We were far from normal, but so was Bineus.
Struggling to swing his right arm, he fought against us.
The one silver lining was that no more flames were entering the symbols of the reverse pentagram.
It seemed he was unable to use [Demon Magic].
"Die!"
Crash!
"Gack!"
Blood, dark as a sword’s edge, spilled from Alex’s mouth.
Not in his normal state, but a high-ranking demon is still a high-ranking demon.
With just one arm, he was dealing with us all. No, he was actually overwhelming us.
’Raymon’s absence is too great!’
Raymon, who had been creating opportunities for us to attack by blocking Bineus’s assaults.
Without him, there was no way to block Bineus’s attacks.
Well, there was one way. Specifically.
’Taking it with our bodies.’
One person takes Bineus’s attack with their body, creating an opening for the others to attack Bineus.
’Let’s rotate the Barrier of Order!’
Raymon was out, and Luna had already used the Barrier of Order once.
So, she was out of the equation.
Alex, Rodelin.
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Taking turns, they literally took the attacks with their entire bodies, thanks to the Barrier of Order reducing damage by 80%.
"Zero, it’s your turn!"
Now it was my turn.
Drawing my sword and assuming my stance, Bineus flinched.
[One Flash] and [Sky Splitter].
The techniques that had severely troubled him at the start of the fight.
Maybe that’s why he charged at me, abandoning even the minimal defense.
Boom!!
"Gah!"
I braced for the impact, grinding my teeth.
A scream escaped my lips involuntarily.
It really hurt. Felt like I was going to die.
’Even with the Barrier of Order, it hurt this much?’
If this was the impact after reducing 80% of the damage, I couldn’t even imagine what 100% would feel like.
I didn’t want to think about it.
But it wasn’t all for nothing.
"Aaargh!"
Rodelin’s Sky Splitter, Luna’s One Flash, and Alex’s Hungry Wolf.
Since Bineus had abandoned his defense, we were able to inflict significant damage.
Bineus, spilling black blood from all over his body.
He began to stagger, bending his knees. And then.
Thud!
...He stood up properly again.
He really knows how to torture us with hope.
"You, you bastard! Just die already!"
Yuridia, out of mana, was fighting by throwing stones.
I considered giving Yuridia the Barrier of Order, but as a magician, her health pool was too small.
Even with the power of the Barrier of Order, she wouldn’t last.
"Urgh..."
Alex groaned, his sword planted in the ground.
"Kyaa!"
Yuridia was struck by a stone thrown by Bineus and fell.
Eventually, the end of the fight was upon us.
One by one, we began to fall.
Alex, Yuridia, Luna, and finally Rodelin.
Although Bineus was weakened, he didn’t die, so it was a given that we had lost.
’Damn it! Isn’t it about time for the academy to send reinforcements? With all this commotion, they should have noticed by now?’
Even just Elester alone would make this fight laughably easy.
I really can’t tell how this hidden piece will end.
"Ze, Zero..."
"Yes, senior."
"You remember what I said earlier."
The words about leaving him behind if it gets dangerous.
Of course, I remember. No.
"Keke, well, I don’t remember at all."
"Zero! Now’s not the time for jokes. We need to save as many as possible!"
I clenched my fist. I knew that much.
But I couldn’t leave Rodelin behind.
No, I wouldn’t leave anyone here behind.
If there was someone to be abandoned...
’It’s just me.’
Of course, I had no intention of giving up easily.
Bineus was also weakened. There might be a way to break through this situation.
Rodelin, Yuridia, Raymon, Alex, Luna.
Passing by the fallen kids one by one, I approached Bineus.
"Keke, you look terrible."
"...It’s thanks to you. But this ends now!"
Bineus burst out his demonic energy, showing off his resilience.
He still had strength left.
Even if I had used [One Flash] and [Sky Splitter], the outcome would have been the same.
"Keke, let’s make a deal."
"...A deal?"
"Yes. In exchange for my life, you let these kids live."
"Kahaha! Why should I listen to that? I could just kill you all!"
Well.
Because I’m the only one in this world who can create variables.
I took a step towards Bineus.
Close enough to hear each other’s breathing.
I whispered in his ear.
"Recently, you seem to have been very busy in the southern region. It must have been tough coming here amidst your busy schedule."
"How do you know that...!"
"Keke, what if I scream ’south’ here and die? What then?"
Bineus had declared he would kill us all, but given his condition, it would be difficult.
At least one of us would be able to escape.
"Your Mother would be quite troubled, wouldn’t she? It’d be annoying if years of effort were wasted."
"You little...!"
Bineus raised his right arm, as if to strike me down right there.
But he didn’t shout.
Because Lizbeth is quite a hysterical woman.
Too much even for a demon to handle.
"Fine, let’s make a deal. But I’ll add a condition."
"Keke, what is it?"
Bineus waved his hand, and a burning paper and pen appeared in the air.
It was a ’demon’s contract.’
"You said you’d give up your life, right?"
"...Yes."
"I’ll spare those kids as you asked. But in return, I’ll bind your soul. Just for about 100 years, then I’ll let it perish."
Bineus laughed with a snicker.
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Demons derive pleasure from human fear, desire, and pain.
And that becomes the power of the demon world.
’To bind a soul is like a savings account for a demon.’
They inflict continuous pain and draw power from the pain humans feel.
It’s about torturing a soul. For decades.
Humans knew all too well how painful the process would be, which is why no human had ever made such a contract.
And I was no different. I’m not a fool.
"Why, have you suddenly lost the will to proceed? Seems like you need to kill someone to feel like signing."
"Keke, that’s not it."
I picked up the burning pen.
Rodelin, Luna, Alex, Raymon, Yuridia.
It was all my fault that they were in danger.
Because I tried to change this world, they were facing death. So,
It was right for me to take responsibility.
’The variables are sufficient.’
The game has already changed quite a bit.
Luna’s survival, the deal with Caron, and now my death.
It’s enough to change the future.
It will be hard, but Rodelin’s party can move forward without me.
Perhaps Luna could join their party and make many other friends.
’It’s just a shame I won’t be able to see it.’
Just as I was about to write with the pen,
"Zero! Get your hands off that now!"
"Zero, lad! Stop! Contracts are not to be made lightly!"
They must have realized I was about to sacrifice myself, even if they didn’t know the exact content of the contract.
"It’s my leg! Move! Please!"
Luna, unable to stand it any longer, started crawling over, having been hitting her leg with her fist.
Our foolish Luna, who knows only me.
I just wish she stays healthy. And makes some friends if possible.
"Ah, ahhhhhh!"
From the voice, it was clear. Luna had started to wail.
I checked the content of the contract carefully.
Given the situation, even Bineus wasn’t fooling around.
If I just sign it, the lives of everyone but me would be guaranteed.
I was about to write ’Ze’ and then ’ro’,
"What’s this? Does the academy now spar with demons? Things have changed a lot in my absence."
A woman with blue-tinted black hair stood beside me.
’When did she get here?’
I hadn’t felt her presence at all.
And it seemed Bineus was just as surprised.
"Miss, this isn’t a sparring match; it’s a real demon. Definitely not one raised by the academy."
A voice came from behind.
A middle-aged woman in a maid outfit was checking on Rodelin’s condition.
"Oh, is that what it is? Then, it’s okay to kill it?"
"Yes, miss. But please be gentle. The ground is unstable."
Their conversation continued as if it was a normal, peaceful dialogue, even in the presence of a demon.
"Oh, what’s this? A demon’s pen? Haven’t seen one in ages."
"...Yes?"
"Could you lend it to me for a moment?"
"Yes? Ah... Yes. But who are you...?"
The answer came from behind.
"Sister?"
It was Rodelin’s voice.
Sister? Rodelin only has two sisters.
The eldest, Lucia, and the third, Lowell.
Given the presence of the nanny and the casual tone full of leisure,
Then...!
’Lu, Lucia!?’
The eldest of the Lucid family. One of the empire’s Ten Swords.
An 8-star knight, Lucia de Lucid.
"Rodelin, I know you have a lot you want to say, but let’s talk later. First..."
This thing needs to be dealt with.
Lucia’s voice and eyes changed.
"This, human...!"
Bineus, noticing the shift in momentum, swung his fist.
Lucia’s response was simple.
She swung the demon’s pen she held in one hand.
Then,
The fourth secret technique of the Lucid family.
Sky Splitter.
The sky split in half.
* * *
"There, all done. Except for the glued eyes, you’re fine. Looks like we’ll need to ask a priest for healing."
Lucia’s nanny said this while treating me.
It’s not because of magic that my eyes are glued; they’re naturally slanted.
But I decided to stay quiet.
The nanny of the Lucid family is a formidable person.
Someone like me would be sent off in an instant.
"Haha! It’s funny how your normal eyes look strange. Hahaha!"
Luna laughed as if she was about to burst, holding her stomach.
It’s not funny at all.
"Luna, it’s not right to make fun of someone’s physical features. Just as I don’t make fun of your personality."
"...What does that mean? It sounds like you’re saying there’s something wrong with my personality."
Oh, our Luna has successfully interpreted my words.
She’s really grown up splendidly.
Now, this dad can die without regrets... well, there seem to be many.
So, stop biting, Luna.
"Oh dear, please be gentle. The forest is gone!"
"Nanny, sometimes that happens when you’re dealing with a demon, right?"
"Well, that’s fine. We’ll deduct the forest compensation from your allowance then."
"Eek! That’s too much! Fruit prices have skyrocketed recently!"
Lucia started whining, clinging to her nanny’s leg.
...Is she really in her mid-thirties?
Hard to believe. Not just her youthful appearance, but her actions were no different from our Luna’s.
"Ah, forget it! I’ll just lie down here, so bring me some food."
Lucia sprawled out on the bare ground.
Having played the game, I knew Lucia was free-spirited, but not to this extent.
’The Queen of the Bed, Lucia.’
One of Lucia’s many nicknames.
Not so much for her prowess in bed(?), but because she tries not to fall off it.
Some even call her the bed’s poltergeist.
According to information, she spends 95% of her waking hours lying down.
I thought it was an exaggeration, but seeing her now, it doesn’t seem like false information.
"What a disgrace! Get up this instant!"
The one who boldly yelled at an 8-star knight, Lucia...
Was none other than Rodelin.
--TL Notes--
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading
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