Tchtchk, tchtchtchk.
Carmen slowly flexed her fingers. There was no noticeable discomfort when she moved her joints. After clenching and unclenching her fist a few times, she suddenly thrust out her fist without moving a single step.
Fwooosh!
Gondor’s hair and beard were blown back by a rush of wind as a fist suddenly flew past his face. Too surprised to even react appropriately, Gondor simply fell down on the spot.
“It’s amazing,” Carmen muttered in a quiet voice. Considering the usual Carmen, this was a very calm and subdued reaction coming from her.
After all, this was no ordinary gauntlet but a gauntlet created from a dragon’s skin and scales. Moreover, that dragon was Raizakia, the only dragon in the history of the continent to have been called the Demon-Dragon. Even the gauntlet’s coloring was unusual, a black hue that seemed like it was drawing in your soul.
There were many elements to the gauntlet that seemed like they would cause Carmen a lot of excitement, but Carmen's eyes were actually very calm. If she had received this gauntlet during any ordinary time… Carmen would definitely be leaping from boat to boat, showing off her new weapon.
However, right now, she didn’t have the luxury of mind to do something like that. Carmen just stood where she was, silently confirming the gauntlet’s performance.
“Do you have any regrets?” Carmen asked absentmindedly as her left hand was engulfed in pure white flames.
Gondor, who had been busy straightening his hair and beard, blinked in surprise at the sudden question.
“Gahaha,” Gondor laughed as he flopped down into a chair. He scratched his chin a few times and then lit a smoking pipe he had set down beside him earlier.
“Well, I can’t say that I don’t have any regrets at all,” Gondor admitted with a cough. “Ahem, something like regrets… well… doesn’t that apply to everyone? After all, we came here to catch a dark elf, not a Demon King. A dark elf and a Demon King… there’s a vast difference between those two things.”
Gondor’s voice was hesitant as if it was hard to put the thoughts running through his head into words. The reason for that was simple.
He was scared.
He was scared by the thought of fighting a Demon King.
“Although, while you all are fighting, I’ll probably just be hiding in this workshop,” Gondor confessed reluctantly. “Hmph, or perhaps you need an old-timer like me to come out and take a few swings of my ax?” he asked as if in an afterthought.
“There’s no need for that,” Carmen assured him. “Since Lady Sienna and Saint Kristina have prepared a shelter for the non-combatants and the wounded, an old man like you should just hide in there safely.”
“In fact, that just makes it even scarier,” Gondor said with a laugh as he put down his smoking pipe. “After all, doesn’t that mean, in this battle, I won’t even be able to hold my own life squarely in my own hands? If you manage to kill the Demon King, I will survive, and if you fail to kill the Demon King, I’m dead. Honestly, that’s what I’m most afraid of,” Gondor confessed.
Instead of replying to that, Carmen just calmly met Gondor’s eyes.
With a bashful expression on his face, Gondor shook his head and said, “Ahem, of course, it must also be scary for those of you who will have to actually fight the Demon King, but for me… if you ask me if I have any regrets… well….
“Now that things have come to this point, it would just be embarrassing for me to regret my choice and say something like, ‘I shouldn’t have come here.’ Well, I admit that my head is a bit of a mess with all sorts of thoughts flying around. Part of it is just worrying for my own future… and the other part of it is worrying about my fellow dwarfs who were kidnapped by Iris,” Gondor muttered in a gloomy voice.
If Iris had become a Demon King, what could have happened to the subordinates under her command? Were the dark elves still dark elves? Were the pirates still pirates? What about the dwarves who had been treated like slaves? Would they still be dwarves?
Carmen wondered for a moment whether she should say something like, ‘Nothing will happen’ or ‘They’ll be fine,’ but in the end, she chose to remain silent. She couldn’t make any confident guesses as to the current state of the kidnapped dwarves.
“We’ll make sure that you’re able to return safely, old man,” Carmen promised in a quiet voice.
What Carmen could take responsibility for with her own two hands was protecting the noncombatants and fighting the Demon King. Carmen lowered her gauntlet-clad hand and bowed her head deeply towards Gondor.
There were a lot of things that she wanted to protect, especially her young disciples, Ciel and Dezra. After all, wasn’t the upcoming battle far too dangerous for those young people with bright futures ahead of them?
If something were to happen to those two during this battle… Carmen’s shoulders shook just from imagining it.
* * *
“No way,” came the expected reply. “You want me to hide in the shelter. Don’t you think that you’re going a bit too far?” Ciel was so dumbfounded that she let out an angry laugh. “Think about it carefully, Eugene. If you were to rank the thousands of people currently preparing to fight against the Demon King in order of skill, where do you think I would be?” Ciel demanded.
Instead of replying, Eugene just stared at Ciel. Beside her, Dezra was fidgeting uneasily as she kept glancing between Eugene and Ciel.
Ciel answered her own question, “At the very least, I’d be in the top twenty, right?”
Ciel wasn’t wrong. She currently held the seventh place in Shimuin’s tournament ranking. That meant Ciel was the seventh strongest of all of Shimuin’s gladiators.
Of course, fighters higher in the ranking than Ciel were also participating in this subjugation expedition. There were also knights who had never registered in the rankings in the first place. However, even after taking all of that into account, Ciel was still someone who could be considered an elite warrior.
Among the humans, that is.
“Our enemy is a Demon King,” Eugene, who had been standing there silently, finally spoke. “Being strong compared to everyone else who’s part of the subjugation expedition isn't all that impressive when it comes to fighting against a Demon King.”
The only ones who could stand in battle against the Demon Kings were those who had gone beyond the boundaries of humanity. According to Eugene’s judgment, let alone going beyond those boundaries, Ciel had yet to even reach the boundary. In the subjugation expedition, only the elite among the humans, like Carmen, Ortus, and Ivic, who stood at or had crossed the boundaries of humanity, were capable of standing against the Demon King.
In other words, most of the expedition forces were not qualified to take part in this fight against the Demon King.
“You’re wrong, Eugene,” Ciel said, shaking her head. “I’m not going to be fighting the Demon King. I’m going to be fighting the Demon King’s subordinates.”
Eugene just looked at Ciel silently.
“I’m well aware that I’m not qualified to fight against the Demon King. However, I can still fight her subordinates,” Ciel insisted firmly.
At these words, Eugene had no choice but to grin wryly.
It had been like this three hundred years ago as well. During their battles against the Demon Kings, most of the ones who had participated in the battles were too weak to be qualified to fight against the Demon Kings. Their role had been to open up a path for those who were qualified to face the Demon Kings and help preserve the latter’s strength so that they could fight at full power. They were the ones who had fought against all of the demonfolk, demonic beasts, and black wizards serving the Demon Kings.
And after opening up a path, most of them were already dead.
It would most likely be the same this time as well. So, to ensure the bare minimum of losses, Eugene had ignored all calls to retreat. He had mocked the suggestion that they should withdraw to make better preparations and return with reinforcements.
The more time you gave them, the stronger the Demon King would become, and the larger their forces would grow. So, in order to have the least amount of sacrifices, the best choice was to continue advancing forward instead of retreating.
“You just don’t want to see me get hurt or killed,” Ciel said with a dawning realization.
Although she shouldn’t be amused by something like this, Ciel still smiled brightly without even realizing she was doing it.
She was aware that such feelings were twisted, but Ciel’s heart still pounded in excitement as she felt Eugene’s concern for her. At the same time, she also felt slightly miserable. If it weren’t for something like this, would she ever be able to catch Eugene’s attention?
Ciel reminded him, “Don’t be swayed by your emotions, Eugene Lionheart. You are the Hero.”
Even while experiencing such twisted feelings, Ciel still expressed herself clearly. She was glad to be treated like someone special, but… she couldn’t allow him to continue doing so.
“Are you really going to pay attention to each and every person who might die in this battle? Or else…. As I thought, it’s because of me you’re paying special attention, right? Although I’m grateful that you care, now isn’t the time for that,” Ciel admonished him.
“If the enemy was just a mere dark elf,” Eugene finally spoke up, “no matter what the situation was, I would be able to protect you. No matter what kind of trick Iris might pull, I could make sure that she wouldn’t touch you.”
This time, it was Ciel’s turn to remain silent.
“However, it’s impossible now that she’s a Demon King,” Eugene sighed. “Once the battle breaks out, I will have to focus all my attention on Iris. That goes for Lady Sienna and Kristina as well.”
“Of course, that would be the case,” Ciel replied with a snort. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll avoid any lopsided or dangerous fights. If the enemy feels too strong or dangerous, I’ll just run away from them.”
“That’s easier said than done,” Eugene grumbled with a sigh.
“Do you really think it will be all that difficult? In that case, Eugene, all you need to do is finish the battle as quickly as possible,” Ciel said as she got up from her seat.
She stared into Eugene’s face for a few moments, taking in his gray hair and deep-set golden eyes.
Ciel recalled Eugene’s appearance as he had held up the Holy Sword. How his back had looked as he made his way to Laversia’s figurehead in front of thousands of spectators. His figure as a pillar of light had fallen from the sky, and the darkness that blocked their way ahead was cut apart with a single sword slash.
At that moment, everyone had recognized him as the Hero. The same applied to Ciel. She would never forget the sight of Eugene engulfed in that brilliant glow.
Ciel solemnly requested, “Trust me, Eugene.”
Like how I trust you.
But Ciel wasn’t going to say those last words. There were already a lot of people counting on Eugene.
That was just the kind of entity that a Hero was, now and in the past.
Someone that people trusted, someone they had to trust, someone who made people trust in them. Just as Yuras had created the Saint to serve as a figurehead that attracted people’s belief, hope, and faith, a Hero too wasn’t all that different at their core.
“Nothing will happen to me,” Ciel whispered to Eugene with a sly grin.
Then Ciel spun around and immediately left the room. Dezra, who was momentarily left at a loss for what to do, quickly followed after Ciel.
“Should I have just told him that I planned to enter the shelter?” Ciel asked with a wry smile as she turned back to look at Dezra, who was trailing behind her. “Or perhaps you at least can stay in the shelter, Dezra. It should be safe there.”
A Saint and the greatest wizard in the entire history of the continent would focus all their strength on erecting a barrier over a single ship. When the battle eventually broke out, that refuge ship would be the safest place to be.
“No way,” Dezra replied with a shake of her head. “If Lady Ciel won’t be going there, why should I go? No, even if you were shameful enough to hide in there, Lady Ciel, I still wouldn’t run from this battle.”
“Why not?” Ciel asked.
“Because I am also a Lionheart,” Dezra stated firmly.
To think that she would actually hear such words coming from Dezra’s lips. Ciel blinked in surprise before bursting into laughter.
“As a mere collateral line, you shouldn’t say something so arrogant,” Ciel chided.
Dezra shrugged, “In any case, Lady Ciel will also end up as part of the collateral bloodlines in around fifteen years.”
Dezra had struck an accurate comeback. If Cyan did marry Princess Ayla and give birth to a child, Ciel and Eugene would be removed from the main line to form new collateral lines.
That was how the Lionheart’s main line had always operated. The same went for Gilead’s younger brother, who now lived peacefully in the quiet countryside. As for Gion and Carmen, who were members of the Black Lions, strictly speaking, they had already been removed from the main line and were now counted as part of the collateral bloodlines.
“That’s… that might be the case, but you and I are still on a different level,” Ciel eventually stammered out a weak response, unable to come up with a good argument to Dezra’s words.
A Lionheart, what did it mean to be a Lionheart? Ciel suddenly turned her head to look up at the sky.
The sky was shining brightly.
Golden waves were also lapping in the sea below.
However, outside of this circle of bright light, a deep darkness was lurking all around them. Beyond the golden waves, the sea held a dark crimson color of dried blood. Sienna’s magic, as well as Eugene and Kristina’s divine powers, could only protect a small area encompassing the fleet. The sea they were caught in was still part of the devildom.
Eugene emerged from his cabin.
The moment that he stepped out, everyone’s eyes turned towards Eugene. Quite a few people clasped their hands together in prayer as soon as they saw Eugene. Eugene ignored these gazes and walked out onto the deck.
The Holy Sword hanging from Eugene’s waist was still shining with light, but Eugene’s sharpened senses were solely focused on peering into the gloom ahead.
“It would be better if they all went and got some sleep,” Eugene muttered softly as his lips twitched into a frown.
[There is no way they could sleep at a time like this,] Tempest’s voice sounded inside Eugene’s head.
Not wanting to place all of the burden on Sienna, Eugene also borrowed Tempest’s strength to propel the fleet forward.
Tempest continued, [The people of today’s era don’t know anything about fighting a Demon King. Such ignorance easily turns into fear.]
“At the very least, you seem to be in a good mood,” Eugene responded to Tempest with an amused snort.
At this, Tempest laughed and admitted in a low voice, [Don’t you feel like this is a repeat?]
“A repeat?”
[Of the remnants of the Demon Kings you defeated at the Black Lion Castle,] Tempest replied.
Back then, a Spirit of Darkness had possessed Eward as part of a plot to revive the remnants of the Demon Kings.
[You faced the ghosts of both Carnage and Cruelty, but you still defeated them all by yourself. Even though they had yet to transform into a full Demon King, Hamel, you still managed to erase all traces of Carnage and Cruelty from this world,] Tempest reminded him encouragingly.
Eugene didn’t say anything in response.
[And now, you’re on your way to defeat the Demon King of Fury,] Tempest sighed. [Three hundred ago, you slayed these Demon Kings together with Vermouth… and now that you have been reincarnated, you’re going back through them one by one.]
Eugene had been wondering what Tempest was going on about.
Now he grinned and nodded, “As you said, this really is a repeat. It’s all because these Demon Kings are hardy bastards who don’t have the decency to die even if you kill them.”
Eugene climbed up to the ship’s figurehead. He soon spotted Kristina’s back, where she was sitting on top of the center of the large figurehead. Her eight wings were all spread wide open as her left hand was held out in front of her.
She was looking down at her stigmata.
When Eugene had prayed to the God of Light for strength, Light had poured down from the heavens in response. Then, a stigmata had also appeared in the palm of Kristina’s left hand. It was different from the stigmata that had been carved into Anise’s back. It wasn’t in the shape of a word, and it didn’t bleed whenever she performed a miracle.
Did this mean Kristina would now be able to perform miracles on par with Anise? She hadn’t gotten the chance to test that yet. If she wanted to test it, she would have to cut off someone’s limb first, but who would be crazy enough to be willing to get their limb cut off just for a test?
“If only Molon was here, he would have cut off his own arm without any hesitation,” Eugene said regretfully.
Anise teased back, “How about chopping off a finger, Hamel? Even if we can’t stick it back on, you should still be okay with just a single finger missing.”
Eugene frowned, “Don’t say something so ridiculous, Anise. Don’t you know how important the fingers are when wielding a blade?”
“Oh my, is that so? I still feel like it would be okay to chop off a certain middle finger that only ever does bad things,” Anise giggled as she turned to look at Eugene.
Eugene came to a stop by Anise’s side, staring straight ahead.
“How is your body?” Eugene eventually asked.
“I’m fine,” Anise assured him. “I’m not tired in the slightest. Even so, Kristina is telling me that I should rest for a bit.”
Eugene nodded, “What about your stigmata?”
“Whether it’s by how much it has increased our power or what kind of miracles it will allow us to perform… I’m not really sure. After all, a miracle is something that you must wish for with an earnest heart,” Anise said as she stood up. “Don’t worry too much, Hamel. If your arm… or your leg goes flying during the battle, I’ll make sure to save you somehow.”
“Don’t do anything unnecessary,” Eugene warned as he turned to Anise.
“I’m the one who usually says stuff like that,” Anise pointed out with a laugh as she reached back and pulled the hood of her robe over her head.
Booom!
The iron ball that formed the head of her flail, which had been hidden inside her robe, fell onto the figurehead.
“You’re the one who shouldn’t do anything unnecessary,” Anise reminded Eugene.
The flail wasn’t the only thing Anise had hidden within her robe. Anise took out an unopened bottle of liquor and handed it to Eugene with a smile.
“It’s been a long time,” Eugene said with a grin as he flexed a finger.
Pop!
The cork of the liquor bottle went flying.
[They’re coming,] Sienna’s voice suddenly rang inside their heads.
Eugene and Anise weren’t the only ones to have heard her voice. The entire fleet had heard Sienna’s warning.
Eugene slowly drew the Holy Sword.
Rooooaaar!
As the dark red sea outside the barrier split apart.