The Storm Valley.
Riod, with a fake smile that looked refreshingly genuine, brazenly declared it was a test. I thought he was joking again, but Maou didn’t deny it and remained still. It seemed he was serious.
“A test? …For what purpose?”
“To finally confirm if Kelvin-kun has reached a height where he can fight her. As you experienced before, Elpis is equipped with a wind generation device of absurd power. It’s directly linked to Kuromel’s magic power, and its power and range are something you all know. Even if you use Ange-kun’s strength, at best, only those who can keep up with Ange-kun’s fastest speed could infiltrate, couldn’t they?”
Infiltration using the same method as when we conquered this valley. Of course, I had also considered that method and consulted with Ange. However, the conclusion we reached was as Riod said: even using abilities from outside the range unaffected by the airship’s wind, Ange could barely pass through at full speed. My magic loses acceleration midway, so it’s out. Efil or Serge might be able to follow, but heading into enemy territory with Kuromel and the Apostles waiting with just three people is tantamount to suicide.
That’s why it was necessary to neutralize that wind head-on. Riod’s data on the airship included the exact power of the wind generated by Kuromel and the airship in numerical figures. The calculations were incomprehensible to me, but Shutra, Colette, and Sera’s analysis team worked backward from it and derived the energy needed to counter it. The answer was the breath attack of all the Dragon Kings.
“Kuromel is waiting for you. She wants Kelvin-kun to use all the power and connections he possesses, the data I’ve prepared, and the strength of his allies to confront her. Being clumsy, she believes this is the only way she can interact with you anymore. Elpis is, in a sense, like a measuring instrument for Kelvin-kun’s feelings. If you come with half-hearted feelings, even a thousand years of love will cool down. So, first, prove that you can break through Elpis, and then head to Kuromel. Don’t worry, no matter how long it takes. In the meantime, I’ll have Zildra’s creations unleashed upon the world.”
“That’s a generous offer. However, I can’t afford to be that leisurely. If Kuromel inherits the Reincarnated Goddess while we’re doing that, it’ll be truly catastrophic.”
Riod has been talking as if Kuromel’s power is perfect, but in reality, she hasn’t become the ruling Reincarnated Goddess yet. She has stolen Elearis’s body and Melfina’s power, making her an existence very close to it. To truly become a god, Kuromel needs to reach the White Wing Land, but…
“Actually, we’ve already located the White Wing Land. That floating continent is protected by a powerful divine barrier, but if Kuromel, who possesses god-like power, is there, it will be easy to break through.”
…So you really were waiting.
“Then, what is it? Kuromel was ready long ago, and yet she’s leisurely waiting for me?”
“It’s not that strange, is it? Her purpose is, after all, you. Well, that’s all from me. In place of her clumsy expression of affection, I really wanted to convey this to you.”
I’ll wait forever. To think she’d say that to me, who evolved into a demon man and no longer ages. Ah, Kuromel will wait. After all, she’s a woman who genuinely intends to carry out such a long-winded plan. What’s a few years or decades now?
And Kuromel is confident I’ll head for her airship. Kuromel has undoubtedly obtained the strongest, most malevolent power in this world. To put it extremely, my ultimate goal is herself, so as a rational battle maniac, I will naturally seek myself, or so she thinks.
“Thanks for the useful information. I’ll be sure to make good use of it for my future plans.”
“Yes, please do. And, the Selector also has something they wish to tell you.”
Riod said that and stepped back, as if to switch with Maou, and began wiping his monocle. No matter how much sarcasm I threw at him, he didn’t seem bothered in the slightest.
“Now it’s Maou’s turn.”
“Yes, it’s from me. This is separate from the Analyst’s matter and primarily concerns Lizea. You met Edward on your way here, didn’t you? He wouldn’t talk about Lizea at all, would he?”
Maou is now quite old, having lived for many years since becoming the King of Lizea. It’s better to think of this Maou as different from the Maou mentioned in Mel’s story.
“Ah, he’s a man of integrity. I could feel keenly how much Maou is trusted just by meeting him.”
“Yes, he is as upright as the Saint of Delamis. On top of that, he had the ability to earnestly consider and act for peace. If we hadn’t devastated Lizea, the ongoing warfare in the Western Continent might have settled down much sooner.”
Being compared to Colette might tarnish Edward’s purity a bit, or rather, it might be disrespectful… No, Colette also never compromises her beliefs.
“You seem to trust him as well. So, why did Maou interfere with the peace Edward desired? By betraying everything of Lizea, which you ruled for a long time, and even destroying the capital.”
“…”
Maou’s expression tensed slightly. Oops?
“His heart rate increased slightly. Does that mean his conscience is hurting? It doesn’t seem like he has absolutely no regrets.”
Beyond just expression, Ange seems to be able to hear even that.
“You’ve hit a sore spot. However, the moment Kuromel activated Elpis, it was a foregone conclusion that I would leave Lizea. Therefore, the Creator’s research facility left in the capital of Lizea had to be utterly destroyed.”
“The Creator’s?”
The Creator. You mean Zildra’s. Zildra, when he destroyed the country Gerard served, was an Elf affiliated with Lizea. Even back then, Lizea had his research facility, and he was researching things like Golems and that airship, and what Kuromel desired…
“It’s not for us to say, as we created it ourselves, but the technology and equipment in the Creator’s facility are far beyond human capabilities. The only ones who knew of its existence were the King, the staff there, and a few others including Edward. It was closed down several years ago, and its master, the Creator, is no longer here. However, although the facility was strictly managed, it was a bit too enormous. His laboratory extended not only within the castle but also over a large area of the capital. To prevent any leaks, I destroyed the facility along with the capital.”
I see, that’s why he issued evacuation orders to the residents. The objective wasn’t slaughter, but to clean up the facility. Seeing that airship and the giant Golem, one can understand how over-engineered Zildra’s technology was.
“Did Edward also know what Zildra’s facility was for?”
“He believed my words to the end and thought that facility was for the good of the nation. He might have his thoughts now, but he’s unrelated to our plan.”
“I see…”
“Kelvin-kun, you believe the Selector’s words too easily, don’t you?”
The monocle behind me is saying something, but I can’t hear it at all. I shouldn’t let it into my ears.
“That’s all from me. To be honest, my visit here was more about wanting to see Kelvin-san than anything else. Kelvin-san hasn’t changed. I’m truly glad…”
“Glad? I don’t understand it at all myself.”
“I’m glad. At least, for me.”
Maou smiled with hidden meaning and then put his helmet back on.
“Well, it’s almost time. We’ll be taking our leave then. Once I leave this place, the Dragon King over there will also start moving soon. You can do as you please. Kelvin-kun, when the time comes, we will meet again someday.”
Riod took out a Holy Key from his pocket and disappeared from there as if warping.
“Whoa, could the transfer destination of the Holy Key have changed!?”
“Did he transfer to a different location, not the Underworld?”
“The transfer destination is likely that airship.”
Before I knew it, Maou had also taken out his Holy Key.
“Then, I’ll be leaving now too—”
“—Wait. There’s one thing I want to ask Maou. Why did you become an Apostle? You were a Hero who saved the world, weren’t you? Unlike Serge, you don’t have anyone important here. Even if you were reincarnated by Kuromel, there’s no reason to be complicit.”
“…”
Maou lowered the Holy Key he had raised to use it and made a gesture as if thinking for a moment. A brief silence fell, so loud that the fierce wind of the valley could be heard.
“…After hearing from Cecilia that the Demon King Kelvin had been defeated, I returned to my original world with the servant I was close to at the time. Only a little time had passed, but my home and family hadn’t changed at all. I was relieved it wasn’t a Rip Van Winkle situation, but my family was surprised when I suddenly brought a foreign woman home…”
“Gii, ggii…!”
The Wind Dragon King’s voice came from behind Maou. The restraints must be starting to loosen.
“Even so, we were able to build a truly happy life. Whether it was a blessing from the Goddess or not, my sickly body never got sick again, and I was in perfect health. My wife bore three children, and then grandchildren… Surrounded by my family, I drew my life to a close due to old age. It was a truly happy life, beyond reproach. However—”
Maou’s gaze, from behind his jet-black helmet, suddenly felt like it met mine.
“—However, there was just one regret. Killing you in this world by Melfina’s hand. Originally, that was a sin I should have borne. That’s why I’m cooperating with Melfina, no, with Kuromel. It’s a twisted relationship, making you kill yourself by Kuromel’s hand again. Still, if that is her wish, I will gladly become her strength.”
