Let’s Block the Ruined Route in Advance Chapter 92

“Nox, their purpose is the resurrection of Regia.”

 

The new sage, Orgen, clicked his tongue in the midst of the tumult.

 

“The demons who lost their worst demon, Noctra, at the hands of Regia, want Regia’s resurrection.”

 

There was something sinister about Nox’s purpose. It was common for humanoid demons called “minions” to be born where the concentration of demon magic was highest, and to spend their lives hiding and stockpiling demon magic and power in order to give birth to a demon.

 

The purpose of a demon’s existence was to be a demon, so when a demon was defeated, it would naturally follow that it would be destroyed.

 

“But two hundred years have passed since Noctra was destroyed, so why is the demon still alive? Especially when all he wants is Regia’s resurrection!”

 

One of the inquisitors spoke up as the old mage spoke with a sigh.

 

“We haven’t gotten that far, but we do know that the demon has a mongrel by his side. These prisoners were captured while the Mongma was brainwashing the cultists to call them to his cause.”

 

Mongma.

 

“So it was indeed Mongma that the children fought against.”

 

The Duke ran a hand down his face, feeling dizzy with thoughts. There was some disagreement as to how a mongma that parasitized on human dreams could have gained a physical body, but the consensus was that it was probably the power of the demon Urzar.

 

“The demon Urzar’s ability was confirmed in the battle against Noctra 200 years ago, and while we did not discover his ability to provide a body to another demon at the time, it is possible that his abilities have evolved over time.”

 

There was a pause, and then Korazo, the current Demon Master, spoke up cautiously.

 

“I wonder if he’s trying to brainwash the souls of heroes and turn them into new demons…”

 

As the worst-case scenario flowed from his mouth, Ferdinand slapped the table lightly to break the ice.

 

“Still, the fact that we’re on their trail is encouraging. Now that we have a direction, all that remains is a thorough investigation and pursuit. We will prevail, as we have for centuries.”

 

It sounded like lip service, but it was the best they could do at the moment.

 

As the Duke watched in silence, he whispered to Orgen.

 

“If he was alive two hundred years ago, why has he only now shown himself?”

 

Orgen fumbled in his top for his cigarette, then slowly lowered his hand as he realized where it was. Staring wistfully at his empty hand, he looked back at the Duke.

 

“Perhaps it doesn’t matter what it looks like anymore.”

 

The darkness that had preserved its form from the watchful eyes of the Imperial Court and the Temple. It would never be an ordinary being.

 

Aire, who had watched all the commotion from the back, took a slow, deep breath. A flood of nightmarish memories clutched at his mind, rearing their ugly heads.

 

It was his nemesis, the one thing time had given him that he must defeat.

 

 

***

 

 

“Horrible.”

 

The muttered words echoed. The reinforcements from Verotanis had reached the Contra province. The reinforcements had been split into two units, one for the coast and one for the interior, and Eileen and Lucian’s unit had been sent inland, where the damage was less severe, but the sight of the ruined streets was devastating.

 

One of the Contra officials who had been watching the scene with a glazed look in his eyes rubbed the back of his head and said,

 

“At least the people here had time to evacuate, so they’re less affected. The coastline where the beast came directly from was reshaped.”

 

The students barely nodded their stiffened heads at that.

 

“The secondary demons have been cleaned up to a certain extent, so you can prioritize helping to restore the town.”

 

The students may be the elite of Verotanis, but they’re still inexperienced. The group is tasked with helping to restore the damaged areas, which have mostly been cleaned up.

 

Lucian, who was using his auror-sheathed sword to chop up the rubble of a building blocking the road, looked back at Eileen and asked,

 

“Eileen, are you okay?”

 

Eileen’s eyes flicked from the torn plushie with the dark face to Lucian. Eileen looked up and gave a small smile.

 

“Yeah, I’m just a little freaked out.”

 

“Good, then.”

 

“How are you three doing?”

 

Felix, Laquerta, and Cordelia had been dispatched to the coast, where the damage was relatively severe and the number of injured was high. Eileen was even more worried for them when she saw the ruins of the town.

 

“There are fewer injuries and deaths here, but it’s a completely different atmosphere there.”

 

An entire village had been wiped out, and she wasn’t sure if the devastation was the kind of thing the Academy trainees could handle.

 

Maybe it was because the devastation before them kept overlapping with Cordelia’s death. Lucian glanced at Eileen, who was shaking with anxiety, then reached out and patted her shoulder.

 

“It’s okay, they’re not going anywhere, they’re all very capable, they’d rather be flying. So don’t worry.”

 

Lucian smiled knowingly, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. His emerald eyes, so like Theresia’s, sparkled with a twinkle.

 

Eileen stared at him, her shoulders relaxing from the tension, and she laughed.

 

“Yes, I suppose so.”

 

There was power in Lucian’s smile. It was wickedly affectionate and familiar, the kind that puts people at ease and melts hearts.

 

‘He’s like a big brother.’

 

Even though she was older than Lucian by years, there were moments when he had an all-encompassing gentleness that made her want to lean into him.

 

‘I’m so glad he’s okay.’

 

It’s been a while, but once again, she’s glad Lucian didn’t get away. Saving him that day changed everyone’s lives. What a precious connection.

 

He was the one who made Eileen feel the bond of “family” that she had most wanted to have when she was still a dark-haired girl.

 

“Thank you, you’re like a big brother to me now.”

 

Eileen smiled as she spoke with sincerity, and after a moment of stiffening, Lucian stroked her hair roughly with his firm hand.

 

“Ugh.”

 

She brushed his hand away in annoyance, and Lucian smiled, the corners of his mouth twitching upward.

 

It was a pale smile that reminded her of something bittersweet, a shade of summer.

 

 

***

 

 

“Sister…”

 

“Neumann, how long has it been!”

 

Bella hugged Neumann tightly, then released him, examining him carefully.

 

“You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”

 

“That’s for me to say.”

 

“Me? Alas, the slaying went well, you’re strong, aren’t you?”

 

Having volunteered to help slay the behemoth, Bella didn’t leave Contra after the slaughter was over to help repair the damage. Neumann’s dispatch to Contra was an unexpected boon for her.

 

Making a deliberately pained sound, Bella leaned her face into Neumann’s shoulder.

 

“Ugh. Those idiots at the Mado workshop have brought Matap’s name to the bottom of the heap. If we don’t make up for it, Korazo, that inspirational girl is going to jump all over us.”

 

Neumann, who had been staring at his sister in disbelief when she called him an inspiration, nodded slowly with a cold expression.

 

“I really need to get to work now.”

 

“You’re growing up. Be proud of yourself.”

 

Bella lightly brushed the dirt from Neumann’s face with a sweep of clean magic. She glanced behind Neumann to see Lucian crushing the building’s rubble with his auror, and Eileen using her elemental powers to hold the remnants of a building the size of a house together.

 

“Gasoline. That’s a lot of gasoline.”

 

Whistling to herself, Bella turned her attention back to Neumann. He’d grown so much since she’d last seen him.

 

‘My Neumann is as good as that!’

 

Promising to give him the benefit of the doubt, Bella turned Neumann around and shoved him hard in the back.

 

“Ouch!”

 

“Come on, impress her!”

 

Pushed away, Neumann pouted his lips and returned to his assigned area. Bella watched for a moment as Neumann magically cleared the dirt blocking the path, but then turned her back on him. She greeted Neumann playfully, but the catastrophe had been too much for the archmage to handle.

 

“Bella, the spire is showing signs of collapse…”

 

“I’m on my way~”

 

Rubbing her stiff back, Bella disappeared with the official, revealing a person, who had been hiding behind a collapsed wall, watching Bella and Neumann.

 

“Shit…”

 

It was Gray Dolta, his face reddening.