Chapter 65

. . Gaka . ha . . a

Melheys lets out a painful breath .

Venuzdonoa has pierced his head but hes still alive .

Fumu . It seems a troublesome thing has been embedded in you .

A demon slavery sword has been placed in Melheys brain . Even a persons thoughts can be controlled by the owner of the slavery sword .

Perish .

Venuzdonoa destroys the slavery sword placed in Melhys brain .

When I pull venuzdonoa out of Melheys head he turns vacant eyes towards me . Gradually they begin to regain colour and life .

Have you returned to sanity Melheys?

He lowers his head in gratitude .

. I am extremely sorry Arnos-samaI was careless .

When I checked him in the union tower he definitely had no memory of me . I found it hard to believe that he had waited patiently all those years to only to try and kill me .

Of course, it was possible he had successfully hidden his memories from me .

Now though it seems that the aim of Avos Dillheavia was to make me think Melheys was an enemy so Id kill one of my allies .

Since Ray had had a contract sword stabbed in his body I had toyed with the idea that Melheys might also be in a similar situation .

Who attacked you?

Melheys shook his head with an apologetic expression .

I dont know . Even using magic I couldnt see their face . That night I met Arnos-sama I was attacked by someone and stabbed with the demon slavery sword . I never even noticed they were there until it was too late . Two thousand years ago I stored and prepared myself but I didnt even have the chance to use it .

I see, thats why he stored it . 2000 years ago after being attacked by subordinates of Avos Dillhevaia he stored to defend himself if he was attacked again .

The other side knew Melheys was a tough opponent who prepared elaborate plans so they used him to try and kill me this time .

Sticking Venuzdonoa in the ground the sword turned back into a shadow and sinks into the shadows under my feet . It is, so to speak, now in its sheath .

Id better reconnect that .

I take my left hand thats still grabbing onto Melheys and stick in back onto the stump where it fuses back to my body .

I try moving my fingers .

Fumu . No problems .

Bring Gaius and Idol here .

Understood .

Melheys creates 2 magic gates and the bodies of Gaius and Idol are transported to me .

What are you going to do?

Apart from you, it seems that all the other seven demon emperors have had their origins fused and their bodies taken over .

Melheys face turns serious as he considers this information .

Are they subordinates of Avos Dillhevaia?

Aah .

When I was dealing with Aivis I had no choice but to exterminate the other origin but its different this time .

There are another two origins serving under Avos Dilheavia here .

I draw and activate the magic formation for Root Separation on the corpses of Gaius and Idol separating the two origins fused with their original origins .

Avos Dillheavia trusted them enough to have them take over the bodies of the old seven demon emperors so they should be familiar with his plans .

Taking over the bodies of the old seven demon emperors meant that they were in direct control of the myths and legends of the demon king of tyranny . That type of position wouldnt be given to strangers or subordinates they didnt trust .

Even on the off chance they are clueless, theres a chance that when I bring them back with Resurrection I might know their faces .

After separating their origins I drip two drops of blood .

Revive and bow before me fools . Show me your identities .

As I activate two shock waves smash and cut their way through into this space and come flying towards us cutting the two origins in half right as they are about to be revived eliminating them and leaving nothing behind .

Wha . . !

As Melheys let out an exclamation of surprise I turn my eyes in the direction of the attack .

A man wearing a sinister-looking mask was standing there with his whole body covered in jet black armour .

Is the mask a magic tool? Even using my demon eyes I cant feel any magic power coming from him . That also explains why I didnt notice his attack until it was too late .

Thats impossible . Entering from the outside . Melheys says in a confused voice .

It certainly is unexpected . Forcing your way in from the outside is not easy .

Fumu . Are you Avos Dillheavia?

No answer .

You dont want to talk? Lets see what we can do about that .

I hold out my hand and the shadow underneath my feet moves revealing a shadow sword that rises up towards my hand .

. .

The hand of the masked man moved slightly and ripped a hole in which he disappeared into .

Melheys .

I cant sense his magic power so its difficult to follow him . I cant find him anywhere in so hes probably escaped .

Did he judge he couldnt win against Venuzdonoa? He must have seen the fight between me and Melheys .

Only one more second and he would have been rust on my sword . Seems hes no fool .

He had one purpose only it seems . To dispose of the origins of the subordinates possessing Gaius and Idol . If the origins are destroyed its impossible to get any information from them .

What should I do? I may still be able to follow him .

Its fine . Leave it .

Its not the time to chase the masked man . I have no doubt he accounted for being followed .

Ill give you instructions later . For now, revive Gaius and Idol .

The only origins that masked man destroyed were the subordinates of Avos Dillheavia . He left the original origins of Gaius and Idol alone for some reason . As per usual they will have no memories but they can revive in a normal state now .

Your will .

I sheathe Venuzdonoa in the shadows again and open a gate in front of me from which my Kongo Iron sword emerges .

Are you done here?

Aah .

I pick up my Kongo Iron sword .

Please enter my lord . I have connected it to the arena stage . Ray Grandori will also appear there .

Nodding I enter the magic gate .

As I walk through the distorted passage I started to hear voices .

Oi, whats happened . ?

I dont know . Theres no sound coming from the stage and you cant sense any magic either .

Theres no communication from the management either . Whats going on?

Oi, wait a moment . Look there! Is that a figure emerging?

. . Aah, it isHas the magic been cancelled . ? One persons standing and the other is on the floor . .

Has it been settled?

Who won?

The magic fades and disappears .

What the audience saw was me standing there with my Kongo Iron sword and Ray on his back next to a broken Initeio .

The owls voice rings out .

The destruction of player Ray Grandoris sword has been confirmed . Winner, Arnos Voldigod!

*WAAAAAAAAAAAA* A great cheer overflowed from the arena .

Yes! Arnos-chan won!!

Aahthats right . Our sons great after all .

I can hear my mother and father .

As expected . Arnos-sama is the best in the world!

Indeed . Arnos-sama is super cool . . *sniff* . Uuuuu .

Wait, why are you crying?

Because Im so impressedAll the rules helped the royal faction and hindered Arnos-sama . . but he won without complaining

Enough already . Becoming so serious all of a sudden .

Im always serious!

The girls of my fan union are in tears .

A grand applause comes from the audience seating . Most of them were mixed-bloods but they were all very happy . They were in such a state clapping and screaming it looks like they could go on forever .

Eventually, the cheers settled and the owl spoke .

The closing ceremony will be held later but right now player Arnos will be awarded a souvenir demon sword .

A girl wearing a dress enters the arena holding a demon sword in both hands .

Blue eyes and with her blonde hair down the girl had a familiar face .

Coming closer the girl smiles at me .

Congratulations .

She presents me the souvenir magic sword .

Fumu . What are you doing Sasha?

Sasha immediately looked a bit awkward .

Misha is with Isabella so dont worry . Anyway, the match is over so you can do what you want now

I didnt ask that .

Sasha glares at me with dissatisfaction .

You dont seem to know but the Necron family is a prestigious family . We are not very good with swords so we honour the champions of the tournament instead .

I see . Because Sasha is a direct descendant of one of the old seven demon emperors shes in the right social position to do it . Its all about giving prestige to the winner .

Hey, just accept this sword already .

Sasha holds out the demon sword again .

Thats not the attitude someone whos supposed to be praising me should have is it?

I casually take the demon sword .

. Ill do it properly .

Sasha blushes and looks at my face .

Congratulations Arnos Voldigod and blessings to your sword .

Closing her eyes tightly Sasha stretches out towards me and lightly touches my cheek with her lips .

Applause once again overflowed from the seats .

I said it . . Sasha says while looking down and not meeting my eyes .

Was there such a rule? If you didnt want to do this they couldnt make you .

I know that . I dont need you telling me .

Sashas face suddenly looked like she wanted to dodge the question before averting her eyes with a frustrated look .

. I said Id do it because I thought youd win Sasha mutters weakly .

Her words faltered as she searched for the words she wanted .

I have no intention of honouring any demon king . . apart from you

Shes speaking some pretty cute words which make me smile unintentionally .

Thats a good intention .

. Hmph . Youre as self-important as ever .

Contrary to what she said Sashas mouth softened .

Ah .

Sasha let out a voice like shed remembered something and drew the magic formation for Thought Transmission in front of me . It was programmed to transmit to the audience .

Arnos Voldigod . Can you tell us how youre feeling right now?

Aah .

There is something I need to say .

I was able to win thanks to this sword .

I lift it over my head and show off my Kongo Iron sword .

This sword that my father forged with his hopes and desires had the same strength as the demon sword Initeio . Its power comes from the heart and not magic . My father is a true master craftsman .

I turn my eyes to the seats .

Thank you father .

Looking at my father I can see his face is strongly trying to endure something .

I listened carefully to my fathers voice .

Whats he saying Isabella? Shouldnt he be saying something to the teachers of the school . ? That swords no big deal . Everything he achieved was down to his own power and because he worked so hard

My father sheds tears while being deeply moved and my mother smiled a gentle smile with tears in her eyes .

. He really is somethingIm not happy Isabella

My mother gently strokes my fathers trembling back .

We are now ready for the closing ceremony . Can all spectators please move to the throne .

The owls voice rings out and the audience stand up and begin to move .

Looking over at Ray hes surrounded by a number of doctors but they are struggling with his wounds . They are using recovery magic but it doesnt look like hes healing .

Ill do it . You can go

I cast Anti-magic Healing on Ray .

His wounds heal in a moment and his eyes open slightly .

. Is it over?

Did you lose consciousness for a while? Ray looks a bit absentminded .

It was a good game .

I hold out my hand to the fallen Ray who reaches up and grabs it .

Its the most frustrating feeling to lose . Ray says to me while standing up . But next time Ill win and defend you at the same time .

I look forward to it .

Me and Ray exchange smiles .

. Ray-san, Arnos-sama . !

A voice drew near to us .

Looking up Misa is running down the seats towards us with lots of tears in her eyes .

Her face is very pale and it doesnt look like shes very impressed with my victory .

Are you okay . . Misa-san?

Ray is worried and calls out to her .

. . Sorr . .

Misa attempts to talk but her voice catches in her throat .

Nn?

Im . . sorry

Misas voice falteringly comes out full of apology and guilt .

. Ray-sans motherIIa bit morejust a bitshe became energeticI couldnt protect hershe recovered . .

Dont worry about it .

When I said that Misas eyes rounded and she looked at me with a questioning expression .

Sheilas spirit disease is cured .

I drip a single drop of blood down and cast Resurrection .