Evan D. Sherden, Into the Final Chapter (4)

Save was lost in thought while passing through the giant ice tunnel. It wasn’t Evan’s tremendous power which he just witnessed that he was thinking about. Still, rather…it was the field magic that maintained its form despite the overwhelming strength Evan displayed. It looked as if it was part of the time-stopped world. So, to break it, everything that was connected to it must be crushed.

‘Should I have told him…?’

Save was in agony. No, but for sure, Evan knew about it, too. He had realized its mechanism. And his measure on holding all Demons was a perfect solution. Still, he seemed to be unaware of the identity behind the magic field…yeah, it seemed like it.

‘However, that is impossible. There isn’t a single thing in this world that he is unaware of.’

Then, he must have seen through the fact that the magic field couldn’t be destroyed, so he had Save’s party separated from that place. Would the magic field disappear by defeating the Demon King? Perhaps yes. He ordered Save’s party to defeat it, after all.

“Let’s hurry. We have to defeat the Demon King while he holds the Demons.”

“Sure.”

Louise sounded very gallant, but Save knew that Louise’s condition wasn’t normal. She was in the state of [Charm], and the source was obvious. The ecstatic face that Louise showed while kissing Evan in front of everyone wasn’t for minors to see.

‘It’s a negative status effect, but it isn’t for Louise. She lives for the sole purpose of overthrowing the Demon King.’

Save tried his best to show his dignified presence while following Louise, and he looked at other members of the party.

“I want to have that kiss! Like what Commander Oppa did!”

“Shall we do it by ourselves?”

“Idiot! I’ll ask Jhin to do it for me after crushing the Demon King!”

“But it shouldn’t be forced.”

The twins, Lin and Lan, were already excited, although they were about to fight the Demon King. But Save knew that those two girls were the most reliable once they got into a battle. The two girls received excellent combat education. They could perfectly perform their roles in any situation since they didn’t know any fear. If they weren’t here, Save might have hesitated a little in fighting against the Demon King.

“Hmm…”

On the other hand, Enoch was serious since he was a pitiful person who didn’t know whom he should believe in now that he was about to fight the Demon King. But since his faith was unshakable, his holy power was still so strong that nobody was as reliable as him in fighting against the King of all Demons.

“The power which Master Evan showed us…umm, but…”

“Oh, have you realized that by now, Enoch?”

“Ah, no, you prick. It shouldn’t be…perhaps, I’m slightly thinking on the possibility of the Master being the disciple of the nameless god.”

He still spoke foolishly, but it was a bit better than before. Save shook his head and tapped on Enoch’s shoulder.

“I don’t intend to argue with you when we are all the way here. But come to your senses. He has entrusted us with an important mission in defeating the Demon King.”

“Of course. Do you think I’ll let the amazing opportunity to defeat the Demon King slip by? Hang on tight.”

“You are as consistent as ever, and I like that. But clearly…it is a great achievement.”

If he stepped in, no, even if he didn’t directly step in, the Demon King could be swiftly defeated with the two who were quietly following Save’s party. Despite all that, what was the reason behind assigning the mission of killing the Demon King to the party led by Louise and Save?

‘Well, he can’t be bothered with such petty things, but moreover…’

It was because he wanted the members, including Louise and Save, to become heroes whose tales were sung throughout the centuries. A firm achievement in defeating the Demon King and the strength that verified it. From the moment Evan let Louise party up with Save and his members, they only moved towards that one goal. Even the previous scenario was simply a giant stage for Louise’s party to gain fame. The great part of that play was in gathering a great number of villains, including the Demon tribe, and eliminating them without any loss to their allies.

‘It’s certainly why he had to go that far in creating the troublesome scenario. It’s…embarrassing, but perhaps, only for me.’

Evan liked Save ever since he entered the dungeon city of Sherden and gave him a chance after realizing his childhood dream of becoming a hero. It was an opportunity for him to truly become a hero. And the only way to return such grace was to prove that his decision wasn’t wrong. It was to stand as a hero that could represent this continent the way he and Evan wanted.

‘Maybe he expects something else from me afterward. If so…I’m really excited.’

Well, it was quite funny that he had such thoughts even though he hadn’t met the Demon King yet. As he was lightly smiling, Lucid gradually made his appearance at the very front. Something had happened to him. Lucid’s atmosphere, where he emptied his mind and solely focused on his mission, made even Save shrivel.

“The door ahead is the last one. I can feel tremendous energy behind it…it’s the Demon King.”

“Probably. There won’t be any hidden tricks like barriers now.”

Save predicted that the Demon King tried his best not to be resurrected in the world. If that wasn’t the reason, then there were many circumstances that couldn’t be understood. The seal and barrier on the Merdin Dungeon…there was even the complicated barrier on the final field, the Eternal Glacier. If Evan didn’t strengthen up in the Merdin Dungeon, he wouldn’t have crushed the last barrier.

‘The Demon King knew his strength and ran. But in the end, he lost all escape routes and was driven into a corner…he will jump on us in a do-or-die manner. The magic around the exterior must be part of it.’

He had been told of the Demon King’s threat for a long time. Save thought that the Demon King, who would appear before them now, would be stronger than ever. And yet, he advanced without fear.

“Everyone…are you ready?”

The person who shared the closest thoughts with Save, Louise, asked the members in a firm voice. Holding her short sword and shield…wrapping her body with purple strings of mana that allowed her to release her skills, Louise looked like an angel that fulfilled the orders of God.

“Yes!”

“I want to kill the Demon King quickly!”

“There’s no need to question it.”

“I feel like I can kill any living being.”

“What had happened to Lucid!?”

“I’m ready, Ms. Louise.”

“I-I-I am not yet done.”

It was Renail who asked them to halt a moment. Her equipment was ready, and she didn’t have any abnormal conditions. She looked strange, and her face was blushing while she moved her fingers.

“…Renail?”

It couldn’t be that she was scared of the Demon King and wanted to withdraw from the battle. Save was about to say something as he was curious.

“Ha…Hiiya!”

“Huh!?”

Renail threw herself to Save and gave him a strong smooch. Perhaps their kiss looked innocent because both of them didn’t have much experience.

“Whoa, I’m jealous!”

“Ha, this is why I don’t like couples.”

“That’s good for them. I wish Jhin were here with me.”

“Is Lin planning to kiss Jhin?”

“…Hii!”

“…”

As each of the members spoke their minds in awe, Renail let go of Save and gave him a serious look.

“The reason why I’m fighting with the Demon King is because of you, do you understand? If not for that, I wouldn’t have come to this dangerous place.”

“But his…”

“You are more important to me than him. So, don’t fight and die alone for his sake.”

“Renail, you…”

Renail was looking at Save seriously, her eyes holding no deception. Save shrugged as he replied.

“I don’t intend to die. In the first place, he aided us that much so that we won’t die. I won’t die, don’t worry.”

“If both of you come back alive, get married.”

“I am getting some ominous vibe from it…but all right, let’s do that.”

“Good. We made a promise then.”

It was that moment Renail smiled happily and gave Save one more light kiss. The remaining members who had to see the proposal looked bitter, but it surely became a motivation for them.

“Good, then let’s head out!”

Renail, who got rid of all her worries, let out a loud shout. It was a perfect relaxant for the tensed members due to their nervousness in confronting the Demon King.

“Let’s enter.”

Louise stood at the front. Enoch cast buffs on all the members, and Renail prepared the magic enchantment to cast her special magic at any time. Save focused all his energy into his halberd, and Lin finished her backup role by sharing her holy power and strength with Lan.

“Look at me…my feelings for you!”

Lastly, Lucid held his dagger and followed them. His tears that shined brightly dropped into the empty air.

―It’s not…Zero?

And they were face to face with a handsome man who looked startled.

* * *

At that moment, Evan’s party was eating cheese stew that warmed up their bodies while he froze the time in the area.

“Ah, delicious.”

“My cooking skills aren’t inferior to Belois’s! We had the same cooking teacher!”

Maybell was bragging at Evan, who was satisfied with the stew. Evan glanced at her and asked a question.

“The Demon King seems to have been summoned…will we be all right?”

“Master, I don’t know what you are trying to say…we will be fine as long as you stand by my side as we are spiritually connected.”

Maybell pretended she didn’t know, but after realizing that Evan was serious, she answered sincerely. But Evan was even more shocked by her words.

“When were we connected in such a manner!?”

“Ah, jeez. It’s not something new…that night, you know.”

“That night!?”

‘That expression can lead to a huge misunderstanding!? Arisha’s face just changed!’

“That night, you know…don’t you remember?”

“Hmm? Ahem…Aha!”

Evan soon recalled it.

‘But there was nothing special that day!’

“It is a secret art available only for the Queen. It can only be cast by a virgin…although born as a succubus, it’s the secret art of a vow to have a relationship with just one man! That’s what we call Spirit Bound!”

As expected from the original stalker who bounded her spirit to his without him knowing. It was his fault to let his guard down while looking at that starry sky. Evan shook his head.

“It sounds like you’ve strayed far away from the characteristics of your race.”

“The Succubae don’t need to stay virgins.”

“Similar with Evan. Evan doesn’t keep his chastity, does he?”

Arisha butted in while grinding her teeth. Maybell ignored her completely and continued.

“While making a promise to be in a relationship with one man, we gained the ability to be with that person whenever we want…! Isn’t it romantic?”

“Wow, is that how you learned the power of a stalker!?”

“Ah, I gained it long ago.”

Although Maybell spoke in laughter, she then continued apologetically.

“I will be controlled by the Demon King if I don’t do this. I’m sorry, Master.”

“No, I was just surprised since you didn’t tell me beforehand. But I see. I didn’t have such a dream meaninglessly, it seems.”

That explained why Maybell acted shy after having that dream even though they just kissed.

“…Huh?”

Then, Maybell suddenly tilted her head. Evan gave her an odd look, and she replied while shrugging.

“Someone just thought about me. We usually use this ability to have this feeling as a sign and hunt for the prey, but since my prey is just one person, there’s nothing I can do.”

“Your race is really scary…”

“Shine, come here. I feel cold.”

Anastasia pulled Shine to her side as she didn’t like Shine standing next to Maybell, showing her true colors. Among the members that enjoyed their meal delightfully, only Mirole was calm.

“Maybe…soon.”

A flash of light appeared from beyond. The battle with the Demon King began.