Chapter 603 Azradelius’s Scheme
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Three-Face’s POV)
After freeing the succubus Dolla, who was being held captive by Azradelius, I returned to the hallway and ventured deeper.
(The Demon King, and the control device for the relic of the ancient civilization, the Star of Thunder… probably further in.)
This is the deepest floor of the labyrinth.
If I keep going, I’ll reach Azradelius’ office.
But since I haven’t seen the Demon King yet… there must be something even further ahead.
”‘Soundproof’…and ‘invisible’…”
I muttered a small spell and cautiously advanced down the hallway, wary of Azradelius being in the office.
* * *
(Why would Azradelius want me to meet the Demon King? …I heard he’s regained his memories.)
My loyalty isn’t to Azradelius or the demon kingdom in Demon Continent, or even to a dark god like Lady Lilith, the Purple Flame Demon Princess.
It’s solely to the Demon King.
I swear absolute obedience to anything he commands.
If he ordered me to turn Yugria Continent into a sea of flames, I would give it my all.
(Could it be… Azradelius is…)
Suddenly, a thought struck me.
No… maybe that’s it.
Azradelius… he could very well do such a thing.
(He has his own goals, and he only intends to use the Demon King as a tool…?)
Perhaps the Demon King is being kept under house arrest because his goals are things he doesn’t want to achieve.
The Purple Flame Demon Princess pledges her loyalty to the Dark God, Lady Lilith.
Azradelius said he would free Lady Lilith from the Welnia Labyrinth.
The Purple Flame Demon Princess joined our forces for that reason and serves as one of the Four Dark Heavens, a close confidant to the Demon King.
(Azradelius himself sealed them away, they say…the twin goddesses…why now of all times…)
I’ve heard that freeing Lady Lilith and Lady Frejya requires specific powers that influence them.
Those Hiroya fellows… to free Lady Frejya, sealed within the Great Labyrinth Raetia… they need Lady Lilith’s power.
And that power should be wielded by his ‘Yamikirimaru’.
(So, to free Lady Lilith, sealed within the Welnia Labyrinth…)
Either Lady Frejya herself, or a portion of her power, which is said to be embodied in ‘Kamikirimaru’, or perhaps a portion of Lady Lilith’s power, residing in ‘Yamikirimaru’.
Or… the power of the Demon King, who was created as a surrogate for Lady Lilith.
(Does the Demon King… approve of this? And is Azradelius planning to use the Demon King solely for Lady Lilith’s release…?)
He’s the kind of guy who would threaten the Oni-kin village with ‘Star of Thunder’ to lure in that straightforward Gargantua.
Unreliable, definitely.
(Here it is…)
My hesitation ended right there.
I had arrived at Azradelius’ office.
(What’s inside… I can’t tell)
Perhaps there’s a powerful concealment magic in effect, or maybe it’s impossible to even know if Azradelius is inside.
So, I can’t just open the door.
”‘Teleportation’…”
To sneak into Azradelius’s office, I used the short-range teleportation spell.
* * *
Thankfully, the office was empty.
I rushed to Azradelius’s desk and switched my ‘tear face’ mode on.
This ‘tear face’ enhances magic power and… it has the ‘Magic Eye’.
It’s an eye that can detect magical traces.
(The biggest drawer at the bottom…)
My ‘Magic Eye’ detected a powerful magical aura emanating from something inside that drawer, despite its size.
The drawer opened easily, revealing a square object that looked like a decorated box.
(This must be the control device for the ‘Star of Thunder’.)
When I opened the lid-like thing, there was a mirror on the inside.
And inside the mirror was a small magic circle etched there.
When I placed my hand over the circle, instructions on how to operate it flowed into my mind.
(Just as I thought. And if I do this…)
Following the learned instructions, I channeled my magical power.
Then, on the mirror behind the lid…
(This is Oni-kin’s… Balthoga’s village.)
An image appeared, showing a village of stone houses huddled together from above.
(The Star of Thunder is probably projecting what it’s currently targeting.)
First, I decided to change the target from the village.
When I reversed the direction, a slowly dimming, overcast sky appeared in the mirror.
It seemed like dusk was approaching.
(I don’t want to accidentally hit the village during the destruction.)
With the risk of accidentally hitting the village gone, I smashed the control device with my fist without hesitation.
Now there’s nothing holding back Gargantua.
(If I tell her the danger to the village is over, will she lend me her strength…?)
No, she wasn’t the type to join a faction she had once lost trust in.
(…What a shame. I’ve lost a powerful fighter as an enemy.)
Without me even realizing it, my ‘tear face’ switched to a ‘smile face’, and I found myself unconsciously grinning.
* * *
”Control unit…Three-Face, you’ve gone and done something foolish.”
I was suddenly called out from behind.
A cold sweat breaks out on my back.
It’s not the fear of Azradelius that’s terrifying, but the sheer terror of him being there silently behind me.
(I’m not going to fall behind some punk like Azradelius. But…this aura…)
It’s Azradelius, but it’s not Azradelius.
This overwhelming power…
”This act of betrayal. You should pay for it with your life.”
”Who are you to talk? This cowardly act of luring Gargantua in, I can’t let it slide.”
”Oh my, oh my… Your earnestness and sincerity are admirable, but… taking it too far becomes a nuisance, you know.”
A condescending tone, clearly different from Azradelius.
I turn around and face the guy.
The figure is undoubtedly Azradelius, but the aura and power radiating from him are completely different from his.
”You…who are you…?”
”Ho ho ho. You’re a clever one, aren’t you? It’s a shame to waste that intellect. How about you join me?”
”What did you say?”
The moment I uttered those words, a searing pain ripped through my head.
”Gah! Gwagh!”
I tried to shift into ‘Angry Face’ to lower my pain sensations and boost my abilities, but the pain intensified even further.
(Damn it…this pain…I can’t take it!)
My vision turned white, and my consciousness plunged into darkness.
* * *
(Third Person Perspective)
”Hmm… nearing my limit, I see.”
Azradelius, the man, looks down at the prone Three-Face.
He stares intently at his palm.
”Indeed, to descend upon this world…this apostle’s body is insufficient. It’s almost time for me to return…”
The man mutters softly and walks towards his desk, settling himself into the chair.
”Perhaps…I’ll need to use someone with experience traversing worlds…”
Azradelius leans back in his chair and gazes upwards.
”The hero Elberhardt… the apostle Megumi of the ruling god…or Hiroya, Kazumi…”
He grinned at the list of names.
”Hmm. Kazumi seems like the easiest one to deal with. ──Three-Face, bring Kazumi here.”
”──Understood.”
Out of nowhere, Three-Face stood up and bowed respectfully before Azradelius.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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