"It's been a long time since I breathed the air of the Middle Realm."
What the hell is this?
"Refreshing indeed."
A dream?
"But vermin dare to disturb my joy."
Why, at this very moment…
"Still, I am in good spirits today, so I shall grant mercy even to the vermin. Relish the last five minutes of your life."
Could it be that Andromalius has been summoned?
'What should I do?'
What should I do? What should I do? What should I do? What should I do? What should I do?
My mind went blank.
To think a demon would be summoned while setting a trap. I had never accounted for such a possibility.
Can I win?
'Aint isn't here.'
Every plan that Fernan had devised revolved around Aint Armian.
The nemesis of demons, a direct descendant of the Armian family.
The hero of prophecy who had absorbed every arrangement left behind by the First Emperor.
But he wasn't here.
And the oppressive force of Andromalius far surpassed anything Fernan had ever imagined.
'Was the prophecy just a fragment…?'
The Andromalius seen through the prophecy was different.
This one was more chilling, more suffocating, and infinitely more terrifying.
My body trembled.
No plan, no defense seemed like it would matter.
"…What are you?"
It wasn't Andromalius, nor Fernan, nor Aria who broke the silence.
It was Ruina berchef.
The one who dreamed of becoming the noblest, strongest knight—she stepped forward even before a demon.
"You ask me that question?"
"Who else but you?"
It wasn't that she was without fear. Her eyes and her blade quivered.
Yet the point of her resolve was fixed squarely on Andromalius.
"…Yes, I suppose that makes sense."
Pfh. Andromalius chuckled.
Pfhfhfhfh. The chuckle turned into booming laughter. Though it was merely laughter, the air itself rang.
"Ghhk…!"
"Kyaaah!"
Fernan and Aria clutched their ears. Ruina winced, but did not falter.
"Ah, forgive me. It has been far too long since a lowly creature dared to question me. Refreshing indeed."
But then—
"I never gave vermin permission to question me."
The smile vanished from Andromalius's lips.
"Pitiful insect, you know nothing of your place."
─!
"Kh…!"
It was just a flick of his finger. A single strand of demonic energy.
And yet, Ruina was forced two steps back to withstand it. Her aura cracked, her blade trembled.
"Ruina!"
"Senior!"
Her struggle made Fernan realize his own disgrace.
'Damn it…!'
Quaking in fear and doing nothing—no greater shame, no deeper humiliation.
'More terrifying than demons is the thought of losing my money. I'm more afraid of dying before I can spend what I earned. The loss of my fortune terrifies me more than any demon!'
A demon? Just a demon?
Hadn't I raised hell itself to stop him?
Fear was natural, but excessive fear was useless.
"Aria, prepare for battle."
"…Yes. We can't just sit and die. I showed you a pitiful sight."
Forcing down their fear, Fernan and Aria lifted their staves.
As though they were beneath his notice, Andromalius flexed his hands and muttered:
"Hmm, is this all? Tch. Perhaps moving earlier than planned did strain me a little, but… killing worms like these won't be a problem."
Let's see…
"Was it that once I killed all the humans inside this barrier, I was free to rampage as I pleased?"
Andromalius's gaze swept across them.
Two humans, one elf.
And then—
"You."
Not far away, the source of the irritation he'd felt approaching along with some insignificant straggler.
"Armian."
Andromalius thrust out his blackened hand. A beam of energy far thicker than the one Ruina had endured tore straight forward.
────!
Blinding light clashed with black darkness. The shockwave rippled out in every direction.
The ground trembled, trees snapped, and clouds of dust scattered.
"…It's Aint."
At that sight, Fernan's eyes lit up again.
His assumption had been correct—that the demon would not be summoned before Aint arrived.
That meant there was hope.
That meant they could defeat the demon.
Because that was the true course of history.
Even if something had changed, they had prepared more thoroughly than the original timeline.
"Ruina!"
"Yes!"
"Go—go and help Aint. Andromalius's top priority is Aint. If Aint dies, we all die!"
"But then you—"
"Quickly!"
"Understood!"
Ruina dashed forward.
"Aria, you too."
"Then what about you, Senior?"
"I have work to do."
"Work…?"
"Yes. I never thought I'd have to use it this soon, but…"
If you've set a trap, you have to spring it.
"—This is impossible…!"
Summoning demons of Hell into the Middle Realm was never an easy feat.
To pierce through the barrier of dimensions required an equivalent price: enormous mana, or life force.
And to gather such things would inevitably leave traces. Yet there had been no sign of any such summoning ritual.
Or perhaps… they had simply been unaware.
"How could anyone have managed that? How could something so vital be turned into a medium for summoning a demon?!"
"There must have been signs!"
Regardless of Gardner's screams, the situation pressed forward.
"W-wait… Aint…!"
The moment he laid eyes on the demon, Aint pushed past his fear and dread, stepping forward.
It was instinct—the demon-hatred inherent in the nemesis of demons.
The light of the Armian bloodline cursed and raged against demonic energy.
Guided by that force, Aint thrust his sword.
────!
Steel met blazing demonic energy.
The massive recoil hurled Aint across the ground. The shock bit through his sword and rattled his entire body.
This opponent was stronger than any he had ever faced.
Even the fiend he had fought only recently paled in comparison.
"Cursed bloodline."
Even at a distance, their eyes met. Within those abyssal pupils, Aint felt his skin crawl, his flesh tremble.
"Pathetic."
The low voice rang sharp in his ears.
'Can I win? Truly? That fiend I fought before is nothing compared to this…'
The gulf between them revealed itself in a single clash, forcing him to confront reality.
His body shivered like a leaf.
Stay calm, Aint!
Then, Aint's blade began to shine.
It is wholly unexpected, but that does not mean you must lose!
The light pressed back the darkness, slowly lifting the crushing pressure upon him.
You are an Armian—the one demons fear. It is not you who should tremble in terror, but that thing!
A warmth wrapped around him. His ragged breath steadied.
"…Can I really win?"
It is not a matter of whether you can or cannot win.
You must win.
If he did not, there would be no future. For the peace of the continent, for his own survival, Aint had to take the demon's head.
Have you forgotten your resolve?
You've always fought enemies stronger than yourself. And yet you are the one still alive!
I will aid you. Slay that foul demon and proclaim to the world that the Armian line endures!
Aint's grip tightened on his sword.
Gardner had been right—this wasn't a matter of possibility. It was a battle that had to be won.
There was no hope in fleeing.
"Disgusting. Disgusting and vile."
The demonic energy thickened. In answer, Aint ignited his aura. Radiant light clashed with shadow.
"As expected, there is no reason for the Armian line to exist in this world."
And then—
─!
──!
─!
Magic circles flared to life, unleashing a vortex of mana. Beams of light exploded like fireworks.
Dozens upon dozens of spells.
Lightning cracked, flames roared, spears of ice and earth hurtled forward.
They all converged on Andromalius.
"Pitiful."
None of it seemed to reach him.
Or so it appeared.
"…Ghhk?"
Andromalius let out a short cry. Acrid smoke hissed from his body.
What is that? It's breaking down the demonic energy?
Something hidden within the spells was unraveling his magic, piercing through and dealing true damage.
"…Who dares?"
"Aint!"
The call reached him.
"Ruina, senior? Aria?"
"Aint."
"Hey, Aint! Berian is here too!"
"Why are you here? What's going on—?"
"It's a long story, and now's not the time."
Ruina stepped to his side. Behind her, Aria raised her staff.
"For now, Andromalius takes priority."
"…That's true."
Not bad. With these allies—especially Ruina berchef—you will not fight alone.
Aint felt a weight lift from his heart. The difference between bearing it all alone and having comrades at his side was immense.
"Before he regains his composure, let's strike first."
"But what was that just now? Was that you, Senior?"
"Fernan."
"…Fernan is here too?"
Only then did Aint realize—Berian had come here seeking Fernan.
"That damned bastard…!"
But the conversation couldn't last.
With a roar, Andromalius moved.
Kwaaaang! The rock wall that had risen collapsed instantly. Everyone knew what that meant.
"Fernan is in danger!"
Go—save your patron!
His aura surged, flowing brighter across the First Emperor's sword.
Aint became a streak of light, devouring the distance in a heartbeat.
There was no time to test the waters.
From the very start, full power.
Whatever trick Fernan had used, it had carved openings wide enough to exploit.
──!
Blade and hand collided.
The shockwave burst outward. Shattered demonic energy and radiant aura scattered like sparks.
It was far more manageable than the first clash—whether thanks to Gardner or Fernan didn't matter.
Aint's sword cleaved toward Andromalius.
─!
The demon's body was slammed into the earth. The ground quaked, shards of stone flying.
Aint twisted midair, drawing his blade once more.
Condensed light fell as a vertical flash.
─!
A massive explosion erupted.
Aint followed through immediately, slashing again and again.
"That stench—disgusting beyond measure!"
Andromalius still stood. With a wrathful roar, his entire form was consumed in blackness.
─!
Aint's body was flung back even faster than his previous fall.
Andromalius closed the gap in an instant.
Though still reeling from the impact, Aint forced his sword up to block. Fists rained down like a waterfall.
"That sword. That accursed sword! The same revolting blade as before—disgusting, crawling with chills! Filth that must be erased from this world!"
The sword's holiness gnawed at the demonic energy; it was the only reason Aint could endure at all.
But there were limits.
A trickle of blood slipped from the corner of his lips, his insides battered.
Then—
─!
Another blade pierced in from the side, striking at the demon's unguarded back while his attention was fixed on Aint.
Andromalius let out a scream. The edge that pierced his weakened back dripped with thick, black blood.
"You wretched insect…!"
"You certainly speak like a demon."
The blade's owner, Ruina, steadied her breath.
Fwooosh—hidden elven winds surged, driving the demon back as Ruina pressed her assault.
Claaang! Blade met hand.
Skrraak—the sword scraped up his arm, aiming for his chest.
Or so it seemed.
─!
A small shadow suddenly shot forth, intercepting her strike.
A serpent.
A black serpent coiled around Andromalius's right arm.
"Very well. I admit I underestimated you."
A chilling murderous aura pressed down upon them.
"To think I must give my all against vermin. In Hell, I would never suffer such humiliation…!"
Andromalius's face twisted into a feral snarl.
"Rejoice. I shall ensure that even in death, you are not truly dead—"
A storm of blades lashed out. Another trembling knight, shoving fear aside, struck with a slash.
"How dare you vermin interrupt—!"
Berian was hurled away with a scream.
"Well done! Aria, Berian!"
The other two followed, crashing forward in succession.
Blade met hand, blade clashed with serpent.
Darkness and light, demonic energy and aura, tore into one another, each refusing to yield.
Aint and Ruina moved like comrades of long years, instinctively covering each other's openings while striking at the demon's.
The timely winds gave them further strength.
Even so, Andromalius would not be subdued so easily.
"Impudent…!"
He opened his mouth, vomiting forth demonic energy.
The compressed blast struck Aint squarely. Though he blocked, the impact hurled him backward.
The serpent followed, sealing his movement.
Ruina, aiming for the demon's back, recoiled at the grotesque twist of his flesh as he forced his body to intercept her blow—
Crunch—muscles tearing—he wrenched his torso and took her blade through his side.
"You damned wench!"
Craaaash—
A heavy fist shattered her aura and crushed her armor, hurling Ruina's body far away.
"Pathetic."
Winds rose to bar his advance, but a flick of his finger unleashed dozens of fireball-like bursts of demonic energy.
Explosions roared. Aria's scream rang out.
"Cursed blood of Armian… there is no one left to save you now."
The serpent coiled back onto Andromalius's arm, while a spear of magic bore down on Aint.
A fist followed, hammering down.
"I have awaited this moment for so long."
Before overwhelming power and demonic energy, Aint's aura began to dim.
"The moment the cursed bloodline is exterminated."
Aura cracked, armor caved in.
"That wretch will cough blood in the afterlife. After a thousand years, the final victor is us."
"…I won't allow it!"
"You won't allow it?"
Kwooosh!
Aint staggered under the blow.
"Did you truly think that pitiful sword could let you defeat me?"
Kwooosh!
A thick boot crushed down on him where he lay.
"Yes, perhaps if more time had passed, as that fool claimed, in my current state I might not have overcome you.
But that is only speculation.
From this day forth, every last bearer of the Armian name will be annihilated—"
──!
Andromalius was blasted away.
"…Persistent, aren't you."
He rolled across the ground once before standing again.
"That resolve… I shall acknowledge it. To look upon me and still keep such eyes."
Clad in shattered armor, bleeding from every limb, yet still defiant—he let out a dark chuckle.
"Aint Armian."
It was Ruina.
Pale-faced, she stepped in front of Aint.
"I'll draw his eyes somehow. Watch for the opening and strike his heart."
The demon was strong. But impossible to defeat? Not necessarily.
"My blade cut him. Twice."
If hers could wound him, then Aint's blade—an Armian blade—would cut deeper still.
"The Armian sword is the demon's bane. I'll hold him—strike when he falters."
It was their only path to victory. And Aint was the one best suited to deliver the killing blow.
"Let me—!"
Aint's eyes shook.
Ruina's state was far from normal. Drawing attention in this condition was no different from throwing away her life.
"Set aside personal feelings. As it stands, we're all dead anyway."
Either the demon fell, or they did. Nothing in between.
"And I am a knight. Though I serve no lord at present—"
This Empire, this world, could be called her lord.
A knight—
"Does not abandon her lord."
A knight—
"Does not die after her lord."
If the Empire fell, there was no reason to live. She would do all she could to stop it.
That was—
"My chivalry."
And this was the only way left to protect the Empire.
Her grip on her sword tightened.
"Remember this, Aint."
There would be only one chance.
Ruina charged Andromalius—
"No."
Someone suddenly blocked her path.
"You're not going, Ruina. I won't allow it."
Whose permission—?
"…Fernan?"
Fernan's eyes gleamed madly.
"Do you know what it took for me to come this far?"
The effort I put in to stop that accursed demon. The fortune I spent.
Do you think I'd let events play out exactly like the prophecy?
"Watch closely, Ruina."
Crraack—
Space itself split open.
"This is—"
A massive hand burst forth.
"Something never before seen, and never to be seen again."
Then a shoulder, a torso, and legs stepped into the world.
"The Ego Golem."
A colossal iron giant strode into the battlefield, its master riding upon its shoulder.
Gwooooaaarrr—
The golem roared.
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