In Front of the Abyss Cave
“Lord Belmund, is our king sleeping here?”
“Yes, indeed. Here lies the calamity that has plagued the world. Among them, that being is said to be the worst calamity in history.”
It was the right decision to leave my left arm behind like a lizard’s severed tail. Even though it wasn’t my main body, if I had fought directly, I would undoubtedly have met the same fate. When I made myself a test subject, focusing on regenerative abilities and cellular construction by incorporating monster cells was the right choice. After living for so many years, I understand that not dying is the ultimate goal.
Yes, as long as I live, there is a chance for a comeback. Fighting is not merely a momentary affair. From my perspective, having lived for centuries, the life of an ordinary human is but a fleeting instant in the grand scheme of battle. In other words, I did not lose because I fled at that moment. I simply need to strike back and win next time. For beings that can only live for a few decades, that fleeting moment is everything. To me, it seems utterly trivial. This is the ego born from the fragile form of humanity.
“Is our king finally going to descend upon us…?”
“Kamran, step back! It’s dangerous. You might die!”
“Ah, my apologies…”
What a ridiculous notion. These individuals, who possess a certain status and power, are absurdly devoted to the resurrection of the King of Destruction. Due to their status, they accumulate fatigue and stress, leading them to despair. Yet their desires continue to swell, and even in their privileged positions, they never seem to be satisfied. Thus, with just a little idealism whispered into their ears, they easily fall into despair. For their own sake, they wouldn’t hesitate to bring about the world’s destruction.
Humans are truly terrifying. That young girl was fixated on the concept of humanity, but even those who possess such a form can easily become monsters. Just like these individuals, when dissatisfaction with their current situation arises, they are willing to destroy everything. They are as fragile and immature as children in their adolescence.
While I coldly scoff at such beings, I begin to chant the incantation to revive that being. The fools behind me, barely able to comprehend the spell, stared blankly with foolish expressions.
“…Nothing is happening.”
The crowd, who had expected a grand resurrection of our king from my dubious incantation, began to murmur. No, this is indeed strange. Regardless of my presence, the seal here should not have weakened enough for insignificant humans like them to step in. And indeed, the seal has been broken.
“Could it be that he is still asleep?”
That being is sleeping in? I’ll let that comment slide for now, but there won’t be a next time. I enhanced my right arm and paused. Swinging that arm at someone who suggested he was still asleep would change nothing.
More than that, I didn’t want to think about it, but this cave seemed off. Why, why are there signs that someone has entered here, despite no one ever having done so before?
“These footprints… and over there, the base of that tree shows signs of someone having stayed here. And not from ages past.”
A chilling sensation gripped me from within. No way, such a thing cannot be happening in reality. It can’t be. The wicked breath of that being, its presence—everything is absent.
“Impossible! This cannot be!”
“Belmund?! Where are you going?!”
“I’m heading straight to the lowest level! You all stay here! The monsters around here should be manageable for the soldiers there!”
“What?! What on earth is happening?!”
“It is possible.”
From where had he appeared? The owner of the youthful voice, cloaked in black, emerged from the shadows. Gray skin, dark lines around the eyes, and a gaze devoid of life. It was clear he was no ordinary being. I didn’t need to ask who he was; I understood he posed no threat to me. He was not a formidable opponent, not even someone I needed to be wary of compared to Lua.
Yet this individual showed no fear and approached me with a bold demeanor, standing before someone of my considerable power.
“Do you need something?”
“Don’t you want to know what happened to the King of Destruction you are trying to revive?”
“Oh?”
“He was defeated by that Lua.”
With a light flick of his wrist, that delicate body was obliterated without a trace. My anger surged as I envisioned such a reality. However, controlling my emotions would yield greater benefits. I suppressed my rage and cast a skeptical gaze at the boy before me. I remained in a position of superiority.
“That is quite the revelation.”
“Haha, you can be more shaken if you want! I’ve been watching Lua and Kurinka closely. I know everything they’ve done and said. I was quite surprised myself. It seems they even took down Jörmungandr before Vandalsia in the lowest level.”
Whether this information was true or false was irrelevant. However, there was one undeniable fact: that being was already gone from this world. I had to accept that. So, what was this boy’s purpose in approaching me? That was the crucial point. At the very least, I felt no intent to oppose me. If things went well, he might even bring me some benefits.
“Is the conversation over? We are busy, so if you have no business with us, please leave.”
“Shall I help you revive the King of Destruction, Vandalsia?”
Depending on his next words, this boy could very well disappear from this world. However, his unexpected statement halted my hand. As if he had anticipated my reaction, the boy wore a smug grin.
“That statement, if you swallow it, will cost you your life.”
“I’m not joking. My name is Juo. I’m a Necromancer, and I have the power to restore the souls and vessels of the dead.”
“A Necromancer…”
I’ve heard of them. Once considered a forbidden art in the magical world, including the Wizard Kingdom, the art of resurrecting the dead was something everyone had once desired. Thus, many sought to dabble in it. However, to toy with life and death was an act beyond human bounds, leading to the systematic eradication of such beings by various nations. Those who were discovered to have used forbidden arts faced unimaginable torture and execution. That was a tale from hundreds of years ago, and I had never cared to investigate it myself.
Why? Because resurrection and revival were unrelated to me. Both that being and I had transcended death. From my perspective, with my immortal body, death was nothing to fear. Those fragile beings who could die were destined for elimination; I had no need to concern myself with those deprived of the right to live. Therefore, there was no need for such revivals. Death meant the end, but as long as one does not die, that is all that matters.
Yet now, in this moment, I had to reconsider my thoughts. I was beginning to believe this boy’s words. Perhaps it was because I had witnessed Lua’s extraordinary power. If that young girl could indeed do it… Even I, who held absolute loyalty to that being, found myself thinking that way. If I could eliminate that young girl, controlling this world would be as easy as twisting a child’s hand. I am not foolish; that is precisely why I severed my left arm back then.
“A Necromancer, huh? How am I supposed to believe that?”
“You don’t have to believe me. I’ll just revive Vandalsia on my own.”
“I see.”
From that slender body emanated an extraordinary confidence. I couldn’t fathom what benefit this boy would gain from such an act, but for now, I decided to observe. The resurrection of the dead—such a thing seemed unlikely to succeed. To some, it might be considered blasphemy against the Divine Being. However, I held no such morals; I had no intention of causing a commotion over whether I was insulting that being’s soul. If it came to that, I would simply eliminate this boy.
“Ah, but this will take quite a bit of effort. There are many necessary items, and I wonder if someone could help me out…”
This attitude before me was beyond absurd. Very well, I shall observe. However, if the revival is incomplete, I will ensure he suffers more pain than death itself. With that silent pressure weighing upon him, I listened to the boy’s instructions.
Ikana Village
Months have passed since then, and many things have transpired. The human experiments in the Kingdom of Avangarde were led by Belmund, with the King hardly involved. However, it was true that he turned a blind eye, and it seemed the King had no choice but to nod along to Belmund’s whispers.
The Kingdom of Avangarde is a rich and vibrant land, yet it is known to possess the weakest military force on the continent. Because of this, the King constantly feels the looming threat of invasion from other nations or monsters, and Belmund exploits this fear. For the sake of improving the nation and protecting the lives of its citizens, the King openly admits to the crowd that he has been persuaded to take drastic measures.
My father often says that it is unthinkable for a king to kneel and apologize to his subjects. Yet, the King declared that he would renounce his throne and nearly abolish the current system altogether. At first, I found it difficult to comprehend, but Kurinka explained that the Kingdom of Avangarde is set to be reborn.
Thus, the Kingdom of Avangarde will become the Republic of Avangarde. This means that the King will no longer exist, and instead, the citizens will collectively decide who will govern them. The King’s final task, as he mentioned, was this very change. He has poured his heart and soul into this endeavor without rest, and now the groundwork is finally being laid. For now, the King still governs, but it seems that a citizens’ vote will soon take place. Many people are interested in running for office, and they will first narrow down the candidates.
“Why don’t you run for office?”
“Haha, don’t be ridiculous. I feel most at home in this village.”
Speaking of which, we are currently working on the revival of Ikana Village. We are striving to restore the old scenery first. Gantetsu and Seigel have come to lend their support, along with members of the Avangarde military.
We discussed what to do next. There was a proposal to move to Avangarde Castle Town, but in the end, we settled on revitalizing the village. More than anything, everyone’s time has been frozen since ten years ago. So, we must first get time moving again. I feel the same way; my life with my parents has been severed since I was five.
“Dad! I brought a log!”
“Whoa!? Don’t drop it, okay?!”
“One, two… Lua, carrying forty logs at once is just dangerous. Stop it.”
“Okay…”
My mother seems to be admonishing me as if I were still five. I can’t help it; time has finally started moving again. But I don’t feel bad about it; in fact, I think I might bring even more logs just to get scolded again.
“Hey, Juke, how’s it going? Would you like to join us for lunch?”
“Land! And Kurinka is with you too.”
“Meals are always better when shared!”
“Bongo, you just want to drink, don’t you?”
“Hahaha! Well, you could say that!”
“Absolutely! Gahaha!”
“Gantetsu, when did you sneak in…?”
While it’s nice to have a lively atmosphere, things can get out of hand when the drinking gets excessive, and my father and the others end up completely drunk, making it impossible to work in the afternoon. My mother scolds them every time, and Gantetsu is often the instigator. Why are they bringing alcohol into the revival efforts?
“Kurinka has really become beautiful, hasn’t she? And it seems you’re still as close as ever with Lua.”
“We’re more than just close! Lua and I…”
“Hm?”
“Uh, never mind.”
Kurinka falls silent, seemingly hesitant to reveal what she was about to say. My father and mother tilt their heads in confusion. What could it be about me?
“If you keep pushing alcohol on everyone, I might just kill you, Gantetsu. Hehe.”
“Stop it, my resistance to instant death is pretty weak. Ugh.”
“Smells like alcohol! Seriously! If you’re going to get drunk, just go home!”
“Don’t worry, Lua. For this guy, alcohol turns into power.”
“There’s no such skill, Seigel…”
It was surprising that an S-Rank and the One-Winged Demon would volunteer to help with the village revival. Everyone was understandably on guard, as this was someone who had once come to kill them. But it seems that his natural demeanor quickly put everyone at ease. In fact, the arrival of a beautiful woman in the village has made the men excited, and work is progressing rapidly.
Bongo, who has been single for a long time, is blatantly trying to stay close to Tiferia, seeking her guidance. However, Tiferia seems to have little interest in men, especially since he’s an uncle.
“By the way, Lua, you’ve grown up.”
“But your chest is still the same!”
“Kurinka is all bouncy and perky!”
Why does the village chief keep patting my head? Is he feeling the same way he did when I was five? And these kids keep going on about chests. What does it matter if they’re bouncy or not?
“Everyone treats me like a child…”
“Thank you for your hard work, everyone.”
The members of the Avangarde military brought us drinks. The cold fruit juice is incredibly refreshing. They seem to be a supply unit, not particularly skilled in combat but adept at procuring and distributing supplies. They have a different atmosphere from Ritta’s combat unit, and everyone seems somewhat subdued.
“Ah, sorry about that.”
“Gantetsu, you have alcohol, don’t you?”
“I’m mixing it with this.”
“Mixing… wait, it’s still alcohol?”
“The invincible Flash Strike Girl can’t win against this. You should overcome your only weakness while you can, right?”
“Gantetsu! Don’t offer alcohol to my daughter!”
“I was just joking. Your mother is surprisingly scary…”
One of the soldiers awkwardly distributes drinks to everyone. They are indeed well-chilled, and it seems refreshing after working. However, the soldier who tried to hand me a drink suddenly pulls the cup back. I wonder if he’s not giving it to me, but then he hands me a different cup.
“Alright, then let’s toast!”
“Ugh! Oh, oh! Seigel, you can drink too, huh?”
“Of course, Gantetsu! If Lua’s mother is this beautiful, how could I not?”
“Seigel, just to be clear, if you make a move on my wife, you’ll experience appropriate pain.”
“I-I was just complimenting her! How scary…”
Under my father’s glare, Seigel shrinks back. After all, my father is a powerful figure recognized even by the Demon Lord. If they were to fight, Seigel wouldn’t stand a chance. And judging by his frightened demeanor, he must have been thinking of making a move when the opportunity arose. What a hopeless person. It’s true that neither my mother nor any of the villagers have aged since that time. I’m shocked to hear that my mother is not much older than Tiferia.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave…”
Once the soldiers finish distributing drinks, they line up in front of us and bow. I’m grateful that they came all this way for us. At this rate, the village revival might wrap up sooner than expected.
However, just as the soldiers were about to leave, Gantetsu, with a look that seemed to sober him up, glared at them.
“Hold on a second, you there.”
His deep voice instantly cools the festive mood. He snatches a drink from me and thrusts it in front of the soldier who had been distributing drinks.
“W-What is it? Is it me?”
“Yeah, you. Hey, try drinking this.”
“W-Why?”
“Just drink it.”
“I can’t drink something I’ve served…”
“Once you’ve received it, what you do with it is your choice. There’s no alcohol in it, so even if you can’t drink, you’ll be fine. Unless something else is in it.”
“Ugh…!”
A tense silence envelops the area. I still don’t quite understand what’s happening. Did he put something else in it?
“You filled that cup from that barrel, right? I saw you put something in it, just one, while keeping an eye on your surroundings.”
“W-What are you talking about? What did I put in?”
“And when you were distributing, you tried to give Lua a cup with nothing in it. I didn’t miss you hurriedly swapping it out.”
“W-Well, what does that mean…?”
“Then drink it. If you’re fine, it means I was just drunk.”
The soldier steps back, overwhelmed by Gantetsu’s pressure, and remains silent, avoiding eye contact.
“What’s wrong?”
“Uh, uh… damn it!”
The soldier, who had been gentle, suddenly transforms, gripping his spear and baring his teeth in anguish. The children scream and hide behind the adults at this sudden turn of events.
“W-Who are you?! What do you want?!”
“I’m just a Phantom! A wretched ghost that will never be rewarded for anything… Phantom!”
With a shrill scream, the soldier raised the cup to his lips and downed its contents in one go. Blood erupted from his mouth, and his body convulsed as if trying to leap away, bending grotesquely before collapsing to the ground. After one final spasm, he lay still.
“Ahhhhhh!”
“What the hell is this?!”
“No, no… he’s dead…”
Kurinka placed her hand on the soldier’s chest, shaking her head in disappointment. Even with Kurinka’s powers, she couldn’t bring back someone who had already passed. It was clear now that the cup contained poison. Why? How could this happen?
“Oh dear, given the rapid effect, it seems this contained Dragon Slayer Poison,” Tiferia remarked.
“Tiferia-san…”
“Anyway, we will take responsibility for his remains…”
“I’ll accompany you. It would be troublesome if a phantom were still lurking among you.”
Tiferia smiled gently at the fallen soldier, a subtle warning in her demeanor. Phantom. Once again, it seemed that this unseen threat was targeting my life. I had grown so accustomed to peace that I had forgotten about such dangers. Yes, I still knew nothing about the Phantom. There was far too much I lacked to recognize it as an enemy I needed to defeat.
“Well, let’s just follow Tiferia-chan’s advice, everyone from the supply team.”
“Seigel-san, even you…”
“Speaking of phantoms, that florist mentioned something similar. Rua, do you have any clues…?”
I felt the weight of the peace we had regained, but something unknown was definitely closing in. An invisible phantom was surely targeting us, targeting me.
“Rua?”
“Ah, yeah. What is it?”
“Do you know anything about phantoms?”
“I wish I knew…”
“When I was a child, there were rumors about phantoms… it feels like there’s a connection to that.”
As I watched Gantetsu cross his arms, I realized that true peace had yet to arrive.
◆ Shin Report ◆
What does it mean to be in this “Shin” state?
That mother is cradling Shin as if he were a child,
Saying things like “Ah, open wide,” treating him like a baby.
All I can say is, it’s just delicious, delicious!
It seems a hot spring is being built in the recovering village.
Apparently, they found a hot spring while digging.
There are also plans for various facilities like amusement parks,
And it might turn from a village into a bustling town.
Well, it doesn’t really matter to Shin,
But the most impressive part is that thanks to Rua,
What would have taken over a year was completed in just a few months.
With her strength, she could handle not just a hundred people, but a thousand!
Well, that’s all she’s good for, so she better keep working hard.
Phantom? Shin knows nothing about it.
Just once, they failed with Dragon Slayer Poison,
And yet they’re using the same method again?
I wonder if the Phantom is foolish,
But it feels strange, almost as if it lacks any cunning.
In that moment of death, could it be that it was that one who did it?