Chapter 211
『―――Greetings, monster of the surface.』
He and his followers who had been invited to the Stellar Vein met that existence in the audience chamber.
The Divine Catastrophe Dragon King, Jibru.
The being he had first been enthralled by.
The pinnacle and the supreme. The ultimate, absolute ruler of the Stellar Vein.
Her form was so small she could be mistaken for a pebble.
She was only the size of a hand.
Yet her presence overwhelmed everyone in the room.
Behind her were her followers – the guardians of the Stellar Vein.
Powerful monsters from the surface spoken of in legends, like the Celestial Dragon, Holy Dragon, and Supreme Demon.
Their magic power felt equal to or greater than his own.
At first he thought Ouronus alone was special, but he was wrong.
The Stellar Vein was a den of monsters.
However―――
『What is it, monster of the surface?』
Despite everyone else being outrageous monsters, compared to the tiny earth dragon before them, they seemed far too insignificant.
Such was the difference in standing with Jibru.
Such was the existence known as the Divine Catastrophe Dragon King.
『As expected, Big Sis is wonderful… haa haa…』
『So creepy…』
『Super creepy! Siscons really are painful! Lord Ouronus! So why is it always me?!』
Ignoring their silly act, he stepped forward.
The guardians behind Jibru tensed warily.
『What is it, monster of the surface?』
But Jibru showed no sign of agitation.
It was as if she already understood what he was about to say.
And so he gave voice to it.
His desire.
Right there, he challenged Jibru to a duel.
He could not suppress it.
This impulse.
These feelings that had smoldered within him since the day he first saw her.
He wanted to fight.
He wanted to clash with all his power against this supreme and ultimate existence.
「How insolent! The nerve of a mere surface monster!」「That’s right, know your place!」「Hahaha, you’re really something, Agil!」「Hey, Lord Ouronus!? Why are you pinching my cheeks while laughing! Sto—mmmph!!」「My, you’re quite bold…」
Naturally, the guardians of the Stellar Vein objected.
They scolded him as a foolish upstart who didn’t know his place.
『―――Very well.』
But Jibru readily accepted with just those words.
Ignoring the shocked guardians, Jibru agreed to fight him.
『Then let us begin, monster of the surface―――』
And so their battle commenced,
―――And just like that, he was defeated.
A mere two seconds.
That was how long it took for Jibru to batter him.
His followers were stunned.
The guardians of the Stellar Vein nodded as if it was only natural.
Rias and Joker wore worried expressions, while Ouronus laughed holding his stomach.
『Hahaha, you’re an idiot. I wouldn’t last a minute against Big Sis either.』
That was what Ouronus said to him as he lay battered.
He didn’t even understand what had happened to him.
He was defeated without even realizing he had been attacked or battered.
But amidst his fading consciousness, what he felt was not vexation at his loss or fear of Jibru, but “relief.”
Ah, good.
Jibru was strong after all.
The existence that had mesmerized him when he was born… the being he “admired”… was on a level far beyond his reach.
Yes, he admired Jibru.
Just seeing her once from afar was enough.
Simply that much was sufficient.
Her overwhelmingly powerful might, her compelling charisma that drew in all around her, her followers who had placed their trust in her – he admired it all.
And with this defeat, he made a certain resolution.
One day – he would surpass that Divine Catastrophe Dragon King.
It was the first goal born within him.
A being that enthralled him, that he admired, a wall he must overcome.
To him, the Divine Catastrophe Dragon King Jibru was such an existence.
『Then I shall ask you again, monster of the surface. Do you have the will to protect this Stellar Vein alongside us?』
He had no reason to refuse.
He nodded.
『Then, ‘Emperor Beast’ Agil, and your followers. Let us welcome you into the Stellar Vein Dungeon. May the grace of the Stellar Vein be with you all.』
And so he became a kin of the Stellar Vein.
They were assigned to the eighth floor.
The Stellar Vein was a dungeon made up of ten floors, each with a guardian.
According to Ouronus, they were all Evil God-class monsters.
Guardian of the First Floor, Dream Mist Joker
Guardian of the Second Floor, Storm Emperor Feel
Guardian of the Third Floor, Abyss Riguld
Guardian of the Fourth Floor, Celestial Dragon Yamu
Guardian of the Fifth Floor, Flame Wing Frauken
Guardian of the Sixth Floor, Holy Dragon Harsha Lude
Guardian of the Seventh Floor, The Fool Alto Parto
Guardian of the Ninth Floor, Black Ant Mýrus
Guardian of the Tenth Floor, Death Dragon Ouronus
And commanding them, the Divine Catastrophe Dragon King Jibru.
In principle, the lower the floor, the stronger the monster it seemed.
Agil met them all, and most were a bad lot.
The Guardian of the Sixth Floor, Holy Dragon, upon meeting him immediately tried to kill him, yelling “You vulgar surface monster!”
There were others whose thoughts he couldn’t comprehend, almost madmen.
Some were so difficult to communicate with at all.
The relatively sane ones were Joker, Celestial Dragon Yamu, and the black ant monster called Mýrus.
But there was one thing he could state clearly:
They were strong.
Far stronger than the monsters of the surface.
Especially the Black Ant Mýrus and the Death Dragon Ouronus.
These two were on a different level of strength.
Like Jibru, he was effortlessly crushed by them in a direct confrontation.
The other guardians were also monsters who could easily take his legs out from under him depending on tactics and circumstances.
But that was exactly what stirred him.
Whenever he had time, he challenged the guardians to battle.
『―――Haah, you’re as dumb as ever. But well, it’s a good way for me to kill time, so whatever.』
The Celestial Dragon Yamu always accepted his challenges, saying that.
『―――Ehhhh!? Please, I don’t wanna! Agil doesn’t know how to hold back. O-Riguld, perfect timing! You take over for m– GYAAAH!』
The Dream Mist Joker tried to shirk battling him by pushing it onto others, only to get punched by that person.
『―――A vulgar surface monster being so lively, how offensive. If not for Lord Jibru and Lord Ouronus’ orders, I would immediately take your life…!』
The Holy Dragon Harsha said this as he irritably kept his distance from him.
『―――Please don’t overdo it. You’re part of our family now too. More than anything, it pains me to see my family hurt…』
The Black Ant Mýrus said this worriedly to him as he spent his days battling the guardians.
『―――Alright, let’s start today’s training Agil. Hahaha, if you wanna surpass Big Sis, you gotta defeat me fir—whoa, hey! No sneak attacks!』
He grew closest to Death Dragon Ouronus, fought him the most, competed with him.
They might have been called best friends.
He wanted to become stronger, and stronger, and one day surpass that Divine Catastrophe Dragon King.
With that desire in his heart, he and his followers steadily grew stronger.
At first he could only last two seconds against her.
The next time they fought, he endured for ten seconds.
After that, thirty seconds.
Then a minute – the time he could fight Jibru gradually increased.
It was fun.
Fulfilling days.
Gradually, his straightforward attitude opened the hearts of the other guardians as well.
Even the stubborn Holy Dragon Harsha ultimately yielded to him in the end.
『I’m glad you came to the Stellar Vein after all, Agil. Thanks to you, everyone smiles more than before.』
Seeing the changing followers, Jibru showed a delighted smile.
Hearing that, a complex feeling welled up inside him.
Something warm was sprouting in his chest.
Time passed, he grew accustomed to life in the Stellar Vein, and came to converse with the others without reserve.
Being accepted, standing on equal footing, joining hands and laughing together.
It felt so comfortable, and more than anything, it had become a precious place he wanted to protect.
What he hoped for was all here – those he should fight, goals he should surpass, the warmth of family, tranquility of spirit.
It was all precious to him, irreplaceable.
He felt sincere gratitude from the bottom of his heart toward Jibru and Ouronus who had invited him here.
But… was it because of that?
―――He couldn’t forgive Jibru for destroying it with her own hands.
He hadn’t understood.
Her true nature.
And the purpose of the Stellar Vein Dungeon.
―――crunch
This was some desolate wilderness.
A woman was screaming.
『What is the meaning of this!? Why… why does Ouronus have to be sealed!? Please, Lord Jibru, reconsider this!』
It was Rias, covered in wounds.
Beside her was the also battered Joker, unconscious as Rias supported him.
『Of course? He raised a flag of rebellion against the Stellar Vein. I’m showing mercy by just sealing him instead of killing him as he should be. What exactly are you dissatisfied with?』
The one answering was the Divine Catastrophe Dragon King Jibru.
As she trampled the battered Ouronus, she tilted her head in puzzlement.
『That’s not true! Ouronus never rebelled against you! He just wished to go outside with you, didn’t he!? So why…why…!?』
Rias’ desperate screams didn’t reach Jibru.
He could only watch silently, unable to do anything.
His existence devoured to the limit, reduced to rags.
Just what was happening?
How did it come to this?
Remember… for sure, I had said something.
The instant Ouronus heard those words, he went to Jibru as if a different person.
But what? What exactly had I said?
『…Rias…』
『Ouronus, hang in there…! Wait for me! I’ll save you no――gah!』
With a simple wave of her hand, Jibru blew Rias away.
『Silence, Rias. It’s not like I intend to harm you… No, I suppose you’re equally guilty for assisting Ouronus. Should I punish you as well?』
Saying that, Jibru muttered something to the collapsed Ouronus.
Hearing it, Ouronus’ expression changed.
『Sto— Don’t, Sis! That’s…! Anything but that! This is all my fault! So please, don’t take Rias… our memories together…!』
Jibru looked down on the screaming Ouronus with merciless eyes.
Why did she have that look?
She wasn’t the kind of person who would harm her kin without reason.
She wasn’t the kind of person who would raise a hand to her followers.
He shouted too.
To stop.
But his cries didn’t reach her.
『―――Farewell… Ouronus.』
crunch
Something was being eaten.
―――crunch crunch crunch
Just what had happened?
One day, without warning, Death Dragon Ouronus was sealed away, and Rias and Joker were banished from the Stellar Vein.
He didn’t understand.
No… to be precise, he couldn’t remember.
It felt like he had forgotten something very important.
『I’ll never forgive you, Jibru…! One day, I swear I’ll save him…! I’ll save Ouronus…!』
Rias’s eyes burning with vengeance as she left remained vivid in his mind.
But why did Jibru let her go with just banishment?
What if Ouronus’ seal was undone?
『If it’s undone, we’ll deal with it then. And then, she will learn the meaning of punishment.』
That was what she said.
It made no sense.
What did she mean punishment would come from undoing the seal?
Just what exactly had Ouronus and the others done in the first place?
He couldn’t remember.
『There’s nothing for you to worry about. You just need to continue protecting the Stellar Vein with us as always…』
Jibru opened her mouth as if chewing on something.
Ah, that’s right.
This place was where he belonged.
So without worrying about unnecessary things, he would just continue like this―――
―――crunch crunch crunch crunch
Something was strange.
Something was gradually changing.
―――crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch
『…That’s it. I’m outta here. Don’t wanna stay in this place another second.』
Spitting as he spoke, Celestial Dragon Yamu declared this to Jibru.
『And it’s not just me. Frauken feels the same.』
Even under Yamu’s piercing gaze, Jibru didn’t show the slightest agitation.
She simply listened silently to his words.
『…You’re leaving the Stellar Vein?』
There was a tinge of sadness in her voice.
『Yeah, I’ll return the power of the Stellar Vein to you as our contract states. You got no complaints about that, right?』
『…What exactly are you dissatisfied with?』
『It’s because you don’t understand that me and Frauken are leaving…!』
As he left, Yamu looked at him.
『See ya, Agil. The years we spent together here weren’t so bad.』
―――crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch
Why?
How did it become like this?
―――crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch
『―――That’s enough…』
Enough of what?
Jibru gazed at him with a pained expression.
『I’m exiling you, Emperor Beast Agil. You may never return to the Stellar Vein. Go back to the surface.』
What was she saying?
Return to the surface?
Why?
What had he done?
After Ouronus was sealed away, and Rias and Joker left, and Yamu and Frauken left, and Feel died, he had worked hard together with Mýrus to hold the diminished guardians together.
He had also raised the next generation of warriors like Kshathra and Gulfan.
He had given his all to protect this place.
So why?
『It’s true, you have great achievements. Although originally from the surface, you have done a great deal for the Stellar Vein. I can say you are an irreplaceable existence to me.』
Then why―――
『That’s exactly why I’m discarding you. For the sake of my aspiration.』
It made no sense.
And so he resisted.
Turning everything he had cultivated into strength, he challenged Jibru to battle.
Spenta, Anri, Zahak – his followers who had accompanied him also cooperated.
The result — thirteen hours.
His new record.
And he and his followers were exiled from the Stellar Vein.
But… why exactly were they exiled?
That question alone occupied his mind.
―――crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch
After being exiled to the surface, he amassed power, restored what Jibru had devoured from him, and investigated everything about the Stellar Vein.
How did he investigate it?
Simple.
He used his “parts.”
His basic ability as a slime.
Before being exiled from the Stellar Vein, he had left several small parts of himself there.
Through repeated, painstaking efforts, little by little, he uncovered what had happened.
He himself also gathered as much information as he could from the surface.
He met Yamu again after hundreds of years.
His arrogant tone was just as he remembered, and that comforted him.
He also learned that Rias and Joker were moving in secret.
Their goal was likely Ouronus’ revival.
If possible, he wanted to contact them.
Since their purpose was the same.
In the process of investigating their whereabouts and the Stellar Vein, he also came into conflict with humans.
The human race always got in the way whenever he tried to gather information.
Among the people, rumors spread of them as the Demon King’s Army, evil monsters trying to rule the surface.
It was a great nuisance.
At first he tried negotiating, but before long it deteriorated into conflict, soon escalating into war.
In the process, he made an interesting find.
A woman with memories of her past life, in another world.
Named Léna-Lloyd Reynolds.
Her name in her past life was apparently Honjo Reina.
She had eyes that seemed to hate everything in this world.
He picked her up and welcomed her as a comrade.
『It’s strange… In this world, the demons are more humane than the humans…』
That was quite the ironic remark, but the environment she had lived in must have been awful.
Thanks to her knowledge, the Demon King’s Army grew tremendously stronger, and the balance of power on the surface shifted completely to them.
By growing stronger, they would definitely return.
To that place – the Stellar Vein.
To Jibru.
To meet her again and have a proper discussion.
For that purpose, they amassed power and dominated the surface.
―――crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch
Before him stood four men and women.
An eyepatched man wielding a crimson spear.
A blind saint maiden clad in white robes.
A black-haired man in blue armor, holding a greatsword as tall as he was.
And a golden-haired hero with the power of lightning.
『This ends now… Demon King Agil.』
The hero took up his sword and declared this.
『For the sin of suddenly descending upon the surface and threatening the peace of the people, you shall atone here.』
There was not a shred of hesitation in the hero’s eyes.
The hero likely believed he was in the right.
Well, he certainly wasn’t mistaken.
While his actions benefited demons, to humans he was nothing but a threat.
『―――Meet your end, Demon King!』
The heroes were strong.
Although he had recovered some of the power Jibru had devoured from him, the hero’s strength far exceeded human limits.
It was good he had annulled his contract with Léna beforehand.
If she had been caught up in this, she surely would have died.
But how exactly had the hero gained such power?
No, this power seemed familiar.
This was – the power of the “Stellar Vein.”
In that moment, he realized.
Jibru had created this “hero.”
The hero himself likely had no idea.
He had probably come to face them with the pure intention of saving humans.
Jibru had taken advantage of those feelings.
It was unforgivable.
That dragon king had not changed at all.
At the same time, questions arose.
If she wanted to erase them, why didn’t she take action herself?
The Stellar Vein had roots throughout the surface.
If she wanted, she could have finished them off anytime.
So why had she left them be until now, even leaving their disposal to the humans she granted power?
What was the reason?
He thought.
Ouronus’s sealing.
Their own exile.
The humans granted the power of the Stellar Vein – the “heroes.”
And all the information he had gathered until now.
Putting it all together— he arrived at the truth.
The whole truth.
I see, so that was it.
That was why Jibru had—
『It’s overrrrrrrrr!!!』
But he had realized too late.
The hero’s sword had already pierced his chest.
The power of the hero – no, the Stellar Vein – was erasing his existence.
A faint light enveloped his body.
This was… the sealing power of the White Saintess?
He had lost.
『Just one thing… tell me, Demon King.』
The hero asked him.
『Why did you start this war? What were you fighting for?』
He remained silent.
What I fought for…
If I had to say… it was—
―――crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch
How long had passed since he was sealed?
That person suddenly appeared before him.
『―――It’s been a while… Agil. You remember me, don’t you?』
I do remember you.
Of course, with your ability to alter dungeons you could infiltrate even with my seal still intact.
『This is a message from senior Rias. It’s time for our counterattack. We’ll revive Ouronus together and give Jibru a piece of our mind.』
―――crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch
It wasn’t long after I was unsealed.
『What’s going on!? Why hasn’t there been any contact from Rias!? Didn’t Lord Ouronus revive in the imperial capital!?』
『Lord Zahak! This just came in. According to the report, Rias and Joker are dead. Lord Ouronus has been re-sealed.』
『That’s ridiculous…』
―――crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch
『―――Lord Agil, there’s no doubt about it. Since the battle at the imperial capital, the magical energy density around our dungeon has been declining steadily.』
『At this rate, just sustaining the dungeon… no, even our livelihoods will become difficult.』
『Our king, decide. If ruin is our fate, then let us leave one last mark upon our enemies—』
―――crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch
Everything was changing.
Everything but one thing.
The Guardian Dragon still seated in the Stellar Vein.
Jibru… Jibru… Jibru…!
Just you wait…!
I will definitely… with my own hands…
―――crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch
―――Agil opened his eyes.
「―――A dream…?」
Having his magic devoured, Agil had reverted to a young boy’s form and collapsed on his back in the desert.
「I’m… alive?」
Agil checks his own body.
Tattered, but certainly his own.
Had that just now been a series of flashbacks in a dream?
『Yeah, you’re alive. A mess, but alive.』
A murmured self-reply receives an answer.
He turns just his face to look toward the voice.
Two earth dragons are there.
Next to them is Léna, and further back various other monsters.
「Earth… and Cadias, huh. Why am I alive?」
With most of my neck gone after taking an extra-large breath enhanced by Gluttony and lightning – I was certain I had died. It’s stranger that I’m alive.
『Yeah, well you see, this part here was the only bit not eaten by my breath.』
In Earth’s hand is a sphere.
The magic core of Holy Dragon Harsha, with traces of Agil’s flesh still stuck to it.
Agil is an undying slime.
As long as even a shred remains, he can regenerate.
But to think at the very end, I’d be saved by the one who killed me – how ironic.
「I see, so I lost…」
I let out a big sigh.
「You’re making a face like it’d have been better if you died. That’s not like you, Agil.」
「Léna…」
I turn just my neck to look at her.
Her plain black hair is smeared with soot, her glasses cracked, her clothes tattered.
「Come to think of it, you looked like that when we first met too.」
Though the situation was reversed then.
At that, the corners of Léna-Lloyd’s mouth twist.
「And whose fault is that?」
「Haha, true…」
I laugh at Léna glaring resentfully at me.
「Oh right… before we fought, you asked me something. ‘What are you fighting for?’」
「Yeah, I did ask. You promised to tell me if I beat you, remember?」
「That’s right…」
I avert my gaze from Léna, looking up at the sky.
Slowly, I try to raise my tattered right hand toward the sun.
But I seem to lack the strength, as it drops halfway.
「It was for such a petty, worthless reason. I just wanted to reclaim the ‘past’… Those fun, shining days when we were together…」
「…………」
「―――Doesn’t look like that’s happening though…」
Shedding large tears, Agil admits defeat.
The battle has ended.
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