Demon King, Retry! Chapter 73-74

The one who noticed this abnormality immediately was Otagla.s.ses.

He immediately jumped out from the tent and looked at the Rookie City, but there was red fire blazing around.

The three stars also showed themselves from their tents, and their fiery gazes were directed at him.

"Otagla.s.ses-sama, looks like an Aggressor."

"Looks like it." (Otagla.s.ses)

Seeing that not a single one of them judged it as a fire was as expected from this group.

But the three stars were looking at Otagla.s.ses as if they were praying: 'please don't jump into that chaos'. It is not that they are fearing battle, but because if they were to poke their heads into the business of other countries further than they already are, the standing of Otagla.s.ses would worsen even more.

"Otagla.s.ses-sama, we will go to the city. Please rest here."

"There's no need to worry about me. It is already too late for that, you know." (Otagla.s.ses)

Otagla.s.ses shows a mischievous face that's rarely seen from him. The evaluation his own country has of him could already be called the worst and there's no lower than that.

But even with that, the tree stars were still worried.

However, Otagla.s.ses isn't the kind of person who would change his ideals to protect himself.

Otagla.s.ses grabs two of the handles from his white box and pulls them out. In his right hand, he is holding a Light Sword that is releasing a divine white light; in his left, a Morning Star that was releasing dazzling light as well.

Otagla.s.ses runs to the city with gale-like speed. The three stars silently follow that dazzling back of his.

When the white group had arrived to the city, there was already battle happening here and there.

He has seen a reverse attack before, but the sight of it was something shocking. Monsters were being pushed out from the dungeon's entrance and creating a cloud of dust.

"What's that… There's so many Bricks. There's even Fire-breathing Fortresses!"

"There's also Neck-hunting Boars."

"I want to believe this is a joke, but…is that a Hydra I see at the very back?"

The three stars were saying this with dry voices. Those were not monsters that should be okay to appear in the Prison Dungeon that's supposed to be challenged by rookies.

Special types are sometimes born in the dungeons, and there are times when they would do a reverse attack on the surroundings, but it is the norm that only monsters of the same strength as the dungeon will come out.

The monsters had already spread here and there, going on a rampage without control, breathing fire, and killing any person they lay their eyes on. Otagla.s.ses saw this and brought out a decision instantly.

"With this scale, it would be dangerous to separate. You three, act together." (Otagla.s.ses)

Otagla.s.ses says this shortly and rushes ahead.

The three stars didn't object to it and immediately began acting. A second of hesitation in the battlefield can mean death, and they understand plenty well that if they lose time, they won't be able to save lives that could have been saved.

The three stars also hold their white swords respectively and take to speed.

Each time they swing their swords, two lacerations would be created in the monsters, and they were cutting down the h.o.a.rd in visible time.

It was a Combo Attack.

In the game, there was a proficiency level, and once it reached 100, you can activate it. After a normal attack, it dealt 10 extra damage. Putting it simply, it is a 'double attack'.

The three stars that have been in service as knights for long had finally become powerful fighters that have perfected this Combo Attack after extensive training.

Otagla.s.ses as well was swinging his light sword and morning star, cutting the monsters inexhaustibly. As a Holy Brave, he was using both [Beheading] and [Bludgeon] to do his combo attack.

4 attacks in what was truly a single breath. An unbelievable existence.

Otagla.s.ses looks straight at the monsters and shouts.

"—If you hadn't come out, you wouldn't have had to die!" (Otagla.s.ses)

It looked as if a white light was pa.s.sing by the monster hordes as they died, and it was a truly fitting figure for a Holy Brave. No matter how much monster blood rained, no matter how many entrails were scattered about, everything was being purified by the white light covering his body.

"S-Someone save u—!!"

"—!"

A mother carrying a young child -that was most likely late in running away- was about to be burned by the fire that the Firebreathing Fortress was about to breath out. However, before it could, its head was smashed to pieces.

The chain of the morning star held by Otagla.s.ses had stretched, and the ironball attached at its end smashed the head of the Firebreathing Fortress.

Next, he sliced in two the Neckhunting Boar with his light sword. A Neckhunting boar has tough hide and armor-like muscles, but in front of Otagla.s.ses, it was like b.u.t.ter.

"This place is dangerous. Head to the outskirts." (Otagla.s.ses)

"Y-Yes…!"

That brilliant performance raised the courage of the adventurers that were running.

A Holy Brave not only has strength, they also transmit courage to the people around, and it defines someone who can bring trembling people back onto their feet.

"Otagla.s.ses-samaaaa!!"

"The Holy Brave has come!"

"The three Binnary Stars too!"

"We can win, we can win!"

"Otagla.s.ses-sama! It is me! Please marry me!"

"Kyaaa! Otagla.s.ses-sama, take me! (deep voice)"

"The ones who are free, make a barricade!"

Mikan and Yukikaze were inside this.

These two are B rank adventurers thus have a higher than average strength, and the rookies were naturally gathering around them. It can't be helped.

In this carnage, it is human nature to want to be close to strong people.

"Where did these monsters pop out from?!" (Mikan)

"…I will do my best till Oji-sama comes." (Yukikaze)

The two were wielding their magic and large sword to defeat the monsters around, but the important guards were moving dully. Or more like, there was practically no sight of them.

"What are the guards doing at such an important time?!" (Mikan)

"…Probably…ran." (Yukikaze)

Yukikaze was correct.

They are basically 'stable civil servants', so they didn't think they would have to put their lives in such danger.

It is mostly the adventurers trying to protect their 'workplace' who are standing ground. Even so, it is not as if the guards are the ones in the wrong.

This country is in a long warring time, but this place was a place of solace within all this.

To be suddenly told to throw away your life, it would be impossible to accept. Their duty was to keep a watch on the adventurers, and exploit them -it wasn't to fight.

"Wait, Yukikaze! Isn't that a Fire-breathing Fortress?!" (Mikan)

"…There's also a Hydra." (Yukikaze)

"Impossibleee!! Since when did this become the 'Six Headed Waterfall'?!" (Mikan)

"…Become my s.h.i.+eld, [Snow Kiss]." (Yukikaze)

Yukikaze blows a kiss, and buffs Mikan with a defensive spell. Seeing the Firebreathing Fortress, he must have tried to add resistance to fire.

"Who are you calling a s.h.i.+eld?! You go burn!" (Mikan)

"…Love is eternal. I am unmelting snow. Mikan is fiery joy." (Yukikaze)

"Don't joke around!" (Mikan)

Even in a situation like this, these two were noisy.

This section had somehow managed to hold back the advance of the monsters, and the adventurers were making a barricade as it went on.

But it wasn't the same in the other places. Most of the areas had been overrun and were in an extremely tragic state. The fire of the Firebreathing Fortresses was spreading to the buildings one after the other.

As time pa.s.sed…the black smoke that was rising up violently…covered the whole city.

"It is worse than what I thought."

"Looks like the only noteworthy thing is their numbers."

Taking up a position at the highest alt.i.tude location of the city, the jet-black Demon Lord and the Witch were looking down at the situation. Black smoke was rising from here and there, and screams were being raised along with it.

Yuu's face was as always, but because Maou had seen the peaceful cityscape just yesterday, this sight looked even worse in his eyes.

After all, it wasn't only monsters…a part of the people had become pillagers.

People who would enter eye-catching stores to steal their goods, people stealing money, people who had a handful of medicinal plants and other kinds of plants.

In the eyes of Maou, it was like the riots in slums that could be seen in TV. Right now, there was a man who was pointing a sword at a woman and trying to a.s.sault her.

(Sc.u.m…) (Maou)

"It is a raw sight of human nature, isn't it, Chief?" (Yuu)

"…Don't like it." (Maou)

"Eh?" (Yuu)

Maou threw the Sodom Fire without saying a word, and it pierces the man he had in his sight.

The body of the man seemed to not have even comprehended that it had died as it stayed standing, but in time, it might have noticed it didn't have a head, it fell over powerlessly.

Seeing this, Maou silently lights up a tobacco.

Noticing that Yuu was staring straight at him, Maou laughed lightly.

"We are always in the side that creates situations. There's the need to teach these capricious people to learn their place." (Maou)

(Kuuuh! Chief, those words just now were the best!!!" (Yuu)

Yuu's eyes light up, and both of her hands subconsciously reach out.

If they had stayed that way, she would have ended up hugging him without thinking.

However, the advance of the monsters was not going to wait for that. There's an uncountable amount of Firebreathing Fortresses and Bricks pus.h.i.+ng through.

"Fumu, it is a bit far here, huh." (Maou)

"Ah…♪" (Yuu)

Maou pulled the waist of Yuu, and jumps at once. It was the perfect position to see the whole picture of the central plaza. The monster horde had also gathered there and were showing their intentions of dispersing to the different locations.

Seeing this, Maou jerks his chin.

"…Yuu, go wild." (Maou)

"Y-Yes!" (Yuu)

Yuu's charmed face turned serious, and her palms were now holding sinister-looking grenades.

From there, with an [Attribute Skill] added to it, a destructive attack was released.

The grenades that were thrown high into the sky activated the First Skill, [Bomb Knowledge] and 15-25 damage was added.

Next, the Second Skill, [Scatter], activated, and the grenades divided into several tens of them.

Lastly, the third skill, [Chain Explosion], activated.

The added damage is 30-40 damage, and this all rained overhead on the monsters, and a giant explosion was created in succession.

An overwhelming thunderous sound resonated, and the adventurers who were fighting here and there, and the residents who were running, all turned to the one who caused this.

There, Maou was calmly enjoying a tobacco with the moon in the background, and also a weirdly beautiful woman in white robe.

(Fumu, the Attribute Skills of my close-aides seem to be activating properly.) (Maou)

Maou nods his head satisfied, and he draws the head of Yuu closer.

The close-aides he had made settings for to the very minute details are able to show their abilities without any limitations, and that must have made him happy. More so when the skill he created himself had been recreated right in front of him with outstanding power. His happiness was two fold.

"C-Chief, was that to your satisfaction…?" (Yuu)

"Umu, it was splendid, Yuu. It was truly an artistic attack. The refres.h.i.+ng feeling when the Attribute Skills all landed was refres.h.i.+ng to the utmost." (Maou)

Seeing Maou raise a loud laugh, the ma.s.ses let out a noise that couldn't be called a voice.

With an enchanting beauty pulled by the waist to his side, and his figure of looking down on several hundreds of corpses, it truly was that of a Demon Lord.

The three stars seeing this from afar were able to tell in an instant that this person was the rumored 'Demon Lord'. An incredible explosion that they didn't even know how it happened.

A pitch black figure as if opposing face on the white light. It was truly the very figure of the highest of rebels pa.s.sed down in legends since the origin of times.

"That's…the Demon Lord that Otagla.s.ses-sama was speaking of?"

"It truly is a figure fit of the highest of rebels."

"Don't be hasty. Our bodies belong to Otagla.s.ses-sama."

Mikan and Yukikaze were also looking at the pitch black Maou and the Witch standing by his side. With the moon at the background and the sight of him laughing out loud on top of a roof, it had a sense of majesticness to it, and depending on the person seeing it, it could bring out different emotions.

"What's with him? Having a woman by his side and playing cool." (Mikan)

"…I don't mind how many mistresses there are. But Mikan is a no." (Yukikaze)

"I don't care if I am not included, I don't have an interest in him anyways!" (Mikan)

"…Lies are the beginning of Fiery Joy." (Yukikaze)  

"You continue pulling that joke?!" (Mikan)

Otagla.s.ses also turned around while standing in between the corpses of monsters.

Before, he only felt his presence, gaze, and voice, but his figure was now being shown, and has now turned into an actual visible existence.

"Not only you, but even your subordinates are…" (Otagla.s.ses)

Seeing the disastrous scene at the plaza, the body of Otagla.s.ses trembles. He doesn't know what happened, but they were able to bomb every monster to death in an instant.

If they can release that consecutively, they would be able to even go against an army individually.

"—We meet again, Brave."

Maou jumped off the roof with his hands inside his pocket, and lands at the side of Otagla.s.ses. The fact that he can see him now made the pressure he gave out intensify.

The Witch landed at his side after, and for Otagla.s.ses, it felt like his lifetime was being sc.r.a.ped off just from being close to them. His two hands holding the handles had stiffened unconsciously.

"No need to be so cautious. I will take care of the big ones deep in. I would like you people to deal with the monsters around." (Maou)

"…That's called a Hydra, and it is a Boss cla.s.s monster that can even nullify combo attacks. The lives of many people are at stake here. Do you have a chance of winning?" (Otagla.s.ses)

Those words made Yuu narrow her eyes slowly, but when Maou placed his hand on top of her head, she suddenly got docile.

"Combo attack, huh. Interesting." (Maou)

"In the first place, aren't you the Lord that governs over the demons? Why are you standing on the side of the humans?" (Otagla.s.ses)

"What a strange thing to say. Monsters are merely 'nourishment' for me." (Maou)

Rather than being the true feelings of Maou, it was simply a plain statement.

But in the eyes of Otagla.s.ses, they were words holding deep hidden meaning. Without the time to understand the truth of it, Maou and the Witch pa.s.s by his side.

There's a Hydra deeper in, but it was as if it wasn't even in his sight.

"Chief, what is that pathetic excuse of a snake…?" (Yuu)

"Fumu, the JUG has filled up, so it works perfectly as a guinea pig. While at it, might as well wipe out the dungeon as well." (Maou)

The Hydra had taken its spot at the entrance of the dungeon, and it bends its crooked neck, catching the two in its sight. It is like a giant snake, a monster with 9 heads.

It is a Boss level monster that appears in the grand dungeon 'Six Headed Waterfalls' which is tackled by A rank adventurers. It is by no means an existence that's okay to appear in a place like this.

Its tough scales can nullify combo attacks, and it is an incredibly dangerous opponent even for skilled adventurers and knights.

"Well then, let's showcase my 'combo attack' too." (Maou)

The moment Maou's Sodom Fire was thrown and it stabbed into the Hydra's body, its heads raised a cry. There's not even a need to activate a battle skill. This man would be able to deal lethal amounts of damage with just his normal attack.

Normally, a combo attack would be activated there, but in this man's case, his proficiency level is 500, so it has turned into zenith combo attack, and the damage jumps to 25.

On top of that, overlapping the battle skill [Berserk], 5 damage is added, for a total of 30 damage. It is 3 times stronger than the normal combo attack.

Adding to this, the battle skill [Forced Breakthrough] is granted to it, and it pa.s.ses through the skills and techniques that stop combo attacks. In other words, it is impossible to block the combo attacks of this man.

A shockwave was released from the stabbed blade, and the body of the Hydra was sent flying. It must have been the zenith combo attack at work.

To top it off, the burn effect of Sodom's Fire -its blazing fire- had covered the whole body of the Hydra in an instant.

It truly was a flowing combo.

In the game, Attribute Skills and Elementless Skills would be connected after, so it is almost impossible to escape once you have been caught in a preemptive strike.

"Hahahahaha!" (Maou)

Maou laughs from the welling up exaltation.

A red mist hung over his body, and it began to cover his whole body. The red mist didn't maintain the samen form for even a second, and it made shapes like a face letting out a piercing death shriek, at times would turn into a skull, and just by having it in sight it felt like 'h.e.l.l itself' trying to pollute even your very soul.

>

>

"Insects are better fit to grovel on the ground! [Final Judgment]." (Maou)

Maou waves his right hand down as if giving out an order, and the sinister red mist turned into several tens of thousands of skulls, and with a nightmarish howl, a h.e.l.lish attack was deployed!

The body of the Hydra turned into black particles in an instant and perished, but it didn't end with that, several tens of thousands of skulls burst through the dungeon all the way to the 20th floor as if a waterfall was. .h.i.tting it.

This wasn't a single aoe attack, but a lingering aoe.

Even though 'that' is already strong, being stacked damage several times, the monsters in the dungeon all perished in an instant. Inside of it, there was the Aggressor this time around, Big Eye, but it perished from the skulls in a pitiful way.

What was left was…ear-ringing silence.

Everyone who saw that h.e.l.l picture of an attack felt like their spirits would explode.

"With this, there should be no more monsters coming out." (Maou)

"That was splendid, Chief." (Yuu)

Yuu says this with a smile and reddened cheeks, and Maou nods satisfied. However, Maou tightened his expression and sends a [Whisper] to Yukikaze.

> (Maou)

<…oji-sama, that="" was="" ultra="" cool.="" my="" snow="" is="" melting="" slimily.="">> (Yukikaze)

> (Maou)

<…yes.">

The response of Yukikaze was a bit sad.

But having seen Maou's battle, she must have thought she would be a hindrance, she accepted obediently even through the sadness.

> (Maou)

<…i will="" go="" for="" sure.="" definitely="" go.="">> (Yukikaze)

He could hear the voice of Otagla.s.ses at his back.