Ikana Village
It wasn’t even a decisive battle. In fact, it wasn’t a battle at all. What unfolded before me was a scene of utter brutality. Mugen, pierced by a hand clad in black gauntlets, was now devoid of even the slightest trace of his fierce fighting spirit, impaled by the Funeral Knight and held aloft.
“Are you satisfied? Though I suppose you can’t hear me anymore.”
The Funeral Knight hadn’t used any special skills. It was simply that he was far faster. Even when Mugen’s fist was about to strike the black armor, the Funeral Knight moved with such speed that he was able to react in time. Even the strongest of the Five Elites, Mugen, couldn’t draw the sword sheathed on the Funeral Knight’s back. That was the grim reality of the situation.
“That’s enough.”
With those words, the Funeral Knight discarded Mugen’s body onto the ground. He flicked his wrist lightly to shake off the blood, and his gaze turned toward me.
“I never expected to see you here…?!”
Mugen, who should have been thrown aside, was nowhere to be found. From the way the Funeral Knight scanned the area, it was clear that he couldn’t keep up with my speed. I had brought Mugen, bleeding and unconscious, to Roel’s side. That was the only thing that had transpired.
“…I see. The Twelve Demon Generals are beyond my capabilities.”
“Roel, please heal him. He’s not dead, right?”
“Yeah, he’s fine. A normal person would be dead, but Mugen is tough enough to still be alive.”
After confirming that Roel was casting a healing spell on Mugen, I glared at the Funeral Knight once more. The first thing that struck me was how incredibly strong he was compared to anyone I had encountered. Even Mugen, the strongest of the Five Elites, was utterly helpless against him. He might even be stronger than Tiferia.
But what puzzled me the most was the strange lethargy surrounding him. I had realized this when I got closer earlier; it was a peculiar sensation that drained my energy. As evidence, my speed had been slightly hindered just moments ago. I couldn’t tell if it was a skill or a property of his armor, but perhaps Mugen had also been affected by it.
“That child…”
“Is something wrong with Roel?”
The Funeral Knight said nothing more. He had radiated an overwhelming killing intent when he first appeared, but now he seemed calm. His voice, resonating from beneath the metal helmet, barely revealed that he was a man.
Was the Funeral Knight even human? Did he transform from a human into a monster like the Twelve Demon Generals?
“I had intended to capture this Black Beast and return, but my mind has changed. I think I’ll entertain myself a little.”
With that, the Funeral Knight drew his sword from the sheath on his back. The blade, even the hilt, was stained black.
“Bad Slayer. A cursed blade that brings misfortune to those who behold it.”
The name of the weapon served as the signal to commence battle. He charged at me with full speed, aiming to take my back. I barely managed to avoid that fate. Even when he failed, the Funeral Knight pivoted and swung the Bad Slayer horizontally at me.
Not even a second had passed. The Funeral Knight’s speed did not surpass mine. Perhaps he understood that as well, as he used the Bad Slayer as a shield while pressing his attack. He would strike, then use the Bad Slayer as a shield, repeating the cycle.
“That weapon looks dangerous.”
“Oh…?”
From the Funeral Knight’s reaction, I was convinced my intuition was correct. He had immense confidence in that Bad Slayer. It seemed he was focused on landing a single hit.
He wasn’t recklessly attacking; instead, he was waiting for the right opportunity. This meant that if he landed even one blow, he could incapacitate me in some way.
“Uh…?”
I began to grasp the source of the discomfort I had been feeling. Being near the Funeral Knight made me feel as if my strength was gradually being sapped away. This was why I couldn’t unleash my full speed, but that didn’t mean I would allow myself to be caught by this Funeral Knight.
“Tch, this is more troublesome than I thought…”
The Funeral Knight was already showing signs of impatience. Yet, he still appeared somewhat composed. After all, he was absorbing my strength. Whether it was a skill or a property of his armor, I could feel his speed increasing while mine was slightly diminishing. On top of that, this lethargy… I understood now; this was the Funeral Knight’s power.
“Now, how long can you hold out?”
I couldn’t be sure, but he probably smirked beneath his helmet. However, did he realize that I hadn’t attacked even once? I was merely biding my time because I had something I needed to accomplish first. I had to fulfill what Mugen had attempted to do. Dodging the ominous blade known as the Bad Slayer, I grasped the black helmet.
Without even attempting to break free, the Funeral Knight aimed the Bad Slayer at my abdomen, as if to say I had left myself open. But I couldn’t allow myself to be stabbed. That weapon was too unpredictable; it might have some terrifying additional effect. So, I deflected the blade with the side of my own sword.
With my left hand gripping the Funeral Knight’s head and my right hand stopping the Bad Slayer, I knew he wouldn’t allow this situation to continue for long. A moment’s opening was all it took.
In that brief moment, I focused all my strength into the helmet. I thought it might break easily, but it was surprisingly tough. Realizing I couldn’t break it with a light touch, I squeezed with all my might.
“What…?!”
It was no wonder the Funeral Knight was shocked. The helmet cracked, and in an instant, it shattered into pieces. Black shards flew everywhere, and the mask-like part that covered his face broke apart, revealing his true visage.
“――――ッ!”
My heart raced uncontrollably. Even while stopping the Bad Slayer, I stumbled back, unable to maintain my balance. The shock was so overwhelming that I couldn’t stand.
Because the reality before me was far too impossible.
I almost wondered if I was dreaming again.
But this was reality.
“Hey, it’s been a while. I didn’t intend to reveal my identity, you know.”
That voice was exactly the same as the one I had heard ten years ago. The cheerful gesture of raising a hand in greeting.
“You’ve become incredibly strong, Rua. So, how’s life as an Adventurer treating you?”
No way. This couldn’t be real. I was fighting the Demon Lord’s right-hand man, the Funeral Knight. Where had he gone? This wasn’t some illusion from Mist Village.
“I never expected the Death Iron Helmet to break. I might have to ask him to make me another one.”
What was he saying? This was absurd. It was absolutely insane.
“W-What…?”
“Well, I suppose there’s a lot you can’t believe. But I don’t intend to explain it all here. I didn’t come here with any business with you all. Oh, and just so you know, I don’t plan on getting cozy with you just because it’s a touching reunion. After all, I’m the loyal right-hand man of the Demon Lord…”
Stop. Don’t say any more.
“I’m Eeks, the Funeral Knight.”
“……Lua-chan!”
Roel rushed to support me as I crumpled to my knees. I was overwhelmed, completely lost as to what was happening. Eeks had died back then. So how was he here now?
“Y-You are Eeks… alive…?”
“Hey, Kirkton. You took care of me back in the day.”
“I have a mountain of questions, but I’ll keep it brief! Why, why would someone like you join the Demon Lord’s army?!”
“Are you really the one asking that?”
“……!”
The Funeral Knight, no, Eeks? No, the Funeral Knight. It didn’t matter which name I used. Watching the exchange between him and the silent Kirkton felt like a scene from a dream. I still couldn’t accept this as reality.
But this was real. Right before me stood Eeks, clad in black armor, identifying himself as part of the Demon Lord’s army. I had finally found him, and I didn’t want to let him go.
“Eeks…?”
“You’ve become incredibly strong, but it seems you still haven’t outgrown your tears.”
“Because, because! If you were alive, I wanted to see you! But I didn’t want to meet you like this! Why would you join the Demon Lord’s army?!”
“Yeah, I get it. Do you want to know?”
“I do! You know what the Demon Lord’s army is doing, right?! The Eeks who fought alongside us and patted our heads isn’t that kind of person!”
“Once you get swept up in passion, you can’t stop, huh? It seems you still haven’t completed your journey as a swordsman. No matter how strong you are, you’re still just a child.”
Eeks pointed the Bad Slayer at me, clearly indicating that he was opposing us. With tears streaming down my face, I felt the urge to step back, as he was warning me not to come closer.
“Please, Eeks… don’t cooperate with the Demon Lord’s army…”
“I am the Funeral Knight Eeks, a close aide to the Demon Lord. I will bring destruction to this world as part of the Demon Lord Army.”
After saying that, Eeks took one step, then another, and then a third step closer to me. I couldn’t tell if he intended to swing down his Bad Slayer. But I wouldn’t defend myself anymore. Even if that Bad Slayer was a terrifying weapon, there was no way Eeks would kill me. The tales of him destroying the Clark Empire must be some kind of mistake. He was different from those Twelve Demon Generals.
That’s right, he is different.
This man is kind.
“If you don’t like it, try to stop me. Then come to the Demon Lord Castle.”
With those words, Eeks smiled for just a moment. Then, with his hand clad in black, wicked gauntlets, he gently patted my head.
“Ah…”
That kindness I felt ten years ago. That warmth. I could feel it now, unmistakably. Despite how warm it was, Eeks was preparing to leave.
“If you can reach the Demon Lord Castle, I will tell you everything.”
After snapping his fingers, a dragon with a body that was either earth-colored or black emerged from the ground, its long, slender form almost indistinguishable. The dragon, long enough to encircle this village if stretched out, gracefully halted beside Eeks.
【Jet-Black Earth Dragon Dogra has appeared! HP 18100/18100】
“Whoa, don’t get ready for a fight. I’m just riding this one home. And I’ll be taking this too.”
Eeks pointed at the Black Beast, which was gently coiled by the dragon’s long tail. The Black Beast didn’t struggle at all, floating in the air as the dragon carried it effortlessly.
“W-wait! Are you saying that even if you become the enemy of the world, there are things you must fulfill, Eeks?!”
“I told you, didn’t I? I will destroy the world. Kirkton, I’ll be sure to pay a visit to the Kingdom of Avangarde soon enough.”
From the dragon’s back, Eeks looked down at us. He seemed like a different person from the one who had just patted my head gently. This was the Funeral Knight who had just fought me. His cold gaze, piercing from behind that black armor, was not Eeks. It was the aide to the Demon Lord, the Funeral Knight of the Neo Demon Lord Army.
“Rua, see with your own eyes what is right and what is wrong. Learn it well. Then come up with an answer. That is what an Adventurer you admire should do. And as for your partner over there…”
Eeks turned his gaze to Roel. Roel trembled slightly, barely managing to ready her Fire Rod.
“…No. It must be my imagination.”
With that, Eeks simply waved goodbye and vanished into the sky. The sinuous body of the dragon straightened, appearing almost like a snake from a distance. Eeks commanded such a monster. It was a sight that made me resign myself to the fact that he was truly part of the Demon Lord Army.
“M-mmm… Is everyone alright? The Funeral Knight…”
Mugen, who had just awakened, was comparing us to the surroundings. Even when asked, I had no energy to respond. I could only stare at the blue sky where Eeks had disappeared. I felt like I was running out of tears. I had cried so much in such a short time.
Monster Compendium
【Jet-Black Earth Dragon Dogra HP 18100/18100】
A legendary dragon characterized by its slender body, said to exist only at the world’s end. It is said that those who see it will encounter either tremendous fortune or misfortune. Its combat abilities are extremely high, capable of phasing through its body to hide underground or nullifying enemy attacks. Though a terrifying monster, it seems willing to carry those it acknowledges on its back.