Chapter 167 – Change The World (1/2)
“If that’s how it is, I will accept.”
“Thank you very much.”
Malfas advanced by himself through the forest to hide himself from the other beastmen and finally arrived at the former Swordland.
Both his hand have been bound, but after somehow succeeding in being let through to Vepar, he obtained permission to join the demon army.
The occupied human castle. It’s the place where the bear beastman Salgu, who stormed in to save the beastmen, fought against Swordland’s king a while ago, and where both of them were killed by Hifumi who barged into their fight, but there’s no way for Vepar and Malfas to know about that taking place.
Using the audience hall as is, Vepar, who sat on the throne, looked down upon Malfas.
“However, can I have you tell me the things you learned and saw at the time you went to the human cities without holding back anything? In addition, I will have you give me all the information you own about a man called Hifumi.” (Vepar)
“Understood.” (Malfas)
Malfas didn’t show the slightest hint of pondering over the conditions named by Vepar.
It looks like he doesn’t think through anything, Vepar inclined towards taking it easy in her consideration, but for a convert to appear at this phase; I can’t carelessly trust him although I did accept him joining us.
“By the way, I think there were also humans with… those beastmen and elves, weren’t there? What happened to them?” (Vepar)
Malfas hesitated to give an answer to this question.
“… They said that they would rely on the human Hifumi since they can’t win against the demons.” (Malfas)
“I have the intention to capture human cities, so you might have to fight against your former comrades, correct?” (Vepar)
“I-I don’t mind. If they come out to fight… besides, my sister won’t appear on the battlefield… probably…” (Malfas)
Watching Malfas who tightly grasped both his handcuffed hands while averting his gaze by looking on the floor, Vepar assessed him to be a honest child. His spirit of opposing Hifumi probably originates from that aspect of his. Though he seems to have a simple character because of that.
“In that case, though it’s abrupt, I guess I’d like you to appear on the battlefield once to have you show me your resolve and ability.” (Vepar)
The expression of Malfas, who raised his head, showed him keeping his mouth shut tightly while waiting for Vepar’s words.
“I investigated the state called Vichy among the human countries. I plan to genuinely gain full control of that place, therefore I will have you join the invasion army. Thus, demonstrate your usefulness to me.” (Vepar)
“Understood. So when will I depart?” (Malfas)
“Tomorrow. The start of the invasion is tomorrow as well.” (Vepar)
“Eh?” (Malfas)
In front of Malfas, who stares at her while not understanding what she has said, Vepar slowly stood up and raised her hands in a big manner.
“Answer to my life force and show me a path to that distant place.” (Vepar)
No sooner than her saying that, a small black spot appears and turns into a huge circle with a diameter of possibly three meters in the blink of an eye. Its surface that was flat and deep black spread while heading towards Vepar.
“This is a darkness spell. A transfer gate. With this I can send soldiers from this location to the human country at once. That’s why you will be able to suddenly attack after departing tomorrow.”
With a serious look, Malfas asked Vepar, who proudly looks down on him with her arms folded,
“If you have this, even at the time of the first attack… no, you will be able to directly invade into Hifumi’s city…” (Malfas)
“Ugh… Well, there are various conditions. Currently we can’t transfer anywhere except for Vichy.” (Vepar)
She phrased it in a way that made it apparent that she’s dodging the matter, but what Vepar said were facts. Receiving instructions in dark magic from the death god, she became able to draw up plans that use transfer gates which even Hifumi can’t use. However, on top of being influenced by compatibility and mana, Vepar couldn’t transfer anywhere besides places, which possess landmarks that were set up in advance, or places Vepar already visited once.
Moreover, the current size of its opening was the limit. Given the limit of its size that allowed around 2~3 people to pass through at once depending on their body sizes, they would likely be killed one after the other at the transfer destination if they thoughtlessly appeared in front of Hifumi.
Therefore she decided to first capture Vichy in order to prepare close to the other human countries. Though that’s nothing she would tell Malfas who is treated as common soldier.
Once she’s satisfied with the look of Malfas, who admires the transfer gate with its jet black opening, a single girl appeared from within that darkness. It’s Pheres who belongs to the demon army.
“Ah, it was you after all, Vepar-sama. Everyone got startled when the gate suddenly appeared in the barracks.” (Pheres)
“Oh, really? Sorry, sorry. Ah right, can you guide him to the barracks on this occasion? You can take off the handcuffs.” (Vepar)
“Yeees~. Come this way then.” (Pheres)
Being led by Pheres who came out of the gate speedily and without delay, Malfas fearfully went through the gate as well.
After waiting for several seconds and making sure that there’s no change, Vepar closed the gate.
“Phew…” (Vepar)
She opened a big gate to put on airs, but it takes 80% of her mana to open such a gate, leaving aside maintaining it. Vepar entrusted her body into the throne due to her exhaustion that was accompanied by a light dizziness.
“Anyway, it seems like you got a handle on it, doesn’t it?”
“Death god… are you sarcastic? Even though I have to sit on the chair out of exhaustion.” (Vepar)
“What are you saying? Just being able to use it up to this point is already a great achievement.”
A skinny man in a tailcoat. The death god stands next to the throne while showing a creepy grin.
“Even Hifumi has mastered this, right?” (Vepar)
“He has the talent to do so. However, in fact he can’t use gates.”
Even the death god apparently doesn’t understand why Hifumi can’t use transfer gates. “The manifestation of the attribute also changes depending on the person’s elementary attainments and their image to what is called darkness”, the death god explained, but Vepar didn’t get it at all.
“So, what did you come here for?” (Vepar)
“I visited you to bid farewell.”
“… I see. Where do plan to go next and what do you intend to do there?” (Vepar)
Vepar believes that it’s not very desirable for the number of people, who can use similar magic, to grow stronger, but she doesn’t possess any means to tie down the existence called death god.
“Everywhere, or rather, I will go anywhere. It appears that the world is in the process of approaching my ideal. A conflict between the demons and an alliance of humans is going to start. Many lives will likely be lost.”
Vepar tries to not match her eyes with the death god who laughs eerily while licking its lips.
“You have a bad taste, you know?” (Vepar)
“I’d like you to not say that. After all this is also my job.”
“I shall give you my gratitude. The demons, who always existed in the shadows, will very soon become the leading actors of this world. That was the dearest wish of many of our ancestors…” (Vepar)
However, that’s not what Vepar wishes for.
She will initiate the battle, but she doesn’t wish for a world full of fighting.
“If the demons manage to control this world, the world will become peaceful in reverse. Once that happens, your preferred world will vanish, won’t it?” (Vepar)
“Indeed… I suppose I will come up with something new at that time. Well then, stay healthy.”
The figure of the death god vanishes and silence spreads throughout the audience hall.
The room, where oppressive shadows seem to stickily cling to the stone walls, is gloomy, as if expressing Vepar’s mental state.
“Let’s get the party started! I guess I will have the battle maniacs do as they please even if I fall into infamy.” (Vepar)
While firing herself up, she stands up as her body was slowly recovering its mana.