78 20th Statement: Intrusion (1/2)

Even in the coffin, the black feelings swirling in my brain did not seem to subside in the slightest.

In the darkness, I desperately took a deep breath to calm myself down.

This demon king's army is the worst. It's not fair.

The battle between me and the cannibals was stopped by an intruder, the Demon Lord Rainer. I wonder where he was watching from: ...... It's possible he was observing from inside the castle, though it's a long way away.

If I hadn't intervened ten seconds later, he could have beheaded the cannibal who had pierced me with a poisoned needle and burned me with a cursed flame.

But it's a terrible story. I'm not a member of the demon king's army, and I'm not on his side, but it's just too much.

Monica didn't give me any information about the cannibals either. She did tell me, but there was a fatal flaw in the information.

After all, Senri is the only one I can trust.

Okay. It's okay that we missed the cannibal. The game is already decided. The next time we meet, we can kill it for sure.

There's no forgiveness. He can't be trusted. I'm gonna surprise him and kill him like he's trash. We'll kill him and forget he ever existed like he was nothing.

The problem is Reiner the Witch King.

That one is unbeatable. At least, I'm pretty sure I can't beat him now.

The Rynell I faced on the battlefield last night was powerful enough to convince me of that at a glance.

In the darkness, his thick legs stomping on the ground, his huge body, his mane, everything was glowing with a strange golden color.

The Demon Lord Rainer is a golden lion. A just and great king of beasts with no strings attached.

He looked like a mere beast. However, his body was far bigger than a cannibal, bigger than Albatos, bigger than the last black evil dragon the Lord had created. Despite this, at the moment it landed on the ground, there was hardly a sound of footsteps.

I couldn't even see the full extent of the creature as we came face to face from up close.

Its voice was calm and did not have the mangled sound that cannibals had. Its face was not human, but it had a much deeper intelligence than the cannibals.

And most importantly, on both of its paws were silver claws reminiscent of knives that would kill me.

That's not just silver. It was holy silver, like the sword Senri carried. Expensive, rare, made of a blessed metal that cuts through all demons. It's a vampire-killing metal that completely blocks my ability to regenerate.

With his size, it would be difficult to avoid an attack. Arbatos was unarmed. The cannibal didn't have a silver weapon.

I just learned how to use my powers. I don't stand a chance. Not on my own.

But I will.

The Demon Lord, Rynell, turned his eyes on me, wounded from fighting the cannibal, and smiled.

”End Baron. You have defeated my servant ......, Hebram the Cannibal. Your strength is commendable.

The voice was aware of its overwhelming superiority. It didn't even think of me as an enemy. And perhaps it was right.

A king should be able to understand the difference in power between us.

Hebram will reflect on that. I'd like to formally welcome you into our army. When the invasion of Rhomburg is complete, you will be rewarded as you wish.

There was the heat of a beast in his eyes. It was in the form of a proposal, but there was an unmistakable pressure in his voice.

What would have happened if I hadn't nodded?

That voice was trying to bind me. It disregarded my life. That voice was for the dominant.

He's my enemy. I kill him. Conflict breeds conflict and resentment. I don't like it, but I have no choice.

I'll kill Lynel the Demon King, the cannibals, and this army of misfits so completely that there will be no resentment. I'm a coward, but I'm more vindictive than anyone.

I'll never forget what I've done.

§

There's a presence approaching. A small knock on the coffin lid. I can smell Monica's scent ...... and Oliver's nearby. Night must have come again.

By this time, the emotions that had been running through my brain had calmed down to a certain degree. I could smile and say hello to any cannibals I met outside, if only a little better.

I opened the coffin and pulled myself up. Monica, still dressed in the same clothes that don't show her body lines, said in a slightly shaky voice. Nearby, Oliver is shrinking.

It's a good morning. Mr. Endo, ......, how are you?

How?　...... is the worst.

Fighting the cannibals has given me so much, but I've also lost so much.

I've lost my pride, my cool gear that Senri was going to praise me with. And since I've used the power of blood to regenerate on a large scale many times, I'm nearing exhaustion of my powers. If I had to say that knowing how to use my powers was a plus or a minus, it would be a plus, but I felt like crap.

But I dare to calm my voice and say.

”Well, it's not so bad.

”I'm sorry about last night, Mr. End. ”I'm sorry about last night, Mr. End. But, as an excuse, ...... me and Oliver didn't doubt Mr. End's victory.

”Don't worry, it's over. And it's no big deal.

Yeah, it's okay. Wounds heal. It's only the mind that doesn't heal.

It's the calm that counts. If I lost my cool, I wouldn't have beaten Lord. I couldn't beat Arbatos either. So I'm going to do the same this time.

I saw Monica relax her shoulders as if she was slightly relieved.

Oliver lifts up the large box behind him and places it quietly in front of me. In this way, he really looks more like a dog than a wolf.

I've found ...... a replacement for the equipment I lost last night. I also received a congratulatory gift for Mr. End, who has newly joined our army after defeating the cannibals.