Kuro no Maou

"... I'm sorry, I showed you something shameful."

She soothed herself by crying suddenly, and Elina lowered her head with her red eyes.

"No, don't worry. It must have been a lot harder."

I don't think it's disgraceful to cry like a kid, or to smash a pot with a mace with too much momentum.It's cute compared to Lily and Fiona's eclampsia.

Anyway, now I can finally calm down and talk.

Sit on the couch in the office and we'll face each other.

First of all, I'd like to make sure, is it temporary that Elina became an Alliance Master?

"Yes, because of my absence, I was appointed as a temporary Guild Master in consultation with all the staff at HQ.But I have the real seal, so I have the formal decision. "

He took it out of his pocket and showed it to me as a luxurious seal shining on silver.It must be made of sacred silver.It is a dish with all sorts of signs.

When Elina was rescued, she said she took it out of the Guild Master's body. Too much Clever.

"I think most of the executives have taken refuge in the royal castle, but I'm not giving up my Alliance Master seat to those who won't fight here now.All the staff will support me. "

"You mean you're not going to get off after this?"

Well, even if the guy who escaped comes out with a big mouth, I guess it's just a joke.

And if the Crusades take over Sparta, their place in this country will be almost meaningless.At that pandemonium, I don't think Lily even respects Sparda's great opinion.

"I will do my duty as Master of the Spartan Adventurer Alliance."

"Well, then, let's, uh, admit Pandemonium as Elina's current Alliance Master."

"I'll admit it if it doesn't work."

Lily will soon be back in Baby Girl mode.Are you saving power?

Being a full toddler doesn't mean Lily is the queen.With Her Majesty's forgiveness, this is the official view of the Pandemonium.

"Besides, I want the Alliance to call for evacuation of the Pandemonium now."

"... run away"

"Yes, we're at our limit.At the latest, tonight, the second barrier will be breached by the enemy's simultaneous offensive.I don't know if I'll have three more days to hold it in the castle. "

I can't make up for all this.

There's no way to say it's irresponsible to fight through to the last, and the commander who takes care of the soldier's life shouldn't say it.

Most Japanese would say that war is a bad thing, but it's a little different.

It is bad to lose a war.

Therefore, it is important not to lose here now, and to minimize the damage.

"Yes... after all, Sparta is over."

"Ah, adding more volunteers will only increase the damage.Anyone who can escape should escape now. "

Erina did not give her an immediate answer.

Spada, the capital, is herself the city where she was born and raised.It will not be easily divided by reason.

"... I understand. The Alliance will call for a full evacuation from Sparta."

"Thank you, Elina."

"Yeah, that's a natural decision. My personal feelings alone can't drive people to death."

Elina must have become an Alliance Master and summoned the Young Army to resist the Crusades to the best of her ability.

There may have been emotional momentum such as shock and anger about being attacked.Still, her mobility is incredible.

"Hey, Krono, you're going to the royal castle after this, right?So I'm going to convince the evacuees to evacuate. "

Yeah, that's right.

According to a communication from Minister Zanalius in the royal castle, the evacuees are overflowing.

The vast Spartan Imperial Castle has a lot of storage capacity, so it doesn't seem to collapse with overcapacity, but there are still quite a few of them.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm not staying in the royal castle forever, so I'd like you to fly to the Pandemonium...

"I'm coming with you.I don't know how much help I can get... but I'm sure it's pretty hard to convince the people in the royal castle to evacuate. "

"Is that possible?"

"At times like these, patriotism is a problem.I'm sure all the people who care about killing the castle with a pillow. "

Spada Castle has been visited many times before.

I won a medal when I defeated Gridgor in Ischia, and I negotiated after the Galahad War.It's just that Will called me.

Of course, I've never seen everything around here, but the magnificence of the imperial castle deserves a huge site, huge guards, and several buildings.

But I've never seen so many people.

We accept a large number of evacuees and the walls are filled with people.They will have spent the past week in anxiety in tents erected in squares and gardens.

However, the people here still did not look desperate.

I'm sure they still believe.Sparta wins and protects the capital.

I was guided into the throne room with such an atmosphere.

"--Great job. Queen Pandemonium, Lily, and my ally, Chrono."

Now it is not King Leonhart who sits on the throne of Sparta, but his second son, Prince Wilhart.

No, Will is no longer a prince.

It is Wilhart Tristan Sparda, the fifty-third generation Sparda, who officially succeeded to the throne.

Good evening, King Wilhart.

"Thank you very much for allowing me to see you despite your sudden visit."

It was Lily, the queen, who entered the Throne Room, and I was treated the same way.And Minister Zanalius is here with Spartan ministers.

However, as the official Pandemonium monarch, only Lily sat on the prepared chair.He was young and his feet couldn't reach the floor, but no one said anything.

"Oh, please don't go around saying that.Chrono, you've come in such a hurry.Tell me the truth. "

With a very tired face, Will said so.

In the quiet hall with Singh, I look at Lily sitting next to her.The pieces of emerald eyes just look up at me and don't say anything.Looks like you can leave it to me.

"I want everyone in the Imperial Castle evacuated to the Pandemonium now.The second barrier will be breached again tonight.The Pandemonium troops have already been withdrawn. "

Just as I told Elina earlier, I appealed to Will.

There is no way to protect Sparda now.Any more fighting would be wasted.

"Evacuation instructions have already been issued.Please forgive me for accepting our people early, and the Queen of Pandemonium has no words of gratitude.The hand of salvation has already been offered enough. "

"There will still be a lot of people left in this castle.And you, Will. "

"Let's see. Those who remain here despite the metastasis... decided for themselves."

That's exactly what Elina said.

Sparta in particular is a country with a long history.It is the fifty-third generation in Will, hundreds of years since it was founded.There will be patriotism and pride.

"Still, we can't abandon tens of thousands of people here.There's a way to survive, I don't know if I need to die here today! "

"Don't be impressed, Chrono, by your will not to save many of them.But you will not be held responsible for the lives of those who decided not to escape Sparta.I don't have any shards of bravery, but I'm prepared to be king. "

"No way... Will's gonna stay, too?"

"Of course. For my father, the great Sword King Leonhart is dead.Prince Eisenhalt, who should succeed him, fell into the hands of his enemies.No matter how hard I can count on it, this Wilhart is King Sparta now.The king's duty must be fulfilled. "

Damn, it's worse than I thought.No, my thoughts are too sweet... I can't help regretting it.

Will, as Spartan King, is willing to stay in the castle with his chief ministers and knights until the end.

We do not know whether we will kill him or whether surrender will be acceptable.But even if the Crusades allow us to surrender, it won't be a rock 'n 'roll.

Will will be executed shamefully or, no matter how good, used as a puppet for Crusade Sparda control.

Anyway, there's only one chance to persuade him now.It depends on this moment if you can save Will and my friend.

But what do we do... Will's point is obvious.Above all, Will is not alone in this determination.The responsibility for one kingdom, Sparta, rests above all on its thin back.

In a semi-life argument, it would never be good to fall back on your own.Will himself and the Spartans who follow him.

Kurono, will you do me one favor?

"... what is it?"

Just take my sister, Charlotte.

"Hey, what are you talking about!?"

A high cry echoes through the throne.

Sparda's Third Princess Charlotte jumps out in a row of ministers.

It was always noisy, but she didn't see the winning expression and the atmosphere.

In this worst case scenario, Charles must have come quite a bit.Her bright red hair is not glossy and her complexion is as pale as blood.Perhaps even without the Crusades, Nero is still dragging the shock he betrayed.

"If you survive alone, Charles, the blood of the Spartan royal family will be preserved.And one day, this Spartan landscape-- "

"Fuck, no kidding!What are you giving up on, it's not over yet... Sparda hasn't lost yet!! "

It is like a child screaming in vain.

However, Charles' feelings are also the voice of many Spartans in the royal castle.No one wants to give up.It is difficult to accept and admit desperate defeat.

"I'll be with you long enough to know.When Galahad's fortress was destroyed and Spartan elites scattered, the battle trend was determined.It would be a miracle to have had it for a week.And now the pandemonium army led by Chrono, who brought the miracle, realized that today was the limit and decided to retreat.This Spartan has no more power to withstand more than 100,000 troops. "

"That's why you can't give up!I will fight too, in this royal castle... even if there is no chance of winning, I am the princess of Sparta! "

"Because I'm a princess. Charles, when you say you're going to fall back, we'll have more of you to follow and evacuate.Speaking of which, if you stay, you will keep everyone in the royal castle in a losing battle.All that remains is me, the king.You do your best to keep as many people alive as you can. "

Princess, His Majesty Wilhart is right.

"Please, just the Princess."

"This is also for Sparda.If the princess runs away, we can stay in the castle with peace of mind. "

The ministers standing side by side supported Will's remarks.

In fact, it would be a reasonable decision under the circumstances.Hope remains simply because Charlotte, the blood of the royal family, is fleeing.The readiness to die here will also harden.

"Well, I... I want to protect everyone... I can't believe I'm the only one..."

"It's okay, Charles. I know exactly how you feel, and everyone here knows that.From now on, you must protect the Spartan people who are fleeing together. "

Charles of the boulder also seemed to have no further objection just by overflowing with tears.Whatever you say, you won't be stubborn enough to fight.

"... hey, Kurono"

Golden eyes wet with tears stared at me.

It's not as powerful as usual.It looked like a discarded kitten.

"You, do something... you can do something!"

"Come on, Charles. Now Krono is not the one to be allowed to work disrespectfully -----"

"Do something... please, Spada, help us all..."

I thanked Charles in my heart for leaking his swallow and trembling.

Oh, yeah, that's right... to help everyone, that's what I do, what I want.My power is to make it come true.

"All right, Char, I'm gonna help everybody.All the Spartans in this royal castle are packed in the second barrier. "

"Chrono, don't be rude!What Charles says is just an emotional statement, doesn't it really need to be accepted? "

"No, no, I have a mission to help people because..."

I think this is the first time I've ever exposed it in front of a crowd.

All I know is Element Master and Simon.I dared not speak clearly to Will.

But I'm done keeping it a secret.

Will and the rest of Pandora.Now I declare myself who I am.

"--I am the Devil."

Between the thrones, the glare spreads.

I'm not going to be a laugher pointing at you because I've been stacked up in Sparta myself.He's a hero with two medals.

But even if you show that much power, it's hard to believe.

By then, the title of "Demon King" was only legendary.

"Will, you would have guessed.I am blessed by the ancient demon king Mia Elrod. "

"That's... oh, that's right. But I wasn't sure, it was like a wish."

"I'm sorry I kept it from you."

Like the Garvinal Dragon King, I don't want to be too wary of ambition.It was never good to hear that I had the protection of the demon king, so I kept it a secret until now.

But that's over.For now, I need this title of Demon King.

"Hey, Will, remember when we first met?"

"Of course, I won't forget, in the Galahad mountains, chased by Raspun."

"I'm sure it wasn't a coincidence that we met at that time.Fighting Raspun was the first test to get protection from Mia the Demon King. "

No, it's a coincidence. It would be more persuasive to say this as if it were inevitable.

"Killed in Ischia, so did Grid Gore.Crusading was the second and third challenge, including the parasitic Slowgill. "

Even if it wasn't a trial monster, I went to Ischia to help.

You're telling me that, right?You're okay, Will, I believe you.

"And I defeated the Seventh Apostle Saliel in the Galahad War, under the protection of the Devil."

The secret of my strength is my appeal to the Devil.

Actually, I'm pretty reliant on it.It is a necessary ability to target the Apostle.

"The Demon King Mia has imposed seven trials on me.Both were tough, especially since the last challenge was the biggest difficulty... and now it's over.I have surpassed all the Demon King's trials. "

I still can't release my real name, but this should be enough for now.

From here on out, it's a bet.

"You can't believe what I'm saying.Words alone are not enough to believe that the Devil's protection is light. "

Yes, we need proof.

I must prove that I truly have the protection of the ancient demon king Mia.

"Are there any priests at Pandora Temple?I will prove my protection here and now! "

"--you don't have to."

Kang, the high sound of the staff hitting the floor echoes.

Everyone looked at it, including me.

Standing there must be Father Pandora, a high-ranking man called the Grand Priest, who lowered his emblematic gold workmanship on a white robe.

The great priest boasts a warrior-like body, with black tattoos running along the skinhead and a fairly strong face.

I remember that face because of its impactful appearance, which I would never have thought to be a priest if I hadn't worn a vest.

This man is undoubtedly the great priest who was present when Sariel and I signed the subordination agreement.

"The Temple of Sparda Pandora, Sheriff Oliver Herodotos, swears to tell the truth in the name of 'Magister Amadeus' - Adventurer Krono is blessed by the ancient demon king Mia Elrod!"

"What is it!?"

"Stupid, you can't say without an appraisal!"

"But if the priest swore to God...."

A bigger groan strikes the Throne Room than when I cam out with the Demon King.

Well, it's a big difference between just self-proclaiming and admitting it personally by the priest.

I wonder if he was a priest...

"Yes, calm down! Father Oliver, can you explain?"

As Will calmed down, the chief priest stepped forward and began to speak loudly.

"Let's start just a year ago.In the Fifth Galahad War, Krono, the adventurer who captured the enemy 7th Apostle Saliel, entered into a pact of subordination by enslaving her after successful negotiations with His Majesty King Leonhart. "

Speaking of which, Sariel and I signed a contract at the beginning of the fresh water moon.I was given an oath kiss, that's it.It happened just a year ago, but now I feel like I miss it a lot.

It's too common for Saliel to be next door, and it seems stupid that I was so worried after the Galahad War.

"I was ordered by His Majesty King Leonhart to perform the covenant of the two subjects... but I gave him another secret order."

In exposing his secret destiny, the commander of the priest said, "Exercise your rights as a Pandora priest or something, and insist on the legitimacy."

"Your destiny lies in secretly appraising the protection of adventurer Krono."

Is that what you were doing? I didn't notice it at all.

However, the Temple of Pandora is their home for priests.No matter what the trick is, it is not strange.

Besides, the more prominent the battle was in the Galahad War, the more you become an adventurer without understanding the protection, the more you will explore the secret of its power.If you have the protection of a notorious evil god or demon, like "Black Witch Endimeon," you have to be vigilant.

"Speaking of royal decrees, I apologize deeply for plotting against those who visited the temple."

"No, it's nothing to worry about.I saved you a lot of trouble.So my protection has been proven. "

"Ha, I want you to take a look at this first.This is in the certificate of protection drawn from the results of the Expedition Chrono's appraisal at the time. "

It was a little dirty black parchment that was removed from the hem of a shiny manicure that probably contained space magic.

The black-and-white burn marks are burnt to the point where they were recovered from the fire scene.

"As you know, as proof of protection, this is where the emblems of the gods are baked.Naturally, nothing happens without protection, and if the force of protection is immature, only a thin crest appears.However, I have never seen the result that even though it should have been baked so vigorously, it would be black without any crest! "

And even Pandora Temple, which boasts more than a thousand years of history, has no such record.And, Commander, it's a very exciting talk.

"When I got this black certificate -- I heard it. The voice of God."

Dialogue alone really stinks, but in a world where there is a real God, a real priest says it.Everyone here listened without doubt to the words ahead.

"It was like a toddler.However, I still felt this feeling of intimidation that I had never felt before, exactly the sign of a great god on my back! "

The voice of the child... this is definitely Mia.

I didn't know you came all the way down here to preach to the priest.

"It is not time to reveal this protection.When the time came, he said that I would speak for myself. "

He said that while threatening with God's aura, he left without saying anything.

The chief priest did not see the god, but nevertheless waved his enthusiasm that he was convinced of his identity.

Then put up a high black certificate of protection, and declare it.

"Now is the time! With a consecration, I declare here.Adventurer Krono is blessed with the first legendary demon king in Pandora's history, Mia Elrod!! "

At that moment, a black-and-white flame lights up on the certificate.

It was obvious to me that the burning black flame was already a familiar 'Hellflame'.

Then he was burnt in a black flame reminiscent of the fire of hell -- and now the emblem of God was engraved.

A black dragon-like crest with widened wings.A symbol of the Elrod Empire that unites far from ancient Pandora.

That is, the emblem of Mia the Demon King.

Goddamn it, Mia, you're doing a hateful act.Be honest and cool....