Volume 9 Chapter 29 Lord Of Try Order
"Hey, wake up."
As I woke up, I sat up and activated magic, drawing my sword.
With a swift motion, I swung the sword from low to high, intending to strike and cut down the opponent along with the table in front of me.
The sword continued its upward trajectory, and the table, now split in half, shattered into pieces upon contact with magic power.
However, that was as far as it went.
"You're looking well. Shouldn't you show a bit more respect for an elder?"
The old man sitting in front of me acted as if nothing had happened.
It wasn't that I misjudged the distance.
There was only a single table's length between me and the old man. It was the perfect distance and timing for a guaranteed strike.
How did he manage to avoid it while remaining seated?
"Really, I wish you wouldn't cause such a commotion in the room."
The old man said that and casually flicked his finger.
The once shattered desk returned to its original state as if it were playing in reverse. It was not a time reversal like Bertina-san's, but a normal repair.
Even so, the magic power manipulation was too precise.
At this distance, I felt no trace of magic power at all.
What is this man?
"..."
I attempted to swing down the sword I held, but I stopped. Even if I were to strike now, I couldn't imagine him cutting through.
This is almost unheard of. It's been since I faced my serious master.
I made the sword disappear and looked at the old man.
"Have you finally decided to listen to what I have to say?"
Upon closer inspection, the man's face was deeply lined, but vitality emanated from his entire body.
From his weathered face, one could sense the extraordinary experiences he had undergone.
However, what truly astonished me was the magic power and soul hidden within him.
――.
――――.
―――――――.
The moment I saw that man, an explosion occurred in my head. Within the bright white light, countless scenes I had seen before appeared and disappeared.
Unintentionally, a voice leaked from my heart.
Ah.
I see.
So that's what it was.
The sensation of connecting dots and forming a single picture.
Why is the "Try Order" able to perceive and intervene in the God-Demon War of another world?
Why does Seratie (Everchanging) belong to the "Try Order"?
Why do magicians like Grimoires exist on Earth, where magic is not developed?
All the answers were simple.
It was because there were people at the top who could do it.
The old man said quietly.
"Tsukiko showed you some pictures, huh? It's not surprising. My name is Isumi Tengai. I am the master of 'Try Order'.
His voice slid across the surface of my mind.
――I see. I understand now.
So that's it.
I've felt it since I saw Tsukiko. Eris is the only person I've ever seen in Asteris who can manipulate magic power with such precision.
Yes, among humans.
"Now, Yuusuke-kun, the reason I called you here—"
"Cut the nonsense."
I interrupted the man who introduced himself as Isumi Tengai.
I couldn't even tell what emotion was welling up from the depths of my being.
It wasn't joy. It wasn't anger. It probably wasn't excitement.
For better or worse, this is truly a feeling of awe.
"So you don't mistake me, I won't mistake you either."
It's a common story.
No matter how many decades pass, even if I lose my memory and become senile, the moment I see him, I remember everything.
Surely, he feel the same way, doesn't he?
Hey.
"Julius Roderest"
When I mentioned that name, Tengai laughed.
And when he lowered his face and looked at me again, what I saw wasn't a sturdy old man.
It was a delicately beautiful face, with hair that shimmered like an illusion. Even though his skin and body looked like that of someone in their 20s, just by tilting his head slightly, he exuded the tranquility of an ancient tree.
I've had the same thought a long time ago.
Now, I am facing a dream while being in reality.
Even though reason screams that it's impossible, deep down, my instincts accept that it's not impossible at all.
That's the kind of existence this person is.
The man rested his chin on his fingers, which resembled birch branches, and narrowed his eyes.
"How did you figure it out?"
Just hearing that voice made me feel certain that it was the truth.
I don't understand the reasoning or what happened.
But it was certain that the man claiming to be Isumi Tengai was actually Julius Roderest.
The demon lord I killed in the previous God-Demon War.
The strongest demon who ruled over the demons.
That was this Julius Roderest.
'We are quite similar, you and I. Perhaps because we are in the farthest positions, like a mirror reflection, we end up resembling each other, don't you think, Yuusuke?'
Words spoken during the battle.
They sear into my mind and cannot be forgotten, pulsating with heat.
He's right. That's why I figured it out.
"On the contrary, do you mistake me for someone else?"
"No way. There's no mistake."
Julius had a smile that was so picturesque it became annoying.
With every movement, every passing second, the Julius inside me overlapped with the person in front of me, and the details became more distinct.
There are many things I want to ask.
But above all, there was something I needed to ask now.
"What about everyone else?"
The air grew colder, becoming as hard as steel.
I realized my consciousness had become like a blade, trembling.
Julius is strong.
Lord, Grimoire, Sign.
I have fought against many strong magicians, but he exists on a different level.
If I weren't a "hero," I wouldn't have been able to defeat Julius, let alone inflict a single wound.
Even if everyone in that place had been killed while I was unconscious, it wouldn't be surprising.
"Everyone is alive."
Julius said reassuringly.
I see.
Good, they're safe——.
I bite back the breath that nearly escapes in relief.
Julius doesn't lie.
There's no need to.
There's no need for negotiation or deception. Those words only speak the truth.
Because, he has that kind of power.
If Julius is alive, then for the time being, everyone should be alive too.
"You only lost consciousness for a few seconds. The rest of the group is being welcomed by my excellent Grimoire."
"For what purpose?"
"I wanted to talk to you alone. There are many things I want to ask."
After saying that, Julius lightly taps the table with his finger, and warm steam rises from the tea and tea sweets that appear on the table.
Hahaha. What a joke. How did he do that just now?
What I should do is swing a sword at Julius' neck and drop it.
The opponent's leader had appeared from the other side. It was a great opportunity.
However, I couldn't move.
Despite just sitting there, I felt as if my whole body was being gripped by numerous gigantic arms or as if I was being submerged in the deep sea, a feeling of oppression.
If I were to attack now, either my head or theirs would fall.
"..."
My dry throat made a small sound.
Just before being engulfed in this space, our magic was interfered with and vanished.
There shouldn't have been such power in the past Julius, but if it was him now, it wouldn't be surprising.
After years of fighting, my intuition, which I trust, is telling me.
Not now.
There is no chance of winning if I fight without any strategy now.
"Phew..."
I exhale and let my fighting spirit surge through my whole body.
My body is adapting to this space. It is a perfect opportunity, but if I am defeated, the battle situation will worsen instantly.
And time will come.
I wait for the moment when I swing the sword.
"Ah, let me hear it. Your purpose."
What we exchanged at that time was magic and a sword. What we will exchange now is words.
Julius and I started a tea party that was supposed to be realized beyond a long time.
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