7DP 190
１９０: Second Coming of The Demon Prince
TL : Cnine
ED/PF :
Part 1
Sup! I'm the Demon Prince, Jilbagias.
Well then, what should I do about this situation?
When I came to, I was already here — in what seems to be a tower. Corpses are scattered everywhere, and the air is thick with the foul stench of congealed blood. There’s no sound at all, just a piercing pain in my ears, strong enough to make me nauseous.
What on earth happened to the other me?
『...Verily, ’tis been many a day since last we met.』
Ah, it's you again — the Demon God, Antendixis.
Many days, you say? To me, it feels like mere moments. One instant, I had spirited away that adorable forest-elf girl from the night elves’ dungeon, slipped into bed beside her, closed my eyes — and before I knew it, I was here.
『Lo, more than half a twelvemonth hath gone by since then.』
So quite a bit of time has pa— Hold on… Let me try to put my memories in order and figure out the current situation.
… I see now. I apparently took part in the assault on the royal capital, Evaloti, as the army’s leader.
My memories are all scrambled… Still, I guess it’s better not to think too deeply about why my retainers were wiped out, or why the demon army took such heavy losses inside the city.
『Given thy temperament, aye, it were better thou pry not into needless matters. Thou art quick to understand, ’tis a boon indeed.』
Compared to last time, it's honestly a relief just to have the time to think clearly, Demon God.
So tell me — why am I the one being called up again? And what happened to the original self?
『Many things came to pass, until at length the mind could bear no more. Stricken with remorse, he did wish for naught but to vanish from this world... Unwittingly did he invoke a Taboo Magic, and as a result of that dire act, his very self was sealed away. Thus have we come unto the current situation.』
Got it… then why do my ears hurt this bad?
『He wast sorely beset by phantasmal whisperings, and in his anguish didst rend his own ears asunder.』
“…You’ve got to be kidding me.
That’s… seriously messed up. Was the original personality even functioning at that point? Come to think of it, I’m holding a short arrow, caked in blue blood… So that’s what he used, huh…
Well, it makes sense now. The original one broke down completely, and when he couldn’t take it anymore, I was brought out instead.
— “So, what do I do now?” The feeling of 『Have to do something』 still lingers, but the purpose itself has been emptied out, leaving behind only a sickening hollowness.
Antendixis, tell me.
『’Twas the prime design, afore any of the Demon King’s retinue, to fell, as many as might be, the forces of the Defteros kingdom. The original self thereupon resorted to the taboo power――』
Stop, O Great Demon God — spare me the rest.
For now, I can still brush it off as speculation. But if you keep talking, I’ll start piecing together who the original personality really was.
And that wouldn’t be convenient for either of us.
I am the demon prince, Jilbagias. Wouldn’t it be easier if we just stuck with that?
『…Aye, ’tis as thou say’st. I was most heedless indeed.』
That’s fine. I won’t dwell on it.
『Being all too understanding is a thing to muse upon… The former self was not so disposed.』
Maybe you’re biased? Your mind should function the same. But since my sense of self was underdeveloped, I can look at things more neutrally — for better or worse.
Anyway, I’m getting sidetracked. What should I do now?
『’Tis the second charge — to go forth and lay waste to that new mechanical device of mankind.』
…Ah, you mean this thing? A contraption that fires short bolts? Is it really that dangerous?
『’Tis a device whereby frail men may loose shafts comparable to those of the night-elves. To the demonkin it is but a toy; yet should it fall into the hands of the undead, sore and lasting trouble may spring forth. E’en if we destroy them all here, ’tis but a matter of time ere the knowledge thereof is spread.』
Ah — so it’s a countermeasure for Enma.
Okay, that makes it easier to act, even as a demon prince. Let’s go with that.
Also, my ears hurt like hell. It’s annoying not being able to hear. Maybe I should hurry and find an enemy suitable for a transposition spell…
…So, it’s fine if I kill them, right?
『…Dost thou not, in truth, already ken it all?』
Nope, not at all.
I just felt a moment of hesitation.
『That hesitance, though but slender, shall—by my prerogative—beget thee strength.』
I see… Makes sense.
Then I shall kill.
Since I am of demon blood, the craving for power runs deep.
『I would be troubled shouldst thou fall ill likewise; therefore, temper thyself.』
It’s fine. At worst, it feels like the kind of hesitation you get when hurting a cute dog or cat.
Demon God, you can still hear, right? Then be my ears.
『Very well. How fitting — there is a disturbance underfoot… It's enemy forces.』
Why didn’t you say that earlier?!
I grabbed my spear-sword and rushed down the stairs.
「! ...!!!」
The next moment, I ran straight into a group of human soldiers. They’re pointing and shouting at me, but—
「Sorry, I can’t hear a thing!」
I wrapped them in dark magic.
「【Transpose】」
Blood burst from both ears, and the soldier collapsed in agony right after drawing his sword. My own ear pain vanished, and my head felt clear again. Thank goodness.
「My bad dude.」
I channelled magical power into the spear-sword’s blade and finished him with a clean decapitation… but since my ears were caked with blood, I still couldn’t hear well. Demon God, I need backup.
『This is no time to dawdle! ’Tis the Hero!!』
Huh? …Ah, that one in the back? His magical power is definitely stronger than the others. But… what’s with that shield he’s thrusting forward?
「【Lampus(Light)!】」
—A blinding flash of white swallowed my vision. I couldn’t see anything.
『【Taboo to Approaching!】 Step back!!』
Got it. Might as well dump this blindness onto the nearest fool.
「【Transpose】」
—My sight returned. I shoved aside the soldier clutching his eyes and stumbling, and behind him, the Hero was charging straight toward me, his body wrapped in silver light.
The Hero was snared by the taboo magic, his movements frozen for an instant.
But then, shouting “【Megali Prostasia(Grand Blessing)】”, he wrapped himself in an even stronger silver light and forcibly broke free of the curse. Impressive — he’s quite capable.
『Art thou struck with admiration now of all times!!』
Right, I need to throw him off somehow… ugh, great. I can’t even use 【Taboo Magic】. My original self already used it up sealing his own consciousness. Different mind or not, conceptually we’re the same — which is actually fascinating—
『We stand in the midst of war! Enough of thy musings!』
Ah— yeah, my bad.
「【Our name is Jilbagias――The son of the Demon King, I'm The Demon Prince Jilbagias!】」
Whatever the case, I used my 【Naming】. In an instant, my magical power erupted like living fire.
『【Taboo to slash!】』
—His sword lost its edge; I leaned to the side and dodged easily.
「My bad dude.」
My spear-sword darted forward—！
His shield took the blow, but the enchanted metal shattered instantly. Fragments flew, and his left arm was half torn off. He screamed—but his eyes never lost their sharpness.
「【Flash(Let there be light)】」
Just as my gaze was caught by his shield, he moved to strike from the blind spot it created.
The hero’s holy sword flashed brilliantly.
A surge of silver light burst forth—like a spray of water—splattering against me. Most of it slid off the sheen of my scale armour, but a few sparks landed on my face.
OH DAMMIT!! I FORGOT THAT'S HOLY ATTRIBUTE!!
「What the hell do you think you’re playing at!」
Blinded by fury, I brought the spear down with brutal force.
The hero, who had been about to thrust forward, folded in half — armour and all — and slammed into the wall, a crimson flower blooming at the point of impact.
Flattened nicely.
「HIIIIIII!」
The nearest soldier, whose vision had only just returned, froze in terror at the sight.
I pressed the holy burn against his face to get rid of it, then brought my spear-sword down, crushing his skull into pulp.
「U-UWAAAAAAH!」
「The hero has fallen!」
The remaining soldiers spun around and bolted.
Wait!
『HEY WAIT A SECOND! DON'T RUN!!』
Huh? Why though?
『Thy manner of fighting is perilous beyond bearing!! How cometh it that thou art so full of openings and vulnerabilities!! ’Tis most unnatural!!』
Ah… well, even if you put it like that—
Today is the first time I’ve ever actually fought…
『Ah...』
The Demon God fell completely silent.
Thanks to the training the original self went through, it felt as if fighting had become second nature…
But the crucial parts — when to move, how to react — were lost with the fragmented memories.
With no real battle experience of my own, I was just feeling my way through it.
Still, my magical power had grown far beyond what it was the last time I appeared, letting me fight through sheer brute force.
『…I see… so this, then, is thy true might…』
The Demon God spoke in a voice filled with despair, as if all her expectations had collapsed.
『…In this state, shouldst thou encounter the sage or the sword saint with their elite company, it would spell thy doom. Avoid combat wherever possible, and focus solely on destroying that weapon. Peradventure, it may be wise to consider retreat as well.』
Honestly… I’m starting to agree.
We better keep track of our escape route, in case we need to make a run for it.
I’ll be counting on your support, Demon God!
『Ne’er have I known such disquiet…』