Over half a year had already passed since Melkith had crossed over into the desert as part of a deal to procure a contract with the Spirit King of Wind.
Melkith had spent her rugged childhood in a small mountain village in a minor country. Those early years spent climbing mountains, washing in streams, and even catching and roasting frogs and bugs had endowed her with a robust vitality. Even though the harsh desert was far from comfortable, it was bearable thanks to her experience from her childhood.
Usually, Melkith lived beneath the sands of the desert, but she never stayed in the same burrow for long.
Over the past six months, she had buried countless dark wizards, a number now crossing into the hundreds. She knew well that she wasn't short of enemies.
While the Sultan of Nahama had not publicly addressed the matter of her hunting the black wizards, he had been sending squads of assassins and sandmancers after her. Moreover, beginning two months ago, the military troops of Nahama had been scouring the desert under the pretext of training. Even if they said they were training, it was blatantly clear that they were searching for someone.
But it was all in vain. Melkith was under the protection of Yhanos, the Spirit King of Earth, which meant that the vast desert was no less than a simple playground for her. She had already eluded and even toyed with her pursuers several times while continuing to look for the dungeons of the black wizards.
However, finding the dungeons had become challenging lately. To be more precise, even if she found the dungeon, encountering the dark wizards themselves had grown difficult. After several failed attempts, she came to the conclusion that the dungeon masters had finally yielded. Melkith surmised that they had probably abandoned their lairs for safer havens elsewhere.
In that case… was there any point in staying in the desert now? Although life here wasn't unbearably uncomfortable, Melkith found herself longing for the city of Aroth after residing in the harsh desert for six months.
She missed the White Tower, as well as her loyal and beloved wizards. She had heard that the Wise Sienna was gathering all the Archwizards of the continent for a joint research project. Melkith felt a deep sorrow that she was not able to join them.
She had appealed to Eugene several times, asking if it might not be the perfect time for her to return. But… Eugene's stance remained firm. Even though high-ranking demons had crossed into the desert, the situation had not changed and so, he insisted that she stay and continue to do what she was doing until there was a significant change.
"What should I do?" Melkith whispered while donning a large hat.
She was currently residing in Lagra Oasis City, a renowned resort in Nahama. Despite its location in the heart of the desert, the artificial oasis was as vast as a large lake. Moreover, the water was not just clean and clear but refreshingly cool as well.
Why was she there? It was simple — she was rewarding herself for her hard work.
Three days had already passed since she had arrived in the city, and she had been spending her time lounging on a sunbed near the oasis in a striking bikini while flaunting her figure. Since she was already in the desert, she was seriously considering getting a good tan and changing her image.
Just as she was continuing with the activity that she had been doing for the past couple of days, she saw a demon.
Truthfully, it wasn’t extremely rare to see demons outside of Helmuth.
Helmuth was a highly developed nation, and other countries on the continent had almost no laws regarding demonfolks. They seldom accepted demonfolk immigrants, so there were fewer demons in other countries compared to Helmuth. However, in Aroth, there were a few demons who stayed for extended periods under the guise of tourism.
It was the same in Lagra Oasis as well. It was a famous resort in Nahama, so there were the occasional demon tourists. Melkith could not be sure whether they were truly tourists or illegal residents who used tourism as a pretext, but it wasn’t her business. There were many demons without legal status in places like the Bolero Street of Aroth, so it only made sense for there to be undocumented demons in Nahama since it was a country that colluded with demons.
However, the demons Melkith had seen in Nahama, at least, in this city so far — though it might be a bit strange to say, were ordinary demons. To put it plainly, they were just average demon citizens.
But this particular demon was different. She could feel a natural distinction in its class compared to other demons. It wasn't only Melkith who felt this. Others also held their breath while shrinking back the moment the demon appeared. They were too intimidated to stare or point.
The demon really emanated an overwhelming presence that naturally dominated its surroundings. This was definitely a high-ranking demon, an existence clearly different from the average demon Melkith had seen until now.
However, the aura the demon gave off wasn’t the only reason for his dominating presence.
The demon was Count Harpeuron, ranked fifty-seventh in Helmuth’s hierarchy. The vivid criticism Melkith had previously unleashed was not the least bit exaggerated.
The demon had a burly physique and grotesque appearance. He was easily twice the size of an adult man, and his body was somewhat similar in appearance to humans, except that he had the head of an elephant. His drooping ears fluttered like insect wings, and his four eyes emitted a sinister red glow.
What was especially a rare sight was that Harpeuron was dressed only in a swimsuit covering his groin. He wore a tight-fitting speedo and was accompanied by females on either side and behind him. Several large men, seemingly his attendants, were near him as well.
[Melkith,] Yhanos whispered.
"I know,” responded Melkith.
The men following Harpeuron also had an unusual air about them.
Some looked like assassins, while the rest looked like warriors. Melkith had heard that high-ranking demons had come to Nahama, but she had not expected to run into them in such a place.
'Have they come to capture me?' Melkith thought to herself.
Although she had changed her face with magic to remain unrecognizable, Melkith felt nervous. She put on her sunglasses and stood up.
She had never imagined she would run into him in a tourist spot like this! She had assumed if they were ever to meet someday, it would be in the middle of the desert.
It was also possible that this was a mere coincidence. The sight of Harpeuron surrounded by beauties and wearing a triangular swimsuit lent credence to the idea of coincidence.
But Melkith couldn’t simply stand by even if she had run into him by chance. She passed the tube and surfboard piled next to the sunbed and headed for the changing room as naturally as possible.
"Eugene! Eugene! We have a huge problem!"
Melkith crossed to the back of the changing room, out of Harpeuron's sight, and called upon the spirit of the wind.
[What’s got you in such a panic?] he calmly answered.
"Demons!" Melkith screamed. "The one that threatened to kill me! That ugly creature has appeared!"
Eugene did not give an immediate response. Instead, Melkith heard the sound of his lips smacking. The slight sound conveyed a begrudging sentiment, and Melkith's expression soured along with it.
[Alone?] asked Eugene.
"Huh? Of course, I'm alone. Ah... no, not alone. The spirits are with me," Melkith amended her words quickly, fearing she might be accused of ignoring the spirits.
[No, not you, Lady Melkith. I mean, Harpeuron. Is that bastard alone?] Eugene clarified.
"Huh? No, no, he's not alone. Despite his monstrous, horrible appearance, he's accompanied by four beauties. And behind him are warriors and assassins as his attendants,” answered Melkith.
[Are there no other demons?] inquired Eugene.
"No,” Melkith responded.
After a brief silence, the wind spirit conveyed Eugene's voice, [Then you should go and greet him.]
"What?" asked Melkith, sure she had misheard him.
[Greet him, I said,] Eugene repeated.
"What? You must be joking! Harpeuron is a demon of the fifty-seventh rank who vowed to kill me! Do you think that fearsome demon will respond kindly to my greetings? He'll come to kill me!" Melkith exclaimed.
[That's precisely the point,] Eugene replied as if he had been waiting for Melkith to say those words.
"What do you mean precisely ? Yo-You don't know how Harpeuron looks. He has an elephant's head, even two trunks! Do you want me to be toyed with by those wriggling trunks and die?" shouted Melkith.
[No... Lady Melkith, calm down. Someone as strong as you cannot possibly be killed by a demon merely ranked fifty-seventh,] Eugene said as he tried to placate her.
"Ha! Considering it’s not even your life, you’re speaking too carelessly. Whether I live or die, we'll only know by trying,” retorted Melkith.
[I believe in you, Lady Melkith,] assured Eugene.
“I believe in myself, too,” responded Melkith while pouting.
Despite her dramatic words, Melkith did not really think she was weaker than Harpeuron. But the fact that her opponent was a high-ranking demon of the fifty-seventh rank and a Count of the Helmuth Empire did make Melkith a bit tense. She had fought black wizards and monsters but never a high-ranking demon.
"You're serious, aren’t you? You really want me to go and greet him,” Melkith said after a pause.
[If that scoundrel recognizes you, he'll try to kill you, right?] asked Eugene.
"Most likely,” came Melkith’s response.
[If that happens, you cannot just stand there and let it happen, now, can you? If he tries to kill you, you must retaliate,] said Eugene.
"I should, right?” Melkith said uncertainly.
[If you kill Harpeuron, you can return to Aroth,] said Eugene.
Melkith's expression changed upon hearing his words. "Really?"
[It would be good to interrogate him before killing, if possible,] added Eugene.
"I'll call you later," with these parting words, Melkith cut their conversation as she dispersed the wind, grinning broadly.
At last!
She would finally be able to leave this detestable desert and return to Aroth. Should she say goodbye to Balzac before leaving?
Melkith entertained the thought for a moment, but it had been over two months since she had last seen Balzac. The suspicious black wizard had moved so stealthily and hidden his lair so well that Melkith had no way of contacting him.
There was no need to say goodbye. Even a greeting without any ulterior motives could lead to dreadful misunderstandings with that gloomy man. Melkith put aside thoughts of Balzac and pondered how to approach and kill Harpeuron.
"...Ahem."
It seemed there was no need to worry after all. Melkith looked up.
Rumble...!
A swirling black darkness was gathering in the clear sky. The source of this darkness was right above Melkith as its center.
"Hmm…." Melkith hummed consideringly. She then took off her large hat, pushed up her sunglasses slightly, and flashed an awkward smile before asking, "How did you know?"
"Don’t you think you’re underestimating me a bit too much?" As Harpeuron spoke, his two trunks writhed like tentacles.
Melkith wasn't sure if they were really trunks, but the dark tusks on either side seemed to confirm he was indeed elephantine.
Harpeuron continued, "You hid your power well, but the presence of spirits can't be completely concealed.”
Had she revealed herself while summoning the wind spirit? She had been so careful in her preparations and vigilance.
[Rank fifty-seven is not low. Melkith, your caution was admirable, but this demon's perceptiveness is equally formidable,] Yhanos warned.
[I do not wish to fight here. There are too many innocents around,] Levin said.
[Summon me! My flames will reduce that dreadful demon to ashes!] Ifrit roared.
The three Spirit Kings each voiced their opinions. Melkith agreed with Levin. She, too, did not want to hunt demons in the middle of this peaceful resort city. Melkith looked at Harpeuron with a sycophantic smile as she assessed the power was swirling around him. The sky was beginning to darken.
"So... we're meeting for the first time, right? Very nice trunks,” said Melkith.
"Melkith El-Hayah," Harpeuron spat her name.
It was an accidental encounter.
Though he had come from Helmuth to Nahama, he had not been planning on immediately declaring war. The ritual of becoming the Demon King had to be overseen by Amelia Merwin, and she had not yet shown herself.
The Sultan did not seem to be considering war, but that was not for Harpeuron or the other demons to worry about. If Amelia Merwin arrived and the demons egged him, the Sultan, despite his reluctance, would have no choice but to start the war.
Harpeuron had intended to enjoy his relaxation until that day came. Little did he know he would meet Melkith El-Hayah in this city, whom he had vowed to kill.
He had heard that Melkith hadn’t left Nahama yet and was still causing trouble in the desert. Even the Sultan had mentioned Melkith by name, asking him to stop her rampage in place of his inept soldiers.
"I have not forgotten the insults you spat at me." Harpeuron's eyes twisted in anger.
Melkith took a cautious step back. Her long black hair turned silvery as it shortened, and her eyes reverted to their original blue. "Hmm... seeing you in person, you seem much... better than before,” she muttered.
"I will not kill you here," Harpeuron said.
Crack, sizzle!
Immense dark power enveloped Harpeuron. "There are many others who want you dead as well…! I will torture you first, let you beg for death... after inflicting enough pain… then…."
"Kyaaah!" Melkith screamed, not so much fear at the thought of the scene but as a ploy to interrupt Harpeuron's focus and scatter his attention.
Boom!
Melkith stomped on the ground.
Crack!
The earth rose like a massive spear and rushed towards Harpeuron. The attack itself posed no threat; the immense dark power easily shattered the earthen spear. However, the scattered dirt and sand reformed and obscured Harpeuron's vision.
At the same time, Melkith was propelled upwards. Yhanos' hand hurled her high and as Levin's crackling lightning wrapped around her. Melkith was enshrouded in lightning as she streaked across the darkening sky.
"Melkith El-Hayah!" Harpeuron bellowed with fury.
Was she trying to escape?
Harpeuron brushed aside the clinging curtain of dirt but was immediately engulfed in blazing flames. However, even this was not a threat to him. The high-ranking demon's body was impervious to such flames. He did not even suffer a burn. Harpeuron sneered and moved swiftly.
"Do you think you can run away?" he shouted after her.
Harpeuron accelerated with unbelievable speed for his size and chased after Melkith. He followed Melkith while contemplating how to humiliate this presumptuous human.
"Stay away!" Melkith's scream echoed from afar. To Harpeuron, that scream was as sweet as a long-forgotten memory, for in present Helmuth, the cries of humans were a rarity. He became excited as he closed the distance between them.
***
They had long left the city behind, which was rather convenient for Harpeuron. He would not mind indulging in slaughter without worrying about his surroundings, but unfortunately, it wasn’t yet time for that.
'I will control myself for today,' Harpeuron thought.
Crackle!
Lightning struck the desert. Had Melkith given up her escape? Or was she planning to flee underground? Harpeuron descended with a sneer.
Flash!
But at that moment, a beam of light exploded. A pillar of red fire shot up, and dozens of lightning bolts rained from the sky. The desert shook like an earthquake, and the sandy terrain flipped entirely.
Even Harpeuron was caught off guard by this sudden phenomenon, and he gave up trying to land. He hastily ascended back into the sky.
Crack, sizzle!
Immense mana transformed into a storm. Fire, lightning, and earth's power merged with the mana and became one.
"Spirit Fusion."
The spirit giant rose.
"Infinity Force...!"
There was no need for lengthy words. Melkith resorted to her Signature from the start and transformed. She hurled her fist towards Harpeuron.
"Fire Punch!"
Harpeuron burst like a balloon.