Declared Dead, Exiled, and Betrayed— Now I Walk Away, but I'll Save One Who Cared - Chapter 80

And then, Shifa’s magic faded and gradually disappeared.

Was it a failure?

If this was merely due to Shifa’s lack of power, then practice would suffice.

However, if Disemna had actively blocked it, the situation would become much more difficult.

After all, it would mean that the power of the Seeker had been nullified.

We might have to embark on another aimless journey in search of Disemna.

I considered asking Claire to analyze the situation for confirmation, but when I turned my gaze toward her, she was frozen in place, staring at a single point.

What the hell?

Her defenseless expression made it seem as though I could tease her all I wanted… Not that I would! Damn it, it’s bad enough that I feel like I could do anything at any moment!

But this was no time for jokes.

Beside Claire, Michelle… and even Melia were also frozen, fixated on the same spot.

In fact, I was the only one still moving.

And then—it came.

Slowly. But undeniably.

Something reappeared in the spot where Shifa’s conjured sphere had been.

Something red and black.

A moment after we caught sight of it, an overwhelming surge of magical pressure came crashing down upon us.

“Tch…!”

Michelle and I instinctively stepped forward, shielding Shifa and Melia.

Claire? She could handle herself.

Then, from that crimson mass, an arm emerged… followed by a leg… and finally, a head, slowly taking form.

“Why? …Why do you stand in my way?”

The figure was unmistakable—it bore the same appearance as Eranda once had.

“I am merely searching for my beloved… That which was once stolen from me, that which was once bound… I must destroy it.”

But the entity within was undoubtedly a demon.

Undoubtedly, Disemna.

“I cannot avert my gaze… What are you? …No, I recognize you. The Enchanting Dancer. I had avoided you, yet now you too choose to obstruct me?”

As it surveyed its surroundings, its gaze landed on Melia—and, as if entranced by its own words, it did not look away.

“Obstruct me or not, it matters little. If you intend to continue your path of destruction and slaughter, then we will stop you!”

Shifa shouted defiantly, her voice unwavering, even as Melia faltered under Disemna’s oppressive magic.

I positioned myself in front of Shifa, sword at the ready.

“Ah… A descendant of Riofendarl. So, you too have slain your own parent.”

“You bastard! It was you who forced that upon me!”

The words burst from me before I could stop them.

If this creature had not manipulated the viscount, none of it would have happened.

If it had not controlled Eranda.

If it had not pulled the strings from the shadows.

If it had never crawled out from the dungeon.

All of it—every tragedy—was already in the past, irreparable.

But the way it spoke, so detached, as if it bore no responsibility, filled me with rage.

Yet my anger did not faze Disemna in the slightest.

“I know nothing of it. It was you who did it, was it not?”

“You—!”

“How could you? How could you bring harm to something you love?”

There was no reasoning with it.

“There’s no point in talking. We will never see eye to eye. But I will defeat you. If I let you live, more people will die. That is why—!”

“And that is why I have responded in kind. Surrender your magic to me. With it, I shall break my shackles and search for him. He exists somewhere in this world—I am certain of it.”

Shackles?

Now that I thought about it, it had mentioned being bound earlier.

What did that mean?

I had assumed it was here for a specific purpose, but was it actually being restrained by someone?

Bound to this land?

If so—who would do such a thing, and why?

“Then… perish!”

Disemna raised its arm and unleashed something.

I called it something because whatever it released vanished as soon as it left its grasp, making it impossible to discern.

I couldn’t tell what it was, but one thing was certain—it was no ordinary offensive spell.

In fact, it didn’t seem to carry much direct attack power at all.

But this was dangerous…

The sheer amount of magic infused into that spell was overwhelming.

And yet, its effect remained unknown.

I wanted to evade it, but I had no idea what its range was. I couldn’t see it, nor could I sense it.

So, this was what it meant to face a monster that had lived for centuries.

Did that mean it had continued to evolve just like humans did?

Hey, Administrator—how the hell is this thing supposed to be weak?!

Well, complaining wouldn’t get me anywhere.

I just needed to counter it—and then strike it down with Demonic Godslayer.

“Guardian’s Key.”

But before I could act, Michelle activated her skill.

I was sure it had an unclear effect… or so I thought, but against the immediate threat before us, it worked flawlessly.

We were suddenly freed from whatever magic Disemna had cast.

It felt as though a cage of magic had been woven around us, and Michelle’s skill had allowed us to escape it.

That was the sensation.

“What!?”

It seemed even Disemna had not expected that.

And if it was caught off guard, there was no way I was going to let that opportunity slip.

Without hesitation, I swung my sword.

Of course, I used my skill—

Demonic Godslayer!

The moment I activated the skill and brought my sword down, a blinding light erupted from the blade, hurtling straight toward Disemna.