While walking through the city at night, I noticed the manifestation of a tremendous magic power. In that instant, I instinctively activated my magic and, carrying Lisha, leaped into the night sky.
I must admit my thinking was naïve.
I had assumed that if I walked around at night emitting magic power, the demons would contact us first, as they were searching for Lisha. What I didn't anticipate was that Earth's magicians had reached the same conclusion, and through some twist of fate, the demons arrived there first. Another miscalculation was that the barrier the Earth's magicians had erected had a far higher concealment rate than I had imagined.
As a result, I was much slower to notice the danger.
"..."
I gazed down quietly at the unconscious Tsukiko, then knelt down and gently stroked her black hair as gently as I could. It felt soft and familiar under my armor.
In her hand, she clutched a spear that she would never carry as an ordinary college student.
—Honestly, I hate my own stupidity.
Why didn't I realize that Tsukiko was a magician? I knew that Tsukiko had a significant amount of magic power.
But I had assumed that her magic power manipulation was so skillful that it seemed no different from a regular person with heightened intuition. Indeed, many people had a considerable amount of magic power, but compared to the people in Asteris, it wasn't much. Moreover, even if they had magic power, it didn't make much of a difference unless they were magicians.
So, I just assumed Tsukiko was one of those people.
If I had thought about it a little more, I might have realized it from her ordinary gestures. Even if I hadn't, when I learned that there were magicians on Earth, I should have considered that possibility. But I hadn't.
I had been too busy lamenting my rejections and hadn't considered what Tsukiko was carrying or what she was thinking.
Maybe she was actually a magician, or maybe she had nothing to do with it and had just broken up with me. Regrets like this might be meaningless now.
But even if that were the case...
"Yuusuke-san..."
Lisha, who had been brought along with me, spoke quietly from the side.
"..."
I stood up in silence and surveyed the surroundings. The area resembled a battlefield turned upside down, and I could easily imagine the fierce battles that had unfolded here. If I hadn't been so late, perhaps things wouldn't have turned out this way.
—No, I'll save my self-loathing for later.
There was only one thing to do now.
I focused my attention on the demon (mazoku) overlooking us from the sky. With white hair and an artifical eye embedded in one socket, he stared at me as if searching for my true identity. It was clearly different from a human, following a path that deviated from our own.
But above all else, the dense magic power radiating from his body was unforgettable.
I never thought when I would return to the earth, I will face a demon again. It had dominion over all the surrounding space and saturated it with its own essence.
This was what a demon was.
And being chosen for the God-Demon War meant there was no need to question his strength.
The demon opened his mouth with an air of indifference.
"...Ah, Sissy, I've finally found it. The 'key.'"
I couldn't be certain whom he was addressing, but his gaze was fixed on Lisha. There was no need to confirm it, but it was now certain that this demon was after Lisha.
"Ugh..."
Lisha, who was caught in the demon's gaze, squirmed as if trying to escape his gaze. Even though Lisha could use magic as a saint, there was no way for her to win against the demon in front of us.
I stood in front of Lisha, blocking the demon's gaze.
The demon's artificial eye and remaining natural eye pierced through me.
"...I see, you're the guardian who killed my servants. However, the guardian of that 'key' over there should have been someone from a different race. Well, it doesn't matter at this point."
His servants, that probably referred to the fire dog and the great demon I had defeated. Judging from the army before me, even their sophisticated magic was child's play to this demon.
The demon contorted his expression at that moment.
"The servants you fought were nothing more than foot soldiers. Their disappearance won't be a significant loss. But it's annoying. You, who killed my servants without my knowledge, and with such arrogance. Do you really think you have the right to stand before me just because you slaughtered them?"
...Annoying?
Did he just say that he's annoyed?
Many people were wounded, the city was in ruins, and he, who had harmed Tsukiko, is annoyed at me—...
"An unknown hero like a nameless warrior thinks they can confront my 'Crimson Army' in battle, then you must have the appropriate standing."
"'Silence.'"
A pressure called silence crushed everything around us. The words spoken by the demon were cut off, creating a blanks without continuation, and even the crackling of sparks was silenced.
While using 'My True Name,' in other words, when enveloped in my armor, my words carried magic power regardless of their content. So, I avoided speaking casually while using it because each word could trigger simple magic. If there were people nearby with low magic resistance, they might get caught up in it.
But now was different.
Lisha's magic, 'Seiki (Sanctuary),' was protecting the others.
There was no reason to hesitate anymore.
...Annoying?
Don't misunderstand, demon. It's not you who's annoying, and the fury I'm suppressing is not because of you.
My emotions surged tumultuously, and a jade-green light radiated from my armor like a mirage.
"'State your name.'"
Frantically manipulating his artificial eye to avoid the silence magic, the demon still resisted my magic power with its own and, full of fury, spoke.
"...Who are you, then?"
"'State your name.'"
This time, I intentionally infused my words with magic power. A stronger constraint pierced through the flames and captured the demon.
"Ugh...! I am Jillzack Luiid, the 87th head of the Luiid family and bearer of the title 'Ashes.' ...Now, state your name, guardian of the 'key!'"
Jillzack Luiid... It was a name I hadn't heard before, but I did remember the title 'Ashes.' Titles created from the demon's ancient language carried special meaning to them. Titles served as symbols of specific magical arts, and inheriting one meant attaining the pinnacle in that particular branch of magic.
'Ashes' was probably related to some kind of fire or heat-based annihilation magic. The previous bearer of the 'Ashes' title had relied on sheer brute force from an immense amount of magic power. But it seemed there had been a change of generations.
Well, it didn't matter. Once the name was stated, there was no reason for me not to state mine.
"'My True Name.'"
"...What did you say?"
Luiid frowned, simply because he probably didn't hear it. I had undoubtedly said, "Yamamoto Yuusuke." However, the magic power masking effect of 'My True Name' concealed the name itself.
The disguise ability of 'My True Name' was incredibly potent. Only a few people had ever heard my name even after a long battle.
Now, honestly, it didn't matter. I had only revealed my name to prevent any ambiguity in my anger.
"'Lisha.'"
"Huh?! Yes!?"
Lisha, who had been maintaining her magic beside me, responded with surprise for some reason.
I wonder if Lisha will be alright. She must maintain the 'Sanctuary' at all costs from now on.
Because...
"'I'll leave the back to you.'"
"Uh, understood!"
Right now, I might be a bit out of control.
Lisha took a step away from me, steadying her breath and honing her magic power. In that moment, the atmosphere around Lisha changed. It became incredibly cold and tranquil.
Immediately afterward, Lisha began moving gracefully, her actions quiet and precise. Despite her graceful movements, her posture was solid down to her fingertips.
Her slow movements gradually gained intensity, her arms flexed, and her hair shone as it swirled in the air.
It was a dance.
In Lisha's wake, I could even envision a white marble wall and numerous devotees offering prayers. The sacred dance that the saint offered to the goddess, a method of constructing efficient spells perfected over many years.
From Lisha's body, golden light overflowed. The golden particles rearranged and reconstructed existing spells, enhancing them.
It was 'Sanctuary.'
Even as a Hero who had fought battles, it was a tremendous display of magic power and skill. This was the true power of the saint favored by the gods, the essence of the techniques cultivated by the Holy Goddess Church.
The gold of 'Sanctuary' covered everything in sight, even the heavens.
"'Key' magic, huh? However, if you think you can stop my army with that, it's quite amusing."
Even though 'Sanctuary' had entrapped him, the demon showed no signs of perturbation. It was clear that he had immense confidence in his own power.
Indeed, 'Sanctuary' didn't interfere with the demon mazoku's magic and weaken it. It had no offensive capabilities; its sole purpose was to protect.
But that protective power was precisely what I desired the most. With her, I could entrust my back without worry.
Lisha had flawlessly fulfilled her role.
Thanks to her, everything was ready. It was about time I took action as well.
Perhaps sensing the atmosphere, Luiid's and my gazes crossed, and we both moved naturally.
Luiid raised his arm, magic power resonated, and as I took a step forward...
"Turn everything to ashes, 'Aspita Heirain!'"
The army of flames surged, swallowing the atmosphere. It was as if the receding tide had surged and turned into a massive wave. Spearheading the charge were the cavalry.
—Very well.
Don't underestimate the power I've honed as a Hero.
Crushing the ground beneath my feet, I charged towards the fiery army.
Clang! The scenery before me flashed and instantly shifted to my rear as I blocked the thrust of a cavalryman with my sword.
I immediately repelled the thrust with my sword and leaped onto the horse's head in one fluid motion.
Sorry, but I'll deal with you later.
I exploded the jade-green light and blew up the horse's head with my leap.
Slicing through the night sky like a straight line, I ascended to the same height as Luiid.
"...!!"
"..."
Our gazes met for a brief moment.
The cavalry and monsters surrounding Luiid moved to intercept me all at once, and I cleaved through them all with my sword. With one more step, I could reach Luiid.
However, the demon's hero wasn't so naive to allow that, and my target wasn't Luiid either.
Balancing the forces of propulsion and gravity, my brief levitation allowed me to descend towards my true target below.
—Roarrrrrr!
With its massive jaws wide open, capable of swallowing entire buildings, the creature resembled a crocodile. It was probably a magic art resembling the Swallowing Dragon that I had seen in Asteris.
This beast was purely gigantic, hard, and its existence embodied the instinct to devour and consume everything for nearly a millennium.
Conventional magic wouldn't work against this creature. It had high resistance against anything, be it physical or magical.
Having directly observed Luiid's magic, I understood that his spells bestowed the properties of a living being onto flames.
If that's the case, it's natural to assume that this Swallowing Dragon possesses exceptional resistance as well. If this massive creature were to rampage with that resistance, it could potentially affect Lisha's 'Sanctuary.' That's why I need to take care of this creature first.
—Roarrrrrr!
With a roar that made me think even the mountains might tremble, the swallowing dragon awaited my descent with its jaws wide open.
Alright, if you're that hungry, I'll feed you.
Anger and exhilaration mixed together, and a heat I hadn't felt in a long time enveloped my entire body. I pointed the tip of my sword downward, and the jade-green light from my silver armor shimmered as it dissolved into the night sky.
And then, the open jaws closed, and my body was swallowed by the swallowing dragon.
Red, red, red, red.
Everything in my field of vision turned red, and the immense heat radiated through my armor, scorching my body.
It's not just my sword arm that has dulled due to years of peace; it's the magic itself. No, more than that, Luiid's magic is incredible.
I had never let my guard down, but it was beyond my imagination. When I thrust my sword deep into the swallowing dragon's mouth, a tremendous resistance pushed my sword back.
In reality, Luiid's magic was replicating the endurance of an actual swallowing dragon, and it might even surpass it.
I have to acknowledge his skill.
But...
'Thank you, Yuusuke-san.'
Lisha was crying.
A sixteen-year-old girl burdened with the fate of the world and whose life is threatened. And she can never escape that destiny. She's such a gentle, straightforward, and pure girl.
At the same time, an image of Tsukiko lying on the ground flashed in my mind.
While our classmates and I was studying, drinking, and goofing around, Tsukiko was fighting. There was no need to ponder the reason. Despite her gruff and reserved exterior, her heart was incredibly kind.
Luiid had hurt them. He had tried to kill them with malice and intent.
"'...!'"
—If I had lost both of them...
Just thinking about it made my back teeth feel like they were about to shatter.
Even if my efforts weren't rewarded, even if the results of my hard work weren't what I hoped for...
This feeling of wanting to help someone is genuine.
And with that feeling, I'll do whatever it takes. Now and in the future.
That's why...
"'Come on!!'"
That's what it means to be a Herooooo!
A jade-green flash that pierced through all the flames surrounding my body erupted from my sword.
Thud! I felt my sword sinking into the swallowing dragon's insides.
Now that it's come to this, there's no turning back. I sliced through the flesh of the fiery beast, forcing open its armored jaws, and thrust my sword in.
The silver blade advanced through the deep crimson, and I finally felt the tip of the sword reach the swallowing dragon's life.
The magic power imbued in the sword exploded as it severed the temporary life granted by magic.
The jade-green light sparkled and scattered, and the immense heat from the swallowing dragon, which could no longer maintain its form in death, raged like a storm.
Roar! The corpse of the swallowing dragon blew away the nearby Crimson Army as it uncontrollably rampaged from Luiid's control.
Even in the face of that inferno, 'Sanctuary)' continued to shine brilliantly.
As I lifted the sword's tip from the ground, the swallowing dragon's form had completely disappeared, and everything around me had been swept away.
Honestly, it was a bit too flashy for a war declaration, but...
I swung my sword, glaring at the surrounding forces that besieged me.
It was a desperate situation reminiscent of my days as a Hero, but this time, I had no companions by my side and my sword arm had rusted. However, there was still Lisha, tirelessly maintaining 'Sanctuary,' and Tsukiko and the others who had fought until we arrived. There were people I had to protect.
So, there was no reason for me to accept defeat.
In the space dominated by flames, I made my declaration like driving a wedge into it.
"'Come at me!'"
The response was flames that filled the sky. And thus, the signal for the second phase of the God-Demon War was dropped, as the battle began in earnest.
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