Estimated reading time: 51–65 minutes
Chapter 3
|
Luxuria
Episode 1
The Demon Lord of Lust once said:
Even without the magic of aggression, there is no shortage of ways to achieve desire.
“There are no obstacles to satisfying one’s desires,” she said, gently stroking my gaunt, starved head without even eating.
Her cool countenance and stunningly glamorous limbs were so beautiful that even I, a woman, could not help but be enamored and tempted to fall. It made me realize that this was the epitome of demonic allure, while at the same time, I couldn’t help but feel jealous.
Perhaps she wanted me to see “it” from a different perspective than is generally seen. It must have been an extremely sweet, dark, fleeting emotion.
That Demon Lord has already been destroyed, but her teachings are still firmly rooted and alive within me, at my core.
Among the demonic races that each bear original sin, Lust is said to be the most “difficult” to deal with.
Demons are not so easily seduced by lust.
Greed is desire for possessions, while Pride is desire for honor.
Gluttony is appetite, while Envy and Wrath have different vectors.
Sloth’s world is complete with just one person, and he don’t even remember our names.
The higher and more powerful a demon becomes, the more they pursue their desire and become stained by that emotion. By the time one becomes a Demon Lord, all other emotions are likely as thin as paper.
My immediate enemy was not the Demon Lord of Gluttony, but our own Demon Lord.
It’s been decades or centuries since I joined his faction. The least he could do is remember my name.
Is it because of my deep sins that I think this way?
I dislike Deji of Greed. But I acknowledged his formidable combat abilities.
Pride and I have no concept of taking the offensive ourselves. Lord Lazy also lacks that sentiment, so Deji, who seeks powerful weapons as a reward, is currently the most useful underling in Lord Lazy’s army.
He is the only “carnivore” in our army, with his combat directly linked to his desire.
I’m simply envious of that.
I too… have things I want. I just never clearly sought them out.
Even if it can’t be helped due to the attribute I preside over.
Engaging the enemy took mere seconds.
As a high-ranking demon, I am often called small, unfriendly, or lacking sex appeal, but that has nothing to do with combat ability. By kicking the ground with the leg strength of a high-ranking demon, I traversed the vast wilderness with a good vantage point in an instant, engaging the Gluttony forces several kilometers away.
My divided field of vision blurs and splits even further.
The number of views now exceeds a hundred, but the Gluttony troops clearly visible hundreds of meters ahead don’t even glance this way.
The Lust skill tree is mostly filled with skills that contaminate the mind.
This ranges from extremely common contamination like charm to skills that freely create hallucinations and skills that put others to sleep.
However, these skills are not effective against demons.
This is because demons acquire a passive skill that resists mental contamination early in their basic skill tree. Other races besides demons and angels rarely possess it, but for demons and angels, it’s a basic skill that would be strange not to have.
Because of this, demons presiding over Lust are looked at with lewd eyes. The early to mid-level mental contamination skills in the Lust tree are completely blocked by the initial passive skill that resists mental contamination in the basic skill tree.
In severe cases, they may even be mocked as pets, and I have exterminated all those who view me through such tinted lenses. They don’t even show interest when it matters, yet being toyed with stimulates my pride even though I don’t preside over Pride, and enrages me even though I don’t preside over Wrath.
In the first place, the Lust attribute is not that kind of thing. They are gravely misunderstanding it.
It’s definitely not… that I lack sex appeal or charm. I put effort into my hair, skin, clothing, and even try to keep my expressions as bright and approachable as possible.
It’s not my fault that my body lacks curves. It’s the fault of not getting enough nutrition in my childhood. By the time I became aware, I frantically tried to get as much nutrition as possible, but it was too late.
I can’t help but curse my fate.
But it’s fine. As Lord Lazy often says, nothing matters.
I don’t particularly want to become an object of sexual desire for everyone, nor do I want to desire others that way.
Most of the constituent demons in Zebul of Gluttony’s army bear the original sin of gluttony.
Their skills excel in wide-range attack methods. Their skill tree boasts the second highest attack power after Wrath.
But it doesn’t matter if you can’t hit the target.
Having resistance to mental contamination means they lack countermeasures if it’s broken through.
In particular, “Veiled Dance Mirage”, an advanced Lust skill, is not a mere mental contamination skill.
All the visions captured by every illusion enter my mind.
The demon at the forefront finally catches my flickering illusion and stops in their tracks.
The power emanating from that being is by no means low. Zebul’s forces are elite.
The Gluttony army was a horde of grotesque demons. Few retained a fully human form. Their violent, almost ferocious bestiality – growls expressing appetite – echo across the wilderness like wind.
The magic power from each individual is not much different from the demons under the Third Legion, and they have nowhere to run. Having already rebelled against the Great Demon Lord Kanon and defeated two Demon Lords, they are making a last stand. Even a narrow victory would be too lenient. Without an overwhelming victory, we stand no chance against the Great Demon Lord’s remaining fifteen Demon Lords.
From what I heard, the reason Gluttony rebelled was due to food shortages. The Demon Realm has little food. No, for average demons there is a necessary and sufficient amount, but the original sin of Gluttony infinitely increases that required amount. The more they eat, the more powerful they become. Just as Lust gains power the more sexual relations they have. Just as Envy’s power grows the more they continue to harbor jealousy towards others.
The Gluttony skill of the demon that noticed us activates.
A wave of black magic power instantly spreads wide and engulfs me like a wave.
I see… the Gluttony skill. What viciousness.
The magic power cloaking my body is pierced by fangs and ripped away. The control of the body-enhancing magic I was controlling and activating is forcibly torn off and reverted to pure magic power. Strength leaves me.
This is… the Gluttony skill that devours others’ magic power, reverts it, and freely manipulates it.
They probably targeted everything together since they couldn’t identify the main body. Its range is a bad match for Lust skills.
I knew from the start, but they’re troublesome opponents.
That’s why I took the lead. I, one of only three commander-class demons in Lord Lazy’s army.
No matter how bad the compatibility, no matter how unsuited for combat, the difference in rank as demons is insurmountable.
Deceived by Lust’s appearance, the demon’s eyes and hands stop for a moment. They underestimated me.
However, that pause lasts a mere instant, and those eyes are soon dyed with “Gluttony”. They would devour even their own kind. Not in a sexual sense, but literally eat them. That’s why I hate them. No, it’s not like I particularly want to be eaten in a sexual way…
The claws extended from their five fingers mercilessly graze my cheek. Before a streak of blood can spray into the air, my knifehand gouges out their throat. One down first. Without confirming their fall, I kick the ground.
I’d prefer to use Lust skills, but with beginner skills not working, I have no choice but hand-to-hand combat. But that’s enough.
Fangs thrust from behind pierce my belly and completely devour one of my illusions. The blood dancing in the air instantly transforms into an illusion and vanishes.
One view disappears. But that level of damage doesn’t faze me. My direct attacks work even against Gluttony demons. It’s been a while since direct combat, but it’s fine. I can still keep going.
Deji is a detestable man, but his combat sense is genuine. He has vulgar aspects, but the strength with which he won the commander’s seat through ability alone in a mere decade is not to be underestimated.
My role of aggregating and unifying the senses of my numerous illusions is by no means annihilation.
The role given to me is to ascertain the Demon Lord’s power. Even if not stated aloud, I understand.
Zebul of Gluttony. Experiencing the rumored high-ranking Demon Lord’s skill with my own body. I, manipulator of illusions, am suited for it. Even Deji’s Third Legion, superior in offensive power and mobility, could have their numbers instantly reduced if they took a Demon Lord’s skill.
Even among Demon Lords, their powers vary. Attack power, durability, agility, personality, special abilities. There is no doubt Zebul is a powerful Demon Lord, but we needed to personally confirm his tendencies.
Damage to the army is damage to Lord Lazy. It must be avoided.
In that moment, the entire army halted.
A chill that pierces the whole body and strips everything away.
The source of that chill is the small mountain-like shadow in the center.
A premonition of the body and mind being contaminated, strength sapped, and pride crumbled.
A feeling that everything would be washed away and torn asunder.
It was a sensation I had never felt before in the hundreds of years since I was born.
That impact makes my hands stop for a moment.
Ridiculous… this is-
In the instant I think, groups of a dozen disappear.
But what I need to be most concerned about now isn’t that.
The battle of Demon Lords is a territorial dispute.
The scales that had been in balance have now tipped.
「Lord Lazy’s territory was devoured…!?」
「…Hey now, where’d you pop out from, missy…」
Deji expresses an exasperated voice at me, who suddenly appeared before him.
It’s okay, Gluttony hasn’t reached the several kilometers to here yet.
My doubles vanish and crumble one after another, absorbed. The moment I kick the ground to flee, tentacles entangle my legs and fling me into the air. Countless tentacles flail from a black dumpling-like spherical body. That was the last sight my doubles saw. Helplessly, the moment they touch the black body, the illusions vanish.
What monstrous strength. No room to even deceive his vision.
The strength of a commander-class is completely ineffective.
Truly a demon beyond demons. A monster that has pursued its original sin… This is a high-ranking Demon Lord.
I thought I understood, but it’s too… different. I don’t even know what skill he used. No, even if I knew, I couldn’t evade it.
The difference in base stats is too great. The difference in desire is too great.
A magic-imbued double’s fist stabs into Zebul’s back. The moment I thought it easily pierced through, the double is swallowed into his body. I try to pull away, but am instantly digested and my consciousness fades.
The existence of a Demon Lord that easily kills demons of commander-class, even if they’re just doubles for observation.
Pure, unchecked violence that brushes aside Lust’s illusions without care.
A being that swallowed two Demon Lords, even if a newcomer. The weight of that meaning bears down.
「Deji, this is bad… He’s strong…」
「…Good grief, ‘course he is. If you don’t go intending to slay the enemy of Lord Lazy…」
Deji sighs while deftly manipulating his six arms.
He’s an irksome man. But he’s certainly right about that.
However, Zebul’s power is… abnormal. In the several hundred years since my birth, it stands out among all I’ve seen.
I see no hope of victory at all. That was my impression after actually crossing blades with him.
Should we pull back and regroup?
「Should we withdraw for now and regroup?」
「No no, at this rate my army will be annihilated. We’ve got no choice but to fight.」
Deji grins as he raises the magic sword gripped in his right hand.
Magic sword Celeste. A legendary flame sword said to have slain the fire dragon “Celeste”.
One of the finest magic swords bestowed by the Great Demon Lord to Lord Lazy is now swung in a great arc.
Episode 2
A scorching light fills the world.
The magic sword Celeste.
A blade imbued with the attribute of flame.
As a weapon, it is ranked SSS grade. It is a treasured sword said to have even burned to death high-ranking angels who should have had the worst possible compatibility with it, not to mention dragons.
That weapon, long kept safe in the Great Demon Lord’s vault, now fills the mortal realm with its power for the first time in ages.
The uses of a high-level magic sword are never limited to just that of a blade.
「Kihkihkih, as expected, what incredible magic power…」
Deji laughs in a shrill voice as he unleashes the sword’s power.
Normally a magic sword wielded by Demon Lord class beings. It should be too heavy a burden even for those of commander rank, but Deji directs the vast vortex of magic power, almost too immense to describe, towards the enemy army with no issues.
That alone shows his massive frame is not just for show.
What a detestable man…
The flaming dragon manifested from the magic sword easily overtakes the charging Third Legion and licks at the enemy forces kilometers ahead.
In that instant, a black light erupts from the Gluttonous Army.
『Wave of Starvation』
The skill that makes the Gluttonous who he is.
The wave and the magic sword’s flames clash.
The magic power of the hunger that devours all comes to a standstill against the seemingly infinite blaze.
Borrowing the magic sword’s power, Deji’s strength was truly rivaling Zebul’s.
Deji licks his thick lips with a look of resentment.
「Even with Celeste’s power, we’re still evenly matched… As expected of you, Lord Demon Lord… I want that power of yours.」
The root of sin is, in a word, desire.
Wanting money, things, to eat delicious food, to have sex, to not work, to look down on others and make them kneel.
And in the end, both Deji’s desires and mine converge to a single point – jealousy towards others.
When it comes down to it, taking is the essence of demons. How to devour more of limited resources than others.
Deji presses down on the wildly raging, light-emitting sword with his four arms. But his expression remains locked in an intense grin at the violent power he himself is unleashing.
His arms are burning bright red from the scorching heat, but the strength gripping the sword shows no sign of loosening.
「Kihkihkih, looks like we can only attack from a distance after all. Get too close and we’ll be devoured directly. Gluttony is a bit of a bad match-up…」
「…But we can’t afford to lose.」
「Of course. If we lose after sending out two commanders… we’ll be disposed of by that bastard Hard before we even face Lord Demon Lord.」
I touch Deji’s arms gripping the sword.
A tremendous heat that feels like it could scorch even the soul.
The skill seems to have friendly fire – damage to allies – turned off, so there’s no damage. But even with damage nullified, I feel jealous at its overwhelming presence.
Deji’s right-hand man, the demon Liber, makes a grim face.
「Hmm… Gluttony’s Wave of Starvation skill devours all kinds of power. Deji, if you don’t finish this quickly, it will eat up Celeste’s magic power, you hear me?」
「I know that. Kihkihkih, a stalemate… how boring. Celeste’s magic is certainly tremendous. But this level isn’t enough to satisfy my greed! If we can just defeat the enemy Demon Lord, the rest will fall into place!」
The sweeping flames halt the advance of our allies. Even if they won’t take damage, I guess they don’t have the guts to dive into the fire.
No, the state of the battle had turned into a one-on-one between the Demon Lord and Celeste. It was plain as day that taking a single step in would get you devoured by the enemy Demon Lord. That’s how ravenous the Demon Lord’s aura was.
And the auras of the subordinates as well.
「Kihkihkih, but we’re one step short. Can’t finish it off. Guess there’s no choice but to use the doll…」
Deji turns his gaze to the silver-boned skeleton doll behind him.
「…There’s no need for that. I’ll do it.」
Deji looks at me with startled eyes. Is it so odd?
Is it really so strange for me to say that?
Our compatibility is poor. I’ll admit that. But I can’t be saying that forever. I can’t be worrying about appearances.
At this rate, Deji will take all the credit.
I close my eyes and let the tension drain from my body. I wring out magic power from my magic core, the heart of a demon. I wish for a flame to flames.
A hellfire that will engulf and vanish from this world everything, even hunger itself.
And I manifested a “sword”.
「…Hey now, what kind of joke is this…」
「…It’s no joke.」
I raise the sword in my right hand up high.
A single beautiful sword with a blade of fire. The flames of the sword, manifested from nearly all of my magic power, are somewhat inferior to Celeste but rival those of a Demon Lord class being.
If Deji alone can’t overpower it, then I’ll add to it.
The greedy demon’s expression contorts.
「Is that also… Luxuria’s skill!? Impossible… What did you do!?」
「Feast your eyes upon my power.」
And I swung the sword.
Power rages and the world is dyed red.
Tremendous heat spreads through my entire arm.
Is this the feedback to the wielder that comes with magic swords!?
The hellfire that could burn even souls engulfs my arm and joins Deji’s dragon as a dragon of flames.
A pain like my body is being torn apart, my head spins with the flames.
But Deji, who should be taking equal or greater pain, looks unfazed. I can’t be the only one showing weakness.
I’m also… a commander. One who leads Lord Lazy’s army.
My arm is scorched by the searing light, blisters immediately form on the white skin, and those too transform in the blink of an eye to ugly burns.
I clench my teeth with all my strength against the pain, simply keeping my gaze forward.
My fire dragon joins with Deji’s fire dragon, and the light glows even stronger. So bright I can’t keep my eyes open.
In that moment, the flames definitely surpassed the Demon Lord’s wave. The wall of flames steadily pushes back the Demon Lord’s army.
「…Don’t really get it but you’re doing well. Kihkihkih, but I—」
Deji grins hideously. His four eyes gleam eerily.
「—desire even greater power!」
The instant he declared that, the height of the flames, the magic power, explodes and swells.
Is this… Greed’s skill!?
The moment the flames intersected, the black wave that was pushed back for a moment is washed away in one go by the density made far stronger by Deji’s skill.
The wave of red light engulfs the Gluttonous Army and expansively spreads out in all directions for miles.
The vortex of light becomes countless arrows, reaching even here several kilometers away.
A definite response.
「Kihkihkih, so this is Celeste’s power… Calling it a weapon made to counter the light of heaven that burned away the kings of demons is no exaggeration.」
Deji’s voice filled with excitement.
A terrifying destructive force, a dangerous weapon. Moreover, Greed’s skill is drawing out even more of that power that could already overpower a Demon Lord’s.
Lord Lazy… This toy is too dangerous to be given to Deji.
The light gives birth to a scorching wind in the wastelands of the demon world, making hair flutter.
But in the next moment, Deji’s grin vanished.
「Hey now… Are you serious…」
「…Impossible. An ordinary Demon Lord shouldn’t be able to withstand that…」
Liber turns a gaze of shock towards the distant wastelands – a meaningless distance now.
A black mass writhes there. The figures of the legions that had surrounded it on all sides are nowhere to be seen.
With that much heat, their souls were probably erased too.
The mass undulates greatly and contracts.
The elites of the Third Legion who had engaged the enemy from a few hundred meters away begin to stir.
The atmosphere changed.
Not just around Zebul. All the way to where I am now, several kilometers away.
From a clear black to a sticky darkness like the bottom of a bog.
Deji, realizing this, raised his voice in a stunned stupor.
「…Master Lazy’s… zone was beaten!?」
The overwriting of Abyss Zone.
Proof of entering enemy Demon Lord territory from allied Demon Lord territory. I can definitely feel the strength draining from my body, the magic that had filled me dropping.
A zone’s skill has a stronger effect the closer the distance to the Demon Lord using it.
So it’s not impossible for a lower-ranking Demon Lord to occasionally break the zone of a higher-ranking one.
But even so, Lord Lazy’s zone had never been broken before. No, there hadn’t been a before.
No matter how fierce the flames of war.
「…Give me a break. A Demon Lord that doesn’t vanish even to the flames of god!? Isn’t that L-class…」
「…Deji, can you do that skill from earlier one more time?」
「Are you serious? It didn’t work even inside Master’s zone, how would it work in enemy territory.」
Deji’s gaze darts around as if flustered.
That’s certainly true. A zone raises the abilities of allies. To a level that can’t be ignored.
「How far has the zone been eaten into!? Liber!」
「…It seems a considerable amount was taken! It’s outside the range of my abilities!」
I can sense the presence of the enemy by virtue of existing.
A slimy aura of hunger.
Was the Demon Lord the only one left? I don’t see any other figures, but that’s little consolation.
The condensed black mass gradually changes shape.
From an amorphous slime-like form to… humanoid.
「Zebul Gracos… The Insatiable Hunger… The king of evil gluttony who devoured everything…」
I can see it.
The dark beast that invades the world, cracks it open, breaks it down and devours it.
The humanoid form he took is smaller than I expected. He might be shorter than me. Compared to the over 2 meter tall Deji, he’s probably 4 heads shorter.
Where did that much volume go?
A dark cloak that seems to infinitely absorb light like a hole was opened flutters.
An oppressive feeling, as if the distance of several kilometers is practically zero.
It’s something I didn’t feel at all during the march. Until we got close.
「Kihkihkih, interesting… It’s eating into Master’s zone at an incredible pace…」
He still has room to laugh? Deji’s guts are frightening.
His bulging pectoral muscles swell even more as a tremendous angry shout resounds.
「You lot! What are you dawdling for!? The enemy is just one Demon Lord! Charge!」
The air trembles with a crackle.
Hearing Deji’s scolding, the Third Legion whose legs had stopped accelerates with ferocious momentum.
That momentum is like a tsunami, showing no sign of abating even after witnessing the Demon Lord’s power and the breaking of the zone.
「Listen missy, you may have power but you’re lacking in guts. You’re probably thinking all sorts of things, but for us common folk, once you give up on the battlefield it’s over. Kihkihkih, you’re not strong enough to be sleeping on the battlefield, are you?」
「…I suppose so.」
But annihilation is certain at this rate.
Deji’s words certainly hit the mark, but at the same time it’s like telling his subordinates to go die.
No matter how elite the Third Legion may be, ordinary demons won’t even be able to buy the slightest amount of time. I who actually fought right in front of it understand that.
A tentacle slimily flying out from the cloak mercilessly pierces the demon at the vanguard.
Not even given the time to scream, it’s painted over with black in an instant and swallowed up.
But the Demon Lord’s volume hasn’t increased at all.
How are we supposed to fight against this…!?
Countless mucus-dripping tentacles extending and shooting out from the whole body.
Pushed by that, the hood that had been hiding the face falls off.
「That thing… is a woman…! Looks around the same age as you missy.」
Hair and eyes of a color close to black and green. Those eyes aren’t looking at the army right before them at all.
Appearance doesn’t matter for demons.
No, the meeker the appearance, the more dangerous. Because that becomes a weapon.
Zebul had a meek appearance unsuited to governing gluttony.
Glaring at the demons before her with delirious eyes, who knows what she’s thinking.
Taking advantage of superior numbers, a spear pierces through from the Demon Lord’s blind spot – though whether a Demon Lord even has blind spots is highly questionable.
It certainly penetrated the cloak and was swallowed up like that. The demon wielding it let go in a flash and avoided being eaten. A backstepping dodge of an incoming tentacle. But the fact remains the armament is lost.
In that opening, a different demon deploys countless scorching fireballs and slams them into the Demon Lord. But those too are just swallowed up. Only silence remains there.
Zebul licks her lips with a flick of the tongue.
「…That’s gotta be cheating. Did Gluttony have a skill like that?」
Liber answers calmly, albeit with a pale expression.
「It’s a mid-grade Gluttony skill. An infinite stomach that swallows everything… Originally it’s not a skill that indiscriminately devours others’ attacks like that though.」
「So it’s a difference in mastery… Kihkihkih, this is why you call someone a master… Don’t tell me it swallowed up even Celeste with that?」
「Even that shouldn’t be able to be devoured… I’d like to think. If it’s blocked by a mid-grade skill, who knows what will happen if a high-grade one is used…」
The Demon Lord looks around without showing any particular emotion.
Deji twists his lips with a displeased look and reluctantly grabs his swords.
Four magic swords. Each one on its own would mark one as a high ranking demon if possessed. But even with that much armament, I couldn’t see a one in ten thousand chance of victory.
「Damn, our eyes just met…」
「Shall we run?」
「Don’t be absurd, there’s no way we could escape from an upper class Demon Lord. Kihkihkih, prepare yourself, Liber Agens. Remember the Black-White War, compared to that – this is still better, right? The enemy is just one.」
Despite Deji’s resolved words, Liber heaves a deep sigh.
「…Good grief, it can’t be helped. It’s a life that’s already died once… Deji, I don’t even feel jealous of your resolve.」
「Kihkihkih, as serious as always I see. I’m just a little – greedier than most.」
…It can’t be helped. I have no choice but to resolve myself.
My magic power is almost all gone from manifesting that imitation magic sword. At most I can use beginner grade skills.
Hand-to-hand combat isn’t the domain of Lust, but I draw the knife at my belt.
Though inferior to Celeste by far, this too that I received from Lord Lazy is a type of magic sword. It should at least buy a moment’s worth of time.
「Missy, how about you get away from here? You barely have any magic left, am I right?」
「Run? You’re joking, right?」
Why would I – this me who was picked up by Lord Lazy – abandon my lord in his time of crisis.
Even Deji who’s just a hired hand isn’t trying to flee in this absolutely dire situation.
Deji blinks as if seeing something unexpected.
「Hmph… But there’s no way you can win with just a dagger. Can you use a sword?」
「…As well as most.」
「Kihkihkih, then that’s perfect. I’ll lend you – one of my swords. The interest on that loan will be that dagger of yours. If you make it back alive that is.」
Interest?
At those ever-greedy words even in this situation, I unintentionally burst out laughing.
To think he still has the energy to make deals in this life-or-death situation…
「Pfft… What are you saying in a situation like this? Greed sure is something.」
「Kihkihkih, gotta get my hands on things while I can… There’s way too much in this world that I want.」
「Isn’t life the most important thing?」
「Of course it is, and that’s why I intend to get my hands on that too.」
The sword Deji handed me was one cloaked in a freezing chill.
Inferior to Celeste, but I still sense a power in it that would be wasted on even a commander class demon.
I lightly re-swing it two, three times, checking how it feels almost stuck to my hand. It’s fine, I can handle it.
Glaring at the king who mows down soldiers wielding armaments with all their might like mere scraps of paper, Deji spoke.
「Kihkihkih, I don’t intend to die you know?」
「I don’t intend to die either.」
That’s right. I can’t afford to lose. There are still far too many regrets left.
Episode 3
「You lot call yourselves the Third Legion?! How much time are you wasting on a single enemy?!」
Deji bursts onto the battlefield, spouting lines like a villain’s henchman.
The Third Legion, originally a thousand strong, had already been reduced to about half their number by a single Demon Lord. It’s hard to say whether it’s impressive or unimpressive that half of them are still alive against a Demon Lord. But by the conventions of military tactics, this battle would be considered a complete defeat.
Though, the enemy force is down to its last soldier.
Deji swings down his primary weapon Celeste, cloaked in crimson heat, slicing through the air.
The heatwave summons a gust of scorching wind, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Deji opens his mouth wide in mocking laughter.
「Kihkihkih, so you can at least block a direct blow.」
「…So you’re the commander.」
A husky voice, more intelligent than expected.
An ivory crescent blade had blocked Celeste’s attack. It’s the first direct move the Demon Lord has made.
Deji’s physique is well-trained. But in terms of raw strength, the Demon Lord far surpasses him, enhanced by its skills. Deji pours so much force into his arm that it nearly rips off, his steel body emanating heat, but Zebul’s expression remains cool.
Deji swings his remaining arm’s sword, but tentacles sprouting from Zebul’s back intercept it.
Even with six arms, Deji’s body is ultimately singular. Compared to a Demon Lord with countless highly mobile tentacles, he may as well be a child.
「That’s a fine arm you have.」
「Kihkihkih, I’m honored by your praise!!」
The magic sword wreathed in explosive flames licks at Zebul.
A flash of red light clashes against a white blade. The erratically glinting blade is difficult to track, engulfed in flames, but the Demon Lord effortlessly parries it. As if it can read Deji’s every move.
But I can read them too. I don’t expect to finish this in one strike.
Deji slashes head-on.
I take advantage of that opening, crouching low and slicing at Zebul.
Tentacles move without pattern, not so quick that I lose sight of them. I swat them aside with the dagger in my left hand and slash upwards with the ice blade in my right.
In an instant, Zebul makes a huge leap back.
My blade cuts through empty air. Zebul’s eyes are on me.
Eyes burning with passion. They resemble Deji’s as he faces the magic sword, or those of a Demon Lord of lust overcome with carnal desire.
However, they carry a deeper sin. Just hatred.
If Zebul presides over gluttony, then that emotion is none other than—
「Two of you… A tad small, but you look quite delicious.」
—”Appetite”.
Being lusted after by one of your own kind sends a chill down your spine, momentarily locking up your arm.
There are many who preside over gluttony, but even among them, demons who “prefer” to devour their own kind are few and far between.
Zebul Gracos the Glutton.
The Demon Lord of gluttony who attained that status by consuming the land, demons, and even Demon Lord.
A tentacle pierces through my back from the left, penetrating my magic core. My magical energy, my physical form, are being stripped away.
「Hmm… thin… an illusion… this flavor, you’re from the lust faction…」
My final fragment of divided perception fades. Veiled Dance Mirage has ended.
Now there is only one of me left.
But I’ve created an opening.
「Kihkihkih, not bad, missy!」
As if sliding into the momentary gap in consciousness, Deji brings his blade down.
Zebul actually turns her head, purely relying on her neck, to face Celeste—the magic sword that can destroy even angels—as it bears down on her back. She opens her mouth wide.
Inside, rows of gleaming fangs can be seen, a mouth that splits to the cheeks. A calm voice issues forth from the depths of her throat, defying all logic.
「A magic sword… I’ve never eaten one before. It might be a delicacy.」
「What the—?!」
The sword swung down with Deji’s mighty arm, seizing a clear opening, is caught in Zebul’s mouth. Fangs pierce into the crimson blade.
Flames ravage the fangs, but even facing flames that incinerate everything in an instant, not a hint of pain shows on Zebul’s face. The fangs dig into the blade with a grinding sound.
Deji tries to pull back his sword, but the tightly clenched fangs show no sign of releasing their grip.
However, with her mouth clamped down on the sword, Zebul’s main body can’t move.
Deji’s sword in his upper left hand slashes down.
Zebul parries it with her own blade. Now her hands are occupied too.
A perfect chance!
I sprint low to the ground and bring my sword down on her unguarded back.
But in that instant, a voice rings out from an unexpected place.
「You’re the main body… Your magical energy looks rather delicious.」
The back splits open, black cloak drenched in mucus.
It was a huge mouth. Each fang lining it is as long as a dagger.
I hastily pull back my sword, but a long tongue darts out from the mouth in pursuit.
It easily coils around the blade I withdrew at an awkward angle. Freezing air turns the tongue to ice, but it pays that no heed, pulling the sword with tremendous strength.
「Fu fu fu, not a bad texture…」
The Demon Lord’s voice, filled with glee.
Delight at facing a sword-wielding demon.
I’m not even sure if a facile word like “appetite” is enough to describe this incomprehensible desire.
「D-Damn you, monster!」
Deji’s sword swung by his middle left arm is caught by Zebul’s free hand.
No, not her hand. There was a mouth in her palm.
Its fangs easily crunch through the blade. A sword that could be called a magic sword is pathetically shattered, shards scattering through the air.
A tongue extends from the mouth in his hand, snatching up every last fragment, finally coiling around the broken blade.
She could have seized Deji’s arm in that moment, but instead—
「…You’ve got something good here. It’s ‘delicious’. The texture, the flavor, not bad at all.」
The released hilt vanishes into the mouth.
The mouth in her hand slowly, savoring chews.
Zebul’s eyes crinkle in bliss.
「This bastard… my collection…」
「Fu fu fu, you’re from the greed faction, aren’t you? It’s been a while since I’ve had a satisfying meal.」
The tongue’s strength surpasses my arm’s, wrenching away my sword.
I feel bad for Deji, but I take a backstep to open up some distance.
The grating sound of teeth grinding sword rings out. It’s like the blade’s dying scream.
Deji notices and lets out a silent wail.
「O-Oi, missy! Don’t let it eat that! That’s my sword!」
「I-It can’t be helped!」
In that clear opening, Zebul’s tongue swims through the air, seeking further prey.
Its target is Deji, closer than me.
Just before I can shout out, a massive blade intercepts the tongue.
「…What are you?」
「…」
A gigantic skeleton—one of Lord Lazy’s murderous dolls—swings an arm like an iron pillar.
A sword larger than Zebul’s height gouges into the earth.
The ground erupts, but the arm doesn’t stop. Range of motion no ordinary demon could ever achieve. The sword traces a bizarre path as it slashes upward.
The tongue and tentacles try to coil around it, but the power behind the swing is so immense it blows them away and bears down on Zebul’s face.
No presence can be felt from that skeleton, no signs of life in its attacks.
「Well done!」
Deji’s empty arm pulls a new sword from another dimension.
The skeleton’s brawn is tremendous. Its mighty arm likely surpasses even Deji’s trained physique.
Confusion colors Zebul’s face as she releases Celeste and leaps back to open up distance.
Celeste is coated in mucus, small cracks running through the blade.
「…What is that… It’s no demon, and I sense no presence.」
「Kihkihkih, just a candlestick! Though the Master’s skill is on it!」
The skeleton stomps through the ground, obeying Deji’s will.
With explosive power, it rushes forward. Zebul takes a stance to intercept it with all her might.
A bastard sword and a Demon Lord’s blade clash.
The huge skeleton, twice Zebul’s size, unleashes a flurry of slashes, recklessly mowing down like a storm.
But Zebul’s blade deftly deflects them, her eyes clearly tracking each strike.
「…It doesn’t look very appetizing. I’m actually quite the gourmet, you know.」
「…………」
How dare a fiend call himself a gourmet!
Nimbly dodging the skeleton’s bastard sword, Zebul slashes upward with her ivory blade.
The upper arm of the skeleton’s left limb, struck at the joint, snaps off and flies into the air.
But the doll pays it no heed whatsoever, swinging its sword with its remaining right arm in a horizontal slash.
Zebul ducks low to evade the slash.
It may not feel pain, but it’s ultimately just a doll. Clearly outmatched against a Demon Lord.
But it’s enough to create an opening. With another powerful arm joining the fray, she has to split her attention, definitely expanding her vulnerabilities.
However, that’s the extent of it. Our attacks consistently fail to connect with Zebul while our weapons are indiscriminately devoured.
The situation remains dire. Our survival is nothing short of a miracle.
And Zebul has yet to use any proper skills.
My magical energy is nearly depleted; I can’t use any high-power skills either.
Zebul sighs and puts some distance between us.
「Good grief, what annoying ingredients… Well, putting in time and effort makes a meal tastier.」
Countless tentacles gush out from her body. Please, give me a break already.
Both in number and thickness, they’re incomparable to before.
The Demon Lord’s small frame is so buried in tentacles, it’s impossible to tell if they’re her main body now.
Only her mouth can be seen at the center. Even with that misshapen flesh, her voice remains unchanged from earlier.
「When eating a greed demon… devouring their collection first adds depth to the flavor.」
Abrupt words.
Power wells up in that slim body. The magical energy drifting through the air, once diffuse, now condenses.
「A lust demon is best eaten while violating them. Very sweet flavor. Fu fu fu, I’ll teach you the heights of pleasure. Don’t worry, you’re decent enough ingredients that I won’t eat you like other demons. I’ll properly consume you the right way.」
Not at all… happy to hear that.
Violated while being eaten. Eaten while being violated.
Just imagining it sends a shudder through me.
Even as a fellow demon, I can’t comprehend it at all.
Something is off. I don’t know what, but letting more time pass like this is bad news.
But I can’t move my legs. The pressure pins my body in place.
It’s a Demon Lord skill. While rendering the user immobile too, it can bind the movements of lower beings. It can only restrain those weaker, but it’s plenty useful for creating an opening to charge up.
Deji, perhaps in the same predicament, speaks through a stiff expression.
「Quit joking around. What’s your goal…」
「Goal…? Right, if I had to say… I got hungry.」
Her reply is so nonchalant I momentarily doubt my ears.
But those words carried no further meaning beyond their surface.
Infinite hunger… I’m glad I don’t preside over gluttony. No, maybe she is just abnormal.
「I have a bit of a big appetite, you see… Before I knew it, I ate everything in my own territory. So I had no choice. I have to eat to live, and I had a duty to feed my citizens.」
「…And those citizens?」
「I already ate them.」
She ate the subjects bestowed by the Great Demon Lord…?
Zebul offers an excuse.
「Well, they were inferior goods, but they kept my hunger at bay for a bit. Fu fu fu, my underlings seemed satisfied, but their flavor was a bit too unpleasant for me… Honestly, the sword of Mr. Greed over there tasted much better.」
「…」
Even Deji was caught off guard by those words, saying nothing.
There’s no good reply to being told your sword is delicious.
No, the nature this one possesses is—something I can never understand. The Second Legion has gluttonous demons too, but at worst they just have big appetites. None are this far gone.
「Anyway, rest assured. You will properly—live on inside me!」
Tentacles came flying at a speed incomparable to before.
Something is coming.
Vigilance alone kept me alive. The instant tentacles arrive, my legs, freed from the binding, kick hard off the ground in reflex, dodging to the side.
Each tentacle drips with a purple mucus, different from before, glistening in the light.
Deji, sensing the danger too, opens up distance on reflex rather than standing his ground.
Only the skeleton stays put, one-handed, lightly swinging its sword to confront the tentacles.
It slashes through the tentacles coiling around it from all sides.
At the same time, the sword “slipped”.
The huge blade falls to the ground with an extravagant clatter.
The moment it hacked through the obstructions, purple tentacles ensnared the skeleton’s body, immediately dismantling its metal form.
「What the…」
Deji cries out at its all-too-swift demise.
The tentacles drag the skeleton’s scattered parts into the tentacle mass, sucked into a hole buried within.
「…As I thought, it’s just metal. No magic tools or anything… Some kind of skill, I wonder? Not tasty, but not inedible either.」
「Damn it, do you know how much trouble I went through, how many I killed to have that made…!」
「Fu fu fu, my bad about that. Don’t worry, you’ll be reunited soon inside my stomach.」
Deji slices through the purple tentacles with Celeste, avoiding them by a hair’s breadth, tears of blood streaming down his face.
A Third Legion soldier behind him is seized by a tentacle and easily torn to shreds. A shower of blood scatters through the air and is immediately absorbed into the tentacles.
Devoured… Those tentacles—each one is a mouth?!
「Tasty enough, even if they’re not commanders. Elite, aren’t they?」
「…」
The speed of the incoming tentacles is on another level compared to before, whipping about in such disarray from all directions that I can’t fully track them.
Just barely, one pierces my cloak, steadily widening a hole from where it made contact. I hastily shed the cloak and crouch low to dodge a tentacle.
She’s not serious. If she was, I’d already be dead.
I dodge a tentacle by a hair, sliding along the ground to skewer another demon. Each time, Zebul let out an ecstatic cry.
Why isn’t she going all out?
No, that’s not it…
Unable to fully evade, a tentacle grazes my belt.
The wound spreads. I cut away my belt.
Again. She doesn’t attack the clear openings.
Tentacles extend from all sides. No room to counterattack whatsoever.
A tentacle brushes my metal plate mail. Again.
The tentacular mucus easily dissolves even metal. Doesn’t matter if it’s imbued with magic.
I rip off the plate mail and open up distance.
She has a wide effective range with her tentacles, recovering magical energy each time she dissolves a Third Legion soldier.
But this Demon Lord was clearly holding back against me alone.
「What are you playing at…」
「Fu fu fu, do you eat the shell when you have a meal?」
Episode 4
It was the worst battle ever since I was born as a demon, no need to even reflect on it.
Even counting from the time when I had no power and could only find a place in the corner of the slums, I have never felt such humiliation.
One hour after the purple tentacles appeared.
Piles of corpses. There are only a few left in the Third Legion that can be counted. You could even call it annihilation.
The power of the Demon Lord is so great that there is not much difference between a commander-class demon and an ordinary demon.
Most of the soldiers did not try to run away, but some of the demons who tried to escape were eaten by tentacles shot out from behind at near-sonic speed and disappeared.
If it were Deji with a magic sword that could still touch the tentacles, it would be one thing, but the only reason I am still alive is simply because Zebul has no intention of killing me.
My “way of eating” is very time-consuming.
Zebul licks her lips with relish. Perhaps because the number of demon has decreased, the number of tentacles has decreased and she has regained her humanoid form, but it makes no difference.
Too fast to dodge.
「Fu fu fu, as expected of Lust… What a beautiful skin. It’s a bit lacking in bumps on the body, but it looks delicious. I’m looking forward to it.」
The hunger floating in those eyes makes my head turn bright red.
The armor covering my body has already been melted and disappeared into her stomach.
What else could the demons be other than ridiculous, running away in vain in the wilderness, with nothing to hide their bodies and no way to break through?
My whole body is as heavy as lead, and my body is flushed from the intense exercise I haven’t had in a long time.
But I can’t give up.
「But it’s strange… for a demon of lust, you don’t smell enough of lust… Are you a closet pervert?」
Words thrown in a joking tone. She was a rude woman.
「Kihkihkih, damn it. I wanted to see you naked in bed, not in a place like this!」
Without ceasing his chatter, Deji makes the umpteenth attack.
Only Celeste remains. But that sword still retained its sure power as a sword. The divinity of the flames manifested a torrent of hellfire and attacked Zebul.
「Dear me, you’re stubborn too… To be honest, flames are delicious, but they don’t seem to stay in my stomach. I don’t really like them.」
But even that doesn’t work. With the same motion repeated dozens of times, Zebul opens her mouth.
As if being sucked in, the flames are drawn into that small hole and disappear.
「…Damn, this is too much of a cheat…」
「Fu fu fu, it’s okay, you guys are much stronger than the Demon Lord I ate the day before yesterday. It’s a terrifying sword.」
「Kihkihkih, only the sword!?」
「Fu fu fu, if you had ten thousand years, you might come close to the feet of my ‘desire’.」
「…You have no intention of letting us go, do you?」
「I’m hungry!」
Entangled in tentacles, another demon is swallowed.
The ground, dripping with mucus, melts away, and countless holes open up.
「Hey, Medea…」
「…What?」
「There is one hand with an eye still left.」
Deji says with a weary expression. Having his prized magic sword devoured, his eyes were filled with hostility toward the Demon Lord in front of him.
And Deji said,
「Give me your… ‘Veiled Dance Mirage’.」
「…Huh? What are you talking about?」
Deji glares at the Demon Lord with a sharp eye. Is it composure that he’s not attacking?
「That skill… It’s a skill that creates an illusion with substance, right?」
「…Yes. To be more precise, it’s a skill that creates an illusion and allows you to freely change the substance within that range, but…」
A skill that allows you to turn real thing into an illusion after being killed. That is the power of ‘Veiled Dance Mirage’, which cannot be obtained without progressing to a fairly high level in Luxuria’s skill tree. That intense skill, also classified as a conceptual type, cannot be seen through even with mental pollution resistance because everything is real until it is attacked.
「Same thing. Listen well, missy. Right now we have no means to defeat Zebul. If there is even a slight chance, it’s this sword.」
He holds up the magic sword with a crack in the blade.
Indeed, only the attack by Celeste’s flames is being blocked by Zebul. No, she’s eating it, but there’s no doubt she’s taking some kind of action. Judging from the fact that she takes it every time, she probably has to take it or she’ll take damage.
But I don’t think it can annihilate her in one shot.
「I’ll steal your ‘Veiled Dance Mirage’ with my ‘Usurpation’ and use it to burn that bastard from all directions with the power of Celeste.」
Those words were unbelievable.
Unconsciously, I hurriedly cover my chest with my hands that were about to leave. Deji’s eyes were serious.
「That’s crazy… ‘Veiled Dance Mirage’ is an SS-class skill, you know? Using that and then using Celeste’s power… is impossible.」
「Kihkihkih, so… it’s just a matter of magical power… Either way, if we don’t do it now, we’ll just be eaten, right? In some weird dish.」
Certainly… that’s right.
Even if we waste time like this, defeat is inevitable. Then it’s not bad to take a chance.
I nod slightly.
「Fu fu fu, are you done discussing? I’m reaching my limit of hunger.」
「Yeah… Kihkihkih, I’ll roast you.」
I take the arm that Deji holds out.
The moment I touched it, one of the Greed skill tree’s skills, ‘Usurpation’, activated.
‘Usurpation’ is, as the name implies, the most famous skill of Greed that steals the skills of others.
It requires fulfilling many complex conditions, so it’s not possible to fulfill the conditions during battle and steal the opponent’s skills, but it’s still a powerful skill that allows you to freely manipulate and grow the skills you’ve stolen.
In particular, a demon’s class skill can normally only be obtained by fulfilling the original sin.
Being able to obtain that skill while ignoring the prerequisites is an immeasurable advantage. That’s because a demon’s class skills are powerful precisely because they have conditions.
A sense of discomfort, as if my body is being probed. I somehow endure that disgusting sensation by gritting my teeth.
But Deji soon greatly distorts his face and mutters in a daze,
「Impossible… ‘Veiled Dance Mirage’ skill… Is not here… What does this mean!?」
「Eh!?」
Deji grips my hand with enough force to crush it, putting more strength into it.
My existence is explored up, down, left and right.
「It’s not there… Impossible… No way, impossible. The conditions should be met!! Even if it’s an SS-class skill, it’s impossible not to find it!!」
「…Maybe your skill proficiency isn’t high enough?」
Deji denies my words.
While looking down at me with eyes as if he’s seeing a monster.
「No no no no, Usurpation is not… that kind of skill… Missy, can you really use skills?」
「…I just showed you I could use it.」
「…But– damn it, there’s no time. It can’t be helped, I’ll lend you Celeste. Missy, kill him!」
It’s impossible. That’s absolutely impossible.
The difference between my and Deji’s swordsmanship is clear. It’s not just a matter of simple skill, but also muscle attachment, movement, and subtle habits that have been ingrained in the subconscious through experiences lived up to this point.
I can’t handle Celeste. Even if it’s just shooting flames, this type of magic sword depends on the swordsman’s skill, and in the first place, I didn’t have enough magical power left to use ‘Veiled Dance Mirage’.
「No good… I don’t have enough magical power to use the ‘Veiled Dance Mirage’ skill.」
「D-damn, this is the end… We have no choice but to bet on a miracle?」
Sharp eyes glare at the nonchalant Demon Lord.
A miracle?
At those words, a flash of light crosses my mind.
…No, in that sense, there is one… just one more chance.
It’s not a high enough probability to call it a winning chance, but I have just one way to recover my magical power.
But if I use that, my true nature will be exposed. No, I’ve already used it once.
It’s only a matter of time before it’s exposed…
I don’t particularly like it, but I look up at Deji’s face.
This man who achieves more merit than me.
But now is not the time to judge based on likes and dislikes.
I make up my mind and open my mouth.
「Deji… Um, I–」
「…Huh? Impossible… What kind of miracle is this?」
But what came back was an expression of ecstasy. The same expression as when he saw Zebul survive even after burning the wilderness with Celeste’s flames.
An expression that appears when something happens outside the realm of common sense.
Deji looks down at me with eyes as if he’s dreaming.
「Missy, don’t you feel it?」
「Eh… Ah! …Ehhh!?」
A few seconds later, I notice it too.
The meaning of those words.
The wind was blowing. A stagnant black wind that sweeps everything away.
I stare blankly at my own palm. A little strength returns to my exhausted body, and a little of my depleted magical power returns.
The sticky sensation is swept away.
「Lord Lazy’s ‘Abyss Zone’ is… reviving!?」
「…Impossible… Why now, of all times, is Master’s dominion…」
That’s right, why now of all times?
‘Abyss Zone’ is not a skill whose strength can be freely adjusted. Sure, as the Demon Lord’s power increases, the range and potency will increase, but that’s due to the increase or decrease in the Demon Lord’s basic abilities, not his will.
Zebul seems to have noticed it too, and her expression turns to bewilderment.
It shouldn’t have an effect on the Demon Lord herself, but if the territory that has been successfully built up until now is suddenly broken, it would certainly be suspicious.
「…What did you do? Is this your secret plan?」
There’s no way that’s possible.
‘Abyss Zone’ is ultimately the Demon Lord’s class skill. There’s nothing we can do, Deji and I, who have not yet awakened to it.
Unless a miracle happens.
But the real miracle seems to be yet to come.
Deji suddenly opens his eyes wide.
His lips tremble and shake, and his hands, devoid of strength, drop Celeste.
A clear opening. If he were attacked now, he would be eaten in an instant.
「Impossible… Why now… No, in the first place– How, impossible.」
But I didn’t have the luxury to pay attention to that either.
Because I noticed what Deji’s gaze was fixed on.
The lustrous black hair cared for by the maids, the unhealthily pale skin without a single cloud.
The jet-black cloak that embodies the night is said to have been bestowed by the Great Demon Lord, but no one knows the truth.
Not carrying a single blade, let alone a staff, and of course not wearing a crown or any accessories.
The black clothes made of well-tailored silk have a shirt sloppily sticking out from the inside, and without even a belt, his pants look like they’re about to fall off at any moment even though he’s not making any flashy movements.
That appearance is, in every sense of the word, not one that should appear on this battlefield. No, there’s no way he would appear.
In that case, even a tall tale about a spear suddenly falling and destroying the Demon Lord would be more believable.
「Medea… Is this your illusion?」
「…There’s no way.」
I don’t have that kind of leeway, and there’s no point.
It would be too presumptuous of me to show an illusion of my own lord.
「…I see, then it’s Zebul’s illusion… Ahh, that surprised me. There’s no way Master would be in a place like this.」
「…I see… That makes more sense.」
My frozen thoughts thaw at Deji’s still plausible story.
I see… What a tasteless Demon Lord. No matter how close we are to death, showing us Lord Lazy, who would never come… Is this also part of the cooking?
Like raising it up and then dropping it to make it taste better?
Anyway, please don’t surprise me like that. I thought my heart was going to stop before I got killed.
My heart is still pounding like an alarm bell from the tremendous shock.
However, it’s very well made.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had the honor of seeing Lord Lazy’s appearance. Especially seeing him outside, I can’t even remember how many years it’s been. Even looking back on my memories up to now, the first and last time I saw him was when I first met him, and it’s probably impossible for it to happen again in the future.
The reason his messy hair still has luster is because the maids painstakingly groom it like they’re taking care of a doll, and his pale skin perfectly recreates his nature of not going outside for 365 days a year.
With the same sleepy expression as when he’s in the bedroom, his wobbly, swaying appearance makes me want to rush over and support him, that’s how unreliable he looks.
「That’s dangerous… It really looks just like him. If Master were to stand up, that’s probably what he’d look like.」
「…I agree… Ah!!」
At that moment, I realized something important.
I… I’m not wearing anything right now!
I hurriedly sit down and hide my whole body. Even if it’s an illusion, it’s unacceptable for Lord Lazy, my master, to see me naked. Even if Lord Lazy doesn’t pay the slightest attention to me.
My head is burning so red with embarrassment that it feels like it’s going to be painted over, and even sitting down and hugging my body, I notice I can still be seen, so I look up at Deji.
「Deji… Cloak.」
「…Here you go.」
I’m tossed a tattered cloak and somehow wrap my body in it. I can’t move well in this getup, but now’s not the time to worry about that.
Deji averts his eyes and continues to observe the behavior of the illusion.
「…Hey hey, Master has started sleeping right in front of Zebul.」
「…It really is just like him.」
With a still-bewildered expression, Zebul calls out to the illusion that suddenly laid down in front of him, looking exactly like Lord Lazy.
「…Who are you?」
「…I see.」
The illusion returns words with an expression that hasn’t heard any of the conversation and has no connection to what came before.