Chapter 201

CHAPTER 119 The Ex-Nobody and the Mayhem Before the Final Battle Rogue’s proposed strategy was a full-frontal assault. The group would turn back the way they’d come and charge the capital. They’d keep pushing to the academy and face Mephisto. It was straightforward and incredibly reckless, yet no one complained. They trusted Disaster Rogue, of course, but no one could think of anything better, either. They were up against an Evil God, the most powerful of all evils. There would be no typical confrontation or covert victory. This fight promised to be the strangest in existence. Such was the strategy entrusted to the group by the former Demon Lords, Ard and Rogue. “I can see the capital…,” Rogue said. The party’s destination awaited just beyond the field. “The road so far has been quite easy—too easy,” Lizer remarked. Alvarto nodded. “Yeah. Mephisto would never let us get to him without a challenge.” As though the devil had been waiting for that comment, his voice suddenly boomed all around them. “Hey, guys! Thanks for coming back. “You attack one minute, then retreat the next. Make up your mind! “Each time we repeat the dance, it gets less exhilarating—it’s no fun. “So let’s make this fight the last one. “If you fail, there won’t be any do-overs. A final match—fair and square. “Either I disappear, or your future gets crushed. “Winner takes all. Sound good?” The moment they heard his voice, panic surged through them. Mephisto chuckled. “There’s a proper order for everything. An opening act always precedes the champion match, right? “So anyway, I’ve prepared a lovely opening act for you crazy kids. “If you make it through, be sure to pay me a visit. “I’ll be waiting with my honey by my side.” No sooner did the one-sided conversation end… …than monsters spawned before the group. The creatures filled the route leading back to the academy. Their incredible numbers buried the road completely. Similarly, the sky was dyed black by the sheer number of flying monsters. However, none of Ard’s friends showed any fear. If anything, their courage burned brighter. Sylphy snorted. “Hah! This’ll make a perfect warm-up for the final battle!” “Let’s give them hell, Ginny!” “Yes, let’s, Miss Ireena!” The three girls took off. Ireena and Sylphy brandished their Holy Swords, while Ginny readied her crimson spear. They cut through the monsters effortlessly. Simply put, it was a rampage. As he watched, Rogue said to Elzard, “You okay?” “Huh? What do you mean?” “You want to join those girls…don’t you?” Elzard didn’t answer. She couldn’t. In truth, she did wish to join them, but she lacked the courage. Alvarto chuckled at her. “Damn, you sure suck at making friends, you alligator.” “Excuse me?! You’re one to talk, you little—” “Miss Ireena! Above you!” Ireena was in danger. A dragon was diving at her from above. Ginny and Sylphy had their hands full with the monsters on the ground. They wouldn’t get to her on time. Ireena was doomed. Elzard took off. “Keep your damn hands off her!!!” She lunged fast enough to break the sound barrier. Following a flash of light, the tip of her summoned dragon bone blade slashed the small dragon in two. Elzard grabbed Ireena with one arm to pull her up and out from where the falling corpse would land. “Um…you okay?” “Yeah. Thanks, Elzard.” “Hmph… Whatever. It’s not like I wanted to save you. That little shit just rubbed me the wrong way. Don’t get the wrong idea.” Elzard’s words turned hostile as she lowered Ireena to the ground. “Hey, are you okay? Your face is awfully red.” “What?! I’m obviously not blushing!” “Uh, but you look as red as a boiled octopus.” “Nn—nnnn—ooh, shut up! D-don’t get distracted from the fight!” Elzard fired a thick light beam at the swarm of approaching monsters and screamed, “C-c’mon, let’s wipe the floor with these weaklings! J-just you…and me!” “Of course! I’d love to, Elzard!” “!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” The Frenzied King of Dragons’ face flushed a darker shade. “W-well, okay, if I have t-t-t-to! T-twist my a-a-a-a-rm!” Thus did the curtain open on Unilateral Annihilation, the one-woman show starring Elzard. “…I’ve got to look good for her.” It was the epitome of crushing violence. On the ground. In the sky. In the space between. Elzard overwhelmed everything with more magic circles than could be counted. “Scatter, peons!!!” A shower of fire rained down. The monsters that blotted out the air were incinerated by high-level destructive magic. Creatures burst into blue flame and winked out of existence. It was truly a masterpiece. Ireena looked very impressed by the display. “Wow, Elzard! That’s awesome!” “!!!!!!!! M-mere child’s play! Just wait till you see me at my best—you’ll lose your mind!” The Frenzied King of Dragons was showboating. Her destruction grew to new heights with each passing moment. “Oh, wow! I’m so glad you’re on my side now!” “You…you consider me an ally?” “Of course I do! One who’s always got my back!” “………………………S-so, do you think of me as a f…f…f-f-f…friend…? Do you—do you think of me as a…friend?” “Of course I do! We’re fighting side by side, aren’t we?! We’re totally friends.” “..………………………………………Heh-heh.” The Frenzied King of Dragons’ excitement rocketed through the stratosphere. Her untamed rage spread like wildfire, an embodiment of her uncontrollable elation. Meanwhile, the Four Heavenly Kings watched from the ground. “Ugh…she’s kind of upsetting my stomach,” Lizer groaned. “Indeed…I feel sick,” Alvarto said. “What he said,” Olivia added. Despite their discomfort, Elzard fought on heroically. And when the dust cleared, she had leveled the entire army of monsters. “There! Let’s go, guys! And hurry!” The Frenzied King of Dragons now led the charge, a sparkling smile on her face. Although he followed after, Alvarto repeated, “I feel sick…” Everyone shared the sentiment except for Ireena. Nonetheless, the way had been cleared by Elzard’s hand. A few skirmishes broke out along the way, but the group made it to the capital without any issues. “This is odd,” Lizer remarked. Rogue nodded. “Yeah, that was too easy.” Olivia also felt nervous. “He’s surely scheming at something…” They followed the main street, locals attacking them as they went. “Does he really think this is enough to shake us?” Rogue sighed as he punched one of the dominated citizens from the mob unconscious. It didn’t sit well with him to attack innocent bystanders, but it was hardly anything serious. This was nothing more than a little light harassment. “Don’t get cocky, Rogue. This is just part of the opening act,” Alvarto chided. Rogue nodded as he knocked out another citizen. “Right… He’s absolutely going to hit us with a surprise.” Unfortunately, Rogue could only guess what that surprise might be. He racked his brain as the group pushed through to the center of the capital. “Just a little farther, and we’ll be at the academy!” Ireena cried. “I only hope we can get there in one piece…,” Ginny said. Sylphy laughed. “No problem! No matter what stands in our way, nothing can stop us!” “True. After all, you have me with you. I’m Ireena’s f…f-f-f…friend—Ireena’s friend is here! Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh…” Compared to the upbeat quartet of girls, Rogue and the present former Four Heavenly Kings were ill at ease. “If he plans to surprise us…it’s got to be soon,” Alvarto noted. “Yes…I’d assume so,” Lizer replied. “Or perhaps he wants to lure us into a false sense of security, then catch us once we reach the school,” Olivia posited. Rogue was about to voice his own thoughts but was interrupted. Alvarto’s prediction had proved correct. As they made their way through the city square, a bolt of lightning shot out from the group’s blind spot. The straightforward attack abandoned all ornamentation. Still, a hit would prove lethal. That’s just how intense the attack was. Rogue, who noticed it first, shouted “Mega Wall!” and erected a magic barrier. The lightning collided with the hemispherical membrane just as it finished forming. Rogue was an alternate Ard Meteor, but his combat powers exceeded the other’s nearly two to one. Yet his extra-powerful barrier still cracked slightly from the lightning bolt’s impact. “Guess I shouldn’t be surprised… This is classic Mephisto Yuu Phegor. Truly crafty.” The moment Rogue realized who’d attacked, his expression tensed, as did Ireena’s. The confidence and optimism flowing through her only a moment ago evaporated, leaving behind bewilderment on her sweet, innocent face. For the one who’d attacked them was… “Daddy?” …Ireena’s father, Weiss Olhyde. He wasn’t alone, either. “The Heroic Baron and the Great Mages—the gang’s all here,” Rogue said, grimacing. Weiss Olhyde was joined by Jack and Carla Meteor, Ard’s parents post-reincarnation. The trio had formed a line to block the way. “Face us, you abominations.” “You’ll go no farther.” “Not as long as we’re still standing, that is.” The trio was under Mephisto’s Corruption spell, and their powers had been enhanced. Seeing them in such a state left Ireena stunned. Her mouth fell open, ready to scream. She swallowed the scream down, however. “Daddy, Uncle Jack, Auntie Carla…I’m so sorry, I mean it.” She had to attack them to rescue Ard and bring this battle to an end. It didn’t matter who stood in her way, she needed to keep going. Ireena’s eyes shone with a steely resolve. “If I’m being honest, I wish I could return to you normal. But…I don’t have the time. I hope you understand.” Her only recourse was to knock them out and keep moving. Ireena drew her Holy Sword, Vald-Galgulus. Weiss’s gaze locked onto his daughter. “Fly, Tempest Blade.” He attacked without hesitation. His invisible wind blade signaled the start of combat. Ireena’s primal instincts kicked in, helping her dodge the unseen magic attack. Her comrades dispersed in all directions to get to safety. “I could do this all day!” “We won’t let you counterattack!” Jack and Carla sent a shower of elemental attacks down on the group. Dodging the assault from his mother and father, Rogue muttered, “Their attacks may look plain…but they hold deadly firepower.” It was truly bothersome. Being powerful mages, they didn’t waste any energy when casting offensive spells. The plainness of their attacks was a testament to their polished mastery. “You are contemporary heroes, nothing more.” Alvarto loosed a remotely cast Attack spell. A magic circle appeared beneath Weiss, Jack, and Carla and erupted into a pillar of fire. The white-hot flames swallowed the three. “Hey, Alexandra.” “What, lizard brain?” “Don’t play it cool if you can’t deliver. It’s kinda pathetic. Hilarious.” The fire enveloping Weiss, Jack, and Carla vanished as soon as Elzard finished mocking Alvarto. “That won’t work on us.” With a daring grin on his face, Jack patted the faint wisps of smoke from his clothes. The other two looked much the same. None of them had taken any damage. At this, Olivia said, “Well…guess there’s no need to use discretion anymore.” Despite her cold expression, a vortex of conflicted feelings churned within her. These were her former pupils, after all. “You little punks… Even after graduation, you still give me a headache.” Olivia sighed, thinking back on their school days. Beside her, Lizer calmly remarked, “Killing them should be easy. However, it will come with a price.” There was no mercy in the grizzled old general. Every action he took was logical. It didn’t matter that these opponents were family to his friends. He would kill them without reservation if he deemed it necessary. And that’s exactly why Lizer hesitated. “Even if we make it through this ordeal…if we lose the next one, it will have all been for nothing.” Everyone agreed. At present, they had two options. The first was to defeat these enemies. Just as Ireena had declared, they’d march on and topple everyone in their path… Ideally, that would’ve been best, but it wasn’t realistic. Knocking their enemies unconscious instead of killing them wasn’t viable. However… “If we kill them, that may impact us negatively during our fight with Mephisto.” …Lizer understood. Rogue and Ireena would be their greatest weapons during the final stand against the devil. If Jack and Carla—his parents—died, Rogue would still maintain a level of emotional stability. Sacrificing someone for a greater good had become commonplace for him. Killing his parents wouldn’t shake his heart. Ireena was different. “Ireena Olhyde—are you confident you can retain your sanity after killing your father?” She didn’t answer Lizer’s question. She was incapable of answering. Sweat trickled down her brow. The look on her face was all the reply anyone needed. “If we lose one of our two wings, we will surely fail,” Lizer said. “Are you suggesting we talk to them and find a way to restore them?” Alvarto asked. “That would be best. Unfortunately…” “We’d use up a lot of magic,” Alvarto finished. The enemy had plenty of power to spare, which revealed the devil’s intent. “It takes time and energy to free people from the Corruption spell, and that will put us in a bad spot when facing Mephisto.” Whatever choice they made would determine their fate, and that’s precisely what the devil was after. If they killed the corrupted, Ireena would lose heart, and they would lose. If they restored the corrupted, they’d expend too much power and lose. On the surface, there appeared to be two distinct choices, but they led to the same outcome. Elzard was fuming. “Seriously, that guy is such a dick!” Rogue furrowed his brow. “This is usually the way Mephisto fights. He backs you into a corner and forces you to choose between terrible options. To break through and win, you have to create a third choice.” Unfortunately, no clear alternative presented itself. What would spare them from overexertion and psychological trauma? Did such a choice even exist? “It’s cool, guys, I’ve got this.” A new voice entered the deliberation. Its clear and beautiful tones could only belong to one person. “Verda?!” Rogue’s eyes went wide in shock. Countless black holes opened up everywhere, spawning swarms of indescribable monsters. And the moment they spotted their enemies—the present-day heroes—they rushed to attack. “Dammit!” “Wh-what are these things?!” “Goodness, how disgusting!” Although the creatures were weak, they attacked as a massive swarm. Empowered though they were, the heroes would struggle to handle the onslaught. While Weiss, Jack, and Carla struggled, a new black hole formed in the air. From it emerged… “Heya, guys…” …Verda Al-Hazard. She wore an awkward look. Her eyes were red and swollen, like she’d been crying until a second ago. She could hardly be in top emotional shape, yet she’d come anyway. For her friends. “Go to him. I’ll hold these guys back for you. C’mon.” Their third option had arrived. Seizing upon it was the only way forward, even though everyone saw the worry in Verda’s eyes. “Thanks, Verda.” Rogue kicked off the ground, dashing off. “Sure.” Olivia nodded at Verda. “See you later…” “Sure.” The rest of the party followed suit, each member offering a quick word of gratitude. “Hey, come back here!” “You’re supposed to fight us!” A small explosion kept Jack from trying to stop the group from escaping. It wasn’t life-threatening, but proved just strong enough to keep him where he stood. Rogue, Ireena, and the others hadn’t used up their strength or suffered any trauma. Verda watched them disappear into the distance. “Will they be angry? Or…will they be sad?” They were leaving her. Vanishing. The sight of their shrinking forms felt like an omen. Melancholy gathered in Verda’s chest. “What the hell am I even doing?” The fight between Verda Al-Hazard and the trio of heroes was a veritable quagmire. “Dammit…! There’s just no end to the little buggers!” The infinite army spewing from the black holes had the heroes completely cornered. Verda, meanwhile, slowly grew lost in thought. Why am I even doing this…? Why did I even come here…? What am I even thinking…? Her feelings had felt plugged up since separating from Mephisto. She didn’t feel like doing anything. She was about to lose her father, and she wouldn’t be able to stop it. The notion festered in her soul like poison, and pessimistic malaise brought the gears of her brain to a standstill. However, that’s why she was here, even though she shouldn’t have been able to act. It was incomprehensible, even to Verda. At some point, she’d arrived here and said, “I’ve got this.” “I don’t get it… I don’t understand myself… But…” I don’t care. Before long, something entirely unexpected occurred. “Urr-YAHHHHHH!!!” Jack burst through the threshold with a scream. It was berserk magic that enraged the psyche, robbing the caster of the ability to distinguish friend from foe. In exchange, it increased Jack’s combat power dramatically. The magic greatly damaged the mind and body, meaning it could only be used in a single battle. Jack had spent his ace in the hole to smash through the endless army. “GRAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!” His destructive power overtook the monsters’ spawning rate. The majesty of it all was nothing short of astonishing…but even more surprising was the man’s ability to retain some sense of self, even in his enraged state. “This enhancement…didn’t come from Master’s Corruption spell. This man must be suppressing the madness with the mental strength he had pre-corruption.” Ordinarily, Verda would’ve found that fascinating and conjured up all sorts of experiments to run on Jack. Yet no curiosity sparked her interest. “Urrr-YAHHHHHH!!!” Jack was coming at her. While brandishing two swords in a flailing dance, he cut through the swaths of monsters. If Verda didn’t retreat or fight back, she would die. That’s why she kept still. “I just don’t care anymore… Nothing matters.” She’d stopped the heroes and fulfilled her duty. Rogue’s party had surely reached Mephisto by now. Her death wouldn’t burden anyone. So Verda accepted it. She accepted the death rushing at her. This was why she’d come here. “Gee… What a shitty life.” The berserker brought his weapons to bear on her. And during the moment it took to cut her body in half… …in the blink of an eye… …time stretched to an eternity. A kaleidoscope in her brain. As her life played out in her mind… …Verda’s heart winced with a unique agony. I was born to the worst parents ever. I kept searching for a love that could never be mine. It all led to a chance encounter with the devil. And then, though he was a being I should have rejected, I loved him. I saw him as my true father, knowing it was wrong. Verda’s days with Mephisto were intense, but genuinely joyous. They were both outcasts, free from the chains of rationality. As long as he was in her life, she could be happy. She wouldn’t reject him, even though she was fated to be harmed by his twisted soul. Dying because of him wouldn’t have bothered me at all. But he made me leave. He said we’d never see each other again. And if that’s how it has to be, then it’s over. “I have no reason to live.” The blades passed through Verda’s head, and she relaxed into the white flash. Yet before she met her end… “You really are hopeless, you know?” …a voice echoed in her mind, kicking her body into action. Escape. Escape the blade cutting through your body. Escape the death you desire. She jumped backward. “Mmf…!” Verda didn’t know why she moved. The action had been entirely subconscious. To her surprise, it wasn’t a one-time phenomenon, either. “Gii-YAAAAAH!!!” She evaded a second, third, and fourth time. As death came for her, Verda dodged over and over. Each time she narrowly skirted death, voices roared in her mind. “Verda… Where the hell did you put my sweet potato?” Olivia vel Vine, a paragon of stoicism. Seeing her face turn bright red with anger was more fun than Verda could handle. “That potion of eternal youth you invented. If a child drinks it to stop their growth, could they still be called a child if they reached the chronological age of an adult? I wish to hear your reasoning on this.” Lizer Bellphoenix, lauded as a general of unparalleled wisdom. The somber ridiculousness he exhibited at times made Verda laugh herself to pieces. “Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Dang, you’re certainly eloquent! I could never—never hold a candle to you! Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha—————————and now I’ll kill you.” Alvarto Egzex. Peeling off his layers of vanity after thoroughly making a fool of him was such a genuine delight. “I wanted to discuss the theory you presented the other day.” “It was truly intriguing.” “I’ve decided to hold a lecture demonstration on it. Would you consider providing commentary?” Varvatos. He was quite an amusing person. One worthy of observation. Verda understood why her master considered him an unrivaled friend and stuck to him like glue. He was like an empty vessel. A vacant weapon. Watching someone like him gain one thing and lose another in so doing shook Verda’s soul. Okay, I get it now. My life… Verda smiled as she ducked beneath Jack’s blades. The voices roaring through her mind lit a fire in her heart. My life… My life was… It was terrible at times… But at least…it was anything but dull… Even a wretch like me knew many wonderful friends… Friends met in ancient times. Friends met in the present era. “Lady Verda! Would you please stop giving Ginny love potions!” “Why, Miss Ireena, forgive me if I’m misremembering, but didn’t you inquire with Lady Verda about love potions just the other day?” “W-well, that was…a potion for staying up! Yes! I was going to use it to study for exams!” Ireena Olhyde and Ginny Salvan. Amusing girls born in a boring era. Seriously…what a wide variety of people. We met…we parted ways… And if I was asked if it was all for nothing… …I’d have to say no. They’re still here. Inside me. My friendship with all of them remains. Suddenly, she found herself picturing her master’s face. Behind that cursed smile…was a father’s compassion. “I don’t want to break you. I want you to be happy, if at all possible.” That was his hidden message. Verda accepted it with all her heart. “I understand now, Master… I know that a world without you will be dreadfully boring. But…” I think I’ll try living just a bit longer. Verda shut all the black holes. The monsters restraining Weiss and Carla vanished. Verda leaped backward to put distance between herself and Jack. “For I seek it. I laugh in the face of mayhem.” And she began the chant for her Original. Her eyes sparkled. “There is a fine line between wise and foolish. Dancing in the gap between joy and pain, I shall keep blowing the horn.” Sensing danger, Jack, Carla, and Weiss charged at Verda in a unified assault, yet they never reached her. As soon as Jack took his first step, he realized he was facing the opposite direction. Carla’s and Weiss’s spells were flying through the air. They’d transformed into lollipops, marshmallows, and other treats and were scattering every which way. “In the presence of the Almighty, all creation is—nope, I’m tired of doing things by the book. Starting now, let’s let loose and let it fly!” There was a change in the atmosphere. A rainbow-colored mist surrounded Verda. Strange music began to play. “I’m smart! I’m freaking powerful! I’m a super bitch who can do anything! In conclusion…” Verda Al-Hazard screamed the final line of her invocation with a smile on her face. “I am a god! Twilight Zone!!!” Rebirth was the best description for the phenomenon. The surroundings warped into that of another world. This was no longer the town square of the capital. Verda had moved the fight to a bizarre wonderland of dreams.