As a result, he didn’t just begin to have his consciousness gradually taken over by the power—he also started being controlled by it. That said, Marchosias was quite a powerful demon, and so he fought against it with all his might.
“That must’ve been what caused it. What was left of my will connected with whatever was within the sword,” Marchosias continued. This link between him and his foe might have been established because it was trying to take over his consciousness.
For that reason, his foe’s thoughts and intentions also began to seep into his consciousness, and so he learned how the tear had been put in the seal.
“…That said, the opposite was also true, and the sword analyzed my power. That was when I realized that something about the power in the sword resembled an aspect of us demons,” he added. According to him, the Monster-Ruling God’s sword used this similar aspect to conjure an incredible power.
This power was none other than the one used to transform demons.
“In place of the Monster-Ruling God, it was by our own hands that the world would be thrown into turmoil. That was what the sword planned,” Marchosias said, continuing that he’d put the seal on himself in order to prevent this.
By the time he’d finally regained control of himself, he was already somewhere very far from the spirit leylines. And so, after this and that, he found himself where they now stood.
They seemed to be in one of the nations that’d fallen during the war with the Monster-Ruling God. And because no one lived there anymore, he’d chosen the place because he’d be sure not to trouble anyone.
And so, though he was being gradually corrupted by the sword’s power, he once more went about sealing the sword so that no one else would get hurt.
And yet, that area lacked the power of the spirit leylines. He made up for their absence by using his own power as the basis of the seal.
But right before he could seal it, the sword absorbed his power and unleased a wave that began transforming him.
It was at that very moment that Marchosias realized just how dangerous the sword was.
And so, at the very same time, he also sealed himself, since the sword was using him as a vessel to wield its power. Mira and her companions had seen the results of this when they first stepped into the room.
Now, while Marchosias himself had served as the basis of the seal, he was indeed a good deal weaker than the spirit leylines. As a result, the power that leaked through the seal had turned into the mass of flesh as well as the bizarre monsters that were nearby.
After Marchosias finished his story, silence briefly fell over the group. They knew there was something very grave contained within his words.
“I see… So that’s what happened. Now we know what was behind all of it,” Barbatos said, being the first to break the silence. As if following up after him, Wallenstein added, “To think, we didn’t just get one step closer to the truth, but actually figured it all out,” sounding rather impressed.
“I never would’ve expected it’d be something even the Spirit King hadn’t heard about. Color me surprised,” Mira said.
“I see… To think such a thing happened,” the Spirit King added.
They had wondered what had happened in the past that caused otherwise healthy demons to transform into dark ones. And thanks to Marchosias’s story, they now knew how it all began.
It was the sword of the Monster-Ruling God as well as the power it wielded which had given rise to dark demons.
“So, getting back to it, Barbatos… From how you look right now, am I correct in assuming that you’re fine?” Marchosias asked once more, moving on after he’d finished explaining what’d happened in the past.
Judging from what he’d said previously, his reason for checking Barbatos’s status was likely to make sure he hadn’t been corrupted by the wicked power of the sword.
Had the wave that’d been unleashed earlier had any sort of effect? Or had the seal worked? Had he been able to protect his comrades? Now that he’d finally been released from his seal, these were the questions that Marchosias was burning to ask.
Thanks to Wallenstein and his comrades’ efforts, Barbatos was now a light demon. Therefore, seeing this very Barbatos, Marchosias held out hope that his friends were also unharmed.
Unfortunately, this was not the case.
“Marchosias, listen carefully…” Barbatos said to Marchosias, who still looked hopeful, before explaining the truth.
“My god. So I was too late…”
The state of demonkind was that they were now called dark demons, and they had brought about no shortage of tragedy.
When he heard as much from Barbatos, a shocked look came over Marchosias’s face, and he dropped his head.
He must’ve felt responsible for what’d happened. For having failed to perceive the unusual state the Monster-Ruling God’s sword was in, and for having set foot within the seal. For having let the sword take control of him. And, finally, for all this triggering the transformation of his people.
“In that case… Why are you all right…?” Marchosias asked through gritted teeth, as if deeply regretting what he’d done. And yet, he asked in a hopeful voice…as if clinging to a glimmer of hope.
Even though he’d put his own body on the line, he hadn’t been able to protect his friends.
However, though he’d heard about them turning into dark demons, the Barbatos who now stood before him was the same as ever. This alone made Marchosias hopeful.
“Ah, well, that’s all thanks to Wally here,” Barbatos answered while glancing at Wallenstein. “Speaking of which, I haven’t talked about the organization that we both belong to…” he continued, as if suddenly remembering this fact, before explaining about it in depth.
The organization they were involved with returned dark demons who’d been corrupted to their prior states.
“Before Wally and the others rescued me, I was about as evil as they come. While it’s partly to atone for everything I’ve done, I’m also concerned about my comrades. And so, we’ve been working together since then,” Barbatos concluded. “I’m sorry for the trouble I caused back then,” he said, looking toward Mira and bowing his head.
“It’s water under the bridge,” Mira replied.
Barbatos had been the one to create Chimera Clausen. Given how much damage they’d caused, it wasn’t easy to forgive him. However, those were the crimes of Barbatos, the dark demon. You might say that he was still the same, and yet he was very different.
“I see… So, you’re just like you were way back then. Not only that, your friend figured out how to turn everybody back… He’s incredible!”
The misfortune that’d fallen upon the demons as well as the disaster they’d brought about had happened in the past, and there was no changing the past. And yet, this wasn’t the case for the future.
Eyes brimming with hope, Marchosias looked at Wallenstein, who took a single step forward and stood directly before him.
“In order to save all the demons, as well as everyone else, would you be willing to lend us a hand?” Wallenstein said, as if hoping to not let him down. And, declaring that they’d make Marchosias’s wish of saving his brethren come true together, he offered his hand.
“Yeah, sure thing. Please allow me to help!” Marchosias promptly replied.
And yet, he hesitated a moment before shaking Wallenstein’s hand.
“…Hey, am I gonna hear someone else’s voice when I do this?” he asked.
Mira’s previous surprise, with the Spirit King’s voice suddenly ringing through his mind, seemed to have been quite effective. Of course, anyone might be startled if something like that were done to them without the slightest warning.
Seeing Marchosias’s newfound wariness to shake hands, Barbatos let out a laugh. “Actually, she’s the only one who can do that,” Wallenstein added, also beginning to laugh.
In that case, Marchosias figured he didn’t have to worry. He replied, “Let’s do it!” and shook Wallenstein’s hand firmly.
Right after this, an incredibly devious grin snuck onto Mira’s face.
Silently approaching Wallenstein, she lightly grabbed his other hand.
“Boo!” the Spirit King exclaimed, not holding anything back.
“Whoa!”
“Waaagh!”
Needless to say, Wallenstein and Marchosias both jumped at the sound of his voice.
“I forgot to mention that the Spirit King can talk to multiple people at once if they’re all holding hands at the same time,” Mira said, smirking devilishly.
Mira and the Spirit King had worked in sync to strike at the opportune moment.
Wallenstein gave a chagrined smile, while Marchosias, seeming to regret just how badly he’d been surprised, cried out, “I shouldn’t have let my guard down!”