This time, it’s a bit lengthy.
Another side
Currently, both the Demon Lord’s Army and the company are outwardly operating normally without issue. However, in the unseen behind-the-scenes, various problems are occurring and being handled and resolved without notice. Different departments are in charge, so information doesn’t reach everyone, and few beings grasp everything. It’s like a game of cat and mouse; problems arise, are resolved, then another problem appears, and a response is sent. The Demon Lord’s Army is constantly busy dealing with ever-increasing issues. While the Demon Lord’s Army already has many problems, recently they seem to be becoming more prominent. The company, founded as a new venture to create dungeons for heroes, is starting to get on track, but as if in reaction, damage from outside influences is incessant.
“…”
While it’s natural to wonder if any organization is free from problems, it’s also questionable whether problems would flood in day and night to *this* extent. Because of such circumstances, a certain female demon, who has a man for a fiancé, is working tirelessly without any time for celebratory joy. Evia walks through a facility that is rather special even among those owned by the Demon Lord’s Army, her footsteps echoing faintly. This place is not within a dungeon but exists on the Magician Continent.
“Anything unusual?”
“Nothing!”
The building itself is robust, but the surroundings are further protected by thick outer walls, with sentries stationed atop them, indicating strict security. The structure, at first glance, resembles a castle wall designed to defend against external enemies, but those who know will recognize it. This structure is not meant to defend against external enemies arriving from the outside, but to prevent escape from the “inside.” Entry is only possible through proper procedures, and exit is also impossible. After passing through layers of gates, proving one’s identity each time, and confirming security status, one can proceed. While it takes time, it is confirmed that there are no problems. Dark Elves and Giant race soldiers, along with others wearing equipment far too imposing for mere lookouts, are noticeable. Evia proceeds through this area without any escorts. As she moves deeper and deeper, the soldiers’ equipment becomes more elaborate.
“Evia-sama.”
“Good work. How is the condition of the one inside?”
“…”
Upon reaching her destination, Evia addresses the captain of the surveillance team for that floor and asks a question, but the atmosphere suggests the news is far from good.
“It’s the same as usual. We’ve interrogated him many times, but he still hasn’t revealed how he contacted those angels.”
“…”
“I see.”
This is a prison. Specifically, a special prison for incarcerating beings who are considered serious offenders but cannot be publicly revealed, yet have value in being kept alive. While the Demon Lord’s Army often finds it quicker to kill rather than imprison offenders to serve their sentences, and this is customary, there are some beings who would be a disadvantage if killed. This facility houses such beings.
“Can we enter?”
“We were notified in advance, so preparations are complete.”
Evia looks towards the entrance and asks the captain. The “door” is more like a wall. There is no handle; a single iron plate stands as an obstacle. Facing this space that can only be described as a wall, Evia questions the captain and is told there is no problem. She then instructs a nearby Mage demon to begin the unlocking process. While the Mage demon infuses magic to generate a keyhole, the wall dissolves as if disassembling a three-dimensional puzzle. After about five minutes, the wall opens into an entrance. However, even with the entrance formed, the inside is not illuminated. The view ahead is darkness. For ordinary people, it is a space to be avoided. But Evia steps into the darkness without flinching or hesitation. She moves through the darkness, where nothing should be visible, as if she knows exactly where to go. After another five minutes of walking, she enters a space. It is a space that, if called a prison, would be somewhat of a misnomer. There are no walls around; it is simply a space within the darkness. Chains extend from all directions, converging at the center to restrain a single object. The object cannot be described as humanoid, but is bound by black leather-like cords, like a bagworm. Over this, it is covered with dull-colored chains, as if bound in every possible way. The face is sealed around the eyes, mouth, and ears, with no exposed areas other than the nose. To this opponent, Evia casually waves her right hand.
“You’re aware, aren’t you? Hurry up and wake up, Carter Isperio.”
With that gesture alone, the restraints sealing his mouth and ears are released.
“…”
“That’s quite a rude remark. To be told to move quickly when my senses and time perception are all askew… truly, demons are barbaric and beyond redemption.”
The exposed skin appears rough, his beard is overgrown, and his cheeks are gaunt. Carter Isperio. A man once considered a General Candidate for the Demon Lord’s Army, but in reality, a descendant of a Hero who plotted to overthrow the Demon Lord’s Army. In his prime, he possessed a graceful appearance that could easily be described as handsome. However, after being captured by the Demon Lord, his appearance has completely changed. The Demon Lord’s Army knows best how dangerous the existence of Heroes is. He is subjected to measures that allow him only the minimum necessary nutrition to sustain himself, depriving him of the strength to do anything. The descendant of the Hero who once rebelled against the Demon Lord’s Army and plotted to defeat the Demon Lord with the Angels is no longer recognizable. Carter Isperio, even after sensing who has arrived, continues to retort and make sarcastic remarks. However, this is merely his outward appearance; his tone does not convey weakness, and Evia feels a piercing gaze, as if pricking her skin, from behind his eyepatch. Is this emotion anger, or obsession? Despite enduring interrogations that could be considered torture, his spirit has not broken. The unyielding physical prowess born from his Hero bloodline and the spiritual strength derived from his hatred, a result of his upbringing, remain intact. It’s impossible to know what he might do if left unchecked. Such anxieties led to the decision to prepare restraints that far exceed necessity.
“I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”
In addition to physical restraints, there are mental restraints utilizing sorcery. Magic and barriers are used to block communication with the outside. Despite being in an environment where all contact is cut off except for minimal conversation and meals, this man is still waiting for an opportunity to rebel against the Demon Lord’s Army. Facing such pressure, Evia, with a cool expression, retorts sarcastically but quickly gets to the point, as time is precious.
“I have something I want to ask.”
“You think I’ll answer? I’d rather have my head cut off right now than spill information that would benefit you.”
However, if he could be made to talk with such a statement, there would be no hardship. Interrogators could not make him speak, and despite inflicting numerous pains, he revealed nothing. All that came out were insults and demands to be killed quickly. Carter’s unwavering refusal to speak was as expected.
“Torture?”
“Ridiculous, a waste of time.”
Carter, sensing Evia raise her right hand, asks what she intends to do, as if to say “This again?” But Evia knows that he cannot be made to reveal the truth through pain. That is precisely why, instead of a weapon, Evia takes out a scale from the surrounding space. It is a piece of craftsmanship with a black scale and golden plates. She then takes out a small hourglass.
“Now, Carter Isperio, it’s time for a trade.”
“A trade?”
With a sound barely audible, Evia places the scale and hourglass between them.
“Ah, these are magic tools created by a certain demon. Each has only one effect, but they are imbued with powerful curses.”
Carter’s demeanor changes upon hearing the proposal of mutually cooperative trade rather than one-sided extraction.
“Are you sure? Bringing up a trade on your own?”
“There’s no problem. I have spoken to the Demon Lord about what I am about to do and received permission.”
“…”
“You believe I will agree to this trade? I find it hard to believe there’s any benefit for me in this situation. It would be a different story if you were to release me from these restraints as a gesture of sincerity.”
Whether this trade will be seen as an opportunity or not. At the moment she sensed that subtle waver, Evia was confident of victory. With a subtle smile that the other party didn’t notice, she addresses Carter, who hinted at refusal.
“I will agree. These are the magic tools for that purpose.”
Without changing her expression, she pours magic into the two magic tools and flips the hourglass.
“I ask you, Carter Isperio. How did you gain the cooperation of those angels?”
As she watches the white sand trickle down, Evia speaks the words. Carter frowns. He was about to call her foolish for such a straightforward question.
“I contacted the celestial realm using a sacred artifact possessed by a Hero of my bloodline and negotiated.”
However, the words he spoke were different. Startled, Carter doesn’t notice that the scale on his side on the ground has risen and the hourglass has flipped on its own. Carter suppresses his emotions.
“I see. I didn’t know such a thing existed.”
“What did you do?”
He cannot hide his confusion at having answered a question he absolutely would not answer. That is precisely why he needs to figure out the cause.
“Didn’t I tell you? These are magic tools for that purpose. With the effect of the ‘Scale of Falsehood and Silence,’ we are now forbidden from lying or remaining silent. Therefore, if asked a question, you will answer anything.”
Evia answers the question with a playful tone, yet carefully maintains her mental advantage. After answering Carter’s question, Evia realizes that the sand in the adjacent hourglass has fallen, and the plate of the “Scale of Falsehood and Silence” has risen to her side, meaning the right to ask a question has now shifted to her.
“Then, my next question. Where is that sacred artifact?”
“…”
“I gave it to the angels during that battle. I have no knowledge of its whereabouts afterward.”
For having answered again, this time Carter twists his mouth in frustration. The clanking sound of his chains likely reflects Carter’s inner feelings. The scale plate again rises to the other side. Wondering what question will be asked next, Evia folds her arms and waits, watching the hourglass, which has been returned, begin to pour. Carter mentioned negotiation earlier. This means he had enough bargaining chips to lend such a formidable military force, at least temporarily. A disturbing imagination runs through Evia’s mind regarding the content of that negotiation.
“…”
While contemplating this, Carter’s chosen method is silence. He seems to have concluded that since they are alternately asking questions, if he doesn’t ask a question himself, he won’t be asked one. However, this judgment cannot be called anything but too simplistic. As the sand in the hourglass runs out and flips over, the scale of the balance also tilts towards Evia.
“Silence, huh? Then I will ask another question.”
Evia, not bluffing or boasting, seizes the opportunity and exercises her right. However, despite appearing composed, Evia is actually in a precarious situation. The magic tools she is currently using, the “Scale of Falsehood and Silence” and the accompanying hourglass, consume magic at an equal rate, which is catastrophically bad. Specifically, when faced with opponents with high magic resistance like Carter, the fuel efficiency worsens. The “Scale of Falsehood and Silence” is a magic tool that seals an opponent’s falsehoods and silence, and forces the responder to answer questions from the side with the raised scale. Its drawback is that it requires the user to be prepared to be questioned in return, as it allows for alternating questions, making it somewhat difficult to use. The “Equalizer Hourglass” used in conjunction with it is a magic tool that interferes with other magic tools; simply put, it’s a magic tool that sets a time limit. Depending on how it’s used, it can also temporarily seal an opponent’s magic tool, but here it is used in conjunction with turns to impose a time limit. This is a measure to limit the time the opponent has to ask questions. Naturally, that restriction also applies to Evia, but that is not a problem as she has prepared for it. However, the fuel consumption of these two magic tools is taxing Evia far more than she had imagined. Evia’s magic, which is sufficient to unleash powerful magic spells consecutively, has been reduced by thirty percent after only four exchanges of questions. Even as a descendant of a Hero, the fuel efficiency to achieve this after having her stamina and spirit worn down through interrogation and torture is appalling. If she were in perfect condition, even the Demon Lord would have her magic depleted after only a few questions. Before that, there’s even a possibility that the effects of the magic tools would be nullified. By weakening him, she has finally reached a point where she can elicit information. As she is about to ask a question, not wanting to miss this opportunity.
“?”
Evia senses a slight tremor in the building. It is not an impact that shakes the ground like an earthquake, but a shock that hits the building laterally.
“!? ”
Startled, she looks at Carter, who has gone silent. Why has he endured this much? The answer is simple. He was expecting help to arrive. Then, who would come to help? The answer is also clear. Didn’t Carter say so earlier?
“…I gave it to the angels during that battle. I have no knowledge of its whereabouts afterward.”
He handed over the means of communication to the reserve angels. This means he bought himself time to prepare for rescue. Why didn’t she consider it? That there were “reserve forces” besides the dungeon. Evia reaches this conclusion after a few seconds of thought and immediately summons her magic sword, intending to sever Carter’s neck. The magic sword, summoned from the void, quickly settles into Evia’s right hand. The process from raising to lowering the blade. Killing Carter, who is restrained, takes less than a second. A guaranteed fatal blow—or so it was supposed to be.
“Above!”
A sense akin to dread runs down Evia’s back, and she corrects the trajectory of her blade upwards. This brief judgment, a fleeting moment, allows her to intersect her magic sword with the approaching mass of light, piercing the darkness and shattering all seals.
“…It seems you’ve had a lot of encounters with Seraphim lately.”
The source of that light is an angel clad in silver full plate armor, holding a divine-looking spear, and possessing three pairs of pure white wings.
“Comrade Carter, we have advanced the schedule for your rescue. Are you unharmed?”
Carter, shielded by the angel’s back, is having his restraints removed by an angel with two pairs of wings who has landed belatedly.
“Ah, it was earlier than expected, so I was able to conserve more energy than I thought.”
The cursed items are removed, and the chains are cut. Carter, now free, states that it was within expectations and checks his physical condition. Though his body is gaunt and weakened, his stance on the ground is unwavering. “This is the worst,” Evia thinks. Although this is not a result she caused, she feels compelled to report this fact to the Demon Lord immediately.
“Comrade Carter. Should we eliminate the being before us?”
“If possible, it would be best. After all, she is Evia Nordis, the Demon Lord’s confidante, known as her right hand. If we can kill her, the future course of the war will be easier.”
However, this is currently impossible. Without reason to let the enemy before her escape, Evia immediately dons her armor. She grips her magic sword in her free hand.
“Understood. Comrade Carter, you will escape. I will pursue and deal with this demon after you’ve gone.”
The Seraph, speaking in a way that suggests he doesn’t see Evia as a threat, raises his spear.
“Yeah, I’m counting on you.”
Then, supported by an angel, Carter escapes through the hole that has been created.
“Wait!”
Knowing he wouldn’t wait, but unable to simply let him go, Evia shouts and attacks the Seraph.
“I will not let you pass. If you wish to pass, you must first sever my spear, which was granted the third highest position by my father, with your sword.”
Naturally, the silver spear blocks Evia’s attack. Without carelessness or arrogance, Evia’s full-powered strike does not even budge it. The position of third in command is not for show. Evia attempts to retreat to regroup, but…
“I won’t let you escape.”
The Seraph pursues her, lowering his spear and thrusting it forward. The spear, imbued with accumulated magic, emits a light flash that seems to pierce all things.
“!”
Judging that she cannot evade, Evia crosses her magic sword, using it as a barrier to parry the light. However, she cannot suppress its momentum, floating in the air. Carried along by the momentum, she is engulfed by the light and pushed out of the building.
“What is this?”
There is no damage to her body, and she can tell she is still able to fight. However, having been repelled outdoors, Evia grasps the current situation and, with a complete change from her usual composed expression, utters words of astonishment at the unbelievable scene before her. The defense forces cling to the castle walls, repelling the magic beasts that try to climb them. In the sky, Harpies and demons, species capable of flight, are fighting desperately against numerous angels, while below, the Demon Lord’s Army’s defenders, skilled in magic and archery, are desperately attacking the sky. Angels and magic beasts are forming a joint front. Evia is stunned by this fact.
“I’ve caught up. Demon, I won’t let you escape.”
However, there is no time for leisurely thought. Evia raises her magic sword towards the Seraph, who is now re-angling his spear, knowing she must somehow escape this dire straits.
Today’s word: “The fire across the river will eventually spread here too.”
Thank you for your continued comments and指摘 of errors. If you find this interesting, please leave comments, ratings, bookmarks, etc.
*The first volume of the book has been published by Hayakawa Bunko JA. It was released on October 18, 2018. The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year. The second volume was released on December 19. The third volume was released on February 20, 2019. The content consists of revised and expanded material from the postings on “Shousetsuka ni Narou,” including previously unpublished interlude chapters. Please consider purchasing the new books!
The comic adaptation is being serialized in Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.” We hope you will enjoy that as well.
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