How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game – Chapter 221 – Devil (3)

Author: Dawn

“…Erendil? How?”

Teme’s Spear stuck in front of the devil was like a light of hope appearing to me in the darkness. A desire for life arises.

However, there were still parts I couldn’t understand in my head.

How could Erendil arrive here at this timing? It didn’t make sense logically.

It had been three days since defeating Tsukva and when I dealt with the devilish dragon. Today was two days after that.

In other words, it was the fifth day since leaving the temple that serves the Great Devil.

I could have left the northern region if I had gone down a bit more, but I was still standing in the north.

Even if Erendil came riding a dragon, it would take 2–3 days to cover this distance.

‘It means she moved in advance…’

Hope for life was brimming, but maybe because my physical condition wasn’t good, my mind wasn’t working well.

I contacted her two days ago. Could she have moved with such certainty before that?

It was impossible without seeing the future. Future, future. What came to mind was Ines.

However, the possibility of Erendil, who had become emperor, meeting Ines, a shaman from the southwest, was low.

Well, it might have been possible if she moved right away after hearing the news that the devilish dragon had disappeared from the northern front.

However, I couldn’t guess what kind of certainty made Erendil bring two Sword Masters with her.

“…It would be better to stop.”

I stopped thinking and immediately took out the glowstone. The devil might target me before people could descend from the dragon rider.

I need to survive first. Unlike earlier when there was no future, now there was hope for the future.

“This is what killed your high-ranking executor.”

“…”

It was the right timing. The devil, who seemed about to pounce on me while looking at the sky, flinched.

I continued speaking quickly but calmly.

“Well, you’re a devil so I don’t know if you’ll survive even if this explodes, but it will hurt you. Then the Sword Masters up there will come down and deal with you. This scythe will disappear too.”

To be honest, if I detonate this, it will affect those above too. So this was a kind of bluff.

It might realize this fact, but it’s enough if it hesitates for a moment.

As I expected, the devil hesitated for a moment, and in that gap, three people jumped down from the sky.

It was Erendil and two Sword Masters. Faorn was holding Erendil with one arm.

The other Sword Master, Minteron, blocked the devil’s front. Faorn put Erendil down in front of me and then stood beside her.

The two Sword Masters were facing the devil. As expected of Sword Masters. Their backs looked so reassuring to me.

“Schurtafen! Are you alright?”

Erendil rushed over and checked on me. I nodded with a forced smile.

I couldn’t move well. My body felt creaky.

“I’m fine, Your Majesty.”

“You don’t look fine!”

Erendil’s eyes shouting at me were full of worry. Her eyes were larger than I had ever seen them.

Her slightly bloodshot eyes were moist. Erendil turned her gaze to my side. The bandage was already soaked with blood.

“I can hold on. For now, that guy…”

But the priority was the devil. Erendil hesitated for about a second before nodding firmly and turning around.

I could feel tremendous anger from her back. The spear was already in her hand.

“This worm-like bastard dares…”

It was the first time I heard swear words from her mouth since meeting Erendil. I couldn’t imagine how angry she was.

On the other hand, the devil standing there had a calm face. But it was clear that the atmosphere had changed significantly from when it was just the two of us earlier.

“The young emperor doesn’t know how high the sky is and is getting cocky.”

Though its words were bold, it seemed to be thinking hard too. So was I.

This fight, though hope was visible, needed assessment of whether it was possible.

Originally, three Sword Masters are needed to face a devil. And now there were only two.

I was essentially out of combat. Even if I helped with winds, how much meaning would it have?

The only variable was Erendil. To be honest, rather than Erendil herself, the variable was the Teme’s Spear she held.

Even when thrown from that high altitude, it almost reached the devil. I knew, having been hit by the spear myself.

Regardless of Erendil’s own power, the speed and destructive power of that spear were beyond imagination.

“Getting cocky? I’m not sure who should be saying that to whom.”

Erendil continued, snorting. Her glance turned to check on me. I nodded to say don’t worry.

It felt like we could do this.

At least Erendil’s arrival here meant there would likely be reinforcements.

We could just take a defensive stance and hold out, and if the spear hit even once, wouldn’t the tide turn in our favor?

“Haha.”

Suddenly, the devil burst into laughter. The two Sword Masters frowned and pointed their swords at it.

“The emperor coming on her own feet is nothing short of great fortune.”

With the devil’s words, the atmosphere changed. Its red eyes glowed fiercely and the air instantly grew heavy.

“Young emperor and those who have not yet reached, behold true darkness.”

In that moment, dark purple darkness shot up into the sky around its body. It happened in an instant.

From behind the devil, a huge wave of darkness over 10 meters high arose. It was closer to a tsunami than a wave.

Erendil threw Teme’s Spear without hesitation. The Sword Masters did the same. Dense Sword Energy shot forward.

I tried to protect Erendil with winds while interfering with the devil’s movements. However, I couldn’t sense its presence.

Was it because of the darkness?

Teme’s Spear flew in a straight line, splitting the approaching darkness. The Sword Energy followed behind as support.

The wave of darkness split in front of us, brushing past on both sides. It was an ominous wave.

The sound of trees breaking behind us was clear. Broken branches and leaves turned to black powder and scattered.

“Oh no…”

And there was nothing left where the tsunami of darkness had passed. The devil had disappeared.

…Did it run away? Really?

Doubting, I looked around and expanded my winds, but couldn’t sense any presence. It was real. It had made its judgment and chosen to retreat.

I lived, I survived.

Rather than regret at not catching it, relief at being alive washed over me like a huge wave.

It was an indescribable feeling. A laugh escaped. The pain and fatigue were clear, but the joy and exhilaration were twice as strong.

I leaned my head against the tree trunk. Without realizing it, I was smiling.

“Sir, has it disappeared?”

“Yes. It fled.”

At Faorn’s words, Erendil changed her spear into a bracelet and rushed to me urgently.

Unlike my smiling face, her expression was full of worry.

“Why, why are you smiling?”

“Because I’m alive, aren’t I?”

Erendil’s eyes wavered.

“…Don’t smile like a fool. You’re not in good condition.”

“I really thought I was going to die. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“I’m glad we arrived in time.”

“It truly, truly was the perfect moment.”

Erendil nodded.

“Yes. Now let’s go back.”

Erendil smiled with moist eyes. I had many questions. How could she come here at this moment?

But my thoughts weren’t working well. Whether due to the released tension or my injuries, my eyes were closing. Before losing consciousness, I opened my mouth with all my strength.

“Th-this scythe needs to be destroyed…”

But I couldn’t finish my words.

“Sir! …treat him…!”

Erendil’s voice coming from right beside me faded into the distance.

***

When I opened my eyes again, it was the imperial palace. Looking at the unfamiliar ceiling, the first thing that came to me was relief at being alive.

I knew where this place was.

I had been here before. When I took the bomb instead of Erendil at the triumphal ceremony.

At that time, I met the former head of the empire’s intelligence unit here. By the way, how long had I been unconscious?

“M-my lord! Ha-have you woken up?”

The maid who was tidying the bed beside me saw me and was startled. I nodded with what little strength I had, and she rushed out.

“Lord Schurtafen has regained consciousness!”

A doctor hurriedly entered through the open door. The maid started running off somewhere.

I thought she might be going to deliver the news to Erendil.

“Is there any discomfort anywhere?”

The doctor who came in calmly checked my condition. Only then did I become aware of my body.

It was natural that my whole body felt stiff. When I tried to raise my upper body, my side stung.

But it didn’t seem like there would be any major problems with my body.

“I feel fine except for the stiffness in my body. There’s some pain in my side.”

“Yes, that part will heal as time passes. It might be slow to recover due to the power of darkness… Are you experiencing any other discomfort? For example, inside your body?”

I shook my head.

“That’s good. Excuse me for a moment.”

Saying that, the doctor began to examine my body again with his mana.

After about 30 seconds, the doctor tried to press various parts of my body. Not particularly wanting to be touched, I expressed my wish to decline.

“It’s alright. I’ve experienced this level of injury before.”

“Hmm, I understand. If you say so, my lord. Please rest comfortably.”

“How many days have I been unconscious?”

“It’s been a day since you arrived here.”

Hmm. Even if they flew at top speed without stopping from where I fainted to the imperial palace, wouldn’t it take 2 days?

It meant I had been asleep for at least 3 days. The wound must have been deep and fatigue had accumulated quite a bit. The doctor withdrew.

I barely raised my body and leaned against the headboard. Two newspapers were placed beside the bed.

The headlines immediately caught my eye.

[Dragon Slayer! Lord Carl Schurtafen Defeats Devilish Dragon Alone in the North!]

[Emperor Saves Lord Carl Schurtafen Who Was Facing Off Against Devil!]

It had been a day since I arrived here, but the news seemed to have already spread. Well, the death of the devilish dragon would be great news for the people of the empire.

However, there were still parts I couldn’t understand. How could Erendil arrive at just the right moment?

It was the same with what I had tried to say just before collapsing. Had they properly disposed of Tsukva’s Scythe?

At that moment, I felt a commotion outside. I could tell it was Erendil without seeing. The maid shouted urgently.

“Y-Your Majesty the Emperor…”

Before the maid could finish speaking, the door to the hospital room opened. Erendil, who seemed to have rushed here, examined me while breathing rapidly.

Relief began to spread across her worried face.

“Your Majesty.”

“Are you feeling better?”

“Yes. I think I’ll recover soon.”

“Leave us.”

At Erendil’s words, the doctor hurriedly bowed his head and withdrew outside.

“Please forgive my rudeness for not being able to stand up.”

“What rudeness? Why are you sitting up when you should be lying down and resting?”

“How could I lie down in Your Majesty’s presence?”

Erendil chuckled and sat down in the chair next to the bed.

“I’m glad. I was very worried.”

“Thank you for your concern.”