Chapter 241: Chaos (7)
Just what in the world had happened to Lancia?
Not only Lian, but even Artemia was unable to hide her confusion.
No way.
At the thought that flashed through our minds, both of us instinctively tensed, as if guarding ourselves against Lancia.
But fortunately, she did not suddenly swing her sword at us, nor did she turn her back and declare hostility.
Lancia’s razor-sharp gaze was still, and solely, fixed on the Man without a Head.
Even so, Artemia and I could clearly feel it.
Something—something inside her had drastically changed.
Otherwise, there was no way the name of the Eight Demon Lords, the name Popolotuass, would have burst from her lips.
“……For now, it would be best if we fell back.”
I whispered that to Artemia.
At the same time, I took a step forward, positioning myself as if to shield her.
It was in preparation for the possibility that Lancia might suddenly turn and rush at us.
As Artemia stared briefly at my back and tried to say something, I opened my mouth first, cutting her off.
“It seems the problem is that Iron Needle he’s using.”
“……You think so as well?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
In truth, several pieces of evidence supported that conclusion.
According to Artemia, when she had been dropped into the desolate Barren Plain by that man, Lancia had not even been able to properly use her strength until the Iron Needle was carved out.
Likewise, in the scene I had seen in the future, hadn’t I myself been rendered completely helpless once the Iron Needle had been embedded in me?
And lastly, the Man without a Head himself had said that the Iron Needle was created specifically to target those who bore a Brand.
‘I had thought there might be something more…….’
From the beginning, I had vaguely considered that, beyond simply disrupting and mixing one’s power into confusion, it might have some other effect on those who bore a Brand.
And that possibility had now become reality.
Lancia’s current state was unmistakable proof.
‘But…….’
To think it would overturn perception itself like that.
From my standpoint, it was a chilling realization that sent shivers down my spine.
If I had not seen the future, then like Lancia, I too would have had an Iron Needle embedded in me right now.
“……No, that must be it.”
At my words, Artemia nodded in agreement.
“As I mentioned before, when the Iron Needle was embedded, Lady Lancia could barely even move properly. That is why we had no choice but to carve out her flesh to remove it.”
She paused briefly.
“……Unfortunately, the moment we pulled it out, it crumbled into powder and vanished, so we were unable to conduct any detailed examination.”
“There is nothing to apologize for. Master… I mean, Professor Windy May also said that it was something unidentified.”
Even as I said that, I glanced at her with concern.
“I’m sorry, but I believe it would be best for you to step back for now, Lady Artemia.”
“That means…….”
“We don’t know how far the effects of his Iron Needle extend. In a situation like this, if another unforeseen variable were to erupt…… at that point, it would truly become uncontrollable.”
Though my words were polite, their meaning was clear and firm.
You are out of the fight right now.
“…….”
Having easily grasped the implication, Artemia unconsciously bit her lower lip.
But she soon nodded in acceptance.
She knew well that, given her current condition and the situation, she had no choice but to accept my judgment.
After all, she had not earned her platinum mercenary tag through mere stubbornness and strength alone.
“……Understood.”
Frankly speaking, in her current physical state, she was far below me.
Which meant she did not even qualify as minimum combat strength.
‘And if…….’
If that Iron Needle were to be embedded in her as well?
And if it produced the same effect it had on Kyren Amiel?
And if she were to turn her sword toward Lian and Lancia?
“…….”
Even Lancia had just uttered the name of the Eight Demon Lords instead of Ilionel, who was both the foundation and embodiment of her faith.
There was no guarantee whatsoever that she would remain herself if she were pierced by that thing.
“……Very well. Then should I head outside at once and request assistance?”
“No.”
I shook my head lightly.
“Even if you go outside, the situation likely won’t be much different. I suspect…… the entire Capital is already in chaos. Since we are underground, I cannot be certain.”
With that, I let out a small sigh.
“……Rather than that, if you head further back, Princess Velita should be collapsed there. I ask that you tend to her.”
At my words, Artemia’s eyes widened slightly.
Suppressing her surprise, she asked,
“The Princess? Why would she be here…….”
She trailed off and shook her head.
Now was not the time to question such things.
“……Understood. I will secure Princess Velita and tend to her condition. If the situation permits, I will immediately head outside to request reinforcements.”
But it was not I who responded.
Lancia, who had been swinging her sword with every ounce of strength she could muster, suddenly cried out loudly,
“Merciful Popolotuass! Grant me power……!”
With that shout, she once again charged at the Man without a Head.
Watching her, I realized anew that the situation was spiraling into uncontrollable chaos.
“……I’m counting on you.”
Artemia and I looked at each other briefly.
Then she spoke first.
“Before I go, there is something I must tell you.”
“Go ahead.”
“It concerns the matters you asked me to look into. ……Though the situation is urgent, I believe I must tell you now.”
After that, she began to explain, briefly and concisely, what she had uncovered.
That the incident in the Black Market I had asked her to investigate was largely connected to the Holy Sun Church—specifically to high-ranking officials.
That the gathered goods had all been transported to an abandoned Orphanage.
And further, that beneath that Orphanage, she had discovered evidence of Human Sacrifice, along with traces of horrific Human Experimentation.
Artemia added one last thing.
“……Additionally, we discovered a glass bottle containing the head of someone resembling Archbishop Rahma.”
“Rahma?”
Again.
Not just what Urkvar had said—his name had surfaced yet again.
“…….”
At that, my brow furrowed without me realizing it.
Perhaps misinterpreting my reaction, Artemia slightly lowered her head, looking apologetic.
“……I am sorry. Before we could uncover anything further regarding that matter, it was taken from us by that man.”
“There is no need to apologize. The fact that you uncovered that much is more than enough.”
I nodded.
Leaving behind a brief warning to be careful, Artemia stepped back.
“Ah, wait a moment.”
I called out to her suddenly.
She turned to look at me as if asking what was wrong. I extended my hand toward her.
Soon, a faint yet gentle light enveloped her body.
It was the Miracle of Vitality.
“The situation does not allow for much, so I believe this is the best I can do for now.”
“……Not at all.”
A very faint, yet unmistakable smile formed at the corner of Artemia’s lips.
“This has been of great help. I, too, will certainly live up to your expectations, Lord Lian.”
With that, she quickly ran toward the rear, where Princess Velita had collapsed.
“Whew.”
After Artemia left, I once again gripped Velita’s Segmented Cursed Sword and turned my gaze toward the Man without a Head and Lancia.
Clang! Clang!
The two were still locked in fierce combat.
More precisely, Lancia was pressing the attack unilaterally, while the man repeatedly deflected or blocked her strikes.
Yet no matter how I looked at it, the flow of battle did not appear to favor Lancia.
“Great Popolotuass, grant me power once more……!”
“…….”
Panting roughly, Lancia cried out.
Then, astonishingly, a strange light began to coil around her blade.
“What—?”
Before I could even finish speaking in shock, her sword cleaved through the air.
“Ugh!”
Kagagagak!
The Man without a Head blocked the attack with his staff, but unable to withstand the impact, he staggered back several steps.
Was that genuine—or merely an act?
I could not tell.
“Haa, haa……!”
Even as she gasped for breath, Lancia did not cease her assault.
Her face was smeared with sweat and blood, and blood still flowed from the wound in her shoulder.
Even so, her eyes burned fiercely—no, more fiercely than ever before.
It was as if she were burning her very life as fuel.
“Hu……”
Watching her, I quietly took a deep breath.
Then, without hesitation, I charged in as well, intervening in the battle between the two.
“……I see.”
Someone murmured softly.
“I kept doubting, but now it finally makes sense.”
It was the Masked Woman wearing a Fox Mask.
The one whom the Man without a Head had addressed with honorifics as the last remaining of the Eight Demon Lords slowly nodded, as though everything had finally fallen into place.
“……Popolotuass.”
She recalled the name of the one she had once been reluctant even to call a comrade.
‘To think I only realized it now.’
It was a moment in which she keenly recognized just how much her power had weakened.
Even if she harbored no regret, a bitter feeling inevitably washed over her.
‘If I had been in proper condition, I would have seen through it at once…….’
With an unknowable grumble, she nodded again.
Popolotuass.
The one who had borne the title of Eight Demon Lords alongside her.
His ability had been to turn back time at the cost of himself.
And within his body, he would store his essence, memories, and power…… and, as needed, combine them to give birth to monstrous beings as though they were his own children.
“…….”
She recalled the figure of the Man without a Head.
And she recalled Popolotuass.
“……Yes.”
Two beings who shared no resemblance whatsoever.
Yet now, with certainty, the woman murmured,
“So you were the child he left behind on this land.”
He was the final child Popolotuass had left behind.
Or rather, would it be more accurate to call him a duplicate who had inherited everything he was?
“…….”
The woman’s eyes narrowed.
And suddenly, she realized something else.
A fact she had overlooked all this time.
“No.”
She whispered softly.
“……You were not the last.”