We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The Flame of the Finale
“Cadis. In the era when you were born, the Verdant Demon Lord had already fought and lost to the Puppet King, showing weakness to the demons within the kingdom. That’s why, from the time you became aware, you looked down on the Demon Lord.”
But you know?
Even so, he’s the Demon Lord.
He is a great demon who has risen to the apex of a world of evil and the law of the jungle!
He is a supreme being, one of only twelve individuals who can exist, unrecognized by the true ruler of demons and granted the Soul Spirit Seat.
Therefore, Cadis should have learned.
Even against an opponent who is old and weak.
As a father. As the Demon Lord. As a ruler, he should have sincerely learned and inherited the art of governing this country.
“But you were too fixated on defeating the Verdant Demon Lord and only learned magic that burns the deep nature that protects this country. As the Demon Lord said, this country cannot be governed by flame magic. It can be destroyed, though?”
Is that okay?
To slay a weak Demon Lord and become a new ruler as a strong Demon Lord. For that purpose, you revolted with the resolve to point your sword at your own father, didn’t you?
And yet, with your immaturity, you intend to destroy the country you obtained?
To my question, Cadis tightly grips his scorching-colored magic sword.
Cadis, who aspired to stand above others, is intelligent.
Therefore, he has already realized it.
His own mistakes and the greatness of his father, the Verdant Demon Lord.
“…Even so.”
Cadis raises his scorching-colored magic sword.
“Even so, I can no longer retreat.”
A rebel who plotted to overthrow the state. However, if that rebellion ends in failure, the ringleader will undoubtedly be sentenced to death.
Even if he is the Demon Lord’s own child, he cannot escape the crime and punishment he has committed.
Therefore, even after understanding the foundations of this country and realizing his own immaturity as the Demon Lord, Cadis cannot turn back now.
“Verdant Demon Lord, Yoguades. You also failed at first, didn’t you? You realized that deep flame only destroys the country, and you newly acquired Verdant magic. If so… I too only need to acquire new magic suitable for ruling this country from now on.”
But. Cadis glares at us.
“Before that, I must show all demons my own abilities. With the achievements and abilities of defeating the Verdant Demon Lord, eliminating the Puppet Duke, and even defeating the Grand Duke, I must show it to the demons who still refuse to bend their knees. And so, I will seize popular support, and I will become the ruler of this country with new magic.”
Cadis’s resolve.
He will sweep away any hindrances who oppose him, no matter who they are.
Just as the Verdant Demon Lord once did, he decided his way of life: if he failed, he would find a new path from there.
But, that’s still no good.
“I ask you. After you defeat the Verdant Demon Lord, how will the people of this country live until you acquire new great magic to protect it? Will you release all citizens as refugees? Even then, the Giant Demon Lord, the Sage Demon Lord, and the Eastern Magician will not stand idly by. You are free to decide your path. But if the citizens suffer great damage because of it, I cannot overlook it!”
The Verdant Demon Lord also nods at my words.
“I had the environment and time to start over. After all, this land is a heavy snow area, and the number of people living there was limited.”
“Then, what did you do with those people?”
To Cadis’s question, the Head Priest opens his mouth.
“During a great war with the divine race, I learned of the Temple Religion and was strongly influenced. As a believer, I naturally protected the citizens. I built a Great Shrine in this land and sheltered the first citizens living in the heavy snow region.”
It was at that time that the flow was established where the Verdant Demon Lord, not the Head Miko, ruled the Temple Religion as the Head Priest, thanks to that devotion.
“However, currently, many citizens already live in this country. While you seek the next magic after defeating me, countless sacrifices will occur. As Head Priest, I cannot overlook that.”
Even though it is a doll, it is an entity that reflects the Verdant Demon Lord. Therefore, even doll thoughts represent the Verdant Demon Lord’s true intentions.
Though questioned by the Head Priest, Cadis did not loosen his grip on the magic sword.
“I am aware of all of it. Nevertheless, I cannot retreat now. My life until now has existed solely to surpass my father, Yoguades, and become the new Demon Lord!”
Saying so, Cadis points the tip of his scorching-colored shining magic sword without hesitation at the Verdant Demon Lord.
“Father Demon Lord, I have finally understood your greatness and the meaning of this country. Though it is too late, I still desire to aim higher. If I need to defeat you for that purpose, I will not hesitate!”
There is deep reason. Nevertheless, he is willing to sacrifice anything for his goal.
The demon among demons. Perhaps that is the qualification of a Demon Lord.
Cadis showed a strong but tyrannical will, suitable for the Demon Lord Seat.
But, even so, we cannot simply accept it.
Because, if Cadis pursues his own path, many people will inevitably be harmed.
“Well then, as the Grand Duke, I will be your opponent. Verdant Demon Lord, Puppet King, Meijina-san, is that alright with you?”
I cannot let the weakened Verdant Demon Lord fight.
If I leave it to the Puppet King, he will surely put on another amusing and troublesome puppet show.
And regarding the intentions of the temple, I’m sorry, but I will ask Meijina, not the Head Priest.
Because the will of the Verdant Demon Lord and the Head Priest are exactly the same!
“Grand Duke Elnea Eris. I will entrust you with this on behalf of myself, the Verdant Demon Lord.”
“Fufu. Fufufufu. I don’t mind? Elnea-sama, it’s a favor, you see?”
“Eh!?”
“I, Meijina, will also leave it to Elnea-sama!”
“Elnea-sama, please do your best!”
“Damn Dragon King, lose to Lord Cadis!”
“Whaaat?!”
The Primogenitor Race is saying something unsettling!
It’s terrible.
But now, I have been entrusted with this by everyone.
“Cadis, let’s have a match!”
I flash my white sword, deflecting the tip of the magic sword pointed at the Verdant Demon Lord.
Cadis glares at me with eyes filled with scorching flames, and then points his magic sword at me.
“As you wish. I accept!”
Cadis leaps.
Not towards me, but towards the center of the throne room.
In the throne room, dolls were still fighting.
Cadis, scattering them, stands in the center of the throne room and swells with magic power!
“Hahahaha!”
Laira and the others near the entrance of the throne room hurriedly flee towards the throne. Immediately after.
Everything in my vision turns bright red!
The flickering flames, the dazzling red that burns the eyes.
Flames that burn everything, heat that melts everything.
“Meow!”
Nimiah, who was hiding in Laira’s chest, deploys the largest barrier.
Laira and I also activate our barrier dragon arts with all our might!
As expected, Cadis was hiding his true strength!
Cadis’s raging flames engulfed not only us but everything.
Beyond the throne room, it covered the Demon Lord’s Castle and enveloped the giant Great Tree in flames!
“Haa!”
I pour dragon energy into my white sword and perform the Dragon Sword Dance.
I will scatter the flames that burn everything with the Storm Dragon Arts!
First, I sweep away the flames writhing around the throne, trying to break through the barrier. Then I ride the flames into the vortex of the storm and blow them away.
“As expected, this much is meaningless.”
Cadis stands at the center of what used to be the throne room.
As the flames were dispersed, my vision widened.
And then, we learned.
Cadis’s flames had literally burned everything to ashes.
The depths of the Demon Lord’s Castle had now been transformed into desolate land.
The bark of the giant Great Tree towering behind them was blackened and still burning.
“I have no choice but to go beyond you all! I will eliminate all hindrances!”
“You won’t get away with it!”
I activate Spatial Jump.
If we continue to be kept at a distance and subjected to his great flame magic, even if we can withstand it, the Great Tree and the people of the Demon Capital will suffer great damage.
So, with close combat, which I overwhelmed before, I corner Cadis!
However, Cadis is also a great demon aiming for the Demon Lord.
He will not repeat the same mistake twice. Cadis reacts quickly to me, who jumped into his proximity, and leaps strongly to put distance between us.
“Nnaa!?”
In an instant, Cadis is out of my range.
Moreover, he is in a distance and location that cannot be easily pursued. Cadis had moved to a thick branch of the still burning Great Tree.
Cadis can move with the speed at which flames transmit heat.
Just as when making a bonfire. When the firewood catches fire, you feel the warmth immediately.
In the same way. Cadis can move at a speed that instantly affects the surrounding air with the heat of the flames!
Cadis, having moved above the colossal tree looking up, unleashes the raging flame magic once more without mercy! A tsunami of fire rushes down from above, swallowing the ground.
“If you’re going to focus on long-range attacks, then!”
I can also handle this kind of situation! There’s no need to obediently chase after someone who is putting distance between us. I will just push through my own way of fighting!
In the desolate throne room, I perform the Dragon Sword Dance. This time, I hold the white sword in my right hand and a branch of the Spirit Tree taken from my pocket in my left. I surge dragon energy and dance in the sea of flames. Dragon energy flows into the white sword through my right hand, summoning the Storm Dragon Arts. Dragon energy flows from my left hand to the Spirit Tree branch, becoming its nourishment. The Spirit Tree branch scatters the life force of the Spirit Tree, purifying the nature of the malevolent raging flames.
“If Cadis’s raging flames burn everything, then I shall turn them into heat that cherishes all life!”
Many years ago. In the eastern land of the Yorttenitos Kingdom, I fought alongside Hero Lisuter. It was a battle against the undead army where Lisuter purged evil spirits with fire, and I led the world’s regeneration. At that time, I relied on Lisuter, but now, I am sure I can accomplish it alone!
“Now, Spirits. The finale of the puppet show must have a lively presentation!”
“We’ve been waiting!”
“It’s a feast!”
“The puppet show was worth watching?”
We must not forget. Spirits exist everywhere. Of course, in this country as well. And in the depths of the Demon Lord’s Castle.
“Spirits of fire and snow, hold hands and dance. Spirits of water and wind, sing together. Spirits of earth, make the stage more fitting!”
The sea of flames, which began to swirl with the Storm Dragon Arts, shone with a pale white light. Carried by the wind, it fell as sparkling snow-rain. The ground at my feet began to move with a rumble. It invites us, who were in the throne room, to a higher position.
Cadis was speechless. Not only was his full-power great magic proving ineffective, but it was also being used by me. Furthermore, a great upheaval like a natural disaster began to occur.
I continue to dance the Dragon Sword Dance on the earth that is rising higher. My vision expanded to the distance.
The burned and ruined Demon Lord’s Castle. The Capital also suffered great damage. The army still rampaging throughout the Capital stopped at the anomaly of the Demon Lord’s Castle and looked up at us in astonishment. The people who had evacuated to the Great Shrine and various other places also pointed at us in surprise. I keep dancing. As if to quell the rebellion that began with the Puppet King’s bothersome puppet show, which would decide the fate of this country. To bring the finale to the puppet show’s stage. Cadis’s raging flames became white flames, falling benevolently on the earth. As the rain carried by the gentle wind mixed with the white flames, it turned into beautiful cherry blossoms, bringing benevolent rain to the entire Capital. Now, we, who have reached above the Great Tree where Cadis had moved, looked down at the Capital and the surrounding treacherous forest from a high position.
“Hmm. The Capital is manageable, but extinguishing the forest fires burning everywhere in this country is difficult.”
In the southern part of this country, the Puppet Castle and its surroundings also suffered from the raging flames. Even near us, where we moved, Cadis burned the forest, so it’s likely still a sea of fire spreading there. With my power alone, it is indeed difficult to extinguish fires across the entire land. More importantly, I haven’t accurately identified the locations of the damage!
Then, the Verdant Demon Lord, who overheard my words, said, “Very well. I have seen enough of the Grand Duke’s power. Your match is decided. Therefore, I cannot cause any further trouble.” Saying so, the Verdant Demon Lord, while seated on the throne, raised both hands above his head. A crimson flame, deeper than scorching color, floated above his palms.
“!”
From a distance, Cadis exclaimed in shock.
“The Great Flame magic. To me, that is still immature. My son, witness it well. This is the great Deep Flame magic that I once loved.”
The crimson flame scattered in the Verdant Demon Lord’s hands. And then, it was over. The raging flames seen in the distance, the heat that still smoldered, the flames engulfed by the Storm Dragon Arts. All of them vanished.
“In sorcery, high-level practitioners can suppress the sorcery of immature miko with their will alone. Lord Ada also had such abilities. His Majesty the Verdant Demon Lord suppressed his son’s magic with his own magic power…”
Meijina gazed with emotion.
“I…”
Unable to defeat me. Overwhelmed in magic power by the opponent he had looked down upon. Cadis finally fell to his knees.
“Fufu. Fufufufu. While my stamina has declined with old age, my magic power has not aged and is still immense?”
“Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to maintain Verdant magic, would you, Puppet?”
“That’s right. If Cadis had realized that, he could have put on a more interesting puppet show.”
I see, we all nod. Although anyone would perceive the Verdant Demon Lord as old and declining, his magic power has remained at its peak to this day. And with that immense magic power, he has continued to support this country.
“Cadis.”
The Verdant Demon Lord looks at his own son with complex emotions. Cadis, who has knelt, realizes his defeat and finally lets go of his scorching magic sword. Cadis’s rebellion ended in failure. Therefore, the remaining task is the sentencing of the ringleader. The intelligent Cadis would not misjudge the end of his own fate.
“Do you have anything to say?”
The Verdant Demon Lord, too, is intimately familiar with the laws of the jungle. Therefore, even if it is his beloved son, he will not hesitate when making a decision. To the Verdant Demon Lord’s words, Cadis presents the Soul Spirit Seat he wore at his waist.
“I could not draw it. At that time, I vaguely realized it. I am not yet recognized by them.”
Why was Cadis, who was not recognized as the owner, not cursed even though he wore the Soul Spirit Seat? We, who are here and now, understand. Perhaps a seal was placed to allow a doll to hold the Soul Spirit Seat? And since only a limited number of people can place a seal on a supreme magic sword, it means that the true ruler of the demons was also aware of the circumstances of this country.
“I was not qualified to draw this magic sword. However, if Your Majesty grants me a final mercy, please grant me an honorable death by the blade of the Soul Spirit Seat.”
Cadis, who is allowed to possess and use the Soul Spirit Seat, wishes for a special death with that special magic sword as his last request. The Verdant Demon Lord accepts the Soul Spirit Seat without denying Cadis’s wishes. The end of the rebel. Everyone was convinced that this rebellion would end with Cadis’s death. It was at that moment. Thunder rumbled in the sky. And then, a single bolt of raging lightning descended before our eyes! Clicking the heart allows you to easily convey your support. (Login required.) Support If you have an account, please log in. Learn more about the reading experience possible on Kakuyomu.
