NOVEL NEXT Chapter 251
Lucifer opens the door to the Celestial Realm.
Zephar creates synthetic magical beasts.
The continent is filled with chaos, and only Lucius can quell it.
However, no matter how fast Lucius is, he cannot cover everything.
“While it’s true that Lucius is essentially the main force, minor enemies need to be dealt with so that he can focus on the ‘main enemy.'”
Thus, we need people to defeat the enemies in Lucius’s stead.
“There’s an old saying: You don’t need an ox-sized knife to kill a chicken. It might sound a bit off to hear ‘chicken-killing knife,’ but it’s quite a striking metaphor.”
“I understand.”
Captain Francis of the Mech Kraken glances over at the former Demon King’s army officers seated beside him.
“Although we’re former Demon King’s army members, we were actually part of the transport team, not active front-line fighters. Since we weren’t the elites, we fully understand the Witch’s words.”
“It’s not that you’re weak. What I’m saying is…”
“We understand. You’re saying we just need to fight our own battles. You’re just being considerate so that we don’t recklessly challenge strong opponents and end up dead.”
“Well, I appreciate that you think that.”
Why is it that Captain Francis ‘Porneus’ Bacon, along with the officers from Belselphia, are looking at me with such lukewarm expressions?
“What do you think, Lord Lucius? We will create the best environment for you to fight. We’ll do our utmost.”
“Thank you for your help. It feels odd for a Hero to say this, but I’m sure that the one you follow would also be pleased.”
“Yes. That’s right.”
Why does it feel like there’s a shared understanding between Lucius and the Belselphia officers?
This atmosphere is reminiscent of—
“Lucius, even so, saying things that seem to advocate for the Demon King is just a bit…”
“It’s fine, Yan. He’s a being from 500 years ago. It’s not like he’s listening here, and technically, he hasn’t harmed me.”
At Lucius’s words, all the party members fell silent.
“If they were subordinates of Demon King Satan, I’d have been wounded. If they were involved with Asydia, who is causing chaos on the continent, I’d have been hurt. But they’re not such beings.”
The bridge went silent at Lucius’s common sense.
“Furthermore, these are the ones who have come to help us. In this continent’s time of chaos, I think it’s not important to nitpick.”
“You are certainly a very aware Hero. I don’t know who you learned that from, but it must have been from someone exceptional.”
“I learned it from someone I truly respect.”
Something feels a bit embarrassing.
If Lucius is talking about me, that would make me proud, but Francis saying this to me feels a bit off.
“Captain Francis, I have a question.”
“Feel free to ask, Witch.”
What’s with the elegant movements and the rolling of the tongue in between?
Is it just a concept?
If so, I guess I’ll have to play along.
“Why are all the soldiers of Belselphia participating? It’s a battle that offers you no benefit.”
“…….”
The residents of Belselphia are fundamentally all former members of the Demon King’s army.
Regardless of their background or duties, they were once part of Belphegor’s Demon King’s army.
Thanks to Celcius, they’ve survived for 500 years, and although most have adapted to life in an underwater city, they are basically still part of the Demon King’s army.
To be honest, there’s no need for them to help us now.
“The meeting of the Bride Ship and Mech Kraken at just the right time wasn’t just a coincidence. Through the Spirit Device aboard the Bride Ship, the Spirit Celcius must’ve realized our approach.”
“That’s correct. However, the timing was indeed perfect. Just as we were finishing preparations for military action, the Bride Ship was headed this way.”
“Still, you managed to dock right on point, right?”
“Isn’t that the ‘style’? It’s the unveiling of the Mech Kraken. We have to make a grand and majestic appearance.”
Is it majestic the way it rises from the sea and opens its dome-like head?
It certainly felt grand.
It’s not a small size either; it could accommodate the Bride Ship atop it.
“The reason we’re all dressed in military uniforms and supporting the Bride Ship’s sudden movement is simply one.”
Clap.
As Francis clapped his hands, scenes of chaos from the eastern part of the continent appeared on the bridge’s screen.
“Look at this person. Zephar. This scoundrel claims to be ‘Beel Zephar Pegor.’ He even goes so far as to name his organization ‘Asydia Pegor.'”
Francis’s face turned red as he thumped his chest.
“As someone who was once part of Belphegor’s army, I cannot forgive this brazen fellow who dares to follow the Demon Lord’s name!”
“I, that—”
“It’s absurd to misuse the Demon Lord’s name, and he’s even pretending to use the body of the Black Dragon as if he were the Demon Lord himself!”
“……That’s correct. But there’s a bit of a twist.”
I pointed at the Zephar guy on the screen.
“The body of that Black Dragon is probably real.”
“Yes…?”
“Whether the soul of Demon Lord Belphegor is involved or not, it’s being summoned and used like this. So I think that’s how we should see it.”
A heavy silence fell upon the bridge at my words.
Where it had been awkward silence when the residents of Belselphia helped, now there was a clear silence of ‘discomfort.’
“The body of the Black Dragon that the Demon Lord personally defeated. They might have succeeded in summoning it from the Demon World. And it seems they have also succeeded in merging with that body. Well, that explains why they’re openly attacking cities with monsters.”
Coincidentally, the timing matched.
“Lucius. What do you think about the Demon Lord’s body that Zephar is using right now?”
“I will win.”
Lucius’s reply was filled with confidence.
“Unless it’s the Demon Lord himself, if it’s just the body the Demon Lord used, I can definitely defeat it. Just because it’s wearing a shell doesn’t mean it’s as strong as the Demon Lord.”
“You know a thing or two, Hero. That’s correct. The body is just a shell. Just like how a woman’s heart is more important than her appearance.”
“That’s not really the same…?”
My head is starting to hurt.
Even if Asydia’s body is a quarter demigod, there are issues that can’t be resolved with mana since there’s still a human element in it.
“Are you judging everything based solely on appearances, Witch? What do you think, Hero?”
“Generally, a beautiful person is likely to have a good heart.”
“I agree.”
It’s the headaches that arise when they talk like this.
The toothaches that emerge each time someone says something infuriating.
And the odd sense of abdominal pain I feel due to the gazes I feel from somewhere—
Ah, it’s just my phantom pain.
I think it hurts because I think it does.
“Alright. If the Belselphia army says they will help, then I’m all for it. However, you will have to follow my orders.”
“Leave it all to us. Just like following the Demon Lord, we will do our best.”
It’s just a metaphor, right?
It must be.
After all, I am undeniably the Sorceress from 500 years ago, the Sorceress of Crimson Lotus.
‘Or do they know something?’
That the Witch Bel didn’t harbor particularly bad feelings towards the Demon King’s army?
Are they reacting that way because they know this?
“…I feel like I need to cool my head for a moment, so why don’t you all have a chat among yourselves?”
“Master, should I accompany you?”
“No. I want to be alone. Just a moment.”
I stood up and left the bridge.
I wandered around looking for somewhere quiet and ended up at what seemed like the most peaceful place.
The restroom.
“……Where should I go?”
The men’s restroom and women’s restroom are separate.
I’ve never had the need to go to a restroom before, so I’ve never pondered such dilemmas, but I ended up in this kind of place while looking for somewhere close to think.
‘Ah, whatever.’
If I think from my daughter’s perspective, then the women’s restroom is the obvious choice.
I entered the women’s restroom and turned on the faucet at the sink.
“Come out for a moment.”
Swish.
A person emerged from the flowing water of the faucet.
“Did you call for me?”
“Yeah.”
Celcius.
Even though she respectfully addresses me in front of others, there’s no need to do so here.
“Did you tell them who I am?”
“No. Not at all. I swear on my mana and identity. If I had carelessly revealed your true identity, I would wipe my memory and just go back to nature.”
That was a stronger vow than swearing on one’s parents.
“Ha. So those guys think that the Sorceress Bel is really working for the Demon King’s army.”
“…….”
“Tsk. I can see it all. If they think that way, then they should just go along with it. Isn’t that the sensible thing to do? What’s with that expression?”
“I just thought of it that way.”
Celcius shrugged lightly.
“Just so you know, the movements of the Belselphia army were decided by them. Upon seeing Asydia Pegor appear, they immediately set out to retaliate against him. I only suggested joining forces with the Hero party.”
“Thank you for that. But that’s not what I wanted to ask.”
I reached out to Celcius and grabbed her collar.
“Look at me, Celcius. This face. This form.”
“…….”
“You knew, didn’t you?”
Celcius silently closed her eyes.
“Then why?”
Why.
“Why didn’t you tell me about Asydia…?”