章 24: Formalities

Eryu Bellote. An esteemed individual with a mithril plate. Currently, he is fighting for his life against seemingly endless hordes of hellhounds and gazer devils. But since everyone else expects him to pull through due to his rank and position, we will too. Don't die Bellote, we'll check back with you later… Now for the real chapter.

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As Momonga and his small entourage draw closer to their destination, Demiurge frowns beneath his mask.

'Why is he chasing after me? Surely it would be better- no, he is a supreme being for a reason. I am just failing to comprehend his true intentions as usual. Times like this make me grateful for the comprehensive nature of Dabilosi's delegations for us. But if it was all as such we would never... I see. As expected of the supreme beings, they can use even their seemingly conflicting natures to the best possible benefit.'

While walking along, I sneeze. After scanning my surroundings briefly, I continue, but with caution.

'Hmm? Virus damage? Must've been at least level 60 to affect me… Or maybe some of the demons can bypass resistances? I really should've paid more attention to Amano when he gave those boring sermons on monsters' unique traits. In any case, I've got Shalltear patrolling the streets and Aura… Somewhere. So it should be fine.'

Momonga: Then here I come, De… demon!

'Oh. I must be close. Probably just around this- there they are.'

My first impression was one of 6 people spectating a rather one-sided fight. Momonga 'forcing' Demiurge back, while the maids and Evileye look on. Naturally, that wasn't the reality of the situation, but it definitely felt that way.

Evileye: Then, you take two, and I'll take the other two.

At that point I could've sworn I saw a smirk on Nabe's face, but now was the last and best time for me to reveal myself, so I didn't have much time to ponder it. Unfurling my wings fully I stride into view regally, drawing my sword as I go and collecting my orbs with style, rotating them rapidly and then throwing them back into my inventory in succession as they circle behind my back.

Dabilosi: I have a better idea. I take two of them, and you take one each.

Nabe: Very well. Which do you plan on confronting?

Unbeknownst to everyone but herself, Evileye had glared at me and frowned before turning back towards who she considered 'her' opponent.

Evileye: I'll finish what I started with that bug demon.

Dabilosi: Ah, well if you could beat her once… I'll deal with the red-head and the blonde. Of course, this is all subject to their acceptance.

Yuri: Which you are obviously not going to gain. I will be fighting the short one.

Dabilosi: Fine, fine. I refuse to believe she can't hold you off until I finish up my end of things. But seriously, why does humanity always need so much help?

The maids split up, and naturally, I follow Solution and Lupusregina. However, as I leave, I quietly cast [Feather of the Fallen], a ninth tier AOE spell which temporarily buffs spells reliant on negative alignment within a given radius of where it was cast. In this circumstance, I'm using it for a completely different reason. A pitch black feather forms amongst my pure white before immediately falling off, and this was seen by Evileye. She wasn't allowed to dwell on it however, as Yuri capitalized on her momentary distraction to launch herself forwards.

Yuri: [Drive Momentum] [Violent Thrust]

Barely reacting in time, Evileye leapt back and cast a barrier she truly hoped would hold.

[Crystal Shield]! [Fly]!

Her hopes were realised, as Yuri's fists hit it with a resounding gang. But the resultant relief was short-lived, as she realised it was bound to break in the next strike. As unbelievable as it was, she accepted that this mere 'maid' of Jaldabaoth's was capable of destroying her strongest barrier in less time than even some of the demon gods she had faced.

[Shard Buckshot]

Pre-emptively, she launched a strike towards her own barrier, and as she predicted, it was shattered in the next instant.

Yuri ran forward, merely raising her arms in defence as the crystal shards struck them with force. Her natural regeneration began to kick in almost immediately, and she struck the air in front of her.

[Cyclone Palm]!

[Teleportation]!

Evileye: You're strong! But from the looks of things, you can't defeat me, and in your incapability to do so, my victory is assured! As much as it pains me to say it, that angel is strong. Too strong to defeated by you.

---------- Elsewhere ----------

Dabilosi: Well, since we're in this situation now, I'd actually like to try out my new strength. Don't worry, I won't use a single spell. I want to test out my pure physical prowess.

Lupusregina: Ehhh?!!! Are you sure it's ok for us to be fighting you Dabilosi-sama?

Solution: Dabilosi-sama is being generous. Just be happy he has given you this opportunity… But if this really is the case Dabilosi-sama… you won't mind if I strike first right-!

[Asassination: First Blood]!

Teleporting directly behind me, she launched a strike with a dagger concealed in her body toward the small of my back. Realizing I couldn't react in time I use the first of many martial arts.

[Martial Art: Fortress]

With a quick *shiing*, the dagger slides across my back, leaving no noticeable trace. I pivot in the opposite direction and swing towards her with Masamune, activating the [Martial Art: Sharpness] in the process. This in turn is blocked with incredible ease by her free hand, which can now be seen holding a second dagger. After this I activate [Martial Art: God of War] and [Martial Art: Evasion] to shift towards Solution's unprotected side and protect myself from any damage I take from still being in Lupusregina's blast range.

[Pillar of Flames]

Too predictable, even if it was a good strategy. I did still get hurt by that attack though, even if it wasn't that bad. So I guess high tier AOE damage is still going to be a killer, and I can't easily deal with multiple high-level opponents at the same time without using magic. Short as it was, I got the information I needed.

[Martial Art: Asura Samsara]

I relax my stance, and Solution does the same. Lupusregina is looking on clueless and probably wondering why she didn't get to cast more than one spell.

Solution: I apologize for acting informally before the battle began Dabilosi-sama, and I admit defeat. I could feel the wind against every unprotected part of my body.

Dabilosi: 'Please don't make it weird like that' Really? Well, your apology is actually quite a shame, I was sincerely hoping you would carry on with it myself, I find myself rather distant from you all when I can't interact with you as you would be with your peers. That goes for you too Lupusregina, although I don't think you'll have as much trouble adapting to it. If you must find a practical reason, it would be that I want to understand your personal opinions on matters, not what you think would be best, since it can become difficult when one is asked to perform a task they don't agree with.

Lupusregina: Oh? Thank you♪! You can call me Lupu if you want Dabilosi-sama, although… I don't know if I'll be able to entirely drop the formalities straight away. I'm sorry.

Dabilosi: Well Lupu, I don't think it will take long. Solution? Don't worry, I won't mind if you stay formal, but I would definitely prefer if you could open up at least a little around me. I may not be the best for understanding people, but I do know some things can't be pushed.

Solution: I will try Dabilosi-sama, but I can-'t guarantee results. On the other hand, I'm honoured that you would wish to listen to our thoughts and opinions. Hmm… Would now be a good time for you to interrupt the fight between THAT GIRL and Yuri…?

Lupusregina: When you're done with that girl can I have her?

Dabilosi: Sure, and… Yes, I think I will go now. Any longer and one of them may hurt the other, and since I don't think I've seen everything SHE has to offer, I'm not entirely sure who… Well, I'll talk to you later anyway. [Greater Teleportation].

---------- Back to the clearing ----------

Evileye: Tch, how resilient are you?!

Readying yet another spell, Evileye looks towards her opponent to predict where she will move next. What she didn't expect to see was her opponent having her entire head turned away from her looking towards the edge of the crater they'd formed. The earth she stood on was uneven, with cracks coursing through it, but that didn't matter right now. Holding her spell, she remained silent, and through the newfound quiet, steps were heard. Measured, slow steps, made with a surety that boasted true confidence.

As the steps drew closer, another sound rang out. One of a weapon being drawn with a swift and fluid motion. An abnormally long blade, from the sound. Still not daring to take her eyes off her opponent, Evileye waited until the movement stopped at the edge of the crater, like an executioner before the criminal.

Dabilosi: Tsk… Tsk… Tsk… *Letting out a sigh* It's highly unreasonable, but I think you might actually be beginning to grow on me little vampire. Not many would continue battling to the extent you have with a low magic reserve. If I hadn't turned up in time you might actually have fallen, so… I guess you managed to put your trust in me. I can't describe how happy it makes me that one of natural darkness such as yourself is attempting redemption. I SHOULD still kill you, but I'm not a perfect specimen of my race either, so I think I'll let you off. Suffice to say, I'm not giving the same treatment to your opponent.

I leveled my sword at Yuri.

Dabilosi: [Message - Yuri] Teleport.

[Glacial Blast]

A beam of pure blue light erupts from the tip of my sword, striking the ground just in front of Yuri. From that point a cone of ice forms, with ice spikes jutting from every angle. I sigh again, and this time raise my hand, balled into a fist

[Forceful Shatter]

Spreading my hand flat, the cone breaks apart, shooting icicle shards across the entire clearing and into the sky with a deafening blast. I walk down the slight slope into the crater since it wasn't too deep, and wander towards Evileye, who flinches back slightly when i raise my palm to her.

Dabilosi: Oh. Right. Does healing magic work on you, or does lethal magic heal you.

Evileye: Eh-uhm, lethal magic…

Dabilosi: Hmm, very well. [Greater Lethal]. Be grateful I'm one of the few angels who can use that. Most of them ignore it as less than useless, detrimental even, to their purpose.

Almost immediately, the spell kicks in, and Evileye's wounds heal instantly due to all being relatively minor.

Dabilosi: It would be nice to see who I've been helping though. Just so you know.

(A.N: Irrelevant, but I puked from eating too many crunch creams just after writing that.)

One short gasp later, Evileye's hands shoot to her mask and she pulls it off. Immediately upon doing so it was clear that she was embarrassed that she hadn't done it before since face was bright red. Although, part of that might just have been the heat of wearing a mask.

Evileye: Ah-I-Uhm… Sorry. I was startled after you cast a spell that powerful.

Dabilosi: Tch. You too? It gets lonely after a while when people treat you differently because of your race or strength. Even if I'm surrounded by people, it feels as though I'm by myself, because they won't even risk offending me. Apparently that's one of the things that hasn't changed in over a thousand years.

Evileye: You're over a thousand years old?!

Dabilosi: No, I'm 227 next month. I lived my life a thousand years ago before having myself frozen in time to escape the heavens' destruction. Don't ask. It's not pleasant to wake up and find everyone you know and love is dead and has been for a long time… Humanity may have better technology now, but as a race they haven't changed.

Evileye: I… Understand.

I chuckle deprecatingly, seemingly at her but in reality at the other thoughts flowing through my mind.

'Of course, you're the vampire Landfall of two hundred years ago. Not only is one of your classes ground elementalist, you used a specialised spell to defeat Entoma, showed incredible destructive capability and could hold your own against Yuri. Perhaps the most damning of those was the second, since according to Zesshi, Landfall joined the thirteen heroes and helped defeat the Demon God of Insects. You're going to help me learn about your time, and then I am going to betray and crush you mercilessly. No-one gets away with even insulting the denizens of Nazarick forever, let alone assaulting and nearly killing them. I wonder, how much do you actually understand.'

Evileye: No really! When I was only 12 years old the city I was born in had every citizen converted to an undead by the corpse dragon lord. After it was killed, the people didn't return to normal, and even began acting like true undead searching for life to destroy. Not wanting that to happen I eradicated the entire city along with three smaller towns and earning the nickname 'Landfall'. If that doesn't count for anything I don't know what will! But... I do want to know... how long have you been awake? I-if you don't mind me asking.

This time I chuckle 'sincerely'.

Dabilosi: I guess there is some similarity after all. Alright, let's start with why it's ME. I was chosen to be frozen because I was the strongest and had good genetics to pass on, simple as that. Of course, knowing why I was chosen has made me feel guilty quite the number of times, like I'm failing them by not finding anyone who I could be with... But anyway, I woke up only a few weeks before I first came to the kingdom. As for the exact date, I'm not entirely sure. And why I chose a vampire to be the first one I say anything too, I'm even less sure. That's my entire story in a nutshell. Rather bland if you ask me, but I won't stretch it just to make it sound better.

Evileye: B-by pass on- do you mean…?

Dabilosi: Sleep with as many people as possible? No. Even if it was what they meant I don't think I would carry it out. On the topic of love, I will do as I please, I'm going to get married, and after that have lots of kids. If I don't find anyone, race be blown I'll die a virgin. Not that I want that in any way shape or form mind you, I kind of dread that idea.

Her face goes bright red and immediately changes the topic. I act confused for a second before 'realizing' what I actually said.

Dabilosi: I- uh- should go check on Momon now. I don't doubt he'll win, but he'll definitely take some bad hits on the way.

(WARNING: Basically copy pasted (slight changes) because it's so brilliant in the original and it is still what would happen, will notify when ended.)

Suddenly, a person was blown through the air as a building collapsed. He bounced several times on the floor, tumbling head over heels before grinding to a halt.

My eyes widened. I didn't think Demiurge would take the roleplaying that far, but thinking more carefully, it did make sense.

For a moment, Evileye thought it might be Momon who was sent flying, but that was not the case. It was Jaldabaoth.

Seeing Jaldabaoth unsteady on his feet, Evileye became excited. It was obvious who had wounded him so badly and knocked him back so far.

The jet-black armor was heavily damaged, making it clear just how intense their duel had been. Even so, the man standing there did not waver in the slightest, showing Momon's clear superiority in comparison to Jaldabaoth, who was getting to his feet.

Momonga slowly lowered his swords, and spoke to the rising Jaldabaoth.

Momonga: Well, that was fun. How shall I put it… it felt real. I could feel myself really battling with you. So this is what it feels like to be the vanguard… in the past, I used to overpower all my opponents in melee combat, so I didn't feel anything, but now I feel like a battle maniac. So, can you show me your full strength now?

Telling one's opponent to use their full strength was a grave insult. Thinking about this, Evileye shook her head. Perhaps this was Momon's true desire.

Strong men like Momon rarely had the opportunity to go all-out. Most of the time there opponents would be slaughtered before he could get serious. A man like him would be overjoyed if he got the chance to face an opponent that required his full strength. She wondered whether I would feel the same way or not, and how strong someone would have to be to give me that challenge.

Demiurge: Then, please allow me to do so.

Jaldabaoth had probably understood it as an insult, and so he repaid it with exaggerated, sarcastic politeness.

Momonga: Then, I shall come at you seriously. Bring it, Jaldabaoth!

With those words as the signal, the two of them clashed in the middle of the plaza.

Their exchange was like a replay of the time Evileye had first met Momon. His high-speed, consecutive attacks were deflected by extended claws. Since they could parry his greatswords, the hardness of those claws must be beyond human understanding.

Momon leapt back in a grand, soaring arc. His jumping strength made her think that he might have been using the [Fly] spell. In the moment where her view of Momon was blocked by his spinning swords, she saw him produce a spear from nothing, from the corner of her eye.

It was a crimson spear whose point was like a cyclone of fire. Momon hurled it at Jaldabaoth. So fast did it fly that all she saw was its crimson trail seared into her vision as it headed for Jaldabaoth.

[Aspect of the Demon: Hellfire Mantle]

As the spear struck, a roaring flame blazed up from the ground, and a massive shockwave erupted from Jaldabaoth.

In order not to be blown away by the titanic displacement of air, Evileye crouched down and tried to weather the storm. Fortunately, because she wore her mask, she was able to keep her eyes open during the tempest.

Looking ahead, she saw Momon picking up his sword from where it lay at his feet, amidst the wildly-blowing wind. Then, he charged Jaldabaoth again.

Jaldabaoth was ready to receive the attack. His body was wreathed in flames, and the spear from earlier was lodged in the ground by his feet.

As Momon swung down on him, Jaldabaoth caught the sword with both hands. Smoke rose from his palms, and the metal between his fingers started to melt.

Momonga: So, you're able to melt a weapon like this… the ability has gotten stronger.

Since it was a blade favored by Momon, an adventurer of the highest caliber, it must have been made of an amazing material indeed.

But that was not important. What was important was that Jaldabaoth could summon fire that could melt steel, and that Momon could still talk casually to him despite being so close to the deadly flames.

(OK FOLKS: End of copy-pasta. Obviously, there's a massive gap between the quality of my writing and this, but… I'm trying.)

Dabilosi: That's hellflame, and my cue to end this farce.