“I really thought that I was going to die,” Balzac said, his voice trembling as he arrived in front of Neran’s walls.
After straightening his disheveled robes, he politely placed his hands in front of him and bowed his head deeply.
“It has been a while. Sir Eugene, Lady Sienna, Lady Kristina, have you all been well?” Balzac politely inquired.
But let alone the three he had just addressed, no one else was willing to respond to Balzac’s greeting. Right now, all the members of the Divine Army’s general staff had gathered at the foot of Neran’s walls. Kristina, who had been instructing the members of the Graceful Radiance and the other priests in the army, had quickly climbed up to the top of the walls after hearing the explosion and was now glaring at Balzac without any attempt to hide her hostility.
“Did you really come here just to say hello?” Kristina questioned suspiciously.
Kristina and Anise didn’t harbor even the slightest favor toward Balzac.
In the past, starting from when he first studied in Aroth, Eugene had received various forms of help from Balzac. Sienna also respected Balzac as a fellow wizard. However, Kristina and Anise didn’t have anything like that.
To the two Saints, Balzac Ludbeth was just another black wizard who was contracted with the Demon King of Incarceration, the current Staff of Incarceration, and the Demon King of Incarceration’s emissary. And that was all that there was to him.
“Haha, there’s no way that would be the case. After all, if I just wanted to say hello, I could have just as well done so from the walls of Babel,” Balzac said with a laugh as he pointed up at the sky.
High in the sky, the Demon King’s Castle Babel was blocking the view of the sun like it was a solar eclipse. The resulting huge shadow cast the ground below into an ominous twilight.“The reason I came here personally…,” Balzac paused for a few moments as he looked at those gathered at the base of the walls.
All those he had fought together with as allies during the Liberation of Hauria were gathered here. But among all of those who had followed Eugene at that moment, Balzac was the only one who hadn’t joined the Divine Army.
“The reason I came here alone to the “enemy camp,” despite knowing that I would never be welcomed here… is that I would like to have a conversation,” Balzac revealed.
Balzac didn’t appear to hesitate when saying the words enemy camp. At this declaration of his position in the war, Hiridus, the Blue Tower Master who had once studied alongside Balzac in the Blue Tower of Magic, let out a long sigh. Although it wasn’t as bad as Hiridus, all of Aroth’s Tower Masters couldn’t help but feel deep emotions of betrayal and regret.
“The ‘enemy camp,’ hmm,” Lovellian, the Red Tower Master, spat out these words as his jaw trembled in anger.
From the very start of their association in Aroth, he had never liked Balzac. From the moment Balzac became a black wizard, the two Tower Masters had become completely incompatible, like oil and water. However, regardless of his hatred and disgust for black wizards, Lovellian had always held an admiration and respect for Balzac’s passion for magic.
“A conversation? Do you really like talking that much?! So much so that you would even come here, to the hated enemy camp, to have a conversation!” the White Tower Master, Melkith, screamed, unable to hold it in.
It might be because she was aware of her surroundings; she had yet to cast her Omega Force, but she was radiating so much hostility that it seemed like she might attempt to kill Balzac at any moment.
It was Sienna who calmed everyone down by ordering, “Stop.”
As soon as the word left her mouth, all the mana in the air stilled. In this world where all mana was frozen in place, the spell that Melkith had secretly been about to cast was unable to manifest itself. Startled, Melkith glanced up at Sienna.
Melkith stammered, “B-big sis goddess, there’s no need for you to step forward personally. I’m going to slam this ungrateful bastard into the ground right now—”
“He said that he’s come here for a conversation,” Sienna spoke over her without even turning to look at Melkith.
Melkith couldn't help but feel very aggrieved by that reprimand. After all, it was Sienna who had taken the first shot at Balzac when he was flying down towards them from Babel. So why, at this point, would she be willing to agree to the conversation that Balzac had requested?
“Fine, Balzac Ludbeth. If you have really come here for a conversation, then we shall have a conversation. However, do you really believe that you are qualified to have a conversation with us?” Sienna demanded.
Despite blocking Melkith from taking action, Sienna had no intention of hiding her hostility. Balzac could feel the mana in the air constricting around him. All the mana within this area was under Sienna’s complete control and followed her every order.
Whilst shivering in excitement at this wondrous display of magic, Balzac bowed his head deeply and said, “As a lowly black wizard and a humble wizard, of course, I don’t have the qualifications to have a conversation with you, Lady Sienna. Then there is also the fact that I have betrayed Lady Sienna’s—”
Sienna interrupted him, “Betrayed? That’s the wrong word to use because there was never enough of a relationship between you and me to warrant the use of the word ‘betrayal.’”
“Yes, it’s just as you say, Lady Sienna,” Balzac meekly agreed. “You made sure to draw that line between us from the very start. However, Lady Sienna, isn’t it a fact that my actions have disappointed you?”
“Hmph, that’s true,” Sienna said with a nod, unable to deny it. “Balzac Ludbeth, I appreciated your dream. Although your secret desire was extremely blatant and ambitious, I also thought it was noble and respectable. The reason I thought so was that your dream was something that you could only pursue by remaining both a human and a wizard. Even if you did borrow the power of the Demon King of Incarceration to do so, I at least felt that your desire was pure.”
Crackle.
A purple electric current began to flow around Sienna as she continued, “However, if you were to abandon your identity as a human and as a wizard to pursue your dream as a black wizard, there is no way I would be able to tolerate you. That is why I am so disappointed. In the end, are you really going to give up the purity of your dream in order to serve the Demon King of Incarceration, hand and foot?”
“From the very beginning, I was willing to make that compromise,” Balzac admitted, his voice not shaking despite Sienna’s cold reprimand. “I was always aware of my limitations from the very start of my efforts. Because there is no way that I would be able to achieve my dream on my own, I, as you have already pointed out, Lady Sienna, made a contract with the Demon King of Incarceration. Since then, I have continued to pursue my dream, but now….”
Balzac raised his bowed head.
With a bitter smile, Balzac shook his head and said, “Now, I have decided to just accept it. Compared to the dream I so desperately desire, I am too feeble and weak. In the end, I could never become like you, Lady Sienna. As such, I have decided to compromise. After all, it’s not like I am fully giving up.”
“Compromise?” Sienna repeated the word with a frown.
“I won’t be able to write a story like yours, Lady Sienna. I won’t be able to become a legend like you have. In the end, I am simply not like you. However…,” Balzac paused before bursting into laughter. “Hahaha…. Even if I can’t become a legendary wizard, can’t I at least become a legendary black wizard?”
A legendary black wizard. The crowd fell into a cold silence at this prideful declaration. Eugene, who had been keeping silent out of an understanding of Sienna’s position as Balzac’s senior and her disappointment towards him, felt his brow furrow in a frown. The general staff, who had just been showing their anger and hostility towards Balzac, were now distracted with keeping an eye out for Sienna’s reaction. This was because Balzac’s declaration wasn’t just a direct refutation of Sienna’s previous hopes for him; it could also be seen as an almost heretical insult to her personally.
Sienna didn’t show any obvious reaction and just stared piercingly at Balzac.
Her green eyes, which were a shade that had always been reminiscent of emeralds, only grew stronger in their resemblance to those precious jewels as they now seemed completely devoid of any human emotions.
“Is that so?” Sienna finally responded.
Fwooosh!
The electric current that had just been surging around Sienna suddenly disappeared.
“In that case, what exactly qualifies you to come here and request a conversation?” Sienna asked with a smile.
But her smile was only skin-deep as there wasn’t any trace of amusement in Sienna’s voice or in her eyes.
Without avoiding her gaze, which was as hard and dry as flint, Balzac responded, “I have come here to speak with you as the emissary of the Demon King of Incarceration and an envoy of Helmuth.”
“It seems that I was mistaken,” Sienna let out a snort as she took a step back. “If you have come here in that capacity, then we have no reason not to converse with you. It also means that I don’t have any reason to attack you. After all, you’re not worth the effort.”
“As someone who respects you so, Lady Sienna, those words are very hurtful,” Balzac sighed.
“Although it feels disgusting to hear you say that you respect me, I won’t tell you not to do so. However, I no longer have any respect for you. If you stand in my way when we reach Babel, I will be sure to sweep you aside without any respect or courtesy,” Sienna promised.
“Babel?” Eugene spoke up. Without hiding his annoyance, Eugene glared at Balzac and muttered darkly, “Is there really any need to wait until Babel? I feel like we should just get rid of him now.”
“Haha…. I understand why you would say such a thing, but…,” Balzac pushed his glasses back up with an embarrassed smile. “As I have said… I have come here as the emissary of the Demon King of Incarceration and an envoy of Helmuth. So naturally, all of my qualifications to do so were granted to me by the Demon King of Incarceration. If I am unable to return, then….”
Eugene shrugged, “Well, who knows? I don’t believe that the Demon King of Incarceration would be all that upset if we were to kill you right now.”
“Actually, I also share the same thought,” Balzac confessed. “Even if I were to die, I don’t believe the Demon King of Incarceration would feel even the slightest hint of rage.”
Eugene raised an eyebrow, “So does that mean we’re alright to kill you?”
“If that is what you decided to do, Sir Eugene, there is nothing that I could do to avoid it. However, please allow me to have that conversation with you first,” Balzac politely requested.
“Fine. If that is your last wish, there is no reason not to grant it,” Eugene answered agreeably.
Balzac’s expression grew even more resigned at the words ‘last wish.’ He nodded slightly, then pointed to another section of the caste walls.
“I don’t believe that you would be willing to offer me something like a seat, so how about this? Why don’t we take a bit of a walk while we talk?” Balzac proposed.
“Alright. I should at least hear out your final request.” Eugene nodded his head cooperatively once more.
If that were even possible, Balzac’s expression seemed to grow even more resigned upon hearing the words, ‘final request.’ After letting out a slight cough, Balzac turned around and began walking down the length of the castle walls.
“Sir Eugene,” Kristina called out in concern.
“I’ll be fine on my own,” Eugene said, lightly waving Kristina and the other members of the general staff off when they tried to follow him.
But before he started walking off after Balzac, Eugene shot Sienna a glance.
“Just do as you please,” Sienna said in reply to his glance, her voice still as cold as ice.
Anger, frustration, and disappointment, these emotions were so evident in her voice that it was hard not to notice them. After hearing her reply, Eugene began following Balzac.
The two continued walking like this for some time. Balzac’s pace was quite fast, so in just a short time, they had already walked quite a distance from the others. So much so that, when Eugene glanced over his shoulder, the figures of the general staff had grown very small. Of course, this distance didn’t pose any problems for him. With the skills of the general staff, they would still be able to reach him in a mere instant.
“Just how much further do you plan on walking? Are you really going to keep walking until the others are no longer even visible?” Eugene grumbled as he looked at the back of Balzac’s head.
In fact, there wasn’t even any need to keep the members of the general staff in sight. From the very beginning until now, Balzac had always been firmly within Eugene’s range. No matter what trick Balzac might pull, Eugene had the confidence that he would be able to kill Balzac in mere moments. This was only natural. There was too much of a difference in skills and levels between Eugene and Balzac.
But that just left Eugene feeling even more confused. After all, Balzac should also be well aware of Eugene’s strength, so why had he felt the need to attach himself to the Demon King of Incarceration?
Given the nature of the Demon King of Incarceration, if Balzac simply refused to participate in the war, Incarceration would never have forced him to do so. So why had Balzac still felt the need to enter Babel? Did he think that the Demon King of Incarceration would protect him? There was no way that would be the case. The Demon King of Incarceration would never descend from his palace. In that case, Balzac would simply be forced to serve as Babel’s gatekeeper, destined to die while trying to block the Hero from advancing.
Still walking ahead of Eugene, Balzac finally spoke, “Sir Eugene.”
At the same time, he slowed his pace until Eugene had reached his side.
‘So just what exactly does this bastard have to say?’ Eugene thought to himself as he kept a calm expression on his face.
“Please spare my life,” Balzac pleaded.
“What?” Eugene’s jaw twitched in surprise at this sudden request.
He hadn’t misheard Balzac. Eugene responded like this because he had clearly heard what Balzac had just said.
Eugene turned to look at Balzac in disbelief before asking once more, “What did you just say?”
“I asked you to spare me,” as he said this, Balzac’s expression couldn’t have been more serious. He looked directly at Eugene as he continued speaking, “Please don’t kill me right here and now, and allow me to return with my life.”
“Why should I?” Eugene eventually asked.
Balzac’s expression was serious, and his voice didn’t have the slightest tremor. But that just left Eugene even more confused.
With a hollow laugh, Balzac continued speaking, “Sir Eugene, if you were to grant me that small mercy, it would be easier for me to return alive. Because Lady Sienna has no intention of killing me here today.”
Eugene shook his head as he said, “That might be Sienna’s intention, but it isn’t mine. Also, all of the other members of the general staff do want to kill you today, right here and now. That’s right, why don’t we leave it up to a vote? If we were to allow the majority vote to decide your fate, I’m sure that they would probably unanimously agree on your execution.”
“That would only be natural,” Balzac agreed.
“If you know that, why would you come here? Just what kind of conversation have you come here to have?” Eugene questioned.
Balzac informed him, “The reason I had no choice but to come here is as I have already said, the Demon King of Incarceration has entrusted me with the duty of an envoy. I have come here in order to relay the intentions of the Demon King of Incarceration.”
Eugene raised an eyebrow, “And what exactly are his intentions?”
“He wishes to know when the war should begin,” Balzac responded without any further prevarication.
“Haha…,” Eugene shook his head with a short laugh.
Creak.
The surge of emotion that those words naturally evoked caused Eugene to squeeze his fist tighter and tighter until veins popped up on the back of his hand.
Eugene kept his voice calm, “The official start of the war, huh? That’s right because right now, we’re still just in a standoff. Does that mean the Demon King of Incarceration has no intention of striking the first blow?”
“Well, in the first place, isn't there still the promise that the Demon King of Incarceration made with you, Sir Eugene? Until you begin your climb up Babel, the Demon King of Incarceration has no intention of starting the war,” Balzac paused for a few moments to look up at Babel. “However, the moment you reach the castle, Sir Eugene, the war will surely break out. Once that happens, all of the forces currently gathered in Pandemonium will invade the continent once more.”
“That seems likely,” Eugene nodded his head.
“For now, that force only comprises a portion of Helmuth’s demonfolk, but the more time passes, the more Helmuth’s public opinion will be forced to change,” Balzac warned him. “As the scent of blood spreads further and further, the demonfolk who have refused to join the war will instinctively be drawn towards it. The giants who have been in hiding since Kamash’s death may also end up joining the war. I am well acquainted with the skills of your Divine Army’s general staff, but in terms of the quality of the general soldiery, the demonfolk possess an overwhelming superiority.”
“That might be true,” Eugene conceded with a shrug.
There was nothing that could be done about the fundamental difference between demonfolk and humans. Of course, Balzac’s warning would only be relevant if the war lasted for much longer. However, Eugene had no intention of prolonging this war. The war would end in a day or two at the very most.
“Sir Eugene,” Balzac said with a sigh. “I think it would be better to minimize the sacrifices on both sides.”
Balzac raised his hand and pointed at the walls of Pandemonium.
“When Lady Sienna attacked me earlier, Pandemonium’s response… wasn’t intended on my part. Of course, it wasn’t the intention of the Demon King of Incarceration, either. The soldiers on those walls fired off that shot to protect me. Did you happen to see the power of that missile for yourself, Sir Eugene?” Balzac asked curiously.
“The missile?” Eugene repeated.
“Yes. Although they’ve attached many different titles in front of it, that thing is ultimately called a missile,” Balzac explained.
While recalling that one of the most basic magic attack spells was called Magic Missile, Eugene looked around at all the missiles installed on top of Pandemonium’s city walls.
“Those missiles won’t be used on the Divine Army following the start of the war. It's because they’re too powerful for that. However, Sir Eugene…,” Balzac paused for a few moments, “the moment that you lose your duel with the Demon King of Incarceration, all of Pandemonium’s missiles will be launched toward all the countries on the continent.”
“What?” Eugene gasped in surprise.
Balzac repeated himself, “The moment that you are defeated, Sir Eugene, all of those missiles will set the continent ablaze. Their very first targets will be the capital cities, which can be described as the hearts of their respective countries, then each sequential launch will target the city with the largest remaining population. Distance won’t be a problem. Every inch of land in this world is within their range.”
Eugene was silent.
“Killing all of the humans living on the continent with just that alone… would still be impossible. But their goal isn’t to exterminate humanity. There will be immense destruction, but humanity will still survive. From then on, the surviving members of humanity will have to make a choice. Whether they should surrender to Helmuth or whether they should listen to their hatred and desire for revenge and continue fighting until they die,” Balzac said, letting out a short sigh as he shook his head. “That would be far too cruel. I have no desire for that to happen. But if the Divine Army were to surrender, the continent wouldn’t have to become a sea of flames. Also, Helmuth will willingly accept all those who do surrender.”
Eugene finally spoke, “Just what are you trying to say?
“I am merely persuading you to surrender,” Balzac said calmly.
Eugene blinked in surprise at this response.
In the end, he burst into laughter, “Ha ha ha!”
Surrender, of all things it could have been!
Naturally, this must be Balzac’s personal suggestion, and it had nothing to do with the Demon King of Incarceration. Because the Demon King of Incarceration didn’t have any reason to want them to surrender. That was why Eugene couldn’t help but start laughing, and he kept laughing for quite some time.
“Just go,” Eugene, who had finally finished laughing, lifted his hand.
Balzac flinched at this movement and took a step back. However, Eugene’s hand didn’t move to attack Balzac.
Instead, Eugene pointed at Babel as it floated high in the sky and continued speaking while still chuckling, “I won’t kill you, so just go. Go back to Babel, or run away someplace else.”
“Sir Eugene,” Balzac tried to protest.
“That’s right, I’m allowing you to live because it seems that you’re trying to limit the destruction in your own way. Even if it is with such a foolish method as you coming down here, fully prepared to die, in order to try and persuade me to surrender,” Eugene shook his head in disbelief.
It was Balzac’s turn for silence.
“As such, I will allow you to leave with your life. Though, to be clear, it’s just this one time,” Eugene warned him.
While he might be able to kill Balzac, Eugene had decided not to. Instead, he would allow Balzac to leave with his life. This would be the only time he did so. Even if he allowed Balzac to escape with his life this time, if they were to meet in Babel, then, at that time, Sienna would be sure to kill Balzac before Eugene could even make a move.
“On what grounds?” Balzac asked once more. “Given your personality, I never expected you to surrender, Sir Eugene, but even so, isn’t this something that you should discuss with the others?”
“It’s meaningless,” Eugene replied with a snicker. “Surrendering won’t change anything. It doesn’t matter whether or not the Demon King of Incarceration shoots those missiles of his… if I cannot overcome the Demon King of Incarceration, then everything will truly be over.”
Balzac silently pondered this.
“Ah, that’s right. You were asking about when we should declare the start of the war…. Alright, let’s make it a month later,” Eugene said before turning to leave.
Eugene, who had laughed for quite some time, said something that Balzac couldn’t understand, and had declared the day on which to start the war without giving it much thought. Balzac stared at Eugene’s back in confusion. However, Eugene didn’t have anything more to say as he leisurely began walking back the way they had come.
“Alright,” Balzac finally said.
He couldn’t understand Eugene’s rejection of his offer. However, Balzac was able to infer something from Eugene’s response.
Those monsters that Balzac had devoured in Hauria using Gluttony, their ominous dark power, the Demon King of Destruction, and the Oath that the Great Vermouth had sworn with the inscrutable Demon King of Incarceration.
“One month later, I will see you in Babel,” Balzac called out.
It wasn’t that Eugene wasn’t willing to surrender. It was that he couldn’t surrender.
If Eugene didn't manage to overcome the Demon King of Incarceration, the world would be destroyed.
Having understood this, Balzac bowed his head low.
A bright smile appeared on his shadowed face.