In another world, it seems the night sky's view remains relatively unchanged.
A man cloaked in black sat on the rooftop of a building, gazing up at the sky. He was known as 'Flame' by the Anti-Demon Special Forces, and he cast a cold glance downward.
There, amidst the bustling chaos, lights danced in such abundance, and iron carriages moved ceaselessly between the cold, massive structures. It was a lifeless and mechanized prosperity.
This was a world where magic had not developed.
A world that had evolved differently from the Asteris where Flame had lived. In this world, technology had advanced to an extreme. Human selfishness in their pursuit of technology had left the natural order behind, causing distortions. At least, that's how Flame saw it.
"――Ah, Sissy, how repulsive it is. Why must the affairs of humankind be so filthy? No one seems to notice the cries the world is raising."
Flame remarked in a cold tone.
In response to Flame's voice, an artificial eye twitched beneath his hood.
The demon race (mazoku) was inherently more attuned to the Aether that filled the world from birth. Consequently, in Asteris, most demons were more skilled in handling magic than humans. Magic was both the harmony with the world and a means to reform it. Therefore, demons loved nature and the pursuit of their own magic, making them ultimate individualists.
Flame's way of having conversations with his alter ego, 'Sissy,' on a daily basis had developed over the long years he spent alone. Hence, he couldn't accept the way humans, who recklessly destroyed the world for their own goals, lived their short lives.
"This place is so filthy that it clouds my vision... but it exists. Without a doubt, it's here. ――Yes, my hounds and demons, both were scattered by a formidable power. They shouldn't be able to pull off such a stunt against the keys we were chasing, but it's undoubtedly a human from Asteris. ――I understand, Sissy. Whatever appears, it can't obstruct me."
Flame muttered to himself.
Then, he slowly rose to his feet. His cloak fluttered in the wind, and his wrinkled face appeared in the night.
The reason he stood up was simple: someone's presence had appeared on the rooftop. A voice called out to Flame from behind. It was a chilling voice that echoed through the night sky.
"Hey, just who are you?"
Flame turned around slowly, as if to indicate that the presence behind him posed no threat.
"How impolite. Or perhaps, is it wrong to expect basic courtesy from a human?"
Without changing her expression, the woman who had spoken, Isumi Tsukiko, replied calmly.
"Courtesy is something that naturally emerges when dealing with a courteous person. At the very least, you don't need it."
"I see. Indeed, beastly etiquette is something only beasts can understand. From that perspective, I can agree that it's unnecessary."
Flame replied impassively.
Moonlight shone on her elegant black hair, contrasting with her fair skin. She was dressed in magical combat attire that resembled a hakama (袴) rather than the Anti-Demon Special Forces combat uniform, a magic tool she had taken from her family for this battle.
Flame also knew what they were. In this world, they were magicians who handled the mystery of magic in a world that had forgotten the miracles of this world. However, they were still far from matching Flame, a demon. They were, after all, an inferior species.
While Flame had initially been intrigued by the drastically different magical methods of Asteris, his interest had long since faded. In their magic, they couldn't even leave a scratch on Flame.
It was only natural that Flame remained unguarded.
However, Tsukiko's next words shook Flame's emotions deeply.
"Regardless of how you are now, aren't you a human?"
When questioned, Flame fell silent for a moment and then burst into laughter, a hearty laugh that filled the entire rooftop despite its hoarseness.
"Have you heard that, Sissy? This is a masterpiece! Me, this Jillzack Luiid, being called a human!? This level of insult is a first in my life! I can't help but laugh!"
"..."
Tsukiko narrowed her eyes at Flame's sudden burst of laughter.
Tsukiko and the others had assumed that Flame was a rogue magician who had escaped from some magic organization.
Flame's appearance was quite impactful, but he didn't deviate significantly from a human's appearance, and he had the intelligence to carry on a conversation. Moreover, he lacked the distinctive atmosphere of youkai or supernatural beings.
However, Tsukiko couldn't help but wonder if they were making a huge mistake. If she believed Flame's words, it meant that this man wasn't human.
Jillzack Luiid. That's what Flame had just called himself.
Tsukiko tried to recall if she had ever heard of the name Jillzack Luiid, but she couldn't remember it at all. If he wasn't human, then perhaps he was some kind of supernatural being or devil (akuma), but again, she had never heard of such a thing.
—No, it didn't matter right now.
Tsukiko interrupted her thoughts there.
This analysis wouldn't serve any purpose in the upcoming battle. While knowing the opponent's identity could be an advantage in many situations, they had too little information this time.
If she didn't know, then allocating her mental resources to that question would be a waste.
Tsukiko raised her arm slightly and let magic power flow throughout her body.
In an instant, the Kinraishou (Golden Thunder Spear) concealed within her clothing extended into Tsukiko's hand with a resounding noise.
"Do I need to tell you to surrender now?"
Flame, who had stopped laughing at Tsukiko's words, turned to her again.
"Silence is the only righteous action humans can take, as they're the only ones capable of it."
"...Indeed."
She had tried to initiate a conversation, following Ayaka's lead, but reconciliation was still out of reach.
Tsukiko brandished the Kinraisho and readied herself. After a sharp sound of slicing through the air, the tip was pointed directly at Flame.
Before her stood a weapon capable of piercing not just humans, but even the building they were on, all the way to the ground. However, Flame remained unruffled, standing there calmly.
"There's nothing your little toy can do to me, you know that already, don't you?"
"...Whether it's the same as last time or not, you can check for yourself."
While emitting golden lightning from the tip, Tsukiko stared down Flame.
Certainly, last time, Flame had easily deflected Tsukiko's 'Tensen Shinsou (Heaven-Piercing Divine Spear).' That magic was undeniably among the top in terms of firepower among the magic Tsukiko could use individually.
With that, Tsukiko couldn't even scratch Flame. Currently, there was no way for Tsukiko to effectively strike Flame.
However, the essence of modern magic was to easily surpass such reasoning.
"First and second Seals, Release."
As Tsukiko spoke, Kinraishou activated its mechanisms.
While deploying a magic circle, the tip of Kinraishou opened up and split into two. Between the tips, golden lightning crackled, and Tsukiko's magic power swelled.
"Hmm..."
Flame couldn't help but let out a sound at this sight. His artificial eye was also busy, as if representing his thoughts.
The Kinraishou Tsukiko possessed was the pinnacle of magic tools that could be created in the modern age. Its potential was on par with the legendary weapons created in ancient times.
Naturally, Tsukiko, still inexperienced as a magician, couldn't fully unleash its capabilities. If she were to unleash all of Kinraishou's power, the lightning would likely blow away everything, including Tsukiko herself.
That's why Kinraishou had several restrictions placed on it. This time, Tsukiko had removed two of them.
A true tool and its wielder resonated, enhancing each other's magic power and strength.
The golden lightning that had crackled at the tip now enveloped the entire spear, and Tsukiko herself was clad in lightning. She realized that the potential she couldn't fully control with her own power surged through Kinraishou.
Her black hair, as if blending into the night sky, floated up with flashes of gold. To endure this release, Tsukiko had made various preparations. She had equipped herself with magical tools attuned to lightning all over her body, and she had undergone rituals performed by the Anti-Demon Special Forces' magicians to enhance her physical abilities.
"..."
Tsukiko's body sank.
In an instant, a bolt of lightning shot through Flame. But this was not the lightning discharged from the spear. It was Tsukiko herself, wielding the spear, who charged at Flame with lightning-like speed.
This strike, unlike the one easily stopped by Flame last time, had incomparable power.
Between Flame and Tsukiko, a wall of fire erupted, and red and gold clashed on the rooftop of the building.
Sparks lit up the night sky like daylight, and the impact created a shockwave that scattered in all directions.
And Tsukiko emerged victorious.
Kinraishou pierced through the wall of flames, scattering the fire and bringing its tip closer to Flame's chest.
In response, Flame opened his eyes slightly and leaped backward without hesitation.
Flame, throwing himself into the night without hesitation, fell to the ground. There were no lights from cars or people there anymore. Before becoming a battlefield, the Anti-Demon Special Forces had cleared the area of civilians.
"Tensen Shinsou..."
Aiming for Flame as he fell, Tsukiko threw the spear from the rooftop.
With a resounding impact, Kinraishou struck Flame directly and crashed into the ground. The asphalt shattered and was sent flying by the golden lightning, while the glass of the building shattered and rained down.
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