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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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Chapter 109
That ashen gray beard and hair.
The robe, though faded, was clearly of the same design.
And even the long, ancient wooden staff that was his trademark.
No matter how you looked at it, it was undoubtedly Dercion Pygma, the former Magic Tower Head of Aldeon.
"Dercion...?"
Elbert, perhaps because he knew him, seemed particularly surprised compared to the others.
Well, despite his appearance, he was the head of a Magic Tower, so it would be stranger if Elbert, the Knight Commander, didn't know him.
"I heard that he died some time ago?"
"I thought so too, but there he is, standing tall."
Elbert narrowed his eyes and examined Dercion.
I followed his gaze, but this time, instead of focusing on the fact that this man was Dercion, I concentrated on what had changed.
Goooo-.
His eyes were pitch black as if he had become a demon, and his skin tone had darkened.
And there was a thick demonic energy that I could feel along with his mana.
It was definitely Dercion, but not Dercion.
He now had the complete appearance of a demon.
"Huh... how can this be?"
Elbert, also realizing this, expressed his surprise once again.
I was equally surprised.
'I've never seen a human become a demon.'
I had seen demon contractors and those whose appearances had changed into demons due to some power, but this was the first time I had seen someone exuding demonic energy so completely.
Aside from my personal experience, the information from the game...
That is, throughout the entire history of [Demon Fantasy].
Even Elbert, who would know far more than me about the events of the past 100 years, seemed completely unaware...
Perhaps this was the first time something like this had happened.
And if so...
'Is this a new power of Baal?'
This was the most likely possibility.
That Baal had gained a new power due to some event.
He was a being who changed his abilities whenever he got bored, and the last place Dercion disappeared was also the rift where Baal appeared, so there was a good chance this was the case.
However.
'...Isn't that too overpowered?'
If that was true, it was very troubling.
Based on my research on Baal so far, the abilities he usually switched were sub-abilities.
Sub-abilities were relatively less threatening, so even if they changed, it didn't significantly hinder our strategies.
However, the power to turn a human into a demon was undoubtedly a main ability.
And it was a powerful main ability, capable of turning even a high-ranking mage of the 8th Circle into a demon.
This was not something to be taken lightly.
Being able to turn a high-ranking mage into his subordinate meant endless possibilities.
Knight Commanders, Royal Guards, transcendent beings from other races.
No, perhaps even the king.
Anyone could be a target.
Naturally, even myself.
Of course, there would be limitations to such a powerful ability, and he would have discarded one of his existing abilities in exchange, but even considering that, the shock didn't subside.
This ability was undoubtedly one that would pose a continuous threat.
'...So it's not just me who's growing stronger?'
It was something I had overlooked.
Despite my tremendous growth thanks to my Mythic-tier trait and Spirit Imprint, Baal wouldn't have just been sitting idly by.
Not only his current abilities, but perhaps during the 100-year gap when I was gone, he might have undergone tremendous changes that I was unaware of.
And ultimately, that would directly increase the probability of my defeat in a battle against him.
The information I had gained from fighting him in the game would become completely useless.
If that were the case, how on earth would I fight him...?
I exhaled in frustration.
"Phew, calm down."
I was getting too excited without realizing it.
It was a situation where I couldn't jump to any conclusions yet.
I could learn about Baal's information gradually, so there was no need to be frightened or agitated beforehand.
There was only one thing I had to focus on right now.
I just had to think about subduing Dercion Pygma.
Of course, considering the difference in our abilities, it would be impossible for me to do it alone...
"It seems you'll have to use some of your strength this time, Commander."
"Indeed. That demonic energy is clearly too dangerous to just watch."
By my side was Elbert Tyron, the Knight Commander, who possessed formidable strength and strategy that were in no way inferior to the original Dercion.
If the two of us worked together, we should be able to stop Dercion.
"You match my rhythm."
"I'll try my best to keep up."
Shing.
Elbert, signaling that he would go first, drew a long sword from the scabbard at his waist.
It was a sword that seemed to fall right in between a longsword, the symbol of a knight, and a rapier, which boasted light weight. It seemed to be Elbert's main weapon.
As I was thinking that...
Whoosh!
Elbert, who was next to me, disappeared in an instant.
I missed his movement and immediately turned my head forward.
Clang!
I found Elbert swinging his sword at Dercion.
'...I couldn't even react.'
As expected of the Knight Commander.
Neither Barundel, Thompson, nor I could imitate that speed at our current level.
It was truly marvelous.
'To achieve that speed, I would need to be able to completely infuse my body with light.'
Not long ago, I had tried to use light instead of lightning magic, but I had suffered greatly due to my lack of skill.
I dared to guess that I would probably need to be able to completely infuse myself with light to match that speed.
That's how amazing his speed was.
But then, why?
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Dercion was blocking each of Elbert's sword strikes, which were unleashed with that tremendous speed.
And with just that ancient wooden staff, without any magic.
How should I interpret this?
'Did he get... stronger?'
Dercion already possessed great power, enough to hold the position of Magic Tower Head.
However, from my personal experience, Dercion was not on par with Elbert.
In the first place, Dercion was only interested in researching things like the "True Light" and wasn't concerned with increasing his power.
Because of this, he might have been a match for Elbert in summoning magic or knowledge duels, but he was never a match for Elbert in terms of raw strength.
But now...
Whoosh! Clang!
Anyone could see that they were exchanging blows evenly.
Dercion's power had clearly increased.
And given the circumstances, there was only one reason for that.
'Baal.'
We couldn't help but think that it was all his doing.
"This is unbelievable...!"
Shwaaaak!
Elbert, also flustered, swung his sword a few more times and then retreated, creating distance.
His face was contorted in disbelief.
Well, Elbert would be more flustered than me.
He was a knight who had honed his swordsmanship for over a decade, and now he was being pushed back in close combat by a mere mage.
He might be feeling a deep sense of loss and denial of his years of training.
But he had to accept what he had to accept.
Elbert soon resigned himself and acknowledged the situation.
"...This is unbelievable. I can't think of him as just a mage anymore."
"He's clearly not normal, is he?"
"Indeed. Honestly, it's a bit embarrassing. I was almost in danger. Since things have turned out like this, I'm changing the plan."
Changing the plan.
In this situation where we were trying to subdue Dercion, those words meant only one thing.
"Alright."
We would just hold out and not attack.
Actually, if there were no additional demon reinforcements, we had the advantage.
After all, reinforcements from the royal family would arrive soon.
There were countless strong individuals among them, such as the Royal Guards, Asion Gayle, and the knights stationed in Area 1.
If they arrived, they would take care of the strengthened Dercion without a second thought.
However, the problem was...
Thud, thud, thud-
Whether Dercion would stay put until then.
Walking forward while emitting an eerie demonic energy, he opened his parched lips.
"...It's been a while, Yuhan."
For a moment, a chill ran down my spine.
"What, he can talk?"
Some of the more intelligent higher demons could sometimes use language.
But even then, it was only the demon language, and they couldn't speak as clearly as this.
However, the words Dercion had just uttered were incredibly clear.
As if he were a Demon Legion Commander himself.
Was it because his base form was human?
I didn't know the exact reason, but the fact that we could communicate was a welcome situation.
"How have you been, Master?"
"M-Master?"
Elbert looked at me as if asking what I meant.
Come to think of it, I hadn't mentioned it.
"I learned my light magic from that man. Well, not with good intentions, and I can't call him human anymore."
"Huh, is that so?"
Elbert nodded in understanding.
I turned my attention back, and Dercion spoke as if he had been waiting.
"Yes, I've been well. Too well, in fact."
Thud!
Dercion suddenly struck the ground with his staff.
And then...
Shwaaaa-
The eerie demonic energy swirling around him spread out, making everyone tense.
With a sly smile, he continued.
"I have been reborn under His will and gained eternal life. Although the light that has been with me all my life has left my hands, this is a more than satisfactory result."
"Ah, is that so?"
Dercion's face showed no regret.
As if he had no interest in light now.
To think that the man who craved light so much would change like this?
The power of demons was truly fearsome.
"So you seem to be satisfied with your current life?"
"Indeed, my past life is now filled with sorrow. If only I had pursued darkness instead of light, I could have lived a much more fulfilling life... I was foolish. Foolish indeed."
'Crazy bastard.'
Could he hear my inner thoughts?
Dercion suddenly glared at me and said, "...But it's alright, for I have now realized the darkness."
Thud!
Dercion struck the ground once again.
An even more intense demonic energy than before enveloped Elbert and me.
Srrk!
Although my body wasn't restrained, it was an extremely unpleasant feeling.
Despite that, Dercion continued to speak.
"In consideration of our past relationship, I will give you a chance. Why don't you abandon the light and walk the path of darkness with me?"
Aha, so this was what he was trying to say after all this rambling. He was apparently trying to "enlighten" me in his own way.
It was ironic.
The mage who first introduced me to light magic in this world was now trying to teach me darkness.
What a comical situation.
"Oh, come on. What is this, chuunibyou...?"
Fwhoosh!
I immediately enveloped my body with light magic.
As if to prove their opposing nature, the light pushed back the demonic energy.
It was a gesture of refusal shown through action.
"This is too childish, I can't listen to this, really."
"...What?"
Dercion, angered by my somewhat provocative words, frowned.
His eyes widened as if he were about to unleash an attack on me at any moment.
However, it was no use even if he glared at me like that.
"You do it. That darkness thing, or whatever it is."
I would never set foot on that path, not even if I died and came back to life.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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