CHAPTER 28: DOPPELGANGER-THEMED ORDEAL [1]

Once at the front, once at the window, once at the front, once at the window...

This same action was repeated.

The Dullahan that had been in front of me until just now disappeared without a trace with a single swing of the spear.

A sight I couldn’t believe even if I saw it with my own eyes, or even if I was the one who made it that way in the first place.

I swallowed hard and slowly looked at the spear I was holding in my hand.

"Magic spear..."

What is this... scary...

—Incidentally, it’s not just because of the spear. It’s because you have good compatibility with that weapon. In the first place, aren’t you my apostle? Just don’t make a fuss about something like this.

’But it may be a little unexpected, but can I ask you something I’m curious about?’

—Tell me.

’It seems like your tone of voice has suddenly changed. Why is that?’

Suddenly, there was silence.

About one minute passed.

—... Isn’t there such a thing as authority? When I thought about it carefully, I realized that this body’s tone of voice seemed a little light.

’Is it? I don’t think there’s any need to worry about that between us. Hmm... I think there must be a reason why I suddenly thought that way... Ah... no way! Have you looked into my head again?’

Asmodeus seemed to have a strange look on her face even though her face wasn’t visible.

—Hehe, hehe. It’s not like that.

’Well, from your point of view as the demon god of the beginning, the creations of the world I lived in must be very interesting.’

—Right! This place is so boring to me... I can’t even remember how long I have existed in this world. That’s why I can’t describe how interesting you are to me, and the joy I felt when I first discovered you!

Her emotions were vividly felt in her excited tone.

Time of eternity. It didn’t even feel real in words.

She, who can be said to be a supreme being, must have lived a time so distant that I, a human being, cannot even dare to imagine.

Most of the original gods, angels, and demons were beings born from conception.

When a concept is created, it naturally appears in the world.

Since she also presides over lust and rage, and as she was originally an archangel, she must have shared the birth of the world.

Even if she shows herself like this in front of me, I felt somehow pitiful.

’It must have been difficult.’

—... Do not try to understand this body as a mere mortal.

Even though she said it that way, she didn’t seem particularly displeased.

’So what happened to the story about the apostle? Sion Sieghart is a human, but how did he become your apostle?’

—He is... ... Wait a moment. There came a time when I had to go urgently. Let’s talk about it next time.

’What? Are you really gone? Really? Really?’

There are two ways to drive a person crazy. The first is to not finish talking...

’... She really went.’

At that time, Frey came to her senses and approached me with an urgent look on her face.

"Lord Zail! What happened? Are you feeling well? I definitely saw a Dullahan coming this way, but I don’t remember anything after that..."

In the end, it seemed like she couldn’t overcome the curse and lost consciousness, so she didn’t witness the sight of me defeating the Dullahan.

"Yes, it’s okay. I don’t know what happened, but luckily it seems to have gone well."

"What happened after I fell?"

"Dullahan approached me..."

I didn’t want to complicate the situation, so I just gave a vague answer.

For some reason, the Dullahan who approached me meant no harm and left.

’So, the Dullahan has completely disappeared? It’s such a waste to send it away like that...’

The hard work wasn’t worth it. Life at the academy itself is a series of hardships and trials due to the fact that I’m a black magician, but isn’t it normal to use any opportunity to increase your power?

’I think he was a knight of considerable repute when he was alive...’

—Don’t worry, it hasn’t completely disappeared. It seems he has decided to accept you as his master, so you will probably meet again soon. And as for the questions related to Sion Sieghart, I would like to answer them right away, but unfortunately, it seems that communication will be difficult for the time being. Something happened ’over here.’ I came here to convey that.

’If this is the case, then to hell?’

—Okay. It’s war. Well, for us it’s like life... but it seems a little different this time, so I’m looking forward to it. Anyway, know that. Don’t go around getting beaten up and embarrassed while I’m gone.

’Okay. Whatever it is, resolve it well.’

—Okay.

It’s war at this time...

In a way, it was completely natural for them to fight and kill each other daily, but rank and territory did not exist for nothing.

In particular, it was even more incomprehensible because a space as structured around the logic of power as Hell tended to strictly follow those laws.

Even if that were the case for the lowest-ranking demons, the Seven Deadly Sins and the highest-ranking demons would probably not move...

Well, there’s nothing more foolish than worrying about Asmodeus in Hell, so let’s just mind our own business first.

"I learned a lot by coming here. I still lack a lot. A knight can’t even endure that much... On the other hand, Lord Zail somehow managed to hold on to his spirit until the very last moment. I’m embarrassed."

My conscience pricked as I saw Frey muttering with a very regretful face.

In fact, if we were to look at her mental strength alone, she was already at a level far beyond that of the academy’s new students.

Because she was able to withstand the infamous Dullahan curse solely through pure mental strength.

It didn’t work because I’m a black magician who made a contract with a demon god. It wasn’t because I had great mental strength that I endured it.

"... I was just lucky, Frey. I know very well how great your mental power is."

She raised her head and looked at me. A look of embarrassment was evident on her slightly flushed face.

"Is that so? Lord Zail is a truly mysterious person..."

At that moment, I don’t know if she came to her senses belatedly or was pretending to come to her senses belatedly, but she approached while making a fuss.

"F-Frey! Zail! Are you okay!?"

Frey looked at Eden and smiled.

"Yes, we are fine. Eden, you seem to have come to your senses now. Are you feeling uncomfortable in any area?"

Eden moved his body around to show that he was okay.

I looked at Eden closely. It felt like an unnatural behavior, to the point where it felt like it was too much.

"Yes, fortunately my body is fine! What happened? I don’t remember anything immediately after seeing that creepy black horse and its headless rider. Oh my god. Seriously, did you solve it this time too!?"

Frey nodded as if she was proud.

"That’s right. While we were unconscious, the only person who remained conscious was Lord Zail."