anything is unfair, got it? Well, I’ll only be smiling since you got caught up in it though.」
「This light, what is it -naruya!?」
「Ku ku ku……I shall tell you. This is called 《Customize Bomb》[1]. It is a magic tool that will apply certain conditions to this place.」
「Certain, conditions?」
「Pay attention──The condition is 《Physical Restrictor》! From now on, in this place, damage from physical attacks will be lowered by 90%!」
「…………!?」
Modinalaam’s expression couldn’t be read, but going by his loss of words, his agitation was transmitted.
Diablo broke into a run.
「And then! Your third misunderstanding is──the thought that you could win against me!」
Once again, he went into a distance where his hand could reach.
Modinalaam swung his gigantic fist.
「OOOOO!!」
He howled.
Diablo turned towards the fist that was like a boulder, and struck his own right fist directly from the front.
「《Volcano Cannon》!!」
From his right fist, red hot magma gushed out due to magic.
Both of their fists struggled for supremacy.
Under normal circumstances, even if Modinalaam’s fist was burned by the super scorching heat, through his power that reached absurd levels, it would probably blow the magma away, and crush Diablo’s upper body.
However, only for now, his power was drastically reduced.
Diablo opened his eyes wide.
「Kukuku……Modinalaam, did I not tell you that physical attacks had their power reduced? Do you not have any techniques other than punching? How about firing magic at me? Well, I would just reflect them though!」
「Guh……Diabloooooo!!」
He applied more pressure.
──To think he would have this much strength despite being reduced to ten percent!
However, I will bring him down with this!
「《Rock Ca……!?」
His opponent’s figure suddenly vanished from his field of vision.
For an instant, Diablo was confused.
There was no way that the current Modinalaam could move that fast. As for why, it was because the one that became his legs was Rem. She had been commanded to not move.
There was a floating feeling.
And then, a thunderous roar that was like an earth tremor followed.
──The rampart collapsed!?
Part 4
Fortunately, he had kept using the Flight Magic of his boots, the 《Empty Sky’s Dance》.
It ended without him getting rolled up in the collapsing rampart.
Diablo got down onto the ground outside the town.
The rampart spanning a length of around 100 meters toppled over, and people made an uproar within the town.
And then, black wings flapped, and along with Rem’s body, Modinalaam descended.
So Rem was still being manipulated.
The wings that grew out from her back once again took the form of a goat-headed gorilla.
Diablo had a thought.
──To the west of the town, there are many Demonic Beings watching the fight. It will be somewhat troublesome if he flies away over there.
Maybe because of his current form, or maybe because of the 《Physical Restrictor》, his flight speed was slow.
He got ready to start again, but the situation didn’t change.
Once more, he got close, this time for sure.
He tightly clenched his fist.
Modinalaam groaned.
「Damn thee……」
「Mu?」
「I am! The Great Demon King! Having absorbed numerous Demon Kings! Resulting in the 《Originator Demon King》, the ultimate Demon King! With the greatest magical power! With the greatest physical strength! With the greatest Demon King army! All of that……against a mere person of the Races! Lost to a mere person of the Races!?」
His gigantic hands held his small goat head.
A creaking sound was made.
His head started to warp.
With a voice that sounded like blood was coming out with it, Modinalaam shouted.
「Why -naruya!? This Great Demon King, is inferior!? Whyyyyyyyyy!!」
Diablo said it straight out.
「It is because your preparations, were lacking.」
「GIIiiiiiYAAaaaaaaah!! Diiiiabloo……O……OGOH! Ogogo? Ogogo……O!?」
*Bushu!* The goat head split.
Blood scattered about.
With his own large hands, he crushed his own head.
──Suicide?
However, his unpleasant presence did not vanish.
Above all, Rem’s consciousness had not seemed to have returned.
──Shit! What is going to happen next!?
Right now, should he take her back!?
When he took one step forward, a black snake rushed out from Rem’s body.
「Ugh!?」
He hesitated as to whether he should instantly fire magic or not.
Rem was on the line of fire.
If it penetrated, the damage to her would……
However, if the power was low, he would be unable to defend, and he himself would……
Lightning came falling from right overhead.
The lightning pierced the black snake.
Following that, the loud voice of a girl resounded.
「Fall back, Diablo! You will get dragged in -nodaー!!」
「Krum!?」
──And leave Rem behind!?
That is what he thought, but right now, he trusted her. He returned to the town with Flight Magic.
Immediately following that, he learned of the correctness of that judgement.
Several black snakes poured out from Rem. Steadily increasing, Rem’s figure became unseeable.
「What in the world is that!?」
「《Demon King of Insanity Modinalaam》 has revealed his true character -noda!」
Krum, who had rushed over, spoke.
Shera also came together with her.
「What about Rem!? What’s going on with Rem!?」
「Calm down -noda, Shera! Since Modinalaam is within her, she is surely safe. It is because if the vessel is broken while the revival preparations aren’t ready, even the Demon King will be extinguished!」
「Krum-chan, I don’t really know what you’re saying, you know!?」
「Ahー, in other words, since Modinalaam will also die when Rem dies, she should be alive -nanoda.」
「Eh……? In that case, does that means that to defeat Modinalaam, Rem has to die?」
Krum shook her head left and right.
「That won’t happen! It’s because if it’s Maou, then she will pull that fellow out from Rem!」
「Hurray!」
「However, Modinalaam also knows that -noda. Even after making Rem a stepping stone, he couldn’t win against Diablo. The vessel is already nothing but a weakness for him. Seeking his next form, he ended up doing that.」
Diablo asked a question.
「Krum, what did that fellow start?」
「He plans on gathering magical power -nanoda. In order to obtain a body powerful enough to win against you, Diablo. Even though he should know that that would lead to his own destruction.」
「What do you mean by that? Don’t Demon Kings gush magical power forth limitlessly?」
「Umu, if we are in good health, it is limitless -nanoda! However, Modinalaam had his original body destroyed, and escaped into Rem. He was unable to win against Diablo with his remaining magical power.」
So he was in that sort of state.
「What do you mean by gathering magical power?」
「It has started -noda. If you watch, you will understand.」
Krum pointed.
The countless black snakes headed towards the Demonic Beings.
Shrieks were raised.
Screams.
Explosions due to magic and Martial Arts also occurred.
Even so, the black snakes did not stop. One after another, the Demonic Beings and Demonic Beasts started to get eaten.
「Ugh……」
Shera covered her mouth.
For Diablo, a cold sweat ran down his back.
「By magical power……Do you mean the Demonic Beings!?」
「It is fortunate, isn’t it? Since there aren’t many among the Races with really strong magical power, he went over there -noda.」
With that many Demonic Beings and Demonic Beasts, there would surely be a lot of magical power.
Part 5
When the black snakes appeared, Commander-in-chief Ourou was the first one to fly away.
The adviser Lazpuulas shouted.
「Not good! Take shelter! We must escape!」
The Demonic Beast User Manuela hit the shell under her feet.
「Grand Turtle, run away.」
「With this huge turtle, it already won’t make it in time!」
Lazpuulas carried Manuela under his arm. He ran down from the gigantic turtle as if sliding down the shell.
A majority of the Demonic Beings and Demonic Beasts didn’t run away.
They watched wondering what was going on.
Their individual fighting strength was strong. Due to that, their fear and wariness were thin.
──It’s total destruction.
Lazpuulas broke into a run.
The large-sized Demonic Beings that were at the head of the army were the first to be swallowed by the black snakes.
「Great Demon King-sama!? Wh, y……」
Screams were raised, even from the other Demonic Beings.Next were the Demonic Beasts.
Manuela’s face turned pale.
「Why is Great Demon King-sama doing this!?」
Lazpuulas desperately carried his heavy body and ran away.
「That, is no longer Great Demon King-sama! Those are poisonous snakes that only desire magical power!」
「For a person known as a priest, isn’t that blasphemy!?」
「That sermonizing, if we get through this alive, I will listen to it then!」
The fat, frog-headed Demonic Being noisily moved his legs and ran. He wasn’t fast, but the black snakes were greedily devouring the other Demonic Beings and Demonic Beasts.
He ran away into the forest.
Immediately after that──
Black figures covered the area over Lazpuulas and Manuela’s heads.
「Ah……」
They were black snakes.
Part 6
Shera raised her voice.
「Its form is changing again!」
「Umu! It seems that is the final form that Modinalaam has chosen -nanoda!」
*Funnu* Krum made a rough snort.
It was a castle.
Diablo recognized it.
「……It’s the Demon King castle.」
Though he said that, the real thing was probably much larger. In the game, the Demon King’s castle was much larger than Fortress City Faltra.
It was only natural that the final dungeon would be vaster than a town that appeared midway through the story though.
Several towers that were like spears were lined in a row, and were surrounded by a tall rampart. The front gate made a *gigigi* sound and opened.
Krum spoke.
「Most likely, he is calling for you, Diablo.」
「Mu……」
「Modinalaam is thinking that if it is in there, then he can win……No……Anything that could be called thought has already been blown away for him. He merely wants to fight you -nanoda.」
「Is Rem, also inside?」
Krum nodded.
「Umu. Maou was always together with Rem after all. Maou can tell by smell.」
At that time, other people had come out from the town.
That being said, since the rampart had already turned into a mountain of rubble, the boundary between the plains and the town had become vague though.
「Yaa, Diablo-san. Things have become grave, haven’t they?」
It was Sylvie.
Lamnites was also with her.
「What is that, that castle? When was it built?」
「It seems to be a mere shadow of what the Great Demon King Modinalaam once was.」
Hearing Diablo’s explanation, Lamnites made a face that said she couldn’t believe it, but she did not deny it.
Sylvie asked a question to Krum.
「That thing, it’s a mass of magical power, right? With him having no body, is it possible to maintain it for a long time? I’d like to hear the opinion of a real Demon Kingー.」
That is clearly saying that “there are also fake Demon Kings”, isn’t it? is what Diablo thought, but he kept silent.
Krum nodded.
「Umu! That was created with magical power gathered from the Demonic Beings, but it is vanishing from the ends -noda! It will probably vanish by tomorrow.」
「Is that so!」
「But……If you wait for that, this town won’t get off safely, you know?」
「Ahー, is that so?」
Sylvie scratched her head.
Looking closely, black snakes gushed forth from the fake Demon King castle once again. On top of that, although it was slow, the castle was getting closer.
Lamnites glared at it.
「With that speed, it will make contact with Faltra City in an hour. I do not know how far those black snakes can extend out, but if their range is about the same as a Magi Gun, then they can reach the whole town in about thirty minutes.」
She was a Magi Gunner that drove sand ships at high speeds. Her eye measurements with that sort of thing could be trusted.
Unfortunately, at this rate, it didn’t seem like they could just safely pray for the morning sun.
Lamnites gave orders to the Local Knights that were waiting on her behind her.
「Prioritize the injured, and evacuate the citizens to the east gate! For the people that want to run away to the royal capital’s side, let them go. However, there are no soldiers to send around as evacuation escorts. All hands, defend this place to the last!」
「Understood!」
Sylvie made her eyes go round.
「You’re going to fight that!? That’s the Great Demon King that swallowed the Demon King army whole, you know!?」
「No matter who the enemy is……Six of the eight barrier towers are either going strong or can be repaired. For the other two towers, they can temporarily be made in three days. The Magician’s Guild’s central tower is also safe. This Faltra City is meant to protect the territory of the Races, so it absolutely must not be lost! If it is broken through, even if the Great Demon King vanishes, other Demonic Beings will surely overrun the defenseless town. Or could it be that you are able to affirm that there are not any rear guard Demonic Beings?」
「Nnー……Honestly, I think there are some.」
Being on the cautious faction, it seemed that there would also be some Demonic Beings that wouldn’t really come forward.
So the military and the Adventurers will protect the town.
As if replacing the Local Knights that busily ran about, there were people that came running this way.
Shera waved her hand.
「Rose-san! Edelgart-san!」
Part 7
Rose lowered her head very deeply in front of Diablo.
「I am terribly, terribly sorry. Give this Rose any punishment you like. To be sleeping while Master was fighting……」
「It is fine, rest is necessary. What about Sasala?」
「No matter what we did, she would not wake up.」
──Seriously!?
A delicate atmosphere spread amongst everyone there.
Even though it is a critical situation that concerns the existence of the Races, the night is bedtime!?
Suddenly, Diablo had a thought──Come to think of it, the High Chief Priest who was chosen by God, Lumachina, was burdened with the peculiar handicap of having “Healing Miracles not working on herself”.
「Could it possibly be that……Well, do not force her. A sword is something that shines when it is polished. If it is needed for her, then let her sleep.」
「Understood.」
On the other hand, Edelgart was gazing at the fake Demon King castle with a complicated-looking expression.
「…………」
「What is wrong -noda?」
The young Demonic Being girl groaned at Krum’s question.
「Many～, companions……have……vanished.」
「Ahh, that’s right. You were a Demonic Being of the Demon King castle.」
「Yes……but……ehー……uhー……」
Edelgart searched for words. She was somewhat poor at having conversations.
No one rushed her.
Finally, one word.
「Regret?」
「Umu……That is true.」
Hearing Edelgart’s mutter, Krum closed her eyes, and the two of them said nothing for a moment.
After that, *Pan!*, Krum clapped her hands.
「Now then! Diablo, you have had enough of the tedious talk, right? You should choose! What will you do -noda!?」
Diablo surveyed everyone present.
Shera, Krum, Edelgart, Rose, Sylvie, Lamnites……
And then, he looked at the Demon King castle.
──Rem.
「Naturally, I will take back my property! Modinalaam also desires a conclusion to all of this after all.」
Krum grinned.
「Now that is Maou’s master -nanoda. That thing will not stop anyhow unless you destroy the core. Go get him -nanoda!」
Going “huh”, Shera tilted her head.
「Krum-chan, are you not going? Aren’t we going to go and rescue Rem with everyone here?」
「I will go alone.」
He had a good understanding of Modinalaam’s strength.
Most likely, the effect of 《Physical Restrictor》 will have disappeared inside the castle. It was because the light of 《Customize Bomb》 doesn’t reach inside of it.
If it were to turn into a fight similar to before, he wouldn’t have the leeway to protect those around him.
Going “Now that you mention it”, Diablo gave instructions.
「Right now, in this area, physical attacks have lost their meaning. For people that use swords or spears, it would be best if you enchant them so that they turn into magic attacks.」
Actually, if Modinalaam had quickly realized this fact, another countermeasure would have been needed.
Since he was thoughtlessly using his own strength, schemes probably weren’t working in his head.
Sylvie made a difficult face.
「That’s unreasonable, Diablo-san! A majority of both the soldiers and Adventurers use physical attacks. And then, the enchantment to turn them into magical attacks is high grade magic……I am just barely able to enchant several people, you know!?」
「Mu……」
This was beyond his expectations.
Now that she mentioned it, enchantments of this other world weren’t really investigated.
Since Diablo himself would have enchantments reflected with the 《Demon King’s Ring》, he was excessively disinterested in it.
Would it be difficult for them to protect the town from those black snakes after having a majority of their fighting power made powerless?
From behind, a voice was raised.
「That enchantment, I shall take responsibility for it.」
When he turned around, a group of Local Knights and Magicians approached. *Za* Then the enclosure split to the left and right.
A beautiful woman was expressing a smile.
She held a long staff.
「Diablo-san, it has been a while, hasn’t it.」
「Celes!?」
Maybe because he called her with her nickname, the escort Magicians knitted their brows.
Next to her, Galford was also there.
「I have received the situation report. The Magician’s Guild has decided to completely cooperate. Leave this place to us……The Races are still in an existential crisis. If that imitation Demon King castle is not stopped, then we will have no chance at victory.」
「Galford, you came out looking self-important but……You will prove useful, right?」
「Would you like to test me?」
His bloodlust had not weakened.
Even his arm that he should have lost had returned to how it was before.
To think that he had gone from having that many injuries and that much exhaustion to making his return without even half a day passing! Is this what it means to be an experienced person of the great war?
Celes came in between them.
「Diablo-san.」
「Mu?」
「I, will do my best.」
「Ahー, umu, right……Well, be sure to assist the small timers.」
Her slow tone softened the edgy atmosphere. With this situation, it was for better or worse.
Celes spoke.
「I beg of you, Diablo-san……Somehow, please save Rem-san.」
「Are you serious? Didn’t Rem try to kill you?」
「Rem-san, would not do such a thing. It was an action of that Great Demon King. That girl, she has a strong sense of responsibility, is very persevering……and lonely. I, always think to myself, if only Rem-san were free in the truest meaning of the word.」
Her words, they sounded like she were praying to God despite being a Magician.
That didn’t even need to be said.
Diablo took out his Magic Staff.
「Just leave everything to me!」
