82 CHAPTER XXIV: REbellion (1/2)

”You...

The demise knight, Del Gordon's sword was different from Senri's in that it was classified as a rigid sword. The blow sliced through space and tore through the demon's armor with a roaring sound.

His body was filled with the power of blessing, and every muscle in his body was pulsating violently. His movements were like a storm, and he quickly cut down the three subhuman warriors he had encountered in the treasury.

Dell held the wide sword he had taken from the treasury, ready to strike. Needless to say, I was one of the targets of his vigilance.

I watched him fight like a demon and thought.

--That's not much.

Strong. Sure, it's strong. I'm sure he can beat most of the Liners, and I'm sure I could beat him in a one-on-one match.

But he's too weak for the role I had in mind.

I'm sure that, apart from chemistry, Dell's abilities are below mine. It's been a long time since my chase with Senri at the water's edge. My strength now is nothing compared to what it was then.

If we were to have a one-on-one contest, I would probably win over the blessed Dell. The current me could cut down a subhuman in an instant just like Dell, and I wouldn't let him utter a single word.

I wasn't expecting that much, but I don't think I'd be able to compete with Lynel. All I wanted to do was distract him, but I doubt I could do that to my satisfaction.

That beast is an absolute powerhouse. An overwhelming force that can't be trifled with, it's probably no match for Senri either. Even if you use explosives or something to bring down the castle, the demon lord won't die.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you.

...... Well, that's a last resort. If possible, I'd like to end this before Senri gets here.

Dell is very motivated, but he doesn't intend to take on the entire Demon Lord army.

He hasn't found out about my betrayal yet. I'll leave the other prisoners alone for now and get out of the treasury before Dell does and look around.

The camp was much noisier than usual. There was black smoke rising from the mountains. A voice that was clearly not human came to my ears.

”Intruders--don't let them get away!

I suppressed the instinct that whispered to me to fight. The subhuman warriors, the senior warriors in Rainer's army, hurried past me. I watched them go by with a blank expression on my face. Some of them widened their eyes at the sight of me, but none of them came at me, as if they had been watching the battle with the cannibals.

The battle had happened only two days ago. It's not a full moon yet, but I don't think the Demon Lord Rainer would have expected me to act so quickly.

It's a race against time from here on out. I don't know the structure of Ryner's castle. Monica told me about the structure, but I don't have a map.

Fortunately, the castle is close to the treasury.

The Demon Lord Rynell is the strongest in this army. He's not like the human king. The castle would not be heavily guarded, and the few guards would have gone to the fire.

He made sure that no one was paying attention to him and ran toward the castle. Dell, who was hiding behind a thick robe, followed.

I didn't think you'd be so inept. ......

”There's no point in playing games with it.

I'm not sure I'd be able to do that if I were in your shoes,” he said, his voice filled with dismay. If I were in the same position, I would think the same thing.

But while I can't say that this rebellion isn't filled with emotion, it's also a well thought out action.

I thought about cutting down the small fry from the inside little by little, but in the end it would be meaningless if we couldn't defeat Ryner, and I don't have the time.

”Ryner is going to make a raid near Romburg. We need to hit him before he gets ready.

”............ Why would a vampire defend a human city?　Lonburg is your enemy.

I have a situation. Just like you ...... have a situation.

Dell doesn't know I have a Knight of the End. I'm not gonna tell him.

This case is complicated. I'm acting out of my own emotions, for Senri's sake, and for the sake of the merchants who gave me sweet treats.

I can assure you that the city is not within my range of protection, and I have no intention of risking my life.

But I never thought that I, as an undead, would be fighting with other demise knights besides Senri.

The demise knight is watching my movements even as I'm doing this.

”I've saved you, you'll have to work for it. Don't betray me in the middle of a battle.

I never said I wanted ...... help!

It looks like we're not going to get along.

Rainer's castle was made of smooth stone. I wonder if it was made by magic. ...... Enter through the wide open doorway without a gatekeeper. The dell continues to creep.

It smells like a beast. Once you smell it, you'll never forget it, the smell of the Witch King, Lynel. The smell came from far above. No-- wait.

There's a faint whiff of Senri mixed in with the nose-distorting smell of Lynel's army. Behind us, at the foot of the mountain. It's still far away, but apparently it's heading this way.

I wondered if they were coming for me. ...... Now I had another reason to hurry.

At that moment, I heard a familiar voice from deep within the castle.

”End ...... why are you in the castle?

”............Celzard.

The one who appeared in front of me was Celzard, the lizard warrior who had dealt me a painful blow on my first day. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.

I clucked my tongue in an unprovoked manner.

Selzard and his men were fully armed.

They wore long spears and armor that was probably tailored for their bodies, and they were giving me a stern look (although I couldn't understand the feelings of the lizardmen).

The other day, I put a big hole in its torso, but it's still alive and kicking.

Can you kill it?　But the reason I was able to so easily blow a hole in Celzard was because I had a chance. There are too many of them this time, if not in quality. He looked at Dell, who was hiding in the background.

He hesitates for a moment, and then says with as little emotion in his voice as possible.

There's an intruder in the camp. If you want the credit, Selzar, you'd better go.

Oh, I knew there would be a commotion.

Celzard didn't react much to my words.

His nostrils twitched and his eyes rolled. Does the skalizard have a good sense of smell?

It smells like spellfire. Looks like a rather nasty intruder.

”Then go. If you're a loyal ...... servant of Master Linel, you should go.

The first time I encountered Celzar was outside. He's probably not usually in the castle.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm standing in your way ...... at a time like this,” he said, glancing at his men.

”Yesterday's battle was-- well done.

Thank you. The cannibals were even stronger than they were said to be. It's just a coincidence that I won.

”If Master Rainer hadn't stopped you, you would have killed the cannibal.

”...... No, not at all. I was going to stop him just in time. Killing is strictly forbidden, even vampires follow rules.

Get away from me. This is no time for small talk.

Celzar's eyes were calm, unlike the first time I'd seen him. He's looking at me calmly.

I can smell it. It's not the smell of fear. There's no feeling of fear. There's-- there's the smell of excitement.

Celzar hands the trident to his men and pulls the sword from his waist.

That's when I finally understood the situation correctly.

Celzar isn't listening to a word I'm saying. He's not going to listen. But he knows exactly why I'm here.

The skalengeck warrior, who is said to be one of the best fighters in the army of this demon lord, pulled out not a sword, to be exact.

It was a silvery white sword. A sword made of holy silver - Del Gordon's main weapon that was not found in the treasury.

The tip of the blade that purges the darkness is pointing at me.

His men all raised their spears and swords at the same time. Celzard sticks out his tongue and says in a grating voice.

You're too late, End Baron. Wait, ...... there you are.

”How did you know I was at ............?

How could they know? Monica was being watched by Oliver, and although we took a few detours, we came here almost without pause.

In the first place, Selzard and I have only had one conversation. As I brace myself, Selzard says to me.

”The cold rage you've been harboring will not go away ...... without revenge.

I'm not sure what to make of that. ............

I'm not sure if I was that easy to understand that a person whose body is mostly lizard would be able to read my actions,....... I'm sure it was easy to understand. ...... It was also equipped with cannibals.