Instead of fighting on the battlefield like the rest of the Grand Magi, he’s a nuisance of an enemy who uses the DemiOracle’s blood to make homunculi that he sics on Saint Aela. I remember he was doing some sorta special research, too. I never found out what it was because I didn’t read the last volume, but it was hinted to be extremely dangerous and end-of-the-series worthy.
Did he already rise to power because Julius and I left the Four Grand Magi early on? But I just don’t get the same deadly vibes from this guy, especially while Sereniel has him by the collar and is shaking him around like a rag doll.
“Sereniel, let go of Clark. He helped us find this place. Besides, I know the true answer. A woman’s beauty isn’t in her youth…it’s her breasts. And I have a clear view of yours in that outfit—I love it,” Regulus comments from the side. And it’s a comment that crosses right into sexual harassment.
Sereniel instantly stops thrashing Clark and slowly turns toward Regulus.
“O-Oh my, Regulus. You’re flirting in front of all these people? What am I supposed to do with you?” she simpers, her cheeks turning pink, and fidgets like a school girl even after she drops Clark on his butt. She casually rests her arm under her breasts, emphasizing her cleavage.
Wow! Just how easy are you, Sereniel?!
“I’m starting to feel ashamed of myself for losing my cool that badly over these fools invading our territory,” Julius mutters under his breath.
I nod in complete agreement.
He softly exhales and directs his gaze, radiating the full extent of his exasperation, on them. “Are you finished with your worthless skit yet? What are you after? You said something about Elle’s heart…”
Regulus stops stretching and drops into a fighting stance facing Julius. “It’s none of your business, Julius. After all, you are going to die by my steel fists today!”
“You think you’re strong enough to kill me?”
Regulus flashes a confident smile. “I surrendered the spot of strongest Grand Magi when you showed up, but I only ceded to you because of your bag of useful magic tricks. I’ll never lose to you in battle!”
Regulus expels the air in his lungs with an explosive pop, and his muscles swell like a balloon. His clothes tear off him.
“Blech! Now even Regulus is half-naked! Why do our side’s commanders have to show so much skin? Let me make it clear that I am absolutely not joining you exhibitionists in removing my clothing,” Clark states, distancing himself from the other two Grand Magi. “Also, I’m not a fighter, so I’m just going to enjoy observing the fight from the sidelines. I will run away if you guys come close to losing.”
“I never expected anything much of you anyway,” Sereniel throws back, pushing her long flaxen tresses over her shoulder.
They’re ready to fight. But so are we!
“Julius! You can have Regulus! Leave Sereniel to me!” I announce in a loud voice. Julius looks like he just ate sour grapes.
Hey! Why do you look displeased with that? You must think it’s impossible for me!
I’m about to confirm how Julius feels when I hear “Master! I escorted the villagers to where we set up the barrier!” and Laurent comes running over.
“Everyone is safe, right?!” I spring on him. He nods with a big smile.
Aaah, Laurent! You really must be Laurent! You genius sorcerer, you! Genius! Genius! Laurent is a genius! No wonder you’re the man who defeats manga me!
“Good job, Laurent! I knew I could count on you!” I shout as he runs over to me.
I appoint you as one of Elle Village’s Four Grand Magi! I pat him on the back with the accolades he deserves.
He grew up to be such a good boy. He was such a snotty brat when we first met, too.
Okay, now I really can’t lose! I’ll pulverize Sereniel with my grand magic!
As I’m plotting the destruction of my old comrade, Julius flickers. And as soon as he disappears, Regulus has his fists out. I can feel the aftershock of Regulus’s wind all the way to where I ran from Julius to meet up with Laurent.
J-Julius? What just happened?! I’m a little confused until I see him reappear directly behind Regulus.
I’ve seen Julius use that unique dodge ability before! He used the same skill to avoid being blinded by me that time I snuck into the inner sanctum to uncover the Demon Lord’s identity.
What kind of cheat spell is that? It’s so cool! I also want to escape my enemy’s most powerful attack and reappear behind them as they panic, and say, “That’s my afterimage.”
As I’m envying one of Julius’s many useful spells, Regulus continues his relentless assault, slicing his fists through the air at Julius.
Julius disappears and reappears away from those attacks with an air of calm, but then his gaze flickers over to Laurent and me. “…Laurent, support Elle.”
Oh! Looks like I was just given permission to take on Sereniel with Laurent as backup!
“Okay!” Laurent’s down for it, too!
“Stay behind me, Laurent,” I tell him and warn, “Sereniel is an expert at telepathic magic. If she can exploit any weaknesses in your mind, she will gain control of you. Avoid looking at her eyes…or her chest.”
I criticized Sereniel’s outfit earlier, but she’s dressed that way for a reason. The less clothes she has on, the easier it is for her to bewitch men.
“I won’t,” he responds, which is just what I wanted to hear.
I have to do whatever it takes to keep her attention off Laurent. Because in the manga, Sereniel defeats him.
Sereniel’s telepathy can work on someone with strong magic resistance by taking advantage of the weaknesses and darkness hidden in their heart. The painful experience of returning to his village after it was wiped out by the plague casts a dark shadow on manga Laurent, giving his character a dark undertone he doesn’t have now. Sereniel infiltrates his mind through that darkness and hijacks his consciousness, getting him to temporarily betray Saint Aela and serve Sereniel instead. At the very end, when it counts the most, he regains control and sacrifices himself to protect Aela…
The Laurent I know isn’t a gloomy kid, but knowing that scenario, I don’t want him to fight Sereniel. I step forward and stand akimbo in front of her, blocking her path to him.
An amused smile turns up her painted lips when our eyes meet. “How sweet. Elle is going to play with me. Will you be able to entertain me?”
“Sereniel! You committed a grave sin obliterating half my precious village! I’ll make you regret coming here and underestimating me!”
“Regret, eh? Why don’t you be a good little girl and return to the Demon Lord before you have nothing but regret? Foolish little Elle. Julius tricked you, didn’t he? I wouldn’t have guessed he was your type. Well, I have a thing for strong men, too. And his face is right up my alley. But you should know he’s the kind of man who completely ignored my breasts when I shoved them in his face. His type doesn’t go for women. Move on, Elle.”
“J-Julius isn’t gay! …I think! And besides, the one doing all the trickery is the Demon Lord!” I assert and activate my favorite explosive magic circle in the sky.
Inferno Prison is a spell packing a tremendous amount of magic capable of locking everything beneath the circle in a sea of flames. I’ll trap Regulus and Glasses while I’m at it. Although it doesn’t ignite the captives, it’s a cruel restraint spell that encloses the victims in flames and makes them struggle for air as their lungs collapse and their skin burns. I feel bad for Sereniel, but I’m dealing with members of the Four Grand Magi. No holds barred.
Taste the resentment of the half-destroyed Elle Village!
But for some reason Sereniel is smiling at the massive magic circle unfurling in the sky, a circle that should bring her nothing but despair.
Where does that confidence come from?
“Your attacks are as crude as ever, Elle. But are you sure you want to use such a large spell? Not afraid to burn up what matters to you in the process?” she coos.
“Some hot gales will whip through the area, but Julius, Laurent, and I can handle ourselves!”
“Good for you. But can you say the same for them?” Sereniel purrs, flicking her gaze suggestively in another direction.