We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
An unfinished Great Dragon Sword Dance.
“You knew about me all along, didn’t you!”
I had a premonition that Srain was the Mad Abyss Demon Lord. If that were the case, it wouldn’t be strange for Srain to have suspected my true identity.
No matter how much of a disguised identity we claimed, for an existence like a Demon Lord, there’s a possibility that their true identity could be revealed through the slight sense of unease we might show.
In other words, Srain has been hiding his true identity and traveling with us, all while being aware of our true selves!
“Now, more! Entertain me more! Otherwise, everything will be destroyed!”
With my consciousness connected to the world, I could sense it.
Srain’s vast magical power was engulfing not only the hall and fortress where we were fighting, but also the surrounding Demon Lord’s Army and Rebel Army.
And just as Srain had said, an earthquake seemingly capable of destroying everything began, and large cracks ran across the ground.
If this continues, the Demon Lord’s Army and Rebel Army will fall into the cracks of the earth, causing immeasurable damage!
“Kkk. As expected of a Demon Lord!”
But it shouldn’t be enough to surprise and fluster me.
Because I know of Demon Lords other than Srain.
A Demon Lord is an extraordinary existence that stands apart from others.
The Giant Demon Lord can rain lightning indefinitely if he so chooses.
The Fairy Demon Lord is immune to all attacks.
The Verdant Demon Lord uses his magic power to block the cold of the perpetually snowy plains and protect his people.
Therefore, Srain must possess the ability that makes him a Demon Lord.
Srain, who is frenzied by battle, is truly mad.
He destroys anything that does not interest him, regardless of whether it is an enemy or an ally.
He also destroys things he is interested in, just to enjoy himself.
Srain, the Demon Lord at the brink of madness, possesses a terrifying combat skill and magical power.
“…But that doesn’t mean we’re falling behind!”
If Srain is the Mad Abyss Demon Lord.
I am the Eight Dragon Kings, a messenger of the Dragon God, and a Grand Duke in the world of demons.
Therefore, I will never abandon those who are in dire straits, and I can even use a deeper trump card if necessary!
“Srain, I’ll tell you something good.”
While performing the Dragon Sword Dance with the Spirit Current Sword, I spoke.
“These twin swords, you see, completely absorb the power of any sorcerer who tries to use a technique. Not only that, but depending on how they are used, they can also absorb the opponent’s techniques and power.”
And then? Srain asked, releasing his magical power and wielding his magic sword.
I deflected Srain’s slash, diverting the trajectory of the incoming blade, and replied.
“So, where do you think the power that has been endlessly absorbed from me and those around me has gone?”
Even the Spirit Tree’s Sacred Gem has its limits.
And the Spirit Tree’s Sacred Gem, imbued with the full power of Yufilia and Nina, exhibits an overwhelmingly destructive power.
So, what about the Spirit Current Sword?
Having moved to the next stage of my training, I have been constantly absorbing a small amount of spiritual energy from the Spirit Current Sword, even when not using any techniques.
In addition, during my training, I have had my dragon aura absorbed from countless failures.
Where did all that power that has been endlessly absorbed go?
Where is it stored?
What if it hasn’t flowed anywhere and has been accumulating?
Srain’s gaze fell upon the several large and small jewels embedded in the crossguard of the Spirit Current Sword.
“Just how much power has this sword absorbed from you until now?”
“Hmm? It was probably absorbing a lot of power even before I wielded it, and I haven’t kept track. But Srain, what do you think will happen if the absorbed power exceeds its capacity?”
Grinning, it was now my turn to wear a wicked smile.
Unlike me, Srain’s smile had vanished from his face.
“You… don’t tell me…!?”
“Srain. It was a mistake to separate Lord Reed from us. Because I can’t properly wield these twin swords yet. What do you think will happen if I go berserk in a situation without Lord Reed?”
“You’re saying that you, not me, will destroy the world? Hahaha, interesting! Try it if you can!!”
Srain is truly mad!
Me, destroying the world?
That would be a grave mistake.
But what if the immature me were to unleash the power stored in the Spirit Current Sword…!
“If my true identity has already been revealed, then there’s nothing I can do! My specialty is the Dragon Sword Dance! It’s a secret sword technique of the Dragon Race that fuses Dragon Arts and swordsmanship! And Dragon Arts are about embodying the techniques imagined by the user!”
You’re saying I’m supposed to have forbidden myself from using Dragon Arts? No, that’s not it! I’m merely releasing the power stored in the Spirit Current Sword and drawing a target for that power!
“Naughty, naughty.”
“We’ll get yelled at by Lord Reed later, Srain!”
Shouting, I removed the shackles on my heart!
The power continuously absorbed by the Spirit Current Sword. Tracing its flow back to its origin. As Srain’s gaze indicated, all the power the Spirit Current Sword had been absorbing resided in the jewels embedded in its crossguard.
I sharpened my consciousness. I would draw power from the jewels, more than what was being absorbed!
Drawing power from the dragon veins requires delicacy. If you scoop it up carelessly, absorb more than necessary, or try to handle it forcefully, you will be instantly swept away by the flow of the dragon veins and drown. I have continuously trained to handle the dragon veins properly. Sometimes in meditation. Sometimes in battle. I have received power from the dragon veins flexibly.
Therefore, I should be able to reverse the absorbed power and release all the techniques and powers that have been absorbed so far!
The flow changes.
The flow of dragon aura, which had been continuously absorbed while performing the Dragon Sword Dance, stopped like a calm sea. And then, the next moment!
A dazzling, seven-colored brilliance flashed out into the world through the Dragon Sword Dance!
“Ares-chan, lend me your strength!”
“Leave it all to us, leave it all to us!”
I can’t handle this alone. Because the jewels of the Spirit Current Sword contained not only my Dragon Arts, but also the magical power of Ruiseine, Madrine, the Shooting Star Priestess, and many other powers and techniques unknown to me. Ares-chan, the Spirit Tree Spirit, lends her strength to me. Feeling the guidance of the Spirit Tree Spirit, I dissolved all the power into the flow of the dragon veins that filled the world. Slowly, as if stirring the great sea from underwater. Gradually, I mixed various powers into the dragon veins and circulated them. The great whirlpool of dragon veins that was born spread out around me, swallowing Srain’s released gray magical power.
“You…!”
Srain’s eyes widened, and he swung his magical power and magic sword in resistance. But it was too late. Srain’s magical power was now nothing more than a part of the power I had absorbed!
“Now, let’s end this mad battle. Srain, with your defeat!”
The world was filled with a rainbow-colored whirlpool. Regardless of enemy or ally, demon or human, or racial differences, all were swept into the whirlpool of dragon veins equally.
I prayed to the world. Please, let there be no more sacrifices in this battle. May the frenzied fighting spirit of all be calmed. The rainbow’s radiance, carrying my prayers, spun endlessly.
“…Guh. Such a…!”
“Gueh.”
The Demon General and Slaton, who were locked in a deathmatch elsewhere, collapsed weakly.
“Is this the power of the Dragon God’s messenger…?”
“Eluru, you know…”
The Earth Dragon Duranel and Listea also fell to their knees.
Ah! That’s right! Everyone who touched the whirlpool of dragon veins, or rather, who was enveloped by the great sea of dragon veins, drowned in the dragon veins and became weakened! Even seasoned warriors like Listea and Slaton were forced into a state of weakness. Not only the soldiers who had been watching the fierce battle in stunned silence at the edge of the hall, but also the rebel army within the fortress, other units of the Demon Lord’s Army and Rebel Army outside, all of them collapsed from weakness. And Srain was also one of those who were overcome by intense weakness.
“Just… just with this much!”
Srain, whose magical power had been completely drained, stood defiantly. Not only that, he swung his magic sword towards me! But I easily deflected it with the Dragon Sword Dance. The blade of Srain’s magic sword, now without magical power, fell to the floor, losing its control. I also knocked Srain’s magic sword out of his hand.
“Srain, if you’re a former gladiator, you should know better than anyone else how to recognize the end of a battle, shouldn’t you?”
“But I am the Demon Lord!”
“And I am the Grand Duke? Didn’t you reveal my identity yourself?”
“Kkk…!”
Demon Lord and Grand Duke. Which position is higher? Naturally, it is the Demon Lord, who has been granted the authority to rule over demons and countries. However, my title of “Grand Duke” was also directly bestowed by the true ruler of the demons. To me, the “Grand Duke,” the Mad Abyss Demon Lord Srain cast a regretful gaze. But he should have no remaining strength to fight. I completely stole Srain’s magical power, exhausting it all! Srain and I exchanged glances. Srain was the first to look away.
“Very well. I admit defeat this time. Hahaha, it was fun!”
Good grief. This Demon Lord is a true battle maniac. To admit defeat so readily, yet laugh about how fun the battle was. Surely Srain will go on enjoying a life-or-death, all-out battle madly until the moment his life is extinguished. That is the Mad Abyss Demon Lord, the ruler of this country. Confirming that the fighting spirit had vanished from Srain, I finally ended the Dragon Sword Dance. As a concluding act, I slowly brought the performance to a close, guiding the dragon veins and the world, which I had been handling selfishly, back to their proper flow.
“…Huh? But the rainbow-colored world isn’t returning to normal?”
Is this just my imagination!? I intended to quell the world, which had been altered by the Dragon Sword Dance, with the Dragon Sword Dance!
“Oh, ara ara ara?”
“Hahahaha, Lord Reed!?”
Just then, Lord Reed suddenly appeared. With a troubled smile.
“I’m gonna get told off, I’m gonna get told off.”
That’s right. An immature me arbitrarily used the power of the Spirit Current Sword. Furthermore, this way of fighting was like an unorthodox use of power for me, who has learned the basics of dragon veins. Lord Reed will surely be angry. I should be scolded earnestly. But, you know? Before I get scolded, how can I return this rainbow-colored world to normal!?
“Ara ara ara, Eluru-kun, you’re a troublesome child, aren’t you?”
“Lord Reed, I’m sorry! I’ll reflect on it a lot, so please help me?”
Anyone can reflect, but that’s just Slaton. Or so all humans say. I will accept any scolding or punishment, so please return this world that has changed into a rainbow color to normal! To my plea, Lord Reed smiled and looked up at the sky. Then, he pointed. Everyone raised their gaze to where Lord Reed was pointing. It was then that the sky cracked.
“So many souls not worth eating as scraps.”
The crack in the sky spread rapidly, revealing a pitch-black darkness beyond. Within that pitch-black darkness, eight red lights resided. And then, giant spider legs began to descend! And a familiar, nostalgic voice!
“Whoa. The sky is rainbow-colored?”
“Sigh, I don’t want to see the scene on the ground.”
“Mist-san, please look properly.”
“Hahahaha, it’s a disaster!”
“It’s definitely Elnea-kun’s doing.”
“It’s definitely Elnea-kun who did it.”
“As expected of Elnea-kun?”
“Grrr! Shooting Star people, this is a big job!”
There’s no need to confirm, is there? Priscilla-chan brought everyone along for a walk with Teruru-chan!
“Lord Reed, can you handle that over there too?”
“Ara ara ara, Elueru-kun, you’re selfish, aren’t you?”
Fufufu, Lord Reed smiled gently. You can easily convey your support by clicking the heart. (Login required) Support Log in if you have an account Learn more about the reading experience on Kakuyomu.
